He Restores their Soles

Play a game with me. Walk to your closet and count how many pairs of shoes you own. I counted mine. Somewhere around 20. I was kind of surprised. I didn't think it would be so many. I tried to justify it by reasoning that changing seasons required me to own a larger sum. Sandals for summer. Boots for winter. Then I needed shoes for running. Some for rare formal occasions and some for everyday use. Even then it still seemed like a lot.

Not only do I own so many pairs of shoes, but I have hand chosen each pair to suit my sensibilities and personal sense of style. My shoes aren't just for function. They are for fashion. I may be a missionary, but I'm still a woman. I love shoes. I haven't spent a fortune on them. But $20 here and there adds up over the years. I have taken very good care of my soles!

A feminine love affair with shoes isn't reserved for only us Western gals either. As I looked through Scott's Uganda photos I chuckled, admiring Sarah Kamara's perfectly color coordinated footwear. Pink pointy toed high heels with a pink business suit. Gold strappy sandals with her gold accented traditional wear. Sarah is BIG on matching. Below is her banana dress complete with matching yellow wedges.

But as I continued to cruise through Scott's trip photos I soon came upon this:

Who is this little girl and why is she so happy? She is an orphan from Bless the Children Ministries in Maabale, Uganda. Previous to this photo taken she had been likely going barefoot and she did NOT have the required black shoes needed to complete her school uniform. Now she not only has a pair of shoes for school, she is also the proud owner of a new pair of croc style footwear! She probably didn't care too much about if these shoes coordinated with the one or two outfits she owns. She was grateful just to have her feet protected.

She is not alone. Sixty three other orphaned children were fitted in Scott's "shoe store" set up for a day in the church. Children who were walking on calloused bare feet now had care for their soles. How much did it cost? About $5.00 a child. Five dollars. Sixty four children. Three hundred and twenty dollars.

As I stared hard at this photo of these beautiful children I couldn't help but break down in tears. It cost so little. It cost so very very little to do something so generous for these little ones who own next to nothing. These shoes significantly improve the quality of their lives. It was like looking at a photo of the Gospel. The more I gazed at their faces I was convinced that I would have found a way to get them those shoes even if they had cost 20...50...100 dollars a pair. Priceless.

The Gospel is a triumphant story of God restoring souls. But I also praise Him that He cares about our soles as well. These children are growing up in a place where they are being lovingly nurtured in Christ but they also need shoes. I thank God that He was able to use us to make that a reality in their lives. I don't want it to stop here either. If you look closely at the photo below you will notice many other barefoot children. There are so many other little ones who need their souls and soles restored. It is a priceless gift I want to keep passing on.

I am going to play another game with myself. The next time I am tempted to snatch up a tempting pair of red high heels or sleek ankle boots I'm going to pause and think of that joyful little girl in Maabale. If I can afford them for me then I can certainly afford them for her. So I will take that sum and set it aside for shoes for Ugandan children. Because what I really want most of all is to see more smiling children and no more bare feet. I'll let you know how it goes. If you'd like, I invite you to play along.

Southern Women's Show Recap

2009 Annual Southern Women's Show!

Thursday afternoon I pulled up to the dry cleaners to pick up Scott's freshly laundered slacks. The owner opened the door to hang up our order and said, "Wow, looks like you all are moving!" I thought it was a strange observation until I turned around and saw the stacks of boxes and bins filling the back half of my van. I hadn't even noticed them before. "No..." I sighed, "No, we're not moving."

My van is often full of random objects and ministry supplies, which is why I hadn't even realized that it looked a little odd. The bag boys at my local Publix have gotten used to coming up with creative ways to cram my bags full of groceries into sporadic nooks and crannies. It just comes with the territory I guess, and it is now a natural part of our lifestyle.

Why were there so many boxes in my car this week? The Southern Women's Show! Thursday through Sunday, Pearl Ministries set up our crafts store at this large event at a convention center in downtown Birmingham, AL.

It was a hustling bustling carnival of women buying everything from gourmet dip to perfume. It was NUTS! It was the largest event we'd ever participated in and it was a lot of work. But at the end of the day we got to talk to a lot of women about our ministry and sold $2,400 in African goods! Once we deduct our sales tax and registration fee that leaves us with roughly $1,800 in profits to benefit children in Uganda!

On Wednesday we head over to Samford University to set up shop in the Student Center. We'll be there two days engaging students, meeting staff and hopefully selling a lot of jewelry! Come by and see us, or contact us to have us set up a jewelry shop in YOUR home or workplace this holiday season! jamie@pearlministries.org

My Guy is 29!

I thought I'd be spending the majority of this week caring for a jet-lagged husband. In fact, it has turned out to be quite the opposite. My jet-lagged husband has been tending to me. As much as I hate to admit it, I am sick.

