Magdalene

A photo I can't forget

Magdalene, the hope of a mother

Last week I heard news that Nakalula passed away.  Perhaps you remember the story I wrote of last year?  Nakalula was in the fifth stage of syphilis and her daughter Grace (then 17) was dying of AIDS?  I met them on a dirty and roach infested floor in Uganda.  I will never forget that fateful day.  It changed my life.  I will never forget the blessing of a bed when I am sick.  

Grace passed away in September and Nakalula passed away just last week.  The oldest child to care for 4 kids?  He is 12 and mentally handicapped.  So all hopes lie on a young girl named Magdalene.  She is 10.  That is the same age of my youngest daughter Hope.  The weight of the world on her shoulders?  Impossible.  I can't imagine the force of grief Magdalene is carrying.

With Global Family Rescue, she will not be totally alone; that is a certainty.  But Magdalene will never be a child again and there is nothing I can do about that.  It makes me crazy.  There are times I feel so powerless and this is one of them.  

We are waiting for the outcome of the funeral to see who will become guardian over this family.  Options are distant relatives or local families who have been aware of the situation intimately.  I don't know what will happen to Magdalene.  I am sitting here thinking that this is only one family of orphans to be concerned with.  And how many others are there in the world?  

I have been thinking....

There has been a lot of changes in our family recently. Everything seems to be a bit upside down and I think we are all run down a bit. Last week Nate had scarlet fever and this week I have the flu and a touch of bronchitis. I can honestly say that this month has been tough and yet we still feel "Home". That is a huge blessing. I am glad that wherever we are as a family physically, we can get comfortable whether in Africa or in the states.

I am pretty drained and I am going to take some cough medicine with codeine that the doctor prescribed today. But before I do, I wanted to mention some of the thoughts running through my mind today. I have been feeling really awful with body aches and a cough that keeps me from getting a full breath. I thought about what it would feel like to not have a bed to rest in when I feel so sick. I tried to get on the floor tonight so that I could better imagine it. My body hurt so much just touching the cold wood that I stopped going any further than my knees.

I am grateful for every ounce of my comforts today. But I am also reminded how a simple blanket can make a huge difference in the life of a sick person. If you are interested in helping someone who is poor and sick by providing them some of the comforts you have every day, visit our shopping mall of hope at www.globalfamilyrescue.org

A big move

The House in Romeoville : For Sale

Well... I am hearing that everyone is looking for an update. It has been a while since I blogged and you wouldn't believe all of the changes that have taken place!

Ben and I were given an opportunity to downsize our home. We have been looking for an opportunity to do just that when a friend of ours offered to rent us a town home in Naperville. We were worried about the kids, but it seems that they are adjusting to new schools, new friends and a whole new environment. So Ben and I are also fixing up our house in Romeoville and we plan on putting it on the market in February. It is a great place and we will miss it. But it seems that with all the time we spend overseas it is probably best not to have to own something that we have to keep up with. It is really amazing that we don't even have to shovel the driveway... WOW! What a blessing.

Have I mentioned how difficult it is to work full time, have 4 kids, celebrate Christmas and then MOVE on New Years Day??? Sheesh... someone needs to remind me to breathe again!

Fluffy 2004 - 2008

In addition to the busy move, we had a difficult loss. Our 10 year old daughters dog, who was only 4 years old, became very sick. Fluffy was diagnosed with a serious liver disease and we had to say "Goodbye" on January 3rd. It was tough for all of us, but especially Hope. She made us promise to give her another dog and we did. His name is "Jojo". He is a chihuahua and only 2 1/2 pounds. He is keeping us a bit preoccupied, but even today Hope broke down in tears at her new school while she was writing in her journal. She told me with pain in her voice, "Mom, I wrote that Fluffy was always there for me. I miss her so much." I can't believe how hard it is for us to bid farewell to a dog. How much worse would it be to loose a sibling or parent? I am getting a small glimpse of grieving and I don't like it one bit.

On another note, you will be glad to hear that GFR had a very successful Christmas season. There were so many wonderful gifts given to the poor in Uganda.

Here is just a part of what was given:

5 New Homes
10 Cows
25 chickens
62 Goats

And so much more! Blankets, mattresses and mosquito nets were also in demand this year.

Ben and I would personally like to thank you for your generous hearts this year! We can't wait to start seeing the results!

We are also putting together the trips for the summer. Lots of people are signing up. It is an experience of a lifetime. If you are interested, email us at trips@globalfamilyrescue.org

A picture worth a thousand words...

