Riches That Can't Be Purchased with Money

When you think about Africa, what are the first few things you think of? Maybe you think of the Lion King! Maybe you think of grass huts and traditional rituals. Maybe you think of starving children. Maybe you think of a dark or dirty place where you one day wish to come and transform via some amount of money to end poverty. Maybe you think of epidemic diseases and death, or maybe even a place that needs to know how to become better followers of Christ. If I am being honest with myself, these are some of the many things I have thought of before spending this semester in Uganda. I pray and hope that through my sharing of this past week, all of those thoughts are transformed and you will be able to recognize that while many Africans may not have much materialistic things to offer and while disease and poverty strike much of the African population, many people here have riches in their hearts and spirits that cannot be purchased with any sum of money or wealth.

For those of you who were unaware, I have spent the past week in a beautiful village seated in the hills of Mount Elgon. I lived in Kaptorwa village with a family of 7. I lived with my host father, Daniel and mother, Patricia. They are the proud parents of Eric, Sara, Selina, Aggrey, Fiasco (true story!) and Norris. My home was a semi-permanent home made of sticks, mud, water, cow dung and ashes. My family owned one cow, a few pigs and many chickens. There was no electricity, so the sun, moon and stars were my only source of light. Food was gathered from the grounds and trees surrounding the home and was cooked over the fire. Water was fetched from an underground pump about a 10 minutes walk away and milk was collected from a family friend about a 20 minutes walk away. I have learned that village life isn't easy, but it's beautiful and I admire the village folk very very much. To describe all the events that have happened to me this past week and all the emotions that have come along with it is impossible to cover in a blog topic. If you wish to learn more, feel free to facebook message me or ask me about it when I return. To sum it all up a head of time, this week has renewed my mind and reshaped my heart, opening my eyes to God's presence, protection, and magnificence. For now, I am going to give you just a few scenarios that thought me about "riches that can't be purchased with money."


A Table Prepared Before You
A visitor to the village is highly respected. My host father told me on many occasions that my presence brought them much respect from the other tribesmen. My father's phone was ringing nonstop by family and friends because they wanted me to come and see their home. Notice I didn't say they wanted to come to my family's home. They wanted me to visit theirs. Most of my mornings, then, were spend walking across the village to meet and greet member's of my family's clan. Many of the houses I visited were semi-permanent like my own. Some of the houses were grass huts and none of them had electricity. To the typical western mind, these people were very poor, possibly surviving on only a dollar a day. Their clothes weren't something any of us would by at the local mall. Their feet were dirty from not walking in shoes and their hands were callused from all the daily labor. But the people I encountered at Kaptorwa were some of the most kind-hearted, genuine, compassionate, hospitable people I have ever met. They would milk their cow and prepare tea for me. They would slaughter their chicken to prepare meat for me to eat. While the woman would be slaving in the kitchen, they would open their small homes for me to eat in their living room. A giant table was always prepared before me, and eating only one plate of food wasn't acceptable. Before the meal, a prayer was always prayed to bless the food and to thank our Father for giving resources to prepare it. Whenever I would try and thank the families for having me, they would return with even more favor and thanksgiving for being able to have me as their guest. As I made my way from family to family, my physical eyes were seeing their suffering and their lack of all things so easily accessible in the states, but God reminded me to look at more than worldly things. As I made my way from family to family, I saw the joy in their spirits as they prepared a meal in the small, mud made kitchen. I saw the gratefulness in their eyes as I went back for more cabbage and beans. I saw their genuine humility as they asked me to simply pray for them so the Lord may grant them a chance to one day build a permanent home. I saw love in their hearts as they, too, prayed a blessing over me. I have never been touched by so many families as I have this past week. I left asking myself this one question, "Who am I to judge and feel bad for the looks of these people, their homes, and their lack of materialistic things when they have just laid down all they have to prepare a table before me?" Hospitality is a rich that can't be purchased with money but can be found in places where you may least expect it.

