Baby Peace is the kindergarten class I assist with in the mornings. Within the four walls of this classroom sit Uganda's most precious babies ever...not that I'm partial or anything!
Teachers: Justine and Barbara
Justine, who I have mentioned several times, is absolutely my angel sent from the Lord. She is compassionate toward me, tender hearted toward the children, with just enough spice to keep me laughing!
Barbara is also a sweetheart and reminds me of Maria in The Sound of Music...she is always singing to the children with the most beautiful voice. And always songs of God's character...His love, faithfulness, goodness.
Meet the kids!
Lennon
Jonah
Enock, loves to call me over to his table to show my pretty much anything...he just wants my attention which I gladly poor out!
Faisal
Elisha
Noad
Abdi
Haman
Kenneth
Matthew
Emma, is a boy....Short for Emmanuel!
Sumuy, is a little pistol! He's always threatening to twist one of the kids ears off, but underneath his threats lie the sweetest eyes. He comes across BOLD, but underneath God has given him a meek and perceptive spirit.
Isaac
Edrine
Tindi, has the cutest smile...when he smiles you can't help but want to give him a big hug!
Innocent
Josephine
Christine
Esther, is my baby girl!!!! She always has a snot rag tied to her uniform because her nose constantly runs! It's so gross and endearing!! She has a way of looking up at me that melts my heart and I have a hard time not holding her ALL the time!
Fortunate, looks like tweety bird! And I mean this is the nicest way. She is beautiful...her features all come to a cute point in the center of her face...I can't explain well, but I'll try to get a picture.
Samantha
Nene
Pach
Mercy
Rhinah
Rachael, is a hard one for me. I love her and try to affirm her through hugs and kind words, but she is very guarded and often seeks my attention by causing problems or hitting me. Please pray for Rachael...I wish I had my Play Therapy certification already so I could know how to get through to her. Pray the Lord gives me wisdom.
Phoebe
There's so many! And I am still learning all their precious personalities! Now you can pray for them by name! I will try to include funny stories as they come because we all know this age produces great material!!!
I love you all!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Hi Everyone!
Sorry I haven't written in a while! The electricity has been very unstable this past week and it's been impossible to get on the internet! I've been sick this week as well, but Pastor Dongo took me to the doctor yesterday and I am doing much better. I developed a bad cough and couldn't breath. The doctor said I had a virus due to pollution and dust, etc, that my body is not used to. I got plenty of medicine and I am feeling much better. Cool thing though...so last night, I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep and the owner of the field directly behind my room at the hotel started burning waste, crops, or whatever else you burn. I'm used to this as he does it a couple of times a week. All the sudden the Holy Spirit reminded me that as a child I was very allergic to smoke and often had asthma attacks. It's something I never experience in the States because I'm not exposed to large amounts of smoke. So, I asked to move rooms, which should happen soon, and I am confident I will no longer be struggling with this whole sickness thing! I have missed a couple days of school and can't wait to get back to see the kids!
Please pray for the teachers and students of God Cares Primary School because many of them are also suffereing from illness due to the environment. Specifically, please pray God heals Teacher Justine and her children!
I love yall! Thanks as always for the prayers! God uses each of you to encourage me and remind me of His grace everyday!
Jenna
Please pray for the teachers and students of God Cares Primary School because many of them are also suffereing from illness due to the environment. Specifically, please pray God heals Teacher Justine and her children!
I love yall! Thanks as always for the prayers! God uses each of you to encourage me and remind me of His grace everyday!
Jenna
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Happy 4th of July!!
Happy, Happy 4th everybody! Hope everyone has fun celebrating!!! Thank you Jesus for our independence!
Well, it's been a week since I last posted. I have arrived safely in Uganda and everything is going well. The trip over was very smooth, thank God, as I was nervous to navigate international airports all alone. God placed several individuals along the way to help me get where I was going, and I layed my head to sleep around midnight on last Wednesday. Funny story...What is the one item you should always take with you on a mission trip? Maybe a bible???? Yeah, I forgot mine. Thankfully the airport in Atlanta had a bookstore. Also, what's the rule about drinking foreign water? Don't do it! Too late. The first night I brushed my teeth with Ugandan water...upon realizing what I had done I started spitting profusely and had to throw my toothbrush away. No worries, I had a back up. And I didn't get sick! Thanks again to God.
