Leaving Africa

Disclaimer: I journaled on my ipad most nights so these posts are not chronological. I apologize for the confusion!

24 hours remaining in this country- on this on continent. I am confused as to how I should feel. 

I do stress out having to go home to all of the stress that I have awaiting me due to being gone for so many days. The office was not tidy when I left it so I have things like that awaiting me. But I don't want to simply get back into the hustle and bustle off things as if I never even went on this journey. How do I live with so much  but also understand that I was born into it and nothing in life is fair. I try to think about how the people of Uganda seem to deal with the situation they have been born into. Most of them do not know any different. Many of the middle class haven't even left the country in their whole lives. Do they believe they are in poverty? In america we focus so much on how much money, investments, power, position, and possessions we have. That is basically how we define ourselves and others. In June I deactivated my facebook account because i fell into the trap of comparing myself with others so God challenged me to get rid of it. It was so freeing!!!! I am still not on it and I'm telling you- my quality of life has been so wonderful because of it. I challenge you to fast from facebook...or better yet, deactivate it! I challenge you.

This trip has made me ask myself so many questions about my character. How do I define people? Do I love them for who they are? What they do? How much they have? How good they smell? (That may sound funny but I have experienced a lot of new smells in the last few weeks.) 

I can securely say one thing that I have found extremely true in America and sadly true of myself. "Americans like to be comfortable." We like to be comfortable to a fault. We eat when we have hunger pains or if we are hungry. We plug in a fan or turn down the A/C when we are hot. We wrap in a blanket when we are cold. We avoid people we don't prefer to spend time with. We charge our cell phones every night to avoid draining the battery the next day (we all know how annoying that can be.) We fill up our gas tank when it gets low to avoid running out of gas and heaven forbid having to walk further than a few blocks. We find a toilet to relieve ourselves when we need to go and if the public toilet doesn't look clean enough, we use a different one or hold it. We use bug spray to avoid getting bit by bugs. We go shopping when we feel our closet isn't full enough or lacks an outfit or two. We clean our house when company comes over so they don't think less of us. We use ATMs to avoid running out of cash. We go through the Drive Thru at McDonalds to save standing in line for an extra 90 seconds or because it is raining. We use umbrellas to not get wet. We shop at walmart because we want the convenience of only having to stop at one store or we think it is cheaper (and lets be honest, shopping the sales at our local grocers is usually less expensive than going to walmart. How many things do we get that weren't on our initial list...extra spending that adds up ;) We refrigerate everything (my home alone has 2 fridges and 2 deep freezers.) We put ice in our drinks. We heat up our food to make it taste better. We add salt; we add pepper. We want our food to be pleasing to our tastebuds even though the main point of food is to fuel up our bodies (energy). WE LOVE COMFORT!! I have loved comfort all my life! The food thing, since having gone gluten-free, however, has not been much of a struggle...we GF people learn to eat what we can, when we can whether it tastes good or not. But I am guilty of comfort being an idol. I am guilty of all of those statements. i am more guilty than the next person- especially about having a fan nearby.

WE LOVE TO BE COMFORTABLE!! Heaven forbid we spend an entire day 10 degrees above or below our comfortable temperature level. 

Before going on this journey, I could feel the Lord working on my heart. It began around February of this year. He challenged me to do many things- give up facebook, give up pop, look at my husband in a different light, support my husband in the selling of our house, allow God to provide for us a shelter, trust Him on the topic of having children (and whose womb they come from.) Allow Him to show me different people in a different light. Start new relationships with people I would not have typically found myself in a relationship with. (You can pick up your jaw now- yes believe it or not, I do have times where I am nervous to speak to people.) He challenged me to read my Bible DAILY. Spend less time on activities I used to idolize. Spend more time in silence. Drive along the road in silence allowing God to speak to me. Spend more time with my brother and have more respect for him (that challenge has been such a blessing!!) Honor my parents. Educate myself on our country, the world, and economics (this one is only possible with the help of my awesome husband.) Wear less makeup- all summer I wore makeup about 2-3 days a week or less. Wear my hair the way God grew it. (I have very naturally wavy/curly hair.) Simply wearing less makeup and spending less time doing my hair, and being in front of a mirror, has changed my attitude so much on what I look like, how much it matters, and how to look at other people differently. I think I could write a whole book about that topic.

