Living Sacrifice Blog

The world in which I live.... 18 Oct 2011

Today at the children's remand center I told a young girl named Brenda, recently injured and in pain, about the Lord healing a woman who had been bleeding for 10 yrs. I told her how much Jesus Loves her. And as I began to pray for her, tears began to fall from her eyes.
Today I saw a light in Aaron's heart as he spoke of complete contentment and joy of his role at the center. He spoke of sadness at the thought of going home to his family in two years. When I first met him he was bitter and angry over why he was left there by his family. He hated and mistreated the other kids. Now he is leading the Bible study in Pastor's stead, learning culinary and desires to remain at the center that he can reach the lost for Christ.
Today I saw a boy named Fred as he approached me with a face of desperation. As he began to ask me for something, my thoughts went to school fees, or shoes to protect his bare feet or a new shirt to replace the tattered one that barely covered his chest. Instead, he spoke of wanting a Bible. The way he stated his request, the way he spoke of the Word of God showed such respect and awe for the Book. He stated he desperately desired to study it and learn more of God.
Today I spoke to a 14 year old girl who had been at the center 3 months. She was told by the state council and her parents she was being taken to a boarding school. Instead she was dropped off at the center. No explanation. Just left. She has contacted her family and they've stated that maybe they will come to get her around Christmas.
Today a boy who is fed just 2 meals a day because of a food shortage, gave me one of his 2 guavas and watched joyfully as I ate it.
Today I left 200 children I've come to love. I watched as they smiled and waved at me. I listened as they shouted 'I love you' and 'We can't wait to see you next week' and 'We'll miss you'.
Tonight, I cried. Tonight, I prayed.
Tonight, I cried, because today.....

America...in summary! :-) 25 Sep 2011

I realized I had so many amazing moments while in America I wanted to take the time to share some of the details of the Lord's work. I am keeping the names, places and dates secret to protect anonymity.

Youth camp
I was so stoked when I received an email asking me to be a speaker for a Christian youth camp for 5 days. I had never even attended a Christian youth camp as a child, and only attended one secular camp, so I felt very unprepared-which is why I dove right in for the adventure. Now many of those who attended would probably say my favorite part was the food because at every meal I would speak out with more excitement over peach cobbler or cheese than a 5 year old on Christmas morning. Now I will be honest, the food was ah-mazing! :-) However, that does not even come close to the awe in my heart over the Lord's work during these five days. The theme of the camp was 'living a better story: what in life is worth fighting for?' The theme opened up through vulnerability of the counselors sharing their own stories. Stories filled with abandonment, death, abuse; all followed with death of the old, redemption and Life in the new. Because of the vulnerability of the staff, youth were then showed how openness can be the path to healing. And true death of the old must occur before the new can become Alive. The Lord changed the hearts and lives of so many during these five days. It truly was humbling to have the opportunity to watch from such a close distance. I saw so many children go from not connecting with others, wearing hoods over their faces to having the spirit of a truly alive and hopeful child. Anyone who has seen this transition knows there are few things more beautiful than a child who has been given Hope for their future through the Love of their Lord.


Churches
I must clump these venues all as one or I would be writing for hours. To try and sum up in a shorter paragraph is simply to state the appointments were Divine. Speaking at churches throughout Oregon and California opened people's hearts to hear the Call of the Lord. Many following my time of sharing approached with comments such as 'I never thought I could be used in such a powerful way' 'I can see now where the Lord is directing my path' 'I'm going to begin exploring how to serve the Lord each day, where I am'. It was beautiful to see the Spirit move through entire congregations as Purpose, Power and Peace reigned down from Heaven into the hearts of so many aching to receive. And the response, through prayer, prophesy, finances and support through the commitment of short term missions was overwhelming. Nothing short of a miracle!

Rotary
I had never been to a Rotary meeting prior to this past summer. I knew very little of what Rotary gatherings represented. What I found, was magnificent. I found a group of people desiring to 'be the change they wish to see in this world' as Gandhi so well spoke. People uniting together to combine resources, ideas and service to fill the needs of today, across the world. It was humbling to be in the presence of so many giving hearts. I was Blessed to be in their presence and privileged to have the opportunity to express the work laid before me in Uganda. Truly these people are at the forefront of changing the world through engaging in today's problems and finding solutions.

Girls home
This is where I saw a glimpse into my future. I have felt for many years that someday the Lord desires to use me to serve as a foster parent to troubled teens as well as open a girls home for victims of sex trafficking. A girls home was a venue for which the Lord needed a story to provide Hope. He needed a vessel in which to portray His Glory and His Love through. I was this vessel this day. No more, I was simply His vessel. However, this day I saw the most incredible glimpse of Hope as I've seen in many eyes. I shared my story, a story of being brought through life believing I was worthless and cast aside by so many to knowing I am a princess of the Almighty King. A story not unlike many others. Following this story 2 gifts were given by 2 girls. I did not realize it in the moment, but these two girls were expressing the Hope they had received. I now cherish these gifts dearly. I also cherish, and will cherish my entire life, the comment of one girl who summed up the picture of Hope which comes when we, the broken and redeemed become vulnerable and share our story: 'her story makes me realize I'm not the only one'.

