I am sitting in the dark under my mosquito netting typing to you, my friends.
I had been asleep {briefly} but awoke with a start. My back is really hurting, not sure why, but enough that I am unable to sleep. So I got out my computer and saw that there is some internet coverage{!} so I quickly texted Dw from my computer asking him to pray. I then thought I would type out a few thoughts…
Today we intended to go to a ministry in Kampala, but there were warnings on the news here that there was to be protesting in the city. The people of Uganda were protesting the rising costs and the lack of government concern. The front desk of the guest house had told us how concerned they were for our safety should we go in to Kampala.
Thankfully our sons, George and Junior, are paying close attention. We decided instead to take a good portion of the day and go to a local African market so the ladies could find some handcrafted items to take home with them….followed by heading to the baby home to spend time loving on the babies.
There are never enough hands at the baby home. The needs are so great. This is the baby home where Elijah and Elizabeth had lived. At the moment there are many, many sick babies. Several have pneumonia. One has TB. Two went to be with Jesus a few days back from pneumonia.
Words on a computer screen seem so cold and expressionless. But the grief and pain and heartache these tender little treasures have already experienced in their little short lives is beyond words. Really, our hearts are ripped out daily. The need is sooo great!
As we were debriefing the other night it was brought up that some of the team weren’t sure that they like going there because of the powerful emotions evoked. It is just too hard!
But I reminded them, “We go because they need us! We don’t go because it makes us feel good. We don’t go for us. And if we don’t go, who will? For a few moments or a few hours, we will press teeny little treasures against our chest and hold them. We will caress little backs. We will whisper in itty bitty ears how much we love them. Just how much they matter. Just how much we need them. And then we will pray that God would bring them comfort, healing, peace, courage, hope and a family who unashamedly loves Jesus ultimately raising Godly warriors for Jesus Christ.
I choke back tears some days while there, and other days I let them drip away. We go because we firmly believe that every moment we spend there will make a difference. That the hugs we give will be remembered, somewhere in the deep recesses of the brain.
And especially that the prayers whispered will definitely matter for eternity
because:
“The effective prayer of a righteous man/woman can accomplish much.”
James 5:16b
Oh Linny my heart aches for these little ones. I wish I could be there hugging them for Jesus. Praying instead!! Hugs
I can picture all their sweet little faces :(. So sad to hear some have died of pneumonia, makes me just want to sit and cry. Praying for you all
our team had that same debriefing about there. we had been to another babies home that was much more of a blessing to US….and while i hope the time made a little impact on the precious little lives there…we didn't go back to the 'hard, sad' babies home because it was easy or super fun. we went for Him. to be a mother's touch to those children for the blink of the eye in the prayer that they and the staff will feel Him. proud of you all, Linny & praying for your team. love you.
Tears! Thank you for sharing, for being real! Praying for the last few days you are there and for a safe trip home! Can't wait to hear from Kim M and see all the pics!
My heart just aches thinking of losing those little ones. My heart just aches knowing that someone isn't loving them all the time. As my children sleep in their beds knowing their mommy and daddy love them deeply, my heart aches for these children. You have really touched my heart and I pray for these babies and you who touch these children. Whispering to them that God loves them and He is their daddy. Bless you and your team and I pray for your safety. God Bless,
Shelley
Praying for you and everyone there. My heart breaks at the thought of their suffering.
Praying that you all will continue to have the strength to be the hands and feet of Jesus to these precious little ones.
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
Praying that those precious ones feel Jesus with every hug you all give. Praying for His strength for your team to do the hard stuff. <3
I sit here wiping the tears away. God has been breaking my heart so much for the orphans in the world. I just wish there was something more I could do right now!!! It breaks my heart. My husband and I haven't even been married a year and have a ton of student loans so I'm not sure how we'll ever be able to adopt but God is putting this on my heart for a reason. Praying for you on this trip and these little ones. How precious they truly are!!!
I am so sorry to hear that your back is hurting. I will pray for you.
