Justice and Reconciliation

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my personal heros. His message of peace, love, equality, and justice rings true in my heart and soul. As I watched his iconic and history-changing "I have a dream" speech yesterday, I was moved to tears.

"I have a dream today! One day...little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and girl as sisters and brothers...I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'"

I am blessed to attend a church in the Twin Cities that believes the Church has a responsibility to extend works of compassion, mercy, and justice to all. We desire to change the face of the church and create a multi-ethnic, multi-racial Kingdom community by reconciling the people to God and one another.

I have also recently accepted a short-term position with our church's children's ministry to help create, plan for, and pilot a mid-week children's program. It is a joy and honor to serve alongside others in raising up a generation of Christ-followers who seek justice and reconciliation and continue to live out the dream of MLK and others who have stood up against injustice and followed a different path.

God has given me this completely unexpected and exciting opportunity to take on this role with my church's children's ministry, and I believe that it will play an important role in preparing me for the work that I will do in Uganda. I won't know what type of curriculum or teaching materials I will have access to until I am actually at the school in Mbarara. Even then, their school system and teaching methods are extremely different than what we use in the United States. I anticipate writing much of my own curriculum and developing my own lessons plans while teaching there. Taking on a leadership and director's role in our children's ministry this semester will give me a great opportunity to practice and refine my curriculum planning and organization skills.

My life verse is Micah 6:8 which says:

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

I pray that this is evident throughout my minstry with children in the church and in Uganda...that the lost would be found and the hurting would be helped.

Justice. Love. Mercy. Reconciliation.

I Need Africa More than Africa Needs Me

This video so profoundly captures a piece of the great mystery surrounding Africa.
It puts into words one of the many reasons that I was so drawn to Uganda and its people.
It helps explain why I have never been able to "shake" the feelings and memories of my time there.
It gives a glimpse into why going to Uganda was such a redeeming experience for me.
It shares a piece of my heart.




You see, there is so much need in Uganda, and I have been blessed with so very much. I know that I have been called to give with the life that I have been given, but I learned a valuable lesson when I visited in 2008. I learned that although Uganda has a devastating and heart-wrenching history filled with unimaginable pain and grief, they are not a broken people. In fact, they are some of the most joyful and beautiful people I've met in my life! God has truly done a work and turned their mouring into dancing! The people of Uganda are strong. They are resilient. They are hopeful. They are faith-filled.

Yes, there is much work to be done, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to use my talents, skills, and passions to help meet the needs of the littlest ones in Uganda. Yet I cannot agree more... I need Africa more than Africa needs me.

Please Pray!

**Serving and Teaching the Children in Mbarara, Uganda

Where Am I Going?

Size:

Uganda is an African country of about 236,000 square miles that lies across the equator at the northwest shore of Lake Victoria. There are about 25 million people living in Uganda. Its neighbors are Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.

Attractions:

Uganda is best known for the wildlife in its national parks. Tourist agencies are readily available in Kampala (the capital city) to arrange a wide variety of adventures in and around Uganda-- the favorite being the safari in which you can see elephants, lions, water buffalo, antelope, and my personal favorite, giraffes! Uganda is also home to Lake Victoria, the Rwenzori Mountains, and the rare mountain gorillas. The country's economic system is mainly based on agriculture and tourism.

Temperatures:

The coldest months of the year are March-May. During these months the temperature fall to around 60 at night, and it rises into the upper 70s during the day. During the warmer winter months of December-February, temperatures reach about 90 with moderate humidity.

Time:

Uganda is eight hours ahead of EST and nine hours ahead of Central time. Year-round the sun rises between 6 and 7am and sets between 7-7:30pm. Uganda does not participate in Daylight Savings Time.

Language:

The official languages of Uganda are English, Luganda, and Swahili. There are also about 45 other tribal languages used. As English is the language of secondary and university education, many Ugandans in Kampala speak English.

Surrender

I heard the most encouraging sermon at church today. It centered on Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with God in the nighttime. What an interesting and powerful text this is! What really caught my attention, though, was the location where these events were taking place. Jacob's family had all crossed over the river of Jabbok, and Jacob was waiting on the other side until morning. He was alone...away from all the noise, chaos, and distractions of life. And it was there, at the river of Jabbok, that he wrestled with God. Jabbok, in Hebrew, means to flow. To empty. To pour out.

Jacob is at the river of surrender.

He must empty himself before he can move forward into God's promise and blessing.

Jacob also showed great determination. He was clinging to God and wouldn't let go. At the first sign of trouble, do we get in the fight or do we run and hide? When the blows come, will we give up or will we cling to God tighter than ever? God might "touch our hip," like he did with Jacob, so that we walk through life with a limp. But, imperfections and all, when we see a door God has opened for us, we must choose to walk through it. And that is when the blessings pour out. That is when we see the face of God.

What a moment God has brought me to. In Him, all things are made new. I see the open door, and I'm choosing to walk through. I surrender my life, and I will follow Him forward.

The start of something new

This is the start of something new. Something amazing. Something big.
After a long period of waiting and wondering, I found out that I'm officially going to be a teacher in Mbarara, Uganda! At this time next year my life will be radically different and forever changed. God has already shown up and begun providing in big ways throughout this whole process of becoming a missionary with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).

The next big step is fundraising and developing a prayer support team, but I have no doubt that God will continue to show Himself faithful in these matters. These next seven months of preparation are going to be a significant journey in and of themselves. I long to understand and know Jesus in a new way and see his promises fulfilled daily in my life and in the lives of those around me. Throughout this coming year of change, transition, and testing, He will be my Rock and my constant.

"Since you are my rock and fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." Psalm 31:3