Week #2 :)

October 16, 2009

My car was blocked. I was supposed to pick Sarah and Melissa up and take them to the post office for their bus ride at 7am. Instead I walked to the office to make some needed copies for them to take to Kampala and met them there. Thank goodness for bodas (motorcycle taxis)- otherwise I don’t know how the girls were going to get there!!PG!

I have to say I really enjoy my breakfasts here – toast with margarine and plum jam, fruit (right now banana’s are in season), papaya juice and two cups of black tea. YUM! It really lasts me the day. I find that I don’t eat lunch here….I just don’t think about it. I drink lots of water so that must help. Then for dinner it is some sort of veggie dish or just digestives (a whole WHOLE wheat cracker) and my new favorite, Honey Jiff. Talk about yum!!! Props are in order for Splash, Ceres and my water filter – all to which keep me hydrated and moving!

There is this café next to my hotel called Café Larema. It is owned by a muzungo (white person) from Texas. VERY American type coffee shop with great internet, coffee and food. So I go there at least once a day. For 500 shillings (about $0.35) I check all my communication, do research and play around for 20 minutes. Good deal. I almost bought a modem through my mobile company when I first got here but this is so much cheaper! A lot of muzungos go there – but I did make a Ugandan friend, Walter. He already knows me. :)

Since today is my day off, I did some errands. I went around town and got some groceries. Actually, I just got dish soap, detergent, a fork, a knife, a plate and a cup. I own utensils, people! When I was walking around the streets and through the markets people didn’t harass me as much as I was told muzungos get talked to. People pretty much leave me be…but the kids. Anytime I see them I just bust out in a smile. I try my best to say Apwoyo (Afoyo) to people who make eye contact with me. Some say it back some just look away. I have to keep on reminding myself what these people have gone through. When I think about every person in this area being affected by this war, it hits me how much love I need to show and be.

I truly want to get involved in this community. There are so many organizations it is crazy! From the UN to WHO to small grass root organizations, I want to meet them!! I am going to try to go and meet one place a week. That is a good goal.

I then went to the office to meet the other staff for the football (soccer) match (game). Mary and I were there first and we talked. We did get to the ways of the office and I have a lot to learn, grasp and organize! I feel like my next few weeks will be in the books. However, the more I see what is around me, the needs and what I can bring to the table some great ideas are floating in. I have some good plans but want to share with the staff to get a better idea if it is needed.

Anyways, the football match. I met the Headmistress, Christine. She has great policies and objectives that are clearly stated for all students. The grounds were beautiful.
When I got back to the car a swarm of kids came and stared at me. When I first moved towards them they got scared and ran a bit away. Mary was telling me that they never saw a white person before. So I made faces and spoke some Acholi to them. Slowly they warmed up and were shaking my hand. They kept on talking in Acholi and I would respond to them – though I did not know the words I knew what they were talking about. They all thought I spoke Acholi. When they would say muzungo, I would say “Christine!” They finally got it that I wanted to be called by my name not by muzungo.

Back to my first Ugandan game! Simon coaches a team from St. Peter’s school with a teacher there. Mary, Sharon (her 9 month old daughter) and I watched the match. It was so exciting. 6 to 4! GO ECM ST. PETERS! The other team, for the most part, had shoes; our boys did not. But did they play well!! It made me think of some way we could get these boys shoes to play in…then it started provoking some program ideas that would help and reward them with shoes…hmmmm… 

Driving home in the rain made me really feel like I was home. I know it isn’t where I originally call home, but it is none the less. The streets, the people and the smells are just as much home. I am liking it here…

As I am winding down my day I hear people crying out loud in total desperation and sorrow. How many more cries will I hear? How many more situations of sorrow have to happen here? I want to run out and console but then I want to respect the grieving…the pain. Pain is so real here. How it hasn’t even touched me yet. I just can’t fathom it all. I try to pray but I just can’t think of the words, the heart and the soul that needs to lie before His feet.

This crying out is humanity pouring out in the reality of inhumanity. My God, My God, do not forsake your people!

October 17, 2009

I don’t think I have been this busy and tired on a Saturday in awhile. The past four years, Saturdays have been my days off…I am going to have to get used to this working on Saturdays.

The power keeps on cutting in and out – I bet the whole electric power is being sourced to the Positive Rap and Break-dancing Festival going on down the street. It sounds like Summerfest here!