ROSEMARY BEFORE GFR

ROSEMARY THREE MONTHS AFTER GFR

I just wanted to share this wonderful testimony of what a difference sponsorship makes.  

Thanks David Sussler and Tina Martini!  You are transforming the world one family at a time!

Water from the sky!

Tonight my two youngest children (Mike 12 and Hope 10) are playing in the falling snow.  It is a beautiful night to do it.  It is not too cold and the snow is wet enough to make snow balls.  I enjoy hearing them laughing through the window pane.  Snow is an amazing sight.

I had an unexpected thought about it.  This is water from heaven!  What if it snowed in Uganda? Then no women or children would have to fetch it from miles away in a muddy pond!  

That would be a miracle... cold water from the sky.  

Speaking of water, GFR has completed the first community project in Uganda.  It is a water well! I am not surprised it was our first.  Clean water is the first essential thing every person needs to live.  I love it when we can help in this way!  In the town of Kamwenge there are near a thousand living close-by.  But there are thousands that will come for miles to pump at this well too.  

Thanks to those of you who privately funded this water well.  These families in Africa have a great Christmas gift, one they will never forget!

The day I was waiting for!

Asiya, a widow with AIDS at her home (BEFORE GFR)

Asiya at the Bank Receiving Sponsorship With Director Idah

Kampala Uganda Families at the Bank With GFR Staff and Caseworkers

There are few things in my life that bring me true joy like that of receiving bank photos from Africa. It symbolizes hope and new beginnings for each family and it also gives me a sense of accomplishment for months and months of planning, sacrifice, and work.

This week we are beginning to receive the photos that will be sent to the donors sponsoring these families. It is a pleasure to hear the excitement from the donors too. Everyone of us will know the total transformation that will take place in 3 years.

I think the best part of this program is the dignity that comes with sponsorship. Those that we are supporting have NEVER considered walking into town and having a reason to go into the bank. If they were in town, it was to beg! There are no words to describe it. These families have never dreamed of it. Many of them won't be able to write their name or sign their books with anything other than a thumb print. But they can hold their heads high now.

One family we are following closely is Cissy. We received her photo at the bank with Idah the Country Director. She looks so beautiful in her new clothes. She has a new house now too. And she can even enter a bank with purpose!

Cissy and Idah at the Bank

None of this work could be done without a staff of dedicated staff. Idah heads up all of the program activities and is so knowledgeable about assisting the poor. At one time she was a Parliament member, and now she spends all her time helping the orphans and widows in Uganda.

Would you like to learn more about our program in Uganda? Would you like to hear from Idah personally? Your opportunity has come! November 10th we are going to be celebrating our 4th Birthday! In honor of the occasion, Idah will be flying to Chicago to be the Keynote Speaker!

Here are details:

GLOBAL FAMILY RESCUE FUNDRAISER

Let’s Have a Ball!
Happy 4th Birthday GFR!

November 10, 2007

7-10pm

Grace Bible Church

748 Jones Road

Minooka, IL 60447

Guests Speakers:

Idah Mehangye, Uganda National Director

Mark Goodwin, M.D., Uganda Research Team

Join us for Live Music, 50/50 Raffle, Appetizers,

And...Of course...

What would a birthday party be without birthday cake!

Bring your Friends and Deflated Soccer Balls!

Please RSVP by October 25^th. Cost is $10 per person.

Make checks payable to GFR and send to:

GFR, 291 East Daisy Circle, Romeoville, IL 60446

Tickets at the door will be $15 per person

Great News and Some Not So Great!

Well the first sponsorship donations are in Kampala! I am so excited about what will happen this week when the families open their bank accounts. It seems like forever since we saw them and with all of the sadness this month, I have been increasingly anxious to have everything in place. Every minute counts when the people are starving. I can't wait to see the photos we receive! Each bank day for new sponsors, we have pictures taken so that the donors know that their donation has made it to the needy family. I know everyone is waiting for that wonderful day... even myself!

On the down side I broke my foot yesterday! My foot twisted between the sidewalk and the sunken grass and snap! Well... at least it isn't the right one (I can still drive) and I am not in a lot of pain. Last night Nathan said, "Mom! You didn't even cry!" I guess I was too busy screaming! Today I go to the surgeon to see if I need an operation. I guess I will be limping around for a while!

I couldn't help but think about people in Africa who are disabled today as I tried to get ready. It was so hard for me to do anything... and I can't imagine how difficult it would be to NOT have crutches or rolling chairs. Again, I am thankful for living in the top 10% of the world... it means I can get help and be better soon. But what if I wasn't?