Winchester Bay
Pink elephant. Now if that doesn't make you smile, think about it another moment. :-) Beth Moore expresses a story in which her niece asked her for a pink elephant for her birthday. Beth uses this story to literate how the Lord wants us to come to Him with our impossible desires. He LOVES to overwhelm us with His Love. And He does it but granting us pink elephants. I spent a week in Winchester Bay, Oregon at a retreat for missionaries and pastors. This time was a complete gift used for rest and reviving in the Lord. One day as I was preparing to head out for a walk down the beach a moment of loneliness struck me with a desire for a dog to accompany me on my walk. Not knowing more than two people in the whole town, of which did not own a dog, I set out on my walk, Jesus and me. I then came upon a horse corral with a sign saying 'horse rides $20/hour'. For a moment I thought how awesome! I've never ridden a horse on the beach. But then the practicality of the moment caught up with me and I mentally declined the opportunity in favor of saving money. Deciding to stop and at least pet some of the horses showed no harm though and as I did so the owner approached. He then provided me a glimpse of the Lord. You see he had a miniature pony tied to a stump in need of a walk on the beach and he was too busy for this task and humbly asked if I would do him this favor. A grin entered on my heart as I began to see the Blessing of the Lord unfold before me. And as I walked this miniature pony down the beach, he was roughly the size of a st. bernard, I realized I had been the recipient of my very own pink elephant. The Lord may not play favorites, but He sure is especially fond of me! Be bold, ask for the impossible and wait for your own pink elephant! :-)

3 weddings and a baby!!
Oh all that is wedding.... Sometimes I truly feel spoiled by my Daddy in Heaven. I not only was Blessed just to be in America, but I was overwhelmingly Blessed to be present at 3 weddings of such wonderful friends and the birth of a baby from a dear friend! It was an unexpected surprise to be able to be present at all, but I was also honored to be involved, in some manner, in all the weddings-which I must say I LOVE being involved in behind the scenes actions! Each took place on beautiful days with beautiful brides and handsome grooms! :-) It was such a joy to watch as 2 people became 1 under the Lord. And I also must include that 2 of my other dear friends became engaged while I was in America also. Wow! Love is in the air!!!







All this to say... my visit to America was truly Blessed and filled with Joy, Love and lots of laughter! I love you all and already miss you and long for the day when we are together again-perhaps this side of the world next time! :-)

Hope 23 Sep 2011

Hope. It's such a small word for what it represents. To some, it represents a reason for life. To others, it represents a reason to thrive. It often shows the greatest magnitude of itself within the greatest magnitude of darkness within one's life. To express or receive it, is something of greatness, and usually the two are hand in hand. To express hope, is also to receive it.
For the past two months I have been visiting America. I have been trying to express the hope of the Lord's work in the darkness that is present in Africa. I had no idea however that the Lord wanted so much more from me.
2 venues, 1 story, 3 girls-this is where Hope began. The venues were a youth camp and a girls home. The story was mine. The story of the redemption of a princess by her King and Saviour. The result was Hope for 3 girls. It was expressed to me through 3 gifts. 3 gifts which at first did not show all that was being expressed. A closer look through the Spirit and I saw the Hope that had been received. I saw the Hope that I had received so long ago. It was such a small moment, at such a small cost to me, yet the result was Divine.

The questions that have been burned into my heart are these: How often do I express the Hope of Christ? How often do I truly receive the Hope of Christ? How much Hope am I depriving the world by remaining silent?

I will remain silent no more!

Trusting in the Lord 3 Aug 2011

Wow! America...cheese....starbucks....tillamook cheese...clean drinking water.... :-D This makes me happy! America has been fantastic. I'm sorry I haven't written an update in so long-I've been experiencing so much of the Lord here that I haven't done my part in expressing it to you all. I am definitely homesick for Uganda however the Lord continues to fill my heart with love of my home country. I have seen the Lord move in miraculous ways every day. He is rocking my world! I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness to all who have taken time to spend with me and listen to stories. Also to all of those who have given to the Lord's work in Uganda, I give you a tearful thanks. Your gift will help send love and compassion to the lost in Uganda.
With all of this excitement and cheese... haha I am realizing more and more how needless materials are and how desperately I need my King. My reading this morning is Proverbs 3. The past few days have been a developing volcano of culture shock and over stimulation. Well as I read this I'm reminded just how much I am not trusting in the Lord when I allow these feelings to overwhelm me. No matter where I am, in America or Uganda, I am His warrior princess and His disciple. I am fighting for the lost and desperately trying to be more like Christ each day. That is the goal and passion of my heart. How often though do I lose sight of that. Proverbs 3 has brought me back, once again to the Cross of Grace.
'My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store My commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ....Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a chid in whom he delights. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. '

I am so thankful that I worship a King who gently reminds me-'I'm still here. I'm still with you. I'm never going to leave you. I died for you because I love you. And I died so that you could die to the world every day and live an abundant life. I want to give you the gift of life every day. I'm here for you. I'm here for your hurts, your triumphs and your confusion. I am the answer. ' The King is saying this to you as well. Can you hear Him? Have you tried listening to Him? Every morning He sits at our bed waiting for us to wake up so He can say ' I love you! Do you know how much I love you? I'm going to spend today showing you new ways of how much I love you and want desperately to spend time with you.' Listen and you'll hear.

Whew! 30 Jun 2011

Well I've just checked in for my flight to America. So many emotions! Of course most of you that know me know that I'm extremely emotional on an average day.... :-) This past week has been a whirlwind of 'see you laters' and closing up of projects until I return in September. I will land in America Saturday night and spend the next two months sharing stories, pictures and experiences the Lord has brought into my life. Please pray for safe travels and continued Peace from my King as I adjust to the time change, deal with reverse culture shock and re-embrace all the relationships I've missed so much! :-) Thank you all for your support! I'll post dates of various speaking engagements as the details become available.

