Being Thankful on my First Thanksgiving Away From Home

I'm going to be honest--today was quite a difficult day for me. I did not expect to be so affected by being away from home for this holiday, but from the moment I woke up today I had an huge ache in my heart. This is the first major holiday that I have spent away from home, and I definitely missed being with my family and celebrating this day. As a result of my heart and soul being overwhelmed, I sought to find comfort in my Lord and master. I read through many Psalms and prayed to the Lord about the heaviness of my heart. One of the Psalms I was reading was talking about the Lord being the only feast the Psalm writer wanted. I was praying "Lord, please help me to remember that you and following your will is much more important than any Thanksgiving feast I might share with my family. Help me to desire you more than anything. May you always be what I long for most. May I find satisfaction in only you."

One of the beautiful things about being in a country so far from home and living solely among people from a different culture is that you are constantly being forced to draw your strength and encouragement from the Lord. I do not expect any of the people here to understand how I am feeling on this Thanksgiving Day. (Many of them do not even have their parents to celebrate a holiday with, and most of them have never even celebrated Christmas.) I know that I am living in a whole different world than I am accustomed to. More importantly, I realize that Jesus is the only one who truly understands the adjustments I am facing and the feelings that sometimes overwhelm me. I am very thankful that He is with me and that I can find rest, peace, and hope in Him. I know that I have to keep my eyes on Him, and He will sustain me through it all. I am confident He will never fail me.

Another thing that brought me comfort on this day was contemplating how many things I have to be thankful for-even in the midst of my loneliness. When you see and evaluate the neediness of others, it always puts your life in perspective. I am very thankful that I even have a loving family to miss, and I'm extremely thankful I have both of my parents alive. I have been visiting many children in the past month who have no parents living because they both died of AIDS when the children were young. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have neither one of my parents alive to raise me. I know that there has to be a large ache in these children's hearts because they either spent very few or no precious moments with their parents. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with my family over the years and build beautiful memories on those days, which I can now look back and reflect on. There are many children who are never given, nor will ever be given, the opportunity to celebrate a holiday and enjoy its festivities. I am thankful that I have shared an abundance of food on Thanksgiving Day throughout the years. I realize that for many people in Uganda having an abundance of food is an impossibility. Their prayer is to have enough food to feed their family for one day. Finally, I am truly thankful that I have been given the opportunity to serve others in Africa. I know that God has sent me here, and I count myself as truly privileged to give up my comforts to improve the lives of others. I know that my life will never be the same because I have moved to Africa, but it is my prayer that the lives of many African children and people will also never be the same because I have moved to Africa. I believe that their lives will be made better because I have come to minister the love, hope, and compassion of Jesus to them.

I know that the periods of loneliness and homesickness will come and go, but I am truly grateful that the promises of the Lord will always remain true, steadfast, and unfailing. I am thankful that everything God purposes to do in me and through me will come to pass, and I am thankful that hope will be brought to Kyenjojo.

Many Times Their Pain Is Unbearable

This past Sunday at church I had an experience that broke my heart, but opened up my eyes even further to see the pain that the orphans face and have to endure. I have realized that any pain I experience is nothing in comparison to what they experience and have experienced.

When it was time for testimonies, an elderly woman who was a first time visitor came forward and began to mention her gratitude toward the Pastor (Pastor Victor) and his wife (me) who showed care and concern for her orphaned grandchildren. The grandmother went on to mention that we had brought school supplies, blankets, and other items, as well as visited her and her grandchildren at their home.

She called the boys to come and stand before the congregation. The boys were both shy, but one of them finally came forward-the youngest one. I recognized him right away. (He was a boy whom we had visited a few times, but every time I saw him and his living conditions, my heart was grieved. I remember looking at him and feeling such compassion. The sorrow that was communicated through his eyes and his face definitely gripped me. He was extremely malnourished and looked destitute and helpless. He looked to be about age 6 or 7, but was actually age 10.)

When this boy came forward, his grandmother began to share his story about how both of his parents had died before he was one year old. The moment she began to speak, the boy began to shed many tears. He tried to stop them, but they continued to flow uncontrollably. I also began to weep as I saw the agony of this child. Pastor Victor called him to sit beside him while his grandmother finished speaking.

His grandmother continued thanking us and then went back to her seat. The boy remained sitting next to Pastor Victor and I. I gave him a hug and told him I loved him, but these gestures seemed so insignificant and almost useless. I knew they could not erase the pain in his heart, and I deeply wished there was something more that I could do to comfort this little boy. The boy continued to weep throughout the entire service. He would try to stop the tears, but I could see that this was an impossible task for him. The pain was just too unbearable.

