Wow, it has been too long since I have been able to journal. That means I have a lot to write. Life has been busy with small stresses and Josh has been busy working on the computer so I haven't had time to write. But my mind is always thinking about what I need to journal about and I even write things down so I don't forget.
While last week we were in Kampala. I find our time in Kampala is a mix of being too busy getting supplies, stress of traffic and waiting, and a needed time away enjoying being a family. I really enjoy our time just playing at the pool. Lydia and Grace love to swim with their Daddy. Grace has learned to “swim”. She bobs up and down in the water with great joy. Lydia and her could jump, splash, and play for hours. It is so cute and I love to sit back and soak it all in.
We were really encouraged by our visit with Stoners, Terpstras, and Dean and Paul from Set Free Ministries. Angie and I were really blessed by Patty (Stoner) and Donna (Terpstra). They are mothers and they understand, care, and love. They have hearts for God and we were touched by them. They were good listeners and gave appreciated hugs. We went for supper with Dean and Paul and they too brought great encouragement. They are men of God and we greatly appreciate their ministry. We had a very full day with everyone and it was a bit much with the girls but the refreshment it brought to all of us was worth it.
I hate to say it but I allowed the stresses of Kampala get the better of me again. I really hate when that happens. Traffic jams, so much to do and can't do it, Grace crying for miles, Lydia whining... I needed a time out! I just needed to stop, cry a bit, pray, and enjoy being with my family again. I feel like I often ruin plans and we don't get everything done we wanted to, but I also need to stop for my sake and my girls. We can only do so much. We will figure out a good system some day.
We did find some good new restaurants to eat at. Handi is an Indian restaurant that was the nicest atmosphere we have been in yet and the guys found one called Javas. Javas is at a gas station but it is the nicest, most American place we have been at. That was fun.
Josh and Tim had to go to see Ben and get things moving for them. Ben isn't doing well and has to this day not had any chem done. The whole situation is sad. When the guys or the doctor is there things get done but when they aren't nothing is done. There are too many patients and too few nurses. The suffering is unthinkable! All we can do is pray and keep helping the best we can.
Angie needed blood work and Grace need Hep A vaccine so we got to see Kampala International Hospital. It was really nice and impressive! I was so thankful. Everyone was so helpful and nice to work with. Isn't that good to know.
And now we are home and getting back into routine. Tim and Angie were both sick at the same time so that make things busy and we were all a bit down. Thankfully Tim was only sick for a couple days but Angie is just now getting better. We are pretty sure she had giardia. Yuck.
The girls are doing well. Lydia has really begun to pray. The other night after supper she thanked God for the rocks. The small rocks, medium, and large rocks. Josh and I just giggled with joy. But she also prays for those who are sick and thanks God that Jesus came and dies to save us. She is really questioning Bible stories. “Why did David kill Goliath? Why was Goliath bad? Why did God tell His people to fight the bad people? Why did Jesus have to die? Why didn't people like Him?...” Real questions, hard answers. I am quite thankful for her Christian videos like Donut Man. They help her to understand the stories on her level. I am so thankful and excited to see her little faith grow! Lydia is a preacher too. One day at the pool she was shouting out God's love to everyone and telling her Bible stories. The lady by the pool said, “I guess we know what she will be when she grows up.”
Lydia also likes to be called Olivia quite often. Tim thinks she is convinced some days that she really is Olivia. Imagination! She has been walking about with her baby and telling us her baby likes to drink from her stomach. Lydia asked the other day why Patrick, our guard, has a gun. I said to protect us. She said, “To protect us from mosquitoes right Mom.”
Lydia still struggles with peeing her pants some days. We are being loving yet encouraging her to go pee in the toilet before it is too late. She has gone through a lot. She was watching Winnie the Pooh the other day and Tigger was sad because his friend had to leave and the next thing we knew Lydia was crying. She can't express it but she too has had to leave friends. It makes all of us sad sometimes.
Grace is full of words. She is learning and growing. She loves to say “dirty” because of a pig in one of her books. The other day she said my Daddy, Mommy, Lilyan, and then I asked who she was and she said, “me!” Grace can challenge me but she sure can make me smile when she looks at me with curls in her hair, smiles, and says, “dank-do (thank-you).”
Before we went to Kampala we took a Sunday afternoon mountain climb. I was a little worried before we went with two little kids but Lydia (and U. Tim) really wanted to go. I was so glad we did. The view was beautiful and it was just nice to do something different together. Lydia climbed all by herself, holding my hand of course.
And as most of you know Steven is no longer a daily part of our lives. We finally found the truth. Steven has a mother and chooses not to go to the school his mother has paid for him to go to. They do live in the IDP camp though. Josh and Tim told him not to come back unless he was ready to tell the truth. Since then people have told us that he hangs around with bad people, steals, and as we already knew he hangs around the video hall watching bad movies. When we were in Kampala (which Steven knew we were) Steven came to our house around midnight with another guy and I guess tried to break in. Patrick thankfully was there and they ran away. When we got back Steven came but Patrick wouldn't let him in. He came with a note for us saying he needed us but Patrick just throw the note away so we never saw it. The whole thing is really sad. First of all people here don't seem to trust anyone and that really bothers us. Even the Christians the wrong attitude. And now with this it just confirms to them once again that unbelievers are bad and you can't trust them. Secondly, all Steven needed to do was tell us the truth which he was given many chances to do and he chose to lie. We would have helped him but now we just can't trust him. I still believe God had a plan in all of this. Steven was able to experience the love of Christ through our families and Josh was able to present the Gospel to him. We just pray that the seed with take root and not be strangles by all the weeds.
