Back Home (away from home) !!

I sit here in my new bedroom, in a nice apartment just off of main street in Jinja, the sun shining through my windows, the breeze rustling my curtains, I can hear the traffic of jinja town go by, people shouting for a boda, random conversations of people as they move down the streets, horns honking in a distance, and I feel overwhelmed with how blessed I am.

As many of you know just before leaving Canada, all of my most valued possessions were stolen from me.  At the moment that happened I felt stunned that God would allow such a thing to happen to me.  In Uganda, sure, I would expect that to happen, but in Canada?  I was not prepared.  I had somehow let myself believe that all of the difficulties that I experience happen in Uganda, and that Canada was my ‘safe place’, were I had come to re energize myself because of how difficult things could be in Uganda.  Obviously I was quickly 

awakened to reality.

What amazes me (although not surprises me) is how God turned the whole situation around into being a situation that brought glory to His name, and opened my eyes to see just how many people I have in my life who love and support me and are willing to give up so many of their own belongings for my benefit.  What was just was returned to me 2,3,and 4 fold.  People that I don’t even know were sending me money and small groups they have I have never heard of were praying for me and The Sanctuary.  God used a situation meant for evil and turned it into something beautiful.  I have never felt more loved or supported in all my life.  Let me take a moment here to say THANK YOU to each and every person who helped turn my “impossible situation” into a blessing!  Please know that you have been directly used by God to bring glory to His name and hope to my heart!

The trip home (or rather home away from home) to Uganda was uneventful.  I was greeted with open arms by the boys, and felt in my heart that I was back where I was supposed to be.  My time in Canada was exactly what I needed to re-energize and build up my strength by spending so much time with my family and friends, but for now – this is where I belong.

I only spent a couple of nights actually living at The Sanctuary, and then moved all of my things out to the apartment I mentioned earlier in Jinja.  While I miss some of the moments I had with the boys being their primary care-giver, I recognize that the time for me to be such a large role in their lives has past, and while I will always be actively involved in their life, it will be to a different capacity.  I should say that having my own place, where I am not woken up in the morning with requests for pens or lotion or toothpaste IS rather lovely.

So what does my life look like now?  I still spend each evening from about 5-9 at The Sanctuary.  Helping with homework, talking to the boys about their days or things that are happening in their lives, helping to keep the house clean/organized, being there for devotions, etc.  During the day I help out with our other project – Jinja Connection, as well as spending a lot of time working on the computer creating budgets, preparing documents, newsletters, blogs, etc.

In my absence we still have Ronnie working at The Sanctuary – making sure that the boys are waking up on time, doing our shopping, preparing lunch for the boys who are home for lunch, and doing whatever else needs to be done in between.  We are also continuing our search for house parents, and have had a few possibilities mentioned to us that we will be researching further. Until then, we have just hired an intern who will be at The Sanctuary for 6 days a week working alongside Ronnie to meet the needs of the boys, but whereas Ronnie is more focused on the physical and social well being of the boys, Dues will be specifically focusing in on their emotional and spiritual needs.  We are excited to have him join our team, and look forward to seeing what changes he will bring to the home.

That’s a brief update on life here in Jinja, stay posted for more stories of the day to day activities at The Sanctuary!

Love you all,

Mel

Mansen and I organizing my things

Kanyike is back!!

Mike and Kanyike

Visiting Sanctuary and Jinja Connection students in boarding at New Victory
(notice the rainbow of colours..i may have put them in order..lol)

Robert and his brother

Visiting Robert's brother in a transit centre

Visiting Lemukol on VD Day (Visiting day for parents at school)

Marvin...being Marvin ;)

Jan 9, 2013 - Exciting news!!!

 

I’m coming home in less than a month!!!  And I cannot wait!  As things have been transpiring over the last year it has become clear to myself, and those involved that it I am needed here longer than originally planned.  When I first booked my ticket, it would only let me book 10 months ahead, so the plan was to change my flight to March sometime in January.  BUT, as things have moved forward I have decided that I will come home for the month of February (because I cannot express to you how much I am missing my family and friends – and just need a break), and then I’ll come back to Uganda until the summer time. 