I go to America!!!! :-D 11 Jun 2011

Well delivering Bibles to Osanidde was awesome! So many smiling faces!! I'll post pictures as soon as I can but I have to let you all in on some fantastic news.... I'm coming to America!!! I land July 2nd and I leave Sept 5th. I'll post my itinerary which of course is subject to change.
July 2-5=Bend
July 5-10=Portland
July 11-16=Winchester Bay
July 17-22=Cottage Grove
July 22-29=Bend
July 30-31=Maupin
August 1-6=Bend
August 7-10=Corvallis
August 11-22=Bend
August 23-Sept 1=California
Sept 2-3=Bend
Sept 4=Africa!!!

Bibles to Osanidde!!!!! :-D 7 Jun 2011

It's finally here!!! The moment I've been waiting for the last 5 months since the vision began. Tomorrow my family and I will be traveling to Osanidde Village to deliver 160 Bibles to orphans there and 9 mommas. We're also taking candy and clothes which has been donated from various teams who have come. The Bibles were donated from Real Life Christian Church in Bend Oregon. Thank you!!!!!!

Royal wedding or funeral of the forgotten 11 May 2011

My goodness I cannot believe it has been so long since I have updated. I apologize! It is a testament to the level of craziness this side of the world and in my life. Much of the craziness has been good, however there has been much heartache as I assume few of you are aware. In the midst of the world watching the 'royal wedding', we here in Uganda were experiencing a much different phenomenon.
Our governmental elections took place between February and March and in the months since we have seen moments of violence due to the opposition to our president. The situation has been similar to that of Egypt if you are familiar with that situation. A couple of weeks ago there was an eruption of violence due to the arrest of the presidential opponent. We were thankfully in the church when the violence began and spent those hours in prayer for our nation as bullets, rocks and tear gas flew outside. I am unable to describe in detail what happened except to say many were killed and all were affected. I'm thankful for the Protection from the Almighty as I was 5 minutes away from being on my way downtown on a boda when the violence began. That day was an abrupt reminder that our world is in pain. Our world is seeking Justice for wrong and Peace for the innocent. The sad part is that most are looking in the wrong place because it will not be found on this earth. There is only One who can truly proclaim Justice and Peace and on this earth, it can only be found in the hoping of a person's heart who has found their Saviour. My prayer for you reading this is that you might find that Hope, and that you might recognize the pain from around the world and be a part of the healing.
Specific prayers are needed as the opposition to our president returns today from Kenya. And our presidential inauguration is scheduled for tomorrow. Please pray for Peace and Justice.

Journey or destination? 30 Mar 2011

I visit the children's remand center every Tuesday. The journey of it is almost as difficult as the destination. From my home, it takes 3 hours to arrive and typically 3 1/2 hours to return....on a public taxi....squished next to five strangers.....without many open windows....driving too fast down a dangerous road.... :-) Did I mention I enjoy adventure? Not the most fun of adventures, but that's just how I look at it. Well in my efforts to make the trip less stressful, I decided to hire a boda driver to take me instead. Well this little boda was a 90cc and it had problems to say the least. The air filter was not tightly sealed so we had no power on hills, as in I jog faster. So it still took 2 1/2 hours to arrive and 3 hours to come back.... On the way there we were 'blessed' with no rain and lots of dust. On the way back we were 'blessed' with rain and no dust.... :-) Fun times right? Why do I do this every week I'm often asked? Well yesterday just to give an example was a slow clinic day. I treated only 17 children. I say 'only' because most days I am treating between 25-35 children. That is one reason I go. But yesterday I was Blessed with the biggest reason I go. Every week I bring 3 Bibles with me and the children read them and often ask questions. Yesterday was a day with lots of questions. One of the boys was reading Romans 8:2-5 which led us into a discussion of what does it mean to follow sinful nature vs following the Spirit. We discussed the difference between temptation and sin. We also discussed what it means to truly love others by our actions instead of just words. This is why I go. In the midst of often horrible situations and environments, the Lord's work is thriving. I've included pictures of the last reason I go-these kids make me laugh! Boys will be boys no matter where they are! :-)

Heart of pearls 25 Mar 2011

How do we greet the troubles that come into our lives? At first we probably try to get rid of the grit or run from it. Maybe we even try to ignore it. These are natural things to do. Nobody likes pain. But God uses pain in our hearts. People with problems flocked to Jesus when He walked on earth. Today our problems can still cause us to turn to Him. When we go to God with our hurts, He comforts us. As the oyster coats an irritation with mother-of-pearl, God coats our pain with His Love. In Him we find strength and patience that enable us to keep going. Our faith is strengthened. We get to know God in a much deeper way.
'The greatest opportunity to Glorify God is when you are walking thru the fires of affliction and trials.' Bob O'Bannon

Provision 21 Mar 2011

I've heard from many missionaries that one of the hard parts of returning home on furlough is the realization that life has continued on for friends and family without you. We all want to think that life just stands still so that when we are able to return, we have not missed out on anything. Well a bit over a week ago, I was reminded that life, and death, do go on without me. My lifelong friend named Dustin was taking pictures of the tsunami waves and was taken to meet the Lord by one of the waves. Death is something difficult for me to assimilate surrounded by friends and family. It's also difficult when the person is older or dies peacefully in their sleep. But this is now the second time in my life a friend has died with such violence. It makes it more difficult somehow. It is also made more difficult by being without my dear friends and family to turn to.
I write this to ask for prayers for his family and friends. Dustin was loved by many. He had so many friends! I'm also asking for prayer for me. Prayer to continually feel the Lord's arms surrounding me as I know they are. Prayer also to take comfort in the fact that Dustin is Home and living even more adventurous than he did here.
I titled this Provision because as I began to post this blog, I saw my last post regarding the intimacy felt at the Pure Joy retreat. How awesome is our King to bring me so close to Him, that when heartache hits, I didn't have to go anywhere to be in His arms, I was already there.
There was a song we sang at the retreat I had never heard before called 'The more I seek You'. It's a beautiful song but one line specifically speaks to my heart every time I hear it. 'This Love is so deep, it's more than I can stand. I melt in Your Peace, it's overwhelming.' How often, and for me it's been often throughout my past, do I feel that I can't stand the difficult situation I'm in? Or how often do I feel overwhelmed? When I heard this line I came to realize, the Lord's Peace and Love do not change. It's right there to 'overwhelm' me. I need only to turn to Him and receive it. It's right there for you too.