Shaarda's Story - It's God's Story! Life & Ministry in the village of Obule, Uganda. 1 Thess. 2:8
Monday, August 20, 2007
24 April 2007
Lydia is so cute at church. She dances, claps, and jumps along with the people as we sing. I really enjoyed the worship this week. They have some very meaningful songs. One song talks about singing, clapping, dancing... before the throne of God. What a picture! I am sure God loves it. I am thankful some of the songs are in English and we can worship along.
Angelina and Ben are going to Kampala tomorrow to see a cancer doctor and have treatments. He finally got pain killer here and found out it is even free from the hospital. We pray all goes well. Oh, just a side note to put you in the mind of a blind person, the other day they asked Tim and Josh to describe the stars to them. We are so blessed to see God's beauty here on earth.
I have really been wanting to bless people here and give them something to say I appreciate them and share God's love. Today I started by buying the builders cold pop. They were so happy and I was blessed! Angie seems to be really good at giving and being generous with what she has. Josh has the gift of giving. And God is challenging me to have a generous, giving heart.
Almost all of the shop keepers here in Soroti are Indian. They have really been on my heart lately. I see their little shires set up for their gods in the stores and their calendar with a picture of their temple. The temple looks just like the one we visited while in training with IT in Chicago. I am so glad we went there, I had no idea God was preparing me for ministry in Soroti. These people are lost. We haven't just come to save Ugandans but all people. I am amazed that Angie has always loved Indian culture and now here it is. Most of the shop owners aren't very nice, but there is one man who is so nice to us. I want to invite him over. Josh thought it would be a good way to connect if we see if his wife could cook Indian food for us since we like it so much. I need to pray about this and see what the Lord wants us to do.
I want to try to wrap this journal up so I can sent it and start on next months, but before I do let me give you a sneak peek at a semi normal day in our lives here:
Josh wakes up around 5:30am to do devotions. I wake up when my girls do usually around 7am. We eat breakfast then I usually take a walk or Josh runs.
Josh teaches four mornings a week for a couple hours. The girls get dressed, brushed, sun screened, and ready for the day. They often watch a DVD and always play with Avalien. I will bake, check email, or clean up. Our house help comes and does laundry, sweeps, and dishes. Sometimes we go to town to get a few things, go to market, and check the mail. This is a big task with three little girls.
We eat lunch all together then Grace goes for a nap, Josh goes to learn language, I do my devotions, and Lydia does preschool books or preschool computer games. I love this quiet time of day.
Then it is time to get supper started, the girls play, and Josh does class prep or jobs around the house. Of course in the mists of this “normal daily routine” we have numerous interruptions from workers, guests, and needs. Not to mention diaper changes, fetching water, or no power to function with.
After supper we play with the girls and clean up or take a short walk to see our neighbors. Some nights we have prayer time with Tim and Angie. Then it is bath time, book time, and bed time. The girls are great about going to bed. They lay down by themselves and fall right to sleep. How nice. Josh and I then check email, read, watch a DVD, get everything we couldn't get done while the kids where awake, or just go to bed.
And that is our day. You can fill in all the unsaid details. I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Mandy
Sorry, one more thing. It is Wednesday and I have the flu – don't you hate when Mom is sick. The doctor in Kampala called us about Ben. She wondered why they waited so long. He either has one kind of cancer or lymphoma cancer. They want do a biopsy and then appropriate radiation and chemo. If it is lymphoma there isn't much they can do. Keep praying! Did I tell you that the people at IT have done an amazing job in stepping forward and paying for Ben care and other need here. Thanks!
Angelina and Ben are going to Kampala tomorrow to see a cancer doctor and have treatments. He finally got pain killer here and found out it is even free from the hospital. We pray all goes well. Oh, just a side note to put you in the mind of a blind person, the other day they asked Tim and Josh to describe the stars to them. We are so blessed to see God's beauty here on earth.
I have really been wanting to bless people here and give them something to say I appreciate them and share God's love. Today I started by buying the builders cold pop. They were so happy and I was blessed! Angie seems to be really good at giving and being generous with what she has. Josh has the gift of giving. And God is challenging me to have a generous, giving heart.
Almost all of the shop keepers here in Soroti are Indian. They have really been on my heart lately. I see their little shires set up for their gods in the stores and their calendar with a picture of their temple. The temple looks just like the one we visited while in training with IT in Chicago. I am so glad we went there, I had no idea God was preparing me for ministry in Soroti. These people are lost. We haven't just come to save Ugandans but all people. I am amazed that Angie has always loved Indian culture and now here it is. Most of the shop owners aren't very nice, but there is one man who is so nice to us. I want to invite him over. Josh thought it would be a good way to connect if we see if his wife could cook Indian food for us since we like it so much. I need to pray about this and see what the Lord wants us to do.
I want to try to wrap this journal up so I can sent it and start on next months, but before I do let me give you a sneak peek at a semi normal day in our lives here:
Josh wakes up around 5:30am to do devotions. I wake up when my girls do usually around 7am. We eat breakfast then I usually take a walk or Josh runs.
Josh teaches four mornings a week for a couple hours. The girls get dressed, brushed, sun screened, and ready for the day. They often watch a DVD and always play with Avalien. I will bake, check email, or clean up. Our house help comes and does laundry, sweeps, and dishes. Sometimes we go to town to get a few things, go to market, and check the mail. This is a big task with three little girls.
We eat lunch all together then Grace goes for a nap, Josh goes to learn language, I do my devotions, and Lydia does preschool books or preschool computer games. I love this quiet time of day.
Then it is time to get supper started, the girls play, and Josh does class prep or jobs around the house. Of course in the mists of this “normal daily routine” we have numerous interruptions from workers, guests, and needs. Not to mention diaper changes, fetching water, or no power to function with.
