A crying square peg

If tears could talk, what would they say? I sure wish I knew...

Today those tears are coming, bringing relief but also confusion. At first I was confused by my seeming inability to cry this past week, but now that the tears feel some freedom to fall, I don't know what they are trying to tell me. So do I fear them and lock them in? Tempting, but probably not the best option. (Right?)

I covet your prayers. This square peg wants to again fit into Canada's round hole...but not so much that her new angles are fully shaved away. As the tears come and more change occurs...goodness, I don't even know how to express my prayer. May our Heavenly Father and Lover of my soul be nearer than ever. Please God...

Amina.

Staying Connected - June

Greetings my dear friends,

Can you believe it?! I have less than 2 weeks left in this beautiful country. (I fly out of Entebbe and arrive into Vancouver on July 13th, with the 10 hour time difference.) I have blogged some about my feelings about leaving, and the bitter-sweetness of such a leaving threatens to bring me to tears already. As we had our circle prayer a couple of weeks ago at the shelter, I closed my eyes as Lugandan praises were lifted to our Heavenly Father. While we held hands and continued in prayer, the small hand that was holding my right middle finger loosened, and next thing I knew, Mommy was grasping my legs with both of her arms. Startled, I opened my eyes to see her gazing up at me gleefully, giggles escaping her lips. But as I smiled in return, I had to fight back the tears. This little one has become so precious to me, and I can hardly imagine not seeing her, or the boys, each week. God’s promises in his Word that his grace is sufficient…I think that my leaving Africa is going to require such an outpouring of that grace.

And let me share a bit more about Mommy. I am so happy to announce that just a few weeks ago she said my name for the first time – “Aunt Ellen”. Could I have been happier?! (The answer is “no”. J ) This sweet little girl has blossomed these past few months. When I first met Mommy, she was a sullen baby who did little more than lay in the dirt outside the church. But, with a little help from vitamins and milk, and with a lot of love, she is now running around and sharing her joyous spirit with all she meets. All glory be to God! Once again he has caused beauty to rise from the ashes. Attached are two photos of Mommy. The first is from February; she is extra unhappy in the photo because she was just learning to stand and was not pleased with being made to do so. The second one is from May; the difference is incredible and undeniable. And if it were at all possible, I would surely smuggle this one home!

And what about the boys? I know you are dying to hear how they are also. Well, the past month and a half have truly been a blessed time at the shelter as we have seen many good changes in the boys. I will begin with Sserwada. You may remember him from my past letters. Sserwada is a sweet kid, but he can sure be stubborn also. This stubbornness is especially evident when you suggest he bathe. But, just a couple of weeks ago, after he was alarmed at the roundworm patch that appeared on his arm, I managed to convince him to shower and watch his clothes. This is the first time he has done either of these things at the shelter – ever! I was so proud. And not only did he clean himself and his clothes, he took about half an hour to mend his trousers before washing them – a decision he made on his own. Going from showering once a week to a more regular schedule may seem like a small thing, but I believe that even in this, Sserwada is coming to believe that he has more worth. I pray it is so.

Then we have Kadonya. Kadonya is one of the older boys at the shelter and he is known as a fighter. To be honest, this is one boy who has always intimidated me some. But once again, God has been at work. The rough edges of this young man are gradually being smoothed out so that there is already an evident difference in his attitude. He refrains from fighting and now encourages the others to behave. And the week before last, Kadonya did his school work for the first time. If you knew Kadonya, you would know what a huge deal that is! And he has also determined to learn English; he will now come up to me and say, “Aunt”, which is followed by a sentence in English that sometimes even I need help to understand. But, he is trying, and I am so very proud. May God continue to soften Kadonya’s heart and to make his dwelling there.

And Ramos…I wrote about Ramos in my last update. I mentioned how he was always talking about waiting for his “chance” on the streets. But now, he may have given up on that tactic. Ramos was not at the shelter last Monday and so we began to wonder – he never misses a day. When he didn’t show up Tuesday or Wednesday, I even became a little worried. We pray that Bob’s suspicion is correct and that Ramos has returned home, but there is always the possibility that he has been arrested. Let’s continue to pray for God’s safety and presence to be with this one. Oh, and a highlight with Ramos also…in the beginning of June, Ramos entrusted me with the knowledge of his real name, “Ramos” being his street name. I was honored that he decided to trust me to that depth. I pray all is well with him.