When Presence is Enough

 

Throughout the day, when I wasn't hiking, climbing, exploring the village or visiting with neighbors, I was sitting. Sometimes I was sitting alone and sometimes I was sitting with family or family friends who knew no English. Often, I found myself sitting in complete silence with only the sounds of nature ringing in my ear. Frankly, I had no reason to get up and move because I had nothing to do and no where to go. I would often find that the people I was sitting with were quite content to sit in silence. My host father would later tell me that those I were sitting with were very pleased that I spent time with them. My presence was there and that was enough. In my mind I would be thinking, "Why in the world did they enjoy spending time with me? We didn't do anything. We sat there like a few bumps on a log." By the end of the week I stared enjoying sitting in silence and with people who I communicated very little with, if I was able to communicate at all. I found that in those times I was able to appreciate the gift of presence and use that quiet time to pray for that person and ask the Holy Spirit to show me what he loves about that person. What I began to be reminded of is that all the people of this world were made and created in the image of God. We all behold special characteristics of him. That means that if so many people enjoy the presence of another, even if that means being present in silence, no speaking, no distractions, just being, then God also enjoys presence. I was reminded that God also loves when we sit and spend time with him. We don't have to have any agenda. We don't have to have conversation. All I have to do is be present with my heavenly Father. Through the silence and the act of simply being, I was reminded that presence is enough. I was reminded that God sheds light through his people and if presence is enjoyable to those made in his likeness, then he too enjoys presence. Presence is a rich that can't be purchased with money but can be a gift that is given whole heartedly and mean more than any gift purchased with tangible cash.









Faith and Hope for a Future

 

 

My very last night with my host family, I was put in charge of the fellowship my family has before hitting they hay. I had a gift of a Willow Tree Angle entitled "Beautiful Wishes" that I wanted to give to my family, but I wanted to find the most meaningful way to present it to them. I decided to have everyone in my family go around the circle and give me one wish they have for their lives. As we sat outside in the kitchen lighted by a kerosene lamp, I was moved and touch in such a beautiful way. Many of my family members wished for these grand and extravagant plans. As I was listening to their biggest dreams, a part of me was thinking there is no way these are all going to come true. How was I going to react when they were finished? I couldn't tell them that one day the wishes would become their reality because I honestly don't know where God is going to lead them. I was on the verge of tears when my mother made a few wishes. One was that she prayed God would listen to their prayers and give them a hope for a good future. She wished for faith that God would outdo all the wishes her children had mentioned. Then God told me that he absolutely adores my host family. He has a very special plan for them and he will never leave them dry. I was reminded of the verse found in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.." God is going to blow those wishes out of the water and my family is going to dive into the shores of grace. Faith and hope are riches that can't be purchased with money, but can be found in the heart of the Lord. My family has such a beautiful wish and their trust in God is one to be admired.

 

 

When you think about Africa, what are the first few things you think of? For me, I think of many things. I think of how Africa is a grand part of the world and God has got the whole world in his hands. I think about those starving children and how sitting in their presence means more than any toy that can be bought for them. I think of the warm welcomes and the hospitable, non-judgmental spirits of the Christian population. I think of how the Lord has given such faith and such favor to the people. I think of how God is very very present here, and how through simple things he manifests himself and wait to be found. I think of when God is seen and how breathtakingly beautiful is. Africa has many third world countries that desperately need radical transformation, but when I think of Africa I think of the people who I have encountered and how humble I am be the blessings they have poured into my life. The Africa I think of is a part of the Lord's heart that is exploding with compassion and a place in the world where material possessions is far from being rich.





Seven Second Version
Africa is way more beautiful than you think. There's more to the heart of Africa than the poverty you may see with your physical eyes.

Where Ever You Are..

Dear Family and Friends,

I apologize for my lack of blogging, but I have been on quite the emotional rollercoaster. If you have been following my blog posts, you know that I recently dealt with a huge bed bug problem and some sickness. I was bug/sickness free for about a week and low and behold those lil buggers (no pun intended) came crawling back. I started getting bit again and soon enough I got sick again. I actually think I was getting sick due to the bites. That seems to be the only logic reasoning. I talked to the staff members of my program right away and they told me I was not allowed to stay with my host family until the problem was solved. I spent 3 nights sleeping on campus until the exterminator went to my host home and sprayed all my stuff real good (or so I hope!).

