I am safe at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda!!
Oh Africa…the smell, the people, the welcomes…and the things Americans takes for granted such as hot showers, clean drinking water, food, internet, and MIRRORS. There is not one single mirror in our dorm and I love it!
I had expectations coming to Uganda, some implicit and others explicit. Some expectations were to grow in my understanding of Christ, expand my love for the body of Christ, live outside my comfort zone, and make sacrifices. I thought about expectations in the Bible, both the Israelites in Exodus and the Disciples in Mark had expectations. For the Israelites they wanted deliverance and the disciples wanted a King and they got what they asked for, but they didn’t like it because it’s not what they expected. I pray that as the Lord gives me what I ask for I would stay positive in my reactions.
I was woken up by my Ugandan girls today at 7am. No more sleeping in for me! I went around the town of Mukono yesterday with my new friend, Lucy; she showed me where we could get ice-cream! I was so excited to have a little taste of home. The meals here consist of beans, rice, more beans and more rice. I have come to love the G-nut sauce, which makes the rice taste like “candy-canes at Christmas”! I was talking to my friend Alan today about what he thought about Americans. He said they are more about programs than people and more about personal development, than the development of others. This made me think twice.
I am so excited for this semester to start! Classes start tomorrow at 8am, but everyone is on African Time, so it will probably be around 9am!
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT 2010 HAS IN STORE, BUT I DO KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE. (The theme of church today) Ps. I love church in Uganda...singing, dancing…
May the Lord continue to bless you and thanks for all your prayers!
Beautiful, thanks for sharing ;) AAHH, what an amazing opportunity!!!
ReplyDeleteCANDY CANES AT CHRISTMAS! ha, i like whatever that g-nut sauce is already. 7 am seems preeeety early for you... but you can do it :D
ReplyDelete~Psalm 55:22
Sarah!
ReplyDeleteWhat dorm are you in? I am so excited for you! and you met Boniface?! How do you like him? :) I told him to take good care of you haha I'm glad you like gnut sauce (I liked it at first then ended up hating it), but thats a good perspective: candy canes at Christmas.
I am so glad you are learning about expectations already. What church did you go to? The one right next to school?
P.S. Say hello to Mark and Abby for me!
Oh Sarah I can't be more excited for you and I'm excited to see how God teaches you and stretches you. Sorry I wrote so much :)
I love you African Lover!!!
Happy you got there safe! I bet your enjoying the nice mild warm weather. Praying for safety and that you continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord. I agree with what Alan said about "America" being more about programs and not people. "America" has it's hands in so many countries trying to help that it is hard to be focused on relationships (although they are extremely important). Since the aid effort is so big the most effcient way to help the world has been to create tons of programs moving the focus from individuals to whole countries, and just the world. It's just become so big that it's difficult to concentrate on individuals. I think big programs have their place because they can reach out quickly and help with phyisical problems quickly. But smaller programs where lasting relationships are the focus and real spirtual healing lasts are just as important (if not, even more). They both have their place and are both important. Much love from the good old rainy state in the US.
ReplyDelete7 AM very early for you! Wow no mirrors? No stress for bed hair :)
ReplyDelete-Anson
Eclipse in Uganda in the morning at 8am your time, should be best seen at around 8:27am. The Sun will be blocked by the moon! It will be epic, you'll probaly see it if you're up by 7. Enjoy it! The Sun won't totally be blocked because the moon is too far but it will be awesome.
ReplyDeleteTiffany! I am in Josephine Tucker, Top of Honours College:) Oh and Boniface...did you even have to ask if I like him...he is the best! I have gone to church in Nikoyoyo Hall and yesturday I went to the Cathedral right next to school. Everyone says Hi and they love you. JJ says hi too! Oh and thanks so much for being amazing. I told Seggy I knew you and he had me pray and sit at the head table at the Honours Party. It was so much fun! I love everyone here so much! I wish you were here and I can't wait to tell you more details...Love&Prayers
ReplyDeleteAaron! Thanks for all the encouragment and the heads up for the eclipse...I didn't get to see much of it, but I saw it for like a half a second:)
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