Shaarda News

Missions when Dying is Gain

2012-01-31T21:08:00.002+03:00

January 31

Let’s agree that I wont complain about the heat and blowing dust if you don’t complain about your beautiful snow. :) Everyone here has headaches from all the dust, wind, and heat. I found great relief in my bad attitude when I learned to make chai and coffee frappes today!

God has been speaking to me. I am still processing what He is teaching me. Sunday Lydia was sick so I stayed home from church with her and listened to a John Pyper sermon. He started out by saying this was going to be a turning point in life for some people – I think he was speaking to me. I should have known by the title, “Doing missions when dying is gain.” Here is the shortened version:

Matt. 24:14 preach to the world as a witness to the nations then Christ will come.
1) The promise is sure:
-Jesus never lies, His Word never fails, it will happen, so get on board!
-The ransom is already paid. Rom. 15:8-9
-The glory of God is at stake. Rev. 5:9
-God is sovereign. Heb. 6:3
2) The price of suffering:
-There are no closed countries, it isn’t Biblical, so there will be martyrs.
-Whoever said you and your children will be safe? That is an American priority over God’s calling.
-Whoever follows Jesus will die (take up his cross) but Christian have taken the consumer mind of comfort, ease, safety in all areas of our lives and churches.
*Suffering is not only the price but the means.
-Col. 1:24 Paul says he rejoices in his sufferings and he does his share to take what is “lacking” in the affliction of Christ.
-Phil. 2:30 says to complete what is “lacking” in your service to me.
=What is lacking in Christ’s love and suffering is His presence now to the people He died for. The love offering in person.
-The great commission is to be Christ love and suffering to the nations. We will suffer out of love for the people like Christ, to show Christ.
3) How do we do it?
-Only by BELIEVING the promises of God. Only in knowing God is true, loving, always with us, our protector…and glory is before us we can and will be able endure suffering to bring Jesus to others. Our faith is in future glory. Our better possession is in Heaven.

I know you wont be able to grasp this just reading it but I was weeping. Pyper gave many example of martyrs and when he talked about being killed when your husband is on one side and your child on the other I was on my knees praying to God.

You see I love the Lord more than anything and that is why I am here sharing Him with others. But the reality is I love my comforts, my safety, my family, my home, my food, clothes, health…more than I love sharing Jesus love. It is all fine when sharing means I can still be comfortable, it is on my time, and the way I want. But when I think about what God may be calling us to – a place where I may have to give up my things, my comforts, my safety, not to mention my kids – I am so scared. I honestly was down on my knee confessing and surrendering. I have to let it go if I truly love my Savior enough to complete His suffering and love so others may know Him. I also openly spoke to God about my fear. Pyper is right, we can’t do it without believing in God’s promises. If I truly believe God will never leave me, I will go. If I truly believe He is my protector, I will not fear. If I know He holds my future, I will not worry. If Heaven is my prize and goal, I will see death as a victory.

This is huge! This is counter cultural. I want to be this person! Radically believing in Him. Going where He leading, doing what He says, loving and suffering with joy knowing glory awaits me. Some of you may think I already live this and do this on the mission field in Africa. In some ways yes. And often I sing my sob story about how hard it is here. But really, I am a selfish, comfortable Christian. No more. I have surrendered to God. I don’t know what this means. I don’t know if He will call us to more, harder, elsewhere – or – if He was just seeing if I would. I believe God has something for us this year, something is going to happen. But I will not fear but trust in the one who is my first Love. Please join me in living this way, pray for me, and keep me accountable to living for Jesus.

Pictures of our adventures with Chad & Katie

2012-01-26T17:01:00.007+03:00

Our Team Retreat Pictures

2012-01-26T12:11:00.006+03:00

Christmas Pictures Finally!

2012-01-25T09:44:00.010+03:00

Travel Days

2012-01-24T21:22:00.000+03:00

January 22

Here we are home again after many miles and several adventures. It will take a little while to adjust to normal life again but I am also thankful to be home and to get back into a routine. Let me fill you in on our last week.

I left off last time when Josh was with Katie, Chad, and the President of IT were in the village checking out the blind, their orchards, and visiting the church leaders in Obule. Chad and Katie had their first taste of local food which was probably enough in their opinion but they would get to try it again the next two days. Katie had fun teasing Chad who thought rice was trying a new exotic food (he doesn’t eat rice). Josh’s students in Obule shared all God had done in their lives and families thanks to Josh’s teaching. And they came home with oranges from the orchard. That night we had a hot dog roast as a team.

Saturday was quite an African experience. One of Josh’s students was getting married – well he was having a church wedding they are almost 40 years old, have 5 children, and were traditionally married long ago. Josh was asked to preach so he thought it would be a good cultural experience for Chad and Katie. It took about an hour to get to the wedding. It made me wonder how far could you drive and still find people living out in nowhere? The wedding hadn’t started yet but the church was full and the singing was coming out of the loudspeakers full blast. I am pretty sure they were waiting for our arrival to begin (and we tried to get there late so we wouldn’t have to endure the whole eight hours). They escorted us to the front to sit. It was so hot and crowded. Kids packed the little windows to try to see and cut off any possible air flow. By now you can hear that I was thrilled with the situation. I tried so hard to keep a good attitude but I just do not enjoy these things. After four hours, several runs to the latrine (one with a need to change Luka’s clothes afterwards and wash my feet), two very, very long processionals of the groom and then the bride, singing, introductions of all the important people at the wedding, and Josh’s sermon on marriage…I was ready to go. I was hot, the kids were hungry, and the wedding ceremony hadn’t even begun. I told Josh it was time to be done. He wanted to stay. I took the kids outside. We sat in the van and eat crackers while about 40 kids stared at us. I really hate this. Josh knew I was stressed but felt pressure from our Ugandan friends to stay (you have to eat in their culture before you can go). Josh felt it was important for our relationships. It really hit me and maybe even hurt me when Josh said he realizes we will never fit in here. I felt like that bad missionary again that I was so often in our first years on the mission field. It is so hard to enjoy cultural things that push the kids and I to our limits. Why can’t I just relax and enjoy it? Why can’t I put others above my desire to have food, a bathroom, and to be cool? Am I wrong to feel this way?

Well we endured and made it to meal time. I didn’t see the actual wedding. The kids and I just couldn’t bare to sit in that hot church anymore. Our friends are so kind and good to us. We are treated like royalty and were served first with the other important guests. I really do love these people but I just do not do well with their all day cultural celebrations. It all ended up fine and everyone left happy but I learned that I still fall very short. How I need Jesus to keep myself from getting in the way.

We got home about five that evening. After resting for a little while and getting something cold to drink I took Chad and Katie to market in town. We ended up buying fresh Nile Perch for supper. After our late supper Josh and Chad beat Katie and I bad in Cribbage.

Sunday we went to church in Obule. I enjoyed sharing our church with them. Luka took his drum and happily played along with every song. He has also just begun to sing so to thank God for his birthday he wanted to sing his favorite “Joy to the World” as a special number. He did it too with Josh’s help. After the service they again fed us. Our family enjoys most local food and seeing Chad and Katie try to eat a little made me realize how well our kids have done culturally. The rest of the day we relaxed. Katie bought a ginger bread house she got at Christmas so everyone did that and Luka got a hair cut.

Monday Chad and Josh worked on a few more projects together while Katie taught Lydia and Grace and I packed and baked for our travels. We grilled burgers for lunch and ate at the picnic table. Chad and Josh made a new press for making brickets so Josh wanted them to see how the brickets work/burn. I really appreciated Chad and Katie’s flexibility, willingness to see and do anything, their help, and their love for our kids. I am so glad they came to see our lives, home, and friends here.

Tuesday we packed up the van again (including our washer which isn’t working so we took it to Kampala hoping to repair it) and headed to Murchison Falls to go on safari. Everyone was excited. We arrived at the gate around 11am and had a wonderful safari all the way in. Luka was SO excited! He squealed about every buck (impala) he saw through his binoculars. Our van was hot and crowded but no one seemed to mind as long as we were seeing animals. I still really like the giraffes. It was also really exciting to see an elephant and her baby just ahead of us on the road.

In the afternoon Josh, Katie and Chad took the boat safari on the Nile River while the kids and I paid to swim at the pool. Everyone was happy that way. They loved the boat ride and saw lots of hippos, crocs, and more elephants up close. The kids had a great time playing in the pool and I enjoyed taking in the beauty of our surroundings and of my children.

The next morning we got up just after 6am to take the 7am ferry over to start safari. It ended up being the best one we have ever been on! We decided to pass by any animal we see along the way and head for lion territory first. Along the way we saw four hyenas running on the road. We stopped for them because the guide said it is very rare to see hyenas. We were already excited to see something new. Then I spotted our first lions! There were three of them walking but there was a thick fog and we didn’t see them long. But it wasn’t too much further and we saw a group of male lions. A big one sat under a bush just enough to blend right in and two other younger male walked over and took a seat. We stayed there along time watching more lions walk over. Josh, Chad and Katie were on the roof of the van with our guide. We moved up just a little ways further to see a very young lion come walked into the field. He was playing and chasing the antelope. We continued on our way and saw another group of lions! A female and her three younger ones. We couldn’t believe it. We had now seen 14 lions! What a day! It was exciting to say the least.

We stopped by the lake and saw hippos and took a few pictures then moved on and again saw the mother lion and her three young lions. How fun! Then we turned a corner and there was a bull elephant next to us. The guide said go first but then realized he was peaceful so we sat there and he walk about ten steps behind our van. He was huge! We had to look up to see him. I think all of us had hearts pounding. It was really close and because it was calm it was really cool.

What a great safari! It was hard to leave after all that excitement but enough is enough riding in the van I guess. We left the park and stayed the night in a town part way to Kampala. It was great to get out, clean off, rest, and stay somewhere nice. It is the oldest hotel in Uganda but kept up very well. The kids played, the adults played games, and we had a nice meal all together.

The next day we drove the rest of the way into Kampala. By then I was done with traveling. Everything went well but I was tired from the many kilometers we put on. We had lunch, took Chad and Katie craft shopping, took the washer in for repair, and headed to our guesthouse. By then Lydia wasn’t feeling well and had a fever so we grabbed supper to go and got a private hire for Chad and Katie to take to the airport. Goodbyes are never fun. Way easier than they use to be but it is still hard to see our kids sad. Grace was really sad this time. We had a great time together. We are so thankful they came. It was short and sweet I guess. We have so much to be thankful for. God was with us all the way and blessed our time together as only He can do.

The next morning we were all a little down thankfully the kids keep smiling. We didn’t end up having a great day either. We went van shopping. Our van hasn’t broken down again but the air conditioner went out again (we were quite dusty after a seven hour drive with widows open), there is very little power, and it is still unreliable in our option. God again confirmed the decision to get a new van when out of the blue two different people asked about buying our van if we ever want to sell it. I was floored. We have never had anyone say anything before but now that we were praying about what to do God sends two potential buyers. We looked at a few vans at a couple used car lots but were not ready to buy anything and by then I had the worse headache I have ever had. So bad I was nauseas. I am pretty sure it is sinus related because when I moved my head I could feel fluid move and make me dizzy. The family went for lunch but I just laid down hoping to get rid of the pain. I ended up taking something the pharmacy recommended but it made me so tired I was out the rest of the day – bummer. Josh ended up going back to the dealer with a mechanic to look at one of the vans. The mechanic (the vehicles are all used from Japan so we need a mechanic to look at them for us) said the engine was perfect but we were not thrilled about seating. It sat 6 maybe 7 and we really would like an 8 seater. Josh was stressed with the long day and lots of big decisions so I told him to go for a run. In the end we decided to wait and not get the first van we looked at. Our mechanic friend was happy to keep looking for us while we are in Soroti. So we will wait and pray.

And now we are home getting back into the swing of things. Oh, we did buy a new washer that was on sale because the repairman is still looking for a part for ours and who knows if he will ever find one. Once you have a washer I guess it is hard to live without again.

A praise (silly I know but God rejoices when we do), Luka poops on the potty now! At the wedding he had to go and Josh took him to the latrine. Luka thought it was so cool that he went back another time. Once in the larine someone missed and Luka was convinced it was alligator poo. He is a funny little guy. He gets really excited over his big and small accomplishments and cheers himself on.

Grace is now officially toothless. She just lost her second upper front tooth and there are two missing on the bottom too. It’s pretty cute.

Thanks for all your prayers for us and for Chad and Katie’s time here. Pray with us for the right van to buy and for Josh as he begins teaching again this week. Even for the girls and I as we get back into home school mode. Lydia and I are really suffering with the hot, dry weather. Our allergies make us feel sick at times. Pray for health and rains again I guess. We appreciate all of you. Your support and encouragement keep us going sometimes. God be with us all as we live for Him.

(Oh, could you also pray that I can get pictures to upload on our blog again. I have lots of good ones to share with you – hopefully soon! Thanks.)

Travels, Retreat, and Visitors

2012-01-14T17:45:00.000+03:00

January 13, 2012

Here we are almost to the middle of January and it is my first time to write in 2012. We have had a full two weeks. New Years Eve we had a couple families over for appetizers and games. On New Years Day we went to our teammate’s house with the rest of our team for brunch and football. We then had a few days before we traveled and in that time I got sick. But the real adventures were to come.

We drove to Kampala last Thursday. On the way Grace got sick and just wanted to go home. We stopped on the way to renew our visas which went well but took an hour or so (the immigration official left her stamp at her house so we needed to bring her home to get it so she could stamp our passports). By the time we got back on the road our air conditioner broke (remember that whole story?). I was frustrated but kept my cool. Then about five hours into the trip our van overheated. We had just been driving in the bush with no towns near by but thankfully now were close to a town. Josh hopped on a motorcycle and the driver took him to get a mechanic. By the time they arrived back we had a crowd of about 20 kids pressing in to see the white people. It was literally 100degrees in the sun and I was not in the mood. When teenagers also came to check us out I told them it was rude and to go home. Our kids did great under the circumstances. It is usually Josh and I who get stressed out. I am so grateful for my children who keep me in line with their example. After an hour the mechanic found the problem and fixed it enough to drive it to his shop (under a tree) in town. It took another hour there to replace the bolt that severed and caused the fan not to cool the engine. About $40 later we were on the road thankful but nervous.

We made it to Kampala to have supper with our friends ten hours after we had left our house that morning. What a day! Oh, but it wasn’t over. After supper our van wouldn’t start. We had had this starting problem for a long time but it is very random, always ends up starting again, and we have had a couple mechanics work on it. Josh was SO stressed by this point in the day. It was clear we had an unreliable vehicle. The worst part is we have no mechanic we can trust in Uganda to fix it properly.

We did make it back to our guesthouse that night. Our family spent a lot of time praying that day. I love that our kids know we can call on God for help. Lydia prayed for us once and told God we were really stressed right now and needed His help. Each time we get to see God start our van, send someone to help, or provide in someway. While we were along side the road broken down I read my Bible. I read Psalm 107:4-9 about a deserted wasteland with no way to a city, we cried out to the Lord in our trouble and He delivered us from our distress. It was a word from the Lord don’t you think?

The next day we continued to have starting issues with our van so Josh called a mechanic to come and get the van to fix it. He never showed up even after saying he was on the way so we finally got a different mechanic to help us. I will share the rest of the van story in a minute.

On Friday we were heading to Entebbe to pick up Josh’s sister Katie and husband Chad from the airport. They were coming to help watch the kids for our Team Beyond strategy retreat. On our way to Entebbe we stopped at an orphanage that works with an adoption agency in America. We are praying about what God desires for our family in the next year and want all our doors to be open. We have visited a couple other places and walked away a bit disappointed feeling but this time I was very happy with what we heard and saw. Kathy and her husband are Ugandans who started and run the place. What I really like about them is that they also have adopted a few children. For a Uganda that is huge! I asked how other Ugandans treat them or understand them adopting. She said it is very hard and they don’t understand but God is using them to help them understand. Her husband is an orphan and God called him to care for other orphans. There are not many kids at the orphanage but all of the ones they have are truly abandoned and are in need of a family. Lydia loved all the kids and especially one little girl that she held most of the time. She kept saying, “Can we adopt this one Mom?!” Many of the kids were lined up to be adopted by families which was great to see. One three year old boy grabbed my heart. He was abandoned at a year and a half. He was totally malnourished and weighed 10 pounds. He couldn’t sit, walk or talk. He has not been diagnosed with anything but he still cannot talk at three years old and hold his one hand tight. But his smile and love are a blessing! I don’t know what God has planned. We are praying and waiting on Him.

Back to the retreat now, the resort we stayed at was a half an hour off the main road on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. It was beautiful. Our room had big widows overlooking the lake and it looked like we were on the ocean. Our team basically had the place to ourselves and that was so special. There was a lot of nice grass areas with trees, a beach (bummer we couldn’t swim), and a pool. Of course we are still in Africa so we had a lot of bugs and ants in our bathroom and room and a lack of power but what can you do? Our girls were in the pool for hours each day and within the first few hours got green hair. Two teenage girls who are MKs in Uganda helped with the older kids on our retreat. They watched our kids the first night when Josh and I went to the airport to get Chad and Katie. On the way to the airport we had an hour for a date. We had pizza on the beach. Chad and Katie and Jennifer (our teammate) arrived safely with all their luggage and we were back in bed by midnight – just in time for power to go out. Welcome to Uganda!

We spent Saturday till Tuesday at the retreat. Our kids loved it. They enjoyed being with their friends, swimming, the games and crafts they did with the helpers, and of course the dance party we had the last night (it was a riot!). I really enjoyed our campfires at night on the beach and having fun with everyone out of the normal life in Soroti. It was also nice to have all our meals served and cleaned up for us. It was a true vacation – well except for the meetings but that was good to have too. The president of IT and his wife and our area leader from the UK came too. It was good to get to know them and have them lead us. Our team is great. We went through challenging times, started to plan, worshiped together, learned, and love each other through it all. I tried to just take it all in and enjoy the beauty around us. By the end I was tired though. I guess there is always a time to go back to normal life.

Tuesday night we were in Kampala again and Chad and Katie were able to finally see the real Uganda. We met with a Ugandan family that went to their church in Grand Rapids while he was at school. The next day there was a threat of protests in Kampala so we headed for Soroti first thing in the morning. But this time we had a mechanic with us – Chad! That made me feel so much better. Even if he couldn’t fix it we were not alone and that relieved Josh’s stress by leaps and bounds. And of course we did break down. This time we lost all power in the van. Chad didn’t think he did anything jiggling all the wires but between him and Grace praying for us we were back on the road in no time. It did happen quite a bit throughout our trip but the power would come right back on and we would just keep driving. Josh said he asked God for a sign to know weather to sell the van or not and we believe this may have been the sign. We stopped in Mbale for lunch. We enjoyed pizza and a nice rain by Mount Elgon. (Oh, how nice the cool rain is!) Chad and Katie were able to see Uganda for over six hours in the van and then we made it to Soroti after a very bumpy last two hours. How thankful we are to be home!

So Josh is in the village right now with Chad, Katie, and our IT president showing them the orange orchard and Obule. And I stayed home so Luka could nap that way I could actually write a minute. We are only in Soroti five days before we go for a safari and head back to the airport with Chad and Katie. I didn’t think I would have time to catch up on anything but it is so nice to sit and process. It is really hot and dry here! It almost takes my breath away. We took Chad and Katie to the big market yesterday and they were able to try sugar cane, buy tire sandals, and experience Africa. They are doing really well and just go with the flow. It must be overwhelming at times to take it all in. We are taking a lot of pictures. We also took them to town, super market, and mechanic alley. Chad and Josh have been working on the van, motorcycle, and other things. How nice it is to have Chad’s expertise. Katie has been teaching the girls. We celebrated Luka’s third birthday last night (it is Saturday but we will be gone the next two evenings). We made a cake, had a pizza party, and he was thrilled to get lots of trucks for his presents. Wow, three years old. How thankful we are for you Luka!!!

I think I better go now. I will continue to fill you in as I find time. I also am trying to get pictures on the blog but it is not working right now. I have great ones from Christmas, the retreat, and now Luka’s birthday I would love to share. Thanks for sharing in our lives and for praying for us in our normal and adventurous lives!

Christmas!

2011-12-30T16:23:00.002+03:00

December 29

One more December update. How quickly Christmas comes and goes. I realized how much I love anticipation. Although Christmas is done I still have so much joy in my heart and look forward to a new year.

We had a wonderful and quiet week leading up to Christmas. We had Guzzaldos over for a double in home date. The kids went to bed and we lit the candles, put a fire on the computer (yes, a dvd with all fire places you can watch and listen to), and had a wonderful four course meal. We sat for almost four hours together enjoying each on tray. We finished with chocolate fondu. Everything was so good, special, and fun with the Christmas lights and fellowship. I love those kinds of nights!

Josh made Christmas cookies with the kids. The kids enjoyed it and they taste really good but what a lot of work. I did a lot of baking too. I even made eggless egg nog – and it was good! Lydia helped me make maple bun bars (one of Josh’s favorites) but we didn’t have cook and serve pudding so we had to first make pudding. It didn’t turn out perfect but it was so good. Good thing I made a half a batch or we would gain too much weigh. I had the ladies for coffee on Friday just for fun and made almond cinnamon rolls for the first time and they were a keeper too.

