Yes! I finally made it to Uganda! My travels here went remarkably well. I am very blessed and excited about what the year ahead may bring.
For the first several days that I was in Uganda, before moving to my new home in Gulu, I stayed at ECM's headquarters in Gayaza. I will admit that for the first couple of days I felt completely overwhelmed inside. All of the little "luxuries" that I enjoyed in the USA became just a memory. I realized how little communication I would have with my loved ones back home and I began feeling sorry for myself. How was I going to survive here???
However, everything changed for me on my third day in Uganda when I was able to go and visit the people who are benefiting from ECM's Karamajong project in Kampala. The Karamajong are a semi-nomadic cattle raising people who believe that God has assigned all cattle in the world to them. So, they resort to stealing to take their cattle back. This, of course, has caused them many problems. Also, the harsh environment in the north where they come from has has made life even more difficult and has caused many Karamoja to seek refuge in the south. However, they have been ostracized by most of the country because they are seen as backwards and uneducated. So, they are foreced to live in the "slums" and many Kamamoja parents have resorted to selling their children or making them beg on the streets in order to survive.
ECM has started a new project in hopes sharing the love of God with the Karamajong and helping them have a better life. They have selected 10 of the neediest and yet most promising beggar children from the streets to be sponsored. The children are now in boarding school. They are receiving food, housing, and a good education.They still go home for visits on holidays, etc. but they would not be able to keep up with their schooling if they continued living in the slums. The latest report is that the children who have been selected are thriving in their new environment! Their grades are much higher than anticipated and their parents are very happy. ECM would like to help many more children and their parents have asked for more help but there are not enough sponsors right now. If any of you have an interest in helping with this please contact me or ECM at www.ecmafrica.org.
So, as I was saying, I was feeling quite sorry for myself until I saw how the Karamajong were living in the slums of Kampala, the place where they have come for "refuge". I had seen things like this on t.v. but never in "real life". The people are living in tiny one-room shacks, built one against another. We were told that up to 10 families share each shack! Due to lack of space, many of the people are forced to sleep outside at night. They have a very dirty stream running through the slums with only dirty water to drink and wash in. The children have flies all over their bodies. I was there with them for only a couple of hours and was hot and miserable. What would it be like to live there? I thought about that as we drove away. Would I be willing to live among these people in that place? No. At that thought, tears came to my eyes. I am not willing to go and live with them but that is exactly what Jesus did for us. He gave up everything - much more than I would have to give up to live among the Karamajong - in order to come and live among us. He gave up heaven and perfect unity with God the Father. Jesus served us, loved us and lay down His life to save us. Thank-You Lord!
After being among these people my attitude quickly changed. I looked at all the things I still do have and I became thankful. I no longer felt sorry for myself. I started praying for these people to find the grace and help they need to come out of the slums and start a new life. Would you join me in praying for them too?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
1 Month to Go - Ready or Not!?!?
"Are you ready?" That is the question I have been asked most frequently in recent days. My answer is yes...and no! I believe beyond doubt that God is leading me to do this and I have been waiting to go for 2 years now. I have been praying, planning and preparing for even longer than that! So, yes, I am ready!
However, if the question were to change a bit to, "do you feel ready?" I'd have to say no. Despite all of the praying, planning and preparing I feel totally unready! Honestly, during the past month or so, I have had the thought, "I have no idea what I am doing." In some aspects that is the truth!
I am not going to Uganda with an intricate plan, new programs, or even an idea of a daily schedule for that matter! I wish I was, believe me! However, God seems to want to keep me "on my toes" so to speak. Since this is a relatively new ministry that ECM has in Uganda, and since I am the first one who will be ministering to the preschool age children there, there is no way to know for sure what to expect or what exactly will be needed, as far as supplies, etc. On top of that, I just learned a couple of weeks ago that my first 2 weeks in Uganda will be spent helping with the summer "Water-Well" team. The men on the team will be putting one or two wells and a sanitation system in the village where I will be serving full-time. I will be helping on that team by teaching health and hygiene alongside of them. In addition we hope to do some Bible teaching and visitation with some of the families in the village. This second part is a little more "up my alley" :o). When those two weeks are finished I will be headed to another part of Uganda to take part in a Human Trafficking seminar. Sadly, the trafficking of children is common in the capital city of Kampala and this seminar is required for the ECM missionaries. After all of that, I hope to get settled into Gulu and begin my regular ministry to the women and children of Tegot Village - whatever that ends up looking like.
