Joy to the world!

I am so blessed. This week has been incredibly tough, and at the same time I have seen God working! This week is secret santa week at my job. Right before I found my gift under the tree I was reading my friends blog. On there he had Isaiah 1:7 and I sat in my office and just reflected on it. It's a lovely reminder of what God has called me to do. Well, I got an incredible gift from my secret santa and on it was that scripture. It says "Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow". My present is a CD to support International Justice Mission. I am so excited. I love my present, but I also love how God works in situations to remind us that he is still there and very much at work revealing his plan for our lives!

As the new year approaches, I would love for you to continue to pray for my second mission to Africa. I have 2 friends coming along, Katy and Nicole. Will you just pray for God to prepare our hearts for the incredible experience He has in store for us? And for the finances to make this trip possible? Thank you!

I am so incredibly blessed. I am sad that sometimes I forget that. We are so blessed to serve a loving, caring, merciful God. I can't imagine what 2011 has in store! Thank you secret santa and thank you Lord for working through her!

2 songs.

There are 2 songs that I am really just loving right now and I just wanted to share them!

Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli

I heard this song the day I finally came out of jet lag from Uganda. I was in the car and I just smiled as the lyrics poured out. Who knew that before my birth, before my parents thought knew that I would be a part of their life, God had a beautiful plan for my life!?! It was just an exhilarating thought! Every time it comes on I just cry like a baby in praise to my Father for all that he has blessed me with!

The next song is new, to me at least. It's "Starry Night" by Chris August. I just love it! It's just a sincere song. I can relate to thinking the things he mentions in his song and just rejoicing in the little (or grand) things God does to show this world how much he loves us and is there for us always!

I wonder sometimes how people can just put their thoughts into lyrics of songs. It's such a beautiful talent and I appreciate all of the song writers out there. It's encouraging to know that they think and feel the same things I do!

Holding on

Hey friends... this is Valerie (Hils twin) and I am going to be a "guest columnist" for Hils blog today. She was kind enough to let me share with you some of my thoughts...

For those of you who don't currently know my situation, I am in school, working AND doing an internship. Needless to say, life is pretty hectic for me. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who supports me, emotionally and financially, as I seek to follow where God is leading me. But not even his love could prevent my emotional downward spiral. This morning something happened that sent me over the edge- I broke down and I wept for probably 4 hours (nothing major.. like a medical condition.. just personal stuff). The way I normally relieve my tension and anxiety is to hit the treadmill. So I go to the gym and someone is on "MY" treadmill and I'm forced to use the one next to it. Normally I watch TV while I run but this time I just needed to run and think. This particular machine had a sign on the wall directly in front of it (the only machine with a sign on the wall in front of it). It said something along the lines of "don't hold on to the treadmill unless you are checking your heart rate" and at the bottom in small letters it said "Think about it... do you walk around holding on to something?"

As I ran, I kept reading those words. I couldn't get over them for some reason and I kept reading that sentence. Then at about mile 2- as I cried on the treadmill- it was like the words came off the paper and hit me in the face. I was walking around holding on to a lot of somethings. Many things that were given to me as a blessing and I had begun seeing as a right or something I earned by myself. Everything I have and everyone in my life was placed there strategically by God. But, I began to let them take the place of Christ on and in my heart. I was holding on to little pieces of everything, to keep my control over as much as I could. My life has become about surviving and not SERVING. And I became comfortable with all this goodness God had given me (because honestly He has given me an amaaaazing life!). I didn't need to be a servant every day. I didn't need to pray every day. I didn't need to THANK God for his blessings every day. I was content and I was surviving... until this morning.

Hosea 13:6 says "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me."

Now that doesn't mean I woke up and literally forgot who God even was... that means I forgot that my trust should be in HIM for ALL things; I should be holding on to Him and not holding on to all my somethings. If I hold on to Him, my way will be made right and everything will work out for His perfect plan for my life.. like it says in Psalm 18:32 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect". Not Valerie who makes it perfect.. no matter how hard I try or how much I can control. I may not like it. I may not have control like I want. But I will have trust that God would not put me somewhere he hasn't prepared me to go or give me something that I couldn't handle. We need to learn to stop holding on to our somethings and hold on to Christ. This adventure, called life, that he has put us on will be that much more amazing if we can just put all of our trust in Him. He needs to have my whole heart and your whole heart- not just a piece or a section.

I pray that you can use any part of this to better your life with Christ. We all struggle with different things and I can guarantee you that my lesson with this is not over. But I am not perfect and neither are you. Start serving and stop just surviving.

