Staying Connected - Feb

Dear Friends,

Can you believe that February is almost over already?! Time sure flies! But as my time here is rushing on, much is happening that I want to share with you.

I will begin back in January… January 24^th was the 3^rd annual Children’s National Day of Prayer, and I was asked to join the churches there as a representative from Canada. It’s hard to express the impact that day had on my heart, and we pray, on the country of Uganda. It is because of the plight of Africa’s starving, sick, abused, abducted and ill-educated children that I was originally drawn to serve in this country. And to be a part of a day where children from churches all over Uganda came together to pray for each other and the future of their country, wow! It was powerful and humbling all at the same time. As the marching band led us through the streets of Kampala’s downtown, prayers were lifted to God as the children’s signs and the Pastors on the loudspeaker proclaimed that enough is enough. They are asking if you will join your prayers with theirs.

Also a few weeks ago, we lost two of our street boys. But this is good news because we lost them to their homes! Praise God!! We had sweeties to celebrate the rejoining of Tom and Loka with their families, and I know that Tom especially was very excited to be able to attend school once again. And just today, Bob is also on his way home. This is some of the best news we can ask for in working with these boys.

Marvin (mentioned in my last update) is also now tossing around the idea of making things right with his Dad in order to go home. There are many factors involved here, and I don’t know all of the details, but we can pray that real change will come in Marvin’s heart as he considers this apology and reconciliation. Morris is another we can be praying for. Tests in December confirmed that he has epilepsy, and it is necessary for him to return home before he can get the treatment to manage his seizures. He sees little hope in the village, and is instead risking his life by staying on Kampala’s streets in such a delicate state. (His seizures are frequent and he came last week with a nasty wound to his left knee sustained as he fell in a seizure.) The answers might look obvious to us, but for Morris, it isn’t that easy. Let’s pray that he will accept Pastor Jim and David’s guidance and that he will know the hope in Jesus that will be with him no matter where he lives.

As for the others that I mentioned in my last update: Derrick was not in attendance the past two weeks so I am praying that he is safe. Sharif has suggested to me a few times “Tugende e Canada” – We go to Canada. I smile as he holds my hand and uses his sweetness in an effort to convince me of his plan, but I doubt that is the best answer to his woes. Sserwa da is excelling in his Grade 1 math, but I am not sure how to best help him with his alphabet and English. And ideas? And, last but not least is Jackulin. She is still adorable and the recipient of much affection. J

Yet, one even smaller than Jackulin has recently become my friend. Her nickname is “Mommy”. She and Mikey have been left by their mother, and their father works long days, coming home in a state that makes him unable to properly care for his children. For this reason, Margaret (the wonderful lady who cooks the meals for the street boys) has taken them into her own care, alongside her own children. And it is here that I first could see our ministry – yours and mine – at work in such an evident way. I have been able to assist Margaret in caring for Mommy by taking her for an initial visit to the clinic and now by purchasing her weekly vitamins and milk. And progress is being made! Since Mommy has been taking the vitamins and milk (less than 3 weeks) she has begun to stand and walk on her own! Praise God! But, besides needing some basic medical attention, Mommy also needs to know that she is loveable. At 1½, the rejection can be seen on her often sullen face. Let’s pray that her heart will be strengthened just as her legs have already been.

And it is here that I want to say “thank you” because I know that many of you read these updates and you do pray for the included requests. I often feel like Moses who needed Aaron and Hur to help hold up his arms so that the Israelites could defeat the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-15). You are my Aaron and my Hur, and I am so thankful to not be walking alone. I have included a few personal prayer request below so that you can continue to pray more specifically. Alternately, I know that many of you feel that you could use an Aaron or a Hur beside you in your life, helping hold up your arms and carry your load…please know I would love to pray for you. Just send me a quick e-mail and know I will be praying.

But especially today, I also want to thank each of you for your obedience to God in response to my last letter. In it I expressed my need of finances to fund the rest of my internship, and I was humbled by the many responses. The amount that I still need has been whittled down to about $3000 (wow!), but I still need your help.

In concluding, I want to remind you check out my blog at erinrachelspring.blogspot.com. It is there that you can read of the changes that God is doing in me personally, as well as enjoy some entertaining stories of life in Uganda.

Joyfully answering the call,

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.

Personal Prayer Requests:

*Safety in my daily travels *Healing for my tendonitis and overall wholeness and energy *God’s help in my language learning *Strength , love and patience in ministry with the boys *Boldness to engage at a deeper level in the community *A unified spirit between all of us who serve at the shelter

Photo Descriptions: *First 5 - Children’s National Day of Prayer *With Loka and Tom *Morris *Mommy *With the little ones: from left to right, Wilson, Jackulin, Mommy, Mikey, Namutebbe and Betty

A taste of Kampala

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My Mother would say…

This song came to mind the other day when I was reflecting on the many “odd” sights I have seen here in Kampala. No, I haven’t seen a llama wearing pajamas or a bear combing his hair, but I would like to describe for you some of the more noticeably different or downright shocking things I have seen here to date.

#1 – A man cycling down the road with a couch strapped to the back of his pedal bike. (See photo above)
#2 – A complete family of 5 travelling on one motorbike. (Child, Dad, child, Mom sitting sideways with a baby in her arms).
#3 – A man being taxied on a motorbike while he holds his own motorbike on the seat between himself and the driver.
#4 – Imagine a flat bed truck with higher sides and overhead bars. Now imagine that this truck is chock full of identically dressed children standing shoulder to shoulder. Maybe they were headed on a school field trip...
#5 – A man still sitting in the driver’s seat of his bashed-in car as it is towed to the garage.
#6 – Carrying fish home from the market? Well, those are tied to the grill of your vehicle for the journey. Better wash them extra well when you arrive home…
#7 – A minibus taxi speeds by with a guy on rollerblades (or roller skates) casually holding on to the back.

