Mid Week Posts for Week 5

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

And the electricity is out…no generator yet….oh...there it is. Lovely. Still flicking on and off…just make up your mind electricity!!!!

Our office shares a building with the local police. They detail common criminals…namely, small thievery and such. Today, we believe the police were holding a rooster and chicken thief. Why do I think this? Well because right next door, in the containment room, there was a rooster and chicken. The rooster was a little out of control. The rooster sounded like it is getting the mess beat out of it. Nothing like the two goats getting butchered this morning though…that was quite loud. I was confident the rooster was getting killed.

There is a song by Juanita Bynum called “I Don’t Mind Waiting ”. Check it out – it really is amazing. One word: wow. It even has my Isaiah verse in it…ha

I have my post office key! When I first put it in and couldn’t get the box opened I was worried I put the key in the wrong way and I was going to have to go to the mean post office lady to get help. That would have been embarrassing. YIKERS! But prayerfully, it opened.

Prior to leaving for Tegot for a day of exploration and hanging out with the families (children were off because of examinations), the Gulu staff had an amazing conversation about the reality of church in Uganda versus the reality of the Church. Though there are many NGO’s (non-government organizations) and Christian organizations around, corruption and selfishness rules. However, they are business models at the core and the excuse for money hungry workers can be somewhat understood. But in the church? With pastors leading sheep to death rather than life? Oh boy. I knew of this stuff but to hear it again with stories and situations still makes me just shake my head and ask why. People who play with God make me angry. Playing with Him is almost worse than denying Him! Then to lead others away from Him? Come on now…where is your integrity? Soapbox….done.

By reading this, you are making a pack with me: if I EVER seem to show even an inkling of being a fake believer please, please, PLEASE check me. I want to walk in the light…not talk about it.

Tegot is wonderful. Spending a few hours there was awesome. From playing football with some new boys to playing hand games with some of the girls I just soaked in every bit. Oh, do I love these children!!! I got to spend more time with little Piloya Mercy (Betsy – this is your girl!!). Oh is she precious and sweet and cheerful!! She is actually one kid in the whole camp who will initiate a hug. She will just grab you around the waist and hug. And her giggle is infectious. She even took care of me and walked me to the water pump to wash my hands after I ate a mango (Thanks Opio Patrick #2!! They are AMAZING off the tree…and you can just go and pick them! No one will mind. Now I have an EXCELLENT excuse to climb trees!!! Oh are they yummy!!!). It is great – I was just hanging out and playing with kids and these random babies just came and held my hand and laughed. It is so cute. I also appreciate the ladies who are always so welcoming to us. The market feels like home…they talk, laugh and hangout with us. They think we are weird but they love us…I know they do.

One sad thing was that there was this little boy maybe three years old who is fairly light skinned. Some of the older kids started picking on him and calling him muzungo. He just stood there. Melissa noticed and mentioned it, so I watched a bit…then I heard the muzungo word and them pointing. I tell you, I totally forgot they didn’t understand English but I started talking to them and disciplining them like I would kids in my school. They didn’t know the words but they sure got the concept! One of the boys is a sponsored kid; he knew he was in the wrong. He came up to me not 5 minutes later and tried holding my hand and being cute to make up for the previous behavior. I never saw kids at Tegot being mean to each other like that.

Quiet resting time…peanut butter and leftover juice. Couldn’t eat my mango – when I cut it open it was FULL of little white bugs…GROSS! PG for Patrick giving me his.

Satan has been on full attack lately. I don’t know exactly why, but evil is so much more apparent and easy to associate to Satan than anywhere else I have been.
Some prayer updates:
- little Piloya Mercy – for her schooling and confidence
- Lady, the woman who cleans my room at the hotel. I found her crying today down
the hall. I don’t know what was wrong, but I hugged her and prayed over here.
- For the van.
- For our friends at Zion Project – especially Mama Miriam.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Satan really tries to have some dominion down here. But he has nothing on Jesus...He rules at all times. Sometimes I wonder what Satan looks like trying, attempting and failing, just to get a better idea of how absolutely ridiculous he looks and is. I imagine him being the biggest brat, wanting his way or else. Oh boy…he has to know what is in store in the end for him, doesn’t he? I mean it says in the Bible how Jesus will rule all and crush Satan completely. Satan knows what is coming and all he is trying to do is kill, steal and destroy. Once I acknowledged this power Satan thinks he has I have been able to discern better his work and destruction. Wow do I see his agenda clearly.

Nothing is more admirable or beautiful about a person when they are being seriously attacked by Satan, his goons and people who are choosing his way yet remain stronger, more steadfast, faithful, prayerful, and humble serving the LORD with more passion and fervor. Though they look exhausted and worn, they smile and love. Though their bodies are weak and want to just sit, they stand up and fight. They are fatigued yet somehow refreshed. It is amazing what the Holy Spirit does to build His people to endure. Purely beautiful. My hat off to a true woman of God under strong attack. May I only be able to resemble her by being obedient and willing to His Son in just a few moments of my life so I may be able to put my life completely in His hands for the love of His children and most importantly, Him.

Today I am exhausted. I really can’t wait to move into a house and be at home. This high rise, apartment like hotel at the heart of Gulu really isn’t my style. I like cities, but I don’t like to live in one. Give me the burbs, the outskirts, heck the old slums of Pece and I will be happy. I like the peace and quiet…I like being outside for my quiet time…I like a yard.

I almost have my report done for this month. Did have to wait on some other people’s reports to finish mine. It will be going out tomorrow! I am happy to say we all balance and I know where the money lies. WHOOT HOOT! Now, if the internet would cooperate with me I can send it off…grrrr…

Haven’t talked to my brother in awhile. I miss him. I miss Noah too. I showed my co-workers pictures of Noah today and I had to walk away a bit…I almost started crying cuz I miss him. However, I think I might have Sharon (Mary’s little girl) call me Cioci.

Nothing too exciting today – took the van in to fix the window and setup an appointment for Sunday to get it checked for the month; went to Zion to be with the kids; dinner with the girls. Zion was nice – there was a new boy who had gone through P3 and was very good at math. I took him to the side and I gave him some challenge problems…it was fun.

OH! I almost forgot…we talked about running Saturday Club today and doing some neat things with it. I am excited.

I still don’t know 100% what I am supposed to do here…once I think I have an idea something else comes up or I enjoy a bit of something else and then I want to go and do everything. It is kinda weird. Usually I can make a quick decision and start with it. I always go by the gut and it always works. I feel peace about it. It is different here. I feel peace on waiting and seeing. This, people, doesn’t happen to Christine Sliwinski. I stink at waiting!! Ask anyone who knows me well (especially my brother!) I never wait for anything. Heck, I can’t even imagine 50 years from now much less 5 years! But, I am completely at peace at waiting. Taking small steps, talking to people, making connections, being part of this community, spending time…I guess what I am saying is that I want to just invest right now. Not expecting any immediate returns…but I know the return will be amazing – I mean, it is kingdom work, people!! Make sense?

Mary made me some homemade g-nut paste with Simsim!!! YUM!!!!

Realized today I don’t know what is going on back home in the news…probably not all that great considering the dollar is worth less today in Uganda shillings than it was a month ago.

Prayer needed for a rash that I have…can’t figure it out and it kinda burns…need it to go away. I think it is from the hotel soap that I just started using (cuz they throw out my used bar everyday and give me a new one!!! So I wanted to make the best of it).

God is good. I am glad He is my God.