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The Lie that Ruled a Nation

unedited, unabridged, uncensored...

Happiness. From our parents, our friends, our church, our schools, to our job, we are told that it is our right and our goal to be happy. Happiness is our goal. Somewhere along the way we started believing that this was truth and that anything less than our view of happiness was more than just undesirable, it was wrong. It is wrong to have any perceived unhappy circumstance. 

So, living in this lie we decided that we would eat what we want, love what we want, do what we want, act like we want.... because if we don't do those things we will become unhappy..... and that is bad. Regardless of right or wrong.... regardless of good or bad.... regardless of our impact on those around us.... because what is right anyway other than what makes me happy? What is good or bad other than the things that make me feel good? What makes me happy is really what is best for others, right? As Christians i urge you to look deeply into scripture and discover truth... life is not about what makes you happy and what makes you happy isn’t always the thing that is true and honorable and pure and lovely and commendable and excellent and worthy of praise.

Lets start at the very beginning... its a very good place to start....

Adam and Eve were created and lived in perfection. They walked and talked with the LORD God everyday. They had each other. They had all the food they needed. But one day Eve allowed herself to believe that the one the the LORD God asked her not to do would make her happier than she was then... Eating the fruit that the tree in the middle of the garden. She saw the tree and to her it was beauty and sweetness and wisdom even though the LORD God had warned her that it was separation, turmoil, and death.... But the fruit would make her happy.... wouldn’t it? Why then she would have more in common with the LORD God Whom she walked with daily. Why then she would have better food to eat and her cravings for it would be satisfied.... it was such a mouth watering piece of fruit. 

Lets move on the the very people that the LORD God called “His people”: Israel. The LORD God brought them out of slavery and placed them in the land He had promised to given them, the land flowing with milk and honey. He said to them, “Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORDyour God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORDyour God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God:…” But living this lifestyle made them different from all those around them. They could not marry whomever they wanted, they could not eat whatever they wanted, they could not worship whomever they wanted.... so they did the things that made them happy and war and famine and slavery fell upon them.

Then there was Jesus. Jesus lived a life no one would choose. He lived a life that was not the model for the “American dream happy life”. He gave up His place at the right hand side of the God the Father to become human so that he could suffer and be tempted to pursue His own happiness above all else just like we are only to choose day by day and moment by moment to put our good above His “happiness.” And at the end of it all, He died to save us from ourselves and our pursuit of our own happiness that has led us astray.

Often the things that do not make us happy in the moment are the best things for us. Eating well help protect our bodies from hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol. Not smoking or doing drugs or drinking copious amounts of alcohol keeps us from liver and lung disease. Refraining from excessive spending protects us from financial stress and debt we struggle to pay off. Saving sex for the marriage of one man and one woman until death do they part protects us from sexually transmitted diseases. Choosing to love this person and honor your wedding vows protect your family from destruction and your children from from depression. Not releasing plastic balloons as a wedding send off protects the sea creatures. Recycling protects our planet and keeps us from living in a contaminated environment.  

None of the things listed are easy. Eating isn’t the choice that makes me happy. Eating the cinnamon roll or drinking the sweet coffee drink or eating the Chinese food always does.... until it doesn’t. Refraining from substance abuse and under age consumption isn’t the choice that always makes me happy. It makes me feel ostracized, alone, and different. To party and do what my friends are doing would make me happy.... until it doesn’t. Being frugal is not the choice that always make me happy. Buying whatever I want whenever i want makes me happy.... until it doesn’t. Saving myself for marriage is not always the choice that makes me happy. Having sex whenever and with whoever I want would make me happy.... until it doesn’t. Staying with the person that I married even when I don’t feel the same way about them, they bug me, or because I simply don’t feel happy anymore is not the choice that always makes me happy.  Moving on to a different relationship would make me happy.... until it doesn’t.... getting the picture? You are unhealthy, disease ridden, hurtful to those you love and never really loving them, in massive debt, killing baby sea creatures and living in the filth that you have accumulated for yourself in the pursuit of your own happiness. 

