Learning

"She just gave you a blessing to have twins when you produce."

My friend had a baby girl named Daisy

Whoa. That was new. The Karamojong blessing had just been given to me and it was a done deal. The laughter that fills the small rooms or echoes under the jackfruit tree bring me so much joy!

Days are hard sometimes. There are times when I sit with my friend as she cries about not having a job so she doesn't have food or money to pay the rent. I cry too. These days have been often here, and I'm at such a loss of what to do. I know all of the stories where helping hurts, and giving handouts is often more detrimental than beneficial. I have always made it clear in the community that I am there to bring the Word of God, and people know that reputation now. 

Sweet Rhoda

 However, "Jesus had compassion." These words found throughout the Gospels have been ringing in my mind lately. He had compassion on the crowd and fed the 5000 with bread and fish. He had compassion and healed the sick (Matt 14:14). He had compassion and gave sight to the blind (Matt 20:34). The Bible tells that man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God. But what do I do when the physical bread is not there at all? I can teach these truths but when my friend's stomach starts to growl because she's not eaten all day, does she doubt? Do I really care if I bring her the Word but sit silently as she starves herself for the sake of her child? Am I really loving like Jesus did?

I don't know the answers to these questions. I'm struggling to see where compassion can lead to action that glorifies God. I trust that He is good and can fully provide for my friends, but if He's going to use me I want to be here with open hands.

Maureen -- words fail me!

In a community with death, disease, too much alcohol, murder, rape, and anything else you can imagine that lurks in the darkness, it's hard not to focus on the evil. But "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). I have friends who love the Lord here. They teach me what it means to hope when all seems hopeless. They show me the meaning of joy. A few asked last week if we can start a Bible study again.

At church this morning we were looking at Luke 10. "In the same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will" (vs21). I was convicted to find that in the eyes of people here, I'm the wise and understanding. I'm the one trained in the Bible. And yet, God reveals Himself to those who are weak and foolish.

I have so much to learn.

My friends with such personality! 

I'm so thankful for the promise that God is good. I lean into that every day. I'm learning to remember the cross and praying that God would restore to me the joy of His salvation daily (Psalm 51). I'm so blessed to be a part of the story God is writing in the hearts of other women as well. Even as we sit and they teach me Karamojong, I see His grace and mercy on all of us.

My favorite word that I've learned in Karamojong so far: "alala" -- the saucepan that they fry food in. I love learning the language!

Angela and Sarah

Would you pray?

• That God would grant wisdom in knowing how to respond to the hurts of my friends in Masese
• That God would teach me more of His love for people, including myself
• That God would give me the faith of a child, that I'd be able to call on Him in total dependance
• That God would prepare to way for the Ambassador Institute class to begin in January

Some friends who love tickle fights!

I sent out an October monthly newsletter today. If you would like to be added to this list, email me at katelyn.gudim@gmail.com and I will gladly send you updates each month. Thank you so much for your prayers!