Redemption
The most hurtful things often become the most precious and beautiful when they are redeemed by God.
“We can no longer support you” those were the 6 words I heard a week before going back into the field. We can no longer support you were the words my eyes heard but my heart heard “We don’t believe in you” and that was like the first winter breath when you stop outside and just breathing causing your chest to sting, as if you just swallowed a box full of nails. We don’t believe in you was the message I went away with as I walked out of the office with tears streaming down my face.
As I reached the parking lot and got in my car I broke completely, they don’t believe in me, my own family stopped believing in me. I screamed to God WHAT ARE YOU DOING! This wasn’t part of the plan. But I heard that small voice rush through the windows of my car “You don’t need them to believe in you, I am still with you, so will you trust me?” I held onto the small piece of peace that no one can explain but you know where it came from. I said “okay God, I trust you and will believe in you that we are still moving forward”
The next evening, there was a missions dinner in my honor. Before I walked out my door to drive the 45 minutes to this dinner I made sure I had that small piece of peace with me. It kept me company along the way and I prayed for God to redeem this situation, to show me what to do. That piece of peace followed me that evening and allowed me to share what God has been doing in Uganda with courage and boldness. In that very night, the day after hearing “we can no longer support you” God raised another 10% to start the youth program in Uganda. I smiled as I did the calculations from that night and saw that 10% increase and said okay God I see you, lets move forward.
As I arrived back into the field that small piece of peace came with me, but if I am being honest it was a lot easier to hold onto when you were surrounded with the encouragement of people and a lot harder to hold onto when your alone, my mind wanted to wander back to that first conversation, it wanted to forget all that the Lord had done that night at missions dinner, it wanted to be filled with doubt, bitterness, and discouragement. Dang, my mind was no different than the Israelites. And just like with the Israelites God swooped in again to remind me to push forward.
The very last Sunday I was in America I attended an old church I once was a part of, it had been years since I had been there, I wasn’t even sure anyone would remember me there but God knows what he is doing. While I was there I met their missions director and we decided we would set up a Skype call once I got back into the field. After a few failed attempts (stinking power outages) we finally were able to connect at the perfect timing. God spoke through this person directly to me and began to encourage me in ways I never expected. We prayed and took the obligatory picture for social media.
Later in the evening, I check social media and saw that picture there with a long caption of encouragement and these four words “WE believe in you” You see, I never told this guy about all the struggles from above, I never told him what was fighting against my mind. One thing I know though is God told him. God told him those were the four words I needed to hear in that moment. To know that I still had people who believed in me and the work God is doing in Uganda.
I don’t know what hurtful thing you are going through right now, I don’t know what bad news you just received from the doctor, from a loved one, from your boss. I have no idea what your going through but one thing I want to encourage you with is our Lord is a Lord of redemption. He will redeem each and every situation, He will give you that small piece of peace and I pray that you hold onto it, never letting go, and carry it with you every single day. God sees the bigger picture for your life so let go and let God lead the way, trust in him, and watch him turn hurtful things into the most beautiful and precious moments of your life.
Psalm 111:9 He sent redemption to his people, he has commanded his covenant forever, Holy and awesome is His name!
“We can no longer support you” those were the 6 words I heard a week before going back into the field. We can no longer support you were the words my eyes heard but my heart heard “We don’t believe in you” and that was like the first winter breath when you stop outside and just breathing causing your chest to sting, as if you just swallowed a box full of nails. We don’t believe in you was the message I went away with as I walked out of the office with tears streaming down my face.
As I reached the parking lot and got in my car I broke completely, they don’t believe in me, my own family stopped believing in me. I screamed to God WHAT ARE YOU DOING! This wasn’t part of the plan. But I heard that small voice rush through the windows of my car “You don’t need them to believe in you, I am still with you, so will you trust me?” I held onto the small piece of peace that no one can explain but you know where it came from. I said “okay God, I trust you and will believe in you that we are still moving forward”
The next evening, there was a missions dinner in my honor. Before I walked out my door to drive the 45 minutes to this dinner I made sure I had that small piece of peace with me. It kept me company along the way and I prayed for God to redeem this situation, to show me what to do. That piece of peace followed me that evening and allowed me to share what God has been doing in Uganda with courage and boldness. In that very night, the day after hearing “we can no longer support you” God raised another 10% to start the youth program in Uganda. I smiled as I did the calculations from that night and saw that 10% increase and said okay God I see you, lets move forward.
As I arrived back into the field that small piece of peace came with me, but if I am being honest it was a lot easier to hold onto when you were surrounded with the encouragement of people and a lot harder to hold onto when your alone, my mind wanted to wander back to that first conversation, it wanted to forget all that the Lord had done that night at missions dinner, it wanted to be filled with doubt, bitterness, and discouragement. Dang, my mind was no different than the Israelites. And just like with the Israelites God swooped in again to remind me to push forward.
The very last Sunday I was in America I attended an old church I once was a part of, it had been years since I had been there, I wasn’t even sure anyone would remember me there but God knows what he is doing. While I was there I met their missions director and we decided we would set up a Skype call once I got back into the field. After a few failed attempts (stinking power outages) we finally were able to connect at the perfect timing. God spoke through this person directly to me and began to encourage me in ways I never expected. We prayed and took the obligatory picture for social media.
Later in the evening, I check social media and saw that picture there with a long caption of encouragement and these four words “WE believe in you” You see, I never told this guy about all the struggles from above, I never told him what was fighting against my mind. One thing I know though is God told him. God told him those were the four words I needed to hear in that moment. To know that I still had people who believed in me and the work God is doing in Uganda.
I don’t know what hurtful thing you are going through right now, I don’t know what bad news you just received from the doctor, from a loved one, from your boss. I have no idea what your going through but one thing I want to encourage you with is our Lord is a Lord of redemption. He will redeem each and every situation, He will give you that small piece of peace and I pray that you hold onto it, never letting go, and carry it with you every single day. God sees the bigger picture for your life so let go and let God lead the way, trust in him, and watch him turn hurtful things into the most beautiful and precious moments of your life.
Psalm 111:9 He sent redemption to his people, he has commanded his covenant forever, Holy and awesome is His name!
Perspective
God has been speaking to me a lot lately about perspective, the way we view situations around us. I’m not completely sure where it comes from but everyday, especially in Uganda, I feel like things happen and your perspective on that situation is crucial to your existence in this culture.
This culture, and I am sure any culture separate from your own, can really bring out the worst in you sometimes. You begin to see every weakness you possess and are constantly preparing, evaluating, changing, and adapting to everything around you. At most times, this is all very overwhelming. Most days you have little control over the majority of the things happening in your life and you just have to go with the flow and trust that God is going to constantly, and I mean constantly carry you through each and every day.
This is probably why God has been whispering perspective into my innermost being. You see, it is so easy to wake up with constant thought of will there be electricity today? Why do I have to go to the market to buy ingredients to make everything from scratch? Can’t there just be a drive thru somewhere? How did so much dust get into my house in just one day? And by the time your done sweeping and mopping your house, making the bed, cleaning the kitchen, prepping food for lunch, cleaning the kitchen again from prepping and doing dishes after lunch. In that moment, It is so easy for the mind to wonder why its even here? Why leave comfort and convenience for constant dirt and chaos. You do it because of perspective.
I am not perfect in this, and honestly I do struggle sometimes wondering why I am here? I think 100% of all missionaries could stand with me on that. Thank God I am not alone! But, the trick to all of this is perspective, how do I view these things in the midst of the situations, (it changes depending on if I have coffee in my hands or not).
The truth of the matter is, that yes it would be and is so easy to view all those things as chaos, disorganization, difficulties and challenges but having the correct perspective means looking at those as blessings from God. Finding the positive in even the smallest details in life. Understanding that all of this, everything we pass through whether its joyful or sorrowful is for the glory of God. And everything we do, we do for the glory of Him. (yes, even sweeping and mopping a house daily) And as I side note, I am totally preaching this to myself right now.
This morning I read the parable of the prodigal son and again God showed me perspective, it would have been so easy and “normal” for the father to see his son and be filled with hurt, anger, and any other emotion but the father had the correct perspective viewing his son walking home. The father saw a lost soul being found, he saw the dead come to life.
We all have trials and storms, I have the various American News pages on my Facebook and honestly my heart breaks for America, my heart breaks for the world. Bad things are happening all around us every single day, it is my prayer that we don't allow the enemy to win in our perception. Don't dwell on the bad things but in each and everything find the good, find the moment where Glory was bought to God and Praise him in that moment.
I wont go into much detail for fear of worrying some of you and you kidnapping me to come home but this past week I had trials, I had storms, I had bad things happen to me or around me, but I have seen that through each and every event this past week God’s goodness, and God’s faithfulness. Thats the perspective God desires for us. Thats the perspective God desires for you.
Heavenly Father, We thank you for all the good and the bad things that happen around us because each and everything brings glory to your name and to your kingdom. Help us, O Father, to always have correct perspective on the world around us. Give us strength not to dwell in the storm but to rise above and rest in your embrace. Lord we know you are there for us whenever we need you, you are our comforter, our strength, our rock and our shield. You alone provide refuge, You alone are good and never changing. Thank you Father. In Jesus Name I have prayed and believed -Amen
This culture, and I am sure any culture separate from your own, can really bring out the worst in you sometimes. You begin to see every weakness you possess and are constantly preparing, evaluating, changing, and adapting to everything around you. At most times, this is all very overwhelming. Most days you have little control over the majority of the things happening in your life and you just have to go with the flow and trust that God is going to constantly, and I mean constantly carry you through each and every day.
This is probably why God has been whispering perspective into my innermost being. You see, it is so easy to wake up with constant thought of will there be electricity today? Why do I have to go to the market to buy ingredients to make everything from scratch? Can’t there just be a drive thru somewhere? How did so much dust get into my house in just one day? And by the time your done sweeping and mopping your house, making the bed, cleaning the kitchen, prepping food for lunch, cleaning the kitchen again from prepping and doing dishes after lunch. In that moment, It is so easy for the mind to wonder why its even here? Why leave comfort and convenience for constant dirt and chaos. You do it because of perspective.
I am not perfect in this, and honestly I do struggle sometimes wondering why I am here? I think 100% of all missionaries could stand with me on that. Thank God I am not alone! But, the trick to all of this is perspective, how do I view these things in the midst of the situations, (it changes depending on if I have coffee in my hands or not).
The truth of the matter is, that yes it would be and is so easy to view all those things as chaos, disorganization, difficulties and challenges but having the correct perspective means looking at those as blessings from God. Finding the positive in even the smallest details in life. Understanding that all of this, everything we pass through whether its joyful or sorrowful is for the glory of God. And everything we do, we do for the glory of Him. (yes, even sweeping and mopping a house daily) And as I side note, I am totally preaching this to myself right now.
This morning I read the parable of the prodigal son and again God showed me perspective, it would have been so easy and “normal” for the father to see his son and be filled with hurt, anger, and any other emotion but the father had the correct perspective viewing his son walking home. The father saw a lost soul being found, he saw the dead come to life.
We all have trials and storms, I have the various American News pages on my Facebook and honestly my heart breaks for America, my heart breaks for the world. Bad things are happening all around us every single day, it is my prayer that we don't allow the enemy to win in our perception. Don't dwell on the bad things but in each and everything find the good, find the moment where Glory was bought to God and Praise him in that moment.
I wont go into much detail for fear of worrying some of you and you kidnapping me to come home but this past week I had trials, I had storms, I had bad things happen to me or around me, but I have seen that through each and every event this past week God’s goodness, and God’s faithfulness. Thats the perspective God desires for us. Thats the perspective God desires for you.
Heavenly Father, We thank you for all the good and the bad things that happen around us because each and everything brings glory to your name and to your kingdom. Help us, O Father, to always have correct perspective on the world around us. Give us strength not to dwell in the storm but to rise above and rest in your embrace. Lord we know you are there for us whenever we need you, you are our comforter, our strength, our rock and our shield. You alone provide refuge, You alone are good and never changing. Thank you Father. In Jesus Name I have prayed and believed -Amen
Update post? Blog post? Diary Entry!
People ask me if I have a blog and the answer is Yes I do but the honest truth is I am horrible at writing blog posts. Chalk it up to insecurities I guess. Do I really have something worthy to tell people? Will they find this interesting or boring? This is just everyday life for me they don’t care about it? Well heck, let me just write an generic update instead. Thats the way it seems to go. However, thanks to the Holy Spirit and someone reaching out to me in the perfect timing to encourage and inspire me to write I have come back to the keyboard.
Is it cool if we just start with a clean slate now? Usually you would wait until January to start fresh but hey October seems good too. Besides what better way to read about the craziness and amazingness in Uganda than with a donut and cider. Or, pumpkin spice if your that person! Sorry but I hate pumpkin. Anyways this is my new blog? Well, I guess it shouldn't even be called a blog but a diary I mean this is Red Dirt DIARY. And with a blog you have to be all grammatically correct and clean and I’m sorry but thats not me! Bring on the imperfections of a diary, misplaced commas and run on sentences for days!
So, my basic goal is to just be completely honest and real and share the ups and downs of mission life and this ministry. Hey thats what a diary is for after all. A sacred place to write all the good the bad and the ugly. The God moments and the “Help me I’m drowning" moments. Be blessed ya’ll its not every day someone lets you read their journal.
Sunday October 1st, 2017
My house is a disaster! My landlord graciously allowed me to use my rent money to recumbent some walls and add color which is amazing! I am so thankful for that! But its been 5 days now and I am slowly loosing my cool. Just gotta keep my eyes on the finish line I guess! Church for me use to start at 9 or 9:30 so I am thankful that now it starts at 10:30. I know its just an hour later but in Uganda that means I can cook my lunch before church so when I come home at 2pm I don’t have to cook while starving. Praise Jesus! Its the second week of Kingdom Kids, the new kids church for 9-12 year olds, that I am running at a local church.
Last week was amazing, I should have shared more but I'm horrible so I apologize. Better late than never! I don’t know if a diary can have a flash back but here it is. The first week of Kingdom kids, honestly I was planning on 15 kids at the most! The week before when I was observing the already existing class ages 3-12 I counted around 5 9-12 year olds, since school is in session I wasn't surprised to see low numbers. Anyways, around 40-50 kids showed up this week! There goes my lesson plans of small group discussions. Long story short, the kids LOVED it! One girl specifically, AKA the pastor’s daughter, who would go to a different church sometimes for their kids program or would stay with the adults came to me after with a big smile and hug and said “Thank you so much! It was amazing” My prayer that morning before teaching this kids was for them to experience the love of Christ and to know that they are so valuable in the eyes of God. Let me tell you, God showed up in mighty ways! Not sure what they call it when you flash forward but lets go back to October 1st.
If your don’t love children then Im sorry, but for me I can’t explain it. Kids are so special! How can you not melt when a little girl who was so quiet the week prior comes running to give you a hug and tells you how much she has missed you during the week and she just kept wishing it was Sunday so she could come back! Or when another girl who is in 7th grade, the girl you think is “too cool” for you, but when she sees you her face instantly lights up and she greets you with a hug. Or seeing the little girl you bring to church who has been so shy but is now twirling around in her dress and jumping in praise to God. By the way her family is catholic, its a miracle she is even allowed to go with me! Or when your suppose to finish at 1pm and the kids beg you to stay and do more with them. WOW I love this life!
My voice is tired from yelling over the noise from the main church’s building. No microphone or sound system for me. Good enough God created me with a loud mouth, he knew where I would end up. But definitely time for some high quality H20, maybe not high quality but its clean so thats cool. That was a fun rest. Back to church we go!
4pm. Back to my original stomping grounds so they say, with Ruharo Youth Fellowship. Every Sunday we get to meet and have fellowship and bible study. Today was a bible study day. But today was hard. Today was mentally hard. Today I missed American worship, I missed my favorite worship leader jumping up and down with no shoes. Today I missed Americans. That happens sometimes and its like quick sand. It can pull you down if you let it. I didn’t get much today and its usually the time to pour something back from spilling over in the morning but just wasn't having it today. So, I thank God for technology and I thank God for friends who are in South Africa and let me use their WIFI. When I got home I had to go back to my original original stomping grounds. Well the sister to my original original stomping grounds. It was still my church family and people I knew and there weren't discords in the worship and there was beautiful english being spoken and it was just refreshing! Just me, my laptop and a thousand other people across the world singing together! It was beautiful. Im exhausted, Good Night!
Monday October 2nd 2017
SLEEP IN DAY!!!! oh wait, painters are here…. well still my rest day so y'all just gotta paint around me. I like Mondays! you might want to add “said no one ever” but for me I like them! It is my rest and recover from the weekend day. Its my Jaimie day. Its my I am gonna do whatever I want day. I like it! So yea I did nothing today and it was beautiful!
Tuesday October 3rd 2017
PAY DAY! Thank you EVERYONE for the support because honestly I couldn’t be here without it! How my “payday” works, just in case your curious. All the support you have sent to River Church under my name from the previous month is sent to me at one time. So, today I have received all the support that was sent from September 1st-30th. And let me say THANK YOU AGAIN! The last few months have been financially difficult as some may know but God has really shown me that He is not done with me yet and has provided enough to meet the needs for this month. I’ll pray for the wants for next month. *insert laughing emoji here* This means today was business day, because the painters were here again and don’t really wanna leave guys in your house all day when your gone, I sent Joel (yes he is my boyfriend) to run errands while I cleaned the kitchen in preparation for him to return with market food. I know cleaning should take the same time in America and Uganda but for some reason I feel like cleaning in Uganda is never ending! Yay dishes are done, prepare lunch, oh look 50 more dishes appear! Side personal note: I am thankful for Joel because he is Ugandan and can help me with the ugandany things that are confusing, like car insurance and buying food at the market without being charged the Muzungu price. (muzungu means white person here). I love the Ugandan market because produce is cheap! Americans, sorry for ya’ll. So for $7 I could buy tomatoes, green peppers, passion fruit, carrots, 1 head of cabbage, green beans, and fresh beans. It should be enough to last a week or two depending on the dishes I cook. Also car insurance! Wow I wish we could pay this in America too! For the YEAR, $20. Unfortunately fuel is about the same if not more expensive here $50 to fill the car up. BOO!
Wednesday October 4th, 2017
Woot Woot! I got out of the house today! I had to go to immigration today to see my friend who has been helping me with my work permit. I wanted to make sure I was all set before I travel 5 hours to the capital to proceed getting the actual work permit stamp in my passport. At first we were worried because the approval I got said it was only for 2 months which was weird. Thankfully, he was able to call someone in the capital and she clarified that it was a mistake on their part and it was approved for 12 months! So, now will be heading to Kampala sometime next week once payment has cleared to get my official work permit! Also, I bought strawberries today! If you don’t know me well, then those are my favorite fruit and for a while I thought they didn't exist in Uganda, so thankful for Golf Course Supermarket for getting them. You can get a small container at 5,000 shillings which is approximately $1.40. A little pricey since its a small container and in the Ugandan point of view but for a healthy way to have a small piece of home, I would say its worth it.
Thursday October 5th, 2017
Wow, how am I so exhausted from this week, it hasn’t been that busy physically but I guess just mentally and the fact that my house is still not put together is wearing me down. Its hard when you have people working in your house because it kind of holds you captive but tomorrow should be the last day! PRAISE THE LORD! All that is remaining is the kitchen then they are done with the inside. Good enough, its not so hard to remain busy when at home since things are always a process in Uganda. Sometimes I do miss the easy days of convenience in America. The bad thing about being home the whole day is I usually just scroll through Facebook and although my newsfeed is slowly becoming more Ugandan it has been blown up with the shootings in Vegas. I don’t know why but I couldn't stop reading about it and reading about the heroes and those who didn't survive and my heart just broke for this world. My heart broke for those who are filled with hate and are walking through battles no one can see. The only word that could come to my mind was love. We need love. We need to be loved, we need to see love, hear love, feel love. We need to cast love to everyone we meet on the streets, in the restaurants, movies, whether you know them or you don’t. Wether you already love them or you hate them! All it takes is 3 seconds to smile at someone and say hi. Trust me, I know that is not part of the “American culture” and I personally never realized that until I came to Uganda where it is some how rude to not greet a stranger walking in the streets, I still struggle with it. The inside of me says don’t make eye contact just keep your head low and keep walking. This isn’t loving though! It could really mean everything to someone just hearing the words Hi, how are you? Have a great day! Or doing random acts of kindness. Please wherever you are in the world, including me, lets love.
Friday October 6th 2017
I hate roller coasters, and I also hate days that feels like a roller coaster. Today in the missionary world was a roller coaster day. It started with having no electricity for the whole day! BOO!! Which also stunk because I knew it wouldn't be there today and yet forgot to charge my laptop and power bank so they would be completely charged for the day. Guess what, Painters are still working too! Praise the Lord though that I believe today was the last day for the inside. Just some touch ups tomorrow and we should be good to go. FREEDOM! Don't worry I will post some before and afters too. This whole week on top of everything else have been dog sitting for another missionary family, having to leave this morning to feed the dogs found out my alarm fob is stubborn, my car wouldn't unlock then the alarm kept going off. After a few minutes of obnoxiousness and nothing else, I got the car to finally unlock. Leaving my gate I almost get knocked by a cow, no its not a typo I really mean cow! I wish I could have taken a picture but I was to surprised to even think. After all that craziness I make it back home and decide to spend the time planning for my sunday kids church lesson. Spent the morning reading about loving God with all our hearts soul and might and planning for Sunday. After lunch, boredom hits. My computer is dead, my phone is about to die, I should be washing clothes but don’t have the motivation to deal with 3 weeks of unwashed clothes. so I made brownies instead. Boredom again. so I decided to walk down the road a little to visit my friend Vicky who owns a small shop and buy some airtime for my phone. At least we were able to entertain each other for a while. I really only have to pull through until 5 when I get to leave home and go hang with other expats in the city. Every Friday night we meet at someones house and have good Americanish food and fellowship. Every week we have a theme too: tonight was pasta night. YUM CARBS! When I first joined this expat group I honestly only went for the food. They are all families with kids so don't really connect on most things but lately something has changed within me and they honestly are my family here now. I look forward to Fridays I always come home refreshed. Today I really needed it, it was just not a good “I love Uganda” day. Ending today with an amazing phone call to a wonderful friend who always encourages me and tells me when I am being completely crazy and just laughs with me. I hate roller coasters really I do and even days that are roller coaster days but Im always thankful when the days end on the positive. Goodnight!
