"So they took Jesus, and he went out bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with Him two others, one of either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." John 19:16b-19.
As we approach Easter pray about what God wanted me to get out of most this weekend and the week leading up to Easter, by taking the time to sit and meditate on the Easter holiday. Over the years I have just seen Easter as the time my God sent His one and only son to come to earth, live among us and then to die for our sins because without that sacrifice we were incapable of spending eternity with God because of the sinners we are. God put a burden on my heart to meditate more about the Easter season more this year and over the past couple of days I have done exactly that and this is was i believe God was trying to tell me and show me.
My life in Christ was never meant to be the easiest thing in the world. Christ didn't say, follow me and you will never again struggle or have hardships but in John 15 "If they persecute me, they will also persecute you." We live in a world that is full of hardships whether it deals with family, friends, school, jobs, or just day to day life. Christ himself faced hardships while on this earth, so why should we ever think our life should be perfect. Why should we ever think we deserve to have a life without hardships? The only man to ever walk this earth that was perfect faced abuse, denial, hatred each day of his life after His ministry started. So what does that tell us? It tells us that is we are doing what we are called to do, minister to the world, then we will face hardships because we are the hands and feet of Christ. The road we walk in life is steep at times, and storms will cover us some of the days of our lives but unless we give up we have Hope. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of our souls took on my burden, took on your burdens and sins and died for you and I. He DIED for you and I.....WHY? Because He loves us. He loves us regardless of our sins, regardless of what you have done or will do, He loves us. Easter is that time of remembrance. Remembrance of the day Jesus Christ gave Himself up to the Roman guards, stood in front of Pilate as the same people who embraced Him a few days ago with Palm Tree Leaves, shout "Crucify Him, Crucify Him," as he is strips of his garments, leaned over and was beatin and whipped with a cat of 9 tails, had a crown of thorns put on Him and was led up a hill to then be nailed to a cross, risen up and mocked until the time he took His last breath and GAVE UP his spirit. At anytime Christ could have called the whole thing off and been rescued by angels but instead he took the punishment and was crucified for US! And is no means do I deserve that. I am not a man good enough for someone as perfect as Christ to die for me, much less good enough for anyone to die for me. But through the Crucifixion we were given Salvation, Grace and Hope and that is why Christ died for us. He loved us so much, and wanted to spend eternity with us that He gave up His own life. Before Christ we had nothing. No Hope, No Future, and No Salvation.
Kari Jobe writes a song called "Love Came Down," and the Chorus says:
Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours
Lord I'm forever Yours
Mountains high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am Yours
I am forever Yours
We are FOREVER in God's hands and God is in control, He was in control of the Crucifixion and is in control of this earth and all that goes on in it. We have the choice whether to rely on Him or not but if we give ourselves over God, He has the power to control our lives. My main point of this blog is for the person reading this to understand that God is in control of all things and no matter what is happening in your life, never feel that God has abandoned you or that He has some how lost control of His plan for you. God has a plan for you and like Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For i know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and HOPE." God is our hope and as long as we rely on Him in all things, it will always work out in the end. "And we know that for those who love God all things work for the good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. God works in the good, but He also works in the bad, just like He did in the Crucifixion of His son. James says in chapter 1, "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James is saying that in times of struggle rejoice in the fact that good will come from it. God works in times of struggle and will always bring good things from it, and will allow Himself to be glorified through it.
But if we give up and lose focus on who is in control, Satan wins. If we begin to rely fully on ourselves and what WE want to do or what WE want others to do, Satan wins. Satan sits and waits on any opportunity to strike in any aspect of our life. God is with us wherever we go, as long as we believe in Him and remember that He cares for us daily. "Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer Him from a Holy Heaven with the saving might of His right hand." Psalm 20:6.
During this Easter time remember that God plan is perfect and through the good and the bad God will always prosper and have Glory in the end. My prayer for those reading this, is that you sit and meditate on the Easter time as well. Allow your spirit and self to be open to what God wants to say to you. I pray that you always trust in God and know that He is in power of all things. Though sometimes you and I can't see it at first, we must Hope in the fact that God is in control, and in the end, struggles will cease to exist, and we will all be with the Father and Son and we will dwell in His Glorious Reign Forever and Ever!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
JESUS REIGNS, OVER ALL, HE REIGNS! FOREVER AND EVER....AMEN
May God Bless you and your family over this Easter Holiday.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
Are You Thankful?
