Time for an update....
Nothing new really, still fundraising. Christmas was a great time with family. I enjoyed all of our traditions more while thinking it may be the last time I do some of them for a few years. (Like going as a group of 10 to hike in the woods and snow to cut the perfect tree) It looks like Beckie and I may be sliding our leaving date back a few more weeks- possibly the second week in March. Still not going to purchase the tickets to fly out until the fundraising is done. I'm working out at UC more than I thought I would be. It's good, I discovered how much I miss nursing and am glad to be spending a few more hours there.

I want to share a song that has really gripped me lately- It is Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall. The lyrics are so true- we are no longer trapped in our darkness and shame! We are new people, ransomed and liberated!

I once was fatherless, a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep.
Into marvelous light I'm running
out of darkness, out of shame
by the cross you are the truth,
you are the life, you are the way!
Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come.
And take this life, take your life.
Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen victoriously!!!
My dead heart now is beating,
my deepest stain now are clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs, now I'm free.
Now I'm free!


If you have never heard it before this is a good version of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoA2ka7tnh8
sorry about the formatting- blogger is being retarded.

Set Free Ministries

Just a quick request-
This weekend I'm headed to a training for discipleship counseling. This is that I may be better equipped while working with kids and others in Uganda. The training is about helping hurting people with emotional and spiritual brokenness and oppression. We know we need the the love and truth of God and prayer because our sin causes separation from God. I'm not really sure what to expect but I want to be open to God's leading and I really hope this is a growing experience. I would appreciate your prayers and promise to update you how God answers! Thanks guys!

Therefore, let us run the race set before us. A race means... concentration of purpose and will, strenuous and determined effort. It means that a man while he is on the course gives himself wholly to one thing- running with all his might. It means that for the time being he forgets everything for the all absorbing desire- to gain the prize. The Christian course means this all through life: a whole-hearted surrender of oneself, to put aside everything for the sake of God and His favor. The men who enter the course are separated from the crowd of idle spectators: they each of them can say, One thing I do- they run.
Looking unto Jesus- there we have the inner life of the spirit, a heart always fixed on Jesus in faith and worship, drawing inspiration and strength from His example and His love.

-The Holiest of All Andrew Murry.

Because I said so, that why.

So, just a quick update....
I'm still fundraising full time. (Have not given up yet!) Beckie is out on the west coast right now so I don't have to work quite so hard. (Just kidding!). Each week I talk to a kid's sunday school class about Africa. It is always interesting the questions and comments they make. This week one of the kindergartners asked why I'm going to Africa. Obviously I paused too long formulating my answer and one of the other kids chimed in with "Because God said so!" Yeah, I just left it at that.

(76 days)

God with us

Ad-vent: n. The coming or arrival, esp of something momentous or someone awaited. Anticipation.

This is the start of the advent season. Radio stations play Christmas music non-stop and everyone puts up decorations. I was just saying to myself that I didn't want that to be my attitude about advent though. I want an attitude of anticipation for my Lord! In my heart I want to be saying "I await you my King!"
Then Jesus whispered to me "but I await you my child." This season is a reminder of the promise that God dwells with His people! Emmanuel, God with us! I'm going to approach the season in a fresh way. He is waiting for us!

Thanksgiving...

I was thinking about giving thanks to God this year... someone at work told me "it's hard to give thanks this year. My boyfriend lost his job and now I'm sick!" Bills, job loss, illness or death, difficult economy, so many things that prevent a feeling of thankfulness. But I was reminded that the first thanksgiving was celebrated in a year when 7 time more graves were dug than shelters were built. Yet they gave thanks.


As we go around the table today we list the things we are thankful for. But here is what I'm thinking....

• I'm thankful for a house and a warm place to sleep (even if it is a 100 year old piece of work), but if my house was gone I would still thank my God.
• I'm thankful for all this good food, but I know that many who are hungry today are still thankful.
• I'm thankful for wonderful family and friends, but even if I were lonely I would be thankful that my Lord is a close friend.

I have an overflow of joy today not because of circumstances, as they may be hard sometimes, but I am giving thanks for God's presence in my circumstances regardless of what they are.

Fundraising

Some days I'm so excited about how things are coming together and then other days I get bogged down in how much we have to do. Beckie and I just ran the numbers....

• 30% of my monthly expenses are raised
• 10% of my start up expenses are raised.
• We want to leave in 87 days.
• WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Just sitting....

