Sunday, June 30, 2013

Different, but the same.

“One of the first things that strikes us about the men and women in Scripture is that they were disappointingly non-heroic. We do not find splendid moral examples. We do not find impeccably virtuous models. That always comes as a shock to newcomers to Scripture. Abraham lied; Jacob cheated; Moses murdered and complained; David committed adultery; Peter blasphemed. We read on and being to suspect intention: a consistent strategy to demonstrate that the great, significant figures in the life of faith were fashioned from the same clay as the rest of us.” –Eugene Peterson; “Running with the Horses” From my observation, those living in intense poverty seem to be stronger then the majority living in the Western world in more ways than one. For example, carrying a 20 gallon jerry can filled with water while walking with no shoes in 100 degree heat for 5 miles is close to impossible for me. Many living in poverty have more resilience when faced with extremely difficult circumstances, more faith in God, more hope, and stronger wills. Over the past seven years of committing to Uganda, I’ve also realized the conditions of their hearts are no different than the rest of us. To name a few: Difficulties with relationships, judgment of others, assumptions, lying, cheating, falling in love, family issues, gossip, worry and anxiety, selfishness, anger, …all things that come with the human heart. We have a lot of differences, but really, we’re a lot alike.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Uganda: Take 6

I'm going back. With my husband. It's been three years since I've returned to the land I fell in love with at the age of 22. Now at the age of 30, I'm returning with my husband (a dream of mine), with ambition and hope. There are many goals we hope to attain. In partner with Hands in Service, here are our main goals: to provide quality curriculum for John Eluru Memorial Secondary School; finish the building project of a fence around the school so that the school can cultivate and provide food for itself and create a marketable income; add to the teacher's living quarters; provide quality beds for Kapelebyong Medical Clinic; conduct a 5 week reading program with both middle and high school students; spread the gospel of grace to teachers and students. Six days and counting. I fly off June 15th!!!