My Answer is, "Yes!"

Friday was a pleasant day. I headed up to the office that morning with David Kaya and was encouraged to be welcomed by everyone as if they had known me for months already. I asked Scovia for a task to do that day, as we were waiting for the education seminar schedule to be able to make ours. So, she asked for help with some attendance sheets and reformatting things, etc. I was happy to help. The morning flew by as I typed all of those up for each individual cell group and the next thing I knew it was lunch. Oh, how vastly different I can feel from one day to another. I was so grateful to enjoy my lunch with everyone.

Right after lunch one of the teachers from the school came and asked Scovia and I if we would come and talk to the children for their Friday program. I wasn’t paying attention and Scovia got my attention and asked if I would. Right in that instant my flesh cried, “NO! I’m not prepared!” as my mouth said, “Sure!” I knew I wouldn’t have time to even read through anything really since we had staff meeting and then after that I was to head over to the school.

When I went to Uganda my first time in the summer of 2008 I quickly learned that in an instant you could be asked to speak to a group as small as 2 or as large as hundreds. I would be asked to “say a few words”. And you didn’t have to be told ahead of time. In fact, you were hardly ever told ahead of time that you were going to be speaking. Sometimes it was literally a 2 minute, “Hello, my name is Jessica.” and others it was a 20-30 minute testimony.

Each time the scripture “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 just scrolls through my head.

Most times we are far more prepared than we allow ourselves to think. If we remembered that we are the mere vessels and it is Christ who works in and through us then we would then carry the weight of our responsibility to preach the Word more! The honest to goodness Truth is though that we often don’t want that responsibility because it makes us uncomfortable. However, after tasting and seeing the fruit of obedience in saying, “Yes!” you can’t help but to be changed.

It is the same here in Sudan.

After lunch we had a staff meeting. It was a bit surreal. The last staff meeting I had was at the Texas Baptist Home where I worked for almost 4 years. It made me miss it and thank the Lord for the enormous blessing He poured out on me by allowing me to be a part of that family for so long. I had to keep myself from letting out a little laugh as I thought about how different the staff meetings were. In Texas I was sitting on a large comfy couch, in A/C, sometimes a snack and drink, etc. versus here in Sudan where I don’t think there was one bit of my body that wasn’t sweating, I was gulping water just to stay hydrated, on a plastic chair (which can I say that whoever invented these things is a genius. It is THE form of sitting here pretty much) and moving it simply to stay out of the sun, etc. I literally had a smile on my face as I was sitting there participating in the Seed Effect staff meeting thinking about how in September when I worked my last day at the Texas Baptist Home I didn’t have a clue what He had in store and there I was seeing it. Living it.

My faith has become sight.

I’m letting that Truth sit deep. It’s powerful.

We discussed the time table of things and here’s what we have:

Wudu-Edu. Seminar 3/9; Second Group Training 3/11

Leikor- Edu. Seminar 3/10; Second Group Training 3/11

Mere- Edu. Seminar 3/16; Second Group Training 3/14

Kiri- Edu. Seminar 3/15; Second Group Training 3/18

Jalimo- Edu. Seminar 3/22; Second Group Training 3/23

The names in bold are the names of the villages where I will doing the Second Groups in the market places. Seed Effect has 7 locations so far and I am starting out in 5. My part will be to do the Second Group Training along with Scovia on the dates above. This month the goal is to simply get the word out to the Cell Loan Group leaders so they can spread the word to the rest of the clients as well as anyone and everyone that may be interested outside of Seed Effect. The Second Groups are not limited to Seed Effect clients. What we figured is that since they have these monthly education seminars anyways where all of the clients from each cell group get together in their market place, then it would be wise to take advantage of that to initiate the Second Discipleship groups. So, the Second Group Trainings above will be just that. I will be explaining what they are, what their purpose is, what they will look like, who can be involved, and actually doing a Second group to give firsthand experience of experiencing them. I hope to also find out a good day and time to meet each week in that specific location. I’m thinking we may have multiple groups right away since my goal is to have no more than 8 people in a group before starting a new one.

So, if you don’t mind, please be praying for these meeting times. They are very important as they are the first steps to getting this going (of course outside of what Christ has already done and is currently doing that I can’t necessarily see!!).

Also, since these groups will not be limited to Seed Effect clients, it is likely there will be a mixture of born again believers and those who are not born again. I pray that not only do born again believers gain depth in their relationship with Christ, but that many come to salvation through Christ!

Is it just me or is it stinkin’ exciting to see all of the possibilities that the Lord could do!! I mean, tons and tons and tons of lives can and I believe WILL be transformed, y’all!! Eeek! J

So, the meeting finishes up and it’s time to head over to the school. I’m flipping through my Bible as we have our 2 minute walk across the field to the school. I come across Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

Freedom.

That was my message to these kiddos.

I walked into a room of about 75-80 students and a maybe a handful of teachers. This is the church’s school, so many are born again believers but I was told that most definitely all are not. I introduced myself, thanked them for having me, and discussed our freedom in Christ and how if you do not know Christ as your Savior then truly, you have not tasted TRUE freedom! I challenged them. I talked to both those who are born again and those who are not.

Scovia also shared and talked for about 5 minutes, making it very clear that salvation is NOW; it’s not something you wait on. She then asked if there was anyone that wanted to be saved. …

Smack dab in the center of the room one of the littlest boys sits up tall and raises his hand. Oh, my heart. Thank you Father. Scovia asks if there was anyone else and the room is dead silent and he’s just sitting there boldly with his hand in the air. I wanted to jump over those kids and grab him in my arms and squeeze him so tight! Of course, I didn’t. J So, Scovia asks him to come up to the front so we can pray with him.

Can you imagine this in the states? I mean, think about it.

He came up to the front and I squeezed his little shoulder as not to embarrass him and as we were about to pray a young girl walked up to the front and stood next to him. 2 for the kingdom!! They prayed to the Lord repenting of their sin, asking for forgiveness, and asking the Lord to be their Savior, committing to following after Him from this day forward and thanking Him for His grace on their life and the gift of Eternal life with Him.

Everyone clapped for them, we got their names, and off we went.

What if I had said, “No.”? What if? He knew. He always knows. And I GET TO BE A PART OF HIS KINGDOM WORK HERE ON EARTH! I don’t know that there will ever be a day that I am able to fully process that. All I know is that it sure does bring me a joy that is NOT of this world.

Each. And. Every. Time.

Please pray for Sworo Ben and Kojo Rose and they have begun their adventurous walk with the Lord. Pray for boldness and encouragement and a fire that burns strong to be a mighty warrior for our King Jesus!

I was so excited for the weekend.

