Uganda Be Thankful

At this time my team and I are safely in Rwanda and getting settled into our new home and ministry.  However, I felt like I wanted to share with you all one more blog about what God taught me during our last few days in Uganda.     

When I thought about coming to Africa this summer I knew that God would teach me so much.  One of the main things I was expecting to learn was how thankful I would be for America after being out of my comfort zone for 2 months.  After spending a month and a half here, I have experienced the appreciation for home and comfort, but I also have experienced a different kind of thankfulness.  Jesus has given me so much to be thankful for here and now.     

Firstly he has been teaching me so much about the beauty of the body of Christ through my team.  That as we grow together and go through the ups and downs of living together, getting to know each other and doing ministry together, we are constantly being built up in Christ into a body in which the Holy Spirit can dwell and work (Ephesians 2:22).  As we continue to function as this body made of different parts we continually build each other up in love (Ephesians 4:16).  It has been a beautiful recognition for God to continue to reveal himself to me through this team and it has made me so thankful for where He has placed me and the perfect selection of this team He made for this summer.     

Another gift I have been so thankful for is the unexpected ministry we had at the Little Angels Primary School in our town.  We were walking by one day and we were invited in to sing with the children.  A few of us ended up staying for the rest of the day.  I was able to teach science to a class of primary 7 students 7th graders) and it was so incredibly energizing. As I walked in the class stood up and welcomed me as teacher Jillian. God used those students in my life so much.  Their eagerness to learn was such an example and made me so thankful, once again, for the education I am getting at home. Additionally spending time with those students and learning from them brought me so much joy, I couldn't help but be thankful in the moment.   

 After our time "roughing" it in Kenya, God  even took the opportunity to bless us physically in Uganda.  We went from tents to a beautiful house with a kitchen, living room for the whole team to fit in, one bed per person, electricity and a limited amount of running water.  There were 5 toilets (which we barely used because of the limited water) and everyone was allowed to take 2 glorious cold showers a week.  I can't even describe how blessed we felt as we walked 10 minutes to a grocery store and internet café. We began to eat food other than rice and cabbage and it was a wonderfully refreshing time for our team. There was so much to be thankful for at our new Ugandan home even if it was as simple as an indoor room that we could all sit in together.     

So if I have to try to sum up this blog, I would have to say that yes, when I return to America I will have a lot to be thankful for, but God also revealed to me that there is no need to wait, there is so much to be thankful for right now.  God is so good and he doesn't want us to wait to experience his goodness, he has something for us each and every beautiful day!   

 Hi to all my friends and family!  I absolutely cannot wait to see you and talk to you when I get home very soon!

Prayer requests: -Finishing strong in Christ's strength -As we move into a smaller home, that we would learn how to continue to adjust and get along as team -For continued health and recovery for those who haven't been feeling well