Long awaited...and even more to come!

Jason and Ian...slowly getting bored with organizing

Nakawa - Another student's demolished home

Devastation in Nakawa - A Hope Alive! student's home

Pirate 4th of July

Ugandan Food=YUM!!!

4 more precious days…

yep, that is how many days I have left in Uganda. That fact is both happy and sad. I look forward to seeing friends and family whom I have not seen for awhile, yet I am also going to miss my many new family and friends here.

The past week has been one of many lasts…my last Saturday Club, my last trip to Gulu, my last staff meeting, my last time seeing some of the kids I have been blessed to now know…the list is just going to grow! :( Each day I think is going to get harder, but I am enjoying the many ‘lasts’ that are left. Despite this, our trip to Gulu was one of many firsts for me. It was my first time buying a tailored skirt from a shop (now that was an adventure!), first time holding a gecko, first time directing games with the help of a mentor who translated for me, first time on a Safari…In Gulu we enjoyed meeting up with some of the mentors and the fellowship we had with them. Home visits were a part of this trip on Friday as well and I enjoyed meeting more of the youth who are in Hope Alive!. Saturday Club was a blessing to experience at a different site, as there are different things they do because of the different gifts and abilities that God has given those in leadership. Saturday evening we had the best supper I have ever had here in Uganda. We went to the Gulu site manager’s home (Simon), and his wife, Miriam, cooked up a storm and blessed us with her delicious meal and avocado juice – which was almost, just almost, as good as chocolate. (Did I really say that? – yep, it’s true). Their family is such a wonderful example and blessing of being Christ like. Miriam has become one of my new role models, and I look forward to someday meeting the little one that will be coming soon!
Sunday we headed toward Murchison Falls and saw monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and giraffes on the way. We crossed the Nile River, had a lunch with warthogs enjoying the shade just a few feet away, and then headed south on the Nile in a boat. We saw many hippos and a few crocodiles while on the boat. Across the river there was an elephant wading in the water and the rest of the herd was nearby. The boat took us towards Murchison Falls, and we got off and hiked to the top. This hike was breathtaking in more ways than one! The hot sun and the fact that we have pretty much been in a car or boat the past few days took the breath out of our lungs. Snatching your breath away even more though was the amazing views we had of the Falls, nature, and the Nile. There was one point where I almost just told our guide to leave me behind because I could have stayed there for hours just basking in God’s creation! At dinner that night we talked about the day and everyone said one word of what they saw about God – imagination, creative, powerful, - mine was ‘majestic’. The majesty and glory of God could not be missed on this trip! Monday’s Safari was awesome as we saw many of the 44 different kinds of mammals and 450 different kinds of birds that are in the park. We weren’t sure how the day was going to go as we were stuck in a ditch no more than 30 feet from a herd of elephants in the first 15 minutes of our safari. Yet, our driver, Charles, was able to make it out and we were able to enjoy the many giraffes, water buffalo (made me think of VeggieTales…), elephants, cobs and other gazelle-like mammals, birds, monkeys, and even a new gazelle-like baby who was born just minutes before we arrived!!! It was almost as if we were live on a nature show as we watched as the little one tried to stand and get nourishment from his mother.
We headed home Tuesday, and Wednesday was filled with laundry, unpacking, and a trip to town with Shammah to have my camera fixed (all better now!). Thursday was a Fun Day with the staff and mentors of Hope Alive!. This was an awesome time of fellowship and a great way to stay out of the office! Haha. We played some bocce, ladder ball, card games,hung out on the tire swing and swing set, and enjoyed some worship time with an impromptu percussion section. The day was complete with 5 hours of laughter and baking with Alicia – 2 apple pies, cinnamon rolls, crumb cake – a very sugary ‘dinner’!
Today I went to a new craft market to get some things to bring home as a memory of this time – a flag to decorate my dorm was one of these that I bought. It was a great time with Shammah, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her heart for the Lord! Tomorrow I am hoping to attend an AWANA Club and Sunday will be my last time worshipping at Lugogo Baptist. Who knows what new blessings and experiences God will bring these last few days, but I look forward to every one of them!

Thank you for all your prayers and support! If you could add safety traveling home this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, I would appreciate it greatly. I leave Uganda at 9am Tuesday and should be home Wednesday afternoon.
Look for a picture update coming soon...

Quick Update

Hi All!
It has been another few busy days! Tomorrow morning we (Catharine, Ian, Jason, Alicia, and myself) are heading up to Gulu for ministry and Murchison Falls for a short Safari. I will post another update after that and hopefully before I leave Uganda the following week. Thanks for all your prayers!!!


Philip (left, white shirt) goes to Moody with me - It was awesome to see him here & at the church that he is one of the pastors!


The Hope Alive Saturday Club kids - Kampala Location

A very busy week!

Wow! I cannot believe that I leave in 16 days! Okay, that is kinda sad, so I’m not going to think about it anymore. Sorry it has been so long for an update – the past ten days have been a whirlwind of activity. We have had the other visitors/interns arrive. Catharine’s nephews (Jason and Ian), a nursing student (Allie), and Holly, who was a previous mid-termer here. Alicia, an accountant, just arrived this past Friday and is the last of arrivals until some of us leave first. Haha.

