In Case You'd Forgotten...

In Case You'd Forgotten...

In case you've become too comfortable with living in a third world country...

In case you had found it easy to live in northern Uganda where very few US dollars can still afford you a very affluent lifestyle in comparison to the majority of the population.

In case you'd forgotten that the country you are in has only recently come out of a 20 year war led by a mad man by the name of Joseph Kony...

These were the thoughts that went through my mind a few days ago when I heard. You see my team is very fortunate in the big scheme of things. Though in America we are college-aged students living on tight budgets, in Uganda we do pretty ok. You see I can eat all three meals in a day for less than $2.00. I can eat good food that includes flavor and protein, meat and veggies for less than $5.00. Even in Lira, Uganda, I have running water. I have a shower. I have a bed. And I have a mosquito net. So basically, though I am living with minimal comforts in comparison to my American lifestyle, I have got it pretty good here in this third world country.

Because of that, it is easy for me to become comfortable. It is easy for me to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and play with street children and orphans because my biggest concern in a day is whether or not I remembered to take my malaria preventative. Oh yeah, that reminds me, another one of the luxuries I can afford because of my American affluence is that I am able to buy and take malaria preventative in the form of an inexpensive antibiotic.

In case you'd forgotten that you are in a world that needs more help than you can provide...

A young boy at the age of thirteen was killed a few days ago when he stepped on a landmine left behind by the Lords Resistance Army not even a mile from where I am living. In fact, I heard the explosion. It sounded a little like a car backfiring from where I was sitting in my bed in my room. I did not know this boy. I know a child who was friends with him, but I had never met him. I don't know his story. I don't know his parents. And I can't imagine the hurt that his family must be going through.

In case you'd forgotten that you are in a world that needs more help than you can provide...

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." -John 10:10

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thrist, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them." -Isaiah 41:17

"Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard...If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;  you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in." -Isaiah 58:6-12