Being Blind

So, a few updates on my trip. I've contact EAC and let them know that I am interested in coming back. I don't know the exact dates, yet, but am sure at least 1 other girl is going with me. Please pray for our trip as we being the logistics of this travel. There is the potential for more girls to come, but I am not sure. Everyone else has to do an application, so soon we should know. I've also had the wonderful privilege of speaking with my pastor at Blaney about support. He feels strongly that the Lord wants Blaney to provide support for my trip, both financially and prayerfully! I couldn't be more blessed and humbled! It's such a feeling of God's presence. I'm excited about what I've already learned, and it is much easier this go around.

I've also had a talk with my boss about my potential of not being at Columbia College anymore. We aren't sure what the options are, but I told her I am 100% sure I will be going and they can't rely on me past May. It was such a bittersweet moment. I have felt the Lord and seen the Lord working in so many ways at my workplace, but I know he has called me back to Africa. It's the funniest thing when you make a decision like that. Before, when I spoke about my trips or saw pictures from it I just cried like a little girl! Now I can feel my heart just longing to return and doing a little happy dance inside my heart! It hasn't been easy, though. I've been struggling with things I will leave behind, relationships I won't have at my fingertips, the comforts of my sweet, southern home and my friends and family all around me. The more I read the gospels and see the words Jesus spoke, though, the more I am encouraged to be a light in this dark world!!

This morning I was reading from the book of John and I started to wonder what life was like for Jesus and the Jewish people. I have continued to have some negative support from people about going to Africa. I understand. I once was in their shoes and know how the worry and uneasiness of a traveling to Africa may feel. It's easy to get discouraged, but I take refuge in Jesus's ministry. In John 9, it tells of the story of the blind man. Jesus spits in the ground, puts the mud on his eyes, tells him to wash it off and when he does he can see. The Pharisees question him about it and he doesn't really give an answer. I just kept reading and reading the same sentences and felt a little frustrated. They called his parents in and it says, "...for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue." They were afraid to answer even though they saw that their son had sight. The Pharisees eventually threw the man out and Jesus spoke to him about who he was- the Son of Man. The man believed and worshiped him. That's the story in a nutshell, but I encourage you to read it.

It really got me to thinking about our own complacencies. Last week I had a conversation with some students and co-workers about the fact that we are so scared to hurt people's feelings that we won't hold them accountable anymore. This mans parents were so scared to say something for themselves! What are we afraid of? We see things happening all the time, and yet, we stand idly by. We only step in when it starts to affect our lives directly. I know there's a time and a place for some things, but if we can't be real with each other, we can't be real with ourselves! Does that make sense? It does to me! It's a hard process getting ready to go to Africa. The Lord reveals some things about yourself that you just don't like. Thank you, Lord, for your Son who died so that I might have a relationship with you!

Uganda 2011

I was reminded this week of the blessing of children. I have never imagined working with them, but God uses them in such a powerful way! A few weeks ago, on the radio, I heard someone talking about the importance of sponsoring a child. He said something along the lines of sponsoring a child gives their whole family what they need to worship Christ. Through sponsorship the child is given a bible, love, an education, and is taught about Christ. When that child comes to accept Christ into their lives he or she will then take that message to the rest of their family! It made me think about my trip to Africa. We worked with and will work with children of all ages, from different backgrounds, in different circumstances. We are called to love them and share the good news of the gospel with them. When we do that, for that child, we are impacting endless amounts of people- family, friends, future schoolmates and co-workers!

When I was reading this morning I read the story of Jesus healing an officials son in John 4: 43-54. Take time to read it. I won't add it to my post because it's very long. What really stood out to me was verse 53. It says, "Then the father realized that this was the exact time which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed."

It is a little bit of a different circumstance, but it made me think of the power of a child. God uses these little people to do amazing things for his kingdom. This week in my arts and crafts class I saw a child show compassion for someone else through the act of making a birthday card. I have some boys in my class who don't usually care what we do because they're not interested in art. It's ok with me, but I do ask them to sit with everyone and to be on their best behavior. I asked my students to do me a favor and make a birthday card for a friend of mine who doesn't have the support of her real family. Her mother kicked her out after the graduated high school and she's put herself through college. I wanted her to have a very special birthday. As class drew closer to an end, the boy came up to me and quietly asked for a piece of blue construction paper. With 5 minutes left in class he went to the back of the class and just started doodling. As he was leaving he came up to me and handed me a card that had her name on the friend, happy birthday on the inside and a BIG purple heart that he cut from paper. My heart melted when he handed it to me because I heard the compassion in his voice as he said he hopes she has a great birthday! It's those moments where God is alive and working in our children to change this world!

