Livin' the Good Life

Repentance and Forgiveness in Action!

2012-01-28T02:22:00.000-06:00

Well, even though my brain doesn’t work the way it used to(as I mentioned in the previous blog), apparently my OCD tendencies and small gift of organizationhave saved the day.

I knew I had a Word document called “Prison Diary” that Ihad been typing notes in, but I didn’t know I had typed as much as I had.

SO…I have a two more stories I can share.

On December 6th, Kylie went again with me to the prison. The ladies were subdued and quiet. My words for my Lugbara prayers have been limited,so God led me to the Psalms, to pray some of them in Lugbara. I found great sentences to learn in Lugbara,“You are our rock and place of strength. Help us because we hear the slander of many, but we say, ‘You are ourGod.’”

I didn’t realize when I prayed that, that they were, at that time, hearingthe slander of many.

The story today was about Isaac and Jacob. I added a lot to the picture book for this one. I told some back story on Jacob andEsau: how Jacob tricked him and laterhow Laban tricked Jacob (with the marriage of Leah). In the end, the story concludes with Jacobreturning home a little afraid, but he was embraced and forgiven by Esau.

After the story, I told them that even though forgivenesstook place between the brothers, there has continued to be problems between Jacob’sand Esau’s descendants.

The ladies wanted to know if Jacob really went to meet Esau,and I told them he did, but since he was afraid, he divided his family andbelongings in two, just in case Esau did something bad. One lady said, “That’s just what a thiefwould do!”

Other questions: “Whydid Jacob sacrifice to the Lord?”

“Who worked at Isaac’s home if he was so old?”

One of the older ladies said, “Please pray for all themothers here that we would not love one child over another like Rachel did inthe story.”

Well, finally the ladies were ready to talk...and not necessarily about the story. They had been unusually quiet. They told me there is much anger at theprison, like between Jacob and Esau. They are all fighting, stealing from each other, being over-sensitive,and she used the words “wanting to kill each other.” They thought this story described them, andthat is why they were so quiet.

They said my prayers must not have been reaching them. Then…

One quiet lady said, “I am so angry, and I want to controlit, but I don’t know how. I stole adress from this lady (and she pointed to the one), but I am sorry, and I wantto ask her forgiveness.”

The wronged lady took some time sitting in silence, but shefinally accepted the offer of forgiveness.

Here I was, as I was telling the story, I was thinking thateither I didn’t prepare well or the ladies just weren’t listening. Little did I know (but should have known), the Spirit was working thewhole time.

Thank you for your Word, Jesus, which is "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Beads under a Tree

2012-01-27T01:51:00.000-06:00

Well, as you now know, my backpack was stolen, and one ofthe items in there was my notebook that I take to the prison to write theladies’ prayer requests, their court dates, their stories, my prayers, andquestions that they ask.

I had a few more days to fill you in on, but the notes werewritten in the book. So, as my husbandcan testify, my brain doesn’t work quite like it used to.

I’ll just blame it on the heat.

Anyway, I do remember two “events,” but not their specificquestions.

In December, we went one day to show them how to make paperbeads, like Florence makes for necklaces and bracelets.

A little over half of the women always join us for Biblestudy, but ALL but one of them came for bead making.

Go figure.

They were so excited!

That same day, the prison had arranged for someone to comeand teach the ladies how to make soap, BUT they were charged a fee to go to theclass, so….only one lady attended…in the room where we do Bible study, so….theother 60 of us, sat out in the yard under a tree, on mats, to make beads.

Florence had cut a lot of magazine pages. (Thank you to allof you who send me TV Guides, etc. AfterI read them, they become jewelry and a money-maker for Florence!)

I bought two bottles of glue and a container of toothpicks,and we were set.

At first, we taught in groups of 10, but soon, all of themhad toothpicks and were making beads, and they wanted more and more paper.

I walked around with the paper to give them, and Florenceand another lady walked around with glue for everyone.

I felt like a school teacher again. As I walked around, they would show me theirwork, so proud. Some would run to showme what they had done, looking for praise. Some came to show me their whole collection of colors after they hadmake 7-10. One lady didn’t want herstaken, so when she came to show me, she had to dig them out of her bra. They were all like small children in theirexcitement, and it was a great “friendship” time with them.

Florence wanted to teach them so they would have one moreskill to make money with whenever they get out. As a benefit, it also showed them we love when we aren’t in Bible study,we have time for them, and we aren’t there just to teach the Word of God andwalk away, but to invest in them.

It was a really fun day for me, and I loved watching themwalk off with their treasures.

And now...the rest of the story

2012-01-19T14:52:00.000-06:00

Well, this certainly was a Christmas to remember….

Since I lost my photos, all I cando is remember it.

But all kidding aside, let me tell you how God has shownHimself in all of this.

When I returned back to the student camp after being robbed,Doug and I went about cancelling our credit card, etc.

Caleb told me twice in the car, “Mom, I can’t read. You could have my Bible.” (He received a Bible for memorizing 10 versesbefore he could read).

Life went about pretty normal for the next few hours exceptwhen something would jar me into reality, and I would remember something elsethat was in backpack.

That night, for the New Year’s celebration, I was missingthe glow sticks for my kids that were in my backpack, but wouldn’t you know…amom had sent glow sticks with her daughter to camp, and she shared witheveryone!

THEN…

The next night, before we left camp, I was in the bathroomgetting the kids ready for bed, when Karis heard a knock and went to answer thedoor. She came back with what looked like a black book and handed it tome. She said, “Someone brought this toyou.”

After further examination, I realized it was a new kind ofKindle. I’d never seen one with a touchscreen before. I ran outside, and thiscouple that came as volunteers with the team from Florida, were walking awayfrom my cabin. I said, “What isthis?” They waved me off with a smileand said, “It’s yours.”

After getting the kids down, I went to find them with tearsin my eyes. When I saw her, I said, “Ican’t take this. Mine wasn't even this nice,” and she said, “Jesus told me to give it to you. It’s yours.”

I went from this:

To this:

I was a mess of tears…

I was overwhelmed by God’s love for me.

Never in a million years, will I get over that act ofkindness. Jesus is so good to me, evenin the little things.

But God didn’t stop there…

My birthday was two days later, and we were at a differentlocation in Kenya. We went to sometraining for our company, and a sweet friend of mine who knows me well, knew whatelse I needed replaced for my birthday… kleenex and a chapstick substitute. If you know me, you know these are much-used andmuch-loved items!

I filled out a property claims report on my stolen articles,and in the meantime, I started shopping for replacements on-line. I have a friend coming to Uganda at the endof January, and I knew if I could get things ordered and sent to her, she couldbring them.

So…I ordered a new ipod and a new camera, new cases, newearphones, etc.

The trick was the Bible. I wasn’t really ready to give in to a different Bible, but I was gettingcloser. Since my Bible is out of printnow, and it was listed for sale on Amazon for $400, I decided I probably couldlive with a different version…

I tried writing the company to ask about any they might havestuck back on a shelf somewhere, but I never heard back from them.

At the same time, my mom was hunting around on line, and shefound one on ebay, and the sale was going to be over in three days on a Sundaymorning right before our Sunday morning service. I got up that Sunday, bought internet time,and waited.

And do you know what?

God let me win the bid on that Bible!

(And it was less than $400, you’ll be glad to know.)

AND a lady in my hometown gave me money to buy it!

I am now the proud owner of my very same Bible, sans notesand underlines and highlights. But Ilook forward to all the new ways God is going to show Himself fresh to me inthe coming years.

It still doesn’t end there…

People were so gracious to me after reading my lastblog. I had so many people offer tohelp, but I knew that insurance would cover most of it (even though I’m stillwaiting for a reimbursement amount). I’m really bad at asking for help or acceptinggifts.

A friend in Mississippi bought me a new backpack, andanother friend in North Carolina bought the kids two of the three card gamesthat were lost. A fellow missionary atyouth camp gave me allergy pills to take to my training meeting PLUS her handbag, as a replacement for my backpack. (Ithink she felt sorry for me having to carry my things around in a plasticgrocery sack.)

As a cool sidenote, the Kindle Fire holds music as well, soit has been a replacement ipod for the time being.

I got the sweetest note from the lady who gave me the KindleFire. She told me that when she arrivedback in Florida, someone had bought her a new Kindle Fire, and it was waitingthere for her when she arrived!

God blessed both of us, and we are both overwhelmed andgrateful!

As a side note to the Kindle story: While in Uganda, before this trip, I hadtried to upgrade my older kindle. When Idid, it froze became of the lack of “whispernet” in Uganda (if that meansanything to you). I took it to Kenya inhopes I could fix it in another country, and I had already ordered areplacement, because that’s what amazon recommended I do.

WELL…my supervisor fixed my old kindle six days before itwas stolen! It was working fine. But I thought nothing of it. I knew my replacement kindle I had orderedwas being sent to my friend in Houston to bring to me. What I didn’t know was that there werestrings attached.

I received an email a few days ago from amazon telling methey were waiting for the “broken” kindle to be sent back to them.

Oops!

I explained that the one they needed had gotten stolen, butfor some reason, I don’t think they believed me.

Anyway, I had my friend in Houston send back my newreplacement, AND JUST AFTER I DID…I received an email from a friend inMississippi who told me she had 2 old Kindles she didn’t use anymore. She asked if I could use them.

SO…she is sending those to me for the kids to use inschool. Since we don’t have a libraryhere, a kindle will be great for the girls to be able to get some of the booksthey enjoy reading and my mom doesn’t have to pay to ship over books anymore.

Do you need any more proof that God will take care of you inALL things in ALL ways?

“He gives and takes away. He gives and takes away. My heartwill choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your name.”

Everything but the Kitchen Sink!

2011-12-31T14:58:00.001-06:00

We are in Kenya for a youth camp, and today is New Year’sEve. In fact, in 10 minutes, it will be2012 here.

Like most moms, I pack my purse with everything but thekitchen sink when I travel. I want to beprepared for all situations. My kids, onthe other hand, think about nothing in advance.

So, today, we decided to go into town and find the usedclothing market to get some of the things they need, since it’s so much coolerhere. Karis needed a couple of longsleeve shirts and some jeans that actually fit her. Kylie needed some jeans, also, since her legsand feet are gaining on mine at a rapidly increasing pace. And Caleb needed some socks because his feethave been freezing, and a belt for the new jeans I bought him last week in theclothing market where I live in Uganda.

This was one of the largest used clothing markets I had everseen. Aisle upon aisle of clothesEVERYWHERE. I didn’t know where tostart, but thankfully, we had hitched a ride to town with some friends in theircar, and the lady we were with was a pretty confident shopper, so she led theway.

Back to my “everything but the kitchen sink.” My purse is my backpack. My dad gave it to me before we left America,and it can carry a ton.

In it is three card games that I carry because we doa lot of “waiting” for things in Africa, and card games are always a goodentertainment.

I ALWAYS carry kleenexes and allergy medicine (if you knowme at all), and today I had ibuprofen, nose spray, and a ziplock full ofbandaids (because Caleb is my son). Alsoalong the lines of “health care,” I also have a jar of Mentholatum, two chapsticks,and some wonderful Mary Kay lip gloss.

I also have the book I am trying to finish so I can turn itback into the resource center in Nairobi. And since I love to read, I have my Kindle (yeah!), my Bible (which myDad gave me back in 1989, and it has 20+ years worth of notes in it), and mydevotional, Jesus Calling.

Of course, there is the standard wallet with my TX driver’slicense, Uganda driver’s license, debit cards, store cards, etc.

I also like to dream up blogs. So I’ve been carrying around my “prisonnotebook” recently, because it has all the ladies prayer requests and the funthings I hear and see there, and when I have some time, I like to write outsome blogs.

Two other favorite things are my ipod and my camera. You might think my backpack is prettyheavy. And you would be right.

When I fly, my computer is in there, too, so it can reallybe back-breaking at times.

WELL…..

With MANY people around the clothing market today, somejoker popped the lock on our friend’s car, grabbed my backpack and took off…andno one saw a thing. My "pen pocket" had been open, so my plethora of writing utensils (also a weakness of mine), had all spilled out, so that is all I have left.

I don’t know what it is about Kenya. In Uganda, that guy would have been chasedand beaten by a mob, but here…"no one saw a thing."

The first things I remembered were my Kindle and my ipod,and I was sad, but not distraught. Asthings came to me, I was a little overwhelmed, but when I remembered my Bible,I broke down in tears.

My three sweet children started crying, too. Caleb looked at me with his chin quivering,and said, “But Mommy, God still loves you.”

I told them that God tells us in His Word to give thanks forall things, so even though I didn’t know why this had happened, He did, and Ineeded to be okay with that.

The only other thing that Caleb reminded me about later thatnight was the glo-sticks I had brought them for New Year’s. They were in the bag, too.

I told you I carry everything.

That Bible.

I’ve been pondering all the many notes, underlines,thoughts, and insights God has given me over the past 20 years, and it breaksmy heart to have lost all that. I have asmall photographic memory, so I could also tell you where on a page a verse wasfound, etc. I was so comfortable withthat friend, and now I’ll have to make a new one.

You can join me in praying for the person that has myBible. He/she was created by God, too,and I can only hope that he or someone else will benefit from the Word like Ihave.

This is kind of sad New Year’s for me in that respect, but Iam reminded I have a faith that can never be stolen. Jesus is still on His throne, and He has manymore new insights to share with me in the years to come, and I will look at HisWord with fresh eyes in 2012 (whenever I can get a new Bible sent).

“Our God is greater, our God is stronger. God, You are higher than any other!

Our God is healer, awesome in power, our God, our God.”

Happy New Year’s!!!

