I'm way too tired to even try to write coherently, so I'm going to bullet point this.
I usually fly KLM or Lufthansa, but this time I flew BA.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1) Touch screen entertainment system (compared to my last international flights which had NOTHING... not even MUSIC!... for two 9 hour daytime flights. Shoot me.) I watched The Hunger Games. Epic.
2) Chicken tikka masala for dinner. Mmmhmmm. They don't mess around.
3) The adorable Indian toddler who squealed as we were landing, "Mama, I'm giving you all of my love!"
4) The British kid next to me talking to his big brother: "Are you sure you can lift them onto the trolley? They're like 21... 21 stone."
Basically the fact that people around me are speaking in British accents is excellent. It's much more comforting than being in Dutch airports where everyone is so tall and all the signs are in like 3 languages.
5)Heathrow airport is full of a diverse population of two year olds at their squat/squishy peak, and they're speaking all different languages. Sorry, I notice these things. Be still my heart.
6)I have yet to get seriously lost in either Newark or Heathrow.
7) I have a Yotel (http://www.yotel.com) in Heathrow. It's like a tiny train compartment with a bed, bathroom, free wifi and a tv. I reserved it for 5 hours since I have a 10-hour-ish layover. So I'm going into the next long flight clean, rested, not stressed out. Lovely.
What I do NOT love is the fact that my friend and fellow teacher, Erika, wasn't able to get a seat on her standby flight from Chicago to London. We were going to fly on together from Heathrow to Entebbe. Instead, she had to fly back to LA from Chicago, is going to rest up a bit and book another flight. Poor Erika! I don't mind going on alone (done it lots of times) but I'm mostly just bummed that she had to go through that. Talk about a stressful situation :/
I have the Yotel for another 70 minutes, then I have to make my way back to Terminal 5 and find my next flight, but it doesn't depart for a few hours still.
Not sure when I'll have internet access when I get to Uganda, but I'll write as soon as I can. Thanks for all your prayers for me!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Jonathan Edwards on Christian Love and Charity
"If you will devote yourself to God, as making a sacrifice of all your own
interests to him, you will not throw yourself away. Though you seem to neglect
yourself, and to deny yourself, and to overlook self in imitating the divine
benevolence, God will take care of you; and he will see to
it that your interest is provided for, and your welfare made sure. You shall be
no loser by all the sacrifices you have made for him. To his glory be it said,
he will not be your debtor, but will requite you a hundred-fold even in this
life, beside the eternal rewards that he will bestow upon you hereafter. His own
declaration is, “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall
receive an hundred-fold” (the other evangelist adds, “in this present time”),
“and shall inherit everlasting life” (Mat. 19:29); and the spirit of this
declaration applies to all sacrifices made for Christ, or for our fellowmen for
his sake. The greatness of the reward for this life Christ expresses by a
definite number; but he does not God make use of numbers, however great, to set
forth the reward promised them hereafter. He only says they shall receive
everlasting life, because the reward is so great, and so much exceeds all the
expense and self-denial persons can be at for Christ’s sake, that no numbers are
sufficient to describe it.
(http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/charity8.htm)
"If you are selfish, and
make yourself and your own private interests your idol, God will leave you to
yourself, and let you promote your own interests as well as you can. But if you
do not selfishly seek your own, but do seek the things that are Jesus Christ’s,
and the things of your fellow-beings, then God will make your interest and
happiness his own charge, and he is infinitely more able to provide for and
promote it than you are. The resources of the universe move at his bidding, and
he can easily command them all to subserve your welfare. So that, not to seek
your own, in the selfish sense, is the best way of seeking your own in a better
sense. It is the directest course you can take to secure your highest happiness.
When you are required not to be selfish, you are not required, as has been
observed, not to love and seek your own happiness, but only not to seek mainly
your own private and confined interests. But if you place your happiness in God,
in glorifying him, and in serving him by doing good, — in this way, above all
others, will you promote your wealth, and honor, and pleasure here below, and
obtain hereafter a crown of unfading glory, and pleasures forevermore at God’s
right hand. If you seek, in the spirit of selfishness, to grasp all as your own,
you shall lose all, and be driven out of the world at last, naked and forlorn,
to everlasting poverty and contempt. But if you seek not your own, but the
things of Christ, and the good of your fellowmen, God himself will be yours, and
Christ yours, and the Holy Spirit yours, and all things yours. Yes, “all things”
shall be yours; “whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or
death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s;
and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:21, 22).
(http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/charity8.htm)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Packing... oh joy.
Finally! Almost time for me to go back. I've had a WONDERFUL summer at home, but I'm so excited to get back to my new "family" in Karamoja.
There's a lot involved in preparing to go back. First off, packing. Ugggh. Packing for almost a year in two 50-pound trunks isn't easy, but I'm getting there. One thing I really want to do this time is bring a few more "homey" things for my hut. Last time I only brought one suitcase of my own stuff (the other suitcase was stuff I brought for the mission). I could only fit clothes, shoes, some food, and six months worth of deodorant and shampoo :) Thankfully Erika had thought ahead and brought some things to cheer up our banda (hut) and kitchen - a calendar, candles, Christmas decorations, pictures, etc. This year Erika and I will each have our own hut, so the decorations are up to me. I'm trying to fit as many pictures, candles and reminders of home as I can in my trunks. Some people might look at that as a waste of space, but I think it will cheer me up.
Kampala and Mbale shops have pretty much all the basic things I need (it's just a matter of knowing where to look!), so I'm trying to talk myself out of a lot of the stuff I've packed so far. But there are some things that you just need to survive... like a huge bag of pretzel M&Ms. I don't care what else I have to leave behind, the M&Ms are coming with me!
For those who have asked, my mailing address is:
PO Box 1307
Mbale, Uganda
East Africa
I can't receive packages, but you can send flat envelopes (and fill them with drink mixes, photos, anything else small and flat!). I would LOVE to get mail. I will try to reply, although it will probably take a while since the post office is a few hours away!
