gospel on five fingers
Hungering for attention and an education
We’ve got a drum (hey, it’s Africa!) and one of the boys found a handmade ukulele sort of instrument, so I was plucking away while “singing” My Darling Clementine and other hits I sang to my kids while they were growing up.
Bonnie is shown, rubbing Florence’s back. Florence has an ouchie on her thumb and Bonnie has been treating it with Neosporin. We took Florence to the hospital next door and it ended up being a fungal infection, which we’re treating.
We turned the Technic set over to the older boys and told them to go at it. The set has been sitting in the same place for more than nine months, and it was time it got some use.
The future of the Church
Help Mary get her legs
1/16/16: One night, in 2007, Mary’s life was changed forever.
What A Difference A Day Makes
Yesterday feeling like a psalmist and today like a crybaby.
I had two or three weepy episodes today.
Sadness and homesickness washed over me with no warning.
Poor Wayne is trying to drive and negotiate and say something, anything that will calm me down.
I miss my dogs, I am realizing we are leaving the United States to live, not just visit, and everything we now own is in 8 suitcases.
As I always ask my doctor “is this normal?”
I didn’t expect all of these emotions and have been rather cavalier the last six months about giving it all away and serving others.
The reality is that we are all just humans with all of the shortcomings and frailties that come with the territory.
Perhaps, my motto could be, like St Joan of Arc “I was born for this!”
/s/ Bonnie
Mission Musings
By Bonnie…
January 10, 2016
For the Grace to see you in each one I encounter today
For the strength to always seek Thy will
For the courage to leave behind everything just for the sake of serving
You called me
You led me
You strengthen me
For without you I can do nothing
I am nothing
Fill me up Holy Spirit with your guidance, comfort and courage.
Feeling like the Old Testament psalmists this morning; weak but sure in the knowledge God will not abandon me.
Last night, feeling lonely, missing my little dogs, curled up in bed, sleepy and listening to Wayne pack his carry on and backpack.
Thinking about the incredible event at the end of Mass, when the entire congregation rose, outstretched hands, as we were blessed, sprinkled with Holy Water, and given plain wooden crosses to proudly wear. We were commissioned by St Peter’s The Apostle Church to go forth and evangelize, to spread the word of God in Africa.
Two thousand years of Church history in front of us last night, all around us like the original disciples sent to teach and preach and bring truth to God’s children.
Oh what a sinner I am. How could it be me? I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs or as Saint John the Baptizer said, “There is one greater than I and I am not worthy to unlatch his sandals.
Our worthiness has nothing to do with our calling. We can never be good enough or holy enough.
Thinking God has a great sense of humor because He loves the least of us so very much. Some of the greatest sermons I have heard were in a soup kitchen or the Alzheimer’s ward.
I am still me; vain, proud, silly but, different somehow this morning. A little weepy, very humbled and in awe of what we are doing. At the same time I am feeling o.k. with it all.
Our Uganda goals
Wayne and I were advised to make a list of short term goals and long term goals to take to Uganda.
We will sit and share them with Sister Angeline and perhaps the Board of Directors to see if our goals mesh with theirs.
It should be interesting to compare the lists with the reality in six to twelve months.
We are truly clueless about what is possible and what is just a dream.
The number one goal is always to go to morning Mass and remain open to God’s will because all things are possible through Him!
/s/ Bonnie
Less than 40 days to go before our move to Uganda
Less than 40 days to go before we board our flight to Uganda.
I’m quite sure some people thought we’d never be leaving. We’ve been sharing, updating, talking about, and promoting the Little Sisters of St Francis and Providence Home for what seems like forever.
Our friends still see us at church and still participating in local activities, and are probably wondering, “I thought they moved to Uganda?”
For us it’s seemed like forever, even though it’s “only” been six months.
If we were independently wealthy we probably would have been long gone John, settled in, and doing what we could for as long as we could for the children, seniors and Sisters at Providence Home.