"Welcome to Prison"

2011-12-03T09:28:00.001-06:00

This day, Kylie and Karis joined Florence and I. I told them there could be no whining, nocomplaining of heat or walking, etc, and I wasn’t quite sure how Karis wasgoing to do. We first walked to thehospital to pray for a friend we had heard was there. Then we walked to the prison.

It was pretty hot, and I didn’t let the girls bring waterbottles because the women don’t have access to water so easily, and none ofthem ever has a drink while we are there.

We were all thirsty before we got to the prison, and Karislooked a little worn. She also had a“deer in the headlights look” as the women all came to shake their hands. All of the women spoke to them in Lugbara,and Kylie understands the normal questions, so she was able to tell them shewas fine, how old she was, and her name. I had to interpret a little for Karis, but she did okay.

Again, the ladies sang a “welcome” song, but this time,they sang two. The first was, “We’re soglad to have visitors,” and then they sang my favorite, “Wel – come to Pri –son.” Now, both my girls had the “deerin the headlights” look. I had to keepreminding them to smile, especially Karis.

I brought Peter Spier’s book “Noah” to show the ladies moreillustrations of how the flood might have been. This led to questions about what they ate onthe boat. I had already told them aboutNoah taking food on the boat for the animals, but maybe I didn’t mention aboutfood for Noah’s family. Peter Spier’sbook also shows Noah gathering eggs, fishing, and getting milk from the cow.

After all the flood discussion, we started today’sstory: Abraham.

When I asked them at the end, why Abram and Lot had toseparate, one lady said, “Because Abram and Lot hated each other.” It made me realize they listen about asclosely sometimes as a 2^nd grade Sunday school class.

They also wanted to know if Abraham had taken Isaac up tosacrifice him because he had been a bad son. Again…is anyone listening today? I did actually see a few eyes shutting. Not only am I not thoroughly entertaining, they were sitting in a hotroom after lunch. Oh well. Hopefully we discussed until they had a betterunderstanding of the story. I also endedit like the Jesus Storybook Bible does, comparing God’s Son who alsowalked up a hill for a sacrifice, carrying wood on His back. But this time, God didn’t spare the Son’slife.

My girls were hot and tired when it was all over, and Kylieleaned over and asked me (a little worriedly) if EVERY woman was going to givea prayer request. I assured her theywouldn’t today, but we DID get everyone’s updated court dates (if they had one)on the calendar I bring every week, so we know who to pray for, specifically, on what days.

When we got back to Florence’s container (an 8 ft x 6 ftmetal box that serves as her “store”), those girls each drank 16 ounces ofwater more quickly than I had ever seen.

Different Skin Colors

2011-12-03T09:26:00.001-06:00

We came to tell about the flood.

I had sick kids at home, and Florence wasn’t feeling too well,so we asked them to only sing two songs this day. They repeat the verses over 20 times, so this was still an adequateamount of singing.

This day was the story of Noah and the flood. Every picture I showed them of all the waterand Noah’s boat being alone on an expanse of sea, they all, simultaneously,went, “Tsk, tsk, tsk.” That is what theydo when they hear bad news or feel sorry for someone.

Their were many questions today, but the two that stuck outwere “Why hasn’t God destroyed us because we are so much worse?” It was a great opportunity to remind them ofthe covenant God made with Noah, and how God always keeps His promises. I also reminded them that none of us isrighteous enough to be safe from destruction, but God has given us a “GreatRescue Plan” (taken from the Jesus Storybook Bible) in Jesus.

The other question which stuck out, which I knew was coming,was, “If Noah and his sons were the only ones populating the earth, how comenow we have people of all different skin colors?”

I know that many of us believe different things, and thetruth is, none of us knows for sure. Iknew they wouldn’t quite understand an explanation of melatonin levels(especially where they live so close to the equator), and I didn’t want to addto God’s word, but we had a good discussion. I don’t want to start a debate here, but I shared my thoughts with them,and it was another good day.

Back to Prison

2011-12-03T09:19:00.001-06:00

Today, M*** (the ladies' leader) was gone. The ladies miss her, and we prayed for God to be with her. It was a little subdued today.

The biggest blessing today for me waswatching J**** leading worship. She is the lady that I prayed for and brought medicine to. She usedto just lay on her side on the floor.

Today, she was taking charge…M***’s job. They all look to her for leadership now. She is a whole new person, and is beautifulinside and out.

Today was the story of “Disobedience” in the Garden. The ladies wanted to know if God built Adam and Eve ahouse or did they have to sleep outside. Why were they naked? Did theyhave physical intimacy? (They didn't use that word, but they were curious because Eve didn't have children right away (in the pictures), which is what they are expected to do here).

The “sex” conversation was interesting. I asked, “Is sex a bad thing?” And the ladies said, “Yes.”

It gave me a chance to tell them that Godgave us the gift of sex for one man and one woman to share in the confines ofmarriage. One of the ladies who is HIV+,was nodding along as I spoke.

So many ofthese women are appreciated only for “making” children (which are a sign of prosperity),and too many have to share their husbands with co-wives. And I’m sure you have heard that one of thebig reasons there is such a large orphan population in Uganda is because AIDShas killed so many of the young parents.

The issue of physical intimacy definitely needs to be talked about in a biblical sense. There is so much misunderstanding. Looks like we have more topics for discussion after I finish this book series...

I love every minute we spend at the prison, and I hope that Florence and I are as much ablessing to these ladies as they are to us.

I aged (in a matter of hours) at a nursery school.

2011-12-03T08:36:00.001-06:00

Before you read this, you need to find a very loud PAsystem, turn it up almost to full volume, and then sit in front of the largestspeaker. THAT way you can ~~endure~~experience what I did at a special boy’s graduation.

The fabulous speaker right over my head

Did I mention this was a NURSERY school graduation?!!!

Ayiko Lean on (Florence's son)

Actually, the music only lasted through the eating time, andthat was over within 45 minutes, so you can turn the music down now.

I think I’ve told you before about the seven-hour longwedding extravaganzas here.

This event was seven and a HALF hours long.

Did I mention it was for a NURSERY school?

To be fair, I will tell you I only attended three hours ofit.

It all started at 8:30 in the morning, when they arrived at the school.

At 10am, they took random transportation to town.

At 11am, they started marching through town (every school’sstudents march through town on the day they have their end-of-school program).

I had requested a phone call when all the marching wasthrough.

See? You just THOUGHTI was dumb.

I arrived at 1pm, while they were serving lunch (which I hadalready eaten).

I didn’t mean to do that, but you see, this is Africa.

The marching was supposed to be over at 10:30, when lunchwas going to be promptly served.

Well…when I got a call at 11 that said they had JUST started marching, Idecided to nourish my body at home. Leftover pizza from Friday night was sounding good!

The MC (which was hired especially for this occasion) readthrough the program of events for the day. There were about 13 items, and then he said these very words:

“It seems like very many things on the program, but they canbe done in about 10 minutes.”

I laughed OUT LOUD!

But no one else did.

I was the ONLY one.

(*insert crickets chirping*)

Oops!

Oh well. I stand outanyway for obvious reasons.

At 2pm, the program started.

The head teacher got up to say, “I don’t have anything tosay except ‘welcome.’”

Five minutes later (after reminding parents to only send onechild per motorcycle to school in the morning), she finished.

Then the power went out….

Loud generator started.

The kids were all called up and sang:

“Tribe, tribe, tribe. We are many tribes. We shall livetogether in a big family.”

After they said this, one child would introduce himself, “Myname is Ayiko Leanon Handsome. I am Lugbara. I live in Awindiri district. Emi ngoni?”

Then “Tribe, tribe, tribe,” again, and then anotherchild. Understand?

There were a LOT of kids there (even though only 8 weregraduating).

All the non-graduates off to the side

It’s interesting to know a little language now. I could hear the English and then understandsome of the Lugbara translations.

When the school's director would say, “You are all special.”

He was translated as saying, “You are all different.”(because there is no word for special in Lugbara.

Another time he said, “We are open to your criticism.”

The translator said in Lugbara, “We are ready for yourcriticism.”

Oh so slight, but different. I think translating must be prettydifficult…you have to think on your toes.

The last teacher that was recognized was a girl from Germanywho is volunteering at the school for two years. The speaker wanted to recognize the friendsof this girl and ask them to wave.

The young man two rows behind me waved (the only other white person there), but the camera manwalked over to me and took MY picture.

I’m a white girl…I came because of the white teacher,right?

Nope, but I'll bet that's what the camera man was thinking.

The director spoke for 34 minutes (I had nothing better todo, so I timed him), granted he was being translated, so that always takeslonger.

He talked about the plans to start a daycare at this schoolin January. He said, “Africans don’tunderstand the term “daycare,” so let me tell you what it is....”

It really is a non-existent thing here….Funny, huh?

The 8 students who were graduating had to sit in the frontrow. I know they were bored.

All the other children who attend the school were off to theside fighting, yelling, hitting, playing with blocks, climbing on the swings,etc., while the teachers just sat there calmly, saying nothing.

After more speeches, three kids came up to give memoryverses.

One was Colossians 3:20-21, which says in the NIV,“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, orthey will become discouraged.”

Now I knew this verse, and I was waiting for it, but whatcame out for verse 21 was this:

“Fathers, don’t be beating on your children.”

I didn't laugh out loud this time, but I wanted to.

Of course, the actual handing out of the 8 certificates tookless than 5 minutes.

Prayer.

Awards.

Gifts presented.

Two round eight-inch cakes intended to feed over 100 peoplehacked to death so that everyone got one bite.


Cake being handed out bite-by-bite

The MC said, “My watch says it’s 2:25, and by 2:30 we mustleave this place.”

It was actually 4:09.

He then said, “If your watch says something different, Idon’t know what is wrong with your time.”

But he actually did wrap it up soon. Right after he said this:

“In summary, we’ve come to the end.”

Well, let’s all say the school’s favorite quote, because I’mfeeling it now in my aged bones…

“Such and Such Academy. Where learning is such good fun!”

(Italics mine...to protect the innocent).

Proud mom and son

As good as a newly released DVD

2011-11-25T08:08:00.001-06:00

I usually go to Florence's to leave my cell phone, and then we walk together to the prison.

On this day, I went to the drugstore before going to Florence’s. I asked the man at the counter what themedicine that beautiful lady had showed me was for. He said, “Ulcers.” I asked himabout the dosage the nurse had written down, and asked him how much that amountwould be. It was the American equivalentof 71 cents, so I didn’t even think twice about purchasing those meds.

At Florence’s, I met up with two ladies from America who werehere with a team from Tennessee. Theywere going to walk with us to the prison today, but first we had an errand torun.

There are now 10 babies in prison with their mommas, and they areallowed to be there because they are 18 months or younger. In fact, one child had been born on Sunday,and we visited the mother on Tuesday in her cell/room. (The baby was beautiful, by the way!)

Florence had heard from one of the mothers that they neededsoap. There are no diapers, of course,and during teaching, I have watched as a baby urinates on the towel that hismother holds in her lap.

All motherswalk around with towels to “catch” things. Anyway, their wash load is a whole lot larger than the other women’s.

Florence wanted to buy the baby-mommas some soap, but I toldher I didn’t feel right doing that and leaving the other ladies out. So we walked to the market and inquired aboutprices on large boxes of soap. Wefinally found one at a decent price (or so we thought), so we handed the moneyover.

Apparently, we had misunderstood, and we owed more. What a blessing to have those two visitorswith us who chipped in money from their church to finish the purchase of soap.

We carried the soap box through town, taking turns until wegot to the prison, about a mile a way.

We arrived at 2, and again, the ladies had not eaten. But this time, there apparently wasfood coming. Eight women walked over to themen’s side to pick the food, and then they came back and went and fetched waterat the well.

M**** (the lead prisoner) brought benches out for us to sit on under the tree,and we sat and listened to the ladies talk. Florence jumped in their conversations and heard more of theirincarceration stories:

*A husband brought a second wife into the home that this first wife hadbuilt, and so she burned her house down so they couldn’t live there. The husband brought her in.

*A six-year old boy died of malaria, and the father blamedthe mother and brought her to prison (have I told you before that they believe that every death was caused bysome person, either directly or indirectly by a curse?)

*One woman was pregnant with twins. She tried to abort them, but only killedone. She was put in prison, and then shedelivered the second one while locked up. He is 17 months old and he still can’t walk, and he has troublebreathing.

*Mob justice killed a man, and one woman was accused ofarranging the mob. She’s waiting for adate in high court, but people have been known to wait 5 years

*One lady was brought in for cutting / slashing the co-wifewith a panga.

{Obviously, we can see, that God intended man to have onewife for a good, many reasons!}

Sitting under the tree was a nice time just to hang out and visit, even though their stories aren't so nice.

*Granted, a few were brought in for murder or some other crimes I won't name here, and I'm not naive enough to think all these women are innocent, but I do believe some are.

The food came. Theyate quickly. We went inside for singingand Bible study.

They also sang a song for the two visiting ladies fromAmerica. The chorus was, “Welcome toPrison,” and it cracked me up. I askedthem, when they were finished, how come I didn’t get such a song when I came, andthey thought that was hilarious.

I prayed in Lugbara and then started the day’s lesson. Immediately, a lady stopped and commentedthat she didn’t understand Lugbara, and she only spoke Alur (she hadn’t come inour study before). So we arranged for agirl in the front to translate for her.

I would speak, and as Florence started her Lugbaratranslation, the other helper would start her Alur translation for thelady. I’m just glad the lady caredenough to speak up, because I found out later there were over 8 Alur speakersin there, and none of them said anything.