This past Friday was my last night sleeping on campus. I woke up early Saturday morning to head into the capital city, Kampala, to meet up with Watoto Ministries. My good friend and I were going to visit my grandparents' sponsor child. When I woke up Saturday morning I heard news of a family emergency back at home. My family is everything in the world to me, so hearing this news was not pleasant to say the least. I began thinking to myself, "You have got to be kidding me! Bed bugs, sick, no sleep, and now this?!" I was very angry and very upset, but I turned to God and put the situation in His hands. I prayed and prayed and said, "God, I know you are my comforter and I surrender my life to you. I am not angry with you for these struggles, so help me to grow closer to you through these times." I prayed healing over every situation in my life and thanked God for all the blessings despite the obstacles.

I truly believe Satan runs in frustration when you can find peace in Christ among the trials the enemy tries to tempt you with.

Anyways, at this point I was a wreck. While I focused on God, I still had thoughts of disappointment and worry. What was happening with my family at home? Will this bed bug situation ever be taken care of? What if the bugs have spread through my whole house here in Uganda? My family has very little and these bugs could potentially force them to leave their home. Is that my fault? I felt horrible because I hadn't been spending time with my host family because I have a 7pm curfew. Was my family upset with me? ...All these emotions began to flood my mind.

My Saturday continued and I hopped on a taxi with my friend to head off the Watoto. During that time, I fully surrendered everything to God. There was nothing I could do in any of the situations I was experiencing. At that moment, I was on my way to visit with an orphaned boy and his orphaned siblings. Who was I to complain and be angry with all that was happening in my life? I realized I am blessed beyond many measures and at that moment, I chose joy again. My heavenly Father was right beside me through everything. My dwelling place is in Him, and in Him is love, joy, and peace. It turned out that Saturday was one of my favorite days in Uganda thus far. My visit to Watoto far exceeded my expectations and on our way back home, my friend and I had real chicken and real French fries! Praise God!

I once heard a quote that says, "Where ever you are be all there."

I am here in Uganda, so as I look past all the complications I have been experiencing, I have decided to be all here. It's time for me to embrace all God has for me and keep my eyes fixed on the prize- the overflow of love and joy and excitement my Father has in store for me. In doing so, I have taken a couple of leaps and bounds in terms of cultural embracement.

For starters, when my friend and I went to Kampala, we took a taxi all by ourselves! We're big girls now. I have also began helping my host mother cook on a regular basis. I've moved past peeling potatoes and onto slicing onions and tomatoes! Go me! I am beginning to eat like a Ugandan, or trying to. Last night for dinner I dumped my fish sauce over my cooked bananas and ate all the sliced pumpkin they gave me. It wasn't the most appetizing, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I no longer screech when I see a cockroach. In fact,  I even kicked one out of my room without going to fetch my younger brother for help. I was very proud of myself in that moment. Finally, the most embracive thing I have done is get myself a weave! Against my mother's wishes, I went Sunday with a friend and sat on the floor for 7 hours while they yanked and pulled at my scalp. In the end it was worth it..so long as my hair doesn't fall out in a few weeks!!

Coming into this study abroad experience, I never thought I would be facing the obstacles and challenges I am. I thought I would have trouble with communication and every day western life depravities, but never the things that have been thrown on my plate (and no, I'm not talking about the food!). Overall, though, I think the biggest challenge has been keeping my eyes fixed on the Lord through all of this. It would be so easy for me crawl in a little ball crying and letting out all my angry emotions. I chose not to take that route. I chose Jesus, and He has yet to let me down. I believe God rewards those who seek His face. He never said that following His will would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it. If I were offered a plane ticket home right now, I wouldn't accept it. I have a purpose here and I am experiencing the goodness of the Lord in ways I know I couldn't at home in the states. Where ever I am, I need to be all there. I am in Africa. I am in Christ and Christ is in me, so let's do this thing! I say yes to everything God is doing in my life. Together, there is no obstacle we can't over come. This is a 4-1 battle. It's a battle against myself, my Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit against one enemy, and through Christ, I already claim the victory!