I can't wait to go back to Uganda and to work with these children, but I am blessed by the blessing of the children all around me here, too!

Luke 9:48 says, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is the least among you all- he is the greatest." Amina!

This picture is from my friends birthday dinner when she got all of her birthday cards! Happy 21st birthday!

I stand amazed.

I finally made it to John! It's a wonderful accomplishment. It was my goal to read the gospels in order and I am almost done! I've read them all individually, but I've never read them back to back. I am enjoying it because they are all so similar, but each uniquely different. This morning I was reading from John 4. It's the story of the samaritan woman at the well. I know that story so I breezed right through it. My eyes began to open starting in verse 27 and I know the Lord had a special plan for me to read this today! It says:

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something. But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

I emphasized the lines that really hit me. These past few weeks I've been drowning in my own trouble. What I mean is that I have been making up conflict to have conflict, to not be satisfied and just all together being selfish. It's a very real temptation and struggle. Who doesn't want to provide for themselves and thinks they know just what they need. Well I know nothing compared to what God knows for me! This morning as I read this I just kept thinking about how selfish I am. Although I would love to be married, have a family and a home of my own, just things women my age struggle with, I am being fed by something beyond myself. God is filling me up spiritually to do his work! Philippians 2:21 says this: " For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." That's a pretty tough verse for me to swallow, however, I am blessed every day with reminders that he has a plan, he will provide all of my needs and he is at work all around me- why wouldn't I want to join in on that?!

I love my new bible study workbook called Experiencing God and am so excited about how God is constantly working around me. The more I see him doing, the more I am amazed! Where is he at work in your life?

"Remember who you are!"

Many of you know that I have decided to return to Uganda. This time there is an opportunity to take a few other young ladies with me. If you would have mentioned to me last year that I would be leading a group to Africa, I would have thought you were crazy! Obviously God has other plans :) I have been thinking a lot about my trip and wanted to just post some things that have been on my heart.

Jeremy and I are doing a bible study book together and on Saturday I was reading about the Great Commission. It just so happened that on Sunday, while visiting my moms church in Boone, NC, we were also learning about the Great Commission. Needless to say, it's been on my mind a lot. For those not familiar, the Great Commission is in Matthew 28. Starting in verse 16 it says:

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It's hard for me to put into words how I feel, but I will try. I just kept thinking about the words "go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS!".... all nations.... all nations. I kept thinking about how people have talked to me about doing stateside missions or asking me why I wanted to go to Uganda in the first place. All I could say was that God had called me there, which is an answer enough. But I am really starting to understand why. Going to Uganda again is a scary thought, but take comfort in the very last line of what Jesus says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

On the way home from Boone yesterday I googled how many people are in this world. I don't think there's any way to know accurately, but they have guessed close to 7 billion people. That's a lot of people. I saw on one website that 74% of the worlds population live in Africa and Asia. (And I can attest to the fact that I have never seen more people in one space than when I was in Kampala!) I am also completely supportive of stateside missions, but Jesus has told us to go out into the nations and that is what I am going to do!

I also spent a lot of time thinking about the fact, or questioning, that God chose me. When I think back on my life I don't see much compared to others. I grew up poor, I wasn't the smartest in any of my classes, I was made fun of because of my crazy eyebrows (that my mom wouldn't let me wax or tweeze!), I was chubby, I mean I could go on and on. For a while I even resented my parents for the embarrassment and shame I felt for not being wealthy like my friends, for being on free or reduced lunch, for living in a trailer, for driving hideous cars- not really understanding that they were trying their very best- we were poor and it really cut down on my social life. But I grew up, I worked hard, and I went to college. I accepted Christ into my life and couldn't be more thankful for every second of my childhood! So why the history lesson? I read a scripture from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and it made my heart absolutely light up... almost as if God was sitting right here, answering the question of why he chose me! It says:

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

I was 12 years old. Perfectly in the midst of this embarrassing time in my life, poorer than most people I knew, and definitely not the brightest. But I have always had my love. For a while I used that say that was all I could give you. I didn't have money, or much time, or knew anyone that could really help, but I could love you! Jesus sure is using that love now! And spreading it around the nations! His handiwork has always been around me! I don't know how this applies to your life today, but I hope you enjoyed reading this.Thanks mom for always telling me before I left the house "Remember who you are and whose you are!" I couldn't be more proud of who I am and whose I am! I have been called to a purpose, Jesus has called us all to his purpose! AMINA!

I made a short video to show to some women after I spoke for them. Here is it. I thought it was a nifty little video :) I try to be as tech savvy as possible. On another note, I am going to Uganda again. Please pray for that! xo

Expectations.

