Keeping it Real

As the excitement grows about our move over to Uganda, so does something else – FEAR. I’ve been battling this stupid thing called fear for my entire life it seems. I guess it will be a fight until the end. Sure, I have Jesus and I know in my head that he really is enough, but this nagging tag along just won’t seem to leave.

This morning when I woke up, I mentioned to Mike how strange our journey over to Uganda will be this time. We are going on a one way ticket and do not yet know when our return will be. I don’t seem to have a fear about this truth, but it does feel a little uncomfortable.

For some missionaries, they go without a plan of return, but I wonder if it is different for them. At any moment they can choose to direct the course of their life outside of the direction of the Lord and choose to come home. I guess we too could do that, but after so many years of laboring for the foundation of Show Mercy to be set in Uganda, I just can’t see us abandoning our post because it doesn’t feel good or is too overwhelming. I guess time will tell.

As I ponder my time serving full time in Uganda, I’ve realized a new tag along named failure is trying to walk this path along with me. I’m not afraid of failing and looking like an idiot. I’ve done that enough to realize life goes on and those who love you are steadfast and true. Those times in life when one does fall and looks ridiculously stupid in front of an audience of many, is a type of a colander for life. The things and people that didn’t really need to be near you, filter away. Those things which are true and full of love will remain.

This new feeling of failing has more to do with letting the people down which we are called to serve. I already know I let people down who are donating and helping to love the people of Show Mercy along with us. That has been a challenging aspect of full time ministry, but I am afraid a new type of “letting” people down is headed my way.

Is it wrong to prepare one’s heart for heartache and pain? I really do know better, but reality cannot be denied. I wonder if the needs of the people who will be living around us day in and day out will be too much for me. How do you decide who will get food, who will receive help for schooling, or who will get a little bit of your time?

I’m sure this next season will teach me to lean more into Jesus. He really is the answer! I’ve dreamed of seeing HIS power explode in the midst of the Field of Dreams. In my mind, I’ve seen HIM running down the dirt roads of Kaliti Village. I’ve seen HIM tucking little ones in bed at night. I’ve seen HIM wiping the tears of little ones who are scared and all alone. I am sure the answer will be to see HIM alive in me…remembering only JESUS can save. He hasn’t ever asked me to be the answer all HE asked is for me to believe in HIM and choose to love.

So I guess it doesn’t really matter what silly thing is trying to tag along with me. I know Jesus is always there and he will guide and direct my every step – If I let him!

Plan for today – Let God be God and don’t let the tag along named failure try to convince me to stand in HIS place.

Uganda Jam....A Gift of Time and More Time and Then Some More Part 1

Sorry for all the "deep" posts we've been posting! I forgot we were supposed to have fun, so with that in mind, we'll be posting some fun and hopefully amusing updates. They're probably more for us than you, because as we have written them up, we again have relived the moments. We've been reminded just how much our lives really do look like Seinfeld episodes:)

Uganda jam isn't found in a jar. You don't drink it with tea or put it on bread (like the sound of music), instead you sit in it and try to enjoy the many many minutes you are given to ponder how to change the world.

Traffic jams can happen suddenly. On our way to the airport this last time, I wanted to stop on the way and take my friends, Randy and Alisa, to eat at a nice restaurant as our way of saying, “Thank You” as well as good bye. They are leaving for a time of rest this upcoming June and our family will moving over to try to fill their LARGE shoes.

I thought we left our base in plenty of time to make it to my favorite restaurant, but NO. The famous Uganda “jam” happened. You see, there are very few working stop lights in Uganda. Even when there is a working stop light, you ignore it, because there is probably a white coat traffic officer whistling and directing the flow.You have to be careful, because if you yell at them to let them know they are allowing one line of traffic to go more than your line, you will be doomed. Even if you are starving and watching the clock tick tick tick away. They will turn their back to you, ignore you and the entire "class" will have to pay for your outburst. "No Moving for YOU!" (said like the soup Nazi on Seinfeld)

Back to the jam. We sat in the same spot for over 30 minutes, which meant we couldn’t stop to eat or we may not make it for our departing flight on time. 

