"The Whole Day"

So I greeted my new friend in the middle of town. Abdu* welcomed me and began with a big smile “I hope you have given us the whole day….”

Well, of course, I hadn’t. I thought this was a 2 hour meeting of sorts. You see this is the thing: I never quite know what I am getting myself into here. What I think is a meeting to discuss a project ends up being something quite miraculous.

I was meeting with refugees from the areas in the country where there has been war nonstop even during times of ‘peace.’ They are all young: 16-25. Their families are not here; no parents, no sisters, no brothers. They had never welcomed a white person to their area before… and the girls were quite shy at the beginning. The men started to share with me a little bit about their lives in their state and what they were doing here.

And their next words were so genuine: “We want our sisters (by sisters they mean any girls from their state) to know you and for you to encourage them. We want them to have someone to look up to and help them.” Now, I know I am not the answer, but I sure can point them to the One who is.

I started to speak to the girls in my broken Arabic and found out that they are in fact students at the primary school where I am hoping to work with a Girls Mentoring Program. Isn’t God funny?? Already opening doors from within. These young girls had prepared a fabulous lunch and blew my socks off.  One of them asked me “Ita bi rija ini miteen??”  When will you come back here?

I was so incredibly humbled. I must confess that I think my heart breaks a little more every day. I know I cannot do justice to all that the Lord shows me here and allows me to do, but He is on the move friends....

Enter into the Joy......Part 2

So, the adventures from the capitol city continue! I left off with the lawyer promising me that he could get everything done in 2 days. I was, of course, skeptical at best. The next day I heard from the lawyer that one government office was complete! Whew! Later that day I get a call from the lawyer telling me that there are some 'issues' with the other office and could I please just come over and speak with them.

These 'issues' were actually not a huge surprise, as I had noticed a theme in the requirements that we weren't quite up to par with. I quickly emailed and called some supervisors and colleagues asking for feedback. Of course, no one is available or answering. That meant that I just had to whip up a document that would make them happy and was actually accurate....and ask for the Lord's favor and make the official like me ;)

I had just been connected with a friend of a friend here who has a vehicle and we went to the offices and waited and waited. And then the official arrives and gives me a mouthful.

But I smile and speak some Arabic to him. He was quite pleased that I knew some Arabic. I talked my way in and out and all around as he did the same. It was an interesting round robin and I will spare you the details. But I closed with another smile and some more Arabic and left it up to the Lord. Upon leaving, I did not really know if he would give us the certificate....

Later that night I am contacted by the lawyer letting me know tomorrow we will be finished. No problems- and would I like to go see the city with him (it was 9pm)?? He was eager that I know his city. Hah! At 9 at night in a crazy city the young savvy lawyer wants to show the young female American around, no thank you ;)

So the next day, true to his word (or should I say the Lord's faithfulness!) we have both of the certificates in hand!! Woohoo! It only took 2 days and more miracles than I can count. These are just a few of the events that transpired... there are oh, so many more. He will never fail.

The journey ended with another UN flight (that I had to rearrange because my work in Kenya got canceled) where I was followed around by and Ethiopian and a man from Butan carrying my luggage and inviting me to live in their countries. Never a dull moment I tell you. It is a good thing that I can make up policies like "I am not permitted to give my number out" whenever needed....

As I was there, the Lord directed me to the passage where he talks about 'entering into the joy of the Master.' The entire time I have been here, I am acutely aware that this is exactly what I am doing. If you read the parable, you will see that risk is involved. You will notice that the 3rd man took no risk- But why?

He did not know His Master. We are given a description of his perception, which is sadly quite inaccurate.

As we come to know our Master, in Spirit and in Truth, our lives reflect that trust and assurance in Him. We can take the risks and taste the Joy. Praise His Great Name!

Enter into the Joy of your Master: Part 1 of 2

The task was clear:  Go to the capitol and renew the registration for my organization with multiple governmental offices. In a newly formed country. By myself in a crazy city. The legitimacy of the organization was on my shoulders!

You know at this point I can't help but notice a theme; call me crazy, but it seems as though the Lord delights in giving me tasks that are just 'out there.'

About a month leading up to my trip we began an extensive email round robin of acquiring documents with our office in the States, getting reports from teammates, coordinating with contacts here for whatever crazy requirements the country was going to decide it wanted. The hope had been that I would meet up with the individual that helped us last year.

Well, less than a week before leaving we are told he will be out of town. Of course ;)
And our other contact will not be available either. So I begin hunting for different people, and everyone I was put into contact with was going to be out of town. I swear it was a conspiracy!

A few days before leaving I am promised the world by several people. I figured if I had 4 different people do that, maybe- just maybe 1 would pull through. One of the people that was going to be out of town put me in contact with a lawyer he had worked with before. I was trying not to get my hopes up too much....

