Land of a thousand hills

Rwanda is taking my breath away - the people, the landscapes, the hope and resilience are unlike anything I've known.

We arrived safely and uneventfully after 20 plus hours on 4 planes with 5 stops from Charlotte to New York to Doha Qatar, Entebbe Uganda and finally Kigali Rwanda.

The past few days have been long but incredibly full with the heart of Africa that I've come to love so dearly. Though I've seen suffering of many kinds, nothing has quite compared to learning first hand about the genocide in 1994 that took over 1 million Rwandan lives. The magnitude and impact is visible 23 years later and to now know just a few of the stories and nightmares from those weeks of ones lost and those who survived is forever etched in my heart. 

We had the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre on Saturday which was remarkable to say the least, filled with so many emotions. There are an estimated 250,000 people buried in mass graves, surrounded by gardens and a museum dedicated to remembrance and hope for a better country and world. Inside we learned the timeline of Rwanda's history and how these atrocities came about, along with picture walls of thousands lost, video testimony of those who survived and the glimpse of restoration for today's Rwanda.

Rwanda is a beautiful country, known as the land of a thousand hills. The people I've met so far with the organizations we're partnering with Best Family Rwanda and Under His Umbrella are wonderful and have been incredible hosts, not to mention the amazing work they are doing for their people.

We spent the day Saturday at one of the three BFR centers - Nygarunga with 100 beautiful children, playing games, stickering foreheads and hands, blowing bubbles and assisting with photographing all of the kids for needed sponsorship and updated photos. We were also able to partake in their afternoon Saturday "treat" of milk and sweet rolls and share leftovers with the neighboring children who are not part of the program. 

Afterwards we visited the nearby market that Best Family built to provide a marketplace for parents to establish their own small business by selling various food, clothes and other items to better provide for their families. These mamas were magnificent and the hard work and lengths they go to for their children was beautiful to see. I met one mama and she immediately handed me her small baby, who promptly wanted to partake in the grilled corn I was gifted.  This was so heartwarming and an honor that she wanted this "mzungu" to meet and hold her smallest child.  This was after another precious toddler ran away terrified at the sight of me, with my pale, blue eyed self. I hope she will not be traumatized for life but the rest of the crowd laughed and thought it was hysterical that she was afraid of us.

This particular "branch" of BFR was established in a vulnerable village where the parents are either survivors of the genoicide with disabilities or are veterans who fought to stop the attacks.

My heart is full and tired but I am so thankful to be here.  I am striving to be present in each moment and soak in all that I can.

Thank you for loving me along the way!

Xo,

Mandy

  

Thanksgiving in Kenya

Just a quick update as its Thursday in Kenya which is Thanksgiving in America. Time is flying by during my time in Kisumu and each days feels so full. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to visit this place and meet so many wonderful people and to the Nicholson family for graciously hosting us during this trip.

We had a lovely meal this afternoon with several other missionary families from the States and did our best to create a traditional Thanksgiving dinner! It was great to celebrate so much and learn different stories from these families and what they are doing here in Kenya, from ministering to street kids, providing hope to widows and orphans and empowering these people with trust and faith.

Sending blessings and love to you and yours on this day of thanks - Happy Thanksgiving friends!

xo,

Mandy 

Cassi, Sarah, Ruth Michael, Chris, Abby Jones

Me & Iddy 

Journeying back to Kenya

This Africa heart of mine is journeying back to Kenya in a little over three weeks.

Time seems to fly by these days and I found myself dreaming about a return trip and what that might look like and how it might be possible. With a lot of reflection and prayer and positive vibes from many (thank you!) dreams came into reach and plans started to fall in place and I was able to purchase a plane ticket to Kisumu, Kenya for two weeks over Thanksgiving. Officially departing Wednesday, November 18th and returning Tuesday, December 2nd.

As this won't be an "organized" trip like last year's VO trip to Uganda, I won't be completely on my own! I will be traveling with my friend Cassi and we are fortunate to be staying with the Nicholson family, CRF Missionaries winding down their time in Kisumu before journeying to Malindi, on the Kenyan coast early next year.

While in Kisumu, I hope to be reunited with my little buddy Obama, spend time with the children at Ring Road Orphan Day school, visit and volunteer at the children’s hospital, connect with the local Care for Aids team and partake in home visits and love on some babies at a local baby home.

