I am burning the midnight oil in Uganda, but my time here is really running, and I need to make each day count. I can not even fathom that I am remaining with only one month left here in my most beloved UG. I have officially been in Uganda for a few days over a year now, and I've been reflecting on how truly it is the Lord that has kept me, sustained me and guided me this year. He's been refining me, and sometimes, let me tell you, I have felt that fire that I've been going through, but I'm grateful for it. Although, by no means am I a finished product. But I have really seen His providence in my life so much during my time here. He has given me so much joy and assurance of where I am and what I am doing. He has blessed me beyond measure with people here; He has used them to show me His love and care and encouragement. He has strengthened me and provided me grace to adapt. My papa here told me the other day, "You have been like a person of this place." That was really meaningful to me.
I have a friend that told me recently that I should write down a list of all the things I am thankful for from my time in Uganda-experiences, lessons, people, opportunities, and more. I was writing this list the other night and started crying, hard. It made me feel sad to have to say goodbye to all these things, but grateful that I've become so integrated into life and relationships here, and the depth of the blessings I've seen from God. I also realized I will never be ready to say goodbye to Uganda, and that even though my time (for now) here is coming to an end,I'm not finished. I know that I will be back, and that is a comfort. I do not yet know to what capacity I will return, but know that I can't just close the book on this beautiful place. There are hard and ugly things here but also so many beautiful things and joy. A couple days ago I was reading the Bible and looking through verses for comfort (actually because I was feeling weighed down by the shooting in FL), and then was reading Psalm 27, which I love. The last two verses struck me: "I remain confident of this-I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." I think this really encapsulates my emotions and thoughts about returning to MN. There is much goodness from the Lord there (LIKE SEEING ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!) Even though I feel anxious about what is to come next for me, I need to wait on the Lord, and pray that He would guide me and reveal things to me. I need to have courage and take heart, because I am not alone and know He has good for me, His child. For now, I am praying and trusting God for each step (or trying to). I know that I still remain with time here in Uganda, and want to soak everything up, but I also need to prepare for the transition.
A sweet gift I received this month was the visit from my dear and longest friend, Kaylea. I felt so loved that she came to see me and it was so refreshing to have her here and experience Uganda afresh through her eyes. I treasured time sharing things with her, and being able to relate with each other, as she also lives and works abroad. We shared many laughs and I'll treasure it forever. I think I was also able to see ways that I've changed by having her here, and I'm grateful for how I've grown. One thing we were sharing about was what we've been learning by living surrounded by poverty, and that is something I've been reflecting on again and again. Lately I've felt so burdened by the needs around me, and feel like I'm just a drop in a very large bucket. But I've been encouraged that God is the one doing the work and that He desires for us to be reconciled to Him-in all ways, because we know that all things were created by Him and for Him. I've learned and seen how we are all impoverished because of sin, it just manifests differently in each person's life and in different parts of the world, and for some reason more harshly in some. I've learned that poverty is VERY complicated and requires a complete solution and you can't simplify things by saying "people have nothing but they are so happy" because people face it rough every single day and truly rely on the grace of God for each and everything. How I did not come to Uganda to check off a "good deed" so that I can get back to my "real life", no, this is my life and we can not ignore the needs of those around us, we are called to care for the widow and orphan and those vulnerable. But we need to ensure that the care and help we are giving is not doing more harm than good, and that people will be empowered.
Friends, thank you so much for walking alongside me this year. I pray that you feel purpose and joy and a burden for something in your life, and thank you for being faithful to what God has given each of you, because I know that it looks different for every person. I pray that you also feel supported as I have by you. Wele abawe tsikhabi ni Wele abalinde (May God bless and keep you all)
Praises:
-Joy! There have been many days lately where I can only say it is the Lord that is giving me joy, and I'm thankful for that
-Depth of relationships
-God's provision and faithfulness in my life
Prayer Requests:
-Healthy coping and time to process what is to come and what my life will be like in MN
-That I would feel more thankfulness about all that happened than sadness about saying goodbye
-For God to also keep my family, because I know this has been a big sacrifice for them, as they anxiously await my return next month (I will return to MN on March 23rd)
Here are some pictures that highlight this month (they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I've already written many, thank you for reading all of them)
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| I was able to stay with Leya, at her home in an area called Busabuulo. We have been working actively here for five years now, and I've loved hearing the stories of transformation and hearing more of Leya's testimony. She shared how she first was saved when she was young because she thought she would get help from some missionaries that had come to work at her school. But in 2011 she said at church she became burdened and went to be saved for herself, because she knew that is what God wanted. She shared how we can't do things of our own strength, like her trying to save herself, but it needs to be from God. She also said it is only God that is providing for them, because often they don't have money, and have many expenses with four children in school. I'm also pictured with my sweet and beautiful new friend, Kakayi Anna. Anna should be in school, but her mother is a single parent of seven children and they don't have money for school fees. I learned that it is about 125,000 UG shillings for a term of school for Anna. Which is about $40. If anyone of you feels burdened to give to Anna, please reply and we can sort that out. I promise it is genuine and will bless her mom, Irene, so much |
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| Time with Kaylea! We have been friends for 15 years and I was so blessed by the laughter and reflections we shared. I love how we still laugh at silly things together, and then are able to pray and discuss more trying things. I also had to begin the goodbyes this month, which is difficult. But I've realized it is more "see you later" for this place and people, and that gives me comfort. |
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| Mbale is such a beautiful place. This is view is from the road that leads to M:MM office. |
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| This month with M:MM I have continued to work with the youth and adults sharing different health lessons. This picture is in Busiu, where this day we were learning about proper oral care. I also facilitated a lesson on peptic ulcers in Lwangoli, and an impromptu lesson with women in Busabuulo at a meeting with Leya on breast cancer. I continue to love sharing knowledge and the hope that what I am sharing will positively impact someone's life and make a change for the better. God is good. |
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| I've come to love these sweet and goofy children so much. They've taught me so much about continuing to have curiosity and wonder about the world, resourcefulness and resilience, and not taking yourself too seriously. |
