Thank you all for your prayer support these last two months!! There are so many situations and opportunities that I saw God so present and working, looking out for my team and I, and it's all helped by your prayer support! I apologize so much for not updating you all during the trip, outside of my Facebook page. Between our busy days and a lack of computer or internet, I was unable to devote the time I really wanted to to update you all.
There are so many memories and stories, its hard to know where to start. Here's a general overview of locations, as well as our ministries with a few stories and memories. I hope you enjoy!
January 5 through January 18: YWAM Torch Base, Jinja, Uganda.
Ministries: door to door evangelism, childrens' programs, an island medical clinic, and church services.
Favorite Memory: While in a village called Mesesa, we did door to door ministry and a chilren's program. My heart broke as these kids, that I only just met, felt safe enough to fall asleep in my arms and chose to cling to my skirts. I loved having a child asleep in my arms as I helped run duck duck goose or sang along with the kids.
Culture fun: Went to the Source of the Nile in Lake Victoria and went swimming in a pool
January 18 through January 25: YWAM Hopeland Base, Near Jinja, Uganda.
This week was very rejuvenating for our team as we spent a lot of time in worship together, played ultimate Frisbee, and did an amazing ropes course.
Ministries: Prison, door to door and loudspeaker evangelism, a disabled childrens' home, a childrens' program for the missionary kids, cleaning a shed, and agriculture.
Favorite Memory: At the disabled childrens' home, this was a little girl named Rashida. While many of the kids were mentally handicapped, she had a physical handicap in her calves. Brook (my leader), a little boy named Peter, Rashida, and I all went on a walk down the road. Peter would go and pick flowers for Rashida to have. On the walk back, he got extremely tired and didn't want to go on. Rashida noticed, and moved over on her wheelchair so he could join her on it. At the most, Rashida was maybe 8 years old. I was so encouraged by her joy and care for Peter.
Culture Fun: Everywhere we went, throughout Kenya and Uganda, we were called Mzungu. This means foreigner. So as we went through villages, we heard the calls of the children saying "Mzungu, Mzungu! How are you?" and the only response they knew was "Fine, how are you?".
January 25 through February 7: Ugunja Village, Kenya. A remote area with no electricity or running water, or any doors on our squatties :)
Ministries: School visits, home visits, church services, 2 day pastor seminar
Favorite Memory: At a home visit, we met a woman named Monica. A few days before our visit, she found she couldn't stand up or walk anymore. We spent a half hour praying for her, where she was soon able to stand and move her legs. Over the next few days, we persistently prayed, visiting her a few more times. Last I've heard, she has been able to take a few steps confidently, getting better each day. This was one of the places I truly knew God was personal and was speaking to me, hearing my prayers. We had prayed for her the first time, and she was scared to even try standing. We were praying for her again, and I specifically asked God to give her confidence to stand on her own, that we wouldn't have to prompt her to stand. As my prayer ended, we were quiet, and she moves to stand on her own. Each time we prayed, she grew stronger. Not only was God's glory shown to the people of her compound that God is powerful and answers prayers, but our team was rejuvenated and refreshed, our excitement and spirit filled again as we watched God move. God shows His power and glory when he chooses, and he taught us that persistence and love are key.
Culture Fun: On one of our off days, we went to a water fall. We heard there was a hippo up river, so our contact took us up. Next thing we know, this little island on the other side (where the hippo was) is on fire. Then 20 feet up river, another fire starts. We figured out that the Kenyans were starting fires for us so the hippo would come up out of the water. By the time they were done, there were six or seven fires going. Only in Africa...
February 7 through February 18: Niarobi, Kenya
Ministries: Maximum security prison, youth prison, youth groups, slums/dumps, soccer, disabled childrens' home, and church services
Favorite Memory: Honestly, I don't know where to start with this. By far, this was my favorite week of ministry. The opportunities we had were so diverse, different each day and most were completely new experiences. While at the maximum security prison, I spoke at a church service of about 250 prisoners. I was super nervous, because it was my first time really speaking in front of a church on the trip. After I was done, the pastor gets up to speak, and says I said all he was going to say, and that he would just finish my sermon. God completely gave me the topic to speak on, because it wasn't really one I would be able to figure out on my own. That morning reassured and encouraged me so much, giving me confidence to speak twice more that week.
The disabled childrens' home was so joyous. I was so happy to be seeing the kids' faces light up as we painted their faces and fed them lunch. They just longed for hugs and physical contact. They would sing and dance with the music playing, so perfectly beautiful. Not ashamed to say that I left there crying.
Culture Fun: On our last day of ministry, we went to a worship conference at one of the churches we had visited a few times that week. For four hours, we sang, danced, and worshipped. Legit, fantastic African dancing. Now that I think about it, I'm reminded of Zumba dancing. That active and rigorous. I was so exhausted and sweaty by the end, but so refreshed. There was no better way to end our time of ministry.
Some awesome foods:
Chapoti (kinda like a thick, greasy tortilla)
Posho (flour and water. In Kenya, it was a dense, cake like texture, while in Uganda, it was more like a watery rice texture.
Sugar cane
Rolex (Chapoti with an egg)
Drinking chocolate
Mangoes
Horned Melon
Types of Soda: Passionfruit fanta, Pineapple fanta, Mirinda, Novida, Krest, Kale
We also ate a lot of rice, beans, pineapple, watermelon, and tea!
Some words in Swahili:
Tupa : Throw
Paka : Cat
Chair : Kiti
Nipe : Give me
Jesus : Yesu
Baby : Mtoto
Tupa Paka : Throw the cat
Bafu iko wapi : where's the bathroom
Kwenda Uko : Go away
Feel free to ask me any questions! No question is too silly:)
What's next?
Currently, I am in Madison, WI doing debrief with YWAM. Next Friday, we start stateside travel, visiting churches, schools, and youth groups telling about our various trips. After about a week and a half of that, we will return to Madison, WI for a financial seminar and preparing for graduation. Graduation will be on Saturday, March 14.
After graduation, I have no clue what I will be doing. Much of the decision depends on a job, a place to live, and wanting to continue in some of the activities I have in Galesburg. Please be praying for me as I try to figure out adult life:)
This summer, I will be working at Camp David in Rolla, Missouri. Camp David holds week long camps for children of parents who are or have been in prison, within a two hour radius of St Louis. While I am not sure yet of my exact position, I am excited for this amazing opportunity to grow and challenge myself as I solidify the changes God and I have made in my life throughout DTS.
Recently, God has confirmed His calling in my life for urban ministry. While in Nairobi, I felt so at peace and comfortable in the city, yet challenged by the needs of the people. I realized how many of the issues I was actively exposed to there are ministries I can participate in in an American city. Between prisons, refugees, at risk children, poverty, and immigrants, all ministries I have a strong heart for, I can find them all in the city. I have an opportunity to work in Chicago, Minneapolis, or St Louis come autumn, so please join me in prayer these next few months as I ask God where He would like me to go and what organizations to work with.
Thank you, everyone!
