Caroline Works on a Bible Study Lesson

One of the things we practiced during the Workshop was writing Bible studies. We wanted to reveiw some methods, assign topics, and then share what we'd studied. Learning how to clearly express ideas and staying on topic are two of the areas which showed us the exercise was necessary. But once everyone learns how to be clear in their writing, and once they stay not only on topic, but meeting all criteria (including putting at least 2 questions into each lesson, for the youth to discuss during the actual studies), we will begin to have some really wonderful lessons. Pray for us as we create this curriculum! Thanks!

Heritage Girls...

These (top) 5 girls are some of my youth. From left to right: Manouk (Holland), Mirthe (Holland), Meki (Kenya), Shanille (Canada/Uganda) and Vuyo (South Africa).
Next (middle) photo is Bec (Australia) pulling a funny face.
Lastly, you have Anna (Finland) who fell through the trampoline. No, she didn't make the hole- it was already there.

Ugandan Scarecrow

On the way to the Youth BBQ party, we observed a mango tree that was about 120 feet tall. On top of it, someone has hung a shirt to try and scare away the storks and egrets which apparently like to rest there. Who on earth climbed all the way up there to do that? Apparently, it isn't working! Funny!

African Gray Parrot Attempts to Escape

While at the Stevenson's for a youth group BBQ for the Heritage teens, we visited a bit with some of their wild African "friends". They have 2 African Gray Parrots. They are pretty rare to find, but we do have them flying free overhead at times. One bird likes to be petted on the head. The other likes to snip at your fingers. Yes, it hurts!

HIS Retreat, Spring 2008

Last weekend, our grades 7-12 traveled to Jinja, staying at Kingfisher Resort at the Source of the Nile facing Lake Victoria. Yes, they were awesome views, and the pool offers a lot for fun in the sun(see top photo)! The Bible study sessions were shared between two of our VIA (Volunteers in Action), Nick Strong and Lacey Mackey. It was evident the Lord was speaking through them, through the worship times, and through the small group times. We had a total of 8 adults along (see second photo), and the volunteers leading the games did a fabulous job! All around, I am thankful for the weekend and I thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray that youth will respond to Jesus for salvation (for those who have yet to choose Christ), a closer walk (for those who have chosen Christ), and for faithfulness by us all as we daily seek to know and serve Jesus! Thank you!

Chickens On The Way To Market

Sometimes- well usually- poor village people sell their chickens to vendors who bring them to Kampala to sell at a higher price. These chickens, hung by their feet on the back of a taxi here, are alive still. They'll arrive in Kampala and be brought to one of the many markets. Yes, meat costs a lot here, and chickens themselves are pretty scrawny. If you think this is weird- or perhaps abuse to animals- you ought to see how they crowd in the cattle going to the meat market! Ugh. Oh, and don't forget the fact that Lake Victoria's Talapia (a fish for those not in the know) is caught then hung on the FRONT grill of the taxis, being transported in "fresh air" (never mind the bugs hitting them as they make the trek to the city). Yum- anyone for kebabs or a BBQ?!

Teens Worship Through Dance at Katale

I thought you'd like to see some of our Ugandan youth as they lead a worship song through dance. I'm continually amazed and humbled by the faith of our Africa Gospel Church family. Life is not easy for the majority of our people, and yet they choose to praise the Lord anyway, knowing He is in control and He has good plans for them!

Singing in Luganda or English, Grace (top photo, in green and white) leads the choir each Sunday. Worship is enthusiastic and sincere and enjoyed by all.
Pastor Wilson, right (the fellow on the left is translating for him so it is a duel language service), teaches key concepts each week in the church services, and then models them during week-days as he helps his neighbors, serves those rejected or abandoned, shares the Gospel with individuals and humbly and faithfully exemplifies Christ. Pray for Pastor Wilson and his wife Grace, and for their 4 children as they all seek to minister in Katale and beyond!

Sunday School at Katale

Ministering to people of all ages, our churches are here to grow God's Kingdom by teaching Bible lessons and sermons on how to grow in relationship with Jesus. Through Sunday school lessons (pictured above) in a classroom, or in the main sanctuary, many people come together to praise and worship the Lord, and to hear more of His Word and Love for us all.

