Choose Joy.

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)

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