Hey, if you come to see me in Uganda, I can take you to get a pedicure (or manicure) like my Mom & I did. :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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. :)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Rescue!!!
I nearly forgot to explain how we got out of Murchison without my car! While Jonathan Mayo (field director) made car-towing arrangements for my Prado, Billy Coppedge drove the field van 2 hours from Arua with his ministry motorcylce in the back. Had he not come to the park, we'd have been stuck there without a vehicle and no way to go on safari OR leave Murchison park. So, thanks to these kind men and all those who worked behind the scenes helping 2 stranded tourists out, we got to still run around the park one day and enjoy the time there. (the photo is of Billy and some men unloading his motorcycle from our field van so he could drive back home).
We considered driving into the animal-viewing area the next day, but because of heavy rains for about 6 hours, and having experienced the BAD clay and slipping and sliding of the van on those roads, we decided we were gun-shy. No more cars breaking down (or possibly in ditches) for at least this trip, please. So, we saw a lot of animals, but not all the ones possible. But we felt more confident in the long run after all the other vehicle experiences.
I missed also saying that in order to see the animals, you have to cross the Nile on a ferry. This photo shows some folks crossing. When we tried, after the heavy rains and with the way the ferry docks on the shore, the van wheels got stuck kind of in mid-air between the ferry and the dock (it is how the docking works, but the mud kept us from going fast enough to push over this gap and we needed 7 people to help push the van onto the ferry!). See? We had PLENTY of adventures while on safari.
Lunch at Fang Fang
Fang Fang is a Chinese restaurant here in Kampala. I took Mom there on Thursday after we went shopping for African crafts and curios for folks back home.
Further shots from Mom's visit
On Friday, we visited Jinja, where the source of the Nile is (where Lake Victoria empties into the Nile). I took Mom to lunch and a visit to that town, 2 hours from Kampala. We saw Bugagali Falls and "The Source" and it was a beautiful day.
Mom & I went to a hill above the Nile/Victoria Source, so you can see both the Lake (on right) and Nile (on left as it moves north).
There were about 16 or so monkeys in the trees at the restaurant where we had a meal overlooking the Nile. The restaurant is about 200 (maybe?) feet above the river on a cliff, and so the monkeys were at eye level although they were high in the trees.
And the weaver bird builds his nest upside down hanging from trees (sometimes 1,000+ are in one medium sized tree!), and whichever one builds the best nest wins the girl!
The flowers pics just turned out so nice, I wanted to include them.
Mom & I went to a hill above the Nile/Victoria Source, so you can see both the Lake (on right) and Nile (on left as it moves north).
There were about 16 or so monkeys in the trees at the restaurant where we had a meal overlooking the Nile. The restaurant is about 200 (maybe?) feet above the river on a cliff, and so the monkeys were at eye level although they were high in the trees.
And the weaver bird builds his nest upside down hanging from trees (sometimes 1,000+ are in one medium sized tree!), and whichever one builds the best nest wins the girl!
The flowers pics just turned out so nice, I wanted to include them.
Nile River cruise & Park Safari
Mom & I took a cruise on Tuesday and saw lotsa neat things. It was her first visit to the Nile, and we ended the cruise with a look at Murchison Falls itself.
oooohhh deeeaaarrr....
Instead of writing the whole long drawn out story, just take a look at the pictures below. Then, read on...
45 min. away from our destination, 6+ hours from Kampala, first day of Safari to Murchison Falls national Park, my car just died. No warnings, nada.
And we were on a VERY lonely stretch of road, complete with HOT equatorial sun and MANY MANY tse tse (biting) flies. Hmmm. It was not a time for photos. Instead I sprayed on the insect repellant (it worked SOME) and went to take a look. I had NO idea what was wrong.
VERY kind men from the forestry authority came along and instead of passing (like others were doing), they helped us and stayed for the 2 hours it took to get the car (some starting and going 10 feet, some pulling the car on a jump-rope sized rope!!!, some pushing, some coasting) 6 km. (4 miles?) to the closest hotel/lodge. These men could have ignored us or someone else could have happened along and caused us harm, but God kept us safe. Had this happened on the other side of the river (see above blog), I think we could have been charged by Cape buffalo or left stranded for hours. As it was, we had no cell service till 7 that night (this happened at 11:30 a.m.).
