"My Power is Made Perfect in Weakness"

Oh, where to start?! I guess the beginning of the week is as good a place as any. On Monday several of the girls left. Three of them came the same day I did, and two had come the week after I arrived. It was definitely hard to say goodbye to these girls who had become my sisters over the month we spent here together. But as they left, we all had to be reminded, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The weeks they had here were specifically laid out and planned for them by the Almighty God, and obviously He knows what He's doing!

The next three days were probably the most physically challenging I've had since I've been here (although slashing grass might tie). During our days in Zirobwe this week, we had the opportunity to help build mud huts as well as have our children's program in the evening. Each day we worked on the huts in some way - carrying water, carrying bricks, mixing mud, or actually putting mud on the structure. (You have no clue what I would have done for a Bobcat!) We were all so physically tired, but we were in it together. In a way, it reminded me of Cross Country. You grow together as a team because you know that everyone is going through the same pain and struggle you are. "Coincidentally," before we left for the village, I was reading in 2 Corinthians 12, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I was continually reminded while I was carrying water and bricks that my strength comes from God. As small as it might sound, there's NO way I could have carried all those bricks and jerrycans full of water out of my own strength and still be able to go with full strength to the children's programs or whatever else we had to do that day. I'm so thankful that I have a God who is my strength.

The inside

The hut structure

With the girls ready to work!

Making progress!

Almost done!

On Friday we had the opportunity to go to a secondary school in a nearby village to help put on a conference with a group called YouthQuake. It was an amazing opportunity. The YouthQuake team was so fun to work with, and we were able to break up into "small" groups with the kids to talk about real life issues. I ended up being with the team that went with the Senior 2 class. (S-2 is similar to middle school in the States). After some brief introduction, we opened up for questions, and they had so many!! It was amazing to be able to pour into those kids where they were at in life. Some of the questions asked you would have heard just about anywhere in the world - America or Uganda - the kids still have the same questions about life. But then, there are some questions that bring the reality of these students' lives into the light. One question that came at the very end spoke about a student's struggle to keep up her grades and abuse from her father. She was sponsored, but if her grades weren't good for her second term report, they threatened to take away her sponsorship. She simply wanted to know what to do. We didn't have time to answer her question, but honestly, how would you answer it? Trusting God takes on a whole new aspect here; you actually have to trust and fully depend on Him. It was a very humbling and eye-opening experience.

So, yes, it's been a hard, long week, but it's been amazing and God is still moving. Amen!





Blessings!

I Need a BIG God!

This week has been CRAZY! And honestly, I don't have a nice little theme that neatly packages the events of this week together - not even close. However, even as I write this, I realize that it's a positive thing. It reminds me that our God doesn't fit in a tidy little package - thank goodness!! I absolutely need a big God (even if sometimes I refuse to admit that fact).

At the end of last week, the plan was for me to join a church group that I went to orientation with and spend Sunday through Thursday with them in Zirobwe. I was SO excited, but during some of my personal time with God and our devotions, I realized that God wasn't calling me there. I just couldn't feel at peace about it (which is crazy knowing how much I wanted to go), but ultimately, I want to be where God wants me, not where I want to be. So, I ended up staying here in Kampala while one of my sisters filled in for me in Zirobwe, and of course, it was a great week!! God continually reminded me:

"I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, 'You are my servant';

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:9-10

Whether it was making Oreo balls late at night, eating and worshiping without power, or going on coffee shop dates, I've realized how blessed I've been by my family here, and I feel like our team grew together a lot this week. We realized that God called each of us here as His servants at this specific place and this specific time for a reason. He purposed it for us, and I've learned so much about unity in the body of Christ just through this week. I've never had the opportunity before to be a part of such a big group of girls, and it's been a blast! 

The girls and our Oreo balls! (Round1)

Jen & I after our coffee date!

The girls making Oreo balls.

At New Brainstorm Primary School

Another part of this week was just plain hard. On Thursday we went to one of the babies' homes. A couple weeks ago I had fed a tiny little girl named Beatrice, and the week after that she had been put in the hospital, so we went to go visit her. This week we learned that Beatrice had passed away from malnutrition. We had guessed her age to be about 2, judging by size. She was 4. Talk about a slap in the face. Even here, that's not something I see every day, but knowing Beatrice, I've realized that it happens every day. Honestly, I'm not sure how to handle it. I wish I could take care of all the hurting people in the world, but I can't. Thankfully, I believe in a big God who can.

One final part about this week before I wrap this up. We got to have a Fun Day with the EAC sponsorship kids on Saturday. We played games, laughed, competed, ate, and all around had a blast! I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me was the overwhelming feeling that there is hope for the kids here! To see those children so happy, healthy, and joyful despite their hard backgrounds was inspiring. Our God is a big and awesome God!

Blessings! 

