We are Virgil & Joy Ricks , originally from Oregon. By the time you have gotten to this page on the website you already know that we do mission work in Uganda. This is the story of how we got there.
In 2007 we began sponsoring two orphans in Uganda, East Africa through Show Mercy International . We were encouraged to travel to Africa to meet the children in person – so in 2008 we did just that as members of a short-term mission team. When we arrived we traveled through Gganda Village to get to the orphanage the children were living in. The children of the village ran alongside the bus yelling “Bye Muzungu,” “Bye Muzungu” – it made us feel like royalty coming into town!
So, what’s a Muzungu, you might ask. Well, when the explorer Stanley explored Africa he was looking for the headwaters of the Nile River and knowing he was close, he traveled in closer and closer circles until he found the source of the Nile River. Because he was a white man going in circles he earned the name “Muzungu.” The European traders would travel through Africa and were known as white men going round and round – again, they earned the name “Muzungu.” The word also refers to white people who are world travelers. The kids say “Bye Muzungu” instead of “Hi Muzungu” because the white people are always going somewhere.
This first trip to Africa opened our eyes to the extreme poverty these people live in each and every day. There is a constant search for food and water, education, clothing, and shelter. But God has a different plan for their lives and He chooses to use others to help them come to that place of provision.
We have many stories we want to share out of a heart of compassion for orphans, widows, and many others who have touched our hearts forever. One of the stories is about Robert. His parents abandoned him and his four siblings when he was just 10 years old – his brother and three sisters were 2, 4, 6 and 8. Of course, the ages are approximate as none of them have birth certificates. Robert would beg for food or try to find work to feed his little family. His father would return to the village every few months and beat Robert for taking care of the children – for keeping them alive! The founders of the orphanage we were visiting became aware of how the kids were living and the trauma they had experienced and rescued them. All five kids were accepted at the Home where they were provided food, shelter, clothing education and large doses of daily love! Robert was once asked why he stayed to care for his siblings instead of just taking care of himself…..he said “Because I don’t have the heart of my earthly father but I have the heart of my Heavenly Father.”
We have traveled to Uganda many more times since that first trip in 2008. We have been blessed to extend a helping hand to many people. It wasn’t too long ago that we had no intention whatsoever of even traveling outside the United States… let alone hooking up with orphans, widows and pastors in a third world country! When we look back at where we were and where we are today all we can say is – it’s been an amazing journey. God is so faithful!
It is our delight to help a bush pastor start a business that will provide food, shelter, clothing and even education for his/her children. We are filled with gratitude when we are able to send funds for needed surgery, food in times of drought, materials to build a brick home, or tuition.