The heart wants what the heart wants and my idea of a good time and how to use up PTO differs from most, this I get :) but I am truly so excited about this adventure and opportunity to return to a place

that captured my heart two years ago.

Thank you for loving me and my heart, for journeying alongside as I experience more of Africa and the beautiful people and place I’ve grown to love so dearly. 

Your prayers and well wishes and supplies mean more than you can ever know and the reach will be far and wide ~

xo

Mandy

“I don't always know where this life is going. I can't see the end of the road, but here is the great part: Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step..." Katie Davis

Malaria Bites in Wasiki village

We spent the day outside of Jinja, in rural Wasiki village with Healing Faith ministries and the McMorris family of 7.
Healing Faith is a malaria prevention and Christian outreach that establishes relationships within villages and communities in need.
The morning started out with downpours, so our journey into and out of the village was eventful and muddy, as cars could not make the drive in the wet, African mud. We headed out on foot, walking/wading a mile or more into the village, where the clouds parted and dozens of barefoot kids came out and escorted us "mzungus" along the path to an open field.
We gathered with 100 or so village kids, teens and a few adults and had a time of singing songs, playing silly games and then Emily, from our team presented a short bible story and skit for the kids
Afterwards, the McMorris' who are currently leading Healing Faith set-up Malaria testing for all, along with providing de-worming medicine for the kids as well. While testing was under-way, (3 malaria cases confirmed on the spot & medicine dispensed!) a few of us gathered with the mob of kids and attempted a craft of making paper bracelets and handing out stickers. Chaos ensued as most of these children could not speak nor understand English, along with their great desire to have whatever we were giving out. The culture, especially for those in rural villages does not understand that everyone will be included and that there will be enough for all, which makes for an intense setting when trying to conduct an activity where anything is given away. A few of the girls, including myself also set up an area of painting finger nails for any of the children interested and again, chaos was the result at first as everyone wanted to participate! Luckily with the help of our team's friend Issac who spent most of the trip with us in Kampala and Jinja, he was able to direct and translate and lines were formed and everyone was able to get a turn!

We spent the greater part of the day within this village, loving on and ministering to these people - I was able to spend time with a young new mom, loving on and cuddling her 3 week old baby girl!, making friends with Gloria, a precious little girl who was recently treated at the SoleHope Outreach house, donning her new "pillow case" dress and spending time walking with Violet, a young girl who lived in the village with her dad and siblings, and dreamed of visiting America some day.

Along the way, we met a young boy named Musisi (5 or 6 years old) outside of his home whom the McMorris family knew and had treated before for malaria. His little feet were severely swollen & infected and he was unable to walk. My team includes an EMT & pharmacist who also assessed his condition, and all agreed he needed medical attention as soon as possible for fear of losing toes or possibly a foot ... Since Musisi could not walk, sweet Maddie from my team and one of my roomies carried him on her hip all day long, loving on him and ensuring he was able to participate and also carried him out of the village through the mud. The McMorris' were committed to take Musisi to a doctor and later home for further evaluation. The following day at their "house church" Katie Davis (author of Kisses from Katie, mother of 13 girls, founder of Amazima) learned of his situation and enlisted her nurse to assess his condition as well. By the end of the day, Musisi was moved to Katie's house to stay in her "boys quarters" where she later brought his mother & baby sibling from the village, to stay as well while he was treated and healed. Needless to say, the purpose of our time in this community was much bigger than we could see, and thankfully this sweet boy is being cared for by so many and is healing!

Minor downside to this day in the village was the intense, African sun! After spending many hours outside, with little to no shade, most of my team along with my own delicate self suffered some fairly intense sunburn ... SPF and all, this white girl on the equator with her malaria prevention antibiotic is sporting quite the blistered burn many days later ;/

        Homes along the Village pathway 

Walking the walk 

Life in the village

Life in the village

                 Mama and babies

Gathered together

Sweet new baby girl being held by Shakira

Nail painting with Linda... #treasuresinheaven

Elder grandmothers in the village

Babies caring for babies...