Happiness is not our goal. “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Phil 3:12-14 The Message. The pursuit of happiness is limited to moments. The pursuit of Jesus is looking to a future and caring for other more than yourself. Christian or not, married, divorced, or single, virgin or not, drinker or not, smoker or not, health addict or food addict, big spenders or frugal savers, environmentalist or not, when someone puts you before them you always feel honored, loved, cared for, grateful. Turn away from seeking self.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt 6:33

The pursuit of happiness is not our goal. We are not defined by what makes us feel happy in this moment. Our identity is found in Christ. Our Worth is found in Christ. Our JOY, our HAPPY is found in Christ.... even if it doesn’t feel happy. And honey, You are worth so much more than what makes you feel happy at this very moment.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit." 1 Thes. 1:6

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Pslam 16:11

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Rom. 15:13

This lie rules our nation. Will it rule you?

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My sin vs need struggle today is not one that I have never encountered before. It is the classic “how much of myself must I give to others” struggle that I know is not uncommon to man…. Or woman…. I went to the Lord with this struggle this morning first in sorrow and then in question being honest with Him as to the intensions and desire of my heart. I love the Lord, He is so gentle and loving. Today I came upon the story of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand. I have read that story over and over again and was honestly a little disappointed…. This story was simple a story of the Lord’s generosity and a show of His miraculous abilities and power. What could I learn about the condition of my heart from this particular story? So in my mind I had already decided I would read on until the Lord spoke… because I needed to hear Him and I felt no particular scripture coming to mind as so often happens when I come to the Lord in need. Then I started reading….

 I read a story about my Jesus supplying abundantly all the hungry needs of a great crowd. I read a story about Jesus faithfully proving himself to Phillip. I saw myself in Phillip. Jesus asked him a question, “Where will we buy bread for all of these people to eat?” The ever-logical Philip answered in that logic and not at all in faith, “It would take more than a half-year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” I can see the wheels turning in his head… how are we going to do this? What is Jesus thinking? Instead of remembering who he was following. I mean I John 1:45 was so excited that he had found and was following “the One Moses wrote about in the Law” that he ran to tell his good friend Nathan. But now seeing a hungry crowd, his faith was overwhelmed by logic.

 My faith is often overwhelmed by logic. In a situation, as overwhelming and as a large hungry crowd I forget that “My God will supply all my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Eph 4:19 and that if I need wisdom my God is “generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So, He will give [me] wisdom.” James 1:5 But today I forgot that “all scripture is given by God. And all scripture is useful for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live.” 2 Tim 3:16.

 So, did He answer and generously supply all my needs with a generous supply of wisdom that He loves to give me and use His Word to teach me and correct me and show me the right way to live? Absolutely. In this story, Jesus gave of Himself greatly, but at the end of the story He went away to spend time in solitude when that same crowd was asking for more than it was right for him to give and he spent time in solitude. Not giving all is right and good. Doing it well is also important.

 Happy Easter everybody. Jesus is alive and I know it very well. He knows my name and hears me when I call. He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own and the joys we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

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Reading 1 Peter, I have reminded over and over again that I am CHOSEN. I am not a fluke or an accident or selected by default simply because I exist, but I am CHOSEN by God! I am chosen for salvation: “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I am chosen to proclaim: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I have been chosen to suffer: “After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭ I have been chosen for a gift: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NASB‬‬ These are only a few of the ways that 1 Peter and the rest of God's Word tells us that we have been chosen. As Easter approaches my mind settles of that first way that 1 Peter tells us that we have been chosen- salvation! Easter is a celebration of Jesus' great sacrifice so that we might be chosen. I am overwhelmed with joy at the thought of how much I am loved that Jesus would die when it was suppose to be me taking responsibility for my own consequences. So glad to be chosen.

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If all I ever saw of the world was through my front window, I might not believe someone if they told me that some trees turn pink with flower buds in the spring or that there are bodies of water bigger than what my bath tub can hold. I would definitely have a hard time imagining what a hiker could see at the top of a mountain or even what a mountain itself looks like. The same can be said for our lives spiritually. The wrong perspective can make our logic sound nice a tidy when really our perspective has screwed our thinking. Luckily for us, we have a perspective checker: God's Word. We have the choice to base our choices and decisions in life off of pure truth. Most of James brings me to this place; the place of changing my understanding to match what I know truth is telling me. I see truth and then I have to choose: what I currently believe and act on vs. What God's Word is telling me. Am I constantly in a state of quarrelling or discontent with others? Is it my own pleasure I am concerned with or extending the love of God? Is it more important to me for people to know what I think than to humbly ask God to provide loving guidance to those around me? Do I become easily frustrated when my plans are thwarted rather than seek God's will for me to adjust my means or goals to His plans! “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ May I seek your perspective God rather than focus on my own discontent or disappointment. My sight is a window view compared to your mountain vista.

