Monday, December 29, 2008

Responses

As I was reading the Christmas stories this year, I was struck by how people responded to unreal news.  When Joseph found out that his fiancee was pregnant, and he knew the Child wasn't his, he was probably hurt... and justifiably so.  When the people in Nazareth heard that Eli's teenage daughter was pregnant, they probably judged her... much like we do today.  The Magi felt compelled to follow a star, for reasons we don't know, and were obedient to that compulsion.  And the shepherds, well, the shepherds were filled with excitement and curiosity.

Two responses, though, were remarkably similar and yet vastly different.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were old... too old to have any hope for children.  Zacharias trusted God.  He believed.  And yet, when the angel appeared to Zacharias and told him that Elizabeth would have a son, his first words were "Do you expect me to believe this?  I'm an old man and and my wife is an old woman."  (Luke 1:18, The Message)  Zacharias, even though he knew God was trustworthy, had seen Him work in his life, couldn't bring himself to believe unbelievable news.  And he paid for his unbelief with nine months of silence.

And then there's Mary... sweet Mary.  She wasn't stupid.  She knew where babies came from.  And she knew that, in her life, there were a couple of things missing.  But when the angel came to her, told her that she too would have an unlikely Child, her response wasn't "That's not possible."  She didn't ask "Who are you trying to fool?"  She had questions.  She was uncertain.  She asked the angel, "But how can this happen?  I am a virgin!"  But she didn't argue.  Even though she didn't understand what the angel was telling her, she accepted it as Truth.  

How many times have I tried to argue when the Holy Spirit spoke to me?  How often to I try to talk Him out of His plan by telling Him that it just doesn't make sense?  Why can't I simply trust Him that He has a plan, that His ways are higher, that there are some things that I just can't understand?  How many more chances will I get before I too am stricken with silence?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Rediscovering Bebo

Ever listened to an artist you haven't heard in a while and wonder, "Why did I stop listening to this?"  I've been a fan of Bebo Norman's for a while, but he's sort of fallen off my radar in the past couple of years.  Yesterday I pulled up Bebo on my iPod, just for random driving music while I was running some errands, and was reminded of why I loved his music so much.    I love the theology in his lyrics.  I love the vulnerability, the reality... I think he's been reading my blog... oh, wait, he wrote those songs years ago.  How did that happen?

I loved the blast-from-the-past of listening to all the old music, but one song really got me.  And it's not surprising, because it always got me, but somehow it seemed more appropriate yesterday than it ever has before.  In this new season of life that I'm in, where I'm learning (again!) that my dreams for my life and the dreams my Father has for my life don't necessarily line up, He's teaching me to die.  And as I've been reminded several times recently, dying is painful.  Sacrifice is painful.  Surrender is painful.  But they are oh, so necessary.  

So dream a little dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little cry for me so I can bear the flames
Hurt a little hurt for me, my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here
For they, the hammer holds
              "The Hammer Holds"

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Day after Christmas

Yesterday I went to Haywood Mall. (And the Shops at Greenridge too, but I won't get into that... it will only stir up bitterness!)  It's been a while since I've been to Haywood, and I usually try to stay away from shopping on the days after Christmas and Thanksgiving... it's just too much chaos, too much conflict when I'm trying to keep my heart peaceful.  But I had several things to return and needed to buy some jeans (I literally wore my favorite pair out!), and time is short this year, so off I went.

I expected the traffic.  Didn't enjoy it, but expected it.  I expected to play hide-and-seek for a parking spot.  Again, didn't enjoy it, but expected it.  But I was totally unprepared for what I ran into once I actually got into the mall.

It was FULL of people.  I really don't think I've EVER seen it as full as it was yesterday.  And they all had loads of bags, had obviously been spending a LOT of money.  And then it hit me.

My people.  My sweet, simple Lugbara people who live in a town of 60,000 at most, where you're lucky if you have electricity for the majority of the day.  If I brought them here, to Haywood Mall, where Americans spent more money in one day than they see in a year, what would they think?  How would they respond?  Would the be overwhelmed by the importance we place on things that are so artificial?  Would they be hurt, that we spend so much money on comfort when the same amount of money in Arua could change lives?

