Christmas in the US has always been full of materialism, commercialism, etc... but only since going to the ends of the earth have I felt upset about it. Well I wouldn't say upset... It's just part of our culture. However, it is irritating. I have seen kids who have nothing that are more joyful, more grateful than many american kids, it seems. Not always the case, but it is still a valid point. Stuff does not equal happiness.
Christmas is about what God did. He sent his only son. A baby who changed everything on this earth. The greatest act of love in the history of, well, everything! God gave the biggest gift to the world. His gift was not something to physically hold onto, but rather it was the gift that was sacrificial and intended to impact the heart of mankind in the deepest possible way. To save us. So, as we celebrate Christmas, remember what matters. Love came down to earth. Because of that sweet baby, there is hope. There is peace.
"So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father." John 1:14
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Delayed response...
Okay I have officially failed to keep up with this, BUT I have decided to write now.. and it's actually something I wrote quite a while ago, but thought I wouldn't post it. But I think in its rawness, it should be on here.. FYI, this does make references to places that I don't fully explain in here, but I may post another time with more.
It’s been extremely difficult to process all that I saw and how I feel about everything… There have been times now since being at home where people ask me about the trip and I respond so matter of fact-ly… and then I reflect on it later at night and cry. It’s really hard to “feel” and share at the same time for me. Here is just actually a small chunk of how I feel or else you would get a full book.
Namasujju stole my heart. I first came on this trip almost with an “attitude” that Namasujju was just going to be a bump in the road and not the place that would be the highlight of my trip. I didn’t really think that to myself literally, but I think in other words I felt like there were other parts of the trip that caught my eye more, like the baby home or Bethany village. I am extremely passionate about orphans and so those places came to mind more as being more “orphany”. But no, I was dead wrong. Those places had kids that were healing, thriving, living under a roof… those kids have a future, they’re on their way to something better. They have a chance in life.
But in Namasujju, there were so many kids that you can tell do not belong anywhere. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking about how these kids don’t go home to anything and there’s simply no place for them to go. Many of the kids don’t have anyone to turn to for hope, comfort, love, as family. I cannot begin to imagine how they feel and what their eyes have seen and for that, I wept.
I understood what God wanted me to see… the pain He must feel, the heartache, all the Love He’s shown them, all the prayers He’s answered, all the hope these people in Uganda have, and all the beauty in worshiping him with simple faith. This is just in one small part of a small country in a big world. It showed me just how BIG God is, that He is listening to every single prayer out there, that He is there with every single person in the world. If just a little inkling of what God must feel made me weep, all of what God must feel is simply out of our emotional depth. All that Jesus felt when he took on all our sins. Unimaginable by a human being. But I’m humbled that I was trusted to see and experience just a very small part of that.
I wept because I know even though I can’t imagine at all what their lives (not just the orphans, but all of the people there) are like even in the slightest, God does - and in the fullest!. He knows their pain, their cries, their hopes, and listens to them. God sees beyond just what we see and understand, and for that I wept… not in sadness, but in gladness that only God can truly understand and be there for them. I am thankful there IS a God, because there would be no hope for these people without Him. It was ultimate proof to me that Jesus is the only one who can heal a broken heart. He has the power to rise anything up from the ashes and for that I just stand in awe of it all. So, it wasn’t that I needed proof, but before I hadn’t found it miraculous or as amazing as it TRULY is. Somehow bells just went off in my head that I had previously underestimated God’s power and God’s love, almost unknowingly. I knew it before, but somehow I didn’t truly know. It was very eye opening.
Since we can't all know or understand the deep hurts and the hearts of all these people, we’re truly instruments of His immeasurable peace and love. Only through God can we reach people, help people, love people.
I fell in love with everywhere we went in Uganda. Everywhere I looked, I saw hope. I didn’t see a place that was hopeless at all, but full of hope. I saw my family there, our neighbors. I saw people I knew that once our eyes met, I couldn’t forget about them or. I saw love in such beautiful people. And peace. So many people stood out to me there. The peace and kindness in their eyes and their smiles are etched into my heart. They are truly beautiful inside and out. And certainly not forsaken.
Furthermore, in Namasujju I realized the value of education. We get to go to school so easily, but for them it can be beyond reach. Then, if they can afford their education, it’s not what we would consider suitable. I hated school, but for them many don’t even get the opportunity to go.. and they want to! One thing that stirred my heart was the fact that one boy held up a popsicle stick and we asked what it was; he replied, “my ruler.” We then learned he sleeps in the school at night as he has nowhere to go.
