bibles.

First, I'd like to apologize for no posts or pictures. We were in Kampala, but the electric companies and Ugandan Government are having it out by turning on and off the lights when they are needed most. We've spent all but 1 night doing everything in the dark. It's nice to be silent and still and fellowship with no distractions, but hard at the same time. We like the little luxuries we have here, so it's sort of weird when they are instantly gone...no warnings.

I wanted to share with you something God has put on my heart. Last week marked my 1 month anniversary here... I know, who really counts. :) I started really quickly evaluating the fact that time has flown by, and not necessarily doubting God's ability to work in such short amounts of time, but wondering what I can do to make a lasting impact on the people of Uganda. I guess it's on my mind simply because I don't know when I'll be back to Uganda. I'm doing this really awesome study with Jeremy of Jeremiah and this week as I was reading it just struck me how truly blessed I am to have the word. Whenever I have an issue, a question, anything I can open my bible and read away at life lessons.

I talked with Jeremy about what I can do, and he's looking into some things, but I really feel like God has given me a heart to provide bibles to Empower-A-Child for the people they work with. At first I thought this feeling was for Zerobwe, the village we are building our training center at, but then I was reminded how much the organization needs to have them when we visited the Remand Home- the DJJ of Kampala.

At the Remand Home our program has praise and worship (lead by those students), games, a lesson from the Bible and small groups for a bit. Our small group was intense this week. The last time I went to the Remand Home I thought to myself that I didn't enjoy it at all and that my heart might be changing for small children. Although I do think my heart has completely changed about children and that ministry, God reaffirmed his call for me to help provide bibles to Empower-A-Child. As we were going over the lesson, which was on Adam, Eve and temptations we face, I happened to ask the kids who had bibles. Maybe 4 of them lifted their hands. I didn't think too much of it, but happened to mention that if they wanted a bible in Luganda or English to see me after the groups were over.We continued plugging away at temptations, God's provisions and our expectations of Christ to provide this thing or that, our talents and how we can use those to glorify him even if they aren't the same as another persons (which is a completely different lesson for this week) and the kids were bouncing around, back and forth asking questions about what they knew and didn't know. There was one boy in particular that said he understands what we were there to do, but he is addicted to drugs and just doesn't think he can fight that battle. I had the opportunity to share with him about Philip, my pastor, who also struggled with drugs, ended up in jail and turned his life around: accepted Christ, married, has children and pastors our church. One boy asked us what we can do for them by just coming once a week and another one simply asked for a bible, just straight forward.

His question really threw us for a loop and we didn't know what to say. I haven't really thought much about bibles until this week. After our group was finished a huge circle of boys and girls came around me writing their names and what kind of bible they want: English or Luganda. After the whirlwind of people writing their names down I counted and the number quickly went from 4 to 20. 20 children don't own bibles...20. I have probably 5 on my own and could definitely just go and get a newer one in no time. A couple left some money for the bibles, so hopefully all 20 of them will get a bible before they get released.

It really got me thinking about the village, again. Of course I wish we could provide a bible to every person we meet, who accepts Christ or simply asks for one, but it's so costly. Still, God put this on my heart and I can't wait to see how he uses this situation for his glory. Can you imagine not having your bible? I know I can't. I'm attached to it; it's a necessity for my life. This week after the Remand Home God put it on a few other peoples hearts to provide bibles for EAC to give to those children. There's a fundraiser to collect 500 for this endeavor. It'll be interesting to see how that works out. It's been an issue that continue to pull at my heart. I just keep thinking that what I do may make a small impact, but nothing compares to the gospel. If all I can do it come here, praise God with them, pray with them, sing with them, show them God's love, I honestly don't think those things compare to having God's word to keep their foundations strong. I think it's so important for the families in the village to have bibles because if EAC can't be out there they'll at least be able to read, study, learn, worship, and discuss the bible.

On top of all of this I continue to be reminded of 2 Corinthians "for when I am weak, then I am strong". I'm surprised all the ways God brings it back into my life on a daily basis. It's such an encouragement that God can use me even when I think I'm at my weakest moment. Continue to be blessed by that reminder and please continue to pray for the health, safety for our team as we prepare for a week in the village, and for the bible situtation God has put on my heart.