I don't have any answers.  All I know is, the way I think has changed.  I'm still American, and I still have the American mentality of my rights and my stuff.  But at least I'm conscious of it.  

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Leaving my Scarecrows

I'm not a movie buff.  Don't get me wrong-- I like movies.  But I'm not the kind of person who goes around dropping quotes or making comparisons between movies and real life.  It's just not who I am... until today. (Get ready-- this might get sappy.)

As I've spent the past couple of days preparing to leave ILC, my heart has literally hurt.  I've been trying to brace myself and get ready, but it's not really working out all that well for me.  The last 2 months have been beyond description.  We have received training for almost every aspect of life overseas you could imagine, and probably some you would never dream of.  But by far, the best part of Field Personnel Orientation has been the fast friendships, the brother- and sister-friends, the people you instantly connected with on a heart-level.  And leaving these precious friends has been the part of this week I've been dreading.

In the middle of pondering these goodbyes today (okay, so I'm dwelling on it!), I was reminded of The Wizard of Oz, in the scene where Dorothy is getting ready to leave Oz and is saying her goodbyes.  You can feel it building as she says goodbye to TinMan and the Cowardly Lion, but then she gets to the Scarecrow.  She all but falls apart when she tells him, "I'm going to miss you most of all."

Right now I'm Dorothy.  There have been over 300 people that I've come in contact with on a daily basis for the last 2 months.  I will miss them all, because they've all become a part of my life.  But there are 3 very special friends who are my scarecrows.  I've told all but one of them goodbye, and I really don't know when I'll see them again.  My heart hurts... I will miss them most of all.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Give Lottie some love!

As we approach Chirstmas, I want to take a few minutes to remind people of something that, honestly, I didn't really think about until I came on staff with the IMB.  Growing up, Christmas season was Lottie Moon season.  My church growing up was all about Lottie, and put a strong emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  Over the past several years, it seems like Lottie has been a little forgotten (maybe that's just my perspective).  

Lottie Moon is an encouraging example of what it means to be a "living sacrifice".  She was one of the first single women to enter the mission field; for 37 years this pioneer endured hardship and danger in a land oppressed by famine, disease, and war.  In the end, she loved the Chinese people more than life itself, giving her own food to starving neighbors, eventually dying of starvation herself.  During her career, Lottie wrote numerous letters home encouraging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support.  In one of her letters, she wrote, "How many there are who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God."

Over the past couple of months, I have come to understand just how important the Lottie Moon Offering really is.  LMCO accounts for over half of the IMB's annual operating budget, and every penny goes directly to the field.  Even if you're not "Southern Baptist," let me encourage you to look into Lottie as a way of financially supporting the spread of the Gospel.  Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to bring the Lugbara people to faith in our Lord and Savior.  

Monday, December 8, 2008

Faith like a child

Every now and then, it becomes very clear what the phrase "faith like a child" really means.  Last night our cultural worship focus was South Asia (a region made up of 7 countries around India, for those of you who don't speak IMBese!).  One of the components was corporate prayer in a way I had never seen before.  As people shared their prayer requests, members of the congregation would gather around them at the front of the meeting room and pray with them then and there.  What stood out more than anything was our little girls.  When one of them would share a request, they could barely get it all out before the rest of the girls would literally run to them to join them in prayer.  How often do I really run to people to pray for them?  And when I do pray for them, do I really believe that God is going to move in a mighty way?  God, give me the faith to join my friends in prayer the way these children do!

Shootout at Red Robin

Last week was, without question, the most stressful week we've had.  We had three days of meeting with our regional leadership (Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa for me), which was mostly long days of meetings... lots of presentations, lots of listening, very little moving around.  (Until that point in the afternoon when everyone gets antsy and tired of sitting still and starts shifting in their chairs every 30 seconds!)  Suffice it to say that they were 3 very long days.

