recent developments...

I have been hearing from my secretary (My Momma of course!) that many of you miss being notified through e-mail about a new blog post. And I know I am blogging much less often these days. So I tried and tried to figure out a way to set up e-mail notification on my new blog, but I was defeated thanks to my lack of technological knowledge! But thanks to my much smarter cousin, we have a solution folks!

If you make a comment on a post, you will be added to an e-mail notification list. Now, I understand that making a comment on a blog can be an intimidating feat, as I have never been brave enough to do so. So to make it easier, if you make a comment such as, “Add me to the e-mail list” I will approve and then delete your comment.

Thanks again for your support, encouragement, and prayers. You keep me here! Much love to you all!

Check it out...

http://www.alishavice.com/

From now on, this is where you can keep up with me. I'm getting all kinds of high-tec!

throwing the rules out...

"Without a relationship with Christ, the rules don't mean anything."

I don't know about you, but I am a rule follower. I live my life by the rules. I make up the rules if there are none in place. I think I need them to thrive in life. But I have to be careful to not put the rules before Jesus. Real careful. I forget so many times that rules do not equal Jesus. They definitely don't replace Him. I think I love rules becausae I can look at the rules and see if I am doing a good job following them. But with Jesus it's so much more. There are no rules. There is conviction from the Holy Spirit. Eek! I don't like it when that happens. Ever. But when I think about it, I guess it's better than the rules. It's a reminder when I've gone too far or stepped out of line. It's a reminder that Jesus loves me so much that He wants me to know when I'm out of line. He doesn't keep me guessing. I have to constantly remind myself that I can't push the rules onto other people. That's not my job. It's the Holy Spirit's job. And He hasn't called and asked me for help. Not yet anyways! Haha!

This was what our preacher talked about yesterday from Mathtew 23:13-36. Our rules don't mean anything. Having a relationship with Christ means something, well more like everything.  I hate when leaders preach or teach about stuff like this because I can always relate to it...a little too much. Like I said a few lines up, I find comfort in the rules. So I just want others to find comfort in my rules too. Because surely they would. If they could only follow them. Rules first. Jesus second. That's a dangerous place to be. 1. If you know Jesus, you don't need MY rules. 2. If you don't know Jesus, you don't need MY rules. You need Him.

So as defeating as this is. I am dealing with this. My perfectionist tendencies (I think tendencies might be an understatement but just go with it okay!) fights this from every angle. And it fights hard. But it's worth the fight. And I have a feeling it's a fight that's going to take place more than once.

A new adventure...

First things first. How is it already Friday? Have I seriously not posted since Tuesday? Yikes. So sorry!

Man, it has been a good week. Things are coming together in a way that can only point towards God. My provider and sustainer. I am writing this blog from my apartment! It is wonderful to have my own space in a place where I am comfortable and secure. The couple that renovated a part of their house for my apartment are incredible and are taking care of me and making sure I have everything I could ever need here. I have a spare bed, you can start signing up now!

On to more good news...I started a three month internship with an organization here in town! I will be working with The Way Home (a ministry under Every Child Ministries) for the next three months with the possibility of a longer term commitment. It is an incredible ministry that is involved in the community development in a village about an hour from Jinja. In 2011, The Way Home built homes for twenty grannies who were raising their grandchildren. In 2012, they have made the same commitment to build 20 more homes for 20 more grannies. The ministry doesn't stop once the keys to the house have been handed to the granny. The grannies have weekly meetings were they are encouraged and taught. The grandchildren also have weekly meetings were they are taught the Bible and that Christ loves them and died for each and every one of them. The grannies are also taught Farming God's Way, which is a popular sustainability ministry here in Africa which is making strides in the techniques that people use to farm here. It didn't take long to realize that not all of the grannies can farm, so we are looking at starting a small animals ministry. That means goats. Lots and lots of goats. We have a veterinarian coming from the states this week to help us figure out what this will looks like. If you know me at all, you know that I am not particularly fond of animals. Any animals. Period. So I laughed when they looked at me during our first meeting and said "What do you think about helping start a goat ministry?" My reply was "Well. I don't know anything about goats. And I don't even like animals. But okay! Why not?!" So I am going to my first goat meeting Monday morning! I am also going to be taking over the "Choose To Wait" program. It is a curriculum used for teaching purity. It focuses not only on why purity matters so much, but also how God offers restoration and renewal through His forgiveness. I will be figuring out how to implement it in the village and training people in how to teach it.

So as you can probably tell, I am more than a little excited about this opportunity. I am continuing to homeschool my sweet students while I start this new adventure. The pictures I posted this past week were taken in Luuka where The Way Home is based. I am most excited about getting into a village and getting my hands dirty and building relationships with the beautiful people there.

http://www.thewayhomeafrica.com/index.html

Just wanted to drop in for a sec with some good news! The baby that I told you about several weeks ago who was stuck in a heart-breaking limbo between the Ugandan and American Embassies because of a visa situation has now gotten clearance for a visa! Baby Eden should be heading home with her Momma to her Daddy and four older siblings in no longer than two weeks! I am once again so thankful for a Saviour who hears us when we cry out to Him for friends like Eden.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." -Psalm 107:6

Serving a wild God...

The love of God in that face is so evident.Such joy in her face.

This is why I am here.

Brave friend coming to meet the mzungu!

Some of the sweet faces in Luuka.

Watching from a distance.
Clapping and singing!

Something that I am learning in the short time that I have been here is that we serve a wild God. He is not confined to our church buildings and the traditions that we place on Him. He moves and does in ways that we will never understand. He is so much more than we make of Him. He does so much more than we give Him credit for. I don't know about you, but I am thankful that I serve a God who is always leaps and bounds ahead of me. I will never put my finger on it. I will only ever touch the tip of the iceberg in my time here on earth. That makes me want to worship Him more than anything else. Why wouldn't I trust Him? Why wouldn't I go where He tells me to go? Why wouldn't I make what I think are huge sacrifices in order to be obedient to His leading? I will choose to honor a wild God who blows my mind on a regular basis. I will choose to obey and follow a wild God who leads me to places I'm not so sure I want to be. I will choose to worship a wild God who loves me in ways I can never wrap my head around

"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven-what can you do? Deeper than the Sheol-what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea." -Job 11:7-9

Crooked seams and broken tiles...