While this means that I have a list a couple pages long to do before I leave, but I CAN’T WAIT!!!  We have started meeting with different people who will potentially start getting more involved with the boys here, but as we are getting to know them, seeing if or how they would fit, George has offered to stay at the house full time until I am back.  So he, along with the help of Ronnie will continue to run The Sanctuary. 

Finding new staff is very difficult, so I ask that you continue to pray for us as we seek to find the one/ones that God has in store for us.  We are also still in the process of selling our house, so prayers in the direction are also welcomed.

I cannot lie to you, I am tired.  I know that maybe I am supposed to portray a happy and positive front, but I would prefer to be honest.  These last months have been difficult.  God has been faithful in getting all of us through them, and He continues to show us the way.  I, for the millionth time am being taught the lesson of leaning on HIS strength and not MY own.  I pray that my time at home is what I need to get rejuvenated and refreshed so that I can come back and continue to carry on the job that God has laid before me.  I love these boys, and my heart for The Sanctuary hasn’t changed, I think I just need to take a step back to get better perspective.

So, in saying all of this – when I am back, I would love to see YOU!  I will be speaking at a few different churches and a school, and I hope that I can catch many of you in those places! BUT, I’d also love to catch up and go for coffee or tea (really anything that will help to keep me warm, as I am quite sure that I am going to FREEZE when I return). 

I’ll do my best to write a few more blogs before I come home, but just know how much I appreciate each one of you, and THANK YOU for being part of the reason why I am coming home to get re-energized.

Love you all! AND…Jahkulabah! (See you soon)

Mel

Christmas Day Thinking

Today is Christmas Day….Crazy!  Sometimes I am surprised that I have made it this far.  I am sitting at the picnic table in our compound watching the comings and goings of the day.  Most of the boys are home, some of them are watching a football game, some are listening/dancing to music, and some are in the kitchen putting the final touches on our Christmas meal.  While the boys get worried when I sit alone…it is good for me to take a step back to see where we came from, and where we are today.

As many of you probably saw on facebook, this past week has been full of Christmas happenings.  From decorating our house, to baking Christmas cookies, to watching Christmas movies, to playing Christmas games last night and opening Christmas presents.  While it doesn’t really feel like how Christmas should feel in my mind (no snow or cold weather, although lots of rain!), it has been fun to be able to be here with the boys to celebrate Jesus birth.  I am so proud of all of them and love when I can look back from year to year and see how much they have grown and matured (don’t get me wrong, they still have far to go – like we all do, but they are definitely growing up). 

Sitting here is helping me to gain perspective over the last couple of months.  I won’t pretend that they have been easy, because they have definitely been some of the most challenging months I’ve ever gone through, but God has been faithful and I know that He will continue to see us through.

I realize that it has been forever since I have blogged, so for those of you who haven’t stayed up to date on what is going on, let me try to fill you in.  For starters we have had some staff changes, and Alex is no longer working for us.  We are so proud of Ronnie for stepping up and taking over much of his responsibilities.  George is also here on the weekends and holidays and is a huge help to the smooth running of The Sanctuary, not only with the boys, but being the handy man around the house.  All of these changes mean that I have taken over a much bigger role than I had originally anticipated when coming to Uganda.  During this time of transition I am happy to step up and do the best that I can do.  I have been stretched beyond anything I ever  thought I was capable of handling, but I continue to tell myself that God is the one who placed me here, and even if I have no idea what I’m doing, He does.

Another one of the changes we are in the process of going through is that the original capital which we used to buy the home that the boys are currently living in now needs to be repaid, and we are unable to commit to covering the requested payments. This is due to the fact that there is over $40 000 owing for the purchase of the house. We decided that the best method to address this matter is to sell the house and to obtain an alternate home for the boys.   This whole situation has been difficult on the boys, as to them the house we are in is their first ‘real home,’ it is the place that they find their security.  BUT, we have put much effort into helping them understand that it is GOD, and WE the people who are The Sanctuary, not the actual house itself.  Our security needs to come from God, and not from people or places. At first it was difficult for them to accept/understand, but slowly they are coming to terms with it.

