So, I'm reminded once again about the distinction between "being" and "doing". The whole Mary vs Martha biblical principle. It is so difficult in our society and generation, that's based on works. Our worth and value seems to always be connected with "doing"....how are you "doing"...what are you "doing"...what do you "do" for a living. We get so caught up in what we are doing instead of who we are and more importantly who God is, and who we are in Him. I don't "do" things to receive more acceptance or love from Him, I know I have that regardless of my works and nothing will increase His love for me (Romans 3:27-28). However, I still struggle sometimes to slow down and "just be"..."just be His Kid"...and to "dance like a girl" (do you like that, Terri?) :) I so desperately want to be made more into His image (nothing wrong with that) and want to serve Him with everything I've got (nothing wrong with that either)...but sometimes I forget to just "be". I start to "help" God change myself, which in fact isn't helping at all, it's just being counterproductive and slowing down my growth and transformation into His image!! I definitely am hearing Him loud and clear. Another paradigm shift is on the brink!!! These things hurt my head :) They are so against my natural self and counter-intuitive, but I'm so certain it's of the Lord! I'm like a fish swimming in the opposite direction of the "school of society fishes". Now, more than ever, I know who I am in the Lord and I can just "be" and let the Holy Spirit move and work (not become lazy or complacent...that will never work for me...but move and flow in a whole new way and perspective)!
Recap of this past week and a look into the next couple weeks :) Btw, this past week got changed around a bit (not suprising, TIA) so it wasn't as rough as I anticipated!
We went to visit our Living Hope clients (the patients with HIV, whom we visit in their homes). Lots happening with each of them! Our Muslim client, who we connected to a church and cell group and supplied a bible to...suprisingly had accepted Jesus the previous week at her church!!!! How cool is that?! She's still plugged into the church, cell group, and has a good friend who comes over and reads the Bible with her, to help her understand better. When we went to visit her, we had nothing formal planned (normally we do) and "ironically" we had a small, informal bible study. Everyone kept suddenly getting different scriptures and encouragements to share with her....it was really cool and led by the Holy Spirit! The second client is our 3 1/2 year old little girl, who on most visits, is quiet and doesn't talk or move around, just sits in our laps. However, this time, she saw us coming and came running full-speed up the road towards us and jumped into one of my group member's arms! It was precious! There were several other children there so we crowded into the small room together and played guitar, sang, and danced...it was lots of fun!! Our third client is the 17 year old boy, Samuel, who I've shared that I'm so heart connected to. We got word several days before the visit that he had been taken back to the village. I didn't understand why because I knew Samuel was adamant about NOT wanting to go back there. However, after asking and prodding my group members more, apparently people are taken back to their village when they are expected to die soon. Samuel had stopped taking medication, was no longer keeping food down and they supposedly couldn't get an IV site in him, and now was said to be paralyzed. Our group had planned it all out and had talked with Samuel's uncle to get someone to escort us to the village to visit Samuel (the village is pretty far and we would have to drive and take some kind of boat to get out there). We were determined to see him though! However, when we arrived the morning of ministry day, the leadership told us we could not go that day because they were afraid there wouldn't be enough time...so right now we are desperately working out transport to go out and visit him this next week, REALLY want to see him. I've spent several nights praying for him and his salvation!
I attended my second Ugandan wedding on Friday...how cool is that?!?! Actually, our whole class attended :) One of the pastor's comes in twice a week to teach us discipleship classes....he rocks!! So, as a class, we feel very bonded to him and it was really special that we got to attend his wedding!! He looked so excited and happy (in class he's very serious and intimidating and carries such an authority), and the bride looked absolutely stunning!!! The wedding was simple, but amazing! The whole presentation was just incredible! Before anyone walked down the aisle, the worship pastor opened with "You Raise Me Up"- wow he has an incredible voice and the music was anointed...then everyone came down the aisle and it was all nice black tuxedos but then noticed it was pastor after pastor after pastor...all his groomsmen were pastors (who have come in to do many devotions and teachings with us), so we knew them all and their little personalities...which was fun to see them all!! The message was also great...the prayers were powerful...the dancing and singing was the best (especially seeing the pastors all dressed up and dancing)...the special live duet of "Bless the Broken Road"....it was just a simple, but powerfully perfect and memorable wedding!!
