It’s hard to believe that I’ve reached my last week here in Uganda. With what began feeling like an eternity, these six weeks have flown by. Where did the time go? I’m starting to find myself with wet eyes at the thought of leaving my new friends. When I consider this last week, I want to take as much advantage as I can of the opportunities to be with these kids. This morning we went to church with them, and you couldn’t have paid me to wipe off the smile plastered on my face. We were all dancing, clapping, and joking with each other. It was such a sweet time of fellowship. I will certainly miss the lively worship and relational nature of the people here. I look forward to each morning when I get to embrace the kids with hugs and shower them in love. I love walking almost everywhere with a small hand in mine, and hugging a small child that is running at me and feeling that it has been returned ten fold simply by embracing them. My heart smiles with each precious child that I cross paths with. I feel like a little piece of my heart is being left behind in Africa.
I am excited to come home, but I do not feel glad about leaving here. I’ve learned so much during these five weeks, and pray the Lord is equipping me for what is to come. My prayer is that when I ride down that escalator in the Jackson Evers airport into the baggage claim, I will be returning to Mississippi with less of Louise and carrying more of Christ with me. I am looking forward to all that is in store after this trip. Thank you to those of you who have prayed for me and been supportive. Encouragement from home has kept me going and been beyond helpful.
This will probably be my last post until I am home and have the time to write. Until then, I want to focus on my time here and not bother with the Internet all that much. I am hoping to return to the prison on Tuesday, so prayers for that trip are widely welcome. I ask that you would not simply pray for me, but that those children would feel loved and special.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Bringing a Little Red, White, and Blue to Uganda
Due to a lack of power this week, I haven't been able to post in quite some time. So forgive me for my tardiness in writing. Even now I am using a computer at a tourist place to check the internet and give this an update.
The lies of discouragement seem to be lurking behind my shoulder nearly every day here. Questions that run through my head: Am I doing enough? How am I helping? The needs here are so much bigger than me, what can I do? It is easy for me to find myself spiraling down into this pit of self-centered helplessness. Yet, the Lord has been faithful to lift me up on eagles wings, and lift my eyes off of myself and onto Him. Last week, Dawn and I sat down with the high school girls to hang out and catch up with them. We asked how they've been, and what they've been learning from morning devotions. Considering they are older and mostly self sufficient, it's often difficult to see where you are playing a part in Christ's work in their lives. One of the girls, Joan, proceeded to fill me with encouragement as I was surprised at her response to our questions. She told us that we were the first team of people who had ever come to Dwelling Places and spent the majority of our time with the youth. "Most people seem to go to the TRH and spend time with the little children. The youth here often get more ignored." She told us how encouraged she was that we've spent equal time with both girls and boys. She said normally people come and the girls only talk to the girls and vice versa. "It's helped us come together as a family and have an optimistic attitude around here." This is exactly what I needed to hear. The Lord used Joan to show me that our presence, our mere friendship, has meant a lot to these kids. Later, Joseph, (one of the staff in charge of the youth) brought more encouragement as he shared specific stories of how we've moved in the lives of these students. Seeing Christ work through someone as selfish as myself is beyond humbling. My spirits were lifted, and my heart smiled to see that these people were somehow getting a taste of God's goodness.
Now for the red, white, blue; land that I love.
If you think being in Uganda means we won't have an independence day celebration, then you are wrong, my friend. And if you think the power being out would stop us, then think again! Yep, we threw a 4th of July celebration with all our new, Ugandan friends and partied hard in the candle light. Let me preface this little adventure by telling you that we planned on throwing a party for about 20 people.....35-40 showed up. Thankfully, our mother-like, Ugandan women came along with them not empty handed. Along with Dawn and I running to the store, scrounging through our closet for food, and the rice the women brought, it was a five loaves of bread and two fish experience. I'm not quite sure where all the food came from, but somehow we had plenty to go around. We even started with ice cream because it was melting from the day before. I was grateful for the Lord's hand of protection as well considering there were a few people there we'd never seen before. As hectic as it was, I have missed the essence of chaos in my life. It was great to tap in to my domestic, girly side and play hostess. We had a dance party facilitated by music played from car speakers. Card games were being taught and played left and right, and we even had some football thrown in the front yard. It was wonderful to have all our friends together and provide a place for them to fellowship. Getting to feed them was a joy as well. I didn't get to hang out much because I was busy cleaning and cooking in the kitchen. However, I was glad to provide food and fun for every one outside. We made burgers and bought sausages which was as close as we could get to American food. It's a feat trying to find those things out here, but we "made do" and finally caved by making them all yet again....a bowl of rice. I met them in the middle and wore my "Uganda" jersey (which is pretty popular attire here) and ended up matching with most of the guys. It was great fun. We made sure they knew the purpose of the party, and I felt quite proud to be an American. An American who loves Africa of course. ;)
All in all, the party went well though it's attendance size was unexpected. Celebrating Independence Day in Africa wasn't so bad after all. In fact, it ended up being pretty great. For those of you who can brag about your barbecues and cook outs, I'll try not to keep a chip on my shoulder that I cooked out too...charcoal style....in Africa. Aye oh!
