Thank You!

We are leaving Africa on Tuesday and moving onto Italy.  There are so many close friendships we have made while here in Uganda and Rwanda, it is very difficult to leave.  So, we will attempt to share our gratitude and blessings here …

Thank you Chuck and Beth Bradshaw for making room in your home for us and blessed us with your devotions each morning and presence of love and guidance each day, as we first landed in Uganda.

Thank you Henry for letting us into your heart and life.  You call us Maama and Papa — we are so honored and blessed.

Thank you Maama Victoria and Stephen for bringing us close to so many lovely children of all ages in your school/orphanage.  We are looking forward to working with you in supporting these children and returning to share this blessing with others.

Thank you Peter for keeping us safe as you drove us on our Safari in Murchison Falls; to Kampala and Entebbe.  We know you will be with us in future visits to continue to keep our travels comfortable.

Thank you Passy for caring for us in Kigali, Rwanda in your new B&B.  It was so difficult to leave you.  We have taken you under our wings and hold you close in our Hearts, no matter where you are or we are.  You go with us to America as we keep in touch.

Thank you Jacques for your quiet assuring presence as we opened to the details of the Genocide and walked through the Memorial together as well as we returned from the refugee camp.  We thank you for your safe driving taking us to all parts of Kigali.

Thank you Boniface for giving us a way to visit the Mahama Camp and for your hospitality.  Thank you Veronique for sharing your home in the camp with us.  And, thank you for the guidance of Claudine.

Thank you, all of those we have met along the way and God Bless!

A journey of a lifetime is coming to a close as we leave Africa on Monday.  We are so glad to have some time in Italy, with Saint Francis, to integrate all of what has been received during this life changing experience.

Our schedule in Italy — we arrive early morning in Rome on Wednesday, November 2nd.  We will take a train from the airport to Assisi.  There we will stay at a monastery for three days to be in the presence of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.  Then, to LaVerna — a few hours north of Assisi.  We stay in a monastery in LaVerna for a three days — next to the caves where Saint Francis meditated and where he received the stigmata.  Then, back to Rome to stay close to the Vatican for a few days.  A glorious time for infused meditation and prayer, in His Graceful Presence.

Here is an excellent description of these two saints from Richard Rohr a Franciscan Monk …

Francis and Clare of Assisi are two prime examples of people who chose to live on the "edge of the inside" — who understood life as participation — knowing things from the outside-in and from the bottom-up offers a more authentic view of reality. But that's not the only reason why Francis and Clare were able to see things differently than most of us do. Was it because they were more moral, more "chosen, " more detached, more loving, more sincere? These are all likely true, yet I believe the very foundation of what we mean by holiness or mysticism is knowing and loving from our Source. Francis and Clare knew by participation in a “Larger Knowing” that many of us call God.  

We don’t know whether we will have access to wifi to continue our communication with you while in Italy.  So, you may not hear from us until we return home on November 10th.  

This has been quite a journey for us.  We are so blessed to have you join us each step of the way.  Thank You!

Love,

Steve & Elizabeth

Visiting a Refugee Camp

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken them?”

(Psalm 22)

Steve and Passy (our host) visited the Mahama Refugee Camp which is four hours east of Kigali, Rwanda on the border of Tanzania.  We had supplies to deliver from Suavis, who is our dear friend from our church family in Portland, Maine.  Her mother, two sisters and two nephews have fled Burundi and have lived in this camp for over a year now. 

(Steve) Mahama Refugee Camp is “home” to 70,000 people — a city slightly smaller than Portland, ME.  In a corner of this lush, green, fertile country, it is barren, dry, dusty.  Yesterday we sat with a family of our good friends from home.  The floor was covered by their sleeping mats bearing the logo of UNHCR - the UN agency which runs the dozens of camps for the millions of refugees who have fled their homes to save their lives.

Yesterday we were with five people — Veronique, the grandmother; Claudine and Regina, two daughters; and Billy 18 and Badou 14.  The building was made up of two 8ft/8ft rooms made of mud bricks and covered by corrugated steel.  Veronique apologized for not having tea and snacks to offer us.  After having left behind a good life in Burundi, she was humiliated to have guests and not be able to offer the hospitality that is universal on this continent.

