Shaarda's Story - It's God's Story! Life & Ministry in the village of Obule, Uganda. 1 Thess. 2:8
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Travel Days
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.)
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.)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Travels, Retreat, and Visitors
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!
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!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Christmas!
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.)
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.)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Caroling
Dec. 17What 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!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
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