Africa is Not Washington... But it's still pretty wonderful!

Hi everyone!

The other morning I woke up, look through my mosquito net to the red dirt and palm trees outside and I had this strange reality check… I am in Africa. Africa… yes,  Africa. And the weird thing is, here I am almost three months into my stay here, and I still can’t believe that sometimes. Some days I stop and look around me and wonder, “How is this my life?” How is it possible that I am sharing life with people of a completely different culture half way across the world? How is it possible that six months ago the biggest decision I needed to make was what I would eat for breakfast every morning, and here I am praying about which country God wants me to go to next. Which country should I go to next? Yeah. It’s Tanzania, by the way, I leave for my two month outreach in Arusha, Tanzania in two weeks! Crazy, right?! But anyway, my point is that  I am still in shock at where God has lead me and is leading me; what he has done, is doing, and is going to do in my life. He’s teaching me that being a missionary isn’t a job, it’s not even a label. It’s about your character, it’s a personality. It’s about loving unconditionally, giving generously, and humbly serving. It’s about being a foot- washer. It’s about laying down your rights for the sake of others. Yes, I can feel every two-by-four supporting my ultra-thin mattress when I sleep, but at least I have a bed. And yes, sometimes when I wash my clothes my wrists bleed, but at least I have clothes. And we share our room with rats, but at least I have a roof over my head. And some days I wish I wasn’t eating posho and beans every day, but guess what? At least we have food to eat, when thousands of children on this very continent won’t eat today. Or tomorrow.  And sometimes I feel like the need is too great for me to make a difference; that this culture is too different from home for me to ever really fit in. But then I remember that I am living God’s dream for my life. He brought me here, and it is by his grace that I have the privilege of being submerged into this culture. By his grace, I can serve and make a difference in people’s lives here. It is my privilege to everyday wake up and learn more, love more, serve more, give more, and submit more to God and his plans for my life. I love waking up in the morning and remembering that God is on this amazing adventure, mission really, to love, redeem, and bring life to this world, and that he has invited me, he has invited all of us, to join him! And when we live out of that realization- when we align our mission with his and align our hearts with his, he can use us in amazing ways… no matter where we are! It doesn’t matter if you are in an over-crowded taxi in the middle of Uganda, or on a high school bus in the States, God can use you. It doesn’t matter if you pass street children in Jinja or a homeless man in downtown Bellingham- God wants to use you to show that he provides for our needs. That he uses his people to feed the hungry. Isn’t that our job? Our mission as believers? To feed the hungry. To give hope to the lost. To defend the orphans. To love the unlovable. To care for the widows.  It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher, business man, doctor, construction worker, student, or full time mom- this is our mission. You are a missionary. If you truly love Jesus and believe that he has changed your life—it only makes sense that you reach out and offer the hope you have found to others.  And I wish I had realized this sooner. I wish I would have made it more of a priority to use every day, every opportunity to shine Jesus’ light. To be bold with my testimony in every environment, in every situation. In Bellingham. On the streets. In school. At the grocery store. Why not? What did I have to lose? What do you have to lose?

I think one of the coolest, most amazing, thrilling thing I have ever done is introduce and watch people become friends with Jesus. To join his family. To join my family. To find the hope, joy, and true love that can only come from a relationship with the creator of the universe. And when I watched poor, dirty, old widows living in mud huts in a village (where widows have no rights at all), find hope and joy for the first time in years because they learn that Jesus sees them, loves them, and cares for them—I am reminded at just how personal our God is. And when I see street kid’s faces light up because of a simple snack, and then bow their heads and thank God for providing for their needs- I’m reminded of just how tangible our God is. And when I see a group of teenage girls crying in joy because Jesus has come into their lives, touched their hearts, forgiven them, and shown them the dreams he has for their future- I realize just how powerful our God is. Nothing is impossible with God, and no one is too far gone to be redeemed by God.  And I love watching God work. I love being used to do God’s work. This is life. This what we have been made for, to be in relationship with God and relationship with others. To love God and love others. And the cool thing is that it’s universal! You can be in Japan and living true life. You can be in Ireland and living true life. You can be in Africa, America, Singapore, or Mexico and the core to life is the same. It’s so simple, but so fulfilling. And my prayer is that all people of all nationalities will one day know this life, and live the dreams they have been destined to. How fun would that be?!

Anyway, I would be more than thrilled if you could keep me and my team in your prayers for these next two months as we minister in Tanzania. I think some of the challenges I will personally face will be language barrier (Swahili still not a strong suit) and Christmas (…no snow… or family… ). If you could also pray that God will be our strength- this will be a challenging and trying two months mentally, physically, and spiritually- but also a great opportunity to learn to lean on God more. Also, pray for unity among our team, protection, good health, and pray for God to soften the hearts of the people we will be serving. That just our presence will shine God’s love. J

Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and love. You all mean so much to me, and I miss you tons!

All my love,

Kelsey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jinja Market with Fyre

 

 Kakira Market... this is where we buy our food!

 

The Kiddos :)

Oranges are green in Uganda!

Just can't get away from the Everything skit...

Me making chapati!

Sometimes Africans forget to make sure your face is in

the picture :)

Rossette Getting Baptized!

My roommates!

 

Shaving Telephores Head!

 

 

Playing in the rain.... lots of rain.

 

Lindsey, Rut, Heather, Me, Carmen, Rossette, Kelly, Sarah and Shanna

This is how we wash clothes!

The Year for God Team!

 Kayla, Heather, Me, Joseph, Kelly and Sarah

We were going to a wedding!

My dear friend Shanna <3

At an open air "crusade" in Wairaka :)

My friend Arafat! Pretty much sums up our friendship...

 

So. much. Joy!