Time to catch up....and time is running!!!

Greetings All!  My apologies for not blogging for nearly a month.  We have experienced so many adventures since our last entry....one of which was Malaria!  Yep...Eli contracted Malaria, and then Chrissie got it next. It is one of the reasons that delayed our blogging.  Fortunately, Jim hasn't and prayerfully, he won't!  It was not a fun experience at all.  Thankfully, malaria is 100% curable with treatment; which both Chrissie and Eli had.  Sadly, many people here still die from malaria, as they do not recognize the symptoms on time nor can many afford the treatment.

We got to experience another wedding introduction; this one was a bit less formal, but most amazing.  Ronnie and Janet, who are both involved with the ministry here, celebrated their introduction last month.  They get married 6 July, and we are so sad that we won't be here to celebrate with them.

Just when I think our experience here can't get any better, it does!  We've heard that we have blessed others here...yet, God has used each person and each opportunity to bless us beyond imagination.  We have experienced laughter in the midst of hardship, joy in the midst of sorrow, and peace in the midst of pain.  What an amazing God we serve and love.  And for all the love we show Him, His is immeasurably greater.

For those of you that are curious about the cultural differences, here are some fast facts:
-Public Schools are not fully funded by taxes, therefore, children must pay to go...and they do all they can to attend.  The cost of school is approximately $30-$125 per year.  If they don't pay, they will either have to work the garden and sell the produce to earn the money, or they become street children, with no education and no hope.
-Families do not usually eat breakfast, and some do not get lunch.  Many get one meal a day, and it is often the same thing, day after day.  I can't help but think of many Americans, who complain when they have to eat leftovers more than once.
-Not all, but many of the friends we've met here live in a mud hut with a grass roof, which is one large room, with a curtain dividing the parent's and children's sleeping area. They live, sleep and eat in the same place.  There are no separate rooms or indoor bathroom/shower, and there is no electricity.  Bathrooms are outside, (a bit like out-houses), and the family members get a basin of water to bathe in.  It was a bit like our field time in the military, before field showers.
-Government hospitals are the most unusual places.  Patients must have a family member with them to care for, feed, change, etc...they must bring their own bed linen, food, and water.  Nurses may check a patient from time to time, but doctors will not visit a patient without bribes (extra money).  Such a sad condition...but this is what FREE government healthcare will get you.
-There are two seasons here...rainy and dry.  Yet, even the rainy season is dry most of the day.
-Many shops have weird combinations...such as the laundry press shop is also a hardware store; and we passed a shop that sold couches and coffins...YES, you read it right.  Just bizarre stuff.

We have all been so busy with evangelism, children's ministry within the villages, youth seminars, visiting shut-in's, and trying to be used by God any way he says.  Eli led Sunday School for over 30 kids, and evangelized to as group of 35 adults and youth.  He has become a pied-piper to the children here.  We can't walk down the path without kids following Eli or calling for him.  If he is not with us, they yell..."Greet Eli for us!"

Last Saturday, we had a Back to School Day at church.  Yes, the kids here just ended their holiday and started school Monday.  We expected and planned for approximately 150 kids...but lo and behold, nearly 300 showed up!!!  Although we purchased food for 150-175, we had enough, plus some left over.  YAY GOD!

The children are so beautiful here.  Each one has a unique quality about them that make you want to take them all home.  The life of a Ugandan is one of hardship.  Many work so hard, and can lose much from damaging rains, disease, drought, or death.  However, the prayers of believers humble me at every turn.  When you hear them pray, you would think they lived in a mansion, had no worries, pain or need.  Instead, through all of the hurt, they show such gratitude for what they do have and for life.  Amazing faith!