I was recently on my computer and a pop up came up that said, "What are you Thankful for?" I started think about my childhood and being asked that question all the time around Thanksgiving. At a young age you say things like: your mommy and daddy, friends, toys, candy and as you grow up you start saying things like: your parents, God, your friends and family, blessings, etc. I started to think at that moment what am I truly thankful for. If I had to sit and name 2 things right now that my God has blessed me with, then what would they be, and then it hit me.....is my thankfulness for the things in my life selfish or am I truly thankful for what I have in my life. Do I take those things for granted? My mind wanted to say no I don't act selfish in my thankfulness but my heart was telling me otherwise. Am I selfish to be thankful for a great house and a vehicle and money or do I really consider myself blessed without selfishness.
God has called us to be thankful but what should we be thankful for...and thats what I have thought about for the past couple of days and I think I have found an answer for myself.
My 3 things I am most thankful for in my life that God has blessed me with are my Family, and my call to the Ministry.
1) My Family is my everything and they are the ones who have raised me to be the man I am today. My Dad through our ups and downs has always been my strong hold in growing up. He has been the man I have look up too for guidance, truthfulness and the example of a man who has the most caring a selfless heart of anyone I know. He gives whatever he has to others and expects nothing in return. He cares for his wife and his sons like a righteous man of God should and no one could ever take that away from him. Whether we are joking around, arguing or just being a typical father and son combo I always know at the end of the day he is a blessing in my life and has been a leader in my life and I wish I would shave realized that earlier in my life. My Dad is a true man of God and my God has blessed me with a man of patience and great virtues. He is truly the man it says to be in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 — “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." Through trials and tribulations my earthly Dad stands firm in his faith even when its heart. He is the rock of our family.
My Mom is the greatest women in this world, (and if you want to argue, bring in on!). She is a women of God and truly the women it says she should be in Proverbs 31:9-31. She is the women that gave me my sarcasm but also who gave me my heart for youth and children. My mom is someone that gives without want and is filled with a helping heart for others. She is the women I want my wife to be and someone who has always been there for me when I need to vent and yell or when I just wanted someone to sit and listen to me. Washington Irving said, "There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity" and that is what my mom is. She is my spark in the times of my darkness, she is my encouragement even when I am at the lowest points of my life. She is my support system.
2) My call to Ministry is the 2nd greatest thing I am truly blessed to have. For awhile after I was called into youth ministry I ran from it in the hopes that if would go away and God would choose someone else, but during the summer of 2008 I accepted it and it has been the greatest thing ever. I have the honor to spend my life Ministering to Youth as my JOB! not as something after I do when I get off work, not something I do on the weekends or the summer, but 24/7 365 days for however long the Lord will have me in the ministry and the greatest thing is my God will be my boss. God has instructed us all to minster to others and make his name known to everyone, but I have the blessing to do that as my occupation and I am very excited. After I graduate I will spend the next decades ministering to youth, doing missions and doing whatever other Ministry opportunities God puts in my life and I am so pumped. God has instructed me to do this job and I couldn't think of a better job.
My life is full of blessing an I only have one person to thank for them all and that is my Lord and Creator God, Jesus Christ. He has filled me with His spirit and His blessing and no matter how much I thank Him for it all it will never be enough. He is my God and my Everything.
So during the holidays, think about what you are thankful for and are you truly thankful.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17
God has called us to be thankful but what should we be thankful for...and thats what I have thought about for the past couple of days and I think I have found an answer for myself.
My 3 things I am most thankful for in my life that God has blessed me with are my Family, and my call to the Ministry.
1) My Family is my everything and they are the ones who have raised me to be the man I am today. My Dad through our ups and downs has always been my strong hold in growing up. He has been the man I have look up too for guidance, truthfulness and the example of a man who has the most caring a selfless heart of anyone I know. He gives whatever he has to others and expects nothing in return. He cares for his wife and his sons like a righteous man of God should and no one could ever take that away from him. Whether we are joking around, arguing or just being a typical father and son combo I always know at the end of the day he is a blessing in my life and has been a leader in my life and I wish I would shave realized that earlier in my life. My Dad is a true man of God and my God has blessed me with a man of patience and great virtues. He is truly the man it says to be in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 — “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." Through trials and tribulations my earthly Dad stands firm in his faith even when its heart. He is the rock of our family.
