We are back! What a great week - and what a great greeting at the airport tonight.
Friday morning, we left our hotel in Jinja and visited the village of Mufibira. They have a small school building and a growing congregation. From there we went back to Nakabango for a short visit and to say our goodbyes (my least favorite part!) The pastors and I met with the Nakabango council to talk about some changes to the sponsorship program and constructing a church building. We got some good information while the rest of the team played netball with some of the girls in the village. Netball is like basketball - except no dribbling and there is a very small rim and no backboard. We had lunch in the village and told everyone good-bye. Dorothy sent me off with a huge jackfruit, "sweet" bananas, & avocados.
We stopped back by Bufula to clarify some information about land that is available to purchase. There is a possibility of another church sponsoring this village - great news! Their congregation was planted by Nakabango and we're familiar with a lot of the people there.
Then it was time for the long drive back to Kampala and some shopping. The guys managed to do some damage in the shopping market and were just as proud of their purchases as anyone!
Our plans were to have dinner at Charles' and Eve's home but we hit some horrific traffic and could only stop by their house to change clothes and re-pack our suitcases. We managed to get to the airport with not a lot of time to spare.
Our flights were wonderful - all of them were on time! Some of us even showered at the airport in Amsterdam. Since we didn't have converters to use blow-dryers, Lesli and I weren't real proud of our hair, but we definitely felt so much better. Also enjoyed our $10 breakfasts at the McDonald's!
Arrived back in St. Louis about 20 minutes early. Lots of family and friends were there to greet us. It was hard to say good-bye to the team after spending so much time together. God truly had His hand on us and blessed us in so many ways. I can't imagine anyone who came back unchanged - myself included. I will never become immune to the need of some of these people. My prayer is that God would open our eyes to His plans for us in the next few weeks. The connection with the folks in Uganda is tangible and growing; unexpectedly they have blessed each of us in so many ways. As much progress as has been made, there is more work to be done. Thinking of the impact of constructing the church/gathering place - so many lives will be touched.
It's 1:30 am on Sunday morning; I've been asleep since 7:30 last night, but my body thinks it's 10:30 in the morning - so confused. I will try to make more posts to this blog in the next few weeks as stories are told and plans unfold for our future in Nakabango.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday Morning in Uganda
Our last morning - I am sad!!! Actually I was worried about such a short trip, but we truly have done SO much that it is not as hard as I thought. What an amazing week!!!
Yesterday we visited two villages - Bulumwaki and Naigobye. Both of these villages are assisted by churches in the U.S. and it was wonderful to see such success stories. We played with lots of kids and handed out lots of Skittles, frisbees, and soccer balls. We are pretty sure our bus now has a reputation because as we bounce along the rural roads, we fling packs of Skittles out the window. It has made the driving time SO enjoyable.
The men got a chance to play some netball (even though the women assured them that in Uganda men do NOT play netball!) It is very simliar to basketball except there is no dribbling and they use a soccer ball. The rim (with no net) is about 1 inch larger than the ball and there is no backboard. Brian Watkins was a scoring machine! (OK- that just means he scored their only 2 goals.) They had fun and I didn't have to take anyone anywhere to set a broken ankle - yea!!
We also visited a plot of 25 acres that is available to purchase to possibly build a seminary. It is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in Uganda. It is very near the shores of Lake Victoria and down in a valley. It was just this tranquil moment to stand there and imagine families living there, farming the land, while the husband studies to become a pastor. What an impact that could have!
We came back into Jinja and ate at the Source Cafe and did a little shopping. These guys are shoppers, let me tell you!! Lesli and I have nothing on them.
Again, it is my joy to watch people work together for a common cause. Hearts have been touched in so many ways this week.
We are heading to 2 villages this morning and then will make the trip back to Kampala. Eventually we will head to Entebbe around 7:00 tonight for our 11:00pm flight. Most plan on trying to take a shower at the airport; that may be our biggest adventure of all.
See you all very soon with SO many stories. Be ready!!!!! God's blessings!
Yesterday we visited two villages - Bulumwaki and Naigobye. Both of these villages are assisted by churches in the U.S. and it was wonderful to see such success stories. We played with lots of kids and handed out lots of Skittles, frisbees, and soccer balls. We are pretty sure our bus now has a reputation because as we bounce along the rural roads, we fling packs of Skittles out the window. It has made the driving time SO enjoyable.
The men got a chance to play some netball (even though the women assured them that in Uganda men do NOT play netball!) It is very simliar to basketball except there is no dribbling and they use a soccer ball. The rim (with no net) is about 1 inch larger than the ball and there is no backboard. Brian Watkins was a scoring machine! (OK- that just means he scored their only 2 goals.) They had fun and I didn't have to take anyone anywhere to set a broken ankle - yea!!
