Africa on the Heart

Today part of my heart is in Africa… here are a few reasons why:

• I read the first blog update this morning from my friend Jessica who recently arrived at Musana Children’s Home in Uganda.  Jessica and I traveled to Musana last June together.  She is back there for the next month teaching and building a library for the children there.
• One year ago today, I had the privilege of leading a Bible Study session at a youth conference in Kaliro, Uganda, Africa… an opportunity that appeared only days before the conference… an opportunity which allowed me to be the first American (really, the first non-African) to step foot in Resurection Church… the first non-African to be able to encourage a group of youth from 7 different congregation that they are not alone… that the body of Christ reaches far beyond their little village hidden among the trees.  I think today about the promise I made to those churches as left with them a piece of the sending cloth that First Trinity sent with me… a promise to pray for them.  Will you pray for them too?
• Today at church we sang the song “He Knows My Name.”  The first Sunday Jessica and I were in Uganda last year (and therefore the first time experienced… yes EXPERIENCED, worship there … though this blog post doesn’t do it justice) a group of children from an orphanage performed this song.  Standing in worship at First Trinity today signing these words, took me back to that day… there’s nothing quite like hearing a group of orphans stand and sing boldly about their Father:

I have a Maker; He formed my heart.  Before even time began, my life was in his hands.
I have a Father; He calls me His own.  He’ll never leave me, no matter where I go.
He knows my name.  He knows my every thought.  He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call.

What a blessing that month was in my life.  Africa, specifically the children of Musana will forever hold a special place in my heart and it’s days like today when I remember them, that I can truly rejoice that one day we will be together praising our God forever in Heaven!  Yippee! Can’t wait for that day!