We arrived back in St. Louis yesterday around 5:00 pm ~ only one hour past our scheduled arrival time. Not bad for us! The trip home was pretty uneventful, other than being incredibly long. We were all thrilled to see our families, needless to say.
A few updates, since I haven't been able to write since Saturday morning. We visited the village of Kateete on Saturday. Their church building is complete and looks wonderful. We hope to do something similiar in Nakabango very soon. We enjoyed the kids singing, even as a chicken walked down the center aisle of the church. We handed out more treat bags and Kelly used the flannel board we gave them to tell the story of the birth of Christ.
Afterwards, we headed back to Kampala for some shopping and dinner at the Grand Imperial Hotel. It was a nice "last night in Uganda". A little excitement as we returned to the hotel after shopping. We were making a left turn into the parking lot and a motorcycle/scooter/taxi flew past us on the left trying to pass and ran into our bus! Fortunately the driver and his passenger were OK, although I'm sure they were sore the next day!
On Sunday, we checked out of the Mosa Courts and went to Charles' church in Kampala. They meet in the tent Messiah purchased for them 3 years ago. It's very nice ~ concrete floor and white plastic chairs. We loved the fact that they had to stack chairs after church, just like we do at Messiah!
We went to Charles' and Eva's home after church for lunch and to kick back before we left for the airport. They fixed us a wonderful lunch and we got to look at their wedding pictures. Their hospitality was great!
Headed to the airport around 6:00 and our flight left at 11:05 pm. Made all our connections and through customs in Chicago.
The trip was absolutely fabulous for so many reasons. God blessed our time together in amazing ways. I thank him for all the gifts he gave us during the past 10 days! Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Saturday Morning
It's Saturday morning around 9:30 am and we're back in Kampala.
Headed to the village of Bufuula yesterday morning and had the privilege of dedicating their new well. There was a ribbon of toilet paper around the perimeter of the well and we ceremoniously broke it for the dedication! This village has a Lutheran church that was "planted" by the church in Nakabango! Their gardens were absolutely beautiful. An amazing irrigation system.
From Bufuula we headed to our afternoon at Nakabango. We staged an awesome Nativity scene with some of the kids and handed out hundreds of treat bags. We were concerned about the kids getting back in line for a second treat bag, but it was actually the women we had to watch like a hawk! Always looking out for their babies.
We also performed our dramatic interpretation of "Noah's Ark" and the "Good Samaritan". Don't know if I can even describe 20 kids and some of our team in their cute little animal masks. John was a wonderful Noah and Mark was an amazing Jewish man. They have acting skills we never knew existed.
Thinking we were leaving soon, we ended up getting to sit around and hold kids and visit for about 3 hours before we ate "lunch". Afterwards, Charles showed up with the goats we were giving them. We had a great time handing out bedding kits and mosquito nets, too.
Then the hard part came - time to leave. The villagers are so gracious and sent us off in style. I'm always amazed at the connections we form in a short time. Suffice it to say, the bus was very quiet as we went down the road from Nakabango.
On a personal note, I got to visit with my sponsored child Rachel. She was there as I came off the bus. She is so precious! She is 15 and beautiful. She asked about each of my 3 kids and wanted me to tell Mark "hi". She is now in boarding school and wants to be a nurse.
This is possibly our last time with internet access before we get home. We are going to Kateete this morning, doing some shopping in the afternoon, and going to the African Dance Troupe dinner theater tonight. Tomorrow we are going to church at Charles' church here in Kampala and having dinner at his home. Please pray for our safety as we head home.
Pastor Chuck, keep up those computer skills. We love hearing from you!
Headed to the village of Bufuula yesterday morning and had the privilege of dedicating their new well. There was a ribbon of toilet paper around the perimeter of the well and we ceremoniously broke it for the dedication! This village has a Lutheran church that was "planted" by the church in Nakabango! Their gardens were absolutely beautiful. An amazing irrigation system.
From Bufuula we headed to our afternoon at Nakabango. We staged an awesome Nativity scene with some of the kids and handed out hundreds of treat bags. We were concerned about the kids getting back in line for a second treat bag, but it was actually the women we had to watch like a hawk! Always looking out for their babies.
We also performed our dramatic interpretation of "Noah's Ark" and the "Good Samaritan". Don't know if I can even describe 20 kids and some of our team in their cute little animal masks. John was a wonderful Noah and Mark was an amazing Jewish man. They have acting skills we never knew existed.
Thinking we were leaving soon, we ended up getting to sit around and hold kids and visit for about 3 hours before we ate "lunch". Afterwards, Charles showed up with the goats we were giving them. We had a great time handing out bedding kits and mosquito nets, too.
