Incest (What do we do?)

In the past three years, I have been involved with homes that are kind enough to restore hope to girls that are pregnant because the people that they are seen and trusted all their lives have suddenly turned into animals and are sexually abusing them. These girls have found themselves pregnant and the society and shunned them and even told them that they will amount to nothing. Blaming them for the vice that the adults are responsible for and shattering their dreams into small fragments that will take quite sometime to rebuild. Incest right under our roofs has become quite common that even Fathers have resorted to abusing their biological children. brothers are comfortable with taking advantage of their under aged sisters and grandfathers are resorting to sleeping with their innocent grandchildren.

This issue is so close to my heart, it causes me so much pain listening to the stories that this girls faced with a crisis pregnancy and who knows whatever diseases they might have caught stand up to tell their story and the pain that they are going through not knowing what the future hold for them. Recently I had a discussion with my daughter who was asking me who should they trust because at school they have been told to be on the lookout because even Daddy’s, Uncles, Brothers and cousins can abuse them sexually! I looked at my 10 year old and all I told her is to trust her instincts because it is so painful to realise that we have come to this.

What should we do as society is my question? Should we go back to the classroom and educate the young boys about incest before they turn into these animals? I am looking for answers, please tell me where we should begin.

Me through my eyes

I think it is interesting for me to see me through my eyes. To tell you who I am from where I stand, from who I think I am. Does that sound a bit strange? Most of the times, we believe that the person we are is the person that people say we are. I think that seems quite familiar. I had a privilege of attending a lecture by Prof F.F. Tusubira this year. Before he met the class, he gave us an assignment to tell him who we think we are, this is what I wrote.

I am a Wife, Mother to three girls, a sister and a second born child of my parents. I have three biological children (girls).  I care deeply for people and love easily that is why my friends refer to me as a care pastor. I am shy though my shyness is usually mistaken for pride but when you get to know me, I am very accommodating, friendly and outgoing.

My number one value is Love. This value comes with patience, kindness, forgiveness, trust, selflessness, compassion and protection. I jump at the chance to help other people and I am generous in giving my time and resources to worthy causes or to friends and family.

My second value is integrity. This value incorporates honesty, truthfulness, responsibility and reliability.  I have always believed that God singled me out for responsibility because I am I am reliable truthful and honest. 

My third value is stewardship. This value incorporates resourcefulness, charity, contribution or giving and this is my purpose.

And my last value is Perseverance.This value incorporates persistence, or determination. When I start something, I will complete it. 

I always strive to be a decent person who is respected by family, friends,  loved ones and my chosen communities because I am here to make a positive difference despite being imperfect.

I derive my strength primarily from my faith, and from my relationship and daily conversations with God. This is how it has been for me since I was old enough to truly understand what it means to have a faith, and live your life with it.

My  hope comes  in the knowledge that God has the best in mind for me. I know this because it is confirmed in the words of one of my favorite Bible passages, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

My Personal purpose statement is “To provide love and support to those who need it and sharing my gifts, talents, and wealth with those who are less fortunate”.

That is who I say I am.

A spiritual perspective on weight struggles

I just completed reading (Listening) a book by Lisa Terkeurst, Made to Crave. It has changed my outlook on diets and losing weight. I have learnt that the victory of losing weight is not tied to the way that you change physically but it is tied to the way one overcomes mentally and spiritually.

Yes, you get to loose all the pounds physically but not being weighted down mentally and spiritually by the constant feeling of defeat is the real victory. This freedom and healthy outlook are not tied to what size a person is. There are painfully thin Women weighted down spiritually and emotionally by feelings of defeat the same as Women many sizes larger than them.

It is true that most of us girls struggle with this “Getting Healthy” thing but God doesn’t just command us to have a healthy perspective on food, he also provides the help to achieve it. His word holds the key for anyone who wants to overcome food issues, be it slight or severe. His truths perfectly direct us, guide us and teach us and he has proven true to his promises to save us. Read Psalm 107: 17 – 19. Food is meant to be consumed by us for our benefit but not to consume us to our detriment.