This is the first time since I have been in Uganda that I have seen an orphan express such sorrow. It really had a powerful effect on me. In fact, I could not get that child's face out of my mind for the rest of that day and even had difficulty sleeping. I could not stop thinking about the many children who share similar stories and deal with similar pain. I kept thinking I have to find them and rescue them. I have to give them hope.

I know that there are many out there just like this boy. Their hearts are breaking, and they often shed tears-whether seen or unseen by humans. They live in pain every day and long for their parents to be alive. Many of them wish that they would have been given the opportunity to meet their parents and know what they were like. Pastor Victor told me that he has seen many orphans shed tears as their stories are retold to others and that I will continue to see this as I spend more time in Uganda and work with orphans.

Even though this may have been my first experience to see this deep inner pain of an AID's orphan expressed outwardly, I know that it is not God's first time. He has seen and continues to see the cries of these children-both the cries of their eyes and the cries of their hearts. He has sent me and you to be the answer to these cries. May we be faithful to this call. May we not lose heart, grow tired or weary, or shrink back, but may we continue to do all that is in our power to deliver the helpless, to bring comfort to the hurting, and to give love to the forsaken. I promise to do my part, will you now do yours?

Sometimes the Pain is Unbearable

Sometimes seeing the pain of the suffering is unbearable. I think, "How can I look at one more child that is hurting and not be hurt to the point of no return? ". I wonder, "How much more can I keep seeing and not have my heart be broken into unrepairable pieces?". Sometimes I wonder, "How much more sorrow can I see and still be able to continue on in happiness?". Yet, actually I thank God that I see the suffering of others, and it hurts. I know that at times God sends the suffering to me to continually remind me of why I am here-of what my mission is. (Just as when Jesus looked at the suffering in the crowds, I'm sure that He was reminded of what His mission on earth was. He was reminded of why God sent him to this earth- to bring hope and life to others, to relieve their suffering.) His heart was continually moved with compassion as he saw the lost and hopeless, the sick and dying, and the lonely and rejected. This compassion gave him a passion to fulfill the destiny for which he was created-to give his life for the sake of making life better for others.

This is also why I know I have been sent to Uganda. I am here to relieve the suffering of others, especially the children, and give them love and hope. My heart is deeply moved as I see children who are sick, impoverished, malnourished, lonely, sad, and abandoned. As a result, my heart is stirred to do something about their condition. I am filled with an even greater passion to pursue the destiny the Lord has created for me.

As I stepped out of my house today and found some of the children who gather at my house, I prayed for God to make a way for these children to be rescued. As the cry of one of these children pierced my ears, it also pierced my heart. When I held this sick and very malnourished child in my arms, I cried out in desperation for God to enable me to rescue many children just like this child. I know I have to be patient for the Lord to fulfill his visions and dreams for me, but I definitely am more than determined to keep persevering and find a way to create a better life for these children. As I pursue this destiny and am obedient to the Lord's voice, I know that He will give me the grace and the strength to both accept the joys and the sorrows of the calling He has purposed for my life. I will keep focused-not only on the one child that I have impacted, but more importantly on the face of my master, and I will make it, even through the pain.

Medical Clinic Progress

As I visit the Children's Land and view the new structure that is there, I am utterly amazed by God's goodness. In the last nine months, I have truly watched God work in miraculous ways. In February, when I first came to live in Kyenjojo, I could have never imagined what this year had in store. I will never forget the joy that I felt when I first stepped on the Children's Land on February 16th, but I never anticipated that construction for a medical facility would begin in 5 months.



I remember the many prayers that I prayed as I walked around the land, but when I was uttering those prayers I never pictured how quickly they would be answered. It was definitely a testimony of God's faithfulness and provision. When one of the nieghbors to our land saw the construction beginning, he said "Do you remember those days you fervently prayed? God surely heard your cry and has answered." I am thankful that the peopleof Kyenjojo can visibly see that God is a God who sees and answers prayer. I am extremly thankful that another message which has been communicated loudly and clearly is that God and His people love the people of Kyenjojo District and are concerned about their condition and quality of life. We are already receiving many words of gratitude from the people in the area. This medical facility has ministered and will continue to minister to the community for years to come.



Each month that has passed since the dedication of the medical building has created more excitement in my heart. Every time I visit the land, I see more progress made. The construction workers have been dilligently working to see this project completed. In fact, this project has provided jobs for many people in the community. Many of the people in Kyenjojo have thanked us for giving them jobs so that they do not sit and drink and take drugs all day. They are even begging us to continue construction so they will continue to have jobs.



