Hello, Masaka!!

Hello, from Masaka, Uganda! I finally arrived on Tuesday, December 18th after a full day of packing and a three hour taxi drive to the Workman household. Being here has been a huge blessing to me already. Tyler and Liv have two little girls, Judah (1) and Shamila (5), and another girl, Esther (9), is considered part of the family and also stays at the house with us. The day after I arrived here, we had another little guy join us, Gideon (somewhere around 3, although he likes to claim 5!). So, I went from living in a household of 18-27 year olds to living with a 1,3,5, and 9 year old! Talk about a change! But it's been great; I didn't realize how much I missed living in a family setting! And that's not the only thing that's been wonderful here, there's also been just an overwhelming calm that's permeated everything I've done. Now I know, all you mothers are out there saying, "A 1,3,5, and 9 year old and you're talking about "calm?" Yeah, you really are going crazy over there!" But hang with me for a second. 

Gideon and I!

Before I arrived here, I was stressed and worried to say the least. Simply put, I like it when God "lights up all the lights of the hallway" rather than just one or two sets at a time, and currently He's only turned on a few of the lights for what my future holds. Currently I don't know where I'll stay after January 2nd, and I know I want to go back to Empower A Child for a while, but I don't know when or for how long. It just seems like my life is full of questions and completely lacking in answers. In my few days here, however, He's given me a peace about everything. Psalm 46:1-3 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging" ... and though you don't know what you're doing or where you're going after January 2nd, DO NOT FEAR. God's got everything under control, and what good does it do me to worry about it? "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:14 ..."And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). So, really, that's all I have to say for now, but Merry Christmas to you all!!

Goofing off!! 

With some kids at Okoa Refuge.

Emmanuel and Moses! 

Blessings! 

Disheveled Trust

The church is HUGE!! 

You wanna know something? I don't really want to write this blog post....and originally this ended with "so, i'm not going to, goodnight!" but, considering the unsaid rule that blog posts have to be longer than two sentences, I thought I should come back and add a bit on. Honestly though, I'm not so keen on writing currently because I feel like I have to have a point, an organized thought in order to write - which seems to be quite impossible at the moment. Isn't it funny how when you're mind is going "100 miles an hour," you're always more confused?! You would think, with it working that much faster than normal, you'd have every issue worked out with time to spare!

Charles and I - my last Sunday in Zirobwe for a while.

Anyways, let's get to the heart of it: disheveled trust. Several years ago, I was in Chihuahua, Mexico with my church on a mission trip. I had woken up early to do my personal devotions, and God was very clearly laying  down this question, "Do you trust me?" (Yep, like in Aladdin!) Sitting there in the peace of His presence, it seemed easy to say, "Yes! I have complete trust in You!" Unfortunately, what was waiting for me wasn't a magic carpet ride; it was a call from back home with bad news: Soldier had been hit by a tornado. Because we were in Mexico, information was slow in coming. I had a lot of family back home, and those seconds and minutes waiting for news were some of the slowest and scariest of my life, but the whole time in the back of my mind was trust. And that was the real start of God teaching what it means to trust.

Peter! 

Those lessons continue to come up in my life, and they're hard, but in the end, it's SO worth it. Currently, I feel as though I'm going through a season where I'm called to trust, and it's not fun. I feel like my mind is constantly going 100 miles an hour, but there isn't a "solution" out there for me to find, I just have to trust. Can I share something with you that sometimes I think was a completely dumb thing to do? I prayed before I came here that God would bring me to the end of myself so there would be nothing left of me - to the point where I had to absolutely, completely trust Him - where He becomes greater and I become less. I think He's brought me to that point - again. During this journey, He's brought me there over and over again, in different ways. It's always hard, but it's always good in the end. So, I'm choosing to trust Him, but don't get me wrong, my trust is not perfect. Trust is messy, hard; it's a struggle and a fight. But as Jeremiah 17:7-8 says,

 "Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

With the Sunday School kiddos! 