There's a lot involved in preparing to go back. First off, packing. Ugggh. Packing for almost a year in two 50-pound trunks isn't easy, but I'm getting there. One thing I really want to do this time is bring a few more "homey" things for my hut. Last time I only brought one suitcase of my own stuff (the other suitcase was stuff I brought for the mission). I could only fit clothes, shoes, some food, and six months worth of deodorant and shampoo :) Thankfully Erika had thought ahead and brought some things to cheer up our banda (hut) and kitchen - a calendar, candles, Christmas decorations, pictures, etc. This year Erika and I will each have our own hut, so the decorations are up to me. I'm trying to fit as many pictures, candles and reminders of home as I can in my trunks. Some people might look at that as a waste of space, but I think it will cheer me up.
Kampala and Mbale shops have pretty much all the basic things I need (it's just a matter of knowing where to look!), so I'm trying to talk myself out of a lot of the stuff I've packed so far. But there are some things that you just need to survive... like a huge bag of pretzel M&Ms. I don't care what else I have to leave behind, the M&Ms are coming with me!
For those who have asked, my mailing address is:
PO Box 1307
Mbale, Uganda
East Africa
I can't receive packages, but you can send flat envelopes (and fill them with drink mixes, photos, anything else small and flat!). I would LOVE to get mail. I will try to reply, although it will probably take a while since the post office is a few hours away!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Karamoja Superhighway!
I stole this picture from the Wrights (taken yesterday on their trip to Mbale) so that you'd see what it is I'm asking you to pray for. The road to Karamoja is very difficult to drive right now because of heavy rains -- it's in the worst condition the missionaries have ever seen. Please pray that the rains would STOP (at least for a few days!) and that the roads would dry out enough to make it slightly easier by the time Pastor Dave drives down to Kampala next week to pick up me and Erika. Even if this was to dry out it would still be very hard to maneuver through, but at least with drier roads we won't be slipping all over the place or having water come over the hood into the Land Cruiser windows (which happened yesterday!) Please also pray that the government will quickly fix a collapsed bridge which is nearly impassable, and that the many many many large trucks which have been stuck in the road for days will be able to get out of the mud.
No end of adventures in Karamoja!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
WHITE LAKE! Family Camp
Kids camp ended on Friday morning, and in the afternoon the
counselors went to Bubba's for BBQ and just to get off the hilltop. At
that point several of us were starting to get sick and were utterly
exhausted (kids camp was fun, but tiring, too!). Family Camp started off
well (though wet and muddy!), with Roger Blevins as this years' family
camp president. We had an international theme for the week.
Counselors look at family camp as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, there are lots more adults to help keep an eye on the kids, which makes our job a bit more relaxed. On the other hand, after two or three weeks as the only adults on the hilltop, it feels strange to be "invaded" by grown-ups! But after you adjust to the entirely different vibe of family camp, it is really enjoyable.
The weekend was very rainy, which altered our plans a bit, but the campers still had a good time. However, by Saturday I was so sick that I wasn't too aware of what was going on. I was completely exhausted, had a horrible cold and sore throat, and was basically walking around like a zombie and skipping all the activities to lie down (but, as team leader, I had so many responsibilities swirling around in my head that I could never actually fall asleep during these "naps"). On Monday morning several people told me I looked "horrible!!" and that afternoon the Camp Director Bob Allmond sat me down and asked me to consider going home. He was concerned that I wouldn't recover in time for Uganda and he knows that it generally takes team leaders a couple weeks to recover after camp. So, as hard as it was, I agreed that I needed to leave, so I went home from camp on Monday night. So if you want to hear how the rest of family camp went, you'll have to ask someone else :)
I knew it was the right decision to leave (and I made the decision, it wasn't forced on me), but as the evening came and I started saying goodbye I got pretty sad knowing that I'm leaving for Uganda and won't see any of these dear friends for at least a year, some maybe two years. They sent me off with lots of love and bear hugs. I love you all so much! This is only the second time in 24 years that I haven't been there for the full week of family camp, so it feels strange. I'm going through serious White Lake withdrawal! But I'll be back from Africa in time to be at camp next year. I'm already looking forward to it :)
White Lake is still the happiest place on earth :)
Counselors look at family camp as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, there are lots more adults to help keep an eye on the kids, which makes our job a bit more relaxed. On the other hand, after two or three weeks as the only adults on the hilltop, it feels strange to be "invaded" by grown-ups! But after you adjust to the entirely different vibe of family camp, it is really enjoyable.
The weekend was very rainy, which altered our plans a bit, but the campers still had a good time. However, by Saturday I was so sick that I wasn't too aware of what was going on. I was completely exhausted, had a horrible cold and sore throat, and was basically walking around like a zombie and skipping all the activities to lie down (but, as team leader, I had so many responsibilities swirling around in my head that I could never actually fall asleep during these "naps"). On Monday morning several people told me I looked "horrible!!" and that afternoon the Camp Director Bob Allmond sat me down and asked me to consider going home. He was concerned that I wouldn't recover in time for Uganda and he knows that it generally takes team leaders a couple weeks to recover after camp. So, as hard as it was, I agreed that I needed to leave, so I went home from camp on Monday night. So if you want to hear how the rest of family camp went, you'll have to ask someone else :)
I knew it was the right decision to leave (and I made the decision, it wasn't forced on me), but as the evening came and I started saying goodbye I got pretty sad knowing that I'm leaving for Uganda and won't see any of these dear friends for at least a year, some maybe two years. They sent me off with lots of love and bear hugs. I love you all so much! This is only the second time in 24 years that I haven't been there for the full week of family camp, so it feels strange. I'm going through serious White Lake withdrawal! But I'll be back from Africa in time to be at camp next year. I'm already looking forward to it :)
White Lake is still the happiest place on earth :)
WHITE LAKE! Kids/Teen Camp
I spent a little over two weeks at White Lake Covenanter Camp, serving as the team leader for the RP Missions team. This was seriously the best mission team/counselor team I have ever served with! My teammates were Stasia Finch, Debbie Shafer, Evelyn Ashleigh, Kayla Milroy, Jackie Werts, Sidney Camery, Gabi Chamberlain, David Pinkerton, James Allmond, Nate Oliveiri, Quinn Coulton, David Donath, Josh Donath, Peter Merkel, and Connor McCracken.