We had Saturday Club today for our sponsorship children. We have a total of 44 children who participate. I observed to get an idea of what the program is about and really enjoyed it. From the bible lesson to taking pictures I was able to grasp the program. I wasn’t sure about the snack, a doughnut, but once I tried it – yum! It is nothing like the US doughnuts; it is more like sweet bread.

One of the children, Eric, wasn’t feeling well and had his head down during the lesson so we took him to the next classroom to lie down and sleep. He couldn’t go home because he had to watch his younger sister and walk her home. We believe he has malaria. As I touched him I could feel the heat ooze out of him from the fever. When he lied down, Mary and I prayed over him. Here is where I desperately want the spiritual gift of healing. Oh Glory! How I desire to be able to be used by God in that way – for Him to get all glory for doing the supernatural, unexplainable ways!

After the lesson, Mary and I dropped Eric and his sibling off at home – and some neighboring kids, who all moved out of Tegot but still attend the school and program. I did not realize how far these kids walk EVERYDAY. Not to mention the recent abductions due to the witch doctors’ requests of children’s heads, parts, etc. in order to do their “medicine”. The sacrifice of their lives to somehow gain their lives for education blows me away.

I observed my first family visit. We went to little Laker (Lakay) Lady’s home and spoke with her mom, Ajok Jacqueline. There are very specific questions that are asked: family status, place of residence after camp, economic activities, how ECM can help, and general observations such as house environment, location of latrines, etc. The whole time, Simon, Mary and Jacqueline were speaking Acholi. At times they would tell me some crucial information, but overall I sat immersed in a conversation I did not fully understand. I did not want them to have to interrupt the visitation by interpreting for me. Jacqueline is such a beautiful woman who loves her children but the sorrow and guilt she carries in her heart is overwhelming to even see in her eyes. She no longer is able to work at full capacity due to the rebels beating her so badly her left shoulder/side is weak and deformed. What?! I wanted to scream when I heard that. Hearing the stories people have had to endure in books and articles gets you mad, but when you hear the stories and see the wounds on people you are beginning to love personally gets your heart. You begin to feel their pain. Of course, not to the extent they have felt, but you actually want to share in that pain so they do not have to bear it themselves. I believe that is what love is…you are willing to bear their pain, their joy, their lives so they are not alone.
Jacqueline’s home was comfortable and homey. She then served us lunch. In Acholi culture, it is proper to have a meal prepared for guests. She made us boiled whole potatoes and cassava, ground-nut (peanut) sauce, and a simsim ground. I did not try the simsim ground, but I did try the potatoes, cassava and ground-nut sauce. Wow – was it good!!! I scooped potato/cassasva and sauce with my fingers and enjoyed. It was delicious! I was very grateful; I told her how much I like ground-nuts and eat them plain in peanut butter! After a bit of sitting there (culturally, women wait to eat after everyone is done) she walked out of her home and talked to her neighbors about how she had guests over. During that time Mary, Simon and I had a conversation about our cultural differences in introductions, greetings and hosting. I gave him a little heads up on how to meet people when he goes to the states. It was all interesting. When Jacqueline returned to us she had a bag of ground-nuts for me! I was so excited! It was very kind of her…now I have some snacks. I feel like I need to go to baseball game or something – they are whole shelled nuts.
On our way back home we sat quietly in the vehicle. I think we were all exhausted.

When I got back to the hotel I went to Café Larema to check my email only to find out that the power in the city was out. Fun. So I went home, took a shower and a nap. Now that the power is on, for now, I am doing a bit of work. Writing up observation notes, ideas, etc., there is so much I want to do. I feel like I could come up with 100 programs…but I know I need to settle into what I am doing here and understand the culture better. That is key.

As I am sitting here typing and listening to David Crowder, I think of what I truly want to pray on tonight:

1.) The evil that has been here for so long to be wiped out – as one big
devastation for the devil.
2.) For healing and hope to run rampant here!
3.) For two individuals who are trying to be difficult in the ways of the
ministry. For them to just be gone from all of us. For them to find redemption
and restoration in repentance.
4.) For my co-laborers in the LORD to grow in strength, wisdom, power and love in
Him. For no weapon formed against them to prosper!