I used Becky Miller’s illustrated book Creation today. You wouldhave thought I was showing a newly released DVD. They were glued to the book. They loved the illustrations. God, angels, Adam, and Eve are all drawn asAfricans. It is really beautifully done!


Receiving the books last April!

At the end, I told them I had some questions for them, butFlorence mis-translated me, and asked them if they had quesitons. Boy did they:

*Were they really naked?

*What was the Tree of Life for?

*What did Adam eat? We were told that food dropped from heaven, right in front of him, likechickens, and pigs, etc.

*We have heard that the fruit Eve ate wasn’t really a fruit,but a sexual sin. Was it?

I finally did get to my questions, and they had fun raisingtheir hands to answer. I told them atthe end, they all got a passing grade today, and they liked that.

Next, we told them about the soap. The bars are about a foot and a half long,and we had determined to give the baby-mommas one-half bar each and everyoneelse got a third of each bar. SoFlorence, the two volunteers and I broke apart the bars until they were all ina pile.

Florence prayed, and then one-by-one, they came up for theirsoap. Most left after that, but about 12remained because they wanted to give us prayer requests. Seven of them were translated through an Alurinmate. That whole process took about20-30 minutes.

The last one to come up was the sickly girl who said thatafter I prayed over her last time she has started feeling better. Praise Jesus! She also thanked God for me, God sending us,and for the medicine I had brought her today.

We walked outside, and there seemed to be a frenzy ofclothes-washing taking place. A few ofthe ladies thanked us to much and told us that next time we saw them, theywould be looking so “smart” in their ”new” uniform.

The food situation isn’t much better. They are supposed to be fed at 1pm and 5pm(just twice a day), in their rooms after they eat, and then silence from 7pmon. The nursing mothers are not gettingenough food. The babies pull on theirmom’s chests during Bible study trying to get something, but they are flat andempty.

When you think about it, pray for these women to be protected from the evil spirits that enjoy hanging around in that dark place. These women need a chance to hear the Truth and have some peace without always being tormented.

Beans Every Day

2011-11-25T07:53:00.001-06:00

On our first Friday at the prison, after talking with the ladies, they informed us that no one came on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so the following week (and since), we have adopted those days.

As we were arriving (at 2pm) the following week, theirfood was also arriving (one hour late). The guards started to yell to tell them to eat quickly, but we assuredthe guards we would wait as long as possible. And truth be told, they were pretty quick eaters.

One lady made me laugh as she raised her hands and spoke toGod saying, “ God, look at the beans we eat every day. Can’t you change this.” But seriously, I understand her plea. Can you imagine having beans and posho (cornmeal cooked with water to a dough-like consistency) everyday for the last 2, 3 or 5 years?

After some amazing dancing and singing, I prayed in Lugbara,and then Florence gave her testimony to the ladies. Then, before I finished C2C (Creation to Christ), we handed outthe scripture cards. The ladies were sopleased. There was some arguing over whogot which card when some ladies had the same name, but I was able to tell (fromtheir requests), which card belonged to who.

Since I couldn’t learn all their names the first day, I hadput some description of them in my book to help me remember them, and that camein handy.

We finished the Creation to Christ story with theResurrection of Jesus, and then I told the story of the Prodigal Son.

Florence then told the ladies if they would like theirscripture cards read to them, she and I would have two lines. One for those who wanted to hear it in Englishand another for those who needed to hear it in Lugbara. I was surprised that I had more ladies in myline, but I quickly figured out why.

Those who wanted me to read their scripture were about 5. The last 5 had interpreters with them, andthey came to tell me they had to leave to go get the food last time, and theyhad missed giving me their requests. They too wanted to give me their requests inhopes of receiving a scripture card.

It was good to talk to the ladies one-on-one in this way,because not only could I stop and pray for each one individually, I also got todirectly ask them about their relationship with Jesus when they were telling metheir issues. So many of them battle demons andbad spirits, so with the help of theHoly Spirit, I try to pray strategically for each of them.

The last girl who waited to see me was so beautiful andprecious. Everyone seems to care for herbecause she has been sick. Her fellowprisoners all show mercy toward her. Her blood has been tested twice, and nurses can’t find anythingwrong. She told me all her symptoms andthat the nurse had given her magnesium (because it was free), but told her sheneeded a pill to take for 10 days, telling her she had an ulcer (a commondiagnosis given by nurses here…along with malaria…you never know if you aregetting a true diagnosis or not). Sheshowed me where the nurse had written what she needed, and I wrote it down,just in case it was something I could do.

It was a beautiful day of ministry.

Tougher Spot

2011-11-25T07:22:00.001-06:00

After I took my last language evaluation, I began only attending "language class" three days a week instead of five.

Florence and I also thought a good way to practice language was with other people (go figure), rather than sitting with pencil and paper, one-on-one.

We prayed about what God would have us do, and we BOTH felt God leading us to the same place, even though we had never talked about it before!

I'm in a tough spot because I can't tell you the names of these women, but I love them and I want to tell you their stories (the best I can), and the tougher spot they are in.

They are the ladies at the women's prison.

In orientation, I was told, of course, that I can't take pictures, use these women's names, take my cell phone in, or give them my personal info.

The guard told us there was only one day (Friday) when we could come, but a man higher up, thought there were three free days.

We decided we would take the Friday and continue praying.

Our scheduled time was set from 2-4pm, because they are fed one of their two meals at one o'clock.

But first...we visited on a Monday to see what other kind of ministry was being done, and to see the process.

When it's time to meet, they go into a designated room and either sit or stand waiting for 5 ladies to grab some instruments.

Their instruments are three goat-skin covered drums, a closed tin double tetrahedron (think 2 connected triangular prisms), filled with rocks, and an abacus-type shaker made with bottle caps.

Most of the ladies danced and sang joyfully.

They are all made to come, so you can imagine some aren't too happy.

The lady that was teaching, the day we observed was from another country besides America. She was a little difficult to understand and she had the lead-lady prisoner (the one who keeps the peace) interpreting for her.

Florence, who could understand the interpretation, said the scripture was not being repeated correctly. Scary!! Another great reminder how important it is to learn the language.

So, Florence and I left, prayed, and then I went home to ask God what plans He had for these women.

I know that two different churches visit the prison during the week, so I know they knew some things, but yet, I think God wanted me to start at the beginning.

When we arrived on Friday, the women still had not been fed. 13 of the 58 women usually walk over to the men's side, where over 600 men are, and bring back their portion of food and water.

Today, there was nothing.

Nothing.

I'm wondering if the men got fed...

I think that not feeding 600 men would create a riot situation, don't you?

Anyway, after 20 minutes the guards just told the ladies to go into the room for worship.

Florence and I felt awful.

We didn't want them being made to listen when they were hungry.

Have I mentioned there are 9 babies in the prison, too?

[As I write this, there are now 10, because one was born two weeks ago].

The babies are sucking on mommas who don't have enough milk because they don't get enough food.

They sang songs with joy. Beating the drums, and shaking the shakers. The lead girl who had interpreted the last time, ledthem in what songs they were singing. And she pretty much told everyone what to do, but not in a harsh way. I liked her immediately.

I greeted them after singing, and then prayed in their language. I then introduced myself in their language and Florence introduced herself. I told them in their language I was going to tell them my story and then partof God’s story.

I gave my testimony in their language and then we started the Creation to Christstory.

The only problem with "their language," is that I later discovered there were about 4 languages represented.

We got all the way to theprophets and 400 years of silence, and then we stopped and told them the story of the four soilsand asked them to identify which soil they were.

Them talking about themselves led to prayer requests. Some ladies left, but most stayed togive requests. A lot of them wereprayers for their children who were either back with family or whereaboutsunknown. Most of them are awaiting theirday in court, and some have been waiting 2 years or more! Many admitted to their crimes; some said they don’t love God enough; a few said they didn’t have peace; and manywanted prayer that they wouldn’t wish revenge on the people that had put themin prison.

I wrote down every request and every ladies’ name.

I went home, and over the weekend, I wrote a scripture inEnglish and in Lugbara for every lady who had a prayer request, and I made surethe scripture could speak truth to the situations they mentioned. I decorated each card so that they would wantto keep and treasure it, and it was such a pleasure for me.

(It turns out that the ladies who left, went to see if food (from the men’s side) was available for at least one meal , but there was none, so they wentwithout food this day. Be thankful thatour taxes insure that prisoners get fed in our country. They are people’s sons, daughters, mothers,sisters, fathers, and brothers.)

Another visitor

2011-11-06T06:34:00.001-06:00

Jack, my piki driver, said one day, "I think we will be having a visitor soon."

If you are familiar with my previous "visitor" experience, you will be glad to know that I didn't ask if someone was coming to stay with his family or if a thief was expected to break in.

This time I knew...his wife was going to give birth.

A few days later, Jack told me that Gasi was at the hospital, so Florence and I rushed over.

We found out that Gasi was having contractions really far apart, but the baby wasn't coming. But since the baby seemed too large to the medical "authorities," they wouldn't let her go home. (She had her Maama Kit with her, ready to go, though)

So we sat.

Outside.

Under a tree.

This is Florence and all of Gasi's (and Jack's aunts) belongings. Since you don't get an assigned room to yourself, you have to carry your belongings with you wherever you go (including the charcoal and pot for cooking). The rooms are just large, camp-style with wall-to-wall beds.

Below is Gasi.

Smiling.

In labor.

This is Abuku. She is my favorite of all of Jack's aunts. She is funny, loves to laugh, and since she doesn't have any children of her own, she helps everyone else take care of theirs.

She loves having conversations with me in Lugbara. She cannot speak English, so hanging out with her is definitely good practice for me.

Her name means "still the one to bury." Her father had 5girls, and when she born, the relatives commented that even though she was agirl, she would "still be the one to bury" her father.

Belowis Driwaru. Her name means "coming out of an accidentalcurse." Her family believes the mother was accidentally cursed, andwhen Driwaru was born, they took it as a sign, that the mother was "comingout of it."

Thelast one is Nyakuru. Her name means "still for the soil." I wasn't getting the meaning totally. It was because her first siblingdied, and maybe she was a replacement ???

Because of these names, I recalled all the other names I have learned sincebeing here.

Sadly, relatives often give these morose, sad names to children.

Gasi (Jack's wife's name) means "refusing," because she wasn'twanted.

Bako - "has no relative"

Adriko - "has no brother"

Amviko - "has no sister"

Anguyo - "no place" (the wife doesn't have a piece of land andthey don't feel welcome at home)

Lekuru - "not liked"

Draru - "death" (sickly child / mom almost died / or no propertreatment after exile)

Agasiru - "refusing" (means child's mother's relative didn'twant her to marry that man)

Candiru - "sadness" or "problem"

Ocokoru - "misery"

E'yotaru - "tolerating problems"

Okuonzi - "bad woman" (the child's mother given this name by thefather's relatives)

Aziku - "she doesn't work for the clan" (also about the child'smother)

Angudubo - "place is bushy" (all family has died and no one keepsthe grounds)

Ojuruko - "termite" (the child is not human; it's a termite forthe ground b/c it won't live. This name was given in the instance thather two older siblings had died)

I've even met an Alpha Omega (he was the first and last child of hismother...she died.

Well, now we come to two days later. I arrived at the hospital tocheck on Gasi, and Abuku was sitting under the tree outside, holding the new baby!!

Right as I started talking to them, Jack drives up with a driver in a cartaxi. It is to bring everyone home from the hospital.

She had just given birth THREE hours before, and now she was headed home!

They all invited me to ride with them, so Gasi, the baby, the three auntsand I got in the taxi for the journey home.

They dropped me off at my road, and I went to see them two days later, withKylie, bearing gifts of food for the family.

He is a beautiful baby.

Jack,Gasi, Sayida, and Jamal (who was given his name one and a half weeks later).

A Pain in the Foot

2011-10-29T09:43:00.009-05:00

When I told you about student camp, I mentioned going door-to-door sharing Bible stories. One of the houses we came to had Neria.

She sat all day long, doing nothing, while flies just hovered around her foot, which was bandaged in a piece of material.

We didn't see her foot that day, but her family was so open to the message of God's word, that we promised we would return.

I didn't see the wound, but heard the story.

When she was in exile in Congo during the war, she developed a "spot" on her foot. About 10 years ago, the "spot" opened and started to grow. 5 years ago, she saw a doctor who told her she should have an amputation to save her leg. She hasn't seen a doctor in 5 years, but her daughter (on the right in the picture below) cleans it faithfully every day. (I was incorrect in my first post where I assumed the wound was dirty).

With this knowledge, I pretty much knew that I wasn't going to be checking on her foot. I didn't know what it looked like, but I have learned since becoming a parent, that I am NOT "nurse" material.

When my kids throw up, and I see it or smell it, then I start gagging. And apparently, I'm not so good with blood either. Lucky for Doug, huh?

Anyway, I went along with Doug and Florence armed with prayer, all the medical supplies needed, and a camera (hoping to get a glance so we could show an expert).

Thank you, Doug, for being the hands and feet of Jesus to Neria. It was such a blessing to watch you serve and love her.

She has never been tested for diabetes, but it looks like she might have it. Some medical personnel in the States suggested she get the dead/black skin burned off, to give it a chance to heal.

We are returning this week to tell her more Bible stories and pray with her, and maybe she will agree to go to the doctor with us, if we promise her we won't let them take her leg.

I've been at the hospital a few times this week, and I know the medical care isn't great, but God can provide someone who knows exactly what to do. You can pray for that with us.

A look back...

2011-10-01T08:00:00.014-05:00

I was listening to a wrap-up session of Beth Moore’s “Esther” Bible study last spring, and my mind started wondering. I heard her say something about “looking back to see how it all fit,” and I started thinking about my own life.

Each person’s past is preparation for what God has for him.

