A lot in one shot

Typically across Africa, you see people carrying things on their head as they walk down the road. Usually here in Uganda, we see mostly women doing this. Sometimes we see a comboination head-carrying (of bananas or water jug or such), plus other items weigh down the arms of the carrier.
I just thought this boy was precious as he carried his items on his head on an errand for his momma (most likely), plus he was playing with his homemade toy along the way. With children growing up too fast here, due to the hardships of life, I was so pleased to see him enjoying himself.

Did you notice that the toy car is made from barbed wire? Any thoughts?

For you, Mom!

My Mom loves Irises. This shot was taken in northern Uganda by one of our VIA. Enjoy!

CHE Conference!

So how do I occupy my time when school is on summer break? Well, one way was by last week's CHE Conference! All the WGM Uganda missionaries and all the Africa Gospel Church leadership met in Kampala for a Community Health Empowerment, Evangelism, Education and Enrichment Conference. It was an introductory conference for the church and mission leadership to better understand what exactly is involved with teaching community health, and to catch a vision for future possibilities in ministry across Uganda. The photo above is of the church and mission leadership. FYI, by the end of the conference, everyone did agree that this is a direction we will be moving!
What is CHE? Well, it is a program to help the local community to grow in health physically, mentally, spiritually, relationally. For instance, if people would choose immunizations instead of the local witchdoctor, their children would suffer less from numerous avoidable diseases. If families would choose to cook their meals outside (usually they are cooked over a charcoal stove inside the hut), smoke would not overwhelm them and lung cancer would be better avoided. Also, if there could be better communication in families, with husbands and wives, with neighbors, well, those relationships too could improve.
A statistic the CHE teachers gave was that in one community they had 22 people in a CHE conference (8 already knew the Lord). These folks came from across that community (Anglicans, Catholics, non-believers and local followers of witchcraft, other denominations, etc.). By the end of the training, the local villagers had learned how to live an improved healthy lifestyle AND all but 1 came to Christ in salvation! So CHE can really be a wonderful tool for outreach and evangelism. By meeting the immediate need of the person, we can later have an open door to meet Spiritual and other needs. Pray with us as AGC Uganda and WGM Uganda develop these CHE ministries. Thanks!

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!

Flour Wars and Junior High Bash

On Monday, we had our annual "junior high welcome" to those in the current 6th grade who will be joining us in junior high come August. With the help of our current junior highers, we played a few games, ate some ice cream and toppings, and had a devotional. It went pretty well with about 22 teens attending.

But don't blame me for what happens AFTER a youth event! Using flour from a game we'd played, a number of the kids got into a flour-war. Yep; they ended up with white hair, pasty faces, and clogged ears... Observe the photos and you can see for yourself.

This photo is of Nick (WGM VIA and MK from Bolivia) and Fred (a funny guy from here in Uganda, who has a lucky toe -so he says). The next photo of the girls is Lebo (from South Africa) and Donatella (from the USA and Italy). The girls told me that it took an hour to shower off the gluey, sticky, messy flour in their hair. Ugh!

More Flour Faces

Mugisha Graduates and is now our Youth Pastor's Coordinator!

Mugisha Emmy is officially our Africa Gospel Church Youth Ministries Trainer and Youth Pastor's Coodrinator. I still retain the title of Youth Ministries Coordinator, acting in an advisory role, but really Mugisha is the "go-to-man", answering questions, planning and teaching in trainings, and leading in discipleship of our youth pastors. Wow! God is GOOD! He has done a LOT in these 2+ years! :)

Photos: Mugisha is being prayed for/over by all the youth pastors as well as Rev. James Ouma, who came as a special guest and a representative of the Administrative Council of the AGC, Uganda.
Next: Mugisha receives the diploma and Bible from Rev. James.

After 2 years of planning and work, we have 22 people who are graduates of the Youth Pastor's program. These people were sent to the trainings by their churches, and they have worked faithfully for the past year and more, to grow and minister to the youth in their churches and areas. As graduation gifts, and as a thank you for their hard work and commitment, we gave each graduate a Bible and their certificate. They were very proud and excited!

Our Youth Pastors as Graduates!

TAA DAA! Here are most of the graduates! Pray for wisdom, faithfulness and strength as these dear people are responsible for a lot! They are the ones God is using to build all the Africa Gospel Church Youth Ministries. They've got a lot of standards to meet, some to set, and many historical markers to establish. Pray for them as they love and evangelize and disciple the teens in their churches, towns and areas. pray for unity for this group; they are spread out all across Uganda now, but pray they will be faithful in praying for each other, too!

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!