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The Tongue I have recently begun to study the book of James. I am on my first read-through. It doesn't matter how often I read this book, the Lord always exposes my sin every time I read it. The tongue..... "We all stumble in many ways. Everyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check" James 3:2 This is one of the first things I read this morning after receiving some disappointing news. In my hurt anger I wanted to lash out and let everyone know exactly how I felt... Just before entering into my time with the Lord I had prayed, "I could talk about this all day, but I would much rather hear what you have to say [LORD]." And boy did He tell me what He thought about that heart attitude. Not just with the same previous verse, but through all of chapter 3 of James- Taming the tongue. Later, sitting here in my plush recliner, my Bible a safe distance away from me as I am digesting all of that, I am looking at my Facebook page and stumble across a post from "The Word For the Day" called " When to be silent." I decided that it was worth looking at and looking up the verses provided... you know, since God had been driving home a similar point earlier in the day. Proverbs was the main player in this late day study... Proverbs 14:16, 18:13, 13:1, 14:9, 8:8, 17:27, 4:24, 16:27, 16:28, 18:21, 24:24, 14:23, 21:23.... Then Ecclesiastes 10:20 says, “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” ‭The context of that verse might not be right on target with my thought process, but a truth within it does. I must take care with my words because they have power to hurt far beyond where I ever extended for them to reach. The best example of a tame tongue that I read tonight came from 1 Peter 2:22-23 "“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” ‭‭What I found in my desire to puff up and speak was a lack of humility within myself, a lack of care for those whom my words might affect, and a lack of trust for my Father God... who cannot judge wrongly and has all the facts, not just the small facts I see. So this is my prayer for my tongue and my heart which is the source of my words: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭

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Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement The heroin of my favourite TV show has a terrible flaw- her temper. She yells and scream and becomes angry over what seems to be a small slight, yet I somehow find mercy for her. Mercy- A compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's own power. [webster] A blessing that is an act of divine favour or compassion [webster] I find mercy for her because I know her (and let's be honest- I can relate to her) the TV show gives me particular insight into her life. I know that she is not only quick to anger, but also kind and compassionate towards those who are poor and needy. I know I am the same as her. I have both flaws and strengths. We are the same. James brings this to a more spiritual note when he tells that no one is a worse sinner than we are(yeah, I know, he doesn't say it just like that) He says, "whoever keeps the law but stumbles at just one point is guilt of breaking all of it."[James 2:10] Not only am I a sinner, but I might as well have committed every sin in the book as far as my "goodness" goes. I have no status either higher or lower than anyone else. All I have is my status as an equally guilty sinner before the Perfect Judge and thankfully, my redemption before Him. So, where do I find a leg to stand on to have pride enough to find someone else unworthy of my mercy? Mercy- A compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's own power. [webster] A blessing that is an act of divine favour or compassion [webster] "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT." James 2:12-13 Emphasis added by me. So may I have mercy for others as I have for that heroin. Knowing that I am the same. Knowing that I myself have been shown great mercy.

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My time in Africa is quickly coming to an end. But there are a few people whose journey is just beginning.

Above are four amazing girls that are going through bush training just like I did 2 years ago now. ( I celebrated my two year mark with my team mates Kelly Moatts and Ben Pineda Oct. 4) Bush training is no picnic, although it may look like a picnic in the picture. Each of these ambitious people are learning how to live culturally, physically, linguistically and spiritually different lives in order to advance the kingdom of God in Karamoja. They will be pushed to learn and teach in new ways; Walk in humility in ways they have never experienced; And probably how to harvest sorghum. 

So please pray for Mary Ruth, Randi Lynn, Jordan, and Adeola, Lochoto, Roger, and Christian.

