Village Bible Church || Aurora | Indian Creek | Sugar Grove | IL

After flying through two sunsets we arrived in Uganda late last night - with all of our bags and all of our teammates!  We met up with Dave and Deb Mogle who have been in Uganda doing ministry already for the past two weeks.

Already I am overwhelmed already with how God is working.

While sitting in Brussels airport, we all began checking our seats for the next flight. That was when I realized that I would be sitting alone. Sure, I was nervous for that because I’m a wimp and on the first flight I had to hold Hayley’s hand during take-off.  So we boarded the plane or “airbus” and were headed to Rwanda before Uganda.

There were unfamiliarities all around me; to my right, Europeans speaking languages I didn’t know and to my left an American girl was speaking with a Rwandan. I hardly could gather much from the conversations. After an hour of silence (which is hard for me), I finally put down my book I was reading, and wondered if the gentleman to my right could understand me. So I asked him, slowly, “what brings you to Africa?” He said, in broken English, “the trees”.  He further explained and what I could understand was that he is with a team going to plant trees to help start that as a business for individuals that need work.

I found out that he, Per (pronounced pear), is Swedish and I said, “Oh wow! I have Norwegian in me!” Not sure why I said that, because he said Sweden, not Norway. But because of that comment, he introduced me to his friend, Perdy (pronounced pear-day), who happens to be Norwegian. So they then asked me why I was going to Africa, and I said to teach the children about Jesus and preach the Word of God. Per smiled at me and stated that he likes Jesus. At that moment, alone, in an uncomfortable place, miles in the sky, that didn’t smell the greatest, and where we didn’t speak the same language, I was able to share with them the Word of God. I knew that I couldn’t pass up an opportunity, but didn’t expect the “missions” part of the trip to start until we landed.

In the conversation, they were both talking about struggles in their lives, even after they knew about Jesus, and so I opened my Bible to John 16:33, “…In this word there will be trials, but take heart! For I have overcome the world.” We talked about that for some time and Keith, in passing, had given me a Bible to give to Per.   So Per looked at it, and since it wasn’t in Swedish, it was hard for him to read. By the time we landed, I had met almost their whole “tree” team and he was telling everyone that I’m Norwegian and know how to count to 5. They were pretty impressed (thanks Dad!). I was able to get Per and Perdy’s addresses so that we can mail them Bibles in their native language. That was such a humbling experience to start the trip off with. I know now to “Expect the Unexpected,” and that was definitely unexpected, but seeds are being planted in the “tree” team’s hearts.

Thank you all for praying for us, for God is doing great things! Today we will be traveling to the eastern Uganda to the source of the Nile and traveling around for a week before we go west. Please be praying for the health of our team as hydration and nausea have been issues. We covet your prayers!

Natalie