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