This time of training is also not easy on the trainers either. There days have been and will be full of teaching and preparation for teaching for the next 3 months. Also please pray for Ben, Bolton, Robert & Maridtih Lane, and Selvin and Laurel Jeremiadoss as they pour out their lives in discipleship of these new people. Pray for strength and rest and wisdom as they seek to train others to build the kingdom of God in Karamoja. 

Let us not forget about the kiddos! School has started back up for the TCKs (Third Culture Kids). Some of them are quite comfortable living in karamoja and other have just joined the fun for the first time. Please be praying for each of them as they transition into new grades and subjects and for the new kiddos as they transition into a new culture and way of life!

Many of you have been praying for Laurel and Selvin’s son Luke:

He has been doing well! Please continue to pray for his health!

Above you see Britone and Mary and their son Elijah. They have recently moved to Karamoja to be missionaries! They are such an answer to so many prayers! Britone is a seminary graduate from the Baptist Seminary in Jinja, Uganda. He is also a registered nurse. He and his wife moved away from friends and family to serve Jesus and the Karamojong people supported by their home church right here in Uganda. This is why we go to the nations- to make disciples that will then go and make disciples. What a testimony of Jesus that Britone and Mary are where they are now! They have already started a church in their home and my hope is for Britone to take over the clinic that Amanda and I started up! Please pray for them as they serve and especially for Mary, she is expecting a baby! 

Please pray for me also and my upcoming time of transition back to the US. I cannot wait to see all your faces and get all the hugs! I have missed you all so much and I am so blessed to have your love and prayers!

Blessings!

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Hello friends,

The last month has been full of finishing up ministries to make way for new ministries and new personnel coming in. On September 19th 2 new J-girls will be joining our team and bush training will begin. It will involve 3 other girls, 1 family, and 1 single guy going to live in Arua, Uganda to work with refugees. My last several weeks here are going to be full of study, discipleship, and getting to know these new ladies.

I will post pictures and give more information about the training and the trainees as it progresses. For now if you could pray for my heart and mind to be focused on Jesus’ grace and love for me and for my quiet times and prayer life consistent and refreshing. Also pray for the good-byes I will soon be saying to my friends here. Training will be busy and hard work, but I do not want to neglect the good-byes to my Karamojong friends.

Love you all! Thank you!

Jillian

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Kijuuru:    

Head bowed down

 I left my home town of Cassville July 19, 2015 for the Journey I had been waiting on for most of my life. I ended up Kaabong, Karamoja, Uganda working in a clinic that Amanda G. and I started up and living with her and Kelly Moatts. My time was supposed to have ended this month, but back in November, December, and January I really felt the Lord leading me to extend my term by about 3 months. At that point I was experiencing a lot of disappointment in ministry and feeling quite a bit of homesickness, but I decided to bow my head down low before Jesus and obey. Here I am facing those 3 extra months that I signed on for and I feel like at some point I stood back up and I am slowly inching toward the exit door of this journey. I need to submit and choose to obey again. I learned the word Kijuuru when studying the story of the Leper in Luke 5 with Joyce.

“While He (Jesus) was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Luke 5:12

This man humbled himself completely before Jesus. He did not have false pride in his strength from his accomplishments or in his intellect or perseverance. He knew his great need and he had faith that Jesus could meet that need. Well, instead of inching for the door I need to humble myself completely before Jesus, my head bowed low in my need and have faith that He will meet those needs where I am.

July has been busy with discipling Joyce, learning stories with the Story Together Project ladies, and manning the clinic. In August I have plans to meet once a week also with a friend named Esther and go over God’s Word with her and Joyce together! The last day of the clinic will be August 16, 2017. We plan on ending that day of work with a party celebrating all the hard work that went into opening this clinic up and all that Jesus has done in that place. We have 3 more stories to learn in the Old Testiment in Story Together Project before we take a break from that project until next year. That will take about 3 more weeks J. These next 3 weeks we will study and learn David & Goliath, David & Bathsheba & Nathan, and Isaiah 53 which is a prophecy. August 19 will probably end my intentional time of discipleship with Joyce and Esther also.

Our next project is preparing for and initiating the new coming members of the team coming in September!

Thank you all for praying and loving these people with me!

Always,

Jillian

 Specific Prayer for Jillian:

·      To humble myself each day before the Lord and before my team.

