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 Most of the time I don’t understand how God is working or why some things happen, until I have the opportunity to look back and enjoy ‘ah ha’ moments. In January, we were scheduled to work at an orphanage in the northern part of Kenya. After five ministry changes, we landed in Lira, Uganda. I had totally forgotten about the blog I wrote about this region…you can check it out here….but looking back, I can see how God was preparing me specifically for my time in Northern Uganda way back in November! 

My time in Lira changed me, and, for the most part, the change felt good and was positive – rather than the brokenness I have experienced so much on the race (and continue to experience!). I think it was a little break/gift of rest from God…and I am grateful for it.

There are three main reasons why my month in Lira was so good, and I think that by explaining them, you will have a good overview of what our month looked like. The first reason is Pastor Johnson Ogama and his family. Pastor Johnson is an incredible man of God and he is being used to transform Northern Uganda. He has a quiet confidence that is both disarming and demands respect. He invests in the people around him and takes time to pour out his humble confidence and purposefulness. As often as I could, I sat with him in his backyard asking questions and listening. He got married the same day that the city of Kampala fell to rebels 24 years ago. He has awesome stories of God’s protection and provision.
(Betty, Pastor Johnson and me!)

One of the most influential parts of Pastor Johnson is that he speaks life and encourages. I think most of us notice things we like in other people, but fail to say anything…unless it is a piece of clothing or jewelry, then we are quick to compliment! Very rarely to we tell acquaintances that we like their leadership, character, confidence, etc…nor are we receive these words of affirmation. Pastor Johnson does this in such an honest way – it feels good. 

The other influential characteristic of Pastor Johnson is how he leads his family. He has five natural children, but has had 22 in his home at one time or another. His children were such a blessing to me! The smallest daughters would help me wash my clothes and in turn I would paint their nails…it became our Saturday morning tradition. They also taught me how to cook some traditional African dishes and prayed for us often.

 On the World Race, we feedback every night – meaning that we set aside time each night to talk about issues we have with others or ways that we could grow to become more Christ-like. Basically building deep community and serving as mirrors so that we can truly see ourselves for what we are. I thought this was just a World Race thing, but then discovered that Pastor Johnson’s family does this every night. They gather as a family and he calls on one to share a word, one to sing, and one to pray. Then he instructs them on how they should grow, if needed. Such a cool model of discipleship within a family. Seeing such a neat family model made me really miss my own parents and also filled me with hope for the family I hope to have some day!
(Painting nails)

The second reason that I am changed after my time in Lira, Uganda is the example set by the Alpha Resort Hotel staff. This is place where we stayed; but I should tell you that hotels are defined differently in Africa than they are in America. This place was very nice when compared to our other housing arrangements so far on the World Race, but fit our $5/night budget. The people were by far my favorite part. Every time we came back from working at the church, they welcomed us and said, “thank you for coming back.” They always had welcome arms and seemed genuinely glad to see us. They taught Michelle and I how to make traditional African dishes (mostly Michelle – she is a professional in the African kitchens!), laughed with us when we tried new things, and really showed how much they loved us by serving. 

I must admit that it was really hard to be served at first. Really hard. I came on the World Race to serve others and really struggled at first when we found out that the staff would be preparing our meals, washing our sheets, and cleaning our floors – we should be doing this for them! But we talked to Pastor Johnson about it and quickly learned that it was not only their job to serve us, but it was their ministry for Christ. They found joy in equipping us for service…how can you argue with that? Eventually, we found a happy medium of helping along side of them that was both fun and a blessing. 

All of the staff members have incredible testimonies. Many don’t have parents, many could not afford school fees, or are working to put siblings, children, cousins, etc. through school. And all of them are so full of joy. I loved working with them and hearing their stories. And I hated leaving them at the end of last month. They totally blessed our time in Lira.

The final reason that my month six was so great, was the great relationships I formed with the staff at Victory Outreach Church, the church that Johnson pastors. It is a pretty large church, and has great reach in the community. I became friends with several of the staff members, mostly within the Compassion International program office that they host. The program had an audit the final week we were there and the files were not ready. Not even close. This excited me because it was a clear task, and not only was it a task, but it needed my administrative gifts – Praise the Lord! So I filed, reorganized and taught a new way of working, while the Victory staff taught me the African style.
(Compassion Office staff)

When I wasn’t filing, I was working with the Church secretary typing and entering school data into Excel. This was surprisingly very interesting because of time spent getting to know Magdeline. At first, I thought she was annoyed with me. But as time passed, we became good friends and it was very hard to leave…. I genuinely miss the staff at Victory.

And when I wasn’t filing with the Compassion Office or typing with Magdeline, I was washing dishes or stacking chairs with Grace. We nicknamed her Rafiki, the character in the Lion King, because she would laugh and laugh for little reason and it was mostly directed at me. Any time I would say a word or phrase in her language she would laugh very hard, or when I worked along side of her, she would randomly stop and start laughing – it was really fun. She was so full of joy and life. My encounters with Grace left me a little different, a little more joyful, each time.
 
(Magdaline and her family)

Pastor Johnson, and the staffs of Alpha and Victory, taught me more about Christian communing and spurring one another on in love and good deeds.  I am different because of my time in Lira and, in hindsight, I am grateful that our ministry changed so many times to land us in Northern Uganda!!