Twice this week I have been reminded of the sisters, Mary and Martha. Do you remember this story?
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Both Mary and Martha loved Jesus and were serving him. But Martha was overly focused on the tasks to do. This has been me too much. I'm loving and serving my Lord. But I think he has been saying to me- "Stop. Just come sit with me. Sit here. I know there is lots to do. But this is more important. Don't be distracted by the task list. Just sit at my feet."
So, now I'm working at just sitting at his feet.

New digs

Some days this thing doesn't even feel real. And other days it feels like it might actually happen. Here are some pictures of the house we are very likely to live in. We will have a guest room ...

HIV in Uganda

I don't like numbers. I especially don't like these numbers.

• Life expectancy in Uganda is 43 years old (in the United States it is 78 years old)


• 2.4 million in Ugandans are HIV positive. The majority of those affected are between 15 and 40 years old. (This is the workforce! Teachers, farmers, government officials....) Disproportionately more of those infected are women. (Mothers!)


• Roughly $18 are spent per person on health care. (It is currently $6,714 per person in the US)


• Nearly 14% of children don't live to see their 5th birthday in Uganda. (0.8% in the US)

I stopped looking at the numbers because it is hard to. Though it is easier than looking at the faces.

(All statistics can be verified on the world health org website)

Sitting on His lap

I've been thinking about intimacy with God so much this last week. I have been trying to spend more time with Him at the start of the day, getting into the bible more. But the only change I was noticing was more guilt!
Then I spent the weekend hiking. Solitude, quite, few distractions- God had my attention. I felt God encouraging me to come to Him as a child. 1 John 3:1&2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. Go to the God of the universe as a child?! I crawled up onto my Father's lap. He held me and reminded me that He paid the sacrifice that I don't have to live with the guilt! He reminded me to enjoy life like a child. Stop worrying. Know His joy. Trust that He has only the best in store for me. And most of all stop trying to figure it all out, to understand all of this and to earn anything! What a great reminder. I want to encourage you to climb up into your Heavenly Father's lap and hear Him say to you how much He loves you too!

Nordhouse

We were hiking in the dunes again this weekend. It is such a great place to listen to God speak. Surrounded by His creation, quiet, few distrations....

There is nothing like waking up a 5 in the morning and being so cold you have to get up and huddle by the fire. Its a great time to ponder life (and the lack of circulation in your toes.) I love it when God speaks and reassures me. And when I'm warmed more by Him than the fire.

12 weeks!!!

Whoa!! So I'm face deep in fundraising, fundraising, fundraising...Seems like I'm not very good at this, I'd rather go work a 12 hour shift with 70 H1N1 patients than spend all day with phone calls, e-mails, letter writing and appointments. Here is the crazy thing, I love seeing the way God is going ahead of me, preparing the way. He has me meet and talk to people by divine appointment. And I remind myself every day that I'm not asking for money. I'm inviting others to join me in the work that God is doing. I like that perspective better. So, back to work. I may be calling you soon to join me....

No more talk!

So, only one week of training left... it is all I can do to keep my thoughts here in Chicago. I seem to be constantly thinking ahead. I'm ready to jump into fundraising (or plunge in face first seems like a more apt description) in order to get to Uganda. We have spent the past few weeks praying and talking about it... time for the talk to be done!
I like looking at my to do list and see so many things checked off but I also seem to be adding to it daily. A newsletter to write, prayer cards to format then print, presentations to put together... Please keep praying for Beckie and I as we leave from here and start preparing on a whole new level! The next 100 days are going to fly by.

Ride for Refugees

The sun came out, there were lots of people, fun was had, overall a great day!

"The tears of a stranger are only water"

Class the other day was on Hinduism. Here is a brief glance at my notes and a briefer glance at my thoughts:
3rd largest world religion (after Christianity and Islam). No systematic theology. Nothing/no one has any individual self worth or value. The cast system- very bleak! Rigid laws keeing one from changing anything in their life. Some Hindus conceive of ultimate salvation as absorption into the one divine reality, with all loss of individual existence. Others conceive of it as heavenly existence in adoration of a personal god. Any one of a possible 330 million! gods. This all feels so depressing. If this life doesn't work out for you, don't worry, you will be coming back to try again. It is hopeless and dependant on some nebulous number of good works.