Your life is not an “accident.” Every person you come in contact with, experience you have, and place you live is to prepare you for something more.

This is not an all-encompassing list, and the things on it don't make me any more special than the next guy, but it was precious to look back on some of these things.

I grew up in the country. When the power went out with a storm, we not only had no electricity, we also had no water or toilet usage since the water was pumped from a well with an electric pump. Now, I am regularly without power and/or water, so somehow...I got a head start :)

In the country, we planted a large garden, and even though I hated working in it, the education it provided me is really coming in handy as I plant my own food now.

My parents “allowed” us to try foods that might not be highly favored like liver, cactus, and snake. But it was just a warm-up for the caterpillars, grasshoppers, and termites I have tried since being here.

Also growing up in the country, I had several opportunities to “relieve” myself when there were no toilets around. It made me an “expert” so I could teach my girls the tricks of the trade. Toilets (to sit on) are a rarity here.

My mother cooked fresh vegetables from her garden most nights, so I was well-trained for the foods available here (nothing pre-made, preserved or found in a box).

I think camping every summer with my family whether in a pop-up trailer or a small camper helped me learn how to cook in small, cramped spaces, like my present kitchen.

My parents always gave to those in need, and it was always modeled for me long before I arrived in Africa where “need” is always at my gate.

My parents taught me how to work hard and have a good work ethic. Every summer, my siblings and I got up before the sun rose to either pick corn or spray Mesquite and Huisache trees. So I was prepared long ago for the extra work that is required on a daily basis to live here (of course, this picture is not something we do on a daily basis, but it's fun to see Kylie imitating the African women, isn't it?).

My mother taught me how to cook at an early age. If I had only known how to open a box or defrost a frozen bag, I would have been in a lot of trouble.

I remember my mom cooking with powdered milk in my younger years (which I am forced to do now), and before microwaves, she had to heat up all the leftovers on the stove (which I am also forced to do now).

I wore my sister’s (and my sister’s friends) hand-me-downs, so I was never attached to brand names. It comes in handy when the only place I have to shop is the used clothes market.

My hometown was 45 minutes from a mall or movie cineplex, so the 7-hour drive I now have to a “city” is not too far of a stretch for me.

My college education was focused on “education,” and now I am in a place where I have no choice but to teach my own children.

Five ladies in Mississippi prepared me to homes chool my children, even though I never knew in what capacity I would be doing it. Thank you, Lisa, Colleen, Anna, Angie, and Debbie.

The large university I attended has an old tradition where you greet everyone you pass with “Howdy.” Now, I’m in a culture that also expects you to greet everyone you pass, but I just say, “Mi ngoni,” instead.

I started going on mission trips in college. Now I'm "living" a mission trip.

Thankfully, God had already moved Doug and I away from “home” twice before. So this move wasn’t my first time to leave Texas, but my third.

We applied for foreign missions the first time before being called to Baton Rouge. After arriving in Baton Rouge, the pastor left within a month, but because of us serving there, I went on my first mission trip to Uganda. I also found life-long friends (who still encourage me) within months of moving there.

The last few years in America, we moved so much that we didn’t bother hooking up cable, so I thankfully got used to not having a TV. Besides growing up, I only had CBS, NBC, ABC, and PBS anyway. Anyone?

The DVD screens in our minivan went out while we lived in Baton Rouge, so my kids were already trained to make a 7-hour drive with no entertainment but what they made themselves.

I have been blessed to sit under many great teachers of the Word: Chris Osborne, Gregg Matte, Tommy Politz, Chip Henderson, Stuart Rothberg, Richard Bowden, David Welch, Tommy Nelson, and Neil McClendon, among others. Thankfully, I have had a lot of teaching, because now I am responsible for feeding myself the Word.

My sister has also lived overseas for 20 years, so she paved the way for me, and was a great resource before I ever left American soil.

Isn't God good? Everything we go through is for a reason.

I just never knew He had been preparing me for the mission field L O N G before it was ever a thought in my heart.

Take a look at your journey. What do you see?

Hardware for the Face

2011-10-01T07:59:00.005-05:00

I can go days and not see anyone wearing glasses or braces here.

I’m pretty sure this isn’t a “contact-wearing” culture, and I’m also quite certain they don’t all have 20/20 vision.

That leads me to believe that some of these boda drivers can’t really see a thing in front of them.

Yikes!

I’m pretty sure there are not any glasses or contacts sold in this town.

A lot of people cannot read, but those that can and have trouble seeing, can you imagine their struggle??

My houseworker is one of those. When I write her a note, she gets so close to the paper, her nose is touching it.

And about braces…for the most part, the people here are blessed beyond belief with a great jaw structure.

They have the most beautiful teeth. And funny enough, you will rarely see them brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste. But you will see them every morning with a piece of stick sticking out of their mouth. They walk around doing their morning routine while they rub this stick up and down on their teeth. Pretty amazing, huh?
When you don’t have...you make do.

Dispelling the Darkness

2011-10-01T07:56:00.001-05:00

Our town has been without power for a month, and all of a sudden, it came back on the last day of September...last night. It surprised us all because we had heard it would be November or later. (And maybe this is just a trial run for some cruel experiment, and it is still going to go off again soon – who knows).

Anyway, because we are blessed with solar panels, our life has pretty much been normal except for no hot water for baths. Heating water on the stove for the kids, limited kid-bathing, and letting out small screams when the cold water hits your back, just became the norm. No problem. Our solar was also a blessing for the people who live around us and work for us, because we are able to charge all their cell phones for them.

When I was in town two weeks ago, I was just making small talk with the “grocery store” worker about the power, and he said, “We have been in darkness for a month,” and the thought struck me. I wanted to say, “No, sir, you have been in darkness for a lot longer than that.”

As I’m sure you have heard before, when it is dark in Africa, it is REALLY dark. There are no street lights, no night lights, no televisions in house windows, no nothing. You can’t see the hand in front of your face. It is an eery feeling. It’s like you are floating in space with nothing around.

This must be the kind of darkness that those not in Jesus are surrounded with. It’s eery, unnerving, and frightening, whether they will admit it or not.

But because of the lack of light here at night, the people’s eyes here (not mine) have adjusted, and they can actually see pretty well at night (not me).

This is also like the person who lives spiritually in darkness. For example, while living in Mississippi, Doug and I had a conversation with a student who had just accepted Christ. He said that before Christ, he thought he understood peace and he thought that his life was “good.” But after accepting Christ, he saw clearly that what he thought was peace and goodness was NOT. He said, “I just THOUGHT I was happy. I didn't know how different my life would be with Christ.”

People in “darkness,” have adjusted to the lack of light in their life and learned to live with it. They don’t even realize they are squinting and straining to see the beauty around them. To them, it’s natural. They just don’t know the difference.

Pray for the darkness to be dispelled in all the places of the world where they need the true light of God’s SON.

New insights

2011-09-21T06:41:00.002-05:00

I had a conversation with a mother about delivering children in the hospitals here.

Here were some of her observations:

If it’s dark, and you don’t have a lamp, the nurses will leave you and go help someone deliver that has a lamp.

If you yell or scream during labor, the nurse will beat you or abandon you until you are done.

Many children die because of nurse-negligence.

If you don’t bring gloves and a plastic sheet (like are in the Maama kit), the nurse will not let you on a bed. She makes you deliver on the cement floor.

Women who are used to delivering in the village (in a standing position), find it difficult to push when they come to the hospital and are made to lie on their back. If they tell a nurse that they “can’t do it” lying down, the nurses have been known to slap them.

I don’t know if you are aware, but the hospitals here are not required to feed you (or care for you in a general sense). If your loved ones do not come and cook out in the yard for you or bring you water, bananas, etc., then you just don’t get to eat while you are trying to heal??? Makes sense, huh?

The power has been completely out here for a week, and it’s been off and on in the capital city of Kampala as well. A missionary friend in Kampala said that when the “powers that be” turn off a power grid in the city, they don't consider what is on that particular grid. Sunday, when we were arriving in Kampala, I witnessed major intersection lights out, and no traffic cops to assist in the need. My friend says that when they turn the grid off where the hospital is located, they don’t even seem to care. MANY patients have died because of lack of power, and it seems that the government doesn’t take notice. It’s not like you can sue here and get any justice.

This is the rat...

2011-09-03T09:54:00.001-05:00

This is the house that Jack built.

This is the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.

Yes, that is a dead rat you are seeing!!!!

AND, it ate a little more than malt.

½ bar laundry soap

Sweetarts candy

1 Mini Hershey bar

He got into a bag of Peanut M&M’s

1 huge hole in the girls’ mosquito net

Grits

Note paper

1 silky pair of pajama bottoms

1 pair of athletic shorts

2 of Caleb’s Bendaroos

He got into a granola bar

He got into my bag of Trail Mix!!!

He got into TWO bags of flour

He gave a Ken doll a lobotomy

2 glitter pens

6 Mini Reese’s

2 raw eggs, rolled to a corner and cracked open (before I found them after too long of time)

A USB computer cord

An ipod charging cord (shredded it)

Cardboard stuffing inside a box

Chewed open a bottle of red ink (it went everywhere)

Chewed open a bottle of black ink (it also went everywhere)

Chewed open and ate half of 2 contractor bags (holding our luggage)

Gnawed on a luggage handle

Ate Minnie Mouse’s ear

Chewed a hole in a stuffed elephant

Pooped on Kylie’s bed and shelves

Pooped and peed all over my pantry, our garage, and the kids’ room

Nested in Kylie’s underwear

Chewed open a water bottle (water went everywhere)

Gnawed on my TUPPERWARE!!! (thank goodness my chocolate chips are safe)

Styrofoam peanuts

After three weeks of battle, he was found dead in a bag of cushy styrofoam peanuts.

My kids brought back some rat traps with them, and they had only been out TWO days...but they didn't get him.

Someone else in America is sending some glue traps, which I will be diligent to leave in my pantry!

Before any American traps were set, Doug saw bloody footprints on a plastic box in the garage. I guess one of he Ugandan traps I had set three weeks ago, actually went off and nicked him.

No matter. He’s gone, and I’m leaving traps permanently up in strategic areas in case his cousins decide to come in.

For now, the dead rat is out in the burn pile, and my garage and pantry smell like bleach, and I am one happy momma!

CAMP - Start to Finish

2011-08-25T12:12:00.003-05:00

Can I just tell you I feel like I’ve lost an apendage? Being without my camera this week was so hard! As I spent time in the village every day, I tried to take it all in so I could give it to you in word pictures so you could “see” it, too. But I think the personal stories will have to wait until another day...

The training time in the mornings got better each day as we learned from our mistakes the previous day. That’s what being a disciple is all about. The twelve dudes with Jesus had a learning, trying, failing cycle going on all the time.

Some of the same old problems of this area kept coming up as we went out. The church has told second wives, people who grow tobacco, men who didn’t get married in the church, etc. that they can’t be born again. Some of these people can’t change their situation in life, and so this proclamation by man leaves them hopeless.

I know my group had conversations that were hard to have and hard to hear.

The last day the groups went out, we took some “good will” items. We had been looking for terminally ill people, HIV positive people, and pregnant women all week, so we could bless them. We took BGR (Baptist Global Response) buckets to the sick and Maama kits to the expectant mothers. The buckets have things like a plastic mattress cover, sheets, towels, lotion, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, 300 vitamins, socks, straws, and plastic gloves (As a side note, you can volunteer or donate to BGR at THIS LINK. They are doing a lot to fight the famine in the Horn of Africa).

The house my group identified had two pregnant ladies and one very sick grandmother. She has a wound on her foot that won’t heal (probably because it is not kept clean). It’s rotting, and the “poison” of the wound is moving up her leg. Her son would like her to get it amputated, but she feels she is too old for that procedure (and I might have to agree).

While we visited with the family, shared a Bible story and gave a testimony, I sat by her and fanned the flies off her wound for one hour. That’s at least one hour out of her day that her wound got a break from those germ-carrying, pesky things. I really hated to leave her, and I’m not sure how much more time she has. The family was beyond grateful for the bucket and didn’t even have words to express their thanks for that and the 2 Maama Kits.

This sweet grandmother told us she identified with the story we told the first day we visited. In the parable of the Four Soils, she said she was the soil with the thorns. The worries of her wound and her sickness have choked the Word of God out of her. We prayed over her both days, and I hope to return to the village in September and see how she is doing. You can pray for her, too. Her name is Neria.

Here are some of the sick people that our different groups found:

An 18-month old burned with hot milk by his mother because of jealousy???

A man dying, lying in the sun, in the dirt, with no one to really care for him.

A lady whose dress caught on fire when she was cooking, and she couldn’t get to help fast enough.

Here are some of the comments from our students after the last day:

"I feel like I can tell stories to my neighbors and those that live around me now."

"I had never ministered to “sinners” before – like talking with drunk people."

"I feel like God has given me courage like it says in Joshua, 'Be strong and courageous.'"

"This was the first time I had ever laid hands on a sick person."

"This was the first time in my life I’ve ever given my testimony."

I don’t know who all was praying for this camp, but you affected more than just life-change in the students. So many people in the village were touched, loved on, taught, prayed for, and had their lives changed as well.

At the camp, a few were unsure of their testimonies, one girl was hearing voices calling to her (not good ones), and there were some students from some mixed-up backgrounds, so your prayers were necessary for them.

Now, all these students are seeking ways to help their own people! And they took ownership of their ministry. By the last day, they were saying to us adults, “We’re going to do it like this...” Most adults didn’t do anything on the last day in the village because the students were following the lead of the Holy Spirit and doing so well on their own.

THIS is how we work ourselves out of a job…

And that's a good thing!