Now, as we are approaching five months after the dedication of the Medical Clinic, we are also approaching completion of the first building on the Children's Land. The workers are adding the roofing and will soon be doing the finishing touches on the walls and constructing the floors. I cannot wait to see how God continues to work and use this facilit,y as well as many others, for his glory and honor. Please keep praying for the work on this Children's Land, and don't forget to rejoice in the Lord's goodness and thank Him for His blessings. Your prayers are making a tremendous difference in the Kingdom of God and are moving mountains in Kyenjojo!


As you view these pictures, you will see how the construction process progressed. Glory be to God!

I Gave My Lunch Away Today

Many of us can't imagine eating only one meal a day-not even snacks in between. Nevertheless, this is the normal routine for many people in Uganda. I still have many moments where my heart breaks for the suffering, and I just can't imagine what it would be like to live the way that some of these people live. I've always said that in the US we take so many things for granted. For example, running water and clean drinking water are two things I think those of us in America don't appreciate enough. In Kyenjojo, it is a true struggle to have both of these necessities. I have had many days where I have struggled to find good water or have not had water to wash my clothes or mop my floor. Although the town does have water taps in some places throughout the town, you have to pay to use that water source and the water quickly runs dry or is just not there some days. In addition, I can never drink the water that I receive either from the tap or the well.

In America, it may be easier to forget the struggles the people face here, but I personally have some continual reminders of the neediness of this area, and in some ways I am bombarded by it-even in my own home. Since I have returned to Kyenjojo, I have had visitors at my door or window crying out my petty name "Abooki". They always come for something, such as food, soap, lotion, money, etc. They are very persistent. In fact, many of them will stay around my house all day, and they may even come early in the morning or late at night. The neighbors have complained about these children and people, threatening to cane (beat) them. They want these children and people to stop disturbing me. They tell Victor, "She can't even understand what they are saying. She just laughs, and they keep disturbing her." It is true that I cannot understand most of their words. I try to get what I can, but mostly I am unable to understand what they are asking or telling me. I cannot wait until I can fully understand the language!!!

It makes my heart so sad that these children are not going to school and that no one is caring for them. I just cannot imagine what it would be like to experience the childhood that these children face. Their parents are not minding whether they go to school or where they are. These chidren are just wondering around themselves, and many of them are very young.

Two days ago when I had just finished preparing my lunch and had sat down to eat, I heard their familiar voices. I was so moved in my heart that I thought "I cannot eat this lunch and not give them any." The problem was that there were many of them, and I had only prepared a small amount for myself. Unfortunately, I did not see the Mircale of the Five Thousand, and there was no multiplication. As a result, I ended up giving away almost all of the lunch I had prepared. (I had taken a couple of bites before they appeared, but after they came there was no more left for me.)

I have to say that the delight in my heart as I watched them eat erased my feelings of hunger, and I was glad that I had given them my lunch. I also knew that I would easily be able to get food for supper, but I could not confidently say this about these children. The only challenge I face here with food is that cooking meals takes hours becuase I only have a charcoal stove!

Every time I am given the opportunity to give to others, I always experience joy in my heart, and I am quickly reminded of the principle of the Bible that says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." I am confident that if more of us would live our lives according to Biblical principles such as these, we would experience a deeper sense of satisfaction in our daily lives. I know that Kingdom philosphy appears to be backwards, but in the end, it is the most rewarding!

My Miracle and Love of My Life

I was quite busy in the month of August with my wedding and honeymoon plans. I wed Pastor Victor Sande on August 15. Our wedding was a glorious and beautiful day, and I loved having an African wedding! In Uganda, weddings are a very big deal. They are truly a great celebration, and my wedding day could not have been more celebratory. Many people were smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves. There was much joy and happiness in the air. We had almost 400 people in attendance! I praise the Lord for displaying his glory and presence on that day. Even nonbelievers were saying they could see God on that day. This delighted my heart more than anything! It is my deep desire that everything I do bring glory and honor to the Lord. I want his presence to always be displayed in my life no matter what event is taking place.

I count it as a tremendous miracle to have such a God fearing, unselfish, loving, and humble man as my husband. He truly makes me a better person and brings so much joy and strength to my life. I am thankful to have found someone who is as passionate about pursuing God and honoring Him as I am. I am also very thankful to have found a man who has very similar goals and visions as I do. I am confident that Victor and I will bring much hope and love to the people and children of Uganda. I was willing to serve God alone in Africa, but it is an added blessing to have a Godly man to serve the Lord alongside me.