We learned that one pound of maize flour must last each person five days.  We learned that the wait to see a doctor can be one year.  Veronique broke the bones in her lower leg several moths ago.  This healed in a way that her leg is unstable and she must walk with a stick.  Previously, we had learned at the U.S. Embassy, that even if she were granted a visa to get to our country to be with her daughter, she would be turned back at the border.  She spoke of how little hope they had and despair was palpable.

There is nothing to do here in Mahama — no work, nothing to read — no way to work toward a future.  UNHCR is replacing the tents with the mud brick homes and paving the water ditches with stones.  They are preparing for people to be here many years.  

Then, we were taken by Claudine to visit the oldest accommodations there — large buildings partitioned into maybe 50 living stalls.  We were welcomed into one of these, holding about 8 people.  I held a 3 month old baby boy named Adonai.  They had heard that I had prayed with Veronique’s family and asked me to pray with them.  In the next stall was a man near the end of his life with heart problems.  I was overwhelmed and numb.

Last night I could not pray.  It seemed as if God has forgotten these people — abandoned them.  How could I pray to a God who seemed to have abandoned some of his children.  Elizabeth held me as I told her of my inability to pray.  She said our evening prayer for both of us.  I said, “I know I will be able to pray tomorrow, but first I must live through this dark night.”

(Elizabeth)  I was unable to go to the camp with Steve and Passy.  I was very weak from a bad cold.  When they came home in the late evening, I could see they were both affected deeply by their experience at the camp.  I shared with Steve that their loving presence has brought a light into the camp and let us focus on this Light of Love.  All I could do was to be in this Light myself and hold to God’s Loving Presence.  I was reminded of this quote:

“Keep the eye of your mind ever toward the Lord.”

Psalm 25:15

Jacques and Passy want to go to the camp on a monthly basis to give Shiatsu (a healing massage) and bring to them whatever they can get to bring.  Jacque said, “Many people complain about what they don’t have in their lives, until they see how other unfortunate people live, then they have appreciation for what they have.  It is good to see this and to help however you can.”  

These two amazing people are living their calling, “Tubasange” — “let us meet them where they are.”

After having five years without a job and always trying other options and failed, I thought I am the most suffered person.  But, yesterday I saw many my age staying in camp and I apologized to God for my complaining.  I wish them to be in a home like me — to sleep in a bed like me.  I am so speechless.

I have lived in a refugee camp too for three months when I was eleven years — it was so hard .  Even if during genocide, we didn’t have any help from outside, in the camp we had biscuits and enough food.  Now, I can see how the world is changing.

I and my friend Jacques, we were thinking to go back there and see what we can do with the people in the camp — we do Shiatsu massage which can help with specific body problems, but can also let them feel our presence in this difficult life.

This is the meaning of our center — to go and meet the people who are in need of love, family — being together with others and share what we possess.  It may be food, materials, skills, but mostly being there together for each other.  This is a voluntary job anyone can join us and share in any way he/she can.

I thank God for being with the people I am with today, who understand this, and who have been able to learn from the past.

Today I may need you for help but tomorrow you may need the same.  Let’s be there for one another.

Another area where we can bring our prayers and the Light of God’s Love.  

It is going to be so hard to leave here on Monday.  Passy and Jacques have opened their Hearts to us as we have to them.  In such a short time we have become close like family.  God bless them and all who benefit from their loving presence.

Love,

Steve & Elizabeth

Moving On ...

We wrote this message from Kampala, Uganda last Monday, after we left Maama Victoria’s school/orphanage.  We didn’t have internet access to send it then and so we send it to you now that we do have WiFi …

We left the orphanage/school Monday morning.  Sunday night the children had a farewell for us just before dinner.  We met in the usual place outside where the evening singing and prayers were held.  All of the children were there — some were sitting on their benches — others were up front ready to sing for us.  Maama Victoria’s family was there too.  Steve and I were so touched by all of the love that was showered on us.  