Never before has a team of counselors gotten along as well as we did. Nobody was an outsider, nobody was badly behaved or causing trouble. There were no schisms or cliques. We all got along GREAT. We laughed, sang, danced, teased and played our way through everything. Not to say it was always easy. We tackled a lot of jobs during prep week, including gathering TONS of firewood from the woods, cleaning most of the buildings from top to bottom, and planning all the kids camp lessons. Thankfully, with such a big group of counselors, we were able to check jobs off the list very quickly. We also spent time during prep week sharing our testimonies with each other. This was a great way to learn about each other, recognize where everyone was coming from, and, as a team leader, notice how I could encourage and support my teammates in particular ways.
Kids and Teen Camp went so well. We had about 50 campers altogether, which meant that with such a huge staff keeping track of the kids wasn't too difficult. Pastor Micah Ramsey was the teen camp speaker and he was very well-received by the kids. He spoke on the person and work of Christ. The kids camp counselors taught on various miracles and parables of Jesus, and did lots of fun activities and crafts. In the evenings we played Humans vs. Zombies (a big hit!), had a dress-up the counselor night (I was a pirate -- I'll post pictures soon!), and had a carnival one night run by Mike Tabon. Another night everyone was so relaxed and having fun that we ditched the evening activity altogether! Several counselors and campers pulled out instruments they'd brought (a banjo, violin, ukulele, and guitar) and we spent the evening just sitting around listening to them having an impromptu jam session, while others played volleyball, basketball, and ping pong, or just sat and talked. It was such a relaxing night and I think it speaks volumes for the counselors that the kids were happy to just spend time with their counselors and friends.
Never before has a team of counselors gotten along as well as we did. Nobody was an outsider, nobody was badly behaved or causing trouble. There were no schisms or cliques. We all got along GREAT. We laughed, sang, danced, teased and played our way through everything. Not to say it was always easy. We tackled a lot of jobs during prep week, including gathering TONS of firewood from the woods, cleaning most of the buildings from top to bottom, and planning all the kids camp lessons. Thankfully, with such a big group of counselors, we were able to check jobs off the list very quickly. We also spent time during prep week sharing our testimonies with each other. This was a great way to learn about each other, recognize where everyone was coming from, and, as a team leader, notice how I could encourage and support my teammates in particular ways.
Kids and Teen Camp went so well. We had about 50 campers altogether, which meant that with such a huge staff keeping track of the kids wasn't too difficult. Pastor Micah Ramsey was the teen camp speaker and he was very well-received by the kids. He spoke on the person and work of Christ. The kids camp counselors taught on various miracles and parables of Jesus, and did lots of fun activities and crafts. In the evenings we played Humans vs. Zombies (a big hit!), had a dress-up the counselor night (I was a pirate -- I'll post pictures soon!), and had a carnival one night run by Mike Tabon. Another night everyone was so relaxed and having fun that we ditched the evening activity altogether! Several counselors and campers pulled out instruments they'd brought (a banjo, violin, ukulele, and guitar) and we spent the evening just sitting around listening to them having an impromptu jam session, while others played volleyball, basketball, and ping pong, or just sat and talked. It was such a relaxing night and I think it speaks volumes for the counselors that the kids were happy to just spend time with their counselors and friends.
Summer Travels
Hey everyone!
The countdown is on... 12 days till I fly back to Uganda!
I spent the last month traveling all over the place. First stop: my dear friend Brenda Gladfelter's wedding to her Northern Irishman, Stephen McCollum. Brenda and I have been friends since we were awkward little kids running around making fairy houses at White Lake. Stephen is a quality guy and I'm so glad to invite him into the family :) Their wedding was beautiful and I enjoyed helping Mr. G in the kitchen, along with Kathryn and Stasia. I don't know when I'll ever get used to her being Mrs. McCollum though! Stasia, Kathryn and I stayed with Jenny and Jason Panella for a couple days, which was a fantastically good time, although poor Jenny had just returned from her mission trip to France and was completely jetlagged!
The day after the wedding I met up with my friends Andrew, Adam and Rachel, and we camped our way to the International Conference in Marion, Indiana. We stayed at KOA's both nights so we weren't roughing it too much, but it was a ton of fun. We went to Cedar Point (although the rain closed most of the big rides!! sadness) and went to see The Dark Knight Rises at a drive-in movie theater. Besides a leaky tent that didn't quite survive the thunderstorms one night, the trip was a great success. So glad I spent that time with friends instead of just driving straight out to the conference!
The RP International Conference was held at Indiana Wesleyan University, a really beautiful campus. Joel Beeke was the main speaker. Amazingly, he gave all his lectures that week despite the fact that his mother passed away the Monday morning of the conference. His talks and the breakout sessions were great. I tended to go to all the missions talks... I can't help myself :P Jim and Jenny Knox shared about Karamoja, and I also got to hear a presentation on Cush4Christ. So encouraged to hear how the Lord is blessing so many ministries around the world!
One of the difficult parts of the conference was simply that there were SO MANY PEOPLE. Over 2,200 RPs = craziness. So many times I'd see someone as I was on my way somewhere and say, "We'll catch up later!" never to see them again. I did get to spend a lot of quality time with old and new friends. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life! I'm looking forward to the next stateside conference in 2016 (I'll be 28 -- WHAT).
At the end of the conference, 11 of us began the journey to White Lake Covenanter Camp in Bob Allmond's 15-passenger van. White Lake deserves its own post :)
The countdown is on... 12 days till I fly back to Uganda!
