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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Just a Glimpse

If you were on the ground in Uganda with SixtyFeet this week, here's a glimpse of what you'd see:



This is my dear friend, Joy. She's holding hands with a child prisoner at M1. Those are real bars. And that's a real cell. And that's a real child. God's child.

This is a time of worship and thanks with child prisoners. Ponder those words for a moment... and then view this picture:



And below are some thoughts from one of our team members, Christen, describing her experience at M4 on Tuesday of this week.

"As I sit listening to the rain pounding on the metal roof, she lays against my chest, sound asleep. It took a few minutes for her to warm up to me enough to let me hold her. My eyes burn with tears and my heart breaks for this beautiful little girl. She's naked and I hold her close to myself, afraid of her becoming too cold. The temperature quickly dropped as the rain came down and I wish I just had a blanket to help shield her.

I pray over her, hoping the spirit will speak through me because my words fail. If I was to guess, this little girl is about two but I am starting to realize that the effects of malnutrition make it very hard to tell. I gaze into her sad eyes and wonder how long she has been here, how she was brought here, and where her mommy and daddy are.

It's clear that the caregivers in this facility love the children dearly and are very protective of them. They care for them the best that they can with the limited resources they have available. But it's not a substitute for a loving family with a Mommy and a Daddy.

It was beautiful and yet heart wrenching to watch the older children step up and care tenderly for the younger ones. When it was time to leave it was painful to hand that little girl back into the arms of a young girl who is still just a child herself.
 

The pain I have seen here in the last couple days has felt like more than I can bear at times. But I have also seen such genuine joy and love for Jesus that it is almost just as overwhelming. I have seen things that I pray I will never forget. I plead with my Jesus to change my heart forever."

And this is just a typical day on a SixtyFeet mission trip. Join us next year or join us in 2013. But definitely, join us. As Christen says, it will change your heart forever.

More trip details are available on the Visiting Orphans site. Or email missions@sixtyfeet.org for more information.

12 comments:

Love said...

truly wanted to be there so much with joy and co. thank you for this glimpse. looking forward to being back and loving on these children.

Naomi said...

Wow! You have no idea how much I long to go!

Sarah said...

Wow! A mother/daughter trip?! Wonderful! My daughter, Lily, and I went to India last year. She was 9 at the time. It was incredible! Would love to go on that trip, although we're definitely hoping that our newest treasure would be home by that time (hopefully in 2012), so I don't know if it would be possible, but you never know!

Anica said...

I have just started to follow, and went to the Sixty Feet website last week, the mission of God to bless these children with His love has been on my heart. I am praying that God continues to move in amazing ways and to open doors. These children are beautiful. I praise God for what you all are doing.

Beth said...

This is completely heartwrenching for me! I am speechless!!! I have added your badge to my blog and will be sponsoring 60 Feet!

Beth said...

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan said...

What can those who can't go on the trip do to help? Can we send blankets or toys?

Kelsey said...

That breaks my heart. It's hard to believe that such atrocious things happen on the same earth we live in. And at the same time, as I look at them give thanks to God, I remember how very little I have to complain about. He's given me salvation, what else could I ask for? Our God is so good! I'll be praying for God's children imprisoned in Uganda.

Sophie said...

truly heartwrenching, what can we do to help?

susan said...

Thanks so much for your response. You are so sweet.

Here is my post about it in case you are interested. http://moreholinessgive.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-feel-like-i-met-celebrity.html

I am going to think about how to make it happen!

Unknown said...

heartbreaking. beautiful words. beautiful children.

Janelle-A Story of Grace said...

oh tears. good, God tears.

janelle