We had a surprise for the children too — a large drum for them to use for their evening praise music.  The boys were using pails turned upside down for drumming.  We were amazed at what music they could get out of the pails, but decided a real drum was needed.  They loved it!  When they played it Steve and I danced with the children.  They loved that too.

It was so difficult to say goodbye.  One of Maama’s son’s started to sing the song from Sound of Music — “So long, farewell … good bye … good bye …”  Perfect.  We left the children in tears.

We will carry each one of these children home with us in our Hearts and find ways to support them from our home in America.  

We’ve been gone less than 24 hours and already there is a powerful calling taking shape to return with a group.  We feel like we’ve been called to bring a group of people into this beautiful vision of how these children’s lives can be improved.  We are inspired by Maama Victoria and want to share this inspiration.

This is an ideal place to bring a group because of the comfortable guest house set up for westerners and because of the pervasiveness of English as their second language.  

It is our vision to support the efforts toward a self-sustaining operation, which is already under way.  Fostering children’s education to maximize their potential is less an act of charity but more a wise use of resources.  But, most of all, we keep seeing these children’s faces, their eagerness to learn, their willingness to work, and their joy in singing praises.

In ten days we entered so fully into the rhythms of life there, that after leaving Monday morning, it is hard to know how to be here — where we are now.  So, our energy is already beginning to focus on our returning with a group sometime in the next year.

We are now in Kigali, Rwanda in our endeavor to assist Veronique, Suavis’s mother, who is in a refugee camp and needs to have a medical visa to America, to be cared for by her daughter.  We will go to the US Embassy and just take it step-by-step.  More on this as we move forward.

Much Love,

Elizabeth & Steve

P.S. The pictures in this message were taken by Carol, one of the students in the graduating class.  She wanted me to show her how to work the camera.  And, then her first time using a camera, she proceeded to take these awesome pictures.  She is a natural.  We are going to make cards with her pictures and give all the proceeds to help her pay for tuition for secondary school.  Here is Carol with one of the children …

Too Hard To Swallow

The last communication we sent to you was from Steve.  I wasn’t ready to put down my feelings and thoughts after diving deeply into the life these children have here.  Yes, they have food, a place to live, an education and lots of love … but …

Today I went on a tour of the facilities and where the children sleep and watched them receive their breakfast from the “kitchen.”  I saw rows of bunkbeds three high crammed in a small room where two sleep in each bed.  I knew the condition of the mattresses from seeing them out in the sun.  I saw some small tin trunks sitting in the corner on top of each other and asked if each child had a trunk.  No, I was told, several share one trunk.  So, that is why I saw things hanging from the rafters, literally.

The kitchen was an outside shed and they were cooking a large pot of porridge made with water and maize (very similar to ground up corn).  The children stood in line with the smallest in front and had their cup filled.  We had bought them some biscuits from the store and they were given one of those as well.  It was just too much for me to watch.  I left and went back to my room to take it all in.

Have you ever heard of the expression, “This was too hard to swallow.”  Well, I had never experienced this expression until now.  I actually was eating breakfast after this and found it very difficult to swallow — too much going down at once.  It was dynamically experienced.

One of the sessions we had with the children here we spoke about, “Everyone is doing the best they can.”  It is hard to agree with that when I see how things are happening here — but it is true — they are doing the best with what they have. 

When I was a little girl and I didn’t eat all of my supper, my dad would say, “Think about all the hungry children in Africa.”  I certainly didn’t know what he was talking about and I bet he didn’t either.  We don’t see until we actually go there and see for ourselves the need that is happening here and in other countries such as this.  And, we certainly don’t hear about in the evening news.

I am so grateful to be here and to see for myself how my neighbor lives and be open to do what I can with what I have.  And, to be open to share with you, my dear friend, and with anyone else who will listen.

We have a routine of joining the children when they sing and dance praises to the Lord just before bedtime.  After their evening prayer they sing this …

All night, all day, angels watching over me, my Lord.