All this week we have "trauma counseling" training. Will let you know more about that next Monday :)
Please continue to pray for me! 7 weeks left here and you would think it gets easier...in a way it does, but in a way it doesn't! I'm still dealing with kidney stones...some days the pain is better than other days :) Also, my passion for kids/youth ministry is growing leaps and bounds! I literally do feel like I'm going to burst sometimes! I've been asked to set up a couple appointments with some "big people" in Watoto to discuss some things-this is a huge step for me, even to get the courage and boldness to talk to "the big guns"- continuing to pray and see where that leads :)
I miss you all!! Experiences and people are absolutely incredible here (I can't believe I'm so blessed to be here), but of course, nothing can replace my friends/family back home and some of the comfortable lifestyle accommodations I was used to! (Most days we have hot water for showers, but those unexpected ice cold showers a couple times a week...sure make you appreciate hot water). Power randomly going out at any moment. No control over what you eat, and most days it's a lot of rice for lunch and a lot of rice for dinner! Not able to talk to or see any of my friends or family for 5 months. No car to just jump into and head to the store. Also, I can't believe this is coming outta my mouth, but I can't wait to eat a huge salad (because they don't have salads here) AND a huge cheeseburger when I get back!! (That's a huge shocker for those that know me really well, because I don't eat meat...the last time I had a burger was sometime in high school...well over 12 years ago...guess Uganda is changing me more than just spiritually!) :)
PS I will no longer be a salt-addict when I get back. I'm on a forced fasting of salt-is that biblical?? :) One girl on my team has limited my salt intake with dinner and now everyone has caught on board...they literally grab and hide the salt shakers from me or pour one dash into my hand or make me use pepper instead!! It's a good thing I love all of them, hehe!
I really am going to be unrecognizable when I get back...a no-salt, cheeseburger eatin', guitar playin', completely sold out for Jesus kinda girl :)
In Christ,
Michelle
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Love the KIDS!!!!!
Wow, it's getting intense over here in Uganda!! Now only 8 weeks left here, and the pressure is on! I feel there is so much work left to be done in me and so little time to go...I'm putting the pressure on the Lord...like He can really be pressured, haha :) I truly want to come back unrecognizable in 8 weeks!! I've been preparing for a "character study" that I have to teach our class in a couple weeks. I'm talking about sincerity, which was the "character" that was assigned to our group. Who knew the Lord would search the depths of my heart before I could teach on this topic! I sure didn't like everything that I discovered so it's a good thing He's not through with me yet! Have you ever thought about what motivates your actions? Is it to build yourself up to look good? Is it to prove/show others you're a good, Christian person? Is it out of obligation and a religious attitude? Or do you have sincere, pure motives to do things out of an overflow of Jesus' love? Start praying for God to show you your own motives...and I guarantee that your very next prayer will be for His help in making your motives right, pure, and holy! I'm seriously being molded into His likeness!
Will try to keep it short and only tell you about 2 ministries that we did this week!
We went back to Wells of Hope Academy, the recently started boarding school for children who's parents are in prison. I can't begin to describe the atmosphere at this school...powerful, anointed, and blessed...I just love it there and would stay there, if I had the opportunity! After a prayer, reintroduction (in which they remembered all 10 of our names since we last saw them 4 weeks ago), we did a lesson. Last time I did the teaching, but this time another team member taught about the Creation Story. However, I was involved in the Adam and Eve skit we did after the lesson...I actually wrote the skit :) Somehow I also got volunteered to play Eve?! :) We had the best time, especially with impromptu lines, hehe!! The kids were laughing (which is good because they are in extremely difficult circumstances) and I do believe they will always remember the Creation Story and Adam and Eve (or at least have a good giggle remembering when we taught them and loved on them)! I wish you could hear the children pray...it's incredible what is in their precious, little hearts. When they thought this was our last time there, a couple of them went to the classroom door to say good-bye and had tears in their eyes :( I really, really, really enjoy working with these children and look forward to ministering there one more time. I believe this is one of my favorite places of ministry since I've been in this program in Uganda.