The Nile at Sunset.

The old home of one of the grannies getting a house built by Every Child Ministries.

Staying at Ekisa this week has lots of perks, Zuena's cute face is just one!

Happy Jojo!

Life in a third world country is becoming more normal everyday. But every once in a while, more like once a day if I'm honest, I find myself having to remind myself that everything is okay. Life will go on. Thursday I had one of these moments and I think it has by far been one of my best. I went and picked up the curtains from the seamstress that is making them for my apartment. Because of course I can't run to the store and buy them off the shelf and of course we don't have standard window sizes here! When I got back to my apartment Candice and I hung them up. It took mere seconds for me to say too loudly "Look at the seams. They are SO crooked!" Candice having lived here for 4 years just laughed at me being offended that the seamstress would dare sew my seams on my curtains crooked. Candice just called Bobby into the room to see how good the curtains looked! Only moments later I walked into my new bathroom to see that not one, but two tiles in my new shower were broken during the installation process and the guys laying the tile still laid them broken. At that moment I decided that someone should write a book titled "How To Deal With Crooked Curtains And Broken Tiles: Living In A Third World Country" for all the picky people like me. Who knows, maybe I can pen this thrilling how-to book one day! Haha!

Besides the crooked seams and broken tiles, I am beginning to live life here. I got a wonderful compliment the other day from another missionary. He said he had a hard time believing that I had only been here for two and a half months. I tell you that, because so much of that compliment is thanks to you. Your support financially and prayerfully. I don't have to worry about wether or not I have sweet brothers and sisters in Christ interceding for me on a daily basis. I don't have to worry about how I will pay my rent. And that is thanks to you.

back where I love...

Today was the day I’ve been waiting for. I got back in the village. I love it. Everything about it. Especially the sweet people. Wait until you see their gorgeous faces. I got to go into the town of Luuka, it’s takes a little over an hour to get there from Jinja. It’s a different world out there. The land is breath taking. There are small ponds and pine forests everywhere. I got to visit Luuka with the missionaries from Every Child Ministries. They are in the process of building homes for grannies who are raising their grandchildren. They started the program in 2011 with 20 grannies and have added 20 more this year. By the end of this year all 40 grannies will have a 2-3 bedroom house with a bathroom in a separate building. The bathroom is the most exciting part. It’s relatively unheard of for families to have a bathroom in the villages. Now these grannies won’t have a bathroom comparable to the one in your house, they will have a pit latrine (a squatty potty) and a shower in the building. Today we went to visit four grannies so they could sign a contract for their new home to be built. The contract includes things such as: when they die their grandchildren will get the house, they are in no way indebted to Every Child Ministries, and they will live in the house that is being built for them. It was so sweet to see how each granny handled signing the contract. One was quiet in her humbleness and another danced and sang for us and the crowds that had gathered. I wish that all of you could come to Uganda and visit the people in Luuka and the other villages surrounding Jinja. They are people worth meeting. You will leave them changed.

Please be in prayer with me. I have a neat opportunity on the table but I want to make sure that I am obedient in my response. I am so thankful for your support.

Lots to learn...

The paparazzi have nothing on the wedding photographers!
Damali and her Uncle Randy

The bride's maids and flower girl

The groom and groom's maids as they are referred to here.

Only a true teacher would bring flashcards to pass the time...never too early to learn your numbers!

My wedding dates. Luke, Bethany, and Randy.

I got to go to my first Ugandan wedding Saturday. I went to one in Kenya two summers ago, but I wasn’t sure how alike they would be. The wedding I went to Saturday only lasted about an hour and a half, the wedding I went to in Kenya lasted closer to three hours! It was Damali (director of Sonrise) and her new husband Felix’s wedding. They had a traditional village ceremony the weekend before, but this was the Christian church service. Now the fun part, I rode to Kampala (the capital city) on the bus with all of the kids and aunties from Sonrise…did I mention that it was a 24 passenger bus? Did I also mention that there were about 25 adults and almost 40 kids on this bus? Good thing the air conditioning was working. Yeah right…air conditioning in a car! I have decided it’s a requirement for all vehicles across the country of Uganda to have broken air conditioners.

Weddings here are quite different than a typical church wedding at home. The ceremony starts with a praise and worship team leading worship for all the wedding guests. You are encouraged to be loud and clap to praise God throughout the entire ceremony. After several songs the groom and his maids walk down the aisle. In a very slow and intentional process. Step.
Stop. Step. Stop. Then another song. Then the bride’s maids enter in the same manner. Then another song. Then Damali and her Uncle Randy came down the aisle. The vows are very short and precise, then the exchanging of the rings. Then comes the sermon. Damali’s uncle gave the sermon to the congregation. After the sermon, an offering is taken for the church. Then the ceremony ended with the signing of the marriage certificate.

I am learning everyday that I still have so much to learn about living in a completely different culture. There are so many little things that are different. Like the wedding, what is appropriate and not appropriate. I would never get up and take a picture of the bride during a ceremony in the states! But it is absolutely okay here. This week should be a fun week. I am once again in a limbo between living arrangements. My new apartment isn't complete yet, but I need to move out the apartment I am in now. So back again to my friends at Ekisa! I am staying there until my apartment is complete. I am hoping that I get to move in this weekend! I can't wait to show you pictures of my new home. You are going to love it! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Rachel is loving that Easter goody!
I think Jane will soon be the newest member of the M&M club!

Musoke's little body can't handle too much sugar so he got a ball instead!

My Easter Bunny!

Thanks to my Momma I had lots of goodies to pass out to my friends!

It's a good Friday.

