Huge Hands

Let me introduce you to one of my friends. His name is Robert. He is one of the uncles (helpers) for the street ministry with Abaana. Robert is one of the older and larger uncles. He is around 6 foot and has a large smile. However, he is quite shy and rather quiet. He is well respected in the community, which you can tell by the people who speak to him as we walk around the streets. His hands are strong and, well, they are huge.

Robert came to the streets in 2002 when both of his parents passed away. At the time he was 16. He found his way to the Abaana Street Reach, where he learned about God and His love for others. After a year on the streets he was able to receive support to enter into secondary school (high school). While he was in school he began to understudy with a teacher who taught him how to carve wood. However, his teacher and mentor passed away before he could finish. Robert again found himself looking for a way to finish his education. Again someone locally stepped forward and in 2006, Robert was able to become a licensed carver.

Due to his time on the streets battling and struggling each day, Robert knew he wanted to do something to help those boys who still found themselves on the street. So he decided to use his gifts to raise money for the boys and teach them just as he was taught. Today, Robert works 5 days a week with a group of former street boys from Abaana in a group they call Never Lose Hope. Each day they meet with the boys in the slums and teach them English, math, life lessons, teach them about the Bible, play games, and generally help them have a hope that they can overcome the streets. When he finishes each day he heads over to his workshop in the slums.

Tuesday, I had the chance to visit the workshop and spend some time with my friend. Since it was the last week of the month, Abaana Street Reach was not taking place, so Robert was hard at work. Several of the street boys were there. Why? Because Robert has taught them how to make bracelets and necklaces from the beads that the other uncles make. He then sells them at the market and uses the money to buy them food. The workshop is hidden amongst the slum buildings. Winding through the cardboard and aluminum of homes and down passageways you reach the 8 foot by 8 foot area. Cardboard crammed among old tree limbs make the walls and wood chips make up the floor. Fishing line hangs from the walls to be used for the jewelry. A line also runs across the room where finished pieces hang to go to the market. A wood stool sits in one corner where unfinished carvings lay waiting to be polished and then stained. Robert tossed some of the beads on the top of a can and laid them in the middle of the room for us to get busy making necklaces. After awhile I decided that I wasn’t going to finish a necklace, and I was getting pretty hot in the poorly ventilated area. As I was walking out I grabbed one of the unfinished pieces to inspect it further and then Robert came around the corner. He grabbed the stool, a piece of wood, the chisel, and then said, “Here, you try.” Robert carves little huts that look like the straw huts you see in the villages. He showed me how to chisel it down and I got started. Robert watched me with a smile on his face and then disappeared to go work on something else. Ten minutes later he came back and laughed. He took the chisel in his hands and told me to grip it firmly. Then he started carving and in 30 seconds did more than I had previously done. I started back to work as Robert started working on a log that he brought back from his storage area. “Oops!” I had just messed up the roof. Robert looked at me, smiled and held out his hands asking for the chisel and the hut. He quickly fixed my mistake and shaped the rest of the house into something familiar. He handed it back to me with a “You are doing good.” After I gave out another oops, again for messing up the same roof, Robert took it from me and in three minutes had the piece finished and ready for the detail work. He never complained, just smiled. He looked over and saw the smallest scratch of blood on my knuckle and asked if I was alright. “Yeah,” I said. My knuckle was fine, but the blisters on my hands were hurting. I watched as he took his machete and chopped fragments of wood from the log. By the time we were leaving, you could see the formation of Mary holding Jesus coming out of the grain. I asked Robert how many pieces he would do in a week. He told me at least 5 small one a day, and 3 large ones in a week. Each Sunday he goes to his booth in another part of town to sell his carvings. The money pays for his home and food, but it also pays for the other street kids around.

This Sunday we had the chance to go to the home for street boys that Robert and some of the other uncles have started. The home is about the size of a master bedroom. 8 boys sleep in bunks on one side and then the floor is open on the other for homework and crafts. Outside is a chicken coup which provides food and a little income. The boys come to live and get to go to school, for which the uncles raise the money for their school fees. They don’t force them to remain, and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they don’t know how to go back to living in a structured environment. But the uncles keep trying. Robert told me the landlord is doing something new with the building so they are out at the end of December. He is happy about that though. “I want to get a new house with more room, away from the slums. I don’t like it that they see the slums each day, cause it reminds them of where they are, not where they can be.” Robert told me in the future they want to be able to house 50 boys. I asked him when the future was. He told me he didn’t know, but 30 boys will come first. I smiled and laughed at him as we dreamed together.

Robert is one of many people I have met, who have been taken from the streets to make a life, only to return to rescue those still there. His hands are huge. He uses them to carve wood, but God uses them to lift street boys to freedom.

