January 1, 2012: "Livin' on a Prayer Baby!"

I was invited to visit the village of one of my friends. It is about 10K from my house and I really wanted to go see and encourage the people there. So I thought “Eh, 10K isn’t that far, no worries! Plus, I know that Marsha has been out here before- so if she can ride there on a bike, I can too.”

Well…. This was no paved, relatively straight 10K journey....and as we began I noticed that my handlebars were acting funny - they were getting looser by the minute. We were riding up and down big hills, carrying our bikes overs streams, crossing on little logs and stones. We were crossing through brush on extremely narrow paths where there was grass taller than my head; and all the while the handlebars were still loose and shaky. Keep praying!

Well we finally arrived (in one piece Praise the Lord!) to my friend’s compound. Upon arriving my friend looked at me and said “So Leah, you are ready to preach this morning??” Now, naturally, nothing had been mentioned about this before. Nobody asked me to come visit their church AND to preach. However, you will be happy to know that I came prepared :)  **Always come with a sermon or speech in your pocket while visiting because it is inevitable that you will be asked to speak. It has never failed.** So I answered graciously “Ah, I am very happy to preach.” Keep praying.....

I was then invited into a hut for breakfast. They presented me with a huge plate of food: asiida, and something else that I couldn't identify. **I don’t ask because I have learned it is better to eat in ignorance than to allow the knowledge of what I am eating to gag me!** Now, church was supposed to begin at 10:30am but when we arrived not a soul was there- people were all drunk from the night before. SO, I was taken into another hut where I was fed another meal. Yes, 30 minutes after the huge breakfast I couldn’t finish I was required to eat more :)  About an hour later everyone had been rounded up from the community and there was a full church. The service went well and I shared my sermon “When God speaks in New Ways” and it was amazing to see the people listening. With over 75 adults 100 children in the room there was not a peep while I spoke.

After service I greeted everyone and their dog (or goat in this case) and was guided back to the hut where I sat with the elders and was fed another meal.Goodness gracious!! Soon after that I went outside to speak with the women and children. They are so lovely....and broken. I am beginning to learn that the common question is “When will you come back here?? When will you come visit us again??” Keep praying....

After about 5 men tried to fix my bike (no one was successful by the way), we returned back to my friend’s compound. We were chatting and as I was holding a baby it peed all over me (remember: no diapers here)! I was discreet and I don’t think anyone noticed. **Why be discreet you ask?? Because they probably would’ve made me bathe there and then use their clothes if they would’ve noticed (no thank you!).** Then they took me into the hut and guess what they gave me?? ANOTHER huge meal!! What??? 

 

As dusk was approaching, it was time to journey back (note: I learned that Marsha did travel here, but it was on a motorcycle, not a bike- joke’s on me ;)

Whew! And at last I made it home…. After having my skirt ripped off (did I forget to mention that??), traveling over 20K, jumping through rivers, preaching the Word, getting peed on….. After eating 4 huge meals in 6 hours,                    encouraging the people, playing with the children, and getting covered in dust – my heart was beyond happy. This is what I was made to do and I loved every minute of it. These people are in desperate need of encouragement and truth. And when they see the effort that I go through, I promise you- they listen. Even though I know that the effort I made was small compared to the effort they made in welcoming me….Even though I know my trials are nothing compared to theirs….the Lord gives me a voice that is strong. Keep Praying.....

Oh merciful God, hear the cries of your people! Let my life be a part of your answer. Let my life be a part of their song of reconciliation with You. Let my spirit draw people towards Yours. Let people see that you have remembered them and as a result praise your name. What a humbling and amazing task awaits all of us.

United Christmas of America!

So, this isn’t the first time I have found myself in a foreign country away from family at Christmas time. Let me tell you a Christmas tale of an American in North Africa....

So something inside of me compelled me to start inviting the UN men to the Christmas service, as there was a 9am English service and all of them speak English. I started off with the 2 that were in my compound. I thought it would also be nice to cook something for them. So I was planning maybe a small little lunch with them. Well, then I started to invite the other people to the service as well: Muslims, Hinuds, Atheists, and Christians alike. It turned out to be quite the popular idea. Most were happy to join me for the service. None of them had been in a church while in the UN, and some had never even been in a church. 

Well, that then brought up the issue of dinner: I couldn't very well invite all of these people to a Christian Holiday Service and then only feed 2 of them. Soooo, I ended up inviting the whole lot of them for dinner at 7pm in my compound. I was prepared to cook 2 chickens, fried potatoes, rice, papaya salad and cole slaw. The British ladies were in charge of drinks and dessert.  But as the number kept increasing, I thought that I better request that some of them bring a dish as well because I didn’t have enough food….

We all went to the church service; there were about 8 of them who went. I have to admit, it was nothing like the ones in America, and it was less than fabulous in my opinion. However, all of them at least pretended like they enjoyed it :) So after that service I biked it on over to the MK (my people group) church service which began at 11. I made it right on time. This service was lovely, and it lasted from 11 until 3:30. Whew!  It was a looong service! There was also lunch with the locals afterwards, so I had to rush and finish eating in order to make it home in time to cook everything.

Long story short, it was a miracle. Every single dish turned out great. There were 12 people there from 9 different countries. Now, believe me, I thought it was a nice night and I enjoyed it. But I was unprepared for the response I got from everyone. Everyone kept saying how great of a night it was, and how they were so, so happy that I organized everything and cooked. Person after person, time and time again. It was so good for me to see that these people understood that I was welcoming them and wanted them to celebrate a Christian Holiday with them. God’s love definitely showed through. Praise the Lord!

But it doesn’t end there- the people enjoyed themselves so much that they wanted to do something similar on New Year’s Eve at our compound, knowing full well there would be no alcohol. There was a group of about 9 of us and we all shared our testimonies, or our thoughts about God. And at the end of it one of the men said “You know, we need to have something like this every week. We need so much encouragement and it is so difficult to do things by ourselves. Can we please set something up?”

So now we have a weekly Bible Study for the UN; anyone who is interested can join. And you know what the great thing is: it was their idea. It wasn’t the white people trying to convince the UN that they needed to study the Bible and know God, but rather they saw that we were there to share with them and encourage them, regardless of their faith, and wanted more of it.

God is good! 

"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!)