Sunday, November 08, 2009
I really, really do think I found a home church!!!
Here is why: I was excited to wake up and go to church today. I felt like I was leaping out of my body going to church and being in church!
Best worship song was none other than Isaiah 40 – “Everlasting God”…my heart verse and seal to Gulu. Oh my goodness was it amazing!!! I was ready to all-out cry (tears did well up and started to fall – but I saved it for the mascara run!), but I just shut my eyes, sang and raised my hands. How I love worshiping God to that song! Jesse, the guitar even did your little pling, pling thing in the beginning! I laughed. Joy was just running through my body and soul during worship today. We sang two different Hosana songs – all I could think of was “God, PLEASE deliver Gulu!!!!” Oh, how amazing!! His grace is sweet!!!
Along with an amazing time of worship, the sermon was right on. It was on the LORDship of Christ in THE Kingdom. How even a bit of neutrality is still against God. There is no playing – you are either for Him or against Him…claim Him as yours or deny Him. Pretty powerful. Reminded me of an intense conversation Shaz and I had once. I have to say it is really hard to stand firm when questions are being asked on the severity of Christ being it and ALL. As much as I want to sugar coat that He still does love all, I truly need to fully acknowledge that He is the only way and not apologize for it. Sounds harsh. I used to think it was cruel…but now I understand it in the depths of my heart what He is saying because I understand Him and who He is. This morning I was even thinking about how I really don’t know exactly how to share Christ in words. I know how to share Him in actions, but explaining it to lead people is really hard for me. Pray for me on this – to be bold for Him and allow the Holy Spirit to have COMPLETE control over my mouth…so I don’t have to worry about this. ;)
The only bad part of church is that I don’t have friends there yet. Next week I am going to sign up for a cell (small group). However, as I was walking home a young man came up to me and started talking – introduced himself as Justin. We chatted for a mere moment and then he gave me a letter. The letter explained who he was, where he was from and how his sister was in Lacor Hospital dying of AIDS. The letter was a general letter. He asked me to purchase him some food. Right there my heart was torn: one, if this was true how horrible and two, he is trying to scam me. I was actually offended – here I thought someone from church wanted to talk to me and get to know me and all he wanted was money. I have never been more aware of being white than in these situations. People think because I am white I will help and give money. That bothers me. I asked Justin if he talked to the church about helping and he gave me a lame excuse. I told him I had nothing with me. We then parted. I had lied to him. I had money in my purse, clearly enough to get him the simple beans and posho, but I lied because I didn’t want to deal with saying just no or get scammed. I felt horrible. I talked to the LORD about it…He really convicted me on honesty. If I was condemning this man to hunger and pain because I thought he was dishonest or didn’t trust him, then I surely needed to be condemned for lying to him. He made sure I knew that I needed to be honest in all situations and be bold with my yes’ and my no’s and make sure it is CLEARLY an answer to glorify His kingdom. Yikes…did I fail on that. God is teaching me more and more about boldness for Him.
After church headed to Total (said like, ToTALL) to drop the van off with David for some major fixups before our trip to Kampala tomorrow. I spent a good five hours outside in the shade for the most part reading, praying and waiting. I read through the scripture given in service and then crossed paths with Isaiah. I really think the LORD is trying to win me completely over through the words of Isaiah. It has been on my heart to study in depth the words of the prophet. I never found a study I fully liked on it per se…but I think I am going to go through it now. Chapter and line…all of it. I went over Chapter 1 today. I think I will do a chapter a week or something….maybe I will share my thoughts. I could have literally put Gulu in place of Israel in this first chapter!!!
Lunch with Sarah and Melissa was nice…we went to Kope Café. I had pizza. Was it delicious!! It made me happy. I ate it all. Mmmmm….
Time at Café Larem was lovely…added some blogs, talked to Sarah and Cozette and got some information. Ahh…nice. I enjoyed it. I then realized I could text/call people fairly cheaply on my cell phone…so I prank texted Sarah, Coz and Stacy…then called my bro. I love my bro. He is the best man in the world. No one can even get close. If he could only move to Uganda would it be perfect!! It was good to hear his voice and then I talked to my mom who was with him. PG!!! I love hearing their voices – and there was no delay.
Walking around in Uganda you see garbage all over. You use, then you leave…right where you were. It is gross…but I am used to it. What I am really getting used to is the smell…yikers. But on days the garbage is heaped up ready to get burned it is quite nauseating. Yes, garbage is burned here…no matter what it is. I still can’t bear to toss things on the ground…I still have to find a bin or something. As much of a germ freak I was – I am getting very tolerant of this new way of living. It is interesting.
Anyone ever here of people from other countries coming to America to be missionaries? If so, I want to hear these stories, meet these people…
And, I found ice today. Well, it was my water bottle that was frozen…it had chunks of ice in it….wow did it feel awesome to have ice!!!!
Prayer needed for the deliverance of alcohol for the people of Gulu. There is the concoction made that people are purchasing and dying from! Before the weekend eight people died from it; then later in the weekend it was up to twenty!! It is such bondage for people here. Pray through Isaiah 40 for these people!! They need to fully understand hope!!!!
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