Escorts out of the village

Muddy aftermath

xo,
Mandy

Sole Hope

We spent the day today with Sole Hope at their outreach house and clinic. I have been looking forward to serving with this organization since I started this mission trip journey, as I've followed their work for the past year or more. I highly encourage you to look into their mission and see the amazing, heart wrenching work they are doing in these Ugandan communities, treating, cleaning, healing little feet from Jigger infestation and providing shoes. Upon preparing for the trip, I was able to coordinate a Sole Hope shoe cutting party at Alternative, where we collected denim pants & plastic bottles to make over 70 pairs of shoe "uppers". I was able to hand carry 50 sets with me, (flash back to the weight limit and baggage overage!) and give them to the founder Dru, alongside one of the shoemakers who will sew the denim pieces together and attach the rubber sole, made out of tires and US Naval hovercraft bottoms ( amazing repurposing all around!)

I underestimated the intensity that would come with volunteering at their clinic / outreach and can honestly say it was the grace of God that carried me through the physical pain I witnessed and the emotional pain I experienced. As the clinic was set up on the grounds of the SH Outreach house/compound where they house the children (and some adults) with some of the most severe Jigger cases. They receive treatment, clothing (precious "pillow case" dresses for the girls), food, shelter and education on prevention and future treatment throughout a 2 week stay at the house, while they can heal. I'll spare you the gory details on Jiggers and jigger removal, but it is a horrific problem here in Uganda and is incredibly painful to endure  having them, as they continue to grow and spread as well as having them removed, by hand, one by one with a safety pin. 

Our team was able to serve SoleHope and their staff by documenting each case, assisting with removal and cleaning, comforting, holding and sitting with the children throughout the process (upwards of 2 hours, in some cases!) and organizing crafts and games for the kids pre & post the removal. 

In our first world minds, we all struggled with ideas and thoughts of how WE could make this process better, less painful and traumatic, etc etc and questioned the process to some degree, but ultimately what SoleHope's staff is doing, works and is with the best interest of these children in mind. 

I had the honor of washing little feet clean and then sitting and holding some precious children while they endured removal and then treatment & dressing wounds with antibiotic ointments & gauze.

For all the moms out there, I don't know how you endure pain and suffering of your children as it was almost too much for my heart to bear.

Once the little feet were wrapped up and covered with new, clean socks I was able to assist with fitting them with NEW shoes, made with love by hands from different parts of the world!

These children are the strongest, bravest most courageous kids I've ever seen and my greatest hope is that their time at SoleHope will be filled with memories of love and care, and not just the pain they've endured. 

Xo, Mandy

My Fathers House on Thanksgiving

A little behind on updates as each day has been quite full, but I am having a wonderful experience here in Uganda and enjoying new friends as we journey together. Our team spent Thanksgiving morning with My Fathers House at their school Royal Hope Academy. To say we were blown away by the hospitality and magnificent welcome would be an understatement! 

As we walked into the village towards the school, the older kids lined the pathway singing a Welcome to Africa song ... It was so touching and powerful and truly a wonderful experience to be surrounded by these kids and joyful spirits. The school choir then performed several songs of praise while several of the younger kiddos piled around us and into laps for the program. 

We were also served a traditional Ugandan lunch of matoke (cooked bananas), rice and beans. 

After lunch we were able to spend time in the courtyard meeting and getting to know the 380+ kids. Allison, one of the girls on my team was able to meet her sponsor child Swaburah in person, who she's been helping with school fees for the past year. How often does that happen?! 

After leaving My Fathers House, we left Kampala and journied to Jinja, a city three hours south near Lake Victoria and also the "source of the Nile" river. 

Once arriving to Jinja, our team leaders announced that they had planned a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner for us at a local restaurant in town. It was such a treat to celebrate our American thanksgiving in Uganda with this team and reflect on the many blessings in our lives and throughout this trip.

Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and sending my love and gratitude for the continued prayers and words of encouragement! 

Xo,

Mandy 

Return Ministries & village friends

Today was a lighter yet full day spent with Return Ministries children and surrounding village kids.

My team is staying at the Return Guest House in Kampala, which supports Return Ministries children's home, run by Pastor Samuel and his wife Sarah. 

These kids are amazing in every way and truly exhibit such promise and leadership and care for one another. 

The afternoon was spent hearing Daniel play guitar and the other 14 kids sing beautiful, original music  - all self taught! while other neighboring village kids played around the house and yard and delighted in the "Mzungu" visitors.