On Thursday, we started 3 days of Contingency training... affectionately known as "Torture". Representatives from an independent company came to teach us principles of how to survive and endure detention and captivity situations, ranging from detainment at the airport, being taken hostage, dealing with reporters and negotiations, how to detect surveillance, and even how to possibly escape from captivity.  After they taught us various principles, we began "stress inoculation"...  basically, they took people or groups out and simulated actual hostage and detention situations.  As one of the first hostages taken, I can attest that it was real stress... the thought that "This is just pretend" really didn't cross my mind!

All in all, the week was VERY beneficial, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but believe me when I say that everyone was a little on-edge at the end of our last session on Saturday.  We all needed to just get away from campus Saturday night, so 6 of us decided to go to Red Robin for some good burgers and great fries.  We had a great meal, great conversation, and lots of laughter.  We had finished our meal, paid the check, and were getting ready to go when we heard what sounded like gunfire.  In a split-second, we all exchanged looks and honestly considered either falling into the aisle or diving under the table.  Evidently, the food, conversation, laughter, and falling snow hadn't been enough to relax us from contingency training, because a popped balloon almost put 6 adults on the floor!

Hope for Africa

I love the way God gives new meaning to Scripture you've read over and over and over again.  Last week  I was reading the Christmas passage in Isaiah 9, but I decided to back up to the beginning of the chapter.  I know I've read it before, and maybe it's just a new perspective and focus now, but when I read it this time, it screamed Africa to me.  

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.  
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.  
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.  
6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The ONLY hope for Africa, the only hope for the nations, is Jesus.  And the great thing is that God has promised that they will see Him.  They will know Him.  He will redeem His people, give them a hope and a future, and will bring an end to the trials that have plagued them.  Praise God!  Not only does Jesus give hope for an eternity, but a practical hope for life here on earth.  He truly is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  This Christmas season, pray that the nations may see and believe that Jesus Christ is the all-sufficient Gift... He is the Hope for Africa.

SNOW!!!!

I love snow.  Even though I hate the cold (because in South Carolina, cold usually means cold and wet, which is just no fun), I love snow.  Maybe it's because of my snow-deprived childhood.  Maybe it's because snow meant a day off from school.  Maybe it's because Dad stayed home from work, built a fire, and had snowball fights with us.  Maybe it's because Mom made chili, hot chocolate, and snow cream.  Whatever the reason, I love snow.

It's snowed a few times since I've been in Virginia (which is crazy to me, because anything before the middle of January seems ridiculously early for snow!)  Most of the snow we've gotten has just been a few flurries flying-- definitely too warm for anything to stick, but really pretty to see falling, and absolutely enough to make the heart jump a little.

But last night?  Last night it SNOWED.  I don't mean a few scattered little flakes that dissolve before you can stick your tongue out.  I mean shining-in-the-streetlamps, baby-it's-cold-outside, make-hot-chocolate, glad-I'm-not-driving-in-this snow.  How is it that snow brings out the kid in us all?  Why do we sing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs and look for an opportunity to ambush some boys with snowballs?  In all honesty, I really don't know.  But I'm glad for it.

Sadly, the snow was almost gone when I woke up this (cold) morning.  And what hadn't melted blew away during our very windy time in house church.  But can I just say how immensely grateful I am for one more chance to play in the snow before I move to Africa?  God is so good!  :)

Slacker...

Maybe not slacker, but REALLY busy.  And it's sort of sad, because so many things have happened this week that I really wanted to share, but now I'm not even sure what I wanted to tell you about...  but I'll try.  So please bear with me through the next few, short posts... I had great intentions!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Afternoon at the Museum

I love it when God gives you an "aha" moment.  Yesterday all 350 of us went to DC for a ministry field trip... focusing on reaching internationals and getting a better understanding of our people's culture and worldview.  (Sidenote: one of our assignments was to eat lunch at an ethnic restaurant... Ethiopian food is REALLY good, if you can get over eating with your hands out of one huge bowl on the table!)  The group I was with decided to go to the African art museum to try to find some Africans and get some first-hand understanding of their culture.  

