For those that know me, I can’t stand writing! The only reason this blog is up, is because the Lord prompted me to start it! BUT, I strongly believe I need to start journaling on this trip!! Soooo much is happening and I’ve only been here about 2 weeks! Everyday is filled with a myriad of activities; the days start to run together. Needless to say, we haven’t “officially” started our weekly ministry schedule yet, but are preparing for it. Will write in detail about our weekly ministry opportunities (that begin in Feb) next blog!
I’ll hit on some of the highlights from this past week:
1. IDENTIFY!! On Thursday morning, we had a special guest speaker come in. I sat back in amazement as he was speaking. This man was born and raised in Uganda, yet his speaking style was very much like mine. He was using personal stories to make his illustrations and points; he was lively, personable, and very down-to-earth. I sat back just observing all this, and that’s when the Lord spoke the word IDENTIFY to me. Sooo cool! Completely different cultures and life circumstances, but I actually started to really identify with the Ugandans. There is a closeness and bonding that has begun to develop. A kind of agape love that only the Lord could orchestrate! Well, shortly after that, we watched the movie Amazing Grace…anyone seen it? Really great movie, and highly recommend watching it! Again, the word IDENTIFY still ringing in my heart. The main character in the movie was a man who lived back in the 1700 or 1800’s who I could identify with. I could identify with his passion, his challenges, his struggles, his perserverance, etc. I don’t have the same passions as him, but I sure do have passions that seem impossible at coming to fruition at times! Over and over throughout the day I continued to hear the word IDENTIFY….so cool! Well, the next morning, I heard the word IDENTITY, but that explanation I will have to save for my journal ;)
2. DANCE LESSONS!! Yep, that’s right….I said dance lessons. I’m in discipleship training and we officially had several hours of dance lessons! Thankfully noone had a camcorder ;) You must remember the culture here. Ugandans LOVE to dance, and it’s a part of their talent and gifting from the Lord. When we go out to do hospital and prison ministries, apparently we will be performing the dance that we all learned!! I will be standing in the back, no worries :) However, we did have to split into our ministry groups (of about 10 people) and make up dances on our own…my group came in second place…don’t know how that happened with 2 international people in the group, hehe!! Oh yeah, and we all formed a huge circle and one at a time had to go into the middle of the circle and do a free-style dance! You all will be happy to know that I made a complete fool out of myself when I busted out “the sprinkler” in front of 50 people (including the 2 head instructors of the class)…thank you very much, Liz, for teaching me that move many years ago!! They all got quite a kick out of that :)
3. PINEAPPLE PLANTING….anyone looking for a pineapple planter…I would be happy to help :) I now know the complete process! At one of the offsite church campuses, there is vacant land. Watoto wants to build some self-sustainability, in the case that supplies/funding gets cut off from outside countries/support, these orphans will not end up back on the streets. Therefore, they use this vacant land for cropping corn, sweet potatoes, pineapples, etc. Let’s just say pineapples are a lot harder to plant than I thought. My whole morning was spent breaking up the hard dirt and digging the holes (boy was I sore the next couple days and had blisters on my hands) and in the afternoon spent carrying the tops of the pineapples down to be dropped and dug. It’s quite a process, but I do know how to do it…so if anyone is looking for a pineapple farmer when I get back… :) From now on at lunchtime, a couple of us joke before we eat pineapple, “respect your pineapple before you eat it”!!
PS The new pic posted is for real, not just posed for picture-taking…I carried about 10-15 or so buckets like that (after my arms got tired of carrying the huge bags)…the Ugandans got the biggest kick out of me carrying the buckets on my head!! I’m going to be half-Ugandan before I leave here ;)
So much more to tell, but will end here. Until next week…..
May God Bless you and protect you and guide you! I love you all!!
In His Everlasting Love and Mercy,
Michelle
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Top 10 things I've learned about Uganda (so far)!
