Honored

Theresa lives here with us. She is from Oregon, but has been serving in the Uganda / South Sudan area for about 4 years. She has loads of wisdom and has helped us A TON to understand the culture here. Things like… "Don't ask a guest if they are hungry or if they would like something to eat. It makes them very uncomfortable. You should put it on yourself by asking if YOU can get them something." Simple things like that - we're clueless!

Anyway, the area we are living in was once a rebel-invading terrorized region. Quite honestly, when God first put it on our hearts to move to Northern Uganda, it was kind of like my Nineveh. "I'll go anywhere but THERE!" is what I was thinking. Thankfully, it is not at all like that anymore. Every person here has a story. No one wants to talk about it, and we don't ask.

Theresa wanted to have a special dinner here for some of the very first people she met here in Kitgum. They were involved in the Children's Comfort Ministry a few years back, and showed her what commitment to Christ looked like in a life. These men and women forsook their families every night for a few years straight in order to meet with the "night commuters." Around dusk, children ages 2-18 would flock from miles around with their sleeping mats in order to rest in safe, guarded compounds without the threat of abduction. Theresa joined these men and women in praying with the children, teaching them about Jesus, and quieting their anxious hearts.

On Saturday evening, I stood in awe as I stirred the big pot of stew Theresa had prepared to serve our guests. I have no idea what it is to plead with God for a child's life who is praying in tongues with tears running down his little face. I have no idea what it is to escape a bullet-flying battle on a bicycle. I have no idea what it is to have been abducted as a teen, held hostage, and pray and wait for God's leading to show the best plan of escape. These are the stories I heard that night. AND THAT'S ONLY 3 PEOPLE.

The depth of honor and love for Christ these people have is something I have never seen or experienced. What do I have to offer here? Nothing. I am beginning to realize that I am not in Kitgum, Uganda to offer anything to these believers. I am here to be trained. It is so good.