Reincarnation, karma, nirvana, millions of gods and goddesses, many ways of salvation- one of these ways is called the way of devotion, or bhakti yoga. There is in all of us a longing for a more emotional and personal approach to God and many Hindus try to fill this desire though this attempt at salvation. It involves a self-surrender to one of the many personal gods and goddesses. They express devotion through acts of worship, temple rituals, and pilgrimages. And I have now seen this in action. It is bowing down to a plastic idol. An idol wrapped in the finest silk and adorned with the most precious gold. But, still clearly a plastic idol. Food is set at their feet. They are put to bed and gotten up again. They get angry and offended and one can try to make ammends. But they are not loving. They care nothing for the worshiper. They do not speak. One simply has to guess how they are feeling or what they want to be apeased.

Pantheistic and henotheistic. Reality is pain- disengage.

Let me tell you, after spending a few hours in the temple I needed to disengage.

* These pictures are of just the outside of the temple and the grounds as it was disrespectful to take pictures inside.

Ethnic cooperation

So how is this for a drastic shift... today's focus was race relations and cross cultural understanding. On the up side we had some great soul food for lunch today. On the down side I've barely started processing all that other stuff! Now there's a whole new flavor churning up there. Hold on, it may be a while before I mull it all out enough....

A day in the life of an MIT

Doing homework.... we have a hard time focusing. Anyone wonder why?

Look we actually DO spend some time in class!

Our trek to the farmers market Saturday AM. 6 miles round trip. 3 of those miles with several pounds of veggies. It was an adventure.

Eating together! Good food, good discussion, good friends, good times!

spiritual things

We've been talking about spiritual warfare a lot the past few days. Satan's goals are to marginalize, belittle, discourage and intimidate. And so he does and we let him! We don't even see it but it is all around us! Here in the states we are so hesitant to talk about spiritual things. We only think about them once in a while, sometimes at church and sometimes not even then! We are not talking about it, we are not thinking about it. But it is there. We are created as spiritual beings. I am going to be timid no longer! The muslims love to talk about spiritual things. Hindus, seiks, animists- they all have spiritual things on their minds all the time. I don't want to apologize for talking about my spirituality.
Jesus gave us authority over so many things! Did you know that? I mean really KNOW what you as a child of the King have been given authority over? Know to the depths of your soul that you have been given authority over the things that Jesus had authority over because of his sacrifice?! This is hard stuff, I know. I've been pondering and processing for a little while now. So I give you permission to process too. But, think about it. Really think. It's worth the brain cells.
Jesus has ultimate authority over satan. 1 John 3:8-10
Jesus has authority over death. John 11:25-26
He has authority over wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:2-4
He has authority over salvation and condemnation. Heb 9:28
This list could go on and on. Authority over rulers of this world, over the church, nature, demonic powers, angels, sin, space and time, disease...
Are you thinking about spiritual things now? Good.
We are quick to explain all sorts of things with answers that we understand. But sometimes there is a real spiritual part of the issue that we don't even look at. Don't even want to look at. Are you dealing with something in your life now? Does it have a spiritual component? Something that Jesus already has authority over? Do you need to bring it to Him?

Overload

Whoa! The week is getting progressively more overwhelming....

Currently we're dealing with spiritual stuff- like oppression, miracles, signs, wonders, warfare, the Holy Spirit, prayer .... I'm not even sure what I'm thinking about all of it yet. I have some serious processing to do. On top of that we just recieved our pre-language training work. 10 hours of work to put in before those classes start the end of next week.

Please be praying as we process all of this stuff and spend some intense hours together!

vision

I'm wondering right now what my personal vision is. I am learning God's greater plan, I have a faint idea of the needs of Soroti, I'm coming to an understanding of my skills and giftings. Now how will it all fit together? And on top of that my vision should be a 30 second idea that sums all this stuff up. I'm going to be pondering this for a while....

Weekend

What a restful weekend. No classes Saturday or Sunday! Beckie and I hopped on our bikes and headed toward Wisconsin. For better or worse we didn't make it :) but we did ride for about 3 hours (don't worry mom, my ankle still feels great) and did some exploring. We found a farmer's market and got produce enough for the week with only $4! We found an old railroad bridge and played for a while. We watched a movie and went got a Jewel card. Now we're refreshed and ready to hit the books again!

I'm so humbled and also so encouraged by the amazing friends I made this last week. Three have already left- back to fundraising and preparing to go. Three newbies will be joining us this weekend for the next session of training. Of those that I've gotten to know, one is headed to Athens, Greece to serve women affected by sex trafficking. One is headed to a "hard" country (her words, not mine, we can't share where she is going for safety reasons!) to be relational and teach healthcare. And both of the couples are headed to Quito, Ecuador to the school where they all grew up as missionary kids.

