A word picture

By God's grace the work here continues. Praise the Lord! It’s so hard to put into words what you experience here in Uganda. I thought I would just share what comes to mind to give you some word pictures……

Power outs, rain storms, dust or mud on all your clothes, feet that are always dirty, baths that show just how much you really needed it.

Corruption every where, scheming and deceitful plans brewing, needs everywhere, wolves in sheep’sclothing, hidden witch craft, people asking of you everywhere and most of the time.

Extreme, chaos, raw life, thinking you don’t know anything, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, your mind constantly going and running through the day and days ahead, simple errands taking you all day, constantly trying to find the balance of “letting go”while trying to manage and plan, struggling in the culture to gain respect as just a “Girl” (singlewoman).

Simplicity in life, an acceptance of sickness and death as a part of life, dirt being worked and plowed,the old being burned away for new seed and fertile soil, fields being planted for survival and fruit,hoping the harvest will be plentiful.

Lizards and spiders on the walls as a norm, mosquito nets, huge flying bats in the trees and even in the ceilings squeaking away at night, frogs appearing in the toilets, mice and huge bush rats the size of a large possum, cattle with two-three foot long horns being led through the streets on a daily basis, goats/pigs/chickens dodging the cars while for some reason trying to cross the roads, birds singing and calling during the night and morning, dogs howling, roosters crowing, sleeping in just a thought.

Daily repairs to the vehicles with the occasional expected delays on the side of the road, surprising the people when we choose to “foot” in town, riding the bike into town to pick up meds, taking the long driveout to the camps appreciating the time to gather one’s thoughts and pray, looking out at His creation and Glory, the open skies showing his majesty.

Starch, starch, and more starch, more fried food than you have ever eaten, beans and rice turning into one of your favorite meals, avocado, lemon/limes,tangerines, passion fruit, and mangoes in our yard.

Evenings with no T.V., some nights with just candles and the blanket of wondrous stars, thursdaynight bible study with other NGO’s at our house, Sunday volleyball, card games, reading, talking, singing, dancing in our house, night walks, frisbeeand football in the front yard, taking a “break” from the front yard games after two broken bones, starting a vitamin and calcium dietary requirement in the house.

People laughing at you when you have no idea what they are saying or laughing about, remembering how joyful laughter is cross culturally and what good medicine it is, riding in the back of the truck and enjoying the sun and open air while everybody yells “Muno, Muno, Muno” (white person), a comfort in the simplicity, not minding the unfamiliar, the new “norm”somehow being normal, enjoying the life of Africa.

Dependence, seeking, desperation, calling, and praying increasing through every part of me in Jesus, a desire to see His name glorified, a desire to see His people helped, a desire for Truth to His people, a desire for His people to come to Him.

Seeing the hurt, seeing the desperation, seeing the people, seeing the needs, seeing gratefulness, seeing people being empowered, seeing and meeting those willing to give all they have to help others, seeing the hearts, seeing what God has done and is doing, seeing fruit, seeing dancing/jumping/ and praise to the Lord, seeing a little boy who did not feel loved taken to the hospital and provided care, giving him the opportunity of basic health care, loving on him and cherishing his smiles and tenderheart.

Learning to love far deeper, being humbled in so many different ways, making friends and enjoying the people, laughing, crying, struggling, finding those that have given themselves to Jesus and are serving Him with their heart.

God’s creation bringing Him glory and shouting His Name, hearing the orchestra of His creation from the rain and thunder storms to the crickets and bullfrogs, hearing His praises from beautiful faces.

New believers turning their hearts to Jesus Chirst.
becky