Hello friends!
This past week has been another God filled week. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about God, and are so willing to serve Him. Most of this week, there were only 6 non-staff in the house. It was a little strange, but kind of nice at times. One phrase that I've heard all week was, "Well, you better get used to it cause there will be even less people here during the year." As much as I want there to be a lot of people here, I know that as more people leave the more responsibilities I will receive and the more chances in ministry I will have. Yet, I love having people here so it is very bittersweet!
God has really been working in the different ministries that we do. Here is a run down of what most weeks look like. On Monday, we have a planning meeting and split into teams then sometimes we go to the slums in the afternoon. On Tuesday, we go to feeding programs in the morning where we make porridge and have a service for primary school kids (around 2-10 years of age) and in the afternoon we lead a service at different secondary schools (Highschools). Wednesday, we go to Katalamwe which is a hospital for kids and lead a service. Afterward, we lead another service at a secondary school, and then finally in the afternoon we play basketball or volleyball against a school. We call these games Sport Outreaches. Thursday morning each team goes to a different babies home, either Nsambya or Sanyu, where we do cleaning and just play with the kids. In the afternoon, we go to the Remand home, which is the juvenile home, and lead a service. Friday morning we do various projects around the house or in the neighborhood surrounding and in the afternoon we go to Kids In Need which is a rehabilitation home for young boys and we lead a service there. Then the weekends we have free. So that is what a basic week looks like just in case anyone was wondering.
Last post I told you about Innocent that I met at Remand home. I got to see him again this past week, and when he saw me he ran up to me. We got to talk for about twenty minutes and I got to pray with him and encourage him. He asked for a Bible so I am going to try to get him a Bible this week and start challenging him with scripture. Please continue to pray for him and our relationship.
On Friday night, we had a night of prayer. It was a truly amazing time. I don't think I have ever prayed that long without being like, "Ok, when is this going to be done." I was so blessed and filled with joy. God has been moving in my life so much, and it's so hard to believe it has only been two weeks. God has used a few people in the house to really open my eyes to different things spiritually and challenge me. I posted on my Facebook that I don't believe I have ever experienced pure, real joy until now, and that is so true. I can't really explain it, but something is different and I love it. God is so good, and all glory be to His name. His hand is so at work, and I am so privileged and humbled to even be a small part of what he is doing in His world.
Please pray for team unity. There has been a little bit of tension in the house this week, and I believe that can have no place here. It will only bring us down, and very soon begin to effect our ministry. The team gets smaller each week so please pray that those of us left would really grow close, and have a true love for each other.
Again if you have any questions or want to know more prayer requests please contact me on Facebook or email me at crazy4him92@sbcglobal.net.
I love you all, and I am so grateful for all your love!
Craig
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
"Praise God, Amina!"
"Praise God!" I have been constantly saying that all week. I have seen God work in ways that blew my expectations for my first week! The staff and volounteers here have been so great, and I have built awesome friendships. Any fears that I had are gone, and I have God to thank for that! It has been tough because throughout the entire week people have been leaving, but I feel like I have built friendships that will last. I can already see this place becoming home.
I never realized how much I missed African kids, it has been so refreshing to be with them again. The way they just want to loved and held, blows my mind and reminds me of how I should be as child of God. They are so simple and trusting, and even though they have nothing they have such a pure joy.
If I were to tell all the stories of this week this post would be forever long, but I want to relay one story so that you can be praying. On Thursday, we led a service at Remand home which is a juvenile home. After the lesson, we split into small groups and a guy named Innocent told us that his grandmother just died, and after he gets out he has nowhere to go and fears he will go back to his old ways. He also told us that He doesn't feel that He can even talk to God. Afterward, I just felt God was telling me to go talk to him and so I took him aside and told him that I would be praying for him. I challenged him to just start praying this week, and that I would check up on him the following week. He will be at the home for 6 months and I hope to sort of mentor him throughout that time, and hopefully see him get to a point where he is strong enough in the Lord to go back out into the crazy world. Please pray for him. Pray that I will know how to challenge him and love him. I am excited to see what God will do.
Already this week I've been able use music. I've been blessed to lead worship for devotions a few times, play at schools and help lead the offering song at the church we went to on Sunday. I wanted to be able to use that gifting, and its awesome to see how God has blessed that already!
Overall this first week has been amazing, and I'm so thankful for how God has worked. Please pray that I will continue to be open to everything he has for me. Also, as more and more people leave pray for strength because it doesn't get easier!
I have so many stories already but not enough space to tell them, but if you have any questions or want to know more ways to pray feel free to message me on facebook or email me at crazy4him92@sbcglobal.net.
I love you all and miss you!
Craig
I never realized how much I missed African kids, it has been so refreshing to be with them again. The way they just want to loved and held, blows my mind and reminds me of how I should be as child of God. They are so simple and trusting, and even though they have nothing they have such a pure joy.