May the Lord continue to bless your time there as you love on these treasures.
Blessings.
Cammy
Hopefulheart77
Praying. Once we knew God was calling us to adopt, and where, we felt our hearts aching for the children and for the people of Taiwan. Each country has it's own sorrows (US too) and its up to us to follow where God leads us and make a difference where we can. Praying for your heart tonight.
hey my friend,
so miss commenting, but we've been busy getting ready to leave ourselves. please know my lack of commenting in no way reflects the prayers being whispered on yours and the teams behalf.
i love this post – the raw truth of caring for the least of these… i'm glad you are there
to let those babies know their lives matter.
thanks linny, from a sister who knows how you feel…
see ya soon,
lisa
Thankful for a connection to hear from you.
Knowing that you draw from the deepest of loves. Love those babies for us as well.
In addition to the verse from James, this verse reminds me of where you are …
Isaiah 55:10-12 (New King James Version)
For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes
forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what
I please
And it shall prosper in the thing
for which I sent it.
Whisper His words, is truth and His vision into those tiny ears. His word will not, CAN NOT return void.
Blessings from Iowa …
We just wrapped up a study on James at my church and we went through the last few verses in ch 5 including this one. It is an amazing promise.
Definitely praying for you guys.
Oh Linn – Your words were not cold an expressionless – all the tears and emotion came through. I'm touched by your words and am praying. What a blessed time for you and your team to be touched by the very heart of God for His treasures – your time is well spent.
Love to You all!
oh sweet linny…such sorrow and pain…thank you for sharing such raw details…it breaks our hearts…oh to be with you…holding those babies and whispering Jesus love in their ears…my whole being aches to hold them…praying for you and your back…praying for your whole team and the Joy of the Lord to be your strength. Holding you all up in unceasing prayer and fasting while you are gone. Thank you for keeping us posted.<3 you
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted" Isaiah 61:1
Wow – still praying. I am sure you all are making a difference in these young lives. It may be that a critical difference was needed there today, versus going to Kampala. Our daughter suffered much in her home country and here in the US, before diagnosis, from latent TB and repeated pneumonia. I hope that she had someone to comfort her when I was not with her. Each of these children is a gift, so I will pray for strength for the ladies and safety / comfort for all.
Crying and praying. The words have formed a picture in my mind that will stay with me as a reminder to prayer for these precious children.
Praying for your back too and the rest of the team. xxx
Just now I'm at home surrounded by the children of the neighbourhood. Most of whom don't have Dad's at home (neither do mine), none of whom know Jesus yet (Praise God He revealled Himself to my kids young),many of whom have difficult lives behind the closed doors of their homes. Wherever He calls us, our own street or across the world, may we be willing and surrendered to love when it hurts the most. To bless when we want to gather our lives together, to give and remember Jesus' resources are inexhaustible and we cancontinually draw FROM HIM to give TO OTHERS OF HIM.
What a timely reminder. Thankyou.
Bless you and your work in such need.
And drink as much water as you can, can't help but think it's your kidneys that need some extra water. x x x
Keep loving on them, Linny girl. Love on them from me, in Indiana.
You are the hands and feet of Jesus.
Love you, friend.
Praying that your back will feel strong – especially as you hold the little ones. Love you.
This post has deeply, very deeply, struck a cord with me, and I am praying about what it means…I want to be there loving on those babies too!
Prayers for you all
Praying for your back to heal, praying for your protection, and praying for all those precious babies who need to experience love and hope.
Linny,
I am so glad you pressed into the hard places and encouraged those to go too. It takes someone to step up and remind us all of the why we go where we go and why we do what we do. It's not about us and it never has been, it's always been about Him…..Love Cindy
Linny!
when you ever get time, please email me and tell me HOW to adopt from there. HOW did you get your two littles? i feel powerless without information and know-how, but this SLAYs me. i am undone. i've never even been out of the country. Jesus, help.
sharnsberger@comcast.net (Tabitha)