I can’t believe today is my last day in Africa!
On Saturday, we will be flying out to Thailand and entering month 8! UN-believable.
So here’s a quick update on my last 2 weeks in Uganda. I have traveled out to Bunumwaya, Uganada and joined Team Red Thread who has been partnered with Cornerstone Community Church and Pastor Aloysius and Momma Peace. Some days have been teaching at different Cornerstone Primary Schools while other days have been preaching and going door-to-door to share the gospel.
I have loved teaching but I’ve also been reminded why I’m not a teacher…my class would always be the crazy, loud one!
I taught how to form sets in Mathematics, the reproduction of a chicken in Science, and about men of great faith like Daniel in Religious Education. I will miss the kids so much!
We've also had some pretty interesting days where I find myself saying, "I'm really in Africa and this is really my life!" One of those days was last Friday when we had a day with Pastor Pious who wanted to “bless the mizungu’s.” It's a day never to forget. We thought he was taking us for a relaxing afternoon at a swimming pool and little did we know he had sooo much more in store for us.
We pilled in his car and eagerly tells us, “Before you go swimming you will meet with my personal trainer for some physical activity.”
In my head I’m thinking, “I’m sorry, what did you say? I thought you said physical activity? You see I’m wearing my bathing suit with a skirt and flip flops.”
The girls think, “Oh, he’s just joking.”
No… he sounded pretty serious.
Sure enough we pull into an interesting old building that says Health Club Pool and Sauna. Not what I was expecting, but it really never is…
We were greeted by Ronnie, our physical trainer for the next hour. I’ll let the video do the rest.
The Gift of Exercise from Val Youmans on Vimeo.
I haven’t laughed this hard in a longggg time. It was just a fun day filled with more interesting surprises and ended with a GIANT feast with 3 different meats and 8 side dishes made by his wife. I couldn’t believe it. I was blown away by their love and extreme generosity. They may not have that much- yet are willing to give everything they have with cheerful and thankful hearts. I have been so blessed by the people I have met in Uganda. So hospitable and generous.
On Saturday we went to visit an organization founded by Katie Davis called Amazima Ministries. You can check out her blog at kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com
She is a beautiful 23 years old who is a loving mom to 13 precious Ugandan girls that she has adopted in the last couple years. Yep- 13 children at the age of 23. She also started a non-profit organization that provides medical care, feeds thousands, and currently sponsors over 600 children to get an education. We were able to join them on Saturday where they come together to learn about Jesus, eat lunch, play, and get a bag of food to take to their families.
I couldn’t stop thinking.. ALL because 1 person said YES. These children and their families have been touched and now forever changed all because the heart of 1 person…who was 19!
Katie’s life made me think of the verse in Matthew 25:21 “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
The Lord trusts Katie. She is faithful to Him with what He gives her and continues to give her more. Katie loves all the children like Jesus loves. Below is a pic of her kissing on this sweet little boy. (Quick story on him- he was so malnourished as a baby that his eye started shriveling up to nothing. When Katie found him it was too late to restore his eye but thankfully with medical treatment they have given him a glass eye. He was so sweet. I couldn’t let him go.)
She doesn’t act like what she is doing is anything crazy or special. It’s her life- it’s what she is called to do. She says it’s the only thing she knows how to do-say yes.
I left so INSPIRED. I want to dream BIG like Katie. I want to love like Katie. I want to be faithful with what I see and who I meet. I want to say YES every day.
“Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” Matthew 25:40.
The Lord has taught me so much in Africa. I wish I could tell you everything. It's so bitter sweet to leave but I know I will be back.
GET READY THAILAND, here we come!!!
