WELCOME

Part 1

It's the 2nd of June, 11:43 pm, Uganda time, as I start our first of many blogs to come.  We began our journey with the traditional goodbyes from mom and dad's house, followed by a 4 hour ride in the Prather's Expedition.  Kent, Sandy and Allison Prather have seen us to the airport and picked us up to many times to count. Each time I tell Kent thanks, his reply is classic Kent with a great big grin, "Wouldn't have missed it!"  Let me tell you something, when your leading your immediate family to a developing world, and saying farewell to family and friends, it's people like the Prather's that keep you going.

In fact, let me brag a little bit more on this family.  After checking in all 15 totes, and crossing our fingers the airline wouldn't weigh our carry-on’s (which they did, but had an extreme amount of mercy), right before we stepped into the never ending line at TSA, Kent grabbed my hand, and said, let's gather round and say a prayer.  Yep, that's right, it wasn't, "We'll be praying for you"...it was, let's do it NOW.  I honestly have no idea what must have went through the minds of the hundred's of witnesses that surrounded us in one of the countries busiest terminals on Memorial Day, but this I know for sure.  For just a moment, the Church parted the seas of people, and Christ was truly glorified.  Thank you Kent for being mindful of Jesus in the midst of the storm.  Thank you Sandy and Allison for standing with us and being there...you'll never know how much that prayer meant.

Besides our first flight being delayed by one hour, the rest of the journey was quite pleasant.  A few bumps, but God truly had us in His hands.  With all 15 totes surviving the journey, we arrived in Uganda, early in the afternoon, and were greeted with the traditional Ugandan welcome, which is always a good thing.  A huge thanks to Michael, Solomon, Derrick, Alfred, and Dicky, for assisting us home.  I believe the entire staff would have come, but someone had to stay behind and care for the children of FNC.  

Part 2

We’ve been in country now for 12 days… One would think it could take at least a month or so to come across some challenge.  I wish that were the case.   But funny enough, we were prepared.  In fact, the day we landed, the one and only road, which leads from Entebbe airport to Kampala was all of the sudden closed as we were making our way back.  Why you might ask?  TIA, (this is Africa).  After a slight diversion, only about 3 hours, we arrived at our home well and good, and a bit tired.  

Jet lag has begun to ware off, and our sleeping patterns have just about become normal once again.  I don’t know this to be a fact, but I think the older you become, the longer it takes the human body to make these kind of hemispheric adjustments. 

FNC Academy closed, for our normal 2 week holiday the following day we arrived.  I believe it took all we had to visit the school, before the students and staff took their break.  But we made it, and what a greeting it was!  After literally being bombarded with hugs and kisses, each class had prepared a special dance and song, followed by gifts and cards.  I told Wendy, they had never greeted ME like this!  She thought it was humorous.  In all seriousness, I was completely taken a back.  Their welcome was not only respectful but, sincere, and heart felt.  Thank you to all the FNC staff, teachers, and students for welcoming us back with such love and care.    

Let me conclude this update, with a simple, but sincere word of thanks to all of you who helped us get back to our 2^nd home.  So many of you helped us not only get here, but prepared us for what God has in store.  Your prayers and support truly continue to sustain us.        

A Day Inside FNC Academy

Steven Okello has just rung the 10:30 breakfast/break bell.  I know it was Steven because he has been chosen this year to be FNC Academy’s official timekeeper, and because I just saw him smile at me as he entered the administration block.  Another bell just rang.  This one came from our upper side, the new addition, which holds our little ones, from day care to 1^st grade.  The children have just 15 minutes before class resumes.  So it’s serious business, with little time to waste!   

The day continues to run, and run it does.  Diana is busy collecting the attendance sheets from each classroom, Michael is finishing a math lesson for grade 4, and I’m over hearing Solomon as he teaches geography.  Winnie has one of our larger classes with 21 students.  Her voice is tender but commanding.  She’s instructing language class to our 2^nd graders.  

