Hi friends and family - Renee blogging this evening. What an amazing day! We started this morning by visiting the World Vision Gulu District headquarters and sharing an amazing worship and devotion time with the WV staff. I had a moment imagining all of us worshiping around God's throne someday, every tribe and tongue. What a beautiful experience to be with God's people on the other side of the world! James, the WV Northern Uganda Director, led us in devotions on the Fruit of the Spirit. For all my Beth Moore Bible study friends - how awesome is that? (We are currently studying the Fruit of the Spirit). The room was overflowing with joy!
After our time with the staff, we headed out to meet our sponsored children. I wish I could fully share the experience of driving the "roads" with all of you but alas, no video could possibly capture the adventure. "Paved roads" (I use paved loosely) became "dirt roads" which became "two tracks" which morphed into "one tracks" and eventually ended in "foot paths". Despite the challenges, our WV drivers, who we have come to appreciate dearly, navigated the journeys with patience and expertise.
The end of the "foot path" was the beginning of a heart changing experience for me. Today I had the privilege of meeting Geofrey, our sponsored child, and his family. At this point I don't really think I can do justice to the joy of that experience. Anything I write seems to fall so far short of the blessing it was to me. After our time visiting, we enjoyed a little soccer outside and ended by praying together. I am so humbled by the experience.
We continued on to visit Sarah's sponsored child, Dennis. After lunch, Mike visited his child, Mark, while Kim and Ilia went to see Welsey. I will let each of them share more about those experiences with you individually.
If I could communicate one thing home to all of you, it would be the joy and privilege it is to participate in God's work in the world! That is exactly what we are doing when we sponsor children, pray for them, and encourage the WV hand's and feet that are on the ground with them daily. I am reminded of Paul's words to Timothy:
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." Philemon 1:4-7
Amen.
For the sake of Christ,
Renee
Glad you finally got to see the children.
ReplyDeleteAnd that you survived the roads!!