Hmm…I know there are many more, but I think they are becoming quite normal to me now. Ah, the idiosyncrasies of Africa. I love them!

My internship redefined

This is no longer my internship…it really is my life. This time here is not about my future, at least not in the direct way I was before believing it to be. This is simply what God had called me to do, and he may even call me to do this again, possibly to even devote my life to this overseas service. But I no longer believe that my main purpose for being here is to discover my future in missions. I am here to serve God, but also to grow closer to him and to look more like him. And that is not something that one generally aims to do on an internship; it may not ever find its way into the syllabus. Nevertheless, that is why I am here, and that is why I think of today and tomorrow as “my life”.

I don’t know if you, my reader, can fully grasp what I am saying, but this is a monumental idea for me. As one who would always look forward to the day when I would be a missionary, the day when I would be married, the day when I go to Africa, the day when…and the list goes on. Today I have decided to just live.

A deep breath escapes through my nostrils. There is a peace in just living this day. And to live it, not only because it has been given to me by God – that is a very worthy reason! But, to live it because of what it holds. The promise of cleansing fire comes in the form of sickness, loneliness and discouragement in ministry, but this fire cleanses not consumes. There is also fear that accompanies each waking day, but it is not my master. Instead it is something I can give to God so that he can master it in me. Wow! Isn’t he so good, so amazing, so gracious! His grace is sufficient for me as he supplies each of my needs.

With that all said, why wouldn’t I want to give everything for him? My heart is bursting with love for a God who loved me first and who desires good things for me. His way is not easy, for if it were, I would be left much the same; selfishness and pride would have no reason to step aside. But, the pain is one much worth its sting. And I don’t mean to sound morbid at all here, talking so much of how God leads me into pain. Yes, the cross is heavy, but in light of the promise, I barely feel it pressing into my back.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

It's not always easy...

Yesterday’s songs are stuck in my throat…

Today began just as last night ended - lacking in joy but not without tears. I longed for the familiar. I ached to wake up in my own bed in Canada. But alas, I found myself still in Africa. Even the birds were silent when I first awoke. Where was my joy, my hope?

Well, the good news is, today is not yet over. I did eventually hear the birds, and God has reminded me that he is trustworthy and will not let me be put to shame. Beautiful news, eh? It’s life giving really. But it's still not easy...

So, even though I am not overjoyed to be in Africa today, I can rejoice in another reason to lean on my God. I’ve tasted the joy and I know that it and my love for Africa will return. May my heart remain steadfast. Amen.

A taste of God's goodness

Friends, I am sorry that I have not blogged in so long. I declared that this blog would be where you could come to hear of God’s goodness to me in this land, and I want to keep my word.

My emotions have been on the most topsy-turvey roller coaster imaginable these past few weeks. The twists came so sharp and so often that I was unable to capture many of them in writing before the next one came. There has been much joy, but also loneliness, pride and other ugly things. But let me stay raw before you; my heart I will share. I will leave you with some tidbits from my personal writings.


January 24th

Wordless tears drip onto my lap
My heart drowns
Silently, unnoticed, unseen
Unknown

In the roar of loneliness
My whispered cry
Come, hear me, hold me
Know me

Please God, please.


February 1st

…Best of all, God is changing me here. Some of that good change has come in the face of my loneliness, and some from my aching, wounded heart. The change has come as I’ve reached out for God as I’ve felt myself slipping. More than that though, I have seen my desire for God growing in me. I’ve always desired God, but with my comforts taken away and many of my regular distractions (and relationships) removed, I am pressing in like never before. I have reached for my Bible many a time as God has convicted my heart and gently suggested I try a better way. And it is better. Our loving God has forgiven me, he strengthens me, he deserves the glory for revealing this way of love and freedom to me…

…God has shown me my pride this last week. I am embarrassed to write it out and explain it, but I know it to be at work in my heart. On Thursday I came to Jesus in repentance, desiring – no needing – his forgiveness. Wow! He answered my heartfelt petition and lifted my burden. There is no condemnation because I am his child under his love and not under the law. Thank you Jesus. May you be lifted higher and may I become lower. God, I want to stay on my knees so that others can see you standing tall. That they would know you also…


February 12th

As I put away some clothing, I held one sweater close, breathing in its warmth. Today I longed to bundle up in that sweater, adding a toque and scarf, and then go for a stroll around Mill Lake. Oh, to feel the bite of the crisp winter air on my face!

Just a few days ago I reached the three month point of my Ugandan Internship. That day was spent at the shelter like so many others. It passed joyfully, but the reality of another five months is intimidating if I focus on it too much. Yet, on the other hand, is five months going to be long enough to build strong and impactful relationships with the boys? Will I have delved enough into the culture and language? Will it be long enough to hear and know what God is planning for my future in missions? Will my heart survive this lonely time?

I dare say that it will be long enough because God has called me here for such a time as this. He will make of it as he wishes, and I need to just rest in that knowledge and continue to dive in fully. And though the discouragement and loneliness come in waves, joy and hope follow close behind, revealing themselves in the sweet morning melodies of Africa’s birds. I think I will sing along...

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. (Psalms 108:1-5)