Everyday I wake up around 6:30pm when I start my sunscreen/bugspray marathon. I where bugspray in the morning, and in the afternoon, early in the evening, and underneath the moon, oh! My skin is breaking out because I constantly have to apply so many chemicals, but it's all in all, it's great! After I get ready I head to breakfast where I eat an omlet and two pieces of toast. Then I head to school.
Upon arrival I am greeted by Justine! I love Justine as I spend all morning in her kindergarten class helping her prepare for the students. Kindergarten in Uganda starts as early as 2.5 years...needless to say, these kids are precious! They all have names like Mercy and Grace...it's hard to keep them straight!! The kindergarteners leave around 12pm, after which I eat lunch with staff and the older kids. This is always a challenge...I kind of feel like I'm in 6th grade again looking for somone to sit with...might sound stupid, but this is a very humbling exercise.
I am learning to keep my eyes on the Lord at all times because if I look down even for a second I will sink in fear...fear of man, fear for my safety, just plain fear.
After lunch I help the teachers of older students grade papers. They are strict here in Uganda! It is good because the students are held to a very high standard. They work VERY hard, as all Ugandans do. In the afternoon, after school lets out I play with the children until around 5pm and then go home to have dinner, read, and go to sleep.
So this is a day in the life of this missionary. Exciting right?!!! I am so blessed by all of you. Thanks for your emails, your Facebook posts, your prayers, and your love!!
More later...I have to go to school!!!!!!!!!
Jenna
Well, it's been a week since I last posted. I have arrived safely in Uganda and everything is going well. The trip over was very smooth, thank God, as I was nervous to navigate international airports all alone. God placed several individuals along the way to help me get where I was going, and I layed my head to sleep around midnight on last Wednesday. Funny story...What is the one item you should always take with you on a mission trip? Maybe a bible???? Yeah, I forgot mine. Thankfully the airport in Atlanta had a bookstore. Also, what's the rule about drinking foreign water? Don't do it! Too late. The first night I brushed my teeth with Ugandan water...upon realizing what I had done I started spitting profusely and had to throw my toothbrush away. No worries, I had a back up. And I didn't get sick! Thanks again to God.
Everyday I wake up around 6:30pm when I start my sunscreen/bugspray marathon. I where bugspray in the morning, and in the afternoon, early in the evening, and underneath the moon, oh! My skin is breaking out because I constantly have to apply so many chemicals, but it's all in all, it's great! After I get ready I head to breakfast where I eat an omlet and two pieces of toast. Then I head to school.
Upon arrival I am greeted by Justine! I love Justine as I spend all morning in her kindergarten class helping her prepare for the students. Kindergarten in Uganda starts as early as 2.5 years...needless to say, these kids are precious! They all have names like Mercy and Grace...it's hard to keep them straight!! The kindergarteners leave around 12pm, after which I eat lunch with staff and the older kids. This is always a challenge...I kind of feel like I'm in 6th grade again looking for somone to sit with...might sound stupid, but this is a very humbling exercise.
I am learning to keep my eyes on the Lord at all times because if I look down even for a second I will sink in fear...fear of man, fear for my safety, just plain fear.
After lunch I help the teachers of older students grade papers. They are strict here in Uganda! It is good because the students are held to a very high standard. They work VERY hard, as all Ugandans do. In the afternoon, after school lets out I play with the children until around 5pm and then go home to have dinner, read, and go to sleep.
So this is a day in the life of this missionary. Exciting right?!!! I am so blessed by all of you. Thanks for your emails, your Facebook posts, your prayers, and your love!!
More later...I have to go to school!!!!!!!!!
Jenna
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Uganda, You Pearl, You Pretty Jewel, You
So today is the big day. The plane will take off from DFW, connect in Atlanta (not Detroit as I told many of you), onto Amsterdam, with a final touch down in Uganda, the "Pearl of Africa." I should arrive at 0'773245 hours (my amazing attempt at military time), also known as 10pm.