When I am sick I do what most mommies do...deny it. How am I supposed to take care of my toddler if I am confined to the couch slurping chicken soup? It just isn't practical to be ill. So all week I have been ignoring my symptoms until they finally got the better of me and today I have spent my morning on the couch consuming large quantities of canned soup.

And, of course, I had to be sick this week of all weeks! This is Scott's homecoming week and his birthday is on Thursday. I had visions of perfection...a perfectly organized house...perfectly prepared dinners...and perfect health. Instead I am surrounded by piles of laundry, unwashed dishes and Kleenex.

It wasn't just a big week for our family, either. It was a significantly busy week for the ministry. Fall is intense for non-profit organizations. It is a time of serious fundraising and events. This is especially true for a ministry like ours that participates in lots of seasonal craft fairs. Pearl Ministries is kicking off our fall schedule with a double header. Four full days at the Southern Women's Show in downtown Birmingham and a Saturday selling crafts at the Whistle Stop Festival in Irondale, AL.

We're busy, and I am feeling like a dead weight. My mind even feels fuzzy as I attempt to type these words. I know Scott will scold me later, but it is challenging to just sit and do nothing when so much is going on around me!

But obviously God is also Lord over germs and knew I'd be under the weather this week. It is hard for me to accept it, but He did. I pray he'll heal me so I can be of more use this week, but I also pray I'll be humble enough to accept my limitations and allow others to do and do for me while I'm down.

But I want to do something for this amazing man who does so much for me and for others!

In tribute to my husband, it has been truly awesome to see his determination and service to all those around him despite his intense exhaustion and jet-lag. He drove me home from Atlanta on Monday immediately after his transatlantic flight landed. He has helped me with Vivian-fed her breakfast every morning and taken her to preschool. He has been in the office, working tirelessly, running errands all around Birmingham and leading meetings in the evening (which feels like 4 am to his body...) He does this without complaining. He does it joyfully because he

cares more about the people he just left behind in Uganda than he does about himself.

I feel helpless to make Scott's birthday special tomorrow. I can't think of any way to thank him enough for taking such good care of me or our many many children. Scott does have a special Birthday Wish on his facebook page, and he told me today all he truly cares about for his birthday is making sure the kids at Ranch on Jesus have what they need by the end of the month. Scott's wish can be viewed at:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/birthdays/152791?m=e0bc6388

If you'd like to give to Scott by giving to these little ones in Uganda, I know he'd be deeply grateful. So would I.

Homeward Bound

After nearly a month in the Pearl of Africa my husband, Scott, arrives home this afternoon. I'll be leaving shortly to pick him up at Hartsfield International Airport. I'm slightly in shock. I've been waiting for this day for quite a while and it is hard to believe it is finally here! Thank you all who have prayed for Scott and our family while he was overseas. I am sure he will have much to report. So please check back through the week for fresh stories and pictures of Scott's trip here on the blog.

Facing Goliath

"He's big (Goliath) but God's bigger

And when I think of Him that's when I figure

With His help little guys can do big things too."

Jr. Asparagus

It was one of those weeks. Long and busy. I think I did more driving in the last four days than I've done in the past four weeks combined. It was a nice change of pace, though. It was pretty exciting to actually get to implement one of our new campaigns. After months of conceptualization and preparation, we were finally at the point of launching our big idea into action!

Wednesday morning I dropped my daughter off at preschool and cruised over to Samford University to cover a shift at our THINK table. I was to be going solo that morning (no pun intended...). It was bound to be one of our slower shifts based on the university's class schedule. I didn't mind. I didn't feel prepared to face a crowd all by my lonesome, and this way I'd be able to be more intentional with the few students who did stroll by.

But honestly, about an hour into my duties, I started to get a little bored. Foot traffic was sporadic and I had too much time with my thoughts. My thoughts can be good company, but sometimes they get a little serious if left unchecked. By the end of my shift it was hard to say whether I felt encouraged or discouraged.

I was full of enthusiasm upon my morning arrival at the table. Overall, it is always encouraging to have any opportunity to tell folks about the ministry. I've written it here before, but every quarter that is donated to the ministry is welcomed and deeply appreciated. I felt that appreciation Wednesday morning staring down into our collection jar full of nickels and pennies. It made me happy.

Still, I knew it was going to take a lot more than a handful of nickels and pennies to do much good for the vulnerable children at Ranch on Jesus...not to mention the multitudes of other hurting people in Uganda.

My mind turned to Scott and some recent conversations we'd been having. I tried to see through his eyes and imagine everything he was witnessing and the people he was with. Those formerly barefoot orphans in Mabaale. The bright student unable to afford university. The blank faces of street kids begging in Kampala. The crippled men on the sidewalks unfit to work. The Christian woman abused by her drunk husband. The pastors working tirelessly without pay to change things.

It is estimated that every six seconds one child somewhere in the world dies from malnutrition. SIX SECONDS. Ten children per minute. Six hundred children per hour. That means in the time I had been standing with my cups at Samford that morning over 1,200 little people had died somewhere on the globe. That was just during one shift.

