Tororo, Uganda...
I am not writing to let you know that everything is wonderful. In fact, this past week and a half has been hardly that.... but wasn't it Jesus who said, "In this world, you WILL have troubles, but TAKE HEART for I have overcome this world?"
God forewarned me that this past series of days would be a challenge. And let me tell you they were. Beginning with my built-in retainer braking, camera not working, iPod not working, tent getting flooded with water with the majority of my stuff in it, the list goes on... and most recently, I experienced what it is like to throw up for 24 hours straight. Really not fun. All throughout these trials, however, God helped me to stand my ground. No matter what the enemy tried to throw at me...or up in me.. (pun intended).. he did not succeed in stealing my JOY. The JOY of the Lord IS MY STRENGTH. And while I was tremendously weak physically and mentally.. he could not rob me of my JOY. By the grace of God, even through this trail, He has helped me to continue to PRAISE HIS NAME. And I will continue to PRAISE the name of JESUS.
Once again, in the moment of my weakness, I was not only made aware of how much I need Him but also how much I need all of you... my brothers and sisters in Christ. I can't do it on my own... if you think that this is just Lauren's adventure as she travels the world.. hardly. No... I need you guys. I need your prayers... I need your support... I need your friendship and your love. I so badly wanted to write to you in my time of need... I was just unable to...but know that I love you and care for you... and know... especially if you are experiencing trials, illness, suffering of any kind... know this...
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[n]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[o] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:35-39)
Thank you. I love you.. but more so, NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE YOU FROM HIS LOVE.
PS... Praise God, I tested negative for Malaria!!
