"No one has ever become poor from giving"

Finding inspiration to write these blogs to keep everyone informed and up to date on what's going on out here in Uganda can be quite difficult. And then add in 9 hour work days, a two hour commute each way, football Saturdays, trips to the market to buy shoes for kids, lesson planning, and much, much more. Where am I even supposed to find the time to write a blog, while still trying to find time for myself?

I have learned that I can't, and shouldn't, just force a posting, but to wait for that inspiration to come. And low and behold, it finally came this morning during church. 

This season in my walk with Christ has been one of giving. I've found myself no longer worrying about money (finally!!!), especially when it has come to giving. The longer I am here in Uganda, the more I realize how great the need is. Whether it be for a new pair of shoes, a fun day spent at the pool, or just some loving words sent one's way. 

These past few months have been busy as a bumble bee but ones packed full of growth and excitement. 

Girls' Night!

After football Saturdays have been going on for about five months now I decided it was time to bless the girls at school by having a girls night. We spent a Friday afternoon escorting the boys out of the school singing, "goodbye boys, goodbye boys, goodbye boys, may God bless you" before the fun began. We painted nails, played some games, danced, popped balloons and ate some yummy treats. And of course no girls night is complete without fun photos. It was a blast and the girls had the time of their lives. I don't think they had ever received an invitation to a party, which alone sent the excitement skyrocketing. They have continued to ask for another girls night since, while the boys are begging me for a "guys night." Unfortunately I just don't think I can throw one of those for them. 

Anna

Erika and I spent a Saturday at the local swimming pool with a few kids a couple weeks back. We had been wanting to take some kids swimming for a while, so we were beyond thrilled to finally be going. We had planned to take four kids with us, but of course we found three more of my students along the way and took them as well. Seeing their excitement to be in a pool put big smiles on both mine and Erika's faces. We attempted to teach Patrick how to play Marco Polo, but that was an ultimate fail. And the fact that these kids swim as if they are in a pool of pudding, he was never able to tag Erika or myself...even with his eyes open. And thankfully we left the pool just in time to miss a school of at least 40 kids coming to swim. God's timing is always perfect.

Richard

This past Friday Teacher/Auntie Shannon, who taught my P4 class before Taylor and I initially came to Uganda, went to the market ("went to the butcher, with some little money, and flowers in our hair...") to find some new shoes for five of the students. We took with us Issac Ofoyo, Isaac Wamala, Brighton, Ivan, and Collins. It was quite an exciting adventure shoe shopping with five boys. Issac Ofoyo, Brighton, and Ivan made the quickest decision, choosing new school shoes. While Isaac Wamala and Collins took a little more time searching for shoes to wear to Football Saturdays. I was quite annoyed when Isaac Wamala found some Nike Frees, exactly like my own pair, for just 10,000/= ($4). Y'all know how much a pair of Nikes costs in America. The kids were excited about their new shoes and beyond grateful. I was even informed by each of them the next morning at football Saturday that their moms had told them to tell us thank you. You never know what a pair of new shoes could do for a family, and I'm so thankful for those of you who have blessed with money to be able to bless the lives of my students and their families. Next adventure is a search for new backpacks for some of the students. 

William and myseslf

Me, Erika, and Shannon.

Saturday, Erika, Shannon, Erin, Duane, Gorge and myself had all planned to go out to the Cranes football game. As we rushed the kids away from Football Saturday, interrupting the best game we had ever played together (Aunties/teachers, girls, and little boys vs. the big boys), because Duane and George were "sitting in the scorching heat waiting for us," (lies) I heard Jordan talking to William about the Cranes game. I found out that William was going to walk to the stadium to watch the match. The aunties and uncles were all taking Bodas, so I passed my spare jersey off to William and stuck him on a Boda with us to head to the stadium. Upon arriving, I realized he was going to sit outside the stadium and listen to the game (dedication), so I handed him some money and told him to go buy a ticket and to join us. Uganda won 2-0, and I am quite sure William had the time of his life by the amount of dancing he did. We had some fun ourselves!

Erika, William, Shannon, Erin, Myself, George, & Duane.

As I said previously, these past few weeks have been busy ones. And I'll be honest, quite stressful. But this morning as I sat in church Jordan squeezed past me to sit next to me. Then came Suzan claiming the spot between Erika and myself. Patrick then came in pushing Jordan down a seat, sitting beside me. Emma showed up in the row behind us, and then Issac Wamala next to him. 

After a few stressful, busy weeks behind me, I was surrounded by the children I love and adore, in my absolute favourite place. Most Sundays my students sit away from me during church unless I seek them out. But today they each found me and happily spent the church service sitting beside me. 

Uncle George and I were talking one afternoon when he said to me, "you may not realize it, but those students look up to you." And perhaps that's true. Sometimes I feel like they could care less about me, like when they won't listen to a single thing I say to them, or ask them to do at school.  But this morning was a reminder that not only do they mean something to me, but I something to them. It was a reminder that maybe God has made an impact on their lives through me. And that alone satisfies my heart. 

I've found over the past few weeks that Acts 20:25 is spot on. 

"You're far happier giving than getting." 

When we give, we take a risk, but the gospel is to give. We have to get out of our own world and stop thinking of our own needs. I am the solution to some peoples' problems and I can't count the money in my wallet each time there is a need or an opportunity to bless someone. God blesses me with the money I need. The truth is, if I'm not willing to give, I am going to miss out on the essence of the Bible. 

"When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No, look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost...Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God's, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you, always be generous. Open purse and open hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors." 
-Deuteronomy 15:7-11

P.S. Margret and I built a tire swing and I got this rad photo of her on it.