Overflow

I miss Port Victoria already and the wonderful family I've become a part of there. However, I think it has been easier leaving them knowing that I will be in Kampala, Uganda later in the year and it is only a 3 hour bus ride to Port. It won't be long.
This week we have been to the Hindu temples to learn more about the religion, but also to do a prayer-walk. This morning, we went to Huruma, another slum in the city, to visit the Mother Teresa orphanage. It was such a delight to visit those places again, especially the orphanage. To my surprise, I found little Grace still in the disabled ward from two years ago. Tears were to be found in my eyes -  you never know who will last or who you will ever get to see again. We connected in many ways then and even this morning. God is good.
Being a staff member of the team, I have spent the last few days listening and sharing wisdom with many students, if not all of them. I love being there for them and guiding them through their thoughts and feelings, yet I haven't had a lot of time to process or share my own - the sacrifice of being a leader.
Even from the time I stepped into Kenya, I think God has been confirming the fast that He wants me here and in East Africa in general. Looking back, it has been clearly stated from Pastor Felix and Pastor Aggrey in Ngong, from Mama, and even from the head master in Port after he had known me only a few days. One day at Mama Rosemary's house, an old mzay (elderly lady), who takes her orphaned granddaughter to the school, came to visit us saying she hadn't had anything to eat for two days. Mama had us girls prepare bread and chai to take her as we waited for our lunch to cook so we could share with her. Later, she showed us a cut on her leg that was making her ankle swell because of an oncoming infection. I grabbed my bag of bandages and ointment to dress it, and then I ended up just giving the whole bag for the mzay to take home with her. Two days later, she walked all the way back to the house just to thank me and tell Mama that I am one of them. "This girl is African, you cannot let her go back." At first I just thought she was being nice and trying to make me feel good, but Mama explained to me that when an elderly person talks, it is something to be taken seriously. Wow. I am still thing about that moment one week later. Whether or not Uganda will be difficult, whether or not I will miss my family and friends, whether or not I end up staying here the rest of my life, God is asking me to obey very clearly right here, right now. I would be a fool not to, and I also have no excuse not to trust Him. He has proven to me time and time again in my 24 years of life that He is faithful, He is good, His grace knows no bounds, and that I will never be separated from His love.
 That, my friends, is only the beginning.
The poverty in Port was also very overwhelming. The area is utterly broken. HIV and malaria are prominent, but there are so many underlying evils and destitution laying around; manifesting in drunkards and deception. Visiting houses during ministry, I got to the point where I expected the owners to ask me to help them by giving. Very quickly I got overwhelmed with the vast amount of needs in the village, in the church, in the school. However, God was very quick to take that burden but also convict me at the same time. Just because I arrived at Port doesn't mean that God stops working so I can step in. He doesn't need me to do His work. He doesn't need me at all. He is bigger and greater and stronger than anything I could ever do. He doesn't need me. At the same time, He wants me to do something and He wants me to obey that command. First and foremost, I need to give them Jesus. That is more important than money, than food, than comfort (I'd love to share the reason with anyone who wants to know, just ask). Next, I have been given resources that are not mine, but God's. I did not choose to be born into comfort - God chose and He has a purpose for that. Coming to terms with that might take me whole life, but at least I am beginning to understand a portion. I need to give.
Please continue to pray for me and the team.
Health (we are dropping like flies)
To stay present in ministry while processing our three week assignments (we will be going back to the slum, a prison, and learning about Islam)
Rest
Cultural sensitivity (the students are becoming a little too free)
Wisdom
From Port Victoria:
    Roofing for the church
    Support for Pastor Mongabe (he is supporting orphans on top of his own children with no income)
    Food for the orphans at the school and a way to sustain themselves
    Mama Rosemary - peace and strength as she has so many children to care for


Bwana asifiwe for all He has done.
Baraka,
Missy