"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." ~James 1:27

Saturday, March 12, 2011

First Update from Uganda!

Today is the first day I've had internet available. I'm currently at the Watoto office sitting at my new desk :-). Brent had me move some things out of another office into his office so I just finished doing that for him. The past two days have been amazing! My first night was a little tough in that I didn't sleep all night and missed home. However, the Lord is good and He knew exactly what I needed. About 5am Brent walked by my room and called my name because he had lost his bag full of clothes. Of course I wasn't asleep so we talked for a bit and he asked if I wanted to call home. That was a blessing and helped me. I have been praying and trusting that the Lord will meet all my needs according to His riches in glory as Scripture says. That verse and the verse in Heb. 13:20 that states that the Lord will equip me to do His will are the theme verses I've been standing on. The first night, I had asked the Lord to help me make friends. The very next day, which was Saturday, Brent arranged for Moses and I to go to the airport to pick up the bag Brent had left behind with his clothes in it. So we got to spend some time together. The airport was in Entebee, which is about an hour away from Kampala. Then later that afternoon I met Barbara and I rode with her to Suubi village, the village we built in last trip. She is in charge of the agriculture/farming in sustainability here. She is my age, beautiful girl. We really are a lot alike and became instant friends. We talked a lot about dating, relationships, and found out about each other. I told her I could play guitar and the drum. She told me she could hook me up with the worship team in Watoto Church. She told me how it was set up on a rotational schedule. Each team leads every service on Sunday, and each week they rotate. Then when it's your turn again you can choose to remain on the same worship team or switch to another one. She said I could start small, leading worship for cell groups and/or Bible studies, then branch out from there. We also talked about our living situations. She has been house hunting for awhile now and asked if we could work it out with Brent if we could be room mates. Right now she lives a little drive away so she has been staying at the guesthouse where I'm at so she doesn't have to drive back and forth. She said a house would probably be much cheaper than the volunteer apartments. We could also spit the cost, which would be nice also. So be praying that works out just as it should. She also invited me to what they called a Valentine Beach Bash Sunday afternoon after church on Lake Victoria. It was an event advertised by Watoto church. There is a Christian radio station called Power FM and about every month they have a large dance party. How bout that...a Christian environment where they get together and dance the night away for the Lord. :-) That was basically what it was. It was held at a Wildlife center where there were all sorts of animals such as zebras, giraffe's, gazelle's, monkies ect. The monkies cracked me up they would follow you around and try to grab your food. They took off with another ladies popcorn, Julia, who went with us to the party. It was hilarious. Then the wildlife keepers brought out a python snake and was showing everyone. I didn't bring my camera but wanted to take a picture to show dad with the caption.."Look what I found in the bush." Haha.. So Barbara and I walked the trail and looked at the animals and then the dance began. We danced for awhile and danced in a large circle and some of the Africans would take turns, one at a time, dancing in the center. Barbara wanted me to go, so I got in the center and did my prom dance move and they all yelled. Pete, you know which one I'm talking about ;-) It was fun. I told Barbara and Julia after Julia said, "Wow, this girl can dance," that see white people can dance too..haha. Then they had a bonfire later on the beach and danced around it. We did the limbo. Later they had a movie, but we went ahead and left. Saturday evening we attended Watoto Church Central and it was amazing! I was pretty tired though during the service because I hadnt slept in about three days though,but it was still fun. Then Sunday morning Watoto Church North had just opened their new church so they held the first service there. It was an outdoor ampitheater type building. I love their worship services! They are so uplifting and energetic. Right up my alley :-) Then Sunday afternoon was the party. So today I'm at the office for the first part of the day. I rode in Barbara. Then later I will meet up with Brent and we are probably going to tour around the facilties to get an idea of what needs to be fixed. I will hopefully be getting my sim card soon so I can make calls and getting an internet device where I can get internet anywhere. That way I can commuicate more often.

How are you guys? Let me know what's going on. I love you all!


