Sorry everyone that it's been a few days since my last post. We've been so busy around here. 14 new people arrived in the house yesterday, more than doubling the number of people in the house, people who all want to use the internet.
Since my last post, everything has been even better than before. Saturday, we had a day to relax. We got to go to the craft market, where I bought a few little things (really cheap). Then we went and swam in Lake Victoria, which is absolutely huge! Sunday we went to church and were the ushers for three different services! It was amazing to see a huge church filled with literally over a thousand people! The people here have such a joy. It's been absolutely amazing to see how joyful they can be, in spite of the circumstances.
Monday we got to spend a lot of time at a babies home again, cleaning around the compound and then holding and feeding babies. I'm sure a lot of you could see me doing that. Not! But believe it or not, I did!
Finally, today has been an absolutely amazing day. We got to go to Katalemwa Hospital again, where I had three children hanging all over me the entire time! It was truly a blessing to see tiny little kids dancing around with their crutches in the air. God has really been showing us some amazing things here in Uganda. In the afternoon the group went to a local high school, where I got to share a short message with the kids and give them some encouragement. I was so nervous before getting up in front of them to speak, but everyone said I did a great job and that the message really made a difference for them. That in itself was a huge blessing for me.
I thank God ever day for the opportunity to share His word with the children here. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference in the kingdom of God. I have nothing to do but to thank the God of the universe for his unending love and mercy and to do whatever I can to tell others about that amazing love.
All I really have to say is "PRAISE GOD!"
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Update on the Last Few Days
Hey Everyone!
The last few days here in Uganda have been pretty crazy, but a lot of fun! On Wednesday we went to Katalemwa Hospital, where they work with children with disabilities and severe injuries. I pushed a few kids around in their wheelchairs all day and had an amazing time doing it. Ashirof and Ojada, though confined to their wheelchairs, seemed to have more fun than anyone else there. Then Wednesday night we got to go to the cultural center and see some of the local culture and dance. The crazy part was that a couple of the girls in the show pulled me out to dance in front of everyone with them. Quite possibly the most embarrasing moment of the trip so far.
Thursday we spent all morning painting crosswalks at schools throughout Kampala, and then in the afternoon went to a place called Remand Home, a kind of juvenile hall. It was awesome to be able to tell the kids there about the love of Christ and how their families and friends could forsake them and leave them but that Christ never would.
Friday we spent all day digging wells in one of the villages outside the city. Walking in knee deep mud, we used hoes and shovels to clear a path so that the water could run freely from the well. It was the hardest I've worked since I got here. Then we went and swept out a local farmer's market, where I had about 20 kids chasing me around the building for an hour. The kids here are so funny. After all that hard work we went out to the park and played some basketball with a local Ugandan team. It was interesting seeing a bunch of Americans take on the locals. Though we didn't play too great, you could say we held our own.
Being in Uganda has been amazing so far. I thought I would just be here to serve others and help them out, but I have learned so much here and grown in my walk with the Lord. I may even be getting more out of this trip than the people I'm here to serve.
The last few days here in Uganda have been pretty crazy, but a lot of fun! On Wednesday we went to Katalemwa Hospital, where they work with children with disabilities and severe injuries. I pushed a few kids around in their wheelchairs all day and had an amazing time doing it. Ashirof and Ojada, though confined to their wheelchairs, seemed to have more fun than anyone else there. Then Wednesday night we got to go to the cultural center and see some of the local culture and dance. The crazy part was that a couple of the girls in the show pulled me out to dance in front of everyone with them. Quite possibly the most embarrasing moment of the trip so far.
Thursday we spent all morning painting crosswalks at schools throughout Kampala, and then in the afternoon went to a place called Remand Home, a kind of juvenile hall. It was awesome to be able to tell the kids there about the love of Christ and how their families and friends could forsake them and leave them but that Christ never would.
Friday we spent all day digging wells in one of the villages outside the city. Walking in knee deep mud, we used hoes and shovels to clear a path so that the water could run freely from the well. It was the hardest I've worked since I got here. Then we went and swept out a local farmer's market, where I had about 20 kids chasing me around the building for an hour. The kids here are so funny. After all that hard work we went out to the park and played some basketball with a local Ugandan team. It was interesting seeing a bunch of Americans take on the locals. Though we didn't play too great, you could say we held our own.
Being in Uganda has been amazing so far. I thought I would just be here to serve others and help them out, but I have learned so much here and grown in my walk with the Lord. I may even be getting more out of this trip than the people I'm here to serve.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
First Couple Days in Uganda
After all of our crazy adventures we finally landed in Uganda Monday morning at about 8 a.m., in the pouring rain. Two of the locals who work for Empower a Child were there to pick us up and bring us back to the house. Over the next hour, we got to see a good amount of the country. Despite the extreme levels of poverty here, Uganda is a beautiful country. One thing that really struck me about this country is how much the people love America. American music is all over the radio. The first three songs I heard here were by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Chris Brown. Ugandans also have a great love for Barack Obama. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels in Kampala all named after Obama. It's all pretty funny.
After we got to the house and unpacked our stuff, we went straight to one of the "babies' homes" for a visit. While there we held and rocked a few infants and then helped feed a room full of screaming toddlers. And believe it or not, I actually enjoyed it! After getting a good night of sleep we got up this morning and headed across Kampala to work at a home for street kids for the day. We did everything from scrubbing dormitory floors to cleaning out ditches filled with mud and all sorts of trash. Then we spent the whole afternoon playing with the kids, organizing games for them and singing LOTS of songs. I even got to learn a few of them in Luganda, the local language. Some of the kids got a hold of my camera, so there are over 150 pictures from today alone. I'll be sure to put a few up here as soon as I get home.
