Jaaja Barb's Home of Angels: Pulling Together

When our world turns upside down, how easily we can lose sight of everything we have to be thankful for. I've witnessed this lately both at home and in Uganda. In Canada I want to share with you stories of amazing groups of people coming to the rescue during our recent catastrophic floods. Almost everything was lost both on the Sumas Prairie and in towns to our north, but as one person called it, the "no-judgment zone" we witnessed strangers reaching out to help each other. It really brought a tear to my eye when I heard that volunteers at the Sikh temple had cooked 3,000 meals for the stranded. Not only that, but hiring helicopters to fly this food to them also. Secondly, there was the Vancouver Jewish Federation who helped the victims by raising $248,000 in just one week. And we recently heard that the Islamic Relief in Ontario has come to the victims aide by supplying food throughout B.C. It is so wonderful to see different faiths and cultures working together as a team, reaching out in tangible ways of encouragement by setting an example and lending a helping hand along the way. Our entire world should behave this way.

In Uganda, there's no possible way to determine how many people currently have or have had COVID. A population of 48,000,000 people with only 4.75 vaccinated amounts to 2% of the country. Starvation is still increasing with many perishing. Children running to the streets thinking they will find food are ending up in the garbage dumps. But in all this devastation, we thank the many of you who continue to help us help the helpless in both our community and for the operation of our Home of Angels. Thanks to Richard and his family once again for donating enough food to feed the elderly, the polio victims and the many sick who are without hope.

Whether it's here at home or somewhere in the world, we all face overwhelming troubles that can make us anxious and burdened with worry. After Jesus affirms that the greatest treasures are not earthly or temporary, He encourages us to release our anxious thoughts. He loves and provides for us so we don't have to waste our precious time worrying. God knows our needs and He will take care of us. (Matthew 6:19-32)

Because of the rains and the lack of power with the village transformer down, it's been difficult for communication but I have to tell you that the next blog is going to be one of the best.

In the meantime, we'd like to share some pictures with you all.

Devastation on the Sumas Prairie where thousands of animals perished and hundreds of farms are under water. 640,000 farm animals are known to have died. That total includes 628,000 poultry, 12,000 hogs and 420 dairy cows.

The timber has been joined together by a special iron to form a canopy. It was then raised by hand to start the process of finishing the roof. Can you imagine everything done by hand?