After supper we play with the girls and clean up or take a short walk to see our neighbors. Some nights we have prayer time with Tim and Angie. Then it is bath time, book time, and bed time. The girls are great about going to bed. They lay down by themselves and fall right to sleep. How nice. Josh and I then check email, read, watch a DVD, get everything we couldn't get done while the kids where awake, or just go to bed.
And that is our day. You can fill in all the unsaid details. I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Mandy
Sorry, one more thing. It is Wednesday and I have the flu – don't you hate when Mom is sick. The doctor in Kampala called us about Ben. She wondered why they waited so long. He either has one kind of cancer or lymphoma cancer. They want do a biopsy and then appropriate radiation and chemo. If it is lymphoma there isn't much they can do. Keep praying! Did I tell you that the people at IT have done an amazing job in stepping forward and paying for Ben care and other need here. Thanks!
20 April 2007
What has happened since I wrote last...a lot I'm sure. Ben and Angelina saw the doctor but he couldn't do anything he recommended they go to Kampala or Gulu where they have chemo treatment. So it looks like they are making plans to go. The guys just informed me that they think he is on his death bed. They can see him get worse and worse every day. He is in a lot of pain. Josh said we need to pray that his suffering ends even if that mean God takes him home.
There has been a lot of building activity going on around here. Yesterday our yard was full of workers. Some hauling dirt, some planting grass, some digging a foundation for our guard house/garage, and some just standing around “supervising”. It is time consuming watching over building projects. Seems like everywhere you turn you hear about needs and suffering. Even with the workers. Josh said the truck driver goes down to the quorie and asks if anyone wants to shovel dirt instead of cut rocks today. Then he pays them a little of the lots he makes. They paid four young boys to plant grass for 60cents each. And there where two older women digging the foundation with the guys. Angie told them they were working too hard and the guys just told here, “life is hard here, they have no money so you do the work there is to get it.” We have it so good.
We got plants the other day. I know this does sound exciting to you but I was so excited. They are small but it adds so much and already looks nice. I put a few pretty ones in front of our house and put rocks around it. Josh said it makes it feel permenate, like we are going to be here awhile. Home. We got orange trees, lemon, avocado, palm trees, and a few other. We get quite a bit of rain here and everything looks nice and green.
We have been making orange and passion fruit juice lately. It is so good. I know it sounds funny but I am so blessed here. I look in my fridge and I have water, juice, milk, pop, tea... and they are all renewable. I can have as much as I want. I never had this in Mahula. It doesn't take much to be thankful.
I was looking at out pictures the other night and it make me think...I think too much I know. I am so thankful for all I have seen, all the places I've been, all I have been able to do, all of the special people in my life. I have been blessed! I love my kids. They change so much in a year. I want to enjoy each moment as much as I can. I don't want to forget or regret. I don't want to yell or get frustrated. I want to stop and enjoy. I want to laugh and play. I want to stop doing so much and putting pressure on myself to do. Life is too short to be too busy and stressed. I want to live knowing I was faithful with all God has given me.
Lydia has been saying really nice, meaningful prayers lately. I wish you could sit around our “table” and hear her thank God and pray for everyone. Her prayers are so innocent and real. No wonder God wants our faith to be like a child.
I heard a really good sermon from Mars Hill the other day while I was walking. It was such a good reminder that God hears the cries of the poor and oppressed. And if we hear those cries too we are close to God's heart. I keep reading it over and over in the Bible – God loves the poor and needy! He protects them and cares for them. (Is. 25:4) After seeing The Nativity I realized the same thing, God came for the poor and needy. He lived among them, helped them, taught them, defended them, and loved them. If we want to know God and serve Him we must be Jesus to the poor and needy. I know we are all needy and need Jesus, but if we can't think of people by name who are poor then maybe there is something wrong. Maybe we are ignoring it or keeping ourselves at a distance. Maybe we are just distancing ourselves from God. All I know is God loves those in need – what comfort and hope that brings. God is their answer!
Talk about poor and needy, today we went to Amecet (it means shelter). Amecet is an orphanage for sick children run by YWAM. Els is the Dutch women who runs the orphanage. I was very impressed with her. She has given ten years of her life to caring for sick children. Watching some of them grow healthy and be reunited with their families, watching others die in her arms. It brought me back to Mahula days, a premature three pound baby turning cold and grey. I don't know how she does it but I am thankful she does. She loves the children there. There are about 24 or so kids. 11 of them are older children and live there permanently and go to school. Almost all of the sick babies/kids are brought back to their families after they are healthy. They work with the families to teach them too. About half of the babies/kids are HIV positive. But if they are on medicine, which is cheap and available, the child can live a normal life.
I now know that until you see and experience something it means nothing to you. I saw the pictures and heard all about Amecet, but it wasn't until today when I saw, touched, and met these precious little ones that it became real to me. I know their names, faces, and heard their stories. My heart was touched by their need for love and care. They smiled and crawled to us just to have our attention for a few minutes. Let me introduce you to a few of the little ones:
Franco came up to us first with a beaming, toothy smile. I was shocked to hear he was two years old. He is the size of a ten month old and about half the size of my nineteen month old. He can't walk or even stand alone. But boy is he happy. He is a lover. They said he was so small when he came and almost died.
Moses is a five month old baby that looks like our newborns. Yet he smiles too! He is healthy but his mother died and the family needs help to care for him. He needs to grow and then he will be reunited with his family.
Then there was another sweet baby boy with a shocking story. His mother is only 18 and shoved him down a latrine. Someone heard him crying and saved him just as he was going under. He came to Amecet with the marks on this head from being forced down the hole but he was okay. His mother was in prison but now is working with a probation officer. She comes to visit him and will be reunited with her son some day too. She loves her son. She was just a young, desperate, and scared.
