I woke up today in the same room, in the same hotel. And I said, thank you God for another day. I wrote to you last week about God moving mountains for a woman named Maike. Beautiful story of God’s love for a woman and her family. My care team and I were fervently praying for God to take care of this woman and He did. God said yes to her. When I prayed about her situation I would pray for God to move her mountain. When I pray about my own situation, I just keep asking for His favor.
Faith is my spiritual gift. I remember the first time I took one of those spiritual gifts tests and it said faith was my #1 gift. I thought, what? That’s a dumb gift. What do you do with faith? Everyone has faith. Be careful people I got some faith over here and I’m not afraid to use it. Hmm, faith, what do you do with that anyway?
I am still in Entebbe, Uganda in a hotel room near the airport. I am trying to get to Jinja, about three hours east of here. Tuesday my 14 day government required quarantine was completed. Monday night at 10pm the President issued a mandatory no movement order for 14 days. No cars, no bicycles, almost everything closed (essentials only), even hotels closing, with a 7pm curfew for everyone. What does this mean for the thousands of travelers in hotels in Entebbe? I cannot speak for them, but for me, this means to trust; to have faith.
On Tuesday, special travel arrangements were made for me, thanks Beverly for setting that up. I had official permission to move from Entebbe to Jinja. A car showed up for me, thanks Moses for driving over. The only thing missing was the piece of paper from the government releasing me from quarantine. The medic who had been monitoring me during my stay thought releases would be issued around 10am.
Waiting for my release papers, I went about my day. I packed up my things. Spent some time in prayer. Ate lunch. Said goodbye’s to the staff. Talked with others in Whatsapp. Gave away my remaining biscuits (cookies to you other English speaking folks). I was ready to go.
When God says no
In the late afternoon, I was still waiting for the Ministry to bring release papers when I got a message. It started with: you should sit down before you listen to this. I was already sitting so I continued… The Ministry had decided to not release anyone in mandatory quarantine until tests were given. And they were not testing on Tuesday.
When you pray, God always answers your prayers. Did you know that? He is always available, always listening, always responding. His responses are normally: yes, no, or maybe later. I had been praying all day long for God’s favor. I realized I was not praying to be release or moved or get to Jinja. I had been praying for God’s favor. I had asked the care team to pray for God’s favor. And He responded yes, and then left me physically where I was.
Why didn’t He move you, you ask?
Honestly, I don’t know. That is where faith enters. Having the gift of faith means: Having supernatural ability to trust God with extraordinary confidence, knowing that He will work out His purposes in every situation. He didn’t move me because it was not time for me to move.
Many people are praying for God to do something, give me something, help someone. These are valid prayers, ask for what you want, He already knows what’s in your heart. I know many people were praying for God to move a mountain for me and get me to Jinja. He said no to that. He has other plans. And because I have faith, I am okay with that answer. I will move to Jinja when God is ready for me to move to Jinja.
I am still praying for God’s favor, however.