Good conversations just sitting in the shade while they drank hot tea and I enjoyed my water. They say I will get used to it, but I’m telling you—drinking HOT tea when I’m HOT just doesn’t make sense to me or do I enjoy both the inside and outside of me being HOT! J Skype dates with my momma, dad, sister, and friends. Guitar. Reading. Praying. Laughing. More guitar. More laughing. Cooking. Attempts at Kuku. Listening to people root for their futbol team on the T.V. (yes, there is a small t.v. in the conference room)

Saturday was just wonderful.

Sunday=church. We were out in the village last Sunday with the team so I was happy to go to church for the first time here. It was lovely. I think I might be deaf by the time I get home, but I tell you what, I will go deaf singing and dancing to the Lord!! Haha David Kaya preached a good message out of Revelation. I love his passion. It’s pretty contagious. I got to visit with Grant from Water Harvest a bit at church and we ended up a part of a meeting afterwards. That seems to kind of happen. J He invited me to hang out over there with the guys if I wanted to. So, after church and the meeting we headed over to their compound, ate lunch, and simply hung out for a few hours. It was good to joke around and just talk getting to know each other a bit better. They were extremely welcoming and encouraging. Not only are they enormously blessed to have Norma, but she’s in great company, too!

I tend to be very aware of my senses…smells, sights, tastes, noises, touch. I notice them even more here. Here they seem to be more precious…full of His beauty. It’s sometimes all about stopping and relishing the “small” things in life. Like how… … there are these 2 lizards that are literally always together. I think they live under a box in the conference room. Almost every single time I walk out of my room there is the big black and neon orange one (beautiful) and a smaller greenish and slightly orange one right next to it. They sit out on the concrete, I walk out, and they run under the door into the conference room. I go in my room, I peek out a few minutes later, and they are right back out lying on the concrete. I’m not making this up, y’all!! Today, the EXACT (I mean, it just has to be J) same ones were running along on the ground right outside my room…looked to be chasing each other, up the tree, down the tree...around in circles and then back to the concrete slab!! I am enthralled. ...I hear the sounds of the up and down, up and down of the water pump about 15-18 hours out of the day. I go to bed hearing it and I wake up hearing it.…I hear the sounds of giggling children pretty consistently. Innocent joy.…I hear Mercy crying often (LOUDLY) when she is told no or if anything doesn’t go the way she wants it to. J …It is a blissful feeling when I lay my head on my wonderfully soft pillow after a long day.…I am always aware of my newly aching pain and numbness of my fingers on my left hand from learning how to play guitar.…The sun beats down on my skin and I can feel the sweat literally dripping down my back. Gross, I know, but it reminds me oh, so often that I am here. I am in Sudan. I am doing what He has sent me to do. …I hear trucks full of Africans driving down the road singing loudly usually at least once a day.…The little kiddos hair feels as I rub their precious little heads.…the KuKu’s genuinely laugh out of amusement and joy when they hear me greet them in their own language.…my heart feels like it will burst when a person surrenders their life to the Lord.…the cool breeze feels on my skin in the morning when I am sitting in the shade before the sun takes over and I am spending time with the Lord.…comforting chips (French fries) taste after eating a number of meals consisting of beans and noodles or rice. …adorable the faces are of the little ones are that can’t seem to stop staring at me....David Kaya's laugh sounds and how he laughs oh, so often!!

Catching Up!!

Tuesday March 1^st

So, my day started with me opening my eyes, looking up at my mosquito net, and asking the Lord for strength for the day. I knew I would an extra dose. I got up and ready and didn’t feel like I was acting different, but after two people asked me if I was okay, I figured my face was showing what I was feeling on the inside. Oh, to wear my heart on my sleeve.

We (the team) had our last meeting this morning and we shared everything that the Lord accomplished yesterday since we didn’t get to last night. We talked about our feelings from the whole week, lessons learned, etc. I shared, thanked the team for their love and encouragement, and of course cried. Of course. Many shared their feelings regarding me and of course that made me cry, too. That’s no surprise to those of you who know me well. J It was one of those times when you have the huge lump in your throat and you know if you don’t keep it there it will become an ugly cry!! You know what I mean? So, we got done and I was trying my best to be strong. The team loaded up in the vehicles and as they were driving off I lost it.

I was so thankful that God provided them to me and that He allowed me to ease into being here. I made some awesome, Godly friendships and He allowed many to be added to my prayer warriors for my time here. I was just so humbled and thankful. Then of course, in addition to that I was overwhelmed with feeling alone. The nitty gritty had begun.

Gloria, Kaya’s wife, was standing with me and I looked at her, tears just a flowing down my cheeks, and reminded her I had told her I would cry! I laughed a little out of embarrassment all while crying even harder just standing there in the middle of the compound. She just kept saying, “So sorry! Don’t cry, Jessica. So sorry” and was wiping my tears away as they kept coming. Here was this sweet, petite, 8 and half month pregnant woman telling ME not to cry! She was Jesus to me in that moment…gently wiping away my tears as I could see it pained her to see me cry. I gathered myself together and she said, “They leave and you get to see God here!!” I couldn’t help but smile and say, “You are so right. I am truly the blessed one.” I went into my room and the pang of everything hit me so hard. Thus, began the ugly cry I had been fighting down along with lots and lots of praying. It was such a sweet time with the Lord. Hard, but good.

I was set to meet with Scovia at 3 and did so at 5:30. J The Lord knew I needed that day with Him. I read and prayed and sang and cried. Sometimes it seemed all at once!! Haha…

5:30 came and I was so extremely blessed by Scovia. I thank God for her and greatly look forward to working and living life with her! As I had prayed for, communication was clear and I feel that we truly have one purpose. I think my favorite part of our meeting was when I was going on and on about details and when and where and what, etc. and Scovia looks at me and says, “Jessica, this is where we trust the Spirit will guild and show us.” with her beautiful, huge smile. All I could say was, “Yes, thank you for that.” Talk about Jesus grabbing my shoulders and saying, “SLOW DOWN, CHILD! TRUST IN ME!” I have a feeling this will most def. not be the only time I need this reminder.

So, here’s the plan so far with discipleship:

· There are 7 market places that Seed Effect is currently working in; we will start with 5.

· We will start with once a week meetings for each market.

· They have monthly education seminars for Seed Effect Clients, I will do a discipleship training the day after each of those seminars in each of the locations to give a broad idea of what to expect.

· The March schedule for the edu. Seminars will be made soon, so I will know when to start my training.

· First things first, I will get the world out in the markets so they can be expecting and prepared.

· I am Second Discipleship Groups will be the tool for discipleship.

Please pray for all of what I have mentioned. I am so excited and encouraged. As I told Scovia, the possibilities are endless!!!

Wednesday March 2^nd

First official day.

