As I reflect back on this past year there is so much that I could sit and dwell over, but there is so much goodness from God that I can't sit and dwell. I must and will be thankful!
I am thankful for salvation
Without salvation I don't know where I would be today. Before Christ my life was headed down a path of destruction and He was my only Hope to bring me out of that destruction. Salvation is the best gift I have ever received and something I am eternally grateful for. (Ephesians 2:1-7)
I am thankful for God's will
No matter how many times I don't understand what God is doing, I can always look back and thank Him for the wonderful ways He has orchestrated things. I am thankful that He is in charge of my life and I am not, He will see me through until the last day and may that always be inside of His will. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I am thankful for my dad's death
This year as many already know my dad died. Well, I could be sad about this, but I'm not. It was the cancer that took over his body, but in the end Christ triumphed over my dad's death and brought him into glory. Before cancer my dad had no knowledge of Christ or the gospel, but on his death bed he proclaimed Christ as his Savior, for this I am deeply and eternally grateful. I know now that my dad is at peace and one day I will get to meet him again in heaven!
I am thankful for my mother
Over the past year my mom has shown great strength in the way she has remained strong throughout my dad's cancer and death. My mom has managed to support me to go back to school and also my brother. She has given me laughter and joy on days when I didn't think they would be possible. She has brightened my days with ability to bless me in many ways. She has been a strong hold for our family and has been able to keep us going, she has never given up!
I am thankful for my friends who have become my family
I am thankful to every single one of you who continued to pull me in the direction of Christ over the past year, even when I was going through a hard time and likely hard to deal with. I am so thankful for every one who stuck by my side through it all and don't know what I would do without all of you!
I am thankful for singleness
This year I am thankful for the gift of singleness. It has been a blessing to spend time with my family and go through everything while living with them over the past couple of years. Without singleness I wouldn't' have been as free to move in with my mom and spend time with her and my dad before he died. God always knows what He is doing!
I am thankful for marriage
Weird you might think, since I'm not married or anywhere near marriage, but alas I am thankful for the covenant of marriage. I have seen a number of friends be given into marriage this year and have been so blessed to watch my friends marry their best friends. As my friends get married I am continually grateful for their spouses and the ways that they lead each other toward Christ.
I am thankful for the chance to be a part of a church plant
This year I have had the opportunity to get to know some wonderful people through the work of Harvest OPC's church plant New City Fellowship OPC. I look forward to diving deeper in community with the many brothers and sisters I have come to know and love. May God be glorified through the work being done on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids.
I am thankful to be graduating
This December I will have completed the first leg of my journey in education and I can't wait to see how God uses it! Being a preschool teacher is one of the biggest blessings and I can't wait to see where God places me next in this journey.
I could continue, I am so thankful this year and could continually point back to the ways God has blessed me over the past year, but these are just a few of the most important blessings that have occurred over the past year. May God create many more things to be thankful for over the next year.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
I Can't Believe It's Been 6 Months...
Today marks 6 months since my dad died, it only seemed fitting to write a post in reflection upon God's wonderful goodness to me and my family over the past year and a half.
The blessings began when I moved home. When I left Grand Rapids, I was a new believer, someone who was only beginning to grasp what it meant to follow Christ. I came back with a stronger relationship to Christ which in turn helped me to be able to witness, though imperfectly, to my parents. Through moving home so many blessings that I couldn't see that first summer were to follow.
It all started in March of 2011, I was working at a nursing home as a CNA pushing my residents down to a St. Patrick's Day celebration when I got a text from my mom saying, "We were just in the ER, your dad has lesions on his pelvis and he has an appointment with a specialist on Monday morning." Instantly I went into panic mode. What did this mean for my dad? For my family? For me? For my family that I had grown to know and love so much in Lansing? Did this mean I would have to leave the place I now called home for the past 2.5 years? It did mean big changes, it meant moving home with out a job initially, trusting God to provide, and praying I could minister to my family through this hard time. Did I mention it meant many patient and loving people who supported me even when they probably wanted to give up or get some sleep?
Soon after moving home, within days, I found a job at a local pizza place...though a job I was thankful for, it was far away and didn't exactly pay the small amount of bills I had piled up at University. This meant finding better employment, which I did, I found a job by God's wonderful provision at a childcare center and this in turn grew my love for children. I soon found myself loving working with children and I wanted to now pursue a degree in Child Development.