When you hit a jam, you turn off your engine and just sit. That's when you wish you were on a moped taxi, called a boda boda. They zip in between cars, onto sidewalks, over embankments or do whatever necessary to continue on their way. I have another story to share with you about just this experience. That will be up and coming!

Since you are stuck, it's a great time to shop. YES, I said shop. You see, you get to enjoy a preview of almost anything and everything you can think of. It’s like a walking dollar store before your eyes. People walk by your car carrying the most random things. For instance, while sitting in another jam, Mike decided he needed some sunglasses. He found a pair of Oakley’s, I mean Oakies and loved them. The lens popped out a few days later, but what do you expect from Oakies! If you need a map, belt, bug zapper, hanger, basket, newspaper, peanuts, bra and the list goes on and on, you can find it on the streets while waiting in a jam.

Something to ponder. There might be some kind of arrangement between the white coats and the vendors. I mean, they create a captive audience of buyers SUDDENLY. I can't prove it, but just something to consider. (I'm joking, kind of :)

We are thankful for the police in Uganda! They really are helpful!!!

Stay tuned for part II - how to keep your sanity as the vendors bombard your car!

Angels of God

Mike and I returned from Uganda a little over a week ago. This was my first trip back since my battle with malaria. I wasn't sure how I would do while there, but it was an amazing time of overcoming fear and doubt as well as believing for even more God dreams.


I remember the first week after I was released from the hospital back in August. I was laying in bed (which was pretty much all I could do) pondering the amazing Awaken to Love trip in July and all that had transpired. First, I was grateful to still be alive and even able to ponder and think. (The malaria had traveled into my brain and began cutting off the oxygen flow. It's a wonder I can still function without any side effects. I could be funny here, but I won't). I wasn't sure what total recovery meant for me. I began to wonder if I would even be able to travel anymore. I wondered if I would see my precious kids in Uganda again. In those moments, the way I felt, so drained and weak, I wasn't sure it would ever be possible.

I also remember sitting on my back patio (about a month after I had been home) watching the beautiful Oregon sunset. I had a quick thought go through my mind - You will be living in Uganda for a season. I didn't really take it to heart, because I've had that thought so many times. The timing of it was interesting looking back. Funny how God knows what's up and coming. Wonder when I'll get a clue!

It did take a complete two months for my internal organs to heal and for the knife piercing headaches to leave. (I didn't realize it at time, but my heart still had some healing to do.) As I got stronger and stronger, I could see and believe that Uganda would see me again!

As we prepared for our team trip in February as well as our move over in June, I began to hear many people say, "Are you going to take preventative medicine? Are you scared you will get it again? What about your children? Moving to Uganda is a risk for them." I know the answers with my head, but my heart is still figuring it out. Funny how you don't know that until you meet the reality face to face.

It was definitely a battle this time in Uganda. I found myself thinking things I don't normally think. Malaria was trying it's best to remind me of it's vicious bite and scare me into doubting our upcoming Ugandan adventures with God.


One morning while spending my quiet time with the Lord, my eyes were opened to the scripture found in Genesis 32:1. It says, "So Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him." If you know the story of Jacob, you know he took what was rightfully his brothers (even though his brother pretty much gave it up - birthright and inheritance) and his brother Esau hated him for it. (read Gen. 27) Jacob lived his life for a season, married and had children. Then one day it was time for him to go back home. As he headed out with his family and possessions, he had to face a fear...his brother Esau.

Right then, it was like God was saying to me, as you began this journey again...as you set out to face the shadows and fears of malaria...you didn't quit because it's been tough...you've stayed the course even when doubt or fear have tried to stop you...you are going back into the seemingly unknown...don't worry, I've sent my angels to meet you!

He definitely did that too! I didn't see the angelic hosts of heaven with my natural eyes (although I know they are there). I met some of the most amazing children on this trip. I saw innocence and purity which the enemy has tried to steal be awakened again in some little hearts. Looking lifeless and lethargic one day and full of smiles and shyness the next. I found hope and life in the little giggles of children ambushed with the fear of aids and malaria. I noticed the intricate details of the eyes of the children like never before. Sitting under a tree while taking notes about total orphans for sponsorship, I admired the curled eyelashes and could see my own reflection in the beautiful chocolate eyes of 4 year olds. I was reminded again why I said yes. I was once orphaned, but now I belong to HIM! The reflection we can all see in the eyes of a child, is the Christ in us, the hope of glory. We need each other. We are family!


