One Less

My thoughts continually drift back to those busy streets. It's estimated that there are 1.4 million people in Kampala. But when Kampala contains close to 50 slums and 25,000 people claim to live life in those places that's hard to believe and probably inaccurate. God continues to remind me of our responsibility to care for the orphan and the widow. I can not tell you just how much I have thought and prayed about that this week. I remember being in my first grade sunday school class absolutely broken for the kids just like me in situations that were hard to comprehend at the time. And are quite honestly still hard to comprehend. Most of us have never even scratched the surface of suffering. Being in that first grade class, I knew I had to go and see for myself one day. I've always loved working with those who have no hope. I've always had some fascination and deep love for them. A fascination that has never ceased. The only way I know how to explain that is to say it is God breathed. And I'm so thankful. This week has been filled with studying and lots of it!! But when I was pilled under books, I thought of someone and I'd love for you to meet him...

This is Emmanuel or Emma (that's a boy's name in Uganda.) He lights up a room as soon as he enters, automatically speaking praises to the Father and thanking God for something every other sentence. He is such a light in a world full of desperate people. Anyone from our team that met him would tell you the same. You will often see him looking out for the best interests of other people before his own. Compassionate. That's the best word to describe him. I admire so much about his character. Unfortunately we were unable to spend much time with him because he is attending a university in Kampala. YAY :). He is studying to be an engineer and will be finishing school very soon. I wanted you to meet him because so often we hear the heartbreaking, tear jerking stories of anguish and despair but never hear the success stories. Both need to be told. Although he had quite a rough history, the outcome is compelling. Graduating from a university is something to be celebrated, even more so in a country like Uganda. He is going to have a FUTURE (God willing). One that is not stuck in a cycle of poverty. That is something to be excited about!!! And every time I think of that my heart rejoices with his. And I think of the lives he has the chance to impact and opportunities he has been given. He is one less that will go without an education. Which turns into one less that will go without food and one less who will not be able to provide a family. So I ask that you pray for Emma. 

Pray for his future. Pray for his exams (they start in November all over Uganda). Pray he will be able to find a job. And pray for his family so that one day he can learn to raise a family of his own. When I was there Emma and I talked a lot about Isaiah. It's one of my favorite books personally. Isaiah 26:8-9 says "Walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right." Let us bow down in obedience to His word and see Him for who He really is. Let's yearn for him day and night. Searching for truth. Because our Father in Heaven is so faithful in His word. 

Hugs & Kisses

    I never really understood the meaning of " the eye is a mirror into the soul" but when you take a moment and look at these kids, it begins to make more sense. Each person I encountered in Africa had a story. Each one of US has a story. Unfortunately most of their stories involve heart break and loss, simply because of the diseases and despair that affect so many people stuck in a never ending cycle. When deciding to travel to Uganda, I went to understand. To grow. To love.  To break. To learn. 

      And I went with the intention to find answers.  

      God allowed me to go and I grew, broke, and loved like never before. But instead of coming out with answers I came back with more questions. The precious kids in this picture with the exception of a few are supposed to be in school. Each one I saw everyday peaking into the classroom with curiosity, longing, and hunger. A hunger for learning. We would pull up and the kids would come running but I couldn't help but break for them. As much as I loved spending time with them, their education is vital. Why do I take school for granted? Thousands of children each day are desperate to be in a classroom. They want to learn and become vital parts of their community. They desire a future. Most importantly they want out. Out of the slums. Out of the bondage of poverty. And out of the only life they've known. Why is it that I take school so lightly? I'm a good student, but looking back over the last twelve years, I think of the times that I could have soaked up a little bit more knowledge. Taking every opportunity to learn without complaint. And why do I go throughout my day without a thought of their circumstances? 

      I am blessed. School is a blessing. Yes, I said it. HA! I have endless opportunities because of the hard work and education given to me. So when I have a hard test or late night study sessions, I'll think of those kids. The kids who would trade anything just to be in my spot. To have the same chance that I have in life. But instead, they will continue to wake up every morning while the others are off to school, just hoping that one day Mom or Dad can come up with money to send them as well. And I hate that for them. But I refuse to just hate the opportunities robbed of them. I want to help these kids. That is why OYE is in schools. To prevent this from happening to any girl because its incredibly easy for a young lady to have this opportunity and then drop out. Not because its taken for granted but because they have no other choice. 