Fracture is on the left

Ambers Video

I am so proud of my daughter Amber. This Wednesday, she sang a song at her Community Christian Church Youth Group (STUCO) that she learned in Africa. The video is blurry... but you should check it out anyway. She learned a lot about herself in Uganda, and this song perfectly describes her willingness to be a more teachable, loving and merciful woman. As a side note, she learned this song from Jessica Mumford, her peer, who is a missionary living in Uganda. She taught Amber to lean on God when she felt alone. Obviously, it was a lesson she will never forget.

Amber and the girls Take 2

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The funeral

The dead are brought back to the house to prepare the body.
Here is Grace in her home on the floor covered by a bed sheet we had bought her when we were there.

Grace looks asleep.

Magdalene, 10 years old, and the head of the family.

The coffin being laid in the ground with a hole dug and bricks laid.
This funeral costs more than it would cost to repair the house they live in.

Cement is poured over the coffin.

I asked my friend to go to Grace's funeral and tell the family that I love them. It was a tough day for everyone there. Especially Magdalene. The 10 year old girl, now in charge of the family, cried her eyes out as the service was conducted. She is heart broken and feels alone. Magdalene now has to watch her own mother die as well. I was told that each night Magdalene barely sleeps while she holds up a candle to her mothers parched lips to see if she is still breathing. It is hard for me to believe that Nakalula who is age 50 and only 40 lbs. outlasted a vibrant 17 year old. I guess that is the difference between syphilis and AIDS.

I am attaching the pictures of the funeral. Please say a prayer for Nakalula and Magdalene and the whole family.

Terrible News

Grace one month ago in the hospital with with her baby Brenda

My desk is small. It sits in my house against a living room wall. I have a small lamp and a box for pens. But most of the focus is on my 4 lb. lap top. It is small and compact for field work.

I opened my laptop today, just like every other day; Windows popped up... Outlook popped up. I usually have a lot of email from Africa to look through, and I started looking at the subject lines on them to check for urgency. I froze when I saw, "bad news".

Bad news? My mind was racing to consider all the possible situations. Even though I braced myself, I couldn't conceive what this email was saying... "Grace died this morning".

Grace? Beautiful Grace? 17 year old rape victim Grace? Grace with AIDS and a HIV positive baby? NO! It can't be! Please God say it is not true. Tears stream down my face in frustration and pain. Anguish wells up inside of me. The scream is coming... I don't know how to deal with this.

Grace was the hope of her family. Her mother Nakalula is dying of advanced syphilis. She was the oldest child. But when I first saw her, I had found her so sick that I had to take her to the hospital myself. Now that she is gone, who will take care of the other children now? The ten year old girl named Magdelene? The oldest brother who is 12 and mentally sick. I guess this 10 year old is about to become the provider of her family. And what will become of her sick baby Brenda that the doctors suspect will die soon?

Magdalene (10 years old) on the right

How is this possible in todays world? How is it possible that children are left to watch their siblings and parents die right before their own eyes? How are they supposed to process the pain? How can this be?

I am broken in my spirit. I am crushed. I have lost too many of my African friends to this disease. These are good people -- who love their family and life. Why is this happening? God help us. I don't know what to do. I want to do more. I don't want to watch any other child suffer this kind of death.

Grace was a kind girl. Even exhausted from sickness, she smiled at me. She struggled to care for her baby Brenda. Baby Brenda will have to die without her mother to comfort her. My heart is heavy. I can't get a full breath. It is as if I have been punched in the stomach.

Baby Brenda... sick with AIDS and only 1 1/2 years

I just took a few minutes to look at the photos of Grace. She is so beautiful. I wish I would have memorized her face. I wish I would have said "I will see you in heaven, wait for me". I wish... I wish I could cure AIDS!

I want to personally thank Sarah and Elton Lin who made Grace's life the best possible for the last 2 months. You were the bright hope of her life.

Grace meeting Elton and finding out that he is her sponsor

If you want to do something... if you want to change this world, don't wait. Don't wish... consider donating to GFR today at donations@globalfamilyrescue.org

Broad's House

Broad standing in front of the foundation! He looks so small!

Today we received some photos from Uganda. When the team came in July, we all helped start building a house for a 14 year old orphan named Broad. He has since been sponsored by Nathan and Jaimie! They don't have any children of their own yet so they are getting a chance to parent a needy child anyway!

The house is still getting worked on. And I will attach the photos.

I am trying to imagine what it would feel like to be Broad... How would it feel to have both my mom and dad die at such a young age? What would I eat? Where would I sleep? Who will take care of me?