Monday, January 31, 2011

Packing Need List

Greetings! If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the items below, I have posted a need list. Instead of buying gifts that I probably could not take with me to Uganda for my going away party at Selmore from 2-4 on 2/6/11, I thought if anyone would be interested in providing practical items I could take with me would be more feasible.

Tylenol (3 boxes)
Anti-diarrhea medication (3)
Sunscreen (5 bottles)
Mosquito spray (with deet that can be directly applied to skin) 2 cans
Deodorant (Suave) 3
Opti-free soft contact solution (1o small bottles)
Opti-free rewetting soft contact drops (3 small bottles)
AA batteries
Purell small bottles
Travel size kleenex's

If this is an area you feel led to respond to, I would deeply appreciate your generousity. May God bless you!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Leaving for Uganda (Update)

Greetings!

I pray this letter finds you resting, trusting, and growing in the Lord. With much enthusiasm, I write to inform you that I have finally received a date to leave for Uganda, Africa. I will be flying out of Springfield 2/10/11 at 10:06am. I will be flying from Springfield to Atlanta, Georgia, then into Amsterdam, and finally into Entebbe, Africa. I will be traveling with the International Director of Watoto Ministries, who has been assiting my preparation stateside. I will be returning to the States 12/9/11 so I will be able to celebrate Christmas and New Years with my family here. Praise God!

I have a few changes to inform you of as well. Regarding funding, I currently have a little over $8 in upfront cost. I have been pledged $325 a month from various individuals. My home church continues to challenge members to give at least 1/4th of my monthly expenses, which equals $500 per month. Although I do not currently have the total monthly amount, I am completely trusting in the Lord's providence and believe wholeheartedly that He will provide! The financial goal of raising a total of $2000 still remains and is currently still a major need. If you sense the Lord leading you to assist in this area, below is an example of a pledge card and I would encourage you to respond as the Lord leads and mail the pledge card along with your financial gift to:

Selmore Baptist Church
4768 Selmore Road
Ozark, MO 65721

Charity Gray/Watoto
Pledge Card
Check the appropriate line(s):
_____ I pledge to regularly pray for Charity
_____ I pledge to financially support Charity
for a period of one year
Amount: $10 $25 $50 $100 Other $_____
Per: Week Month
_____ I pledge to financially support Charity
as God makes funds availabe to me
Name: __________________________
Your name will remain confidential!
Also, from this point forward, ALL financial gifts need to be mailed directly to Selmore Baptist church and not sent to my personal address. All checks submitted to Selmore Baptist Church must have written in the memo line: Uganda, East Africa Watoto Mission. Once financial gifts are received, Selmore will directly transfer those funds into my personal account so that I may access my funds via debit card while residing in Uganda. If you have already made a monthly commitment to give a set amount per month or haven't yet made a monthly commitment and feel so led, please mail the above pledge card with your pledge amount to Selmore Baptist Church by the 15th of every month. This is to make sure all contributions are submitted by a certain date so that Selmore can then make one deposit per month and get all the funds to me in an organized, timely fashion. Also, I will know when to expect these funds so that I may prepare, budget, and plan accordingly so I am able to be a good steward of the money the Lord is blessing me with.
Last but not least, I am in need of purchasing a new 13 inch Mac laptop for job related duties while in Uganda and also for personal use to maintain communication back home. The estimated cost is between $1000-$1500. I do have the amount saved in my personal account, however, due to the fact that I do not yet have the full amount of monthly pledges, Watoto is hesitant about withdrawing money from that account at this point. This is because the upfront cost I have saved will have to roll over into the amount I need monthly until I can reach the ultimate goal of raising $2000 per month. If this is an area you feel led in assisting with, please write at the bottom of the above pledge card when you mail it in that you desire your financial gift to go toward the cost of the laptop.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your continued prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts! May the Lord bless you richly!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Target Date

Greetings! I have a target date as to when I may possibly be leaving for Uganda...2/10/11. There is still much to do on both sides to get me there by then, however, I'm fully trusting the Lord and know it will be exactly the right time. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and financial support! God Bless!

