Palm Sunday, Pleasantries, Poultry and Paperwork

Gotta love alliterations! 

We've had a pretty eventful week, filled with culture, traveling, and tons of paperwork. 

*****

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, as well as our first Sunday in Gulu Town. 

Cultural note: In Uganda, you don't go to church. You "go for prayers." If you want to ask someone where they attend church, you ask them, "Where do you pray?"

We went for prayers at Watoto Church Gulu, where we celebrated Jesus with a combination of Western- and Acholi-style worship songs and a message about giving. 

Watoto Church Gulu is about to shift to a new, bigger location across town, and thank goodness! Both last week and yesterday for Easter we danced shoulder-to-shoulder during worship, and I probably ran into the ladies next to me a dozen times! There were so many people! 

I am overjoyed to be back with my home church in Uganda. <3 

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I've noticed something that I somehow never picked up last time... 

When someone sneezes, I naturally proceed with the pleasantries of "God bless you," and I half-way expect an, "Oh, thank you" or at least a nod of acknowledgment that they received the blessing...which I passed to them... from God... (Our pleasantries seem weirder to me every time I think about them.) 

Here, however, if I say "God bless you" after someone sneezes, that person just stares at me.

Finally, I asked Tony, a friend of mine and our boda driver, whether it was customary to say anything at all after someone sneezes. 

"No, you just look at them!" he replied.

Pleasantries- out the window! 

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One of the biggest priorities on my to-do list while I'm here is the registration paperwork for opening an NGO (non-governmental organization). I'm so blessed to have on my team a few men of God who have "been there, done that," and can offer advice and connections here in Uganda. 

One of those connections is a great guy named Steven who lives in Kampala. This past Monday, Ashlie and I travelled back down to Kampala for a week of meetings with Steven and a lawyer that will be helping me with the registration process.

Traveling to Kampala from Gulu... what an adventure. 

The trip is six to seven hours...

It can be made one of two ways: 

Private hire- this is when you have a taxi service (usually a 15-passenger van) drive your group only the whole way down. It's definitely the more comfortable option, but it can be really expensive. 

The second option is taking the bus. My favourite bus to take is the Post Bus, which goes from one post office to the other, making brief stops along the way. It's cheap, safe and reliable, if a bit slow. However, it leaves at 8 AM, so running late is not really an option. 

On Monday, we took the Homeland Bus... such an experience. 

The bus was scheduled to leave at 10 AM, but did not even arrive until 10:45. 

Ashlie and I ended up at the back of the boarding line, which meant we had no options when choosing our seats. The only two seats together were on the back row of the bus, in the middle of four other people. Every time the bus went over a pothole, we flew at least six inches into the air, crashing into each other on the way back down. 

Now, picture this: a crowded bus comes to a stop on the side of the road. All the windows are at least partially open, because there is no air conditioning. As the bus rolls to a stop, all of a sudden, voices come calling through the windows, and items begin to appear through the window cracks...

"Madam, soda?"

"Ssebo, you want pork?"

"Yes, please, water?"

And my favourite:

"Madam, you want a chicken?"

Not a piece of chicken, not even a cooked chicken... 

A live, wriggling, squawking, upside-down chicken is pushed through the window for sale, and sure enough, the last half of our journey is spent with poultry passengers. 

*****

The process ahead of us is an adventure... it's been stressful at times, but God has shown us so much favour. 

Currently we are going forward with the registration process, which may take up to two months. I'm also researching other NGOs here in the Gulu area, learning what is sustainable and what has best impacted the community, etc. 

A large part of my job right now is simply living and learning. Immersing myself in the Acholi culture, learning the language, "going to prayers," shopping in the market, walking through town... doing life with the people in my community and building relationships with them. 

That's what being a missionary is, after all: doing life in a way that shines the light of Christ through any culture or circumstance. 

*****

Thank you, everyone for your prayers and support! There are many more stories to come. 