While we were in an exhibit with some smaller pieces, I had the opportunity to speak with Simeon, a brother from Trinidad who came to visit some friends for Thanksgiving.  As a believer, he was really frustrated with the whole Thanksgiving thing, and observed that Americans in general used Thanksgiving more as an excuse to overeat than as an opportunity to show their gratitude to God.  We had a great conversation about what really matters, and some good time to encourage each other.  Please pray for Simeon as he returns to Trinidad, to be strengthened in his faith even more.

When our conversation ended, I realized the girls in my group had left the exhibit in the museum, so I decided to check out some of the other exhibits in the museum to try to find them.  The next exhibit I went into was an African textiles and clothing exhibit.  The rooms were completely dark, except for spotlights shining on the pieces of fabric or objects in cases.  All of this was pretty cool, until I got into the big room of the exhibit.  When I went in, I saw that there were four full-sized masks on display around the room.  Before I go any farther, you need to understand that masks and the costumes that go along with them aren't just considered to be art in animist Africa.  Each mask and costume represents a different spirit or god.  During a ceremony, the tribal priest wears a mask and costume and dances and performs rituals.  They believe it is actually the spirit dancing and conducting the ceremony, not the priest.  Animists spend their entire lives trying to keep the spirits happy and appeased, but every bit of trouble in their lives is proof that the spirits are displeased.  But Jesus came "to free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives." (Heb. 2:14)

When I walked in and saw these masks and costumes, my heart stopped.  It was like being in the presence of these demonic beings all at once, without warning.  I was seriously creeped out.  I was still looking for the girls, and I was trying to get myself under control.  "Be a big girl... they're only objects... they have no power, God is bigger..."  These were my thoughts as I was trying to get a grip.  I kept walking around the exhibit, trying to focus on the fabrics and clothing, trying to find my teammates, but it honestly felt like one of the costumes in particular was watching me wherever I went.  I have truly never felt such heaviness and oppression in my life.  My only thought was leaving the room and getting away from these demonic manifestations.  I really felt like a big loser for not toughing it out, because I know that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)  But there also comes a time to flee from evil... so that's what I did.

As I was walking out, the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly.  He said, "You were under that oppression for 30 seconds, and it was all you could stand.  How do they feel, My children who live under this oppression every day, all their lives, slaves to fear?"  As much as this short experience was so gut-wrenching and difficult, I wouldn't exchange it.  God, in His wisdom, placed me in this museum and this exhibit to allow me to get just a taste of that fear and oppression that my people in Africa live under every day of their lives.  I didn't enjoy it, but I am so glad I went through it.  God gave me an experience that lets me understand my people just a little better.  And that little taste makes the whole experience worthwhile.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Where are we?

Can I just say that I love it here?  I have made some great friendships with fabulous, Godly women (and a few fabulous, Godly men, too!), and have had some really wonderful class sessions.  But, for the international traveler in me, the best part is just how international these 50 acres in Virginia really are.  Twice now, we've had "special" meals... code around ILC for "international food you have to eat with your hands.  Our first meal was Middle Eastern- great meatballs with flatbread, olives, hummus, and cucumber-onion relish.  Number 2 was Indonesian- a ground turkey curry with rice and lots of toppings, including a mildly spicy chutney that was awesome.  Honestly, the special meals are really better than the regular ones!  Side note: when you eat with your hands, you're only allowed to use the right hand... In countries without "facilities," your left hand is your toilet paper.  Pretty gross, huh?

Today I went to check mail and got a surprise.  Our lovely mail team decided we're in another country.  There was a sign on the mail room door saying that mail would only be available from 4:30 to 5:30.  It was almost 4:30, so I decided to stand in line. (Yes, there was a line by this point.)  At 4:30, one of the guys came out and said that he needed one person from each household, but only one person could come in at a time, and that we needed a photo ID to check our mail.  The guy in front of me went on in, and I'm waiting, but I started thinking... I don't have my ID with me.  I don't usually carry my ID to walk around campus.  Crud.  About this time, another guy comes out.  "I can get you in," he says, rubbing his fingers together, basically asking for a bribe... which I gladly would have paid, IF I had cash on me.  But I didn't.  Double crud.  Customer #1 comes out, and the first guy comes to the door to bring me in.  I am wearing my nametag, which lately has been a rarity, and I ask him if that will work, but he says no.  (About 4 people behind me get out of line at this point to go get their IDs, which they also left in their rooms... good to know I'm not the only one!)  So I got out of line without my mail... still haven't gotten it, and I'm debating whether or not I'm going to get it today, since that means going to the opposite end of campus to get my ID, then hiking all the way back up here.  I really don't need my mail all that badly!

