Days like these..

I am going to raise a little awareness today about diabetes  Last night was just a normal night. We went to bed at about 10:00. I dozed off after watching a little bit of a movie. At about 2:30 a.m. I was awoken by jerking in the bed. This is not my first time dealing with this. Matt was pouring sweat. I woke him and asked if his sugar was low, he reply, "no". I thought that since he was answering me maybe he was just having a bad dream. So I laid in bed for a few minutes to see if his jerking continued and it did. I got the blood sugar monitor out and checked his sugar, it was 51.  I tried waking him, but he was getting so aggravated  When his sugar bottoms out, he is out of his mind. He has no idea what he is doing. Just a few weeks ago we had this same little incident but I was able to sweet talk him into drinking a coke and in about 2 minutes he was fine, but this time however was different. I calmly went and fixed him a glass of tea to try to get him to drink it. He was laying on his side so I couldn't pull him up where I could hold a cup up to his mouth. He fussed and fussed as I tried my best to get him up to drink, but he was too hard headed. He kept yelling "I'm not sleepy". I begged, I pleaded, I cried, nothing worked. After about 15 mins. I called 911 because if his sugar got any lower he could go into a coma. They brought officers out because like I said when his sugar drops, he is completely out of his mind. The first time it ever happened I accused him of being on drugs, because when it bottoms out you stagger like a drunk and you talk crazy. They were out in what seemed like hours. I know it was much shorter than that but when you are worried it seems like time stops.

An officer arrived first. He came into our room to try to talk to him, it was of no use. Finally the EMT's got there and when they checked his sugar it had dropped to 48. They couldn't get the gurney in the door so they rolled him onto a sheet and carried him out. They carried him in a sheet in his underwear in the freezing cold. He had no idea what was going on. He was out. After they got him into the ambulance they started an IV glucose. Within minutes his was fine. I was calling everyone I knew to come sit with the kids so I could go to the hospital.  My mother-in-law, Vicky and father-in-law, Sammy came. Sammy stayed at home with the kids, because they were still asleep. Which is amazing since 2 EMT's and 2 officers came through Xavier's room carrying Matt in a sheet. By the time we got to the hospital, he was fine and they were ready to release him. When I left home I didn't even think to bring him some clothes when I headed to the hospital. We ran and got him some clothes and we were home by 4:15 a.m.

I don't know if people know how serious diabetes is. He was fine one minute and headed to the hospital in a ambulance the next. It is a scary thing because since he is young you really don't see the sickness until something like this happens. He was diagnosed with diabetes not long before him and I met and we have been together for over 7 years. He has been in the hospital deathly sick about 3 times. We have had 3 incidents like this since. That don't seem like that much, but when it does happen it is deadly. Sometimes I think we forget that he is sick because you can't see it. Yes, he takes shots twice a day, but that seems like so much part of our life, almost like brushing your teeth.  But it is days like today, that I remember and it scares the hell out of me. It is days like this that makes me wonder, how long will we have him here? He is so young, but so sick and you don't realize it until days like these. I need you to pray for him. Pray that he can get his sugar under control. Pray that we can remember that everyday he is sick, and not just days like this.

Momma in Uganda

We have kinda been back and forth on this for weeks, but now it is official ...My mom and I are going to Uganda together. We have been hard at work making things to support our trip. I originally planned on going with Melinda and Joanne(Christie's sister and mom), but as God had it, it was not the case.

I received a text one morning saying "I want to go to Africa". It was from my mom. I was ecstatic. Was she serious? I called her right away. I asked "are you sure you want to go?" Her reply, "I have been wanting to go, but now is the time." My heart has longed for this for so long. I am so excited to share this once in a lifetime chance with my mother. We want to go over and teach the women new craft ideas so they can sustain their families. I want her to visit with the families. I want her to feel the love for those people that I do.

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She is too excited and I have prayed for this for some time now. Thank you so much for your support

Keep you eyes on Him...

This morning I was headed to work and I saw a bunch of dogs in a fence all looking one way. I slowed and stared toward whatever they were staring at. I saw nothing. As I passed I looked in my rear view mirror to see it I could catch a glimpse of what it was they were looking at. While looking back I notice other cars slowing to see what it was the dogs were looking at. The whole time the dogs never stopped staring. Nothing distracted them in what they had their glare on.

