ME- January 2011                                                                                                       ME- November 2011

James 1:23-24

I will not walk away from the word. I will not forget who the Lord has made me. Even though I feel misplaced....

I've been in the US for 5 days now and I still feel like a stranger. I arrived home and the feeling is hard to peg. I am excited being with friends and family, but also am missing the friends and family I left behind. 

I took a shower in the same shower I did before I left, and it felt the same as any hotel or hostel I have stayed in this year. I weighed myself and it was exactly the same as when I left the race, 156.4. How is that possible? I stared at myself in the mirror and asked, Did I even leave? Was it all a dream? Everything looks the same, but yet is different. 

I shook my head, and had a chat with myself. I left. I am no longer the same. I just went around the world with forty-eight strangers chasing after God's heart. And I came home with not strangers, but family and a relationship with the Lord. When I look in the mirror there is nothing the same. I look different, act different, feel different, think different. I am different. But everything around me is trying to convince me otherwise. 

Although life now feels like it has momentarily frozen, and I have just awoken from a dream, everyone else has continued living. Despite the small attempts to explain what the Lord wrecked and rebuilt and wrecked again in me this year I cannot truly find the words. It is best told, lived. I know the Lord has a reason for everything he brought me and my squad through this year, only to bring us right back to the beginning. 

So here I am back at the beginning, but it's like I got a time warp and although it is the same situation, I get to live it differently. A little wiser, stronger, and with a little more flare. Most importantly being able to look to the Lord, instead of myself and see if the outcome is any different. I can guarantee you it will be. Will I still mess up? For sure. But will people see in my beautiful brokenness the Relentless Love of my Savior. Absolutely. If I came home with everything together what fun would that be? All year I have had to make the choice to choose him and now is no different. Now is no different than when I didn't understand my team. Now is no different than when I didn't understand unanswered prayers. Now is no different than when our countries changed and I was frustrated, or when things happened at home that I could do nothing for but pray. Now is just another one of those opportunities to put my trust in the Lord, and let him work it out for his glory and have my eyes open to see the beauty. It has been what he has been trying to teach me all year; To trust him. 

What do I have to show for it, putting my trust in him? Those strangers I started the year with, the people most difficult to be with-some of my closest friends, and people I now cannot live without. Those countries I didn't understand why we were going to, I have amazing testimonies, moves of God, and people's lives I would have never been a part of. Prayers unanswered- Thank God, because I didn't know what I was asking in the moment, and also he may not have answered in my way, but man I couldn't have done it even remotely better. And those times when there was nothing I could do for people at home, but pray, the Lord taught me not to worry, and he also showed me his mercy. I got to sit beside my grandmother at the rehab center yesterday and listen to her talk about her roommate who had just left in a huff, and hold her hand and pray over her before I left. All things that I had no control over, and had to release to him that he has made beautiful and new. 

Today is one of those days that I need to trust him, and tomorrow and the next day, because I will not let the enemy rob me of today being the best day I ever lived. Whether I am in Kenya, or Cambodia, or the US or good ol' Canada I will be open for the Lord to move in new ways, to speak, and to transform me along with the people and places around me. I'm not sure what these next several weeks hold, but  I trust my God. I trust that he is always faithful, even when we are not ( 2 Tim 2:13) and that his plans truly are to prosper, not to harm. I do not want to second guess that. He has proven himself faithful time and time again. It's about time I started trusting Him. 