I spent the last month traveling all over the place. First stop: my dear friend Brenda Gladfelter's wedding to her Northern Irishman, Stephen McCollum. Brenda and I have been friends since we were awkward little kids running around making fairy houses at White Lake. Stephen is a quality guy and I'm so glad to invite him into the family :) Their wedding was beautiful and I enjoyed helping Mr. G in the kitchen, along with Kathryn and Stasia. I don't know when I'll ever get used to her being Mrs. McCollum though! Stasia, Kathryn and I stayed with Jenny and Jason Panella for a couple days, which was a fantastically good time, although poor Jenny had just returned from her mission trip to France and was completely jetlagged!
The day after the wedding I met up with my friends Andrew, Adam and Rachel, and we camped our way to the International Conference in Marion, Indiana. We stayed at KOA's both nights so we weren't roughing it too much, but it was a ton of fun. We went to Cedar Point (although the rain closed most of the big rides!! sadness) and went to see The Dark Knight Rises at a drive-in movie theater. Besides a leaky tent that didn't quite survive the thunderstorms one night, the trip was a great success. So glad I spent that time with friends instead of just driving straight out to the conference!
The RP International Conference was held at Indiana Wesleyan University, a really beautiful campus. Joel Beeke was the main speaker. Amazingly, he gave all his lectures that week despite the fact that his mother passed away the Monday morning of the conference. His talks and the breakout sessions were great. I tended to go to all the missions talks... I can't help myself :P Jim and Jenny Knox shared about Karamoja, and I also got to hear a presentation on Cush4Christ. So encouraged to hear how the Lord is blessing so many ministries around the world!
One of the difficult parts of the conference was simply that there were SO MANY PEOPLE. Over 2,200 RPs = craziness. So many times I'd see someone as I was on my way somewhere and say, "We'll catch up later!" never to see them again. I did get to spend a lot of quality time with old and new friends. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life! I'm looking forward to the next stateside conference in 2016 (I'll be 28 -- WHAT).
At the end of the conference, 11 of us began the journey to White Lake Covenanter Camp in Bob Allmond's 15-passenger van. White Lake deserves its own post :)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Frequent Flyer
The Wright family is finishing their furlough and will be headed back to Uganda on Wednesday. Of course, this is making me itch to get back to Karamoja, too....
9 1/2 weeks left in America! Seems like forever.
As many of you know, I'm working hard to save money and raise money so I can go back to the Orthodox Presbyterian Uganda Mission. There is one particular way that someone out there may be able to help me.
If you have frequent flyer miles that you don't use, would you consider sending some my way to help send me to Uganda? Plane tickets across the globe are very expensive ($2,000 give or take) and even a little bit of help in this area could be a huge blessing.
There are many other short-term missionaries who could benefit from frequent flyer miles -- this is just one of many creative ways you can help RP Missions!
9 1/2 weeks left in America! Seems like forever.
As many of you know, I'm working hard to save money and raise money so I can go back to the Orthodox Presbyterian Uganda Mission. There is one particular way that someone out there may be able to help me.
If you have frequent flyer miles that you don't use, would you consider sending some my way to help send me to Uganda? Plane tickets across the globe are very expensive ($2,000 give or take) and even a little bit of help in this area could be a huge blessing.
There are many other short-term missionaries who could benefit from frequent flyer miles -- this is just one of many creative ways you can help RP Missions!
Monday, June 18, 2012
The happiest place on earth...
... WHITE LAKE!
I am beginning my yearly appeal that everyone go to White Lake. Also, because I'm a team leader for the counselors this year (RP Missions sends a team each year) I'm looking for a few more fun, kind, Jesus-loving, energetic guys and gals to join our team. If you love working with kids (7+) or teens and you've got a few weeks open at the end of July/beginning of August, this could be a great way for you to minister to the church, meet some lovely people and make lasting memories. Some of the kids who come have grown up in the church; others have never really encountered the gospel before.
Check out the WL facebook page
or the WL website
to learn more.
Who wouldn't wanna spend three weeks with these bundles of fun?
I am beginning my yearly appeal that everyone go to White Lake. Also, because I'm a team leader for the counselors this year (RP Missions sends a team each year) I'm looking for a few more fun, kind, Jesus-loving, energetic guys and gals to join our team. If you love working with kids (7+) or teens and you've got a few weeks open at the end of July/beginning of August, this could be a great way for you to minister to the church, meet some lovely people and make lasting memories. Some of the kids who come have grown up in the church; others have never really encountered the gospel before.
Check out the WL facebook page
or the WL website
to learn more.
Who wouldn't wanna spend three weeks with these bundles of fun?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Singleness and the Mission Field
I want to write about an important facet of missions that I think isn't talked about too much. It's kind of a taboo subject.
The ratio of single men to single women on the mission field is 1:10. So, any guy going to the mission field has plenty of options as far as finding a spouse! But for a single woman who feels genuinely called to the mission field, we have to face facts. Most women who go to the field single will stay single. The rare exceptions prove the rule.
No one likes to talk about this. It's uncomfortable. But it's true - singleness is one of the things that has been the biggest stumbling block to me as I've tried to honestly say to God, "I'm in this for the long haul." This is not to say I haven't been content with being single. I think I have been; and I'm still young, so I haven't been too stressed about it. But I think most single women you meet who have committed to mid- or long-term missions work will agree -- marriage was always an assumption. We've grown up just expecting that it would happen eventually. Now we have to seriously face the prospect of postponed marriage, or never getting married, and maybe never having children of our own.
James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Count it ALL JOY.
I looked up the word steadfastness in the dictionary. It means unwavering, firm in conviction, fixed or unchanging. Keeping your eye on the prize, keeping the goal in mind, staying fixed on that goal.
As single women on the field, we face down the prospect of living alone in a hut or apartment for years and years. Many days this is fine, even exciting, and we KNOW it's worth it. Other days, it feels like a real trial. But just like any other trial, God puts this one in front of us and asks us to face it and overcome it through His strength so that we get to a point where we are more steadfast, unwavering, committed to the work of missions that He's called us to. And I think a part of facing the trial and getting to a place where you can "count it all joy" includes allowing yourself to mourn (for a time! not forever!) over your singleness.Mourn it, and move on. Don't linger over your bitterness, or constantly wonder if you should give up missions and go home to find a husband. Settle the issue once and for all.
