WEEK 5--plaited hair and bean weevils

As life in Africa become more of a natural reality (due to my African braided hair, and the peace I have when it comes to insects.. in my mouth [bean weevils]. ;) hahaa), the challenges that come along with living here has progressed. The cultural differences in the church let alone in day to day life often leaves me troubled and confused. Everything may seem to be running smoothly, everyone may look completely fine on the outside… yet there can contain layers of hidden secrets. Finding out, progressively, of a few of these sad and depressing  secrets has made me very aware and cautious when it comes to relationships. I’ve found myself having a difficult time trusting anyone. I came to this country, willing and ready to trust anyone that I would meet(which is so stupid). and now 5 weeks later, I know I can’t even trust some of the children!  Lets just say, because of some horrible news that I’ve become aware of recently, my soul lately has been greatly troubled, and I grieve!  But, I know that every Christian has the ability to get completely entangled by sin,  and by the grace and power of God they can be healed, so the most I can do is pray right now!

Moving on from such grievous matters, God has answered a prayer! For the past few weeks, I had been earnestly seeking God to open my eyes to specific ministries that are in need, and to give me a heart for them, because I want to be stretched by Him, and I want to be used here to my fullest extent in order to give Him all the glory!! Within this past week, I have two more ministries that I get the privilege to serve in, not just serve in, but to lead, because at least one of the ministries is completely new. Patrick (head of all primary at zzana school) approached me last Sunday, and asked me if I would be willing to go to the church (Zzana) every Sunday night (they recently suspended evening services for a while due to unknown reasons) and have a bible fellowship with the kids that live and board at the church. Excited to have been asked and given this opportunity, I agreed! Another ministry that just got handed to me, is every Tuesday night, right where I live. Allen has story time with all the kids from around the neighborhood, where she reads a story from the bible, gets to talk/share with them, and then feeds them a couple of biscuits (crackers) each. Allen asked me a couple of minutes before this past Tuesday night, as the kids congregated in the yard, and of course I fervently agreed! Other than those new additions, I’ve resumed my normal responsibilities and ministries (baby class, Thursday afternoon bibles studies with the girls, and choir!). and by Gods grace I’m able to accomplish them with great joy!

This past week, on Monday to be exact I got to experience a new and VERY interesting part of an Africans daily life, the market in town. My two friends (bodyguards), Rebecca and Brenda took me to the outside markets so I could buy a couple of skirts and sandals (because of course, I didn’t bring enough skirts. They’ve become my most common wear!). walking through town is like trying to find your way through herds of bustling cattle and occasional charging bulls (taxi’s and boda’s). The merchants are shouting “MUZUNGU, JANGU (white, you come)”, urging you to go to them with such a strong persistence because they have located and targeted the MUZUNGU (the rich one.)! I learned a lot on this brief trip (we got out of there FAST.), that you have to ignore… but when circumstances call for it you might have to use karate. One aspect I do really love about the market is you get to barter the prices. The goal is to get the item your interested in for a lower price than it actually is, and I gotta say… I am SO good (I got a skirt for 9,000 shillings when originally it was 10,000! Hahahaa).

I have many more adventures that I could share, because it feels as if I experience one every day! But, I’ll save it for next time.

One last thing that I’ll leave you with, is an encouraging passage that I read in my quiet time at some point during this week: Titus 3

BABY CLASS GREETINGS :)

WABALE YESU

Wabale yesu means “thank you jesus” in Luganda. The one phrase I came to Africa knowing, not because I have a good memory (definitely not that), but because it’s a song the kids sing here. So I once sang this song every Sunday eight years ago.

The reason I am “thanking Jesus” specifically on this certain day, is because today marked that one month out of my 4 month adventure is up. At this point, I truly feel sad about this fact. I love it here… and it feels like one month has gone by much too fast!

Going on, there are SO many things to be thankful to God for during this past, experimental month. And I’d like to post a couple of them on here… so we can praise God together!