As my heart was renewed and strengthened on this trip, Ive again pondered the answers to the "famous" questions from above. The what are you going to do and the what ifs! The answers...well, I'm not sure about taking preventative stuff. I think I might be a little scared of getting malaria again. I have thought about my children and can't bear the thought of anything happening to them. I do realize there is a risk in moving to a foreign land.

BUT, as I've thought of all of this, there is a fire in my bones for my Lord and Savior that won't go out. His love for me is so overwhelming, I can't say no to his call. The wonderful things he shares with me melt my heart continually. His love for the people of Uganda is so overwhelming to every part of me that has feelings. I just can't say no to his plans. I will not and can not allow fear to dictate my life. He has been there for me, even through the battle for my life (many times). I will not love Jesus with mere words. He gave his life for me. He is one of my best friends for sure.

Jesus is alive. I want to know him more and more. He has given us an opportunity to discover life more abundantly and we are honored to join him in it.  I am choosing to trust him completely. I will trust him with my life, with my husband, with my kids, with my ministry, with my stuff, with my dog...and the list goes on and on. This is something I want to do. It's not a sacrifice, it's a joy.

I look forward to hearing the little giggles when I again arrive in Uganda this June. I can't wait to see the smiles of thank you on the people's faces. They know how to express love in Uganda. You see it everyday. Love is holding hands, it's a smile, it's spending time with those you meet, it's stopping to help a total stranger, it's sending someone miles and miles to get a warm bottle of coke for a visitor, it's putting a mat down on the dirt, so a friend doesn't get dirty when he/she sits down. The list goes on and on.

Love, it's the new fashion for the 21st century! God is Love and He looks good on you.

The Count Down

Mike and I have had a wonderful 2 weeks in Uganda. We have been leading our team as well as mentally preparing for our move over here to Uganda. We are planning to move in the middle of June, so the count down is on.

We leave Uganda tomorrow to head home and begin packing and preparing. Being in Uganda on this particular trip has been amazing. The thought of moving here to serve along with our Ugandan friends is really a dream and an honor.

Mike and I have both been practicing driving. Our neighbors are surprised to see a woman driver! It is fun picking up our neighbors on the road and giving them a ride. One of our vans looks like a "taxi", so everytime we pass they are waving us down for a ride.

I think the most exciting part of our move to Uganda will be the children. The children at Hope are so excited we are coming. We plan to do Bible studies with them and just have FUN! The orphans we are working with in the village are so special too. We can't wait to get to know them more and more. Our goal is LOVE.

One of our favorite motto's "Love Never Fails" will be surely put to the test. Previous years of loving have proved to work, so we can't wait to do it some more.

I think we'll make a shirt that says LNF  for Love Never Fails (hopefully that doesn't stand for something else negative...oh well, we'll redeem it if it is)

Hope to post more soon.

LNF,
Lori

Temper Tantrums Don't Work

This morning I was pondering our upcoming move to Uganda and was reminded of a time about 15 years ago. Mike and I had been married for nearly 2 years. We had purchased our very first house and about a year later had our first child. Life was wonderful. I remember how challenging it was to save up the money needed for a down payment on our lovely 1200 sq ft. house. It was so rewarding when we signed those papers at closing. A house where we could make a home!

I remember the time we spent decorating Sarah's room before her arrival. I remember putting all of our wedding gifts to use. I remember putting down grass sod in our backyard while I was very very pregnant. Owning your first house and having your first child are both very special memory markers in one's life.

Another memory marked in my heart was the day we had to sell our house (1 year later) and move to a small "depressing" city...or so I thought (the depressing part, not the small part). Mike was being transferred with his job to Houma, Louisiana from Lafayette (about 1 hour 45 min drive down to the bayou of Louisiana). We couldn't sell our house before we needed to move, so we decided to rent a house in Houma while we hoped and prayed our house would sell very soon. I remember how stressful that time was. Having a mortgage and rent payment at the same time isn't something anyone typically dreams of doing. (The house did end up selling!)

