Crazy, but amazing few days to start off our mission to Africa. Just to recap a little bit:
We traveled for 24 straight hours with little sleep. After traveling and finally arriving, we slept fairly late into the day, attempting to catch up with Jet lag (which didn't work well for me). When we finally woke up, we met the people we would be serving with.
The people we have come in contact with have been extremely welcoming and loving to us- every single one. I have never seen a community of people all so loving and welcoming in these circumstances.
So, to review the last two days for you: We have run a VBS both days. This VBS consisted of teaching the children bible lessons, running praise and worship, hygiene lessons, and even writing letters to the children's sponsors all over the world. The children have been the main focus so far this week and I can't begin to explain how amazing and encouraging it has been. Uganda is a place so desperate for truth; every kid that comes in to the gates of the compound are genuinely seeking God's face in their lives-- they are even so well behaved and respectful! Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the last couple days.
This is Aaron. He is "1 years and a half years". He is one of the most adorable children and will lay himself down when tired :)
This is Gloria! She is "7 years and in P3 (equivalent to our 3rd grade)". She loves to smile for pictures!
This was my sweet little one, who loves to hold my hand and play with my finger nails and rings, haha.
This is a photo of a child writing their letter to their sponsor, who helps provide food, school books, school supplies and clothing to the child and support their families as well as pray for them. Every few months, the child will write their sponsor and vice versa.
Just a story to share, to help understand the situations some of these families are in. Today, after the VBS and lunch we held for the children, a teen, who was known before this trip, was hanging out with us and having conversations, catching up and getting to know each other. Melissa and I wanted to walk to the store and go on a chapati trip. We invited him along, as well as went to visit his family and say hello. Upon entering the home, after some conversation, we found that they haven't been paying rent because the mother has been ill and jobless because of that. After more discussion, it became evident that the family of four had no food in their homes. Because of the money that was donated to Melissa and I, we were able to take the boy shopping at the grocery store to bring food home to his family. He walked away with all the staples that Africans tend to use, some snacks and drinks, and just things he actually wanted. In total, we spent about 34,000 shillings. When you take out the two things Melissa and I grabbed, the total was approximately 28,000 shillings. In American money, that is a total of about $25. We were able to provide this family with rice, flour, chips, juice, apples, sugar, and a bunch of other things that they can use to make many different meals and will last them for a good time.
Take a second to take that in. This family was going without eating because they couldn't afford it, but to us, it is a simple $25 thing - like a few pizzas. The thing that got me the most, is when we first came in and asked how they were, there was no mention of needing things, it was "we are doing well". We actually had to ask several times if they needed anything and for them to let us help, we had to insist. The boy wants to study in America and play Futbol (soccer) professionally.
God is stretching me in many ways! While here, he has opened my eyes to how I need to reevaluate my attitude on some things, but has also been teaching me trust and hope in him. After leaving the U.S, I received a text on the 29th, telling me my great grandmother passed away. Unfortunately, her funeral is on Tuesday, just about a week into the mission here in Africa. After much battling with God after the text came, I have finally begun to just trust Him. I want to be home for this funeral. I want to be in Africa, but being with my family in this time is very important.
I would just ask that you join me in this prayer: If God wants me to stay in Africa, he will close all doors for access into America. If He is allowing me to leave and be with family, I pray he opens the doors necessary to leave and arrive in the states in time to be at the funeral.
I have no doubt that either way, I am used. God has done amazing things just in this week at Uganda. If I were to walk away right now, I know He accomplished something through me. God has a plan in everything and with out a doubt, he has a plan in this as well. Uganda is absolutely beautiful and God is up to big things. The Ugandans are truly seeking the face of God; to be working with people who have a desire and longing to know God as their father is absolutely incredible. They have every single reason to push a "God" out of their lives, but many, many of the children and adults are seeking Him as God works through the volunteers and Empower A Child.