·      My health. I honestly expected to get here and quickly fall ill due to foreign foods, different weather, strange creatures (etc..). But, in fact I haven’t gotten sick once! AMAZING!  With the exception of a tiny cold, that I quickly got over. WABALE YESU!

·      God providing lovely friends (old & new) that are my age, that love the Lord, and have genuinely cared and looked out for all my needs during this first month. I’m so thankful for them, and all the joy that is produced in my life because of them! I am also EXTREMELY thankful for all my friends and family back home… Because, they’re encouragement (even though its through the internet) has lifted me up immensely! On the days where I feel like a complete failure, I would go on the internet, never failing to find a sweet note from at least SOMEONE! I love you all… and miss you! WABALE YESU!

·      For Gods faithfulness! Even though I constantly fall short, He forgives and even picks me up because He cannot deny His nature. There have been countless days where I let fear overwhelm me, but there is never a time when God has turned His back because I have such a lack of faith. He’s my best friend, father, and Lord. It’s only through His strength that I’ve survived all these days, through His strength that I’ve had joy and through His strength that I am here. WABALE YESU!

THOUGHTS OF A MUZUNGU

            Its Saturday finally, and everyone in Uganda is getting ready to wind down and cozy up under mosquito nets with the smells of burning garbage lingering in the pitch dark air due to a black out (but thank God for generators!!). This weekend has proven to be quite a busy one. A busy, tiring, and awesome one! One filled with new experience after new experience.

On Friday, I taught the kids (both baby and top class joined) for chapel time! I taught on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. (There were maybe 40-50 kids so I was VERY thankful to God that they weren’t crazy! And they actually listened!). I had to repeat myself a LOT, so that they would understand, “Jesus raised WHOM from the dead?? LAZ-A-RUS.. Lazarus… lazarus.. ALL TOGETHER NOW, LAZ-A-RUS!” ß just like that. Besides teaching on that day, Friday was especially crazy because one of the teachers couldn’t make it, which left only two of us teachers against a whole pack of ravenous wolves… hahaha! We had the kids paint that day, which split us teachers up, leaving me with the majority of the class that wasn’t painting. My secret was all in the candy! HAHA. I’ve learned, that these children will do ANYTHING for a piece of candy. They’ll actually listen to me! I also use singing songs to get their attention… and that is SOO extremely fun! Africans really know how to worship, so the kids are used to it and they REALLY sing and participate loud!

Then Friday night came slowly but surely. All the Presbyterian churches in the area gather together sometimes to put on something called an “over-night”. Basically a full night of worship and prayer. No sleeping… at all. Hahahahaha!

·      Worship in Africa is very active to say the least. They dance, they will exclaim, they’ll even run during worship time. So, I’ve had to adjust and be flexible in this sense. If I just stand there I will stand out even MORE than I already do!!

·      The prayer time is COMPLETELY different. Something that will take a process of me adjusting too. They’re idea of praying in a group is people pacing throughout the church, praying out loud, all at once for 40-60 min straight. Its quite distracting to me, because I am SO not used to it… at times it can even frighten me, because everyone gets so loud.

Despite all the new/strange experiences I underwent, I personally got to spend some sweet much needed time talking to my Father and unleashing my cares and worries to Him. God is everywhere, and foreign countries may have completely different ways of worshipping God, but its all directed to ONE God (hopefully), and He cares for our heart worship to Him, no matter in what way we do things.

After that whole feat of struggling against sleep, we got home at 6 in the morning wiped out and ready to stretch out onto our beds and sleep. And OH did I sleep, but I think my body is telling me I need some more ;).

