Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa, and we have certainly found the pearl of Uganda.
Heart of a Child Uganda is the NGO that runs Tender Hearts Baby's Home. The directors are Kenneth and Cathy. Each time that I have traveled and gotten to know Kenneth and Cathy better, I am so thankful to God for putting them in my path. Kenneth and Cathy truly love each and every child that comes into the home. To quote Kenneth, "Each child is special and each child has a story."
Kenneth and Cathy are so in tune with the needs of the children that they are able to identify each child by the sound of their cry from another room. Tender Hearts Baby's Home now has 11 children between the ages of 5 weeks old and 5 years old. There is one little boy who has truly won Kenneth's heart. For the purpose of this blog, we will refer to this child as Frank.
"Frank" is incredibly outgoing and smart. While we were visiting, Kenneth took 6 of the children to the doctor and it was discovered that "Frank" is HIV positive. Kenneth said upon leaving the clinic, he pulled the car over and just cried. He said that "Frank" is so full of life, and it is incredibly sad to know that he will face this disease throughout his life. Of course, we know that our God is bigger than any obstacle we face, including HIV.
While in Uganda, we were able to accompany Kenneth to the probation office to pick up an abandoned baby. "Roy" was abandoned by his teenage mother at a local charity. Someone from the charity brought the baby to the probation officer. "Roy" was clearly loved by his mother as he was well-fed and in good health.
Another baby at Tender Hearts is "Doris" She is 5 months old and incredibly malnourished. "Doris" was abandoned in a toilet and left for dead. The neighbors heard her crying and called the probation officer. Each of these situations are sad, but God has had his hand on each of these children's lives.
Each one is now receiving food, nourishment, love, and prayer by all the Tender Hearts and Nightlight staff.
To be part of such a great effort is truly humbling. The monthly cost to run the baby's home with 11 children and 3 nannies is now $2,000 per month which does not include $800 per month in rent. We are currently receiving donations from 2 churches which cover the rent.
If you would like to support the Tender Hearts Baby's Home, please click here to donate or send your checks to Nightlight Christian Adoptions, 1527 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29609. We are also very thankful to all of you who have committed to pray for each one of these children and the Nightlight ministry in Uganda.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Pamela Lucas, Nightlight Adoptions. Nightlight Adoptions said: Discover a few "pearls" Nightlight recently met at the Tender Hearts Baby's home in Uganda: http://bit.ly/hrjccp [...]