Pure Joy 10 Mar 2011

I have just spent the most intimate four days with my King. I truly have not had such a personal time with Him in all my life. It was provided through a new favorite ministry-Pure Joy International. This ministry works to 'Lift the hearts of women around the world'. And it has truly done just that in my life. I was Blessed to have spent four days at a fantastic retreat center outside of Kampala-all expenses paid. It was four days of teaching, worship, prayer, fellowship and falling into the arms of my Lover. There was a statement made at the end of the time: Good ministry occurs when a person receives conviction, affirmation and challenge. Well I received all three of those attributes from the Lord through this venue. I'd like to share just some bits of the weekend. It may seem sporadic, but only because my heart is still so lifted that words cannot express. If you would like to hear more specifics, feel free to ask. Please check out this ministry's website.
http://purejoyinternational.org/
-Faith is the epitome of 'I'm just not 'feeling it'" And that's ok, that is what faith is. "Not feeling it". Faith is moving past the feeling and making a stand anyway.
-Our ability to let go is directly relational to what we believe about God.
-You can't live both in the present and the past, or in the present and the future. Live in the present!
-God has the past and future covered-but He doesn't live there.
-'I am a little pencil in the Hand of a writing God who is sending a Love letter to the world.' Mother Teresa
-'I am here by God's appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.' Andrew Murray
-'It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.' Deut 31:8
-'Never be afraid to trust an unknown future with a known God.' Corrie ten Boom
-Ex 16:1-3 The desert brings out what is inside us. It is also where the Lord tests and builds our character. There are no shortcuts to maturity. But God always provides in the desert-check out verse 4.
-A person is forever dealing either with salvation or lordship.
-God never created until He made provision for what He created. Grass before animals, sea before fish, man before woman.
-Adam believed he had everything he needed. God was the One who said 'its not good for man to be alone'. Adam was clueless. Then God marched the animals by-possibly 2X2. Now Adam saw he was alone and now he has the desire for someone like him.
Then the Lord brought Eve to Adam.
-Functionally, man becomes the provision for woman.
-Our desires have 4 sources-God, self, others, enemy. Which voice do you know and recognize the best?
-Gain intimacy with your mate by growing closer to the Lord
-We're no longer sinners. We're now Saints that sin. 1 John 1:8-9
-When we become Christian, we trust God with our eternal life. Why don't we trust Him with everyday issues?
-God's Purpose is bigger than my pain.
-Remember what He has done! 1 Sam 12:24
-Marriage should and could be as beautiful and graceful as partner ice skating. But this takes constant work and practice. Also, each must know their role- 100% leader and 100% follower
-What is good leadership? To recognize the strengths and weaknesses of both partners and humbly place responsibility on the stronger partner.
-When we are rightly aligned with God, we as women have an innate need to follow and be his helpmate. (This one brought many a tear to my eye)
-Would my husband be a better man and leader if I let him? (This one I'll save for later :-)
-The family is the nuclei for everything in existence; city, business, schools, church. So when we see the world falling apart, it is truly because what is at the center has fallen apart.
-As parents, you are like guard rails. Your children need enough room to learn to drive through life. But also need a strong boundary with consequences so they don't fall off a cliff.
-In life, everything has an order. God should be #1. Then your husband #2. Then your children #3. Ministry and others must come after those.
-Eph 5:33 This respect should be unconditional!
-Try to one-up your husband in terms of giving and serving.
-Make sure your husband feels like your husband, and not your son.
-Best things to say to your husband- 'I'm proud of you' and 'I respect you so much for....'
-1 Cor 7:3-5 We as women have a sexual responsibility in our marriage. It's for our own protection.
-Anybody can be passionate with someone new, it's a challenge to keep the passion year after year with the same person.
-Every day you say 'last words' to your husband. Beware of that and take caution in your words.
-Sex is a spiritual issue-denying it is a sin. 1 Cor 7:5
-Don't pass on a negative aspect of sex to your children. Express to them it is a great thing, created by God, but to wait and keep it pure.
-Sex is the only thing which makes you and your husband's relationship uniqueness.
-Have a weekly date night!
-God intended us to be needy for Him!
-We act out what we believe, not what we know.
-The worth and value of anything is equal to it's identity.
-When we become defensive, there is usually an element of truth to what was said.
-If we are walking around in defeat, there is a lie we're believing somewhere.
-The belief in our identity is like a grid we are surrounded with. All comments and gestures must pass through before reaching us. What is your identity? When you invited Jesus into your heart your identity changed. John 1:12-13 At your best, you are a child of God. At your worst, you are a child of God. You cannot do anything to make God Love you any less. You cannot do anything to make God Love you any more.
-Don't bring the lies of performance into your relationship with God.
-Whether a quarter is clean or dirty, it is still worth 25 cents. However, a clean quarter when hit with light, will reflect the Light to others.
-God doesn't condemn, He convicts.
-Learn to respond and not react in communication.
-Be virtuous before you become married!
-The Word of God + Adversity = Hope
-God is not only to be worshiped because of the Blessings He bestows, but for who He is.
-'God is still God and God is still Good. To God be the Glory!' Zac Smith
-Ps 84:5 Set your heart on the pilgrimage
-Gen 26-Isaac didn't retaliate against those who came against him. Instead he moved on. And in doing so, left a trail of blessing and refreshment everywhere he went. Move on, and dig another well!
-When there is no authority from on high, there is no power and therefore no change.
-Our authority from Heaven is on loan. What will it look like when it's time for us to turn it back in? Better? Worse?
-The proper order- God-Intimacy-Marriage-Sex. Intimacy comes as a natural part of life in getting to know another.
-Live in the present. Stop worrying and wondering about the future. The Lord won't let you miss this if it's meant to be.
-Check your heart motives when encouraging. But be yourself. Don't manipulate.

