Hey all!
Thanks to everyone for hte positive comments from the last update! It's taken me a while to write again because my Internet's been too slow to load the site! but finally here it is. the next installment. i wrote this on Easter Sunday so it's a little out of date but it will still give a rough idea of what i've been doing..
Life here is great, i’m still totally loving it and apart from craving the odd caramel coffee frappaccino ..I’m not doing badly at adapting to life in Uganda. I’m working hard, making friends, baking loads and resting well!
I have kept myself busy in the office doing this and that. My major task at the moment is fundraising. As you can imagine, the list of needs is endless but rather than get discouraged by that I’m focussing on the bigger more practical things like project sponsorship, IT equipment and even a motorbike for our staff! if we manage to get them many many people will be wonderfully impacted so please pray for inspiration.
Other than work, life continues to be full of memory making adventures! The week before last we went to a retreat centre called Myto Moyoni. Set on the banks of the Nile we stayed in a little taste of paradise to take time out to build on our characters and our walk with God. The centre has beautiful grounds full of gorgeous flowers, plants and wildlife. If you are up early enough you get to see monkeys playing in the trees! If the surroundings weren’t enough of a treat, we were on a course called transformation of the heart which gently takes you on a journey of forgiveness, reflection, repentance and deliverance! Freedom from past hurts, issues and an opportunity to see how much there is to be grateful for. It was pretty epic and as you can imagine, still a lot to process!
Back to life in Mbale and we’ve been building up to Easter. Yesterday we had our Ugandan staff over for lunch and to watch Passion of the Christ. Flippin epic film- watch it if you haven’t! As you can imagine not many people here have seen it- so it was pretty impacting for our staff and fascinating to watch them watch it! Although apparently last year, in one of the slum churches they put on a special show of it but most of the audience were little kids (there’s a reason the film’s an 18!) and most were so traumatised that even the pastor wouldn’t watch the film yesterday. Because they don’t really watch films- something like The Passion really spaces them out- they just aren’t used to seeing things in that way.
Last night we went to a big bbq for all of the expat missionaries and then had a sunrise service with them this morning. Although it’s been raining all day today so there was no sunrise worth watching! Hey ho- and to disappoint those who think that Easter in Africa for me will mean scorching heat and dancing to tribal music next to a mud hut somewhere-sorry!! I’ve spent the morning in a half empty church service due to the wash out with everyone shouting to hear over the rain! (Still good stuff though!) I’m now back home in a hoody and joggers drinking tea to warm up! Lol! So life is full of the unexpected! Most Ugandans will be tucking into a big lunch today though as it’s Easter and they have a public holiday tomorrow too.
There’s lots I could write and there’s lots I don’t want to bore you all with but basically I’m absolutely loving it here. It’s hard to work out exactly why except that I know I’m where I’m meant to be- without doubt. Every day I’m meeting inspirational people whose main focus is to improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged and it gives life just to hear the stories of their perseverance and faith to believe that change is possible. I’m inspired how individuals have been obedient to God’s call and as a result are transforming many lives. Sometimes they’re only small gestures that build together to big changes and sometimes they have been huge projects that have started because one person said Yes to God- no matter how crazy and impossible it seemed at the conception of the idea. It has struck me that as one person we have an incredible choice; do we want to be history makers or are we happy to keep our head down and just keep doing what we’re doing because it’s easier, less hassle and safer? It just takes a Yes from us, a willingness to surrender to his plans and through little old us God can do so so much. Again I know not everyone is called to start an Ngo, but we can still change history for the better wherever we are. Most of the people I meet are just fighting for justice in their own communities and loving their neighbours sincerely!!
Jesus didn’t come so we could have a mediocre life, he came so we could live life to full! Don’t let fear stop you from dreaming BIG! Are you living life to the full? Are you happy in what you’re doing? Are you seeking God with ALL your heart so then all things will be added?! It isn’t a big deal and for most people it doesn’t mean moving continents, it just means stepping out of the comfort zone and into the realms of possibilities that are out there for us all to take hold of. This world needs you to join with God and to dream of what his world could be restored to!
Thanks for reading and for your support!! lots of love xx