Crucified With Christ

"I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

-Galatians 2:20

My little friend, Betty, and I at Sunday School.

Kids in Zirobwe

This has been my theme verse during the week. Over the end of last week and the beginning of this week, I simply wanted to be back in Zirobwe. It was hard to be in Kampala because I felt like my heart and spirit were still in the village. But God (as always) had something to teach me through it! I was reading yesterday in 2 Corinthians 5 when Paul talks about being away from our Father, and I realized that I'm never going to be absolutely and completely satisfied in this body on earth because I will always long to be at home with my Lord. Seeing that longing exemplified and magnified in my life was a very humbling and unique experience. It made me ask, does my longing for Christ look like that? Is it something that's continually at the forefront of my mind? Thankfully, my desire to be in Zirobwe was soon fulfilled. We got to stay there Tuesday through Thursday once again! Although we only had one program with the kids we're normally with, it was a wonderful three days. On Wednesday we had the opportunity to spend all day at one of the secondary schools - we played soccer and volleyball with them as well as having sessions on how to write a story and career guidance. One particular instance sticks out clearly in my mind: we were sitting in small groups doing career guidance, and one boy spoke up and asked, "What if, once you've gone through all your classes and are ready to enter university, your parents tell you one morning that there's no longer enough money left and you can't attend university?" It broke my heart. Back home it seems like almost everyone has the opportunity to go to a college or university; in fact, it's expected. But the young adults here go through primary and secondary school simply hoping they'll be able to further their education. The students in the village especially - they have such big dreams - to be a doctor, a lawyer, engineer, singer - but when it comes down to it, most of them won't even have the opportunity to attempt their dreams because they won't be able to attend university. It just makes me realize how blessed we are in America - and also how much we take for granted. On Thursday we slashed grass early in the morning and then had the opportunity to plant trees along the entrance to Empower a Child's future Training Center. I really felt God guiding me to choose what looked like the weakest tree. He reminded me, "I chose you when you felt like the weakest one." So, in short, I'm looking forward to seeing my namesake tree grow and mature as the vision of EAC grows as well.

Kids in Zirobwe

Another thing about this week that sticks out is the idea of being weak, broken, and being a jar of clay. Honestly, I was tired this week (especially after slashing grass!). But I was also just hurting for the kids in Zirobwe. That feeling put a whole new perspective on being "crucified with Christ." It means I'm no longer able to live for myself; I cry for, hurt for, pray for, and am "crucified" for those He loves as well. I think 2 Corinthians 4:16 says it best, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." On the outside I'm a jar of clay, but inside I hold the promise of God to His glory. Amen and amen! 

Brokenly Whole

Bogere, one of the boys from Zirobwe enjoying his balloon!

This week has been yet another beautiful span of time in the Pearl of Africa. Early in the week, I had the privilege to Skype some of my best friends, family, and some of the kids in our church all at once. It was such a blessing to hear their laughs and see their smiles. However, the biggest thing that's happened this week was finally getting to stay in the village of Zirobwe.

We left Tuesday morning with three vans of volunteers, bags, and supplies. After setting up camp, we split up into two teams and went to different sides of the village to put on a program. I was lucky enough to go to the same area where we do our Sunday School, so I got to see many of my little friends from Sunday. We also did feeding programs and went to visit a local high school during our time there. There were always kids around to play with and love on, and despite the fact that we had to carry water everyday, sleep in tents, and   wear bug spray and sun screen everywhere (without getting to shower), I loved it there!

The team at the future church building in Zirobwe.

One morning as I was reading in 1 Corinthians, God made me realize in a new way the power of love, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). As I was in Zirobwe, I witnessed an outpouring of love from God, my family here, and myself. I realized that, if nothing else, the most powerful thing you can do for the people and children here is love them. I've also learned through the course of several months that loving people is a choice; it's not about your feelings. We have to show these people love through our actions. While loving the children has been relatively easy for me through the love of Christ, loving them also opens my heart for them. Every time I see a child with clothes that are completely torn apart or young ones carrying around a younger sibling with them, my heart breaks. It pains me to see them in such need, but they're always so joyful. I honestly didn't want to leave. I'm just in love with seeing God work there, the children there, and everything about Zirobwe (well, minus the sharp seeds that stick to everything!). Being there humbled me, opened my heart and my eyes, and made me truly depend on Him. That's the kind of life I want to live, and leaving there broke my heart, but at the same time I'm so full! Even though I'm sad because I can't be there right now, I'm comforted because my Savior will always be there for those people. Even though I'm broken because there is so much sickness and pain, I'm at peace because I know that the Divine Healer is in that place. God calls us to, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15a). I'm continually learning what that means. Mukama Yebazibwe! Praise God!

Blessings!


(Credit to the Honorable Cassie Wilson for the title and team picture in this post!)