We also visited a plot of 25 acres that is available to purchase to possibly build a seminary. It is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in Uganda. It is very near the shores of Lake Victoria and down in a valley. It was just this tranquil moment to stand there and imagine families living there, farming the land, while the husband studies to become a pastor. What an impact that could have!
We came back into Jinja and ate at the Source Cafe and did a little shopping. These guys are shoppers, let me tell you!! Lesli and I have nothing on them.
Again, it is my joy to watch people work together for a common cause. Hearts have been touched in so many ways this week.
We are heading to 2 villages this morning and then will make the trip back to Kampala. Eventually we will head to Entebbe around 7:00 tonight for our 11:00pm flight. Most plan on trying to take a shower at the airport; that may be our biggest adventure of all.
See you all very soon with SO many stories. Be ready!!!!! God's blessings!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thursday Morning
Another great day in Uganda!!! We boarded the bus at 9:00 am and got back 12 long hours later. We're thinking seat cushions for the bus might be a nice addition to my packing list! The roads we travelled should NEVER be travelled by bus, but we made it. There were ruts in some of the roads 2 feet deep. Thank God for our fearless bus driver (and for us not being able to see out the window at what lies ahead most of the time!)
We went to 3 different villages yesterday and worshipped with the congregations there. Tim, Paul, and Charles preached - in that order. There were baptisms, confirmations, and communion at all 3 services. I told Chuck that I was pretty sure Paul had surpassed his record by baptizing 18 children in one service. Chuck assured me he just knew that he had baptized 19 last year. About that time, after the confirmation portion of the service, 2 more children were brought forward for Paul to baptize!! A new record.
It was truly an amazing experience to worship together with so many people so far from home - and know that we were worshipping the one true God - no matter where we were! The hymns were all familiar - except they were sung in Lugandan, but we did a lot of humming.
I think everyone had a new perspective of the differences in the villages. The children in the 3 we saw yesterday were progressively poorer, dirtier, and sicker. We loved on all of them just the same! Lots of good discussion at the dinner table last night. It's nice to hear the ideas andthoughts that come out of a day like that.
Dinner was under the stars at the Sunset Hotel again. No locusts for me last night - pizza and samosas instead.
Everyone is doing really well. We love having Violet along. The guys all completely understand why we talk about her in such fond ways all the time. She has made many new friends on this trip. I love watching some of them show her pictures of their families at home.
We are off to 2 villages today and possibly Bujagali Falls. Tonight will be our last night in Jinja.
Thanks again to our families who have made this trip possible for each of us. There is a plan for each person on the team and the entire week would not have been the same without each person. Love to all!!!
We went to 3 different villages yesterday and worshipped with the congregations there. Tim, Paul, and Charles preached - in that order. There were baptisms, confirmations, and communion at all 3 services. I told Chuck that I was pretty sure Paul had surpassed his record by baptizing 18 children in one service. Chuck assured me he just knew that he had baptized 19 last year. About that time, after the confirmation portion of the service, 2 more children were brought forward for Paul to baptize!! A new record.
It was truly an amazing experience to worship together with so many people so far from home - and know that we were worshipping the one true God - no matter where we were! The hymns were all familiar - except they were sung in Lugandan, but we did a lot of humming.
I think everyone had a new perspective of the differences in the villages. The children in the 3 we saw yesterday were progressively poorer, dirtier, and sicker. We loved on all of them just the same! Lots of good discussion at the dinner table last night. It's nice to hear the ideas andthoughts that come out of a day like that.
Dinner was under the stars at the Sunset Hotel again. No locusts for me last night - pizza and samosas instead.
Everyone is doing really well. We love having Violet along. The guys all completely understand why we talk about her in such fond ways all the time. She has made many new friends on this trip. I love watching some of them show her pictures of their families at home.
We are off to 2 villages today and possibly Bujagali Falls. Tonight will be our last night in Jinja.
Thanks again to our families who have made this trip possible for each of us. There is a plan for each person on the team and the entire week would not have been the same without each person. Love to all!!!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Greetings from Jinja!!!
It's Wednesday morning ALREADY!!! Can't believe it!
Yesterday in Nakabango was one of my best days ever! Never ceases to amaze me - the connection we have with those wonderful people. We had a beautiful greeting and within 5 minutes of our arrival every team member had 2 or 3 special friends hanging on their hands. Wives of these guys - can't telll you how proud you should be! Every single guy has SO risen to the occasion and added so much to the team. What a gift from God that they are all along. I have some pictures that you will treasure.
