Travel Accessories

I knew a dear godly woman in Montreal who was a very snappy dresser. She once gave a talk on fashion accessories and making-the-most of what's already in your closet. She taught us how to tie scarves, drape shawls and match colors etc. I am afraid I have forgotten most of those details. However, the one thing that stands out is this,

Your best fashion accessory is a smile. It lights up your face. It doesn't cost anything. It makes you look 10 pounds thinner, as people are looking at your face and not your figure!

A smile!

In our travels to Uganda, a smile and a greeting is so important. It makes one feel so special to be noticed. Below is a little song that I learned in Jamaica and subsequently taught at several churches in Uganda. I plan on teaching it to our CURE GO Team so we can share it with the CURE Children's Hospital Staff and the mothers in Mbarara. Have put the explanations in brackets....

Smile a while and give your face a rest (takes more muscles to frown!)
Raise your hands to the ONE you love the best (Our Lord God Jesus Christ)
Then shake hands with those nearby
And greet them with a smile.......(Repeat as often as necessary!)

As you sing, move around to the actions by raising arms, shaking hands, greeting one another in Jesus' name....and of course smiling! I like to think of it as passing along the Joy of Jesus similar to some traditions sharing the Peace of Christ.

Psalm 81:1 says:

Sing for Joy to God our strength....

Smile today and tell someone why!

What to wear? What to pack?

What does one wear in Uganda? What's appropriate, comfortable and stylish? Our team is going to be noticed for being a group of 'muzungus' (meaning rich but locally refers to white skinned people). If we are going to stand out anyway, what does it matter how we dress?

Looking through my closet, I begin gathering modest skirts and dresses---nothing too flashy or expensive (not that I have designer/expensive stuff) and yet wonder...how did I accumulate so many outfits over the years?
I ask myself...what look do I want to have on this mission journey---casual, business professional, world traveler, local Ugandan style, hospital scrub cool or that Team leader 'missionary' look?

Oh, oh.....the Holy Spirit whispered Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

That puts it all into perspective....it is not so much what I wear, but how I wear it!
These virtues are 'outfits' that never go out of style or clash with each other.

You may be wondering.....but what about footwear? How many pairs of shoes will you take...which ones? All women in our family are very conscious of having the right shoes.....we drove to Cincinnati yesterday to get the right shoes for Anne's white coat ceremony. We are seriously shoe-conscious women!

Once again, I was reminded that the most important shoes I can wear today are the gospel shoes mentioned in Ephesians 6:15.

Will they look good though? Yes indeed...beautiful feet!
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.... Isaiah 52:7

Now I can pack! (And get rid of the excess baggage----it costs too much these days!)