July 26, 2011 - (Baba baba)

I realized that it is easiest to grow when I have someone to encourage/pray for, someone to encourage/pray for me, and to talk about everything God is doing. If you don’t have someone to be accountable to, you alone are too weak in the flesh to be faithful. I kinda feel like I have blown that this summer, because I have not made an effort. When I get home I pray that I will find someone, preferable a small group of people, who can be that for me and I for them. I want us all to seek God, together.

Also I was so comforted last night with the Holy Spirit. All this time I have been begging Him to show up and He did last night. It was not how I expected, with fireworks and fire, but calm, peaceful and natural. While we were praying I kept coming up with verses in my head that went along with what we were praying for. Even when I prayed out loud, the Holy Spirit took hold of my tongue and words I would not normally think of and Scripture came out. Obviously, I don’t know the references, because I never memorize or think about the references. That’s how I realized that I need to be filling my mind with the Scripture so that the Holy Spirit can bring it out of the files when I need it. It truly was an amazing night for everyone. I never wanted to leave the calm the Spirit gave me. I pray I will be able to stay faithful in the word so the Spirit will always stay on the surface. The Holy Spirit comes when you pray for Him.

God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good and that is His nature.

Also the past several days, I have slowly been shown how important my parents are. When I think about these orphans (like the beautiful girl in the yellow dress that JUST came and shook my hand goodmorning) it’s hard for me to grasp what it would be like to not have any parents. We use the word orphan so often, but I wonder how often we look deep into what that means. No parents. My parents have taught me most of what I know. They have brought me up in Christ, provide what I need from shelter to food, and are always there for me. I really don’t’ know what I would do without them. I cannot imagine having to raise my siblings like I have heard so many stories of. It’s hard for me to grasp how many orphans there are, and what that means. No wonder Christ stressed taking care of orphans.

Jamming

Several of us were sitting during free time, jamming with Sally and Tom. Sally sings so beautifully. She taught me the lead to the Swahili song ‘’Baba’’. Tom has even recorded some songs. It made me realize I am going to miss this place   Hey! God just gave us a rainbow! He is so beautiful. I am very thankful for that jam session. God knows I was missing jam secession at home with KaLisa.

I love how the people here are so much more people oriented. Like the staff is always watching and observing us. Even the ones I have never talked to know my name and will ask how things are going for me. I always see them sitting around talking with each other.

They do not demand either. They only suggest to do something a different way. They always are saying good job or thank you. They always say sorry even when it’s not their fault.

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The stars are huge and twinkling. I mean no, you don’t understand. God, gah. You’re so…so…so...

July 25, 2011

Thank You God for the hot tea.

I need to pray more.

Today I am on trusses. It’s a beautiful day, and I want to give all the glory to God.

I need to pray.                                        

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Today is going a lot better now. Second round of trusses went wonderfully. God gave me skill at it that I have not had. Even Paige sincerely said I worked hard so it’s for real. I love working hard here, because it feels really purposeful.

Thank You God for the night.. Thank You Holy Spirit for showing Yourself. I am in awe.

I know that if for no other reason why God sent me here to Africa it was to learn this: our need to have other Christians to fellowship with Him.

I’ll finish this in the morning.

July 24, 2011 - (Church)



The Great Decorations



Church was a new experience this morning. We went to a big church with three services and a total of about eight hundred people. The first two ere in English and the last was in Swahili. The decorations were hilarious. There were a lot of them, made of shiny plastic and other things of that sort. I got one picture, but unfortunately the lighting was not good. During the second service, I went to help with the children’s church. This one room was overflowing with a sea of faces from ages 3 year old to junior high age. It’s hard to keep explaining what I am feeling when these love experiences keep happening. There were literally hundreds of brown faces watching me. I want to be there to watch all of them grow up and become their dear friends, someone they can rely on. Most of all I want to show them God, land for them to find an unshakeable relationship with God. Both the children and the normal services got so so excited when we sang out two songs in Swahili. Women would do that crazy yelling thing during the singing. Their music quality is a hundred times worse, but their enthusiasm for music is a hundred times better. They clap on every song, sway, and everyone sings. It’s the most beautiful unorganized sound I have ever heard.