The 2 men pictured are mechanics from the Sambia River Lodge (about 40 min. from the Nile River and our hotel). The employees of that lodge were very kind and if we sat just right and only in a certain place, we were able to call Kampala and have my field director work on things from that end. It felt better just having someone else know the problem we were in!
The Forestry men sent their mechanic and for about 3-4 hours, the lodge men and the forestry men tried in vain to fix the car. At some points the battery would work, others not. Sometimes the fuel pump worked, sometimes not. 2 wires seemed loose, etc.
So at about 5:30 we just started towing the car to the forestry mechanic's site. It should take maybe 30 min., but towing (they had a cable but nothing to tow WITH- no S hooks or anything, and my little ropes were useless-lesson learned) took about 1.5 hours. After several breaks with the ropes, wire and even at once point a t-shirt wrapped around the cable to connect to their truck... and after cracking my wind shield with a pebble from the cable grazing the ground... and sparks flying from the cable as it dragged along the dirt and pebble road... we finally got to the mechanic's area, exhausted, sweaty, frustrated, and not sure when or if my car could be repaired. We arrived at our safari camp hotel at about 7:15 (from 11:30 that morning!). The hotel is called Red Chili; a "backpackers" camp which is rustic, but was perfect after the end of the rough day.
Jonathan Mayo, my field director, called and had worked it out for our Kampala mechanic to send a guy with a proper tow truck (the kind where they lift the car on the bed and haul it out), but not till the next day, of course. They all figured (in Kampala) that it was the computer chip in the car. Makes sense, since several things just shut down all at once. He and others had also worked out for a "rescue" to take place, so Mom and I could try to do some of the safari. See above entry...
45 min. away from our destination, 6+ hours from Kampala, first day of Safari to Murchison Falls national Park, my car just died. No warnings, nada.
And we were on a VERY lonely stretch of road, complete with HOT equatorial sun and MANY MANY tse tse (biting) flies. Hmmm. It was not a time for photos. Instead I sprayed on the insect repellant (it worked SOME) and went to take a look. I had NO idea what was wrong.
VERY kind men from the forestry authority came along and instead of passing (like others were doing), they helped us and stayed for the 2 hours it took to get the car (some starting and going 10 feet, some pulling the car on a jump-rope sized rope!!!, some pushing, some coasting) 6 km. (4 miles?) to the closest hotel/lodge. These men could have ignored us or someone else could have happened along and caused us harm, but God kept us safe. Had this happened on the other side of the river (see above blog), I think we could have been charged by Cape buffalo or left stranded for hours. As it was, we had no cell service till 7 that night (this happened at 11:30 a.m.).
The 2 men pictured are mechanics from the Sambia River Lodge (about 40 min. from the Nile River and our hotel). The employees of that lodge were very kind and if we sat just right and only in a certain place, we were able to call Kampala and have my field director work on things from that end. It felt better just having someone else know the problem we were in!
The Forestry men sent their mechanic and for about 3-4 hours, the lodge men and the forestry men tried in vain to fix the car. At some points the battery would work, others not. Sometimes the fuel pump worked, sometimes not. 2 wires seemed loose, etc.
So at about 5:30 we just started towing the car to the forestry mechanic's site. It should take maybe 30 min., but towing (they had a cable but nothing to tow WITH- no S hooks or anything, and my little ropes were useless-lesson learned) took about 1.5 hours. After several breaks with the ropes, wire and even at once point a t-shirt wrapped around the cable to connect to their truck... and after cracking my wind shield with a pebble from the cable grazing the ground... and sparks flying from the cable as it dragged along the dirt and pebble road... we finally got to the mechanic's area, exhausted, sweaty, frustrated, and not sure when or if my car could be repaired. We arrived at our safari camp hotel at about 7:15 (from 11:30 that morning!). The hotel is called Red Chili; a "backpackers" camp which is rustic, but was perfect after the end of the rough day.
Jonathan Mayo, my field director, called and had worked it out for our Kampala mechanic to send a guy with a proper tow truck (the kind where they lift the car on the bed and haul it out), but not till the next day, of course. They all figured (in Kampala) that it was the computer chip in the car. Makes sense, since several things just shut down all at once. He and others had also worked out for a "rescue" to take place, so Mom and I could try to do some of the safari. See above entry...