What an amazing gift Nathan and Jaimie are giving Broad. The opportunity to give him a piece of his childhood back... someone is looking out for him!

If you want to sponsor a family, contact GFR at sponsorship@globalfamilyrescue.org

Comparison?

This is Kansu (a widow) with her family

I took a walk this morning. I haven't done that in a while. I think living in Africa year after year has got me thinking today that there really is no comparison with it here. I tried to picture myself in Africa on my walk. I even tried to imagine Humprey (one of the orphans I met) walking with me. What would he think?

As I walked down my subdivision street, I looked at the clean streets and space between the houses and thought, "Not a speck of garbage! Where does it all go? And who cleans this?" I also glanced over at the small lake we have and realized that no one was collecting water or washing in it. "What a waste of water! Shouldn't someone be using it?" My mind can't conceive of the endless supply. Then the most amazing sight of all was a water sprinkler system coming out of the ground and spraying clean water on the grass. Rain coming from the ground? I know my African friends would be astonished. It isn't for cooking or cleaning, it is for grass? Who cares if the grass suffers when children are dying for a sip of something wet?

It frustrates me that I can not communicate the level of suffering in Africa to Americans. There is no way for me to compare it to our lives. Every turn of the corner for them represents disease, death or danger; walking to school, drinking water, mosquitoes, marriage, etc. Nothing is without potential consequences, especially for women and children who have less protection.

I am so blessed to live here. But I would be remiss to think that the world doesn't need to share my blessings. It has become my life's work to share the burden of the women and children of Africa. But I can not do it without the willing generosity of others. This week I sent out 120 families to donors and I want to say THANK YOU for your dedication to transforming the world one family at a time. You are my heroes. Even without seeing it with your own eyes, you care so deeply that you are moved to action. My heart is full knowing that even without the exact words to communicate it, the burden is shared by you!

Cissy UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!

BEFORE

AFTER!!!!
Almost done...

Today we received the above photo emailed to us by Idah our new Ugandan Director. What an amazing highlight of our day! Cissy's house is almost ready for her to move in, and thanks to several of Cissy's new friends, she will move in to a beautiful new home... with a finished latrine!
Thank you friends of Cissy. You have blessed a very special widow, and brought her hope and love once again. Special thanks to Fred and the team at Youth Revival for introducing us to Cissy and organizing this project.

Almost ready!

Well, I am sitting here at 11:00 pm working. I am not crying everyday anymore and I am starting to experience some semblance of normalcy. Tonight I walked around my neighborhood and marveled at the clean streets, lack of bugs and my own safety. It is starting to sink in that I am not in Africa anymore. There really is so little here to compare to my life to there.

Nate was telling me today that he wished he was back there, "Except for the food!" He told me he loves the way people treat him in Africa. He feels special and cared for. It's true, I miss that as well. It isn't that people don't love me here.... it is just different. People depend on eachother in Africa for everything. There is no way to survive without family and friends. It grows on you when you are there, and you feel like you are one of the family.

Speaking of family, we are getting ready for sponsorships... family photos are being sent to us in another day or two. We can't wait to get started! These families are so desperate... If you want to sponsor a family or find out more about it, please contact our Sponsorship Administrator at jaimie.white@globalfamilyrescue.org We will make sure to send you a needy orphan or widowed family.

Re-entry

We got home 2 days ago and I am still sick. It is 5:00 am and my throat is in too much pain to sleep. I think I will go to the doctor today.

I am having a hard time adjusting to how wealthy everything is here. From the size of the tomatoes to the painted walls, it all spells money. I can’t believe how much we are blessed. I forgot how everything here is so huge… stores, burritos, cars. It is excessive. I don’t know how to make sense of the fact that being born here means I will never go hungry. At the same time that I embrace home, I am also feeling detached. It is a privilege that I have running water, but I am affluent to have clean running water. It is a privilege to be an educated woman, but I am also an educated woman who can influence a country through my words and actions… that is affluence.

Can I fully grasp my lessings? Can I fully understand how lucky my daughters are to grow up here and have the ability to choose their own destiny as I do? I am stunned by my blessings and I am frustrated by them as well. What if I was born in Uganda without hope of education, orphaned by AIDS, caring for my children by selling myself for food, eating one vegetable a day? Could I survive? Would you?

I can’t believe that I can sit in my house without a mosquito chewing on me… it feels so strange to not be slapping at my ankles constantly. And I feel amazed that I only have to wait 2 hours to go to a doctor that will cure me almost instantly. I am not worried about contracting malaria, elephantitis, leprosy, syphilis, or typhoid. I also have lots of food in my pantry and electricity to cook it. I am overwhelmed in gratitude and at the same time heart sick for the world. It is all part of re-entry; crying and decreased appetite. I am experiencing reverse culture shock again this year. I wonder how long it will take to adjust.