We met around 100 of the 110 sponsored kids, gave them their packets, and visited with them. Spontaneous games of duck, duck, goose popped up, as well as wiffle ball and the traditional tug-of-war. Yes, once again the kids won that little competition!!
The parachute was a huge success - although not as organized as it would have been in the U.S. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on how to use it! I think the kids most enjoyed when we would all run underneath it together. They were just so precious!!!
Pastor Paul taught some of the evangelists - love it when people get to use their gifts in a unique setting!!
We had an official dedication of the carpentry shop. They were thrilled withthe tools we presented to them. It was great to watch them put to use. They were working on a headboard for a bed and it was a thrill to see them work.
The feast was amazing - as always!! The guys got to experience goat liver, greens, matooke, chicken, beef, rice, irish potatoes, etc. for the first time. They were great troopers! The smallest kids were actually served first - that NEVER happens. Love that.
It was hard for me to leave; I much prefer spending 3 or 4 days in Nakabango, but we plan on seeing 3 new villages today, so I know God has lots of new adventures in store for us!!
We had dinner at the Hotel Triangle last night - right on the banks of the Nile! Charles also brought us an appetizer - your choice of white ants or locusts. For the record, I ATE A LOCUST!!!! They truly do taste like corn nuts. Go figure!
Time to board the bus for a long day. I think we will cover a lot of miles today. Again, can't tell you what a great group God has assembled. Lots of sunburn faces, but big smiles at breakfast this morning.
Thank you again for your prayers! God is so good!!!
Yesterday in Nakabango was one of my best days ever! Never ceases to amaze me - the connection we have with those wonderful people. We had a beautiful greeting and within 5 minutes of our arrival every team member had 2 or 3 special friends hanging on their hands. Wives of these guys - can't telll you how proud you should be! Every single guy has SO risen to the occasion and added so much to the team. What a gift from God that they are all along. I have some pictures that you will treasure.
We met around 100 of the 110 sponsored kids, gave them their packets, and visited with them. Spontaneous games of duck, duck, goose popped up, as well as wiffle ball and the traditional tug-of-war. Yes, once again the kids won that little competition!!
The parachute was a huge success - although not as organized as it would have been in the U.S. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on how to use it! I think the kids most enjoyed when we would all run underneath it together. They were just so precious!!!
Pastor Paul taught some of the evangelists - love it when people get to use their gifts in a unique setting!!
We had an official dedication of the carpentry shop. They were thrilled withthe tools we presented to them. It was great to watch them put to use. They were working on a headboard for a bed and it was a thrill to see them work.
The feast was amazing - as always!! The guys got to experience goat liver, greens, matooke, chicken, beef, rice, irish potatoes, etc. for the first time. They were great troopers! The smallest kids were actually served first - that NEVER happens. Love that.
It was hard for me to leave; I much prefer spending 3 or 4 days in Nakabango, but we plan on seeing 3 new villages today, so I know God has lots of new adventures in store for us!!
We had dinner at the Hotel Triangle last night - right on the banks of the Nile! Charles also brought us an appetizer - your choice of white ants or locusts. For the record, I ATE A LOCUST!!!! They truly do taste like corn nuts. Go figure!
Time to board the bus for a long day. I think we will cover a lot of miles today. Again, can't tell you what a great group God has assembled. Lots of sunburn faces, but big smiles at breakfast this morning.
Thank you again for your prayers! God is so good!!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday Morning
Day 1 was a grand success!! After a rocky start (i.e. 3 hours later than we planned) we headedout of Kampala for the village of Kateete. Because we were so late, most of the kids and women and kids had gone back to their own homes, but the kids we saw were a joy. We played some frisbee, handed out some candy, and headed for Bufula.
What a greeting we got in Bufula!!!! The women and kids were thrilled to see us and the feeling was mutual! We got a tour of their gardens (very impressive) and enjoyed a program put on by some of the children and their teachers. We also received gifts of passion fruit and jack fruit! The kids were just so beautiful and I don't think there is anyone who wasn't touched by their greeting and their kindness.
Pastor Chuck and some others went to the home of Medina, a formerly-Muslim woman, who received one of the cows Messiah donated a few years back. She is such a proud woman and a pillar in their community. James, their worship leader, made a trip home from the seminary in Kenya, just to see us.
We left Bufula and headed to the Source of the Nile River. Our guide was a little worried some of the guys might get "spinning heads" and fall in the water, but I assured him they could all swim! We enjoyed our first night at the Sunset Hotel International and had dinner under the starts. Brian W. enjoyed(?) his whole tilapia (even though he ordered the fillet) - after he got over the shock of the fish looking at him while he ate! It was a gorgeous evening and a great time of getting to know each other better.