This is something I have been fighting against for a while. I didn't want to mourn it, though some missions books I'd read had advised me to do so. I didn't want to accept it as a very possible part of the job description. But as I've been home in America for a while and so many people ask me about this, it's been hard for me to answer them honestly and say that I might not get married. It's been hard to honestly say that I'd be okay with that, if it's God's will.
So I prayed about it. I thought about it. I allowed myself to mourn my singleness and wrestled with God about it until now I think I've come to a place where I can honestly say that I am ready and willing to go to the mission field and stay single. I've settled it. I'm not going to fight with Him about it anymore.
I recognize that there may be work that I'm better able to do as a single woman. The fact that I love working with kids (which I always assumed meant I'd be a good mom) means that I can "mother" lots of kids overseas in a way that a married woman, focused on her own family, couldn't. That's a beautiful thing. I may also be able to go to places and work in settings that a family simply couldn't, or wouldn't.
And I know that the Lord is good. He's not punishing me, or my sisters in Christ who are serving alongside me. We're not defective or abandoned. We're not less worthy of marriage than our happily married friends. And who knows, maybe I will still get married someday. But if I don't, that's okay. I don't want that to get in the way of my steadfast following after God.
I'd love to hear how my other single missionary friends have dealt with this, and how I can pray for you. It's such an important topic and I think we should discuss it freely.
The ratio of single men to single women on the mission field is 1:10. So, any guy going to the mission field has plenty of options as far as finding a spouse! But for a single woman who feels genuinely called to the mission field, we have to face facts. Most women who go to the field single will stay single. The rare exceptions prove the rule.
No one likes to talk about this. It's uncomfortable. But it's true - singleness is one of the things that has been the biggest stumbling block to me as I've tried to honestly say to God, "I'm in this for the long haul." This is not to say I haven't been content with being single. I think I have been; and I'm still young, so I haven't been too stressed about it. But I think most single women you meet who have committed to mid- or long-term missions work will agree -- marriage was always an assumption. We've grown up just expecting that it would happen eventually. Now we have to seriously face the prospect of postponed marriage, or never getting married, and maybe never having children of our own.
James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Count it ALL JOY.
I looked up the word steadfastness in the dictionary. It means unwavering, firm in conviction, fixed or unchanging. Keeping your eye on the prize, keeping the goal in mind, staying fixed on that goal.
As single women on the field, we face down the prospect of living alone in a hut or apartment for years and years. Many days this is fine, even exciting, and we KNOW it's worth it. Other days, it feels like a real trial. But just like any other trial, God puts this one in front of us and asks us to face it and overcome it through His strength so that we get to a point where we are more steadfast, unwavering, committed to the work of missions that He's called us to. And I think a part of facing the trial and getting to a place where you can "count it all joy" includes allowing yourself to mourn (for a time! not forever!) over your singleness.Mourn it, and move on. Don't linger over your bitterness, or constantly wonder if you should give up missions and go home to find a husband. Settle the issue once and for all.
This is something I have been fighting against for a while. I didn't want to mourn it, though some missions books I'd read had advised me to do so. I didn't want to accept it as a very possible part of the job description. But as I've been home in America for a while and so many people ask me about this, it's been hard for me to answer them honestly and say that I might not get married. It's been hard to honestly say that I'd be okay with that, if it's God's will.
So I prayed about it. I thought about it. I allowed myself to mourn my singleness and wrestled with God about it until now I think I've come to a place where I can honestly say that I am ready and willing to go to the mission field and stay single. I've settled it. I'm not going to fight with Him about it anymore.
I recognize that there may be work that I'm better able to do as a single woman. The fact that I love working with kids (which I always assumed meant I'd be a good mom) means that I can "mother" lots of kids overseas in a way that a married woman, focused on her own family, couldn't. That's a beautiful thing. I may also be able to go to places and work in settings that a family simply couldn't, or wouldn't.
And I know that the Lord is good. He's not punishing me, or my sisters in Christ who are serving alongside me. We're not defective or abandoned. We're not less worthy of marriage than our happily married friends. And who knows, maybe I will still get married someday. But if I don't, that's okay. I don't want that to get in the way of my steadfast following after God.
I'd love to hear how my other single missionary friends have dealt with this, and how I can pray for you. It's such an important topic and I think we should discuss it freely.
Challenge... accepted?
Today was a good day.
God was kind of nudging me along all day, pushing me towards something. I couldn't tell what. I read my Bible, I wrote in my journal, I took a look at Operation World (which was getting dusty on my shelf). I read the new RP Witness magazine. I took a look at the Gentle Reformation blog.
Through a lot of different avenues, my thoughts today were pushed towards the unreached peoples. I often think about Karamoja, because I miss it, and it's become my home away from home. I often think about Sudan, because I have friends there. But today I kept feeling my thoughts drawn towards the Middle East.
I won't say I had any breakthrough moments or strange visions or anything. But somehow or other God got me thinking about this whole missions path I'm on. Where does this lead? Why am I doing this? How far am I willing to go? Am I using my resources and my gifts in the best possible way?
I know I'll be in Karamoja until next summer, but I really haven't thought at all about what I'll do after that. I keep challenging people to think about missions, to get involved, to go or send or support. But am I following my own advice? I'm quick to challenge others -- am I willing to challenge myself? Or rather, am I willing to accept any challenge the Lord might put in front of me?
Today I received my TEFL certification "diploma" in the mail. I took the TEFL course because I had been planning on teaching English in South Korea. That plan fell through, but now I have this certification that opens up a world (literally) of possibilities.
There are billions of unreached people in this world. Unreached. They are born, live, and die without ever hearing the name of Christ. There is NO local church to evangelize them. They know just enough about God to be condemned (Romans 1). They have an awareness of God, but they don't know the way to escape His wrath. They have never heard that there's a Redeemer. They have no idea and they never will know unless some go to tell them.
The fact is, the places that are still unreached are dangerous, and they don't want Christians. But that is NO excuse not to go.