We have been doing advent candles this year and one night Lydia read for us. She read from Revelations when the woman gives birth and the dragon is there to snatch it away. Lydia was so excited about the story and realizing what it was about that she read it again the next day. It was great to see her understanding scripture. Betty ate lunch with us one day and we read 1 John 1. She had never heard that before and liked it so much she wanted to memorize it. I love God’s Word and it is a true joy to see my children and others love it too.

By the way, Luka is now telling us and going to the bathroom (most of the time)! I am so thankful. I prayed he would choose to and he is finally even stops to go potty when he is playing basketball. (But he still asks for a diaper for number 2 – all good things in time I guess.) Luka is really cute how he talks. I often hear him say, “Gwerls!” (girls). He only knows “he” so his sisters are also “he” when he tells on them.

Josh and I wrapped presents about Wednesday night and Lydia was super excited from then on. She would literally just lie in front of the Christmas tree and look at the presents. It was an exciting week. Josh was around most of the time so we tried to make things special and Christmasy. We had friends over and went to friends. The kids loved playing at their cousins where they did slip and slide. Yup, Christmas is different living in Africa.

Finally Christmas Eve came. We baked most of the day preparing for supper and for Christmas Day. We also talked with the grandparents. It was fun but made me want to be two places at once. We stated our family party with the traditional pizza dinner. After supper we opened presents together. Everyone was happy and I enjoyed watching their excitement with each gift. Lydia especially has a lot of joy. Grace’s favorite was her Bell princess dress Lydia found for her at the second hand market here. She put it on and paraded around like a real princess the rest of the night. Lydia loved it all and Luka loved every car and truck and train he got. I really enjoyed our family Christmas. And after the kids were in bed I just sat in front of the tree with Josh thankful (and tired).

Christmas morning we went to church in Obule after putting the ham in the oven. It was suppose to start early so people could get home to prepare food (that is the main way Ugandan celebrate Christmas – eat meat) but when we got there we were the only ones with the pastors. We started anyways and slowly kids came and then some men and eventually the mothers. The singing was joyful and I was glad to be celebrating with our Obule family. Charles led and I see Jesus in him more and more. Josh preached and had everyone all ears. He challenged us with “Do you care?” Do you care for those hurting, abused, broken…around you cause God does. When you care you have faith and action like Mary and Joseph, you risk material things like the shepherds who left their flocks to see Jesus, and they went and told others. It was really exciting today when Josh went back to Obule and they were still talking about the sermon and how it made them think and challenged them.

We ended up leaving church early to get back in time to prepare for our team Christmas party at our house. We had a wonderful Christmas dinner together, exchanged Christmas gifts, played games, and worshiped our new born King with some Christmas carols. It was a fun day. Once it got dark we moved the party inside and enjoyed more games and food. It was 9:30pm by the time everyone left, things were picked up, and our kids were in bed. Even though it was late Josh and I watched the Nativity together. What a beautiful way to end Christmas. It will always touch me to see my Savior as a precious baby. Surprising the world and being honored by the lowly and the kings. Joy to the world the Lord has come!

Now we move on to 2012. Sometimes it is hard for me with every precious year going by so quickly but I am also excited to see all God has planned. I have hope with all His faithful promises to hold on to. May God fill our year!

(Pictures to come as soon as I can get them to upload.)

December Photos

2011-12-29T20:26:00.000+03:00

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=8938362013/a=101496321_101496321/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Caroling

2011-12-17T14:19:00.009+03:00

Dec. 17

What a great week. Sunday night we had Sliedretchs and Tiesingas over and had a fondu candlelight dinner. We put the kids to bed and enjoyed an adult supper. It was so good – steak, pork, chicken, battered mushrooms, onions, and pineapple…and ice cream with hot fudge and crushed candy canes for dessert. Yummy! It is a treat to sit and enjoy a long meal and talk without interruptions.

I celebrated my 33rd birthday on Thursday! Josh gave me a break from teaching so I had a nice long morning, in the afternoon we had a team meeting but they did sing to me, for supper the kids had a special dessert and gifts, and after they were in bed Josh and I had a mini date in front of the Christmas tree with appetizer and more dessert. I am so thankful. God is my Father who loves me, made me, saved me, called me, leads me, protects me, fills me, and blessed me with my family and many others who have shaped my life. God is in control of my life and holds the plan. I celebrate where He has brought me to today. To Him be the glory. Can’t wait to see how He fills and leads me this year.

Last night we had everyone – I think 37 people – over for candlelight Christmas carols. The program was full of scripture reading and Christmas songs. It sounded so beautiful!!! I love singing Christmas carols! The kids also got dressed up and formed the nativity. We had 20 adorable shepherds, angles, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and even two baby Jesus’ (one baby got sick of sitting in the basket so the other baby took over). Lydia was an angle, Grace was Mary, and Luka was a wise men. We also had a time where families or individuals could share a song, dance, play an instrument… Lydia and Grace did a dance to “Away in a Manger”. They did a great job. Bobbie and Rachel sang the whole genealogy of Jesus. The whole night was a wonderful night of worship and fellowship. After the program everyone brought Christmas goodies to eat. Maybe you think I go overboard on Christmas stuff here but the truth is you have to make Christmas here. If you don’t you could totally forget it is Christmas time. Ok, you would know by the decorations for sale at the supermarket but in the culture there is nothing until Christmas Day. I want to celebrate and remember Jesus birth all month! How thankful I am to have friends to worship my Savior with.

I was thinking this week of the line in the song Joy to the World, “let every heart prepare Him room…” How sad that we need to prepare room in our hearts for Jesus. More than sad, we need to repent of this. God commands us to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and mind. All means 100%. If we have to make room then Christ doesn’t have 100%. Forgive us God for filling our hearts with so many other things that there is little or no room for You. We have loved things, money, business, self, entertainment, sports, people, jobs…and it has left less than 100% for you. We need You. You’re the gift we need again this Christmas. And it is free! Remove everything in our hearts until there is room for 100% of You.

Grace lost her top front tooth this week. She was really excited and looks pretty cute too. We have all had sinus colds around here (the whole community). Everyone thinks it is because the rains have stopped and dry season has started. So instead of snow and cold for Christmas we get dust and heat! Josh thought he broke his toe this week running. He kicked a stump and the toe was all black and blue and swollen. (Yes, he had shoes on running.) Thankfully, God answered prayer and took most of the pain away and he was able to teach two days this week without pain.

Thanks for all the birthday and Christmas greetings!

Christmas Greeting!

2011-12-13T08:16:00.000+03:00

This greeting card personalized with Smilebox

2nd Annual Ladies Christmas Tea

2011-12-10T15:17:00.008+03:00

December 10

I wanted to take a week off from writing but then we had our Ladies Christmas Tea and I just have to tell you how much fun it was! Earlier in the week I was about to call the whole thing quits. It seemed like no one really knew what was going on, couldn’t come, or didn’t seem too interested. Besides that I had been trying to come up with a Christmas craft for a couple weeks and nothing seemed good enough. I had made a few things and made lots of runs to town getting what I needed or hoped for. So I was doubting the whole thing. Josh assured me I should do it and I knew I should too so I began to pray over it. I asked God all week to be present at the tea and bless the ladies…and He did!

I really enjoy anticipation and preparation. The whole day was Christmasy and exciting. The house was filled with Christmas music, lights, decorations, and all ready by the time Angie, my sister, came over at 2 to start the pumpkin lattes (from scratch – the best!). It was fun getting ready with her and talking together. All we needed was snow instead of sunshine and it would have been just like at home. The ladies arrived at 2:30 with gifts and goodies. We all sat together fellowshipping while making Christmas crafts. I had to be creative but the ladies seemed to really enjoy the crafts. We made rag wreathes, pipe cleaner ornaments, bell and ribbon to put on the door, and Christmas tree with ribbon. Not everyone is crafty but they did it with a smile on their faces. I love being with the ladies and being, talking, and being creative all at the same time! There were 13 of us so the room was buzzing.

After that we moved into the other room for the gift exchange. Everyone brought a gift and we had to write something about ourselves no one else knew and guess who it was. If you guessed right you got to pick a present. I got an ornament, pot holders, two candles and lotions – quite a gift! Then our teammate Margaret gave each of us the Team Beyond cookbook she put together with all our recipes as a gift. Fun!

Before we ate I read from John 1:1-14. What a beautiful passage on Christ coming and plan. He made the world but the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own but they did not receive Him. But to those who to receive Him and believe He made them children of God. Not of natural descent or a husband’s will but born of God. Jesus became flesh and lived among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of God! What a reason to celebrate Christmas together!

Then we eat – boy did we eat! We literally had a table full of Christmas goodies. It was beautiful. I made a tea ring (cinnamon rolls in the shape of a wreath) and mocha mint brownies. Everyone brought enough so that we could eat one and take one of each home – kinda of cookie exchange. We all went home with a plate full of goodies.

Everyone stayed and chatted for a long time. It was great. The ladies loved it, enjoyed getting together, and were very thankful. A few people talked about how it was the first time it felt like Christmas. Others told me how welcoming my house was. One told me it was the best day she has had in a while. Everyone thanked me and I thanked the Lord! He really did bless us.

My only regret is that it went too fast. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t wait till next year! Or I will just look forward to my birthday this week…

This week in Review

2011-12-04T20:46:00.003+03:00

December 4, 2011

December is such a wonderful month. All the anticipation, lights, Christmas music, get-togethers, my birthday, Christmas…what a lot to enjoy. I have to admit yesterday I was really homesick for Christmas in Michigan. I wanted to put a sweater on, go to the mall with the family, see all the Christmas decorations, and go out for supper. Instead I put Christmas music on, put a fire on our TV (thanks to a DVD from my husband with all fireplaces you can watch and listen to – I love it), made stromboli, and sat by our Christmas tree with my family. Sometimes it is still a sacrifice to be away, but really what do I have to complain about? It’s Christmas time!

The week of Thanksgiving Grace kept saying to us, “I was sad when Grandpa Stahl died but now I am happy that he is in Heaven.” Grace is a lot like Josh and needs to process and it takes time for her to deal with change so it was the first time she talked about Grandpa Stahl dying. It seemed perfect with Grace thankful for Grandpa being in Heaven to tell the girls about Great Grandma Shaarda’s death. So we got a picture of Grandma out and sat Lydia and Grace down and told them. Lydia cried and Grace just sat quietly. Josh shared stories of Grandma from when he was a boy. It was a nice time of remembering Grandma, mourning together, and celebrating her love for Jesus.

A couple nights later at our team worship we were praying and Lydia prayed that Grandma Shaarda was having a good time in Heaven and that she could now talk better. She also asked God that Grandma Stahl would stay health and be alive next time we go to Michigan.

If you haven’t heard Tim & Angie (my sister and team leaders) are expecting a baby in June! It is a true miracle. After eight years of infertility (a 2% chance of ever getting pregnant), three adoptions, and frozen embryo adoptions – they are having a baby. That is God at work in His own time and plan. Lydia was so cute when she announced to her Grandma that Aunt Angie is having her first white baby!

Lydia had a really cute week I guess. The funny thing is she doesn’t even realize she is being funny she is just being herself. She came out of bed one night and showed Josh and I a spot by her nose. We told her it was a zit. She looked at us with excitement and said, “You mean I am becoming a young lady?!” Later she told someone she is now getting zits like her Daddy.

Josh taught in Obule this week. He started a new course on Freedom in Christ. He has been spending a lot of time preparing the course and it seemed satan wanted to discourage him because he seemed to be under a lot of stress and things were just not going well in our family. We prayed over it and knew God would use this course in powerful ways. Josh came home from teaching the first day excited and exhausted. It was deep material but once the people got it it was worth it. I could see the stress in Josh was gone. He said by afternoon it was light bulbs went on and the people were changed by the message. The second day went just as well. The people realized they were saints, they have assurance, when people sin they can still be used by God, they don’t have to work for their salvation, God loves them and they are part of His family based on what Christ did. Amen! What really impresses me about the people in Obule is that they learn something from God’s Word and BELIEVE it. It changes their lives! When we were in Michigan I thought there was so much work to be done then I realized the Truth is there but people aren’t putting it into their lives. It doesn’t help to know something without believing it.

Josh and I had a couple nice dates this week. We realized we need sometime together to connect again. It was a lot of fun. My husband loves me and I sure love him!

I also got to go to a yard sale this week. Some missionary friends had too much stuff so they had a sale. I even got a lazy boy! Now our family is fighting over sitting in it. It is so comfy. One teammate thinks we should raffle off tickets to see who gets the chair Christmas Day.

Karen Lubbers arrived this week. She was with our team a couple years ago for a year (taught Lydia 1st grade) and has now joined our team. Never a dull moment here!

I think that is the wrap-up for our week. Looking forward to next week and our Ladies Christmas Tea! May God be with you this week too.

I forgot to put Josh's Thanksgiving poem in last weeks blog so here it is:

THANKS by Josh Shaarda
T is for Team Beyond, this family here today
Was divinely selected to serve, eat, and play.
H is for hungry, which I am thankful I am not
But to hunger for righteousness is our God-given lot.
A is for Amanda, known to some as Mandy
The amazing woman God gave as he perfect wife for me.
N is for new experiences, we felt were too cool
Colorado, potty training, Mombasa, and the 1st day of school.
K is for kids, three great ones we’ve got
We love them unconditionally, even though perfect they’re not.
S is for Soroti, the home for our family,
I thank God He called us where He wants us to be.

Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-26T14:09:00.005+03:00

November 26

I can hardly believe after all the anticipation of Thanksgiving it is done and we are on to the next holiday. Our Christmas tree is up and Christmas music is playing in our home. I am such a kid when it comes to holidays and traditions. I love it!

But first let me tell you about our Thanksgiving Day. It was a beautiful cloudy, cool day. We set four tables in our yard for 32 guests (our team and a few short term people in Soroti) and lots of food. We put together vases with fall colored flowers in them. One I even used a pumpkin as the vase and put a candle in the middle. So fun! Everything looked great including our family. I was getting nervous because we got a few sprinkles and heard thunder. I prayed for no rain because it would be really tight in our house for the feast. We also were without power for about 14 hours and I really wanted it on for the day. Again I prayed for the electricity to come on knowing God cares about little things too. And the power came on!

Everyone arrived at noon and filled the food table with all the traditional fixings. It was wonderful. Not long after we ate the rain came. We quickly packed up and headed inside. And the power went out. None of it ruined our party though. This year everyone came with a Thanksgiving song, poem, or scripture to share with the group. Our family sang and did motions to “Praise and Thanksgiving Let Everyone Sing” and Josh had a poem to the word “THANKS”. It was a beautiful time of worship expressed differently by each family.

Then we had dessert, the kids made crafts from the turkey feathers, and of course we played football – in the rain this year! It was all the guys and Beckie and I. What a riot! Everyone can’t wait to play again and agreed not to wait till next Thanksgiving. We were soaked but not sweating.

In the evening we had a snack supper and all played charades. By then it had been 8 hours together and 5 of them in a house with 32 people (no basement or kids room mind you) so most people left with a headache, but had a great time. Really, it was such a special day. A real Thanksgiving feel – family, friends, great food, thankfulness, a lot of fun, and an awesome God! (Just wish we could have ended it by watching the Lions – it least they kept the tradition of loosing going. :)) I am so thankful!!!

Yesterday we took down the fall decorations and started putting up the Christmas stuff. Everything happens so quick I just had to sit today and remember every great detail of our Thanksgiving before moving on. Now I am ready to celebrate the coming of Christ! Just like they waited for Jesus the first Christmas we wait again for His second coming. I look around and see a world of suffering as the result of sin. How grateful I am He is here with us now! Christ is our hope, joy, and peace this Christmas.

I sent my journal out before Thanksgiving about our travel back to Soroti and my bad attitude. But I totally forgot to tell you that in the mist of my anger we were pulled over and given a ticket! All of Uganda drives insane but we do one thing wrong and get a ticket. I couldn’t believe it. It is those moments where self control is tested.

Hope all of you were also blessed by your Thanksgivings. That is was more than traditions, family, food, football, and the shopping to come but about thanking God for all He has done and all He is to you. And may your Christmas season be filled with His presence

Really Thankful?

2011-11-23T16:49:00.000+03:00

November 23

I really need a break from Thanksgiving baking (three pumpkin pies from scratch – I mean start with the pumpkin from scratch – sweet potato casserole, turkey decorated cupcakes…) so I fill you in a minute on our week. I believe God has been testing my thankfulness. (Or satan is trying to destroy my thankful heart.)

It all started when we got the news that Grandma Shaarda died. It is a celebration knowing she is with the Lord but also hard for us to grieve so far away. We were in Kampala (capital city six hours from Soroti) and wanted to be back by Sunday so we could prepare for and enjoy the holiday week, but our van was being fixed and surprise, surprise wasn’t fixed on time. This is about the fifth mechanic to try to fix our air conditioner and several other smaller things. We have put a lot of time and money into our AC problem and every new mechanic we have high hopes for but end up unhappy. When the mechanic called Saturday and promised he would have it ready Monday morning we decided to stay and get it done right. But as the mechanic was bringing the van to us Monday (so he says) something else broke and so he asked for two more hours. This is not a good sign…

Four hours later and no van, Josh was about beside himself. Amazingly I stayed calm. There was nothing we could do so I gave it to God. I sent up many help us prayers. I know it sounds funny but we really needed our van, wanted to get to Soroti, and were beginning to not trust this mechanic. Not to mention we had now been away from home four days, spend a lot of money, and had no where to stay that day or night. We sat on the porch of where we had been staying with all of our stuff waiting…all day. I was so proud of the kids. They just played and went along with the flow. At least we got to take a walk and get pizza and ice cream. But poor Josh was going crazy doing nothing and being stuck away from home and ministry. Thankfully, God keeps one at peace when one is upset in our marriage relationship.

Josh finally went to the shop where the van was about 5:30pm after the mechanic turned off his phone because we had called too much. We were worried he was lying to us – our worries were confirmed. When Josh got to the shop our van was still in pieces. Josh was either irate or overwhelmed and about to cry I couldn’t tell on the phone. But Josh doesn’t get like that much so I know he was to his end.

I called to get a place to stay for the night and Josh got a cab to pick us up and take us there. Thankfully we could get into a nice place where we could enjoy the night as a family. Josh and I watched football while the girls played on the playground and Luka napped (late nap!). We ordered supper and later watched a movie while Josh exercised. By the end of the night Josh said he felt a lot better.

We had a nice morning but as the clock ticked Josh’s stomach became knots again. Again there was nothing we could do so I sat before the Lord in prayer. He has a good plan for us. We finally got our van and were on the road by noon.

But this is when I lost it. We were no more than an hour away and our new AC stopped working! I was so upset I didn’t know weather to get mad or cry! We just spend almost 2million shillings to have this fixed, we wasted days away from home, and this mechanic lied to us. I wanted to leave this country now! Quit it all and go where I can get things fixed and where life is easier. (I told you I was beside myself.)

I sat there and thought, “Nice thankful heart Mandy. Where is your thankfulness when things get ruff?” I prayed for God to help me change. As the miles went by in our hot van, we saw a couple trucks along the road that had been in accidents. It seemed to say to me, “You have so much to be thankful for.” It is true. I am so blessed – even without AC.

A little while later I decided to try the AC again – it worked! I don’t know why or if it was a gift from God but we road with sweatshirt all the way home!

When we got home I was overcome with thankfulness. I love our home and was so glad to be there! I don’t know if our AC will continue to work but I know God taught me it isn’t always easy to be thankful but we always have something to be thankful for. I know my Father and that makes my heart thankful.

Hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving thanking your Father. Can’t wait to tell you all about our Thanksgiving soon – 31 people will be here!

Grandma is with the Lord

2011-11-19T17:08:00.003+03:00

On our drive to Kampala Thursday we got a call from Josh's dad saying Grandma Shaarda passed away. How do you react to that news while driving down the road in Africa? We were with friends and we didn't want to tell the kids right away knowing it would upset them and we needed time with them. I feel for Josh who has now lost two grandparents in six months and away for both of them. We love them. How gratiful we are that we were able to see Grandma and take pictures with her before we left. She has been in the rest home for years now and hardly communicated anymore. We are thankful she is now healed in her heavenly home with her Lord. I am sure her and Grandpa are singing before their Savior. Awesome! So as we rejoice we also mourn our loss. We would love to be with the family right now and give Dad a hug.

Please pray for Josh's family as they have Grandma's funeral this week. Pray for us as we find away to grieve here and share with our children. As we all mourn may we also be able to praise Grandma's salvation and witness to all of us.

