Do Not Fear...I Will Uphold You.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This weekend has not been one of my best weekends in Kyenjojo.  Friday night I again found myself ill with stomach issues.  I thought maybe it was the food I ate, but by Saturday night I was finding no relief and knew that I was going to have to see a doctor first thing Sunday morning.  As I woke up this morning, I was a little discouraged-thinking, “God I really don’t want to be sick again.  I am tired of being sick.  I just wish I could stay here without getting sick.”  I was sitting in our car contemplating all of this...when I looked out my window and saw a    person being pushed in a make-shift wheelchair.  I’m not sure the age of the person, but it seemed like he was probably in his teenage years.  As I looked at him and saw his frail legs and small body, it put everything in perspective for me.  I thought, “Here I am complaining about a sickness that will go away in some days, but for that boy he is living with a sickness for the rest of his life.  He has to endure all of the circumstances of Africa with a challenging illness that may never go away.”  My heart felt great sympathy and compassion, and it directed my attention off of my own illness.  I first thanked God that He brought this man into my path today, and then I thanked Him that He has blessed me with a healthy body.  Lastly, I prayed for God to give me strength and a thankful heart in each and every circumstance that comes my way.  

It was not long after this moment that God brought Isaiah 41:10 into my mind.  He reminded me that I did not need to fear....that He was with me...would give me strength...and would uphold me with His righteous right hand.  This verse filled my heart with such peace.  I knew that God had sent it at just the right time.  It reminded me that God was holding me now and would continue to uphold me through every situation I faced.  I was not facing anything alone.  I thank God for the power of His word that is a present help for us in our time of need.  I also thank God that He can bring great comfort and encouragement into our lives just when we need it the most-whether it is a diagnosis of typhoid in Africa or cancer in America or the death of someone dear or any other trial we may face.  We do need to fear....God is with us.

Back In Africa

It is amazing to me how spending even a little time in the US can make me forget just how much of a struggle life is for so many people here.  Nevertheless, it doesn’t take much time in Africa to be reminded of this basic truth.

During my second day in Entebbe (the city where the airport is located), Caleb and I were taking a walk near our guesthouse.  I passed a young girl carrying a large jug of water and a woman washing her clothes vigorously by hand.  I bowed my head and thanked the Lord for the blessing of water and a washing machine throughout my life in America...that so many times I have used without even giving it a second thought.

On the third day, Pastor Victor and I went to buy a few things at the nearby supermarket.  The moment I stepped out of the car, I was bombarded by four street children dressed in rags selling pumpkins and peanuts.  They pleaded with me to buy their products as they rudely shoved them at me and blocked my pathway.  It was not their shouting voices that broke my heart, but the silent cries of their eyes and their hearts.  As I walked into the supermarket, I struggled to fight back the tears as I thought about what life looked like for these children.  I could not get their faces out of my mind, especially that night as I laid Caleb down in his warm bed and gave him a kiss goodnight.

Then back in Kyenjojo…two days later…I wake up to find no water at our tap (a very familiar memory)…I go to the office to try to do some work, and there is no electricity...Power has gone and our generator is not working properly…During these last two weeks, we have greatly rejoiced if we have even one day where we do not lose electricity…I think that might have happened once…

When it comes to checking e-mails or doing things on the internet, you begin your prayers early…not for speedy service, but for any service…(I have been trying to send this blog for the last four days.)

Living in Africa definitely changes your perspective on many things...and helps you appreciate both the big and the small.  Most importantly, all these experiences and circumstances are continual reminders to me to direct my gaze to the Lord-the giver of all things, the healer of all wounds, the keeper of all hearts, and the sustainer of all beings.  No matter how much or how little one has, he or she lacks everything without the Lord; no matter how challenging or easy daily life seems, one needs the grace and strength of the Lord to carry him or her through.