40 Days and Counting

I've been so bad at updating the blog lately. It's been so busy around here! Those of you who are local know that school is still in session. When I was a student I always eagerly anticipated the end of school because it meant the freedom of summer. And I just figured the teachers were all sad to see us leave. But now that I'm on the teaching end of things, I realize that teachers are just as excited (if not more excited at times) to be done with school!

We finally purchased our plane tickets to Uganda this summer so now the trip is officially on! We're very excited and can't believe that we're already only 40 days away from leaving! It seems that every year it creeps up on us faster and faster. But before we know it, we'll be packing up, getting on the plane, and setting off for a new adventure.

If you've been with us for a while you may remember that 40 days marks a special time before we leave. In the Bible, the number 40 is often associated with a time of testing or trials, and ends with a time of revival, renewal, or blessing. The Israelites faced one trial after another as they wandered in the desert. After 40 years, they were led into the Promised Land. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. After He endured testing, the Bible says angels came and took care of Him.

The next 40 days will be significant for us as it will bring a time of testing, followed by what we trust will be a time of great blessing and revival among God's people all over the world.

So join us in the next 40 days as I will (attempt to) update you on our preparation. No two trips are ever the same. The Lord is always adding new layers to our faith and calling. So whether it's joy, excitement, nerves, trials, or just plain chaos may God be glorified in it all.

- Aly

It's the End of the World as we Know It

If you're reading this, either the world didn't end or we're in BIG trouble. All this end of the world stuff has had me scratching my head. There's so much I could comment on about how the Bible says no one, not even Jesus, knows the date and time of the rapture. Or I could discuss misguided Christians using scare tactics to win souls for Christ, or the insanity of people who sold all of their posessions and emptied their bank accounts because they thought the world was ending.

But I don't want to get into that.

Instead I want to talk about today being the end of the world. Now, now, just humor me for a minute here. Let's, just for a second, imagine that today actually was the day of Christ's return. Let's assume for a moment that anyone who believes in Christ was taken to heaven and others were left behind. It got me thinking:

How did my last day on earth look? Did I make a difference? Or did I just let another day slip by?

Now, remember we're just imagining. Like kids playing make believe. So please don't get all angry with me and think I'm saying we all need to do something crazy like sell all of our possessions just in case. I'm NOT saying that.

I'm just wondering, if we were standing before God right now, how would today have looked? Would He have been pleased with how we spent our time, talents, and resources? Would He be pleased with our words, actions, and thoughts?

If today really was the end of the world, did we make it count?

- Aly

Back At It!

Well it has been much too long since my last post. I just really haven't had much to say. Actually that's not true. If you know me at all you know I have lots to say. But in this case I just haven't been ready to share any of it on the blog yet. But now I'm back at it with new stories, new thoughts, and a whole new trip in the works for this summer! I hope you'll join us for the ride.

Today is kind of a big day for me. One year ago today I went to the homeopathic doctor for the first time. I was pretty sure she was ruining my life by putting me on this awful diet, cutting out all my carbs, sugars, and dairy. At the time that was most everything I ate. And I almost passed out when I had my very first ozone treatment. Watching the blood drain out of my arm, get pumped full of oxygen, and then re-enter my body was quite an experience. And the water, OH THE WATER! I had to drink so much of it! How was I supposed to do all that and take all of those vitamins too. Good golly I thought, "This is it. This is the end."

But it wasn't the end. It was the beginning. You see for the past several months I've talked to people about my sickness. I would say, "Last year at this time I was still sleeping 3 hours in the middle of the afternoon, could barely sit up more than a few hours a day, and hurt all over my body."

That all changes today. Because a year ago today, God did an amazing thing. He began my healing. And that horrible diet I dreaded is still part of my daily eating (with the addition to fresh fruit and multi-grains). The ozone treatments went from once a week at the beginning to now just once a month. And I can take it like a pro. And the water, OH THE WATER. Now my body cries out if I don't have it. All those things I started a year ago have brought me to where I am today. Finally, good health has come.

