Kristy Dorminy

The next morning we took a few small plane rides to leave Kenya and enter Uganda. Mack enjoyed this experience the most out of all of us.  I had never ridden in a 9 passenger plane before; it was neat to see the land below the whole time we flew.  We took off and landed in the most interesting places.  This first take-off couldn’t happen until Pastor Simon got the donkeys to move off the runway.

At one of the airports we ate pizza–a welcome change to our diet of potatoes, rice and chicken.  When we landed in Uganda, we met some people on the air strip that lived nearby.  Some of the kids in the group had never met a white person.  It was such a blessing to give away the dolls and blankets Molly and I had made.  I also threw a pair of pants in my bag of things to give away because Mack had put them on that morning and they were too little for him.  The Mama of the boy that I gave them to hugged me and said, “Mama!!!”  It was a sweet little bond between Mamas.  We all want good things for our kids.  They have such an appreciation for the necessities.  It was a humbling exchange, and I am so glad I got to meet these people.

In Uganda we stayed at The Jesse Hotel.  We met back up with Pastor Soston and his wife, Veronica.  They are refugees from Sudan and have quite the community in Uganda.  I was prepared for chaos at my first visit to a refugee camp, but these people were amazingly organized.  They seem to work together well and live with grateful hearts despite such a very hard existence.

Molly played around with making boomerang videos with the kids, which they seemed to think was so funny.

We rode a good ways to get to the camp and passed by many small communities.  There were water pumps along the way.  Small kids were filling water jugs to carry back to their home. We also saw Samaritan’s Purse World Food Distribution Center, which was amazing.

They welcomed us with dancing and singing!  Africans know how to celebrate people.

I will not be the same after the time I spent with them.  And I don’t know why, but the Lord has made a special place in my heart for Veronica.  I will pray for her as she leads alongside her husband.  I hope you will pray for her, too.

The picture above shows their bathrooms.

Above is Pastor Soston telling us about the food they are growing!  He was so proud of what they are doing and very grateful for any help that With Open Eyes has given along the way.

This is their irrigation system that was put in with the help of some people from With Open Eyes.  It reminded me of a statement I learned in a Beth Moore bible study many years ago: “Sow the Word of God into the reality of your circumstances.”  I believe the Lord has helped me to do just that over the past five years or so, and He has given much fruit!  Many times the ground was hard and was made soft by tears and hard work.  Other times the Lord gave energy and vitality so that the work of day to day life didn’t seem burdensome at all and the Word of God made me glad. No matter what the circumstances of life, we must sow His Word into the reality of where we are and watch Him bring the fruit!  It’s a work only He can do, but there is a part for us to play! Sow the Word!

With Open Eyes brought shoes and soccer balls and beach balls and other games for the kids.  They also brought soccer jerseys and shorts, and we got to watch them play a game of soccer.

I had the honor of praying for these ladies in my prayer group.  Many of them don’t have their husbands with them and life is difficult. They worry about providing for their children.  They need money to send them to school.  Pray for these ladies to know the peace of God and the provision of God.

We couldn’t believe it, but these precious people had cooked for us!  I was so humbled that they would take from what they could have eaten and share it with us. We were careful with what we chose to eat, but we were thankful and amazed that they would share with us.

We did a little skit about The Good Samaritan.  Mack was the poor guy who got beat up and left for dead.  I passed him by.  Molly passed him by.  Ruby helped him, and Josh Trammell was the donkey he rode on. 

We left the refugee camp with full hearts and went back to clean up and eat dinner.  We would leave the next morning for Masai Mara, a safari hotel where we stayed one night.  Josh has most of those pictures on his phone, but I will add them to Part IV soon.  Thanks for taking the time to look at our pictures and read my little commentary.  I wish each of you could have come with us!  An unforgettable trip, that is for sure!

We rode in buses from Brackenhurst to get to Namanga. So much to see as we drove down the streets.

We arrived at our hotel and unloaded all of our stuff.

This picture above shows a happy family.  And we were happy.  But something would happen every night….and it wasn’t pretty.  I don’t know if it was the bathrooms or the lack of good sleep or having to keep our family of five’s stuff organized, but I fell apart most every evening in some way, shape or form.  Josh wasn’t exactly chipper every second of the evenings either.  The kids each had their moment of “losing it” as well.  Thank the Lord for His grace and love for us…and how He enables us to show grace and love towards others.  We all needed much grace and much love during this trip!  But we made it through all the ups and downs with experiences we will never forget!