We also did street ministry on Friday afternoon. Each group was assigned a particular location, and our objective was to share who we were, and to discover the needs of a family and some issues within the community. Our group took a matatu (van-like taxi) to some slums about 15 minutes from the church. The area was in rough shape. We immediately were walking through mud, trash, and cattle. But, as I was looking back and talking to another team member, I suddenly looked up and 5 or 6 little kids were at my feet jumping up and down greeting me excitedly :) (Since we were in a village, they don't see many muzungus (white people), and there was myself and one other muzungu guy in this group). However, the kids kept surrounding only me and I certainly was NOT complaining!!!) Since the kids took a liking to us, we actually asked them to take us to their homes, so we could talk with their parents. After spending some time in the home and saying good-bye to the kids...we made it back to the church to discuss our plan of action or possible solutions to help (or help change) this community. Since I'm trying to keep this blog shorter, I will let you know in a later blog what ideas we came up with, how we plan to implement them, and exactly when we are going back to this area (which we don't know yet)!!
I wish I could describe in words just how amazing God is, but it's simply impossible to do! All I know is that He's faithful and loves us far more than I will ever be able to comprehend. I know I can't live without Him and my life would just be useless and meaningless.
Just spent this Sunday in "Children's Church" at the district church I serve at each Sunday. (This is the first Sunday I've been able to serve back in Children's Church, because there has been such a need for greeters/ushers). Let's just say my passion for working with kids is getting stronger and stronger...I feel like I'm going to BURST!!!
I'm really missing everyone!! I really can't say thank you enough for all the prayers, emails, facebook messages, and texts....they always come at the perfect moments and I appreciate you all, how sensitive you are to the Lord, what faithful friends you are to me, and your love for me!!!
This next week is going to be very intense for me personally (will write more about it in the next blog)!!
Living to know Him more and more,
Michelle
Will try to keep it short and only tell you about 2 ministries that we did this week!
We went back to Wells of Hope Academy, the recently started boarding school for children who's parents are in prison. I can't begin to describe the atmosphere at this school...powerful, anointed, and blessed...I just love it there and would stay there, if I had the opportunity! After a prayer, reintroduction (in which they remembered all 10 of our names since we last saw them 4 weeks ago), we did a lesson. Last time I did the teaching, but this time another team member taught about the Creation Story. However, I was involved in the Adam and Eve skit we did after the lesson...I actually wrote the skit :) Somehow I also got volunteered to play Eve?! :) We had the best time, especially with impromptu lines, hehe!! The kids were laughing (which is good because they are in extremely difficult circumstances) and I do believe they will always remember the Creation Story and Adam and Eve (or at least have a good giggle remembering when we taught them and loved on them)! I wish you could hear the children pray...it's incredible what is in their precious, little hearts. When they thought this was our last time there, a couple of them went to the classroom door to say good-bye and had tears in their eyes :( I really, really, really enjoy working with these children and look forward to ministering there one more time. I believe this is one of my favorite places of ministry since I've been in this program in Uganda.
We also did street ministry on Friday afternoon. Each group was assigned a particular location, and our objective was to share who we were, and to discover the needs of a family and some issues within the community. Our group took a matatu (van-like taxi) to some slums about 15 minutes from the church. The area was in rough shape. We immediately were walking through mud, trash, and cattle. But, as I was looking back and talking to another team member, I suddenly looked up and 5 or 6 little kids were at my feet jumping up and down greeting me excitedly :) (Since we were in a village, they don't see many muzungus (white people), and there was myself and one other muzungu guy in this group). However, the kids kept surrounding only me and I certainly was NOT complaining!!!) Since the kids took a liking to us, we actually asked them to take us to their homes, so we could talk with their parents. After spending some time in the home and saying good-bye to the kids...we made it back to the church to discuss our plan of action or possible solutions to help (or help change) this community. Since I'm trying to keep this blog shorter, I will let you know in a later blog what ideas we came up with, how we plan to implement them, and exactly when we are going back to this area (which we don't know yet)!!
