Novida or Stoney?

Yesterday was our free day- I always love Saturdays. It is like a backwards sunday because it is church day for us. In the morning we headed over to Mulago hospital where one of our kiddos are. Tony is a 16 year old boy that was diagnosed  with stage 4 cancer in his lymph nodes earlier this summer. Just a regular kid living a normal Ugandan life that was totally blindsided by what was happening with his body. He recently got moved to a smaller facility where he is getting fair care. I wanted to meet him and Julie is getting ready to leave Uganda so she wanted to see him again! When we got there- it is everything you see in films. Dirty, filled with sick people in the hallways, and flies...everywhere! Not the most conducive place to have your body heal especially when your immune system is low like that. We took public means: a taxi to a shopping center and then took a boda up the road to get to the facility. We walked down a dark hallway and was led into a room that was simply labeled "room 5" when we opened the door there were two hospital beds in a small space and no curtain to separate the two just a small divider that could be drawn when taking tests. There were four of us that went. When he saw us his face lit up and he had a huge smile from ear-to-ear. He is such a sweetheart. I only saw one personal possession of his- a small bible. Even when things are rough he still has radiant faith! When we asked him if we could get him something and he asked for juice- he hasn't been able to keep anything down. We got him some juice. His grandmother is staying with him right now as well and she saw my bracelets. Sometime this week I am going to go back and show her how to make them and bring Tony some books and activity pages!

After the hospital visit we went for some ice cream. Caramel flavor. yum.

In the evening we had church. Watoto Central. The choir came onto the stage and I was just beaming. Every week we are given the opportunity to get into groups of three with the people around us and just get to know each others name and spend a few moments in prayer. It is beautiful. We talked about being absolutely empowered by the Holy Spirit.

This morning we headed out to Zirobwe for church! Three of our volunteers are leaving this week so it was kind of a sad morning. It take about an hour and a half to get there. every two miles or so there is a series of five little bumps a big bump and then five more small bumps. Sometimes you can forget it is there and other times when you DO realize that its there it is super annoying. When we get there we are greeted by everyone in the village so as you are driving by you are constantly hearing kids yell out your name and wave as big as they can! Our classrooms are divided into three classes 0-8, 9-12, and 13+. I got to lead the 9-12 class today we talked about David and Goliath and touched on the importance of trust and what that should look like in their daily lives! After we prayed for the three girls leaving and had a time of saying goodbye to them. Our 13+ class doesn't start until after sunday school is over because that is when the worship in the main service gets finished. So all of the youth take their chairs out to the cattle shed and we share a message with them. Today Porsche shared with them and they were very responsive to the message. On our way home whenever we get to the nearest point of interest we all get sodas and the local snack! Novida and Stoney are the Ugandan sodas that are super yummy...just thought I would explain the title :)

After church we came home and had a goodbye circle and prayed for Julie and then we took her to the airport. I am going to miss her so much! She was a great encouragement to me and she started the prostitution ministry here and just opened my eyes to that sort of ministry. thankful that I got to be apart of that and here her testimony.

I prayed for rain

This week was a good week. It is always rough going out to the village for a week because you are literally signing up for no showers for a week and you know that by the end of the week you are going to be totally disgusting....but still you go. Cause you also know that it will be the best week of your trip so far.

We had a family from San Diego a husband/ wife and their three kiddos. It was so fun to have some Mzungu kids around they just keep life going. I loved it. Our programs looked a little different this week because of that.

We headed out on Monday after lunch. IT WAS HOT. When we got to the village we got our tents set up and all of our bags in our tents. It almost feels like we are setting up a house, we all sleep in one big room but we each have our individual bedrooms and space of the cement church floor. After I was set up I decided to walk over to my families house because we had a time of personal ministry where we could visit the families in the village or evangelize or do whatever seemed necessary. It is a fun time because it is unplanned and just richly wherever the spirit leads you really. (or the nearest child that grabs your hand). When I got over there I was immediately greeted there and sat on the front porch area and just talked to the kids. I mostly talked and they would just sit there and giggle at me. I hadn't seen my "mom" yet so I was hoping she would be there but she was out in the garden. So I sat and waited. The kids know that passion fruit is my favorite so they went and got me like 20 of them and presented them to me along with some maize and a stalk of sugar cane.  We played catch and they taught me how to play some African version of monkey in the middle. Rita (12) braided my hair, and Jennifer sat on my lap and just repeated everything the kids were saying to me. It was beautiful. Mom showed up eventually and we just spent time laughing and sharing what had been happening in the last 5 months of our life and how we had been praying for each other while I was in America. We ate dinner had devotions. Sleep.

