Hello dear Friends,
Well, I am past the half way point of my internship, and it is bitter-sweet for sure. As much as I look forward to seeing my parents and friends again, and also worshipping with my church family, my heart will surely break when I have to leave the boys and my other new friends. I had a taste of that emotion as we dropped Luke off at the airport just last week. It is not going to be an easy day when I find myself to be the one flying away. I sincerely pray that God will continue strengthening me and enabling me to give my all while I am here as my natural instincts recommend that I draw away prematurely to escape the impending hurt. Not this time! 100% until the end!
So with Luke now gone, I will be heading to the shelter alone. This gives me reason for added anxiety and nervousness, but I know that God is teaching me still and that this is simply the next part of the process. But I’m not the only one who will miss Luke’s presence…he will be missed terribly by the boys and other volunteers as well. However, I know that his impact will be a lasting one. To give an example, it is because of Luke’s teaching on The Prodigal Son that another boy has decided to go home. This Thursday, Ambrose will begin the long trek to Uganda’s north-eastern Karamoja region. As he has now spent about two years on the streets, I pray that his family accepts him back with open arms, just like the father in the well-known Bible story. (He is pictured below with the page he colored for Jajja Luke.)
But before Luke’s departure, we had a very busy few weeks; besides the long days at the shelter (and language lessons for me), we were also preparing for and participating in the Life Application Study Bible (LASB) Conferences. ACTION Uganda hosted two retired Pastors from America – Rod and Bruce. Both of these men came despite their personal trials or limitations and were an encouragement far beyond their teaching times.
During these Conferences, Rod and Bruce gave Pastors, students and evangelists some training on how to use the features in their new LASB, and they even offered a basic outline for understanding, interpreting and applying scripture. The turnouts were amazing and the joy was contagious. And not only were these meetings a first for ACTION of this magnitude (about 1200 Bibles were given away), but never before has Uganda seen such large gatherings of Pastors. For that reason, the local news not only covered the first conference of about 420 attendees, but they also ran the clip with their top news stories for at least a week. (Yes, I was on Uganda TV…well, at least the back of my left side…haha.) We are praying that the many churches and families that were represented at these conferences will grow steadily in their faith, overflowing to their communities and regions. And our prayer is also that these will only be the first of such conferences that will be put on by ACTION internationally.
And for me personally, these conferences were a chance to minister alongside old and new Ugandan friends while overseeing the registration process at three (out of six, I think) of the meetings. This had its many challenges as much of my effort was put into continually adjusting my methods of communication and leadership to be culturally sensitive. But nevertheless, we all had a lot of fun working together, and it was an honor simply to be involved in such a venture! Oh, and I can’t forget…the first conference also allowed me to use my balloon décor skills learnt during my one year stint at Classic Party and Balloon. I couldn’t help but laugh at how God foresaw these events and saw to it that I was prepared. J What an exciting, busy, exhausting, crazy, and joy-filled few weeks!
Well, that’s all my news for now, but I do have one small apology that I would like to give. I am sorry, friends, that my blogs have been limited these past few weeks. Sure, I have been busy, but I have also been lazy. I wasn’t that I was too lazy to type, but instead I was too lazy to look into my heart and examine my feelings and emotions. But, as my fervor for the Lord has been refreshed in the dawn of my new loneliness, my heart is alive once again to feel and to hurt, but also to dream. Do be checking the blog now and again as I will have new posts up more frequently.
And if you have been thinking about sending financial support, there is still some time. Let me put out the invitation once again: the necessary funds for the remainder of my internship still hovers around $2000. Even a gift as small as $20 will help to close the gap…especially if it is offered by many. But, God won’t speak to all of you to give, and others don’t have anything to offer but their prayers…but please know, I need those prayers as well! I wouldn’t want to be here without that support behind me. Thanks to each of you for how you are involved in this journey. You have been a blessing to me, and I pray, to the people of Uganda through me. May our work here bear fruit, just as Luke’s did.
I will conclude here with a few specific prayer requests:
- Perseverance through loneliness, transition and trials
- That I could find a balance between school work and ministry
- That I will excel in my language learning and be motivated to study although my classes are finished
- That our now-smaller team will continue to serve with unity and purpose
- For safety each day…for Jim, Kappy and myself
With a heart of joy and gratitude,
Erin Spring
Well, I am past the half way point of my internship, and it is bitter-sweet for sure. As much as I look forward to seeing my parents and friends again, and also worshipping with my church family, my heart will surely break when I have to leave the boys and my other new friends. I had a taste of that emotion as we dropped Luke off at the airport just last week. It is not going to be an easy day when I find myself to be the one flying away. I sincerely pray that God will continue strengthening me and enabling me to give my all while I am here as my natural instincts recommend that I draw away prematurely to escape the impending hurt. Not this time! 100% until the end!
