Pray that we would leave a lasting impact of God's love pouring through us as we reach out to the sick and dying. Pray that God would use us to share His joy and hope. Pray for the team members who God reveals need to make life changes when they get home. Pray that they would have courage to obey and the faith to trust it is worth it.
Pray that God will renew the spiritual passion of the Ugandans and empower them to reach out to help their own people.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Pray that we will have perseverance to finish strong to the end and we will run this short race with endurance. Pray that where we lack, whether it be energy or grace or wherever, that God would fill that gap and be our completion. Pray that we will have the faith to allow Him to fill in this gap. Pray that the hearts of the locals in the various rural areas we work in will be open to the work that God has for us.
Pray that God would use us to challenge the ideas of locals that are mixed with Christ and mysticism and that we would be a tool to help find truth from lies.
Pray that we will have perseverance to finish strong to the end and we will run this short race with endurance. Pray that where we lack, whether it be energy or grace or wherever, that God would fill that gap and be our completion. Pray that we will have the faith to allow Him to fill in this gap. Pray that the hearts of the locals in the various rural areas we work in will be open to the work that God has for us.
Pray that God would use us to challenge the ideas of locals that are mixed with Christ and mysticism and that we would be a tool to help find truth from lies.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Pray that God would open hearts to the truth that He will reveal through us. Pray that we will allow ourselves to be used as the hands of God at the medical clinics. In any adventure into a different culture there are always going to be some miscommunications. Pray that God will give us grace to deal with these humbly and gracefully.
Pray that the current system of displacement camps is changed or ended and people may regain the land they had before they were displaced and begin to build their families again.
Pray that God would open hearts to the truth that He will reveal through us. Pray that we will allow ourselves to be used as the hands of God at the medical clinics. In any adventure into a different culture there are always going to be some miscommunications. Pray that God will give us grace to deal with these humbly and gracefully.
Pray that the current system of displacement camps is changed or ended and people may regain the land they had before they were displaced and begin to build their families again.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Ugh Ugandan internet....
It's taken almost an hour to get this to load to be able to post this so I hope it's appreciated. Almost half the team was down sick today and tonight the Biola group leaves. We're going to the African market tomorrow and a graduation party for one of the mommas at the orphanage. somewhere in there we will be going back to sanyu baby home and help out a little more.
It's been a really good trip, I'm getting anxious to go home though I've been feeling icky for a few days now and I'm having to take a lot more pain medicine. It's sooo hot here. I know that's horrible for those suffering from the constant cold of Washington but with no ice or air conditioning to cool off after a hot day of work, It's getting old and I think all of us have a tinge of heat exhaustion not to mention the fever that has been going around.
my second luggage bag still has not shown. I've been praying that it'll come on the plane that lands in 2 hours. I won't find out until the morning though if it does. It would be nice to have it and not have to worry about it anymore.
I look forward to telling you all about the trip when I return home I have hours of footage and loads of pictures to share. I think it's time to let someone else on the computer though.
LOVE LOVE
Nicole
It's been a really good trip, I'm getting anxious to go home though I've been feeling icky for a few days now and I'm having to take a lot more pain medicine. It's sooo hot here. I know that's horrible for those suffering from the constant cold of Washington but with no ice or air conditioning to cool off after a hot day of work, It's getting old and I think all of us have a tinge of heat exhaustion not to mention the fever that has been going around.
my second luggage bag still has not shown. I've been praying that it'll come on the plane that lands in 2 hours. I won't find out until the morning though if it does. It would be nice to have it and not have to worry about it anymore.
I look forward to telling you all about the trip when I return home I have hours of footage and loads of pictures to share. I think it's time to let someone else on the computer though.
LOVE LOVE
Nicole
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pray that God would reveal some guidance about the potential internship and other future mission training work. Pray that God will continue to be my source of energy and strength. Pray that I have faith. Especially concerning my future. It's easy to get caught up in future goals and forget that God has a plan to get there. Pray that I will have the faith to let Him get me there His way.
Pray that peace will one day soon be found in Uganda, and that peace will spread throughout all of Africa.
Pray that peace will one day soon be found in Uganda, and that peace will spread throughout all of Africa.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Halfway done
It's been an interesting week Yesterday all my prayers about the team uniting finally were answered as people shared how God has been working in them during this trip. I've been having a really bad attitude of bitterness and I confessed that to the team and asked them to hold me accountable to having a better attitude.
