This week, Psalms 46:10 came to mind: Be still and know that I am God. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that God in is control and that I’m working on His timetable - not mine. I spent some time – well, actually a lot of time – watching and re-watching the videos that Candace, McClain and Megan (the gals from Oklahoma) put on their blog. Believe me, I got goose bumps. Please take some time and check them out: www.livinghislove.blogspot.com The girls spent 2 weeks with Nelson at the AGAPE CHILDREN’S HOME and 2 weeks with Renee Bach, www.servinghischildren.org who runs a home for babies that suffer from malnutrition in Masese – the slum area of Jinja. The videos are amazing. To think that I will be there 11 months from now and get to meet all those children gives me the motivation to keep on keepin’ on.
Please pray for provisions for Nelson as he has informed me that the Bore Hole needs an additional 20 meters dug before the water can be reached. This will cost approximately $2000.00. This is a very urgent need because the drilling company is very busy and won’t finish the job until Nelson can pay for it. If it isn’t finished soon, the drilling that has already been done will be lost.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
THANKS to the Jinja Juggers
This week, as I continued to make Jinja Jugs, I had time to reflect on everything that has happened since the day I met Nelson and I want to say THANK YOU!!!
First and Foremost, my Lord – Thank you for putting this desire on my heart and guiding me the whole way. The miracles that I have seen have strengthened my faith. I have been so blessed and honored to have been chosen for this adventure.
My Dad and Mom – dentist and hygienist – they are in heaven now but they taught me about teeth, how to care for them and were bold enough to give out toothbrushes for Halloween when I was a kid in the 60’s.
Boney – my sweet sister, Cheryl - is my confidant, prayer warrior and hygienist. She told me what to do for Nelson the day I met him. She also told me to keep a journal of all my time with Nelson – something I would never have thought to do. She gave Nelson a suitcase to take toothbrushes and bibles back to Jinja and she taught him how to use a rubber tip to care for his gums. By the way, she says that you only have to floss the teeth that you want to keep. I love you, Boney!
My dentist – Toothaches are NO FUN!!! Nelson had 2 of them while he was here and the “Great Doctor” - as Nelson still calls him - did 2 root canals and 12 fillings. He and his staff also put together a huge box with 250 toothbrushes and several cases of toothpaste and dental floss for Nelson to take back to Jinja.
All of Nelson’s Dental Angels – you know who you are. You helped me pay for Nelson’s dental expenses. Thank you so much! I am so glad that I was able to introduce Nelson to most of you so he could personally thank you.
Dr. Elizabeth John and Dr. Peggy Bolcoa – my very wise and encouraging doctors – I wouldn’t be ME without you.
My chiropractors – Dr. Jack Hewitt keeps my bones in working order and Dr. Jen Paalani put me in contact with her dentist and a dental supplier. Funny thing – I am a patient at the AGAPE WELLNESS CENTER and I’m working towards establishing the AGAPE DENTAL CLINIC in Jinja, Uganda to serve the needs of the orphans that live in the AGAPE CHILDREN’S HOME.
Do you think that’s a coincidence? I don’t think so!!
Jud Wray – a resident at Atria San Juan. He is a very wise confidant, prayer warrior and proofreader. He helped me put the final touches on the Jinja Jug label and he comes up with some great ideas when he can’t sleep. He also sings praise songs with me in the lobby when I work the night shift.
The Manager of the “check cashing place” – as Nelson calls it – helped Nelson cash the checks that he had received in Minnesota and then set up an account enabling me to endorse STAO checks and wire money to Nelson. Now THAT was a miracle!
Jim & Nancy – enlarged the pictures of the water drilling project and the children receiving their toothbrushes and gave me foam-backed posters for me to show when I speak to groups about the dental clinic.
The Manager at the copy store – suggested that I make labels for the Jinja Jugs instead of gluing on colored copies (OH, what a mess THAT would have been) and gave me a very generous discount.
And finally, all of the Jinja Juggers – THANK YOU for your enthusiasm and your desire to help by taking Jinja Jugs. We are going to build a wonderful dental clinic for Jinja.
Blessings to all of you, Laurie
First and Foremost, my Lord – Thank you for putting this desire on my heart and guiding me the whole way. The miracles that I have seen have strengthened my faith. I have been so blessed and honored to have been chosen for this adventure.
My Dad and Mom – dentist and hygienist – they are in heaven now but they taught me about teeth, how to care for them and were bold enough to give out toothbrushes for Halloween when I was a kid in the 60’s.
