what stirs your heart?
the village
"Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose." - William Cowper
On January 6, I flew all the way to Kampala, Uganda. I have been home for nearly two months, but my heart is still there thinking about every single person I met. When I finally saw with my very own eyes the people and culture of Uganda, my life changed forever. I cannot explain it.
Many might wonder what there was to see in Uganda. If someone were to ask me what my favorite thing about Uganda was, I would tell them people. Beautiful people. Broken people. Courageous people. A people I'll never forget. I never knew that children in a distant land could leave such footprints on my soul. I didn't know why God called me to Uganda all those months ago, but as sit here and remember the people I met, my heart is so full and broken, and I understand now why Uganda needed me and why I needed Uganda. On our first full day in Uganda, we went to the slum of Kabalagala after church. I met a lot of children that day, but I remember one girl in particular by the name of Harriet. Such a sweet treasure. I still regret that I didn't take her picture. I don't know if I'll ever see her again but her joyful spirit still lives in my memory. Throughout the week we met so many children. Joyful children. Children so full of life. Children without much in the material sense and yet, so full of love, joy, and a thirst for the love of God. I met a little girl in the village and her name is Esta. She will remain in my heart and memory forever and I pray that when I return to Kampala, she will come to kid's club and will see her again. Her big smile and soft voice are emblazoned on my heart. She, among so many children, is the jewel of Uganda. I have never met children like these or seen a brother or sister who looked so tenderly after their siblings. I'll never forget the smiles, little voices, laughter, and the small feet running freely down the red dirt path towards the van.
Esta in the village
Last April I began my sponsorship with Gertrude. I had no idea what I was fully committing myself to other than adding to His kingdom and changing the life of one girl in Uganda. Little did I know the impact that this decision would make on my life nor the major impact it has made on Gertrude's life. On January 7 we walked up to meet our team at the Entebbe airport, and there was Gertrude standing among them. I had no idea that she would be at the airport--that was the sweetest surprise in Uganda! My heart is fuller because I able to contribute to her life and because I can say confidently today that I have met her and know her personally. I cannot wait to see where her life will go and what the Lord will do with it; she is a remarkable young girl with incredible wisdom and faith in the Lord. Because of her, I am reminded of how good the Lord truly is to His children.
Gertrude and me in Kampala, Uganda
I went to Uganda with the idea of making a difference on the lives there (and while I'm sure I did in ways I cannot even understand), but I think Uganda made the greatest difference on my own life. I knew I would come back with a different perspective on life and missions, but I never knew that the things I saw would change me so much. On my heart is the imprint of the lives I met there.
I've been thinking really long and hard about something my coworker said to me several weeks ago: "Think about whatever it is that breaks your heart, and that is where God is leading you". That is one of the most remarkable statements, and it has left my heart longing to do more for the Kingdom of God. I don't think she had any idea of what an impact that statement made on me and how much I cannot shake it off. It has changed my perspective on the work of God and causes me to realize that I cannot deny what I've seen or turn my eye the other way. I must seek justice for the helpless and broken. I must do, not what matters to me, but more importantly, what matters to God. I must be willing to embrace the Great Commission and become His disciple in my every day life, no matter what I am.
I've been thinking really long and hard about something my coworker said to me several weeks ago: "Think about whatever it is that breaks your heart, and that is where God is leading you". That is one of the most remarkable statements, and it has left my heart longing to do more for the Kingdom of God. I don't think she had any idea of what an impact that statement made on me and how much I cannot shake it off. It has changed my perspective on the work of God and causes me to realize that I cannot deny what I've seen or turn my eye the other way. I must seek justice for the helpless and broken. I must do, not what matters to me, but more importantly, what matters to God. I must be willing to embrace the Great Commission and become His disciple in my every day life, no matter what I am.
A few weeks ago I learned about the heartbreaking story of a young Ethiopian girl who walked 6 hours round trip to fetch contaminated water for her family. At the tender age of 13, the young bride ventured out in the early morning hours of May 19, 2000 to gather water. However, as she made her way way back home, she somehow lost grip on one of the ceramic jugs, causing it to smash on the ground and losing all of the water it contained. I cannot adequately tell the rest of the story, so if you want to read it, you can right here: https://medium.com/charity-water/the-last-walk-for-water-979160375b4a#.fnsuykbdg This story makes me reevaluate my priorities on life and reconsider how incredibly good I have it every day. I don't have to walk even a quarter of a mile for water and or break my back every day retrieving it. Water doesn't hold me back from doing things I want to do; I can freely make decisions that do not affect my access to water. Because of this story and others I have learned about, I have begun to further my support for organizations like Charity Water, Neverthirst, and Blood Water Mission. May I never forget what a single cup of clean water can mean to those hunger and thirst for His righteousness and mercy.
After spending time in Uganda and learning more about those in similar conditions and situations, I am more humble about what I have been given and the privileges I have; I am appreciative of who they are and envy their freedom from not ever knowing the American chains of life weighing them down. I envy their simple life of living with less, yet living so richly in the grace and faith of Christ. It is through them I see fully the message of Luke 1:51-54: "He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty."
After spending time in Uganda and learning more about those in similar conditions and situations, I am more humble about what I have been given and the privileges I have; I am appreciative of who they are and envy their freedom from not ever knowing the American chains of life weighing them down. I envy their simple life of living with less, yet living so richly in the grace and faith of Christ. It is through them I see fully the message of Luke 1:51-54: "He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty."
I have been asking myself lately what I am doing with my life. I feel like I am on a corporate hamster wheel spinning around and around, watching my life fly past me. I feel a deep discontent in the corporate industry and keep looking around me outside those walls and see so much that stirs my heart. It is time to break down these walls and discover what I was born to do. I do not know what the Lord is up to, but I keep finding myself in situations where I hear a recurring message --what are you doing for the Kingdom of God? Monday at noon, I attended the lenten service at Advent and heard a man from But God Ministries in Jackson, MS speak about the very things that I have been on my mind for weeks. On my way to work today, I heard part of David Platt speak about the very same concepts: the Great Commission and becoming disciples for God's gospel. Somehow these are very big signs from God telling me, "Wake up, I am going to use you for things you cannot even imagine." I sometimes struggle with how to listen or to hear God, but perhaps this is Him speaking quite loudly to me. In one week, my church will hold its annual missions conference; I can only imagine what the Lord will reveal to me through that time.
So what stirs your heart? What is it that pricks your soul and causes you to rethink your life? What is God trying to tell you so quietly in the loudness of this weary, chaotic world? Let Him speak in your life. May we all let Him speak to us in all the ways necessary until we understand that the Great Commission isn't a suggestion or always a distant land, but is who we are as believers. We are ambassadors of His gospel and are chosen (all of us believers) to harvest His fields. I am still learning what it means to serve Him well; I just hope I never stop learning, because I will never be perfect.
So what stirs your heart? What is it that pricks your soul and causes you to rethink your life? What is God trying to tell you so quietly in the loudness of this weary, chaotic world? Let Him speak in your life. May we all let Him speak to us in all the ways necessary until we understand that the Great Commission isn't a suggestion or always a distant land, but is who we are as believers. We are ambassadors of His gospel and are chosen (all of us believers) to harvest His fields. I am still learning what it means to serve Him well; I just hope I never stop learning, because I will never be perfect.
Bible Club in the village
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