Is it cool if we just start with a clean slate now? Usually you would wait until January to start fresh but hey October seems good too. Besides what better way to read about the craziness and amazingness in Uganda than with a donut and cider. Or, pumpkin spice if your that person! Sorry but I hate pumpkin. Anyways this is my new blog? Well, I guess it shouldn't even be called a blog but a diary I mean this is Red Dirt DIARY. And with a blog you have to be all grammatically correct and clean and I’m sorry but thats not me! Bring on the imperfections of a diary, misplaced commas and run on sentences for days!
So, my basic goal is to just be completely honest and real and share the ups and downs of mission life and this ministry. Hey thats what a diary is for after all. A sacred place to write all the good the bad and the ugly. The God moments and the “Help me I’m drowning" moments. Be blessed ya’ll its not every day someone lets you read their journal.
Sunday October 1st, 2017
My house is a disaster! My landlord graciously allowed me to use my rent money to recumbent some walls and add color which is amazing! I am so thankful for that! But its been 5 days now and I am slowly loosing my cool. Just gotta keep my eyes on the finish line I guess! Church for me use to start at 9 or 9:30 so I am thankful that now it starts at 10:30. I know its just an hour later but in Uganda that means I can cook my lunch before church so when I come home at 2pm I don’t have to cook while starving. Praise Jesus! Its the second week of Kingdom Kids, the new kids church for 9-12 year olds, that I am running at a local church.
Last week was amazing, I should have shared more but I'm horrible so I apologize. Better late than never! I don’t know if a diary can have a flash back but here it is. The first week of Kingdom kids, honestly I was planning on 15 kids at the most! The week before when I was observing the already existing class ages 3-12 I counted around 5 9-12 year olds, since school is in session I wasn't surprised to see low numbers. Anyways, around 40-50 kids showed up this week! There goes my lesson plans of small group discussions. Long story short, the kids LOVED it! One girl specifically, AKA the pastor’s daughter, who would go to a different church sometimes for their kids program or would stay with the adults came to me after with a big smile and hug and said “Thank you so much! It was amazing” My prayer that morning before teaching this kids was for them to experience the love of Christ and to know that they are so valuable in the eyes of God. Let me tell you, God showed up in mighty ways! Not sure what they call it when you flash forward but lets go back to October 1st.
If your don’t love children then Im sorry, but for me I can’t explain it. Kids are so special! How can you not melt when a little girl who was so quiet the week prior comes running to give you a hug and tells you how much she has missed you during the week and she just kept wishing it was Sunday so she could come back! Or when another girl who is in 7th grade, the girl you think is “too cool” for you, but when she sees you her face instantly lights up and she greets you with a hug. Or seeing the little girl you bring to church who has been so shy but is now twirling around in her dress and jumping in praise to God. By the way her family is catholic, its a miracle she is even allowed to go with me! Or when your suppose to finish at 1pm and the kids beg you to stay and do more with them. WOW I love this life!
My voice is tired from yelling over the noise from the main church’s building. No microphone or sound system for me. Good enough God created me with a loud mouth, he knew where I would end up. But definitely time for some high quality H20, maybe not high quality but its clean so thats cool. That was a fun rest. Back to church we go!
4pm. Back to my original stomping grounds so they say, with Ruharo Youth Fellowship. Every Sunday we get to meet and have fellowship and bible study. Today was a bible study day. But today was hard. Today was mentally hard. Today I missed American worship, I missed my favorite worship leader jumping up and down with no shoes. Today I missed Americans. That happens sometimes and its like quick sand. It can pull you down if you let it. I didn’t get much today and its usually the time to pour something back from spilling over in the morning but just wasn't having it today. So, I thank God for technology and I thank God for friends who are in South Africa and let me use their WIFI. When I got home I had to go back to my original original stomping grounds. Well the sister to my original original stomping grounds. It was still my church family and people I knew and there weren't discords in the worship and there was beautiful english being spoken and it was just refreshing! Just me, my laptop and a thousand other people across the world singing together! It was beautiful. Im exhausted, Good Night!
Monday October 2nd 2017
SLEEP IN DAY!!!! oh wait, painters are here…. well still my rest day so y'all just gotta paint around me. I like Mondays! you might want to add “said no one ever” but for me I like them! It is my rest and recover from the weekend day. Its my Jaimie day. Its my I am gonna do whatever I want day. I like it! So yea I did nothing today and it was beautiful!
Tuesday October 3rd 2017
PAY DAY! Thank you EVERYONE for the support because honestly I couldn’t be here without it! How my “payday” works, just in case your curious. All the support you have sent to River Church under my name from the previous month is sent to me at one time. So, today I have received all the support that was sent from September 1st-30th. And let me say THANK YOU AGAIN! The last few months have been financially difficult as some may know but God has really shown me that He is not done with me yet and has provided enough to meet the needs for this month. I’ll pray for the wants for next month. *insert laughing emoji here* This means today was business day, because the painters were here again and don’t really wanna leave guys in your house all day when your gone, I sent Joel (yes he is my boyfriend) to run errands while I cleaned the kitchen in preparation for him to return with market food. I know cleaning should take the same time in America and Uganda but for some reason I feel like cleaning in Uganda is never ending! Yay dishes are done, prepare lunch, oh look 50 more dishes appear! Side personal note: I am thankful for Joel because he is Ugandan and can help me with the ugandany things that are confusing, like car insurance and buying food at the market without being charged the Muzungu price. (muzungu means white person here). I love the Ugandan market because produce is cheap! Americans, sorry for ya’ll. So for $7 I could buy tomatoes, green peppers, passion fruit, carrots, 1 head of cabbage, green beans, and fresh beans. It should be enough to last a week or two depending on the dishes I cook. Also car insurance! Wow I wish we could pay this in America too! For the YEAR, $20. Unfortunately fuel is about the same if not more expensive here $50 to fill the car up. BOO!
Wednesday October 4th, 2017
Woot Woot! I got out of the house today! I had to go to immigration today to see my friend who has been helping me with my work permit. I wanted to make sure I was all set before I travel 5 hours to the capital to proceed getting the actual work permit stamp in my passport. At first we were worried because the approval I got said it was only for 2 months which was weird. Thankfully, he was able to call someone in the capital and she clarified that it was a mistake on their part and it was approved for 12 months! So, now will be heading to Kampala sometime next week once payment has cleared to get my official work permit! Also, I bought strawberries today! If you don’t know me well, then those are my favorite fruit and for a while I thought they didn't exist in Uganda, so thankful for Golf Course Supermarket for getting them. You can get a small container at 5,000 shillings which is approximately $1.40. A little pricey since its a small container and in the Ugandan point of view but for a healthy way to have a small piece of home, I would say its worth it.
Thursday October 5th, 2017
Wow, how am I so exhausted from this week, it hasn’t been that busy physically but I guess just mentally and the fact that my house is still not put together is wearing me down. Its hard when you have people working in your house because it kind of holds you captive but tomorrow should be the last day! PRAISE THE LORD! All that is remaining is the kitchen then they are done with the inside. Good enough, its not so hard to remain busy when at home since things are always a process in Uganda. Sometimes I do miss the easy days of convenience in America. The bad thing about being home the whole day is I usually just scroll through Facebook and although my newsfeed is slowly becoming more Ugandan it has been blown up with the shootings in Vegas. I don’t know why but I couldn't stop reading about it and reading about the heroes and those who didn't survive and my heart just broke for this world. My heart broke for those who are filled with hate and are walking through battles no one can see. The only word that could come to my mind was love. We need love. We need to be loved, we need to see love, hear love, feel love. We need to cast love to everyone we meet on the streets, in the restaurants, movies, whether you know them or you don’t. Wether you already love them or you hate them! All it takes is 3 seconds to smile at someone and say hi. Trust me, I know that is not part of the “American culture” and I personally never realized that until I came to Uganda where it is some how rude to not greet a stranger walking in the streets, I still struggle with it. The inside of me says don’t make eye contact just keep your head low and keep walking. This isn’t loving though! It could really mean everything to someone just hearing the words Hi, how are you? Have a great day! Or doing random acts of kindness. Please wherever you are in the world, including me, lets love.
Friday October 6th 2017
I hate roller coasters, and I also hate days that feels like a roller coaster. Today in the missionary world was a roller coaster day. It started with having no electricity for the whole day! BOO!! Which also stunk because I knew it wouldn't be there today and yet forgot to charge my laptop and power bank so they would be completely charged for the day. Guess what, Painters are still working too! Praise the Lord though that I believe today was the last day for the inside. Just some touch ups tomorrow and we should be good to go. FREEDOM! Don't worry I will post some before and afters too. This whole week on top of everything else have been dog sitting for another missionary family, having to leave this morning to feed the dogs found out my alarm fob is stubborn, my car wouldn't unlock then the alarm kept going off. After a few minutes of obnoxiousness and nothing else, I got the car to finally unlock. Leaving my gate I almost get knocked by a cow, no its not a typo I really mean cow! I wish I could have taken a picture but I was to surprised to even think. After all that craziness I make it back home and decide to spend the time planning for my sunday kids church lesson. Spent the morning reading about loving God with all our hearts soul and might and planning for Sunday. After lunch, boredom hits. My computer is dead, my phone is about to die, I should be washing clothes but don’t have the motivation to deal with 3 weeks of unwashed clothes. so I made brownies instead. Boredom again. so I decided to walk down the road a little to visit my friend Vicky who owns a small shop and buy some airtime for my phone. At least we were able to entertain each other for a while. I really only have to pull through until 5 when I get to leave home and go hang with other expats in the city. Every Friday night we meet at someones house and have good Americanish food and fellowship. Every week we have a theme too: tonight was pasta night. YUM CARBS! When I first joined this expat group I honestly only went for the food. They are all families with kids so don't really connect on most things but lately something has changed within me and they honestly are my family here now. I look forward to Fridays I always come home refreshed. Today I really needed it, it was just not a good “I love Uganda” day. Ending today with an amazing phone call to a wonderful friend who always encourages me and tells me when I am being completely crazy and just laughs with me. I hate roller coasters really I do and even days that are roller coaster days but Im always thankful when the days end on the positive. Goodnight!
August Update
8.30.17
Hey guys! August has flown by! I can’t believe where time has gone! Here are some highlights from this last month.
* Pray that the trips to Kampala are few because it can become really expensive and unfortunately support is not high enough to cover this added monthly cost. Each trip would cost around $50 if I take the bus.
*Pray that I am able to extend my current visa while I am finalizing the paperwork for the work permit. I will be going to the immigration office here in Mbarara to see if my friend Magala can once again help a sister out. I seriously owe this guy a steak dinner!
* Pray that God continues to provide the funds for the work permit. Bittersweetly, I am unable to get the three year work permit because the NGO registration expires in a year which means the cost is now $250 instead of $750. Then next year I will have to pay the $750 for a three year work permit.
2. I was able to meet with Nicola who is the executive director of King of Kings ( the NGO helping me with my work permit). She told me to pray and think about helping them start a kids church for their 9-12 year olds. Currently they have 3-12 year olds in one class. At first I was hesitant since I was serving at the church I have attended since my first trip to Uganda. I was running words for the choir and part of the youth group there. I was scared to leave that comfort zone. After two Sundays of projecting God just told me this is not why you are here, I have opened a better door for you. So I had to step out of my comfort zone. I attended the King of Kings Jr. Church the following week to observe what they were currently doing and how they ran things. Overall I was impressed although their is always room for improvement. Nicola will be scheduling another meeting with me this week as we discuss plans to start the new Jr Church in September.
How can you pray for all of this?
* Pray for peace of mind and courage in this transition.
* Pray for guidance and the best decisions to be made for these children to grow and love the Lord.
3. This is not as much a highlight as it is just a moment of honesty and vulnerability. Living in another country by yourself is HARD! Someone recently told me not to be scared to admit that. So, I am admitting it to you all. Somedays are just plain hard and lonely. I am in an emotional and spiritual valley right now. I know and believe that this is just a season and everyone has gone through it, will go through it, or has just come from the other side. I ask that above all else, you pray for the transforming and renewal of my mind, it is my weakness point of my body and the devil knows it. I know I will come out triumphant!
I thank each and every one of you for the prayers, encouragement and support that has been poured over me. My current support level is around $800 a month. It is my prayer to increase this support to $1000 a month to enable more spending on ministry related activities. Currently living expenses are $806 which doesn’t include food or other surprises that life may bring. May you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and give in any capacity you feel lead. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated in this season. You can give either one time donations or set up for automatic monthly donations that are tax deductible through www.reddirtdiary.com/give
As always prayers for everything are highly sought for and appreciated!
I am so thankful for this community behind me who believes in me no matter what! May God bless you abundantly through out this life!
Webale Munonga
Thank you
Jaimie Towns
Hey guys! August has flown by! I can’t believe where time has gone! Here are some highlights from this last month.
- Continued with work permit craziness! If you follow me on Facebook then you know that this work permit has been crazy. I had to travel to the capital which is a 5 hour bus ride twice! Due to finances it was best to travel in the morning and come back the same day which made for two very exhausting days. And I just found out I have to do it twice more at least! I will have to travel back hopefully sometime next week to get a signature for a recommendation letter from the NGO Bureau. Which I will then submit AGAIN to the immigration office online. IF they accept then I will travel BACK to Kampala to get the actual stamp/paper in my passport.
* Pray that the trips to Kampala are few because it can become really expensive and unfortunately support is not high enough to cover this added monthly cost. Each trip would cost around $50 if I take the bus.
*Pray that I am able to extend my current visa while I am finalizing the paperwork for the work permit. I will be going to the immigration office here in Mbarara to see if my friend Magala can once again help a sister out. I seriously owe this guy a steak dinner!
* Pray that God continues to provide the funds for the work permit. Bittersweetly, I am unable to get the three year work permit because the NGO registration expires in a year which means the cost is now $250 instead of $750. Then next year I will have to pay the $750 for a three year work permit.
2. I was able to meet with Nicola who is the executive director of King of Kings ( the NGO helping me with my work permit). She told me to pray and think about helping them start a kids church for their 9-12 year olds. Currently they have 3-12 year olds in one class. At first I was hesitant since I was serving at the church I have attended since my first trip to Uganda. I was running words for the choir and part of the youth group there. I was scared to leave that comfort zone. After two Sundays of projecting God just told me this is not why you are here, I have opened a better door for you. So I had to step out of my comfort zone. I attended the King of Kings Jr. Church the following week to observe what they were currently doing and how they ran things. Overall I was impressed although their is always room for improvement. Nicola will be scheduling another meeting with me this week as we discuss plans to start the new Jr Church in September.
How can you pray for all of this?
* Pray for peace of mind and courage in this transition.
* Pray for guidance and the best decisions to be made for these children to grow and love the Lord.
3. This is not as much a highlight as it is just a moment of honesty and vulnerability. Living in another country by yourself is HARD! Someone recently told me not to be scared to admit that. So, I am admitting it to you all. Somedays are just plain hard and lonely. I am in an emotional and spiritual valley right now. I know and believe that this is just a season and everyone has gone through it, will go through it, or has just come from the other side. I ask that above all else, you pray for the transforming and renewal of my mind, it is my weakness point of my body and the devil knows it. I know I will come out triumphant!
I thank each and every one of you for the prayers, encouragement and support that has been poured over me. My current support level is around $800 a month. It is my prayer to increase this support to $1000 a month to enable more spending on ministry related activities. Currently living expenses are $806 which doesn’t include food or other surprises that life may bring. May you seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and give in any capacity you feel lead. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated in this season. You can give either one time donations or set up for automatic monthly donations that are tax deductible through www.reddirtdiary.com/give
As always prayers for everything are highly sought for and appreciated!
I am so thankful for this community behind me who believes in me no matter what! May God bless you abundantly through out this life!
Webale Munonga
Thank you
Jaimie Towns
July Update
7.12.17
Hello!
I know it has been some time since my last email update so I apologize for that.
This has been a trying season for me of waiting and a roller coaster of encouragements and discouragements but the Lord Almighty has seen me through each and every thing. This season was tough but He has used it to increase my faith in Him. So let me update you on whats been going on this season.
First, Work permit! I remember telling you guys before that I was finally getting my work permit processed but I learned that things are never for sure in Uganda. The church that was suppose to be helping me attain one backed out last minute for an unknown reason. It was one of the most discouraging days I have had during this journey. Fear swept over my soul of having to go back to America and leave this journey, but God provides!
The following week I met a lady who is here from the UK, we have wanted to meet for a month before but things kept postponing our meeting. Now I see it was all God’s timing! Nicola has lived in Uganda for about 15 years and has been married to an Ugandan for 12 years. (For those of you who don’t know I am currently dating a Ugandan with prayers of marriage to come in Gods timing) Needless to say Nicola is a friend of many hats for me. She has helped me with ministry, spiritual, and relationship counseling. When we met I told her my story and she told me hers and they were very similar! Some would call this a divine meeting! When I told her my struggles with ministry and my passion of what I wanted to do but didn't know how she told me about an organization called CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship), they are a world wide organization that basically do what I was so passionate about. Teaching kids the word of Christ and showing them His love! They have bible camps, school visits, VBS events, sports events and more. She then proceed to tell me she knows the regional director for Uganda and could get me connected to them! I thought this was amazing and maybe CEF could be an answer to the work permit craziness. However, she took it one step further, she told me that her husband and her are pastors at a church and 200 other branches and they have helped other missionaries get work permits under their umbrella. She extended the offer to me! I begun to think that maybe I would be restricted to doing ministry only they allowed and only working within their church but she told me that if I work with their church then great and if I do my own ministries then great but they would still help me with the work permit. God is good!! Let me remind you the other church took 2 months to get my documents ready for the work permit only to change their minds at the end of it all. Nicola took 2 days to prepare everything!
I took my documents to the office of immigration to apply for the work permit but ran into another road block. They recently updated their systems and all organizations needed to apply for a profiling code through immigration but King of Kings church didn't have one. Thankfully, I had a wonderful visitor coming in a few days and was going to the capital (5 hours away) to pick her so I could drop off the documents and get the code for the organization. The headquarters took the documents without any fuss (This is a miracle in Uganda!) and said in 3 days you will receive an email. Rachel was here for 2 weeks and no email was received so when we took her back to the airport we checked at the headquarters again to see if there were any issues. They apologized for not sending the email but gave us the code we needed! Praise the Lord!
So what now! Now, I have all the documents and codes needed for the work permit, I am waiting for my friend (the boss in the immigration office) to return to the office to process my work permit while I find the funds to pay for the 3 year permit ($750) Then I will be attending a 9 day training in August to volunteer with CEF, meanwhile I am serving in my local church through the youth and running projection on Sunday mornings. Goodbye PowerPoint and WordArt!
Second, Rachel visits! I would like to thank everyone who sent things with Rachel to give to me it was a huge blessing indeed! I never knew how much happiness a suitcase of American food can bring one human being! I was so thankful for Rachel's sacrifice as she came to see life in Uganda, and thankful that she was able to see true life in Uganda, not the tourist life, or even the short trip mission trip life but was able to see how people really live in Uganda. She was able to come to our weekly missionary fellowship with me, and attend church choir practice and service. She was such a huge blessing to the youth group and people are already asking me when she is coming back! We were also able to do a little sight seeing at Queen Elizabeth National Park where our faith pulled through and we were able to see Lions before giving up! (We may have broken a few laws but its okay the tour guide told us to). The most special thing about Rachel’s trip was that we saw God in it all! Let me tell you a story!
Sunday morning I woke up with the realization that Rachel was leaving that night and you need a yellow fever shot in order to enter the country! I was panicked thinking she wouldn’t be able to come, I called my brother in law who works at the airport and asked if there was anything we could do to get around it. He told me he would handle it. I had no idea what that meant but I trusted that when he says he will handle it then he would handle it. Boy oh boy did he handle it! I thought maybe he would just be able to talk to someone in the airport and she could pay a fee and get the shot in the airport not ideal but better than not coming at all. God had something better in plan! Come to find out, my brother in law is friends with someone who works with SFC (special forces command) you know the army that works directly with guarding the president of Uganda! We picked up this friend of ours to go to the airport with us to help us with Rachel, He entered the airport and picked Rachel as soon as she entered off the runway. He just waved his badge and they walked through the airport only to stop to pay for the visa, after cutting the line of course! I know Rachel felt like a real princess that day! God has really given me friends in high places in this country! His story doesn’t end there, on the way back to America Rachel was going to run into more problems at the airport but thankfully God provided us this friend to save the day. Because of corruption in the country, the workers at the airport will tell clients that they overbooked the flight and make you pay $500 to get on the plane which is what they wanted to do with Rachel but our friend knew their tricks and told them she must be on the plane this evening and called them out on their scam. He got her through without paying anything to these workers and she made her plane! Have I told you that God provides!
