I'm home...jet-lagged...just slept 15 hrs. I'm sitting on my porch just trying to summarize my thoughts and feelings about the trip. All I can say is that I'm inspired.
Often times, when you give money to a charity, you're not always able to see the immediate impact of your support. However, I was able to witness firsthand the difference that GFR has made in several impoverished communities in Uganda.
The difference in my family made me cry. When I met them 2 years ago, they had so little. They were wearing rags and some didn't even have clothing. When I saw them this trip, they looked healthy and were wearing clean clothes. All of the children are now in school as well.
I saw people that had been healed of their ailments because of the medications that they had received thru this program. Those people are now functioning members of their communities and are no longer outcasts.
I've seen children in school that otherwise would not have had that opprotunity without the support from US donors.
I saw houses built for families that had nowhere to live.
I saw water wells that had been refurbished for entire communities (This is huge, since they may walk miles to get water).
It is obvious that our money has been put to good use in Uganda. So now, all I can think about is how I can raise more money to send to Africa. We have soooo much of everything (stuff, food, money, educational opportunities) here in the states. Most of us cannot even begin to imagine the type of poverty that exists outside our country. So how can one person make an impact when the need is so great?
In my mind, I try to think about the impact I'm making in the lives of just my sponsored family. These are real moms with real children, whose lives have changed completely because of our support. They now don't go to bed hungry every night and the kids are going to school everyday. They have built themselves a brick home to provide better shelter. They are farming and starting businesses to sustain themselves in the future. They now have HOPE.
As I look around at my house and see the list of home repairs that need to be done, I am reminded that I have been blessed with so much compared to the rest of the world. I feel a sense of responsibility as a Christian and human being to share what I have with those who have so little. It has been a rewarding lesson for our family...especially our own children.
Most of us will never think we have enough money...as the paychecks get higher and higher, it never seems like enough or the right time to give. All I can say is that it has been our faith in God to provide us with just enough... so that we can continue to help others in need...here and across the world.
I'm stepping down from my soap box now:) I can't help it...it was an intense experience that is difficult to put into words and it makes you think about your life and what you believe in.
If you're interested in sponsoring a family thru Global Family Rescue, please email info@globalfamilyrescue.org or call 620-202-2586.
ps. I will go back to Uganda again...let me know if you're interested in tagging along...