Some activities/happenings have included:
- A trip to the beach. Frisbee, volleyball, and laughter were all a part of this adventure to Lake Victoria. And don’t worry, I made sure I went into the water to say I touched it. haha
- Celebrating the Independence of the USA…with a Pirate Party! We dressed up as pirates and ate some delicious grub. Laughed at each other’s soccer ball/soda liters bowling skills until late at night. Happy 4th of July – Arrgh!
- Staff prayer meeting for the Nuguru and Nakawa areas of Kampala. These areas were greatly affected this past week as the homes were knocked down with a bulldozer without much notice. We (Hope Alive!) have many of our kids living in these areas, and made sure that all were safe and had a place to stay for the time being. The government gave this land away some years back and the people who own it now have finally decided to do something with it after years of doing nothing (a Muslim school is one of the things going to be built there during the 10 year project). There is a longer background story to this, but the news online and other sources can give more information than I can. Much prayer is needed, for both the families and the government.
-Math coaching (tutoring). Dorothy had a great math game going the one day I was there helping the kids learn and practice their math. This was another experience for me, as I learned my math alone and the group atmosphere was different. It also made me realize how much I learned by a certain age, as the education system here is very different (the one boy was way older than the 4th or 5th grade level he was sitting (what they call attending).
- Cleaning and organizing the new office. This was a task, and it is still being done. The awesome Power Prayer Team (which consists of Catharine’s two nephews and myself) was covered in dirt and grime by the end of the day – and we had just cleaned out the stuff and started organizing it into piles of similar items!
- African Jazz. We went to a certain restaurant that had a group playing/singing. Started at 7pm and by 10pm hadn’t done any really traditional songs. We were told that they started that at 10:30pm til late…so we may make another visit the next time they play and just go later in the evening. We did all try Springbock (which is gazelle meet, and tastes similar to venison.
- Saturday Club. The past two Saturdays have been filled with many activities and many kids attending. The first week I helped lead a worship song learning time with the secondary kids. Chris and Dorothy were great co-leaders, and afterward some of the kids were asking me to help them learn the song even better. We taught them Hillsong’s ‘Came to My Rescue’ and then they in return taught me 2 songs that they sing in church sometimes. It was neat to see ho everyone came together and worshiped God. Later I led the game time with all the kids. It was not quite chaos, but I had to get used to the cultural differences with games. One of the things they do here is they need to answer ‘yes’ is they raise their eyebrows…which doesn’t exactly work when you are asking them if they are ready and only a few respond with an actual verbal response! Nevertheless, we had a great time playing running games/variations of Awana games. Everyone had a great time playing new games that they did not know.
This past Saturday I co-led a time of praise songs with the primary groups. Dorothy and I had a blast teaching the kids ‘Jesus You’re My Superhero’ – which they loved! I also taught them ‘Stand Up Sit Down Clap My Hands and Shout Hallelujah’ (WeeSing), and ‘How Wide and Deep and Long and High is the love of Christ’ which a camp chapel speaker had taught me a couple years ago. It was great fun, and the kids were singing them the rest of the time at Saturday club. This week I also led games for the primary group. We played some more variations of Awana games as well as some other ones that my mom and other game leaders I know have created. This has been awesome to experience and definitely a time of learning cultural differences as some of my directions needed to be translated to be understood better! This was my last Saturday Club in Kampala, as next Saturday I will be back in Gulu for their club.
- Visiting a fellow Moody student at his home church. Philip is an amazing guy who was on my brother floor this past year at Moody. Once I found out I may be going to Uganda this summer, I started asking him some questions. He told me I should visit him and his church sometime, and it is almost surreal that it actually happened! I was able to go to his church of about 4,000, see about 20 people come to know the Lord, worship God in a outwardly praising and giving their all to Jesus atmosphere, and see Phil dedicate quite a few babies…I think it was around 25! Of course, him being one of the pastors there, he called me up on stage to introduce me and asked me to speak about why I’m in Uganda and also wanted me to tell the congregation about him in America, saying that he truly does study. It was great to see him, his church, meet the other pastors, and also meet his Aunt and brothers and sister.

Things I’ve learned.:
1. I truly do need a piano near me. I played Kacie’s keyboard last week and realized how much I missed playing. I have discovered that it is a part of my Spiritual health of worshipping God with my music, as well as a stress reliever (which I knew already).
2. I still have a lot to learn about Ugandan culture, though I understand a lot more since arriving.
3. We need more African praise influence in our churches. Their praise and worship - it is so rich and they are not afraid to show it outwardly! I am seeing this in a different light as one of my classes at Moody this past year was all about worship, and it has been interesting to see things happen/not happen that we discussed in class.
4. Many more simple cooking recipes with few ingredients…I’m going to miss the mangoes, pineapple, and cheap yet delicious veggies just outside your door on the side of the road!
5. Being a part of a team is one of the best things in life – they become your family, friends, adventure partners, and people who are always there when you need them.

Pictures!!!

Games again - Modified Basketball Relay - The kids had a blast!!!
Saturday Club Games - Sparky Safari! - These bean bags were more slippery than the usual cloth bags-It was actually challenging for them, despite their non-slippery hair!
Classroom size: 130 ...Bless this teacher!
I just had to capture this little girl's smile!
At a school in Masaka...the kids come running when they see a Mzungu - especially if they have a camera!
Children who were following us during home visits in Masaka
At the Equator...Finally reached the Southern Hemisphere!
Home Visits in Gulu...Enoch is these 3 students' mentor (the 2 boys live with him and his family as well; Caroline is the best friend to his little sister)

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.