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.

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.

A lady rang our doorbell today and told Randy and Gabe she wanted to talk to “Mama.” As it turns out, Randy had given her a ride up the street one day (without me), but as she was praying about her situation, God told her to go talk to me.

With tears in her eyes she told me about her two children who were born out of a situation where she was a “housemaid.” She left the situation only to find out she is now HIV positive (fortunately her children are fine). She just found out that her numbers are worse and she is fearful she doesn’t have much time left. She cried as she told me she just wants to know her children will be taken care of. She said she would sign any papers to have them adopted. She is desperate to have them cared for. She doesn’t have a job so the children are living with her grandmother who doesn’t have enough money to pay for them to be in school. One is 9 and the other is 7. One has had schooling up to second grade and the other up to first grade.

“So Muzungu”, I asked myself, “What do you have? How can you help this woman who was sent to you?” My heart cried out for God to give me an answer to help her in her pain, to give her hope and to change her situation. But just then I was reminded of some words I read in the Bible – “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.” I believe with my whole heart that the only thing I possess that is of any value is the Lord Jesus Christ who lives in me. So, I put my arm around her and prayed for her to the God I know, love and depend on. He is the only solution I can trust.

After I prayed, the Lord spoke two words for her to my heart. The first is that the Bible says to “Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present you requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The other word was, “ I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” I shared these words with her and told her I would continue to pray for her. She went on her way asking me please to keep in touch with her.

As I sit here now, thinking about her and praying for her, my heart stands in wonder at what we are doing out at the Field of Dreams. Our hope is to have homes for about 150 orphans there. I wish it was a reality today. But her story urges me to go on, to not give up, to be a voice for Fiona and other women like her who just want to know their children will be cared for when they are gone. There are so many needs and so many stories just like hers and I have a dream that some day my prayer to the Lord this very day would be answered by an ability to say yes to the cry of the desperate, yes to the need of a nation, yes to the cry of one mother’s heart to another.

Randy knows my favorite thing to do for fun and relaxation is to sit by a pool, read, swim and enjoy the sun. So for one day and night, we left the village where we live and entered the world of luxury.

I am not going to lie, I loved it! It was so relaxing, beautiful, clean and effortless to enjoy. We even met some friends from church who were staying overnight there too.

But, when I got home, hugged my kids and started making plans for the coming week, it really hit home that though this place was almost perfect in every sense of the word, my life here in the village is where I want to be. I love my kids (both at home and at Hope), my Mamas at Hope, our visitors, and the whole village of Kaliti where we are beginning to make an impact. There is no place I would rather be than in the villages with the poor living life together and giving whatever meager portion I have to give to make their lives just a little bit better than it would be if I were not there. That is the best birthday gift I could ever receive and I get to have it for as long as the Lord seems fit to have us here.

My Dear Friend JOY!

I laughed out loud when Joy (one of the Mammas at Hope and a dear friend) bit into the Resses Peanut Butter Cup we gave her to try. When asked what she thought she flashed me her sweet smile and said “It’s good!” After being gone a month in my home state of Oregon and meeting my first grandchild Titus James Vallely, I am now back in Uganda. It is amazing to see how different the two cultures are. I now find myself a woman between two different continents completely across the world from each other. There are people in both places that I love and care for and my life is to love them both; some who are here in Uganda and some who are back in Oregon.

What strikes me most about returning to Uganda is the simplicity of life and the joy taken in the smallest things; like a piece of candy. Although the people here have so little, they truly seem to embrace and find joy in the lives they live. This is an example to me of how I should live my life.

Another thing that occurs to me is how much the people of Uganda have changed me and blessed my life. When you come to a place so filled with need. You stop thinking about yourself. You let go of thinking about what you need and desire, and it becomes so much more important to see how you can bless another person rather than worry about yourself. The people of Uganda have taught me how much better it is to give than receive. As I pour out my life in service to them, I no longer carry the burden of thinking about myself so much. In that, I am set free, really free to live the life I was always created to live!

