Well dear friends, this here will be my final Uganda newsletter. It is definitely late in coming, so I thank you for your grace. And, I know many of you may miss hearing from me (hehe), so feel free to e-mail anytime as I am always up for sharing how God is showing his goodness to me.
First, let me tell you briefly about my final few weeks in Uganda. It was certainly a whirlwind of a time. I was preparing goodbye presents for the boys and others, meeting with friends to say my final goodbyes, and concentrating on getting those last photos of beautiful Uganda. In the midst of the intense business I often forgot to eat, but I didn’t forget to thank Jesus over and over for my time in Kampala with ACTION. And there was SO much to be thankful for!
I even think back to the afternoon when I sat to debrief with Jim and Kappy at Ciao Ciao. Jim asked me to sum up my time in Africa using just one word. It was a big question, but after thinking on it for less than a minute, I decided on the word “blessed”. But let me better describe that one powerful word. I was blessed by God in so many ways during my time in Africa – with courage, finances, joy, strength, forgiveness, grace and simply to be serving him in Uganda in the first place…and the list goes on. I was also blessed to be able to see much fruit in the lives of the boys in the time that I was working with them. But, I humbly believe that God also allowed and empowered me to be a blessing to those I worked with and to those I ministered to. This would include the boys, the Aunties and Uncles, and even Jim and Kappy, the full time American missionaries there with ACTION. I do not say this with pride in my heart, but instead with sincere thankfulness to God as I had prayed time and again that I could be such a blessing.
And then came my final week and my final day at the shelter. Even Uncle David said that my goodbye celebration with the boys was the best party yet in the history of the day shelter. Jim had arranged for a fantastic spread of Ugandan fare with cake for dessert, and he had even asked the ice cream man to come by. To be honest, the day was filled with such joy and laughter that it was easy for me to forget it should have been a more somber occasion. But just as the bracelets on my wrists multiplied throughout the day (I kept being given them), so did the air of merriment. I attached a few photos of that day. The first shows me holding the present that everyone at the shelter gave to me; even a few of the boys pitched in some money. Needless to say, I was really touched. The second is of me eating the first piece of the “Bye Day” Cake. Oh friends, I wish you could have heard the noise in that room as they waited for me to put that small sweet chunk into my mouth. What a glorious way to fiunish my time with the boys.
Yet, even as my time in Uganda has come to an end and I have now been home for almost 2 months, the Holy Spirit continues to move in the hearts of the boys. I have received a bunch of texts from Uncle David and Uncle Enoch telling me such wonderful news. To begin with, our prayer for Sserwada from my last newsletter was answered – just a few weeks ago he decided to become a Christian and follow Jesus! Praise God!!! And then there is the news that Bob has gone home, and that Geoffrey was let out of prison and has returned home also. And to receive those texts from Enoch passing on Bob’s “thanks so much for loving me”, and Geoffrey’s “thanks for loving me and praying for me”…wow! The ache of missing is still there and the tears come with almost every new text from beloved Africa, but it is all so worth it to hear how lives were somehow changed as I stepped out in faith and obedience. To God be ALL the glory.
And let’s praise him some more! God has also been moving in MY life in such wonderful ways too. My Fall has been given a face lift, and I have been blessed with my very first car. And as the weeks have gone by, He has been teaching me more and more how to follow him faithfully, especially when I can’t make sense out of it all. But, the Word is right, his thoughts and ways are both higher than mine….and am I ever glad! So, as much as I am still adjusting to Canada, and as much as I truly miss my friends in Africa, I am so very excited about this new season of my life. It is another of those “new beginnings” that he just loves to give to me. Thanks, Daddy, for being so good to me.
I’d like to share just one more piece of praiseworthy news. All of the funds that I still needed to raise for my internship have now been donated. Praise God…and thanks to all who have had a part in that! But with that being said, if you feel that you would like to encourage me financially in this new season of my life, I invite you to do so yet. For the next month and a bit, your donations that are sent in to ACTION will go to reimbursing me for my plane tickets, visa, shots, etc, up to the amount of at least $3000. The information is below one last time. My heartfelt thanks once more for all of your care, giving, e-mails and prayers. God bless you.
As my Uganda writings have now come to an end, and as you and I are saying a goodbye of sorts, I would like to part ways as would so often happen at the shelter or at the end of a church service in Kampala. Imagine us shaking hands as we together recite “The Grace” (or “Ekisa” in Luganda) to each other...
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, forever and ever. Amen!
Giving God the glory due his name,
Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)
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.
Ps. For those who live in the area, I will be sharing briefly at my church about my time in Uganda. It will be on October 18th, and my home church is Christian Life Community Church. Check out www.clcc.ca for directions and times. I do also hope to connect with many of you still. If you would like chat over a cup of tea and see some videos and more photos, please feel free to e-mail me. I would love to share more.