Thirdly, Ministry at Uganda Christian University, After taking Rachel to the airport we stayed near the capital to be with Mustard Seed Worship Team (I could call it a sister fellowship to ours in Mbarara) They were having a worship night that Friday and invited our fellowship to be a part of them. There is something humbling about sleeping in an Ugandan dorm room but thankfully my childhood prepared me to sleep in small crowded rooms! I slept in my sister Joan’s room with her and her roommate on one side of a wall then on the other side slept two other students. From Tuesday to Friday we joined campus life in Uganda, we had choir practice everyday for the worship night from 7-10 and sometime even until midnight. We joined them and served lunch in the dining hall! People couldn’t believe that a white was there serving them food and getting them water! It was such a blessing indeed. Come to worship night, it was beyond incredible! God really showed up in that place and I thought students were going to riot if we didn’t continue.
Finally, A PRAISE!! One of my neighbors down the road opened a shop in front of her house, I have gotten to know her and her family through this and always try to support her business when I can. I was able to drive her and her daughter to the hospital for a small surgery that her daughter needed and we became good friends after that. Her daughter has become my daughter and whenever she sees my car pull up she has to come running to give me a big hug! It melts my heart every time! They are catholic but I have just been doing my best to love on them the way Christ loves us. This past week the mother asked me if I would be willing to take my daughter to church with me! This is huge being that the family is catholic and the mom knows I am not! In Uganda most catholic families can cast out family members if they attend non-catholic churches! I was so honored that she asked me and that she was excited for me to take her! The mom’s name is Vicky and the daughter is also Vicky!
For me personally, God used that night to tear down walls and to have a destruction within my soul. Something that is never fun during the moment but afterwards leaves you feeling so refreshed and amazed! I wrestled God in that night and He showed me things that I needed to deal with and pray through.
After these crazy three weeks, I am thankful that the rest of this month seems to be less busy. Next month will be another month where our fellowship is serving in 3 weddings and more visitors are coming.
I thank you all for never giving up on me, even when I fail to communicate effectively. Thank you for the continual support and prayers. May the Lord bless you all abundantly! It is so helpful on discouraging days to know I have such a great group of people who love me and support me no matter what. Who I can be so open with and share with you both the good and the bad!
I love you all!
Some prayer requests:
Thank you again to each and every one of you! I miss you all and love you all the more!
God bless,
Jaimie
Hello!
I know it has been some time since my last email update so I apologize for that.
This has been a trying season for me of waiting and a roller coaster of encouragements and discouragements but the Lord Almighty has seen me through each and every thing. This season was tough but He has used it to increase my faith in Him. So let me update you on whats been going on this season.
First, Work permit! I remember telling you guys before that I was finally getting my work permit processed but I learned that things are never for sure in Uganda. The church that was suppose to be helping me attain one backed out last minute for an unknown reason. It was one of the most discouraging days I have had during this journey. Fear swept over my soul of having to go back to America and leave this journey, but God provides!
The following week I met a lady who is here from the UK, we have wanted to meet for a month before but things kept postponing our meeting. Now I see it was all God’s timing! Nicola has lived in Uganda for about 15 years and has been married to an Ugandan for 12 years. (For those of you who don’t know I am currently dating a Ugandan with prayers of marriage to come in Gods timing) Needless to say Nicola is a friend of many hats for me. She has helped me with ministry, spiritual, and relationship counseling. When we met I told her my story and she told me hers and they were very similar! Some would call this a divine meeting! When I told her my struggles with ministry and my passion of what I wanted to do but didn't know how she told me about an organization called CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship), they are a world wide organization that basically do what I was so passionate about. Teaching kids the word of Christ and showing them His love! They have bible camps, school visits, VBS events, sports events and more. She then proceed to tell me she knows the regional director for Uganda and could get me connected to them! I thought this was amazing and maybe CEF could be an answer to the work permit craziness. However, she took it one step further, she told me that her husband and her are pastors at a church and 200 other branches and they have helped other missionaries get work permits under their umbrella. She extended the offer to me! I begun to think that maybe I would be restricted to doing ministry only they allowed and only working within their church but she told me that if I work with their church then great and if I do my own ministries then great but they would still help me with the work permit. God is good!! Let me remind you the other church took 2 months to get my documents ready for the work permit only to change their minds at the end of it all. Nicola took 2 days to prepare everything!
I took my documents to the office of immigration to apply for the work permit but ran into another road block. They recently updated their systems and all organizations needed to apply for a profiling code through immigration but King of Kings church didn't have one. Thankfully, I had a wonderful visitor coming in a few days and was going to the capital (5 hours away) to pick her so I could drop off the documents and get the code for the organization. The headquarters took the documents without any fuss (This is a miracle in Uganda!) and said in 3 days you will receive an email. Rachel was here for 2 weeks and no email was received so when we took her back to the airport we checked at the headquarters again to see if there were any issues. They apologized for not sending the email but gave us the code we needed! Praise the Lord!
So what now! Now, I have all the documents and codes needed for the work permit, I am waiting for my friend (the boss in the immigration office) to return to the office to process my work permit while I find the funds to pay for the 3 year permit ($750) Then I will be attending a 9 day training in August to volunteer with CEF, meanwhile I am serving in my local church through the youth and running projection on Sunday mornings. Goodbye PowerPoint and WordArt!
Second, Rachel visits! I would like to thank everyone who sent things with Rachel to give to me it was a huge blessing indeed! I never knew how much happiness a suitcase of American food can bring one human being! I was so thankful for Rachel's sacrifice as she came to see life in Uganda, and thankful that she was able to see true life in Uganda, not the tourist life, or even the short trip mission trip life but was able to see how people really live in Uganda. She was able to come to our weekly missionary fellowship with me, and attend church choir practice and service. She was such a huge blessing to the youth group and people are already asking me when she is coming back! We were also able to do a little sight seeing at Queen Elizabeth National Park where our faith pulled through and we were able to see Lions before giving up! (We may have broken a few laws but its okay the tour guide told us to). The most special thing about Rachel’s trip was that we saw God in it all! Let me tell you a story!
Sunday morning I woke up with the realization that Rachel was leaving that night and you need a yellow fever shot in order to enter the country! I was panicked thinking she wouldn’t be able to come, I called my brother in law who works at the airport and asked if there was anything we could do to get around it. He told me he would handle it. I had no idea what that meant but I trusted that when he says he will handle it then he would handle it. Boy oh boy did he handle it! I thought maybe he would just be able to talk to someone in the airport and she could pay a fee and get the shot in the airport not ideal but better than not coming at all. God had something better in plan! Come to find out, my brother in law is friends with someone who works with SFC (special forces command) you know the army that works directly with guarding the president of Uganda! We picked up this friend of ours to go to the airport with us to help us with Rachel, He entered the airport and picked Rachel as soon as she entered off the runway. He just waved his badge and they walked through the airport only to stop to pay for the visa, after cutting the line of course! I know Rachel felt like a real princess that day! God has really given me friends in high places in this country! His story doesn’t end there, on the way back to America Rachel was going to run into more problems at the airport but thankfully God provided us this friend to save the day. Because of corruption in the country, the workers at the airport will tell clients that they overbooked the flight and make you pay $500 to get on the plane which is what they wanted to do with Rachel but our friend knew their tricks and told them she must be on the plane this evening and called them out on their scam. He got her through without paying anything to these workers and she made her plane! Have I told you that God provides!
Thirdly, Ministry at Uganda Christian University, After taking Rachel to the airport we stayed near the capital to be with Mustard Seed Worship Team (I could call it a sister fellowship to ours in Mbarara) They were having a worship night that Friday and invited our fellowship to be a part of them. There is something humbling about sleeping in an Ugandan dorm room but thankfully my childhood prepared me to sleep in small crowded rooms! I slept in my sister Joan’s room with her and her roommate on one side of a wall then on the other side slept two other students. From Tuesday to Friday we joined campus life in Uganda, we had choir practice everyday for the worship night from 7-10 and sometime even until midnight. We joined them and served lunch in the dining hall! People couldn’t believe that a white was there serving them food and getting them water! It was such a blessing indeed. Come to worship night, it was beyond incredible! God really showed up in that place and I thought students were going to riot if we didn’t continue.
Finally, A PRAISE!! One of my neighbors down the road opened a shop in front of her house, I have gotten to know her and her family through this and always try to support her business when I can. I was able to drive her and her daughter to the hospital for a small surgery that her daughter needed and we became good friends after that. Her daughter has become my daughter and whenever she sees my car pull up she has to come running to give me a big hug! It melts my heart every time! They are catholic but I have just been doing my best to love on them the way Christ loves us. This past week the mother asked me if I would be willing to take my daughter to church with me! This is huge being that the family is catholic and the mom knows I am not! In Uganda most catholic families can cast out family members if they attend non-catholic churches! I was so honored that she asked me and that she was excited for me to take her! The mom’s name is Vicky and the daughter is also Vicky!
For me personally, God used that night to tear down walls and to have a destruction within my soul. Something that is never fun during the moment but afterwards leaves you feeling so refreshed and amazed! I wrestled God in that night and He showed me things that I needed to deal with and pray through.
After these crazy three weeks, I am thankful that the rest of this month seems to be less busy. Next month will be another month where our fellowship is serving in 3 weddings and more visitors are coming.
I thank you all for never giving up on me, even when I fail to communicate effectively. Thank you for the continual support and prayers. May the Lord bless you all abundantly! It is so helpful on discouraging days to know I have such a great group of people who love me and support me no matter what. Who I can be so open with and share with you both the good and the bad!
I love you all!
Some prayer requests:
- Continue to pray for this work permit to flow smoothly during the application process and approval process and that God continues to provide the funds for it.
- To continue to be intentional in making relationships with people of this community and showing them the love of Christ.
- For Vicky (both of them) and their family! They have really become so dear to my heart and good friends to me!
- For peace in my soul as we approach hard times of being away from family, Family reunion is in August and it will be the first that I miss and as holidays are approaching its never easy. I pray the Lord gives me joy though through this coming season.
- For continue provisions in support, am currently at 80% of support but I know God continues to provide and I have never been without or unable to do ministry because of funds.
- That I continue to learn this language, Joel has been teaching me and I am learning so much more but my goal is to become fluent.
Thank you again to each and every one of you! I miss you all and love you all the more!
God bless,
Jaimie
December Update
12.6.16
Merry Christmas to you all!
I hope you guys are enjoying the cold and the snow. I actually do wish it could snow in Uganda for just one day to bring the Christmas spirit but am doing my best to not get lonely during these holiday times as they prove to be hard when your alone in a foreign country away from family. Thanks be to God though for providing me an opportunity to meet other expats around my area who have welcomed me into their community with open arms! I really am so blessed to have met these amazing people and so thankful that God answers prayer requests that we don’t even know we need to ask for.
I have been spending time with these other expats learning from their current ministries and praying on partnering with one of the families here. I recently attended their church and I just loved it. They also have soccer for kids in the communities every Saturday, which I have also become a part of and it is just great to see kids from all different walks come together to enjoy a common love in what I believe to be common for every child in Uganda. I am excited to see how God continues to use this Saturday ministry and how it grows more and more.
On Sunday after church we have been having a bible study at my place for two young kids who asked me to teach them more about the bible. I love the eagerness in their faith and it really is so amazing how God can use kids to speak to you and teach you lessons. Even when I am suppose to be the one teaching them, it is their child like faith that inspires me to become better than who I was yesterday.
God has again opened the doors for ministry within this apartment as he has brought a young girl to come stay with me for a few weeks as she finds a new job and a place to stay. May you continue to keep her in prayer, that God will give her strength during this time and provide each and everything needed for her next steps in life.
This month is going to be a busy month as I continue with these other ministries as well as prepare and take part in the Christmas concert with the fellowship I have been a part of since the beginning. Our concert will be on Dec. 27th and we will be having practices every day until then. Please keep it in prayer that lives will be blessed and changed for the Glory of Him who sent us!
SOME GOOD NEWS! God has blessed me abundantly with a generous person lending me money so that I am able to purchase a car this weekend. Through one of my friends here in Uganda an amazing deal came up on a car and I was just praying that somehow I could get it. After talking to some people, God provided that money for me. I am so excited although I love riding on the Boda Bodas (Motorcycles) it often can be difficult during the rainy season. So having a car is a huge benefit and an even greater blessing! This is where I need your help now, as previously mentioned the money is only a loan with the conditions of pay it back as you raise it. I am so thankful for this but I also would love to give this money back as soon as possible. If you would like to make a contribution you can go to https://www.gofundme.com/uganda-car-fund
Monthly support is also still growing but another $200 a month would be a huge benefit for this growing ministry. If you would like to be a part of this team and become a monthly contributor you can go toreddirtdiary.com/give
I am so thankful for each and every one of who is in continuous prayer for this journey and me! Thank you for each and every one who is in financial support and each and every one who provides encouragement when I need it the most!
May God continue to keep you, bless you and provide for each and every need this season.
I miss you and love you all
Jaimie
Merry Christmas to you all!
I hope you guys are enjoying the cold and the snow. I actually do wish it could snow in Uganda for just one day to bring the Christmas spirit but am doing my best to not get lonely during these holiday times as they prove to be hard when your alone in a foreign country away from family. Thanks be to God though for providing me an opportunity to meet other expats around my area who have welcomed me into their community with open arms! I really am so blessed to have met these amazing people and so thankful that God answers prayer requests that we don’t even know we need to ask for.
I have been spending time with these other expats learning from their current ministries and praying on partnering with one of the families here. I recently attended their church and I just loved it. They also have soccer for kids in the communities every Saturday, which I have also become a part of and it is just great to see kids from all different walks come together to enjoy a common love in what I believe to be common for every child in Uganda. I am excited to see how God continues to use this Saturday ministry and how it grows more and more.
On Sunday after church we have been having a bible study at my place for two young kids who asked me to teach them more about the bible. I love the eagerness in their faith and it really is so amazing how God can use kids to speak to you and teach you lessons. Even when I am suppose to be the one teaching them, it is their child like faith that inspires me to become better than who I was yesterday.
God has again opened the doors for ministry within this apartment as he has brought a young girl to come stay with me for a few weeks as she finds a new job and a place to stay. May you continue to keep her in prayer, that God will give her strength during this time and provide each and everything needed for her next steps in life.
This month is going to be a busy month as I continue with these other ministries as well as prepare and take part in the Christmas concert with the fellowship I have been a part of since the beginning. Our concert will be on Dec. 27th and we will be having practices every day until then. Please keep it in prayer that lives will be blessed and changed for the Glory of Him who sent us!
SOME GOOD NEWS! God has blessed me abundantly with a generous person lending me money so that I am able to purchase a car this weekend. Through one of my friends here in Uganda an amazing deal came up on a car and I was just praying that somehow I could get it. After talking to some people, God provided that money for me. I am so excited although I love riding on the Boda Bodas (Motorcycles) it often can be difficult during the rainy season. So having a car is a huge benefit and an even greater blessing! This is where I need your help now, as previously mentioned the money is only a loan with the conditions of pay it back as you raise it. I am so thankful for this but I also would love to give this money back as soon as possible. If you would like to make a contribution you can go to https://www.gofundme.com/uganda-car-fund
Monthly support is also still growing but another $200 a month would be a huge benefit for this growing ministry. If you would like to be a part of this team and become a monthly contributor you can go toreddirtdiary.com/give
I am so thankful for each and every one of who is in continuous prayer for this journey and me! Thank you for each and every one who is in financial support and each and every one who provides encouragement when I need it the most!
May God continue to keep you, bless you and provide for each and every need this season.
I miss you and love you all
Jaimie
STEP BY STEP
10.31.16
The bible tells us that man can plan the path but the Lord directs the steps and I never really understood what this verse really meant until this journey. So many people right now are asking me what I am doing now and sometimes I honestly don’t know, I have a general idea of what this ministry looks like but ultimately God has really told me I will direct you step by step and he has done that over and over again!
The first step was to leave school; I seriously struggled with this one. I was scared to start this journey into the unknown and scared to leave my comfort zone. At school I knew what each day would bring, I had a program and pretty much a set day schedule. Going to the city at this time created days where I had no idea what would happen in that day, where God would take me, what He would do and it was just scary. I was at school for a month but it was a hard month for me, I never felt at peace, I was having bad dreams about being there, I was just overall struggling. I knew I had to talk to the director and the head teacher but I was scared of what they would say. I was finally able to talk to them and the director told me that I was to leave school right away and start this new journey. If your not sure what your suppose to be doing don’t worry God will always send you confirmation. So I left school not sure of what was next but knew I had to get an apartment.
The second step, I spent about 2 weeks in the city looking for apartments and planning and praying what this ministry looks like. God revealed a place for me as I have shared with you before so this weekend I officially moved into the apartment, It was such a fun experience and just crazy to think that after all these years I am finally buying things in Uganda.
And just a side God story for you to be blessed by. On Friday as I was moving things to the apartment I noticed there was still a bed in the place, I asked the previous maid who was in charge of removing the furniture about the bed. She told me it was left for me and I was so surprised. Long story short it seemed there was huge miscommunication so after I ended up paying the maid for the bed then found out that it wasn’t hers to even sell and so Sunday morning before Church I got a call from the previous owner telling me that the maid would be giving me my money back and I was left wondering how I would now get a bed. But, something in me was like just don’t worry about it which if you know me is so unusual for me. I have always struggled with worrying. So I just left it alone and went to service. ( Iwill tell you about service in the third step!!!) After church, I was talking to my friend and was just saying I’m not sure what lesson God is teaching me by giving me a bed then taking it away and all of this. But God is in control always! I called my dad to just talk and catch up, I told him about the whole situation with the bed and that I was still waiting to buy other appliances for my apartment like a fridge and tv. He asked about the prices of those items here and gave me the money to buy a bed, mattress, a fridge and even a TV! I have an amazing Dad and an even more amazing Heavenly Dad! I went to fellowship that afternoon and was able to share this testimony with the youth of the church and talk to them about worrying and the lesson God taught me that day about worrying. God is good!
The third Step, okay I told you I would tell you about the service here. Even now I just am amazed at the divine appointments God places in your life when you are following His will. Our teacher that day was a Ugandan woman who has a ministry in the same area I am living now, before her lesson she gave us some background to the ministry and I was speechless. As she talked it was almost word for word of what I have been visioning to do. I looked at one of my friends who I have shared with about my ministry here and we were just amazed at what was happening. I knew I had to get her number and just see what God was doing through her. After service we have an evaluation meeting as a choir to discuss how we sung and things to improve. There are two young boys who I have gotten to know and live close to where my apartment is now. One of the boys came to me and was like “Jaimie you should have a bible study at Rev. Johns house.” I had to make sure I heard him correctly because this is something I have been thinking about but I have never mentioned it to him. I was like what? He replied “You know like we can come over and you can teach us about the bible” I was just like OF COURSE! But how about we have it at my new apartment instead. He was so excited and just asked when we could start. So next Sunday after service I will be hosting these two boys and teaching them about God. I was just telling a friend, like seriously, the very weekend I get settled into my place God already has the next two steps waiting for me.
So that is where I am now, I am finishing getting organized and will be starting this bible study for these kids on Sundays after church and I am setting up a meeting this week to talk to that lady and see her ministry.
What you can pray for:
• Pray for God to continue to reveal His steps for my life.
• Pray for these kids and this bible study.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as I meet this lady, I am not sure if it is something God wants me to partner with or to just learn from.
Also you can still become a monthly supporter by going to reddirtdiary.com/give and set up an automatic payment, I am still looking for 5 people who could commit to giving $20 a month to help with the ministry. This would be towards buying bibles and materials for the bible study and providing lunch for these kids.
Thank you so much for all the love, support and encouragement!
May God Bless you
Jaimie
The bible tells us that man can plan the path but the Lord directs the steps and I never really understood what this verse really meant until this journey. So many people right now are asking me what I am doing now and sometimes I honestly don’t know, I have a general idea of what this ministry looks like but ultimately God has really told me I will direct you step by step and he has done that over and over again!
The first step was to leave school; I seriously struggled with this one. I was scared to start this journey into the unknown and scared to leave my comfort zone. At school I knew what each day would bring, I had a program and pretty much a set day schedule. Going to the city at this time created days where I had no idea what would happen in that day, where God would take me, what He would do and it was just scary. I was at school for a month but it was a hard month for me, I never felt at peace, I was having bad dreams about being there, I was just overall struggling. I knew I had to talk to the director and the head teacher but I was scared of what they would say. I was finally able to talk to them and the director told me that I was to leave school right away and start this new journey. If your not sure what your suppose to be doing don’t worry God will always send you confirmation. So I left school not sure of what was next but knew I had to get an apartment.
The second step, I spent about 2 weeks in the city looking for apartments and planning and praying what this ministry looks like. God revealed a place for me as I have shared with you before so this weekend I officially moved into the apartment, It was such a fun experience and just crazy to think that after all these years I am finally buying things in Uganda.
And just a side God story for you to be blessed by. On Friday as I was moving things to the apartment I noticed there was still a bed in the place, I asked the previous maid who was in charge of removing the furniture about the bed. She told me it was left for me and I was so surprised. Long story short it seemed there was huge miscommunication so after I ended up paying the maid for the bed then found out that it wasn’t hers to even sell and so Sunday morning before Church I got a call from the previous owner telling me that the maid would be giving me my money back and I was left wondering how I would now get a bed. But, something in me was like just don’t worry about it which if you know me is so unusual for me. I have always struggled with worrying. So I just left it alone and went to service. ( Iwill tell you about service in the third step!!!) After church, I was talking to my friend and was just saying I’m not sure what lesson God is teaching me by giving me a bed then taking it away and all of this. But God is in control always! I called my dad to just talk and catch up, I told him about the whole situation with the bed and that I was still waiting to buy other appliances for my apartment like a fridge and tv. He asked about the prices of those items here and gave me the money to buy a bed, mattress, a fridge and even a TV! I have an amazing Dad and an even more amazing Heavenly Dad! I went to fellowship that afternoon and was able to share this testimony with the youth of the church and talk to them about worrying and the lesson God taught me that day about worrying. God is good!
