Another beautiful day in Uganda! This morning we are doing a food distribution in one of our communities. I don't really know the details of how it's all gonna work but I pray that the Lord will use me, in the smallest of ways, to reflect His love to people. Kelly spoke to us last night about reflecting Jesus. One of the things He said that hit home with me was, "Forget the American dream, join the God dream." Die to your dreams, goals, and ambitions so they can identically match God's dreams, goals and ambitions for you. WOW! I know that His plan is always better than mine. I trust in that and am so thankful. Right now in my life, I have a bad habit of trying to figure out a "10-year plan" for my life. I realize now that it is about small steps of obedience every day that will get me to where He wants me. This morning I read Isaiah 49-Jesus has spoken to my heart through this scripture many times before and has made it very personal to me.
"Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth He made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver. He said to me, 'You are my servant, in whom I will display My splendor...I will also make you a light...that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth."
It is amazing to think that even when I was just a baby in my mother's arms, He knew I would be serving in East Africa one day. He knew that I would develop a love for these people that possess nothing yet possess everything. The believers in Uganda are a beautiful picture of the church that Luke writes about. This past week I have been reading through the book of Acts have been given a new perspective on the early church. The Ugandan believers are so enthralled with the Lord's work and taking care of each other that they don't have the time nor the desire to argue over the little things. I want to be just like that. I want to be so caught up in the Lord's work and in my personal relationship with Him that everything else is insignificant in comparison.
I pray that in these last couple days the Lord will use me to minister to my teammates. Even if it's just simply a word of encouragement-I want that opportunity. God please help me to guard my words today and may everything I say and do be a reflection of You.
2 PM
This morning was a great time of just spending time with the people that we minister to. I don't know how many kids I held today. One in particular stands out in my mind. His name was Waswo. He didn't say much of anything. I was drawn to him because I saw that he had strips of cloth wrapped around his small hand. I knew he had some kind of injury. I don't have a picture of him because that was just one of those moments that you knew you needed to be sensitive. When I went over to him and put my arm around him, he didn't say anything but just looked up at me. As if in a silent cry, he uncovered his hand to show me the painful burn he had gotten somehow. I said a quick prayer for him and gave him a smile. Again, I thanked God for showing me the hurting-physically and spiritually.