I could get into difficult countries posed as an English teacher. But am I willing to go? Do I trust God enough to follow Him to a place where I will face persecution? Would I follow that road and face that challenge if He asked it of me?
Those are hard questions that we ALL need to ask ourselves.
I want to say yes, I'd go, but I have to be honest with myself. I'm not sure I'm at the point where I could do that. But I want to get to that point where I could follow such a challenge. I don't want to settle for a mediocre faith that allows me to be comfortable in America, or Uganda, but that couldn't stand up to the rigors of life in Pakistan or Nigeria. I can't put provisos on this call to missions. I can't say -- "God, I'll serve you faithfully, but not in these five countries." It's all or nothing. Because for the unreached peoples, my decision about this, and YOUR decision about this, could mean eternal life or death.
Don't brush this aside. If you're not specifically and clearly called to STAY in America in order to fulfill a ministry God has for you here, then you should seriously think about whether He wants you to go.
I was blessed by this sermon on missions by David Platt. It's worth a listen.
http://t4g.org/media/2012/04/divine-sovereignty-the-fuel-of-death-defying-missions/
God was kind of nudging me along all day, pushing me towards something. I couldn't tell what. I read my Bible, I wrote in my journal, I took a look at Operation World (which was getting dusty on my shelf). I read the new RP Witness magazine. I took a look at the Gentle Reformation blog.
Through a lot of different avenues, my thoughts today were pushed towards the unreached peoples. I often think about Karamoja, because I miss it, and it's become my home away from home. I often think about Sudan, because I have friends there. But today I kept feeling my thoughts drawn towards the Middle East.
I won't say I had any breakthrough moments or strange visions or anything. But somehow or other God got me thinking about this whole missions path I'm on. Where does this lead? Why am I doing this? How far am I willing to go? Am I using my resources and my gifts in the best possible way?
I know I'll be in Karamoja until next summer, but I really haven't thought at all about what I'll do after that. I keep challenging people to think about missions, to get involved, to go or send or support. But am I following my own advice? I'm quick to challenge others -- am I willing to challenge myself? Or rather, am I willing to accept any challenge the Lord might put in front of me?
Today I received my TEFL certification "diploma" in the mail. I took the TEFL course because I had been planning on teaching English in South Korea. That plan fell through, but now I have this certification that opens up a world (literally) of possibilities.
There are billions of unreached people in this world. Unreached. They are born, live, and die without ever hearing the name of Christ. There is NO local church to evangelize them. They know just enough about God to be condemned (Romans 1). They have an awareness of God, but they don't know the way to escape His wrath. They have never heard that there's a Redeemer. They have no idea and they never will know unless some go to tell them.
The fact is, the places that are still unreached are dangerous, and they don't want Christians. But that is NO excuse not to go.
I could get into difficult countries posed as an English teacher. But am I willing to go? Do I trust God enough to follow Him to a place where I will face persecution? Would I follow that road and face that challenge if He asked it of me?
Those are hard questions that we ALL need to ask ourselves.
I want to say yes, I'd go, but I have to be honest with myself. I'm not sure I'm at the point where I could do that. But I want to get to that point where I could follow such a challenge. I don't want to settle for a mediocre faith that allows me to be comfortable in America, or Uganda, but that couldn't stand up to the rigors of life in Pakistan or Nigeria. I can't put provisos on this call to missions. I can't say -- "God, I'll serve you faithfully, but not in these five countries." It's all or nothing. Because for the unreached peoples, my decision about this, and YOUR decision about this, could mean eternal life or death.
Don't brush this aside. If you're not specifically and clearly called to STAY in America in order to fulfill a ministry God has for you here, then you should seriously think about whether He wants you to go.
I was blessed by this sermon on missions by David Platt. It's worth a listen.
http://t4g.org/media/2012/04/divine-sovereignty-the-fuel-of-death-defying-missions/
Friday, May 18, 2012
Emotional Needs of Women on the Mission Field
http://mrnet.org/system/files/library/emotional_needs_of_women_on_mission_field.pdf
This is an extremely helpful article on the emotional needs of both married and single women on the mission field. Whether you're a missionary yourself, or the friend of a woman on the field, this is good reading. It will help you at home know how to pray for us and encourage us on the field -- and it will help those of us on the field know how to support each other! I'm going to spend some time really thinking and praying through these topics. I was shocked at how the author hit the nail on the head. She addressed problems that I know have been in the back of my mind, but I haven't been able to articulate even to myself.
This is an extremely helpful article on the emotional needs of both married and single women on the mission field. Whether you're a missionary yourself, or the friend of a woman on the field, this is good reading. It will help you at home know how to pray for us and encourage us on the field -- and it will help those of us on the field know how to support each other! I'm going to spend some time really thinking and praying through these topics. I was shocked at how the author hit the nail on the head. She addressed problems that I know have been in the back of my mind, but I haven't been able to articulate even to myself.
