It’s been just over two months since I returned from Uganda.

While there, we had the opportunity to visit 31 Bits, Krochet Kids, and Invisible Children Uganda, three organizations working towards long term restoration in northern Uganda through education, employment, micro finance and other programs.  It was exiting to hear about some of the successes and impact these programs are having and also eye opening to hear about the social and mental obstacles that need to be overcome.

If I had to pick one way that traveling to Uganda impacted me, it would be the reminder of the value of simply being with people. Alongside Gulu Bible Community Church, we facilitated medical clinics, put on children’s programs and evangelized to the local community, but those things are going on all of the time when teams are not at the church. Over and over we heard from the people we worked alongside that they were grateful for our presence, for our friendship, that we would come because we cared about them.  You have lifted our spirits and encouraged us to keep going, they said. I think that alone was worth the trip.

Part of what we’re going to be doing in Uganda is providing some basic medical care to the surrounding villages of the town of Gulu. There are two nurses on our team, and we’ll also be working with Ugandan doctors when we visit the villages. Today Josh, a firefighter and paramedic who went on a previous team to Uganda came and gave us some basic training on how to proerply clean and bandage wounds.

46 days until we leave!

This summer, from June 30 – July 15th, I’ve been given the opportunity to join a team from my church (ROCKHarbor) to visit northern Uganda.  We’ll be working to encourage and aid the people there through partnering with Gulu Community Bible Community Church, a church planted by ROCKHarbor and Africa Renewal Ministries.  We’ll help run children’s ministries, give medical aid by assisting with things like basic wound care, participate with the church in local evangelism efforts and community outreach, and serve in other ways asked of us by the church.  Most importantly we’ll be loving and supporting a community that’s in need.

Obviously there’s a good bit of cost associated with travel to, from and within Uganda. Would you consider joining with me in giving financially to make this happen?  It would mean so much to me.

Thank You,

Jared

• Read my full Uganda Support Letter
• Give Online
• Learn about ROCKHarbor’s ministry in Uganda:

the sweetest thing i’ve ever heard
is that i don’t have to have the answers,
just a little light to call my own.

though it pales in comparison
to the overarching shadows,
a speck of light can reignite the sun
and swallow darkness whole.

- Sleeping at Last

I saw the sea, pulled you into a dream, and said it’s ok.  I said, “I’ll make you a queen, so leave everything, it’s ok.”  They said, “Love is a waiting game, time is enough to make the best fall apart. You’re a boy with a wandering soul, you’re going blind into the dark.”

But when you’re young you take your own advice.  When you’re tired, you stay up every night.  When it’s love, you’re just a fool, but your heart is an anchor.

I fell asleep, weighing my dreams and it’s ok.  You can tell me I’m wrong, I’ll tell you I’m weak and it’s ok.  Because life is a reckless storm and time is enough to put some light in the dark.  I’m a boy with a wandering soul, not going down without a spark.

When you’re young, you take your own advice.  When you’re tired, you stay up every night.  When it’s love, you’re just a fool, but your heart is an anchor.  When it’s real, you’ll get through anything.  When you’re poor, you’ll live off what you see.  When you’re stretched, and have nothing left, well then love is an anchor.

I fell asleep weighing my dreams and it’s ok.  The heart is an anchor. You tell me I’m wrong, I’ll tell you I’m weak and it’s ok.

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/The+Heart+Is+An+Anchor/39ZR55

A little random since we’re nowhere near Olympic season, but I heard this today:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

Inspiring.  How differently would we look at life if we measured it not by traditional measures of success but by how well we have fought and struggled.

Last week I paused my workday to watch the public debriefing and final concerts of the teams that traveled as CTI Music Ministries to Mozambique, Guatemala and Honduras online.  It was inspiring to hear stories of their experiences, of ways God had worked in and thorough them, of how they were changed in the process of ministering to others.  It made me miss them and the CTI community more than I had anticipated, but also gave me a great satisfaction to see the completion of what I had taken part in.

Similarly, I thoroughly enjoyed my third year being involved with Teen Leadership Camp,  spending time with and providing a positive experience for at-risk foster teens in Orange County.  Showing up and getting to see kids from past years, and having them remember my name was pretty amazing.   Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s happening with kids who are rather closed off and good at hiding what they’re feeling. Each year I have moments where I ask myself if the kids are being reached, if they’re being impacted, and each year I love hearing the stories that come out at the end.

I learned that I did have value,that God loved me and there is a purpose for all the bad things that have happened to me in life. – Tonya, age 16

Friday I got on the bus thinking…one more camp. When Sunday came I wanted to stay forever! -Chris,age15

Before I came to camp I thought I was the only one with problems, I have since learned that I am not the only one and people do love and care about me. – Rosa, age 14

Camp was the best experience of my life. I learned that team work is important, the ropes courses were awesome. I felt different about myself when I left. I can believe in myself because I am worthy! – Kelly, age 17

Here’s a photo of the counselors and staff for this year’s camp:

I think one of the ways my experiences this summer have stretched and are shaping me is with my desire to take advantage of opportunities in front of me to engage others.  Often unfamiliar situations with new people bring out my more introverted tendencies, but afterward I find myself wishing I had taken even more opportunities to talk with and pour into those around me.  Taking that first step to reach out to someone can be a meaningful gesture that can open doors to building trust and relationship, and is something I’m growing into :)

It went so quickly, but the first round of training is complete and the three CTI teams are now serving overseas in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore!  It was so great to be able to be a part of the training of these teams.  I planned our worship to compliment the bible studies and seminars that take place each day, and seeing some of the team members start to understand new truth or even really grasp the gospel for the first time through those daily activities has been so awesome to be a part of.

I’m so excited that I get to be back here in Minnesota again for round 2 of training  three more teams who will be traveling to Guatemala, Honduras and Mozambique.  Their first day of training was yesterday, and they’re already off and running.

Below are a few photos from our morning worship time, and a video of a typical day.  You can read more about CTI Music Ministries on their website, and read about any of the teams under “blogs” there.

(A)typical day from CTI Music Ministries on Vimeo.

I’m really thrilled to share with you the ministry opportunities that are coming up for me this summer!

First, I’m returning to Minnesota for two weeks in June (and possibly another two in July) to assist CTI Music Ministries with the training of the summer missions teams traveling to Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Honduras and Guatemala.  My main role there is going to be leading worship every morning and guiding the spiritual focus of the community, but I’ll also be assisting with musical and audio training.

Then in August I’m again volunteering with Teen Leadership Foundation putting on a summer camp for foster teens in Orange County.  This is my third year helping with this camp and I’m returning because of the impact I’ve seen it have on the lives of at-risk teens.

I’m really excited about being able to be involved with each of these ministries again this summer because I believe strongly in the work each organization is doing and in the people behind each.

If you’re interested in being involved as I take on these opportunites this summer, here’s how you can help:

1) Prayer.  We’ve all heard it said that this is the most important thing, but it’s true.  I’d be honored if you would commit (by letting me know via comment below or email) that you will be praying for the teams I’m training, for the foster teens, and for me.  I’ll be posting additional prayer requests and information here during the coming weeks.

2) I need to raise $1500 to make these things happen. This will cover travel costs to and from Minnesota and for the expense of putting on the camp this summer.  While I’m in Minnesota, I’m going to continue working part time remotely to keep the support I need to raise to a minimum.  If you would like to give, you can do so online by clicking the button below.  If you would like a tax receipt, please email me and I will give you an address to mail a check to.

Thank you so much for your support, it means so much to me, but more than that I’m excited for you to take part in the work God is doing this summer through these organizations.

sometimes I need reminders.