Working to Put the Witchdoctors Out of Business!

First off, we want to thank every one of you for the prayers, encouraging words and financial support while we are here serving in Uganda. We couldn't do this without you!

Today was one of the most amazing days I’ve had in a while. The love of God showed up in a huge way. Let me recap from last week.

Last week we went to a car dealership to pick up a car we had purchased. While we were sitting waiting patiently for our car to get released from the car lot, I looked over to a man and heard the Lord whisper in my ear that he had been battling sickness. It was such a random thought, it caught me off guard. As I studied the man, I didn’t see anything that seemed to be wrong with him, so I just waited. While pondering what I should do, I decided I would wait to before I said anything until we were just about to leave the lot, because that way, if I was totally off or the guy thought I was crazy, I could head on out, never to see him again. 

As we prepared to depart, I asked to see the man, who I found out was named Charles. Charles is the brother of our car salesman. Fred (our salesman) proceeded to tell me Charles had left. Feeling like I’d missed my opportunity; I quickly shared with Fred what the Lord spoke to me. My heart was pounding in my ears as I told him the entire scenario. Fred just looked at me and kind of smiled. I felt so dumb, but I’d done my part.

Three days later, Mike received a text from Fred’s brother. This is what it said, “Praise God Lori Salley. I am called Charles. God revealed to you my sickness. I am requesting that you share with me a word of God. I think time has come for me to be set free. Is it possible for both of us to meet?” A couple hours later I got a call from him. He confirmed he had been battling a sickness for many years and none of the doctors knew what was wrong with him. I prayed with him over the phone and told him I would plan to stop in to see him in the next week.

Of course, the entire week got away from me and I didn’t get to go and visit Charles. This morning while our team was praying, I had a strong feeling I was to go and pray with him. I was planning to go to the birthday party at Hope, but the feeling to go pray with Charles would not leave.  

To go visit Charles wasn’t just a jump in the car and go around the corner type of thing. No, it meant, traveling the bumpy roads through the villages, driving to the main road, through the typical round about traffic jams which all takes over an hour one way!

We gave Charles a call to let him know we were available to meet with him.  He wasn’t comfortable meeting at his office, so we picked him up and took him for a cup of coffee.

This is where the story gets fun! Charles shared with us his battle with this unknown sickness. It started in 1984! At first he had nightmares all the time. Soon after, he described hearing voices and something poking him when he would sleep. The story went on and on until he finally began to suffer from pain all over his body. As he was sharing his story, he told us he had felt as though there was no hope and that he was going to die. Just then our waitress walked up to take our orders. I noticed her name and knew there was something to it. Her name was Hope. Mike encouraged Charles that Hope was here today to help him. Charles looked amazed. I shared with him again exactly how I heard from the Lord about his sickness. We also told him that God may have very well sent us all the way from the USA just to share Jesus’ love with him. Suddenly, we could all feel a peace in the air. Charles bowed his head and began to weep. In the middle of a coffee shop, this 46 year old man was sensing the presence of God. We all were! He was weeping with thankfulness and awe. If you know me, I am such a crier, so I was doing my best to hold back the tears.

We then began to share Jesus with him. Not about a religion or about a church, but about a Savior who loves Charles. A Savior who knows what Charles has been battling. A Savior who sent two strangers to share just how much he is loved. Charles has heard about Jesus before, but had never truly given his heart to him. 

As we continued sharing more with him, his eyes lit up with life. Today was his day to finally say yes to Jesus! Mike led him through a prayer. His countenance began to change. He described that he was feeling lighter with a new freedom and peace. 

Afterwards, Charles then asked for advice. He had been so desperate for healing, he began visiting not only doctors for help, but witchdoctors as well. The witchdoctor gave him charms to carry with him as well as requiring him to visit the witchdoctor’s shrine to worship demons. He acknowledged that this was causing him to be financially bankrupt not to mention spiritually/physically drained as well.

As we concluded our meeting, Charles shared with us how his heart was so touched. He hafd known so many others who have been suffering and praying faithfully. They had not resorted to witchdoctors like he had, but yet, Jesus, spoke to us about him. “What a loving God we have”, Charles declared. “A God who is forgiving.” He again began to weep!

(Witchdoctors are real people! Here in Uganda the light and dark are so evident. It isn't just some fairytale like the Disney movies portray, this stuff is real!)

I am in awe as I write up this experience. The love Jesus has for us all! The fact that he uses people to deliver a life altering word to someone is amazing. What an honor to work together with the creator of this universe. Jesus is so amazing! He knows everyone one of us. He cares so much about us too.

Finally, as we were leaving, Charles shared that at the moment, he was not in any pain. Today Charles’ heart was touched with Love. WE know LOVE NEVER FAILS!

We are excited to see what the next weeks hold for Charles. We plan to meet with him weekly to share more about Jesus. He is planning to attend a church tomorrow.

