Archive for July, 2008
Arusha Jesus Reunion
July 24th, 2008. Published under Fun Stuff, New Countries, TIA, religion, thoughts and questions. 1 Comment.
I just got back from a conference in Tanzania called the Jesus Reunion. It was a conference put on partly by Cornerstone here in Uganda and the guys behind the national prayer breakfast movement. In short, the conference was amazing, I’d never been to anything like it. People from all sorts of backgrounds and faiths were there to focus on what unites us, Jesus. The theme was to think, talk, act and love like Jesus. Every session, speaker and small group surrounded this focus on Jesus. I can’t really put to words the thoughts and feelings I had throughout the week, but it was life changing. Everyone there was considered to be a part of this “family of friends” and treated everyone like family, thus the reason for it being called a reunion.
The godly advice and leadership that is being exemplified by so many around the world was mind-boggling. To steal from one of the speakers, I’ve seen first hand the liberating power of “doing unto others what we would want others to do unto us.”
A few things I wrote down that I thought were noteworthy:
- Regarding Matthew 6:5-13, the passage where Jesus teaches us how to pray: He says we are to pray “our Father” and not my father. We are a family and Jesus was teaching us to behave and act like one. “Ubuntu” which means, “I am because we are.”
- About the “Jesus Movement” of bringing the focus back to Jesus and his life instead of promoting “Christianity” or certain denominations: A few of the main points were that: It’s a focus on Jesus as the common ground, It’s a revolution of love that works across all that is dividing humanity, It’s a call for personal transformation, Its about faith for a better world, A focus on the essentials: love God & love your neighbor as yourself, And reach out to leaders, but only have one Leader that you give your life to.
- The last point that Doug Coe, the main guy said to the group was pretty cool. He said the two things: First, that on his tombstone he would hope people would say, “Here loves Doug Coe, a man who loved Jesus with his whole heart.” The second point was to challenge us all “Don’t be led by men. Follow only Jesus with your whole heart and let the Holy Spirit guide you.”
Each afternoon there were breakout sessions and the one I went to each day was on leadership academies. The guys from Cornerstone led it and talked about the schools they have and about our school. I never really saw how revolutionary these schools are until meeting people from all over Africa who desire to have something like it in their country. Its unheard of here to have a school founded on love and grace, a place where students aren’t afraid to approach their teachers. It gave me a new and fresh vigor to continue helping Restore Academy grow and become just what I described.
Also, the place we stayed at was really nice with a pool, soccer field, tennis court, basketball court and a 9-hole golf course! Everything was run down but I got a chance to play golf one day, which was fun. I can now say I’ve golfed under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. One thing that reminded us we were in Africa though: 1. We rented clubs and got one ball each. Couldn’t lose it or we’re done golfing. 2. The other guys golfing that day were just ahead of me and my friend Eric. On one hole they seemed to be searching for their ball forever in this thirty-foot diameter grass pile. We waited and caught up to them on the green and come to find out… they were searching for a cobra! One of the guys was standing by his ball and out of the corner of his eye sees a cobra raise up with its glands/neck whatever it’s called all puffed out. Needless to say he sprinted away as fast as possible and almost had a heart attack. The local guy who caddied wanted to explore though and went back looking for it. From that point on it was a little nerve racking hitting the ball and praying it goes straight so I didn’t have to search for it!
Homecoming
July 10th, 2008. Published under Fun Stuff, Life in Uganda. No Comments.
Gulu. Heaven. In Luganda, gulu means heaven, which is exactly where I felt I was today.
It started great, with the trip from Kampala to Gulu cut down almost a full hour due to construction minimizing the crater sized potholes. Trust me, not having to 4×4 for a full hour was incredible.
As soon as we got to Gulu, Blake and I unpacked and headed straight for the school. Seeing the teachers and students again was fun. Most were surprised because they didn’t really think I would come back. But we got there just in time to join their weekly fellowship. This was my first time participating, it is something new to this term. But it was amazing, all the students and teachers crammed into one classroom singing, praying and reading the Word.
Afterwards I was able to just hang out with several of the kids and watch the beginning of the soccer team’s practice. We’ve got one of the better teams in Amuru, and the kids are winning barefoot! We’re trying to find a way to get cleats for all of them though.
Blake and I then went back to the office and after a while walked over to the youth corps girls home. The kids didn’t know I was coming today, I wanted to surprise them. I walked through the gate somewhat quietly and didn’t see anyone, so I walked around back where everyone hangs out. All the girls were outside sitting around and as soon as they saw me they sprinted and almost tackled me. I was getting dragged or pulled or touched by all of them at once, laughing and almost crying out of pure joy. No offense to my family or friends, but it was by far the most joyous reunion I’ve ever experienced. It took a few minutes for the hysteria to calm down, and then they rushed me inside to show me the dances they had learned in my absence. Two PLNU girls were here virtually the entire time I was gone and had taught them the macarena and the electric slide. They performed them flawlessly, without any music! I spent the rest of the evening there hanging out and talking with the kids, having no less than five of them at a time trying to hold my hand or pet my hair! Here is a clip Blake took walking behind me as I arrived: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnoO1UtK1Tg
Anyways, getting to see the kids again and being welcomed in such an awesome way was better than I ever could have imagined. I say this a lot but I love these kids to death. Just spending time with them is what I look forward to most. All in all, it was an incredible day and I’m pumped to be back in Gu-town.
Real World Uganda
July 7th, 2008. Published under Fun Stuff, Life in Uganda. No Comments.
I’m back. I went to the states in late May not really knowing if this day would come or not, but it has. A few weeks ago I found out I could afford a plane ticket so I booked it and here I am two weeks later.
I’m experiencing a little “Real World” (the hit MTV show) right now, Uganda style and without the crazy drama. Whenever in Kampala I stay with the most amazing, hospitable family I’ve ever met, their doors are always open for a place to stay. They are back in the states except their son, one of my good friends Johan. They moved while I was gone into a different house, complete with a pool, a huge porch and balconies with amazing views of Kampala. But as is custom, their house is full with guests. Right now we’ve got 9 people, all in our 20’s, staying here and amazingly we all have beds. I’m meeting all of them for the first time except for Johan and Blake, who works for Restore. It has been incredibly fun hanging out and getting to know everyone though. Everyone is unique seeing God work in each of us in different ways is really cool. Last night we had a nice goat roast (we bbq’d goat) and just hung out and talked. Its been great.
Two of the girls, PLNU students actually, have been over here with Restore and just spending time with the youth corps kids and the school. Talking with them I’m so jealous of their time here. They spent most of their time just loving on the kids. Hearing their experiences and the fun they had with the kids just made me love them more. I cannot wait to get up to Gulu (tomorrow!!) and be back with the kids I’ve fallen in love with.
One last thing, due to my jet lag, I’ve woken up at 4 and 5 am so far and had the chance to sit on the balcony by myself and watch Kampala wake up. I’m definitely not a morning person, but thinking of converting to one. There is something about being completely alone and sitting in silence either praying or just listening to the sounds of life. I’m now an advocate for early mornings…