I
had read five chapters of Katie Davis' book Kisses
From Katie
when it hit me, this is why I do it. Why I have to take vacations to
America and why the term "home" has become completely
relevant to my current location. It's the reason why I sleep on a
bunk bed and eat dinner with 100 people every night. The opportunity
for teenagers to come to this beautiful country and have a "Katie
experience" is worth it. Katie's book is a memoir of here
life-changing missions trip to Uganda and everything that God has
done through her in the past few years. While expresses her love for
Uganda even through the difficulties she says
“I
want to be challenged endlessly. I want to be taught by those I
teach, and I want to share God's love with people who otherwise might
not know it. I want to work so hard that I end every day filthy and
too tired to move. I want to make some kind of difference, no matter
how small, and I want to follow the calling God has placed on my
heart. I want to give my life away, to serve the Lord with each
breath. At the end of the day, no matter how hard, I want to be right
here in Uganda.”
I
cam back to Australia afraid that I wasn't doing enough to change the
world; to reduce the number of orphans or hungry people. But by
reading the stories of a twenty-something American girl in Uganda
I've been reminded that for now, I have been called to this. I have
been given the privilege of disciplining passionate teenagers to
experience Jesus and go and love and feed and clothe his children.
This July
I
have been given the opportunity to be a staff member for the Classic
Discipleship Training School (DTS)
which is running along side our Creative
DTS.
This is my heart for our potential students. As they begin to apply
for the DTS, the cry of Katie's heart is what I pray over each of
their hearts. This is my ministry. To see broken and passive vessels
be refilled with the Spirit of God and long to be in His will for
their life, no matter where that takes them. In that way, I am
changing the world. I am equipping, disciplining and sending out the
people who will adopt the orphans and feed the hungry. I will love
them and they will love others.
While
God has been moving greatly in my life and teaching me more then I
thought I could handle I have also been learning a lot about the
Australian government. About a week ago, through a series of
misunderstandings and lack of communications, I was informed that my
current visa had expired and had to rush to Sydney to explain myself
to immigrations and apply for my next visa. Long story short, I was
given a “Bridging Visa” that allows me to live legally within
Australia until my pending application is put in the right hands and
approved. However, while I'm on this visa I am not able to do any
form of work. Sadly, preparing for the upcoming DTS, participating in
Youth Street and many other of my daily task are not allowed. To be
honest, I left the Immigration building feeling defeated and close to
tears. It seemed so unfair. Why would God allow me regain my passion
for DTS and become so excited to be back in the office only to have
it taken away only a few days later. I haven't gotten an answer yet
but I have come to understand that God is always ready to use hard
circumstances for good. Rather then letting these next few weeks be
filled with anxiety and frustration, I plan to fill them with prayer
and reading and discipleship and an attitude ready to serve. These
weeks will not be a waist but a time of preparing the soil for the
seeds God desires to plant in my life and in my future students
lives. Prayer for a quick grant of my visa and no need for medical
checks would be greatly appreciated.
Much love,
Hannah
