Yet not as I will...

There is an aspect of cruelty to this here internship: “Erin, go to Africa, a place you have longed to go for years. Fall in love with the children and make new friends. But don’t stay. Return before too long and resume life and school.”

My heart aches at the thought of leaving Uganda. And, as much as the tears do come when I think of my parents or the opportunity to share fun times with my friends, I’m not so sure about returning to Canada. Maybe that is good because it means I have truly sought to love and live wholly in this new land. But good or not, the ache is certain.

God, just as you have given me this opportunity to come to Africa, please let me also accept the opportunity to return home. You are the Guide I have chosen to follow, and I know your paths are littered with wild flowers and beautiful stones, good gifts and joy. The cup you have chosen for me to drink is so different than that of your Son’s, but please help me to partake of it as willingly as he did.

“Yet not as I will, but as you will. May your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39b, 42b)

Staying Connected - April B

My wonderful friends,

Thank you for taking the time to read another of my updates. Despite the deep home-sickness that I experienced these past few weeks, I can honestly say that these weeks have been the most joy-filled of my time here in Africa. That is because God is working and lives are being changed – mine included.

Let me begin with the best news. Just last week we learnt that one of our boys had made the decision to follow Jesus! Praise the Lord! ‘Rasta’ had decided to become a Christian almost two months ago, but he chose to keep it a secret at first. When I asked him why, he said it was because he didn’t think people would believe him because of his Rastafarian-style hair and what such hair represents here. But, two weeks ago he went to the barber to get his head shaved – it was a baptism of sorts. (See attached photos.) And, although his nickname is still on the lips of many, he now prefers to go by Geoffrey. Wow! But, the transformation is not purely physical; his actions are also changing. God is working the best miracle of all - he is changing the heart of one of his beloved. It is so exciting and amazing to watch! I could barely even concentrate on my school work that week because my heart was soaring with joy. And another of the boys, Ismael, also made a decision for Jesus two weeks ago! He also hopes to go home in the coming month. You have to be smiling as you read this!

Do be praying for these two, that their faith would grow and that their hearts would continue to be open to God’s transforming power. And please, please, please keep on praying for us and the work at the shelter. Be praying that God would save many more of the boys, but also for continued protection over us all and for God’s peace to be evident in that place. The enemy is not happy that he just lost a few souls, and he has been fighting back in their lives and at the shelter also.

A few more tidbits of joy from the shelter: Joseph has been accepted into a program with another aid agency (Tigers Club) and is going to school to pursue auto mechanics. Ambrose reached home safely and sounds to be doing well. Fred finally decided to return home (to live with his Grandmother, I believe) and will now be going back to school. And another boy, one from the first shelter that ACTION had here in Kampala, has also been accepted into an aid program and is now off of the streets. It is undeniable that God is at work. As Mother Teresa said, “They come into the world one at a time so they must be reached one at a time.” And how exciting to see it happening!

And as for what God has been doing in my life…the joy of it all is hard to put into words. I have been elated to be a part of God’s work here in Uganda. He is enabling me to know his leading in such a clear way that I can be confident that it is he working through me instead of it being me leaning on my giftings or skills. It is not about me! It’s about the Word of God coming to the boys through me. To be a conduit of God’s love, joy and freedom has been humbling and exhilarating. And as I express to them his goodness and the amazing love he has for them, my own heart is uplifted by the wonderful news. God is so good, my friends, and he loves you dearly as well.

So what else has gone on since my last newsletter? To begin with, the Tuesday after the holiday we had an Easter party for the boys at the shelter. About 75 boys came out to hear God’s Word, play hours of football, and eat an amazing meal. We had a great day! And that following weekend was the final Bible Conference at All Nations Bible College. The last 110 Bibles were received with eagerness and thankfulness, and once again we are praying for much fruit to come from the recipients’ future studies of its pages. And another piece of personal news, my friend Philip from the States is at a YWAM Conference in Jinja this week and will be staying to visit with me in Kampala for a few days after its completion. What a blessing – company in Africa!

And now, as my time is quickly drawing near to say goodbye to beloved Africa, please continue to remember me in your prayers. I want to serve God strong until the end, making the most of every day and opportunity that he gives me. I also am still in need of funds for the remainder of my time here. If you feel you’d like to give, the details are below. And while you are praying for those things, you could also be praying for my tendonitis. It has flared up over the last few weeks and begun to really limit me in my studies and even in my personal journaling and contact with home. And last but not least, my daily safety is something I can never take for granted, so please join your prayers with mine in this also. Thank you, my friends. Oh, and one last prayer request: Auntie Joy found out on Monday that one of her Aunts just passed away. Joy is there with the family now and we pray she returns safely with peace in her heart.

Let me leave you with a few verses that have been encouraging me this month:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” – Isaiah 64:4

With an abundance of joy,

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.

Photos: *Before – ‘Rasta’ *After – Geoffrey * Shelter Easter Party * Hats – Me with Uncle David and one of the boys at the Easter party * Jim teaching at the final Bible Conference * Jackfruit – sticky and sweet

A taste of Kampala

This morning at church I had an experience that would undoubtedly not occur in Canada. My friend Yosia and I decided to go to Watoto Church (formerly known as KPC – Kampala Pentecostal Church). We arrived late and so were ushered into the overflow section which is outside in a tin-roofed, tent-sided structure; there we watched the service on a large screen.