Last night as I was reading, I came across a section of scripture that just made me think about our lives. Recently I've been in a few discussions about why we, as a nation, think we DESERVE things. It's been a conversation that's lasted a few days. Different events have occurred each day that have lead me to remember each day that I don't deserve half of what I have, it is all a blessing.

As I continue my reading through Luke, I read a scripture that covers what I have been thinking about all week long. Here it is, from Luke 6: 27-36:

²⁷"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³²"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

I have always paid close attention to the beginning of this section- love your enemies, bless those who curse you, turn the other cheek.... It was the end of this section that really rattled my mind a little bit. Verse 35 says "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them WITHOUT expecting to get anything back." This got me thinking. How many times have I done something with the intention of getting something in return?? For me, that's where the trouble sets in. Although this scripture is written as a way to help guide us to loving our enemies, this scripture can be used in the context of your whole life!

I will be the first to admit that I have always struggled with doing things for people because I wanted them to do something for me in return. And when that wasn't reciprocated, it turned into the most horrible fight or feelings of disappointment...but they didn't know I did it to get something back. I had to start examining my true intentions. Was I doing something for someone because I genuinely wanted to love on them or was it to get a reaction or something in return? And what expectations did I have for them?

When you live in the mindset that you deserve this or that, or it's the least he or she can do for me, we tend to forget the small blessings that occur daily. We live in a world that tells us it's ok to want things, that we deserve things and that those are normal feelings to have. We honestly forget, I honestly forget, that we have everything that we need...not want. Matthew 6:8 says "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask." Everything we have has been provided by the Lord- friends, family, food, shelter, clothes, shoes, water, work, money, etc. When you begin to live in that mindset, your expectations for people are overshadowed by your joy for what the Lord has provided. It makes a huge difference in your life when you treat others without expectations, when you genuinely care and love them because that is what we have been called to do!

Thank you for continuing to read this blog and for taking this journey with me as I prepare for what the Lord has planned! :)

Cast your nets into the sea....

Hey! I am so sorry for slacking off on my blog. It wasn't designed just for my trip to Africa, and I promise to get better. With the fall starting I'll have a routine and this will be included in my mornings! With that being said, I've starting reading the gospels in order. I had to overcome a bit of pride to realize that I had never done it before, or read all of them in their entirety, but after going on a mission trip I wanted to focus on what Jesus did while he was on earth; and, the best way to do that is to read the accounts from that time. It's been hard because they are all so similar, but today as I was reading Luke the Lord opened my eyes to a particular story.

Luke 5:1-11 is the story of Jesus's first disciples. It's such a cool story and we can all relate to it! Here it is:

^"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."

I bolded verses 5 & 6, which really stood out to me. I immediately thought about my preparation to Africa, things that are going on in our own lives, my friends lives, my family members lives, and just something we struggle with all the time... control. We take control and sometimes have a hard time letting God take over, especially when we are at our weakest. For some reason our flesh overwhelms us and we think things like, obviously God had this planned for me, or Why did this happen, or if I can't fix it no one can, or I must really deserve something like this to happen... I think at some point we have all thought that. It's almost our first reaction to things. In the first half of the scripture, Simon says, But I've already tried it didn't work out so well.... But the key is the last part of verse 5. Simon says, "But because YOU say so, I will let down the nets." This is sometimes where I KNOW I lose focus. Lord, I trust in you, you have a plan, but let me keep trying to fix this myself in hopes it will get better, right?!

We have a hard time letting things go because we somehow have been made to feel weak or not worthy, but scripture says otherwise. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says,

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In Luke, you see Simon cast out his net at Jesus's request, after a full night of fishing, and he pulls up enough fish to almost sink 2 boats! Can you imagine!? This is like my trip to Africa. After 5 months of trying on my own, it wasn't working out. When I finally gave it over to the Lord, to fulfill his perfect timing, my trip was put together in 2 weeks! Can you imagine how the Lord would provide if we just let him? It really is hard going through life trying to provide all of our own needs, but do we actually know what we need, when we need it? The Lord does, no matter what.

In verse 10 Jesus says to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." He had a purpose for using Simon's boat that day, and what an example Simon's faith was used as. James and John were also able to see how the Lord provided and used this situation to call them to be disciples. This would have ended differently if Simon took the approach we all tend to take and postponed trusting in the Lord until he had another shot at fixing it himself.

I want to encourage you today, whatever it is that you are trying to control, give it to God. He will provide your every need. Verse 11 says it best. The men pulled their boats ashore and followed Jesus. Lay down your burdens, trust in the Lord, and follow him...he knows our needs! Praise the Lord!

