Why go to Uganda Again?

This is an update on my trip to Uganda. It is kind of interesting how it worked out and I thought you might also like to hear about it.  The decision for me to go alone at this time is not a decision that we take lightly, I am actually following my calling to serve God’s children, the orphans and widows that have fallen through the cracks.  My calling is to assist in supplying resource and opportunity to the children of Africa.  I am not totally sure of my work for the long haul but I am sure of the task at hand right now. 

Since 2005, we have been intimately involved with Olive Branch Ministries, here in Colorado. As you know the children being cared for at Joseph’s House love the Lord Jesus. And you know that they have some knowledge of the Bible, but I think you would agree that there is tremendous room for growth and maturity. It is so wonderful that they WANT to learn more of God’s Word!  They and the people of the community are hungry spiritually and are also eager to know God better!

Since 2005 plan of support has been being built and now God is growing it quite rapidly. God’s hand of provision can be seen at every turn.  The Medical Clinic will hopefully, and Lord willing, open in December 2012.  The vision for the clinic is that it will be a place where people can be healed physically and find the healing hand of God; a center in the community for healing in the name of Jesus.

One of the latest pieces that God is putting together for the clinic and for Joseph’s House is a solar electric light project.  The people from Solar Light for Africa have stepped up and are planning to supply the materials and labor to get the job done.  (http://www.solarlightforafrica.org/Solar_Light_for_Africa_Home.html) Pastor Gary heard from the people at Solar light for Africa last week. They have a trip to Uganda planned and will be installing the solar on the clinic and the house, June 28-29. We were hoping to go back then, but we found out that the kids would be in school at that time. Since my main calling is working with the kids, we decided that I should not go at that time.  After talking and praying it was felt that it would be more productive if I went when the kids are on a break from school. And the sooner the better.  One of the big tasks on my plate right now  is coordinating the child sponsorship program.  We have 14 of the 36 kids set up on a monthly donor program. But we have 22 other kids that are not being supported.  God has placed this part of the project on my heart. I have been trying to work with Rhona since December to get a proper listing of each child. This is a big job and impossible to do from here in Colorado.  I now realize that it will be best to speak directly with each child to know more about each one and to get a clear idea of their goals and aspirations.  I want to pray with each child for their future and give them pictures of the families here in Colorado who support them.  The longer I put this off, the farther away the result. 

As you would expect this all took a great deal of consideration. The next school break is upon us;  April 19 - May 20. But I also found out that the airfares are lower in the spring. So after much prayer and discussion, I finally went ahead on Saturday with plans to visit Uganda this month. I needed to coordinate both of my jobs and all of the church work as well as take into consideration the children’s school schedule and of course we needed to speak with Papa Gary and Mama Judee.  When I received an invitation from the Rhona in Uganda and a green light from Gary and Judee, it was a clear confirmation that this was God’s best plan.  

I plan to spend about a week at Joseph’s House.  I hope to meet with each individual student. Also I would like to hold a Bible Study for the children, each day for 1 hour if possible. I was thinking that I should spend approximately a week in the village and a week in Kampala.  I hope to connect with the BSF Area Administrator in Kampala to find out when their classes are held for Leader’s Meetings and whether they will be in session while I am there. And last but not least I am also hoping to spend time with Christopher and Jeremiah while in Kampala as well. While in the village I will be staying with Mama Edith and the children at Joseph’s house.  

Although this aspect of the work with Olive Branch Ministries is not necessarily a long term commitment for us, the children and widows in Africa are on our hearts for the Long Term.  It is unclear what will happen once the Joseph’s House model is complete.  But our hearts are open to where ever God leads, absolutely.  

God has blessed me to have the funds to go. I personally am going for the purpose of solidifying the Sponsorship of the Orphans and getting the details about each one "nailed down" so that I can tell interested people more about the kids.  But this leads me to the answer to your question.  I am not accepting donations for me or my trip but I am asking people to think about sponsoring a child. 