So, as you can see, The Sanctuary has been going through many transitions.  The things that I have ended up doing while I am here are nothing like I thought I would be doing, BUT everything that God knew I would be doing.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray for me and support me and all the boys with encouraging phone calls, messages and even packages.  God has used you to be the thing that has helped to keep me going.

Love you all and check our my blog more often, the blogs are coming back!  I'm off to enjoy some Christmas dinner and soda, and than off for an afternoon filled with fun with the boys! (swimming!!! :))

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! 

One of’ those’ moments…..

Let me just start by saying thank you to everyone who has stuck with me, even through the last couple of months of low communication. 

Things here in Uganda have been quite eventful over the last few months.  While at times I was not sure that God had chosen the right person for the job, I am so thankful to Him for seeing all of us through the last couple of months.

Just to quickly update you, The Sanctuary is going through a time of transition, and we are now looking for an older Ugandan couple to partner with us, and help to raise our boys.  We have realized that while we are so thankful for the young Ugandan men and all that they have done for The Sanctuary, the boys need consistent people in their lives (something that can never happen if we continue to hire young men to take such a large active role in running The Sanctuary).  So please pray with us and for us over the next couple of months as we search out a couple that will fit in with the boys at The Sanctuary.

Celebrating Marvin's birthday with Sarah and Marshall!!!

Right now all of the boys have just started writing their end of term 2 exams – then Holidays!  We’ve been blessed over the last month with a study flow of volunteers coming to The Sanctuary, investing their time and money into the boys! 

Now, on to one of ‘these’ moments…as many of you know, in 2008 I came to Uganda with Ann Martin (now Goerz).  During our time here we met many boys living on the streets, which led to the beginnings of The Sanctuary.  Around that time 2 other organizations for street kids also arose – 1morechild and ASCO.  Right now Ann (and Mike her husband) are both here in Uganda visiting us!  This Saturday we (the Sanctuary boys) were all invited to play a game of football with the children of all of these other projects.  Standing back with Ann, watching many of the boys we had met 4 years ago – all now in homes, going to school, having a chance at a future was one of ‘those’ moments.  The moments where you can’t explain what exactly you’re feeling, but you are just blown away by how big our God is, and how thankful you are that He gives you small glimpses into His plans, and His greatness.  Moments when you know that He didn’t have to show you the picture that He has been painting throughout the years – but in his awesomeness, He does.

Now, while I am somehow biased, the best team DID win J (The Sanctuary of course;) But for me, winning the game was not as important as getting the chance to see these boys all being taken care of.  I wanted to share this moment with you, because this is not just a victory for God, or a victory for me, but for you as well.  The role that each of you has played, no matter how big or small has added up to this moment being possible.  If it were not for your letters, emails, prayers, financial support, and more, this moment would not have been possible.  Thank YOU for allowing God to use you to build into and invest in these boys lives!

Moses and I visiting in Masese

Watching the boys play football

Swimming :D

Thanks Sarah and Marshall!

Samuel and Jacob hanging out at the pool.

Some fresh (and much needed) perspective

Sometimes there are moments when I miss the comforts of home – quick/easy food, Tim Horten’s coffee, power that is predictable, no rats, my family and friends.  But then I have moments like this – sitting at Red Chilli, taking some time to myself to reflect on everything that has happened since I got here, and appreciating all that I have here!  Even when things are challenging, or I don’t understand why things go like they do, God is always faithful.  He is always there to remind me that this (coming to Uganda, or The Sanctuary) isn’t about me, but it’s about Him.  Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day happenings that you lose focus on what is really going on, and why you are where you are.

To be honest with you, the last month has been a challenge.   I think after a month of being here – I got comfortable.  I thought “God, don’t worry – I got this”, and lost sight of what was really important.   It was like I trusted God to get me here, and then I took charge.  The problem is, there isn’t a single thing I can do here without His help.  That has been the exciting and cool thing to watch as The Sanctuary grows.  None of us – board, staff, etc, especially me has any idea of what we’re doing.  We must trust God in the daily decisions that we make – because we are human, we make mistakes, but God doesn’t.  I completely believe that He called who he has to help with The Sanctuary because he knew that without a doubt, people would see us (the humans involved) and know that there is no way we could be doing what we’re doing without God being involved.  All the glory and the honor of anything involving The Sanctuary can only be given to God!  So, while I know this, coming back Uganda, I somehow forgot.  Not that I wasn’t praying, reading my bible, etc, but I wasn’t giving everything to God like I should have been.

