"Everything I Need"

“I am doing well because I am going to get everything I need

like school fees, clothes, food, and mattresses.”

Jennifer, age 10

I have been reading the children's letters. These letters, written for their "dear" sponsors, are the candid, simple and loving hearts of Ugandan children put on paper. Most are written on wrinkled sheets from a legal pad, edges frayed, ink smeared. A few of them are stained with blotches of dirt, a hard thing to avoid when writing on a cement "veranda" walkway surrounding the orphanage home. These letters aren't works of art, but they are gems.

For a rare moment these letters are mine. Then I must split them up and send them away to the loving sponsor families who have the thrill of getting to hang them on their refrigerators. They are my joy to distribute, but if you can't tell...I'm a little jealous.

Don't misunderstand, I get my fair share of letters. I also have a possessive way of scanning letters into my computer so that I never truly have to part with them. But there is nothing quite like a collective stack of letters from the Ranch on Jesus children sitting on my desk. It is the closest I come to having them here.

They have to make you smile:

"I am proud that you had a good Christmas season."

Balita, age 9

"I will never forget my sponsor until Lake Victoria runs dry."

Juliet, age 12

"I always pray for your nation and its leadership. You know very well that a good leadership leads a nation in peace and financially developing and so a good leader should be elected from God. That's why you have got a miracle of a black president. I say it is a miracle because it has never been in your nation. So just praise the Lord for that."

Maurice, age 15

As much as these letters make me smile, they also make me teary-eyed. Tears of gratitude that I have the privilege to know these children and meet their needs. Tears of pride over those I have watched blossom and flourish into remarkable young men and women. And tears of conviction as I sit dumbfounded by these kid's peace and gratitude.

“I am doing well because I am going to get everything I need

like school fees, clothes, food, and mattresses.”

Jennifer, age 10

How little I have done. How little I have given. How much they tell me they have.

Beans and rice.

A tattered school uniform.

A thin foam mattress.

"Everything I need."

As I sit and dwell on the sentiments of Jennifer and dozens like her I can only think one thing:

I need to be more like you.

The Proof is in the Pictures

This slide show contains pictures from Scott's recent venture to Uganda. It was hard for me to believe that Scott was actually at Ranch on Jesus just a few days ago, but as I uploaded these wonderful photos, there was no denying it! What I love about these pictures is that I can hear them. I can hear the voices, the shouting, the laughing, the conversations. But for those of you who might want a little extra help with the audio, I have included one of the children's original songs in the background. The words are Lugandan, but they are singing about the "beautiful city" of heaven.

Back at Last

Yesterday afternoon Scott came gliding up the escalator at Hartsfield International Airport, somewhat tan and very much exhausted. He is home in one healthy piece, for which I am grateful. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that he was there in Uganda! But the suitcases exploding with paper beads and earrings clearly testify to the fact.

Thanks to all those who prayed for Scott's travels and time overseas. He is still processing and downloading to me. There is much we need to pray through together. But one thing is very certain: though last minute, it was a trip that was needed, welcomed and appreciated by all.

More to come...as always.

Drawing to a Close

Tonight is Scott's last night in Uganda. At 11 PM on Wednesday he boards his KLM jet to begin the return trip to the USA.

I am excited, overwhelmed, etc. etc. etc. I am ready to have my husband back, but I am especially ready to hear about everything that was discussed and decided over this past week. Scott went to Uganda at a crucial period of planning and action for the ministry. There will be much to discuss, and while I am eager...I am also anxious.

Please pray for Scott's final day, his travel, and a safe arrival at the ATL airport Thursday afternoon. Pray for us as we now have the task of unraveling the details of the trip and moving forward.

Scott Update: Sunday Birthday Bash

I called in the midst of a party. Martha Kamara was turning eight!

"So even though I missed Vivian's birthday, I got to be at my other daughter's party," Scott said cheerily.

Many Ugandans do not celebrate birthdays...especially the way we American folks do. But the Kamaras wanted to treat their oldest daughter to a special celebration...a celebration attended by ALL of the Ranch on Jesus children. And in an interesting turn of providence, there were two cakes.

While he was in town Saturday morning, Scott visited with a dear friend, Pastor Francis Kusemererwa from Mabale. Francis' wife, Topi, is enrolled in a culinary school in Kampala where she is learning to bake cookies, cakes, etc. She is hoping to start a cottage industry back at their rural church, teaching other women these specialized and coveted skills. This is where one cake originated, a white cake with blue lettering that read "Welcome Mr. Scott." Topi baked it herself and handed it off to Mr. Scott in a box.

The second cake was purchased by Sarah and Theophilus for Martha's birthday bash. What did this mean? Twice as much cake. Twice as much fun! Everybody, all of the children, got a slice! They cheered to me through the phone, then settled down to watch African Christian Music Videos!