Unlike the past several months where I listed all the ways the sickness took over my life last year, I can now boldly say, "This time last year, I started getting my life back." And you have no idea what that means to me. I am so amazed at what the Lord has done in my life over the past few years. And I'm looking forward to what He has in store for me in the future.

I can already tell you what He has in store for our family coming up this summer. Lord willing, we will be returning to Uganda in late July. And we're looking forward to this trip like never before. In the past few months we've faced triumphs and trials alike. We know that the Lord is going to use each of them for His glory, and we're looking forward to sharing the journey with you.


- Aly

That's My Girl

If there's one lesson from Uganda I've learned the hard way it's that you can't give more attention to one child than you do another. If you take one child's hand, you have to take the other. If you put one child on your lap, you'd better make room for another. So in all fairness, after my last post about Mariam, I will now tell you a little about Sophie.

Oh, my little Sophie. Don't let that innocent face fool you. She's spunky and proud of it. She is not afraid to say what's on her mind...and she's only 6!

We went to visit them at their home one day. We were supposed to visit them the day before...and the day before that. But, that's Uganda for you. They had been all ready for our arrival the previous two days, but on this day they were not quite ready for us yet. We entered their home and sat down, the girls scurrying about trying to get their nice dresses on and clean up their faces. Now Sophie, being younger than her sister is still working on her English so she still mostly speaks the local language. Suddenly, from the other room I hear Sophie's voice ring through their small home. And then the girls' mother puts her hand over her face and the workers started laughing. Later we found out Sophie had been yelling through the house: "WHERE HAVE YOU PUT MY PANTIES?!"

That's my girl.

Now this next story is one of my favorites. This girl cracks me up! We were at the center waiting for a car to come pick us up and take us back to the city. There were about 5 children hanging around with us so we took out some candy to give them. All we had were some Now and Laters (You know "Hard and Fruity Now, Soft and Chewy Later"). Well they can also be a little sour. So I gave one to each of the kids, sat back, and opened one for myself.

A few minutes later, Sophie comes over to me and starts saying something in her local language. I don't speak the language but I know exactly what she's saying. She wants another piece of candy. Well like I said, lesson learned - if I get her another piece then everyone will need one. She kept persisting. I asked her where hers went. She walked away and came back with the water bottle I had given her. In it was about 2 inches of pink water and a chunk of Now and Later at the bottom.

And I looked at her like I would any child who I love with all my heart and I said, "Girl, I don't know what to tell you."

She stomps off about 3 steps, turns back around, and with all the attitude in the world says something in her language. Once again, I knew what she said before anyone translated for me (which is probably because this spunky girl is a little more like me than I like to admit).

She said, "You will envy me and my juice!" Took a big gulp, made a huge sour face that shook her entire body, and then trotted off.

That's my girl. And I'll love her forever!

- Aly

Yes

The Lord has blessed me immensely through child sponsorship. My girls, Mariam and Sophie, have brought so much joy to my life. I've been sponsoring them for about 3 years now and have been able to watch them as they grow.

Mariam is so much like me. At first she appears quiet, but after some time she starts to open up. And she loves to please others. She's still very young (about 7 or 8 years old) and is just really starting to understand English. So we're starting to be able to communicate a little easier. Here is how a typical conversation with Mariam might go:

Me: Hello Mariam. How are you?
Mariam: I am fine, thank you.
Me: Did you eat today?
Mariam: Yes.
Me: Did you have a nice time at school?
Mariam: Yes.
Me: It is hot out today. Are you warm?
Mariam: Yes
Me (starting to catch on): Are you cold?
Mariam (not wanting to disappoint): Yes.
Me (starting to giggle): Would you like to sit down?
Mariam: Yes.
Me: Would you like to sit in this chair?
Mariam: Yes
Me: Would you like to sit on the roof?
Mariam (bless her heart): Yes.

Anything I ask her, the answer is yes.

You know it makes me think about our conversations with God. How open are we to saying "Yes" to anything He asks? Especially when we're not even sure we understand what's being asked of us?