So those who I've lost in the process, probably missed out on some amazing Truths, but I understand it was alot. I pray that at least one of them spoke to your heart as they all spoke to mine. Ah, words cannot express the new level of intimacy I feel with my King, my Abba, my Lover and my Lord.

Unexpected doors 3 Feb 2011

Greetings to all from Uganda!
These past few weeks have been filled with lots of time set aside for seeking the Lord, which I have to say was pretty much forced by the King due to a horse accident which rendered me unable to participate in many of my ministries-not that I'm blaming him for the stupid horse, just that He's allowed me to use this time so well. I have since recovered for the most part but have thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from this time in fellowship with my Lord.

One unexpected area I have been able to serve since my arrival in Uganda has been home medical visits to care for Ugandans within my circle of friends. Last week I had the honor of going with my dear friend Gladys to her village to treat a girl who suffered a severe burn wound on her leg 3 weeks prior. Due to the remote location of their home, this girl was unable to visit a proper hospital and was reliant on local clinics and advice from the women in her village. What one must consider in this, and most cases, is that both clinics and the community have no outside education of current medical treatment protocols. Both follow protocols brought down by generations. So imagine what health care was 100 years ago and that is what it is today in local villages. It is heartbreaking and difficult at times, due to cultural differences, to come in and see the harm caused by local medical treatment while at the same time, not discriminating or criticizing the healthcare workers. This girl in particular had been using local herbs and crushing medication tablets to apply on her wound. Thankfully this girl is being raised in a Christian home and therefore no witchcraft was used, which is a typical 'treatment method'.

Through Gladys, I was invited to her home and allowed to evaluate her wound as well as give medical advice and treatment for her continued care. Now following that visit, I have also been invited to speak with a group of women in the village to educate on common health care practices and misconceptions about medical treatment. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to use what the Lord has taught me about village healthcare as well as my education in basic healthcare.

I urge you to seek out opportunities of unexpected doors which the Lord places before you to share knowledge, wisdom and the King with those before you. You'll be amazed by the outcomes!!

Woohoo for 2011!! 6 Jan 2011

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year! :-) I pray that you had a Blessed holiday season and that you are rested and ready for 2011. This year has flown by and has been filled with soooo much adventure! Just the way I like it. This year has also been a year of a few first times for me: milked a cow, skinned a snake, moved to another country, lived on an island, was bucked off horses twice in one day, drove a dirt bike. Yep, it's been a good year!
This year has also been filled with learning the importance of flexibility in the Lord. Upon moving to Africa, flexibility was the character trait most missionaries insisted was most important. Only now do I see why they have all agreed. For example:
After much prayer and fasting, seeking the Lord's Will, I have decided not to move to Kapchorwa to work with the REACH program against FGM. This decision was made following weeks of heartache regarding certain circumstances surrounding the organization. I have nothing bad to say of REACH, only that it is not the organization which the Lord desires me to serve with. I continue to feel a deep calling to serve girls affected by FGM and I am currently seeking out other organizations in Africa working towards the goal of eradication of the practice.
I must share some difficult news which has occurred recently. Luke, the boy from the children's rehabilitation center I've written you about, has disappeared from the hospital. He went through his skin graft surgery on a Tuesday and Thursday morning I received a call that he was missing. There is not a suspicion of foul play, Luke has been a runner ever since he first showed up at the center many years ago. However, the urgency of this situation is that due to the surgery having just been done, Luke now has two wounds which have a high chance of becoming infected. So I ask for your prayers for healing, that he is found and that in the meantime he is kept safe on the streets. I also ask for your prayers for my heart. Luke has become a friend and was always a joy to be around. Every time I went to the hospital he'd run to see me and give me a huge hug and take me around to see all of his friends he'd made. We had begun to be able to communicate through his disabilities. I will miss him terribly until he is found. But I will believe in my all powerful, all Loving Abba that He will watch over and take care of Luke until he is found.
I want to take this opportunity and say a bit about the missionaries I live with and their ministry. First, Brent and Virginia Earwicker have been in Uganda for four years with their two children. After being in Uganda for some time they began taking trips out to the Islands of Lake Victoria. During their visits they learned that most pastors had little to no training on the Word or how to lead a church. Therefore, through a pastors' training school, Roots of Character seminars and evangelistic crusades Brent and Virginia serve to train up the pastors in the local church of Uganda. Their other ministry is through Life Church in Kampala. Through the church they run a discipleship program called Ignite. Ignite is a 6 month program for 18-30 year olds. For more on their ministry, visit their website: http://www.pleadthecause.org/v2/
The other missionary at the house is Seth Sokoloff. Seth has lived in Uganda for one year working to assist Brent in the ministry to the Islands as well as with the Ignite program. Around Life Church, and our house, Seth is known as the 'go-to' man for just about any job needing completion-including being my veterinarian assistant as I've stitched up a few dogs. Long term, Seth desires to develop a discipleship program in the Ukraine. Seth has a boldness and passion for following the Lord that is rare. He will do amazing things for our King! For more on his ministry, visit Seth's blog website: http://sethsokoloff.wordpress.com/

I would encourage you all to check out their websites. There are so many amazing ministries in this world and each one of you can be involved in an area you are passionate about. These fellow missionaries have become my family and I'm sooooo thankful the Lord has blessed me with such amazing people as I begin this new stage in life serving Him in Africa.

