Saying our goodbyes was extremely hard but I think they all did really well. We left Gulu early Sunday morning and drove to go on our safari. The safari was pretty cool seeing animals and all the landscape was a really cool experience. But while we were driving around we got pretty lost and ended up not eating lunch until about 3:30pm which is super late. We were so ready to get out of that car! After lunch we had to take a fairy across the Alfred River then we started the drive to the "hotel" we were going to stay in. They said that it wasn't a very long drive at all but two hours later we still weren't there, it was getting dark, and a storm was coming. Well we finally got there and it was not at all what we expected, I mean don't get me wrong but when they said we were staying in Bodongo Lodge we all were super excited about a warm shower and a nice bed, false. Bodongo is an Eco lodge that is completely organic with outside showers and wooden cabins as rooms. The food was pretty good but being in the middle of the African forest during a rainstorm was not what we expected. When we got up this morning we had a flat tire so Roy had to change it and we didn't leave until 9am. We got on the road to go to Kampala and made it about 45 minutes then the car started making some weird noises so we had to stop and get it looked at. We waited another 3 hours as the mechanics took apart some parts of the back axle
area then put them back on to fix the car. We finally got back on the road to Kampala at around 1 in the afternoon. By 3 the car had broken down again. This time a different tire had fallen off, completely off. And all the bolts holding it on had split in half so we had to take off the hub and do a lot of other stuff to try to get everything fixed. We ended up having to call Roy's friend who lives in Kampala to have him come and pick us up. Luckily there was a man on a Boda Boda who drove by and helped us make the spare tire work enough to make it back to Kampala but we still moved the luggage and all the interns to
The other car. By 6 we were on our way again. This time for good. We finally made it to our hotel in Kampala at around 7:30pm and then went out to eat around 8:30 (after not getting to eat lunch the nice dinner we had here was amazing!) Now we are in the hotel for the night and get to sleep in tomorrow! Yay! Please pray for safe travels tomorrow ad Wednesday and that we have no more drama!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
While in Africa
While here I felt like there were some certain cultural things that I needed to do before I left. Here are those things and my experiences doing them.
1) eat Posho and beans (the typical low income dinner of Ugandans)
2) ride a Boda (motorcycle) to market
3) get a pair of tire flip flops that all the locals wear and literally walk a mile in their shoes
4) dig in a garden and plant something
5) go to a Ugandan church
Ok #1 let's begin with the food. Now in America low income people will eat spam and ramen noodles; here they eat Posho and beans. Posho is basically taking straight maze flower adding water and eating it. We asked our cook to make some and it literally tasted like stale glue, but here it is what they eat every day for dinner. The beans make it a little better but still I can't even imagine living on just that and without my mama's spaghetti. It is so eye opening to see how much good food we have in America and how blessed we are.
#2 was riding a Boda to market. A Boda is basically a motorcycle taxi that will take you wherever you want. I was too scared to ride one by myself for fear of getting lost in town or something so when our cook and housekeeper, Anette, went I asked if I could tag along. She let me and we rode the Boda together, 3 people, 1 long seat, interesting ride. I got very close to the driver because Anette put me in the middle, overall it wasn't too scary and I'm glad I got the experience below is a picture of me on the Boda when we got home. I had fun but I will not be doing that again!
#3 was to get a pair of flip flops made out of old tires, like all the local kids, and literally walk a mile in their shoes. Let me just say that in America I have fairly tough feet and run around barefooted all the time. Here I fail. Just walking to school and back my feet were bleeding and had multiple blisters. I'm hoping that I just need to break the shoes in so I'm gonna try to wear them more (with bandaids). I also have a new respect for how tough these kids are walking around with these tire shoes or no shoes at all. We Americans are so weak here!
The 4th thing on my Uganda Bucket List was to dig in a garden and plant something in it. When I saw all the people here working in their gardens the first Saturday we were there I decided that I wanted to help! The first Saturday that I had a friend to work with we spent the morning starting up a garden! They all laughed because I worked slow but hard. All the kids were so excited to see a mzungu doing the same work that they do! The first Saturday we took an area where there was tall grass (taller then me), trees, shrubs and lots of other fun plants and she said "here is where the garden will be. I thought she had to be kidding but then she took her hoe and showed me how to dig up trees and slash grass to clear the area. We got the younger kids picking up what we had knocked down and moving rocks, it was actually pretty fun! The next Saturday I went and she said "that is no good, too many rocks and animals already there, we start over." I thought that was great all that work to not even use the area! Oh well it's the fellowship that we had that really mattered! So we dug a new garden and it went a lot faster because it had previously been a garden anyway. It took us about half the time then we were ready to "plant" she just took some beans and threw them around and said "good." I was somewhat confused because our gardens are in lines and organized, then she explained to me that when she bought maze seed then we would plant it in rows and the maze and beans would intertwine, everywhere there wasn't maze there would be beans, pretty smart I suppose! Tomorrow morning we will be planting maze in rows and making the garden look like a real garden! I am super excited!
The last thing on my list was to go to a typical Ugandan church. Most of the Christian population here is catholic so we had a somewhat hard time finding a church that wasn't. Well we found one and I love it! Gulu Bible Community Church is amazing! They are a lot more high tech then any other places here, with microphones, speakers, a keyboard, and a drum set, but that isn't why I like it so much. It is so cool seeing people from all around the world worship the same God with the same passion but in a completely different language! GBCC has 3 morning services; 1 in English, 1 in English and Luo, and 1 in Swahili. We went to the English and Luo service and it was so cool worshiping in both languages at the same time. I have loved going to GBCC and tonight will be going to a Praise and Worship Service, I'm so excited! God is so big here in Gulu!
I think as Americans we have a tendency to see God as an American God, I know I always think that God speaks English and that He focus' on us so much that it is totally normal for us to claim Him . It has been so cool to see that God is working just as much here, across the world, as he is in America. What a hard concept to grasp, the God who wakes my mama and sisters up in Alabama also makes sure that Pamela Peace and her siblings have enough food to survive. Our God is so big and so great that it is impossible to understand! How can the God that cares about me so much also keep this whole big world of ours turning? Mind= blown! It has been such a blessing being here and how God has given us the opportunity to plant seeds in this community, I have loved it here and have definitely been changed for the better!
I miss my mama and can not wait to get home. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the June teams last day in Gulu, we will be leaving for a safari early Sunday morning then staying at the safari overnight. We will drive the rest of the way to Kampala on Monday morning then work with the Street Boys Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. We fly out of Entebbe late Tuesday evening then fly to Brussels, then Frankfurt, then Atlanta! We will be back home Wednesday evening. Please pray for safe travels for us 5 girls who are going home: Me, Jerica Pealor, Emma Jaggers, Kasey Tucker, and Laurel Schweers.
1) eat Posho and beans (the typical low income dinner of Ugandans)
2) ride a Boda (motorcycle) to market
3) get a pair of tire flip flops that all the locals wear and literally walk a mile in their shoes
4) dig in a garden and plant something
5) go to a Ugandan church
Ok #1 let's begin with the food. Now in America low income people will eat spam and ramen noodles; here they eat Posho and beans. Posho is basically taking straight maze flower adding water and eating it. We asked our cook to make some and it literally tasted like stale glue, but here it is what they eat every day for dinner. The beans make it a little better but still I can't even imagine living on just that and without my mama's spaghetti. It is so eye opening to see how much good food we have in America and how blessed we are.
#2 was riding a Boda to market. A Boda is basically a motorcycle taxi that will take you wherever you want. I was too scared to ride one by myself for fear of getting lost in town or something so when our cook and housekeeper, Anette, went I asked if I could tag along. She let me and we rode the Boda together, 3 people, 1 long seat, interesting ride. I got very close to the driver because Anette put me in the middle, overall it wasn't too scary and I'm glad I got the experience below is a picture of me on the Boda when we got home. I had fun but I will not be doing that again!
#3 was to get a pair of flip flops made out of old tires, like all the local kids, and literally walk a mile in their shoes. Let me just say that in America I have fairly tough feet and run around barefooted all the time. Here I fail. Just walking to school and back my feet were bleeding and had multiple blisters. I'm hoping that I just need to break the shoes in so I'm gonna try to wear them more (with bandaids). I also have a new respect for how tough these kids are walking around with these tire shoes or no shoes at all. We Americans are so weak here!
The 4th thing on my Uganda Bucket List was to dig in a garden and plant something in it. When I saw all the people here working in their gardens the first Saturday we were there I decided that I wanted to help! The first Saturday that I had a friend to work with we spent the morning starting up a garden! They all laughed because I worked slow but hard. All the kids were so excited to see a mzungu doing the same work that they do! The first Saturday we took an area where there was tall grass (taller then me), trees, shrubs and lots of other fun plants and she said "here is where the garden will be. I thought she had to be kidding but then she took her hoe and showed me how to dig up trees and slash grass to clear the area. We got the younger kids picking up what we had knocked down and moving rocks, it was actually pretty fun! The next Saturday I went and she said "that is no good, too many rocks and animals already there, we start over." I thought that was great all that work to not even use the area! Oh well it's the fellowship that we had that really mattered! So we dug a new garden and it went a lot faster because it had previously been a garden anyway. It took us about half the time then we were ready to "plant" she just took some beans and threw them around and said "good." I was somewhat confused because our gardens are in lines and organized, then she explained to me that when she bought maze seed then we would plant it in rows and the maze and beans would intertwine, everywhere there wasn't maze there would be beans, pretty smart I suppose! Tomorrow morning we will be planting maze in rows and making the garden look like a real garden! I am super excited!
