I really need to start journaling!!!

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