KK's Thoughts... all jumbled together. For You. Yeah. Awesome.

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” (Psalm 31:14)

Oh my goodness this is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! It is so short, but what could be more simple and clear? Over the past week and a half I have been able to remind myself over and over of this verse as we have encountered people and situations which you can’t seem to handle or make sense of on your own! This trip has been the most amazing experience of my life. I thank God for every opportunity we have had while here and even more so for the fantastic team I have been blessed to be put on. I’m serious. I love every single one of the people on this team as each one brings his or her own unique personality and gift.

I have loved having my two “moms” here--Mrs. Owen and Kay--as they have encouraged me countless times and make sure I always have my Deet on. Kendall and Abby…what can I say?! They are two of the most amazing and Godly young women I know. I have had the best time staying up talking with them and just joking around, and I have learned so much and been given some amazing counsel from them.

That’s only half the team because then we have the six best guys you could ever dream of! Spencer, of course being my best friend, has been such an encouragement to have here, and I have loved sharing this experience with him as we plan on returning to America even more on fire to spread the name of Christ in every area of our lives. Then there’s our dear Pastor Aaron who I have learned more about then I ever even really needed to know! Haha! He has been a great leader for our team and has kept me laughing at every moment of the day. Platt, Platt, Platt! He has to be one of the happiest people I have ever met, and with the biggest, most contagious smile and someone who is just so real. You can truly tell he has a heart for the people of Uganda though as he can never get enough of pouring into the lives of everyone he comes in contact with. Then there is my “brother” Matt! He has so much knowledge and depth to him, but he tends to be humble and keep it to himself unless called upon for it. He also has such a servant’s heart and has definitely been the only reason I have survived as he keeps me hydrated and makes sure I am watched out for. I have loved spending this trip getting to talk to him in depth and overall just spending time with him!

Finally, for our two fearless leaders who I can’t imagine going on this trip without--Goodie and Short!! These are by far the two most inspiring and Godly men I know. I watch them with such awe because of their fire for spreading the name of Christ, and pray my two brothers can grow up to be like them! They definitely set the tone for this team and keep me laughing so hard! If you can’t tell I am completely in love with this team, and I am just sad that when I return home I won’t have them in my life every second of every day! :)

Ok, so now let me tell you about our day today. This morning we all loaded up and went on a tour of Makerere University in Kampala. Our tour guide Max showed us around and explained to us just how prevalent Islam is throughout Kampala and even more so in the schools as the Islamic leaders even offer to pay for tuition for the students if they convert. After touring the campus we left to go eat at the most beautiful lakeside place you can imagine called the Ggaba Beach restaurant. Ok, now no joke, but I ate the largest Tilapia fish I have EVER seen in my life along with sharing a bowl of fries with Mrs. Owen! We each had our own fish to eat, and it was the best seafood meal I have had in my life! Ha Now I know I’m going on and on about it, but all I can say is that it was just that good.

After eating and jumping off of the dock taking crazy pictures, we finally left for the highlight of the day--visiting some slums of Kampala. As we drove through this poverty stricken part of town where 35,000 people live pretty much homeless and in complete filth, a wave of such sadness hit me because I see how beyond blessed I am with my lifestyle, and my heart pours out for these people.

The verse I quoted at the beginning of this came to my mind as I took all this in just trying to continually tell myself that no matter where I am or what is happening to these people, God is in control of it all. He has a purpose and a plan for all of their lives. I wish more than anything that I could have shared and driven deep into the hearts of the Kampalans in these slums 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong.”

Not only has this verse been such a help to me in my times of trouble, but I just pray that some of these people can learn to have this perspective and know that even in the hardest of situations we can glorify God! When we got to the slums and piled out of the bus kids swarmed us and started clinging to us and hugging us. All I can say is that it was just amazing! We sang and danced with them and told them Bible stories along with bubbles and stickers!! Ahh I loved just playing and ministering to them, and along with the kids in Kagadi I have fallen in love with every single one of them, and I thank and praise God for these children because each and everyone of them is truly incredible!

Now I sit here writing this after a huge dinner Mrs. Darlene made for all of us while Americans and Ugandans sit around playing drums and singing together. I am in awe as I picture heaven being just like this, and just can’t believe that we only have 4 more days left here?! Ha, I have written so much already and only about one day. I can’t even begin to tell how wonderful the whole trip has been, but I can’t wait to give every detail of it to everyone when we get home!

I miss those of you that I love back home so much and can’t wait to see you!!! And for all of the people that wrote Spencer and me those encouraging e-mails, thank you so much because we sat there laughing and just so happy to have heard from friends!! Please continue to pray for us as we continue to go these last 4 days spreading God’s name still passionately and just know that those of you who mean so much to me I do miss; but don’t get me wrong I don’t think I’d come home a day earlier though because God is doing so much for me through this trip. I just can’t wait to finish it out and see what the final results from this are for all of our lives!!! To God be the glory!

PS. I miss you so much, Maria, and love you!! :)