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.