Week 3...Part 2

I wanted to quickly share a short story:

A while back I dropped my ipod in the toilet.   Let me explain how this happened.  One night, I have been running back and forth to the toilet.  I have been using my headlight for these trips.  The toilet is right outside of our house.  I was in my bedroom preparing myself to go and get ready to use the toilet.  But when I went to turn on my headlight, the light bulb blew. However, during this time I have been listening to my ipod and I knew that it had a light on it.  With pressure gearing me to the toilet and with no other flashlights to be found at this time it was my only option.  I went into the toilet area…did what I had to do.  But as I was finishing up holding my ipod as a light it slipped from my hands.  As the ipod was literally dangling from the ear bud string over the hole, I went to reach for the ipod, but it was too late.  My sudden twitch in an attempt to save the ipod was what caused the downfall.  And yes, the fall was deep…about 50-75 feet to the ground.  It was lost forever, but after it happened there were no sorrows.  As crazy as it might sound, I was more joyful after the incident, than I was before.  I was realizing that although music is great and wonderful to listen too, it is not what gives me pure joy in this world.  It truly comes down to seeking God.  I look back at the situation and laugh.  Even without the music I have been lead to times of worship.

Week 3...Part 1

My sister Rebecca left the house for her teaching job.  But before she left I had an amazing encounter with her.  I was in my room reading when my sister Rebecca came in and apologized for the lateness of the dinner.  I told her not to worry about it.  She began to tell me that she would be leaving soon to go and teach math and science.  I told her that when I was in elementary and high school math and science were my two favorite subjects. I told her that I loved science and math because science shows the beauty of God’s creation and math just makes sense.   Rebecca responded with a, “YES!!  That is why I love science and math too.”  Rebecca then began to tell me about soil erosion and photosynthesis.  Before Rebecca was about to leave she said to me, “Swear that you will not fall asleep because dinner is almost ready.”  I said, very sternly, “Yes, I will not fall asleep.”  She then went on and insisted that I swear.  I said that I will not swear.  She then asked me why I would not swear.  I reached for my Bible on my nightstand…used the concordance in search for the word “swear”…Then found it!  Ahhh ha! I knew it was in here somewhere.  We then read James 5:12 together, "But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation." Then my sister paused for a second.  She said, "hmmm...hmmm...amen!  I knew there was something different about you."  I said, "Thank you." And then I began to praise her servant hood in cooking, and the joy in all her expressions.  She also said, "Thank you." She began to leave the room, but before she closed the door she said with  a smile on her face, "I will see you for dinner."

This week was not an easy week.  I was sick for a little while and lost some personals, but throughout it all, I could not stop smiling because I have been filled with so much joy from seeking the Lord in scripture, prayer and mediation. I will expound on the sickness and lost of personals a little bit later, but for now I will leave you with letting you know that throughout the week, and despite the troubles I have been lead to times of worship.

Week 2

The plane ride was about 18 hours in all and was not as boring or exhausting as one might think.  From Washington D.C. to Amsterdam there was a lot of rest, reading and peace.  From Amsterdam to Entebbe, Uganda I met a man named Waller.  He worked for Wycliffe Bible Translators and was going to be in Entebbe for about three weeks doing workshops and working with Ugandans in regards to Bible translations.  The conversation we had been absolutely great!  We talked about the authority and power of the word of God.  I brought up the passage in 2 Kings about Josiah and the revival that happened in Judah all because of the word of God.  He gave me his business card so we could communicate.  This encounter was not by luck or mere chance, but was a reminder of how God has been and will continue to work in this journey.  And…YES, even on the plane ride to Africa! 

We arrived in Entebbe, Uganda at night time.  Immediately as I walked off the plane, the heat hit me.  After all the USP students and I went through customs and received our visas we walked outside to where we would be taking a bus to the Uganda Christian University (UCU).  As soon as I walked outside all of my senses were heightened.  I could smell the campfire smell in the air.  I felt the heat intensify against my face and smother all of my pores.  I could hear the calls of unfamiliar birds, crickets chirping, and people speaking in a foreign language.  I was able to see numerous stars in the sky, palm trees, and many foreign cars.  The USP students gathered in the back of the Entebbe Airport parking lot to eat some coconut flavored biscuits and drink mango and pineapple flavored juice.  We waited around the parking lot for about two hours for all to gather, and then we began to drive off to the University.  While driving through the towns, we came across fields of agriculture, cities filled with clubs and bright lights, small, rural towns filled with some nice houses.

