Graduation

Yesterday I had the privilege to witness and be part of the ladies from our Tailoring Course graduate. The course was the first of it’s kind and was a huge success. An 8 month course where 10 ladies from similar situations and backgrounds were given an opportunity of a lifetime, to learn a skill that they can then start there own businesses to provide for their children, free of charge. The course also included skills such as budgeting (which is a huge issue here, as people don’t think and plan ahead, which I guess is hard when you only have money and food to live from day to day) teaching them the word and promises of God and showing them the love of God. All 10 ladies were from the local community; single parents struggling to provide the basics for their family. 

To see the joy on their face at the graduation was amazing. Unfortunately I was unable to see the course from start to finish (as we have only been here for 10 weeks) but to hear the stories of transformation throughout the time that I have been here from when the ladies first began to now is amazing. Woman who were involved in witchcraft, now christians and attending church regularly. Isn’t it cool, how something so simple leads lives to Christ, for eternity!!!!!!!

Ladies with their graduating certificates 

Be Still...

It took five weeks, after arriving in Uganda, Africa, that I could say I was semi settled. I had found my feet at Jordan House, relationships were being built quickly and extended upon daily. We had bought a car in this time, thank you to everyone who was praying. We got a good deal with only a few things that we had to get fixed, which we found out later. We were able to get from A to B without the assistance from others and without getting lost. We had learnt the basic greetings in Luganda (Will learnt a lot faster than myself and I think I’m still pronouncing them wrong, as sometimes the locals still laugh at me) I had gained two extra names since being here, “Muzungu” (white man) which gets shouted at you with great excitement several times throughout the day and “Emmanuel” (The nickname for Emmanuel here in Uganda is Emma, so when I introduced myself as Emma they responded with “Emmanuel”) it has stuck with some people ever since, and others just call me Emmanuel as a joke. Within the five weeks we had also sat and prayed with many people, asking God for healing, protection, provision, peace and for His love to saturate their situation and family. God gave me words for some of these people, which brought me to tears, I was continuing to feel just a fraction of how much God loves them, I still can’t comprehend the magnitude of His love. 

But amongst all this I’m ashamed to say, I was frustrated at God! Why you may ask? To be honest it was for a selfish reason, God hadn’t spoke to me, He hadn’t revealed anything great and amazing in the five weeks of being here. This was really hard for me to get my head around, Will and I had obeyed God, we were here in Uganda, I was spending time with Him and NOW I was becoming really impatient!!!

We celebrated our second wedding anniversary, with a weekend away in a small town, called Jinja, about an hour and a half outside of Kampala. It was Sunday night, our last night in Jinja, before we headed back to crazy Kampala, so we decided to have dinner at a local cafe. We left at 4.30pm, for an early dinner as we didn’t have lunch, we didn’t get far!!! We drove for about 10mins before realising that the car was overheating, BAD! We pulled into the closest petrol station (Shell, yes they have Shell petrol stations here in Uganda), open the hood to try and find the problem, we found it alright, a nice big crack in the radiator. I don’t know much about cars but I knew that if you drive a car with a cracked radiator, you will have even bigger problems. We knew we had to get it fixed but how? It was a sunday afternoon in a small, stalls and shops were closed. We tried bottles and bottles of radiator coolant to see if it would just tie us over to get back to where we were staying, FAIL! We tried soap to fill the hole, YES SOAP, a TOTAL FAIL of an idea from one of the “mechanics”, we knew it wouldn’t work but he was insisting that it would. I just had to laugh, Uganda…. After an half and hour another guy finally come along and suggested we take it across the road to a different petrol station, brilliant idea in the end! We drove the car across the road to the other petrol station and had another lot of mechanics look at it. They defiantly had more of an idea of what they were doing. They said they could fix it, we agreed, four and a half hours later it was complete and we able to then go fill our very hungry bellies.

What has this got to with my journey here in Africa? Everything!!! Normally when something goes wrong like that, I get so cranky, I swear (I’m just being honest) and make the situation worse for myself and everyone around me. This was different, not once did I get cranky, swear, or take my frustration of the inconvenience out on anybody. Yes, it was extremely inconvenient for what we had planned, but extremely conveniant for God to get my attention. 