During the well dedication, I remember for a while I kept repeating to myself, “This is a celebration for water….Water. Clean water. They’re singing… for water. They’re dancing for water. They’re praising God for water. They’ve been waiting for water, praying for water. All these people are here because of water.” It was certainly a moment for me where I can’t begin to describe how I felt. All I can manage to say is never in my life have I imagined that there could be a 4-hour long ceremony for water. Amazing. What was possibly more amazing is that SO many kids were there and sat through it all in great spirits!
(the cement at the borehole / well.. a beautiful butterfly!)
Some people that stood out to me.. There’s this one 14 year old girl that was with me a majority of the time the one day in Namasujju and I saw her two of the other days as well if I recall correctly. She stole my heart and I’m not sure I remember her name as it sounded Ugandan, but I have so many pictures of her. Looking into her eyes, I realized I basically made a decision of commitment to these people from then on. When you hold the babies, hold the hands of kids and adults there, smile with them, laugh with them, hug them, how can you forget? How can you just come back to America and not do anything more?
The mosquito nets. It’s amazing that a simple net can cut the risk of death from malaria pretty much in half. I still can’t fathom. What really resonated with me is that so many diseases are preventable and the risks can be lowered… All it takes is one person to care, one person to follow through, and malaria can start to go away. I’ve come to realize it is one of the most unnecessary diseases in existence. Malaria isn’t going to win as long as people become aware and follow through in caring for affected areas.
Begging children - I had seen children begging before, but the one night the girl looked into my eyes and I just lost it. She was obviously malnourished, hungry, in trouble, desperate. She looked to be the lowest of the low of any human state, yet to not be able to help her was heartbreaking. Truly the "least of these". The traffickers… I just have nothing to say about them as the whole situation just makes me shudder. There’s nothing I can say to describe what an atrocious crime it is. They’re just kids. It saddens me that the kids are treated like pests, for what someone else is doing to them. God knows every hair on their head, knows their every thought, so it’s just extremely distressing, but comforting to know they are so loved.
Baby home and Bethany Village- Going to these places made me realize what being an instrument of peace is about. Those places foster healing, growth, and hope. The babies that were once left on the street or on hospital steps are at the baby home because someone cared. They’re not forgotten and there is hope for them in future families. At Bethany village, so many have experienced heartbreak and I witnessed an enormous sense of healing there. Many of the kids are deeply hurt, but they are at a place where they are safe, protected, and cared about. There is hope for them! What I saw at these places exemplify what I pray to see one day in the Namasujju area/Bulyaake Parish; A place where they can belong and be loved.
Also, in Bethany village, I loved the house I spent a lot of my time at..named Nkuumwa, I believe. It was a humbling experience to just help the family out with chores and get to know them. It was beautiful to worship with them and pray with them during devotion and I can’t fully describe what a spiritual moment that was.
To sum everything up for this part… everywhere I looked, I saw joy, hope, and healing.... People that are not forgotten about, nor forsaken. I saw God’s amazing grace everywhere and in many of the people there, I saw ceaseless praise for God. I cannot fully grasp everything that I saw even, because it was so overwhelming, beautiful, heartbreaking, and so many other feelings all at the same time. I needed to see it all.
Gosh, rereading what I wrote.. I want to go back....yesterday!
It’s been extremely difficult to process all that I saw and how I feel about everything… There have been times now since being at home where people ask me about the trip and I respond so matter of fact-ly… and then I reflect on it later at night and cry. It’s really hard to “feel” and share at the same time for me. Here is just actually a small chunk of how I feel or else you would get a full book.
Namasujju stole my heart. I first came on this trip almost with an “attitude” that Namasujju was just going to be a bump in the road and not the place that would be the highlight of my trip. I didn’t really think that to myself literally, but I think in other words I felt like there were other parts of the trip that caught my eye more, like the baby home or Bethany village. I am extremely passionate about orphans and so those places came to mind more as being more “orphany”. But no, I was dead wrong. Those places had kids that were healing, thriving, living under a roof… those kids have a future, they’re on their way to something better. They have a chance in life.
But in Namasujju, there were so many kids that you can tell do not belong anywhere. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking about how these kids don’t go home to anything and there’s simply no place for them to go. Many of the kids don’t have anyone to turn to for hope, comfort, love, as family. I cannot begin to imagine how they feel and what their eyes have seen and for that, I wept.