I was picked up by Seed Effect’s Operational Director this morning and off we went to the SE offices. I hadn’t been to that compound yet so he graciously offered to show me around from place to place introducing me to many, many people. I tell you what, it’s a task to remember everyone, especially since I am a name person and put effort into remembering!! So. Many. People. We then walked down to Water Harvest’s compound and to my pleasant surprise Norma walked up!! I had thought she had already left for Kampala for a week! Obviously, I heard her wrong. The comfort she brings me is unexplainable. Yet another one of God’s huge blessings to me. Only he could have orchestrated her and I being a mere mile and a half away! She took me around and showed me her life there at Water Harvest/Mobile Medical. I helped her with this and that for a bit, got to visit briefly with the Water Harvest guys Stephen and Grant, and John and just enjoyed finally getting to see what I’ve been hearing all about! After a while I headed back over to the SE offices…just a short walk up the road. I sat and talked with Kenneth and Scovia briefly about what we had discussed.

Okay, so here comes my brutal honestly. Ready? You get it all on here. I then sat there between the2 of them in the back office and was just overcome with feeling so out of place-almost as if I simply just didn’t belong. I didn’t have a “task” to do and both were busy on their computers. I wasn’t really asked for my input on anything (heaven forbid!!), and it became extremely clear that Seed Effect has FULLY competent and really gifted workers. I really was so impressed and it blessed me to see. On the other hand it added to my silly feelings of uselessness. I thought what in the world was the use of me? (I know, I know…I’m just being real.) So, I’m sitting there and am praying against all of these thoughts and emotions asking God to remind me of all his promises. A few minutes later both Scovia and Kenneth got up and went somewhere; I just assumed right outside the office. 45 minutes go by and I had decided just to read the Word. I had nothing else to do and I needed it. The all too familiar ball in my throat was making an appearance and the last thing I wanted was to randomly start crying and freak everyone out! Haha I was struggling. I was literally sitting back there all alone and feeling so lost. Someone then came and got me telling me it was time for lunch. Thank God, I was going to interact with people. Come to find out Scovia and Kenneth were gone somewhere, so the tiny bit of comfort was gone! I sat there and ate and listened to the KuKu language just fly back and forth. I was totally in my own world-literally. I was still convincing myself that crying would only make things so much more awkward and worse for me.

As is common here, we went and sat under the tree for the rest of our break. I was feeling so sorry for myself, y’all. Imagine that! I mean, it was pitiful. KIMT (Knot in my throat) was at full force! The battle in my head was going back and forth..being grateful and WANTING to be here but feeling so alone and frustrated about feeling that way! A tear or two managed to squeeze their way out, but I was able to wipe them away without anyone noticing. It’s an interesting thing feeling invisible but knowing that it is the exact OPPOSITE that is true. I mean, there is no hiding this white skin of mine here. Blending in is simply not an option.

I sit here now, looking back and see so much. Do you see the self-consuming pride bleeding out all over the place? Don’t get me wrong, being in a completely different culture with a different language, by myself is hard. That’s just the honest truth. That being said, I know my purpose, I know who I am in Christ, and who cares if I had cried in front of them?!! Oh, my flesh… Can I go even further and just share more of the honest to goodness truth? It just doesn’t feel good when it seems that everyone is talking about you. Like I said, it’s not like I’m going to ever NOT stand out. I am quickly reminded that is what I was made to do..to stand out. It is for a purpose, one far greater than my silly human emotions.

So, after a while Scovia returns and bless her heart, her joy just radiates off of her. She could tell I was struggling. She asks me if I was bored-in front of everyone-and I wasn’t going to lie, so I said “yes” with a face I know so many of you are familiar with. Everyone laughed. Man, it felt good to simply say yes. So, she tells me to come with her and she will find some tasks for me. Hallelujah!! J I found myself longing for the comfort of structure, plans, and time schedules. Oh, how my culture has molded me. We were in the back office and she stops and asked me what I thought about heading to Wudu market to begin getting the word out. She could barely finish her sentence before I blurted out, “YES PLEASE!!” J So, off we went. I was so happy to put my thoughts elsewhere…anywhere but on me! I loved our time walking there, getting to know each other better.

We get to the market and I’m reminded again that I am here to stand out. It really is pretty funny to see what seems like everyone turning their heads as I walk by. For someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention, it can be a task.

We arrive at a kiosk (store) and I meet Emmanuel, a SE client. Scovia tells him about me and asks if we can share with him some more information. He pulls out 2 stools, 2 other guys walk up and are listening. (one immediately feeling the need to give me his number). I could make so many jokes right about now about that, but I’ll refrain. J So, Scovia and I both share the idea and purpose of I am Second groups. Both Emmanuel and the other young guy, Moses, say they will get the world out and get people to join a group. It then starts to rain hard (THANK YOU, FATHER!!). It was lovely. So, we were asked to go inside the little kiosk to wait out the rain. (they are ever so polite with visitors) There was just enough room to squeeze us 4 in there. Now that we were in each other’s personal space with nowhere to go, I felt the need to ask Moses about knowing Christ. Long story short, after about an hour or so, he surrendered his life to Christ! This beautiful 21 year old carries so much on his shoulders. Will you please join me in praying for Moses? Pray that God will confirm over and over again to Moses who He is and if it’s His will, to open the doors to providing fess so he can go back to school.

Amazingly enough, and not by coincidence, both I and the rain finished at the same time. Do you see God’s hand on every single detail? It’s beautiful.

God had a plan and a purpose. I sat there before heading to the market feeling sorry for myself and He knew all along the exact moment He wanted my path to cross Moses’. He knew when to turn the rain on and when to turn it off. He knew I needed my faith to be stretched and for Scovia and I to experience this day together.

I tell you what, Scovia and I make a pretty good team! J I found out on the way back that Scovia has only been here for 4 months. I am convinced God knew I needed her!! We rejoiced the whole walk home as she reminded me that she just knew the Spirit would guild us!! J

We got back to the SE offices and she announces to those outside that we went fishing and one was caught!! Everyone praised God with their hands in the air. Now, this my friends, is what it is all about.

Self-reliance. Please pray that I will be absolutely broken of this. It became very clear to me that this is something I need to let. Go .of.

I was waiting to get a ride back to the compound and I had told David Kaya I didn’t mind waiting for him to be done..whatever time that was. The next thing I know, he’s pulling up next to me and tells me to get in! I just love this man! Oh, my pride kicks in…totally feeling like I’m a bother. I give him a look. The, “No really, I’m okay, promise!!” look. He says to me, “Get in. Jessica, you are important to me. You are more important than anything else and I will serve you!” I tell you what, I almost lost it. My heart had been crying out for that all day. It’s hard to admit, but it’s true. Just to be affirmed and to feel loved. He then continues as we are driving off, “I am your Father here. Your Father can ask and I will say that here I am your Father! If you want to go home, you can always so to your Father, “Daddy, take me home!”

