First Week in the IJM Office = Amazing + Inspiring

It's a little past 9 AM and as I look behind me all I can see is the sun projecting heavenly rays off the Nile River. It's gorgeous! We're temporarily staying in Jinja, a little more than 2 hours away from Kampala, where the IJM office is.

A glimpse of the Nile River

Although this was just my first week working with IJM, it has been an amazing one! My first week began during what is called Justice Week. Justice Week is a mobilization of one of our partner churches to help them learn what the gospel says about justice, teach what the Ugandan law is and what rights people have, and also enact justice within a village or surrounding community of the church we're working with.

Helping pour fresh water into bottles being used to wash the clothes of the man we went to care for.

IJM greatly prioritizes both individual and corporate times of devotion and worship. Thus, as part of office protocol, each day begins with a time of individual devotion from 8:30-9. Following this, we have corporate devotions each day from 9-9:30. During this time we sing together, have a devotion, and bring prayer requests for ongoing cases to the Lord. Who ever heard of working at a place that equates to a law firm where you begin your day in corporate worship and devotions!?

On Monday, I mainly had meetings all day: meeting with Heads of Departments, learning how I and the department I work in fit into the greater picture of IJM and our objectives. I am being priviledged with the opportunity to work amongst some unbelievably talented and passionate people. Whether they're a clinical psychologist, a lawyer, accountant, investigator, social worker, or pastor, each of them have an inspiring nature about them. This not merely makes the intense and demanding work all the more enjoyable, but it also makes it incredibly joyful.

These jerry-cans were light when they were empty, then quite heavy once full of water. We had to go quite a ways to fill them.

Tuesday was incredible. I spent the whole daye in the field at a legal education clinic. I saw incredibly devoted Ugandan believers, my colleagues for the next year, teach the law to others who more than likely would never be able to afford a lawyer. This legal education clinic was open to the general public and nearly a hundred people participated it.

On the way to a second site where the church will continue to minister the following weekend. Justice isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing part of the Christian life; so encouraging to see the church take on this task on their own!

Teaching the law to the general public is crucial to seeing that property grabbing - the main form of injustice we focus on here in Uganda - is extinguished. As it is the case even in America, if people do not know their legal rights, how could they know when those rights have been criminally violated? All of this took place at a church which also was ever encouraging to see. Imagine the church becoming society's avenue for public protection? This is what is taking place in Uganda through IJM, and this is causing the churches to take action in a new and beautifully effective way.

Wednesday involved more time in the office. Most of my afternoon was spent with my boss. My boss is a great guy, a Ugandan lawyer, and the head of my department.

These were the gentleman's clothes that we helped wash on Saturday... all of them.

Thursday took me to the field again. This time, it was a will writing clinic. Many of those we met with while raising support have heard me speak about the importance of wills in Uganda. Simply put, property grabbing happens far more easily when there's no legal document showing who the land belongs to or who is to receive the land upon the preceding owner's death. The importance of widow's having a will to aid in ending property grabbing in Uganda cannot be overstated.

Friday was a shorter day in the office. Why was this? Well, the office slogan is We Measure By Results. So, to bring about office unity and fellowship, we have what's called monthly WMBR games wherein everyone is divided into teams and we play some pretty wild and competitive games. Imagine seeing all of these Christian professionals of differing ethnic background leave their little offices to go try and learn a game no one has ever played before. Calling it entertaining to watch would probably be an understatement. It was both hillarious and loads of fun. Just in case anyone from the office reads this post, I should mention that the team I was placed on dominated the first WMBR game I've participated in.

This amazing woman hand-washed these clothes for hours under the quite hot Sub-Saharan sun.

Saturday brought closure to my first week. This was a very special day. Not merely because we were in the field again, working hands on with one of our partner churches and helping meet someone's physical needs, but also because Amber was able to come along with me. IJM is very friendly to spouses serving at events such as this, and my day could not have been better due to her being there. It's already awesome to be serving the Lord in some way. But to have your spouse in the gospel trenches next to you is even better!

She makes this team of two look pretty good.

The church we worked with on Saturday selected a member of their community who was in great need. This particular individual was an 86 year old man who was blind and was in need of having his clothes washed, food, and having the brush around his living area slashed (trimmed down). I watched th church body take their time in caring for a man who didn't even attend their church. Talk about a true and inspiring testimony to the gospel and love of God. IJM personnel asked the man if he knew Christ, to which the man replied that he had trusted Jesus several years ago. When I stood before the man and reached out to grab his arm letting him know I was there and greeting him in English, he replied with one of the few English words he knew - "Hallelujah!"

My week was full of seeing what I and others have often talked and dreamed about the Christian church doing. Only this week, it was a reality.

There's no doubt my first week with IJM can only be summed up in the words amazing and inspiring! All the glory to GOD!!