Uganda: Arrival in Entebbe

Arriving in Entebbe, I was immediately surprised at how small the airport is.  It may sound like an obvious description to some/most, but I was still setting my expectations based on other international airports I'd been to.  It's safe to say that my expectations were startled from the moment I set foot in Uganda, and I'm grateful for that.  I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to 'start fresh'. 

Because we arrived around midnight, the airport was pretty desolate.  There were only two immigration officials working, so the line of stamp-seekers snaked on for a while. We did make it through without incident though, and my excitement continued to build as we went to pick up our bags.  Waiting for us at the baggage area was our Bridge Africa hostess, Olive.  She works full time for the branch of African Renewal Ministries that specializes in the logistics of short- and long-term mission trips. Her job is to, essentially, think of everything.  And be cheerful at all hours of the day and night.  No pressure.  ;)

As we made our way to the parking lot I was again startled (physically this time) to find the luggage carts would barely move.  Unpaved parking lot.  Another gentle reminder that I should put aside any assumptions or expectation I had.  (I don't want this to seem like an exaggeration.  I'm certainly not proposing that a nation without paved parking lots is, by default, a place without common luxuries.  I'm only sharing how meaningful those rough parking lots were to me as I realized that even the most casual and innocent assumptions in my mind should be carefully reconsidered in order to experience Uganda in the most fruitful way possible.)

We made our way to a large van that Olive rented for us, and we began the task of loading 33 suitcases in way that still left breathing room for the 11 of us.  =)  This is the scene of the first CRIME I committed in Uganda.

I unknowingly broke the law when I took a photo of us loading the van.  You see, the van was located in the parking lot of the government-owned airport and it's against the law to take photos of government-owned property.  Poor Olive sprinted over and did an A+ job of concealing her panic and calmly explaining that I shouldn't take any other photos until we left the airport property.  She really is the ultimate hostess.

"the evidence"

One of the most touching moments of the entire trip occurred in our first hour in Uganda.  With the van loaded, Olive passed out water bottles and offered refreshment to begin our journey.  She also led us in a powerful prayer that set the tone for an amazing time of ministry.

Olive is 23 years old, and if not for the love, prayer, guidance, and family she found through Christ at Ggaba Community Church, she would have been left to suffer in the slums. Now she is a beautiful, hard-working, devoted young woman with a heart for service. She has fearlessly followed God's calling on her life (and believe me, she can tell some harrowing stories that prove her 'fearless' badge is a considerable accomplishment), and she now finds herself working for a ministry that is blessed by her many talents in return.

As she invited the Lord to reside over our time in Uganda, she gave praise to her King over and over again.   Her King of Glory, her King of Mercy, her King of Power.  She called out passionately to her King on our behalf.  I could feel my heart being recalibrated - of all the wonderful things I think and say about my Lord and Savior, I rarely stop to think of him as KING.

He is Father.  He is Creator.  But He is also KING.

Uganda: Traveling (with iBrandi)

 

Oh, the travels. I requested window seats (per usual) for my flights to Uganda.  This usually turns out to be a smart move. It usually results in extra room and a place to lean if I fall asleep.  It usually means I don’t have wake up when the other person needs to get of their seat or when the attendants push the beverage cart down the aisle and slam into your leg.   In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t flown internationally in 10 years, and I forgot that 9 hours is a really long time to be on one flight. I forgot how often you have to get up to stretch your legs or use the restroom, and how awkward it is to try to wake up a 60 year old man (who took a narcotic sleeping aid) in order to get out of the window seat.  I did learn my lesson, but found myself in the same situation on the second flight (10 hours this time) and both flights home.  =)

Another thing that’s changed since 2002…  You no longer have just three “premium” movies to choose from as in-flight entertainment.  (I think the quotes are warranted… the movies on my return flight from the UK were Rugrats: The Movie, Collateral Damage, and that ridiculous Britney Spears movie.)  Now, you have HUNDREDS of movies, HUNDREDS of albums , DOZENS of television shows, several video games, and even language courses to choose from.  It certainly helps pass the time while you’re waiting for your neighbor to wake up  and evaluating the decision to drink 32 ounces of water before the airplane even took off. 

All humor aside, the travel to Uganda was totally blessed and free of complications!  PTL!  The team arrived at DFW 3 hours early for international check-in.  I’m proud to announce that we packed our donations expertly, and all 13 donation suitcases weighed in at just over 49.5 pounds.  We proceeded through security to a restaurant where we visited and exchanged excited stories, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the team members for the first time.  (Well, the first time face-to-face. Cathy facilitated some really great Skype sessions with the entire group in the weeks leading up to the trip.)