My Ugandan "twin girls" Bebita & Nakato who live at Return, along with a cutie little boy in the village behind their house who followed me around.

Village boy playing on the new slide at Return Ministries house

Beautiful view of scenic Kampala 

Walking towards the well and Pastor Samuel's land for the new Return Ministries home, church and guesthouse. 

 These precious kids met us on their way to the well for fresh, clean water - they make this journey twice each day, some of the children no older than 3-4 years. On our way back up to the road, I offered to carry two of the full jugs and they were heavy for me, Let alone a small child... Such strength and courage all around.

Full of water, these large jugs are near 40 pounds each when full!

My well water friends continuing on their journey home with full jugs in hand.

Xo, 

Mandy

Kampala kids

Today was a very full day, spent with some precious children here in Kampala, Uganda.

Without being overly cryptic, I cannot publicly share a lot of detail surrounding the organization or location of where we spent the day in order to protect the integrity of this incredible team of people, who are truly fighting for justice and restoration. 

I can say that we were at a prison - a prison for children who have "offended the government" ( likened in theory to a juvenile detention center) but also a holding facility of "street children" who were rounded up and brought here because the government didn't know what else to do with them. 

These street children are not what I've previously experienced in my time in Africa, as they are usually older kids, teens who run away or turn to the street and drugs like sniffing glue for survival. These little kids today were part of the Karamajong tribe, who've somewhat been displaced and have moved towards the city for a better life. They were so tiny and small and were literally living on streets in Kampala, begging for food just months ago with little to no adult supervision. 

They are being cared for at this child "prison" mainly as a result of this NGO who is ensuring the kids are fed meals daily, bathed, provided medical care and a safe shelter. 

An amazing and divine couple, Bernard & Brenda who are social workers live on site and see to these 50+ children and their well being. 

The conditions however in which these sweet tiny Karamajong children live however was fairly unimaginable compared to the regular living quarters of the other child "prisoners."

There were approximately 6 metal bunkbeds without mosquito nets side by side in the corner of a huge room, along with live, roaming chickens, flies, wash basins for laundry among other things. All to house and sleep 50 kids, averaging 3 sometimes 4 per little bed. 

It is mind boggling to see the corruption and injustice and dire conditions in which these people live, but to know they are children is even more heartbreaking. It was truly a privilege to spend the day with these Karamajong kids, playing, coloring, laughing and singing. 

The day was full and intense yet joy and hope remains.

Xo,

Mandy

Always an adventure...

I've officially made it to Uganda!

Planes, trains, automobiles and a day later than planned, I am happy to say that I'm here and all is well.

The journey started off a bit rocky trying to depart from Atlanta EARLY Saturday morning, when my checked baggage was over the weight limit and they wanted to charge me $400 in fees for the overage. I kindly pleaded, trying to explain that all 119 pounds were donations (as I had all of my personal belongings strapped to my back as a carry-on) and the United reps did not budge! I moved away to repack and redistribute the weight but ultimately they would not let me check the bags in time and bumped me from my original flight and told me I would be rebooked for the next day - all of this occurring by 5am with no sleep and already facing a 23 hour travel journey. Needless to say I was shocked and immediately had a break down at the ticket counter, exhausted and devastated that things were unfolding this way and my much anticipated/planned trip was being delayed. 

(If you know me, tears don't come so easily, especially in public so mix sleep deprivation and intense airport chaos and cruelty and you've got one mess of a girl! #winning)

A kind lady stepped in and attempted to help by booking me on a Delta flight to Washington D.C. that had me arriving only 35 minutes prior to my Ethiopian flights departure, also where I was supposed to meet and rally with my team but it was worth a shot at that point to take my chances?! Low and behold, the Delta flight was delayed due to a "mechanical delay" (wonderful news!) and we were late arriving to D.C. - I along with a nice man en route to Cameroon via Ethiopoa, who had a similar situation in ATL ran to the gate to make the flight and we missed it by less than 5 minutes and watched the plane pull away. For the ultimate win, it was of course the ONLY flight for the day to Ethiopia, from D.C.

Once again, it was a tough blow and I just felt defeated and left behind because I wasn't a part of the team... Ultimately I was reminded that it was not up to me and to trust in Gods timing and plan. 