All I could manage out was, “Tinate, David.” (Thank you)

Then he asks about my dad and as much as the few minute drive allowed I spilled it all out. I laugh now wondering if he knew what he was asking for! J He just smiled and encouraged me and spoke Truth to me about how the self-reliance is poured into me from America, but that I will grow and learn and the Spirit will lead me. He also reminded me that today was really DAY 1! “Just Day 1, Jessica. Day 1!”

Sigh….It’s a lot, right!?

I helped cook tonight. Everyone was surprised that I could cut up an onion and peel ripened bananas with a knife. J I do know a few things! Haha I just love joining in and serving alongside everyone here. That’s where it all comes together.

I have everyone trying to say the world girl the “American” way instead of the British, African way. Even David Kaya’s mother joined in. It was hilarious.

Laughter seems to make everything all right.

Thursday March 3^rd

“Be still and know that I am God”

Oh, how that was going through my head over and over and over. I did lots of reading and praying and writing this morning and afternoon as I waited for Scovia so we could head out to Leikor market just down the road. She got here off we were to see all the Lord had in store.

Do you know someone that is the type of person that just being around them makes you feel better? Skovia is one of those people. I shared with her my struggles of self-reliance from yesterday and she shared that she too had to surrender that over to the Lord yesterday! I thank God for allowing me to be brutally honest with her. That is a precious, precious thing. Knowing what blessings I have in my friends at home had me wondering if I would have anything close to that here. Well, I do in Scovia. Thank you, Jesus.

I find myself often wondering if what I hear are my own thoughts or if it’s the Lord. I asked Skovia how she knows the difference.

Peace. He brings peace and clarity.

So simple, yet so profound. I thank God for that sweet gem of a reminder.

I was greeted by a drunken man upon arriving at Leikor market. He wanted me to know that he was drunk, too. You see, opportunity upon opportunity fall in front of me. I was able to go through and greet he ladies in the market. It is so fun greeting them and knowing what they are saying back (most of the time). I find joy in their smiles and laughter when I say, “Doparana (good afternoon) or Dowuyei (I am fine) or my favorite so far, “Ti matot Porani Pura! (Praise the Lord!). J

We shared with 2 leaders of a loan cell group about the second groups and asked them to get the word out. One of them was excited for depth. That is exactly the goal, sweet sister! I was happy to hear that.

I’ve had some time to type up some of these posts on my computer to have them ready to upload when the internet is available, which is always good. Peter was able to teach me my first guitar lesson tonight!! I learned how to play the notes C, D, and G before he had to head off to choir practice. We shall see if I remember them tomorrow! Wouldn’t it be fun if I came back from Sudan playing the guitar?!! I’m not putting any stock in that, but it’s a fun thought! J I tell you what, it hurts your fingers!

Something else you can pray about, I noticed about 2 nights ago that some areas around my ankles and up about mid calf (mainly on my right leg) were a little blotchy and red. My ankles have been pretty swollen but I just put that to all the travel and walking I’ve been doing. Last night I noticed it looks more like an actual rash and it burns a little. I’m thinking it’s one of 2 things…allergic reaction to some type of grass when I was out walking in the village 2 days ago..it’s right where my skirt was not. Or it’s because of the anti-malarial meds I’m taking. They said that it could make my skin extra sensitive to the sun. But, I would think my arms and face would be that way too if that was the case, and they’re not. So, who knows? It’s not a big deal at all, but would be nice if it went away. There’s nothing too small to pray about, right? J

Taking it all in,

Jess

Faces with Names

The gals with Abe Moses.

Me and Emmanuel.

Sweet little one.

Please pray for the family of this Tukol. They have literally lost everything.

He knows All

The next few posts are from the past few days. You will see I've put them by date...

Sunday February 27^th

Wow. Today was one of those days that I don’t think could have been any richer. I was asked if I minded going out to one of the villages today to evangelize so a team member could distribute the eyeglasses (I had done this the past two days) since she was recovering from being sick and it allowed her to sit and be out of the sun. Would I mind?! Of course, I was thrilled to. It was me and two other gals, Michelle and Jaylin, along with our translators. It took us just over an hour to get out to Bori. I think we may have travelled 15 miles. Can you put two and two together? Yes, the roads are that bad. It was such a sweet time riding out there. We talked together about all of the Lord’s wonderful ways; I tried to learn more KuKu from our driver Moses and was yet again successful at bringing humor to him. I’m quickly learning that there’s a tomAAAATo/tomaahhhto difference in their words because I’ll ask one person how to say something and then am told a little different way by someone else! (Side note: I just got up from my computer and flung the biggest roach I have ever seen in my life off of my door frame. Where is that chicken when I need it?!!) That makes it tricky for me considering I don’t know how to say any of it! Haha...I just laugh and keep saying, “I’m learning!!”

Anyways, so I really felt the need to be prayed up before stepping foot on the ground and I specifically asked the Lord to guide us and lead us to where he wanted us to go…to specific people, to show us to go left or right. That is my hearts cry and has been since being led to come here (shouldn’t it be at all times!?) is to be so dependent on the Spirit’s guiding that I don’t take one step to the left if to the right is where He wants me to go! I just knew God was going to show up and do BIG things. This is both Michelle and Jaylin’s first mission trip and most definitely first time to Africa and I was just so excited to see all the Lord was going to allow them to see (not to mention me, too!). So, we get to Bori and sat under the tree for about 40 minutes or so. The pastor from that area was there and had planned that we would have a main “program” first and then would go out into the village from tukol to tukol. (Their homes) Well, the plan switched when no one came, so off we went. I just kept smiling from ear to ear. I just love it, y’all. I am still blown away that I can feel comfortable walking around in a place such as this when all that around me is simply so different than what I was born into. Now, don’t get me wrong-I was drenched in sweat, I had the weight of my backpack on me, my lovely fair skin was feeling the heat of this African sun and all its glory, but my spirit felt just right. What matters felt at home. Do you see? It’s because I’m doing what I was made to do…share the truth of the Life that Christ offers us! I was walking along grass that was almost as tall as me, stepping over tree branches, listening to the translators joyfully chatting, with barely even a drop of sweat coming off of them!, and God just reiterated to me that the joy He gives is truly made complete when his creations are doing what they are created for! Do you have that joy? I do want to challenge you. It doesn’t have to be Africa, it can be right there in your neighborhood. You are missing out, if not fulfilling what you were TRULY made for…glorifying His name.

