“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
From November 2013 to January 2014, I was 'stuck' in Uganda, trying to get our new 11 year old daughter home to the America. I was there 2 1/2 months dealing with government red tape. For years leading up to our adventure in Uganda, God had been working on the hearts of both Daryn and myself; showing us that we have a calling to the over 15 million children on the continent of Africa who have, for some reason or another, become orphaned.
While I was in Uganda, I met an amazing American woman named Carol Adams. Twenty years ago, Carol sold everything she had and moved to the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda and began to serve vulnerable children. In the two decades since her arrival, she has created and grown a ministry called “Y.E.S. Uganda: Youth Encouragement Services” into a thriving influence in the town of Fort Portal and the surrounding areas. Y.E.S. sends almost 300 impoverished children to school and serves them a meal during the school day. In addition, Y.E.S. provides them with HIV testing, health care, and improved housing. Some children have even been pulled out of slavery, after being sold by a desperate parent, and now have the opportunity to attend school and hope of a future.
In 2008, Carol opened an orphanage for some of the most vulnerable children in the area, those who are HIV+ and without a stable home to provide for their health needs. Through Y.E.S., she also runs a hostel that provides income to keep the orphanage running. Her latest project is to build a vocational center to provide vocational training to the young adults who graduate her program but are unable to attend college. This will equip them with life skills they will need to get a job in the challenging economy in Uganda. Some of the children who have gone through Carol’s sponsorship program have gone from being abandoned street children with nobody to care for them, to be doctors, teachers, and ministers. I am amazed at what some love and opportunity can do for a child with no hope.
During my stay in Uganda, I worked closely with Carol, built a friendship with her, and was blessed to be used in her ministry. She sent me on social work visits to homes of sponsored children, and used me as a tutor for the children in her orphanage. I sat and spoke with children who have been touched by this amazing ministry. While I was anxious to get back to America to unite JoAn with our family, I truly felt that what I was doing there was exhilarating work. I felt a pull to that area that is hard to explain, but I also felt God tell me to concentrate on getting JoAn home and He would deal with this feeling I was having at a later date. Carol was talking to me about how desperate she was for a teacher who could work with some of the orphanage children who were struggling in school and running away because of their discouragement. She was also in need of help in running all other aspects of her ministry and making sure it is strong enough to last after she is no longer able to work.
Well, almost a year later, God has revealed to our family what those stirrings in my heart meant and what HE is going to do about this calling on our lives to care for African orphans. In 2016, we will be moving our family to Fort Portal, Uganda. Daryn will be working closely with Carol to help better organize the child sponsorships and make the vocational center a reality. My hope is to work with teenage girls as they transition into adulthood and help them discover their purpose and value in God's eyes. We are SO very excited about this move and the adventure that awaits us.
Between now and the summer we will be selling our house, most of our belongings, and fundraising the money needed to live in Uganda. Our main goal is monthly support that will allow us to live while we minister to the people of Fort Portal and the surrounding area. We feel like the journey has already begun, as this year will be filled with preparations.
While I was in Uganda, I met an amazing American woman named Carol Adams. Twenty years ago, Carol sold everything she had and moved to the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda and began to serve vulnerable children. In the two decades since her arrival, she has created and grown a ministry called “Y.E.S. Uganda: Youth Encouragement Services” into a thriving influence in the town of Fort Portal and the surrounding areas. Y.E.S. sends almost 300 impoverished children to school and serves them a meal during the school day. In addition, Y.E.S. provides them with HIV testing, health care, and improved housing. Some children have even been pulled out of slavery, after being sold by a desperate parent, and now have the opportunity to attend school and hope of a future.
In 2008, Carol opened an orphanage for some of the most vulnerable children in the area, those who are HIV+ and without a stable home to provide for their health needs. Through Y.E.S., she also runs a hostel that provides income to keep the orphanage running. Her latest project is to build a vocational center to provide vocational training to the young adults who graduate her program but are unable to attend college. This will equip them with life skills they will need to get a job in the challenging economy in Uganda. Some of the children who have gone through Carol’s sponsorship program have gone from being abandoned street children with nobody to care for them, to be doctors, teachers, and ministers. I am amazed at what some love and opportunity can do for a child with no hope.
During my stay in Uganda, I worked closely with Carol, built a friendship with her, and was blessed to be used in her ministry. She sent me on social work visits to homes of sponsored children, and used me as a tutor for the children in her orphanage. I sat and spoke with children who have been touched by this amazing ministry. While I was anxious to get back to America to unite JoAn with our family, I truly felt that what I was doing there was exhilarating work. I felt a pull to that area that is hard to explain, but I also felt God tell me to concentrate on getting JoAn home and He would deal with this feeling I was having at a later date. Carol was talking to me about how desperate she was for a teacher who could work with some of the orphanage children who were struggling in school and running away because of their discouragement. She was also in need of help in running all other aspects of her ministry and making sure it is strong enough to last after she is no longer able to work.
Well, almost a year later, God has revealed to our family what those stirrings in my heart meant and what HE is going to do about this calling on our lives to care for African orphans. In 2016, we will be moving our family to Fort Portal, Uganda. Daryn will be working closely with Carol to help better organize the child sponsorships and make the vocational center a reality. My hope is to work with teenage girls as they transition into adulthood and help them discover their purpose and value in God's eyes. We are SO very excited about this move and the adventure that awaits us.
Between now and the summer we will be selling our house, most of our belongings, and fundraising the money needed to live in Uganda. Our main goal is monthly support that will allow us to live while we minister to the people of Fort Portal and the surrounding area. We feel like the journey has already begun, as this year will be filled with preparations.