So now, despite the messiness and struggle of trusting Him, I hold onto the knowledge that He is the Potter and I am the clay. He is continually perfecting me and refining me, and "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

NEW NEWS!

First of all, I'd like to let you all know about a change coming up in my time here in Uganda. I had originally come to Africa planning on working with the organization, Empower A Child, for my entire time here. However, God seems to be working out some slightly different plans than mine (yeah, big surprise, I know!). Recently He's been opening doors for me to work with a missionary family in a town called Masaka that is a couple hours away from Kampala. The EAC "base" here in Kampala is closing down for the second part of December and the first part of January; the option the organization provided was for me to fly to Kenya and stay with the Kenyan branch of EAC there. However, I've felt all along that God had something different planned for me than going to Kenya. Now I know what it is! One of the girls that I worked with and became close to in the first month or so I was here told me about this family who had gone to her church when they lived in America. From there, everything just fell into place (although, I must admit, it was much slower than I would've liked). So, now, by God's guidance and provision, I'll be heading to Masaka, Uganda on December 18th to work with this family and the organization they head up, Okoa Refuge. 

Joseph, me, Shakira, and Luke at the Sponsorship Christmas

Now a little about Okoa Refuge so you'll have an idea of what I'll be doing: they currently have two children's homes (one girls and one boys), they're working on a babies' home, they do some church planting, prayer and evangelism at a prison and hospital, a once-a-month, week-long Bible School, and they're working on handing out water filters. So, in my time there, I will be working alongside them in their life there. Honestly, I'm not completely sure of the exact time I'll be spending with them. I'm just trusting God to lead me, but I do know that I'd love to come back with EAC for a few weeks before I leave to see my kids again, and I believe God's worked that into His plan. 

I'd really appreciate your prayers right now; particularly for guidance in this transition, the extension of my visa (PLEASE!), and peace to rest in His will and His presence. And with that, I do think I'm going to sign off. I apologize for the lack of brilliantly composed thoughts and the blandness of this post..... I'd add more, or edit away, but seeing as I've got to be up for church in a few hours, I'm just going to leave it at this! 

CHARLES!

The Zirobwe kids at the sponsorship Christmas!

Bukenya & I at his house!

Little Francis!! 

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you. Your encouragement, support, and prayers mean the world to me! Blessings! 

A Great Hope

The church has windows & doors!

The inside of the church - our new campsite! 

Well.... First of all, my apologies to those of you who were expecting a blog post last week; we were out of power from Thursday through Monday! While not having power wasn't exactly convenient, it ended up being a really good time of team bonding, resting, and refocusing. But definitely the highlight of the last two weeks was getting to go back to the village of Zirobwe!!

On Wednesday afternoon I found myself walking on the red dirt roads of Zirobwe with a fellow worker who was translating for me. Two of the girls from Sunday School were with me, one on each hand, and their mother was just ahead of us. The younger of the two girls was 5 years old and had a skin rash all over her body, and their mother had come to me for help at church. So, we walked together to the doctor - miles. When we arrived at the doctor's and the young girl went through her examination in the tiniest doctor's office I've ever seen, we were told that not only did she have a skin rash, but she also had recurring malaria. The doctor gathered together skin cream for her rash and several different pills both for the rash and malaria and totaled the cost. As I watched, a tiny fear crept into me - what if I didn't have enough money to pay for all of that? Then I heard the total: 8,000 UGX - that's about $3. My heart sighed and cried out at the same time; I had plenty of money to pay for the medication, but how poor could these people be to bring themselves to ask for help with what seemed like such a small amount. Three dollars. Three.  If people can't even afford to pay that much, where is the hope in their lives? 

It's HUGE!!

But these people do have hope. More hope than many people in America. They have the hope that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has given them. Rather than turn to it only in times of struggle, they cling to it with everything they have, all the time. "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). They are renewed and strengthened by Christ; through Him they are able to press on in joy. Mark 10:31 says, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." I cannot hide the fact that I envy these people. Despite their poverty and struggles here on earth, how much greater will their reward be when they're finally with God in heaven? Yes. The least of these have a great hope. 