The saying "it takes a village to raise child" has seemed very applicable to my own life as I've, or we've rather, prepared for this two month long journey. My intentions didn't set out that way though. Early on I was convinced I could go it alone. I can remember sitting in my backyard many months ago with a dear friend, daydreaming of a day I would return to Africa, and trying desperately to figure out a way to make it happen. Maybe I would sell my car. Maybe I would get a second job. There had to be a way I could earn my way back into Uganda. As time went on, my desperation dwindled along with my hope, and Africa officially became a "back burner" item. After all, it didn't seem likely I would be able to earn enough money to make it to Africa, while keeping things in America under wraps, and there was that whole grad school idea. So I let it go.
And that's when God revived a dream I had decided was improbable, if not impossible. I believe with all my heart that God intended Africa for me all along. So why did my dream have to die to truly take root? I can see in hindsight God was setting the stage to pour out His love with extreme lavishness.
And also I believe He was giving me a precious lesson on His character and intentions toward us, His children.
What I'm about to say is counter cultural in America, but I believe it's very "PC" in God's kingdom, so bear with me. :) God used my failure to earn my way, as a means to provide a gift given by grace. That is the gospel, right? God provided us with a gift, the death and resurrection of Jesus, to provide for what we cannot earn, His favor. As I've recognized this, I can't help but wonder how many gifts I've refused to receive because I was too proud to accept a handout from Him.
Last year in Uganda I was struck by the level of dependency I saw all around me. Honestly, it made me a little mad. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, right? Wrong. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the bootstrap analogy is not synonymous with God's heart for His children. What I'm learning is that God desires our dependency because it makes room for His work, His glory, and His desire to provide for us. I'm not suggesting we all quit our jobs and wait for a handout. Quite the opposite actually. With great gifts come great responsibility, and when we recognize the gifts God has given us I believe it will be our natural inclination to work hard to excel in the areas God has blessed. In my mind it goes back to realizing that God pursues constantly, our only job is to respond to the ways in which He is calling our heart.
I would like to proclaim with all my heart my gratitude for my failed plans. I didn't earn this opportunity, it was given to me. Through my inability to provide for myself, I was humbled to a place of dependency on Jesus, and also a dependency on you. God has used each of you to confirm, prepare, and make a way for this mission trip. Had I done it by myself I would have missed out on the encouragement, provision, and most importantly, the love God knew I needed in order to see Africa once again. God is faithful, He is trustworthy, and He always has our best interest at heart, even when it hurts. I think I have a new goal in life. Pure dependency.
Love yall! Thanks for everything!
PS- I got into grad school!!!!!!!!!
The saying "it takes a village to raise child" has seemed very applicable to my own life as I've, or we've rather, prepared for this two month long journey. My intentions didn't set out that way though. Early on I was convinced I could go it alone. I can remember sitting in my backyard many months ago with a dear friend, daydreaming of a day I would return to Africa, and trying desperately to figure out a way to make it happen. Maybe I would sell my car. Maybe I would get a second job. There had to be a way I could earn my way back into Uganda. As time went on, my desperation dwindled along with my hope, and Africa officially became a "back burner" item. After all, it didn't seem likely I would be able to earn enough money to make it to Africa, while keeping things in America under wraps, and there was that whole grad school idea. So I let it go.
And that's when God revived a dream I had decided was improbable, if not impossible. I believe with all my heart that God intended Africa for me all along. So why did my dream have to die to truly take root? I can see in hindsight God was setting the stage to pour out His love with extreme lavishness.
And also I believe He was giving me a precious lesson on His character and intentions toward us, His children.
What I'm about to say is counter cultural in America, but I believe it's very "PC" in God's kingdom, so bear with me. :) God used my failure to earn my way, as a means to provide a gift given by grace. That is the gospel, right? God provided us with a gift, the death and resurrection of Jesus, to provide for what we cannot earn, His favor. As I've recognized this, I can't help but wonder how many gifts I've refused to receive because I was too proud to accept a handout from Him.