Before now, I was already aware that God was working hard to change me. A LOT of life-altering things and events  have occurred over the last 9 months of my life (not all of the things happened to me but to people in my life). I feel like this trip to Uganda was a grand finale, tying everything together. I have learned to take seriously the opportunities that show up. Meet with people and mentors for coffee. Pray with someone on the spot. Ask people questions. Get to know them and ask them what their story is. Give things away.  Make new friends.

I have made a new friend named Shamila. she is my new African sister. I asked her what her dreams are...her biggest dream is to go to america to work and serve the Lord. She wants to help the needy. She has an amazing testimony and was took in by ken and cathy. God bless them for taking her under their roof. She has inspired me more than I could ever have imagined possible by one person. I asked her what her hobbies are and she said, when I have free time I worship my Lord. I read my Bible and sing praises to Him. Jesus is her hobby.

I am quite envious of Ugandans for many reasons. The people in this country aren't so worried about their investments or what the stock market is doing. They aren't worried about having life insurance or how Obamacare is going to ruin their health insurance. They seem to understand better that we are all on this earth for such a little time. We will go to heaven or hell after this. Earth is our temporary home. They spend a LOT more time preparing for their future inheritance from God.

On the contrary though, many of them do worry about where their next meal is going to come from or how much water they can carry back to their house. Some of them do wonder how they will take care of their children. Many of the believers i met, however, do try their hardest to simply serve The Lord. They love Jesus so much that He is their hobby.

Is Jesus your hobby? Is worshiping your hobby? When is the last time you spent a whole hour with Him and nobody or nothing else? I dont know when i did either. I am going to make Jesus my hobby.

So many great things came out of this trip, but I believe the thing that impacted me in the strongest way was Shamila telling me that her hobby was worshiping the Lord and serving Him. I desire that.Myy heart longs for Shamila's faith and love for her Lord, Jesus Christ. 

I feel a great love for Shamila and I am going to try to play a part in bringing her to America to fulfill her dream. I don't know what she will have to do to get here, but i am going to begin praying for her to come if God will permit it.

the culture here is so different but once you start to learn it, things make a lot more sense. america makes more sense. i understand better why people behave the way they do or why they work as hard as they do. Even the English language makes more sense here.

So how do I continue on in my life now knowing what I know now? What can I do to live on the bare essentials? How can I serve my husband better? How can I serve The Lord better? How do I  properly process everything that has happened on this journey? Does anyone have any ideas? These are not rhetorical questions. I think there needs to be a support group for this! I want to begin reading the Jen Hatmaker "7" book study. I think it will be appropriate and helpful.

 With all of this said, I know one thing for sure that came out of this trip. God can show me things in a different light than before. He can tell me things that will make more sense. Asking me to give up my large home to possibly live in a camper definitely doesn't seem so difficult now. Asking me to spend less time on my appearance and more time in His word seems more exciting now. And asking me to blindly trust in my husband and in God seems much more exciting now knowing that when I submit myself completely to Him, more glory to God could come than I could ever imagine- miracles can happen; God's will can finally be done. He has been tugging at me to change my heart and change my ways. To change my thinking and to be a better ambassador for Him.

What is God asking you to do? What is He asking you to give up? Try it, just giving up one luxury for the next month. What can you live without, that you never thought possible? Instead of doing that thing, spend that time with God. He will begin show you things you never saw before.  

The time has come to leave Africa for now. I truly believe I will be back. But until then, God has a lot more work to do on my heart and attitude. Thank you, people of Uganda, for being a part of this revival in my heart and in my life!,

Leaving Uganda

We are getting on the plane! I will update as soon as I have some good wifi. Thank you for bearing with me and my lack of posts! 

I am so thankful to God for this opportunity to see Him in a new way. I have so many things running through my mind. 

God is so evident in these people. Ken and Cathy have such huge hearts to not only start a home for abandoned babies, but to also open up their home to their 3 adopted children, and 3 more with poor home lives...and their 3 biological children. May God continue to bless this couple for their amazing love they have for those who have no voice. 

I am so encouraged, and excited to begin new ministries. May God pave the way!! 

Church & Culture

Sunday we were blessed to go to church. we had to wake up early and get on the road by 7am. Church began at 8 and we arrived a few minutes after 8. Breakfast at the retreat didn't start until 8 so I was a bit hungry with only having a few protein bars.

The congregation had probably 1000 people in it. It was a HUGE building that looked like a cattle barn at the State Fair. There were chairs lined up and a large stage with a lot of vocalists on it. An electric guitar, piano, and trap set were instruments. What an experience!! The sermon was wonderful too. Very convicting!