·      To have the mindset of Jesus as I move into this new aspect of serving in     Karamoja.

 Specific Prayer for ministry:

·      For the time of discipleship both in Story Together Project and with Joyce and Esther to be full and rich in learning about our relationship with Jesus.

·      For all these ministries to end well.

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Kiric (Kee-reesh) – Ngakaramojong for to cherish or hold dear

 Hello ALL!

It is June. It is crazy to see so many Journey People that went overseas with me start to leave the field within the next month. It makes me both a little homesick for all of you and thankful for a couple more months to be in this place. I end my term at the end of October 2017. Two years have gone by SO quickly and I am very thankful to have had all of you “holding the ropes” in prayer for me.

Many of you have been praying for my ladies in the Story Together Project. This portion of the project has been particularly difficult for our people because they have had to sit and listen to portions of scripture 10- 40 minutes in length and condense that information into a 2- 3-minute story. This is obviously a difficult task that takes up hours a week out of their busy lives. But these men and women are dedicated and consistent in showing up and learning these stories. Each week after the story is crafted, they are sent out to then tell the story to people around them. On a consistent basis, at least 20 people a week are hearing these stories! The Word of God is being delivered to the people of Kaabong! Many of you all prayed specifically for the crafting of the story of Noah. This story crafting went exceptionally well. Thank you for your prayers. Below is a list of the stories we will be crafting over the next several weeks. We would love your continued prayer for both those crafting the stories and those listening to the stories.

The clinic is going well. We are open one day a week and seeing an average of 20 patients in that day. We are in rainy season so most of our patients come in with either Malaria or respiratory infections.

“Language” has become a part of my daily life here in Kaabong again. I say “language” with quotation marks because most of you would read that word and assume I am sitting in a class learning new vocabulary word and grammar. Language looks a lot different from that for our team. We go through several phases of language that would be lengthy to explain, but the exciting part about this for me is that I get to spend time learning the stories chronologically in the book f Luke with someone who has come to Christ in the last year!

Please pray for Joyce as she learns these stories and begins to hide God’s Word in her heart for the first time! We recently went over the Story of Jesus’ Birth. Right after the shepherds leave Mary and Joseph to go let everyone know what they experienced the Bible says that Mary cherished all of these things in in her heart. During the discussion time for this story I asked what that phrase meant and if she cherished anything in her heart. She responded by telling me that she cherished all the stories we learned together in her heart. Joyce also comes with me to the clinic every Wednesday and helps pray with all our patients. She is growing so quickly!

I write all this to you because I want you all to know that I cherish your prayers in my heart. They truly make a difference in this place.

Thanks for holding the ropes.

Sincerely,

Jillian

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First of all, please let me thank you for all you have one for me over the last almost 2 years. Most of you know my story, but let me tell it again. I felt the Lord calling me to rural Africa to use my nursing skills to bring the Gospel to those who had not yet heard. This calling took me to Kaabong, Uganda in East Africa. I work with the Baptist Mission to assist in the church planting ministry among the Karamojong people. My role is strategic in meeting the physical needs of the people in the Karamojong community in order to take a holistic approach to bring the gospel to this place and plant churches. You have enabled be to be able to stay and live here to help accomplish this task. Your prayers and love and support are more important than any of you know!

 My Team:                                                       

Jillian, RN                                                                                   

Kelly Moatts Teacher

Jeremiads Family Church planters

  I am currently the only medical member of the team. Amanda has had to return to the USA. Kelly serves along side the team as an aid to help teach literacy especially to those who are new Christians and need to be able to read the Word of God. The Jeremiadoss family leads in church planting and discipleship. They are a new addition to the area. We are a diverse team with different and specific giftings.

 The Clinic has been open since April of 2016. Since it’s opening we have employed a local nurse and about 4 months into its opening we hired an administrative assistant/ translator. Our goal for the clinic is to serve the residents of Kaabong in order to help them meet basic health care and first aid requirements. The activities of the clinic include treatment of skin wounds, administration of medications, malaria testing, health and sanitation education, and occasional transport of a patient(s) to the hospital. The clinic has been open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am to 5pm treating anywhere from 50-75 patients in a day. In the last year we have treated over 2000 patients most having a chance to hear the Word of God and all receiving individualized prayer before they leave the clinic.