SO pray for me to get off the couch, even when sometimes I want to sleep all day, because I don't know what to do with myself. Pray for my family to feel well loved, because my heart is exploding for them, even if I don't know how to show them right now. Pray that I will press through the writing block, because one thing the Lord has been clear about is that I am supposed to write. And pray that my ears are open to His direction and His promptings, not just for the future, but the everyday. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year possible for me, for your support, prayers, and just reading my blog. It has forever changed who I am, and hopefully had an impact on your life as well. I promise to keep posting, as I seek after the Father's heart. It may be a scattered, unorthodox journey, but I can guarantee you it will be a beautiful and interesting journey none the less. Peace

Rachael

REDEMPTION SUNDAY- Part 1

I woke Sunday morning at 6 am..rushed to get dressed and ready. The night before had been hard to get to sleep. My mind was anxious. My body was restless. I was too excited to leave all of the day behind and close my eyes. But eventually I parted with the good of saturday and woke with the same uncontrollable joy I fell asleep with. I threw on my clothes, tried to contain my "lions mane", that has recently been called "chuckster" from Rugrats, threw on some mascara and ran out the door. As I closed the gate to our home I turned and saw the sun rising in the hills behind me, tiers of hills, and homes now visible through the first rays of day. I couldn't contain the awe within me as my breath came out a chilly fog. 

The walk to the market place wasn't a long one, but I won't forget it. Everything magnified. Everything beautiful. What had been a dirty bustling market place the day before now was just another step on paradise to me. This was heaven on earth. The silence. The sunrise. And the destination in front of me: two little boys with new hope.

(** all creation shouts his glory**)

Steve was waiting for me on the corner with his bike, and in the midst of nothing managed to find a bota for me to ride. He joked with me and asked, "Can you ride a bike?" Can I ride a bike? Ha! I could ride across Africa, riding someone on the back! I answer him, "Yea, of course. It's my favorite!" "I don't think you'd want to ride my bike", he said. "There are no brakes.." I laughed out loud and told him he was probably right. 

*this is steve*

We rode to the end of the road and my heart suddenly moved into my throat, "What if the boys went back to the dump? What if they didn't stay with Ibraham's family last night like they were supposed to? I began praying for them again. Praying I wouldn't see them there, praying especially for Jisef who was having a harder time. He was a little more apprehensive, seeing as Ibraham wasn't his family, and no one had reached out to him in a while. He hadn't known a family the way Rajab had. 

We turned left and I held my breath as we rode closer to the dump. I scanned the piles of trash, the boys leaned against the wall for their t-shirts, for their faces. They were no where to be seen. I could breath again. Hope restored. We continued on, and I couldn't help, but to praise my Papa in Heaven. Steve just smiled his huge smile and laughed at me. We made a right at the large intersection and the town began to disappear beside us. The blurred scenery turned to only trees, a blur of green and the sound of birds instead of buses. The Lord had found them a place out of reach.

( psalms- i will set you out of reach of your enemies..) 

About 10 minutes later we turned right down a red clay road, and right again. There were huts in front of me arranged in a circle and the one closest to us began to rustle. I turned to pay the bota driver and when I turned around saw Rajab standing in the yard with Jisef coming out of the hut's flap stretching and yawning. They got a full nights sleep! No potato sack. No waking up throughout the night. No getting at the crack of dawn to move locations. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I ran over to them to hug them. Tears of Joy from the goodness of a Father. A Father who loves us so much that if one sheep goes astray from the fold He goes to look for them.

There was such a Peace over this place, and I knew it was lined with guardian angels. Suddenly there was a rush of 5 other children coming over to meet me, and hug me. Some of the most beautiful faces I have ever seen. "Rachael! Rachael!" "Uni twa nani?" I asked in my broken swahili, trying to get their names. They burst into giggles of course, and led me over to the house to meet their parents. 

As soon as Ibraham walked up I knew I could trust him. The peace over his home, the Joy in his children. I knew he was a good father. Steve had told me their family was Muslim, and while his father had taken 2 wives, he had chosen only one, and you could tell he adored her. Most of the believers we talked to would say the Muslims were stubborn, or proud, but there was none of that on this man. He invited me in and began to ask me questions, and thank me for the opportunity for these boys. I got to turn it back to the real provider. Jesus. I told him what God had spoken to me at the dump that first day meeting the boys, the certainty he had planted in my heart that these boys were who I was to be fighting for, and the doors He had opened. No way could I have done anything in 4 days, with little to no internet or phone access. But my Father in Heaven alined things in His perfect timing to show me it was Him and not me. To show me He is faithful. To show me he wants us to do things out of our control- so that we have to depend on him for it to be accomplished.  

