As I write this a baby leopard kitten has so sweetly come into the office and our contact is freaking out. This cant possibly be a normal kitten. Apparently one of the kids brought it in from the jungle. Yeah, its definitely a leopard. Okay, maybe not. But it seriously looks like it. Its freaky. And our contact is still freaking out. Haha this is hilarious.
In other news… Greetings from Rackoko, Uganda! Team Throve (thrive & overflow) are livin it up in a really poor, rural village in Northern Uganda. The five of us are are living in a small concrete room (about 14×14), each in our tents, with one window and a door. Our squatty potty is around the back and we even have a little shack thing for bucket showers. Yeah baby! There are also giant spiders and cockroaches that hang out in the bathroom at night which makes the evenings really eventful. We are truly living as the locals do here, which was definitely an adjustment at first, but has been really sweet. We’re living in the same style housing as most here (the people here either live in grass huts or single concrete rooms), and eating the same foods they eat (rice, beans, ugali, and other stuff that is quite interesting). There’s no running water and electricity is quite unreliable. You never know when its going to be on. Its also hot as heck here and incredibly dusty. The people here, though incredibly poor, are so loving and joyful and full of life. Love them. I feel so humbled and privileged to be here and live life with them.
Personally, its also really sweet to be here because I’ve always wanted to come to Northern Uganda. A crazy civil war has been waging on in the north for many years (dont worry Mom, the war left the region about six years ago as the rebels moved into the Congo). I studied the war quite a bit in college, so its so cool to actually be here. To be among people who’ve survived. And to hear their stories firsthand. Though we’ve only been here like four days, already the stories I’ve heard have blown my mind. These people are absolutely amazing.
So, about our ministry. We’re working with Kingdom Pearl Ministries (kingdompearl.org) which targets youth in the village, growing the talents these young people possess while pouring the love of Jesus into their hearts. They have a soccer team, which has been their main ministry, but they also target other kids in the community. We’re hoping this month to do some house visits, as well as spend time with the youth, especially those with addictions or who are troubled as a result of the war. I’m excited. And its so good to be around kids again. They’re so good for my soul.
Well, thats kind of the gist of things. I’m stoked for what the Lord has for us here as we get a taste of African village life. Praying for sweet opportunities to love the people here, however He so graciously allows us to. Feel free to pray for me as a new season begins, that the Lord will continue to teach me and grow me as a leader, and also that I can just fall more in love with my Father. I just want to love Him as He loves me. Thats what its all about isnt it? For when we love Him and allow Him to love us, then we can truly love others. And love changes people. For love is the Kingdom of heaven invading this earth through the hearts of man.