Just a few of the people outside after church.



After church we walked several blocks to go to a couple of ‘’super’’ markets, to shop for things we need and snacks anyone wanted. There were about a dozen kids that followed us from the church there. Both stores we went to were very small and had basically no refrigeration. The second store even turned on their lights when we got in the store and turned them back off when we left. Just something you do not normally see happen in America.



It must be because we woke up at five, but I am having a difficult spiritual day. I cannot seem to keep my thoughts on God or being joyful. I only want to think about myself. We also have not have devotions yet.




Sure, all smiles before the aftermath of the pop. Misleading.



Last night during dinner it started pouring again. Did I mention it is the rainy season here? So we all seeked shelter in our room and the leaders brought out a surprise..pop! In glass bottles, orange Fanta, Sprite, and Coke. Everyone was super excited. Turns out pop in Uganda makes me as sick as pop in the US. I was scheduled to do devotions/testimony, but was unable to because of the volume of the rain on the tin roof. We roll with it, and it turned out to be rather cool. First of all, I am enthralled by storms, and that was one impressive thunder/lightening/awesomeness/rain storm. Secondly, it was so loud that I was able to sing at a normal voice without anyone hearing me, but God. He and I had a dear moment.

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The day is now over. We are having devotions right now, because of the crazy morning church schedule. I really do not know how or what to think right now. I spent some time in my Bible and singing by myself this afternoon, but it felt so empty. We only have about a week left here. I do not want to leave, because I feel like I have not been broken enough that I can carry everything I have been shown home with me. I will pray that God is using a new way to change me. That He is showing me to be faithful.

Father God,



Please humble me. Make me see that I am nothing. I know there is no life outside of Your plan, and Your will for me. I will do my best at following You. I will give my all. Show me Your face, please Father. Your child,

Brittny

July 23, 2011 - (cherishing another Saturday)

Saturday! Kids come today and they are about our age and younger. I believe ‘’our age’’ means 13 and 14 though. I’m praying everything will go smoothly so that they would have a lasting impact put on them of Christ.

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Gloria playing minute to win it



Today we had about 15 kids in our group. I was getting very frustrated because I am so inadequate and the kids were not responding very much. I am ashamed to admit that I had basically given up, was not trying to be joyful, and was just ready to be done. Finally lunch came at around 2:30 and everyone was tired and snapping at each other. After lunch everything changed for me and God changed my heart.

First of all I need to tell about my footwashing experience before lunch. I washed two little boys feet, a thirteen year old girl named Gloria, and a boy about that age named Charles. This experience caused me to see how little they have and let it impact me. Gloria’s feet were wide like most of the people’s here. This caused us not to be able to find any shoes that really fit her. The ones I put on her were too long and I was truly hurt to have to watch her deal with these shoes that did not fit her and that she did not like. Charles also did not have shoes that fit him. She is thirteen. At thirteen I went shoe shopping and found shoes I liked and they fit me. I also was shown how they have so little by their torn clothes and pile of old shoes. They wear their best clothes when they come here and most of their clothes are torn, have holes in them, or have been poorly sewn together. All of their old shoes were ripped up or non-existent. Where is the justice?





After lunch we gathered together for presentation time. While we were singing I was filled with smiles and joy watching them respond to us. When they sung I was touched. I saw how precious they were singing. At that moment I wanted to improve my guitar skills, singing skills, so I could come back and teach/learn from these children how to worship God. At that moment I could see myself doing that all my life. After the kids formed a big circle around our small circle of team members and sang a song of blessing to us. They waved their hands towards us as they sang. It broke my heart. I have no words to describe how much I cherish that. I am overwhelmed just thinking about it and my eyes still sting with tears. Then we had the kids who wanted to accept Christ come to the middle of our small circle, put our hands on them, and prayed over them. It was so powerful and I felt such a burden for them. I can never cry enough over these souls.

