Uganda: Beautiful faces.

Although I am surrounded by the beauty of African landscape, beautiful orange and pink sunsets, endless red dirt roads, and enough delicious fruit to last a lifetime, it's the people. Everday, I am overwhelmed by the beautiful hearts that surround me. Each day, God blesses me with gifts of smiles, joy, stories of redemption, and real struggle. The people of Uganda are beautiful! There are so many brothers and sisters I could talk about but let me introduce you to three in particular.

Meet Patrick. He is our faithful driver. I have never seen more of a servant then this man who does not rest but finds complete joy and satisfaction in literally giving his life to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Upon request, he drops everything he is doing to help us whether that means driving us somewhere or serving us lunch or picking fruit from trees to bless us. The Lord has surely blessed him with His service. Patrick is newly married to Monica and has a son, Desmond. Every morning and night, he rides his bicycle 1 hour to come to work and go home for the night. He rarely sees his wife and child but you can see the love that has overtaken him for them. He does his best to provide for them and is ever thankful for the blessing and provision (however little it may seem!) from God. Last week, a few of my teammembers did ATL (Ask The Lord) which means we go and just pray together and separately to hear the voice of God in direction to ministry. That day, God lead us to Patrick. So we took him out to lunch and spent the day with him. Praise the Lord! I know that we have much more to learn from this man. 

Next, meet my sister, Cissy. She is 25 years old and a born again! (that's what they call believers here) She grew up in a polygomous family of 4 wives. Everyday her sister and her would sneak out of the house to go and pray in the church for her father because he wasn't a believer. One day they came back and he was waiting for them not to correct them but to ask them to pray for them. He answered the Lord's call that day! However, he realized that 4 wives was unbiblical so he dropped 3 of his wives. Cissy's mother was one of them. He still took very good care of them but soon died. He divided up is wealth amongst the 4 wives but the head wife just took it all for herself. Cissy, her four siblings, and mother were left on their own with nothing. Cissy quickly became the provider of the family. She dropped out of school a few years ago because she had to work for her family and pay fo the school fees for her brothers. She literally has nothing. When asked about her heart and anger towards God, she told me that she was angry for a time but now she drops to her knees everytime God blesses her with something and thanks him right then! Her heart is beautiful! Here I thought that I was going to bring so much hope and light to these people but it is them who are transforming my heart. She lives off of $60 a month to provide for her family and herself. Praise the Lord for Cissy! 

My last friend is Paulie. She is 18 years old and lives on her own. Every night she walks home by herself down a road tormented by rape and brokenness. She fears for her life every night but is confident that the Lord is her sustainer. Struggle is a reality! Satan is a reality here! BUT, the Lord's protection and power is a greater reality! At the name of Jesus Christ, these people are overwhelmed with peace and comfort! 

I have more stories to share but not enough time. The last few weeks have been full of God's evident work and mercies. This trip is a gift! I am blessed beyond measure to be here in Uganda. We are already halfway through the trip and the desire to stay here is more than real. I'm coming home though! The Lord has done too much not to be shared! America, get ready for some shocking news: we have so much to learn from the Africans! Praise the Lord and to him be all the glory!