Scrambled Madness

As cliché as it is, the reason for my lack of recent posts is because I know there’s no way I could begin to describe my days here at Ekisa. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words I’ll try to sum it up in about 4,000.

Walter and Samuel

Each day I get to help with physiotherapy and school.  Improving their bodies and minds is exactly what we’re here for.  Simple things like bathing, dressing, and feeding these children is far from simple.  Going on special outings with them individually is one of my favorite things to do. Every moment of it is like scrambled madness wrapped tightly in a supernatural love that I feel coming straight from Christ. My new rule is I have to be covered in at least 3 different bodily fluids from at least 3 different children before thinking about changing clothes.

Zibondo (Little Isaac) - He is actually wearing Clemson shorts in this picture. I didn't bring them!

It’s funny how I can look back and see how the Lord took me through a series of baby steps to prepare me for living and working here at Ekisa. First, short day camps with children with special needs near home during high school.  Then, spending the summer working at Camp Hope for children and adults with special needs in Clemson.  Finally, last year spending the whole summer teaching here in Uganda.  Now taking both my God-given passions and combining them into one!

Tasha

 

This is a place where negative stigmas about disabilities don’t make it past the gate. Almost every single day people bring their children with disabilities to Ekisa. From towns far away they hear about what a special orphanage this is.  Parents, siblings, and random good Samaritans bring children here asking if we “can fix” them.  Ekisa can’t take in every child that comes for help – there’s simply just not enough help, money, and space for everyone that could benefit from being here.  It’s only children with severe disabilities that have been completely abandoned that get to live at Ekisa.  Instead of sending them back empty handed we remind them that these children don’t need to be fixed.  They are all fearfully and wonderfully made.  Just like us, created in the image of Christ. Perfect in His eyes.

 

Rachel

 If you’d like to be praying for us….

For the children: That they stay healthy (It's Malaria season.  Just last week we had 10 children with Malaria at one time), and thrive with physical therapy and love. Also that families rise up to take these children as their own.

For the staff and volunteers: May each day God fill our cups so we can fully pour out love to each child we have. And for unity, so the Ekisa team can function to its best ability.

For parents in the community of Jinja and the local villages: That Ekisa can be a safe place for parents who have a disabled child to come and seek guidance and refuge. And that God will raise up a new generation of parents here in Uganda with special needs children. Pray that they will fight for their children, and see them as the treasures they are.