Final Thoughts....Finally!

Dear Everyone,

I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported me throughout my mission trip to Uganda. It was an amazing time and it's hard to believe it's over, but all good things must come to an end. I am starting a new phase of my life (namely, starting my career!) and I am so excited to find out where God is taking me. I'll be applying for a position as a News Reporter in several markets and I'm excited to go and start working! I love reporting the news and I'm lucky enough to also be great at it, so things are coming together.

That said, it's been a week since I came home from Uganda and you can imagine I've had a lot on my mind. Adjusting has not been too difficult, but my perspective on things has certainly changed. What I loved most about Uganda was by far the relationships I made and the way that Ugandan's place such a high emphasis on relationships. I didn't use to be that way, but I can see clearly how that has to be a priority. As important as jobs are, as important as money can be, and as much as I want to be successful, we can't lose sight of what's most important. I'll miss everyone in Uganda dearly, but I know that God willing, I'll be back someday...hopefully sooner than later!

I don't have much more to say right now. I'm still taking a lot of things in and trying to see how I'm different. I feel like I'm diving right back in to the way things used to be, so I'm trying to focus on the future and trying not to forget everything I learned. It's hard though. But I love being an American and I realize the privileges I've been given that I have too often taken for granted. Third world countries will help you see that. But that's not enough, is it? As Americans, we should do something about that and not just "feel" different or just be thankful. Realize that we all have a whole lot more things than we think. Be aware of what you're spending your money on, and ask yourself if you have used everything God gave you to help someone else. We were made to have relationships with other people, so please reach out and help others. One simple way is to sponser a child, and you can do that through Juna Amagara Ministries (Amagara.org) or Compassion International. Try not to focus on yourself but on how you can love another person the way that God loves us.

This is probably my last post considering my trip is over and I'm already becoming a busy American again (some things will never be different :)

1 Timothy 4: 9-10

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Amen. Thank you to everyone. I love you and if you want to talk or find out more or whatever, than email me at mjw516@gmail.com.

Love, Matthew