JOURNEY TO UGANDA

Plot Twists

 I just love a good story, don't you? It is so exciting when the plot changes suddenly and unexplainably.  The anticipation of what will happen next is what keeps us engaged in either a book, a movie or a storyteller.

Have you thought about the many 'plot twists' in God's Word? The very first time you read Jonah, did you really expect him to be swallowed by a big fish?  And survive? What about Joseph with his dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, did you ever think he would have been sold to the Egyptians, unjustly accused and put in prison for years, only to become the first in command under Pharaoh and save his family from dying of starvation? What about Moses, did you ever guess that after being placed in a basket in the Nile, having a 'burning bush' experience, leading God's people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land that in the end he would only be able to look at it from a distance and not go in himself? Or Esther the Jewess becoming the Queen of Persia? Really?

In fact, the entire Bible is FILLED with plot twists – just read Revelation!!

What about when God brings a 'plot twist' into your life?  Oops, it got quiet all of the sudden.

Some plot twists are HUGE – like death, disease, divorce, a major move, marriage, a new baby or a new job. Others are shorter term – like a flat tire, running out of gas, a broken AC in the summertime, a failed class, or a cold.  Then there are those that affect us daily – like missing the green light and having to wait FOREVER for it to come around again! Tripping on the sidewalk and skinning our knee, or pouring rain when the weatherman says it is supposed to be sunny and we are not prepared or not having that one ingredient for your new recipe that you've already started!!

We tend to think of a 'plot twist' being something negative but in reality, when God changes things, then it is the very best it could possibly be for us and for all of those around us. Maybe even for many whom we don't even know.

So why did I bring up 'Plot Twists' today? Because I've had a few lately and I'm learning that it is rather fun to see what is going to happen next.

I can't believe it has been about four months since I have posted.  I really need to get better at it if I am going to post while on my trip to Uganda in August. I will try to update you quickly.

I am so thankful for the Lord's provision. He is showing me again and again how He is providing for me in every way.

#1 As of this week all of the finances have come in!! Praise God!!!

#2 I was able to get on the exact same flights as some missionary friends who are flying to .....Kampala!!! And on the return flights with a couple from their team.

#3 The flights are simple  - San Francisco to Dubai  - overnight - and Dubai to Entebbe the next morning. God is so good!  The return flights are the same just backward.

#4 All shots and medical needs are taken care of  with the exception of one trip need to Member Services for some paperwork.

Now for the plot twists!!

#1 - Some situations have changed and Stephanie will not be accompanying me on this trip.  This trip may help me to better assess the needs and  prepare to take a team over next time.

#2 - Some details that I thought were taken care of (like getting to and from San Francisco) have changed so God has another plan - I just don't know it yet, although He has given me two possibilities already.

#3 - Time is going too fast!!! My grandson is playing baseball in the Tournament of Champions and also made it on the All Star Little League team. So baseball games continue longer than anticipated and this Gramma loves watching her grandson play ball!!  However, it does make for less time to get everything ready.

Like reading a great book, I am excited to see what God is going to do next few weeks and just how all of these 'plot twist' will fall into play.  He is the greatest writer and storyteller so I know it's going to be good.  

"A man's heart plans his way but the LORD directs his steps."  ~ Pr. 16:9

 

I am thankful to have Him directing my steps. And how thankful I am for each of you who are praying for me. May God richly bless you.

Until next time...

~ Serving Him with Great Joy!!

Pam

 

 

 

 

JOURNEY TO UGANDA

What an incredible time Stephanie and I had last night!

Bill & Lillie Smith, Tim & Jody Fariss, Stephanie and I had the privilege of skyping with Pastor James and his wife Lillian in Kampala, Uganda. It's so hard to believe that you can actually see, hear and talk to people that are halfway around the world.

