This is just going to be a jumble of thoughts. I’ve tried to write a coherent blog on a topic and it hasn’t worked… so here is a little of everything:
– I love church here. We get to dance, jump, sing in swahili, and even pretend we know some Massai moves. Everyone at the church is really welcoming and kind. It’s a small church, about the size of a portable. Less than that actually. There are about 15 members. This Sunday, one woman gave eggs for an offering during the ‘offering time’. I sat next to a girl that kept pulling at my skin to see if the white color would come off my arm. After she was satisfied it wouldn’t, she hooked arms with me for the rest of the service.
– 4/5 of us girls got our hair braided/weaved. I am aware that it look quasi-ridiculous, but it’s also easier to maintain and just super fun. I like to put mine up in really high pig tails that make me look like a cross between a Spice Girl and that weird dancer alien from Jabba the Hut’s palace.
– We made chicken this week (which was a big deal/sacrifice/blessing from our contact). Some of my team killed the chickens themselves. Alex (fearless leader) and I stepped out to get cokes and happily avoid the slaughtering part. I think my teammate Emily Moss will soon be posting a video about the whole thing (including our avoidance). Please check it out for a little picture of life here.
– We have a lot of down time here. (Slower paced life.) I’ve been watching LOST and season 1 of Community. I wish I had brought the books for all of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and the Anne series. Not that that is anywhere near possible or realistic, but still miss them.
– I shared my story/testimony with the team the other day. Doing that, plus the time of year, plus where my heart is with the Lord has made me think a lot about my father, about my father figures (Dave, Ed, Tony), and about the Father heart of God. After sharing my story with the team, Jacob- one of our squad leaders, asked what it would look like to let my heart be pursued by the Father. ‘Sure, you’ve been faithfully seeking the Lord, and that’s good, but what would it look like to let him pursue you for a little while?’ So, honestly I have no idea what that means in practicality but I think it’s worth the question. You may laugh at this example, but I keep thinking of Pa Ingals (from Little House On the Prairie a.k.a. LHOP) and what it looked like for him to go after his children in times to comfort them, correct them, enjoy them, celebrate them, just sit with them, give them wisdom, embrace them, or encourage them. This heart has never really been pursued in the natural. It’s worth the question. It’s worth the waiting. Father, what do you have to say to this heart?
– Stuff with the team is good. Every day that goes by confirms in my heart why God put us together. Our name is team ‘Haven’ and honestly we sort of threw that name together- but I think it was prophetic. Many of us are coming from places where we need a safe, trusting, gentle place to grow with each other. I think He knew exactly what He was doing with each member he picked. We are starting to know each other and go deeper.
– On Tuesday Pastor Patrick and his family took us to a waterfall that was A-MAZ-ing. Seriously enjoyed exploring, the sound of the water, the sun on my back, and the hiking. It reminded me so much of Queen’s Canyon, the AT, any Nav skiing/hiking event… so needless to say Helen, Liz, Leigh, Carrie, Rachel, LJ, Joe, JD, Andy, Jason, Ama, Lindy, Bruce, etc. I missed you.
– We are already leaving Kenya. On Friday to go Jinja Uganda for a couple days to camp as a squad and white water raft the Nile. That means I get to see all my friends and former team members. Score. I am pretty stoked to see everyone. And yes, rafting the Nile will be cool too.
– After that, my team will move on to our ministry location in Uganda. I forget the name of it at the moment, but we’ve been told it’s ‘far in the BUSH’. The bush?! Woo hoo! Here goes nothing. We are in thatched huts with one roomie, 2 hammock, two blankets, a window, and a door that locks. We will be working with children that have been soldiers and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). I feel really ready to go and live in the middle of nowhere and love on some kids. Needless to say, communication is only expected to get worse than it was this month. (All the more reason to post this sporadic blog.) Please pray for us as we enter into this amazing opportunity.
P.S. For some reason posting pictures is not working right now. 🙁 Sad. Please check my facebook for some shots… Love you all. Talk to you next from Uganda. Hopefully. 🙂
