Our First Bread for Life Bakery at African Hearts in Uganda
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African Hearts first Bakery Manager, Diana
I wrote this while in Uganda on my 3 week mission. July 27, 2016
Today is a day of "odds and ends" because some of the construction of the bakery needed some extra time. So that means we worked from the office this morning at African Hearts. While sitting in the office, a sweet young lady came in to talk to Lutaaya. She was timed and shy. I quietly sat and continued to work as they spoke in their language. Naturally, I had no clue what was being said, but I could tell she was sharing something heavy from her heart. Lutaaya started to mention my name and the girl looked over at me. With tears in her eyes, she put out her hand and said, "thank-you". At this point I stopped working, closed my computer and began to listen to a conversation I couldn't understand. Diana is a young woman from the slums. She lived in the slum for many years doing whatever necessary to provide for herself. Her heart was hard, angry, and filled with hatred because the life-style she was living offered no joy or hope for the future. Then one day she gave her life to Jesus. Today she is a new person. A beautiful soul. She came in to share with Lutaaya that she needs "something to do"… "I want to work with my hands"… Please meet Diana, the new Bakery Manager at African Hearts! This bakery goes beyond bread. It goes beyond nutrition and a full tummy. This bakery is about giving women and girls a second chance at life. An opportunity to work with their hands, provide for their family, and learn a skill that can change families. As Lutaaya closed us in prayer… we KNOW God just met us here, in this office, in the midst of “delays”… God never delays. Diana is an answer to our prayers, yet this bakery is an answer to hers. Praise God! |
My beautiful sister in the Lord, Ms. Ann
This woman encouraged my heart in a way that only the Lord could orchestrate. Listen to this:
One morning last week, I was down having coffee and praying, sitting alone. My prayer went something like this, "Lord Jesus, I give you this bakery. All the details that go into this, please be the one in control. Be the one who is glorified through all the labor of our hands. May every loaf of bread truly represent you...." Literally, at that very moment of praying, this women, who was seated at the table next to me said this, "Remember the story of Jesus and how he fed the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? He did so because he had compassion on his followers. He did not send them away hungry, he fed them and cared for them"... I about fell out of my chair. The next morning, I shared with her how God used her to encouraged me and she didn't even know it. We've had breakfast together every day since. She left to go back to England today. As I hugged her goodbye, she said "Robin you have encouraged me in my faith. Thank you!" Fighting tears I said, "No, Ms. Ann, you've encouraged me in ways that only a Faithful, Loving God can bring our two worlds together" Ms. Ann is an 84 year old women and I can not wait to spend eternity with her! |
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