In February, Marianne was invited to come and be one of the speakers at a Women's Conference in Puranga, a small "trading centre" (term used for a place smaller than a town but more built up than a village) about an hour's drive from Pader. Anglican churches around the world have a group called "The Mother's Union". Marianne resisted joining the Mother's Union when we first arrived, since she didn't feel she fit in. For one, we don't yet have children (though as we often say, we have a cat!). Secondly, the operating language of the Mother's Union is generally not English, which can make it a little hard to connect. After a couple years, however, Marianne's language skills have grown, and she's been informed that anyone over 18 years old can be considered "a mother". And so, she's now a member, as evidenced by the donning of her Mother's Union uniform - a white "gomesi" with a dark blue sash. |
Shortly after we arrived, the Mother's Union, and other people in attendance lined up and went on a march through the trading centre. This video shows the start, singing Lubanga mito mar (God wants love).
Sometimes you think that by going somewhere far like Uganda, you've already "listened" and done your part in following what God wants you to do. But being here is the exact same thing as being at home. It's not just being where you are that matters. It's being available and responsive to how God wants to use you to bring hope and healing to those around you. God has placed us all where we are for a reason. The people He wants us to minister to are right there where He's placed us! And sometimes, those opportunities come in unexpected ways.