I have always been told that missionaries need to be flexible. It seems I will be practicing this right from the start! It is a good thing that I have learned more about flexibility within the past year than I have in a long time.
At any rate, in spite of all of this and the fact that I still have suitcases to acquire and fill, health and hygiene lessons to learn and many "fun" last minute details to work out - Yes! All things being considered, I am ready to go!
However, if the question were to change a bit to, "do you feel ready?" I'd have to say no. Despite all of the praying, planning and preparing I feel totally unready! Honestly, during the past month or so, I have had the thought, "I have no idea what I am doing." In some aspects that is the truth!
I am not going to Uganda with an intricate plan, new programs, or even an idea of a daily schedule for that matter! I wish I was, believe me! However, God seems to want to keep me "on my toes" so to speak. Since this is a relatively new ministry that ECM has in Uganda, and since I am the first one who will be ministering to the preschool age children there, there is no way to know for sure what to expect or what exactly will be needed, as far as supplies, etc. On top of that, I just learned a couple of weeks ago that my first 2 weeks in Uganda will be spent helping with the summer "Water-Well" team. The men on the team will be putting one or two wells and a sanitation system in the village where I will be serving full-time. I will be helping on that team by teaching health and hygiene alongside of them. In addition we hope to do some Bible teaching and visitation with some of the families in the village. This second part is a little more "up my alley" :o). When those two weeks are finished I will be headed to another part of Uganda to take part in a Human Trafficking seminar. Sadly, the trafficking of children is common in the capital city of Kampala and this seminar is required for the ECM missionaries. After all of that, I hope to get settled into Gulu and begin my regular ministry to the women and children of Tegot Village - whatever that ends up looking like.
I have always been told that missionaries need to be flexible. It seems I will be practicing this right from the start! It is a good thing that I have learned more about flexibility within the past year than I have in a long time.
At any rate, in spite of all of this and the fact that I still have suitcases to acquire and fill, health and hygiene lessons to learn and many "fun" last minute details to work out - Yes! All things being considered, I am ready to go!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Children and Jesus
The last time I "blogged" it was on the subject of God's heart for orphans. I spoke of how much He cares for them and how He expects them to be taken care of. Recently I have been touched by reading the accounts of Jesus' interaction with children in the gospel of Mark. Jesus makes no specific reference to orphans but He does speak clearly about children in general. Mark 9:36-37 says, "Then He (Jesus) took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 'Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives not me but Him who sent me'." Wow! This is saying that welcoming a child on Jesus' behalf is the same as welcoming God Himself! This idea had never really hit me before. Children are VERY IMPORTANT to Jesus! Then Mark 10:13-14+16 states, "Then they brought the little children to Him (Jesus) that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased(indignant)and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God'. And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them." Jesus was "hands on" with children and He blessed each one that came to Him! I get so excited when I read passages like this and I see God's love for children in action!
25 years ago Every Child Ministries came into existance for the purpose of receiving children in Jesus name. ECM started by opening Sunday Schools for children. The people in Africa used to hold church services but not allow the children to attend. Children would be "shewed" away due to lack of space, in order to make room for all of the adults. The people didn't understand the importance of children in God's kindgom. Jesus would not have allowed them to be left out! Since that time, ECM has been educating adults about the importance of teaching children and doing teacher training with them. Over 2,000 Sunday Schools have been started out of this effort reaching an estimated 200,000 children! Of course the whole purpose of ECM is to reach out to every child in need. They do this in many different ways using various avenues, from Sunday Schools to orphanages to rescuing child slaves and prostitutes to helping child soldiers to reaching out to street children and beggars, plus many others! I am thrilled to be a part of this ministry which places great value on children, just as Jesus does!
