Fear of Surrenderance

Surrenderance. To the Lord that is such a beautiful word. And deep down in my soul, I know that too. That it is beautiful and holy, full of power and light. I know, because I've been there. But, right now- to my flesh, that word fills me with fear and doubt and more "what ifs" than I can name.

This is soemthing I have really struggled with ever since returning from Uganda. I came back a changed person. That, ofcourse, is no suprise. 5 1/2 months in a third world country ministering in the slums wiht people that are hungry, sick, and heavy burdened would change anyone.

Deep changes in my heart have occurred on extreme ends of the spectrum. Deep heartache for the harsh realities of this world. And magnificent beauty in seeing people, so thirsty in so many ways, worshipping the true and living God. I will never forget sitting in a "home" consisting of no light, a wooden bed, and a wooden bench..praying with a paster over the lady that lived there. She was bedridden from AIDS for many years. And this may be a little too graphic: but I have to say it it express the point I'm trying to make of how my mindset had altered: parts of her toes had been chewed off by that rats that lived there.

For this small town, all american girl- these things were none the less startling. And this wasn't my first trip to a third world country!

Please hear me when I say that I believe that God is no less evident and powerful in these circumstances as He is in America where we have had an abundance of food on our table and comparatively speaking incredible healthcare. I would not trade this trip for ANYTHING! In these circumstanes, I saw a deeper glimpse of the Lord than I ever have!! He is a provider, and a perfect most beautiful light there.

But, this is where the enemy has used Surrenderane to bring fear into my heart. If I fully surrender to the Lord- what will it look like? Will I have to stay in suburban America? Will I be called to a third world country? Will I be called to neither of those?? There is no way to know the direction the Lord wil take me on. What it will consist of or look like. Maybe before Uganda- this wouldn't scare me. But, afterwards- it does. I feel like I've seen the world in a different light. The protective shield over my eyes was removed. True people living in harsh circumstances. True missionaries living those live along with them to share the gospel and message of Jesus.

I dont' know if you know about Matt Chandler, but he has been diagnosed with brain cancer. He made a video for his congregation (The village church) and it REALLY SPOKE TO ME! It has broken chains I didn't even realize were holding me back. I didn't know that my fear of surrending had turned me into a wall flower. So afraid that I was just sitting, watching others dance with the Lord. Maybe not even just sitting, but even turning my back to the dance.

In the first video Matt said: Do not let my situation feed your fears. God is good in all things and he doesn't send anything He doesn't already provide for.

I do not know why, but hearing a human being, in ministry, in the midst of a storm proclaim that was SO POWERFUL!!!!!

Why do I fear surrenderance? Why do I fear ministry and what that might bring ot my life?? Why do I fear serving in a city? Why do I fear serving in a third world country? The beauty of Christ will outweight all of that!!!! What I am truly living for. Comfort? Or Christ?

The beauty of living for Christ will ALWAYS outweigh the sacrifice.

When I stand before the Lord, what do I want my life portray? Becuase we each will stand before Him. Our lives will go before us, and we'll answer for what we've done. I pray I can learn to give it all. A life spent proclaiming a loving God who sent his son to die on the cross for our sins so that we may have life and life abundantly!!!!!

"I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane......"

I can't believe its time to say goodbye!!!!!! Tomorrow is my final day in Kampala, and then we will be flying out early Monday morning to JoBurg for our debrief! Tomorrow will be an incredibly hard day, but I know the Lord will be sufficient for us. And, honestly, I am thankful it will be hard to say goodbye..because it represents the love that I have grown for my brothers and sisters in Christ here.

I know I haven't updated the blog in awhile, but please know that there is an INCREDIBLE PRAISE REPORT COMING SOON!! With all of the emotions of saying goodbye, I just know right now I couldn't do these last few weeks justice. So, within the next week--- it will surely come!

For now, thank you all so much for your support and encouragement! YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE BLESSING!!!

Can't wait to be able to write about these last couple of weeks!!!! And see you in Texas!!!! I'll be leaving JoBurg Friday (5/29) and arrive in Dallas, Texas on Saturday (5/30) at 2 pm!!!

I actually can't even believe I'm typing this! What an incredible adventure this has been... but how sweet it will be to be home!

2 ½ weeks. 18 days. 8 visits to Kawuku. 3 church services.

There are moments this seems like an eternity. Other moments I have to fight back the tears that try to fall as I think about finishing out my time here. Only 8 more visits to Kawuku to see the smiles that have changed my heart forever. Only 8 more times to catch Zina in my arms as she runs towards me. Only 8 more chances to have little Brite steal my heart as he yells out my name and then proudly says something in Luganda that he thinks I can understand. Only 3 more services to watch Grace and Sister Pros lead worship.

As hard as it has been for me, the beauty in what I have been surrounded by is unexplainable. How, when everything has been hard, does my soul still see beauty deeper than ever before? How can such an impoverished area produce such hope in this “all American girl?”

To work in the slums here in Kampala has both produced the most heartbreak and the most joy.

To know that some of my people live off of 2000 shillings a day (= $1). To see their tattered second hand clothes and torn shoes. There are no manicured yards for the kids to play in. No libraries near that they can sit and read in. No air conditioning to escape the Ugandan heat. No packages coming with brownie mixes and spring colored Oreos. No good medical services when they are sick. Money talks here…in a horribly corrupt way…and when you don’t have it- you don’t have a voice. They are welcome at the clinic, but there is a chance they will get the left over, outdated medicine that possibly has nothing to do with their illness. These are the things they live with day in and day out that I will never understand.

We don’t know what it’s like to go without food. We don’t know what it’s like to have to walk sometimes for miles, because we can’t afford the transport. I know that some of us walk places…. But it is our CHOICE. What about when you can’t choose………

Yet, the smiles on the faces of our church members reflect a joy deeper than I can ever explain, or even understand. They are so thankful. They have dirt floors, yet clean them as if they were hardwood. They have torn second hand clothes, yet they take perfect care of them.

I thought I was coming for them…. I thought I was coming to share Christ and the hope of His message….. I thought I was coming to love and serve…. To fuse courage into them…… There are a hundred more reasons “I thought I came” that all have to do with me giving to them.

And maybe I have done all that. But what I didn’t plan on was them so abundantly giving to me. They have given me JOY, LOVE, HOPE, and CHANGE. They have forever changed my heart, and the hearts of those God has chosen to embark on this journey with me. They have forever changed the way that I minister, surrender, and love.

I have to be honest- I am really excited about coming home to air conditioning, drinking water straight from the faucet, good food, no mosquitoes buzzing around my room at night, and a gazillion other things. But…… what these people have given me is deeper than any of those. They have shown me what life really is about. What really matters. And how love and joy can greatly abound regardless of circumstances.

It breaks my heart to see their lifestyle. But, you know what? It breaks my heart to see ours too. We have everything, yet somehow for the past 23 years… I’ve missed all of this.