The third Step, okay I told you I would tell you about the service here. Even now I just am amazed at the divine appointments God places in your life when you are following His will. Our teacher that day was a Ugandan woman who has a ministry in the same area I am living now, before her lesson she gave us some background to the ministry and I was speechless. As she talked it was almost word for word of what I have been visioning to do. I looked at one of my friends who I have shared with about my ministry here and we were just amazed at what was happening. I knew I had to get her number and just see what God was doing through her. After service we have an evaluation meeting as a choir to discuss how we sung and things to improve. There are two young boys who I have gotten to know and live close to where my apartment is now. One of the boys came to me and was like “Jaimie you should have a bible study at Rev. Johns house.” I had to make sure I heard him correctly because this is something I have been thinking about but I have never mentioned it to him. I was like what? He replied “You know like we can come over and you can teach us about the bible” I was just like OF COURSE! But how about we have it at my new apartment instead. He was so excited and just asked when we could start. So next Sunday after service I will be hosting these two boys and teaching them about God. I was just telling a friend, like seriously, the very weekend I get settled into my place God already has the next two steps waiting for me.
So that is where I am now, I am finishing getting organized and will be starting this bible study for these kids on Sundays after church and I am setting up a meeting this week to talk to that lady and see her ministry.
What you can pray for:
• Pray for God to continue to reveal His steps for my life.
• Pray for these kids and this bible study.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as I meet this lady, I am not sure if it is something God wants me to partner with or to just learn from.
Also you can still become a monthly supporter by going to reddirtdiary.com/give and set up an automatic payment, I am still looking for 5 people who could commit to giving $20 a month to help with the ministry. This would be towards buying bibles and materials for the bible study and providing lunch for these kids.
Thank you so much for all the love, support and encouragement!
May God Bless you
Jaimie
God Provides
10.20.16
Some very exciting news for you all!! I have officially found an apartment in the city where I can do the ministry. God is so good and has really taught me about patience and perseverance during this process.
Once I left school last week I just expected it to be so easy to find the perfect place. I was looking at 2 bedroom places thinking I could have one room and then an extra room for visitors that came. I looked at two different places near home but they were so small and at a high price I just knew neither of them were where God wanted me to be. I had a friend of a friend who is in real estate he only had one property in the area and it wasn’t a match. I was starting to think there were no open apartments in the city and wondered what God was doing. One of my friends called me and told me about a three-bedroom apartment by his house but the lady was asking 800,000 shillings, which is about $230. I know that isn’t a lot for America but in Uganda it really is so expensive. I was hoping we could call her and get her to lower the price but it seemed like every time we called she was busy or not picking.
So I decided I should also keep trying to find different places that were open I reached out to another friend of mine who has many connections in the area and asked if they knew of any places. They gave me a number for a real estate guy they know and I just stayed with it for a day, I went to church Monday morning to pray about this ministry and apartment and just talk to God, I left church somehow discouraged as if God was 1000 miles away then I remembered I had that guy number and something told me to call him even though I feared he would hike prices on me or take advantage something kept telling me to trust God. So I called him and he asked if I could meet him right away and he could show me a three-bedroom apartment. Again in my head I was like but I really only want a two bedroom but never the less I went to meet him at a place not to far from where I am currently staying. When I walked through the gate I saw a white lady playing in the front yard with her son and I just thought maybe she could be my neighbor and that would be kind of cool. I walked with the real estate guy to find keys to the open apartment next door but all was in vain. We decided we could ask this lady if I could look at her house since it is the same model. She then informed us that she is also leaving the end of this month and that her landlord is better and her place requires less work. It was a divine appointment from God. Everything was just confirming this is where God wanted me to be. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a huge sitting room, and dining room. I was waiting for her to tell me she is currently paying 800,000 or more so I was so surprised when she told me she was paying 550,000 a month ($158). I went home and prayed about it and I just knew it was the place for me.
On Wednesday I went to talk to the landlord to negotiate the prices, we decided on 650,000 a month which is still the best deal for that size and the location of the property. Words really can’t explain how grateful I am for all of you who support to make this possible and more so how grateful I am that God works in mysteries ways and pays attention to the littlest details.
As of November 1st , I will be moving into this place and will be beginning hosting bible studies and fellowships for ladies and children. I am currently praying for ministry to happen in a village near home called Kyanja and I ask that you stand with me in prayer for this village. I know God is going to do amazing things in this village.
Continue to pray for more monthly contributions to support this ministry, for God to reveal next steps in this ministry and to provide divine appointments with people here in Uganda.
Thank you so much for every dollar, every prayer, and every encouragement that has been given!
I love you all.
God Bless,
Jaimie
Some very exciting news for you all!! I have officially found an apartment in the city where I can do the ministry. God is so good and has really taught me about patience and perseverance during this process.
Once I left school last week I just expected it to be so easy to find the perfect place. I was looking at 2 bedroom places thinking I could have one room and then an extra room for visitors that came. I looked at two different places near home but they were so small and at a high price I just knew neither of them were where God wanted me to be. I had a friend of a friend who is in real estate he only had one property in the area and it wasn’t a match. I was starting to think there were no open apartments in the city and wondered what God was doing. One of my friends called me and told me about a three-bedroom apartment by his house but the lady was asking 800,000 shillings, which is about $230. I know that isn’t a lot for America but in Uganda it really is so expensive. I was hoping we could call her and get her to lower the price but it seemed like every time we called she was busy or not picking.
So I decided I should also keep trying to find different places that were open I reached out to another friend of mine who has many connections in the area and asked if they knew of any places. They gave me a number for a real estate guy they know and I just stayed with it for a day, I went to church Monday morning to pray about this ministry and apartment and just talk to God, I left church somehow discouraged as if God was 1000 miles away then I remembered I had that guy number and something told me to call him even though I feared he would hike prices on me or take advantage something kept telling me to trust God. So I called him and he asked if I could meet him right away and he could show me a three-bedroom apartment. Again in my head I was like but I really only want a two bedroom but never the less I went to meet him at a place not to far from where I am currently staying. When I walked through the gate I saw a white lady playing in the front yard with her son and I just thought maybe she could be my neighbor and that would be kind of cool. I walked with the real estate guy to find keys to the open apartment next door but all was in vain. We decided we could ask this lady if I could look at her house since it is the same model. She then informed us that she is also leaving the end of this month and that her landlord is better and her place requires less work. It was a divine appointment from God. Everything was just confirming this is where God wanted me to be. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a huge sitting room, and dining room. I was waiting for her to tell me she is currently paying 800,000 or more so I was so surprised when she told me she was paying 550,000 a month ($158). I went home and prayed about it and I just knew it was the place for me.
On Wednesday I went to talk to the landlord to negotiate the prices, we decided on 650,000 a month which is still the best deal for that size and the location of the property. Words really can’t explain how grateful I am for all of you who support to make this possible and more so how grateful I am that God works in mysteries ways and pays attention to the littlest details.
As of November 1st , I will be moving into this place and will be beginning hosting bible studies and fellowships for ladies and children. I am currently praying for ministry to happen in a village near home called Kyanja and I ask that you stand with me in prayer for this village. I know God is going to do amazing things in this village.
Continue to pray for more monthly contributions to support this ministry, for God to reveal next steps in this ministry and to provide divine appointments with people here in Uganda.
Thank you so much for every dollar, every prayer, and every encouragement that has been given!
I love you all.
God Bless,
Jaimie
Earthquakes, Presidents and a Revival
9.15.16
My first weekend was spent being sick and at the
same time attending a Revival convention at the local church. The convention ran from Wednesday night to Sunday evening. Due to a stomach virus I really didn’t attend Thursday and was only physically in attendance during Friday but mentally was elsewhere. I really struggled spiritually with attending this convention, I really didn’t want to attend I knew it would be in Runyankole but translated in English I knew it would be long days of sitting listening to bishops and reverends share their ideas on how the youth can better Uganda. I just wasn’t feeling it but never the less I attended Friday for most the day just going through the motions but its crazy how even God can use these seasons to break us. I went home early on Friday evening with a headache and just a lot on my mind and again just not wanting to be there. When I arrived home the Spirit overtook my heart and I found myself in my room crying out to God and giving him all my worries and anxieties that were flooding my mind that day. I just released everything to God, again, and for one of the few times in my life God tore down the walls surrounding my heart and I was able to experience His presence like never before!
The next day I woke up early eager to attend this convention now, I knew I needed to change my attitude about it and I knew that even at this Convention God can speak to me and teach me something new. So I went to the convention eagerly waiting for what God wanted to tell me through one of the speaker. They always start with a bible exposition and during this time the speaker was telling us to take our salvation seriously. This is something I never really thought off or heard but it really resonated in my spirit. Do you take your salvation seriously? Do you take the fact that Christ died on a cross for you seriously? Or do you just take it all so lightly as if it means nothing? This exposition was good and really opened my eyes to just the higher calling we have but the next speaker is what blew me away.
The next speaker was a retired bishop and I don’t know if you have ever sat in a sermon and you were just at the end of your seat because you knew God was talking to you through this person but that is what I was experiencing at this time. Even my friend next to me was asking me questions and I couldn’t even reply because I didn’t want to miss a second of what was being spoken. Now, remember that the night before I threw all my worries and anxieties and questions to God well it was this sermon where God took my list and one by one spoke to each thing checking it off as we went. You guys, God is just so good and I hope you just fully believe that!
After lunch we returned to the arena where we were in praise and worship, since I was with a better attitude this day I just wanted to dance with my fellow Ugandans and I was there with all my friends just dancing and praising the Lord when the ground began to shake. At first we thought we were just dancing that good but when the strength increased we knew an earthquake had taken place. No one could even be scared we just had to yell REVIVAL! We knew the presence of the Lord was there. It was like I was at Mt. Sinai.
On Sunday, which was the last day of the convention we sat in a church service from 8am to 4pm so American’s never complain when your pastor speaks maybe 15 extra minutes. The president of Uganda joined our convention this day and although they didn’t translate his message to us it was still just cool being in the same place as him. And of course I have never been with the President of America but have now been with the President of Uganda, which adds some points for Uganda being my new home! Sorry guys!
So yea, that’s kind of been my weekend in Mbarara. Tomorrow I am going to the village to report for school. I am so excited to see my students and get into that routine again.
Things you can keep in prayer:
• Continuous guidance and revelation on this next journey God is going to take me on.
• To find an apartment in Mbarara to move to in December after this school term
• A successful school term, and that I am able to give my all in the remaining part of this season and continue to serve in the now.
My first weekend was spent being sick and at the
same time attending a Revival convention at the local church. The convention ran from Wednesday night to Sunday evening. Due to a stomach virus I really didn’t attend Thursday and was only physically in attendance during Friday but mentally was elsewhere. I really struggled spiritually with attending this convention, I really didn’t want to attend I knew it would be in Runyankole but translated in English I knew it would be long days of sitting listening to bishops and reverends share their ideas on how the youth can better Uganda. I just wasn’t feeling it but never the less I attended Friday for most the day just going through the motions but its crazy how even God can use these seasons to break us. I went home early on Friday evening with a headache and just a lot on my mind and again just not wanting to be there. When I arrived home the Spirit overtook my heart and I found myself in my room crying out to God and giving him all my worries and anxieties that were flooding my mind that day. I just released everything to God, again, and for one of the few times in my life God tore down the walls surrounding my heart and I was able to experience His presence like never before!
The next day I woke up early eager to attend this convention now, I knew I needed to change my attitude about it and I knew that even at this Convention God can speak to me and teach me something new. So I went to the convention eagerly waiting for what God wanted to tell me through one of the speaker. They always start with a bible exposition and during this time the speaker was telling us to take our salvation seriously. This is something I never really thought off or heard but it really resonated in my spirit. Do you take your salvation seriously? Do you take the fact that Christ died on a cross for you seriously? Or do you just take it all so lightly as if it means nothing? This exposition was good and really opened my eyes to just the higher calling we have but the next speaker is what blew me away.
The next speaker was a retired bishop and I don’t know if you have ever sat in a sermon and you were just at the end of your seat because you knew God was talking to you through this person but that is what I was experiencing at this time. Even my friend next to me was asking me questions and I couldn’t even reply because I didn’t want to miss a second of what was being spoken. Now, remember that the night before I threw all my worries and anxieties and questions to God well it was this sermon where God took my list and one by one spoke to each thing checking it off as we went. You guys, God is just so good and I hope you just fully believe that!
After lunch we returned to the arena where we were in praise and worship, since I was with a better attitude this day I just wanted to dance with my fellow Ugandans and I was there with all my friends just dancing and praising the Lord when the ground began to shake. At first we thought we were just dancing that good but when the strength increased we knew an earthquake had taken place. No one could even be scared we just had to yell REVIVAL! We knew the presence of the Lord was there. It was like I was at Mt. Sinai.
On Sunday, which was the last day of the convention we sat in a church service from 8am to 4pm so American’s never complain when your pastor speaks maybe 15 extra minutes. The president of Uganda joined our convention this day and although they didn’t translate his message to us it was still just cool being in the same place as him. And of course I have never been with the President of America but have now been with the President of Uganda, which adds some points for Uganda being my new home! Sorry guys!
So yea, that’s kind of been my weekend in Mbarara. Tomorrow I am going to the village to report for school. I am so excited to see my students and get into that routine again.
Things you can keep in prayer:
• Continuous guidance and revelation on this next journey God is going to take me on.
• To find an apartment in Mbarara to move to in December after this school term
• A successful school term, and that I am able to give my all in the remaining part of this season and continue to serve in the now.
weekend in Kampala
9.11.16
I arrived to Uganda on Wednesday night; I traveled like an hour to the capital of Kampala to stay with a family I met sometime back. I have never really spent time in Kampala so I wanted to see it and explore some. This was definitely for pleasure before I headed to the other city of Mbararawhere I will be doing ministry next year. It was so weird since I was staying with a pretty wealthy family sometimes I felt like I didn’t even leave the states. In their five story circular house I had Wi-Fi, I had juice available all day everyday, I had pizza for lunch and KFC for dinner in one day, I went to the movies with their daughter and aunt, I had a TV in my room except it only had one channel and not in English. When we moved around or went to town we would go to the malls and nice places and it was interesting to see how nice their malls were.
On Friday I went to Uganda Christian University to visit my Ugandan brother and sister, I was able to spend Friday with them to catch up and laugh and make memories. Friday night we attended a fellowship on campus then had a sleepover at our brothers hostel outside the campus. I have been to this campus once because and it really is so beautiful. I got to see my sister’s dorm room and let me tell you Americans… we have it made! I wish I would have taken a picture but the space that 4 girls had to share was about the size of a small bedroom with a wall down the middle. On one side you had two wardrobes with a bunk bed and a desk for two girls to share then it was mirrored on the other side of the wall.
On Sunday I attended Watoto Church, which is more of a western mega church in Uganda. It is non denominational and it was amazing! The praise and worship was such a blessing and the sermon about prayer and fasting was exactly what I needed to hear that day.
I travelled to Mbarara on Monday so I was unable to go see Noah’s Ark since the founders had meetings but I have their emails and will be setting up something for next time!
I arrived to Uganda on Wednesday night; I traveled like an hour to the capital of Kampala to stay with a family I met sometime back. I have never really spent time in Kampala so I wanted to see it and explore some. This was definitely for pleasure before I headed to the other city of Mbararawhere I will be doing ministry next year. It was so weird since I was staying with a pretty wealthy family sometimes I felt like I didn’t even leave the states. In their five story circular house I had Wi-Fi, I had juice available all day everyday, I had pizza for lunch and KFC for dinner in one day, I went to the movies with their daughter and aunt, I had a TV in my room except it only had one channel and not in English. When we moved around or went to town we would go to the malls and nice places and it was interesting to see how nice their malls were.
On Friday I went to Uganda Christian University to visit my Ugandan brother and sister, I was able to spend Friday with them to catch up and laugh and make memories. Friday night we attended a fellowship on campus then had a sleepover at our brothers hostel outside the campus. I have been to this campus once because and it really is so beautiful. I got to see my sister’s dorm room and let me tell you Americans… we have it made! I wish I would have taken a picture but the space that 4 girls had to share was about the size of a small bedroom with a wall down the middle. On one side you had two wardrobes with a bunk bed and a desk for two girls to share then it was mirrored on the other side of the wall.
On Sunday I attended Watoto Church, which is more of a western mega church in Uganda. It is non denominational and it was amazing! The praise and worship was such a blessing and the sermon about prayer and fasting was exactly what I needed to hear that day.
I travelled to Mbarara on Monday so I was unable to go see Noah’s Ark since the founders had meetings but I have their emails and will be setting up something for next time!
There are no coincidences
9.5.16
My pastor will say there are no such things at coincidences and I am a firm believer of this statement. God, who created the universe, sets up divine meetings and introduction to further His kingdom and confirm callings. This is what just happened to me.
The background story… I was researching different organizations in Uganda that works in cities with the kids to further develop this vision God has placed in my heart. I stumbled across this organization called Noah’s Ark, it’s located just outside the capital where I will be spending this weekend visiting family and friends. I told my Ugandan brother I wanted to visit this mission group to see how they run it, I emailed the organization to see if I could come and I will be in their city visiting my brother and sister at their university so it was working out perfect. In the back of my head though I still had doubts and was debating if I should go or not.
The story today… I left Detroit around 6:30 to start the first 8-hour leg of flying. As I am boarding the plane I always pray the typical selfish prayer. Please Lord, let me sit by someone who doesn’t smell, who doesn’t take my space too, someone who doesn’t snore and things of that sorts. I found my window seat next to an older women whose first words to me was “oh my your bags are big!” I just laughed a bit and throw my oversized carry on filled with 40 lbs of children books in the over head bin and proceeded to put my backpack under the seat in front of me. People who know me may be surprised but I am not really a talkative person when it comes to strangers, I threw on my headphones and turned on the first movie. We spent the entire 8 hours with no exchange of words. I know I am horrible! As we landed she asked me where I was headed to so I began to explain my Uganda story and all that was entailed in that. We exchanged a few more words and then God stepped in. She told me her son in law worked with an organization outside Kampala (the capital) and that it was called Noah’s Ark. I just laughed to myself and was like okay God! I told her I wanted to go visit them and learn more about that mission group. Her son in law isn’t there anymore so she didn’t have much information but in my heart I just knew God was saying Go!
For the last two months I have been praying for God to reveal this new direction I am taking and I kept telling friends and family that I know once I get back to Uganda He is going to just pave the way and begin to show me and I love that He has started now!
God is good!
My pastor will say there are no such things at coincidences and I am a firm believer of this statement. God, who created the universe, sets up divine meetings and introduction to further His kingdom and confirm callings. This is what just happened to me.
The background story… I was researching different organizations in Uganda that works in cities with the kids to further develop this vision God has placed in my heart. I stumbled across this organization called Noah’s Ark, it’s located just outside the capital where I will be spending this weekend visiting family and friends. I told my Ugandan brother I wanted to visit this mission group to see how they run it, I emailed the organization to see if I could come and I will be in their city visiting my brother and sister at their university so it was working out perfect. In the back of my head though I still had doubts and was debating if I should go or not.
The story today… I left Detroit around 6:30 to start the first 8-hour leg of flying. As I am boarding the plane I always pray the typical selfish prayer. Please Lord, let me sit by someone who doesn’t smell, who doesn’t take my space too, someone who doesn’t snore and things of that sorts. I found my window seat next to an older women whose first words to me was “oh my your bags are big!” I just laughed a bit and throw my oversized carry on filled with 40 lbs of children books in the over head bin and proceeded to put my backpack under the seat in front of me. People who know me may be surprised but I am not really a talkative person when it comes to strangers, I threw on my headphones and turned on the first movie. We spent the entire 8 hours with no exchange of words. I know I am horrible! As we landed she asked me where I was headed to so I began to explain my Uganda story and all that was entailed in that. We exchanged a few more words and then God stepped in. She told me her son in law worked with an organization outside Kampala (the capital) and that it was called Noah’s Ark. I just laughed to myself and was like okay God! I told her I wanted to go visit them and learn more about that mission group. Her son in law isn’t there anymore so she didn’t have much information but in my heart I just knew God was saying Go!
For the last two months I have been praying for God to reveal this new direction I am taking and I kept telling friends and family that I know once I get back to Uganda He is going to just pave the way and begin to show me and I love that He has started now!
God is good!
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
I AM A WARRIOR
9.4.16
Since I was little I learned that God is my father and I am his daughter. This is something I always knew but it was this summer at a midweek service in a local church where the pastor was talking about how we are warriors for Christ. That line from the whole sermon rings through my heart even today. I am a warrior. When you think of a warrior you think of strength, ability, perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness. You think of David who killed a giant with just a slingshot, but he was a warrior!
I am also a warrior and this was maybe the most important lesson I have learned so far. As I prepare to walk this new fork in my journey and travel to Uganda with no ticket home I need to know I am a warrior and I can do all of this! I am strong, I have ability, I can persevere, I can endure, and I can walk this journey with all the steadfastness in the world because I am the daughter of the King. God is my father and there is nothing my father cannot do for the goodness of His daughter. I am a warrior for Christ and I am ready for this battle.