25 years ago Every Child Ministries came into existance for the purpose of receiving children in Jesus name. ECM started by opening Sunday Schools for children. The people in Africa used to hold church services but not allow the children to attend. Children would be "shewed" away due to lack of space, in order to make room for all of the adults. The people didn't understand the importance of children in God's kindgom. Jesus would not have allowed them to be left out! Since that time, ECM has been educating adults about the importance of teaching children and doing teacher training with them. Over 2,000 Sunday Schools have been started out of this effort reaching an estimated 200,000 children! Of course the whole purpose of ECM is to reach out to every child in need. They do this in many different ways using various avenues, from Sunday Schools to orphanages to rescuing child slaves and prostitutes to helping child soldiers to reaching out to street children and beggars, plus many others! I am thrilled to be a part of this ministry which places great value on children, just as Jesus does!
Friday, February 11, 2011
God and Orphans
First - NEWSFLASH!!! Target departure date for Uganda, Africa set for June 5th, 2011! Necessary Start-up expenses are covered! Monthly support and prayer commitmens are coming in! I praise God for all of this and so much more.
How does God think/feel about fatherless and orphan children? During the Christmas season I was at home with my famiy. It was a great but busy time of preparing for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. I did a lot of cleaning, decorating, buying, wrapping, cooking, and baking. Needless to say, there wasn't a much time left over to focus on my ministry preparation. However, I did decide to take some time each day to do some studying of my own on what God's heart is for the orphan and fatherless child, since these are the children I plan to be ministering to the most while I'm in Africa. I searched the Strong's Concordance for every reference to fatherless and orphan in the Bible and then looked the verses up. It was awesome to see the passion God has for these children. His love and care for them is made perfectly clear as is His anger toward any who would oppress or take advantage of them. Here is a small portion of what I found: Psalm 10:14 says that God is "the helper of the fatherless." In Psalm 68:5 God declares that He is "a father of the fatherless" and Psalm 146:9 states that the Lord Himself relieves the fatherless and the widow while Hosea 14:3 tells us that "in God, the fatherless find mercy". Also, Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, vindicate the fatherless, and plead for the widow." And many of you are familiar with James 1:27 (which is the verse I use most often in my support-raising) "Religion (worship) that God our Father accepts are pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
For as long as I can remember I have had a desire to minister to orphans. Even as a child, I can remember watching them on t.v. and my heart yearning to help them and to show them love. It is clear to me that this desire did not come from within myself alone, but it originated with my God. It is His heart at work in me and leading me to follow Him into this ministry of His. The children whom I will be ministering to in Northern Uganda have suffered greatly due to the 2 decade long war and the AIDS epidemic which left many fatherless or orphaned. They live in immense poverty and disease having little or no education! However, thanks be to God for using Every Child Ministries to bring hope and help to the children. Through sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing child sponsorships that offer food, clothing, schooling, and medical care ECM has done much for the children in the village where they are serving. I am ready and excited to join them there and do my part to "look after the orphans in their distress." and therein begin to fulfill my calling and life-long dream!