<3, Robin 

Ahh! You're back!

The wind rushed through my hair, leaving it crazy, stringy, and...yep, just crazy. I grinned at the people we passed, and their faces read, "Look at the crazy mzungu lady attempting side-saddle on a boda." I was dressed up for church service, and straddling the boda was not about to happen, so yes, this crazy mzungu sat side-saddle. There was something about whisking past the buildings, people and other cars through the busy streets of Kampala that made me feel like a wild woman... in the best possible way. 

(insert "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar" here)

*****

As we raced through toward the church, I felt an awareness that I am no longer just a tourist or a visitor to this country. This is now my home, my country, in a sense. I am home. 

There have been several times now that I have walked into familiar places, and I am greeted by a familiar face turning surprised and exclaiming, "Ahh! You're back!" The ladies at a grocery store in Kampala, Lucy at one of the craft market booths, and Tony, a boda driver here in Gulu, all remembered me. Such an amazing feeling, to know that almost two years later, my sweet friends still remember me. 

*****

We attended Watoto Church Central (now called Watoto Downtown) Sunday morning. Many things have changed, but it was such a joy to worship Jesus with my Watoto family! I've also gotten to catch up briefly with my friends, Fred (from the volunteer department) and Calvin and Shirley (from 360). 

*****

After a few days in Kampala, Ashlie and I traveled up to Gulu yesterday. The drive to Gulu is six hours, so we slept for most of it. 

We are staying with a girl called Melissa, who is the director of a Christian school here in Gulu. We live in a small, western-style house in a compound surrounded by Acholi huts. It's tucked away, quiet, peaceful, and best of all, not next to BJs. 

(Last time I lived in Gulu, our house was a block over from a pub called BJs, where they play the most obnoxious music at all hours of the night. All. Hours.) 

I'm thankful Ashlie is here. She's adapting well to Ugandan culture, weather, and time. She reminds me a lot of myself my first time here, very adventurous and willing to try anything. Last night she had her first sample of bo, a spinach-like leaf steamed with peanut sauce... an interesting combination. 

*****

There is much work to do. As soon as our help in Kampala is available, we will travel back down to begin the paperwork for registering an NGO in Uganda. In the meantime, we will begin the scouting and researching that we must do here in Gulu in order to make the connections necessary for Wajumbe. 

There are exciting days ahead! It's still surreal that I'm back in Uganda... I'm back home. 

<3

23 Days to Go...

Today I have 23 days left until I return to Uganda. 

Twenty-three.

23!!!!

Despite having only twenty-three days left, I'll admit it still hasn't "hit me." I have moments where I feel overwhelmed, moments when I question everything, and moments when I feel extremely blessed; but I still can't wrap my head around the twenty-three days that I have in my grasp to finish everything that must get done. 

But for the moment, let's celebrate the milestones so far:

I have a one-way plane ticket (leaving March 18th)

I've got my 501(c)3 paperwork in the filing process, with articles of incorporation and an EIN number in my possession! (Need a dictionary? Yep, me, too!) 

I had the pleasure of vision casting at Crossing Place Fellowship church this past Sunday, building relationships with the sweet people in their congregation and gaining both prayer and financial support for this journey. 

And the two most remarkable milestones so far:

Wajumbe

Wajumbe is the Swahili word for Messengers. While researching words and phrases that could possibly be used for a name for our school, we came across this word. How appropriate a name for a missionary training school! We are messengers, and we get to carry the message of the good news to people around the world. 

Finally, my intern- meet Ashlie!

Ashlie will be leaving with me on March 18, getting her feet wet on the mission field in Africa. We will be completing paperwork for opening a non-profit in Uganda, seeking out compounds, building relationships with other organizations, learning the Acholi language, and much, much more. I'm so thankful for her company on this adventure!