**So I thought I didn’t make an entry for the 17th…my bad…enjoy the right after effect of writing and the next day…

October 17, 2009

Ah, is it nice to be in Tegot. I truly enjoy it. Nothing better!

I did find my little Scovia. For those familiar with my stories and pictures, she is the little girl who sat and leaned very close to me while I was reading her a book last Christmas. She never smiled and seemed like she had seen so much for such a tender age. Well, when I saw her today she was seemed to be the same. She would look at my snack and then at me when we had the snack disbursed. She did quite often. When we were on break she came up to me. I just grabbed her by the side and held her. At first she was very stiff but then she started leaning in on me and just let me hold her. I promise it seemed like she wanted to grab my leg and hug me back but she didn’t know how to move her arms in that formation. It was just nice knowing that bond was still there and working. 

While on break some of the older girls were dancing and singing. It hit me that I was in Africa, again, and I was experiencing it all right in front of me. Their dancing and singing was very reminiscent of the documentary “War Dance”. However, I was right there…

The students are such eager learners and truly want to gain as much knowledge as they can. The classroom is quiet and they do what is expected of them – regardless if they fully understand what they are doing. The level of respect is so different for me to see. Even when they go to get their work checked they kneel down on one knee as a sign of respect. It just makes me want to teach them even more and give them more opportunities for education! I know I say I don’t feel called to just teach here, but seeing the eagerness and the hunger really stirs my teaching soul. 

After the Saturday Club, the three of us did a family visit. We spent time with Laker (Lakay) Lady’s mom. It is so helpful to get to know the families. Jacqueline, Laker’s mom, was very open about her life. We found out through our basic questionnaire that she was attacked by rebels and is permanently disabled on her left shoulder. I’ve read and seen the stories before, but to again hear the stories directly from the person face to face breaks your heart over and over. All I could think of was how beautiful she is. Truly God is pleased with her perseverance and strength in trusting Him. At times she reluctantly gave us answers, embarrassed and ashamed of the possible on-coming judgment, but when we comforted her with silence, a kind look, and encouragement, all of that seemed to be dropped from her heavy laden shoulders. I appreciated her greatly for opening up and sharing her life with us so we may be able to help support Laker. She even realizes that it is a team effort and that we desire the best for her and her daughter.

At the end of meeting she had a delicious meal prepared for us. There were potatoes, cassava, groundnut (peanut) sauce and a simsim stew. Everything was delicious! I was also excited to know that it was all meat-free. Let me tell you that prompted some interesting conversation with my co-workers. They think I am strange! But they did agree that most people would probably be vegetarians if they had to slaughter their own animal for meat. Props for me. 

I was exhausted at the end of the day, but I truly enjoyed being at Tegot. Playing games, listening to songs, holding hands and just being with the children truly inspires me. I feel like my relationship with the LORD is growing as well. I don’t think there is a moment that I am not talking to Him, unless I am talking to someone else…because that is rude.  Seriously though, I find myself praying for the people here, my situation, my family, my friends, reading His Word and just waiting to hear from Him. I feel like He is really here. Unlike His presence back home it seems natural, genuine, real and in my face. There is not a corner He isn’t present. To live so close to Him is such a different experience. I am not saying He is not present in the States, but it is just so different. You have to experience it yourself.

But, one doesn’t come to Africa just because….Africa…Uganda…calls you by name…if you ever feel the inkling to come, come…it is God calling you to know Him in a whole new way.

October 18, 2009

I woke up very lonely. I just wanted to find an excuse to go home.

I love my church family dearly. I look forward to seeing them every Sunday. From the kids running to giving me hugs, to the friends I dearly love to the Oma and Opa I have claimed as my own, the people are important to me. To wake up on a Sunday morning and realize I was not going to have that hurt my heart.

At nine, someone knocked on my door. I ignored it. Then another knock and “Christine”. It was my co-worker Simon. He said that the LORD told him to get me for church because his phone wasn’t working on Saturday and he was worried I tried to call him to ask if I could go to church with him. That touched me. I was so appreciative! So we walked and talked about ministry, life and church. The service was well done by the women (it is normal for some Sundays to be led by women, men, singles, or children’s ministries). The sermon was on Esther. It got me excited to start my Esther study after I am done with my patriarchs study.

