Drifting away from my comfort zone

I have never posted a blog before, and I can honestly say I have no idea how to start.

I guess I can say that this experience has been so different than anything I have ever seen. Yes, I have been to east Africa twice, but this is so much farther out of my comfort zone.

First off, I came with a group of girls, from all over the country, that I have never met before; and let me make it clear, I have never done anything like that in my life. I went to Kenya with close friends who I have known for years. Although it is different, it has been awesome. My team is like a family, and we became that way so quickly. It is easy to be open with them, to cry with them, and to laugh with them. But enough about my team, I want to blog about Uganda.

Okay, I have one word: worship.

These people know how to worship! They have church twice on the weekdays and once on Sunday. Sunday church goes from 10am to 8pm. When I first heard this I was not excited. I really struggle with focus, and I get bored so easily, so usually church in the states (I’m sorry) is not my favorite thing about the week. Here in Uganda however, I did not want church to end. They worship on average probably 5 hours on Sunday altogether. And when I say worship, I don’t mean your typical awkward, stand in your chair while you feel self-conscious raising your arm worship. These people are praising the Lord! They sing their hearts out even if it doesn’t sound so hot, and the dancing, oh wow I barely have words. Basically, it is a zumba class. A Ugandan worship service truly feels like what I imagine heaven to be. The spirits of these people are so passionate and so intense.

            Being here has been so out of my comfort zone and at first I struggled with fear. However, I recently realized that once you get out of your comfort zone, more and more, you will experience freedom from your comforts. Let me tell you people, it’s a good feeling to not have worries. I mean yeah, I still worry, but I worry less about getting sick, or being dirty all the time, or how people think I look, each day that I am here. Even big fears are lessening. One of the first mornings I was here I woke up in the middle of the night to the Muslim call of worship coming from the mosque. Right when it was over the power shut off and I heard men’s voices outside my door. It honestly scared the crap out of me. I sat awake shaking, waiting to hear gunshots and screams. I know it sounds dumb and humorous, but it was terrifying. Right now if that happened, I would probably turn over and fall back asleep. Not because I’m just used to it but because I’ve been learning to cast my fears to Jesus, and because I have given up many of my daily comforts. If this makes no sense, I wouldn’t be surprised; I’ve never tried to explain something like this in a blog or written a blog.

So just things we have been doing: going to schools, going to churches, sharing small sermons, going to villages, ect. This week we will be doing door to door evangelism, putting on a concert (my team is very musical), going to a hospital to pray over the sick, and I’m getting my hair platted. For the white people, getting hair platted is the same thing as micro braids.

Anyways, I am going to go play with some Ugandan children, or something, and eat some rice and beans.