why uganda



God placed Uganda on my heart quite a long time ago. I spent four long years praying and begging my parents for permission to go to this foreign land. I'm quite sure my parents thought i had for sure lost it and they were going to have to send me off. After four years of persistently asking my parents about Uganda, they gave in.

At 16 years old i boarded a plane to Uganda, Africa. Absolutely thrilled and absolutely terrified.  I spent three weeks in Uganda loving the least of these.
I went to Uganda thinking I would change a few lives and kiss some babies, but in actuality they changed my life more than I could ever hope to change theirs. 
I grew up in America with everything I could ever want and often find myself putting value in earthly things, but these children who grew up with very little earthly things put value in Jesus.
I was blown away by their love for Jesus. They give it all to Him and praise Him in the trials of their life. I want to have that kind of faith. I want to be like the street boys who have nothing and yet sing at the top of their lungs how Great God is and how He is mighty to save. When I grow up, I want to be like them. 
"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes” 
-David Platt 

This quote runs through my mind daily. I know their names. I’ve seen their faces. I’ve held them in my arms. I’ve changed. My life will never be the same. Uganda wrecked my life. It made me realize that there is so much more to this world than the simple American dream. It made me step back and realize that God has such great plans for all of our lives, if we simply open ourselves to him. My life, plans, dreams, and view of the world were forever changed. Be warned, once you go you will be changed…for the better! Get ready to love like crazy and for God to break your heart for what breaks His! 

I cannot wait for my return to it and I am yearning to be back on the red dirt roads. He is faithful and I am so very thankful. 

"Who will GO? Who shall I send?" and I said, "Here i am. Lord, Send ME!"
-Isaiah 6:8 

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