Can you imagine? The desperation they felt must have been crippling. As they watched their beloved Messiah die a death that was uncalled for and unfair. I wonder how many times in the days leading up to His death that His closest followers and family thought "We'll get this straightened out." When Jesus went before Caiaphus and the Council (Matthew 26:57-68). When Jesus was before Pilate and it was so obvious that Pilate wasn't confident that Jesus was actually guilty of anything (Matthew 27:11-14). When Pilate gave the citizens the choice whether to free Jesus or Barabbas (Matthew 15-23). But in all of these situations it never got straightened out. I wonder as Mary watched as her firstborn walked to the cross how did she react. Had she eaten since she heard the news? Had she slept? Had she cried out all of her tears? How could she even put one foot in front of the other? She must have been physically and emotionally exhausted. And then Peter. Poor Peter with his big mouth. Jesus tried warning Peter that he would deny Him three times and Peter wouldn't hear of it (Matthew 26:30-35/69-75). Then it happened, Peter so quickly acted out the prediction of Jesus. And Jesus knew it. But how could Peter get to Him and beg his best friend for forgiveness and try to explain himself. The guilt Peter put on himself must have been so heavy. Unbearably heavy. Oh and Mary Magdalene. That broken woman who had such a tragic and embarrassing past. The women that most followers couldn't be around because their judgement was too strong. But not Jesus. He let her wash his feet with perfume that had been bought with money earned in a less than God honoring way and her own hair that had been used to attract many men. How could Mary Magdalene's legs hold her up as she stood in the crowd? The only man who had ever allowed her to put her past behind her and be a new creature was quickly slipping away from her. What would life look like for her now? She has just started to see the hope in the future. And now she thought it was gone.

Then the moment they all knew in their hearts was bound to happen came. They nailed Him to the cross and raised it for all to see. Their son, best friend, healer, provider, teacher, and leader was there for all to see. Can you imagine being in the crowd. Knowing what was happening was wrong. How could Jesus be dying a criminal's death? How had his life ended that quickly?

For me it's hard to think about those closest to Jesus at the time of His death and not have tears come. I know why the Messiah had to die that horrific death. He has given me His own words to explain it. But they did not have that promise of Sunday. They must have been so confused. Surely that was not the way they expected things to play out. The weight of the unknown must have been unbearable. I don't know about you but I am so thankful that I know that He comes back a couple of days later alive. That human hands couldn't keep Him down. I'm thankful that I can look at this as Good Friday. I know because of this Friday my sins have been forgiven and I can have fellowship with God.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father into your hands I commit My spirit!" And having said this He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly, this man was innocent!" And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all of His acquaintances and the women who had followed Him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. -Luke 23:46-49

Sorry for the gap in blogs, honestly I just didn’t feel like I had anything interesting to share with you. (I live in Africa so I know that’s probably not true!) I haven’t had any melt-downs or run-ins with reptiles (not in the shower anyway!), however the Lord has been clearly speaking to me from the book of James. I am realizing that I could do anything and everything to serve the people of Uganda but if I neglect to remember where my burden for these people came from I am in turn neglecting them. I have to remind myself why I am here. And it is to honor God. I honor God by knowing His word and acting it out in day to day life. It’s a struggle some days for me to take advantage of the Bible. Especially here where I am learning about God in so many of my day to day activities and my life is so much more purposefully lived out as a believer than it is in the states. I have come to a place where I am not desperate to hear from God through His word. And I have to work hard to fix that. I need to be well-rounded in my walk with Him, so that I am not dependent on learning from Him through only one way. So in comes James, he shared a life with Christ as his brother and still missed out on so much. James took so much of what the world had to say as truth instead of taking what Christ had to say as truth. So how much harder do I have to try to take what Christ said as truth? James gives a solution, of course it’s not an easy one, to not become a forgetful listener. To take advantage of the word of God and remember it. Memorize it, yikes! Act out on it, even when it isn’t easy, let’s be real, most of the time it’s not easy.

“But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out, he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NET)

So I am making a commitment to not be a forgetful listener. I want to listen closely and take action. I want to know that what I am doing honors God, because if it isn’t, then I need to pack up and head home. Imagine the way that we could be serving others if we weren’t forgetful listeners. I myself, think that we as believers would have a better reputation as a whole.

I became an official resident of Jinja today, at least that's what I'm telling myself! I got a box at the post office! So bring on the mail! Haha! Cards take a little over two weeks and are cheap to send. Packages on the other hand are more expensive and take about a month to get here. Now there are those items that get lost along the way and make it three months after leaving the states.

Alisha Vice
PO Box 690
Jinja, Uganda, East Africa

easy going...

All I can say is that right now, everything is good in the neighborhood. I am finally able to see where this could be going. And I am encouraged by it. I mean I got to go and pick a paint color for my apartment yesterday! If that’s not encouraging I don’t know what is! I got to sit down with my new landlords, Bobby and Candice, and talk about where entryways could be added and bathroom floor plans. I still can’t believe that in less than three weeks I will have a place of my own. I am also starting the process to apply for a work visa next week. That gives me an entire year of not having to worry about extending my visa like I would have had to do with a tourist visa. So it’s also a pretty exciting thing to be doing!

Today was my last day of teaching at the Uganda Baptist Seminary. My students took their final exam this morning and are heading back to their villages and cities tonight and tomorrow. I am already seeing how the Lord is opening doors for me to start working in other capacities. I know some of you are ready for the pictures of cute kids to come back! I don’t blame you!

I pray that as the Easter season is approaching that we are all taking time to reflect on the sacrifice that our Savior made for us. I love this time of year, because the reminder of His love is everywhere.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” –John 3:16-17 (ESV)

the beauty of meltdowns...