A new perspective

Last weekend I had the chance to go to Gulu to visit the Abaana schools there. I had been wanting to go to Gulu for many years and was excited to get the chance. For those who do not know, Gulu was at the center of the war with the LRA in Uganda. In 2005 or 2006 I learned about everything going on in the northern region through an organization called Invisible Children. IC told the story of thousands of children who would walk for miles to come to Gulu each night to escape the abductions of children in the villages. Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA, would abduct children and force them to become child soldiers by any and all means. Millions of people were forced from their homes and lived in displacement camps in the Gulu area. Many of you may have heard in the last two weeks that President Obama has sent 100 US advisors to help train the Ugandans in an attempt to finally catch Kony for good. This is very exciting as the LRA has been terrorizing Northern Uganda, Southern Sudan, and the Congo for over 20 years. So, I have always wanted to visit Gulu ever since.
The trip from Kampala takes around 5 hours if you don’t have much traffic. Gulu, itself, is quite worn down from the years of war and from living in fear. Within the last 3 years, as the LRA has been forced into parts of the Congo, people have returned to try to begin their lives again. Still, many of the buildings in town are empty. We arrived around 4 on Sunday afternoon and had a meeting with Robert, who is the Abaana staff member who work in Gulu. After eating dinner and talking about our plans for the next day we headed to a café. It is odd to find this place tucked away on the streets of Gulu. It was opened by a European and has that type of feel to it. We enjoy the internet while passing time before going to our hotel. During the night, the rains came.
The nest morning was quite cool, probably mid to lower 60’s, to start the day. Everything was soaked including the dirt/mud road we would be using. We headed out to the north to go and visit the two schools Abaana has and another they are in talks with about building. This is the main road that leads to southern Sudan and it was packed with people walking about. A few miles outside of the city we passed the hospital made famous by IC where the thousands of children would pour into each night to try to feel safe. As we continued to drive, I kept thinking about seeing the movie so many years ago. As we passed by so many people I kept thinking of how hard their lives had been and still are. It took about 45 minutes for us to reach the turn off to head through the bush to the first school. I do mean through the bush. The pathway or “road “ was no larger than the truck at its widest points. We shifted into 4 wheel drive to get through the mud and basically skied our way through until we popped out at the school. Dr Andrew McCovy was one of the first schools in the area to be built after people began to return. It was finished in 2009. Abaana wanted the school to be self sustaining and so it is built on 10 acres of land. They have fields of corn, potatoes, ground nuts, and lots of other crops that I could not name. The Gulu area has more of a grassland/savannah type of feel to it and standing on the soccer field looking in all directions, I felt like I should see herds of elephants or giraffes going by. While we were there we checked on the progress of the roof repair, damaged in a storm, and the construction of the new sleeping quarters for the teachers. I of course went into the classes and stirred up the kids until the teachers wondered back in to find out what the noise was from. After we delivered a health kit we were on our way. The school is very nice and organized and I am looking forward to coming back to stay in three months to run camp.
After our drive back through the bush and onto the main road, we continued north to head to our next school, Ayila. The funds to build Ayila were raised strictly through 5 pound donations of people in the UK. The goal was to find 10000 people to give 5 pounds. Therefore, Ayila is also known as the 5 pound school. As we were driving we came to a gulley in the road as it crossed over a stream. The opposite hill was especially muddy. As we shifted to 4 wheel drive and headed up, the truck continued its slide to the right and eventually off the road. We were stuck. We decided the only way out was to try to push it back down the hill to where we had come because at least the tires might get back on the road. After 30 minutes of pushing, collecting rocks, rocking the truck back and forth, and trying everything we could, we had succeeded in moving the tuck 15 feet and now both right side tires more than halfway in holes. We laughed as every other vehicle, whether they had four wheel drive or not, slid back and forth and made it up the hill. Trucks and NGO’s and everyone just drove right passed us, until finally a truck from the United Nations stopped. Another NGO stopped behind them, but it think it was because they couldn’t pass. Eventually there were 20 men out arguing about how to get the truck out. After telling us we should get a lift back to town and buy rope, we eventually convinced them to let us use the rope they had had with them for the last 10 minutes. We tied the “rope,” it wasn’t much more than string, up to the truck and prayed it wouldn’t break. After two of the four strands broke we were finally out and able to continue our journey.
Ayila has around 500 students and they are still meeting under their straw roofs and under trees until the first half of the build is complete. Again, I had the chance to run around and stir up trouble in the classrooms. One of our purposes on the trip was to give an entire village mosquito nets, and this is the village that was chosen. We had all the children come out of class and I gave them a talk about Malaria, what its effects were, and how important it was not only to them but to the community that everyone sleep under a net. Ryan finished by showing them the proper way to put one up and how to sleep under it. We gave nets out to 188 families. As the kids ran back to put their nets up at home some more of the villagers came to receive their nets. We walked over to one of the huts to make sure it was being done properly and scarred all the infants who had not seen white men before. Soon we were back in the truck and on our way. We decided to not stop in on the other school in order to make it back to Kampala at a reasonable hour. As we drove back I thought about the differences of opinions we faced within the same country. Many of the people in Kampala don’t believe that catching Joseph Kony is a big deal. They don’t think what happened in the north is that important. Some believe the troops the US is sending are coming to spy in Uganda because oil was just discovered. However, in the north their lives revolve around what has happened. They frequently mention the LRA. They are trying to put the pieces back together and start a new life, one that is not lived in fear. It made me think about how quickly I can blow off someone else’s struggles as no big deal. Don’t we all do that sometimes. Since, we ourselves are not going through the hardships we don’t understand why they are struggling so much. Sometimes it’s the passing away of a family member or friend. Other times it might be the loss of a job or a struggle with an addiction. Maybe all of us should slow down and give a little more patience to those who are going through things. Maybe we should see things from their perspective. Jesus was the ultimate example of coming and walking in someone’s shoes. Isn’t he our example too. I encourage you to be patient with those who are struggling. Consider seeing things from a new perspective. I know I will try.

