Just Being

It’s raining in Nasir. This unfortunate news came Sunday evening, and we were scheduled to fly into Nasir on Tuesday; things were not looking good. The flight wasn’t for sure cancelled, so we prayed for the rain to stop so that the airstrip wouldn’t be too wet to land. Monday morning we received the call that it had rained in Nasir overnight, so the airstrip was too wet to land on Tuesday.  My spirit sank. We all really wanted to get to Nasir. Our stay in Kampala had been great as we transitioned to living in Africa, but we were ready to move past this middle ground and get to work, not to mention three weeks in a house with nine people was getting a bit trying at times. Okay, I could wait a few days for the airstrip to dry out. But then we got more bad news, the first flight we could schedule with MAF (our charter organization) wasn’t until October 27th. Great. A month just sitting around. These were my initial thoughts. It is what it is, but I wasn’t too happy with it, and I knew I needed to check my attitude. We all began to pray for a miracle to happen and us to get a sooner flight. Emails to prayer warriors in the states were sent. As I prayed and worked through my own discouragement and negative thoughts, I was reminded again that God controls everything and I needed to surrender my attempt at control. I also became aware of some selfishness rooted in myself, as not all of my motivation for getting to Nasir was selfless. I was really looking forward to getting my own space and to start getting the ball rolling. As I prayed through all of this, I received many words of encouragement from people back home. One of my good friends back in Houston reminded me that I’m here following Gods will not my own agenda and that even if I was to never get to Nasir that’s okay because He called me there and I’m giving Him glory by being obedient. He's placed the team everywhere we should be this far, and he's going to continue to do the same. I will always be exactly where I need to be just focus on the reason not the problems. So that’s what I’m trying to do, be where God needs me to be each day and who God needs me to be each day. During the time of waiting here in Kampala, I am trying to focus on just being and not always having to do, spending my time just listening to the Lord’s leading, seeking Him and learning to hear His voice.

Planning for Nasir

With our flight into Nasir being scheduled to leave Tuesday October 1^st, we spent the next few weeks in Kampala buying supplies and trying to pack our trunks according to the limited weight we had. Trying to find everything we needed was an adventure and takes much longer than in the US. A simple trip to the grocery store could easily take up to four hours, add the increased security due to the recent events in Kenya, one store trip could take at least half a day. Learning to drive in Kampala definitely was an experience trying to dodge boda boda drivers (motorcycle taxis) and matatus. Finding my way around the city was an adventure. I literally say a prayer for safety (for me and the pedestrians) every time I get behind the wheel... or when the car starts. Our little Pajero struggles with cold starts. We have determined that sometimes we need to literally shake the car to get the fluid flowing to the starter plugs to get the ignition to fire up. It’s quite a scene.

Planning all of the meals in Nasir and distributing the weight for the flight among all the team was a lengthy process. I never imaged that I would spend days searching for dried soy chunks to make spaghetti and chili… yummy (its way better than eating beans and rice for every meal though!). Packing within the weight allotted was a humbling experience as you really have to weigh what is absolutely necessary and what is a luxury. Not knowing exactly what is readily available in the Nasir market was  Do I choose to use my weight with another bar of soap or some granola bars? Would I rather have bug spray or something that smells nice? All these questions to answer and choices to make! Thankfully, I was able to pack my trunks with both necessary items as well as a few luxury items.

Driving through Kampala

Got my Mexican food fix!!

Crammed car rides with the team 

Laura and I as we prepare our first dinner together in Kampala

Laura the seamstress sewing the curtains for our Nasir home

Believe it or not, our team of 9 plus a driver fit in this small SUV, so Cass & Blaise rode in the boot

Africa By Radio

After being in Africa for a few days, still not really over jet lag, the Ginters, Laura, and I were up at 2:30 am to head to the airport to catch an early flight to Nairobi, Kenya. We were headed to the Africa By Radio Intercontinental Conference in Limuru (a suburb of Nairobi). We were joined by Every Village’s radio voice, Daniel who is a South Sudanese man from the Dinka tribe. After a short flight, we made our way through a big tent housing the Kenyan customs due to the recent fire that destroyed much of the Nairobi airport. Outside the airport, we were greeted by a driver who was holding a sign for us. (I have always wanted to be picked up that way, so I can cross that off the bucket list!) The drive through Nairobi was rather entertaining as well as nerve wracking. Imagine a 6 lane divided highway, with groups of 10+ people randomly rushing across the lanes of traffic.  It was kind of like an arcade game simulator as we weaved through traffic dodging the groups of people. I was very happy that I was not driving. We even witnessed a man on the side of the road get a running start towards a moving matatu (minivan public taxi crammed full of people) with the door open, and he jumped right on the side for the ride.

After arriving at the conference and settling into our rooms, we connected with a lady from KSBJ (a radio station in Houston). She was such a blessing as she was able to introduce us to many of the other organizations that were present. This gave us many connections with people who have been doing radio outreach for years, which will be handy in the near future as we try to figure out how to do radio since no one on the team has any background at all in radio or any type of communications.