The last thing on my list was to go to a typical Ugandan church. Most of the Christian population here is catholic so we had a somewhat hard time finding a church that wasn't. Well we found one and I love it! Gulu Bible Community Church is amazing! They are a lot more high tech then any other places here, with microphones, speakers, a keyboard, and a drum set, but that isn't why I like it so much. It is so cool seeing people from all around the world worship the same God with the same passion but in a completely different language! GBCC has 3 morning services; 1 in English, 1 in English and Luo, and 1 in Swahili. We went to the English and Luo service and it was so cool worshiping in both languages at the same time. I have loved going to GBCC and tonight will be going to a Praise and Worship Service, I'm so excited! God is so big here in Gulu!
I think as Americans we have a tendency to see God as an American God, I know I always think that God speaks English and that He focus' on us so much that it is totally normal for us to claim Him . It has been so cool to see that God is working just as much here, across the world, as he is in America. What a hard concept to grasp, the God who wakes my mama and sisters up in Alabama also makes sure that Pamela Peace and her siblings have enough food to survive. Our God is so big and so great that it is impossible to understand! How can the God that cares about me so much also keep this whole big world of ours turning? Mind= blown! It has been such a blessing being here and how God has given us the opportunity to plant seeds in this community, I have loved it here and have definitely been changed for the better!
I miss my mama and can not wait to get home. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the June teams last day in Gulu, we will be leaving for a safari early Sunday morning then staying at the safari overnight. We will drive the rest of the way to Kampala on Monday morning then work with the Street Boys Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. We fly out of Entebbe late Tuesday evening then fly to Brussels, then Frankfurt, then Atlanta! We will be back home Wednesday evening. Please pray for safe travels for us 5 girls who are going home: Me, Jerica Pealor, Emma Jaggers, Kasey Tucker, and Laurel Schweers.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Age does not matter
Coming into this internship I was a little apprehensive because all the other girls were in college and I had literally just graduated from high school.
Well God has proven to me that age is not an issue when it comes to sharing His Word. Yesterday when I was at school waiting for music class to start and the same man who had noticed my tattoo started up a conversation across the table with all the teachers there to listen. He said "when you leave I want you to leave your bible with me." Well I explained to him that my bible was a gift and that I was extremely attached to it but that if he really needed a bible then I could try to find him one, turns out he already had one and just wanted mine because of all the sticky notes and highlighted verses. Well in Uganda tattoos are pretty rare so all the other teachers wanted to see too. After they saw I quoted the verse then pulled out my bible to show them the passage (Jeremiah 29:11). They were super receptive and passed the bible around flipping to different tabs that I had already made for quick access and then they began to discuss the gospel.
Well some of the teachers were asking me things like "how do you become a born again Christian in America?" and "what do you think heaven will be like?" How was I supposed to know the answers to these questions, I'm not in seminary, I'm not even in college yet! Well God literally put the words in my mouth and I have no idea what I said the answers to the questions they had were but they seemed like the right answer.
God totally put the words that he needed into my mouth and let the Holy Spirit work through me. After the questions were answered I told them my testimony and they sat quietly and listened, then asked some simple questions that didn't add up because of cultural differences. They had a really hard time understanding forgiveness and understanding the legal system, I did my best to explain but it was a pretty hard thing to do.
I am so excited that I had the opportunity to share with these teachers and even more excited when they were all done with the conversation and asked how old I was. When I replied with 18 they were in awe, how could such a young woman have so much to say about her God? Well good question! I have no idea what all happened in the conversation but it was definitely not me and all the Lord! It was super exciting and I know that is why God sent me to work in the school!
After music class was over some students stayed behind and began singing some of the praise and worship songs that we sing at church here on Sunday's so I was able to share "musical scripture" with them and they were so excited to hear me sing to the Lord with them! It was so exciting and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to be there!
Please pray for the last week that the June interns have here in Gulu and pray for happiness and not too much sadness as we prepare to get home. All of the relationships made are seeds planted and pray that God sends some people to water those seeds now that they are starting to sprout!
Well God has proven to me that age is not an issue when it comes to sharing His Word. Yesterday when I was at school waiting for music class to start and the same man who had noticed my tattoo started up a conversation across the table with all the teachers there to listen. He said "when you leave I want you to leave your bible with me." Well I explained to him that my bible was a gift and that I was extremely attached to it but that if he really needed a bible then I could try to find him one, turns out he already had one and just wanted mine because of all the sticky notes and highlighted verses. Well in Uganda tattoos are pretty rare so all the other teachers wanted to see too. After they saw I quoted the verse then pulled out my bible to show them the passage (Jeremiah 29:11). They were super receptive and passed the bible around flipping to different tabs that I had already made for quick access and then they began to discuss the gospel.
Well some of the teachers were asking me things like "how do you become a born again Christian in America?" and "what do you think heaven will be like?" How was I supposed to know the answers to these questions, I'm not in seminary, I'm not even in college yet! Well God literally put the words in my mouth and I have no idea what I said the answers to the questions they had were but they seemed like the right answer.
God totally put the words that he needed into my mouth and let the Holy Spirit work through me. After the questions were answered I told them my testimony and they sat quietly and listened, then asked some simple questions that didn't add up because of cultural differences. They had a really hard time understanding forgiveness and understanding the legal system, I did my best to explain but it was a pretty hard thing to do.
I am so excited that I had the opportunity to share with these teachers and even more excited when they were all done with the conversation and asked how old I was. When I replied with 18 they were in awe, how could such a young woman have so much to say about her God? Well good question! I have no idea what all happened in the conversation but it was definitely not me and all the Lord! It was super exciting and I know that is why God sent me to work in the school!
After music class was over some students stayed behind and began singing some of the praise and worship songs that we sing at church here on Sunday's so I was able to share "musical scripture" with them and they were so excited to hear me sing to the Lord with them! It was so exciting and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to be there!
Please pray for the last week that the June interns have here in Gulu and pray for happiness and not too much sadness as we prepare to get home. All of the relationships made are seeds planted and pray that God sends some people to water those seeds now that they are starting to sprout!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Meet Pamela Peace
The house we are staying at in Gulu is within walking distance of a village. We went out into the village to start making friends and at first I struggled, everyone else was making friends and beginning to poor into them with the Word. Two weeks went by and I still haven't made any friends. Some of the girl decided to walk their friends to school and home after so I thought I would tag along. Well as soon as I did, Pamela found me.
At first she introduced herself to me as Juliet, then someone else told me her name was Penelope, then she finally told me that her name was Pamela Peace, which is the best name for her. After walking in silence for two days we finally began to talk.
She is 15 years old and both of her parents are dead. She has one brother named Jasper who is 16 and they both live with her aunt and her 4 children. Pamela helps care for Brenda (11) Prose (8) Fiona (4) and Juliet (1 1/2) . She works wherever she can on the weekends to raise money to pay her school fees. She also has her own garden in which she plans on planting beans and maze when she can afford the seed. She gets up early each morning to get herself and her siblings ready for school and then walks to school with me.
On the way to school we list out all the things that God has blessed us with. Her favorite answers are energy, legs to walk, hands to work, ears to listen, and eyes to see. She is so excited about everything the Lord has given her and her smile proves it!
On Saturdays we work in the garden then read the bible. Last Saturday we spent two hours working on math and English. She wants so much to succeed in school but struggles. Whenever she has extra time she studies, but extra time is rare to find.
She has taught me so much just by spending time with her. Her joy radiates through her smile and she is so excited just to be alive. We have had such a good time getting to know each other and she has shown me so much! In my last week here I am so excited to spend as much time with her as I can. Girls will be girls and here is a picture of the two of us laughing at something funny Fiona said.
Please continue to pray for her as she works for the money for next terms school fees and pray that her joy radiates through everyone that she sees here in Gulu, she has so much going for her and just needs someone to remind her of that!
At first she introduced herself to me as Juliet, then someone else told me her name was Penelope, then she finally told me that her name was Pamela Peace, which is the best name for her. After walking in silence for two days we finally began to talk.
She is 15 years old and both of her parents are dead. She has one brother named Jasper who is 16 and they both live with her aunt and her 4 children. Pamela helps care for Brenda (11) Prose (8) Fiona (4) and Juliet (1 1/2) . She works wherever she can on the weekends to raise money to pay her school fees. She also has her own garden in which she plans on planting beans and maze when she can afford the seed. She gets up early each morning to get herself and her siblings ready for school and then walks to school with me.