While I was thrilled to meet the entire team and see sweet and familiar faces, I was over the moon to hug Lydia Mathis for the first time in months.  For our non-Wacoan readers, Jay Mathis is the pastor of Grace Community Church (the church Brandi and Stanton attend) in Waco, and his lovely wife Lydia is on Generations’ Board of Directors. I met her years ago when we both volunteered for CareNet, but I was blessed to receive some intense prayer, encouragement, and spiritual counsel from the Mathises earlier this year when Brandi was diagnosed.   Lydia is a firecracker, and being around her for any length of time leaves me with the intense desire to go home and journal about my hilarious family, read my bible like I have a desert thirst, take 2hour walk with God, and listen to 27 straight hours of praise music.   She is a huge blessing in my life, and we tripped over our words for a solid hour because we were trying to catch up on 4 month of life commentary before we finished lunch. :p

As I mentioned above, the flights were relatively uncomplicated.  I did watch a movie – by myself and uninterrupted – for the first time in years.  It was certainly enjoyable, but most of my moments were spent listening to Brandi’s iPod and resting in the Spirit.  For a little history:  When Brandi was hospitalized in May, the ICU was very loud.  Not just bothersome noise, but extremely painful, sorrowful, troubling sounds… and way too much whispering behind curtains.  I confided to Jay and Lydia that I was concerned those sounds might overwhelm B’s efforts to rest and stay prayerful and hopeful – especially at night.  No more than 2 hours later, Jay and Lydia brought an iPod to the hospital, loaded with 800 praise and worship songs!  Brandi was able to listen to it in the ICU, and even more importantly, as she road in the back of the ambulance by herself to Dallas for an emergency tumor debulking (that they cancelled upon her arrival). 

Brandi was kind enough to lend me the iPod for the Uganda trip, and I took great solace in the fact that I was listening to the same songs she had listened to earlier this summer.  It was tremendously motivating, and in an instant those songs took me back to May 24th… to a place of complete vulnerability and an intense desire to allow God to sustain and lead me through the coming days. 

That’s the exact place my spirit needed to be in preparation for what I would see and hear and feel in Uganda.

Re-entry in 3...2...1....

I'm back.  Obviously.  I've been back 2 weeks, and have managed to (almost) get caught up on work, training, laundry, grocery shopping, girl scout fundraising, and thank you notes.  I've also managed to catch - and recover from - Caroline's mammoth cold.  What I have NOT managed to do is blog.  It makes me sad, really it does.  Most of my other tasks can be accomplished while doing daily chores or chatting with Chris and/or Caro.  But writing is tough for me and I feel like I need to give it 100% of my attention or nothing on the page makes any sense.  (Let's be honest, sometimes 100% doesn't even do the trick.)

But this week will be my week of reflection and writing.  I'm glad to have made the choice not to write here until I had finished writing notes of appreciation to the people who supported this trip through prayer, funding, donations, and in some cases - food for Chris and Caro while I was gone.  It feels good to know we all have clean socks, undies, and sheets.  It feels good to know that my husband and daughter have full love tanks after a prolonged absence.  And it feels good to have had some time to think and reflect on my experiences.  My hope is that the extra time will actually result in more meaningful and coherent diary entries, because the desire of my heart is to share as much of this trip as possible with anyone who will listen.

God is Good.  God is Big.  God is in the US, and God is in Uganda.  God's love knows no limits or boundaries, and we are all precious in His sight.   These are statements I've heard my entire life, but now I've seen it for myself and my heart is on fire!  Cheesy, but unapologetically true!

For now, I'll share Caroline's favorite picture from the entire trip... and I wasn't even in Uganda yet.



John Kormeling's Haja hihi sculpture in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport



a quick update while we have power....

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth
 comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

Romans 8:18

My time in Uganda so far has been enlightening and joyful and encouraging…and heartbreaking.  Any of you who have taken such a trip to a 3^rd world trip will know exactly what I mean, and those of you who haven’t should prayerfully consider planning for one. 

I had hoped to upload several diary entries this morning to give a fuller picture of our trip thus far, but the Ugandan government implemented rolling blackouts a few weeks ago, and we only have sporadic power.  As a result, most people who brought laptops are conserving the battery life and I haven’t wanted to ask to borrow one.  I did wake up at 5am this morning and saw a few lights on outside, so I jumped up and borrowed a teammates laptop and now I’m sitting in the bathroom typing up a storm while they snooze until 6:30am.  =)

We’ll all be up early this morning – today we’re taking a boat across Lake Victoria and then renting boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) to take us to Bethany Children’s Village.  We’ll spend the day there teaching some Bible lessons in the morning and preventative health sessions in the afternoon.  We plan to head back in the early evening because we’d prefer to be off the boat when it gets dark.  Go figure.

The time is passing VERY quickly, but I feel immensely grateful for this opportunity, and I am working hard to be intentional about my time here.  Please pray that my time will continue to be fruitful, and that I’ll find a way to use the time in between activities.  I’m programmed for efficiency, and time spent sitting around waiting for the next step is a challenge.  I want to be prayerful in those times, and allow God to use them for His purpose… I just don’t know quite how that should look right now.  If I could figure that out while I’m here, it would be the greatest gift to take home!

