Uganda Mission Trip

Tender Hearts Grand Opening Celebration

I am not even sure where to begin.  The trip to Uganda last week and the grand opening of Tender Hearts Baby Home was overwhelming to say the least.  First, I want to thank all the mission team members from Nightlight’s team and Grace Life Fellowship for working so hard to get the final touches complete before the event.  Everyone worked so hard.  Over 200 people attended the event.  A few attendees were from the US, but many were from the local community.  Those in attendance included probation officers, police officers, friends and family of the Ngandas, church members, grandparents of children adopted through Tender Hearts into the US, and families who had been reunited with their children.  All in all, it was a great day and a great celebration!  We all sat back in amazement observing what God has done since 2009, when I made that first trip to Uganda and met Ken and Cathy for the first time.  We want to give God all the glory and honor.  He is able!

Uganda 1

The Entrance Gate to the Baby’s Home

Uganda 2

Twenty-three team members from two teams

In Uganda, when you are excited about something, you dance!

Uganda 4

Ken and Cathy honored all of the Tender Hearts staff.

Uganda 5

A few of the children performed for us.

Uganda 6

Ken and Cathy gave speeches and thanked everyone who had helped bring the Baby Home to this point.

Uganda 7

One story that really touched my heart was of a father whose son had gone missing for 10 months.  He had left his son in the care of relatives while he traveled.  When he returned, the relatives told him they had abandoned the boy because they thought he would not be returning.  He searched for him for 10 months.  He went to radio stations and ran advertisements to no avail.  That young boy is named Alex.  He is 6 years old.  Alex was found by local police and sent to Tender Hearts.  He was old enough to tell his caretakers some things about his family.  The social workers were able to locate his grandfather who called his father.  Alex’s father spoke at the grand opening and said, “Can you believe that these people cared for my son for 10 months, and they did not ask me to pay anything?”

Uganda 8

Alex and his Dad

Their story is one of many reunifications that have happened in Uganda through Tender Hearts.  In 5 years, they have had 90 children come through their doors.  Of those 90 children, 18 have been adopted into loving homes in the United States.  Tender Hearts is currently carrying for 28 children.  Thank you Ken and Cathy for your heart for children and for answering God’s call to care for orphans.

Nightlight Volunteers turn Tragedy into Hope

Three months ago and on the other side of the globe, a 2-year-old African orphan named Vivian died of bacterial meningitis. While the news might not seem so out of the ordinary considering the continent’s state of affairs, Vivian’s death was a blow to two local residents who had met and come to love the Ugandan toddler.

Temecula residents Kellie Falk and Courtney Atnip had traveled to Uganda last October to visit the orphanage where Vivian lived and deliver supplies and comfort to the toddler and others staying at the facility. There, they fell in love with little Vivian, Falk said.

Uganda Mission Trip June 2011

The Nightlight team has been in Uganda for 3 days, and I am just now getting around to updating the blog. We have had 3 very busy days and last night, we had a black out in the evening. There are so many wonderful stories to share of God’s grace and love and, I’m certain there will be many more throughout the week.

We began work at the baby’s home on Monday by painting murals on the walls and turning the garage into an office. Everyone has worked very hard and the results are quite impressive. We have all grown more attached daily to the children at Tender Hearts. The children warmed up to us much faster this time as well. We are constantly humbled by their sweet faces and the love they show us which is so innocent and tender. Today, we gave the nannies the afternoon off and cared for the children under Cathy’s direction. We learned that the nannies are amazing women who accomplish much every day. By the time they returned, we were exhausted and the baby’s home was in disarray.

Our team is truly wonderful. Everyone has worked very hard and has shown the love of Christ to everyone we have met. We have had devotion each night and been unable to avoid tears each time. We are so blessed by the presence of the Lord each day.

Tomorrow we are going to survey the land where the future baby’s home will be built. We will also be visiting Vivian’s grave and will hold a mini memorial service. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our team. We have been blessed by God’s favor and provision. We only lost two bags of luggage, and we should receive them tomorrow. Please pray for continued health for our team members and for our continued safety.