The clinics have been incredible. I wish we could do more for all the people we encounter with HIV and more to educate about general health. the biggest reason for hospitalization with malaria is dehydration.
the deworming clinics have been good too we've treated thousands of kids.
my pain has been really bad. I had to go to the pharmacy and get more pain medicine. my second piece of luggage is still lost also so pray that God would guide it here before it's time to go. The last it was seen was in London. Thank you all so much for your prayers I can't wait to share with you the details of how God has been working through us!!!
The clinics have been incredible. I wish we could do more for all the people we encounter with HIV and more to educate about general health. the biggest reason for hospitalization with malaria is dehydration.
the deworming clinics have been good too we've treated thousands of kids.
my pain has been really bad. I had to go to the pharmacy and get more pain medicine. my second piece of luggage is still lost also so pray that God would guide it here before it's time to go. The last it was seen was in London. Thank you all so much for your prayers I can't wait to share with you the details of how God has been working through us!!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Pray that the medical clinics would speak God's love into people's lives on a deeply personal level opening them up to the gospel. Pray that the healing found at the medical clinics would dispel any power of the lies of the local witchdoctors. I feel is it vital to pray next to that prayer that God would protect us from spiritual warfare. If we are getting rid of witchdoctors, Satan will be none too happy with us.
Witchdoctors, though less common, are still in existence throughout much of Africa. At times they look like real doctors with the title of a witch doctor for tradition's sake, but often the voodoo and spiritual complexities still exist even within Christian communities that didn't know how to deal with their witchdoctor heritage in this new Christian life.
Pray that the medical clinics would speak God's love into people's lives on a deeply personal level opening them up to the gospel. Pray that the healing found at the medical clinics would dispel any power of the lies of the local witchdoctors. I feel is it vital to pray next to that prayer that God would protect us from spiritual warfare. If we are getting rid of witchdoctors, Satan will be none too happy with us.
Witchdoctors, though less common, are still in existence throughout much of Africa. At times they look like real doctors with the title of a witch doctor for tradition's sake, but often the voodoo and spiritual complexities still exist even within Christian communities that didn't know how to deal with their witchdoctor heritage in this new Christian life.
As we go to church in Uganda and worship with the locals, pray that God uses us to encourage them and build them up in the Lord. Pray for safety and protection from violence and that political stability is maintained. Finally as we experience a different aspect of the global church and how God is moving, that He would reveal to us a new aspect of His character that enhances our understanding of Him.
Pray for protection for recovery homes from rebel soldiers. Places set up to help reintegrate child soldiers who have escaped. In these homes, children receive mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Several are run by World Vision. Knowing this is where "runaways" go, the rebels will sometimes attack these places of refuge.
Pray for protection for recovery homes from rebel soldiers. Places set up to help reintegrate child soldiers who have escaped. In these homes, children receive mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Several are run by World Vision. Knowing this is where "runaways" go, the rebels will sometimes attack these places of refuge.
Friday, January 22, 2010
I got one bag of luggage finally on Wednesday night. It's soo good to have some of my things and wear my own clothes. I never knew how much I appreciated that. The team is begining to bond. It's kinda odd with soooo many team members and the group from biola often separates themselves but we're all bonding slowly but surely. I have been feeling pretty well. We have been to 3 orphanages. We've held 3 de worming clinics and had one medical clinic. The de-worming clinc yesterday we had 1600 patients and that entire clinic cost $46. It's so crazy to realize how inexpensive it is to provide REAL help to these people. Today we are doing a medical clinic and that's all i know so far. I have a headache though so I am going to go lay down until breakfast. Thank you all for all your prayers. Please continue to pray that bag #2 shows up.
Saturday, January 23,2010
Pray that God would put a bubble of protection from spiritual warfare around us. We know from the story of Job that Satan will do whatever he can to mess with us sometimes. Pray that God would tell Satan no and that through that we would be able to freely serve God without that hindrance. Then pray that we ourselves would not get in our own way of serving God freely, but that we would live in obedience and humility to Him. Pray that especially while we are there, Uganda will find some idea of political stability.
Pray that the peace talks that have been unsuccessfully going on for years would finally begin to make progress in bringing this war to an end.
