Saturday, September 27, 2008

Uganda!!!!!

So, here we are in Kampala Uganda. Simply, stunning. We are surrounded by breathtaking views when we are outside the city. We toured the Watoto Children's Village today-both of them here in Uganda. One property sits on 100 acres on top of a hill overlooking a valley from every direction. It will be hard to put into words what we have learned. But, what I do know is TJ and I are not coming home the same. How can you when you come to countries like this? The Watoto Conference is something we HIGHLY recommend to those of you who want to catch an amazing vision of serving African Children-especially those who are currently abucted by the rebel army in Northern Uganda. We have such powerful stories to share.

We have been here for 4 days now. We leave tomorrow back to Kitale...6 hour drive so pray again for safety. I'm sad to go as Uganda has grown on me.

Well, must go. Love you all bunches and looking forward to bringing home some pretty things for you!

Love,
Lindsay

Monday, September 22, 2008

In Kitale!

Whew! We finally made it to Kitale. We traveled by bus (like a Greyhound company) 8 hours west. Surprisingly it is way more populated and less "rural" than our trips to Oloiktoktok previous years.
It broke our hearts to see reminants of the the violence that occurred earlier this years, as we drove by burned buildings, collapsed walls, left overs of road blocks that were set up every 50 yards. Priscillah shared stories of the terror she went through as her tribe was the ones others were trying to kill. It's amazing what this 19 yr old has gone through in her lifetime yet still remains so happy.
We met all the children in this home run by Bud and Kimberly last night and completely fell in love with them. We will be going there today and tomorrow and handing out school supplies, pajamas, underwear and socks. Thank you to all of you who helped with the donations.
Kimberly and Bud are FANTASTIC people and TJ and I are so encouraged by their lives and seeing how they care for their baby, Elisha, while running this children's home.
We leave for Uganda on Wednesday and plan to return to Nairobi on the 1st to fly back home.
We love and miss you all and will continue to report as long as internet is working!!!!

Love,
TJ or now known to this kids as "Teets" :)

and Lindsay

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Nairobi Adventures

Since we will have poorer internet service in Kitale for the duration of our trip, we thought we'd write here before the day was done. We spent time with Priscillah for most of the day (Ben, do you remember talking about her?) Went to the giraffe feeding center and shopped for school supplies for her as she will be going there on Monday. Loading pictures is not working right now--so will try later.
We leave for Kitale 8am tomorrow and arrive at 4pm....so another looong day ;0)

Love,

TJ and Lindsay

We made it!

Just wanted to let everyone know we made it safely to kenya. the flights were GREAT and we got much needed rest last night. we woke up this morning to drink our favorite chai tea and now we are waiting for Priscillah's arrival to the guesthouse.

today we are hoping to get to the elephant orphanage or do something fun with her. we will try to post some pictures later tonight if the internet is working, otherwise we will wait until we arrive in kitale on sunday to do so.

we are grateful we arrived safely and looking forward for what is to come!!!

love,

tj and lindsay

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

We're leaving on a jet plane......

So here we are- the day before we are to leave for Kenya. So many emotions running through us right now...sadness leaving our kids behind, excitement for what's ahead. We can't believe the time has come. So much preparation has gone into this and it's finally here. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go!!!!!

We got an email today from HCI (the company we have sponsored Priscillah through) and they have said that Priscillah has not checked back into school yet-which started 2 weeks ago-and are unsure of her whereabouts. Her mother has been ill this summer and they suspect she is either back in Kibera (the slum) where her family lives or living with her sister in Nairobi. We are hoping that she is in Nairobi and safe. We hope to see her Friday or Saturday and spend some time with her. Pray that they find her safe. Social Workers are supposed to be going out there today.
We got a phone call from Bud and Kimberly Huffman, the couple we will be spending the most time with, and we will be helping them unload a big crate they have been waiting 2 yrs for-containing a playground, clothing and shoes for the kids. We will also be in Uganda for several days, known as "the garden of Eden" in Africa apparently, for a conference. We will update our blog as much as possible as we are told we will have plenty of internet access.

Thanks again for all your support thus far. Love you!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Blessings from Walmart. . .

Just had to share quick what Katie and I were able to pick up today at Walmart. We prayed to find some needed clothing shopping today and we were able to literally clear our most of the $2 clearance racks of pajamas, swimsuits and tshirts for the kids in the Mattaw Children's Village. If you want to donate a pair of pajamas, email me or call or send $2 to our paypal account which I can give you later. Just let me know! We are filling up 3 suitcases to take with us.. needed items are: girls pajama bottoms (for ages 4-12 yrs), school supplies, girls/boys swimsuits (ages 4-12yrs).

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

2 weeks and counting ;)

Wow-time has FLOWN by! So much to blog about, but so little time at the moment! TJ and I are starting to pack for our trip to Kenya. We leave Sept 18th and are back Oct 2. It's been an amazing journey thus far and it has been awesome to see how God is using this trip already to bring Glory to His name! We had a chance to speak in front of our church recently about why we are going and what we will be doing there. It was the first time in a long time that I was overcome with fear about going. TJ and I have been facing a lot of spiritual warfare this past week in a lot of different areas of our lives.

God has given us this scripture in Psalms 27 that says "The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confidentOne thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple".

Ironically, this is a scripture that I (Lindsay) had close to my heart the first time I visited Kenya in 2002. It's amazing how God works. TJ and I go this year with great anticipation that God is going to work in our lives in a life-changing way.

We are taking along school supplies, baby clothes, and diapers, so if anyone would like to donate items to take over for the kids there, let us know so we can make room to pack it!

Will keep you posted!