God Bless,

Lisa Prather

2010 Uganda Mission Trip Summary

It is difficult to find words to express the experience of Nightlight’s first Uganda Mission Trip.  We took a team of 22 people and each person had a story about how God lead them to be on the trip and confirmed his direction many times.  There were many stories regarding fundraising miracles, details working out, and even team members being healed of illnesses.  While we were in Uganda, our hearts were touched in so many ways, and there were many tears shed.  We had loads of donations, such as, medical supplies, diapers, clothes, toys, teddy bears, blankets, and so much more.  Kenneth and Cathy, directors of Tender Heart’s Baby’s Home, said that they were overwhelmed that 22 strangers would take time out of their lives to bless them.  Kenneth said at times he just stopped and looked around at all of us working.  He said it was very humbling to see that the dream God had given him was coming true and that so many people were helping. Continue reading →

2010 Uganda Mission Trip: Day #7

Our whole team in Jinja

Our whole team in Jinja

Today was a humbling day.  We visited the Nairungu slum area of Kampala with Manna Ministries.  We broke into groups of 5 and went along with the Manna Ministry leaders and translators.  We had 2 women accept Christ while we were ministering to them.  Many of these families live in homes large enough only for 2 or 3 people to enter and stand comfortably.  One woman lived in a home that was only large enough for her twin bed.  Another lived in a very small home which housed 12 family members.  Needless to say, we were overwhelmed by the poverty we saw.  The people here were very gracious and so thankful to have us visit.  Today’s visits made us even more grateful for the beautiful guest home we are staying at and the delicious meal that was waiting for us when we returned.  My camera battery died early this morning so I don’t have many photos from today.  I’ve uploaded a few from the last two days though.  Yesterday we went to Jinja and finally got a picture of the entire team.   The day before we visited the Comforter Center which is the only crisis pregnancy center here in Uganda.   Thank you to everyone who continues to keep us in your prayers.  We are truly blessed.

Ladies at the Comforter Center

Ladies at the Comforter Center

 

Vivian enjoying her company

Vivian enjoying her company

2010 Uganda Mission Trip: Day 4

Painting, painting, painting

Painting, painting, painting

Today was a big day.   It is amazing what you can accomplish with a team of 20 to 30 people.  We worked at the babies home building the gazebo and painting for many hours.  Our team is tired but doing great.  We will be back working tomorrow bright and early.  We also plan to visit the Comforter Center tomorrow.  I am uploading some photos but it will likely take all night.  Therefore, I hope that this post comes up with the photos eventually.  My apologies if it doesn’t.

Working hard on the gazebo

Working hard on the gazebo

2010 Uganda Mission Trip Day 1, 2, and 3

God’s hand is clearly present over our team.  Before leaving, we had 4 people become ill and with the power of prayer, all 4 of those people were still able to travel and are now healthy!  The staff at Delta airlines were all incredibly gracious even when some of our luggage was over the weight limit.  Our flights were smooth and our team is outstanding!  Today was our first official day to begin work.  We went to the Tender Hearts Babies Home this morning and unloaded our many supplies provided by so many generous donors.  The construction team planned our projects, and we went to work buying supplies.  If you have never been to Africa, you may not know that everything takes longer here.  We had hoped to start working today, but the planning and purchasing of materials took up our entire day.  The day was still a productive one.  We held and loved on all 4 babies at Tender Hearts and played with neighborhood children coming home from school.  Julie from Calvary Chapel lead the children in a beautiful rendition of “Jesus Loves Me”, then they sang to us many other songs they knew.  The children were so joyful and happy that we came out of the compound to spend time with them.  Prior to our joining them in the street, they were looking at us through the fence and under the gate.  It is hard to express the joy that we all have in being here.  We are so grateful to everyone’s family and friends who donated to make this trip possible.  Kenneth hugged me so tight at the airport, and he did not want to let go.  I have cried many tears already, and it is only the first day in Uganda.  I had hoped to post some pictures, but unfortunately our internet is very slow.  I will definitely post photos when we return.

The Nightlight Uganda Mission Team Soon Departs

Thanks to everyone who donated toward our team members’ expenses and also toward the babies home.  We have raised enough money for all team members to travel and to complete all of the projects we had in mind for the babies home.  We have also received multiple donations, such as, baby formula, medical supplies, vacation bible school materials, and so much more! 

It is hard to believe the time is finally here.  Our team of 22 people will be leaving Saturday October 23rd and returning November 1st.  Please keep the team in your prayers.  We plan to take many photos and update the blog as much as possible.  To quote one of our team members, “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.  We have already received so many blessings, and we haven’t even left yet.”

Uganda Update, October 2010

So much has happened since our last update. There is much to tell and we pray that God will receive all the glory. We have had our first official adoptive family matched with a child in our baby’s home. All of their dossier paperwork was sent this week, and our attorney will soon begin the court procedures for them. This is very exciting news! We have 3 additional children in need of placement. Our next family to be matched is interested in a girl, but we are awaiting some medical information to come back before we can match our 2nd little girl. Our two little boys are still waiting for a match. We have some families in the program who are still working on home studies and dossiers. Hopefully, we will be able to match all 3 of these children very soon. Continue reading →