All night, all day, angels watching over me.

They are in good hands.

Faithfully,

Elizabeth

Uncle Steve, Come Play With Us

 

 

I love to play with these kids.  They work hard at chores, study hard for classes.  It feels so good to share play.  Especially the older girls — Rachel, Esther, Eve — they don’t usually play, so when I lead them to the field, they play wholeheartedly.  With the middle and younger ones they are so desperate for a turn with the frisbee they get too aggressive.  I have been trying to get them to share, but it is hard with my limited Luganda.

Yesterday, Cossima — about 10 years old — took the lead in including the younger, slower children.  He felt so good when I praised him to Maama Victoria.

Many of the older kids play football (soccer).  Their soccer ball is a round bundle of rags, tightly wrapped together, but always trailing a few shreds.  Why didn’t I bring 6 soccer balls?  How many of us in the U.S. spend $600 for hockey equipment, or $1,000 for ski gear.  If Amazon worked here I would have ordered soccer balls, shoes, clothes — one boy had no pants today and had stretched his torn t-shirt to cover himself.

I am broken wide open today.  The needs are so vast.  Many of the children who have shoes have ones three sizes too big.  I have seen one boy the last two days whose shorts were to big so he always had to use one hand to hold them up.  Yesterday many children had their foam mattresses in the hot sun to “kill most of the bugs.”

How can I, with my wealth, be a neighbor to these children?  Why am I more deserving of material comforts than these?

Bread is a rare treat.  As I ate my breakfast this morning, it occurred to me that probably none of the children have every had toast and jelly.  (By the way, Maama cooked our toast over the fire this morning).  Today I want to empty my wallet and bank account and give them all mattresses and toast with jelly.  I don’t know how to be myself today, to be neighbors to Hillary and Violet and Francis and Benson  …

As I sit quietly, an answer comes.  I don’t have to figure out large answers today.  I am not to be a savior.  I need to be present to each person I see today.  I need to live in my broken-heartedness.  Maybe tomorrow I will know more about ways to help.  Maybe tomorrow I will have a larger, clearer vision.  Today I only need to see the child in front of me.  And wait.  With hope.

Faithfully,

Steve

Caring for the Children

 Stephen and Maama Victoria founded this school 10 years ago.  They quickly became known as a place where parents could drop off children they couldn’t care for.  They even picked up kids that were left in the streets abandoned.  With the AIDs epidemic in Africa, the numbers grew.  They now have 80 or more unsponsored children — those with no support of relatives.  There are children that go to school here and live in the villages nearby — so there are about 190 children staying here at one time during the school term.  What a huge responsibility!  Stephen and Maama Victoria live very simply, and use what they have to support these children.

There are nine teachers here and nine levels of education, from two or three up to seventeen.  It is lovely to wake up to a mixture of children’s happy voices, and multitude of varied birdsong.  This place is very basic — the children eat mainly porridge and bean stew.  Many have no shoes.  What they have in abundance is love.  

The first night we were here, we heard singing and drumming at night.  Each night after, we have joined in — some songs we know, some we learn, some we mumble.  I love to let go into the music singing and dancing with the children.

Early on here we began thinking of how we could help.  This place is so purely based on serving without gain.  Yesterday, during morning meditation I felt a powerful affirmation to come back here, to bring others to share in this blessing by serving.  A tremendous and holy, “Yes”!

 Steve and I are sitting on the front porch of the guest house looking over at the school house building.  The children are taking their lessons.

We met with the teachers yesterday to see what we could say or do to help them with this tremendous challenge.  We realized as we met the children that some of the older children are with the younger because they came here almost illiterate as they were not able to be in school.  So, these teachers are having 14 year olds in with those who are 10 years old.  Steve’s experience with children gave them some insight into seeing, “everyone is doing their best,” and “always give encouragement right where they are.”  My experience with “questioning as a way of bringing out the wisdom within each of us” was offered to these teachers.  This was an entirely different approach for them.  It was for me the first time I heard it and applied it with my two children and those I taught over the years — children and adults.  