Boney – my sweet sister, Cheryl - is my confidant, prayer warrior and hygienist. She told me what to do for Nelson the day I met him. She also told me to keep a journal of all my time with Nelson – something I would never have thought to do. She gave Nelson a suitcase to take toothbrushes and bibles back to Jinja and she taught him how to use a rubber tip to care for his gums. By the way, she says that you only have to floss the teeth that you want to keep. I love you, Boney!
My dentist – Toothaches are NO FUN!!! Nelson had 2 of them while he was here and the “Great Doctor” - as Nelson still calls him - did 2 root canals and 12 fillings. He and his staff also put together a huge box with 250 toothbrushes and several cases of toothpaste and dental floss for Nelson to take back to Jinja.
All of Nelson’s Dental Angels – you know who you are. You helped me pay for Nelson’s dental expenses. Thank you so much! I am so glad that I was able to introduce Nelson to most of you so he could personally thank you.
Dr. Elizabeth John and Dr. Peggy Bolcoa – my very wise and encouraging doctors – I wouldn’t be ME without you.
My chiropractors – Dr. Jack Hewitt keeps my bones in working order and Dr. Jen Paalani put me in contact with her dentist and a dental supplier. Funny thing – I am a patient at the AGAPE WELLNESS CENTER and I’m working towards establishing the AGAPE DENTAL CLINIC in Jinja, Uganda to serve the needs of the orphans that live in the AGAPE CHILDREN’S HOME.
Do you think that’s a coincidence? I don’t think so!!
Jud Wray – a resident at Atria San Juan. He is a very wise confidant, prayer warrior and proofreader. He helped me put the final touches on the Jinja Jug label and he comes up with some great ideas when he can’t sleep. He also sings praise songs with me in the lobby when I work the night shift.
The Manager of the “check cashing place” – as Nelson calls it – helped Nelson cash the checks that he had received in Minnesota and then set up an account enabling me to endorse STAO checks and wire money to Nelson. Now THAT was a miracle!
Jim & Nancy – enlarged the pictures of the water drilling project and the children receiving their toothbrushes and gave me foam-backed posters for me to show when I speak to groups about the dental clinic.
The Manager at the copy store – suggested that I make labels for the Jinja Jugs instead of gluing on colored copies (OH, what a mess THAT would have been) and gave me a very generous discount.
And finally, all of the Jinja Juggers – THANK YOU for your enthusiasm and your desire to help by taking Jinja Jugs. We are going to build a wonderful dental clinic for Jinja.
Blessings to all of you, Laurie
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Jaja is going to Jinja
I love scrapbooking. I am in the process of turning my spare bedroom into “Scrapbook Nook” so that I can spread everything out and then shut the door when I’m not working on one of my many scrapbooking projects - like my son’s baby book. I hope I get THAT done someday…
This week, I started yet another scrapbook.
The title is: Jaja Is Going To Jinja
The introduction page reads:
The scrapbook has the hard copies of all of my blog entries. I’ve also had prints made of the pictures of the Bore Hole and Toothbrush Day that Nelson sent me. He also sent me profiles of many of the STAO children including pictures with names and ages. Those are at the back of the book. I love looking at those children and thinking what it will be like to meet them next year.
This week, I gave out 27 Jinja Jugs and made 33 more. I load 6 into my car, grab my scrapbook and off I go. I never know who I’m going to run into that wants to be involved. It’s very exciting to share the STAO story and hand out bottles of water that will become Jinja Jugs.
Please pray for God’s leading as I give out Jinja Jugs.
This week, I started yet another scrapbook.
The title is: Jaja Is Going To Jinja
The introduction page reads:
So, who is Jaja?
“Jaja” is the word for “Grandmother” in the land of Jinja.
Nelson Lufafa calls me Mama which means he is my “other” son.
Nelson and his wife, Grace, are parenting
72 orphans whose parents died of HIV/AIDS.
So, that makes me Jaja.
I am Laurie Woodward
Welcome to my Blog…
The scrapbook has the hard copies of all of my blog entries. I’ve also had prints made of the pictures of the Bore Hole and Toothbrush Day that Nelson sent me. He also sent me profiles of many of the STAO children including pictures with names and ages. Those are at the back of the book. I love looking at those children and thinking what it will be like to meet them next year.
This week, I gave out 27 Jinja Jugs and made 33 more. I load 6 into my car, grab my scrapbook and off I go. I never know who I’m going to run into that wants to be involved. It’s very exciting to share the STAO story and hand out bottles of water that will become Jinja Jugs.
Please pray for God’s leading as I give out Jinja Jugs.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
How many Jinja Jugs should I make?