I understood what God wanted me to see… the pain He must feel, the heartache, all the Love He’s shown them, all the prayers He’s answered, all the hope these people in Uganda have, and all the beauty in worshiping him with simple faith. This is just in one small part of a small country in a big world. It showed me just how BIG God is, that He is listening to every single prayer out there, that He is there with every single person in the world. If just a little inkling of what God must feel made me weep, all of what God must feel is simply out of our emotional depth. All that Jesus felt when he took on all our sins. Unimaginable by a human being. But I’m humbled that I was trusted to see and experience just a very small part of that.
I wept because I know even though I can’t imagine at all what their lives (not just the orphans, but all of the people there) are like even in the slightest, God does - and in the fullest!. He knows their pain, their cries, their hopes, and listens to them. God sees beyond just what we see and understand, and for that I wept… not in sadness, but in gladness that only God can truly understand and be there for them. I am thankful there IS a God, because there would be no hope for these people without Him. It was ultimate proof to me that Jesus is the only one who can heal a broken heart. He has the power to rise anything up from the ashes and for that I just stand in awe of it all. So, it wasn’t that I needed proof, but before I hadn’t found it miraculous or as amazing as it TRULY is. Somehow bells just went off in my head that I had previously underestimated God’s power and God’s love, almost unknowingly. I knew it before, but somehow I didn’t truly know. It was very eye opening.
Since we can't all know or understand the deep hurts and the hearts of all these people, we’re truly instruments of His immeasurable peace and love. Only through God can we reach people, help people, love people.
I fell in love with everywhere we went in Uganda. Everywhere I looked, I saw hope. I didn’t see a place that was hopeless at all, but full of hope. I saw my family there, our neighbors. I saw people I knew that once our eyes met, I couldn’t forget about them or. I saw love in such beautiful people. And peace. So many people stood out to me there. The peace and kindness in their eyes and their smiles are etched into my heart. They are truly beautiful inside and out. And certainly not forsaken.
Furthermore, in Namasujju I realized the value of education. We get to go to school so easily, but for them it can be beyond reach. Then, if they can afford their education, it’s not what we would consider suitable. I hated school, but for them many don’t even get the opportunity to go.. and they want to! One thing that stirred my heart was the fact that one boy held up a popsicle stick and we asked what it was; he replied, “my ruler.” We then learned he sleeps in the school at night as he has nowhere to go.
During the well dedication, I remember for a while I kept repeating to myself, “This is a celebration for water….Water. Clean water. They’re singing… for water. They’re dancing for water. They’re praising God for water. They’ve been waiting for water, praying for water. All these people are here because of water.” It was certainly a moment for me where I can’t begin to describe how I felt. All I can manage to say is never in my life have I imagined that there could be a 4-hour long ceremony for water. Amazing. What was possibly more amazing is that SO many kids were there and sat through it all in great spirits!
(the cement at the borehole / well.. a beautiful butterfly!)
Some people that stood out to me.. There’s this one 14 year old girl that was with me a majority of the time the one day in Namasujju and I saw her two of the other days as well if I recall correctly. She stole my heart and I’m not sure I remember her name as it sounded Ugandan, but I have so many pictures of her. Looking into her eyes, I realized I basically made a decision of commitment to these people from then on. When you hold the babies, hold the hands of kids and adults there, smile with them, laugh with them, hug them, how can you forget? How can you just come back to America and not do anything more?
The mosquito nets. It’s amazing that a simple net can cut the risk of death from malaria pretty much in half. I still can’t fathom. What really resonated with me is that so many diseases are preventable and the risks can be lowered… All it takes is one person to care, one person to follow through, and malaria can start to go away. I’ve come to realize it is one of the most unnecessary diseases in existence. Malaria isn’t going to win as long as people become aware and follow through in caring for affected areas.
Begging children - I had seen children begging before, but the one night the girl looked into my eyes and I just lost it. She was obviously malnourished, hungry, in trouble, desperate. She looked to be the lowest of the low of any human state, yet to not be able to help her was heartbreaking. Truly the "least of these". The traffickers… I just have nothing to say about them as the whole situation just makes me shudder. There’s nothing I can say to describe what an atrocious crime it is. They’re just kids. It saddens me that the kids are treated like pests, for what someone else is doing to them. God knows every hair on their head, knows their every thought, so it’s just extremely distressing, but comforting to know they are so loved.