Sorry to post 2 blogs back-to-back! I’ve now met the national and international teams-we are now one! The reason I have to send 2 blogs at the same time is because I couldn’t get to the internet café because of time…I’ve literally been thrown into full-time ministry for 5 months (without a degree or official training)…it’s crazy,but awesome!! I’m excited and ready to start this new journey! I can’t believe I signed up for this?! I am being stretched and pushed like you wouldn’t believe and we have barely gotten through the couple days of orientation! I’ll save the ministry details (for those that want to hear) for the next blog, since it hasn’t fully started yet, but will end this blog with the top 10 things I’ve learned so far while being in Uganda:
1. I love,love, love this country!!
2. The roosters that live very close outside my window think that morning starts at 3:15am :)
3. Ugandans are some of the warmest, most sincere, coolest people I’ve ever met!
4. I’m convinced Ugandans can carry anything on their heads…bunches of bananas…bag of rice…buckets of water…a mattress…half a car :)
5. If you are going to ride in the front seat of a vehicle in Uganda (or anywhere in Africa), just close your eyes….it makes the ride some much more peaceful!! You can continually repeat Psalm 121:7 over and over and over if you want also, “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.” You think I’m joking, but I really have done this, hehe!
6. The most common form of native transportation in Uganda is called a boda boda. It’s kinda like a motorcycle. The most people I’ve seen ever trying to get on one of these is 5; a man, woman, and 3 children…try being the key word…I have no idea if they were successful at riding it!
7. Sleeping under a mosquito net every night kinda feels like being in a princess bed…that’s the creative, optimistic way of thinking about it :) Hey, at least for right now I have a bed to sleep on!
8. Eating beans and rice every day will not kill you…in fact, I’m getting quite used to it and actually enjoying it!! Ask me five months from now if I’m ready for a good heaping salad though :)
9. I’m making some life-long connections from being on this trip. It’s incredible the people I’m having an opportunity to meet!!
10. I firmly believe the Lord is doing a transforming work here in Uganda and some of these Watoto children/teens are going to be used as leaders in this work! I am so blessed to be a part of this! This is an awesome thing the Lord is doing over here…get ready, get ready, get ready….God is moving in Uganda!!!
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support! I really can’t say "thank you" enough! It is going to be a long 5 months….it hasn’t even been a week and I’m really missing my home and friends! I know there’s a work to be done here in Uganda and a work to be done in me; there’s a reason that I was chosen to be here!
In Christ,
Michelle
1. I love,love, love this country!!
2. The roosters that live very close outside my window think that morning starts at 3:15am :)
3. Ugandans are some of the warmest, most sincere, coolest people I’ve ever met!
4. I’m convinced Ugandans can carry anything on their heads…bunches of bananas…bag of rice…buckets of water…a mattress…half a car :)
5. If you are going to ride in the front seat of a vehicle in Uganda (or anywhere in Africa), just close your eyes….it makes the ride some much more peaceful!! You can continually repeat Psalm 121:7 over and over and over if you want also, “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.” You think I’m joking, but I really have done this, hehe!
6. The most common form of native transportation in Uganda is called a boda boda. It’s kinda like a motorcycle. The most people I’ve seen ever trying to get on one of these is 5; a man, woman, and 3 children…try being the key word…I have no idea if they were successful at riding it!
7. Sleeping under a mosquito net every night kinda feels like being in a princess bed…that’s the creative, optimistic way of thinking about it :) Hey, at least for right now I have a bed to sleep on!
8. Eating beans and rice every day will not kill you…in fact, I’m getting quite used to it and actually enjoying it!! Ask me five months from now if I’m ready for a good heaping salad though :)
9. I’m making some life-long connections from being on this trip. It’s incredible the people I’m having an opportunity to meet!!
10. I firmly believe the Lord is doing a transforming work here in Uganda and some of these Watoto children/teens are going to be used as leaders in this work! I am so blessed to be a part of this! This is an awesome thing the Lord is doing over here…get ready, get ready, get ready….God is moving in Uganda!!!