Earlier this morning, I was walking through our upper facility, admiring our staff and the care they give to the little ones.  Teacher Jordan, Vicky and Momma Joshua were all singing with our day care students, while Barbara and Dorothy were taking their Pre-K classes on a small field trip to check on the beans they had planted just a few weeks back.  The class managed to also learn about the color green today, by observing our small mango tree in the lower compound.  Oh, and all 4 cooks were busy…very busy, as they do their level best to keep almost 190 people satisfied through out the day. 

Mid-day is vastly approaching; our African sun is in full force.  It rained the whole day yesterday and we are grateful for both.  I often wonder how we got to this place…or how this place found us, this place of peace that continues to bring Hope in a world of unknowns, full of fear and doubt.  But we press on, leaning on one another, ever hopeful that our King continues to remain on His throne.  It's good to be home.   

Thank you to the most recent team from the US that poured their hearts out to us here.  Cindy, Elyse, Jordan, Terri, and leader Ben, you all were such a blessing. And to Wyatt for sticking around with me for an extra few weeks, you’ve got a real gift with kids my friend.       

One week remains until I rejoin my family stateside. Wendy and I and the girls return back here in Uganda on May 30th.  With a home rented and transport in place, all that is remaining is the final works on our visas and work permits, and of course a lot of goodbyes.  One never looks forward to those.  But every goodbye follows a new hello, or maybe for us, some old ones, which is comforting.  I'm not sure how long this next chapter will be or where it will take us, only God knows.  Dad's always said, "We'll go until we can't go no more, we'll sail the ship until we can't sail no more."  It's been a great ride thus far, full of sunny bright days and storms that question your own sanity.  But our Anchor holds firm and our Compass remains true, to lend a hand in a work that God began from His.  

      

WHEN THE WANT TO OUTWEIGHS THE NEED TO...

I recently returned from a daddy-daughter get away with my oldest.  Emma is now 13 years, and has been since August.  A good friend challenged me (over lunch which he paid for) to take each of my daughters on a little get away when they reached their 13^th birthday.  Now the catch was this:  it had to be anywhere they wanted to go and do.  This part left me a bit nervous; I definitely didn’t want to end up at the Mall of America!  Being that I was almost 6 months behind, I decided to take action immediately.

“Emma, how about you and I get away for a few nights, just you and me…and, you get to pick the place and activity?”  “

“Well dad, I’ve always wanted to learn how to snow ski…you think we could do that?”  In my head I was thinking, “Wow, my oldest actually wants to learn how to do something I love and miss!”  It had been more than 4 years since I was last on skis, but for those that have skied often enough, it just takes a few runs down the slopes to get kick off the rust and training wheels. 

Now, Illinois isn’t quite the skiing capital of the US.  In fact there isn’t anything that even remotely resembles a mountain.  But, I had heard of this quaint town called Galena, which happened to be (based on Trip Adviser) somewhat ski friendly.  So with some reservation, we made our reservations. 

New Years day arrived and we were on our way, just Emma and her dad.  I honestly wondered if she really wanted to go, or if she was just tired of being home with her two younger sisters?  Time would tell. 

We arrived in Galena and to our surprise there were a few inches of “real snow” on the ground.  OK, this looked somewhat promising.  At least we weren’t going to ski in total artificial snow!  

The morning came early, and after eating about 7000 calories of make-it-yourself waffles…yeah, you know you gotta have one or maybe two, we headed for the slopes.  With the rentals buckled to our feet and poles in hand, I quickly remembered Emma had never, and I mean never been on skis.  It had been 20 years since I had felt the feeling Emma was having.  And then I remembered, SNOWPLOW…this is when one kicks out their heals in order to slow down and eventually or maybe hopefully stop.  The bunny hill was our first feat.  Within 30 minutes, Emma had conquered it. 

Next up was a green slope (the next to easiest slope besides the bunny hill) called “Old Mane”.  Let’s just say her first attempt wasn’t her best, but by the end of the day, she had all the “greens” conquered, and I was a proud dad. 

For those that have ever been or are avid skiers, you know that half your day is spent riding back up the ski lift, which gives you and your friends or my case, my daughter a good deal of time to talk and enjoy looking at God’s creation.  It’s also a time when your toes and fingers can and will become numb. 