My coins didn't feel so mighty anymore.

I felt like Owen Wilson in Shanghai Noon - trying to dig myself out of the dessert with a pair of chopsticks. Did I really believe what I was preaching about spare change adding up to make a difference? Could we even begin to make any dent in global poverty with a bunch of blue cups and a few hundred college students? I felt like a single rain drop in the ocean, a drop not even large enough to make a ripple.

Still conversing with my thoughts, I packed up my gear and rushed off to pick Vivian up from preschool. She greeted me joyfully, and as always we turned on the car stereo so she could listen to Bob and Larry. Veggie Tale's Greatest Hits is her musical preference for every excursion these days, and she insists that we start the CD afresh beginning with track one each time we key up the engine. This means by the time we turn into our neighborhood we'll be listening to Jr. Asparagus sing about fighting goliath...or in his case, a giant pickle.

I know all the songs by heart. I usually tune them out, but in a weak effort to drown out my exhaustingly dreary thoughts I began to sing along. As we approached the house I cranked up the volume and Vivian kicked her Keds in the air with the rhythm. We rounded the corner to pull up our road, and I couldn't help it. I burst into laughter.

Here was my answer from the Lord...coming straight from the squeaky voice of an animated asparagus. "God's bigger."

The song Viv and I were enjoying comes from a Veggie Tales film depicting the story of David, a small shepherd boy who goes out to face a Philistine giant, Goliath, in one on one combat. We all know the story. Right? It's one of those basic ones we master before grade school. A staple in the children's diet of Old Testament Bible tales. "Only a boy named David....only a little sling..."

I don't know how the historical account of David vs. Goliath got classified as predominantly felt board material. As endearing and valuable as "Dave and the Giant Pickle" (the title of the Veggie Tales version) is, the Biblical account of David and Goliath wasn't primarily targeted for little people. It was targeted for grownups...for big "little people."

Most of us well intended "big little people" like to use the story of David and Goliath for kids (minus the graphic decapitation scene) because the lesson is so simple and vivid. Boy believes God is mighty enough to use him to take down a giant that an entire army is afraid of. With only a sling, some pebbles and faith, David nails Goliath between the eyes and he's toast. We want to clearly show our children while they're young that with God all things are possible. That when we go out in the name of the Lord, we can defeat the enemy against all odds...just like David did Goliath.

The problem is when we grow up we look back fondly on David and Goliath the way we do Santa Claus. A nice fable with good principles. A shepherd boy with a sling couldn't slay a giant any sooner than a fat old man could fit down every chimney in the world over the course of one night! Impossible. Or maybe it was possible back then for them. But God just doesn't do things like that anymore...or at least we haven't seen him do any...have we?

When none of us kids went home from Sunday School and saw giants tumble in our backyards, we started to wonder if the story had any clout. Most of us got practical sometime in our teen years. It happened gradually, but eventually we began to function as pragmatists, assenting with our minds that God is able to do ANYTHING and defeat ANY foe, but our actions demonstrated that our hearts aren't so sure.

My favorite section in the Veggie Tales rendition, and where I really started giggling in the car is when King Saul begins singing out his attempt to help prepare David for the impossible task ahead of him. When King Saul first heard of David's confidence to approach Goliath he replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

If only I had a dollar for every time that reasoning was defied in the Bible! Over and over again God chooses the youngest, weakest, most unlikely candidate to perform His most special missions. Moses, Gideon, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Timothy. I encourage myself with that knowledge all the time. God works through inexperienced young people. He works mightily.

Once King Saul agrees to let this crazy shepherd boy face the giant he does his best to prepare him for the battle. He gives David what he deems to be the very best tools: his own personal armor and sword. He tries to shape David into a warrior he feels more confident in backing and presenting on the field. Saul doesn't think David has much of a chance, but at least this might help improve his odds a bit.

Over the years we've had many different folks consult us offering their perspectives on ways to improve our ministry. Most of them revolve around methods of marketing and image. I know these various sources meant well. Some of the ideas were good, and quite insightful. But on most occasions the pros giving us the consult just didn't "fit."

A couple of years ago as we strolled down a Chattanooga sidewalk after a meeting, Scott looked at me thoughtfully and said, "I feel like David when King Saul tried to send him out to fight Goliath dressed up in all that royal armor." YES! I thought. He hit the nail on the head. It was as if it wasn't enough to say we're going out confidently in the name of the Lord, just as we are, to take down the giant suffering of children in Uganda. We needed more gear. We needed some shiney armor and a big sword. It just looked too ridiculous for us to stand up against such a powerful foe with such little protection or provision. Wouldn't we get squashed? Would anyone actually be crazy enough to follow us? How would we ever survive?