I haven't forgotten...

I promise I haven't forgotten about my blog! The Lord is still doing some amazing things in my life and introducing me to a few interests, ideas, thoughts that I had never had before. I have been busy with work, and we just finished our 2009/2010 school year and are about to jump into a new school year!

I will update as soon as possible, but please continue to pray for what the Lord is revealing to me about His purpose and plan for my life! It's very exciting! Love you all!

You Are My JOY!!

My time in Uganda is coming to an end. I leave tomorrow afternoon. It's so weird to think about. Yesterday as we were going to the craft market, as we drove through the city, all I could do was just stare in amazement of where the Lord has lead my life! Who knew that I would be in Africa? The Lord has been preparing my heart for this trip my whole life and when he knew I was finally ready he put it on my heart. I am so glad that I trusted in him, his plan and his promise to provide! How amazing!

I am even thankful for being sick. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I would have just kept going and going and going without stopping. I took that time, when I was awake, to just thank for the Lord for his faithfulness and to reflect on my friends and experiences here. Yesterday my friend Collin asked me what I would miss the most and I told him the children. When you go into these schools, hospitals or children's homes, there is an overwhelming feeling that the Holy Spirit is there with you. More times than not we were somewhere that we didn't understand anything. Not all of the children knew English, but we all knew the Lord and worshiping the Lord together, in our different languages, is one of the most powerful things I've had the privilege of experiencing.

This has truly been a wonderful experience, and it's not over yet. I feel strongly that when I go home the Lord will still be at work. Please continue to pray for Empower-A-Child, Uganda, Africa and maybe one day my being able to return!

Also, I want to leave you with this scripture that touched my heart this morning. It's from Matthew 9: 12-13. It says, "On hearing this, Jesus said, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

AMEN!

Conquering my Fears!

I asked a fellow MST, Lauren, to record the song Craig and I sang. Today I wasn't feeling well at all, but I wanted to do this. This whole week I have known I was going to sing and I asked everyone to pray because I get so anxious when I have to do things in front of other people. Craig was so encouraging and I told him I was going to take all of my cues from him.

The Remand Home is like DJJ. Empower a Child goes there every week and they like to do a special song/special music/special talent to encourage the children to use the talents the Lord has blessed them with. I felt like I would be a hypocrite to not sing for them. I am not the best singer by any means, but I refused to not praise the Lord through singing!

My friend Stefanie came up to me afterwards and said she cried because she knew how much I relied in the Lord to do that, she's amazing! I think most people who know me know, and don't believe, that I hate being in front of people. During this trip I have come to realize that the Lord deserves it and I will not be afraid! Anyways, I hope you enjoy it. At the end of the video you get to see the boys and girls we spent the afternoon with!

A Sweet Moment

You can't see her, but there is a girl who wouldn't let me go. You can just see her face on my left side (right side of the picture). She would help me get away from the little kids that were lovingly attacking me to see the pictures. And her hugs were delightful. I gave her a silly band for being a special helper and thanked her as we started to leave. While we were pulling away, she ran up to the van and gave me her green rubber band! She exchanged her green rubber band for the silly band I gave her! She has so little and she gave me the most thoughtful gift and thanked me! What a beautiful child and a beautiful heart!

These kids crack me up!

Right here on the end, in the green dress, is my friend who gave me her rubber band because I gave her a silly band! So selfless!

Wakulukuku School

Empower-A-Child has an outreach program called Feeding programs. We drive out the the slums and visit their schools. Today we went to Wakulukuku. It sounds just like it's spelled- WAH-KOO-LOO-KOO-KOO school. We prepare a meal of porridge for them and play games, sing songs and teach them a lesson from the bible. They are sweet, loving and fun children. They are amazing with the cameras and LOVE to have their picture taken. After you take their picture they look at it and laugh hysterically! We come to the site, buy supplies from people around the area- milk, oil, fire wood, water, sugar, wash their dishes, and serve them. Before we serve them we play games, sing songs and dance. They go back into their school and sit patiently as we hand out porridge to every child who wants some. We start with the older class first, then the younger children, the teachers, and then the street children who sit outside. They are all so sweet.

Above is Lizzy an EAC volunteer and Lauren an MST (Mission Support Team)

We were playing some games!

The children praying for our time together, that the Lord would be glorified!

These lovely children took a million pictures so they could look at them and laugh! It was sweet!

Mustard Seeds

Matthew 17:20 says, "...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain 'move from here to there', and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

This verse excites me!! It makes me think of the people who questioned my trip- why Uganda, why Africa, why now, etc etc... I am so thankful that my Father in Heaven knows my heart and knew what He was doing when he called me here! In this verse Jesus is saying that if we have faith the size of a small, tiny little seed that the Lord will do amazing things with that through us, through me and you!