Since I was little I learned that God is my father and I am his daughter. This is something I always knew but it was this summer at a midweek service in a local church where the pastor was talking about how we are warriors for Christ. That line from the whole sermon rings through my heart even today. I am a warrior. When you think of a warrior you think of strength, ability, perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness. You think of David who killed a giant with just a slingshot, but he was a warrior!
I am also a warrior and this was maybe the most important lesson I have learned so far. As I prepare to walk this new fork in my journey and travel to Uganda with no ticket home I need to know I am a warrior and I can do all of this! I am strong, I have ability, I can persevere, I can endure, and I can walk this journey with all the steadfastness in the world because I am the daughter of the King. God is my father and there is nothing my father cannot do for the goodness of His daughter. I am a warrior for Christ and I am ready for this battle.
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
I AM LOVED
9.4.16
Repeat this to yourself right now- I AM LOVED! This world is big and filled with many people on many different walks all doing their own journey. This may be bad to admit but sometimes I just want to cry out – Hi, I am here! I know I am called to be humble and selfless but some days it was just hard. I would wonder why some people didn’t support me, why people wouldn’t buy a t-shirt, please don’t feel bad if this was you, because the truth is these thoughts are from the devil and the greater truth is that I AM SO LOVED!
I received a list of people who are currently supporting me and I didn’t know 3 people on that list! That may not seem like a big deal but just the thought that 3 people who have no personal connection with me could support me just made my heart beat from my chest. I AM SO LOVED!
I had a friends and family who opened their homes to me all summer long whenever I needed somewhere to sleep. I AM SO LOVED!
I had friends constantly praying over me and with me and for me. I AM SO LOVED!
I have a God who sent His ONLY Son to die on the cross for my sins and to take all the weight and burden from that sin and carry it for me. I AM SO LOVED!
Repeat this to yourself right now- I AM LOVED! This world is big and filled with many people on many different walks all doing their own journey. This may be bad to admit but sometimes I just want to cry out – Hi, I am here! I know I am called to be humble and selfless but some days it was just hard. I would wonder why some people didn’t support me, why people wouldn’t buy a t-shirt, please don’t feel bad if this was you, because the truth is these thoughts are from the devil and the greater truth is that I AM SO LOVED!
I received a list of people who are currently supporting me and I didn’t know 3 people on that list! That may not seem like a big deal but just the thought that 3 people who have no personal connection with me could support me just made my heart beat from my chest. I AM SO LOVED!
I had a friends and family who opened their homes to me all summer long whenever I needed somewhere to sleep. I AM SO LOVED!
I had friends constantly praying over me and with me and for me. I AM SO LOVED!
I have a God who sent His ONLY Son to die on the cross for my sins and to take all the weight and burden from that sin and carry it for me. I AM SO LOVED!
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES
9.4.16
This lesson isn’t really one that I learned but I definitely was reminded of it and grew in this truth all the more. I don’t really struggle much with needing things and wondering why I can’t have it. I know that all that I need GOD will provide. If I am short on support, no worries God always provides someone from the woodworks that messages me and tells me they would like to start support me. If I need a job while I am in America for 2 months, no worries God always provides someone who pays me to hang with my nieces and nephew. If I need money for something so silly as a pedicure, no worries God will throw some extra babysitting and dog sitting money. A week before I was leaving I remember driving to church and I was just praying and telling God “you know I could use some extra money for this” when I got to church a lady handed me an envelope and told me that God told her to give it to me to use however I wanted. One thing I know for sure is GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES!
This is easy to handle on big things like bills, diseases, family issues. But on little things in our lives we find it hard to surrender to the King who commanded there to be stars at night and a sun during the day and we desire to hold control over these things and find our own way through.
This lesson isn’t really one that I learned but I definitely was reminded of it and grew in this truth all the more. I don’t really struggle much with needing things and wondering why I can’t have it. I know that all that I need GOD will provide. If I am short on support, no worries God always provides someone from the woodworks that messages me and tells me they would like to start support me. If I need a job while I am in America for 2 months, no worries God always provides someone who pays me to hang with my nieces and nephew. If I need money for something so silly as a pedicure, no worries God will throw some extra babysitting and dog sitting money. A week before I was leaving I remember driving to church and I was just praying and telling God “you know I could use some extra money for this” when I got to church a lady handed me an envelope and told me that God told her to give it to me to use however I wanted. One thing I know for sure is GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES!
This is easy to handle on big things like bills, diseases, family issues. But on little things in our lives we find it hard to surrender to the King who commanded there to be stars at night and a sun during the day and we desire to hold control over these things and find our own way through.
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
NOT EVERYONE WILL UNDERSTAND
8.27.16
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22
This lesson was a hard one for me at first. In case you haven’t noticed I am so passionate about Uganda and all that is taking place there and sometimes I just expect everyone to be just as passionate but that is not the case. God has placed different passions into our hearts and not everyone understands, is passionate or supportive of mission work or the journey I am on.
This was easy to handle when they were strangers or people I didn’t really have strong connections with but was difficult to accept that close friends and family had a hard time and understanding this journey I am on. Some of them would give me their opinions on it and most of it was negative but these two months God has really reminded me that we are not created to serve man but to serve God and also walking with Christ isn’t meant to be easy. That is why in the bible Jesus told his disciples not to say bye to their mother or father but to follow, not to bury the dead but to follow, not to go pack all their belongings but to just follow.
If you are walking with Christ and people are telling you how crazy you are and don’t understand you then you are probably walking on the right path and I challenge you to keep going. God is watching you and knows exactly what you need to accomplish His plan for your life to bring Him glory and that is the only opinion that matters!
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22
This lesson was a hard one for me at first. In case you haven’t noticed I am so passionate about Uganda and all that is taking place there and sometimes I just expect everyone to be just as passionate but that is not the case. God has placed different passions into our hearts and not everyone understands, is passionate or supportive of mission work or the journey I am on.
This was easy to handle when they were strangers or people I didn’t really have strong connections with but was difficult to accept that close friends and family had a hard time and understanding this journey I am on. Some of them would give me their opinions on it and most of it was negative but these two months God has really reminded me that we are not created to serve man but to serve God and also walking with Christ isn’t meant to be easy. That is why in the bible Jesus told his disciples not to say bye to their mother or father but to follow, not to bury the dead but to follow, not to go pack all their belongings but to just follow.
If you are walking with Christ and people are telling you how crazy you are and don’t understand you then you are probably walking on the right path and I challenge you to keep going. God is watching you and knows exactly what you need to accomplish His plan for your life to bring Him glory and that is the only opinion that matters!
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS
POSITIVE THINKING IS CRUCIAL
8.26.16
Once I acknowledged that satan was attacking my actions and mostly my thoughts I realized how important positive thinking is.
God really used this to open my eyes to my thought patterns and how I think about others, the world and myself. God showed me that a lot of my thoughts were negative and because of those thoughts I couldn’t allow God to fully use me.
Some times I really felt so silly because I was just wondering how I could think like this for so long without realizing it.
Here are just some of the old versus new thoughts that I am continually working on.
Old Thought New Thought
You’re not good enough God has redeemed you and can use you
You are doing this alone God has placed amazing people next to me
You keep stumbling God, Thank you for your Grace and Mercy!
You’re scared! I am a warrior of Christ, a daughter of the KING!
What will people think? Who cares what people think!
I cant… I can…. Because the Spirit is within me.
Where are the blessings? How can I bless someone else today?
I can’t believe this person Let me pray for this person
The bible says to transform with the renewal of your mind and it is so hard to rewire your thinking but I challenge you like God challenged me. Take a day and just really think about what you think about and what your thoughts consist of. Are the mainly positive or negative? Are the selfish or selfless? Are the Godly or ungodly?
When you are in a season where you are walking through the wilderness thinking positive and relying on the spirit will carry you though.
Once I acknowledged that satan was attacking my actions and mostly my thoughts I realized how important positive thinking is.
God really used this to open my eyes to my thought patterns and how I think about others, the world and myself. God showed me that a lot of my thoughts were negative and because of those thoughts I couldn’t allow God to fully use me.
Some times I really felt so silly because I was just wondering how I could think like this for so long without realizing it.
Here are just some of the old versus new thoughts that I am continually working on.
Old Thought New Thought
You’re not good enough God has redeemed you and can use you
You are doing this alone God has placed amazing people next to me
You keep stumbling God, Thank you for your Grace and Mercy!
You’re scared! I am a warrior of Christ, a daughter of the KING!
What will people think? Who cares what people think!
I cant… I can…. Because the Spirit is within me.
Where are the blessings? How can I bless someone else today?
I can’t believe this person Let me pray for this person
The bible says to transform with the renewal of your mind and it is so hard to rewire your thinking but I challenge you like God challenged me. Take a day and just really think about what you think about and what your thoughts consist of. Are the mainly positive or negative? Are the selfish or selfless? Are the Godly or ungodly?
When you are in a season where you are walking through the wilderness thinking positive and relying on the spirit will carry you though.
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
SATAN IS REAL- I HATE HIM!
8.25.16
Satan. The enemy. Someone we don’t really want to talk about or even acknowledge his existence but something that I have learned is satan is so real and I HATE HIM! During this walk satan creeps in and place thoughts in your head saying “you’re not good enough” “you are doing this alone” “No one even believes in you”
Even more than thoughts the enemy tries to get you out of your bible, away from the Lord and the sad truth is there have been days and weeks where I give him the power to control my actions. There have been days where I just don’t feel like reading my bible, or doing my bible studying. And I hate that I give him the power to do that and I know that never happens to anyone else but one thing I have learned in this is that when I acknowledge the fact that it is the devil and give him a name I am able to defeat him. The days where I don’t feel like doing my bible study but would rather watch Netflix or go on Facebook I just tell the devil to go away and pull out the study and I pray harder than ever.
The great part of this is that when the devil is attacking you and you think it is more than you can handle you know that you are on the right track with God and walking down a path that satan absolutely does not want you to go down. Once I know this I start running down this path with SPIRIT as my guide and my counselor and my comfort and my leader and my boss! I give power to the Spirit of my life and I don’t allow the devil to creep in when he wants but tell him to leave this place for I have already won and I am already victorious in the eyes of my Father! I let him know he is wasting his time on me because I know who is leading me and I know where my trust resides, and I know who is holding my hand the entire way!
Please I beg you, don’t give satan the power over your life. Acknowledge the efforts of his work and say NO to him, pray and pray some more! The Lord will be your strength and your refuge and you will find rest in His amazing grace!
Satan. The enemy. Someone we don’t really want to talk about or even acknowledge his existence but something that I have learned is satan is so real and I HATE HIM! During this walk satan creeps in and place thoughts in your head saying “you’re not good enough” “you are doing this alone” “No one even believes in you”
Even more than thoughts the enemy tries to get you out of your bible, away from the Lord and the sad truth is there have been days and weeks where I give him the power to control my actions. There have been days where I just don’t feel like reading my bible, or doing my bible studying. And I hate that I give him the power to do that and I know that never happens to anyone else but one thing I have learned in this is that when I acknowledge the fact that it is the devil and give him a name I am able to defeat him. The days where I don’t feel like doing my bible study but would rather watch Netflix or go on Facebook I just tell the devil to go away and pull out the study and I pray harder than ever.
The great part of this is that when the devil is attacking you and you think it is more than you can handle you know that you are on the right track with God and walking down a path that satan absolutely does not want you to go down. Once I know this I start running down this path with SPIRIT as my guide and my counselor and my comfort and my leader and my boss! I give power to the Spirit of my life and I don’t allow the devil to creep in when he wants but tell him to leave this place for I have already won and I am already victorious in the eyes of my Father! I let him know he is wasting his time on me because I know who is leading me and I know where my trust resides, and I know who is holding my hand the entire way!
Please I beg you, don’t give satan the power over your life. Acknowledge the efforts of his work and say NO to him, pray and pray some more! The Lord will be your strength and your refuge and you will find rest in His amazing grace!
7 LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
WORD, WALK, WONDER
8.24.16
I leave for Uganda in 1 week and have been reflecting on all that the Lord has shown me during these two months in America. These two months have been filled daily with spiritual lessons and God constantly reminding me of truths that I have forgotten. Over the next week I am going to share some of the big things God has revealed to me while I have been in the States. Perhaps they will be a reminder or bless someone else too.
I recently attended a midweek service at a local church. During the days prior to the service I just knew God was trying to speak to me and kept placing this midweek service on my heart. So I texted my fellow midweek goer to see if we could go that particular week and sure enough it was going to happen.
I walked into the church not knowing what to expect really but I knew I was there for a reason. We started with worship and it was for lack of better words just amazing. I was thinking “I wish there was a CD for me take back to Uganda with me”
The pastor came on stage to give his sermon and I began to sit on the edge of my seat. His three points of the sermon was Word, Walk, Wonder. He began to talk about how when God gives you a word of something then you can expect the wonder to happen 100% God never lies. As humans though we often hear the word and expect the wonder right away. We often forget that a crucial part of experiencing the wonder is the walk it takes to get there.
And that is exactly where I am right now in my life. I am on a walk to the wonder that God has planted in my heart. It was as if every single word that was spoken that night was for me and me alone. This walking phase of the journey is hard and you get tired but that is why you must carry the living water with you along the way. More so the walk will prepare you to appreciate the wonder all the more!
So yes I am walking, I am walking and don’t know where I am walking to but I am so excited to take this walk with Christ and to experience the wonder that is to follow.
This walk isn’t easy but this is where God has taught me many of the lessons I am going to share with you this week.
I leave for Uganda in 1 week and have been reflecting on all that the Lord has shown me during these two months in America. These two months have been filled daily with spiritual lessons and God constantly reminding me of truths that I have forgotten. Over the next week I am going to share some of the big things God has revealed to me while I have been in the States. Perhaps they will be a reminder or bless someone else too.
I recently attended a midweek service at a local church. During the days prior to the service I just knew God was trying to speak to me and kept placing this midweek service on my heart. So I texted my fellow midweek goer to see if we could go that particular week and sure enough it was going to happen.
I walked into the church not knowing what to expect really but I knew I was there for a reason. We started with worship and it was for lack of better words just amazing. I was thinking “I wish there was a CD for me take back to Uganda with me”
The pastor came on stage to give his sermon and I began to sit on the edge of my seat. His three points of the sermon was Word, Walk, Wonder. He began to talk about how when God gives you a word of something then you can expect the wonder to happen 100% God never lies. As humans though we often hear the word and expect the wonder right away. We often forget that a crucial part of experiencing the wonder is the walk it takes to get there.
And that is exactly where I am right now in my life. I am on a walk to the wonder that God has planted in my heart. It was as if every single word that was spoken that night was for me and me alone. This walking phase of the journey is hard and you get tired but that is why you must carry the living water with you along the way. More so the walk will prepare you to appreciate the wonder all the more!
So yes I am walking, I am walking and don’t know where I am walking to but I am so excited to take this walk with Christ and to experience the wonder that is to follow.
This walk isn’t easy but this is where God has taught me many of the lessons I am going to share with you this week.
A JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN
"Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you."
~ Genesis 12:1~
08.04.16
So much has been going on since I have been in America and God has been revealing a lot to me about my journey in Uganda. It has been partly scary and the devil has been wanting to attack me everyday but one thing I have learned is I am a WARRIOR for Christ.
Most of the details are still being revealed to me and worked out but I just wanted to let you all know generally what is kind of taking place now.
During my time in Uganda, I have been teaching and I love my students and I love that school but I always felt like there was something more. I kind of felt confined to a box in the village. That is when God brought back a seed He planted in my heart 2 years ago and I spent time fighting Him over it. At the beginning of this year I stopped fighting and told God "Okay if that is the journey you want to take me down then I will follow but I can’t do this.”
When I got to America I was scared to tell people of this new journey I felt God was calling me into, I was unsure of how they would respond, what they would say, if they would look at me like I was crazy or if they would jump up and down in excitement with me. I love that God has really shown me that I am not doing this alone, He has placed amazingly gifted people along side me to help and I am so blessed by that.
So you are probably like okay…okay… get to the point already what is going on!!! Well.. The bottom line is God is calling me to do ministry in the city of Mbarara and to create a place of refuge for the children in that area.
Like I have previously stated a lot is still being worked out and God is still revealing to me how this will look exactly but upon my return to Uganda I will be finishing the school year in the village while I communicate with the church and pastors in Mbarara. I will also be looking for an apartment and a building to hold activities at like after school tutoring, VBS style day programs, reading programs for nursery students, a place of refuge for kids to come to and feel loved and to experience the love of Christ.
So, I am asking you to pray with me as this new journey into the unknown starts. Pray for wisdom, revelations, discernment, guidance and courage to fight through every storm the enemy may cause.
Also, in order to prepare for the initial costs this new journey may have I am selling T-shirts to raise money for any rental fees, materials, nutritious meals for the kids, and any other cost that may occur. You can order your shirt on line at https://www.bonfirefunds.com/red-dirt-diary This campaign goes until August 20th.
Thank you all so much for the love, support, and prayers that you have poured over me thus far!
THE REALNESS OF GOD
06.17.16
I have been in America for 3 weeks and now that I am officially settled I want to take a moment and thank the Lord Almighty for everything HE has done through me and for me in my time in Uganda. May the Lord our Savior bless each and everyone of you who has contributed to this mission spiritually and financially.
Since I have been back in America, I have had a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. Lately, these thoughts have been on the negative side. Right now God is doing some amazing things in my life and is going to call me to greater and greater heights and as much as that is exciting its also scary! Upon this realization that God is still showing me what the future will hold, I have been struggling with thoughts of discouragement, that I am not equipped to do this, I am going to fail, feelings of loneliness. In my heart I knew these were the thoughts from the enemy and so I was praying against such thoughts and reaching out to some friends for prayers.
This is when God slaps me in the face and says "HELLO JAIMIE! I HAVE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME!!!" The other night I went to a Chinese restaurant with a friend for dinner and although I don't set high hopes on the fortune inside the cookie it is always fun to read them to see what lies within. This particular evening, my friend allowed me to pick the first cookie and as I read that paper I just laughed and told her how amazing and real God is. In a time when I needed just a whisper from my Father, He did me one better and wrote it on a piece of paper to remind me that there is NOTHING that I can't do when I am the Daughter of the King.
I was invited to attend a church this morning in Pontiac and because I wouldn't be able to attend my home church on Sunday morning I wanted to make it to their Saturday night service, I was running late and was thinking about just chopping it out of my schedule but The Spirit inside me told me to go. So I walked in as worship was about to finish and got my seat. My pastor preached that night and in a way it was as if he was preaching directly to me. Teaching me how to please God and how to have faith and go further on a crazy adventure if that is God's will. Each and every word ministered to my soul in a way I couldn't explain.
It's now Sunday afternoon and I am still in awe at what I experienced this morning at the church in Pontiac. People I have never met were telling me how they have heard so much about me and were praying for me, kids younger than me were encouraging me in ways I could never imagine. A church I have never been to was praying over me,blessing me, encouraging me, lifting me up. God placed His children EXACTLY where and when to allow amazing things to happen!
I can do nothing but say THANK YOU ABBA FATHER! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord! Thank you!
I have been in America for 3 weeks and now that I am officially settled I want to take a moment and thank the Lord Almighty for everything HE has done through me and for me in my time in Uganda. May the Lord our Savior bless each and everyone of you who has contributed to this mission spiritually and financially.
Since I have been back in America, I have had a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. Lately, these thoughts have been on the negative side. Right now God is doing some amazing things in my life and is going to call me to greater and greater heights and as much as that is exciting its also scary! Upon this realization that God is still showing me what the future will hold, I have been struggling with thoughts of discouragement, that I am not equipped to do this, I am going to fail, feelings of loneliness. In my heart I knew these were the thoughts from the enemy and so I was praying against such thoughts and reaching out to some friends for prayers.
This is when God slaps me in the face and says "HELLO JAIMIE! I HAVE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME!!!" The other night I went to a Chinese restaurant with a friend for dinner and although I don't set high hopes on the fortune inside the cookie it is always fun to read them to see what lies within. This particular evening, my friend allowed me to pick the first cookie and as I read that paper I just laughed and told her how amazing and real God is. In a time when I needed just a whisper from my Father, He did me one better and wrote it on a piece of paper to remind me that there is NOTHING that I can't do when I am the Daughter of the King.
I was invited to attend a church this morning in Pontiac and because I wouldn't be able to attend my home church on Sunday morning I wanted to make it to their Saturday night service, I was running late and was thinking about just chopping it out of my schedule but The Spirit inside me told me to go. So I walked in as worship was about to finish and got my seat. My pastor preached that night and in a way it was as if he was preaching directly to me. Teaching me how to please God and how to have faith and go further on a crazy adventure if that is God's will. Each and every word ministered to my soul in a way I couldn't explain.
It's now Sunday afternoon and I am still in awe at what I experienced this morning at the church in Pontiac. People I have never met were telling me how they have heard so much about me and were praying for me, kids younger than me were encouraging me in ways I could never imagine. A church I have never been to was praying over me,blessing me, encouraging me, lifting me up. God placed His children EXACTLY where and when to allow amazing things to happen!
I can do nothing but say THANK YOU ABBA FATHER! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord! Thank you!
Home is Where Our Story Begins
01.06.16
My younger sister bought me a plaque for Christmas that says " Home is where our story begins". I have been reflecting on this quote since I have been in what use to be home and still is my home in some way. When I landed in Boston a week ago I had such a weird feeling, a sense of being home but still a sense of being a visitor. I wasn't really sure what was home anymore.
