Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Update

Things are well here in Uganda. Life has settled down to a normal routine and we LOVE IT! We are seeing God's hand in so much that we are doing right now. Kent has had several opportunities to teach this past week. One opportunity was with the cell group leaders at our Church. I'm not sure how fruitful the out come was, but there was one young man you approached Kent after the meeting and asked Kent if he would disciple him. Someone eager for more of Jesus, a deeper, more powerful walk! His name is Dennis, and we call him Dennis "W".

The other engagement was with a group of college students. These college students love Jesus, and get together every day at lunch for a time of prayer and worship. They had an outreach to a local village planned, and they asked Kent to help them prepare for the trip. At the first meeting he encouraged them to learn how to share their testimony in 90 seconds. To practice it. Get it down well enough that you could share it at the gas pump, or in the grocery store line. Then at the next meeting he surprised them with a challenge to go out in pairs and share the Gospel with one person during the lunch break.

He knew that there would be at least one good testimony, but he was blown away when there were three people that gave their lives to Jesus that afternoon! Dennis W is who Kent when out with. They went to a restaurant/bar and shared the love of Jesus with the bar tender.

The bar tender, Daniel, had heard about Jesus the week before from a nurse, so he was ready to make a decision to follow Jesus. Dennis W was so encouraged by their lunch challenge. They have since gotten together for a second meeting, and Daniel's wife came to that.

So be praying for Lawerence, Daniel and Dennis. They are the top three guys that Kent is pouring into right now. And when those three have three guys.... then all of a sudden there will be nine! and when those nine have three... you are looking at 36 people that are falling in love with Jesus, and helping other do the same!! 36x3.... 108. You get the idea.... and that doesn't take into account any new guys that Kent might meet, or any of their wives!

A movement is gonna happen in Northern Uganda!! Thank you JESUS!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Lawerence

Lawrence was one of those "random" meetings that turned into a lot more. We first met Lawrence while we were house looking. His brother had a house that was for rent, and even though we didn't rent that house, Laurence and Kent started hanging out. They went to a local hotel to watch a "football" match, Laurence helped Kent find places in town, that first Sunday Lawrence walked us to Church and then stayed to listen.
He was one of those ripe ready to harvest kinda hearts that didn't require much effort on our part, if any at all, and now Kent is discipling him. It is so encouraging to hear about the conversations that these two have. Kent will ask Lawrence questions about faith, or character, or unconditional love, and at first he answers with what he knows... like how God doesn't love the "street girls" as much because their sin is "greater" that his. But it is amazing... as Kent explains God's love and how he views all sin the same, you can see the light bulb come on has he gets it! SO, a week ago Saturday, Lawrence wanted to get baptized. They announced that the church was doing having baptisms.... Lawrence thought he had to work, and so we didn't make any effort to get Lawrence on the list. But at the last minuet he rearranged his schedule so that he could get baptized, but by that time... it was too late, to get baptized with the church group that is.
Kent called up the hotel ( the only one with a pool in Gulu) and asked if we could do another baptism that afternoon in their pool. They said yes..... so Kent and his girls, along with Lawrence, his wife and parents as well as two of our other "munu" friends, piled into the van and headed to the Acholi Inn.
The next Sunday, Lawrence's wife surprised him by coming to church, and this Tuesday we are starting a bible study at their house! WAY TO GO GOD!! IT is amazing! Lawrence has been so helpful in so many ways.... Kent takes him along on some of him outings to share the gospel and we are super excited to see where God will use Lawrence!
I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!! Holding hands is a sign of friendship among men in the Acholi culture, I am so thankful that Kent was ready and willing to accept this custom! Thank you Jesus! USE KENT MIGHTILY IN UGANDA!!



Friday, March 19, 2010

15 min of fame!

My AMAZING mother-in-love's box came last night along with an amazing story. From what I can understand it goes something like this....

She was sitting at home watching the evening news when they ran a story on Professionals Athletes making a difference in Uganda. They were reporting on how there are several athletes who wanted to make a difference and were going to GULU, Uganda to install water wells.

