“Pure and genuine religion in the sight if God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” – James 1:27 (NLT).
James was a smart man and I have found much of what he had to say applicable to our first month in Uganda. In chapter 1 verses 19-27 James talks about how Christians must be slow to anger because anger does not produce righteousness, and how Christians must also stop talking about how religious they are and start acting like it. Both of these things are hard to do especially in a foreign context. It is sometimes very easy to get angry and frustrated at the way things are, and very easy to step aside because it would be too difficult to try and fix all that is “wrong”. But I think verse 27 puts things into perspective and simplifies what religion/service/missions is to look like. It is about loving people and building relationships. After a month I believe that is what SJ and I are here to do and I am excited to see what relationships God brings our way.
It is hard to believe that a month has passed since we first stepped foot in Uganda. We have learned an overwhelming amount of information. It has been a good month full of new relationships, new food, new experiences, cuddling and caring for babies, building furniture, pouring concrete, taxi rides and tons of sunshine. But, it has also been a frustrating month full of new relationships, new food, taxi rides, riots and getting ripped off (I am not good at bartering as of yet). Missions is rewarding and difficult at the same time and I think both SJ and I have a new found appreciation for full-time missionaries. We have also noticed just how drastic the gap is between the wealthy here in Uganda and the rest of the population. There is a very small middle class. It is unsettling to see the slums and the poor on a daily basis and then have the opportunity to walk into a shopping center that sells big screen TV’s, Spalding golf clubs, leather couches and laptop computers.
This past week was quite busy both at the babies home and at the shop. Sarah made two visits to the local Mulago hospital with Meg, Bulrushes smallest baby. Both times Sarah felt like she was on display as the locals take notice (they stare) when a lone mzungu walks in with Uganda’s smallest living black baby in her arms. We still have not really gotten used to being stared at, I’m not sure anyone does. I think I have experienced a little of what a zoo animal must feel like. The preemie room also graduated all of its male residents to the next room up leaving Sarah and the nannies with an all female occupancy. On a sad note - the second baby, since our arrival, past away yesterday. She was a 10-month-old girl and her small mal-nourished body was overcome by her illnesses after much fighting. This next week will be Sarah’s first working all nights (5pm-12am), which will clash with my days (6:30am-7pm). Please pray for her strength and energy, and safe travels home.
At the shop this past week I spent much of my time sorting and organizing drawers and drawers of tools, parts and junk. I have also been helping with the creation of our very own timber kiln. For those of you who have no idea what that is…it is basically an old shipping container that will heat up, via homemade solar power, and dry wet timber making it more workable. The last few days we have inserted drains in the floor for the condensation to escape and poured a concrete floor; all by hand, no mixer. Tuesday I found myself in Kampala doing a little work at Watoto church and wandering around downtown markets shopping for materials with one of the shop’s foremen. What a wonderful yet chaotic experience. You can get absolutely anything that you could think of. You just have to find it. Relationally I am making progress with many of the guys and can somewhat communicate in Luganda with them. Please pray that God would provide opportunity to deepen these relationships.
Despite the ups and downs of life here in Uganda God is most certainly constant and working wonders. We were reminded today at church that God is on a mission to build His church, weather we are on board or not. What a magnificent promise! Our mission, if we choose to accept it, is to simply love our God and others and to SERVE. May God grant us the strength and the patience to serve the people of Uganda well and you the same in your context.
Blessings,
- Matt & SJ
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