This was written a few weeks ago, but I just got the chance to post it. I’m now in Ireland for Awakening, and looking forward to the last leg of the race in Eastern Europe! Here’s the blog:
Our first Sunday in Uganda I was privileged to speak at a church in a small village in the North. As I rode up to the church on a motorbike, I began hearing joyful shouts from the women in the congregation. It was 7 am and they had been waiting for me. I stepped into a small thatch roofed hut to meet the church leaders, and then I was escorted to the church.
The music was already going. We walked down the center isle of the church and all eyes were on me. It was a bit overwhelming. I found myself wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into. I’m all alone in an African village that I can’t pronounce the name of. I’ve been told that these people have been waiting for hours for me, and I’m at a loss for words at the excitement that has taken place just because I showed up.
I have a seat at the front of the church and wait for them to tell me what to do. The service consists of exuberant worship, prayer, and a short message from me. Then offering time comes. I didn’t know what to expect from this time, but I was soon humbled beyond imagination.
They brought out 2 small woven baskets and sat them at the front of the church. Some people came up and dropped in their money. Others brought bowls of peanuts, potatoes, and other crops that they’d harvested. And I just sat back and took it all in. After the people had given their offering they took the baskets to the side, combined the money, and sat one of them back in the front of the church.
They began singing another song and people came up and started putting money into the basket, again. I was confused. As if the pastor could read my mind, he leaned over and whispered, “We wanted to give you a gift as our visitor since you came to bring the gospel.”
I was in shock to say the least. I had come to their village with a bible in hand, a message about serving the Lord passionately, and a smile. After giving what I had, they gave me more. When they had finished giving their offering to me the basket held 10,000 shillings and a bag of peanuts. To all of you who are wondering how much money that is, it’s about $4.50.
Let’s put this into perspective. A bunch of bananas or a huge container of peanuts costs less than $1. So the average American may be laughing at a mere $4.50, but to a Ugandan that’s a good chunk of change. That’s a true picture of sacrificial giving, and they did it to bless me.
For a moment I wanted to refuse. “I don’t need your money nearly as much as you do. I’m the one that should be handing YOU money. I don’t deserve this!” In that moment God began to speak. He showed me what it means to give all that I have to bless people. He showed me what huge hearts the Ugandan believers have. And He showed me even more of how selfish I am.
In the time I spent in Uganda I was heartbroken by the hardships that people had experienced. The people of Northern Uganda have been ravaged by over 20 years of war. They were living in government camps for those 20 years. They don’t have clean water or an unending food supply. They live on what they can grow, and they gave ME 10,000 shillings and a bag of peanuts.
It’s a picture of God that I needed to be reminded of. We are called to give cheerfully. That doesn’t mean giving when you have “extra.” It means giving your last dime if that’s what God asks. Because if God asks He will provide for your every need. I’m challenged to live a life where I give as freely as I have received. The people in Uganda showed me what true hospitality and caring really look like.
Thank you Uganda for giving me a reminder of what it means to truly love and bless the people you meet!
