Monday, April 28, 2014

Africa: The Land of Juxtaposition

This weekend, our church had an a retreat in the mountains, in the town of Somerset. The land scape was stunning...and it even snowed the night that we got there!


We arrived in Placerville early so we decided to stop at Cozmic Cafe, which is a really awesome coffee shop that has an old mine in the back! We ordered an ice coffee with some homemade lavender simple syrup! It was simply delicious.

During our short adventure, my roommate Jenny and I started reading the book Kisses from Katie. We only had her copy, so we read it together. As we went along, you can hear the small gasps and heavy sighs. We were instantly engrossed in the life of this "normal" American teenager.  At the age of 19, Katie Davis decides to give up everything she has known to move to Uganda. Not only has God blessed her with the compassion and ability to love everyone around her, she is an incredible writer! In the introduction, she shares:

"It is not about God making my dreams come true but about God changing my dreams into His dreams for my life."

Amen, sister! She goes on to talk about the rich culture and potent faith of these Ugandan people. And my heart fills with longing: I cannot wait to go. I am so excited to encounter a country and a people that live so wholeheartedly. Later, Katie writes:

"They lived in houses of sticks or stones and mud; they slept on hard dirt floors. But they did not blame God for this or ask Him for more."

They did not ask for more. They believe in His greatness and goodness and unconditional love despite or maybe in spite of their circumstances. This blows my mind! They did not ask for more. They were satisfied and filled in ways many people living in the first world will never know. Over and over, her words plucked at my heart strings. But it was this line that made it sing:

"But I should not pity these children. In fact, I should envy them. At six years old, these children know what it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit."

I cannot explain the emotion that I felt. It was a mixture of excitement and love and desire and fulfillment. In less than two months (or 50 days!), I will embarking on an adventure that no doubt will change my life. For so long I resisted "the trend" of going to Africa, but there is just something about that continent, those people, their faith that is contagious and can rouse the hardest heart. You can't pinpoint it exactly, but I think Katie Davis is trying to say that it's the striking juxtaposition, the abounding faith despite the physical desolation, that propels you from your stagnancy. 

More thoughts and quotes from Katie Davis to come.

You are loved.
Liz


Saturday, April 19, 2014

To the land He has shown me.

Seeking Genesis. 

Seek Him and His kingdom & righteousness FIRST. These past six months, I have been trying to seek Him FIRST. If I pursue my relationship with God, all these great things will be given unto me. I believe that, logically and spiritually.

In Genesis, God commands Abram to leave his home and his country and go to the land that I will He will show him. In Davis, God has urged me to GO as well. At first, I hesitated. Is Uganda where God wants me to go? But after seeking Him in prayer and in scripture, it was clear that God isn't always clear. Go to the land I will show you. He doesn't always explicitly lay out His plans. Instead, He expects us to follow His lead.

So here I go. Following God to a country and a continent I never thought I would go. To a land that God is showing me, one that is full of passion, love and joy. Three of my favorite things! 

That is why I called my blog Seeking Genesis. To be honest, it took me a long time to think of a title. I wanted it to be creative, but more importantly to have meaning. I feel that this short title is full of significance. "Seeking" implies action. Our faith requires action, a constant pursuit of truth and relationship. "Genesis" also means origin, and I believe that this experience will be the root of a new branch of my faith. I anticipate my life being changed in unimaginable ways. And I hope my walk with Jesus will be strengthened, challenged and multiplied. 

Thank you for reading. I hesitate writing a blog because it's "what everyone does." But this doesn't have to be about me, or you. This blog is about God and the beautiful, life changing adventure He has me on. Its about the work He is doing in Uganda, and his beloved people there. God willing, this blog will be just one chapter of the magnificent story He is writing in my life and the lives of His creation. 

You are loved.

Liz