I know our current sermon series at Messiah is "Everybody's Normal until You Get to Know Them"; I tend to think it's "until You Travel With Them"! Truly a great group of people!!
Looking forward to a great day in Nakabango today. Keep us in your prayers please!!!
What a greeting we got in Bufula!!!! The women and kids were thrilled to see us and the feeling was mutual! We got a tour of their gardens (very impressive) and enjoyed a program put on by some of the children and their teachers. We also received gifts of passion fruit and jack fruit! The kids were just so beautiful and I don't think there is anyone who wasn't touched by their greeting and their kindness.
Pastor Chuck and some others went to the home of Medina, a formerly-Muslim woman, who received one of the cows Messiah donated a few years back. She is such a proud woman and a pillar in their community. James, their worship leader, made a trip home from the seminary in Kenya, just to see us.
We left Bufula and headed to the Source of the Nile River. Our guide was a little worried some of the guys might get "spinning heads" and fall in the water, but I assured him they could all swim! We enjoyed our first night at the Sunset Hotel International and had dinner under the starts. Brian W. enjoyed(?) his whole tilapia (even though he ordered the fillet) - after he got over the shock of the fish looking at him while he ate! It was a gorgeous evening and a great time of getting to know each other better.
I know our current sermon series at Messiah is "Everybody's Normal until You Get to Know Them"; I tend to think it's "until You Travel With Them"! Truly a great group of people!!
Looking forward to a great day in Nakabango today. Keep us in your prayers please!!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Monday Morning in Kampala
We made it!!! Everything went so well on our trip here; not one delayed flight!!! Our layovers in Minneapolis and Amsterdam were fine. Most got to experience the $6 Egg McMuffin in Amsterdam!
We got to our hotel around 10:30 sunday night. After we got checked in, we met in the courtyard outside and just enjoyed the beautiful night sky and each other's company. Pastor Charles Bameka and his brother-in-law Ronald joined us. Most of us went to bed around 1:30 or 2:00 am and all agreed this morning that it was one of the best night's sleep we've ever had. Let's just say 30+ hours without a shower is not a pretty thing.
Lesli and I have donned our skirts this morning! We all had a great breakfast - omelets, fruit, toast, etc. I believe some enjoyed their first goat meat right off the bat!
We are headed to Jinja today with stops in 2 villages - Kateete and Bufula. Very excited about that! We are also hoping to see Bujagali Falls and the Source of the Nile. Looking forward to a busy, fabulous first day!
Thanks to our famlies and friends for all you have done to allow us to have this experience! Love to you all!
We got to our hotel around 10:30 sunday night. After we got checked in, we met in the courtyard outside and just enjoyed the beautiful night sky and each other's company. Pastor Charles Bameka and his brother-in-law Ronald joined us. Most of us went to bed around 1:30 or 2:00 am and all agreed this morning that it was one of the best night's sleep we've ever had. Let's just say 30+ hours without a shower is not a pretty thing.
Lesli and I have donned our skirts this morning! We all had a great breakfast - omelets, fruit, toast, etc. I believe some enjoyed their first goat meat right off the bat!
We are headed to Jinja today with stops in 2 villages - Kateete and Bufula. Very excited about that! We are also hoping to see Bujagali Falls and the Source of the Nile. Looking forward to a busy, fabulous first day!
Thanks to our famlies and friends for all you have done to allow us to have this experience! Love to you all!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 5th
Eleven days until eleven people board a plane for Entebbe, Uganda! Even though the majority of our trip will be "exploratory", one full day will be spent in Nakabango - maybe more for Lesli and I. It will be so wonderful to see those faces we've grown to know and love!
Just got word that we will be officially dedicating the new Nakabango Carpentry Workshop that last summer's team got to be a part of roofing. We also hope to present them with some new tools, thanks to a memorial donation!
Two thousand packages of Skittles are also on their way to Messiah to hand out in the villages. That may be an interesting trip through customs!
More big news - Pastor Charles Bameka and his wife, Eve, are expecting their first baby the first week of March. What a blessing!
Please keep this team in your prayers. Obviously, safety seems to be more in our minds this time, but also pray for God to work in each of our hearts, to show us what He wants us to see.
Just got word that we will be officially dedicating the new Nakabango Carpentry Workshop that last summer's team got to be a part of roofing. We also hope to present them with some new tools, thanks to a memorial donation!
Two thousand packages of Skittles are also on their way to Messiah to hand out in the villages. That may be an interesting trip through customs!
More big news - Pastor Charles Bameka and his wife, Eve, are expecting their first baby the first week of March. What a blessing!
Please keep this team in your prayers. Obviously, safety seems to be more in our minds this time, but also pray for God to work in each of our hearts, to show us what He wants us to see.
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