It was so good to spend time with these guys, talking, sharing our stories and laughing, lots of laughing. I was reminded that we are not in this alone! There is a huge network out there of people who understand the struggles. And though we all use different words and verbs to share what we will be doing, our underlying passion and vision is the same.

Much better

So week one done. I have enjoyed so much getting to know this group and learn from them. We are headed from here to Athens, Greece Quito, Ecuador Soroti , Uganda and a "restricted" country. I want to post so much more but too tired now.....

"missionary in training"

So I've managed to make it this far.... haven't flunked out yet :)

Actually, I'm having a lot of fun. The first two days this whole group of 50+ (see the very small picture to the right, trust me Beckie and I are in there) but we are a much smaller group now for the rest of the training. 9 currently and that number will fluctuate a little more as the short termers leave and a few others will join for language acquisition. We attend class all day- today was "Human Resources", session #1 of "Finance", "Information Systems" and sessions #1 & 2 of "Cross Cultural Communication". Tomorrow is more communication, "Team Dynamics", "World Wide Ministry of ITeams" and "medical insurance". (A whole hour for that last one- very exciting). But our evenings are free. We make and eat dinner together and generally just goof off. Life is good.

100% in 100 days

I'm trying to get into the habit of posting frequently again... feel like I have a lot to do to prepare for class Monday but this is as good a reason as any to procrastinate some more. My brain is a little fried but I'll try to make this coherent. Anyway....

Fundraising!
So I made it through our VERY intense fundraising seminar. Nearly 18 hours of lecture crammed into 2 days. But it was all good material. I feel like I finally know how to tackle this huge undertaking of $40,000 and $3,000 per month that has to be raised before we can get to Soroti.
I know God will provide. Beckie and I are trusting for 100% of our funds raised in 100 days. Watch out. I will be calling you up! I'm looking for "vicarious rope holders". Could that be you?

I was reminded again and again that I am not begging for money. I am offering people the opportunity to invest in the great comission and join God in the work that He is doing!
I'm trusting God to do really big things in the next 4 months. I have to admit I'm asking big thinks of Him but I'm also learning that He is honored by the magnitude of our requests. They acknowledge how amazing He really is. He told us (James 4:2) "You do not have because you do not ask."
We can't do what only God can do but He won't do what He's asked us to do!

New Chapter...

I have hung up the green scrubs, given away most of the potted plants and dropped the cats off to their new home. I'm living out of suitcases and the back of my car. Tomorrow Beckie and I head to Chicago to start training with IT. It feels like a whole new season, very exciting but just a little bittersweet.

Whoa...

Been a whirlwind last few days. I've been feeling so anxious and blaming in on a lack of running. But really it is so much more. Talked with someone I really looked up to and she reminded me that God gives us grace enough for one day at a time.
Just one.
One day.
Sufficient grace to cover it.
More than just enough.
So often I want more.
But now I'm just enjoying the grace for today. Still struggling with a little anxiety but the perspective check was good. I'll just keep calling out. I know He hears.

Suffering

This world is a messed up place. Just in case you hadn't noticed allow me to point it out to you. There are kids, innocent children starving, homeless, parent less. They have done nothing wrong. There are some who will never sleep in a clean bed with a mattress and sheets. There are some who will never know what it is like to be healthy. They are infected by HIV before they have ever made a single choice for themselves. Young girls raped. Young boys abducted. Scared. Hungry. Lonely. Hurting. Suffering.
Worse yet, it is not isolated to one small place on this planet. Or even confined to one large place. It is all over. Everywhere. There is abuse in my backyard. Hunger , pain and suffering on your street.

Yeah, but God exists and He loves us right? All of us? These kids too? He is fair, forgiving, and merciful, right? So how do these two things fit? I know that God is all wise, all knowing, all powerful. He can fix this mess we've made...right?

Then why doesn't He?

(Don't worry, not having a crisis of belief, just trying to understand...)

Second Annual Semi Silent Retreat

Second Annual Semi Silent Retreat

It is good to just shut up sometimes.

Facts vs the truth

So here is what I'm pondering tonight....

Far too often we assume that the facts of our situation are the truth.

Just think about it a second.

We assume that the facts of our situation are the truth.

