The Crazy Adventures of an American Mzungu

At the beginning of 2013, I started a three week prayer and fast with my church in Boise. We spent the time praying over God to move throughout 2013. It was one of the most amazing times in my life. I have never been through such an awesome time of God moving in my life, and the lives of those who joined me. I believe that time of prayer was what got me completely through 2013. During that time, I spent a week of praying over my future in missions. I prayed that God would give me something big in my life when it came to getting back to Uganda. I prayed for something tangible, something I can look back and say, “2013 was my ticket to getting back to Uganda.” Then life happened. The fast came to an end. I got the job I desperately prayed for, and forgot about my prayer over Uganda. My life took a dark turn when summer rolled around. I just grew into a routine that didn't really allow me to let God fully work in my life. I had too many commitments that tied me down. I had a dear pr...

This year was my first African Christmas. It was the first Christmas away from my family. Basically, it was a bunch of "firsts". Nothing was the same, and I had the time of my life. Christmas Eve in America always brought me to church to join with other believers in the celebration of our King.This year, it involved bon fires and dancing! I wish I could have got some pictures of the beauty. I am always taken away at night with a fire. There is just something beautiful about the crackling of the wood, and the smoke rising to the starry sky. We sang some African praise song. These were songs I learned at New Heart, my precious church in Boise. I was missing them terribly lately, and singing those songs with the beautiful kids of Redeemer House brought some contentment in my heart. Christmas morning was filled with hot chocolate and church. The kids had some friends from America come and spend the day with them. They had all kinds of sugar, and played and played and played! The...

I have a bad habit. I pray about something, and my heart desires it. Take Uganda for example, I prayed for five years to return before God said, "Go". Now I am here. I am doing all that is within me to bring glory to His name. The bad habit, you ask? I get so caught up in the little details that I forget to pray for God's grace on a daily basis. Grace is a beautiful gift. It gives us the ability to show Christ to all around us. Grace fills us with the attitude of Christ, and brings a sense of peace. Without grace, we allow our human nature to grab hold of us, and we become no different from the world. If we pour out grace to all around us, we must remember that we also must be refilled with the grace of God. As we pour out, we must humble ourselves before the Mighty King and ask for more. He, being full of grace, loves to see us spread His gift around so the entire world will know His love. I am always prayerful of major events in my life. If I know I am going to do a b...

My time in Uganda has been filled with teachings from God. He has moved me in many ways, and has taught me more than I will ever be able to describe. These things are deep and moving, and I know I will never be the same. However, not all my lessons are serious. He has given me plenty of times of full on belly laughs! And even in those times, I find God teaching me something amazing. I have four stories I would like to share, as I reflect my first few weeks in Uganda. Story Number One: Crickets are a Ugandan specialty! They fry them up, and chow down. The kids will hunt them down all day long. When I arrived, it was the beginning of cricket season. It is like the beginning of watermelon season in the US. Remember the joy inside when you find the first perfect watermelon of the season? That is what happens with the crickets. And bugs come in huge packs in Africa. Which means there are crickets everywhere! Before I came, the rule was “No live bugs in the house.” All the kids were tryin...

I have been in Uganda for a week now. What an amazing blessing it has been! I have learned a ton, and have become more confident in my abilities to do this job. I know I am going to mess up. I know I am going to miss home. I know there will be days that I wish I never came. However, Christ will use me in more ways than I can ever imagine. I know this is where I need to be. In my first days, I have learned a great deal. First, driving in Africa is complicated!! Even though I know how to drive, I feel as though I am starting all over! But I will pick it up.... then scare people in the US when I come home (Be prepared!!). I learned that Africans think that one lone Christmas tree means that Jinja is decked out for the season. They think mzungus are crazy for all their decorations, but get three mzungus in one room with scissors and white paper, then every Ugandan gets a little more Christmas spirit! It was a blast to see them making the snowflakes for the first time. My biggest lesson h...