I wish I could describe in words just how amazing God is, but it's simply impossible to do! All I know is that He's faithful and loves us far more than I will ever be able to comprehend. I know I can't live without Him and my life would just be useless and meaningless.
Just spent this Sunday in "Children's Church" at the district church I serve at each Sunday. (This is the first Sunday I've been able to serve back in Children's Church, because there has been such a need for greeters/ushers). Let's just say my passion for working with kids is getting stronger and stronger...I feel like I'm going to BURST!!!
I'm really missing everyone!! I really can't say thank you enough for all the prayers, emails, facebook messages, and texts....they always come at the perfect moments and I appreciate you all, how sensitive you are to the Lord, what faithful friends you are to me, and your love for me!!!
This next week is going to be very intense for me personally (will write more about it in the next blog)!!
Living to know Him more and more,
Michelle
Monday, April 12, 2010
An ENTIRE week off :)
Ahhh, that's right, an entire week off :) I know that some people at the hospital where I worked at were under the impression that I'm taking a 5 month vacation! However, contrary to popular belief, I've been working like crazy here, just a different kind of work, and one that I don't get paid anything monetary for!! So, I definitely appreciated having this past week off!
Several people went white water rafting, went on a 3-day safari, or did a day trip to Jinja...I actually opted not to do any of them. I've seen or done all of these experiences before, so chose to save my money and instead "hung out" a bit! I've absolutely had the best time!!! I'll share just a little bit...
On Wednesday I was "home alone" for the first time since we've been in Uganda. I actually spent the entire afternoon praying and worshiping. I know, that sounds a bit weird. However, I live for an audience of One and will endure persecution and ridicule, and that's ok! I had an incredible day and I can't begin to tell you how freeing the whole afternoon was! Later that night, I attended my regular cell group (small group), even though we weren't "required" to go. I just love my cell group here. The leader is a young Ugandan physician, who I just seemed to connect with since our first meeting! Also, the couple that hosts the group (in their home) are extremely strong in faith, and just amazing Christians as well! It's going to be really difficult leaving the group in a couple months :(
Thursday was a memorable day! Myself and 2 of my other roomies took over our guesthouse kitchen :) (Yes, the guesthouse kitchen and entire guesthouse are still standing...we didn't burn the place down, hehe!!) One of my roommates family's was in town, so we wanted to make a "traditional" Ugandan meal for them. This is actually an extremely hard thing to do. In fact, many Ugandans don't even make some of this stuff because it's so consuming (time-wise and strength-wise). (However, one of our classmates taught us how to do it). Soooo, one of the cooks took us into the market (even catching a matatu, which is like a large taxi van was quite an experience). Then, shopping in the market with him (a local market that never sees muzungus) was SUCH a interesting time! Our cook kept telling the market sellers that we were the ones cooking the meal...and they were so impressed that we knew what ingredients to shop for and how to cook it. The ride back on the matatu was hilarious too! It's too hard to describe, but let's just say there were barely 2 seats available in the matutu we flagged down....and yep, we all 3 hopped in....I turned around and my roomie's face was smashed almost into the back of my head! I'm still laughing thinking about the look on her face and the comment she made, "...and how is this any safer than riding a boda". (Those are the motorcycle-like bikes that we are banned from riding because so many people get extremely injured on them). Well, we then spent ALL day cooking....such a fun experience for us and the 2 cooks. (I do believe they got great pleasure watching us try to cook, of course with LOTS of help from them, hehe). The meal turned out quite delicious...it was like a Ugandan Thanksgiving meal :)
Friday we ventured to a local "Friday craft market". It's the only day I really get to shop, can you believe it?! ;) Then Friday night, a couple of us went to see a play at the church. I just love learning more about the culture and God's People. The best way to do this is to be led by the Holy Spirit and to jump right in and engage yourself (no matter how uncomfortable it feels).
Besides that....hung out, played cards, talked, went to the pool a couple times, talked some more, read a lot, caught up on sleep, took walks, listened to music, prayed a lot, practiced some more guitar, tried to catch up on emails....just a nice, relaxed week :) You have to keep it pretty simple here...I am in Uganda after all!!