You see as they were repairing the radiator in the dark, with only a small hand held touch and the light from mobile phones, which were completely hopeless, God was ripping my heart apart. Tears rolled down my face which matched perfectly how I was feeling on the inside. I had put a worship CD on and just hang out with my creator, the best hang out time I had had in a long time. God reminded me what it means to “Be Still”, it’s not putting a time limit on God, it’s not demanding things from Him, it’s not compromising with Him, it’s not trying to make things work in my favour. In fact it’s the complete opposite! It’s being in tune with His small voice, it’s letting him take control of the situation, it’s shutting my mouth long enough and letting God talk, it’s simply hanging out in His presence and waiting on Him. 

Why get frustrated at God that He hadn’t spoke to me the way I wanted Him to, when I wasn’t giving Him the time He deserved, silencing myself and merely waiting on Him. It’s in these quite times with God that He has the time to do what He’s been wanting to do in a long time. It’s a simple thing that God longs from us but it can be a hard thing to do at times, and I’m still learning.  

First Not Second

I want to thank everyone who has been writing emails, encouragments etc… to Will and I. It means so much, especially the days when we miss family, friends and just the little things about home. 

I want to apologize for the non-existent blogs over the past 6 weeks, please forgive me, I do have a good excuse! Firstly my days have been extremely busy and sometimes long at Jordan House, just when I think I might get a spare five minutes to sit down and start I am very wrongly mistaken. Maybe I could write one when I get home I think to myself, notice I say maybe! Secondly the chance of having power when we get home is very slim, hence maybe. Thirdly I honestly have no idea where or how to begin to put into words the past weeks. I will try and start from the where I left off in my last blog…

As I said in my last blog, Jordan House wasn’t what Will or I expected it to be like. Many people before we left asked us things about our expectations regarding different situations, scenarios etc… My answer would often be “Honestly I don’t know what to expect” After arriving and working at Jordan House I soon realized that I DID have an expectation, to a point, about Jordan House and my role that I would carry out. At a point I actually said out loud to Will “I don’t think I could this for a year” The moment the words came out of my mouth I was reminded that God has called us here and He will gives us everything we need for our time here, including the strength needed. Don’t get me wrong I’m not bagging out Operation Uganda and we both still want to be here but it can be really frustrating when you don’t know why you are here. I’m glad I verbalised what I was feeling, there is defiantly a power in your words as they are released from your mouth. 

The bible says that your tongue can either bring life or death. Even though what I was saying was negative, when verbalised it may seem to reinforce my feelings, it actually did the opposite. As the words fell from my mouth my feelings were released and were replaced with God’s promises. I wish I could say that I haven’t said it again; it was just at the beginning of this week that the words came out of my mouth again. I felt guilty immediately after saying it because I know that I can, I know that God is in control, I know this the plan God has for Will and I at this point in our lives. I have learnt through this small frustration that, yes your tongue can bring life or death but we choose which of these the toungue will accomplish. I want life, which means instead of verbalising my weaknesses and doubts I need to verbalise, better still, proclaim the promises of God over my life. If I keep saying such things it will bring both WIll and I down, we won’t be able to reach our fullest in God. This time God replaced my own weaknesses with his strength, but I need to learn that it’s His strength that I turn to first not second!!!!! 

Missing My Baby!

Will's New Friends

Will's new friends 

My First Glance

Flying over and into unknown territory was unexpectingly comforting knowing that our God was behind and in front of us. Unexpectant in the sense that I didn’t at all feel out of place, overwhelmed, sad or remote from loved ones, although we have never landed in a country making a conscience decision before we arrive that whatever happens we need to make this our new home now. 