Finally I would ask that you pray for me, the trip, and the children.  Pray that I would meet the goals set before me and for supernatural protection.  Thanks so much for your support, it means more than you will ever know.

Patience...has its rewards :)

The way that we plan our own steps makes God dizzy.  His word specifically tells us

• Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:21
• Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24
• The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Psalms 37:23
• 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

So then what can I take away from this? My plans seem great at the time, but I need to stop, wait and then pray for God to guide my way and clear the path.  Often times I barge ahead of God making my own plans  - waiving my hand for God to come along and catch up with me.  Who's journey is this anyway?

When I examined my own heart I saw that my motive might be right, serving God and His people, but my method was backwards.  I set up the plan then invite God to join me.

Now, my prayer is that God will include me in His plan, and then I can be sure I am on the right path.  God is calling us to join His battle plan. So we need to simply ask God to show us His plan and He is faithful to reveal each step as we need to know them.

The Bible says that "if any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). When we ask God for wisdom, His desires will become the focus of our prayers. "Let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him" (Romans 12:2). 

The rewards? Peace and victory.  It is not always what I want and usually looks vastly different from my original idea.  But the reward is that I know I am on the right path!  Praise God.

It's a new day

March 30th - we have been back from Africa for 2 1/2 months...
My heart is still there, it makes everyday tasks difficult to have your heart in one place and your body in another.

But I am learning to hear from God and to wait on Him.
I want to know my calling and I want to follow after God's Heart.

Psalm 62:1 (NLT) I wait quietly before God; For my victory comes from Him.

Waiting is not something I like to do, its hard.  I am used to making things happen. Patience is also not something I practice.  I know that it is one of the Spiritual Gifts we are given, but I have left that gift in the box and I don't even know how to get to it it.  I am praying for the Holy Spirit to help me find it.  Hey wait, that must be why I am having to wait on everything.... God is teaching me to use the gift he has already given me.  I have to exercise this new muscle... I must go to a place where I can rest and feel the love of God. Selah.

God is sovereign and I can wait patiently because He has my best future all planned out.  I will wait and pray.

In the deep...

“They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep” (Psalm 107:24, NIV) 

The scripture says is Psalm 107:23, “They that go down to the sea and do business in deep waters, they will see the wonders of God.” Friend, you and I were created to do business in deep waters. In other words, we’re not supposed to have little dreams or little plans. We are supposed to have big dreams. We are supposed to go out into the deep things God has for us.

 

But understand, when you’re out there in the deep waters, you can’t touch the ground. You can’t see the shoreline, and at times, it can get a little rocky. You may not always see how things are going to work out. But, the scripture tells us that deep calls to deep. In other words, God is the one who has called you to the deep waters. He is with you, and He knows there are deep things on the inside of you. Remember, in deep waters, you are not alone. God is with you, and He’s causing those deep things inside of you to come forth.

 

If you feel like you are out in the deep today, if you feel like you are overwhelmed, remember, you are in the right place and God is with you. You will see His wonderful deeds in the deep, and you will fulfill the plan He has in store for you.

                                           A PRAYER FOR TODAY 

Father in heaven, I surrender every area of my life to You. I hunger for every single thing You have in store for me. I choose to trust You out in the deep waters knowing that You have good things in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

received from MBrooks33@aol.com (COFA TIPS)

Joy joy joy down in my heart, where? Down in my heart!!

Even before we went, Stan knew Pastor Gary Dickinson and the work of Olive Branch ministries.  Having seen it and worked in Uganda in 2008. He knew of the special people and the extreme needs there.  He has bee extremely encouraged by seeing the team’s reaction to the outreach and the fact that everyone felt that the work being  done by OBM was outstanding and a viable mission. 

Now, as we look back to the trip, the overarching description of our experiences is JOY.

