Ariving in Uganda

We've been here for just 2 weeks and already my heart is so so full. I’m going to try to put everything I've been feeling into words, I know its going to be difficult for me because I‘m not at all good at putting my feeling and thoughts into words…..or even speaking for that matter, but just stick with me as best you can.


I’ve been so so excited about coming to Africa and now that I am finally here its hard to even believe it’s real!

So first I’ll try to explain what I feel God has been doing in my heart so far--awareness and closeness in my relationship with God are too areas in my life that I know I have not been in touch with, but here…..I’ve found it. I have a new awareness of God in other peoples’ lives and an awareness of how much I have left God out of my life. My personal devotions in the morning are so sweet, and sometimes I’m so aware of God’s presence with me in that sweet time that I’m completely unaware of  the things going on around me…..at home I was always distracted by everything that I wouldn’t really get into my devotions, I wouldn’t really seek for what God wanted to teach me or speak to me through His word, and most of the time when I did actually sit down to have that alone time with God it was because I felt guilty for not devoting time to Him every day, so I wasn’t growing in Christ…I wasn’t getting anything out of my devotions.  I think that what changed me in this area was my openness with the girls here, I feel that when I admitted to the girls how unsteady my relationship with God is, I was admitting that to myself, to God, and that alone brought me closer to Him!  But I know that this is just the beginning, its just one ripple in a huge title-wave.

One of the highlights of this trip so far has been hanging out with, and getting to know, the guys in the Dove Voice Band. They are all so so talented and definitely very serious about there relationship with God; I cant help but be encouraged when I with them, and I’m glad to call them my brothers.

We went to there concert on the 7th at a restaurant in Jinja called The Keep. It was amazing! I had a great time!! Near the end of the concert the Dove boys always encourage everybody to dance, so little by little people got up to dance and pretty soon they had a conga line going! Paul and Pam got up and dance for everybody, so did Blair  and Robyn and eventually the guys called Sarah, Hannah and I up to dance in front of everyone…..haha yeah, they thought it was fun! :P Everybody was having so much fun dancing that the Dove boys had to ask them to sit down so that the concert could proceed!!  The time that we have spent with the Dove boys has been so so good, and I’m really excited to get to know them all better! 

 

I have absolutely loved getting to know Hannah, Sarah, Blair and Robyn! our time together has been so sweet! I believe that I have made friends for life with these amazing girls. God has blessed our friendship with unity and oneness. I’m completely overwhelmed by all of the good things flowing from the progressing relationship between the five of us. I’m learning so much from these girls including how to be open and not ashamed of what I‘m feeling. I’m even learning how to put thoughts into words. Just in 2 weeks our bond has rocketed through the roof! I love them so so much; I can’t explain it! J Its not a coincidence that I was unable to come to Africa till now….. at the time it was frustrating to wait for God’s timing, but now I understand why I had to wait and I’m so grateful because I get to experience life with these girls.  This week Jeff (papa hunters African son) found a house/apartment for him, his wife and two son’s here I Jinja not fare from here (the Hunters compound) so we’ve been helping Jeff clean it, paint it, fix the windows, pluming……etc; it was in really bad shape when he paid for it but know you can hardly tell that it’s the same place, Praise the Lord!  Last Thursday we went to Mama Sera’s house to have devotions with her boys, it was so good (I still cant remember all there name’s) she’s taken 23 boys into her home and became there mama! They are all very sweet, let me tell you….its hard to divide your attention between 23 boy that are all longing for your attention! Jeff lead us in worship, then prayer and afterwards Solomon (a pastor from Barara that was staying with us) gave a short message…..all I can say is that it was so so good, and I cant wait to spend more time in worship with them!

Tomorrow, July 19th the team from Pocatello gets here….I have a feeling that the next 2 weeks will be very busy! I’m so excited to get out and see more of Africa, but until then I have nothing more to say! J Besides what I’ve already told you we went shopping, swimming, visited 2 different church’s and spent the night at mama Sera’s house with the boys.

Yes, Africa is very different from the U.S. but I think that now that I’m here the U.S is more of a culture shock to me then Africa.

As you all know I LOVE IT HERE and I’m already praying about coming back next year!   Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying!! I love you so much - Na kupenda sana!

P.S. I’m learning a little Swahili from the Dove boys so I’ll share what I’ve learned.

Jambo = hi

Sasa = what’s up

Habari gani = how are you

Mzuri = I’m fine/good

Na kupenda sana = I love you so much

Na mimi na kupenda sana = me too I love you so much

Mungu akubariki sana = God bless you

Asante = Thank you