Amongst
the giant rocks and green foliage on a peninsula in Lake Victoria, Tanzania,
sits a selection of homes. Terracotta shingles above while columned walls.
Twenty windows next to the rotunda. Uganda to the far left, Kenya to the far
right. There is an amazing morning breeze, only to be complimented by the fact
that I am overlooking this amazing view from a lawn chair beside a rooftop
pool. There is a cargo ship coming into dock and birds flying overhead. Some
Norah Jones playing on my iPod and a cold glass in hand. The pool rippling
beside me as I catch some rays, and did I mention it's not even 10 am yet?
Sounds
pretty amazing, I know. To be honest, it's more amazing than words could tell
you. It's bliss. It's God's beauty sitting before your eyes, as you sit atop
man-made creation. It's for the celebration of a birthday and a moment you
would prefer never to end. But in the back of your mind, you know the number of
minutes until you go down 9 flights in a mirrored elevator, to the life we
currently call ours. A life where you can't see the water, or feel the wind, but
sweat immediately over takes you and you see the trash piled on the ground. You
smell sewage and body odor, not the lime from your glass or your fragrant
sunscreen. You see cabs and matatos and hear 7 people yelling ‘mzungu', not
just the two other Caucasians and a bar tender upstairs.
But
this is my life now. Not that.
I no
longer get a big cozy bed with real pillows and a comforter, draped by an
ice-cold air-conditioned room. Instead I have a tent acting as a sauna on a
concrete floor in a living room, lined with my sleeping bag.
I no
longer can stand in a hot shower with water pressure for as along as I want,
and dry with a giant fluffy bath towel. Instead I have a bucket of cold water
if any, on a tile floor next to a squatty, followed by a paper-thin 2x3
shammy-towel.
I no
longer get to relax poolside with a book and amazing breeze. Instead I have a
plastic chair on a dirt porch, with a book used as a fan and fly swatter.
I no
longer get amazing views over looking the coast and city lights. Instead I get
to stare into the dark wondering who is lurking in the cemetery across the
fence.
But
this is my life now.
A
life consisting of your workout being door to door evangelism in villages.
A
life of perfecting talents like squatty potty aim.
A
life where your lunch consists of beans and rice regardless of the week day.
A
life where you can't get sick without someone needing to come in the bathroom.
A
life when your female teammates get weaves so you don't wash your hair for a
month.
A
life where bug repellent becomes your new perfume.
A
life where recycling your soda bottle is required, not optional.
A
life where your spoon becomes used as a knife and fork.
A
life that hasn't seen fast food in months.
A
life where being pursued is left to God, not the opposite sex.
A
life where date nights are one on ones with your teams.
A
life where relationships are forbidden, so your marry Him instead.
A
life where you carry all you own on your back.
A
life that means when you fly, you most likely need to leave things behind.
A
life that means your toothbrush, deodorant, and shampoo are your major
toiletries.
A
life where you carry toilet paper in your purse, and hand sanitizer if lucky.
A
life where you sit in the dirt, but leave your shoes outside so the floor stays
clean.
A
life where you drink 3 liters of water a day just so you can pee clear.
This
is my life now...
A
life of fulfillment in seeing fruit from the seeds which have been planted.
A
life in service of those who have nothing, asking nothing in return.
A
life of bringing Kingdom to the ends of the earth, even if it starts with one.
Glad you enjoyed your surprise hotel Nicole!! Happy Birthday!
So last night I woke up at
about 3:30 after a serious dream. I didn't wake up fearful, but woke up in
search of my Bible, in search of Leviticus to be exact. My dream went a little
something like this...
We were Racers, and I was
with Nicole and Birkleigh. Tres, Grant, and a friend from home were in the
distance. There were about 20 others, but I have no names or faces, just
numbers in a crowd. There was a circus tent, similar to the one at training
camp in GA. It was placed on a grassy area, with a great deal of foliage
overhead. There was also a porta potty in the background. Someone who I can't
place approached us, told us to get a few things, and follow them. We were
going on a secret mission. We somehow then ended up in a location much like the
first; only there was no circus tent. It was more like, a grassy valley, many
trees, and banana plants, mixed with a few palm trees. Us girls sat inside of
what I compared to a mix of Baja Fresh and Jamba Juice feeling, only there was
no business in place. Just the thatched roof, bar and stools, and tables. It
was only the three of us in this building, but we could see the men about 20
yards away. We had our big packs; only they were about 1/3 full, so they kinda
just hung. Then I noticed a big truck outside, all white, with the back open
and pack inside. I don't know when I realized it, but I had a revelation. We
were not on a secret mission, but we had been trafficked. Now sitting on the
bar stool, my insides wandered to everything I had known, and to the men outside.