After church, I needed to use the restroom. The bathrooms were around back in the school yard. First you took your toilet paper bz where the co-ed sink was. Then you walked around the brick wall to find 2 stalls. It smelled like an outhouse; it looked like an outhouse. But it wasn't quite as nice as an outhouse. It was a stall with a hole in the ground and some tile around the hole.As a farm girl, I am pretty comfortable about relieving myself in the woods so I thought I could use just about any type of facilities. I guess I found my loophole in "about." I did use the facility though...so I guess I conquered.



After church we had a light pastry for snack and went to the Baby's Home. We were there for feeding and nap time. It was so great to be with the children. I have already started to bond with a couple of them. There are a couple boys who just have my heart in the palm of their hands.



Then came the indoor mall for lunch around 2pm. This was a new experience dining in a Ugandan food court. The waiters come and flock you before you sit down and all try to get you to order off their menu. It is quite different!!

Following dinner we were on our way to an African culture dance show. Very fun! But while we were there we didn't eat supper and we left around 9:30 at night. I was quite hungry by then. When we got home we talked about skipping the two meals of the day and I complained my share. Then Dan said, "Boy aren't we spoiled. We skip one or two meals and we go hungry for a couple hours. Imagine what these Africans go through." That was really convicting. I went to my hut and decided to talk to God and journal about that. I felt pretty pathetic after letting that soak in.

This country has raised so many questions in my head. How do we, as Americans, accept that we were born into one of the most developed countries in the world but still remember those who were born into less developed countries and try to help them? Especially the widow and the orphan (James 1:27). Many of these people have to walk hundreds of yards or even several miles just to get to their daily jug of water to use for their daily activities like washing clothes and dishes. How do I move forward knowing that there are people out here who have to do such things? I have been around poverty. I grew up around families in poverty. But I am not sure how to define poverty anymore. Is it income based? Is it based on what you have or don't have? My own grandma still uses a 1950s laundry washing machine and walks everywhere she goes because she doesn't have a working vehicle right now. But when you offer her money she does not accept it. She believes she must work for what she has.



On the alternative, if you offer an adult beggar something here, you are giving them a reason to keep begging. It is a state of mind.

I would like to continue on these thoughts but the internet cafe is closing....more tomorrow!!!


Sunday's photo will have to come in the next blog!!

GOD BLESS!!!!

First thoughts

Disclaimer The kezboard here is quite different than that of an American kezboard. The Y and Z are in the opposite places and the punctuation isnät in the same spot as ours. The Shift kez is weird too. So <i am sorrz for the inconvenience!!! <I didnät have time to edit or proof read this.



We are alive!!! Those were the best flights I have been on ALL YEAR!!! This is the first time I have been on the internet since we got here. I spoke to Les today and he is getting ready to bow hunt for some bucks on some of his land. I MISS HIM SO MUCH!!!

My sweet parents have been taking care of  my sweet dog Kona...THANK you mama and dad!!!
Now about our TRIP!!!!!!!!!

This picture is of the grass hut-concrete building that we are staying in. It is so nice. We are staying at African Village Hotel and management school. SO NICE!

This picture is Ken Nganda, the starter of the baby home receiving his brand new iPad from a donor!!! He loves it very much and is so thankful!

This picture below is of a boy living on the land from the new site of the baby home. I want to put pictures of the current home but they are on my phone so I will have to try that later.

 

 This picture above, of the little girl was so touching to me. We stopped along the road in Mokonu to buy some sugar cane and I saw her all alone on a store front. She is cutting Jack Fruit. She is so young and has a huge corn knife in her hand. I walked up to her and gave her some fruit snacks. By her smile, it made her day :)

This picture below is a family living on the baby home site. There are three widows and their families living on the land so Ken, by law, is obligated to allow them to continue living on the land. But if you met these women, you would not want to kick them off of your land...laws or no laws. They are so special and we got to meet them and give them groceries. It was so beautiful.

This trip has been a life-changing experience. I am going to start with my journal entry of the first morning upon waking up in Uganda.

Day 1 7AM Uganda time, Audra's body's time: That is still undetermined.
Upon waking up I count 4 or more species of birds singing to us. It is almost too many sounds! SOOO neat! 