White Water Rafting on The Nile

1) Can you believe its May 1st?!?!

2) In total exaggeration---- I am thankful to be alive to see this 1st day of May!!!

Yesterday, my team and I drug ourselves out of bed between 5:30 and 6am to begin our trek down to the Nile River to WHITE WATER RAFT!!!! Oh my.... if you know me, you know A) I always enjoy a little adventure but B) I am in total agreement with the philisophy that, "too much of a good thing is bad."

We signed up for an all day trip to raft down the Nile. 12 rapids with a lunch break halfway, rapids ranging from grade 3 to grade 5. 4 of these rapids were grade 5. Just to highlight a couple, we rafted down a waterfall and a rapid called, "the bad place" (you'll hear more about that one later.)

As we set out in the morning, we noticed rain clouds, but thought "surely it won't rain on us........". I was seriously underestimating the rainy season here in Uganda! As fate would have it, within an hour we found ourselves rafting the Nile in the middle of a thunderstorm! I felt like I was in a movie!!!!!!!!! We continued down the river in the storm .......did I mention I was holding a metal paddle (just want you to make sure you get the full effect here!) ...until we arrived at our lunch destination. I was so proud of our rafting team!!! We swept through all the morning rapids without falling out or flipping! =)

When lunch came, we climbed slippery steps up to a tin roof with a large picnic table underneath. It was actually a nice spread! Sandwiches, potato salad (hadn't seen that yet here), and fruit. Freezing cold, eating, and thinking about how much I was loving this!!!!!!! I even remember telling Sarah how I would definetely want to do this again!!!!!! (amazing how quickly those feelings can change.....)

So, with a smile on our faces and rain jackets thankfully now on our backs..... we headed out for the afternoon. The afternoon went well.......much slower than the morning...... until the last rapid. The second to last rapid, we did flip though. Thanks to our guide! He was a little overconfident in our rafts ability to withstand the water of the last rapid. He thought we'd safely make it through..... and felt it was his job to make sure we flipped atleast once! I am now saying that I am very thankful we flipped on this rapid because atleast when it happened for real I was a little more prepared.

So...... now we're at the last rapid of the day..... "The Bad Place." The Bad Place has forever engrained my feelings about Grade 5 rapids. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but for now.... I confidently say I will not feel a need to experience this type of adventure or adrenaline again. As Jake said, we each have our own story to tell of what happened. For me..... well, lets just say I never knew I could go that long without taking a breath. It was the craziest feeling...... like calm chaos. I think I was keeping my composure pretty well....... however, at some point---you just become disoriented. Suddenly, when I came up to gasp for air, I realized how far from the main rapid I had gotten.... ..yet I was still caught in something and coming up with barely enough time to gasp for air. It was at this moment that I hit panic mode..... My arms started trying to get someone's attention....as if I thought that no one saw me way down there.....

Thankfully, within 10 seconds of hitting panic mode and seriously thinking, "this is it for me... I was sure done. Atleast my last breath was taken doing something awesome on the Nile Rivier..... " the safety kayak arrived to save me. I really actually feel sorry for the guy. I can't even imagine how big my eyes were or what I sounded like gasping for air. Actually...now the thought of what that poor guy was thinking makes me laugh out loud! But..I was so thankful to see him!!

All in all, the trip was awesome! We had a lot of fun with our team and I created some lasting memories!! I'm so glad that I went!!!! =) I wouldn't trade that trip for anything. However, if you ever ask me to raft the Nile River with you again...please don't be offended if my answer is no. Its definetely an experience but I no longer feel a need to defy those powerful walls of water.

Thank you Nile for an amazing time and great memories! I had you beat until The Bad Place. But, I think you won yesterday.

And.....on a side note, I know there are some of you that aren't believing me. That's why we got a DVD of the entire trip! =) Maybe soon I can post clip for you. It will be pretty hilarious to see how long we ACTUALLY were under the water compared to how it felt!

Thankfully, these next 3 weeks will be spent with those precious kids in Kawuku and all of the wonderful people I have come to love here.

Can You Imgaine

"Can You Imagine"

---- my friend Redempta came to visit me this past week!!!! I met her when I was in Kenya in 2007 and we became really good friends. We were both praying to be able to see one another since I am back in East Africa, and the Lord in His graciousness worked out the details for us! She took a 12 hour bus ride to Kampala to stay with me for a few days!!!! When we said goodbye 2 years ago, we never imagined we'd have the opportunity to meet again!! GOD IS GOOD!

This quote is something that she says anytime something is unbelievable to her. Its my absolute favorite thing to hear her say!
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Love and friendship

2 things that I am exponentially seeing surpass the boundaries of language and culture. I want so badly to be able to explain this to you in a way that captures the essence of its beauty. Though I know I won't be able to get all of the words correct, I pray that your heart feels the warmth in knowing how big our God is and how His love is far greater than anything we can ever understand, imagine, or contain.

Example 1)
A 5 year old Ugandan girl who speaks only Luganda runs towards a 23 year old American girl that speaks only English……..she picks the child up in her arms, swings her around, and they both have smiles on their faces larger than life. Tears almost fill my eyes as I think of the love I have for this small child, Zina. We have never said anything more to each other than “How are you? Fine” or “Olyotya? Jiindi” (Luganda greeting) yet my heart is attached to her beautiful smile, the way she casts her eyes downwards when she’s being shy, and the way she runs towards me when she is excited.
Zero words are needed to share our emotions. Our hearts are able to illuminate love in a way that doesn’t require anything created by humans. The depth of this type of communication cannot be put in to words. It makes sense---- something that doesn’t need words surely can’t be explained by them.

............ this is To Be Continued

http://www.commongroundchristiannews.com/july2006/pushups_for_donuts.htm

Happy Easter!

This past week I had the opportunity to do some traveling around Uganda. It was beautiful, breathtaking, relaxing, and a blessing! =) We took a girl trip and traveled to a place called Sipi Falls which is 3 large waterfalls in the mountains. The view was breathtaking, and the others with me can agree that I could hardly put my camera down. I LOVE TRAVELING! I love love love it! Something about seeing new places and new people just completely fills my soul. I was also so grateful to be able to get away from the city and see the beauty of Africa that we miss being in Kampala.

This is Easter weekend. Its weird being in Africa on Easter. It is still a celebration, but much different that what I'm used to. No family, no family lunch, no singing of the easter hymns in English that I am accustomed to. However, I am grateful to experience this. At home, the highlight of Easter is usually the church service and then being with family afterwards.
But here----- it will be much more focused on the work of the Lord. This afternoon we are going through Kawuku to spread the gospel. To tell people about the risen Lord that we are celebrating and praying for Easter miracles to be done in the hearts and lives of people.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Easter! Please celebrate and praise the Lord for all that He has done for us.

