Altar Call

Homecoming Day 11

This weekend I went to church in the states for the first time. I do not know if I was expecting too much or what, but I was disappointed with the service. It was a Christmas eve service so the altar call was inevitable. BUT I was left high and dry. Where was the intense scripture reading that I spent four months waiting for in Uganda? Where was the deep delve into Greek meaning and Bibical cultural insight? Was this what I have been waiting for? Surely, this service was not what I had come to miss. Ashamed, I find myself questioning those who came to the altar. In suburban Illinois, what do we know of need? How can we truly understand what it is to NEED a savior and cling to his word and his principles? So often 'we' talk of coming to Christ after finding the way of the world lacking, but we never fully grasp what lack is. In other places in the world, people cling to Christ in dire need and desire to survive. But I have the audacity to come to Christ when my life is lackluster. Where does that demand faith and reliance? I know there are people in true need in this country. I have seen them. But on whom do they rely for necessity? The government. Aid. Welfare. Where is his church? Where are his hands and feet?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ -Matthew 25:34-45

Who are the least of these? The children 'starving in Africa'? What about the orphans living in our own cities and states? The Church of Christ has been commissioned to care for widows and orphans, but in this country of governmental reliance we have given up our commission, to a corrupt and secular power. Why? This is the area which the church can have influence and power to show the love of Christ. He came to heal the sick and be with those who needed him, not the self righteous and well educated. They saw no need for him and that disease plagues many of our countrymen to this day. In God's provision I rest, but I ask him for things like tuition so that I can attend my private Christian college. What if I chose to take a year off and donate that money to a better cause? That money is a small fortune in Uganda. I grew up being told I was smart and since God had blessed me in that way that I should continue my education and do something noble with it. Why do I need an education that costs me so much to help me get to a place where I can serve God the best? God gave me gifts. Certainly, he can use me no matter what.

-Am I being a steward of what I have been given?

-Am I a good servant of Christ?

-Am I reaching out to others in his name?

-How can I best be an American CHRISTIAN?

May you be a blessing where you are.

Of Transitions

Homecoming day 5
The sunset over Lake Victoria.

Today finds me home for about four days. I feel like the transition into home life has gone pretty well and as far as jet lag I haven't really experienced much. Thank Goodness!I would have to say the strangest thing so far has been the abundance of food in our house...I haven't found myself hit upside the head by reverse culture shock yet, but I have heard that many students really feel that when they get back to school in the spring. I mean one goes from a lunch line with maybe one choice (beans or g. nut sauce) to fifty different choices and combinations. Oh the luxury of American life. Right before we left our one of the program coordinators talked about there was a good chance that by the time got home we would have made more choices than a Ugandan makes in a lifetime. The community and more simplistic aspects of their culture just change that whole concept.
On another note my internal calender is quite perplexed. Last semester didn't feel like much more than an extension of summer but everyone tells me it is now Christmas time, but we have NO SNOW. That is not Christmas in Chicago...
Trepidation lurks about my thoughts of Christmas. I really worry about seeing all my family at one time and confronting stereotypes of Africa. Stereotypes that I held before I experienced real Uganda. What do I tell them? What do I share? What do I cherish and share with only few? I fear the same redundant questions. I think I have told the story of being stuck in South Africa more than anything else. This is certainly the most recent of my 'Africa' adventures, and so it is certainly fresh in my mind but I feel it is of very minimal value to my experience this semester. Why don't people ask the right questions? About the things that matter. The experiences that changed my life...
But what questions would I have asked before my time in Uganda? The same questions I am being asked. Where is my extension of grace and love? Lord, grant me grace and understanding.
There is also the extreme materialism of the American version of Christmas. My family has our beautiful tree up in the living room, a constant reminder of the consumerism of this culture. Every year many American families spend money on a tree they will just a month later throw out. But its tradition. Malls will fill with people seeking to pay the almighty dollar for one more unneeded gift. But its tradition. Based on where I am economically, I do not think I can ever say I have had a legitimate need. All the so called 'needs' I have are based on a standard of living that is so much greater than many people in this world will ever see or understand. Why am I not more thankful? Grateful? Joyful? Peaceful? Generous?
Where is my appreciation for my blessings?
May the Lord bless and keep you all this joyous season.
Merry Christmas!
Find your joy in him.

The Beginning of the End

Uganda Day 105
I have ten days until I arrive in JFK or for that matter in Chicago. This is insane. I have nothing but two finals tomorrow between me and heading home. Home. I never thought this time would come that I would actually start thinking about packing and how to get the massive amounts of stuff that I have accumulated home. My large suitcase is going to be jammed full. I am pretty glad that I brought two suitcases.
I'd say I am pretty close to freaking out. I just cannot believe that I can count the number of days on my two hands. I have a mere five days left with my Ugandan family and I have started to realize just how much I have come to love them and consequentially how much I will miss them. The feeling is bittersweet. I cannot wait to go home and see all the familiar faces, but I am so sad to leave the beauty of this place. These people and this country have taught me so much and opened my eyes to so many things I would never have seen. I wonder if I will ever be back.
That is the question I hate the most. When will you come back?
Well...
When I have the money.
When I have the time.
When I am not too busy.
Looking into the sweet faces that inquire something that tugs so roughly on my heartstrings, I cannot help but say, "soon, I hope."
Coming home will be full of joy and leaving home will be full of heartache.
Home is where the heart is.
Can I split my heart in pieces?