In church at Katale

Each week, our WGM team attends different churches, offering encouragement and enjoying worship together with believers around Kampala and its suburbs. Okay, so here, suburb really becomes "urb" as soon as you get about 2 miles from downtown, despite the fact that Kampala is nearly 3 million in population! We have about 130 Africa Gospel Churches across Uganda, but the Kampala team can only reach about 5 on Sundays (due to distance), so we try to visit all of them. Then, when we are out of town, we work at visiting the other churches to offer encouragement and support as best as possible.
The lady in this photo is a mother of 3, with a godly husband. Both she and her husband have gone through the Youth Pastor's trainings, and are working as possible to help grow the church, personally grow in their walks with Jesus, and encourage others God brings their way. They are examples of what we're praying for here- committed Christian families complete with husband and wife (usually we have singles or only one spouse), to build a foundation of a church on the FAMILY. Will you pray with us for more couples/families to come to Jesus and be faithfully committed to Him and His Kingdom?

Kids Swimming

Yes, on occasion I do take time away from ministries and work. The Easter break from Heritage gave me time to sort of retreat away from most things. I traveled to Jinja, the town where the Nile begins at the north of Lake Victoria (you can sit at the hotel yard and see both the Nile and the Lake blended...). One day while away, a school of about 100 children came to use the pool. They were too cute, these 6-7 year olds, as they splashed and swam and cooled off.

Easter at Heritage

Above you'll see photos of our Easter Chapel at HIS. The Kindergarten class performed a drama acting out Jesus washing the disciple's feet, and the HIS Faculty and Staff sang a special hymn, "Because He Lives". It was a very nice time to worship the Lord together in this Easter Season.

Grades 6 & 9

The top photo is of most of grade 6 (there are now 8 in the class- 2 came to HIS after I took this photo). They also show us quite a bit of international flavor: Italy, Uganda, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and South Korea!
And the bottom photo is of grade 9. This year I've not had opportunity to teach grade 9, due to conflicting schedules at Heritage. But I have been able to spend a little time with them, which is a blessing. Last year, we had about 12 or 14 in this class, but as is common in international schools, a number have moved away. Down to 7 students in the class, only 6 were there the day I took this photo. Of those present, we have England, The Philippines, Canada, South Korea, Italy and Holland represented! Yep- we are an international school alright!

My Schedule So Far...

My class schedule this semester at Heritage International School is pretty okay. I only teach Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4-5 classes per day at school. I teach grades 7 and 8 Joshua and Judges, in 2 separate classes. Pictured here is grade 7 in their Bible class. I also teach grades 10-12, in a combined class, studying the theme of Apologetics. Then I have Spanish 2 for only 2 students (this is a fun class!), and in the afternoons I teach grade 6 Bible (general subjects in the Epistles mostly). My "off school" days are filled with prep for evangelism classes which I and 5 others will teach (rotating) at Kampala International University, and my continuing ministries with youth both at HIS and in the Africa Gospel Church. We're preparing for a workshop on curriculum development for those already trained as youth pastors, coming up in April, Lord willing. So although it sounds like I've got a lot going, it is sort of a rotating schedule so I can handle it, so far. However, we do need help- hint- so come on over! :)
Last but not least, I am in charge still of the Volunteers In Action (VIA) program, where we have people aged 30 and down through their 20's who come for 2 weeks to a year at a time. Currently we have 1 VIA here, with about 6 more on the way between now and June! I'm "feverishly" working to communicate with them as well as set up the ministries in which they'll work once they come. It is so wonderful to have these helpers to lift some of the load!

The Prettiest Bird (okay; one of them)

The Kingfisher is, to me, one of the prettiest birds here, as you can see. I love the bright teal and markings! This one was outside my front door and just sat quietly for so long. There are other colors of Kingfishers, usually black and white shades, but this one is my favorite.

The Ugliest Bird

Marabou Storks are probably the ugliest birds out there. They rank (I think) higher than those chickens with no neck feathers (they have these here). I mean, UGLY. They have fine hair/feathers on parts of their head and neck, but mostly they appear to be bald from the shoulders upward. They are garbage-eaters, with records of each bird consuming more than 10 lbs. of garbage per day. Ugh. Yuck. Anyway, these guys have a few gifts; one is to reproduce at rates seemingly competitive to goats (which have 1-2 kids then those kids grow up in about a minute to produce more goats). Yes, the birds reproduce very well, and it seems by the next day (almost) the babies are adults themselves, producing more offspring. For some reason they like to dwell in trees only about 20 feet high, and their nests are huge, made of sticks and debris from the garbage dump. Oh, and they grow up to 5 feet tall. Yes, they are tall birds. You can see the wingspan is also pretty wide- more than 7 or 8 feet. Yikes! They have a gullet or some such throat pouch, which stores food to feed their babies. It is not a lovely sight- seeing the babe reach headlong into the mouth of momma or daddy and snare anything from a piece of discarded food to a piece of plastic bag. So these tall, reproducing, garbage eating, ugly birds have been seen all over Kampala and other parts of Africa. However, I have seen their glory. I believe God gives all creatures (well, maybe not mosquitoes or cockroaches) glory, where we can see a glimpse of Him. In the case of the Marabou Stork, it is when they fly. They don't fly low (except of course in take-off and landing). They fly about 1000 feet high-or more, and they simply SOAR! Usually you see anywhere from 2 to 40 (really!) storks high in the sky, soaring on the wind currents. It is a gorgeous sight! So see, even the ugly things of creation can have beauty to them! God is good- all the time! :) Oh- and P.S. Marabou Storks are featured in the movie, The Lion King, as they soar out over a water fall scene. But they look nice there- since you can't see them close up!