God brought Pastor Victor into my life two years ago when I was volunteering at a local orphanage. We were both at this orphanage to gain more experience and knowledge to pursue our vision of helping the orphans of Uganda. After I left Uganda, we continued to communicate with each other and pray about the direction God was taking us. It was both of our desires to wholeheartedly pursue the will of God for our lives and be obedient to His voice. God continued to reveal to both of us that He had great plans in store for our lives and ministry together.



In the short time I have known Pastor Victor, I have been blessed in so many ways. He has not only been an incredible friend, mentor, and inspiration to me, but has also been very instrumental in helping my vision to become a reality. I would not be where I am today, or who I am today, without his influence and contribution to my life. I thank the Lord for bringing such a precious gift into my life. I will always consider him as my miracle and love of my life.

Will You Dream for Me?

I was sitting on my bed conversing with a Ugandan friend I just recently met. She is a student at one of the biggest universities in Uganda. She was sharing with me about her dreams for the future and telling me she hopes to work in a bank some day. As I was listening to her talk and heard the enthusiasm in her voice, my mind was quickly reminded of the many children I have seen in Kyenjojo who are not getting a quality education-if any education- and will not even finish the early stages of secondary school (high school). I was thinking about all of those children who wake up everyday just barely existing. Most of these children have no dreams for today; therefore, dreams for the future are out of the question. In these children, the hope of obtaining a better life has disappeared like the morning mist.

I was thinking about how they probably don't even know how to dream anymore-if they every did know how. I concluded that these precious children desperately need someone who will dream for them and will inspire them to dream dreams for themselves. Hope inspires vision, but without hope there is no vision. I am thankful God has brought me to this area to give these children hope and inspire vision in them. I am thankful God has sent me from my comfortable life in America to encourage these children that there is a better life awaiting them. I know I am here to speak Jeremiah 29:11 over their lives. (For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.) Finally, I am thankful God placed a dream in my heart so I can place a dream in others' hearts.

The Face of Injustice

I don't think I will ever become immune to the sight of suffering, and I cannot turn away from the face of injustice as it bitterly stares at me. My heart breaks as I see it so rampant in Uganda, and especially now in the capital city of Uganda-Kampala. (I have been spending the last few weeks here because of wedding preparations.). Today I even felt some anger as I saw a child subjected to beg for money by her father's choice. I was walking down the crowded streets when I saw a father placing his young crippled girl (I'm guessing maybe 6) on the street to beg for money. I could see the deformities on her body, both her arms and legs were folded and parts of her limbs were missing.

This is not the first time I have seen the crippled sitting on the streets begging for money. A day never goes by in Kampala that you do not see the crippled, as well as children-including very small children, sitting on the streets with their frail hands held out to receive even a small coin. It breaks my heart to think that so many of these children are placed here by their parents or relatives to earn money for the family. I was speaking with a fellow Ugandan about this situation, and she was telling me that many of the children have homes where they sleep at night. She was saying that the way the mothers get money to provide for their family is by placing their children on the streets from morning to evening to beg for coins.

I get overwhelmed when I think about the life these children are forced to live. They will never experience the joy of childhood, and their opportunities for a future are so limited. I wonder in my human mind, "How could you subject your own child to such a life?", but before I begin to criticize I stop to think about what poverty can drive someone to do. I know that I will never understand what these people are experiencing and have experienced, but one thing I do know is that I am going to be an advocate for justice and fairness. I am going to plead for the child's rights no matter what situation the parents may find themselves in. I am going to be zealous to see that many children are given a better future. I will not turn my face away-as many are tempted to do-because the task seems impossible. I will impact this nation and bring hope to others.

Living in Uganda as a “Muzungu”

I love Uganda with all of my heart, and I am very thankful to be here. Yet, I still think it would have been so much easier if God would have made me black instead of white. Every month I find new challenges with “Living in Uganda as a Muzungu.” I find it interesting-The people here want to be white like me, but I want to be black like them. I sometimes wonder, “Do people really know all that is entailed with having white skin?” I know they think bazungu (more than one white) have everything, but I am finding out that white skin can be a deterrent and not a blessing. I have spent the last week trying to prepare for my wedding on August 15. I could never have guessed how difficult it might be to find and purchase all of the necessary items I would need as a “bride to be” in a country that is not my own, but my wakeup call came even the first day. As I traveled from shop to shop, every retailer automatically raised the prices on every item, and I had to go through quite the effort just to get them to bring it down to a reasonable price. I tried to explain to some of them that I am not a “rich Muzungu,” but I don’t think they believed me. (Although in the spiritual, I am a very rich Muzungu!) I am already uncomfortable with the bartering process, but it really makes it difficult when you cannot trust the people you are bartering with. I thank God I had a Ugandan friend with me who could help me through this challenging experience.

