Outreach, Sisters, and the Meaning of Beauty

I can’t believe it has been a week since I have last posted! I tried to describe to someone recently how time feels to me… when I think about leaving this Sunday, this month seems like it has FLOWN by… but when I think about the time spent here, it has felt like it has been a year!

Snapshots of the week:

- I had mentioned last week briefly about the women’s outreach last Wednesday, but I’d love to go into more detail. As we went out into the local slums, one of the Imani women took us to this one woman who was really struggling. When we came up to her she was sitting outside of a mud hut that was not hers. She seemed uncomfortable with all of us being there. We soon found out that she rarely “comes out” into the community… rather she stays in the mud hut because she is ashamed of her situation. Her husband had left her some time ago and she was left caring for her children. However, she had no mud hut, no food, no clothes, and no job. A lot of people are lacking here in Uganda, but this was the first time I encountered someone that literally had nothing. Our Imani women then further encouraged her to come out to church, but she explained that she didn’t even want to do that because she didn’t have any “church clothes” to wear. She explained that her and her children just rotated between different people’s mud huts in the community. We then began to pray for her.  We laid hands on her, and all of us began praying at once over her. Our prayers became louder and louder and I truly felt the Spirit’s presence! After we said “Amen,” our Imani women immediately stood up and explained to us that they were going to take her to their huts and give her some of their food… from the little they had. I was moved to tears. This verse was lived out right in front of my eyes, without a second’s hesitation:

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me."- Matthew 25: 35-36, 40

It was hard to transition after that that day… how do you move on with the rest of the day? SHE IS STILL THERE. SHE IS STILL STRUGGLING. SHE IS STILL HURTING.

I can go and give her more food and clothes, but that is only a temporary band-aid over the situation… when I leave or when funds run out… SHE IS STILL THERE. SHE IS STILL STRUGGLING. SHE IS STILL HURTING.

All I can do is continue to pray, offer up my heartbreak to the Lord, serve in whatever way I can here and now, and continue to trust Him.

A "step above" the typical/usual one-room mud huts. Living in these types of houses is a HUGE blessing! 

- I was able to briefly visit Invisible Children’s MEND office located right here in Gulu one day during lunch. Invisible Children played a huge part in breaking my heart for what broke the Lord’s heart here in Northern Uganda when I was in middle and high school- when the LRA was still active here. Just this past semester at school, before even knowing that I would be coming to Uganda, I purchased a bag through Invisible Children’s MEND program. This program employs 22 seamstresses. 14 of these 22 seamstresses were formally abducted by the LRA and used as sex slaves. All 22 women were vulnerable and exploited in some way. Now they are employed by Invisible Children and sew bags. Within each bag is a piece of leather stamped with the woman who made the bag’s name, story, and thumbprint. When I first walked in with my bag on my shoulder, all the women squealed with excitement and ran over to check who made it! I was able to meet Evelyn and tell her how much I love the bag and how I bring it every day with me to work when I go to clinicals at the hospital. The pride these women feel about their work was absolutely amazing to witness and it reminded me of Zion's Imani women and their jewelry. What an amazing, unexpected blessing to be able to meet the woman who worked so hard to make my bag and whose life is changed through employment by Invisible Children's MEND!

Evelyn and I with our bag!

- On Saturday, a team of six people from a church in Virginia arrived. They are here serving for one week! It has been super different having a team here, but it has been really amazing and such a blessing! One of the women told me that after observing me greet, hug, and socialize with people at church that she assumed I had been here for WAY longer than I actually have been. That warmed my heart! I feel the exact same way. The church I went to this past Sunday was different than the other 2 Sundays. Because the team was here, we went to the church that the girls go to! It was amazing seeing these girls worship. I know I say that a lot… but considering their traumatic pasts- watching these young girls close their eyes and sing and pray to the Lord with such joy despite their past circumstances is SO moving.

This scripture was alive right in front of my eyes- “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”- Philippians 4:11-12

Why does it seem that whenever something goes wrong, we as American Christians tend to run away briefly and doubt God before we realize, AGAIN, that He really does have it all under control?

Yet these girls, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, run even harder to Him.

Chills.

We all piled into the truck to go out for outreach!

- On Monday, with some people from the team, we went out to a local medical clinic and surrounding community to do outreach with the girls. Since there were 17 girls, 4 team members, and me, Brittany, and Hailey going- we split into three groups. Brittany, Hailey, and I each led a group with a designated older girl who would act as the translator for us. My group went into the pediatric “Ward” (aka one room with 2 beds) to pray- since pediatrics is my favorite. It was amazing to see Lucy (only 13 yrs old) step up and approach the families and ask if we were able to pray for them. Lucy was able to translate for me as I conversed with the families, and then we all laid hands on the kids and prayed for healing. We all pray out loud at once here in Uganda and then one of the girls is chosen to close in prayer. When we were praying for the last patient, the youngest one in our group, Gloria (only 7), closed us in prayer. It was beautiful. As she prayed in Swahili, I couldn’t help but notice the confidence and fervency with which she prayed. She knew exactly to Whom she was praying to. When we got up to leave, Lucy stayed back and spoke in Swahili to the little boy, our last patient. I asked her what she said, and she told me, “I told him that God loves him and that He is the best doctor- He is the ultimate healer.” That was straight from her heart with no initiation other than the Holy Spirit’s prompting! I was such a proud Auntie!!!! As we were walking out of the clinic, it hit me- we just walked into random patients’ rooms and prayed for them---- that would NEVER happen in America with all of the HIPPA rules/regulations that are in place.