Emma and I talked a lot on those two days of skiing.  I learned a lot more about her and she learned a little more about me.  It’s funny how much more a 13 year old knows about her own father, than he does about her. 

On our way out of town, Emma requested we stop at the local bookstore we had driven by several times right in the heart of Galena, the name “Book World”.  As we entered, I felt like I was in that little book store from the movie, “You’ve Got Mail”, not a very big world at all, but all the charm Emma and I hoped for.  And it was in this little bookstore that I found “Cabin Lessons”.  Mind you, I was browsing in the biography section looking for what my old college professor used to call “One of the dead guys”.  This is a book written about a man or woman that has gone before us. Or simply put, dead. 

Why in the world (in Book World), would a title such as “Cabin Lessons” ever be present in the biography section, I’ll never know.  Underneath the title read, “a nail by nail tale; building our dream cottage from 2x4s, blisters, and love.  To this day, I don’t know what caused me to grab it and buy it, but I did.  I left with a $15 book I really hoped I would like, and Emma left with a bookmark!  Makes me laugh when I think about it. 

Spike Carlsen and his wife Kat, in the book “Cabin Lessons”, decide in their middle 40’s, to buy a small piece of land over looking the northern part of Lake Superior, and hand build their life long dream.  Along the way they learn much about building a cabin, but even more about some of life’s greatest lessons…and 4 rules; rules that apply when building the cabin. 

1.  It’s gotta be Fun.

2.  There’s no hurry.  We have forever, so let’s do it right.

3.  We decide everything together and do as much as we can together.

4.  Hey, remember, it’s gotta be Fun    

“The first rule guides are minds; the second our hands; the third our hearts.  And the fourth?   Well that’s what the angel with the tool belt who whispered in our ears when we got side tracked, p.39”

I have no intentions or desire to ever hand build a cabin.  I can’t even make a bird house.  I’m glad God gave me friends.   But I have taken a liking to these 4 simple rules, and as of late have begun to try to apply them to life in general. 

Here’s what’s come of this little experiment thus far…I don’t take myself to seriously, in anything, about anything.  Besides, I’m one man amongst billions, seriously, one soul, only one.  God’s given me one life to live, and to live to the fullest.  A wise man once told me, “Todd, we won’t be remembered for the money we made or the things we acquired, or even the feats we conquered.  We will be remembered for how we lived and how we loved.”  And in the end, that’s all that counts.  

 Wendy and I have been trying to think of the best time, the best time to announce our return to Uganda.  We’ve dropped subtle hints here and there, but nothing official.  For those of you with surprise, welcome to the party.  Never in a million years did we ever think we might even consider the idea.  But God did.  God knew we left a piece of our hearts in Africa and I guess when I think about it, deep down, I knew it too.  I just didn’t know how big of a piece it really was. 

It’s taken us a better part of a year to come to this decision.  A good friend of mine shared he’d never seen me take this long to make a decision, even when it came to something of this magnitude.  This friend has known me since high school.  He’s also a board member of The Kissing Well.  In short, this was my response…

“When we left for Uganda the first time, we had no idea how deep the water was.  This time, we know exactly how deep it is.”  Still learning to swim, we understand the certainty and uncertainty of what lies before us (or underneath us!).  This makes me nervous and downright afraid at times.  Fear can either cripple a man or excel him…I choose to run, run to, not run from.     

That said, Wendy and I want to express our thanks to all those who have leant us a  helpful hand or a listening ear since our time back.  We also want to apologize for the moments we might have seemed a bit reclusive.  Sometimes a person just needs to be alone and think.  Processing and healing takes time.  Time alone and time with others. 

The other day, Wendy and I were discussing why we were going back to Uganda, and for some of you, maybe many, you might be asking yourself the same question.  This was our conclusion.  Besides the many arrows that continue to point us back to the mission, the many relationships, the children, the school, the staff, the warm climate (and right now, that’s a huge one!), the fact is, we want to go.  Do we need to go?  That’s a more complex conversation, but in short, the answer is no.  God doesn’t need Wendy and I to accomplish His mission at FNC, nor any of you reading.  But through out history, God continues to use human beings to be His hands and feet. 