All feelings of apprehension and questions why Rajab hadn't been here in the first place were put to ease as he assured me one more time " the boys are welcome here, as long as they need to. Whatever they need we will try to help." He asked for no assistance, although we had already planned on giving them aid for keeping the boys, and just to bless them. He was unaware of that, and still more than willing to help; even someone who wasn't his family. I couldn't imagine why Rajab wouldn't have wanted to come here instead of the streets in the first place. He clearly trusted Ibraham, or he wouldn't have told us about him. Just like the prodigal son he had access to a feast here and yet he chose to live among the pigs. It's shame that keeps us away, guilt, fear we won't be received, that we don't deserve better. It's the enemy. (**Prodigal son**)

After saying how happy he was for the boys again, and thankful for such an opportunity for them he asked me to remember his children later. "If there are any other opportunities like this, please remember them. I just want their best." I told him I didn't have any of the means right now, nothing set in place, but when I did they would be on my heart. All of his children were currently in the public school, but the system is not very good. His oldest daughter is flying through it with ease. She is so smart!

The next hour was spent getting to know his family, letting them use my camera to take pictures, and video; something they had never seen. " I'm on T.V!" his oldest girl laughed. I wasn't ready to go, but Steve had responsibilities at the church to attend to, and so we called for the boys to hurry up with getting ready so we could take pictures. They walked into the house looking like little boys just ready for Sunday school. We had bought them some new clothes to wear since the ones they had hadn't been washed in who knows how long, and were full of holes. When we had bought them Sandals the day before, Jisef asked me, "Could I maybe have a t-shirt?" I seriously have felt like a full blown mama in these last 24 hours. Getting the boys enrolled for school, going through what supplies they would need, praying for them, and shopping for them. It has been exhausting and so rewarding. It's made me appreciate my parents so much more. I'm an adult now, and should have already realized all the background things they have had to do. What we thought were the most basic of tasks that entailed so much more. These last several days with the boys have shown me new levels of Concern, Hope, Fear, and Love. 

It's like God wanted to show me how He feels watching over me. He wants the best for me. He is putting together all the little details. He is trying to bless me and smother me with His love. But He also has to wait and let me make the decisions. Even with His best intentions I can choose other things. And so He holds His breath, heart in His throat hoping I won't have gone back to the dump. He wants to see me seize the highest He intended for me. Looking at the boys, and seeing their Hope gave me a new picture of how I must look to the Father when I realize He is looking out for me. When I am excited about a new opportunity he has provided, and a bright new future trusting Him. 

Before we left I asked Ibraham if we could pray for his family. 

"Father cover this family. May they see your mighty hand and provision in everything. May you be the one remembered in all of these blessings. Let them turn to you and not to people. Show them your love and your power through these boys. Soften their hearts to know you as Lord and Savior, to receive your truth. Thank you for them Papa. Thank you for this amazing family. Let all of this show your glory.Thank you Papa....."  

We took some final family photos, Rajab and all his cousins with Jisef, and Ibraham's family. It's only about 8:30 am at this point and we walk back out to the road in search of bota drivers. Sad this would be the only time I would see their family in a while we waved goodbye and set off for Sunday service. 

We were made to Worship!