My Mom is the greatest women in this world, (and if you want to argue, bring in on!). She is a women of God and truly the women it says she should be in Proverbs 31:9-31. She is the women that gave me my sarcasm but also who gave me my heart for youth and children. My mom is someone that gives without want and is filled with a helping heart for others. She is the women I want my wife to be and someone who has always been there for me when I need to vent and yell or when I just wanted someone to sit and listen to me. Washington Irving said, "There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity" and that is what my mom is. She is my spark in the times of my darkness, she is my encouragement even when I am at the lowest points of my life. She is my support system.
2) My call to Ministry is the 2nd greatest thing I am truly blessed to have. For awhile after I was called into youth ministry I ran from it in the hopes that if would go away and God would choose someone else, but during the summer of 2008 I accepted it and it has been the greatest thing ever. I have the honor to spend my life Ministering to Youth as my JOB! not as something after I do when I get off work, not something I do on the weekends or the summer, but 24/7 365 days for however long the Lord will have me in the ministry and the greatest thing is my God will be my boss. God has instructed us all to minster to others and make his name known to everyone, but I have the blessing to do that as my occupation and I am very excited. After I graduate I will spend the next decades ministering to youth, doing missions and doing whatever other Ministry opportunities God puts in my life and I am so pumped. God has instructed me to do this job and I couldn't think of a better job.
My life is full of blessing an I only have one person to thank for them all and that is my Lord and Creator God, Jesus Christ. He has filled me with His spirit and His blessing and no matter how much I thank Him for it all it will never be enough. He is my God and my Everything.
So during the holidays, think about what you are thankful for and are you truly thankful.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Jump
Before I begin writing about the jump....I won't be blogging about Kenya just because it is WAY TO MUCH to blog about and I don't have the time here to sit for a few hours and blog. If you want to know what happened in Kenya I will be more than glad to tell you, so don't hesitate to ask!
While we are in Africa, Thursday is our day off to relax, recharge and just fellowship all day with the team and the kids. 2 weeks ago on our day off we decided to go to Ginja while the kids were in school and see the Nile River, eat and Bungee Jump. The ride to Ginja was not too back, besides the fact that I sat on a bucket seat in the taxi that was basically a piece of wood. When we arrived to the Bungee Jump site that’s when my nerves started to get to me as a looked and saw how high 145 feet over the Nile River actually is. I suck it up though, got weighed, paid and started my hike up the tower with the rest of my team that was jumping (Mitch, Emilie, Todd, Laurel, Coleman, and my brother Cary).
Mitch went first, Emilie was going to be second and I was lined up to be third. As I watched Mitch go and then Emilie, all of a sudden it was my turn to jump. I sat down in the chair that was carved into different boodas and other creepy things my heart started to race. I watched as they tied my feet together with just a wet towel and a tie down that you would use for cargo in a truck bed. They gave me the normal instructions of “don’t look down,” “make sure you dive and don’t just jump” and of course from my Zimbabwe instructor “Have a good a** time mate!”
I got up, jumped over to the platform, moved my feet to the edge, looked straight in front of me as the guy talked to me and gave me last minutes pointers to make sure that I was able to touch the water (which is something you get to do…dunked, or not dunked is your choice….I chose dunk). Before I knew it I had my hands by my waste, and then heard the shout……”3…2…1….BUNGEE!” and I jumped!
Those 3 seconds to the water were the most amazing 3 seconds of my life. Bull riders say they have the best 8 seconds, but I say that I had the best 3 seconds. 3 seconds then I was plunged into the water and the recoiled back up and down for about 25 more seconds and all that was coming out of my body was yelling and “War Eagle” because I couldn’t believe I had just jumped 145 feet tied to a large rubber band!
I highly recommend doing it! I’ll do it again with you!
I got up, jumped over to the platform, moved my feet to the edge, looked straight in front of me as the guy talked to me and gave me last minutes pointers to make sure that I was able to touch the water (which is something you get to do…dunked, or not dunked is your choice….I chose dunk). Before I knew it I had my hands by my waste, and then heard the shout……”3…2…1….BUNGEE!” and I jumped!
Those 3 seconds to the water were the most amazing 3 seconds of my life. Bull riders say they have the best 8 seconds, but I say that I had the best 3 seconds. 3 seconds then I was plunged into the water and the recoiled back up and down for about 25 more seconds and all that was coming out of my body was yelling and “War Eagle” because I couldn’t believe I had just jumped 145 feet tied to a large rubber band!
I highly recommend doing it! I’ll do it again with you!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Hardest Blog Yet....
This blog was suppose to be posted 2 days ago but for some reason it sat in the "draft" section and never was submitted.
Before I begin to write this, know that this is going to take me a long time to write because it breaks my heart, even when I just think about it.