After church I putzed at Café Larema because the whole city was out of power on Saturday – so I had some catch up to do. To my delight, my mom was on Skype! It was so nice to talk to her! Although it was weird to do so..I was in the middle of the café trying not to be loud or talk about too many personal things. But regardless, it was nice to see and hear her. What a blessing!!

Other than that I went home and prayed a lot. I mean a lot. Did some laundry and went to bed…all in all, a good day.

God is good and He does provide. I no longer felt lonely and was filled with His Spirit! PG!! :)

October 19, 2009
If everything went according to plan, today would have been the day I left home for Uganda.

Why do I even try to plan anything? He does what He wants. :)

Monday’s are office days. So I just went through EVERYTHING, started a policies and procedures manual for the office and did some major financial overlooking. Wow. My brain is on overload. :)

It has been a quiet day….Mary and I have been in the office, intermittently gathering information and wisdom from her while Simon is at the computer place. Our main computer crashed BIG time and needed some healing. (I did pray for it to work…I mean the LORD healed my computer…for real.) So he has been at the computer place all day…what a trooper. I miss Melissa and Sarah – they are on a WELL deserved break in Jinja…I can’t wait to hear the stories! How I love my co-workers. What amazing people of God. He truly has blessed me with people throughout my life: from Michael, Eric, Kristin and Diane at the Y, to Freeman, Little, Welch at PCLA, to these four amazing people. PRAISE GOD!

October 20, 2009

I’ve realized a few key things here:

1.) ALWAYS keep EVERYTHING plugged in and charged regardless. Who cares if there
is power and your laptop has full power, or half power…MAKE SURE IT IS ALWAYS
CHARGED! Same applies to cell phones, rechargeable batteries, wind up
flashlights and fuel in the car. You never know when the power will go out,
much less, when it will return! Sometimes in 10 minutes sometimes in 2 days.
2.) Avocadoes and groundnuts (peanuts) are so much better here. YUM! I am just now
hitting the BIG bag of g-nuts from Jacqueline (Laker Lady’s mom) and boy, are
they amazing!
3.) It is easier to be away from family and friends when you have instant
messaging and Skype. What blessings!!!
4.) EVERYONE picks their noses. It isn’t a bad thing – I mean the dust creates
such cloggage in the nostrils it only makes sense. I just need to get over it
and get in there when I need to! 
5.) God really is sovereign and in control. He is the great orchestrator!
6.) Kids who start off quiet usually are the biggest stinkers…ahem, Scovia.
7.) I don’t go around yelling at the top of my lungs “UGANDANS!”So I think
Ugandans need to stop screaming out “MUZUNGO!” I have the kids already taught
to call me Christine, not muzungo…I think it is about time I get the rest of
Uganda on board. ;)
8.) Language is really easy to pick up if you allow yourself to be immersed in it.
I kind of like not having someone translate for me and just pick up what is
around.
9.) The bakery couple of streets down has the most amazing doughnuts. I think I
mentioned them before, but they are worth mentioning again.
10.) Juice – especially pineapple and mango, are amazing.
11.) Black tea is good on a hot day.
12.) I am happy that my family loves me.
13.) I am so happy that Noah knows who I am – even when I am not home he bangs on
my door screaming my name! Oh do I miss those cheeks!!
14.) My neighbors, as nice and professional as they are, really need to NOT have
the tele on super loud until 2am and then start up again at 6am. Sleep is
needed here people!
15.) There are so many opportunities for programs here – it is unreal. I need discernment BIG time!!! There is much I would like to do – but that would mean I would have to be here a long time…
16.) I am white.
17.) I think I really like writing down my thoughts from the day.
18.) I am the Human Horseshoe Game!
19.) I really love teaching…especially math. Funny.
20.) People are so beautiful. I see God in every face.
21.) God answers prayers. 
22.) The team is potentially growing!! I need to stay in prayer for the people God
is calling to serve here!!! COME, PEOPLE!!
23.) Amen 

October 21, 2009

I woke up at 5 am to the typical prayer chant that is right outside my window. But really, we can just say I woke up from a dream I wish I didn’t have. There are some things I wish I could just leave behind and not ever have come up again. I thought I was there but this dream I had really reminded me of something. My heart was a bit broken. It has made the most part of my day draining. I just felt so tired, overwhelmed and defeated…