I can’t wait to attend church on Sunday. I have missed it so much. My friends from Community Christian Church put food in my refrigerator before I came home. They also left cards and little gifts for me. Home is not just a place, it is relationships. Thank you everyone for the wonderful welcome.

Friends in London!

I can smell the trees outside. I breathe in and gulp down the fresh air of Nightingale Lane outside the flat. It reminds me of my home in Chicago with a little bit of fresh cut grass and dirt stuck to the bricks outside. It is home to me, the smell and the bed I sit on now. I have open windows with no screens and no flying bugs to pester me. The sound of silence is deafening; No traffic or people, no buzzing, or loud prayers, no generators, not even crickets. It should seem a shock but it is more like heaven to me.

Our friend Julia from the U.K. invited us to meet some friends of hers from church during our long layover. They are absolutely divine! Ben and I are staying at James and Tanya’s house in which a “feast” took place earlier. We ate so much food! We met, Joseph (from Uganda), and Nicky and Andrew (from South Africa) as well as James (a good friend of Julia’s). Even Tanya is from Zimbabwe. It was a wonderfully cultural night and we were welcomed so kindly here. We took a walk to the nearest commons (park) too. It was a perfect evening for me. Friends, beautiful weather, a park, my family…. who can ask for more?

Nathan had a fever when he arrived but it seemed to disappear when two neighbor boys invited him and Mike to play cricket. And Amber and I laid in the soft green lawn while Hope watched Avatar on television. But when the food arrived, we were all stuffing our faces! We had the most delicious cheese you have ever tasted. But we also tried some new cookies called “Hob Knobs” (FANTASTIC). We ate hot dogs, salad with fresh tomatoes, corn on the cob with fresh butter and sea salt, cheese, bread and honey and even ice cream. I think I gained 5 pounds!

I want to personally say “THANK YOU” to our friends. You have made my homecoming so warm and I will never forget your hospitality! The tears I shed today were grateful tears. Thank you friends!!

This precious girl is Christina. She has a severe burn on her foot that is 3 days old. She cooks for her family and spilled the pan accidentally. They are using local medicine for it which is basically ashes from a tree.

Here is Christina with a new dress! She is so happy.

Hope gave Christina her sparkle shoes. She is trying one on her good foot.

Here is Mike with his favorite friend Joseph. I believe these are Angi Abbott's gym shoes! They were a little big, but he was SO thrilled to have them! Mike also gave him his hat.

Mike is giving Joseph a toy. We love you Joseph!

10 hours and counting...

This is so funny, I am sitting in Kampala right now listening to my teenage daughter and my husband arguing over hanging out with teenage boys… no matter where we are in the world, I guess this is bound to happen. How strange that my mind is focusing on AIDS treatments and community projects one minute and then managing sibling rivalry and sickness in our own family the next. It feels surreal to be a world crisis worker one minute and then mom the next.

Yesterday was our last opportunity to be in the field. Next door there is a slum that we have visited often. Our family feels strongly attached to one boy named Joseph. He is just precious. His smile is so catching. Anyway, Michael wanted to give some clothes and things to him and we decided to take some of the items the team left to the families there as well. I am attaching some great photos. I love that in this scenario I was able to mold myself into both worker and mother at the same time.

The children have learned so much about outreach and culture. It has enriched them… even tonight Nate made us stop on the road home when he saw a poor woman and her baby sitting on the street. He said, “Dad, stop! We have to do something for that lady. She is all alone without a husband. Can we help her please?” Ben pulled over and gave her some of our “going home” money, but he asked Nate to approach her himself with the gift. He gave it to her so sweetly. I wish you could have seen it. She was so happy and so was I. My son was is the hero I have always wanted to be. Actually, all of my children are. Amber has turned into the most wonderfully hospitable lady… Nathan is quietly on task and turning into the man I hoped he would be… Mike is unbelievably generous and in touch with the people… and Hope is so attached to our new friends here that she has cried for hours today.

I think, even with a fever and throat infection (which I thankfully when to the doctor for today!), I am actually figuring out how to be both a full time citizen of the world and mother extraordinaire! I am so grateful tonight. Grateful for medicine that is available and I can afford, grateful for my job and the ability to GIVE, grateful for my beautiful children and husband (who keeps me going), grateful for friends and so much more. I am so blessed!

Check out Ben's Blog!

Tons of updated photos on Ben's blog...