But just as David looked and felt ridiculous in Saul's armor, so Scott and I felt ridiculous trying to pretend we were something we were not. We were young and relatively inexperienced. We didn't have armies of accountants, lawyers, and PR people. We didn't want them either. We had no desire to pitch our ministry as a sales opportunity or business idea. We didn't want to guilt people into giving by playing with their emotions or exploiting stories and images of innocent children. Maybe in the short run we'd raise a lot more money if we dressed up our "look" with shiny campaigns, impressively calculated financial plans, and the perfect strategy. Maybe we'd look more like a capable warrior, someone you'd want to get up and go fight behind...or at least pay to do your fighting for you. But in our case, we didn't feel that was God's way. We just wanted to be wise, simple, transparent and honest. We wanted to plainly and straightforwardly do what Jesus said. No tricks. No gimmicks. We'd just have to let the Holy Spirit do His work in spite of our shortcomings.

In the Bible God doesn't often use big awesome warriors or put together people to advance His Kingdom. He uses unarmed shepherd boys, chronic liars, men with speech impediments, unwed mothers and impulsive fishermen. And then there is Jesus, who gave himself over to death, whose ministry "image" was not what most marketers would dub polished. He drove people off with his unusual teachings and straightforward rebukes. If these are the types of people and efforts God uses, why would I want to pretend to be anything otherwise?

Please don't think I'm advocating some foolish willy-nilly approach to kingdom work. I DO believe in the integrity of training, accountability, engaging creativity and other useful and practical means of serving. I don't think God wanted the armies of Israel to just sit around getting lax and then suddenly when a foe approached get up and expect some sort of phenomenal miracle. Yes, we are to trust him, but inside that trust we are to act with all the natural ability and brain he created us with.

Yet there comes a point where using that ability and brain starts to edge out the simple trust God asks us to place in His power. We get more and more confident in our carefully designed battle plans and aware enough of our skills that pretty soon we are no different than the armies of Israel, standing on the sidelines, weighing the human odds and figuring this was one battle we could never win.

Maybe that is why the church as a whole does very little to address sin around the world. Its just TOO BIG. We try to manage our personal problems and vices. We tackle projects that seem more manageable or fixable. We continue to let these Goliaths traipse about the planet, insulting God's people and filling the air with ugly noise because we don't want to deal with them.

But I don't want to be like that. I want to be the little girl who sat in Sunday School confident that any foe could be conquered by me if I just called on the name of the LORD. That is what Jr. Asparagus is teaching my toddler, and that is what I want her to see her mommy doing every day. I want to say with little David, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

So here he is, my personal, grown up Goliath. Poverty and the enslaving web of social injustice in Africa. He is HUGE, snaring many helpless souls in his suffocating grasp. He is a minion of the evil one, terrorizing the majority of the world, challenging God's goodness, peace, mercy and love. He makes me angry. He makes me mad. Just like Goliath he taunts the servants of the Living God, making us doubt the Lord's promises and provision for us, acting as if he is the one with authority when he has no dominion at all. That is why I can say confidently with the shepherd boy David:

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

I refuse to sit on the sidelines. I will fight him for the battle is the LORD's and the whole world must know that there is a God. He does not save by sword or by spear. So what do I go out to face the giant with each morning? A tiny little ministry that is always short on cash. A handful of empty blue cups. I know it seems impossible. I know I look a fool. But I believe. At the core of my being I believe just what Jr. Asparagus sang "He's big, but God's bigger."

He will hand Goliath over to me, over to His people. Through the large victories and the small ones. Now and in the future. He will give all of them over into our hands.

Then one little stone went up in the air and the sling went round and round

One little stone went up in the air and the sling went round and round

And round and round and round and round

And round and round and round

Then one little stone went up in the air.......................

And the giant came tumbling down!

Getting Samford to THINK

I hate being bothered by people. Isn't that a terrible thing to admit? Here I am blogging about absence of community, but when I'm out shopping, walking, or working I generally like to be left to myself. It must be that little bit of Emily Dickinson getting the better of me.

Anyway, this week at Samford University I was the one doing the bothering. Don't you hate it when tables get turned like that? Along with Ashleigh and Lauren, I had the chance to stand behind our ministry table in the campus plaza to hand out blue Solo cups to any passing student

who'd accept one. (If you want to know why we were handing out blue Solo cups, read my previous post.)

"Do you have a blue cup yet? Do you have a blue cup yet? Do YOU have a blue cup yet?

I was proud of us. It isn't easy to be that bold with total strangers. Scott would chuckle. Boldness is his middle name. Once when he needed to make copies for the ministry he stopped at a church he was driving past and asked the secretary if he could use the copier. Amazingly, she said "yes." My jaw dropped as Scott casually told me of this excursion. To him, it was no big deal. I would never dream of doing such a thing.

It shouldn't come as a surprise then, that as we kicked off our campaign at Samford on Tuesday, all I could think was why isn't Scott here?!? He is made for these types of events. Fearless in a crowd and impossible to intimidate.