Give Thanks

2011-11-16T17:30:00.005+03:00

November 15

What a lot to be thankful for! There are big and little things every day that are worth giving thanks. Too easily I can compare, complain, and become ungrateful. But when I am a thankful person and focus on all the blessings in my life there is so much joy. God is too good not to be thankful. Here is a look at my week of thankfulness…

After church Sunday we had lunch with some of the church leaders. The Fishers from Hudsonville, MI are here visiting our team so I thought it would be a good time to share how God has changed the lives of these leaders and their families through Josh’s teaching on God’s Word. I asked the leaders to testify about God’s work in their marriages and families. Many of them said that before the training they regretted marrying their spouse and they had no relationship. They didn’t communicate with each other. But after they learned what God says they now serve one another and make plans together. One woman said she did not know her husband loves her but now she does. A few men said how they now help their wives at home. They also said that they all neglected and abused their children but now see them as gifts from God. They now know it is their responsibility to teach their children not the churches. I was amazed. These are all Christian leaders and they had no value for their children. They said home is now different and the children are happy. The one couple changed so much that others are coming to them and asking how they can change too! Even a church had him and his wife come and share with them. Praise God! When others see a change in you and want what you have that is discipleship happening. I was thrilled to hear all God has done! Before we left we took a group picture and it was the sweetest thing to see these Ugandan leaders put their arm around their wives. You have to know that touching your wife in public is a big cultural no no. But they did it because they now know God’s way is better -- and others are seeing and believing. Amen!

We had a really bad day in school yesterday -- so bad we didn’t finish the day but waited till Dad got home to give a talk. (That is not what I am thankful for.) But it ended up being such a good teaching day. We got to talk a lot with the girls about obedience, forgiveness, and consequences. The week before we had talked about tough love from the book of Numbers. On our bad day Grace spilled my coffee off my desk. I didn’t get upset but was disappointed and asked her to help me clean it up. She said, “Guess this is what tough love is.” I asked her what she meant and she said you didn’t like that I spilled your coffee but you love me anyways. It is those moments I want to saver. They are learning and God is putting it in their hearts. I praise God for teachable moments.

Lydia also had a hard time doing her school work that day so I decided she needed a thinging cap. I took a big birthday hat and put a sign on it that said "I love to think!" She was so embarrased but it changed her mood and she even did her school work.

I am so thankful for a peaceful heart and joy in my life. I am so content where I am and in all we are doing. So thankful God has made His calling clear and is with us.

We are doing a marriage Bible study with our teammates and I praise God for the work He is doing through it. What a privilege to share God’s Word and see Him make marriage beautiful.

On that note I am so thankful for our team. Things seem to be getting better and better. God is working in all of us. We are all learning to rest in our Father. We also have Fishers here and they have brought us encouragement and wisdom. It has been fun to be together.

I climbed Soroti Rock for the first time with our team Monday morning. I had real mixed feelings waking up at 5:15 but I am glad I went. I love how God speaks when we are quiet before Him. One of our teammates read a Psalm and the words “God’s eyes are on the nations” spoke to me. As we sat on top of the rock watching Soroti wake up, I was encouraged that God watches everyone, everywhere, every day. How awesome is our God! He is in control. I have also been focusing a lot on God as my Rock with all my emotions and thoughts and being on that rock assured me of God’s help. He is God.

On a lighter note, I am thankful for Luka and his success in potty training so far. The other day he decided he could do it standing up and came out all excited cause he made bubbles!

We look forward to traveling to Kampala this week to take Fishers to the airport. May God will you with thanksgiving this week too!

Thankful

2011-11-08T21:25:00.003+03:00

November 6, 2011

Happy November everyone! I just love this time of year. The holidays!

I had such a good week and I feel very thankful, yet there were other parts of the week that put so much on my plate and heart that I was overwhelmed and concern. Over the years I have learned to bring all my feelings to God. I am an extreme feeler so God gets a lot of them from me! He faithfully takes all my concerns and gives me peace. He is in control and I can rest in Him.

Our school week was such a blessing. I know God has answered so many prayers. This summer as it looked more and more like a teacher wasn’t coming and that I would be teaching the girls full time for the first time, I know if God was forcing me to be the teacher then He will give me all I need to do it. I did not worry but chose to trust in His promises. And now for me to say that I enjoy teaching, that is a true blessing! I love our little classroom and routine we have going. The girls are doing so well too – less complaining and more focused. I have learned that I need to be fully engaged and not trying to do other things in the classroom – just be teacher. This week we started talking about Thanksgiving. We read the story of the first Thanksgiving and I was amazed at what a mission story it is. Two cultures coming together to thank God. I am even learning in our school! We drew a beautiful picture all together of the first Thanksgiving day. We also had fun learning about the five senses. I will try to post some pictures of our experiment with taste. Love those fun moments!

It has been really rainy here and I love it! We have had more rainy, cloudy mornings than I can ever remember. I know all of you in Michigan think I am so strange to get excited over rain and clouds, but it makes our normal sunshine and 95 plus degrees into something like fall (well if you call 75degrees fall :)).

I sat outside the other day as Grace and Luka were playing in the sandbox making sandcakes. I could think of plenty of other things to do but decided to just sit there listening to their joyful talk and watch their muddy little hands. Some day soon my little ones wont be little anymore and there will no longer be sandcakes. I look at pictures and realize how quickly life goes by. I have been with our children almost every day of their lives and yet still they are growing up so quickly. As a parent I have learned to spend my time by what will be important 5 years from now. Will I care if I stayed in touch with people over the internet, if I made extra money by working, or if I was with my child? For me it puts it all into perspective. The world tells me that I can do so much more and have so much more, but God reminds me that the most valuable things I can do is raise my children and the best thing I can have is a godly family. I love my kids. I don’t want to miss a moment with them. So today I will listen to them make up beautiful songs as we take a walk or drive somewhere because some day all too soon the songs will be over.

Our team talked about community this week and I was thinking how unique our community is on the mission field, especially as a team. There is a unique tight knit, closeness. We see each other every week – sometimes every day depending on what is going on. We go through life together – the good, the bad, the sad, the hard times, fun times… We have a common passion and desire. We are the only ones who understand each other and what living on the mission field is like. We are each others fellowship, family, co-workers, church, accountability, Bible study, babysitters… To be honest there are times this is too close for me, but God has taught me so much through it. I need my team. They need me. I think it is how God wants it to be. I know for me, I have learned it means being selfless. We all have places of community or family as we like to call it on our team. For true community to happen it has to center on Christ. He is the one who binds us together in a common love, grace, and truth.

If you see my Dad tell him happy 60th birthday! Friday my family celebrated with him 60 years of life. What a blessing! To bad we couldn’t be there. Pray for my family as they celebrate in the joys of life and as they deal with the hardships. Seems there is always something happening in the big Beute family. I know we are all in God’s hands and will keep praying for one another.

Praying you had a week to be thankful for too!

2011-10-30T21:59:00.003+03:00

October 30

We had a really good week. We started home school. Sometimes I feel like I am playing school when I teach the girls. I like being with the girls and it is exciting to see them learn. But there are times I really feel unqualified and do not like being a teacher. Already in one week there was a day I thought, “This is only day 3 of a whole year of school!” (Not said in a good tone.) Thankfully, there was only one day the girls fell apart complaining and ended the school day in tears. The girls all in all enjoyed their first week. I am very pleased how teaching the two of them went. They are both doing great work. I think we even figured out a schedule that works for our family. We start at 10am (this family does not do early morning) while Tabitha plays with Luka. We break at noon for lunch and return to school about 1:30 while Luka takes a nap. We are finished around 3:30pm. I still am concerned about not being able to do it all while having a full time job teaching, but this week I did it and I will trust in God for each new day.

We had ladies Bible study again this week. The Bible study is for the women on our team and other expatriates serving in Uganda that need fellowship with other Christian women. I was so glad to be digging into God’s Word again with the ladies. We are going through the Bible and are now in Numbers. I love all God’s Word teaches me! It is my joy. Every week as we go verse by verse in a chapter God has a message for us. This week we even got to have Bible study by candlelight (no power).

Luka is potty training. He does well some days when we remember to take him to the bathroom, but when we don’t he doesn’t come and tell us. Pray for success!

We went to Tabitha’s yesterday to visit her and the kids and to meet Irene’s new baby Amanda. I forgot to tell you but the end of August Irene (Tabitha’s 17 year old niece she has raised) had a baby girl. Amanda (named after me) is a beautiful baby. She is happy and loved by the family. Irene is still very much a child and not a mother. She nurses Amanda but I think Tabitha really acts as mother. It was wonderful to see the whole family full of smiles. Lydia loved holding Amanda. The other day she told me she was going to pray for another baby (for us). Then Luka bothered her and she changed her mind. However a day later she was praying again after watching a home movie when Grace was a baby. Lydia prayed at the age of 4/5 for a baby brother and got Luka so she thinks that if she prays again she will get another sibling. (I love her faith!) And now with holding baby Amanda she is on the baby band wagon.

Hey looks like Chad and Katie (Josh’s sister) will be coming in January to help out our team. We will be having a team retreat (strategic planning) and Chad and Katie will be watching some of the kids during meeting time. The week after the retreat they will come to Soroti and see our lives there. Pray for them as they prepare and raise funds. We are excited!

You can be praying for our team. There seems to be so many needs and things going on. We enjoy getting together each week for fellowship, worship, birthdays, meeting, meals or whatever. We started a marriage Bible study with one of our teammates which we are really looking forward to. We know God has called this team together and we are thankful He can use us in it.

I am still getting back into Uganda. There are so many emotions sometimes I just want to not feel. Then I think about our American home and I just can’t handle the difference. Actually, when I think about all the needs, suffering, and spiritual situation here and then all of the needs, suffering, and spiritual situation in America (let alone the whole world) I can become heartbroken. I am so glad I know where to go to cast all my burdens and when I need some hope – God is in control and His plan is good. I don’t feel like putting it all into words now. Just one thought, we were at church today and child after child came in with rags as clothes. I looked around and maybe ten percent of the kids had shoes on. Sometimes I can shrug it off and say that is how it is in Africa and other times God speaks to me. He has me here for a reason. No I can’t do everything but I am rich to be generous. God gave us much to give much. Not out of duty but love. These are not poor people in Africa but people in my church I love. I was so touch as our church sang, “I fall before the Lord and look up and see His majesty to fall before Him again.” As they sung Charles bowed humbly before the Lord on the ground. I thought that is love for God. These people we look at as poor are rich in Christ. I think of our time in Michigan and think who did I see humbly bow before the Lord? We (I include myself) worry about who will see, what we look like, that it isn’t what is done in our church… instead of worshipping our Lord. Maybe it is pride that gets in the way of our humility? Maybe we don’t know or love our Lord enough to get our knees dirty and to let our reputation go? Maybe we are too quiet and ashamed in our love for God? Has our wealth made us poor in spirit? Uganda is full of sin and suffering, but today Charles and others at our church humbled me with their faith in God. Love for their Savior they totally depend on. I am so thankful God shows Himself to me in His Ugandan Children.

No matter what we are going through today. No matter how poor (physically or spiritually) we maybe today. Fall before the Lord. Love Him. And may His love empower us to love others. Let’s worship God beautifully this week as we live for Him.

(Incase you wanted to know, our wash machine is working! What a beautiful sound. I have never been so excited to do laundry. The clothes dry so fast outside now that they are spun in the washer. Tabitha is happy too. It is great timing cause now she has time to just play with Luka while we school. )

Unpacked & Settling In

2011-10-23T21:11:00.001+03:00

October 22, 2011

If you haven’t heard we are back in Uganda and doing well. We were blessed with peaceful goodbyes and good flights. The kids were sick the first morning in Uganda but God healed them quickly. So many answers to prayers we have seen. God is with us! We are very thankful to be back to our home in Soroti.

In some ways it feel like we just go on where we have left off and things seem normal (for here), but in other ways we have to adjust again and relearn what it is like to live here. All in all things are going very well. The kids seem happy to be home. Luka calls it “my other house”. The girls just screamed when we arrived and were even excited about seeing their front door. They are all thrilled to have their things again – feels like all new toys after being away for three months. Our team and Tabitha had our house ready for us. It is so nice to come back to a nice, clean home (we use to come home to all dust here and in Nigeria). I managed to unpack in a weeks time – even without stressing. There is still some organizing to do but we will get to it eventually. And yes, I got the Fall decorations out and up! I just had to, I love it.

I was getting the classroom ready to start teaching next week and it is making the girls excited. Grace is even counting down the days and asks to start everyday. I am so glad they look forward to beginning. They love playing but need some structured time too. Luka loves Tabitha so hopefully that will work well when school begins.

We enjoyed having our new and old teammates over to catch up on life and ministry and to help and get to know our new teammates better. We had friends over last night and had a fun game night together. Everyone has welcomed us back with meals and other goodies. It is a blessing to have this missionary community to come back to.

I guess that is it for now. Nothing too exciting. I am excited however that the repairman came from Kampala and fixed our washing machine! It had a rats nest in the wires and the wires were chewed on. Of course nothing is a simple fix, now the plumbing has issues that need fixing before we can use the washer. One more thing for the “to do list”. Josh has already fixed a toilet and has a moldy closet that need cement work. So many little things, or big things like getting his motorcycle running again and the van’s 4 wheel drive to work again. All in good time. Thankfully Josh hasn’t started teaching yet and is willing to help around here before he does. (Sorry about that I just realized I made a whole paragraph about nothingness.)

Thanks again for your loving prayers!

Alittle Help

2011-10-16T15:12:00.000+03:00

Dear Family & Friends,
From January 7 to 10 we are planning to have our Team Strategy Retreat and we are in need of 3 to 4 people to provide childcare and a children’s program for the 14 children (ages 8 months to 12 years) on our team. And possibly someone to lead our team in worship. Our team would cover your transportation to & from the airport, accommodation and food costs for the retreat. You would be welcome to stay longer or come beforehand to spend time in Soroti with the team. Please contact us or Tim & Angie Sliedrecht (sliedrechts@hotmail.com), our team leaders, know if you are interested as soon as possible. Thanks!

Sick Delay

2011-10-12T15:36:00.000+03:00

Hi again, well we are not in Soroti yet.

We all went to sleep last night at about 8pm and I (Mandy) was the first one up at 9am! Josh said he and Luka were awake in bed for about an hour during the night though. Lydia and Luka both woke up feeling and looking sick. We figured it was just sickness from the time change and travel but about an hour later Lydia throw up. We had the van all packed up so we decided that the kids could just sleep in the van as we drove to Soroti. We were no futher than a half a mile down the road when Luka threw up too. (All over the van, car seat, and stuff!) So we went back to the guesthouse to stay another night. As much as we want to back to our home no one wants to travel with sick kids. Thankfully we have a nice guesthouse to stay at and get better.

So thanks again for praying for us and add feeling better too. Lydia and Grace are doing better already this afternoon so hopefully tomorrow we will travel to Soroti.

Back in Uganda

2011-10-11T15:28:00.001+03:00

Just a note to let all of you know we made it back to Uganda. We know many of you were praying for us and you need to know God was with us the whole trip once again. In big and little ways we saw God faithfulness through our journey.

We managed to leave our home in Michigan on Saturday with all our luggage packed and the house cleared out. Our goodbyes were peace-filled. Flying went very well and we even got extra seats. We had a 11 hour lay over in London and were able to enjoy a break swimming and sleeping at a hotel. Our kids are awesome! They are great travelers and even with all the change going on they are still smiling and filling our lives with joy.

We arrived in Uganda this morning - Grace's 6th birthday! In some ways it feels like we have been gone a long time and need to remember how things work here; in other ways we just jump right back into things here. Adjusting will take time. Right now we are just trying to stay awake until tonight when everything in us wants to curl up and go to sleep. We plan to drive to Soroti tomorrow and be to our home by afternoon. Looking forward to being home and seeing our team again.

We are so thankful for God's presence with us! Thanks for praying for us! What a comfort and what strength it gives us. We are blessed because of you. Continue to pray for us as we travel again tomorrow and adjust in the weeks to come. I will send this out but will send a bigger update to everyone later so spead the word that we arrived. Thanks again everyone!

One last look at our time in MI as we leave for Uganda

2011-10-09T05:38:00.009+03:00

Time for Goodbyes

2011-09-27T18:05:00.001+03:00

September 26

If only you knew how many times I thought about writing. Part of me wants to apologize for not keeping up on the blog but the fact is we are only in Michigan a short time and people mean more than writing. I am glad I chose to be fully here and not leave with regrets.

So now we are down to our last two weeks in Michigan. It always goes fast and I always want more. When I know it will all be taken away from me for a year I want to do it all just one more time. Our three months here have been so good. It was our first time home for summer months in at lease four years and I found it made us extra busy. Although we loved all the camping, times at the cottage, picnics, beaches, campfires…we found we were ready for routine again. I was so tired of packing each week to go somewhere just to come back and unpack again. It has been nice to stay put in our home since school began. By the way the girls are really enjoying school. Lydia came home after her first day and said it is the best thing she gets to do in Michigan. We were a bit worried about Grace going her first time but she was excited because her sister was excited. She and her cousin Avalien were in the same class which gave them both great security. They are best of friends! Avalien went back to Uganda last week but Grace has done great even without her cousin. We are so proud of her. Sometimes it gets to be a bit much and she over reacts about something else but we know it is just extra emotions and tiredness with school. But that is to be expected. Luka was a bit lost the first few days with his sisters at school. He kept asking where they were. But he is such an easy going little boy and I have thoroughly enjoyed me time with just him. He often tells people he goes to school too. Well he goes to nursery ever Sunday and loves it. Luka and I go for walks every week and I love how he talks away with me. Yup, I really like having a “normal” life for a while. Being a mom is so much fun. And the beauty of the changing of seasons makes me so excited. I love seeing the color change, going to the orchard, or just hanging around home with a sweatshirt on! These are treats to us that bring comfort to me.

So many people ask if we are ready to go back to Uganda. Mixed emotions I guess. On one hand we know we are stilled called to Uganda, our home is there, we are excited about what God is doing and the ministries we are involved in, our team is there…I defiantly do not dread going back like I use to. And in a lot of ways it has gotten easier. But it will always be hard. Leaving our families is difficult. We love them. It is hard to leave the niceness here. It is beautiful, there is so much to do, comfortable, and we can enjoy. However like Josh says we can enjoy it because we know we are only here a short time but if we moved back to stay it would be hard.

So ready or not here we go. Now comes the last buys, packing and goodbyes. We have spoken at 15 churches and one left before we go. It has been great. We feel encouraged and appreciated. We are thankful for all of our supporters. Pray for us as we prepare to go back to Uganda.

-Pray for little stress and a lot of peace as we pack our 15 boxes, the girls finish up their time at school, we enjoy our last days, and as we say goodbye.
-Pray too for our families as they let us go again for another year. We are so blessed by their love and support.
-Pray for us as we fly October 9 and arrive in Uganda on the morning of the 11th.
-And pray for us as we adjust back to our lives and ministry in Uganda.
-Often at this time sickness comes into our family as we travel so we also ask for prayer of protection and good health.

We go knowing God goes with us. Look forward to updating you next time from Uganda and testifying to you of many answers to prayers!

Hey, finally got the other video uploaded to Youtube. Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtx7plU0-zk

Pictures!

2011-08-31T03:49:00.004+03:00

Must See Videos

2011-08-23T23:40:00.001+03:00

Hello everyone,

I usually don't do this but these videos are so good I just have to share them with you. I heard the song "Lead Me" by Matthew Hammitt (of Sanctus Real) for the first time the other day and was so excited I looked on Youtube for the video. What I found was so beautiful and challenging I want to share it with all of you. Hope you are able to use it in our families and churches. Here are the two vidoes I recommend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6Lhtf3JeU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1IZk2jurAc&NR=1

And I have been trying for months now to get our home service DVDs uploaded but have only been success with one. So here is the link to our kids video about their lives as missionary kids. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOJ6CAayoW8

Be Blessed!

More Pictures!

2011-08-10T19:51:00.000+03:00

Sharing Jesus in Michigan

2011-08-10T19:40:00.000+03:00

August 8

I can’t tell you how many times I think about all I want to blog about, so it is good to finally sit down a moment and write. Funny how in Uganda I usually think about writing to fill in our family and friends in America but now from America I want to write to fill in my teammates and friends in Uganda. We have been in Michigan for about a month now. We are enjoying our time with family and visiting our supporting churches. Our weekends are a bit crazy fitting everything in and Josh has been more than gracious with me as I want to be with everyone and do as much as possible while we can.

Usually we leave our house on Thursday and come back Sunday night or Monday. We have been speaking in the Mc Bain area so far. It has been encouraging to share with our supporters what God is doing in Soroti. Although I have nothing sad to share I still end up crying. I still feel like I process so much of the year and all God has done when I am here away from Soroti. I also love being in God’s presence and worshipping Him brings me to tears. I love Him so much and just want everyone to know Him. Anyways, I pray every week that God will fill us, speak His words though us, and use us so whatever comes out I know is from Him -- tears and all. I usually share about my role as a wife and mother and how God has used it to witness to others. I talk about Tabitha, our Indian friends, the street kids parties, and Rebecca. I love sharing about Rebecca. I tell people how she came from a very broken home and lived a sinful life. How God put her in our family and she saw a Christian marriage and family for the first time. And then I tell them that Rebecca had to come from California to Uganda to learn who Jesus is. Then I challenge the church to be a missionary here. I met a guy on the airplane from Grand Rapids who acted like he had never seen a Bible. That should not be! In a city where there are literally churches on every corner no one should be without Jesus. I think you get the point sometimes by then the congregation is crying with me. Josh shares about his work and vision for training church leaders, Christian marriage and family, and missions. He share a lot of stories of lives changed by putting into practice God’s Word. We also show our DVDs on Josh’s work and our kids lives as missionaries. Josh has been preaching at almost every church too. He does a great job teaching us from the Word and challenging us. I know God is using him as he seeks and relies on God.

