Summertime

I had 3 options for this summer:
1. Go Home and take summer classes and work. Then when my parents were ready to move, I'd be available to help.
2. Go to Bolivia (or some Spanish speaking country) to take some Spanish classes and finish up my minor. I liked the idea of Bolivia because there's an non-profit that was started by a Covenant family that does development work there.
3. Go to Uganda for either 4 or 10 weeks as part of "Covenant Connect," a program designed to mentor Covenant students who are interested in long-term missions.

Uganda was the least likely of the three, just because I wouldn't make any money or take any of the classes that I needed. I had actually decided that going home was the best option, but as soon as I made that decision, it seemed like everything was pointing me to Uganda. I remember eating lunch with my parents and discussing these 3 options. They looked at me and and said, "You're going to Africa this summer aren't you." I responded, "Well, yeah, I think I am." After that, more and more small things confirmed the decision. It's hard to say exactly why I felt like I was supposed to go and I'm still not entirely certain of the full purpose, but I know that God has a beautiful plan for this trip.

My team of 8 has been meeting every Sunday for the past 2.5 months. We've even had 2 3-hour sessions with Dr. K. I feel so much more prepared for this trip than when I went in 2007, though I know I'm far from fully understanding the culture and norms. Especially after reading chapter 7 of When Helping Hurts, I'm glad for the general structure of this trip and the preparation leading up to it. The purpose of the trip is for the long-term missionaries in Mbarara to mentor and disciple us, knowing that long-term missions may be something we are called to do vocationally. I'm excited to get to learn and be mentored by them, as well as the people I interact with daily.

People keep asking me if this trip will be safe. I don't have the answer to that. What I do know is that Christians were never called to be "safe" but rather, we were called into a more dangerous life-a life that guarantees persecution and sometimes death. It's funny how we think that America is so safe in the first place. We are bombarded with tv and consumerism and materialism-how does that size up?

My friend Lauranne is spending a few months in Gulu, Uganda. I found a picture with this quote on her trip blog, and I think it speaks volumes into my trip as well. "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not why ships are built."

Of course I don't want to be stupid and reckless on this trip, but I understand that a Christian's life was never meant to be safe. I know that the Enemy does not want this trip to happen-in fact, we have already had so many obstacles in even getting there. I know that he will wear and tear on us, so please pray for strength and endurance for my teammates and I. Pray that we will be quick to listen and slow to speak; quick to forgive and slow to judge. Pray that we will love well-each other and those we encounter on a daily basis. Pray for patience and understanding as we enter into a culture entirely different from our own. Pray that we will not be arrogant, but humble and sensitive. There is so, so much more!

I'm excited to spend the summer sharing the love of Christ to children that have never known it. I'm excited to tell these disabled youth that they are made in the image of God and that they are beautiful. I'm excited to learn from them and build relationships with them. I'm excited to get to know my teammates even further. I'm excited to learn from the missionaries. I'm excited to embrace the beautiful country of Uganda and live out this beautiful story that is unfolding in my life.

God is good.