In the Midst of the Beauty

We have returned to Africa! This year we have added a two week stop in Lira, Uganda before going on to our beloved Malawi. 

Our team left the states on the evening of the ninth and arrived at Children of the Nations in the afternoon. I’m pretty sure we dropped a day somewhere in the air – perhaps we will get it back on our way home.

Our team, comprised of 19 people and more than 60 crates, bags, and suitcases arrived complete. Not one missing piece! That in itself is a ginormous blessing and an awesome way to start our time here.

We were received in Lira on Saturday by a parade. A literal parade! A student marching band led our bus for half a mile or more. Students, teachers and community members line the muddy streets after the quick wave of rain that had just passed. People shouted, waved, and shook our hands through the open bus windows. It took Bill over 10 minutes to figure out that this outpouring of welcome and enthusiasm was for us. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the bus. Well, maybe the kids that are traveling with us. They were too excited about all the kids they saw outside the bus. We were overwhelmed and humbled. Who are we? This is too much love.

This welcome was followed by an hour long “official” welcome program given by the children and staff of COTN. Music, speeches, traditional dances and more delighted all of us.

I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon – our first Lord’s day in Africa. After a four hour morning spent in church (Yes FOUR, you can stop complaining now, my American friends), we came back to the guest house and had lunch and prepared to leave for an afternoon evangelism outreach in the local community. This involved our team going to a local high school/college to share the gospel with the students in an afternoon worship service. Our entire team agrees, we have never experienced worship quite like that. The enthusiasm and the joy was contagious. One girl on the stage leading worship had sweat and tears pouring down her face; it was tough to tell the difference. We are reminded that it’s today’s generation of teenagers who will be the leaders of the future church. They have the potential to be a powerful move of God all over the world. Here in Africa, they already are.

We finished our day with dinner and a team debrief, sharing highs and lows from the day. We retired early, as most of the team has still not adjusted to the time change and are sleeping just a few hours each night.

Monday morning has dawned and this morning, I have escaped to the outdoors. A guest house full of 20+ people eating breakfast, talking, and laughing at 6am feels overwhelming to my introvert morning soul.

I spent some quiet time with Jesus, attempting to refresh a spirit that is feeling drained after the last four or five days. Don’t get me wrong, a mission trip like this is a joy of a lifetime. From the beautiful green countryside, to the cornfields, to the baboons on the side of the road as we drove to Lira, to the welcoming and warm people of Uganda, it is overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. It doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t fighting his warfare against each one of us in the midst of the beauty. This morning, I say with Paul, I press on, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Until next time…