He could have said anything really. He chose a mustard seed, which is a tiny little seed. I started planting this year and it's amazing the things that grow from these little seeds or bulbs. I actually planted my very first bulbs this year and when they started coming up from the ground I was so excited! I showed them to Jeremy in the proudest way, just delighted in the work I had done. I planted these bulbs and they grew! But my bulbs are so much bigger than a mustard seed. I can't imagine how something so great can come out of something so little and how the Father delights in that! It's awesome!

This is also how I think of this trip. The Lord put Africa on my heart and, in faith, I followed His call here. Of course I was skeptical about things, scared and nervous at times, and I do miss home; but, the Lord is so awesome! He says that if my faith is even as small as a mustard seed I can move mountains.

Matthew 13:31 explains a little better why the mustard seed is so significant. It says: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and perch on its branches."

I hope you are encouraged today in whatever you are doing and have faith that the Lord has a purpose for you, your life, your job, and everything you are doing. Rejoice for the Lord is worthy of our praise!!

The Light of the World!

Today we went to Watoto Church Central in Kampala. It was amazing! It's a very westernized church, with a choir, praise band, big screens and words that roll across, and videos, outreach, everything. It was such an awesome experience. The sermon was on a part of Matthew that I started focusing on right before I came to Uganda.

Matthew 5:14-16 says:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

It's so true! We are the light of this world! The sermon was about how Jesus said we are lights in a dark world. We guide people by the way we live. People are watching our moves, our words, where we spend our money, how we spend our money, our attitudes and mindsets. The pastor said this, "You may be the only bible that some others can read. How can you guide people when you are contributing to the darkness." You have no idea how a quick exchange at a restaurant, Target, Walmart, bank, anywhere can affect the way people view the gospel or Christianity.

Every day that I am here, I am more and more thankful for this time! It's really hard being so far away from home. I'm not just a drive away anymore; I am on another continent! But the Lord is great and worthy of all of my praise! My life has been so crazy, and it definitely wasn't a life kids dream about and boast on! But it was all for a purpose and a plan. To prepare me for this very moment. That's so awesome!

When I go home I will miss not being treated like an angel. If children are standing in their doorways and we are walking or driving by, they run inside and scream Mazungo! Mazungo! and they all run out to wave! It's like we are celebrities for Christ! :) I love to wave to all of them and smile. I don't know Lugandan at all, but one smile and their faces light up! It's so awesome! Jesus is greater than language barriers! I promise I'll add pictures tomorrow. I am exhausted!

Please pray for this week. It'll be my first and only full week of service, worship, playing with the kids and fellowship with everyone at Empower-A-Child. Pray that God would continue to work in this organization and in Uganda! These people are passionate for the living God! I am so thankful for their examples of worship. Pray for safe travels for my friends going home tomorrow and new friends coming tomorrow. And please begin praying for my return home- safe travels, that I wouldn't forget how the Lord made me feel here, how the Holy Spirit moved in my heart, and that it will move mountains back in the states! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

It's Raining. It's Pouring.

I was going to go to the store and grab a coke then go play with the neighbor kids, but now it's storming, so I will update my blog some more! Excited?! Thanks :)

I have been reflecting on a few scriptures during my time here and I would like to share those:

Proverbs 3:3

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

This is something we keep in mind every day. We have no idea what each day will have in store; but, we are here to love and empower children for Christ. If we do that and are faithful in that, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest!

Matthew 6: 33-34

" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I really love this scripture starting from verse 25, so if you have time read it. We stress so much about having things or not, we question things the Lord does, we compare our lives to other peoples and sometimes we just fail to rejoice in God's provisions! God has provided everything that we need and when we are concentrating on what we don't have or on what others have, we can not fully rejoice in what the Lord has blessed us with. I am so thankful that the Lord knows me better than I know myself and he knows my needs. He loves me more than I know and I want to spend my days praising him for everything!

1 John 3:1

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. "

I have thought about this maybe 20 times a day preparing for this and while I have been here. How great is this experience? How great is the faith of my family and friends who provided for this trip? How great is the Lord that he opened the doors?! I have seriously never cried in praise more times in my life than this year- 25 really is a wonderful year! People may think that I am crazy for coming here, but I was called on purpose and I rejoice in that and I pray that this trip will also change other people's lives!