The clinic not only provides for the people in the community but also helps support the medical staff in the local Kaabong hospital. The staff are few and overloaded having to triage, admit/ treat or treat/send home, and discharge patients. Many people have to leave at the end of the day without treatment due to lack of staff and/or resources. By treating patients with basic health care needs and first aid care we are able to relieve the pressures put on the national medical workers in a small way and increase those able to receive medical care. This is made possible because of your help in allowing me to be in this place. 

Because of many changes within the team and increased responsibilities the clinic will now be open only one day a week as I take on more discipleship and logistical responsibilities. The clinic will be closed indefinitely sometime in August due to me returning to the USA after the completion of my term and having no one to come and take my place in running the clinic. Please pray for God’s will to be done here. I would love for a nurse to come here and continue what Amanda and I started, but only He knows what will aid best in the growth of His Kingdom.

Story Together Project will have its final big meeting in August. Please pray for us as well create a story set and the Karamojong men and women learn to story!

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I have been racking my brain trying to find words, any words, but the right words... never could find them. But I think my team mate Kelly did well at expressing her heart which reflects mine exactly. I love you all any miss being in your presence.

“Dear friends and prayer partners,

First, I want to apologize for not having sent out a newsletter in a while. There has been a lot of craziness going on and I have just struggled to find the words to be able to incorporate you all on this journey. I think the last time I wrote to you I informed you that my teammate Amanda would be going back to the states. It saddens me to write to you and inform you that two more of my teammates had to return to the states recently. That is two thirds of our team.

I must be honest and tell you I never thought I would be the one saying, “This is not what I signed up for.” I spent years of my life preparing for this. I had been through trips and trainings. And I knew that no matter how many subconscious expectations there are the one thing you always can expect is the unexpected. But this… this was more than unexpected.

Actually it kind of feels like we’re on the TV show Survivor: Uganda. There have been so many times over the last year that I have felt like I was on a reality TV show.

I wish I could tell you stories of daisies and roses. Missionaries always strive to do so. Even the ones from the hardest places find some way to muster up some inspiring story of redemption and love that made it all worthwhile. But the truth is I think that implies it is only worthwhile if there is some great awesome story to show for it. Now don’t hear me wrong, people have come to Christ and disciples have been made, but the only story I could tell you that would make it all worthwhile is one you already know so well; the gospel. That’s why I came here, and that’s why I stayed here through all the hardships and trials, not for the people or even for the salvations; it was for my Savior. His blood alone makes every moment of suffering worth it. No fruit seen nor any amount of material blessing could have kept me here or would have been worth all that I have gone through, but Jesus is. Jesus is worth it all and somehow I feel like the worse my circumstances the more it proves just how strong God’s love is because my love for Him keeps me here and His love for me is the source of my love. Because “It’s not that we love God but that he loved us and gave himself for us.”  

I want you to know though I am not staying here because I feel like if I left I would be a failure nor because I would be ashamed. If I have learned anything it is there is nothing glorified about being on the mission field verses following God in obedience anywhere else. And there is certainly nothing shameful about leaving the mission field if you are doing so out of obedience to God. But that is the point: obedience. That is why I remain here. As much as I don’t think there is anything glorified about the mission field I also don’t think there is anything glorified about the states. Simply changing locations wouldn’t help anything or fix anything. I don’t feel God leading me back to the States at this point, and so out of love and obedience to Him I will remain because as Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

The missionary life is a life in transition. Before I came on the field my supervisor quoted Matthew 8:20 but changed it a bit…  Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but Echelon Missionaries have no place to lay their heads. I find that to be very true life is always changing, but the great part about our Savior is that he can go with us wherever we go. I will be out of Kaabong a lot the next couple months for meetings, vacation, seminary classes, etc. When I return I will hopefully be able to get back into ministry in some fashion and especially language. We will partnering with African Inland Mission and begin a training for nationals and missionaries where we will be hosting many people on our compound from June through August. Then in September we will most likely be getting some new Journey(wo)men on our team that we will begin to get to know and train also.