But now that the week is over, I think I know why he wasn't with us. We needed to do it without him. We needed to learn. We had to step out from behind that table to be courageous and confident for the sake of the little ones we are serving. Scott wasn't there to fall back on. We had to force ourselves to stop caring so much about what people thought of us, and care more about what God thought of us. We grew and we were encouraged.

Most of the students we approached were friendly or enthusiastic. Most took cups. There were quite a few, though, who didn't. Or they did their darnedest to avoid us. Skirting the table by yards, whipping their cell phones out to hurriedly write a text, looking the other way. I didn't take it personally. I understood. I was able to spot their tactics because I have employed them on many occasions, especially when a mall kiosk worker is walking around with samples of perfume.

But we weren't selling bottles of perfume. We weren't selling anything. We were just advertising an opportunity to do a little bit of good for some very needy children. It didn't cost anything. The chance to take a cup was free. A student would have to decide for him or herself whether or not they would fill it. Hopefully, they do.

At the end of three long days of cup distribution we'd given out close to 500 cups with literature about Ranch on Jesus and this specific campaign. Our little change jar on the table already held over 53 dollars in coins and small bills! We're off to a fantastic start. Collection day is November 19th. Stay tuned...

Think: Do Something Priceless with your Change

FACT:

TWO MILLION DOLLARS in PENNIES are lost or thrown away each year.

THINK:

Do something priceless with your change.

This morning Pearl Ministries launched our first official THINK campaign over at Samford University. What is THINK? It's a spare change drive centered on asking people to think about the way small changes can add up to make a big difference for children in need. We're asking folks to fill a blue cup with change and turn it in to the Ranch on Jesus Fund which helps supply the food, clothing and medical needs of the vulnerable children living at the Ranch on Jesus Orphanage Home in Uganda.

It takes roughly $2,000 dollars a year to fully support one child at Ranch. That averages out to only $5.50 per day! Think about the little ways we leak out five dollars over the course of 24 hours. Lattes, clothing and CDs. These purchases aren't bad. But what if from time to time we paused to think and deposited that change into the life of another.

The Blue Cup is a tangible and convenient way to store up coins for others who desperately need the basics of life. Fill it alone. Fill it as a family. There are a million innovative ways to easily implement this simple fundraiser into the lives of others.

Want to get THINK going with your campus, sports team or Sunday School class? Just want to learn more? Visit: http://pearlministries.org/?page_id=114 for details and a start up instructions.

With a LARGE team of people doing something small we can collectively make a LARGE impact on the world.

On the Road Again!

Thanks to all those who prayed for the rioting to settle down in Kampala this week. Praise the Lord that things have cooled off and the city is open once again. To understand the roots of the rioting the following article from the NY Times is quite helpful http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/world/africa/12uganda.html?_r=2&hpw

The closure of most city roads prevented Scott from departing for Mabaale as originally planned. He was delayed about 36 hours. But we are praising God that he and Theophilus are now on the road and well into the 5 hour trip that will lead them to Pastor Francis and New Life Presbyterian Church.

Mabaale is located in the west of Uganda, the region where Theophilus originally hails from. I became connected with Pastor Francis back in 2004 on our first trip to Uganda through Covenant College. Francis was working with our team as a translator in the city of Ft. Portal. Francis and his wife, Topi, were originally members of the PCU church in Fort Portal where he served as a deacon and eventually an elder. As the church grew, Francis was commissioned by the session to go deeper into the village to plant a new church. Out of this New Life Presbyterian Church in Mabaale was born.

I was immediately drawn to Francis due to his genuine humility, sacrificial spirit and zeal for ministry. He is a remarkable servant of God. Over the years Scott and I have had many opportunities to minister with and to Francis both in Uganda and in the USA. (The providential tale of how Francis won a second trip to the USA will have to wait for another day...)

New Life Presbyterian Church has grown from a small plant to a mother church founding cell group churches in the surrounding villages. Mabaale is a rural town, very poor and very immersed in corrupted pagan religion. But through the prayers and vibrant evangelism ministry of the church, they are seeing many people turning to Christ.

Another thriving ministry of NLPC is Bless the Children Ministries. Developed to care for the orphans and vulnerable children of the village, New Life helps place orphans in to church members' homes, provide necessary materials for healthy life, and send them to school. Francis and Topi themselves in addition to their own biological children, have several children they have adopted over the years.

This church body is extremely generous and compassionate. But they are also remarkably poor. This area of Uganda is remote and very undeveloped. People struggle in a much more desperate way than in some of the areas surrounding Kampala. Our hearts are stirred to act on Bless the Children's Behalf. While we are not able to lend much aid at this point in time, we are exploring opportunities to serve them in the future.

