Uganda I love you
Yes I got to swim in the Nile River
Hello Friends and Family!
I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. It has been a combination of no wifi/bad network, busyness of ministry, and having the time of my life that I forgot to stop and reflect.
We have been in Kenya for about 3 weeks now, but I need to go back and inform you about Uganda. So here we go!
We started off our time in Uganda with debrief. Our entire squad came together for six days to reflect and celebrate on where the Lord has taken us, and where we are headed! We had team changes, raised up new team leaders, and raised up new squad leaders. The picture below is my new team called 42 Deep!
L to R: Rachel Cavender, Fabienne Boss, Christy Gray, Catie Collins, Sarah Dickmann
(In another blog I will explain how we got to love on a baby elephant named Edward.)
We had our first team bonding experience taking me to the Ugandan hospital. I was sick for two days and super dehydrated. The doctor said I had a bacterial infection. I got IV fluids and medicine, and within a few days I was back to my old chipper self again. You can check out their blogs and more about them on the side of this page.
(It felt like a touch of home with the Christmas tree, so of course I had to take a picture with it)
42 Deep: the meaning behind our team name is threefold. First, I read Colossians 2:6-7 to my new team as the Lord put those verses on my heart as I was praying about team changes and the desire I have to grow deeper in Christ, but also deeper within the body. It says, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Secondly, as we were praying about our team, our team leader Fabi envisioned our team entering a jungle or ocean. She described our last teams as the initial explorers of the outer edges of the jungle or surface of the ocean, while our new team is plunging in. Moving deeper and deeper into the darkest parts of the jungle/ocean and allowing God to light our ways and to light up His creation. Finally, Psalm 42:1 says, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Our team agreed that we want to be seeking after God as a team, panting for more of who He is and what He wants us to learn, individually and collectively. And thus, 42 Deep was born.
We have been together for almost 2 months now and are still growing and pressing into each other. As getting close to and living in community with new people brings challenges, it also brings some truly amazing growth and insight. God has us each here together for a reason, and I am so thankful that I get the opportunity to be pushed and to grow with these beautiful women. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers for team unity, and guidance as we move into Asia and continue to pray for open hearts for what the Lord has for us.
More about Debrief:
We had the opportunity to go White Water Rafting on the Nile! It was super RAD! We fell out of the raft twice, but it was all so worth it! Pictures below!
During debrief, we stayed at a lodge that over looked The Nile River. I loved waking up every morning to spend time with the Lord, but also enjoy His beautiful creation. Here is a picture of the sunset I got to see every night.
More updates to come about my time in Uganda
Blessings,
Catie Collins Smith
