Here we are, halfway through our trip! We’re standing a point where we can look back and see how far we’ve come as a team—we can greet and carry casual conversations with the locals, we’ve learned how to cook some of the cuisine. Praise God for bringing us this far.
I’m still trying to get used to this whole “blogging” business…it feels weird to share my thoughts to possibly the entire population of internet-users. So, pardon my awkwardness.
As Victor mentioned in his post, the healthcare team has been going to the neighboring villages of STAO to do a participatory assessment. This has been extremely exciting and difficult at times. But I feel that it’s giving us good exposure to the needs and struggles of our brothers and sisters here in Uganda. The culture here is so beautiful; everyone we pass will ask us how we’re doing, and those we approach to survey are always welcoming. In doing these assessments, I really feel that God is aligning our hearts to His heart for STAO. We’ve been praying for moldable hearts that are open to see His people the way that He sees them.
Today we continued our surveying and also sang at a youth conference held in Jinja. It was amazing to see so many other youth our age gathered together to learn more about our God. It felt amazing to worship our God TOGETHER—the God that is the same God in Seattle as He is in Jinja, the God that knows each of us by name, the God that created our inmost being, the God that sees us in the depths of our brokenness and extends His mercy to redeem us from our sins.
Please be praying for our final two weeks here. Pray for plenty of time to spend with the kids, and for time to complete the HIV testing, the second building, and the surveying. God has been so good to our team. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Comments
shawna, I am so glad that team bonding is going well. I know many of you were worried about living in such close quarters. I am glad God has met that with love and patience for each other. I am so exicted for the opportunities God has given you and your team. I love you and miss you!
i can’t believe it’s already halfway over! but i am so thankful to hear how God has blessed you already, and i know that His blessings will only continue as you go through the remainder of your stay there! amen to everything you said about God…it’s amazing to hear about His power and love over there, a reminder of the character He has, even here in rainy seattle (yeah it’s really really raining right now!)
love you and know that my prayers are with you
Shawna-you are doing a great job of blogging so no worries! Thank you for the update. It seems as though the urgency of all the work left to do in your final few weeks will be a challenge for you all. You and all of the team are amazing and I know with your wisdom, you will use the rest of your time to the best of your abilities. You will never be able to accomplish everything you want , but never doubt that what you ARE doing is making a positive difference for the many hearts you touch.
perfect place to be - with your hearts aligned with God’s heart for STAO. Amen! Awesome to experience being Christ’s, hands and feet, etc the past 2 wks and the 2 to come, availing yourselves as instruments of God’s righteousness. Continue to experience the grace of Christ and His bond of peace, encouraging one another and united in love. I know you are knowing Him more and more each day.
wow, you guys are doing such amazing work. i was totally praying for you guys last week and the week before while i was in seattle and ever since i came back i’ve been not so good about being faithful in praying for you guys. but i’m going to do my best to really pray for you the next couple of weeks. thanks so much for following jesus . . . even to africa! press on!
You are displaying the heart of our Lord, dear Shawna. Strength and blessing and peace be with you in the second half of your journey. Will continue to pray for protection, rest and joy. Looking forward to hearing from you face to face.
thanks for the update Shawna! all the posts from your team have been so moving. My prayers are with you in your final 2 weeks, can’t wait to hear about your experience when you return to Seattle. be safe!