At that moment I thought, "I want to be like that". I want to have my eyes focused so hard on God I see nothing else. I want people to see me so focused that they what to see what I see. I don't want to be distracted and I fall so short of that. Thank you God for the reminder today. Keep your eyes on Him. Don't let this world and it's brokenness distract you from God.

Jesus, friend of sinners

I know it has been a while since I sat down and blogged about what God is doing in my life.  After I got home from Uganda, I had so much emotion going on. I reacted the same last time I went. I just shut down. I tried to shut my thoughts off from the place that I love so much. I never wanted to leave Uganda. If I could get my family to move to Uganda, I would do it in a heart beat. I get back to America only to hear of others complaining about this or that. About things we don't have, when we have too much. Everyone wanted to see pictures of my trip, but it was just too painful to go through them all. I posted a few on facebook and much later posted more. Just last week I was able to show my brother a video of the choir. When I opened the videos on my computer, I saw all the videos I had taken while I was there and a river of emotions rushed over me. After he left I cried. I watched each video and recalled the joy. I didn't cry because of the condition they live. I didn't cry because they are hungry. I cried because I miss them. I miss the joy, the humbleness. Here I feel like those things are artificial.

We can't be happy with nothingness. We can't be happy with everything. I am so sick of all this judging one another, all of this hate out in the public. "We hate homosexual" or "we hate our government". What in the world is wrong with this picture? The problem is lack of Jesus. Could you ever imagine Jesus standing on a corner with a sign stating how he hated Obama or homosexuals? We may be a rich country but we are sure poor in spirit. We need to love our brothers and sisters. All these people saying "you need to help people in your own country". Yes, you are very right. We do need help in our country, but in another sense. We need to love each other for who they are, and not what we think they should be. We need to reach out our hands and hearts to the broken. We need to show the love of Jesus. Jesus is a friend of sinners. Our churches should welcome the homeless, the drug addicts, the homosexuals. We need not judge them. For there is only one true Judge.

My last day here

Day 19 in Uganda

This is my last day in Uganda. My heart is broken. I tried to make the best of my day. For lunch I had mashed potatoes and George wanted to show me how to cook an African meal. I made chapati while he cooked chicken soup. He started cleaning and before he was done, he had pulled out the refrigerator, stove, cleaned under the sink (which by the way has no running water). Betty and George pulled out all the plastic bins and washed them. They mopped the floor by hand (they don’t use mops or brooms here). Later we passed out clothes and sponsorship packages. It was total chaos. We passed out about 150 outfits. We targeted the kids that have never gotten anything first. We ran out of 5T and up on boys. We had so many shirts for girls but no bottoms. They need long shorts or skirts. Most of the shorts or skirts for girls were too short and the parents will not allow them to wear them.

I went for my last walk in the village. I saw a baby with a badly deformed foot, so I took a picture to see if we could get help for him. I went and visited with Norah, Joviah, and Elijah’s mom. I told Joviah I would come see her but she was gone to purchase something for her mom. So I went on down to Mastulah’s house. On the way I ran into Joviah. She gave what she had gotten for her mom to her brother Reagan and her little sister Norah (she has two sisters named Norah). She walked with me down to Mastulah’s. I let her use my camera to take some pictures. We saw one of her older brothers, Moses. He was walking home from school. He went down to Mastulah’s with us too. Mastulah and her siblings were across the road at their neighbors’ house. She came running and so did the rest. I hugged her and told her I was leaving, but I would be back. 

Then we headed back toward Joviah’s house. I saw Margaret (my sponsored child) and Kasim tearing a jackfruit up. I stopped and got their picture. They didn’t miss a lick. Joviah told me she was gonna cry when I left. I told her not to cry because I would too. So she said she was not going to cry. I stopped by her mom’s and told all the kids I loved them and would see them soon. Her mom was sitting out on the lawn with one of her friends and I got their picture. I told her bye and I love her and I will miss them terribly. Joviah had to fetch water so I carried her jerrycans back with me while she used my camera to take pictures. Norah followed. I was playing with her telling her to run. We saw a couple with a baby. The lady said she had never seen me before and waited to take a picture with me. I told her I was leaving and she said “Please stay.” I told her I had a family in the States but I would be back soon. I told her I loved it here and I didn’t want to leave myself. I got back home before it was dark. I took a bath.