Hearing that there was a group from OK, going to not just Uganda, but to Gulu as well, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to try and get a cooler full of goodies to us!

Well Ms. Amy, the news anchor, thought that we would be a great side story to the one they were already running! So She and a film crew headed out to MIL's house and filmed them filling up the care package.
Last night we headed up to the Hotel where they team was staying and picked up our box. They busted out the camera and filmed the whole thing... so we should have a few minuets of fame in OK, soon.
Amy also delivered a birthday card to Honey.... and we were given 50 water filter straws that can be used to filter water anywhere... they are called "Water is Life" and they are a great gift to give, when telling people about the True Water.... Jesus!


Here we all are with Ms. Amy and the Water is Life straws. It was a fun evening for all!! We enjoyed digging through the box when we got home. It was CRAMMED full of awesome goodies!! Packages of brown gravy, peppered gravy, corn bread, kool-aid, all sorts of bug repelant and itch cream AND more bread pans!! (Which is awesome cause my recipe makes three loaves, and it takes forever with only one pan!!)

Read more and watch the video at.... Gulu Delivery . Hopefully all you readers with better internet access can watch the video!

THANKS so much GRAM..... WE LOVE YOU!!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Luxuries

Now that we have been in country for almost two months we are now familiar with what we can and can not get. TO start with, any meat, cheese or dairy is rare and limited, especially in our home city. We thought we would get a cooler, or and ice chest to freeze meats in and then bring them home. However we are finding that what might be "normal" at home, is considered a "luxury" here.

For example: At home ice chest: $20-30 dollars. Uganda: $150! So we quickly tossed that idea out the window and started looking for another option.

Example 2: Rice Crispies :Home $2.50 - 4.00 a box. Uganda: $10! My girls at the whole box in TWO meals!

Example 3: Ragu Spaghetti Sauce: Home $2.00 - $2.50. Uganda $7.00! and there is no "great value" brand as an option either. So I have started learning how to make my own.

Example 4: A block of cheese: Home: $3:50. Uganda: 10+ for a small block. and there isn't a slice of Kraft cheese to be found in the whole country!!

At the same time.... you can get fresh pineapples for $1, Avocados $.20 cents, rice $2.00 for a Kilo. However I don't think that the savings in fruits off sets the cost of the "luxury" items.

Other hard to find items: Dill relish, pickles, yummy crackers, corn chips, (all these yummy avocados to make guacamole with and not a corn chip in sight!) good ice cream, coffee, kitchen stuff. ( I can't find a potato masher to save my life! & I looked all over for a small cookie sheet.... paid $10 when I finally found one, bread pans fall into the same category as the cookie sheet), maple syrup, vanilla and other extracts... ect.

Along with making my own spaghetti sauce.... I have started baking our own bread. I also make our own carrot sticks. (not challenging, but time and space consumers). In some ways it is fun! but it is tiring as well. I don't think I will take to butchering my own cow, but I am looking into making cheese. I just need to find a cow with good milk.

Fortunately my AMAZING mother-in-love found a group that is not only coming to Uganda, but our city as well, and they are staying at the hotel just up the road from our house. Guess what she is sending: and Ice Chest full of goodies!! We can hardly wait to receive our first care package. I imagine it will be stuffed full of things like relish, coffee, syrup, koolaid, not to mention a few treats for the girls as well!!

We are starting a list of items that we want brought over to us from the US.... for our visiting teams to bring. Some of you have mentioned wanting to send a package. If you want to send something with a team, let me know and I will send you the address of our collecting spot.

Currently we aren't using the post office.... it takes 4 months to get anything! It would get here faster if it goes through the teams that are coming in May.

We are so thankful for this opportunity, even if it means limiting our cheese consumption and increasing our rice intake. (and therefore increasing our waistlines as well). It is all worth it for Jesus!!!

