Just one day.

I was really praying for a “vacation.” I have literally gone through every God given emotion these past 6 month in Uganda and to be honest, I wasn’t ready to jump right back into my old American life. I needed a debriefing, some time alone with God to just breathe. But since I had spent every dime in my personal savings account while being here, I knew that a vacation wasn’t an option...

It was an emotional day on my way to the airport to return back to the US. It’s like I was right in the middle of some of the most exciting days of my life and I was having to walk away. On top of that I was suffering from some serious mysterious stomach pain which only got worse as my departure time neared. I was dropped off at the airport for my flight which was to leave at 11:30pm. As I went through the check in process, I joked with many of the workers that they’d have to push me onto the plane since I didn’t want to leave. “Then you stay!” they all said to me, but I knew at this point I didn’t have a choice. 

After all the hassle of checking in and finding a seat among the crowded lobby, it was announced that our plane was still in Rwanda with a cracked windshield from hitting a bird while in flight. Then about thirty minutes later they informed us the flight was canceled. They shuttled us all to a nearby hotel for the night while they worked on new itineraries. And that’s where I am now...

The hotel is beautiful. Easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. I laughed at myself when I got so excited about a real bath tub, air conditioning, and a TV. Even the site of a lamp and a full length mirror amazed me! I took another dose of my medicine, updated my friends and family of my “situation” and went to sleep. 

This morning I woke up to a full buffet breakfast and made new sweet friends. And now I’m currently sitting on the beach (yes the beach) enjoying the beautiful view, the sound of birds and a nice cool breeze. Just me and God. Exactly the "vacation" I had been praying for.

God has truly amazed me every single step of the way. Every step of my life has been laced with His mercy and love. And even today, if it’s just one day of a free vacation, I’m so grateful. It’s exactly what I needed. I’ve had the opportunity to see another part of Uganda that most don’t get to and to experience His glory yet again. It’s almost overwhelming. With each breathe I am breathing Him in. And with each breath I breathe out, I pray it’s not in vain but in full service to God because of what He has done for me, someone doesn’t even deserve it. “Lord I’m amazed by you and how you love me.”

Please pray for me as I transition back “home.” I’ll share with you now what I’ve felt for some time now... Uganda is my heart's home. This is where God has called me and as I’m back in the US I will be preparing to come back yet again. My heart belongs here. I’m thankful for your outpouring of love and support as I follow the life I know God has called me to live. 

My name is Namudiba. This is my story...

"I am happy to say that I have a great husband. He works very hard for our four children and for me. Especially for me. Since giving birth to my children I have developed a horrible pain in my lower body that refuses to go away. Because of my pain I am not able to work. My husband is a borda driver and taxis people around on a motorcycle. He does not own the motorcycle and at the end of the day must give most of the money he has earned to the owner. What we have left after that is very little. We have no money for school fees for our children. The money we have is used to take me to the hospital. After many times being at the hospital, the doctors are still clueless as to what might be wrong with me. I just want to feel well so that I can help my husband and send my children to school. Please pray for me."

-Good health care for women in villages is very rare in Uganda. Though a health center may be near, it can be costly for them to go. For example, a woman giving birth must BRING with her to the hospital four pairs of plastic gloves, a large plastic bag or sheet to lay underneath her, a large amount of cotton, and whatever else she thinks she may need. Nothing is provided. Though the cost for these materials ends up being less than $10, most women cannot afford that. Many of these women are left with horrible complications after childbirth that can cause life long pain and even death. Please pray for Namudiba and women like her who have severe medical conditions with little hope of comfort or healing. Our God is a god of miracles. 

My name is Ruth. This is my story...

I married very young. I was the second wife to my husband who has now passed away. Together, we had 8 children but I have had to bury 5 of them. All of my daughters are now dead. They were murdered. The youngest was killed just last year while attending university in Nairobi. The others were killed in different ways by their co-wives. I now care for 6 grandchildren on my own. It is difficult to find money for school fees for them all yet I am blessed that two of them have found sponsorship. Still, we struggle. I am still praying for help with the other four. I am too old to work and some nights, I don’t have a place to sleep. After my husband died, my co-wife started abusing me and took away my home so that her children would all have a place to stay. She says I am worthless and cursed since most of my children have died before I have. But maybe she’s right. One of my daughters bodies was dug up after she died by a local witchdoctor. I don’t know what her body was used for but the village has now called me cursed because of it. I am only growing older and my body is failing. I am afraid that my grandchildren will be left alone on this earth. Please pray for me.

-Thank God for grandmothers. It is very common for a grandmother in Uganda to raise multiple grandchildren. The reasons this happens can range from the children’s parents living in other areas to work, death of one or both parents, or abandonment of the child by their parents. We see the grandmother taking in her grandchildren often because of her immense love for them. However, because they are older, can’t work, and must stay home with the children, they can not provide financially. Often times this leaves the only choice to abandon the younger children and put them in an orphanage. As much as this grandmother loves her grandchildren, she simply can’t provide. Please pray for the jjajja’s of Uganda, raising their grandchildren and praying that they will be tomorrow’s leaders, producing change for their country. 

Getting my feet wet.

God’s paths aren’t always crystal clear. (I think we can all vouch for that.) BUT His paths are always right. 

While in Uganda I went through what I consider one of the most difficult trials of my life. I won’t go into details, but in the process of this trial I lost a dear friend who I considered a sister. I pray someday there will be reconciliation, but for now she refuses so I will let God do that work... However, this trial had me on my face begging God to show me the next step. I was lost. I felt completely abandoned. And though I love Uganda, it didn’t help that I was 8,000 miles from home. I didn’t have my girlfriends to cheer me up. I couldn’t get a hug from my mom or a big bowl of gumbo to warm my soul from my dad. It was literally just me and God.

In my devotions this morning I read about Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River. After Moses died, Joshua took over in leading the Israelites into the Promise Land. Most of us know the story of Moses parting the Red Sea to flee from Pharaoh. Well, time came again and it was now Joshua’s turn to lead his people through a large body of water. Only this time it was a bit different...

Joshua instructed the priests to carry the ark of he covenant into the water and for the Israelites to follow behind. No staff was struck into the river with giant walls of water like we see in the movies with Moses. THEY HAD TO GET THEIR FEET WET. They had to walk straight into the fast flowing river if they wanted God to do His work. It was only then that the waters parted and a strip of dry land stretched miraculously from one side of the river to the other.

When I went through my own trial, I wanted to go home. I saw a giant raging river in front of me and I was terrified. We read multiple times in scripture how the Israelites contemplated turning back so many times, even though turning back meant a life of hardship and slavery. They were afraid, they felt abandoned by God, and they were tired. That’s how I felt and I was ready to go back to the comfortable and familiar. I pleaded with God to show me my next step, but He didn’t. Instead, I had to step out into the unknown, into the raging waters. I put full trust in Him that I wouldn’t get swept away in life’s river. 

The first few steps were scary and I feared the current of life would sweep my feet right out from under me. But the exact opposite happened. God created dry ground for me to walk on, just as he did for the priests carrying the ark of the covenant. I may only see the path one step at a time, but He is still guiding me, as long as I am obedient and trust Him. 

I’m so glad I didn’t let discouragement and hurt get the best of me during my time of pain. Stepping out into the whirling waters has been the best experience of my entire life and I know it is what God had planned all along. I still stub my toe every once in awhile when I’m not fixed on His path and there are still days I wonder what would happen if I turned around and ran the opposite direction. But I know His plans for my destiny are even greater than my past. And I know that He will always guide me as long as I put complete trust in Him... as long as I’m willing to occasionally get my feet wet.