Lots of Lessons

It's a cool, cloudy morning here in Kampala. I'm actually sitting under a blanket as I write this and I like it. Things are calm in town and I'm thankful for peace, for the moment at least. I'm sure many of you have heard or read about the rioting going on here. While I won't offer my opinion on the cause of the riots I will say that they have been quite inconvenient. I guess it's a bit silly, but when you have plans to do something and they get marred by tear gas it's frustrating. The riots are pretty contained and we almost always know the areas that they will be in because they begin as peaceful protests. All in all I've never felt unsafe due to the unrest. Friday I was holed up at a friend's compound because rioting broke out on a main road and it's always smart to take precautions. It's never reached the area where I live and I'm guessing that it won't. Regardless, there is a contingency plan in place in case of emergency and we are equipped to handle these kinds of situations. I say all of that to bring comfort to those who constantly worry. I imagine it's difficult being a parent or a parent-type and hearing about chaos in a foreign country where your daughter lives. Please just continue to pray for peace in this country and around the world.

The news that broke yesterday is more of a reason to worry than riots here in town. It's the opinion of some around here that Americans made a mistake and that they're bad people. We received the travel warning for US citizens from the US Embassy yesterday and have been urged to use extreme caution when out and about. Who knew being an American would make you a target? I'm relying on the fact that my skin isn't as pasty as those around me. :) The moral of the story? We need to be on our knees praying for this world. We need to gather as the body of Christ, unified in the name of Jesus, and pray. Prayer is so underutilized, but it's our strongest weapon. We have the power to pray and change lives, but often don't do it because we lack boldness and focus. I'm including myself in the category, btw.

Let me step down from this soapbox now and update you on what I've been up to. As is the norm for me I've been busy. Teaching at the Center is going well and as you all know my class is awesome. One of my students has been ill so I've been to the clinic with her and I'm trying to figure out the best way move forward. It's difficult to help someone who is not a fan of doctors and western-type medicine. It goes against people's culture to treat for certain things as well. Would you pray for healing in this sweet teenager's life? Physical and spiritual. This would be my prayer for all of my friends and students at the Center. Worship seems to be going well and I'm just praying that the language barrier isn't preventing the truth from being heard. Oh Babel.

I've spent much of my time in the last two weeks with my good friends the Ackers and the Sudanese guys. The guys are home from boarding school on holiday and it's been great to sit down and catch up and also learn so much more about them. I've been entrusted with the life stories of two more of the guys. Just like with the others, it's not been easy to listen to, but very eye opening and revealing. I've spent lots of time laughing and playing with the guys too. We all play volleyball, soccer, basketball, Uno, spoons, and other games. There have been little outbursts of dancing (not from me, I can't dance), lots of yummy Sudanese cooking, and best of all... lots of good conversations.
Some of the guys getting ready for the Easter egg hunt

Lino and I after the hunt... he was sad to only get candy, no money

Abraham ended up with the most stuff :)

Now, you know I always spend time with Lino and the others who are not in boarding school and it's always great. This time though, with these others home from school has really got me thinking. Everyday as I chat with the guys I learn something new about African culture. I can't even begin to tell you how much understanding I have gained since sitting down with these guys. I've learned about and got the thoughts behind a man and woman's role in the home and in society, about marriage and what's expected, about mzungus (white people) and the generalizations that come with being white, about America, about Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, about language, about country leadership, about real village life and expectations. Hours have been spent listening to the way life really is out in the bush. The reality of how life is viewed and valued, or not valued at all. How love relates to marriage for some, but not for many. How western influence has been both good and bad for Africans. I feel like I've learned more in the last two weeks than I have in the past few years living in Africa.

It's been so very interesting to gain a bit of understanding. We've talked through different scenarios involving mzungus in their culture. I've learned and haven't even fully understood what it truly means to have nothing and to really not have any idea when you might have another meal. The stories have been informative and intriguing and also heartbreaking. The more I learn, the more I want be immersed in this culture. There are things that I would love to see changed yet there are other things that we could really learn from. I'm still trying to wrap me head around a lot of what I've been learning. I'm incredibly thankful for my friendships with the guys and count myself lucky know each of them. I feel so very burdened for each of them and the more I get to know them the more urgent the burden feels. I would love for you to pray with me for their souls. They don't know Jesus and the reality of their eternity is in the front of my mind every time I'm with them. These men need Jesus.

Other ministries are busy and seem to be going well. Projects are moving forward and though there is much to be done in the next 8 or 9 months, things are where they need to be. In about a month from now my youth kids, Jodi and Jacob will be here and I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to show them this place that I love and introduce them to the people who have stolen my heart. They will be helping me run some camps down at Heritage International School along with some of the high school students from the school. Together they will have a soccer, basketball, music, and VBS camp. The camps will run for two weeks and then we will be able to take a safari at Murchison Falls. Would you join me in praying for their ministry while they're here, for their health, and of course for safety and peace. I'm hoping that all is calm by then, but we'll see.

Oh, one more thing... I'm SO grateful for the internet! Thanks to skype I got to watch Alexandria blow out her birthday candles on her 4th birthday with the whole family. It was so fun to be "in" the same room with everyone and sing to my precious niece. Praise the Lord for technology!

Let me know how I can be praying for you, please! Much love!