This Scripture has caught my eye this week:

Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. - Luke 18:16-17

Jesus wants followers who come to Him like a child. He's not saying we need to behave like children, but that we should have the same sincerity as a child coming to someone they love.

I was recently reading a book titled Experiencing God by Henry T. Blackaby, and he was saying that in the Christian language, two words can never go together: "No, Lord." He goes on to say that if you say, "No," He is not Lord of your life. Now that's not to say that we can never say no to anything (just because an opportunity arises does not necessarily mean it is something God wants us to do). But what it is saying is that when the Lord truly calls us to do something, then we must always answer "Yes."

Just as Mariam came to me and to every question I asked her the answer was yes, the Lord longs for us to come to Him in the same manner.

What will your reply be?


- Aly

Words of Inspiration

Today is Martin Luther King Day. I didn't think much of it today. It's just another day, one that I could be certain I wouldn't be wakened at the crack of dawn to go sub at school for. And that struck me as odd. There is a reason we have this day off, so I decided to look into it a bit more. All I know about Martin Luther King Jr is the little bio I learned each year in school, and little clips from the media.

You might be surprised to know that his birth name was actually Michael Luther King Jr. His father, also named Michael, changed his own name to Martin Luther King when he became a minister, and his son followed suit. He was a vegetarian. One site even named him a Trekkie (which is a little funny, this serious man loved him some Star Trek). While he worked for racial equality, he also spoke out against poverty and the war in Vietnam.

Martin Luther King Jr. is probably most remembered for his work to attain racial equality. When we hear that name we automatically think of his famous I Have a Dream speech, so we might find it surprising that he said actually said anything else in his life. Looking through some of the things he said, I stumbled upon this quote:

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Wow. Such powerful words. And it made me think of this blog and the reason it was started. We want people to know that we love the work we do both in Uganda and here at home. But it's not actually the work that matters, it's the people. And these people need to know that they matter to others and most importantly to God. And that's why we're here. That's why I write this blog. So that other people will know the names, see the faces, and hear the stories of these people, and so something can be done. Our lives cease to have a true purpose when we stop speaking up for the things that matter in life. At the end of my life I want to be remembered as someone who worked on behalf of the poor, spoke up for the sick and orphaned, and inspired others into action.

Here are a few other quotes that stood out to me. I invite you to take a minute to read and think about each one.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Life's most persistent and urging question is: What are you doing for others?

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

Do you have a favorite quote? How do you want to be remembered?

- Aly


Facts and quotes came from www.mlkonline.net and www.brainyquote.com respectively.

Amazed

I was reading through a journal I kept last year while I was sick. Exactly a year ago I chronicled what my days were like. I'm so amazed by what the Lord has done in my life. This time last year I was completely unable to spend any more than 4 hours out of bed. I was in terrible amounts of pain, which I described like this:

My body aches terribly. I feel like I'm trembling on the inside. The aches in my muscles are like the worst aches from a high fever. The joint pain is a cross between being crushed by a steamroller and being squeezed by the Hulk. The muscle pain is like doing the most intesnse workout ever for the first time (P90x?). I can't sit in one position for very long without needing to move around.

This time last year, I was sleeping 3 hours in the middle of the day. I could barely take a shower without needing to lay down. And I had improved somewhat since the beginning of the illness in September. It was tough. Having to lay in bed all day doesn't really give you a sense of accomplishment in life. It didn't seem like I was doing anything that mattered. But I was determined to take it one day at a time.

And it's certainly paid off. Though I'm not yet 100%, I'm getting there. I can finally put in a full day of teaching. I'm still on the no fun diet, but my tastes are changing and what was once no fun is now putting a lot of fun into my life (meaning eating healthy makes me feel good so I can do things I love to do).

And I've realized that the last year and a half has served a purpose. The Lord has brought me out of this with stronger faith and a better understanding of His love for me. And I truly believe it's all been training for what He has in store for me in the future.

Thank you to all who have spent countless hours praying for me. The Lord has done a mighty thing through your prayers. And thank you for walking this road with our family. There's certainly more to come.

- Aly