As most of you might be already aware, Michael and Mariah (Co-leaders of FNC) are now married.   Wendy and I couldn’t be happier.  After all, two are better than one.  Last September, Wendy and I began the conversation with Michael and Mariah about the possibilities of what it might look like for us to return to Uganda.  We weren’t surprised with their enthusiasm.  We’ve always held a special bond with those two.  But we did make sure to ask a very important question.  Do you NEED us there or do you WANT us there?  We explained to them it was an even greater decision for us to leave this time than last.  Our girls are older, and that makes moving all the more complicated, not to mention a million other logistics.  They both spoke freely and we conversed about it over the next several weeks. 

The conclusion was this, “Better Together”.  Both Mariah and Michael have and continue to lead the mission and all 25 + staff extremely well.  In fact, in many ways they’ve surpassed us.  But at the end of the day, it was both of them saying aloud, “We are better when we serve together.”  That was enough for us. 

The last blog I wrote was entitled “1.0667 N. 31.8833 E.”  The exact coordinates (Uganda) our hearts have and continue to point to.  There are several factors that still need to come together in order for us to go, and some of them already have.  Unless God begins to shut this door, our plans are to be on ground as a family once again, full-time in Uganda come June 1 of this year. 

“When the want to outweighs the need to.”  The statement almost sounds irresponsible.  But when you put it in the context of following the will of God, there’s truth within.    

Wendy and I and the girls all covet your thoughts and prayers as we move forward.  In your prayers, if God lays it upon your heart to help us "get" to Uganda or would have a desire to help us while we "live" abroad, your generosity is more than appreciated.  I've rarely met a person who enjoys fundraising, but this time around, we're going to need some help.  Thank you to all who have and continue to support what God has laid upon our hearts.  

Todd G.  

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

What does the world feel like the day after Christmas?  Do we still feel hopeful or has disappointment set in?  Did the savior really come, or are you just one day older?  These were the words, which began my journal entry today.    

I received one of the coolest gifts yesterday; actually there were two.  But I want to focus on the one.  The girl that gave them to me would be considered my 2^nd cousin, I think?  Her name is Amanda.  Amanda just received her Doctorate in physical therapy.  Not only is Amanda ridiculously intelligent, she’s ever thoughtful of others. 

Every year Wendy’s side of the family draws names for Christmas…a tradition amongst many of the western world.  This year, Amanda received mine.  Now usually I typically request a gift card or something that is nice and easy to fit into the car…(Thank you Michael!)  I say this only because our three girls are more than spoiled by our amazing aunt George and uncle Ted.  If I were younger I would have believed Santa lived in their basement…and maybe He really does.  Thus, this leaves little room for people in the car ride home, much less anything extra that might be given to Wendy and I.   

After opening my gift card from Michael, I was left with one small package.  To be honest, I’m not a huge gift exchange fan.  Not because I don’t like to buy gifts, but because I’m very uncomfortable opening a gift in front of the presenter.  I’ve never been one to hide my feelings well…I’ve tried, but I’m an obvious mess most of the time. 

So I began to slowly unwrap the gift.  Inside, there were two even smaller gifts wrapped in pink and baby blue tissue paper.  The first gift was a block of wood, with The Kissing Well’s logo neatly stamped on it.  I really didn’t know how to react, but I know I was smiling…happy because someone reached down and touched a part of my heart that still quietly beats.  What came next caught me speechless…

As I unwrapped the second of the two packages, I saw that it was going to be a piece of jewelry; it was in that kind of a quaint box.   What my eyes saw next brought mist and yet a bit of confusion.  Amanda couldn’t have possibly been this creative, this thoughtful…but boy was I wrong.  It was a black leather bracelet…with a dog tag like piece of metal stamped to it.  On the metal was engraved coordinates, but not just any coordinates. 