As the sermon was underway, I suddenly felt something soft brush the underside of my left foot. Startled, I pulled my foot back to find a stray cat casually standing there gazing at me with its beautiful lime green eyes. “Meow, meow”, it quietly uttered. Oh goodness! I couldn’t help but laugh. The cat made his way down the row and then later came back to lie grooming itself underneath Yosia’s chair. (See photo.)

I have had to chase a chicken out of the church at one of our Bible conferences. And at another church, one of the ladies took it upon herself to leave her chair to scare off the crow that was sitting on the church wall disrupting the service. But a cat in church? Well, why not I guess? :)

Happy Easter

(written April 13th)

At the foot of the tragic mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by his blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful scandalous night

Easter’s adored Bunny did not make his rounds in busy Kampala; baskets galore were empty, not given and not received. Intriguing. An Easter without bunnies, void of chocolate eggs and marshmallow treats? Could this still be Easter?

What this weekend lacked in goodies and commercialism was replaced with a deep-seated sense of why we celebrate the occasion of Easter. Of course I already knew it was the time to celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin, death and the grave, but amidst the joyous clamor of children hunting for foil-wrapped eggs, it can easily become the secondary reason for celebration.

Easter commemorates the Christian’s new beginning, made possible by the love of God and the sacrifice of his Son. There was great darkness as Jesus hung on the cross, embodying our sins, both great and small. Wailing must have been heard as those who had called for his death looked upon his disfigured and blood-stained body, beating their breasts in agony and regret.

Yet, God purposed it all for good. Or, day I say, to be the most wonderful and amazing, the most gracious and undeserved gift ever imagined – a new beginning. That gift was made available to all…even to those whose hands had wielded the hammer; to those who had gambled for Christ’s garments as he hung unclothed on the rough wooden cross; even for those who were crucified on either side of him…the gift was offered. There is beauty in that giving.

And I see myself. Looking down I glimpse the hammer in my own hand. Throwing it to the ground, I drop to my knees, resisting the urge to vomit. What an unthinkable crime I have just committed. My sin, by wrongs, had nailed him to that cross. But, he had seen me – seen us – over the decades and centuries. He knew there was much we would need to be cleansed from, so he took it all upon himself that very day. It is a wonder that the cross did not tumble under such a weight.

But, it didn’t end at his death. Life sprung from Jesus’ selfless deed, just as he himself emerged from the stone grave. We also can start anew, washed in his shed blood to purify us from our wrongs and failures.

All of this was on my mind as I spent Easter day in the company of my new American and Ugandan friends. One, a former drunkard, was given a new beginning when he turned to God and turned away from the drink. Another, a former Muslim, found a new beginning as she chose Jesus, letting God wash her of her sins and speak his love into her heart. It was a day in the company of those who, just like me, had one day found themselves on their knees in front of the sin-soaked cross.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Thank you Jesus!

Staying Connected - April A

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

(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

My Companion in the midst of loneliness

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to have a Companion all the time. But that does not mean we will never suffer loneliness. In fact, it means that we may be lonely in ways we would not have been if we had not chosen to be disciples. When people who are contemplating becoming missionaries ask me, “But what about loneliness?” I tell them, Yes. You’ll be lonely. It’s part of the price. Strangers in strange lands are lonely. You accept that in advance.
~ Elizabeth Elliot (The Path of Loneliness)

I willingly and excitedly travelled to Africa to become that stranger in a strange land. But you see, I forgot to count the cost. I did not accept this loneliness in advance. I guess it’s not too late to embrace its rough and tiring companionship, but it is his holy companionship that I truly desire.

“Why am I in this?”

I feel selfish and distracted, the amount of time I spend pondering my condition. But, as I gaze into the mirror of my heart today, it is not my own reflection that I desire. I want to be awoken afresh to God’s love and care for me, now and always. I want this searching to offer that most precious reflection.

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Between worlds

(written April 1)

Just a few days ago we took Luke to the airport (see photo above, taken before the drive to Entebbe). What an odd sensation it was to stand there almost four months before it was my turn to get on the plane. I looked at Kappy, and then at David; these people that I didn’t know at all just a few months before were now my good friends. It is hard to imagine the day without talking with one or both of them. Yet, just as Luke was leaving, I would too. Those friends would be left behind…not to mention the boys and the others.

I am between worlds. Although I still don’t fit 100% in Uganda, neither do I fit 100% in Canada any longer. And this middle ground is a little unsettling, I’m not gonna lie.

I knew this would come – the change. How can one go to a different land for a lengthy period of time and not change? But as news from home indicates even more change, I sigh deeply. If I chose to bear it, this burden would weigh heavy. But a note from Tricia this very day reminds me that Jesus is my hope and that I can leave all of my worries to him.

So, what now? Well, even though this season of “middleness” will last for a number of months more, Jesus is here with me in it. And I pray that he would help me to live fully here while I am here, and to do the same when I return home. By his strength and grace, I hope to achieve this.