I love and miss you all and continue to chat with my Abba daily about you. I ask for Blessings and Peace for each one of you in this time of new beginnings!

Love and hugs to you all!

Do you believe God? 22 Nov 2010

I am involved with a Beth Moore Bible study currently called Believing God. The premise is that so many believe in God, but how many Christians believe God. There was a quiz given to see the areas you struggle in belief. Many of the questions were foundational however when I broke them down I began to realize how little at times I trust in the Lord. If I truly believed I was saved by Grace, what would that mean in my life? Am I living differently because of what I believe? 'My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9 This verse speaks to my heart in a new way this morning. Not only do I doubt at times that His Grace is ALL I need, but in my weakness do I delight in His power being made perfect? Do I delight and rejoice for my weakness that His strength may be all I have? It is in those moments when we are at our end, tears streaming, on our knees before the Lord begging to feel His Presence that He is finally able to be the God of Almighty Strength in our lives. When I look back on my life, the moments I felt the Presence of my King the most were not in large crowds of worship, or in the midst of a deep Bible study. But instead, when I felt the Hand of the Creator, my face was to the ground, I had little more than the clothes on my back and often had spent days turning to substances for peace. But there is no Peace apart from Him. Ask yourself, do I truly believe that His Grace is sufficient for me? Do I delight in my weakness for His perfect strength? And if that is true, what would it look like in my life? To be saved by Grace....

They touch my heart 28 Oct 2010

I apologize for not updating in such a long time. I have been trying to write this blog for a month and words just cannot express my heart. So open your heart to more than what these words say. Open it to the children's faces which come out of these words. Listen with your heart to their stories.
It is in the most unlikely places where we find the Lord. He sat at a well with a prostitute, hung out at parties with drunkards and visited the homes of thieves. It is a similar place where I have found His dwelling place most recently. It is a home to 'juvenile delinquents and those unwanted by society', if you could even call it a home. Kids are sleeping on concrete floors, being fed a handful of porridge twice a day and kept without much chance of being released. But it is also a place where children are loved, through the staff playing volleyball and football, to the various organizations which come in to speak about conflict resolution, breaking bonds of your past and Jesus Christ. It is this place where I have found a new cause worth fighting for. These children do not have adequate medical care and because of the work they must do while staying there, severe wounds occur and then become infected due to the lack of care. I am honored to have been accepted to visit once a week with the ministry of Not Forgotten. While I spend my hours tending to the wounds and illnesses of these ~200 children from 4 years-19 years, the rest of the group performs skits, dances and speak about Grace. The children are also given a chance to to share their testimonies and stories.
I'd like to share just one of their stories. Luke is around the age of 14. I do not know if that is his real name or his real age. You see, Luke is deaf and mute. He has been at the rehabilitation center for around 3 months now. His story comes relayed to us through another boy who lived on the streets with him for a short time. Just before coming to the center, Luke was living on the street and was attacked by a man with a panga(machete). We do not know the cause of this or who the man was. Luke was picked up off the streets and taken to the rehab center where, to say the least, medical care is inadequate. His wound was not cared or touched for many weeks. I came on the scene about a month ago and began treating him. However my weekly visits were not enough to mend his wound due to the size, depth and vast amount of infection. Two weeks ago, he developed a second wound due to the weakness of his tissue and this past Tuesday it erupted into a large ulcer. I immediately knew that transport to a hospital would be necessary but was at a loss for the logistics to occur. Due to the state of the center typically children are not allowed to leave, nor is there any financial means available for transport or the hospital care. However, yet again the Lord showed His desire to overwhelmingly Love His children. Luke was released into my care and by our taxi, then Seth driving we were able to transport him to the hospital. Luke has been touching the hearts of all those at the hospital, nurses, fellow patients and visitors. Each time I see him his face lights up and the biggest smile comes across his face. He even giggled when I kissed his hand yesterday. His laugh is the most enlightening sound to reach your ears. Currently, we are praying the infection will decrease enough that he will get a skin graft tomorrow. This surgery is very expensive as well as his hospital stay. Yet the Lord's Love showered that situation as well. Because of Luke's condition he qualifies for Hope Ward-a branch of the government which unites charities to pay for medical expenses of those who are disabled. The people in charge however informed me that his surgery would not be covered. Upon speaking to the physician to work out a deal however, he has agreed to accept no pay. Praise the Lord! Without this surgery, due to the immense infection, Luke would have eventually died.
There are many more children at the center who are in need of better medical care. Currently I am negotiating with those in charge to begin coming 3 days a week. I also have begun to provide soap for those with wounds so they are at least able to clean the wounds on their own.
Much is needed, but the Lord is the master Provider and each week He reveals which need shall be met. I'm so thankful to all of you for your prayers and support, without which, I would be ineffective. Please continue to pray for these children-for healing, that they might come to know their worth in the Lord and that a better home would become available. Please pray for me as the emotional heartache which comes with compassion has been strong lately. The Lord continues to give me strength, I only ask for continued open doors to love these children.
Luke preparing for treatment