We went to Pastor Simon and Mrs. Agnes’ house.  This was a great time.  Frank and Jan’s son, James, was super-close with this family and wanted to build a home behind their home, which he had started to do before he became very sick and died in Africa.  The Harrisons finished what James had started and now the home is used as a guest house for many different people that come to visit Pastor Simon and Agnes.  I enjoyed talking to James’ sister about him and what she misses most about him while we were there.  His death was not in vain, that is for sure.  God has used it to heighten awareness of the needs in this area of Africa in ways only He can!

We took a walk up “Prayer Mountain” and spent time praying together and for the city of Namanga.  A great experience up there!

 

 

We visited a Masai Tribe, which was INCREDIBLE.  The church service was amazing.  They really know how to celebrate!  I enjoyed every bit of being with these people.

This tribe lives in dung huts.  We went inside one…it is very small and very dark.  Goats were in the one I went inside.  Josh told me that I didn’t notice at the time but he saw the goats pee extremely close to my foot.  I had already been standing in a cow poop field, so what’s a little goat pee?

We spent the night in Namanga again and then got up the next morning to make our way to Namanga Baptist Church.  The kids and I got to help in the Sunday School Class for the children before joining the rest of the group in the church service.  It was quite a different experience from church here in Woodstock, GA.  I enjoyed it very much.

 

What a morning!  It was lovely being with this church in Namanga. We drove back to our hotel for lunch and then the ladies went shopping while the men went on a hike.

 

A full, wonderful day!  There’s more, so stay tuned for Part III….

All trips start and end with laundry for mamas!  This trip was no exception. So while I am waiting on clothes to be washed and dried, I will try to post some pictures of the trip.

We had an amazing time in Africa.  Saw so much, experienced so much…..can hardly wrap my head around all of it.  Hoping as I post pictures on the blog I can process some of it.

We made it through the two flights and landed in Nairobi, Kenya where we boarded a bus and headed to our first hotel to try and rest.

We woke up to a rainy day and went to an elephant orphanage and then to a park where we got close with giraffes.

We ate lunch and continued our journey to Brakenhurst, Kenya where a conference was held by With Open Eyes.  Pastor Johnny taught the ministers and many other people encouraged them through teaching and music and gifts.

We got in small groups and were able to pray for these ladies who live in different parts of Africa.  The life they lead is more challenging than I can even begin to fathom.  It was an honor to pray for them.

One afternoon we went to a local bead and pottery shop.  This lady with Molly and Ruby has been working and making beads longer than anyone else in the shop.

We traveled from the bead shop towards a glass making store, but the road was not passable, so they sent us a different way where we ended up needing to walk a while to get to the store.  However, the walk was out in the middle of nowhere and then we were supposed to cross over a bridge… I never actually saw the bridge with my own eyes because  I wasn’t going to climb down the cliff to get there.  It was interesting to say the least.  I believe Denise said it best when she said, “I believe this is the dumbest decision I have ever made.”  hahahaa!  Glad we didn’t run into any animals out on our walk.

Mack led us back to the bus…dodging ants and piles of poop and puddles of water.

We warmed up for a bit and tried to dry our shoes out, finished up the conference and went to dinner before sleeping one more night and heading to Namanga, Kenya for more adventures!

It was such a joy to watch the kids participate on this trip….particularly Ruby.  She was very engaged during the conference and quite observant during all of the time there.  Thankful for all they got to see and hear.  No doubt it will stay with them forever!

More to come!

 

To say Kelly Minter’s “What Love Is” Bible Study is speaking to me would be an understatement!  It is the study of 1, 2 and 3 John.

Today we settled in on these verses:

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”  I John 2:1-2

She points out that Jesus meets us, “not at our point of achievement–but at our point of failure!”  What a comforting thought.  Kelly Minter goes on to expound on this person who is our advocate:

 “Typically we need an advocate who holds a position we don’t, has power we don’t possess, is granted access to people we can’t get to, has influence we’re without.  This is why John’s reference to Jesus as the Righteous Advocate is so critical!  As sinners, laid bare before a holy God, we need Someone who has what we don’t—righteousness.”

