Vision Week and Transformation Week

Greetings from Gulu!

Well, there’s so much to tell that I don’t even know where to start! Lol The first full week here I participated in a “vision week” for Zion Project where we spent every morning with the Congolese women (about 30 of us altogether). It was a time to pray for God’s direction for this ministry and to hear His voice concerning His desire for the upcoming Outreach Week (to be explained). We worshipped, prayed, and Sarita shared the vision of Zion Project and taught on many topics so that the women would be prepared to go out. The second to last day we had a time of baptism in the Holy Spirit/commissioning the women to be sent out (see above picture), and the Holy Spirit came in power and changed their hearts and lives and filled them up! I considered it such a privilege to lay hands on these women and pray for them with Sarita and an intern named Farida. Then Sarita asked Farida and me to lead the meeting on the last day because she would be out of town, and that went well too! We shared on guidelines for evangelism and spiritual warfare, and in our time of prayer, one of the ladies was delivered of some demonic oppression. Praise Jesus for freedom!

Outreach Week (where we all go out to pray for the sick and love on people, leading them to a personal relationship with Jesus) was planned to take place this past week, but it was postponed until this week. Before I came to work with Zion Project, I knew that it was required that I attend a Transformation Week, which is a week-long time of individual heart-healing and seeking God at a retreat center called Mto Moyoni in another city called Jinja. I planned on going the same week as Outreach Week, but then tried to change my reservation to come in December instead. It wasn’t possible, so at the last minute, I packed and jumped on a bus to go to Jinja. It was stressful, but God was with me the whole timeJ I am so glad that I went at the beginning of my time with Zion Project instead of in December. God always knows best!

Mto Moyoni is a gorgeous place (picture left)! It overlooks the Nile River and has lush trees and flowers and hills. And the serene presence of the Lord dwells there, so I loved it. It was like a piece of heaven on earth! The inner healing teaching was incredible (I learned so much), but God did more in my heart than anything else. He revealed areas I need to surrender to Him and healed up my heart from past wounds. He gave me a revelation that I am His child and that He just wants me to enjoy life and delight in Him and not work so hard for Him. He is such a good Daddy!

I also met really neat people from all over Uganda and out of the country too. I took a trip into Jinja town and to Bujagali Falls with some friends from Mto Moyoni, which was so fun (picture right). There were three excellent meals every day, and I swam in the Nile twice! After receiving more of the love of the Lord this week, I feel better prepared to pour that love out onto everyone in Gulu.

My next blog will be about Outreach Week, and I can’t wait to testify to how God uses us to love people and do miracles! May Jesus shower you with His love today, because it’s all about LOVE.

Naomi

First days in Gulu:)

Habari! (Swahili greeting meaning How are you?)

As many of you know, I had a little mishap with my carry on (it was too big so I had to buy another one at the airport), but after that the rest of the trip went smoothly. I had divine appointments of a different sort than previous flights. Usually I am able to witness to people, but this time I met three single, female Christian missionaries to Uganda, all with various organizations. One of them I met in Detroit!

When I arrived in Entebbe, Christine (staff of the hotel we stayed at overnight, pictured below) drove me to the hotel called Red Chilli. There I met Tyson and Sarita (pictured above), and the next morning we drove the four hours up to Gulu. I had a great conversation with Sarita and

Tyson on the drive, which further prepared me for Gulu and working with Zion Project.

The first night in Gulu I went to a girls' spa night with some of the other ex-patriates (foreigners) working with various organizations here. We made facial masks out of avocado, banana, and oatmeal and other girly stuff:) Tyson was right when he said I'm gonna have fun here!

Yesterday was Uganda’s Independence Day, so there were a lot of festivities including a choir/dance competition of several groups in all types of dress. I love seeing the Ugandan culture in action like that!

I was also able to visit the ZP children's rescue home, and the kids instantly loved me! They also were really happy for the gifts I brought (thank you to those who donated items for the girls). They sang songs for us. The video is soon to come:) They are so precious! I look forward to spending more time with them and also with the women at the counseling center (who greeted me with hugs when I arrived as well).

Daneen, my housemate, took me to meet one of our neighbors, and she fed us an entire meal and soda in her hut! Ugandan hospitality is very strong. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to know our neighbors and see how they live.

I went to Gulu Bible Community Church this afternoon, and really enjoyed it, even though the worship was in Swahili and I couldn't understand it. The message was translated, though. I'm gonna make a serious effort to learn Swahili as fast as possible! The passion that these people have for the Lord amazes me, and two people came up for the salvation alter call at the end of the service! Praise God. Everyone was extremely welcoming, and the staff and children from the ZP rescue home were at the service as well, so I felt loved. Their service was about four hours long, and by the end I was ready to rest at home.

Overall, I’m adjusting well here. There are times of lonliness, but that’s to be expected. God has been speaking to me a lot through His word, especially Isaiah 30:15, 18-21 and Psalm 37, and I’m so grateful for His constant presence in my life. Feel free to comment on here or email me what’s going on in your life.

All for Jesus,

Naomi