Well, it's honest blog time again. As you know, it's the end of the month. That means looking for a place to live again. Looking for another ministry opportunity to fill my days with again. After trying for several days to brave it out and wait on the Lord to provide, which I know in my head He will do, the walls around my heart came tumbling down last night. I was showering with a little light on in the bathroom, because of course the power was off again, when the tears came. The tears came and came and came. I think I had a stock pile of them waiting to escape because this month has been so wonderfully filled. Then the trouble started. I began telling the Lord that I couldn't do this, I wasn't cut out for this. I told Him that we had tried and I just wasn't strong enough for this. I cried out to Him telling Him that I needed a home, a job, and a routine. Was that too much to ask? Right when my melt down was hitting a low point, something caught my eye. A baby gecko ran out from underneath the shower curtain and ran through the tub to the other side. At that point, I looked up at the ceiling and said out loud, "You've got to be kidding me God!" I hate geckos with a passion. You can't keep them out of your house. But to be trapped in the shower with one, not on the wall above the shower, but in the tub with you, was a whole new level of disgusting! But what could I do, I had to laugh. I realized what I was doing. I was begging God to provide me with an easy life. One like I had in the states. Where I didn't need Him on a daily, or sometimes even weekly basis. And I don't want that. I like living a life where the only option is to give the glory to God because there is no way I could have done it by myself. He also reminded me that I don't have to be cut out for this, I just have to be obedient. That's all He's asking for. I decided that my prayer would be simple. I want a plan. God's plan, but still a plan. I am a planner, I feel like I need a plan to thrive. So after praying for a plan, I dried up my tears, got out of the shower, and acted like the gecko never happened.

Today was a much better day. My perspective had been readjusted by my compassionate Creator. I began looking for the plan. I called and made an appointment with a housing broker to show me some available living arrangements. Checked my attitude. And then went and had an incredibly encouraging talk with a sweet friend. While I was on my way to meet my friend (Tamara), I got a phone call from the friend (Candice) that I stayed with last week. I was on a boda so I rejected the call and made a mental note to call her back later. (Secretly I was hoping that she and her husband were inviting me over for dinner!) Tamara is friends with Candice, so I knew she wouldn't mind me returning the call. It didn't take long to realize that Candice had called about much more than dinner. Candice and her husband have been considering renovating a section of their house into an apartment for a while now, and they have finally decided to do it. They had a foreman come yesterday and he said it was absolutely doable. She had called to tell me that they would like me to rent the apartment! I was so blown away that the only thing I could get out of my mouth was "Shut your mouth Candice! Are you serious?" Haha! It was so exciting to hear that news. I rushed home to Skype my Momma, I knew that she and my Daddy would be just as excited as I was! A safe place for their daughter to live! Looks like I won't be needing the housing broker after all.

I am still in disbelief that 12 hours ago, I was telling God that I didn't know if this could work. I know that God has to look at me in my melt downs and think "If she would just wait a few hours she could save herself the tears!" I am so thankful that I serve a God who lets me be me. Who lets me have my moments of complete chaos, only to settle my heart and reveal His goodness to me soon after. I am so thankful that I serve a God who is so patient. Who continues to mold me into something beautiful even when I make it difficult.

I am also thankful for those of you who lift me up to our Father on a regular basis. What would I do without my strong support system? I certainly wouldn't have made it this far.

As I sit here writing this, I am eating Twizzlers, drinking sweet tea (made out of a Luzianne tea bag!), and watching the Apple Dumpling Gang. This can only mean one thing. I am loved. My Momma and Daddy put together a suit case full of wonderful things from them and so many other amazing people. I had several goodies from my favorites in New Orleans, cd from Audra, stuffed animals and Mardi Gras beads from my sweet little friends Tripp and Cash, candy from the Conway’s, and a t-shirt from Marsha to name a few. Thank you to all of you who wrote encouraging notes in the big stack of cards I got. I was thrilled to see how big the stack was! I’ve got cards all the way from California to Virginia! I had to force myself to add the cards to my dwindling stack that I brought with me in February. I open a card every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I wanted so badly to rip through every card tonight though!

This is my last week teaching English at the seminary. That also means my time in the comfortable apartment that I am staying in is also coming to an end. Please be in prayer with me that I would continue to confidently and calmly trust in the Lord to provide my next step. I know He will, it’s myself I don’t trust. I so easily get upset and panic when things aren’t working out as quickly as I would like them to. I can say, this month has been better than last month. Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Baby steps every month. Growing into the person He knows I can be. And I think I’m okay with that.

In a card from my Momma, she included this much needed scripture…

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” –Matthew 6:30 (ESV)

fun fridays...

She can't help that she's so cool!

My lovely lunch dates.

My least favorite part of teaching is discipline. Period. Hate it. In Hattiesburg and New Orleans I always tried to use more positive reinforcement rather than consequences. Hornets basketball games, cupcakes, meals away from school, and any other way I could think of to get my students to "make wise choices!" So why change that now? Today, my four homeschool students earned a lunch in town! We successfully made it through two weeks of school. So after a short day of school, the girls put on their carefully chosen dresses and strategically matching sandals and we hit the road. After much laughter and filling our bellies with too many chips (french fries) and skewers of meat and veggies we headed to the library for reading and dessert. While we were waiting for our bodas, one of the girls had an epiphany. She declared "We've had two sodas today! We never have two sodas in one day!" My replay was "Oh man, you're mom is going to love me for giving you a double dose of caffeine and then sending you home!"

Several times during our lunch outing, I realized how much the Lord has blessed me in the short time that I have been here. I haven't even been here two months yet and I am already going on reward outings with four sweet little girls. And while homeschooling is not the permanent ministry for me, I am learning to enjoy where God leads me. Which has been a difficult thing for me to do in the past. I am always so concerned about what is coming. Where will I be? What will I be doing? Will I even like it? I can say that I am finding contentment in the present. And for that, I am so thankful.

redemption...