Have a super weekend!

MaryAnn

p.s.  Please pray for Chris and Caro while I’m away.  I stocked the pantry and left notes and prayers, but I’d like to think my presence is larger than that.  I don’t want them to be in any discomfort while I’m here.  They are God’s great gifts to me.

 

He must become greater, I must become less.

Leaving for Amsterdam momentarily.

Thank you for each and every prayer and word of encouragement you've
offered.

Love,
MaryAnn

The ticking clock has reached a feverish pitch.

I haven't packed. I should be packing. Really, it's the sensible thing to do and people count on me to be sensible. 

I'm not packing though.  I'm just breathing. Well, now I'm typing, but for the last 30 minutes I've just been sitting here breathing and allowing God's peace to roll over me.  I got up and started typing because I want to capture this moment for my future reflection, and I know I'll have to pack tomorrow night so a more opportune time may not exist..............

Today, at 5:12pm, I realized that my heart was building some major relational barriers.  It started innocently enough... I was working through a situation that has been scary and painful and confusing, and at some point my heart just started to build a little wall in that area in order to cope.  As the fear and hurt continued, the wall grew.  Then I encountered some frustration in another situation, and since the first wall was working so nicely my heart decided to build another.  And so on and so on, until I was barely feeling anything at all and a cloudy haze hung over each and every one of my interactions.  

At 4:56pm this afternoon, I turned on my car and my Heavenly Father was gracious enough to offer an opportunity to explore my brokenness through a song that means a great, great deal to me.  I picked up the phone and called my sweetest, kindest, truest gift of a friend. The conversation meandered through pleasantries, parental pride, travel preparations, and cookbooks.  And at some point there was a divine pause, and I felt an encouragement to share my brokenness.  In that moment, at 5:12pm, I realized that in breaking down my first relational barrier, I felt an instant and powerful reconnection to my Savior.  It was just a breath of fresh air to my heart, and the flame of excitement for this trip and God's purpose grew larger.

Throughout this evening God continued to provide opportunities to confess my fears and frustrations in three more important relationships.  Each and every time I felt His embrace grow stronger and the flame burn hotter.  In building those barriers out of self-preservation, I was denying God the opportunity to bear those burdens. Those walls were keeping me from God's blessings of peace and joy.  Six hours ago my life was feeling dull and blurry, and now it's more like Technicolor. 

This is not some sort of endorsement to emotionally dump on friends and family.  This is a personal account of my thankfulness that God allowed me the opportunity to tear down those walls and grow closer to Him.  I'd be thankful of that any day, but I feel abundantly blessed that he afforded me that opportunity before I left.

Five months ago I invited Him to work through me any way He sees fit on this trip, but the hardness in my heart was prohibiting those possibilities. Tonight I took a deep breath and exhaled for the first time in months.  Even my physical body is relieved to be back in a right position with my most-loved ones and my Heavenly Father.

Lord, 

      I'm looking forward to peaceful and rejuvenating sleep tonight.  Thank You for providing so many opportunities for me to get back on the right track - I'm unworthy and unobservant and stubborn, yet You find a way to make Your presence known.  You're so mighty.  Please grant me wisdom and discernment tomorrow as I try to wrap up my work tasks in a way that allows my peers to continue their work without extra burden while I'm away.  I have a laundry list of tasks that seem impossible to accomplish in such a short time, but You know what needs to be done tomorrow. I pray that the most important tasks will make themselves evident, and that I will maintain a focus in the midst of all this excitement.  Your provision throughout the planning and preparation for this trip has been evident.  Thank You.  

In your precious Son's name, Amen.

Ack.

This week was a struggle.

• The dog got sick while Chris was out of town.
• The starter and/or battery went out on my car, and noone in Indianapolis has one that will fit. 
• My father-in-law had to have another major surgery; this one to drain fluid from his chest and install a wound vacuum that he will have to live with for at least 3 months.  (Obviously I'm listing things chronologically, not in order of importance....)
• The washing machine broke.
• I had an "adverse event" when I received my typhoid injection on Friday.
• I still didn't get to talk to Brandi.

Weeks like will zap you if you don't watch it.  I want to start this next week with an even BIGGER itemized list of our blessings and protection.

