Uganda began just
like the two previous African countries – with a bus ride! The entire squad met up at the bus station in
Kigali, loaded up and headed out on an all night bus ride.
Final Destination:
Jinja, Uganda
Objective: Squad
Fellowship and Rafting the Nile
It was such a
fabulous time of relaxing, fellowshipping and just recharging before heading
out for our 3rd month of ministry in Uganda. We got a hot shower for the first time in
months and the chance to have some down with no main agenda. We had the opportunity to raft the Nile at
our own expense, and most of us took full advantage of it! I have to say that it was one my top 2 off-day
experiences of the Race. It was an
absolute blast!
Getting ready!
The farther we get
into this journey, the more and more I love the people that I’m experiencing it
with. Our squad no longer feels super
large and overwhelming to me. When I
look around I don’t just see strange faces.
I see personalities and memories.
I see different aspects of Jesus and how He works. How is it possible that 45 different
personalities, backgrounds, likes and dislikes, life experiences and spiritual
walks can come together and live and work together for months in unfamiliar settings? The answer is simple.
JESUS
Now I know that may
sound cliché and it’s such the staple Sunday school answer, but it’s just so
true. No matter how diverse we are, we
all have one common thing that binds us all together like nothing else ever
can. Jesus has redeemed us and given us
life. His love is stronger than death. It grows us and challenges us beyond what we
believe is possible. It binds up the
brokenhearted and heals the sick. It
restores severed relationships and brings unity in the face of discord. Through Jesus and the love that we have in
and through Him we are able to come together for a common goal.
We have this Hope
inside of us and desire to spread it to the nations. We want to see more and more of Him and
experience more of His Spirit. We desire
to be the hands and feet of Jesus to each other and to the nations. We don’t want to be the same people that we
were when we left in September, but we want to be a more accurate reflection of
who Jesus intended us to be.
We are on this
journey together. Yes, it is hard and
difficult, but it is also wonderful and sweet.
God is teaching us to love like never before. I think back to Training Camp and look at us
now almost 7 months into our Race and can hardly believe all that has happened
in and through our squad. We are an
actual unit, moving from nation to nation for His glory. It is beautiful and lovely and humbling.
I am honored to know
and love the men and women of A Squad.
God knew what He was doing when He places us all together on this epic
adventure. Let’s not waste a minute of
what’s left!
Love you, A Squad!!!
Also, I encourage you – YOU. Whoever is reading this. Wherever
you are on the journey that God has placed you on. Look around at the people in your life. Thank God for them. Love them with wild abandon. Embrace them and tell them how much they mean
to you. Snuggle with them on the couch
or maybe write them a letter. Embrace
what God has given you!
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ehpesians 3:20 (NLT)