This Easter season means more to me than any other has in the past. I think it's because Jesus means more to me than He ever has in the past. He is my provider. He is my comforter. He is my joy. I see His redemption in my everyday life here. As I work with adults who did not finish high school for whatever reason and are being given a second chance at a precious thing called education. As I teach phonics to an 8 year who was severely neglected in her first home but is thriving in the love and stability of her second “forever” home. As I hold a struggling three year old who was dying from malnutrition and stiff from cerebral palsy but now is recovering and will begin physical therapy soon. I see the redemptive power in the love of Christ. His love transforms. His love is constantly molding us into something beautiful. This is something I am thankful for. Living in a third world country isn’t easy by any means, but it makes it easier to live here when the love of Christ is so evident everywhere. Are the people perfect here? Not close. Does everyone live a life of integrity? Not even close. Is there work to be done and lives to be changed? Overwhelmingly yes. But, the redemptive love of Christ is evident and moving. So in this Easter season, I have to hold stronger than ever to my belief that the love of Christ is not only big enough, but strong enough to reach the people I am falling in love with.

I hope that you too can find peace in the redemptive love of Christ in this Easter season. I am praying for you.

He shows His love for us...

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ dies for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)

Go back and reread that scripture. I know if you're like me you probably just scanned it. Take a few moments to take the words in. Let them settle in your heart.

While reading over my notes from church again, I noticed something in verse 8, "but God shows His love for us". 2 things. 1) Paul uses the words shows in the present tense. (Okay theological scholars, please don't judge me too harshly on this thought! It might not be the right idea, but the Lord used it. Promise!) In my mind, it serves as a comforting reminder that God's love for mankind is not something of the past, it is ongoing. The death of Christ is still manifesting itself so many years later. 2) A lot of times I see the cross as a necessary means of action to show God's righteousness and to provide justice. But I often times, overlook the love of God displayed through the cross. For He orchestrated our salvation through the cross. He allowed His Son to die a gruesome and uncalled for death so we could have fellowship with Him.

Yesterday at church, the pastor said "God works so hard to have a relationship with us, He allowed His Son to be butchered for us." I don't know about you, but I don't like that word butchered. I didn't like it yesterday and it still doesn't sit well today. It's too gory. I would rather use words like died, crucified, sacrificed. I think it comes down to me not being able to understand the depth of both God and Christ's love for us. But God has already dealt with that. In Isaiah 55:8 we are told, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." And boy am I ever glad for that! I may get frustrated when I can't figure out what He's doing in my life, but I'm so glad that He is so far above me. Do we serve a great God or what?!

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Your encouragement and prayers mean the world to me!

A love that transcends all

Loving on Isaac!

Sweet little hands.

Try not to fall in love with that face!

I got to go spend time with my buddy Isaac today. This is the first time I have seen him since he was at the clinic hooked up to an IV and crying constantly. I am thrilled to tell you that he is different toddler than he was then! He is now so much more content! He is still not overflowing with joy and freely giving away smiles (He smiled for the first time this morning!), but he looks comfortable and his eyes are constantly searching. I got to feed him his special formula that is loaded with sugar and protein and then sit and watch a movie with him. He loved the movie! He was quite upset when I took him back to where the other kids where when I left. I think someone is getting used to the one on one time he is getting from all the loving hands at Ekisa!

There is something about hanging out with my friends at Ekisa. I am reminded of God’s love for me every time. Even though I am broken from my sin, my God still loves me and takes the time to constantly be molding me into something beautiful. It’s just like the beautiful faces at Ekisa, to the world they seem broken and somewhere along the way, someone decided that their love as a parent wasn’t enough and left these precious creatures behind. But our God and our Creator has a love for us that knows no end. It sees past our brokenness. It is big enough to complete us.

I was also reminded of what our love for each other should look like. The kids at Ekisa have such a pure love. Not one riddled with expectations and motives. They love simply because they love. I am challenged to grow the way I love. To be able to not hold back or have requirements. Who knew that through my visits with my young friends I would learn so much!

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." -Galatians 5:14 (ESV)

Rhythm of life...

I've been gone for six weeks. It's seems like a year some days and then a day some days! I have been praying all along that the Lord would lead to a new rhythm of life. I want to live here. Be here. Find joy here. This is my home for now. I don't know how long it will be my home, but for now, I am making it my home so that I can have a rhythm, a new normal. I felt so at home Tuesday when I went grocery shopping. I needed to buy some groceries at the store and go to the market. Not really wanting to do both of these tasks, I sent my boda man/friend, Timothy to the market to get my kilo of eggplant and I went to the grocery store. In the grocery store, I laughed to myself when I thought, "I'm getting the hang of this!" Even though, it sounds so silly and so small, I was proud! As I keep walking through this month, I am trying to figure out what next month looks like. I am at a place where I am confident that next month will fall into place just like this month did. When I look back at myself one month ago, I realize that I should have calmed down and taken a breath. The Lord was going to provide. But then again, maybe that's why I needed to be so unsure then. I sure did learn a lot. I learned that God rarely does things my way on my schedule. But I can rest assured, that His way and schedule is infinitely better than mine! So right now, at the two week point in March, I am taking a breath and loving what the Lord has brought me to this month. As I laid in the grass this afternoon and taught phonics to one of my new students, I thought to myself, "I love this. I could do this for a while." I am loving the deeper friendships, purpose to be here, and a comfortable place to live for the month.

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -Jim Elliot

I have great news for you…the little guy that I told you about last week, Isaac, has been placed at Ekisa to live and recuperate! What seemed to be a very dire situation last week, with Isaac being sent home to live in the same situation that got him so close to death, has turned out to be a very ideal situation. He still has some healing and growing to do, so please be in prayer for little Isaac and the sweet hands at Ekisa that will be caring for him.

I am blaming the shortness of this blog on the lack of electricity tonight. It has nothing to do with the fact that I am spending the night with another young missionary while her husband is out of town! She spent the evening encouraging and teaching me about what it looks like to live here.

I hope to have pictures of Isaac in his new home to show you tomorrow! Keep praying, you are making a bigger difference than you will ever know!

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. -James 1:27 (ESV)

Finding compassion for a betrayer...

My Momma knows the way to my heart...candy!

My Momma and Daddy are too good to me!