Recent articles about Karamoja - including Nakapiripirit district
The Karamoja Cultural Museum. Funny that they had to give the definition of a museum in the article! We should visit... -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/1365580/-/1045t8z/-/index.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/We+have+lost+confidence+in+Museveni++say+Karamoja+MPs/-/688334/1404554/-/jrnyec/-/index.html -- so much for our road being paved! they were promising that when I went in 2009, they had shown some signs of progress last year (piles of marum on the side of the road, not yet smoothed out) -- now it sounds like it's been taken off the reconstruction list
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda+among+worst+countries+in+human+devt/-/688334/1405322/-/n9lrv7z/-/index.html
Serious flooding especially around Namalu, which is the market town we go to each week. This flooding will probably cause serious food shortages for the Karimojong later on in the year.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1404566/-/ahy3rnz/-/index.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1395080/-/avhe13z/-/index.html
Nakapiripirit is the most corrupt district in Karamoja, 1 billion Ugandan shillings embezzled -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1375656/-/awpc6gz/-/index.html
Kidepo!! -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1375130/-/nnh43i/-/index.html
Wildfires -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1369572/-/ax94ivz/-/index.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/We+have+lost+confidence+in+Museveni++say+Karamoja+MPs/-/688334/1404554/-/jrnyec/-/index.html -- so much for our road being paved! they were promising that when I went in 2009, they had shown some signs of progress last year (piles of marum on the side of the road, not yet smoothed out) -- now it sounds like it's been taken off the reconstruction list
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Uganda+among+worst+countries+in+human+devt/-/688334/1405322/-/n9lrv7z/-/index.html
Serious flooding especially around Namalu, which is the market town we go to each week. This flooding will probably cause serious food shortages for the Karimojong later on in the year.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1404566/-/ahy3rnz/-/index.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1395080/-/avhe13z/-/index.html
Nakapiripirit is the most corrupt district in Karamoja, 1 billion Ugandan shillings embezzled -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1375656/-/awpc6gz/-/index.html
Kidepo!! -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Travel/-/691238/1375130/-/nnh43i/-/index.html
Wildfires -- http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1369572/-/ax94ivz/-/index.html
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Email List
IMPORTANT REQUEST:
During my last stay in Karamoja, I did not send email updates. I'd like to send regular updates and prayer requests while I'm over for 11 months, beginning in September. I'll be using an email service called MailChimp to send these regular emails.
If you would like to receive my email updates next year (which will hopefully include pictures, prayer requests, and highlights of my work) please email me at emilygpihl@gmail.com. I'm putting my email list together now so I can send out a test email and see how this works.
I'm guessing I'll be sending email updates more often than I update this blog (because last time I went through long periods when blogger wouldn't load on the slow internet connection). I'm hoping to send them out biweekly.
Thanks!
Emily
During my last stay in Karamoja, I did not send email updates. I'd like to send regular updates and prayer requests while I'm over for 11 months, beginning in September. I'll be using an email service called MailChimp to send these regular emails.
If you would like to receive my email updates next year (which will hopefully include pictures, prayer requests, and highlights of my work) please email me at emilygpihl@gmail.com. I'm putting my email list together now so I can send out a test email and see how this works.
I'm guessing I'll be sending email updates more often than I update this blog (because last time I went through long periods when blogger wouldn't load on the slow internet connection). I'm hoping to send them out biweekly.
Thanks!
Emily
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Reality Check
So, I admit it, I'm enjoying America. I like having soft hair. I like going five minutes up the road to Wegmans to buy any kind of food I want. I like paved roads and speaking the local language (annoying Western NY "a's" included). I like my comfy bed and going outside at night without a flashlight and not having to remember my malaria pills every day.
But a particular conversation popped into my head the other day. It wasn't a conversation, really. More like a rebuke. Once I was with the Wrights and one of the kids was talking about this or that thing that they missed from America, and their dad Bob said very bluntly that grumbling and complaining is sin. Don't think about all the nice things you miss in America. Don't complain, "well, we wouldn't have to deal with THIS in America!" Just don't. If you're where God wants you to be, be thankful. Don't focus on the negatives. Grumbling is one of those respectable sins that we all do -- but that sin sent Jesus Christ to the cross just as much as the sin of murder.
I do love America. I'm glad I'm here. But I've realized over the past few weeks, as lots of people have asked me, "Do you think you could actually LIVE over there? Like, forever?" I can say YES and really mean it. America is not my home. Just last week I was beginning to steep myself in the whole "American dream" thing again -- imagining living in this country forever, and all the things I'd want. But it didn't take long for me to realize what I was doing -- how materialistic and self-centered that mindset is. I don't think God planned for me to live the American dream. I don't really want it. I WANT to be in Africa. I love being there. And even some of the things that from an American standpoint would seem like losses there are actually a blessing. Bad roads mean you stay close to home which means you build a great sense of community. Living simply is a relief. Not feeling a need to keep up with the Joneses is fantastic. Even the freedom to walk around without makeup and not having to iron nice clothes - it's freeing :)
Maybe I will end up living in America, and that's fine. But I don't ever want to fall into the American Dream trap. I don't ever want to start believing the ads on TV that say your life is incomplete without the new cool thing on the market. I would much rather live in a hut with almost no possessions and really LIVE, than live in a nice house full of all kinds of gadgets, and be a shell of the person God created me to be.
Those are just my disjointed thoughts.
But a particular conversation popped into my head the other day. It wasn't a conversation, really. More like a rebuke. Once I was with the Wrights and one of the kids was talking about this or that thing that they missed from America, and their dad Bob said very bluntly that grumbling and complaining is sin. Don't think about all the nice things you miss in America. Don't complain, "well, we wouldn't have to deal with THIS in America!" Just don't. If you're where God wants you to be, be thankful. Don't focus on the negatives. Grumbling is one of those respectable sins that we all do -- but that sin sent Jesus Christ to the cross just as much as the sin of murder.
I do love America. I'm glad I'm here. But I've realized over the past few weeks, as lots of people have asked me, "Do you think you could actually LIVE over there? Like, forever?" I can say YES and really mean it. America is not my home. Just last week I was beginning to steep myself in the whole "American dream" thing again -- imagining living in this country forever, and all the things I'd want. But it didn't take long for me to realize what I was doing -- how materialistic and self-centered that mindset is. I don't think God planned for me to live the American dream. I don't really want it. I WANT to be in Africa. I love being there. And even some of the things that from an American standpoint would seem like losses there are actually a blessing. Bad roads mean you stay close to home which means you build a great sense of community. Living simply is a relief. Not feeling a need to keep up with the Joneses is fantastic. Even the freedom to walk around without makeup and not having to iron nice clothes - it's freeing :)
Maybe I will end up living in America, and that's fine. But I don't ever want to fall into the American Dream trap. I don't ever want to start believing the ads on TV that say your life is incomplete without the new cool thing on the market. I would much rather live in a hut with almost no possessions and really LIVE, than live in a nice house full of all kinds of gadgets, and be a shell of the person God created me to be.
