Hello my lovely friends :). Recently I was asked by the Baby Watoto supervisor to share what my experience has been like with Watoto. WOW! so I wrote some thoughts from my heart. Enjoy :). "When I first heard Marilyn Skinner speak at Hillsong church in 2003, I was riveted. She shared her testimony of how her and Gary started ministering in Uganda. She spoke of seeing babies with their hands and legs tied behind their backs, abandoned, left as refuse. It was inspiring to me to hear how God lead Gary and Marilyn to do something about these abandoned babies. In 2009 I came and toured Bulrushes and Bbira. To actually see the ministry twisted my heart. I was blown away. Now I could see faces along with the stories that I had heard. This year I felt drawn back, volunteering at Baby Watoto for seven months. From April-June I was at Bulrushes in Kampala and then from June-presently I have been at Baby Watoto Gulu. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to share with Watoto in the experience of bringing Gods kingdom to earth. What I love most about Baby Watoto is that it is birthed out of the Fathers heart of God, and nourished/supported by the healthy body of Christ, Watoto. Watoto is about; Rescueing - giving destiny, hope and a home, Raising - providing love, leadership and equipping Gods body to thrive, and Rebuilding- broken lives, restoring dignity and hope. Everyday, working amongst the babies, I see these words brought to life. I see Christ. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity of working with Watoto. My life will never be the same. What I have gained and learned through volunteering at Baby Watoto is a whole new understanding of His kingdom and of His heart. He puts poor people on their feet again; He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope; restoring dignity and respect to their lives - a place in the sun! 1Sam. 2:8 The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb He called my by name. Isaiah 49:1 Gods heart is drawn towards the broken and abandoned. Abandoned defined is -- given up ; forsaken. God desires to write a new story for those written off and forgotten. After being a part of this ministry I know without a shadow of a doubt that we are NOT forgotten! Often times we sing to the babies the Isreal Houghton song I am not forgotten...God knows my name. I have physically held babies that were abandoned, forgotten by their biological parents at the hospital or in the bush, yet now I see them protected, treasured and named. This is so like the kingdom of God, creating and sustaining life out of the darkness. When others look at the babys situation they just see death and despair, but at Watoto the light from Gods kingdom shines through and the impossible becomes possible. >I love this quote from Christine Lutara, Living Hope Gulu, about the Fathers heart and Watotos heart to restore, The key here is the word restore. we are not giving them something new; we are restoring. What we are doing is just saying, God did not make you this broken, wounded incapable person. When you were in the womb God made you beautiful. He made you strong. He made you joyful. He made you capable. Circumstances have taken that away and we are here to restore it. Everyday when Im cuddling, changing, bathing, feeding, playing with the babies I feel the weight of this truth. That God has pulled these little ones out of desperate situations because He has something so much better for them. He is capable of restoring their bodies and souls and filling their future days with His joy, power, glory and love. To be a part of their restoration has humbled me and brought Gods healing balm over areas in my own life. In and through His body we are made new. By volunteering at Baby Watoto I have heard, seen and felt this truth." May God richly bless you where ever you are and may His presence and His glory fill your moments. This is my prayer for you. Thank you so much for your support! Cheers, Jvon
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 06:57:59 +0000
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