I’m not sure what I was expecting… and the truth is that I’ve never actually been into a children’s home…into an orphanage.
I woke up in the middle of the night crying about it.
When I was in Bangladesh last January with Food for the Hungry, we met very few orphans because the family units there naturally absorb children into their own families if the parents die or leave. It’s a culture that is truly, “no child left behind.”
It’s not always the same here.
Here, in Uganda, if one parent dies or leaves and the other parent remarries, it is the new spouse’s prerogative whether or not to keep the prior relationship’s child as their own. And the truth is that when abandonment is suddenly a culturally accepted option, many choose it.
Extreme poverty plays a massive role here too. Parents can’t afford to care for their children, so they drop them off in baby homes where at least they will be fed. And before we’re tempted to look through an American lens and get kinda judgey, know that it’s not a matter of irresponsibility either. In a place where birth control is both expensive and inaccessible, it’s just not a possibility. Pregnancy is the natural byproduct of sex… and just like everywhere else in the world, people in Uganda are having it.
And so babies and children are left on doorsteps, dropped at homes, and left to fend for themselves or die.
I can’t imagine leaving my children. Can you?
Dropping them off and never looking back.
Break my heart for what breaks yours, Lord…
We all left the baby home yesterday pretty bleary eyed and broken-hearted.
It’s true what they say… ignorance really is bliss.
I cannot unsee what I saw. And once you see, you can’t ignore.
It’s not even about negligence, it’s about being wildly outnumbered. With so many children to care for, even the precious women who work at the baby home are working so short handed. 35 kids between the ages of newborn and 3 all in one home, with even half a dozen capable caretakers, and it’s nearly impossible to keep up. Toss in disability, health issues, colds and flu passing around like wildfire, and you’re starting at a crazy disadvantage.
I can’t forget this:
Taking a balloon out of a baby’s mouth.
Babies lying in their own urine soaked clothing.
Worrying about littles on blankets sprawled in the warm sun …4 full-grown goats on the property running between them.
Watching those same goats run into the kitchen and defecate on the floor.
A baby with a plastic bag on her head as a hat.
Putting a child into a crib and not knowing the next time she would be snuggled.
Raw flesh from a violent rash on one child’s bottom.
Precious faces I stroked, backs I rubbed, babies that cooed at me.
The one sweet face that woke me up in tears last night.
I can’t forget… and I don’t want to forget.
There is enough seen hardship here to make you think about losing your religion.
I don’t want the privilege that I live in at home to stain my ability to see clearly the face of God amongst those less fortunate.
Seeing God here is almost simpler. It’s not convoluted or political.
It’s holding babies without mommies and daddies and kissing them the same as I would my own children.
It’s meeting needs and loving big.
It’s picking jigger eggs from tiny feet, bandaging wounds, and fitting shoes made from my old pants.
I see God’s love so clearly here.
I can be the face of God so clearly here.
Seeing God here… seeing MY God here… it’s not what will make you lose your religion…
It’s what will help you find it.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:27
Mo | Wynne | Cara | Melissa | Erika | Carey
be sure to follow all the other amazing gals on our trip by clicking this link: #bloghope
Completely heart wrenching. So glad you are getting to experience this!
What a treasure! What a privilege as well as a reality check for this Furman mom to read your blog. I just remembered what called me to the Dominican Republic (countless trips) when Elizabeth was at her Peace Corp post for two years. Of course, I went to be with my daughter, but also to embrace something of what you are experiencing. I really never recovered and neither will you. It is God’s most special gift and you are so very wise to receive it . Of all the options that are open to you…….you have chosen the BEST. Love and prayers to you and those precious ones. pw
Tears. Yes. I miss it so much. So much. I cannot wait to go back. Love you Logan.
Thank you for helping me see through your eyes and for being the hands of Jesus there. Until I can go I will read and I will pray. And you hug them for me too friend. Me too…xo
What words, Logan. What lives. Thank you for sharing this, and showing us a small glimpse. Praying for you, the team and the lives who are impacted by Sole Hope.
Logan. I almost have no words. I can feel it, though, what you’re feeling, a taste of it after reading this. I am so thankful for you.
Wow~ no comment! Only tears!
How did you get started in this ministry?
Praying we’d all have eyes that ‘see’… Thank you so much for sharing with us.
I really have no words. A momma of a little one that we fought so hard to keep. In all regards an orphan, she is now ours, and we are humbled by the fact that God chose us to be her parents. This just breaks me. how did I not know this… “if one parent dies or leaves and the other parent remarries, it is the new spouse’s prerogative whether or not to keep the prior relationship’s child as their own..” or this, “Parents can’t afford to care for their children, so they drop them off in baby homes where at least they will be fed.” Thank you for your words. Thank you for bringing us eyes so that we cannot unsee.
Just finished reading this post and looking at the photos for a second time, Logan. Thank you for this look and perspective — absolutely amazing. As I read through tears while nursing little Sally, I definitely held her closer and longer. The babies in your pictures are just like her! Sweet little ones wanting and needing to be cared for and loved. Thank you for loving them and sharing your journey. I am amazed by you!
Again,crying. I get it. It pulls at the heartstrings that God has built into me and our family. I can’t imagine the conditions you are experiencing, save for all these emotion-full pictures you are sharing. These posts are making a profound impact on hearts, so glad your bold heart is there to share the stories which shift our thinking. I need these reminders TODAY of the orphan spirit that is running amuck all over Father God’s creation and we can partner with Him to bring true love, whether it’s speaking “I will comfort you” in a native tongue or deep squeeze Hb when she wants to block us all out. I am proud of you and am loving all these pictures and revelations. Praying for the Holy Spirit to help you process all the input and that He will comfort you and shepherd as well. Thank you for being brave, bold, and raw.
I cried like a baby reading this and seeing the sweet faces in those photos. I understand. xo
Wow. Your words took me there. God bless you while you show Uganda what the hands and feet of a faithful God look like. The world needs more servants like you…
Oh girl!!! HOT STEAMING TEARS rolling down my face!!! Thank you for your beautiful words! Praying for your heart as you process all that you are seeing and experiencing.
That, Logan, that: Break my heart for what breaks yours, Lord…
With. You.
Tears. So thankful you are there and for your words to share it with us. Kiss those sweet children for us! Planning my sole hope party now!
“I cannot unsee what I saw”
so true! I still see VIVID pictures from my time in South Africa. It stays with you forever! Your words are beautiful. You are doing an amazing job at taking all of us there with you! If I can’t physically be there with you, this is the next best. Love you friend & love what you are doing!!
Thank you for sharing Logan.
I’ve started and deleted my comment a few times already. So much to say that the words just seem to fall short. Thank you for bringing what you saw to life for us here through your words.
I see God’s love so clearly here…
I see God more clearly in an orphanage in Haiti. Some of the stories of how the children got there are heartbreaking. And yet…
You’ve captured the feelings here so well.
I don’t know what else to say other than how can We adopt these children? How can we physically help their needs? Thank you for this truth and blessing me through your life walking with Jesus. So thankful greenville has you and allume
Wow, Logan. Just wow. I’m catching up on your journey through these posts and this one is tugging so hard at my heart. Tears are streaming down my face and I want to jump through the computer screen and bring those babies here. I want to hug you for all of the amazing work you are doing my friend. My words just don’t seem like enough. Thank you for sharing with us.