2008 VIA

Here we are, the spring 2008 VIA and me. From left, me (taa daa), Lacey (she was here 4 months; left June 11th), Hannah (here 3 months; leaves June 25th), Emily (here 6 wks. leaves July 14th), Nick (here 14 months; leaves next June 2009) and Heather (here 6 wks., leaves July 25th).
These guys are awesome and I have enjoyed/am enjoying working with each one! Whether they teach at HIS, help paint the school in summer, work with MK's (missionary kids), lead VBS programs, work in sports ministries, lead discipleship or Bible study groups, or other exciting activities, the ministries they perform are such a great encouragement to Ugandans, Missionaries and so many more! Thanks VIA for coming, thanks to those who support VIA (Volunteers In Action!), and thanks for praying about becoming a VIA yourself! :)

A trip to the island

The VIA and other visitors went to Buvuma island to minister to the school children we help there. The way out to the boat is to be carried, as there is no dock, and the local people earn a living by being the porters of people, luggage, and island supplies. The series of photos here (in no particular order) show Nick playing with the children (many of these children are the orphans we minister to), the Kikongo village along the shore of Lake Victoria, the children giving greetings, and Lacey being carried to the boat.

VIA and MKs

Lacey (right) was a WGM Volunteer in Action (VIA)serving for 4 months on the Ugandan field. She returned to the USA this past Wednesday, and we will miss her a lot! She had a special friendship with Emilee Hopson (center-age 9) and was roommates with Hannah (left- current VIA here for 3 months, leaving in a few weeks).

Our VIA really do a lot to minister to our MK's (Missionary Kids) as well as filling other gaps and developing other ministries on the field. Pray that we have more VIA come to teach, minister, laugh and just plain be a friend to our MK's. We need more teachers at HIS for the upcoming August school year.

Old Friends Reunite!

It feels like forever ago, but we 4 in this photo met at Asbury back in the 1980's. Prof Lauter was one of our education professors, and he invited Lisa and I to participate on a missions trip to Kenya. Not only did Lisa and I end up on the trip, but we were surprised to find Jonathan Mayo serving with WGM there. Within 2 years of that trip, Lisa and Jon were married, and we all were serving as missionaries under WGM (in Bolivia and Tanzania).
Its funny how God works; now we're all three (Jon, Lisa and I) on the same field, and Prof Lauter came to visit us here! What a blessed time we all had, and it was a joy to show Prof around Kampala a bit. Maybe we're a bit more gray and/or wrinkled after about 20 years (yikes), but we're also so thankful to still be walking with the Lord, seeking to know and serve Him more.

HIS Grads 2008

From left to right are Audrey (from Uganda), Jesse (from Canada) and Cherry (from Canada and the Philippines), our 2008 grads! Pray for these three as they pursue further education in Canada and South Africa.
School ended May 30th, and we're on summer break until August. BIG prayer need: we have NO administrators for the August new year. Will you pray for the Lord to provide a principal or a director? Thank you!

PTF BBQ and end of year fellowship at HIS

Each year, the Parent-Teacher Fellowship hosts a BBQ, with a selection of several delicious meats. A potluck of side-dishes and desserts is provided by each family, with recipes from around the world. After all, we do have 17 cultures represented in the HIS family!
This year, there was a talent show as the evening's entertainment. A large group of students performed in this photo. Others played their instruments, more sang, and some danced. It was quite a fun evening for all, and a nice end for the school year.

HIS Chapel is Under Construction

With limited funding, the Heritage Chapel has been going through a new phase of building. Posts (no walls yet) and roof beams have been added, as well as some stage walls, and other details. The idea was to get it far enough along to use it for the graduation ceremony. That did happen, although there are still no walls or a roof. You would be surprised, however, with how nice it all looked. I'll add grad pictures and a blog about it later. I just wanted you to see that this is happening.

And, yes, if you would like to give towards the completion of the chapel, it would be greatly appreciated. Really, they've already run out of the small amount of money which was in the account. Part of that is that there never has been enough money. Part of it is that even as the guys have been building, construction item prices have risen again, nearly doubling in just 3 months. With that in mind, the construction may need to stop again for a while, until further funds can be obtained.

I worry that it is a poor testimony that it is not yet completed, indicating that it isn't a priority. Will you pray with us about this need? You know, as well as I do, that the chapel can and will be a wonderful tool for school and other ministries, and it is a clear testimony to the community that we seek to serve and know Jesus first. We need this building completed!