BUT WHY NOT?!

After leaving the clinic we traveled to the same community that we outreached with the Imani women. The girls knew a lot of people within the community- some of them grew up there- so I allowed them to lead my group and choose where they wanted to pray. We “happened” to run into the SAME WOMAN who we prayed for earlier that week with the Imani women- the one who had absolutely nothing. As we came up to her I noticed that the look on her face was completely different- she wasn’t sitting alone by herself- she was sitting next to two other women- and she was smiling! PRAISE GOD. We were able to pray over her again!

Watching the girls get so excited running from hut to hut to pray for those in their community warmed my heart. These girls love to talk to their Savior and give back to their community!

I can't properly explain the power felt when we are out either outreaching with the girls or with the women. I heard it once said by both John Piper and Louie Giglio that "if you feel like God is distant it could be that He's on mission over here and you stayed here"- MEANING that God tells us that His heart and mission is in making disciples from "here to the nations"- I've learned that obeying His call- REALLY obeying His call- and going out across the street and into our communities with the desire to make disciples allows us to experience Him in a very intimate way. 

-So I mention my three little housemates (5 yrs old, 2 yrs old, and 1 yr old) a lot. But this is their mom- Janet. The oldest 2 kids are biologically hers and she is currently caring for the youngest one. I love to sit with her and her kids at night when I get home and laugh and dance. Recently we discovered that we are both 21, which made us feel even more like sisters! But my heart hurts. Here are two 21-year-olds from two completely different worlds living in the same little house. One grew up in America, has no children, and is about to receive her college degree. The other grew up in Uganda during one of the most violent wars in the history of Africa. She has two children- each with different fathers- the first was killed by the LRA rebels and the second she left because he had multiple, multiple wives. She is one of the hardest working women I know… and she is an amazing mother! Though we come from 2 different worlds and speak 2 different languages- we are still two 21-year-old young women who both love the same Jesus. I’m going to miss her so much.

Again… another moment that I don't fully understand and where I have no other choice but to whisper, “I trust You.”

My sister Janet and I! 

-Today I was able to spend some time by myself with the girls talking to them about body image/self worth and seeing themselves as God sees them. There was this song that I played them called “Measure of Beauty.” I printed out the lyrics so that they could read them while they listened. However as soon as the song began, they all started SINGING the words. They had NEVER heard that song before and they didn't know how it went, but that didn't stop them from singing, “Jesus, give me eyes to see the way that You measure beauty.” It was such a sweet, sweet moment that I will NEVER forget.

The girls and I after our talk about the real meaning of beauty! 

Sweet Aloyo and I

This week has been full with sweet moments with the girls. I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH. They bring my heart such joy. I care for them so deeply! But it has been so hard recently since they know and I know that I am leaving soon. It’s little moments like this that KILL ME:

Aloyo- “I don’t want you to leave.”

Me- “I don’t want to either.”

Aloyo- “Then why are you?

Sweet Jolly and I

          Or moments like this: Jolly and I are sitting next to each other watching the other girls play Frisbee, she quietly puts her arm around me and says, “Don’t leave Auntie.” 

What do I say?! We just sit there silently for a little bit with our arms around each other communicating without saying anything- we don’t need to- we both know. Our hearts hurt. 

This feels so much like home. These girls feel like family- and they always will be- no matter how far we are. Please be praying for my transition this next week. I can’t even think about it without tearing up. I just want to hug them and never let go! But I have been trusting in the Lord hard these past few days in the fact that I fully believe and know with all my heart that I am here purposefully "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)- not longer or shorter.

"Mamas" and their girls

Near the end of the day today the girls dressed us Aunties up in the traditional wear- after they finished, they all exclaimed- “You look like Mamas!”

Most “older” women wear similar things on their heads, and most “older” women are Mamas with children. So we looked “older,” "like mamas." But for Brittany, Hailey, and me it struck deeper than that. We felt like Mamas in that brief moment- and these were our girls. 

Beyonce, Christmas in January, and TRUST.

 “Dance.” “Cheza.” “Myel.” Those are three words that have the same meaning all in different languages (English, Swahili, and Luo/Acholi respectively). One of my absolute favorite things about Africa is how everybody LOVES to dance! And since I love to dance as well, it becomes a perfect way to communicate and bond with another person that does not speak the same language. It has been a theme for me these past few days!

Snapshots from the past few days:

1) I’ve been visiting the girls’ rescue home A LOT! I have been able to teach them a lot of fun games and fun ways to exercise… what’s the best way to exercise you may ask?!?! DANCING. It’s a perfect scenario- all of the Ugandan girls in the home love to dance and so do I! SO, I had the opportunity to teach them Beyonce’s “Move Your Body” dance! Beyonce created the dance as a fun way to get kids to exercise! I can not even tell you how amazing it was for me to teach them this dance and see them pick up on it so quickly! It was such a fun way for me to bond with the girls. It absolutely was filmed- so be looking for it soon! So since I had taught them an American dance, I asked them to teach me Acholi tribal dances! Let’s just say these girls KNOW HOW TO MOVE! We put away my ipod and they whipped out their drum. They tied a piece of fabric around my waist and explained that all the women during the tribal dances wear them around their hips! THEN they started moving in ways I never have before! Hahaa! But surprisingly, I was able to pick up on some of the movements pretty quickly- thanks to 17 little helpers! But I did make sure that that dance lesson was NOT filmed! It remains in my head as a sweet memory! Hahaa! I can’t wait for you all to see the video of the girls dancing to “Move Your Body”!

