The Power of Perspective

Hello hello hello,

Can you believe spring is already here? I’m not sure how it is where you are but that saying April showers brings May flowers sure seems to be holding true in Uganda so far. We have had so much rain over the past few weeks. With rain brings very chilly days. I know for many of you its hard to picture a 70 degree day as cold but on those days I have been all bundled up in my fleece pants, sweatshirt and wrapped up with my fuzzy snowman blanket. The people here are really starting to question if I am from Michigan.

But to answer the question we have all been asked many times over the past season, “How is quarantine treating you?” This question is simple, yet has caused me to write three different blog posts that I failed to actually post. I have been going back and fourth on what to write and share about during this time of quarantine. I have had more time to reflect on life than ever before. I have been thinking a lot about the power of perspective. How someone’s perspective on something like this virus, really determines how he or she spends his or her time.

We all have a choice to have a positive perspective and do the things we don’t normally get to do, catch up with people we haven’t spoken to in years, strengthen relationships that may be on the edge of ending, as well as continuing to grow and learn new skills. But we also have the choice to have a negative perspective and complain about the state we are in, complain about the choices authority is making, to give up on those tested positive or let the news/social media completely consume us. The choice is yours; only you can control your perspective.

I choose to be positive. That doesn’t mean negative thoughts of concern or worry haven’t crossed my mind, they have. But it is how I handle those thoughts that make the difference. I choose to let the positive stand above the negative. I choose to let the facts rule over the emotions they may cause. Too often we are waiting on God to make a move, when really God is always moving in our lives. Sometimes He is just waiting on us to move.

I have been so amazed at the fact everyone in this world is experiencing the same thing, this virus is the consistent thing we are all going through together. However, it has affected everyone so differently. Some people are forced to slow their lives down, work from home, finish school online, and so many many other changes. Here in Uganda we also have some restrictions that have made us alter the way we do things, here is a few listed below:

- The airport/border is closed

- No private or public transportation (walking only)

- Only essential business allowed to operate

- No gathering of 5 or more

- Curfew from 7PM-6:30AM

- No public exercising

These restrictions have really made an impact on our day-to-day lives, especially having to walk everywhere we go. However, I have been blessed with the opportunity to continue work from home. I have been planning and completing many things I wouldn’t normally have time to do. I have been pushing myself to be creative with my time. I have read many books, played many games with my roommate, filled our prayer room with scripture, learned how to cook more than just a PB&J, ran many laps in our parking lot, created a vision board, reflected on life and spent many early mornings and evenings at my new favorite spot on the roof praying and being still in the presence of the Lord.

Praise God even though things are different He has continued to guide us and protect us through it all. I am very thankful and blessed for the precautions this nation has been taking. It seems so strange to see places that are typically flooding with people closed and empty. Roads that we use to fear to cross are now open to walk in the middle of. What a blessing it is to see people are honoring authority. We have had very few COVID-19 cases reported here; the cases that have been reported came from people reentering the country (when open) and cargo truck drivers passing through. They have all been properly contained to protect our community. Over half of the reported cases have recovered while the remaining cases are still in the recovery process.

We as a church have the opportunity to unite together all throughout the world and pray for all those who are affected. Pray for the essential workers who are risking their lives to save ours. Pray for authority across the world who are making decisions that are not easy to make. Pray for the churches and pastors all around to continue to develop new ways to reach people. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones and were unable to say goodbye. Pray for those who test positive, may they have the strength to overcome. Pray for those in assisted living homes, who are no longer capable of understanding such a state as we are currently in. Pray for those who cannot afford to stock up, that they receive the essentials of food they need to get by. Pray that there will be no civil unrest throughout the nations as desperation for essentials increases. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for yourself. Pray for our world.

Thank you for your continued support during this time. May God bless you abundantly.

With much love and many blessings,

Lexi Dingman