Those are just my disjointed thoughts.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Life Update :)
I've been negligent lately. I'm facing serious writer's block, and thinking about making some changes to the way I blog. But in the meantime, for those of you who diligently check this page and are constantly disappointed (what awesome friends you are!) here's a short life update.
I'm settled in at home with my parents and my huge American cats in Fairport, NY. I really do like our little town on the Erie Canal. It's a 20-30 minute walk from my house down the canal path into the village, where there's shopping, restaurants, a library, and a couple nice coffee shops. Plus, it's just beautiful on the canal. I'm always telling my parents we should get kayaks or something, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday.
I've been blessed with plenty of short-term work so far! My first full week back I did three nights of overnight babysitting and some daytime sitting, which went fine. Now I'm helping with house remodeling/post-remodeling clean up (sheet rock dust!!) for a family in my church. Stephen and Terri have always been so helpful in either giving me work, or helping me to find work. THANK YOU! I'll be working with Terri on the house for at least two more weeks. I've also had several people contact me already for regular babysitting work, so I'm booked up. It's a good feeling!
It's been wonderful to be back with my church family again. I missed them so much. I really have a wonderful family at church -- they are so encouraging and supportive. I missed my girls! I tend to hang out with the teenagers at church, which is fun. It's cool to see the kids I used to take care of now taking the SATs, doing high school sports, thinking about college or careers. And of course, I missed the babies at church. There are a LOT of them!
I'm looking forward to spending a week and a half in California at the end of May. My grandma is turning 90, so mom, David and Christi and I will go up to Fresno to celebrate with her. Unfortunately dad can't get off work, so he's gotta hold down the fort in Rochester. I love visiting California, and I'm glad I have so many relatives over there so I've got an excuse to go there every couple years! We'll spend a couple days in LA with David, then go up to Fresno for the rest of the trip. Looking forward to a tour of Paramount Studios, some hiking ("death marches" as we so lovingly refer to them) and seeing my Karamoja roommate Erika in San Diego!
Keep in touch!
Emily
I'm settled in at home with my parents and my huge American cats in Fairport, NY. I really do like our little town on the Erie Canal. It's a 20-30 minute walk from my house down the canal path into the village, where there's shopping, restaurants, a library, and a couple nice coffee shops. Plus, it's just beautiful on the canal. I'm always telling my parents we should get kayaks or something, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday.
I've been blessed with plenty of short-term work so far! My first full week back I did three nights of overnight babysitting and some daytime sitting, which went fine. Now I'm helping with house remodeling/post-remodeling clean up (sheet rock dust!!) for a family in my church. Stephen and Terri have always been so helpful in either giving me work, or helping me to find work. THANK YOU! I'll be working with Terri on the house for at least two more weeks. I've also had several people contact me already for regular babysitting work, so I'm booked up. It's a good feeling!
It's been wonderful to be back with my church family again. I missed them so much. I really have a wonderful family at church -- they are so encouraging and supportive. I missed my girls! I tend to hang out with the teenagers at church, which is fun. It's cool to see the kids I used to take care of now taking the SATs, doing high school sports, thinking about college or careers. And of course, I missed the babies at church. There are a LOT of them!
I'm looking forward to spending a week and a half in California at the end of May. My grandma is turning 90, so mom, David and Christi and I will go up to Fresno to celebrate with her. Unfortunately dad can't get off work, so he's gotta hold down the fort in Rochester. I love visiting California, and I'm glad I have so many relatives over there so I've got an excuse to go there every couple years! We'll spend a couple days in LA with David, then go up to Fresno for the rest of the trip. Looking forward to a tour of Paramount Studios, some hiking ("death marches" as we so lovingly refer to them) and seeing my Karamoja roommate Erika in San Diego!
Keep in touch!
Emily
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
So, how was it?
“So, how was it?”
You couldn’t ask a harder question. How to summarize six months into one answer? I’ll tell you it was great, amazing. But where to go from there?
To those of you who asked me this question in the last few days, I apologize for any lame answers I gave. To be honest, answering this question effectively requires a lot of thought and intentionality, and I can’t say I offered much of substance to every person I talked to this week.
When someone puts this question to me, my mind spins and I seem to lose the power of speech. What does this person want to hear? Everyone wants to hear about snakes, safaris, massive spiders, language lessons, etc. It’s easy to sensationalize the experience. But even as I’m rattling off the snake-in-a-bag story again, in the back of my mind I know that I need to offer a deeper answer.
How was it? Let me tell you what God did for me, for my team, for the Karimojong. Let’s get past the fluffy, exciting stories and get to the meat of the matter.
Ask me specific questions about the ministry there, about how God is growing His church in Karamoja, about my role in the work. I would love to talk deeply about all the things I did and saw (and now that I’m not jetlagged, maybe my responses will be coherent). Don’t be afraid to challenge me with real questions. It’s good for me to think deeply about my work there, and it’s edifying to the body of Christ when I can share with you how our Lord is at work across the world.
You couldn’t ask a harder question. How to summarize six months into one answer? I’ll tell you it was great, amazing. But where to go from there?
To those of you who asked me this question in the last few days, I apologize for any lame answers I gave. To be honest, answering this question effectively requires a lot of thought and intentionality, and I can’t say I offered much of substance to every person I talked to this week.
When someone puts this question to me, my mind spins and I seem to lose the power of speech. What does this person want to hear? Everyone wants to hear about snakes, safaris, massive spiders, language lessons, etc. It’s easy to sensationalize the experience. But even as I’m rattling off the snake-in-a-bag story again, in the back of my mind I know that I need to offer a deeper answer.
How was it? Let me tell you what God did for me, for my team, for the Karimojong. Let’s get past the fluffy, exciting stories and get to the meat of the matter.
Ask me specific questions about the ministry there, about how God is growing His church in Karamoja, about my role in the work. I would love to talk deeply about all the things I did and saw (and now that I’m not jetlagged, maybe my responses will be coherent). Don’t be afraid to challenge me with real questions. It’s good for me to think deeply about my work there, and it’s edifying to the body of Christ when I can share with you how our Lord is at work across the world.
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