Making New Memories

Today would have been my 40th wedding anniversary. Life happened and it is not my 40th wedding anniversary. I get thinking each year when it rolls around. What would life be like today if I were still married? All the wondering and speculation. The reality is my life is VERY different than what I imagines 40 years ago. That doesn't stop me from wondering...

So, this morning during my quiet time, I decided today's theme would be, "Making New Memories." I try to do something nice for myself around this time of year. Well, due to the illness of my friends, I cancelled my plans for this weekend. I had a "stay-cation" instead. I pulled out my card making things yesterday and started working in Craft Central, Lawra Campus. It is still open for business.

When a friend of mine, Leela, heard it was my ex-anniversary today, she decided on the spot that we would go for a brunch picnic this morning. She rode her bicycle to my house, I put the last odds and ends in my backpack and away we went to picnic at the Lawra stadium.

There isn't much to the stadium except a wall and grass. Oh, and grazing animals and stuff that animals leave behind...if you know what I mean. We carefully looked at the ground and found a spot on which to place our cloths. As we unpacked our bags, we created quite a stir. What were these two white women doing? The sun is strong and they are sitting in it! Elvis and his friend kept a watch on us, hoping to reap the left over food. We had a lot of entertainment...sheep grazing, a man urinating, a farmer weeding, one of the boys mooning us, and then, they serenaded us. Oh, and I must not forget the women who stopped by to tell us we shouldn't sit there because people sh__ there. Such fun! 

As we packed up, we shared our left overs with the boys and let them take a spin on our bicycles. As we were leaving, Elvis told us, "Good bye and good luck!" What a lovely morning! New memories that make me smile were definitely made today! Isn't it just like God to take a day that could be filled with regrets and turn it into something beautiful. Thank You, Jesus! (And Leela!)

One Year Later...

 

May 19, 2014, Kalsagri Methodist Society celebrated its one year anniversary of renewal. Last Year, our first worship service was held on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013. I was a bit, to say the least, unsettled. I am not a pastor, I am not a preacher. God had other ideas.  In one year, our attendance grew from 59 to 118! And, a new roof, floor, windows, door and cement work and painting has been done. The church looks very nice.

 







During services, people sometimes fall asleep. People sometimes smile and nod their heads as if they know what I mean when I give an example or tell a story. Sometimes, they even get upset...like when Jacob was given Leah for a wife instead of Rachel!

 

Little by little, I am trying to find people who are willing to serve in leadership positions. This is their church. There are a few who will volunteer. Pray that leaders will rise up from the congregation and the church will be 100% led by people from Kalsagri. With God, anything can happen!

Why SNAP?

A mother wakes up in the middle of the night and cries. She wonders, "Why did God give me a child like this?" There is no place for a special needs child in this culture. Parents are urged to take their children to the Fetish priest for a "mercy killing." Yet, this same mother, who cried at night a year ago, now says, "When I came to SNAP, I found out that I wasn't alone.That there are other children like mine. SNAP helps me know what to do with my child."

 

June 6, 2013, was the first anniversary of SNAP, our Special Needs Awareness Program. We will celebrate on July 3, so that one of our founding members, Sarah Gardner, could be here for the festivities. An activity that we had for the parents was to trace the hand of their child and write something that they appreciated about their child on each finger. And, if  they could not think of something, they were to write their hopes/dreams for their child. Now, most of these people can't read or write, so, others wrote the words the parents said. Parents who were full of despair a year ago now write: 

 

"My child has a nice smile. He is very interested. He knows how to read. I THANK GOD He made him for me. He makes me happy."

 

Another parent writes about their child, "He thanks God. He is always happy. I am HAPPY that God made him. He will get a blessing. I am happy to come here to SNAP."

 



Still another parent writes, "She tries hard. She is happy. She is a good sister. She is helpful. She is beautiful."

 

I thank God for SNAP. A year ago, these parents had no hope. Who knows if some of these children would have survived if the parent did not attend SNAP. SNAP give them encouragement, praise, education, health screenings, and the knowledge that their child is a unique, unrepeatable miracle of God! Celebrate our first year with us!  And, thank God for the lives of these lovely children.