·         Joy in arriving

·         Joy in getting to know the team

·         Joy in getting to know the kids

·         Joy in seeing the clinic and its progress

·         Joy in the children, dancing and worshipping God

·         Joy in the community and the church, even in the home visits sharing the love, joy, sadness and God’s love

·         Joy in our children’s program/kids club, its success and the way God developed it and completed it.

·         Joy in receiving the drums, playing them and dancing

·         Joy in Tara’s recovery

·         Joy in seeing God’s plan work out and the people coming to Christ

And the tremendous sense of thankfulness  in us and the team, the villagers, the children, praising God and acknowledging His faithfulness to provide all of our needs – all of the time! He reveals His glory everywhere, we can see Him in everything if we simply look.

For me, it was huge to see that I could be part of God’s plan and make a difference. Everyone filled a need and had a gifting that God could use.

We're here!!!!

Enuf said, 28 hours of travel and the cock crowed at 5 AM and off we go.  It is beautiful!! The people are beautiful and all is well :)

27 hours and counting !!!

Hi Prayer Team,

Yesterday at church we all gathered for a prayer and a big send off (see picture). Since we are just about off to Uganda, we wanted to give you the scoop so that you can keep up with our journey.
Just follow the prayer calendar you received at church for the basic daily itinerary and below are the locations of where we will be staying along the way ... Timewise – Uganda is about 10 hours ahead of us on Mountain Time – right now it 3:10 AM here in Colorado and 1:10 PM in Zziba – just getting ready for lunch

Wed 1/4 ... Adoni Guest house Kampala, Uganda ...

Thurs 1/5 thru Wed  1/11 Elly's Motel in Kkokonjeru Uganda ... there would be no phone number or functional address ... remember, you're not in Kansas any longer ;-)

Thurs 1/12 and Fri  1/13 Paraa Safari Lodge Murchison Falls National Park in North Western Uganda 011 256 77 2788880

Depart Uganda Sat night at 11.30 PM Uganda time ...

So…on Tuesday, January 3^rd, at 8:05 AM, a Delta jet will go wheels up from Denver, Colorado; and aboard that plane will be a team of 14 willing souls headed for an incredible adventure in Uganda, East Africa …

Our mission:  Building a clinic to bring medical care to the rural village of Zziba, a five year dream come true.  This trip, and the undertaking of this project, was born in the hearts of the leadership of Rock Creek Church in Louisville, Colorado, a year ago as we began sharing with them and they caught the vision for what God is doing through OBM in that rural area of Uganda and the need for a regional medical clinic.  We began praying and planning and now it’s becoming a reality!  A couple of months ago, the church conducted a silent auction to raise the funds to build our clinic.  All the funds were raised and we are on our way to put it all to good use.  Our group will get a great start on the building and the local Ugandan contractor will finish it after we leave.

As well as building the clinic, our group will be thoroughly engaged in children’s ministry, community development, clothing distribution, working with widows and families, and conducting a two day pastors’ seminar for a large number of rural pastors who rarely get this kind of training. The congregation is sending us with backpacks filled with school supplies for all of the children, as well as a brand new pair of shoes for each.  Many of the students also donated art supplies for the children.

What an amazing time for this wonderful group from Rock Creek as well the people of Zziba; neither will be the same after we leave!  To give you a glimpse of the excitement in the village about our coming ... They have arranged a welcoming celebration that will include speeches by the pastor, local government officials, an official welcome from a member of Parliament on behalf of the President of Uganda ... there will be singing and dancing and a big dinner ... all to welcome the visitors from the US ... and from there, the fun begins!!!   

Keep us in your prayers and thank you for helping us to continue to bring significant resource and opportunity to the people we serve.

It is hard to believe that 2012 starts our 6^th year of serving these dear and very precious children.  We have plowed, we have planted, we have been lovingly nurturing and we are beginning to see some amazing fruit, especially in the lives of the older children, some of whom are about to graduate. We will share some great stories with you when we get back!