Then the hard part came - time to leave. The villagers are so gracious and sent us off in style. I'm always amazed at the connections we form in a short time. Suffice it to say, the bus was very quiet as we went down the road from Nakabango.
On a personal note, I got to visit with my sponsored child Rachel. She was there as I came off the bus. She is so precious! She is 15 and beautiful. She asked about each of my 3 kids and wanted me to tell Mark "hi". She is now in boarding school and wants to be a nurse.
This is possibly our last time with internet access before we get home. We are going to Kateete this morning, doing some shopping in the afternoon, and going to the African Dance Troupe dinner theater tonight. Tomorrow we are going to church at Charles' church here in Kampala and having dinner at his home. Please pray for our safety as we head home.
Pastor Chuck, keep up those computer skills. We love hearing from you!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Friday Morning
Good morning from Jinja! It is 8:30 in the morning; we're not leaving until 10:00 this morning. We all need to pack and check-out.
Another beautiful evening last night. We sat under the stars until midnight. We stuffed 1,200 treat bags after dinner. That will be great passing those out today! They have a pencil, pencil sharpener, and candy. We're going to paint their face when they receive a bag so we know who has one and who doesn't. Again, should be organized chaos.
For all you Rolla folks, please know Duane has had no scary incident to report! As expected, he has been a God-send to our trip.
Everything is going well. We've really seen such a great cross-section of this culture. Seeing 3 villages has given us some great exposure to how things vary from one village to the next. One thing is universal - the people are fabulous!
We've also spent a lot of time with Charles, the pastor here, his new wife Eva, and Henry. We've established some really strong ties with them and that has been a special gift. Henry has been teaching some of us some local phrases. Dave, be prepared when Gina gets home!!!
Again, it is such a privelege to be here and represent our families, friends, and churches. We love you all!
Another beautiful evening last night. We sat under the stars until midnight. We stuffed 1,200 treat bags after dinner. That will be great passing those out today! They have a pencil, pencil sharpener, and candy. We're going to paint their face when they receive a bag so we know who has one and who doesn't. Again, should be organized chaos.
For all you Rolla folks, please know Duane has had no scary incident to report! As expected, he has been a God-send to our trip.
Everything is going well. We've really seen such a great cross-section of this culture. Seeing 3 villages has given us some great exposure to how things vary from one village to the next. One thing is universal - the people are fabulous!
We've also spent a lot of time with Charles, the pastor here, his new wife Eva, and Henry. We've established some really strong ties with them and that has been a special gift. Henry has been teaching some of us some local phrases. Dave, be prepared when Gina gets home!!!
Again, it is such a privelege to be here and represent our families, friends, and churches. We love you all!
Two Days of Memories!!!
So sorry - no internet access this morning because of the rain! It is 6:00 in the evening on Thursday. We just got back from the Source of the Nile River. Beautiful as always. Such a cool thing to say you've seen. Kelly and I got our picture taken in our Lutheran Cougar Football shirts - we're still trying to make it into the travel section of the Post!
Earlier today we went two seperate ways. Linda, Judy, Lisa, Charles and I went to visit the Minister of Health about healthcare in this area. Then we went to visit the village of Naigobya where some really COOL people from Minnesota have had a healthcare center built. It was a great learning experience. The rest of the team headed to Bulumwaki, another village (where we built 45 benches last year.) We met up with them around 1:00. We painted faces of the kids and enjoyed another delicious meal. The first team there got to sit in on some classes. There preschool room (about 7' X 12') held 70 kids! We think we have overcrowding. Kelly did a great job telling them all some flannel board stories. Rudy and Dorothy ~ they love you! We did hearing assessments on 5 kids who all need some kind of treatment.
Yesterday was our second day in Nakabango. Another great greeting in the morning! We met with 80 of our 111 sponsored kids, took their pictures, and handed out cards and letters. We also did health assessments on 180 kids. That was quite a process,but we got some good information. We were surprised that a large percentage had no idea of their age or birthdate.
In the afternoon, we set up for letting the kids do artwork. We started with paper and colored pencils, then screened those with "talent" ~ they got to go to Hollywood and paint on canvas. We have some fabulous artwork. Two of the older boys who are extremely talented had taken blank canvas last year and had done some amazing work. Can't wait for you all to see it!
Duane and John helped the men build a table in the morning. Forgot to tell you all yesterday that all of the lumber was MAHAGONY!!!! Our benches would probably sell for $400 in the US! The wood was so green, water literally ran out of it as we hammered in nails.
The grand finale of the day was our inaugural performance on their new stage, complete with the burgundy curtain we sewed before we left. We gave a stirring rendition of "Lord, I Life Your Name on High"!!! We rocked the house! After that, the kids and women performed. They were significantly better than us. They LOVE the stage! Great idea, Pastor Chuck!
