One could either be miserable during those seasons of waiting or cherish them. This life of ours, if we really think about it, is more waiting than anything else. One waits to get a driver’s license, to graduate, to get married, to have a profession, a house, a baby and some more- possibly depending on how the first one turned out. Then what? Grandchildren? I feel strange asking, but I wonder if some wait for death? I really hope not. Nevertheless, the point of my blog today is to encourage others to stop living for the next thing and cling to the sweet moments of today. Soak them in, beloved!
I have been in Africa for a little over a month now, and time here, just like the States, unfortunately flies by. Although the journey from the very beginning has rapidly gone by, this journey has been one of waiting. Waiting for the application to be processed. Waiting for that yes or no. Waiting to somehow raise the money to get here. Waiting to get to South Africa. Waiting to get to Uganda. Waiting to get to Arua, Uganda. I have been here for 3 weeks now… my final destination, but the waiting continues. Students are finally settling into schools, so the waiting is coming to an end. On Monday it is going down, and I cannot wait. But I can truly say I have treasured this season of waiting. Ephesians 3:20 promises us “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.” Even though externally there has not been too much going on in Africa (yet); within me God has been at work. BIG TIME. I have had more sweet times with him than what I could ask or imagine. I have learned more about him than what I could ask or imagine. I have learned more about myself than what I could ask or imagine.
Let’s be real, who likes to wait?
Patience is an issue-for sure, but I have had some help along the way. Before leaving, I heard so much godly advice from the church on waiting. Coincidence? I think not. And since I have been here, there have been simple, fresh reminders of why I am here. A baby boy sitting on my lap through an entire church service; my heart could NOT have felt another ounce of joy or love otherwise I am convinced it would have burst. Today I met a new friend (she doesn’t know we are friends yet, but we will be); she grabbed my hand and squeezed because we were having so much fun laughing about silly things together!
Ah, thankful for the wait.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
joburg.
My heart goes out to Joburg aka Little America. Being a city girl, Joburg was a home away from home. I fell in love with that city; there I left behind so many sweet moments and new friends. The 18 hour flight to get there was not as bad as I expected. Although wearing rain boots to have more luggage space seemed like a wise idea, after an hour or so I quickly regretted that decision. Anyways, I watched six movies, had less than two hours of sleep, and ate five meals. It was all worth it once I stepped off that plane and realized that I was finally here! At orientation I met 11 of the sweetest, most solid followers of Christ that I have ever met who challenged and encouraged me. We all became quick friends after playing hours upon hours of Presidents and Signs, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together, attending back to back educational lectures, being roomies with the girls and neighbors to the boys,late night girl talks,making fun of each other, competing in every way possible, jammin’ out, wet willies, and the list goes on forever.
We also had the opportunity to visit a township in Joburg called Diepsloot; it was a somewhat scary experience. If you can imagine two trucks filled with white people strolling through an overflowing and hectic African township where the white Africans do not even step into…there were a lot of intimidating stares. But once we got out into the streets and began greeting the people those intimidating stares transformed into the biggest, warmest and sweetest smiles. In Africa it’s seriously all about relationships. Greetings are something to be meticulously intentional about. When you do greet, be ready to hang out for a little while. And when you think it’s time to go because there is a long silence and you can’t think of any other questions, do not fret. Awkward silences are nonexistent in Africa. It’s great! Diepsloot was filled with people from all over Africa who came to Joburg looking for jobs. If the situation in America is considered to be rough, please take a second and try to fathom their lives… now be thankful for yours. We met this man that came from a neighboring country looking for work and we asked if we could pray for him, so he invited us into his home. It was a tiny tin shack (way smaller than an average sized American bedroom) it had enough room to fit his bed and a shelf. No living room. No kitchen. No bathroom. Not too bad? He shared this “house” (or bed and shelf) with three other men looking for work.
Seeing the living conditions of these men and visiting another squatter camp in Snake Park was really hard. I had to continually remind myself that my God is a faithful provider. I couldn’t help but think it is so unfair that I was born in America and because of that I get to have way too much, and because others were born in Africa, or other less fortunate parts of the world, they have NOTHING. And yes, I am aware that there are Americans that are living in circumstances that are somewhat similar; although, most weren’t born into it. And if they were then there is a way out and there are opportunities ahead of them. Full of hope, I trust that there are better things for the continent of Africa to anticipate.
The secrets to reach an Africa everyone hopes for:
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’” 2 Corinthians 8: 13-15
“…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5
We also had the opportunity to visit a township in Joburg called Diepsloot; it was a somewhat scary experience. If you can imagine two trucks filled with white people strolling through an overflowing and hectic African township where the white Africans do not even step into…there were a lot of intimidating stares. But once we got out into the streets and began greeting the people those intimidating stares transformed into the biggest, warmest and sweetest smiles. In Africa it’s seriously all about relationships. Greetings are something to be meticulously intentional about. When you do greet, be ready to hang out for a little while. And when you think it’s time to go because there is a long silence and you can’t think of any other questions, do not fret. Awkward silences are nonexistent in Africa. It’s great! Diepsloot was filled with people from all over Africa who came to Joburg looking for jobs. If the situation in America is considered to be rough, please take a second and try to fathom their lives… now be thankful for yours. We met this man that came from a neighboring country looking for work and we asked if we could pray for him, so he invited us into his home. It was a tiny tin shack (way smaller than an average sized American bedroom) it had enough room to fit his bed and a shelf. No living room. No kitchen. No bathroom. Not too bad? He shared this “house” (or bed and shelf) with three other men looking for work.