Grant was in his own world, but Tres looked as if he had just seen a ghost, as
if he had also just realized what was happening. Nicole began to cry, reality
setting in. We were not being violated, or mistreated, but this was only the
beginning, and due to intuition we knew before the rest.
It was then I began to
console Nicole. I reminded her of how in Hungary, in Month 3 we had so much
down time during monsoon rain and lack of ministry, and how rather than get
discouraged, I encouraged my team to press into Him, to know His word. Going into a
closed country next meant a Bible might not be on hand, and all we would have
is our mind and heart, and what we had retained. Over the following 4 months,
this remained a concept. Do not be discouraged by down time, but minister to
yourself, you will need it. So as I reminded her of how we had poured into
ourselves, I began to read from Jeremiah. And by read, I didn't have a book,
and it wasn't really from Jeremiah, but in my dream it was. And in the verse I
was reading, or reading from memory, it said ‘Remember Leviticus 25:22-55.' I
can see myself sitting there telling her this, and then I heard Tres get out of
his tent, in real life, and I woke up.
I had to know what the Word
said. I couldn't remember exactly what order those three numbers were in, all I
knew was it was 25, 22, 55 and was located in Leviticus. As I brought out the
headlamp, I was a mad woman in my tent on the search. I realized there was not
a chapter 55, so it had to be 22 or 25. And after looking through the entire
book, realized there were only two chapters that had 55 verses. And chapter 25
has exactly that. So I read the topics listed in the chapter, from my NLV, and
this is what it said. ‘Redeeming the Enslaved'. I'm sorry what?! Victims of
human trafficking are slaves, and they need serious redemption to move onward
if they ever get out of the industry. Then I decided I had to read Jeremiah. I
did the same numbers and found Jeremiah 22:25 was it. It says ‘I will hand you
over to those who seek to kill you- those you so desperately fear.' I don't
know about you, but I was a bit freaked out. Here I was, dreaming about being
trafficked, and I read about slaves and being handed over to the ones you fear.
As women, this is a fear. Sure in my everyday life I don't think about it, nor
feel any man around me is in that business, but I am smart. I know the facts, I
support the fight against it, and now I am in it.
In Leviticus 25:22, just
before the slavery begins, it states how in the eighth year the seeds will be
planted, and in the ninth the harvest will come to pass. We are in our eighth
month on the World Race, and next month, month nine, 14 of our women will be in
Thailand working with prostitutes and women who have been trafficked.
They will have the lush
atmosphere as they are on the coast of Thailand. They will be in situations
where they must protect themselves.
They will be in situations
where the Word in their heart is all they have.
They will need Him, and Him
alone.
While I don't know exactly
what this means, I do know it was of the Lord. I have never dreampt with verses
that specific, rather I have never dreampt verses at all. I pray for our women
next month in Thailand as they pour their hearts out to those in this forbidden
and heartbreaking world. I pray for strength, discernment, and that the Word is
on their heart and flows from their lips.
Lord, be with these woman,
and men, who have be trafficked, who have been enslaved, who have been
devastated and violated, and need redemption. Allow us to be the hands and feet
that bring your glory, be it in my dreams, in Thailand, or in America.
You're all alone. Your mother has died. Your father has died. Your relatives can't take you in. You have no home. You have no job because you haven't finished school. You have no money to your name because family members have taken it all. You turn 23 today.
Imagine
If you trusted Jesus in the midst of everything and he provided miraculously. He gave you people to take care of you, and a family to take you in as their own. You get a place to stay and finances to go to school. You can pursue a career as a doctor and have a family of your own someday.
Imagine
Not being bitter, angry and cynical but instead forgiving, full of joy and hope. You believe the Jesus of the Bible and that He cares for you more than you know. Your circumstances don't determine His love for you. He's always loved you and you love Him back.