Alleybeana and Helen are two HIV positive almost two year olds. They will not be reunited with their families because they wont care for them properly. The girls get medicine every day for HIV. I guess the families wont give the medicine properly or consistantly. What sweet little girls. They were so happy to have new little playmates. Grace and Lydia enjoyed playing on the slide with them.
I don't know how we will be able to help Amecet but they touched my heart. Hopefully we will be able to visit the kids, fill in when they need help, and supply some clothes for them.
There has been a lot of building activity going on around here. Yesterday our yard was full of workers. Some hauling dirt, some planting grass, some digging a foundation for our guard house/garage, and some just standing around “supervising”. It is time consuming watching over building projects. Seems like everywhere you turn you hear about needs and suffering. Even with the workers. Josh said the truck driver goes down to the quorie and asks if anyone wants to shovel dirt instead of cut rocks today. Then he pays them a little of the lots he makes. They paid four young boys to plant grass for 60cents each. And there where two older women digging the foundation with the guys. Angie told them they were working too hard and the guys just told here, “life is hard here, they have no money so you do the work there is to get it.” We have it so good.
We got plants the other day. I know this does sound exciting to you but I was so excited. They are small but it adds so much and already looks nice. I put a few pretty ones in front of our house and put rocks around it. Josh said it makes it feel permenate, like we are going to be here awhile. Home. We got orange trees, lemon, avocado, palm trees, and a few other. We get quite a bit of rain here and everything looks nice and green.
We have been making orange and passion fruit juice lately. It is so good. I know it sounds funny but I am so blessed here. I look in my fridge and I have water, juice, milk, pop, tea... and they are all renewable. I can have as much as I want. I never had this in Mahula. It doesn't take much to be thankful.
I was looking at out pictures the other night and it make me think...I think too much I know. I am so thankful for all I have seen, all the places I've been, all I have been able to do, all of the special people in my life. I have been blessed! I love my kids. They change so much in a year. I want to enjoy each moment as much as I can. I don't want to forget or regret. I don't want to yell or get frustrated. I want to stop and enjoy. I want to laugh and play. I want to stop doing so much and putting pressure on myself to do. Life is too short to be too busy and stressed. I want to live knowing I was faithful with all God has given me.
Lydia has been saying really nice, meaningful prayers lately. I wish you could sit around our “table” and hear her thank God and pray for everyone. Her prayers are so innocent and real. No wonder God wants our faith to be like a child.
I heard a really good sermon from Mars Hill the other day while I was walking. It was such a good reminder that God hears the cries of the poor and oppressed. And if we hear those cries too we are close to God's heart. I keep reading it over and over in the Bible – God loves the poor and needy! He protects them and cares for them. (Is. 25:4) After seeing The Nativity I realized the same thing, God came for the poor and needy. He lived among them, helped them, taught them, defended them, and loved them. If we want to know God and serve Him we must be Jesus to the poor and needy. I know we are all needy and need Jesus, but if we can't think of people by name who are poor then maybe there is something wrong. Maybe we are ignoring it or keeping ourselves at a distance. Maybe we are just distancing ourselves from God. All I know is God loves those in need – what comfort and hope that brings. God is their answer!
Talk about poor and needy, today we went to Amecet (it means shelter). Amecet is an orphanage for sick children run by YWAM. Els is the Dutch women who runs the orphanage. I was very impressed with her. She has given ten years of her life to caring for sick children. Watching some of them grow healthy and be reunited with their families, watching others die in her arms. It brought me back to Mahula days, a premature three pound baby turning cold and grey. I don't know how she does it but I am thankful she does. She loves the children there. There are about 24 or so kids. 11 of them are older children and live there permanently and go to school. Almost all of the sick babies/kids are brought back to their families after they are healthy. They work with the families to teach them too. About half of the babies/kids are HIV positive. But if they are on medicine, which is cheap and available, the child can live a normal life.
I now know that until you see and experience something it means nothing to you. I saw the pictures and heard all about Amecet, but it wasn't until today when I saw, touched, and met these precious little ones that it became real to me. I know their names, faces, and heard their stories. My heart was touched by their need for love and care. They smiled and crawled to us just to have our attention for a few minutes. Let me introduce you to a few of the little ones:
Franco came up to us first with a beaming, toothy smile. I was shocked to hear he was two years old. He is the size of a ten month old and about half the size of my nineteen month old. He can't walk or even stand alone. But boy is he happy. He is a lover. They said he was so small when he came and almost died.
Moses is a five month old baby that looks like our newborns. Yet he smiles too! He is healthy but his mother died and the family needs help to care for him. He needs to grow and then he will be reunited with his family.
Then there was another sweet baby boy with a shocking story. His mother is only 18 and shoved him down a latrine. Someone heard him crying and saved him just as he was going under. He came to Amecet with the marks on this head from being forced down the hole but he was okay. His mother was in prison but now is working with a probation officer. She comes to visit him and will be reunited with her son some day too. She loves her son. She was just a young, desperate, and scared.
Alleybeana and Helen are two HIV positive almost two year olds. They will not be reunited with their families because they wont care for them properly. The girls get medicine every day for HIV. I guess the families wont give the medicine properly or consistantly. What sweet little girls. They were so happy to have new little playmates. Grace and Lydia enjoyed playing on the slide with them.
I don't know how we will be able to help Amecet but they touched my heart. Hopefully we will be able to visit the kids, fill in when they need help, and supply some clothes for them.
16 April 2007
We got a wonderful phone call last night. Lydia was happy to hear that Ryan will soon be Uncle Ryan and that we will be home for the wedding. Congratulations guys!