Last January I began studying child development at GRCC and I wasn't sure what this would look like in the future. Here I am 8 months later almost finished with the program and working for the second best preschool program that Grand Rapids has to offer, what a blessing. In 8 weeks I will be able to say that I have finally finished at least one degree! :)
Through all of this I was living with my parents at 24, not something I had ever envisioned. I was often discontent, troubled, conflicted, and ungrateful, yet a steward God chose to use in the lives of my parents. Many days I had a bitter spirit one that would argue or become easily frustrated. Despite all of this, through out my dad's battle with cancer he grew to have a softer heart and our relationship changed. He started volunteering, before he never would have dreamed of working for no money! He started spending his time biking, volunteering, meeting up with old friends and spending time at home with us. Life was busy and often he would be home alone during the day, but he always had the house to fall back on and still continued to go through with the remodel of our home. He had plans ready to finish, called in people to finish the job sooner, refinanced the house for my mom's sake, made sure she was going to be stable if anything happened to him and kept living his life.
Fast forward to last January, my dad was finally in a form of "remission," the cancer had stopped growing and things were really looking up, yet realistically we knew that it wouldn't always stay this way. By February his cancer had become metastatic (fast growing) and it attacked his entire body rapidly. We spent many days in the ER and at the hospital.
The last time we were in the ER was perhaps one of the scariest moments of my life, it was midnight and I heard a loud thump come from their room. I shot out of bed (it was a Friday night) and immediately went into his room to see what had happened. I turned on the light and my mom was holding his body onto the bed while his eyes continued to roll into the back of his head, I went downstairs and called 911. On the phone I gave them the overview of his condition and within minutes they were at our house. We called my brother to have him meet us at the hospital. They wouldn't allow us to see him for about 30 minutes, this seemed like hours. As we sat and waited each nurse or doctor that came out we expected to talk to. Eventually they let us back to see him and he was acting fine again, happy, yet you could tell the strength was leaving his body.
Soon after this he was admitted to Faith Hospice. We enjoyed one last night of laughs with him on Monday evening, which was also the day he told my Uncle Ross that he had Jesus in his heart. Perhaps the one thing that makes me cry most now is the fact that God had claimed my dad's spirit in his last moments of life. I never believed it was possible, I thought I had done it all wrong, I thought my witness had failed, I never saw the day my dad would love Jesus. As God's servant in my sin I doubted God's ability to break into my dad's heart and redeem him and relied heavily on my works or what I had done. Reality is God saves souls, He only divinely chooses to use us by His infinite grace. By Wednesday the last words that he spoke were to me, I told him I loved him and he said, "I love you too."
By Sunday two of my friends who have become family over the past 10 years, my brother, my mom and my aunt (my dad's sister) were all in the room while the Tigers were playing and he breathed his last. God had finally called him to his eternal home, it was as if the fight had left and peace came over his body. I still remember the nurse who came in and watching the hands on her watch tick for a full minute before she pronounced him dead.
I'm not going to pretend the last 6 months since his passing have been all roses and butterflies. What I can say is that we serve a faithful and mighty God who cares for our inmost being and will surround us in his peace even when it seems like the world is crashing down around us. When my dad died, my relationship that I felt was weakening with Christ was only strengthened. God has shown me that as His servant it is my duty to share the gospel, to trust in His saving work in the lives around me and to be a faithful servant to Him even when I don't feel like it. God has shown me more of what it looks like to be His daughter, dearly loved and cherished, the one He constantly pursues even in my moments of doubt. I have also come to see the sovereignty of God and His willingness to never give up on pursuing me. God is good and His purposes are meant for the betterment of His people.
I can firmly rest assured that as Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." God's purposes aren't always clear in the beginning, but as He continues to reveal Himself to you, you will become more sanctified and more blessed by His faithful goodness and love.
As children of God we can firmly say that He will never bring pointless trials or meaningless sufferings even when we can't see the good within the bad that happens all around us. I don't claim to have it all right, God has just been teaching and showing me the way through His grace.
We serve a mighty God!
Thank you to all of the friends and family who have never given up on me through out all of this, but have continually pointed me to Christ and strengthened my walk with God.
The blessings began when I moved home. When I left Grand Rapids, I was a new believer, someone who was only beginning to grasp what it meant to follow Christ. I came back with a stronger relationship to Christ which in turn helped me to be able to witness, though imperfectly, to my parents. Through moving home so many blessings that I couldn't see that first summer were to follow.
