Summary (or at least an attempt)

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)

There are three tribes in Burundi. The Twa are being used by the others for hard manual labor and at the end of the day are paid with just a bit of porridge. The Twa make this beautiful pottery but it has no monetary value. Hermes & Passe are not Twa but God has sent them to share the gospel of Christ with the Twa. They are starting a Twa school & teaching them to farm & build sturdy houses.

We worked with two local ministries: Youth for Christ & Harvest for Christ. The believers in Burundi passionately desire their countrymen to know & glorify God in all things! I was with a short-term Dental Community Fellowship(DCF) team of Dr. & Mrs. Sasser and 7 MUSC Dental school Seniors.

Two weeks in Nairobi, Kenya were in schools with a different DCF team. At the school each child has a western sponsor who provides school supplies and food. The hope is that one day these children will be able to get jobs and then sponsor other children.


I was at Kijabe Hospital Dental clinic for 3 weeks & did more dental work than I ever thought I’d get to do. The time there with Dr. Rich’s family put away any concerns I’ve ever had about one day raising a family in Africa. I do not know how all the desires God has put in my heart will work together but I know that He’s put them there for a reason and I’m trusting Him to lead me.

At Mengo Hospital in Uganda I didn’t do very much dental work and struggled with “why am I here?” As I surrendered my idea of what I was supposed to be doing, God let me see glimpses of what He was doing. Here in Uganda some students heard the gospel for the first time. I was able to lead a devotion for the Ugandan nursing students. And the local believers were my encouragers, prayer partners and friends. Jesus prayed, “… that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me (John 17:23).”

Reflections

"I will not boast in anything; no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection! "


Dear Friends,

This summer was not about teeth. It was not about Africa. It was not about what I did or where I went. It was about Who I am following. I had the great privilege of working with several ordinary Christians who love an extraordinary God.
As I have talked with people about going to Africa many have said what a good and selfless thing I was doing. While I am thankful for the encouragement I must confess that in going I am simply doing my heart’s desire. It does not feel selfless or sacrificial. This does not belittle the good work that God is doing in Africa. Instead it reveals the fact that God is doing a mighty work in Africa BY doing a mighty work in the hearts of His people, even me!
This summer I was reminded of the simple beauty of the gospel. God loves the world. God desires and deserves to be worshiped. Mankind was designed by God to live indwelt by His Holy Spirit but forfeited that great blessing by our unbelief. This is why we can not do what is right in deed, word, thought and motive. This is why we die. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our sins made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4f). So now, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). When my heart’s desire is fulfilled by going to learn and to serve in Africa, it is really God who is fulfilling His will and I am simply the one who enjoys Him!
It is God who is doing this work in my heart and I am thankful this summer that He began showing me how He is molding me. I am constantly aware of how short I fall but “He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it” (1 Thes. 5:24).

With the joy of the Lord,

Jennie O