So, I guess this goes to show that I am human.  And as many times as I can learn this lesson, apparently I need to keep learning it!  I pray that you will continue on with me through my journey, and hold me accountable to what God has called me to do (and not to do).  The cool thing about going through a difficult time is that you  draw closer to God.  When everything is going along fine, it’s easy to forget to bring things to the Lord, but when things are a challenge – we are forced to turn to Him to get us through it. 

So the next couple of posts will be trying to catch you up on some of the happenings during the last month.  Thanks to everyone for all your love and prayers and messages!  They continue to encourage me AND everyone at The Sanctuary!  Please continue to pray for us, that God will give us the wisdom and strength to continue to press forward, and for The Sanctuary to be a light in the darkness for all who come into contact with us.

Love, Mel

Johnson and his friend Noah!

Getting my hair done by my friend and neighbour Yvonne :)

Lemukol, Marvin and I going for a walk!

 

Moments like these....

April 19, 2012

The thought of trying to catch up on blogs over the last 2 weeks has got me feeling a bit overwhelmed…so instead I’m just going to tell you about today, and another time I will catch you up (promise!)

Today Alex was gone for the whole day so I was on my own. (Well, as much on your own as you can be in a house full of kids….the primary kids – Robert, David, Mansen, Johnson, Lemukol and even Jacob from senior, were all home today.)

My days start almost the same every day now – the boys start making their way in one by one, someone starts some music, the move around, preparing for school (around 615am). I usually get a knock on my door around 650am from someone needing something – whether pills, lotion, pens, etc. I drag myself out of bed (the rats have me getting less sleep that I’d prefer lol) and then I am up.

Right now we have 2 boys on medication – One for Typhoid and a parasites and another is on anti-biotics. I give them their pills, as well as their lunch time ones and head back to my room to check my email…slowly my rooms starts to fill with secondary boys combing their hair using my mirror, asking to use my lotion (yes, they like twilight woods best!) and making sure that they look ‘smart’ before they head off to school. Today they have 3 exams, then 1 more tomorrow, and they are off for 1 month of holidays!

After saying goodbye to the senior boys I take my bible to the outside couch/bed and drink my tea.

Then the excitement begins, I am sure that I heard rats AGAIN in my closet last night, so I ask Robert to look. He calls Mansen and together they begin to search through my things. Just as they’re about to give up and they call me back into the room, they spot 2! They catch one and bring it outside, laughing and screaming and calling another boy who is still sleeping to come and help. Unfortunately that one gets away, so they head back for the next one. This one is not so fortunate, they manage to kill it (I wont mention how) and dispose of it. Victory! Lol. And on that note, I have found a cat named Rue, who will be coming to live here shortly. Does anyone have any advice for me.. I am NOT a cat person, but I prefer them over rats!

Anyways, after this excitement Robert and I head into town to go visit some old friends at welcome home, as well as another friend in town. Can I mention that on Wednesday it rained most of the afternoon (which as far as I know is pretty unusual around here) so the road to town was pretty muddy and bumpy. On top of that I was in a skirt, it was the boda driver, then Robert, and then me sitting sideways. Needless to say I think I will have bruises on my hip in the morning from not quite fitting onto the seat like I should going up and down bumpy roads!

The afternoon was fairly calm, I did some work with the younger kids, and printed off some colouring pages for them to practice drawing and colouring. The 2 girls from across the road have been here almost every day and they coloured some princess pictures for me to hang on my wall J

Robert, 2 of the girls and I went for a walk in the evening and had fun chatting , picking flowers and taking pictures.

Thursday nights (and Tuesday nights) are devotions nights. This week it was Jacob’s turn and he spoke on Malachi 3:6,7. He did a great job reading and sharing what this verse meant to him, and then the rest of the boys took turns sharing their thoughts.

