I have been in Uganda for just over a week now. As a squad we spent the first two days together camping on the Nile River. There is something about the beauty in nature that brings so much joy, peace, and refreshment to me. It makes sense since all of creation is aching for God and pointing towards Him, who is the giver of all those things. What an amazing start to this nation!
As many were out on the river I stayed back to spend time with the Lord (and save money) and was blessed to see some beautiful birds, monkeys, and relax looking over the river. Even saw some cool bugs! 
As I was watching the water I noticed a swirl or small cyclone just below me. It would captures some water and swirl it around for a while but eventually release it in order to pull in some more. My first thought was it was like how in life when we are moving forward we will have some high times and low times and neither needs to lead us astray, coming out we can continue forward. Then I thought it looked really fun so maybe it is like when we are flowing in God and letting Him lead He will take us to exciting, though sometimes a bit scary, places. I had been listening to sermons form my church at home on the Gospel of Luke. This scene in the water also reminded me of something new I learned. Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me ans does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, -yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple.” It turns out what I think when here the word hate is not the true meaning of this verse.. there was something lost in the translation to english. I never felt too comfortable with this verse because it didn’t seem like God would ask us to “hate” anyone. So, what the original word meant was closer to the idea of letting go of something in order to hold onto something else. The mini cyclone in the river could only take more water if it released, or let go of, the water it already had. So, in order to follow Jesus we need to let go of everything in order to hold to HIm. That takes faith and trust. The more I do that this year the more at peace I become. So, it might seem way scary to let go but it is the best thing I have ever done.
As I was watching the water I noticed a swirl or small cyclone just below me. It would captures some water and swirl it around for a while but eventually release it in order to pull in some more. My first thought was it was like how in life when we are moving forward we will have some high times and low times and neither needs to lead us astray, coming out we can continue forward. Then I thought it looked really fun so maybe it is like when we are flowing in God and letting Him lead He will take us to exciting, though sometimes a bit scary, places. I had been listening to sermons form my church at home on the Gospel of Luke. This scene in the water also reminded me of something new I learned. Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me ans does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, -yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple.” It turns out what I think when here the word hate is not the true meaning of this verse.. there was something lost in the translation to english. I never felt too comfortable with this verse because it didn’t seem like God would ask us to “hate” anyone. So, what the original word meant was closer to the idea of letting go of something in order to hold onto something else. The mini cyclone in the river could only take more water if it released, or let go of, the water it already had. So, in order to follow Jesus we need to let go of everything in order to hold to HIm. That takes faith and trust. The more I do that this year the more at peace I become. So, it might seem way scary to let go but it is the best thing I have ever done. 
I don’t know what the swirling water would have brought to your mind. I was surprise, seeing that I have been pulled by forces in the current before and it was not fun at all, that I didn’t think it would be scary to get caught in that trap. So, I came to the conclusion that without God, being just on my own, it would be just scary, but with God, holding onto Him and not counting on my strength, I would not need to fear since he is better than any life jacket or raft. All in all as I prayed and listened and spent time with some friends it was a good day.
Then we dispersed and traveled to our various ministry sites. My team, which is new, we are now seven members and two of them are guys.. there are no more all girl teams on our squad. Please pray that the changes, which were hard and emotional for many, will enhance rather than harm what we have yet to accomplish. Also please pray for health, safety, and the Power & Love of God to be evident in all we do. I still need $1700 to come in by the 16th in order to stay and finish this race. I am praying for all my support to come in by then (the $4400) so that I can keep diving into the nations I am blessed to be surrounded by rather than sitting at a computer. God is at work and is inviting you to take part. Thank you for you support.