I have no idea how many times Jesus has stood in the gap for me over my life.  Not only did He do this for me at salvation, but a million times more when I needed His protection, His guidance, when I needed course correction or a door thrown open that I had no ability or strength to even know was out there!

I am reminded of Romans 8:26-27 (which has come up three separate times this week):

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

….according to the will of God.  I am so thankful for the Spirit of God who prays for me in ways I cannot comprehend.  I pray I have a humble heart that trembles at His Word and recognizes that I need Jesus Christ as my Advocate and the Spirit of God interceding for me.  In these ways He is giving me life that is truly life when I would, unfortunately, settle for so much less.

We have some funny friends.  Josh and one of these funny friends were exchanging texts a couple of years ago.  I can’t remember exactly how the term “L-I-V-I-N'” came to be, but it was related to the new-found ease we were experiencing with the ages of our kids. They had recently added a precious baby to their family, and we were entering the wonderful stage of parenthood when you no longer had to serve a monthly duty in nursery if you weren’t called to that area, where everyone could potty alone, shower alone, eat alone, walk alone–no strollers or carriers required, and everyone could buckle up in the car alone.  It’s a nirvana of sorts on this journey of parenting.

We were truly L-I-V-I-N’!

We laugh about that text exchange often.  LIVIN’ is what we all want, isn’t it? Not surviving, barely making it through each day.  We want LIFE!  Full, productive, passionate and purposeful LIFE!  Sometimes we mistakenly think this LIFE comes with ease in parenting or comforts in our day-to-day life,a healthy body, a paid off house, or vacations, a better job, a financial inheritance that enters our life at the perfect time, allowing us to retire early and travel the world.

Or it could be that we aren’t so grandiose about our ideal of what truly LIVIN’ looks like.  We just want a refrigerator that doesn’t leak and that gives out ice and water from the door like it is supposed to!  We think life would be better if that back passenger door on our car would open up from the inside on its own (I have no idea why that door won’t open from the inside…).  Or maybe we are just sure that life would be more satisfying if we lost 20 pounds.  A covered back deck would allow living through summer to be more enjoyable.

You catch my drift.  I’ve fallen into these ways of thinking many times.  God has used our personal journey to teach me in up-close and personal ways that life is not found in anything here on earth.  Josh has been known to say to me (after a pity-party or reading off a list of what I would like to change around here), “Life isn’t found in those things.”  We have given up our “dream home” before.  We have barely had two pennies to rub together.  We have also had an abundance of material possessions and the blessing of a great job that paid well.  Whether circumstances were difficult or circumstances were easy, life wasn’t lost or found in either.

Jesus makes this crystal clear when He is praying and says this in John 17:3,

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

There you have it.

 L-I-V-I-N’ = knowing God and Jesus Christ.

John 6:35- “Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’ ”

He is our constant source of stability in a world where life can change in a millisecond.  Let’s cling to LIFE.  Let’s cling to Jesus.

Then, we will be truly L-I-V-I-N’ !

 

Mack is a funny kid.  He has been known to say something witty or get the right answer to a school question, then follow it up with, “BOOM!”  As if he is saying, “Oh yeah, beat that!!!!!!”

Well, the other day I found this verse written in his little notebook.  I wasn’t really sure what to think about it….but it made me laugh.

 

Ruby doesn’t officially turn 12 until Thursday, but we had a few girls over Friday night to celebrate.  It was so fun for Ruby.  She planned it all.  She made the list of foods she wanted and types of ice cream and cake.  She also had a couple of crafts for them to do while they were here.  They watched a movie together and spent the night in the living room.  Each of them were so very kind and polite and fun.  I am thankful for the friends my kids have here!

Ruby had gifts for each of them.  A bible study for middle school girls, a notebook and a pillow case they would all decorate with stencils during the party.

They all read the first chapter together on Saturday morning and did the first quiet time day together.  I loved that.

Ruby, you planned a fun party!  I loved watching you with your friends.  I hope you love being 12!!  You are such a sweet daughter, and we love you very much!

A few days ago we stole a couple of hours away and let the kids swim in the neighborhood pool.  They played every pool game they could think of, and then they started a game I hadn’t seen them play before.

