Our God is truly an AWESOME GOD!!

So, a lot has transpired since my last post. I think I could write a book telling of all the ways that God has worked to bring this trip together. This post shall be dedicated to two instances where God has brought people into our lives who have connections in Uganda.

1. I attended Passion Conference 2010 in Atlanta this past weekend. It was a wonderful time to spend with 22,000 other students praising the Lord and having a part in missions around the world. One such ministry represented was Cure International. I first was introduced to this medical mission in 2007 when I met them at Passion and helped sponsor a surgery with my sisters. I went up to the workers and started talking and they were telling me about all of the hospitals that they have around the world. Well, they have one in Uganda. I started asking further about it and mentioned that I would be there. The person that I first talked with in 2007 told me more about it and what they do (he remembered me after all of these years). Anyway, to make a long story short, we may have the opportunity to visit this hospital and make some valuable contact with them while we are there. They specialize in neurosurgery which we don't need right now, but who knows how God may use it down the road.

2. Also at Passion2010 this past weekend. One of the speakers was Marilyn Skinner who, along with her husband, started a church in Kampala, Uganda over 25 years ago. Since then, they have opened a baby home and a village for former child soldiers. Their ministry is called Watoto...does the Watoto Children's Choir ring a bell. Anyway, I was dying to talk with her and share about Sonrise, but when you are in a group of 22,000 that just doesn't seem possible. But, thankfully we serve a God who likes to turn the impossible into the very possible. I have a friend who knows some very important people associated with Passion Ministries (thanks Mike!). He made a few phone calls and arranged for Amy and I to meet with Marilyn for about 15 minutes. What a time of encouragement it was. We weren't quite sure what to say since we didn't have a lot of time, so finally Amy asked her if she had any advice for us since we had just opened in June. She answered after a poignant pause..."Never look down on your small beginnings and think that you aren't making a difference." WOW!! That is just what we needed to hear!!! She talked about how she and her husband would have done what they do now even if they knew they could only affect 12 children. Don't look at numbers, but look instead at how God is using you to make a difference in the lives of children. By the end of the conversation we were almost in tears by how encouraging the conversation had been. Add to that...she is going to be in Uganda while we are there. She told us to come by and say hello, to visit their baby home and ask whatever questions we may have (this will be a huge help), and to also visit their village in Northern Uganda to see how it is run. This is a HUGE contact to make. I left the weekend totally overwhelmed by how God takes care of us...even the tiny details.

It is hard to believe that we leave in such a short time. Amy and I were making a list of all of the things that we need to do while we are there...I have a feeling that six weeks will fly by. We will be staying at Sonrise for about 3-4 weeks straight while Damali takes a little vacation to visit some family and friends. Then we have to visit Musana Children's home, several hospitals, Watoto village in Gulu, do some fun things like safari and rafting on the Nile...WOW how will we ever fit it in! I am excited about being in a warmer climate though. After all of this freezing weather (and I usually like winter time) it will be so nice to be in 80+ degree weather. This may change once I get there, but for now I'm looking forward to it. Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I really appreciate it!