Salim carries my bag, Collins does my documentation, Brian takes photos


One of the boys sharing his story

Not Forgotten 29 Sep 2010

Ever felt neglected or forgotten by those around you? Whether it is your family or friends, most of us at one time have missed out on receiving an invitation or had an important date in our lives forgotten by those around us. For thousands of children, elderly and disabled living on the streets in Kampala, Uganda being forgotten is a way of life. They not only have been neglected by their family and friends, but by the whole of society. But they have not been forgotten by our Lord. It is for these that He came! He came that those who are cast aside, might have One they can run to! And they have not been forgotten by a group of Ugandans either. A small NGO (non-profit) has just begun to serve these beautiful but neglected souls. I urge you to check out the website of this group which I have recently had the privilege to join and work with. Last week we went out on the streets of Kampala twice and handed out food, toys, medical care and the Love of Christ. It has been a humbling experience to witness the Love of Christ be passed to a child begging to survive, probably a slave to another. May we never forget those whom we are called to Love and Serve.
http://notforgottenafrica.wordpress.com/
http://notforgotten-uganda.blogspot.com/

Kapchorwa 14 Sep 2010

Well I've been back from Kapchorwa for just over a week now and it has been an intense time working on a project and seeking the Lord's will. Kapchorwa was overall amazing. It is even more beautiful than I remember from last year. The name literally means 'town of friendship' and it truly lives up to it. I couldn't go hardly anywhere without people inviting me in for tea. I learned a lot about the culture and people who live in the surrounding areas as well as the organization I will be working with, REACH. My work is still kind of up in the air, but there is a possibility of having an opportunity of volunteering in the hospital in Kapchorwa town-there are no doctors or anyone who specializes in emergency medicine. Kapchorwa town has a population of around 1000 people so it is quite small. Prayer needs regarding my visit include my desire for a ministry partner to aid in fighting loneliness-I will be the only mzungu (white person) for many miles. I also need prayer for discernment regarding timing. Currently my plan is to return full time to Kapchorwa the end of October, but we will see what the Lord has planned. Thank you for your prayers during my visit there. They were greatly needed. Please continue to stay in contact with me and if you would like to receive more detailed updates, just send me an email and I will add you onto my list. I pray Blessings of our Lord's presence and peace in your life.

Prayer need 21 Aug 2010

So plans to go to Osanidde on Monday have been canceled, but the Lord has opened the door to Kapchorwa instead! I leave tomorrow for an undetermined amount of time, probably without internet. Please be in prayer for travels, good favor and health. I'm still recovering from being sick but prayerfully it will be gone by morning. Love and hugs!!

Praying to your Friend 18 Aug 2010

Francois Fenelon, a seventeenth-century Roman Catholic Frenchman, said this about prayer:

Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, its pleasures and its pain, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think.

Blessed are they who attain to familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.

Osanidde 13 Aug 2010

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I pray blessings on you as you read this and open your heart to the children I wish to tell you about. I have just returned from spending a week on Bussi Island at Osanidde Village. Osanidde is a Lugandan word meaning 'He is worthy' and it is pronounced 'oh sunny day'. Osanidde Village is home for 160 children, 16 mamas, 9 teachers, many aunties and uncles and one nurse. My favorite thing about Osanidde is how joyful these children are. You would never guess they are orphans from the joy that emits from them as they play futbol, tag, dance or sing for their King.
Throughout my week stay I spent much of my time learning the way of life in the Village. Very limited electricity means meals are prepared over a fire which was wonderful because for me it was like camping! And oh such wonderful food; matoke-kind of a banana, cassava-a root, pineapple, cow's milk and posho- porridge. I love it all! My afternoons were spent playing with the younger children as they only went to school until 1pm. Throughout the day I would visit the clinic as wounds occurred but mainly worked there in the evening. When I was in the clinic I cared for wounds, infections, malaria, colds and much coughing.
I would like to share with you about one child in particular. His name is Christopher. Christopher and I spent much time together reading my Bible and talking about the differences between America and Uganda. I would like to share his words with you which I recorded via my phone.
'My name is Christopher. I am 11 years old and I come from Osanidde Village. I want to serve the Lord and be a man of the Lord. A long time ago I was a muslim but a long time ago Jesus saved me and has helped me. I am an orphan. I do not have any parents, but I think Jesus will help me. I want to see you all in America but I cannot get any chance because I am an orphan. Let the Lord be your Saviour and my Saviour. I will pray for you to be saved. You will pray for me and the Lord will help me when you pray for me. I want to serve the Lord and see the Lord work in everything. The Lord is our Saviour. I want to say that I will pray for you. You pray for me. I am an orphan. God bless you so much. Bye bye.'
Christopher is just one of the voices from Osanidde calling out to the Lord, and to anyone who will listen, for love. I besiege you to pray for Christopher and the other children at Osanidde. It truly is one of the happiest places on earth- better even than Disneyland! I have attached just a few photos taken during my time there, the rest are on facebook. Here is a link to Osanidde's website as well if you would like to read more about it: http://harvestministry.org/osanidde. I am continually so thankful for your support through finances, prayer and encouragement. Life in Africa proves to be something new each day and it means so much to me that I have so many of you with me. I love you all and pray for you daily.

~Kelly
p.s. I must include briefly our adventure of the other day. We have had a green mamba snake terrorizing our compound now for three days. Each time the snake man comes to catch him we lose it in a tree. However yesterday our day guard, Geoffrey, was determed to kill it. So as a crowd gathered to watch outside, five men began attacking the snake in a tree to make it fall down then proceeded to beat it to death with sticks. After cutting the head off-just to be sure, I dissected it and have now dried the skin to place on my wall. My long term goal is to make a hat band for my cowgirl hat! Ah, TIA! So many random adventures along the way when you surrender life to the Lord amen??