Imagine
You're not just another orphan. Just another number to society or drop in the bucket. You have a name. You have a story. You have a struggle and you have a dream. You are Benard Kwoba, and you're a child of God. He tells you that He's a father to the fatherless and will never forsake you. You want this Jesus that carries your burdens, heals your wounds and sets you free. You are no longer an orphan, nameless, without hope or a future. You are adopted into the family of God and your life matters. You matter, and your God's masterpiece.
In Matthew chapter 25 v. 35-36 where Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." To our team this month, Benard is the stranger, the one in need and the orphan to look after. We want to help him go to school this next term. We're asking anyone to contribute anything they can. He's such a bright, ambitious and gentle young man and we have the opportunity to bless him.
God is showing us what true religion is, "Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1: 27). Please join us in prayer for his life, that God would use us as a miracle in it.
Details:
In order for this to take place, we are trusting in God and His faithfulness, and you as His stewards. We are a team of seven, and have taken on Benard as our child. We feel God has called us to provide for him over these next two years. If we divide the needs between our team members, it requires that each of us raise $90. This amount will provide Benard with tuition for the next two terms, a home to live in, a bed to sleep on, utensils to eat with, uniforms to wear, books to study, and daily meals. This is such a small cost when many of us look at our lives back home. To live off of $630 for two years, how can we not be there to help him. We trust that God will provide these means, and that your heart will be opened as ours was. We are leaving Kitale in 8 days, and are praying endlessly that this can be pulled off. We will be buying uniforms and books this Friday (2/19/10), and if all goes as we hope, we will be going with Benard next week (2/22/10) to sign off on the home. When we leave Kenya, Team Mosiac will officially be the appointed guardian of Benard Kwoba. So please, would you step out in faith with us as we serve this world as He has called.
In order to donate, here are your option:
Please send a check to:
Bambi Bigley
3705 Everest Ave
Riverside, CA 92503
Or if you want to directly deposit into my account, contact me by email (bambibigley@gmail.com) and I can give you my account number.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask us!
My love for missions began during my freshman year of
college back in 2004. It was during that fall semester that "Missions Week"
took place, telling us what trips would be going out over the course of that
year. A few months later I was boarding a plane to take part in my first
over-seas mission trip.
A few years later it was my senior year and my last trip was
booked, and I was headed to Central America. Not exactly what I wanted, but I
was grateful for the opportunity. I was the girly girl people worried about,
being that it was a labor trip. Turns out I proved them wrong, which was no
surprise to me. But in the back of my mind I knew I was still missing
something.
I never made it to Africa.
During spring of 2008 while planning for that trip, a dream
was formed. A dream that had nothing to do with my trip to Central America,
other than Jesus was involved. But rather a dream of Africa. A dream of
orphans. A dream that sprung out of a man named Gary Skinner who spoke at my
church. A dream to go to a place known as Watoto.
Back then I had no idea how I would make it to Africa, let
alone find a way to work with Watoto. All I knew was that my church was
connected, and therefore I could make it happen. Somehow. As time slowly
passed, my last college trip came and went, I kept the dream but the efforts
dwindled. Africa was still so heavy on my heart, but it was very far off I my
mind, especially Watoto specifically. At times I think the only reason I even
remembered it was the fact I wore a wristband everyday that said, "Hope for
Africa's children. Watoto."
Then God called me to the World Race. Honestly at first I
remember thinking, ‘Well I love missions, and I'll go to Africa... I'm in!"
Then in Moldova, we had kids beg and plead for all of the wristbands any of us
wore. Sure enough, somewhere along the line, my Watoto band went along with the
rest. And after a few months, so did the thoughts of Watoto.
Then about a week and a half ago, while on a rollercoaster
also known as an African taxi, it all came flooding back. A woman was walking
down the street on the back of her shirt it said, "www.watoto.com". I turned to
Nicole and I was freaking out. I wanted to find out where it was, how close it
was, etc. etc. Then a day or two later we went to a feast also known as lunch
in a home of a man we met in the Cairo airport who had invited us. We just
happened to be around the corner from his house, divine appointment if I've
ever seen one. While at his home, they had Hillsong playing on the computer. I
finally asked one of them, "How does everyone in Africa know Hillsong? My
church back in the states is a branch of Hillsong and I love hearing this all
the time. It makes me feel like I'm home." He goes on to say they perform
locally. Now I'm very confused thinking I'm in the middle of nowhere, where on
earth do they come to? He tells me they go to Watoto. It all clicks, and my
heart is now soaring. After some questions, I find out it is about 10 minutes
away from where I'm staying here in Kampala, Uganda.