I arrived on Wednesday (on a UN helicopter, free RT- gotta love my UN buddies!). It was all up in the air once I got to the city. Would anything work out?? The odds were not with me. Oh- let's add something else to the mix - right before leaving I was informed that MAF (who is my bank, emergency evacuation, postal address and general transport) had suspended all activity in country. So all of the money I had transferred to do the registration - I am not able to get it.

Upon arrival I called a friend of a friend at the UN because he was going to take me to the lawyer's office (at this point I didn't know if the lawyer would even agree to work with me). Miracle: the contact answered his phone and was actually able to come and get me! AND the lawyer answered his phone! He was actually in his office, and yes he would meet with me!!! Let's just say that the relief was great- honestly if this hadn't worked out I don't know what I would've done.

I rode on a motorcycle with my 3 bags to the lawyer's office. I came fully prepared with any and every document you can imagine stamped and signed. He says nonchalantly that he can take care of everything. I ask him for a time frame: 2 days tops he says.

Pah! Yeah right! It takes 2 days to even make a phone call here sometimes! And, not to mention last year it took 10 days....

After changing money to pay him I end up waiting a few hours for him to be available again, and in that time I became BFF with his entire staff: Mery, Freidah, Cliff, Reech, and Simeon. The power of a few Arabic phrases really is amazing ;)

During this time I was informed from the locals that they have heard of how dangerous Texas is. Hmm interesting - they have been through 50 years of civil war and they think Texas is dangerous ;) God Bless old movies.

After about 4 hours there I was escorted in the lawyer's luxury SUV (in this country?? what??!) to the compound where I was staying. In the next post I will tell you how it went....

Surprises that fit

I don’t know why I am always surprised at the faithfulness of God. I guess I just know that sometimes, often, his faithfulness doesn’t always fit into what I thought his faithfulness would look like.

I will be honest. When I heard Marsha (my colleague) was not going to be in country when I moved to Africa I was less than thrilled. My initial thought was “This is not what I signed up for! I wasn’t supposed to move to this continent by myself, I wasn’t supposed to start learning Arabic or meet all new people by myself. This is not what it was supposed to look like.”

And then, through the prayers of the multitudes, my eyes were taken off of me, myself, and I. It is amazing the miracles that happen when I look to His face. I don’t mean my eyes are healed and I don’t have to use contacts anymore- I am talking about a peace that surpasses all understanding. I am talking about utter helplessness being acknowledged and dependence on the One who created everything guiding my life.

This is no small thing.

And then I arrive in Africa. It’s time to put my money where my mouth is. Kenya was filled with meetings and while in Uganda my task was to get my visa and supplies that I needed to take up North. By myself. In Africa.  Honestly, it didn’t take me too long to get over that and was taking the matatus and using the boda bodas and giving men the evil eye. I stayed at a hostel where in my free time I had the opportunity to go to gardens with some Swedes, have coffee with some Pakistani soldiers, have a photo shoot on the wing of an airplane with a German, go for a morning run in the rain with an Indian,  and spend time with local Ugandans. I still can’t quite believe it all – but it is amazing to reach out to people!  I had to spend that week in Uganda because I was waiting for my supervisor to arrive and accompany me to the North (which was a change from the original plan).

But I was not by myself. Not by a long shot.  It is amazing the doors that will open and the people you will meet when we stop looking at ourselves. He is faithful.

Soon I will share the surprises that awaited me in North Africa…..

Adventures in Visagetting

One of my goals while in Uganda was to get my visa. There are new procedures to go through and new offices in which to complete these procedures. Seems quite straightforward, aye?

On the way to Kampala (from Entebbe about 30 km away) today it starts to pour. And I mean pour.

I am in a matuta (a van) full of people and more people who are soaking wet getting in. and the van is leaking. and there are great smells ;) but the awesome thing was that everyone in the van was seriously having the time of their lives- everyone was laughing about the rain and it was like a party. it was so funny! Of course I thought we were going to die about 50 times during the trip because the matatu drivers are scary even when the roads are dry - but imagine the roads are wet and it is pouring and the windows are fogging and there is no defrost. cheers!

Thankfully, I get to Kampala in one piece (it's still raining) and it is so so disgusting. Kampala is disgusting dry. But imagine rivers of red brown rivers in the streets filled with trash and everything else imaginable. I am hopping to and from - dodging traffic (going the opposite way as traffic in America mind you) in the rain, asking people where 'shop rite' is- because this is where I am meeting 'Bennet' who is going to help me with my visa (getting connected with him is actually a neat story).

We were supposed to meet at 1030. Well, the rain is of course a factor and makes him late, which was expected. He calls me and tells me he is at the 'shell' near shop rite. 