Many times I wish I could be treated like any other Ugandan. I wish people could see me for who I am on the inside and not for my skin color on the outside. It is sometimes difficult for me because everyone is looking to me as someone who has everything and is able to solve all of their problems. There are times I get overwhelmed when I consider I have limited resources and will be unable to offer assistance to all, but I then consider Jesus and how he faced similar pressure. Everyone was looking to him as their Messiah. They expected him to rescue them from their oppression and become their mighty king. Even the disciples were bitterly disappointed when Jesus died because they thought their hero had failed. Yet, their eyes were only directed on what they were seeing in the physical and not on the eternal promises Jesus had spoken to them and the words of God they had read in the scriptures.

I am thankful that Jesus’ death on the cross opened up a doorway of hope. I am thankful that because of the price Jesus paid, I now have hope to carry to the people of Uganda. When I have no job to offer the unemployed, I can always offer them the opportunity to serve the Lord. When I cannot solve their problems, I can lead them to the one who will sustain them through each and every problem. When I have no medicine to give to the sick, I can offer the gift of prayer and healing. When I cannot bring changes to their lives, I can offer the new life Jesus’ can bring. When I run out of money, I will always have the treasure of Jesus to give. When I have nothing else to offer, I always have the gift of love.

I ended my frustrating day today stopping for a man who had been in a motorcycle accident and was now crippled. I looked into his eyes and greeted him, and as our eyes met his whole face lit up. I asked him if I could say a prayer for him, and then I gave him a small coin. As I walked away from that man, I again thanked God for the opportunity to minister in Uganda and prayed for the Lord to make me a blessing to many. It may be challenging to live in Uganda as a Muzungu, but God continues to show me that there is a reason why he sent this muzungu to Africa. My only prayer is that I fulfill every purpose God had for sending me here.

Responding to God's Heart

I have realized that my presence in Uganda is mainly responding to God's heart for the children and people of Kyenjojo, Uganda. He asked me to "Go" because their cry reached his ears and his heart, and, now that I have lived here, their cries have become even louder in my own ears and heart. I know God had such a deep love and compassion for these people that he could not let them continue to suffer without sending someone to help relieve their pain. I am humbled God has sent someone like me, but I am fully confident He has called me here.
I sometimes am tempted to think that God should have sent someone more adequate or equipped for such a large task, but God quickly reminds me that all he requires of us, as ministers of the Gospel, is to hear his heartbeat and respond to that heartbeat. He looks for those who are willing to be "His" hands and feet"-not their own hands and feet. We will never be fully prepared or adequate for acts of service, but all of us-no matter what phase of life we are in-can be an expression of God's love. The more we step out of the way-the more God's love can be released in and through our lives and actions.
At times, especially when I am facing a number of emotions and adjustments, I think it would have been easier for me to be in my own country ministering the love of Jesus to others there. Yet, I am quickly reminded of my purpose for being in this nation, and all of the fear and doubt quickly disappear. God took me out of my comfort zone that I might bring comfort to others. He called me to live on a new side of the world that I might create a better world for others. He placed a burden on my heart for the Ugandan children that I might ease the burdens they are forced to carry. He chose to have me live far away from those I love in order to show those in Uganda that there is someone who truly loves them. He called me to seasons of loneliness that I might reach out to those who are lonely and introduce them to a friend who will never fail them. He called me to moments of weakness that I might help others rise up and become strong. He called me to humble myself lower so that others might be lifted higher. He called me to periods of hardship that I might make life easier for others,
For the rest of my days here on earth, I am committed to following God's heart and seeking to acheive all that He has called me to. Please continue to pray for me as I seek to fulfill this commitment with all of my heart.
Finally, thank you for also responding to God's Heart. We are all in this together and will bring hope, change, and transformation to Kyenjojo!

I Held a Child Today

Such a simple action does not sound too memorable, yet in that brief moment of my day, it seemed like my whole world stopped and my heart expanded. I was washing my clothes by hand (one of my routine African chores), when two small children appeared before me. They stared at me-as most children (and adults) do when they see a Muzungu, but continued to remain near me. After giving them a little bit of time to adjust to my skin color, I walked over to one of the girls and picked her up. The moment I held her in my arms, she clasped her arms around me and held me very tightly. I returned her tight squeeze for a few moments. Then we looked into each others eyes, and I kissed her forehead. I wil never forget the smile that radiated from her face.
I will always remember how I felt during those precious moments of our embrace. I felt a beautiful exchange of love, but I also felt a desperation for love in that young girls intense embrace. It was as though this little girl had been waiting for days, months, or even years for someone to show her love-for someone to give her attention. Once again, I was quickly reminded why God has sent me here. There are many children just like this little girl who need to feel loved and valued. Each one of them need to be held in a loving embrace. I pray that God sends me many more children like this little girl today, whom I can hold and love. Today was not even a day that I had intended to devote to "ministry," but God had different plans for both me and that little girl:)

Gratitude Beyond Words

I often find myself using the phrase "I wish I had words to express my gratitude," but I truly have many moments where the words "Thank You"are just not enough to portray the appreciation of my heart.

