Well, here goes the journey.
It hit me today that I have only two months before I head off to the land of the lion and the zebra, stunning sunsets, and coffee skinned people. This last week, I spoke at my church about what I'll be doing in Uganda, and what Amani is already doing.
All I can say is that God moved the hearts of His people. Big time.
In one morning, God provided $5,000...which is half of the entire cost I will need. Given in ONE morning! I am still in awe, completely overwhelmed by the beauty of God's Bride rising up to see His mercy poured out to the nations. I'm humbled that I get to be a part of it. And am filled with this deep joy as I think about the people of Jinja, and the joy it's going to be to finally meet them. Today, I was praying to see the details of Jesus' heart, and what He's been showing me is the simple importance of loving well. I have been wrecked again and again this week by the simplicity, the mystery, and the power of what Jesus did at the cross. I'm not going to lie, I've just been weeping as it hits me all over again just what He did. For me. For you. For the innocent kids in Jinja. And for the insanely hard person to deal with across the street.
I hope the reality of His love through the cross never stops ruining us.
With this fresh revelation of such love {and how irresistable it is}... love that runs deep in us as His sons and daughters, I think how we cannot, and must not, keep it to ourselves. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. And so, I am learning {emphasis on the still learning} to love well.
What does that even look like, Lord? Will you continue to show us how you love us. And in seeing that, may we mirror that unselfish, unashamed, and completely impartial love.
"We can all see as plain as day that Jesus says the number one commandment is to love the Lord and love your neighbor. I happened to move to Uganda and love those neighbors, but that is not the point. As believers, we should already KNOW our calling; it is to love the Lord and love our neighbors by caring for them in whatever broken state they are in. When He said that "the poor will always be among us" I don't think he meant that as an excuse not to worry about it but as a reminder that there is ALWAYS a neighbor, no matter where we are, in a worse condition than we are. I can only believe that God created us to make this world a little better. That he designed us in love to show that love to others. I just don't know what everyone is waiting for."
~a sister in Uganda who is loving the Forgotten.
So as I get ready to leave for a land of desperate need, I am reminded of the need right here, in this moment. And I am ready to love well.
:: May we never stop realizing the crazy love of Jesus. And may we never stop pouring it out.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hello dear friends!
I wanted to update you a bit on what God's been stirring in my heart these last few months and the next step I am taking.
Well, let me start from the beginning. When I was five years old, I fell in love with Africa. We had friends from Kenya live with us while on furlough, and I remember my five year old little heart beating fast as I heard stories of the people, their culture, their need, and greater yet, the miracles God was doing as he transformed entire villages with His love and His hope. And I thought to myself....I belong there.
I was in love.
It amazes me how you can be so in love with people that you've never met. But, I guess, that's the beauty of God's unfathomable heart. As I got older, I realized that this drawing to East Africa was actually God's call on my life, as it burned deeper and deeper each year. For years, I've been longing to finally go to the place that has held my heart for so long, but knew that God's timing was everything.
Over the summer... God said the word.
'Now'.
So... here I go! Headed to the beautiful people of Jinja, Uganda. After much prayer, God led me to an incredible organization there called Amani Baby Cottage. What God is doing through these amazing servants blows me away! They are an 'orphanage' that cares for babies from birth to six years old. They take in kids who have been dropped off by family members who cannot raise them, as well as newborn babies who have been left in garbage dumps. This is a group of humble, abandoned lovers of Christ, who have truly taken up the cause of the widow and the orphan, who have let their hearts break and beat with God's... as they then do something about it. They see these gorgeous kids as Uganda's next leaders who will lead their country to love the Lord and love others. I am deeply humbled that I get to work alongside such incredible people, humbled in knowing that God could do it all by himself, yet He lets us be a part of it; that we get to join Him in seeing the broken healed, the lonely loved, the abandoned remembered, and the hopeless restored. I still can't believe that I get to do it in Uganda!
So basically... I will be leaving in January to live over there for three months, working at the orphanage and among the people of Jinja. But, I cannot do it on my own! God humbly reminds me again and again that this isn't about me or my strength. It's about me uniting with His Bride as we see His kingdom furthered! And so I ask you....all amazing friends that have had such an impact in my life, to join me in this next step. I can't do it without you!
::First and foremost, I would love your prayer and intercession. I know this sounds cliché, but honestly, I can't go without it! It's the intercession of God's people and the power of prayer that I need to be able to do what God's calling me to. I am pleading with you to be in prayer with me for this. And to join me in intercession for the people of Jijna, as God is stirring things and doing breakthrough in their country.