Ok, back to the day! J So, we come across a few tukols and the ladies bring out a number of their benches. Of course, they are for the visitors to sit on. I simply just wanted to sit on the grass mat they laid out for themselves. Regardless, we sat down and within a few minutes we had probably 25 or so women and children as a captive audience in front of us. I noticed 2 men on the far sides listening as well after a few minutes. Jaylin shared the story of Jesus with her evangecube and we asked if they had any questions. They had just a couple and then we asked what choice they were going to make and 20 people chose eternal life!! The harvest is ripe, friends!! It is so stinkin’ ripe. The translators talked for just a bit and off we went to the next group of people. While walking our translators told us that just yesterday a family’s tukol had been destroyed by a fire and they lost everything. I’m sure you can imagine it would only take mere minutes for the grassy hut to be engulfed in this heat. Our hearts just broke to hear this. That is where we headed. We found a tree and were brought benches and sat for a few minutes. About 10 men and women with their children gathered around. They just come. Literally. So, Michelle shares the gospel via the evangecube. They all seemed to be receptive. I just felt in my heart that repentance needed to be emphasized. (When does it not!?) So, I talked with them about turning away from their sins, etc. There was just a heaviness there. I asked them if they had any questions for us. A man spoke up, who’s eyes carried the weight of the world. He looked directly at me and spoke. He had asked what I would say to them about the house burning down. How were they to understand that? What are they to do? I was so burdened by him. I began speaking and God reminded me that I had exactly what they needed to hear. I hadn’t even thought about it at all, until that exact moment. I tearfully shared that my sister had lost everything in a fire about a year ago…that she had almost lost her life if it hadn’t been for her dog waking her up. God allowed me to relate to them on a level that otherwise I may not have been able to. I shared her struggles and the life lessons that she has since learned because of that trial. Katie, above and beyond all of the amazing things that have come from your tough journey, God used it and you this day in a mighty, powerful way!!! The Sudanese man almost cried. I just knew Jesus was speaking to His heart. Despite all of that, one young lady chose eternal life while the rest stated they would “later”. I’m learning it’s very common that many don’t want to surrender today, but “later”. It broke my heart, but I knew the seed was planted just as God wanted it to be. We all walked away pleading through tears for the Lord to change their hearts and truly allow them to see their need of a Savior and a Hope that only comes from Him!

Next, we were walking and came across these beautiful elderly ladies. They showed us a grave that was right there where the chief of the village was buried just a few months ago. One of the elderly ladies was his wife and the other was his sister. They were SO JOYOUS. I’m telling you, beautiful. They just wanted to hug us and talk away as if we knew what they were saying! Haha. We kept on going and made our next stop at a hospital there in the village. I had no idea what was in store. Just when you think your heart can’t break anymore, it breaks more. This is when Emmanuel came into my life. Emmanuel is a 20 year old guy who is HIV +. He was sitting on the steps in the door way when we walked up and got up and went into the room. Our translators talked to the few people standing around and he told us we could go in there and pray for him, that he was in fact positive and claimed to be born again. I just knew I was to encourage this precious guy. I sat down on the bed next to him, in what seemed to be a heat box of a room. I am not exaggerating when I say it had to have been at least 115 degrees in there. Everyone in there was pouring sweat. What’s even more amazing is how it doesn’t matter one single bit when you are doing what God is asking you to do. So, I sat down and asked him if he knew English and he said “a little”. Often they know more than they let on, and I was so thankful for that so I could directly communicate with him. He indeed shared he was born again but that he was backsliding because he wasn’t able to go to church. I just started crying. He was this young man, literally ostracized in this room, in pain, feeling completely hopeless yet knowing fully what Christ accomplished for Him. It’s as if his hopelessness and loneliness overwhelmed me. I could feel it. I asked Him if he ever got to go out and he just said from his bed to the door way. His feel were extremely swollen and hurt him. That’s when I realized I hadn’t asked His name and asked. Emmanuel. I got a huge smile on my face and asked him if he knew what Emmanuel meant. He kept his head down looking at the floor as he had been this entire time and said, “Yes, God with us”. I joyously exclaimed that it was no accident that was his name!! That God is WITH HIM!! I saw the faintest twitch in his cheek…the very beginning of a smirk. I kept talking to him and telling him that God sent me to him to encourage him and let him know that he is loved and that God has not forgotten about him and that regardless of any amount of backsliding that it does not change God’s love for him. That there is NOTHING that could stop Christ from loving him. Oh, my heart. I asked if He believed that and he shook his head yes. I told Him I would be praying for Him and that many others would be praying for him. Please don’t make a liar out of me…please, please pray for Emmanuel. I prayed with Him and got up and God told me Emmanuel needed a physical reminder. So, I tore out a piece of paper and wrote, “Jessica is praying for you!” and gave it to him. I sat back down beside him and I handed t to him and said, so you don’t ever forget. He looked at it, and said, “This is good.” --The first positive words out of his mouth. I knew God had encouraged his heart. Emmanuel then told me he was being transferred to an actual hospital where he could get some medicine and would be close to a church so he could go if he was feeling well enough. I praise God for that. I stood up and was introduced to Emmanuel’s mom. I had noticed a lady standing and listening..it was her. We all chatted for a minute or two and we were about to head out. Emmanuel hadn’t looked at me at all up until this point so I squatted down and looked up at his eyes and he looked at me and I said again, I promise you I will be praying for you, Emmanuel. He gave the effort it took, and the most precious smile came upon his face and he said thank you. We walked out those doors and it took everything for me to stay on my feet. Even now, as I write this, 2 days later I weep for him. How many people do we know that simply need to know that they are not forgotten? That they are worthy! That they are precious and loved. Don’t wait to tell them, and please remember Emmanuel in your prayers.

Upon leaving the hospital we walked back to the “main area” under the large tree where we were told we would be discipling those we had walked around and talked to and had heard the Gospel as well as those that we had prayed to come who hadn’t made a decision to follow Christ. We were taking “a rest” and eating our “lunch” (aka crackers and granola barsJ) before the “program” and I decided to engage all of the children that were just sitting around staring at us. We had a blow up globe and I went and grabbed a few of the kiddos and began hitting the globe in the air with them. After a while, many joined. Then, what seemed like out of nowhere a young man walks up to us.

Thus, enters Abe Moses into my life! I could tell within seconds that he had been drinking. He smelled of alcohol. He began asking all three of us gals questions about America and why we were there, etc. He spoke extremely good English and his articulation of the words for some reason just stood out to me as he spoke. He then began explaining the Gospel. He talked about watching the Jesus film in school a while ago. We talked so many things and I kept bringing it back to Jesus. I just had a feeling that he knew all the right things to say, but that they were just words to him…even if he wanted them to be more. So, I finally came to the point where I asked him if he knew WHY Jesus died on the cross like he saw in the film. He paused, looked at me, and said that he saw the nails in His hands from the Jesus film, that everyone was crying when He died, that we came all the way there to talk to him, but that he did not know WHY He died! Oh, the joy it brings me to explain why Jesus died for us. Abe Moses soaked it up. It’s as if a light bulb went off. It just hadn’t all made sense until then. He knew about Jesus, he knew what Jesus had done, but the purpose of it all was missing until this moment! I went on to explain the importance of repentance and one of my favorite parts of our conversation happened up until this point. Here in Africa the best way to explain repentance is to turn your back on sin. So, I literally face Abe Moses and tell him that we have to turn our backs on sin and I turn around and start walking in the other direction a couple steps and explain that I didn’t look back. So, he says,” Okay, yes like this…” He turns his back and says, “to HELL with all of that sin!!” and points to his back and says..this way is Heaven. Oh, man we all laughed so hard…it was the purest, most simplistic understanding of Truth. It brought me so much joy. He got it.

