It's that time of year. The time to remember what Jesus has already done for us. As soon as I realized that I am a sinner and need to be punished for the sins I have and will commit, I came into a loving relationship with the one who already took the punishment for my sins. This completely changed my life. It took me from a party animal to a radical Christian desiring to serve God in any way that I could.
Before coming to Uganda, most of you know I worked with both middle school and high school students. The thought that often crossed my mind while serving as a youth group leader was "Am I making any difference in these kids lives?" I watched on the sidelines as so many kids fell into drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, etc. It was a tough pill to swallow. I can't lie...I was a little jaded. Lots of time invested in so many kids and I stood and saw so many walk away from the church. I wondered if there was any good to what I was doing. I was burnt out.
Lately, I have been struggling with that same feeling at times while serving in Uganda. I watch as kids take for granted the amazing opportunity they have to go to school and learn about a God that loves them so much. I wondered silently why God had brought me here.
Then God used some former students to really encourage me and show me how I might never see the fruit of the labor I am currently putting in. In the last 3 months, I have received about 5 random messages from students that I either taught or worked with in youth group. Each had something to say about the impact that I had on them in one way or another. I even had one student tell me that I'm like her Christian dad. That touched me more than I could imagine.
A few years ago, I was at In-N-Out when I noticed a young man staring my way. Finally, he came over and asked if my name was Darren. Instantly I remembered this kid from when I served at Ascension Lutheran Church as a confirmation teacher and youth leader. It was a time in my life where I was pretty radical with the changes in my life. He told me how much of an impact I had on him. How I played a part in his faith. He had wholeheartedly committed his life to Christ in part because of my influence on his life. I was amazed. This was almost 9 years later. What a blessing from God.
So whatever way you are serving God. If you are thinking that it's all in vain. I am here to tell you that the opportunity to impact just one life for Christ is better than giving up on what God's call is for you. Make an impact on those around you. You may never see the results, but God does. As we celebrate Easter, let us be who Christ wants us to be so that those around us are impacted by what Christ has already done for us!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A contrast...
So yesterday I spent part of my day with Oliviah, one of the social workers for Buyamba. The social worker's office has been diligent about doing their visits to the homes of our sponsored children (both in and out of God Cares Schools). Sometimes I go with her on these visits. It's always an eye opener to see the conditions in which these children live.
Yesterday, we visited about 6 homes of the families or guardians of our children. The living arrangements of these families varied widely. Some lived in one room apartments (like a studio minus a bathroom and kitchen...maybe 10' x 10'), others in two room apartments and others were blessed with houses. The purpose of these visits is to check up on their lives and situations...whether or not they meet the qualifications to be sponsored or continue to be sponsored.
Anyway, I digress. The last family we visited was that of a single mother. As I listened to the person giving me directions to drive to the place I just recall hearing Kiwafu Estates. I guess really what I heard was something about "estates". I mean what do you think of when you hear that word. I think of pretty good sized homes and so I just wondered where we were going. It took us a while to find the place where this family stays. As we finally found the road, we parked and began to walk down an alley between two huge homes with massive brick walls on each side of the alley/road. Looking down the road you could see some very small buildings amongst the near mansions of the area. This single mother lived with her four children in a small room.
I just couldn't get out of my mind the contrast in this area. There were very wealthy Ugandans, Sudanese, Americans, British, etc. living in these houses enjoying many of the comforts we have in the U.S. The houses in this part of Kampala might rent for $1000- 4000 per month. (I know, I would have never believe it either) And hidden behind some of them were some small apartments the size of some of our tool sheds. There could be anywhere from 3 to 10 people living in each of them while struggling to pay their rent of maybe $25 per month. It deeply broke my heart that there are such extremes here...the very wealthy and the very poor. Whatever happened to the days of the early church where all shared and no one was ever in need. I wish we could go back to those days.
Yesterday, we visited about 6 homes of the families or guardians of our children. The living arrangements of these families varied widely. Some lived in one room apartments (like a studio minus a bathroom and kitchen...maybe 10' x 10'), others in two room apartments and others were blessed with houses. The purpose of these visits is to check up on their lives and situations...whether or not they meet the qualifications to be sponsored or continue to be sponsored.