• The dog didn't die.  This was a major concern of mine because the last time I was taking care of a dog that got sick, that almost happened.  Ruby did start eating again on Tuesday, and is now back to leaping on anything she shouldn't leap on and chasing anything that will breathe.  I'm thankful.
• My husband bought and started restoring a ridiculously cool classic car in high school.  As a result, he was able to drive the Chevy II and I was able to drive his truck all week.  The adventure of parking in the Lilly garage was an added bonus.
• Ed's surgery was successful, and he didn't experience any complications.  There were some fairly major complications during his quadruple by-pass in February, so we don't take this for granted. 
• I did 7 loads of laundry last weekend while Chris was gone.  Most socks, undies, towels, and jeans are clean, and I can do a load of clothes at the laundromat before I pack on Wednesday.  Also an added bonus... the broken washing machine means I didn't have to do any laundry this weekend.
• My arm eventually stopped bleeding and I was able to work productively for the remainder of the day.  I was able to stay calm and reassure the sweet Lilly RN that I was neither mad nor disappointed in her professional abilities.  She gave me a gumball when I left.
• I did get to email with Brandi a couple of times, and I was able to see some cute pictures on FB of Cake and JellyBean at the Razorback game.
• I have a suitcase FULL of donated items to pack this afternoon. 
• In a few hours, I will get to worship corporately at a church I love more and more each week.  
• I have a camera for my trip!  Ours doesn't really work anymore, and it's been a major concern for several months.  I couldn't imagine not having a camera on my first trip to Africa!  Last week, however, I remembered that I had some "points" from two awards I won at work.  I looked into what I might be able to get with them (fully expecting magazine and newspaper subscriptions to be my only options) and I was able to redeem them for a gift certificate at Best Buy.  Now we have a snazzy new Canon, and all we paid for was the service plan.  God.  Is.  Good.
• I have an awesome bible.  My mother gave Chris and I amazing study bibles to celebrate our first married Christmas.  I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed it over the last 8 years, but especially this year.  
• My daughter dug into her piggy bank tonight and chose to take her biggest bill with us as we shopped for the children at LHBH and BCV.  She was incredibly thoughtful as she poured over all her options.  She chose encouraging stickers, sparkly headbands, neon bandaids, and baby tylenol.  She has a beautiful heart, and I pray that Chris and I will raise her wisely and help cultivate her love for Jesus.

I'm sure there are many, many more things to be thankful for.  The truth is, meditating on all of these blessings has a brought such a calming peace over me that I might actually be able to sleep now.  It's 3:10am here, so I should go to bed if I want to go on a run in the morning.

Lord, I am grateful for your provision this week.  Please sustain us as we head into a very busy week, and let us feel your presence with each passing hour. Amen

Pre-trip devotion: SHARE

Learn their story; tell mine

Some people are great storytellers by nature.  Others have to work at it.  But one thing is for sure, people love to hear a story.  Telling stories is a way of life in many cultures.  When I show interest in the story of someone I meet from another culture, I may win a new friend.  I need to listen to people's stories....then be ready to tell my own. 

Loving Hearts Baby Home, Bethany Children's Village, Restoration Gateway are not strangers to North American visitors.  They are each blessed with a strong support network of short- and long-term volunteers from various countries, but many are from the US.  Even so, some people might be curious and will want to know why I have come.  How will I answer?  "To work on a building" or "to teach a class" may be appropriate/accurate answers, but I've been challenged to view this as an opportunity to articulate more than the obvious.  Maybe this is an open door to share the spiritual dimension of my answer!  Especially if my story includes some details on how Christ has motivated me to serve.  

Paul doesn't mince words when we provides pointed encouragement in 1 Peter 3:15: 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

And we receive some serious words of instruction and conviction again from Paul as he challenges his young disciple, Timothy, to be an example for the church.  

1 Timothy 4:12-16

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture**, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
 ¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

In what ways should Timothy/I be an example? 

Timothy was a young pastor.  It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth.  He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity.  Regardless of his/my age, God can use him/me!  Whether I am young or old, I shouldn't think of my age as a handicap.  I've been reflecting on this all afternoon; I don't consider my physical age to be a handicap... I'm not as young in real-life as I am in my mind. =)  But I do find myself considering whether spiritual age is a handicap. Some days I feel right on target, and other days far from "perfect" (on those days I'm far from EITHER definition of perfect that I wrote about in the last devotion).  Regardless of where I am in my walk with the Lord, I can contribute to this team and to this trip if I submit to His will.  

Timothy was also called to be an example in the way he used his spiritual gifts.  As a young leader in a church that had a lot of problems, Timothy may have felt intimidated.  But the elders and prophets encouraged him and charged him to use his spiritual gift responsibly.  What gifts and abilities has God given me?  As I contemplate this particular question today, I want to also consider how I will use that gift in my daily life and it special times of service, such as this trip to Uganda.  