Kawuku/Jesus Film Update

Thank you for praying for the Jesus film!

Update:

The Jesus film was amazing! Thank you so much for dedicating your time to be in prayer for that blessed opportunity to present the truth to so many people! The number of people is only known to our God who brought them there. We estimated 250 people, but there could have been more that were standing off at a distance. To understand this, you have to get into the Africa culture.

Let me try and set the stage for you: We set the projector up on top of a hill, and most people just stood and watched in the field below. There is a “road” that passes by the field where many people walk to and fro, many people passed, stopped, and may have stayed, or continued on. Also, no electricity= no lights. Because of these and many more factors, there is no way for us to have seen all those that were there.

But our Lord knows! That is the beauty of serving our Lord. We know that our labor is never in vain! Your prayers and my prayers were answered perfectly! =) One of my favorites parts about watching this film was how excited our people got about Jesus! Each time Jesus performed a miracle, they would cheer and clap and yell amen! Their enthusiasm was such a blessing!!!

Thank you for praying for this event and for the people that God brought. Thank you for praying protection over us and over the place! I felt even in my own heart your prayers. Before I sent out the email asking for your prayers I really felt a lot of unrest, but after I sent it out, the Lord gave me a verse in Psalms that reminded me that He was mighty in battle! =) Thank you for your prayers! Please know that in both tangible and nontangible ways they were answered for greater than anything we can ever imagine!!

Jesus Film in Kawuku this Saturday

I have a very very special prayer request for you! On Saturday we will be showing the Jesus film in Kawuku!

I haven't updated on them in awhile, but I promise to soon. You can read Jake's most recent blog to get an "up-to-date update" on what God is doing there.

So...now that we are renting a place at the boarding school....we have the availability of their HUGE field! Seriously, I'm putting a picture at the bottom so you can see the beaty of what I'm talking about. When you look out from the school, it over looks a field and then a grassy swamp area and then 2 of the 7 hills (which are really more like small mountains. ) that make up Kampala. The beauty of this area is breathtaking.

What a perfect place to SHOW THE JESUS FILM!!! This Saturday, we'll be taking a projector and screen out to Kawuku to show the Jesus film. I don't think it has ever been shown before. Not only does the community of Kawuku have thousands of people, but this field has the potential to have room for all of them.

Please join us in prayer as we pray over this area. Please pray over our protection from the enemy, the weather, the field, the equipment, and most important----the people who will watch and hear/see the greatest message ever told. Please pray for anyone that comes that may not have a personal relationship with Christ. Pray that God moves in their hearts and doesn't hold back revealing himself to them. Please pray for Pastor Dickens as God prepares him to have wisdom and words for any questions or counseling that will take place afterwards. Pray that this will help the Christians grow in their knowledge and understanding of the sacrifice that was made for us.



Also......Christina Berry, our dear friend and fellow member of the Kampala Urban Team has created a virtual prayer blog. How appropriate that Kawuku is the area that is being prayed over this month by people all over the world!!!! Each month, there will be taking a virtual prayer walk through a different area of Kampala.

The link is: KampalaUrbanTeam.blogspot.com

God's Provision

I want to tell you about 2 special ministries that the Lord has orchestrated for me to be a part of here. As many of you know the areas of ministry that I am most passionate about are university ministry and women’s ministry.

I am just in awe of the Lord as He continues to work out the details of the ways I am serving here in Uganda! He has divinely orchestrated opportunities for me to serve in BOTH of these areas! What an incredible God we serve. He brought me here to do children’s ministry, but in the midst of that, He has opened avenues for me to serve in other ways I love.

As they warned us in training, it takes awhile to find your place in ministry here. This is not true for everyone; but it definitely has been true for me! Though we began the children’s ministry quickly, these other 2 have taken more time. It was easy for me to become so frustrated in the beginning because I just didn’t know where to serve, what would work out, or where my heart would belong. If you think about it, the fact that we have found ministry here at all is the total and complete work of the Lord himself! No one held our hand and led us to the places we are serving. There was nothing set up for us here when we arrived. It is the Lord’s guidance and direction that has set this path for us.

With that being said, I’d like to tell you a little about these 2 ministries.

KIU

KIU is Kampala International University. This is a university that is just down the road from us. The majority of students are from Kenya, but there are also a number from Uganda and Tanzania. They have a relatively solid college ministry program here. I am blessed to be a part of the ladies group that meets! I am there twice a week. On Mondays, all (about 40-50) of the ladies meet together for a time of teaching, and another day during the week, I meet with a group of about 10-12 girls. This is our small group bible study. In the small group we are going through a book together called, The Excellent Wife.

---God orchestrated the details of this group down to even the book that we are studying! Though most of them are not married, they are going through this book to prepare themselves to be godly women and wives. This is EXACTLY where I am also in my life! So, as I am assisting them in teaching---it is also the preparation of the Lord for the next step in my life.---

These girls are such a blessing to me!!!! They are a breath of fresh air throughout my week. It is a ministry that I genuinely look forward to. They are all around my age and I am truly becoming friends with them! I enjoy university students so much, and I love learning and worshipping the Lord alongside them! When I am with these girls, I don’t feel as if I am a mzungu (white person) or a missionary, I just feel like their sister in Christ. It is such a blessing.



Kawuku Women’s Bible Study

In Kawuku, this past Wednesday, we began a women’s bible study! I am sooo thankful and excited about what the Lord is doing through this! It was completely the hand of the Lord. I truly feel as if God was the planner, and I, the facilitator. Misti Shelton and I are leading this bible study, along with a wonderful Ugandan friend of ours, Medina.

I won’t bore you with all of the details of how this came about. I will just say that the Lord burdened my heart for a women’s bible study in Kawuku, and when I mentioned it to Misti (just in passing, not even thinking about her leading it) she was looking for another women’s bible study ministry. It really worked out perfect, even down to the day that we are doing it.
Last week, our first week, there were over 25 women! Some of them were faces that I had never seen before. I was in awe at the Lord and how He drew the women there. I don’t know how many will actually stay throughout the whole study. There are usually a lot in the beginning (because we mzungus kind of work like bait around here. People will come when they see us), but then it can dwindle after it gets going.

The plan is to do 2 weeks of the disciple’s cross---it is an indepth look at John 15:5. And then there will be about 10 weeks of a study called, “Becoming a Godly Woman” which takes an indepth look at Titus 2:3-5

This ministry is so beautiful to me. I am praying that this will not only help them grow spiritually together, but strengthen their bonds and unity in the Lord.
I have truly prayed about and believed from the very beginning, that our work in children’s ministry cannot last unless the women are trained and discipled as well. If you train the mothers, the training of the children will strengthen!

