Almost home

Sitting in the DC airport trying to think over all that has happened over the past few weeks. Kenya seems like a lifetime ago and yet I can still hear their little voices.

Poline and jackline at Fiwago leading me to the lake, singing hymns the whole way. 

Precious at haven of hope looking at me through her completely trusting 3 month old eyes.

Daniel learning through the men on our team what it means to be a Godly man and seeing his heart break for his unsaved wife.

At return in Uganda having Babra cling to me as if no one had ever given her the time of day.

Working with 60feet at M2 and seeing kids in a hopeless situation crying out to God despite it all.

Going to the baby cottage and picking up 2 month old Alice. To the women who work there she is just one crying voice among many. But I see a life worth saving. She is precious to me and more than anything I longed to take her away from that place, to give her the love and affection she deserves. Not to see her in pain because no one saw the hair wrapped around her finger that was cutting off the circulation to 3 fingers and I'm positive it would have caused permanent damage. My heart breaks to know she lays there day after day only picked up to be fed and changed.

Going to M3 with 60feet and seeing the most hopeless situation I have ever encountered. A special needs girl urinate all over herself and to see no one care. To know she is in a place where her needs will never be met and she might never escape.

Traveling to Canaan to be greeted with the most joyful children. Spending days with Esther, Jane, Sarah, Patience, Topiska, and so many others. It gave me so much hope for what one person who cares can do.

Going to visit the Karamajong and having the least if the least present us with gifts. The most humbling thing I have ever experienced.

Going to Serving His Children and holding a 2 year old who weighed 10 lbs because of malnutrition and see mothers who simply didn't care.

And finally at Amazima seeing children so grateful for 1 bowl of food.

These are the things I don't understand as I sit in American luxury. What do you do looking into the face if such a huge need? How do you fight through the tears and rejoin normal life?!

until all have heard,
lauren michelle gross

Not enough words to express...

As I sit outside on a beautiful night in Uganda, I cannot find any words to describe what I have seen and done in the past week and a half.

I have seen hundreds if not thousands of hurting children in Africa. From the best to the worst and I am asking God what is my part? How do I put my drop in the bucket of the orphan crisis around the world?

And yet I am reminded that my God is faithful and just. He know what He us doing and He will always show me my part (even if it is only one step at a time.)

But for now I will tell you that my heart is overflowing with love for these kids and these people. When I return I will post some of the details of what I have done and what God has done in me.

until all have heard
lauren michelle gross

So.... Tomorrow is the Day

Tomorrow at 10am I will begin the 2 day journey to Kenya. Today has been a day filled with stress and frustration, but God has proved faithful to provide a way.

Special thanks to Katelyn Young who will be driving me to Dallas (that was majorly a last minute decision ). I am so excited about what God is about to do in and through me in the next 2 weeks.

My bags are packed, my stuff is ready and I can't wait to get on that plane.

Please be praying for no sickness, no stress, and for the knowledge of God's will to be abundant.

I will post again when I return!

Africa, here I come!

until the whole world hears,
lauren michelle gross

On My Knees with Lifted Hands

Today has been one of those days where almost every word I've said has been on the verge of tears. I know from past mission trip experience that this is the part where the enemy attacks with all his might.

I'm having issues getting to and from Dallas for my domestic flights and it will probably cost hundreds more to change my flight.

My sister is still in the hospital and the doctors still have no idea what is wrong with her. Let me just mention that Heather is one of my best friends and I miss her and I'm worried about her and I would do anything to make her better. I would rather go through this for her than have it happening to her. I hate that I'm not there. It absolutely breaks my heart.

In times like these I don't know how I could ever survive without the love of my God. I know that none of this is taking Him by surprise and none of this is out of His control. I know that the only way that I can stand is on my knees with lifted hands.

Giving it back to Him and walking through the tears.

until all have heard,
lauren michelle gross

Even When We Don't Understand

Today has been one of the hardest days I've had in a long time. Reminders of hard times I haven't thought about in a really long time. The pain and brokenness of loss came flooding back. More than anything I long to be able to comfort the girls in my church and take the pain away but I rest assured that God is faithful even when we don't understand.

God is faithful to all of His promises even when we don't see how or why.

So in the hard times, raise your head and walk forward and wait for the Lord to show you the way out of the darkness.

Until all have heard,
lauren michelle gross

Getting Excited

Tonight I had the first conference call for my trip that starts a month from tomorrow. I can't explain how excited I am. I know more than anything that God has placed a passion inside of me for the orphans of Africa. I can't think of anything I love more than sitting with a child and letting them know that they are loved.

Tonight we were informed of some of the ministries we will be visiting. We heard of an orphanage in Kenya that we will be staying at. My heart broke to hear how little food the kids get because they simply can't afford to buy more. And these are the kids that are taken care of... Here we throw away food constantly because it's not what we want or we bought too much or it just went bad. How spoiled and entitled are we?!

I found out that one of the crafts we will be doing goes along with Daniel and the lion's den. We will be able to make lion-shaped pillows for each one of the children. For most of the kids this will be their first pillow and/or toy.

I say none of this out of pity or even to make anyone feel guilty. Just wanted to share the perspective I received tonight.

Until all have heard,
lauren michelle

P.S. If you are interested in giving toward my trip, or if you would like to provide any of the craft material or donation supplies, please email me.

Laurenmichellegross@gmail.com

It's been a while

So... I'm not so good at this whole blogging on a regular basis thing.... but here's what has been going on the past year...

I have been working for 15 months at The River Community Church. It has been one of the best and difficult times of my life. God has chiseled away (and still is...) and pruned off (and still is...) things that weren't of His image. He has put me in difficult, character-building spots where the choice was to run from or turn to Him. About 10 months ago my house burnt down... It was one of the most disastrous things I've ever been through, but more than any other feeling, I felt incredibly loved. I had more people than I can count offer me a place to live, support, prayer, and just a shoulder to cry on. I am now more than ever sure that no matter the circumstances, God has got me.

So now to what is currently happening in my life...

I leave for Kenya & Uganda in 44 days (wow that's the first time I've counted it). I am going with an organization called Visiting Orphans. In Kenya, our team will be working with the 320 children at Hope Community Center we will work and stay at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage. This orphanage is run by a former orphan who dedicated his life to rescuing orphans after realizing the amazing love and care of His Heavenly Father.

In Uganda, our team will work with the children's prisons (yes, you heard correctly!) in Kampala through the wonderful ministry of Sixty Feet. The team will also travel to Jinja and stay at Canaan's Children Home ministering to the children in this orphanage and working with the people and children in the "least of the least" called the Karamajong tribe.

I am so excited about this trip and what God is going to do in and through me and my team. God was revealing to me last night my identity in Him. I believe that God is stretching me and revealing things to me that are vital for what He wants to use me for on this trip. I am still raising support. I still have about $2000 to raise, but God is faithful and I know that HE has called me and so He will provide for me.

I am hoping that this trip will foster connections for me to go back to Uganda on long term basis. I have such a heart for Uganda and especially the orphans of Uganda.

More than anything, I covet your prayers. I know that I have been called and I am anxiously waiting to see what God is going to do.

Until all have heard,

lauren michelle