If you would've told me six years ago that I would be a teacher, a preacher, a wiper of boogers, a dryer of tears, a cleaner of throw up and a changer of clothe diapers... I would've been convinced that you were confusing me with someone else. Now all these things are engrained in my daily routine. I've learned that nothing is "too gross" and nothing is "outside of my job description". I've learned how to clean up after our little ones when they get sick on the dirt floor at school.... It's not quite as easy as calling the janitor or grabbing the mop. I've learned that the simple act of holding a three year old ever so tightly through the pains of malaria can be just as good as medication. I've learned that if Jesus's name is the reflection of everything that I do, nothing else matters. I've learned that working your BUTT off for 12 hours a day with nothing in return but stained clothes and a heart that explodes with joy, then it's the best day of your life. I've learned more about love, grace, patience and sharing from our students in Nursery School than I have in my entire 24 years of life. I've seen 12 teachers work all day every day to receive nothing in return, a part from 302 students receiving an education. I've met a small group of people in the slum every Thursday to share The Gospel only to watch our numbers grow and The Word spread to the point where we are now holding studies three different nights a week in three different areas of the slum because the GOOD NEWS is spreading and people are hungry for Jesus. I've gone to give an offering in a village church only to look into the basket to see two eggs SACRIFICED for The Kingdom. With tears rolling down my cheeks, my money seemed worthless in that moment. I've made friends from Pakistan, India, Germany, Canada, America, Rwanda, Uganda, England, and places in between. I've had cruel wake up calls to being so sheltered... "You're American? You must be so scared of me because I'm from Pakistan" - I didn't have words... Only tears and a hug and a new Pakistani family to call my own. I have had every comfort zone erased, every boundary shattered, every notion evaporated and every pretense gone with the wind. It's as if I am relearning everything right alongside of my favorite 3 year olds at Mountain of Olives. I have heard the words of a genuine prayer from families that have nothing to their names... Families that have 10 mouths to feed and the government just bull dozed their home because they decided they needed to put a wall up right where that family stayed. I've had sleepless nights because I feel the Lord challenging me and asking me to give more and go deeper.
I brought in my 24th year thousands of miles from home with a resounding feeling of freedom. I watched the African sun rise over Lake Victoria as the fishermen paddled out in their wooden boats into the mist of the early morning. I jumped off a jenky platform plummeting into the Nile River. I sat in a small village school called Mountain of Olives as 12 humble teachers threw me a birthday party... Sacrificing hard earned money to bring me a birthday cake accompanied by trick candles. I've swam in the Nile River and shared laughter and drinks with friends that have turned into family. I have let go of everything I once held onto so tightly.
What have I received in return? Sheer, utter, complete freedom and joy in Jesus. A glimpse into The Kingdom every.single.day. because I'm allowing the Lord to show it to me. Yes, some days I just want to hug my AMAZING SUPER MOM, SUZIE, and go get my nails and toes done and stroll through all of our favorite shops in town. Yes, I find myself day dreaming of a slumber party with my sister, Sydney... followed by her dressing me in the cutest and latest fashionable little number and eating jellie beans and laughing until we get grounded by our dad at 24 and 26 years old. Yes, there are times all I want to do is go see my sister, Lindsay, and her new little life in Dallas and eat junk food with her and watch movies all day. Yes, I would give anything to go on a mountain drive with my brother, Blake. Sometimes my heart aches for a day filled with skiing and silence with him. Yes, I would LOVE to sit with my dad all morning at our favorite little coffee shop in Boerne, Texas talking about EVERY topic under the sun. Yes, all these things are rich and lovely. However, heaven will be so much more than my best day or my best moment with any of them. And until Jesus returns or calls me home, I will let go of these comforts and love and serve with my whole heart right here, right now, in Uganda.
Slum Time is the BEST TIME!
Our Ugandan Director, Jackson
Lisa, the brain child behind slum bible study
Aggrey, the engineer designing Mountain of Olives Nursery and Primary School
Moments with Baby Chantal
Perfectly painted birthday sunrise
Bungee jumping into the Nile
A birthday party for the books
Fetching water with our students
Visiting Jackson's family and home village
The happiest walk to school that you ever did see
Nick teaching P6 bible class
Our little ones during PE time at school
I encourage you to live and love abundantly. To say yes to things that scare you and to try things you never thought you would. Go outside of your comfort zone and be a light to all those you cross paths with. Live in a way that makes people fall in love with The Kingdom. And of course, always join us on this crazy journey at www.raysofgrace.org :)
As always, sending you such big love and grace...
With all of my heart,
britt :)
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