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The most beautiful thing to me is that I know all of this has been orchestrated by the Lord! I could not have done any of this on my own. I have only been in this foreign country for 2 months! Only God could place me in ministries that tailor my passions. I am so thankful to be able to be a vessel of His work and an outpouring of His desires for His people. The Lord could have chosen anyone to come and bring these things to the people of Kawuku---but He allowed me to come and be a part of it. I am so thankful.

I just wanted to share my heart with you today, and let you have a window into what the Lord is doing.

Thank you for your prayers!!!! They are daily being answered, and I know they will continue to be long after I am gone. Because of the Lord's work through your faithfulness eternity is being changed

Serving in America

I have heard more than one reference in the past couple of weeks to an idea that really brings frustration into my heart. It is this idea that as an American, serving God in America is “more comfortable” and “easier”, than serving the Lord in a foreign country. When I hear these comments it brings a lot of unrest into my heart.

I want to begin by saying that missions most definitely has its place in the kingdom work! Jesus instructed His disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. I have both high honor and respect for missionaries! Living here among our missionary families here in Kampala has really opened my eyes to the sacrifices that they make each and every day. It takes leaving family, friends, and a lifestyle that is comfortable behind for a new language, a culture you may never truly understand, and a lifestyle that can be more challenging.

Though, I will only be here for 4 1/2 months, my heart has already experienced the cry of not being around for important things. Dylan is finding his first job out of college and will probably have moved to a new place that I have never seen by the time I get back, my best friend, Ashley, is planning her wedding and all that goes along with that. She will get married the weekend I get back so I am missing sharing in all of her showers, planning, and joy that comes with preparation. Katie found out she was pregnant when I first arrived here and has already finished her first trimester. Though she was there every day as I experienced the loss of my Dad, and every day since then of healing-----I am not there to encourage her, hug her, pray with her, and just be a good friend when she has needed that. Not to mention all of the everyday moments of my Mom, sister, grandparents, family, and friends that I am missing out on! This is the most challenging part of being in Uganda for me. Relationships are what define my life. My heart is with the people I care about, therefore my heart is partly in America with the people I care about, and partly here with the people I have come to love and serve. A heart divided. It is a very hard place to be. I know this is what these missionaries experience day in and day out for far longer than just 4 months.

So…with that being said…..It does take a very special calling to serve the Lord in another country. However, when the Lord says to Be Still and Know that He is God, His Name Will Be Exalted Among the Nations…….. I just have to ask the question when I hear those references I mentioned in the beginning: Is America not a nation? Does this verse not instruct us to exalt the name of the Lord in EVERY nation. Just because America is OUR nation, does not disregard its place in this scripture. The calling to serve in America is no less than serving in another country.
I feel called to America. I Love Africa! I love sharing the love of Christ among this nation! I believe that if you ever have the chance to go on a mission trip and go and make disciples in another nation, you should! But, personally being here in Kampala has shown me that I do feel a calling to America, and to America’s young adults and college age students. There is a quote that really represents my heart right now in ministry. “More potently than by any other means, change a university and you change the world.” –Charles Malik” I truly believe this. I am praying for the Lord to use me as a vessel to impact the future leaders of our country for Christ.

Just because America has air conditioning, and an abundance of food---does not mean that it doesn’t need strong leaders for the Lord. And that there is not work to be done for the Lord within our own country.

When I balance out the good and bad of America vs. Uganda, I can find best and worst things in each. Ugandans are soooo wonderful! They are so open to love and to hear the gospel. The harvest here in Kampala is truly incredible. People are very willing to accept and know Christ. They love their neighbor as themselves. When I look at the community of believers here, it truly is an example of the body of Christ. They take care of one another and support each other’s needs. But, there are also witchdoctors here, and the enemy is very present in spiritual ways.
I
n America, it is very hard to find the type of sacrifice, surrrending, and community that I have seen here! The US is “me” oriented. Americans live indulgent lifestyles and are blinded with their own wealth. We buy and spend and indulge while not really understanding, or doing anything, about the poverty in these third world countries. Is that easier? When you really think about it, is it easier to serve the Lord when there is temptation that you are having to fight against at every turn?

So……. Who is to measure which calling is greater or easier? How can anyone compare what the Lord has designed each of us to do? We each were designed by the Lord to carry out specific tasks according to our gifts and abilities.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Just as you were wonderfully created, so is the calling on your life. Maybe your calling is to have an ordinary job and share the love of Christ with those around you. Maybe your calling is to be a pastor. Maybe your calling is to be a missionary. Maybe you were designed to love nursing, teaching, business, and the list could truly go on!

Please do not disregard your place in the kingdom because of your location, financial status, job placement, or talents. The most important thing is to choose to live for Christ day in and day out no matter where you are. A title or place cannot be the definition of our worth in the kingdom! We each need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. (John 15:5)

To reflect the love of Christ to those around us- that is our true calling. That is what will impact the world! Teaching has its place, missions has its place, serving has its place…but what I believe will truly be the biggest impact is when you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind every day and when that is reflected to the people around you. When people don’t just hear our words, but they see a difference in the life we lead and the joy and peace in our heart and actions.
So, whether in America, Africa, China, or South America---- please don’t disregard your worth! Please don’t let people have you believe that one calling is greater than another. Or that one is easier than the other.

Let’s commit to praying that we will be good stewards of where we are and live our life as someone who is sold out to the gospel. That is our greatest calling! Serving the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaiming the greatest message every told!

THANKS from the birthday girl!

Yesterday I had a wonderful birthday!!! I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone at home for your birthday wishes! It was such a blessing to talk with my mom and dylan, ashley called me by suprise!, (i didn't get to talk to my sister, but received an email! Yay!) I received cards here and ecards! And the number of facebook messages was so overwhelming!! I read each one of them, and I was so blessed by your birthday wishes!!!!!! You each contributed so much to my special day!

Also, I need to give a shout out to my team UG! You guys rocked! The girls went sooo out of there way to make my day special. =) I was suprised in the morning with a big sign they made, a cake, presents, flowers, a clean room, and oh..the list could go on! Will bought me some amazing chocolate and Jake found a season of the OC for me! (haven't watched it yet..so the quality is still in question since all the movies here are pirated! hahahaha) The Berry's bought me beautiful flowers that are my favorite and bought my lunch today!, and the Shelton's invited us over for dinner with the volunteer team where we had great meat! (you people in Texas just can't understand how great it is to have good meat!!!) Misti made such an incredible jungle cake! THANK YOU!

THANK YOU especially to JENA and SARAH! I am sooooo thankful for you both and the blessings that you daily pour into my life! You two mean the world to me! God knew exactly what he was doing when he chose for you 2 girls to be who I would be sharing my home and my life with for these 4 1/2 months!!!!! Thanks for thinking about me and doing so much for me!