But I really do love it... sarcasm aside.  I know, when it's real life and not just an "exercise," the novelty will wear off... but it just goes back to the whole American convenience issue.  We are, by far, the most convenient society on the planet.  And I'm not really sure that's a good thing.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

When is it ever?

When I was in high school and college, I always felt like I got cheated. I had grown up in a Christian home, came to know Jesus when I was young, and fell in love with Him early. I didn't go through some of the traumatic experiences and phases other people my age did: I didn't get involved with the wrong crowd, didn't use drugs, had a fairly stable home life... you get the picture. I was grateful that I had been spared from those things, but still felt that my testimony was, well, boring.

As I went through some "adult trauma," my testimony evolved. The pain that I was spared in my youth I have now experienced... and by God's grace, I have made it through to the other side. He has brought me to a place I never would have been if I hadn't gone through these pains. I have experienced the passionate, amazing, can't-get-enough love of the Creator God. I have seen Him faithful to me in so many ways in the past few years, and He has truly been my Savior, my King, my Husband, my Everything. I focused on how He has provided for me with mercy and grace in the past few years. If you asked me to share my testimony, I would breeze right through coming to know the Lord as a child and tell you more about who He has been to me recently. I still thought my childhood testimony was boring.

When is the salvation of a soul BORING? The holy God of the universe rescues me from an eternity in Hell, and I call it BORING? A sinful child is still a sinner... and believe me, I was one! The Lord has shown me, once again, that I have no right to minimize His grace. He did not NEED me. He had no reason to take me in, even as a child, except that He LOVED me! Almighty Father, please forgive me for taking Your amazing sacrifice lightly. When is the Cross EVER boring???

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I have arrived...

...in Virginia, anyway. The weekend was full of difficult goodbyes (lots of family time again, "Thanksgiving" dinner after church on Sunday, and Pizza Inn with my cousins). I went home Sunday night from dinner and was in really good shape packing-wise. Dad and I had packed and loaded the car during the afternoon, and stuff was really just down to what I needed late Sunday night and Monday morning. I went to bed feeling really wierd- not sure what to feel. I've been excited and looking forward to everything that's coming, but at that point in time, I was torn. All the goodbyes got to me, and, in all honestly, I really didn't want to hit the interstate in the morning. Didn't sleep well Sunday night-- was wide awake by 5. (Mom, Katie, and I had planned to meet for breakfast at 8, so I definitely didn't oversleep!) I had plenty of time to check and double-check everything I needed, but still managed to leave 2 cakes (!) that a friend had made for me to take with me, so after one tearful goodbye in the Stax Omega parking lot, Mom and I had another one in the driveway before I really left.

The drive to Rockville was pretty uneventful. From the driveway to the ILC (International Learning Center) gate was right at 6 hours, including two short stops. Checked in and started to get settled in. Kelli (my partner for the next 2 years) got in right after dinner, and we got settled in to our temporary home. We're in a quad with other families who are going to Central, Eastern, & Southern Africa (CESA). We 're in 4 mini-apartments with our own bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchenette, and we all share one big greatroom. We've already had some great fellowship time in the greatroom- I'm looking forward to building some great relationships with this new Africa family!

The enemy started attacking me almost immediately... while I was working on an online assignment, my computer had a seizure- all kinds of internet windows started popping up faster than I could close them. I tried to stop them, close them, shut down the computer... nothing worked. Talk about freaking out! Finally, I just turned the computer off. Evidently, the seizure sent my computer into a coma, because I haven't been able to get into it since. I looked for the Windows installation discs, and as it turns out, they were the one other thing I left at home. :S So I had to get Mom to FedEx the discs up to me, and took my machine to the IT wonders here on campus... hopefully it will be healthy soon. But it amazes me how Satan attacked me in that area... trying to frustrate me with my ability to contact home and one more way I can be independent.

