God is Love and He Loves everyone

Oli otya? 

How are you?

I am doing well. Uganda is my home. I love it here. The smells, the people, the jungles, the mountains. All of it. 

Today was our last day in Jinja. We started off the week visiting the same fishing village two days in a row. It smelled, there was evident disease, people couldn't write, some couldn't see, some were tall, others short, some with teeth, some toothless, they were covered in dirt, sweat, and sores. But you know what? They are loved by a King. 

You see, we are no different than the smelly villagers. We sin, we are smelly and covered in dirt. Our odor is unfathomable, but God loves us. 

Let me be crazy, and tell you He not only loves you, but He picks you up, and wipes the grime away. 

Pretty cool right? 

God loves- smelly, dirty, and sore-covered, he simply loves you.

He takes you at face value, and knows what he is doing. 

I think that is pretty cool, don't you?

Jinja, Uganda

We have arrived! We are in Jinja, Uganda where we will spend our first week! I can't believe it! I am in Africa! So far, we have seen many different things, ranging from alligators, to water buffalo, to goats and dogs and people and business and even some pigs feet! It's been an adventure already. I am loving and soaking up every minute of this. I love the people and the country. I love the muddy streets, and I love the over booked taxis. I love no texting, and taking cold showers. I love the mosquito nets. I love the blisters on my feet, and I love feeling like my body is smothered in grime, head to toe. And I most certainly love how God  is already using my team. A simple smile or wave on the way to Jinja was worth a million dollars to these people. But what they don't realize is that THEY are the ones blessing US. They are so humble and compassionate. They simply give, give, and give.

God is good. I can't wait to love on these people at the medical clinic! Speaking of, tomorrow I will be trained, and Tuesday we start! 

Please pray for hearts to be opened and receptive to Christ.

Thank you for keeping up with me! 

Day 2: Flying to Belgium

How exciting it has been already! My day was jam packed! I was asked to be a trip leader en route to Uganda, so responsibilities included repacking all of the medical, orphanage, and "donation" bags that BWO brought, in order to condense baggage, as well as confirm they were each under 50 pounds. God gave such patience and peace today! 

Around noon, we headed back to JFK (in NY) to meet a few other team members, and prepare to depart for Brussels, Belgium! (Do you think they serve Belgium waffles?;) 

Soon after we arrived at JFK, my new responsibilities included re-re packing the bags the new members had given us, weigh them, and then try to line up our team in alphabetical order. This was a task!! However, my team listened with attentiveness, and the tedious task was done quickly:)

After checking in, we went through security. The other team leader and I were in charge of collecting everyone's passports until our flight departed. Can you say "pressure"? Lucky for us, God has continued to be faithful, and pave a peaceful road for us:)

Then it was time to eat, everyone's favorite time of day! However, once through security, your options for dining were an expensive panini place... And an expensive panini place:) so after a friend and I split a $10 sandwich, we munched on a few of our snacks!

Soon after, it was 4 o' clock, and it was boarding time! We anxiously boarded the plane, heads and spirits high. After everyone was seated, Summer, the other trip leader, and I recollected the passports! 

I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to a long flight, however it has been so pleasant! I have never been on a plane that was so comfortable, with the nicest accommodations. God really lavished my team and I with a great day.

On the spiritual side of things: God is still so good. Even if today had gone awful, we lost all of our luggage, or spirits were down, God is still good. I cannot communicate that enough. I am so impressed by God. I wish I would always expect this feeling, but I don't. The ways of The Lord ALWAYS work out. Whether things are perfect, or a disaster, I know I am in the hands of God, and no matter where I am in life, I am right where he has long ago prepared for me to be.

So today, I am yet again reminded of the faithfulness of God, and how no matter what, he has a plan for me. Rain or shine, God can use me for good. My job is to remain faithful through the times I feel most distant from God. Because it is then that he seems most real.

In the presence of The Lord, my soul is completely satisfied. 

Please continue to pray for the people of Uganda to see Christ through
my actions and love. May it pour abundantly from me. 

I am so thankful.

Day One

Today was fantastic!!!! 

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. in order to catch my 6 o'clock flight! God was faithful, and carefully delivered me to New York in one piece. I waited at the airport for one of my teammates named Sara! While I waited, I ate Chinese, and learned many things about New York.

 One being that those people definitely could use some Jesus:) 

God is already changing my heart, as He briefly showed me what love is through His eyes. 

Love holds no bounds. 

Christ's love is so astounding. He loved each person I saw today. He loves everyone. God loves people. Tonight, a couple of girls from my team and myself are rooming at a La Quinta, and shared some famous New York pizza. It was delightful. How blessed am I to already know such wonderful people? 

I am so thankful. Truly, honestly, absolutely, whole-heartedly thankful. He chose us, the least of these, out of pure love. God loves people. Tomorrow, we leave for Uganda, and I aim to love and love and love...

Life is good, eternal life is better

To those of you reading this, thank you! I appreciate your want to stay in touch with my life and how God is going to use me the next 15 days...as well as the rest of my life. Thank you for the support and prayers you have given me. This trip would not be possible without you.

If you are confused about what I am talking about, tomorrow I leave for a mission trip to:

Uganda, Africa

I will be assisting on the medical team!

My excitement is too much to contain. I cannot wait to express the love of Christ with these people. 

How often we forget what a blessing it is to be used by a loving God.

My prayer is that through this trip, the kingdom of God would be furthered, chains would be broken, and hearts will be changed forever.

I am already amazed at the way God has so intricately planned every detail of this trip, and how he simply makes things work. 

By trusting in Him, I can move freely, without bondage to worry, regret, and fear. My challenges and circumstances are merely a reassurance that Christ is real, and at work, at all times. 

Thanks again for keeping in touch, and be looking out for my daily updates on how God is using my team and I in Africa!

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”

-  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

                                                                Guatemala 2011

ONE DAY until I leave for Africa!
I am way too excited!