1. Volunteer for a good cause
I spent most of my 3 weeks at DP working in the
office with the other members of staff - attending review meetings, staff training
and planning for 2015. I loved that
feeling of being part of a team again and seeing how it all fits and works
together to fulfil our aim: until every
child has a chest to rest his head on and a place to call home. Dwelling Places works with street children,
abandoned babies and high risk slum families in Uganda. This is not easy – there are many challenges
in working with vulnerable children, and it’s an ongoing struggle to find the
resources to carry out this work. I
admire the dedication of the staff despite the challenges and uncertainty.
Dwelling Places follows a 4 ‘R’ process – rescue,
rehabilitate, reconcile and resettle – and I met children at various stages
along this journey. From snotty-nosed
children living in the home, to kids at boarding school getting ready for their
exams, to a girl who had recently graduated from university. It was so encouraging to see this process in
action, and to be reminded who this work is about. I love that DP focus so much on the
individual, and what can be done to help that child and their family. It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture
sitting in a wee back room in Glasgow. I
needed to be reminded that I care about something and that the work I do
contributes to something greater than what I can see.
As I blogged about previously, this trip had a lot
of worth for me professionally and personally.
I still can’t quite believe that I’ve been and gone and done it. And that it went well! I feel like those three weeks gave me a tiny
glimpse into the sort of person I could be.
I had a sense of confidence again which I haven’t had for a long time. I felt hopeful about the future and that I might
have options again, instead of floating along in life. That there’s more to life than day to day existence.
It’s been hard retaining that confidence and good feeling
since I came home. At one of the
churches that I went to in Uganda, the pastor prayed with me and the people I
was with at the end of the service. She
said something to me about holding back and that I’m afraid in life, and that I
do this with God as well. Of course she’s
right, but it caught me off guard and I started crying. What is wrong with me? Why haven’t I learned how to face my fears
and overcome them yet? Why do the
disappointments and ‘what ifs’ still feature so much in my thoughts? Sometimes people tell me that I’m brave, but I
certainly don’t feel like I am. Worry
and uncertainty are all too common in my life.
Why can’t I live my life with courage, and with the assurance that I should
have from being a Christian and having family and friends who love and care for
me? Guts over fear.
I command you –
be strong and courageous! Do not be
afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Of course it doesn’t help that I’m exhausted this
week, and feeling overwhelmed. Despite
taking this week as annual leave, I haven’t properly switched off from work. It’s hard to make the time to process all the
thoughts buzzing around my head. I don’t
really know where to start.
*If anyone would like more information about the
work of Dwelling Places, please get in touch with me at
office@dwellingplace.org.uk You can
receive our fortnightly newsletter, pray for us, collect pennies, sponsor a
child, sponsor a member of staff, or give a one off donation to help this
amazing charity. Have a look at www.dwellingplaces.org for more
information.*
