One constant

Today is my last day in Africa. Time has been elusive this summer in Uganda. It's here one minute then gone the next.. I feel like I could  have spent 4 more months over here. I think half of my love for this country is rooted in the freeing feeling that it gives. When you are away from the busyness and materialism of the western world you truely have time to examine your heart and who you've become ,and who you want to be. Although God speaks all the time to us, sometimes we rarely hear because we are just too busy to listen. This is something I really learned this summer, we often don't hear God's voice because we are too consumed with our own. We have this grand story that we build up in our minds to be the best way to live our life, so we ignore God when He tells us He wants something different for us. But the truth is God's story for our lives is so much more rich than the one we planned. After all, He is our creator and He made our heart's so He knows what truely satisfies us. We often experience dissatisfaction with our relationship with God because we try to add Him into our own story, and it just doesn't work. He wants all of us. He doesn't want just to be something you do on Sunday, or someone you decide to call on when everything else fails. He wants to be your everything, and He wants you to give Him every part of your heart and life. Even the not so pretty parts, because He is big enough to heal them.
While I'm very sad to leave, I cling to one truth. The God I grew with here this summer will still be with me in America. He will continue to grow me into He completes His good works through me."And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."- Philippians 1:6
Although I have to leave my kids I love at the primary school, my friend Eva that I discipled all summer, African laughter, Mandozis's, and all the members on my team that I've grown to love so dearly, I can keep my God, I can keep His truths, I get to keep all He taught me. And even admist the pain of leaving, somehow He is enough.

 I just wanted to thank everyone one last time who helped support me on this trip. It truely has been a life changing experience. You have been used by God to accomplish great things in Uganda. And I can never repay you for the growth you've helped me experience. I love you all! See you soon.

Faith of The Childlike

As I write this blog, I only have 9 more days of ministry in Lira. This is so hard to believe, I feel like I just arrived here. The last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows. One thing has been consistent though, and that is God's goodness. No matter what situation I find myself in here I know that He has a plan for it all and it is ultimately for my good. So whether I think it is the best doesn't matter; because His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He is God and I am not. And the fact of the matter is no matter what my circumstances looks like He is good. He is always good, because it is His very nature.
In Uganda, and in most of Africa, people view spirituality very differently than most of the western world does. For Ugandans, people being raised from the dead is not an unusual testimony. In fact, through our HIV/AIDS meetings we have on Fridays,  two different women have testified they were dead in the coffin and were brought back to life. Whether you chose to believe this or not, the people of Uganda do. It's not even a question; to them it's almost relatively common. They don't question things like we often do. They accept things with a childlike faith. Which reminds me of a verse in Luke 10 that says;
"In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." God takes delight in the childlike. He enjoys using the weak to shame the wise. On this trip He has shown that to me over and over again. He wants us to be joyful over our weaknesses. This is why Paul said,  
"That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10.
This verse has never made more sense to me. Now that I have been used by an all powerful God to do things I never thought were possible I am awe struck. I am excited that I have a childlike heart,  I am excited that I am weak and I am excited that maybe I'm not the most qualified. Because now that I realize I am unqualified, He wants to use me. Even more so than people who think they do have it all together. Because the fact is none of us are really qualified to serve the Holy God we do, and the more we realize that the more He will use us. Because what God really desires from us is a humble heart.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you"-James 4:10.
So if you feel unequipped, unqualified, or unworthy, you are in the right place. Just allow our mighty God to use you and He will. He will reveal things to you that some only dream of seeing.
"Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!  For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” -Luke 10:23-24. I praise God for allowing me to see Him in ways I never thought possible.
There is so much more than a life of meritocracy that many are living. My prayer is that you will be able to experience Him in new incredible, amazing, ways also. I love you all!

My God's not dead, He is surely Alive!