Baby home and Bethany Village- Going to these places made me realize what being an instrument of peace is about. Those places foster healing, growth, and hope. The babies that were once left on the street or on hospital steps are at the baby home because someone cared. They’re not forgotten and there is hope for them in future families. At Bethany village, so many have experienced heartbreak and I witnessed an enormous sense of healing there. Many of the kids are deeply hurt, but they are at a place where they are safe, protected, and cared about. There is hope for them! What I saw at these places exemplify what I pray to see one day in the Namasujju area/Bulyaake Parish; A place where they can belong and be loved.
Also, in Bethany village, I loved the house I spent a lot of my time at..named Nkuumwa, I believe. It was a humbling experience to just help the family out with chores and get to know them. It was beautiful to worship with them and pray with them during devotion and I can’t fully describe what a spiritual moment that was.
To sum everything up for this part… everywhere I looked, I saw joy, hope, and healing.... People that are not forgotten about, nor forsaken. I saw God’s amazing grace everywhere and in many of the people there, I saw ceaseless praise for God. I cannot fully grasp everything that I saw even, because it was so overwhelming, beautiful, heartbreaking, and so many other feelings all at the same time. I needed to see it all.
Gosh, rereading what I wrote.. I want to go back....yesterday!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Home
I've been home since the 10th, but haven't gotten a chance to really sit down and relax yet. I will blog again soon with way more detail than I was able to give while I was there..... The trip was simply amazing and a growing experience!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Bethany Village
Short post.. but we just returned and it was really awesome to meet the kids in the village... so sweet. we did have a bat problem... but more on that another time ;-)
Loving Uganda.. wish I could stay here! Everyone has been so awesome and joyful. It has been such a growing experience for me.
more later... bye!
Loving Uganda.. wish I could stay here! Everyone has been so awesome and joyful. It has been such a growing experience for me.
more later... bye!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
ahhh
Finally got my luggage... we picked it up at the kenyan airways office.. and then hitched a ride on a motorcycle.... kinda scary in kampala traffic.. no speed limits, no stop signs, no rules. anything goes.
today we helped clear out some land for a church.. it was so fun... more details when I get back!
and yesterday we spent time passing out nets.. it was so humbling to visit with the families.. they would take out seats for us and have us sit down even if it was just for a moment. such a sweet and caring culture overall..
we've also met a ton of orphans and it's so heartbreaking.. I love them all.
all for now... going to sleep!
today we helped clear out some land for a church.. it was so fun... more details when I get back!
and yesterday we spent time passing out nets.. it was so humbling to visit with the families.. they would take out seats for us and have us sit down even if it was just for a moment. such a sweet and caring culture overall..
we've also met a ton of orphans and it's so heartbreaking.. I love them all.
all for now... going to sleep!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
We're here!
All's well! THe country is beautiful... I love the people. Everyone is waves... kids chase our van/bus. They are all just so sweet. Today a lady walked alongside me holding my hand as we walked through the jungle/bush. Holding hands is common there to show affection and friendship. So cool!
Also we walked into a wedding service today and it was huge.. lots of people! That was amazing also.
My luggage was left in Nairobi... but it's waiting at the airport now and I'll get it in the morning (eek).
Tomorrow we're heading back out there for a well dedication and then to a baby home. very cool
More later...
PS- Ugandan food is delicious! and the mountain dew here is 10 times better.
Also we walked into a wedding service today and it was huge.. lots of people! That was amazing also.
My luggage was left in Nairobi... but it's waiting at the airport now and I'll get it in the morning (eek).
Tomorrow we're heading back out there for a well dedication and then to a baby home. very cool
More later...
PS- Ugandan food is delicious! and the mountain dew here is 10 times better.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Greetings!
I leave tomorrow morning... we're in for a whirlwind of a few days.. We'll be arriving in Uganda friday! Once there, we'll be right to work and interacting with the people there. I'm so excited.. so excited. ah!
I'll try to update!
I'll try to update!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Just around the corner!
We are leaving so soon. It's so hard to believe that we're actually going ... next week!! I'll try to be blogging as much as possible, but I most likely will be doing the most writing when I get back. Be sure to check here for updates and during the trip, be sure to check out www.etaala.org/blog for updates from the team, as well as http://howwillyouchange.com/ for blog updates!
Thank you so much for your support!!
I will try to write once more before I leave.. but until then, keep our team in prayer!
Thank you so much for your support!!
