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Starting my time in Uganda -- Journal and Prayer from the first night and first morning

My time in Uganda reinforced so powerfully how big and good God is.  God is bigger than our weaknesses, than our faults, than our governments, than our pasts, than our circumstances, than any evil. God loves to give good, sweet gifts...even when He doesn't have to...He delights in being faithful and loving to us.  He delights in our faithful obedience to Him.

While I was in Uganda, I tried to journal every night and write out a prayer every morning.  I'd like to share some of these entries with you all to give you a glimpse of God's workings on our trip and in me. I'll be editing the entries here and there to add a detail, to protect a child, to clarify, or to cover over a situation that would only be gossipy to share.  However, I won't edit out the reality of what I experienced on the trip.

I know many of you were praying for me, for my teammates, for the people in Uganda, and for the trip in general.  Thank you.  God was answering prayers big time. I pray that by sharing some of my experiences with you all, you will be blessed as well.

June 19, 2013        12:18am
   We're here! We made it to Uganda.  I'm already amazed at how perfectly God chose The Hiding Place to be my reading material on the way here.  It takes place in Holland, and we had a layover in Amsterdam where I got to see a map showing the location of the cities in the book.  So many of the lessons seem applicable to everyday life and certainly to my time here.  I'm not equipped to do this in my own strength, wisdom, or skill set, and that's just fine.  God will give me what I need each step of the way -- His love, His wisdom, His forgiveness -- all for His glory.  Thank you Lord for getting us here safely and for the work you will do in the next 2 weeks.  Give me the words even to pray to you. I love You, Father!  Goodnight.


June 19, 2013      7:22am     1 Chronicles 5-9
Lord, You are my Rock and my Shield, my Fortress, my Refuge, my Hiding Place, and my Strength.  To You alone, I commit my day.  Please work through me in all I say and do.  Please minister mightily to others through me.  Change my heart to be more like Yours.  Show me what You see in people and situations.  Make me sensitive to Your leading and Your promptings.  Thank You for giving me devotionals to share.  Keep me sensitive to Your guidance.  I praise You today!  You know the names of everyone I will meet and see today.  You know their needs and love each one.  Help me to show Your love to them.  Please give me energy, alertness, sensitivity, discernment, love, joy, peace, and continuing faith all in You and for You.  Give me rejoicing, gentleness, and prayers of thanksgiving.  May my love abound in knowledge and depth of insight.  ALL for YOUR glory.  I love you, and I praise You today!


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