Dancing to "Move Your Body!"- Video to come soon :)

2) Some of my favorite memories are the sweet memories that haven’t been filmed… they happen spontaneously when I get home from a long day, and my three sweet little housemates greet me (5 yrs, 2 yrs, 1 yr). Before I can even set down my backpack they say “Myel! Myel! Auntie Em Myel!” So we all spend another hour dancing in the little kitchen.

Stephen and Sarita! Two of my sweet housemates- who LOVE to dance! They bring me such JOY! 

3) On Friday night we were able to go to one of Brittany’s friend’s houses. She hosts a “Mexican Night” every Friday night. It was basically a little hang out of 20 or so other white people my age (basically all the white people in Gulu). We were able to talk about our weeks and all of the different organizations we are involved in. It was much needed!

4) On Saturday we had the girls’ Christmas party! It was pushed back into January so that the volunteers who went home to the states for Christmas were able to be here for it. It was so fun! We played tons of games with the girls and filled stockings for each one of them with a stuffed animal and some sweets. And then they all received a used Barbie doll, pair of shoes, and dress. It was amazing… but it was also really hard. As I saw how each of them clung to their doll they received, and how grateful they were for it, I could not help but think of many of the American girls their age who have tubs full of those same dolls and do not have a fraction of their appreciativeness. It broke my heart a little… and then as they tried on their used shoes/dresses… trading with the other girls if some did not fit properly… a few of the girls felt that they did not look “smart” (their term for “pretty/beautiful”) in their dresses. That was also really hard… the aunties did an amazing job though in that moment addressing the girls’ attitude and stressed how important it was to be thankful… but I wanted more than anything for them to feel pretty! All in all, it was a super fun day of dancing, gifts, and treats (like soda during dinner!). I also was able to teach the girls the song “Jingle Bells.” They had never heard it before!

The girls playing with their new gifts! So excited! 

5) Church this Sunday was so incredible. I cannot express to you in words the joy that seeps out of them as they worship. The room is basically set up with the worship team up front (six or so people just up front singing with one acoustic guitar and one African drum), plastic chairs in the middle, and then a huge open space in the back of the room. There are two to maybe three times the amount of kids than adults! During one of the upbeat, African worship songs- where I did not know exactly what they were saying- but it didn’t matter! Worship comes from the heart, so I made it my own! I am standing there clapping along, and a girl about 12 or so comes up to me, grabs my hand and says, “come and dance!” She then pulls me to the back of the room where there are tons of kids running, dancing, clapping, and singing- ALL FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD. I have such a better picture of Psalm 149:3, “Let them praise His name with dancing…” The joy in that moment was divine. Once again, dance bridged a gap between two girls of different nations- worshipping the SAME God. A time of tithes/offerings then followed worship. A little boy stood up front with a bucket as people came up to the front and dropped some money in. The person praying said something that stuck with me, “we give not because we have much, but because You ask us to.” What amazing obedience to their Lord that is driven by their deep love for their Savior.

Offering at church. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

6) Morning devotionals/worship with the Imani women have been amazing! It is so moving to see these women transition from singing into prayer and back into singing- because it is all the same- it is all worship. Usually one of the Zion Staff gives the morning devotional. Brittany came to me this morning and told me that the woman who was supposed to do it (Zion staff worker- Christine), wasn’t going to be there this morning, and asked if I would do it. I happily agreed! But I was a little bit overwhelmed… I love speaking, especially about the Word, but I did not know the women super well yet. So I prayed and asked the Lord to show me what to talk about. He then led me to 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Colossians 3:1 where it calls us to “fix our eyes on eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen” and to “set our eyes on things above, not on earthly things.” I began to quickly pull a devotional together about having eternal perspective…. But, before we were about to begin, another staff member, Jackie, said, “Christine told me she was not going to be able to make it this morning, so she asked me yesterday to prepare a devotional for this morning.” I then told her that Brittany (unknowingly) had just asked me to prepare something when she remembered Christine couldn’t make it, but to go ahead and please share what she had prepared because I had only a few minutes to get my thoughts together, and I could share later in the week! So we sat down in a circle, spent time worshiping and praying, and then Jackie got out her bible and said, “The word this morning will be coming from Colossians 3:1.” I JUST ABOUT DIED. I couldn’t believe it…. Well I could- our God the Great I AM! She then talked about setting our eyes on heaven and remembering when things get tough to focus on our inheritance in heaven. I had tears in my eyes the whole time. Then at the end, as is custom, Jackie asked if anyone wanted to share anything or if anyone had any prayer requests… one of the women, Christine (not to be confused with Zion Staff worker Christine), then recounted this story (told in Swahili and then translated):

Christine- One of the Imani women

“I would like to share a bit of my testimony. The word Jackie brought this morning really resonated with me. There are times in this life that are very hard. I used to go to bed at night and still be hungry. So I would go out late at night (without my husband knowing) and prostitute myself for up to 5,000 shillings (about $2) to buy food. But every night I would come home and feel so guilty as to how I was treating my body. One morning as I was praying at church I felt the Lord telling me to leave prostitution. In the following days, there was a crusade at the market. I went with my husband. At the crusade, I fell at his feet and told him everything. I was so ashamed. I told him about the prostitution. He then told me to stand up. He told me that he loved me so much and that he forgives me. Ever since then I have never gone back to prostitution and I am now able to minister and talk with women who are still involved in prostitution and share with them the light of Jesus. This life can be hard, but we have Jesus.”