Sleeping on the streets

The evening started with a meeting to make sure we knew what we needed to know, which included where we would sleep, who was there to help, and what the exit strategy was in case something went wrong. We loaded up the car with our coal bags, these are a little more than large plastic bags that the boys use as blankets, and our scraps our cardboard to sleep on and headed into town. It was a rather funny attempt to get to where Peter, an Abaana staffer, had set up for us to met him, including several drives the wrong way on a one way street, being at the wrong gas station, and running through the streets. Eventually, we got the car parked and walked down to meet the boys they had already found for us to sleep with. We were just a half block from the taxi park and on a major road, but it was where we had good lighting. The police and the army had been informed that we would be there and were bribed to keep an eye on us. When we got there power was out, so it was quite dark. Our uncles with Abaana street reach had been gathering up street boys, but us just being on the streets was also drawing a lot of attention and word was getting out. Soon there were all kinds of boys surrounding us, and it was a bit unnerving. Many of you may know that a lot of street boys sniff gasoline to get high and help them go to sleep. So add to the dust and exhaust from the cars, the smell of gasoline all around you. I quickly began to have a head ache. While we continued to be surrounded by boys, I began to notice the younger kids and how uneasy they felt or at least looked. So feeling like I was in the same boat, I thought I would get near them to sort of protect them from the older boys and the ones who were high. Not to mention it gave me something to do to keep my mind of my growing uneasiness. After several meetings with the uncles, Peter ran off to buy food and drinks for all the boys. When he got back we handed it out and did our best not to start any fights. Robert, who is one of the largest uncles, began to ask some of the boys he had rounded up to leave and sending those who showed up to be fed on their way. This definitely helped with the atmosphere.
A zoo animal and Invisible children– One thing is for sure. I know what it feels like to be stared at. It is not considered rude to stare at people here, and being white gives people a reason to do it. So as it turned to after midnight and all the people where moving around the streets, everyone would gather around and just stare, boda drivers, business men and woman, people just walking the streets, and anyone else the crowd would draw. They would just stand at our feet and stare. Five minutes was about the amount of time for someone who stopped, but there was the occasional ten minute person. Again it was quite bothersome, and I didn’t feel as though I was getting a true picture of what a night on the street was like for the boys. I put the hood of my sweatshirt on so I wouldn’t have to see what all was going on and try to get a little sleep. While I was trying to become invisible, I noticed the boys around me were well on their way to sleeping. I realized that every night they became invisible. They would sleep right below people’s feet and conversations, and those people would never take a second glance at them. They would not stop and ask if they needed anything. In order to be able to sleep with so much commotion, they had to know that people didn’t see them in order to even go to sleep. I thought about what that must do to them mentally, to shut yourself down from being a person every night. I thought about the ones who had been there for years and how it must play with their identity and self worth. I looked around and saw those boys were already asleep. Then I noticed all the others who were still rolling around where boys who had not been on the street long, maybe less than 6 months, and they were not having an easy time falling asleep. That change in attitude is a critical part in the rescue of boys on the street. As soon as they begin to become comfortable and think there is no way out or have no hope for something better, or start to feel invisible, they are hard to rehabilitate and to even get off the street whether they like it there or not. It becomes a part of them. Therefore, it is very crucial to get to the boys who are new and help foster the drive in them for something better, as we work to get them off the streets. One boy we talked to, who was 10, came to the city with his brother and then his brother just left him on the streets. There was no reason and he had no way to get home even though he had been very happy there. Joshua was his name and this had happened a month ago. We decided that we could get him transportation home and so the next morning we took him to the New Life Homes and then our social worker checked in on his family. Monday he is headed home. He was so happy. He looked like a new child when we went to visit the homes later in the day after we had gotten some sleep. That’s one boy rescued from this life!
A new friend – While I was sitting there trying to be left alone and avoid the stares of everyone on the street, I looked up one time to see one of the boys starring at me. He had a rather rough look to him. He was quite a bit older and was just giving me the eye. I tried to go back to being invisible, I looked again 10 minutes later and he was leaning down trying to see under my hood. He leaned back and said hello. I responded. I asked him if he was tired and he said no. Great, I thought, he is going to stare at me all night. He then asked me how I was doing, and I said I was fine. I knew this was actually my chance to engage in a real conversation or end it with the next question so I jumped at it. “How are you doing?” “I am suffering,” was the response and I knew I had all I needed. When you find the ones who aren’t happy they are the ones who can be ministered to more effectively. I perked up and we started to talk. His name is Steven. HE came to the streets in 2003 we he was 11. His mother and father were both dead and his brothers had left. He asked him what he wanted me to do and he said anything, but mostly he wanted a job. I asked how he got food during the day and he told me he had made friend with several people who work in hotels. He would go and help or do odd jobs and they would feed him out of the kitchen. He told me he wanted to be either a doctor or a pastor. He spoke rather good English so asked him how far he had been in school. He had made it to P3 before he was forced to the streets. He told me that he would love to go to school because he couldn’t do anything without being educated. I then told him about Frontline at Calvary Chapel and about Abaana street reach where he could come get food, learn some more, and get help. I made him promise to met me on Tuesday at the soccer field and he told me he would if we could (side note when we got up the next morning and were leaving I said I’ll see you Tuesday, and he said I will see you later today at church. I smiled and told him I would not be at frontline today but he should go. He assured me that we would and I can’t wait to see him on Tuesday) He laid down beside me with his head resting on the concrete. I had taken my sweat shirt off since it was hot and so I moved half of it under his head to use as a pillow. He smiled at me really big. It didn’t take long before he was asleep. During the night we was rolling over and curling up to get warm so I gave him the sweat shirt to wear and then in the morning I told him he could keep it. He stood around me until we left with a big smile. I can’t wait to see him again and I pray he shows up so we can try to help him out of the situation he is in.
There were other stories and other friends. Like the boy who was kicked out of his house because his family was Muslim. Another was a great soccer player before he lost his family and came to the streets. He had only been on the streets for a little over a month and was worried someone would steal his shoes. He didn’t sleep until about 4 am when he saw that I was going to be up. He asked me if I would watch his shoes. When I told him yes, he went to sleep. Then there was Musha. He was 21 and had run a shop on the street in Tanzania selling phones. He came to Kampala two years ago to get a better deal on phones. He was mugged and had everything stolen. He has been stuck on the street ever since. He wears a big smile and asked if he could sleep with Scott. The next day when we were searching the trash and the streets for bottles I remembered the words to “We Fall Down” in Swahili,the language he speaks, and began to sing it. He got a huge smile and started to join me half way through. When it was over, he gave me a big hug. It made me think about when the spirit came at Pentecost and everyone heard the message in their own language and was in awe. Acts 2:5-8
It’s where you would have found Jesus and I did – One thing during the night that was quite interesting, were the times when people were yelling at us stupid muzungus for sleeping on the street. They would stop and stare and then yell at us for being there and sleeping on the streets. I thought about the reception Jesus got from the Pharisees and teachers of the law when he was found eating with the tax collectors and sinners (Luke 27-32) or even from His own disciples when people brought children to him. (Matthew 19:13-15). I imagine it was much the same. People were confused and didn’t know what to make of it. But I’m guessing it felt just right with him. Although I wasn’t comfortable it wasn’t because of how I felt about being there. I knew that was where I should be. During the night at 4am one of the little boys at the far end woke up and stretched. His eyes were barely open and then he looked at me. His eyes shot open. I smiled at him. Not a full smile, one to let him know I saw him. He then put a huge grin on his face and so did I. The look lasted about 5 seconds. He laid his head back down to go to sleep with a big smile. I could help but feel Jesus was smiling at me for being there at that time.
As the night went on and I still didn’t get any sleep. I thought about all the kids who do this every night, not just once. I thought about all the boys who sleep at the street reach programs and how it is frustrating. I thought about the uneasiness I felt and why I didn’t sleep. I realized that I should be more thankful for the boys who sleep at street reach. They know they are safe and are loved. What a great place to fall asleep and such a contrast from the streets. Where they are beaten and ignored. Finally it was time to get to moving. We wanted to know what the boy’s life is like so we asked them what they would do. Most of them walk the streets and collect bottles or scrap metal. They then take the bottles and metal to the slums to trade them in for money. So we took our coal bags that we slept in and started walking. We searched through the sewers and trash looking for bottles. It became fun to watch the boys enjoying the fact that we were helping them. After walking around for about two hours we made it into the slums to get the money. We then headed back to the cars to leave. We were all pretty tired and sore, but it had still be worth it. It means so much to gain a better understanding of what the boys we work with everyday go through. It meant a lot to them to see us doing it. I know it meant a lot to me. If you wanna help us continue the work we do with street kids you can go to ww.abaana.org to learn how you can be involved.
If you would like to read more from another prospective you can chack out other team member blogs Katie http://findthefield.blogspot.com Ryan http://beingrenovated.blogspot.com Malloory http://mountainhighvalleylo.blogspot.com