Anyway, I digress. The last family we visited was that of a single mother. As I listened to the person giving me directions to drive to the place I just recall hearing Kiwafu Estates. I guess really what I heard was something about "estates". I mean what do you think of when you hear that word. I think of pretty good sized homes and so I just wondered where we were going. It took us a while to find the place where this family stays. As we finally found the road, we parked and began to walk down an alley between two huge homes with massive brick walls on each side of the alley/road. Looking down the road you could see some very small buildings amongst the near mansions of the area. This single mother lived with her four children in a small room.
I just couldn't get out of my mind the contrast in this area. There were very wealthy Ugandans, Sudanese, Americans, British, etc. living in these houses enjoying many of the comforts we have in the U.S. The houses in this part of Kampala might rent for $1000- 4000 per month. (I know, I would have never believe it either) And hidden behind some of them were some small apartments the size of some of our tool sheds. There could be anywhere from 3 to 10 people living in each of them while struggling to pay their rent of maybe $25 per month. It deeply broke my heart that there are such extremes here...the very wealthy and the very poor. Whatever happened to the days of the early church where all shared and no one was ever in need. I wish we could go back to those days.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Keep it in Perspective
Yeah, I haven't been on here blogging in a while. I've got lots to share, but not a lot of time to sit down and share it with everyone. The past month has been filled with lots of challenges. One of the main reasons I haven't written here in a while is that I've been sick...It began with the flu which then transformed into a sinus infection or bronchitis. Now I'm still remaining with a cough and being lethargic sometimes.
But in the last 10 days, some crazy things happened. Last Sunday I found out that I had a major water leak/problem at my house back in CA. I was informed that the best choice would be to tear out the master bathroom and then cut into the foundation in order to replace all of the piping for the house. There was a lot more to this, but it seemed like a no brainer. I had no choice. If I tried a quick fix, the problem would return again and again until I replaced everything. In fact, this is the second leak I've had under my foundation thus helping me to realize what needed to be done. Then I was given a ballpark figure for this major upgrade...I about pee'd my pants. Where was this money going to come from. I'm a missionary and don't have a clue how this was going to get done? Was I going to need a loan? How was I going to be able to make payments on this additional cost in maintaining my house? So many different thoughts went through my mind.
Then just a few days all of that was put into perspective. One of my former youth group students that I mentored throughout middle school had a horrible accident playing an extreme form of hide and seek. He sustained head injuries that eventually required surgery to release the pressure to his brain that was being generated from the blood accumulating there. I am happy to report that he is slowly recovering from his injuries day by day.
The point though is this. There are bigger things in life than the problems with my house and the money that is going to be required to fix it. There are bigger things in life than the Christmas presents we receive, what phone you have, the type of car you own, whether you have a mac or pc, etc.
We need to value every day with every person in our lives. You never know when the last time you'll see someone is. Often, we prioritize stuff before our relationships. We need to value our spouses, children, friends, family, co-workers, etc. because life is about relationships.
We must realize that this life is fleeting. We're all going to die someday. At that point, we'll be posed with the question of our faith. We'll stand before God (whether or not we believe) and be judged for our sins. For those of us who have confessed that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that He truly is Lord, we will be taken to heaven. For the rest, well, you know where the other place is. Many people have confessed their belief in Jesus, yet their lives lack repentance and movement toward holiness. True faith is demonstrate just as much by what you do as by what you say.
The student with the injury should be an example to everyone around. He trusted Christ wholeheartedly and lived his faith in every aspect of his life. I've seen posts on Facebook as evidence to who he was to all people. Even those who were not close to him knew of his love for God and for others. He truly loves his neighbor as himself.
Here's the wake up call people.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
We need to put more value in our relationships than all the "stuff" in the world. Keep it in perspective.
But in the last 10 days, some crazy things happened. Last Sunday I found out that I had a major water leak/problem at my house back in CA. I was informed that the best choice would be to tear out the master bathroom and then cut into the foundation in order to replace all of the piping for the house. There was a lot more to this, but it seemed like a no brainer. I had no choice. If I tried a quick fix, the problem would return again and again until I replaced everything. In fact, this is the second leak I've had under my foundation thus helping me to realize what needed to be done. Then I was given a ballpark figure for this major upgrade...I about pee'd my pants. Where was this money going to come from. I'm a missionary and don't have a clue how this was going to get done? Was I going to need a loan? How was I going to be able to make payments on this additional cost in maintaining my house? So many different thoughts went through my mind.