I was blown away by Christine’s story. What an amazing testimony and picture of God’s grace in forgiving us dirty sinners who prostitute our own hearts multiple multiple MULTIPLE times a day.

Thank you Lord Jesus for placing Colossians 3 on both mine and Jackie’s hearts… it’s exactly what the women needed to hear. It’s exactly what I needed to hear. 

ALSO, HUGE PRAISE: In the middle of our worship time this morning, a woman that no one recognized came in the gate and started to worship with us. At the end of the worship/devotional time, one of the staff workers told me that that was one of the women that we had prayed with out in the community last Wednesday! She happened to be walking down the road and heard our singing worship from the road as she passed our compound. Recognizing the name on the sign as the name that we had shared with her before praying for her, she came in and worshipped with us. Before she left she wanted to know the time we started each morning so that she could come back! AHH PRAISE GOD! He is so good! Be praying for our outreach again tomorrow! 

7) I have absolutely LOVED getting to know the girls better at the rescue home! I love seeing more and more of their personalities every day! But the more I get to know them, the harder their stories and histories become. These girls do not merely represent numbers within sex trafficking statistics. These numbers are the faces of sweet girls I love.

Sweet Naomi, who gives the best hugs: Ran away from an abusive home only to find herself trapped within a group of bad children “because they used to force her to have sex with them and when she said she didn’t want to they would beat her.”

Sweet Espe, who has the biggest smile: says that “some boys would come in groups at night and would sleep with me and it would hurt so I would cry and would tell my mom but she would only beat me.”

Sweet Alloyo, who loves to dance: Her dad used to call men over to rape her… she was only seven. 

Sweet Nancy, who is an amazing leader: A young man caught her on her way home from selling tomatoes when she was 13 and raped her. She became pregnant, found Zion Project, and with much love, counseling, and prayer, changed her mind from wanting an abortion to wanting an adoption for her future child.

I could go on, but I absolutely can’t. My heart hurts too much. You can read more of their histories/stories before coming to Zion Project here: 

http://zionproject.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/49131683/Zion%20Project%20Children%20Sponsorship%20Cards.pdf

I don’t tell you these stories to make you feel guilty or overwhelmed with sadness. I tell you these stories so that your heart can begin to break in the way the Lord’s breaks for these sweet daughters of His. I tell you these stories so that you aren’t solely praying for the “number” of those women and children trapped in sex trafficking to decrease (as I used to)- but so that you can pray specifically for “Naomi, Espe, Alloyo, Nancy, Jolly, Dorrine, Charlotte, Mercy, Jackie, Gloria, Alfosina, Charlie, Vero, Anita, Janet, Fatuma, and Lucy” – BY NAME.

Me with a few of the girls! Holding them close!

The good news is that through the Lord’s work at Zion Project- these girls have been rescued from their former lives. They have been introduced to Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to go to school… but there is a long road of healing ahead of them.

In talking with Brittany and Hailey, I confess to being so upset sometimes internally when I go over to the house to play and love on the girls. I see their sweet eyes, booming personalities, and big smiles and get SO UPSET AND ANGRY that they were taken advantage of… and in those moments, I’m reminded that I’m not alone in my heartbreak… “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

            My God is a God that knows EXACTLY what it feels like to see someone He loves, His own son, beaten, abused, mocked, and killed. He is a God who hates injustice and who is a righteous judge. He is a God who formed each of those girls in their mother’s womb. He is a God who has a plan and a purpose for each of them far greater than I could ever imagine. And though these promises are easy to believe in my head- in those moments, they are very hard to believe in my heart.

As I travel down the dirt roads everyday here, I see a beautiful country and people that I love. But I also see a country and a people that is picking up the pieces from a devastating war that displaced hundreds of thousands, ripped apart families, and left thousands of children and adults traumatized. One of my boda drives the other day randomly affirmed to me, “Yes, Gulu is finally safe now.” Gulu was a very different town a few years ago… it was a warzone.

I feel like every moment of every day, as I become overwhelmed by an abundance of brokenness, I have to learn to whisper to my Lord, while truly believing it in my heart, “I trust You.” Those three words have such a deeper meaning for me now.

In Summary: Stay tuned for the video of the girl’s dancing to Beyonce’s Move Your Body dance.. and MAYBE me doing Acholi tribal dances; Dancing during church is the BEST; I absolutely LOVE it here; and PRAY for the girls at the rescue home and Northern Uganda.

Arms high and heart abandoned,

Em

p.s. Did I mention that it was hot here!? Because IT IS. I am here during Africa’s “dry” season (AKA SUMMER) and I really think it gets hotter everyday! But don’t worry mom, I’m not sunburned at all!

p.p.s. I SERIOUSLY TEARED up when I heard my boys (THE RAVENS) are in the SUPERBOWL! AHHHHHHHH. I AM SO EXCITED. However, the one superbowl that my Boys are in and that my girl (BEYONCE) is doing the halftime show for, I will be flying over Europe during my long trek home! CHEER LOUD FOR ME PLEASEEEEEEE! 

African rats, adventures, and memories!

It's official. I've officially been living in Uganda now for 1 week! And some of the relationships I have formed since getting here feel like they have been established for years! Praise God! My heart loves it here and it feels so much like HOME! 