I'm missing home, but I'm definitely having a great time so far! I can't wait to see what the next week and a half is going to be like!
After we got to the house and unpacked our stuff, we went straight to one of the "babies' homes" for a visit. While there we held and rocked a few infants and then helped feed a room full of screaming toddlers. And believe it or not, I actually enjoyed it! After getting a good night of sleep we got up this morning and headed across Kampala to work at a home for street kids for the day. We did everything from scrubbing dormitory floors to cleaning out ditches filled with mud and all sorts of trash. Then we spent the whole afternoon playing with the kids, organizing games for them and singing LOTS of songs. I even got to learn a few of them in Luganda, the local language. Some of the kids got a hold of my camera, so there are over 150 pictures from today alone. I'll be sure to put a few up here as soon as I get home.
I'm missing home, but I'm definitely having a great time so far! I can't wait to see what the next week and a half is going to be like!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Airport Adventures
Airports... whoa! I'll start with our flight from Charlotte to Chicago. I never knew sitting beside a complete stranger could be so interesting. He ended up being a rancher and producer of Mexican indie films. After 2 hours of discussing horses, cattle, and the Mexican movie industry, our flight landed safely in Chicago. After following the directions of our flight attendant, we realized that he had sent us to the wrong terminal, and that the flight we were supposed to be on had already pulled onto the runway, from a terminal a little over a mile away. Running through the Chicago airport, we finally got everything worked out, got a new flight, and are sitting in the waiting area relaxing right now. Soon we'll be boarding a flight and we'll end up in London tomorrow morning, just in time for our 12 hour layover. Then it's on to Uganda!
They don't know what they're in for.
They don't know what they're in for.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Almost Time!
Alright so it's time to get excited! I've finally got everything packed, thanks to my mom, who went through everything 18 times to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything! I do have some great parents (they'll love reading that)!
So, I feel just a little bit like a kid going to bed on Christmas Eve right now. We'll be heading to Charlotte at 8 a.m. tomorrow to meet my roomate from school and get on a plane. It's crazy to think that this time tomorrow I'll be in the air, and in a couple days I'll be in AFRICA! This whole trip is one of those things that I've wanted to do for a long time but never really thought I would. It's been amazing to see how God has been bringing things together. I have to say a lot of thanks to a lot of people. A big thanks goes out to all those who have supported me throughout this process! Thanks to all those who were references for me in the application process, for those who supported me monetarily so I could afford to do this, and for those who have been and are praying for me and for the trip! You all mean so much to me, and you all will definitely be there with me as I'm traveling and working in Uganda. Thanks for everything guys!
The next time you'll hear from me I'll be on the way to Uganda!!!
So, I feel just a little bit like a kid going to bed on Christmas Eve right now. We'll be heading to Charlotte at 8 a.m. tomorrow to meet my roomate from school and get on a plane. It's crazy to think that this time tomorrow I'll be in the air, and in a couple days I'll be in AFRICA! This whole trip is one of those things that I've wanted to do for a long time but never really thought I would. It's been amazing to see how God has been bringing things together. I have to say a lot of thanks to a lot of people. A big thanks goes out to all those who have supported me throughout this process! Thanks to all those who were references for me in the application process, for those who supported me monetarily so I could afford to do this, and for those who have been and are praying for me and for the trip! You all mean so much to me, and you all will definitely be there with me as I'm traveling and working in Uganda. Thanks for everything guys!
The next time you'll hear from me I'll be on the way to Uganda!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The First Blog: Why Africa?
So, this is my first blog post, ever! So bear with me. As many of you know, I’m going to be heading to Uganda here in a few days. I’ll be flying out on Saturday, and I’m super pumped about going abroad to serve others. Since I decided to go to Uganda I’ve often gotten the question, “why in the world do you want to go to Africa?” Well, here’s my feeble attempt at explaining just why I want go.
It really comes down to one word: LOVE. In Luke 10:27, Christ gives us two commandments, to love God, and to love people. My purpose on this trip is to simply show God’s love to others, and there is no better way to show love to others than to serve them. God has poured so much of His amazing love into my life, and I have to share that love with others. Like it says in Psalm 23 “my cup overflows.” So you see, this is not something that I am doing out of my love for others, but this is something that God is doing through the overflow of His love. God’s amazing love is the only thing that empowers us to love others. It is the thing that empowers us to serve others and to glorify Him through that service. It is my hope and my prayer that through my service in Uganda the body of Christ would be built up, as it says in Ephesians 4:12, and that God would be glorified. After all, that is what we’re here for, right?
It really comes down to one word: LOVE. In Luke 10:27, Christ gives us two commandments, to love God, and to love people. My purpose on this trip is to simply show God’s love to others, and there is no better way to show love to others than to serve them. God has poured so much of His amazing love into my life, and I have to share that love with others. Like it says in Psalm 23 “my cup overflows.” So you see, this is not something that I am doing out of my love for others, but this is something that God is doing through the overflow of His love. God’s amazing love is the only thing that empowers us to love others. It is the thing that empowers us to serve others and to glorify Him through that service. It is my hope and my prayer that through my service in Uganda the body of Christ would be built up, as it says in Ephesians 4:12, and that God would be glorified. After all, that is what we’re here for, right?
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