Now, if I would have opened this gift first, I’m not sure I would have been so sure about the location of the coordinates the bracelet contained.  But remember, I had just been reminded of my heart, and it was still beating out of my chest from the first gift.  And by the way, the gifts weren’t numbered, and in retrospect, had no idea the impact of the order.  I wonder if Amanda knew that in advance as well?  I guess God sometimes still grants us the gift of wander and awe. 

1.0667 N, 31.8833 E…the exact coordinates of Uganda, Africa.  To be honest, I had never looked them up, had never even thought of looking them up…but Amanda did.  Amanda had not only looked them up, but she made them come to life on my wrist, or should I say, come back to life. 

See, what Amanda didn’t know that particular day was the anxiety I felt that came from not being me for almost a year.  The last thing you want is to be around people whom you haven’t seen for sometime, asking you questions regarding the following year, when the following year in your mind had been a complete disaster.  No one likes to be embarrassed.  No one likes to admit defeat. No one likes to feel dead, numb maybe, but not dead.   

I had a friend once who said to me, “Todd, I don’t think you’ve died, you’ve just been dormant.”  I thought that was insightful, and began using it to describe how I was doing if someone seriously engaged me in conversation. 

1.0667 N, 31.833 E has made my heart’s spring come early.  You can’t force the brown to turn green over night.   

I think God likes to use the small things to remind us of the big.  He used a precious baby to bring Hope and ultimately provide it for eternity.  On this Christmas, for me, He used a small bracelet.  I’m thankful for people like Amanda who listen to God and provide Hope.            

LAUREN MATTING...HER STORY, HER WORDS

When I was 13 years old, I sat in the audience of a Rebecca St. James concert and heard for the first time about Compassion International, a child sponsorship program. In that moment my life changed forever. I raised my hand to get a packet of a child to sponsor and there was the sister I had always wanted. You see, I had two brothers and longed for a sister more than anything else. That day I decided to sponsor a little girl from Guatemala (with my babysitting money) and God decided to open up my heart to a world I knew nothing about.

             

Fast-forward four years; it was the summer before my senior year in high school. That was the first time God called me to go overseas to Guatemala. I stepped out of the plane so excited for the adventure I was on. My parents had let me go by myself; their faith in me to be able to go by myself gave me the power to not be afraid. It was really the first time I was away from them. Guatemala laid the foundation of my love for missions and a love for all of God’s people.

             

Fast-forward another nine years; I went up to Mt. Sterling to a One Mission meeting to hear about FNC. Todd, Wendy and their girls were home for Thanksgiving and were talking about what they were doing over in Uganda. I remember them asking for people to come serve with them. My heart was tugging at me. In my mind I was longing to go, but Todd and Wendy were asking for married couples with kids to go. So I said to myself  ”You cannot go”. That idea was pushed into the back of my head. God had a different plan, because the next morning I got a call from a friend who loved missions and being overseas as much, if not more, than me. She called to tell me she had talked to Todd and Wendy and they wanted her and me to come over. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was OVERJOYED!

             

After saying yes to going on the trip to Uganda, I needed to figure out how I was going to pay for the trip. I felt that I wanted to work for every penny it cost to go on this trip. I wanted to feel the weight of the work and the sacrifice it was going to take. So I picked up an extra job on Saturday nights (my third job) and all the money that I made from my second job went to Uganda. I had never worked harder for something in my life. During the time leading up to this trip, God was so faithful. He provided and showed Himself to me every time I decided to doubt Him or myself. I tried to back out of this trip three times not believing that I would have the funds or that I shouldn’t go. How silly I was being.

             

Walking through the gates of FNC for the first time was a magical moment. Meeting the kids (more like being bombarded by them) was amazing. The smiles on their faces, their laughter, and the dirt of Africa touched my heart and soul. Before the trip friends who had been to Africa warned me that as soon as you step on African soil it will be part of your soul forever and they were right. I had never felt the presence of God so strongly in my life before my 10 days in Uganda at FNC. God’s mighty angels were always around, the protection only God’s army could provide.