So yesterday, instead of preaching at 8 am like I was
scheduled to, Nicole and I were sent to Watoto. I was like a kid in a candy
shop, or a kid going to Disneyland for the first time. I was ssoooo happy. We
got there and it was like heaven on earth in that moment. Despite the hard
times, the heat, the never ending sweat, the bug bites, the same food, the
mzungu comments, despite all if it, God redeemed Uganda for me in that moment.
My sermon that was going to be preached that morning was on
obedience. I was going to tell my testimony and throw in many stories from the
Bible where obedience was so important. But now, I need to change it up a bit.
Yesterday I learned a major lesson from God. I didn't just come on this trip
because He called me too. But because I came on this trip following His call,
he filled a dream I'd had for quite some time. And he didn't just take me to
Africa, which to me was already fulfillment of that dream, but he took me to
the EXACT place I dreamed to go.
So while I sat two years ago on a Sunday morning in Newport
Beach, California and developed a dream listening to a man preach, yesterday I
sat on a Sunday morning in Kampala, Uganda listening to that same man preach,
and had that dream fulfilled. I really can't even explain how it really made me
feel. All I know is I turned to Nicole mid way through service and told her, "I
know you knew I was so excited to come to Africa, but this is why, and here I
am..."
It was in a village near Kampala that our door to door began. I am not one who is known for my evangelism skills, and that might be an overstatement. That is just not an area I excel in, and thus far in my life, have not desired to. My ministry has always leaned toward children, more like infants and toddlers. I thrive when my ministry is simply to provide love. Be it a smile, a hug, a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, someone to walk with. Whatever it is, as long as it's love.
I've never been one to talk much. Well, unless you consider the many years in grade school where on a weekly basis my parents were notified of my talking, which never failed to disrupt class. But really, ask around, I am quiet. I like to consider myself a social introvert. I am independent, quite, and enjoy being that way. But when needed or desired, I can be social. Just don't count on that to happen to often. I've learned recently this is a main reason street evangelism is not my ideal ministry. It requires talking, and a lot of it.
So after a few home visits, ducking under clothes lines, jumping ditches in the road, we came to what appeared to be a local hangout video/music store. There were a few teenage boys in the doorway when Ken, our contact, decided we would check it out. There were many small children outside the store that had already caught Bethany and my attention. Nicole and Ken headed up the few stairs ahead of us, which is when we all met Dickens.
Dickens was a cocky fifteen-year-old boy, thinking he knew everything that one could know in this world. When we introduced ourselves and asked if we could pray for anything, things switched a bit. Instead of the typical yes, we got a finger pointed and quite a few laughs, as well as the statement, "You are Protestants aren't you!?" With a few more laughs towards us, we went on to explain that we are Christians who believe in God as our everything. After a few more lines thrown at us, climate changed. In response to something Dickens said to Ken, Ken took his hands and said something along the lines of "Don't you ever laugh at those coming in the name of God. That is a commandment, to never use the Lord's name in vain. Do you understand?" First of all, this just wouldn't fly at home. Not only that, but you wouldn't even get another blink of an eye from that person before they left. Instead we got about fifteen minutes of Dickens attention.
After asking Dickens to take a walk with us and talk about God, he came with no issues. Things were said, questions were asked, and in the end, the impossible happened. That cocky, fifteen year old, finger pointing, laughing in your face boy became a child of God. He accepted Christ as his savior in the dirt corner between a shop and a shack.
So when I think about how few words I tend to use in a day, or how anti-social people think I am, its these moments that remind me it really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I say the least in that group of us. It doesn't matter if I smile instead of use words. It doesn't matter if I let someone else counter argue something. All that matters is that I obey God, wherever He calls, whenever he calls, and to whomever He says.
