Life in limbo

Well folks, most of THIS chapter of my life in Uganda is through (don’t worry, I’ll be back)….. heading to Rwanda tomorrow for about 10 days, then a few days back in Uganda to de-brief on 4 months (is that even possible?) and then home, sweet, home by May 3^rd. (then there’s graduation, and summer, and the rest of my life, but we’ll get to that later!)

I don’t think it’s possible for me to sum up the past 3.5 months in one blog post or even start to express the emotions I’ve gone through, the things I’ve see, the adventures I’ve gone on, or what things will be like when I get home. The past few weeks have been full of endings, some temporary and some permanent, and I’m really just at a loss for expressing to you how crazy it is to feel like so much is finishing in my life while so much is also beginning. I know some or all of you can relate to these feelings of endings and beginnings, those times where our lives feel like they’re in limbo. I am super excited about going to Rwanda and spending these last two weeks with some close and awesome friends AND about going home to catch up with my family, my roommates and bffs at Messiah and STOKED to GRADUATE from COLLEGE… but I’m sad about the endings in all of these same areas… with my friends here, with friends and faculty at Messiah…. So, I pray that you join me in cherishing the moments and living them out to their fullest.

Here’s a little prayer, because I’m not sure how else to express myself just now:

Dear Jesus, I lift my hands and eyes to you, in awe of what you’ve brought me through.  How can I express to you the joy I have regarding how faithful you have been to me throughout my life? I have learned to trust in your unfailing love, and to love you and your creation in the moment. I pray that lesson stays with me, reminding me of what you’ve brought me through and how I’ve seen your power in my life. Thank you for showing me my weaknesses, and for reminding me of your strength which overcomes and redeems them.  Thank you for showing me the hard things, for pushing me to my limits, for surrounding me with your love as manifested through people who love me and shine your light.  I thank you for those who have supported me directly and indirectly through their words, thought s and prayers, and I pray that you continually reveal yourself to me and teach me your power.

Thank you for all you are, Father, AMEN


… on that note, I’ll end with a few theme verses from the semester:

Romans 5:3-5 (NRSV)

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

II Corinthians 12:9-10 (NRSV)

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

Psalm 13 (NIV)

“How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.   Give light to my eyes or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome her,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.”

I hope this post finds you well, finds you cherishing your moments, cherishing those around you and trusting in God’s unfailing love. That’s all for now, I’ll be out of internet communication until May 3^rd!!

O, and I can't leave you without a pic.... it's officially rainy season!

Be blessed,

Ruth