Seeing the living conditions of these men and visiting another squatter camp in Snake Park was really hard. I had to continually remind myself that my God is a faithful provider. I couldn’t help but think it is so unfair that I was born in America and because of that I get to have way too much, and because others were born in Africa, or other less fortunate parts of the world, they have NOTHING. And yes, I am aware that there are Americans that are living in circumstances that are somewhat similar; although, most weren’t born into it. And if they were then there is a way out and there are opportunities ahead of them. Full of hope, I trust that there are better things for the continent of Africa to anticipate.
The secrets to reach an Africa everyone hopes for:
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’” 2 Corinthians 8: 13-15
“…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5
Thursday, February 4, 2010
inadequate but willing.
When I started praying, thinking and applying to go to Uganda, the cry of my heart was…
¨I know I am inadequate, but I am SO willing.¨
my spiritual journey (summarized!)
I was raised Catholic, but nothing too deep. When I hit the age of around 10, I realized I could stay home on my own, and did so ESPECIALLY and specifically Sunday mornings! I was a decent kid though. Made good grades, listened to my mommy (for the most part…she might disagree. ha!), probably still a little socially awkward, etc. Zoom by in to high school and this is where the fun begins. I made friends. These friends, today, are people I love to death and pray for upon every remembrance. To say they were a bad influence in my life is a copout. I blame me. When I made the choices that I made, like my friends, I didn’t see the harm in it, and I know they didn’t and maybe still don’t. Now that I live by different standards, I understand. In high school I made a more than a decent amount of choices that were self-destructive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I would most definitely still be down that same path only worse, but ah… the beauty of grace. Fortunately, I hit some of the lowest of lows in my life (yes. fortunately.) because it led me face to face with my Savior, my Lord, my everything. I am lucky to have the King of kings and Lord of lords to be my very best friend.
my story does not end here though…
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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
God has given me the sweet opportunity to spend a chapter of my life in Uganda. I will be challenging students to stay abstinent with True Love Waits presentations even though I didn’t wait. I am going to Arua, Uganda to give HIV/AIDS education, despite the fact that I had the privilege of having the education, yet it was completely irrelevant in my lifestyle before. To share my salvation testimony after doubting my salvation weeks prior to my trip, and the list goes on and on. These confessions are hard to write, but I feel like if I didn’t share this it will be cutting Him short of His glory. The glory He deserves for the ridiculously, beautiful changes He has made in my life, for using someone like me, for being who He is and doing what He does.
Father,I pray that my confessions and the sharing of my life may be an encouragement to my readers and that they, although inadequate, may be willing to be used by a BIG God to do BIG things. Amen.
¨I know I am inadequate, but I am SO willing.¨
my spiritual journey (summarized!)
I was raised Catholic, but nothing too deep. When I hit the age of around 10, I realized I could stay home on my own, and did so ESPECIALLY and specifically Sunday mornings! I was a decent kid though. Made good grades, listened to my mommy (for the most part…she might disagree. ha!), probably still a little socially awkward, etc. Zoom by in to high school and this is where the fun begins. I made friends. These friends, today, are people I love to death and pray for upon every remembrance. To say they were a bad influence in my life is a copout. I blame me. When I made the choices that I made, like my friends, I didn’t see the harm in it, and I know they didn’t and maybe still don’t. Now that I live by different standards, I understand. In high school I made a more than a decent amount of choices that were self-destructive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I would most definitely still be down that same path only worse, but ah… the beauty of grace. Fortunately, I hit some of the lowest of lows in my life (yes. fortunately.) because it led me face to face with my Savior, my Lord, my everything. I am lucky to have the King of kings and Lord of lords to be my very best friend.
my story does not end here though…
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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
God has given me the sweet opportunity to spend a chapter of my life in Uganda. I will be challenging students to stay abstinent with True Love Waits presentations even though I didn’t wait. I am going to Arua, Uganda to give HIV/AIDS education, despite the fact that I had the privilege of having the education, yet it was completely irrelevant in my lifestyle before. To share my salvation testimony after doubting my salvation weeks prior to my trip, and the list goes on and on. These confessions are hard to write, but I feel like if I didn’t share this it will be cutting Him short of His glory. The glory He deserves for the ridiculously, beautiful changes He has made in my life, for using someone like me, for being who He is and doing what He does.
Father,I pray that my confessions and the sharing of my life may be an encouragement to my readers and that they, although inadequate, may be willing to be used by a BIG God to do BIG things. Amen.
forever grateful.
Well I promised a blog in January, and I am sad to not have been able to keep my word. So sad I even contemplated trying to convince everyone that it is still January here because of the time difference, but it is most definitely February 4th. Anyway, I couldn’t think of a better way to have started this without one last big THANK YOU! This blog would be nonexistent if it were not for everyone’s love and support. I am forever grateful for you all. The process to go was a little (and at times extremely) frustrating, but I was encouraged in big and small ways by loved ones and people I have never met when I needed it the most. Thanks for investing not only into Africa, but into my life as well. I love you all! And I love it here! The internet is soooo slooooow here, so blogging won't be as frequent as I planned. And pictures won't be available until I get back. Sad. I know! BUT I will make up for it by posting only the best of the best. Can't wait!
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