::Secondly, I would like to humbly ask you to pray about supporting me financially. This is another area, where I've realized I cannot do it on my own. There's going to be many different opportunities to do this...for example, we will soon be selling beautiful handmade gifts such as jewelry, art, photography, and chocolates just in time for Christmas, which I'm really excited about! I'll keep you updated on this as it gets closer.
::Lastly, I would love to hear any of your stories of trips there, or pearls of wisdom and encouragement before I venture off. Like I said before, it's all of you and your relationships with me that have molded me, and I so value you and would love to hear whatever is on your heart! I love that God is a creative God who has given us diverse gifts and passions, and He uses it all when we come together. So whatever it is that you have to offer, I would love for you to join me in this. I know times are hard, and money is scarce, but there's so much more to do other than financially. Please let me know if there's something on your heart, and you would like to get involved! It's amazing to be on the journey with you guys, as we unite to see God's kingdom furthered and His love drench the ends of the earth! I can't imagine being alongside anyone else.
Deep, deep love,
Maggie
::If the Lord has laid it on your heart to support me financially, you can make check payable to:: The Ranch Church Memo: Maggie Ayers
The Ranch Church
PO Box 679 Solvang, Ca 93464
I wanted to update you a bit on what God's been stirring in my heart these last few months and the next step I am taking.
Well, let me start from the beginning. When I was five years old, I fell in love with Africa. We had friends from Kenya live with us while on furlough, and I remember my five year old little heart beating fast as I heard stories of the people, their culture, their need, and greater yet, the miracles God was doing as he transformed entire villages with His love and His hope. And I thought to myself....I belong there.
I was in love.
It amazes me how you can be so in love with people that you've never met. But, I guess, that's the beauty of God's unfathomable heart. As I got older, I realized that this drawing to East Africa was actually God's call on my life, as it burned deeper and deeper each year. For years, I've been longing to finally go to the place that has held my heart for so long, but knew that God's timing was everything.
Over the summer... God said the word.
'Now'.
So... here I go! Headed to the beautiful people of Jinja, Uganda. After much prayer, God led me to an incredible organization there called Amani Baby Cottage. What God is doing through these amazing servants blows me away! They are an 'orphanage' that cares for babies from birth to six years old. They take in kids who have been dropped off by family members who cannot raise them, as well as newborn babies who have been left in garbage dumps. This is a group of humble, abandoned lovers of Christ, who have truly taken up the cause of the widow and the orphan, who have let their hearts break and beat with God's... as they then do something about it. They see these gorgeous kids as Uganda's next leaders who will lead their country to love the Lord and love others. I am deeply humbled that I get to work alongside such incredible people, humbled in knowing that God could do it all by himself, yet He lets us be a part of it; that we get to join Him in seeing the broken healed, the lonely loved, the abandoned remembered, and the hopeless restored. I still can't believe that I get to do it in Uganda!
So basically... I will be leaving in January to live over there for three months, working at the orphanage and among the people of Jinja. But, I cannot do it on my own! God humbly reminds me again and again that this isn't about me or my strength. It's about me uniting with His Bride as we see His kingdom furthered! And so I ask you....all amazing friends that have had such an impact in my life, to join me in this next step. I can't do it without you!
::First and foremost, I would love your prayer and intercession. I know this sounds cliché, but honestly, I can't go without it! It's the intercession of God's people and the power of prayer that I need to be able to do what God's calling me to. I am pleading with you to be in prayer with me for this. And to join me in intercession for the people of Jijna, as God is stirring things and doing breakthrough in their country.
::Secondly, I would like to humbly ask you to pray about supporting me financially. This is another area, where I've realized I cannot do it on my own. There's going to be many different opportunities to do this...for example, we will soon be selling beautiful handmade gifts such as jewelry, art, photography, and chocolates just in time for Christmas, which I'm really excited about! I'll keep you updated on this as it gets closer.
::Lastly, I would love to hear any of your stories of trips there, or pearls of wisdom and encouragement before I venture off. Like I said before, it's all of you and your relationships with me that have molded me, and I so value you and would love to hear whatever is on your heart! I love that God is a creative God who has given us diverse gifts and passions, and He uses it all when we come together. So whatever it is that you have to offer, I would love for you to join me in this. I know times are hard, and money is scarce, but there's so much more to do other than financially. Please let me know if there's something on your heart, and you would like to get involved! It's amazing to be on the journey with you guys, as we unite to see God's kingdom furthered and His love drench the ends of the earth! I can't imagine being alongside anyone else.
Deep, deep love,
Maggie
::If the Lord has laid it on your heart to support me financially, you can make check payable to:: The Ranch Church Memo: Maggie Ayers
The Ranch Church
PO Box 679 Solvang, Ca 93464
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