Some few short highlights/stories from the last few days:

1) The creatures in my room: Every night is a surprise. My second night here, I innocently picked up my towel from the little towel rack in my room, and to my surprise, a furry brown African mouse/rat/shrew (whatever that is), was nestled right underneath it. My little housemates (the 1 yr old, 2 yr old, and 5 yr old) were already asleep in the other room- so I just ushered a little squeal rather than my initial reaction to scream, run away, and wrap myself up in my mosquito net. Janet (the kids’ mom) said “what is wrong!?” and I said- “there is a rat in my room! Should I do anything?” and she just casually said, “no” like if I had just asked her if she was tired (or some other normal question!). SO I managed to find a plastic container that I could trap it under- because, come on, after seeing a rat run around your room, would you be able to sleep?! OH, AND DID I MENTION- THE POWER was also out. So here I am with my headlamp on, plastic container in hand, praying as I lift up every towel/article of clothing on the floor. I didn’t find anything. Feeling quite defeated, I climbed into my bed and vowed to NEVER lose sight of a rat again, no matter how scared I may be upon my first seeing it, I need to stand my ground! Hahaa. I ended up not sleeping much that night because I kept hearing “crinkling” sounds coming from my Ziploc bags with all my clothes in it- no doubt from the rat crawling all over them! I consulted with a young American missionary who is also living in Uganda, and after describing what it looked like, she exclaimed that she also had one of those in her hut and the locals told her it was the best rat to have because it specifically WAS A CARNIVOROUS RAT that eats the other rats!! I then asked her, “so it won’t eat me?!” and she said… “hmm.. good question!” HAHAHA. All in all to say- watch out for those African rats! The next night, I thought I felt something run across my forehead- but I concluded that I was just freaking out… or it was my hair or something. HOWEVER, the next morning (don’t worry, it wasn’t the rat), I woke up to a gigantic spider sitting right next to my pillow. It sort of resembled an American daddy-long-leg, but it was much thicker! I wonder what I will encounter tonight! Hahaa I will keep you all posted!

2)  I introduced you to my housemate Stephen last time; this is his younger sister, Sarita. I love these children SO much. They really only speak Acholi and only know a few English words. But they give the best hugs and have the best smiles. AHHH I love them so much. They both call me Auntie “Em” but it sounds more like Auntie “Ohm” when they say it! Melts my heart every time!  

Is her smile not the absolute BEST!? I NEVER want to let her go!

3) Every morning, around 8-9 women come to the office/counseling center. These women are mostly Congolese women that have been sex trafficked here (you can read their individual stories on the link provided at the end of the blog). No matter what their history entails, they have all been sexually exploited through the effects of war. They come to be counseled and empowered and make beautiful jewelry- my friend Hailey and I are modeling some below! But when they get to the office every morning at 9 we start the day with prayer and worship. One of the women is chosen every day to lead worship (so she is in charge of playing the drum) and one of the Zion staff is in charge of bringing the word. This is one of my favorite parts of the entire day! These women only know Swahili, so we gather around under a tree, in the shade, in a circle, a drum is played, and these women sing from the bottom of their hearts! They get up and dance, clap, and shout! So much so that though a metal fence separates the next-door compound, we hear them clapping and singing along with us! Though I have NO idea what they are saying, the joy that emulates from them speaks louder than any word would! Then, the Word is given in either English (by an American staff member) or Swahili (a Ugandan staff member) and translated. The devotional is finished with a time of testimony and prayer requests from the women. We then lay hands over each other and pray in our native tongues! It is beautiful to hear Swahili (primarily from the Congolese women), Acholi (primarily from the Ugandan women- though they also know Swahili, Acholi is their native language), and English echo throughout the compound. Our God is HUGE. Though the women only speak Swahili, I sit outside as they are making their beads and whip out my Swahili phrasebook if someone isn’t around to translate. We laugh together as I try to say things! It is definitely hard not being able to communicate with them directly- and yet we go out and minister in the community together SIDE BY SIDE.

4) Wednesday is community outreach day. So we went out into the neighboring huts and just approached random women/families and explained who we are as an organization, what we do, where we are located, and asked if we could pray for them and over them. It was beautiful to see these Congolese women praying over Acholi women in Swahili! Some allowed us to pray for them, and some didn’t. But no matter the outcomes, it was such an amazing experience to see the Lord MOVE within our community!!! I LOVE WEDNESDAYS. I love praying and hearing English, Swahili, and Acholi all understood by our HUGE God.

5) Witchcraft is really rampant here. This sign (shown below saying "National Traditional Healer") is located right down our street (maybe 200 meters away). A lot of people in the community are familiar with witchcraft… and what’s scary is that they wouldn’t keep going back if it wasn’t “working” in a sense… spiritual warfare is SO evident here. Be praying for Satan to flee!