Classes started on Wednesday... the first couple of days were more long and exhausting than anything... legal and medical briefings... fun. But Friday took the cake. I went on a personal spiritual retreat, just me and God for 3 hours. And man, did He have a lot to say! Funny how, when you're struggling, like I've been struggling with some things for a while, God can open you up and show you what the real root of the issue is. And it's not at all what you thought it was to begin with. He really dealt with me on some things I've been carrying that I shouldn't have been... hopefully I'll be able to leave them behind.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Overwhelmed...

I am amazed and humbled by the wonderful believers I am surrounded by. This past weekend was completely overwhelming... in a good way. First of all, on Saturday evening, some sweet girlfriends held a "Missionary Shower" for me. After a fun gift time where I was showered with chocolate, Band Aids, Orbit gum, and Bath & Body Works hand soap, among other things, they led the most unbelievable prayer time. They lifted up me, my team, my family, and the people that we'll be working with in Lugbara. I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who have been by my side through some very difficult times, and who have seen the LORD work in amazing ways in my life. Knowing that these strong, Godly women are praying for me here at home make me even more confident that God will be glorified in Arua.

Sunday morning was a whirlwind. During both services, Taylors 1st Baptist held a commissioning for me and for the other girl from the church going to training in a couple weeks. They presented us to the church, asked the church family to pray for us as we go to Richmond for training and as we get into the field, and then prayed over us. After each service, church members had the opportunity to come and speak to us... what a blessing to get to see so many people who have poured into my life since I was a child, to know that God used them in shaping me into the woman I am today, and to know that they will continue to pray for me in the future. Needless to say, I was a wreck!

Since our commissioning was at the end of each service, I was asked to speak to The Connection, a large Life Group, during the first part of the second service hour. The Connection is a cross-generational class, with members from ages 20 to 80; I've been attending this class for the past few months, and it has been a huge blessing in my life. During my talk, I tried to explain how my life has come to be on the path of international missions. I also described my team, our mission, how we will be addressing this mission, and how they can pray for us. Their response in their willingness to pray for us and support me in this journey was simply overwhelming. I do not feel worthy to be blessed with such an amazing body to lift me up and encourage me.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Lonely at home

It's weird. One of the things I've been struggling with lately is a feeling of loneliness... and I haven't left yet. Between not working and not being as involved as usual at Grace, I feel more cut off from my friends than normal. I know people have their lives and responsibilities, and I have things I have to be doing to prepare for Uganda and Orientation, but I still feel lonely. (Reminds of the first year after I graduated from Winthrop...) In a weird way, it feels like people here have written me off, like I'm already gone... but I'm not. And I don't mean to be griping or complaining. It's just what I've been struggling with recently. Ok. I won't whine any more. At least not today, anyway...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Thanks, Kim!

Good friends are such a blessing! A couple of weeks ago, my sweet friend, Kim DeLoach offered to do a photo shoot for my prayer cards. We met in downtown Greenville one evening, and she just sent the pictures to me- they turned out great! You can see the slideshow by going to her blog and clicking on "Alissa." She's a great local photographer here, and the shoot was the most fun, relaxed shoot I've ever been on! (Which is saying something, since we were shooting in the middle of Hurricane Hanna's winds!) Check her out... and thanks again, Kim! You rock!

Kim's website- http://www.kimdeloachphoto.com/
Kim's blog- http://www.kimdeloachphoto.blogspot.com/



Friday, September 12, 2008

God's laughing at me!

Every now and then, I can be sure I hear the sound of holy laughter... and I'm pretty sure I'm the butt of the joke! I am SO not the wilderness chick... but the highlight of my day yesterday was pulling my toiletry bag and SteriPen water purifier out of the box. I can't believe I'm getting excited about trail shoes and CamelBaks and mountain bikes! What's even more unnerving is knowing that I haven't even left for Uganda yet... who knows how far out of my comfort zone God's going to get me over there!