Matthew 25:40

"The King will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

This scripture brings joy to my heart. We talked to the children about this one day in secondary school. We have no idea what each of us has. We have no idea where people have come from or what they struggle with. When we do something for someone else, we are doing it for one of God's children! I don't know about you, but that motivates me to do what I can for my brothers and sisters in Christ because my Father is SO good to me! What I am doing here will not stop when I get back home. That is my prayer! Praise the Lord!

A male giraffe. Our guide says a male's spots get darker and darker as they get older. This one must be old!

A mommy baboon and her little baby.

One of the only elephants we saw up close! This is a little baby.

Alisha, Rachel, Koley in the back and Jayan and me up front!

He's got the WHOLE WORLD in his hands!

Mazungo! Mazungo!

This past weekend a few of the other MSTs took a 5 hour drive west for Safari. During dinner one night Jayan asked us 2 burning questions she'd been thinking since we got there. All 4 of us were pretty new. I just arrived on Monday, Rachel arrived the day of the bombings, Coley came from Empower-A-Child Kenya, and Alisha also arrived the day of the bombings. Alisha and Rachel didn't know anything about it until they got here, but Jayan looked at me and said every day she checked her email waiting for me to cancel my trip. When the bombs hit 6 of the MSTs left and went home because they were scared. She was sure I wouldn't come. And I did. She wanted to know why! I told her that the Lord has a purpose for this trip and I strongly believe that with His purpose comes His protection! That morning I also received an email from Jeremy and it included this scripture from Isaiah 41:10.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

It was perfect for that moment and my explanation to her! I was so blessed to know that since the day I was accepted, the staff here has been praying for me and my preparation for this trip. It has been so awesome to get to know the Ugandans! They are amazing and are changing my heart for the Lord so much!

She also asked us if we thought that what we were doing is going to make a difference to the people here or if it will make a bigger impact in our own lives. All of us agreed that we felt like the Lord was changing us through this, and that we hope to change a child's life, but we are probably getting more out of it. It was at that moment that she shared her testimony for us. She was one of those children, in the schools that we now visit. When a Mazungo, white person, would visit the school the children would get in a frenzy. They love Mazungos! One day a Mazungo gave her a pencil and she cherished it forever! She always claimed to be a Christian, but even as a child didn't fully understand it until she was older and the Lord started preparing her for her future here at EAC.

She said that just smiling and waving at a child, because we are Mazungos, is changing this nation! The children don't understand how far we have traveled, but that we chose to spend time with them and to bring them gifts. They went crazy over the silly bands I gave them and I never realized that they would cherish it like it was gold.

It was so encouraging to hear because a lot of people have said they don't know what can be done in 2 weeks and my response is that the Lord can move mountains in 2 weeks! I am glad she encouraged me on that! Our consistency, our hugs and smiles, high fives, hand shakes, presents and playing are all helping change these children's hearts for Christ! I've never had so many children get so excited about getting a free hug and hand shake in my life and it has blessed me tremendously. I value it as much as they do! The Lord is amazing and my heart is over-joyed!!

I love these children! After worship, they hung around and talked. Grace is in white and the boys were being shy until I asked them to take a picture, then their faces lit up!! These are the children who sacrificed their lunch to worship with us!

The children love pictures and cameras :)

Heather, in yellow, praising the Lord with the children!

Craig, Kaylee, and Colin leading worship!

The view of our backyard and the city.

Praise the LORD!

I arrived safely in Kampala, Uganda around 2:30 am Tuesday morning. It took a while for me to fall asleep because of the time change and I spent the morning in bed resting. The staff and other volunteers were so gracious about that, I think mostly because everyone has made the long journey. Every morning the staff here leads us in praise and worship and devotion time! Even though I wasn't participating with them it was an incredibly powerful thing to wake up to people from all over the world singing "How Great is Our God!" I couldn't fall asleep for a while after that. I am so blessed to have heard their singing. It was so beautiful!

After lunch my joined a group for praise and worship at a secondary school not too far away from our house. (Our house, by the way, is completely surrounded by a brick fence and barbed wire... just for those who were concerned about my safety). These children are in school all day long from 8 am until 6/7/8 at night. When we, EAC, come to praise and worship with them, they sacrifice their lunch and free time to come and sing and hear our stories! They have the choice to come praise with us or to do their own thing, in front of their schoolmates. Can you imagine? I began to think about how little I sacrifice for the Lord and how easy it is to not show up or preach His word because we are scared or timid.

And, I'm not going to lie, I had no idea what to expect and I was honestly scared. I think I wanted to do my best for the Lord and it made me question who I am in Him! Those children were brave enough to come into that classroom and worship with us! Who was I to not want to love them and praise the Lord because I was timid? The Lord whipped me right into shape and as soon as we started singing I could literally see the Holy Spirit on the faces of these children!! I hope to have pictures up tomorrow, but they are beautiful, loving, strong children! I couldn't help but cry when I heard them praising and worshiping the same God, our God, our Father! I realized that they deserve my best, everything that I am in Christ!