Prayer need 25 Jul 2010

So in a few hours I'm jumping on a boat to head to Osanidde Orphanage on Bussi Island for a week. I will be assisting Nurse Prossy while she is busy with her Introduction period and wedding. I will not have internet access while there so I cannot update with prayer needs so here is my prophetic guess at what I will need-

A glimpse into Kadi's world 14 Jul 2010

What follows is the Prologue for a book I received while in the UK for my training. The book is called “The Day Kadi Lost Part of her Life”. It is a book about a young girl who is circumcised. I would recommend it to anyone, however it is a difficult read and has graphic pictures. I want to share with you just the Prologue which I think was very well written and explains briefly about the experience.

The sacrifice of genital mutilation which kadi experienced so early in her tender life has been going on in many parts of Africa for decades, even before the advent of Christianity or Islam. The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional one, endemic and culturally linked to many communities in Africa. This practice is detrimental to the health of women and the girl-child, who accept it without challenging the authority and tenets of its origin. The female population in areas where this practice is endemic have jealously guarded its secrets and are prepared to kill those women who are trying to highlight health hazards which prevent active participation in the development of family, community, country.

Kadi's story is typical of every little girl who lives in a community where to be loved, married, and held in high esteem requires you to be genitally mutilated. Failure to undergo the operation leads to harassment, ridicule, abuse, trauma, and eventual ostracism from one's community.

The attitude of the circumciser (buankisa) is typical of women who strongly believe they are doing Kadi a big favour by making her a marriageable commodity. The only role for African girls in that setting is matrimony with the eventual reproduction of children, which becomes an asset to her and the community. No man in that community is allowed to marry a girl who has not been genitally mutilated. FGM is the core prerequisite to matrimony, status, acceptability and peace of mind despite the fact that one's human rights have been violated and abused.

The fact that FGM, once performed, is permanent and makes the woman disengage from herself sexually, depressed psychologically, impotent and frustrated, makes no difference to the perpetrators of this wicked act, who strongly believe that they are acting in the best interest of the female child. The fact that many young girls die as a result of this practice makes no difference to their attitudes. Those who die are termed as wicked witches whom the community are glad to be rid of, hence the killing of chickens as sacrifice to appease the ancestral gods. The health of the girl is not taken into consideration, and she may be suffering from malnutrition, bacterial infection, or sickle cell anaemia and the circumciser is only interested in getting paid for work done, to maintain her status in the community.

In many African countries the practice of FGM is a political concern, and politicians seeking their own interest do not address this issue as it may cost them votes and the loss of parliamentary seats. As a result they turn a blind eye to the activiites of the circumcisers (buankisas) who boast that nobody can stop them and that they will continue the mutilations, even in private.

I believe that with constant information, education, communication and sensitisation programmes, and with the collaboration and cooperation of African governments, the prevalence and incidence of the practice will be drastically reduced. The African girl-child may be free from mutilation and child abuse sometime in the 21^st century.

-Dr Olayinka Koso-Thomas 1998

Thank you for reading

I've made the choice 8 Jul 2010

Ah, a few days without internet has given way to much intimacy with my King! I have been unable to work on my projects but it has been wonderful to grow closer to my favorite One. It has also been a few days of wonderful connection with other missionaries here in Africa. Last Saturday morning there was a ladies breakfast where I met about a dozen women from all over the world united by the same call from the Lord to love the broken in Africa. It was wonderful hearing their hearts and yet difficult at the same time. Most of them are connected with various ministries here in Uganda, yet they have taken a step away from them towards another ministry-child raising. As I began to listen to their lives I realized that most of the women at the breakfast were stay at home moms. It was difficult for me to hear this and the encouragement from them to me was a bit hesitant. I've come to notice that most women here doing ministry are married with children and their husbands are out in the field. Hmmmm, so where do I fit in? I brought this to my Prince during one of our walks and it occurred to me that I must make a choice-ministry or family. Now, being raised by a single mom myself I can attest to a small portion that it is a full time, highly respectable ministry. And I still believe stay at home mothers are a necessity for a time in a child's life. However, I had hoped to have both family and ministry. It is possible, but at different times at different callings. So for now, I've made my choice. I will go against the grain that is set here and fight against the evil one for the hearts of the broken in Africa. And I will not go forth alone, for I am engaged to my Prince. And until He allows the perfect man to cut in, we will dance the night away!!

Life in Africa 29 Jun 2010

One of the processes the Lord is teaching me right now is patience and flexibility. In Africa, everything takes its own time and happens in its own way. This is what I've heard and seen a small amount of. I arrived in Entebbe on Friday morning and so far, life has not been much different for me. I am now settled into my room with my pictures on the wall and I'm getting used to living with a family. Sunday church was wonderful. I ran into many friends I met last summer and it was very encouraging that some of them remembered me. They call me "nurse kelly", not much different from Ika in the States calling me "Dr. kelly", but I prefer nurse-less responsibility! I also have been making a few connections for work here while I am trying to get to Kapchorwa. As I said, everything in Africa takes its own time. So while here in Entebbe, I am trying to get some projects under my belt. I spoke with Pastor Sharon at church and she was enthusiastic about me jumping on board to help teach the children's ministry. I have also learned that Osanidde Orphanage is thinking I will be able to fill a vacancy for medical personnel. I'm in the works of making connections up north for my work against FGM, but in the mean time, I plan to stay busy as well. Overall, these first few days in Africa have been wonderful, restful and filled with an even more intimate level of Love from my Prince than I ever imagined. It has been encouraging connecting with so many of you back in the States via facebook and email, so please continue!! It has been so much fun being introduced into the Earwicker family. Various events have included a MacGyver night, building a fort out of mattresses, backflips and trust falls on mattresses and playing with two such adorable little ones! The Lord continues to urge me to be patient and flexible to His timing and plan for my life. Thank you for encouraging me and praying for me as I work to show the Love of the King to Africa.