One Week

In one week Stephanie, Ken and I will be on a plane to Washington D.C. with a total of 12 bags (2 checked bags and 2 carry on bags each) because we are taking lots of books and other supplies of our Ugandan brothers and sisters.  This should be interesting considering all the checked bags will be right at 50lbs and without rollers...yikes!  Then we stay one night in D.C. and catch a plane the next day at noon all the way to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (we are flying Ethiopian Air) then a quick flight to Entebbe.  After over 24 hours of travel we will finally make it!  I admit I'm really not looking forward to the traveling part...I really like to sleep.  But, I'll be a good trooper :). I started packing a little bit last night.  I have a feeling it will be quite a challenge for me to fit all my personal items in two carryons considering we will be gone for 17 days. 

I started reading "Radical" by David Platt a few days ago.  What great timing.  If you haven't read this book I strongly encourage you to read it.  But, be warned it will convict you, challenge you and stretch you.  On Friday night I read this passage:

"In direct contradiction to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability.  He intentionally puts his people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him. (I know this will happen to me in Uganda). In the process he powerfully demonstrates his ability to provide everything his people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined.  And in the end, he makes much of his own name."

I can't get this out of my head.  While I look forward to my time in Uganda I am anxious about many things.  Mainly, home visits.  This will be such a great opportunity to share the Hope of Christ and encourage these beautiful Ugandans but it is something so different then I have ever done before.  These homes will be huts with dirt floors and no plumbing or electricity.  These people will be struggling for their next meal or to pay for their kids to go to school.  What do I say to them?  And, when I think about meeting Jemima and her family (me and Ryan's sponsored child) I hope that I can keep it together.  I get emotional just thinking about it.  It is so hard to see the poverty...it's not fun at all.  But, regardless of my feelings about it God has called me here and he has lead me to go on this trip to Uganda.  So, reading this on Friday night reminded me that I don't have to find the right words to say because HE will speak for me.  Just as God did a month ago at Cumberland Springs Bible Camp.  While being stretched and challenged is hard and not always fun I hope to listen to God and fully depend on Him enabling Him to glorify Himself through me.  That is what life is about...nothing else but bringing God Glory. 

Psalm 46:10
"Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

Getting Ready

Today is a month away from my trip to Uganda.  Seriously, this summer has flown by. So, I know this month will be gone before I know it and I'll be on a plane to Uganda.  Lots to get done!

Yesterday Stephanie and I went to the Hamilton County Health Department to get our immunizations for our trip.  We have to have Yellow Fever to get into Uganda and I am way behind on all my shots so I ended up getting 5, yes 5, shots!  Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hep A/Hep B (in one shot), Polio, and Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis).  I am a bit sore today and have a slight headache but I'll survive!

all the shots between Steph and me

I'll also need to get a prescription for anti-malaria medicine.  Not really looking forward to taking it.  The two affordable options have their downsides; one is an antibiotic that you have to take daily and the other you only take weekly but it has been known to cause emotional problems or vivid dreams.  YIKES!   

I've been talking to Aly Houser (who has been to Uganda like 5 or 6 times) about what kind of stuff I will need to bring with me and I need quite a few things to be prepared.  For example, the right clothes...I need to wear long skirts (to my ankles) and breathable t-shirts (since it will be so hot).  Then things to carry with me everyday like hand sanitizer, snack food, little first aid kit, and the like.  I will also need to shop for a gift for our sponsored child Jemima and her family...that will be fun!  The team is also going to try and fill up the Upendo Christain Academy's library, so I need to get some good books to take with me. 

While some of these things I have to do to prepare for Uganda aren't too fun (shots and anti-malaria medicine) this is all exciting!  I have wanted to go to Africa for a long time and I really can't wait to meet Jemima, my parent's sponsored child in Uganda Kevin, and my sister's sponsored child Gladys.  Also, to just love on all the kids at the centers...it is worth all the bad stuff to be able to be Jesus' hands and feet. 

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15