Returning once again (Lord willing)

Poverty is widespread. Nothing we’ve been told or shown allows us to believe any differently. We “hear” about poverty, but where do we really experience it? We see men and women both young and old on street corners with signs asking for money and many different thoughts run through our heads: “Do they really need help?” “What are they going to do with my money? Drink? Eat? Buy drugs?”

What we see as poverty in the US is incomparable to poverty in third world countries. Something intrinsically breaks you inside when you witness extreme poverty. The question of ill-intent leaves you and you’re left piecing back together your broken heart. Responsibility for the crises consume you. What’s the cause? Who’s to blame? When will it end? How will we end it? Who will help? Is it too much to bear?

... Imagine what Jesus must have thought on his road to the cross…

Walk with me down a red dirt road full of ruts and newly formed potholes, reminders of last year’s rains and what is to come. Pass through the market place where rotting meat of malnourished animals hang on hooks, suitable only for the flies that adorn the flesh with hungry attention. Divert your eyes to the many booths where shoppers barter for food, clothing and plastic shoes, the bare necessities of life. Go a bit further and pass huts and houses, some glorious and others not suitable as a prison cell. Pass the basic brick school house and see students fortunate enough to have their fees paid for a basic education that has insurmountable personal costs compared to their western counterparts.

Outside of those four wall see the children in rags, if anything at all, too shy to look you in the eye without running away. Walk further still and you’ll experience the beauty of Africa, the lush trees and bushes, the bricks drying in the sun, foundations for new homes, and you’ll find your way to Seeta Adventure Village. Be greeted by 850 orphans overjoyed at your presence. Where there was once turmoil, they have been given peace. Where there was once sorrow they have been filled with joy. Where despair was all they knew they have a new found hope. All given by our faith lived out in action.

Play soccer, dance, sing and be relational. Hold the precious hand of a stranger and hear his/her stories…
...the 13-year-old boy who witnessed his father’s murder in the middle of the night by a bill collector…
...the 10-year-old girl who was left alone with her dying baby sister and later chased away from her home, deemed responsible for her sister’s death…
…Feel the young kids chests heave in and out while they’re sobbing in agony, wishing for their last breath, because they cannot understand their past life at the Internally Displaced Persons camp or fathom that they were capable of the forced killing they endured as child soldiers...
...Or see those who bare the marks of being branded like cattle, made property by the Lord’s Resistance Army…

What we don’t experience we have a hard time believing. The bottom line is children are precious all over the world. Respond where you are called. Not all who care have the ability to go. Are you called to give your time in prayer or your treasure to help those in need?

“’What is to be said of the character of people who, having the power to end all this, permit it to continue?’”1

I am traveling to Uganda with Abundant Life Church July 14th-Aug. 5th to expand our water project to reach the whole village, install electricity, create a playground and most importantly love on orphans and the people I come in contact with. My heart in the matter is to bring hope and the love of Christ to people who don’t experience love in all His glory. Abundant Life Church and other sponsors are generously providing funds for our projects. It is my responsibility to raise $3600 in support to cover the costs for my three weeks in Uganda. I am sending this letter to you because I am seeking prayer as well as financial support for this mission. Although financial support is very helpful, the thing I need most for the mission is prayer. If you are able to give go to Delta Ministries' Website or ask me for a response card that you can fill out to indicate the support you will be providing, and return it to Delta Ministries International. Any gift is tax deductible.

Thank you so much for your support. I am excited for this trip and what God has in store for me in Uganda. I look forward to sharing my
experience with you upon my return.