It can be hard when fellow fat friends get thin and even worse when you feel that overcoming this struggle is remotely impossible. How precious of God to specifically address a woman’s struggle with food. How does he save the woman with food issues, the anorexic girl who truly loathes all food, the severely obese? He sent forth his word and healed them. Jesus girls are not meant to get stuck in a state of defeat, we are meant to walk on paths toward victory.

Our lessons on overcoming weight issues are one of God’s greatest gifts. Having a weight issue is not God’s curse. It is an external manifestation of an internal struggle just like debt for an over spender. Issues with health mean that we need to get unstuck from unhealthy habits. So we need to get to a place where we get healthy spiritually and live as overcomes not victims. Read Rev 2:7.

Your healthy choices should make you feel empowered not deprived.

This is a great read. Find it on scribe

My Harvest Institute Journey

On 12^th January 2019, I started my journey at the Harvest Institute. A Journey that will see me complete their leadership training course with 300,000 UGX in the bank (My Deposit on fees) and so much faith for the rest of the fees and whatever requirements I needed to complete the journey. I knew that all I needed was the determination to study and complete this rather “Difficult Journey” as many that had walked it had exclaimed.  

For me it has been such a great journey, a journey that has seen me grow into the servant -leader that I should me , a journey that has seen me become an author of the book that you all must read, a journey that has seen me set my life goals and confirm my purpose in life, a journey that has seen me become part of a team that has planted a church, a journey that has seen me hunger for knowledge and got me reading more and more books with a purpose, a journey that has made me more generous than I have been; putting others needs always before my own, a journey that has taught me to value my skills, financial discipline and thinking big. 

This journey is about to come to an end and God has provided all the books I needed to read, the fees that I needed to complete the course and most of all, the time that I needed to complete my assignments and attend class. Our final class is this coming Saturday the 9^th November 2019 and we are privileged to be listening to a great man of God, Claude Nikondeha  founder of Amahoro Africa, Co-Founder and Director of Communities of Hope, President of Kazooza Financial Group and Founder of Burundi Fortified Foods. He is a social-entrepreneur who is passionate about developing leaders and communities. I am very excited to listen and learn from someone who cares for Gods people and believes that no one is meant to be locked up into poverty.

If you want to walk the amazing journey that I have walked by being one of the people that will grace the Harvest Institute class of 2020, send a message to 0788 092 740, email harvestinstitute@worshipharvest.org or just click here http://forms.gle/x869wusUDyofGsw38

House-help or House-mate?

Many a time I have had to ask myself whether it is indeed necessary to have a house-help. My reasons are quite genuine and by the time I finish justifying my reasoning or questioning myself, you will understand why.

When my beloved house-help or now that I have had a sea of them take leave, my house is more organised and I get things done sooooo fast, that I don’t know what to do with the rest of my day. However, when they are around, I start my day by waking them up and giving instruction after instruction and then I supervise and then I rebuke and appreciate. I wonder whether just doing the chores myself would not have saved me half the time. I therefore would like to suggest that I change the title to house-mate because they keep me company and occupy my home when I am away.

You may disagree with me but that is my experience. I have managed my expectations of the young ladies that are employed to help but instead end up just sharing space with me.

My 272 Steps

Two weeks ago I was privileged to go on a tour of Kampala City with my classmates from the Harvest Institute. I learnt so much about the history of Kampala. It was such a trip! We even got to go up the Gadaffi tower, yes all the 272 steps. Something I probably would never have thought of doing my entire life time because of the fear of getting sooo tired and all sorts of other excuses. But I did because I really had to do it. Yes I got tired and my knee got injured but it was a moment of victory for me when I got to the top and looked down to see the beautiful city that I call home.


This all got me thinking about my 272 steps. What are those things that I dare not do because of excuse after excuse? I remember one time being asked to pray in church and my excuse was that I cannot pray infront of a congregation because I was not “that good” at praying. I surely missed out on the victory of praying for someone and making a difference in their lives.


I now deliberately ask myself, what are my 272 steps and what will it take me to get to the top?