So yes, I went with questions and returned with even more. But I also came back with some answers. (I'll save those :)  

    Yea I look like a goober when I laugh, but a sweet boy kind of captured the moment in it. I had no idea he took it! You would think that while being in the middle of the bondage of poverty and hurt I would be in a state of depression or something. Because I hurt along side the brokenhearted. But instead I find joy. Joy in the fact that they have nothing and will give everything. And despite circumstances we can not even begin to understand, they can still laugh and are content in the little things. It's infectious.  I love dreaming of the future of my girls. Yahweh has given me a beautiful adventure. One where I dream big and work hard. And He draws me in even closer. "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts." says Yahweh. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher that the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9. And HE continues to humble me. Constantly reminding me of how insignificant I am and how incredible He is. I pray that through this, maybe one girl is meant to see that too. Because His ways are higher than mine. 

Chanley 

Life as we know it..

   It's been a few days since I got home from Kampala Uganda. It's as if it were a dream, lasting only a short amount of time. My thoughts are consumed with the people I met. They took a piece of me with them. It's always an adjustment coming back from things like Africa.  So to say the least it was incredible. 

    Africa has always been my dream. I've always loved everything about it and had a heart for people. I like to think that I can change the world. But then I realize all of the needs throughout Uganda alone and it only gives me drive. Because I can not change the world but with each person I encounter I can at least be a light. A light that shows them the beauty of our Father in Heaven dwelling inside. He's the only good in me. I want to be His hands and feet. I've sat in the houses of people who are just trying to survive and keep their kids fed. I've sat down and cried with a woman who is HIV positive, a widow, pregnant, an orphan, and jobless. Sad thing is there is a 1000 other stories just like hers. But maybe I was there for her this once to take the time to sit down and listen. She's one of the 1000 stories I'm trying to prevent because essentially what it boils down to is education. She is only 20. Two years older than me and has had a full life with two husbands and soon to be three children. But when I wake up she's all I can think about. Don't get me wrong, I had the time of my life. I don't think I've ever laughed so much. But in a place like that God just breaks your heart. Their joy is contagious though. If I close my eyes for too long I begin to dream of the busy dirt roads, full of the "African massage" (or pot wholes) boda's flying around everywhere making you extremely nervous, and big brown beautiful eyes starring up at me with hopeful smiles. 

 People with life and joy are found around every corner. Anytime I saw another mzungu I wondered what their purpose was for being there. Which then made me think of why I was there. To be honest with you, I would love to spend the rest of my life serving those beautiful people. But I have to think of what HE wants for the rest of my life.  My friend Deb asked me if I thought I would live there one day and I told her I didn't know but I will be obedient whether I am here or there. We serve such a great God, in the times of good and bad. I'd get on a plane tomorrow if I could. 

  I finally got to meet my girls. The girls that have held my heart and carried it around everyday. The girls that are a blessing. And the girls that I love dearly. Spending time with the OYE girls was perfect. As I was talking to the girls it began to rain extremely hard drowning everything else out but the giggles of the children playing outside. Rain has constantly been a reminder of God's faithfulness as he replenishes the earth. So as I stood, staring at what I had worked so hard for, our Savior made me stop and admire Him, making me thankful for this gift. They are a gift. And more than I could have asked for. 


Chanley 

It's a first!

Let me tell ya a little bit about myself. 

My daily goal is to die to my selfish desires and glorify God in everything. I fail God on a daily basis but he is gracious enough to forgive me. My favorite colors are purple and orange. I’ve found a new fascination with bracelet making. I am awful at any given sport but I enjoying trying. Humming is a common activity of mine ( I get if from my Nana) I want to learn how to play every musical instrument possible. Rain is God’s constant reminder to me of how awesome He is, I love playing in it. I want other people to know that they can find their Identity in Messiah and nothing else. I’m learning that more and more everyday :) The only good thing about me is Him.

OH and did I mention I absolutely love Africa?! I do. Long story short, I started a non-profit organization for girls in Africa at fourteen. That’s partially why I am writing this. I want to take you on a journey through the experiences that come from the daily stress of knowing you have 58 lives in Kampala Uganda counting on your efforts to help them. It’s no easy feet, that’s for sure. But its incredibly worth it. It blows my mind that merely three years ago, this was all just an idea and now it’s a reality. An idea is a powerful thing. I can no credit for it though, as God wills this project continues. We live in a very loud generation. One that loves to be free to dance, sing, or worship however they please. I pray we never become so loud that we drown out the cries of the desperate and oppressed.

Some people may ask why I even began this. I can answer them by telling them that I asked God to awaken my heart. This can be a very dangerous thing, because when he opens your eyes, a new responsibility to stand up against oppression happens. So I ask that you go on this journey with me, patiently as I am not sure if time will allow tons of new posts. I had a seven month wait till my dreams of going to Kampala came true! So now I want you take a look into what I found while I was there. I fell in love I can tell you that, even more so than before. 

To the only God be all honor, glory, majesty, and power for all ages now and forever more. :) Isaiah 6.