Pray that God would put a bubble of protection from spiritual warfare around us. We know from the story of Job that Satan will do whatever he can to mess with us sometimes. Pray that God would tell Satan no and that through that we would be able to freely serve God without that hindrance. Then pray that we ourselves would not get in our own way of serving God freely, but that we would live in obedience and humility to Him. Pray that especially while we are there, Uganda will find some idea of political stability.
Pray that the peace talks that have been unsuccessfully going on for years would finally begin to make progress in bringing this war to an end.
With a country full of suffering and brokenness, pray that God would use us to bear the burdens of our Ugandan brothers and sisters. Pray that He would use us to encourage them in their time of need. Pray that God would give us His perspective of the Sanyu Babies Home (the baby orphanage) I don't know how to prepare myself for the emotions that will come with this day. Pray that God will prepare us for the difficulties we will face.
Each night thousands of children commute from their villages and the displacement camps to find safety from the rebels in the city. During this commute sometimes the children are attacked, while the parents had to stay home. It is a regular occurrence for girls to be raped during this nightly commute, even by the government's own soldiers. Pray that even for just one night the commuters would be safe from violence.
Each night thousands of children commute from their villages and the displacement camps to find safety from the rebels in the city. During this commute sometimes the children are attacked, while the parents had to stay home. It is a regular occurrence for girls to be raped during this nightly commute, even by the government's own soldiers. Pray that even for just one night the commuters would be safe from violence.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
As our ideas of what this trip may look like shifts, or God changes our plans entirely, pray that we would all have the faith and flexibility to move WITH His will. Pray that the de-worming clinics will be successful and that God would use something so basic to touch the hearts and lives of His people. Pray that we would each have self-less attitudes and God-full attitudes. It's so easy to get tired or lazy after a few days and just decide to help out when you feel like it. Pray that God would help us guard our hearts towards this complacency and give us diligent hearts to make the most of every precious minute we have there.
Much of the international aid that is brought into the country is stolen by the rebels. Pray that something would change so that the people who NEED the help would receive the help that is sent to them and that God would prevent the rebels from being able to steal it.
As our ideas of what this trip may look like shifts, or God changes our plans entirely, pray that we would all have the faith and flexibility to move WITH His will. Pray that the de-worming clinics will be successful and that God would use something so basic to touch the hearts and lives of His people. Pray that we would each have self-less attitudes and God-full attitudes. It's so easy to get tired or lazy after a few days and just decide to help out when you feel like it. Pray that God would help us guard our hearts towards this complacency and give us diligent hearts to make the most of every precious minute we have there.
Much of the international aid that is brought into the country is stolen by the rebels. Pray that something would change so that the people who NEED the help would receive the help that is sent to them and that God would prevent the rebels from being able to steal it.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Pray that our actions and words above all else, bring glory to our God! Pray that as we travel from the guesthouse to the various places we will be serving that God will grant good reflexes and open alert eyes to our driver as he navigates through the craze of third world driving (which he does on a daily basis). Pray for the day we spend in the Kampala Hospital. Pray that we would bring smiles to children's faces in the midst of a scary time, and hope to terrified families.
Many of the children we will encounter in the hospital are children who have wounds of war. Gunshot wounds, burns, malnourishment, etc. Very few children who need the help the hospital offers are even ABLE to get to the hospital. Most of these children are stuck in displacement camps where there is about one nurse to ever 5,000 people, with no doctors or aids. Pray that the government would change their regulations on this, and even train the jobless in the camps to aid the nurses there. Let's kill two birds with one stone!
Pray that our actions and words above all else, bring glory to our God! Pray that as we travel from the guesthouse to the various places we will be serving that God will grant good reflexes and open alert eyes to our driver as he navigates through the craze of third world driving (which he does on a daily basis). Pray for the day we spend in the Kampala Hospital. Pray that we would bring smiles to children's faces in the midst of a scary time, and hope to terrified families.
Many of the children we will encounter in the hospital are children who have wounds of war. Gunshot wounds, burns, malnourishment, etc. Very few children who need the help the hospital offers are even ABLE to get to the hospital. Most of these children are stuck in displacement camps where there is about one nurse to ever 5,000 people, with no doctors or aids. Pray that the government would change their regulations on this, and even train the jobless in the camps to aid the nurses there. Let's kill two birds with one stone!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Pray that on medical clinic days God brings those who most desperately need our help, and that He would supply us with the means to aid and bring hope to each individual situation. Pray that we will have faith. In the preparation time I only got a glimpse of what Jesus meant when He said we could move mountains if only we have faith. Pray that God gives us the faith to move whatever mountains get in our way.