If you have ever lost someone close to you, it goes without saying that holidays can sometimes be harder than they are good. This May will mark the 2 year anniversary of my Father entering heaven. This past year and a half has been filled with holidays that were bittersweet to say the very least. I guess becuase of the pain, it is easy for special occasions to lose their excitement.
For this reason, I wasn't that excited about my birthday. I wasn't upset, just didn't expect all of the wonderful things and responses that I received! You guys truly made this birthday special for me!!!!! =) Thanks for filling the void!

Maybe its good I'm sick because its given me time to slow down, process, and update

I feel like I need to update everyone on what has been going on here in Kampala. Somedays, I still wake up and think---wow, I am in Africa! So much happens each day- both in ministry and emotionally that it is just so hard to blog.

Ministry is amazing! As challenging as it is for me to be here, the Lord truly is at work. There have been weeks now that I have thirsted to see fruits while knowingly accepting that I may not see any. The Lord continues to leave me in awe as I watch doors open for ministry opportunities!

Here's a quick update of the places that I am serving:

Kawuku- Helping begin the children's ministry and being used by the Lord to train leaders
We are going to be starting a women's bible study next week!!! I will post more soon on the hand of the Lord in this! I truly see His divine plan at work for Kawuku! =) I have said from the beginning that I don't believe their view of children (and their importance) will change until we can present to them the godly perspective of families, teaching, etc. This bible study is going to open the door to invest in the women's hearts, which will help break down some of those cultural barriers! I see the Lord meeting the needs of Kawuku from 2 different angles that will bridge together some of the barriers! =)
This truly is my church here! I honestly feel like Dickens is my pastor and my heart feels at home each time I am there

College ministry at the university. I have joined a small group bible study of girls that meet on Thursdays, along with Monday night worship service

Ministry at a high school in namuwongo on friday's.

Along with friendships and relationships I have made with people around our area. I am very excited for next Tuesday (hopefully I'll be feeling better by then!) but one of my friends, Christine, is going to come over and teach me how to cook some local food!!! =)

Kawuku update:
They lost the place that they were meeting because the land was sold to someone else, but through prayer, the Lord provided an even better place for them to meet!!! One of their "schools" offered them a fair price for rent, so they now will be meeting there! Since I have been sick, I wasn't able to go on Sunday...but even though I didn't see their joy with my own eyes, I can feel it in my heart to the point that it brings tears to my eyes!!

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It is so easy to be able to type the sentences out to you of what has happened. It is so easy to type, and for you to read that they lost the place that they only were able to meet at once, but that the Lord has provided a wonderful place for them now. So much more struggle, prayers, concern, and discernment has gone into this process that words can ever type!!! It is so hard on a heart to watch people struggle so much to just find a place to meet. In America, we drive to church at our convenience, we know that there is a place that we will be meeting, we argue about paint colors, sound equipment, and the proper way to use our money....... these people that we are serving alongside don't have these luxuries. They aren't able to argue about where to spend their money because they are using their energy on their knees begging for the Lord to provide their next meal along with a place that they can worship out of the hot ugandan sun. If only our hearts would be so earnestly seeking the Lord's provision. Maybe in America we aren't needing to beg for financial provisions...but what about other areas in our lives?

Talk about having a heart check! To listen to a pastor explain that he has sometimes had to walk miles to church becuase he doesn't have enough money for transportation (which probably equals less $3 both ways). To see the sacrifice that is made by some of these people for the gospel.... it is transforming! Would you still go and worship the Lord on Sunday mornings if you couldn't conveniently drive there? To some of the pastors that we are working alongside, the Lord has placed a calling on their lives that takes laying down worldy conveniences. As pastor dickens told me, If the Lord had not called him and did not sustain him, he would not be able to do what he is doing.

So... as you can imagine so much is going on in my heart as I work alongside these people and in these situations. It is so hard to see it, yet know I can't really understand. As we were told the other day in a service, we americans don't know what its like to go without a meal. We can't understand the suffering that some of these people experience.

It is hard to not feel guilty. It is hard to balance all the emotions! And then when it comes to giving...wow...that is a whole different topic!!! You see these hardships and you want to give to them because you can help.....but even that has to be prayerfully considered! Where is the line drawn in giving and creating a dependency. We need to give!! But, we do not need to make life harder for them after we leave. It is a constant battle.

So... personally, I am struggling. I read some of the other handson blogs about how much they love being here and all of the excitment they have. honestly, that is not me. I had been to Africa before and I LOVED IT! . My heart is for these people so I guess I thought it would come natural and easy to serve, love, and become a part of life here. But... I am struggling.

The Lord is overwhelmingly sufficient though! Just as I have said in previous blogs, he is providing for my every need! He has brought me into a deeper level with Him. for that, I am so thankful!!

I remember when I first got here I was praying through success and what they would look like for me.

I can say, that even though I am only in March, this trip is successful. Even though it is so hard!! Even though there are days that my heart longs to be back with my family and the ministries that are familiar to me.... the LORD HAS EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS! We just had to do mid term evaluations and I believe that statement defines my overall mid term evaluation. I am struggling, and I am daily challenged, but the Lord has shown up here in Kampala Uganda with me! His mighty hand is at work!


I am actually so thankful that it is hard for me. I am thankful that I know that I have done nothing here on my own! Praise the Lord that I am broken! Praise Him that He is at work! Praise Him that His name truly is being exalted among the nations.

I heard Matt Chandler say once that a pridful christian is the biggest oxymoron he has ever heard. The beauty of brokenness is that it deepens that reality.

Wow, so I just realized (thanks partly to my Mom) that I haven't posted in awhile. This post is just to ask for your prayers. I have been sick this weekend with some stomach yuck and will be going to a doctor here in Kampala tomorrow. My prayer is that it is just something easy and fixable with medicine. Don't worry, just pray. =) Love you guys. I'll update you soon on ministry. So much has happened in Kawuku this past week..I can't wait to tell you all that the Lord has done when I have more energy.

Pictures

Just wanted to let you know that I've set up a website for my pictures.

Janainuganda.shutterfly.com

I have told you in previous posts about Kawuku, where God has called me to serve. One of the albums I've created is a virtual prayer walk through Kawuku. So, if you would like to see the place we are praying over, you can walk through the pics. =)

Love you all! and MIIISSSSSS you!

Surrender

I am daily learning how beautiful this word is. How beautiful it is when God is overwhelmingly sufficient.

I feel as if I have known this, but God is bringing this concept to a whole new level of intimacy. When the Lord has told me to silently be obedient in my heart, as He has peeled back the layers of self, --He alone has created this ministry that I am a part of here.

I remember in training they told us that there might come a moment when we just sit back and feel like a spectator in awe of watching the Lord work. When I heard that, I remember pridefully thinking that I did not come to Uganda to be a spectator, I came to get my hands dirty for the Lord.

Tonight, I felt like a spectator…even in my own heart!! As God has been removing me, allowing me to see how inadequate I am, He has shown me that He alone is the one that will reach people and speak to their hearts. Maybe I will be used as a vessel, but it is He that call people to him. It is He alone that can cause any words I might say to penetrate into hearts. I have believed this in the past, but He is teaching this to me on a deeper level! This level can only be felt, not defined in words.