One man who characterizes this is Sam.  He is in his early 30's and 4 years ago, he suffered a stroke, which changed his life forever.  Sam was working in the capital city of Kampala, in a lovely international hotel.  Now, he is paralyzed from the waist down and often has times he cannot speak at all.  Yet, despite his circumstance, Sam wears a smile and shows his love for God, each time we meet.  What a joy it has been spending time with him.  Sam's family was so grateful for our visits that they gave Eli a chicken as a thank you.  This is the second chicken Eli received.  You may laugh, but it's a great gift, as it is their food or means of income.  Eli (with the help of our friend Beatrice), made good eats of his gift.

We found a snake pit with a 10 foot cobra inside!  Yikes...we are all steering far from that critter, for sure.  Yet, these are the challenges these folks live with every day.  We have all grown in our appreciation for all the people here go through, but also for what we have back home.

Now, we are down to our last two weeks, and our hearts are heavy with the thought of leaving. It has been incredible to put into action the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...."  We believe God will bring us back here; back to our friends and His ministry.  The only questions are:  When and for how long?  Until then...we continue to lift our beautiful Ugandan Family up in prayer, and we look forward to our reunion with family and friends in the good ole' USA!

Praying for a Servant's Heart

This week brought us back to the beautiful children and staff at Nangongera's Wisdom Academy.  We were greeted with warm smiles and beautiful songs.  Jim taught the bible stories with the new flannel board.  Eli and Alex taught the kids to play Duck-Duck-Goose and Simon Says.  They also added a biblical application to both afterward.  I taught the kids 3 songs and after reading and discussing the scriptures.  It was great. Jim is preaching there on Sunday...YAY!  Please continue to pray for Pastor John Obbo and his team there at Nagongera, as he leads his church and school in the ways of the Lord.   
              

We experienced another part of African culture as we attended our first wedding introduction.  This is a bit like an engagement party, yet WAY more extravagant.  The formality and drama is even more than the wedding day itself.  But this is where the engagement rings are exchanged and when the families/clans formerly meet.  It is a very expensive affair, that the groom's family and clan usually pays for; a community effort and responsibility.


  

We continue to be blessed by Alex's "kids".  Last night, they came over for haircuts and we started listening to music and singing.  Before we knew it, we had a dance party...at least for a few minutes.  Sunday and his siblings, as well as Esther and Shelly were all dancing with me and Bobbi.  It was the first time I've seen Sunday REALLY smile since his mama died.  Such a joy!

Today was a wonderful day too.  We visited our neighbor, Beatrice, who has 3 children, 2 with sickle-cell anemia.  Her husband words late, but helps her a lot.  The oldest, Joan, is one with sickle-cell and also had  a stroke...thus, complicating the whole situation.  Both children need constant care, so Beatrice never leaves the home.  So today, we went to her and did her laundry, dishes and swept around the home,  Eli washed clothes by hand and is now quite appreciative of our washer and dryer back home.  Beatrice was so very grateful, you would think we renovated her home.  She even offered to give Eli a baby chick.  Of course, Eli would have loved it, but the dog on our compound would eat it and Eli wouldn't know what to do with it...LOL!  Such a sweet gesture though...she has nothing, yet offers so much.

Beatrice and her baby, John (under mosquito netting)

There is so much we wish we could do to make conditions better and help wherever we can.  But more importantly, showing the love of Christ, getting dirty with these people, loving them, and telling them the truth about Jesus are the things that matter most.

Please pray for us to have the heart of a servant - willing to GO where Jesus would go, DO as He would do, and LOVE whom He loves.

Acts 20:35
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Tragedy, Joy and Beauty

Me with Elizabeth's kids - Sunday, Joy, Issac, Linda, David,
and Mercy    

As mentioned previously in my last entry, last Wednesday, the quiet morning over Tororo was awakened with the sounds of villagers mourning.  Here in Africa, the mourners weep and wail loudly, as to notify the entire village of a death.  Sadly, it was not an unknown stranger, but a lovely woman named, Elizabeth, who died of a heart attack.  She was the mother of Eli's new friend, Sunday, and his 9 siblings - 6 of which are under 14 years old.

