2012

Happy New Year and happy holidays! Wrapping up the two month holiday period makes quite a few people relieved, I know I am. This is now a new year, where we all set goals to do something new in our lives. Lose weight, no more soda, spend less time watching T.V, Etc. Why can't things we do differently be like; be in the word more, go make disciples among nations, do a kind deed each day. Sometimes we use our possessions or our (idols) as a way for us to change ourselves. Why can we not use the time of preparation for a new year to create a better relationship with Christ? I am in preparation for a new chapter in my life, where I will be going back to Uganda and serving the people there. I have a lot of memories of that great place God created but always when I think about it, the ending memory is the tragedy on July 12th. I know a lot of people have blogged about it, but I never did and this is where I want to do it, a year and half later.

It was the beginning of our last week in Uganda before returning home of an amazing two month adventure in a new place. The World Cup tournament was going on just a few countries below us and everyone in Kampala was soccer crazy for that time. So being american we followed our team and would watch them play at different restaurants and shopping centers. One place had a huge projection screen placed on a patio with great chips ( french fries ). We would go there often because it would never be crowded and was always a great atmosphere to relax. So this time our group went to a pizza place which is weird that we would be eating a pizza place in Uganda but it was great food. So after we ate we were going to go to the Ethopian Village, the place with the huge projection screen. Well our ride was late so we were kind of late to watch the game. This time the restaurant was packed out! We couldn't find a spot to sit anywhere except for this room off to the side with a smaller T.V meant for children to sit. There was seven of us and we fit perfectly in this room with a few other Ugandans enjoying the game and drinking mountain dew. This was the final game of the tournament so it was a very close game and very interesting. Everyone was having a great time and it was getting close to half time and we were all getting ready to get up and walk around to stretch. The half time whistle blew and the next think I know there are screams, smoke, dust, glass, and my ears were ringing. Unsure of what happened the boys of the group gathered the girls against the wall away from the open door because what occurred we were unsure if it would happen again. Gathering our thoughts and things in such a frantic time we believe at the time minutes after that a bomb or explosion went off. Well a decision was made to get out of there and get somewhere safe. We went through the rubble and got to the street where everyone was screaming and sirens were going off. It felt like we were in a movie it wasn't real. We all checked ourselves and made sure we were not injured and by the grace of God only a few of us had just a scratch on us. Jay Clark and myself made a choice to go back in the restaurant to see if we could help and soon realized we were not ready for the sight we saw. It looked like a war zone something you would never think you would see in life. We decided to join back with the group and call our ride and get to the Sozo house as soon as possible. Luckily we were all able to fly back home two days after and be rejoined with our family. Come to find out after, we were apart of three bombing attacks made by terrorists. Where we were 14 people died, and in another spot 80 people died. And to have 7 people walk out of there unhurt and only being protected by a 6 inch thick wall is God. All this time has gone by and this is something I still think daily, how we were saved from such a tragic event.

The year of 2011 was one filled with new things and meeting great people. I am thankful to be able to be a foster parent during some of that time and living on an Indian reservation.

As we prepare for this new year lets all try and do something for Christ or for others that we may not do in our everyday life. This week is Passion 2012, I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity to be able to worship with 20 thousand other people and lift our Creator above all else. I came upon great scripture this past week that really has been on my heart the past few days.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)

As we celebrated the birth of Christ last week, the day of joy and giving but the true meaning of the joy and giving to the celebration, is the crucifying of Jesus Christ. He was sent to earth to save us and only one day to the calendar is spent thinking of that. Shouldn't we always think of that?

I am excited for what 2012 is to bring and the new experiences for everyone. This could be the best one yet, lets live everyday better than the last and forever lift God up in worship!