Friday, October 9, 2009

again and again.

This past year there are 2 things that keep coming up. Whether it is from a preacher from Singapore preaching in Uganda, or I just happen to turn my bible there. Or a song that I heard on the radio and then heard performed by a girl from Portland at a Ugandan church. It has been a constant reminder that our Lord cares about the small details of my life. He understands my needs more fully and more completely than I will ever realize. This passage of scripture has quickly become my sustainer when my thoughts or my day take a wrong turn. Isaiah 61:1-4

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

The Lord has been completing these verses in my life over the past year. Now, while they are no where near obtaining their completing work in me I find it so interesting that I have now come to a place in life where I am trying to be Christ's hands and feet. I am trying to proclaim good news to the poor, bring joy to the brokenhearted, and show these wonderful children of Uganda that the Lord will restore the places in their lives that have been devastated. I must strive for this because that is what the Lord has done for me. As Christians we are not called to simply accept Christ's grace and forgiveness and then keep it for ourselves. Our faith is meant to permeate every fiber of our lives and affect every decision we make. From money, to careers, to love. Especially to love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect unity. Believers all have the holy spirit within them and one of the fruits of the spirit is love.

There is an amazing song that is on the new David Crowder CD. The lyrics are a constant encouragement and lead me back to the feet of Christ. The song is How He Loves Us. I could not figure out how to post a link to hear the song, but here are the lyrics. I highly recommend listening to the song!

[before I post the lyrics]

Today is Uganda's Independence day! They do not really celebrate, so the muzungus decided to throw a party! Complete with roasted marshmallows! This week for dinner Hannah and I made hamburgers and french fries with REAL Heinz ketchup and diet coke! But the TIA moment came when we ran out of gas for the stove halfway through cooking the fries...So, our 14 year old neighbor, Jovan had to get us charcoal and start a fire for us. (we had no clue how to do it!) And we fired and grilled the burgers and fries over the charcoal fire. Needless to say dinner took awhile to get ready!

Going to Sanyu Babies Home yesterday was very hard. There was a new baby in Jacob's crib.... I found out that last Friday a germanvolunteer noticed that his fever was getting worse but she had to leave for the night. She informed the night shift workers and they essentially dismissed it and told her to put him back in his crib. They did not get him to the hospital soon enough. I was so frustrated. Different cultures = different ways of handling things. I did get to hold sweet Dorthy again. Who I learned was found in the bottom of a squatty potty. Horrible. Pray for these babies. That they would find good homes...and soon.

I love the comments. They are so encouraging! :o)

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
DCB

3 comments:

  1. Hello Meredith! You seem to be thriving in Uganda - you look very happy in the photos on your blog. I'm so glad to see you are well and happy. We all miss you here and people ask about you all the time. I meant to catch up with you sooner. Always busy here, but even more so now that I've signed a lease for a retail shop location at University Mall in Chapel Hill. It will be a whirlwind to meet the November 20th opening for The Virginia Gail Collection. Wish you were here to help. Please let me know if there is anything special you would like to have sent. I've made note of your previous list and will get a package sent asap. All my best, Casey

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  2. Love the lyrics! I just want you to know that what you're learning/blogging is very encouraging and inspirational. I miss you! Love love love.

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  3. So proud of you Mere. Such an Amazing time. Glad you are there.

    Jonathan J

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