Today we went to Mbale. We needed more money (our building projects are running us dry – thankfully the landlord will be paying us back). We also got a few other things: Bibles, groceries (even bacon), and cheese. We finally met the Dutch cheese man. We went to his house, saw the process, and brought cheese and yogurt. Josh was comforted by the smells from home (cows), and Tim was by the smell of cheese. Both of them thought each others stunk. Childhood memories.
We also went to the pool at Mbale Resort. It is such a nice place. We get much swimming in because of the rain but we did have a nice time. The missionaries in Mbale fellowship there on Mondays so it was nice to meet some more people. They are all so nice and willing to help. I am so thankful. I also enjoyed my hot shower there. It had a lot of pressure and felt great after not having water for over a week now.
By the way we have water again! Our tanks are full and our taps are running. Oh happy day! I cannot figure out how we don't have water for so long then suddenly have all the water we need. They tell us there is a problem but I am beginning to think they want a bribe.
Grace has now started with, “why?” She has no idea what it means but she knows her sister says it a lot. She now knows how to us “mine” and “I do” properly. Grace also likes to pick “boogies.” It actually is quite cute.
Josh and Tim have been working with Angelina to help Ben, her son with cancer, get to Mbale to be examined. So today they went. We hired an expensive taxi to take them and paid for the exam. Ben has been bleeding out of his nose and mouth the last few days and vomiting. Last night he had lost so much blood he needed an IV. I thought he was going to die. I have never met him, yet I wanted to cry. We prayed a lot. We haven't talked to them since they saw the doctor so we will see what happens.
Today we went to Mbale. We needed more money (our building projects are running us dry – thankfully the landlord will be paying us back). We also got a few other things: Bibles, groceries (even bacon), and cheese. We finally met the Dutch cheese man. We went to his house, saw the process, and brought cheese and yogurt. Josh was comforted by the smells from home (cows), and Tim was by the smell of cheese. Both of them thought each others stunk. Childhood memories.
We also went to the pool at Mbale Resort. It is such a nice place. We get much swimming in because of the rain but we did have a nice time. The missionaries in Mbale fellowship there on Mondays so it was nice to meet some more people. They are all so nice and willing to help. I am so thankful. I also enjoyed my hot shower there. It had a lot of pressure and felt great after not having water for over a week now.
By the way we have water again! Our tanks are full and our taps are running. Oh happy day! I cannot figure out how we don't have water for so long then suddenly have all the water we need. They tell us there is a problem but I am beginning to think they want a bribe.
Grace has now started with, “why?” She has no idea what it means but she knows her sister says it a lot. She now knows how to us “mine” and “I do” properly. Grace also likes to pick “boogies.” It actually is quite cute.
Josh and Tim have been working with Angelina to help Ben, her son with cancer, get to Mbale to be examined. So today they went. We hired an expensive taxi to take them and paid for the exam. Ben has been bleeding out of his nose and mouth the last few days and vomiting. Last night he had lost so much blood he needed an IV. I thought he was going to die. I have never met him, yet I wanted to cry. We prayed a lot. We haven't talked to them since they saw the doctor so we will see what happens.
15 April 2007
The rain continues and we have used the blanket on our bed more than we did our whole four years in Mahula. How nice. However, the mud isn't so nice. (How do I manage to always find something to complain about?)
One of the Bible School students invited us to his church so we went today. It is near our house so we could walk – that is nice. I liked the church. It was simple, orderly, and timely. Josh preached and gave a great sermon on how Jesus did his part in dying and rising and we are to do our part by making disciples. The student, Basil, did a nice job of leading the service. The churches pastor is Pastor George. He is a really friendly guy. They invited us to come back for lunch. So we went home, gave the girls a nap, then returned for lunch.
I am so impressed with this Pastor George. He is easy to talk with, fun, and serves the Lord. They gave us a wonderful meal, rice and such. Pastor George and his wife have four children and live in a hut in the IDP camp. They want to be close to the church and ministry. Pastor Richard was also there. He grew up in California and is a doctor. Richard lives in Jinja and works with the UN. He has done a lot of work in the war torn North. He has given up a high paying job as a doctor to volunteer because he loves the Lord. Wow! They were very impressed with us coming here and with the ministry plans with have. We hope to work with them and their church. They think our VBS idea for this summer is a great idea and want to help. I feel so blessed to meet them and fellowship with them.
One of the Bible School students invited us to his church so we went today. It is near our house so we could walk – that is nice. I liked the church. It was simple, orderly, and timely. Josh preached and gave a great sermon on how Jesus did his part in dying and rising and we are to do our part by making disciples. The student, Basil, did a nice job of leading the service. The churches pastor is Pastor George. He is a really friendly guy. They invited us to come back for lunch. So we went home, gave the girls a nap, then returned for lunch.
I am so impressed with this Pastor George. He is easy to talk with, fun, and serves the Lord. They gave us a wonderful meal, rice and such. Pastor George and his wife have four children and live in a hut in the IDP camp. They want to be close to the church and ministry. Pastor Richard was also there. He grew up in California and is a doctor. Richard lives in Jinja and works with the UN. He has done a lot of work in the war torn North. He has given up a high paying job as a doctor to volunteer because he loves the Lord. Wow! They were very impressed with us coming here and with the ministry plans with have. We hope to work with them and their church. They think our VBS idea for this summer is a great idea and want to help. I feel so blessed to meet them and fellowship with them.
14 April 2007
Oh, water... we still don't have it. But we are finally getting somewhere with the water people. I guess we are on the old line and at the very worse spot in all of Soroti for water. So it doesn't look like our problem has a quick fix. Thankfully the rains have begun. We have rain water in our new HUGE water tank. It has been so nice since the rains have started. The temps are down and there are clouds in the sky. It has rained almost everyday the last few days. The temperature in our house is around 80degrees and cools off to under 70 at night.