It all started in March of 2011, I was working at a nursing home as a CNA pushing my residents down to a St. Patrick's Day celebration when I got a text from my mom saying, "We were just in the ER, your dad has lesions on his pelvis and he has an appointment with a specialist on Monday morning." Instantly I went into panic mode. What did this mean for my dad? For my family? For me? For my family that I had grown to know and love so much in Lansing? Did this mean I would have to leave the place I now called home for the past 2.5 years? It did mean big changes, it meant moving home with out a job initially, trusting God to provide, and praying I could minister to my family through this hard time. Did I mention it meant many patient and loving people who supported me even when they probably wanted to give up or get some sleep?
Soon after moving home, within days, I found a job at a local pizza place...though a job I was thankful for, it was far away and didn't exactly pay the small amount of bills I had piled up at University. This meant finding better employment, which I did, I found a job by God's wonderful provision at a childcare center and this in turn grew my love for children. I soon found myself loving working with children and I wanted to now pursue a degree in Child Development.
Last January I began studying child development at GRCC and I wasn't sure what this would look like in the future. Here I am 8 months later almost finished with the program and working for the second best preschool program that Grand Rapids has to offer, what a blessing. In 8 weeks I will be able to say that I have finally finished at least one degree! :)
Through all of this I was living with my parents at 24, not something I had ever envisioned. I was often discontent, troubled, conflicted, and ungrateful, yet a steward God chose to use in the lives of my parents. Many days I had a bitter spirit one that would argue or become easily frustrated. Despite all of this, through out my dad's battle with cancer he grew to have a softer heart and our relationship changed. He started volunteering, before he never would have dreamed of working for no money! He started spending his time biking, volunteering, meeting up with old friends and spending time at home with us. Life was busy and often he would be home alone during the day, but he always had the house to fall back on and still continued to go through with the remodel of our home. He had plans ready to finish, called in people to finish the job sooner, refinanced the house for my mom's sake, made sure she was going to be stable if anything happened to him and kept living his life.
Fast forward to last January, my dad was finally in a form of "remission," the cancer had stopped growing and things were really looking up, yet realistically we knew that it wouldn't always stay this way. By February his cancer had become metastatic (fast growing) and it attacked his entire body rapidly. We spent many days in the ER and at the hospital.
The last time we were in the ER was perhaps one of the scariest moments of my life, it was midnight and I heard a loud thump come from their room. I shot out of bed (it was a Friday night) and immediately went into his room to see what had happened. I turned on the light and my mom was holding his body onto the bed while his eyes continued to roll into the back of his head, I went downstairs and called 911. On the phone I gave them the overview of his condition and within minutes they were at our house. We called my brother to have him meet us at the hospital. They wouldn't allow us to see him for about 30 minutes, this seemed like hours. As we sat and waited each nurse or doctor that came out we expected to talk to. Eventually they let us back to see him and he was acting fine again, happy, yet you could tell the strength was leaving his body.
Soon after this he was admitted to Faith Hospice. We enjoyed one last night of laughs with him on Monday evening, which was also the day he told my Uncle Ross that he had Jesus in his heart. Perhaps the one thing that makes me cry most now is the fact that God had claimed my dad's spirit in his last moments of life. I never believed it was possible, I thought I had done it all wrong, I thought my witness had failed, I never saw the day my dad would love Jesus. As God's servant in my sin I doubted God's ability to break into my dad's heart and redeem him and relied heavily on my works or what I had done. Reality is God saves souls, He only divinely chooses to use us by His infinite grace. By Wednesday the last words that he spoke were to me, I told him I loved him and he said, "I love you too."
By Sunday two of my friends who have become family over the past 10 years, my brother, my mom and my aunt (my dad's sister) were all in the room while the Tigers were playing and he breathed his last. God had finally called him to his eternal home, it was as if the fight had left and peace came over his body. I still remember the nurse who came in and watching the hands on her watch tick for a full minute before she pronounced him dead.
I'm not going to pretend the last 6 months since his passing have been all roses and butterflies. What I can say is that we serve a faithful and mighty God who cares for our inmost being and will surround us in his peace even when it seems like the world is crashing down around us. When my dad died, my relationship that I felt was weakening with Christ was only strengthened. God has shown me that as His servant it is my duty to share the gospel, to trust in His saving work in the lives around me and to be a faithful servant to Him even when I don't feel like it. God has shown me more of what it looks like to be His daughter, dearly loved and cherished, the one He constantly pursues even in my moments of doubt. I have also come to see the sovereignty of God and His willingness to never give up on pursuing me. God is good and His purposes are meant for the betterment of His people.