6) We have been able to visit the girls at the rescue home a few times this week! They are such beautiful girls! There are 17 of them that live in a house all together with 2 “aunties” (Ugandan girls my age) that live there full time with all 17 girls (ranging from ages 7-15). All of these girls have been sexually exploited in the past (many have been raped or abused). We were able to go over and paint their nails, hang out, and have a meeting about this upcoming year with them (expected behaviors, consequences, etc. – things that need to be addressed when 17 little girls are all living together). Though their past has been BEYOND difficult- their love for the Lord is undeniable. You’d think, of ALL PEOPLE, they have the right to “be mad at God.” They were all taken advantage of at such a young age… and yet these girls LOVE the Lord… one of the girls showed me a song today that she had written about the Lord, and it was all about how “He will never leave her” and “the joy in her heart overflows.” That is nothing short of a DIVINE MAKEOVER of this young girl’s heart.  I will be spending much more time at the girls’ home this week getting to know them more and helping promote their health. Remember, these girls do not have moms to individually teach them simple life skills, hygiene tips, and the importance of exercise. This week I will be focusing on- completing life skill lessons with the girls, getting them EXERCISING and moving (I will be running fun games, obstacle courses around their home, and teaching them fun dances to music!), and helping them identify bible verses that correspond with the points we communicated to them in our meeting (ex. Why disciplining is actually us loving them, no grumbling, no gossiping, the importance of respect/love etc.) and helping them write these verses up and hang them around the house!

Those of you who know me know that I am AWFUL at painting nails- but the girls could CARE LESS! :)

7) Sweet moments to relax: Other than the Lord, these 2 girls (Brittany and Hailey) are my rocks here! Whether it is enjoying a relaxing dinner at our favorite place in town after work (Sankofa), exchanging favorite movie lines from a common favorite movie- “Pitch Perfect”, or chilling at one of our houses watching a quick TV episode at night- these girls are by my side no matter what! I couldn’t do it without them! Also, there is a missionary family here from Texas. They are an amazing couple that moved here 3 years ago with their four little girls. The husband actually pastors the Ugandan church I go to on Sundays! Tonight, the husband was out of town, so it was girls’ night! It was so great to go over to a house with little kids, a mom, and other American 20-something girls who did not know each other before coming to Uganda, who are all here for different reasons, but who are all here for one main purpose- to make Jesus’ name GREAT!

That is all I have time for in this update, but here is a quick summary:

-         Watch out for those African carnivorous rats, I LOVE being called “Auntie em,” Acholi/Swahili/English sound absolutely HEAVENLY when prayed simultaneously!

Here is the link to read about the histories of the girls/women before coming to Zion Project a few years ago- brace yourselves- they are HEAVY stories:

The girls- http://zionproject.pbworks.com/w/file/49131683/Zion%20Project%20Children%20Sponsorship%20Cards.pdf

The women-  http://www.imanilove.com/pages/artisans

Love, “Auntie em”

p.s. I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I am for all of your support and encouragement! It is because of all of your prayers and financial support that I am able to be here!!! Thank you SO SO MUCH! 

"Do as I have done for you."

Every night before I climb into my mosquito net covered bed, I sit down on my floor and wash my feet. They are always absolutely COVERED in red African dirt. As I sit on the floor scrubbing away, I am always reminded, by the Lord, of the story in John 13 of Jesus washing His disciples feet before the Passover Feast.

In America, my feet never really ever got dirty in relation to how they look at the end of the day here in Africa. I looked at John 13 again tonight and was blown away again by the beautiful picture it is meant to represent. PICTURE THIS with me:

“Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love… He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him…When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ He asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I Am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’” – John 13: 1, 4-5, 12-15

It is one thing for me to wash my own feet. It is another thing for the Lord of the Universe, the King of Kings, GOD ALMIGHTY, the Creator of my heart, to fall to His knees, pick up my dirty African feet- and wipe them perfectly CLEAN.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of service, selflessness, and humility… it was “the full extent of His love.” His kneeling down and washing my feet clean represents Him humbling Himself to death, even death on a cross, in order to wash my heart clean.

BUT IT DOESN’T END THERE. Yes, my sinful, dirty heart has been paid for; it has been washed clean, praise God! BUT A NATURAL RESPONSE FOLLOWS. And if it hasn’t- IT NEEDS TO- and I encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal the depths of the sin in your heart so that the depths of His love can begin to be understood. And it is when you begin to understand the depths of His love that His calling to serve becomes crystal clear. Just as Christ set an example for me by serving me despite the ways I fail Him everyday, He calls us to do the same for one another. He calls us to fall to our knees in humility, to get our hands dirty by meeting people where they are, to sacrifice our plans/time/lives for HIS, to become uncomfortable for the sake of others’ comfort, and to serve and love “the least of these.” And the best part is, it is not solely a command- it is a gift. As we love others, we in turn, love Him- and what a joy it is to serve the One who gave IT ALL.

As the Lord is teaching me here in Uganda, my challenge for you is this: Are you washing others’ feet, or just your own? Because the Lord reminds me everyday as I wash my own feet before getting into bed that symbolically- His sons and daughters that do not yet know Him can not possibly see His sacrifice reflected as I wash my own feet- but as I choose to do the unexpected (in the worlds’ eyes) and the expected (in my Saviors’ eyes) and I fall to my knees to love my neighbor, Jesus tells us later in John 13 verses 34-35 that, “BY THIS all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

He must become greater; I must become less [John 3:30],

Em

p.s. More Africa stories and snapshots to follow tomorrow! This was just really on my heart tonight! Love you all!!! 

New Country, New Home.

Hello friends and family! Wow! What a whirlwind of the past few days. I have been in Uganda now for three full days- and yet at times it feels like three years! I know that I am going to struggle to put everything that I am feeling and experiencing in words- there are just some things in my heart that I know I will not ever be able to explain and share with you, but I hope that these snapshots of the past few days give you a glimpse of my new home here in Gulu!