I'm still not sure where my story begins. Does it begin with being born in Commerce twp at Huron Valley Hospital? Does is begin with attending all levels of school in Clarkston? Does it begin with finding my faith in Waterford? Or, does it begin with finding the exact location that God has called me to be? The problem is that the answer to all of these questions is "Yes!"
This past week as I spent time in America I was missing home in Uganda and now that I am sitting at the airport I am already missing my friends and family. I've been in this fog of not knowing where or what home was. There is a song that says "this world is not our home." I don't think it was a coincidence that we sang this song this weekend. I believe we serve a really big God who speaks to the tiniest thoughts in our heads. It was just a reminder to me and a reassuring one, that it doesn't matter where I feel like home is. It doesn't matter if America is my home or Uganda my home because the truth of it all is I am just in a hotel right now. My home is waiting for me to arrive, paved with gold, a place with no sorrow, pain, tears, fears.
I don't feel at home anywhere and neither should you. This Earth isn't our home and I praise God for that. I can't wait to run to the gate into the arms of our Lord and hear him say "Welcome Home my daughter!"
My younger sister bought me a plaque for Christmas that says " Home is where our story begins". I have been reflecting on this quote since I have been in what use to be home and still is my home in some way. When I landed in Boston a week ago I had such a weird feeling, a sense of being home but still a sense of being a visitor. I wasn't really sure what was home anymore.
I'm still not sure where my story begins. Does it begin with being born in Commerce twp at Huron Valley Hospital? Does is begin with attending all levels of school in Clarkston? Does it begin with finding my faith in Waterford? Or, does it begin with finding the exact location that God has called me to be? The problem is that the answer to all of these questions is "Yes!"
This past week as I spent time in America I was missing home in Uganda and now that I am sitting at the airport I am already missing my friends and family. I've been in this fog of not knowing where or what home was. There is a song that says "this world is not our home." I don't think it was a coincidence that we sang this song this weekend. I believe we serve a really big God who speaks to the tiniest thoughts in our heads. It was just a reminder to me and a reassuring one, that it doesn't matter where I feel like home is. It doesn't matter if America is my home or Uganda my home because the truth of it all is I am just in a hotel right now. My home is waiting for me to arrive, paved with gold, a place with no sorrow, pain, tears, fears.
I don't feel at home anywhere and neither should you. This Earth isn't our home and I praise God for that. I can't wait to run to the gate into the arms of our Lord and hear him say "Welcome Home my daughter!"
Falling into Place
12.15.15
Wait for the lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14
When you throw a rock in the air you know for a fact that it will come down and know approximately where it will land; but when you let a balloon go into the air you may never know where it will go and where the pieces may fall but you still have the knowledge that they will eventually fall into their places.
Life is a lot like this. Sometimes God throws a rock in your life and shows you clearly approximately where it will land and what will become of it. Other times the Lord gives you a balloon and when you let go you never know where those pieces will land but, thats okay because God knows. It's only until all the pieces fall into their places when the big picture will finally be revealed. The challenge is the faith and patience that is required as you wait for each and every piece to fall into its rightful place and as you wait for God to show you His big plan and His big picture.
In the past four months God has handed me a rock and has made his vision clear for my life but he has also handed me a balloon. I rejoice because He is truly teaching me steadfastness in my faith and patience as I wait to know where these pieces will land.
If God has handed you a balloon don't get discouraged simply wait for the Lord!
Wait for the lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14
When you throw a rock in the air you know for a fact that it will come down and know approximately where it will land; but when you let a balloon go into the air you may never know where it will go and where the pieces may fall but you still have the knowledge that they will eventually fall into their places.
Life is a lot like this. Sometimes God throws a rock in your life and shows you clearly approximately where it will land and what will become of it. Other times the Lord gives you a balloon and when you let go you never know where those pieces will land but, thats okay because God knows. It's only until all the pieces fall into their places when the big picture will finally be revealed. The challenge is the faith and patience that is required as you wait for each and every piece to fall into its rightful place and as you wait for God to show you His big plan and His big picture.
In the past four months God has handed me a rock and has made his vision clear for my life but he has also handed me a balloon. I rejoice because He is truly teaching me steadfastness in my faith and patience as I wait to know where these pieces will land.
If God has handed you a balloon don't get discouraged simply wait for the Lord!
Growing in Christ
11.20.15
Moving to another country isn’t the easiest thing in the world; there are language barriers, huge cultural differences, different customs, different characters, different foods, and a different life. There is one thing that is able to put all these differences aside though; the Spirit of the one true God.
Life so far in Uganda has honestly been a roller coaster for me. I have gone through many phases, which are common when you move to a different country supposedly. I have had my trials, my afflictions, my homesickness, and my discouragements. However, I am so blessed to have these weaknesses because amongst all of these low points I have learned one of the greatest truths about our Lord and Savior. When you are weak then he is strong.
Words cannot begin to express how strong my walk with Christ has grown through this season of uncertainty. I could easily write a 10-page blog going on about each and every weakness God has shown me since I have been here and ways HE is improving, remaking, molding, and renewing me every single day. If God had to take me through those hard days to get me to where I am now then I rejoice in those days because I am a new creation! Praise God!
Isaiah 54:5 says, “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called.” Please read that verse again and truly mediate on what that verse is saying. God has shown me this verse during my time of trials and when you read this verse and attempt to wrap your mind around how big and mighty our God is you have no option but to laugh at your trials. The God of the WHOLE EARTH! The same God I worshipped while I was in America is the SAME God I worship with dancing and a drum here in Uganda. Praise God!
I just want to thank each and every one of you for the continued prayers and intercessions for me. God is definitely moving in me and guiding my feet according to his good and perfect will. I ask that you continue to keep me in prayer.
Pray for:
Moving to another country isn’t the easiest thing in the world; there are language barriers, huge cultural differences, different customs, different characters, different foods, and a different life. There is one thing that is able to put all these differences aside though; the Spirit of the one true God.
Life so far in Uganda has honestly been a roller coaster for me. I have gone through many phases, which are common when you move to a different country supposedly. I have had my trials, my afflictions, my homesickness, and my discouragements. However, I am so blessed to have these weaknesses because amongst all of these low points I have learned one of the greatest truths about our Lord and Savior. When you are weak then he is strong.
Words cannot begin to express how strong my walk with Christ has grown through this season of uncertainty. I could easily write a 10-page blog going on about each and every weakness God has shown me since I have been here and ways HE is improving, remaking, molding, and renewing me every single day. If God had to take me through those hard days to get me to where I am now then I rejoice in those days because I am a new creation! Praise God!
Isaiah 54:5 says, “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called.” Please read that verse again and truly mediate on what that verse is saying. God has shown me this verse during my time of trials and when you read this verse and attempt to wrap your mind around how big and mighty our God is you have no option but to laugh at your trials. The God of the WHOLE EARTH! The same God I worshipped while I was in America is the SAME God I worship with dancing and a drum here in Uganda. Praise God!
I just want to thank each and every one of you for the continued prayers and intercessions for me. God is definitely moving in me and guiding my feet according to his good and perfect will. I ask that you continue to keep me in prayer.
Pray for:
- Strength
- Courage
- Peace
- For God to reveal his plan to me and show me what next.
- The students as they begin their end of the year exams. Especially Senior 6 whose scores decide which university they get in to.
- Provisions for the school, they need a new classroom by next year to hold Primary 6 and textbooks for the classrooms.
Jova's Story
11.2.15
I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some amazing people since my time here in Uganda. Some of the staff I see more than others but each and every one of them blesses me in some way. They have been extremely supportive, encouraging, engaging, helpful, and eager to teach me their ways and language. I thank God for each and every one of them.
One of the teachers has been a huge blessing to me during my time here. Her name is Jovanice or Jova for short. When I see her in the morning I always have to get a hug from her and receive a huge smile. Her daughter Juanita will come running towards me screaming “TEACHER JAIMIE!” The joy that this family has brought me is unexplainable. There has always been something about Jova that has blessed me so much. She is always worshipping God. Worshipping God isn’t just singing songs and praises, but a way of life; it is very evident in Jova's everyday life. I don’t know if there is a single moment in the day where she isn’t worshipping or praising God.
A few weeks ago I was asked to give a lesson for the kids church, which is outside the school campus, and the children in the village attend as well as the primary teachers. I was nervous to share and was reluctant to do so but God took me to the church and the Spirit gave me the words to say. I talked about Isaiah 54 and how mighty our God is and that no matter what we are going through. He is great and He is aware of all our afflictions and trials. After the service Jova came to give me a big hug and told me how God used me to speak to her and if only I knew her testimony.
This week Shawna, (a friend who is helping me with all my communications) gave me an idea of getting a picture of a teacher I work with and a short bio about them. I began to think of who would be willing and a good candidate for something like this. Then I remembered Sunday after service and Jova. I knew that if God could use her to bless me as much as she has than I should share those blessings with others. I asked her if I could share her testimony with people back home and the smile I received after asking told me the answer right away. She was so happy to share it with me.
Below is the testimony of Jovanice, written in her own words. I pray it blesses you as much as it blessed me.
"I was born in Uganda in the village called Kaberebere Isingiro. My parents were uneducated and were of different religions. (Father a catholic and mother a protestant). My father was a rude and quarrelsome man, he used to punish us heavily plus my mother. Because I used to see my mother sad and my sisters telling me how ugly I am, I hated myself. When I saw the stories of David and Joseph I learnt to pray, to be loved by God like them. So I gave my life to God.
My father died when I was in Primary three, leaving 10 wives and 28 children all our properties were taken away. My mother tried hard to educate us (6 girls), reaching in primary seven my mother died.
My elder sister (a teacher) tried hard and paid for me up to university second year, she planned to go for further studies, so I had to get a dead year. To finish my year I had to accept a man’s request to pay for me. (I never knew that he wanted a woman to be a sacrifice for their gods). After producing I was remaining with only research, when I asked him for money he only abused me! He told me how ugly, dormant, and useless I am. What I had to do was to pray and fast and be protected by God.
God gave me a good idea to borrow money from my sister to start a shop; when the girls was 1 and a half years my “husband” took away my third year documents, all the money I had on the account and wrote me a three page letter “divorcing” me, telling me he is no longer my husband.
I had nowhere to go, only to my one and only father God. When I went to my twin sister for help and shelter she directed me to a woman thinking that she would help me, she turned to be a witch. She advised me to kill my husband. I thought of Jesus to betray him, I felt pain but I had nothing to do but to accept then I read in Hebrews 13:6, Very weak and helpless and hopeless after reading it prepared to do revenge. God brought my elder sister who connected me to the reverend by God’s mercy he accepted my request.
But, remember, the devil cannot and will never rest. A few weeks before, my roommate invited a pastor to pray for her, in the same time her boyfriend came so because of hospitality I had to attend to the “pastor” who ended up raping me. By now am an orphan, divorced, uneducated and also suspected to be having AIDS (am waiting after one months to go for the check up.) I thank God all these thorns and oppressions I still trust and have hope in God.
I have forgiven “my husband” and am fasting and praying for God to change him into a true believer. Also I am fasting and praying for the pastor, God to open his eyes and serve him in truth and faith. I love them, respect them and wish to be happy together in heaven.
My strength is the word of God. When my heartbeats it is telling Jesus “I love you”. When I am breathing in and out I am saying “Praise Jesus”. My great thought is pray, pray or perish!"
Jova is an incredible woman. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get to know her and serve our great God together. Thank you all for your support on this journey. You bless me.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some amazing people since my time here in Uganda. Some of the staff I see more than others but each and every one of them blesses me in some way. They have been extremely supportive, encouraging, engaging, helpful, and eager to teach me their ways and language. I thank God for each and every one of them.
One of the teachers has been a huge blessing to me during my time here. Her name is Jovanice or Jova for short. When I see her in the morning I always have to get a hug from her and receive a huge smile. Her daughter Juanita will come running towards me screaming “TEACHER JAIMIE!” The joy that this family has brought me is unexplainable. There has always been something about Jova that has blessed me so much. She is always worshipping God. Worshipping God isn’t just singing songs and praises, but a way of life; it is very evident in Jova's everyday life. I don’t know if there is a single moment in the day where she isn’t worshipping or praising God.
A few weeks ago I was asked to give a lesson for the kids church, which is outside the school campus, and the children in the village attend as well as the primary teachers. I was nervous to share and was reluctant to do so but God took me to the church and the Spirit gave me the words to say. I talked about Isaiah 54 and how mighty our God is and that no matter what we are going through. He is great and He is aware of all our afflictions and trials. After the service Jova came to give me a big hug and told me how God used me to speak to her and if only I knew her testimony.
This week Shawna, (a friend who is helping me with all my communications) gave me an idea of getting a picture of a teacher I work with and a short bio about them. I began to think of who would be willing and a good candidate for something like this. Then I remembered Sunday after service and Jova. I knew that if God could use her to bless me as much as she has than I should share those blessings with others. I asked her if I could share her testimony with people back home and the smile I received after asking told me the answer right away. She was so happy to share it with me.
Below is the testimony of Jovanice, written in her own words. I pray it blesses you as much as it blessed me.
"I was born in Uganda in the village called Kaberebere Isingiro. My parents were uneducated and were of different religions. (Father a catholic and mother a protestant). My father was a rude and quarrelsome man, he used to punish us heavily plus my mother. Because I used to see my mother sad and my sisters telling me how ugly I am, I hated myself. When I saw the stories of David and Joseph I learnt to pray, to be loved by God like them. So I gave my life to God.
My father died when I was in Primary three, leaving 10 wives and 28 children all our properties were taken away. My mother tried hard to educate us (6 girls), reaching in primary seven my mother died.
My elder sister (a teacher) tried hard and paid for me up to university second year, she planned to go for further studies, so I had to get a dead year. To finish my year I had to accept a man’s request to pay for me. (I never knew that he wanted a woman to be a sacrifice for their gods). After producing I was remaining with only research, when I asked him for money he only abused me! He told me how ugly, dormant, and useless I am. What I had to do was to pray and fast and be protected by God.
God gave me a good idea to borrow money from my sister to start a shop; when the girls was 1 and a half years my “husband” took away my third year documents, all the money I had on the account and wrote me a three page letter “divorcing” me, telling me he is no longer my husband.
I had nowhere to go, only to my one and only father God. When I went to my twin sister for help and shelter she directed me to a woman thinking that she would help me, she turned to be a witch. She advised me to kill my husband. I thought of Jesus to betray him, I felt pain but I had nothing to do but to accept then I read in Hebrews 13:6, Very weak and helpless and hopeless after reading it prepared to do revenge. God brought my elder sister who connected me to the reverend by God’s mercy he accepted my request.
But, remember, the devil cannot and will never rest. A few weeks before, my roommate invited a pastor to pray for her, in the same time her boyfriend came so because of hospitality I had to attend to the “pastor” who ended up raping me. By now am an orphan, divorced, uneducated and also suspected to be having AIDS (am waiting after one months to go for the check up.) I thank God all these thorns and oppressions I still trust and have hope in God.
I have forgiven “my husband” and am fasting and praying for God to change him into a true believer. Also I am fasting and praying for the pastor, God to open his eyes and serve him in truth and faith. I love them, respect them and wish to be happy together in heaven.
My strength is the word of God. When my heartbeats it is telling Jesus “I love you”. When I am breathing in and out I am saying “Praise Jesus”. My great thought is pray, pray or perish!"
Jova is an incredible woman. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get to know her and serve our great God together. Thank you all for your support on this journey. You bless me.
UPDATE
10.6.15
It has been a month since I have been in Uganda but it feels like I have been here forever already. I am so blessed with all that God is showing me and teaching me while I have been here. I would like to thank each and everyone who has been praying for me. Here are some updates for you all:
1. We have finished the units in math for P4 and P5 so I am now preparing our next units. In P4 we will be discussing length, mass and capacity. In P5 we are moving onto Algebra and solving equations.
2. I am not fluent in runyankore but I am definitely learning it and remembering it. I honestly believe that the devil is using this barrier to discourage me but I refuse to allow it! My P5 students are constantly teaching me new words and testing my vocabulary. Parents are surprised when I can respond to one of the million greetings with the correct responses. The other teachers I live with are always guiding me and teaching me. Thank you again for all the prayers!
3. I have learned how to wash clothes with my hands and they meet the Uganda standards of cleanliness instead of the Jaimie standard. Praise God for this accomplishment. haha
4. I prepare my own breakfast now using a propane tank, soon I will be preparing meals with the charcoal burners but for now we are taking baby steps. It's the little victories!
Prayer Requests:
• One of the girls I live with has malaria; she is getting better but put her in your prayers for a quick recovery. Also, my co-teacher has malaria as well as typhoid. Keep her in your prayers for strength and a full recovery.
• The third term for Uganda education is always the most stressful for the students especially S4 and S6 as they take exams which would be equivalent to the ACT or SAT. Please, keep these students in your prayers for energy to read, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
• Continue to pray for me that I will have strength, courage, discernment, and most importantly love.
I thank you all for the support and prayers I have received.I can definitely feel the spiritual support I have! I could not do this without you.
Love,
Jaimie
It has been a month since I have been in Uganda but it feels like I have been here forever already. I am so blessed with all that God is showing me and teaching me while I have been here. I would like to thank each and everyone who has been praying for me. Here are some updates for you all:
1. We have finished the units in math for P4 and P5 so I am now preparing our next units. In P4 we will be discussing length, mass and capacity. In P5 we are moving onto Algebra and solving equations.
2. I am not fluent in runyankore but I am definitely learning it and remembering it. I honestly believe that the devil is using this barrier to discourage me but I refuse to allow it! My P5 students are constantly teaching me new words and testing my vocabulary. Parents are surprised when I can respond to one of the million greetings with the correct responses. The other teachers I live with are always guiding me and teaching me. Thank you again for all the prayers!
3. I have learned how to wash clothes with my hands and they meet the Uganda standards of cleanliness instead of the Jaimie standard. Praise God for this accomplishment. haha
4. I prepare my own breakfast now using a propane tank, soon I will be preparing meals with the charcoal burners but for now we are taking baby steps. It's the little victories!
Prayer Requests:
• One of the girls I live with has malaria; she is getting better but put her in your prayers for a quick recovery. Also, my co-teacher has malaria as well as typhoid. Keep her in your prayers for strength and a full recovery.
• The third term for Uganda education is always the most stressful for the students especially S4 and S6 as they take exams which would be equivalent to the ACT or SAT. Please, keep these students in your prayers for energy to read, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
• Continue to pray for me that I will have strength, courage, discernment, and most importantly love.
I thank you all for the support and prayers I have received.I can definitely feel the spiritual support I have! I could not do this without you.
Love,
Jaimie
T.I.A. (THIS IS AFRICA)
9.17.15
I have been in Uganda for two weeks now and have learned so much already. God is definitely bigger and greater than any human being could ever comprehend. I am so blessed to serve such an amazing God who knows every corner of the world. Whether you are in America or Uganda God speaks and His word reigns truth.
During these two weeks, I have been teaching math to the P4 and P5 classes. In P4 we have been discussing algebra. In P5 we have been discussing integers and their properties. The students love that I am back and are always excited when we finish a lesson early because then they get to ask me questions about America. I am slowly learning more of the culture and more of the language, my students love to speak to me in Runyankoele and help me figure out the meaning of new words. I am so blessed to have such amazing teachers in my students.
I also was able to do some little sight seeing this past weekend as well. After driving through potholes, over a bridge made with wood pallets and over many hills we reached Katete falls. It was so fun to be able to slope down to walk on rocks by the falls and climb right next to water.
Also, for your enjoyment here is some things that make me just say T.I.A (This is Africa)
1. I was riding in a car with a chicken!
2. Some kids were chasing a goat all over the yard.
3. While driving to the school you randomly here someone yell out “COW!” yes we had to lay on the horn and get out of the way for the cow. They have the right of way here.
I think that’s it for now but I will be letting you know more of the crazy things I see and all that God is continually doing in my life here as He continues to show His face and will for my life.
God Bless,
Jaimie
I have been in Uganda for two weeks now and have learned so much already. God is definitely bigger and greater than any human being could ever comprehend. I am so blessed to serve such an amazing God who knows every corner of the world. Whether you are in America or Uganda God speaks and His word reigns truth.
During these two weeks, I have been teaching math to the P4 and P5 classes. In P4 we have been discussing algebra. In P5 we have been discussing integers and their properties. The students love that I am back and are always excited when we finish a lesson early because then they get to ask me questions about America. I am slowly learning more of the culture and more of the language, my students love to speak to me in Runyankoele and help me figure out the meaning of new words. I am so blessed to have such amazing teachers in my students.
I also was able to do some little sight seeing this past weekend as well. After driving through potholes, over a bridge made with wood pallets and over many hills we reached Katete falls. It was so fun to be able to slope down to walk on rocks by the falls and climb right next to water.
Also, for your enjoyment here is some things that make me just say T.I.A (This is Africa)
1. I was riding in a car with a chicken!
2. Some kids were chasing a goat all over the yard.
3. While driving to the school you randomly here someone yell out “COW!” yes we had to lay on the horn and get out of the way for the cow. They have the right of way here.
I think that’s it for now but I will be letting you know more of the crazy things I see and all that God is continually doing in my life here as He continues to show His face and will for my life.
God Bless,
Jaimie
LOVE LIKE AN OCEAN
8.31.15
I am currently sitting at the Boston airport and it is currently hitting me that I am going to Uganda. It really hasn't been real until now. It hit me while flying over the Atlantic Ocean coming into Boston, I looked out my window and all I could see was water and it was beautiful! I began to think how God's love is so much more than even all the oceans, and when your 30,000 feet in the air and you only see water you get a very small glimpse of how deep and wide the love of Christ is. This very small glimpse is enough to shatter your heart while sitting in an airplane.