Our kids are doing well and enjoying their time here. We have been camping, staying at the cottage, lots of swimming, tubing, picnics, eating lots of ice cream, and spending a whole lot of time with family. And Lydia had her 8th birthday! With all that activity said, we do guard our time and make sure we rest in all of this. Every once and a while it comes out in one of the kids that it has all been too much and they are still adjusting. The other day Lydia said to Josh that all the kids know how to play the game and know all the rules and she doesn’t fit in. Then a few nights later she just cried and said she was sad but just didn’t know why. We can tell she is older this time and seeing that she is a bit different. She loves being here and her family but knows she doesn’t belong here but also doesn’t belong in Uganda where her home is. (Oh Lydia, I know exactly how you feel sometimes.) Grace cried when we left Mc Bain last night and wanted to stay. She is plain sick of moving around every couple days. Thankfully we have a home here that we are at most of the week and will be all week in September. Luka, he is just thrilled to have so many cars and his cousin Moses around.

I continue to be a bit of a yoyo. I love it here -- family, church, conveniences, beauty, orderly, nice, clean, so much to do, stores, good food…what blessings and I am so thankful for everything! But I also get discouraged. I have been trying to be careful with my words and only feel safe to share with some, but I really see the church is following the culture more than Christ. I know that is a braud statement and I know there are passionate Christians here doing God‘s work. We have assured victory and God loves His church. But I also see the mission field all around me here. The world has come to America, there are lost, hurting people everywhere seeking to fill their lives with anything other than Jesus, and even Christian have lost their first love. It is so easy to live for self here. I walk every week and every house seems to be closed. So many are hiding in their air conditioning, behind their televisions, or racing around filling our lives. And at the end of the day who did we live for -- ourselves. Christian are really good at complaining. We say we don’t have enough money but then we go out to eat, buy whatever we need, go on vacation… We complain that we don’t have enough so we work more to get more and end up being owned by our stuff and complain about that too. We complain about being so busy and then pack in every sport possible for our kids. We as Christian should be the happiest, most thankful, and content people on earth -- we have Jesus! He gives us new life, eternal life, hope, peace, He provides all we need, He is our peace, our joy… But we aren’t happy. You know why? Because Jesus isn’t first. We don’t make Him priority and fail to read His Word to us. We don’t love Him above everything else. We are in the sin of idolatry. And that keeps us separated from God.

I could go on and on but I am sure by now I have many of you mad at me. Sorry but the truth hurts. I feel like I am always fighting against the culture and the quiet and loud sin in it. Sad to say I am often fighting against a fellow brother or sister in the Lord. I have been away from my culture for over a year and have lived away for almost 10 years. I see the gradual change. The church is slowly allowing culture to tell them truth and have believed it because we don’t spend enough time in the Bible to know the real truth. We need God!!! I say all this because too many Christians are settling for way less than God intended for them. I know the great, indescribable life with God. When He is your center You know there is no greater joy and peace. Nothing can compare! How I wish I could put it into words. There is no life apart from Him. We race around trying to make life better when all we need to do is put Jesus in control. When He is in control of your marriage, family, home, decisions, finances, time, things…you can have peace. And once you experience true life with God you will never leave Him.

I love that there is always hope. With all my thoughts and all I see I could get down or upset but I just run to Jesus. He is my Rock. He is in control. He is always victorious. I will keep praying for the church. God is using it I know and have seen it. I will continue to daily pray that God fills me so He can use me. As I walk through the store, go to the beach, or worship in church I pray God can use me to be His witness.

I love you all and pray for you all the time!

July 2011 Mombasa (187 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-08-10T19:27:00.003+03:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

July 2011 Colorado (198 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-08-10T19:27:00.001+03:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

July 2011 Michigan (89 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-08-10T19:25:00.001+03:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Our Colorado Trip

2011-07-29T23:26:00.000+03:00

July 23

Well I am writing on the airplane as Josh & I are now flying back to Michigan. What an awesome vacation together! It was a true gift from God. As I took in the majesty of the mountains all around us in Colorado I just felt loved by God. What a Creator!

Ok I have to back up a minute. Almost a year ago International Teams wrote to all their missionaries and said there was a couple who have a cabin in Colorado and would like to give it to seven missionaries for one week each. Long story short we were giving one of the weeks. We have enough miles for free flights but unfortunately those tickets were all gone by the time we looked into it. We almost canceled the whole thing but prayed about it and felt we should still go. We decided since our kids are still young and wouldn’t appreciate the mountains yet to go on a 12th anniversary honeymoon and leave the kids with grandpa and grandma (everyone was happy that way!).

We were not excited about traveling so soon after arriving in Michigan but it was the week we were given. We flew into Colorado Springs and drove to Crested Butte. It was a beautiful drive. We arrived at our cabin in the evening and were thrilled. It was so nice! What generous people to share it with so many missionaries each year. (They use it about two weeks a year then let missionaries use it the rest of the year.) The views from the cabin were amazing. I was so excited. The owners told us there was wild life out the window and up the mountain the cabin was on (actually we had to keep windows closed at night because of bears). So Josh and I drove up the mountain most mornings and every evening looking. Crazy to some but we enjoy it. Animals were rare and very timid but we did see mule deer (a couple big bucks!), elk in the distance, and a bear almost at dark.

The best part of the trip - other than being together of course - was the mountains. I could not get over them. Coming from Michigan and Uganda it is breath taking. We rode the chair lift up Mt. Crested Butte to 11,000 and some feet (and I hate heights!) then climbed to almost 12,000ft. It was the best view!!! Mountains everywhere. God is beautiful. The next day we found a mountain and decided to start climbing it. I was nervous at first but it was an easy (relatively speaking) climb and we only when to where we felt comfortable. We made it to the snow though. I absolutely loved sitting up there just my husband and I. It was peace. It was gorgeous. It was a special time with Josh. I am just so thankful.

It was a great week together. Simply not having a schedule and being alone together was a treat. Then at the end of it all we are ready to broad our last flight from Denver to Grand Rapids and the airlines over books and asks for volunteers to stay back until tomorrow night. We called home to see how the kids were doing and if Grandma could handle another night. They gave us the ok so we offered to stay. We got $400 in tickets each to use in the next year, put up in a really nice hotel, and all our meals paid for! We couldn’t believe it. We started to second guess our decision when we later talked to Grace on the phone and she was crying so hard she couldn’t talk. She was missing us. But Grandma assured us they were fine (and she was after a good nigh sleep with Grandma). So thankful for their help and love. And Josh and I had a great night together on the airlines. Funny thing is we got more money for tickets plus everything else and spent less on our tickets to CO. What an unexpected blessing.

Guess that is as best as I can put it into words. We will land at midnight, drive up to Mc Bain, so we can wake up and drive to Gaylord to speak and preach. Bad planning I know. But worth it all. I love my husband and my Heavenly Father who loves us.

Our Vacation to Crested Butte, CO

2011-07-24T03:48:00.005+03:00

Pics from MI

2011-07-23T03:16:00.004+03:00

A Long Journey to MI

2011-07-18T12:22:00.000+03:00

July 18, 2011

I finally have a minute to write! What a few weeks it has been. I am sure I can’t tell you all we have done or all the emotions but I want to fill you in a little bit. God has been so faithful to us. Our travels began the end of June into Kampala where we helped our new teammates buy things for their new house. The ladies also had fun getting pedicures and going to the craft market. From there our team was off to Mombasa, Kenya for International Teams East Africa conference. We had a good time flying with our team. We even flew over Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was also fun to be on the Indian Ocean for the first time. The tide was amazing! I have never seen such a dramatic change and it causes me to praise God for His mighty works. It was beautiful and so fun to be at the beach with my family and team. The conference was good too. The kids loved meeting other kids in their children’s program and Josh really enjoyed the speaker. I got to hang out with Luka most of the meeting time but that was ok too. But again we had to say goodbye to people and the Grace cried that night and Lydia told Josh, “ Dad it is hard being a missionary.“ All in all we are very blessed and thank God for the special times He gives us.

After Mombasa we began our long journey to Michigan. Four flights, almost 15 hours in airports, and
about 20 hours of flying (37 hours from driving to the first airport to landing in GR!) we made it to
Michigan. Wow. The kids did great! I was all mixed up by the time we arrived but thankful. I could not
believe all the emotions I had this time. I think I was processing everything we had just done and left and
now being back in Michigan. Our families welcomed us home at the airport, had food for us in our home,
pool party… We are so thankful for their love and support. Our kids were thrilled to be with their
grandparents and cousins again!!! Luka was a bit blown away by everything. He really only knows Uganda
and can’t remember the US like the girls can. He was pretty scared of the hand dryer in the airport
bathroom - he has never seen one before. But he warmed up quickly to everyone and hugs his grandparents
tight every time he sees them. He loves all the trucks and cars to play with and his cousin Moses. The girls
are taking everything and everyone in. They are so happy. Grace has been riding her bike none stop. I on
the other hand felt like I went through culture shock coming to Michigan this time. Usually I get here and
feel like I am home and am thrilled to be with everyone again. For the first time I felt like I didn’t belong. I
was overwhelmed. I felt out of place. I know how to function in Uganda but not here. I felt out of touch. I was seeing our culture with new eyes - a mission field all around me. So with so many emotions I ran to Jesus and gave it all to Him. I trusted this home service to Him for months and so I needed to rest in His plan. It was the first day and I needed to relax and give it time. Knowing God is in control is my security. I am thankful His plan is good for me. I know He will use us and our time in Michigan.

It is now ten days into our home service and already we have been so blessed. My emotions have changed to - it is so nice, beautiful, comfortable, easy, and fun here! There is so much I want to do and only three months to do it. So again I give it to the Lord and trust in His plan and timing. We are so thankful for our home that Georgetown CRC provides and for all the help our families have been. Others have given groceries and a vehicle. We are blessed with how God always provides through His people. We are settled in now and seems on the move a lot. We enjoyed a day in Grand Haven with our kids. The water was so cold your feet went numb but my kids from Africa were like the only ones enjoying the water. They woke up the next morning asking to go again. We also saw the African Children’s choir. I found it very funny to have our two worlds come together. I just wanted to cry for some reason. Lydia and Grace loved it and wanted to meet the kids afterwards. We have been spending a lot of time with family which we love. We met our niece for the first time. Reka is so sweet and our kids love her. We had a birthday party for all the cousins in the Beute family with summer birthdays at Chucky Cheese. The kids had so much fun. We went blueberry picking and swimming at my parents cottage. We visited the great grandparents. And I have even gotten to go garage saleing already. Great, cheap stuff! I love it and so does Lyida. With everything we have done - big and small - I am just taking it all in with great thankfulness. Everything is special to us. From lakes to swim in to stores with everything we need to a dishwasher and great summer produce. Everything is a gift from God that we do not take for grated.

Josh preached our second day in country and we spoke yesterday for the first time. We were in Mc Bain and it went really well. I love sharing all God is doing in Uganda. It is great to worship here and be encouraged by all those who pray for us. Josh and I are actually flying right now to Colorado. (Crazy I know.) We are given a cabin in the Rocky Mountains for a week so we decided to have a get away with just the two of us. Our kids are with Grandpa and Grandma Shaarda. They were so excited which made it easy for us to leave. It is quite something to be without kids on vacation. I will let you know all about our time soon…

Well thanks for all your prayers with traveling and for our home service in Michigan. I love that God is with us here and still with our team and friends in Uganda. He is a loving God! Hope to see lots of you while in MI. Enjoy the beauty of our Creator this summer everyone!

(I will try to post more pictures soon)

Pictures from Mombasa and more!

2011-07-06T11:20:00.006+03:00

Mt. Kilamonjaro from the airplane

Leaving

2011-06-28T11:33:00.006+03:00

June 27

This week we had a team of 15 from Calvin Christian High School. They arrived Wednesday evening and came to our house for supper. Thursday morning they heard from former child soldiers. It is only by God’s grace that they can tell the horrors of their stories and still say God is good. In the afternoon we went to play soccer with the street boys and heard their stories. It was powerful. Teens from Michigan who have everything they need to hear from teens living on the streets, eating one meal a day, no where to sleep, afraid, longing to go to school, unwanted… The more I get to know those boys the more I love them. On Friday the Calvin group spent time with the blind leaders and saw one of the orange orchards. In the afternoon we all went to the blind school and played goal ball with them.

Josh and I both agreed that it is a bit overwhelming when the group first comes but by the end of a few days it is hard to say good bye. We love that the Calvin group comes each year. They are so easy and fun to have. It is exciting how God can use us in a short time. It is our prayer that God uses this trip to change their lives. That they will by touched by God and never be the same again.

We now have two more days in Soroti – oh my. So exciting and yet today at church in Obule as they prayed for us I could have cried. I love them. We are wrapping up all the details around here and packing up. We will be in Kampala a couple days to help our new teammates buy their appliances for their house, then we will be in Mombassa, Kenya for an IT conference, after that we will fly to MI.

We bought a washing machine this week! A missionary in Kampala was selling theirs so we got it. It is so exciting! I have never owned a washer before. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to use it yet. It took all week to get it ready and then when it was ready our water pressure is too low to fill it and then when I filled it with buckets I blew the stabilizer box so it ran all of one second. Hopefully we will get it to work and be able to use it. What a bummer.

Sunday we had a pasta making and eating party with the team. Our new teammates have Italian roots so he took a pasta maker. The kids loved making the noodles! I have never made pasta before. It tasted great! Thanks Jim for teaching us.

So this maybe the last blog for a while. I will try to keep writing here and there but we will not have internet in MI at our house. Can’t wait to see you all! Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Family Planning

2011-06-23T15:24:00.005+03:00

June 22

Monday Josh and Jennifer taught all day in Obule. The topic – family planning. Josh likes to say I roped him into it, which I guess I did. Last month when Jennifer and I were out there teaching the ladies how to make mango fruit roll ups they asked if we could teach them about family planning – a hot topic here because the church has wrong information about it and most of these ladies have seven children and are tired! So we thought that was a great idea and began brain storming. But we needed Josh’s help to teach the men and to bring in the Biblical teaching on the subject. The good thing is Josh usually thanks me later for my good idea and for encouraging him to teach something needed– which he did this time too.

We arrived at about 10:30 and we were happy to see people were already gathered, but we couldn’t start before they gave us tea and roasted peanuts. (Obule is hospitable almost to a fault. They cannot let guests come without feeding them – everytime! When will we not be guests anymore? I know they love us and are so thankful, but it takes so much time.) After tea we began with singing and then a little fun. Jennifer and I decided that the husbands needed know what it felt like to be pregnant so we brought a backpack with 25 pounds of flour in it for the men to wear on their bellies. What a hoot! The guys really acted pregnant with the backpack on and the women loved it. The first guy I had lay on a mat to feel what it was like for his wife to sleep at night. It was quite fun watching him struggle to roll over and get up again. The next guy had to take off his shoes and put them back on again. He couldn’t tie them with the “baby” on so his wife had mercy and helped him. The next man had to go some sweeping bending over with the “baby” on board. The women laughed and laughed watching the men struggle to do their task while “pregnant”. All of the men also had to wear it during a session while sitting on a bench. All of them complained of back, knee, and leg pains from carrying the extra weight. I think they got the point. They were really good sports. Even Josh got a turn, reluctantly. Hey, his wife was pregnant three times too.

Josh did a great job teaching about what God has to say about life, children, and families. It is not an easy topic to teach on. He started out talking about when life begins, then how family planning is not abortion, and onto what is our responsibility as parents. I love how he opens God’s Word and asks the right questions for the people to figure out the answer according to what God says. There was a very special time where we looked at abortion and how it is murder and a stronghold the devil has here. We took time to pray, confess, and allow God to heal. We prayed this from ourselves if we have had any involvement, our forefathers, for our nation, and the church. I know the Spirit was there. I could see it in the room around me. People where lifting their hands, lying out before the Lord, crying… I had goose bumps. I prayed for our nation and church. Abortions are happening everyday – in the church too. Birth control we take that aborts pregnancy, left over babies from invetro fertilization destroyed… God forgive us! I know we did spiritual battle in those moments and God gave us the victory – freedom from that stronghold. We ended the prayer time with singing Amazing Grace.

I was in and out in the afternoon and had to go home to my kids. Jennifer taught on the medical side of family planning and the option that are available here. I really enjoyed my day in Obule. I love the people there and getting to know them better each time.

Yesterday Charles and Margaret from Obule had their eighth child. (Thus the desire for information on family planning.) We visited them about three hours after the baby was born. A very healthy almost nine pound baby girl. We praise God with them for their new daughter.

I have to tell you what a wonderful anniversary date Josh and I had. It is quite something how you can make a simple date in Soroti so special. I took our own candles and music to the restaurant where we ate outside. It was great sitting there talking together. Afterwards we went for ice cream and since there isn’t an ice cream shop or a beautiful boardwalk to stroll on we went to the supermarket, bought ice cream (even in a cone – a new treat here), and sat on the bank steps by the security guard to eat our ice cream. It is a bit funny but was actually nice. I was with the one I love!

Celebrating Marriage!

2011-06-18T16:33:00.002+03:00

June 18

Tabitha and I visited Immaculate this week to see how she and the baby were doing. I was so thankful to see Immaculate so happy. She smiled a lot. She wasn’t feverish or sick anymore and her crippled hip/leg was better too. She still limps but at least can walk on her own now. We think the birth caused dislocation and extra pain. She said the baby had been sick with a fever and throwing up. I was concerned so she took us in the hut to see the baby. Thankfully the baby was no longer hot or throwing up and still looked healthy. I stayed to make sure it was still nursing well too. It was good to see that Immaculate loves her baby too. The baby would smile in its sleep and she would tell all of us to look with excitement on her face. Immaculate’s mother came while we were visiting too. She is a beautiful woman too. She said she does not drink and all the neighbors in the hut with us confirmed. I was glad to hear that. I asked about the man in jail for raping Immaculate and they said they needed to bring a birth certificate to see that she is 13 so they can sentence him to prison. The birth certificate cost 5,000 (about $2) to get and they don’t even have money to eat so they didn’t get it yet. I talked with Tabitha about if I should give them the money or not. I purposefully came without anything to give so they knew I am just their friend. But I did not want to see this man go free. Tabitha said we should give it to her and that she would use it for the certificate. So I gave the mother the money.

I was so glad the visit went well. Even though the poverty is staggering with Immaculate, her family, and the whole area, I could walk away with thankfulness. Immaculate had joy and I believe it is because Jesus loved her through us. I will try to visit her once more before we go. I do want to give her and the baby an outfit and she needs a lock for her hut. She lives there alone and props a stick at night to protect herself. She said she is a believer but we did not recognize the church she said she goes to. I will also give her a Bible. Today they called Tabitha and said the baby is sick. Keep praying with me for this sweet girl and her baby.

I had so much fun today giving a wedding shower to my friend Rebecca! It was beautiful!!! Rebecca has grown so much in her new relationship with the Lord and it is a joy surrounding her with godly friends to encourage and support her. We wanted to bless her and her marriage with God’s Word and prayer. Her wedding colors are white and gold so we did a mini wedding reception in those colors. White table cloth, white flowers, gold ribbon on the bride’s chair, gold candle sticks with white candles, gold beads spread out on the table, wedding music playing… And best of all Jim (our new teammate who happens to be a pastry chief) make an amazing mini wedding cake – BEAUTIFUL!

Jennifer, Beckie, Margaret, and Miranda came to the shower. We put Lydia and Grace’s play wedding veil on Rebecca when she arrived. We had a great brunch then all gave a toast to the bride. We played a couple games then gave her our gifts – recipes and an apron, books, music, and a pretty pj (pretty good for finding gifts in Soroti!) After that we cut the cake. We ended with reading from Joshua 24 and Mark 10. Praying Rebecca and her husband to be will choose to serve the Lord as a family and always remember that what God joins together let no man separate. Then we prayed.

I love having women to fellowship with. We laugh, we cry, we bless one another. It is so fun for me to be creative and love on people. We love you Rebecca! May the Lord fill your marriage. (Rebecca and I have grown so close that she has asked me to pray about coming to the wedding in CA in August. At first I was like yah right I am only home three month in MI far from CA, but then Josh said I have his blessing because Rebecca needs support from her Christian friends. So we will see…)

Today is also our anniversary! Josh and I have been married 12 years. What a true blessing. So it was extra fun to celebrate marriage today as it is our anniversary. When God is the center and foundation marriage is so good. I love my husband. He took me on a safari in April so tonight we will just go for supper together. Thanks for all the emails and cards everyone.