A Camel in Kampala?
Driving home after church, we passed a camel! I've not known of camels even being in Uganda at all, so this one is unique to the city and maybe the country! :) The camel's owners were giving rides, apparently!
Palm Sunday in Uganda
We went to one of our churches, called Katale, on Palm Sunday. Seen here are the folks celebrating in worship, Mom and Pastor Wilson talking after church as he showed us around the church school, (new buildings) and the school sign. It is typical here to have long names for schools. And primary means through grade 6, the most many of the students will have opportunity to study due to the rough and expensive life of living in Africa.
The reason I point out the school is that they've only been in existence for a few years, first meeting in the church building. There are 170 children now, with many non-Christian families sending their kids to this church school. Pray these kids and their families can be reached with the Gospel. Things are looking good for this ministry and we want to uphold it in prayer!
The reason I point out the school is that they've only been in existence for a few years, first meeting in the church building. There are 170 children now, with many non-Christian families sending their kids to this church school. Pray these kids and their families can be reached with the Gospel. Things are looking good for this ministry and we want to uphold it in prayer!
Mom's first days in Uganda
My mom got here on the night of April 1st, and she came to school with me to see me "in action" on Thursday and Friday. School ended on a half-day Friday, for Easter break (yay!). Delight and I took Mom to town (Kampala) to show her around on Friday afternoon.
At the Friday Market, we got to see how the ladies make the beads they sell for jewelry, bags, and anything they can imagine. Of course we bought some of these products! :)
Another item they make in Uganda is baskets. Cool designs and colors!
Something totally unique to Uganda is bark cloth, made from a specific tree which grows only here. The above photo shows some of the items. Ugandan kings and other folks will take a long strip of the cloth and drape it over their shoulders (over a modern suit or dress) as a sort of shawl or something. It is very versatile!
On the way home after our jaunt through the city, I noticed my tires were still low-ish, even after having the car at the mechanic's last week. So we went to Total (gas station) and had them check. I had 2 punctures and a leaky valve, and the wheels were not aligned. Good thing we had THAT checked before the Safari on Monday (6th)!
My kind friend Delight helped me out by hosting a party with cake and snacks at her house for my birthday. All the WGM crew in Kampala came to help celebrate my wrinkles. :) Above, of course, is a photo of my YOUNG Mom and YOUNG me. :)
At the Friday Market, we got to see how the ladies make the beads they sell for jewelry, bags, and anything they can imagine. Of course we bought some of these products! :)
Another item they make in Uganda is baskets. Cool designs and colors!
Something totally unique to Uganda is bark cloth, made from a specific tree which grows only here. The above photo shows some of the items. Ugandan kings and other folks will take a long strip of the cloth and drape it over their shoulders (over a modern suit or dress) as a sort of shawl or something. It is very versatile!
On the way home after our jaunt through the city, I noticed my tires were still low-ish, even after having the car at the mechanic's last week. So we went to Total (gas station) and had them check. I had 2 punctures and a leaky valve, and the wheels were not aligned. Good thing we had THAT checked before the Safari on Monday (6th)!
My kind friend Delight helped me out by hosting a party with cake and snacks at her house for my birthday. All the WGM crew in Kampala came to help celebrate my wrinkles. :) Above, of course, is a photo of my YOUNG Mom and YOUNG me. :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Annual International Dinner at HIS
Our 4th annual International Dinner at HIS was a big success as always. I think it is the favorite fellowship of the year for all the HIS families. Everyone dresses in their nation's colors or costume, and we all bring typical foods of our country. With more than 20 nations represented in the school, imagine how colorful and awesome the evening was!
We'll start with the USA table below, and move on through several photos from the night.
The Koreans prepare a wonderful selection of foods, and each year they also do a special presentation. This year they showed us some great moves with Tae Kwon Do. (sorry if that is spelled wrong- spell check couldn't help me)
We'll start with the USA table below, and move on through several photos from the night.
