The Announcement

by sadams2

I am dirty, sunburned, and bug-bitten. I am usually exhausted, uncomfortable, and frustrated. I’ve had vivid dreams about paved roads and overflowing sandwiches. I miss my family, my friends, my car, and my TV shows. I’ve dodged death on buses, on motorcycles, and on foot.

But I’m also fulfilled and happy and at peace with all these things. I am proud of the work I have done. I have deepened my faith. I have had amazing conversations with friends about purpose and justice. I feel more confident in my work, but also more aware of what I’ve yet to learn. I can’t imagine stopping all that now.

So, I’m staying in Uganda.

I am thrilled to have accepted a new position with IJM that will allow me to continue for another year. The Media Relations Fellowship involves many of the tasks I’ve covered this year, but places increased emphasis on the branding and marketing of our office. I am genuinely honored to have been asked to stay and look forward to building upon my work as Communications Fellow.

In this new role, I will design and implement a strategy to raise awareness of IJM’s work and educate Ugandans about illegal property seizure. I will develop lasting partnerships with local media and hopefully raise awareness in American outlets as well. I will continue to provide IJM headquarters with the tools to effectively highlight the struggles and restoration of our clients.

I am excited to deepen my relationships with these widows we serve and to learn more about human rights in Uganda. My most precious memories from my year so far have been on client visits, so I cannot wait to meet more of these families. (Read about some of these trips here, here, and here)

The decision to stay on with IJM was definitely difficult and I am verifiably intimidated by the new responsibility, but everything about staying feels right. Prayer and encouragement from my family (and honorary family) helped me realize that this is the person God has made me. The benefits of this opportunity cannot be ignored. Among them:

  • Continued momentum in reporting about the victims of property grabbing
  • Developing my skills in writing, photography, marketing, and design
  • Collaboration with the global IJM team – a truly talented and passionate group of people
  • Growing my personal awareness of developing-world issues and solutions, and then sharing those through my blog
  • More opportunities to visit the Rafiki Children’s Center orphanage in Kenya and other organizations working in Uganda
  • And more chances to develop malaria tan lines my Ugandan accent myself.

Before you cry softly into your computer’s keyboard, forlorn that you’re missing my face, know that I will be back in the US for a short time this summer. I will return on June 10 as planned and will hopefully have time to catch up with everyone before heading back in July. More than malls or Mexican food or anything else material, I have missed the people I love in my life. That’s you.

Please continue praying for my work and my safety as I take this next step. I also ask that you consider supporting me financially in this new role. Fundraising one year ago was a huge blessing and you all really shocked me with your generosity. I accepted this new fellowship knowing full well it would be again unpaid, but I am much wiser now about how to live efficiently in East Africa and will continue to use your donations wisely.

The easiest way to support my work is through IJM’s website. Simply follow this link, select my name from the drop-down list, and follow the instructions for monthly or one-time gifts. You may also make gifts by check; for instructions, just shoot me an email. Donations are tax-deductible.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about my work or about this decision.

Thank you again for all of the encouragement and support during my journey with IJM. I literally would not be here without you. I’m looking forward to sharing another year of insights and anecdotes about life abroad and the work of justice in the world.

All the Best and God Bless,

Scott

PS: If you would like to become more involved in IJM’s mission, check out the 2011 Global Prayer Gathering happening in DC April 8-10. I’m putting a lot of work into the event, so I would love to hear firsthand how it turns out! They also have lots of job openings on the main IJM site.

PPS: My dad forwarded me this prayer by Sir Francis Drake (who I thought was a pirate) and I love it.

Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

Disturb us, Lord, when We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.