Trevor! What a sweetheart!

Joann and Winnie... Sisters!! 

Jophaz, Siminu, and Marvin goofing off at sports day

Winnie playing frizbee!

Yes, I have a camera again!!

Love

The girls & I on our outing to Lake Victoria

For quite a while now I've wanted to write a post about what I've learned about love since I've been here. I figured this was a great week to do it! (mostly because I can't seem to find the ribbon to tie together all my thoughts from this week!) And no, this isn't about the love in our so-called "love relationships," (although, it is applicable) but rather the tangible love we're called to show to the world in every action of our lives, to every person we encounter - I'm talking about Christ-like love.

In the past year or two of my life, I've been puzzled by this conundrum: What is love? Really, is it even possible to define love? Surely not God's love, because it is higher, deeper, wider than we could ever imagine. It is eternal and everlasting. But what is love defined - at least in our inadequate words? Well, this is what I've come up with after lots of studying:

Love is expressed through action and is, therefore, a choice of each individual. It is always

concerned for others' needs and feelings above all else; it is selfless.True love does not depend

upon how the other person treats the one showing love. It harbors no bitterness or hard

feelings - in love, the past is void. It is an open-armed approach to people regardless of who

they are, what they've done, or where they're coming from. True love is Jesus Christ -

the Father, the Son, the Spirit -

laying down His life.  

It's never a complete trip without a jumping picture!

Now, by no means is this even close to a correct and complete definition of love, but as I've said, it's what I've learned so far. Anyways, this kind of love, "agapao" in Greek, is action love. It is how we love our enemies, how we love everyone around us even if they've hurt us; it's how we love despite the way we feel - because it is an action, not a feeling. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:16 & 18). 

Kelsey & I with the kids in our class who memorized
at least 5 out of  9 memory verses in Sunday School

In my 5 months (wow! can you believe it's been that long!?) in Uganda, I've been learning what it means to love. Whether that means hugging and snuggling a child that smells as if they've rolled in trash, doing the job that nobody else wants to do, or paying school fees for a student who can't afford it - God reminds me consistently that "If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

With my winning team at Brainstorm!
(Back: Robert; Front: Nicorus, Frank, Kevin, & me)

Nahni & I with our whole class at New Brainstorm

Today, we went to New Brainstorm Primary School. After watching four of my boys beat the rest of the classes we were competing against (who were all older, I might add), in a cone relay (GO TEAM!) and playing games with my class for another hour, we had to say goodbye. It was the last time I'll ever get to do a program there and work with my class, and I realized as I was being smothered in hugs and letters - I love those kids. I would put my life on the line for them. If I'm capable of that kind of love here in this messed up world with my sinful nature, how much greater is God's love?! I would like to leave you with one more verse to ponder. 1 John 3: 14 says, "Anyone who does not love remains in death." We've been put on this earth to love - deeply, unconditionally - and if we live in any other way, it's useless. It's death. But praise to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who chose to love us with a pure, true love! He is the ultimate example of love. 

Rain

When it rains here, it’s miserable. Not necessarily the rain itself, but the effects produced by the rain: mud, mud, mud!! In fact, if it rains hard enough, school is cancelled because the classrooms flood. It rained a LOT this week, and we had three programs cancelled because of it. Don’t get me wrong: rain is SUPER important. It creates growth and new life, but in the midst of it, it can be just plain awful. As I was looking back over the week not only did it rain a lot here, but have you ever gotten the feeling that it’s “raining” in your life? Yeah, I have that.

It’s not necessarily like everything is going wrong; I’m just overwhelmed (like I wrote about last week). There's a lot of stuff going on that I can't just "fix" like I want to. There are things I have to wait and trust for, things that are heavy on my heart. Thinking about all this in terms of rain reminds me of Superchick's song, "Stand in the Rain." This is the chorus: 

So stand in the rain

Stand your ground

Stand up when it's all crashing down

You stand through the pain

You won't drown

And one day, whats lost can be found

You stand in the rain

Sometimes we go through times in life where we just have to stand in the rain, soaking wet, waiting for the sun to come out. Honestly, it's not very fun to "stand in the rain;" it's hard. But every time I felt like I was on the brink of just giving up, God's Word sustained me. 

