The cry of babies coming from Uganda

On December the 15th 2007 I will be heading to Uganda east Africa. It will be my 6th visit in last 7 years. My Friends Shawn and Laura Charles lead the first team I went on along with with our friend Kato from bible college. I was captured by an event that happened that year that will never let me go. This is that story.

Floyd McClung was our pastor at the time and had spent most of His life on the mission field with YWAM. He was giving instruction about practical things like the difference in cultures between a cold climate and warm climate. Floyd made a statement that I took to heart at the deepest level. He said that He learned early on that a missionary who is married must look at things with their spouse in mind when traveling without them. Explaining that men in particular give quick answers like this. Wife ; Honey how’s the trip? Husband; Great! Wife ; What happened. Husband ; Awesome things. Wife ; Tell me about it. Husband ; You know lots of ministry. You get the picture Its called communication and unless it has to do with hunting or fishing or sports we men don’t do it or at least not well. We were challenged to spend time looking at things our wives would notice if they were with us and to tell them about it when we got home. Sounded very wise so I kept that out in front of me.

 On the first full day in Uganda our organizer Derrick Kiboneka took us to John Mulinde’s church the trumpet center to preach at the noon hour service. As we walked about a half a mile through the city to get to the church my eyes were wide open in shock. Street kids every where looking for a hand out. We had been warned that the kids would take any money they got and buy rags soaked with fuel that they would huff to get high. We could give them food but not money. Just up ahead I saw them, two little girls well under 10 years old. They were holding hands and with the free hand out stretched looking for help. We had nothing to give we were totally unprepared for that collision with reality. I reached into my pocket and all that was there was a pack of cool mint Ice Breakers gum. I pulled out two pieces and put them in their hands as they looked back at me as to say what are we to do with this? A lump formed in my throat and my eyes began to water up as I tried to ignore them pulling on my heart strings. I told myself keep going you can’t save the world.

The instructions that Floyd had given came rushing in. What would my wife do keep walking! I could hear Her saying in my head ” John you can’t just leave them here”. I shook it off and kept going and had a great day, saw many wonderful things the Lord was doing in Uganda. But then came the night and I was all snug in the mosquito net covered cot. I closed my eyes and there they were with their hands out and I am not to much of a he man to admit I cried myself to sleep.

The truth of the matter is I can still see them not as clear as I once did oh but they are there. They are older now maybe 12 or 13. I pray someone more compassionate than I found them and rescued them from the life on the streets. A million more all over Uganda flooding south from the war torn north. While I snuggle with my wife and grandchildren in front of the warm wood stove early this morning I am thinking of them. My heart is once again softened for the thought that maybe we together can make a difference.

I will turn 46 this year while in Uganda. Like the old song “Its my Birthday and I can cry if I want to” This time it will not be tears of sadness but of gladness. I will be filming the real deal, the need and the small vision the Lord has given some of my friends and I its called Abba’s House. The vision is to build and unconventional orphanage “childrens home” on site at pastor Richard Kaaya’s property overlooking beautiful Lake Victoria. Homes with 8 to 10 children and a widow as a house mother. In this way the Love and compassion the Lord has can be released to the widow and orphan in a very practical way. We will be working with Pastor Billy Bope from Indiana who pioneered the school on the property with Richard and Debra Kaaya. The children will both have a place to call home and a good education. I will be taking two college students with me who will be helping me with videoing and interviewing and they will be setting up means of doing adoptions. They have already been pioneering in that area.

The pictures above were taken at Richards school the planned location of Abba’s House

If you would like to join in the journey with us financially, please make your checks payable to House of Friends, and send your donations to House of Friends, PO Box 228, Alma, MO 64001. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like more information call 660-674-2222 OR EMAIL info@houseoffriends.org visit our web page at http://www.houseoffriends.org/

 

Well it has happened Abba House “childrens home” is now a reality :

1 house completed 2 house is alomost done, we have under our care 35 wonderful kids.

Abba House , Entebbe Uganda