This is where the boys spend a lot of their time and sometimes sleep in potato sacks here

Here is the email I sent to Rosalie as soon as I got home:

Hello Everyone-

Newest update.. this is what I emailed Rosalie this afternoon after spending the morning with the boys and Steve a man from the church who has been involved and helping translate. I had the best morning getting to share a meal with them, hear their hearts, about their lives, their families before, and their dreams. These boys have been so chosen by the Lord, and are just marked to be such a change in this area. They accepted the Lord in their life this week, and getting time to just pour into them how much the Lord loves them, is seeking them, and is the one opening these doors and providing for them was incredible. I wish you could all see their faces light up when I told them "there are people all around the world who have seen your handsome faces and are praying for you and love you!" That God has his eye on them, and that I believe in them, the Lord believes in them. Joseph is so shy and cute and I got to hug him non stop this morning and he just melts, he is a big softy. They both just want to be loved, and to get to speak that into them all morning was incredible. I am so humbled and blessed. One of the most important things for them to understand and hold onto as truth is that they are loved by God the Father- and that they operate out of that. " I am loved, I am loved I am loved.."

SO there is much to tell you and update! I have been talking to the church we have been working with here in Busia and their pastor, Rosemary. She wants to be involved, and said that if they needed a place to stay on breaks if attending the school in Kampala, then she would make sure it was provided. I still think it would be better for them if a family in kampala felt lead to take them in on breaks so that they do have a good cut off and time away from the life they have known here.

I have talked to them, and also been praying as have so many people, and feel like the best option is the school that is is near you or Wabigalo primary- if they board. Whatever in that regard you feel is the best option, I just know they are meant to be in kampala, and near you and the church. You should see their faces light up when getting a hug or just being smiled at or told they are loved. I want someone near them who can be there for them in that way, to constantly share the father's heart with them, that they are loved and worthy. I know you have a heart for the children here, and getting them off of the streets, and with what you are doing with the church, and being obedient to God's calling you to Uganda, but would you be willing to follow through with these boys as well? 

If you are willing to help get them in one of the schools, Several people have responded to helping them financially and getting the money to you for whatever they might need. I have one lady in Portland who used to host our bible study, she is a good friend. her name is Kathie Moran, and she is just waiting to hear more details on how she can help financially. I want to help support their immediate needs to get them there and started, and then whatever I can after that as well. And there are others who said they can help some. I am going to ask the director of missions at our little church in portland announce it on sunday to see if anyone feels lead to come forward and help. ( Heidi- would you be willing to share these emails, or put an announcement in if possible??)

A couple of questions: Is the school open now? Would we be able to move quickly. i have been praying the Lord would let me bring them to kampala to meet you and get them settled in, and that would mean bringing them Sunday or Monday... because that is when i am leaving here, and I would just leave my team for a day or two, whatever it took..The best timing for me and for them would be to leave tomorrow for Kampala, but we wouldn't arrive until about 6 or 7. I could stay the night with them near you or with you, wherever we could stay, and then get them settled in Monday morning, and then i would travel back to Jinja to be with my team.. I know this is all so fast and rushed, but if it's possible I think quicker is better, and the Lord is really leaving doors open for that to be possible.

As for the boys themselves I spent 4 hours with them this morning getting all of their information with the help of someone at the church. I'll start with Juma Rajab Junior. He goes by Rajab and is 14. His mom died when he was 8 years, and his dad was out of sorts for a while after. Apparently they had a good marriage, and he really cared about her, so their family fell apart when she died. After some time his dad remarried 2 wives. I think the usual scenario where they don't know he already has kids when they marry him, nor do they know he has another wife. it happens all the time here, and it is so sad for the women involved, but also the children who are poorly treated, because of the hurt the women are feeling. The " this isn't what I signed up for" thing. 

His father was involved with smuggling from Kenya, and ended up getting arrested. Then once he was released he got involved with smuggling again, and into trouble with the people he was working with and disappeared, he has not been seen since. The step mother he was living with said your father is no longer here "leave" and kicked him out. He has 2 brothers that were staying with the first step mother in Mbale, and she did the same to them and left for Kenya. They are staying with an uncle. The only family he has in Busia, Uganda now is an uncle who doesn't care for him, but he goes to check in with once in a while. His uncle's name is Ibraham Murukuru. Rajab has been living on the streets permanently for the last 5 months. He has been involved with the chemical they call "tina" a chemical you put on a cloth and sniff, but is not heavily addicted. 

