Wow it has been so long since I have updated y’all on life, I sincerely apologize. It has been a whirlwind out here and you best believe I am loving every minute of it. Thinking about what I want to tell you all is overwhelming.
Ethiopia was a blast, I gained a true family in Rwanda and I am now back in Uganda which, as most of you know, stole my heart years ago. God is blowing my mind and showing up in major ways. Writing this has my stomach full of knots and butterflies just thinking about the joy, heartbreak, sense of belonging and worship I have experienced over the past 3 months. I am excited to share tons of stories with you all but I think most of them will have to wait until I see you in person (SOON!).
Many of you have asked me “Why do you love Africa so much?” I have struggled with finding the words to answer this question. How could I do justice in explaining such wonderful people and culture? Over the past 3 months I have been trying to answer this question for myself and I have been able to identify more specifically what it is that has made me fall in love with Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
*Disclaimer: Each country in Africa is very different. Even within each country the regions throughout the countries have distinct differences. My love for Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda is very specific to each one. However in each country I have found the following 4 aspects of life abundantly present.
Here are the 4 of the reasons I love Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda so deeply.
- SIMPLE Lifestyle:
- This is present in all parts of life here. You see it in the fact that people walk everywhere with no rush, food options are simple and delicious, and there is no need for excess things. People live very minimal lives. Some may see this as a disadvantage, but it truly is a peaceful and desired way of living to me. Western culture is always chasing the next best thing and getting more, while here people are just being. They are living in the moment of what needs to happen for that day. I have seen children ecstatic over receiving a cardboard box to play with. I have seen a family of 16 living with a small fraction of what a family of four lives with in America. Yet they were more grateful and generous than most. I don’t undermine the complications of life here because they are very real and more difficult than I can fully understand. Life will inevitably bring us hardships. The difference is in America is that we complicate the things that should be simple. I will miss the simple living I have become used to, but hope to bring some of it back with me.
- Hospitality/community centered
- When I think back on the hospitality I have received from strangers here it shocks and humbles me and fills me with all the warm and fuzzies. The culture here prioritizes relationships over almost anything. People stop what they are doing just to say hello and greet each other. In Uganda it is seen as rude if you do not greet each and every person in a room. In Rwanda families who didn’t always have enough to buy food would go out and buy us drinks or fruit. Without fail, every house we have walked in, we would be welcomed with huge smiles and somewhere to sit (even if it meant furniture would have to be re-arranged). I love watching as we drive through the streets and men are holding hands as they walk in conversation, women are chatting at their food stands, and children are running around and playing with each other. Time is important, but relationships are more valuable.
- Worship with their whole souls
- Ohhhh when I think about this I get the chilllllss!! I have learned a whole new way to worship since being on the race, especially in Africa. Boy oh boy do they know how to celebrate and give praise to our God. They dance, sing, shout, dance, pray, cry, laugh, and dance some more. It is INCREDIBLE. No matter what age, everyone is giving their all to the Lord, from 5 to 95 it is one big party. It is next to impossible to put to words what it is like to be in the midst of such passionate praise and worship. All I can say is it is a taste of heaven on earth.
- Joy!
- Smiles here go way beyond just the mouth. People smile with their whole face. Joy is one of the most contagious of emotions and it is everywhere. It seems so backwards, knowing the circumstances people are in and the history of some of these places, that there could be such joy. It goes beyond my understanding, nevertheless it pours out of people. The joy is a part of the lifestyle here.
I am beyond excited to tell you more about this last leg of The Race! It has been a dream. I lay in bed at night and just smile in disbelief that this is my life. I absolutely adore Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda and pray that I will be able to go back and visit people in each one. I highly recommend everyone to visit if they ever get the chance.
It’s hard to believe I am going to be home soon. I am about to start my last week of ministry. This month I have been working with a Primary School where three of my squadmates, and we have been P.E. teachers. I have a new respect for all P.E./gym teachers – it is exhausting and high energy. But the kids make it all worth it! They are the most talented group of kids I have seen; they absolutely LOVE to run and are crazy fast!
Stay tuned to hear more about how I am feeling about this next season of life and a little bit more about coming home.
Love you all so much and cant wait to see you in just a couple of weeks!
Martha Sue
PRAYER WARRIORS:
- Energy! This last month of ministry my body has finally realized I have been traveling for the past 11 months and I am running low on energy. Each day my team and I all pray for the Lords strength. We are close to the end and want to give our all and hold nothing back.
- Please pray for a good balance between staying present here and preparing home. We want to do our best getting ready for adjusting back home and setting a healthy mindset for ourselves. But at the same time be fully present here with the kiddos and loving them like they deserve.