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel..."

-Isaiah 41:13-14

"Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

-Psalm 68:19

His Word is perfect, absolutely perfect, and it's still SO relevant today:

   

At Jonah & Jennifer's Introduction with:
me, Katie, Unice, Hannah, and Kelsey

       How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my  enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the LORD's praise, for He has been good to me.

                       -Psalm 13

Often times in his Psalms, David starts out complaining to God - telling everything that's wrong and how he feels about it - but then he ends in praise of God. I used to think David had some really crazy emotions... or maybe he had written the first part and then came back later and wrote the second part after God fixed the problem. However, what I've realized is that (no matter how he wrote it) his Psalms are a perfect example of surrendering. It's an example of what we should do when we're standing in the rain: we have to say, "God, I'm choosing to trust you. I don't feel like giving it up to you and trusting you and praising you, but I'm choosing to do those things anyways because You're worth it, and you are faithful."

At Jonah & Jennifer's Introduction

And God proves Himself faithful: just like He did with Noah in the ark. After the rain had finally passed, God showed Noah the rainbow that signified His faithfulness in keeping the promise He made. All in all, God uses rain. He uses it to make us grow, and to provide an opportunity to show His faithfulness to us - despite all the muddy roads and cancelled programs. 

Overwhelmed

After carving pumpkins!! 

Well. I can tell you one thing: it's been quite a week!! Last Saturday, the girls and I went out to a very American place to eat (we had pizza!!), and on our way home, through a series of shady experiences in a taxi, one of my friends, Nahni, and I had our wallets and cameras stolen. It's just like the devil to attempt to ruin a perfect day, isn't it!! But honestly, I feel like he failed. Yes, I was somewhat upset - mostly at my own ignorance - but I wasn't as distressed as I should have been. There was just an overwhelming peace that came through me. It's just material things that were stolen; we're safe, and I'm still WAY richer than the men who stole our belongings because I have Christ. Everything is working out fine in the recovery process, and we're confident God will pay back in abundance what the enemy has stolen. In fact, I've already been informed that a loved one was planning on sending me money before the theft even happened; it was almost exactly seven times what was in my wallet!!

At Sunday School with Gerald

Our awesome Halloween costumes! 

With the neighborhood kids after our special
Halloween "program" (games!!)

Sadly though, that's not the only hard thing that happened this week. One of the employees at EAC had their house broken into and many of their belongings stolen, one of the sponsored kids in Kampala died in a fight, and one of the girls from the village also died. On top of that, many things having to do with my future have been weighing upon my heart as well as family and friends back home. I'm simply overwhelmed; it's too much for me to carry on my own. But even as I'm writing this, God is throwing His Word into my mind and heart, "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God...," "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73: 16-17, 26) "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." (Psalm 40:2) I am overwhelmed, but He is not!

You all know I couldn't resist
putting a picture of Winnie in her new dress!

Another part of that though? I have to let Him have it all. One of the biggest lessons I learned that initially brought me to Uganda was the lesson of surrender - choosing to give everything up to Him. It's a hard lesson, and it still is! I'm learning once again to let go and trust God. Do you want to know the hardest part about it? The fact that surrender is continual; it's not a one-time deal. I can finally choose to give everything up to God, surrender it all, and then two hours later start worrying about it again and have to start surrendering again, and again, and again.... Yeah, it's hard, but this is the hope I hold on to:

"I lift my eyes to the mountains - 

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth."

            -Psalm 121:1-2

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. but take heart! I have overcome the world."

-John 16:33

Blessings to you all!! 

....and because I don't have my camera....

**All picture credit to Katie Simon and Shannon Lundberg**