Empty Hands, Full Hearts

It was one of those rare days last week when I opened Facebook, and what a delight to find a great post by a Filipino friend. She referred to an article written by an American educator, David H. Harwell, PhD, entitled LOVE LETTER TO FILIPINOS. (http://opinion.inquirer.net/47047/love-letter-to-filipinos) The sentence that really struck me was, “I have sometimes tried to explain it like this: In America, our hands are full, but our hearts are empty.” As I reviewed Dr. Harwell’s positive comments about hard working and caring Filipinos he has met across the globe, I reflected on some great memories of our many years in the Philippines and also compared his observations to some Ugandan believers that we have met and are coming to also highly esteem. 

Today we again made an early morning drive to Scripture Union and joined the staff in worship, prayer and Bible study. They know what it is to serve sacrificially. But I sensed their full hearts as they prayed for God’s intervention in their nation, interceded for children and youth camps happening this month all over the country, requested God for His direction and passion for those who are writing, editing, and printing their daily Scripture reading/devotional guides for children, youth, and adults, and pleaded for the souls of precious students.

After meeting with the National Director, then the Coordinator of Children’s Ministries for Central Uganda, then the  Publications Coordinator, we shared lunch with none other than a fashion designer from Chicago (God’s sense of humor). This young woman shared how she got “fed up” with the American rat race and concluded that there must be something more fulfilling than designing and marketing $500 dresses to people who “have everything.” So she left everything and here she is volunteering at a home for abandoned babies (52 of them) plus feeding another 50 street kids every Wednesday in a Kampala slum. Her spiritual life has been challenged and strengthened; just three weeks ago she followed the Lord in believer’s baptism here in Africa. Her hands are not nearly as full as they once were…but oh, her heart is overflowing. What a great God we have who teaches us through brothers and sisters of another language and culture that full hearts is really more important to God…and more satisfying…than having the latest and greatest things in our hands.

Three Drums and a Guitar

Thursday morning we accepted the invitation of the Scripture Union Director to join his staff for their daily staff devotions from 8:00 – 9:00 AM.  Our “special hire” (taxi driver) Fred, skillfully maneuvered around the Kampala rush hour “jams” and got us to the Scripture Union (SU) compound in record time.  (If only I could remember those short cuts.)  We were the first to arrive, followed by Samuel who opened the doors and dusted the chairs for us and the 17 staff that began arriving.  Paperback hymn books were distributed, three animal skin drums were positioned plus a guitar and we began singing hymns to the soft rhythmic beat of the drums.  Testimonies were shared of God’s working followed by that day’s reading as listed in their own Scripture Union of Uganda Devotional which they write and publish each year, that day coming from Deuteronomy 31:1-13.  Time was given to personally reflect on the meaning…and what rich promises and commands there are…“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you“ (vs. 6) and then in verse 13, “Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” We felt reassured by God; they were just the truths we needed to hear.  After several from the staff spontaneously shared their insights (all excellent in our opinion), and a closing prayer, each one went to begin their day. We later learned that staff members pair off two by two each day and spend 30 minutes in prayer.  In addition they have a prayer and fasting day each week, using their usual meal times to pray —wow! Since Thursday we have connected twice with SU staff and friends.  The latter was yesterday morning when two SU friends arrived at our house for a 6:30 a.m. dawn prayer and share meeting.  Praise God for the discipline and passion of this SU community that we are becoming acquainted with…and are learning from. 

Disappointment On The Journey

It was Monday night and after supper, Ruth and I read together that day’s devotional reading from Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest” which was based on Matthew 8:26, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”  Together Ruth and I took time to share some things that we fear and then to pray about them together and renew our confidence in God.  A few hours later we received an e-mail with jarring news. A few months ago a related email had made us jump for joy as we read that we would receive a significant grant to go toward the Biblical values project in Uganda. (It was especially amazing because we had not expected it.) It seemed that God had provided for this need and we had no reason to “worry” about it! But…this email informed us there had been a mistake and it actually was for another project in the Central Africa Republic.  Although we are still processing this disappointing news, we are choosing to believe…rather than fear…that God will provide the needed resources…in His way.