I sat down and enjoyed the meal George prepared. I didn’t get to eat it earlier because of everything that was going on. I wanted to check on Norah because she was sick with Malaria yesterday. She was better and at school. I finished packing my things and got them put in the van. I had my last fresh pineapple. Then they brought me some tea, the last of my raw milk until I can come back which I hope is very soon. Christie and I went to my room and she worked on the sponsorships. Then the power went off. We are sweating like we are sitting in a sauna. The only light is the backlight of the computer. We got to laughing so hard we were snorting like pigs. I went and hugged the boys and told them I love them. I hugged the girls too. Betty, one of my new best friends, is here too. I know I didn’t get to say goodbye to a lot of people I wanted to including Moses, but I won’t be gone for long and next time I am bringing the family. Now Ritah is in the bed with me. Soon as she got in here she was asleep. I am gonna miss these kids. Now we are sitting here talking about praying to God to cut this power back on. If He smelled me right now he just might. lol

Saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do

Day 18 in Uganda

This morning I spent a little time with Josiah. I know I haven’t got much longer here. We sat in my room and I sang and talked baby talk with him. I am gonna miss this cute kid. Later I laid in my room and listened to the kids laugh outside my window. My heart races thinking about my last few days in Uganda, so I tried to keep my mind off of it. We had no power and it was so hot, so Wilson opened my outside door for a little while and I took pictures of some of the kids as they walked by. I pray that God gives me peace so I can enjoy these last days. These people here are my life now. When I get back to the States, I will do nothing but think of them. Last time I was here, we were going nonstop. This time I put faces with the names. I built relationships with so many. I made best friends. What am I gonna do without them?

Later Norah, Godfrey, and I took a walk. Norah was sick with Malaria so I carried her jerrycan for her. I wanted to see the people again before I left. I am not sure what we will be doing tomorrow. I dread to even think. Norah told me her brother Elijah wanted to give me some milk. I stopped and took pictures of baby sheep that were in the road. They were so tiny. We got to Norah’s house and Elijah wanted to go walking with us before he milked the cow. Joviah was fixing her sister’s hair. She gave me a big hug and told me she loved me as always. I told her I was going to miss her so much. All the kids wanted their chance to take pictures with my camera. So I got some pictures of me and some of the kids. Godfrey loved taking pictures. Today we became very close. He wanted so badly to talk with me, but he doesn’t know good English. He asked if he could take some pictures throughout the trip. So we headed down the dirt road. 

I wanted to go visit Mastulah and say goodbye to her and her family just in case I didn’t see them before I left. So we walked toward her house. On the way we stopped at one of my sponsored children’s homes. Her name is Margaret. We saw one of Elijah’s brothers walking home from school and I got his picture. Then we stopped by Norah and Elijah’s aunt's home. I sat for a while and talked with all the kids. I looked in the yard and there was Margaret. She came and sat in my lap and we took a picture together. They had some baby chicks that were only a day old. When we got ready to go his aunt gave me some corn for popping. Then we went to Mastulah’s. She greeted me with a smile. I am so glad she smiles at me now. I waved at her father and he threw up both hands to wave. I said our goodbyes and I told them all Jesus loves them. Then we headed back to Elijah’s for milk. As we walked back down the road, Norah asked me to sing a song in English. So I sang songs by Janis Joplin as we headed back to Elijah’s and they tried to sing along. God is so amazing!

                                                                                      

                                                                                    Elijah and his brother

When we got there Elijah’s mom was there. She is such a beautiful woman. Godfrey got a picture of us two together. She hugged my neck. Joviah and I went down to get one of the baby pigs. Last time I didn’t get a picture of one, so this time I was gonna get one. She grabbed one and it squealed. They are so small I could put one in my pocket. They were the cutest things I have ever seen. The one that had the messed up legs died. They told me it wasn't eating. I went back up and watched Elijah milk the cow. They gave me the milk and Godfrey, Brian and I were on our way back home. 