I can firmly rest assured that as Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." God's purposes aren't always clear in the beginning, but as He continues to reveal Himself to you, you will become more sanctified and more blessed by His faithful goodness and love.
As children of God we can firmly say that He will never bring pointless trials or meaningless sufferings even when we can't see the good within the bad that happens all around us. I don't claim to have it all right, God has just been teaching and showing me the way through His grace.
We serve a mighty God!
Thank you to all of the friends and family who have never given up on me through out all of this, but have continually pointed me to Christ and strengthened my walk with God.
Monday, September 9, 2013
What's Next?
It goes a little bit like this...
I arrived in Uganda late in evening on August 11, from there we took a short trip to a hotel. I would consider it more of a resort seeing as how I basically slept like a princess my first night in Uganda with running HOT water, electricity and wireless internet...did I mention the candies on my pillow?
Anyway, after my arrival I woke up quite late the next morning and had breakfast with Eric and Dianna. After breakfast we took the "3 hour" drive to Mbale which could also take 2 hours, 5 hours or maybe even 6 hours, you just never know! In our case it took about 5 hours. The uncertainty lies in the fact that the roads are often full of traffic heading both ways down a two lane road consisting of mutatu's, boda-boda's, pedestrians and any other vehicles. Did I mention livestock sitting on the side of the road and even crossing in front of you at times? Driving in Uganda is crazy, but it is definitely and interesting adventure!
When we arrived at the Tuininga compound we were greeted by 8 excited children, 3 dogs and one MA all ready for the return of mom and dad. It was a warm welcome and I made myself at home there. It wasn't much of a transition, Christi (their current MA) and I became fast friends, their children were great the whole week, and I made many new friends. I am so thankful to the Tuininga family for allowing me a chance to see into their life in Uganda, it is truly amazing what God is doing in Uganda.
My trip was enjoyable overall, I never got sick, we had nice weather, my body was just a lot more tired than usual. I only caught ringworm, I will definitely take that over other possible illnesses! The whole two weeks I was there I never truly had a 'bad experience' and the culture of Uganda made my heart happy because everyone is so friendly all of the time and most of the time it is impolite to not say hello or greet a stranger on the road.:) Africa forever captured my heart with it's culture and it was an experience I will forever remember.
I arrived home after 36 hours of travel and layovers to Grand Rapids, on Sunday August 25. I was never more thankful to see my bed that night. I could hardly keep my eyes open and I went to bed at 8:30. The next morning I began a new job and semester of classes. God is forever faithful.
Let me show you some pictures of the trip. I don't have a ton, perhaps because I like to just experience:)
Here are some photos from the hike we took:
Will I return in January?
As of right now, the answer is unfortunately no. Through much prayer and counsel upon my return I realized that I really desire some day to work with local preschools and help them to develop and establish solid long lasting programs that truly enhance the children they serve. I wait in anticipation for the opportunity to serve in this way whether it be in Uganda, America or another country. Regardless of not returning in January this trip opened my eyes to the world, a completely different culture, and I made many wonderful friends along the way.
As I wait and depend on the Lord for the next step join me in prayer for doors to be opened for a job or a mission opportunity in the coming months to serve in preschools. I have started applying for jobs and I am still open to going abroad and serving in preschools as God opens doors. I will also be working to finish my degree in December (Lord willing), which will be a burden lifted from my shoulders when it is all said and done!
God has been and always will continue to be faithful, that's one certainty I will never let go. His gospel is reaching the lost through servants like the Tuininga family among many others and for that I am truly thankful!
Also, in the next few months remember my friend Ashley as she sits on near bed rest due to a car accident last week. She and her husband are due to have their first child (a baby girl) in December, and her husband is away finishing his degree out of town until then.
As a final note, a huge hug and thank you to all who have made this possible through prayers, encouragement, monetary support and care for me. We serve an amazing God who makes all things possible for His glory and our good!
Waiting on Him,
Amy
I arrived in Uganda late in evening on August 11, from there we took a short trip to a hotel. I would consider it more of a resort seeing as how I basically slept like a princess my first night in Uganda with running HOT water, electricity and wireless internet...did I mention the candies on my pillow?
Anyway, after my arrival I woke up quite late the next morning and had breakfast with Eric and Dianna. After breakfast we took the "3 hour" drive to Mbale which could also take 2 hours, 5 hours or maybe even 6 hours, you just never know! In our case it took about 5 hours. The uncertainty lies in the fact that the roads are often full of traffic heading both ways down a two lane road consisting of mutatu's, boda-boda's, pedestrians and any other vehicles. Did I mention livestock sitting on the side of the road and even crossing in front of you at times? Driving in Uganda is crazy, but it is definitely and interesting adventure!