Today started like any other Tuesday (work around the Sozo House). We got the burn pile out of the yard to make a chicken coop, cut some hedges and pulled some weeds and did a little sweeping and moping in our guest house. After we were finished we decided to go to the mall and eat lunch and then go to the Kampala Market to buy a few souvenirs for our friends and family. I was pretty excited because I had been wanting to go since we got here and last time we tried to go it rained and they don't open when it rains. We ate at a pizza place and I ended up getting my first burger in Africa and it was delicious, and I ate every bite and even included a milkshake and fries. After we were all finished we went and got a little money out of the ATM and began our walk over to the market.
Now before I tell my story you must first know a background history of the kids of Kampala. As you drive downtown in Kampala, when you stop, kids will come up to your vehicle and the youngest I had seen was maybe 12 years old. They are out there begging for there guardians and they bring the money back to there guardians and the guardians will buy alcohol, drugs and food for themselves, so the key rule is, is to not give money so that the guardians won't have the money to buy those things and you can't touch the kids either (even just a hug) because the guardians will come (because they are watching) and beat you and take your money. It gets hard sometimes to say no, but the kids still seem pretty healthy and somewhat happy even though they spend all day begging.......but as we were walking to the village and I had turned away a few kids, thats when my heart broke into a million pieces and I began to tear up in the middle of the street.
Sitting in front a small store was a 2 year old boy with his arms stretch out, begging as small tears rolled down his face......let me say that again.....no more than 2 years old, BEGGING because his lazy and hurtful guardian doesn't have the decency to take care of himself......and I couldn't do a thing but watch. I couldn't hold him, hug him, give him money, give him food, nothing but just look and that tore my heart in half and my day was destroyed and even now, the image of that little boy is still in my head. Where is he right now? Is he alive? Is he hurt? Is he being fed or given water? I don't know and will never know and that kills me. Kids are my heart and everyone of them deserves a better life than I have and when I see something like that, knowing that the little boy has no chance bring tears to my eyes. All I wanted to do was just to hold him and to tell him that I love him and that the God of the universe, the maker of all, and my Eternal Father loves him more than I or any other person could!
But why does God allow that to happen? Why has he chosen me over that little boy to live an amazing life and to have the chances that I have. I would give anything for that little boy to have a happier life than me! ANYTHING! because I am so undeserving of the life I have, friends I have and family that I have. I don't deserve anything. So why me?? Why am I chosen over the next kid. I am a dirty sinner and a mind of sinful thoughts and yet I get the better life. All I can hope is that that little boy grows up to know the name of Jesus.
And that is the only reason I can think of, of why I have been blessed the way I am, so that I can use my passion for kids to go and spread the name of Jesus. So that the number of street kids beggers will decrease and decrease, as His name grows and grows! I have to always remember Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." No matter some of the terrible things I may see as I am a missionary, I have to always remember that He is in control. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9. His ways are higher than my thoughts, so some of the things I don't understand or don't know why, maybe I'm no suppose too. Thats what faith is for, right?? "For we walk be faith, and not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7. He loves all of us the same, no one more than the other and we must all remember that. So if we are blessed, we must use our blessing to bless others so that those other people can bless others as well. My goal is for His name to be glorified, not questioned. So I must have faith. As much as that little kid has broken my heart, and still does I know the Lord has a plan for that little boy, whether I know the plan or not, I do know that it will bring honor and glory to His name.
**Headed to Kenya tomorrow morning for a week (July 1-July 9). No internet or phone, so a big blog will be posted next Sunday and one also about my Bungee Jump over the Nile River**
Before I begin to write this, know that this is going to take me a long time to write because it breaks my heart, even when I just think about it.
Today started like any other Tuesday (work around the Sozo House). We got the burn pile out of the yard to make a chicken coop, cut some hedges and pulled some weeds and did a little sweeping and moping in our guest house. After we were finished we decided to go to the mall and eat lunch and then go to the Kampala Market to buy a few souvenirs for our friends and family. I was pretty excited because I had been wanting to go since we got here and last time we tried to go it rained and they don't open when it rains. We ate at a pizza place and I ended up getting my first burger in Africa and it was delicious, and I ate every bite and even included a milkshake and fries. After we were all finished we went and got a little money out of the ATM and began our walk over to the market.