From birds eye view I could see how lush and green everything looked, surrounded by mountains and the air slightly smoggy. We had finally reached our new home! Will turned to me and asked “Do you feel like everything has lead up to this point in your life and now we don’t know what will happen?” I nodded, turned my head away and shed a few tears without him seeing. God had lead me this point and I had just seen the first glance of my journey from this point on. Although I had no idea what was to come, the feelings that I thought would arise the moment of coming in and landing in Entebbe, Uganda didn’t. I felt a peace that only God could give. 

After getting stuck in the airport an hour and a half due to not having American Dollars for our Visa’s, Corey greeted us. It was so good to see him, we had been counting down the days. It had been almost 6 months exactly that we had seen him off at Brisbane International Airport. After we told Corey about our hick up with our Visa’s, he said that he had some bad news. At first i thought it was something to do with our accommodation, that we couldn’t stay with him, but he procedded to tell me that my mum had got in contact with him and that my family were putting down our family Dalmatian (Katie-Jayne). Initially I was happy that she would be in no more pain. Katie-Jayne was 15 years old and suffered from bad arthritis along with the normal signs of old age, loss of weight, appetite, hearing. It hit me two days later, my first day at Jordan House, when Corey showed me a status update from my sister. It read “Dear Katie-Jayne, thank you for the last 15 years of being part of our family and creating all those memories. Im sure you will have fun in doggy heaven and be at lot more peace. Miss you heaps. Love your sister Clara.I started crying and instantly wished I had been there to say goodbye and be with my family as they had to say goodbye.

On the drive home from the airport i took everything in. The locals selling delicious looking fruit and veg (we stopped and bought some mangos, as I had been craving them for almost a week. I tried one later and they were beautiful) The crazy traffic (we found out later that that wasn’t even bad traffic, as we arrived on a Sunday, the least busiest day for traffic), the way people seemed to be in no hurry and the way some people seemed to just wander with no agenda. Just as we pulled into our very long and bumpy drive way (we go four wheel driving everyday) Corey said that he has been other places in Africa and he finds that Ugandan’s are the most friendliest and have the best smile, we passed a Boda driver (a form of a taxi but a motorbike) I waved and he let out the biggest smile. He didn’t just seem to smile with his mouth but his eyes and heart also. Corey’s statement had proven so true!!!!! My first glance of the beautiful smile that God gave the Ugandan’s.

Our first day at Jordan House Will was sick and had the option of staying at home but he wanted to experience it for the first time together. When we arrived we were swarmed with children and staff. I knew that learning all their names was going to take a while was they introduced themselves to us. Immediately there were children hanging off of us and dancing, clearly showing off. It was hilarious and so precious. The staff were ever so welcoming and it really did touch my heart. They knew our names before we arrived. Just a simple smile from them that first day melted my heart.  

For the first week we were settling in and getting used to the routine at Jordan House. I would still say we are settling in. Honestly, Jordan House is very different to what we both expected, but I know God has me here for a very good reason. God doesn’t do anything for nothing, there is always a reason and plan behind everything with God. Im excited what this next year will bring!!!!!!

My first glance at Uganda, its people and the plan God has for me has already reminded me that God has an agenda far greater than your thoughts can take you. An agenda far greater even for the “least” of these.

Itinerary

Origin:                      BRISBANE

Destination:            ENTEBEE

Airline:                     EMIRATES

Travellers

CUMMING, EMMAMRS

CUMMING, WILLIAMMR

Flight - Emirates Airline (EK) 435 

Depart:                      20:45                 Brisbane Arpt (BNE), Terminal 1

                            Wednesday 27 July 2011

Arrive:                      05:25                 Dubai Intl Arpt (DXB), Terminal 3

                            Thursday 28 July 2011

Duration:                  14HRS 40MINS

Aircraft:                    BOEING 777-300ER

Flight 435               Non-Stop

Class of Service:     Economy (R)

Flight - Emirates Airlines (EK) 723 

Depart:                     08:25                  Dubai Intl Arpt (DXB), Terminal 3

                            Sunday 31 July 2011

Arrive:                  14:45                 Entebbe Arpt, Terminal International

                            Sunday 31 July 2011

Duartion:               07HRS 20MINS

Aircraft:                    AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-500

Flight 723

Class of Service:    Economy (R)

"How hungry are you for me?"