We talked to both him and Joseph about the letting go of old things, and how it would mess up all their chances, and these amazing plans the Lord has set before them, and they were both in agreement to watch out for one another.  When feeling like they want to use sniff a "tina" they will find someone to talk to and pray, and replace it with something else... this would probably be you a lot of the time if you are willing Rosalie. They were so open and honest about everything and I think the Lord's timing is so divine that they ended up on the streets at the exact same time, and God set them aside to me together, to keep them together as brothers. Rajab wants to be a doctor, and he has finished primary 4. He is so smart, and it's really clear he is driven, and protective, honest. He can write some, but I don't know his skills after that. His birthday is October 14th.

Joseph Abudallah is 12 years old. Pronounced Yusef. He doesn't know his birthday so we made one up. He picked April 12th. He did live with his mother and father, but his father was very abusive. His father would tie them in the house and beat them. One day the neighbors saw, and the police came and he was arrested. He was also in Mbale, and his mother brought him to Busia, Uganda to be with a brother and left. She wanted to get away and just disappeared. He doesn't stay with the brother, he sleeps in the cinema. He has had the same drug use as Rajab and he has finished primary 2. He recited the alphabet to me this morning. It was adorable. Just looking at this little boy he has such a big heart. He is scrawny tiny, a huge smile and so much JOY. He lights up when you give him a hug or rub his back, and the HOPE that is in him is incredible. They both just need to be empowered and encouraged. Loved. He told me he wants to be a pastor, and I told him I believed he would be reading the word and studying faster than he thinks. 

Steve the man from the church has promised to watch them and follow up while in busia here, and maybe communication with you in kampala as well if all of this goes through. He has email, and he is going to just inform or talk to Juseph's brother here in town so he doesn't think they just disappeared, and also Rajab's uncle. Both are just the closest family they have here, although neither take care of them. 

There is so much more I want to tell you about them. I can't describe this love the Lord has put in my heart for them, and seeing this carried through. I didn't know if I would be called back to uganda or not, and now I can't imagine not coming back and seeing all the good things God has done, and keeping in contact with them. I am going to call you in just a couple of minutes to talk and see what you think. Thank you so much for praying for all of this, and being willing to move with the spirit. It's incredible!! Maybe we will get to see each other after all. 

God Bless,

Rach

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She had sent this email a couple minutes after I sent mine.

Hey lady!

Sorry I did not get back to you yesterday our was out until just a bit ago. I don't think I can be much help in regards to a place or the boys to stay within our church community. Our church is in a slum and the average family has 5++ in a one room apartment and just not conducive to this sort of thing. Also, I think most people would be wary of bringing boys in off the streets. The concern you mentioned some of the people from the church having is not uncommon. I have been told that, sadly, there is a great deal of sexual abuse that goes on with streetkids and/or orphans. Not to say that would be these boys, but families with young children would probably be extra cautious. 

Praying that God provides a really clear answer for this piece soon. Have you been able to figure out if there is any family around in Busia? I know your time is limited, but I think it would be best if you were able to track a relative down and bring them up to speed with what is going on.

I thought I'd go ahead and send you details on Wabigalo Primary School. The term starts Sept 5th with boarding students reporting on the 4th and I'm not sure when exactly they finish the term, but it is sometime in early December. The cost of boarding is 350,000/= per term, uniform cost is 55,000/= which is a one time fee, they are required to bring with them all necessary supplies - mattress, blanket, sheets, pillow, towel, soap for washing clothes and yourself, toothbrush, toothpaste, metal case (to keep all their things in).....I don't have the list right in front of me, but I think you get the idea. Also, books, pens, pencils, etc would need to be provided. 

Do you know when was the last time they studied? What level they have completed? If there is a school near by to come with their transcripts would be preferable, but if it wasn't accessible we could work without it.

Okay, let me know what you think and how things are progressing. Sorry I missed your call earlier, I didn't have the airtime to call you back.

