Not Without Hope

So, I realize that my last blog
might have come across as rather dismal. 
I certainly stand by all of the things I said in it and could have been
much more harsh in my exploration of those topics (though to do so would have
required me to explain details of our trip that I do not necessarily think the
most appropriate to include in such a public forum).  And yet, I would portray an incomplete
picture of my thoughts on this trip to not balance out my last blog.  While the disappointment displayed in
“Disquietude” certainly represents some of the strongest emotional reactions I
have had while reflecting on the trip, those things certainly have not been to
say that the trip has been devoid of fun, joy, and wonderful moments.  I wrote this blog to balance the portrait of
my reflections and to let you know that my retrospective thoughts of Africa are
not without hope.

As I have been very disappointed in
many of the people we’ve worked with, I have also met some incredibly devoted
people, full of the love of Christ in all of the places that we have been.  In Busia, I think back to all of the people
involved in New Hope: all of their staff, the older kids who looked after the
younger, and the precious smiles of them all. 
They are all so loving, joyful, and spirit-filled.  Even typing this brief, inadequate
description of them, I can’t keep from smiling at the joy they all have brought
me.  In Kenya, Paul, Erin, Jared, and
they boys were such wonderful hosts.  JP
and Jesse, Steve and Judy: American missionaries devoted to displaying the love
of Christ in Mbita.  All of these
wonderful people truly “get it”, and having discussions with them about the
things going on and missiology/missions theory (though we never would have
called it that) encouraged me greatly and helped me maintain some semblance of
sanity in Kenya.  Plus, Jared is visiting
us here in Uganda right now, so it’s a blessing to spend a few more days with
him.  And here in Tororo, everyone is so
loving.  Pastor Wilber, Robert, Agnes,
Frank, Francis, Jane, and the rest of the staff love us and care for us so
well.  All of these places and people do
have their problems, but they are truly seeking to discover and bring the
kingdom, which is refreshing.

Ministry, too, has not been as
unfruitful as I might sometimes imagine. 
True, it has not looked like what I expected or what I might have chosen
it to look like, yet I know God has used my attempts to be obedient.  First, let me share one of the most
encouraging things I’ve seen.  I sat down
last week to make a “People to Remember” list for all of the places we’ve been-
Mexico, Busia, Mbita, and Tororo.  Though
the work was a bit tedious, it was incredibly joyful to reflect on fun memories
with all of these people.  And, one of
the most encouraging moments I’ve had was looking at the list, realizing how
many friends I’ve made, and how many people I’ve had the opportunity to share
the love of Christ with.  In the same
manner, yesterday, I know that a group of Africans truly understood what I taught.  I know that people don’t usually understand
me because after we speak, there is inevitably an African who stands up to
summarize what we have said.  Usually,
when they summarize, it has absolutely nothing to do with what we said at best,
and at worst, it is a biblically inaccurate twist on what we have said (which I
suppose is proof that we are speaking truth and that Satan is trying to confuse
what we have said within our listeners’ minds). 
But yesterday, I taught on how we have been given the ministry of
reconciliation (I taught three times yesterday, and I shared the same message
with all three audiences- sometimes that’s what you have to do so that you’re
not preparing for three hours each night). 
Side note: The second time I taught yesterday, it was on the radio!  That’s right, I got to preach on the radio in
Africa.  It was so much fun.  Plus, I always thought I had a radio face! 😉  The last time I taught, it was for cell
groups- the small groups at True Vine. 
All I can say is that the Spirit was there, and It was moving
powerfully. After I was done teaching, the pastor who was with us talked about
how he felt the power of the Spirit working in my words and then, he proceeded
to make sure that everyone had understand what I had taught- how we’ve been
given the ministry of reconciliation to bring all things back to Christ.  He then proceeded to give better and more
culturally appropriate examples of the message’s application than I, with my
limited cultural perspectives, could give. 
It was incredibly encouraging- someone finally got it!  All of our time at Smile Africa has also been
wonderful.  I love spending time with the
kids.  Some days, we just hang out, sit
and play.  Sometimes, I flip kids in the
air and over my shoulders for a few hours. 
Other times, I sit and let the kids teach me Swahili.  Sometimes, as on last Friday, I play football
(soccer) with some of the boys, which is honestly my favorite activity in
Africa: playing football with they kids- it’s a shame that it hasn’t happened
more often.  Spending time with these
street kids, the “least of these”, is my favorite activity we’ve done in
Africa, and I wish I could spend all day, every day there with them.  Though much of the “ministry” has felt more
like pulling teeth, it is these experiences that give me hope and the strength
to keep going.

One last thought: I love my
team.  As the days draw to an end, I
learn to treasure every minute I spend with them more and more.  We’ve had more fun and laughs than I could
relate.  Our relationships have been built
in the toughest of living conditions and refined by fire.  Though I am more excited than I could relate
in words to return home and see everyone there, I will be sad not to spend
every day with these people.  My favorite
memories of Africa are with them, and I will be very sad to say goodbye to
them.

Amongst all the trials, amongst the
hardships that plagued and characterized the time I’ve spent in Africa, there
have been shining stars amongst the darkness. 
Beautiful people, being the light of Christ in the world and encouraging
situations that would dare not leave me without hope for this continent.