The hard part for me at the time...there were not many "up-to-date" houses to rent which fit into our price range. Instead, we only found houses with interiors dated from the 60's and 70's which also included additional decor from the 80's and 90's. I guess it wouldn't have really mattered, but when you have your first child and you know the crawling, rolling, and walking stages are right around the corner, cleanliness and happy cheery houses "seem to be" important.

The house we ended up finding had yellow shag (old grimy disgustingly ewww how many people have walked on this) carpet in all of the bedrooms. The rest of the house was hard vinyl flooring (with dust and dirt filling the crevices). The mice and cockroaches were tenants as well. Honestly, it felt so depressing and overwhelming. Plus, we were many more hours from any family or friends. Mike worked all day and I was blessed to stay at home and care for Sarah.  Unfortunately, this wasn't my attitude. I can tell you for sure that TEMPER TANTRUMS and God do not go together.

So, you may be asking why I was reminded of all of the details this morning. Some of you may even be thinking - what a whimpy whiner!  I would totally have to agree with you, BUT I learned the most amazing life lesson in this small "seemingly depressing" city called Houma. Because I was so focused on what my natural eyes could see, I lost 6 months of my life feeling sorry for myself. Because I was focused on trying to make "my" life perfect, I missed out on the PERFECT one and the plans he had, until finally one day, HE woke us up and opened our eyes to see.

The outcome of our 1.5 years in Houma were truly one of the most life altering times I can remember in our married life. That season led to us doing what we are doing. We ended up in the most amazing church family. Our Pastors Duane and Denise Davis saw life and treasures in us. They took the time to pull them out. Pastor Duane challenged us to press into more. It was here in the place where we truly began to work towards surrender and living on purpose. This was the place where God began to reveal his love to us. This was the place I learned to pray and dream. All of this in a "seemingly depressing" place.

I remember a friend telling me one time what the Lord had spoken to her. She said, one day, your husband will be making over $200K a year. You will be required to choose his job over serving the Lord in full-time ministry. At the time we weren't making anything close to that and I didn't really receive her word. (That is truly what happened to us in TN. Imagine, the Lord knew, 4 years before the word came to happen)

This morning as I pondered all that I learned in Houma, I was reminded how important it is to see what the Lord is doing and not what my natural eyes can see. Uganda is a place of poverty and hardship, but God is there. Uganda will be challenging and a place of transition (similar to Houma), but God is there. Just like our time in Houma, I was encouraged about Uganda. It can and will be a place where we come to know the Lord Jesus more and more.

Our hearts cry has truly been to know HIM more and more. I am thankful for this opportunity to run, skip, laugh, love, live, cry, hold, sing, dance, worship and on and on in Uganda with Jesus. I am confident there are some more treasures to discover in each one of the Salley's while we are there. It is a given we will find the living treasures in Uganda as well.

Living life on purpose is about discovering the amazing things set before us, especially when they are hidden behind what the world deems as unsuccessful, old and worn out, imperfect and out of bounds. It's the simple things which sometimes are full of the most prized things ever.

Don't Handcuff God

We had our team meeting for those heading over to Uganda on February 14th. As we went around the room, everyone introduced themselves and shared their excitement and expectations for this trip. The first ones to share, have been to Uganda with SMI before. They were in awe of how fast God opened the door for them to return. They didn't think it was financially possible, but a friend encouraged them along the way, DON'T HANDCUFF GOD!

Their son got married this last December and they thought for sure they wouldn't be able to pay for their part of the festivities and then just a couple of months later head onto Uganda. To their surprise, God made a way. Not only were they able to pay for the wedding, but more than enough came in for their trip.

Mike and I are in DC for a few days and then we are heading on over to Uganda for 3 weeks. As I woke up this morning, that phrase - DON'T HANDCUFF GOD came to my mind. God is able to do more than we think possible. He isn't limited by time, energy, etc. I am expectant to see what he has in store for us here in DC, but even more in Uganda.