Grace, peace and a most blessed and happy New Year to you all…2012 “the best is yet to come” !

Note: Some of the above text is stolen from emails by Pastor Gary :)

When you are traveling with others - especially your husband

Interesting how different people prepare for a BIG trip. Interesting how people prepare for a mission trip. Some people (like me) plan way in advance, buy supplies, get immunizations and start blogging months before the trip. Others on the other hand, may think about the trip but really take no steps to travel until right before they take off.

Our guide has a list, a kind of count down starting five days out....that is a great idea, because if you don't do it this way,  you can get so overwhelmed with the packing process that you either forget the important items or take WAY too much.
There is such a vast unknown when traveling to a foreign country as well as when you are surrendered to God.  It can be nerve racking, but if it is, then one should examine their true surrender.  Do you actually trust God to take care of the details, BIG and small?  Then why is it nerve racking?
It is our responsibility to do the things we CAN do and then God will do the things we CAN'T.  So I guess the nerve racking part is making sure to do ALL the things I CAN do and then just trust. Trust God, that He knows my heart and that I intend to do it all and then He will then pick up the slack.  TRUST HIM.

Not much left to worry about...I think :)

I am beginning to think about what it will be like when I get back from Africa.  That is so weird.  I haven't even gone yet.  Mentally I am there in the tiny village of Zziba, I am thinking and praying about each child that we will meet and I am praying that I will not come on too strong, too American.  I just want to have a teachable spirit, able to be welcoming and loving.

The team has a children's program planned.  My first concern is that it won't be so structured and American that the kids will be intimidated and shy.  There is a really cute story that we read to the kids in the Back Yard Bash at Belleview about 6 years ago.  Hopefully it will be a story that these kids can relate to as well..

We plan to have some games and crafts and songs and prayer time.  I know that the team will be shocked when they experience the spiritual maturity of the village kids. We will need to flexible. Willing to open our minds to understanding the way that the Ugandan culture does things.  Americans are so rushed and inflexible.  Timing and structure are all important to us.  But for 5 days in January we are going to need to set aside the hustle bustle and let the Holy Spirit show us the way.  My prayer is that I will be hearing from Him and responding to His leading all of the time.  That - in and of itself,  will be life changing :)

3 weeks to go - lots to think about

We are really getting close...I know I said that before, but now it REALLY is close.  Starting to think about trying to get a little more "fit" so that I do not get so stiff on the long plane rides. Walking sounds best, but it is bitter cold out.  Hmmm I think I'll try the treadmill.

Since we are right in the middle of the holiday season it is very difficult to to divide my thoughts.  My desire is to focus on the trip but the world around me keeps hollaring  - it Christmas, spend your money, put up a tree, light the lights... I'm not a humbug but is this really what Christmas is about?  What about the birth of our Savior? I read an interesting little article

“Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus,” by C.S. Lewis

And beyond this there lies in the ocean, turned towards the west and north, the island of Niatirb which Hecataeus indeed declares to be the same size and shape as Sicily, but it is larger, though in calling it triangular a man would not miss the mark. It is densely inhabited by men who wear clothes not very different from the other barbarians who occupy the north western parts of Europe though they do not agree with them in language. These islanders, surpassing all the men of whom we know in patience and endurance, use the following customs.

In the middle of winter when fogs and rains most abound they have a great festival which they call Exmas and for fifty days they prepare for it in the fashion I shall describe. First of all, every citizen is obliged to send to each of his friends and relations a square piece of hard paper stamped with a picture, which in their speech is called an Exmas-card. But the pictures represent birds sitting on branches, or trees with a dark green prickly leaf, or else men in such garments as the Niatirbians believe that their ancestors wore two hundred years ago riding in coaches such as their ancestors used, or houses with snow on their roofs. And the Niatirbians are unwilling to say what these pictures have to do with the festival; guarding (as I suppose) some sacred mystery. And because all men must send these cards the marketplace is filled with the crowd of those buying them, so that there is great labour and weariness.