When we arrived at the Tuininga compound we were greeted by 8 excited children, 3 dogs and one MA all ready for the return of mom and dad. It was a warm welcome and I made myself at home there. It wasn't much of a transition, Christi (their current MA) and I became fast friends, their children were great the whole week, and I made many new friends. I am so thankful to the Tuininga family for allowing me a chance to see into their life in Uganda, it is truly amazing what God is doing in Uganda.
My trip was enjoyable overall, I never got sick, we had nice weather, my body was just a lot more tired than usual. I only caught ringworm, I will definitely take that over other possible illnesses! The whole two weeks I was there I never truly had a 'bad experience' and the culture of Uganda made my heart happy because everyone is so friendly all of the time and most of the time it is impolite to not say hello or greet a stranger on the road.:) Africa forever captured my heart with it's culture and it was an experience I will forever remember.
I arrived home after 36 hours of travel and layovers to Grand Rapids, on Sunday August 25. I was never more thankful to see my bed that night. I could hardly keep my eyes open and I went to bed at 8:30. The next morning I began a new job and semester of classes. God is forever faithful.
Let me show you some pictures of the trip. I don't have a ton, perhaps because I like to just experience:)
A morning walk with the older children.
The three compound pups; Faith, Grace and Heidi.
The house I was blessed to stay at, a downed power line and Mama Rachel:)
Here are some photos from the hike we took:
A view from the top of Mt. Wanale
Our hiking group at the top:)
The crazy ladder we climbed down!
We literally slid the whole way down...
Three children we met at the bottom and gave sugarcane to:)
A few pictures from our last night out together...
The group minus Martin, so thankful for all of them.
Since he wasn't in the last one, here is a pic of Martin and I.
Kenyan poker, a new favorite game!
Just for fun, a pic of Christi and I!:)
Will I return in January?
As of right now, the answer is unfortunately no. Through much prayer and counsel upon my return I realized that I really desire some day to work with local preschools and help them to develop and establish solid long lasting programs that truly enhance the children they serve. I wait in anticipation for the opportunity to serve in this way whether it be in Uganda, America or another country. Regardless of not returning in January this trip opened my eyes to the world, a completely different culture, and I made many wonderful friends along the way.
As I wait and depend on the Lord for the next step join me in prayer for doors to be opened for a job or a mission opportunity in the coming months to serve in preschools. I have started applying for jobs and I am still open to going abroad and serving in preschools as God opens doors. I will also be working to finish my degree in December (Lord willing), which will be a burden lifted from my shoulders when it is all said and done!
God has been and always will continue to be faithful, that's one certainty I will never let go. His gospel is reaching the lost through servants like the Tuininga family among many others and for that I am truly thankful!
Also, in the next few months remember my friend Ashley as she sits on near bed rest due to a car accident last week. She and her husband are due to have their first child (a baby girl) in December, and her husband is away finishing his degree out of town until then.
As a final note, a huge hug and thank you to all who have made this possible through prayers, encouragement, monetary support and care for me. We serve an amazing God who makes all things possible for His glory and our good!
Waiting on Him,
Amy
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Hospital Visit
Well, today was quite heart wrenching. We visited the children's ward at Mbale Main Hospital.
Let me start by explaining what a "hospital" is here in Uganda. All free hospitals are government hospitals and they are in fact free. To you this may seem wonderful, but it isn't so wonderful as it is sad. In a free government hospital you get a bed and medication, but only if it is available at the hospital. Often the hospitals will run out of medication and you are to go out and buy your own medication. If a family can not afford medication they go without it and remain at the hospital with only a bed.
In the government hospital if someone does not come with you, there is no one to feed you, bring you blankets or do your laundry. Many don't even have soap and that is why this ministry of praying and handing out soap in the name of Christ has begun.
Without family, hospital patients are often alone and uncared for. A nurse doesn't come when you push a call light, no one feeds you three meals a day, you don't have a private room or a commode if you need to use the restroom. If you are fortunate someone will stay with you and take care of all of these needs provided that they have the money to do so.
Now that you have a better picture of government hospitals I can tell you about what happened today...
Once we entered I was immediately overcome with emotion. Roughly 24 children sat on what we would consider "dirty" beds with at least one adult. I was thankful to see that nearly each child had at least on adult taking are of them.