Not your typical Wednesday, unless your in Africa

Wednesday started out innocently enough. It was a beautiful sunny day, maybe a little on the warm side, but it’s not worth complaining about. We had the morning to just take it easy around the house and do some office work. It was nice to just sit and read my Bible and have a chance to read my book on the Holy Spirit by AW Tozer. Who knew that the spirit would come into play so much on this day. A little later Scott came in to inform me that one of the schools we were going to that day was having a parents meeting because they believed that 7 of their students were demon possessed. So I spent a lot of my time until we left preparing for what might be a serious spiritual war. We headed out just before lunch and grabbed some sandwiches on the way. I had been really excited to go to these two schools because we were going to have to take a boat to get to them. We finally got through to the other side of Kampala and pulled into the boat area. The boats themselves are similar to large canoes. Except they are quite deeper, probably four foot sides. These boats are also used for fishing all along Lake Victoria. The boats are not perfectly built and take on water through several holes but the water in the bottom wasn’t anything to worry about after the 15 minute ride. It was quite a peaceful trip and great to eat our sandwiches and take in the scenery. Next, we pulled into our landing area with boda bodas ready to take whoever landed to wherever they needed to go on the island. Mpata Island is not actually an island. You can reach it by land, it just takes about an hour and a half more. Don’t ask me why it’s called an island. The ride across the island was amazing. It was so pretty with glimpses of the lake every other turn. After about 10 minutes we pulled into Mpata. There were lots of people just milling around outside and laying on mattresses next to packed bags. It seemed odd because there weren’t many kids. When the head mistress greeted us we asked where the kids were and she told us most of their parents had sent them home because of the demons. Oh yeah, I forgot about that whole thing. We asked if we could meet the students and she told us that they had gone chasing them through the bush. About 10 minutes later a group of adults come walking up with two boys aged 17-18 with their hands tied and wobbling as they pulled them along. Immediately all the village came and surrounded them to look. We learned that one of the boys had been acting this way for a week and the other had just started yesterday. We sat down and tried to get the villagers to back off as we talked to them. They had a hard time focusing on us as they were shaking and very tired. One of them was hot and the other was cold. We were also told that the other 5 had been taken by their families to their homes. SO all we had were these two. We all talked to see what we felt was going on and Scott began to call people in Uganda to get their opinion. I in no way wanted to say that there wasn’t anything spiritual going on, but really felt that we needed to check them out medically and I wished Katie was there. After finally hearing from some of the people Scott had called and after we had more of a chance to look at the boys, and knowing something wasn’t right, we decided that we needed to address the villagers. We decided to pay to have a bus come out and take any of the children and a parent to the hospital in Kampala to get checked out. Scott gave a wonderful talk, which he said was totally of God, to the villagers about not being scarred, that God had claimed that school and He was much greater than any spiritual force that might be going on. It was good to see them relax as we claimed things for God, and talked about how God had gifted the medical community. We then asked the villagers to join hands and I prayed for everything. It was a God thing too, as I didn’t really know what to say. After we finished the villagers scattered and soon the other 5 girls, who they felt were possessed, were brought up to meet the bus. I had the chance to just sit amongst them and look them over and talk. One of the little girls was smiling and spoke good English so I kept talking to her. Suddenly she just started crying and shaking. I went over and just started rubbing her back and singing. I noticed that everyone near her was talking very loudly about these kids being demon possessed. I can’t imagine how these children felt to have the entire village tell them they were possessed, and how scarred they must have been. Soon, we headed off to the next school to make a quick visit. Lweza sits on a hill overlooking the lake and is just beautiful. I got the chance to just pop into the classes and goof off, and just talk with the kids. I love seeing their joy to be at a school and the joy in their smiles and laughter. After some pictures and video, we were off. We hopped back on the bodas and headed back to ride the boat back. However, when we got to the landing our boda drivers were demanding more money than we agreed upon. This soon turned into an argument with everyone around. Boat drivers yelling at boda drivers, boda drivers yelling at each other, boda drivers yelling at us, another boat that was leaving yelling at the boda drivers and then at us. It was quite frustrating knowing I would be coming back and would have to use these drivers that were yelling at us. After 20 minutes of yelling we finally gave them more money and left. It was nice to just have a chat about everything on the way back across the lake and I think we all felt OK about everything. We did talk about how it is hard for people to explain something they don’t have an understanding of by using something they do know. We prayed for the kids that were headed to get looked at and wondered what the outcome would be. After we got back we ate and then laid down as it had been a tiring day.
The next morning we got word from the hospital that all of the kids had malaria and two of them had cerebral malaria and thus the odd mental behavior. It was good to know that the children were alright and the only spiritual warfare was with that of fear. But God is still greater none the less, and it was a great day.

Why am I here?

Why am I here? That is a pretty good question and one I find myself asking quite a bit? The interesting thing is that I already know the answer. While I was in Sierra Leone last fall, I felt God tell me I needed to be in Africa. So, there is the simple yet complicated answer. Why is that not enough? Why do I keep looking for more of a reason? Scott, the founder of Abaana, has asked us on several times what are our goals for the trip. What is it that we want to accomplish, so that we feel it was worth it? Today, though, I seem to finally be OK with my answer. The answer is simply to make a difference in the lives of others. I am already aware that some of my thoughts for why I was going to be here are completely different. Sometimes I have even doubted whether this was a running away or a running to what God was calling me for. As we have shared with many people the story of how we have come together to serve, it is so obviously orchestrated by God.
So, again, why am I here? God asked me to come. What do I want to accomplish? Simply to serve and make a difference. How is God going to accomplish that? I believe that one is way out of my hands. God’s ways are not my ways. But I know it is by being faithful. I am here. I have already had opportunities to make a difference. I could leave tomorrow and the trip would be worth it. However, God has much more in mind for me. I just pray I will have the courage to be faithful, to take advantage of the moments of divine appointment, and to see the beauty in recognizing my need for God because I cannot and do not know what to do. I pray that I will wait on the Lord but keep my feet moving forward in faith. I WILL CHOOSE2B USED no matter what that looks like. For I know God is with me. He asked me to be here. Where has he asked you to be? Are you there? I pray all of us will understand God knows more than we can imagine, he knows why we are here, and his love is big enough to carry us through anything.