How does God think/feel about fatherless and orphan children? During the Christmas season I was at home with my famiy. It was a great but busy time of preparing for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. I did a lot of cleaning, decorating, buying, wrapping, cooking, and baking. Needless to say, there wasn't a much time left over to focus on my ministry preparation. However, I did decide to take some time each day to do some studying of my own on what God's heart is for the orphan and fatherless child, since these are the children I plan to be ministering to the most while I'm in Africa. I searched the Strong's Concordance for every reference to fatherless and orphan in the Bible and then looked the verses up. It was awesome to see the passion God has for these children. His love and care for them is made perfectly clear as is His anger toward any who would oppress or take advantage of them. Here is a small portion of what I found: Psalm 10:14 says that God is "the helper of the fatherless." In Psalm 68:5 God declares that He is "a father of the fatherless" and Psalm 146:9 states that the Lord Himself relieves the fatherless and the widow while Hosea 14:3 tells us that "in God, the fatherless find mercy". Also, Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, vindicate the fatherless, and plead for the widow." And many of you are familiar with James 1:27 (which is the verse I use most often in my support-raising) "Religion (worship) that God our Father accepts are pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
For as long as I can remember I have had a desire to minister to orphans. Even as a child, I can remember watching them on t.v. and my heart yearning to help them and to show them love. It is clear to me that this desire did not come from within myself alone, but it originated with my God. It is His heart at work in me and leading me to follow Him into this ministry of His. The children whom I will be ministering to in Northern Uganda have suffered greatly due to the 2 decade long war and the AIDS epidemic which left many fatherless or orphaned. They live in immense poverty and disease having little or no education! However, thanks be to God for using Every Child Ministries to bring hope and help to the children. Through sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing child sponsorships that offer food, clothing, schooling, and medical care ECM has done much for the children in the village where they are serving. I am ready and excited to join them there and do my part to "look after the orphans in their distress." and therein begin to fulfill my calling and life-long dream!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thankful Heart
I realize it has been way too long since my last post. Please forgive me for that. So much has happened in the past couple of months. However, I'd like this post to focus on being thankful. I attempted to get this sent out at Thanksgiving but I think it is good to be thankful at all times and seasons. What better time to express thanksgiving than during the time we celebrate God's greatest gift of all!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." His Son, Jesus Christ given to any and all who would receive Him. We can indeed be thankful for this gift every day!
During this time of my life I am especially thankful for 3 things:
1. God's provision
2. God's patience
3. God's purpose
God knows our needs. He is more than able to provide. During this season of my life God has given me all that I need. He has placed it on the heart of others to help sustain me as I prepare to go to the mission field. God has allowed many people to come into my life to encourage and uplift me, as well as to challenge me and lead me to grow in godliness as my heart is "pruned" for the foreign mission field. Thank-you God for your provision!
God is patient and kind. The patience He has shown me over the past several months have overwhelmed me! I can be slow and stubborn, yet He doesn't give up on me. He continues to lead me on and assure me of the wonderful plans He has for me! As my heart struggles between the desire to stay with my family and the desire to go to Uganda, God continues to be patient, yet patiently prodding me along! He is showing me what He desires from me as well as showing me His greatness and power in ways I have not seen before. He is waiting for me to look to Him alone to meet my every need. Thank-you God for your patience!
God's purposes cannot be thwarted! His desire is for all of His children to know Him and to make Him known. I believe that He enables each of us to do this in unique ways that He has specifically designed us to do. As God has given me a deep desire to minister to orphans in Africa, I believe His purpose in this will come to pass. There are so many orphans and fatherless children in Gulu! Because of the war and the AIDs epidemic the majority of children are left to the care of a grandmother, older sibling, or other family member. They struggle to survive. God has given me the spiritual gifts of mercy and helps. I am willing to use these to serve the people there in any way that I can. While I am planning to work with the young/preschool age children, I also desire to minister to the widows as well as to be a blessing to the national leadership who are currently serving with ECM there. While I may not know yet exactly what that will look like being played out, I do trust that God has a plan and His purpose for me there will be accomplished! Thank-you God for your Purposes!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." His Son, Jesus Christ given to any and all who would receive Him. We can indeed be thankful for this gift every day!
During this time of my life I am especially thankful for 3 things:
1. God's provision
2. God's patience
3. God's purpose
God knows our needs. He is more than able to provide. During this season of my life God has given me all that I need. He has placed it on the heart of others to help sustain me as I prepare to go to the mission field. God has allowed many people to come into my life to encourage and uplift me, as well as to challenge me and lead me to grow in godliness as my heart is "pruned" for the foreign mission field. Thank-you God for your provision!
