Out on the open road

Currently choir 36 is in Kenosha, WI for the evening. Its right on the shores of Lake Michigan and the cool, crisp fall weather is starting to approach. It has been a while since I last posted but I finally have a few spare moments to write down some thoughts and happenings over the past couple weeks.

As an auntie, I am blessed with the opportunity to do devotions with the children almost everyday, sometimes even leading our time. This past Friday was my morning, and not only was I late, but I was unprepared. I had been reading the night before and morning of, trying to think of something I could share with them about but was drawing a blank for fear of my lack of knowledge. But as I continued to pray that night and morning, the Lord really gave me confidence during my time. Im not sure if the children really got much out of it but I'd like to share it anyway because I was moved by Him and inspired that the Spirit had spoke to me while in the presence of the children.

I read from Luke 15, about the lost coin and lost sheep. I was explaining the way heaven will rejoice when people are found, just like someone who searches for something intensely and finally finds it! The passage is fairly self explanatory, but then I started thinking about all the people in the world that do not know the Lord, and there are several each of us know by name. So the Spirit prompted me and lead myself and the children to think of people by name and pray aloud together for them, each in our own words. It was a powerful time to lift our requests to the Lord for people who so desperately need Him! I was then reminded with the help of another auntie that it is not solely the choice of the individual to come to know the Lord, but that the Lord is the one searching for us, His lost sheep! He is seeking them out...and for some reason it was like a revelation!

May we continue and be diligent in our prayers for those who need you Lord, for I know you hear and have a sovereign plan. May you, our Prince of Peace grant it abundantly to those who need it.

2 week veteran

Over two weeks since arriving in Kampala and life is feeling normal here, getting in the swing of the schedule and the way in which things work. I have learned and have tried many new things, tasks, food, activities, means of transportation...its great.

Something I really enjoy doing, and maybe because I subconsciously know that washers and dryers will be waiting for me in the states, is washing my clothes...the Ugandan way, by hand. Its hard, but surprisingly rewarding.

The food has been good, I have liked almost everything Ive tried! I helped prepare some of the sweet potatoes yesterday and peeled with a knife for the first time, with no gashes but a hand coated in sticky grim...had to take a scrub pad to get it all off.

The coffee!! Its really wonderful...had another today and bought some beans to take home :)

Building relationships here has been a breeze simply because the people are open and genuinely want to know whats going on and stop to chat. I can already tell that leaving is going to be hard.

The craft market...I wish I could bag it all up and bring it home! Beautiful everything...jewelry, bags, clothes, sandals, artwork. Bartering is not my favorite thing to do...I feel like Im getting taken advantage of or vis versa. But since I am a "mzungu" (ma-zoon-goo) which means white person, they always quote a higher price than anyone local.

A huge praise today because the Ugandan children and chaperones went to the US embassy for their visa interviews and everyone was granted a visa!! Praise Him! The children never went a day without praying faithfully for this and the Lord has blessed us all! The Kenyan group will leave Sunday and will have their interviews the following week, so it is still important to be praying that all goes well and smooth.

The Lord has been teaching me about my joy as Ive been here in Uganda. I have always thought I was a joyful person, but since arriving here I have noticed that I lack in my expression of it. If I truly have it in my heart it should pour out of me like I see the with the children. Joy is expressed through dance and song here and it has challenged me to do the same. I am stepping out of my comfort zone in so many ways, and for this I am thankful because I know the Lord is using it to grow my heart and mind, drawing me nearer to him and that is all I can hope for. To live my life without Jesus is no life at all. I should be off to watch my choir rehearsals. The children train and work so hard perfecting their songs and dance routines, they truly inspire me to strive to be a harder worker...

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Adjusting to life in Africa

I have 2 full days under my belt, and the ride has been amazing so far. I kick myself for not bringing my computer to load my pictures to share, but that will have to wait a month. The children are amazing, the light of life here. I am learning so much about my role as an Auntie, as a chaperone, as a visitor in Uganda and a fellow Christian here among the other Aunties and Uncles. The hospitality and kindness here far out-weighs anything I have ever seen. I am blessed to be able to accept what they have to give.

Trying to kick this jet-lag has been quite the task, and I hope my body will adjust soon so I can be fully ready to engage day in, day out.

The African and Western chaperones went for a scavenger hunt in Kampala market today...so many new things everywhere!

I know its short, but its been a long day, so I will leave the verse that was given to me by the children my first night. They made a little paper flower with 1 Chron 16:31 on it.

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"

Africa Bound.

I'll be leaving to the airport in too little of hours...but I'm going to Africa so its ok!

I am thrilled about the long flights because I will be sleeping for most of them :)

Not sure if I will get to this thing while I am in Uganda, so if not, I'll be back in 4 weeks.

I will miss you Arizona, and all the wonderful people you hold. May God bring blessing upon the land and to all that walk on it.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

The start of something amazing

In about 5 days I get to embark on the journey of a lifetime. The Lord has blessed me immensely and I cant even begin to describe the amount of gratitude I have. A trip to Uganda for 4 weeks and then straight to Chicago, IL to start a year long tour with choir 36 of the African Children's Choir. WOW, it still hits me to think I have the privilege of being a part of these children's lives for a whole year!

But I still have 5 days...and what a crazy couple they will be, filled with lots of packing, bittersweet good-bye's, all of the "lasts" for now, and nights full of anticipation/excitment, but lacking in sleep...like tonight. So I thought it to be a perfect time to start this blog...

I got my shots for the trip, 3 in each arm...ouch! They are still pretty sore but I am so blessed to get them, even though they are so expensive. :)

Packing is proving to be a more difficult task then I thought. I have 3 piles going, one for Uganda, one for tour and one that stays packed up here in AZ. With all the necessity we need for both trips and with space being limited, its like a gigantic puzzle...but I love puzzles, mostly jigsaw, so I'm planning on tackling this one with a quickness!

I hope to spend some time in reflection amidst all this chaos and jot down a few things here, but for now sleep is calling and my heart is so glad!
Good night all.