Please be in prayer for those of us here in Northern Uganda. There has been an outbreak of an unknown disease that is mimicking Ebola in symptoms here in Northern Uganda. The US Embassy here is warning people to limit their travel to this area. The good news is that because of past epidemics they have had, they are really on top of this and they have already taken steps to study it and quarantine those who have come down with it.
I have been thinking and praying about this and have come to the realization that there are two attitudes I can take about this news. One of course is fear of something that I have no control over. The other is to rest in the One Who is over everything (including disease). Before my decision to come to Uganda, I spent several years praying on it, over it and about the things that I would be doing when I did come. Knowing it was in Africa, I realized that there was a chance I would be exposed to disease that we can’t really comprehend still exist in America. Even knowing this, after going before the Lord, I realized that the call I was feeling was not diminishing and instead seemed to be growing stronger. So I packed my bags up and off to Uganda I gallivanted knowing that He would care for me. This is my peace :)
Isaiah 26:2
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
After this brave speech, just know that we are not being foolish about this :) We are staying inside the compound as much as possible for now until they are able to discover where is causing the sickness and how it is spread. Prayerfully there will be a resolution soon and they will be able to stop it before it gets too serious!
I appreciate the prayers for those of us serving here.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
I will meditate on all Thy works and talk of Thy doing. Psalm 77:12
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Be It Ever So Humble There Is No Place Like Home
Also, please don't miss-understand me! When I say that my home is humble, in no way do I mean that as a bad thing! I honestly don't think I could be happier! I LOVE IT!!! God is so good to me :)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Good Morning Kitgum
Just so you know, it sounds like there is a herd of howling roosters outside my door...
No, I am not dreaming or hallucinating, just sitting awake on my bed at 5 AM listening to the roosters (and there are many) of Kitgum announcing to town it is time to get up. You see... I broke a very basic cardinal rule of life. I told Summer yesterday that I didn’t think Jet Lag was going to get me this trip. Of course, having said it out loud, this morning at 330 AM Mr. Lag came to visit, wanting to prove me wrong. So here I sit and have sat for an hour and a half, pounding my head into the wall for being so foolish.
The good news here :) I am pretty sure that I am much smarter between the hours of 330 AM and 530 AM! I have already started lists of things I want to do today and craft ideas for the kids (not my forte as many of you know). We will see how those work out.
Another blessing I discovered, for all of you who asked me before I left. The official language here in Uganda is English! That makes it much easier because almost everyone you meet speaks English, although I will admit sometimes their accent is so thick I have to ask them to repeat what they were saying. So far everyone has been very patient with me though, so I am thankful for that. Hopefully I will get used to the accent soon, that will make things a lot easier.
The food is very good, but also very simple. It is amazing how much we eat in America and take for granted. Beans and rice are a staple, but they taste so good that I am pretty sure I won’t mind eating them often. I am going to ask the girls to teach me the secret of white rice. I still can’t make it after living in Mexico for so many years!
The simplicity of the food humbles me however, in a good way, and reminds me of how ungrateful I am when I am in America. So many times at home I would complain about there not being anything to eat, when the fridge was full of food. Do you remember when you were young and your mother would tell you that you needed to finish your food because there were children in Africa that would love to have it? Well that is Oh so true. It is much easier to be grateful for the simple food I have, knowing there are many people outside the gates that would LOVE to have my porridge. So just so everyone knows... Enjoy the McDonald’s cheeseburger will ya :) and eat an extra one for me!
No, I am not dreaming or hallucinating, just sitting awake on my bed at 5 AM listening to the roosters (and there are many) of Kitgum announcing to town it is time to get up. You see... I broke a very basic cardinal rule of life. I told Summer yesterday that I didn’t think Jet Lag was going to get me this trip. Of course, having said it out loud, this morning at 330 AM Mr. Lag came to visit, wanting to prove me wrong. So here I sit and have sat for an hour and a half, pounding my head into the wall for being so foolish.
