Annual International Dinner at HIS

I have to say that I'm still so proud of the fact that I had a hand in the first year's International dinner 6-7 years ago. the evening fellowship at HIS has become the year's highlight with familes coming to host tables, offer their national foods, wearing costumes or colors from their homelands. This year, with 27 countries represented at HIS, we had probably about 500 people attend- the most ever! 

Below you'll find numerous tables, costumes, and food items from the night. Wish you were here to celebrate with us! 

 Above: USA. Below: Uganda

 Above: Uganda, Britain, USA and Australia all represented in these 4 ladies! 

Below: Ugandan woman's outfit called a "gomezi", shown by one of our 10th grade students who also does exercise walking with me. :)

 Austria's table and food yumminess above. Below; me being silly with 2 of our youth. 

 Above: Kenya's table and foods. Below: Korea's group performed some wonderful entertainment, including some Tae Kwon Do demonstrations. 

 Korean cutie (above). The annual Philippine pig roast offered at the dinner. Always a big hit! 

The night also included some African dances by our 6th grade, a choir song (including Scottish music), the Philippines teen girls dancing with lighted candles, singing, humor and a presentation by those cheeky Canadians, an Albanian slide presentation, and a song by our Congolese contingent. Really wonderful and memorable stuff! Come visit us next March for the next celebration! 

The Mango Harvest

I have been blessed with a mango tree which gives sweet and delicious fruit each year. However, we've had to learn a lot of lessons on how to properly harvest them, avoiding birds and insects, etc. This year it seems we have the best harvest ever. So far, about half way done, we have had around 80-90 mangoes and they've been amazing! 

One thing we now do is have one person climb the tree and pick mangoes, while 1-2 stand below to catch them. They're heavier and harder than soft balls, and if you don't catch them just right it really hurts.

(Susan & Peter helping catch the 22 we picked that day). 

We also pick them before they're ripe, to avoid further bugs. Some bugs get into the fruit when it is in pollination stage, but we've been able to beat many to that with spray our exterminator man supplies. When they are picked semi-green, they take anywhere from 2 days to a week to ripen, in a dark but breezy place. I've been sharing a number of them with my fellow missionaries and friends, including my guards plus Susan my house helper. With prices for 3 mangoes at a high cost, we've all not only saved money, but we've really enjoyed the benefits! i'm in freezing stage now for some, and will later use them in various recipes. Any recipe that calls for apples can take mangoes instead. Yum!  

Peter wanted to demonstrate how you might carry them, but typically people here would normally not be using their hands- only their heads- when carrying bananas, mangoes, other loads. 

Bosco, our neighbor's guard, helped Peter pick mangoes one day. He is enjoying one which fell and cracked open- and wanted his photo in this pose. Funny! Many Ugandans eat the mangoes while green (bitter/sour!) to get them before the birds and insects, so although the above mango he was eating was not quite ripe, he thought it was delicious!  ... and here he is in the below photo, up in the tree having fun picking! 

The Theft

I'm not a very good sleeper. I wake often for simple noises and when the weather changes (I suppose it is because you often have to rush around closing windows if a storm blows in here). Last night I'd gone to bed late- 12:30 or so. My body has a habit of sleeping 10-20 min. and then waking, then sleeping for real. It is a little frustrating sometimes, but generally I'm used to it. So last night, when I woke after barely sleeping, I BELIEVE it was maybe 1, when I heard a noise outback of my house, which was "different" than other night noises. No big deal. It crossed my mind and I started to doze again. Then I heard a noise and also the neighbor's dog bark. So it crossed my mind there may be thieves outside. Train of thought- "there may be thieves. It is okay, the night watchman is there. Unless there are several, then he could be in danger.. well Lord please keep us both safe if it is thieves"... and I slumbered off. Around 3 I woke because for sure the weather had changed and a lovely cool breeze was bringing rain. So I got up with eyes half-open and went around closing the "in danger of flooding" windows in my bedroom and dining room. Back to bed... sleep till 5:30 when the Swahili and barely-English speaking guard called my name by my closed bedroom window. He said the car had a problem. Then he said the side mirrors had been stolen. I asked where he had been- he admitted having slept in the guard's area (a small open room by the gate). I told him when it got later we could call his immediate boss and my mission colleague- Kenneth. I waited till nearly 8 to call him, since I wasn't sure on a Sunday if he'd be up and I didn't want to disturb him/his family too early. It was "only" side mirrors, versus "serious theft" so to me it wasn't an emergency. 