Ruby and Mack were pretending to fall off the stairs while Molly, their “mommy,” tried to get to them and pull them to safety.  As soon as one kid was safe, the mommy had to go help the other kid who fell in the pool.  Neither of the “kids” in this game could swim.

This little game went on and on.  No one else was at the pool, so I just let them keep playing like they were drowning. One would be saved from drowning and then other would need saving.  As soon as that one got to safety, the mommy had to go re-rescue the other one.  Molly the “mommy” decided that she had had enough.

“I need a time-out.  Someone else is gonna have to be the mommy.  I am exhausted!”

That little statement stood out to me.  Boy, how I can relate.

I haven’t blogged lately about stuff going on around here because some/most of the stuff going on around here is hard stuff.  Personal matters.  Little difficulties back-to-back that can make this mommy exhausted.  I, too, want to scream out,

“I need a time-out.  Someone else is gonna have to be the mommy.  I am exhausted!”

But that doesn’t happen.  There really is no time-out from being mommy.  But there is grace for each new day.

I was in the shower the other morning and the thoughts began bombarding me.  Almost oppressive, all the thoughts about “what if” this or “why didn’t I do that?” or “what will happen if this happens?” or “should we go this direction with this child?” or “that direction with the other one?”

I just kept thinking….“I have got to get to my Bible.”  And I did get there.  And the Lord met me there in my crazy thoughts and brought peace to my heart.

Ends up, I don’t need a time out from being the mommy.  I need some time in the Word and in my Heavenly Father’s presence.  He restores my exhausted soul.

 

Mack had his last game on Saturday, and he had a great time!  His first season of baseball has been a great experience for him.  If we can continue to find leagues that don’t play on Sunday, nor take over the family calendar, then we will keep playing.  I’m afraid that will be more of a challenge than we imagine.

Mack and the girls and I are still schooling some around here.  We have five more history lessons and twelve or so more math lessons.  Just plugging along….and looking forward to wrapping the books up for a nice summer break.  We all are in desperate need of it.

But I was encouraged today to see Mack come up with his own little spelling lesson.  I thought it was so cute to find these action figures spread out across the table labeled and spelled accurately!  Great job, Mack!

And this was on his door the other night.  I walked up the stairs and was a little startled to see these minion eyes staring at me!

Never a dull moment with these kiddos.

Here’s what I found on my phone the other day from Molly-Moo.

Oh, that girl.  She is crazy.  It may be time for another “why we shouldn’t take so many selfie photos” talk.

And not to leave Ruby out…she is doing well. She doesn’t take selfies on my phone, and we haven’t captured her on camera this week for any reason, but she is doing well.  Still loving the piano and reading, reading, reading.  Her birthday is coming up soon, so we will take lots of pictures of her big day!

 

Poor Mack!  He woke up early Saturday morning and told me he didn’t feel quite right. I told him he should lay back down, and we would wait and see how he felt after a bit more time.  Well….just a few minutes later he made a run for the toilet.  The stomach bug got the best of him.  It was a long morning of several visits to the bathroom, but finally he stopped throwing up.  He  was pitiful!  PawPaw had come to watch him play baseball, but he wasn’t able to play.  After the first throw up incident, he went and got on his uniform and told me he felt ok and could play.  Fifteen minutes later, he was back in the bathroom and told me that maybe he was wrong about being able to play.  It was so sad.  His coaches family brought a get well basket to our house and sent a video of the certificates being handed out.  It made him feel so much better.  What great friends we have!  The last game is next Saturday, and we are praying he is healthy and ready to play ball!  Here is what his day looked like:

Poor guy!  Everywhere he went, he fell asleep.

Today,  Mother’s Day, he felt much better, though he was very particular with what he ate.  Understandably so.  But while I was in Sunday School taking care of some responsibilities, I left him and Molly home to keep resting.  When I got home, here is what was waiting on my chair and at my place at the table for me.

He’s a sweety-pie.  I am so glad he feels better.

And just a side note…the main way to know that Mack feels better is that HE TALKS WHEN HE FEELS GOOD.  He doesn’t say much at all when he feels bad, but once he gets to feeling better, hold on to your hat.  Here come the words……so funny!