We're off to dinner now ~ my sweet and sour chicken was great last night! We shared a couple of appetizers (or "warm starters" as they call them here) last night - garlic toast and mushroom toast.
Love to all our families and friends! Hope to update more tomorrow!
Earlier today we went two seperate ways. Linda, Judy, Lisa, Charles and I went to visit the Minister of Health about healthcare in this area. Then we went to visit the village of Naigobya where some really COOL people from Minnesota have had a healthcare center built. It was a great learning experience. The rest of the team headed to Bulumwaki, another village (where we built 45 benches last year.) We met up with them around 1:00. We painted faces of the kids and enjoyed another delicious meal. The first team there got to sit in on some classes. There preschool room (about 7' X 12') held 70 kids! We think we have overcrowding. Kelly did a great job telling them all some flannel board stories. Rudy and Dorothy ~ they love you! We did hearing assessments on 5 kids who all need some kind of treatment.
Yesterday was our second day in Nakabango. Another great greeting in the morning! We met with 80 of our 111 sponsored kids, took their pictures, and handed out cards and letters. We also did health assessments on 180 kids. That was quite a process,but we got some good information. We were surprised that a large percentage had no idea of their age or birthdate.
In the afternoon, we set up for letting the kids do artwork. We started with paper and colored pencils, then screened those with "talent" ~ they got to go to Hollywood and paint on canvas. We have some fabulous artwork. Two of the older boys who are extremely talented had taken blank canvas last year and had done some amazing work. Can't wait for you all to see it!
Duane and John helped the men build a table in the morning. Forgot to tell you all yesterday that all of the lumber was MAHAGONY!!!! Our benches would probably sell for $400 in the US! The wood was so green, water literally ran out of it as we hammered in nails.
The grand finale of the day was our inaugural performance on their new stage, complete with the burgundy curtain we sewed before we left. We gave a stirring rendition of "Lord, I Life Your Name on High"!!! We rocked the house! After that, the kids and women performed. They were significantly better than us. They LOVE the stage! Great idea, Pastor Chuck!
We're off to dinner now ~ my sweet and sour chicken was great last night! We shared a couple of appetizers (or "warm starters" as they call them here) last night - garlic toast and mushroom toast.
Love to all our families and friends! Hope to update more tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Nakabango - What a day!
Wow!!!! What an amazing day in the village of Nakabango!!! I wish I could package the greeting we received and send it to everyone we know! The drums, the shrieks from the women, and the smiling faces of hundreds of gorgeous kids. For many of us, we recognized lots of faces. For the "newbies", the look on THEIR faces was priceless! There is just nothing to compare it to.
After the ceremonial official welcome - we broke out into groups to build the stage, make bracelets with around 700 kids, and make beautiful pins with the widows. The distribution of bracelet kits was the typical pandamonium. Lisa, who works at the library in St. Charles, said it wasn't EXACTLY like a children's activity at the library! We sat on the ground and put bracelets together with the kids for a couple of hours. Michelle lead the women in making pins. John and Duane's design for the stage was flawless (at least in my eyes!) Everyone got a chance to move around and experience all the activities.
We had a quick game of wiffle ball and a songfest with the kids. Almost everyone on the team had 2 children or more holding their hands at all times. It is an amazing thing to be able to share God's love in this way. What a privelege!
I especially loved the fact that we got to spend lots of time just relaxing with the villagers yesterday. We learned lots of family stories and details about the village and it was such a blessing.
Flip Flop distribution - what can I say?!?? It was awesome! We brought over 700 pair and handed them all out. The village leaders managed to put the kids in line by size and we filled the "orders" as they came through. Organized chaos is the best description I can give. There were some beautiful little feet leaving the village yesterday afternoon!
Pastor Chuck, you are missed and the women and kids send you their love! Medina was just a little upset that you weren't along! I gave her a bag of yarn and she was OK though!
Dinner was at our Sunset Hotel last night and it was great. Meals ranged from chicken and cheese pizza (me) to vegetable fried rolls (Lesli) to an African dish that I can't pronounce (Judy)! It was all very good. Fried bananas with honey and ice cream for dessert.
The geckos haven't attacked me yet, but they continue to hang around.....
Thank you for all your prayers! To all of our families - we love you and thank you for this opportunity!
After the ceremonial official welcome - we broke out into groups to build the stage, make bracelets with around 700 kids, and make beautiful pins with the widows. The distribution of bracelet kits was the typical pandamonium. Lisa, who works at the library in St. Charles, said it wasn't EXACTLY like a children's activity at the library! We sat on the ground and put bracelets together with the kids for a couple of hours. Michelle lead the women in making pins. John and Duane's design for the stage was flawless (at least in my eyes!) Everyone got a chance to move around and experience all the activities.