The Koreans prepare a wonderful selection of foods, and each year they also do a special presentation. This year they showed us some great moves with Tae Kwon Do. (sorry if that is spelled wrong- spell check couldn't help me)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Information, Prayer Requests & Praises
Internet is so poor here, that if you want to do more than check your email, you’ve got to plan at least an hour just to see sometimes 3 “web” pages (as compared to your 10 minutes online or less!). Our internet also eats emails. If you have written to me online and have not heard back within 2 weeks, please rewrite your note as there is a STRONG chance that I’ve not received your message. I apologize for this mess, but there is nothing we can do but keep you aware that there are just no good servers here (yet!).
I’m the host for a work team coming in May from Ohio Christian University! This will be an exciting time to work with old friends (Tim and LeeAnn Daniel, leading the team) and minister in local churches and schools. Please pray for the work team as they raise funds and prepare to come, and for their time here.
Pray for the HIS Graduation Ceremonies coming up in May. Please pray for our 4 seniors as they finish their high school requirements. Pray they will be grounded in Christ now and in the future. Our seniors pictured here are (clockwise from top left) Yang (from Uganda), Mischa (Holland), Cleopatra (Uganda), and Haley (USA).
Praise the Lord for better health for both Lino and Mischa. Both were very ill in the fall but are now back to school and healthy . Keep praying for Lino as the doctors work to regulate/monitor his epilepsy treatment.
We are already praying for more teachers, staff and administrators at HIS for the 2009-2010 school year. A number of positions need to be filled. Please pray for the Lord to lead, so we might have consistency in these positions. Being international by nature, the school gains and loses staff each year, and this is the 4th year of the 5 I’ll have been here, where we are looking for another administrator and principal.
I’m the host for a work team coming in May from Ohio Christian University! This will be an exciting time to work with old friends (Tim and LeeAnn Daniel, leading the team) and minister in local churches and schools. Please pray for the work team as they raise funds and prepare to come, and for their time here.
Pray for the HIS Graduation Ceremonies coming up in May. Please pray for our 4 seniors as they finish their high school requirements. Pray they will be grounded in Christ now and in the future. Our seniors pictured here are (clockwise from top left) Yang (from Uganda), Mischa (Holland), Cleopatra (Uganda), and Haley (USA).
Praise the Lord for better health for both Lino and Mischa. Both were very ill in the fall but are now back to school and healthy . Keep praying for Lino as the doctors work to regulate/monitor his epilepsy treatment.
We are already praying for more teachers, staff and administrators at HIS for the 2009-2010 school year. A number of positions need to be filled. Please pray for the Lord to lead, so we might have consistency in these positions. Being international by nature, the school gains and loses staff each year, and this is the 4th year of the 5 I’ll have been here, where we are looking for another administrator and principal.
BIG Frustration at Heritage International School!!!
With the second semester in full-swing at HIS, I continue to teach Social Studies and work in youth ministries for the 39 7-12 graders. Recently I had my classes doing various research topics with use of the HIS library encyclopedias. We have 3 sets. But not ONE of those sets is complete, and our most complete set is from (gulp) 1979. Yes, at times we can use the internet for some research projects, but with it being so slow and connections being dropped, those “simple” research projects I’d planned for my students went from 2 week studies to –literally– 6 week studies. It has been REALLY frustrating to help them learn with these limited and incomplete supplies.
I made one of my supporting churches aware of this problem, and they were very generous with a donation towards purchasing a new encyclopedia set, but more funds are needed. Specifically, I’ve already ordered a set of encyclopedias for grades 7-12, and we were also desperate for another set for younger students (grades 2-6). In order to pay for both sets and significantly help HIS with this need, we still need about $800. If you would like to help meet this goal, please send your check to WGM marked for my account (150-03735-005, HIS research books). What a blessing these will be to ALL of us at Heritage!
Above you can see our VIA (Volunteer In Action), Lacey, who is serving as a FABULOUS librarian right now. We REALLY need a librarian by June or July for next school year- pray with us God supplies one soon. Thank you!
I made one of my supporting churches aware of this problem, and they were very generous with a donation towards purchasing a new encyclopedia set, but more funds are needed. Specifically, I’ve already ordered a set of encyclopedias for grades 7-12, and we were also desperate for another set for younger students (grades 2-6). In order to pay for both sets and significantly help HIS with this need, we still need about $800. If you would like to help meet this goal, please send your check to WGM marked for my account (150-03735-005, HIS research books). What a blessing these will be to ALL of us at Heritage!