Well, I thought 50 would be enough but then I decided to THINK BIG again, so I bought 100 bottles of water. I want to share with you several verses that I keep in mind as I proceed with this adventure that God has given to me.
The first is Ps. 37:4 - Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. This verse is painted on a tile in my shower. For years, I thought that I would get MY desires if I delighted in the Lord. I found out that it doesn’t quite work that way. God will give you HIS desires and put them on your heart when you delight in Him. I have no doubt in my mind that God put the desire to raise funds for a dental clinic on my heart. I have been so excited and blessed by what I’ve seen and done so far. I know that many, many people, here and in Jinja, will be blessed because of it.
The 2nd verse is James 4:2 - You do not have because you do not ask. My sister taught me this one and it’s not a very easy lesson to learn. It’s also very humbling. I have witnessed so much generosity just because I’ve asked for help. I tell people what I’m doing and they respond by saying “How can I help?” or by offering their services at a reduced rate or even for free. I know that the Agape Dental Clinic will be up and running by the time Irene graduates from school. It may seem to some as an incredibly daunting undertaking but I know that God is able to make what seems impossible possible.
The 3rd & 4th are: Prov. 16:3 & 9 – Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. I am in awe of how God is leading me. When I went to get the labels made for the jugs, I asked for a discount. I was charged less than half the normal amount and got the 2 proofs for free. One of the clerks in the store told me that he had saved $41.00 in just 2 months just by putting his pocket change in a jar every day. That really inspired me. Now I have a real story to share when I speak about the dental clinic.
Just for fun, I pulled out my Piggy Bank and emptied it onto the floor just like a little kid. I counted all of it and put it into my Jinja Jug. It filled a fourth of the jug and was mostly pennies but there was about $20.00. If each Jinja Jug holds $100.00 and I make 100 of them and we fill each of them 3 times in the next 6 months, guess how much we can collect for the clinic??? $30,000.00 How AWESOME would that be?
I have 9 people already waiting for a jug. So far, I’ve made 23. I can’t drink them fast enough! This is so exciting! Being the crazy bookkeeper that I am, it’s going to be so much fun collecting and keeping a tally on all of the jugs. I’ll be able to let people know how much they’ve collected and keep them aware of the running total. I have no idea how much it will take to get that clinic established, but God does!
Please pray for all the people that take a Jinja Jug and for everyone that will empty their pockets for the AGAPE DENTAL CLINIC.
The first is Ps. 37:4 - Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. This verse is painted on a tile in my shower. For years, I thought that I would get MY desires if I delighted in the Lord. I found out that it doesn’t quite work that way. God will give you HIS desires and put them on your heart when you delight in Him. I have no doubt in my mind that God put the desire to raise funds for a dental clinic on my heart. I have been so excited and blessed by what I’ve seen and done so far. I know that many, many people, here and in Jinja, will be blessed because of it.
The 2nd verse is James 4:2 - You do not have because you do not ask. My sister taught me this one and it’s not a very easy lesson to learn. It’s also very humbling. I have witnessed so much generosity just because I’ve asked for help. I tell people what I’m doing and they respond by saying “How can I help?” or by offering their services at a reduced rate or even for free. I know that the Agape Dental Clinic will be up and running by the time Irene graduates from school. It may seem to some as an incredibly daunting undertaking but I know that God is able to make what seems impossible possible.
The 3rd & 4th are: Prov. 16:3 & 9 – Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. I am in awe of how God is leading me. When I went to get the labels made for the jugs, I asked for a discount. I was charged less than half the normal amount and got the 2 proofs for free. One of the clerks in the store told me that he had saved $41.00 in just 2 months just by putting his pocket change in a jar every day. That really inspired me. Now I have a real story to share when I speak about the dental clinic.
Just for fun, I pulled out my Piggy Bank and emptied it onto the floor just like a little kid. I counted all of it and put it into my Jinja Jug. It filled a fourth of the jug and was mostly pennies but there was about $20.00. If each Jinja Jug holds $100.00 and I make 100 of them and we fill each of them 3 times in the next 6 months, guess how much we can collect for the clinic??? $30,000.00 How AWESOME would that be?
I have 9 people already waiting for a jug. So far, I’ve made 23. I can’t drink them fast enough! This is so exciting! Being the crazy bookkeeper that I am, it’s going to be so much fun collecting and keeping a tally on all of the jugs. I’ll be able to let people know how much they’ve collected and keep them aware of the running total. I have no idea how much it will take to get that clinic established, but God does!
Please pray for all the people that take a Jinja Jug and for everyone that will empty their pockets for the AGAPE DENTAL CLINIC.
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