I'm Never Alone...

Hello Everyone! Its update from Becky time again! I have numerous testimonies of what the LORD has been doing in my life lately, but I will try to narrow it down to a few!
Mango Flies...
About a week and a half ago for the first time I realized I had "mosquitoes bites." These were strange because I really haven't gotten many bites and they were all over my body. A day or so later I realized they weren't mosquito bites when small white larvae came out...I have mango fly larvae living in my skin! It was really strange and foreign to me at first. But as my amazing room-mate helped me to rupture the boils that formed we began extracting the larvae. I have also been taking antibiotics to prevent infection, applying Vaseline over the boils to suffocate the larvae, and with much prayer I'm almost completely healed! It was quite the experience and I have learned many valuable lessons. One of which is that when I leave my clothes outside to dry, ironing them before wearing them again is NOT an option. Mango flies are common here and they embed themselves in clothing and then move into skin if they aren't killed by ironing. God has really showed me also His peace and faithfulness to bring me through all circumstances. Mango flies are common in equatorial Africa and now I can say that I've had my experience with them...hopefully the last time!
Lost Packages...
In December while I was still in Kenya, my parents sent me a package with my malaria medications, digestive aids, other meds, and of course goodies. It usually takes 4 or 5 weeks for a package to come, but after 8 weeks we really began to worry as the package had not come. It was especially urgent that I get it because I had run out of my malaria meds and went one month without taking them. My dad had the post office in the U.S. tracking the package and they didn't know where it was. So last week I contacted the post office in the capital city of Kampala. I have them the tracking number and they told me they had the package for the last month in customs!!! Grrr!!! Then they told me that I would have to come to Kampala, go through customs, pay taxes, and then I could get my package! On Monday I was ready to make a special trip to Kampala to retrieve my package, but before I made final arrangements to travel I called and they told me that I didn't need to come. They were releasing the package from customs to come to the regular post office in Jinja, no taxes required, and I could get it in a few days! A breakthrough like that can only be explained by God's divine intervention. As of today I still don't have the package because the man who takes packages from Kampala to Jinja is sick, but I'm hoping by tomorrow to have finally have the package. In the meantime I've found some malaria medications; some other American students who recently came to the base who are taking the same meds that have been generous to give me a supply until mine comes. So I'm learning patience, persistence in prayer, experiencing God's breakthrough, and I can say He has been so surprisingly faithful to take care of me.
Revival of the Heart...
Last week I had a bit of a breakdown before God. I was feeling so tired of being luke-warm and feeling like I was missing out on something greater from God. That afternoon we were supposed to be doing work duties, but I confess I ran away to be with God. I wept before Him and just poured my heart out at His feet. I had been feeling so homesick and wondering how I was going to make it through my school until June. I can't say that afterward I was miraculously healed or overflowing with joy, but I knew that God had at least heard my cries and knew my heart.
Saturday night a friend of mine really challenged me with some simple words that have left me stirring for change. He told me to not leave this place, YWAM Hopeland-where I'm living and studying, the same. At the time I was finishing up my assignment for the book of Deuteronomy and was really feeling impacted by the legacy that Moses led for the LORD. God came for me that night and woke me up from a slumber that I've been in for some time now. There are many ideas and dreams that God has put in my heart since I came to Uganda and honestly I have little or nothing with them. But things are changing...a new passion to made an impact for God's kingdom where I am, desire to be in God's presence, obedient to His call, and living out my potential each day are becoming more real in my heart. My perspective on life is being transformed each day. The LORD is teaching me to be faithful with each day that is before me. I've come to see how impossible it is to live worrying about the future and how things are going to happen. There is no guarantee that I will live to see tomorrow, but this moment that I am alive I can and am choosing to truly live! I'm still working to find a balance between life and SBS, but at least now I'm able to realize that God has more for me than my studies. He is opening my eyes to see what He is doing all around me and has been gracious enough to invite me again to be apart of it all! I'm investing in relationships more, praying for people when I feel led to, getting involved in a ministry to Northern Uganda, and choosing to be in passionate pursuit of what God is calling me to do and who He's making me to be. Being here in this place is challenging: I'm far from home, language, food, culture, communication, teaching-learning styles, bugs :), and much more are so different. But God is transforming me and equipping me for far greater things in the future! I'm so thankful that He has chosen to stir me up again to be actively living for Him. And I recognize that a great part of what I am experiencing of God is because of your prayers and support. Thank-you is not enough. I appreciate all of your love and support, that allows me to see God as the source of my revival, joy, my protector, sustainer, dream giver, fortress...my everything!
In the future...
I know that I said I'm learning how to live in the day rather than too far in the future, but its good to also have vision and dream with God for the future. I would like to share the direction that I feel God leading me for the near future. (Nothing is set in stone, but these are just ideas and dreams!) My school ends in late-June and afterwards I would like to return to Kenya for a short visit before returning home. I'm hoping to be back home, in beautiful and exciting Wisconsin, sometime in early July. While I am home I would like to raise more long term support, share what God has been doing, visit, see my family, and relax. But God has really placed the desire to do the outreach phase of my school called the Titus project in Arusha, Tanzania in October of this year. This organized outreach is geared specifically for SBS. The first few weeks they teach the students how to teach the Bible to others and then they send them out to do just that in leadership conferences, seminars, teach in SBSs, and much more. The outreach phase/Titus project is three months long. After finishing that I am considering the possibility of staffing an SBS somewhere. (It isn't an easy school to be part of but if everyone who goes through the school as a student doesn't stay around to pour into the program as staff...how will it continue?) These are just some ideas for the near future. God knows exactly where He wants me to be and I trust that He will bring me there as the time comes. But overall I feel a calling to invest in East Africa. The hearts of the people are for God, but I see a need for education in the true doctrine or Word of God to successfully mobilize Africans. Yes I said mobilize...I know God has called missionaries from Africa to places like the U.S. to extend the kingdom of God and God is making the way for it to happen. I feel like I can invest in the education of sound doctrine and studying the WORD in the East African church and so help to equip missionaries to go. African people are on fire for God and once they are armed and ready...look out world they are bringing the Good News! So this is part of the vision God has been implanting in my heart these past months and I'm so pleased to be able to share them with you. Please continue to partner in prayer with me as these plans and visions come into being. The LORD puts desires and dreams in our hearts to be actively involved in His kingdom and brings them to pass when we seek Him with all that we have. So I encourage you too to seek God and find what He is calling you to do, where do you fit in the great scheme of His mighty plans? I can't say I know exactly where I fit, but as I seek God He is showing me more and using me as I offer my life to Him. Many blessings to you and feel free to contact me if you are interested in knowing more.
Much Love In Christ,
Becky <><

