We're moving to Uganda

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Friends and family,

Merry Christmas! We hope you all have had a wonderful 2018. As we close out the year we would love to update you about what God is doing in our family's heart and life this year: Long story short...we are moving to Uganda in early 2019!

 WHY? We firmly believe that ALL children belong in a loving family. Last year when Matt and I adopted Nomathemba we saw firsthand the orphan crisis and the heartbreaking reality of the astounding number of children growing up in an institutionalized setting. The truth is that 80% of children in orphanages have family. Most parents place their child in an orphanage not because of lack of love for their child, but because of a lack of ability to care for them. Poverty should never be a reason that family is separated! Children living with special needs are particularly vulnerable to being institutionalized and/or neglected due to their increased medical, financial, and time-consuming demands. As Christians, we believe that all children are created in God's image and every life is valuable. It broke our hearts knowing that many of these children were not being treated with the dignity they deserve. They are all God's children and we felt in our hearts that our family could play a small role in helping to show some of these children how precious and valuable they are.

THE DETAILS: In August I came across a job posting for Ekisa Ministries who was looking for a US trained Registered Nurse to oversee care and advocate on behalf of children living with special needs in Jinja, Uganda. Matt and I decided it couldn’t hurt to apply and get more information. This led to a series of Skype calls and ultimately a trip to Uganda to meet the children and staff. After much discussion and prayer, we ultimately felt this was the direction God was calling us. He gifted us with unique passions, skills and abilities that are to be used to love His children. While this certainly wasn’t on our radar even a few months ago, we feel that He's chosen us to be a part of this work and has given us the courage to take this step. We know He is in control and will pave the way. For sustainability purposes of the ministry, the goal is to train up a Ugandan RN to take over my position as we eventually transition back to the USA--likely 2 years from now.

THE NEED IN UGANDA: In Uganda, approximately 2.5 million children live with some form of disability. Inadequate prenatal and neonatal care, accidents, and infectious diseases are the most common causes of disability. Among the children Ekisa serves, the most common types of disabilities are cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and brain damage resulting from diseases like malaria and meningitis. Some of the children are left wheelchair bound and are non-verbal. In Uganda, the term special needs carries a heavy stigma. Many children with disabilities are not given an education and lack proper access to healthcare.

ABOUT EKISA MINISTRIES: Ekisa combats the stigma of disability multiple ways. First, their Community Care Program helps families remain intact as they navigate challenges of raising a child with special needs. They offer holistic services including medical assistance, counseling support, education, speech, occupational and physical therapy.
Second, their Residential Care program provides a transitional home to children with special needs. The social workers work hard to determine exit plans for each child with the ultimate goal of uniting each child with a permanent family whether it be biological reunification, foster care or adoption. While in Ekisa’s care, each child is provided a private Christian education through Ekisa Academy, with curriculum custom-tailored to their individual needs.
Finally, Ekisa has launched the 'Empowerment Program’ which provides start-up loans and financial training to Community Care families. Additional information regarding Ekisa and the work they are doing in Uganda can be found on their website at: https://www.ekisa.org/

HOW YOU CAN HELP: 
  • PRAY:
    • Please keep our family in your prayers both during this season of preparation and while we live abroad. As our family ventures out to do this work, we know we will be met with adversary and trials. The devil does not want us there, but God does. Will you commit to coming alongside us in prayer? Please pray for our family as we transition to living in Uganda, for the work being done there, and specifically for the children at Ekisa.
  • GIVE:
    • Please consider partnering with Ekisa to support the amazing work they do overseas. Tax deductible donations can be donated to the general fund or specific programs and can be made here: https://ekisa.kindful.com/. If you’d prefer the funds go towards our families expenses you can select “Support an Ekisa Staff Member”, "Submit" and then select our names from the drop down menu on the following page.
  • GO:
  • VISIT:
    • Come visit! Really, we’ve love to have to. After all, we’re only a plane ride away…
  • GET INVOLVED:
    • The Orphan crisis isn’t specific to Africa, it’s a global problem. It’s a breakdown of God’s original design for the family and you can play a small part in the solution- abroad or in your backyard. How? Consider giving voice to the voiceless, advocating for the marginalized, speak out on behalf of the orphaned. Volunteer at your local children’s home, become a big brother/sister, foster parent or adoptive parent. We’d love to journey with you so if there's anything we can do, please reach out!
Finally, a fun way to get your kids involved- A wonderful ministry named Chosen and Dearly Loved partnered with Ekisa to write a children’s book about all the amazing kids in their care. It’s titled “Walter’s Flying Bus” and can be purchased HERE. Proceeds benefit the work at Ekisa.

In closing, if you’d like to learn more about Ekisa or our specific roles with the ministry, we would love to get together and chat. Please reach out! Also, we plan to use this blog as a form of communication while in Uganda so please check back regularly.

May God bless you richly,
The McCawley Family
Matt, Jenna, Kara (8), Allison (6), Nomathemba (4), & Sadie (4)

Ephesians 3:20: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

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