This third week in Uganda has been one of preparation. Almost everyone in the office is either on or preparing for a project trip. There are three projects being initialized in our office this spring which is very exciting and will certainly keep us busy! My project team is packing up and preparing to leave for the Democratic Republic of the Congo early Monday morning. We are a team of engineering and architecture professionals who will initiate the civil and architectural master-planning of a campus for UCBC, the Christian Bilingual University of the Congo. This university was started by a ministry called the Congo Initiative which has a vision to train and develop strong, indigenous Christian leaders to transform their communities and their nation of the DRC.
Not only do we have to make sure we have all of the equipment we need for the nine-day trip, I’m also realizing more and more the power of spiritual preparation. I find that every day I need to remind myself of God’s grace. It is so beyond my own comprehension. I’ve recently been reading from Isaiah 46. This chapter really hit me because I feel like I am no better than the Israelites who constantly turned away from God despite the many signs and interventions that God performed on their behalf. Isaiah writes; “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” And then he asks some tough questions: “To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?” And in Romans chapter 8:28-39 there is another reminder – this time about the grace that God provided so that we may be with God. We are reminded that God is working for our good, that he predestined us and calls us and he conforms us to the likeness of His Son. Then Paul writes some questions: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? … Who is he that condemns? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Then Paul finishes with the following statement: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What a proclamation of God’s faithfulness!
Even before going on this mission trip, I had a huge feeling of inadequacy in my gut. It was less a nervousness of the architectural work in the office, and more of a question if I was prepared spiritually to do missions. Perhaps I could have been more prepared, perhaps not, but yet God has called me here for a purpose and that is His purpose. I have no doubt that this is where I am supposed to be, and that gives me peace.
So in that, to all of you readers who so wish to be involved, and partners in ministry: Please pray that a good relationship is developed between eMi and our partner ministry. Please pray that we can reach decisions smoothly and efficiently about the direction the design will take. Pray that God fill me with a spirit of boldness as I build relationships with people in the ministry and students at the University. Pray that God give me the gift of tongues this week as I serve at times as interpreter, and humility to accept and perform any task that needs to be done with a servant’s attitude. And finally (and this is one you will likely hear again and again), please pray that the work we will do for this project be effective in allowing the University to grow and flourish and accomplish the ministry’s God-given vision.
I would like to thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement. It really blows me away. I would like to share some amazing news with you all! God has more than provided through the generous support of family and friends, and I have fulfilled my fundraising needs for my three months with eMi. If you were thinking you would still like to support eMi you still can! Any funds donated in my name can either go towards any future involvement I have with eMi, or towards one of their many projects.
For His Kingdom,
Lise
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