Week two recap

I am aware that I have not been filling everybody in on the day to day activities around here. So, I thought as I sit outside on the porch, drinking a mountain dew, and watching the sun set, I would fill you in.
Sunday, the 9th, we went to Kawempe Royal High School. 8 of the boys from the New Life Homes are at boarding school there. We had been told to come and sing a song for their chapel service and to just say a word to the students (remember: for some reason they think we are honored guests). It was a rainy walk from the taxi stop and we were late so the chapel service had already started. After the pastor finished the sermon we were invited up. It is always a little awkward because we never know what they are looking for us to do. So we sang a song, that we had not prepared in advance, that was not so great. Then I gave a short maybe a five minute encouragement and follow up to what the pastor had said. Soon after, the leaders were in the back asking me if I was going to bring a word to them. I was definitely caught off guard since there had already been a sermon and I asked I could humbly decline. Of course I felt bad, but I didn’t want them to have to listen to two sermons. We hung out with the boys after it was over and then met with the headmaster to set up our weekly visits to the school to disciple the boys. We then headed back to the slums for Tomorrows Heroes. It was a very trying afternoon as the boys were very rowdy and rude. After being yelled at several times and having things thrown at me I decided I would just send time with the volunteers who help. We later found that the boys had been smoking marijuana and so that was the cause of the bad behavior. We all headed back feeling a little defeated by the whole afternoon and weren’t sure we had accomplished anything.
Monday, the 10th, we went to the discipleship house which you can read about in the previous post. We also had gone down to the slums earlier in the day to check on a boy who was sick. While we were there we had a chance to just send some time with the boys where they live.
Tuesday, the 11th, we went to Abaana street reach. The day was filled with games, soccer, and cards. The lesson for the day was the good Samaritan. We broke up into groups and had the boys come up with skits portraying the story. It was quite funny to watch them all present them. When it came time for food, we took off early as Katie had two boys she felt needed to get in to see a doctor. We spent about 2 hours waiting for the results of the blood tests. Both of them were diagnosed with Malaria. We took them to a restaurant to eat since they missed the meal and then taught them how to take their medicine. Afterwards we return to Kawempe Royal to start our discipleship with the boys there. Basically we went over the expectation we have for them as they serve as our camp councilors. We then suffered through the 2 and a half hours public transportation event that was our ride home.
Wednesday, the 12th, we headed down to the slums to check on the boys with Malaria and hung out with the other guys for a little bit. Then we hiked through town to another slum area for the street reach there. The lesson was on colors and shapes. I think the fun of the day was watching Katie give stitches for the first time. Nicholas was a champ and watched her very carefully as she worked her magic. We then went to the Wednesday night service at Calvary Chapel since we had missed the Sunday service. So again it was a late night getting back to the house and we were starting to become experts of riding the boda bodas at night. Boda bodas would be the popular form of transportation for Africans. It is simply a motorcycle for hire.
Thursday, the 13th, I headed out to the country to go and visit one of the Rrural schools, Buyobe. It was about an hour and thirty minute ride through the country. The good thing is that most of it was paved, which is always a blessing. Buyobe still uses some of the former school as there have not been enough funds to finish the new buildings. The walls are falling apart. The grass roof has holes. The classrooms are entirely too small. So we got there right in time for the chapel service which was lively but entirely in Lugandan. We did have a chance to run around with the kids for a little bit after our meeting with the chaplin and headmaster to talk about improvements. It is fun to chase kids and watch them stare at you. I have the advantage since I can play soccer so that really opens their eyes. On the way back Susan and Adriane, Abaana staff, bought Ryan and I there favorite fruits from the road side markets for us to try. Some were good and some were not so good and they just laughed at us.
Friday, the 14th, I headed out in the morning to Strathern Primary School. It is one of the nicest Abaana schools and is in the city about 30 minutes away. The service was good and the talk with the head teacher was very encouraging. I got back too late to head out with the others so I did some office work with the Abaana staff and just took it easy as I am an old man. The rest of the group went to Calvary Chapel after they finished on the streets to watch a movie. So Sarah, the guesthouse manager, and I watched Harry Potter and Sister Act 2.
Saturday, the 15th, We headed into to Calvary Chapel for their street ministry. It is fun watching how the boys are getting to know us. Then we headed out to the New Life Homes. This day we decided to use boda bodas to get there instead of renting a car. It was funny to watch all the faces of people as we were going by. Guess they aren’t use to seeing many muzungus riding around on bodas. The other three learned how to cook from the boys while I went inside and started up a dance circle. I think it became a laugh at Andrew circle at one point. I then gave my first soccer lesson on heading before we went in to have devotions. We are doing what it means to be a man of God series with them right now. We hiked back to the highway grabbed some bodas and rode back to the house.
Now you know and knowing is half the battle!

God of the redeemed!

So on Monday the 10th, we had the chance to go to the Discipleship House that is run by Frontline. Presently, there are 4 boys who have been removed from the street that live with two leaders. What an amazing night of worship, Bible study, and fellowship with our brothers!
The leaders are Derrick and Nathaniel. Derrick is currently in Bible College. He has been working with street children the last couple of years and has felt the call by God to become a pastor. His desire is to plant churches in China. Yeah, that’s right! He wants to go and plant churches in a country where Christians are persecuted. Nathaniel is from Indiana and has been teaching at an international school in Kampala for the last year and a half. You can see the respect he receives from the boys and the love they have for him.
Enough about the leaders, how about the night? It had been a long day for us already, and we were hoping to find our way through the city to be met by Nathaniel to go to the house. All our connections were made and we got a good walk in as we arrived. It is like most homes here, very modest. The kitchen is outside. The living room was big enough for a table and room to sit around it. The boys slept in bunks in one bedroom, and the leaders slept in bunks in the other. We were all pretty tired as we got there, but the joy of the boys soon changed our energy level.
After we got the tour, we had a chance to just sit and talk. Some played cards and others played guitar. It was fun to drop in on all the different conversations. A huge meal of posha (similar to grits, but at least with a little taste) and beans was served. There was soo much that none of us could eat it all. After dinner we went around the room asking each other questions.
Henry: he has a hidden smile that he withholds when he can. However, it is hard because the joy of God fills his face. This is also true of Robert. It was one of the clearest pictures I have had of someone who had the countenance of the Lord. He is broad shouldered but speaks very quietly as most Ugandans do. He wants to be a pilot when he grows up. When asked what makes him sad he answered when people mistreat each other, and being with God keeps his smile going. When he was asked what he does when he hurts he said worship. We ended the evening with a study in Acts chapter 8. I was so humbled as Henry spoke with such conviction, calling each one of us to take more seriously the call of God to fearlessly share our faith with others. He then talked about how much he looked up to Stephen and Peter for their willingness the die for the cause of Christ, and said he would love to have the opportunity if that was what God asked of Him. I have been around many people who have said such words, but I really felt this was such raw honesty. I love Henry.
Robert: he also has a smile that is hard to contain, and a desire to worship God. He is smaller in stature and height than the others, but he is the most talkative and outgoing. Robert, like most boys here would like to be a professional soccer player. But if that doesn’t happen he wants to help people. When he was asked what he does when he is hurting he simply said he goes to God. He asks why is this happening and what is it that you want me to learn. Robert led our Bible study and worship time. He added that it was essential for us as followers to take the message to those who have never heard it. Andwhen persecution comes, to make sure we rejoice in it.
Thomas: he is a little shyer. He sinks back when he sits and talks low. He is tall and slender, and is still working to understand and speak English because he was on the streets for so long. Thomas wants to be a pastor. He said when times are tuff he reads his Bible because it provides the encouragement he needs. He was equally concerned that all of us be ready to take the word of God to all people. To always be ready to share and do it with boldness as the early Christians did.
I still can’t put into words what an amazing night we had. Each boy said they are so happy to look back and see what their lives were in comparison to where they are now. And each one of them is a testimony to God’s desire to redeem. It is their stories that we seek for each boy on the street. One of a life thrown away, but now shining for the glory of God!