**This afternoon I took my bible and my book of devotionals to Lulu's for some coffee and sunshine while I read and prayed.  I was just beginning to dig in to this passage in Timothy (the study notes that come with my bible are really enlightening!) when a Lulu's employee stopped by my table to see what the Cox family was up to.  He realized I was reading my bible, paused, and then asked if I was preparing for anything special.  We had a brief, but rich, conversation and I was able to share more about this trip to Uganda as well as our joy at finding a wonderful church here in Indianapolis.  I was struck by His not-so-subtle timing as I turned back to the passage and picked up where I left off.... "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture".  =)

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I plan to take more time this week to consider "my story".  It probably won't include a description of when I first came to Christ (I can't remember a time when I didn't know Christ as my savior), but will rather be related to later events in my journey of faith.  

CJ provides the following guidance as you consider "your story", and I want to provide that here for any readers and for our own family history.  I think it's pivotal to be intentional in my faith, and I intend to think about my story in the context of my professional environment, my neighborhood interactions, my investment in our new church, and the trip to Uganda.  

"It is always good to think of your audience.  As you begin to work on your story, think of the things you have in common with those you are going to serve.  There are many universal aspect to life like family, school, work, marriage, etc.  There are also the universal themes of life like the pursuit of happiness, peace of mind, individual dignity, security, etc.  There are negative themes that plague all of us, like the hose of sins that we deal with or feelings like fear, anger, or disappointment.  These matters touch everyone... regardless of your place on the planet.  

Some questions to answer as you work on your story:

1. How did I realize my need for a Savior  or  how did Jesus meet me in my time of need?
2. How can I clearly explain how to accept God's love and forgiveness through my story?
3. What difference have I experienced in my life because of accepting God's love and forgiveness?
4. What are some of my negative attitudes, actions and motivations that have changed?"

 Lord, Please grant me wisdom and discernment as I write my unique - yet universal - story.  Guide me to include the works and words that might touch hurting hearts.  Let it be an opportunity for me to sit humbly as I consider the times You have rescued me, protected me, healed me, and blessed me beyond measure.  I want to be BOLD for You!  

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: UNDERSTANDING

Am I an American first or a Christian first?

I think the answer to C.J.'s question is obvious, but it's also important to really consider what I represent when I travel.

First, a few words that represent some positive stereotypes or traits of North Americans:

friendly - outgoing - hardworking -  generous - well-educated - reliable - confident

This list is far from exhaustive, and any given day might produce a different set of adjectives - but the attributes above sound great and make me proud to be an American! 

There are also not-so-positive stereotypes attached to North Americans:

materialistic  -  wasteful  -  domineering  -  arrogant  -  disrespectful of authority  -  corrupt

Personally, I don't like reading those words, much less taking time to consider how well or  how often they might describe my own attitudes and lifestyle.   My past travels have mostly occurred in Western Europe, so my global perspective is limited and I don't have a broad sense of what people expect from Americans.  If these stereotypes are accurate, they come from a darker side of our culture.  They come from sinful patterns through the years.  This is an opportune time to look deeper within myself and examine whether my life is influenced by some of these negative traits. 

Much of the success of fitting in and serving those in the Ugandan culture will be related to how I deal with these negative stereotypes.  As I accept and grapple with these harmful traits, as a Christian, there is good news... I do have the power (through Christ) not to be controlled by them.

I know (I really, really know) that God is in the business of transforming our lives as we give ourselves to Him.  In Romans 12:2, Paul pleads with Christians not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Help and encouragement can be found in a powerful passage in Phillipians:

Philippians 3:7-21

 ⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

 ¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  ¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

If I desire to become everything God wants me to be, what encouragement can I find in Phillipians 3:12-16?

Sometimes trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves me drained and discouraged.  I may even feel so far from perfect that I can't imagine ever pleasing God with my life.  Paul** intended "perfect" to mean mature or complete, not flawless in every detail.   Those who are mature should press on in the Holy Spirit's power, knowing that Christ will reveal and fill in any discrepancy between what I am and what I should be.  Christ's provision is no excuse for lagging devotion, but it provides relief and assurance for those who feel driven.

** Paul really knew what it meant to be imperfect and to struggle with a burden of guilt followed by the renewal and peace that comes with accepting forgiveness and allowing Christ to bear our burdens.  Paul has reason to forget what was behind - he had held the coats of the those who stoned Stephen.  I have done things for which I am ashamed, and I live in the tension of what I have been and what I want to be.  Because my hope is in Christ, however, today I will profess His promises for me.  I can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help me become.  I will not dwell on my past.  Instead I will grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on my relationship with him now.  I will move on to a life of faith and obedience, and I will look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life afforded to me by my hope in Christ.

In Phillipians 3:18-19 we read that some have their minds saturated with the attitudes and values of today's culture.  Yet verses 20-21 remind us that as Christians, our citizenship is in heaven.  What does that mean to me personally?

  
As I understand it, there was a group of "Judaizers".  These Jewish Christians believed that it was essential for Geniles to follow all the Old Testament laws.  They looked at Christianity backwards - thinking that what they did made them believers rather than the free gift of grace given by Christ.  [I, on many a day, have been guilty of this backward thinking.  I find myself trying to EARN God's grace, when it's an impossible feat.]