Pray for the parents whose children have been abducted and are missing. Pray that God would bring them peace and the ability to live each day.
Pray for the parents whose children have been abducted and are missing. Pray that God would bring them peace and the ability to live each day.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
As we go to church in Uganda and worship with the locals, pray that God uses us to encourage them and build them up in the Lord. Pray for safety and protection from violence and that political stability is maintained. Finally as we experience a different aspect of the global church and how God is moving, that He would reveal to us a new aspect of His character that enhances our understanding of Him.
Pray for protection for recovery homes from rebel soldiers. Places set up to help reintegrate child soldiers who have escaped. In these homes, children receive mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Several are run by World Vision. Knowing this is where "runaways" go, the rebels will sometimes attack these places of refuge.
Pray for protection for recovery homes from rebel soldiers. Places set up to help reintegrate child soldiers who have escaped. In these homes, children receive mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Several are run by World Vision. Knowing this is where "runaways" go, the rebels will sometimes attack these places of refuge.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Pray that God grants me good health while I'm in the country, that none of my known conditions acts up or causes problems, and also that my immune system is strong and God protects me from the various diseases easily contractible in Uganda, such as malaria, yellow fever, hepatitis, etc. Pray also that the whole team is filled with faith to trust God in EVERYTHING and that this is a defining characteristic of this team. Pray that God builds strong relationships between us all and there are no opportunities for arguments or contentions.
Pray that the leader of the rebel movement, the Lord's Resistance Movement (LRA), Joseph Kony, is caught so that peace talks can continue and he can be arrested for the charges brought against him by the international courts.
Pray that the leader of the rebel movement, the Lord's Resistance Movement (LRA), Joseph Kony, is caught so that peace talks can continue and he can be arrested for the charges brought against him by the international courts.
Pray that the team has a safe flight into Uganda. The majority of the team is flying in from London but several are flying in from Australia. Pray we have a safe drive from the airport to Jinja, the city we'll be working out of... this includes the craziness of third world country driving and protection from any attacks from rebel movements, etc. Pray for rapid adjustment from the jet lag for the entire team.
Pray that God strengthens the church of Uganda and sifts the truth from the lies in the spiritual beliefs.
Friday, January 15, 2010
I got to London and at customs one of my bags didn’t show up. So I went to go make a claim on that. While I was doing that, someone took off with the cart that had my other suitcase and my carry on on it. So the guy who was helping me make the claim helped me look all over the area for it. I can’t imagine that someone would go through customs with someone elses bags… but someone did. As we were giving up someone came running from the parking garage and said he took the wrong bag and asked the worker I was with to take it back to baggage claim. It was my carry on. So I have my prescriptions The two other bags still have not show up yet. So I do have my money my passport one change of clothes and a few granola bars. Everything else is missing. AHH! So please pray that God does whatever needs to be done to get those bags into Uganda.Thank you all so much for your encouragement and prayers!
Nicole
Nicole
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Farewell
So if I ever finish packing... this is it. Thank you all for all the support and encouragement you have offered of the past several months. My brother will be manning the blog while I am gone, and posting the daily prayer requests. Here's todays
Safe Travel into London. I and 5 other team members travel to London today and we have a 19 hour layover. Pray that we have good weather in our departure and destination cities. Pray also that during this layover we begin building good relationships and that we have encouraging conversations that prepare us all for the weeks to come.
Pray that no children are abducted today in Uganda and pray that even just one makes it home out of captivity today.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wow
It seems as though that change in the heart behind my prayer was all God was waiting for because I received the remaining $700 I needed in funding and I can now praise God in proclaiming I am fully funded and excited and much less nervous to go now. Thank you prayer team for all your prayers!
I'm going to be taking a little break from all things media related for the next few days and really zone in on what God would have me see about Him and my relationship to Him. I will be saying a little good-bye Thursday morning on here before I leave, and my brother will be posting the daily prayer requests on here. If there is a day that God really moves on your heart to pray for something specific please feel free to share that with me, I will be keeping a detailed journal and I will hopefully be able to share with you what was happening around that time that you were being urged by the spirit to pray.
