in a funk.

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

                                                - John 15:4-5

 

Abide involves rest. It involves dwelling and staying. It includes being with Jesus - not so much doing. Doing flows out of being. It comes after we fully rest in Jesus - after we know who we are in Him, and who He is. Our identity and value is not found in the things we do, but our identity and value is found in who Jesus says we are. He calls us His, loved, cherished, redeemed, set apart, His inheritance, His children. God is after our hearts and our relationship with Him.

Lately I've been in this weird funk. Honestly, I've been really bad with my quiet time and my prayer life is really not there. And it sucks. I just feel out of it and really blaaahhh. I haven't been trying to seek the Lord and my bible and journal have been sitting on my desk collecting dust. I'm in this really exciting but weird season in my life and I'm not sure how I really feel about it. I feel like this season is never going to end and honestly I have been trying to "end" it myself which only makes things harder. I have not been abiding in the Lord and I know that this season is not ever going to end if I don't fully submit and rest in Him. I don't know where this season will lead me - or how long it may take, but I refuse to be so focused on the next season that I miss out on this one.

XOXO
Jessica Marie

 



Uganda Day One

I was not too sure what to expect of Uganda and honestly I was really nervous about being there. We had to take malaria pills and sleep under mosquito nets (for some reason, this terrified me). Our first night there, my mosquito net was filled with mosquitos. (really defeats the purpose of the net) and I heard them buzzing around my ears all night. Then I was kindly woken up by who knows what kind of animals at like 5 AM.

The first full day in Kampala we worked with Return Home Ministries, and what fun this was! When we walked up to the ministry, about 100 kids started cheering and running up to us. They each found someone they would cling to and stay with all day. Their welcoming hearts and arms was overwhelming and it was impossible to not immediately fall in love with each one of them. We sang some worship songs with them, did a little VBS, make friendship bracelets, face painted, played games, loved of them, sat with them, and held them. It breaks my heart how hungry for love and affection most of these kids are and really makes me thankful for two parents who are still alive, in my life and really love me.





Ugandans love to dance (something very different from Ethiopia). And while we were at Return Ministries the kids sang and danced for us. It was so much fun to listen and watch them! Here's a little video of them. I must warn you, it's pretty darn cute!: 

 

At lunch time, we got to serve the food to the kiddos. Lunch consisted of rice and beans (typical food in a Ugandan meal). It amazed me how the older kids were constantly taking care of the little ones. They made sure they got their food and even fed the ones who were too little to feed themselves. These kids are so selfless. When lunch was over, some of the guys on our team went and bought them sodas. What a joy and sweet sight it was to see them light up when we passed them out! (It's the simple things people) These kids don't ever get to have a soda and if they do it's usually on Christmas and that is their present. (a soda in Uganda costs about 75 cents)

 

Return Children's home is bringing a Father to the fatherless. These precious children have been affected by war, poverty, and disease. I could have easily been in their position. You could have easily been in their position. We are no different than them; we all need a Savior, love, food, and shelter. I am thankful for the day I got to spend working with Return Children's home and loving on these kiddos. God is really working in these children's lives and through the staff of Return Home and it was so beautiful to be apart of His work. Thank you Lord for saving and rescuing me; Your faithfulness is overwhelming.

 

His,

Jessica Marie