Tuesday:
There is something about the crisp morning air. Every morning when I walk a long distance to the nearest bathroom I always am amazed at Gods goodness, How beautiful a sunrise is here and all of the colors that go along with it. We were intended to have a sports day but somehow it got lost in translation. So we had a handful of kids come and we played futbol with them. After lunch Sunday was finished with exams so he came over and asked me to go to his house. I scarfed down my food as fast I could, because I LOVE home visits and spending time just seeing what the kids do at home, on a regular basis. As I walk through the village people yell "MUWALA WAMUSUMBA" they all want to greet me and ask me how my night was. I love the interactions I have with them especially the people that are not involved in our village church they are always so confused as to why a white American knows any Luganda. When we got to the house the other children that are doing chores stop what they are doing to greet you and go and get the nicest seating they can. Culturally, they will sit there and chat with you and drop everything they are doing just to connect with you. We played UNO for a while, and then I had a Luganda lesson with one of the New Skills chalkboards. I spent the afternoon there. It had been another really hot day but it was really overcast at the same time. so strange. I love the encuba (rain) here. I am always reminded of Gods promises in our lives and how his love is constant. He blesses us with rain. I made it back to the church just as the rain began to pour!! It poured for a slid 45 minutes. All of the children find shelter in the church. You DO NOT want to be caught out in the rain. As I sat there and listen to the rain pound on the tin roof and sound of children laughing and playing- I just smiled. I know that I am right where I am supposed to be.

Wednesday:
We had manual labor from 9-12 and we were planting maize!! It was a good day for it since the ground was soft from the rain on Tuesday but it was a scorcher. Last week we cleared all of the grass into big piles and we had to remove the piles and then dig holes into straight lines. I go the easy job. I planted the maize and covered the hole back up with dirt. The methods that they use here are so different. Most of them are out there without any shoes on using hoes and picks that could do some serious damage to their feet but they still work so hard. We were scheduled to have a youth/community bible study but the dad of the family was leading a financial seminar with some community member so we thought it would be a good idea to have them sit in on that! It was great and I really feel like some of the community got a lot out of it. He was encouraging the people to all harvest different things that way as a community they could sell a lot more. I found it very interesting. The pastor "musumba" and his wife showed up with their sweet newborn baby and I got to snuggle with her for a little bit during the seminar. It made the time pass by so much faster. In the evening we had a program with the neighbor kids and played soccer with them. The older girls taught me how to play net ball.

Thursday:
Its weird to think you might be reading this at a time that has already past for me. ;)
Today we had devotions at 8am like every other day. Porche shared about how we are all different parts of the body of Christ and encouraged us to take that throughout our day. Today was evangelism day where we go to homes and ask people what questions that have and just share scripture with them. Today looked a little different because three of our volunteers are leaving this weekend so it was mostly home visits to fellowship with the families we know. We all broke up into smaller groups and spread out. We went to mama Sundays house and she told us some history of her family...all translated for us. How she had two older children that passed away, how she wishes she had grandchildren. We were able to encourage her and pray with her. Alia (a volunteer that was here the last time I was here) is one of the girls getting ready to leave. It is not a custom for the village people to cry but when she found out Alia was leaving there were tears running down her face. My heart broke. It rained again today. After lunch we packed up and headed for Kampala. Here I am.

Free flowers and time

Today was another incredible day.

I feel like that is how I start every blog. I need to start everyday the same as well.

I get so hot at night...like on fire. I was able to find a fan from inside the compound and plug it in. I woke up with a sore throat. Pick your battles.