Happy day!

Rosalie

Story of Swift redemption Part 2

Here is my first email to her and the conversations that followed:

Rosalie!!!

I'm so sorry we didn't end up getting to meet up while I was in kampala over the weekend. I thought it would be easier, but I didn't really have any way of transportation unless we were already out and about, and both times I thought we would be going back out we ended up staying in for the night, and then staying in all morning on tuesday instead of going to the mall. I hope everything went well with the hospital visit, and getting your friends off to the airport as well. I loved Kampala the little bit of time we were there, I wish i had gotten more time.

I know we don't know each other very well, but I have a really large request/question. I know from the emails and news updates that the church you are working with also has a sponsorship program correct? I remember when Jonathan, Jeremiah and Sarah were there they were working on evaluating the needs and the kids in the area, etc. Specifically street children, is that right?

What does the program look like? is that something that you coordinate and run, and how do you choose the children that are in the program? what is the process? I am asking, because here in Busia, there is not a lot of options around with sponsorships, etc. The church we are working with is so small, and doesn't have any kind of outreach for the boys living on the street. We have gotten to meet with the boys though, and this morning with them I really felt the Lord strongly pick 2 boys out of the crowd. They are two boys in the couple times we have been by have never had glue or anything, and are always so attentive, and respectful.. not going crazy around us. Their names are Rajab ( i don't know the spelling.. he is 14 i think) and Juseph who is 12. This morning the Lord just laid on my heart leadership over them, and binding them together in their friendship and just praying protection over them, and hope and trust, because his plans are soo big. I know he is going to use them to change that community. We will see them again this week, hopefully a couple of times, and on Sunday and then we leave for Jinja and are there a few days before leaving for Nairobi. 

What I am wondering is if it is possible for them to be put in Sojourn's sponsorship program in Kampala? Away from the life they know here, a chance to really have the Lord redeem and restore their lives. They are so heavy on my heart, I know God is going to make a way with all of the provision, and I would sponsor them myself, and immediately get the funding to bring them, and anything they need. I could bus to Kampala with them. They both have a desire to go back to school, and change where they are coming from.. I feel like I am supposed to be obedient in this and help with that change.. I know I can't do much, but this is all I know to do right now. All I am asking is that if it's possible, and even if maybe it seems like it's not for you to pray and ask the Lord what he says. I know things would have to move really quickly, but I believe the Lord to provide the means and do powerful things.

I know this is a lot in one email, especially when we have only met a couple of times, and didn't even get to meet up in Kampala, but this doesn't have to do with me.. it's these boys, and I am praying that we can see the transformation of the Lord in their lives. Please write me back as soon as you can, or call liliana's phone. I am going to try and call you in a bit too. I'll try and attach their pictures to the email as well. Thank you so much Rosalie. Can't wait to hear from you,

Rachael

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey Rachael! 

So I have forwarded all the details below to the friend I mentioned, Katie, and I am waiting to hear back. I will let you know what she is thinking.

Are these boys living on the streets? Or do they have some sort of family or caregivers looking after them? I ask this because if you are willing/able to support them in school we might be able to arrange to put them in board at a school either in Busia or Kampala. My thought is if it's in Kampala I could receive the funds from you and pay the school, no problem. We could put them at a school that is near me and I could check in on them or be around if there is an issue. There's even Wabigalo Primary school where all the kids go who's families are a part of the Family Development ministry. We also do a bible program there every Thursday. The only problem is when they are on breaks from school. There are three terms in a school year with two 1 month breaks and then a 2 month break over Christmas. That is why I was asking about their current situation, thinking we could just send them back to Busia during breaks via taxi. Or perhaps there is a school around Busia that would work better. Or maybe none of these are what God has already worked out for them.

Definitely joining you in prayer on it. Bring peace to know we have a Mighty God that has a perfect plan for these sweet children. Thankful for how he is using you and your willingness to respond.