As the month of July begins, I again find myself speechless because of the deep gratitude that I feel in my heart. I have a vast number of things to be grateful for, but I will list only some of them for the sake of length. (I am going to try to begin shortening my blogs, as well as blogging on a more regular basis. There has been a solution to my computer problems; therefore, I should be able to use my computer more frequently.)

First, I am deeply grateful to God that I am alive today. As many of you know, I was extremely ill for an extended period of time, including being bedridden for two weeks. I was diagnosed with two serious African illnesses, one being Malaria. I have never experienced illness to the extent that I reached during the months of May and June, but I praise the Lord I am now healed and am on my way to total recovery. I am also thankful for all of the prayers that were offered on my behalf. I know that they are the reason I am alive today!

Secondly, I am thankful for the American team that came and ministered to the people of Kyenjojo. It was truly a dream come true for me. On one particular day as I was sitting down eating lunch at the medical team area, I became overcome with emotion as I witnessed all that was taking place. I felt inexpressible joy as I watched people receiving both physical and spiritual treatment. I thought to myself, "The message of God's love is surely being sent out to this community."

I am confident that many of the Ugandans who interacted with the American team will never forget that interaction. It will be permantely engraved in their hearts. Even if all of their poverty and suffering is not removed, they will always be thankful for the "muzungu" who was willing to fly the whole way across the ocean to show them that there is a God in Heaven who sees them and loves them. I praise God for this blessing! It is definitely the desire of my heart to see God's love touching many-all around the world.

Thirdly, I want to thank God for all of you, and thank you personally. It is truly a beautiful thing to see how God is using all of us together to fulfill his vision for Kyenjojo. I am very aware that I could not accomplish these tasks on my own and am deeply humbled as I continue to find people who are willing to partner with me. You bless and encourage me. You give me courage and strength. You are the wind beneath my wings. Your prayers are moving mountains and opening up the Heavens! God is using you to make a difference in my life and the lives of many others in Uganda. May you be richly blessed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Small Beginnings

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zechariah’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10

When seeking to implement a large vision, it can sometimes be disheartening to take small steps or see only small beginnings. However, this verse has brought such encouragement to my heart because it gives the Lord’s perspective on the work, not our perspective. The Lord rejoices to see those small beginnings because it is a beginning. When we take those small steps and make those small beginnings, we are showing Him that we believe in him enough to take a step forward. We are saying, “I believe you are able to make this vision come to pass; therefore, I am more than willing to begin.” When we make the choice to begin the work, we are not looking at what we see today, but we are looking at what we see in future years. What has kept me in Uganda for these three month is not what I have seen on the ground or in the physical, but what I have seen in the spiritual. It may not appear that much work has been accomplished, and sometimes I am tempted to ask myself what major contributions have I made during this time. But then I call to mind this verse, and I continue to encourage myself that the work has begun. (I even put my own name in place of Zechariah’s name.) The plumb line was a very important step in the construction process. It may appear to be something very small and insignificant, but it lays the foundation for a strong structure. I know that important foundations are being laid for the Children’s Village. I know God is at work in Kyenjojo, and I know He is rejoicing because small beginnings are being made for the Children’s Village. I am thankful to be serving the Lord here, and I am fully trusting in Him to enable me to accomplish the task for which I was created and pursue the calling the Lord has given me.

We sometimes may be tempted to ask the Lord “Why are things not happening at a quicker pace? Am I doing something wrong? Are you hearing the prayers of your people? Do you not see the needs of the people around me?” I must be honest that I am very eager to have structures and children on the Children’s Village. I see the suffering children around me, and I desperately want to help them. I want to do much to help the needy of this area. Nevertheless, I am learning there is a time and season for everything, and a process for things to happen. (In Africa, this process may take a little longer than what I am accustomed to) I am continuing to learn to have complete faith and confidence in the promises of the Lord and in His character. It says in Zechariah 2:13, “Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.” I am learning to be silent and thankful before the Lord for the small beginnings and continue to focus on the big results that I see in the future. I am challenged to look with my eyes of faith and keep moving forward-to rejoice at the small beginnings (which are really BIG beginnings in the eyes of God) and see that greater things are on the way!