Friday, March 12, 2010

African Safari

Remember what I was saying about God's timing in our school.... in the schedule it was suggested that we visit the African section of the local zoo. Well.... we don't have a local zoo, but we do have access to some AWESOME animals!This past weekend 10 adults and 4 kids piled in to our van and headed to Murchison Falls National Reserve. We drove around the park most of the afternoon & evening and then at dusk we crossed the Nile......
On this thing...... it's called a "ferry" but I think it should be called a barge. When I think of the word ferry I picture I paddle boat floating down the Mississippi River.
Once you cross the Nile.... yes we are talking about the real NILE river. The Red Chilli is just a few short minutes away. At the Red Chilli (if you have called in advance and made reservations) You can stay in a nice bonda hut for a few American Dollars. If you are spontanous like us and DON'T call ahead and make reservations and then show up with 10 adults..... well

You might get to stay in a tent like one of these. OK.... I know I say this alot.... BUT >>>> GOD is so good! Even though we showed up with a boat load of people and there were NO vacancies we still were able to acquire a place to stay for the night. We put four of our group in the large 4 man tent, two had a tent to them selves and the two guys roughed it in a real camping tent. Problem Solved! (A group of 30 had cancelled earlier that day, but some how the owners didn't get the message....). As a family we had planned on sleeping in our van and had brought our "bed" with us, and it was a GREAT learning experience. It rained that night and we discovered that the cool extension on the top that we LOVE.... leaks. And the top is a little too crowed for three small bodies. Not a problem. So what if our friend learned that the Red Chilli tents are a little leaky too... or that it is hard to sleep in a camping tent in Africa, in the rain, with no tarp or sleeping bag, or jacket, or.....
It was all worth it for THIS...... It is very affordable and unbelievable!! There are tons of Elephants, a plethora of Antelope, Impala and other deer like creatures.
Water Buffalo.... yep we got em... and NO you can't possibly see them with out breaking out in song.... "Every body's got a watter buffalo....." (don't shoot me if the song stays there all day ;)

What are they looking at you ask.... Hippos... in the water chillin. Everyone jumped out and started taking pictures.... then we had the chance to take pictures of this.....
The worlds second largest lawn mower... with the Rhino coming in at 1st. There is a sign at the Red Chilli that says : "beware of the Hippotrotomus" under which is a picture of a man being chased by an angry hippo. (and no that is not an typo I know that I make lots of mistakes, but that one is not mine)
Can you say amazing..... all this is just two hours from my house.....

OK so how many of you have started looking at you calenders to see when you can plan a visit to Uganda?!?! We would love to have you!

Ants.... the other other meat

I just LOVE God's timing..... This year in school we are studying the continents and a few countries on each continent. We started after all of our friends from training had moved to their various locations, so it is fun to talk about who we know that lives in the different countries that we are learning about.

Last week we started learning about AFRICA. Again I say... what timing! We had a week of review and one week of Europe and then we started learning about the very country we are living in!

Our curriculum (My Father's World) uses "The Usborne Living World Encyclopedia" as one of our texts. On page 49 ( for those of you who have a copy) it talks about insect colonies & termites.
This is John taking down the termite mound in our front yard! Hands on Science at it's best!In Uganda termites are called white ants. And I know that this won't come as a surprise to some of you.... but they EAT them!



This is the Queen.... she is a delicacy. I think they prefer her roasted. She looks just like the picture in our book too! You can actually buy white ants in the market. Walking in the market you see: bean, bean, corn, bugs, bean, seeds, rice, bugs..... CRAZY. John's wife made "odii wen", which is ground up ants, for Kent...... and yes...... he ate it! It looks like a dark grainy peanut butter..... which by the way is called "odii something".... odii means paste.

I promise, when you come and visit, I won't serve you white ants or any other type of bug, unless you ask me too. GRIN ;)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tegot

