"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." ~Proverbs 16:9
So last summer I was sure I would return to Sierra Leone, to Mokanji, and to the kids at Hope's Rising. Although that was a possibility for me this summer, it's not what's happening. I am returning to Africa, but this time to Kampala, Uganda. I will be honest, I never pictured myself going to Uganda. When people think of missionaries in Africa, they think of Uganda. When people think of African adoption, they think of Uganda. I didn't want to be where everyone else was. I wanted to be some place that desperately needed Jesus and had no one to share that with them. However, God is showing me how my thoughts were not accurate and that this is what He has for me.
Here's a few things He has shown me:
1. The Kids: The kids I worked with last summer are taken care of under the organization, "Let Them LOL." They have a lot of help, each child has a sponsor, they are taken care of. Although I still pray for these kids often, they are loved and cared for. The kids in Uganda are not as fortunate. I will be helping with a newly founded school in the slums of Uganda. There are no sponsors for these kids, there are very limited resources to help them, they don't have what the kids at Hope's Rising do. God showed me, in this situation, the need is greater in Uganda.
2. Fellowship: If I were to return to Sierra Leone I would be going by myself again. Although God used last summer to teach me a ton about Him and myself, He also showed me why the disciples went out by two. He showed me the importance of being around other believers. In Uganda I will have that fellowship.
3. Church Involvement: Last summer, although I had many people back home praying for me, my home church was not connected with the organization I went through. Yes, they have the same mission and both do great work, but they weren't connected. God has shown me how vital it is for the church to be connected with the mission work. I am excited to be continuing the work my church is already apart of, just in a different country. I am excited to be working with people my church has been praying for for a long time now. I am excited that I will have the opportunity to participate in what is going on in Uganda before I leave and after I return home.
So that's where I'm at - preparing to go to Uganda for the summer and so looking forward to what God has in store!
