When you are loved and love others (because He first loved us), I propose that healing begins. The sermon that God put on my heart for the church in Uganda was about blessings and wounds from our ancestors. By His stripes we can be healed from sin sickness. By trusting Jesus Christ in faith, we can leave our “ancestral father’s” house to have a new identity. Forgiving can only happen when we understand how much we have been forgiven. In the midst of sharing, I realized that God was healing my heart by allowing me to authentically express my struggle with those whose hearts had been prepared for this message. They understood and identified, embraced me in love in spite of my differences. My personal experience of healing in Uganda made it the trip of a lifetime! – Teresa

1 John 4:19-21 (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sisteris a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Isaiah 53:5,6 (NIV)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

  he was crushed for our iniquities;

 the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

  and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

  each of us has turned to our own way;

 and the Lord has laid on him

  the iniquity of us all.

Psalm 45: 10,11 (NIV)

10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

  Forget your people and your father’s house.

11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord.

• Although the country of Uganda is desperately poor, their faith is unstoppable.
• They live together in community with great joy and participation.
• Even the smallest of them has a job to do (obeying their parents or aunties or grandparents).
• They share everything (one bite or one sip with friends is better than the whole thing alone) and they show respect and honor to those older than they are.
• As they rebuild their country from years of being under a ruthless dictatorship, they have tremendous hope in the next generation rising. #passingonthetorchofaith #bringingeducation

• Uganda is known as the pearl of Africa. It’s because the people here are soooo precious.
• I have smiled, danced, worshipped and touched more people in the past two weeks than I have in the past year combined.
• Although this is a physically exhausting climate, it is spiritually invigorating.
• Thanks, everyone, for the prayers and for the community support.
• I can’t wait to share with you bits and pieces in the next few day!
• Meeting my sponsored student was the highlight!! He captured my heart and touched my soul.