Prayers and Praises! (Update posted below as well about trips to Gulu and Masaka)

Prayers and Praises:
God has protected. Because of all the bodas (motorcycles), taxis, and people who really do not know how to drive (except just enough to pass to get their license here), one of the top highest missionary death rates is from transportation. Praise God for continuous safe travels!
My health has not been really bad. I have adjusted to the different elevation for all except running. Sleep has not been too terrible, though there are still nights when I do not sleep much or am restless. The sickness I have had is mild compared to what it could be, and for that I am ever thankful to God for healing me.
God has been working in the hearts and lives of the students and staff that they are encouraging me in more ways than I will ever be able to thank them for doing!
I need to rely deeply on Jesus to be my everything. My faith seems nothing like the kind of faith that the Ugandans have…they are so bold, strong, trusting, and wear their whole heart on the outside in their praise to God. They truly love Jesus! The smiles and thankful hearts show it all. The worship and prayers here make my own experiences in the U.S. seem dull and not entirely whole-hearted praise and thankfulness – even though I know that it is! I pray that my heart for Jesus would be a light to others, showing them the awesomeness and love of God.
I have so much. I have so little. What I have seems like ever so much to what these people have also dwindles when I see their hearts. The heart they have to have you in their home for just a few minutes. The heart they have to help you out with something. The heart of Jesus.

Specific prayers for this week/weekend:
1. All those traveling would arrive safely, with all their luggage and without any delay in flights (There are 2 visitors, 3 interns, and the Heersink family is leaving as well).
2. Saturday Club would go smoothly- we have many new people leading different classes and also many visitors who will be here coming as well.
3. This stomach bug would go away for the rest of my time here and I not get sick again.
4. God would continue to show His handiwork in the ministry of Hope Alive! and the lives of the people here.
5. I would be open to all that God is teaching me, and that He would continue to teach me more and draw me closer to Him.

Gulu and Masaka...and a trip to the Equator!

This has been the strenuous week so far in my trip. Forget jet lag…traveling in country was tougher for me. Wednesday we traveled up country to Gulu, which is about 2 hours from the border of Sudan if I remember correctly. This is another site of Hope Alive!. I was joined by another family, the Heersinks, who are appointed with WorldVenture. They are here visiting to see if this is where God wants them to serve instead of Argentina. Brandon, Elizabeth, Patrick (4), and Henry (1), along with Catharine and our special hire driver, Bosco, traveled the 6 hours together. We had dinner with some of the staff at that site, and also took a tour of many of the schools – primary, secondary, and vocational. This was probably more eye-opening for me as a public school setting is already different than my own school experience – and now I was seeing another country’s version. We met some of the Hope Alive! students at these schools, and also was able to see some of the classrooms in action for a few minutes. At one school the primary 1 class (1st grade) sang ‘Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in half English and half Luganda. It was darling.
Another things we did on this trip was to visit some of the homes with the students. One of the mentors, Enoch, who also spoke English was our guide through the bush of Gulu. We only went to 3 houses of Hope Alive! students, as they are all very far apart and some were not home from school yet. Many interesting things were learned about the students and their lives at home. Most of the ones we met were all orphans, and some were even living with Enoch and his family, which was extra neat to see as he was able to be their mentor in a closer way. Friday after dinner I became ill with some stomach bug. I did not sleep much and the trip home to Kampala on Saturday was pretty miserable. I rested Sunday (Biblical, right?) and Monday I felt so much better that I went to staff meeting/work.