On this particular trip, Scott is carting along several bags full of goods for Francis and his people. In particular he is taking dozens and dozens of pairs of shoes he hauled over the ocean from the USA. Scott searched thrift stores for weeks trying to collect nice shoes in the proper sizes. Why go through all that trouble? Why not just send Francis money to buy them there?

Well, would you believe that a pair of USED children's shoes, the black dress style they are required to wear in school, cost anywhere from $10 to $20 in a Ugandan market!? Due to this expense, the 60+ kids in the care of Bless the Children Ministries were BAREFOOT. Yes, barefoot on the dirt roads where worms and germs are commonplace. No shoes means no school. No shoes means more blisters, cuts and wounds. We at Pearl viewed this as an emergency. It is simply unacceptable that my toddler has 4 or 5 pairs of shoes in her closet and these bigger kids had NONE.

The Lord really met this need. Scott found beautiful used shoes at bottom line prices for the kids at Mabaale. Because he saved so much cash, we were also able to buy them "house shoes," croc like knock offs that they can wear around their homes to spare their school shoes from damage.

I truly look forward to seeing the photos of the children being fitted, and will make sure to post some as soon as Scott returns. It is like a Cinderella story, only better.

I should mention that Pearl Ministries DOES regularly accept nice, sturdy black dress style shoes in a wide range of sizes. They should be closed toe with no or low heel. If you would like to donate such shoes now or in the future, there is always a need. Simple contact me at jamie@pealministries.org.

Please pray for Scott and Theophilus' safe arrival in Mabaale, a productive visit, and encouragement for all-especially those dear brothers and sisters in the church. Please also pray that peace continues to reign in Kampala.

Breaking News: Rioting in Kampala

Vivian and I started our morning with a bowl of cheerios and a video chat with Scott and Theophilus. They were sitting at 1000 Cups, an awesome Ugandan coffee house in the city. "By the way," Scott said casually, "there is rioting in town."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"People are upset about something concerning the king of Buganda (tribal king of the Bugandan people). There were lots of policemen armed with shields and tear gas. Pray for us because we're about to drive home."

Scott told me on the phone that some cars were being burned due to the riot...

Ugandan police head out to face crowds. I have passed this building many times...

By and large Uganda is a quiet and peaceful nation. Disturbances and violence are relatively low compared to other African countries. But as many Ugandans are aware, peace in a developing nation is not always a secure thing. Idi Amin's reign of terror 30 years ago still reigns in their memories. Under the placid surface lie tensions that if provoked and manipulated could rupture.

The heart of the rioting is occurring near the Buganda palace, the residency of the King. This is blocks from Mark and Martha Kamara's school. Many roads were shut down and barricaded in the area, but thankfully, they were able to fetch the children and bring them home before anything more serious occurred.

I do not think these particular riots are a very serious threat. But I DO think they reveal that political tensions and unrest are actively present in the Pearl. Upcoming elections and possible shifts in power create many possible story lines that plague the imagination. All we can do is pray and trust God, that He will protect this tiny nation where SO MANY faithfully call upon His name.

For more details on the current rioting visit the BBC News Africa page or click the following http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4438090.stm

Also visit New Vision's online site, http://www.newvision.co.ug/ New Vision is the leading newspaper in Uganda.

It seems that city life will be shutting down for the next couple of days. This alters Scott's plans some. He sounds completely fine, and not too worried about the unrest, but Sarah is nervous. Mutungo, where Ranch on Jesus is based, is just 13 km from Kampala. It is unlikely that the rioting will spread to our area, nevertheless pray that the disturbances are quickly and calmly contained and that peace would reign in the hearts of those at Ranch.

Wrestling, Wedding and Won Souls for Christ

I figured its high time I post another update on how Scott is faring in the Pearl, instead of prattling on about my own woes. I've been able to talk to him a lot. The time change actually works out for well for us. Scott is a thorough morning person, and I do quite well in the evening. 11 pm here is 7 am there. Perfect. I get to end my day talking to Scott and he begins his morning talking to me.

What I have gleaned: he is happy. I have always noticed that Scott smiles and laughs more in Uganda. I think a lot of this comes from the fulfilment of doing intensive ministry. Part of it comes from the pure love of the culture. But much of it is born out of the relationships there. Scott gets to spend a whole month ahoulder to shoulder with his best bud...Theophilus.

Every time I talk to them together they are always laughing and giggling like school girls. They are so funny together. Makes me wish I were there instead of on the other end of a telephone trying to make out the jokes through the static.

Yesterday Scott told me excitedly that he and Kamara (in Uganda it is really common to refer to someone...especially a male...by his second name) were going to watch wrestling tonight on the small TV in the sitting room. And before you think this is some sort of legitimate sporting event, they weren't going to watch real wrestling. They were going to watch, as Theophilus says it, "American wrestling." What does this mean? WWF Smackdown! No joke. They both love it.