Paul criticized not only this group of believers who continued to try and earn grace, but also the self-indulgent Christians, people who claim to be Christians but don't live up to Christ's model of servanthood and self-sacrifice.  These people satisfy their own desires before even thinking about the needs of others.  Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to be selfish.  It means taking every opportunity to serve and to become the best person you can be.

Lord, Thank you for pouring your PERFECT love onto my heart and life.  I have allowed certain aspects of my culture to influence the decisions I make, the way I spend my time, and how I view your people that reside in other places.  Please forgive me.  I am SO looking forward to sharing Your love and light, and to reshaping any negative stereotypes that might exist in the homes and facilities that I will visit.  Please let this week be a week of transparency - that I might see the dark spots in my heart and mind that would prevent me from sharing Your word in the way you desire.  Prepare my heart, oh Lord!  

In your Precious Son's name, Amen.

Love,
MaryAnn

Delightful Smiles

These are the faces of Restoration Gateway. 

I can't enough of these smiles, and my anticipation is growing by the minute!

If you need a little lift today, 

you should go here for an instant dose of joy!

Pre-trip devotion: OPENNESS

Traveling outside my comfort zone

There's a high probability I'll pack my favorite remedies for common ailments on the Uganda trip.  There's the pink lotion for insect bites and the other pink medicine for if any of us are "intestinally challenged."  But there's nothing I can pack to treat culture shock. 

The author of the devotional set I've been working through provides the following scenario: 
When you arrive at your site, the warm weather feels so lovely, the little village seems quaint and friendly, and your hosts are so interested and neighborly.  But... after a few weeks or maybe even days, you feel your attitudes shift.  The honeymoon is definitely over.  Suddenly the heat is stifling, the tiny village is closing in on you, and your hosts won't give you a moment to yourself.

Culture shock is the disorientation that results from unfamiliar surroundings and unmet expectations.

What happens when living outside of one's own culture?  After the initial honeymoon stage, one of the first things to creep in is a judgmental attitude.  If things are different from our own customs, values, and behaviors, they seem, well.... wrong or intolerable, or at the least, strange. This isn't confined to OUS experiences.  It's even true when we get close to another person or family here at home.

Paul, a short-term missionary, lived in and out of many different cultures.  In I Corinthians 10, we see how Paul dealt with an agitated group who thought eating certain meat was wrong.  In verses 23-33, he addresses this issue:

The Believer’s Freedom

 ²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.  ²⁵ Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶ for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
 ²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. ²⁹ I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
 ³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

...So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble...

Lord, 

     Please open my heart to these words.  These are great big LIFE words that should influence my every interaction.  I'm humbled tonight as I read these words over and over again.  I'm imperfect.  I'm sinful..  I fall short of your glory and think of myself before others or judge others when I have no rights or understanding to do so.  I'm so sorry -  Please forgive me and grant me grace tomorrow as I hold these words close and work to incorporate them into my life in a bigger and better way.  

                         In your precious Son's name,  Amen.

 Tonight I'm praying that any "culture shock" I might experience will be focused away from judgement and toward a reframed understanding of what it means to be a survivor/teacher/believer in Uganda. I think the shock can be good and purposeful if the end result is the crumbling of a cultural barrier that would otherwise keep me from praying and loving all of God's people with a fervent heart. 

Time for some sleep!
MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: HUMILITY

Many mission/vision trips are about providing some kind of construction work, like building a house or school or medical facility.  Some projects involve ministry at a church, like a Vacation Bible School.  It's easy to look at the kind of activity I do as an end in itself.  In the last few weeks I've been encouraged to look deeper than the "what" of the project and explore the "how".

I know God cares deeply about my attitude.  I know that because He's explicit in the description of what kind of attitude I should have if I want to bring Him glory through my words/thoughts/projects/prayer.  We are called to exude an attitude of service. 

Philippians 2

Imitating Christ’s Humility

 ¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!


Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Wow.  Do n-o-t-h-i-n-g out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Having an attitude of humility is easier said than done - especially in the culture we live in today.  Humility and service are the opposite of what we are taught by our peers, and being a humble servant does not come naturally to me.

This particular devotion places a heavy emphasis on making sure your attitude is aligned with Paul's instructions from verses 3 through 5.  Personally, my attitude toward my tasks in Uganda isn't causing any spiritual red flags to go up.  I did, however, feel them popping up when I read the verses and stopped to consider other areas of my life.. especially the portion of my life related to my career.  There weren't any asterisks on these scriptures indicating that careers are exempt from this expectation.

Lord, Please prepare my heart as I approach this very busy work week.  Please let these words be set before me such that I am reminded to consider others before myself in all my actions and encounters.  I want to have the mind of Christ.  I want to glorify you in all that I do, every day.   Amen.