I can only imagine the joy that went on in heaven as the Lord started revealing His plan for the little village of Kaliti. In my minds eye, I can see the cloud of witnesses waiting to see the unfolding of His marvelous plan. Since we arrived here in Uganda almost nine months ago we have continued to see evidence of God working to reveal Himself to these dear people in a way that will change their lives completely.

Jesus Feeds the Children

Then there was the day in May when the team wanted to walk in the village and start meeting the people. One of the village leaders began to lead us down a road. As I walked, I heard the song “You are Standing on Holy Ground.” I heard it not once but three times. I guess it took that many times to get my attention, but when I sought the Lord He spoke to my heart that He is making this land Holy Land unto Himself. As we reached the destination, the village leader told us that this is the land of the Buganda kings. Witchcraft has been the spiritual covering over this area for quite some time. God is changing all that.

Walking on Holy Ground

More recently this past July a team came while I was back in America meeting my 1st Grandson. Two astounding things happened when the team came to provide a medical clinic for the village people here. Two things that are setting the stage for all the Lord has in mind.

The first thing that God brought their way was a young woman who was very sick and really needed a private place to be examined. They finally determined that the most private place they could find was at her home. After the Doctor had checked her out, he found that it was a situation that was not as critical as they had first thought and she was treated accordingly. But then, the family asked if he could also examine her Grandfather who was 120 years old. Grandfather was very frail, sick and had not been eating. The Doctor suggested that food being prepared for him was a good solution to improve his condition. But there was a more dire situation in the minds of our team; his salvation. The team and our friend Pastor Simon shared the good news of the Gospel with him and that day this muslim man 120 years old accepted Jesus as his personal savior! This past week we were told that he past away. It amazes me to think that the Lord never gave up on this man and now he is in the arms of Jesus. Not only that, but He waited for one of our Show Mercy teams to be a part of this life changing event.

Pastor Simon with 120 year old man

The other thing that I want to share is a true miracle documented for all time. Later in the afternoon a young 10 year old girl was brought in who was very sick. The Doctor diagnosed her with a Perforated Gut which without surgery would take her life in a few days. Randy was called upon to drive her to Mulago Hospital in Kampala. Her grandmother was with her but didn’t speak english so Randy went to get her mother. A woman with a severe malformation of her legs met him and racked with worry refused at first to go with him. She was terrified and horrified at the thought of going. Anyone who knows my husband knows when he is determined he works a situation until it goes his way. Money was provided for a return trip and off they went. As they drove, the mom calmed down and Randy encouraged her that she needed to be strong for her daughter now and told her he knew she could do it. When they arrived at the hospital, they got in a car line for emergency drop off. Knowing they were muslim, Randy asked if they would give him permission to pray for the girl as they waited their turn. The women all agreed and he placed his hand on the head of the sick little one. It was the hottest head he has ever felt, but in faith he offered up his prayer to Jesus. He asked that she be healed, comforted, provided for and that the Lord would give the Doctors wisdom….. Then, he dropped them all off. Later that evening one of the Doctors from the clinic went to check on her. He saw the X-ray that validated the diagnosis. He left as she was waiting for surgery. The next day when Randy was driving towards the Field of Dreams he saw the mother was back at her small store where she sells home made food, a bit concerned he stopped to see what had happened. He sat amazed as she shared that as her daughter waited for surgery her fever left and her symptoms disappeared. She was now at home and completely fine. It took a while for this miracle to sink in, but when Randy fully comprehended what God had done, he said to the Mom. “You know this is a miracle my God has done for you don’t you?” To which she smiled sheepishly and said “yes.”

Medical Clinic

Please join us in prayer as we walk forward on this road God has placed us on. Miracles, salvation, wonders and signs of His coming are all before us and we humbly thank Him for allowing us to have a front row view of it all. We will keep you posted and together we will see the Lord’s plan unfold!

Playing with the little ones

Mama Beatrice and the little boys preparing a grasshopper snack!

Lynette is that a hula hoop or a bike tire?

Just plain cuteness!

Douglas Dan

Found on the road from the boys home to Hope

Elijah with Tony and Esther