Is heading to Uganda as a single girl nuts? Of course.
Is starting up a home for special needs girls on the other side of the world insane? Absolutely.
Is it all worth it?
No doubt about it.
Is starting up a home for special needs girls on the other side of the world insane? Absolutely.
Is it all worth it?
No doubt about it.
People seem to think that the moment you leave behind the securities of a job, or insurance, or a home, etc. that you have lost your mind or are simply being reckless... (Lost your mind, maybe ;) ) Being reckless? No. There is a big difference between being reckless and trusting God.
When I was in Uganda last year, I constantly had people asking me if I was being careful and safe.... but in reality, those are two different things. You can be careful but not necessarily safe. That is (in some ways) what it is to live life. You take precautions... but if you avoid anything that could turn into a dangerous situation, well that's not living (you would simply become the boy in the plastic bubble, and that's not living that's just not dying) . You take a step of faith and pray that Gods will be done. You should not necessarily pray for safety... Gods will and safety do not always line up.
God calls us to role up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. God calls us to step out of our comfort zone. God calls us to live dangerously. God calls us to do crazy things.
I cant help but think of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo (a seemingly common and useless hobbit) was called to take a journey to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. So, he went. He didn't know how he was going to get there. He didn't know the dangers that he was going to face. He didn't know how long it was going to take. He didn't know if he would ever make it back home. But he went.
Then you can take it even a step further with Samwise. Sam didn't really seem to have a big part in it all (at first glance). Frodo was asked to carry the ring, Sam kinda just tagged along for the fun of it. He didn't have to go, he wasn't asked to go.... he chose to go (and he stuck with it to the end even thought he could have turned around at any moment and headed home). He went to support his friend. And when the going got tough and Frodo couldn't continue, Sam was there to press on. He was there to carry Frodo.
When I was in Uganda last year, I constantly had people asking me if I was being careful and safe.... but in reality, those are two different things. You can be careful but not necessarily safe. That is (in some ways) what it is to live life. You take precautions... but if you avoid anything that could turn into a dangerous situation, well that's not living (you would simply become the boy in the plastic bubble, and that's not living that's just not dying) . You take a step of faith and pray that Gods will be done. You should not necessarily pray for safety... Gods will and safety do not always line up.
God calls us to role up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. God calls us to step out of our comfort zone. God calls us to live dangerously. God calls us to do crazy things.
I cant help but think of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo (a seemingly common and useless hobbit) was called to take a journey to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. So, he went. He didn't know how he was going to get there. He didn't know the dangers that he was going to face. He didn't know how long it was going to take. He didn't know if he would ever make it back home. But he went.
Then you can take it even a step further with Samwise. Sam didn't really seem to have a big part in it all (at first glance). Frodo was asked to carry the ring, Sam kinda just tagged along for the fun of it. He didn't have to go, he wasn't asked to go.... he chose to go (and he stuck with it to the end even thought he could have turned around at any moment and headed home). He went to support his friend. And when the going got tough and Frodo couldn't continue, Sam was there to press on. He was there to carry Frodo.
So, the question is....
Am I Frodo? - Am I heading on this journey simply because I am called to?
Am I Sam? - Am I going on this journey because I want to? Because I want to be there for those who need me?
Or am I all the hobbits living in the Shire missing out on the most amazing and difficult journey anyone could ever imagine?
In the beginning of working towards Uganda... I was simply doing this because I knew its what God wanted.... but that very quickly changed after visiting. I am now going because I know (without a doubt) that is where God wants me to be... but not only that, because more than anything else, I want to be there. I left a part of my heart there in Uganda. I want to live in a country where kids run up to me yelling "Mazungu" (what they call white people). I want to be stained with the red dirt of Ugandan earth. I want to be the American that can speak Luganda (no matter how long it takes me) and can hold up a conversations with families in the villages. I want to be the light of God to people who are told there is no hope for them or for their child. I want to be a mom to as many special needs kids that He brings to me. I want to be the hands and feet of God there in Uganda... It dose not matter how hard it is. It does not matter how much studying it takes. It dose not matter how many people advise me not to (which is growing continually). It doesn't matter how messy and terrifying the job becomes.
In the beginning of working towards Uganda... I was simply doing this because I knew its what God wanted.... but that very quickly changed after visiting. I am now going because I know (without a doubt) that is where God wants me to be... but not only that, because more than anything else, I want to be there. I left a part of my heart there in Uganda. I want to live in a country where kids run up to me yelling "Mazungu" (what they call white people). I want to be stained with the red dirt of Ugandan earth. I want to be the American that can speak Luganda (no matter how long it takes me) and can hold up a conversations with families in the villages. I want to be the light of God to people who are told there is no hope for them or for their child. I want to be a mom to as many special needs kids that He brings to me. I want to be the hands and feet of God there in Uganda... It dose not matter how hard it is. It does not matter how much studying it takes. It dose not matter how many people advise me not to (which is growing continually). It doesn't matter how messy and terrifying the job becomes.
It doesn't matter how crazy it sound.
I am surrendering to the insane.
Once of my favorite songs (and the "inspiration" for this blog post) Something Crazy, by Steven Curtis Chapman
I would also like to take a minute to do a quick update on my journey to Uganda. I am planning on moving to Uganda in the first half of 2015. Before I go, I have to head back to the United States for fundraising. I am in the process of figuring out some stuff, followed by booking flights. I am looking at being in the Ohio area for 2 or 3 months (starting probably mid July). More details on this within a week or two, but please keep me in your thought and prayers. Thank you all.
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