African Muzungu

The first day of school can be so exciting! Or scary....   For some of our kids here at Genesis, it’s their first day of school ever.      For others, they come to build on their knowledge from previous teaching. I was struck with the difference between the kids coming in for the first time, and those retuning.  One group is shabby, with dirt stained clothes and uncombed hair.  The other is (mostly) neat with their uniforms from last year and (most) heads freshly shaved.  One group sits quietly, not knowing what to do or expect.  The other group chatters away, requiring frequent intervention from the teacher.  It's a visual reminder of the huge impact we can have on these kids. Yes, we can teach them good hygiene. And to wash their clothes. And to sit well and listen quietly. And to write their letters and numbers. And to play well with each other. But mostly importantly we mu...

There’s a saying here in Uganda that what you are doing as you enter the new year is what you will continue to do throughout the year. New Years 2012 was my first here in Uganda and I took that to heart by entering the new year praying with my grandmother (we call her Gaga). And you know what? It came true! I entered the new year praying, and 2012 ended up being one of the most important and transformational years of my life prayer wise.   Jesus taught me so much about communing with Him in prayer, more than I could have imagined. My sweetest times of 2012 were during my prayer walks with Him, which I learned to love doing around dusk each day. With that in mind, I knew the best way I could think of entering 2013 was the same as before. Spending time in the presence of my God with my Gaga. It was incredible. Gaga is one of the most godly people I have ever known, and conversing with her and listening to her pray over me is one of my greatest privileges in life. I long to be ...