See, as well equipped as a woman can be to serving the LORD in singlehood, there will always be a part of her that will still wish, desire that she were married and had someone to walk along with her. As much as I count it a blessing to be single and able to just move about and do what I am called to do without hesitating to wait on someone else, it is hard some days. My study this morning was on Genesis 30 and the whole concept of being desperately loved – either healthy or unhealthy. Healthy desperation makes us long for our God and to seek Him in all ways. Unhealthy desperation makes us obsessive and puts idols before our God. Even though Leah was blessed with many children and a husband who provided, she still longed for the love that Rachel received from Jacob. Each of her children she contemplated on and gave them their names based off of how she was feeling about the situation. From “God hears me” to “surely now my husband will love me”, she finally got it right after her fourth son, Judah: “This time I will praise the LORD.” (I can see why God chose Jesus to come out of that line) That’s where I need to be…this time in my life I will praise the LORD…today. That attitude sings to my soul and I desperately want to quench that ideal.

So my brain was racking these concepts today. I was in the office most of the day praying and planning out ideas that are coming to mind for different programs and projects. I also did some major emailing and contacting. I am still working on partnering up with other organizations. So far people are interested – pray doors to be opened and like minded hearts come together. I have three major programs/projects I have in mind to which I will be doing more research, praying and planning. I mean, I have till May to come up with one good one.  Then I came up with some other smaller projects, or as I am calling them, special events. All of this pending on more workers coming into the field! Oh, open hearts and doors for people to run here and serve You, LORD!

Goats are cute. I want one for a pet. The make the oddest noises but really are cute. If and when I get a house I want a goat…I will of course ask Julie to translate a lot for me. :)

As we were sitting in the office, all three of us were slightly bored, sick and lethargic. We did pray a bit but what really helped was taking a walk with Mary to the local bakery for our snacks for the evening program. I have to say, the bakery has some good stuff. We bought our regular food item for the week and I then I bought some rolls and vegetable samosas. Guess what I am going to say….yup…YUM! The rolls are like Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and the samosas have cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions and green peppers. I am consistently thrilled with the food here. VERY simple but right up my alley.

While on our walk, Mary told me the story about how her and her husband met and how she knew he would be the one she would marry. She is such a godly woman and I enjoy her presence immensely.

We worked at the Zion Project today. This place is amazing – www.zionproject.org. It is exactly what I wanted to do!! So instead of competing with them I want to find ways to collaborate. Lessons in the alphabet, simple addition and a bible lesson were taught to the children. One little boy, Daniel, just clonked out on the floor; I tried waking him up but the baby was exhausted. So I just picked him up and held him. He automatically clung around my right arm and fell asleep. I just loved holding the sleeping 2 year old. His mom ruined it for me after 5 minutes and took him inside – I wish I knew how to say I wanted to hold him! I know she didn’t want me to be burdened – but that burdening I will take any second of the day! But the rest of the children were so excited to learn…it just blesses me to see the enthusiasm! Getting out of the car guarantees you a hug. And some remembered my name! PRAISE HIM!

I do not understand why I am so exhausted by 7pm but today I could just crash. I have decided that I sleep better when I take a shower at night rather than in the morning. So there is that to do. But overall, all I have to say is rejoice! I say it again, rejoice!

Tomorrow is Tegot….
:)

October 22, 2009

I had the most restful sleep since my arrival to Uganda last night.
Internet, again, was not working in the office. I believe we have some sort of virus going on there! I tried running the scan that’s on the computer but that still didn’t help.

I am excited for the possible Skype’ing between my church family and me. My brother is trying to get it set. Oh, would that bless me!

I watched how chapati’s are made at the booth just down the market from the office. They have all of these little doughy balls rolled out and fired up on this neat griddle thing. The men making it were fun to watch. The smell was awesome. They are made of flour, oil and water and fried up in oil. They smell sweat. You can also order a breakfast burrito of sort called rolex. The children at Tegot enjoyed them!
I am happy to record I was harassed for the first time today for not knowing the language! YAY Although, the MTN mobile minutes provider guy said apwoyo to which I replied apwoyo back, that still did not satisfy him. He kept on going with it and it confused me. That’s when he said I don’t know the language and need to learn it. Oh well. I am getting there. It did prompt me to ask Simon if I made English side flashcards would he translate them for me in Acholi on the other side. The guy loves translating and is so good at it. PG!