Sundays at Ranch on Jesus are special sabbath days of rest and relaxation. The children work tirelessly at their studies and chores all through the week. Sundays give them a chance to enjoy meat with their meals, watch a movie, play with friends, and rest. But before all of this takes place, something even more marvelous occurs...worship at Mutungo Community Presbyterian Church.

Scott had the privilege of preaching Sunday morning. He told the body of believers there that I was missing Uganda, but I was especially missing Uganda that day. Because, as most know, Sunday morning worship in Uganda is one of the things I treasure most in this world.

I will save a discussion on Ugandan worship for another day and another post. I will only say here that the lament, the celebration and the power all involved in a Sunday morning worship service in Uganda are things I desperately miss here in the States. I was happy to attend worship in a PCA church Sunday morning. But after talking with Scott I must confess I kept waiting for a shrill cry to come ringing from the back of the sanctuary, an eruption of cheers, and the force of drums. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and the devil knows I'm the winner!" Oh, I can't wait to go back.

In terms of the trip...as far as I know, Scott is currently in Kiwoko (2 hrs north of Mutungo) retreating with Theophilus. The men needed some space to pray, reflect and plan away from the demanding hustle and bustle of running Ranch on Jesus. Kiwoko is the home of New Hope Uganda, a wonderful well established ministry to orphans. New Hope runs an intensive and holistic training Institute for those interested in working with orphans and learning more about experiencing and conveying the fatherhood of God. This Institute is headed by a missionary friend of ours, Keith McFarland. Scott hopes to spend time with their family.

Scott and Theophilus plan to remain in Kiwoko until Wednesday morning. Then back to Kampala to prepare for Scott's departure that evening. Please pray for these last remaining days. That time would be used prayerfully and wisely.

Jewelry: The Power of a Party

Scott's shopping excursion was a major success. He is coming home with "tons" of unique and handcrafted Ugandan jewelry. If we sell it all we stand to earn a great deal of money for Ranch on Jesus Orphanage Ministries. A GREAT deal. We sell this jewelry on college campuses, at church gatherings, Bible studies, craft shows and in people's homes. The biggest seller, of course, being the beautiful paper bead jewelry: bright and interesting hand formed beads made out of recycled paper and strung together for a one of a kind necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings. (See pictures below.)

If you would be interested in hosting a jewelry party with all of the proceeds benefiting Ranch on Jesus, please contact me at pearlministries@gmail.com. I would be happy to come to your home to help you host an event or send a you a "jewelry party kit" so that you can hold a party on your own. This is a small, simple and hands on way to spread the word about the fantastic Kingdom work being done at Ranch on Jesus, all while raising funds to support the day to day cost of raising our fantastic kids. Plus-its fun!

More information:

Jamie Laslo

pearlministries@gmail.com



The following photos courtesy of Hannah Copeland http://flickr.com/photos/livingfullyalive/.

Scott Update: Days 3-5

Thanks to the amazing power and affordability of technology, I have been able to keep in good communication with Scott. When we chat it is hard to believe he is halfway around the world. He sounds as if he is just across town.

He went shopping this morning…at least that was the plan last I heard. He’ll be doing business with local craftsmen, looking to purchase items that we can sell in the USA to support the ministry. This is also a fantastic way to support the local Ugandan economy and aid many individuals who depend on the sale of their small handcrafts to live. Unlike other aspects of this trip, I am not envious of this excursion. Scott loves shopping in a Ugandan market…I do not. Scott loves interacting with the merchants, arguing over prices, and making the sale. I would rather do anything than haggle! For Scott, it is fun. In fact, he has been known on an occasion or two to barter, and once acquiring his desired price, pay the merchant the original asking price! I can just imagine him and our friend, Tevin, weaving together through the narrow paths around mats, piles of beads, and umbrellas. On the hunt!

Overall, Scott sounds in good spirits. It is hard not to be together there to talk over the many things that need discussing. But I hope this separation will drive us each to our heavenly father for wisdom and direction. There will be much to report upon his return, but for now, here are ways to pray.

Prayer Requests:

Meetings: Please continue to lift up the many meetings of Ranch on Jesus directors, staff, etc with Scott. Scott has been spending most of his time in meetings discussing the outlook and current needs of the ministry.

Health: Scott sounded like he was coming down with a cold yesterday. Pray this doesn’t take hold.

Retreat: Scott anticipates taking a retreat with Theophilus next week to focus, pray, and plan. More details to follow.

Funds: Please pray for continual funding of the ministry. Every time we are in Uganda the immense and obvious needs are impossible to ignore. We struggle to meet this needs on a regular basis and desperately need more partners to help support the wonderful work being done for the Kingdom in Mutungo, Uganda.