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again rejoice." Philippians 4:4

This verse doesn't say to stop rejoicing in hard times. It doesn't say to take a break from worshiping. It says to rejoice, and just in case you forget, rejoice again. It's time to continuously rejoice and be present where ever I am. I have about 3 more months in Uganda and I'm all strapped in and ready to take on the rest of the ride.

I am incredibly thankful for all my friends and family that have been with me along the way thus far. Your prayers have been such a blessing. I pray all those blessings would be returned to you! I will be heading off to my rural homestay this Friday in Kapturwa, so one the return I will inform you all on that stay! Until then, may God be with you and always remember...

Seven Second Version!
 Umm...Where ever you are, be all there! Jesus rocks! Duh.

 

Lord of the Dance

From last weekend, when I was infested with bed bugs and puking my guts out, to this weekend when bed bugs are no where in site and I finally finished my plate at dinner, I can not for the life of me describe to you the love and all out joy that comes from the Lord when you keep your eyes focused on Him.

 

One of my favorite worship artists, Steffany Frizzell, sings a spontaneous song called "Lord of the Dance." Half way through the song, a pastor from Bethel Church speaks about how the Lord audits our steps, but sometimes our steps aren't forward. He says that sometimes our steps are audit in a dance. Sometimes the Lord just wants to dance with us. After a few weeks of adjustments, struggles and obstacles, I have decided that I no longer want to walk through this experience. I want to engage in a beautiful, fun, long lasting dance with my Father.

 

I am in Uganda. I am in Africa- a place my heart beats for, a place the Lord has promised me. Why in the world would I spend this time thinking about how much I want a good cup of coffee from a Keurig or a slice of pizza or a pillow that doesn't feel like a bag of coal? I am in Africa! Praise God!

 

In the song that Steffany sings, the pastor also says that there is no dance that the Lord can't dance with you. You can spin and twirl. You can swing and shuffle. Heck, you can even do the hokey-pokey if you really wanted to! I've realized that the angels and heavenly chorus are always singing. The music coming from the kingdom never stops. So why does my dance with Christ ever have to stop? Even through periods of struggles or downfalls, the Lord can keep dancing with me. He can hold me in His arms and comfort me. In times of joyful jubilation, He can dance with me like I am 4 years old spinning so fast that I can't stop from laughing! I have realized that it's time to join in with angels and begin to dance the best Father-daughter dance imaginable.

 

The Lord has blessed me so well with friends I have made on this trip and with the host family He has so carefully and perfectly placed me in. Walking home with friends is one of my favorite times of day. We laugh and laugh and laugh some more. Friday evening I shared with my brothers and sisters and some neighborhood friends gifts my American family had sent for them. The smiles and excitements on their faces was priceless. Then I had an amazing opportunity to cook and American meal for my family..and again, more neighborhood friends. I made spaghetti (from scratch, might I add)! Everyone loved it! Or so they said. They went back for seconds and some for thirds, so I'm guessing I did a half decent job. It was such a blessing to be able to provide for my family and new friends in such a simple way. Finally, Saturday morning I woke up early and taught the little kiddos some American games, like Simon Says, Red Light Green Light and Tag. We played for over two hours! I cannot stop smiling. God is so good! I even went into the capital city with some friends and had a cheeseburger and fries today!!! Praise sweet baby Jesus!

 

The Lord of the dance. It's a whirl of a ride, but one I can guarantee I will not regret. Listen for yourself and see if you can find time to dance with your Father.

(The link is right here! Hopefully it works!)

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQzlJ-GexVk

 

 

Enjoy these smiling faces and God Bless!

 

 

 

 

 

SEVEN SECOND VERSION!

     Listen to "Lord of the Dance" by Steffany Frizzell and god dance with Jesus.