So I’ve been on the world race for a month now and thats so crazy! I’ve been saying for so long that it’s 11 countries in 11 months but now its 10 in 10 and I’m actually here doing it. I’m living out the plans that God has for me, travelling the world, meeting the most amazing people and spreading as much love as possible.
I feel like so much has happened and I have so much to tell you but I don’t even know where to start.
Month one here in Uganda has been an awesome adventure. My team and I have been able to work along side this amazing man of God named pastor Charles. We have also had two girls around my age living with us to help with things around the house and they come with us when we go out to do ministry to help translate for us. Their names are Stella and Hellen. I’ve had the opportunity to actually live life with them and get to know them on a deeper level which I’m so thankful for. They say that we’ve been a blessing to them but they have been a bigger one to me. They have such huge hearts and share the same passion as us to further the kingdom.
This month we have been doing a little bit of everything. Pastor Charles, his team and our team have been staying in a ministry house in a little town called Buikwe. It’s about 2 hours away from Kampala. There we have been helping work in a school that Pastor Charles helps run. We walked there in the mornings for about an hour to teach the children English, bible verses and silly songs. There we were also able to help them start a sponsorship program for the children that can’t afford to attend everyday. Then we would walk home for lunch and go out in the community for different ministry in the evenings. We would do everything from door to door visits, to market ministry where we just walk around and pray with people or just bless their business. The last two weeks we have also held a bible study/ fellowship meeting at our ministry house. We walked around inviting people from our community and we’ve had a great turnout every time. Also during the second last meeting we had 3 people commit their lives to the Lord! It’s been so awesome to have the privilege to plant the seeds in this community and even see some grow. Every Sunday we have gone to a different church. One of them Dylan preached at and another Ashley preached. Pastor Charles has a pretty solid foundation of pastor friends and we have had the chance to meet and hear their stories. They have all welcomed us with open arms and have blessed us in so many crazy ways. One of them also brought a friend of their from the Netherlands to come visit is and it was the coolest experience. After speaking to her for only a short period of time, she gave us each a word from the Lord. And honestly it was crazy. The things she told me were so awesome and encouraging. I even cried(surprise surprise)
On our off days we have been able to meet up with some other teams and hangout with those who are going through the same things as us. Dylan, Julia and I got to white water raft the Nile River with another team! It was one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had.. So far. I came away from it with a huge goose egg on the side of my face from getting hit with a paddle when I fell out and got pulled under by the current on one of the scariest Rapids. But I’m fine and didn’t even get a head ache! Praise the Lord.
Here, they drive on the opposite side of the road and car. It’s so weird. They don’t really have road rules, most people take taxi vans (called a matatu) or take a motorcycle taxi (called a Boda Boda) Their mission here is to fit as many people into or onto one as possible. Our record for a matatu is 26. (it only suppose to fit 18!) and I’ve seen 4 people on one buda buda. We also joke about how dusty it is here. When we walk around we call it getting our African spray tan because we usually come back with an orange glow.
When we walk around in our community all the little kids come running now to hold our hands and walk with us. And they run around yelling Muzungu! Muzungu! (That translates to white person) I’ve had the privilege of holding precious little babies and I even got to hold a precious little gem that was only 2 weeks old! #bestmomentever
My favourite thing is waving to people until they smile and wave back. If that’s the least I can do to brighten someone’s day then it’s all good. We’ve been able to pick up a few simple words in Ugandan, but it’s a pretty tricky language. It’s funny though, when we try to say the words, they just laugh at us. Their second language is English, so that’s super helpful, even if they just know the basics.
Living here has been a big adjustment as far as living comforts. Everything is different than home. Their houses are different, their showers are pretty much nonexistent, (#bucketshower) their washrooms are basically a hole in the ground and their food is very different. (#carbscarbscarbs) But one thing I’ve learned is that no matter how different the living conditions are, and how different the way they do day to day things, we share something in common and that’s the love of Jesus. I’ve also been reminded that sharing the love of Jesus isn’t always done with words. Giving a smile or holding a child’s hand can go a long way. I’m thankful for the opportunities we’ve had to plant seeds and I look forward to keeping in touch to hear about all that God is going to continue to do in Uganda. I’m also thankful for the perfect amount of time that we have spent here. We have been able to build some awesome life long friendships and each person (little and big) we have met will have a special spot in my heart.
Being here in Uganda for our first month has been great with great hosts and great experiences, but I’ve also faced some challenges this month. I’ve been challenged by the enemy with fear, comparison and inadequacy. Fear of being in this strange place with strange noises and with these people we only just met, comparing myself to my team mates and their spiritual gifts and have had feelings of “I’m not good enough for this trip.” BUT! Thankfully I am living with and protected by a God that removes those feelings and is here with me to comfort me when I’m lying in my tent terrified of the scary witch craft noises outside our window. And fully relying on a God that can help me overcome the feelings of inadequacy and teach me through my team and His word that I am good enough to be here. In Romans 8:28 is says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I know this is only month one, and I’ve experienced so much already, but I’m so excited for all that God is going to continue to do in my life. On this journey of life, all we have to live for is furthering the kingdom and I pray that in the next 10 months, I will live up to that to the fullest and not be afraid to continue to step out of the comfort zone that I’ve so selfishly created.
Everyday I’ve had the chance to take a moment to sit and try to wrap my head around the fact that I’m actually here, doing it, being it, and living out this crazy awesome journey that God has me on. This is my life and it’s pretty freakin awesome.
Thankyou for all the prayer and support I can’t express how much it means to me. I apologize for taking so long to get this blog up. This month I made the crazy decision to fast all social media and it was the best decision I’ve made yet. It gave me a better chance to dive into this experience and genuinely interact with these amazing people that God has placed in my life. Your encouragement is appreciated! (through Facebook or iMessage)
And my challenge for you this next month is to put down whatever may be your distraction and actually spend time with those you love. It’s easier said than done but at the end of the day, the improvement in relationships and time you’ve invested will be the greatest.
Prayer requests: that we will start this new month and new ministry with a positive attitude.
For unity within our team. Living in community is a lot harder that we thought.
That I would be bold in my faith and not be hesitant to share Gods love in every way.
Until next time!
Rwanda here we come!