The conference consisted of a series of main lectures with breakout sessions focused on specifics (technical, reaching kids, writing radio dramas, etc). Every morning we began the day with worship. It was like a small glimpse of heaven being able to corporately worship with so many different races. We were able to meet people from all over the world that use radio to communicate the Gospel. People from over 20 African countries were represented.  It was such a blessing to be around people so passionate about using media to spread the love of Christ. It was a huge encouragement as we sat through different sessions at the conference to continually hear strategies similar to the one of Every Village. Radio and media are great tools to be used and should be taken advantage of, but nothing can take the place of face to face discipleship in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. 

Probably my favorite part of the conference (besides getting to hear the stories of well-seasoned missionaries in dangerous parts of the world), was the last night when they had an awards gala. The attire for this event was traditional African dress. Getting the opportunity to see all the different garb was awesome. There was more worship and even some dancing! I’m pretty sure there are some random pictures out there of the mzungu (white person) trying to dance.

Conference room

Tea time!

Traditional African garb

Worship in dance

Kampala Home

Here is a little tour of our Team House in Kampala. All nine of us our living in this 3 bedroom house until we move into Nasir.

Kitchen

Stairs

Front Entry

Living Room

My Garage/Bedroom

Our little Pajero

View from back patio

Chicken coop in the backyard

Goodbyes are Hard

The day had finally come. In a few short hours I would say goodbye to everything I knew, climb onto the plane and head to Africa for two years. It was so surreal. It began to set in as I lay in bed with my dogs, Cookie and Ellie Mae. Soon my tears soaked their fur as I realized that they really may not be here whenever I get back. As I went through the day, throwing the last few items into my trunks, eating my last American meal, which was of course Whataburger, and hanging with my family, many tears were shed. On our way to the airport, an array of emotions flooded over me. I was sad, nervous, excited, anxious, and full of anticipation. Arriving at the airport, we were greeted with a crowd of people from the Every Village office, Hope Church, the Pierce’s family and some of my close friends. It was a very warm goodbye. Again, many tears were shed. After a wonderful corporate prayer of blessing and protection, the Pierce family and I made our way to security. The final hugs were hard, especially for my family and close friends. The image of my family and friends waving a final goodbye as I stepped past security is embedded in my mind. That was the last that I may see of some of them for the next two years. The multiple flights over the next twenty-four hours were kind of a blur. Somehow, by the grace of God, we arrived at our final destination (for a few weeks) Entebbe, Uganda, without any of us missing a connecting flight and with all twenty-five of our checked bags. It is seriously a miracle that nothing got lost! By the time we made it to our house (which all nine of us are staying in for the next few weeks) it was almost 5am. After getting our things unloaded, we all crashed for a few hours before starting our day to try to get over jet lag ASAP. 

Pictures from the Airport:

Me and Mom

Caleb, me, Mom, and Dad (Will and Adrianna couldnt make it)

Our awesome goodbye crew

Time of prayer

Africa here we come!

Time Well Spent

Preparing to leave the country for two years is a lot more hectic than I ever imagined it to be. My last month in the states was spent traveling saying see-you-laters, shopping for unusual supplies, meeting with donors, and spending time with friends and family. It seemed as though I did not have a moment to spare. During my last two weeks in Houston, I began to become very overwhelmed with all I had to do…cancel gym membership, alert the banks of move, get last immunizations, get international driver’s license, write countless thank you notes… the list went on and on. Also, my social calendar was full to the brim with meals and outings with friends and family as my departure date approached. I began to get stressed about being able to fit everybody and everything into my schedule, but then a good friend reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was busy scurrying about, trying to complete many tasks, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to him, strengthening her relationship with Him. My friend reminded me that people are more important than things. It was more important for me to spend time with my friends and family than to make sure I had every last item packed. I asked God to help me to manage my time well, and to love others well in the midst of my preparations for the move. I don’t know how this was physically possible, but somehow I was able to see and spend time with almost everyone I needed to before leaving (also with the help of my friends who threw me an awesome surprise going away party). God is good. Yes, I got to Africa missing a few items. Yes, I left a few tasks behind that my mom so graciously offered to complete for me, but I’d rather have left some things that can be replaced than to have lost time nurturing relationships, which cannot be regained.

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” -Luke 10:41-42

A Long Life of Serving

Recently, I was able to spend a week with my two sweet grandmothers, Momoo and Grandma. For over 40 years, they have both lived in Odessa, about a mile away from each other, and they would get together multiple times a week. But now, Grandma is moving to Colorado to live with family as it is not safe for her to live alone any longer. 

The week spent in Odessa was a busy one, painting and fixing things, as the house was about to go on the market. In the midst of all the work, one morning Momoo hosted a going away party for Grandma. It was such a blessing to see all the people who came to say goodbye. I heard many, many stories of how Grandma has for years faithfully served in the church, participated in prison ministry, volunteered at the crisis center, taught Sunday school (which she has recently stopped doing…she is 84), and the list goes on. What a woman. 

During lunch one day, Momoo (who is almost 88) told me how she and a woman in her 70’s teamed up to teach about 20 second graders in VBS this summer. Whoaaa. Talk about purposeful retirement. I was blown away. I am so extremely blessed to have such amazing women as models of what a servant of Jesus Christ should look like their entire life. I pray that I can be half as selfless and giving that they are. These two really are the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” –Proverbs 31:26-31