May God Make Me Like a Tree

Me and this tree we've "grown up" together.

It was planted the same year I arrived in Uganda, in 2010. A small sapling then, it has certainly become a more "adult" tree in the last seven years.

Every morning and multiple times a day I see this tree. It's in line of sight of my island front door. At times this tree has "grown" better than I have. The admonition of "bloom where you are planted" is familiar, but personally I don't take it enough to heart and see how should it be lived out in my day-to-day life.

But this tree grew right where it was planted. It has endured torrential rain and incredible thunderstorms, as well as incessant heat and humidity, and bugs - lots of the latter. It continues to stand tall, with its branches raised to the sky. Others (like those in the background) were planted at the same time, but they haven't grown as much as this one.

What if you were a tree instead of a human being? Would you be okay to remain where someone else decided you should be? Would you be fine when the rain and sun beat down on you, and you couldn't take cover? What about when pesky insects bothered you, how would you respond, when you can't even move your branches to brush them away?

God created some of His creation to be stationary and others to be more mobile. He could have easily given trees legs and let them move about as they wanted, instead He gave them roots to remain and go deep, and grow up and out.

Once "barren," now full of life.

When I arrived back on the island in January, this tree had lost all of its leaves and looked "naked" and somewhat dejected. But in a few short weeks, it has put on new leaves and even blossoms. Different varieties of birds are rejoicing again in the new "garments."

Unlike trees in my U.S. homes, some Ugandan trees put on leaves almost as soon as they lose the old. There are no months of hibernation and barrenness; life continues without interruption in an ebb and flow. We may assume a leaf-less tree is dead, but it is not. Life is there, but in the right time and season, it will be displayed for all to see.

Sadly, I can make the same assumption about myself or others. I don't see the leaves, the "evidence" of life or of God working, but He is and in the right time, that life will be seen and the glory will go back to Him.

I personally love trees and believe they are amazing, unique and beautiful. How many times are our memories connected to a tree or a particular one is known as a landmark, letting us know we are in a familiar place?

May I grow and flourish where He plants me, offer shade and protection to those in and beneath my branches, remain as a landmark to point others to the Creator, and believe there is always hope of new life because Jesus is both the Giver and Source of Life.

May God make me more like a tree. 

Please Meet...

...Sarah.

Sarah is among the most amazing young women I know. Her name means "princess" in Hebrew and truly God's work in her life has resulted in a "rags-to-riches" story for His glory.

I first met Sarah on Lingira Island back in 2006. At the time she taught at a preschool operated by the church. Before I left, in March 2007, Sarah had joined the newly-opened secondary (middle/high) school in the next village. She was in her mid-twenties by then. Ten years had passed since she had dropped out of school because of lack of money, in the midst of her 9th grade year (known as Senior 2 here).

But joining the school was a significant step in an already amazing journey that had begun sometime back. 

Sarah first came to the island in 1998 - about 8 years beforehand - looking for work after her mom told her she no longer had money to send Sarah to school.

Sarah didn't know Jesus then, in fact her "master" was Satan and she suffered from serious spiritual issues. A Ugandan pastor doing evangelism work on the island prayed an entire week before Sarah was finally delivered from her demanding and possessive masters, into the loving hands of a new loving "Master," Jesus Christ. Her life was dramatically changed.

Because of her love for children, Sarah began serving in children's ministry at the local church.

Though Sarah had not finished secondary school, God opened other doors - a two-year Bible school and later a six-month discipleship course. Combining her love for children and teaching, Sarah taught at the island preschool, staying at the nearby YWAM base, where I first met her and we began our friendship

When Lingira Living Hope opened in February 2007, returning to the classroom was daunting to Sarah. Not only had she dropped out about 10 years before, but as a younger and unsaved student, she had been "dull" and trailed at the bottom of her class - always. Also, the national curriculum had changed in the last decade and new subjects were added, especially the more difficult science topics.

Along with her spiritual freedom, Sarah discovered she personally knew the Source of all Wisdom - her Heavenly Father. In her classes, she found He "added knowledge" to her mind.

Rather than returning to the unfinished 9th grade, Sarah started in 10th (Senior 3). She finished the year as the top physics student in her class, though she had never previously studied the subject. No longer at the bottom of her class, Sarah was now a leader.

She continued on to schools in Jinja, including "A-level," equivalent to junior college. Once again, she succeeded, passed and graduated.

Her love for teaching again beckoned her, yet Sarah desired professional training that she did not yet possess.

