"oh what am I to do but surrender to you"

"oh what am I to do but surrender to you" its the only thing to do that makes complete sense yet is so irrational. it seems like jumping into the middle of the deepest and most powerful ocean giving up complete control. You stop gasping for breathe. you cease the kicking and struggling and you rest. for some inexplainable reason you float, you are floating there amazed unsure of where you are heading and you know any effort to go in any direction other then where the ocean takes you is a vain attempt to survive. "why did i agree to this..." you may ask, "this unknown, this loss of perceived control?" yet you know deep down it is the best risk you've ever taken. the desires of your heart wane because your greatest faith is put in this ocean. of course you want to live because you had it all planned out. you knew what your occupation would be, you had financial backing for emergencies, where you would live, you even had a glimpse of who you would marry someday and raise a beautiful family, but right now you realize your fate, hopes, and dreams are up to this ocean and where it takes you. perhaps land where these specific desires of your heart is over this next wave or it could be miles away.  it may have some of those things or maybe that piece of land is a mere dream and the ocean is carrying you to an island of completely different yet great expectations that make those old desires seem unrewarding. for now you wait, anxiously but somehow content with all that is going on around you. there is one thing for sure, whoever you may see you share the amazing adventure with others.

So let's risk the ocean... I want to be lost in this sea of grace... to go where He goes and follow and not be afraid. oh Abba God send me.

that's where i am right now. some would say give it a week, it's probably a post-mission trip high,  but God is working out something within me.  i can't eat, sleep, and my mind keeps spinning and only cure is risking this ocean. my only question is will you risk it with me?

Back In Uganda part 2

Grace be to you all,

Yesterday was a pretty good day. We traveled from Entebbe to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, to visit the United Methodist Episcopal office for East Africa.  Here the Bishop Daniel Wandabula prepared a welcoming meeting sharing what wonderful ministries are going on throughout East Africa along with the struggles there have been. I think we were able to build bridges as well as plan for future ideas and ministries. We began and ended our meeting with worship in song. Africans sure do love to sing (perhaps that is why I feel somewhat at home here) We sang Joy to World and To God be the Glory.  To be quite honest sometimes I get wrapped up along with new worship songs and forget the theologically strong hymns of our past. Both are important but today I felt like singing to God be the Glory was somehow very healing for me.  It is good to be reminded its not about me and to remember to look for the glorious work of God in all things. I think whenever loose sight of the glory of God we are standing on shaky ground. My prayer today is, "My I decrease that He may increase."

We are headed to worship today at Wanyange Central United Methodist Church. I am so excited to praise God with our brothers and sisters here in Africa.  Church service here is so different, so energetic, filled with singing, dancing, prayer, testimonies, and the sharing of God's Word.  Pastor Isaac has asked me to preach some at 12:00noon today. I am extremely honored yet I feel very unworthy of such a task. I am preaching from Titus 2:11-14 and how the Gospel transforms us and our actions. I pray God gives me the words to speak and the right heart to share His Word with others.

Well its breakfast time in Jinja and time to eat some sweet bananas.

Peace and Love,
jb

Back in Uganda part 1

So it is our first morning in Entebbe, Uganda.  Flights as usual are long and tiring but the highlight for our traveling was Kristen Cason's idea of us receiving a letter each day from someone back home.  Jmac (aka Jason) wrote me an awesome letter. It was so encouraging, supporting and reminded me how special I am to have a bro-like that. "Iron sharpens iron!" Our first flight went from Atlanta to London (Lhr).  Everyone was scattered through our section of the plane so it was difficult to communicate and the addition of the multitude of babies cry made it even more trying.  We ended up a little bit late for our transfer and had to run through Lhr. Thanks God for the little mum who helped us with express connections getting us through lines and security. Also a local called me "mate." This was probably the highlight of Lhr for me! The second flight from Lhr to Entebbe seemed better (perhaps it lacked the babies crying)  in my opinion except for the fact i missed the ending of Moneyball.  We had some baggage issues but I really see this as a plus because last time we lost all of our checked bags only to have them returned a couple days later.  This time it was only 6 of the 15.  We got settled in our rooms around 145am and I woke up around 4:20 because I wasn't tired and I had sermon ideas spinning around in my head. (I found out earlier that Isaac wants me to preach some on Sunday...surprise) Maybe I should start take John Wesley more seriously and be able to "preach, pray, and die" at any given moment. I am excited to see what God has in store here. Keep us in your prayers and I love you guys.