Healing Hearts With Handkerchiefs

I wanted to share my personal journal notes when I was in Uganda … its raw and real.

June 7th 2011

It’s been sooo crazy busy so I’m behind updating our daily stuff, but I hope with photos you are seeing how much fun we are all having with the children.  My heart focus has really been on making sure I connect with the older kids- the teens at each ministry opportunity.  I brought my glow in the dark footballl “rugby ball” they call it in Uganda.  There’s not a whole lot I can brag about athletically, but oh man I can throw a perfect spiral and hit my target shot after shot.  Seriously… I really do amaze people with my talent! lol

I have been teaching the boys how to throw a perfect spiral.  The teen boys are initially amazed at my gift but soon jump in and want to learn.  It’s a great time bonding and cheering them on!!!

Two days ago at Prison M3.. I had been throwing for an hour, my arm burning and wishing my talent was painting fingernails… a very shy boy came up to me and wanted to learn.  I showed him where to place his fingers and he copied me. He had huge hands and I thought WOW would the NFL draft love to have him on their team. I told him to give it a try and he hesitated for a few seconds, but went for it.  It was the BEST spiral I have ever seen and it went sooo far it made him shocked too.  It was so amazing to watch the joy in his face making me so happy!  It made me realize that the little things we can do for the children can make such a big difference.  I had to continue throwing spirals for a LONG time that day… I can barely move my arms but it makes my heart happy.  I’m thrilled that God knew all those years ago when I played ball with my brothers [who taught me how to throw a perfect spiral] I would use my talent someday to bless an orphan living at a prison in Uganda.  What a God surprise!!!

HANDKERCHIEFS

I have prayed every day that God would open up an opportunity to do the “handkerchief therapy” with teens  in one of the orphanages we visit.  Last night, my prayer happened in such a big powerful way!!  Four of us invited the teens living at Canaan’s Childrens Home to join us in the dining room for a special craft.  They got home from school at 7pm- had dinner and headed to finish homework till 9pm.  What a long day, but they were so happy to join us… ALL 35 teens!! WOW I have anticipated doing this for a year, but I am not a therapist, so I was really nervous… but had been trained with Visiting Orphans how to help heal hearts with handkerchiefs.  They all received 2 white cloths and markers.  I asked them to draw or write their BEST DAY and their WORST DAY in their life.  I told them if they trusted us to share their stories, I would trust them to share my story.  We colored and talked for about an hour and then broke up in 4 small groups.  I was sooo nervous and was praying we would make sense what we were trying to do.  While we were coloring, my team member Dee Dee Neir constructed a wooden cross with 2 logs. It was really beautiful (photos coming soon)  I shared with the kids that God gives us both best days and worst days because He loves us so much.  He wants us to thank him for both, too.  I shared with my group my best day- the day I married my best friend and my children.  I shared with them my worst day was … the day my baby boy died.  My heart broke.  They reached out and touched me saying how sorry they were for me.  It made me cry but inside was feeling healing happening.  I was being blessed in my OWN life with the handkerchief therapy!!!!!!  God is so good!  I told Kari H. who is currently taking a  trauma training class…. I should have done this years ago.

We went around the group and the children that wanted to share their best and worst days… shared with us.  Others told us they wanted to share in private.  Their stories broke our hearts!!!!  They wouldn’t be living at Canaan’s without having a worst day in their lives.

We all stood up with our 2 cloths and I shared that God loves us so much and died on the cross to save us… He gave us the BEST gift!!!  He takes our worst days in our life and changes them to treasures, but we have to give him thanks.  We all put our worst day cloths on the cross- it was so stunning watching all the big kids put their troubles, problems, pain, stress, and trials on the cross.  I put mine up there too!

We closed our time with one of the teens praying- it was so beautiful!!!

I’m grateful for the pain in my life, so I can have massive compassion for each and every child living here without a mom and dad and family.  They are the fatherless, but have a mighty, powerful Father who loves them and comforts them.

Thank you Canaan’s for allowing us to be a part of your home for 4 days!!  You change my life with your joy and love and strength.  You help me believe I can go through anything as long as I have Jesus helping me through.  I love you!!!!

Mama Kiki

If you want to go on a life-changing Visiting Orphans mission trip please check out www.visitingorphans.org