Back in Uganda

I left the USA a month ago and have been actively settling in, resuming my teaching schedule, visiting with friends and meeting new ones! It has been great to catch up with our African church and missionary family and with all the people God has brought into my life here in Uganda. I am pleased to say that Heritage International School is fully staffed for now, although we do need a number of positions filled by August for the new school year at that time.
I'm teaching Bible to grades 6 through 12, except 9 (since my schedule was overbooked), and I also teach Spanish 2 for 2 students. So far, so good. Please be praying for my students. Coming from Holland, USA, Canada, Uganda, Kenya, England, the Philippines, India, South Africa, Ethiopia, Italy, Korea and China, many of these students don't come from Christian homes. Do please pray for the ministries which the Bible classes offer to each searching soul. Thank you!
Thank you for your prayers and giving, that I might be able to return to Uganda. I'm still in some ways settling into life here, being reminded of how the culture thinks and what needs are in the church, school, and in individual lives. Your giving and praying really are wonderful, and each day I thank the Lord for your part in reaching Ugandans for Christ.

Heading back to Uganda!

Yay! The Lord has provided the necessary funds and WGM has agreed to let me return to Uganda! I will leave the USA January 5, arriving in Uganda the 7th. The very next day, I expect, I will resume teaching at Heritage International School.
Please pray for my safety in travels, and that all my luggage will make it (it contains some personal and many ministry items). We all have heard of airlines losing luggage, and there really are some useful tools I'd rather not lose.
Pray for my family; it has been a wonderful time home with all of them, and I've been so blessed to have a close-knit, Christian family. God has graciously helped them to be on board with me. I know some missionaries whose families don't agree with their choice to be overseas. My family gives in so many ways for me to be in ministry. Yes, it is difficult to not spend tons of time with them when I'm on the field, but we really are content to wait for our eternal time in Heaven. I'm so blessed.
Please do pray for the youth ministries at HIS and in the Africa Gospel Church. There is much to be done and, especially in HIS, there are very few other adults (I don't actually know of ANY others) who can help with the youth ministries program. Pray for my strength, love and wisdom; that Christ will shine through me to the youth and their families. Thanks!
Thank you, thank you so much! Your giving and prayers and encouragement are such an incredible help to me. Please let me know when and how I can pray for you, as well!

Keep on Praying!

Mugisha Emmy is the man now in charge of our Youth Pastor's trainings in Uganda. He and several youth from one of our Kampala city churches recently went to another town located on the edge of Lake Victoria to minister and fellowship. They hired a public taxi to take them, and made arrangements for the 2 drivers to pick them up in the afternoon. However, the men went and got drunk and returned an hour late. Because the church group was a little far away from a place to hire another taxi, they got in and asked the men to drop them off in the local town (Jinja), and they intended to hire someone else there to return with to Kampala (2 hours away). Mugisha soon discovered that these men, not Christians and very drunk, had it "in" for the Christian group and they refused to stop in Jinja to let them get out. Instead, they drove back to Kampala and had 3 head-on collision-misses and several other near-misses. People in the group were crying, some throwing up with the unsafe driving and high speeds, and of course all were praying for Jesus to keep them safe despite the evil of the taxi men. Upon arrival in the city, the taxi hit (fender bender) a vehicle but in stopping, Mugisha and the group got out quickly. In these situations, it is hard to press charges but I am encouraging Mugisha to do so. Meanwhile, this is one more example of how Satan is trying to thwart our ministries efforts in the world. Please keep praying for safety, health, unity and peace and that even if tragedies and persecutions do happen, that Christ will be glorified as He has already won the victory against evil. Praise the Lord for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Kampala! Pray for those 2 taxi men, that they will meet and surrender to Christ. Thank you!

Christmas Greetings

For Mom's 65th this year, co-workers gave her tickets to the Christmas symphony here in Indy. We decided to get fancy with our dress since it was a special celebration. Pictured above is (from left to right): Mom, my sister Abby, my brother Randy and me.