We had a quick game of wiffle ball and a songfest with the kids. Almost everyone on the team had 2 children or more holding their hands at all times. It is an amazing thing to be able to share God's love in this way. What a privelege!
I especially loved the fact that we got to spend lots of time just relaxing with the villagers yesterday. We learned lots of family stories and details about the village and it was such a blessing.
Flip Flop distribution - what can I say?!?? It was awesome! We brought over 700 pair and handed them all out. The village leaders managed to put the kids in line by size and we filled the "orders" as they came through. Organized chaos is the best description I can give. There were some beautiful little feet leaving the village yesterday afternoon!
Pastor Chuck, you are missed and the women and kids send you their love! Medina was just a little upset that you weren't along! I gave her a bag of yarn and she was OK though!
Dinner was at our Sunset Hotel last night and it was great. Meals ranged from chicken and cheese pizza (me) to vegetable fried rolls (Lesli) to an African dish that I can't pronounce (Judy)! It was all very good. Fried bananas with honey and ice cream for dessert.
The geckos haven't attacked me yet, but they continue to hang around.....
Thank you for all your prayers! To all of our families - we love you and thank you for this opportunity!
Monday, June 2, 2008
We're in Jinja!!!
We made the big money exchange yesterday morning. Nothing like walking around with 1,000,00 of something!! We toured the LMMU offices and got to see our old friend Alex. He has started a youth worship service on Saturday evening and is seriously considering going to seminary to become a pastor.
After that is was off to Jinja. That's always an interesting bus ride. It's the first chance to see Uganda in the daylight and experience all the smells as well. We stopped at the market to buy 15 cases of water. The storekeeper wanted to know my views on the Clinton/Obama situation before I left. Now THAT was an interesting conversation! He's very pro-Clinton because she visited Uganda when her husband was president. The people here are very proud of their country and love to show it off.
Lunch was great - most had a hamburger (?) or some version of a grilled cheese. Lesli's had pineapple and ham and she added tomato; I think that is as strange as anything else we'll eat today!
Judy Davis loves everything about this trip. So far, she is winning the award as "Happiest Camper"!
We had dinner at the Hotel Triangle last night on the banks of the Nile. We all ordered the tilapia fillets. Unfortunately, some received the "full-body" version of a tilapia. Everyone was a trooper and ate it anyway. (I was fortunate enough to receive the fillets, Mark!) After dinner we had a mini-feast of deer jerky (supplied by Gina!) and peanut butter M&M's.
It's a great trip so far. Good people, good fun, good sights. God is so good! We're off to Nakabango. I am absolutely giddy thinking about everyone's face as we round the corner in our bus! Thank you for your prayers!
After that is was off to Jinja. That's always an interesting bus ride. It's the first chance to see Uganda in the daylight and experience all the smells as well. We stopped at the market to buy 15 cases of water. The storekeeper wanted to know my views on the Clinton/Obama situation before I left. Now THAT was an interesting conversation! He's very pro-Clinton because she visited Uganda when her husband was president. The people here are very proud of their country and love to show it off.
Lunch was great - most had a hamburger (?) or some version of a grilled cheese. Lesli's had pineapple and ham and she added tomato; I think that is as strange as anything else we'll eat today!
Judy Davis loves everything about this trip. So far, she is winning the award as "Happiest Camper"!
We had dinner at the Hotel Triangle last night on the banks of the Nile. We all ordered the tilapia fillets. Unfortunately, some received the "full-body" version of a tilapia. Everyone was a trooper and ate it anyway. (I was fortunate enough to receive the fillets, Mark!) After dinner we had a mini-feast of deer jerky (supplied by Gina!) and peanut butter M&M's.
It's a great trip so far. Good people, good fun, good sights. God is so good! We're off to Nakabango. I am absolutely giddy thinking about everyone's face as we round the corner in our bus! Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
We are Here!!!
It's 9:35 am Uganda time and we are here! Flights were all fine - we left Chicago late and our plane in Brussels left an hour early (when does that happen?), but we arrived at the exact time we were supposed to get here. Amazing!
It is raining this morning. We all had a great breakfast and we're waiting on our bus. We're off to Bujagali Falls and the Source of the Nile in Jinja. We'll be at the Sunset Hotel in Jinja for the next 5 nights.
Thanks for all the nice comments! Will try to write more tomorrow!!
It is raining this morning. We all had a great breakfast and we're waiting on our bus. We're off to Bujagali Falls and the Source of the Nile in Jinja. We'll be at the Sunset Hotel in Jinja for the next 5 nights.
Thanks for all the nice comments! Will try to write more tomorrow!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
