Monday, February 16, 2009

Who Are You?

I'm reading the book of Acts right now. I thought it was somewhat appropriate since I'm beginning my missionary journey. I do have to wonder though, who will I be?
Will I be Paul, whose zeal for Christ was immeasurable? Will I be like Barnabas, showing compassion and making a difference, or will I be like John Mark and leave when the situation gets to rough for comfort?
I believe that every man and every woman is faced with this same question. Just as I must answer, so must you. Who are you?

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Finally!

All that brilliant waiting and watching has paid off. We may not be on the airplane, but it is now in sight. I've enjoyed the flights, but next time I fly, I am going to carry a greatly reduced amount of luggage. I dread landing because each time we do, I'm afraid they're going to tell me that I can't take all of my stuff. I have a purse, a laptop, and a very, very heavy carry on. It's like a nightmare come true! However, God has been gracious and I haven't been stopped yet. Time to board!

Feb. 6th, 09
I have felt a myriad of emotions all throughout this trip. I've felt excitement, sorrow, peace, uneasiness... but never have I doubted whether I'm headed where Christ wants me. I do wonder what He'll be able to do through me. My prayer is that I will fulfill the purpose that Christ has for me. I don't want to come on my own strength, for truly I have nothing to give these children that anyone else could not give them. May I be here only to do the will of him that sent me!

Feb 7th, 09
We arrived in Uganda at about 3:00 in the afternoon. We waited at the airport for another man and then picked up the whole Keith Stensaas family. We ate at a very nice Chinese restaurant in Kampala city. It was beautiful, but I was so exhausted.
We dropped the Stensaas family back off at the Willis' house and drove to the hotel hat Bryan, Cheri, Dad, and I will be staying in for a few days. All I wanted to do was sleep, but both Dad and I hadn't bathed since we left home. So I laid down to wait as dad bathed... and fell asleep.

It is incredibly beautiful in this country. the people are incredibly poor. You can look at pictures and watch videos all you want, but you won't understand until you've been here. I'm not sure I even understand yet.
Feb 4th, 09

And so, we're off! Actually we left home at 5:15 this morning. we flew out of Washington at 7:00. We are now at the airport in New Jersey. When we let Washington the sun was just rising. That was only 8 hours ago. It's dark in New Jersey and it does feel like we've been travelling all day!
It has been hard to sleep these past few days. It hurts to leave everyone I love, but I am excited to see what the days and weeks ahead of me have in store.

Ah! We are now in London. We got here at 6:00am and it is now 6:30pm. They must really like us, because we got the longest layover we could possibly get without spending the night. Dad and I are both exhausted. We weren't able to check our bags in until 12:00, which meant we had two carts full of luggage and we couldn't go anywhere. Not only that, but London won the contest for fewest and most uncomfortable chairs. It must be a health program. I have heard that's it's better for you to stand than to sit. You burn more calories faster when standing.
We did manage to sleep for a few hours, checked our bags in, found a place to eat, and then slept for a few more hours in the restaurant. You can' imagine how embarrassing i is to wake up and find hat they've cleared your table without you noticing. They could have taken our bags and we would have slept right through it.
Not only was this a nice restaurant, but it was THE restaurant that pioneered natural food! And they've only been doing it since 1980-something. I was wondering how anyone survived before "Something A Manger" began pioneering natural food. Pretty ridiculous, but it was fun to joke about. I had sushi; Dad made fun of me. Dad ate a flavorless bacon sandwich (That's what happens when it's natural); I made fun of him! Then we fell back asleep.
We are now waiting for the screen to tell us which gate we'll be at, so I have to sign off.
Watching the screen,
Rebekah