We will have an opportunity to be with each of the classes, here on this porch.  And, then we move on our way.  But, we are receiving guidance to assist these children further after leaving here.  Maybe you would like to join us in this.

We have been talking to Maama Victoria and her daughter Gertrude (who is the one who handles a lot of the details for her mother) about how we can help the children from home.  This is when we decided to sponsor a child for a year.  The one who was in greatest need was little Noreen, who is six years old.  

When we met her we noticed she didn’t have shoes on her feet.  Maama Victoria said that was what they were going to get her first as well as some newer clothes.  

So, this is what we thought would be something that we could bring to your attention and find out if there might be an interest in sponsoring a child as well.  We are just putting this out now to see if there is interest.  If so, I will organize it with Gertrude and let you know the details as they develop.  This is something they have not done yet and it is all new to them.  But, they are very enthused with the idea.

When we first came to Uganda, we realized that this part of the world is so seldom recognized from our part of the world and it was good for us to be aware of what is happening here.  

Now, we have the opportunity to hold these beautiful children in our hearts and prayers so that they have a chance in the world they have found themselves in.  

Now, on the other side of the spectrum — Steve and I were with the elderly yesterday.  Those who are in their 70’s and 80’s attending the Cathedral in Mityana.   I presented to them that the stories in their lives can teach their children and grandchildren such important lessons and it was time to “harvest” these stories.  Then, I asked them so share a story from their life and the lesson it taught them.  Wow!  What a life each of these elders lived!

 I was seeing these little ones growing up in the same way as these elders.  It is such a hard life here, especially for those who do not get a good education.  My thoughts spiraled back to our being here with the children and helping them have a good start in life.

We continue to see these are our neighbors and they are here in our awareness now to continue to honor and love.  We leave this with you.  It has been so much for us to take in.  We hope we are able to bring you here with us.  

Love,
Steve & Elizabeth

Let the Children Come Onto Me

Here we are at Maama Victoria’s.  It was a mystery to us as to where her place was as we drove in.  It is just 2km from where we were, but way out in the country.  It’s so quiet here at the end of the road and no dust.  We don’t hear the roosters in the morning — we hear something much sweeter — children’s happy voices and so many unusual sounding birds.

The guest house is on the left and Maama’s home with her husband Stephen is on the right.  The school building is further to the right.  The saying on the side of the building is:  “Jesus said, Let the children come onto Me.”  

We have been here since last Friday and we found out there are 190 students that go to the school and 80 of them are orphans and live here permanently.  Maama V. told us that some of those 80 children are left here for the year and their parents don’t see them until the year is up.  Most of those are mothers who have no husband and have no way to care for them herself and can't even pay the school fee.   As you can see, they are well fed and cared for here.  It is a miracle how she accomplishes this.  

We talked with her about how much it costs to cover one child for a year here.  She said, "$150 a year."  We had been given $100 by Jean Loudon from our church to use where we saw fit.  We gave it to Maama Victoria along with a donation of $50 to sponsor one child for a year.  Thank you, Jean.

When we went for a walk along the path passed their home and we saw how some of the children lived that are not at this school, we realized how fortunate they are to have this home and loving care from those here.  

(Elizabeth)  For the past few days, I have been close to my room recuperating from an illness.  Steve and Maama V. and Stephen went to many functions on Saturday and Sunday.  I was here alone resting.  Saturday morning a few lovely little girls came by my room to check in on me and keep me company (their picture is above).  We sang and told stories together.  They left and another group came by a little later.  This continued both days on and off until I had the whole crowd in my room watching the safari movie I made from Murchison Falls.  They were fascinated and loved to see the animals.  Their loving presence was so uplifting and healing for me.  They seemed to be having a good time too.  

So, our week has begun in this little corner of  Africa.  We will both be with the children this week — not really sure how that will come about — but we are both looking forward to our time here until next Monday.   Then, we are off to Rwanda.  

We will let you know how this week goes being with these lovely gems.

Love,

Elizabeth & Steve

P.S.  This last picture was taken a few days before we arrived here — ready to play!