After many many changes, I am finally at my January ministry site. My team is going to be staying in Kampala, Uganda this month, while the rest of my squad is working throughout Kenya. We will be doing a wide variety of ministries, all of which sound amazing! So far, today is day two, and I have had 3 people come to Christ- in other words, bring it on!!
I am in love with Africa. Simply said. For so long I have known God put a passion in my heart for this place, and I am so excited to finally be here, with my own eyes and ears, taking it ALL in. God is so at work in this place, and I can't wait to be able to come back with story after story and picture after picture.
We are limited on internet access, but I will do what I can to get you all some info as I have it. I miss you, can't wait to share more, and show you all the amazing pictures! That once had dream of a photographer and photojournalist, yeah, about that... Def makes me want it now!
I've been sitting in my bunk for about an hour, and packed about 3 things.
I just hate packing.
Sure, I am getting better but I still despise putting my life into a bag that rides on my back.
I want to eat something. Problem is that when you are in a hostel in Nairobi with no grocery stores around, you don't have snack food. I've eaten a pack of fruit snacks and a packet of sour patch kids. Both of which as in my ‘Ration from home package'. I have a mango here but I know I am going to wish I had it tomorrow when I sit on a 12 hour bus to Uganda.
These are the moments. The moments that cause me to have moments. Moments where I want home. Where I want a fridge and a pantry. Like right now, I could really go for a night snack of fruit loops with ice cold milk. And not just milk, but American skim milk. And I would like to have that bowl accompanied by a couch, preferably like my parents, giant and cozy.
But then I have a revelation. Okay, maybe not. Maybe more like a realization. I am on the World Race. I chose to be here, in a place that the minute the sun hits me I feel like my skin is on fire, even if I am not yet burning. I remember that I chose to have my means of transportation as my feet. I remember that I gave up the fulfillment of food, even though I so desperately miss some of it.
So as I sit in my pile of crap, also known as my life dumped from a bag, my moment continues....
I am having a major blog-block. I have such a hard time sitting down and writing on someone else's timetable. It just doesn't have the same creative juices to flow, or something of that nature.
But I will say this; it has been a random, fun, memory-making week to say the least! I have started just making a ‘Things To Remember' list in my journal, and it currently looks something like this...
1. Bus ride into Jerusalem
-Driver arrested
-Palestine
2. Camel hunting
-20 camels
-Donkey riding
-Shepard's offering us drugs
3. En Gedi and Masada
-Animals
-Hell hike
4. Hour long talk about TP
So let me just say this to explain... On our way to the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, we got stuck at borders, our driver was arrested, some random driver took over, took us through Palestine, and things were rather sketchy. Then Beth and I decided to go hiking, but prayed to see camels instead. 3 seconds later, 4 camels. This started ‘Camel Hunting!' Two hours later, 20 camels, two Shepard's giving us rides on their donkeys through the Negev Desert, and then some sketchy substances were brought out, so we left. Then we took a day trip to hike Masada, the ancient city. It was beautiful, and an amazing place. It would have been even better had we decided to ride the cable cars and not hike, cause that sucked. Then En Gedi was next. Some hiked to the waterfalls, others stayed down with the animals. That was me- my knee was dying after that hike. Lastly, our TP convo. I kid you not, it was an hour about toilet paper usage, why we go through so much, how much each person uses on average, and way TMI to say the least....
So yeah, I'd say things have been fun. J
We also went to Jerusalem again this week. This time I saw....
-The Garden Tomb
-Garden of Gethsemane
-Church in the Garden
-Wailing Wall
-Mary's Tomb
-Climbed Mt. Olives
-RODE A CAMEL ON MT. OLIVES
-David's Tomb
-The Upper Room
-Via Dolorosa
-Church of the Holy Sepulcher
It was an amazing day on a slightly slower pace, gaining much knowledge and some good pictures (These pictures will come up later, just as the others, once techno band is done with).
It is still more than words can describe, to walk the same steps, and have the Word come to life. This is an opportunity I still have to remind myself daily of; that I am beyond blessed to be here.
I know this is kinda scattered, but welcome to my mind these days... I miss you all, and can't wait to talk to you on X-MAS family!! It is official- technologically band will be lifted on Xmas eve night and Xmas day, so email me before or talk to me then!!! Egypt in 8 days, where we will tour the pyramids, then off to Uganda in 10!!!!
