Culture Shock

The more we retreat from the culture and the people
the less we learn about them;
the less we know about them,
the more uncomfortable we feel among them;
the more uncomfortable we feel among them,
the more inclined we are to withdraw.

~ Craig Storti (Duane, Elmer - “Cross-Cultural Connections” - p. 43)

Well, I knew it couldn’t be because of my adapter; I discarded it as soon as I saw sparks from when I had accidentally got water in it. Nor was I standing at the top of a nearby hill to get struck by this mornings’ lightening. Yet there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt, I’d been shocked.

Culture shock.

My feet have navigated the gravel roads of Oxford, New Zealand and I have eaten refried beans for breakfast in Tecate, Mexico. I have strolled along the Ganges River in Varanasi, India, and marveled at the bustling markets in Istanbul, Turkey. I have even been immersed in the culture of Oakland, California’s inner city. I must have experienced some level of culture shock in each of these places, but other than in India, I believe it mostly went unnoticed.

Is it the length of time in Africa that has heightened the shock for me now? Is it the simple fact that I have ventured here alone? Or is it the intensity of poverty that I see almost daily? I know that in India it was the beggar’s hands that I hid from in my hotel room; I just didn’t know how to deal with their constant asking. And although Africa rarely requests the change in my pocket, she sure does ask other things of me.

I have always thought of myself as the sort of person who loves to engage with new cultures, enjoying the give and take; the learning and changing…yet I find myself often withdrawing and unwilling (maybe just unable?) to give what is being petitioned of me. I believe that I am still that open, adventurous and inquisitive person, and more importantly, I believe that God has a purpose for my being in Africa, but the culture shock that I now feel threatens to keep me uncomfortable and withdrawn. It saddens me to think that it could also hinder what God wants to do in and through me here.

Now as you read this, please be gentle. I have had to bestow much grace on myself since this recent enlightenment, and would humbly appreciate it from you also. Yet, I am writing this for your reading for these four reasons: 1) So that maybe I would better understand what I am feeling by writing it out and sharing it; 2) So that those who have been in this place can offer some advice or encouragement; 3) So that you can be praying for me; and 4) So that God will get all the praise as you read my blogs in the coming months and see how he has been faithfully leading, helping and changing me.

I do want to mention that, despite how I am feeling right now, there have been some very beautiful moments in my last month and a half here in Uganda. I am learning the language mpola mpola (bit by bit), I have come to love the days spent at the Street Boy Shelter, and I have been able to experience many parts of Ugandan life. I just pray that these beautiful moments will become more frequent and the moments when I want to hide in the hotel will occur less and less.

My hope is in Jesus, my constant and unchanging friend.

Christmas Greetings

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

My dear friends and family,

In my twenty-three years as a Christian, I have heard the Christmas story countless times. But when I was reading through the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke to prepare for a lesson I was to teach, I found myself in tears. Jesus came into the world as a baby! And, not only was he a baby, but a poor baby; a baby who spent his first night in the company of cows and sheep in a stable! I know that is not news to many of you, and nor was it to me, but think about the implications that has for the children I am working with here in Uganda. God was so wise and loving to send his Son to the world in such a way that all could relate to him, even a small child living in the most humble circumstances. What love is that! What better gift to give to the children this year than the knowledge of God’s great love for them. And what better gift to give to you also. May the love that was shown on that first Christmas day be felt in your hearts and known in your lives also this year. Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year to each of you.

Lovingly, Erin

If sickness be my chains

Last night my sickness worsened. Now I had a sore throat, a fever and a headache to add to my unsettled stomach and overall weakness. I could feel a cold forming too. I decided that sleep would be impossible right away, so I chose to read for a bit first. I settled on the biography of David Livingstone, the missionary and explorer to South Africa in the 1800’s. I read the entire thing before night’s end, and a quote from Livingstone on the fourth to last page resonated with me:

“What is the atonement of Christ? It is Himself; it is the inherent and everlasting mercy of God made apparent to human eyes and ears. The everlasting love was disclosed by our Lord’s life and death. It showed that God forgives, because He loves to forgive. He works by smiles if possible. If not, by frowns; pain is only a means of enforcing love.”

Pain eh? Well, I know a bit of that right now. If it is to bring me closer to God…I guess I can handle it…

When I awoke today, much of the pain and weariness was gone...and even my spirit felt refreshed. Praise God! But, I was still not 100%. I doubted that I had the strength to struggle through another day. Then I thought of Livingstone. How many dozens of times did he endure river fever in his years in Africa, let alone other injuries and concerns? And Paul…he was imprisoned for sharing Jesus, yet he didn’t stop; he seemed only strengthened by this obstacle. Could I then also be like Paul, or Livingstone? I would sure like to try…in God’s strength of course.