You should have seen them the day they discovered they had a mutual love for the the "sport." They were giddy. "But Kamara," I said "It's FAKE!" "I know, I know," he said shaking his head, "but when it is playing on the screen I cannot turn my eyes away." Scott beamed. He totally agreed.

At home I don't let Scott watch WWF when I'm around. I just can't stand it. The whole thing is one big ridiculous show. Sarah's in my camp. She hates wrestling, but this weekend it was two against one. I guess I am happy for them in some bizarre sort of way, but I just don't get it. I don't think I ever will.

Before the wrestling Scott and the family were attending a wedding at the local church. Ugandan weddings are quite a celebration. There is actually a long, detailed process leading up to the wedding day. It is a strange cross cultural blending of western traditions (white dress, cake, etc) done in a totally Ugandan way. You kind of just have to be there to understand...

Everyone at Ranch was able to be at the wedding because the crusade wrapped up on Friday night. After a long week of sharing the Gospel, preaching, singing, dancing, films and MORE, the program finally came to a close.

The last two nights were especially sweet. Scott said hearts had been very hard the first few nights, but by Thursday and Friday evening, people were confessing, repenting and asking to follow Jesus. I talked to Sarah yesterday just as she was arriving home from the grand finale. "PRAISE GOD, Mama Jamie!" she cheered. She was so delighted to see God move through her efforts.

In typical Sarah fashion the last night of the crusade included a lot of gift giving. She wrapped presents for all the guest preachers AND gifts for many of the children in the crowd. Scott said there was practically a stampede. Sarah had raided all the storage units at Ranch and snatched up every unused, extra or unneeded item to give away to the community kids. (For more stories of Sarah's extreme generosity search for the post Learning From Sarah). By the end of the night dozens of kids were waving glow bracelets I had brought to the Ranch children last summer. It is so amazing that even when Ranch has so many needs, Sarah and the kids are eager to share what little we have.

Now that the crusade is complete, Scott will be spending his next week in administrative work, some errands for our craft program, etc. Then he'll be heading out to Maabale to visit Pastor Francis and New Life Presbyterian Church.

He's busy, he's happy, and he's also broke...having given much of his personal trip funds to cover unexpected expenses from the crusade. "Your husband does not have a single coin on his body," Theophilus chuckled to me on the phone last night. "He is as poor as a church mouse," Sarah chimed with her quiet giggle. Why do they laugh? Because they themselves are often in the same position, dead broke for Ranch. What does this say to them-that we love them. We really love them.

In a follow up note for my previous post: Butterbean wasn't a total bust. My folks pants were soaked up to the knee, and I'm praying they don't get sick from their moist morning. But the rain eventually stopped, and in a two hour window we raised $425. Not bad. AND I got my funnel cake-right before the guy ran out of batter. Pretty sweet.

Hissyfit

This past week has been rotten. I don't think I'm exaggerating (which my husband will say I tend to do.) It really has been one of the worst weeks on record in my recent history. A couple of days ago I received devastating news concerning a dear friend. I have felt ill and somewhat disoriented ever since. It doesn't help that I am into my second week of bachelorette living with a toddler. I love my child-but my heart goes out to anyone raising kids without a spouse. I was so used to help, or at least a sympathetic ear to vent to at the end of a long hard day!

On top of my personal plights, I am reminded by the aching void in the ministry's bank account that there are several dozen other people whose personal plights are largely linked to me. I am currently helpless to help them. The ministry's financial transition from August into September is always tight for some reason. And the reports I am getting from Uganda, though full of spiritual triumph, are hinting that the kids' food is being strictly rashioned so we can send them back to school next week.

I had been optimistic, however, because this weekend we were due to sell crafts at a large festival near our home. My parents drove over for the weekend, giving up their entire Saturday, to work Pearl Ministries' booth at Pinson's Butterbean Festival.

As I was crankily, yet hopefully, awakened by their departure for the fair at 5:30 AM this morning, I also noticed a dreadful sound...RAIN. I comforted myself with the likelihood that the rain would cease before the festival's kickoff at 9. But when I rolled out of bed at 7:30 and scurried over to weather.com, I was alarmed to see a large green spot hovering over Birmingham. It was due to linger all day, drenching us for hours and drenching our sales at Butterbean.

This was like the final nail in my coffin. The last inch at the end of my rope. The straw that broke this camel's back.

I loaded Vivian in the minivan and headed off to Publix, as if this pure act of exiting the house would cause the clouds to flee. As we zoomed along, the windshield wipers and Viv grooving to Bob the tomato singing "God is Bigger than the Bogey Man," I could not wipe the scowl off of my face. I admit it, I was mad. I don't often get mad. You have to push me pretty hard. But this morning I glared at the road ahead of me and told Jesus I didn't get it.

