Holy Moly. So many emotions. So many feels. I’m in Africa friends! I cannot believe it.
After flying from Central America, to a layover in Texas, to a layover in Turkey, we arrived in Kampala, Uganda. What an amazing start to the new year. Traveling as a squad is so fun. 30 friends all on the plane together, and just sharing stories about the last month, yet having so much joy for the coming month.
Currently, I am laying in bed in my hut. Yes, a legit tiki hut. We took a bus way out to the middle of knowhere Uganda. It’s actually near a town called lakody. Down some red dirt roads to a ministry called Child Voice International. I’ve been here for only a few days but it’s been nothing short of amazing. The site we’re staying at is really hot and windy during the day, and really cold at night. It’s basically desert weather. We have an area of small huts that all the visitors stay in. There is no electricity on the property, except they run a generator during the evening for 3 hours. So when it gets dark, it’s dark. Thankfully I have my headlamp for that one. We also have to use squatty Pottys. Basically a hole in the ground you use to go to the bathroom. It’s quite an experience…need I say more?…Haha
Anyways, the sunsets are beautiful here, the stars are bright, and you just feel one with God out here. No distractions, and just a simple life. I’ve really felt the presence of God every day here. How he has his hand on the people here in Africa too. That we are out in the middle of nowhere, and I feel Him. I’ve seen what he’s done in so many of these girls lives, even though I barely know them. That the girls here just worship Him like I’ve never seen before. So full of joy and life while doing so. The smiles on their faces, and the laughs that I hear just radiate it. We’ve done some African worship, which includes lots of drums, dancing and signing. It’s amazing what their voices hold. They said they are going to show us how to dance like them too. I can’t wait.
I feel joyful. I already know this month is going to change me. Being in the middle of nowhere, and with a new team of all girls is going to be different, but good. I feel happy, and excited for what’s to come this month.
A little background on the ministry I’m at this month…it is a school for girls from the ages 15-21 ish to come too that have lived through some hard pasts in their life. Some have been enslaved children, some were in refugee camps, some from brothels, and many more horrific stories. It breaks my heart to know that war is still going on around here, and many women and people don’t have places to live safely. (Right now it’s going on in South Sudan, not Uganda) They have rescued a lot of women to come to this school, learn life skills, get counseling, and have a safe place to live. The women apply to come to school here, and only about 12-14 girls are accepted in each class, out of over 200 applicants. This is because there just isn’t room for them all, and there are only a few classes of girls. But once one class graduates, they bring in more girls. The things this ministry is really doing some good things for these girls, and the community.
God is teaching me that stories are powerful, but do not define you. That they are part of you, but God can do miracles in our lives with our stories. My story is very different than the women here, but I’m learning how to embrace my story, while learning from theirs.
How does God give each person such a different story? But more importantly, How can we as Christians learn to just love each other no matter the story? God is telling us, we are all equal. We are all children of Him, and He loves us no matter what has happened in our lives. Oh, how amazing is that?…
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
Romans 10:12
Thanks so much for reading!! I love you all!
If you still feel called to donate, I still need another $3,386 to be fully funded. Thank you to those who already have, and for what you are contributing to the kingdom of God. It’s such an honor to see how God has been using others to serve their part, and help me serve mine out on the missions field. He is doing great things around the world, but also back home in the lives of you reading this. So thank you for investing in the journey I’m on for the next 8 months, and how it will impact the rest of my life, but also others I come in contact with. He is so so faithful!!!
Xoxo paigey