Sula Bulungi, Nnyabo!!

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Liliana, Charlie, and Erin

I received the email above along with one from a dear friend in Portland who said they would be willing to help with the financial needs!! What i was jumping up and down, crying, laughing, and just in awe of the Lord. What other doors was he going to open? I had just been doubting him on my jog that morning praying, " Okay God if we can't get things together before I leave, maybe we can at least connect them to the church so they know their faces...etc.." and then God drops this huge " I am able" on my lap. How legit is He! We had prayer meeting at the church in just a couple of minutes, so I told the team what had just happened, has another party dance, and took of for prayer. There was still so much more to be done, and prayed about! I was practically skipping down the street so full of Joy. Prayer was so powerful in the evening. Getting to pray together as a team, and then as a congregation for these boys in one mind and spirit was incredible. I have no doubt the Lord is going to provide every need for them. After the meeting I walked hand in had with pastor Rosemary to get her up to speed on all that had happened. She was so excited for the boys, and said the church would be there to support them, and make sure things went according to plan. They were the churches responsibility now was well. 

I saw Steve that evening, Friday, and he said he had seen both the boys during the day and they had asked about me. "When was I coming back to see them?" My heart melted. Sooner than you think!! I arranged with Steve to go and meet the boys the next morning to get more details about their lives, and let them know what God was working on providing in their lives. They have no idea how changed their lives are about to be! Tomorrow at 9 am we would sit down and discuss the bright and beautiful futures! SO excited I could pee my pants. 

I woke up late Saturday. It was 9 am and I jumped out of bed and threw on my things, I didn't want to miss them. Luckily we are on African time, so I was waiting for them for a good twenty minutes before they finally came sauntering down the road. Ran up to them and hugged them both, and we headed to a hotel to sit down. It was one of the best mornings of my life. Not only did I get to sit and talk with Rajab and Juseph for 4 hours, but Steve and I got to witness to two of the servers at the hotel (restaurant), pray with them, and one of them accepted Christ. The owner was Muslim and wasn't too happy, but the Lord had his hand over every place we went this morning, and his Spirit could not be stopped. While we were talking to the servers the boys passed out, full bellies, on the table. They never get a good night sleep, so I was sad to wake them, but we needed to go get each of them a pair of shoes, and some necessary bubble gum. From there Steve went with them to talk to the only family they do have left in town and inform them the boys would be leaving, and although they had not been involved much in their lives prior, give them the opportunity to do so now. We also wanted to see if he could arrange for both of the boys to stay together in one location. I went home to try and get ahold of Rosalie with all the new information, and wait for Steve to come tell me the update after meeting with them.

Story of Swift Redemption Part 1

It all started at 6 am on a thursday morning. This thursday morning in fact, August 18th, 2011. We had ministry with the boys living at the dump and on the streets early as the sun came up. The plan was to take them bread, and spend some time ministering to them, praying with them, and getting some of them connected with the church. I had no idea what the Lord had planned. On the way we prayed for the morning, for the boys, for divine appointments, and a huge moving of the Holy Spirit. Use us Lord.

We arrived at the dump and were instantly swarmed. There were only a couple of boys, because the night before a large group had been arrested, but in a matter of minutes the word had spread and they were coming out of every nook and cranny. The first boy to approach me and introduce himself was Jusef. He was totally coherent, and understood a decent amount of english. He had such a sweet countenance, and I wanted to keep him by me instantly, so for the remainder of the morning I held his hand most of the time, and he was attached to my hip. And then I saw Rajab. it's hard not to miss his smile. Even not being cleaned up he is one of the handsomest young men I have seen. There is something about him that just shines. 

