Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8- "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...."
      Almost 3 months have passed since I was supposed to begin a new season in Uganda. Almost 3 months have passed since I quit my job, sold my car, packed up my life. Almost 3 months have passed since our world entered pandemic mode and things changed for all of us as we once knew it. While I have no doubt had my own share of opinions and emotions regarding what's happening in the world around me, I've also had many ups and downs in the season of waiting that I'm in personally. Some days have been amazing and some days have been harder than hard. I've questioned, I've cried, I've been angry, I've been confused, I've been sad. But over and over God gives me grace and allows me to see the good that's happening in the waiting.
     During this time, since quitting my therapy job, I've been babysitting, house-sitting, dog-sitting, doing odds and ends jobs at the church, helping my dad around the farm and trying to find things to do to stay busy. I don't like being still. I don't like sitting and waiting. I'm a doer. I'm an on the go person. But GOD! He needed me to be still for a moment. God has allowed amazing relationships in the waiting. He's allowed me to form deeper, more intimate relationships with amazing friends. He's allowed me to care for some amazing kiddos; teaching them, loving them, and enjoying laughing and playing with them. The sweet excitement they have when they see me melts my heart every single time! He's allowed restoration and healing in relationships. He's provided above and beyond what I could imagine financially, spiritually, emotionally. He's given me peace even on the bad days, and he's continued to remind me of his promises of yes and amen!
    I continue to be led to Ecclesiastes 3 in this season. There is a time. There is a season. I trust in that. This is a season of waiting, of growing in relationship with him and others. This is a season of sowing and seeking. This is a season of mourning and rejoicing. This is a season which he knew about long before any of us ever did, and when this season is over, in his time, my prayer is that we will have all grown closer to him in the waiting.

Uganda updates:
     As of right now, June 19, 2020, Uganda borders (air, sea, and land) are still closed until further notice. No one in or out of the country, other than import truck drivers. The only time the airport has been used is for repatriation flights, which they've had 2 of during this time of lock down. Uganda has just recently began opening things within country after 10 weeks of total lockdown: Public transport at 50% capacity with use of mask. Private transport with personal vehicle with no more than 3 people inside, wearing masks. Some markets and stores have opened, however most people still are unable to work or get the money they need to provide for their families. The effects of the lockdown are more widely devastating than the actual virus in Uganda. They have approx 700 cases, no deaths, and short hospital stays with 100% healing due to the treatment they're using. Yet, the Ugandan president still won't allow reopening of most things. It's also monsoon season over there, which means islands have literally been wiped out, crops are destroyed, and people can't get transport due to flooding. Malaria is rampant due to the standing water, starvation is widespread due to the lack of money and crops to harvest from the flooding. It's heartbreaking. I pray daily for God to heal our world and protect my friends.
    We have been able to do some mission work in the last few weeks by sending money to our Ugandan partners, Thomas and Mary, who have delivered food and basic goods to some of the street kids and to families who have lost everything. Praise God for that! He is still working, even in the middle of this. Glory to God for his provisions, his grace, and his faithfulness.

What's next:
    Honestly, I have no idea what's next. Until the Ugandan president reopens borders I can't get into the country. He's made comments in his speeches that even when he does open borders there will be major restrictions. Who knows what that may be; Limited access? Limit which country residents can enter? Quarantine measures once entering?...there's no way to even begin to guess really. So in this moment, in this season, in this waiting I'm going to continue to serve others here as he's leading me. I'm going to continue seeking him and growing closer to him. I'm going to continue to build relationships and praise him for the moments he's allowed me to have in this season, that I wouldn't have been able to have if I would have left in March.

Prayer requests:
*Be in prayer for our country first and foremost. There is so much negativity going on all around us. We shouldn't fear it, but ask for wisdom and guidance in what to do and how to navigate the situations surrounding us. Our country needs Jesus more than ever. It's a heart issue, and there's a lot of brokenness around us.

*Be in prayer for the ministry in Uganda. Pray that we are able to continue providing support to Thomas and Mary so that they can do outreach and pray that they are protected and kept safe while doing so, as their country has major restrictions and limitations. Pray that those who are ministered to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and turn to him for all things.

*Be in prayer for each other. Lord we need you now more than ever. We need your wisdom, your guidance, your knowledge. Help us Father to put our hope and faith in you and not the world around us. God be with my friends. Help them to be filled with peace and hope in you alone and direct them in a deeper relationship with you.

*Please pray for me as I continue to navigate this season. Prayers for wisdom in where he's leading me and guiding me in this season and obedience to follow those directions. Prayers for continued peace and hope in what's to come. And prayers for endurance to continue this race.


God Bless you my friends!
Thank you for your prayers!