Ok, well....we agreed to meet me at shop rite - not near it. at the entrance. but that's ok, i'm flexible- remember??! ;)

So I go to the shell station. He is nowhere. Well, actually I have no idea if he is or he isn't because I don't know who he is - and everyone is black. He has the advantage as I am the only white person anywhere. So I am  in the rain, at a gas station, walking around like a lost person while trying to find him (all the while our phones are of course cutting us off every 15 seconds).

SOOooooo after 5 verses of the same song "I can't see you. Yes, I am here. Where are you???" finally I said - OK I can't find you- please meet me at the shop rite. In the front, forget the shell station- go. to. shop rite. please. :)

Finally we find each other!!! Apparently there are 2 shell stations nearby shop rite but they are not in sight of each other. Of course ;) 

Thankfully everything after that was smooth sailing! 

And by sailing I mean that I think I can understand now the appeal of motorcycles. I confess that I am starting to fall in love with them. I tell you what - there is just something about riding on the motorcycle with the wind blowing through your hair (ha!)

Mombasa mufasa

 Here are a few photos of Mombasa, where our NAB meetings were.... more photos to come later

Don't Miss the Obvious :)

So I have been in Africa for about 2 weeks now! I have about 50 great stories already, so I will begin to share them.....

I am convinced that the Lord has been having the time of his life with me here ;)

When the Lord decided that Marsha was going back to the States I think he already had a line of people a mile long for me to encounter along the way. And man o man has it been entertaining and encouraging!


I think I met the future first woman president of Uganda today.

She is a 13 year old girl named Peace. I met her along the road the other day. We chatted for a bit and I didn't think much of it. However, today I was on my way to the market, and on a separate road I ran in to her again. Interesting. So this time I figured I would talk to her a bit more. She told me all about her 'clubs' which are her business ideas. I could not get over this girl - all of her ideas and the way that she presented herself was amazing! She wanted to teach me how to make 'chipote' which is a tortilla like flat bread that I immediately loved the first time I tasted it.

Sure, she can teach me how to make chipote! This is her 'business.' AND this was something that I already wanted to learn :)  So we went to the market together (the Lord knows how much I adore the markets in Africa...(blah!) and He was merciful and gave me someone to go with). She led me through the piles of vegetables, we dodged the boda bodas, and wove in and out of stalls to get the ingredients needed. I also got to meet her mother, Mery, and some of her market friends.

I loved that I had a local to go through the market with! So when we had gotten all of the necessary ingredients- that she had written out, with amounts and prices listed as well mind you - we set a time when she could teach me how to make the infamous chipote. There are 3 kinds you see: plain, vegetable, and rolex.

Yes, that's right rolex.  As I am sure you can guess that is my favorite ;) It is the chipote with eggs and grilled vegetables inside it.

I showed up at the appointed time: 4pm. As I got to the outside of her house I saw 2 little boys - her brothers were drawing with chalk on a piece of wood. The elder, about 7, informed me that Peace was at the market. But no worries because he had a plan. He ran away and came back with a key and opened the door to a large room and invited me to have a seat. Uhhh - it was kinda creepy!! If I went in there, at any moment I could have been locked in with no way out. I thanked him and said I would be happy to wait outside :)

I felt like I was in a movie. It was all just too hilarious. Peace arrived and the 2 little boys were now drawing on the floor with charcoal and playing with a toy truck. She was very professional and walked me through the steps of making the rolex chipote while goats and chickens popped  in and out and rain clouds formed outside.

Yes. Peace. I almost missed the true beauty of my visitor.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21

Today He sent me Peace. As I navigate the craziness that is life in Africa, He reminds me that his peace is with me.


How beautiful is our God?!!

Expect the Unexpected!

I confess that I am not a 'blogger' and can probably count the number of blogs I have read on one hand....


*However*  I do want to be able to share the many adventures, lessons, victories and failures that God will take me through with yall.  And because I know that 99% of you would much rather be in Africa with me (hah!), I will allow you to live vicariously though me with this blog  ;) 


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I have long contended that 'flexible' is my middle name. I think that perhaps more than ever before, I will have an opportunity to live up to that claim! This last week has been a whirlwind - I have changed many travel plans due to a situation with a colleague's family. It has finally all come together! Between banks, flights, visas, more flights, buses, trains, housing, and communicating with people in Africa it really is nothing short of a miracle that everything has been rearranged!


This means that things are in full swing for the move to Africa. I leave in 3 days. Yes, that's right - on Tuesday, October 11th! And before it's all said and done I won't arrive to my base until November.


I meet up with teammates in Kenya, then we take an overnight train (to the Indian Ocean!) and meet up with the rest of the branch. Then I will travel to Uganda for 10 days and attempt to figure out the new visa process that is in place- this should be interesting! And then I will make my way to my new home. 


I have been overwhelmed in many ways these past 2.5 months here in the States, but what I remember the most is being so overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of people here - you have been used to show me something so beautiful about the Lord. So thank you - and get ready!