I will try to write once more before I leave.. but until then, keep our team in prayer!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Ahhhh
I have been really MIA from this blog, but I will be posting a new entry shortly! 45 more days until Uganda! I cannot wait.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Love
Love is all we need. Let today be a reminder to love all people with an open heart all the time...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thirst
I thought I would keep it simple for a first real entry.. wanted to share my heart!
While I was thinking about my upcoming trip, a lot has gone through my mind. I’ve grown up living a very privileged life. I have a mom and a dad. I live in a nice house. I’ve been in school for around 18 years. A majority of my friends and family are all alive and well. I get to go shopping for things, go on vacation sometimes, and many other things. I seek a humble heart, and open heart to all that waits in Uganda for I know my heart will be really challenged much more than it ever has before. Nothing can truly prepare me for what’s to come. I want to be challenged. I need it! I have everything I could possibly ask for and what any human needs, such as love/belonging, security, and food/water. I really am quite blessed in those ways!
And then as I think about love, security, food/water… I can’t fathom a life without. I AM spoiled by the ways of life here.
In Uganda, not all these aspects of basic human needs are met on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately for some, even all of the aspects are not met. Water around the country is filled with amoebas and dirt, which is a leading cause of serious health problems in Uganda. Food is scarce. Security is not promised. And in addition, the orphans in Uganda and around the world are alone with no one to call mom or dad. No one to teach them, raise them, and most importantly love them as their own child. This is truly why they are included in the “least of these”. This is why we’re going. Our needs have been met practically since birth and we have an over abundance of it. This is in the more basic needs sense. In addition, God’s love is also abundant and yet so many don’t know it. Perhaps one way to put it is this – we have an overfilling cup of water… it’s either going to go to waste, or we can choose to use it to water the thirsty ground.
People around the world are SO thirsty. I’ve seen it in the hearts of New York City. I’ve seen it in the hearts in Raleigh, Ohio, etc. Everywhere that I’ve gone, I have seen it. Everywhere I haven’t gone, it’s always there. Truly, it’s something so many souls long for. God’s love can soften the hardest hearts, fill an empty soul, and quench their thirst.
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
~Revelation 7:16-17
This is what all of the beautiful and broken souls need to know is there for them here on earth and waiting for them… A loving and merciful God.
While I was thinking about my upcoming trip, a lot has gone through my mind. I’ve grown up living a very privileged life. I have a mom and a dad. I live in a nice house. I’ve been in school for around 18 years. A majority of my friends and family are all alive and well. I get to go shopping for things, go on vacation sometimes, and many other things. I seek a humble heart, and open heart to all that waits in Uganda for I know my heart will be really challenged much more than it ever has before. Nothing can truly prepare me for what’s to come. I want to be challenged. I need it! I have everything I could possibly ask for and what any human needs, such as love/belonging, security, and food/water. I really am quite blessed in those ways!
And then as I think about love, security, food/water… I can’t fathom a life without. I AM spoiled by the ways of life here.
In Uganda, not all these aspects of basic human needs are met on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately for some, even all of the aspects are not met. Water around the country is filled with amoebas and dirt, which is a leading cause of serious health problems in Uganda. Food is scarce. Security is not promised. And in addition, the orphans in Uganda and around the world are alone with no one to call mom or dad. No one to teach them, raise them, and most importantly love them as their own child. This is truly why they are included in the “least of these”. This is why we’re going. Our needs have been met practically since birth and we have an over abundance of it. This is in the more basic needs sense. In addition, God’s love is also abundant and yet so many don’t know it. Perhaps one way to put it is this – we have an overfilling cup of water… it’s either going to go to waste, or we can choose to use it to water the thirsty ground.
People around the world are SO thirsty. I’ve seen it in the hearts of New York City. I’ve seen it in the hearts in Raleigh, Ohio, etc. Everywhere that I’ve gone, I have seen it. Everywhere I haven’t gone, it’s always there. Truly, it’s something so many souls long for. God’s love can soften the hardest hearts, fill an empty soul, and quench their thirst.
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
~Revelation 7:16-17
This is what all of the beautiful and broken souls need to know is there for them here on earth and waiting for them… A loving and merciful God.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Welcome!
Hi all. I have decided that I would start a blog and since I'm going to Uganda in May, I thought that now was a good time to start one! I'm really excited to share this with you all and I hope you guys will be checking this blog out if you are interested.
I will be putting up more posts soon!
I will be putting up more posts soon!
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