About two weeks ago at church we had a guest speaker who at the end of his sermon had an alter call for people. He specifically called for people with back conditions, two people went out the front, which should have been three. My mum glared at me from across the room as if to say get out there! The guest speaker gave no second chances as he didn’t ask again, he went ahead and prayed for the two people. In my head I told myself there are people worse off than me, therefore I justified my reasoning for staying put in my seat. It wasn’t until earlier this week I was thinking about this particular Sunday night and God asked me “How hungry are you for me?”. It hit me, It’s not about if people are worse off then me, it’s about how hungry I am for Him in my life. Am I willing to get over my pride and stand before Him with my needs and the need for His presence to reign over my life? That’s not to say that God can’t heal me even in my quite time with Him but it does mean that getting hungry for Him requires desperation. To be desperate means having an urgent need, desire. When you have a need and a desire you will do anything and at any cost to see results.   

I read books, watch DVDs etc… of people getting healed all the time in Africa and other third world countries. Blind can see, mute can speak, lame can walk, deaf can hear, so why don’t I see and hear about miracles happening like that here in Australia? I’m not hungry enough, I’m not desperate enough, I’m not thirsty enough to LET the power of God move in my life. These people literally know what it feels like to be hungry and they see and feel the miraculous happen. In Australia we don’t know what it feels like to go to bed without food night after night but we can go day after day, week after week without eating our daily bread from our heavenly father. It may not even concern us the slightest, because honestly, in our comfortable blessed country that part of our life is so often filled with other things. That’s the difference between our walk with Christ and that of third world countries, they have very little distractions, they acknowledge their need for God. I need to acknowledge that I need God. I know in my heart that I need Him in my life but I need to acknowledge that with every opportunity I get, even in church, the place where sometimes I honestly am the most arrogant to that need and hunger for Him. In the past it has become too routine. 

Mixed Emotions

With just 10 weeks exactly till we fly out the emotions are high. Excited, nervous, overwhelmed, inspired, determined, loved, sad, stressed, eager, exhausted, vulnerable, grateful, thankful, frustrated, hopeful, amazed, assured, indifferent, capable, certain, desire, scared, fear, trust, homesickness…and there’s still 10 weeks to go! The weeks leading up to our departure is going to be emotionally draining. I say this because I am an extremely emotional person at the best of times let alone leaving my family and close friends for at least a year. 

I can’t wait to finish up at my job and start something exciting with the people and children in Uganda but at the same time I don’t want to leave my class that I have cared for, loved, nurtured, watch grow, see their potential, set boundaries for, watch and assist in their development, be part of their achievements, when I’m having a bad day I won’t get to hear them say “Miss Emma I love you”. They aren’t just 2 year olds, they are my baby’s that have been apart of my life and I hope that even at 2 years old I have been apart of theirs. I know that I will be building new relationships with the children in Uganda but its sad to know I will be leave the children here that I have come to love so dearly. My last day will be easy knowing that what I am about to embark on is the plan for my life but at the same time extremely hard saying goodbye for the last time. All I know is that when my last day comes I know that I have been able to be apart of these children’s lives, which is truly rewarding!