We started with Pastor Charles giving a short message in Luganda (one of the most common languages here in Mbale, he is from Mbale and pastor of the church on the compound). After his short message Pastor Eric prayed collectively for the people in the room. Once we were finished praying Pastor Charles went on to ask if there was anyone in need of prayer or would like us to pray with them. Almost immediately over half of the room raised their hands. As we began we traveled from one section of the room to the next.
I watched and listened at first and then it was my turn to pray while Pastor Charles translated it into Luganda...My first prayer was uttered and tears threatened to escape from my mouth. Emotion had overcome me as I stood over a very sick young girl in desperate need of proper medical care and the knowledge of Christ. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to look her in the eyes and see her smile:) As we continued around the room we were praying and giving soap.
Perhaps the most devastating case was when we approached a young girl of 12, named Sharon, with advanced HIV and a Mama with very few resources. This young girl we suspect was born with HIV or contracted it soon after birth. She laid in bed frail as can be with very little strength, there was zero fat on her body and her cheek bones protruded. It was clear to all of us that this was a very devastating case in need of prayer. Our hearts were especially broken for this girl and her mama.
The Mama said that they believed in Yesu (Jesus), and they trusted in Him to save their souls. We went on to pray for both of these women and the Mama began to weep, it is not common in Ugandan culture for people to weep in the presence of others. We continued to pray as I had my hand on Mama, she couldn't control the tears. We were able to read a little of her case in her booklet on her bed, it stated to go to a clinic IMMEDIATELY where Sharon could receive the correct medication and treatment. The only problem is that it is the weekend and the clinic is closed.
As we walked out we talked a bit more about Sharon and her Mama. Pastor Charles said that now what we really need to do is pray for her Mama. He is not sure Sharon will make it through the night, but what we are sure of is that she is a believer. As we prayed she was able to fold her hands in prayer and her body began shifting from side to side. It was clear from her response that she truly believed in what we were praying. We praise God for her faith in Christ and leave her to His sovereign care! One day we will meet Sharon again if not in this life in the next where she has a new body and can walk about freely and joyfully!!
These are the people and the obstacles that they face this very day in this very country. We cry out to Christ with them and ask for His healing hand to touch them, whether in this life or in the next we cannot be sure when, but we are sure that He is our only hope. We pray that all would know Christ and His saving death for their souls, for He is the only one who can bring health and strength.
Will you join me in prayer for Sharon and her Mama? Will you pray for the men, women and children in the hospitals? This is all hopeless without Christ, but with Christ we can find hope, happiness and blessings even among trials.
Monday, August 12, 2013
I've arrived!
Well, as I'm writing it is just after 9 PM in Mbale.
Last night my flight arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule from Amsterdam. I got off, got my luggage, went through to obtain a visa and then meet Eric and Dianna for the first time. During my arrival my feelings were so mixed, I was excited, had become a bit nervous, happy to be on ground, and ready to see this beautiful country. Soon after meeting them we went to where we were staying, it was called "The Boma." Anyone from around here would tell you that it's fancy, and it was! On our ride they had said it was nicer than where they usually stay. When we got there I had my own room with a huge bed, a TV heated showers AND filtered water. Ask any Ugandan that's amazing for a first Ugandan experience!! After that I got a great nights rest and woke up to a great breakfast and tasty rich full-bodied coffee!
After breakfast it was time to head to Mbale because Eric had a meeting and it's no small trip to get here from Kampala! Driving in Uganda has very little restrictions, cars go at fast speeds down two lane roads and will pass even when there is oncoming traffic!
Along with all of the cars are mutatu's (big vans that take large numbers if people around) and bota's (motorbikes built for two, but according to standards here "as many as you can fit"). There are nearly no stop signs and at traffic crossings you jut nose your way in until you get through sometimes within inches! Driving was crazy, but we survived!
Roughly 5 hours later we arrived at the compound to 8 children ready to see there parents!:) Once we arrived I ha a tour; the house is an old British house with tall ceilings and plenty of space, we even had a fridge and wash machine.
Soon after settling in I went on a bota bota ride to town to pick up a few things with Christi, their current MA. It was really fun! You flag them down quite like a taxi, they pick you up, and take you to town for 1,000 shillings or 40 cents! In town we walked around, the shops are a mixed variety of things from cell phones to clothing to food to pharmaceuticals. The streets are crowded with cars, and people; pedestrians are shown no mercy! I was almost hit two times once by a bota and once by a car! After we walked we went home on a bota and had dinner shortly after.