In continuing with news from the shelter, in the past month, we have seen three boys go home. Attached is a picture of Robert the day before his departure. Ismael and Edward have also returned home. We need to pray especially for Edward as the village that he returned to is currently struggling with famine. And Kassim also needs our prayers as he was arrested by the police a week ago. Kassim is a gentle boy who takes the younger boys under his wing and watches out for them on the streets. Let’s pray that God will keep him safe and healthy, and that Kassim would know God’s presence in a way he has yet to know. And for some good news: Faruk confessed to Enoch last week and is now in God’s family. Praise the Lord! We pray that God’s transforming power will bring life and healing to this one as he aims to grow in his new Christian faith.

We also had a ‘first’ with the boys this month. We organized the first ever Street Boy Day Camp. We invited the boys to meet in a church in their main hang out area of Kisenyi. After hearing the gospel, the boys played football and then watched the ‘Jesus’ film in Luganda. And at the end of the day, to the sheer delight of those who had doubted our promise of food, we ate some wonderful Ugandan fare. That day was eye opening for me on two accounts. First, I saw to a greater depth the amount of pain and suffering that is on the streets of Kampala. A number of the boys were ever seen with a fuel-doused handkerchief or wad of string held to their mouths. The odor in the room was so strong that my throat began to ache. Still others were seen chewing kuba milla – a leaf that gives its eater the energy not to sleep. (This is how many boys manage to stay awake at night to go on their stealing binges.) But, in the midst of these hurting and misguided boys, “our boys” – as we like to call them – shone like lights in the darkness. It was on this day that I truly saw the fruit of the love we tirelessly share with those who come to the shelter. Our boys were not perfect, but they were different; they were calm, obedient, gentle, confident, grateful and responsible. I thank God that he has continually filled each of us who serve at the shelter, the empty vessels that we are, with his love. It is only by that love that these rough and hurting lives could have changed. We pray that many more boys will accept the invitation to come to the shelter, but also that they will no longer put aside God’s invitation for a hope-filled life.

And on a more personal note, I had a few highlights this June also. The first weekend of June saw me visiting three of the Watoto villages that are here in Kampala. It was a day to learn about Watoto’s vision and work, but also to let God speak to me about future work he may have in mind for me. I also had the privilege of joining a beautiful Christian woman, Rosemary, as she visited the homes of many suffering from HIV/AIDS in Nakawa. We were able to listen to their struggles, encourage them and pray with them. It is a wonderful and needed work. Also, I have spent some time with a young lady named, Shakira. Shakira works at the supermarket that I frequent, and I think we hit it off so well because we have the same sense of humor. As she is a Muslim, I have been praying that God would use me to encourage her towards Christ. Please be praying for this relationship as I plan to share more with her in the coming days, and even give her a Bible.

Thank you all for your consistent prayers for me. I keep thanking God for his faithfulness to me in this land. But please now be praying for my health. Three days ago, it all started with what felt like horrible allergies. Hours later, it was the flu. It became the worst flu I have ever had; I almost fainted while bartering with a boda driver and the chills caused me to shake so badly that I could hardly walk. Praise God, the fever broke on Wed evening, and now it is just a pestering cold. (Kappy is also suffering from a cold, so you can be praying for her also.) But, on the heels of that flu came the realization that I had bed bugs. I spent all of yesterday doing laundry and shifting to a different room. Please, please, please be praying that I have come to this new room without those pestering bugs. Their bites are incredibly itchy, but these bugs also have a way of affecting my spirit; I become discouraged so easily. Ah, but God brought Romans 16:20 to mind last night to encourage me. If he can crush Satan under my feet…it’s clear what he can do about those tiny little bed bugs. No matter what happens, the God of peace is still in control. May his name be praised!!

Even though my time here is running, there is still time for you to give toward my internship. The amount is still at $1500. I am in awe of God’s goodness and your kindness over these past few months. I just ask that you would remain prayerful and obey however God leads. Thanks you my dear friends.

I hope to write once more before I come home, but with a lot of stuff to cram into just 9 days, I can’t promise that I will. But, I will inform you of my safe arrival in Canada and be sure to let you know how God is helping me transition. I look forward to seeing so many of you very soon. Be blessed!

Faithfully following the Shepherd wherever he leads,

Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)

To support financially:
~ Cheques are to be made out to “Action International Ministries” and mailed to: 3015A 21st St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7T1. My name cannot appear anywhere on the cheque. Instead, please enclose a separate note specifying it is for me.
~ Donations can also be made by credit card over the phone or debited monthly from your bank account or credit card. Simply call 403.204.1421 or 1.888.443.2221 (toll-free), and they will assist you.
~ Online donations are also possible. Go to www.actionintl.org/spring for my page.

Photos: *Mommy – Feb *Mommy – May *Kadonya *Robert *4 x Kisenyi *Silliness with Shakira