It is more than enough to receive my encouragement from the Lord and feel in my heart that I am being obedient. It is overwhelmingly sufficient to sit in the presence of the Lord and be captivated by surrendering.

That is so beautiful. Letting go of control….it is not easy! It is a daily thing I have to pray through…but it is so freeing and beautiful. I don’t want control anymore. It is ok that the way is not clear, that even tomorrow appears foggy. Because when the moments come for me to move---He has already prepared me. It is ok that the Lord is telling me to be still instead of analyzing the next step and the best decisions. Because, in that stillness HE is preparing me for those divine encounters. And He will do a more complete job in showing me than I could ever hope.
I am not saying that I am throwing wisdom by the wayside. I am continuing to daily pray for wisdom and discernment. What I am daily surrendering to is the need to know a situation, analyze it, and decide what is best. Because, here in Africa----each day is foggy to me until it comes. I am so thankful God is allowing this for me. I am so thankful that He is teaching me to surrender my understanding to Him in the quietness of my heart.

And I am thankful that He is allowing me to see what beautiful contentment there is in obedience. His encouragement and His rewards far outweigh anything else my heart could desire.

I am content. Truly content. Breathless, Speechless, Overwhelmed with the peace in my heart tonight.

INADEQUATE

This word defines everything that I am, and all that I ever can be. Inadequate. Inadequate to do alone the work that He has brought me here to do.

We are here working with the Kampala Christian Church Network. This is a house church network that targets the slum areas here in Kampala. There are 8 different churches, each in a different poor area, that meet on Sundays (celebration services) and then throughout the week over 50 different small housegroups (compare to a lifegroup/cellgroup in the states) that meet for bible study.
My team has come to help begin children ministries within this network and train the leaders that will continue this ministry after we are gone. I am inadequate.
Here is the logistics of this task: none of the churches have an actual children's program that runs effectively. Some of them have people that are "children's leaders," but some of them do not. We are here to help ignite passion inside of them for this minsitry and train them on how to effectively teach their children about God and living our lives for Him. I am inadequate
We have decided as a team that the best way to achieve our goals is to choose 2 church areas that we will be targeting specifically. Trying to do all 8 would be overwhelming and counterproductive!
So.... there are 2 church areas we will pour our hearts into: the church, the children, the leaders, the parents, and the people in the community. We will be focusing there on Sundays, during their housegroup meeting, and other times throughout the week when we will go and hang out with the kids/meet their parents/etc. We want to truly become a part of these communities! These areas are: Kawuku (where Jake and I will be.) and Kisugu (where Will and Sarah will be) I am inadequate
Along with those 2 places, we will also be in/out on sundays of a 3rd church (Kibuli) doing some modeling for them and some training. I am inadequate.
For the other 5 churches, we will not be there on Sundays, but we will hopefully have meetings with their leaders to teach and train them. I am inadequate.

The vision that we have is that each church will get some training for their leaders, but the 2 churches that we are pouring our hearts into will be the example and foundation for the other churches. I am inadeqaute.

I have been praying a lot over the past week about what success is going to look like. My prayer team has been praying through this with me. (thank you!!) The church that Jake and I are targeting, Kawuku, has just begun in January as a church. We truly are getting in on the foundation level of this church. God specifically laid this place on both of our hearts, seperately, so we know this is where we are supposed to be. So.... success, what does that look like to the Lord and what should that look like to me?! I am inadequate to even define that.

So, I have really been praying about it and bringing it before the Lord. And here is where my heart is: I know that realistically speaking, I may get on the plane in May without seeing the fruits of our labor. I may leave Kampala and not see thriving children's ministries. Especially since we are at a church that is just beginning. The work that the Lord is going to do may not be tangible to us. So.... when I am on the plane rides home, what is going to fill my heart with thanksgiving that we were successful. Only the Lord can define that!!!!! I am inadequate to even decide my purpose for being here!

So, as the Lord continues to tell me to sit before him and be quiet. To sit in His prescence and listen with a discerning spirit.... this is because I can not do anything lasting without Him. I could go and do and serve all that I want with my own intentions...but if they are not the Lord's...this ministry and our time here will not be successful!!! Only He can begin these ministries....only He can place the calling on people's hearts to serve....only He can embed passion inside of people to fight for something after we are gone...only He can call people to Him. I am inadeqaute.

After much prayer, I think that success will be if we leave behind people that are passionate about children's ministry and people that are going to fight for it after we are gone. We are only here for 4 months. What a short time!! We are just a link in a huge chain! We can do some training and some teaching....but that alone can not make a ministry stand. What will make these ministries last is if there are people that become passionate about it and feel in their heart that God has called them to serve in this way. I can not do that. Only the Lord can.

So....my prayer request for this week is for the Lord to work within the churches and lay children's ministry specifically on people's hearts.For God to begin place passion inside of specific people who will be the leaders! This is not something we can do. I can pray for them, I can be used by God to explain why it is so importnat, I can lay the foundations of training, but only the Lord can create this ministry.
I am thankful I am inadequate. I am thankful that God has humbled me to the point that I know I can not create a ministry here that will withstand without His leading and guidance. Because the Adequacy rests in the Hands of our Lord. There could not be a more powerful place for it to be!

So.... if I am obedient to the leading that I feel in the stillness of my heart, even if I leave here not seeing any tangible fruits... I will know that my God has still worked!! He doesn't have us labor in vain. Our prayers do not go unheard. He would not burden our hearts with this pursuit if He did not have great plans!

Here is the verse the Lord has given me (thank you dylan for sending this to me! You didn't even know how powerfully it would be used by God).
We will fade away...we are here for only 4 months and then we're out...but if we build this ministry on the Word of God---the Word will always stand on its own and speak for itself.
Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

check out Jake's blog

So..one of my teammates Jake has a blog.....

As I sit here staring at my blank bog entry....... not being able to form any of my thoughts or heart into words....... still praying how to wrap my mind around all the things that we are doing and seeing....... Jake did an awesome job of putting a face with our work.

The post is titled: Nameless. The link is on the right side of my page. Just look for Uganda!! and then under that nameless.

It is an amazing explanation of where we now are in ministry. We have begun working with/planning out our vision for the children's ministry. So, I want you to read his entry! =) It will be a blessing.

Love you guys! =)

2 Posts in 1 Day! WOW! I'm on a roll!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm sorry I'm not there!

Even when the days are Hard, My Heart is Being Stolen

So.. I just feel like I need to apoligize for my lack of blogging lately. You guys really are important to me and I want to keep you updated on what is going on here in K'La, Uganda!

Everyday so much happens and there are so many emotions, even when I try to start a blog, it seems impossible to condense it down to a format that's readable. I am trying to work on that!!!

