Kelsey in the morning, Sat. Jul 12,08

Sat. July 12, 2008

Hello everyone! Jambo Muzungus!

Well the continent of Africa is moving and shaking, even as early as 3 A.M.! I had the privilege of being involved in a leadership meeting for PACWA (Pan African Christian Women's Alliance), which was around 35-40 women from 15 different countries of Africa. The theme for this group is, "The Time Is Now," and let me tell you- that is the truth! From Nigeria to Madagascar, these powerhouse women are embedded deeply in their culture to mobilize and transform their nation! My role was to write their stories and to lead a session on "How to Tell your Story." These are no ordinary stories. I heard from the Royal Princess of Swaziland to dancing with the Maasai women of Kenya, it was a culture explosion! :)

So the first night they put me in a hotel room with a Ugandan women (who by the way birthed 15 children!) We spent hours in our room talking about the state of Uganda, the orphans, widows, her passion, and how she had Never flown on an airplane until this trip! But as we were getting ready for bed, she said, "Now, we will get up and pray at 3 am..."
I thought, "awesome. Ok. 3 am. Then we will fall back asleep..."

Now, I think i'm pretty culturally sensitive.
I think I'm pretty flexible.
Fairly adaptive.
But this tested the waters of Kelsey Young's limits. :) hahahah

I wake up at 3 a.m. to Jane fervently praying in Luganda for over an hour. So powerful. Great. Loved it.
Then she gets up at 4 a.m. and switches on the I am laying there (pretending to be sleeping) and think, "hmmmm ok, maybe she is looking for something." Then she leaves the light on as she goes to bathe. By 5:00 am she comes out all ready to go for the day! By this time I am realizing there is no going back to sleep for me. She says, "Kelsey, It is time to get up. Aren't you coming to the Conference?"
hahahahahahahhahahah. She was acting as if I was running late. :) What I said was, "yes. of course." what i WANTED to say was, "Are you Serious! It starts in 4 Hours!"

Needless to say all the women that day looked at me and said," are you feeling ok? You look tired..."

All joking aside, these women are disciplined and determined to seek the Lord day AND night. :)

To be the only person outside Africa to attend such a meeting was a joy. You felt the Joy of the Lord being around this group. As I write up and edit there stories, I'll share them on my blog when I return. They are just to miraculous to keep to myself. They Must be heard!

As I am in the heart of uganda today I feel at home. In just a Few hours, the team of 20 will arrive and we will begin our adventure to the village tomorrow. This team consisting of 14 year olds to 65 year olds- I hope each will be truly enriched, I know. The local clinic in the village has 3 local nurses and a secretary ready to be trained and supported by the team. The ROWAN (rural orphan and widows AIDS network) ministry in the village is something this group supports, and in one week we hope to finish a small office for this ministry. We pray we can really work with the widows and orphans to assess their needs identify what we can do to join their community to meet those needs.

Pray with me as this group, who most have never ventured this far- will be strong, healthy- and open to what God has in store for them. And if you think of it, say a little prayer for me for wisdeom as I lead them for the next 10 days.

John 6:63 says "It is the Spirit who gives Life, the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken are Spirit and Life." I pray the team will be able to speak Life into the lives of those we encounter and to each other through this process...I wish you all could be Right next to me, but I will hopefully write back soon and make you feel as if you are right there too!

Thank you all for your friendship, love and support~~ Kwaheri!
Kels