SLOWLY PAINTING WITH PRIORITY

Seven years ago, the pace of life I functioned was full throttle, fifth gear, and so on.  55 miles per hour was a suggestion, and 64 my average highway speed.  I can’t say much has changed in terms of vehicle pace, but in regards to life, God and Uganda has changed me forever.  Pace of life might seem subjective and somewhat relative, but I believe if we were all extremely honest, slowing down is something, when we act upon it, is not only a better way, but the way, God intended.  We miss so much and continue to miss much when we live life in overdrive.  

Throughout scripture God has used time, most likely more time than we would have liked, to accomplish the works of His will.  And in most cases, it’s because we have tried to take short cuts, speed up time, or just plain go against the will of God.

Goat's Barn

This year FNC has taken on and continues to pray through this simple phrase…”Slowly Painting with Priority”.  In it’s inception, it was two thoughts combined into one.  Some of you know this particular year we embarked on a whole new journey, taking our three oldest grades and moving them out to the new land and the facilities provided to study and live.  For years I fought this idea of boarding students, for it means 24 hour care and serious responsibility, but after years of wrestling with our staff and God, I caved, and good enough God prevailed.  40 students are now being boarded and cared for here in our new campus, just 17 miles from our main campus in Kampala.

Now to prepare for this new undertaking, a lot, and I mean a lot of preparations needed to be accomplished in a relatively short period of time.  But God did it, and here we are.

God's Barn

There was moment in creating what is now called “God’s Barn”, which used to be in fact a goats barn, now used for assemblies, all campus functions, and Sunday morning church, which the phrase “Painting with Priority” came into play.  Jordan, one of our teachers and directors joined hands with a fellow co-worker and decided to paint or stain the exposed wood, which makes up most of the facility.  Four tins (or as we would say in the States, cans) were purchased for the job.  I arrived on the scene to see the guys hard at it, one working on the inside and one on the out.  Assessing the situation, I asked Jordan if he thought the four tins were enough to complete the entire job, inside and out.  He assured me so.  And then this phrase came out of my mouth.  “Jordan, just in case you are mistaken and it takes more than you expect, let’s at least agree that we paint with priority.  So how about you choose to work together, either on the inside or the out.”  And that’s what they did…and yes, it did take six tins to finish.  Here in Uganda when buying paint or stain, you better be sure you buy as much as you need to finish well or else, you might go back and find the paint or stain you were hoping to purchase once again is gone.  When this happens, things look rather “funny” or just plain bad.  I’ve learned this lesson to many times the hard way.

As one might imagine, when providing the needs for 212 students, over 50 staff, and now a new land and plans to expand, “Slowly Painting with Priority” is something the Lord placed on our hearts with purpose.  In closing, allow me to thank you for helping us with all it takes to live, love, and lead here at FNC.