Becoming One of Them

One month has now passed since I stepped off the plane in my new home-Uganda. I have had quite an eventful month as I seek to learn more about the culture and people and see Uganda through the eyes of Jesus.

The main focus of my time has been on learning the language and learning what it is like to be an African woman. I have continued to practice preparing food and cooking on a charcoal stove, as well as doing the regular African chores such as washing my clothes by hand. My weak muscles are being stretched, but are growing stronger every day. This is definitely a time of growth and new discoveries for me. I always say that the more time I spend in Africa-the more that I find I still have so much to learn about Africa. It is definitely an exciting adventure learning to live in and adjust to a new culture. I praise God that he continues to help me and give me favor with the Ugandan people. I am very thankful for the love for the Ugandan people that God has placed in my heart. I truly do feel connected with them in a number of ways.

I have always felt that integrating myself into the culture is a very important component of my ministry. I believe that I must seek to relate in some small way to the lifestyle of the African people in order to display the true love and compassion of Jesus for these people. I wholeheartedly agree with Paul when he spoke in I Corinthians 9:9:19-23 about becoming all things to all men so that he might save some.

In the same way, before Jesus saved the world, he came down to this earth and lived and walked among us. Though he was God, he came down and subjected himself to the constraints of humanity. He faced the challenges, emotions, and experiences that accompany living in this fallen world. He would not have had to experience all of this, but he made the choice to become like one of us. As a result, he can now sympathize with our pain and suffering, and his example gives us courage to overcome the challenges we face. I love the passage in Hebrews 4:14-16 that talks about us having a high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses.

It is very difficult to bridge the gap between a muzungu (white person) and an African. Many of the Africans already have preconceived ideas about bazungu (white people), and of course, there is always the obvious color difference. (I always stick out wherever I go.) Nevertheless, I believe that God can help me bridge the gap that is there. I believe that God can continue to help me to understand and relate to the people, but I also believe that I need to be responsible to do my part. I believe that this process of integrating myself into the culture encompasses sharing in some of the activities and responsibilities of the African people. As I continue to be taught how to cook food by my African woman mentor, I learn more about the culture and people because we talk as we prepare food. As I share in the cooking and cleaning responsibilities, I learn more about the workload of most African women. As I seek to learn the language, I connect with the people in a personal way and show them that I care about them and their culture.

In addition, I have had opportunities in the last month to do what I love most when I am in Africa-show the love and compassion of Jesus to others. I have been able to reach out in love to those who are hurting and living in despair. I have had the opportunity to hold suffering children in my arms and embrace them with the unconditional love of Jesus. I have been given the honor of being Jesus’ feet and hands so that others may know there is a Father in Heaven who sees the needs of his children and cares desperately for them.

I will quickly share one of these divine appointments with you. One day as I was walking along the streets of Kampala I found a woman and her baby lying on the side of the street. I stopped the moment I saw them and knelt beside them. I began to greet them with the typical Lugandan words, and then I asked the woman if her child was sick. She told me they were both very sick, but had no money to go for treatment. She told me they had been sitting in this same place for two days and that she had been praying that someone would come and help her and her child. Yet, no one had stopped until I came. I prayed for the woman and her child, and then I just held the child in my arms for some time. This child was so malnourished that it looked to be about 5 or 6 months old, but she was actually two years old. As I talked with the mother, I discovered that she was a twin, but her twin sister had already died. As I looked into the eyes and face of this child, my heart broke. I saw such distress and hopelessness. As I held her in my arms, I again was touched beyond words with a deep, compelling compassion to do something to rescue suffering children. I have continually made a commitment to the Lord to do all that I personally can to liberate children from pain and suffering and give them a better life. I realize that I cannot reach every child, but I know in my heart that every child I touch, every child I hold, every child I smile at, and every child I love has been given the message that someone in this world cares and loves for him or her. Sometimes I think we as people get so caught up in making a big difference that we forget how much of a difference a little difference can make. We fail to show love in the small ways because we think we don’t have the time, money, or resources to show love in the big ways. I may not be able to change the world in one day by loving one person, but I may be able to improve that one person’s day, influence his perspective, and change his life forever. I may never know the impact I have made on a person, but I do know that if I do not reach out in love to even one person I have not made an impact on anyone. One of the goals of my life is to impact as many people as I possibly can because I know that by making an impact on even one person, you have made an impact on the world. One of the philosophies I live by is to always leave a place better than I found it, and I believe that with the help of my Lord this goal can be accomplished.

