Saturday 11/4/15 @ 11am
As I spent this morning reflecting on what has happened over
the past few days and what I’ve seen and heard and learnt, I am genuinely
overwhelmed. I suppose it’s hit me today properly, for the first time, how
absolutely blessed I am to be here! The living conditions aren’t all that easy
sometimes for me as a westerner, but the landscape, the surroundings and the
people are beautiful! I could make a list of people who would flourish here and
who are so anointed for preaching and teaching and would carry a message
throughout the place and yet God has allowed this privilege to me. I’m not
entirely sure why but I’m here and ready to learn. I’ve been listening to song
called ‘Joy’ by Rend Collective, the line that has stood out for me today is
“The dark is just a canvas for your grace and brightness.” I feel that God has
brought me to this place where I am having to adapt and adjust to some of the
surroundings, the people are amazing! For me they really do demonstrate the
grace and brightness of God!
This morning is a quiet one of reflection and sermon prep.
I’m freaking out slightly about preaching twice next week to a cathedral which
holds approx. 1000 people. I’m informed that sometimes people come and stand
outside if they can’t get in. I’d love you guys at home to be praying about
that with me, that I will have exactly the message that is intended for the
people here.
Some of these posts might seem a bit random but I guess I
really want to get as many memories and feelings and reflections down as
possible for my own benefit when I get home because I know I might never get a
chance like this one again!
Blessed be His name!
Danielle x
Saturday pm
Just in from lunch at Lyn’s house.
Lyn an English missionary living here. I guess she realised I might be missing
home comforts and decided it would be good to do a roast chicken dinner- which
was amazing and then her neighbour Emma baked us some chocolate cake which was
very welcome at this point in the week!
It was an interesting choice of
transport to get to Lyn’s house. Alice decided to pick me up on some ‘bodas’.
These are motorbikes which were originally associated with smuggling goods over
the border or ‘boda’, now they are the taxi service here. I had no idea that
was Alice’s plan so I had walked down the street to meet her at her house and
she phoned to say walk back up. As I was walking along the path back to the
guesthouse, a Ugandan man dressed in a leather jacket and sunglasses, riding a
motor bike pulled up beside me and said “Are you Daniella?” (Most people call
me Daniella here) to which I panicked slightly wondering how he knew my name,
“yes” I said and he gestured to the back to the motorbike and said “hop on, Alice has sent me for you, she
is just ahead”. Sure enough Alice was just ahead of me, waving. Now I hope you
can picture the state I was in at this point! I was freaking out slightly
because I had no idea we were getting a boda, this man had just surprised me by
turning up on the roadside and now I had to negotiate getting on this motorbike
in a maxi-skirt! Lots of women keep their legs on one side because of their
skirts and dresses, but I hadn’t realised that until we passed some women. The
man asked had I ever been on a boda before because I seemed so scared! I had to
get a little photo of the occasion. We decided, since the sun hadn’t set yet,
that we would just walk the 15 minutes or so to get back to the guesthouse. On
the way, we spoke to some Sudanese refugee families sitting and playing outside
their house close to where Lyn lives. Sad that they have been forced out but
conflict but the children look to be happy and content in their new
surroundings.
Tomorrow I am involved in the
first two services, the first one begins at 7am and I am reading the two Bible
readings, at the second I am leading the service! I’m slightly worried at this
point that I have yet to lay eyes on an order of service or the liturgy for the
service but I’m figuring that if the past two days are anything to go by, there
will be lots of commonalities with the Church of Ireland so it should be fine.
Before leaving tonight Alice asked to pray with me as she knows I’m a bit
worried about it, and I love that in her prayer she referred to me as her
daughter! I think she really has taken to being my mum while I’m here. She said
she already has 4 so what’s another one?!
When she arrived at the guest house Alice asked Rebecca what I had for
breakfast and if I have been drinking enough water! I’ve been blessed to be
placed in the care of such safe hands.
I guess it’s time for lights out
soon as I’ll be up at about 5.30am to get ready before the service starts at
7am. Robes in African heat- this will be interesting!
With love from Uganda,
Danielle x
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