I have been so overwhelmed with love the last few weeks and I know there was so much more that was kept in secret. Traveling across the world for Christ can be a scary thing but also a very exciting thing. My heart is at peace because I know I serve an amazing God who loves His children and grants the desires of their hearts. I also know I have an amazing support system back home. I have family, friends, prayer warriors, financial sponsors, an incredible church family, and pastors that are all behind me and sending me encouragement when I need it the most! I want to thank each and everyone of you for all of the love you have shown! My cup runneth over and it is now my prayer to be able to share this amazing love with those in the village and communities of Uganda. Please keep in prayer that they will see Christ through my love and actions.
God bless,
Jaimie
I am currently sitting at the Boston airport and it is currently hitting me that I am going to Uganda. It really hasn't been real until now. It hit me while flying over the Atlantic Ocean coming into Boston, I looked out my window and all I could see was water and it was beautiful! I began to think how God's love is so much more than even all the oceans, and when your 30,000 feet in the air and you only see water you get a very small glimpse of how deep and wide the love of Christ is. This very small glimpse is enough to shatter your heart while sitting in an airplane.
I have been so overwhelmed with love the last few weeks and I know there was so much more that was kept in secret. Traveling across the world for Christ can be a scary thing but also a very exciting thing. My heart is at peace because I know I serve an amazing God who loves His children and grants the desires of their hearts. I also know I have an amazing support system back home. I have family, friends, prayer warriors, financial sponsors, an incredible church family, and pastors that are all behind me and sending me encouragement when I need it the most! I want to thank each and everyone of you for all of the love you have shown! My cup runneth over and it is now my prayer to be able to share this amazing love with those in the village and communities of Uganda. Please keep in prayer that they will see Christ through my love and actions.
God bless,
Jaimie
TRUST
6.20.15
"Trust in Him at all times o people, pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us."
~ Psalm 62:8 ~
It is officially official, my plane ticket is purchased! I will be leaving August 31st and returning May 10th. You may be wondering why I am writing a blog post about this instead of just updating my status or tweet about it, but how could I just add this to a news feed without sharing the story behind this great event.
I have been watching plane tickets for months now waiting for the day that I could finally see far enough into the future to book a round trip ticket. Last week I could finally see prices into May but had a few minor things to situate before I could purchase one. I kept watching ticket prices rise and fall, meanwhile, I was on a mission to sell my motorcycle to come up with the rest of the money for the ticket.
Last week, I had found out that no one was following through with my bike sale, plane tickets were rising and I was discouraged. I asked friends to pray along side me and push me through my discouragement. You see.. even though I was discouraged in my heart I knew that it was silly to be discouraged, I serve a big God and he is able to provide all we ask and even more!
Here is where the good part comes... I told my dad how frustrated I was getting about my bike and people backing down. I wanted to drop the price on my bike significantly below value but he told me to wait and just drop it a little. A few days later my dad asked if I was ready to buy my plane ticket, I had to explain to him that I only had $700 saved and was waiting for my bike to sell for the rest. He then proceeded to ask that if I he paid for my ticket was I ready, I couldn't even respond. I only had to wait until Friday to get it.
This week I have been checking plane tickets everyday monitoring price changes, I was so happy they were staying the same price, well... at least until Thursday. I went on to check again and they were $500 more than the day before. Discouragement settled in my heart again but only briefly, I knew that God would lower the tickets again if only I was patient, I prayed over and over that He would provide if this is what I truly was called to do.
I decided today I would check them again to see where they were at and was so happy when I saw them back down to where they had been before! I told my dad and he gave me his card to buy the tickets. I gave him the money I had been saving for my plane ticket and he just gave it back to me telling me that he wanted to pay for it all.
Life can be filled with discouragements, trials, bumps and twists but I want you to remember we serve a real God. A God who is a refuge for us. All we have to do is trust in Him and pour our hearts out! Glory be to Him who is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine!
Blessings,
Jaimie
"Trust in Him at all times o people, pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us."
~ Psalm 62:8 ~
It is officially official, my plane ticket is purchased! I will be leaving August 31st and returning May 10th. You may be wondering why I am writing a blog post about this instead of just updating my status or tweet about it, but how could I just add this to a news feed without sharing the story behind this great event.
I have been watching plane tickets for months now waiting for the day that I could finally see far enough into the future to book a round trip ticket. Last week I could finally see prices into May but had a few minor things to situate before I could purchase one. I kept watching ticket prices rise and fall, meanwhile, I was on a mission to sell my motorcycle to come up with the rest of the money for the ticket.
Last week, I had found out that no one was following through with my bike sale, plane tickets were rising and I was discouraged. I asked friends to pray along side me and push me through my discouragement. You see.. even though I was discouraged in my heart I knew that it was silly to be discouraged, I serve a big God and he is able to provide all we ask and even more!
Here is where the good part comes... I told my dad how frustrated I was getting about my bike and people backing down. I wanted to drop the price on my bike significantly below value but he told me to wait and just drop it a little. A few days later my dad asked if I was ready to buy my plane ticket, I had to explain to him that I only had $700 saved and was waiting for my bike to sell for the rest. He then proceeded to ask that if I he paid for my ticket was I ready, I couldn't even respond. I only had to wait until Friday to get it.
This week I have been checking plane tickets everyday monitoring price changes, I was so happy they were staying the same price, well... at least until Thursday. I went on to check again and they were $500 more than the day before. Discouragement settled in my heart again but only briefly, I knew that God would lower the tickets again if only I was patient, I prayed over and over that He would provide if this is what I truly was called to do.
I decided today I would check them again to see where they were at and was so happy when I saw them back down to where they had been before! I told my dad and he gave me his card to buy the tickets. I gave him the money I had been saving for my plane ticket and he just gave it back to me telling me that he wanted to pay for it all.
Life can be filled with discouragements, trials, bumps and twists but I want you to remember we serve a real God. A God who is a refuge for us. All we have to do is trust in Him and pour our hearts out! Glory be to Him who is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine!
Blessings,
Jaimie
ENDURANCE
6.7.15
"But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships,
calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience,
kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, by truthful speech, and the power of God..."
~ 2 Corinthians 6:4-7~
I have three months before I will be getting on a plane and flying across the ocean to my home away from home. When I started this journey I knew it wouldn't be a smooth road but tonight was the moment on this roller coaster where discouragement swept over my heart. I had to run to God. Honestly, I know in my heart that the Lord is going to prepare the way because He is in control and is trustworthy! However, discouragements, doubts, and sleepless nights are starting to creep into my heart and head. I am so thankful for this truth from Paul found in a letter to the Corinthians.
You see, even though afflictions, hardships, beatings, sleepless nights, and hunger are going to take part in this journey I still have a duty as a servant of God to commend myself by GREAT ENDURANCE! Endurance means to persevere, to persist, to continue, to not give up even when forces are against you. I still believe that God has called me to Uganda and as long as that calling is true I will endure and run this race with all I have.
As long as we are living, we have a life and if we have a life we know that sometimes; life happens. It is my continuous prayer for myself and everyone going through hardships, afflictions, calamities that we have knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, and the power of God to exhibit a great endurance to overcome and conquer all that life throws our way.
I ask that you stand with me in prayer these next 11 months as I prepare and serve overseas.
Desperately seeking trust, patience, and endurance as I prepare; courage, strength, and genuine love as I serve.
Blessings,
Jaimie
"But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships,
calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience,
kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, by truthful speech, and the power of God..."
~ 2 Corinthians 6:4-7~
I have three months before I will be getting on a plane and flying across the ocean to my home away from home. When I started this journey I knew it wouldn't be a smooth road but tonight was the moment on this roller coaster where discouragement swept over my heart. I had to run to God. Honestly, I know in my heart that the Lord is going to prepare the way because He is in control and is trustworthy! However, discouragements, doubts, and sleepless nights are starting to creep into my heart and head. I am so thankful for this truth from Paul found in a letter to the Corinthians.
You see, even though afflictions, hardships, beatings, sleepless nights, and hunger are going to take part in this journey I still have a duty as a servant of God to commend myself by GREAT ENDURANCE! Endurance means to persevere, to persist, to continue, to not give up even when forces are against you. I still believe that God has called me to Uganda and as long as that calling is true I will endure and run this race with all I have.
As long as we are living, we have a life and if we have a life we know that sometimes; life happens. It is my continuous prayer for myself and everyone going through hardships, afflictions, calamities that we have knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, and the power of God to exhibit a great endurance to overcome and conquer all that life throws our way.
I ask that you stand with me in prayer these next 11 months as I prepare and serve overseas.
Desperately seeking trust, patience, and endurance as I prepare; courage, strength, and genuine love as I serve.
Blessings,
Jaimie
PREPARATION
5.5.15
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
~ Jeremiah 1:5 ~
So often people shake their heads after hearing my story as they say "I could never do that!" With my upcoming trip in August, I am hearing this response more and more. I never really know how to respond to that statement because it is so easy for me to take up my roots and go live in a cement house with no electricity and minimal water supply. It is so easy for me to walk through red dirt and not get upset at night when my feet are tinted with the dust from the day. It is easy for me to change plans at the drop of a hat and go with the flow of life.
I came across Jeremiah 1:5 a couple days ago and it has stuck with me ever since. It creates all sorts of feelings inside me to know that before I, Jaimie Towns, was even formed God had this plan for my life. Before I was even born He declared me and appointed me to His works. It is exciting to look back at my life and see all the sculpting the Lord has done in my life to get me to this place and time. When I was a kid I thought it was all fun in games to go camping every weekend during the summer; to live in a tent or trailer for days at the time. It was just another day running around the campground with no shoes on, or showering under a hose at the cabin to get mud off after hiking through swamps. Looking back I see these events as preparation as to what was to come. I don't think it is a coincidence that I wasn't born into a 5 star hotel kind of family. (not saying those family are negative in anyway or that God doesn't have a purpose for 5 star hotel families) I just am so amazed that I have been getting prepared for this day since I was a little girl.
The time is getting close and I take hope in the fact that the Lord knows me, and He has known me since before I was even formed. He has a plan for me and you. Take hope and refuge in Him, He will make the way for you as He made the way for me!
Blessing,
Jaimie
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
~ Jeremiah 1:5 ~
So often people shake their heads after hearing my story as they say "I could never do that!" With my upcoming trip in August, I am hearing this response more and more. I never really know how to respond to that statement because it is so easy for me to take up my roots and go live in a cement house with no electricity and minimal water supply. It is so easy for me to walk through red dirt and not get upset at night when my feet are tinted with the dust from the day. It is easy for me to change plans at the drop of a hat and go with the flow of life.
I came across Jeremiah 1:5 a couple days ago and it has stuck with me ever since. It creates all sorts of feelings inside me to know that before I, Jaimie Towns, was even formed God had this plan for my life. Before I was even born He declared me and appointed me to His works. It is exciting to look back at my life and see all the sculpting the Lord has done in my life to get me to this place and time. When I was a kid I thought it was all fun in games to go camping every weekend during the summer; to live in a tent or trailer for days at the time. It was just another day running around the campground with no shoes on, or showering under a hose at the cabin to get mud off after hiking through swamps. Looking back I see these events as preparation as to what was to come. I don't think it is a coincidence that I wasn't born into a 5 star hotel kind of family. (not saying those family are negative in anyway or that God doesn't have a purpose for 5 star hotel families) I just am so amazed that I have been getting prepared for this day since I was a little girl.
The time is getting close and I take hope in the fact that the Lord knows me, and He has known me since before I was even formed. He has a plan for me and you. Take hope and refuge in Him, He will make the way for you as He made the way for me!
Blessing,
Jaimie
REFLECTION
6.6.14
As I sit on the airplane flying home I keep thinking about all the amazing things God has shown me this trip. I am so blessed and grateful for those who have helped spiritually and financially.
Before this trip my dream was to move to Uganda and teach, since this trip thought I have realized that I don’t want to just move to uganda and teach I have to do something more! Waking up and seeing students from different walks of life, seeing teachers copy everything on a chalkboard because they only have 1 copy of a book for class, and seeing classrooms that are partially finished. I saw all these obstacles as a teacher and student at Good Shepherd Kindergarten (GSK) but amongst all these challenges there is an explainable hope. After talkig to the head teacher about some of the challenges I realized how easy it could be to help but at the same time it would require myself and the average christian american to deny themselves and begin to live a radical life.
My dream isn’t just to move to Uganda and teach my dream is to start to live radically and start sponsoring GSK to partner with PIM and KSVS and become united in their vision of building a campus that brings hope, brings love, that brings refuge and brings the Lord into a community that is caught in a viscisous cycle. God is not done with this city and there is no doubt in my mind that He is going to do amazing things in Kamwenge. And when He asks who should I send? I will yell HERE I AM SEND ME!!
TEXTBOOK CHALLENGE
One textbook in Uganda costs less than $8, how much does a typical american spend at a coffee shop or fast food restaurant even when there is food in your fridge. The lord has laid it on my heart to raid funds for textbooks for the school and I invite you to join in. My goal is to have raised funds for 500 textbooks by fall. I encourage you to help and think twice before going out to eat and perhaps you can use that money to help students half way across the world get a better learning environment. You could help make a teachers job a little easier among all the other challenges faced day by day.
Am so blessed to have had this opportunity to be used by God and I am in prayer that I will continue to be used by God in this community. Please message me if you feel lead to help me.
Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for me, who supported me financially and who donated school supplies for the school! You all will be blessed abundantly!
Mukama Asiimwe,
Jaimie
As I sit on the airplane flying home I keep thinking about all the amazing things God has shown me this trip. I am so blessed and grateful for those who have helped spiritually and financially.
Before this trip my dream was to move to Uganda and teach, since this trip thought I have realized that I don’t want to just move to uganda and teach I have to do something more! Waking up and seeing students from different walks of life, seeing teachers copy everything on a chalkboard because they only have 1 copy of a book for class, and seeing classrooms that are partially finished. I saw all these obstacles as a teacher and student at Good Shepherd Kindergarten (GSK) but amongst all these challenges there is an explainable hope. After talkig to the head teacher about some of the challenges I realized how easy it could be to help but at the same time it would require myself and the average christian american to deny themselves and begin to live a radical life.
My dream isn’t just to move to Uganda and teach my dream is to start to live radically and start sponsoring GSK to partner with PIM and KSVS and become united in their vision of building a campus that brings hope, brings love, that brings refuge and brings the Lord into a community that is caught in a viscisous cycle. God is not done with this city and there is no doubt in my mind that He is going to do amazing things in Kamwenge. And when He asks who should I send? I will yell HERE I AM SEND ME!!
TEXTBOOK CHALLENGE
One textbook in Uganda costs less than $8, how much does a typical american spend at a coffee shop or fast food restaurant even when there is food in your fridge. The lord has laid it on my heart to raid funds for textbooks for the school and I invite you to join in. My goal is to have raised funds for 500 textbooks by fall. I encourage you to help and think twice before going out to eat and perhaps you can use that money to help students half way across the world get a better learning environment. You could help make a teachers job a little easier among all the other challenges faced day by day.
Am so blessed to have had this opportunity to be used by God and I am in prayer that I will continue to be used by God in this community. Please message me if you feel lead to help me.
Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for me, who supported me financially and who donated school supplies for the school! You all will be blessed abundantly!
Mukama Asiimwe,
Jaimie
JOURNAL ENTRY
5.24.14
The last couple days at the school have been eye opening to say the least. I keep looking around and asking myself is this really my life.It is crazy to think of how my life would be if I stay in America and teach how wonderful it would be to have a classroom with electricity, air conditioning, a computer, smart board, and books for every student but even when I think of all that there is nothing I want more than walking past goats and chickens on my way to teach in a classroom with dirt floors, a classroom without computers, a classroom where i have to write everything on a chalk board because there are only 4 books for a class of 19 students. I have found myself in awe just looking at the view from the classroom and thinking there is no where else I would rather be than right here. Part of me is still unsure of exactly what I should be doing but I know Uganda is my home and I am ready o do whatever the Lord has planned for me. I am so blessed with the prayers and support and hopeful that the Lord will continue to provide when there seems to be no way. I have learned that my thinking is right when I say I can’t do this, and that moving to Uganda is crazy and unrealistic because it’s true.. I can’t do this but I serve a God who is far more powerful than me and the obstacles that arise when planning on moving here! The one lesson I have learned so far is to trust in the Lord. Give my whole life to Him, all of it, and let go of all control. There is so much going on in my head and heart right now but I know as long as I stay in the Word and trusting in the Lord, rejoicing every day, I will be alright! ALL IS WELL!!
The last couple days at the school have been eye opening to say the least. I keep looking around and asking myself is this really my life.It is crazy to think of how my life would be if I stay in America and teach how wonderful it would be to have a classroom with electricity, air conditioning, a computer, smart board, and books for every student but even when I think of all that there is nothing I want more than walking past goats and chickens on my way to teach in a classroom with dirt floors, a classroom without computers, a classroom where i have to write everything on a chalk board because there are only 4 books for a class of 19 students. I have found myself in awe just looking at the view from the classroom and thinking there is no where else I would rather be than right here. Part of me is still unsure of exactly what I should be doing but I know Uganda is my home and I am ready o do whatever the Lord has planned for me. I am so blessed with the prayers and support and hopeful that the Lord will continue to provide when there seems to be no way. I have learned that my thinking is right when I say I can’t do this, and that moving to Uganda is crazy and unrealistic because it’s true.. I can’t do this but I serve a God who is far more powerful than me and the obstacles that arise when planning on moving here! The one lesson I have learned so far is to trust in the Lord. Give my whole life to Him, all of it, and let go of all control. There is so much going on in my head and heart right now but I know as long as I stay in the Word and trusting in the Lord, rejoicing every day, I will be alright! ALL IS WELL!!
UGANDA 2014 | HALFWAY POINT
Sorry that I haven’t been able to do daily updates, internet and electricity aren’t extremely accessible here. I have officially been in Uganda for 2 weeks now and have 2 weeks left. The first 2 weeks were incredible but I know the next 2 weeks are going to be even more amazing! I am so thankful and so blessed that Shawna was able to come and experience Uganda and see the passion I have for this place first hand! We experienced some crazy things the first 2 weeks as well.
We took Shawna back to the airport yesterday and then drove back to Mbarara through the night and today I was able to wash my clothes again and am resting, preparing to go to the school tomorrow to spend the remaining of my time loving on students and conducting a teacher workshop for the primary school teachers!
I am so blessed and can’t wait to see what God continues to do in my heart and my life!
Thank you for the prayers and support!
Love,
Nimurungi Jaimie Lynn Towns Village!
- We got chickens
- I washed my clothes (attempting to become a true African woman)
- I peeled matooke (a type of banana)
- I roasted corn over a charcal burner
- We were able to pray with families from the school
- We visited houses around the school
- We got chased by a hippo
- We were within 20 feet from an elephant! < SCARY!!
- Shawna almost got chased by an elephant!
- We taught people the definition of Selfie and #hashtag
- We got to play games with the most amazing children!
- We went to an Ugandan giveaway and wedding
- We worshipped the one true God with people who speak another language and live across the world from America!
- I got a new nickname!
- I got to hold a one month old baby
- I prepared spaghetti for lunch on a charcoal stove
- I was in the nile river
We took Shawna back to the airport yesterday and then drove back to Mbarara through the night and today I was able to wash my clothes again and am resting, preparing to go to the school tomorrow to spend the remaining of my time loving on students and conducting a teacher workshop for the primary school teachers!
I am so blessed and can’t wait to see what God continues to do in my heart and my life!
Thank you for the prayers and support!
Love,
Nimurungi Jaimie Lynn Towns Village!
UGANDA 2014 | DAY 2 | AMSTERDAM
5.4.14
We arrived in Amsterdam today and got to shower! Yes, it is the little things like showering that makes travelers smile!
Our plan was to go to a Chinese restaurant one of Shawna's friends told us about then go to a record store to find his record and then visit the ann frank house... We didn't get very far. By the time we got to the hotel and showered it was 3:30 our time. We grabbed our map and started walking to find Wok to Walk. This was probably the coolest Chinese restaurant and it was so delicious!
We were able to sit and take in the culture of Amsterdam, which is extremely fashionable! We then set out to find a record store. Here is what we learn... Don't trust Jaimie with a map! We got turned around more than once and when we finally found the record store but couldn't find her friends record, which was a huge let down. By the time we found the record store it was around 5:30 and the ann frank house closed at 7 so we weren't able to make it that far. However, walking around the streets of Amsterdam was pretty sweet.
All in all I am just ready to be in Uganda and getting tired of traveling. We are getting to bed early tonight and leaving tomorrow morning around 11 our time (5am US time). Will continue to blog as I can but internet in Uganda is not so frequent. Thank you all again for your support and prayer! So excited to see what God does this summer.
ANSWERED PRAYER REQUEST! Rev John is out of bed and seems to be doing better. Continue to pray for healing for fully recovery.
Prayer request:
We arrived in Amsterdam today and got to shower! Yes, it is the little things like showering that makes travelers smile!
Our plan was to go to a Chinese restaurant one of Shawna's friends told us about then go to a record store to find his record and then visit the ann frank house... We didn't get very far. By the time we got to the hotel and showered it was 3:30 our time. We grabbed our map and started walking to find Wok to Walk. This was probably the coolest Chinese restaurant and it was so delicious!
