Jesus Loves the Little Children

23I was upright before Him and blameless with Him, ever [on guard] to keep myself free from my sin and guilt. 24Therefore has the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness (my uprightness and right standing with Him), according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25With the kind and merciful You will show Yourself kind and merciful, with an upright man You will show Yourself upright, 26With the pure You will show Yourself pure, and with the perverse You will show Yourself contrary. 27For You deliver an afflicted and humble people but will bring down those with haughty looks. 28For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. 29For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.31For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God, 32The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? 33He makes my feet like hinds' feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places. 34He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great. 36You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip.
(Psalm 18:23-36)

This is a passage I have been dwelling on lately. I really love it!
It was originally planned that I would arrive back in the States today, so I have been thinking a lot about why God has kept me here. I am still figuring it out and am coming to a place where I just want to be used by God.
I was listening to the prayer requests of the HIV positive orphans last night and my heart was completely broken. They were all asking for prayer for those who don't have food, or people they knew who were away. And one child asked to pray for him. I asked if he was sick and his reply was "No and can we pray for Haruna" (His friend who was sitting next to him). It was the sweetest thing and at that moment I felt God's heart for those children. I almost cried listening to the children pray for each other and the various Mommies or Aunties who weren't there at the moment. Oh how I love watching children love God!! It is so refreshing to my spirit!

MUZUNGU!

Oleotia?(How are you?) Ahh! It has been quite a while since I have updated, and I am not too sure where to begin. I have been here for a little over a month now and am learning how to make my way around Jinja. During my first week here God brought an opportunity to me. I randomly met Sara, who was looking for a way to teach a group of boys the Bible. She "doesn't know much about religion" but the kids from the street were asking her questions about Jesus! So now I teach the Bible for an hour a day, five days a week. Those boys have captured my heart. I also have an MK (missionary kids) youth group. I have about 8-10 kids every week and I really enjoy them as well. I lead a short devotional once a week for kids in an AIDS orphanage. I really admire those children.
God is providing plenty of children for me to work with (and possibly some to put in my suitcase and bring home). I am enjoying my experience and I am praying about staying a little while longer. Please continue to support me with your prayers!

Adventures

I have had a few adventures since I've been here. Actually, driving anywhere is quite the adventure! I have seen the source of the river Nile (not all that exciting, but cool to say you have seen it). I have also visited Bujagali Falls, which was a little more adventurous. We took a boat ride to a small island and I was sure I would drown in the Nile. It was a small wooden boat that wasn't sealed very well. They had employed a child to scoop out the water that was leaking in! Needless to say, not the most enjoyable boat ride. I went hiking through the rain forest. I heard monkeys, but we could never see them. I am also now a pro at riding a boda. A boda is like a taxi, except it's a motorcycle. You have to sit side-saddle, and the first time is very scary. I am having fun!

AFRICA

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, and the devil knows that I'm a winner!

Today was my first full day in Africa! It is a beautiful place, and definitely a new experience. My first flying experience was good. I liked it very much, actually. The people here are beautiful and so is the landscape. I went to choir practice and to a Bible study held for the ladies who work night shift at a babies home. The quote above is a song that the ladies were singing after the message. It was very touching to here them singing and clapping and praising God.
God is so good. It is still hard to believe that I am here. Please keep praying and I will update as often as possible.

I love you all. God Bless.

God is good.

Hello all! It's time for an update. I leave for Uganda in 8 days. WOW! God is sooooo good. I can't even begin to describe the excitement that is going on inside of me! He provided ALL of the money that I needed! And he is continuing to provide! I am so ready for adventure! I am extremely calm and confident about this trip. I have felt all of the prayers, and am so thankful for everyone who has been supporting me. Don't stop now! I will need it more when I'm actually there!

I know a little bit more about what this trip holds, but a lot of what I will be doing is still unknown to me. I will be working with an AIDS orphanage when I get there, which sounds to me like one of the most heartbreaking things I will ever encounter. I will be ministering to the children of the missionaries there. That seems to intimidate me the most, but I am excited about it. I am pretty sure I will be doing street ministry directed towards the youth in the area. I really have no idea what God has in store, but it's going to be grand! Why else would He send me halfway around the world?

Thanks again everyone for your support! I love you and God Bless!

Where's your positude?

So here I am, with 23 days until I plan to leave for Africa. I have raised about $1,400 of the $3,000 I need. I haven't bought a ticket yet, or even began to think about what I need to pack. My passport hasn't come in the mail yet, and I don't have my vaccinations yet.

When all of the negatives seem to outweigh the positives, I step back and take a breath. I remember that within a three week period God provided most of what has been given so far. At any point, I can look back and see that He has never let me down. So with a fresh dose of positive thinking, I begin thinking of the plans He has set before me. I will be working with an AIDS orphanage, working with the youth while they are on break from school, ministering to the children of the missionaries, and I can't even imagine what else is in store! I'm overwhelmed with excitement and wonder!

I want to thank everyone so much for prayers and support! It means so much! I have been extremely blessed by everyone!

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

75 days away.

So there are about 75 days until I plan to leave for Africa. And about $2,900 more to go. :/ . The more uncertain things look, the more excited I get! I'm excited to see God work in amazing ways just to get me there, and for Him to do unimaginable things with me once I'm there. I just received and email from my Aunt who I will be living with, and my spirit is jumping for joy! I will be doing a street ministry for the teens in Jinja. They will be on break from school when I am there, and many of them come from very poor families and aren't treated well. I am going to be ministering God's love to them and feeding them. I may also have a chance to work with Amazima ministries. It's an amazing children's ministry started by Katie (kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com). I AM SO EXCITED!

" 34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."(Matthew 25:34-35)

Please continue to pray for me.
Happy 2010, I hope it's blessed!