Last year in Uganda I was struck by the level of dependency I saw all around me. Honestly, it made me a little mad. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, right? Wrong. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the bootstrap analogy is not synonymous with God's heart for His children. What I'm learning is that God desires our dependency because it makes room for His work, His glory, and His desire to provide for us. I'm not suggesting we all quit our jobs and wait for a handout. Quite the opposite actually. With great gifts come great responsibility, and when we recognize the gifts God has given us I believe it will be our natural inclination to work hard to excel in the areas God has blessed. In my mind it goes back to realizing that God pursues constantly, our only job is to respond to the ways in which He is calling our heart.
I would like to proclaim with all my heart my gratitude for my failed plans. I didn't earn this opportunity, it was given to me. Through my inability to provide for myself, I was humbled to a place of dependency on Jesus, and also a dependency on you. God has used each of you to confirm, prepare, and make a way for this mission trip. Had I done it by myself I would have missed out on the encouragement, provision, and most importantly, the love God knew I needed in order to see Africa once again. God is faithful, He is trustworthy, and He always has our best interest at heart, even when it hurts. I think I have a new goal in life. Pure dependency.
Love yall! Thanks for everything!
PS- I got into grad school!!!!!!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
The 411
So here's the deal, here's the real scoop.
I am nothing, He is everything. He pursues and I respond (1John 4:10).
I am going to Africa for a couple of months this year because of these two statements.
Because He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
Last year He allowed me to go to Africa, one of the sweetest gifts of my life. And I came home. And I was lost. And He pursued me even when I was pouting and pissed and miserable, He still wanted me.
There is nothing sweeter than the love of our Lord. There is nothing more faithful(Psalm 136).
It took me a whole year of crying and frustration and giving up on God to realize that He's not kidding when He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Luke 15:11-32). And so I can look back and see that this past year of wondering in the wilderness has too been a perfect gift of God, not an easy gift to accept, but perfect and good nonetheless. This past year has produced fruit, fruit more important dare I say, than even a trip to Africa, and I would like you to know about it because it's hopeful, and it's changing my life.
I've spent my whole life trying to initiate, maintain, and sustain a relationship with God. I believed for sometime that my abilities were directly proportional to the amount of love and grace I received from the Lord. Did I say this out loud? No. Did I live it out loud? Everyday. I was plagued with doubt and fear on a daily basis. Did I believe in Jesus enough to be saved? What was wrong with me that my life wasn't working out like I hoped? Where should I go next? What should I do next? Will God stop providing for me if I stop obsessively working? My relationship with God was stunted by a constant compulsion to work for His love. Being a slave to earning someones love made me really angry. I constantly felt anxiety that I wasn't doing enough and that God was withholding blessings because He was waiting on me to "get it right".
I expressed my disdain for God on a frequent basis to my roommates, Lore and Season. Lore, having walked through her own wilderness with God, suggested that I let go of all my compulsions, even the Godly ones like reading my bible, and tithing, and praying, so that God could show me His faithfulness to love independent of my faithfulness to do. I am not saying that praying, and tithing, and reading the bible are bad things. They are God given ways to increase faith and trust. But when you turn reading, and tithing, and praying into working for God's love, it is absolutely toxic to a relationship with God and it steals the joy of knowing Jesus. So, I let go. I stopped going to church. I stopped tithing. I stopped reading the bible. I stopped trying to hear God. I stopped doing. God didn't leave me, He didn't forsake me. Instead He pursued me in subtle and peaceful moments, and all my letting go resulted in seeing Jesus as a Savior who paid IT ALL on the cross.
He is the center and the focus in all creation. He is the answer to every one of my questions. He is the reason I can sleep at night. He is the reason I do not have to fear failure. He is the reason I do not have to fear anything. When He died for our sins He paid for us in full. There is nothing I have to do in addition to His sacrifice. This truth, the gospel, frees me to breath and to rest. Selah! The pressure is off me. I gladly live out a passive faith, where I am freed by the blood of Christ to respond to His pursuit of my heart and worship a Savior who has died so that I can live a spiritual life of luxury, without working one bit. I am confident in my position in the Kingdom because it has nothing to do with my abilities. I am spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it. And I believe with all my heart that God loves it, that God intended it, and that God sent His only Son to die for me so that I could know it. In response to His great love I am praying, tithing, bible reading, listening, and loving. Is it perfect? Nope. Do I have moments when I forget what Jesus did and start to work again? Yep. But He always reminds me that it's not required anymore.