Shortly after my return to Uganda in January 2010 (I was gone from March 2007 until 2010), Sarah approached SHIM about sponsoring her through a three-year university course. Relatively-speaking, university courses are expensive here and we didn't have guaranteed funds for the entire duration. But, we knew God still had greater things in store for Sarah.

Last week, I was privileged to be one of only two people allowed to be invited by Sarah to attend her graduation from Kyambogo University, from which she successfully earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Sarah with her mom Bernadette

Sarah narrated her amazing testimony, included many of the above details, over breakfast the morning after her graduation. After leaving the ceremony grounds the day before, we traveled to her mother's home in Kayunga and found a small party, with awaiting family and friends. Congratulations were showered, speeches made, and special foods enjoyed.

One of about seven children in her predominantly-Catholic family, Sarah is the only one to have earned a university degree. Once disregarded, she is now honored and respected in her home, family, and community.

"Sarah, God has raised you up for a purpose," I tell her. That purpose is still unfolding as God continues to pen Sarah's story. I am quite excited for what God has in store for "Princess Sarah."

Back in January 2011, when I interviewed her for a sponsorship profile, Sarah gave the following reasons for her pursuit of education.

“As a professional teacher, I believe I will teach the youth how to walk morally upright...and pass on God’s love, which will be spread to the whole community and world.”

Sarah and I

Light Chasing the Darkness

A view of Katonga village on the eastern end of Lingira Island.

 Katonga village had a reputation.

The second largest of the three main villages on the island, Katonga had been known for its stronghold of alcoholism and witchcraft. If you wanted to "party" on the island, go to Katonga. One of the primary witch doctors lived there (until about four years ago when he was eaten by a crocodile).

The oppression and darkness could literally be felt as you entered the village with its random scattering of mud homes, shops and bars. Few of the village's many children attended school.

Churches had started there and later "collapsed" because of sin in the congregation, a lack of a good foundation, and other damaging factors. The remaining Christians were few and despised by their neighbors.

As a ministry of SHIM we often prayed for Katonga for God to bring light and change there.

And He is doing it.

Around two years ago, Philip, an elder in the local church, began teaching discipleship classes for the handful of Katonga believers. Faithfully, he would open his home each week for prayer and Bible study - shining the small light with which he had been entrusted.

Then over days and months other people of the village embraced salvation and those who had been backslid returned to their faith. And the small fellowship began to grow, slowly by slowly.

Members of the Katonga fellowship with other island friends. Elder Philip who started the weekly gathering is pictured fourth from the right. We said goodbye to Philip that day as he moved to the mainland to be with his family.

 Oliver, a mother of many, came to salvation after her home was burned by fire and the local Christians reached out to her as she spent most of her days under a tree with her young family.

On a recent Sunday, Andrew of Katonga stood before the church and told of being away from Christ for about eight years and having recently returned. Viewed as a "pastor" on the island, there is no doubt that his wayward ways had also caused others to stumble. And yet, the "prodigal" had come back. (I put pastor in quotes because of the many island pastors have had no formal training - some cannot read or write - and yet are put in leadership positions in the church.)

In those eight years as a prodigal, Andrew spoke of being "caned" by God as his Heavenly Father attempted to get his attention. "God has been wanting me to serve, but I have always refused," he said on that recent Sunday.

In those years, he lost several thousand dollars and suffered the death of three children, including his only son. It was at the burial of this dear and long-awaited son, that Andrew turned again to the truth of God's Word and realized how far he had fallen.

Now, Andrew says, "I have come back to serve."

He and his wife knelt before the church to be prayed for as a couple and a family. It will take some time for Andrew to recover the ground he lost and to again be fed with the "milk" of the Word, so he can someday teach and lead others, including his own family.

One of the women of Katonga being baptized in 2011. She and her husband were among the local leaders, before leaving the island later in 2011.

 It's a good thing that God is patient. With all of us.

Even as Katonga appeared to be so "dark" for so long, God's light was there. He never gave up on Katonga. By His grace and faithfulness that light has grown and is expanding.

Now Katonga is an example to the other island communities and its believers are challenging others by their growing faith and godly examples. Presently, the majority of the village's children attend school and families go to church together.

Since the Fall God has been working to restore mankind to Himself. Some areas and some people seem harder to "reach," yet God does - not - give - up. He loves His children so much that He will continue to pursue them, even the prodigal with the hardest of hearts.

I praise God for His love and faithfulness toward Katonga and its people. And I look forward to the work He will continue and accomplish there.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." - Philippians 1:6