Well my first encounter with an African country was actually less than impressive. Unfortunately I didn’t fall in love at first sight with Kenya. Here you have to be on guard all the time, many of our teammates were robbed with knives and guns, and it seems most places you go they expect you to be super rich and try to take advantage of you. It’s still so important to see others through God’s eyes, to not lose sight of the soul based on the circumstance. I made a few new friends here! I did fall in love with the countryside, the mountains, the Great Rift Valley, taking tea, giraffes, zebras, lions, hippos and all those animals just hanging out, the tribal people in Maasai Mara, and especially the Rehoboth family I was staying with in Kinangop. The kids are precious and sweet and I miss the family already.
First few moments in Uganda and God had me on a wild ride of trust! I was dropped off at the side of the road with no shillings, phone card, or address of where I needed to be. I had all of my stuff with me which is just way too much stuff anyway. So I started walking trying to find an open gas station and a few motorcycles stopped to try and give me a ride. I thought there is no way I can get all this and myself on a motorcycle, which now I know are called bota botas! So I kept walking and praying and felt God saying- well I’ve sent you two rides already!! So I said ok, next bike I’ll get on! Right after that a guy stopped by and I hopped on. Felt like ditching my big pack on the side of the road but didn’t! We went into town and tried to find where I was staying and finally about the 7th person gave us directions and I was reunited with my team! I had stayed back a few days to rest from debrief and catch up with the other squad leaders.
It’s very interesting how every month is so completely different and God reveals new lessons and new truths. (hopefully those lessons make their way into a blog) He brings new divine appointments and speaks in new ways. Even on the same continent the months are so different and I can already see how Uganda will be different. I am looking forward to this month at Musana Camps! It is so cool how God worked it out that my team could help Syd and Andrea Sparks. I’ve known Andrea for a very long time and they have shared at our missions conferences. Now I get to experience it firsthand! We are meeting Syd today in town and there we will travel 2 hours to their home and camp! I am sure there are many ways to partner with them as well! (musanacamps.org) Please pray for us as we minister together this month that we can serve them well and will continue to grow closer as a team to finish this race strong giving 100% each month! Less than 90 days and I want to savor each one!
One last prayer item is for two of my teammates, Jason Brown and Jacob Portillo. They are so close to being fully funded and have received much grace from Adventures in Missions to get their final couple of hundred dollars. Each is short about $500. It weighs heavy on their hearts and they have the support of their family and friends back home, but they are still in need. I know the Lord is going to provide, but if you would like to help them at all please contact me or check out their blogs. www.jasonbrown.theworldrace.org and/or www.jacobportillo.theworldrace.org
