Shelly and Dan
Madeline
Davis
Hannah
Joseph
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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Incredible Story, Part 2

Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part post. Please read Post 1 before proceeding.

When we left off last time, Ernest and Catherine had a decision to make. The choice was this: either return two small children to the horrible place that is M – or stand to lose every bit of security they have in this life – their home, their farm, their income, everything.

If faced with this decision, I’ll tell you what I would do. I’d make the responsible choice. I’d be smart about this. Ernest and Catherine were already caring for a house full of orphans. Shouldn’t their first responsibility be to those children? Without their farm, how could they feed everyone? Without Ernest’s income as a pastor, how would they provide? We can’t just go around making foolish, impulsive decisions based on emotion. After all, Jesus calls us to be wise, right?

And yet the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. – 1 Corin 3:19

So what did they decide? Well, for the faithful few, such as Ernest and Catherine, the choice between earthly security and obedience to Christ is not really a choice at all. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that they stood by Hannah and Joseph. It didn’t matter that they already had a house full of orphans to care for. It didn’t matter that Hannah and Joseph were not their own children and never would be. All that mattered was Jesus and His command to care for least of these.

The church made good on their promise and they eventually forced Ernest and Catherine off of the land. Ernest lost his job, his home, his farm, his income, his church and his friends. But he didn’t lose heart.

He and Catherine took the children and moved on. And in January of this year, they started taking in other children from M. And since they were moving to a new area anyways, they went ahead and planted a new church. I mean, why not?

Last week, members of the SixtyFeet team were privileged to spend time with Ernest and Catherine in Uganda. We were able to help them put a roof on their new church and they invited Scott, one of our board members, to preach last Sunday. To which Scott remarked “what could I possibly teach these people about faith?”

Flora, Ernest, Boaz, Scott, Faith and Moses standing outside the new church, new roof in progress.
On this trip, we learned that Ernest and Catherine are currently living in a 2-bedroom apartment with 10 children. The living conditions are very cramped. Ernest and Catherine basically have no privacy or time to themselves and they must walk 90 minutes, each way, to their new church.

Dan and I feel a heavy burden to support Ernest and Catherine because of the amazingly sacrificial gift they gave to our family. Sixty Feet also desires to support their ministry, as they are now intentionally seeking to serve more and more children from M.

We’ve found a beautiful piece of property, including a large 9 bedroom home, in very close proximity to their church. $4,500 will pay their rent for the entire year and move them in immediately.

Scott and Ernest checking out the big house.

View from the house. God's handiwork is amazing! Saints like Ernest and Catherine deserve this view.
If you’d like to contribute any amount to help move Ernest, Catherine and the children into the new home click on the link below. Nothing is too small. Sixty Feet will match all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $2,250. Dan will be back in Uganda in May and we’ll share pictures and details.

You’ve heard me say it before but I’ll say it again… one little family can’t change the whole world, but you can change one little corner of it. Take this opportunity, right here and right now, and do something big for the Kingdom.




12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, my gosh!!! I am so happy that Sixty Feet is doing this--that all of you are doing this to bless these incredible people and all "their" precious children! This was a Part 2 worth waiting for and I so want to be a small part of it!

Heather said...

Thank you SOOOOO MUCH for sharing this story. What an incredible testimony of what it means to be a follower of Christ. We all know Christ would have done the exact same thing that E & C did if He were given the choice. And the fact of the matter is, He actually did because they are His hands and feet! I cannot thank you enough for the encouragement to live a life of sacrifice all for His Glory!

Colleen said...

Seriously...I want to be them when I grow up. I think I've said it twice now. What enormous faith!!!!! And what a good God we serve...He always provides in abundance when we step out in obedience. I can't wait to meet you, E & C!!!!

Unknown said...

Shelly Girl! I LOVE YOU. And I'm with Colleen, I wanna be them when I grown up. I want to have faith like that! Love ya girl! About to click and donate NOW. :0)

Love said...

thank you for sharing this. praise God for E & C! what an amazing testimony. AMAZING. love, love, love it!

Lari said...

I shudder to think what I would do under the same circumstances! What faith! Look at how God is already providing... Thank you for sharing this story.

Unknown said...

You know, I am so blessed to be in this adoption journey. To think, 6 months ago I knew of NONE of this, NONE of you!!! Now these sweet people are some of the most amazing I've never met. I feel like I am reading a book on George Mueller or Corrie Ten Boom. But the fabulous difference is that I CAN BE INVOLVED in this story...it's going on NOW. HOW AWESOME IS THAT??? YES!!!!!!! May God continue to bless His sweet servants!!

The Fruitful Family said...

Reading in James this morning and see E&C reflected all through it!
Ja. 1:2-4; 12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
God bless E&C! Love them and love you!!!!

Josh and Christen said...

Praise God. I want to meet them someday! I pray for faith like that and want to be moved to action NOW. :) Thanks Shelly!

Audrey B said...

What an incredible story! Thank you so much for sharing.

galyn said...

I want faith like that!!!!! GORGEOUS people.... Thanks for sharing!

Joshua and Hilary said...

Simply amazing... God, pour your blessings on this couple!