Just a few highlights.
It's been a good first day here. The Americans and Ugandans are wonderful:) I'm excited to see how God works while I am here!
Blessings from Uganda!
Amy
Saturday, August 3, 2013
What am I "excited" for?
I've never done mission work abroad and the feeling of
"excitement" is so much different than that of the excitement you
experience when going on a family trip or a trip with friends. You can't
say, "Well, I'm just excited to get away." It is so much more than
"getting away," and I'm still wrapping my head around it!
I've been thinking, am I excited? The answer is yes, I am excited, here are a few reasons why:
I'm excited to...
1. Serve God and others.
2. Be sanctified.
3. Experience God and His church in a different country.
4. Meet new people.
5. Experience a new culture.
6. Travel alone, it seems like more of an adventure that way.
7. Be a bit disconnected from social media.
8. Drink Ugandan coffee/tea, I hear its amazing.
9. Eat food I have never tasted before.
10. See the beautiful land.
That may seem like a menial list, but it's hard to say what exactly I am so excited about when I've never been there so those are just a few:)
I'm a complete novice with traveling and that is probably the one thing I am "nervous" about. Getting around airports is definitely foreign to me and the thought of doing it alone seems daunting. I have been told though, that there are many helpful people that are more than willing to get me where I need to go.
I'm not really looking forward to the potential of bugs, I actually don't want anything to do with bugs. I suppose I should just get over it already, huh?
If the Lord wills I will be on a plane to Amsterdam at this time next week and then boarding a plane to Uganda!
Amy
I've been thinking, am I excited? The answer is yes, I am excited, here are a few reasons why:
I'm excited to...
1. Serve God and others.
2. Be sanctified.
3. Experience God and His church in a different country.
4. Meet new people.
5. Experience a new culture.
6. Travel alone, it seems like more of an adventure that way.
7. Be a bit disconnected from social media.
8. Drink Ugandan coffee/tea, I hear its amazing.
9. Eat food I have never tasted before.
10. See the beautiful land.
That may seem like a menial list, but it's hard to say what exactly I am so excited about when I've never been there so those are just a few:)
I'm a complete novice with traveling and that is probably the one thing I am "nervous" about. Getting around airports is definitely foreign to me and the thought of doing it alone seems daunting. I have been told though, that there are many helpful people that are more than willing to get me where I need to go.
I'm not really looking forward to the potential of bugs, I actually don't want anything to do with bugs. I suppose I should just get over it already, huh?
If the Lord wills I will be on a plane to Amsterdam at this time next week and then boarding a plane to Uganda!
Amy
Monday, July 29, 2013
It has been on my mind for a while to begin a blog.... here we are!
Well, the purpose of this blog is simple, to magnify to name of Christ and to share a little bit about what is going on in my life.
In just 12 short days I will be on a plane (with two levels might I add) to a country I know next to nothing about, with no travel buddy, and a lot of time to think. I will be heading to "The Pearl of Africa," Uganda.
Some of you may be asking.. What is in Uganda? What brings an average Michigan 24 year old to a place where she doesn't actually know anyone and has little expectation of what to expect when she arrives?
Christ is the reason I will travel over 6,000 miles and be plopped into a city where next to no one knows my name. Christ has brought me here and Christ will see me through this journey. Christ will provide, and Christ already has, abundantly may I add.
Last winter a friend came to me at a house concert in Grand Rapids and said, "My friend worked in an orphanage in Africa and I think I want to go." To which I replied with a smile, "Let's go."After this I did my research contacted the right people and filled out an application for mission work in Africa. Granted, it took me nearly a month to fill out and submit the application, finally I gave in, held my breath and hit "SEND." To my surprise I got a reply from a family within the week!
This family had some good news for me that there was an opportunity to serve alongside them in Mbale, Uganda as of January 2014. The catch was, I had to come for a visit before I could say definitively that I was going to go in January. Soon after, I got the arrangements made to head to Uganda in April for the trial stay. In God's providence three days before my flight was scheduled to leave my dad passed away ending his year long battle with prostate cancer.
One could say that they feel awful for my family and I, but I don't. The Monday before he died for the first time he told my uncle he had Jesus in his heart. Knowing Christ had captured his soul was enough for me to let go and get ready for him to go meet the Father face to face. After this we spent a week in hospice, and can I say, it was one of the hardest, but one of the most memorable weeks of my life. His last words were on Wednesday (to the best of anyone's knowledge), to me he said, "I love you too." On Sunday around 5:00 PM he went to be with the father while his favorite baseball team was playing, the Tigers, amidst good friends and family.