First things first! I flew into Entebbe from London. The next morning we had a driver drive us to Kampala to pick up a few things and then we made our trek to Gulu! It was about a 5-hour drive on bumpy, red African roads… but boy was it beautiful. I had five hours to soak in so much of Uganda. There was only ONE ROAD that led from Kampala to Gulu, and if you look at a map- you’ll see we drove most of the length of the country! During the drive we crossed over the Nile, dodged baboons and potholes, and finally arrived in Gulu! I live Zion's "guest house" compound with a Zion staff worker and her 3 kids.

One of my housemates- Stephen! He is so darn cute and has the best smile!

Some of the highlights/lessons from the past 3 days:

1) How time works: I might as well just take off my watch :) Things start and end here when they want to. It is such a refreshing change of pace… there is no rush.

2) Boda rides: The majority of my transportation here happens on these vehicles called boda bodas! They are basically glorified dirt bikes. We hop on the back of one and tell them where we need to go- they take us- and then we hop off and pay them.

     

Dowtown Gulu! Bodas everywhere! 

    3) THE STARS. Holy cow. Those of you who know me well know that I am in awe of the stars and stop everything I am doing just to gaze at them in America… but here in Uganda- where electricity/power is rare- it is the most beautiful view of them I have ever seen!

   

   4) The simplicity of the hospitals: I had the opportunity to visit one of Zion’s staff who was receiving care at a local hospital here…..this is again one of those things that is very hard to explain. Most of you know that I am a nursing major and want to serve (eventually) overseas medically- God willing- at some point…. This is one of those moments where you know what to “expect” but it doesn’t hit you until you are there…. Upon arriving there were hundreds of people waiting outside the different buildings with what seemed like the essentials to sustain themselves for days or weeks. After talking with the woman we had visited, she explained that those people were either patients or relatives waiting to be seen! WAITING TO BE SEEN. She explained to me that she slept on a mat outside (after suffering from a severe complication) before being seen. Walking into the hospital you see about 10 metal rail beds in one room- ONE ROOM. In America you hear nurses complaining all the time about there being 2 patients in one room. Our Zion friend then mentioned that in the pediatric ward there has been up to six children in ONE BED. ONE BED! It was the little things noticed- like how all the nurses only used one glove (due to not having enough to cover both hands- we use them without thinking as we work in the US); how the IV poles had no pumps/bags- just a filled bottle hung on a pole; how the doctors would see EVERY patient before discharging anyone---- PRIORITIES; how there was only 1 doctor for every ward (approximately 50 patients); how RESPECTED the student nurses were- they had such authority- compared to the “bottom of the totem pole” feel in America. It works for sure… but not enough patients can be seen per day. My heart is breaking and desires so deeply for the developed worlds’ health care expertise to be SPREAD OUT. I can’t fully describe what my heart feels like.

   5)Visiting the Rescue Home: we stopped by the Girls’ Rescue Home briefly after dropping all of our bags off. It was late, probably 8pm, so the girls couldn’t see who had come in the gate- but it didn’t matter. All 17 of them took off in a full sprint yelling “Auntie! Auntie!” (What they affectionately call those who are older and look after them) and covered us in hugs. JOY flooded through me. These girls did not know me at all, I didn’t do anything to “deserve” their affection, and yet they LOVE so deeply. What a beautiful picture of Christ’s love. I can’t wait to get to know them all more intimately!

  6) We went to a little get together Saturday night of some of Brittany’s friends (an American friend-who I am working with while I am here- who has lived here for a few months). This get together was composed of both white and Ugandan “20-somethings” who were all here in Uganda for similar passions. Some of the organizations represented among us were- International Justice Mission of Gulu , INVISIBLE CHILDREN, Zion Project (us!), the UN, Crochet Kids, Every Child Ministries, and a couple more! All of us were here because our hearts broke for very similar things. It was cool to be able to talk with others who have been living here for years who were also my age or a little older. Some of those represented by Invisible Children were actual school scholarship recipients who used to be night commuters when the LRA was terrorizing Uganda- and one of them I had already met because he was the one who came to visit the University of Delaware during the Invisible Children Movie Screening Tour! SERIOUSLY?!? Such a small world. 

  7) Church here in Gulu: SO REFRESHING. I felt so welcomed and part of their family immediately. Some of the worship was in the native language and some was in English! They LOVE to DANCE! Almost everyone in the room (about 20 adults and 40 kids) danced as they sang. It was amazing- the joy present seemed to overflow and no one could contain it- THEY HAD TO MOVE! It makes PERFECT sense! A little girl snuck in between my friend Hailey and I and reached up and grabbed my hand… she stayed there the whole time until they left for their Sunday school classes. 

  8) My first experience with local Ugandan food- rice, beans, and sweet potato all locally grown! YUM YUM YUM! I loved it! 

   9) My first experience at a Ugandan market! 

A lot of people have been asking me if I feel safe here. Yes, I absolutely on the whole feel safe… but of course there are times when I really am on my guard and am super nervous and anxious. BUT my God has already gone before me on every dirt road, boda ride, and in every mud hut and compound… and I trust Him. I am learning so much about what it REALLY means to trust Him.

Most of the time I find living life here 100% natural. I am totally at peace and loving it! And then at times I become overwhelmed because things are just so different and I feel like I am racing to catch up all the time, OR I am finding myself already becoming attached…

You see I have a little more than 3 weeks left now. And the thing is- I am REALLY experiencing Uganda. I am not staying in a Westernized house removed from the village. I am living life here in the village outside downtown Gulu. I am getting to know and investing in the same people day after day. I am totally immersed in the culture. I’m living amongst and with the Acholi and Congolese people- and I am finding my heart becoming so attached ALREADY.  My heart hurts because I know it ends in a little over 3 weeks, at least for a while- so what do I do? Do I try to become not attached?

