Your Prayers

 I like rooftop picnics over Lake Victoria

"Hello Bedford Falls!!" -- George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" couldn't contain himself after the joy of realizing what life could be. He was suddenly thankful for the things he once took for granted or secretly loathed.

Sometimes, I feel this of Jinja. On a trip to Entebbe and Kampala this weekend, I returned to my sweet little town so thankful for the familiar faces and street names and quiet. I'm thankful to live here! Sometimes I complain or take things for granted, but I love life. There is so much beauty to find if you have eyes to see.

Last week I was honest with all of you here and in a newsletter. I was honest that things have been hard over the last few months, and going into a season of unknowns has had me very unsettled. However, I have received so many kind and encouraging words, and I know you have prayed. Oh, have I known your prayers! I have never felt more encouraged in ministry and in life in general than over the last week. I would like to share some of these answers to prayer so that you know how you are working alongside of the ministry here.

Alika! 

First, as the smaller of the answered prayer -- my toe is healed! Now, I did not go to the hospital but it felt just as it did last December when I broke it before. Regardless if it was broken or not, there is no pain anymore! This is small, but walking everywhere is definitely a lot more pleasant when each step does not hurt. I am very physically healthy at the moment, which is something I take for granted often. Thank you for praying for my physical health!

Second, God has provided a friend to pursue some of the men in Masese whom I have been burdened over! Two of my dear friend's husbands have asked questions in the past, but I have never felt comfortable meeting with men in regards to discipleship. I have prayed for months for a man of God to be burdened for these men as well, and He has provided! This is not only an answered prayer for the men in Masese, but also for me to have a friend who knows, cares, and prays for the people I care about there as well. Caring about the same things strips ministry of loneliness, and I am so thankful that God provided here in so many ways.

Finally, there are still unknowns, but I have such a peace about the present and future. I'm thankful to serve a God who has been faithful in the past and who brings those memories to mind as testimony of his faithfulness. As most of you know, personally I do not have a passion for programs or serving the multitudes. I prefer sitting with a group of women and truly knowing them. With a change in pace and schedule, I have been able to do just that. In the last week I have danced (this is a type of play for the Karamojong) -- they have tried to teach me the Acholi dance ("it's as if the Acholi do not have bones in their back!") and I tried to teach them to swing dance! They have told me stories of their past and I've heard the latest drama amongst the young women I used to teach. My heart has broken over news of some of my friends turning from the Lord to witchdoctors, and I've had to have difficult conversations with a few who have clearly turned from God. I know the easy thing to do is to turn my head and look the other way, but the loving thing to do is to call them out on their sin and plead that they return to the Lord. I love these women; I wish you could know them. They make me laugh! And I know God loves them more than I could ever imagine.

I always share these photos, but these are my buddies!

To say thank you for your ministry of prayer seems like an understatement. I wish you could see how He's working through your prayers. I wish you could know the encouragement I have known. I wish you could physically see Him working here, as I can. But for now, I will say thank you. Your prayers and words of encouragement have blessed me and many others. God is using you here. I have known that deeper this week than ever. Thank you!

Would you continue to pray?

• The community of Masese is in chaos as now is the time allotted to "vacate the land" so that new roads can be built. Pray for wisdom for the tenants as to where they will go.
• Pray for the gospel to truly transform hearts here
• Pray for conviction over sin for some of my dearest friends. I so badly want them to know their Savior and walk in freedom from the slavery they are currently in. 
• Continue to pray for me as I look toward the future and where God is leading