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.