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How you can help:

Friends, this endeavor is so much bigger than me. I need your prayers! Please pray for focused preparation, safe travels, favor with immigration, clarity and even more favor with the non-profit paperwork, financial provision, and for the hand of God to be on both Ashlie and me. 

Lastly, I truly need your help financially. God has been so faithful to provide so far, and I know He will continue to do so! Whether you are able to give one time or every month, I greatly appreciate any gift you can give. 

You can give online through my GoFundMe account here.

Or email me for more information on how you can give or otherwise be involved. 

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers! I look forward to sharing the journey with you!

<3, Robin 

You Crown the Year

"You crown the year with your bounty..." (Psalm 65:11, ESV)

My little apartment is covered in boxes and suitcases, leaving scarcely enough room to walk from one end to the other. The walls are bare, books are off their shelves, closets looking more and more empty. Ahh, transition. 

With now less than two months until I return to Uganda, I'll admit I have mixed feelings. 

I'm overjoyed. I'm going back! I get to see my dear friends there in Uganda, I get to visit the places I've grown to love so dearly, I get to readjust to the language and culture that I've missed so much.

I'm overwhelmed. This assignment God has given me is so much bigger than I am. There are things I don't understand, I don't know how to handle, and I don't know where to begin.

I'm humbled. My God is so much bigger than the assignment, and He chose me. He alone knows why, but I am humbled by that fact, and comforted that He is for me. He still sustains me.

I'm blessed. My family and friends have celebrated every milestone alongside me, praying with me, encouraging me, counseling me. I have an incredible board of advisors and staff with me, and I have the support of people I know and even people I don't. This can only be God.

"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." (Psalm 65:11, NLT)

This Scripture just "happened" to be in my Bible reading at the beginning of 2015, but I know it was a promise from God for this year. 

2014 was filled with lessons, tests and trials, plenty of pain and so much joy. I believe with all my heart that 2015 is the year of harvest for what was planted. It won't be easy, and there are still lessons to be learned; but God crowns the year. He sustains, He provides, He leads, He protects, He is sovereign. 

And the harvest? The harvest is plenty! The harvest is ready. Jesus, let me be a willing worker.

<3, Robin

Ahh, Transition...

Continued from the last blog post. 

Ahh, transition. I've felt it for a while now. Knowing that one season is coming to an end and a new season is beginning... such exciting discomfort. 

Like I described in my previous blog post, my heart has been awakened to proactive love and the choice to be the hands and feet of Jesus- making the most of every opportunity. This is a choice that I will have to make no matter where I find myself. My heart is not in one particular country, and my home is not in one particular country. My heart and my home are in Jesus. I follow where He leads.

...and friends, He is leading me back to Uganda. 

Last summer, I had an interesting conversation with Pastor Scott Holmes, our district superintendent of the AG in Louisiana. We talked of young people with a desire to reach the world for Jesus, myself included, so often restricted by age, finances, education, or time commitments. Particular sending organizations require certain dollar amounts, a certain degree, or a number of years of experience in such-and-such field of ministry before they will permit a missionary to begin their work- and once they do, these organizations are often very particular in what missions work they allow, in what locations, and the amount of time that a missionary must commit. This is not to speak badly of these organizations- many of them have seen so many people come to Christ! But for a young person like me, with a limited income and an unaccredited degree, this is very frustrating. 

So we began to dream. We talked of a missions training school that would train young people from all over the world in missions work on the mission field. It would be a long enough time commitment that the young person could truly experience the culture and build lasting relationships, but a short enough time commitment that if that young person felt led to return to school or train in another area of ministry after the program was completed, they would be free to do so. There would be Biblical teaching, revealing God's heart for missions as displayed throughout the Bible; and there would be practical application ministry opportunities to see God's heart for missions revealed before us! 

****

Back in March or April, God gave me an idea to write a missions curriculum. I didn't know what it was for at the time, not until months later. I used some of it as an idea for a small group, but I heard God tell me, build it more. I used some of it when I had classes with the MC students, but I heart God tell me, build it more. And then I was sitting down in the foyer of the church, talking with Pastor Scott and his wife about the dream of a missions training school...