Tuesday we left for the lower side of the earth – the southern hemisphere! Uganda is a pretty cool place, even though it is small. So much to do and see and the Equator is just one of those things. I can now say I have been to both hemispheres at the same time…with one foot on either side of the line! The site of Hope Alive! here is in Masaka, and offices are held at Masaka Baptist Church. There is a Compassion International site here as well. We went on home visits, seeing more of the homes because they were not as far in the bush as in Gulu – more like brick/mud flat suburbia. Since these homes were closer, there were a million children running around singing and shouting “Mzungu! Mzungu!” the whole day. “Mzungu” is the term in Luganda meaning ‘white person’…and of course I stand out even more with my blond hair that they all come running just to wave, say hello/bye, or touch my hand/arm. At one point there were so many children that they ended up turning their yelling of ‘Mzungu’ into what sounded like a schoolyard song for jump rope. So funny!
Wednesday we visited the primary school that is connected with the church and then headed home to Kampala. Back in Kampala Nurse Kacie, who was now home from her trip, took care of my still not feeling so well stomach with some meds and cream of rice (similar to cream of wheat and so yummy!). This morning I am feeling better, but very tired. Today we head out for school and home visits here in Kampala. This weekend looks to be extra busy as 5 more visitors/interns arrive and we have a full weekend with Saturday club and many other activities.

Quick update

So, I owe you all an update on what God has been doing... but nevertheless, this is not it either! haha Except for the fact that I am feeling better by God's grace and all your prayers! I am not quite 100%, but definitely close.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are heading to the second site founded with Hope Alive! in Masaka. This is on the opposite side of the equator - I will finally reach the southern hemisphere! We will return Wednesday, so this is to be a quick trip. The weekend also shows to be busy, but I will try to update again as soon as I can, even if it only a coupe pictures. Thank you again for all your uplifting and interceding with your prayers! They are encouraging and needed in the field, so thank you! Until I return right-side-up again in the northern hemisphere...

Pray please!

Hi All! As you already know I have been up in Gulu the past few days. Well, last night I didn't feel so well and since then have had some kind of stomach bug - I cannot even keep sips of water down yet. I ask you to pray that I will recover quickly, as I do believe this is some sort of obstacle that Satan has thrown in my way of ministry (I still have almost 5 weeks here). More updates to come, as soon as I feel a little better to write! Thanks for all your support and prayers!

2 weeks!!!

Wow! I cannot believe I have already been gone 2 weeks!!! God has been so good!
Friday – what a lovely time with the WorldVenture crew that lives in Uganda as missionaries. All were welcoming and we had an enjoyable time worshipping, praying, playing games, eating food, drinking tea, and fellowshipping with other believers. One was a family with four boys (13, 11, 7, and 4) which was great to see and reminded me of times with my cousins. Two of the families are going to be in the States (Michigan) this year, so I do hope to see them soon!
Saturday – was my first experience with Hope Alive’s Saturday Club…and a chance to hang out with quite a few of the kids who come. It was so awesome to see all of them singing, praising God, and learning His Word. The club starts at 9am, but that is in Ugandan time – so I think we started closer to 9:30am. The time here is never exact. The morning started with praise and worship, and then announcements when Catharine introduced me and many other visitors this week. A breakfast of sweet porridge and banana was next. This was similar to Cream of Wheat/Farina, but with lots of sugar and also more liquid so you could drink it out of a cup. Once it cooled down, it was actually quite delicious. After breakfast the kids so into their separate classrooms – Lower Primary (1st-4th grades), Upper Primary (5th -7th grades), and Secondary/Vocational (8th-college). The teachers for the groups were the older students in the program, graduated students now working with Hope Alive!, and also outside speakers who were brought in by the staff. After the Bible hour the group came back together for a debate about primary education that the secondary students had been preparing for the past few weeks. This was unusual as during this time the kids normally have a game time and a ‘skills time’ in which the students learn different skills such as doing a craft, working on different English or math studies that are not normally easy for the students, cooking, or another type of skill. For the younger kids, we had coloring and drawing set up during the debate. After the debate we had lunch. A yummy Ugandan meal of rice, beans, beef, greens, and irish (what they call white potatoes) was served. After all were fed, we were able to hang out and talk with the kids some more before leaving. I met some adorable girls who became my friends and I hope to see them again at the next Saturday club.
Sunday – was church and was different for me to experience. When it rains or snows back home, people sometimes do not end up getting to church because of flooding, too icy, or their cars don’t start. Well here, they don’t come to church until the rain stops because otherwise they will get soaked while walking or traveling in taxis or bodas. So, church started later, and it was really good. We had a guest speaker from Virginia, US named Jeremy who I could understand perfectly, as I am still working on understanding the Ugandan tongue. I am also learning some Luganda language, which is the second most prevalent language here. I am called muzungu (not sure on spelling), meaning white person. All the kids say it loudly when I pass by, drawing more attention to me, as if my white skin and blond hair didn’t stand out enough. Yet, one cannot help but smile back at the smiling faces of the kids who are saying my descriptive name.
Well, tomorrow I travel upcountry to Gulu to visit another location of Hope Alive! Time to get some sleep!

