Family

This post is in perfect timing because TODAY my family lands in Uganda. TODAY TODAY TODAY. Life is so so good guys. I may just cry with pure excitement. I’ll be that weird Mzungu at the airport sobbing, don’t mind. 

Left to Right: Auntie Lydia (one of our house moms), Donald, Louis (one of our drivers).

Donald with his best friend Louis.

Lydia, Donald, Louis.

Sometimes family can be unconventional but it’s still just that- family. This is a picture of Donald, our youngest one at SGU with Lydia, his house mom and Louis our driver. If Donald and Louis are both hanging around in the village you can absolutely guarantee that Donald is less than five feet from Louis. Donald LOVES Louis. LOVES HIM. I would even go as far to say that Louis is Donald’s favorite human. While we were at the Lira Miracle Crusade in a crowd of thousands, I looked up to notice Donald missing from where he was standing in front of me. Of course the teacher in me started immediately panicking. As I turned around with a hint of panic in my soul I saw Louis nearly back at the bus to drop something off with Donald trailing behind him. Donald would follow Louis just about anywhere.  As they headed back towards us Donald reached for the hands of Lydia and Louis showing that family here at SGU is surely not conventional but it is absolutely family.

Friends at Saving Grace Primary School.

Miriam teaching Hannah to Dance.

Stephen with Val.

The boys with Deborah.

Deborah + Suzanne passing out lego cars.

Bella + Peter Dancing.

Val + Suzanne as Peter's family for his Engagement Ceremony.

What do you want most?

A good while back at the Crusade the Rabbi speaking asked the question: What do you want most tonight?

The answer came to me with a fierceness and tears in my eyes: I want togetherness Jesus. Be close and with me. And isn't that exactly what God wants us to want? He desires to have us draw near and be close more than anything. More than our sin. More than our fears, our hurts, our failures. 

That's such a growth moment. Normally my response would be something like I want tacos and sleep and AC and a pool and my friends and my family and my own space. But I don't need any of those things, though some days it feels like it.
 I need Jesus.
 It's pretty cool when what I want and what I need meet so clearly. 

xox.

The Damn M Word

Yes I used damn in the title, sue me. I’ve heard this multiple times from many, many different people since announcing this adventure to Uganda. “Wow so you’re going to be a missionary?” Ugh. I don’t think I have enough words to accurately describe my complete and total disdain for that question. I never know what to say. Yes? No? Maybe? Kind of?  I DON'T KNOW. I’ve answered it with all of those answers- depending on my mood honestly.

I had a moment where I was called out as a missionary by someone here and I literally looked at them and said, “Who me?” We looked at each other with serious confusion. Because here's the thing: I just don’t picture myself as a missionary. I'm just a girl who is following hard after Jesus.

When I picture a missionary I picture someone who has wanted to do this and live in the jungles since they were young, someone probably raised in the Baptist church (sorry but it’s true!), and someone who is a little bit hippy dippy and doesn’t mind living in a hut in Africa.

 Well let’s just have an honest moment shall we? THAT IS SO NOT ME. Sometimes I cuss. I need a taco in the WORST WAY.I love shoes. I’ve been dreaming about chicken buffalo dip and queso. I miss my closet (in the US of course- I don’t have a closet here) and every time I get an email from Target I’m on the verge of tears. So what am I doing?

When Paul talked about going on the mission field and Jesus told us to go make disciples of all nations they literally meant it: GO.  I also think that sometimes going means plugging yourself in to where you are right now. And well right now I happen to be in Uganda. Africa. Not in a hut [thankfully] but right next door.

But does my task look any different than when I was living in the U.S? No. Jesus doesn’t change his mission for us based on our location. Now yes, our day to day may look extremely different but the basics? Yeah that hasn’t changed. We’re called to love Jesus, love people, period. It does not make one iota of difference if I’m doing that in the streets of Orlando or on the red dirt roads of Uganda, it just matters that I’m doing it. We can all think of the people God is calling on us to love: our friends, neighbors, that co-worker that makes you want to rip your hair out, quit and running screaming out of the office. So with that aren’t we all really missionaries? Not that we all live in a hut or spend all our time screaming about Jesus [I’ve had one too many run ins with the preaching loudly into a mic on the street corner, sorry not my jam]. But aren’t we all supposed to love His people? So aren’t we all missionaries?

So I really hate that question, “So you’re a missionary?” I would never describe myself that way even though if we’re being honest we’re all missionaries to this world. If you believe in Jesus and trust in Him it will come out in your relationships, and isn’t that the best way to share your friendship with Jesus? So here’s to swallowing the fact that maybe, possibly, I sorta might be a missionary. It's okay though cause so are you.

 But I still hate that word.

Just some thoughts from your not so average missionary.

xox.

P.S- Sorry Mom about the damn word! ;)

Tuesday is the New Monday.

I just decided. Tuesday is the new Monday. Even though Tuesday's are gonna be the crazy day, I'd have to say this might be my best ever second first day of school. Mostly due to some assistance.

Without these guys I would not be standing today, let alone be happy about it.

Dear Allergy Medicine and lemon water, I love you. Thanks for making and saving my day all in one. A sweet reminder this morning in James Chapter 1 probably didn't hurt either.

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." - James 1:19-21

Thanks for granting me a Saved Soul God.

xoxo, Lo