I'm going to be taking a little break from all things media related for the next few days and really zone in on what God would have me see about Him and my relationship to Him. I will be saying a little good-bye Thursday morning on here before I leave, and my brother will be posting the daily prayer requests on here. If there is a day that God really moves on your heart to pray for something specific please feel free to share that with me, I will be keeping a detailed journal and I will hopefully be able to share with you what was happening around that time that you were being urged by the spirit to pray.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
So THAT's the big picture...
So I was reading "A Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision and all of it makes sense now.
He was talking about this time of desert land he went through in his life with 14 months of unemployment, in today's economy that doesn't sound like much now, but during that time he learned to depend on God fully as he studied the Israelites and how it took the Israelites 40 years to learn to trust God for that manna.
I was turning this over in my mind, all the while for a few days now I've been trying to figure out why it feels wrong to pray that God will provide for my trip. I know He is the great provider and that after all this He will provide, so then I know I should be praying about this issue... but maybe not in this way.
So then it sudenly hit me. I need to be praying for FAITH that God will provide not so much that He will provide, and as I do that I am already thanking Him for the miracle that I know he put into motion before I even thought I was going to Uganda. I just need to wait.... faithfully.
So please pray with me that I will have faith.
He was talking about this time of desert land he went through in his life with 14 months of unemployment, in today's economy that doesn't sound like much now, but during that time he learned to depend on God fully as he studied the Israelites and how it took the Israelites 40 years to learn to trust God for that manna.
I was turning this over in my mind, all the while for a few days now I've been trying to figure out why it feels wrong to pray that God will provide for my trip. I know He is the great provider and that after all this He will provide, so then I know I should be praying about this issue... but maybe not in this way.
So then it sudenly hit me. I need to be praying for FAITH that God will provide not so much that He will provide, and as I do that I am already thanking Him for the miracle that I know he put into motion before I even thought I was going to Uganda. I just need to wait.... faithfully.
So please pray with me that I will have faith.
God IS faithful
I know our God is a faithful God, and He has been so faithful over the past few months with everything. Now I'm getting scared though. Because in addition to being faithful I know God does things we don't understand. I'm 5 days away from leaving. But I figured my final paycheck and the donations I have currently and then included the money not included in ground fees that we need to have to cover meals, etc. I still need about $700 before Wednesday. I never recieved that much money in donations in one week... I'm terrified right now. I don't know what I'll do if I don't have enough money. I'll really fit into the culture. I'm supposed to go and help though... not fit in. I'm so torn and frustrated and stressed. ugh!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Pressure Rising
Wow it's been a little while since I updated.
So here's where I'm at. 8 days away, I'm feeling excited, a little anxious, overwhelmed, blessed, encouraged, scared, all the while I'm anticipating watching the hand of God at work.
I still have about $930 in funds I need to raise. So I'm anticipating watching God perform that miracle. I'm physically exhausted and tired - I've had issues with the endometriosis this last month to the point where I had to make a little trip to the ER last week. I'm feeling a little better, but I now am confident that whatever strength is needed to finish preparing to go and complete the work He has for me there... is all through Him, because I'm really just tired and want to sleep (so I am going to bed soon. )
I was very encouraged tonight at church though, I was given an opportunity to share during church about my trip. The church prayed over me which moved me so much I was choking back tears the whole time. Then after church I had several conversations that all brought up different aspects of ways I need to be preparing spiritually and personally and be praying over and then also these specifics I can extend out to the prayer team.
So here's where I'm at. 8 days away, I'm feeling excited, a little anxious, overwhelmed, blessed, encouraged, scared, all the while I'm anticipating watching the hand of God at work.
I still have about $930 in funds I need to raise. So I'm anticipating watching God perform that miracle. I'm physically exhausted and tired - I've had issues with the endometriosis this last month to the point where I had to make a little trip to the ER last week. I'm feeling a little better, but I now am confident that whatever strength is needed to finish preparing to go and complete the work He has for me there... is all through Him, because I'm really just tired and want to sleep (so I am going to bed soon. )
I was very encouraged tonight at church though, I was given an opportunity to share during church about my trip. The church prayed over me which moved me so much I was choking back tears the whole time. Then after church I had several conversations that all brought up different aspects of ways I need to be preparing spiritually and personally and be praying over and then also these specifics I can extend out to the prayer team.
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