Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Finally Writing...

I struggled all of last week trying to find something to write about on the blog. The one thing that I seemed to be really passionate about writing was the one thing I didn't want to write about on my blog... and so no posts came.
I however, completely neglected to tell about some very major things that have been on my heart as far as prayer.

You all know by now how I am absolutely in love with a country in Africa called Uganda. And equally as "in-love" with a certain section of Kampala city called Bugolobi, and especially with a church there, and specifically a really amazing group of young people called the "David's Fellowship".
Last week unfortunately, there were riots in Kampala City. As nearly as I can tell the main focus of the riots was tribal oriented. Apparently there was supposed to be some sort of meeting in the city, and at the last minute the king of the tribe was denied access which sent the meeting-goers on riot edge. Police were naturally called in to de-escalate the situation, but I am afraid, made it worse. I think the last count was 15 dead, and 100s injured. Lots of property was also destroyed, from burning cars to ransacking buses and businesses. It seems to have cooled off some in Kampala, but I wish you would all pray for peace anyway.
Uganda is a fairly stable government compared to most of Africa, but there is LOTS of corruption as anyone there will tell you. Most elections are rigged, political deviants are held on bogus charges, and the only way to get ahead is to know someone in a position higher than you. And unfortunately, they harbor the same biases towards tribes that we in some sections of the US maybe harbor towards different ethnic groups.
I don't think that is something that I'll ever understand. The concept of tribal loyalties. I was talking to a UG friend about it the other day, and realized that there is nothing in the US to compare it to. I don't even feel as patriotic towards my entire country as they do towards their tribe. (though arguably some Americans do) And while I love my family dearly, I wouldn't start a riot cause some one of them was denied access to a city.

So I was reading in Jeremiah, (because I was looking for that verse about seeking the peace and prosperity of the city which seemed appropriate) and I didn't realize that verse falls in the same conversation between God and the exiles as the "for I know the plans I have for you..." verse. Maybe I'm just stupid, but you hear the "plans" verse so much, and very rarely do you hear the whole passage that it goes with. Anyway, I think you should read it too, because I was very encouraged by it. Its found in chapter 29 in case you are interested.
Point being, not only are we seeking the peace and prosperity of the "city" while we live in it (and yes, I realize that I don't technically live in UG right now...) but also, while we ware seeking that peace we need to rest in the promise that God already has this whole thing planned out. Its not a plan of harm, its a plan of future, hope, and prosperity. But He does ask us to come to Him, call upon Him, seek with all our hearts... and then He is willing to be found by us, to answer us. And then to gather us from all the nations and places He has scattered us; gather us to Himself. *warm, fuzzy feelings*

Anyway I think I am going to committ to praying for the government of Uganda.

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