Frankie our dog has to stay at Will’s dad’s house since we have moved back in with my mum and dad. The first few weeks he was there he was sad, he wouldn’t eat properly, he got electrocuted by the electric fence that John (Will’s dad) put up to stop him jumping the fence to play with the dog next dog (this didn’t help the relationship between Frankie and John, Frankie wouldn’t go near John for days) Which was quite amusing to watch.  When we would go visit him I could tell he had been sad, but he would get so excited just so see us and he would run around like a kid with ADHD. When it was time for us to leave he would know because he would hear the keys in our hands rattle and he would try and jump in the car because he was so used to going everywhere with us, if we just needed to pop into Woolworth’s he would come for a drive. The look on his face when he couldn’t come and we drove off broke my heart and still does. Overtime though he learnt that we would always come back in a few days to visit. It makes me upset to think that when we say goodbye to him for the last time that he won’t understand that we won’t be back in a day or two, he will be waiting and waiting and waiting for us to come but we won’t. They say dogs can get depressed, I pray he won’t. He isn’t just a dog, he is part of our family and I don’t care if people think I’m stupid and pathetic for getting upset over a dog. Sometimes I just cry thinking about leaving him. Im so used to coming home from work and Frankie greeting me with the biggest welcome, always happy to see me and then he runs around and around showing off.  The moment I’m home he follows me everywhere, he even try’s to follow me to the toilet. He always makes my day and that’s what Im going to miss. Both Will and Corey are talking about getting a dog when we arrive in Uganda as a guard dog for at our house, honestly I think I’m going to find it hard not to become emotionally attached to the dog. People have pets over there just like we do here and to have a dog over there and not treat it part of the family feels wrong, its just the way I was brought up. I can’t become attached though otherwise when we do leave it will be too hard. Its just little things like a dog that can get the better of me some days. 

Sometimes I just lay in bed at night and cry and cry. I cry because I know how much I’m going to miss my family, Im going to miss kissing my mum and dad goodnight every night. My family and I are close and they are one of the most important things to me. Missing my family is a feeling that I know I can’t make go away, it’s a feeling that may creep up on me some days and may get the best of me, it’s a feeling that may wish I was back home, it’s a feeling that I can’t stop, it’s a feeling that I can’t control, it’s a feeling that I wish I was with them, it’s a feeling that I wish they were with me, it’s a feeling that I know Im going to miss out on important milestones, events and achievements, it’s a feeling that I wish I didn’t have already, it’s a feeling that I’m glad I have already and just like my heart breaks at the thought of leaving my family, God revelled to me one night as I lay there crying, that my heart is breaking just a fraction of what God’s heart is and does for His children that aren’t home with Him. He is longing to be with them, to welcome them home. My crying turned into sobbing as I heard His voice so clear, a smile took over my face and I knew then that leaving my family, friends and job for just 12 months is worth it!!!!!!!!! 

It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, I know it’s going to be hard, I’m going to have my good days and my bad days but to understand a fraction of God’s heart is comforting. 

Our new "home"

Operation Uganda

After an average family with four children lost everything in a house fire, they felt the call to move to Uganda, Africa and start an incredible ministry called Operation Uganda. Operation Uganda work with the local children, families, men and women providing a children’s Home called Jordan House, a community centre and a local church. Feel free to check out their website www.operationuganda.com

Jordan House provides accommodation, clothing, education, nutritional diet and pastoral care to orphan children who come from many different backgrounds. Many of the children have HIV/AIDS. 

The community centre provide many different projects such as:

- BIO-Sand filter which transforms dirty /soiled water into drinkable water. In an area where Cholera is common this is a life saving project that helps provide a better quality of life. 

- The door sized garden. A practical project to implement in high density slum areas; this project provides fresh vegetables for a household.

- Jewelry making. This projects teachers the local woman the skill of making jewelry, they can then sell the jewelry which provides an income for their family.

The local church that Operation Uganda have started is there to help meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the community. By empowering, equipping, strengthening and releasing the local people they are able to spread the word of Jesus Christ

In January 2010 I contacted Operation Uganda after hearing about them from a close friend, Corey, a year earlier. I filled out a simple form with both Will and I’s skills. Honestly, I didn’t expect to hear back from them, but just 2 weeks later I got the phone call that started the preparation. Liz, from the Australian office contacted me and let me know that they were after both Will’s and I skills. Will is a qualified carpenter and I work in childcare with children services qualifications.

As the months past we had to fill out more paper work, forms and waited to be approved. We got approved and found out the different projects that we will be involved in. Will will be putting his skills to work by teaching young boys/men a trade, building, painting and I will be teaching in the orphanage. These will be our primary roles but we will be doing a whole range of things, where ever there is a need!  At first we only intended to go for 3 months, which then changed to 6 months which has now turned into a 12 month commitment. God kept putting on our hearts to commit to longer so who knows where this 12 month commitment will end up.