On the way to school we list out all the things that God has blessed us with. Her favorite answers are energy, legs to walk, hands to work, ears to listen, and eyes to see. She is so excited about everything the Lord has given her and her smile proves it!
On Saturdays we work in the garden then read the bible. Last Saturday we spent two hours working on math and English. She wants so much to succeed in school but struggles. Whenever she has extra time she studies, but extra time is rare to find.
She has taught me so much just by spending time with her. Her joy radiates through her smile and she is so excited just to be alive. We have had such a good time getting to know each other and she has shown me so much! In my last week here I am so excited to spend as much time with her as I can. Girls will be girls and here is a picture of the two of us laughing at something funny Fiona said.
Please continue to pray for her as she works for the money for next terms school fees and pray that her joy radiates through everyone that she sees here in Gulu, she has so much going for her and just needs someone to remind her of that!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Evangelism via tattoo
Well originally I got my tattoo as a reminder for me, when times got rough I could look down at my wrist and remember "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. Well apparently God has some bigger plans for my tattoo.
Today I was in music class next to another teacher who was just sitting there listening to the music, he looks over and catches a glance of the "J" underneath my watch and bracelet, then he points to it and asks me to show him. He asked what it stood for and so I said, "it is a bible verse that reminds me that God has my life in control". He proceeds to pull out a notepad and copies down the "Jer. 29:11" and says "for me to look up when I get home" I replied with quoting the verse and pulling out my bible and showing him so he could write it down.
He asked "where I went to pray". The people here have a hard time grasping the concept of praying all the time anywhere you are, they don't understand that you do not have to be in a church to pray. Well my response was "oh I pray everywhere, all the time" he was somewhat confused and so I began to explain that you did not have be in a church building for God to hear your prayers. It was a somewhat short conversation but turns out we go to the same church here in
Gulu.
I love how God used a tattoo, that some people were not too happy about me getting, to start a conversation with a complete stranger in the middle of a music class! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! I just thought I would share that quick story that made me smile!
Love,
Mattie
Today I was in music class next to another teacher who was just sitting there listening to the music, he looks over and catches a glance of the "J" underneath my watch and bracelet, then he points to it and asks me to show him. He asked what it stood for and so I said, "it is a bible verse that reminds me that God has my life in control". He proceeds to pull out a notepad and copies down the "Jer. 29:11" and says "for me to look up when I get home" I replied with quoting the verse and pulling out my bible and showing him so he could write it down.
He asked "where I went to pray". The people here have a hard time grasping the concept of praying all the time anywhere you are, they don't understand that you do not have to be in a church to pray. Well my response was "oh I pray everywhere, all the time" he was somewhat confused and so I began to explain that you did not have be in a church building for God to hear your prayers. It was a somewhat short conversation but turns out we go to the same church here in
Gulu.
I love how God used a tattoo, that some people were not too happy about me getting, to start a conversation with a complete stranger in the middle of a music class! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! I just thought I would share that quick story that made me smile!
Love,
Mattie
Monday, June 18, 2012
The universal language
"Music is the universal language" I have heard this many times and began to study and believe it with all my heart. Now that I am in Africa, where they speak a different language everywhere you go, a couple of things remain the same: Music is everywhere, and God speaks every language. One afternoon we were going to the local school to walk the kids home and as soon as we get there I hear the most beautiful voices that I have ever heard. Of coarse I start freaking out and want to figure out where this chorus of angels is coming from. I asked our friend and security guard Willie to go into the school with me and figure out what was going on.
When we walked in a teacher was there to greet us and when I explained to him that I was studying to be a music teacher in America he was more then eager to point me in the direction of the 'music room'. When I walked past about 200 little brown faces looked up at me with eyes filled with joy as they sang. The teacher came out to greet me and we discussed how I had heard the wonderful music from the street and just had to come check it out. He proceeded to invite me to come and observe his classes every afternoon and to help the students prepare for a music competition that is in 2 weeks, of coarse I said yes!
The next afternoon I went to the school and figured out that I had a whole lot to learn. They do not read the music staff (treble and bass cleft) that we do in America. The teacher said that that is taught in upper level college courses (which blows my mind). They read a type of music called solfa which I had never seen before, thankfully the first class I was sitting in on was explaining how to read and count the music. I was extremely nerdy and took lots on notes, then went home after and studied and I now understand how to read it!
It is so exciting to see God working in all parts of the world through something that I love so much! I am looking forward to working with the teacher and students in sharing Gods gift to us through our voices!
Please pray for the school and the teacher and the students that I will be working with, let them see past the color of my skin and into the music and love in my heart.
Thank you so much for reading!
Love,
Mattie
When we walked in a teacher was there to greet us and when I explained to him that I was studying to be a music teacher in America he was more then eager to point me in the direction of the 'music room'. When I walked past about 200 little brown faces looked up at me with eyes filled with joy as they sang. The teacher came out to greet me and we discussed how I had heard the wonderful music from the street and just had to come check it out. He proceeded to invite me to come and observe his classes every afternoon and to help the students prepare for a music competition that is in 2 weeks, of coarse I said yes!
The next afternoon I went to the school and figured out that I had a whole lot to learn. They do not read the music staff (treble and bass cleft) that we do in America. The teacher said that that is taught in upper level college courses (which blows my mind). They read a type of music called solfa which I had never seen before, thankfully the first class I was sitting in on was explaining how to read and count the music. I was extremely nerdy and took lots on notes, then went home after and studied and I now understand how to read it!
It is so exciting to see God working in all parts of the world through something that I love so much! I am looking forward to working with the teacher and students in sharing Gods gift to us through our voices!
Please pray for the school and the teacher and the students that I will be working with, let them see past the color of my skin and into the music and love in my heart.
Thank you so much for reading!
Love,
Mattie
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Hey I know you!
There is a team from Cornerstone Church in Auburn that is made up of 6 AHS Class of 2012 graduates and 2 adults that came to visit us! It was so cool to see familiar faces even though we are so far from home! I knew of a couple of people who were in the team but I did not have all the details until they were at our house! There were three students that I have grown up with since elementary school, the two adult leaders are family friends, and every other team member I have had in classes throughout Auburn City Schools. It was so wonderful to have that fellowship here and made home seem not so far away. The interns split into groups when the team got here to take them to different parts of the village next door. Rebecca and I took Michael Hutson and Caleb Heaton to the rock curry to help and let's just say we all got a slap of reality! We are so weak! Even Caleb, a football player, and Michael, a triathlon athlete, could not carry half as much as the Ugandan women could! Caleb said "my man card has been revoked" and it was so true! These women were carrying so much with the least bit of trouble and they would just laugh at us when we tried! But oh did we try! We worked alongside them and did our best, as they continued to laugh. We all have a new found respect for these people who work so hard for so little and do it with a smile on their faces, it is a humbling experience to say the least.
On the way to find some other people to work with we passed the bore hole where everyone gets water, they fill up these extremely large cans of water and carry them back to their huts on their heads without spilling or breaking a sweat. It is so funny how hard we Americans try to help but we end up spilling and just making a mess, no wonder they look at us as weak muzungus, that's exactly what we are!
We have tried really hard to break some of the stereotypes that are placed on white people and I think that we have by doing out best to work alongside them, trying to learn their language, and asking them to teach us. Missionaries can not come in and just think that all of their western ways are right and that the locals have no idea of what is going on, these people are extremely talented and do not need us to come in and do things for them, they need us to come in and fellowship with them, wether that is breaking rocks or just sitting and talking that is what the people really need.
As we were taking all of my friends around they realized how quickly relationships could be made and how easily it is to find something to do, these people are more then happy to teach us if we are willing to listen and learn.
It was so wonderful seeing all of my friends and it made the homesickness a little more bearable, also people commenting on my blogs and writing on my Facebook wall has helped so much. It is a great feeling knowing that people back home are still caring and praying for me.
Thank you so much for reading and thank you to the Cornerstone team for coming to visit and for bringing me much needed cold supplies, y'all are the best!
Love,
Mattie
On the way to find some other people to work with we passed the bore hole where everyone gets water, they fill up these extremely large cans of water and carry them back to their huts on their heads without spilling or breaking a sweat. It is so funny how hard we Americans try to help but we end up spilling and just making a mess, no wonder they look at us as weak muzungus, that's exactly what we are!
We have tried really hard to break some of the stereotypes that are placed on white people and I think that we have by doing out best to work alongside them, trying to learn their language, and asking them to teach us. Missionaries can not come in and just think that all of their western ways are right and that the locals have no idea of what is going on, these people are extremely talented and do not need us to come in and do things for them, they need us to come in and fellowship with them, wether that is breaking rocks or just sitting and talking that is what the people really need.
As we were taking all of my friends around they realized how quickly relationships could be made and how easily it is to find something to do, these people are more then happy to teach us if we are willing to listen and learn.
It was so wonderful seeing all of my friends and it made the homesickness a little more bearable, also people commenting on my blogs and writing on my Facebook wall has helped so much. It is a great feeling knowing that people back home are still caring and praying for me.