This poem came from my ponderings:


If sickness be my chains
How shall I still proclaim
His glory and might and power
His goodness and love in this hour

To the sky my prayers I send
Sweet fragrance tells of heaven opened
My brothers and sisters I shall tell
This same God in them does dwell

Praise be to his name
Tomorrow I shall say the same
He has done great things
Bless his holy name

Staying Connected #2

Dear friends,

To say that this past month has been a rollercoaster of emotion does not quite capture it. The loneliness has been deep and I have struggled in my effort to adjust to the time, altitude, heat, food, and culture here in Uganda. Ah, but through it all I have been held in God’s loving hands, and I am confident that your prayers have helped to keep me there. Also, just last week I found myself wishing to be nowhere but where I am right now…in Africa! Praise God!

Yet, despite the struggles that I have encountered so far in my African journey, my service for God under ACTION has begun. It has been determined that from Monday to Wednesday I will go to the street boy day shelter. This shelter provides the boys with a place to sleep, do laundry, obtain two meals, keep their minds sharp through daily school time, and learn from the Bible. So far my task has simply been to befriend the boys, but in essence, through that friendship to encourage them towards repentance and restoration with God and their families. My responsibilities are gradually growing to include the school portion one day a week, and will most likely include some Bible teaching in the coming months.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to interact with these boys, but I also covet your prayers for my future work with them. Besides adjusting to them being older than I expected (they are mostly in their mid-late teens), my main struggle has been trying to love where there is no trust. The boys do not divulge their real names, and more often than not, their stories about their families and why they are on the streets are just as doubtful. But, it is very plain that at the root of the manipulation and lies are wounded souls that need the love of Jesus. I pray that God would teach me how to love these boys, and that trust may be birthed between us. May that love and trust then work together to bring healing and hope to these boys who call the streets their home.

As for other ministry, I have been typing up some previously translated teaching material in the Teso language. Those in Soroti have very few Christian resources in their language and I am privileged to be able to help them in this area. Also, with Christmas coming up, we are very busy preparing for our outreaches at which we plan to share the Gospel and bring gifts to almost 2000 children. Additionally, we will be giving a Christmas meal and presenting the Gospel for about 400 people in the condemned (death row) section of the prison here in Kampala. Besides helping to prepare for and carry out these outreaches, I will also be teaching at a children’s program this week in Namulanda. Up to 300 children will be there to hear of Jesus as the greatest gift ever given. Please pray for all who will hear God’s message of salvation this Christmas, as well as for boldness, guidance and safety as I travel and teach this week.

As you bring the above prayer requests to God, please also be praying for each of us on this ACTION Uganda team: Jim, Kappy, Luke and I. Each of us has been suffering with flu-like symptoms off and on for the entire time I have been here, some to greater extents than others. Tests have just shown that we might all have an amoeba, contracted from either food or water. I myself am overcome with weakness once again and am lying in my bed as I type this letter to you. Please pray for the medicine to be effective and for God’s healing and strength to come to each of us.

Finally, I want to thank you all for walking this journey with me. I have been truly touched and uplifted by your messages, e-mails and prayers. Thank you also for your financial gifts as they allow God’s work in and through me to continue. Please do check out my ACTION page and blog (see addresses below) for photos, the occasional taste of life in Kampala and more stories of God’s goodness that I hope will bless you and stir your hearts to prayer. My mailing address is also below should you feel so inclined to send mail…or chocolate. J

In God’s faithful service,

Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)

Mailing Address: c/o Robinette, PO Box 71249 Clock Tower, Kampala Uganda, East Africa

To support financially:

~ Cheques are to be made out to “Action International Ministries” and mailed to: 3015A 21^st St. NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7T1. My name cannot appear anywhere on the cheque. Instead, please enclose a separate note specifying it is for me.

~ Donations can also be made by credit card over the phone or debited monthly from your bank account or credit card. Simply call 403.204.1421 or 1.888.443.2221 (toll-free), and they will assist you.

~ Online donations are also possible. Go to www.actionintl.org/spring for my page.

A gift from God

Wearied by the weeks behind me, I set out for church last Sunday morning. As I walked, I prayed for the storm in my heart to be stilled and for the confusion in my spirit to be calmed. My first few weeks in Uganda had been pretty rough; I was jet-lagged and lonelier than ever before, I was knocked out by a flu-like sickness for a few days, and my fears kept me questioning if I were to even be in Africa at all. I really needed to hear from God this day.

Inside, as the lively music got underway, a young girl of maybe four years wandered over to me as I sat on the front row. Without a smile, this beautiful little thing ever so casually stopped and stood right beside me, remaining there for most of the singing. Now some of you know me well, and you know what joy a small child brings to my heart. Well, God sure knows me, and as she lingered by my side I thanked him for the gift of her presence. This was very special to me, but I was in awe of God’s goodness when I was later told her name…Gift! Her name was Gift, and she truly was a gift from God to me that day.