We then started he discipleship group which included singing a couple praise songs, praying, and a short lesson from the local pastor. Michele shared her testimony, and I encouraged them all in their walk with the Lord.

After we finished praying a mom spoke up and said her 3 year old daughter, who was in her lap, has never been able to walk and asked if we knew what could be wrong. We all look at each other and I just simply state we don’t know, but we can pray for her. So, we all went over to her and I began praying over her, asking the Lord to heal her tiny body, to allow her to walk and to allow his healing to bring glory to His name. I simply kept pleading the Lord for His glory ALONE. Then I just knew I was supposed to tell the mom to have her little girl stand. I can’t even explain what was going on in my head. So, I told her to have her stand. She put her down and I grabbed the little girls hands as she clung onto my fingers and she stood…very wobbly..but stood. I kept praying for the Lord to allow her to walk..over and over..and over. Her legs let out from under her so I scooped her up into my lap as I was kneeling on the ground beside her and kept praying for this little girl. Again, I heard, tell her to walk. So, I faced her towards her mama, and told her to walk and motioned for her mama to put her hands out towards her. She took one step, then two, then another until she reached her mom’s arms. Healing. Come to find out she had never even stood on her own two feet before.

All for His glory.

I was spent that evening. Beautifully spent.

Monday February 28^th

I was asked to go back out to Bori, this time it would be just me and Michelle. I couldn’t wait to see what He had in store.

He is teaching me what it physically looks like to literally pray with expectation—a genuine faith filled belief that he WILL accomplish much. Doing so helps us to be prepared when it’s not if, but when he accomplishes much.

Pastor Stephen decided that this day in Bori we would go to the Market place instead of tukol to tukol. I was excited and curious about what it would all look like.

We go to the first store and that’s where I met Jackson. He explains that he is born again and is Catholic. Here, that often doesn’t go together. Pastor Stephen talks to Jackson briefly and then shares with me that Jackson says he is born again but that he sells alcohol from his store. With Catholics here that is okay, but not so okay with those that truly follow Christ. I knew immediately that I needed to go deeper with Jackson.

Let me explain alcohol here, in case you are wondering. Just as in the US, it is abused here. However, the difference here is that hardly ANYONE uses it in moderation. It is a huge coping mechanism that is ravishing lives, families, and villages. The alcohol that they make here is powerful. You can drink one of their bottles (probably about 3 cans of beer worth) and be full out drunk for 2 days. Alcohol here is associated with a life that is not born again. Culturally, it is not acceptable to drink (or sell) at all if you are born again. Now, this can go many ways, which I have had many discussions already with a number of pastors and seminary students.

So, back to Jackson. I proceeded to talk to Jackson (thankfully in English) and fully trust that the Spirit allows for clear communication when He wants the Truth to be understood! We discussed that salvation is by grace through faith and that selling alcohol in and of itself does not determine someone’s state of salvation. That selling alcohol becomes an obedience issue. After talking with him I fully believe he is born again, but when it comes down to it, denominations and what they put out there (sound familiar?!) messes so many people up here and distracts from Jesus himself! His problem was that he sold alcohol for money to send his kids to school. It is very common to hear this over here. Income is simply hard to come by. So, we discussed faith and trust and seeking how God would want to provide in a way that is pleasing to Him. I praise God that I could see the struggling in the face of Jackson. The spirit was working on his heart. Jackson and I prayed and I fully believe he will be changed and choose to rely upon Jesus for all of his needs. Will you join me in praying for Jackson? Pray for God to open doors for him so his faith can be strengthened as Jesus begins to work on his heart and eventually all those close to him! He needs some other way to provide for his children.

Meanwhile, Michele shared the Gospel with 3 men that came up to her and all 3 surrendered their lives to the Lord!!

After that, I needed to go to the bathroom. Let’s just say it was an adventure…oen that included what seemed like 1000 huge BUZZING horse flies. Man, be thankful for the blessings of our toiles and sewage systems.

After that fun adventure, we were invited to go through one of the stores into a courtyard that opened to the back of each store. Pretty neat. We sat down and after a minute or two about 35-40 people were gathered around..men, women, old and young.

Michelle shared the Gospel with the evangecube. We recognized some of the faces from the 2 days before. It’s always a blessing to see familiar faces, isn’t it? We asked if any had questions and many did. I just LOVE these times!!! Truth is being shared and boldly! The ask, it is answered. BAM. Questions include things involving having 2 wives (or 3 or 4…) and being told by a certain denomination that you can’t be saved if so (which is NOT the Truth), having 2 wives and not being allowed to be a leader in the church (which IS Truth), being the second wife and thining you can go to heaven because your son is a Pastor (can I hear a resounding “Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father!”)

As you can see, there are many cultural hindrances here.

4 surrendered their lives at this gathering…one being the man that asked me what to think of the fire yesterday!!!!! I just knew it would be very soon!! J

From there we went to a medical clinic where around 20 were sitting and waiting to be seen. Michelle shared her powerful testimony of being healed and overcoming painful trials (she was in a car wreck at age 14 where her mom died and she almost lost her life…has many scars as reminders, her family then lost their home because of financial strains from the medical costs and then less than a year ago she was in another major car accident and died a number of times on the table, only to be brought back. She has many new, large scars as another reminder) and I really felt strongly that I needed to emphasize that far beyond our need to be phy. Healed, we need spiritual healing!

By the time we headed back to the truck I was so full of joy I could have burst!

This night we had a celebration ceremony being that it was the teams last night. I was desperately trying to prepare my heart for them to leave. I made new friends and I was going to miss them terribly. The team leaving also made the fact that I’m staying and staying “alone”, real. The battle of loneliness began…

I know where Peanuts do NOT belong!

So, yesterday was great. The short term team I am with is a medical team, but they split up into 4 different villages. Only one of those is the one that does the medical part of it and that’s where I was asked if I would serve by handing out reading glasses. It was such a blessing. I was able to help many to see clearly for the first time in ages while also sharing how Christ is the ultimate Healer that allows us to truly see! It’s also so much fun getting to know the translators. Of course, trying to learn some of the language is always something else…typically includes me being laughed at a lot!! Some because of how horrible it is, but the other part is simply because they are excited that I’m even trying!