Lori

PS – When Fred delivered the message to Charles, he first asked Charles, “Did you share anything with this woman about your sickness?” When Charles said no, Fred was in awe. He then passed on the word I gave. I know God has something special in the plans for Fred as well!

Justine Goes Home to be with Jesus!

Mike and the girls have taken our Awaken to Love team up to Murchison Falls for a 2 day safari. I stayed back to welcome another volunteer who is arriving late tonight. I am really enjoying spending some time alone here at Field of Dreams. Thinking of all the interns and other teams planning to come in the next few months, it might be my only time I will EVER get to be alone here, so I am going to breathe it all in.

While the team is gone, I have been pondering so much that has happened. I guess the emotions of some things don’t really come up until you actually take some time to uncap your heart and let them out. (thus the blog)

The days of the week all seem much the same here (at least to me). Other than having a few specific outreaches that happen on certain days, there isn’t anything to really decipher each day. Back in America, we have TV shows or school things to pave the way for our week. It seems here though, you don’t strive to reach the weekend so you can rest or have fun, because most of our “work” is done then. We are still figuring out how to take time off and find some time to rest. It can be challenging with so many needing your help and input on things.

With that said, I can’t remember the actual day the following happened; I just know it was a little over a week ago. One of the orphans we had been helping passed away. Her name is Justine and she was only about 7 years old. She had been sick with the measles. (We don't even have to battle this disease in America anymore and there is a way to prevent it!!!)

 We have a nurse on our team who was consistently checking on her and giving her medicine to help with her fever. We also took her food and juice to help. Actually as I type it seems it was a Sunday evening. The nurse had visited Justine that morning after church, but that evening we got a call to let us know Justine had died. 

As I received the news, I couldn’t believe it. I had just seen her the day before. I wasn’t sure whether to cry or yell. Suddenly, asking Mike what we should do, I said, should we go pray for her to be raised back to life. Honestly, I don’t know where the thought suddenly came from, but it came and we did just that. We took a few other of our friends from our church back home and headed over. When we arrived, her body was still hot from fever. 

The children were all crying hysterically as well as the family and neighbors. As we cleared the room, we knelt down by her delicate little body and began to pray. I don’t know how much time passed, but suddenly there was a peace that truly surpasses all understanding that enveloped the room. Right then, I had a picture in my mind (I could see it even though my eyes were open) of Justine running down the dirt road toward Jesus. She looked back at me with her precious smile. I too was on the road. She turned around and ran back to me into my arms. She hugged me BIG and said “thank you for all you have done” in perfect English and then began sprinting back into the arms Jesus. 

Was this real? Am I making this up? As the emotions flood back and tears roll down my cheeks, I can promise you this wasn’t some made up moment. I don’t think you can make up things as powerful as this in the midst of death, faith, tragedy, peace, contending, and letting go. I knew then, she was with Jesus.

You would think I would have broken down and began to cry, but instead, I had a peace and strength to get up off the floor (while the rest of my team continued to pray and worship Jesus), walk out to the back of the house and sit on a log with the rest of the family. 

As the sun began to set and darkness arose around us all, I marveled that here I was in Uganda. I felt so honored and humbled as I sat under the stars and hugged the family who had a dear child leave them to go home to their Father in heaven. 

As I loved on the children, Margaret, the care giver to some of our SMI orphans, shared her last conversation with Justine. As they sat on the couch, Margaret was holding one of her newborn twins, Phoebe. She looked at Phoebe and then over to Justine. Phoebe was Margaret’s first biological daughter, but in that moment, she told Justine, now, she had two girls; Justine and Phoebe. Justine smiled up at her “momma” Margaret. It was about 1 hour later, Justine breathed her last breath.

(Here is something my good friend Jeanne shared with me back in February about little Justine:

"I was singing Jesus loves me this I know to the kids and then I asked them to sing a song for me and she is the only one that sang. She sang I have joy,joy,joy down in my heart, where down in my heart,  and I'm so very happy so very happy I have the love of Jesus in my heart. It was so cute, she touched my heart.)

My good friend Jeanne with Justine and Zaitum

It wasn’t until the next day that the “what if’s” hit me. What if we had our medical clinic opened already, would Justine still be here? What if I had been more of a voice and had raised more funds for our clinic? What if more nurses or doctors were here with us now, would we have saved this life? What if What if What if! 

Time is a gift from God. Life is a gift from God. Today is a gift from God. We obviously can’t focus on what we could have done, because that won’t change anything for today. We can focus on what we will do, because that is where change awaits us all! So, if you are reading this, will you pray with us as we continue to press on to complete the many things SMI has to do. We need help in every area you can think of. With God all things are possible, but HE always works through people.

It’s weird how changing the continent you live on can begin to change you. When I say change you, I mean, perspective and realization of the actions necessary to help others.

I am thankful to be here to help and serve. My body is getting used to the bumpy roads and my feet will learn to love hard concrete floors and dirt roads (right?). I think we need a masseuse (uh, maybe my Auntie G) to come on a trip. I am sure many missionaries could use your gifts and talents. 

