Days of Grace

   So far, 25 days full of grace and fullness. Friends have been made, places are now familiar, and we are growing accustomed to the "African way"…might I say it couldn't be more different than customs back home. I feel like America and Africa are literally the two greatest extremes there could ever be! Africa: time carries NO importance, everything has dirt on it, children (including babies) roam free, a days work dictates survival, not comfort, traffic has no order, motorcycles carry infants, people carry their groceries on their head (or even their furniture), breasts are out everywhere, fatness is desired by all, you can pay rent with goats and cows, and people don't care about being "cool". Every day wows you. I genuinely love this place. Even if its just seeing these funny little customs that are soo taboo to our culture. Yesterday was our most authentic and African experience yet. We watched an Acholi Dance Performance by a non-profit that teaches music therapy to youth. It was stunning! But there we were, only one other mzungu there, completely surrounded by tons of Africans, babies in the lap, sweat on our foreheads and all over, sitting for at least 5 hours because the show started three hours after it was supposed to. But we have learned to gladly and joyfully embrace those waiting times…..allows time to make friends! 

  This week was the beginning of teaching at Atin Afrika. School just started for everyone in town this week, so there is still some chaos in kids leaving and coming, however, it was a good first day. The way it works is, they have Ugandan social workers who go out to the streets and get to know the kids, offering them a home and education. Most of them already have homes, but either their parents have neglected them, they have chosen the streets, or they just have run away. These kids get into all kinds of addictions, most of them sniff glue, girls sell themselves as early as age 9, they drink the locally brewed alcohol which makes whiskey look weak, and all kinds of other awful things. So the kids that choose to come for a two month term, are quite the complicated bunch….and the concepts of love and care are foreign to them. Atin is a lovely little home with two dogs, a monkey, and a Ugandan momma named "Grace" who lives there and basically mothers all the children. During the term, the children learn how to live well with others, battle vulnerability, have reconciliation with their families (the social workers help to mediate), and learn respect. Also, they learn a bit of english and do some subject studies to introduce them into school. Then after those two months, they are enrolled for school and go back to their communities and homes. Its really amazing how it works. Most of the kids come to a place where they choose for themselves a better life. So, my plan there is to do a type of art therapy that also shares Christ. It would be unfruitful to keep the gospel from them and just do "crafts", I want to love them earnestly and not keep hidden the very thing that will make them feel most full in life. Its like showing them pretty things, but hiding the treasure. Especially because most of them feel forgotten. I delight in them so much already! You give them an ounce of attention and they light up. Most excitedly, I also get to teach photography! I was able to handle the 12 cameras for the first time on Monday and see which ones worked and needed batteries. So I will begin teaching photography either tomorrow or Monday. Yay!

   We were also able to spend the last week with the Chitesters and go through a Discipleship study with them. They were such a gift to us! Also, I think it was God equipping us for things here. Both Logan and I have been overwhelmed by the misinterpretation of God's Word here among Christians. People have a very skewed view of Grace here and live a very works-oriented faith. There even seems to be more preaching from the Old T. rather than the New. You basically find all these new Christians who have given their lives to Christ, but are acting like fearful slaves instead of children of God. The belief that Christ paid for their sin once and for all is misunderstood; people are constantly in the cycle of repentance because they think every time they sin again, God casts them away. They just want so desperately to be close to God, which is really beautiful, but they are missing out on the freedom that comes when you trust Christ. For the believer, sin breaks your fellowship with God, but NOT your relationship. Ever. And broken fellowship can be restored through love and confession to Him..so glad for that :)

The prosperity gospel also runs wild here. So please pray.

Lastly, we got bicycles!!! John and Janie bought them for us and we have enjoyed them so much. Been a great help.  Still getting used to the chaos of the traffic and being on the left side, but its been good. Also pray for His covering when we are on the roads :)

Love you all! More to tell later,

Gracious (they all call me this ha)