Photos: *Goodbye gift, cake, meal and dessert *Goodbye Lake Victoria *With my new (used) car, “Faith”
First, let me tell you briefly about my final few weeks in Uganda. It was certainly a whirlwind of a time. I was preparing goodbye presents for the boys and others, meeting with friends to say my final goodbyes, and concentrating on getting those last photos of beautiful Uganda. In the midst of the intense business I often forgot to eat, but I didn’t forget to thank Jesus over and over for my time in Kampala with ACTION. And there was SO much to be thankful for!
I even think back to the afternoon when I sat to debrief with Jim and Kappy at Ciao Ciao. Jim asked me to sum up my time in Africa using just one word. It was a big question, but after thinking on it for less than a minute, I decided on the word “blessed”. But let me better describe that one powerful word. I was blessed by God in so many ways during my time in Africa – with courage, finances, joy, strength, forgiveness, grace and simply to be serving him in Uganda in the first place…and the list goes on. I was also blessed to be able to see much fruit in the lives of the boys in the time that I was working with them. But, I humbly believe that God also allowed and empowered me to be a blessing to those I worked with and to those I ministered to. This would include the boys, the Aunties and Uncles, and even Jim and Kappy, the full time American missionaries there with ACTION. I do not say this with pride in my heart, but instead with sincere thankfulness to God as I had prayed time and again that I could be such a blessing.
And then came my final week and my final day at the shelter. Even Uncle David said that my goodbye celebration with the boys was the best party yet in the history of the day shelter. Jim had arranged for a fantastic spread of Ugandan fare with cake for dessert, and he had even asked the ice cream man to come by. To be honest, the day was filled with such joy and laughter that it was easy for me to forget it should have been a more somber occasion. But just as the bracelets on my wrists multiplied throughout the day (I kept being given them), so did the air of merriment. I attached a few photos of that day. The first shows me holding the present that everyone at the shelter gave to me; even a few of the boys pitched in some money. Needless to say, I was really touched. The second is of me eating the first piece of the “Bye Day” Cake. Oh friends, I wish you could have heard the noise in that room as they waited for me to put that small sweet chunk into my mouth. What a glorious way to fiunish my time with the boys.
Yet, even as my time in Uganda has come to an end and I have now been home for almost 2 months, the Holy Spirit continues to move in the hearts of the boys. I have received a bunch of texts from Uncle David and Uncle Enoch telling me such wonderful news. To begin with, our prayer for Sserwada from my last newsletter was answered – just a few weeks ago he decided to become a Christian and follow Jesus! Praise God!!! And then there is the news that Bob has gone home, and that Geoffrey was let out of prison and has returned home also. And to receive those texts from Enoch passing on Bob’s “thanks so much for loving me”, and Geoffrey’s “thanks for loving me and praying for me”…wow! The ache of missing is still there and the tears come with almost every new text from beloved Africa, but it is all so worth it to hear how lives were somehow changed as I stepped out in faith and obedience. To God be ALL the glory.
And let’s praise him some more! God has also been moving in MY life in such wonderful ways too. My Fall has been given a face lift, and I have been blessed with my very first car. And as the weeks have gone by, He has been teaching me more and more how to follow him faithfully, especially when I can’t make sense out of it all. But, the Word is right, his thoughts and ways are both higher than mine….and am I ever glad! So, as much as I am still adjusting to Canada, and as much as I truly miss my friends in Africa, I am so very excited about this new season of my life. It is another of those “new beginnings” that he just loves to give to me. Thanks, Daddy, for being so good to me.
I’d like to share just one more piece of praiseworthy news. All of the funds that I still needed to raise for my internship have now been donated. Praise God…and thanks to all who have had a part in that! But with that being said, if you feel that you would like to encourage me financially in this new season of my life, I invite you to do so yet. For the next month and a bit, your donations that are sent in to ACTION will go to reimbursing me for my plane tickets, visa, shots, etc, up to the amount of at least $3000. The information is below one last time. My heartfelt thanks once more for all of your care, giving, e-mails and prayers. God bless you.
As my Uganda writings have now come to an end, and as you and I are saying a goodbye of sorts, I would like to part ways as would so often happen at the shelter or at the end of a church service in Kampala. Imagine us shaking hands as we together recite “The Grace” (or “Ekisa” in Luganda) to each other...
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, forever and ever. Amen!
Giving God the glory due his name,
Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)
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.
Ps. For those who live in the area, I will be sharing briefly at my church about my time in Uganda. It will be on October 18th, and my home church is Christian Life Community Church. Check out www.clcc.ca for directions and times. I do also hope to connect with many of you still. If you would like chat over a cup of tea and see some videos and more photos, please feel free to e-mail me. I would love to share more.
Photos: *Goodbye gift, cake, meal and dessert *Goodbye Lake Victoria *With my new (used) car, “Faith”
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