We train the nationals to take the Word of God to their own people (Sudanese and Ugandans) in their own language (Alur, Lugbara, and Juba Arabic)! And multiplication of disciples happens.

Isn't God good?!

A New Kind of Camp

2011-08-21T17:16:00.007-05:00

Today was the first day for the students to go out into the village and share. We went to three different villages in a total of 8 groups.

Talk about on-the-job training! Some of these kids had never said their testimony out-loud before camp, and here they were, standing in a yard in front of a mud hut, sharing with 20 or more people!

They also shared the story of Jesus and Nicodemus today. Sharing that story brought with it some cultural issues based on what the nationals “believe” the verse is saying rather than what it is actually saying. So some groups had quite a discussion on their hands.

A challenging aspect of the camp is that the kids speak other languages, in addition to English. We had to divide the kids into groups based on the languages they were able to speak (a definite first for me at a student camp). Two of the villages spoke Alur and one spoke Lugbara, so we needed able-speakers at specific places.

These amazing students, studied the story we gave them in English, and then they had to practice translating it into their heart language for the people.

Another fun piece of the puzzle is that we have 6 Sudanese students at the camp who speak Juba Arabic, but none of the local languages. We are using interpreters for them in the village, but we realized today that their English-reading skills are so poor that they aren’t even able to read/understand the story in English to really be able to repeat it well.

SO….tomorrow, my language teacher Florence, who speaks Juba Arabic, is coming to tell the story to them in their heart language, so they can better tell it in English.

Crazy stuff, huh?

God created all these languages, so we know He will speak to the heart of the people no matter what language is being spoken.

The students also prayed over the sick, hurting, and dying. The most extreme case of the day was one man who had HIV, Tuberculosis, AND stomach cancer!

Again, I will say, this has been a camp unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of.

Even though they were a bit nervous and a little timid, the students did amazing!!

Doug got it right when he told the students they were getting to experience first-hand what God created them for: to know Him and make Him known. No wonder they felt so fulfilled after our time in the village.

Student Camp

2011-08-21T14:34:00.001-05:00

Our student camp started yesterday.

We are having it at a boarding school outside of Arua.

Students were given two locations in town for pick-ups, and they could be at either one.

They had to come with not only their mattress, sheets and towels, but also their own basin for bathing and their own bowl and cup for eating and drinking (no one uses utensils here). How’s that for a camp experience?

The leaders of the camp, Doug and 6 other Americans, all had to bring the same things. I am one of the leaders, but I’m not staying at the school.

Every morning and every evening, I take a 40 minute side-saddle motorcycle taxi ride back and forth from home. I could have stayed out there this weekend, but that is a lot to haul out there for two days.

The reason I’m not staying on the premises is…language.

My teacher, Florence, is one of the translators for the camp, and I am one of the small group leaders.

This is a leadership camp designed to take students further in their walk with the Lord. In the morning-time, they will be learning a story from the Bible, and in the afternoons, they will take their testimony and the Bible story and go hut to hut in a village.

The translators are only needed in the villages, so they don’t have to stay at camp either.

After I’ve completed my small group duties each day, and after we have gone hut to hut in the village, Florence and I will spend the remainder of the day studying Lugbara.

All of that was the long way of explaining why I’m able to write this tonight – at a place that has internet (sometimes) and electricity (hardly ever –but I do have solar).

Twenty-nine students registered, and it has been a fabulous time with some incredible students!

I taught about Testimony on Saturday. I gave my testimony and explained the three parts: my life before Christ; the circumstances that led me to invite Christ in my life and make Him LORD of my life; and my life since I did that.

The students had to break up into family groups and not only write out their testimony in three parts, they each had to share it with their group.

Not everyone had a three-part testimony. These are all church-going kids but some of the students only know of their “life before Christ” because they have yet to invite Christ to be LORD of their life. But even this is exciting, as some of these students have this realization.

They are then forced to answer the question: “What do I believe about Jesus?”

The most important decision anyone makes in his life is about Jesus.

It has eternal significance!

“DRIVING HOME”

Dinner is about to be served each night when I leave at 7pm. Jack drives out an picks me up in a huge ski jacket, because when the sun goes down, it gets a little chilly here.

My rides home have been fun.

Have I mentioned before how much I love this town?

I’m not usually out at night, for safety reasons, but it has been so much fun to see the nightlife as I drive into town on the back of a motorcycle.

Out in the “bush,” I saw a man who had stopped his bicycle on the side of the road for a small snack. Whatever you are picturing…it’s wrong.

This man was at a termite mound, and as they flew out, he grabbed them, tore the wings off and popped them in his mouth. No cooking involved! I draw my limit right there. My brain tells me I can eat termites as long as they are cooked. I know it doesn’t sound normal, but it is what it is.

As you come into Arua, on both sides of the road, there are many, many dukas (pronounced DOO-kas).

In America, a duka would be a small store of some sort. But here, they don’t get much bigger than the size of your guest bedroom. Most of them, however, aren’t even that big. They are usually a 5ft x 5ft “box” or a 8ft x 10ft “box.” Think “kids’ playhouse.”

They sell matches, bread, sugar, eggs, washing soap, tomatoes, peanuts, air time, etc; OR they might be a barber shop or a weave “center” for hair extensions; OR they could be a “not-so-legal” DVD vendor. You get the idea.

The fun thing about seeing them in the evening is the activites in and around them.

They usually have blue or yellow light bulbs, so that makes them look interesting. And most of them (even the 5x5 dukas), have a small 8 or 9 inch box TV inside. Some were tuned in to soccer matches, but a lot of them were showing movies from “not-so-legal” DVDs. If you want to watch a movie, you pay 500 -1000 shillings (about 20 – 50 cents), and then you just crowd in at the door or window-opening of the duka.

Tonight I saw about 30 people crowded outside a small 5 foot opening on a duka.

I know I’m not doing a good job describing this nightlife atmosphere and all the sights and sounds I saw, but I guess it’s hard to imagine if you haven’t seen it.

You are all most welcome to come see it for yourselves! (When a Uganda says this, it always comes out, “You are almost welcome,” and it makes me smile every time.)

Jack is picking me up early, early tomorrow, so I’m going to bed, but I wanted to tell my sweet daughter, Kylie, happy birthday. She turns 9 today! Her daddy will not have phone or internet access to talk to her, and I haven’t been able to contact her yet.

Kylie, we are praying for you. We pray for you to know the love God has for you and understand that He has a perfect plan for your life. We are so blessed to be your parents! We love you, and hope you are enjoying your time in Texas. We miss you and want you to have the greatest day ever!

More Girl

2011-08-17T06:08:00.004-05:00

Well, I’m sure you’ve figured out, it was more of an escape on Girl’s part than it was a rescue mission on ours.

As SOON as Aunt learned Girl was gone, SHE bought a taxi ride to Sudan.

Doug, a few others that knew of the situation, and me all gathered to pray for Girl’s safety and ultimately, her life.

I have found out all this information at varying times, but I will try to put it in proper time-sequence order for you.

Girl reached her real sister’s place in Sudan, only to find the sister not living there anymore. Her parents are apparently MUCH farther north, and if you’ve ever looked at a map of Sudan, it is a BIG place.

Girl wasn’t deterred, she went out asking people she knew where her sister had gone, determined to get to her.

When she reached back to town, guess who was at the bus stop?

Aunt.

This is an 8-hour journey to this place in Sudan, but seeing as she was only a few hours behind Girl, she managed to find her fairly easily.

Aunt immediately started beating her and asking the taxi driver how she had gotten there. He explained that one Ugandan and two whites had helped her. Aunt started accusing us and the taxi driver of stealing her, but the man assured her that that morning, Girl was happy and enjoying herself, not afraid. He also pointed out that if the whites had wanted to steal her, why wasn’t she with them.

Being in her own country, speaking her own language, Aunt was able to pay the police to arrest the taxi driver and his conductor (the one who collects the money) on charges of stealing Girl. (The driver and the conductor, in turn, the following day, paid the police to let them out, and they are back here in Uganda. We know this because they called Florence when they returned to let her know.)

Girl left on Sunday morning and was back in Arua on Monday night.

Aunt promptly brought her to the place outside our gate and asked to speak to the guard who used to work for her, who lives next door to us. We were not at home, so several witnesses told us this story later.

She asked him how Girl had gotten to Sudan…as if she didn’t know. He told her how Girl had told all of us that she could go as long as she had money, so “the whites” helped her with money.

She wanted to know why.

Well, open door…in walks SEVERAL Sudanese.

You see, I live surrounded, almost on all sides, by Sudanese families. What I DIDN’T know is that they were all WELL aware of Girl’s treatment. In fact, they knew things that I didn’t. So they all, women and children, came out to confront her. Not only that, my guard and two other guards AND Aunt’s own boda driver joined in.

She was accused of feeding all the children except Girl.

She was accused of making Girl sleep outside at night.

She was accused of using Girl as a slave.

And of course, they all mentioned the beating.

The Sudanese, her own people, said if they heard of Girl being beaten again, they would go and have her arrested.

We had been told, by someone who obviously didn’t know, that there was nothing you could do for children who got beat. Thankfully, Florence went to the police on Sunday afternoon, which I should have done a long time ago, and found out that even Sudanese living in this country could be punished for hurting a child.

It’s good to be informed.

It’s also good to know that in a country where all the laws aren’t ones I agree with and there are many laws that they don’t have that I wish they did, they do have one that really counts!

Pray for Girl. We now know where her new house is, and several people are voluntarily driving/walking by, checking on her regularly (from afar). I haven’t seen her, but when I do, I will give you an update.

Now, it looks like I owe a taxi driver some reimbursement police pay-off money for getting himself out of jail.

Moderate Makeover & Challenges

2011-08-15T01:01:00.003-05:00

~~Extreme~~ Moderate Makeover & Challenges

1) It’s rainy season. I don’t mean to make all you people in the heat of North America feel bad, but it does, in fact, rain here nearly every day.

That means that nearly every day, it rains….in my bedroom as well. I have a tin roof, not like all the thatched roofs around, so I needed more than a bundle of grass to fix the problem.

Our landlord sent someone to fix the roof, but alas…there were still buckets and towels all over the floor.

“Super Doug” crawled on the roof and in the attic and caulked all the holes.

Now the rain remains outside!

2) Most nationals I have met, really like their dirt yards to be swept clean every morning. Which, in turn, means that grass can never grow. And if it does, it is slashed with a machete-type tool which is really unhealthy for the grass.

But we like grass.

My feet like grass.

Anyway, we finally felt that we could ask Patrick and Jeremiah to sweep only once or twice a week, and it wouldn’t hurt their feelings. We also asked them not to slash the grass every week. Doug explained about wanting grass to grow.

Well, it’s working. There is grass in places where there didn’t used to be, and where there IS grass, it is very long and un-cut. PLUS, both guys have taken the initiative to go outside our compound, dig up grass/weeds from the side of the road, and come back in and transplant it in little clumps all over the yard.

It’s also having a good chance to grow because my kids aren’t around.

3) Every cartoon you’ve ever seen with a mouse in it, at one time or another, showed someone chasing that mouse with a broom.

Can I just say that Doug looks really cute chasing a mouse with a broom.

He saw “our friend” one evening, and he went for the broom. He followed the mouse into the wash room, beat the washing machine until the mouse ran out, and just grazed the mouse as it ran out the door, between his legs, into the hall.

We weren’t sure whether it ran into our bedroom or the girls’, but I guessed the girls because I had seen evidence in their closet that they had had a visitor.

The mosquito net was down, and it has heavy material sewn on the bottom, so I knew, more than likely, it didn’t get under the net.

But the closet was a black hole. (Girls, you really need to clean your closet when you get home!) “Our friend” was long gone.

Oh well, I’d do it all again to watch Doug with that broom :)

4) We got a freezer!!!!

And it’s hooked up to solar!!!!

And it uses less energy than a light bulb!!!

This means I had the privilege of collecting all my frozen food from two different houses, and I can actually store it in my own home.

This also means that we can have ice for the first time in a year and a half.

*When we didn’t have a freezer, I carefully packed away the ice trays so they would be ready when the time came….

Now, I can’t find them.

No ice yet!

5) Town power is now only running from 7pm-11pm. From what I understand, they don't think residential areas need more than 4 hours of power a day.

I want to thank all you people AGAIN who helped us with purchasing our solar panels and batteries. And here’s to Jack Dody who taught us how to operate it!

We still have town power hooked up to our house. It helps boost the solar batteries on cloudy days and it allows us to plug in items with heating elements (when the power is on).

Without town power, I can’t use a toaster, for instance. (that’s okay. I can toast my bread in the gas oven)

Without town power, I can’t use an iron (oh darn!)

Without town power, I can’t use a crock pot (I knew that ahead of time, so I didn’t bring one)

Without town power, I can’t use the hot water heaters for showers and baths (WHAT!!?????)

Yes, I live in Africa. And in dry season, I really like cool showers. But it’s rainy season here – their equivalent of winter – and I’m a bit chilled. My friends living in Serbia gave me a light jacket, and I’ve been wearing it every day! So…yes, I’m a bit spoiled from my days with constant hot water, and I do like my warm showers.

Isn’t God good! He lets the power come on at 7pm every night, so that by 7:30 I can have a warm shower.

Ahhhh….bliss! Thank you, Lord, and keep it coming!

(more on Girl tomorrow - and for those of you who asked, Girl is 11)

Girl

2011-08-15T01:00:00.002-05:00

We had a special girl that lived next to us for over a year. I won’t use her name here for security reasons, so I will just refer to her as “Girl.”

Girl and my kids talked through the fence, shared things, and played together. But Girl is from Sudan, and her parents are back in Sudan. She stays here with her aunt and cousins in hopes to get a better education.