Thank you too everyone for thinking of us and praying as Grandpa Shahl’s funeral took place this week. We felt very loved and remembered. Thanks. God’s peace has defiantly been with us.

Happy Father’s Day Dad! So thankful to have a great father and wonderful father-in-law. Thank you for following and sharing the Lord with me!

A Day Like None Other!

2011-06-12T22:23:00.003+03:00

June 11

You never know what a day may bring or what the Lord has in store for you to do.

The day began unusual with a breakfast date with my husband. Beautiful, quiet place with Josh, a cup of coffee – and the NBA finals replayed on the tv (I know I am so weird but I like it too). Shortly after we got home from our date Tabitha returned from the police station where they have finally arrested the boy who impregnated Irene (until he pays the fine for impregnating a minor). She begins to tell me about a thirteen year old girl there who had a baby last week because her father raped her. She said the girl is sick, weak and crippled. The police ladies asked Tabitha if she knew anyone who could help this girl. I asked a few more questions to make sure we should get involved. I talked to Josh and called Jennifer to see what we should do. Jennifer agreed that we can’t know about it and do nothing. Josh and I felt we had to do something to show this girl she is loved. So off to the police station Jennifer and I went. My last word, “I have no idea what we are getting ourselves into.” How true.

We got to the police station and found out the girl had left with her mother. The police lady was pleased to see us though and wanted to take us to the girl. Next thing I know they have the man who raped the girl in the office giving them directions on how to get to the home. I was so discussed with him – how could any human? I was shocked once again how normal a person can look that has done such an evil thing.

The police ladies took us to camp Swahili where the girl lives. The moment we got there we had a crowd around us – adults and kids alike. We found the girl, Immaculate, lying on a mat by the baby. Jennifer saw right away that she was anemic and had a fever. I scooped up the baby -- a beautiful, healthy newborn. The mother was not there but some of her younger dirty siblings were and a neighbor was helping. After a long discussion, mostly not in our language, it was decided that we would bring her to the clinic to get checked. The baby had no name yet so Immaculate named the baby while we were there, Kristine (after her mother). Then Immaculate got up to bath before coming with us it was then we could see how crippled she was. She could not walk without falling unless someone helped her. The police kept saying it was a desperate situation. Most are here but this girl really did need help. I didn’t know what we could do but we would love her with the love of Jesus.

We took Immaculate to the clinic where the doctor said her tear from birth was infected and ordered some lab work. While we waited we took her to Amecet to see if they could help in any way. While Jennifer waited with her I went to get Margaret (our new teammate) to go to the store and get some things for the girl and baby. Of course it started to rain one of those long, heavy rains. Josh was in Obule with Jim doing church visits with the leaders there, my kids were at home with Tabitha (oh, Luka was with me), Jennifer was at the clinic waiting for me, and Margaret and I were stuck at the supermarket. It was a crazy day. With the help of our Indian friends, who pulled my van up to the door and escorted us with umbrella, we were able to go. Margaret was impressed how they treat us like royalty (guess that is what you get when you spend a lot of money at their store each week :)). When we picked up Jennifer and Immaculate and shut off the van and when I went to restart it there was nothing. Nothing! So we prayed and a few minutes later the van started again. Amecet decided the baby needed to stay with the mother which we agreed with but we just don’t know what to do for her seeing she can’t carry the baby because of her handicap. They also said that it was not her father that impregnated her but her husband.

I was confused why the police would have told us that if it wasn’t true. I decided to try to talk to Immaculate more because she seemed to know some English. From what she said to me it was her grandfather who raped her. I think she thought we were going to take the baby or help more than we did. I also talked to her about how the rape was not her fault and that she is innocent. That God loves her and the baby very much. She hardly said anything and I don’t know what she understood but I wanted her to know she was loved. I prayed with her too.

After was dropped Margaret off at my house and got Tabitha, we went to bring Immaculate home. On the way Tabitha asked Immaculate more questions for me to clarify some things. From what she got it was her mother’s husband or boyfriend with which she had four children that raped her. Whoever it was it is wrong! She also assured us she would care for the baby. Of course the crowd gathered when we arrived. Tabitha and Jennifer helped Immaculate and the baby to their home. I gave Tabitha a bag with food and soap but she said if all these people see it they will become jealous and steal it or treat her badly. I was so annoyed. Literally you can not help here because it makes trouble. Jealousy and selfishness reign. I have lived here four years and I still don’t know how to give and help right. Giving here is complicated and dangerous if done without a trusted Ugandan friend (Christian friend)! This is so important so I have to say it again, giving and helping here is not what we always think and we must be very careful. Immaculate’s mother finally showed up so Tabitha said we could now give the bag to her. I was so thankful for Tabitha’s help and wisdom.

Here is where the day got a whole lot worse. I decided to back up while Tabitha and Jennifer were helping Immaculate home. It was still rainy and muddy, kids were everywhere, and I backed right into a hole – a big hole for garbage I think. I was so mad at myself! I thought a crowd had gathered before but now I had a crowd. I wanted to hide. Thankfully men began to help. One man said he was a driver and would help drive it out. For some reason I let him. I stayed in the passenger seat the whole time to watch him. Later I thought, he smells like he has been drinking – what have I done?! Everyone smelled like they had been drinking even Immaculate’s mother. So there I was stuck in a hole, in a camp, surrounded by a crowd that has been drinking, while they are picking up our van to get it out of the hole. Oh man! Needless to say, I said a little prayer. About then Tabitha and Jennifer came back. Luka was sitting in his car seat this whole time calmly taking it all in.

The people (men and women now) dug, picked up the van to put boards down, and pushed. I kept thinking these people are getting muddy to help a stranger. I was impressed by that. FINALLY…we got out! I was so thankful!!!

Now I was worried about a riot over money to thank them for helping. Tabitha said some of the people wanted to just let you remain there and sleep in a hut for the night. Others wanted money for helping. Thankfully some said no we need to help her. Tabitha gave the two men who helped the most a little. And with that we were off. Unfortunately, we will have to go back there again next week to check on Imaculate and the baby. But I will not be backing up!

Not the end of the story. When we got home Josh shared with us what happened in Obule where he and Jim where. They visited a couple because the man had believed a cultural lie that he could no longer be with his wife because of the surgery she had so he took another wife only to send her back because he couldn’t pay for her. Wow, what a mess. So the wife is still upset and the man is guilty. Thankfully, they could share the grace of God with them. Then they met with a teenage girl who is oppressed spiritually at times. They shared God’s Word with her. She confessed her sin and rededicated her life to Christ! Then they prayed for deliverance and claimed Christ’s authority over her life.

So my conclusion, I was stuck in a hole and the van didn't start because of spiritual warfare. In Obule a girl was being set free and found new life in Jesus so satan was not happy. BUT we won! God is so good!!! I was so glad at the end of the day our team gathered around our table and recognized God at work. An unloved teenage mother was loved and another girl now knows Jesus. As crazy as the day was I’d say that is a day worth celebrating.

I have to add there is a lot going on once again to pray about. Yesterday Josh’s grandpa Stahl died. We knew it was coming but it is still difficult to let a love one go. We are so thankful he went peacefully. Pray for grandma who lost her best friend, Josh’s Mom, relatives, and for us as we grieve far away. Again we see how live is in Jesus. We rejoice that grandpa loved the Lord and shared it with all of us!

Also Tim and Angie, my sister and brother in law, went for their last frozen embryo transfer only to find out the embryos didn’t live through the thawing. Pray for them as they again mourn. These are precious babies thrown away by someone who made too many and given a chance to live by my sister and brother in law. I am so thankful for them – just wish I could be there to hold them. Pray for their peace as they allow God to heal their broken hearts.

Like Angie and I were saying today we rejoice because those who died are in heaven with Jesus but we mourn because we loved them so much. How I long for everyone to know the hope and joy we have even while crying.

Pray too for our kids especially Grace. She has been breaking down crying a few times the last couple weeks. I think it is just unable to communicate what she is feeling. She is missing loved ones, excited to go to MI, yet unsure about leaving her home, maybe worried about death… We decided to not tell the girls about grandpa because they already have worries and wouldn’t understand which grandpa this was because they have so many. Even with not telling her last night she was asking about heaven, dying, and said she doesn’t want to go to heaven…then started balling. The only thing I could get out of her was that she missed Avalien (her cousin who is in MI right now). So pray for peace for our kidos.

Let’s leave on a happy note, Luka moved into a big boy bed today! He loves it and even stays in it. (Wait that means for the first time in 8 years there will be no one in a crib – I am not sure I am ready for that!)

Some Pictures

2011-06-08T12:21:00.000+03:00

One Month!

2011-06-08T12:07:00.001+03:00

June 7, 2011

Wow, June already. We are now down to our last month in Soroti before we go on home service to MI for three months. I realize how far I have come when I have mixed emotions about leaving our home, work and friends for three months. Yes, I am excited to be in MI and be with family and friends there, but our lives are here and that is a major step for me. I am so thankful that I love my life in Soroti! Of course it comes with lots of ups and downs but I have great peace serving and living here. Our month will be full! We have new team members to orientate, Calvin Christian High School group coming, home school to finish, friends to help and be with, teaching in the village, and preparing everything here and in MI. Pray for us as we put it all in the Lord’s hands.

We went to Kampala last week. Thankfully everything was peaceful and we were able to have a successful and enjoyable time. Our friend Rebecca went with us. I am so thankful for our growing friendship. She has a desire to grow in the Lord and has been learning so much. She has an amazing testimony that proves to me again that God is the answer, He is true, His ways are the best, and life without Him is a painful and messy and life with Him is true life. I love it! She has thanked us over and over for showing her how to live as Christians as individuals, parents, in our marriage, and family. She has really encouraged us.

We also picked up our new teammates from the airport. Jim and Margaret Guzzaldo and their one year old son Elliot have joined our team. We had a nice couple days in Kamapala before driving to Soroti. We have been spending a lot of time together helping orientate them and getting to know one another. I love their openness and willingness to learn. I have already enjoyed my talks with Margaret about her life and all God has and is doing in her. God changes lives! Pray for their adjustment and for a great month together before we go.

Josh went to the village yesterday to help the TLT students there put into practice what they have been learning. He went with the pastor’s wife to visit a church member who hasn’t been coming anymore. The couple stopped coming because he took a second wife and was under church discipline and she stopped because people were talking about her. Josh and the pastor’s wife talked to the wife about forgiving and coming back to God and the church. The husband brought out his Bible and shared with them verses that made him worried that he had lost his salvation because of his sin. He felt very guilty and worried. Josh shared verses with him about repentance and encouraged him to come back to fellowship with Jesus and the church. What a great visit. These people were just waiting for someone to come and help them back to God and His church. How often do we fail to take an hour out of our day to visit someone in need or stuck in sin? This one visit may change the lives of a whole family.

Jennifer, our teammate, is doing better. She is still exhausted but finally feeling better. What a reminder how serious Malaria really is. (Don’t worry our family takes anti-malarias so we don’t get it.) I really wish we had gone with our instants and been with Jennifer while she was being treated in Kampala and Jinja. I didn’t realize how bad it was because she now realizes she couldn’t even communicate it with anyone. How thankful we are that people pray for us and that God is our healer – once again.

Wish I had more time to write. God is always doing something in my life. The kids are doing well. They are ready to go to MI and go between excited and tearful because they miss everyone so much. The count down begins!

People take time

2011-05-29T21:24:00.000+03:00

May 29
It seems days, weeks, and months go by so quickly. I am busy teaching my children, corresponding with family and supporters, making meals for friends and visitors here, taking care of my family, ministering to people, helping, praying… I really love my role but this last month I have realized that people take time. Literally we have people over about three times a week lately for meals. I am not complaining! So many people have thanked us for being a rock out here, someone they can come to for support and help. I am thankful people know they are welcomed and that I can bless them with the gift of a good meal. It is something I can do. I know Josh and I have come along way from those first years on the mission field (almost 10 years ago!) and now we are at a place to help those who are struggling. It is a spiritual, emotional, and physical journey. Sometimes, to be honest, I get weary and wonder who is going to fill me up. I have learned God is my refreshment, renewal, and strength to keep on loving. He is my peace and joy when I feel spent. So after a week of helping, blessing, and giving to my family and friends I am thankful I know it is worth the investment cause people take time.

As many of you know our teammate Jennifer has been sick all week. At first we thought her back had gotten worse from falling off the motorcycle (read about it on previous blog post) but then she got a fever and was sick. So Beckie took her to Kampala to be checked at the clinic there. There found out she had malaria and treated her. The next day she had an x-ray which showed her back bones were all ok. However, Jennifer has been sick off and on all week. They stayed in Jinja with friends and went back to the clinic several times for more labs and IV. Thankfully, finally today she is feeling better, the labs are all clear, and she is able to eat again. Thank you for praying everyone! It is so stressful and worrisome when someone is sick here. But once again God is the great healer.

Josh has been doing a lot of teaching lately. They had another graduation. I am so thankful for how God is using these teachings to reach church leaders. Lives are being changed by putting God’s Word into practice! One lady in Obule after the marriage and family course went home and did what she learned. She didn’t tell her husband a thing because he is not a Christian. But a few weeks after applying what God tells wives to do her husband came up to her and said who are you? He couldn’t believe the change in her. She told him where she learned this and now her unbelieving husband and telling others how good God is. God is at work through people who are willing to obey His ways!

Again we are learning that Christianity is so new here. We now know two men who were the first Christians to two areas around Soroti. They brought Christianity to those areas and they are only in their 60’s. It is no wonder we have to start with what we think are the basics. That is why there are many Christians but it is still so shallow. How we pray this generation now models and passes on Christ to the next generation.

We talked to Tabitha last week and asked if she and Irene had any plan for when the baby came. They don’t. So we talked. Tabitha thought that they could get someone to watch the baby so Irene could go to school. Problem is they have no money to pay someone to help and the baby needs it’s mother – for sure to eat! We told her that Irene will have to take two years off of school. Tabitha was not happy about that. We talked about how Irene has responsibilities now. Tabitha said Irene is looking to her. We talked more about adoption too. By the end of the conversation Tabitha was crying and I am sure stressed, but they have to think and plan because this baby is coming. We prayed with her and told her to talk to Irene and pray together.

So this week Irene came to drop something off and I asked if her and Tabitha had talked. She said no so I sat her down to talk. I basically said the same things I said to Tabitha. I asked if she knew what adoption was and that I just wanted her to pray about it so we know what God wants for her and the baby. Irene again told me she does not want the baby and wants to go to school.

Then yesterday I asked Tabitha why she hadn’t talked to Irene and told her I did. I told her what Irene said and asked if adoption was an option for them. She said no that is only if the mother dies. I really think it would be shameful culturally or Tabitha wants the baby. Anyways, pray with us for God to show them His will for them and for the baby.

On the home front we have twelve more days of school! Another highlight was when Luka prayed this week he said, “Jesus, I love you” all on his own. How beautiful. Tomorrow we are going to Kampala. We will be picking up our new teammates, Jim and Margaret Guzzaldo and their son Elliot. Pray for them as they move to Uganda. We are also looking forward to some time away as a family. Pray for our trip.

Update on Prayer

2011-05-26T17:24:00.002+03:00

Thanks for praying everyone. Jennifer was in Kampala Tuesday and Wednesday (Beckie took her). On Tuesday she was treated for malaria and dehydration. By evening she was feeling better. They thought the increased back pain was because of the fever and muscle inflamation. I Wednesday we insisted they get a c-scan or x-ray while in Kampala to make sure it wasnt anything more serious. They managed to get an x-ray and everything was ok. The doctor was sure that nothing else was needed.

Jennifer and Beckie went to Jinja for the night on Wednesday and during the night Jennifer got sick again. Today they saw another doctor and now is being treated for bacterial stomach stuff.

So keep praying that she gets well and can come back to Soroti.

Prayer

2011-05-24T16:09:00.000+03:00

May 24

Hi, just a quick note to ask for prayer.

Our teammate Jennifer, who fell off the motorcycle with Josh a week ago, went to Kampala today because her back was getting worse last night. The latest is, she spent the day at the clinic and was treated for malaria and dehydration by IV (she got a fever and throw up during the night). By evening she was feeling much better. The doctor thinks that the malaria caused the increase in back pain but we still want her to get a c-scan or at least an x-ray before returning to Soroti. Pray for Jennifer.

I am down and discouraged – just feel like being done with it all and everyone. I know it is a bad attitude and I will get over it. I spent some much needed time confessing my attitude to God and being renewed by Him. Continue to pray for all of us as we face spiritual battle here.

(I put this one in parentheses because it is really nothing in the scheme of things but I need to let it out and pray about it knowing God has a plan either way. Anyways, our mission was given the use of an amazing cabin in the mountains of CO for seven missionaries to each get one week to use it free of charge. Josh and I try to get away together each time we go to MI and we were ones chosen to have the cabin for a week. We were excited because we have at least enough frequent flyer miles for one ticket plus, but this week we found out everything is booked and expensive. Now we have to decide if we want to pay for tickets there or scrap the whole thing. Like I said I know it is not a big deal but on top of everything else this week it feels like a big bummer. BUT I know God will make away there or give us another destination. He loves our marriage more than I even do.)

Amuria

2011-05-21T16:01:00.000+03:00

May 20

Josh taught all week in Amuria. He taught on Marriage & Family. It was very obvious that God wanted to use the teaching because Josh was being discouraged and attacked left and right.

Monday Jennifer went with Josh and on the way home the motorcycle “fell apart” and they went crashing to the ground. I guess the bolt that holds the seat and engine on severed causing the tires to cease. Thankfully they were going slow because it wasn’t running well. Josh went down on his hands and leg. He was a bit scrapped up but had a jacket and gloves on. His leg was really sore all week from taking the fall. Jennifer on the other hand took the fall on her back and has been hurting all week. Josh felt terrible. A car saw it happen and helped them get a truck to take them and the bike to town.

So now Josh is looking for a new (used) motorcycle. He no longer feels safe with this off brand bike. You can pray for continued healing for Jennifer. She is a difficult patient seeing she is a nurse herself. I have stayed on her though with my motherly instincts. She assures me she is slowly getting better and does not need to be checked.

The rest of the week Josh would be sick in the morning. Thankfully he was able to teach and was fine the rest of the day. He was quite discouraged throughout the week and tired, but it didn’t stop him. Thursday I went with Josh and of course the van wouldn’t start (loose connection). We had to borrow another vehicle to get to Amuria. However, the van started up right away the next day when we tried it. Sounds like spiritual warfare to me.

But we won! Josh was able to complete the Marriage & Family teaching and I am sure God is using it for His glory. I am reminded how important and powerful prayers is. I know it is because of prayer that God protected Josh and Jennifer, kept Josh from sickness, and used the teaching to change lives. At the end of the teaching they prayed for Josh and I. The old man – who rides his bike 16 miles to get to the training – blessed us. I don’t know what he said (it was in Ateso) but I was touched by his shaking hands upon me. God is using us to bring His Word – His plan – to the people here. Lives are being changed by the Holy Spirit’s work. It is worth the discouragement knowing God is with us. He will accomplish is will – build His kingdom.

Updates & Mango Leather

2011-05-15T15:32:00.004+03:00

May 15, 2011

After the death of Robert I thought we were all fine and life was moving on, but I did not realize how worn out we all were. Some of us began not feeling well and we were also down. I am sure there was some spiritual attack going on too. It was more than Robert’s death it was other people sick, other deaths (one of Josh’s TLT student’s wife died suddenly too), frustrated with cultural sins, security issues in Uganda… So we decided to take a break. Thus is why I haven’t written. I needed to rest. We also decided to get away. Our team was supposed to go a week ago but because of unrest in Kampala and other places we thought it was best to stay put. Last week all was peaceful and we were all going stir crazy and needed to get out so we decided to go to Jinja.

It was just what we all needed. We celebrated Mother’s Day, worshiped together, went on a boat ride, sat in the beautiful gardens, eat good food… One of the reasons Josh and I wanted to get away was to be with our kid and just have fun with them. I was so thankful for the time with had with them playing baseball, swimming for hours, and just watching them have fun. We all came back refreshed and thankful. (And our van, with a new/used engine in it, worked great!)

Some of you remember praying for Lydia a while back as she struggled with homesickness and feeling sick. Since then she has been doing so much better. But last week while I was in town she broke down. Josh said she just lost it and cried and cried. She told him she just doesn’t belong here. She said she is so sad inside but doesn’t know why. Josh prayed with her and held her for awhile. Later I talked to her and asked if her sadness inside was because Robert died. She said maybe but she wasn’t sure and that God would tell her because they prayed about it. One of my friends here thought maybe Lydia is worried about loved ones in MI getting sick or dying. That could be it. Lydia loves people and they are very important to her. Thankfully Lydia is a very happy, normal little girl most days but pray for her as she deals with living on the mission field while some of her loved ones are far away. (She also has a bladder infection.)