PS I was having dinner one evening this week in our guesthouse and glanced up to just say hello to a couple that I had never seen at the guesthouse before (just to be friendly). Suddenly, she stopped and said, "hey I know you..." I then looked up and recognized that I did indeed know her!! Back in 2007, my first trip to Uganda, I went with an organization called BWO to Jinja and Masaka. She was helping to run a baby orphanage in Jinja, and helped us with the medical team (which I was a part of). She "just happened" to be in Kampala to go on safari and it "just happens" that they got grouped with our team to all go on safari together!! She's only ever been on safari once before and she lives in a town about 2 hours away...the chances of us just crossing paths are so slim....God is amazing!!! She's a missionary from the States, and has now been in Uganda 5 years. I was talking to her a bit about full-time missions :)
Thanks again for all the prayers and continued encouragement! I love getting emails and texts from everyone!! I tend to highlight and write about the amazing things here, but this trip hasn't always been easy...I've definitely hit major low points. Just last night I struggled with little sleep because it was miserably hot and I was in incredible pain (several of you know that for the past several week, I've been battling with kidney stones...yeah, I learned my lesson DRINK LOTS OF WATER while on mission trips :) ) only to wake up still in pain, groggy because of no sleep, and immediately discovered that I lost my camera (through a dream I had the night before) but it contained ALL my pictures since the beginning of my trip :( What a way to start the day! However, God is faithful and still in control. I can't fix my eyes on the circumstances or myself...because that's exactly what the enemy wants. Instead, I told God how I was feeling, told Him how amazing He is, and who He is in my life, and then began telling Him all the things I'm grateful for in my life....and am continuing to keep my eyes fixed on Him instead of my circumstances. (The Bible tells us to be thankful IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances....certainly not grateful that I lost the camera, but I sure can keep an attitude of gratitude!) You can either fix your eyes on all the joy stealers and watch life pass you by, or you can fix your eyes on The One who brings joy and created life and you can chose to live life to its fullest, as the salt and light of the world (there is always someone around you who needs a smile, needs to hear encouragement, needs to hear about the hope of Jesus Christ, or is living in poverty and needs the basics of life to survive)!! Sooo, I do thank you for the continued prayers, because I/we need them :)
Until next Monday.....
Living to know Him more and more,
Michelle
Several people went white water rafting, went on a 3-day safari, or did a day trip to Jinja...I actually opted not to do any of them. I've seen or done all of these experiences before, so chose to save my money and instead "hung out" a bit! I've absolutely had the best time!!! I'll share just a little bit...
On Wednesday I was "home alone" for the first time since we've been in Uganda. I actually spent the entire afternoon praying and worshiping. I know, that sounds a bit weird. However, I live for an audience of One and will endure persecution and ridicule, and that's ok! I had an incredible day and I can't begin to tell you how freeing the whole afternoon was! Later that night, I attended my regular cell group (small group), even though we weren't "required" to go. I just love my cell group here. The leader is a young Ugandan physician, who I just seemed to connect with since our first meeting! Also, the couple that hosts the group (in their home) are extremely strong in faith, and just amazing Christians as well! It's going to be really difficult leaving the group in a couple months :(
Thursday was a memorable day! Myself and 2 of my other roomies took over our guesthouse kitchen :) (Yes, the guesthouse kitchen and entire guesthouse are still standing...we didn't burn the place down, hehe!!) One of my roommates family's was in town, so we wanted to make a "traditional" Ugandan meal for them. This is actually an extremely hard thing to do. In fact, many Ugandans don't even make some of this stuff because it's so consuming (time-wise and strength-wise). (However, one of our classmates taught us how to do it). Soooo, one of the cooks took us into the market (even catching a matatu, which is like a large taxi van was quite an experience). Then, shopping in the market with him (a local market that never sees muzungus) was SUCH a interesting time! Our cook kept telling the market sellers that we were the ones cooking the meal...and they were so impressed that we knew what ingredients to shop for and how to cook it. The ride back on the matatu was hilarious too! It's too hard to describe, but let's just say there were barely 2 seats available in the matutu we flagged down....and yep, we all 3 hopped in....I turned around and my roomie's face was smashed almost into the back of my head! I'm still laughing thinking about the look on her face and the comment she made, "...and how is this any safer than riding a boda". (Those are the motorcycle-like bikes that we are banned from riding because so many people get extremely injured on them). Well, we then spent ALL day cooking....such a fun experience for us and the 2 cooks. (I do believe they got great pleasure watching us try to cook, of course with LOTS of help from them, hehe). The meal turned out quite delicious...it was like a Ugandan Thanksgiving meal :)
Friday we ventured to a local "Friday craft market". It's the only day I really get to shop, can you believe it?! ;) Then Friday night, a couple of us went to see a play at the church. I just love learning more about the culture and God's People. The best way to do this is to be led by the Holy Spirit and to jump right in and engage yourself (no matter how uncomfortable it feels).