             

During the 10 days that I got to spend with FNC in Uganda, I was able to hear Todd and Wendy talk even more about their heart for the local people as well as their heart for the children that God had called them to love. I remember sitting one night with the group of people that I had gone over to Africa with and Todd and Wendy as they poured their hearts out. From the outpour came the desire to grow the school and bring more children to know our Lord and Savior. They talked about the journey they had taken to get to where they were in Uganda. The more they shared the more I wanted to be a part of their story. God had placed a deep desire to be a part of His story in Uganda, but what that would look like I didn’t know.

             

Uganda changed my life forever. When I got back home, all I could think about was going back. I kept praying for the opportunity, but it never seemed to come. God kept telling me, “I have you here for a reason; be patient”. So when I slowed down and really listened to God, I knew I needed to stay and pour my heart out to the people that were in my hometown. God challenged me to be more intentional with the people around me and helped me let go of my fear of praying outloud.

             

I still longed to be a part of FNC and what God was doing over in Uganda. It seemed that as soon as I let my desires be second to God’s desires for my life, God showed me how I could be, by sponsoring one of the children. One quickly became two and then three. I had found my place in God’s upper story within FNC. You see there is no better way to be a part of FNC than through sponsorship.

             

It was after an email that Todd had sent out to all the sponsors that I felt the call to sponsor my fourth child and the fifth kid tagged along. Todd had asked us to trust him and the people that worked for FNC. He asked us to keep in mind that even though it feels like the kids that we sponsor might need more than they are getting in terms of food and maybe wanting to give them gifts, they are being properly taken care of. God has them in His hands. It was those words that God used to place the call to sponsor all five of my kids and say no to going back to Uganda. A call to live on little to give much even though it feels to me like it is not much; a call to serve alongside FNC as a sponsor not to only one but five of His children. Also to be a part of His upper story and to trust Him fully in my finances for life. Sometimes, we are called to trust Him before we even know how to do that, so we always need to look towards Him to guide our path.  

             

You can never go wrong saying YES to what God calls you to do.

             

AGENO

 

To all The Kissing Well Supporters~

One month ago, from July 19-30, a group of 8 left for a short-term trip to Kampala, Uganda for 12 days to serve, encourage, and love on a group of ragamuffins unlike any in this world (I’m convinced).  We were a group made up of grandma’s, college students, educator’s, business owners, an engineer, moms, and one dad.  It was very fascinating to see how God put us all together for the benefit of the school we were serving; it was very apparent that God had put a unique group together and it was my pleasure to lead out on this group.  A huge thank-you to Chris Bailey, Brad Peterson, Jimmy Ressler, Sally Pohl, Nicole Kamm, Cindy Haun, and Terri Gilliland for making this sacrificial journey to serve the “least of these” at FNC Uganda.

One continual reality we have as a school in a third world country is accessible and affordable school supplies, library books, uniforms, shoes, and curriculum.  With the help of so many people who donated supplies, we were able to replenish a lot of these items at FNCA.  We took 24 tubs with 50 pounds each of these items, it never ceases to amaze me how much we are able to take with us to supply the ongoing needs of our ministry.  It was also very exciting to take over the 5^th grade curriculum and feel the anticipation build for a new school year starting in January.  

Terri (Todd’s mom), who works diligently with all of our sponsorships, had the idea to continue and strengthen the relationships between our students and their sponsors by encouraging a simple hand written letter and picture.  As a group, we got the privilege of hand delivering each and every letter, visiting their homes, and meeting a lot of their families.  I don’t think on this side of heaven that we will ever realize the impact that made on those kids and the love they felt from such a simple heartfelt action just for them.  So, to each and every sponsor who took time out of your busy days to write and encourage your student…it did not go unnoticed!  Thank you!  I hope you have enjoyed receiving a letter back from your student and an updated picture.

AGENO…Zaana (“Ugandan Child”)… also the name of an eclectic new band from FNC, made up of 6 teachers & 6 students, who had their album launch on Saturday July 25, with a packed house at FNC.  We were blown away at the talent they showed and know that God has big plans for all of them.  We had the opportunity to bring back 140 cd’s, that were recorded and produced in Uganda and would love your help in getting them out.  If you would like to support FNC in this way we have cds for $15, or you can get a limited autographed copy for $20.  We will cover the shipping costs and would love to request more from our staff in Uganda.  