Thank you so much for reading and thank you to the Cornerstone team for coming to visit and for bringing me much needed cold supplies, y'all are the best!
Love,
Mattie
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Worshiping Beyond the Walls
At my home church, Auburn United Methodist Church, we have a contemporary worship service called Resonate. In Resonate we have a saying "worship beyond the walls". Well here in Gulu we have decided to take that literally.
Tonight we had a community worship service in the village close to the house. When we were all discussing our spiritual gifts in a devotional one night I said that God had given me the gift of music. Turns out he was about to use that gift no matter what. We decided that we wanted to have a community worship and music night and guess who was to lead worship? You guessed it, me. Now I have grown up in church choirs, praise bands, and doing solo performances but I had never lead worship all by myself. So obviously there were some scary thoughts that accompanied that task.
What will these people think of me?
What if I forget the words?
What if no one else knows the words?
What if my voice cracks?
Will they even understand me?
All of these questions were running through my head but what do they all have in common? ME ME ME. I hadn't put it into God's hands and let Him have control. It was His worship service, His village, His Gulu, and His world. Who am I to be freaking out about leading worship for Ugandan people who do not even speak my language? Well that was a slap in the face. The whole reason I am here is to expand God's kingdom, not to show off my musical skills (or lack there of). When I sent my mom an email venting about what I was scared of and what I was struggling with she sent back a very humbling response. Basically she was telling me that it was in Gods hands and it was all about Him, not me.
Well I did my best to prepare for this event by writing out a set list and writing out some of the lyrics so that if I did get stage fright and forget the words then I would be prepared. We as a group decided that I would do one or two songs before the message and one or two after, so I completely wrote out the lyrics to 4 songs so that I would for sure be ready. Well when we got there we obviously needed to do more songs because there were no adults even though we had invited them but the kids were there sitting quietly ready to get started. So what do we do? We sing as many songs that I can do from memory and repeat choruses as many times as possible to make everything last longer! Somehow even though the kids had no idea what I was singing they enjoyed clapping along and dancing to the music.
Originally the plan was for me to sing and play the drum but as I was practicing I realized that that was not going to happen so Willie (our security guard and friend at the compound) played the drum as I sang my heart out. We had a few awkward moments there where we did not know what to do next but overall it went very well. We figured out that of you sing "Jesus Loves Me" about 10 times in a row then the kids will learn the words and the sign language! God was definitely there as we were worshiping and even though only a few adults showed up (halfway through the message) the children loved every second of it. We sang Baby Jesus, All Because of Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, How Great Thou Art, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day, Lead Me to the Cross, and Father Abraham. With the mixture of the southern and African accents I bet we sounded pretty interesting but we were giving praises to the Lord.
I really hope that the kids learned more then how to play hop scotch this week at VBS and tonight at the community worship. But that is no longer in my hands. We presented the gospel in English and in Acholi when there was a translator present, we played and loved on these kids and we have made some awesome relationships.
Everyone else has been able to connect with people on a one on one basis but I have been fighting a cold and ear troubles so in the afternoons I would have to lie down instead of going to play. One of my friends in coming to visit us next week and is bringing me some much needed cold medicine, so after I am all better I am super excited to get out there and make some real relationships!
My home church found out about what I was doing and said a special prayer for us as we were having the community worship and I could really feel the prayers! As much as I was nervous I really enjoyed the experience and I can not wait to do it again. A big thank you to Brother Charles and Mama for getting everyone involved in the prayers and for believing in me.
Here are a few prayer requests:
- the Cornerstone Class of 2012 as they travel to Uganda and as they drive to come and see us, some of the members are Camp Hand, Kate Duke, Codarious Findley, Caleb Heaton and Will Lott, there are probably other members but these are the ones I know are coming.
- Jamie and the baby as they go through these last few weeks of pregnancy
- the OHS FCA team who will be traveling home this week: Kyle, Cokey, Stephanie, and Alana
- all the interns who are beginning to feel a little homesick at this point, here are all of us by name if you would like to pray for us:
Mattie, Elizabeth, Anna, Rebecca, Sara, Jerica, McCamy, Jerica, Emma, and Laurel
- everyone who is having tummy trouble (which is basically everyone)
Thank you so much for taking the imw to read!
Love,
Mattie
Tonight we had a community worship service in the village close to the house. When we were all discussing our spiritual gifts in a devotional one night I said that God had given me the gift of music. Turns out he was about to use that gift no matter what. We decided that we wanted to have a community worship and music night and guess who was to lead worship? You guessed it, me. Now I have grown up in church choirs, praise bands, and doing solo performances but I had never lead worship all by myself. So obviously there were some scary thoughts that accompanied that task.
What will these people think of me?
What if I forget the words?
What if no one else knows the words?
What if my voice cracks?
Will they even understand me?
All of these questions were running through my head but what do they all have in common? ME ME ME. I hadn't put it into God's hands and let Him have control. It was His worship service, His village, His Gulu, and His world. Who am I to be freaking out about leading worship for Ugandan people who do not even speak my language? Well that was a slap in the face. The whole reason I am here is to expand God's kingdom, not to show off my musical skills (or lack there of). When I sent my mom an email venting about what I was scared of and what I was struggling with she sent back a very humbling response. Basically she was telling me that it was in Gods hands and it was all about Him, not me.
Well I did my best to prepare for this event by writing out a set list and writing out some of the lyrics so that if I did get stage fright and forget the words then I would be prepared. We as a group decided that I would do one or two songs before the message and one or two after, so I completely wrote out the lyrics to 4 songs so that I would for sure be ready. Well when we got there we obviously needed to do more songs because there were no adults even though we had invited them but the kids were there sitting quietly ready to get started. So what do we do? We sing as many songs that I can do from memory and repeat choruses as many times as possible to make everything last longer! Somehow even though the kids had no idea what I was singing they enjoyed clapping along and dancing to the music.
Originally the plan was for me to sing and play the drum but as I was practicing I realized that that was not going to happen so Willie (our security guard and friend at the compound) played the drum as I sang my heart out. We had a few awkward moments there where we did not know what to do next but overall it went very well. We figured out that of you sing "Jesus Loves Me" about 10 times in a row then the kids will learn the words and the sign language! God was definitely there as we were worshiping and even though only a few adults showed up (halfway through the message) the children loved every second of it. We sang Baby Jesus, All Because of Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, How Great Thou Art, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day, Lead Me to the Cross, and Father Abraham. With the mixture of the southern and African accents I bet we sounded pretty interesting but we were giving praises to the Lord.
I really hope that the kids learned more then how to play hop scotch this week at VBS and tonight at the community worship. But that is no longer in my hands. We presented the gospel in English and in Acholi when there was a translator present, we played and loved on these kids and we have made some awesome relationships.
Everyone else has been able to connect with people on a one on one basis but I have been fighting a cold and ear troubles so in the afternoons I would have to lie down instead of going to play. One of my friends in coming to visit us next week and is bringing me some much needed cold medicine, so after I am all better I am super excited to get out there and make some real relationships!
My home church found out about what I was doing and said a special prayer for us as we were having the community worship and I could really feel the prayers! As much as I was nervous I really enjoyed the experience and I can not wait to do it again. A big thank you to Brother Charles and Mama for getting everyone involved in the prayers and for believing in me.
Here are a few prayer requests:
- the Cornerstone Class of 2012 as they travel to Uganda and as they drive to come and see us, some of the members are Camp Hand, Kate Duke, Codarious Findley, Caleb Heaton and Will Lott, there are probably other members but these are the ones I know are coming.
- Jamie and the baby as they go through these last few weeks of pregnancy
- the OHS FCA team who will be traveling home this week: Kyle, Cokey, Stephanie, and Alana
- all the interns who are beginning to feel a little homesick at this point, here are all of us by name if you would like to pray for us:
Mattie, Elizabeth, Anna, Rebecca, Sara, Jerica, McCamy, Jerica, Emma, and Laurel
- everyone who is having tummy trouble (which is basically everyone)
Thank you so much for taking the imw to read!
Love,
Mattie
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I'm learning
I am learning more from these Ugandan children then they will ever learn from me. It is hard and weird to think about but these kids do not need me. They are not the ones who are being blessed here! When God put this dream in my heart, in no way did I think it would be like this. I thought that I would come over, do some VBS share some love, give some hugs, maybe pass out some new clothes and some candy to kids who said they needed it. Boy was I wrong! We walk down the street to a village of hits who literally sleep in the dirt, kids take care of themselves (and their siblings) and still have time and energy to play and work hard. There is nothing that we can give these kids that will help them in life. God has given them everything that they will ever need. Being here and seeing the way that they live compared to the way that we as Americans live is soooo different. We think that to be happy and successful we need a big house with 2 cars and a well kept lawn. HA! Boy are we missing the target. We do not need any of that stuff to be happy. If we have each other then what else is there? God has given me a family that I love very much and he has given me a home. He has given me hands to work, feet to walk, a voice to sing, and a mouth to share His word, what more is there? I mean really, take a minute and think about everything that God has blessed you with. Look outside and look at the grass and the trees and your house and your car. All of that is great but do we really need it? The people here do not have all of that stuff, but are Perfectly fine. True poverty is when you have no hope. The people here have hope and they love life. The children play and work with the same smile on their faces, they are just happy to be alive. So what am I learning?