Recently I read a chapter in a book on serving, and was harshly reminded of my purpose here again (it’s a daily reminder)! Motivated by what my Savior and Lord did for me on the cross, and can I not serve Him with joy? Its hard at times being here, and serving with the right motives… I don’t automatically wake up everyday ready, and EXCITED to serve God and the people here. One thing I’ve realized when coming here, is that I’m still living my life, and I still struggle with certain things, and it will still be hard --- even harder at times! But it just means that I constantly need to be in His word, and talking to my Father, being reminded daily of who God is and what He did for me and how I don’t deserve any of it. It’s amazing that I even have the ability to serve the almighty God, here in Africa. Or wherever I may be.  One quote that just spoke the truth to me was this, “Surely the more we love God the more we will live for Him and serve Him, and the more we love others the more we will serve them.” I am weak… and I am so easily shaken in and of myself, I can’t do anything. But, God is strong, and through Him alone can I be made strong, and able to take on the hardships and temptations that I face every single day!

Thank you all for your prayers, and continuance support while I’m here in Africa. Until next time…

 BABY & TOP CLASSES

KIDS PAINTING HUTS

passion . worship & chapatis

AAAH saturday... such a wonderful day, i even woke up feeling at ease.  I didn't exactly sleep in like most people do, because the lack of responsibilities they must tend too. Instead i woke up at 7:30 like every other day, and got to study the word for a bit! Refreshing reminders of my calling as a daughter of Christ... 2 Timothy 1:9 "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity..." and how i should live/walk daily in my life, Colossians 1:9 "that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects." the sunlight was streaming through the windows and a gentle breeze caressed my face and hair as i sat before the throne of my Father. It was delightful! --> i was eating mango as well, which made things ESPECIALLY delightful. ;) african fruit... its simply delicious.
At 11:30 am Joel and I set off by foot to Zzana school (yes, they even have school on saturday. they're school system is hardcore), and to my dismay we had to cross the EXTREMELY busy and dangerous main road (i almost always end up running to the other side once i make it halfway!). We arrived, and i preceded to wait until school was over (one)... to meet with the girls for bible study. And FINALLY, praise God... after all the delays of meeting, we got to meet and read and pray. Winnie was the only one able to come, but it was good... getting to have one on one time with her! i'm not exactly sure if she understands everything, or she's even saved, because language can be quite the barrier.. but i trust God will use our times!! ** PRAYER REQUEST: Lord willing, I'll be starting to meet with some girls every thursday at lunch time. so pray that He would use me and some of the older girls who have the same burdens as me to lead these younger girls!**
There is a girl that i've gotten to get to know a bit more named Phoebe... she's the daughter of a lady named Susan, i've known susan ever since i came to Uganda the first time, but her daughter always stayed with her dad... so she grew up in a muslim house. Now, she doesn't want anything to do with the bible, or God. **PRAYER REQUEST: for her heart... i know susan is having a hard time. But God is in control of phoebe, and He knows exactly what He's doing. pray that He would use me to be a witness to phoebe as well!**
I had to stay at the school til church choir started (4 pm)... so after the bible meeting, i went to get chapati's of course! HAHA. manna from heaven.
I absolutely love Zzana's church choir, its made up of both young teens, and adults... and i got to say, its such a blessing being able to practice with them! they always have a time of personal prayer (15 min.), which is such a perfect time of preparation of hearts and crying out to God before singing to Him. And then, they're song choices are a mixture of english songs, and songs in Luganda (songs in which i have no idea what any of it means, i just continue to sway and try my hardest to get the words correct.).. YES.. they sway; THEY MOVE! at first, i felt SO uncomfortable and out of place, but then i just had to set my pride aside.. and embrace the different culture.. and love it! MAN, they really know how to worship though! **PRAYER REQUEST: They are having an "over night" soon, which means a night full of worship and prayer... ALL NIGHT. till 6 in the morning. so, y'all can pray that God would work in everyones hearts... and i don't doubt that everyone will be built up SO greatly!!**
Now, after i post this, i shall lay my head down on this wonderful bed, surrounded by my shield (my mosquito net) from the evil blood suckers, and sleep. Tomorrow is church, and after that... i'll be going to a resort with some of the youth!
I hope everyone is having a lovely day! a lovely saturday!

 WINNIE :)

PHOEBE :)