The good news here :) I am pretty sure that I am much smarter between the hours of 330 AM and 530 AM! I have already started lists of things I want to do today and craft ideas for the kids (not my forte as many of you know). We will see how those work out.
Another blessing I discovered, for all of you who asked me before I left. The official language here in Uganda is English! That makes it much easier because almost everyone you meet speaks English, although I will admit sometimes their accent is so thick I have to ask them to repeat what they were saying. So far everyone has been very patient with me though, so I am thankful for that. Hopefully I will get used to the accent soon, that will make things a lot easier.
The food is very good, but also very simple. It is amazing how much we eat in America and take for granted. Beans and rice are a staple, but they taste so good that I am pretty sure I won’t mind eating them often. I am going to ask the girls to teach me the secret of white rice. I still can’t make it after living in Mexico for so many years!
The simplicity of the food humbles me however, in a good way, and reminds me of how ungrateful I am when I am in America. So many times at home I would complain about there not being anything to eat, when the fridge was full of food. Do you remember when you were young and your mother would tell you that you needed to finish your food because there were children in Africa that would love to have it? Well that is Oh so true. It is much easier to be grateful for the simple food I have, knowing there are many people outside the gates that would LOVE to have my porridge. So just so everyone knows... Enjoy the McDonald’s cheeseburger will ya :) and eat an extra one for me!
The Beginning
As one new to the Blogging world, I will limp my way along and try not to be too boring! I can't promise I will update every day, but I will try to keep you all in "the know" about what is going on here in Uganda :) If I could bring every single one of you here with me to experience, know that I would. Since that isn't possible however, this will have to do :)
The trip to Uganda was long, however God is good and I made it all in one piece, not too worse for the ware without anything outrageous happening. God is so good to me, even when I am worrying. I kept thinking of all the things that could go wrong. Every time I started to worry, I would just repeat verses that would pop into my head and the Lord would calm me down :) He was so good to me too because I didn't have anyone sitting next to me the first flight (so I had extra room) and then the next two flights the people were so sweet and easy to talk to!
Once I got to Uganda, all my baggage was there (huge blessing!) and my ride was there to get me! Yeah :) We went to a hotel and I got my own sweet room! I wish I had thought to take pictures, the hotel was beautiful. I slept like a baby, and then the next morning we were off. The road was beautiful and I even got to see the Nile river. We made a few stops along the way and I met many people! I will try and post pictures soon! Toward the end of the way, the road got really bad though. I asked Zane (who was driving) if we had gotten to the moon somehow! There were even a few times where the road had washed way and we had to drive in the swamp to get past. Praise the Lord for 4 Wheel Drive and a Land Cruiser!
More to come :)
Blessings on you all and I miss you like crazy!
The trip to Uganda was long, however God is good and I made it all in one piece, not too worse for the ware without anything outrageous happening. God is so good to me, even when I am worrying. I kept thinking of all the things that could go wrong. Every time I started to worry, I would just repeat verses that would pop into my head and the Lord would calm me down :) He was so good to me too because I didn't have anyone sitting next to me the first flight (so I had extra room) and then the next two flights the people were so sweet and easy to talk to!
Once I got to Uganda, all my baggage was there (huge blessing!) and my ride was there to get me! Yeah :) We went to a hotel and I got my own sweet room! I wish I had thought to take pictures, the hotel was beautiful. I slept like a baby, and then the next morning we were off. The road was beautiful and I even got to see the Nile river. We made a few stops along the way and I met many people! I will try and post pictures soon! Toward the end of the way, the road got really bad though. I asked Zane (who was driving) if we had gotten to the moon somehow! There were even a few times where the road had washed way and we had to drive in the swamp to get past. Praise the Lord for 4 Wheel Drive and a Land Cruiser!
More to come :)
Blessings on you all and I miss you like crazy!
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