Now before I tell my story you must first know a background history of the kids of Kampala. As you drive downtown in Kampala, when you stop, kids will come up to your vehicle and the youngest I had seen was maybe 12 years old. They are out there begging for there guardians and they bring the money back to there guardians and the guardians will buy alcohol, drugs and food for themselves, so the key rule is, is to not give money so that the guardians won't have the money to buy those things and you can't touch the kids either (even just a hug) because the guardians will come (because they are watching) and beat you and take your money. It gets hard sometimes to say no, but the kids still seem pretty healthy and somewhat happy even though they spend all day begging.......but as we were walking to the village and I had turned away a few kids, thats when my heart broke into a million pieces and I began to tear up in the middle of the street.
Sitting in front a small store was a 2 year old boy with his arms stretch out, begging as small tears rolled down his face......let me say that again.....no more than 2 years old, BEGGING because his lazy and hurtful guardian doesn't have the decency to take care of himself......and I couldn't do a thing but watch. I couldn't hold him, hug him, give him money, give him food, nothing but just look and that tore my heart in half and my day was destroyed and even now, the image of that little boy is still in my head. Where is he right now? Is he alive? Is he hurt? Is he being fed or given water? I don't know and will never know and that kills me. Kids are my heart and everyone of them deserves a better life than I have and when I see something like that, knowing that the little boy has no chance bring tears to my eyes. All I wanted to do was just to hold him and to tell him that I love him and that the God of the universe, the maker of all, and my Eternal Father loves him more than I or any other person could!
But why does God allow that to happen? Why has he chosen me over that little boy to live an amazing life and to have the chances that I have. I would give anything for that little boy to have a happier life than me! ANYTHING! because I am so undeserving of the life I have, friends I have and family that I have. I don't deserve anything. So why me?? Why am I chosen over the next kid. I am a dirty sinner and a mind of sinful thoughts and yet I get the better life. All I can hope is that that little boy grows up to know the name of Jesus.
And that is the only reason I can think of, of why I have been blessed the way I am, so that I can use my passion for kids to go and spread the name of Jesus. So that the number of street kids beggers will decrease and decrease, as His name grows and grows! I have to always remember Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." No matter some of the terrible things I may see as I am a missionary, I have to always remember that He is in control. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9. His ways are higher than my thoughts, so some of the things I don't understand or don't know why, maybe I'm no suppose too. Thats what faith is for, right?? "For we walk be faith, and not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7. He loves all of us the same, no one more than the other and we must all remember that. So if we are blessed, we must use our blessing to bless others so that those other people can bless others as well. My goal is for His name to be glorified, not questioned. So I must have faith. As much as that little kid has broken my heart, and still does I know the Lord has a plan for that little boy, whether I know the plan or not, I do know that it will bring honor and glory to His name.
**Headed to Kenya tomorrow morning for a week (July 1-July 9). No internet or phone, so a big blog will be posted next Sunday and one also about my Bungee Jump over the Nile River**
Monday, June 27, 2011
Be the Best!
Sorry I haven't haven't blogged in a long time....we have been super super busy. This is going to be a short blog but tomorrow I will write one to catch everyone up on everything we have done in Africa this week.
So while we are in Africa we go to the local church, Watoto South, which is actually apart of the country wide Watoto Church started by Gary Skinner and his wife, both of whom are from America and came here to start an orphanage (sounds like....Sozo!) and now is one of the largest churches and orphanages in Africa.
Sunday God spoke through the pastor a sermon that really caught my attention. He started off talking about the the Saturday before's community project the church did and how he was so impressed and humbled by how many people came and gave there money and abilities just to help someone else out for an hour. How the spirit had just taken over the hands of the workers and used them to fulfill God's work! He kept going on and on about how much he loved just watching people serve, and then he came to His point. He said that no matter what we do in life, if we do it in God's name we have a duty to do it to the best of our ability and that we have no right to hold anything back!
That made me realized that I don't have to be perfect at everything I try to do, I just have to do the best I can at the things I know how to do. When I'm in school, I don't to have a 4.0, I just have to try my best and if my best is a 2.5 then so be it! What my best is, would be serving and caring for other people, and that's what my passion is. I would much rather drop everything I am doing and help someone else, that fulfill what I wanna do. Its probably where some of my procrastination comes from....but I don't care. I love it and I would serve someone else before my self at anytime, and that what God has called me to do and that what my best should be. When I'm in the middle of Africa and am re-concreting a floor, fixing a door frame or teaching an English class I should do it all to the best of my ability. That door frame may not be 100% level or the floor may not be 100% correct (but today it was pretty darn perfect...haha) I much do it all at 110% and nothing less, because I am who my Savior is and my Savior did nothing under what He was capable of doing!