The whole family speaks Arabic, but Girl was learning some English and Lugbara at school, so we could communicate a little.

Over time, she started talking to us less – or only when her aunt wasn’t around.

Sadly, I started seeing her get beaten. I would make my children remain inside when I heard the stick begin hitting her bony frame and heard her screaming out.

I would walk to the fence (as hard as it was), in hopes that her aunt would not continue beating her if I was looking on, but she never stopped. Sometimes, there would be over 70 swats with the stick before she would quit.

One day when the aunt was not around, Girl told me at the fence that she had been told if she were caught talking to us, she would get beaten. Her aunt also threatened her saying she would call the police on us because she said we were trying to take Girl away from her.

Well…Girl and the family moved to another house at the beginning of June.

But last Wednesday, Girl came to the gate asking if I would pay for her to go to Sudan.

Of course, I had a lot of questions.

Does your aunt know? “Yes, she said if I got money to go, I could go.”

Are you going to travel alone? “No, my cousin-sister will go with me.”

How will you know how to change vehicles at different stops? How will I know if you reached there? How can I know you will be safe? Etc.

I told her to come on Friday with her cousin-sister so I could talk to her.

Girl and her cousin-sister came. Thankfully, my teacher, Florence, was still around, and Florence had learned Sudanese Arabic when she lived in Sudan for a time. She was able to help me decipher some of the issues.

We decided that the girls would come to our place on Sunday morning at 8am, we would drive to pick up Florence, and she would go with us to the taxi park to translate between English, Lugbara, and Arabic. The taxi vans leave at 9am to go to Sudan.

Sunday came…8:00….8:15…

I went to Patrick, our guard, and he talked to the guard next door that used to work for Girl’s family. Patrick and I asked him to take his bike to where they are living now and see if Girl was on her way.

He found her and brought her to my place, but it was already 8:40. She came in complaining of an arm injury from being beaten again.

Girl gave me a number to call her cousin-sister to find out where we could pick her up on the side of the road.

The phone was not turned on. ???

Sarah said to just go without her. (*ring, ring* those are bells going off in my head).

We picked up Florence and then headed back to town. Through translation, I asked why she was late, and she said her aunt had told her she couldn’t go until she cooked for the day and washed all the clothes.

Florence was amazing. She talked to three drivers before she found one that carried a phone with a Sudan number. She wanted to make sure that someone could call when they arrived in Sudan. AND she found one driving straight to Girl’s town, so she wouldn’t have to change vehicles.

Florence and I went and bought food for Girl for the journey, while Doug made sure her luggage got loaded. We paid the driver money for the phone call he would make from Sudan. We gave Girl extra money to eat on the way, and we gave her her ticket for proof that she had been paid for.

God had orchestrated for a man to sit in front of Girl whom Florence knew. Florence talked to the man, and he also agreed to call Florence when Girl reached home. In fact, he offered to walk Girl home once they got to her town.

Girl was sitting in the back of the van smiling. I hadn’t seen that smile in a long time.

We left happy because she was going home and satisfied that she would be well taken care of.

Of course, we didn’t know someone was lying…

Four hours later, a boy arrived at our gate wanting to know where Girl was.

We told him everything we knew, and that she had said she had permission to go. (We couldn’t confirm with the aunt because she does not speak to us) We also said that cousin-sister knew and had come here with her to inquire.

The boy said that cousin-sister was indeed going to Sudan, leaving in one hour. But he said he didn’t know about Girl.

I know she’s safe. That’s all I know for now, but something tells me this story isn’t over.

Back in the Day

2011-08-15T00:56:00.021-05:00

Let me catch you up briefly on a few things from June. I’ll try to use more pictures and less words to make it go faster…hopefully.

My cousin, Kristin, came for a three week visit in June.

For one of those weeks, we were in Kampala. While there, she was such a go-getter. She went out and did ministry with some students from Oklahoma Baptist, and she got connected with my friend Melissa (Mercy’s mom), and she went with Melissa to serve at an orphanage.

She also took a couple of driving tours around Arua with my friend Jack.

Before Kristin left, Jack brought his daughter, Sayida, over to play with my kids and Kristin. Sayida had been begging her dad to visit the “mundus” (foreigners).

Even though she wanted to come, it took her a while to warm up.

She eventually made it off the couch.

We really warmed her up with the white board.

What kid doesn’t like to scribble on a white board?

She still wasn’t too sure about us when she left, but Jack said all the way home she talked about when she could come back again (even though she didn’t speak two words while she was at our house).

Kristin was full of energy and a giving spirit…perfect for Uganda. On her last day with us, we drove her to Murchison Falls National Park to meet up with the students from OBU. They had transport back to Kampala, where she could catch a taxi to the airport. So, as an extra blessing, we got to see animals for the day.

Seeing God’s creation NEVER gets boring!

That giraffe was actually "stuck" in that tree. Some other people tried to help it out, but they couldn't. I'm not quite sure how it all ended.

We are always excited when we see a lion. They are really hard to find/see.

On this particular day, we saw two males!

Bye, Kristin. Thanks for coming.

And kids, come home soon. We think you are wonderful and we really miss you!!

And by the way, everyone, Melissa and Mercy are home in Kansas now after a LONG ten months! If you want to read about her homecoming, you can click HERE.

My plans are nothing!

2011-08-15T00:40:00.001-05:00

“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.”

Other possible titles:

“What!?”

“My, oh my”

“Flexibility is the Key”

“Breakthrough – somehow”

“Only someone with an English major can appreciate this”

Well, the big month of August has arrived! For those of you that don’t know, my kids are in America, and Doug and I had BIG plans of really learning the language exponentially better this month.

Our “teachers” went to class for three weeks in July to learn HOW to teach us the language. The first day we started, my teacher was so excited. I had 8 hours set aside, but her lesson plans only filled 20 minutes of time. She said, “I didn’t know you would get it that fast.”

Day two went pretty much the same, so we decided to venture out and talk to people. It was a disaster.

On the third day, I ended up doing the teaching because even though she had discovered in class that there were nouns and verbs in her language, she was using words like “gerund” and “auxiliary verb” she had heard in class, but she didn’t know what they meant.

So I started showing her some sentence structure. I even took a lot of Lugbara sentences and tried to find structure (for the first time). She was amazed. I was finding patterns to a language where we didn’t know patterns existed!! The fourth and fifth day, she said, “I want you to show me how you came up with that pattern. Teach me how you did that.”

On the weekend, Doug and I sat down to assess our learning. We agreed we are digging deeper every day, but “learning” would be a difficult word to use here.

We decided we really didn’t know much of anything, so we needed to start at square one….like infants learning to talk for the first time.

The following Monday, Doug and his teacher, James, and me and my teacher, Florence, all sat together for the first time to “discover” the language.

We started by translating sentences like:

I give money

I do give money

I did give money

I have given money

I gave money (there are three tenses for the past – immediate (within 3 hours), near (within a day), or far past (indefinite).

I will give money (there are also three future tenses)

You get the idea.

Well, we did this for over 20 verbs over a course of 3 or so hours. They’ve never thought about HOW to say things in their language, so it took them a long time to diferentiate between certain sentences.

We still didn’t have a pattern.

So we backed up and decided JUST to look at the present. We took the 20 sentences we had created for the present tense, and added 55 more verbs, and it started occurring to Doug and I at the same time what the pattern was, although it was difficult to “name” it.

We wondered why we could say:

I run home.

I love him.

I sit down.

But we also had to say:

I money give (not – I give money)

I tree see (not – I see the tree)

I dishes wash (not I wash dishes)

I know this is boring you, but basically we surmised that verbs dealing with the head, heart, hands, and senses are always subject + object + verb in the present.

Verbs dealing with whole body, emotions, or moving the body TO a place were always subject + verb in the present. And of course, funny verbs like “Be verbs” and “to have” and “to want” are irregular in most cases.

THIS was just the beginning. Of course, THEN we had to look for patterns in past and future as well. THEN we had to look for changes when using different subject pronouns (you, he, we, you (plural), and they). THEN we wondered if there were patterns in Commands. (Bored, yet?)

We also saw things like verbs beginning with vowels do different things to the subject in the past. Verbs beginning with vowels that can’t be split in a sentence also do other things (trust me – you don’t want me to explain).

This took one week, several hours a day. On Friday we got to negatives like:

I do not run home.

I did not run home.

They were confused. After a few hours, we called it quits, and we will start again tomorrow (on Monday) trying to figure out this language.

The bad news is: I’m not speaking any better, and now I am thinking about subject/verb order and whether the verbs starts with a vowel or not, etc.

The good news is: It is refreshing to know why I haven’t been able to make sentences correctly for a year and a half. I had to guess every time I opened my mouth!

So, I’m not sure how much better I’ll be at speaking by the end of the month, but it is possible I’ll have an entire grammar book written for future generations.

Ahhhh….sweet structure…..I’ve been missing you!

Call me Sasquatch

2011-06-29T16:20:00.008-05:00

Walking on the road one day, Karis saw this!

I don’t know if you remember Transformer, but my kids have been wanting another chameleon since Transformer had to be left in Kampala.

This was all of them with Transformer a year and a half ago.

Anyway, it was funny to watch the kids though. After so much time had passed since holding one, they were all a little skittish.

I broke a stick off a bush on the side of the road and put said chameleon on the branch, gave it to Karis, and off we went.

We were going to a presentation/dinner at our teammates house, and with all the food out (covered, of course) there were flies everywhere!!

We put the new pet on top of a covered dish, and he did nothing.

He didn’t eat ONE fly!!

In fact, he turned dark black. That’s not a good thing, right?

Afterwards, we carried him/her home on the stick.

Doug brought in our small, small ficus tree, and put him on the branches.

Doug started reading on-line: What do they eat? How do they drink? etc.

Well, turns out they like to be left alone. Really, with three kids in the house? Alone?

They don’t drink out of a water source, supposedly. They gather droplets of water off of leaves, so we started misting the tree.

The kids were great at finding insects and putting him/her where it could eat them.

Nothing.

I never saw him/her eat once.

Karis got the privilege of naming this one because she saw/found it first, so “it” became “Climberella.”

Caleb was NEVER satisfied with that name and refused to call “it” by that.

(I have no idea how to tell the gender of a chameleon, but since it didn’t have “horns” like Transformer, they were sure it was a girl. I think my kids don’t realize that female species of things can have horns, too. Oh well.)

‘She’ moved so s…l…o…w…

On the cement floors, it was so funny to watch ‘her’ ice skate across the floor, with nothing to grip onto.

We just let ‘her’ go wherever ‘she’ wanted. The fun thing was trying to find ‘her’ in the morning.

Well, morning #2, I forgot to look for ‘her’ before setting the table for breakfast. Oops!

C….R….U….N….C….H!!!!

It was the loudest, most horrible sound to my ears. I was sure my foot had broken every bone in ‘her’ body.

I was even sure ‘she’ was dead.

Nope…but most definitely hurting.

Doug put ‘her’ in the tree (I was afraid to touch ‘her’).

‘She’ turned black…go figure.

But......Here ‘she’ is a week later (still alive) hanging in the tree.

Maybe it was ‘her’ form of traction for ‘her’ injured back.

Well, every great story has an ending, right?

We were leaving home for some days, and we didn’t know what to do with ‘her.’

Nationals don’t like them and kill them on sight (which is why they are difficult to find). This would be where I could insert another story about Alice coming to our house one day while we took Kristin to meet her transportation back to the airport. I had called and warned Alice, but she still had the watchman come in and put it in a bucket while she was working. It really freaked her out a little.

We thought about putting Climberella in a tree outside and just look for ‘her’ later when we came back, but…

By this point we had already sadly discovered Climberella was blind, so we knew that it would be difficult for ‘her’ to survive long anywhere (even in our house – although there are probably enough insects in there for ‘her’ to live on while we were away – scary, I know.)

Maybe that’s why we found ‘her’ under the refrigerator most mornings. Maybe ‘she’ liked the closeness of something around ‘her’ to protect ‘her’…from Bigfoot/Sasquatch Momma in the mornings.

After keeping her for two weeks, just two days before we left, I found her in the morning, put her in the tree, and she died a peaceful death.

It was a blessing that we didn’t have to “put her out” on her own, but it was still sad for Karis.

Here’s to Climberella.

Walking home

2011-06-29T16:18:00.006-05:00

We visited an abandoned church while walking home from the school.

My piki driver Jack just happened to see us going in and came over to look with us.

The 10 commandments are still on the wall, except it looks like #6 was forgotten and squeezed in later.

This is the cemetery care taker.

Jack and his friends are parked outside under this pretty tree.

Caleb ran to tackle him and got tackled back. They love Jack!

Caleb wearing Jack's glasses.

Then Karis...

Walking home. Caleb taking off...as usual.

Kylie and Kristin.

Pencils delivered.

Good morning.

Home for lunch.

Delivering Pencils

2011-06-29T16:15:00.008-05:00

This is Doug, Kylie, Karis, and Caleb walking to the school where I used to attend Kindergarten classes. My cousin Kristen and I were lagging behind.

A company trustee brought a bunch of pencils that Central Park Elementary in Aberdeen, Washington, and kids from her church collected to be distributed here in Uganda.

The first class we went to was mine and Doug's old Kindergarten class where we used to sit in to learn language.

Yes, this is ONE class. 150 kindergarteners for ONE teacher.

Wouldn't see this picture on the wall in American schools.

While the principal interpreted for me all the words I didn't know, you can see other classes outside hanging on the chain-link covering of the windows...making a lot of noise.

Kindergarten class room #2...not much better...140 students.