God is patient and kind. The patience He has shown me over the past several months have overwhelmed me! I can be slow and stubborn, yet He doesn't give up on me. He continues to lead me on and assure me of the wonderful plans He has for me! As my heart struggles between the desire to stay with my family and the desire to go to Uganda, God continues to be patient, yet patiently prodding me along! He is showing me what He desires from me as well as showing me His greatness and power in ways I have not seen before. He is waiting for me to look to Him alone to meet my every need. Thank-you God for your patience!
God's purposes cannot be thwarted! His desire is for all of His children to know Him and to make Him known. I believe that He enables each of us to do this in unique ways that He has specifically designed us to do. As God has given me a deep desire to minister to orphans in Africa, I believe His purpose in this will come to pass. There are so many orphans and fatherless children in Gulu! Because of the war and the AIDs epidemic the majority of children are left to the care of a grandmother, older sibling, or other family member. They struggle to survive. God has given me the spiritual gifts of mercy and helps. I am willing to use these to serve the people there in any way that I can. While I am planning to work with the young/preschool age children, I also desire to minister to the widows as well as to be a blessing to the national leadership who are currently serving with ECM there. While I may not know yet exactly what that will look like being played out, I do trust that God has a plan and His purpose for me there will be accomplished! Thank-you God for your Purposes!
Monday, September 20, 2010
God Speaking
Call me crazy or a fool - whatever you wish but God has spoken to me loud and clear over the past couple of days. Yes, I was seeking Him quite diligently. Then, using an older gentleman, a dying grandmother, a church sermon,and a discerning friend He spoke. What did God say?
I wish I could write out the whole story but that would be a lot of reading! In a "nut shell", He said that I have allowed my fears to hold me back long enough and it is time to MOVE. He said that I don't need to be afraid of how things will work out or when but I just need to put one foot in front of the other and He will take care of the rest. He said that I can get to Uganda and still be with and love my family. In fact, it is part of my responsibility to do so. So, for now, I am going back to stay with my family.
I had been telling myself from the time I moved back to Indiana that there is no way that I will be able to make it to the mission field from here (my home). I was limiting God and His power. There are still lots of questions, some things "up in the air" in relation to my place of ministry and responsibilities there and there are many things I need to learn or grow in before I go. However, I know I am going with Every Child Ministries to Uganda, Africa. I do not know how all the "mechanics" will work out and I don't need to. I do know that my God is BIG! He is active and moving in the lives of His people today!
I would ask that you would pray this for me at this time. It is from
II Thessalonians 1:11-12 "...that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
I wish I could write out the whole story but that would be a lot of reading! In a "nut shell", He said that I have allowed my fears to hold me back long enough and it is time to MOVE. He said that I don't need to be afraid of how things will work out or when but I just need to put one foot in front of the other and He will take care of the rest. He said that I can get to Uganda and still be with and love my family. In fact, it is part of my responsibility to do so. So, for now, I am going back to stay with my family.
I had been telling myself from the time I moved back to Indiana that there is no way that I will be able to make it to the mission field from here (my home). I was limiting God and His power. There are still lots of questions, some things "up in the air" in relation to my place of ministry and responsibilities there and there are many things I need to learn or grow in before I go. However, I know I am going with Every Child Ministries to Uganda, Africa. I do not know how all the "mechanics" will work out and I don't need to. I do know that my God is BIG! He is active and moving in the lives of His people today!
I would ask that you would pray this for me at this time. It is from
II Thessalonians 1:11-12 "...that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
God Can Work With Messes
What I would like to be able to report is that in the past 3 months I have made significant achievements and had great success with my desire to go to Uganda. However, that would be far from the truth. What I can tell you is that I have come to realize that my personal preparation is going to take longer than I had hoped.