Grace and Luka are doing well. Luka talks up a storm. Josh thought he would get once introvert but guess not. Grace is now reading small books so that is exciting to see. We are all looking forward to our school year ending but we have to plug away until Math is done – only 22 more lessons! Just in time to go to MI!!!

Did I tell you we have great teammates? In the mists of our difficult time Jennifer asked if we wanted to come for supper and had Lydia and Grace come and help her prepare. When Josh and I arrived they had a whole restaurant ready for our date! How sweet. Oh course Lydia and Grace were thrilled. It is their dream to be waitresses at a restaurant. Josh and I were served a three course meal in the gazebo. Betty and Abela helped too. The service was great and the food even better. Thank you Jennifer for being so thoughtful, for being a great aunt to our kids, and for loving all of us!

Josh visited Robert’s wife and daughter Grace the week after the funeral. They were very upset because so many things were stolen at Robert’s burial. Can you believe it?! How could anyone let alone a lot of people steal at someone’s funeral? They took food they were storing and drying, dishes, meat, and other things. That seemed like the last straw to me – I was plain upset with this culture. It is wrong. People came acting like they were mourning over Robert’s death and love the family only to be there to see what they can get. Didn’t they hear the sermon on character and living for Jesus? To top it off Robert’s sons, who inherit all the land their father had, had no intention in giving their sister or mother any. These are believers we are talking about! Thankfully, Robert got a loan from us a year ago to buy land and Josh had him put it in his daughters name knowing someday this would happen. It did. The brothers backed off from taking this land once the owner showed them it was in Grace’s name. We did see Grace again this week and she was doing well – other than the roof of her house being partly blown off in a storm!

Just a quick update on Tabitha and Irene (actually long stories I will make short). Some days are good, some hard. They (including Josh) went to meet with the boy, the father of the baby, and his father. The boy didn’t show – surprise, surprise – and the father would not help. He claimed they had no money and no way to help with the baby. It isn’t true and even if it was neither do Irene and Tabitha. Everyone has to help. The sad thing is the father is a pastor. He was caught in lies, he didn’t hold his boy responsible, and his own family is a mess. Tabitha was left with no choice but to bring it to police where they would put the boy in jail for impregnating a minor and make him pay the fine. (Actually we found out it is the law to do this in the first place.) Of course the boy got wind of it and ran to the village so everyone waits until he returns for school when the police can find him again.

I also decided to see if adoption is even a thought for a Uganda. So I asked Tabitha if she thought about giving the baby to a Ugandan or a white family. Adoption defiantly is not on their radar! For one thing it really is not an option here so why would they think about it and secondly culturally you do not give your baby away (although it is done in wrong ways all the time here). I just explained that we know that Irene does not want the baby or to be a mother, that she wants to go back to school, and that they don’t have enough money to support themselves let alone another child so maybe God would provide a family that wants a baby but cannot have one who would adopt Irene’s baby. Tabitha said Irene does want the baby and will be fine when the baby comes. I told her to pray about it and ask God what He wants for this baby. Tabitha asked if this is what we wanted. I told her that is not what I was saying. I just wanted her heart to be open to what God’s plan is for this child. So we will see what God says…

Today I went with Jennifer to Obule (one of the villages Josh teaches at and our family has gone to). When mangos are in season there is an abundance and they go to waste because people can’t eat them all, so Jennifer learned to made fruit leather or fruit roll-ups with them. This is great because it is dried and can last a long time. So we went to teach the ladies in Obule how to make it.

We arrived a little after 8am and no one was there. We decided to get to work as the pastor gathered the women and the materials. We collected the mangos on the ground that the wind blew down and began cutting them up. Pastor Martin thought we were crazy to use those mangos from the ground and even told us we couldn’t, but Jennifer and I really wanted to show them that it is ok and not to waste all of them. By the time we had the first pot ready the ladies were coming. About ten women came. A couple made the fire, some began cutting, a couple came with basins of mangos, and some began learning how to cook the mangos. It was fun working with all the women and watching them learn something new. They were excited.

So once the mango is cooked we put a little oil on black traps on a table in the sun and pour the mango on top. We spread it very thin and let the hot African sun bake it all day. It is amazing what heat it produced. Within a few hours we could already see it was drying out. All together we made three big pots of ripe mangos and one with green mangos. The ladies tried some of the fruit leather Jennifer brought that was made a month ago and they loved it. Some of them put some in their pockets to take home for their husbands to taste. They could not believe it was just mangos. They also really liked the cooked mango and cooked green mango. Such a simple thing – just mangos boiled in a little water – yet so new to them.

After our mango project was in the sun, they told us we had to stay because they were preparing lunch for us. Jennifer had mentioned that she had her medical bag along so I told her I thought she mine as well put it to good use since lunch wasn’t even started yet. So the rest of the afternoon Jennifer played clinic. I enjoyed watching her help the ladies and their children. There were some weird problems and some funny ones too. One mom was concerned because her child’s cheeks were too big – that is called healthy and they are just not use to seeing it. The whole scene was the perfect missionary picture; Jennifer in the middle of a group of Africans, in the village, helping them medically.

About 3pm we were served lunch. It was a long day away from my husband and children but surprisingly a really good, relaxing day. I wanted to spend my Saturday sleeping in and just being home but I am so glad I didn’t. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies better. Again I learned it makes all the difference to know someone instead of know of them. It was fun being apart of something new that they were excited about. Before we left we took another look at the mango leather and it was almost done. We all tried the dry parts and it was good. It turned out! Good work Jennifer! Thank you Lord for the women and church in Obule and for the successful dried mango we could do together.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement lately! You can also pray that we get electricity back. We had a storm this week that blew done a pole and some lines and we have been without power since. I am so thankful for our generator!

April 2011 (587 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-05-04T12:04:00.001+03:00

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Pictures from Robert's visitation & funeral

2011-05-02T16:59:00.004+03:00

The Funeral

2011-05-02T16:57:00.000+03:00

April 29

I don’t know how to feel right now. (Probably a bad time to write.) My emotions are everywhere yet I am totally drained. We just got home a couple hours ago from Robert’s funeral. In some ways I am thankful it is over, in other ways I don’t want to forget. I need closer yet I don’t want it to be done – Robert to be gone. One minute I am fine and can talk about it and life moves on and the next I just want to cry again. Our kids just went for a sleepover at our teammates. I should be celebrating a night with just my husband (and Luka) but I kinda found it hard to let them go. On the other hand I want time alone. Josh and I have been busy the last couple day – especially Josh -- and we are both processing but very differently. Makes us kind of distant from each other right now. Time will heal I know. Anyhow, here is how the last couple days went.

Thursday when Josh brought the family and body to their home in the village they asked if he would be coming back in the afternoon. It seemed they wanted us to so we did. When we arrived there were already a couple hundred people gathered under trees and tents. There was weeping and wailing going on with every new person who came. I just stood back for a few minutes. I know this is all cultural and some of it very sincere but I don’t really like it. Their wailing seems so fake. The bigger drama the more people watch and it is turned on and off so quickly. They like to scold the person who died for leaving them. It all made me very thankful for the precious, quiet, intimate moments we had that morning with just a few family members. There I saw true emotions, real grief and also felt feel to mourn.

Everyone who came went to the casket where they would uncover his head for people to see him. His wife, Grace and other close relatives sat by the casket. Each time a visitor came Robert’s wife would weep with them. When we arrived Tabitha and Grace ran to each other and wailed together along with some of Grace’s kids and nieces. I found each one of Grace’s children (Robert’s grandkids) and hugged them. So often the kids are forgotten in these things but they loved him too. I told them that their grandfather loved them very much and that it is ok for us to be sad. We know that He loved God too and is in heaven with Jesus right now. Little tears rolled down their cheeks as I spoke so I held them again.

Everyone was also busy making preparations. There was food to buy and people to feed. There was even a committee already formed and planning the details and money needed. We were also told that the grandkids Robert and his wife care for will be discussed with the clan and most likely each sibling will take one or two. And Robert’s land will be given to the brothers. We just pray the boys are merciful and give Grace (Robert’s daughter who’s husband left her and five kids) some land to farm on.

I have been very surprised and saddened to hear Ugandan Christians lack assurance of eternal life. Personally I had two of them say they just hope Robert is in heaven. I told them they can be assured because God tells us in His Word. There is a great need for discipleship here.

We left our kids with friends for the visitation and for the funeral. They are just too young to handle all the wailing that sounds a bit scary -- too much for a kid to understand. And they were thrilled to be playing with friends.

The funeral was Friday at 1pm. There may have been close to a thousand people there. When we arrived speeches were being made. We found out Robert was 63 years old and he and another man were the first Christians in the area so they brought Christianity here. Wow. Josh was asked to give one seeing Robert worked for us. I went up and stood with Josh. He did a great job speaking of Robert being a trust worthy man and challenging others to put their faith into practice as Robert did. Especially now as his wife and the grandchildren they care for will need help. After Josh spoke I went by Robert’s wife and Grace who were by the casket. The body was so bloated by now it didn’t look like the Robert I knew.

After speeches and a choir there was a sermon. The pastor was very dramatic, in a good way, and focused on salvation for those of us who are still here. I liked it. Robert knew the Lord and is in heaven. Use his death as an opportunity to bring others to salvation. He told everyone to get their houses in order and challenged people to look at their character. He also spoke openly to the children of Robert who were not following their father’s good teaching. One of them gets very angry and even swung a machete at him last year. Not surprisingly his sibling was no where to be seen all day. I asked Grace later how she felt about the pastor talking like that and she said it was good that brother needs to hear.

After all that the Pastor led us to the burial sight while singing we are soldiers in the army of the Lord. This is when my tears starting building up – the final goodbye. About half of the people walked over so we were about 10 rows deep from the grave. For some reason some lady pulled me forward (I think because she saw I was taking picture) and I ended up right behind Robert’s wife. There I was standing in a mob of people white as can be and crying my eyes out. I felt so out of place. But that is where God had me. He has me in the middle of a burial of our friend in a village in Uganda. Now isn’t that just God’s love -- weeping with those who weep because we love them – because God loves them.

It was a really hard moment for me. It was over. Our friend was gone. Everyone slowly walked away as the men began to throw cement in the grave. Grace’s daughter came up to see and I hugged her. And we wept together. It was a moment I wont forget. I was there to be God’s hug to a hurting little girl. As we walked away I reminded her that we know your grandfather isn’t in the ground but in paradise. Dan, the only son of Grace joined us and I told him that even though his father left them and now his grandfather died that he has a heavenly Father who will never leave him. Josh added now he is the man of the family and he should be a godly man like his grandfather.

Then food was served to all the guests and it suddenly no longer felt like a funeral. It was all done.

And now I am home again writing to you. Robert’s death has been hard for me. Everyday for two years we saw him. I cry the most when I think he will never walk through our gate again and greet us. Or when Luka hears the gate and says, “Robert”. We will miss him.

I think the thing God showed me through all this is that we as Christians need to learn to rejoice for those who get to go home to Heaven. I know as humans it hurts and we are sad – remember I am the one balling. But really we don’t get excited about heaven. Why would we want to hold someone here when it is there time to be with Jesus – BE WITH JESUS! Isn’t that our goal? We should all be longing for it so that when another saint gets to go we should be cheering for them. Who wouldn’t want to be in PARADISE?! I know death is hard and we miss our friends, all I am saying is praise God for our heavenly home. What hope, peace, and joy we really have as Christians. Although I am sad that Robert is no longer with us and his family is without him, I am so happy he is with Jesus!

Thank you everyone for praying for Robert’s family and for us! We have been blessed by so much love.

Robert's Death

2011-04-29T17:57:00.001+03:00

April 28

I write this with a very heavy heart. Last night our watchman and friend died. How quickly life is taken. Death is never easy even when it is a believer. For us on earth, it is painful. Robert was a godly, caring, quiet man who stood out in this culture because of his honesty and commitment to his family. It is a loss.

Robert had a tooth infection about three weeks ago. He was in a lot of pain but taking medicine for it. It became so swollen that he ended up in the hospital. The infection was so back it was oozing and he couldn’t open his mouth to eat. The doctor gave him meds to reduce the swelling before the dentist could remove the tooth. About a week later he was back to work with a slightly swollen face.

Since then he didn’t say much about it but it seemed to still be swollen a bit. Yesterday he left our house at 6am and stopped at his daughter Grace’s house (Tim and Angie’s house help) because he was having chest pain. Grace told him to stay and rest or call us but he just wanted to reach home. A half an hour later they found him passed out over his bike down the road. Josh went to get him and brought him to the clinic near our house. Josh said Robert’s eyes were rolled back and he wasn’t doing well.
Josh had to teach all day but went to see Robert again after he was done. Robert was still unconscious and the doctor said they couldn’t get a blood pressure on him until the afternoon when it was 70/40. It looked like Robert had toxic septic shock. He was having a hard time breathing and threw up blood. We talked to Jennifer, our teammate and nurse, and she said his organs were probably failing and with that low of blood pressure there was a concern for brain damage. Why wasn’t the clinic doing more! It is so frustrating. So hard be feel so helpless.

We prayed for Robert all evening. I had ladies Bible study and shared and prayed with them. It was then that I realized we may loose our friend and I cried. As the night went on I kept crying out to God, “Save him Lord. He is a godly man, a witness for you.” Only God could save him.

At 5:30am our phone rang. It was Grace letting us know Robert died. Josh and I hugged and cried. We quietly got ready to join our friends at the clinic. Jennifer came over and sat at our house while our kids slept. Honestly, when I heart Robert died a flood of memories of Mahula, Nigeria came into my mind. Early, dark mornings getting a message that someone had died. It really was the only place I walked through death with people. Every time, and this time was the same, I would get a sick feeling in my stomach and not want to go through what we were about to go through. But we must because we love them.

I held Grace as we both cried. There are no words. We went in Robert’s room (shared with another patient) and Grace uncovered his head for us to see him. How hard it is to see a friend lying there dead. Here they tie the mouth shut and stuff the nose with cotton. I found myself waiting to keep looking at him. It just wasn’t real that he was gone. I just kept crying. As we mourned I began to think it is only sad for us. It only hurts on our side. He is with the Lord. Really, he is in paradise with God! I am so happy for him. But my heart breaks for his family. The hardest moment was defiantly when his wife uncovered Robert down to his knees (he was clothed) and kept touching him. She reached for his hand but it was already stiff. I looked at the wedding ring on his finger and couldn’t help but let the tears flow. Her loving husband was gone. Here one day and gone the next. I simply cannot imagine trying to hold your cold, lifeless husband. His wife cried with fear over the six children they are still caring for. What would she do now as a widow? The children are from their two daughters who remarried and the new husband refused the children from another marriage. Rrr, I get so mad at this culture! What would happen to these kids and Robert’s wife?

We told our kids later in the morning and to my surprise Lydia instantly began to weep. She was so upset. It was so hard to see her hurt. We held them and talk about it with them. Later I asked Grace, who had been quiet, if she was ok and what she was feeling. I told her it is ok to cry when a friend dies. She asked it Robert was in heaven and I said yes. She said so we will see him some day. I told her we would and that is why it is so important to know Jesus. It is really neat because the other day in school we talked about and read about heaven in school. How Jesus is there preparing a place for us. When I walked away I stopped to hear her talking. She said, “I want to go to heaven. It will be so beautiful with all the jewels. And I will see Jesus. I think He will be handsome. I will see all my friends.” Amen Grace!

Josh just returned from bringing the body to the village. Tomorrow is the burial. I will write again later. Thank you for your prayers for us and most of all for Robert’s family.

Easter Party with Soroti Street Kids

2011-04-27T22:26:00.000+03:00

A photo slideshow by Smilebox

Easter Celebrations!

2011-04-26T21:17:00.000+03:00

April 26, 2011

I hope all of you were as blessed as we were to remember our Saviors death and celebrate His resurrection. I kept saying Christians should be the happiest people in the world. The world should hear us rejoice this weekend. We have the victory!

Many of you will remember at Christmas we had a party for the street kids in Soroti to share with them the birth of Christ. Since then it has been my goal to share the rest of the story with them on Easter. It is amazing how I could talk myself out of things I know God wants us to do – I don’t know what to do, I am too busy, maybe it wont work, they will be fine without it… Thankfully when God puts something on my heart I can’t shake it and just have to be obedient – and pray!

Thankfully I have my family and team to encourage me. Josh, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Sherry all helped. On Saturday we went to the house that is open for street kids to come to three days a week. Martin, Dennis, Kennedy and others help council the boys, make crafts, and play with them. I am so impressed with the work and heart of these men who desire to help these street kids. There are a couple boys that now go to school and another boy wants help going back home and starting school there. I think I could even see that the boys were cleaner and happier than they were at Christmas.

Our time together started out with playing soccer and Frisbee. Josh was the goalie for the shoot out and the boys loved it. We then moved inside and started the “program”. Lydia and Grace did motions to the song “Hosanna”, Josh told the Easter story using props, the boys drew pictures of what they wanted to give to Jesus and laid them at the cross, I gave an invitation to receive Christ as their Lord, they made necklaces, and we had a snack – colored Easter eggs decorated by Jennifer! It went so well we all enjoyed our time with the boys. They listened intently and had lots of smiles. It is so good to share Jesus!

My heart goes out to these boys every time I see them. I really do love them because Jesus loves them. No child should be living on the streets because their families don’t want them or they have no one to call family. Many of them drew a picture of themselves sniffing a bottle (glue of some sort to give them a high) and gave it to Jesus at the cross. No one wants to feel pain, hungry, afraid or alone. I pray that this Easter party reminded each boy they are loved – loved so much Jesus died for them. It is my prayer that each boy knows Jesus as Lord and have new life and peace in Him.

On Monday we went to the Elim House (a transition home for kids who were left on the streets). There are eight kids there now most of them in their early teens but one is only six years old. They have a new boy who father died, mother went mad and then died, and doesn’t know any of his relatives or where his siblings are. Makes your heart break doesn’t it. It has been nice to interact with these kids for almost a year now. They are very polite and quiet. Our program was basically the same. I don’t know how God used it in their lives but I am sure He did. It was a joy to celebrate Easter with them. They were so grateful too.

Our family and team also remembered and celebrated this past weekend. Thursday Josh told the story of Jesus washing His disciple’s feet and washed the kids and my feet. Lydia and Grace thought it was great. Then they washed Josh’s feet. On Friday our team met for a Good Friday service where we also had communion. For Easter everyone came to our house. The kids did an Easter egg hunt – which made them very happy! Then we had a feast – it was suppose to be ham but since Uganda has hoof and mouth going on there is no pork or beef to be found around here. But our meal was still awesome. We then had a worship service. The kids did motions with ribbons to two songs. They were a highlight. Josh reminded us all that Jesus work is done, He has the victory, and we now have the power of His resurrection in us.
After our service we walked down the road to where some people where singing and dancing. They were from the Acoli tribe. They used calabashes and a group of metal sticks that they hit it with – sounded awesome! Lydia joined right in and danced her little heart out. She had the biggest smile on her face. She loved it! Grace shyly stood watching.

We ended Easter with dessert (lemon meringue and banana cream pie!) and games. It was a beautiful day. We had a great time celebrating Jesus resurrection! I want to leave you with something someone sent to me. I think it speaks it all.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him master.
No degrees, yet they called Him teacher.
No medicine, yet they called Him healer.
No army, yet the kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lived today!

Don’t you feel honored to know and serve Him? Jesus the greatest ever!

(Pictures are coming...)

Relaxing night away?!

2011-04-25T14:22:00.003+03:00

April 23

Josh and I woke up at 5am Monday morning to leave for our night away at Muchanson Falls (game park). Jennifer came over to sit at our house until the kids woke up and then took them to Dwire’s house to stay with them for the night. I have been looking forward to our get-away for a long time now. It is always exciting to wake up before the sun to travel somewhere. I was enjoying my vanilla coffee, watching the full moon in the West, and the sunrise in the East. We were less than an hour from the gate it would be 8:30 and we would have the whole day to enjoy the animals and the hotel. But then…

We broke down. Our van over heated. We waited a half an hour for it to cool down before we added water. I actually enjoyed my quiet time with God beside the road. But we also got a call from Jennifer letting us know that Grace woke up sick and throw-up. Great. So I called Amie who said it would be fine and she had no problem caring for Grace. Thank you Amie! It seemed our get-away was being attacked so we prayed together.
Josh filled the radiator but it was leaking. We knew we were about 3km from the next town so we slowly went forward. We got to a police post and someone there took Josh to get a mechanic. He was an Indian man who just moved from Kampala up to this town because the whole area had no mechanic – thank you God! He checked the van out and found that the water filter/pump something was broke. He drove us to his shop (under the trees in his yard surrounded by huts and kids) and began removing parts. He said it would take two hours. By this time Josh let me know he wasn’t feeling well either. Really?! I decided to nap while Josh made sure they were doing good work. Two hours later the mechanic went to get the new part and found out there were none in town – surprise, surprise. We should have known better. He would have to go an hour away to get the part and come back. I had been doing really well up until this point. I stayed calm and just tried to enjoy our time together. God knew our problems and there was nothing I could do about it. But now I really wanted to go our day was being wasted.