But having bought as many as they suppose to be sufficient, they return to their houses and find there the like cards which others have sent to them. And when they find cards from any to whom they also have sent cards, they throw them away and give thanks to the gods that this labour at least is over for another year. But when they find cards from any to whom they have not sent, then they beat their breasts and wail and utter curses against the sender; and, having sufficiently lamented their misfortune, they put on their boots again and go out into the fog and rain and buy a card for him also. And let this account suffice about Exmas-cards.

They also send gifts to one another, suffering the same things about the gifts as about the cards, or even worse. For every citizen has to guess the value of the gift which every friend will send to him so that he may send one of equal value, whether he can afford it or not. And they buy as gifts for one another such things as no man ever bought for himself. For the sellers, understanding the custom, put forth all kinds of trumpery, and whatever, being useless and ridiculous, they have been unable to sell throughout the year they now sell as an Exmas gift. And though the Niatirbians profess themselves to lack sufficient necessary things, such as metal, leather, wood and paper, yet an incredible quantity of these things is wasted every year, being made into the gifts.

But during these fifty days the oldest, poorest, and most miserable of the citizens put on false beards and red robes and walk about the market-place; being disguised (in my opinion) as Cronos. And the sellers of gifts no less than the purchaser’s become pale and weary, because of the crowds and the fog, so that any man who came into a Niatirbian city at this season would think some great public calamity had fallen on Niatirb. This fifty days of preparation is called in their barbarian speech the Exmas Rush.

But when the day of the festival comes, then most of the citizens, being exhausted with the Rush, lie in bed till noon. But in the evening they eat five times as much supper as on other days and, crowning themselves with crowns of paper, they become intoxicated. And on the day after Exmas they are very grave, being internally disordered by the supper and the drinking and reckoning how much they have spent on gifts and on the wine. For wine is so dear among the Niatirbians that a man must swallow the worth of a talent before he is well intoxicated.

Such, then, are their customs about the Exmas. But the few among the Niatirbians have also a festival, separate and to themselves, called Crissmas, which is on the same day as Exmas. And those who keep Crissmas, doing the opposite to the majority of the Niatirbians, rise early on that day with shining faces and go before sunrise to certain temples where they partake of a sacred feast. And in most of the temples they set out images of a fair woman with a new-born Child on her knees and certain animals and shepherds adoring the Child. (The reason of these images is given in a certain sacred story which I know but do not repeat.)

But I myself conversed with a priest in one of these temples and asked him why they kept Crissmas on the same day as Exmas; for it appeared to me inconvenient. But the priest replied, “It is not lawful, O stranger, for us to change the date of Chrissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatirbians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. For Exmas and the Rush distract the minds even of the few from sacred things. And we indeed are glad that men should make merry at Crissmas; but in Exmas there is no merriment left.” And when I asked him why they endured the Rush, he replied, “It is, O Stranger, a racket”; using (as I suppose) the words of some oracle and speaking unintelligibly to me (for a racket is an instrument which the barbarians use in a game called tennis).

But what Hecataeus says, that Exmas and Crissmas are the same, is not credible. For first, the pictures which are stamped on the Exmas-cards have nothing to do with the sacred story which the priests tell about Crissmas. And secondly, the most part of the Niatirbians, not believing the religion of the few, nevertheless send the gifts and cards and participate in the Rush and drink, wearing paper caps. But it is not likely that men, even being barbarians, should suffer so many and great things in honour of a god they do not believe in. And now, enough about Niatirb.

Makes one think, huh?