This summer has been one of the most difficult times of my life. Things around me seem to have gone from bad to worse. I began struggling with anxiety and depression. My Grandmother is near death, my Parent's health is declining. The good news is that all of this has kept me on my knees in prayer and helped me realize that I cannot make it without the continual help of my Heavenly Father. Several people have told me that this is normal for someone preparing to make such a huge life change. I have not only made a huge change already, moving from N.C. to Indiana but I am planning on another even greater move (to Africa) - so I had better make sure I am ready!
Some other good news is that the Lord has brought some kind and caring people to help support me physically, spiritually and emotionally here while I learn how to live in this messy life I call mine. While I do not understand everything that is happening, nor do I know what I will be doing next week let alone next month or next year, I do still firmly believe that God has a plan for me that includes ministering to orphans in Uganda in the not-to-distant future. He continues to affirm that to me in a variety of ways...through many people, His Word and the circumstances around me. This "messy" season of my life is much-needed learning and preparation time for life in Africa. Things there will be far from "ideal" and I want to be the most effective servant that I can be to do God's work for His kingdom.
For now though, I will ask for continued patience and a lot of prayer as I try and find balance in loving and caring for those around me here and now while at the same time preparing to love those whom God will lead me to in the future.
I want to Thank all of you that are supporting my calling to go and minister and care for the children of Uganda. I am so excited to go, but I must be patient and wait on God's perfect timing as He molds me into a vessel which can be used in mighty ways.
As you continue to pray, please pray for:
My Parent's health and for a loving caregiver
Mental and Emotional Restoration for me
Restoration of my computer...It's also having issues!
Financial Provision as I remain in the States (Health Insurance: Blue Cross $300 per/month)
Financial Support for the Mission Field (I have approximately 30% of my start up, as well as 20% of my monthly support)
Answers to prayer:
Godly women who are praying with me on a regular basis
A family to stay with who are supporting me with housing and food
Access to Internet and cell phone
Loving support of family and friends
The patience and understanding of Every Child Ministries as I am going through these struggles
This summer has been one of the most difficult times of my life. Things around me seem to have gone from bad to worse. I began struggling with anxiety and depression. My Grandmother is near death, my Parent's health is declining. The good news is that all of this has kept me on my knees in prayer and helped me realize that I cannot make it without the continual help of my Heavenly Father. Several people have told me that this is normal for someone preparing to make such a huge life change. I have not only made a huge change already, moving from N.C. to Indiana but I am planning on another even greater move (to Africa) - so I had better make sure I am ready!
Some other good news is that the Lord has brought some kind and caring people to help support me physically, spiritually and emotionally here while I learn how to live in this messy life I call mine. While I do not understand everything that is happening, nor do I know what I will be doing next week let alone next month or next year, I do still firmly believe that God has a plan for me that includes ministering to orphans in Uganda in the not-to-distant future. He continues to affirm that to me in a variety of ways...through many people, His Word and the circumstances around me. This "messy" season of my life is much-needed learning and preparation time for life in Africa. Things there will be far from "ideal" and I want to be the most effective servant that I can be to do God's work for His kingdom.
For now though, I will ask for continued patience and a lot of prayer as I try and find balance in loving and caring for those around me here and now while at the same time preparing to love those whom God will lead me to in the future.
I want to Thank all of you that are supporting my calling to go and minister and care for the children of Uganda. I am so excited to go, but I must be patient and wait on God's perfect timing as He molds me into a vessel which can be used in mighty ways.
As you continue to pray, please pray for:
My Parent's health and for a loving caregiver
Mental and Emotional Restoration for me
Restoration of my computer...It's also having issues!
Financial Provision as I remain in the States (Health Insurance: Blue Cross $300 per/month)
Financial Support for the Mission Field (I have approximately 30% of my start up, as well as 20% of my monthly support)
Answers to prayer:
Godly women who are praying with me on a regular basis
A family to stay with who are supporting me with housing and food
Access to Internet and cell phone
Loving support of family and friends
The patience and understanding of Every Child Ministries as I am going through these struggles
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