Dis(ABLED)

With many centers and schools for children with disabilities in Kampala, God enabled many key people to organize an Awareness March along Jinja Road and a Sports Gala (field day) on June 7, 2014. About 500 students with disabilities marched with signs, stopping traffic, to raise awareness on inclusive education. The students, parents, and teachers also gathered to enjoy a day of games, fellowship, and food after the march down Jinja road in the city. Under the surface, these parents and

teachers were encouraged beyond anything I can express. They are living in a country where disabilities are despised and these children are mistreated, so knowing they are not alone is very encouraging. God made these children in His image and they deserve to be loved, especially with the love of Jesus.

Awareness March

After the march. 

Fancy Ugandan lunch: g-nut sauce, matoke, potatoes, and rice pila

ou.

Closing remarks. 

Fancy Smells

There is something special to me about some smells.

Horses. The smell of hay. Sweet grass mixed with the sweat of my gelding after a lovely ride in the summer time. The musky smell as foot and hoof walk upon the fallen leaves of autumn.

Rain. The rare smell of wet pavement in the Colorado springtime. Even moss gives off the damp smell of a drizzly day.

Lilacs. At Grandma’s house, I would smell them before I saw them. The lavender blossoms were precious to me as I imagined myself having many adventures.

My dad. His smell hasn’t really changed since I was little. Whatever he uses that smells good comforts me and makes me feel at home. I would smell it as he read us books before bedtime; squished as close to him as I could while listening to his voice.   

East Africa. Something in the air as I step off the plane. The smell of clean, ironed shirts on men in a crowded church. Fried bread in the mornings passing a canteen (small shop selling food, tea, etc.). Dust. Exhaust from lorries on the road. Smelling chai (black tea) as I drink it with good conversations. The smell of porridge on the breath of my students. Posho (cornmeal boiled until firm) being cooked on a charcoal stove.

Last week, two ladies from America arrived to live with me until August. One is a university student with one year of school left, and the other is an occupational therapist who quit her job to be here this summer. They are also under AIM and will be working with children with disabilities for two months in a nearby town. Their smiles and fancy smells (smells from America) entered this large, empty house filling it also with giggles and more laughter. It has been such an encouragement to my heart to have people to come home to; to listen to their experiences and to share mine.

As they experience some culture shock from Uganda, I’ve experienced a little culture shock from some of the America they have brought with them. One of them being the “fancy smells” of liquid soap, candy, shampoo, and others. My nose was surprised as it has been immersed in the smells of Uganda for quite some time. 

God has really bought these blessings to me at the right time. I have been in Kampala for 5 months now and hearing about the new things these ladies are experiencing brings me back to when I first arrived. Everything they share with me helps me remember that I do not want to take anything for granted because I won’t have it for much longer. Their fresh, bright eyes remind me of the blessings I have experienced and the adventures I have encountered so far.     

I have never lived alone until I moved to Kampala. There were many times that I wished that I could have a small apartment to myself, but after spending months in a large house praying for God to fill it with His presence, it is so lovely to have faces to come home to with laughter or tears.

Prayer:

-After a slow start to the second school term, ECLAC is finally ready to start a new schedule for the students. We are now down to four because two students left for other schools. Pray for good relationships with the teachers, wisdom and guidance in teaching, and that God will use me to encourage/disciple those I encounter.

-Another guy from the U.S. arrived under AIM and will be helping part time at ECLAC. Pray that he has a smooth transition and that God will also use him as he ministers.

-Pray that God will continue teaching me how to focus on pleasing Him and not others around me (most of my issues stem from this), that I will keep learning how to “abide” in Jesus, and that I will remain willing to obey the Lord as He changes me. Remaining in Jesus is the most important job I have; without that I am useless.

-Safety in traveling around town and in general.

-Pray for all the relationships I have built; for them to grow deeper and for God to shine His light into them.

- That I won’t become lazy, apathetic, or too comfortable at school, church, and home. That I will reflect upon the last five months, change things that I need to change, and refocus my gaze so that I will make the most of the time I have left in Uganda.

- I’ve had several issues with men – some I haven’t dealt with as well as I had wanted because I am too nice, but some that I have dealt with firmly...some progress. Pray that I will continue to learn how to deal with these situations wisely and firmly

Miscellaneous:

-I’ve joined the worship team at church. It is a bit different than what I am used to, but it is great building new relationships with more ladies and using music to connect with people. It also gives me something to do with my evenings. God is allowing me to use my gifts to minister in a different way.

