Help Send Lauren to Kampala Uganda

So I've been back in the States for a little over two weeks now. I apologize for the belated post. It's literally been a breathless whirlwind of trip. From driving to Phoenix and flying from there to Detroit, to Amsterdam to an Entebbe and finally a midnight hour's long drive across the rugged orange dirt roads to our destination, Kampala, Uganda --And Back Again to help get our new house move in ready.%uD83D%uDE05%uD83D%uDE05%uD83D%uDE05 But I know you want to here about the seven days I was there. So here it goes. WARNING: LONG POST.%uD83D%uDE42 The first things that come to mind are a blurr of long, long flights, bus rides on bright orange bumpy streets crammed with cars and motorcycles, sleeping under a mosquito net, eating delicious meals of pork, chicken, rice, vegetables, potatoes and fruits of various kinds, Music, singing, dancing, and stars. But I didn't go just to see another country and its sights, I came to minister to 45 children living in an orphanage in the city of Kampala, called The Gem Foundation. All of them have severe various special needs and were either abandoned and/or abused before coming home to Gem. My team and I came bringing brand new wheelchairs and much needed medical supplies that we put together and sorted. We also helped with anything we could, holding, feeding, and playing with the kids making sure they felt loved and valued along with the invaluable nurses and staff that care for and nurture them. One such girl living at Gem is Bethany. She is fifteen years old and had Cerebral Palsy and a walker like me. She is absolutely beautiful, with a bright smile and sweet personality. We instantly hit it off. I learned that she was excited to meet me upon hearing that I was coming. I asked her how old she was, what her favorite color and subject in school was and she, unable to speak would shake or nod and point to words, numbers, or colors on a lanyard around her neck. We danced by each other during their Sunday school worship and sat quietly together on a swing enjoy the cool breeze bright blue Ugandan sky. My favorite Gem of all was a little boy named Benjamin. He is three years old and not only has Hydrocephalus, but also, and more importantly, the sweetest smile and cutest giggle ever. He took to me, or to my walker, as all the kids did, with excited fascination. He followed me, stopping right in front of me, looking up at me with a mischievous grin on his face as he giggled playfully. Successfully scooting his way into my heart. Setting their disabilities aside, I looked at the person was struck by how beautiful they were. Young boys and girls all created unique in looks and personality. Suddenly I could see how God saw them, and they were beautiful. Abandoned by their parents and broken in mind and/or body, but beautiful and wholly loved by a Heavenly Father who knows each by name. They smiled, I smiled. They laughed, I laughed, They cried. I cried. Being with them was a gift, a treasure, a gem. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this trip, your prayers, and generosity got me to Uganda and back with good new food in my belly and good safe stay. It also enabled me to experience Uganda in its glory, culture and people, and especially visit the very special, very important children of The Gem Foundation. Noelle, Benjamin, Bethany, David, Moses, Mercy, Patience, Izzy, Angel, Shakira, and Nehemiah are those Gems with names, faces, and bright smiles and personalities. They could also very much use your prayers and support and I ask that you would consider praying for and donating to The Gem Foundation and/ or their stateside partners at International Voice of the Orphan. Their work of supplying for and caring for these little gems, giving them a happy, loving, Christ centered home, is amazing and greatly needed work. Work that cant be done with out your prayers or generosity. Feel free to check out both organizations websites here: https://thegemfoundation.com/ https://www.ivo.global/