Please continue to pray for my team, the ones that have left and the ones that remain. The Echelon team is bigger than what was just the six of us in Kaabong and they have stepped up to support us during this time. Laurel and Selvin and their kids as well as a journeyman Ben have left their home in South Sudan and joined us in Kaabong to live here until at least the end of the year in order to support us and the ministry here. Jeremy and Susan and their family have been a great support and they will be back in Kaabong for the training in June. The extended leadership of the company has provided us with so much support and love during this time and we are incredibly grateful!

Thank you all for your prayers. Please continue remember us daily, we need your prayers now more than ever.

Kelly”

My heart is aches over all that has been lost and broken over the last several months of our lives. Losing an entire team takes a tole on the mind, body, and spirit. This only goes to show that Karamoja is a place of GREAT spiritual warfare. Please pray for us as we continue on there with the thought that Satan does not want ANY of us there. But God, my God, is great and stronger and mightier than anything Satan can bring against us. 

For His glory and my good

love-

Jillian

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December and January has been jam packed full of activity and change. December brought the visit of my mom, Adam’s return to the states, and Christmas celebrations. January brought New Years celebration, our new supervisors moving to Kaabong, Story Together Project, Amanda’s (my nursing partner) return to the states, and a trip to Dubai for meetings. All at the same these last couple months have been sad, stressful, encouraging, productive, and full of opportunities for growth.

It was great to have my mom here to see this place that I have come to love. She got to experience first hand living in this place and interacting with my friends and in the ministries we have going on here. She got to observe the struggles and the joys of Kaabong life. 

Christmas brought 100 people into our yard with a bull roast, the sharing of the gospel, and singing and dancing and praising God. Story Together Project is a 2 year long project that teaches people to craft and learn stories and sets of stories from the Bible in order to share the over arching theme of the gospel through out the Bible. We finished phase 3 of this project this January where the participants learned to create a story set that depicts the theme of hope in it’s relationship with the gospel. Over the next several months we will be working together with the Karamojong to craft the stories in this set! Please pray for us as we try to incorporate hope and Jesus into each of these stories. Also pray for the many people that will be listening to these stories! In order to give Story Together Project our best and reach the Karamojong, the clinic will be closed for a short time. Our hope is that with our first love being Christ and our obedience to be dedicate to the gospel, that God kingdom will be built up and that unity of our team would be established firmly. Then as the karamojong get the hang of crafting their own stories and need us less we can branch back out into our other ministries again in a way that supports the Kingdom of God being built in this place.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please be praying especially for us as we refocus our activity and efforts. Always, Jillian

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Christmas Time is Near

Happy Dec. 1st everybody! It has been a good couple of months, but they have also been some of the most challenging months of my life; So many areas of growth, so many areas of change. Thank you for everyone who has prayed for me through it all. 

Ministry has changed a lot since the last time I talked to you. Where the clinic has been open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we are now open only Wednesdays at a stationary clinic and have gone mobile! I will admit that it worried me that we would be able to find areas that were God-given areas that would open up areas to he gospel and enhance the ministry of our teammates each week.  God keeps growing my faith. He has provided SO much more than I asked for. We have gone to villages and to town and God has provided just what we have needed. 

EX: God brought to our attention a group of South Sudanese migrants that have come to our area to water and feed their herds. The children were swollen with worms and the adults in pain with Kidney Infections. We were able to take them medicine and tell them a Bible story leading to the gospel. It has been an amazing adventure with the LORD.

I have stopped my language lessons in a formal setting. This has allowed me to free up some space in my schedule for other things. I have gotten quite involved in the ministry of my teammate Kelly. She is a teacher. She teaches godly character traits at the school and the national believers to read. It has been fun to watch God work through her ministries. She has shared the gospel to more than 100 children over the last several weeks. Please pray for their hearts! Two of the national believers that have had their final literacy test have passed with flying colors! They are now able to read, which means that they can read God’s Word! How amazing and special to be one of the only people in your village to be able to read the Bible!

Day to day has been an adventure. Helping people get their crops from the field to the house (from harvesting to bagging it up and driving it to their home.) Having new friends over for Thanksgiving. Saying goodbye to friends moving to another ministry sight (Good bye and God bless, Willard family). And adding a new team mate (Say Hello to Bolton.)