Alex and Mercy

Just a few months ago, Alex was a bachelor, in love with God and his ministry to children.  Almost overnight,  he became the guardian of his abandoned half-sister, Esther, along with his niece, Shelly - and now 6 orphans.  Please pray for Alex, to remain obedient to God, as he showers these little ones with the compassion of Christ.  He has no room, no resources, no money - but God is faithful and amazes us everyday.

Jim preached his first sermon on Sunday!  Through all the nerves, he did a wonderful job.  This church is the largest one we will visit.  It had a gathering of over 300 people.  The compound held the church, school (K-12), a skills development center, and a few homes.  The pastor, Moses Barasa, is a wonderful man of God.  He and his family minister to so many orphans and broken families.

His compound is surrounded with muslims, who sometimes threaten the ministry or workers.  At one crusade, a muslim leader named, Robert, stood up and proclaimed Christ as his Savior and Lord.  That week, Robert was beaten and cut so badly by the community that he nearly died.  Moses took him to the hospital and helped save his life.  Today, he is studying God's Word through discipleship training.  What a testimony of a changed life!

Us with Moses Barasa, his family and Robert (standing next to Jim)

Amidst the impoverished living conditions of many, the unspoiled beauty of this country is breathtaking.
                                  
The Creator's fingerprints are all over Uganda.  I wake to a glorious sunrise, that rises to warm the land.  Often the heat of the day is quenched by an afternoon shower or storm.  God's majesty is displayed through the lightning, thunder, and winds.  If only those that are lost here would acknowledge their Creator as Lord alone.

Many here believe in Jesus - but to some, he is no more than an accessory, rather than their entirety. For some, Christianity is mixed with idol worship, witchdoctors, curses and charms.  It is so sad.

Land is purchased!  Time for MAVUNO to grow.

I praise God for my brothers and sisters here that know the truth and proclaim Him boldly.  I also give thanks to Him for Mavuno Ministries, who just this week, purchased the plot of land needed to build a mission house, orphan safe-house, school and woman's center.  We continue to pray for God's provision and for workers to make this vision a reality.

Thank you for joining us in prayer and support.  Blessings to you!
James 1:27 ~  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

A Great Need for a Greater God

This week has encompassed a rollercoaster of experiences and emotions. We visited one of the next door neighbors, little Emma's grandmother (Jaja Emma), and presented the gospel to her.  Her heart was so soft and she chose to follow Christ's call before we left.  We knew this decision was confirmed when she came to Bible study on Tuesday and was hungry for the Word.  Praise God!

Easter at Rock Baptist in Tororo

Eli on the drums

Easter was AMAZING!!!  He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!  We celebrated at Rock Baptist and Pastor Phillip brought a wonderful Word from the Lord.  He spoke with passion and the entire service was a celebration of the Risen Lord!  Eli played the drum and we sang with joy.

We had the opportunity to travel to Kochomo village, to visit the home of Moses and Betty. Moses is a pastor without a church right now. Corruption took his church away, but he continues to proclaim the Good News and minister to his neighbors without fail.  We too, got to take part in this ministry this week.
We learned about some African culture that is so different from ours.  Moses is constructing a small mud hut in the backyard, for his mother-in-law, as African culture does not allow her to enter the their home.  In fact, the mother-in-law has little to nothing to do with her son-in-law...to the point of not even speaking more than a greeting from a distance.  What we consider insulting or rude, they consider respect.

Moses, Betty and some of the family :)

Evangelizing at Kochomo

Eli met a sweet friend named Sunday.  They hit it off great and hopefully their friendship will continue to grow while we are here.  Sadly, Sunday's mother died today.  Sunday is in denial today and may be for a while, but we all have come along side of him to help him through this very difficult time.  Eli is trying to distract him by teaching him a new game.  My heart is breaking for him.  Please pray with me for Sunday and his siblings to be comforted by God's grace.

Sunday and Eli

Jim, Alex and Eli have been very busy with evangelism within the town.  They met with individuals from all walks of life and numerous beliefs.  While some do not care about the Good News, others have shown a sincere concern for their eternal souls and are indeed interested to hear about the sacrifice of Jesus, made on their behalf.  God is so good and he is opening doors and hearts.

