Day 2: Increasing my Shoe Size

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly, God indeed needed to increase my shoe size from day 1 of ministry on this trip. Around church, we throw around phrases like "being the hands and feet of Jesus", but when you think about it, this is no easy task. Jesus calls us to fill some pretty big shoes when we go out to show His love to others. I certainly felt inadequate as wepulled up to our first ministry site. I didn't know if I was going to be able to relate to the kids, if there would be a large language barrier; there were just so many unknowns.

Despite all the emotions and thoughts mulling about in my head, God totally grew my feet. Not only that, but He taught me how to walk in my new shoes. We introduced ourselves to the group of kids at the Remand home, and they reacted enthusiastically with claps and shouts. I loved how the kids were not content with simply knowing our names. They wanted us to tell them all about our jobs, families, likes, and dislikes. I think it must be a culture thing, because every place we went, the kids all wanted more information about us. I definitely got to know the essential facts of each team member's life after hearing them so manytimes! After we introduced ourselves, I got my first taste of Ugandan music, complete with awesome drum accompaniment.

Jenni joins in with the "band"

Despite all of my apprehensions when the day began, God gave me courage to step right out and talk to the kids without a moment of hesitation. As we made "Salvation bracelets" with the kids, explaining different colored beads as they relate to the plan of salvation, something just clicked, and God totally allowed me to connect with the kids from the get-go. The colors of the salvation bracelet are...

Black.......man's sinful heart and rebellion against God

Red..........Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins

White......our "clean slate" before God because of Jesus' death and resurrection

Green......our new, abundant, thriving life in Christ

Yellow.....our eternal home in Heaven with God because of His salvation

Some of the boys with their bracelets

Although we had originally planned on doing organized games with the kids, the afternoon at the Remand home turned into a bunch of random games and spontaneous conversations with them. Between london bridge, balloon tossing, and conversations about life in America I certainly got an abundance of laughs and smiles with God's precious children at this home. (by the way...many of the kids we met had the most BEAUTIFUL smiles...like EVER)

Some balloon toss--definitely a favorite

To everyone who asks about the trip, I usually say "It's crazy how everyone kept thanking us for blessing them, when, in reality, they were blessing us so much more!" At the Remand home, two little girls, Madrid and Justine, began what would turn out to be two full weeks of being blessed. These two sweet friends came running up to me with the biggest grins on their faces. They gingerly held out there hands as if to give me something, and proceeded to show me a pair of hand-made earrings. They were so proud of their creation and wanted nothing more than a silly Mzungu (white person) to wear their jewelry. God's love truly pours out of these kids, even when they don't realize it. They so willingly give up what little they own, just to put a smile on a visitor's face.