At the church that I attend, we are going through the book of Matthew as a congregation. They have been doing this for almost two years! I am coming in on the good stuff! It's really cool, because we are working our way up to Easter Sunday where the pastor will be preaching from verses in Matthew 27-28 where the crucifixion and resurrection are accounted. Last Sunday, our preacher gave us a new perspective on Judas. In Matthew 26:14-16, we are told of Judas' plan to betray Jesus. Now, I've never had sympathy for Judas, or even tried to understand why he would betray Jesus. I just looked at him as a selfish coward. Until last Sunday. I wrote our preacher's words down in my Bible because it blew me away. He said, "Maybe Judas was angry that Jesus was leaving him. Who would take care of him once Jesus was gone?" And it struck me. I have more in common with Judas than I thought I did. I think we all do. The moment things gets hazy, I get in a tizzy. I don't know how many times I have said this to the Lord this year, "Oh no, no, no! This is not how I thought this would turn out!" All of the sudden, I feel like the Lord is no longer taking care of me. But then by God's grace, the Holy Spirit brings upon comfort and God provides once again. Now, instead of looking at Judas with anger, I have compassion for him. It breaks my heart that he was so desperate that he betrayed the man who was willing to give His life for Judas' salvation. If only Judas had waited to see what was in store. To see that is what so much more than his fears that Jesus was leaving him. Judas serves as a great reminder to me. Sometimes I have to wait it out, even when I feel like Jesus is leaving me. Because the truth is, He never will leave.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. -Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

My teaching is going well! I teach grammar to 24 adults and then go teach phonics and reading to 4 little girls. It's a lot of fun! Pray for my adults in my class. English is their 2nd or 3rd language, so it's not easy to learn the difference in present and past tense. They even complain that I talk too fast, there's a first for everything! Maybe my Daddy should come teach a class...he might speak slow enough for them!

You can also be praying with me that I can find ways to stay involved in the places I love most throughout this month. I got to ride out to a village to check on a little girl with the director of Ekisa Sunday, and I was reminded of how bad I want to be in the villages around Jinja. There is something about living life with these beautiful faces that draws me in and keeps me content. Much love and many prayers to you all!

reaching out with a prayer...

Hey guys, this is just a quick request. While preparing to start home schooling my friend's little girls, I have been able to spend time with a precious one that she is fostering. She is fostering Eden while Eden's parents wait for the government to give their beloved daughter a visa. They got bad news yesterday about the American government wanting more than the Ugandan government can give them. Here is a link that I would love for you all to read and join in on! It's a wonderful opportunity for all of us to participate in!

http://www.mandiejoy.com/30-days-of-prayer-for-eden/

knowledge vs. action

I said I wouldn’t blog about this…but I am. Not in the way that many others are though, I don’t understand enough to fill a blog with words about it. KONY 2012. If this doesn’t ring a bell. You aren’t on Face book (hint, hint mom and dad!). Simple as that. KONY 2012 is an effort being made by the Invisible Children organization to bring about knowledge of the injustice that Kony has brought to East Africa. He is a dreadful man that has lead in the killing, raping, and taking advantage of many people, mostly children. Invisible Children has done a wonderful job of using social networks to inform and encourage young people to demand social justice.

But I just wonder, how many of us jump on these “band wagons” because we feel like we are accomplishing something by being involved. We talk about it at church. On facebook. In our work place. We even sometimes go as far as judging others for not seeming to care. I know I have. But at the end of the day, is it enough? No, it isn’t. While knowledge is power, it surely doesn’t equal action.

I use a biodegradable toothbrush. Made of old yogurt cups. Bought for way too much at an organic grocery store. I would even make special trips to the grocery store to stock up on them when I would visit New Orleans last fall. Of course, I packed one in my suit case to come to Uganda with me. In my mind, it’s my offer of an apology to the earth for not being a better recycler. I mean come on, even the paper inside of the package is recycled paper. I laugh when I think about the silliness of it, but if I were in the states when it came time to buy a new toothbrush, you better bet it would be biodegradable. Why? Because it makes me feel good. Does it make a hill of beans difference to the earth? Probably not. Because, it’s my only attempt to preserve our earth. I don’t make a real effort to cherish the earth I live on.

So I wonder. How often do we do the same thing with other causes in our lives? Causes that really mean something. Causes like children who need a way out, adults who need healing from their past mistakes, our neighbors who need a little extra this month, or our family who we don’t think deserve just one more chance. How often are we called to care about an effort and we placate that call by learning the facts so we can think about what can be done, and then never look back? I think we are all guilty of that. I’m convinced that we need to take action, and really put an effort into change. I’m not talking about packing up and moving to a third world country. I’m talking about genuinely caring enough to invest time in interceding for these causes through prayer. Maybe even coming off a few dollars we really don’t want to give. Heaven forbid, we have awkward conversations about these causes to really figure out a way to make a difference. Because it comes down to this, if we don’t do something, who will?

Safety Sally strikes again...

My $12 helmet!

I love safety. Plain and simple. I thrive when I feel safe. So when my Momma mentioned the other day that my Daddy had offered to pay for a helmet if I could find one, I jumped on that offer! I figured it would be a costly purchase, seeing as though you don't see many helmets here in Jinja. So after some investigating, I took my last boda ride helmetless to the motorcycle shop this afternoon. I took a trusted boda man into the store with me to ensure that I wasn't getting completely ripped off. Imagine my surprise when they pulled a brand new helmet out of a box and said, "It's 30,000 shillings if you want it." That's $12! I happily bought myself $12 worth of safety and proudly wore my helmet on the way home.

Safety is a funny thing. It's mostly a perception. I feel the safest when I am wearing a seat belt, or for now, a helmet. I like taking precautions to feel safe. Some of you are probably thinking, "Okay crazy, you packed your bags and went to Africa and you don't know when you'll be back! What do you know about safety?" Oh trust me, I care about safety. But my perception is different than your's and your's is different than mine. I think it is just another reminder of how differently we are all created. Can you imagine if we were all scared of the same thing? I find safety in sitting in clinics with new pals who might not make it to see tomorrow and learning how to insert cannulas. But put me at a desk working crucial numbers to keep a business/organization running and there is no safety in that for me!

