It's all about relationships!

Whenever I mention that I am going back to Uganda with CURE International, people ask....well what are you going to do? In response, it is easy to list a series of task, teachings or assignments the GO Team hope to complete, facilitate or work on......

Each trip to Uganda or anywhere overseas with CURE, it is all about people and relationships......which makes sense.....that's what the Lord Jesus was all about......people!

Of course, Jesus met people's needs as He went about healing and performing miracles. All these miracles were signs pointing to the Holy Spirit's power to bring that which is:

apart, broken, damaged, distant, different, estranged, sick, strained, discombobulated......

together by God's love bringing...

restoration, unity, closeness, friendship, redemption, healing, salvation and peace!!

My friend Esther is a beautiful testimony of God's faithful love and care. At one point, she was homeless and sleeping in an open-air church for shelter. She was rejected for her faith in Jesus Christ by her family.
Then the Lord brought her the opportunity to work at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda. Esther began working as a general helper (we would call it housekeeping/janitorial work).  As she proved herself to be a loyal and faithful worker, the Lord gave her opportunity to study. Now several years later, she is an RN!  Esther always has a smile, a little bit of humor and a lot of love to give to her patients and their caregivers. She has a servant's heart always wanting to help me in some way. Esther is always there to help me out of my cultural and language difficulties....just because she loves me. 
 Even though she has endured many struggles, she is cheerful.  The Lord has provided her with her own little place and restored relationship with her family who have responded to Christ's gospel.  God's love is at work in her life.  I count it a joy and privilege that Esther and I have been special friends sisters in Christ since 2004! We are sisters.....we have the same FATHER!

Twenty six days to take off!

What is this fifty-something, Grandma doing this summer? Planting a few flowers, enjoying the beach, entertaining Ethiopian friends, sending daughters to France, visiting Montreal.....and plenty more! But that's not all....can you believe it I'm getting set for another adventure in Uganda? I am so excited as our team prepares for departure. We are a group of ten people--varied in backgrounds, ages and interests yet all have a calling to serve God through CURE International in Uganda this summer.
We have been preparing for months learning a little about the culture of Uganda, the hospital and communities we will visit, getting shots, gathering supplies and making to-do lists.
The closer I get to departure, I am overwhelmed with the huge responsibility of taking 9 others with me to Africa. Although this journey is familiar to me, the unfamiliar future taunts me with 'what ifs?'
Ah...this where the rubber hits the road in my relationship with God....fear or faith?

I am determined to live by Philippians 4:13.

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

The Message Bible says it this way...I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Through Christ and in Christ (the Him and One of these verses) God's kingdom work and purposes will be done. Christ Jesus, the Son of God, powerful Creator, Savior and Sustainer of life is the source of energy to get the job done. So with this encouragement, today there will be total dependency upon God's wisdom and strength to work on team preparations and packing! Roll on July 26th!