I do want to mention that Friday was a really exciting day for me! I really saw God work and He blew me away!!! I am going to blog about it...as soon as I can form my heart into words.

For now though.... I have compiled a list of the things that I am falling in love with here in Africa!! This list is the counter part of a earlier post about the America things I planned on missing while I was here. (that list has now probably reached #100!!!! hahahaha) But...to give Africa credit where its due:

Things that are stealing my heart:
1) The feeling of my curly hair drying in the Africa sun
2) Learning how to cook from scratch.
3) Sitting in church feeling the African breeze blowing on my face
4) The local pastors that we work with in the Kampala Christian Church Network!. We call them the All Star Team! Watching God work through them is incredible!
5) The beautiful smiles of our Ugandan friends
6) Greeting people each time we see them. (even if it is within the same 5 minute time span)
7) Having time to build relationships
8) Seeing God change the way that people see us.
For example: we were at a food distribution in a slum area on Friday: I feel, sometimes, when we are first seen--we are automatically labeled as Americans with $. Literally---I don't know how to explain that, but there is just a certain way that they look at us as Americans. BUT!!! After I got to share my testimony and we shared the message of Jesus Christ----- I just saw those barriars melt away! We become believers in Jesus Christ to them! =)
9) Seeing Ugandans we know on the streets! I love walking down to Kabalagala (where we buy our groceries) and passing people that we know and can stop and talk to.
10) Having relationships with the most common of people. Ex. there is a sweet lady, Christine, that I buy flower from each week. That simple relationship of buying fresh flowers from her has created a common ground for me to minister!
11) The peacefulness in the air
12) The beautiful star filled night sky!
13) Watching rain clouds blow in and out so quickly!
14) Feeling at home!!!!
15) Ugandan laughter!!!

In the silence of obedience, My Heart is Being Molded

I don't have a lot of time to update write now, but I promise I will soon! =) This post was just to say hi.

Also, God has assembled a prayer team for me. I am sending out weekly updates to them of praises/prayer requests/and encouragement. If you would like to be apart of that as well, please just send me your email address. =) Jana.fehrle@yahoo.com

Love you guys! Miss you! I promise to update soon. God has been doing SOOOO MUCH in my heart! It is amazing! I can't wait to share all that God has been teaching me!

Just for your viewing pleasure

A place called Namuwengo. (I blogged about it in my last post)

An instrument called, dungu (sp?). It is kinda like a harp but the bottom is also played as a drum. 2 instruments in one! It makes a sweet sound!

This is the view we have from our porch!! Isn't it beautiful?! This view is a BLESSING! It is overlooking part of Kampala.

Thank you Lord for Your prescence here!

So, on a more serious note... I wanted to update everyone on what the Lord is doing in minsitry here in Uganda. Even though we have only been here 1 week, I have already seen some beautiful joys along with tearful sorrows.
The past 2 days we ministered at a place called Namuwengo, also called Stiwetto (sp?). This is where my heart overflowed with so many emotions! Namuwengo is the poorest area of Kampala. Most of the people that live there are refugees that have fled from Northern Uganda or other war torn areas. It is so hard emotionally for me to accept that there are people that have so little. Physically, many of them truly are suffering.
Yesterday (Sat.) was an emotional struggle for me. But after seeing the things we saw, how easy for me to only be struggling emotionally. We met a lady........ Her husband past away 4 years ago from AIDS and left her with 7 children to take care of by herself. And she herself also has the disease. In the past, she has walked to a place that gave her medicine, but lately she has been too weak to make the journey. When we passed her on the path, tears were streaming down her face. We stopped and asked if we could talk with her. She took us to her home, where we sat and spoke with her, with the help of our translator.

It was a DIVINE ENCOUNTER!! To make a long story short..... the holy spirit really worked...and this woman accepted Jesus into her heart with tears streaming down her face!! It was so amazing, because we saw through her story how God had been preparing her heart for this moment. Her mother (though she lives in another village---not in walking distance) is a christian and had already tried to share with her. It was the most beautiful moment that I have had since I have been here. I just prayed in my head throughout the encounter, for her and her situation. Praise our God that this woman now has eternal peace and hope!!!! Even though this life is a struggle for her, and painful, it is a temporary struggle. Eternally, she now has a life with Jesus Christ.
It is HHHAAAARRRDDD to see these types of situations. It is hard to have my eyes opened to such extreme pain and suffering. However, I am so thankful that God is using me as a vessel to bring Hope. I am not worthy to even speak His name, yet yesterday, he allowed me to be a part of changing eternity for one of his children.
Please be in prayer for this woman. Though we aren't exactly sure of her name, God knows who she is. She is our new sister in Christ and she needs all that we can give her through prayer.

This is what keeps me laughing.....

So, I've decided to dedicate this post to some of the hilarious things that have happened and we have seen since we have been here. I hope this brings you laughter. Simply stated: these moments can only be defined by TIA (this is Africa!) Here goes.....in no consecutive order:





1) When we were in Johannesburg, there was a river next to our retreat center. As you are walking beside the river...which is very apparently a river...... you see this sign:




2) Jena (the journeyman that was a nurse and is now our facilator who WE LOVE!!) has a car here. She needed a new seatbelt for the passenger side, so once she got to Kampala they put her car in the shop. And guess how she got a new seatbelt African style?!?! She had to get a NEW SEAT!! Isn't that hilarious!! An entirely new car seat just because the seatbelt was broken. TIA!

3) Sometimes Ugandans have trouble saying American words. For instance: Jake, one of the guys on my team, met a guy at the market the other day that was a christian. The guy asked for Jake's number, so he gave it to him. The next morning Jake gets a text message that begins like this...... "Hey Jerk...." hahahahaha!! He thought his name was Jerk.

4) Traffic laws in Uganda aren't exactly like they are in America! For example, there were 7 of us plus groceries in a car that should have only fit 5...... We get pulled over by the "police" and they actually ligitimately asked Stephen (a missionary here) what he thought they should do about it!! "What do you think that I should do here?" hahaha And then they ended up letting us go, no problem.
And he suggested to us that if we ever got pulled over, and nothing else is working, we should use this line........ (everyone loves obama!!!!)
"Hey, isn't Obama your cousin?!? He is my President!! We are pratically cousins!!" And that should work every time.... hahahahahaha

6) Along the lines of Obama......... Usually, when we are walking through streets/villages, we frequently hear people yelling out Mazungu while pointing at us and laughing. Mazungu means white person. We literally hear it all the time. But today...instead of Mazungu----- we heard people pointing to us and yelling "Obama! Obama" As in, that is how they referenced us! hahaha

5) Lastly, I don't know if this will be funny to yall or not but we were riding in a public taxi yesterday (just imagine an old van with a lot of people in it that stops every 3 feet to let yet another person in or out) When you get close to place you need off you say " Mawsow" (sp?) But we were just learning the language.....and the national that was with us that day, Dickens, told me to try and yell it out. So, I yell out, what I thought was the right word...but instead it was... "Moscow!" As in the place..... I'm pretty sure you had to be there. But the embarrassment of being the Mazungu that just yelled the wrong word was hilarious!!! One lady did tell me that she was impressed that we were trying to speak the national language. There's one victory!!! So.....it is my advice that whenever you decide to yell out something in another language....make sure its the right thing! Or you will be laughed at ALOT! =)

That is all I have for now..... There will be many more of these to comes!! This list could go on but for now I'm headed to sleep.... Love you guys!