Then just a few days all of that was put into perspective. One of my former youth group students that I mentored throughout middle school had a horrible accident playing an extreme form of hide and seek. He sustained head injuries that eventually required surgery to release the pressure to his brain that was being generated from the blood accumulating there. I am happy to report that he is slowly recovering from his injuries day by day.
The point though is this. There are bigger things in life than the problems with my house and the money that is going to be required to fix it. There are bigger things in life than the Christmas presents we receive, what phone you have, the type of car you own, whether you have a mac or pc, etc.
We need to value every day with every person in our lives. You never know when the last time you'll see someone is. Often, we prioritize stuff before our relationships. We need to value our spouses, children, friends, family, co-workers, etc. because life is about relationships.
We must realize that this life is fleeting. We're all going to die someday. At that point, we'll be posed with the question of our faith. We'll stand before God (whether or not we believe) and be judged for our sins. For those of us who have confessed that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that He truly is Lord, we will be taken to heaven. For the rest, well, you know where the other place is. Many people have confessed their belief in Jesus, yet their lives lack repentance and movement toward holiness. True faith is demonstrate just as much by what you do as by what you say.
The student with the injury should be an example to everyone around. He trusted Christ wholeheartedly and lived his faith in every aspect of his life. I've seen posts on Facebook as evidence to who he was to all people. Even those who were not close to him knew of his love for God and for others. He truly loves his neighbor as himself.
Here's the wake up call people.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
We need to put more value in our relationships than all the "stuff" in the world. Keep it in perspective.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Real life in Uganda
Most of you know that my residence here in Uganda is somewhat unusual in that I live on the top floor of God Cares Nursery & Primary School. I like to call it my penthouse, but it's really anything but a penthouse. My biggest complaints here are the lack of privacy and the noise in the mornings. Well, this month I have moved temporarily as I house sit for some friends who are currently in the U.S. to experience what most ex-pats do.
I began house sitting on February 1. It was a very weird move for me. First of all, the house is WAY on the other side of town. The other day it took me about 45 minutes to get to the school from there and it's only a few miles away. I realized how comfortable I am at the school as I prepared to bring necessary items to the house. At the school, I can wake up and just get on my computer and begin working right away. Now, I have to shower, get dressed, lock up the house, open the gate, drive outside, close the gate then drive to work. It's not something I'm used to in the morning or the evening.
The second thing is I really miss my kids. They've just returned and much of what I do is ministering to them. I even miss the noise that they make. The noises at the house are foreign to me, but I find comfort in the noises of our children. After all, the reason I moved to Uganda was the kids.
Lastly, living on the other side of town makes hanging out with people difficult. Most of my friends are on the school side of town. This week I've been invited to a game night and to watch the Super Bowl but they're all away from where I'm staying. I'll figure it out, but it just seems inconvenient.
All I'm saying is that it's just weird to be living a "real life" now. What I mean is that it's like being back in the U.S. in some ways. Living somewhere and working somewhere else. I'm not sure I'm cut out for this while I'm in Uganda. Thankfully I've been blessed with the opportunity to live with my kids and minister to them full time even if it means sacrificing my privacy. However, this month I am trying to appreciate my privacy and the beautiful house that I'm staying in.
I began house sitting on February 1. It was a very weird move for me. First of all, the house is WAY on the other side of town. The other day it took me about 45 minutes to get to the school from there and it's only a few miles away. I realized how comfortable I am at the school as I prepared to bring necessary items to the house. At the school, I can wake up and just get on my computer and begin working right away. Now, I have to shower, get dressed, lock up the house, open the gate, drive outside, close the gate then drive to work. It's not something I'm used to in the morning or the evening.
The second thing is I really miss my kids. They've just returned and much of what I do is ministering to them. I even miss the noise that they make. The noises at the house are foreign to me, but I find comfort in the noises of our children. After all, the reason I moved to Uganda was the kids.
Lastly, living on the other side of town makes hanging out with people difficult. Most of my friends are on the school side of town. This week I've been invited to a game night and to watch the Super Bowl but they're all away from where I'm staying. I'll figure it out, but it just seems inconvenient.
