Ekisa... Grace

I just have to share about a ministry that I've been praying for and following for a while.  Emily was in our youth group when we were in Indianapolis.  I remember the first time she talked about wanting to go on a mission trip at the tender age of 16.  I also remember how her mom was a little nervous about her, as a teenager, leaving the country with a group of people she didn't know well.  Well, maybe she was a more than a little nervous, but I fully understand that now, as a mother myself!  She agreed that Emily could go, IF her father agreed to go with her, assuming that he would say no without discussion.  To everyone's amazement, he said YES, without discussion. (Interestingly, when it came time for the trip, he was delayed, and Emily was there without him for a week.)

God was definitely working in this young girl's life.  She was in love with the country of Uganda and its children when she returned, and immediately started making plans to spend her entire summer there following her next year of high school.  Emily spent both of her remaining summers between school years in Uganda, volunteering at an orphanage there.   

God has used Emily's passion for these children, specifically orphans with disabilities, to create a new ministry.  Right out of high school, Emily, has opened an orphanage in Uganda called Ekisa, which means 'grace' in Luganda, the local language of Uganda.  At the age of 31, I can't even imagine what to do to begin that process, but Emily has trusted the Lord to guide her, and has given Him control of the turns her life takes.  What faith, trust, and selflessness for this girl to give up what so many her age are enjoying right now to give everything she has to these children so that they can know His Love.  What an inspiration to my walk with Christ and learning to trust that He can handle all the details of whatever He calls me to in this life. 

Currently, they are in Uganda, have a home there, have hired staff, and have taken in 10, yes TEN, children.  They are in the process of registering as a Non-Governmental Organization so that their children can be adopted and placed in forever homes.  They are also looking forward to being filled to capacity, and need additional sponsors to help them cover the expense that goes along with that.  You can keep up with what is happening at Ekisa on their website as well as their blog.  Emily has shared prayer requests on their blog as well.

*All pictures are property of Ekisa Ministries.