We were able to sit and take in the culture of Amsterdam, which is extremely fashionable! We then set out to find a record store. Here is what we learn... Don't trust Jaimie with a map! We got turned around more than once and when we finally found the record store but couldn't find her friends record, which was a huge let down. By the time we found the record store it was around 5:30 and the ann frank house closed at 7 so we weren't able to make it that far. However, walking around the streets of Amsterdam was pretty sweet.
All in all I am just ready to be in Uganda and getting tired of traveling. We are getting to bed early tonight and leaving tomorrow morning around 11 our time (5am US time). Will continue to blog as I can but internet in Uganda is not so frequent. Thank you all again for your support and prayer! So excited to see what God does this summer.
ANSWERED PRAYER REQUEST! Rev John is out of bed and seems to be doing better. Continue to pray for healing for fully recovery.
Prayer request:
- We don't sleep in tomorrow and miss our shuttle back to the airport
- Everything goes smoothly tomorrow morning at the airport
- For Shawna and I to continue to keep focused on God's plan for this trip and to stay well rested
UGANDA 2014 | DAY 1 | PART 2
5.3.14
Am now sitting in the airport at Houston waiting to board the plane for Amsterdam.
Houston was a blast I was able to leave the airport and see my best friend heather who moved shortly after high school graduation! It was so amazing to get to catch up and do some little sight seeing in Houston as well as get some last minute items we forgot to pack.
I am excited to continue this journey but continue to ask for prayers, I am stressing about Amsterdam we have to get our luggage to a small hotel and recheck them the following morning. I ask that things run smoothly and everything works out.
Fear not for I am with you neither be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will help you and I will uphold you in my righteous hand.
~Isaiah 41:10
Thank you all for the support!
God bless,
Jaimie
Am now sitting in the airport at Houston waiting to board the plane for Amsterdam.
Houston was a blast I was able to leave the airport and see my best friend heather who moved shortly after high school graduation! It was so amazing to get to catch up and do some little sight seeing in Houston as well as get some last minute items we forgot to pack.
I am excited to continue this journey but continue to ask for prayers, I am stressing about Amsterdam we have to get our luggage to a small hotel and recheck them the following morning. I ask that things run smoothly and everything works out.
Fear not for I am with you neither be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will help you and I will uphold you in my righteous hand.
~Isaiah 41:10
Thank you all for the support!
God bless,
Jaimie
UGANDA 2014 | DAY 1 | PART 1
5.3.14
Well, people yelled at me when I told them I would attempt to blog during this trip. Everyone was telling me that I had to so people back home could see what I was doing and that everyone would want to read this. I guess I just struggle with the fact that I probably find things way more interesting when it comes to Uganda but nevertheless here I go. This will be my blog during this trip and it will be filled with spelling and grammatical errors so just embrace it.
Am sitting at the airport now and let me tell you an hour of sleep is not enough when you are going on a month mission trip but looking forward to sleeping on the plane rides.
Highlights of this trip thus far:
1. Smooth sailing through security and check in
2. I FINALLY got caribou coffee!!!
3. I got to say goodbye to Rachel and the whole Robare clan at their gate!
4. I don't have to take all my luggage with me when I need to use the restroom or get food because SHAWNA is with me!!
Needless to say I am beyond blessed and feeling so loved! Thank you all for the support and continued prayers!
Prayer requests:
1. Rev. John has malaria right now so pray he recovers quickly.
2. For Shawna and I to get the rest we desperately need
3. For our hearts to be open and for God to tear down our walls and allow us to experience His love!
God bless,
Jaimie
Well, people yelled at me when I told them I would attempt to blog during this trip. Everyone was telling me that I had to so people back home could see what I was doing and that everyone would want to read this. I guess I just struggle with the fact that I probably find things way more interesting when it comes to Uganda but nevertheless here I go. This will be my blog during this trip and it will be filled with spelling and grammatical errors so just embrace it.
Am sitting at the airport now and let me tell you an hour of sleep is not enough when you are going on a month mission trip but looking forward to sleeping on the plane rides.
Highlights of this trip thus far:
1. Smooth sailing through security and check in
2. I FINALLY got caribou coffee!!!
3. I got to say goodbye to Rachel and the whole Robare clan at their gate!
4. I don't have to take all my luggage with me when I need to use the restroom or get food because SHAWNA is with me!!
Needless to say I am beyond blessed and feeling so loved! Thank you all for the support and continued prayers!
Prayer requests:
1. Rev. John has malaria right now so pray he recovers quickly.
2. For Shawna and I to get the rest we desperately need
3. For our hearts to be open and for God to tear down our walls and allow us to experience His love!
God bless,
Jaimie
JOY, FAITH, HOPE | POST FROM KSVS
8.3.13
I have officially spent 5 weeks at Good Shepherd Kindergarten located on the campus of Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School. (KSVS). There are so many challenges going on at the school like dust in the unfinished classrooms, a drought, and parents who either don’t have time to help their child succeed or choose not to. Even with these challenges the students are smiling, they are eager to learn, they are serious when it comes to their schoolwork.
Joanita and Phionah are two sisters in the P3 class. These two girls wake up early every morning to fetch water for their family of 8 people, to clean their compound, to prepare breakfast, and get ready and make it to school by 8:00AM. Their father won’t let them talk to their older sister or biological mother. Everyday they came to school with the biggest smiles on their faces eager and ready to learn.
Fabious is another student in P3, his father died when he was young his mom is renting a home but has no job. He aspires to be a doctor when he grows up and is a very good student. He loves to play football (soccer) and is always smiling.
Marvellous is another student in Top class. She is one of four children. The dad is at KSVS in A-Level. He is paying school fees for himself and his children. Her younger brother Obvious has been in and out of the hospital with health issues. She is a good student and aspires to be a doctor.
These are just a few stories of the 150 students in the Good Shepherd Kindergarten. There are about 20 students who are either single parent orphans or double parent orphans. The one thing I noticed the most during my 5 weeks at this school is these kids need the support and assurance that they can go beyond the village life. Most of these families end up in a vicious cycle of staying in the village lifestyle and never really venture outside. One thing I know for sure though that it is the same philosophy for those in the inner cities in the states. It takes just one person in the family to break the cycle. If we could unite and just help one person of each family succeed and go beyond what their environment suggest than I know this school, this village, this country would prosper.
There is evidence of this being done already. One of the former students of KSVS, studying in the woodshop vocation now owns his own shop just a few minutes down the road from the school. He is now building doors and furniture and making a living and difference in the community. I know that if we continue to support this school the stories will just increase beyond comprehension.
God is not done with this city; despite all the challenges there is joy, faith, hope and the greatest love. We only have one choice to make: are we in or are we out.
Be sure to check out Partner's in Mission website and facebook page!
Website: http://www.pim-africa.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PartnersInMission
I have officially spent 5 weeks at Good Shepherd Kindergarten located on the campus of Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School. (KSVS). There are so many challenges going on at the school like dust in the unfinished classrooms, a drought, and parents who either don’t have time to help their child succeed or choose not to. Even with these challenges the students are smiling, they are eager to learn, they are serious when it comes to their schoolwork.
Joanita and Phionah are two sisters in the P3 class. These two girls wake up early every morning to fetch water for their family of 8 people, to clean their compound, to prepare breakfast, and get ready and make it to school by 8:00AM. Their father won’t let them talk to their older sister or biological mother. Everyday they came to school with the biggest smiles on their faces eager and ready to learn.
Fabious is another student in P3, his father died when he was young his mom is renting a home but has no job. He aspires to be a doctor when he grows up and is a very good student. He loves to play football (soccer) and is always smiling.
Marvellous is another student in Top class. She is one of four children. The dad is at KSVS in A-Level. He is paying school fees for himself and his children. Her younger brother Obvious has been in and out of the hospital with health issues. She is a good student and aspires to be a doctor.
These are just a few stories of the 150 students in the Good Shepherd Kindergarten. There are about 20 students who are either single parent orphans or double parent orphans. The one thing I noticed the most during my 5 weeks at this school is these kids need the support and assurance that they can go beyond the village life. Most of these families end up in a vicious cycle of staying in the village lifestyle and never really venture outside. One thing I know for sure though that it is the same philosophy for those in the inner cities in the states. It takes just one person in the family to break the cycle. If we could unite and just help one person of each family succeed and go beyond what their environment suggest than I know this school, this village, this country would prosper.
There is evidence of this being done already. One of the former students of KSVS, studying in the woodshop vocation now owns his own shop just a few minutes down the road from the school. He is now building doors and furniture and making a living and difference in the community. I know that if we continue to support this school the stories will just increase beyond comprehension.
God is not done with this city; despite all the challenges there is joy, faith, hope and the greatest love. We only have one choice to make: are we in or are we out.
Be sure to check out Partner's in Mission website and facebook page!
Website: http://www.pim-africa.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PartnersInMission
TRUST, LOVE, AND TOW TRUCKS
5.25.13
In 3 weeks from today I will be arriving in Uganda, I still can't believe I am going to be there for six weeks. After my first post, I had a lot of people asking if I was going to keep writing or if I have given up on the blog. I have not given up and will continue to post through out this adventure for those who wish to join me.
Since my last post a lot has happen for me spiritually. Two topics have been repeatedly placed on my heart through out these weeks. Trust and Love. This post I will focus on the trust aspect of my life.
I have been constantly praying for an unexplainable trust in God, the ability to whole heartedly believe that He is in control of my life and for that reason whom shall I fear. I was just starting to feel like I had a trust for Him, I felt ready to honestly trust Him with my life, my possessions, my money. I could say "I trust in God to handle this..." or "God is in control of that..." I felt like I believed what I was saying too, until God decided to put this to the test this week and Friday morning.
I won't go into huge details about this week, but basically I was past the point of exhaustion everyday no matter what I did and I have the phases of exhaustion down pat thanks to college. I get slap happy first which was Monday- Tuesday but by the end of the week I slowly hit the phase of I am going to cry about anything.
So, being super exhausted this week yet continuing to find joy in God, I would still munster up energy to read my bible and prayer before I went to bed and was continually praying for strength for the next day. I was still "trusting" God, or so I thought. Friday morning while driving to work my car decided to just breakdown in the middle of the road. My first thought was "SERIOUSLY GOD!!! I really don't have time, energy or money to deal with this right now. WHY are you doing this!?" All day on Friday I was in a constant battle against myself. I kept freaking out about what I was going to, why this was happening now on a Holiday weekend, 3 weeks before I go on a mission trip. I was constantly reminding myself to trust in God, He has a plan, He is in control. I was still battling with the why part until this morning. God needed me to see that it is easy to say I trust you God but do I really trust Him. God has graciously shown me that there is definitely some room for improvement in the trust arena.
How often and how easy is it for us to say God I love you, or God I trust you, or God I give you my everything. We can say these things so easily and we say them often I least I do. How often do we believe what we are saying. Do our actions really show that we love God. How do we respond when trials come into our life. How do we respond when our car breaks down or when we get unexpected bills when we are already low in the accounts. It is my prayer for myself and you as well that we are filled with the power of the spirit to truly believe in what we say. That we may trust in God even when the storms come. I pray that we don't just throw around these statements but we reflect on our life and ask ourselves do we truly believe in what I am saying.
For those going through a trial or storm in life right now, take refuge in your Christ. You serve a REAL God who has fulfilled every promise, who has sent his one and only son for you, He is the alpha and the omega the beginning and the end. WE can trust in Him through the power of the spirit.
Here are some verses that have helped me with trusting God this week:
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not for I am with you, Be not dismayed for I am your God. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, I WILL HELP YOU, I WILL UPHOLD YOU in my righteous right hand.
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid I will trust in you
2 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe.
Psalm 62:8 TRUST in the Lord at all times. Pour your hearts before Him. God is a REFUGE for us.
Proverbs 3:5 TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Heavenly Father,
We come to you today pouring our hearts out to you, fill us with the power of your spirit. Allow us to have an unexplainable trust in you. We thank you for the love you have graciously given us, for never leaving us nor forsaking us. We thank you for being our refuge, our strong tower, our shield and our strength. Keep our feet firm in our faith and help us to not waver when trouble comes but to present all our fears and requests on you for you do care. We praise your name and rejoice in your love for us.
~Amen
In 3 weeks from today I will be arriving in Uganda, I still can't believe I am going to be there for six weeks. After my first post, I had a lot of people asking if I was going to keep writing or if I have given up on the blog. I have not given up and will continue to post through out this adventure for those who wish to join me.
Since my last post a lot has happen for me spiritually. Two topics have been repeatedly placed on my heart through out these weeks. Trust and Love. This post I will focus on the trust aspect of my life.
I have been constantly praying for an unexplainable trust in God, the ability to whole heartedly believe that He is in control of my life and for that reason whom shall I fear. I was just starting to feel like I had a trust for Him, I felt ready to honestly trust Him with my life, my possessions, my money. I could say "I trust in God to handle this..." or "God is in control of that..." I felt like I believed what I was saying too, until God decided to put this to the test this week and Friday morning.
I won't go into huge details about this week, but basically I was past the point of exhaustion everyday no matter what I did and I have the phases of exhaustion down pat thanks to college. I get slap happy first which was Monday- Tuesday but by the end of the week I slowly hit the phase of I am going to cry about anything.
So, being super exhausted this week yet continuing to find joy in God, I would still munster up energy to read my bible and prayer before I went to bed and was continually praying for strength for the next day. I was still "trusting" God, or so I thought. Friday morning while driving to work my car decided to just breakdown in the middle of the road. My first thought was "SERIOUSLY GOD!!! I really don't have time, energy or money to deal with this right now. WHY are you doing this!?" All day on Friday I was in a constant battle against myself. I kept freaking out about what I was going to, why this was happening now on a Holiday weekend, 3 weeks before I go on a mission trip. I was constantly reminding myself to trust in God, He has a plan, He is in control. I was still battling with the why part until this morning. God needed me to see that it is easy to say I trust you God but do I really trust Him. God has graciously shown me that there is definitely some room for improvement in the trust arena.
How often and how easy is it for us to say God I love you, or God I trust you, or God I give you my everything. We can say these things so easily and we say them often I least I do. How often do we believe what we are saying. Do our actions really show that we love God. How do we respond when trials come into our life. How do we respond when our car breaks down or when we get unexpected bills when we are already low in the accounts. It is my prayer for myself and you as well that we are filled with the power of the spirit to truly believe in what we say. That we may trust in God even when the storms come. I pray that we don't just throw around these statements but we reflect on our life and ask ourselves do we truly believe in what I am saying.
For those going through a trial or storm in life right now, take refuge in your Christ. You serve a REAL God who has fulfilled every promise, who has sent his one and only son for you, He is the alpha and the omega the beginning and the end. WE can trust in Him through the power of the spirit.
Here are some verses that have helped me with trusting God this week:
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not for I am with you, Be not dismayed for I am your God. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, I WILL HELP YOU, I WILL UPHOLD YOU in my righteous right hand.
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid I will trust in you
2 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe.
Psalm 62:8 TRUST in the Lord at all times. Pour your hearts before Him. God is a REFUGE for us.
Proverbs 3:5 TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Heavenly Father,
We come to you today pouring our hearts out to you, fill us with the power of your spirit. Allow us to have an unexplainable trust in you. We thank you for the love you have graciously given us, for never leaving us nor forsaking us. We thank you for being our refuge, our strong tower, our shield and our strength. Keep our feet firm in our faith and help us to not waver when trouble comes but to present all our fears and requests on you for you do care. We praise your name and rejoice in your love for us.
~Amen
WHAT IF...
5.13.13
Preface: Let's get a few things out of the way, no I am not a writer I am a math and science major so please just close your eyes to the many grammatical errors that will be throughout this blog. It is inevitable just deal with it. Second this isn't to proclaim the things I'm doing but I was recently inspired by the book Kisses From Katie not only in my missionary life but in my everyday walk with God and if my small story helps another person experience what I did than my goal was met.
It is incredible once you realize how real God is and when you develop an unexplainable joy and love for him. When God opens your eyes and heart to his love you can't even describe the overwhelming feelings you have. That's my goal to get this unexplainable love so that I can love those who curse me and those who persecute me. That is my prayer for all of you as well. As you take this adventure with me I urge you to pray that God open your eyes and heart to experience His love you will never regret it.
THE OVERWHELMING WHAT IF'S....
I leave for the trip of my dreams in 30 days and the one question I am getting the most is are you excited? I always answer yes I can't wait I have been dreaming about this since I got back 2 summers ago but reality hit last night. I was overwhelmed with the fact that in 30 days I will be getting on a plane by myself, have to navigate the Amsterdam airport by myself, travel through Kenya airport by myself and arrive in Uganda by myself. I think it is an understatement to say I freaked out.
I honestly had to fall on mu face in repentance for my lack of faith, my lack of trust in a God who created every star, a God who knows how many hair are on my head, a God who was the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. A guy once told me "Jaimie you don't know where you are going to be in 10 years or 5 years you just have to trust in The Lord and follow him" let me tell you about this guy his name was Herbert he was 20 and just got his leg amputated because he was battling bone cancer. I won't be able to thank Herbert for these lasting words when I go back to Uganda this time. The Lord used Herbert in incredible ways and I know he is in heaven laughing at me right now saying Jaimie don't worry trust The Lord your God.
I am trying I am praying for that unbelievable trust in God but for those who know me may already know that I tend to be a worry wart I always have been. I fill my head with what ifs and all these situations that could occur. They are the silliest and smallest things, like getting stopped at airport security! The thing that I have realized in the past 24 hours though is I believe in a real God a God that says fear not for I am with you be not dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). This seems to have been my verse this year whenever my life seems to be falling apart and I forget where to turn God graciously reminds me He hasn't left and he never will. I won't be traveling to Uganda alone, I will have a real God strengthening me, helping me and upholding me in his hands the whole entire time.
That was just the flying there part not the what are you doing with my life part, the I have 2 years of college yet, the I have way more in debt than I should part and if I go to Uganda WHAT IF you tell me to stay and I have to leave my comfort zone my friends my families. I have learned that it is so silly to even worry about those things. We aren't promised the future, we aren't promised tomorrow. We need to love today, to be a light in the dark today, to be the salt of the world today where you are. Now, after these six weeks if God calls me to go back full time or long term in Uganda I will go. Will it be scary of course it will be! But to live is Christ, to die is gain. We are commanded various times through out scripture to take up our cross and follow. We are told to make disciple of all nations. I will learn from Jonah's mistakes and go when God says go! I will always stay if he says stay.
So to answer your question yes I am excited. Yes, I am scared. Most importantly I am anxious,rejoicing, and dying with anticipation at what God is going to do this summer. There is one thing I know for sure. God's LOVE NEVER FAILS!
Preface: Let's get a few things out of the way, no I am not a writer I am a math and science major so please just close your eyes to the many grammatical errors that will be throughout this blog. It is inevitable just deal with it. Second this isn't to proclaim the things I'm doing but I was recently inspired by the book Kisses From Katie not only in my missionary life but in my everyday walk with God and if my small story helps another person experience what I did than my goal was met.
It is incredible once you realize how real God is and when you develop an unexplainable joy and love for him. When God opens your eyes and heart to his love you can't even describe the overwhelming feelings you have. That's my goal to get this unexplainable love so that I can love those who curse me and those who persecute me. That is my prayer for all of you as well. As you take this adventure with me I urge you to pray that God open your eyes and heart to experience His love you will never regret it.
THE OVERWHELMING WHAT IF'S....
I leave for the trip of my dreams in 30 days and the one question I am getting the most is are you excited? I always answer yes I can't wait I have been dreaming about this since I got back 2 summers ago but reality hit last night. I was overwhelmed with the fact that in 30 days I will be getting on a plane by myself, have to navigate the Amsterdam airport by myself, travel through Kenya airport by myself and arrive in Uganda by myself. I think it is an understatement to say I freaked out.
I honestly had to fall on mu face in repentance for my lack of faith, my lack of trust in a God who created every star, a God who knows how many hair are on my head, a God who was the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. A guy once told me "Jaimie you don't know where you are going to be in 10 years or 5 years you just have to trust in The Lord and follow him" let me tell you about this guy his name was Herbert he was 20 and just got his leg amputated because he was battling bone cancer. I won't be able to thank Herbert for these lasting words when I go back to Uganda this time. The Lord used Herbert in incredible ways and I know he is in heaven laughing at me right now saying Jaimie don't worry trust The Lord your God.
I am trying I am praying for that unbelievable trust in God but for those who know me may already know that I tend to be a worry wart I always have been. I fill my head with what ifs and all these situations that could occur. They are the silliest and smallest things, like getting stopped at airport security! The thing that I have realized in the past 24 hours though is I believe in a real God a God that says fear not for I am with you be not dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). This seems to have been my verse this year whenever my life seems to be falling apart and I forget where to turn God graciously reminds me He hasn't left and he never will. I won't be traveling to Uganda alone, I will have a real God strengthening me, helping me and upholding me in his hands the whole entire time.
That was just the flying there part not the what are you doing with my life part, the I have 2 years of college yet, the I have way more in debt than I should part and if I go to Uganda WHAT IF you tell me to stay and I have to leave my comfort zone my friends my families. I have learned that it is so silly to even worry about those things. We aren't promised the future, we aren't promised tomorrow. We need to love today, to be a light in the dark today, to be the salt of the world today where you are. Now, after these six weeks if God calls me to go back full time or long term in Uganda I will go. Will it be scary of course it will be! But to live is Christ, to die is gain. We are commanded various times through out scripture to take up our cross and follow. We are told to make disciple of all nations. I will learn from Jonah's mistakes and go when God says go! I will always stay if he says stay.
So to answer your question yes I am excited. Yes, I am scared. Most importantly I am anxious,rejoicing, and dying with anticipation at what God is going to do this summer. There is one thing I know for sure. God's LOVE NEVER FAILS!