Exactly 4 weeks to go

The packing has begun. The big part of packing is to pack light.  So quick dry clothes and reversible garments are handy.  We also have to get things like electricity converters and eye covers for the flight.  Most of the items have been purchased and have been placed in the staging area.
With the holidays upon us the trip has kind of taken a back seat.  Ever present but not the constant focus that it once was.
We have checked out the village with Google Earth though-what a cool perspective!  Isn't technology fabulous? If you want to find the village search for Nkokonjeru, Uganda.  The village of Zziba is too small to locate.
You can search the region and view pictures that others have posted on Google Earth.  It's pretty neat.
Have fun!

44 days and its nearly Thanksgiving

Considering Orphans, my eyes have been opened this past month.  At church it has been 3 weeks of Orphan Sunday (http://orphansunday.org/) and prayers for the defenseless children of the world.  Millions of children fall through the cracks of society and I have been made painfully aware this month by the wonderful caring shepherding of our pastors.  The numbers are staggering, and it seems a nearly impossible task to make a difference.  But we must try, each one reach one could apply here.  Do something, is more than to stand stagnant and do nothing.  Isaiah 1:17 tells us to Defend the fatherless, this is a command we must obey.

Our little trip to Uganda is just a scratch in the surface.  But it IS a start.  It has been almost 10 years in the making.  Many lives have been changed through the efforts of the Olive Branch Ministries team and Gary Dickinson in particular.  And here we go, off to continue the journey.  We are building a medical clinic.  We will teach pastors how to minister to the people in the name of Christ.  And we will offer fun and joy to the children of the orphanage.

I was thinking how different the orphanages in the US are from other countries,  especially in Zziba Uganda. In the US the goal is to find homes for the children; either for foster care or adoption.  In Zziba and other third world countries,  the goal is to support the children and create resource and opportunity.  There are not enough parents to go around.   

But truly the goal is to change the mindset of the "haves" and to help them see ways to help the "have nots".

We must start with prayer.  Our heavenly Father desires that we answer the cry and if we pray He will answer.  Next steps...He will open doors of opportunity if we ask.

Pray for our team as we go and for the children and community of Zziba. Thank you

Some soul searching

Now comes the time when I look inward. Pastor Gary asked us to come up with "a 3 minute version of our testimony". At first I thought, what? There is no way to shorten this down to 3 minutes, but he gave us some guidelines and challenged us to keep it brief and to the point.  So now I am trying to think back and look at the three sub-headings in order to help keep it brief and concise. The three sub-headings are:

1. What I was like before I met Jesus Christ and then came to the realization that I needed a Savior rather than my family's faith.
2. How I met Jesus Christ (received and accepted His forgiveness)
3. What Christ has done in my life since (How my faith has helped me)

The tough part so far has been examining what I was like before I met Jesus Christ.
This self-examination brings me to the "bad years". From about the time that I was 15 years old til I was 26 years old, I was searching; searching for Truth. I was raised in a family that went to church most every week.  I was baptized when I was a baby, I was confirmed when I was about 14 years old and our family was friends with the Minister! Although I was raised in a privileged family atmosphere, there was an emptiness.

At age 15,  I started to ask people in my life about the purpose of my life. I just felt sure that there was "more" to this life than the surface realities with which I had been raised; such as: looking good for people and doing the "right" thing so that people would approve, making impressions and having the "right" husband and and yes getting married. Being a virgin and having a Silver Tea Service, making my Debut, living in a big house in the "right" neighborhood.  But, I just knew that life was about more than making good impressions and having a lot of material things. I asked my parents and my pastor and  they all said that I was coming along just fine and that I didn't need to worry.

It's funny though, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, all I could think to say was that I wanted to help people. It wasn't to make a bunch of money, or to have a happy little family or to be famous. I just had a heart for hurting people and I still do.

Well anyway, when I was told that I didn't need to worry about it, I began to live a rebellious and purposeless life. It's kind of like the little kid that acts out in order to get the attention that he needs. Negative attention is better than no attention, isn't it? And with my parents; you were a good little child if you fit into the mold and didn't require any attention. And I was just that - BEFORE.