We are also pleased to report that as of August 28, we have every single child sponsored.  Thank you to each of the new sponsors and to everyone helping to spread the word.  Please partner with us in prayer as the team makes hard decisions on the enrollments for next year.  We are at this time planning on enrolling 40 new students in January.  Please join us in prayer as this is a very tough decision making process.  We will update you with the new students as soon as we know them.

Blessings~

Wendy Gilliland

"THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THEM"

A couple months back, I had the extreme pleasure of leading a brand new group to Uganda to serve the students and staff of FNC Academy.  While we were there, one of the members of the group (who happened to already be sponsoring a child and whose children's ministry also was sponsoring another child) had this to say...It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.  I hope you find this as inspiring as we all did, as Katie read this aloud to a group gathering...Thank you Katie, and thank you for allowing The Kissing Well to share your most amazing words.

 “thank you for choosing them”

Those were the words spoken to me by the mother of the two precious children Kory and I were sponsoring , one through our personal offering, and one through Crossing KIDS mission offering. 

Thank you for choosing them.

Who am I? Who are we to have “chosen” anyone… 

We have all been chosen by a King. We have been chosen and so we choose. 

We chose…

To ensure a boy and his little sister would 5 days a week walk to a place of hope. A place called FNC Academy, where they would be greeted and loved by dedicated, joyful servants of Jesus Christ. We chose to give so that they would have 2 meals a day, clean water, and a clean uniform tailored just to them with their beautiful names embellished and all. 

We chose to support a family in poverty to give them hope through knowledge, education, growth, opportunities and experiences. To be in an environment to empower them to lead, change, and pursue excellence. 

But, we didn’t choose anything. God chose. God knew. God painted such a beautiful path and picture greater than we could have ever imagined. 

It may have been my hands that picked up the photo of Priscilla and my mouth that said she reminds me of Morgan! Lets sponsor her. And it may have been our idea for the crossing kids to sponsor a boy that is in the middle age range of our kids, but it was the work of the Holy Spirit that paired us. 

We had no idea.

No idea that every night when we were praying for our sweet Priscilla and anxiously waiting to meet her... No idea when we wrote her a card and included a photo of our family of 3 to bring with us on our trip to give her... 

No idea that every week for two months when we prayed for “Ezekiel" at offering time and invited kids to give their spare change to sponsor him for the year… Or that hundreds of kids would be so excited to send him letters, make him gifts, and have a connection to this boy in Uganda…

No idea that these two hearts, these two lives, these children, were of the same family. Were brother and sister. 

No idea, that everyday little Priscilla waited after preK was dismissed, to nap until her big brother was done with school to walk her to their home. 

No idea that she was already protected and watched over by the boy we were praying for, and already beginning to love here. 

[oh… and we also had no idea Ezekiel really went by Patrick!]

God has called you children of God, and that is what you are. Oh sweet mother of Priscilla and Patrick… I praise God for you. For choosing FNC Academy. I will ALWAYS choose to share a piece of my heart, a piece of my life, my prayers, my finances with your babies. 

My prayer is that you know HE - the ruler of all the earth has already been loving, guiding, and CHOOSING you every.single.day. 

My heart is full. When I think of their smiles, the way her hands so carefully, and tenderly wrote each letter of the alphabet. Her focus and stoic nature in her class or with big groups. Her eyes that would light up at the sight of yours and her smile, her real genuine smile. By the end of that week we didn’t hide it anymore. She knew she was chosen. She knew she was loved. 

If I could choose anything for these two children, it would NOT be to bring them here to America to live with me. It would be to keep them with a mom, who says to 2 white strangers, “Thank you for choosing them.” Who is present for the Celebration of the school that is teaching her children to know Jesus Christ, to read and write, and lead. 

Thank you God for choosing me. For choosing me to go on this adventure, this journey that lead me to Priscilla and Patrick. For daily forgiving, redeeming, and drawing me back to you… even on days I don’t choose you.