Quick Update...

Quick Update:
I just wanted to send a brief update to you to let you know how things are going for me here in Uganda. Today I finished my assignment for the book of Exodus, so we are rolling already into the Old Testament. I have been pleasently surprised at how much I am enjoying the Old Testament and at all that God is teaching me through it. A few weeks ago we had our oral exam to summarize the New Testament. Let me just say I didn't get an "A", but I did the best I could and know that I didn't miss God! This quarter has really gone by quickly, our next break is for one week in the end of March. The school finishes towards the end of June and its approaching faster than I know.
This past week has been a challenge as something in my back has been out of place. At home I would just go to the chiroprator and get it taken care of, but here in Africa its different. So I've been praying and can already feel God restoring it back to normal. After my back is healed I plan to begin directing pilates for anyone who is interested here on the base. A new discipleship training school of over 35 students just began last week and there is also an Addictive Behavior Counciling school of at least 25 people taking place. People have already shown an interest and I'm really excited to get that started! I don't have a lot of free time, but I want to give back with the time I do have and this is an oppurtunity to do so.
As a neighbor to Kenya here in Uganda, we continue to intercede and pray for the Kenya. Although the violence doesn't cross our borders into Uganda, the economic and spiritual effects are felt.
My sincere thanks again for your support, especially your prayers. If I could only describe the divine protection and encouragement that surrounds me each day, you would better understand my gratitude. God bless you and take care!
In Christ,
Becky