Touch down

It has been a few days in Uganda already and I'm starting to settle in now. The last two days have been filled with lots of visits to old friends, and receiving lots of love ... not to mention mangoes and sugar cane.
It has been a bit of a strange feeling, knowing that this is not a 3 week mission trip, or even a one year stay .. but I will be starting to set up a life here for at least a few years.
Already I have had meetings with friends, and ideas have started to spin around in my head, there is so much need here, but there is also so much potential for youth work programs. I am very excited to get things rolling soon! I will just need wisdom and discernment in knowing where, and who, to invest time and money into, to see results and lives start being changed.

 

In the end it is God who will do the life changing, I recognise that it is my part to be obedient to the call.

The next few weeks will involve meetings with friends, discussing potential programs to get started .. as well as all the running around with visa's, opening bank accounts and doing all the "practical" administration stuff.

I feel excited .. The youth are very positive about being involved, and I'm sure some great things will begin to happen.


                                            

Taking the leap

So tonight I will head off on a long haul night flight to begin this chapter of my life in Uganda. I have to admit, its a little scary and daunting, and I have been a little anxious leading up to these last few days.
It really feels like the big gulp of air, or the pulsing heart beat just before the leap. I realize it's a big mission I am setting out on ... and basically, faith can be scary.
Because that's what this feels like, stepping out in faith.
But I am confident of the love and support of friends and family here in Australia and over in Uganda. But most of all I am confident in my God. I know that in good times and in bad, God is sovereign over all ... and that gives me the hope and strength to set out on this mission.

I look forward to what the next few years will await me, with all the challenges and joys. But most of all I look forward to relying on faith and experiencing God in the poor, and in the "least of these brothers and sisters of mine".

Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the last few weeks ( I have been overwhelmed by the encouragement from many people ).
And I look forward to sharing with you all my journey.

Welcome to my Uganda blog!
I created this blog so friends, family and people interested, can find out about my adventures, challenges, hopes and experiences while I am living in Uganda.
In 3 weeks time I will be leaving on a jet plane to go start a new chapter of life in a small rural village in Uganda, the "pearl of Africa".
The last 2 years have been an experience of growth and preparation for this big adventure, as I have gone about completing a Diploma in Youth work, as well as going through a great amount of fruitful discipleship.
Most of you who know me, know that I have spent a fair amount of time in Uganda, and I have a passion for the youth over there in particular.
Inspired and driven by my faith, and the teachings of Jesus in regards to the poor and oppressed, I will be living in Uganda to begin developing and implementing a youth targeted project called "Youth Support Uganda".
So many young people in Uganda, and in the village community of Wairaka where I will be living, face daily challenges and social issues. Young people in Uganda are surrounded by a world of poverty, broken homes, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, sexual abuse and more.
I plan to use the arts as a way to engage young people to tackle some of these issues, as well as creating a platform for education, financial stability and social change in their lives.
Down the line I hope to see a youth center built in the community where all these programs can run out of.
Its a big step of faith, as its a large endeavour to set out on and I am positive there will be many challenges ahead of me. I also know this is not something I am doing on my own accord, with a host of youth workers, teachers and friends in Uganda joining in on the vision, as well as a community of people supporting me from Australia ( Thanks one hope community church, friends and family ). I also believe this is a project and mission that God is forming and creating, and ultimately it is His vision, His work, and His love for the poor which is driving this.
So with all nerves, excitement and feelings of being incredibly blessed, I will be preparing for 3 weeks time when I head off.
Over the next few months separate information sources ( facebook, newsletters etc ) will be up and running to let people know how things are going with the projects of Youth Support Uganda. But keep an eye on this blog if you are interested on hearing how things are going for me over in Uganda on a personal level.
God bless

Luke