During the summer of 1966, my sister got married and I lost my friend. I felt I was losing control of my life and I was losing a lot more than that because I knew that I wasn't all that good, and I had "fooled" everyone into thinking that I was "just fine".  The biggest loss was my self-respect. That summer I began to party a lot. My parents, not knowing what to do or how to handle me now that I wasn't fitting into the perfect little mold; shipped me off to boarding school.  The same perfect boarding school that my friend went to.  My friend's family was in the social crowd in our town and so my mom figured if it was the "right" school for her it would be the "right" school for me.  A place where I could be locked away and learn to be a good little girl. Prep School - preparatory - prepared for what?

Interesting - I still had a heart to help people and I joined a group of girls that supposed to tutor poor kids in the inner city in Philadelphia. We took a bus down town to meet up with the kids and teach them for 1 hour per week.  All the little rich white girls doing their civic duty. But for me it was an eye-opener.  As we rode on the bus out of our safe privileged town to the dirty impoverished down town of Phily, it was like going through a tunnel and I saw for the first time the huge chasm between the way I lived and the way they lived.  I felt very guilty and ashamed that all I could give was my little 1 hr tutoring session.  My social awareness was broadened and I was changed!

During that time, I was still struggling with my inability to control my life. So many things were taken away from me when I was shipped off to school.  My horse, my boyfriend, all of my friends from school, my school and clubs, my sister and my family.

I acted out by doing drugs, taking up bulimia , and seeking attention from boys. I threw myself at any boy that would look my way.  I copied other girls and tried to look sexy like they did. I went with anyone that would invite me.  I no longer had any discrimination or judgment as to what I wanted or felt, I just followed the crowd.

When I graduated from High School I was still out of touch with my parents. They didn't know me very well and they really didn't seem to care about me. As long as I was seeming to fit the mold they could go along as though none of the bad behavior was going on. I was really in a tug-of-war with myself - between being the good little socialite girl and living out the calling deep in my heart.

This vicious circle of behavior continued for the next 10 years. Meanwhile,  I did a lot of crazy things, drove drunk,  I was raped,  I shoplifted, was caught and went to jail, I tried many drugs, I slept with any man that looked my way. During this time,  I married the wrong guy, he controlled me or should I say I gave him control over me. He was a con and a wife beater, he convinced me to do wife swapping, open marriage, steal from insurance companies, and on and on. I was miserable. I was in search of myself and the answer to my existence. And my life was a lie.  I tried to keep up the appearance of a perfect life, married, good job, nice belongings.  But I had no self respect,  I could not see that I had any value.

I had long since given up on a relationship with God. I actually can't remember when but I just somehow slipped away.  When the people in my life didn't seem to care about my wishes and desires, I rebelled and went in search of my purpose.
As I look back, I know that God had been guiding me along the way, for many reasons, but mainly nothing truly serious happened to me.  I can see His divine protection in the fact that I didn't die, I didn't have any permanent damage from my drug usage, no one physically hurt me...As I think about it, I was searching around in a maze. Trying every avenue, and finally the path brought me to Stan Stafford. We moved up to Grand Lake. Our plan was to get married and live in the mountains.

Somehow I just knew that I wanted to get married in a church.  So in my search for the "perfect" church, I found a quaint little chapel in the woods in Grand Lake.  When I went inside to check it out, I met a man there.  This man was the Pastor and he asked me "why do you want to get married in a church?"  I didn't know why but I just "knew" I wanted to. It was the turning point of my life.  I went in there because it was the "right" thing to do and I found out that God had been waiting for me to come to him because it was the Right thing to do.  We sat and talked about why I wanted to marry in a church and by a minister and the pastor led me to the truth - which was that I was hungering for God in my life. He told me that Jesus is God and not merely a good man or a prophet and that by asking Him into my life I could have a personal relationship with  God. That day I met the Lord Jesus Christ. I had finally found the path that God was guiding.