Above you can see our VIA (Volunteer In Action), Lacey, who is serving as a FABULOUS librarian right now. We REALLY need a librarian by June or July for next school year- pray with us God supplies one soon. Thank you!
Updated article on Bibles and Balls- Calling ALL writers!
Bibles and Balls and “Ownership”
Thanks to many people’s generous donations, we’ve already begun to distribute Bibles and soccer balls to our most needy churches. However, only 10 (of each) have actually been given, and we are intentionally limiting our distribution.
We realized that if a church is simply given a Bible or a ball outright, they will not care properly for it, compared to if they had somehow earned it. We wanted to create a challenging program which would keep churches accountable and perhaps help the Africa Gospel Church (AGC) of Uganda to grow in maturity.
We’ve come up with a program, that when a church either creates 5 written Bible studies and gives them to us (for editing, possible translation and distribution to ALL our AGC Uganda churches), OR if they have 10 church members memorize 10 verses (of our choosing) each, then they could choose either a Bible or a ball for their church’s use, creating ownership, accountability and deeper faith for those involved. Mostly the studies will be used in our youth group meetings and Sunday school classes.
Across Uganda, the ratio of Bibles to church members is about 3 Bibles per 20 people. Although many people may be poorly educated or illiterate, it is precious to them to have Bibles in the church, hearing God’s Word read and studied.
Some of our churches are working at connecting with area teens by playing soccer in the neighborhood. Once a game is on, the youth pastor in charge gains the opportunity to build relationships with those teens, plus oftentimes the gospel is shared right there on the field. In order to promote this evangelism and outreach ministry, we want to make soccer balls available to our church youth pastors.
Now I have a challenge and an invitation for YOU, too! Would you like to contribute to our curriculum development by creating Bible studies for our African youth and young adults? Perhaps through your personal studies, you already have some notes which you’d be willing to share! Over the years, I’ve compiled my own studies which I’ve also contributed. I’m now looking for others who would like to do the same! I would like as many studies as you can give! You can mail them to me directly, or email them to me (so I can read your writing, it is best if these studies are typed, but hand written is also welcome). Our plan is to combine your studies with those of our African church family, translating them and editing them as necessary. My dream is to see not only a monthly curriculum developed, but eventually a devotional book which we could share with ALL our AGC members, to help them personally in their walk with Jesus. A strong Church is only built by a sound foundation of men and women faithful in their walk with Christ. Supplying Bible studies and challenging Africans to create their own will help build a strong church. We are NOT looking for masters or doctoral theses here. We are looking at simple and practical Bible study lessons, personally applicable stories or studies which can be shared for the benefit of all.
Please prayerfully consider how YOU can help– through prayer of course, but also through giving your own written studies for the benefit of your Christian brothers and sisters here in Uganda. Also, if you have not given towards this program but would like to help supply Bibles and balls to our AGC churches, or if you want to add to what you’ve already given, please send your check to WGM, marked with the account #150-21344 AND a note saying it is for the Bibles and Balls program.
There are more details to the program, which will encourage church members to be faithful and challenge unity amongst area churches. If you’d like more information on the structure of the program, please let me know. I’m excited for the path God is leading us on, and would be delighted to share more with you!
Thanks to many people’s generous donations, we’ve already begun to distribute Bibles and soccer balls to our most needy churches. However, only 10 (of each) have actually been given, and we are intentionally limiting our distribution.
We realized that if a church is simply given a Bible or a ball outright, they will not care properly for it, compared to if they had somehow earned it. We wanted to create a challenging program which would keep churches accountable and perhaps help the Africa Gospel Church (AGC) of Uganda to grow in maturity.
We’ve come up with a program, that when a church either creates 5 written Bible studies and gives them to us (for editing, possible translation and distribution to ALL our AGC Uganda churches), OR if they have 10 church members memorize 10 verses (of our choosing) each, then they could choose either a Bible or a ball for their church’s use, creating ownership, accountability and deeper faith for those involved. Mostly the studies will be used in our youth group meetings and Sunday school classes.