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support! I really can’t say "thank you" enough! It is going to be a long 5 months….it hasn’t even been a week and I’m really missing my home and friends! I know there’s a work to be done here in Uganda and a work to be done in me; there’s a reason that I was chosen to be here!
In Christ,
Michelle
Know Your Purpose!
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
Ahhh, after traveling over 12 hours, I finally stepped foot into my airport hotel room in Amsterdam. I couldn’t wait to lay down in a bed and get some sleep! As I first walked into the room, I noticed how small it was, literally smaller than my bedroom at my apartment. Yet, I distinctly hear these words, “the room knows it’s purpose”. Wow! That couldn’t be more accurate! When you’ve been traveling hours and hours and are staying for only a short time in an airport hotel room, what exactly are you looking for?? A large room with abundant space? Fancy pictures and murals on the wall? An exotic, large bathroom with fancy soaps/shampoos? Absolutely not! All I wanted was a cool, dark, quiet room with an extremely comfortable bed, a hot shower, and internet access. That’s exactly what I got! That room knew its purpose and served it well. It didn’t try to pretend it was something different or fake being something it wasn’t. Though it wasn’t big and fancy like other hotel rooms, I wouldn’t want it to change, because it fullfilled it’s purpose just perfectly!!
Obviously you can see where this is going :) This is something I’ve been praying very fervently for on this trip and long before I left for this trip. I want to further know what my purpose/calling is. After these five months, I want direction and purpose. I know I’m a child of God , I know I'm adored and loved by the King of Kings…but I want to know my specific purpose! This word from the Lord about my airport hotel room was so timely.
I’ve now met the rest of the “international” team, there are 7 of us total; from Canada, Switzerland, Norway, London, and I’m the only one from the US! It’s gonna be awesome! I’m so pumped and ready to go…I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing, but I’m ready :)
Ahhh, after traveling over 12 hours, I finally stepped foot into my airport hotel room in Amsterdam. I couldn’t wait to lay down in a bed and get some sleep! As I first walked into the room, I noticed how small it was, literally smaller than my bedroom at my apartment. Yet, I distinctly hear these words, “the room knows it’s purpose”. Wow! That couldn’t be more accurate! When you’ve been traveling hours and hours and are staying for only a short time in an airport hotel room, what exactly are you looking for?? A large room with abundant space? Fancy pictures and murals on the wall? An exotic, large bathroom with fancy soaps/shampoos? Absolutely not! All I wanted was a cool, dark, quiet room with an extremely comfortable bed, a hot shower, and internet access. That’s exactly what I got! That room knew its purpose and served it well. It didn’t try to pretend it was something different or fake being something it wasn’t. Though it wasn’t big and fancy like other hotel rooms, I wouldn’t want it to change, because it fullfilled it’s purpose just perfectly!!
Obviously you can see where this is going :) This is something I’ve been praying very fervently for on this trip and long before I left for this trip. I want to further know what my purpose/calling is. After these five months, I want direction and purpose. I know I’m a child of God , I know I'm adored and loved by the King of Kings…but I want to know my specific purpose! This word from the Lord about my airport hotel room was so timely.
I’ve now met the rest of the “international” team, there are 7 of us total; from Canada, Switzerland, Norway, London, and I’m the only one from the US! It’s gonna be awesome! I’m so pumped and ready to go…I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing, but I’m ready :)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Paradigm Shift...Oh that hurts!!