We must persevere to be the best that we can be. James 1:4 says: "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Work Hard and Stay Strong....He is always will you and will always give you the power and wisdom to do His work!
So while we are in Africa we go to the local church, Watoto South, which is actually apart of the country wide Watoto Church started by Gary Skinner and his wife, both of whom are from America and came here to start an orphanage (sounds like....Sozo!) and now is one of the largest churches and orphanages in Africa.
Sunday God spoke through the pastor a sermon that really caught my attention. He started off talking about the the Saturday before's community project the church did and how he was so impressed and humbled by how many people came and gave there money and abilities just to help someone else out for an hour. How the spirit had just taken over the hands of the workers and used them to fulfill God's work! He kept going on and on about how much he loved just watching people serve, and then he came to His point. He said that no matter what we do in life, if we do it in God's name we have a duty to do it to the best of our ability and that we have no right to hold anything back!
That made me realized that I don't have to be perfect at everything I try to do, I just have to do the best I can at the things I know how to do. When I'm in school, I don't to have a 4.0, I just have to try my best and if my best is a 2.5 then so be it! What my best is, would be serving and caring for other people, and that's what my passion is. I would much rather drop everything I am doing and help someone else, that fulfill what I wanna do. Its probably where some of my procrastination comes from....but I don't care. I love it and I would serve someone else before my self at anytime, and that what God has called me to do and that what my best should be. When I'm in the middle of Africa and am re-concreting a floor, fixing a door frame or teaching an English class I should do it all to the best of my ability. That door frame may not be 100% level or the floor may not be 100% correct (but today it was pretty darn perfect...haha) I much do it all at 110% and nothing less, because I am who my Savior is and my Savior did nothing under what He was capable of doing!
We must persevere to be the best that we can be. James 1:4 says: "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Work Hard and Stay Strong....He is always will you and will always give you the power and wisdom to do His work!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Where to Begin....
WOW…Where to begin???
We have been without power for 4 days, which is why I haven’t blogged since I have been here so I will try not to write forever, but I can’t make any promises!
We have been without power for 4 days, which is why I haven’t blogged since I have been here so I will try not to write forever, but I can’t make any promises!
On Tuesday at 5pm I boarded a plane that would take me to Amsterdam. The plane ride was 8 HOURS LONG and I watched 3 movies, 1 episode of Two and a Half Men and one episode of Friends while staying awake the whole time until we landed in Amsterdam. It took us an hour to get to our next flight and through security again when we loaded for a flight to Nairobi, Kenya that took another 7 hours long and by that time it was 9am in Amsterdam but 1am in Alabama so I was beginning to get very very tired! But I was able to make it without falling asleep again because I didn’t want to be to bad off my sleeping schedule when we got to Uganda. We got one last flight from Nairobi to Entebbe that was only 1 hour long and FINALLY we made it to Kampala, Uganda and after a 30 minute taxi ride we arrived at the Sozo house, but the kids were already asleep because it was 12am, so all I could so was go to there rooms and just look at them and at that moment I realized that after 5 years of trying I was finally in Africa!
The next day (Thursday) all we did was sleep and rest so that we could get back on our sleeping track as fast as possible. At 1 pm the first group of kids cam home from school (the youngest ones). Then I was able to meet: Mercy, Fatuma, Kirabo, Julius, Jaylia, Freedah, Dennis, Michael, Vicki, and Vivian. As they entered the fence all I could do was just watch them pile on top of me and after about an hour I was known as “Uncle Will” For the next 2 hours we ran around and played soccer because they didn’t have homework (how cool is it that God worked in the littlest way by them not having homework so that we could play as soon as they got home). At 3pm the second group got home (the middle kids) that were: Deborah, Weiswa, and Ronald and later at 5pm the oldest kids got home that were: Ivan, Vanitah, Sharron and the oldest, Esia.
