It's Africa this time. I'm nervous, not sure why, but then when I see the Africans I realize why. It's because every African I've seen were in movies about the genocide, Machine gun preacher and Kony, Blood diamond, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about Africa as we are going through the border in Uganda. We end up on a 1 hour (that turned into 5 hr) bus ride.
Africa is beautiful. On the way to our campsite I saw the red clay and green lush grass; the clean land with gorgeous trees and the wind through my hair reminds me that this is a fresh start. This month is another launch for me. This month I dig even deeper. God reminds me why I'm here, to be vulnerable, to grow, to learn and be teachable, to love unconditionally, and to keep moving foward.
We had worship one of the first nights we were here on a field. There was a challenge presented. A list of names were read off, some of us were going to be blindfolded, some mute, and some paralyzed. This was the way we were going to worship, in ways we were'nt used to, what we were uncomfortable with. So if you usually dance, you were "paralyzed", therefore somebody else would dance for you. If you always sing, then you were "mute", so that somebody else could sing instead.
Me? I was paralyzed. I love to dance so I was dissappointed, but I laid on the Ugandan soil, took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I gasped at the beauty around me. The stars were so bright, winking at me and shining God's glory. The breeze engulfed me, the trees rustled and I remembered that even THEY praise God with their everything. Do I give my 100%? Do I give my everything? Do I praise Him in my rustling and toil, do I shine for Him like the stars?
Half way through worship we were allowed to be freed from our disabilities. This made me appreciate my legs and mouth and being able to dance and sing loudly and give my all. I ran around the field giggling, my palm in His, out of breath but still going. I came to a rest, joyful and laughing at how wonderful Jesus is! I put my hands on my knees and bent over trying to catch my breath, smiling at God's new mercies. The joy He can download to us is overwhelming. I promise.
(Alexa and I floating in the Nile like baby moses)
Jesus taught me a new perspective through my temporary disability, but I was also able to appreciate my freedom and being capable once we were allowed to worship normally. Uganda has been my "waterfall in the desert". I needed a refreshing, a new start, a watering hole. I needed to be poured into, because I was completely empty and had nothing left to give. God revealed that sometimes He brings me deserts so that I will rely on Him only and nobody else, not even myself. There is a time for everything though (Ecclesiastes). So there is also a time for a refreshing, a waterfall. Thankyou Jesus for your provision and unconditional love, your revelations, and the freedom I can only find in you.
(Alicia and Tommy after baptizing me in the Nile)
This week we debriefed what went on in Nepal and India. This was good to process and soak in all the things of the past 2 months. For relaxation and fun we had a pool at our campsite beside the Nile that I frequently visited and actually met Katie Davis there!! (Who wrote the book "kisses from Katie") We also got to raft the Nile!! It was class 5 rapids and we rocked it! Jesus is good and I'm so glad I feel refreshed.
(Top left: Leeann, Tim, Brian,Bottom left: Libby,me,Alexa, Tommy, & Roberto)
