So, if you're wondering what's happening in my goal to return to Uganda, here's a little update. I feel that the time is getting close, but I still don't have any exact timeline. God is speaking to me so much about my vision, but as far as timing, He's just saying "wait and trust." I am dreaming with Him, writing down the ideas and strategies that He brings to my mind. It has been a wonderful experience, feeling closer to my goal.
I have begun fundraising. I have dreams of an orphanage and a facility where I can host mission teams, and possible a school someday. Buildings cost money, so I've created an account for people to donate online if that is easier. Find the link here if you are interested. http://www.gofundme.com/7vv030 - I also take personal checks for now, which is better for me since this website takes a small cut. I just know online donation methods are easier. ;)
I am also collecting recycling and turning it in for money here in California. Friends are bringing me their bags and I am digging in trash cans and picking stuff up off the roads. It's a sticky and tedious job, but I am willing to work for my dreams! For now, I'm working on getting to Uganda, 5 cents at a time! :) I am working 2 part time jobs now, trying to pull ahead financially and pay off my debts.
On the Uganda front, my brother and ministry partner Alex is planning to start building a home for us in January. His wife Violet will be giving birth to their 2nd child at the end of this year, and he has also adopted a couple older kids so they need a larger home. He plans to build big enough so that I will have a room when I arrive. I would like to begin sending him some of the money I've raised to contribute to the building of the home. He says he can build it for around $5000 and furnish it for another 5000. He's working to get the land planted so we will have food. We will work to minimize living expenses, but that requires some up front money to get started.
As far as my plans when I get there, what I have concluded right now is that I want to spend my first 6 months to a year just living there and getting to know the people and serving where I can before I launch any teaching type ministry. I want to build relationships and learn the culture. I think it would be arrogant to just hit the ground teaching. I am not 'big super American' with all the answers to their lives. I want to serve, find out where the greatest needs are and find ways I can meet those needs. Hopefully the Mzungu celebrity status will wear off with some time too. lol My hope is to find leaders during that time that will be able to continue what we start after I am gone if that is ever to happen. I want to provide them with whatever training I can so that they can be the leaders in their community. Eventually I want to get a children's home and school going, but that will take some time I believe. I have so many ideas, so many passions, it's hard to know where to start, but hopefully that first time period of building will give me the answers.
I am so grateful for those who have been contributing monthly to my vision. Knowing that people believe in me and my dream is so encouraging. When I get under the stress of "when" and "how", it helps to know that I have support from my friends and family. I have known since 2007 that Uganda was my destination, but God has been doing a lot of work in my heart to get me ready for this mission. I have grown so much, especially in the last 2 years since I moved to Bethel. I think the time is getting really close. I'm excited to get going, my heart longs to be back in Uganda.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Vision Update Pt 1
I want to share my vision, or at least pieces of it for those of you who want to know what my plans are. I don't know all the details, but I can share my heart and my passion.
Kids are my main focus at first. I want to be able to provide a home for children who have no one to look after them. It would be great if I could also have a school. Education is so important in Uganda, but I also want to be able to focus on helping the kids find their identity and then pursuing their own passions. I want them to be able to be kids, playing and not worrying about their next meal, or their futures. I want to encourage joy and personal freedom in who they are.
I will have lots of sports related activities of course, as that is a great way to build relationship and just have fun! Alex is the town soccer coach and has an amazing ministry already with the kids. His wife Violet is great at volleyball and other sports too. The kids love them!! Some may scoff at sports being a ministry, but solving practical needs is as important as anything "religious" might be. Tell a man about Jesus and leave him starving, what do you think will happen? Nothing. Alex has been such a good coach, his players have been receiving scholarships to better schools. Basic education need provided by what Alex is giving them. It's a great thing! I mostly want to have fun, but if there are other opportunities to be had, that's awesome!
I want to train up local people to love on the kids and become the teachers so that I work myself out of a job. I have watched as the teachers hit the students with sticks for stepping out of line. I hated seeing that! I want to share what I have learned from Danny Silk's book "Loving Your Kids on Purpose" - I want to see the kids grow in freedom and responsibility in the way that God grows us up. Fear of punishment doesn't lead to a lasting life of good choices. Once the fear is removed, they're free to do a lot of things that we thought that we'd convinced them not to do. I want to teach them how to make good choices because of love and understanding of natural consequences. Freedom is what Jesus came to give us, so why shouldn't children have that same right?
I recently heard of a place in South Africa I think where they housed orphans in homes of 8-10 kids with a set of parents in each home. Multiple homes made up a little community and the children had a chance to be a part of a family! I love this idea! I would love to find local couples that want to pour into the orphan children and love them into wholeness.
There, that's a good start. I will post more in another update. My vision covers many arenas.
Kids are my main focus at first. I want to be able to provide a home for children who have no one to look after them. It would be great if I could also have a school. Education is so important in Uganda, but I also want to be able to focus on helping the kids find their identity and then pursuing their own passions. I want them to be able to be kids, playing and not worrying about their next meal, or their futures. I want to encourage joy and personal freedom in who they are.
I will have lots of sports related activities of course, as that is a great way to build relationship and just have fun! Alex is the town soccer coach and has an amazing ministry already with the kids. His wife Violet is great at volleyball and other sports too. The kids love them!! Some may scoff at sports being a ministry, but solving practical needs is as important as anything "religious" might be. Tell a man about Jesus and leave him starving, what do you think will happen? Nothing. Alex has been such a good coach, his players have been receiving scholarships to better schools. Basic education need provided by what Alex is giving them. It's a great thing! I mostly want to have fun, but if there are other opportunities to be had, that's awesome!
I want to train up local people to love on the kids and become the teachers so that I work myself out of a job. I have watched as the teachers hit the students with sticks for stepping out of line. I hated seeing that! I want to share what I have learned from Danny Silk's book "Loving Your Kids on Purpose" - I want to see the kids grow in freedom and responsibility in the way that God grows us up. Fear of punishment doesn't lead to a lasting life of good choices. Once the fear is removed, they're free to do a lot of things that we thought that we'd convinced them not to do. I want to teach them how to make good choices because of love and understanding of natural consequences. Freedom is what Jesus came to give us, so why shouldn't children have that same right?
I recently heard of a place in South Africa I think where they housed orphans in homes of 8-10 kids with a set of parents in each home. Multiple homes made up a little community and the children had a chance to be a part of a family! I love this idea! I would love to find local couples that want to pour into the orphan children and love them into wholeness.
There, that's a good start. I will post more in another update. My vision covers many arenas.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
To update anyone still following this.... I am still moving toward a goal of full time life in Uganda. I'm currently in Redding, CA attending Bethel Church in order to get as much growth as possible in a short time. I have had an incredible year and a half of encountering God and learning to receive His love and in turn, to trust Him more and more. He has proven Himself so faithful in this process. I'm getting involved as much as possible in all the classes available to me here so I can fill up my toolbelt. I still don't know the exact timeline, but I feel it is soon!!
My in country contact, Alex, is still my ministry partner. He is an amazing man of God who just recently had opportunity to prove how trustworthy he is during a difficult adventure he found himself on in Turkey. I am so proud to call Alex my brother and look forward to what God has for us as we join forces in the future.
My in country contact, Alex, is still my ministry partner. He is an amazing man of God who just recently had opportunity to prove how trustworthy he is during a difficult adventure he found himself on in Turkey. I am so proud to call Alex my brother and look forward to what God has for us as we join forces in the future.
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