Gery Bekker from CRWM came Wednesday night. It is always good to see someone from home. We loved the goodies and pictures, thanks Mom! We appreciated that he took the time and effort to come and see us. It shows that they really do care about us partners. The guys took Gery to the Bible School and to the blind community in the morning before he left. Hopefully he now has an idea what our ministry is. He said they are sending someone to work in Mbale and two families are interested.
Lydia continues to ask her why questions. Everyone notices and people always ask her why she asks why all of the time. The other day I asked why about something and Lydia said, “see Mom you ask why too.” She is so smart and just wants to learn more. We are finished with the preschool books I took so if anyone wants to send one, great. She has two preschool computer games that she has just learned to do all by herself. (A three year old on a computer!) Lydia has been extra whine the last few days and has peed in her pants several times. I am being patient but firm. I hope it is just a phase or time of adjustment. Grace can now say Lydia, at least kind of. The other morning she woke-up and said, “hi Lydia.” Sometimes I just stop and look at my precious little girls. Time goes so fast. They are growing and changing all the time. I want to cherish everything. (On my good moments I can do that.) I love the one year old stage. Where they jabber, learn words, waddle, and run so cute. Grace has a great smile and laugh. I love to watch them be sisters and play together. Parenting really is a blessing.
Josh and I finally went on another date last night. I say finally because we really needed it and I am learning I really need them. I need that time to communicate and be alone together. We haven't talked much lately. We are both busy, the kids are needy, and when they go to bed we both want to finally get something done. I am thankful Tim and Angie were willing to watch the kids. We had a really nice time.
And of course as you know, Tim had cellulitis. He had sore on the top of his head for at least a week and Angie would show me every once and a while because it had pus coming out. Then on Friday his head hurt, it was red, had a vein bulging, and his neck hurt. Angie and I looked in the medical books and thought it was either a boil or cellulitis. We thought we would get an antibiotic and call a doctor to see what they said. We couldn't get a hold of a doctor for along time so Tim and Angie went to the clinic down the road from us. We knew Tim wasn't feeling well when he didn't protest going to the clinic. The clinic was actually very impressive. They said it was an infection, cellulitis, and cleaned out the sore. They put him on pain killer and an antibiotic. I felt really worried about Tim and didn't want to ignore it. I only knew of people being in the hospital for cellulitis. I thought it was a lot better to take every precaution rather than regret not doing something more. So I told Angie we still had to talk to the doctor in Mbale and see what he said. By evening Tim's head hurt even worse. (Angie couldn't even touch it.) Angie talked to doctor Solomon and wanted to see Tim. So we made plans to go in the morning. The problem was there has been no diesel around. That is when we called people to be praying. We prayed too. Sometimes there is nothing else you can do but give it all to God. (It is what we should always do.)
Praise God, He answers prays and heals! Tim said his head hurt during the night and he had a hard time sleeping but by morning he was feeling much better. He even hit his head to prove to me it was better. The medicine was working. Thank you God.
Gery Bekker from CRWM came Wednesday night. It is always good to see someone from home. We loved the goodies and pictures, thanks Mom! We appreciated that he took the time and effort to come and see us. It shows that they really do care about us partners. The guys took Gery to the Bible School and to the blind community in the morning before he left. Hopefully he now has an idea what our ministry is. He said they are sending someone to work in Mbale and two families are interested.
Lydia continues to ask her why questions. Everyone notices and people always ask her why she asks why all of the time. The other day I asked why about something and Lydia said, “see Mom you ask why too.” She is so smart and just wants to learn more. We are finished with the preschool books I took so if anyone wants to send one, great. She has two preschool computer games that she has just learned to do all by herself. (A three year old on a computer!) Lydia has been extra whine the last few days and has peed in her pants several times. I am being patient but firm. I hope it is just a phase or time of adjustment. Grace can now say Lydia, at least kind of. The other morning she woke-up and said, “hi Lydia.” Sometimes I just stop and look at my precious little girls. Time goes so fast. They are growing and changing all the time. I want to cherish everything. (On my good moments I can do that.) I love the one year old stage. Where they jabber, learn words, waddle, and run so cute. Grace has a great smile and laugh. I love to watch them be sisters and play together. Parenting really is a blessing.
Josh and I finally went on another date last night. I say finally because we really needed it and I am learning I really need them. I need that time to communicate and be alone together. We haven't talked much lately. We are both busy, the kids are needy, and when they go to bed we both want to finally get something done. I am thankful Tim and Angie were willing to watch the kids. We had a really nice time.
And of course as you know, Tim had cellulitis. He had sore on the top of his head for at least a week and Angie would show me every once and a while because it had pus coming out. Then on Friday his head hurt, it was red, had a vein bulging, and his neck hurt. Angie and I looked in the medical books and thought it was either a boil or cellulitis. We thought we would get an antibiotic and call a doctor to see what they said. We couldn't get a hold of a doctor for along time so Tim and Angie went to the clinic down the road from us. We knew Tim wasn't feeling well when he didn't protest going to the clinic. The clinic was actually very impressive. They said it was an infection, cellulitis, and cleaned out the sore. They put him on pain killer and an antibiotic. I felt really worried about Tim and didn't want to ignore it. I only knew of people being in the hospital for cellulitis. I thought it was a lot better to take every precaution rather than regret not doing something more. So I told Angie we still had to talk to the doctor in Mbale and see what he said. By evening Tim's head hurt even worse. (Angie couldn't even touch it.) Angie talked to doctor Solomon and wanted to see Tim. So we made plans to go in the morning. The problem was there has been no diesel around. That is when we called people to be praying. We prayed too. Sometimes there is nothing else you can do but give it all to God. (It is what we should always do.)