Team U.G.

Here is a picture of my Kampala team!!!! They are left to right: Willie, Jana, Sarah, and Jake! =) Be in prayer for these guys as well.

Also, there are 7 other teams that are a part of Hands On all over South and East Africa. They need prayer as well, as we are all now adjusting to our new homes for the next 4 months.
There are: 3 Johannesburg teams, 2 Malawi teams, 1 Botwana team, and 1 team in P-Burg. (I can neither pronounce or spell where they are. bahaha)
Thanks!

Uganda, Holla!

Hey Guys!!!! Day 2 in Uganda is now coming to an end!! I just wanted to let you know that I have arrived safely. Training was hard....but incredible! God has already done so much in my heart and in my life!! I didn't expect training to be a time where God would transform me, but He has! I can now say that in Johannesburg, South Africa...I have truly experienced the power of God!! =)

I'm so sorry I am just now updating. Things are pretty crazy here...trying to get adjusting to life here in Africa. I promise to have some exciting post to come soon. =)

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am doing good. Some days are hard.....but each day God pours so many blessings into my life!!

I miiiiiissssss you guys!!!! =) Hopefully I will be able to update again within the next week. You never really know though... I mean it is TIA. (That is what we say when things go wrong: This is Africa!!) haha.

Ok, I love you all to pieces and I love the pieces, I can't wait to write more and let everyone know what is going on. Love you!

Bound for Africa

Today is the day!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!! 8 hours and counting until my plane boards. I am crazy excited and nervous and stressed! =) But all in the most wonderful way. haha

I wanted to let you know that I'm leaving at 4:20 today and will land Thursday at 10am South Africa time. (around 2am) I will be able to get online to let everyone know that I made it safe BUT...... the bad news is that while I'm in training I won't have access to internet or a phone. This is to mentally and spiritually prepare our hearts for the months ahead. Here's the time line:
Fly out of DFW: 4:20pm, Jan 13
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa: 10:00am Jan 15
Training in J-Burg Jan 15-Jan 26
Fly to Kampala, Uganda Jan 26th.

I will try and post upon my arrival Thursday to let everyone know that I have arrived, but then it will be the end of January before I can post again!

Please know how much that I miss yall already!! =) I wish I could take all of you with me. I am very ready though for this journey. Among all of the nerves is a peace that I am following my heart and spreading the wings that God designed for me. May all glory, honor, and praise go to Him. For it is through Him and in Him that all things are done.

I love you! Miss you! And can't wait to update you at the end of January!

One last note: Thank you all so much for your overwhelming support, encouragement, love, and prayers. I have been daily overwhelmed. God has used you to place a strength inside of me that I didn't know I could have. Thank you!

Goodbye Hair Products, See ya later Ice in my Glass

I am dedicating this post to all the things I am planning on missing while in Uganda. I'm sure there will be a post to come of all the things I didn't plan on missing. For now, heres the top 20:

1. Family/Friends
2. My dog, Lucy!!
2. Sunday morning worship/Sunday mornings at The Blend
3. Accessability to hair products, all of which keep my hair from being unbearably crazy.
4. Ice in my glass. So please, when the ice in your glass hits you in the face (which I hate!), will you please think of me?!
5. Great Escape
6. Sharing in ministry with my friends
7. Bible Studies at Bobby and Laura's
8. Coffee dates with the girls
9. Having personal space
10. Being able to take pictures without worrying about my camera being stolen/having a hundred kids who also would like their picture taken along with the elephant.
11. Packing a bag without worrying about the weight limit
12. Internet that always connects
13. Good food with good friends
14. Target...Wal Mart...or any other store that has ample supply of all your needs
15. Good quality toilet paper (Not sure about Uganda...but lets just say in Imbirikani, Kenya.....)
16. Passing people I know on the road and waving....actually, just seeing AYNONE I know!
17. Driving my car
18. Cool temperatures
19. Air fresheners
20. Good smells!

Excitement!

Today I woke up with excitement running through my veins! =) I am still nervous...yes, and packing is stressful! But, I was talking with my Uncle Mike last night and he reminded me of so many things. How blessed I am to be able to go to Africa for this time. Will there ever be any other time in my life that I have the freedom to just go and fully give of myself to others without responsibility back at home?! I am getting the opportunity to go and live in another culture, and really become a part of it!!! Though I've been before this will be 4 X the time period!!

I am excited!! Excited to be on this journey. Excited to learn and grow and share my heart and my spirit with new people in a new place! This truly is my heart and my heart's desire!

Lord, Thank you for being sufficient. Amen.

So, here goes. This is my first post as I begin my journey to Uganda. 6 days and counting until I fly out on Tuesday, Jan 13. (For those of you who don't know... I will be in Africa Jan 13-May 30 ministering to children in Uganda. More details on that in a later post) I don't know if I will be very good at this, but I will try my best to share my heart here and all that the Lord is doing.

Tonight, as I lay awake yet another night with lists, "to-do's," and worries running through my head....I remind myself how Sufficient God is. He is the Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. He is Wisdom, Power, Love, Peace, Joy, Sustainer, Guider, and Protector. Why do I fret? Why is my biggest fear that I am not adequate? Ofcourse I am not! It is He ,who is in me, that is Adequate. And that Rock is what I can stand on.

The nerves are running high as I try to figure out how to pack 4 1/2 months into 2 bags and prepare to minister in a culture that will be foreign to me......and knowing that this journey will be without my family and friends who are such a huge part of who I am and the ministries I have been a part of. I have decided that you guys spoiled me!!! To be able to share my life and ministry with people whose hearts are so bound together in the same direction. A blessing!

I am so thankful that God has already gone before me on the trip and paved my way. Through all the nerves, I know in my heart that my God is Soveriegn. He is ready to meet me each step of the way as He lights the steps I will take.

So, to you guys reading. Know that I love you each very much. You are a huge part of my life and a huge part of this ministry in Kampala. I am thankful for your partnership, and I know that there are so many blessings in store for all of us!! This is the Lord's ministry and I feel so honored to be with you on this journey.

Now, let's all stop worrying and take a moment to get on our knees and thank Jesus for all that will happen in each of our lives over the next 5 months. I am daily praying for you, your relationships, and your ministries, and keeping you close in my heart!