1) I am not all big and bad and special just because I gave up a month of my life to come over here and "help" these people, they are the ones helping me
2) God has a much bigger plan in store for us here in Gulu, it's just going to take time for us to figure it out.
3) Poverty is a state of mind, not a state of materialistic possessions.
4) I can't even think of all the times that I am learning, there are too many to count!
Please pray for the East Family and the interns, God has some big plans we just are not sure what that is yet, at least I am not!
Love, Mattie
1) I am not all big and bad and special just because I gave up a month of my life to come over here and "help" these people, they are the ones helping me
2) God has a much bigger plan in store for us here in Gulu, it's just going to take time for us to figure it out.
3) Poverty is a state of mind, not a state of materialistic possessions.
4) I can't even think of all the times that I am learning, there are too many to count!
Please pray for the East Family and the interns, God has some big plans we just are not sure what that is yet, at least I am not!
Love, Mattie
Monday, June 4, 2012
One simple book
A friend of mine gave me a journal titled "Lord I Love To Praise Your Name Journal" for my 18th birthday this past December. I love the book because on every page it has a bible verse and a quote. Now when people wrote this book they had no idea of knowing what I would be doing when writing on a certain page. God has too much fun with things like this! While I have been on this trip I have had multiple times when what we were discussing and what the devotion was about was on the page! Example: we were discussing how to tell these children the Gospel with the language barrier and o coarse my book said: "But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these"" Luke 18:16. Wow, how did my book know that we would be struggling with this task and easily backed our problem up with scripture? Talk about a God Moment! Also we were discussing Poverty Alleviation and what the Bible tells us about what to to to help the poor, we were Debating an issue Anouilh wether or not to pass out candy to the children for fear of them coming for candy and not the Gospel . Then as I turned the page in my notebook the scripture said: "for you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19. Again, just smacked in the face by the Gospel! I'm not exactly sure what God has planned here but he for sure is not planning on leaving us alone here in Gulu! One simple book has given me such confidence that I have never had, the confidence to go
Out into the community and proclaim boldly who Jesus is and that no matter what you have or do not have He is always with you! John chapter 9 talks about how we may not be healed here on this earth but when we get to heaven, everything will be great! Revelations 21:4 backs this up also! Wow, it is just so wonderful to see God working here in such a powerful way. I would like to say thank you to the friend who gave me the journal and even more thanks to God who is using it in such a wonderful way!
Love,
Mattie
Out into the community and proclaim boldly who Jesus is and that no matter what you have or do not have He is always with you! John chapter 9 talks about how we may not be healed here on this earth but when we get to heaven, everything will be great! Revelations 21:4 backs this up also! Wow, it is just so wonderful to see God working here in such a powerful way. I would like to say thank you to the friend who gave me the journal and even more thanks to God who is using it in such a wonderful way!
Love,
Mattie
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A weekend in Gulu
Well, we are finally here! After 20 hours of plane rides, 10 hours of layovers and 6 hours of driving we finally made it!!! I am in love with Gulu!!! It brings such joy to my heart to see these kids, who live in so much less then we do in America be so happy! They see a Muzungu (white person) and they have one of two reactions: 1) they run in fear because they think we are ghosts 2) they run up to us and play and play and play! Even though there is a huge language barrier, (they all speak Acholi and only the educated speak a little English) they still seem to be so happy and just want to play. We live in a house that is right outside of a village made of 40-50 mud and clay huts with straw roofs, so we decided that that was the best place to start making friends. As we walked over there the people were super excited to see us, though some only wanted tangible items and very few wanted actual manual labor, which is what we are offering. The ones who could speak English were more then happy to act as translators for us and show us around. There are so many kids. One lady said that a normal family has 4-10 kids (more hands to work). These kids have worked more in the past month then I have in my entire life, they are happy to do it too! I do not think that "no" is in their vocabulary no matter what you ask, they do it, if they understand what you are asking. Tomorrow (Monday) starts our "Children's Program" AKA VBS in the village, we told all the kids where and when to meet so we are hoping for a pretty big turnout! Now a little about how I am doing (because I know anyone reading this will be worried). I am doing fine, I have not been able to sleep well at night but a lot of that may be because it is a new place, with new sounds, and I am sharing a room with someone I do not know very well yet. I tried taking Tylenol PM but it has done absolutely nothing so tonight I am taking some sleeping medicine that Jamie had, so that I will get a good nights rest for the first time in 5 nights. Some things we have planned for this week are:
Monday: VBS with the kids in the morning and play time in the afternoon
Tuesday: VBS with the kids in the morning and a visit to Baby Watoto to work with orphan or neglected babies
Wednesday: VBS with the kids in the morning and play time in the afternoon
Thursday: VBS with the kids in the morning and a possible visit to another ministry in Gulu
Friday: a whole day at an outreach place that councils and cares for the emotional and physical needs of women who were abused by Kony's men then teaches them to make crafts
and art to sell to make a living. While we are there we will be having a workshop with the women and learning how to make lots of fun things
This week is going to be a fun one but tere are a few prayer requests that we have:
- pray that we can communicate the gospel to the children even with the huge language barrier.
- that everyone gets over their jet lag and gets enough rest
- that Jamie pulls through these last few weeks of her pregnancy and that the baby does not come extremely early before they go to Kampala
- that everyone stays happy and healthy, including the boys!
Love,
Mattie
Monday: VBS with the kids in the morning and play time in the afternoon
Tuesday: VBS with the kids in the morning and a visit to Baby Watoto to work with orphan or neglected babies
Wednesday: VBS with the kids in the morning and play time in the afternoon
Thursday: VBS with the kids in the morning and a possible visit to another ministry in Gulu
Friday: a whole day at an outreach place that councils and cares for the emotional and physical needs of women who were abused by Kony's men then teaches them to make crafts
and art to sell to make a living. While we are there we will be having a workshop with the women and learning how to make lots of fun things
This week is going to be a fun one but tere are a few prayer requests that we have:
- pray that we can communicate the gospel to the children even with the huge language barrier.
- that everyone gets over their jet lag and gets enough rest
- that Jamie pulls through these last few weeks of her pregnancy and that the baby does not come extremely early before they go to Kampala
- that everyone stays happy and healthy, including the boys!
Love,
Mattie
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Wifi is up!
We are now in Gulu staying at the East's house and now the wifi is up so I will be able to blog more now! We are about to go to church so tonight I will blog more about the last two days!
Love,
Mattie
Love,
Mattie
Thursday, May 31, 2012
We Made It!
Just letting everyone know we are now in Kampala, Uganda where we will stay the night, then ride a bus to Gulu tomorrow! Also there is no wifi in Brussels so I could not let anyone know that we were ok, sorry about that! All is well, we are just all exhausted and need a good nights sleep! thanks so much for all the traveling prayers. We are so blessed that all went well!
A quick story:
On the way to Brussels I sat next to a man who builds schools around the world and he gave me lots of advice about our future school at Abaana's Hope! What a blessing! Also there's another team who has been on all our flights who are working in Kampala, and it just so happened that they were studying the same book we were; "when helping hurts" so we were able to discuss it with them also!
Prayer Requests:
-A good nights sleep for all of us
-A safe car ride tomorrow
-Lots of opportunities to share the gospel and make friends!
- piece of mind for parents now that their babies are in Africa, and not in the middle of the ocean!
Love,
Mattie
Jer. 29:11
A quick story:
On the way to Brussels I sat next to a man who builds schools around the world and he gave me lots of advice about our future school at Abaana's Hope! What a blessing! Also there's another team who has been on all our flights who are working in Kampala, and it just so happened that they were studying the same book we were; "when helping hurts" so we were able to discuss it with them also!
Prayer Requests:
-A good nights sleep for all of us
-A safe car ride tomorrow
-Lots of opportunities to share the gospel and make friends!
- piece of mind for parents now that their babies are in Africa, and not in the middle of the ocean!
Love,
Mattie
Jer. 29:11
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Today is the day!
Well at this moment I am on an airplane on the way to Washington DC. We all made it through security with no problem (except Lauren had to give up her peanut butter) the airplane to DC is a closterphobics nightmare and teddy has helped me through it! Here is a picture of us on the plane! Also here is a picture of our group. We all are getting to know each other and almost all my anxiety about this trip is gone! Saying goodbye to Mama was hard, I have never been without seeing her for more then a week so this is a big step for us. Hopefully Skype will help me not get so homesick. I got lots of text messages this morning wishing me luck on the trip so that also helped a lot. Please say a prayer that our not flight to Belgium goes well and the flight from there to Kampala as well! We will be staying in a hotel in Kampala tomorrow night and will drive the 6 hours to Gulu the next morning. The time difference from Auburn to Gulu is 8 hours so now it is 12pm in Auburn and 8pm in Gulu. So Skype people when we do it it will probably be around 7 Gulu time and 11 auburn time! We can email to determine actual Skype dates! Love y'all!
