Going from zero to sixty in just a short time!

 I've certainly had one of those seasons where I was "less busy" than at other times of my life.  Covid certainly had a part in this.  But that wasn't ALL of the reason that I seemed to be treading water - just staying exactly where I had been.  Some of it related to the season since Ken's death.  Again, it was expected that there would be time to adjust. Then, as I mentioned in my last blog, I did a 31day prayer focus journal.  I am here to tell you that when you pray, things happen.  When you expand your prayers to include the world, you are thrust into the world.  When you pray for people near to you, people you have lost contact with, or people you see every day, prayers are answered.  

I visited Uganda in 2004 at the same time as I was in Kenya.  Since then, there was always a place in my heart for the people of Uganda.  I included Uganda in my prayers for the nations of the world, during this 31 day prayer focus.  I should not be surprised that right in the middle of those 31 days, I was approached to be on the board of a Ministry called Sunbeams Uganda.  This followed closely with the answered prayers that reconnected me to my friend in Kenya.  It was clear that Jesus is doing something here!  So over the last few weeks, there has been much learning on my part.  I have been captivated by getting to know and understand the heart and the vision of this ministry to bring real change to a small village in Uganda. I have spent hours networking with various organizations and also meeting some wonderful new friends that also share a connection to Uganda.  Sunbeams Uganda has already brought clean water to the village by digging a well.  The next focus is to help the village build a primary school so that their young children don't have to walk 4.5 Kilometers each way to the closest school.  To get a look at some of the faces of the children in this small village, click on this link SunbeamsUganda.org.  It is a bit of a daunting task to consider the amount of dollars necessary to make these big changes for a small village.  But Jesus said to "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Luke 13:16) These pictures are from my visit to Uganda in 2004.  

I noticed these two boys while I was speaking to the children.  They couldn't understand why I would want to take their picture!  This photo always comes to mind, anytime I am thinking about Uganda.  It was if Jesus was saying to me that he was connecting Chicago, USA with the children of Uganda. And now, years later, I have been presented with another opportunity to bring the love of Jesus, as well as practical help to the children of Uganda.  So, for now, I am just holding on tight as my not so long ago somewhat dull life, has now transformed into a rapidly developing, fast moving, calendar filling adventure.  

For years I was quite content to sit in the back pew of church and pray for those "special" ones who decided to be bold and actually GO and serve.  Not everybody has to travel around the world to do what Jesus is asking of them.  There are so many opportunities, even in our neighborhoods, our churches, and with so many other organizations.  And, as I have just been reminded so clearly, prayers really matter and things happen when we pray.  My encouragement to you, no matter where you are, no matter what season of your life, be open to making a difference for someone else. Come and join me on this wild ride!

Jesus, thank you for your plans for us.  You know exactly what we need in every season of our life.  You bring opportunities to us and connect us to others when you know the time is right.  Thank you for your plan and purpose for every child.  Holy Spirit, keep us all open to the new things that you might be placing in our path.  Give us courage and boldness to reach out and take those risks that are placed before us.  Thank you for answered prayers, for reconnection with old friends and wisdom to know how to move ahead.