Saturday is our free day so I was excited to see what was going to go on. I am more than happy with having a home day, But since we had just spent a week in the village yesterday was a free day as well and we had the opportunity to just rest.

I got up and read from Joshua about how the Lord handed the leadership from Moses to Joshua and that he just continued to encourage him by say be strong and courageous. That is how we need to all be living our lives...STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Period. I was reminded that even though I am in a different country, even though I don't speak the same language, even though I get weird stares and awkward responses to who I am as a person on the outside. I still need to be strong and courageous foe Christ. That was my mission and my challenge for the day.

We hung out around the house in the morning. French toast. In the midst of all of the rice and beans we somehow managed to score French toast, how that happened I do not know. We even had syrup from the local market. I watched a movie and just hung out with some of the volunteers around the house and stayed in my PJ's for quite some time.

Julie, Hannah, and I decided to go out to lunch today just to mix things up. We took bodas. yes motorcycles. The ones my mom told me not to ride. It was so amazing to be driving around the city again- it is so fresh in my mind that I was quick to pick up the directions I had from before. Since it has only been 5 months. At the shop there was a sweet older lady who was selling flowers and if you know me...you know I LOVE flowers. I couldn't help myself. I walked over to ask the price because I wanted to buy them for our dining room table at the EAC compound. just for something pretty to look at. I was able to talk with the lady and here how she had come to Christ and was indeed a born again Christian. She was very kind and we talked of petty things: where I was from and why I have chosen to follow the Lords leading in my life. I ended up buying some yellow roses from her.

We then headed to the craft market for Julie to find a few things since she is heading back to the states next week. As I walked through the locals are saying things like "Hi my friend..." "come take a look..." "looking is free..." "You come in here..." "Please my sister..." "Mzungu I have the best..." etc. Since I know a handful of words in Luganda I was able to shock them with some of my understanding and having conversations with them. Everytime somebody would engage in conversation or we would visit a new shop I just felt compelled to give a rose to each women I cam by! They give, give, give. They need to be appreciated and they need someone to tell them that God loves them and that they are loved and cherished just as much as all the tourists that come through here. I wish I could tell you about every women I met and a few gentlemen. It was most definitely a "divine intervention" the Holy Spirit pressing on my heart to love these women! The first lady I gave a rose to really was so much fun! She immediately called me sister and told me about her shop and how it came to be. Gave me a gift and just shared her life with me. Her name is Suzie, I will go back to see her. I got a few free bracelets, drawing lessons, and a lot of love today.

After that we headed over to Watoto central church! It was such an amazing service start to finish all but the temp. in the building for lack of better words, I was on fire. The choir came onto the stage with all the musicians and I though to myself and even said to one of the volunteers sitting next to me I would love to get involved and give my time serving in this church in the choir! We had a beautiful time of worship songs and then heard a message from the pastor from the watoto south church. The message? GIVING YOUR TIME! I felt so convicted that I need to be involved somewhere in a church while I am here. They even passed out little pieces of paper to put your contact info on for getting involved in church. I filled it out and handed it to an usher. Excited to see how I can get involved. You can definitely be praying for that- the Lord make it clear how and where He wants me to serve.

We took a taxi home. I am hot and sweaty. Time to drink some water and go to bed to sounds of loud music and turkeys out my window. <3

 

 

 

 

Well my feet are dirty.

Well my feet are dirty. Covered in the red dirt from the sweet village of Zirobwe.

 It has been an incredible week. It really feels like coming home.

Many of the children did not even recognize me- many mzungus come and go and they are constantly having people come in and out of their lives. Shortly after a few giggle and whispers. They began cheering for Muwala Wamusumba!!!!

When we got settled we immediately went out into the homes to do “new skills” a program where we get the opportunity to connect with an individual family and teach them English skills. The family that I was with didn’t even know how to write their name or the ABC’s. While we were teaching I was playing with some of my kiddos and I had a runny nose so I went to wipe it with my arm and there was blood everywhere! It must have been the change in elevation. I took care of it.