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God". Romans 12:2
If you would have asked me about 4 months ago what my near future would look like, I could have answered you fairly easily...I'm getting married in Feb, then stepping into more full-time overseas missions, then having kids. Ever since I've had a passion for overseas missions, I always knew I wasn't going to step into "full-time" missions until I was with my husband. Well, not only am I not getting married in Feb, I've also been called to my first "longer" term overseas mission trip withOUT a husband. Wait a minute....I think you made a mistake, God...this isn't the way it's supposed to happen...don't you know the "right" order?? haha. So here starts the paradigm shift. About 3 weeks ago the Lord told me this was the first of many paradigm shifts that were going to happen in my mind. Why did I always think I would need a husband before I could do full-time overseas missions?? Why do I limit what the Lord can do through me?? What is it that you have always thought in your head....that needs to be transformed to His ways?? This is NOT easy!! In fact, it hurts, it's uncomfortable, it's frustrating, it's scary, and the word fun should not be associated with this process :) So why do it?? Why am I sitting in an airport in Amsterdam all by myself, ready to spend 5 months in Uganda alone??? Why am I not sitting in my wonderful apartment, getting ready to head to Starbucks with my wonderful friends, after working at the hospital, which I loved?? WHY?
There's a song that I've been quite addicted to the past couple days (thanks a lot Joey and Amanda, hehe) but it's called Paradigm by All Together Seperate. Powerful song and great lyrics!! Part of the chorus says, "I give my life to You, so I can gain it back again...I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting". So is that it? Is that why I'm going halfway around the world for 5 months alone...giving my life just to gain it back again? Not exactly!! The motivation for this trip is pure love and obedience. I love the Lord with everything that I've got and desire nothing more than to serve and be obedient to Him. Everything else is just icing on the cake! These 5 months I'm dedicating to Him, "I'm giving my life to Him, and I know I will gain back again"-completely believe the lyrics to the song...but it's not the motivation to this trip :) My sincere motivation is love and obedience!! If you think it's easy for paradigm's to be shifted-you are quite mistaken....it's hardly easy...the first paradigm I had shifted...I end up leaving EVERYTHING in my life and am traveling by myself to Africa for 5 months....wow, not easy but will be completely worth it!!! He's so worth it!!
On this trip, the Lord has ALREADY proved that He is more than enough and He "has my back on this trip", even though I'm terrified of traveling internationally by myself and doing this alone. I was at the ticket counter in Tampa and apparently left my little passport holder at the counter. I had my passport with me, BUT the passport holder had ALL of my money and my license in it. I didn't have a clue I had left it. The doors were closed on the plane, we were literally about to move down the runway...I'm trying to compose myself after having read an extremely sweet letter from a close friend of mine...and a lady comes speed-walking down the aisle and asked if I was Michelle. Alright, I thought....I'm not actually going to Africa for 5 months (obvioulsy I'm still nervous to go, hehe)!! She asked if I was missing a package and after a quick conversation and check, I realized it was in fact mine! She said they were racing here trying to get it to me....then another flight attendant said that lady had 1 minute to get off the plane or she was gonna be going on the flight to Atlanta too! Boy did God do some talking to me after that and it was NOT reprimanding!! I felt so stupid for losing ALL my money for a 5 month period before even leaving Tampa , but God had something else to say to me, "Michelle, you see, I'm going to take care of you, stop worrying about being alone....I've got you covered, I'm with you, I'm your protector now!!". Now if you don't think that whole incident was God orchestrated to prove to me that He's got me covered...
I encourage you to spend some time with the Lord and ask Him what He wants to transform in your mind...because there is something :) It's a very uncomfortable process, but you will gain freedom and step into His Will....no other place to be!!
I'm in Amsterdam and about to get some sleep in the best airport hotel ever!!! What a blessing and the Lord gave me the next blog topic when I stepped foot in the hotel room...how cool is that! He is soooo good and faithful!! I'm not sure when I will have internet access again after I leave Amsterdam, because then I will be in Uganda...YIKES!!!
I love you all and again thank you for the prayers, support, and encouragement!!!