Josh went to get a vehicle to take to Muchanson. He came back with a taxi van. I thought oh Lord could it get any worse. We put our stuff in and headed for the gas station. I attempted to put up the window and it broke, it was so dirty I didn’t want to touch much, and Josh realized the breaks were barely functioning. We stopped went back to the guy asked for our money back (gave him a little for his inconvenience of course) and found a nice small station wagon type car to rent. The man was a bit nervous about letting us take his vehicle but who wouldn’t be – this is crazy. What a lot of extra money this trip is costing! But we were finally on our way again. Just Josh and I and our little car.

This was the first time I could tell Josh was really stressed, nervous or something. He was not feeling well at this point either. Every odd noise on the car we almost panicked. But it did have AC and we did make it to the park – four hours late but finally there, yeah! The car did not handle the game roads like our van but as long as it didn’t rain we should be able to get out. So we continued to pray. We saw lots of antelope, some giraffe, and elephants on our way in. I am not sure if we just wanted to get to the hotel or if seeing the animals isn’t as exciting as the first couple times, but we kinda flew through to be done driving.

Josh and I splurged and stayed at the really nice lodge this time. It was so nice! The view was beautiful and service was great. We ate lunch (all the meals come with the cost) but Josh was probably at his lowest sick wise so he didn’t eat much. I just took in the view from our table, good food, and quiet time together. I was so thankful. After lunch I let Josh rest while I walked around and just sat and enjoyed my diet coke. I love being away. Letting go of schedule, to do’s, worries…and just relax. After nap time we went to the pool. Dad and Mom you will appreciate this, I even collected small, round, smooth river rocks to take home. By now it was time for an evening safari.

We only went for an hour but it was so fun. The colors were vibrant with the sun setting. We got nice and close to a group of giraffes and to some elephants. The elephants were actually on a bridge we had to cross so we sat and waited for them to move. Seeing animals in the wild is really cool. Josh even enjoyed it and was feeling much better. We got back and had a wonderful, candle lit meal together. I loved every bit of our long meal.

We slept in and had breakfast together looking out over the Nile River. It was so peaceful. Our only bummer in the trip was we failed to see lions, but we did see more giraffes and elephants pretty close up. Our ride home was thankfully uneventful. We got our van back and gave our car back. We stopped in Lira a town about an hour and a half from Soroti because Josh was told someone we know in Kampala sold his soft serve ice cream machines to someone there. Sure enough we found it! Some missionaries who run an orphanage opened a café with ice cream, homemade cinnamon rolls, pizza, coffee…it was so nice and good! Why can’t we have that in Soroti? Maybe someday. We also stopped at the Kenyan sellers who were in town and did a little shopping. We got back at dark and picked up the kids. Amie had supper all ready for us – she is so thoughtful.

That about wraps that up except as I write this the mechanic in Soroti is going to buy a new engine for our van. Yikes! Oh well it has to be done. It was the third mechanic who told us we needed a new engine and this time he added we wouldn’t make it two hours away from Soroti like it is. Hopefully we will have a new engine by the end of the week and miles and miles and miles…of driving without any break downs!

So I am going to send this/post this so I can get on to writing about Easter and the time we had sharing with the street kids. So stay tuned for more…

Prayer Request

2011-04-22T14:57:00.002+03:00

As you remember Jesus death and celebrate His ressurection please be praying for us as we share the good news with the street kids on Saturday and Monday. After our Christmas party with them I felt is was important to share "the rest of the story" with them. Pray for a clear presentation of the Gospel, for the Holy Spirit to open minds and hearts, and for these kids to know Jesus as their Savior. Thanks!

Some Pictures

2011-04-20T11:57:00.001+03:00

It's a Big one!

2011-04-17T15:01:00.006+03:00

I have to start with an appology. I have tried three times now and it will not keep the pharagraphs I made. So I guess you will have to read it all as one! April 17 I looked at my calendar last Sunday thankful for a quiet week ahead of us. Next thing I knew our quiet week became very full. I am not complaining just amazed at how quickly life can change and how flexible we need to be day to day. I really need to learn that I may plan but God holds the plans. Sunday we went to Obule for church. Josh teaches out there and we have wanted to surprise them for awhile with a church visit and finally got to. I really prefer village churches over the ones in town. I love the singing, dancing, and instruments. Everything is man made not electronic. The kids were singing right along with the adults instead of staring at us like at our church in Soroti. They were really good little dancers too. Luka even joined in. Luka loved the village! He played the drums with the kids and walked around with the kids exploring everything. He was at home outdoors, free to roam, and “talking” with the other kids. The church service wasn’t too long but of course they wanted us to stay after so they could cook for us. They are so thankful for Josh and his teaching and that we came, but it is still hard to accept their food when we are the last ones who need it. Monday Luka, Jennifer, Daniel and I went with Josh to Otiboi for the graduation of the first five courses of Timothy Leadership Training up there. Lydia and Grace stayed with Kaisers and did school together – thanks Andrea! Luka did good all in all but he is such a boy. He was diving in the dirt all day, rolling around, kicking his ball, playing cars, and making noise. Thankfully there was another little boy there who played nicely with Luka. Josh was very encouraged by the graduation and should be. Most of them shared testimonies of how God used this teaching to change them, their families, and/or their churches. It was really amazing to hear that things they learned three years ago they were still doing and people were coming to the Lord because of it. (Example some of them talked about still doing visitations through that neighbors have seen their love and also have come to know Jesus.) It was a blessing to see God using TLT to change lives. I am really proud of Josh. They love him and are so grateful for his teaching. He endured a lot of challenges and persevered even with it got frustrating or numbers got low. The people saw all Josh did to make it happen. Thankfully Josh doesn’t always listen to me who said maybe you should stop going there. Whoops. God led and used Josh in the lives of these church leaders. I am so glad we got to celebrate with them! Then came Tuesday. Tabitha arrived for work and I asked her how Irene (her 17 year old niece she is raising) was because she had stomach pain and went to the doctor. Tabitha fell to the ground and sobbed like I have never seen her do before. I ran over and held her but she couldn’t even talk because of her weeping. She finally got out that Irene is pregnant. Tabitha was devastated. She was hurt, angry, scared, shocked, worried…it was a very emotional day. I held her, listened, and prayed with her. Tabitha has sacrificed so much to raise her four nieces and nephew. She lost her friends, a man who wanted to marry her, money, her time… To top it off the culture (everyone including her pastor) constantly tell her to get rid of the kids. They tell her they aren’t hers anyways, no man will ever marry you, and these kids will never care for you when you are old. Tabitha stood up against all of this because she loves these kids. She has suffered a lot and struggles to feed all of them. And now this. How would she feed another mouth, what would people say now, how can Irene complete her education… so many unknowns. Tabitha was simply hurt and afraid. We went and got Irene partly because we needed to get the whole story from her and partly because we were worried she may do something to herself or the baby. Irene is very shy and now with this she is shy and ashamed. It was hard to get anything out of her. She just sat and quietly cried. I really tried to focus on forgiveness and love. This was not the day for any decisions or looking to the future. Tabitha and I told Irene that we forgave her and that God will too if she repents. What a God of grace we serve. This is when what we know all becomes reality. From what I got out of Irene she was about five months pregnant plus the ultrasound said it was a baby girl so I knew she was far along (and she had changed – grown and was showing). She said and Tabitha confirmed that she only had a period once and then the next month must have gotten pregnant. She was not raped so that is good. It sounds like the boy who impregnated her likes to chase girls. His family is a mess and too poor to feed who they have too. Tabitha does not want Irene to be given to him (here once they get pregnant usually the boy’s family pays a fine and the girl is given to be his wife) because she fears she will just be mistreated there and not fed. It never seizes to amaze me what a mess sin makes! Everyone is hurt by it. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it myself but Irene really seems to be very naïve. She is such a child yet. She spent two days with us now and she was happiest when she was playing with Lydia and Grace. I look at here and think you are a child with a child inside of you. She doesn’t want to be a mother. She missed so much of her childhood with a mother who neglected her. How sad. Tabitha and Irene also needed to deal with their thoughts of abortion. Please try not to judge here because Tabitha loves the Lord, but in a devastating situation her first thought was we need to get rid of this problem. They just wanted to be done with it. Tabitha wept as she confessed her sin. She knows it is murder. She is so thankful she did not find money to do something she would have regretted forever. Irene still wants to be done with this “problem”. I think deep down she knows abortion isn’t right and she wont do anything but she is so lost and frightened. On Tuesday we had Irene talk to two people about abortion. One of them is my friend here in Soroti who had an abortion three years ago. She shared with Irene the physical and emotional pain it caused and cried as she said there is not one day I do not regret that I killed my baby. The other lady is our pastor’s wife who does crisis pregnancy work with a midwife from the hospital. I am more than ever thankful for their ministry. It is the only one here and it is so needed. We also took Irene to the clinic too to test for STD’s and HIV. Jennifer also had listened to the baby’s heartbeat to make sure things sounded ok. I know it is hard for all of you to understand what I am saying. To be honest it never fully hits home to me until it happens to someone I love. I knew this happens to girls here all the time but the deep pain and issues didn’t matter so much to me until it happened to a friend. When you walk through a crisis with someone you love it can change your whole perspective. Through this I quickly realized the girls here have only two painful choices. She either has to have the baby and her whole life is changed forever or she has to have an abortion and end it all. These girls are young, afraid, alone, scorned; desperate, poor…they are stuck. That is why so many leave their baby’s for someone else to find and care for. They don’t know what to do or where to turn. Then the police find them and put them in prison for abandoning their child. Poor girl. What about the guy who left her so helpless? Where does all of this leave me? I so badly want to help. Even rescue them. The thought of adopting the baby has even come into my head. But what does God want? What is His plan in all of this? Right now we are just crying out to God. Asking for His will to be made known. We are doing what we can to support and encourage Tabitha and Irene and counting on God to lead each day. The baby is due August 29 when we are in the States. This is where God reminds me that they need Him not me. He will never leave them. Oh, what a lot of thoughts and feelings. I can’t get it all into words. So please pray with us. Thanks. And our week wasn’t done yet but it was all in all good. We continue to have fun with our team and other friends here. It ended up that we had three different times playing games and eating with them this week. What a good release from our emotional draining week. We also went to Elim (home for former street kids) on Saturday to help them clean their yard. It was great. Lydia, Grace, and Luka all got involved raking, sweeping, and hauling trash away. It is so good for all of us to get out and do ministry together. I know it meant a lot to the Elim kids too. It’s even fun to all work together. Lydia kept saying, “Mom this is so much fun! Can we come again next week? Let’s help them Spring clean every year.” Their yard was looking great when we left! With all that we even managed to get five days of school in too. We have to if Lydia has any chance of getting her Math and Phonics done before we go to MI. I changed things up since I am now the only teacher. Instead of doing each day by subject we now do every subject everyday (like a normal school). Lydia loves it and asked if we can always do it like this. Whoops, I guess I did it wrong for her for ten months now. Grace is starting to read words! It is always exciting to see a child learn something new. She really has come a long way from learning the alphabet at the beginning to now reading. She can add and subtract too. I am so thankful. Luka is doing great too. Everyone is amazed at his ability to talk. Poor Josh thought he would have one introvert with him in the family but doesn’t look like it. I love two year old talk! Precious. He plays so well too. He is a natural at sports too. Our friends are amazed at his position, throw, and game face. Where does he learn these things from? It is cute to say the least. Well that is about all the energy I have to put into this very long journal that has taken me three days to complete. Thankfully Josh and I have a night away to look forward to this coming week. Be blessed! (I will add pictures when we get back - it isn't working today.)

March 2011 (69 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-04-09T18:23:00.001+03:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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Weekly Update

2011-04-09T16:01:00.007+03:00

April 9, 2011 I forgot to tell you about the well drilling project we visited last week. Our friends in Soroti, Rick and Sherry, are here for five month working on hand dug wells. One of the wells they are working on is in Obule where Josh teaches. Through Josh’s connection Rick began a well project there. The people in Obule are different. They seem to be really genuine and willing to try new things. I thing God is working in the people of Obule. We are excited about it all. So we went to see them working on the well. It was so cool! Four guys pull a rope while two guys hold the pipe and drill piece and water/mud sprays all over them (I know I am not doing justice to this and lack technical words so see the pictures for the full story). I loved seeing the community involved and excited and Rick and his heart for this project. Water is a gift. They named the well Grace and they gave it the verse from John 14:14. One man even wrote a song and they sung it for us. I was so glad I went to see it all. We went again yesterday and they were about ready to put the pump on top. We had a meeting so we couldn’t stay but hope to see it Sunday – and drink from it!

We visited a baby ostrich the other day. Have you ever seen a baby ostrich? Touched one? Oh, the interesting things you get to do living in Africa. They are big even being little. Feel funny too – not feathers yet. It was very curious and liked my nail polish on my toes and necklace which scared my kids. And that was the end of that. Animals are not this family’s thing.

Our team is now down to us, Kaisers, and Jennifer. Everyone else is visiting the States or preparing to come. It is different but we have all enjoyed our intimate time together. Last week we had a meeting with our friends from England on Meyers Briggs stuff – finding out our personality types and how it works with the team. It was such a blessing we had them again yesterday to talk about how our personalities work with our spiritual lives. What a lot of insight about each other. I know it has helped all of us. After both meeting we had supper together. Last night we grilled burgers and played games. It was fun to laugh with everyone.

This morning I had a breakfast Bible study with the ladies (ladies from our team and a few other missionaries here). Everyone is really enjoying our times in God’s Word together. And who doesn’t like going out for breakfast with girlfriends? We were going to take a break Wednesday since we met twice this week but everyone wants to meet again. It really is exciting how every time you read God’s Word it speaks to you. Studying it verse by verse has helped me a lot. We just sit back and see what God has to teach us. We are now studying Abraham and it is clear already the cycles of sin and the love of our God.

I saw the father-in-law of my Indian friend today and asked how they were. He said they were in Kampala because the girl was poisoned. So sad – evil -- but common here. They think it happened at school and that maybe a jealous business owner did it (because they own a successful business). She is doing ok but they will not being coming back to Soroti but will live in Kampala. I am bummed. She was my friend. Pray with me for them. I know God can use anything to draw people to Him.

We had a nice night away this week. I enjoyed my visit to a home school co-op there. Felt I learned some to do’s and some don’ts. It was really nice to meet the teachers and talk with them about mission life, teams, and culture. We have so much in common. Our kids loved swimming of course and their hair shows it – green! It is good to get away and leave everything behind for awhile. I need to get away from my house to let the to do list go. It was nice to play in the pool, use the treadmill, soak in the hot tub, and eat at new restaurants (a new Westerner style coffee and food!). And of course the championship game – we wont go there. Thankfully Josh still had a great birthday!

Blessing, Birthday and More

2011-04-04T22:14:00.002+03:00

April 4, 2011

I am not sure any of you will read this since so many of you are enjoying spring break. Some of my loved ones are on the beach right now soaking in the sun. We have enough sun here to last a life time! Really though I could have thrown quite a pity party about not being on the beach with them but God has given me so much encouragement these last couple weeks that I am just thankful to be here.

God continues to allow me to meet with other missionary women throughout my week and I love it. I love being able to love them and help in anyway. I recommended a training called Transformation of the Heart to one of my new friends and she came back from it saying she has joy for the first time in her life. My friend has been through a lot and I am thrilled to see God bring peace and freedom to her life. It is so exciting to hear and be apart of. To see God change some ones life is the greatest joy on earth!

Our women’s Bible study continues to be a blessing too. Did I tell you we are starting in Genesis and going through the Bible? Yes we plan to be here for years. We are hitting the main stories and some of the unfamiliar ones so we can all learn more. We are on to Noah this week. I love going deep with the ladies and taking each verse and learning from it. This past week I was all prepared but did not feel like leading – my attitude was not right. So I prayed! God is so faithful. He entered that room and spoke to us through His Word. Now that changed my attitude in a hurry. It is an exciting time I look forward to each week – God’s Word and godly friends.

I also had fun with a couple of my friends as they highlighted my hair! I was quite nervous seeing this was my first at home experience but they did a great job – subtle, natural lightening – and we had a great time talking (all three hours).

I am so thankful that my friend Sherry is helping teach Lydia while Beckie is visiting the States. Actually, Lydia is the one who is really excited. The first day she came out and said, “Mom, she is a great teacher!” I know I maybe a wimp but teaching four days just kinda takes over my whole life, everything else gets put on the back burner, and I get cranky cause I can’t do it all. So we are all thankful for Sherry and Andrea who teaches Grace the same days. Are we blessed with great friends and team mates of what?!

I could tell you so much more about our week but you may be bored by what I think is filling you in. Sometimes I need to learn to keep my mouth shut and realize not everyone needs to know everything. So what do you want to know?... Today I picked up Angelina and Charles (the blind man who Josh led to Christ a few months ago), and his son Ivan to take them to the blind school. Ivan was going to attend the school and he was SO excited. Ivan is eight years old and has been going to the nursery school in the village but learning nothing because they don’t know how to help him from there. Angelina, a blind leader Josh works with, saw that Ivan needed to go to the blind school so she organized it all and I had the privilege of taking them today.

I took Lydia, Grace and Sherry with me. I was so proud of Lydia as she led Ivan by the hand. I love to see compassion in my kids. It is difficult to lead a blind child when they don’t speak any English but she tried. Ivan was all smiles. He was thrilled to be at school. I was so happy for him. I love visiting the blind school. The teachers all know us now and most of the students. Sherry was so impressed and touched by it all. We visited several classes. The students all said their names, where they were from and what they liked about school. The whole thing is fascinating. These kids are amazing. The do it all – blind! And they are happy. Really they put me to shame and put life back into perspective for me. I love them. I was excited to see several of the students this time had made great improvements from the last time I was there. There is one girl there from Karamoja who was blinded when she was caught in cross fire. She came with so much trauma and anger but today she was smiling and could now speak some English. I was so proud of her! There is also a boy who did not speak for one year but now is talking. I love seeing what education and a lot of love can do. So Ivan is now at school.

Angelina was telling us how impoverished Charles and his wife are (four children and two of them are blind). She said Ivan had no clothes so she got him some and she gave one of her skirts and shirts to Charles wife who has none. Angelina said they eat only once a day. I asked how they would pay for school (we helped with all the things he needed to stay there) and she said the school is accepting whatever they can bring of anyway they can help. My heart just breaks for people like them. I am so thankful for Angelina who helps in so many ways and gives. What an inspiration. So often we are so careful here how we give and who we give to because it creates such a mess and huge dependency problems (long story I wont get into and you may not understand unless you live here – trust me) but with people like this who are trying I can’t wait to help in some way. It really is a blessing to bless others. I am thankful God gives me these encounters to wake me up and challenge me.

Hey, it is Josh’s 33rd birthday tomorrow! So write and let him know how much he means to you. I am so thankful for him. He is an amazing husband and father. Truly seeks after God. I am doing a Bible study on David and I know Josh is also a man after God’s heart. His life is worth celebrating. (On birthdays I like to thank the parents too for choosing live and for a job well done. So a BIG thank you to you Dad and Mom Shaarda!) We are going to Mbale over night tomorrow partly to celebrate, partly to visit a home school co-op there, and partly to watch the final four championship game. Go Butler!

Healthy Again!

2011-03-30T16:19:00.002+03:00

Thanks for praying! We have healthy kids again! God is always with us and the healer of all sickness. He is so good to us. Now we are praying that Josh and I stay healthy - no time for parents to get sick.

Sick Kids

2011-03-27T16:57:00.003+03:00

Just a quick prayer request today. Grace got sick on Thursday and by Friday we knew it was strep throat. Thankfully she bounced right back once we got her on meds. Today Lydia and Luka woke up with 102 fevers. After Tylenol and a nap Luka seemed much better but Lydia not so much. She has thrown up several times and her fever went up to 103.8. She is miserable and sleepy. Poor girl has really been strugging the last few weeks not feeling good and really down. Thanks for praying for our children with us!

Rain & More...

2011-03-22T14:07:00.005+03:00

March 22

It is raining! I know most of you in Michigan don’t appreciate clouds but what a blessing it is to me. We went from over 100degrees to around 70degrees when it rains – that is sweatshirt weather here! I love not being so hot and being able to be outside without complaining. Yes, it is still hot when the sun comes out but when there are clouds and when it rains it is great. Everything is turning green – we may have a lawn again soon.

We went camping this weekend by the waterfall with our team and some other friends from Soroti. What a fun to be together in such a beautiful place. The kids loved playing in the stream and getting really muddy. They did such a good job using their imaginations to play and explore. The adults enjoyed a lot of talking, a game, and sitting by the campfire. I am so thankful for friends to just hang out with. We need to take time to get away and just be sometimes. We got rained on a bit but no one seemed to mind. I think we even enjoyed it because it meant sweatshirts and coffee.

On Sunday we had our own worship service – songs, prayer, and I led a short Bible study on trust. I love sharing God’s Word but get so nervous and feel totally inadequate. Thankfully it is God’s work not mine. One of our teammates said she loves my heart for ministering to the team. I really do want to minister to them. In the afternoon we went to the pool then ended our weekend at the Indian restaurant.

