It’s easy to get distracted and busy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by life. It’s easy to drown out the world and my troubles by ignoring them.
But sometimes we can look at all the problems in the world and 
wonder how we can make a difference. I don’t know about you, but it’s daunting to think there is so much need and I don’t have enough resources, energy, money, time, sometimes love…
I have gone from cooking dinners of Hamburger Helper and Rice-a-Roni meals to making homemade food from scratch. I have gone from a city girl who had only one plant stay alive under 
my care to working a garden full of broccoli, cauliflower, colored peppers, lettuce, strawberries, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sweet corn. I came from a girl who wasn’t sure if she wanted to have kids to God working on my heart to have one beautiful daughter whom I love more than I ever thought I could. I 
went from working full-time (and if I’m honest, judged stay-at-home moms a little – sorry!) to a missionary, wife, and mom. And while I enjoy my ministry to women, I know my main role is keep some kind of peace in our home in a completely different world. I went from living and enjoying conveniences and luxuries to understanding basic needs and limited comforts. Continue reading
I don’t know about you, but I would like to stay away from suffering. And I don’t mean, just look the other way, but I mean, I want to run as far away as possible. Even when we talk about it during Bible studies, I don’t like to think about it. Reading about Joseph’s patience and faithfulness during his time as a slave in Egypt, reading letters from Paul from prison about 
how he would like to go to be with Christ but his work isn’t done here on earth. He literally has a captive audience in prison to share Jesus and he DOES! I don’t think my attitude would be very good, nor do I look at opportunities as ways I could share the glory of Jesus. Continue reading
Over the last 2-1/2 years, God has taught me, shaped me, and revealed more about me than I have experienced in my entire life.
When we first moved to Uganda, I wrestled with my identity. At first I learned that I had been finding my identity in my work and what I could produce. When my days were filled with a long to-do list but nothing of real substance to show for it, I discovered I felt lost and unsure of my value. After I wrestled with that, God very graciously reminded me that my ministry was serving Him however He needed me to serve Him, no matter how glamorous (or lack there of) it was. And that at first my ministry was my family as we all got adjusted and settled in our new culture. Continue reading
Sometimes we forget about the challenges of living over seas. The every day life stuff is hard, but you get used to doing things differently to live well. We get excited when we grow something in our garden or find something new at the supermarket. We deal with hand washing all our dishes, cooking all our meals from scratch, crazy drivers and bad roads, always being stared at, and the constant battle against bugs. We even adjust to the heat of dry season and the amount of dirt that’s everywhere. Continue reading
Not to be outdone by Gina’s post “Mom-Fails”, dad also fails big time! Yeah, that’s right, I know what you’re thinking: “Not you, Leland. You can’t fail. You’re too awesome.” But sadly, I fail. Daily. I too often enter into the social media world while leaving my wife and child sitting at the table in mid-conversation. I frequently read articles on ESPN or Reuters instead of engaging with Adalyn. It’s not uncommon for me to be short and rude with Adalyn (and Gina) after a long day of ministry. I fail, and regularly have to ask forgiveness from my daughter and my wife. Continue reading
A friend of mine and a fellow mom of a 5-year old posts some pretty real and humorous mom-fails that she’s had. And it made me think about how we all have mom fails. Wether it’s when my daughter says “I hate…” and I realize “hate” sounds so much stronger coming out of her mouth than when I said it. Or when I was too busy doing other things that I kept telling her no when she asked me to play and then after she had gone to bed, I realized time with her was more important than marking things off my to-do list. Or when I see my daughter sitting by herself when other kids are playing but she doesn’t want to talk to me about it. I worry that I’m scarring her. I worry that I’ve failed her. Continue reading
As you know, I have started a women’s discipleship group made up of Ugandan women from several local villages around Mbale. These women come from churches that have had a pastor or church leader who has either been in a discipleship group or is currently in a discipleship group. And this style of ministry is completely foreign to each of the ladies. Continue reading
You hear me when I call; You are my morning song.
Though darkness fills the night, it cannot hide the light.
Whom shall I fear?You crush the enemy underneath my feet.
You are my sword and shield, though troubles linger still.
Whom shall I fear?I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.My strength is in Your name for You alone can save.
You will deliver me; Yours is the victory.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.And nothing formed against me shall stand;
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I’m holding on to Your promises; You are faithful.
You are faithful.And nothing formed against me shall stand;
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I’m holding on to Your promises; You are faithful.
You are faithful; You are faithful.I know who goes before me; I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.The God of angel armies is always by my side.
About a month ago, I was talking with a friend who shared that when she was 16 years old, she prayed the prayer “Send me, I’ll go.” Now, she looks back at her young, naive self and realizes she had no idea what she was getting herself into. She probably would have still said that prayer, but her eyes are open now that she serves in Africa. Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 