The Joy of Africa

I have been back in Uganda for less than a week, but I have again realized the many reasons I love ministering in Africa. I have experienced a range of emotions-as I usually do when I am in the continent of Africa. My heart has been overwhelmed with both joy and sorrow as I see and hear a variety of things. Nevertheless, today I am going to focus on the joy of being in Africa because I truly do love Africa very much.

As I see the love, kindness, and generosity of the Ugandan people my heart is filled with joy and gratitude by their efforts to welcome me. I have always been deeply encouraged and inspired by their thoughtfulness toward me. It amazes me that I am coming here to bless them; and yet, I myself am so richly blessed by them.

As I hear them speak their local languages and try to speak the language myself, I am filled with joy. I love when their faces light up as they hear a muzungu (white person) speaking in their native tongue. I still have a long way to go in my language learning, but it is definitely progressing. Actually, I have been focusing on Luganda, but soon I will be back to learning Lutooro. (I am currently staying in the capital city to finalize some details of the children’s village before I go to Kyenjojo, and they speak a different language.)

As I see the beauty of the land and gaze at the breathtaking views in the sky, I remember that God showers his love on us in so many ways. We just have to take the time to notice them.
I love the joy of ministering to the African people. As I find opportunities to touch various people and show them the love of Jesus, my heart dances within me. I don’t think I could experience any greater joy than when I see hurting people smile as they hear the story of Jesus or am given the opportunity to watch their eyes twinkle as they are being touched by the Lord.
I enjoy seeing and hearing the familiar sights and sounds of an African street or village-especially the voices of the children. How they fill my heart with joy! Their “muzungu” shouts, their conversational efforts (“Muzungu, How are you?, Bye.”), their cute complexions, as well as many other aspects capture my heart every time. As I sit in the crowded taxi, ride the Boda Boda (motorcycle), see the small shops and the various house structures, and cross the crowded streets, I am quickly reminded that I am back in Africa.

Finally, the sight and sound that I love most is when I see the Ugandans dance and hear them sing praises to the Lord. I am always deeply moved by their passion and sincerity. I have realized that when they worship God, they do it wholeheartedly. When I visit Africa, I find many of the people here know what it is like to own little material possessions and suffer in numerous ways; however, they have also found the joy that only Jesus can give. They have discovered portant truth that if you have Jesus you have everything. They have faced many sorrows and disappointments, but they have concluded that Jesus is always faithful and will never disappoint his children. They express gratitude with their voices and their hearts for the Lord’s love and faithfulness. They comprehend that the true ingredients for peace and joy are not to conquer the storms of life or remove them, but to learn how to dance in the rain. I pray that these lessons will continue to transform my life and the manner in which I live.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to come to Africa. The Lord is using all of the experiences of my life in Africa to teach me more about Him and His ways, as well as strengthen my walk with Him.

My Strong Refuge

I have safely reached Uganda. It feels wonderful to be back in my new home. Nevertheless, I have to say that it has been an extremely stressful last couple of days for me. I had a number of problems with my flights, including one flight actually being canceled due to the snow in London. I was able to catch another flight through a different airline just in time. (God definitely sends angels to help me and guide me. If it would not have been for this airline worker, I definitely would have not made it to London on time.) As a result of all of this, I think that my luggage was lost. I am missing four of my checked in bags. The luggage service is going to try to track it, but they aren't guaranteeing anything. Please pray that I receive it.

As event after event has changed in my life and circumstances sometimes drain my energy and play with my emotions, I am constantly reminded about what truly matters in life. I am so thankful that Jesus is unchanging and his grace and love for us is always available. As I continue to be bombarded with confusion and chaos (at times), I run to my hiding place where I know I will always find refuge. I was thinking yesterday-as I felt so utterly weak and helpless-I am very thankful I have Jesus to go with me wherever I go. I am truly grateful that I never have to travel alone. It has been very reassuring to be reminded of the strength, peace, and joy of the Lord. In fact, I have found that as I am bombarded with my weakness and inadequacy, I am also embraced with God's strength and total adequacy. Every time I think in my mind or heart "I can't do this," I sense the Lord's presence and hear him say, "You don't have to." I have found that one of the most valuable lessons, and yet the most difficult to practice is "Let go, and let God."

I am continually challenged to look through my eyes of faith and believe that God is with me and is directing my steps. I find that as I continue to release control to the one who holds my life and future: it actually appears that things are more in control. I find that the only way I can find rest for my soul is to release my burdens to the Lord and let him have his way in my life. The results may not look anything like what I expected, but the finished product will always be more beautiful than I could have ever imagined or created.

Please pray that as I embark on this new and vast adventure, I will let the Lord steer my ship. I want to fully depend on him-knowing and also living the truth that without him I am nothing, but with him I am everything.