Maybe the facts of your situation are that you are in financial trouble with few options. But is that the truth? No, the truth is that God promises to provide for our needs.
Maybe the facts are that no one understands and you feel so alone. But is that the truth? No, the truth is that Jesus walked this earth and He does understand and He does not leave us alone.
Maybe the facts are God is distant from you and you can't see Him. What is the Truth? He wants to know us intimately! He says He is standing at the door knocking!


THE FACTS DON'T HAVE TO BE THE TRUTH! The TRUTH is God's. The facts are never greater than God, God is the Truth. God is Truth.

The facts are I'm a screw up. The truth is I'm a child of God, a worthy creation, covered in grace!
The facts are we all deserve the consequences of our mistakes. The truth is God's mercy covers us!
The facts are this life seems purposeless, hopeless and mean. The truth is God gives joy, peace, hope and purpose! He is offering these gifts for the taking!

Do you believe the facts or the TRUTH? Do we live like we believe the truth?
Your facts will not set you free! The Truth sets you free!

Thats it. The rest is yours to ponder.

Just need a run...

It has been a while since I've needed this particular medium to unwind- though I feel like unwind is far to mild of a word. Ever since I've messed up this ankle I've felt so pent up... and it just keeps penting. I know, not really a word, bite me. See? There you go. Far to pent up. I need a release so badly. So here I am, just trying to unwind. Just like a good run to clear my mind and get ready to sleep. Lacing up the shoes now and headed out the door. My thoughts are so rapid, pretty much like my foot steps the first few minutes. Take off down the side of the road. Work tonight was crazy. I didn't get nearly enough done today before I went in. And all the stuff that I thought maybe I'd be able to do at work, what a joke, just too busy today. Should have known better, it's a Thursday. Wonder how that kid is doing? I really wish she would have stopped seizing. The ambulance couldn't have arrived sooner. I hate taking care of kids. But, wait isn't that what I'm signing up to do in Uganda? What have I gotten myself into?! I'm not cut out for this! O.K. Breathing is too hard, still warming up. Slow down a little, there you go, tuck into my stride. That feels better. Why do I always do that my first half mile? Deep breaths, keep slowing the breathing down. Unwinding. Tomorrow, have to pick up my computer. Longer strides, stretch it out. Still have 6 of those papers to write and submit. And those other ones to edit one more time. Got to get that computer on the internet right away to get those turned in. Finally sweating. Still holding a good stride. Also got to get that letter going for people on the support list. I really need to get that in the mail before I leave. Have to make that a priority. There is time left though, I can still get it all done. Turn left up here. Just before that street light that is always out, those kids are always just sitting there smoking and cursing. Don't need any trouble. Tomorrow I have to move all that donated stuff into storage too. Carmen is getting me so much stuff to bring. I wonder if I'm going to be able to get this stuff in country? I can't wait to give it to those who really need it though. It'll be so worth it. Starting the hill. I hate this climb. My quads, every time. Keep your head up. The top of the hill is just there. Little more... its a good burn. Should call Beckie tomorrow. Gotta get the oil changed in the car before we head to Chicago too. Wonder if one of the brothers has time. So, down the hill or straight? 25 minutes, guess thats about enough. Time to start to cool down and call it a night. Back toward the house I guess. Oh, the house. It needs so much work still. And tenants! I've got to get some people back into it. I just don't know who, just don't have enough time. But I don't have the money for it to sit empty either. Money! I've never spent so much time worrying about money before! I know God will provide. He called me to it, He will take care of it. Need only another $1,500 for training. But $40,000 after that. Not until later, there is still time. One step at a time. Back on my street. Slow to a walk. Sweaty. Good. Stretch for a minute. Feels so good. Nice to just sit here.... quiet.... both in my head and out. Much better. If only....

Be still

So... what is going on now? I've begun counting the days until Beckie and I leave for training. Less than a month now (27 days) . I'm struggling though what seems like a huge pile of books to read and papers to write. I'm trying to process what God is teaching. I'm working as many hours as I can pick up while spending extra time in devotion. It all seems just slightly overwhelming right now... The funny thing is that I think God is telling me to stop striving, be still. Psalm 46:10. Know that He is God. Know that I am loved. Not because of what I do, or what I accomplish. That I can never, never do enough or be enough to earn His love. And, most of the time, I'm not trying to earn it. I just whan to say thank you, that I appreciate His grace. But, even then I can't do enough. So, stop striving. Be still. *sigh* I'm working on it....