Today was my first day to teach English! Although I entered the classroom very nervous, most of my students are older than me, it ended up being a great experience. Please pray that the Lord would give me wisdom in how to help these ministers be as successful as possible.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it is. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him." John 3:16-18 (The Message)

I am doing a Beth Moore Bible study on my own here in Jinja, instead of watching the videos with a group of sisters on Christ, I listen to podcast by myself. It sounds miserably lonely, but it is actually endearing. I get to have Beth all to myself! The Bible study I am doing is based on the book of James, he wrote some good stuff, too bad the poor guy doesn't get much air time! In the last week I completed, Beth takes a day to discuss gifts from God using James 1:16-18. She wrote something that has stuck with me...

"Out of God's outstanding grace, a very imperfect person can still receive a delightfully perfect gift precisely because it's perfect for her. God's gifts are given with goals. They're perfect because they are perfecting. They don't just give today. They give toward every tomorrow."

...it sticks with me because she explained my time in Uganda with this quote. I don't know how long I will be here or even what I'll be doing next month, but this gift of time is perfecting. I am learning what ministry God is burdening me with. I am learning what it looks like to live in a third world country. I am learning how to completely and wholly trust in God when my flesh screams warnings to just handle it myself. I am learning how to handle missing those I love most. But through it all, I am being perfected through this gift from God. It’s not always easy, but it sure is worth it in the end!

Tomorrow, I teach my first English class! I am both excited and nervous. I know that the preachers and church workers will go back to their country (They come from all over East Africa.) and be able to do even more ministry. I am also experiencing my first, of many I’m sure, go-rounds with giardia. Let me tell you…it is no fun! Any time I walk very far, nausea is there waiting for me. Thank goodness I am spending lots of time with a sweet IMB nurse who asked lots of questions about symptoms and gave me a strong dose of antibiotics. All your prayers for quick recovery would be coveted! For all you mommas out there…yes, I am drinking plenty of CLEAN water! :)

adventures in the month of march...

This month is going to be a busy one! I am teaching two month long English courses at the Uganda Baptist Seminary. (Who says you have to have a doctorate degree to teach seminary!?) It's a new program for everyone involved, so we all have a lot to learn together. This new program is for pastors and church workers who did not finish high school, but want to go to seminary. It consists of 3 month long terms where English, science, math, and computer will be taught. After the students complete this program, they can return for more in depth seminary programs. We are expecting over 100 students! The students will be broken into 4 groups, this way the class size is much more suitable for everyone involved. The best perk of this ministry is that I get to live in the apartment on the seminary campus. To think that last week I was so worried about where I would live! Now, I am getting spoiled having my own space...including my own kitchen which is equipped with a microwave! Unfortunately, the apartment is only available this month. So come April 1, I'll be packing up again. I am getting really good at packing my life into a suitcase and carry-on!

I am also going to be helping a young missionary in town home school her daughters. For the month of March, I will be teaching phonics and 2nd grade reading and grammar in the afternoon. In April, I will join in on their morning schedule and help out. The great thing about this opportunity is that I get to learn more about ministry while helping her out. Her ministry is one that I believe in and I am very interested in learning more. I am beginning to see a theme of learning in this journey! Everyday I see that there is more to be learned!

I've set some goals for specific things I want to learn while I'm on this journey. A few of them are:

1. How to insert a cannula (or IV).

2. How to complete a malaria test (blood test similar to checking your sugar)

3. Learning the ins and outs of the local clinics

4. Learning what good prices are for fruits and veggies at the market

5. Figuring out how to cook EVERYTHING from scratch (no hamburger helper here!)

I made the goal of learning to insert a cannula soon after I got in Uganda. So many people are severely dehydrated and die before reaching clinics and you are pretty much on your own in the clinics in town. I watched a friend put one in a severely malnourished little boy today and reconsidered this lofty goal. I had to make myself watch her put the cannula in, the little guy had practically no veins and was skin and bones. I am also learning the importance of malaria tests in order to prevent malaria going untreated and then children ending up with cerebral palsy. I announced today that my ministry might just be to travel the continent of Africa testing children for malaria to prevent more cases of cerebral palsy! I would probably end up with a bad reputation if that were the case. Can you imagine having the reputation of the mzungu who travels around sticking kids fingers?!

our hearts...

A gorgeous view of the Nile River after a rainy day.

Isaac's little arm with a cannula in it.

Exhausted Isaac being loved on by Auntie Annelise.

IV to help get some nutrition into his malnourished body.

Hospital bed side table. You have to provide your own food. Makes me very thankful for the quality of hospitals where I grew up.

I am amazed at the capacities that our hearts have been given to love. Our hearts were created for love. To love our Creator. And each other. Sometimes it’s hard to have a genuine love for people. Especially when we’ve been hurt or taken advantage of. But then sometimes, our hearts overflow with a love that is so real and so big. Today was a day where I found it easy to love. Easy to love a little boy named Isaac.

I met him today at one of the local hospitals. I was going to meet a friend not knowing what my heart was about to feel. Isaac’s mom dropped him off at pre-school days ago and never returned. Then a man showed up. The man said Isaac was dropped off at his house randomly…no wait, the man is his uncle…never mind, the man is his father. These are the stories that were told all day yesterday. Whether they were told out of fear of prison time (for abandoning his son with his ex-wife) or out of selfish motives, I don’t know. The man said Isaac was five yesterday, but then the man said Isaac was three today. The man kept disappearing from the hospital all night last night and all day today. Whether he needed a breather from all the regret he was feeling or looking for a way out, I don’t know.

