Varga Mission

In August we went to talk with the village leaders in Kaliti Central. This is one of seven villages in the Kaliti Parish and one of two villages that borders the “Field of Dreams.” We went to talk with them and listen to the challenges they face.

One of their biggest problems at this time is lack of water. The good news is that they do have a bore hole but the bad news is that it hasn’t been working for quite some time and they do not have all the money needed to fix it. In an area with no running water from the city and no major bodies of water nearby, this is a devastating situation. We told them that we couldn’t make any promises, but that we could be a voice for them and see if anyone would answer the cry of their need.

Just as we suspected, as we voiced their need, one of our team members was able to contact a friend who set aside some of his own resources to see that this village gets the water it so desperately needs.

But that is not where it ends. Along with partnering with them to repair the well, we also met with them again to talk about a long term solution. As we move into the neighborhood we want to do our part to help our neighbors be successful at running their village. So, we asked them to come up with a plan to collect funds from those using the water that would help them be able to afford any repairs needed in the future. We also asked them to consider the elderly who can no longer afford to contribute. As we listened to the plan they came up with Randy also gave suggestions for them as leaders to think about that might make the plan more successful. It was a great meeting and we are hopeful that it is the first of many more meetings to come!

John 1:14a (The Message) says: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”

That is what we want to be; Jesus within us moving into the neighborhood to bless and love the people He loves so much who have been sitting in darkness for such a long time.

Looking over the past ten months brings tears to my eyes. We left Oregon November 7th to fly to the opposite side of the world with hearts full of passion and excitement. We knew that moving to Uganda serving Show Mercy, International was what we were supposed to do. Still stunned by the way our things including our house and cars had sold quickly and for a good price we stepped confidently into a third world country to help in any way we could.

What we found here in Uganda was both difficult and heartwarming. The people here face challenges we from the western world can’t even dream of. To say their situations are difficult would be an understatement. If a family has a home it is often four walls and a tin roof with no electricity or running water. If there is a bed it holds many people with some still left to sleep on the floor. Food, though plentiful is not affordable by all and many children if they are fortunate enough to go to school, go with empty stomaches hoping to find and steal a piece of fruit on the way. Those adults who actually have a job work very, very hard for the money they receive and there are many people who cannot find employment.

All this said, we found the people here very loving, accepting and welcoming. We found that all it takes is a wave and a smile on our part and we have a new friend. As we launched out to do the work of Show Mercy, we not only found favor from the people but acceptance as well. We have the best job in the world because we get to wake up every day saying “What can I do to love someone today?” We are grateful every day that because of all Show Mercy has done, we know we are making a difference in the lives of people here one person at a time.

Working for Show Mercy for almost a year now has been the greatest gift we have ever been given. Helping and loving the kids and staff at Hope Children’s Home, meeting people like ourselves coming over with SMI Transformational Teams, ministering alongside them to make a difference, overseeing the building of “The Field of Dreams,” and reaching out to the village people in Kaliti has been a huge blessing in our lives.

Later this month we will fly home for a month to attend the wedding of our third oldest son and visit with friends and family but we know as we go we will leave a big part of our hearts here in Uganda and will look forward to returning and continuing the work that has been started here. Thank you Show Mercy, International, Mike and Lori Salley, the SMI Board and all of you who partner with us in all Show Mercy is doing here in Uganda. Thank you for making it possible for orphans to have homes, the poor to have the things they need and people who have had no hope to now have hope and a future.