- Being around a university and it's students 24/7, it was so nice to retreat at my friends house during the weekends. She works as the short term coordinator for AIM Central Region and she has blessed me with a listening ear. 

- Kyambogo university is on holiday until August, so the students have mostly left. It is strange to me because there are only a few faces I encounter as I walk to school.

Culture:

                When people are leaving your house or leaving you in general, it is polite to “give them a push” and walk a little ways with them as they start their journey. This is something my lovely friend taught me and is making me practice.

Luganda:

Konkwelekeleko (let me give you a push) 

Compassion students helped me slash (cut grass) my compound. 

I try and be Ugandan. 

Snails in my yard after it rains. 

Writing a theme song for a youth conference at church. 

Mary came from Kenya to visit me! 

SO blessed to spend time with this gem again! 

At a friend's house for a retreat. Meet her massive cat. 

I kinda love my new housemates...just a little. 

Alive at 25!

Just another "quick" update on my life instead of just my thoughts:

God has really been challenging my flexibility! I have always been a flexible person, but that is always challenged in East Africa. Here it is better not to plan some things – at least have a general idea, but nothing dependent upon time. This last week I experienced many of my “plans” squashed.

However, the Lord has also given me peace in the storms. A friend from Kenya came to visit last week and it was so good for my soul. She really was an encouragement; just being around her again and sharing my life with her was a huge blessing. At times, my American “plans” took over too much and created stress when things changed, but God really used those times to make me think about what was MORE important.

I was “planning” to travel back to Kenya with my friend, but things happened. I cannot say much, but we have had a lot of problems with my passport and things. Because of that, I wasn’t able to travel to visit my beloved friends in Nairobi or Kisumu, and my heart was a little discouraged. Making a decision to at least travel to the boarder, my friend and I started the journey to meet my team leader in Jinja. In transit, my phone was stolen or dropped and then stolen. Thankfully, it was a simple phone and not worth much, but it did hold all of the contacts I have gathered in the last 4 months. God provided me with a run-in with my team leader (she didn’t know we were meeting her there because I obviously could not call her), and my friend and I were able to resume our trip. It was my miracle for the day – only the Lord could have orchestrated that. He took care of me well, and I am so thankful that nothing major happened. I am still here without a scratch. Mukama yebazibwe! Praise God!

Yes, I didn’t get to go to Kenya. Yes, my phone was stolen. Yes, some plans were shot down. But God really allowed me to feel His peace despite all of the unknown. God always has a reason for changes in plans or interruptions in life. It is our job to be attentive to His voice as things happen.

So I escorted those traveling to Kenya (my team leader and friend) up to the small, rural town of Tororo, Uganda. There I stayed with two AIM nurses and got to see their ministry with Smile Africa (provides housing, education, and health services to street children). There I learned a little about the ministry and life in Tororo – there are many tribes and they mostly speak Swahili (my brain was confused)! It was so nice to be away from the city and in a setting I am more comfortable with.

My 25^th birthday was also spent there. The girls we stayed with were SO wonderful and really made me feel special. It was a day full of lovely, yummy comfort food, holding babies, playing with kiddos, talking with the older girls at Smile, and watching Sound of Music. How can that not be a great birthday? My heart was full.

When I visit the Sunday school at church, they always have the children give testimonies on what God has done in their lives over the past week. Almost every child will say, “I thank God for the gift of life.” I hear many adults give the same testimony as well. At first, it made me giggle and I thought it seemed a bit shallow. However, I was reminded one day that so many human beings never make it passed a young age – even those in the womb are cut short from being born. Not many can say they lived to be 25 years old. Who am I that I am different? On that note, I thank the Lord for the gift of life He has given me. It is never to be taken lightly.

Prayer:

See previous post.

Luganda:

Neyanziza – the way people in the Baganda tribe say “thank you”.

Culture:

My dear Ugandan friend gave me the Ugandan birthday gift last night – pouring water over my head. It is not a traditional way Ugandans celebrate birthdays, but it has become the norm over the last 15 ish years. She was sweet about it – talking softly, washing away all of my old years so that I could face this new one with new eyes and praying that God will grant me more blessings. However, if you spend a birthday in Uganda, make sure you bring a change of clothes. I am dodging people from church for a couple more days hoping they forget to dump the bucket of water over me….

Photos:

I’ll post some as soon as I get a chance to put them in my computer and edit.