"There is a joy in the journey, there's a light we can love on the way."

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November 16, 2018 by Joy Shalom

Lifting my Eyes

October 20, 2018October 20, 2018 by Joy Shalom

3 Months

September 30, 2018 by Joy Shalom

Letter to my Amani Kids

August 31, 2018August 31, 2018 by Joy Shalom

All the Babies

August 11, 2018August 11, 2018 by Joy Shalom

Settled In

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 by Joy Shalom

Arrival

April 8, 2018April 9, 2018 by Joy Shalom

A Hard Lesson

March 27, 2018April 10, 2018 by Joy Shalom

An Update

February 10, 2018April 2, 2018 by Joy Shalom

The Journey Begins

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So, um, today I met a 4 year old ELEPHANT named Edward. And a giraffe named Albert. And a nameless Rhino. It was the best. 🦏 🦒 And then I had to say goodbye to my pals @justasojourner and Lydia. They’ve been such a gift during this crazy season, and I’m going to miss them bunches.

Amani Christmas Party Planning Team 2K18. 🎄✨|| thankful for these two beautiful, strong mamas and the prayers, love, joy, hugs, wisdom, and laughter that they give on the daily. It was a party to remember — despite the fact that it happened to be the coldest and rainiest day of the year.

ONE WEEK // it’s been one week since our world at @amanibabycottage turned upside down. Our director and my dear sister-friend, @laura.ruth.chaffin, was in a very serious Boda Boda accident. (Praise God it wasn’t any worse though!) This week has included quite a few tears, almost daily 2-3 hour trips to Kampala, added responsibility, the resurfacing of mumps for the kids, countless whispered and out loud prayers, and some serious sleep deprivation. While my body quite possibly may be the most exhausted it has ever been, my spirit is encouraged. I’ve seen the Body of Christ unite worldwide unlike anything I’ve ever seen. People we’ve never met bringing us coffee and breakfast in the hospital, friends here pitching in literally wherever there’s a need, hundreds (if not thousands) of people lifting the Chaffins up in prayer, and complete strangers pitching in to support them financially. At one point, we even prayed together with the family of another ICU patient. . . In addition to that, it’s been so beautiful to witness the way that Laura is walking through this. She’s always had a heart for God, but it’s shining so brightly now. Although her speech is not quite recovered, she uses plenty of her words to pray and to praise God. Even on her hospital bed, separated from her precious boys, she is trusting and believing that God is defending her. He is working all of this for their good and His glory. What an example of a life of a tried & true Christian. When trials hit, when we’re squeezed, what comes out — flesh and despair OR Jesus? Even groggy and tired, Laura is giving glory to God...and making us laugh. . . It’s been a very hard week, yes. But in it, I have witnessed beautiful things. Even in the midst of pain and chaos, Jesus has been here flooding us with His oceans of grace, comforting with His presence, and filling us with His strength. He is not limited, our God. He is mighty to save. He’s already answered so many prayers this week and worked so many miracles. I know that He’s going to continue to do so.

“Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot sweep it away.”

These may be some of my favorite photos that I’ve taken at Amani so far, because they show how the love of Jesus can transform a person. I’m getting all weepy just thinking about it. ✨ This is Maria. She arrived at Amani a few days ago. At 4 years old, she’s wearing 12 month clothing & weighing about 12 pounds. When she first came to us, her eyes and her face were empty, void. The only emotion she showed was the littlest bit of fear. But after just a few days of being at Amani and getting the love and care a child needs, she has truly come alive. It’s almost like she’s a new child. In these photos, her face shows such peace and contentment. Her eyes are sparkling from the knowledge that she is seen. Safe. Known. Loved. Cared for. What a difference that makes. I’m so thankful for Amani and that I get to be a part of what God is doing through this beautiful ministry. ✨ If you need me, I’ll just be staring at these photos all teary eyed. ✨ (Swipe all the way to see a before photo.)

Confession: Sometimes I am tired of the dust and the dirt and the heat. Sometimes I miss my family so much it feels as though my heart is being squeezed. Sometimes I’m just plain tired. 🌿 You know, moving to Uganda was a pretty easy decision to make. You see, it’s the staying that’s the hard part. It’s in the remaining when the honeymoon phase has ended, when things get tough that it really matters. Living in Uganda has been one of the best decisions of my life. It’s brought 33 little people that I love so much I sometimes think my heart will burst. It’s included countless dance parties and deep belly laughs. But there are teary moments, too. It’s taught me how to deny my flesh. It’s revealed a whole lot of selfishness and pride that I didn’t even realize was quietly lurking under the surface, unnoticed and overlooked. It’s brought to light just how dependent I can be on things other than the Lord. Mostly it’s shown me afresh that true, everlasting JOY is found in Jesus. It’s not in my circumstances or my location or my relationships. It’s found by abiding in Him, by looking to Him, and by spending time in His presence. He’s given me such a deep, full joy that I’ve never quite experienced in this way before. 🌿 Here’s to another 9 months — a lifetime, really — of being refined and pressed and challenged and learning to hate my comfort zone and coming to more fully know the joy that is found in Christ alone. To learn to still smile big when I’m tempted to cry. To learn to look outward at the needs of others when I’m tempted to only look inward at my wants and desires. To learn to see beauty when all I see is brokenness. To love with Christ’s love, unreservedly even when it hurts and I’m not loved back in that same way. To rejoice even when it doesn’t make sense. To speak up when I want to be quiet, and to learn to sit in silence when it’s needed more than whatever words I want to say. 🌿 All that to say, Three months in and I can say wholeheartedly, He is still abundantly good & He is still abundantly worthy. And through the high and the lows I’m abundantly thankful to be here, right here.