After handing out all of the bread, we called the boys together to introduce ourselves to the entire group and tell them why we were there. I gave the introductions, and told them how the Lord had called us on this mission, and we just wanted to come and spread that Love to them. "You are so worthy and so loved by the Father." I told them. Then one of the girls on my team gave them the word the Lord had given her when she was left by her Father: " I am your father the Lord said. You can depend on my for anything. That same father to me is your father as well" she told them. Liliana began speaking to them next, about believing that the Spirit could really come in and change their situation. "Do you really believe that? like really in your heart, believe and trust him for that?" Finally Sarah, our contact started speaking to them. She was speaking in lugandan, so I'm not sure exactly what she said, but afterwards a large group of them raised their hands and said they wanted to accept Jesus. Rajab and Jusef were in the very front of all these boys with their hands raised up high waving. Before lil prayed to them I explained to them a little. 

" Do you know what this means accepting Jesus in your life? It means you surrender your life to him. It means you declare he is your Lord and savior. It means you are entering into a relationship with him. A relationship that works both ways, you talk to him, and he talks to you. Once you accept him in your life, he will never leave or forsake you."

Rajab on the left and Juseph on the right

All around an behind this group of boys Liliana was praying for boys were starting to get high. There was one boy who I have no doubt in my mind that he was demon possessed. It was chaos around us, but all I could focus on was these two boys standing in front of me. Something was setting them apart. All I could here in my head was leadership, and I knew there was something the Lord wanted to speak to them, and  that I was supposed to pray over them, but I wasn't sure exactly what yet. I tried to speak with them immediately after but was stopped by the boy we knew was demon possessed. Liliana sensed it too, ands e we began praying for him, trying to cast the demon out. I have not experienced that yet, a demon literally mocking us as we prayed. We prayed for him a second time, and he seemed to have a different peace about him, but before we left he freaked out on us again. Lord set him free. After him there was a line of boys wanting to be prayed for for different things and so we prayed for them one by one. I grabbed Juseph and Rajab and had Steve tell them to stay close that I needed to talk to them both. So for the next 15 minutes as we prayed for the other boys there I held Jusef's hand and he held Rajab's. Men holding hands here is a high sign of friendship. 

I finally got a break in the crowd and pulled the boys aside with Steve to translate, and the Lord just started speaking. These boys were meant to be bound in brotherhood, in friendship to watch each other's back. They were marked by leadership, and would bring huge change to this community. The Lord's plans for them were beyond their wildest dreams, and I knew they were going to be mighty men of the Lord. I don't know why, but I felt like I was supposed to pray to be used in any way possible to help them. What could I do? I prayed the Lord would open up doors for them to have an education, because they both said they wanted to go back to school as well. I finished praying for them, and all I wanted to do was hug them, I didn't want to leave. They said they would come to the church on Sunday. We told them we would come and get them to make sure they would be there. I felt so connected to these boys. What's the deal? We have done street ministry so many times, and my heart has broken for the people, but I have never felt this attached, like our lives are connected.

The question what could I do? Was quickly answered by the Lord. "Be obedient. I'll do everything else. This is way too big for you to handle on your own. That's what you asked for though, right Rachael?" I was full of FEAR, and DISBELIEF, CURIOSITY and HOPE all at the same time. Could I really be used at all to help these two boys in any way? Could their stories be ones of redemption? Talked with a couple of my team mates on the way back about how ministry on the race can sometimes be so hard, because we can't invest for long term. It is just a glimpse of what we can be a part of or feel called back to later. All we can do is assist in the moment and hope for the best. It's the people who are here long term who really make the difference and can follow through with these boys, and see change in their lives. I agreed for the most part, but i also didn't want to limit God. 

Could you use me God in less than a week to change these boys lives? I believe you for it, so here goes. As soon as I got home I emailed Rosalie. I only know Rosalie through Vintage 21 church in raleigh, NC. We only ever met one another in passing, but when I found out she had been called to live in Uganda for two years helping with the Vintage 21 church plant in Kampala, Uganda I had tried to meet up with her the 2 days we were in Kampala to hear how all was going, and see what life was like for her. She was who the Lord put in my mind to get something started, and so the conversations and prayer began.......