So with Luke now gone, I will be heading to the shelter alone. This gives me reason for added anxiety and nervousness, but I know that God is teaching me still and that this is simply the next part of the process. But I’m not the only one who will miss Luke’s presence…he will be missed terribly by the boys and other volunteers as well. However, I know that his impact will be a lasting one. To give an example, it is because of Luke’s teaching on The Prodigal Son that another boy has decided to go home. This Thursday, Ambrose will begin the long trek to Uganda’s north-eastern Karamoja region. As he has now spent about two years on the streets, I pray that his family accepts him back with open arms, just like the father in the well-known Bible story. (He is pictured below with the page he colored for Jajja Luke.)
But before Luke’s departure, we had a very busy few weeks; besides the long days at the shelter (and language lessons for me), we were also preparing for and participating in the Life Application Study Bible (LASB) Conferences. ACTION Uganda hosted two retired Pastors from America – Rod and Bruce. Both of these men came despite their personal trials or limitations and were an encouragement far beyond their teaching times.
During these Conferences, Rod and Bruce gave Pastors, students and evangelists some training on how to use the features in their new LASB, and they even offered a basic outline for understanding, interpreting and applying scripture. The turnouts were amazing and the joy was contagious. And not only were these meetings a first for ACTION of this magnitude (about 1200 Bibles were given away), but never before has Uganda seen such large gatherings of Pastors. For that reason, the local news not only covered the first conference of about 420 attendees, but they also ran the clip with their top news stories for at least a week. (Yes, I was on Uganda TV…well, at least the back of my left side…haha.) We are praying that the many churches and families that were represented at these conferences will grow steadily in their faith, overflowing to their communities and regions. And our prayer is also that these will only be the first of such conferences that will be put on by ACTION internationally.
And for me personally, these conferences were a chance to minister alongside old and new Ugandan friends while overseeing the registration process at three (out of six, I think) of the meetings. This had its many challenges as much of my effort was put into continually adjusting my methods of communication and leadership to be culturally sensitive. But nevertheless, we all had a lot of fun working together, and it was an honor simply to be involved in such a venture! Oh, and I can’t forget…the first conference also allowed me to use my balloon décor skills learnt during my one year stint at Classic Party and Balloon. I couldn’t help but laugh at how God foresaw these events and saw to it that I was prepared. J What an exciting, busy, exhausting, crazy, and joy-filled few weeks!
Well, that’s all my news for now, but I do have one small apology that I would like to give. I am sorry, friends, that my blogs have been limited these past few weeks. Sure, I have been busy, but I have also been lazy. I wasn’t that I was too lazy to type, but instead I was too lazy to look into my heart and examine my feelings and emotions. But, as my fervor for the Lord has been refreshed in the dawn of my new loneliness, my heart is alive once again to feel and to hurt, but also to dream. Do be checking the blog now and again as I will have new posts up more frequently.
And if you have been thinking about sending financial support, there is still some time. Let me put out the invitation once again: the necessary funds for the remainder of my internship still hovers around $2000. Even a gift as small as $20 will help to close the gap…especially if it is offered by many. But, God won’t speak to all of you to give, and others don’t have anything to offer but their prayers…but please know, I need those prayers as well! I wouldn’t want to be here without that support behind me. Thanks to each of you for how you are involved in this journey. You have been a blessing to me, and I pray, to the people of Uganda through me. May our work here bear fruit, just as Luke’s did.
I will conclude here with a few specific prayer requests:
- Perseverance through loneliness, transition and trials
- That I could find a balance between school work and ministry
- That I will excel in my language learning and be motivated to study although my classes are finished
- That our now-smaller team will continue to serve with unity and purpose
- For safety each day…for Jim, Kappy and myself
With a heart of joy and gratitude,
Erin Spring
(www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)
Ps. This link will take you to my Facebook album titled “Why I love being in Africa”. It has photos of many of those I have come to love here in Uganda. Enjoy. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104510&id=595255379&l=eb2ac876aa
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 21st 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.
Pictures: * Registration table @ Conference #1 * LASB Conference #1 ~ 420 people *A Korean Pastor overjoyed to receive his new Bible at Conference #2 * Random photo of a motorbike parked outside the church at Conference #2 *Me at the Registration table – Conference #3
*Ambrose
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