When I think about all that can happen in a week here, I
just laugh. Everyday is different and everyday the Lord plops a new surprise in
our laps. Last Friday, Kelsey and I had the opportunity to help pick up two new
boys from a hospital in Kampala. The joy that resided in my heart that day I
can only compare to the giddiness of a child on Christmas morning. After a trek
through many sections of the gigantic hospital, my heart continued to break as I
saw precious children so severely malnourished that intensive hospital care was
needed or else they wouldn’t survive. The wards were jam packed with sick
children and all I wanted to do was love on them, care for them, and all the
more, show Jesus’ love to them and their families. These two boys had been in
this crowded hospital for months while they recovered from severe malnutrition.
After papers were signed and their few belongings gathered, these two precious
children were plucked from their broken situation, by the beautiful grace of
God, and placed into the loving and caring environment of Ekisa where they have
the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus each day. Samuel and Elijah
were added to the Ekisa family on Friday; they are already transitioning so
well. Samuel was dancing up a storm the other night during one of our before
bed dance parties. And Elijah is being cared for so well as he begins working
with Viola, our physical therapist.
Sweet Samuel
Precious Elijah
(Photo Credit: Emily Worrall)
(Photo Credit: Emily Worrall)
The past week has been such a rollercoaster of emotions,
especially when Kelsey and I are forced to accept the reality that we have only
one week left in Uganda. Neither one of us know for sure what the future holds,
but we both know for a fact that a huge piece of our hearts, all of it really,
will be staying in this country as we board the plane in less than one week.
While we long, selfishly, to stay in this country that has quickly become our
home, we are realizing that in the same way the Lord had a mission and purpose
for us here, He has a mission and purpose for us in America too.
Before arriving in Uganda, I figured I would learn a lot from
living in this different culture and living a life the Lord specifically called
me to. Little did I know, I would be coming home a different person; with a
changed heart and mind and a love for Uganda and its people that I didn’t
really expect. I knew I would love this country and love being in Africa, but I
never knew that it would come to a point where my heart would long for nothing
more than to care for Ugandan children and spread the name of Jesus to the
compassionate, loving faces of the Ugandan people.
With that, many realizations have been occurring to us about
the transition back to America. We have realized that if it were God’s plan for
us to stay in Uganda, He would have made it very clear. Therefore, His plan is
for us to be in America for this coming season. We have the option to be sad
and anxious about the transition, or REJOICE in the fact that we get to share
with others the love, redemption, and restoration we have experienced here. The
Lord has changed both of our hearts in such drastic ways, it would be selfish
and pointless if we kept the realizations and wisdom He has given us, to
ourselves. At church this past Sunday, the pastor talked about how difficult
and trying situations can sometimes become our reality, when we are so consumed
with the outcome or future of a situation that we forget the broader, wider purpose
of the struggles we encounter. JESUS, alone, should be our reality and the
center-point that we focus our thoughts and feelings on. As reality sets in of
Kels and I going home in 6 days, Jesus’ clear voice speaks even louder than our
own thoughts and reminds us that as long as we continue to come before Him on
our knees each and every moment of the day, His perfect will WILL be done.
Therefore, what do we have to fear, why would we ever need to worry?
My heart is heavy and if I think about it too much and the
sadness creeps in, but then I remember that my sweet, loving Daddy sent me on
this specific mission for such a specific purpose. Although my time here looked
so different than my original expectations, He has exceeded those expectations
in so many ways than I ever dreamed He could. I wouldn’t change these past four
months for anything. I am starting to realize that that is the way life should
be lived. Each moment has a purpose; each moment is ordained. Even in the challenges,
when it seems like nothing good can happen, or the moments of sadness when you
realize your own selfish ambitions are not the Lord’s plan, He is still
sovereign and we can still choose JOY.
“Joy is prayer, joy is strength, joy is love. Joy is a net
of love by which you can catch souls. She gives most who gives with joy. The
best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything
with JOY.” -Mother Teresa
Even though my heart is in Uganda and at any moment I would
selfishly choose to stay here, instead I strive to give the Lord my life in
those moments and I must consciously choose to respond with JOY in knowing that
His plan is better and He is working for my good.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together
for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He
foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, in order
that He might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom He
predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and
those whom He justified He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
“Take away your eyes from yourself and rejoice that you have
nothing- that you are nothing- that you can do nothing. Give Jesus a big smile each
time your nothingness frightens you. Just keep the joy of Jesus as your
strength- be happy and at peace, accept whatever He takes with a big
smile.” -Mother Teresa
