The FIRST posting from Uganda!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Agande! (That means “How are you” in Ugandan). This is my first posting since arriving on Tuesday, March 25. I have been settling in, getting to know a lot of people, and trying to take everything as it comes. Everyday has been busy, so far, but everything also seems to take much longer to accomplish so you get less done! But people have been very friendly, though some seem to treat me a little differently because they know that I am an outsider (hmmm, I wonder why it is so obvious?!)

Yesterday we made a road trip to the very Southwest part of the country to a town in the hills along the Rwanda border in the Kabale District, and its called Kishanje (pronounced Chi-shan-gee). It was so beautiful! The hills in the Southwest are so big and lush with plants and animals. The farmers build terraces going up the hills, and it is hard to believe that they do all the farming by hand, climbing up and down everyday. And the only access to it all is by dirt road, which during the rainy season can be quite an adventure! We had to use four-wheel drive for 20 about 20 miles!!!

We went to Kishanje to see students at the Juna Amagara facility that is there. Some of these students are orphans while others are students from the surrounding area. Most are in secondary school (like high school). Their education program here is much more rigorous than in the U.S. They are in school from about 8 am til about 5 or 6 pm and then are studying until 10, then they go to sleep. There are of course breaks, but most of the day is spent in school or studying.

The last week has been rough at times to get through. I was first in a little culture shock, though mostly it was due to the fact that I was getting used to the 8 hour time difference. I had been going to bed at 9 or 10 pm, then waking up at 2 am and staying wide awake til 5 or so. This has been the hardest part about coming here, because I have felt exhausted. But that is finally coming to an end and I am getting good sleep and sleeping through the night.

The days have been mostly warm – around 70 – 80 degrees. It’s been pretty perfect. But, as Forrest Gump would say, when it rains, IT RAINS! It comes pouring down for a few hours, sometimes all day. After it rains, though, it becomes dry and hot for whatever reason…it is just how the weather is. But I have managed to stay un-burnt this far, and have a nice little tan going, if I do say so myself J.

Well, that’s all I’m going to say for now! I am leaving to go meet up with two other missionaries I met named Jake and Owen – Jake is from the U.S. in California, and Owen is Welsh. We are going to be meeting once a week to catch up and talk about the craziness that is Uganda!!! And we are going to play football (aka soccer) (aka I don’t know how to play). I’ll try to update again this week, since I’ve been out of contact, but if I don’t, I’ll be updating every Monday (Monday’s will be my day off!!!). Love you all…I miss you and I am praying all the time for EVERYONE! Please keep me in your prayers… Til next time…

It's been two weeks since my last update! Yikes! Sorry about that. I promise I'll keep this more updated in Uganda...Hopefully I won't be so darn busy!

I got in to Chicago on Monday and been here just saying hi to family, buying last minute items and preparing to leave. I haven't found as much time with God and His Word lately, so just be praying that God would prepare the way for me to go. I can't wait! I'm excited to watch God work and ready for Him to work more on me.

A friend of mine asked me about a month ago what my goals were when I was in Uganda, and i had no answer for her because I hadn't really thought about it. But since then, I've been praying that God would simply use me as a means for His ends. I don't think I've been available to Him to use, and I want to be from now on. That's my goal. To just be His servant, to allow Him to humble me through all of this, teach me to become more of a leader, and to be more kind (meaning to be more compassionate and loving others). I think all of that starts with letting Him know that I am ready for Him to use me in that way and to be a servant to others just like Jesus was to us. I'm excited by that!

I know that leaving the U.S. and going to Uganda doesn't mean that all of a sudden God's going to suddenly be more important to me. I won't get some flash or revelation because I'm in a different country...but I do think it will allow me to focus on Him more and not be distracted. The reason I am going, and will be there for more than 5 months, is all for God, and it will be hard to forget that. I want to become a much more focused Christian. I want to be a man devoted to God...and because I'm devoted to God, I will also be more loving to others. I don't think that's the person I've been the last few years, and things don't feel right. I want that to change in my heart and my head. I love God, but I don't know how much yet. I want to find out...

I've told only a few people, but I think about that girl at Columbine who was martyred. She had a gun to her head, and the other student asked her if she believed in God, and that if she said yes, he would kill her. She didn't deny God. She said yes, and paid the ultimate price. I wonder how much of us have that kind of courage. Would you have still said yes? I don't know if I would. I'm not going to seek out that kind of a situation, but if I were ever put in it, I want to be able to say that my answer would also be yes. That's how much God wants us to love Him. I want to make sure my answer is yes, too...

In Christ, Matt <><

Update on Contributions #4 (and other tidbits)

Good afternoon ya'll! Sorry for the lack of posts, I just haven't had a whole lot to report until now!

So as of this week, it's now pretty much official! My parents bought the plane ticket and I leave Chicago at 8:30 pm on Monday, March 24, and I will be returning on September 2!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has prayed, contributed, and anything else you may have helped me with (like getting me food so I can save more money). This couldn't have happened without everyone's help, and I am so excited and ready to serve in Mbarara, Uganda. As of today, we have raised nearly $5,000 which includes the $1600 for the plane ticket. My goal is still to get to $6000 so that JAM can be more blessed and able to provide more with the ministry. But a sincere thank you is needed for everyone who has helped!

And I wanted to also say a special thanks to mom and dad. Without your help, more than any, this wouldn't have come together. You've put your time and money into helping me get to Uganda, and I can't say thank you enough. It's a blessing to have you as my parents. Thank you for all the medical expenses, vaccinations, support, money, and everything else I can't possibly list because there is too much to name. Thanks!