Across Uganda, the ratio of Bibles to church members is about 3 Bibles per 20 people. Although many people may be poorly educated or illiterate, it is precious to them to have Bibles in the church, hearing God’s Word read and studied.
Some of our churches are working at connecting with area teens by playing soccer in the neighborhood. Once a game is on, the youth pastor in charge gains the opportunity to build relationships with those teens, plus oftentimes the gospel is shared right there on the field. In order to promote this evangelism and outreach ministry, we want to make soccer balls available to our church youth pastors.
Now I have a challenge and an invitation for YOU, too! Would you like to contribute to our curriculum development by creating Bible studies for our African youth and young adults? Perhaps through your personal studies, you already have some notes which you’d be willing to share! Over the years, I’ve compiled my own studies which I’ve also contributed. I’m now looking for others who would like to do the same! I would like as many studies as you can give! You can mail them to me directly, or email them to me (so I can read your writing, it is best if these studies are typed, but hand written is also welcome). Our plan is to combine your studies with those of our African church family, translating them and editing them as necessary. My dream is to see not only a monthly curriculum developed, but eventually a devotional book which we could share with ALL our AGC members, to help them personally in their walk with Jesus. A strong Church is only built by a sound foundation of men and women faithful in their walk with Christ. Supplying Bible studies and challenging Africans to create their own will help build a strong church. We are NOT looking for masters or doctoral theses here. We are looking at simple and practical Bible study lessons, personally applicable stories or studies which can be shared for the benefit of all.
Please prayerfully consider how YOU can help– through prayer of course, but also through giving your own written studies for the benefit of your Christian brothers and sisters here in Uganda. Also, if you have not given towards this program but would like to help supply Bibles and balls to our AGC churches, or if you want to add to what you’ve already given, please send your check to WGM, marked with the account #150-21344 AND a note saying it is for the Bibles and Balls program.
There are more details to the program, which will encourage church members to be faithful and challenge unity amongst area churches. If you’d like more information on the structure of the program, please let me know. I’m excited for the path God is leading us on, and would be delighted to share more with you!
Monday, March 2, 2009
My road is gone!
Today I was headed out to school for a meeting, and found that while I'd been home for lunch, someone came along and tore up my road! Well! This is the speediest (1 month) I've seen a road measured and marked and now (I hope) getting paved! I wonder who the big-wig is who lives nearby, who may have helped influenced the speed of this roadway?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Spirit Week 2009
Each year at Heritage, we have School Spirit Week. It used to be combined with the special chapels week of Spiritual Emphasis Week, but the silly costumes and games were distracting for the chapel messages, so we split the week. Now, Spiritual Emphasis Week is during 1st semester, and School Spirit Week is 2nd semester.
This year (as in other years) the committee chooses a theme (this year it is "Celebrating the Love of God"), and each day the kids dress in silly theme ideas. We've had farmer's day, pajama day, Valentines day (dress in red or pink), school colors day, and tomorrow will be sports fanatics day. Some of the following photos are from these theme days. Enjoy!
This year (as in other years) the committee chooses a theme (this year it is "Celebrating the Love of God"), and each day the kids dress in silly theme ideas. We've had farmer's day, pajama day, Valentines day (dress in red or pink), school colors day, and tomorrow will be sports fanatics day. Some of the following photos are from these theme days. Enjoy!
Valentine's Dinner
About 23 of the HIS kids got together last Friday at our local Japanese restaurant for a very nice buffet Valentine's dinner. Below are pictures of me with a few of the kids (top photo; Kaleb, Amy, Rachel and me) and next, Mimi and Kezza, 2 of our grade 7 girls.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Bibles and Balls
Many of our Africa Gospel Churches (AGC) here have very few Bibles. Many also could reach out more to youth and kids in their neighborhoods if only they had a soccer ball. So we put together a "Bibles and Balls" program, raising funds to purchase at least one Bible (in the appropriate languge per church) and one soccer ball per church. So far we've only handed out a few (about 8) because we're working accountability into the program. I'm in process of writing a prayer letter explaining it all with further details. I'll try to update more once we've made more decisions regarding the accountability and how things are going. Do please pray for the program, as we work for more funds to come in, and as we seek the Lord's guidance on the accountability side of giving these items out.