Sue in Africa

            ROLLOVER!

Dear Friend,

    Good to hear from you. We’ve had pretty limited access to email and, of course, in Kampala the power is out at least half of the time! Otherwise, I would have written sooner. This letter jumps over much but gets to the core of my time in Uganda.

     My visit with Michael and Mable was one of the highlights of my time in Africa; Uganda also represents the most difficult time of my entire trip so far. I have come to love the Lutalo’s deeply and find myself drawn to their country with it’s extreme issues of grief and loss, it’s natural beauty, potential, and the great need for God’s word to be known and experienced more deeply. I can see a great need for pastoral training. As they say, the faith and understanding of the region is a mile wide and a half inch thick. I am proufoundly impacted by being with the orphans and seeing the many projects to deal with AIDS and war aftermath. I took pics of the children that Island Church supports but have lost them somewhere in the files. Hopefully I can retrieve them before getting home.

     I even preached two Sundays, finding my words coming easily to express my thoughts and scripture feeling alive! My theme: Katonda ali nafe (God is with us)!

     I have to tell you that we were in a serious accident here. I know that prayers of others mattered. Michael, his assistant Phillip, and I decided to go to the north to visit several ministries - all of which represent hard won ground with extreme issues. On the way we decided to take an extra day to go to a national park with a beautiful game refuge. We were using a borrowed vehicle, a heavy duty 4 wheel drive van used much for this type of travel. However, it appears that a tire failed and caused us to go into a slide. Though Michael is an experienced driver, he was unable to regain control and the entire vehicle tipped over on my side. Windows were smashed and the body of the vehicle was damaged. We were in shock and dazed, calling on Jesus, and wondering how to get out. Michael took control quickly and found us a way out through the smoke. Safe on the ground and with the (oil)smoke dissipating, we each found ourselves unhurt. Praising God big time for miraculously saving our lives!!!

     As I brushed the glass particles out of my hair I was praying aloud that the Lord would send someone to help us… not baboons either… which are frequent. We can recite a multitude of miraculous interventions, but I’ll say two things. Of the three cells phones in our possession, one was smashed, one w/o power, and mine worked but had no receptivity due to the remoteness of the region. Somehow, God permitted just one call to get through - to a friend who would eventually come help with dealing with the car. For the immediate needs, God sent a park ranger a few minutes later who arranged for me to be taken to a game lodge and was able to help us turn the van back upright. We were seriously shaken but our bodies were whole (bruises only) and our spirits firmly kept in the Lord.

     At the game lodge, one of the owners who is a believer and works in trauma counseling received me with great grace and spent the afternoon with me. I was pretty shook but felt God’s presence and care. Eventually problems began to be solved. Michael and Phillip reminded me that the enemy would not be wanting us to do what we came here for, they all shored me up spiritually and physically. I went on safari the next day and we continued on to meet some warriors in ministry: those working with IDP’s (Internally Displaced People) after LRA rebels began to loosen their grip 2 years ago. This is the region of the LRA, invisible children in Gulu, unexploded landmines from gorilla warfare, huge AIDS aftermath, children-headed households, extreme poverty, minimal health care, etc. Mostly you see international aid groups; there is little infrastructure yet. Why am I drawn to this?

     There were other significant ministries that we visited and saw their work in the region. They’re significant to me because my philosophy of ministry fits with theirs - basically ministering to the whole person and high dependence on the word of God and empowerment of the Spirit. I know more and more what I feel is right for me in ministry, this trip has confirmed it over and over to me. Am seeking God for where he wants me in another year after finishing my studies.

     Some days I’m feeling pretty small and incapable, and wishing for a partner in life. Yet, it’s also clear that my Lord is my husband, he is always with me and that’s not a light thing. My limitations and vulnerabilities define who I am as much as my strengths and skills. We walk this journey together and I am held in the palm of his hand. Were I to follow Andy Marks and join Jesus while I’m here, I would go in God’s glory and care, and consider it gain. Apparently, God has a plan for me to continue and I walk with him as my provider, counselor, the one who enables me and is the lover of my soul.

     Today, I’m in South Africa, moving on to several projects with a friend in ministry. In two weeks, I’ll be with our friends at Love Botswana, the Walkers. Thanks for always praying, I look forward to seeing you in April.

Katonda ali nafe!
Love, Sue