July 22, 2011 - (Wait..sisters? What are those?)

Thank You God for mangos!

Last night when I kept waking up, I prayed that God would help me working this morning. That He could make it hurt more or even make me exhausted by the work as long as I could get a lot done for His name and would  be able to keep my attitude one focused on Him. That He would give me strength for His own self. And God has a sense of humor. He placed me on the fence crew. Keep in mind that we are not supposed to be doing the same work project twice in a row. That is how I am convinced it is God’s doing: because I was on it yesterday and it’s my least favorite job. All I can do is laugh and do my best for Him. I will try to keep a song of praise on my lips.

All the sisters!

So I know it took me a long time to realize that one reason getting along with everyone like friends has been hard. It’s because we are basically a family. We did not chose the people, and are forced to stay together. Also, I have never had any sisters and now I have over ten. It’s not that I really don’t get along with any of them, but I’m just not used to the moody girlyness. I also think it’s funny how God chooses to edify me through this. God has given me a talent of tolerance/patience with people, but it stretching me to learn that tolerance is not the goal. Forming relationships and learning to love people is so much better than simply learning to not be annoyed by them.

I really should move here. I’m scared when I get home, I won’t seek God from sunrise to sunset. There are too many distractions.

July 21, 2011 - (most bipolar day? possibly)

I’ve really been enjoying just reading the Bible, seeing what is inside and what I have been missing. Today I read some of Luke and I like Luke 6:30-31, 35. Here at Teen Missions these verses are very important, since people are always using/borrowing other peoples things. I have been working at remembering this as people ask for toothpaste, detergent, etc.

Smalll portion of the fence. Yes, it's a fake smile.

Today was another day of working in the morning. I was on the fence crew. I do not know why, but I disliked this job; the only job I dislike. It was very hard, because of my tiredness and dehydration. I still tried to keep God’s praise on my lips with song. Surprisingly this worked wonderfully. Singing praise is something very easy to do here and I honestly hope I take that home with me. It raises the spirits and keeps everything (from laundry to digging) in a praise song back to God. Cami shared after morning devotions about how she also has this desire to always be singing praise. She shared Psalm 34:1-5 (which of course this chapter has touched me a lot this summer). I love how God uses people to reinforce what He has been loving me and teaching me.

Light bulb moment of the day (yes, they are daily). I realized how much God has blessed me since we arrived in Uganda. Some people have been sick etc. although nothing has happened to me. Not sick, no blisters, and other things. I’ve only been tired! Thank you God.

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Bible markings read Luke 6:27-38. Oh Lord, You make me smile.

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So…crummy night. It’s pouring and the fire will not stand to be lite so we had PB+J’s. The bread here is awful. Hopefully it will get started later so we can have some amazing tea. It’s super cold too. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and think of all the people who do not have ANY food or shelter. It’s not working very well.

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God allowed us to have enormous warm melt-in-your mouth rolls and hot tea!!! But for real, talking to people is what me feel better not just the rolls and tea. God made us for community and I saw that more clear tonight. I cannot imagine how deep the Father’s love for us.

July 20, 2011

Last evening the sunset was amazing. A bright sphere of pink/orange shine. Then this morning since I had KP we saw the sunrise. It was the same colors; up and gone within five minutes.

New experience. Today as KP, Hannah W and I were instructed to sweep the kitchen floor. I have never swept a floor with the aim of sweeping the gross stuff away from the dirt rather than sweeping the dirt itself.

There was a little girl who came today with malaria. Camille said they get malaria here like we get colds. There was also a baby that came today for medicine, because they have a strong feeling he/she has HIV since the baby’s mother and older sister do. The baby was screaming. It’s crazy to think is all around us. All the statistics I have heard about Africa, are real people with real lives. And they aren’t gross people. Just people like me and everyone I know back home. They are only in a different situation. What would be different with my relationship in God, if I was in this situation instead of where I was born?