We just finished our first two weeks ministering in Kampala, Uganda and I’m wiped out physically and spiritually. Its worth every minute of it because I’m bringing life. Each day I’m walking in a war zone, a place of poverty, disease and death. I don’t just hear the stories, I see the people, see their struggles, pray for them and talk with them face to face. It’s heartbreaking to be here, convicting to realize I have nothing to complain about and humbling to be serving God at such a time as this. I signed up for the race, and this is what God had planned for me, but…..
I’m weak.
I am so weak without the power of God, weak without His life giving joy which is my strength. I am so empty and exhausted when I don’t depend fully on Him. There have been some days that I just want my comforts, my time and sleep. At those times, God always sends me someone to encourage, a child to hold and a woman to talk to. I think its His way of reminding me, that even in my weakness He wants to use me, and reveal Himself to me.
I have seen Him through the eyes of a child in the slums, sick children in the hospital, our hosts at home and the pastors that care for us here. Everywhere I look, I see Him. I can’t get away from His presence, from His love, even in a place that seems so distant from God’s touch. As we walk around the slums, markets and homes, I think how can people live this way? I’m not being critical, I just have no grasp on it. The homes are so small, yet filled with so many people. Young children are caring for their younger siblings, and children are off playing without parents supervision. Their lives are simple, but not by some trendy choice to have the simple life. They simply have nothing. The children in the hospital aren’t there because they had a broken bone. They suffer from malnutrition, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. How do you process that?
I don’t know how to process that, and God is teaching me to just love when given the chance. Love when I’m tired, love when I’m uncomfortable, love when I feel inadequate and love when I feel like retreating. I think that’s when His love becomes real to me. When I’m in the midst of so much that I don’t understand, He says, you understand love, just do that.
Here’s a recap of our time here so far!
1. Milago Hospital-This hospital is filled with about 120 children and three nurses for all of them. We were able to visit for about 30 minutes. We prayed for the kids, gave them cookies, made them laugh and visited with their moms. The set up is crowded, beds right next to each other with room on the floor for the moms to sleep. All the children are together, some with malaria, HIV and malnutrition. Its nothing like any hospital I’ve seen in the states, they make do with what they have. There’s so much suffering, that its impossible for us to understand. I can hardly wrap my mind around all the people. I know that I can love on everyone that I can, trust that God has them in His hands and I can tell people about the suffering.
2. Ministering in the slums-A group of four of us plus our Ugandan translator Susan walked around the slums and struck up conversations with shop owners. It was quite different from the states. The people here are so open, and we had conversations about life, Jesus and their businesses. We were surprised by the responses people had to us, because every person was open to talk. I loved it talking to them, hearing about their stories and telling them about my faith.
3. Miley-This woman has greatly impacted me and I’ve only been with her twice. She is 28 and was injured in a bad car accident about 8 years ago where she suffered a spinal injury. She lost the ability to walk but she survived and now lives for Jesus. Her story is inspiring to say the least, and I had the chance to spend the afternoon with her. I heard her story and she graciously let me interview/videotape her. Miley and her sisters were forced from their home. In the United States, investors pay a family lots of money to move and resettle. Here in Uganda, the government forces a family out with no compensation and then they must find an apartment to rent. She’s a living testimony of faith in the Father. She said, “we always have struggles, a life of trials, but I trust in my Heavenly Father that as I bring my requests to Him, that He’s working them out.” I can’t wait to share with you the specifics of her story and what her needs are. Please be praying for her as she tries to open a spinal wing at the hospital, and that she would continue to be a blessing to everyone she meets. Miley has encouraged me to forgive, love people when it’s hard and to seek after the Kingdom of God more than anything!
4. Church all day-3 services, Crusade-When Sunday comes around I anticipate a very long day. We start the day early in the morning heading to a church to preach and the services are long. They are usually about 2-3 hours, then we have lunch prepared for us. It’s always really good and we’re thankful to have something provided. Then we head to the area where we’re having a crusade and what that basically looks like is, a small generator, mic and tons of kids all in the slums. We had a blast at the crusade and played with the kids for a couple hours straight, sweating, laughing and dancing our little hearts out. A couple people share a message, there’s music and an invitation for salvation is given.
5. Door to Door family ministry in the slums-This is one of the simplest things we can do and people receive us into their homes. We’re complete strangers, but they want to hear from us, and smile from ear to ear to have us share our stories. We ask them if they have a personal relationship with Jesus, and the best way to communicate with them is by asking if they are born again. Some say yes, some say no and we ask if we can pray for them, and that’s my favorite part. I love being able to pray for their needs and they welcome it with open arms. I’ve never been able to do that in the United States, there are so many barriers put up and Americans need a relationship to be built so they can trust others. In Africa, you could literally go up to someone and say, My name is Birkleigh and I’m a Christian, you should be too! Let’s pray and ask Jesus to be your Lord.
6. Lunch with Emma: One of our contacts is a 22 year old pastor that has a heart of Gold. I love this kid. He actually fasted for the whole year of 2009 for American friends and here we are in Uganda. He had all nine of us over for lunch at his home and we met his family. He is the youngest of nine and he was so proud of His family and of us. He is somebody you meet and just want to spend time with him. He truly cares about people and knows how to make us feel so special.
7. Transportation and Market; Getting around Uganda is no joke and I pray protection over my life each time I get in a taxi. There have been way too many near death experiences that make me thankful for traffic lights and laws in the U.S. The market is a crowded place, where we really stick out. We’re usually traveling in our little group and hear Mzungu (white person) everywhere we go. It usually stresses me out, because we’re rushing through there dodging traffic, people and food stands all while trying not to breathe in the pollution.
8. Joann n Ken-this is our main contact and his fiancé’ and we see them everyday and have a great time learning more about Uganda and what it’s like to serve here. Ken is no joke and has strong convictions. He will tell people straight up, that they need Jesus. He was reaching out to a youth and the kid was making fun of Jesus, and he basically told him not to make fun of him, and that it’s no joke.
Kampala is no joke! God is teaching me so much and I’m learning alot through our Ugandan friends. I love seeing how people live, work, play and reach out to people. I’m realizing how difficult life outside of America is and that I’m called to depend fully on the Lord, because when I’m weak, He is strong! Love you!!!