I am looking forward to facing off with the unseen parasites of malaria. I am choosing to focus on the God things I can't see rather than the natural germs and other negative things I can't see. Faith is a substance of the things you HOPE for. Fear is the substance of the things you don't want to happen. I choose faith, not fear.

(for those who don't know, I came home from Uganda at the end of last July with malaria. It almost took my life, but God healed me. You can read a little about it here: http://www.showmercy.org/smi/2011/09/update-on-loris-battle-with-malaria/

The Salley Family is Moving to UGANDA

We are excited to announce we are moving over to Uganda for a season. We hope to keep this blog updated with our experiences along the way. We don't move over until June 2012, but the journey starts now (really it started for us about 9 years ago!).

Here is a post I wrote a while ago. It describes exactly where we are today! Enjoy the story and remember...All Things are Possible!

(As I pondered Mary, Jesus' Mother, this is what I wrote...)

There was a story of a young girl I read the other day.  She seemed to be a simple everyday and ordinary girl.  Her wildest dreams were to marry, have children and care for her family. Seems pretty simple to me compared to some dreams girls have these days, but that was as big as the world let her dream. Her world and her culture basically outlined on paper exactly what a woman could do and not do. To dream any further than that was insanity!

This young girl had planned it all out. There was a traditional way of getting married in her little town and she daydreamed of every detail! But, one day, her dream was challenged. A messenger came to share with her a bigger dream. He shared with her something she had never imagined...in fact something no one would have ever imagined. Sure, sometimes we can day dream and imagine ourselves fitting into the shoes of someone else and living out their life, but not this girl. This dream was something above and beyond what she could EVER think or imagine.

After she heard the plan, she was shocked and unsure what to say. As she began to ponder this dream in her mind, she realized she was up for something bigger than the everyday way of dreaming. The fact was this messenger was from God.  He was sharing the great and wonderful plan God had in mind for her.  It was like creativity stepped into the room and everything seemed to become possible. At that moment, she had a choice. She could remain a dreamer or take a risk and become a pursuer of dreams.

Obviously, when she accepted the proposed plan, she didn’t even take a moment to look in the mirror.  If she would have, she would have realized that she was just a plain simple everyday ordinary girl.  No one even really knew who she was, but she did. We all know ourselves better than we want to sometimes.  Others can say they know us, but I’m not talking about just recognizing us when we walk down the street, but really knowing our deepest parts

Thank goodness for this girl, she didn’t really have time to ponder upon who she was (for too long anyway), but rather was in awe that this extraordinary plan was coming from – God and He was offering it to her. She didn’t take into account either that those around her might think it too strange to pursue this dream, because what if she failed, what if the entire idea wasn’t even something that could be achieved.

Could it be she believed God and what He said more than the plan itself? She was so honored to be asked to play this special part in history, she didn’t even inquire about details or timelines.  She didn’t ask for the 5 or 10 year plan! She said yes with all of her heart and so the journey began!

Her messenger friend also shared with her about her cousin who had been contending and believing for a dream. She too had just received her answer. The messenger must have known when this young girl saw it was indeed true that her cousin had gotten a life changing breakthrough, she would know the truth - dreams can and do come true. Not only that, but when this young girl saw her older cousin actually pursue and endure the road towards a dream and succeed, she would have a stamp on her heart – a stamp of validity which states, with God all things are possible.

Do you know who I am talking about? Remember Mary, the mother of Jesus? This is how I envision her in my mind when challenged with such a huge life changing plan.  Of course, I am not Mary, but her story inspires me to step past myself. To step past what this world says is possible and grasp ahold of what God says is possible. This is story describes how I felt when God began to ask me to look past myself and believe the dreams he began dropping in my heart.

Not only did He ask that I believe in the dreams, but that I actually put my little feet into action. His heart was for us to take a journey to see these beautiful dreams come true.

Thus, I write this post to encourage you, that you can take a leap.  You can believe the dreams that God puts inside of you. He doesn’t always allow us to see the path set before us, but I can assure you just as Elizabeth (Mary's cousin) was a sign to Mary that when God speaks and inspires you to live life on purpose, you can be sure amazing things will happen. I hope our posts are your Elizabeth…a reminder that if God can do it for one he can do it for another.

Living on Purpose,

Lori Salley