Mattie
Mattie
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Immediate prayer needed:
A fellow dancer of mine is now in relapse of cancer. It has moved to her arm and she will be doing chemo and radiation again soon. She is 12 years old and her name is Carly Parker. She needs your prayers desperately and I beg you to lift her up. She has been battling this for 4 years and it just won't stop! Please pray for this axing little girl. For more information visit her caring bridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlyparker she needs you prayer warriors.
We leave tomorrow!
Prayer Requests~
Nerves:
Last night I couldn't sleep and had bad dreams about all the things that could go wrong. I know this is Satin trying to freak me out, but he is doing a fairly decent job! I have butterflies in my stomach and I am kind of freaking out! Well that is not going to be tolerated here! Please pray for these nerves to go away and for this last day with the whole family to be an enjoyable one!
Safe travels:
There will be lots of driving and flying done in the next 2 days. First everyone will drive to the Atlanta airport, then we will fly to Washington DC, then we will fly to Brussels, Belgium, then we will fly to Kampala, Uganda, then we will drive to Gulu, Uganda. With all of that travel we need some serious prayer! Please pray that God is with all the drivers and pilots and that we arrive there safely! Also that no one looses their luggage on the way over!
Parents:
Any parents would be apprehensive about sending their children across the world with people they don't know. It is going to take a lot of prayer for all of the parents to have piece of mind about the trip, please continue to pray for all of the parents.
The East Family:
The East Family has just moved into their house in Gulu and are anxiously awaiting their 14 visitors! (10 interns and a mission group of 4 from Opelika High School) please pray for some rest and good family time before the house is bombarded with chaos as we all arrive! Also Matt will be traveling to Kampala to meet us so pray for his journey to be a safe one.
That is about all I can think of for as of right now, I may post again later in the day if I think of more! Thank you so much for reading and praying!
Love,
Mattie
Nerves:
Last night I couldn't sleep and had bad dreams about all the things that could go wrong. I know this is Satin trying to freak me out, but he is doing a fairly decent job! I have butterflies in my stomach and I am kind of freaking out! Well that is not going to be tolerated here! Please pray for these nerves to go away and for this last day with the whole family to be an enjoyable one!
Safe travels:
There will be lots of driving and flying done in the next 2 days. First everyone will drive to the Atlanta airport, then we will fly to Washington DC, then we will fly to Brussels, Belgium, then we will fly to Kampala, Uganda, then we will drive to Gulu, Uganda. With all of that travel we need some serious prayer! Please pray that God is with all the drivers and pilots and that we arrive there safely! Also that no one looses their luggage on the way over!
Parents:
Any parents would be apprehensive about sending their children across the world with people they don't know. It is going to take a lot of prayer for all of the parents to have piece of mind about the trip, please continue to pray for all of the parents.
The East Family:
The East Family has just moved into their house in Gulu and are anxiously awaiting their 14 visitors! (10 interns and a mission group of 4 from Opelika High School) please pray for some rest and good family time before the house is bombarded with chaos as we all arrive! Also Matt will be traveling to Kampala to meet us so pray for his journey to be a safe one.
That is about all I can think of for as of right now, I may post again later in the day if I think of more! Thank you so much for reading and praying!
Love,
Mattie
Monday, May 28, 2012
2 days! Let the chaos begin!
We have today and tomorrow to finish getting ready for this trip! Pray that we don't kill each other until then. Today I had to finish packing, make copies of all my documents, teach my mom how to Skype, set up a wireless router in our house, count out medication for 5 weeks, clean my room, and say goodbye to some friends! That's not even counting the non-Africa related things that have to be done! Our house is crazy right now! And I am surprisingly calm (as of right now at least). I have a lot more to do today but please pray for a productive day ad less conflict as we get ready to go!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
3 days: coincidence or not?
Let me tell my Africa story; before I go to Africa!
Jamie East was my history teacher junior year at AHS and at the end of the year she shared with our class that she was selling everything she owned and was moving to Africa. Well we were all obviously a little shocked but I thought it was amazing! I have always loved missions, especially since I went to Ecuador summer of 2010. I had a blast there and it changed my life. Well when Ms. East told us I stayed after class to ask her some details. That was when she said I could come and visit. At first I thought she was kidding, then she got me more information about the internship program they were going I have. So I applied, not thinking much would come out of it. Oh boy was I wrong. When I told my mom what I had done she said "you don't even know these people" and I replied with "it's Four Corners Ministries mama". Silence. Turns out one of mama's work collages also works with FCM and mama had even donated to send her husband to South Sudan. At this point I knew God had a plan, but mama wasn't convinced, the next thing we know we are invited to a dinner for more information and mama meets Matt and Jamie and the whole crew! My internship application was now accepted and the fundraising could begin! Mama was still in denial but she let me write a grand total of 132 letters asking people to make donations. At first donations were slow but then the money came in quickly and now I have raised over the required amount! Woohoo! But that is not the end of God's hand in this trip. Mama was standing next to a coworker at a banquet and they got to talking about their children, I had gone to preschool with her youngest (twins) and the mama's were enjoying themselves talking about how proud they were of their seniors. Turns out I did not have a roommate for the fall and neither did one of her twins, now we are rooming together. Then her older daughter happens to be going I Africa with me as a fellow intern!!! God is good! After all this happened Mama finally accepted that this was obviously Gods will for me and now we are just rolling with it! A church member and family friend has visited Uganda and worked in the same village that we are staying in, so today we had lunch with their family and he gave me lots of wonderful advice, and peace of mind for mama! All that God has done is so amazing and it is so obvious that he wants me in Africa this summer! I love it and I am so exited!!! This just can't be better! As I packed today all of this came to me so I thought I should share! Thanks so much for reading! Wednesday is coming quickly!
Love,
Mattie
Jamie East was my history teacher junior year at AHS and at the end of the year she shared with our class that she was selling everything she owned and was moving to Africa. Well we were all obviously a little shocked but I thought it was amazing! I have always loved missions, especially since I went to Ecuador summer of 2010. I had a blast there and it changed my life. Well when Ms. East told us I stayed after class to ask her some details. That was when she said I could come and visit. At first I thought she was kidding, then she got me more information about the internship program they were going I have. So I applied, not thinking much would come out of it. Oh boy was I wrong. When I told my mom what I had done she said "you don't even know these people" and I replied with "it's Four Corners Ministries mama". Silence. Turns out one of mama's work collages also works with FCM and mama had even donated to send her husband to South Sudan. At this point I knew God had a plan, but mama wasn't convinced, the next thing we know we are invited to a dinner for more information and mama meets Matt and Jamie and the whole crew! My internship application was now accepted and the fundraising could begin! Mama was still in denial but she let me write a grand total of 132 letters asking people to make donations. At first donations were slow but then the money came in quickly and now I have raised over the required amount! Woohoo! But that is not the end of God's hand in this trip. Mama was standing next to a coworker at a banquet and they got to talking about their children, I had gone to preschool with her youngest (twins) and the mama's were enjoying themselves talking about how proud they were of their seniors. Turns out I did not have a roommate for the fall and neither did one of her twins, now we are rooming together. Then her older daughter happens to be going I Africa with me as a fellow intern!!! God is good! After all this happened Mama finally accepted that this was obviously Gods will for me and now we are just rolling with it! A church member and family friend has visited Uganda and worked in the same village that we are staying in, so today we had lunch with their family and he gave me lots of wonderful advice, and peace of mind for mama! All that God has done is so amazing and it is so obvious that he wants me in Africa this summer! I love it and I am so exited!!! This just can't be better! As I packed today all of this came to me so I thought I should share! Thanks so much for reading! Wednesday is coming quickly!
Love,
Mattie
Saturday, May 26, 2012
4 days!
First off let me apologize for not posting the last couple of days! It has been crazy! But, I am finally to the point where I can be completely focused on getting ready to leave! Right now it is totally blowing my mind! After graduating, camp war eagle, and a family day trip to a Braves game I am now to the bottom of the basic to-do list! Next up: AFRICA!!! Now I know that I still have to pack, purchase some items, and fly 20 hours to get there but it is seeming more real then ever that this is actually happening. And the nerves are kicking in. Now I am having some anxiety about flying, planes scare me, also I am somewhat scared that I won't fit in well with the other girls, since I am so much younger. I am also scared about what will happen when we get there; what if the kids don't like me? What if I mess something up and ruin someone's life? I can "what if" till the cows come home but that won't fix anything. I think I am really just going to have to pray it through and hope for the best. I know that the Lord is going to do some amazing things on this trip, I just need to step out of the way, stop being so controlling, and let him work his magic. I know it will all work out but I ask that you are in continuous prayer for me and the other interns as we all have anxieties about the future. Again I know my favorite verse will get me through, it's just taking a while for me to let it happen!
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jer. 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jer. 29:11
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
One week!
