Africa Trip, Part 6: There Is No One Like My God

All this week, I have struggled with Africa.  I'm not sure what to make of the place.  I was expecting for God to give me a huge word and a big vision for a ministry that I would partner with there...I got nothing.  I was expecting to love every minute of my time there, and I did not. I was going to have this huge mountain top mission trip experience, and I did not.  Life in Africa is hard, and I have to keep reminding myself that God didn't send me to Africa to fix the place:)  Today I looked back to see what I wrote in my journal for January 3, 2010 and it said this....

Met Nabukeera Mary yesterday, and then I saw a double rainbow...only God.

My friend Teresa decided to sponsor a child this past November through Amazima Ministries in memory of her daughter Rebekah.  Her family does something special for someone else on Rebekah's birthday each year and they call it Rebekah's Rainbow.  You can read the background here.  Teresa received the information about her sponsored child just a few weeks before I left and sent me with a small package and letter to give to Mary just in case I met her when we went to Katie's house.

I mentioned to Katie early in the day that I was looking for Nabukeera Mary.  I actually showed her the package with her name on it because I really didn't know how to say her name.  She immediately knew who she was and started asking around for her.  She wasn't there yet.  I mentioned to her again around mid-day and still no Mary. We were nearing the end of our day at Katie's house and were getting things cleaned up.  I had layed the package on the table, and I thought that Katie could just give it to her the next time she was there.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to meet her because I knew that it would be a thrill for Lydia to have her picture. 

And then Katie walked in the house and said, "Who was looking for Nabukeera Mary?  She's here."

So I met Nabukeera Mary. 

I read her the letter from Teresa.  Many have said that she looks sad in this picture.  I'm not saying she's happy, but I would just like to point out that I'm a crazy excited white woman with a package and tears.

Little stuffed bears and rainbow bracelets cross all language barriers.

We brought her in the house and sized her up.

And gave her a new pair of shoes.

New shoes cross language barriers too:)

We said our good-byes and I thought that was the end of meeting Nabukeera Mary.  We left Katie's house and when we got back to the Kingfisher, our leader had reserved us a boat ride on Lake Victoria.  Lake Victoria is beautiful and we saw lots of colorful birds and creatures.  The sky was clear and sunny for most of that Saturday and about halfway through our tour of Lake Victoria, we saw this....

Rebekah's Rainbow in Africa...

 He was speaking all the time, and I just wasn't listening.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.