With Love from Elgin: Expectant waiting.

Our devotion actually hit the nail on the head this morning. Jonah talked about waiting on the Lord. We live our lives expectant of things, in his case he was talking about the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel and her expectancy to have a baby. After she had her child she rejoiced and praised God for blessing her. And as I listened I was reminded of all of the encouraging words I received about my stay in Uganda 1 more night.

For those of you who missed this: I packed up my life here into 3 suitecases and headed to the airport to depart for the USA! I was so looking forward to it. I've missed so much and I've learned so much that I want to share! My friend Ssempala Douglas drove me, carried my bags inside, hugged me and left me there to fly home... When I got to the desk I could tell on the ladies face something was wrong. She quickly called over another man and he hurried me around from place to place, without telling me what was going on, and after about 30 minutes they finally told me that my flight was the next day. My driver was long gone, I didn't know what to do, I was so confused, and I was mostly upset that I was going to wait another day to get home... I had been looking forward to that! I hired a private taxi, which cost my 100,000 Uganda shillings which is just over 37.00 US Dollars with the exchange rate now, and he drove me all the way home. He was lovely. We even stopped on the side of the road to wave at his girlfriend in her shop! I think he does it all the time. He was very proud of her! It was lovely! So, after an exhausting 3-4 hour trip to the airport and back I came home and had to explain everything to my friends.

Knowing the electricity was due to go out at 6 pm, like it does most nights now, I quickly pulled my computer out and charged my phone to make a few calls and get everything taken care of. I literally was on the phone for an hour and half and got no where. I talked to United Air who told me that Ethiopian Airlines had to change my ticket, not them. So FINALLY I got a hold of a lady from Ethiopian and as soon as she explained to me what had happened, something I had failed to do online, the power went out. I wanted to cry. I went into Amy's room and told her what happened. Thankfully, though, I wrote down the 800 number and Amy had the brilliant-beyond-brilliant idea to buy minutes and just use her phone to call. So, 10 minutes later everything was taken care of, no tears shed. I am not flying the exact flight, just a day behind, and arriving an home an hour earlier than planned. So, God is good.

The whole ride home, though, I couldn't help but think about what God was teaching me. I fought back tears and fear and stress and disappointment to really sit back and evaluate what had just happened to me. Thankful that things were alright, I went to bed still trying to figure it out. And this morning a light bulb went off.

I expect a lot. I think we all do. I personally struggle with putting my own expectations aside to follow the will of God, who ultimately knows best! I think this is just the beginning of my expectant waiting, but it was just such a sweet, sweet reminder of how much my Father in Heaven loves me that he provided all of my steps when I needed him to, that he kept me strong even when I was scared, and he lead me exactly where he wanted me last night. This is a lesson I hope to remember throughout every phase of my life. Although I can plan and plan and plan God always has a better plan and I can lay my burdens down and put my trust in him. He will always provide!

Also, I wanted to share some pictures from my last week with you! Enjoy! Kwagala nyo nyo nyo... that's right, I know a little Luganda now! (Love you so much!)

leading praise and worship at Brainstorm Primary

a squatter :)

played a game called cat and mouse, basically 2 person tag.

The best singer in the WHOLE school. She didn't know
the words, but she sang so, so loud!

feeding them porridge

there were over 100 kids... this picture does their insanity no justice!

a new friend I found to share kisses with!

Two of my favorite boys at Victory: Benjamin and Isaac during the game! You can
tell their personality by this picture!

Rose, my friend at the Craft Market. I just love her!

Collin took us to the Martyrs church. One of the past presidents of Uganda brought all of the
Christians to this place, where a church is now located, wrapped them up so they couldn't
escape and burned them!