The moon is beautiful tonight. I got some pictures of some people pumping water by the moon light. Last night I got an awesome picture of Ali looking at the moon. Later I cooked some mac and cheese. I called Wilson in the kitchen to show him how it was done. This morning Christie joked with him about the half packet I had found in the floor. His reply was “One half is better than zero.” These kids crack me up. I cooked two boxes. When it was time to mix everything together, Christie stressed the two packs to Wilson. He laughed the whole time. 

Later Christie and I went into the boys room. They were doing their homework by the light of a kerosene lamp. This is the first time I have been in their room since I have been here. I sat and listened as they told us things that were going on. Their broken English is hard to understand. I have gotten really close to all the kids. I have given my time to them. They have blessed me beyond words. I am so thankful God has led me here. I pray I can return very soon.

Maybe I can cook like a Ugandan

Day 16 in Uganda

Momma Nabakalu taught me how to make g-nut sauce. We mixed carrots, tomatoes, onions, salt, garlic and g-nut paste (ground g-nuts). I wasn’t too thrilled with the results and I asked George if that is the way it is supposed to taste. He said it was not the best and he would have Wilson teach me. He said Wilson made is so good you would want to lick your fingers. It was a day of rest. After I finished helping cook, I took a nap and so did George. When I got up Christie and I decided to take Godfrey, Brian, and Ali to get a hair cut. Wilson and Bida came along. 

After we arrived in Bombo town and dropped the boys off, Christie and I had to head back home for a small emergency. We bounced up the road and laughed the whole way. After we were done at home, we headed back to get the boys. When we got back, the living room was filled with kids watching movies. Christie and I went in my room and got on the computer until the power went off. We sat up until about 2 am and then we went to bed. As I said my prayers, I prayed for rain. The land is so dry. The trees are wilting and the grass is turning brown. Dirt covers everything. When you drive a cloud of dust follows. The crops are suffering and without them people won’t have food.

Day 17 in Uganda

Today is my husband Matt’s birthday. This is the first birthday I have spent away from him in 6 years. I know he misses me terribly and I miss him. But he knows my heart and supports me in whatever I do. I am so glad God put us together and together we are growing in our faith. He completes me. We have a beautiful daughter, Willow. He loves my son, Xavier, as though he was his own and I love his daughter, Attie, the same. I have the most wonderful in-laws anyone could ask for. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such a wonderful family. 

For lunch, Wilson taught me how to make g-nut sauce. We only put eggplant and g-nut paste in this time. I sat outside by the charcoal stove. Some of Christie and George’s kids came in for lunch. I tried sugarcane for the first time. Viola sat with a crossword puzzle. I helped her and Betty find the words and explained what they meant. Momma Nabakalu, Betty, and Wilson taught me some more Luganda. Christie was sick so she took some Benadryl and she was out. Needless to say we didn’t get to eat lunch together. I helped watch Josiah while she rested. When she got up we sat in my room until we both got a cold bath. I started reading Rebel with a Cause by Franklin Graham a few days ago. It is a wonderful story about his life. Reminds me a lot of how I use to want to run as far away from God as I could, but that was all for His Glory. I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in my life, because I don’t believe I would be where I am now. The power has been on very little today. I started packing the totes I will be bringing back to the States with me. I hate to even think about leaving. I am so torn between two worlds. On one hand I know my family misses me, but the other is that I am leaving my family here. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to leave what feels like home. 

Tonight Wilson came in my room and asked Christie and me if we wanted some Mac and Cheese. Usually that is their way of saying "You're not gonna eat what we are cooking." So we both agreed.  We usually cook our own. So we went in the kitchen about 20 minutes later to prepare it, but I smelled it already. We went back to my room. A few minutes later Wilson walked in with two bowls of mac and cheese. I took a bite and looked at Christie and waited for her to take a bite. She said "What is this?" We went to the kitchen to add some salt, but it didn't help. It tasted like plain noodles. We added milk and butter, still didn't help. Christie asked Wilson if he put all the packets of cheese in. He had cooked 2 boxes. He went outside and brought in a whole packet of cheese. No wonder it tasted like noodles. She asked him why he didn't put in the other packet. He said "I felt it would be too much." We added a half a packet per bowl. It was much better. Later I took my bowl in the kitchen and found what I thought was an empty packet on the floor to throw in the trash. It was half full. He had only put a half a packet for 2 boxes of mac and cheese. I love these kids!