Let the Work Begin

"Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you." ~1 Chronicles 22:16

This verse comes as David's reign as king has ended and Solomon has taken over rule of Israel. David had the desire to build a house for the Lord, but was told his son was to fulfill it. David made extensive plans and told Solomon what the Lord had told him. He finished by telling Solomon "Now begin the work, and the Lord will be with you."

I have kind of felt like this the past few days. After all the preparations to get to Uganda and getting here, it's time to start the work (well, join the work the Fulks are already doing)- trusting that the Lord is with me.

Last Friday, I went to Kisenji for the first time to see the kids and the school. I look at Kisenji and think about how God knows and loves each person.

We spent the weekend talking to those that would be teaching, deciding on what and how we would teach, and preparing materials. This week it was time to begin the work.

The students have been taught letter names. Now we are working on letter sounds in both English and Ngakaramajong. Along with basic phonics, we are also teaching them Bible stories. We are starting with the vowels this week.

Because They Matter

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11


I have lost count of how many times I've been asked, "Why Africa?" Why would I give up my summer, my comforts, my time to go to Africa to teach and work with kids - the same thing I do during the school year. Why would I risk my health and safety for people I've never met?

I do it because the people I've never met are a creation of God. He knows and loves them the same way He knows and loves me. He has created them for a purpose, and He wants to give them hope and a future. If He is willing to use me to help them, who am I to say no? I don't do this because I'm going to change the world - I can't. Poverty, hunger, pain, and abuse will always exist. But if one life is changed, if one person now has the chance to get an education, if one person realizes how loved they are, that they have a purpose and are not forgotten, that God created them and loves them enough to send His son to die so they may know Him...then my summer has been well spent.