Our next door neighbors! 

I really don’t think that is what the Lord wants at all. I think He wants me to love and to love deeply the people and culture here with my whole heart… that’s what Jesus would do even when He was only in a town for a few days or weeks at a time. I believe He wants me to take one day at a time. I think He wants me to trust Him more with my heart (I’ve always been really good at guarding it- a little too good).

That is all I have time for for now, but here is a quick summary:

-       I love it here! God is good- everywhere and all the time. I'm taking one day at a time.

****ALSO, my brother just informed me through email that the Ravens (MY BOYS!) beat the Broncos?!?!?!? I was freaking out all the way over here in Africa when I read the news. It’s the little things!   

Tomorrow starts my first “work week” at Zion Project! Woo Hoo!

Until next time!

Arms high and heart abandoned- no matter the circumstances,

Em

Send me, I'll go.

What in the WORLD!? Seriously what in the world, God is SO GOOD. This time last year I was getting back from Passion 2012 (www.268generation.com) with a freshly broken heart for victims of sex trafficking and sexual abuse. And now, just returning from Passion 2013, I am about to go and serve alongside those at Zion Project in Gulu, Uganda from January 9^th- February 4^th.

Zion Project (www.zionproject.org) is an organization that is committed to rescuing, serving, and helping heal young girls and women who have been victims of the global sex trade in Uganda. Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) ravaged Uganda for over 20 years abducting over 60,000 children and forcing them to be child soldiers and sex slaves. Though Kony has left Uganda, the trauma and abuse he has inflicted upon thousands of Ugandan men, women, and children still remains. Zion Project desires to provide inner healing to the broken hearted and sexually exploited in war-torn regions of Africa through the power of God’s love, counseling, and relationships. They have a rescue home that houses 17 girls ages 5-15 who have been sexually abused and used in child prostitution. These girls are able to live at the home, go to school, be counseled, and be loved on! Zion Project also has a counseling center for the women who have been rescued from sex trafficking where they receive treatment, mentorship, prayer, and are employed to make beautiful beads as a new way to support themselves (www.imanilove.com). And the Lord has allowed me to use what He has given me to assist Zion Project’s mission! What in the world!?! Again, He is SO GOOD. I won’t know the specifics of what I will be doing day to day until I get there- but what I am confident in is his calling to be His hands and His feet wherever I go and whatever I am doing. 

SO, I leave on Wednesday… oh my goodness that is in 2.5 days! Those of you who know me know that I have 3 main passions:

1) Serving my Lord and personal Savior…especially amongst those of different cultures, languages, and nations. 

2) Medicine. I’m about to graduate from the nursing program here at the University of Delaware this May. There is something so special to me about demonstrating Christ’s love as I have the opportunity to literally wash the feet of others.

3) God’s daughters (who I haven’t met...yet) who are trapped in the global sex trade. Everything inside me yearns to communicate the truth to these girls and women that they have been “Sought After” by the God of the universe.  

The Lord placed Isaiah 62:12 on my heart last year after returning from Passion 2012. It states, “…and you will be called Sought After, a City No Longer Deserted.” A new desire mounted in my heart to SEEK AFTER these women and children who were enslaved in the awful realities of sex trafficking in the same manner that Christ sought after me. What does that pursuit look like? Romans 5:8 states that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ pursued me with His life, and continues to pursue, and will always unfalteringly pursue me with everything that He is. These women and children, who Christ calls “the least of these,” are worth every bit of that same pursuit. How beautiful is it that the Lord provided this opportunity that weaves all of my passions together?

Did I mention I leave in 2.5 days?! Oh my goodness I leave in 2.5 days. I’ll be gone for 27 days and fly back the very same day my spring semester starts- some people may think I’m crazy- and I absolutely am! I’m crazy in love with my God who calls me to “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17) in Uganda these next 4 weeks- even if that means a really hard time transitioning back the USA my last semester of college.

I’m not exactly sure how often I will be able to post- it’ll be a surprise to all of us! But hopefully it will be often and I will able to keep you all updated on everything the Lord is doing in Gulu and in my heart. I have never felt more loved, supported, and prayed over than I have in the last few weeks. Thank you so much to those of you who have sacrificed financially to get me to Uganda. Goodness, I have literally fallen on my knees before the Lord in humility as I have received so much financial support (for example, a best friend and recent college grad being the first to support me in huge ways- financially and emotionally; finding out that a dear friend hosted an event to raise money for my trip all the way in another state amongst those who don’t even know me personally; my brother slipping money to support me in my jacket he had already gotten me for Christmas; and two of my cousins buying me a video camera to document my time there- just to name a few of the many examples!). What in the WORLD?! That is nothing less than Jesus Christ moving in peoples’ hearts. I’VE LITERALLY SEEN the face of God in all of your sacrifices. Thank you so much for those of you who are committed to praying for me and for the girls and women in Uganda these next four weeks. Those of you who know me also know that I feel most loved when people intercede on my behalf before the Lord in prayer.

Am I excited? YES. Am I nervous? YES. Am I scared? YES. But I am comforted in the fact that I know the God who goes before me, personally, and He has never let me down... and He never will :) 

Talk to you all soon and see you all again before we know it! 

Arms high and heart abandoned,

Em