In Him,
Michelle
If you would have asked me about 4 months ago what my near future would look like, I could have answered you fairly easily...I'm getting married in Feb, then stepping into more full-time overseas missions, then having kids. Ever since I've had a passion for overseas missions, I always knew I wasn't going to step into "full-time" missions until I was with my husband. Well, not only am I not getting married in Feb, I've also been called to my first "longer" term overseas mission trip withOUT a husband. Wait a minute....I think you made a mistake, God...this isn't the way it's supposed to happen...don't you know the "right" order?? haha. So here starts the paradigm shift. About 3 weeks ago the Lord told me this was the first of many paradigm shifts that were going to happen in my mind. Why did I always think I would need a husband before I could do full-time overseas missions?? Why do I limit what the Lord can do through me?? What is it that you have always thought in your head....that needs to be transformed to His ways?? This is NOT easy!! In fact, it hurts, it's uncomfortable, it's frustrating, it's scary, and the word fun should not be associated with this process :) So why do it?? Why am I sitting in an airport in Amsterdam all by myself, ready to spend 5 months in Uganda alone??? Why am I not sitting in my wonderful apartment, getting ready to head to Starbucks with my wonderful friends, after working at the hospital, which I loved?? WHY?
There's a song that I've been quite addicted to the past couple days (thanks a lot Joey and Amanda, hehe) but it's called Paradigm by All Together Seperate. Powerful song and great lyrics!! Part of the chorus says, "I give my life to You, so I can gain it back again...I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting". So is that it? Is that why I'm going halfway around the world for 5 months alone...giving my life just to gain it back again? Not exactly!! The motivation for this trip is pure love and obedience. I love the Lord with everything that I've got and desire nothing more than to serve and be obedient to Him. Everything else is just icing on the cake! These 5 months I'm dedicating to Him, "I'm giving my life to Him, and I know I will gain back again"-completely believe the lyrics to the song...but it's not the motivation to this trip :) My sincere motivation is love and obedience!! If you think it's easy for paradigm's to be shifted-you are quite mistaken....it's hardly easy...the first paradigm I had shifted...I end up leaving EVERYTHING in my life and am traveling by myself to Africa for 5 months....wow, not easy but will be completely worth it!!! He's so worth it!!
On this trip, the Lord has ALREADY proved that He is more than enough and He "has my back on this trip", even though I'm terrified of traveling internationally by myself and doing this alone. I was at the ticket counter in Tampa and apparently left my little passport holder at the counter. I had my passport with me, BUT the passport holder had ALL of my money and my license in it. I didn't have a clue I had left it. The doors were closed on the plane, we were literally about to move down the runway...I'm trying to compose myself after having read an extremely sweet letter from a close friend of mine...and a lady comes speed-walking down the aisle and asked if I was Michelle. Alright, I thought....I'm not actually going to Africa for 5 months (obvioulsy I'm still nervous to go, hehe)!! She asked if I was missing a package and after a quick conversation and check, I realized it was in fact mine! She said they were racing here trying to get it to me....then another flight attendant said that lady had 1 minute to get off the plane or she was gonna be going on the flight to Atlanta too! Boy did God do some talking to me after that and it was NOT reprimanding!! I felt so stupid for losing ALL my money for a 5 month period before even leaving Tampa , but God had something else to say to me, "Michelle, you see, I'm going to take care of you, stop worrying about being alone....I've got you covered, I'm with you, I'm your protector now!!". Now if you don't think that whole incident was God orchestrated to prove to me that He's got me covered...
I encourage you to spend some time with the Lord and ask Him what He wants to transform in your mind...because there is something :) It's a very uncomfortable process, but you will gain freedom and step into His Will....no other place to be!!
I'm in Amsterdam and about to get some sleep in the best airport hotel ever!!! What a blessing and the Lord gave me the next blog topic when I stepped foot in the hotel room...how cool is that! He is soooo good and faithful!! I'm not sure when I will have internet access again after I leave Amsterdam, because then I will be in Uganda...YIKES!!!
I love you all and again thank you for the prayers, support, and encouragement!!!
In Him,
Michelle
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