I think Stephanie and I both feel a bit breathless as well as totally excited and in awe of God that He would call us to join Him in His work at Kampala Community Church.
At this time it looks like we will be staying with Pastor James and Lillian in their home, and we are really looking forward to that.
There will be many opportunities for both of us to speak and to share with the women there.  Stephanie will be speaking with and ministering greatly to the high school and college girls there, which we understand to be possibly a few hundred! YIKES! She will concentrate on discipleship as well as how to live a holy life, purity, etc.
I will have the wonderful opportunity of working with 6 women who are in leadership of women,  within the church as well as to all the women (yes, could be a lot!!) through morning and evening sessions, Tuesday night ladies LifeGroup (just like at home!!) and of course many encounters through the day with them on a more individual basis.

There will be an interpreter with us every time we speak, because many of the adults have not been educated in English. That alone will be very different for us. We hope to come home with at least a small Lugandon  vocabulary.

The youth have their services on Saturday evenings so I’m sure we will be at both the Saturday and Sunday services.

Pastor James has asked us to speak/teach on the subject of discipleship, including: How to study the Word, prayer, serving, daily devoted time with God, living a holy life, singleness, as well as parenting (there are many single moms and even married moms who are the providers for the family as well are raising the children).

We will also be able to take a ‘holiday’ and ARM ministries will transport us to Mubende to see Samuel and Sandra! That will be an amazing time for me I know. I just received a note from Sandra and she calls me 'mum'. I can't wait to see them and actually TALK with them!

In addition, we will be able to tour of the deaf school in Kampala as one of the men in the church is a student there! I’m really looking forward to that and to the possibility of purchasing a USL (Ugandan Sign Language) Dictionary and yes, learning as much of their Sign as I can.

Please pray as we work on getting prayer letters out by Mar 1. We will each need to raise about $3,000.00 – this is a rough estimate at this time. Also, please pray for us as we seek God’s guidance in putting together the different lessons/devotions/workshops that we need to put together.  Pastor James will be emailing us the ‘calendar of events’ which will be very helpful.

Also, we have been asked to teach them some ‘life skills’. I am open for your suggestions in that area as I am at a loss there. Maybe this trip will give me ideas of the need and next time I go I’ll have to take YOU with me to teach those life skills.

Until next time ~

Serving Him with great joy!!

Pam

 

ANOTHER YEAR

I just love new beginnings! I cannot believe that it has been an entire year since I have written on this blog. I wanted so much to write at LEAST once a month.  I probably shouldn't decide that in January because I work at a CPA firm and January is the beginning of tax season!! 

HOWEVER, this year is different.  Our God is all about new beginnings, and THIS year ~ 2014~ writing on this blog is going to have a higher priority. You see, God is calling me to a great adventure that is entirely out of my comfort zone and yet I believe it to be the most exciting adventure I have had so far, and I believe it is only the beginning.

God has called me to go to Kampala, Uganda, to share God's Word and God's love with the women at the Kampala Community Church.  The journey is just beginning and there is much to do to get ready.  I will not be going until the end of July so I hope to keep at least a brief record on this blog of this time of preparation and then will post on it when I can while I am gone for three weeks. I am praying that as I share how God uses all of this in my own personal life, that it may be an encouragement to someone else to step out where God is leading you.

I will begin with the verse that God has laid upon my heart as the theme verse for my ministry in Uganda:

Joshua 22:5

"But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Within this verse are five challenges given to us. Each one is crucial to living daily in an abiding relationship with Christ. These are the things that I believe God wants me to share with the women in Uganda.

  In the next few months there will be many things to do to prepare. Since I have never done anything like this before, I don't really know what all there is to do but I am learning quickly and I am thankful for those who are helping me and encouraging me and praying for me.

I have a wonderful young lady who will be traveling and ministering with me.  I am so thankful to God for bringing her into my life and putting Africa on her heart as well.  She has some experience in traveling out of the country and in packing simply!!

I am taking the saying "LIVE SIMPLY" to heart as I prepare to travel to a land and culture very different from what I am accustomed to. And I am beyond excited!

More details will come as we move forward in our preparation.

~To the glory of His name!!

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