Bolton is from Kampala, Uganda. He is with us overseeing a project with another missions organization, but he has also joined in our ministries and has picked up a couple of his own. He is heading up a Bible study group in Kaabong town with the English speaking population in our area! We are so excited to see what god does with this new group! It will be very evangelistic to begin with. Please be praying for soft hearts in Kaabong and fields ripe for harvest!

Much Love and Merry Christmas!

Jillian

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Kaabong Life

                                                          September

September has been crazy and fun. We now have a new family living with us. There names: Adam, Cori, Cruise, and Javin Willard. We are blessed to have them. You can pray for them as they build a training center for new missionaries coming to the field. Our teammates Holly and Jonathan and Adam Leach have had malaria. Please pray for the physical health of our team as we strive for serving our Lord here.

The clinic is running fast. We have been seeing at least 50 patients a day, on a normal day and just yesterday we were told that patients have been sleeping outside the clinic to get a space in line. This part is hard for team Amanda and Jillian. We have to set a boundary of 50 patients each day and send the rest off to the hospital or to return another day. There is no guarantee that they will be seen at the hospital- so this method is hard, but necessary.

I felt led to talk about spiritual matters with a friend here. I was able to do that and she has been asking questions. Please pray for the Truth to set these people free and for us to be listening to the Spirit as we make conversation on a daily basis.

I have been here for one year as of October 4, 2016. It hardly seems possible to me that I have been here that long. I thank God for allowing me to serve here and I thank you all for keeping me in your prayers. This has been the hardest year of my life and I have needed all of your prayers. Please continue to Journey with me this next year.

God Bless,

Jillian

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Hello All!

Life has been very fast paced the last couple months. I has been exhausting and great. Many of you know that I had been struggling with homesickness. Thank you for praying. God has been faithful to encourage me! I have visited great friends and had great friends from my home church visit me! Speaking of FBC Cassville, thank you all for sending that team! We were so blessed to have you here! You loved the Karamojong- that is the biggest blessing of all! You served them and treated them with respect. You were part of a process that allowed more than 300 people hear God’s Word! Thank you for your obedience! See the fruit!

Clinic: We should be able to open up again after almost a month of being closed. Please pray that the medicine would be what is needed to treat our patients. Please pray also for my purpose and heart to be Kingdom focused as I seek to meet physical needs. I am going to ask again that you pray for wisdom for both Amanda and I as we make medical decisions.

Language: Pray for motivation and sound minds! We have had quite a bit of “time off” from this part of our lives here. Please keep this in your prayers as it has a direct effect on sharing Christ with those around us!

You: Most of this letter has been a thanks or a request. But hear me when I say thank you. Your prayers have been felt and I wish I could tell you all the ones that have been answered. Know that God is faithful and that your prayers matter. Your obedience matters. Thank you for your obedience! 

Love and Prayers

Jillian

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-July- July is going by quickly. The last month and a half has come and gone in what seems a blink of an eye and during that time Amanda and I have treated more than 500 patients and gone through more medicine than we could have thought possible in such a short time. Amanda and I are still in such a time of learning and change. We knew the clinic would not be easy work, but sometimes being a nurse, a doctor, a pharmacist, an accountant, a manager, and an employer all at the same time is overwhelming, especially when we only have the education for one of those jobs. All this and I am still gonna tell you that I love this thing that God has asked me to do. Sometimes I just stop and think about it all and wonder at how amazing my God really is! Have you done that lately? Have you removed yourself from all the stress and found God in the midst of it all? Have taken a step back and realized how much He really loves you and is working in your life? I promise you, when you do, thankfulness will flow from your heart. I have learned recently what good medicine thankfulness is to my soul. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.” Phil 4:6-7. I do not put this into practice as much as I would like to so that I do. However, I have seen its effects in my life. Coming up next is the Story Together Project. During this time two enemy clans of the Karamojong come together, craft Bible stories and praise songs, and share them with friends and family and each other. A team from FBC Cassville will be coming to assist with this project. I am so excited, but I know that this time needs to be blanketed in prayer. Please pray for the team, the Karamojong, and all the onsite missionaries as we tread into enemy territory with the Word of God. I would like to say thank you to all of you who have fought hard for me in prayer. You may never truly know how thankful I am for you, but I am! I would also like you to know that you are indispensable. Your prayers have mattered in my life and to the Karamojong. Thank you. Much Love- Jillian