Family and Friends,
There comes this moment in all of our lives where we suddenly realize that we were all created for a purpose. Many of us don’t experience this until late in our lives. This “purpose” is what we live for. I praise God that at such a young age I have already found my purpose.
From the moment I stepped off that plane in Uganda I knew that the Lord had put me here for a reason. God was continually appearing in the faces of the children I held. I knew He was with me. And with few reminders of the comforts at home, I had to cling to Him.
My first trip to Uganda was incredibly trying upon my faith. I was working with extremely legalistic Christians who taught me more about myself and God than any Sunday school or church sermon. I learned a lot about my desire for a genuine faith. If it wasn’t going to be real than it wasn’t worth my time. My mentor always tells me that I am searching for a radical faith and I won’t settle for anything less. So we’re back to that issue of purpose. For the first time in my life I know why I’m doing this. God has placed a very special place in my heart for the people of Uganda. And I know that my purpose has a deep root in Uganda.
My second trip to Uganda was less about myself and more about the people. My heart broke for the children I taught in the slums and rejoiced while praising the Lord with orphans. I worked for Come Let’s Dance, an organization working to create self sustainability. While there I visited an orphanage on Busi Island in the middle of Lake Victoria. Without anyone telling them to, the children gathered and began worshipping God. I have never seen such a fire for God in children so young. At around 4 in the morning I woke up to what sounded like tribal dancing and singing. At first I was afraid but I soon recognized the songs as praise songs. Before the sun had even risen they were worshipping God. God showed me the tremendous faith of the African people. Even in the most broken situations redemption shined through. I met a woman named Shakira who had once been a prostitute. Through her contact with Come Let’s Dance she started a micro business selling food. Now she is living for Jesus and sharing the gospel with her neighbors. On my last day in Uganda, Shakira and I sat in her tiny home and she prayed for me. One of her small children was sitting in my lap and the other was playing on the floor. We held hands and cried together. Shakira prayed for restoration in my life and thanked God that he had brought me to Uganda. The Lord showed me about having faith through even the toughest trials.
This year I have felt a calling to stay much longer than I have before. I will be working as the creative director for an organization called Musana. I am leaving in mid June and will come home around July of the following year. While in Uganda I will be teaching art and working with the children. I strongly believe in the redemptive qualities that art has to offer. The self expression alone is extremely important to growing minds, but also the freedom that comes from allowing yourself to create.
But this wouldn’t be possible without prayer and financial support. I’m inviting you to join us on this adventure! Uganda presents the most spiritual warfare I have ever seen. Your prayers are extremely important. I want to thank you for supporting me on my other adventures. God is doing incredible things in Uganda and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Due to the length of my stay in Uganda fundraising is a little different this year. If you feel called to contribute, I ask that you pledge to give a certain amount monthly or a one time donation. God has called me to physically go and help the poor, but he has also called people to be the support base of the others. Knowing that my family and friends support what I am doing keeps me going. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