After all the heartbreak of the week before...despite the crying bellies of orphans in Uganda...irregardless of this BIG opportunity to raise a hefty sum of DESPERATELY needed cash, it was RAINING?!? And to top it all off I wanted to eat a funnel cake!!! Instead I was stuck at home in a monsoon with a teething toddler who had been throwing temper tantrums all morning. (Need I mention she drew on our beige sofa with a pen after breakfast?) So what did I decide to do? Throw one myself. A nice fat temper tantrum-protesting my Father, protesting His forecast, protesting this tragic, frustrating week.

I have never been much of a why? person since coming to Christ seven years ago. And you really can't be if you want to be fully engaged in ministry to the poor. You have to trust Him and not get caught up in the reasoning of it all. I'm not talking about being robots or numb or impervious to questions. I just mean that if you allow yourself to get caught up in asking God why He allows certain things to happen, why He makes the road so difficult, etc. you'll go crazy, get bitter or become crushed under a load of care He never asked you to carry in the first place.

But after this morning, I am noticing a few more chinks in my armor. Seems I am not as impervious to shaking my fist at God and despairing as I thought I was. This morning my question wasn't as much why?, but WHERE? Different question. Similar sentiments. Where are you, Lord? Why don't you do something? Don't you care? "Don't you care if we drown!?" (Mark 4:38)

I grumbled the whole way home from the store. Angry that my plan of salvation for the ministry had been thwarted. Angry that my prayers for my friend had NOT been answered the way I saw fit. I called my mother to invite her to my pity party. She and my dad were standing in the rain trying to protect our precious crafts under a flimsy tent. She didn't seem to be too bothered by the rain, or the fact that they had only made $5 in one hour. I was flustered, and sheepishly reminded yet again how far more saintly my mother is than me.

I decided to just shut up. I was starting to feel sort of embarassed for myself. I was starting to act like my toddler.

When Vivian throws a hissyfit, I discipline her. She doesn't often understand why direct her life a certian way or why I say "no." But as her mommy, I know that too much juice will rot her teeth, too much Elmo's World will melt her brain, and always getting her way will make her into a rude, selfish person. As a one year old, she is not capable of governing her life, of making decisions for herself or thinking about much of anything apart from what she wants NOW.

I sympathize with her. I know how she feels. Not necessarily because I want to bounce on the guest bed like she does, but because I want the ministry to have money, my husband to be perfect, my friends to be happy and my child to be obedient! These aren't bad desires. Viv's desires aren't often inherently bad, either. The circumstances just aren't right, the timing is wrong or her desires have become excessive. I don't want her to be ruled by these desires and emotions. Rather, I want her to learn to rule herself with self-control, patience, wisdom, and hope which will produce a godly character in her inner woman.

Its funny how I can so confidently claim this for her, but so reluctantly embrace it for myself. The Lord has given me a miniature daily drama as a parent, demonstrating what my attidute often is or isn't and reflecting my walk with Him. Yet I am often so blind to it.

When I discipline Vivian I make her look me in the eye. I don't do this to stare her down or intimidate her. I want her to look in my eyes so that she can see how sincere I am when I say that I love her. I want her to know that even though I am not angry, I am serious. Though she may disagree with me, Vivian just has to trust that as her mommy, I have her best interest in mind, and that doing what I say will profit her in the long run.

As my hissyfit began to simmer down I heard a quiet, "Jamie..." from a voice that I know quite well. I sigh at its tone, realizing what a useless waste of energy and emotion my tantrum has been. Seeing how patient my Father is with me, how forbearing and how kind.

I can choose to be like my daughter, resisting guidance and instruction, flailing and lurching in a loving grasp she cannot possibly escape. Or I can look God in the eye and humbly whisper "Yes, Daddy." Obeying even though I am confused and disappointed, and trusting that He knows more than I do.

It is 1:45 and still sprinkling outside. Jesus didn't banish today's storm, or send us a $10,000 check in the mail...yet. Although I don't feel it, He is doing the best thing today. He has done the best thing this week. Now I simply try to rest my soul in the reality of that goodness...and wait. All I can do is wait to let Him do it in me, through me and for me.

Fundraiser: Back to School Basics!

Back to school is a busy AND expensive time of year. Imagine getting nearly 100 little ones suited up and settled into their classrooms! The final Ugandan school term begins NEXT WEEK. We need to pay for supplies and tuition for the young ones at Ranch on Jesus. A gift of $10 will help equip an elementary age child for class. A gift of $20 will enroll a teenager in high school for a month. $30 will pay for a month of a young man's vocational training and $200 can cover a FULL term of boarding school! Whatever the sum, your donation goes to brighten the future prospects of a vulnerable young person in the heart of Africa. For more information on the Ranch on Jesus Scholarship Fund search for the link on this Blog.

Visit our Facebook Cause and Donate Online!

https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=13280&fundraiser_id=4158798&m=7289f020

OR

Send a Check Indicating Scholarship Fund to

Pearl Ministries, Inc.

P.O. Box 610537

Birmingham, AL 35261

All donations are tax deductible! They are also stored up in heaven!