Most of the boys head off to bed/do revising in their own rooms at this time… (we eat around 845, then devos at 915, so its usually around 10). Tonight one of the boys was sitting alone on the couch and I went and sat with him and asked him if he was ok. This is the boy who will notice when I am feeling sad or frustrated and always ask me the same thing, but today it was my turn. At first he said no, he was fine, but surprisingly shortly after a few moments of silence he opened up to say that he was missing his mother and father. We are planning to take him back the village he grew up in soon to see what family is around (he thinks maybe a jaja, sister and auntie). I’m guessing that thoughts of going back to find family are making him think about what he has lost. It was a hard conversation to have, and tears were shed, and unfortunately another boy came in and took over the conversation, but he said we would talk more about it tomorrow..so please pray for me to know the words to say!

Sometimes living at The Sanctuary is hard. I often find myself in the middle of conversations (or arguments) where I have no idea what is going on because of the language barrier. But, when moments like this happen, and I get the chance to be there for the boys, I know why God has called me here. There are moments when I feel so lost and unsure of what I am doing here, but I know that I am where God has called me to be, and I am humbled to be given the opportunity to be in this position. Please continue praying for me as I struggle to know my role here at The Sanctuary, and to know how to be there in a way that each of the boys need.

Love you all, and will soon catch you up on my recent trip to Masese (the local village, and seeing Moses!)

Good Friday

Today was a good day. The boys didn’t have school today, so I actually got to be around with them for breakfast. Then Alex and I went off to see Randy (from Waterloo) who had so generously donated soccer jersey’s for each of the boys with each of their names on it AS WELL AS their favourite number! We are so thankful for his donation, and the boys were so so happy!

Today being a holiday was the big Nile Breweries Rugby Tournament. The boys school (Jinja S.S.) played in the first couple of games, and of course most of the boys were on the team. I was alittle bit worried, because already the boys have complained of so many injuries from playing rugby, but they were eager and invited me to come and watch. In the end it was only Ambrose and Patrick who ended up playing, and it was very fun to watch. Their team was MUCH smaller than most of the other teams, but even the bigger teams played ‘fair/gentle’, so thankfully, no one was hurt!

Alex and I and some of the boys stayed to watch a bunch of games, and then Alex and I went to get a Rollex (FIRST ONE since arriving! Delicious! J For those of you who don’t know/remember – a rollex is a chapatti with an ommlette inside of it, and then made into a wrap). Then we stopped to use the internet, and I headed off to meet with a lady I had met in Uganda on my last trip who had been here for a week and was leaving on Saturday. She was staying at a guest house in town, so I spent a couple of hours with her, and then walked back to the games. At this point there was a very large crowd, and loud music playing. The environment was exciting, and I watched the final couple of games with Alex, and a couple of mzungu girls that I knew from another project. The boys found us at some point and sat with us as well.

Probably the biggest moment of the day…that I still can’t get from my mind is that I saw Moses today. Moses is a boy who lived at The Sanctuary for over 2 years. He was one of the first boys that we helped. About a year ago he started acting out, not following the rules, curfew, doing chores, attending class, etc. so after many warnings and consequences, we had to ask him to leave. He has contacted me over the last couple of months, always telling me that he misses me, but asking for money. Today at first I could tell he was uncertain as to what to do, but when he finally saw that I was looking for him (he played on the boys teams – so I had already seen him), he came running to give me a hug. It was so difficult. He looks so different – more wild, carefree and yet hardened. We talked for a bit, and then I promised to meet him in Masese on Monday and got his number so that I could call him.

Walking away from him then, and even now when I think about it is very difficult. I know that he made his choices, and that maybe I cannot do something to help him, but I will always feel like he is one of my boys. Even though it has been so long, I continue to pray for him, and ask you to do the same. God and put Moses in a special place in my heart..I don’t know why, but I won’t stop praying.

Anyways, after the games, I went back home to find some of the younger boys who had been around the house all day. I went for a quick walk with them before it got dark and then came home.

George showed up tonite and so he and I and a bunch of boys sat around and talked for the rest of the night. It was a lovely evening relaxing on the front porch and enjoying learning from each other!

Sula Bulungi (good night)