Children carrying water from Kochomo Village

Jim is preparing to preach at Busia village on Sunday.  While he is nervous, he knows God will speak through him.  Please pray for Jim to be confident in Christ and proclaim the message boldly.

We miss our church and our friends at home, but we are right where God wants us right now.  Thank you for continued prayers.  We are praying for you as well.  So excited to see what God will do next!

"Come unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest."

Joy in Nangongera and there's a chicken in church!!!

Well, our first week has been a whirlwind of excitement and new culture.  We started learning Swahili...hehehe!  What a fun language, but I don't think I'll be fluent by the time we return.  Eli learned words to keep him entertained, like "susu" which means pee and "kaka" which means brother...sorry Nick!  Too funny. It's crazy hot all the time, but evenings have been cooling a bit after the rain.  Due to the British influence left here, they drive on the "Right" side of the road...and Jim actually has braved it.  It's too weird for me and given that I'm a creature of habit, I better not attempt it.

The children here that are fortunate enough to go to school, wake at 4am to work the crops/gardens/ livestock, then if they have food, they will eat breakfast and walk to school anywhere from 3 to 7 miles ONE WAY!!!!  No buses here, except for private schools.   They do not return until 5pm!  I bet Eli won't complain about his school hours again. These children desire so much to attend school, it blows me away.  I think of how our kids in America have no idea the blessing they have to receive an education.  I am praying that Eli actually recognizes this before we return.  The majority of primary schools have brick/mud walls with thatch (grass) or rough metal roofs, dirt floors and benches.  No desks, no air-conditioning, no tile floors, no gym...but these kids are smart!!!  They have nothing distracting them from academics.  The 6-7th graders here are learning Algebra!!!  I was like...Whoa!  But again, they must pay for even the public education, as there is nothing here payed for by taxes.

Nangongera was the first village we visited.  The school meets in rough 8X10 classrooms and also uses the church for a classroom.  Despite the primitive conditions, the children never complain.  An area that I want to help is with school supplies.  These kids have no paper, no pencils....nothing.  We brought 10 pencils, and had to break them in half in order for all the kids to have one to use.  It just made me realize just how little they have.  Pastor John Obbo is from the church in Nangongera, and was delighted at our time spent there.  We will indeed be back.  Super excited.

Eli teaching the children of Nagongera evangelism

Sunday was our second time at Rock Baptist in Tororo.  The children are getting used to us now and crowd the benches to sit with us.  I love this.  Oh yeah...there was a rooster & chicken in church.  It looked as if it was nesting...wow, only in Uganda.

TRIPLE J - Julius, Jim and Pastor John

Your continued prayers for our family, for the nation and people of Uganda, and for Mavuno Ministries is greatly appreciated.  Be blessed!!!

Thank you God, for opening my eyes to the fact that "stuff or comfort" is not necessary to learn about or to worship you.  Help me to be ever seeking you and help me to love as you love me.

Karibuni Tororo = Welcome to Tororo!  Greetings from Tororo, Uganda!  I thought it high time that I finally establish our blog to keep all of our friends up to date on our adventures.  This is my first blog, so we are learning as we go.

Today marks exactly one week from our arrival to Tororo, Uganda.  It has taken some adjusting to the heat, mosquitoes, and just not being home, but so far, so wonderful.  The first couple of days left Eli a little homesick, but he has bounced back well.  In fact, two days ago, he even went to the village to evangelize.  He is having a great time with Alex, our friend here from Tororo.  I anticipate him making friends very soon.

Sunday was spent at Rock Baptist Church, with Pastor Phillip and his lovely congregation.  It was so different than our home church, Hillmon Grove Baptist Church - but it was wonderful.  I am taking tons of pictures, almost everywhere we go, so I will post them all very soon.

Keep praying for all of us as we follow God's calling through this adventure.