I am excited about the next two weeks. Thursday I am going on Safari and I'll get to swim in a pool- that's the a pretty big deal! :) I'll probably be out of touch for a few days, but when I am back online I'll have plenty of pictures to post. I am so thankful to be here. I'll leave you with this, what the children say at school:

We say: "God is good"

They say: "All the time! God is good and we are a living testimony!"

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers! They have not gone unnoticed!

Getting ready!

This is all backwards. Below are pictures from Saturday before my trip and my departure day!

The plane I will be on from DC to Entebbe! I am ready with my laptop, neck pillow, iphone, ipod, movies, books, journals, scrapbook with sweet messages from amazing people, and my sweet Bible- ready for the long trip!

The first flight from Columbia to DC. I like little planes- they make my heart happy. Everyone is forces to be close and I love that!

Jeremy took me to the airport and Yogi surprised us there. I am so incredibly thankful for their family! I love you all so much!

I love him the most! You have been a wonderful support for this whole trip!

Saturday I got the spend the day with Mr. Jeremy Dickerson. We did everything I wanted! It was fun. We went to the Congaree Swamp to walk on the boardwalk, went antique browsing in Camden and had a lovely dinner date. I just wanted to thank him for a wonderful day.

I am so thankful for you and blessed every day by your love, encouragement, prayers and support!! Please know how much I appreciate everything that you are and everything that you do, for me and for others! xoxo- Ru

Waiting in Dulles Airport!

HEY EVERYONE! I wanted to write an entry before I went on my 20+ hour flight. I have had an exhausting week with last minute preparations and I still don't think I got enough done. It's also been exhausting, in an amazing way, with the out pour of support and prayers. Last Sunday I was brought in front of my church and members of the church all united in prayer for my trip! It was incredible and I felt the Holy Spirit in that moment!!

I gave up my worries about work. It was there before I got there and will be there when I return and I honestly was glad to give up those worries. I have been blessed to work in an environment where my co-workers are so encouraging and supportive of my crazy ideas! God is at work in my office and not a single person has been discouraging about my trip and I am incredibly thankful for that!!! The picture above has some of the sweet, sweet women I am talking about, the wonderful ones that I work with every day! :)

It's amazing to be going to Africa, but just having the overwhelming support is an incredible way for everyone to act on the calling they get from the Lord! There were so many times that I was worried about finances and safety, but people gave faithfully of their money, time, energy and through prayers! Thank you for your faithfulness to our Father! I love you all!!

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Yesterday during the World Cup there was a bombing in Kampala, Uganda. As I heard the news and read articles, I couldn't help but remember a few that the Lord put on my heart. All week I have been praying, and asking for prayer, as I prepare to go to Uganda. I am exhausted already because my mind has been going nonstop for a while now- preparing, praying, thinking, etc. In Sunday School my heart was encouraged in all of my concerns. Although I have lived this journey out, I still need to be reminded of God's overwhelming peace and how he provides. Part of our lesson was on Matthew 19: 28-30, which says:

"Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then." (NLT)

I have definitely been struggling with the things I'll miss while I am gone and the amount of

work, bills, etc that will pile up, but, what a wonderful promise! And what an answer to

my prayers! It is awesome to see the Lord speak through other people and have it touch your

heart! We grow so attached to our daily lives, every person, thing and circumstance, and we

forget sometimes that it's all a blessing. And so is being called to Uganda. It is a blessing and I

praise the Lord for calling me to this wonderful ministry opportunity! Please continue to praise

God for what he has provided and will continue to provide in the days to come!

I'd never spent much time in the book of Lamentations, but as I sat in church and heard the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" sung, I found it in the bible and it also touched my heart.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

How awesome! What a blessing it is to live every day new! Yesterday I may have fallen short, but today is a new day, and the Lord's compassion will never fail us. Can you imagine? How many minutes, hours, days we waste not having compassion for someone who messes up or hurts us or doesn't listen to us or disrespects us. We do all that, plus more, and our God is gracious and forgiving and compassionate. And how great is HIS faithfulness? Although the area of Kampala has been struck with such a tragedy, I have peace in the Lord's faithfulness that He has called me there and He will protect me and guide me! Please pray for the people of Uganda and all of the volunteers. Please pray for the Lord to continue watching over His people and protecting us all. Please pray for the people who took their lives in this plot and that as we read about this that our eyes would be open to the people who are so far away from the Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o&feature=related