Praise God, He answers prays and heals! Tim said his head hurt during the night and he had a hard time sleeping but by morning he was feeling much better. He even hit his head to prove to me it was better. The medicine was working. Thank you God.
9 April 2007
While once again it has been a few days and I need to catch you up on things. We have a new house help. Her name is Tabitha and so far she is great. I feel like the stress is gone. Tabitha has a great personality, easy to work with, a good worker, and plays great with the girls. Lydia LOVES when Tabitha gets to play with her. They read books and play house. Tabitha has make food for us and passion fruit juice. She is going to workout just fine. I am SO thankful!
We celebrated Josh's 29th birthday Thursday. It was fun. Lydia and I made cards for him and hung up little thank you notes around the room. We gave him peanut M&M's, the closest thing to Mellow Yellow pop, and a DVD. We made a birthday feast for him: bar-b-q pork, potatoes, cooked carrots, rolls, and chocolate cake. There would have been ice cream too but the power was off most of the day so the freezer wasn't very cold. We ate outside with Tim, Angie, Avalien, Steven, and Tabitha. We sang happy birthday and everything. Tim and Angie gave him books, brownies, and a nice note. Hope he knows he is loved.
Steven, the 12 year old orphan boy, comes everyday. Sometimes he helps the guys with jobs around the house, sometimes he just hangs out. We have been careful with him seeing we really don't know him or his story, but the more we get to know him the more we like him. He loves the girls and the girls love him. He reads books to them and today Lydia loved playing chase in the yard with him. He must be lonely and enjoys having loving families to hang out with. He eats almost every supper with one of us. He use to live in the IDP camp but now lives right by us in a hut with some family. We haven't met the family yet and can't understand the agreement, but we are still learning how this culture works. Tomorrow Tim is going with him to check out the school and get him registered for next semester.
Lydia loves going to town, so today she went along with Tim, Angie, and myself. She went with U. Tim to get meat and came back with stories about the cow and goat heads that people eat. Oh, what that child is going to see here (and begin to think is normal!).
We got a meat grinder today. Angie now thinks she might be a vegetarian. It is a process. I am more than ever thankful for stores. We got the meat, cut the meat (cut the fat off), checked on the girls, wash the meat, helped the girls, put the grinder together, cleaned up spilled blood, ground the meat, found the girls outside, put the meat in bags, changed a diaper, cleaned, washed, and disinfected the kitchen, grinder, bowls, and everything else in sight...did I mention we have no running water. What a lot of work for good meat. And I wonder why I don't get much done – life takes time here. I told Angie they need to ask on missionaries applications if you are willing to be a butcher, cause you will be along with a lot of other things.
We continue to hear about and see the needs of the people here. You could become depressed with all the needs, yet I don't feel that way. I have peace and hope. God is in control. Amazing. Tim and Josh learn Ateso each day at the blind community near our house. They have been great and Tim and Josh are very thankful. They have two teachers Angelina and Francis. Angelina has a son Ben who is dying of throat cancer (he has a tumor(s) in the sinuses and throat). He lies in bed all day. He is thin, can't eat well, and has a hard time talking and hearing. He had treatments until the money ran out. We hope to pay for him to be checked out again and then see if any more can be done for him. She has another son at a Christian University in Kampala who is about to be kicked out because of school fees (he is in his last year). She asked them to be patient but they told her University is not a place for poor people. It would be great if he graduated so he could have a good job and support the family. Angelina can read brail and can type it too. She went blind at the age of five when she had small pox (I think) and they had to take her eyes. It is a great community with a lot of needs. Josh is writing something up for World Missions and hopes to take Gary there when he comes.
Well there is the widow who lives behind us. Today Josh bought flour and toothbrushes for them and we went to give them to her. Our other neighbor came along to translate since the widow only knows Ateso. Her name is Betty. Her husband was killed a year ago by the Karamojong. He transported cattle and was shot. She has six children. Betty also has diabetes and has to take shots everyday. Her youngest child has sickle cell. Five of her children go to school amazingly. They use to rent a house but once her husband died they couldn't afford it and the land lord allowed them to build the hut and stay there for no charge. Betty sells food she cooks at market for money.
On top of all this John, a Christian friend here, came and told us about his sister-in-law who died after giving birth to her seventh child. They have huge debt now and the baby will stay at the hospital or an orphanage till it is two and then go back to the village with the father. I can't imagine.
There is a lot of opportunity for people at home to help here. People could give money to medical needs, send items here to help the people, or come and build or whatever. If anyone asks how they can help tell them to email us or give them the scoop yourself. Thanks.
On a bit of a happier note, we went to Patrick's church Sunday. (The Patrick who teaches at the Bible School. Don't get confused there are a dozen Patricks, Francis', and Josephs around here.) Patrick and his wife Florance have two boys two and under. They are very nice people! The church was great except it went long and Josh thinks the floor is make with cow dung. They have a lot of children at the church and the singing there is great. They had beautiful flowers hanging in the church too.
You can pray about our water. I am beginning to think it is a discouragement from satan or the water people want a bribe. Everyone else seems to have water but us. They, the water people, say it is because we are at the end of the line and too many people are using it. But our neighbor has water. And we didn't have this problem the first few weeks actually the tanks were overflowing. I try not to complain and I am grateful for our power and all we have, but water is so nice. We have workers working on the latrine who need water, our house help needs water to wash, and we need it. Poor Josh and Tim have been making trips to Francis' to get water in our drums. I am thankful we have water available to use.
