Saturday Youth Swimming...

Saturday all day a number of us spent the day at Speke Resort's beautiful pool. SOME remembered to wear sunscreen. Some (ahem, K.O.) did not. Me- well, I MOSTLY wore it- forgot my part and yep, it will peel sometime this week. Pictured is a mix of some of the teens who came. 

Who but God?

Recently I read the amazing (and popular) book, "One Thousand Gifts". It is essentially a challenge on expressing more gratitude. Thankfulness/gratitude comes from humility (because you are humbling yourself to show your appreciation). It leads to worship, which is CORE to further heart change- surrender- softening of the spirit-  as the heart unites with God and His amazing- AMAZING gifts to us. And as I've been learning in this thankfulness journey, I've rediscovered, or even discovered for the first time, many wonderful gifts that He showers on us each day. My title, "Who but God?", applies here. Who but God can make these things I've found? Most are from my property while a few come from the Heritage property. All are from the Lord- gifts for us. Curious, interesting, astonishing in their beauty, complexity and creativity. I'm again thankful as I post them here. I pray they encourage and lift your heart- into gratitude to Jesus for His glory and honor. 

 Who but God?

Who but God?!

Who but God?!!! 

All Praise, Thanks and Glory to Him alone. Who but God, indeed?!

Welcoming old and new friends!

K, B & E (names left off for privacy's sake) were just a few of the teens who joined me for a swim day a few weeks back. K and her family had just come from Canada- and get this- I had taught her dad's cousin when I was in Bolivia! Small world! B was visiting back in UG from Australia (her family has been there this past year, but they will move back in May, PTL!). E lives here and is one of many USA kids I teach. Oh, and this photo is a milestone for me, since I took it using my iPod (thanks to my awesome bro for giving it to me!). Yep, I'm so techie! (not)

January Youth Events 2012

 Each Friday at HIS, we have youth group or Bible study (depends on the week). For one afternoon's activities, we were using rubber gloves for a game. With a lot left over, Josh (my WGM colleague who helps with youth) challenged the kids to the below (usually) college "game". They did pretty well with blowing them up, and no, nobody had a slimy head afterwards- all noses must have been clear. :)

Nate, another youth leader/HIS teacher, led our devotional that day. I always find such pleasure in seeing the kids listening and reading out/along. They're getting seeds of the gospel!

Playing a water balloon game (shooting them) is always a hit with the kids. I'm SO GLAD I invested in a water balloon launcher! Hours of entertainment every time! And FYI, old tomatoes and tennis balls also work in them. And sometimes (as posted in a previous blog) frogs too. (wink)

Christmastime in Uganda 2011

The day Heritage let out for Christmas break, we had a chapel celebration complete with grades presenting skits, music and Bible verses. Christmas songs and worship finished out our time together. (below you'll see our worship band leading us in praise).

Right around that time, our missionaries received a call from our friend Mike H. visiting Uganda from the USA. He does various ministries in Africa and had a change of plans which put him in Kampala on a last minute few days. This man is father-in-law to one of my favorite people and close friend, Conchie (we met at Asbury). So for me it was like a family member visiting! Our whole Kampala WGM family (those here at the time) got together for a steak dinner with Mike and his guest. 

After a few days in town doing catch-up (a dental check up and a car once-over), I headed out of Kampala for 3 days during Christmas break. Mayo's and I stayed at a place with a lovely pool and a new-to-us mini-golf game. Below you'll see Jordan and Ethan, my golf opponents. Please note that yes, the ball goes through the hippo-shaped obstacle. And yes, when the boys first played they said the hippo had some "intestinal blockages" which kept the ball from going through. Apparently the spiderwebs or whatever else was inside were flushed out. (nice pun, eh?!)

Yep, those are the homemade golf clubs the hotel made. And yes, there ARE real golf clubs available here, but we guessed the hotel wanted to save money and make their own. Totally entertaining if you could see them up close!

We did not stay here, but passing by it we had to take a photo. If you stay here (note it is a small hotel and campground), expect it to be "HOT, HOT". Funny.  

The days before Christmas, I'd made a lot of "super shooter" (pressed) cookies for various activities and friends. Susan my house helper and Peter my watchman longed to learn how it all worked. It was a delightful afternoon when we had a cookie making/decorating "party". They LOVED it! And of course they took some home to their families, too. 

The Christmas Banquet

     Yeah well, I've not exactly been the best at keeping my blog updated. Sorry about that. Hopefully 2012 will prove to be better (not of course if you're noticing that it is February and I'm finally beginning to put posts).

 

     So the youth Christmas dinner was at our friend's place, a Japanese restaurant called Samurai, run by Philippinos (why does spell check say that is wrong?!). Amazing food. This is for sure not all the photos and I seem to have repeated people in this collage, but it showed diff. activities and not just us sitting around the tables. :)