And so, now you know "behind the scenes". I am going to Africa! Yesssss!!! More importantly, I am going to Africa with a deeper understanding of just why it's so important for all the precious children of Uganda to know Jesus. Because He wants this freedom I've experienced for everyone. Even you!
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Love you guys. I'll be in touch soon!
I am nothing, He is everything. He pursues and I respond (1John 4:10).
I am going to Africa for a couple of months this year because of these two statements.
Because He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
Last year He allowed me to go to Africa, one of the sweetest gifts of my life. And I came home. And I was lost. And He pursued me even when I was pouting and pissed and miserable, He still wanted me.
There is nothing sweeter than the love of our Lord. There is nothing more faithful(Psalm 136).
It took me a whole year of crying and frustration and giving up on God to realize that He's not kidding when He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Luke 15:11-32). And so I can look back and see that this past year of wondering in the wilderness has too been a perfect gift of God, not an easy gift to accept, but perfect and good nonetheless. This past year has produced fruit, fruit more important dare I say, than even a trip to Africa, and I would like you to know about it because it's hopeful, and it's changing my life.
I've spent my whole life trying to initiate, maintain, and sustain a relationship with God. I believed for sometime that my abilities were directly proportional to the amount of love and grace I received from the Lord. Did I say this out loud? No. Did I live it out loud? Everyday. I was plagued with doubt and fear on a daily basis. Did I believe in Jesus enough to be saved? What was wrong with me that my life wasn't working out like I hoped? Where should I go next? What should I do next? Will God stop providing for me if I stop obsessively working? My relationship with God was stunted by a constant compulsion to work for His love. Being a slave to earning someones love made me really angry. I constantly felt anxiety that I wasn't doing enough and that God was withholding blessings because He was waiting on me to "get it right".
I expressed my disdain for God on a frequent basis to my roommates, Lore and Season. Lore, having walked through her own wilderness with God, suggested that I let go of all my compulsions, even the Godly ones like reading my bible, and tithing, and praying, so that God could show me His faithfulness to love independent of my faithfulness to do. I am not saying that praying, and tithing, and reading the bible are bad things. They are God given ways to increase faith and trust. But when you turn reading, and tithing, and praying into working for God's love, it is absolutely toxic to a relationship with God and it steals the joy of knowing Jesus. So, I let go. I stopped going to church. I stopped tithing. I stopped reading the bible. I stopped trying to hear God. I stopped doing. God didn't leave me, He didn't forsake me. Instead He pursued me in subtle and peaceful moments, and all my letting go resulted in seeing Jesus as a Savior who paid IT ALL on the cross.
He is the center and the focus in all creation. He is the answer to every one of my questions. He is the reason I can sleep at night. He is the reason I do not have to fear failure. He is the reason I do not have to fear anything. When He died for our sins He paid for us in full. There is nothing I have to do in addition to His sacrifice. This truth, the gospel, frees me to breath and to rest. Selah! The pressure is off me. I gladly live out a passive faith, where I am freed by the blood of Christ to respond to His pursuit of my heart and worship a Savior who has died so that I can live a spiritual life of luxury, without working one bit. I am confident in my position in the Kingdom because it has nothing to do with my abilities. I am spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it. And I believe with all my heart that God loves it, that God intended it, and that God sent His only Son to die for me so that I could know it. In response to His great love I am praying, tithing, bible reading, listening, and loving. Is it perfect? Nope. Do I have moments when I forget what Jesus did and start to work again? Yep. But He always reminds me that it's not required anymore.
And so, now you know "behind the scenes". I am going to Africa! Yesssss!!! More importantly, I am going to Africa with a deeper understanding of just why it's so important for all the precious children of Uganda to know Jesus. Because He wants this freedom I've experienced for everyone. Even you!
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Love you guys. I'll be in touch soon!
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