One last thing. For some reason the scriptures I hear read every Sunday are like life breathed into my being. When a Psalm is read, something inside of me comes alive and says - IT'S TRUE! I guess it’s because here, the answers aren’t so readily found. I guess I've taken the words I've heard for so many years for granted, but now, they give me life and hope. You have to seek HIM with all your heart and THEN, well, you get the point. Life is different here, but I still find that Love is the same. We are all looking for LOVE and longing to discover the way it can bring about life...including me.

Lori

Fun times in Uganda!

Wow! So much has been going on since we last posted something on our blog.

Our Awaken to Love team arrived on Tuesday July 17^th. Not one person of the 13 people arriving received any of their luggage! Can you believe that!!!

I’ll have to say though, that every team member has been a trooper. We finally retrieved all of their bags this past Monday.

We love the makeup of our team. It is so much fun getting to know people from different backgrounds and with different life experiences.

Here are a few of the things we have been doing together as a team:

• Visiting and helping the elderly who live around Field of Dreams
• Hosting a “Field Day” at the Muslim school down the road from our house
• Working at SMI’s “Say No to Hunger” program
• Visiting the children in Show Mercy’s sponsorship program
• Painting bedrooms at Hope Children’s Home
• Sharing in different Churches
• Praying for patients at a mental hospital
• Delivering beds for some of the children in SMI’s sponsorship program.

As parents, it is always so much fun to see more of who your own children are. We have really enjoyed watching Sarah and Katelin blossom while the team is here. 

We also can’t express how much we appreciate every prayer you are praying for us. Leading a team is so rewarding but also challenging as you feel you are pouring out all you have! I (Lori) am physically tired, but know the finish line with this team is just around the bend.

I know this is so general, but we’ll update with more detailed stories of our outreaches soon. 

Sarah with Alex!

The kids love Mike because he is so tall and full of fun

Muslim school field day. Egg race!

Katelin, Sarah, Julee and Kacey hanging out

Katelin reaching out in love

Katelin out in the village

kids at a school praying for our time together. Aren't they CUTE!!

Mike teaching the kids how to play duck duck goose!

Field Day at the Muslim School

New Triple Bunk Beds, Sheets and Net for some of the village sponsored kids

Potato Sack Race

Some miscellaneous pics of our team

Thanks for your love,

Lori (for the Salley clan)

You Are One of a Kind

Uganda has been such an amazing tool used by the Lord to teach me many things. Each day I spend here, I am given an opportunity to see something new and unique. Of course I can choose to see things the same way they were yesterday, but if I am intentional, I will find something new.

In economics, the value of something is determined by how rare it is. For example, diamonds are expensive because no two diamonds in this world are the same. The same is true of people. We were each designed by God with such a unique flavor and no two people are exactly the same. No one has the same fingerprint as you do! We are valuable.

I was reminded of this truth one day while driving down the roads in Uganda. Each shop has a display of the items they have for sale. The shop vendors hang their prized clothing outside of their shop (as well as other things), so those passing by can “window” shop. (Of course there isn’t a pane of glass!). Rarely are the clothes displayed brand new. Most of the clothing here in Uganda comes from other countries and is second hand. It is very rare that you find two outfits exactly alike.

 In the United States, when you go shopping, you will find racks and racks of the same exact outfit. The only difference is the size. It is really kind of funny if you think of it. Most people shop at department stores. These stores are scattered all across the USA. We find an outfit or a pair of shoes that we love. We don’t really think that thousands of other people have also seen the same shoe/outfit and are also in love with it. That means we are walking in the same shoes and wearing the same outfit as thousands of others. It’s a great picture if you think about it. 

In America, we all strive to look a similar way, but don’t realize it. Because of convenience, this is just a way of life. (and I'm not saying it's wrong, but just a great observation of what blessing can sometimes create - a dissatisfaction and lack of contentment at times - or better yet, maybe a distraction from real value!) We sometimes compare ourselves to "our neighbor". We want what they have. We want to look like so and so and aren't satisfied with who we are (or at least can feel that way sometimes). A Hollywood star wears a certain dress and then we all want to look just like them! How easily we are influenced by the material beauty :)

Uganda has a way of waking you up to remember that YOU are not what you look like on the outside. You can’t really choose to “look” like anyone else. You can’t buy the same shoes or the same outfit as your friends here, because you CAN NOT find it!

Uganda helps you to discover you. It helps you to discover the beauty within. It helps you discover the beauty in others as well, because here, you don’t say to someone who is sitting in rags on a woven straw rug within the dirt, "Wow, your outfit is amazing. Where did you find it?" Instead, you look into their eyes and see their joy and smile exuding from their being and realize, Wow, you’ve got a beauty that can’t be purchased or created by a person. You are You and I love it!

Loving Uganda,

Lori