On a side note... I have decided that if I ever live in the States and am in a situation where I don't need a job with health insurance or a guaranteed minimum salary (i.e., if I'm married to a husband with a great job!) I will DEFINITELY work as a substitute teacher. Gotta love a job where you show up at 8, go home at 3:30, and have nothing to do to get ready for the next day. A girl can dream, can't she?

Monday, August 25, 2008

It's official!

I got my official paperwork on Friday... and Uganda it is! It's been a huge relief to know for sure where I'm headed and what I'll be doing. Now, because I'm such a task-oriented person, I feel like there's so much I need to be doing and preparing for, and I really don't even know where to start. So I cleaned out my make-shift closet (again!) and bought some electrical adapters. That's about as far as I've gotten.

God has been so good in the past couple of weeks. My sweet friend, Ruth, works at North Greenville University and connected me with Jamie, who just got back last month from Uganda. We had lunch last week, and it was such a blessing! Turns out that Jamie did the same job I'll be doing, just in a different town, so she had some great insight and advice for me. I still feel really overwhelmed about the whole thing, and it's just surreal, but it's a good thing, and God is reminding me to go slowly, and in His grace. Isn't it just like Him, to put the people we need to encounter right in our path, at just the right time? I love the way He composes this amazing symphony of humanity!

This week should be interesting-- I'm subbing at my old school tomorrow and Thursday. Not sure how that will be, but at least it's a (small) paycheck. Sidenote- can I just say how much I've enjoyed not having to go back to school? Working is SO overrated! :) The family's all heading to the lake on Friday for Labor Day weekend. I'm looking forward to some good, laid-back family time... I'm trying to get as much Zeke/Fred/Charlie/Stan time in as I can!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Everyone tells me I should blog...

So I am. Or at least I'll try. In all honesty, this is probably something that I'll start and do very well with at the beginning, but then I'll get slack and let the whole thing just fall apart. But until that happens... here goes.

If you haven't heard lately, I spent 4 days at the end of July and beginning of August (July 29-August 1, to be exact) in Richmond, Virginia at the International Learning Center. In the course of these 4 VERY intense days, the Lord took me through the gamut of emotions. I have never cried so early in the day or so often, I have never been so overwhelmed, I have never had my heart broken so many times as I did that week. It was so amazingly clear that there is so much work to do, so many people who need to hear, so many wounded hearts that need to know there is a Great Physician and a Savior. And I don't think I've ever been so torn between a job that I knew I was called to do and the desire to allow my flesh to be a little more comfortable... Ok, so a city in southern Sudan or Tanzania is still in Africa and not comfortable or easy by American standards, but it's a lot better than a remote village in the Ugandan bush where the electricity is on for no more than 18 hours a day (if you're lucky!).

My last task for the week was to request my top 3 jobs, anywhere in the world, in order. Two hours before my request was due, I was still uncertain about where I was supposed to go. God, like He had been doing all week, put people in my path who confirmed yet again where my heart was being called. So unless I got it all messed up and the Lord fixes it (which is entirely possible!), I will more than likely be going to Uganda. My partner, Kelly, and I will be living in the town of Arua. Each day we will bike to the villages that surround Arua (usually 5-10 miles away) to teach True Love Waits curriculum in the secondary schools there. 50% of the Ugandan population is under 15 years old, and these students desperately need to know and understand the AIDS crisis and how they can protect themselves from this disease that has decimated Uganda. As we build relationships with our students, we will begin having Bible studies and discipling the students we work with. Amazing how I'll be able to do in Uganda what I can't do in the US!

Right now, I'm waiting for everything to be finalized within the International Mission Board (IMB). I should have clearance by August 20, if not before. In October, I'll go back to Richmond to begin 8 weeks field orientation and training, which will end the week before Christmas. I'll be home for a couple of weeks, and should leave around the first week in January. Please pray for me as I try to get all my many ducks in a row (pesky ducks... they just can't seem to stay lined up!) and get my mind wrapped around the fact that in 5 months I'll be living in AFRICA!

...And I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among other Gentiles. Romans 1:10-13