Besides that....hung out, played cards, talked, went to the pool a couple times, talked some more, read a lot, caught up on sleep, took walks, listened to music, prayed a lot, practiced some more guitar, tried to catch up on emails....just a nice, relaxed week :) You have to keep it pretty simple here...I am in Uganda after all!!
PS I was having dinner one evening this week in our guesthouse and glanced up to just say hello to a couple that I had never seen at the guesthouse before (just to be friendly). Suddenly, she stopped and said, "hey I know you..." I then looked up and recognized that I did indeed know her!! Back in 2007, my first trip to Uganda, I went with an organization called BWO to Jinja and Masaka. She was helping to run a baby orphanage in Jinja, and helped us with the medical team (which I was a part of). She "just happened" to be in Kampala to go on safari and it "just happens" that they got grouped with our team to all go on safari together!! She's only ever been on safari once before and she lives in a town about 2 hours away...the chances of us just crossing paths are so slim....God is amazing!!! She's a missionary from the States, and has now been in Uganda 5 years. I was talking to her a bit about full-time missions :)
Thanks again for all the prayers and continued encouragement! I love getting emails and texts from everyone!! I tend to highlight and write about the amazing things here, but this trip hasn't always been easy...I've definitely hit major low points. Just last night I struggled with little sleep because it was miserably hot and I was in incredible pain (several of you know that for the past several week, I've been battling with kidney stones...yeah, I learned my lesson DRINK LOTS OF WATER while on mission trips :) ) only to wake up still in pain, groggy because of no sleep, and immediately discovered that I lost my camera (through a dream I had the night before) but it contained ALL my pictures since the beginning of my trip :( What a way to start the day! However, God is faithful and still in control. I can't fix my eyes on the circumstances or myself...because that's exactly what the enemy wants. Instead, I told God how I was feeling, told Him how amazing He is, and who He is in my life, and then began telling Him all the things I'm grateful for in my life....and am continuing to keep my eyes fixed on Him instead of my circumstances. (The Bible tells us to be thankful IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances....certainly not grateful that I lost the camera, but I sure can keep an attitude of gratitude!) You can either fix your eyes on all the joy stealers and watch life pass you by, or you can fix your eyes on The One who brings joy and created life and you can chose to live life to its fullest, as the salt and light of the world (there is always someone around you who needs a smile, needs to hear encouragement, needs to hear about the hope of Jesus Christ, or is living in poverty and needs the basics of life to survive)!! Sooo, I do thank you for the continued prayers, because I/we need them :)
Until next Monday.....
Living to know Him more and more,
Michelle
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter in Uganda!!
HE IS RISEN!! The resurrection of Christ is the foundation for the hope of all Christians...our hope is found in Jesus Christ and eternal life spent with the Lord in Heaven. I just love Easter and its meaning! Obviously I spent this Easter in Uganda :) A bit different from Florida...actually VERY different ;) Since I'm currently working 24/7 in ministry and working with a very large church here in Uganda, I've been involved in Easter celebrations since Thursday.
