In Uganda they gave me Mount Dew at lunch one day, which resulted in me standing on the van cushion with my head out the sun roof either singing, greeting, or yelling hallelujah (the response from the locals is always amen) and I love it.
In Rwanda a herd of children followed me up and down their village street screaming at the top of our lungs “Hallelujah” with the immediate response from the kids and everyone that came out of their homes “Amen!”
I love the image of screaming his praises in the street and the people singing in agreement “amen” (let it be). I wish that were our automatic response in America. Hallelujah meaning Let us praise him. Let us praise Him. Let my heart praise HIM. Let God be praised. And the people say amen. I can’t wait for heaven.
I’ll be honest mt dew or not this probably would have occurred. There was a silly ridiculous beautiful freedom I felt there.
I recently returned back from spending a month away in Rwanda and Uganda. To be completely honest with you, when I was there 5 years ago, that experience took me so far out of my comfort level I would have been content with not returning.
When I moved to Savannah, GA 1.7 years ago, my new friend Lindsay told me she was going to Uganda that summer and I should come with her. I told her I’d only consider it if it was to the same town I had already been to because of some kids I wanted to see again.
She didn’t know. She didn’t know. It ended up being the same town.
Of all the places to go to she ended up in Mbarara, Uganda. She went. She loved it. She kept saying she was going to go back and I should go with her.
I obviously agreed.
There’s a deep longing in me to return to friends and say; “Hey, I haven’t forgotten you.” I think the Lord does this repeatedly in my own life that it compels me to replicate it.
If you’ve followed my journey on here, you might remember the 2 street kids that came off the street: Hassan and Muhammad. Hassan stayed at the orphanage and the Muhammad left when he found out my team and I weren’t staying. I’m still not sure where Muhammad is but Hassan is literally the only reason why I had any desire to return to Mbarara, Uganda.
(Muhammad)
(Hassan in my T-shirt, September 2011)
We showed up at Adullam Primary School and the 600 kids that go there put on a program of singing and dancing to welcome the “visitors” and then they turned to me expectantly waiting for me to speak….Oh Africa, you are stretching.
If you ever plan on going to Africa, you’re welcome for the heads up, this will be expected everywhere. It really is like being prepared in and out of season to give an answer.
Hassan showed up the next time we arrived. He said every American team that has come for the last 5 years. He’s looked for me and wondered if I would ever come back.
(Hassan July 2016)
This calmed any doubt in my returning. This is why I went. He calls me Mom and although I’m not sure how that is supposed to look an ocean apart. It is an honor and I am so proud of him.
(My T-shirts barely fit him anymore)
There are many things that frustrate me about East Africa: The corruption, the jealousy, the traffic, the power struggles, the muzungu price for everything.
There is however, a lot of hidden gems and I think I met a decent amount of them. They took me in, formed friendships, prayed over me and encouraged me. My desire when I go places is to encourage the believers that are there because they will do more in their culture than I could ever do and yet I feel like I always come away more blessed than any amount of blessing or encouragement I could possibly ever leave behind.
I read Matthew 6 a few days before leaving: The whole chapter is fitting because it talks about giving to the needy, prayer and fasting, about money and possessions.
Verse 31-32 though really hit home for me: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat?” “What will we drink?” “What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows exactly what you need. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
I think if you DON’T believe in Jesus and what he’s done for you, you DO have a lot to be worried about and if you are a believer and aren’t putting the kingdom of God first or living righteously you might want to examine yourself.]. And I would love to talk about that with you.
But if you do believe, I want to remind you (and myself), don’t worry.
I think the Lord speaks in a variety of ways and when I’m thrown out of my comfort zone I tend to rely on him more. He speaks to me through his word and through experiences, so when I am invited into something that He is doing, I hope my answer will continue to be Yes, even if it appears costly.
Short-term mission trips get a bad reputation sometimes and I’ve had many an internal struggle over them. The World Race (11 countries in 11 months) is an interesting short-term experience, which only acted like a catalyst for many other short-term trips. How much kingdom impact is really made in 1,2,3, or 4 weeks? I can tell you that for me, it’s changed my perspective on the greatness of God, it’s assured me of His faithfulness, and it’s given a (now) 17-year-old orphan a home, an opportunity, Godly friendships, and a mom.
I hope that my priority will continue to be the Kingdom of God.
I hope we (as the church) continue to be mission-minded people. That the going doesn’t have to be across the ocean but across the road, across the hall, across comfort levels, a lying down of self. That Love would be our motivator.
Today I had a lot of questions of what my next steps should look like and I could get anxious over the questions that need answering or I could just ask myself is this seeking the Kingdom of God. And if my answer is yes, I know my needs will be met. And if it’s No, I should probably re-examine.
He’s given more than I need every single time I’ve put His agenda above my own.
All I have needed. He has provided. Great is His faithfulness.
Please join me in prayer for my next trip to Romania beginning October 1st. That my mind would stay steadfast on Him. That I would represent Him well in my interactions. That I would continue to let the Holy Spirit lead me.
With love,
Megan