And again, I saw the hand of God that had been at work while I was still in "limbo." 

****

There is still much work ahead of us, much to be done, much that still hangs mid-air. But I trust God! He has been so faithful throughout the waiting period He called me to, throughout my self-inflicted "limbo," throughout the growing of my heart to love proactively those that He places in my life.

I know He will be faithful in these days ahead. 

My plan is to head back to Uganda in March of 2015 to begin looking at compounds to facilitate this missions training school. I'll also be working on the missions curriculum that God had me begin almost a year prior, as well as building relationships with other ministries that our students can assist during our practical application. 

Pastor Scott will remain actively involved as our spiritual covering and advisor, and he will come to visit and teach the students. His friend Dennis, a Ugandan singer and ministry director, who has helped Pastor Scott and others to grow ministries in Uganda, is on board with us as well, also giving advice and helping to facilitate on-the-ground connections that will make next year easier for me. Also, a friend of mine from Watoto, Thomas, is on board helping with logistics and details. 

****

So, that's the plan! If you're wondering how you can help, by all means, pray. 

Pray that I will continue to be sensitive to God's leading. 

Pray that as we continue to work out the details of travel, budgets, staff members, and curriculum, that everything would go smoothly and that God's favor would rest on us. 

Pray that as we progress, our hearts will be discerning toward the students God has selected to train with us. 

Pray for the Ugandans that we will be living and working with, that we will build lasting relationships that reflect the love of Christ. 

I will have more information in the weeks to come about how you can pray, and if you feel led to do so, how to contribute financially. 

In the meantime, let the countdown begin!

Ahh, transition... 

The Waiting Room Ended Six Months Ago...

You read that correctly- six months ago. But like every "ending" moment, I had no idea. 

Six months ago, I was still "living in limbo." Culture shock was still a beast, the door back home to Uganda was still not budging, and I was tired and frustrated. I knew I could not wait forever, so I made some proactive decisions. 

I got an apartment and a roommate, I took a part-time position at a retail job, and I told God, "Okay. It looks like you have me here, for whatever reason. I don't like it, it's not what I planned... but I trust You." 

One month later, something dropped in my lap. 

Crossroads Church does an inner-city outreach every Saturday called Crosstown. Students from our Master's Commission and volunteers from our church partner together to present a kid-friendly "church service" at three different locations throughout our city. We sing and dance to praise and worship songs; we play games and give away prizes; and most importantly, we give children and families an opportunity to see the love of Christ. 

It just so happens that one month after I chose to proactively trust God in all circumstances, my church was in need of a director for Crosstown. 

Here's where the details get crazy. One of our MC students, Jordan, had graduated Masters and went to New York for an internship with Metro Ministries (basically a really big, well-established Crosstown). She would be back at Crossroads in December to take the position of Crosstown Director; but in the meantime, they were without a director. 

After much prayer and consideration, I said yes. I had no idea... 

no idea...

what I had just said yes to. 

In August we re-launched Crosstown. By September, we had all three sites back up and running. By October, I knew children at all three sites by name and story...and they knew me, too. By November, I finally began to see the hand of God in the past several months of "limbo." 

While I was still praying for God to take me home to Uganda, He was still resolving cross-cultural conflicts in my heart. While I was pushing on a door that would not open, He was gently expanding my heart, day by day, so that I could love more. While I replayed the face of a starving little girl over and over in my mind's eye, He was preparing me for the face of another little girl who would change my life forever. 

This sweet girl and her two sisters were our faithful congregation at Crosstown. From day one back in August, rain or shine, cold or warm, they came out every Saturday to play with us and learn about Jesus. We were privileged to teach them how God will give them courage to trust Him, no matter what; how we should be thankful in all circumstances; how much God loves them! 