From Mark 10:42-45, Jesus doesn't offer any mixed signals when he presents the great paradox of servanthood:

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 Considering the environment and the work I will do on my trip, there are some practical ways I can be a humble servant and avoid acting superior:

• Smile
• Stand in a humble pleasant posture
• Make sure my arms aren't folded (a nervous habit)
• Allow others to eat/proceed/speak/share first 
• Be keen to identify ways I can help
• Speak in turn 

   In reading the promises of Philippians 1:6 and 2:13, there are two phrases that give me confidence that I can have a Christ-like attitude:

1. "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2. "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Isn't this just the best?!  Such strong and encouraging words to start this week - I'm just going to let those sink into my heart and mind and take over!

Much love,

MaryAnn

** I was *thisclose* to clicking "publish" when I felt led to share one more thought.  In Philippians 1:6 we read that He will carry on the good work to completion.  So if I aspire to be like Christ, and Christ carries on with his tasks to completion... then shouldn't that be something I/we aspire to as well?  The implications here are really, really big.   I'll probably think on this some more tonight... while I finish putting the clothes away and work to FINALLY get these photos hung on the wall.  ;)

Pre-trip devotion: GROW

What's in this for me?  What's in this for them?

It's amazing how many people benefit from a short-term mission trip.  These benefits will likely flow in three different directions:  toward those I serve, toward those I'm serving with (the Generations group), and to myself.

Based on a list of commonly identified benefits, I've used green text to highlight the benefits that I get most excited about...

Some benefits to those I serve:

• I bring fresh energy, willing hands, and encouragement to my hosts, both the missionary and the national.
• I provide the resources or know-how to fulfill a need.
• My hosts experience community with the larger body of Christ as we worship and work together.
• Some may come to Christ.

Some benefits to the group:

• What we learn in another culture shapes and brings new perspectives to the group.
• Leadership abilities grow and become stronger.
• Others are encouraged to grow by stepping out of their comfort zones through observing the group in action.
• People live out newly examined values in light of a larger worldview when we return to our home church.
• The group gains a new vision and enthusiasm for serving at home.

Some personal benefits:

• Make new friends with my team and hosts.
• Be challenged to grow spiritually.
• Use my gifts to build the body of Christ.
• Grow a larger heart for the lost and needy.
• Learn to live and love in the diversity of another culture.
• Experience fulfillment as I strive to learn, love, and serve in the name of Jesus. 

That's a pretty impressive list of potential benefits.  And when I say impressive, I'm not speaking in the gratification sense. When I consider all God might do, these words are impressed on my heart in a way that will influence my words and prayers and actions over the next few weeks. I'm praying that my notes in green will become a reality, as well as any others that God might use to draw me closer to Him.

Looking at this list is exciting, but also intimidating in some respects.  Can God do all this through me and in me? I'm looking forward to experiencing dependence on Him in a whole new way.  I will certainly need to depend on His power, not my own. 

In the book of Ephesians, we find some real encouragement about depending on God.  In Ephesians 3:14-21, we see what God's power can do:

 ¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.


God's power strengthens me; Boy, do I need some strength.  I've been working hard to balance my time and devotion to my Heavenly Father, my sweet husband and daughter, my family and friends in Texas, and a career that I love very much.  I've tried to shoulder these and other concerns myself, instead of giving it over to Him.  This is such an appreciated and timely reminder that He wants to share His strength with me so that I don't feel so tired and weak at the end of each day.

God's power allows me to grasp the scope and fullness of His love; His love for the people of Uganda, His love for my team members, and His love for me.  Reading this gives me a big ol' lump in my throat.

God's power helps me know the love that surpasses knowledge; Even when words or actions or earthly events don't make sense to my mind, I can rest in assurance that God is in control and His love will prevail.

The devotional also encouraged me to take time to write out a prayer about my need to depend on God's power and not my own in light of my responsibilities on the Uganda trip.  I feel enriched and encouraged as a result of that exercise, but I'm keeping that prayer between He and Me for now.  =)  I look forward to seeing Him work in that specific area while I'm in Uganda, and I look forward to sharing the details with you following the trip!


Have a blessed week,
MaryAnn

Pre-trip devotion: SERVE

I'm working through a short set of devotionals before I leave for Uganda on the 24th.  The missions director at Common Ground pointed me to a tool they've been using recently, and I really like it.  It's called Before You Pack Your Bag, Prepare Your Heart.  It contains 12 short-ish bible studies and a trip journal.  It's VERY accessible, and seems like youth/college groups are probably the intended audience.  Even so, I'm finding it quite enjoyable and enlightening, and I am decidedly grateful for the different insights that will challenge me to learn to tell my story, be a strong team member, and be a good guest. 

In Matthew 25:31-36, Jesus tells his disciples that He will sit on His throne someday with the nations gathered before Him.  He explains how He looks at the service we do....