Thursday night they had a huge "praise rally" at the main church campus. It's basically a night of just praise and worship music. They were expecting tons of people so not only was the church set up, but also the entire parking lot was filled with plastic chairs, 2 huge screens to be able to see the worship team inside, and huge speakers. We were required to usher at this event, and several of us chose to usher outside. It was AWESOME! I've never experienced powerful worship underneath the stars in Africa before...it was incredible!!!! Getting absorbed in the words and meaning of the songs and then looking up and seeing the vastness of the open sky and stars...yeah, there just aren't words to describe it!! There were several times that I actually got so absorbed in worship, I forgot I was was in Uganda!
Friday night (Good Friday) the International Team had their own little "service" at the guesthouse :) We decided not to go to the main church for service, but have an intimate time together instead! We sat in a circle and worshiped with the guitar (no I didn't play...yet, hehe), read the Crucifixion account from the Word, and prayed. Simple, but intimate, Spirit-filled, and powerful!
Saturday night they had a special worship and prayer service at the district church that I serve at. So, I ventured out there to be a part of that celebration. It was wonderful!! They played a clip from the Passion movie, starting with Jesus getting beaten. So overwhelming, but I think everyone should watch the Passion at least once a year.
Sunday was like many other Sundays....we all went to our district churches to serve. It didn't feel like Easter when we got up, probably because there was no candy, no easter baskets, no people dressed in colorful easter sunday clothes, and no kids with sugar-highs running around everywhere. It was just a "typical" Sunday. However, there was something exciting in the atmosphere!! The worship at my church was wonderful!! I've really gotten to know about 8 of the Ugandan ushers...and I have the best time serving with them!! During worship, a couple of the guys came up and razzed me about putting more rhythm in my moves or dancing, while I'm greeting and ushering. I tried to explain that I'm white and not African...then they try to tell me that Shakira isn't African either, haha! They are slowly drawing me out :) When we sing songs in Luganda or Swahili, they come over and explain what the songs mean, they look after me! Soooo, by the 3rd service yesterday, I was dancing with more rhythm, learned a Uganda dance to one of the songs, and was singing in Luganda/Swahili to one of the songs (and knew the meaning)....all while ushering and interceding in prayer!! Yeah, it was an awesome day :) Soooo much fun!! During some of the services, in between my ushering responsibilities, I usually spend time talking one-on-one with one of the ushers or other people serving in the church. This is a step out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning A LOT from the Ugandans. They are not only teaching me about themselves and their culture, but also about caring, kindness, gentleness, and patience for others. They sincerely care about me, as a person, and want to engage in conversation, even though I'm only here for 5 months. They are teaching me what it means to be a servant of the Lord and what it means to develop relationships and be used by Him. Though the Ugandans lack planning in advance and for the future....I'm DEFINITELY learning how to "live in the moment" by watching them. They have Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself", down and they know how to live it out, and because of the Ugandans, I'm learning how to live this verse out too :) It's amazing how much I'm growing and learning here! Well, ended the evening having a blast back at the guesthouse with the international team...talking, laughing, playing cards, laughing, talking more, laughing, and laughing some more! Definite week of remembrance though! Remembering what Jesus Christ did for us and who we are here to serve. Remembering that we have resurrection power flowing on the inside of us. Remembering that Jesus wins...flip to the back of the book...we win because of Him. Remembering how much I'm so utterly in love with the Lord, but moreso remembering how much He loves me (and each and every one of us), that He sent His one and only Son to pay the ultimate price for our sins, so we can have eternal life...there is no greater love! Remembering that He doesn't want us to wait until we get to Heaven to start living, we can and should start living a life of freedom and love now!!!
PS I want you all to meet Hunington (see the pict on the right). This is a 10 year old little boy who resides at an orphanage called Suubi, that we go play sports at every Saturday. He's an excellent football (soccer) player, has been on choir tour to the States/Canada, likes math, loves Jesus, and likes to teach me new hand shakes every Saturday :) Since the very first day at Suubi, we've developed a special bond, even though I usually only see him at the beginning and end of the day (unless he migrates down to volleyball, where I'm coaching, to hang out with me). He's such a cool kid and I can just tell he has a precious, sweet heart!
