Team on Buvuma Island

Below are some photos of the Ohio Christian University team here now (May 11th-May 25th). They went last week to our school and orphans ministry on Buvuma Island, a 2 hour boat ride into Lake Victoria. The goal for the 3 days there was to work on the floor of a new building, to eventually house our teachers and probably to be used for storage or other ministries. They hauled rock from the lake nearly all day, and while accomplishing a lot, they only got to pour 1/4 of the total floor (meaning they put cement over top of the rock base in the foundation). This was a huge step, and of course we have further steps in construction to take, too.





During the time on the island, the team also got to meet a lot of children and islanders who enjoyed playing, talking and laughing together.



Did you know that ANYONE (including YOU) can minister to people in Uganda, even at a long distance? This is done easily through joining our prayer teams, or giving financially to the numerous ministries here. Contact www.wgm.org and get involved now.
What I personally love to see when people come to visit or stay for a while, are the relationships they build (even brief ones). It is amazing how the children, teens and adults watch and learn from us. Watching a child smile back at a team member, seeing how parents are pleased that we've taken time for their child. Relationship building and simple acts of kindness really do open doors for ministry. The OCU team sure reached out to so many of the people on the island, and what a blessing they were. So what kind of simple act of kindness am I intentionally doing today? What about you? That's all I'm saying. And my question for you (and me) is- what MORE simple acts of kindness can I do, and can they enhance the Kingdom? Being thankful, being kind, being available to the Lord so that even He is blessed with my kindness towards Him... these are things on my mind these days.

World Book Day At Heritage

Our first ever World Book Day was last week. Everyone was invited to dress in a favorite literary character, and we celebrated literacy with games, skits, even songs and an afternoon viewing of the very fun film, "Princess Bride". Students and Faculty enjoyed the activities and I definitely heard people quoting Princess Bride lines the next time we were in class.

Jean's photos on safari

I've borrowed the above pictures from Jean Komline, who travelled to Kenya over Easter. We do have zebra and giraffe in Uganda, but my giraffe photos were limited from the trip Mom & I took, and Ugandan zebra are not in Murchison, and I thought you might like to see some on this blog. Thank you, Jean, for letting me use your pictures!

Our Retreat hotel at Mountains of the Moon

Above: Our April 2009 Women Volunteers; Lacey, Christina and Jean, posing with the Mountains of the Moon in the background.

The following photos are from the retreat hotel flowers. Some of the lovely flowers which bloom here in Africa.





Below: Austin & I hanging out during Field Retreat.

Above is the April 2009 WGM Uganda Field Staff. Each year we try to get a photo which includes ALL of our people, but with transient people (like Volunteers or our regional directors or such), we sometimes miss a few people here and there.

Included in this photo (listed in no particular order) are:
Jonathan and Lisa Mayo (Field Director, Field hostess, HIS teacher), with sons Jordan and Ethan;
John & Beth Muehleisen, our regional strategists;
Michael & Angela Kelley (Field Business manager and treasurer plus HIS yearbook teacher) and their girls, Abby & Ashley;
Keith & Donna Bourne (Island and construction ministries, HIS Reception) with Haley and Rachel;
Dr. Rick & Teresa Morse with baby Michael. They are in the midst of obtaining guardianship for this orphan baby. The Morse's have been ministering in Africa for several years off and on, with medical ministries. When not in Uganda, they base themselves in the GA/AL area.
Kenneth & Delight Hopson (Field printer, HIS Administrative Secretary) and their kids are Kaleb, Austin and Emilee;
Billy & Joanna Coppedge (Arua-based Pastor's training and women's ministries) with Elsie Jayne);
our VIA - Volunteers in Action-
Jean Komline (1st grade teacher @ HIS),
Christina Maddalone (grade 6 @ HIS), Lacey Mackey (HIS librarian)
plus Nick Strong (Arua based- sports ministries and pastor's training).
We also have our field pastor and his whole family. They are Rev. Rick & Janie Burkhalter, with adult children Tori, Jacob & Courtney, who visited and ministered to the field for their bi-annual trip and led the annual retreat sessions for adults and children. It was the first time that Rick & Janie's whole family could come visit us and what a blessing they were/are!
Lastly, of course, I'm in the photo, too. Ohh- ahh. :)

Above are our WGM Uganda Missionary Kids (MK's) together at retreat.

On the road to Fort Portal

In Western Uganda, you can find many Colobus monkeys. Along the roadways they are swinging from branches and hanging on vines. It is a fun site to behold, and a total difference from the vervet monkeys common in Kampala.

Tootsies

Hey, if you come to see me in Uganda, I can take you to get a pedicure (or manicure) like my Mom & I did. :)