When I saw Isaac, his little body was swimming in his size 4 diaper because of malnourishment. His little lungs were laboring to breathe and his ribs felt like they might wither away because of a very serious case of pneumonia. His arms and legs were stiff because of the cerebral palsy that probably came from untreated malaria. And I wonder how it is so, that neither of his parents can stay and comfort him. How can they not sit on his bed and hold back the tears? How did they allow for his little body to get to such a frail and downright scary condition? Because as I sit on his bed and rub what should be a chubby cheek and lean down to his ear to whisper one of my favorite songs that we sing at Friendship, “Jesus we crown You with praise…” I feel my heart overwhelmed with a love for a little fellow I’d just laid eyes on an hour earlier. A love from a heart that was created to feel that way by my so thoughtful Creator. As I think through this blog and think about that sweet baby, I have to give praises of gratitude to God. I am so thankful that our hearts can love big. I also have to pray that Isaac’s parents will soon realize that they too have hearts with the capability to love big. Love big enough to take care of their precious son. Love big enough to raise Isaac to be a healthy child and then onto a healthy man.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. -James 1:27

Oh yeah...you're probably going to want to know this exciting piece of news! On Monday, I will be moving into an apartment on the campus of the Uganda Baptist Seminary for the month of March! Where there is a strong possibility that I will be teaching English to students who are in a month long seminary prep program. I am so thankful that the Lord is letting me spend at least a month among people who are like-minded with me and have so much to teach me about this country. I can't wait to fill you in on this week as it progresses!

a whole month...

Well, as I prepare to go to bed tonight, it is in a new bed. I am no longer at Sonrise, as the month of February is over with. It is crazy to see how quickly a month went by! When I look back, it seems like forever away, but then at times is seems like just yesterday I got on that first plane in Mobile. I can already see the ways that my heart has changed and the way my relationship with Christ has changed. I will never be the same. I now know what it is like to not know what tomorrow holds and being forced to rely of my sovereign God to provide for me. Although, it was not a fun lesson (and unfortunately it's not over!) I am better for it. Now back to my new bed...I am staying with Ms. Jude and her adopted daughter Barbara for the time being. Ms. Jude, who is Australian, owns a restaurant in town and goes to the same church I have been attending. She has been in Uganda for about 25 years, I won’t even attempt to make a stab at her age, I think it would only get me in trouble! She has a reputation of letting volunteer vagabonds with no place to go stay at her house! With all of my house hunting this week, she kept telling me, “If you can’t find a place to live, you are welcome at my house. Although, I’m not a good host, I don’t cook at home!” She reminds me of my grandma Betty. She is sassy and has a knack for telling the truth, whether or not you want to hear it is your problem! So for now, I get to learn from her, sleep in a full bed, and take hot showers. I’d say the Lord is providing for me!

I am looking forward to sharing with you what I will be doing ministry wise this month! There are some opportunities that are still up in the air at this point. I will know at the beginning of next week if they are going to work out. Know that I am excited about them, and I know there is so much for me to learn from them! I am thankful for your continued support, both financially and prayerfully. Because of you, I am here. I will always be thankful for that!

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Proverbs 16:9

sacrifices...

If you look closely, you can see the chicken by the left gate. Luke LOVES to chase chickens!

Isima found a new use for the M&M's tube!

Jolie loves shoes! She is a girl after my own heart!

Super cool Esther. This is her smiley face!

Everyday I’m here, I feel a little more at home. It becomes a little less foreign. Now, that’s not saying that I don’t still miss COLD tea, ice, Ziploc bags, Bunny bread, corn dogs, shorts, air conditioning, hot water, and my car! By no means am I that good! But the idea of living away from the place where I grew up and am proud to be from becomes a little more doable. A friend looked at me Monday and said “When it gets hard, you have to look at yourself and say why am I here?” That thought has resonated with me. Since then, when I whine about not being able to drink a Sam’s Super Burger tea I think, “Why are you here?” The reason I am here, is worth more than my car and independence. It’s worth more than my weekly tv show. It’s worth more than feelings of normalcy. I don’t know about you, but I got spoiled in my old day to day life. When I had fun plans, I could go buy a new shirt. Now I just wear whichever v-neck I happen to grab for the day (This blog really should be called Living Life One V-Neck To The Next). Or when a new movie came out, I could go with my Momma to see it, and buy popcorn, and buy an ICEE, and buy Sno-Caps…okay so maybe she bought all those things! Or when I wanted to spend time with the friends I cherish, I could get in my car and go to dinner with them or make a road trip to New Orleans. Rarely, was I ever limited in doing what I wanted to do.

I don’t say all that to make you feel guilty, please don’t think that. It’s just something I’ve been processing through. I am reading a book called Not A Fan. by Kyle Idleman. My Bible study group at Friendship Baptist Church is reading it, so I thought it would be neat to read it with them. It is rocking my world, thank you Bro. Teddie for choosing this book! In the second chapter, Idleman talks about the story of Nicodemus. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night because he is too afraid/embarrassed to come to Him during the day when he might be seen by one of his religious co-workers. Nicodemus could have lost his job and his reputation would have been destroyed had his co-workers at the Sanhedrin found out about him going to see Jesus. Idleman says “Being a secret admirer of Jesus cost him nothing, but becoming a follower came with a high price tag. It always does.” See, I am convinced that although we haven’t all been called to live in a foreign country, we have all been called to live a life so in love with Christ that sacrifice is inevitable. It doesn’t look the same for you as it does for me. The movies we watch, the music we listen to, the words that we read and say, our actions to other people, and the way we carry ourselves all ought to matter and bear the resemblance of sacrifice. Because I know one thing for sure, I am not a super-human Christian force. If Jesus only asked some of us to make sacrifices, I’m pretty sure He would have skipped right over me and moved on to the next person! I whine way too much and I am way too stubborn! So I challenge you, to look at your life and see if you are making sacrifices. I know I will be. I have so many areas of my life that I simply don’t want to discuss with Jesus, because I know He is going to ask me to get rid of them. So together, let’s make a commitment to sacrifice where sacrifice needs to made. I am praying for you.