Jul 20 2007
Friday, July 20 in Jinja, Uganda
Today has turned out to be a great day. After an early breakfast we headed to the Fathers Divine Love Ministry. This ministry has a church, school and orphanage. We had a great time being entertained by the children with a couple of hours of song, dance, testimonies and scripture memory. We had lunch at the ministry. It was rice, beans, cabbage and corn bread that resembled Malt-O-Meal that was cold and hard.Â
After we left Fathers Divine Love, we headed to see some property in which the pastor of Fathers Divine, David Livingston, is hoping to develop. It was way off the beaten path. I saw my first coffee tree and there were a ton of banana trees. There were also a bunch of pigs, many baby pigs. They looked like York’s,
Jackson, I took several pictures for you.
We went on from there to El Shaddai Children’s home. There were over a 100 children there. Most were dressed in blue and white checked uniforms and they ranged in age from Kindergarten to 6th grade. El Shaddai proved to be the most emotional visit for me. The children love to touch your hands and arms. I nearly fell down because of all the children surrounding me and pulling on my arms. They enjoyed looking at my family pictures. One little girl pointed at my wedding ring and said “loveâ€. I hadn’t been looking at my pictures with the children, but this particular group asked lots of questions about Julie and the kids. They kept saying “beautiful†as they pointed to the members of my family. It made me miss my family terribly, and it made me feel a very small part of the burden these orphanage children must feel as they are separated from their families. 
The children begin to all look alike after a while, but a few stand out. There are those who want to be the center of attention and are very colorful. Then, there are those who are wounded deeply and looking for someone to hold onto. One little girl crawled in Michael’s arms, pressed her head against his chest and put her little hand under her chin, and without any facial expression she stared at the ground. If not for any other reason, this little girl undoubtedly felt extra special.Â
Papa Pete, Jim and Joe are the hit every where we go. Besides being fascinated at white skin with hair on it, the children are particularly taken by Pete’s belly. In fact, at Fathers Divine, 6 little boys did a little dance to Kenny Rogers “Promise Me Son†with lots of clothes stuffed in their shirts making big bellies for themselves. They wanted to be like Papa Pete. All the locals are surprised at how old the Papa’s are. There aren’t any African men who make it to the age.Â
Today was a great day. I loved every moment of it. I love to feel the Holy Spirit strum the strings of my heart as I feel love and compassion for people I don’t even know.  Only the prompting of the Holy Spirit can do that.
There is a baby orphanage arcoss the road from the place we are staying. Some women check themselves into local clinics and hospitals under a false name, have their babies and then sneak out leaving their newborn behind. She has a difficult decision to make in that one of her other children may die if she keeps the baby, or perhaps the baby would die if she kept him. Many of these babies are HIV positive at birth. As I type this blog, I am sitting outside and I hear babies crying, some nearly whaling…It hurts my heart to know these babies will not know their biological parents. It warms my heart to know that God has provided a place for them here in
Jinja, Uganda, and that HE knows everything about each of them, and HE didn’t make a mistake in any of them.
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25 Responses to “Friday, July 20 in Jinja, Uganda”
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Jason we all miss you very much even though its only been a few days. I hope that God is working through your life all throughout these weeks…Give all the kids big hugs for all of us. I hope everything is well and you are continualy in my prayers..all my love
Wow… You’re so blessed to get to be there and to love them. It’s so amazing how the simplest things, like a hug or a smile, make a world of difference
You’re in my prayers ♥
Carlie is right… we miss you a ton already, and we are all praying for God to do ridiculously amazing things in your life these next few weeks! Stay safe and keep the pictures and blogs coming!
Jason,
You seem so busy. Reading this brought tears to my eyes. We take so much stuff for granted. What a trip God is leading you to. Cant wait to read more about it. Give them all hugs! Praying and thinking about all of you daily.
I have a verse for you, Jason.
Romans 12:9-11
Don’t just pretend that you love others; really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Jason, you do that “enthusiasitically” part really well! Thanks for the updates!
I am so glad you are doing this and i miss you and I wish I could see them and love them too. I hope you stay strong with the Lord and that he will teach you so much with this incredible experience. I am praying for you.
The holy spirit is definetly working there. I already have compassion for these kids, without even meeting them. We miss you terribly and there is no doubt that God is working there. God’s doing impactful things for sure. Stay strong!!
Jason it sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. I can not wait to hear more upon your arrival back in the states. We miss you back here in good ole Siloam but it’s wonderful to hear of your journeys. Praying for you all
Jason,
Thanks for doing this blog! It is so cool to be able to read your thoughts while they are fresh on your mind. It must be overwhelming to see so much need. Thanks for sharing the perspective God is giving you. We got back from children’s camp today. I think Jackson had a great time. I saw him laughing a lot and heard him say “Awesome” a bunch! All the kids were great and they wore me out. I have been praying that God will reveal clearly His purpose for putting all of this together. His plans are so much greater than we can imagine. Thanks again for sharing this!!
Jason ~
Before you left, I started reading one of my old books, The Power Of A Praying Wife. While you have been gone, I have been praying the prayer of protection over you. This is it:
Dear Lord, I pray that You would protect Jason from any accidents, diseases, dangers, or evil influences. Keep him safe, especially in cars and planes. Hide him from violence and the plans of evil people. Wherever he walks, secure his steps. Keep him on Your path so that his feet don’t slip (Psalm 17:5). If his foot does slip, hold him up by Your mercy (Psalm 94:18). Give him the wisdom and discretion that help him walk safely and not fall into danger (Proverbs 3:21-23). Be his fortress, strength, shield, and stronghold (Psalm 18:2-3). Make him to dwell in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 91:1-2). Be his rock, salvation, defense, so that he will not be moved or shaken (Psalm 62:6). I pray that even though bad things may be happening all around him, they will not come near him (Psalm 91:7). Save him from any plans of the enemy that seek to destroy his life (Psalm 103:4). Preserve his going out and his coming in from this time forth and even forevermore (Psalm 121:8).
I am firmly holding onto God’s promise in Psalm 91:11 that says that God will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. I hope you are feeling His protection!
I love you!
Hi Jason,
We’re enjoying keeping up with you and pray that you will be safe and receive a blessing each day. I’m wondering about the schools or education of the children there. Does each orphanage educate the children, or do they attend schools — are there schools for the different regions? Just curious — Dana
Jason,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! What an awesome opportunity this is. Thank you for keeping us posted with the blog.
Jason,
This is wonderful that you are able to do this blog. It makes me feel so close to all of you,(especially Pete). I don’t feel nearly as lonely for him, knowing what you are doing each day. Norma and I have talked about wondering what you are eating. It is all so interesting to us and helps us here at home. Praying for safety and wellness for all of you.
Love to you all, Pat
Jason,
I find complete comfort in seeing that you visited El Shaddai Children’s Home. Our church Twin Cities in Grass Valley, CA sponsors this orphanage and built the school that you saw on your visit. My husband and I were there for 2 weeks from June 23-July 5th. We were a team of 11 teachers and brought over various supplies to support the teachers and staff there. Thank you for loving on our children. I miss them immensely.