It is amazing how many words in Luganda have come back to me, I feel like I am going to pick up on it pretty quickly or at least I hope so!

We did A LOT of manual labor this week. Which is good…and bad. Wednesday some people woke up at 6am to commit the day to the Lord and just watch the sun rise. Breakfast was at seven and we had bread and tea to start our day.

Day one of manual labor we mowed the lawn with slashers. They are long hockey like sticks that you swing and cut the grass with. Let me just say it is harder than it sounds.

In the afternoon we had person ministry time. This was my opportunity to spend time with my families and just enjoy their company. So I IMMEDIATLEY visited my sweet village family and gave Dora (my sponsored kiddo) a few gifts from America- including a #Ugandashan t shirt. She loved it and it was so fun just to spend time with them. Then we walked down to Mama Franks house and she greeted up and hugged me so much. Earlier Frank had come to the church and said that she didn’t believe that I was back. She had the kids bring out two chairs for Christine and I-and had us sit down to chat. She came to the chairs and kneeled in front of us and greeted us again and kept saying that she was so happy and that she loved us so much. She also asked why I never bring pictures of my family to her. She wants to be able to show people that come to her home that she has a daughter since she never gave birth to a daughter. I assured her that I would bring her a picture. She also refused us to leave until we ate some of her VERY LOCAL cooked food. It was very hard to eat because it was one of my least favorite foods in Uganda, and also a staple food.

We made our way down to mama Sundays house (She is the one who called me several times while I was in America) She was so happy to see me. It was kind of that stereotypical moment in a movie when you haven’t seen each other in a long time and you run to each other for a big hug! That is how it felt.  The people in Zirobwe are so loving and kind. She gifted me with some fresh cows milk.

Everyone that I saw told me how beautiful I had become- and how BIG I was! In Uganda it is positive to be fat. Kind of a weird concept to get used to but they were not shy in telling me I had gained a few pounds since I left! I laugh it off now.

In the evening we had a campfire for our devotion time and it was a beautiful time of praise and worship. We also had popcorn, bbq beef, and corn on the cob. It was a good night indeed. We played the piano and drum and then heard a testimony from one of the Ugandan volunteers.

We have devotions every morning and every evening and I think the one that stood out to me the most was the one this morning. Portia (UK who is doing our finances) shared Romans 8 and talked about who we are in Christ. She had us pair off into small groups and read through it and talk to one another about what we got from it. There is so much truth in that scripture about who we are in Christ. The part that stood out to me most was when it talks about the spirit dwelling within us and how we don’t know what to pray for without the incline from the spirit. It just is such a great reminder that we can’t do this on our own we have to rely on Christ.

All of the children are in exams this week so we would only see them while they were on their breaks, it made it really hard to spend time with them because they needed to study! After exams they have holiday for some weeks and some of the kids said they will teach me Luganda. I will let you know how that goes.

I am so excited to be back and excited to see all the programs that have been implemented in the last months that I have been gone, there is so much good going on! I cannot wait to see how I get to fit into this crazy life here.

I have so much I could say, but I am going to leave it at that. For now. J

 

 

 

 

 

Uganda Day 1

Oh Africa! The place I love to be. Is it possible to miss something so much and then when you reach the destination it is like you were never gone?

Well that is me. Right now.

Sometimes I wonder why God chose me to come this far when it very well could be any one of you.

There truly is no better place to be. When I landed in Uganda I was in seat 16a so I was so excited because I thought I was going to be out super fast. Our plane was delayed due to a faulty seatbelt. Not the best news I had heard. The entire flight I thought what if it was my seat belt. J

                Christine my closest friend here greeted me out in the arrival area along with Luke (that boy who had the heart valve surgery in Sudan), Patrick, and our current Mzungu communications coordinator-Cassie. It was dark and quiet when I arrived at the compound, we lugged all of my suitcases to my room and I didn’t even open them I just left them there and sat in the living room for a while to let everyone know I had arrived- shortly after my head the pillow I was out! When I woke up this morning I stared at the same bunk I slept in the first night I was ever in Uganda. Which was pretty cool. I was greeted by familiar faces and introduced to new MST’s from all over we have a handful of girls coming and going right now.

