Africa Does Not Need Me

As I sit here in this old house on the banks of Lake Victoria, I am impressed with all we have found in Africa. I have seen a family of five running errands on a 125cc motorbike, I have held a small child fighting for his life against the HIV he inherited, I have danced my praises to God when I did not understand the language, and I have found a new dependency upon my Savior.

           Three weeks ago I arrived in Africa, not knowing the details of the task I had committed us to. My pride and education tempts me to dream of CPMs, EVexplosions, and all manner of “missionary” success scales. Truth is, Africa needs me not. Farm boys? They have millions. White people? Thousands. What do I bring? The Gospel? I see God working everywhere. God did not bring me here to DO, but to BE, to be with HIM wherever he maybe working. 

You might say, but why Africa? Can you not be with him at home? At one time, I could. But now I can’t. Not when I was told go. Yes, there was a time when my obedience looked a lot like Jerusalem, but that task has changed to the Ends of the Earth. So, shall I change? Some change their location, and not their heart. We call these tourists. Some change their heart and not their location. HE calls these disobedient.    

We follow the Man

God has been so good to us by allowing us to live here in Africa. As many of you know, it was three years ago that we felt sure God was leading us in this direction. We knew that we were making our way to Africa step by step, there were so many details to work out, but we took it a day at a time. 

Two things came as a great surprise. First, we did not know we would be here so quickly. With the changes in the IMB and my need for graduate hours, I honestly thought it would take six months to a year longer than it did. The second great surprise was Uganda. Never, did we think that we would even visit Uganda, let a lone live here for a year and a half. I believe that Uganda will turn out to be the best possible situation for the long-term plan.

We have made many good friends here already. I have enjoyed my time with the Ugandan men who work for the Baptist Mission here in Kampala. Last week, a man named Chicongo took us out for driving lessons. He was a patient and joyful man. He helped us make the adjustment to the British side of the road and the African side of traffic, a challenge to say the least. The men here have also helped me learn some Luganda language phrases.  Luganda (or Ganda) is a language spoken by ten-million people; most Luganda speakers live in the Buganda region of Uganda. The language is widely spoken in and around the Capital, Kampala. 

I am excited to learn this African way of life and language. God has brought us here for a purpose, even if we only see the path ahead as dimly lit, still we follow the Man. 

Day-one in the Uganda, the new life begins.

We arrived in Uganda at 11pm on January 4^th. The 30+ hours of travel were taxing, but the turbulence over the Alps took the cake. I was feeling the pain, while Memphis was yelling WEEEEEEE for all the plan to enjoy. Honestly, I like to fly. I remember walking out of the Jungle; the flight in was an hour and a half, the walk out, 14 days. So, yes, I like to fly.

After contacting the paternities, we got into bed and woke up at the Baptist mission headquarters.  The mission property in Kampala is more than sufficient. We are comfortable and full up on Ugandan food and Kenyan Tea. Today, we went out on the town. We got phones, bought food, and did a little language learning. The Ugandans working for the mission are great. They have helped us with everything from turning on the power to buying soap. The city of Kampala has everything anyone might need. We will be here in the mission house for the next week or two and than then it is off to the bush, but first, we still have a stack of paperwork to complete, a few things to buy, and some fuel injectors on the truck are in need of repair, oh yes, the meetings, we still have to meet with the leadership and then it is off to the bush!