Rain is a beautiful thing

Today is a day of rest.

It is Saturday and the volunteers have the day off.

I woke up late after a long night watching the Olympics in town.

Yea... I wore this to watch the opening night. I know my shirt is pretty rockin. Thanks Goodwill! 

I needed to go to town to get some food, so I got on my bota and headed into town. 

I was in the super market when I heard thunder and looked out and it began to pour!

William, my bota driver, and I stood outside for a good 30 minutes waiting for the rain to pass over.

While I was standing there a man came up to me asking if what the climate was like where I was from.

He then looked at me and said, "I can tell you are born again." 

I said, "how can you tell I am born again."

He laughed and told me, "it's obvious, it's all over you."

I was very encouraged.

We shared testimonies with each other and other small talk about the things that have real encouraged him lately.

He then looked at me in complete seriousness and asked if I would come and share my testimony at his church. 

I got really tickled then saw he was being for real! 

I told him that I could possibly do that at some point while I am there, but I am just now trying to get settled him.

He understood and gave me his email so that I could contact him when I am ready.

My new friend, Pastor George Solo, was real.

He was pure and not hesitant at all.

I am thankful for my encounter with this sweet African man.

His spirit was beautiful.

It was precious.

It was definitely from the Lord.

It was absolutely comforting.

I am learning a lot here.

I am blessed and thankful for everything I see.

I praise the Lord for the friendships being created and the children who make my days full of life and excitement. 

Pray for Fiona.

She is new is still very small from malnourishment.

She is started to really smile yesterday, and is doing better at trusting and loving.

Also, Pray for our big cuddly Zak. 

He has been having seizures last night and early today.

Pray for wisdom in what to do to help this sweet boy

With love and a very encouraged heart,

Mary Grace 

These kids are something else..

Zeke! He is my little dancer !

This little guy, Issaic, went to breakfast with me:) 

Paul! He is the one that loves on me SO much!

Jojo, well he is my lover too... 

Zuena! My word she's awesome!

Then she took my camera! haha

With love and a very filled spirit!

Mary Grace!

My first African sunrise.

I had just woken up from a nap.

Breakfast was about to be served, and I was real hungry because I fell asleep before it was served.

It must have been around 7:30 a.m. in Uganda and we were getting to land soon.

I looked across the people to my left and out the window.

I did not see just any sky.

I was seeing the sunrise.

Not just any sunrise, but an African sunrise.

Oh my word.

I thought I had seen beautiful ones in Georgia before.

Oh no.

This was unreal.

So unreal.

All I could do was smile.

Smile with joy.

Smile with happiness.

Smile with excitement.

Smile because I was about to land in a place God has been preparing my heart for.

His beauty in that sunset was comforting.

     As I touched down in Entebbe I got off to get my visa.

I then went around the corner to baggage claim.

I think we were the first flight in, so there we not many people there to help with bags.

I found a luggage cart…. Finally.

I looked ridiculous! Haha

A little white girl getting 3 big suitcases on a cart was not easy, especially when she has a dinosaur pillow pet in one hand and a huge bag pack on her back.

     I then got outside where I looked out and saw my Ekisa sign.

I saw Job, my driver, and the moment we made eye contact we smiled and began to just laugh knowing we were looking for each other!

 There began my long reach to my new address, Ekisa.

Today is my first real day and things are already beginning to feel normal.

The mammas asked me if I could pick up some of the kids from school.

I was so glad to!

I picked them up and we headed back home.

We walked along our road and it is BEAUTIFUL!

The kids all picked flowers to give to their “Auntie Grace”

It was a great part of my day to see how generous they are, and how beautiful they find things.

     I am thankful for these kids and this home.

The beauty from it all is comforting.

I am thankful.

More to come later!

With love and thankfulness,

Auntie Grace

It's almost time.

In 2 days I will be headed to a place God has put on my heart for a while now.
This is not the beginning of my journey.
This is just the climax. 
The day He has been preparing me for.
The day I have been excited for.
The day I have been passionate for.
In 2 days I will be getting on my first flight in Atlanta and fly 8 1/2 to London, then 9 1/2 hours later getting on my second flight to Entebbe, Uganda, then getting on a bus for about 2 hours to finally reach my final destination, Jinja, Uganda. 
In Jinja, as most you know, I will be volunteering at a special needs orphanage called Ekisa. ( you should check out their blog or website. www.ekisa.org or www.ekisainternational.blospot.com) 
     The biggest question I get after people ask what I am doing is "are you scared? " 
Have I been fearful for somethings, of course! 
I mean I am human. 
The more I have prayed for me to be fearless and fear nothing but the Lord the sooner I began to feel a peace and comfort within me telling me there is nothing to fear because He is with me. 


2 Timothy 1:7 says, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 

I have been reminded of this verse a lot lately. 

It is a beautiful verse.

A powerful verse.

A verse that is comforting to me and reminds me my Lord is my strength.

I will be trying to my best to update this blog while I am over there.

I apologize in advance if each entry is spread out, but I will be trying! 

Thank you all for prayers and support!

Now I wait.

I wait and pray.

See you all in Uganda! 

Come on Jesus let's do work!! 

With love and a heart full of excitement,

Mary Grace