It is always so interesting finding myself in the place I was for a bit yesterday. I think it’s safe to say that I’m pretty confident in sharing the Gospel, even in settings such as yesterday, yet I found myself questioning if I was doing “enough”. Was I explaining it well “enough”? Was I using “enough” scripture? I left that day just trying to figure out what that was all about and feeling like I could so easily slip into discouragement. I’m convinced it was the enemy. He would have LOVED to have me all defeated thinking that the message I was sharing wasn’t “enough”, when it is EVERYTHING! I was SO encouraged by the devotion that morning, too, and was trying so hard to simply meditate on it and he simply couldn’t have been pleased with that. It really is amazingly powerful. Jeremiah 1: 5-10 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign Lord, “I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, “I am only a child.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, “declares the Lord.” Isn’t that POWERFUL?!! It just spoke right to my heart. It goes on to talk about how God then reached out his hand and touch his mouth and told him that He put HIS words in Jeremiah’s mouth. What a stinkin’ good reminder and an awesome encouragement to remind me that it has NOTHING to do with me outside of being obedient to His calling! You should now go and read all of Jeremiah 1! J

So, last night was hot, y’all. That’s all there is to it. I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. J It was a bit tough to sleep because of it. I know I already mentioned this, but it’s interesting because at home I NEVER woke up to my alarms the first, second, sometimes even third time it went off, but I’ve just been waking up on my own here! Well, by on my own I mean to the sound of the water pump lever going up and down and the rooster’s crowing…It’s actually really nice and way more peaceful to wake up to that than an annoying alarm clock beeping in only a way an annoying alarm clock can. We ate breakfast, had our praise and devotional time, and off to another village we went! Today we were welcomed with dancing and singing!! It was beautiful and just plain humbling. I have video, but I’ve been having trouble so we’ll see if I can share that with you or not. I did the eyeglasses again today and spend some really awesome time with the people of this village. All of the people I saw claimed to be born again and most all of them seemed pretty legit! I was able to pray for and with them. It was wonderful. Most all of the elderly asked for me to pray for the younger generation who were all involved in drinking alcohol and as a result have family problems, etc. It’s real problem that they were all burdened by. Could you please pray for a release from that addiction for these people? It’s a bit different here than there in the states in the sense that social drinking isn’t really seen. It’s a life altering type of drinking here and it affects so many as addictions always do. My heart broke as I looked into the beautiful, wrinkled faces of the elders of this village today. I had a good amount of time to TRY and get some of the phrases down with a few of the Sudanese guys today, too! I tell you what; the ng sound that they make in SO many of their words is going to be the death of me!! It’s like a guttural throat/tongue noise. I keep trying and trying but I still have yet to master it. At least I provide entertainment for everyone in the process. They are impressed that I can roll my r’s though. Haha You’re missing out!

So, we got back from the village and had a couple of hours to hang out, shower, and eat before our evening meeting and praise time and I decided I needed to unpack. I feel so much better now. I can say that I am beginning to feel more comfortable and like this could actually be my home for the next 4 months! As I was unpacking (and undoubtedly sweating off pounds) I heard this noise and looked back at the door and didn’t see anything so I kept going and heard it again to see under my desk little miss chicken walking around like she owned the place! So, I’m like great…I can’t kick it like I’ve seen many people do already because I just don’t have the heart….so I grabbed my sandal and shooed little miss thang out the door! She turned right back around and tried running right back in, can you believe it?! Haha…I laughed out loud and amazingly enough it made me feel more at home! So, a little bit later on I decided that some goldfish sounded good (they made the flights!) and I throw a big handful in my mouth and start to chew and they tasted incredibly similar to laundry detergent!!! I thought, “Great, I won’t get sick from any of the normal Africa stuff but from my poisoned goldfish crackers!” I guess they got too close to my soap stuff!? I don’t even know how that works considering they are in their own zip lock baggie. So, I get that all situated and I’m waiting around the back of Kaya’s home for the shower and I see that his wife and the kids are “plucking” peanuts (shelling them) and I asked if I could help. I just sat there and talked with them and helped out. It’s moments like these I love. Then, after about 10 minutes little Mike Congrove (the youngest little boy who’s 3) walks up and looks like he’s picking his nose. His mom motions for him to stop and then I can tell she realizes there’s something more going on. I’m literally just shelling peanuts watching. So, I’m thinking, “Man, he must really have something going on because the little one’s noses run all the time and it’s not a big deal here.” Haha…Well, I soon realize after she grabs him and puts him in her lap and she’s digging in his nose that she’s a bit concerned. Alice comes over and has a skinny piece of stiff grass and is trying to retrieve something from his nose while they keep telling him in KuKu to “blow” his nose. After about 2 minutes out blows a peanut!! I laughed so hard, y'all. We all did. (once we all knew he was okay) I reverted back to when I was a kid and my brother Jacob stuck a bean in his ear. Kids will be kids and boys will be boys….no matter where you are! J Kaya’s response when I tell him, “It’s all a learning experience! He wouldn’t be a boy otherwise!” So true. I walked into the conference room for sharing time and was very happily surprised to see sweet Norma!! I saw her briefly the day I got here, so it was happy to see her again! I am just so genuinely happy that she’s here…simply a mile and a half away. God is just too good to me. We had a great time of sharing tonight and then afterward Stephen who works for Water Harvest (same compound Norma’s at) asked how everything was going and I was telling him…and mentioned that my toilet was kinda gross. I was told I could just pour water down it and it would empty, but I tried and it just rose!! And let me tell you..I’ll spare you the details, but what was in there when I looked for the first time was nasty and old…and smelt of it so I made sure that lid went down as fast as it came up!! He asked I I’d like him help me because there was a way to do it that made the water go down. Um, of course I said yes! He was right…he got it down! Is it bad that it made me feel validated and less girly when he was just as grossed out as I was by the NASTYYYYYYY smell that poured out into my whole room when he got it all to flush?!! Yikes. Praise God that’s taken care of! Kaya actually came later and showed me how to actually get it to flush!! A simple adding water to the tank, sticking your hand in that water and grabbing a little lever, pulling up, and I’ve got me a flushing toilet folks! J Oh, and I found out my windows DO open. Hallelujah, praise the Lord…I will have ventilation tonight! J Speaking of, I need to hit the sack. I’m in for another wonderfully long day tomorrow. I think I might actually be getting to go out to the village to evangelize!

Until then…

Jess

London Pics!

If I couldn't actually see much of London I was at least going to get a picture of my by the bus stop we spent the majority of our time at! :)

I just love these.

We flew, and flew, and flew...

