Beauty in The Poor

In this nation I am consistently reminded of need. From the mother sick with no money to pay for health care to the thin, frail desperate child begging on the street. This people of Uganda are ripe with desperation for a breakthrough... they are desperate for the Lord.
I see all around me so many with nothing. Literally, many have nothing to help them in their most desperate hours. No money, no health care, no parents, no media, no clean water, sometimes no food... and I see something beautiful. I see a people that understands that this world is fading. I see a people that understands that they cannot rely on the things of this world - whether that is their government, their families, electricity, water, their friends or strangers. And this is beautiful to me. There is nothing in this world that can bring a satisfaction that will last. The riches of this world will fade - but the Lord is everlasting.
There is a danger in being poor. Sadly, I am seeing it here. Believing that I am poor causes me to become desperate and at times turn to things that will satisfy for only a brief moment. Over the past few weeks I have heard many stories of witchcraft and the damaging effects it has had on this nation. So many people have stories of how it has affected themselves or their loved ones. There is a deep root of this in this nation. Child sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda... while this nation is desperate - at times they are turning to the wrong source of satisfaction.
The Lord loves the poor. Its written all over the scriptures! These past week I have been meditating on it more and more. I want to become so desperate that I have no where else to turn but the Lord. I have so much in the physical that its hard to come into this. I have family, a church, friends, finances, health care and so much that if something should go wrong I have a backup plan. But can I imagine not having any of this? Can I live without any of this? Can I become so poor in the material that I must become more hungry and desperate for my God?
In this desperation, in being poor it is an opportunity for more of the Lord. I pray that the Lord will arise in the poor of Uganda. Whether they are physically without or spiritually without - let God arise in each one in Uganda! I pray that the poor will recognize how rich they are in Christ. That the Lord says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5. Let the kingdom of heaven invade the poor in spirit!! I realize that I have SO much to learn from the people of this nation... and I can't wait!

First Week Back In Uganda

I can't believe that I've been here only a week! I feel like I haven't left since my last trip this past February. I am feeling quite a home and am happy to see so many familiar faces.

This past week I have been staying at New Creation Family Home. I will be staying here for the next few months. Its an AMAZING ministry by Loving One By One Ministries. There are 16 children in this home and each one has their own story. These children are from a variety of backgrounds - some are orphans and some are not. Each one is absolutely beautiful!
Sherry (the director of Loving One By One Ministries) is here in Uganda as well. I'm so glad I was able to get here while she is still here. She's been a wealth of information. She has such a heart for the children of this nation.

Yesterday I had the privilege of ministering on Nakalaka Island. Its an island on Lake Victoria. It reminded me so much of rural Africa. Much more peaceful and restful compared to the bustle of Kampala where it seems there are SO many people everywhere. The island reminded me yet again of the cry of justice that the Lord has placed within me. One of the residents of the village we were visiting took us on the path that a local resident would have to walk should they need water. We began at a home walked a long path down a hill. It seemed to go on for about a mile. It took us about 20mins to reach the "spring." As I looked at the water source I was saddened at how filthy the water was. We saw many coming and filling their jerry cans of this cloudy water and then begin the journey back up the hill. As I walked back to the home where we began I was feeling tired... and I was not carrying jerry cans full of water!! I cannot fathom how so many in this nation do this daily. Most family use at least 6 jerry cans of water per day... how many times would I have to walk back and forth to get this water? How much time of my day would be spent just on getting the water?

I recognize that "This is Africa" and that for many this is the norm. I do not desire Africa to become like the western nations. There is a wealth of faith and hope found in these nations. I wonder where the middle ground is? In my time on the island I was surrounded by children all wanting to see the mzungu (white) up close. Many asked me if I had something in my bag for them. This again saddened and frustrated me. How has this nation and so many in Africa become so dependent upon western society? I long to see this outlook destroyed. My prayer is that Uganda - all of Africa would become independent. One day, I pray that when people like myself come to this beautiful nation I would not be seen as one who has what they need because of the color of my skin - that Uganda itself would arise and become sufficient through the grace of God. I long to see the people of Uganda understand all that they have to offer. There is much need here - but it is time for Uganda to find its needs met here. God is in this nation - His grace is sufficient. Africa Arise.

SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

The Shock

I left home today to begin the season ahead in Uganda. The "shock" of leaving Toronto wasn't really hitting me the past few weeks... even the morning of my departure! But as I arrived at the airport I began to realize just how much I will miss my friends and family. This is not just a simple "trip" as at times it has been in the past. This is my life now.
As I arrived at the Pearson Airport with my sister and my niece, reality began to kick in. As friends came around me to pray for me and say their goodbyes I realized just how much I will miss them. Don't misunderstand me - I am VERY excited for whats ahead in Uganda. I can't wait to see all that God is going to do! But I will be missing a lot of dear friends and family... I hope that I will not comeback to them a stranger nor they become strangers to me.

To Know Him...

I will be living in a completely different culture for these upcoming months and I can only hope that through this blog I will be able to clearly describe the amazing things that God is doing in Uganda. While I know He is going to do (and is already doing!) great things in Uganda, I also want Him to do greater things in me. I long to know Him more and more. This must be a main focus - to KNOW Him. One of my fears of heading to Uganda is that I would become consumed by miracles, salvation and wild moments with God and forget just how much more I have to learn about Him myself. To know Him is my greatest reward! I don't want this ministry to be about what I can do through Him. This must be ALL about Him!
I was reminded today about Moses and his encounters with the Lord. I love his honest heart, and desire to know God. Exodus 33:13 "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." Moses put it all on God. He knows that in order to keep going - in order to lead Israel, he must know the Lord and His ways.

He Must Be With Me...

My desire is as Moses cried out in Exodus, to know Him and to have His presence with me. I NEED His presence... more than anything else. If He is not with me I cannot and do not want to move.
As I walked through the security at Pearson and on to my gate I went straight to the washrooms and into the bathroom stall and sobbed. I felt so alone. As I was sobbing I heard Him. He gently spoke to me and said, "Surely I am with you always... surely I am with you." This comes from Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Surely, my God is with me always...