Let me just take a minute to say how much I am enjoying this month living in Lira, Northern Uganda. Here the clouds form the most incredible shapes and colors, the children will wave endlessly until you wave back, the yummy street foods make you suffer from too much carbs, and the towns people never say no to a good story when we stop bystanders when doing street evangelism, our ministry for the month.
Don't believe me, here's my Top 10 List to prove how much my month in Lira Uganda rocks:
10. Chiapati's
This street food reminds me of home because it tastes just like my mom's Chinese Pizza, the doughy tortilla like food is our staple for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It reminds me of the delish stuff from Mama Gu's kitchen! 🙂
9. Uganda children
Like everyone that have had the pleasure of visiting Africa, I am once again taken by the adorable kids. They are always waving at us and they like my cheek pinching ways. Three days ago, I got to work at a maternity clinic examining pregnant women and Sage, Jessa and I got the privilege of naming a newborn boy, at the request of his mother. We named him Samuel and told her the story of the faithful prophet who heard from God and selected David as king.
8. Soft dirt
Okay I'm referring to the soil here. They are what the Bible mentions as the fourth soil, soft and fertile and ready for planting good plants. We have been roaming the streets, visiting hospitals, and knocking on houses to share with the towns people about the story of God the creator and Christ the savior. So far, we've prayed for many that are struck by malaria, and some have been HEALED (praise God). A few people have also ACCEPTED CHRIST as soon as we shared with them. A few have REDEDICATED their lives to God.
7. Affirmations
We had the pleasure of crossing paths with Elevate, a team of spirit-filled young people from Antioch Church in Waco, Texas (Jimmy Sibert as the pastor, WCC 2006 speaker, anyone?) They poured into us and we drank from their encouragements, words of knowledge to each of us and prayers. One morning, they gave us a standing ovation for running the race long and hard, and it was a moment that gave me goose-pumps, because the day before I had prayed for God to give me a glimpse of what a 'celebration of the saints' looked like, and He answered me so quickly via them. There's nothing like the body of Christ to minister to each other and call out greatness.
6. Baptisms
What's better than seeing people accept Christ right then and there – a celebration of their new lives via baptisms. We got to see the fruit the Elevate team brought by witnessing in people's baptisms. I hope to be used by Him to baptize someone, soon.
5. Holding babies
I can't stop snapping pictures of my teammates and squadmates holding the kids and babies here, yes, they are irresistible. There's something about holding a tiny creature in my arms, they are so vulnerable and helpless, and at the same time so full of life. There are many babies here for us to hold. I feel close to God when a baby is in my arms, it gives me a tiny glimpse of the Father's heart for me.
4. Being poop + pee'ed on
The other day, Mary B. held a pantless baby at a rehabilitation center just to get pooped on by him. She didn't budge though and continue to talk to the people we were with, and an hour later, I was sharing the Good News at the hospital bedside of a malaria stricken baby's mother named Desire, just to be peed on by the baby. No matter, I quickly tied up the wet area on my skirt and continued sharing. Vincent, Desire's neighbor who's visiting her that day made a decision to follow Christ and repeated after me for the Salvation Prayer. Poop and pee stories are so much more worthwhile when we can say God's love and salvation is tied to them.
3. Two by Two
We are learning that door to door evangelism is most effective when we are paired up by twos (or threes). Being in twos or threes makes us more approachable and less intimidating when striking up convo's with strangers. So far I've visited the Maternity Clinic and a few house visits with Moriah, discipled recent believers and prayed for healing of the sick with Mary B., and loved on the kids and babies with Sage and Jessa. We've been sharing from a method called Creation to Christ, a 12 part story that details the creation of the universe to the prodigal son. It proves to be quick effective.
2. Chinese
In Central America I was called "Chinita" by the townspeople, here they stop me and call me "Hello, Chinese!" "Hi China!" It's their way of greeting an Asian looking person (sorry Kwak), and they happen to be right in guessing I am Chinese.
1. Healings
So far, we've prayed for many that are struck by malaria, and some have been HEALED (praise God). I got to pray for a twin girl, the daughter of Pamela, a former World Vision worker and a woman with a big faith story (I'll blog about her later). The next time I visited her, her daughter got better. We know God doesn't heal every single time we pray, for whatever reason, but I am continuing to pray healing for every sickness we come across. By His stripes we are HEALED.
We are only here in Lira for another few days then we will go visit Restoration Gateway, an orphanage on our way to debrief. Please pray for more salvations, healings and miracles!
A beautiful and joyous Uganda girl loving the camera's attention on her.
Moriah, Sage and I holding three girls after helping them select new dresses, made out of pillow cases from American churches.