Later, as I was getting ready inside, I heard Kenneth outside speaking with my day guard, Peter, and slamming my car doors. I couldn't understand how the car was unlocked- had I given him a spare car key? So when I went outside and found the thieves had actually broken into the car and stolen: power window components, a/c unit and vents, stereo, side mirrors and even "front corner" mirror for backing up, plus whatever I had in the glove box, etc.... well, I was surprised. 


The thieves had come over the wall at two places- in one way and out the other. We all agree it had to be at least 3 people, and the bad part that my guard was sleeping may have saved his life. A quarry up the hill had a break-in in January and when that guard found them, they killed him. So although this was a lot of money (potentially) in theft, I am insured and we are SAFE. Praise the LORD for His hedge of protection!


A "comic relief" moment was when we found my mop handle in the car. The men thought I'd put it there. No. And neither had they. But my huge rubber cobra was found in the neighbor's compound (they'd, by then, thrown it back over the wall)... so we pictured the thieves gaining access to the inside of my car only to find Sammy the Snake (my daytime security system which has caused a lot of laughter and frights). So they went back behind the house to the covered porch area, where the mop was. They took of the fluffy end and used the stick to "kill" Sammy and toss him out. I'm sure in the dark he was scary because in the light he has even made me pause from time to time. But those thieves were determined, so they killed my rubber snake and dispensed of him. 

         

Here is Sammy on the hood, and the broom handle against the car. Note no side mirrors... 

How the car looked on the inside when we opened it up... 

When the police came, they dusted for prints (found a few, but rain had washed a lot away). This was, thankfully, the first time I've EVER seen in person a policeman dusting for fingerprints. Oh, and this photo is of the front little mirror area which is on a Prado- so the driver can see that bumper and corners. 

Because of other delays elsewhere, the policeman who takes people's statements couldn't come today. So he'll come sometime tomorrow to take our statements. Since Uganda has no fingerprint database yet, the only hope of catching the thieves is if they are arrested and the fingerprints match. But for insurance we did have to follow all these steps. So in the next few weeks I'll be getting a new stereo and better locking system, plus of course replacing all the missing car-parts... Pray they can be easily found and that the paint matches. And I'd really like the mirrors to be the same type as before- where I can move them electronically from inside. That has been a helpful feature at times here when I'm driving alone and can't have someone help me adjust them.

Leap Day!!!

So when you're a teacher and Leap Day approaches, what do you do to mark the day? Well, if you were with us this 2012 Leap Day, you would not only celebrate the day, but you'll now remember it for years! :)

A few weeks before the "big day", I asked my grade 7 students if they wanted to do anything special (yes I had my own ideas but I wanted theirs). Of course they asked for a party. Since they'd been the "best behaved class of the secondary" last quarter, they got a pizza party from the principal, and all they had to do was choose the day. They chose Leap Day. Well, I told them they could have a fun time, but they'd also need to reach out to others on that day- so it wasn't all about themselves. They asked if they could serve lunch to the elementary. SURE! So the following are a summary in photos of our memorable Leaps!

 I never thought a simple game of "standing long jump" with chalked names/marks on the floor could be SO popular. Several teachers and school support staff even participated. The furthest jumps were by kids who went 2.8 meters (I'm estimating). So above, the photo on the left is one of the sophomores leaping (and the game, of course, was called, "How far can you leap?!"). The one on the right shows some of our names in chalk lines and distances we jumped. YES, I participated but was one of the "also jumped" categories- meaning I didn't get very far. Fun times!

Service time for Leap Day included serving and cleaning up, having some fun, eating some pizza and other goodies. (above). 