We took a break after the kindergarten classes because the principal invited us to her office for a Coke. You can see the hoards of kids following my cousin, Kristin, as she walked in the school yard.

More classes...multiple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes...all packed out.

Each kid got ONE pencil, and you would have thought they were receiving an ipod touch (if they knew what that was).

The principal liked to get in every picture with each class and their teacher.

You never know what surprises are held for each day.

I was impressed to see this blind boy with a braille typewriter in one of the classes.

Me and Mrs. Karen in her office at the end of all the speeches we gave in each class. I talked about her once before HERE when I attended her step son's wedding last August.

Thank you Audrey for bringing all those pencils to brighten the days of some very special kids, and thank you to all the kids who brought and collected pencils for her to bring. You made some kids very, very happy.

Ditch diggin' - Road fixin'

2011-06-29T16:05:00.018-05:00

Well, our road does need fixin', but no one is doing anything about it.

What you can't see is that down past our gate, the road is impassable to cars, so only bikes, motorcycles and foot traffic can get through.

It really is worse than it looks.

The poor condition of the road is caused by run-off.

All the drainage ditches are filled with years of caked mud and grass, and so water jumps the ditches and runs down the center of the road.

Enter Doug Taylor. My amazing husband.

One Saturday morning, he got out there with his tools to see what he could do about the drain.

It really was bad and needed A LOT of work.

(not so much this end, but the other end where he is - water and dirt never got this far because of the "caked" effect where he is working)

As he worked, he began to draw a crowd.

First, Sunday (a watchman from across the street). Then Kylie.

Digging out the ditch...

Then hauling the dirt to fill the holes in the road. (a temporary solution)

Then Caleb realized he could put on his gum boots and join the fun, so he did.

Plus, he got the added bonus of holding a real, live tool.

As it neared lunch, more people were stopping.

Geoffrey (in the white) ended up spending the rest of the day helping Sunday and Doug, and his outfit was not so white at 5 o'clock.

And even though Karis came out, she and I didn't do any actual work.

Moral support, my dears. Moral support.

Geoffrey and Sunday created some interesting tools to get the caked-in dirt out from under the cement-covered ditch.

This is one of a few "new" tools they adapted.

Well, the good news is that many hours, several wheelbarrows of dirt, and a few buckets of water later, the ditch was completely clean.

Fast forward one week...

Enter God with an amazing rain storm.

The ditch did great and stayed clear, but...

the rain was in such abundance, it ended up jumping the drain in the same old place where some rock has worn away, and it washed our road out same as always.

In my humble opinion (because I AM the humble-est), a little cement might do the trick on that break in the drainage wall, but it looks like that might be another job for Doug, Sunday, Geoffrey, Kylie and Caleb, because I feel led to be moral support...

and the picture taker.

Don't forget, I do it all for you guys, so you can see riveting stories like this from the continent of Africa.

Here for you... :)

City Mouse/Country Mouse

2011-06-29T15:55:00.017-05:00

There are many things I like about the city of Kampala, but I was really troubled by what I saw on our last trip there.

I know what I saw occurs on a daily basis, but maybe the light at the intersection was long enough that I really pondered this situation.

Obviously, it was long enough, because I even took photos.

Every 15 to 20 feet on the sidewalk, I saw one of these...

They had a girl/slave driver (my word) "watching" over them, but not really. She makes them hold their hands up to receive begging money, which I'm sure she takes all of.

There were too many of them.

One is too many, but you get the idea.

This one little boy (picture below) was nodding off continually, but he made sure to stay in the sitting position so he wouldn't get caught sleeping.

Children NEED naps, but the "watcher" would not allow it.

Soon after I took this picture, she came and shook him and showed him where his hands should be.

UP! Ready to catch spare change.

What a life!

What a terrible life!

Where can he go from here?

I really needed something to make me smile after seeing those children.

Then I saw her!

Notice how they purposefully stretch out the hips on mannequins...

Now that this "lady" was trying to cheer me up, I started looking for other things to make me happy.

Like this cell phone ad...

Or this man crossing the street wearing a woman's silk robe.

Then we got further out of town, and I saw a truck carrying a ridiculous amount of un-stacked chairs.

Then I saw a mother truly watching over her child, the way one should.

Happy times!

And who doesn't think it's funny to watch a monkey eat a mango?

Then...

You know what this means?

No, of course you don't, but I'm going to tell you.

This hippo pool is only 2 hours from our home. We were getting closer...

I never get tired of this sight.

Lugbara-style huts...almost there.

No more city life for now.

Ahhhh! Rural Uganda. You can smell it in the air.

I won't tell you what it smells like, but you can definitely smell it in the air.

(I'm really kidding. It's not that bad.)

More Maama Kits

2011-06-29T15:51:00.009-05:00

One afternoon in May, Kylie and I biked to Jack’s house (my piki driver) after I found out his wife, Gus, was pregnant. After giving her a Maama Kit, I stopped on the way home to buy cabbage on the side of the road.

By the way, I have no idea what I was doing buying a cabbage, without a market bag, while riding a bike, but I did it. Thankfully, I ran into a friend I call “Mama Rose.” She offered me her plastic grocery sack.

I know she was going to buy food, but I really needed that sack, and she was offering...

You also have to know that people here charge you for sacks sometimes, so you always try to carry one with you. It was totally a non-thinking day for me.

Mama Rose has two pregnant daughters, and she wanted Maama Kits for them. She had heard I had them, but she was afraid I would make her pay for them. She hugged me so hard when I told her they were free, just like God’s love. After talking some more. I left her smiling on the side of the road.

Kylie and I biked home, got the kits, and God told me I should ride back to give them to her instead of waiting until we would meet again in 2 days. She was so happy (AND I returned her grocery sack AND gave her three extras)!

This happened back in May.

When she saw me last week, she told me one of her girls had had a boy in Kampala and she wanted me to write down a name on a piece of paper so she could give it to her daughter to name her son.

I wanted to laugh.

This lady wanted me to name her grandchild, when I had never even met the mother. Of course, many children here are given multiple names. It doesn't mean that whatever I name it will be how it is known, but it was just the thought. Wow!

This last month, I met Scoviah. She came to my house for a Maama Kit.

She is 18. Not married. And she had to drop out of school until the baby comes.

She's in 5th grade.

She wants to go back after the baby is born.

David, a pastor in town, brought his wife by to see Doug while I was in Kampala with the kids.

I think it's awesome that Doug is handing out Maama Kits, too.

Maama kits yield a return.

I had a repeat "customer" in June.

Christine (Alice's sister) came by to show me Letasi Onyiru Marion.

I had given her a Maama kit earlier.

Isn't she beautiful?

Here is Alice, proudly holding her neice.

Precious Water

2011-06-29T15:49:00.010-05:00

A few days ago, we ran out of water.

The town water had been shut off for two days, and we didn't know, and then all of a sudden our tank was dry.

We still had our rain water tank,

but Alice told me it was "smelling."

(I have no doubt that she was right.)

We interrupt this story for an important message from our sponsors:

*This week, we had some plumbing work done, and the workers asked if they could drain the rain water tank to put a new valve on it.

I reluctantly agreed.

I hated to get rid of such a precious water supply, even if it was "smelling."

It was a smart decision.

Collins and Dennis (my new best friends) not only replaced the valve, but Collins crawled in and cleaned the tank.

It went from this

to this...in no time.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

When we had run out of water a few days ago, Kylie watched (and helped) as I washed dishes outside in basins, using the rain water (before the tank was cleaned). And the whole family had to go outside several times a day to wash hands. And we filled up basins to wash feet before bedtime (I was going to give it at least one day before I started taking bucket showers). And Doug carried jerry cans of water into the house to flush toilets. And anything else you might need water for.

(On a side note, I have a chain link fence separating me from the Sudanese family next door who wash dishes and clothes outside EVERY day. They really got a kick out of seeing me wash dishes outside. I don't know what they think I do when I'm inside, but I'm sure they never imagined that I'm actually cooking, washing clothes, and washing dishes just like they are.

As I was washing my two wooden cutting boards, the little girl next door who was staring at me, said, "Is that your plate?" I politely said, "No," but I didn't try to explain what a cutting board was. Her English isn't too good. My Lugbara is horrible. And I can't speak Arabic. So there.)

Ok - back to story...

My kids also know what no town water means for many other people.

Long lines at the bore holes.

I'm not sure completely how this system works. Alice did share once that she puts old jerry cans with holes in line for her so that no one will steal them since they are "spoiled." My question is, "If you live far away, how do you know when it's your 'turn' at the water pump?"

Back to Kylie.

It started raining one day, and Kylie was so sad that all the rain water was going to "waste," as she called it. So she asked to borrow my biggest basin, and she gathered some of her pretend cooking gear, and she set it all out to catch water

The next morning, she dutifully took several trips back and forth to the water filter in our kitchen.

She was so proud and I was so proud of her and her resourcefulness.

She continued to fill our water filter throughout the day as we needed it.

*Everyone said my kids would learn so much by living here. And even though I can't put my finger on the lessons they are learning, they are indeed learning something.

The "Unknown Visitor" gets Baptized

2011-06-29T15:43:00.009-05:00

A few Sundays ago, Patrick invited our family to his church on the day his son was getting baptized. This was the "unknown visitor" I wrote about in January.

I also remember telling you about the time we drove out to Patrick's, and I was amazed that he biked the distance between his house and mine nearly every day whether in rain, cold, heat, or mud.

So, here we go.

He told us to be there at 9am. So we planned to leave the house at 8:30am. At 8:25am, Patrick called to tell us that it was starting at 8:30.

Oh well.

Why do I ever worry about time here?

This continent runs on a different clock.

It's called "no clock."

Of course, we arrived at 9am, and it hadn't started.

The church was full, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the service was held off for us, but I didn't ask.

We drove up, and someone walked out to meet us and lead us in. We didn't know him, but he knew us.

We entered in a side door and he led us....

to the front.

Like "the stage" the front.

Like "behind where the preacher preaches" the front.

See... proof. That's the preacher, and I'm behind him (sneaking photos).

Of course, in our hurry to leave the house, I forgot my Lugbara liturgy book, so I couldn't participate in a lot of the readings, but I did know when the baptism process started because...

everyone turned around and faced the BACK of the church.

Well, I'm not shy. I shuttled on down the aisle and sat myself down (with three kids following me) on the "new" front row. Doug stayed behind and manned the stage.

These little kids were sitting on a mat in the back (the new front).

When Patrick's son's name was called, Patrick came up and joined his wife with the rest of the family members. Part of the tradition here is that everyone in the family has to hold the baby for a small time, so they passed him around to 6 or 7 people before the reverend took him.

And with foreigners now in the back of the church, more kids started crawling in.

Kids with kids on their backs.

After all the children had been baptized, I scooted on back down to the stage.

At about the 2 1/2 hour mark, they took up the offering.

Part of the custom here is for each individual to bring their offering to the front.

I got such a kick out of Caleb at this point, and I'm pretty sure I laughed out loud.

He took his offering, and he got stuck in a mass of people and couldn't get out. I shouldn't laugh, I know, but it was so funny watching his face.

Another normal thing you see here is people bringing part of their harvest as their offering to God. I guess for us Americans, we could equate it to people paying Doc Baker with apples and corn for his services on "Little House on the Prairie"

This is a bowl of cassava that was brought.

After church, we were guided outside.

I took a picture of the church parking lot for you.

This is an adugu. A popular instrument made around here.

Beautiful sound.

This was our view outside.

Basically, it's a group of kids who stood in front of us and just stared, because...

someone got chairs out of the church and lined them up for my family to sit in the shade of the building.

Do I have to tell you that this was a tad bit awkward?

It didn't last long because lunch was being served.

We were ushered into a hut and seated next to the pastor.

The big thing for my kids is eating food in the village. They have really gotten good at trying everything, and I'm so proud of them. This day, especially, they did a great job (of course, grasshoppers and termites were not on the menu).

After eating and being at the church several hours, we knew we had to get back for Doug's bible study with the baseball team, but we wanted to get pictures of Patrick's family first.

I love developing pictures and handing them out to people. It gives them and me such great joy.

Here is the boy I named Michael and they named Aitasi.

I'm thinking the white lady is scaring him, what do you think?

His older son cried the last time he met us and didn't want his picture taken. So even though he has his hands in his mouth and he's not smiling, this was a big step.

Ok. I like you now.

Time to go back to the car (the only vehicle in the "parking lot" pasture).

If you ever come here, you will feel like a movie star. Everyone wants to touch you, stare at you, and talk to you.

Here is a picture of the paparazzi following our car.

And Aitasi's first car ride.

Good day at Vurra.

Coming Full Circle

2011-06-04T12:07:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Martyr's Day here in Uganda (a national holiday), but I had forgotten about it.

Our day guard did not show up at work, and Doug and I got concerned. Right about the time I was going to call and check on him, Alice came to work. After we greeted each other, she said, "Jeremiah is not here because it is Ma-ta's Day."

That is what I heard, so that is the conversation I continued to have.

I thought she was saying "Mother's Day."

I told her she should not have come to work. She said, "No, it is okay."

I said, "What do they do in your culture for Mother's Day?"

Now, I don't know if she heard me correctly, or she just thought that is how I said "Martyr," but she didn't bat an eye.

She continued, "Some people just go to church, but that is all."

I said, "Will you do anything for your mother?"

She said, "No," and laughed.

I left her and texted Doug who was at a pastor's training conference, and typed, "TODAY IS PUBLIC HOLIDAY. MOTHER'S DAY. THAT'S WHY JEREMIAH ISN'T HERE."

I know what you are thinking...it can't get any worse right?

You are wrong.

Patrick came for night duty that evening, and after greeting me, he said, "You know today is Ma-ta's Day?"