There were a number of times we wondered how and when we’d ever come up with the cash for our plane tickets. But, as one of the Nuns at the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur in Fort Worth counseled us, “everything happens on God’s time, not yours”, as she told us to be patient.
From Antique Alley craft sales, the help of friends, and basically selling off everything in our apartment but the bare essentials, we were able to buy our plane tickets.
We still have a couple other very big ticket items to take care of before we head to DFW Airport Jan 12 but, as always, figure everything will work out.
The past six months, as agonizingly long and slow as they’ve seemed, have also served a valuable purpose. Through handmade jewelry sales, fund-raising, and personal contributions we’ve been able to send 26,223,872 Ugandan Shillings to various groups and individuals in Uganda.
We’re also helping a young girl in Malawi stay in Catholic Secondary School, to the tune of 410,623 Malawi Kwachas.
In U.S. Dollars the total is around $8,300. We’ve been happy to do what we could, and overjoyed at those who have helped us help others. The influx of cash we’ve been able to send is more than a small fortune to people who make, on average, a dollar a day.
We hope to be able to send a bit more before we head to Uganda and, once we get settled in, should be able to make an even more significant difference in time and resources.
God Bless.
Asking for the wisdom and grace to “preach the Gospel and sometimes use words”.
From Bonnie…
Since returning from our Uganda trip in June we have had two face to face meetings with Catholic religious, some who have spent more than 37 years serving in Africa. Their suggestions have been invaluable.
We have also had a Skype meeting with two workers from Caritas for Children. Colleen and Chris have actually been working with The Little Sisters of Saint Francis for over nine years in Nkokenjeru.
And yesterday we had an hour teleconference with a Maryknoll Priest who has spent 47 years in Kenya and who is well-acquainted with the Little Sisters of St Francis.
Everyone has given us books to read and articles to study and lots of practical advice.
The main thought is trying to help us avoid the mistakes they might have made, always remembering to “do no harm” and respect the Ugandan culture.
For sure Wayne and I will be changed but that isn’t why we are going!
We are going to help the Ugandans become more self-sufficient so that when we leave or die, they are able to take what we have experienced together and continue onward and upward.
We each have a list of short term goals and long term goals to share with Sister Angeline and see how those goals fit in with her vision for the future of Providence Home.
I hope to set up a scholarship fund for students who wish to major in occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology or special needs instructors. These no interest loans would require the students to live and work at Providence Home during breaks and fulfill an internship requirement.
Of course there is always God’s will to be done, and we constantly ask for the wisdom and grace to “preach the Gospel and sometimes use words”.
The gospel on five fingers
Mother Teresa always told her sisters to remember the “Gospel on Five Fingers.” She would say the words, “You did it for Me,” as she held up each finger of her hand. These words come from the Judgment of the Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) where Jesus tells us that we will be judged by how we treated those who were thirsty or hungry or sick.
I never tire of sharing this message, as it’s one of our primary reasons for moving to Uganda. We’ve also said what we’re doing is not unique or special, as what we’re doing is something anyone could do. But most people are not in the same position as we are; retired, healthy, and no children at home. We have few physical possessions and a desire to do more.
We’re also some of the best (or worst, depending on your perspective) sinners in the world. Moving to Uganda doesn’t change who were are. But if we can help one child, and then another, and then another, we hope to be living out the gospel of Matthew 25.
God has lessons to teach us in Uganda
A friend who has spent many months in Uganda and learned many life lessons told me, “You think you are going to care for the children but you are going because God has lessons for you”.
Patience and being present are two lessons for sure.
If I spend an hour rocking a child and giving her my undivided attention then that is what I need to be doing.
If a planned project with adult special needs class goes south then I have to be flexible, patient and happy to just sit on the floor and sing songs or let them teach me songs.
When I am rushing somewhere all hot and sweaty I need to take the time to squat down and hug a child, make eye contact and let them know they are loved.
The big lesson for me might be none of what we do in Uganda is about us!
Which Way? Our Way! 