Weakness and thoughts about it...

I've been reading many of Paul's epistles lately over and over, and one particular thought sticks in my head..."my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Cor. 12:9  When I read this I think it is saying that God's strength can be seen when things are accomplished by means in which we are weak.  Still, I cannot look around and see this to be true in my own life.  I wonder if it takes a touch of humility to let your weaknesses be exposed to such an extent. Yes...I think this must be it.  To allow God to work in our weaknesses we must let our guard down for all to see them as they are.  Our culture and our society teaches us from day one to manage our weaknesses, become efficient enough in those areas so that they are never exposed. Paul seems to say "use your strengths" (Eph. 4:11-13) and "let your weaknesses be seen" 2 Cor. 12:9-10.  

Being in Northern Uganda, I have plenty of opportunities to let my weaknesses be seen. I can't even go to the market and buy food with the language proficiency of a 6 yr. old.  Do I use a translator when I have a chance, or do I struggle to make a simple sentence on my own, knowing that I will get all the verb tenses wrong?  I naturally gravitate toward doing things in which I am an expert, but I constantly feel God pulling me into places where I become the idiot.  I pray for humility almost every morning, and I can see that God is trying hard to answer my prayer...and this prayer will bring Him glory.  There have been many struggles lately, but as I look back on my struggles I see only beauty in them.  It is the days when I take the easy road, hole up at my house, or dodge the inconveniences of life that I know I have quenched the Spirit's desire to work in me. 

Thanks for listening to my ramblings - Kenneth 

(since I have your attention, here are a few prayer requests)
- We are training possible leaders for house churches this
      week on Tues. and Wed.  Pray for good communication

      and the Spirit to be at work.

- There is a man, Lokiria, who has elephantitis from the waist
      down and is in bad shape.  He has developed bad lifestyle
      habits to deal with his condition and the pain.  Pray that
     God will use us in his life.

- We really need medical personnel to work with us. We even 
      had a friend here give us some money to fund that work 
      but at the moment we have no one.

- Luke 10:2 "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, 
     therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth
     workers."  Help us ask!

* thanks for the prayers.