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.

-------



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