Friday, July 10, 2009

Half way to go

Hi guys!!
Thank you so much for all the love and support you have been giving this whole time!

So, with comfort in where i am staying is better then outside! (we are in tent city inside the church) I have been waking up at 6:00-6:30am (uganda time) and going to bed at 10ish. I have felt right at home this whole time, and the extreme love of the people is unreal!
When we first came up the hill (really really bumpy hill :S) to the 10a property the church is on; we were greeted by swarms of little blackchildren. All of them singing, dancing and welcoming us.
The thing that got me is, really, once you think about it, they didn't even know me, they didn't know if they would like me (which they do, thankfully), and yet they were screaming "HELLO!!! WELCOME TO UGANDA!!"... I feel so loved here, so at home.

On my teams first Care and compassion day we visited this home were the mother was 6 months pregnant and the father was a teacher who came back twice or so a month (because he worked over a day of travel away); what we didn't know was this woman was a mother of 10 (going on 11). Living in hard conditions, with 11 children, no husband (most of the time). As she shared her story tears streamed down her eyes, our translator told us she said she kept her faith strong through the community of believers that were around her. She was afraid her husband would leave her for another woman, but he is a strong believer also (she still has doubts, but has faith). She asked us to pray for provision; i got to pray over her and her family.
After we said goodbye we surprised her with the clothes, food, trees, piglet, and school supplies for her family... she thanked us so much for coming, being the hands and feet of Jesus.

I have 5 or so minuets left so i had better run!!
I want you guys to know that i miss you love you and wish you could experience this with me too.

Love you Mom, Dad, Netanya, Rebekah, and Joslynn!
Say hi to everyone for me! And tell grandma happy bday for me!

Keep praying! That's all i can say!! :D
Love Tikvah

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Less then two weeks...

Oh my goodness, I just can't believe it!

In less then two weeks now, I'm going to be getting on a plane and flying to Entebbe, Uganda, Africa. For the first time.

Now this is the time frame when most people ask me if I'm nervous or scared about going to a "New, exciting place." I find that now I'm a little nervous, but I'm more excited than nervous. It's a happy mix between the two... You know what I mean? I am actually very surprised that I have the peace about it that I do. The Lord and my family have been the great foundation from which I am building up spiritually during this time in my life.


On Tuesday, I was babysitting for a family, and the father of the children came up to me and asked me "Isn't it dangerous there in Africa...I mean what are you guys doing for protection over there?” When he said that I felt shocked, what was he saying? After a few minutes I came to a conclusion that his concern was not my own. I know that God has a plan, and that going to Uganda was meant to happen, why can't he keep me safe there if it is his will? If he wants me to be safe I’ll be safe; and I will rest in the knowledge that he’ll be watching me the whole time.


Journaling I find is very important right now before you go somewhere (to bed even), because when you’re confused, flustered, or even angry the only person seeing the paper is you and God (and he's not going to tell). Looking back on my past journal entries from earlier this year I've found things that I've prayed about and left for God, really worked out into being something great in the end. Even if it's a major screw-up on something, or a need for love and forgiveness from someone, I've found when I give it to him it really makes life the way it was always meant to be.


I would like to ask for your prayers over this trip and this team as we prepare spiritually, and physically. Please pray that God will speak through us, that we would be his hands and feet and listen to his voice.


With Love,
Tikvah