Sabbath

June 16, 2013

Sunday, The Lord's Day, a day of rest and of worship. Today has probably been my favorite day in Uganda so far. We started our day getting up and going to Watoto Church. Sozo took about 130 people to church today counting all of the kids, Mamas, Dads, and Muzungu aunties and uncles. From our house alone we took 3 vans full ("full" taking on a whole new meaning when you pack 21 in a 15 passenger van...). The kids were all looking very "smart" in their Sunday best. 

The worship was absolutely incredible. We walked in on "Ugandan" time... Running about 20 minutes late. They were singing "God's great Dance Floor" (a new Passion song) and I knew from that moment the music was going to be incredible. I love seeing how the Ugandans praise God with absolutely every ounce of energy in their bodies and find such joy in doing so. 

With it being Father's Day, they took time to recognize and honor fathers and all men who will one day be fathers. For all of you Brook Hills people, I felt right at home having all of the men stand so we could pray over them. One thing that really stick out to me was what the pastor said a father's (or mother's) prayer should be for their child: "God, You've given me this child, and I will give you back a fine young one." Lord, I pray this for the children that you've entrusted to my care now, and for the children I will one day have the chance to mother. 

The sermon was on the Lord's faithfulness. God has been showing this to me over and over in my life recently. Even when it comes down to coming on this trip and finding the means to pay for it and make it happen. God is so faithful to provide for my every need, exactly what I need, at exactly the right time, just like the manna he gave the Israelites each and every morning. His mercies are new in my life each morning. People may only see one side of you, but God sees you in totality and loves you anyway. He is faithful to you no matter what your life looks like. 

"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations" Deuteronomy 7:7-9

After church we were able to come back to House 1 for lunch and then head out to visit the other two houses. I loved getting to know the kids in the other houses, and I am looking forward the next couple of weeks because I will have the opportunity to spend some time staying at each of the other houses. 

Tonight we ended up at House 3 for a performance by the Sozo Choir and for devotion. The Sozo Choir is just a group of the kids there who have put together some songs and dances to perform for the teams that come visit. To the innocent bystander, one might think it was a bunch of teenagers just being silly and dancing around, but they were just displaying that unspeakable joy that can only be found in Christ. 

At devotion time, we had a ridiculously awesome time singing and praising God. The kids then spent time verbalizing some of the specific things God has blessed them with. Each and every one of them started by saying, "Praise be to God. I praise God for my life and yours too..." And the thing was that it wasn't just a routine phrase they threw out, but it was a genuine expression of their gratitude for God just giving them another day to live. These children have experienced unimaginable situations, yet they don't complain about a bit of it. They look for ways The Lord has blessed them. 

God, I pray that I will look for your blessings in my life. Do not allow me to get caught up in the trap of comparing my life to others or the standards of this world. God made me unique and has given me a specific calling in life. That means my life should look drastically different from everyone else's life around me... Even other Christ-followers. 

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 1:4-8

God knew that before I came out of my mother's womb that I would be a Christ follower. And he knew that I would not be able to live this life on my own. But he commands me to go make disciples, and He calls me to do his work. He knew that I would need him, I would depend on him to do his work. He promises to be with me. He is faithful!

We came back to House 1 for dinner tonight. I ate some ground "g-nuts" with plantains, potatoes, and rice (talk about carb overload...) Then we came to the realization that there was no water. Yes, that means no running toilets, showers, can't use the sink to wash dishes... Oh the joys of being in a country with a government who just cuts the water off when they want. The house has some reserve tanks but when you've got 15 Muzungus, 26 kids, and 3 Mamas and Dads... That doesn't last long enough!! We had fun with the kids brushing teeth outside and cleaning our feet with Clorox wipes after being a barefoot African for the day. We made a few intercontinental Father's Day phone calls, and then climbed in bed nice and dirty. 

But as I'm laying here, I praise God for my life and yours too. I thank Him that I was able to worship Him in a way today that I haven't experienced in a long time. Thank you Jesus for bringing me to Uganda, and for giving me two more weeks to be in this beautiful country. Give me more love to lavish upon these people, Your children. 

"Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5