I must decrease so God can increase!!! It's not about me!!

I don't know if I should be writing these things but I have to be honest. So here goes...

Why is it that when we are faced with the chance to live out our faith in God, things seem so much harder?

This last month the Lord has been breaking my heart of pride and self-reliance. I never new I was struggling with these things until someone I love and respect said something that got me to thinking.

My pride was in the fact that I wasn't like the people I was living around. I realized that I have so much being here in Jinja. I am staying in a western style home with almost all the comforts of where I grew up. Yet, was I called here to live so comfortably above the people? Am I called to minister to the Ugandans and then go back to my "rich" mans home? What does it mean for me to be living with these people? How can I show them God's love and not be living like them? Do I think I'm better then they? Am I trying to show them that white people do have money and that if you become a christian you'll have money too? How Do I show people God's love without them thinking that if they come to Jesus they'll be "rich"?

The Lord revealed to me that I was becoming calloused to the poverty and to the people around me. His People. I realized how selfish I was being and that I was becoming a bad witness. My heart is being torn apart. I am being humbled and brought to my knees daily. Sometimes over something I have already been taught. The Lord is "cleaning house" so to speak, with my heart.

Jesus came to the earth as a man. He never seemed to be in want for anything. God always took care of him. Provided all he needed. Yet he wasn't a rich man.

I am struggling with the question. What does it mean to live, serve and become like the people of Uganda?

About a week ago we had a guest speaker come and teach in our mid week bible study. He told us the story of when he first came to Uganda and how God had told him to live by faith.
I was convicted because that is something the Lord has been telling me over the last nine months that I have lived in Uganda. Faith is the key to living as a missionary. People have let me down but the Lord still remains faithful.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Please be praying with me that the Lord would reveal to me what it means to be his servant. I am called to love and serve the people of Uganda. Lord what does that look like?

Some people think me unwise for being here without consistent monthly support and having no idea where I'll be full time.

I don't have the answers. But I do know that God works in mysterious ways. He has already provided ministry opportunities and opened the doors to thing that I never thought would be possible.

This journey has been hard, challenging and stretching for me. My faith and whole person is being transformed and the only thing I want is to be more and more like my Father, Saviour and Redeemer, God.

Random!

So I decided that this bog will be about random things that are normal
to me but may be weird to people who have never been to Africa.

I live in a western style home with indoor pluming, electricity and even Internet access.

I ride side saddle on the back of a motorcycle to get to, and most of the times from, Our Own Home. Then I pay the strange man for taking me.

1000 Ugandan shillings is equal to about 50 cents.

Most of the time I eat food that you could easily find on a dinner table in the US.

The temperature is rarely ever below 80, unless it's raining, and even then the temp. drops to maybe 68.

The roads are uneven and have a lot of potholes.

It is very green here. Uganda is the Pearl of Africa because of it's beauty.

To get to Kampala or any near by cities, I ride in a mini bus called a coaster. If things are a bit closer (like the YWAM base) I take a 14 passenger van they call a Matotu or taxi. They always squeeze at least 6 more people then they are licensed for and the vans are almost always “coming apart at the seems.” so to speak.

We have hot water in our taps. Yes you do need to turn on the water heater before you hop into the shower but it heats up fairly quickly.

Sending boxes to Uganda takes about three months where as large manila envelopes, stuffed with all sorts of goodies, takes about two weeks.

The dirt is red, therefore everything that touches the dirt becomes red as well.

We hang our clothes out to dry. Very effective if the sun is shinning. Then when they are taken off line they need to be ironed to kill the eggs that were lain by mango flies.

Oh Uganda I love it!!!!!!!

Hey so this is going to be a very quick blog. It's mainly a praise report. We were able to turn in my work permit papers which is a huge step towards getting my work permit!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Now all I need is $250 in a week when I have to pay for it! :)

Thanks for all the prayers!

In Christ,
Rochelle

Please join me in prayer!!!

Sorry that this blog has been a long time in coming. So I'm going to try and be better about posting new blogs.

Some of you may know that I have had a very frustrating time trying to get a work permit. I want to remain legal in this country but the government here has been very difficult and not very willing to help. On Friday of this last week some of the people I work with and I went to Kampala to turn in the paperwork for our work permits. Unfortunately the paperwork was not excepted by the immigration people. So we have to go back and try again. :( It has been a very frustrating time for me because I am once again coming to the end of my most recent visa. Please pray that they will accept our paperwork when William goes back on Monday.

When they do accept the paperwork they will tell us to come back in a week to pay for it. The cost for a one year work permit is $250. So I will need the total amount when they tell me come back.

If you have been meaning to send me support please send it sooner than later.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to house sit for the pastor and his wife for three months starting on Wednesday. Rent will be the same at $100 USD.

Please pray for continued health and for the Lord to use me how he needs to.

That is all I can think of to write for now. I know the Lord will provide all I need and I also know that he uses his people to do this.

I have five people who have pledged to support me at the moment, but the need is still there. I will need to pay rent at the 1st of every month, buy some groceries and I will need to pay for my work permit. If you have thought and prayed about supporting me at $10 a month but just haven't sent the money please do it.

Thank you for all you prayers and support!
God Bless!
Rochelle