Last week we went out on Tuesday afternoon for our weekly "Crosstown Community," only to hear that these three precious girls had moved out of state. My heart broke. Suddenly, I was hit by a long list of what-ifs. What if this was it? What if Crosstown was the one time in their lives that they would experience Jesus, family, safety? What if I was the one God chose to use to love those little girls unconditionally? 

That's when I realized that limbo was long over. I was no longer sitting around, waiting. I had to love, and love proactively. I had to make the choice each day to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

*****

Transition is coming, once again. My job as Crosstown Director has been a temporary one, as we all knew when I took it. My dear friend Jordan is back from New York, and she and I will work together over the next month to transition her into the role as I transition out. 

Transition. Ahh, I've felt it for a while. But this time around, I'm not living in limbo. 

...transition. I suppose another blog will be required. 

To be continued. 

The Waiting Room...

Do you ever find yourself in what feels like an eternal waiting period? You know what your goal is, and you can see so clearly how to get there; but for whatever reason, the door just won't budge? I call this "living in limbo," and it's where I've been for seven months. 

Seven months. 

I've been stateside for way longer than I expected or wanted, and it's uncomfortable, to say the least. 

I want to be home. I want to hop on the next plane to Uganda and never, ever leave. I want to see how big my sweet babies have grown since I left, and hear about everything God has done in the lives of my dear friends. I want to do what I know I'm supposed to do with my life. 

But life is complicated, messy, and sometimes painful. 

There have been days where I tearfully clung to my Bible and begged God to tell me what to do. I'll go anywhere! I'll do anything! I just can't stay here, in this awful place of limbo... 

So great a cloud of witnesses...

"What?" 

Since you are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...

I mumbled along the rest of the scripture, half reciting and half pondering. "... lay aside every weight....run with endurance... look to Jesus..." As I turned the verse over again in my mind, I felt strength. 

You are in good company.

I flipped open my Bible to Acts 1, which recounts the story of Jesus ascending into Heaven, promising the Holy Spirit, and the disciples in the "upper room"... waiting. 

"...He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father..." (verse four)

How frustrating! Jesus had worked with these men for three years, pouring all of Himself into them, teaching them and training them for things that were still to come. After He died and then rose from the dead, the disciples were excited! They assumed it was time for the kingdom to be restored to Israel, and they wanted to be a part of it (verse six). Instead, Jesus leaves them with two instructions: 1) the inspiring Great Commission of "Go into all the world!" and 2) don't leave yet, but wait on the promise of the Father.

So here we find the disciples, along with the women and Jesus' family, in an upper room, waiting. 

Waiting. 

Waiting for a promise. 

What would happen when the promise came to pass? I'm not sure if they fully understood. They had been told they would receive power, that they would be comforted, that they would have answers for their persecutors, that they would be witnesses. What would that look like? They might have been uncertain.

But one thing is sure. Jesus is faithful. 

We know how the story ends... well, begins, really. 

"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:1-2)

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in unknown languages. When they were accused of drunkenness, Peter seized the opportunity to give glory to Jesus. Three thousand people received Jesus before the day was over, and day by day that number grew (Acts 2:3-47). 

It's comforting to read that I'm not the only one. I'm not the first person Jesus asked to wait. Truly, I'm in good company. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Our challenge is to be faithful in our "upper room"- our waiting room- devoting ourselves to prayer (Acts 1:14). The waiting isn't fun and it certainly is never comfortable, but as we are faithful to trust Jesus even in the unpredictable uncertainty of "limbo," the Holy Spirit comes. He fills us, He strengthens us, He leads us out of the waiting and into His promise. 

I'm still waiting. It's still not comfortable, and I still don't feel home. But Jesus is faithful, and He is the One I wait on. So I'll look to Him, the author and perfecter of my faith. The lover of my soul. The One who holds the stars, yet loves me so deeply. 

He makes it worth it.

<3