Faith: Please pray that the Laslos, Kamaras, and all those involved in the ministry have faith and perseverance in the midst of overwhelming obstacle. Pray that we would take God at His word and trust God to provide. He can do more and above all that we ask or imagine!

Homecoming

I am happy to report that after nearly 24 hours in transit, Scott has arrived safely in Uganda! His plane touched down at the airport this afternoon (evening in Uganda). When he phoned me, Scott was riding down Entebbe Road with Theophilus Kamara.

I didn't even need to close my eyes to be able to picture the darkened, shadowy scenery of that drive from Entebbe toward the city. Brightly painted billboards and buildings all shrouded by the very thick darkness of an African night. People so black that they are nearly invisible.

As they exit the heart of Entebbe town and round the bend of the two lane highway, Lake Victoria, big and shining, will fill up the view from the car window like the ocean does. I am in the backseat with the window cracked, feeling the breeze off the lake, listening to Theophilus' comforting voice, smiling.

Except I am here, at this laptop in my parent's American kitchen, strangely sorrowful...and tearful.

My excitement couldn't be bigger. My enthusiasm couldn't be higher. Scott is in Uganda and I am overjoyed for him. I anticipate the many things God is going to do. I am grateful for this opportunity for my husband to be with those we love, do this work for the ministry, and have time to quiet his soul alone with God.

But I am not in the backseat...as I always am. So I am crying.

In my heart I am there. Tomorrow the Land Cruiser will turn down a dusty, bumpy dirt road. Up the hill past the turquoise walls of a small four room house on the left. Up and up the hill to the iron sheet gate on the right. Honk five times and the gate opens magically. You are in Ranch on Jesus. The faces and gestures of each individual child are so clear. The mannerisms, the greetings, the smiles. They will all surround Scott with shouts and hugs and laughter. And he will be asked five hundred times, "How is Mama Jamie? How is Kyamagero?" I hope he tells them that he packed us in his suitcase. Because while I am here...I am really there.

I realize that a pair of ruby slippers is not likely to find its way to me this evening. But there truly is no place like home. And there is no home quite like Ranch on Jesus.

I thank God for where He has placed me...left me. I ask Him to make me productive and bold in my efforts to serve the children while Scott is away. I know that this will not be the first trip to Uganda that Scott makes alone. While many of my children live eight thousand miles from Alabama, there is a precious girl here who needs her mommy. And one day there will be more. Only God can be omnipresent.

But I also praise Him for the heart that longs to be there. I am grateful that He has caused me to care so passionately and feel it so deeply. To invest my emotion in something grander and greater than myself even though I so rarely get to experience the nearness and closeness of those I serve in my beautiful home away from home. I still thank Him that He has given me this opportunity to love.

I also thank Him because one day He will gather us up. All together forever. Those longings and heartaches we feel now on this broken earth will fade in place of joy and fellowship with one another...and with Him. Painful separation always leads to more joyful reunions. None so joyful as that on the eternal shore.

I am glad that Scott gets to taste a small bit of this joy today. An hour won't pass where I won't imagine what he is doing, where he is sitting, who he is with, and remain with all of my heart...prayerful.

Bon Voyage: January Sojurn to Uganda

Below is an email sent out last week to our friends and supporters concerning Scott's January trip to Uganda.

Dear Friends,

We hope your holiday season was full of joy and that your 2009 is already off to a fine start! We at Pearl Ministries are thanking God for seeing us through another year. Though full of struggles, challenges, and more, we saw God sustain us in His faithfulness and goodness. We thank Him for the opportunity to trust Him and for the life of each precious child in Uganda we were able to touch for His glory. We pray 2009 will be a time of overflowing blessing and opportunity.

Even within the first few days of 2009 we have had an exciting opportunity unfold for us. In a providential and sudden turn of events, Scott will be headed to Uganda this week! On Sunday evening his KLM flight departs from the Atlanta airport. He plans to spend ten days with the Kamaras at Ranch on Jesus Orphanage Ministries. Scott will spend this time in Uganda strategizing with the leadership of Ranch on Jesus and planning for the year ahead. This is a crucial time in the ministry, when many key decisions need to be made.

We are asking you, our friends and supporters, to bathe Scott's trip to Uganda in prayer. Please ask the Lord to give wisdom, humility, and faith to all parties. We look forward to updating you on the trip after Scott's return, January 22nd. If you would like to contribute toward the expenses of Scott's trip, please send checks to Pearl Ministries, 100 Woodsdale Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

Our thanks to the many of you who have been such an instrumental part of this kingdom work through your prayers, encouragement, financial support and love.

Gratefully in Christ,
The Laslos