Hello friends! I am so happy to be writing this current update from my new home in UGANDA! I arrived here on April 8th with 2 of my brothers from my home church, Mike and DJ, and let me just tell you, God provided such smooth transitions to get here. It was probably the easiest travel I've ever had, Praise God! We hit the ground running when we got here, trying to get things set up for the house like getting a fridge (which has a small freezer, Praise God for ice!), a safe to keep my documents secure, some solar lights (because the electricity goes out almost daily and for security), and a stove to cook on. We were able to get so much accomplished in such a short time and I'm so thankful for the time and energy my brothers put into getting everything set up for me before they left. This week, since they left, has been just trying to get settled in, get unpacked and making this house my home for the next few years. I've been trying to learn some of the ropes with the market (That's an experience in itself! Bargaining, bartering, fighting off the Mzungu upcharge, it's a task. I'll never take Kroger for granted again!), how to do laundry (No machines here....what would take me an hour to do, these precious ladies do in 20 min...it's a chore!), trying to learn some of their language (while most speak some English, many still do not. I'm learning real quickly my slow southern drawl is making it difficult to put these letters together, but I'm determined to learn the basics!), and just navigating daily life here. It's been a journey, but I'll catch on sooner or later!
When Mike and DJ were here we also took a 3 day/2night ministry trip to 2 of the islands that I'll be working with. While the need is so great in Uganda as a whole, the island people are desperate for Jesus and hope in more than this world can offer. There were about 65 people who gave their lives to Christ in the short time we were there, and one of the pastors has reached out to me telling me that approximately 60 more have been born again and lives are changing so much, just in the week since we have been gone. PRAISE GOD!!! You see, not many people travel to the islands for ministry. It's not a super comfortable boat ride, Lake Victoria is huge and many people are scared of the waters, and it takes time to get there. The islands are kind of the misfits of the area. One of my translators told me that many people run to the islands to escape. There's so much twisted theology, so much confusion, so much lost hope, so much demonic presence, and so much opportunity to speak truth. The islands NEED more people to visit and speak truth! This is the area where I'll be starting a pastors course beginning next Monday. I will be leaving for Kembo Island on Monday mornings and returning to Jinja on Tuesday evenings, every week, for the next 8 weeks. We will be focusing on the pastors at this time, teaching correct theology, the basics of following Jesus and leading a church, and we will be doing evangelism and passing out Bibles to new believers in the community. God is already doing amazing things on these 2 islands and I cannot wait to see what other mountains he moves and how He continues to change this area!
Also, when Mike and DJ were here we picked up where we left off with the street kids. We talked to them and fed them a meal and were just intentionally present with them. There were 20 street kids at church the week they were here, and this past Sunday there were 27. I can already see God moving in some of these kids, and it's so beautiful. This week I set some pretty strict ground rules with the boys who came to church. In order to earn meals, skill training, and possibly even housing down the road, they have to follow the rules and show me they are willing to obey consistently, not just for a week or 2. Rules, consistency, and accountability are something that these boys lack. They live on the streets, most do some form of drug to numb the hunger and pain, and most are shunned by people in the community, beaten by the cops, and are outcasts who are not given a second chance. But, if God gives us grace and mercy, why can't we do the same for these kids? There are probably about 250 street kids in Jinja alone, but as this ministry grows and they experience the love and grace of God, I have no doubt that one day we will be having a 3rd service at church, because of the amount of street kids who are changing. We may be starting with just a small amount, but honestly that gives me a chance to get to know them, and them a chance to get to know me. Just in this week alone, since Sunday, I have had 10 more boys come to the church looking for me. Some have come for wound care, some have come asking for food, some have come to just meet me, but all are coming because they have hope that someone is here that loves them and will help them. I know that saying "no" will not always be easy, but consistency is key with these boys. I've not had much push back so far because they all talk to one another, and they all can see that I'm staying consistent in my words and actions, but I know there will be a day when I get pushback, and possibly aggressive pushback. I've done some basic first aid with several of the boys this week too. One had a very large infected wound behind his knee from a rusty nail cut, which required antibiotics and 4 days of aggressive wound care. On Sunday when he came to me, he had a fever, swollen hot knee, and drainage from the wound, by Wednesday he was walking normally and no longer had a fever. Praise God! Wednesday I pulled rusty nail fragments out of another one's foot, there are several toothaches, and just simple medical issues. I thank God every day for the experiences and wisdom I have with medical knowledge, because it's allowing me to earn so much trust with these kids. Monday I drove with my sister Mary to the slums where many of the boys stay. While we were walking through, it was a little overwhelming. Many guys were making comments, which I knew were not good, some were following very closely, and all eyes were on me (let's just say, not many Mzungus-aka white people-go into these areas). But here's a cool story, when I got to the boys whom I had met at church the day before, they were calling me "Auntie Tara" and suddenly I had all the respect in that neighborhood. The ones who were following me, backed off, the ones who were making comments stopped, and I suddenly had high fives and smiles. Thank you Jesus! You see, the thing about street kids is, you give them respect, they give you respect. I know this is a task, a task that I've had many Ugandans tell me is worthless and hopeless. But here's the thing, God is greater and God is working. God wants the small Mzungu from Tennessee to take on this big task because it's not by my power that lives will change, it's by His. I'm so excited to see how even just 1 street kid's life changes because of this ministry and how he will use his testimony of God's grace to help bring so many others to Christ and to change his community!
I'm so blessed and excited to be used however God needs to use me here. Will there be hard days, absolutely. Will there be hard situations, absolutely. But God is bigger, God is greater, and God is in control. I am covered by Him and I trust in His guidance and protection as I embark on this journey!
Prayer requests:
-Prayers for wisdom and discernment in beginning the pastoring program next week. Safe travels on the Lake, protection, and guidance for myself and my team
-Prayers for boldness and strength with being consistent with the street kids, even when there's aggressive behaviors or pushback. Wisdom and discernment in the deception and manipulation, and in providing rewards such as meal vouchers and opportunities.
-Prayers for my sweet friends Thomas and Mary, who have been lifesavers for me! They are the sweetest most kind Ugandans who are helping me to navigate this new life. They go above and beyond to make sure I have what I need and are willing to help me at the drop of a hat.
-Continued prayers for wisdom and discernment in this journey. Awareness in who to help, when to help, and how to help without hurting. Continued prayers for protection in mind, body, and spirit as I go through this journey.
I love you and I'm so thankful for the support and prayers that have been sent up for me. I'm so excited to see how God continues to move in Uganda and beyond humbled to be a part of this journey.
Tara
Oh and I now have a new Ugandan name; Suubi. Suubi means "Hope" in Luganda. As I was working with the street kids Sunday, one of the members of the church told me that he wanted to give me a new name. He said as he was watching me talk to and interact with the boys that the Holy Spirit just laid this name on his heart. He told me that the words and actions that the boys got that day put a hope in their eyes that they've not often had. Besides being so grateful for the beautiful story he told, I told him that everything God has done for me has allowed me to simply be the vessel for bringing hope and opportunity to these boys. I'll gladly take this name and I pray that God continues to use me in bringing Hope to this wonderful country.