Living on the mission field may be hard at times, but it forces me to stick close to God. I have to depend on Him in a way I fail to at home. I LOVE being close to God. I fall more in more in love with my Savior the more I read about Him in His Word. He is God! He is love, peace, my refuge, and hope. I wish everyone knew God like this, He does too. God makes it so clear how we are to live. His joy and the blessings He gives is worth every hardship or sacrifice it takes to live for Him.
We celebrated Josh's 29th birthday Thursday. It was fun. Lydia and I made cards for him and hung up little thank you notes around the room. We gave him peanut M&M's, the closest thing to Mellow Yellow pop, and a DVD. We made a birthday feast for him: bar-b-q pork, potatoes, cooked carrots, rolls, and chocolate cake. There would have been ice cream too but the power was off most of the day so the freezer wasn't very cold. We ate outside with Tim, Angie, Avalien, Steven, and Tabitha. We sang happy birthday and everything. Tim and Angie gave him books, brownies, and a nice note. Hope he knows he is loved.
Steven, the 12 year old orphan boy, comes everyday. Sometimes he helps the guys with jobs around the house, sometimes he just hangs out. We have been careful with him seeing we really don't know him or his story, but the more we get to know him the more we like him. He loves the girls and the girls love him. He reads books to them and today Lydia loved playing chase in the yard with him. He must be lonely and enjoys having loving families to hang out with. He eats almost every supper with one of us. He use to live in the IDP camp but now lives right by us in a hut with some family. We haven't met the family yet and can't understand the agreement, but we are still learning how this culture works. Tomorrow Tim is going with him to check out the school and get him registered for next semester.
Lydia loves going to town, so today she went along with Tim, Angie, and myself. She went with U. Tim to get meat and came back with stories about the cow and goat heads that people eat. Oh, what that child is going to see here (and begin to think is normal!).
We got a meat grinder today. Angie now thinks she might be a vegetarian. It is a process. I am more than ever thankful for stores. We got the meat, cut the meat (cut the fat off), checked on the girls, wash the meat, helped the girls, put the grinder together, cleaned up spilled blood, ground the meat, found the girls outside, put the meat in bags, changed a diaper, cleaned, washed, and disinfected the kitchen, grinder, bowls, and everything else in sight...did I mention we have no running water. What a lot of work for good meat. And I wonder why I don't get much done – life takes time here. I told Angie they need to ask on missionaries applications if you are willing to be a butcher, cause you will be along with a lot of other things.
We continue to hear about and see the needs of the people here. You could become depressed with all the needs, yet I don't feel that way. I have peace and hope. God is in control. Amazing. Tim and Josh learn Ateso each day at the blind community near our house. They have been great and Tim and Josh are very thankful. They have two teachers Angelina and Francis. Angelina has a son Ben who is dying of throat cancer (he has a tumor(s) in the sinuses and throat). He lies in bed all day. He is thin, can't eat well, and has a hard time talking and hearing. He had treatments until the money ran out. We hope to pay for him to be checked out again and then see if any more can be done for him. She has another son at a Christian University in Kampala who is about to be kicked out because of school fees (he is in his last year). She asked them to be patient but they told her University is not a place for poor people. It would be great if he graduated so he could have a good job and support the family. Angelina can read brail and can type it too. She went blind at the age of five when she had small pox (I think) and they had to take her eyes. It is a great community with a lot of needs. Josh is writing something up for World Missions and hopes to take Gary there when he comes.
Well there is the widow who lives behind us. Today Josh bought flour and toothbrushes for them and we went to give them to her. Our other neighbor came along to translate since the widow only knows Ateso. Her name is Betty. Her husband was killed a year ago by the Karamojong. He transported cattle and was shot. She has six children. Betty also has diabetes and has to take shots everyday. Her youngest child has sickle cell. Five of her children go to school amazingly. They use to rent a house but once her husband died they couldn't afford it and the land lord allowed them to build the hut and stay there for no charge. Betty sells food she cooks at market for money.
On top of all this John, a Christian friend here, came and told us about his sister-in-law who died after giving birth to her seventh child. They have huge debt now and the baby will stay at the hospital or an orphanage till it is two and then go back to the village with the father. I can't imagine.
There is a lot of opportunity for people at home to help here. People could give money to medical needs, send items here to help the people, or come and build or whatever. If anyone asks how they can help tell them to email us or give them the scoop yourself. Thanks.
On a bit of a happier note, we went to Patrick's church Sunday. (The Patrick who teaches at the Bible School. Don't get confused there are a dozen Patricks, Francis', and Josephs around here.) Patrick and his wife Florance have two boys two and under. They are very nice people! The church was great except it went long and Josh thinks the floor is make with cow dung. They have a lot of children at the church and the singing there is great. They had beautiful flowers hanging in the church too.
You can pray about our water. I am beginning to think it is a discouragement from satan or the water people want a bribe. Everyone else seems to have water but us. They, the water people, say it is because we are at the end of the line and too many people are using it. But our neighbor has water. And we didn't have this problem the first few weeks actually the tanks were overflowing. I try not to complain and I am grateful for our power and all we have, but water is so nice. We have workers working on the latrine who need water, our house help needs water to wash, and we need it. Poor Josh and Tim have been making trips to Francis' to get water in our drums. I am thankful we have water available to use.
Living on the mission field may be hard at times, but it forces me to stick close to God. I have to depend on Him in a way I fail to at home. I LOVE being close to God. I fall more in more in love with my Savior the more I read about Him in His Word. He is God! He is love, peace, my refuge, and hope. I wish everyone knew God like this, He does too. God makes it so clear how we are to live. His joy and the blessings He gives is worth every hardship or sacrifice it takes to live for Him.
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