            We arrived at the University really late at night, everyone was exhausted and we all were directed to get to bed in the dorm rooms.  We awoke the next day, ate a plentiful breakfast and went over a lot of orientation information, in which we were educated on the dos and don’ts of the Ugandan culture.  The next day we went to church right in the university and I could see and feel the same presence of the Lord that is exuded back home in Philadelphia. Later that day, the IMME students were dropped off to their home stays.  The IMME students were the USP students who chose and who have the opportunity to live with a Ugandan family.  This included me!
            This is where the REAL story begins.  This is where I learn more about why the Lord drew me to this program.  This is where the stories of laughter, learning, suffering, joy and where my expectations are completely shattered.  There are two different microcosms I have experienced while living in Mukono, Uganda. There is a world that exists on campus and one that exists at the home.  

            I will begin by describing the Uganda Christian University.  It is a beautiful, hilly, green, campus that is filled with amazing people, monkeys, rare birds, dorm buildings, classrooms, basketball courts, soccer fields, trails, prayer chapels and much more that has yet to be discovered.  On campus my relationships with the USP students and many of the UCU students are fostered.  Most of the students are African men pursuing careers in divinity, science, or business.  On campus I enjoy rice and beans for lunch.  Lunch is plentiful, delicious and always consistent.  I eat breakfast and dinner at home.  On campus there is also the opportunity to go online and write blogs, such as this, and communicate with those back home.  One of the many rules that the IMME students must follow are that we have to back home before the night comes.  My time on campus is limited because of this rule. 

            Now let me describe where I live.  I live about a 10-15 minute walk away from campus.  The family I live with is called the Mmpoyya’s (probably spelled wrong).  I have a dad named Martin.  I call him Taata.  I have mom named Margaret.  I call her Mama.  I have 5 brothers, Joshua, Isaac, Joseph, Robert and Andrew.  I have one sister named Rebecca.  I have two cousins Peter and Trevor.  My brothers and sister range between the ages of 17-28.  My cousin Peter is 14, and Trevor is about 4 years.  Taata and Mama are probably in their fifties or sixties.  I will be describing and talking more about my family later on.  The house I live in has a living room, bathroom, where we bathe…not use the toilet, and rooms and beds for sleeping.  Separate from the house, there is a kitchen, toilets…which I will be describing in a later blog, and a three-story chicken house.  There is also a well, where we draw our water, trees with rare fruit, some cows, a few goats, and roosters that wake you up in the morning.  There are over 700 chickens in the chicken house and I have had the opportunity to feed and give them water.  I will talk more about my family in another blog sometime soon.  But my relationships with them are growing with every encounter. 

            All in all, with all that has happened so far, my faith has strengthened.  Looking and depending on God in all circumstances has lead to times of worship.

Stay Blessed Friends and Family!

Week 1

I have already been in Mukono ,Uganda for 5 days and the my time here has already been an adventure.  Before I talk about my time here in Uganda, I want to talk about the purpose and meaning of this blog.

This blog is meant to be a written testimony of what the Lord is doing here in Mukono ,Uganda and this life I have.  Before my departure, I have decided to come here with the purpose of understanding that I'm not here in search of just an experience.  But I'm here to look for the truth that can be found in those experiences.  And there is a lot of truth, that aligns with the word of God!  The Lord brought me here to be a living testimony of what he can accomplish through the power that is in the Holy Spirit, the Love of Christ and His word.  May the Lord bless this journey He has sent me on, and I pray that I will continue to give every ounce of my faith and dependence toward the Lord as I'm living abroad.

Well, I will start talking about this adventure in another blog, sometime soon because I have to go.
Be back soon!
Stay blessed friends and family!