I said, "Yes, Alice told me. Did you do something nice for your wife today?"

He laughed and said, "No."

I said, "Alice says some people go to church. Did you go to church?"

"No."

You would think the humiliation would have stopped there, but I even told him we celebrate Mother's Day in America, but it is on a different day than Uganda's.

I also told him how I had been worried about Jeremiah that morning because he hadn't come in, and then I found out it was a national holiday.

Fast forward to dinner.

Doug had been gone all day to the conference and then to baseball practice. He says, "I got your text, but you know it's Martyr's Day and NOT Mother's Day?"

I was mortified!!

I ran all those conversations through my head, cringing with every thought, and I was so grateful I hadn't had anymore conversations than I did.

Tonight, I humbly approached Patrick to apologize. I told him what I thought he was saying yesterday, and I even asked him to repeat it, and again, I would have thought he was saying "Mother," if I didn't know better.

He was so gracious.

So, now I await Alice coming to work on Monday morning, so I can apologize to her.

Then, my humiliation will have come full circle.

I will take my bow now.

Things that Rhyme with "At"

2011-06-01T13:33:00.004-05:00

I'm a little nervous about sharing this story because my cousin is coming to visit next week, and I don't want her to cancel her flights over this. So, Kristin, just close your eyes for this one. And thankfully, I wasn't thinking straight to get a picture, so I'll spare you the visual.

On the weekends, I like to sleep later than normal. My children have been told to not wake me unless they are bleeding or dying. Nice Mom, huh?

Anyway, this last weekend, Caleb comes in and says, "Mom. Mom. I want to show you something."

"Caleb, you should not wake me up to show me something. I'll look at it when I get up."

"But Mom, it's in the bathroom. Can you just come and see."

All I could think of was that he might have missed the toilet, and he accidentally wet the floor and needed help cleaning it up.

I didn't grab my glasses, but I slowly made my way to the bathroom.

Caleb wouldn't get close to the toilet. He just pointed.

I said, "Is the floor wet? Do you need me to clean it up?"

He said, "I think something is in there. I think it's a baby crocodile."

What?

I said, "Where?"

He said, "In the toilet."

I leaned over, and I could tell there was a big-something there, but without my glasses, I couldn't tell what.

I leaned closer, and I saw it move, and then I saw it's face.

It was a 7 inch rat completely filling the hole.

I have seen two mice in the last week. One in the living room and one in the kitchen.

They could have been the same one, but nevertheless, they were tiny, and the only thing they have eaten is a little bit of bread, avocado, or mango left on the counter.

THIS guy looked like he swallowed a mango, whole. I had never seen one this large.

Anyway, guess what I did?

I broke the weekend rule.

I went and woke Doug up. I mean what could I do, right?

In comes Doug, and he tries to flush it.

Nope. Still there.

Then he tries to drown it with the plunger.

He could feel it wiggling underneath, and then when he felt nothing, so he pulled up the plunger, and there was nothing there.

It was gone.

Back down the pipes.

I'm hoping he finds his way into our yard, because there is no way he's getting past my mouse-killing, lizard-killing, guinea fowl-killing, chicken-killing dogs.

So, I had a rat in my toilet this weekend. No big deal, right?

And last year, around this time, I had a bat fly out of the toilet while I was sitting on it. If you missed that post, it's HERE.

OK. So the next time this happens, I'm just praying it's a "hat" or a "mat" that find their way out of the toilet, and not a CAT.

I'm almost done with the "AT" words.

Happy birthday to Karis (late)

2011-05-28T10:49:00.011-05:00

SEVEN years ago (on May 22), in Jackson, Mississippi, Karis, our sweet little girl was born.

She is such a blessing to us and to those around her. Our family is blessed to have her.

She is kind, loves to giggle, and I think she could live solely on chocolate.

Happy birthday, Karis.

(and thanks Kylie for taking some of the pictures)

Lottie Moon fundraiser

2011-05-28T10:02:00.012-05:00

At our recent meeting in Kenya, the mission arranged for us to have a silent auction to raise money for the Lottie Moon offering which supports us and other missionaries on the field.

Items were gathered from rooms of some kids on the field (like used toys and books); some items were brought by the volunteers that came from America; and some of the items were purchased in Kenya, where you can find treats at many times during the year

It was such fun going in every day to see what people were bidding on.

Since I helped tally the bid totals at the end of the week, I took note of a few things that might surprise you.

Some of the bids were:

$170 for 2 bags of Fritos

$110 for 16 large Reeses

$38 for a Zip lock bag of shelled pecans

$102 for a Package of chips, taco seasoning, velveeta, and jalapeno peppers

$110 for Beef Jerky

$100 for a box of Lucky Charms and a box of Pop Tarts

and 4 Dr. Peppers went for $60

We all wanted to give to the offering anyway, but this was such a fun way to do it.

I tried hard to get those Fritos, but my dear friend kept out-bidding me. So, I admitted defeat and moved on.

I bought a birthday present for Karis at the auction: some used Littlest Pet Shop animals for $75. I don't know what Littlest Pet Shops go for in America, but since you can't get them here, I figure I got a good deal, right?

I also got a bag of those $40 pecans and some $10 Bacon Bits.

The next day, I asked the lady who was drinking one of her $15 Dr. Peppers how it was, and amazingly, she said it tasted the same as it does when it costs $1.00.

Go figure.

This was a fun activity for all of us, and a great idea for you to try at home with your church. I'll even send some African bead necklaces and bracelets if you want to add them to your auction.

You might find it difficult to get people living in America to pay these prices for simple grocery store items...but you could always try.

We took up an offering at the end of the week, and that amount, added to our silent auction, ended up at close to $40,000. Isn't God amazing?

The reason I was thinking about this offering, is that the Lottie Moon "Christmas" offering officially closes for this fiscal year on May 31st. We are anxiously awaiting to see the final tally.

But this also means that on June 1st, you can start praying about what you will give for the next year.

I think I'll go eat some pecans and dream about Fritos and start praying about it myself!

The Rains Finally Came!

2011-05-28T09:18:00.012-05:00

The rains are two months late.

Planting is late.

Everything is dry.

But on May 18^th, God let it pour! It was several inches of much, needed rain.

It was a blessed sight the next day to see people digging up their gardens and preparing the soil for planting.

Then…it rained again and again.

I LOVE the smell of rain and the coolness and life it brings. How appropriate that Jesus is the “living water,” because He has a sweet fragrance, is refreshing to the soul and is THE life-giver.

Harvest will be late this year, but at least they will have one.

And of course, with the rain, came the termites.

The first night I could hear them hitting the back door, outside, underneath the light. I didn’t know how many there were until I saw their wings the next morning.

Patrick, our watchman, told me he had spent a lot of the evening catching them and pulling their wings off, so he could either eat them or take them home to his family.

As a side note, my friend Becky said that when a friend of hers came to visit in Uganda, he gathered up these wings and took them back and created beautiful works of art with them. I would love to see them.

The next day, we could hear the sounds of children around our home, calling the termites.

This is my first time to try to embed a video, so if this doesn't work, click HERE to see it on Youtube.

My children enjoyed collecting termites as well (although I didn't hear them singing this year). They collected during the afternoon around the house.

They mainly picked up ones that had lost their wings, but I'm glad to say that even the ones that still had their wings, they left intact. They were so excited when Patrick returned that evening. They ran to him with their containers, and handed him their treasures they had collected.

I heard him say, "Oh, these are the ones you don't cook. You just eat them."

One more reason I'm glad that when I ate termites at Florence's house, they were the kind you cook!

Patrick noticed as he walked around the back of the house that the dogs hadn’t eaten any of their food he had made that morning. I asked him if he thought they were okay or if they might be sick, and he said, “No, I think they got too full on termites last night.”

Who would have thought?

Having/Being Guests & Dancing

2011-05-15T11:49:00.014-05:00

We had some wonderful guests come to see us from southern Uganda.

Becky Miller was at our church in Louisiana, and I went on my first mission trip to Africa with her.

Timo, the boy with Caleb on his shoulders, was a new friend to us, and Henry, the one between me and Becky, was my translator when I came to Uganda in 2007. It was a sweet reunion for all of us!

Later that afternoon, Jack, my piki driver, had our whole family over for a meal. We walked to their home, had a lovely visit, and we met everyone on the compound.

THEN...later that night, the girls had their dance performance.

Meg, sadly left May 17th, so this was their last time together.

She fixed their hair.

We put make-up on the girls.

Our friend Sherry let us borrow her house for the night, and she made homemade ice cream for the performance.

It was a lovely evening!

Can you Guess?

2011-05-15T11:41:00.019-05:00

I'm sure it will be difficult to guess, but can you tell what my favorite animal in Africa is?

We had the pleasure of taking Lynn and Jan to Murchison Falls game park for one night.
And since we had been there once before, we gave them "the roof."
We put a mattress on top of the vehicle, and they got lots of great pictures.

Did I mention I like giraffes?

We also we blessed to see three lions. One male (our first to see) and two young females.

The male recently was caught in a trap and the park authorities had to amputate his back, left leg. I guess that's why it was a little easier to spot him, although I'm sure there are more males in the park.

We also wanted to experience the Nile River cruise again, so off we went.
Since I showed you hippos and wildlife last time, this time I'll show you family.

Caleb got to drive the boat...again.

It's something about that blonde hair...and the fact that he's a boy.

On a rock, near the Falls.

Caleb was the only one on the boat close enough for me to get pictures of.
Everyone else was up front.

He told me he wore all his camouflage so the animals couldn't spot him, and if they did see him, they would think he was "army," and would be scared away.

He feels sure that his clothes kept us safe from all the Nile crocodiles.

Easter and the End

2011-05-15T11:04:00.014-05:00

OK, so I just thought I was finished with Kenya pictures. It's kind of a shame too, because I need to move on to other stuff that's been happening, but these are important...
for the grandparents...
so hang tight.

We had our picture taken twice at our meeting, so I'm passing these on to the folks back home. Family pictures are a rarity these days.

Easter morning.

When you are just hanging out at a retreat center, there doesn't seem to be a need for a new Easter outfit, so...here we are.

I'm not sure Caleb has ever done an Easter egg hunt to remember one, but the volunteers arranged for one this year, and he made a haul, since he was the oldest in his age group.

I still think it's amazing that volunteers from America would come and spend Easter in Africa, away from their families and home churches...amazing!

Kylie and Emily inspecting their goodies. The elementary kids decorated pillow cases during the week, so they used those for egg hunting on Sunday morning.

Daddy helped lead worship, and Caleb sat close to the drummer every night. He loved watching Gavin play, and Gavin was nice to let him help one time.

At the mall in Nairobi where we went to find REAL tortilla chips (not Tostitos, but a close third or fourth), this was one of the paths you could walk across.

There were other options, but this one was there, too.

I marvel at these things, because I know in America, someone would get sued the minute a kid fell into the water, even though he could have taken another path.

It was tough, too. My little ones wanted to do it, but daddy had to help them get from one sidewalk to the other.

And I thought I would "wrap" up our Kenya experience with this sign.

Seen any like this lately where you live?

Yes, my husband did have the ostrich burger.

And, folks, it was pretty tasty.

Nairobi Meeting

2011-04-27T03:13:00.007-05:00

Who is this boy?

He saw someone with gel in his hair, and he asked daddy to make his hair do that, so....

He had such a good time in Kenya at our general meeting. Here he is in his classroom.

He found his friend again...

He was quite the ham on performance night...

And when he got off the stage, he dressed daddy in his "costume."

The girls were busy, too.

Performing...

Losing teeth...

Making friends and seeing old ones...

and...Doug performed, too.

Actually, he helped lead worship every day and did a FABULOUS job!

There were wonderful volunteers from a church in Florida and from Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston.

They taught our kids every day while we attended meetings. The kids had a such a good time with these great people.

Travel to Kampala/Kenya

2011-04-27T03:11:00.010-05:00

We had an early start to Kampala.

That night, we got to eat dinner with Mercy and her mother, Melissa.

They are still in Uganda, so keep praying!

We also met another family who was adopting. My kids aren't the only kids Jan and Lynn (the friends we stay with in Kampala) like to love on. This is them with TWO Mercy's.

After a day in Kampala, loading up the roof with all of our luggage, combined with Jan and Lynn's, the seven of us headed to Nairobi, Kenya, for a meeting.

The border crossing was pretty uneventful, but it still took over an hour to fill out all the paper work and stand in all the lines.

We spent the night in Nakuru, Kenya. I had a good laugh that the hotel we stayed in had wireless internet in the lobby, but still had rotary phones in the rooms.

Karis didn't remember ever seeing one, and she thought it was a fun toy. I showed her how to dial, and she got a kick out of that.

The next day, we stopped at a gas station, and saw something that looked like a chip, so we decided to buy it. We are always on the look-out for a good chip.

This one was made from a plant called Arrow Root, apparently, but it was actually pretty tasty.

Doug had seen the flamingos on Lake Nakuru when he came to Kenya in 2003, so we knew we wanted to see them if we could.

We went to a lesser lake near Lake Nakuru, and there were some there, but they were scared off before I got any good pictures.

We followed a family to Kenya because they knew the ends and outs of the border and all the roads. And in that family, Caleb found a new buddy.

We need to be more pro-active in taking family pictures (like trying to look nice), but this one, after two days of travel will have to do.

We drove on to the edge of Nairobi where our meeting was going to be held, and the tea fields there are so beautiful.

Look at all the people out there with baskets on their backs picking individual leaves, so we can enjoy a nice cup of tea. (By the way, all you sweet tea drinkers in Mississippi and Louisiana probably benefit from these guys, too). Oh, how I miss all that sweet tea!