A Room with a View

We were exhausted when we laid down at 10pm on night 1 in our new home.  We all fell asleep quickly but upset stomachs, mooing cows and barking dogs woke us a short time later and after that I pretty much stayed awake for most of the night.  Eventually, I did nod off and we all awoke with that “where are we and how long have we been sleeping” panic.  As we crawled out from under our mosquito nets and pulled back the curtains, we all gasped “We are in Uganda and it is BEAUTIFUL here” 

                                               The view from our 2^nd floor balcony

The view of Masese, Jinja is much different when you come down from the balcony…

Across the street from our home this is the view for as far as you can see

But we still see the beauty EVERYWHERE!  The beauty is Abigail who is so funny and serious and PERFECT for us in every way.  And the way she has been loved by the mamas that have cared for her over the last 11 months is amazing. 

The beauty is in watching Renee work with the families in her clinic and being a mom to Selah and a friend to Shanna and Katie. Renee is competent, fearless, remarkable, and inspirational.  Her beauty is a reflection of Christ and we feel honored to be in her presence.   

Spending just two days at that home, we have seen the beauty in mothers feeding their malnourished babies on the front porch, and the distinct beauty in the big brown eyes and wide smiles of sick babies when they start to feel better. 

There is much beauty in Shanna as she answers all our 1000+ questions with a smile and is so encouraging and kind.  Kenzie has seen what true friendship looks like in Shanna coming to Uganda whenever her friends need her and stepping in to help them carry their burdens, raise their children and run their organizations.

We have experienced the most beautiful hosts in Chris and Jackie.  They have prepared food, driven us to town to get Internet and other items from the market.  They have shared personal belongings, carried and hoisted furniture to the 2^nd floor room and have made us feel safe and at home.

There is beauty in a community of people who live life outside together and all the sounds and smells that are a part of that.  There is much fun and beauty in the way the children giggle and squeal “Mzungu” as we walk down the street and how they run to grab our hands and walk with us to the gate of Renee’s home or ours. 

I feel so VERY blessed to be staying at this home as we bond with Abigail, prepare for court and wait on documents to bring Abigail home.  The view from our balcony is beyond stunning!  But I’m so grateful my family has the privilege of coming down from the balcony and LIVING in Masese, Jinja Uganda! 

You can see God’s handy-work from the balcony and it is a safe place with a great view but don’t get tricked into staying there! For LOVE, relationship, and true beauty, you have to come down!  True beauty is in the hard places.

Thank you Jesus for this gift of being in Abigail’s home country.  Let us continue to soak in the sweet aroma of your love for the people here.  May we continue to unwrap all the beautiful gifts you have for us in this country. Amen! 

We have court Wednesday the 14^th.  Please pray for good favor and a quick ruling from the Justice.

Blessings from Uganda!