Pictured – Veronica and Sandra at Saturday Club; My roommates, Kate and Kacie with our homemade pizzas; Dorothy, Kate, Georgina, Shammah (Hope Alive! mentors and staff).

Town!

Today was an adventure to downtown Kampala, also known as 'town'. The day started out with a taxi ride. Now, this is no taxi like in the States...it is more like a 15 passenger van/bus experience. After that we went by Parliament, through a lot of shops, markets, and also another interesting market-type place in which I was proposed to many times! Don't worry, I said no. ;-) We then went window shopping, and I had my first 'boda' ride. This is close to a motorcycle, but more dangerous as the boda drivers are not necessarily the best in traffic (they like to go in between cars and close to the edge of the curb). We told the ones we rode that we wanted a safe ride - it was so much fun! On the way back we had a lovely lunch at one of the food courts in the mall. One of the things that I discovered today are the fruit juiceboxes - pure fruit for about 50 cents - and I believe I am going to be addicted to them! I have eaten some of the best pineapple, mango, avocado, and hummus that I have ever had, and the markets are great for cheap fruit and veggies.
I believe I am officially over jet-lag, and now sleep through the call to prayer at the local mosque and also the sounds of the loud ibis birds that are all over Kampala. Tomorrow I am supposed to go to a gathering with the WorldVenture missionaries in Uganda, and Saturday is Saturday Club that Hope Alive! holds for the kids. This is when I will meet more student mentors and also more of the kids. I am so excited!

I have made it!

Greetings from Uganda!
I have made my trip safely and all my luggage arrived with me as well. The layover in London was awesome, and along with Jodi and Jacob, I have now seen Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, The Globe Theatre (Shakespeare), Buckingham Palace, and many other sights!
I arrived in Uganda on Friday morning, and had a busy yet restful weekend. Sunday I had an amazing time worshipping with my brothers and sisters here, and look forward to getting to know many of them this summer! Kacie and Kate, my two roommates, are amazing women who are on fire for God. They are a joy to be around and I know we will have many more wonderful times together this summer! Catharine, my supervisor and the head of Hope Alive!, lives two doors down, and I am also looking forward to getting to know her better as well.
There are many people coming to visit/serve this summer, the main office is moving their base, and I will be doing all sorts of things to serve (Though I am not sure what all they will be, I do know I will be leading games, crafts, and some sort of music activities). Today was my first day at the office, and I met wonderful, godly men and women who are ministering with Hope Alive! and devoted to ministry. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to work with such a ministry and amazing people!

I am now a World Traveler!!!

The next time I post, I will be in a different country and on a different continent. Wow. I cannot believe it is today already! I fly out at 8pm tonight and spend the day in London before flying out Thursday night to arrive in Entebbe Friday morning. Looking forward to sharing my travels with you!

2 Days!!!

I leave for Uganda in 2 days!!! This past week has flown by way too fast!
The living room has gone through many changes - clean, to piles of stuff all around, to filled with suitcases and boxes of crafts/game equipment, to open suitcases being filled with all the stuff! My Dad went on a fishing trip with the guys from the extended family and came home saying it didn't look like we packed anything over the weekend - the living room was still filled with stuff! Only a few more things to pack and then on to making sure I have all my paperwork.
Wednesday I met up with Jodi and Jacob, whom I will be flying with to Uganda. We will also spending part of a day in London sightseeing during our long layover there. On Friday my college roommate, Phoebe, and friends Larinda and Chandler all came for a girls night hangout. It was so good to see them all again before I leave! Sunday I spoke in church about my trip. It is nice to know I have a great support group there!
When I return, I am looking forward to sharing all about my internship and how God has worked in my life this summer!
Until then, maybe I should start trying to close my suitcases...