All I'm saying is that it's just weird to be living a "real life" now. What I mean is that it's like being back in the U.S. in some ways. Living somewhere and working somewhere else. I'm not sure I'm cut out for this while I'm in Uganda. Thankfully I've been blessed with the opportunity to live with my kids and minister to them full time even if it means sacrificing my privacy. However, this month I am trying to appreciate my privacy and the beautiful house that I'm staying in.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Yes, I'm in Uganda
So I was quickly initiated back in the Ugandan culture on my few days back. I was immediately reminded of where I was upon exiting the airplane. I went from Switzerland and London where temperatures were warm and in the 40’s to Uganda where it was about 80 degrees upon exiting the plane at 10 pm, not to mention temperature controlled rooms to “I hope the fan blows enough cold air to cool me down”.
Secondly, I was reminded of the rules of the road…meaning that there really are none except for the police are always right. I guess those rules I made for my classroom have come back to haunt me. (#1 The teacher is always right. #2 if the teacher is wrong, refer back to rule #1) I think in one day of driving in Uganda, I’ve experienced more frustration than the 2 plus months spent in the States.
Lastly, this morning I had to get up early to wash my bedsheets. Let me rephrase that…hand wash my bedsheets and blanket because they were so dusty. Not my favorite thing to do, but much needed.
I’m sure there will be more realizations of what it means to live in Uganda, but that’s it for now. Funny thing is I’ve been here two days and still haven’t had any Ugandan food…been eating out a lot with friends and the team from Calvary. Weird though.
Secondly, I was reminded of the rules of the road…meaning that there really are none except for the police are always right. I guess those rules I made for my classroom have come back to haunt me. (#1 The teacher is always right. #2 if the teacher is wrong, refer back to rule #1) I think in one day of driving in Uganda, I’ve experienced more frustration than the 2 plus months spent in the States.
Lastly, this morning I had to get up early to wash my bedsheets. Let me rephrase that…hand wash my bedsheets and blanket because they were so dusty. Not my favorite thing to do, but much needed.
I’m sure there will be more realizations of what it means to live in Uganda, but that’s it for now. Funny thing is I’ve been here two days and still haven’t had any Ugandan food…been eating out a lot with friends and the team from Calvary. Weird though.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Back in Uganda
My time in the U.S. has come and gone and for much of the time there I felt a little lost. It was almost like a feeling of being displaced. I had "homes" to stay at, but nowhere really felt like home. Much of that might have been not really being in one place for very long, but I believe a lot of that was because though I have much in common with Americans, I'm not much of an American at heart these days.
As my plane took off from London to Entebbe and I saw lots of mzungu going to Uganda for whatever reason, my purpose in life (at least in this season) seemed to be blooming again. I felt like a foreigner when I was in London and Switzerland, but as I touched down in Uganda everything came back in no time. I was home.
I am ready to start this next journey of my life here in Uganda. I think God has huge things to show me this year and to use me in some mighty ways to help the people of Uganda draw close to him. Stay tuned for more.
As my plane took off from London to Entebbe and I saw lots of mzungu going to Uganda for whatever reason, my purpose in life (at least in this season) seemed to be blooming again. I felt like a foreigner when I was in London and Switzerland, but as I touched down in Uganda everything came back in no time. I was home.
I am ready to start this next journey of my life here in Uganda. I think God has huge things to show me this year and to use me in some mighty ways to help the people of Uganda draw close to him. Stay tuned for more.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Second Chance
The last time I blogged I spoke of when I was at Starbucks and essentially missed an opportunity to at least love on a guy whose dad recently had a stroke. I again went to Starbucks the week before Thanksgiving again to do some quiet time. This time I ran into two old high school friends. One I learned had turned to the Lord and was attending the same church that my aunt goes to. The other was still a Buddhist though a different type of Buddhism than we were raised with.
I immediately knew that the Lord was giving me a second chance to share the gospel with someone. And this time, I didn't flinch at the opportunity. I told my friend that I loved him enough to disagree with what he believed in and went on to tell him about the love of Christ for him regardless of anything in his life. Thank you Lord for second chances.
I immediately knew that the Lord was giving me a second chance to share the gospel with someone. And this time, I didn't flinch at the opportunity. I told my friend that I loved him enough to disagree with what he believed in and went on to tell him about the love of Christ for him regardless of anything in his life. Thank you Lord for second chances.
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