About 30 minutes after the oldest got home and we were all outside running around before they had to start there chores…I pulled myself to the side of the yard sat down and began to tear up because I realized that after many years God was still faithful to His calling he had put in my heart. For 5 years Africa has been a huge burden on my heart and I was finally here, and the most incredible thing was that I didn’t feel like a stranger, I didn’t feel lost or confused, I didn’t feel like I didn’t belong or feel like a Mazungoo (white man)……I felt like…..I was HOME……
On Friday we went to Rays of Hope, which is the school that is in Kapalagala that is the slum right outside of Kampala. When we arrived I got a hug from about 125 smiling/screaming children and it was an incredible feeling! These kids have absolutely nothing and all around were there homes that were basically nothing, but yet, through all that they were still laughing and smiling because they were alive and at school. They find there joy in thing that in America we hate…uniforms, school, homework, etc. and I became jealous of that joy and above all else whenever I said Mayama ye bisibway (probably didn’t spell that right) which means “Praise the Lord” all around I would hear “Amen”. And knowing that a lot of these kids also found joy in Jesus Christ overwhelmed me! It became clear that I was not going to do all the teaching, but at the same time these kids were going to teach me just as much, or even more over the next 40 days.
Then…Saturday came…”Women’s Day” at Rays of Hope, which is a day that Lauren Bond had been planning from the beginning. That day we had 55 women from the city of Kapalgala, but what they came with was not smiling faces or screams of excitement… but they came with heavy hearts, and sad smiles and a will of not looking forward to another day. They did not share the same feelings of Joy that there children or grandchildren had, but feelings of loneliness and sadness. It took the 6th women to come in before I saw my first smile and even after that the smiles were not very common, but God laid a prayer on my heart, that before these women left they would all smile at least once. We started the day off by sharing the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet and afterwards being able to wash the women’s feet and showing them that we are here by the Grace of God to serve them and to love on them for the next few hours. After I was able to speak to them for a little bit and I told them all we wanted to do wash serve them and show them that they are loved and appreciated for what they do each day for there children. After we served them lunch Lauren spoke a powerful message to them about being the Holy women God intended for them to do. That meant to stop going to the witch doctor, stop selling themselves for money or to stop worshipping false Gods. After Lauren spoke and we began to line them up for a group picture God answered my prayer and in between thank you’s and goodbye’s I got to see each women there smile for just a little while…and knowing that God had spoken to each of them for just a little while made me light up and get so anxious to see how the city of Kapalgala will change due to the changes of each of the women. I know that without a down, the next time I come to Uganda and visit Rays of Hope, that I will see a change in Kapalagala for the better.Sunday and today were pretty regular. We got a schedule together on Sunday and today we began work on the Sozo house doing some sweeping, mopping and landscaping and already I can see the changes that we have made and the place looks amazing!! God has already shown up so much over the past week and through tears and laughter and joy I have gotten to see His good work being done by myself, my brother and the rest of the team here and it pumps me up to think about the rest of the work we are going to get done the next 30 days, but only by His hand we can do the work He wants us to do.
Psalms 91:15 is my verse for the trip…” He will call upon me and I will answer Him. I will be with Him in trouble, I will deliver Him and honor Him.” And that truly is my prayer. That without a doubt He has called me and I have answered but not only that, my prayer is that during trouble I will be with Him and during that I will still proclaim His name no matter how hard anything get. Last thing before I get to a few fun things ( and yes, there is more.) While I was reading James yesterday I was reminded of a verse that I have always known and a verse that begins the book of James. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of any kind. Because you know that testing of your face develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work, so that you may be mature and complete, and not lacking in anything….Over the nest 30 days I must be reminded of that. That within any hardship I face I must keep my chin up and know that when I make it through the trouble, I am stronger and wiser because of it and only through that, may God be glorified in the Highest!
Now for a few fun things…..First….I HATE ROOSTERS!!!! Dear Lord, if that thing wakes me up one more time I will personally ring its neck so that it will never crow again, and recently it has found a friend in the form of a dog that, of course, has to yelp at the same time so the duo combined is enough to wake me up, which some of your know is a very very hard thing to do!
2nd…we are going bat hunting soon so I will keep you updated on that!....to be continued…..
and Lastly I will be posting picture tomorrow or Wednesday of Rays of Hope and all the kids and Sozo, but before all of you see the pictures and start claiming one of them as your own, know that Deborah is already mine, so back off!! Haha. This girl is so full of life and joy and makes me laugh with everything she does….she is a little sassy too so again, for those who know me, that works well with my sassiness to! Her and Vanitah taught me how to cook Irish Potatoes last night over an African fire and it was the funnest 3 hours I have had at the house so far. So as much as I love, love, love every one of the kids…Deborah is untouchable to everyone….end of story…haha.
Thank You for all who have read this (including my mom) because I know it was really long. I promise the other ones will not be near this long, unless we lose power for along time again.
May God Bless you and all that encounter you!