Christ had finally captured my earthly father's heart, and my soul was at peace with his passing. Christ broke in where I didn't see it possible, Christ knocked down all barriers, Christ rescued his soul from the pit of hell in the last days of his life. What greater gift can we have than this?
Through his battle with cancer he would always reassure me that I should go to Uganda no matter what and "do what I thought was right." After he passed away I made different travel arrangements and here we are today, just 12 days away from my two week trial visit to a country I know very little about to meet people I have only ever talked to through e-mail and... I am excited.
I am greatly humbled for the chance to have this experience! During this two week trial visit I will be discovering if it would work out for me and for the family to come back in January for a 6 month stay. The trip will consist of meeting the family, visiting an orphanage, attending worship service, teaching a VBS-type lesson to preschoolers, preparing for a new family to join the team in Mbale, hiking, exploring Uganda, probably some culture shock and maybe even an upset stomach.
Oh, and that friend I mentioned...she's headed to Brazil in a month and a half, how exciting!
Thank you to everyone who has influenced me in my walk with Christ and encouraged me to go to Uganda. When I was baptized four years ago I never expected to be heading to Africa!
May the grace of God and the peace that surpasses all understanding be with you all!
Well, the purpose of this blog is simple, to magnify to name of Christ and to share a little bit about what is going on in my life.
In just 12 short days I will be on a plane (with two levels might I add) to a country I know next to nothing about, with no travel buddy, and a lot of time to think. I will be heading to "The Pearl of Africa," Uganda.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may
proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light.”
-1 Peter 2:9
Christ is the reason I will travel over 6,000 miles and be plopped into a city where next to no one knows my name. Christ has brought me here and Christ will see me through this journey. Christ will provide, and Christ already has, abundantly may I add.
Last winter a friend came to me at a house concert in Grand Rapids and said, "My friend worked in an orphanage in Africa and I think I want to go." To which I replied with a smile, "Let's go."After this I did my research contacted the right people and filled out an application for mission work in Africa. Granted, it took me nearly a month to fill out and submit the application, finally I gave in, held my breath and hit "SEND." To my surprise I got a reply from a family within the week!
This family had some good news for me that there was an opportunity to serve alongside them in Mbale, Uganda as of January 2014. The catch was, I had to come for a visit before I could say definitively that I was going to go in January. Soon after, I got the arrangements made to head to Uganda in April for the trial stay. In God's providence three days before my flight was scheduled to leave my dad passed away ending his year long battle with prostate cancer.
This is one of our last family photos taken
at the very beginning of Dad's battle.
We couldn't all be ready at the same time:)
One could say that they feel awful for my family and I, but I don't. The Monday before he died for the first time he told my uncle he had Jesus in his heart. Knowing Christ had captured his soul was enough for me to let go and get ready for him to go meet the Father face to face. After this we spent a week in hospice, and can I say, it was one of the hardest, but one of the most memorable weeks of my life. His last words were on Wednesday (to the best of anyone's knowledge), to me he said, "I love you too." On Sunday around 5:00 PM he went to be with the father while his favorite baseball team was playing, the Tigers, amidst good friends and family.
Christ had finally captured my earthly father's heart, and my soul was at peace with his passing. Christ broke in where I didn't see it possible, Christ knocked down all barriers, Christ rescued his soul from the pit of hell in the last days of his life. What greater gift can we have than this?
Through his battle with cancer he would always reassure me that I should go to Uganda no matter what and "do what I thought was right." After he passed away I made different travel arrangements and here we are today, just 12 days away from my two week trial visit to a country I know very little about to meet people I have only ever talked to through e-mail and... I am excited.
I am greatly humbled for the chance to have this experience! During this two week trial visit I will be discovering if it would work out for me and for the family to come back in January for a 6 month stay. The trip will consist of meeting the family, visiting an orphanage, attending worship service, teaching a VBS-type lesson to preschoolers, preparing for a new family to join the team in Mbale, hiking, exploring Uganda, probably some culture shock and maybe even an upset stomach.
Oh, and that friend I mentioned...she's headed to Brazil in a month and a half, how exciting!
Thank you to everyone who has influenced me in my walk with Christ and encouraged me to go to Uganda. When I was baptized four years ago I never expected to be heading to Africa!
May the grace of God and the peace that surpasses all understanding be with you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)