After spending Saturday afternoon catching up on sleep in D.C at an airport hotel, I headed back to the airport early Sunday morning to ensure that I would not miss another flight!

Waiting to board, I met the nicest couple Lois and Jim from Maryland, who were en route to Ethiopia to pick up their baby boy and bring him home Thanksgiving day. They were one of four couples traveling together to pick up and bring home their kids, after legally adopting them in October after three long years of enduring the adoption journey. Meeting them and hearing their story assured me that I was meant to cross their path, even if it meant arriving to Africa a day later than planned.

Thank you all for the love, support, prayers and encouragement as I've prepared, traveled and arrived.

I am truly so grateful and look forward to sharing more in the coming days!

A few quick photos of our view from the compound / guesthouse in Kampala for a visual :)

Xo,

Mandy

Heart-beating Happiness - Kisumu a year later

I left a part of my heart in Africa, almost five years ago to the day and this very day last year my heart was beating across the globe in Kenya. When you identify what makes you come alive, do it. Even when it seems crazy - scary - out of this world - I'm learning that small internal flame is there for a reason and I'm meant to Go - to see - to feel - to share my heart and in turn, shine a light. 

This morning I woke to amazing news that dear Obama, my precious little friend from Kisumu last fall went back to school today - for the first time in over two years. Not only is he going to school, he will also receive Food - daily meals to nourish his little body, guidance & supervision and the opportunity to be a kid and feel safe during the day. 

Obama goes back to school - October 3rd 2014

Suzy & Obama reunited in Kisumu - September 2014

This boy has stayed in my mind and on my heart for so many months and I've prayed and sought ways for him to have the chance to thrive - to have opportunities that come so easy to us fortunate ones, yet seem so difficult and hard to obtain for the millions of children in Africa like him. 

Today is a very good day and I am reminded again why my heart is called to Go. Be. Love. 

Leaving you with some new photo updates from Kisumu, of Obama and RingRoad kiddos courtesy of my friend and sister in Africa love Suzy Williams. She heard my heart and helped make this happen.

Sheila, trying on her new shoes!

New TOMS shoes at RingRoad - Kisumu, Kenya

Ring Roads kids getting a new round of TOMS shoes! 

New TOMS shoes for the kids at RingRoad

Obama getting some nourishment from Mana Nutrition

Sweet Terry & her new pink sweater

xo,

 Mandy

"Choose to do for one, what you wish you could do for everyone."  ~ Andy Stanley

Go. Be. Love.

I am excited to share with you all a new opportunity that I am partaking in as I continue to follow my heart for orphans and Africa. I am making plans to return to Africa for a short term mission trip with an amazing organization, Visiting Orphans, in November. This heart journey started five years ago volunteering at an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania, to spending two weeks in Kisumu, Kenya in 2013, and I will now be making my third trip to Go. Be. Love. with orphans in Uganda.

I am truly excited and overwhelmed that I will have the opportunity to serve with the Visiting Orphans organization and partner with amazing and world changing non-profits in Jinja and Kampala Uganda. We will be serving and ministering alongside Sole Hope, Sangaalo Baby Cottage, My Father’s House orphanage and Return Ministries Children’s Home this coming November 22nd thru December 3rd.

I would like to ask for your support through prayers and encouragement as we prepare for this upcoming trip. If you are in a position and feel led to contribute financially I would welcome your sponsorship as well. In order to participate in this mission, I will need help in raising $3,000 in funds to cover the cost of the trip, administrative fees and organization contributions. All donations to Visiting Orphans are tax deductible and I would be honored and grateful for your help in bringing this trip to reality.

I firmly believe that God blessed me with a heart to love others, especially those in need of it most. Thank you for your love and support and I look forward to sharing in this heart journey with all of you in the months to come.

Much love,

Mandy

Visiting Orphans is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations given on my behalf are tax deductible. www.visitingorphans.org

For Online donations, please indicate:

Fund Category “ Uganda November 2014 “
Team Member - Mandy Waldrep

All checks can be mailed to:

Visiting Orphans - Attn. Admin - P.O. Box 100284 Nashville, TN 37224

(Kindly note “ Mandy Waldrep /Uganda 2014” on the memo line)

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

~ Maya Angelou