More Stories to Come Soon….James 1:27
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I Can't Sleep
Well, I can't sleep. The day that I have been waiting on for 4 years in tomorrow and nothing I do is putting my mind at bay. The past 2 hours have consisted of worship, prayer and tears, all in the mean time face down on the floor trying to lower my self as low as possible. God has overwhelmed me and I love it. All I keep hearing Him say is "Love Them....Love each and every single person you encounter and to make sure they know the love and hope only I can give them."
That is my prayer. That I am able to share the love of Jesus Christ to every person that I meet and for them to know, that the only thing I have to offer them is a way of freedom, mercy, hope and joy that can only be found in Jesus Christ. This is what I want to do for my life is share the love of Jesus to people of the world....and the only thing keeping me from not staying in Africa i to come back and finish school as quickly as possible so that I can leave Mississippi and share His love with everyone on earth. I am nothing without Jesus Christ, and He is the only person I live my life for. I am not afraid of death or injury or things going wrong. My only fear is missing an opportunity to share His Word with someone and that person missing out on the great love anyone has to offer. I want with everything that I am, for everyone to know Jesus Christ to be able to have the Grace and Mercy I experience every single day that I live. That they are given a reason to get up in the morning and that whether they have a lot or a little, that they understand it doesn't matter. I want every person to realize that Jesus is the only thing you need in your life, because in Him, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING! You have the only thing worth living for. He DIED for us....what a love...for someone to lay down there own life for another. He died for me, he died for you, and he died for every single person I will meet in Africa.
I want to have the love, that of a guy I know, Grant Blair. He is autistic, but has the kindness heart I have ever seen. He calls me daily just to see how I am doing...and even though sometimes its 8am, it still brings a smile to my face each time. I love this guy dearly and if everyone in the world had the hear and kindness of half of what Grant has, the world would be so amazing. If he doesn't know you when you see him, it doesn't matter, he still is going to be so kind to you, and before you leave he will know everything about you and will have blessed you. I am blessed to have this man in my life and I would trade anything in the world for it. He loves me, he loves everyone around him, and most of all he loves God and is in constant prayer.
I am so excited to get to Africa and experience the smiles of all the kids and to experience the kindness of the adults. I am excited that I have the honor of sharing the love of Jesus Christ to them...not only through my words but through my actions and emotions. I pray that God works through me daily, giving me the tools I need to share His love to everyone.
I may not be able to change the whole world.....but I can sure start trying.
Im going to try and sleep now. May God Bless You and your family. May he consume you with love and compassion and grant you peace each day.
That is my prayer. That I am able to share the love of Jesus Christ to every person that I meet and for them to know, that the only thing I have to offer them is a way of freedom, mercy, hope and joy that can only be found in Jesus Christ. This is what I want to do for my life is share the love of Jesus to people of the world....and the only thing keeping me from not staying in Africa i to come back and finish school as quickly as possible so that I can leave Mississippi and share His love with everyone on earth. I am nothing without Jesus Christ, and He is the only person I live my life for. I am not afraid of death or injury or things going wrong. My only fear is missing an opportunity to share His Word with someone and that person missing out on the great love anyone has to offer. I want with everything that I am, for everyone to know Jesus Christ to be able to have the Grace and Mercy I experience every single day that I live. That they are given a reason to get up in the morning and that whether they have a lot or a little, that they understand it doesn't matter. I want every person to realize that Jesus is the only thing you need in your life, because in Him, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING! You have the only thing worth living for. He DIED for us....what a love...for someone to lay down there own life for another. He died for me, he died for you, and he died for every single person I will meet in Africa.
I want to have the love, that of a guy I know, Grant Blair. He is autistic, but has the kindness heart I have ever seen. He calls me daily just to see how I am doing...and even though sometimes its 8am, it still brings a smile to my face each time. I love this guy dearly and if everyone in the world had the hear and kindness of half of what Grant has, the world would be so amazing. If he doesn't know you when you see him, it doesn't matter, he still is going to be so kind to you, and before you leave he will know everything about you and will have blessed you. I am blessed to have this man in my life and I would trade anything in the world for it. He loves me, he loves everyone around him, and most of all he loves God and is in constant prayer.
I am so excited to get to Africa and experience the smiles of all the kids and to experience the kindness of the adults. I am excited that I have the honor of sharing the love of Jesus Christ to them...not only through my words but through my actions and emotions. I pray that God works through me daily, giving me the tools I need to share His love to everyone.
I may not be able to change the whole world.....but I can sure start trying.
Im going to try and sleep now. May God Bless You and your family. May he consume you with love and compassion and grant you peace each day.
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