So today is my last day in Mukono...tears...tomorrow morning (I never thought it would be soo soon!) we leave for Rwanda at 5 am. After a full 13 hours of traveling by bus we will spend 10 days there learning about the genocide and the work the church has done/is doing to rebuild from that. It should be interesting...but also challenging and hard stuff to learn about just cause of the topic. IMME students are separated from USE, which is a bummer, but it will hopefully be a good last two weeks with everyone I have gotten so close to. Right now, since I'm in the process of saying goodbye to everyone here, I would rather just come home. That seems to be the consensus - if we have to leave our families, just let us go home! But alas, we must go to Rwanda. I'm sure it will be a good time once we get there - this is just the hard part. Anyways, prayers would be greatly appreciated...
I am so thankful to be so sad to leave. As backwards as that sounds...I have had such a great time, and have come to love and care for these people so much! Saying goodbye to my brothers this morning was tearful to say the least...what a blessing they have been in my life this semester. They have loved us and showed us so much grace in our time with them. I could take about them for days. Oh that the Lord would continue to bless and care for them.
And if you could be praying specifically for my mother and brother Elisha - they both have malaria right now. They are on the road to recovery, but just that God would give them strength to do all they need to everyday. Especially Elisha, since he is taking exams at school right now. But it is beautiful - he still wakes up just singing songs and praising the Lord as always. What amazing grace the Lord gives us.
I miss you all very much and am truly looking forward to seeing you when I get back!
A song we sang at the Easter sevice at the Cathedral:
"Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives."
Sorry this isn't longer...let's chat when I get back. :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Baptism, Worship, and Questions
So I started typing out the details of the story but decided I would really rather tell you all in person. So suffice it so say, I was baptized in Lake Victoria on Saturday - with my close friend Kaia and another friend Aaron through a Calvary Chapel church we have been going to in Kampala...it was amazing. It definitely felt really real - not just something where I was going through the motions. God was definitely there and working and changing mine and other people's lives. Glory to Him on high! I am so thankful to be His beloved child and to be able to live my life for Him only.
Something else that was really cool recently - yesterday USP led community worship (the rough equivalent of chapel - we have it twice a week). Our group (the Americans) lead a service every semester - and we were free to come up with whatever we wanted. We started with worship songs - with all 38 of us up on stage singing/playing guitar, bass, drums, and piano. Then Kristen and I led the congregation in intercessory prayers after which we performed a skit/drama. It was to the Linkin Park song, "In the End". It was really intense. With no speaking, just acting, it showed two people struggling with their sins, trying to pull away from them to God. (They were held back by ropes held by "demons") They were pulling and trashing but could not reach Jesus until they let go of the ropes (sin) and went to Christ. It was really powerful - and everyone clapped and cheered when Geoff finally let go of his sin and fell into Jesus' arms...but the other girl Lillie, couldn't let go and fell back into sin's grasp. It was really powerful. They we had a short message - more about how as Christians we are called to let go of our sin, give it up to God, and hold onto the hope of Christ. Eph 3:15-21. After that we did what is called cardboard testimonies. Those of us who were willing has written a sin, or something we stuggle(d) with on a piece of posterboard, and on the back written how God redeemed or restored us. We walked up on stage one at a time and held up the sin side. Then we flipped it and walked on. It was amazing. It was cool to see so many of us willing to be vulnerable and honest before the whole school community - and even more amazing to hear everyone applaud as we revealed how God had restored us. The focus was very much on the freedom received in Christ and God's redemption. Some people make some pretty intense confessions, and it was really moving. Then to close we sang Amazing Grace...which just summed it all up. Truly how great that grace does appear, the hour we first believe. What a blessing to witness that first-hand. God is so great. It was also incredible to talk to UCU students afterwards and hear them be honest with us about things they struggle with, and tell us we were not alone in our stuggles, and just hear how touched they were by it all. God's grace truly covers all. His love his amazing, steady, and unchanging. Even in Africa. God be praised.
Sorry for the preachy feel to this...but God has just been really good. I am so thankful. I was gonna write out some questions I've been having through class discussions and stuff but I am so overwhelmed by it sometimes I don't even know where to start. Basically, I would love to chat upon my return. And I am grateful that God is the same God yesterday, today and forever. In the US, Africa, and the world. What more can I depend on but that.