On our way home we hit a really big rain storm. The road had rivers over it. And the van we were using (ours was getting a new starter put in) began to leak. Lydia was trying to catch it at first but it just leaked more and more until it was like raining on both sides of the back seat. Lydia crawled in the way back trying to stay dry. Grace, who was sleeping, woke up in shock as she was being rained on. She was so upset by it all as I tried to comfort her in the back she said, “I feel like Jonah. Did I do something bad like disobey you?” What a girl. We found out that the sunroof was open a half an inch so that may have caused the problem but even with the window shut in the back it was just a raining in. The car seats were soaked. Thankfully we made it through the storm and even safely home.

The other week when I was in Kampala I walked home from the mall and was so disturbed by the children beggars I saw. I have seen them before but that day I was more troubled than usual. First I saw a one year old sitting all alone on the sidewalk of a VERY busy street. The baby was all alone just sitting there. I saw other kids begging but no mother. Was she around? I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to just keep walking and forget about it but I knew I couldn’t pick the kid up and take it either. A little further down the street there where a handful of kids and a couple teens busy digging in the garbage for treasures (cardboard to sit on, a scrap to make something or even eat). They were so enthralled they didn’t even see me. At the corner I saw two police and thought this was my best option for the baby back on the sidewalk. They walked back to check things out. I was glad I did something. There were literally 3 year old kids begging on this very busy street in the middle of all the cars – all alone. And that wasn’t the first time I’ve seen them this young. Most of the kids where Karamojan. It breaks my heart and makes me feel so helpless. No child should have to learn how to beg. What a contrast from our children. Too often they have it all and still complain – so do we adults. I have learned life the way God meant it to be is about balance. He doesn’t want us or anyone else to live impoverished but He also doesn’t want us to live with too much. God help us as we find the balance in living for you.

I didn’t mention my last couple entries because they were full already, but I do want to remember with you the year anniversary of Luka’s healing. What a flood of memories. We are still praising God! Hard to believe we were in that hospital a year ago. Although we don’t want to have to go through something like that again, it is a true blessing to see all God did, taught me, and how much deeper my faith went. No one will ever be able to tell me God is not real. Another great thing was all the love, prayers, and help we got from the body of Christ. From all of you! Every day with Luka is a gift that we are thankful for. What a good reminder how precious life is and who the giver of life is.

Josh is teaching all week in Katakwi. Poor guy was wet and freezing by the time he got home last night. (But I had a hot bath, hot supper, and coffee waiting for him.) He is teaching on marriage and family which we believe is so foundational if the church is to grow here. He taught a few days last week too and the testimonies continue to encourage us. Obule had the teaching on marriage and reported back so many ways God used it to change their marriages. Really they are simple things like being home and together, communicating, helping, saying I love you…but literally things that have never been done in their marriages. Some of them were ready to call it quits but now are willing to keep trying God’s way now. It saddens me that these are all church leaders trying to lead a church while failing at home. How God wants order. He needs to be the foundation and center, then marriage will be blessed, then family, then His church. That has to be the order. Keep praying for God to use His Word to show the people here His desire for marriage and family. (Sound like a message for North America too? Share it!)

I may have said this before so if I did forgive me. Every week is full of teaching our girls, cooking and keeping up with things at home, exercise, devotions, corresponding home, visiting local friends, meeting with our team, having people over for meal, fellowship and encouragement, Bible study…and I am thankful for it. Yes there are hard times and I am overwhelmed or ready to quit, but overall I feel I have found my place. God has been so good to confirm to me over and over lately that I am being used by Him in all the little things He has given me to do. That is what it is all about isn’t it? Doing just what God wants each of us to do and what He has equipped us to do – nothing more and nothing less. It is a joy to be using the gifts God has given to me to bless others. I love that through my encouragement, meals, Bible study, notes, and creativity…God can work. I feel fulfilled. I am filled with the Lord and He is using me. What an answer to prayer.

Blessed Retreat!

2011-03-12T11:35:00.003+03:00

March 12, 2011

I am back after a four day retreat that blessed me beyond words! Ok maybe not beyond words cause I am going to try to tell you about it. The retreat was put on by Pure Joy International for 50 missionary women – for free! We stayed at what I think is the best resort in Uganda, what a treat! I really didn’t know what to expect but what I experienced was the most God centered retreat I have ever had.

Each day was filled with worship, sessions, eating, free time (for the pool, resting, talking…whatever because I was on my own), and meeting all the women at the conference. Pure Joy came with a team of nine ladies – godly women. I was so excited by their straight from the Bible teaching. I felt so fed. I love the truth of God’s Word. It is all we need. The founder and main speaker was Vickie Arruda. She has been a psychologist for 30 years and knows her stuff. We talked about God’s order, marriage, parenting, identity… We had sessions from 9am to 1pm and again from 5pm to 10pm (with an hour break for supper) but it never got to be too much. Our worship was wonderful too. I just cry when I get to worship my Lord with the body of Christ. I realize how much I need it and don’t get it. I just soaked it in and bathed in God’s presence.

It was a great to fellowship with all the women. We are all missionaries, serving in the same country, some wives and mothers, most from the same culture, and all sisters in Christ. Because of all that we had an instant connection and common ground. And if you know me you know I thrive in this setting – 50 women to meet! It was fun to network, get advice with home schooling, and laugh with the ladies. I knew just a few women and even got to know them better. I was able to connect with another missionary in a remote village similar to our lives in Nigeria. It was a blessing to be able to encourage her. I roomed with Sherry (our new friend in Soroti – her and her husband Rick are here for 5 months doing wells and hopefully will be coming back long term and maybe to work with us some). I love Sherry! We are a lot alike and so are our husbands. I love their relationship with the Lord. Sherry and I literally talked late into the night (when do I ever stay up late?). How fun! I could not fall asleep with all the excitement. But each day I slowed down and slept better. Really as an extrovert I don’t go to conferences to rest but go home afterwards to do that – to many people to be alone!

Actually, I have learned I love my quiet alone time. Really love it. I think that is because it is so rare, almost sacred. I love my husband and kids but to be alone sometimes is a treat. I am so thankful for my 24 hours to myself in Kampala before the retreat and for my four days at the retreat. It was a gift from God. Thanks Lord!

I was also spoiled by staying at the Speke Resort. It is beautiful, neat and clean, tropical gardens, high standards, comfortable rooms, hot shower (with pressure!), air conditioning, great food beautifully displayed, no cooking, no clean up, pools… it was simply refreshing. Not to offend anyone but any missionary will understand it was like being out of Uganda for a few days. To top it off Pure Joy loaded us up with gifts. Every time we sat down there was gift – bracelets, necklaces, goodies, key chain, lotions, T-shirts, and lots of chocolate! They really loved on us. At the end of the retreat they gave us cards from women who have been praying for us all week. They were some of the nicest card I have ever gotten.

Then after that amazing time, I got back in our van and drove 6 hours back home (don’t worry I had a driver so I wasn’t alone). My heart was mixed with emotions. I just felt like crying. Not sad just processing the gift I was just given in this retreat. I was coming down off the mountain top back to real life. God is so good to me. He loves me. He blessed me and now I needed to go home and bless others. I was warmly welcomed by my children jumping up and down as I pulled into the drive way. I was missed and am loved. It was great to be home. My husband loves me! He took care of our kids for five days because he wanted me to go and be filled. I know I have come back a better wife and mother (Josh says I already was a good wife and mother). Luka just held me and patted my back with love. The girls wanted to tell me all about everything. I am so thankful for my children and husband.

While I was gone they had a BIG storm. Part of our tree came down and broke our picnic table. It was so windy somehow the water even came in the house and made puddle everywhere. Josh said our house was an island for a while after the rain. He thought they got 4inches in one hour. I hope it means rains are coming but it hasn’t rained again. Before the conference it was over 120 degrees in the sun!

Luka is talking so much and even learned more while I was gone. He calls himself “Yuka” and tells everyone his name. He prays now too and it is the most precious thing!

Well that is enough for now. I hope to write more about the talks I had at the retreat but I will quit here today. Thanks for praying for me at the retreat and for Josh and the kids at home! I pray all of you take the time and opportunity to fill yourselves spiritually – which also refreshed you physically. I stress you (and I ) have to TAKE it because we often think we don’t need it or have a hundred excuses not to do it. Trust me we all need it. May God bless you with the blessing of a retreat.

Away for a few days - just me!

2011-03-04T17:02:00.005+03:00

I am sitting in Kampala as my husband and kids are riding back to Soroti with our fellow team members - now that feels weird. We came to Kampala this week for various reasons but mostly to pick up new team members flying in. Unfortunatly, their one year old son got really sick and they had to delay their coming until he is better. So our plans changed a bit but no big deal we just pray their son is well soon. I remain in Kampala to go to a women's retreat tomorrow.

We started our trip on Tuesday (the kids were so excited they had a count down for days and they got up at 6am and told me they wanted to see the sunset - I think they meant set). Seems like most families don't enjoy much about their trips to Kampala because the mean buisness and traffic, but our family for the most part look forward to our breaks and try to enjoy the time away even if it is in Kampala.

We stopped in Jinja on the way and had lunch with some friends and visited an ophanage there. It was a well run place with lots of toddlers - like 43!

Wednesday we all had dentist appointments. Poor Grace has been nervous for weeks to go to the dentist. She did really good until the dentist tried to put anything that looked questionable to her then she put both hands over her mouth. The dentist was so nice. Finally, when the dentist walked out of the room Grace just burst into tears. She couldn't hold it in any longer. By the time I saw her (Josh was with her while I was with Lydia) she was all smiles and very proud of herself for going to the dentist.

Since our team mates were also in town with us, Josh and I even got to go out on a date. We went for Indian outside on the top of the mall. I love lights and atmosphere. We had the best coconut curry I have ever had! I love being with my husband.

We also finally made the big decision and bought a new fridge. Our new team mates coming want to buy ours and we really wanted a bigger one. I wrestled for months over this because it is a lot of money and was it a need or want. Yes, I run out of fridge and freezor space a lot (especially when we host for the holidays) but we have a good fridge that works well. How do you know what to do. This may seem silly, but through time, prayer, and asking others I (Josh left it up to me - I hate making decisions) decided to get it. It will be nice! (Just for clarification for everyone in America it is still smaller than all of your fridges.) Now about that washer - I am terrible aren't I!

So, like I said my family left today so they could ride in our team mates van so that our van could remain here because I have a women's conference and needed a way to get home so now a driver will take me and the van back to Soroti on Tuesday (if I took a hired taxi it would have cost over $150 - yikes - thanks for providing God). Was that a sentence or a pharagraph? Sorry to confuss you. So, yes I am excited because I am for the first time going to a women retreat for three nights. I prayed that God would provide one and He did better than that He put it at the best resort here and made it free. I will let you know how it was!

I had my day all to myself today (after the family left and a day before the retreat). It was so nice yet so weird. What do I do? I never have this. I went for lunch - a very peaceful lunch - at the mall and walked through a couple shops - quietly all by myself. Then I went to the Friday craft market and picked up a couple things and stopped at the grocery store on my walk home. Ok, you have to know I walked about 5 or so miles (with packages in hand). I could have gotten a ride but I knew I had nothing else planned today and I needed the excersie anyways. People here think I am crazy - maybe because it was about 100degrees out. I think every motorcycle out there asked if I wanted a ride. Now I am sitting here catching up on things before I eat and watch a movie. What a day! I really did enjoy it but also really miss someone to enjoy it with. I love my family and Josh is my best friends. I feel lost without him. It was really hard for all of us to seperate today - really hard. And I feel a bit guilty. Here I am alone and going to a retreat while Josh is with our kids for the next four days. I have a great husband! He loves me so selflessly.

It is now 9pm my time. It is getting lonely. I really miss my family - can I do three more nights?! They sure do fill my life. I am not quite me with them. I just called them to say good night and just hearing their little voices made me well up with tears (I guess this is how G & G feel everytime - sorry). So pray for Josh and the kids and for me. I know God will be with all of us and even bless our time apart. Only makes the heart grow fonder!

Feb. 2011 (68 photos), by Mandy Shaarda

2011-02-27T15:48:00.001+03:00

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Stolen

2011-02-27T14:39:00.006+03:00

February 27

The week was off to a ruff start when my purse was stolen Monday. I couldn’t believe it. I had just finished at the supermarket, got in my van, put my purse on the seat next to me, put down the windows and drove to the Coke depot. At the corner I had to stop and pull over a bit for a truck that was parking. I remember looking at the people by the hardware shops and watching the truck and bikes to know when I could go again. I was there at the most one minute. When I got to the depot my purse was gone.

I panicked a bit and began to pray for God’s help. I know I had my purse and now it was no where. How could this have happened? I didn’t see or hear anyone. It had to be when I stopped for the truck and someone reached in the window. Rrrr! I went back to the supermarket hoping I left it there but I didn’t. They helped me call Josh who was suppose to be gone teaching all day but it was canceled so he was home. He called the phone that was in the purse but of course no one answered.

Our Indian friend from the supermarket went with me to where the purse was stolen. I let him get out and talk with the people standing around there. As I sat there I could remember the very people there when it happened. There is no way no one saw. Someone had to have noticed him take a purse out of my van and run with it. A man came to my window with bloodshot eyes and asked how he could help me. I told him he couldn’t. My Indian friend came back and said they would help for 100,000ush (about $50). I was out raged! That isn’t help. I decided I wanted to get out and talk with these people. They took me to the man that came to my window who said he knows the man who did it. I said to him you mean you saw this man take my purse and did nothing?! He said no I just know of him. I said and now you want my money to help instead of doing it out of the kindness of your heart! He looked at me and said I am not saved like you. All I said was then I will pray for you and went back to my van.

I was so upset. They were just as bad as the thief – maybe he was the thief? I looked around at all the men and just felt like they were all bad and all laughing at me. No one seemed to care that wrong was done. I didn’t trust any of them. Who can we trust? Why am I here serving and helping them when they treat me like this? It is all so wrong! My thoughts and feelings went on and on. When I got home I just cried. (Thankfully Josh was there to hold me. Pretty sure I worried our guard though.) Why was I so upset by this? I had so much to be thankful for. All that was in my purse was some money, a cheap phone (not even my good one because it was not working right), my Ugandan drivers license, and restaurant and store cards for Kampala. But it was my purse, my things. I wanted my card with a free meal in Kampala on it, my grocery store points I earned, my wallet from Nigeria. Silly I know but that is how I felt. I was thankful that all the women I talked to knew exactly how I felt – violated.

That afternoon I felt like God was telling me to put into practice what He has been teaching me. In our ladies Bible study we have been going through the book of 1 John – love one another. And all God taught me about injustice last week. I was treated unjustly (in a very small way) now how would I react? I taught the girls in the afternoon and the Bible lesson was on forgiveness. Was God testing me? I didn’t want to fail. I need to forgive this wrong and the person who did it. I needed to pray for the man I talked to who isn’t saved and for the man who took my purse. They need Jesus. I wanted to honor God by how I dealt with this. I put it before in prayer and let it go. The next day God showed me a verse from Lamentations 3:59, “You have seen, O Lord, the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause!”

Thankfully the week only got better.

Josh and I were talking about our plans to go home (to MI) this summer and Gracie piped in, “But we are home Mom.” She is right. We are home here. What a blessing. Our kids see this as home (and I think MI as vacation!) and I can now too. What an answer to prayer.

Luka said his first little prayer this week. Precious. He is so polite too. We asked him if he was ready for bed one night and he politely said, “No mank you.” Luka sings now too. He loves The Joy, Joy, Joy and we sing it after every meal. In school this week the girls were learning about China and I told them that they don’t know Jesus there and those who do aren’t allowed to have Bibles or go to church. The girls were so concerned. Lydia said Mom let’s pray for them right now, so we did. Sometimes they are the ones who remind me how to live out our faith.

(The picture is of Luka holding an ostrich egg!)

I just have to tell you – again – how hot it is here. I didn’t think it could happen but it is getting worse. If we were in Michigan there would be warning all over the news. Stay inside in your air conditioning or go to the lake. What do we do here? I know what I do, I get crabby and complain. Sorry God I am trying not to. I literally feel like I am in an oven because the air is so hot and you can’t escape. Luka left his bread out for an hour and it literally toasted. Hopefully the increase in tempts and winds mean rainy season is coming but no one knows. Everyone has their options though. Just like in Michigan everyone is talking about how hot it is. Every year here is different so all we know is the rain will come again. We had a huge rainy season last year so I guess we are due for a long dry season. All of us are suffering from headaches do to the heat and lots of wind. Lydia’s allergy’s are really bothering her. Needless to say the girls are very excited to go to Kampala this week and go swimming. Now that is something to look forward too!

(Someone asked how hot is it so I put the thermometer outside in the sun and it reached its max at 120degrees! That is in the sun but it also may have gone higher if it could have. In my kitchen where the thermometer usually sets it is around 92degrees - without the oven on. We live in an oven remember.)

Amazing Grace

2011-02-20T18:16:00.000+03:00

This week we watched the movie Amazing Grace it was so powerful I just have to write about it. First of all you should see it. There are a select few movies I would recommend to people but this is one of them. The movie is about William Wilberforce and his efforts to stop slave trade. I was so touched by the movie I just cried every time I thought about it the next day. Not that it was sad, although some of it was, I was just so challenged to make a difference in this world – to stand up and fight for justice for the suffering. Here are some of my thoughts:

It is humbling how God uses people. God first of all drew William Wilberforce to him. He then called him through my people in his life to a great task. William committed his life to this cause. He was gifted with all that was needed – smart, talented, great speaker, wealthy, a politician with a voice. He never went to Africa but saved their lives by fighting for what was right.
Then there was his wife. Just when William was so discouraged and sick he was going to give up the fight God put his wife to be in his life. She listened, encouraged, challenged, and gave him strength to keep fighting. Without her they would have lost the battle. Wow, history would have changed forever.

And all the other people who encouraged and fought with John. Everyone played a part. They stood with William against this evil. It was one of these men who finally found away to stop most of the slave trade though another way.

These people stood up against the evil in their culture and changed the world. They stood on God’s truths and saved innocent lives. For years they fought for justice. How thankful we are for them. I was encouraged to remember that God always has His people. We will not be defeated. Victory is ours.

Another interesting thing was that every time William fought against this evil he became sick with great pain and even tormented. He was fighting against the devil’s stronghold and was attacked physically and spiritually for it. Satan was not about to give up his control in slavery – he loves to kill and destroy.

It was so sick to see those who opposed William (stated out as 1 against 300 in parliament) wanted to keep the slave trade for no other reason than money and power. The rich wanted to get richer at the cost of peoples lives. They cared only about themselves. How easily we can turn our minds off to what is happening to others far away when we are content. The same evils are happening today.

By contrast William was also very wealthy but used it for good. He didn’t give up his wealth even though those he was fighting for had nothing. His wealth and position allowed him to have a voice for the voiceless. He used his blessings for God’s purposes and glory. He lived it out too by feeding the hungry out of his home and wealth. No one condemned him for his wealth but thanked him for fighting for them, giving, and helping them.

My heart was also very broken to be reminded of the way the slaves -- God’s children – were treated like animals. It was plain evil. I could do nothing other than to go to God and repent. No I didn’t do it, but I was so full of sorrow that I just had to say I was sorry. I mourned for the sin and for the innocent lives taken. Living in Africa I think about my village friends being taken. How scared they must have been. Not knowing the language, never having seen a boat, being tortured, forced to work, never seeing family again… What if it happened to me, my husband, or my children? No person should ever be treated so wickedly. With all this on my mind I needed to be reassured of God’s forgiveness. His grace in an evil world. The stronghold from slavery is still in our world today. We are not over this. But Jesus is stronger than any stronghold satan wants to have on us. Jesus is breaks down those strongholds through our repentance and His forgiveness.

John Newton also played a part in the movie. He was the captain of a slave ship but God got a hold of him. He became a pastor and grieved his whole life the evil he was apart of. He said two things he knows. One, I am a great sinner. Two, God has great mercy.

All of this leaves me with – what can I do? If we are really honest our world is still full of injustices and slavery. I want to change the world, save those suffering and hurting. Not our of pride but great love for God. I want all to know Him, I want to do great things for His kingdom. I struggle with how I live every day in my home really doing my thing. I serve my husband, kids, and fellow missionaries…but what about those enslaved yet today? Those abandoned, abused, sold, rejected, hurting, alone, hungry, forces… God what do I do? How do I use my talents and recourses to help? So often I am wrong and think but I am just one. So what if I stop shopping at a store that uses child laborers in other countries? But it starts with one and others join. God rise up an army to stand for truth and saves lives. If we all think I can’t make a difference then we fail but if we all do our part we have victory. We need to stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others. Lord, I am open to You. Show me. Lead me. Help me. Use me. It is for You – for Your children who suffer – it is for Your glory. Bring Your justice, Your mercy. Thank you for William Wilberforce and all those who changed this world. You are still the same God. You continue to use Your people make a difference. You are faithful and victorious. What a story of amazing grace!