Hitting the Streets

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” Man I am glad that scripture is true. Much of our time up till now and after this will be spent on the street working with the street boys and in the slums. I am very glad that God sees things in a completely different way than we do. Our eyes can deceive us. We value clean, new, and wrinkle free. However, it is the heart of these boys that is the most beautiful.
We are a part of a group of ministries working with these kids. Sunday we were working with a group called Tomorrow’s Heroes. Tuesday we worked with Abaana. Wednesday we went to work with Frontline, a ministry of Calvary Chapel, but the work was run by Peace for Africa’s Children. Friday will be the same and Saturday is Frontline at the church. All of these organizations are working to bring the love of God to those who are most often overlooked.
So, what does it look like? Sundays, we are in the slums or on the edge. We set up shop just behind a church that lets us use their facilities. Above us on the hillside are the back of the buildings from the city. Look to the left and you see an abandoned, broken, and condemned apartment complex. Look to the right and you see the beginnings of all of the inter-connected slum houses. Yeah, the ones you may have seen before. Tin and aluminum pieced together to form walls and ceilings. We stand and wait in a small 50 by 30 yard dirt field. Slowly the boys come walking out, cautious at first to come and see new muzungu friends. Their clothes are torn, half hanging on their shoulders, down their chests, and covered in dirt. Most come without shoes, but there are those who come with one, and then others who happen to have two, maybe not a matching pair but two none the less. The dirt is everywhere. There is no way around it. Today, it has started to rain just as we are about to start games. So, we get the kids inside the classrooms of the church to play cards and just try to talk. Sometimes it’s hard to have a conversation, not just because we speak different languages, but because your attention is drawn to two who are fighting. However, it is what they know. They fight, not just each other, but for their lives. Eventually, we get some games started among the 5 small groups. Now you see beyond the outward appearance. The smiles come out and the laughter begins. If you closed your eyes, you would have no idea where you were. Next we gathered them in one room. Today there are about 45. One of the volunteers is giving them a message about heroes of the Bible. The boys listen and then shoot their hands up when asked a question. After the talk they are again broken up into small groups to have a chance to ask more questions about what was said and to make it easier to feed them. Rice and bananas are passed to each person. As we finish up I see Katie, she has been tirelessly sitting in her little medical station, a bench in the corner, putting on bandages, cleaning wounds, and touching them with the love of God. As we get back together as volunteers to discuss the work, we hear that 1 boy, here for the first time, has asked to know more about Jesus. 3 others has asked Christ into their hearts. Each is assigned a person to follow up on them next week and see about getting them to a church. 2 others had questions of a deeper nature and have again prompted the discussion of a discipleship group to start next week for the boys who are starving to learn more about God’s word. Names are thrown out of boys to include in it. Finally, we pray and are out the door to battle the traffic and busyness of a city that cannot see. It is a great day!
Tuesday we find ourselves on a larger than regulation dirt soccer field in the middle of the city, amid businesses and building. It has rained during the night which is only adding to the messiness. However, it is cutting down on the dust floating around. Some boys come walking up the hill from the main road to the field while others pop out from the shacks on the edge of the field. After many high fives and name asking a game begins. About 30 boys plus volunteers are playing. Off to the side, Mallory has a group of 10 boys playing cards. Katie is set up behind one of the goals on a tree stump. The game lasts for about 45 minutes and then they are gathered up for a devotional. Some of the boys I recognize from our work on the streets on other days and some recognize me. Abaana is the only one of the organizations to use all former street boys as their counselors and volunteers, and it shows. The relationships they have with them and their desire to see these boys come out of the situation they are in is amazing. The boys circle up on one side of the field and are now having a contest to see who can yell louder, “God is good, all the time and all the time God is good.” I have now joined Katie as she is finishing wrapping a foot up in a bandage and wrapping up her medical work for the day. As the boys are taught about God’s love for them and how they should love others, the rice from a local restaurant arrives. Mallory, Ryan, and Maria, our helper, translator, friend, and adopted team member, put it on plates to serve. More on Maria – surely God knew what he was doing when she was chosen simply to help us get around. She is involved in all the same work whether she is doing it with us or not and it is great to watch her get in and do some of the dirty work we can’t because of the language. So, I will speak about her as part of the team now, since she is. After the devotional is over the food is passed out. I can’t help but smile as I see little Maurice, probably 8, finish his food and start serving others. He goes around and picks up plates from those who are done with a smile. He is just one of the amazing kids who is learning to love. We give out our final hugs and handshakes as we head off through the city to catch the “bus”. Many of the boys follow us holding our hands and creating quite a stir as we walk along. They jump out in front of cars to block them so we can pass safely, guess they think the muzungus need help. And we do, as we are still learning to love. Once at the bus stop two of the boys who have made the 10 minute hike with us say bye and we head home covered in mud, dirt, and God’s love.
Wednesday we met up at Calvary Chapel. CC is doing a great job of reaching out and ministering in their community, not just to boys, but adults as well. When everyone arrives we hit the streets. 4 muzungus together, walking in places people don’t expect, always seems to get us a lot of looks. Through the alley and up the crowded dirt street we go, passing shops, and street vendors begging for our attention. Soon we arrive in the slums at the community center. The center is no more than a concrete building with rows of metal benches and one chalk board. The boys are laid out on the benches trying to sleep. Today’s group is full of ones we have not seen before, and they look even more beat down than the previous days. Their clothes are simply threads and early on there are not very many smiles, even as we try to bring them out. Soon the math lesson began. The boys went over their numbers and worked on counting. The team is spread out as we break into groups. Katie is up front in a corner working with another volunteer on their line of boys needing to be looked at that is continually growing. Mallory, Ryan, and I are each in a different group helping the boys go through their work sheets of math problems. I love math and so it was great trying to teach it. Mean while, Maria is gathering information from each of the boys to keep in the records. “Uncle, Uncle.” I hear as they are calling for my help with the problems. I had the chance to work with two boys who were struggling for about 30 minutes and then finally I think they understood. As Mukasa finished three problems correctly by himself he looked up at me with a huge smile. Katie soon caught my eye. She looks tired today and has been at it as the boys here have had more serious conditions. As she pulls of her gloves she tells me to convert the temperature of one of the boys who is having trouble breathing and has diarrhea. 104 is what I tell her. You can see the frustration she has as there is not a lot we can do for him. She takes a cold pack over and has someone explain to him to keep it on his neck. I decided to help her as a volunteer from Ecuador gave the message of God’s love. Many of the injuries are on their feet and are infected and dirty. I watched her as she asked each boy what their name was as they sat down in front of her and pointed to their injury. I watched as she touched them with the hands on God, softly cared for their sores, and blew on the places it hurt just as a mother would when she was applying the medicine. I held back my tears as a watched with the pride I have for who she has become. It is a long way from that little girl who hated me when I moved to White House to be her youth minister. The next boy up had an open would on his leg and as Katie rolled the medicine on, he began to squirm from the pain. As I stood there the only thing I could think of was to reach my hand down to give him something to squeeze. After two more applications and a little love from Katie in wrapping it up, I found Mukasa looking up at me and smiling as he let go of my hand. I had not realized it was my friend I had helped teach how to add earlier. Mother Teressa is often quoted as saying, “There are no great acts. Only little acts with great love.” I see that all around me in our team. The food was passed out and then it was time to scatter. We packed our stuff and headed back into the streets to wind our way to the bus park and the ride home.
Some days it is so hard to leave your new found friends to fend for themselves. It is hard to see them so battered and bruised from the world that has kicked them to the side. It is hard to see their wounds and the blood coming out of their fragile bodies and think they are OK. However, I believe there is a God who sees much more than I do, a God who is healing them from the inside out. It is evident in their smiles. Maybe my sight is being fixed. Soon I hope to have “cross-eyed” vision, and I am thankful for each little glimpse of Gods work that I get. See ya on the streets.