If I were to tell all the stories of this week this post would be forever long, but I want to relay one story so that you can be praying. On Thursday, we led a service at Remand home which is a juvenile home. After the lesson, we split into small groups and a guy named Innocent told us that his grandmother just died, and after he gets out he has nowhere to go and fears he will go back to his old ways. He also told us that He doesn't feel that He can even talk to God. Afterward, I just felt God was telling me to go talk to him and so I took him aside and told him that I would be praying for him. I challenged him to just start praying this week, and that I would check up on him the following week. He will be at the home for 6 months and I hope to sort of mentor him throughout that time, and hopefully see him get to a point where he is strong enough in the Lord to go back out into the crazy world. Please pray for him. Pray that I will know how to challenge him and love him. I am excited to see what God will do.
Already this week I've been able use music. I've been blessed to lead worship for devotions a few times, play at schools and help lead the offering song at the church we went to on Sunday. I wanted to be able to use that gifting, and its awesome to see how God has blessed that already!
Overall this first week has been amazing, and I'm so thankful for how God has worked. Please pray that I will continue to be open to everything he has for me. Also, as more and more people leave pray for strength because it doesn't get easier!
I have so many stories already but not enough space to tell them, but if you have any questions or want to know more ways to pray feel free to message me on facebook or email me at crazy4him92@sbcglobal.net.
I love you all and miss you!
Craig
Monday, July 12, 2010
Arrived safe and sound!
Hey everyone!!!
I'm here, and it's soo crazy. It hit me on the plane that I am actually going for a year and I had a mild freak out! I realized that I already miss people so much, and I can't imagine being away for a year. So, my first lesson is to trust God for strength. He will provide.
Flights went very smoothly, connections were seemless, and baggage was all there. We arrived at around 8:00 p.m Uganda time (1 eastern). I only got about two hours of sleep over the entire time so I'm very tired. However, the world cup game was on tonight and most of the people from Empower were at a cafe down the road watching it, so I just had to. I ended up half dozing during it, but made it through.
The road leading to the house is the most bumpy road I have every seen or driven on. Lets just say this is legit Africa, if there is such a thing. The house is nice, it's hard to explain so hopefully I can put some pictures up of it.
There are around 20-25 people here right now, and it's pretty overwhelming, please pray that I would really connect. It's hard cause 4 people are leaving tomorrow then two more are arriving. Then in like two weeks 6 more people arrive. There are only like 6 guys. Seems to be the story of the mission field! There is just soo much to process right now, it's stressful! Please pray that I will find time to spend with God, and really just be able to give it all to Him.
I wasn't sure if there would be wifi at the house, but there is! I'm very excited about it, because I was afraid I would have to find a internet cafe whenever I wanted to talk to people. So, I want to talk to you!! My skype is craig.goldman92. Also, Empower has free calling to cell phones through Skype, so I will be able to call people.
Thank you all for your prayers as I traveled and for your continued prayers! I love you, and I want to hear from you!
Craig
I'm here, and it's soo crazy. It hit me on the plane that I am actually going for a year and I had a mild freak out! I realized that I already miss people so much, and I can't imagine being away for a year. So, my first lesson is to trust God for strength. He will provide.
Flights went very smoothly, connections were seemless, and baggage was all there. We arrived at around 8:00 p.m Uganda time (1 eastern). I only got about two hours of sleep over the entire time so I'm very tired. However, the world cup game was on tonight and most of the people from Empower were at a cafe down the road watching it, so I just had to. I ended up half dozing during it, but made it through.
The road leading to the house is the most bumpy road I have every seen or driven on. Lets just say this is legit Africa, if there is such a thing. The house is nice, it's hard to explain so hopefully I can put some pictures up of it.
There are around 20-25 people here right now, and it's pretty overwhelming, please pray that I would really connect. It's hard cause 4 people are leaving tomorrow then two more are arriving. Then in like two weeks 6 more people arrive. There are only like 6 guys. Seems to be the story of the mission field! There is just soo much to process right now, it's stressful! Please pray that I will find time to spend with God, and really just be able to give it all to Him.
I wasn't sure if there would be wifi at the house, but there is! I'm very excited about it, because I was afraid I would have to find a internet cafe whenever I wanted to talk to people. So, I want to talk to you!! My skype is craig.goldman92. Also, Empower has free calling to cell phones through Skype, so I will be able to call people.
Thank you all for your prayers as I traveled and for your continued prayers! I love you, and I want to hear from you!
Craig
Saturday, July 3, 2010
First Post!!
Hey!
So I put together this blog for anyone who really wants to know whats going on this next year in Uganda.
At this point I'm just getting ready to go. I leave next Saturday....CRAZY! I would appreciate prayer as I pack, and prepare to leave life as I know it behind and enter into an entirely new world. Pray that I would have an open heart to everything God has for me, and that I would understand the role I will be playing in the organization. Please pray for me throughout this next year, I will need it!
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey thus far! :)
Craig
So I put together this blog for anyone who really wants to know whats going on this next year in Uganda.
At this point I'm just getting ready to go. I leave next Saturday....CRAZY! I would appreciate prayer as I pack, and prepare to leave life as I know it behind and enter into an entirely new world. Pray that I would have an open heart to everything God has for me, and that I would understand the role I will be playing in the organization. Please pray for me throughout this next year, I will need it!
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey thus far! :)
Craig
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