Well I am now officially a graduate of AHS! I am honestly very happy to have that behind me! Next step: Camp War Eagle, then Africa! The to-do list is getting longer and longer as we think of more things that have to be done! Also I am becoming anxious about the long plane ride and multiple airports so if you could pray for that anxiety to go away that would be wonderful! Tomorrow and Friday is Camp War Eagle so I will be there, please pray for safety and an open mind!
Love,
Mattie
Love,
Mattie
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
8 days: 'dear old Auburn High!'
We leave in 8 days! But today I am not really thinking about that. Today is graduation! Every high school student looks forward to this day when we get to walk across the stage, receive our diplomas and throw our hats up in the air! I have had a great time at AHS and I am happy to say I will not miss it! High school was fun but I am so ready for college! This is just one more thing to check off of our to-do list then I can focus on the next thing! These next days will be crazy but I am so excited! Please say a prayer for the Auburn High School Class of 2012 as we graduate then go to Project Grad, a huge party till 3am! Pray for the parents and for safety!
~Mattie
"for I know the plans I have for you declares the lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future!" Jer. 29:11
~Mattie
"for I know the plans I have for you declares the lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future!" Jer. 29:11
Monday, May 21, 2012
9 days! Anxiety
We leave in 9 days. That is so crazy for me to grasp! I graduate high school tomorrow, have camp war eagle thursday and Friday then we Lear Wednesday! Everything is coming together nicely as we put together the last details for the trip! All the interns have been talking and we're super excited! I ask that you pray for all of us as we get closer and closer to leaving! We are so anxious and we need your help to cast away the anxiety that we are all feeling right now.
Love,
Mattie
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Love,
Mattie
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Sunday, May 20, 2012
10 days!
Today I ask that you pray for Jamie and Matt as they prepare to move to their new home in Gulu! The house that I will be staying in. They will be leaving New Hope Uganda this week and begin preparing for the interns to arrive! Moving is never an easy task but with two small children and one 7 months on the way it is going to be a very hard task so I especially ask for prayers for Matt, as he will be doing most of the work. God is good any everything will be fine but it is going to be a rough week.
Thanks so much!
Love,
Mattie
Thanks so much!
Love,
Mattie
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
11 days!
Today I ask that you pray for the to-do list. Me and my mom have made a long list of everything that we have to get done within the next 11 days, and it is not a short list. It is going to be a very stressful, exciting, wonderful time and we are looking forward to it! Tomorrow begins the festivities with baccalaureate and then graduation on Tuesday! So today and this following week please pray for sanity and for the to do list to shorten. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Love,
Mattie
Love,
Mattie
Day 17: stress relief
Countdown: 12 days
If you haven't done so already please read my post from yesterday. After you read that this post will make more sense.
Today I ask for the hand of God to come down and relieve all the stress that has taken over. Today I have been overwhelmed with everything that has to get done within the next two weeks and that is a scary thought! I'm having trouble focusing on the joys and fun of high school graduation because there is so much more to do! So today please say a prayer for a good nap and this stress to become less of a burden.
Thanks,
Mattie
If you haven't done so already please read my post from yesterday. After you read that this post will make more sense.
Today I ask for the hand of God to come down and relieve all the stress that has taken over. Today I have been overwhelmed with everything that has to get done within the next two weeks and that is a scary thought! I'm having trouble focusing on the joys and fun of high school graduation because there is so much more to do! So today please say a prayer for a good nap and this stress to become less of a burden.
Thanks,
Mattie
Day 16: time to breathe
Countdown: 13 Days
Sorry I am posting this so late, it has been a very long day!
Today I ask that you pray for some down time to breathe in these next two weeks! Today I was able to get a loan and pick up my car for college, I am so excited for it and we spent the whole afternoon driving around just having fun in it! The only catch is that it is a manual transmission so I have to learn how to drive stick, therefor that adds one more thing to our to do list! I am so blessed that everything worked out with the car because we were able to get it for a very reasonable price and I will be able to make very low payments on it, it was truly God letting us have a little fun! Tomorrow is Friday, TGIF, and it is just the beginning of another bus weekend. Sara and I have graduation practice and we are all going to a wedding that is 4 house away. Sunday we have baccolorette (I'm not sure how to spell that) and Tuesday we have graduation followed by an all night parent sponsored party at AHS until 3am! Then after that I have Camp War Eagle at Auburn the 24-25, Opelika High School graduation Friday the 25th. Our family is going to a braves game the 26th and then I leave on the 30th! Needless to say we are in desperate need of some breathing time so today I ask that you pray for a breath of fresh air as we go through this crazy and exciting time!
Love,
Mattie
Sorry I am posting this so late, it has been a very long day!
Today I ask that you pray for some down time to breathe in these next two weeks! Today I was able to get a loan and pick up my car for college, I am so excited for it and we spent the whole afternoon driving around just having fun in it! The only catch is that it is a manual transmission so I have to learn how to drive stick, therefor that adds one more thing to our to do list! I am so blessed that everything worked out with the car because we were able to get it for a very reasonable price and I will be able to make very low payments on it, it was truly God letting us have a little fun! Tomorrow is Friday, TGIF, and it is just the beginning of another bus weekend. Sara and I have graduation practice and we are all going to a wedding that is 4 house away. Sunday we have baccolorette (I'm not sure how to spell that) and Tuesday we have graduation followed by an all night parent sponsored party at AHS until 3am! Then after that I have Camp War Eagle at Auburn the 24-25, Opelika High School graduation Friday the 25th. Our family is going to a braves game the 26th and then I leave on the 30th! Needless to say we are in desperate need of some breathing time so today I ask that you pray for a breath of fresh air as we go through this crazy and exciting time!
Love,
Mattie
Day 15: New Hope Uganda
Countdown 14 days!
Today I ask that you pray for the members and employees of New Hope Uganda. The East Family has been staying at New Hope to be trained in the culture of Ugandan people and how to do missions. The people at New Hope have been a great help to the East family and they will continue to do great things in Uganda! Please continue to pray for all the people at New Hope and the East family as they get ready to move to their house in Gulu!
Love,
Mattie
Today I ask that you pray for the members and employees of New Hope Uganda. The East Family has been staying at New Hope to be trained in the culture of Ugandan people and how to do missions. The people at New Hope have been a great help to the East family and they will continue to do great things in Uganda! Please continue to pray for all the people at New Hope and the East family as they get ready to move to their house in Gulu!
Love,
Mattie
Day 14: AHS Senior Class of 2012
Countdown: 15 days
I am so sorry that I did not post yesterday! It was a crazy day and I just kept forgetting!
Today I ask that you pray for the Senior Class of Auburn High School 2012. There are many of us who are going on mission trips this summer and many more of us who are going o school next year. Some at Auburn and some as far away as New York! We could use all the prayer that we can get. Today was Senior Day, our last day of school was Monday, and we are so excited to be done! Please keep us in your prayers, I know God has some big plans for the members of our class!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I am so sorry that I did not post yesterday! It was a crazy day and I just kept forgetting!
Today I ask that you pray for the Senior Class of Auburn High School 2012. There are many of us who are going on mission trips this summer and many more of us who are going o school next year. Some at Auburn and some as far away as New York! We could use all the prayer that we can get. Today was Senior Day, our last day of school was Monday, and we are so excited to be done! Please keep us in your prayers, I know God has some big plans for the members of our class!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Day 12: mothers
Countdown: 17 days
Today we pray for all the mothers. And I don't just mean our own mothers. I ask that you pray for all the mothers in your life, around America, and especially the mothers in Uganda. Many Ugandan mothers are doing it all alone, men in Uganda have not been taught to be the fathers that they should be. After their girl gets pregnant they leave and that is the end if the relationship. The mothers are extremely lucky if the father of their children stays around. So today I ask that you show your own mother, wether she is your birth mother or not, love and respect today. And please pray for those mothers in Uganda.
God Bless,
Mattie
"For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother" (Mark 7:10 NIV)
Today we pray for all the mothers. And I don't just mean our own mothers. I ask that you pray for all the mothers in your life, around America, and especially the mothers in Uganda. Many Ugandan mothers are doing it all alone, men in Uganda have not been taught to be the fathers that they should be. After their girl gets pregnant they leave and that is the end if the relationship. The mothers are extremely lucky if the father of their children stays around. So today I ask that you show your own mother, wether she is your birth mother or not, love and respect today. And please pray for those mothers in Uganda.
God Bless,
Mattie
"For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother" (Mark 7:10 NIV)
Day 11: "Jer. 29:11"
Countdown:18 Days!
Today I have a confession to make. I have done the first rebellious thing as a teenager and it isn't even that rebellious. I got a tattoo that says "Jer. 29:11" on my left wrist. Jer. 29:11 says; "for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." when I became a Christian this verse is what got me through the rest of my hard childhood. This verse tells me that God is in control and no matter how hard life gets I will always have Him looking out for me. Some people who have seen pictures of my Tattoo on Facebook do not approve, and I respect that. I am not the type of girl who would go out and do this, so I asked permission first. This tattoo is a reminder to me and a conversation starter for anyone who sees it and wonders what it means. This tattoo is to bring God the glory and to be a daily reminder of how much I am loved. Today I ask that you pray for all of those people who are not too happy with me right now. I love them dearly and I would never do anything to hurt them. I love you guys and I am sorry if getting a tattoo hurt you, but know it is for a personal reminder and to bring glory to our Awesome God!