Who am I?

Many of you know that I an ego. I like to hear good things said about me and if others aren’t saying them then I will praise myself. Believe it or not it is something that I DON’T LIKE ABOUT MYSELF. I struggle like many of you with self doubt, and so the human part of me wants to hear things to build me up. The one thing that I do struggle with though, is when people actually do think something of me. I know it may sound weird that I want to hear people say great things about me, but I really don’t want them to think them. I feel embarrassed or sick if people think there is something special about me. I would rather people see God in me, and if they are actually seeing me, then I am not doing a good job of pointing them to Him.
So many people have tried to praise me for coming to Uganda. It makes me sick. Then, there is dealing with the praise you receive from the Ugandans. They just believe that because you are a white person (mazungu) you are special. Although, it is so cute to drive or walk down the street and hear all the kids yelling out mazungu. This Sunday we went to one of the high schools were some of the boys are in boarding school. They were having a celebration/talent show/pep rally. Of course they all got really excited when we arrived, sat us in the seats of honor, and thanked us many times for being there. Here is a whole school of kids who don’t know us and are happy to see us just because of the color of our skin. It is hard to try to teach them that each one of us has the same value. We are all loved so immensely by the same God.
One of my hopes and dreams for my time here is to be able to right the things I don’t like about myself. I PRAY God gives me new eyes to look at myself and see Him. To understand the lessons I want the people here to know. I want to believe and not doubt myself so that I don’t have to praise myself. It should all be headed His direction. Praise God, for he has done great things, and those great things are us, ALL OF US!

Welcome to Uganda

We touched down in the early morning on Friday among the mist and clouds of a passing rainy season. After we made it through customs and got our bags we met up with Adrian and Pamela. Pamela is the director of Abaana Uganda and Adrian works with the schools and child sponsorship. We filled the truck with our bags and headed back to the guesthouse. The trip gave us a good look at all of the city. I was quickly reminded of the dirt that is everywhere and the pollution that comes from all of the vehicles. Needless to say they don’t have to pass emissions testing. The city is large but not as busy as Freetown. It is more organized and developed. I find myself comparing Uganda to Sierra Leone a lot. The guesthouse is about 30 minutes from downtown and is in a very quiet part of the world. Once we arrived we met Sarah who takes care of the house. After breakfast we got together as a team and met with Pamela to talk about what it is that the Uganda staff would like to see us do and how we could help them. It was a good conversation. That afternoon she drove us around to try to get us more familiar with the area and to find some of the schools in the city. We first stopped by Christ the King. The kids got so excited to see the muzungas (white people). We really just stopped by to get a really quick tour and see how the school was doing. We did say hello to the kids and tell them that we would be back. Next we stopped by Grace High School. Katie and Mallory really wanted to stop by as some of the boys from the homes are now attending boarding school there. They were so excited to see each other and it was great to hear the high pitched screams of the boys as they hugged. Next we headed off to Strathern Primary. It was on the other side of the city and I think all of us fell asleep on the way. School was out for the day but we did meet the headmaster and some of the staff. Abaana started working on a second section for boarding and a secondary school here. The construction was moving along quite nicely. Finally we returned to the house, ate dinner, and then passed out.
Saturday morning we headed into the center of the city to visit Calvary Chapel’s program for street boys named Frontline. Abaana is looking at starting a partnership Frontline in order to accomplish the goals each one wants to see with the boys. So today we got to sit in and watch what goes on on Saturdays. We meet Andrew who is the director and listened to how the two might coexist and what their dreams are for it. I think this is going to be a great thing. We also met Nathaniel, who is from Indiana and has lived here for the last year and a half teaching at an international school. He lives at the home they have started for boys who could not be reunited with their families and have finished secondary school and does discipleship classes with them. Later Andrew and I had a chance to sit down and just talk. He is really excited to learn about youth ministry from me. I was very humbled by that, and as we just briefly shared he was soaking up what I had to say. We ate lunch as we headed out to the boys home for our first visit. The girls were again excited to arrive, since it is where they spent a lot of time on their previous trip. We introduced ourselves, played some games, Katie lead a Bible study, and then we broke them into small groups to talk further. It was exciting to talk in smaller group with the boys and hear a little more about them. It is also amazing to see how far these boys have come from being removed from the streets. Hearing them share about losing parents, getting run over, and many other heart breaking stories, just shows how much God is into redeeming things. Later we went out and played. Word had gotten out that I was a soccer coach and so they were excited to meet me and I played soccer with many of them.
One of my goals for this trip is to learn stories of people, To stop and listen to their lives and then compile those into word pictures. I will occasionally post some of those stories but will save most of them for later. Now I’m enjoying a nice quiet night listening to Katie and Mallory play their guitars and worship with Ryan on the porch. Ryan and I were talking earlier about how jealous people should actually be of us for being here, and I have those moments about every hour. Feeling lucky and blessed.

Recapping Northern Ireland

Well after dinner with Scott and Fi, we sat and just talked about life and the trip. Scott is the founder of Abaana and Fi is his wife. A little later the chairman of the board for Abaana UK came over to meet us and talk. The night ended earlier as none of us could keep our eyes open. I think they got tired of talking to me and I wouldn’t answer. As soon as Ryan and I reached our house we went to straight to bed. I slept like a rock. The next morning Scott fixed a traditional breakfast called an ulster fry, I think that is what he was saying. It was good, but was full of cholesterol. Amanda, who runs the Abaana office, gave talks on culture and something else. I’m not sure because I feel asleep. Afterwards, Scott talked with us about programs we would like to work on. We finished up around 2, had some lunch, and then headed out to the cultural museum. It was fun just to walk around as it was all outside. The weather was wonderful. For dinner we ate with a former Abaana employee, and just enjoyed listening to her and her friends talk. Wednesday morning Amanda led sessions on safety and medical. Then we finished up with Scott on programming. We are going to be busy and have some great direction on what to do. Our afternoon was with Scott. We headed out to the Giants Causeway, one of the natural wonders of the world. We took the scenic route along the coast. I just had to hold all my excitement in or we would have never made it. The scenery was gorgeous. Rocks, cliffs, green pastures, sheep, cows, quaint little villages, old men, young kids, and blue skies were all around. Soon we reached the rope bridge but it was closed so we hurried down the coast a little more to Giant’s Causeway. I wasn’t sure what this was going to be and I really can’t describe the rocks you will just have to look at a picture. Anyway being on the sea below the cliffs was exciting enough for me. We just hung out and relax until the sun set. We then headed to the next town for traditional fish and chips in a box. The fish was bigger than the tip of my fingers to the end of my elbow. Throw some salt and vinegar all over it and we were Irish. We even went to eat it with the old men sitting on benches in front of the church, but they got up when they saw the Americans coming. And thus ends of adventures in Northern Ireland. Today has really been getting up and catching our flight back to London. Then it’s on to Uganda. Check ya then.

Can we pray for you?