Hi!!! I'm excited about writing my first official blog from Sudan!! Isn't it amazing that this is even an option? God is good! Okay, so a few days have gone by, so bear with me on this post. I'll start off from the beginning and hopefully catch you up to tonight! If I don't get all the way through tonight it's because I simply can't keep my eyes open. Ya know, it was an act of God to get me to go to bed before midnight back home and I'm coming to realize that 9 p.m. comes here and I'm pooped....like ready to hit the sack, plum tired. Of course the fact that I just flew in from Texas probably has a lot to do with that don't ya think? :) Okay, okay...one more thing before I reverse time and start from the beginning...I slept through a funeral last night!! That's right...apparently I was one of the only ones that DIDN'T wake up to the literal wailing and drums at about 1:30 a.m. as a funeral went by. Did you know that they do funerals like that? Well, you and I both learned something! (It makes me think of the story in the Bible..i don't remember where it is...when Jesus joins in the funeral as they are walking...with professional mourners...)

So, I'm here! We got to Kaya's compound about 2:3o p.m. yesterday. (5:30 a.m. your time) Let me give you some highlights! It was hard saying goodbye. Really hard. I tried holding it together but when time came for me to say goodbye to my dad, the tears simply couldn't be held back. I was able to hang out for a bit longer with Mom and Jenn and then through security I went. Of course I cried with them, too. (Also, thank you Yannig and Gabe for coming to send me off...it meant more than you know.) I knew within 5 minutes of going through security that i was gonig to be a looong journey with my carry on's. They were WAY too heavy for my own good, but by golly mom, jenn, and I sucessfully fit every last thing we could in them! So, at the gate I met up with LaNelle, a lady from Ft. Worth that is one the short term team that was flying out of DFW with me and we chatted until it was time to board. I was spoiled on the flight to London by having my own row and getting to sprawl out and lay down and actually get a good 4 or 5 hours of sleep! Praise God! So, LaNelle and I had plans to head to Heathrow Express and join up with two ladies from Birmingham that are on the short term trip too to then take a hop on hop off tour of London. LONDON IS CRAZY. Plain and simple. First, it was freezing and raining. Not a big deal right? Well, it can be if you wait more than an hour in it for a bus that we find out no longer stops wehre we were told to go and hasn't sincebefore we even bought our tickets! Yep, that's right. Long story short, after walking around a while, taking a number of local buses and got to the actual tour bus we had about 30 minutes to ride around without getting off before we had to make the journey back to the airport. It is an interesting thing to be completely cluess in a country that speaks your own language! Anyways, no complaining here in spite of it all. It's the most I've seen London, so I'm grateful even for a chaotic number of hours!

(Insert: I'm sitting on my bed under the mosquito net right now...it's pretty warm in here to say the least and I have my door open with the curtain just covering the doorway and i can hear that it has started raining. That mixed with the sounnds of KuKu being spoken softly outside is beautiful. Of course, the smell of the rain is ALWAYS something I love...)

Okay, so I get on the next flight to Nairobi and I am literally praying over and over and over that the flight attendants won't notice that my backpack WON'T FIT UNDER THE SEAT. The overhead luggage was full and I just begged God to let it slide while also somewhat laughing to myself because of how mom and I literally JAMMED everything into the backpack. It went without notice until literally take off and the flight attendant, a sweet lady, saw it was sitting in the seat and askedi f it was mine so I told her it was and said okay let's just put it under the seat ( my heart sank) and then proceeded to be extremely nice and went to do it for me and grabbled it and goes "Oh, God..what is IN there?!" kind of to herself but loud enough for me to hear. I had to keep myself from laughing out loud. I then managed to do my best to stuff it on the floor in front of the seat and she motioned that was good enough.

I met Ben on that flight. Please be praying for him. He's from Ghana and lives right outside of London. He was headed to Zambia for business and will be gone from his wife and 2 boys for 10 weeks. It was very apparant that he was going to miss them terribly as he got his camera out and showed me the 133 pictures on it ...explaining almost every one of them to me. :) It was encouraging to hear an African man brag about and dote on his family. Lord knows I wasn't about to stop him!

The flight to Nairobi was pretty uncomfy. Want to guess why? Of course, the infamous backpack again. I was in the middle seat...and that baby on the floor where my feet should go and had my pillow (stuffed with my rainjacket and sweatshirt) in between my legs. Needless to say the men on either side of me didn't seem too happy. Oh, well.

We got to the Entebbe airport and a flood of emotions came over me. It's amazing the memories I have here in Africa already, even there at the airport. Joy, gratefullness, sadness, a bit of homesickness...you name it, I felt it. Over and over I kept repeating in my head, "I AM LIVING IN AFRICA!" Wow. This is my life. This is His life through me! It is only God that could have planned this...truly. I was sitting on the lfight to Entebbe and talking to God (lots and lots of this has been happening) and asking Him why He sent me here. Not because I don't want to be because I most definately do, but a genuine why here?...why now? His response to me...."Look around." So, I look around me on the plane and I feel Him say that most on the plane don't know Him and that for this time and in this palce He wants to suse me to change that one by one...for His glory. I really feel like He said it could be anywhere, anytime, but the time is now, for right here, for me. All I could to is to say, "Here I am. I surrender again...and again...and again..." I would be lying if I told you I wasn't a little overwhelmed, but then again I think I'd have to be cerazy not to be a little bit!

So, we got to Entebbe ...dealt with some minor things with passports, visas, luggage...I ended up having to transfer a ton of stuff into the checked in stuff that was going on the van since the MAF flight had weight restrictions. That was a mad frenzy for a few minutes, but I got it figured out. It's always encouraging to be weighed on this HUGE scale and be told if your are good or not. haha Kaya wasn't able to make it last night so we got all of our luggage this morning safe and sound, thank God! That is how I am able to write now since it had my laptop in it! Please pray for J, a gal on the short term team...her luggage never made it. That's always a bummer and inconvenient.

Aaaand the MAF flight was SO NEAT. Having never flown on such a tiny plane, it was a fun experience for me! It's definately not for those that get motion sickness easily though. If you're good with that, then it's enjoyable! Hopefully I'll be able to upload some pics and video soon!

Okay, so I think I'm going to call it a night. I'll update about today sometime tomorrow!

Additonal things to pray for:

I am going out with the team as I did today for the next few days to different villages providing medical care and of course, the Gospel. Please pray for softened hearts, for a clear message, and for many to come to know the Lord!!

Please pray that I will continue to adjust and that as time goes on I will grow more confident (dependant on God) with all that He is calling me to do.

Please pray that as I am asking over and over and over again how you say certain things that it will stick and that I will gain a pretty good grasp on most of the main main words and phrases. It's really fun...especially to see the reactions of the KuKu when I bust out with a word, two, or three when they least expect it! :)

Love. Love. Love.

Jess