Assistance needed in childcare

Greetings! If anyone from Selmore is willing and available to help watch the children during the Freedom in Christ Bible study beginning 1/18/11 through 5/3/11 from 6:30-8:30pm every Tuesday evening, please let me know. It doesn't have to necessarily be one person. If a few could help tag team because 16 weeks is a large commitment it would be much appreciated! God Bless!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Freedom in Christ comes to Selmore

Selmore Baptist Church in Ozark invites authentic believers in Jesus Christ for a 16-week Biblically based study called Freedom in Christ, founded by Neil Anderson Tuesday nights beginning 1/18/11 until 5/3/11 from 6:30-8:30pm. Childcare provided. Call 417-582-6483 for more information.

This is a life-changing discipleship course taught by Freedom in Christ Field Staff: Peg McCabe

Topics include: Understanding one's own identity in Christ and how that is foundational for living a victorious Christian life, how stronghold's are erected in our lives, understanding spiritual warfare and the battle for the mind, understanding how to forgive from the heart, relationship perspectives, healing damaged emotions, knowing our position, authority, protection, and vulnerability as a believer, and understanding the major avenues that Satan operates through (temptation, accusation, deception).

Update

Greetings!
I wanted to take a moment to thank the individuals who have and continue to support me from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and/or financial support thusfar on this journey. I believe wholeheartedly the Lord is using so many individuals to assist me in answering the Lord's calling on my life, which I believe is to serve in the African nation of Uganda. I cannot express how excited and humbly grateful I am and what an amazing experience it has already been to sit back and watch God's love shine through the many individuals who have supported me through prayer and through their finances. I know He is blessing them for their generosity and fervent prayers!
It has already been an amazing, yet difficult journey with each step of the way. However, I've observed already in so many ways how He is preparing me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically to serve in Uganda. I wanted to give you a brief update on where I'm at financially. Currently, I sit at a little under $9,000 towards my upfront costs. That number includes financial gifts as well as my own personal savings. I am continuing to work with my home church to work out an exact amount that they will be able to contribute monthly and should know for sure once the budget is complete for 2011. I do have to raise $2,000 per month, which will serve as my salary while residing in Uganda. Honestly, my biggest need at this point is montly commitments from individuals and/or churches. If this is an area you may be able to assist in, I would like to encourage you to prayerfully consider if you are a candidate. My family and I also hosted a garage sale on 9/24-9/25 and 10/9 and were able to raise a little under $800 for my trip. Selmore Baptist, along with friends and family donated items to sell and offered their help also! The support was truly overwhelming! Glory to God!
My family and I also had the amazing priviledge of hosting two children from Africa and an Auntie in our home for two nights in October for a tour they are currently on called The Restour Tour. October 15th, Watoto came to the Shrine Mosque in Springfield for a stirring musical production. During this performance children and adults from Uganda shared their stories of unimaginable atrocities where the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) forced children to become child soliders and trained them to kill others, including their own families. Even though the war is currently over in Uganda, the effects of war are still left behind. The Restour Tour brings you the story of Northern Uganda and her community of children, women, and men thrust into the middle of conflict and used to do horrific acts toward their fellow countrymen. Children forced to be weapons of war, women torn from their families, mutilated, stripped of dignity and used as sex slaves, and men left desperate and despondent. However, the story does not end there...
The main focus of the Watoto Restour Tour is in its name. The Restour Tour unfolds a story of restoration and hope, endurance of the worst atrocities known to man, triumph over adversity, and a story of healing, the power of forgiveness and ultimately the restoration that only a Loving Savior can bring. During the performance multiple individuals stood up and shared their stories of how they were forced to kill, how they were abandoned, and left alone with no one to care for them. Later in the performance those same individuals stood up and stated how they forgave all the soldiers that forced them to kill, all the soldiers that killed their family members and friends. Then, they all joined hands across the stage and worshipped Almighty God in total freedom!!! They sang the following lyrics and the song took on an entirely different meaning to me:

"Our God is Greater, our God is Stronger, God You are Higher than any other. Our God is Healer, awesome in power, our God, our God. And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us and if our God is with us, then what could stand against."

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble." -James 1:27