Then the sounds of man-made machines interrupts the beautiful nature sounds. Now I hear what sounds like a lawn mower. But I don't remember seeing grass so that cannot be right. I can hear them fading as if they are moving to a different hut. M< curiosity of knowing what they are doing and my increasing ache in my head are in battle. The ache wins for a few more minutes. I get up to peer out the window with my God-given, non-corrected vision to make out a riding lawn mower. Didn't see that coming. I haven't seen the landscaping quite yet though, because we arrived at night. 

I did not expect to be cold and shivering though. I am actually cold; on the equator.  Didn't see that coming either. I can't help but think about my husband. I tried to call him last night but his voice mail was full. Typical :)

The decorating in the room is light but Christian and feels very homey. The lawn mower just killed his blade. He is only idling now. I may get to return to the beautiful sounds of Africa. I can hear it fading away. The ache was leaving but comes back when the mower does. And the blade is back on- the lawn mower and ache win again as I continue to lie in my bed.

I can tell that 5 hours of sleep wasn't quite enough. Jet lag is beginning to take its course. My head pounds, the room is spinning, and my eves fight to stay open. My body lay weekly on the bed. I can feel my blood course through my veins. I found out later that I had vertigo. That explains a lot.

The mower faded away again and now I can hear the locals. Their language is so beautiful. They sound so happy. Happy happy happy.

That was my first morning in Africa!!


 We have only been here for 2 days and already, we have seen so many different things that I never thought I would see. The weather feels a lot like Hawaii. The mountains and hills look a lot like Hawaii too. I never thought I would come to Uganda and compare it to Hawaii.

The streets have no road signs. There are no lines. There are no street lights. There are people walking along the road ALL OVER and there are cows, goats, and chickens running loose. It is almost unbelievable. 

There are dozens of market places along the roads. They get used items from the Salvation Army stores in the city and sell the items on the sides of the roads. 

I have met so many sweet, kind-hearted people. It takes my breath away. They seem to be so happy. 

Most Americans would call this severe poverty but I don't believe the people here would see it that way. They seem to focus on the positive and what they have and not on what they do not have. They have faith....a LOT of faith.

I am off to eat supper at Ken and Cathy's home! Hope to update you tomorrow!!!!

GO WITH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS The kezboard here is quite different than that of an American kezboard. The Y and Z are in the opposite places and the punctuation isnät in the same spot as ours. The Shift kez is weird too. So <i am sorrz for the inconvenience!!! <I didnät have time to edit or proof read this.

 

On our way!!!!

Here we go! We are waiting at the Omaha airport. Went through the security and such pretty smoothly! I think it was the first time all year that I wasn't stopped and searched individually. Woo hoo! We depart for Jersey at 9am. Not far from Ground Zero on 9-11. Ironic.

My 6-yr old nephew Jager called me to wish me safe travels on the trip. Every time he calls to do that it almost makes me tear up. How precious it is to hear a child tell you that they love you! 

Les dropped me off here at the airport. I'm going to miss him for these next 2 weeks! 

Yesterday, Les and I were able to meet with a friend who shared with us, her adoption story. She has been to Uganda 8x in 4 years and has 3 adopted children. They are PRECIOUS! She had so much wisdom, advice, and tips to give me. She also loaned us a few travel adapters and a phone to use. What a huge blessing! Thank you B!

Here we go!!

It is well with my soul

Today marks just 5 more days until we leave. People often ask how the packing and planning is going. To be honest, it is quite well. This whole process has been such an eye opener. Our team has been so blessed by God through fund raising, donations, and prayer support. It is amazing! 

A friend from Montana has rallied her church ladies and youth to make bibs, blankies, and burp cloths!!! 

It is SOOOO awesome to see how God uses His people to come together for His higher purpose!!! We are so thankful for our Montana friends for sacrificing their time and money to give the Tender Hearts Baby's Home some homemade blessings! Thank you SOOO MUCH!!!

I have (& had)  a couple coffee dates/dinners with some mentors of mine in this last week of preparations. It has been such a great, low-stress week! God has faithfully kept my plate just full enough that I can handle it! 

This weekend I am speaking briefly at Stockham Community Church to share about the trip (before and probably after as well). I look forward to rallying prayer support from the people of Stockham!

I am looking forward to this journey. A friend wrote me a sweet letter, that had some powerful words. I'll close with her quote about the trip.

"It won't be what you dream it to be and it won't be what you want it to be, but it will be God's and it will be good." -Jen Stutzman