Your perspective and mindset really have to change when you come back to a place like this. I am really trying not to relate EVERYTIHNG back to “when I was here…” statements. I am excited that things have changed and there is so much for me to learn coming back into Empower A Child. Like I said before though it feels like I never left.

Today is a public holiday in Uganda.  Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). All of Uganda celebrates this holiday. Muslim or not.  I unpacked most of my things today. Trying to hide some snacks away in the luggage that I am putting away that way when I find them several months down the road it will be like an early Christmas. I feel so organized this time around. Lots of containers and boxes to keep my things together in one place I am really excited about that. It really is the small things in life.

The weather…. It is HOT today. 73* but I am roasting. It is kind of cloudy and earlier the rain came through. I love the rain here. It pours and pours so hard and it all happens so fast. It rushes through and then the sun shines again. So strange, DEFINITLEY… not like Port Orchard.

I took a walk to Tusky’s (the local grocery) and picked up some things and exchange some of my money. A laundry basin, water jug, and a few of my favorite candies from.

                We are headed to the village Tuesday through Thursday this week. I cannot wait to see my kids and families out there. My heart is full.

This evening we lead a womens bible study for the women who are from the local brothel and we had four women here. One of the MST's who is here right now really spear headed this new outreach for women who are involved in prostitution. We get an opportunity once a week to speak God's truth into their lives. What a cool impact we can have. I am really excited about this new program and excited to see how God uses it in my own life. :)

Thank you for your support and following me on this journey I am so excited to see what God has in store for me.

Prayer requests: To be able to seek God first in times of frustration, to be flexible in all and every situation, be a part of EAC without holding anything back.

THE FINAL WEEK

I seriously am at a loss of words at the moment. I have so much I want to say and I don't know how to put it into a correct sentence. I cannot believe I am down to the last week before I head off to Uganda. At this time in one week I will be sitting in an airport terminal heading to London! And then to my favorite place. :)

As many of you know tomorrow (Sunday the 20th) is my last sunday before I leave for two years. I have a couple things for ya! If you would still like a t-shirt I will have the box with me and you will be able to purchase them tomorrow $25. I would love for all of you who do have a shirt to wear yours tomorrow so we can take a group picture in between services before I head off. Also I will have my address for you set to go- so you can send me letters or packages or stickers. I love stickers. so do the kids.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been so supportive through this whole journey and I cant wait to see hoe God is going to use me not only in Uganda but in the lives of those who are here at home.

I have a busy week this week. I am working everyday. Today, is the day I gut my room so I will be spending every moment I can trying to get things packed up and ready to go.

PLEASE be praying for my time. That I will be patient through this process and I will remember to hug everyone I can while I am here.

 

 

 

 

T- Minus 19 days

I cannot believe I am just few weeks out from heading back to Uganda. God is so good. It is weird to start winding down with the bajillion jobs I have. I am headed to Mt. Baker with the kids next week to be a camp counselor  and then I will only have one week after that! It is so surreal still. I have been collecting things- Here is a list of things for those of you who have expressed interest in donating items towards my trip. If these things are just lying around and you aren't using it anymore I would love to take it off of your hands!

List for Uganda Shan: updated 7/10/2014

snacks: dried fruit

External Hard drive- to back up photos & files 

headphones

Tums
Sewing needles

I was able to join my cousin in Everett to feed the homeless and share with some of the people of my plans to travel back to Uganda. It is amazing to be able to help out with people from all over the world who are struggling not just overseas but in my backyard! It was convicting to me that I need to be also reaching out to those that are closer to home. I now have 3 pen pals all young girls who are interested in knowing more about what is going on in Uganda. I LOVE that I get to encourage young ladies to be seeking after Gods plan for their lives. It is one of the most rewarding places to be. Thanks for thinking of me- I am beyond blessed when I think of how good you have been to me. I would not be able to be following after not only Gods leading in my life but fulfilling one of my biggest dreams. working hands on in a village that I consider family. God is doing big things for me and you. :)