Below: one of my favorite parts was when our art teacher (Jessie) asked for "service" by way of a song. And there was a partial stage set up so she asked the girls to perform from there. How funny to hear the girls sing, "Happy leap day to you..." to the elementary kids. Again- a good memory maker and for sure in 4 years they'll look back and remember the fun they had. 

Now I also had all my students fill out the questions- where were you 4 years ago, and where do you want to be/think you'll be, in 4 years. Some had some funny comments. One wrote the "telling" comment that she'd have more compassion in 4 years for those who have "jiggers" (an itchy bug bite). I think it was my favorite "future 4 years" comment. 

And finally, I also made a TON of no-bake cookies for those who participated. I even shared some with Susan and Peter, my house worker and guard. :) All day long we'd been joking (my students and I) to "not think of poo" when you ate those cookies, since they -well-resemble it in looks. So Peter is reacting here when I restated that part of the day to him as he was eating. Funny!

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. :) 

Junior High Retreat

In mid-October, we took our first Junior High retreat for Heritage. In the past, the junior high and senior high were combined. The school and youth ministries have grown considerably in the past few years, so we had to divide the two age groups. This was a goal from the beginning, and we're excited to have enough teens to have 2 separate groups! We're even PRAYING about time and personnel to begin some middle-school ministries to grades 5-6. 

Anyway, the photo below is the first Jr. high (group) retreat photo, plus other photos from the weekend. 

Josh again was our speaker, sharing about seeking Christ and being free to ask Him tough questions as teens develop their own faith. We had several group and separate sessions where kids could study, discuss and ask questions about God and the Gospel. 

The boys playing Uno- some of these kids are addicted to that "old" game! Funny. 

Above & Below: We play an adapted version of "steal the bacon" on retreat, and every time it ends up as a hilarious highlight. 

Above: Hanging with some of the girls... 

 "Launching" kids in the pool was a popular activity on both senior high and junior high retreats. (smile).

 Evening activities included making our team flags, playing relays, and a huge newspaper game...

AGC Youth Crusade

During the special Church activities I mention in the next post below, the mission hosted David & Luis, two speakers who shared in evangelism, medically (Luis is a Dr.), and for youth ministries. One event was the AGC Youth Crusade hosted in Kampala. Actually only a "few" people could come for the 2 day event, due to travel distances and school schedules. But it was a wonderful time to hear the Word and learn through these two men.  

The Youth Crusade group, above. 

Below, an AGC youth at the Bible study time. 

David sharing with the youth. (below)

David & Luis challenged the youth for purity in body and spirit. Below, the youth are making that commitment as they seek the Lord's leadership in their lives. 

Big Church Events!

Last year, Uganda's government approved Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Uganda to be a legally operating church in the country. Before, the church was under WGM's authority. Today it is its own recognized governing body. With that legal step, the church and mission leadership worked this past year to create a leadership structure where AGC Uganda can truly work alone and yet alongside WGM. Having equipped pastors within AGC to pastor, make legal decisions, lead weddings, etc., the AGC has really grown in maturity and abilities. We pray as more pastors and lay-people are trained, that the AGC will continue to grow into a mature and thriving body fully able to lead others. For now, AGC is indeed strong and WGM acts more as a coach to the leadership. This is all exciting stuff! 

Praying for Mugisha & Gabriel and for their wives and families. 

In October, Mugisha and Gabriel, 2 of our pastors in the AGC Uganda, were ordained. This makes a total of 8 men ordained in the Africa Gospel Church, Uganda. Pictured above are Mugisha's family and friends at the ceremony. 

Praying for Mugisha & his wife, Winnie, as he was installed as the Church Council Secretary

Praying for Kefa & his wife Abby. Kefa is now the first Bishop of the AGC Uganda. 

Presenting the Bishop and the leadership to the Church. 

During these days of many church happenings, our WGM missionaries hosted several guests for crusades and other trainings, a pastors and wives conference, as well as the installation of the Bishop and his council. Above, the WGM Uganda missionary family was joined for dinner by our WGM President, Vice President, Regional Director, a retired missionary and 2 crusade speakers.