Dinner

Sorry- I wish this came through more clearly but it is an invitation. Feel free to join us for a Ugandan dinner and a movie. Friday Aug 21st, food 6 ish and movie 7 ish. Remembrance church, around the back, bring a lawn chair or a blanket and be ready for a cross cultural experience!

Beckie

So my friend Beckie is in Soroti, Uganda right now scoping things out for us. Will you be praying for her?

• That God gives her wide open eyes and a wide open heart.
  
• That she is able to listen to His leading.
• For the relationships she builds and interactions she has with people.

I'm so jealous!

International Teams- Sending 1200 workers in 210 teams to 66 countries in order to implement the transforming mission of Jesus

"MOBILIZING INTERNATIONAL TEAMS TO BUILD TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES "

MOBILIZING

"Mobilization" is the process of stirring individuals in the body of Christ to move out of their current situation into innovative, cross-cultural ministry and to place them strategically in the ministry context.

We speak prophetically to the church today regarding its responsibility for global evangelization.

We are catalytic and innovative in our approach, with a concern for quality in the process.

We communicate with integrity, seeking to match expectations with reality and our mobilization is church-based, because we believe that God's desire is to work through His church to redeem the world.

INTERNATIONAL

The "international" aspect of this ministry permeates our organization. It speaks of who we are, what we do, and how we do it.

"International" means that we are cross-cultural and cross-geographic as we facilitate the sending and receiving of strategic workers throughout the body of Christ worldwide.

Our teams reflect the diversity of Christ's body in many ways, including cultural background, ethnicity, giftedness, and social status.

"International" also speaks to an incarnational approach that gives respect and dignity to those whom we serve.

TEAMS

Scripture offers us "teams" as a primary model of ministry. Working together in teams is important because God has not given all giftedness to any single individual.

We help to create partnerships and unity not only among individuals, but also with other churches and various ministry organizations.

We seek to mobilize teams which are well trained and which have an environment that is open and honest enough to accept and challenge one another.

TO BUILD

How we do what we do is critically important.

We desire to be spirit-led, following His guidance and trusting His power to be an agent of change in the world.

We seek to be intentional and strategic by articulating a clear and compelling vision and well-designed plans.

We "build" by a holistic proclamation of the good news through words and deeds.

Our approach is long-term and in-depth because we value persistent efforts and enduring results.

TRANSFORMING

Our mission is true disciple making. It is not enough to see people merely accept Christian beliefs.

One of the greatest evidences of real transformation is the reconciliation of opposing segments of society.

We believe that it is through prayer that we stay in tune with the Master's will and access His transforming power.

Our efforts are aimed at results that multiply and reproduce on their own - lives being transformed by God and transforming others.

COMMUNITIES

When speaking of "communities" we mean at least three levels where the transforming power of Christ brings change:

THE TEAM - Teams are a microcosm of the unity and diversity that make up loving Christian community.

THE LOCAL CHURCH - Transforming "communities" also includes the local church.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY - The development of vital, indigenous, effective communities of faith will also transform the local community. Therefore, our aims include the resulting transformation of the surrounding society.

Maps

Sacrifice

One of my co-worker frequently makes me think... today it was about sacrifice. Some people that I talk to perceive that leaving for Africa will involve such large sacrifice. But I know better. I am learning that it is not a sacrifice to give up things I don't value. So if I adjust my values away from what the world says is important I don't have to give up anything! I know that when I make this step in faith, and every step after that as I follow the leading of my Lord I will receive infinitely more than I have given up. Our God is amazing like that.
But can I take it a step further? Am I so bold as to say I even want to suffer for my Savior? Do I really want an opportunity to show my love to him? His disciples rejoiced in their chance to sacrifice. (Acts 5:41...rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.) I'm not sure I can honestly say that yet, maybe someday. For now I will just enjoy the privilege of being able to serve the Lord Jesus Christ how He asks as I prepare to go.

Rukiya

This is why I want to go so badly-
Rukiya is a new adition to the baby home in Soroti. She is three months old and 2.5kg (5.4lbs). Her mother died and was HIV positive and at birth she weighed 1.5 kg. A basket lady, Mary, her great grandmother was taking care of her but she is very sickly and malnourished. Rukiya is nothing but skin and bones really. She is drinking well and will be loved and cared for at Amecet but she just reminds me of the huge need. I can't help but wonder how I will even be able to help... then I remember I am just an empty vessel being used by the God of this universe who hates this suffering far more than I do.