Unreached Villages
God’s hand could not have been more clear throughout the week. When we left Rhino Camp, the plan was to go to another city and stay at a hotel where we would pray everyday and see what God wanted us to do. That plan never happened. I’m still not completely sure how it worked out, but we ended up at a ministry in Northern Uganda that is run by a couple from Texas. We couldn’t have put this together if we tried. It made no sense to any of us how we ended up there or what we were going to be doing. But as we kept talking to the couple, I knew in my heart God was up to something; He was about to show up in ways we never would have expected, even if we were told.
One of the things this ministry does is go into the mountains of Uganda and preach the gospel in unreached villages. But they don’t stop there. After they’ve brought the good news of the gospel, they keep coming back. They disciple, teach, and fellowship with the people of these villages. They even teach them how to farm in a way that’s sustainable. They have invested so much into the lives of these people and the fruit of their labor is evident. These villages have been changed.
On our second day there, the couple who runs the ministry took us with them into the mountains to two of the villages. It was a two and a half hour ride in a Land Rover over “roads” up the mountain, followed by an hour and a half hike down the other side through a valley. The valley was beautiful – with little farming villages dotting the mountains, a little stream trickling through the bright green grass, and tons of trees surrounding us. The sky was clear blue and the sun was shining so brightly. I had to stop for a moment and take in all the beauty. As I did, it hit me just how incredible this experience is. There I was, in the Ugandan mountains, hiking to an unreached village. How is this my life?! Who gets to experience crazy adventures like this? If someone had told me I would do something like this in my lifetime, I never would have believed them. This was just too incredible. But there I was, doing it. I was utterly amazed and in complete awe – awe of God’s gloriousness, His beauty, and this opportunity He had given me.
There was a time in my life when I wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic. Partly because I enjoy photography but mostly because I LOVED the idea of going to places few have gone and experiencing cultures and meeting people completely different from what I know. When I let go of pursuing this job, the dream of going into remote and unique places disappeared with it. But God knows my heart – He knows my deepest dreams and my desires. I’m not a National Geographic photographer, but I STILL got to go on the adventure of a lifetime! I still got to go where few have gone and experience something unforgettable, and all to bring the glory of God to people who didn’t know Him (which, in my opinion, is a much better reason than to take pictures)!
All I did was follow God. I said “yes” when He said “go”. I was open to His will and willing to follow Him and He blew me away. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again: God is not boring. God is daring. He is adventurous, creative, and surprising. All we have to do is be willing to follow Him, to obey Him, and say “yes.” It gets scary and uncomfortable along the way – I was afraid to say “yes” to joining this week of ministry. But He is with you through it all. And He takes you to places you never knew were possible. He takes you to places you only dreamt of going in your wildest and craziest dreams, the ones you thought were impossible.
What is fear keeping you from saying “yes” to? Do you trust God to go to the uncomfortable and scary places and to get you through them? He has something for you. Something beautiful and wonderful. Something you wouldn’t believe even if you were told.
“Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20
(A picture of me, the World Race team, and our contacts on our way to the first mountain village)
I NEED YOUR HELP! I have to be 50% funded (at $3,500) by April 1st in order to keep doing what God has called me to do. Will you help me get there? Please prayerfully consider joining my team!