Excited! I Got Something New

Most of you can remember a time when you received a present and couldn’t wait to open it up or when you had a new outfit and were on a countdown because you had to wait till Christmas day to put it on or for new Mothers who had to check on their new born baby every 2 minutes because you couldn’t believe that they were yours. Well this is the season I am in. 

For awhile now, I have been aware of my purpose here on earth. Yes it is true that God gave us talents and he put us here on earth not just to exist but to use our talents as best as possible. Mine is “To provide love and support to those who need it and sharing my gifts, talents, and wealth with those who are less fortunate.” 

At the beginning of this year when I signed up for a leadership course at Harvest Institute, we were asked to write down our  purpose and the strategy we were going to use to make sure that we lived out our purpose. We did this and also nominated people that we were accountable to who would see us live according to the values that we listed and to see to it that we live out our purpose.

Now back to my excitement.  I needed to give you something so that you understand where I am coming from. Before I joined Harvest Institute, I knew that God had placed me here on earth to Love and Care for his people and that I did effortlessly. I have not had the space though for this ministry but now God has not only provided that space but also given me people that like me, are on a mission to love and care for his people. I am excited about where this is going and like a little child, mine is the best present ever, the best dress and like a first time Mother, I am excited to see this child grow!

Come See what the Lord has done! 

 

My Uganda Airlines Story

For the past few days, Ugandans have been all over social media, each person with their own opinion about our Uganda Airlines. Sometimes some of these comments have not been too kind, especially coming from a Ugandan but its a free world and all are entitled to their own opinions.

Mine is a road down memory lane. Back to the days when my Mother; did I mention very beautiful Mother was employed by Uganda Airlines. It was a time when we were entitled to ‘free’ tickets subject to availability and we traveled to Nairobi quite often. The memory that clearly comes to mind is when we heard her voice sometimes announcing a flight. It all felt like the airport belonged to us and we loved her job. The only downside to this were the night shifts that she had to work sometimes and maybe sometimes when we had to be returned home because the flight was full and we couldn’t travel; those were embarrassing moments especially because we had announced our travel to the whole neighbourhood. Life was good. And then Uganda Airlines was no more.

Today I share another story, Uganda Airlines is back into my life. Excited to see what it has in-store for Uganda.

BUT WHY ARE THE UNCHURCHED UNCHURCHED?

Does my question make sense? What I mean is why are some people not connected to any church or why do they not belong to any church?

If you are waiting for unchurched people to show up in church because their lives are falling apart, you have so much waiting to do because they are quite happy and successful, they don’t feel guilty about not going to church on Sunday, they believe in God and you cannot tell them anything new because they know more about God and the bible than you will ever know.

But why are they unchurched?

Some have left church because it wasn’t such a good experience. Others because they didn’t feel valued, some would argue that the church was only interested in their money. Some say that church is monotonous, the preaching isn’t deep. Others got busy with life, children, work and yet others are dealing with depression. Some people have rebelled because they felt their lives were restrained or controlled by churches and yet others look back at their childhood years and early adolescence and remember the they were forced to go to attend church services so they simply burned-out.

What should me and you do?

If we are going to reach the unchurched, we need to give our time to listen, to share the gospel through our words and actions. Let us cultivate our relationships with the unchurched as a joyful response to Jesus who gave up everything for us. But, our goal should be not to get the unchurched just back to church, that is just more religion. The goal should be to show Jesus to them, Love them and invite them to be friends with Jesus whether of not they ever attend church.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

Have you ever sat down to think about the depth of your vows? Do you know what it means ” To have and to hold…..”

Yesterday I had a very interesting discussion with my friends and when I went home, I had another interesting conversation with myself! Yes I speak to myself sometimes but no, not loudly. Only in my mind. The vow to have and to hold is such a huge promise to one another, it is the promise for physical connection with one another. It means that you belong to one another. Do not get me wrong, it doesn’t mean that you are now a property of each other. It just means that you are committing to fulfilling each other’s physical and emotional needs.

Believe it or not, when you neglect to fulfill this vow for whatever reason, you are inviting division in you marriage. The key is making time for each other, and each other’s needs.

My intention today was not become a marriage counsellor. I was just thinking and again talking to myself…..