Love,
Mattie
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11
Today I have a confession to make. I have done the first rebellious thing as a teenager and it isn't even that rebellious. I got a tattoo that says "Jer. 29:11" on my left wrist. Jer. 29:11 says; "for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." when I became a Christian this verse is what got me through the rest of my hard childhood. This verse tells me that God is in control and no matter how hard life gets I will always have Him looking out for me. Some people who have seen pictures of my Tattoo on Facebook do not approve, and I respect that. I am not the type of girl who would go out and do this, so I asked permission first. This tattoo is a reminder to me and a conversation starter for anyone who sees it and wonders what it means. This tattoo is to bring God the glory and to be a daily reminder of how much I am loved. Today I ask that you pray for all of those people who are not too happy with me right now. I love them dearly and I would never do anything to hurt them. I love you guys and I am sorry if getting a tattoo hurt you, but know it is for a personal reminder and to bring glory to our Awesome God!
Love,
Mattie
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11
Day 10: Carly Parker
Countdown: 19 days
Today I am not talking about my trip or even about myself at all. There is a young girl who I dance with who has cancer. She has fought it, had many surgeries, and it just isn't giving up, but neither is she. She is having to take medicine daily and if it doesn't start working soon she will have to do another round of chemo, which scares her and me. She is about to finish the 6th grade at Drake Middle School. Today I ask that you pray for Carly as she goes through this yet again. She needs prayer warriors and I hope that you will add her to your list. You can visit her Caring Bridge sight for more specifics about her cancer. Please please please pray for this sweet Girl to be healed here on earth, we all love her so much.
STANDing with Carly
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:13
Today I am not talking about my trip or even about myself at all. There is a young girl who I dance with who has cancer. She has fought it, had many surgeries, and it just isn't giving up, but neither is she. She is having to take medicine daily and if it doesn't start working soon she will have to do another round of chemo, which scares her and me. She is about to finish the 6th grade at Drake Middle School. Today I ask that you pray for Carly as she goes through this yet again. She needs prayer warriors and I hope that you will add her to your list. You can visit her Caring Bridge sight for more specifics about her cancer. Please please please pray for this sweet Girl to be healed here on earth, we all love her so much.
STANDing with Carly
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:13
Day 9: a little about me
Countdown: 20 days
Today I'm going to tell you a little about myself. I am 18 years old and about to graduate from Auburn High School. I will be leaving for Gulu, Uganda May 30th to be an intern at Abaana's Hope. I have a twin sister, Sara and a little sister, Olivia who is 15. My mom's name is Elaine and we have 3 dogs, Max, Bree, and Scout. I am going to Auburn University to study Music Education in the fall. After graduating from Auburn I think I will be moving to Africa to teach at Abaana's hope. I am so excited to see what God will be doing in my life. Today I ask that you pray for wisdom on my part as I go into the last 2 days of high school. Thank you so much for reading.
Love,
Mattie
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Today I'm going to tell you a little about myself. I am 18 years old and about to graduate from Auburn High School. I will be leaving for Gulu, Uganda May 30th to be an intern at Abaana's Hope. I have a twin sister, Sara and a little sister, Olivia who is 15. My mom's name is Elaine and we have 3 dogs, Max, Bree, and Scout. I am going to Auburn University to study Music Education in the fall. After graduating from Auburn I think I will be moving to Africa to teach at Abaana's hope. I am so excited to see what God will be doing in my life. Today I ask that you pray for wisdom on my part as I go into the last 2 days of high school. Thank you so much for reading.
Love,
Mattie
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Day 8: interns families
Countdown: 21 days!
Today I ask for prayers for the interns families. It is very difficult for our parents to send us to Africa with people they don't know to a country that has been at war. I know for my family I am the only one that has ever been out of the country, and I'm even the only one with a passport. It must be terrifying for my mom to send me overseas for a whole month. I am the youngest member of the team so my family is doing graduation, camp war eagle, and sending me to Africa all in one week. Needless to say it is going to be interesting and we need your help! Please continue to pray for all the interns families as we get closer to our trip!
"As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." (Isaiah 66:13 NIV)
Today I ask for prayers for the interns families. It is very difficult for our parents to send us to Africa with people they don't know to a country that has been at war. I know for my family I am the only one that has ever been out of the country, and I'm even the only one with a passport. It must be terrifying for my mom to send me overseas for a whole month. I am the youngest member of the team so my family is doing graduation, camp war eagle, and sending me to Africa all in one week. Needless to say it is going to be interesting and we need your help! Please continue to pray for all the interns families as we get closer to our trip!
"As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." (Isaiah 66:13 NIV)
Day 7: the children
Today it has been laid on my heart to pray for the children of Gulu. I am already in love with them and I haven't even met them yet. For those of you who do not know me personally children have always had a special part in my heart. I have grown up working at every vacation bible school, Sunday school, and children's choir I could get my hands on just because I love being around kids so much. I truly believe that a childlike faith is the only way to go and that we learn more from the kids then they learn from us. The children of Gulu have nothing compared to what we have but I promise you they are 100 times more joyful. Please continue to pray for the children and that we have a wonderful time getting to know them!
"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children" (Ephesians 5:1 NIV)
"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children" (Ephesians 5:1 NIV)
Monday, May 7, 2012
Day 6: the community
Today, 23 days until I leave for Uganda, I ask that you pray for the community of Gulu. While we are there we will be creating relationships with the people and before we go we need to continuously keep them in our prayers. We will not only be ministering to orphans but to the families and adults who are already there. It is extremely important that we get on the good side of the community before we begin construction on Abaana's Hope. So today on the 6th day of prayer, 23 days until we leave, I ask that you pray for the Gulu community.
Love,
Mattie
"Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17 NIV).
Love,
Mattie
"Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17 NIV).
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Day 5: save travels
Today I ask that you pray for safe travels for all of the interns who are going home after their finals. We have several team members who are not from here so we need them back in 24 days!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Day 4: finances
Today I ask that you pray for and prayerfully consider the financial state of our internship team. I personally have raised enough funds but there are some members of our team who still aren't there yet. We know that God will provide the funds and I am asking you to donate. If you do choose to donate go to www.4cornersministries.org click "donate now" then "internship donation" then type the name of someone you would like to specifically donate to, or just write "anyone who needs it the most". Thank you so much for those who have already donated. We know God will do great things with Abaana's Hope! Please continue to pray for all of the interns final exams and stress, the East family, patients, and our finances.
God Bless,
Mattie
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27 NIV)
God Bless,
Mattie
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27 NIV)
Friday, May 4, 2012
Day 3: Patience
Today I ask that anyone reading this pray for patients. Patients for me to get through these last 6 days of high school and focus on the things ahead and what God has in store for me. These last days are becoming increasingly stressful and I need more then coffee to make it through May 14th (my last official day of school). Please continue to pray for my fellow interns and the East Family. Thank you so much!
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12 NIV)
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Day 2 National Day of Prayer
Today, May 3, 2012 is the National Day of Prayer. I ask that anyone who reads this lift up a prayer for the East Family (Jamie, Matt, Tristan, Cole, and Jamie's unborn little girl). They are the family that I will be staying with while I'm there. They are wonderful people and I ask that today, 27 days until I leave, you pray for the family who will be taking care of me.
"I will not leave you as orphans I will come to you" John 14:18
"I will not leave you as orphans I will come to you" John 14:18
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Day One
Today I ask that you pray for peace of mind for my fellow interns who are undergoing college finals today and the rest of this week, pray that they have the energy and knowledge to get them one step closer to serving our Lord in Gulu.
Interns by name:
June Interns:
1)Mattie Jimmerson
2)Jerica Pealor
3)Kasey Tucker
4)Laurel Schweers
5)Emma Jaggears
Whole Summer interns:
1)Sara Mattox
2)Elizabeth Bryant
3)McCamy Pruitt
4)Rebecca Osteen
5)Anna Handlin
Interns by name:
June Interns:
1)Mattie Jimmerson
2)Jerica Pealor
3)Kasey Tucker
4)Laurel Schweers
5)Emma Jaggears
Whole Summer interns:
1)Sara Mattox
2)Elizabeth Bryant
3)McCamy Pruitt
4)Rebecca Osteen
5)Anna Handlin
28 days of prayer
I leave for Uganda on May 30th and that is in 28 days. I believe in the power of prayer so for the next 28 days I will post a new prayer request and we can all prepare for this awesome trip! 
My first blog post
This summer from May 30th to July 4th I will be going to Gulu Uganda to be an intern for Four Corners Ministries' Abaana's Hope. I am going to start posting blogs here as I prepare for the trip and as I am there! Check here for updates as the time gets closer.
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you" -John 14:18
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