Thursday night they had a huge "praise rally" at the main church campus. It's basically a night of just praise and worship music. They were expecting tons of people so not only was the church set up, but also the entire parking lot was filled with plastic chairs, 2 huge screens to be able to see the worship team inside, and huge speakers. We were required to usher at this event, and several of us chose to usher outside. It was AWESOME! I've never experienced powerful worship underneath the stars in Africa before...it was incredible!!!! Getting absorbed in the words and meaning of the songs and then looking up and seeing the vastness of the open sky and stars...yeah, there just aren't words to describe it!! There were several times that I actually got so absorbed in worship, I forgot I was was in Uganda!
Friday night (Good Friday) the International Team had their own little "service" at the guesthouse :) We decided not to go to the main church for service, but have an intimate time together instead! We sat in a circle and worshiped with the guitar (no I didn't play...yet, hehe), read the Crucifixion account from the Word, and prayed. Simple, but intimate, Spirit-filled, and powerful!
Saturday night they had a special worship and prayer service at the district church that I serve at. So, I ventured out there to be a part of that celebration. It was wonderful!! They played a clip from the Passion movie, starting with Jesus getting beaten. So overwhelming, but I think everyone should watch the Passion at least once a year.
Sunday was like many other Sundays....we all went to our district churches to serve. It didn't feel like Easter when we got up, probably because there was no candy, no easter baskets, no people dressed in colorful easter sunday clothes, and no kids with sugar-highs running around everywhere. It was just a "typical" Sunday. However, there was something exciting in the atmosphere!! The worship at my church was wonderful!! I've really gotten to know about 8 of the Ugandan ushers...and I have the best time serving with them!! During worship, a couple of the guys came up and razzed me about putting more rhythm in my moves or dancing, while I'm greeting and ushering. I tried to explain that I'm white and not African...then they try to tell me that Shakira isn't African either, haha! They are slowly drawing me out :) When we sing songs in Luganda or Swahili, they come over and explain what the songs mean, they look after me! Soooo, by the 3rd service yesterday, I was dancing with more rhythm, learned a Uganda dance to one of the songs, and was singing in Luganda/Swahili to one of the songs (and knew the meaning)....all while ushering and interceding in prayer!! Yeah, it was an awesome day :) Soooo much fun!! During some of the services, in between my ushering responsibilities, I usually spend time talking one-on-one with one of the ushers or other people serving in the church. This is a step out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning A LOT from the Ugandans. They are not only teaching me about themselves and their culture, but also about caring, kindness, gentleness, and patience for others. They sincerely care about me, as a person, and want to engage in conversation, even though I'm only here for 5 months. They are teaching me what it means to be a servant of the Lord and what it means to develop relationships and be used by Him. Though the Ugandans lack planning in advance and for the future....I'm DEFINITELY learning how to "live in the moment" by watching them. They have Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself", down and they know how to live it out, and because of the Ugandans, I'm learning how to live this verse out too :) It's amazing how much I'm growing and learning here! Well, ended the evening having a blast back at the guesthouse with the international team...talking, laughing, playing cards, laughing, talking more, laughing, and laughing some more! Definite week of remembrance though! Remembering what Jesus Christ did for us and who we are here to serve. Remembering that we have resurrection power flowing on the inside of us. Remembering that Jesus wins...flip to the back of the book...we win because of Him. Remembering how much I'm so utterly in love with the Lord, but moreso remembering how much He loves me (and each and every one of us), that He sent His one and only Son to pay the ultimate price for our sins, so we can have eternal life...there is no greater love! Remembering that He doesn't want us to wait until we get to Heaven to start living, we can and should start living a life of freedom and love now!!!
PS I want you all to meet Hunington (see the pict on the right). This is a 10 year old little boy who resides at an orphanage called Suubi, that we go play sports at every Saturday. He's an excellent football (soccer) player, has been on choir tour to the States/Canada, likes math, loves Jesus, and likes to teach me new hand shakes every Saturday :) Since the very first day at Suubi, we've developed a special bond, even though I usually only see him at the beginning and end of the day (unless he migrates down to volleyball, where I'm coaching, to hang out with me). He's such a cool kid and I can just tell he has a precious, sweet heart!
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