Here at Last!

It has finally happened.  We are living in Africa!!!!  What a journey the Lord has brought us through to get us to this point.  It's really been years in the making and we've longed in our hearts to be here much sooner.  But we praise God for His PERFECT TIMING.  I am so very thankful that He has orchestrated our time line to get here.  His ways are so much higher than ours and this is one of those times I especially recognize and appreciate that fact.

Our last few weeks in America were great although bittersweet.  They flew by and left us torn between wanting just a little more time there and our yearning to be where God has called us.  We are so thankful that we were able to spend time with our family and friends.  Although there were so many other people we wanted to hang out with, we are trusting that we will meet again soon (either here in Africa or when we visit the states again).  

The next few months in Africa will be full of many transitions for us.  We have many trainings to go through that will be taking place in countries all around Sub Saharan Africa.


As we begin to get adjusted to the African way of life here in Uganda, I am realizing what a paradox everything here seems.  Life is more difficult yet much simpler. There are so many things to get used to-time and climate change, driving on the left side of the road, new foods, and a whole new culture.  I feel like a child again in many ways as I learn different ways to do things I’ve done my whole life-washing clothes, cooking, taking a bath, etc.  It just takes longer to do things!  This is a lot in and of itself to get used to.  Then throw in learning language, meshing with new team members, raising a kid here, and being pregnant, and whoo!  Some days it seems like it’s all Selvin and I can do just to get the practical things done.  

But this is only the beginning, this is life in an African city.  When we get out to the bush it gets even more difficult-bucket showers, cooking over an open flame, living in huts, etc.  From a practical standpoint, it would be easy to say, WHAT WERE WE THINKING MOVING TO AFRICA?  Yet, we are reminded almost on a daily basis of the calling the Lord has placed on our lives.  When we think of seeing our Kaabong national friends again (in just a few days) or we see Abby’s face light up as she shakes a Ugandan child’s hand, our hearts overflow with thankfulness that our great God is in control.  The other day the Lord reminded me of this when I read Isaiah 41:8-10:

“But you, Israel, my servant, 
Jacob, whom I have chosen, 
the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners, 
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

And so in reading this, I find strength.  I take a deep breath, hold my head high as I look to my Helper on high, and I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESUS!  YOU WILL UPHOLD ME AS YOUR RIGHTEOUS CHILD.  YOU ARE IN CONTROL AND I WILL TRUST IN YOU!