The Sheep and the Goats

    ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.    ³⁴ “Then 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. ³⁵ For 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, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
   ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”


FIVE things I can do for those in need:

• Meet their physical needs / quench their hunger and thirst by providing food and water
• Invite them into my community
• Offer an avenue to protection and modesty by providing clothing
• Tend to their earthly bodies by providing / facilitating medical care
• Bring hope and ministry to prisons

What am I reminded of in verse 40?
Any efforts I extend to God's children are efforts that bless Him.  I must look to help the least, not those I suspect may be most influential.  This trip will be focused on children, but in my daily life I experience encounters with many people who are marginalized or might be considered the least of these.  I should pray for wisdom and discernment in how I might help the children and caretakers in Uganda, as well as those in my daily life who are clearly hurting.

In Matthew 28 Jesus is meeting with His followers for the last time on earth.  Verses 18 through 20 offer the final instruction Jesus gave to all of His followers.  As a follower, I am called to...

• Go and make disciples of all nations.
• Baptize new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• Teach new believers to obey all of God's commandments

What is the truth in verse 18 that is essential to my ability to do "whatever it takes" to share God's love?
ALL authority has been given to me!!

What does this mean for me?
I am to go - whether it's next door or to Africa - and make disciples.  It's not an option.

When I think about these two passages in Matthew in relation to my upcoming project, I want to be intentional about the way I follow His will.

• I will read the gospel in order to share it.
• I will pour love and kindness and compassion into each child and worker and volunteer I interact with.
• I will boldly tell of Jesus' power in my live; the redemption, the hope, the love, the peace.
• I will share of His great works when I return!

Gifts through PayPal

Dearest Friends,

I'm so pleased to know you've found your way to our new family blog, which will hopefully chronicle years of trips in which we pursue a stronger relationship with God through a greater understanding of His earth and His people. 

In sharing the news of my upcoming trip to Uganda, I learned that several members of our family and friends would like to contribute to the fundraising efforts for the associated travel expenses.  While purposeful and meaningful communication and fellowship are always my preference, I do know that sometimes we find ourselves fighting for extra moments in the day and occasionally wishing that the things we want to do were easier.  If you feel led to contribute financially and would like to do so without writing and dropping a check in the mail, PayPal offers several secure options for online donations.

If you have a PayPal account, you can simply send a no-fee donation (please choose "gift" in the options) to our family email address, which is linked to the Uganda travel account. (If you need this email address, leave a comment on the blog and I'll send it to you ASAP! =) )  If you use the PayPal link to make a debit/credit donation, there is a small transaction fee associated with it.  For example, a $50 donation via VisaDebit would result in $48.25 toward the trip.

Unfortunately, donations through PayPal won’t be tax deductible.  I hope this does not deter you from giving if you feel led. Tax deductible donations can be made via check (memo line: Uganda/MMC) directly to the team hub in Texas:  

Generations Adoptions

400 Schroeder

Waco, Tx  76710

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

With a grateful heart,

MaryAnn

Requested Items for the Ugandan Ministries

Needed Items

LHBH Baby Items

• Digital camera with rechargeable batteries
• Children's liquid and chewable vitamins (with and without iron)
• Diaper rash ointment/cream
• Vaseline and infant-friendly soap
• Disposable diapers (6-36 months)
• Small educational toys, books, Cd’s, DVDs (0 – 3 yrs)  (none that need batteries please) 
• Nestle/NAM infant formula 
  
• Underwear for both genders to fit 18-24 months.
• Dr. Brown’s 8 oz. Natural Flow Standard Bottles and Dr. Brown’s Level 1,2,3 nipples for Natural Flow Bottles
• Munchkin bottle drying racks
• Take & Toss sippy cups (disposable)
• Baby toothbrushes, Wash cloths, bath towels, bibs
• Baby clothes/sleepers (0 – 24 months)
• Shoes (specifically 6 – 24 months)
• Standard sized fitted sheets & Blankets for cribs (4ft x 2ft)

(Most of the above items can be purchased in Uganda if you prefer to make a monetary donation.)

Bethany Village

• Wrist watches!!!  (helping the children learn to be good timekeepers)
• Clothing; simple, hardy, modest
• Picture illustrations for bible stories
• Books of stickers  (like these) 
• Childrens Bibles (or any kind of bible)
• School supplies: pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, paper

For Restoration Gateway

• Kitchen Tools/Spatulas                                                          
• Bars of Dial soap & liquid hand soap
• Dish towels & hot pads for use when cooking hot things
• Towels (good sets of 3---bath, hand, washcloth)
• Fitted sheet SETS for twin beds (preferably plain colors-no print)
• Wide-ruled notebook paper
• Coloring books
• Drill bits for wood and masonry
• Work gloves
• Paintbrushes