Goats are kind of loud. All I hear is the bleating. Or maybe it is a small child.

It was confirmed again today I am not equipped to teach children 4 years old or younger. I asked if I could teach the lessons today for the unschooled program and sponsorship kids. The unschooled program you never know who you are going to get – it depends on who is available, healthy and not working alongside in the fields. Last week we had a good turnout of older kids, so I thought I was in the clear…ya, not so much this week. There were 4 older children (maybe 7-9 years old) and the rest were like 3. There was one 1 year old who was naked and making a raucous! She was dancing and making the kids laugh – she was such a distraction! The children who wanted to learn, learned and did so, well. I was happy to see my Winifred there – she now comes and says hello. I just grabbed her and hugged her. These children, especially the ones who don’t go to school and are so dirty and sick, really need a loving touch. So unto the babies; teaching them was hard for me. Second grade is the lowest I can giftedly go – the rest is sheer grace! (Side note, I miss my 2nd grade class from PCLA – Ms. Goertz!! I have pictures they gave me hanging in my room. ). Playing, on the other hand, with the babies is a blast! I taught them red light, green light – or stop and go since they never saw a red or green light. They had a blast and it was fun to see them laugh and be children!

After the unschooled program, we headed to the school to wait for the children to be released. We arrived at 1pm and had an hour to play, relax and talk to the deputy headmaster and a lady from Bulgaria working with New Hope of Grace. Simon had some trivia questions for us – it reminded me of the kind my grandfather used to ask to trick you (i.e. if one shirt takes 6 hours to dry how long would it take to dry 3 shirts? Answer: 6 hours – hang them all up at the same time). I have to say, Simon has been super quiet and professional since my arrival, but today – AI VAY! The crazy, fun loving, silly Simon came back! Apparently he thinks we now have to call him professor because he is so smart. The stories he shared! Mary and I just laughed. Boy do I love those two!! The Deputy Headmaster also joined us and he explained the grading and passing system. I do not fully understand it – it is very different from our own. All I know is that we have one sponsored kid, Concy, who is up for examinations to pass from Primary 7 to Secondary 1. She NEEDS to pass these and is trying hard! Pray she passes!! We are actually meeting with her mother this Saturday for a family visit. Her mom is awesome and I just enjoy her presence. The Spirit of the LORD is on her – such a beautiful, graceful woman.

So then I taught the lessons to the sponsored kids – in a classroom. Wow – it felt great to be teaching again! I just love teaching. I taught the alphabet, words starting with O and P, and math. I just had such a good time. I used the lesson plans Sarah gave me (her and Melissa were still in Kampala getting their visas! I think it was just a great excuse to let them have some refreshment time – they deserved it!). I have a lot of ideas on how I would like to continue the program her and Melissa started.

After school, we stopped at the village’s market and checked out the produce. Mary wanted some cabbages but none were around. She did get a sweet deal on beans AND Concy and Scovia’s mom bought her another cup to top off. The produce was beautiful…the dead dried fish, not so much. EW! They had these tiny one to two inch dried fish and these bigger, almost, pan-sized fish. Eww. Again, I got ribbed on for not eating meat. Oh well. At least I was told my driving is perfect today.

Nothing else super exciting today - just a great day to be present with Him. I am so happy here. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy…neat. I am just thrilled He has asked me to be part of this work. I can’t tell you how much I love every single person here. I just absolutely love them – I feel like I can gush over them. I walk with them, see them, hear them and just can relate a bit to Jesus in His absolute love for us because we are made in His image.

One question, as I type…how should I feel, what should I do, when outside my window I hear cries that tear your heart to pieces. The sheer loudness, shriek and pain in the cries….do I run outside and grab that baby and hold him/her in my arms? Can I do that?

On that note, I had another dream earlier this week – it was a man who said he has heard me talk about hope in Uganda but he wanted to truly know what I meant by hope. That is what I want to explore, understand, live and believe in completely by Him and His will. That nothing can be formed against me, no loss eternal, no pain unredeemed, no wound too deep for my God to do what He does.

As the children so beautifully sing:

“My God is so BIG! So strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do!”
“The rivers are His, the mountains are His, the stars are His handiwork too.”
“My God is so BIG! So strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do!”