“We wanna pray for you.” That was the statement from the Breakthru ministers as we got together in Gulf Shores for our meetings and then, the whirlwind of travel began. Earl and Jason drove me to the airport in Pensacola, which was quite nice, the airport not the ride. We did our best to find our way there on time. My noon flight landed in Atlanta with no problems. I had enough time to search my new kindle for some free books and then I hopped on my flight to Richmond. I was greeted by Ryan, Mallory, and Katie, which made for the first time the team was together. We drove back to Mallory’s house and just talked. Saturday night Mrs. Short made us Thanksgiving dinner, and it was wonderful. We did some packing of our 13 bags of supplies, skyped with people for the last time before leaving and then went to bed. I didn’t sleep all too well. So at 3am I was checking things out for our trip and our nervousness about moving these bags around London. The next morning we went to church, “We would like to pray for you is that OK?” was the question from the pastor. Group number two in prayer, I like this. After lunch we hit the road and made the trek to Washington DC. It was about a 2 hour drive. The fun was packing 11 50 pound, we know because we weighed each one 5 times, bags, two guitars, our carry-on luggage, and 6 people in the two vehicles. We were sitting on top of things. Our next prayer at least for us was getting all the bags on the airline without penalties. Success, as one of the scales broke when our largest bag was put on it and the others didn’t even look at the weight. As we waited for the flight we made our last phone calls. The flight was, well let’s just say none of us went to sleep for more than 30 minutes. However, our movie selection was great. I even got to have chicken curry with long rice for my dinner and it was awesome. We landed in London around 6:30am and made it through customs by 7:30. Now it gets really fun. Luckily, Heathrow does not charge for you to use luggage carts. So we each loaded up a cart and pushed them through the airport. We are using a mission organization for our travel that allowed us to have three bags and our flight to Belfast allowed us none. So Mallory had a friend in London whose pastor agreed to let us leave the bags at the church. We just had to get them there. I don’t know how many of you have traveled through the London underground with 13 items aboard a full tube. Well, I can now say I have. The fun of it was making transfers to different lines and having to pick all 13 items up and throw it either on or off before the doors shut on us. Ryan’s leg was almost cut off before my eyes one time. We called them to come and meet us at the station and they were so surprised to only see 4 of us with all 13 things. We then drug and wheeled all of it the 4 blocks to the church. So there we were sleep deprived, tired, and a little flustered by all the looks we got while on the tube. We did get to rest for about an hour before we had to head back to the airport. “Can I pray for you guys?” was the question from Mallory’s friend Erin. Just as she said amen I had a sinking feeling. I knew I didn’t have my passport. I had left it at the airport on the luggage cart. Lot of phrases fit right here. As we rode back I was furious at myself, but did carry a little hope that it was in a really obvious place and maybe an employee would have grabbed it. When we arrived at the station and told them what had happened they laughed at me and said they had it, but it had been taken to the central office so someone would have to bring it to us. Well, we were running short on time. They assured us that it was on the way so the other three jumped on the tube and headed to our terminal to check in. When the passport arrived I already knew I would be cutting it a little close. I waited and waited and waited for the next train and then they came on and said there was a problem with them and the next one would not come for 20 minutes. It is now 12:53. The flight leaves at 1:24. I AM NOT EVEN TO THE TERMINAL TO CHECK IN. I asked if I could get there another way, and they pointed me to a different train. I ran to get there and then sat in the station for 5 minutes while it waited for more passengers. I got off and the stop was ¾ a kilometer from the check-in. I know cause it was on the wall. So there I was sprinting with my hiking pack on my back. When I GOT TO CHECK IN THEY JUST LOOKED AT ME LIKE YOU HAVE NO PRAYER. AHHHH but people have been praying. They decided to let me try to make it, gave me the boarding pass and said “You better run. Security check is right behind and you are at gate 78.” So the first thought is Security, I still gotta get through that. I shot through. Then it was sprint through the terminal and then the gate numbers started. Terminals should not have 78 gates. My legs were burning I was tired but I kept running. When I reached the gate, the woman just said, “Where have you been?” “Running!” I said. “Not fast enough! They have already shut the door” she said. She went down the tunnel yelling to see if she could catch them and then reappeared to say hurry everyone is waiting. I think the three others were as happy to see me as I was them and we all just laughed. Everyone slept on the short flight to Belfast. We met up with Amanda and Fi from Abaana and they took us to the houses we would be staying at. After a freezing cold shower because we didn’t know how to turn the water heater on, we headed to dinner. I won’t write about everything that has happened here. But, everybody we have met or been introduced to has asked to pray for usor was excited to meet us and let us know they would be praying. It has been one of the most humbling things. I know those of you reading this are in prayer as well as many others in the states. Now, here we are in other countries and people are praying for this same trip. I feel amazed at how God’s people are surrounding us in this wall. Not to keep us from having anything from happening to us, but rather to call for God’s hand to be upon us and for us to do His work.
So yes, you can pray for me, and believe me I feel them. Thanks for being on your knees with me as we ask for God to use us for His glory. PS Ryan says it was necessary for this story to be this long!

And we are off

And I’m off, sort of. Good byes have been said, parties have been had, the house has been cleaned (not all by me), stuff have been put away, and I have made at least journey step number one away from home. Today I find myself watching the sun come up in Gulf Shores and watching the dolphins about 40 yards off shore. A storm is rolling through, but it’s still peaceful. It kinda represents what I feel has been going on with me. It has been a whirlwind of getting stuff together, working on the house, making sure this and that is done, and simply everything that comes with leaving, but yet there is a peace. It seems like everybody around me is in some sort of storm. Everybody has a lot of worries and has to get to this and that. Most people seem to be really nervous and worried for me and they are always asking me how I feel about it and if I am scared. Maybe that’s why I’m not, they are doing it all for me ! I usually answer “No. This is just what I do. It feels really normal and isn’t a big deal. It’s just what God called me to do. The same as he calls each of us to do something every day.” Now honestly I say that because this feels so right. I have told my youth for years that when you line up with what God calls you to do then all the worries and stuff will go away because God has made, designed, and gifted you to do it. I believe that with all my heart and I can’t wait to discover all the ways God has been working on me and preparing me for what he wants me to do.
This morning I was reading quotes from Mother Teresa, and she was talking about needing to have a clean heart, I do believe that was in the Bible first ;) However, today it hit me different and it seems as though a good way to look at it is a clear heart. I need to make sure my heart is clear of things and would block me from allowing God to fill me and inject his love into me, and I need it clear of obstructions so I can push out the love of God through me. If either way is blocked I either become loveless because I am not being refilled by God. Or I am becoming selfish because as Michael W Smith says “Love isn’t love, until you give it away.” So as I prepare to head to Uganda or just simply to meet people in Alabama today I need a clear heart so I a channel flowing with God’s love. THAT IS MY FIRST STEP. I’M NOT THERE YET, BUT AT LEAST I’M SORT OF ON THE WAY! Here’s to enjoying the journey.