As I have grown in Christ, I have tried to piece together my Swiss-cheese memory of those 10 years.  I have tried to make some sense of it all.  Someone asked me the other day while I was telling them this story..."why do you think God let you go through all of this? Your heart wanted a relationship with Him way back when you were in Junior High", (when I was confirmed). I loved Him then and I chose to break away and leave Him for those 10+ years. But God is faithful, he kept me safe until I would come back to Him and accept Him on His terms. Until then I had wanted Him to be the god of my parents. A god that was another trophy on my wall of accomplishments, the "right" thing to do.

Today, I know that there was always a God-shaped hole in my heart.  And no matter what I tried - it just could not be filled by anything other than the God who created me.  I now understand and deeply perceive that He is the only One who truly values me. This whole process had to be gone through so that I would find my value in God.  So that I would find my calling in Him.  So that I would understand how much God loves me. So much that He sent His Only Son to pay the price for my rebellion and sin so that God could spend eternity with me. I would never have valued the Gift if I hadn't seen my depravity and Price that was paid to save me from the path of destruction that I was headed down.

Its been a whirlwind

Its nine weeks and counting down to departure day on January 3rd.

We are doing a Fundraiser on November 12th. It should really be fun.

There will be a dinner, and music and an auction for some really great items such as vacation Condos, Auto Repair services, Jewelry and lots more.  We are hoping to raise $6000 to fund the building or should I say the finishing of the Medical Clinic building in Zziba. Very exciting. Eventually there will be a nurse and a traveling doctor working in the clinic and we expect to impact the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people in the region.

Information for donations

Checks can be made payable to: Rock Creek Church, 

Mailing address: 726 Front St,  Ste A, Louisville, CO 80027-1871

Phone: (303) 494-2927
Email: rccadmin@rockcreekchurch.org

Leaving myself behind

As the time is drawing near, I am remembering to seek God more to ask Him to guide me in this journey.  Many ideas have popped up as to what we can do once we arrive, but it is my desire that I should be supporting God's plans rather than asking Him to support mine.

Letter from Joyce - a sweet girl from Zziba to Pastor Gary

Fundraising letters are hair raising :)

I tried to send out a mass e-mail and it bounced back and then I tried to past a picture of Uganda on it and it wouldn't stick! Argh!!!
Lets see  - will it work to copy past into this blog? Hmmmm, not bad.

Dear Friends and Family,

 Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.  And thanks to all for your support of our family over the years. By your prayers and gifts, we have been successful in setting Mike & Whitney on their own adventures.  Mike in the Peace Corps and Whitney a Pediatric Nurse!

v  On January 3^rd, we plan to join a group headed for Uganda to spend time with the orphans and to do some of the early work on a Medical Clinic in Zziba.

v  In the village of Zziba, Uganda, we support 34 orphans living at the orphanage as well as many children in the community that Zziba church supports.

v  OBM’s goal is to provide resources like education & skill training giving these individuals the tools they need to become self-sustaining and radically increase their options for the future. http://www.olivebranchministries.net/. 

v  Can you please support our mission either by a gift of money or prayer or both.
Even a small gift will make a huge difference.
The cost for each person is approximately $2700. This includes the airfare, hotel and food. We are also hosting a fundraiser on November 12^th to raise $10,000 to benefit the Medical Clinic project directly.

Please mail your tax deductible checks to:
Cecie & Stan Stafford
1855 Icarus Drive, Unit D
Lafayette, CO  80026
Payable to: Olive Branch Ministries or Rock Creek Church.

Check out the is a heartwarming letter sent from one of the orphans to Pastor Gary on the next page.

Please continue to monitor our progress by checking out my blog http://trippingtouganda.blogspot.com/.
Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call if you have any questions.

Thank you so much, Cecie & Stan Stafford

Almighty God has made known to us the path of life;

He fills us with joy in His presence,

with eternal pleasures at His right hand”

(Psalm 16:11)