God, Bless America. Land that I love.
The lies of discouragement seem to be lurking behind my shoulder nearly every day here. Questions that run through my head: Am I doing enough? How am I helping? The needs here are so much bigger than me, what can I do? It is easy for me to find myself spiraling down into this pit of self-centered helplessness. Yet, the Lord has been faithful to lift me up on eagles wings, and lift my eyes off of myself and onto Him. Last week, Dawn and I sat down with the high school girls to hang out and catch up with them. We asked how they've been, and what they've been learning from morning devotions. Considering they are older and mostly self sufficient, it's often difficult to see where you are playing a part in Christ's work in their lives. One of the girls, Joan, proceeded to fill me with encouragement as I was surprised at her response to our questions. She told us that we were the first team of people who had ever come to Dwelling Places and spent the majority of our time with the youth. "Most people seem to go to the TRH and spend time with the little children. The youth here often get more ignored." She told us how encouraged she was that we've spent equal time with both girls and boys. She said normally people come and the girls only talk to the girls and vice versa. "It's helped us come together as a family and have an optimistic attitude around here." This is exactly what I needed to hear. The Lord used Joan to show me that our presence, our mere friendship, has meant a lot to these kids. Later, Joseph, (one of the staff in charge of the youth) brought more encouragement as he shared specific stories of how we've moved in the lives of these students. Seeing Christ work through someone as selfish as myself is beyond humbling. My spirits were lifted, and my heart smiled to see that these people were somehow getting a taste of God's goodness.
Now for the red, white, blue; land that I love.
If you think being in Uganda means we won't have an independence day celebration, then you are wrong, my friend. And if you think the power being out would stop us, then think again! Yep, we threw a 4th of July celebration with all our new, Ugandan friends and partied hard in the candle light. Let me preface this little adventure by telling you that we planned on throwing a party for about 20 people.....35-40 showed up. Thankfully, our mother-like, Ugandan women came along with them not empty handed. Along with Dawn and I running to the store, scrounging through our closet for food, and the rice the women brought, it was a five loaves of bread and two fish experience. I'm not quite sure where all the food came from, but somehow we had plenty to go around. We even started with ice cream because it was melting from the day before. I was grateful for the Lord's hand of protection as well considering there were a few people there we'd never seen before. As hectic as it was, I have missed the essence of chaos in my life. It was great to tap in to my domestic, girly side and play hostess. We had a dance party facilitated by music played from car speakers. Card games were being taught and played left and right, and we even had some football thrown in the front yard. It was wonderful to have all our friends together and provide a place for them to fellowship. Getting to feed them was a joy as well. I didn't get to hang out much because I was busy cleaning and cooking in the kitchen. However, I was glad to provide food and fun for every one outside. We made burgers and bought sausages which was as close as we could get to American food. It's a feat trying to find those things out here, but we "made do" and finally caved by making them all yet again....a bowl of rice. I met them in the middle and wore my "Uganda" jersey (which is pretty popular attire here) and ended up matching with most of the guys. It was great fun. We made sure they knew the purpose of the party, and I felt quite proud to be an American. An American who loves Africa of course. ;)
All in all, the party went well though it's attendance size was unexpected. Celebrating Independence Day in Africa wasn't so bad after all. In fact, it ended up being pretty great. For those of you who can brag about your barbecues and cook outs, I'll try not to keep a chip on my shoulder that I cooked out too...charcoal style....in Africa. Aye oh!
God, Bless America. Land that I love.
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