I would really appreciate prayers as we finish up school here with finals in a week and a half. Just on how to best spend the rest of my time here, and to deal with the craziness of having to say goodbye to such close friends possibly forever. I am so thankful to have formed these relationships that I will be sad to leave...but still sad to do it. Anyways, God is good. And I am just going to keep following his lead step by step. Striving to follow Joshua 1:8...
Lastly how about a little poem about my little 2 1/2 year old brother, Anooke:
Big eyes and a loving face
Calling my name over and over
Each time he speaks with grace
Full of joy he shares with us
His eyes tell of his innocent love
His prayers betray his kind heart
His small hand smooth as a dove
His hug sweeter than any other
Such a blessing to have as a brother
We learn from him and he from us
I only wish I could explain to his mother
What a beautiful treasure she bore
Hope you are doing well, and enjoying the joy of God's goodness and love.
Love and peace to you all.
Something else that was really cool recently - yesterday USP led community worship (the rough equivalent of chapel - we have it twice a week). Our group (the Americans) lead a service every semester - and we were free to come up with whatever we wanted. We started with worship songs - with all 38 of us up on stage singing/playing guitar, bass, drums, and piano. Then Kristen and I led the congregation in intercessory prayers after which we performed a skit/drama. It was to the Linkin Park song, "In the End". It was really intense. With no speaking, just acting, it showed two people struggling with their sins, trying to pull away from them to God. (They were held back by ropes held by "demons") They were pulling and trashing but could not reach Jesus until they let go of the ropes (sin) and went to Christ. It was really powerful - and everyone clapped and cheered when Geoff finally let go of his sin and fell into Jesus' arms...but the other girl Lillie, couldn't let go and fell back into sin's grasp. It was really powerful. They we had a short message - more about how as Christians we are called to let go of our sin, give it up to God, and hold onto the hope of Christ. Eph 3:15-21. After that we did what is called cardboard testimonies. Those of us who were willing has written a sin, or something we stuggle(d) with on a piece of posterboard, and on the back written how God redeemed or restored us. We walked up on stage one at a time and held up the sin side. Then we flipped it and walked on. It was amazing. It was cool to see so many of us willing to be vulnerable and honest before the whole school community - and even more amazing to hear everyone applaud as we revealed how God had restored us. The focus was very much on the freedom received in Christ and God's redemption. Some people make some pretty intense confessions, and it was really moving. Then to close we sang Amazing Grace...which just summed it all up. Truly how great that grace does appear, the hour we first believe. What a blessing to witness that first-hand. God is so great. It was also incredible to talk to UCU students afterwards and hear them be honest with us about things they struggle with, and tell us we were not alone in our stuggles, and just hear how touched they were by it all. God's grace truly covers all. His love his amazing, steady, and unchanging. Even in Africa. God be praised.
Sorry for the preachy feel to this...but God has just been really good. I am so thankful. I was gonna write out some questions I've been having through class discussions and stuff but I am so overwhelmed by it sometimes I don't even know where to start. Basically, I would love to chat upon my return. And I am grateful that God is the same God yesterday, today and forever. In the US, Africa, and the world. What more can I depend on but that.
I would really appreciate prayers as we finish up school here with finals in a week and a half. Just on how to best spend the rest of my time here, and to deal with the craziness of having to say goodbye to such close friends possibly forever. I am so thankful to have formed these relationships that I will be sad to leave...but still sad to do it. Anyways, God is good. And I am just going to keep following his lead step by step. Striving to follow Joshua 1:8...
Lastly how about a little poem about my little 2 1/2 year old brother, Anooke:
Big eyes and a loving face
Calling my name over and over
Each time he speaks with grace
Full of joy he shares with us
His eyes tell of his innocent love
His prayers betray his kind heart
His small hand smooth as a dove
His hug sweeter than any other
Such a blessing to have as a brother
We learn from him and he from us
I only wish I could explain to his mother
What a beautiful treasure she bore
Hope you are doing well, and enjoying the joy of God's goodness and love.
Love and peace to you all.
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