The Crazy Adventures of an American Mzungu

What a crazy year! I never would have guessed that my year back in America would be crazier than my year in Africa, but alas, God moved mountains and worked through many situations that reveal what His will is in my life. Yet the biggest question I am asked, "When are you going back to Africa?" Well, I may finally have answers to that question. At the end of October, I traveled to Richmond Virginia to attend the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). My intention was networking, and network I did! If you have never been to ICOM, it is an experience you must try if you are even slightly interested in what God is doing around the world. Speakers from all around the world come and share about their ministry. Workshops are set up for different ministry strategies or on mission topics. My favorite aspect of ICOM are the booths of ministries from all around the globe. I love wandering for hours, meeting different missionaries and hearing their stories. I am always encouraged

Mark chapter 5, Jesus met a demon-possessed man. He shrieked both day and night as he roamed the tombs of his home of Decapolis. The towns people tried to contain him out of fear of personal harm, but nothing worked. He broke through their chains, and left them feeling hopeless. Then Jesus entered. Isn't that how life works? Tragedy strikes. The burdens on this world break our backs. Hopeless anxiety settles deep within our souls, as we come to the realization we have no power to make things right. We fall on our face with no place to turn. Then Jesus entered. The demon-possessed man grabbed a glimpse of Jesus in the distance. He ran before Him, and fell to his knees. With a shout, “Why are you here, Jesus the Most High?! Why do you come to torment me so? We have no business together!” the spirits deep within this man knew good and evil do not belong together, that where God dwells evil flees. “Get out! Leave this man, you unclean spirit!” Jesus declares with all authority. He

Wake up -- Pray -- Go to work -- Come home -- Bed -- Repeat. I am sure most of North America has a schedule pretty much like mine. Life looks the same in almost all directions, and so easily we can feel like we are stuck in a rut with nowhere to turn. We could accomplish our work with our eyes closed. Except -- I work in childcare, so maybe I need to keep my eyes wide open for any mischief. Our minds wander to other places, whether to things we need to get done after work, things we should have done yesterday after work but made some kind of excuse to not do them, places we rather be, or (like in my case) to far distant lands! Every time I find myself going through the motions of the daily grind, my mind comes to beautiful faces that I cherish deep within me. Faces so unlike my own , and my heart always longs to be with them. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus asks His chosen twelve -- those closest to Him -- those who witnessed everything, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They spou

"This mountain that's in front of me, will be thrown into the midst of the sea," I sing along to the worship song I had on repeat for the last half hour. I continued to sing It Is Well by Bethel Music over and over, as it washed words of truth and peace deep into my soul. "So let go my soul, and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name," I sang as I heard the rain begin to pound on the carport outside my window. The sound takes me back to my room in Africa. Our outdoor kitchen had a tin roof, and when it rained, the sound thundered through my room. I ran to look out into the storm which happened as I sang. My face now drenched in tears, as I witnessed the sun beaming through the pouring rain. "Through it all, through it all my eyes are on you. Through it all, through it all it is well with me" my song continued. "It is well. No matter where I am. It is well because my God will get me through it all." I spoke these words to myself,

"These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made in full" -- John 15:11. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. He taught them to abide in the Father, because Jesus abides in the Father. He is the vine. We are the branches. When we bear fruit, we bring glory to the Father. This is where our joy is found, according to Jesus. I am one of those people who often is accused of being "too happy" -- if there is such a thing! I was sharing a story with a coworker, and the punchline of the story was, "What happened here? I -- the white person -- happened here!" She looks at me and says, "Mary, I feel like that is the slogan of your life. You just happen!" Many times, this particular coworker would get to work before the sun arose. Then I would bounce in moments later ready to embrace the day, and I keep that attitude going the entire day. She walks around baffled at my energy. In college, I was always the

Coming home has been a blast! I love sharing with others what God did through me in Uganda. I love igniting a passion of serving in others, in order to further the gospel through the passions of those I share. I love using my experiences as a tool to share the gospel with non believers. I never would have thought  God would use such a life changing experience for me would make such an impact in my life in America. I am continually reminded that my life will never be the same. The past few weeks, I was extremely tired, and no amount of sleep made me feel rested! I work four days a week, at ten hours a shift. I love this! I love having a day off in the week to get things done so my weekends can be designated to things I want to do, rather than responsibilities. This does mean that sometimes I have to work early, like 5:30 AM early. Sometimes this means I work late, like 8:00 PM late. Depending on the shifts I work in a week, it can be exhausting. A couple weeks ago, I had early morning

I finally was able to visit the area I grew up this past weekend. Oh -- what a joy to see faces of love once more! However, something was different this visit -- me. Although I haven't lived in Oregon for a number of years, visiting alway made me feel as though I never left. I assimilated so easily back into that life. But here is the thing about time, it continues to march forward. My life was rocked and shattered in Uganda. No way will I ever be the same. And as much as I changed, so did those I once knew better than I knew myself. That doesn't mean I love these people any less, but it makes me come to reality of my visitor status. After church on Sunday, I went to my favorite little cafe. They have the best breakfast burritos in town! Growing up, we went there almost every week. As I sat there eating my burrito, I pondered the trip. In no way was I hurt or upset, but I noticed a difference. I knew exactly what it was. Everyone else did too! Most people at church said, &quo

I cannot believe I have been home for two months as of February 2 nd . What an adventure I have been on! Since coming back to Boise, God placed a common theme in my life. The pastor of my church set a theme of living out the vision God placed in your life for 2015. He is encouraging everyone to use our talents and gifts to make a difference for Christ in our world – to run the race of faith, and not allow this world to stomp out our passion of Christ. I am also reading Unstoppable by Christine Caine, which goes along the same theme. I will read a chapter of the book, and then head to church. More than once, Pastor Donald speaks on the same topic of the chapter I just read. He will use the same scriptures and the same concepts from the book. After asking him, I found out he is not reading Unstoppable. Obviously, God is talking to me! While I was in Uganda, God gave me a passion for families. I want to see families stick together. I want to see children stay wi

I returned to Boise on January 3rd. And let me tell you -- it has been a whirlwind of emotions! I cannot explain the way my heart longs to be back with the beautiful faces I had the pleasure of meeting. However, I love seeing familiar faces once more, and watching eyes light up as I share the triumphs and hardships I faced, and the plans God placed on my heart. I am amazed at those who have that spark in their eyes. People I barely knew (and even people I never met until coming home) are some of the most excited. I cannot even express how that blesses my heart! On top of meeting with loved ones, God has been working greatly in my heart. The church I attend always starts a new year with three weeks of fasting and prayer. I have taken that time to seek God in my reentry. I need God's direction in my life, as well as a job as I start life over in America. I know God is a mighty big God (as my favorite Ugandan worship song says, "He is always by my side"). I know He will put

No part of me can believe that I have been back in America for a month. This concept blows my mind. Every time I wake up, I feel the need to wake up from my dream, to wake up under the safety of my mosquito net. To already be drenched in sweat, even though the sun just rose. However, I am no longer in Uganda. Slowly this reality is setting into my mind. Adjusting has been interesting. I have learned that store clerks do not appreciate it when you try and bargain. I mean come on, I am giving your business plenty, the least you could do for me is give me a good deal! I also had to teach myself how to drive all over again. Speed limits. Traffic lights. Stop signs. Traffic police that are not just stationed in one place. These all seem so foreign to me once more. But praise God! I was able to purchase a Subaru Legacy last week. I named her Sandra, and she will be an excellent car while I am still around. I am excited to see where she will take me! I have been in Vancouver with my family