Last Friday we had a chance to go and visit one of the IDP camps outside of our home city. These camps were started 20 years ago when Koney would raid the villages kidnappings children and forcing them to fight in his army... the LRA ) Lord's Resistance Army. Koney has since relocated to the D.R. Congo, however it is RARE to find someone who wasn't affected by him in some horrible way or another. Our friends have been working in this village for a while. They have people in the US that sponsor kids from the village and they provide them with schooling, and lunch. For some, it is the only meal that they will get all day! They also have an after school program that they do, and they have "Saturday club" as well.
As you can see we were quite the sight. For most of these kids, our girls were the first "Muzngu" child that they had ever seen. (muzngu - white person.... African for "gringo"). The kids at the school couldn't get close enough though they are very shy. Most will shake your hand, and you might get a greeting, however there are some who turn away from you when you reach out to greet them.
This sweet girl wasn't shy and was excited about getting to be Sweet Pea's friend. Going out into the village reinforced our desire to learn the language!! We first really started talking about language lessons after we were having dinner at a restaurant, the conversation when something like this:
Kent: We'll take two pizzas.
Male waiter: We are not having pizzas.
K: Ok, then we will have the roasted pork.
MW: Let me check.......... (long wait)..... we are not having the roasted pork.
K: Fine, then we will have the chicken
MW: We are not having the chicken, either.
K: ......
Later after we had ordered our meal and waited 1.5 hours for it so come out ( one of those meals were you KNOW that they must have had to go and butcher the cow first because it took so long!) The food was good, but we were really disappointed that there was so much that they DIDN'T have on the menu. So we thought we would share our feelings:
K: Thank you so mu (much) ....
Female Waitress: You are very welcome.
K: We were kinda disappointed tha......
FW: Ok good... thank you very much, you're welcome.
Needless to say, we decided that we wouldn't go back there for a while. The point of all that: We are starting language lessons on Monday of next week!

I LOVE this picture. This is Ms Ashley ( the girl we met in the airport) holding a sweet baby. I love the naked bottom! That baby had on NOTHING but that bead belt. Classic African attire!

The Color Yellow

The proof that the investment for the chickens was well worth it. This is a side by side comparison of a "market egg" and a "Forester Fresh" egg. Really.... can you even see the market egg?? It gets lost on in the white of the bowl! We have been averaging about 6-7 eggs a day, so there are a few that are up to every day production while most are every other day layers. We love them non-watery eggs!!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Jinja and the Capital

Here are some pictures of our trip up north to pick up Lady. Emma and Simon playing on the beach of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa!
Some Weaver birds in a tree at the resort in Jinja where we stayed on night. It is hard to tell from the picture, but these birds are making a nest by weaving grass together. They create a round structure that has a small place to sleep, as well as a door on the bottom. AMAZING!!
Checking out a nest that had fallen out of the tree. Too cool!

It is kinda dark but this is lake Victoria, and the "source of the Nile". The resort where we stayed was started by a MK and he gives discounts to missionaries. It was nice, but very affordable..... rumor has it that he is building a third resort here in our home town!! You to can have an awesome African experience, we would love to have you!!!

The Coop

Here is the new chicken coop. Honey had to look all over for good chickens to put in to the new coop. While he was waiting he had some boxes made for the chickens to lay their eggs in. The box was for 6 chickens. When he finally found a chicken seller and he told him how big the coop was, the man said that 6 wasn't enough. You need 10 he said. So Honey came home with ten. Some of you have asked.... and no we don't have a 24 hour noise maker (aka rooster)..... yet. I think we might get one so we can have chicks and give them away. And yes I like the suggestion that the chicken(s) with the best egg production wins.... but I'm not sure how to keep up with the count. No one is usually outside when the eggs are layed..... so who's to know which egg came from which chicken, not me.

The six boxes that were made... apparently some of them share nests, cause we find multiple eggs in some of the boxes.

Chowin' down on the yummy corn and mash that gives their eggs that wonderful golden color. Honey is supposed to pick up a few eggs at the market today, so we can show you the color difference.

Lady

For the past three years (since we moved to Waco and had to find new homes for our pets) we have promised the girls that once we moved to Uganda we would get a dog. We had only been in the country a few days when they started asking about when and what kind. Last week we heard about some German Shepard pups in Jinja. They were ten months old and had already been trained in some commands. The girls immediately started thinking of names.

Some on the list included : Lily, Crispen, Fingal, and Cedar. When we arrived in Jinja we quickly were able to narrow down the choices between Max and Lady. We chose Lady. And since Lady wasn't one of the names on our original list we added Cedar making her Lady Cedar in honor of "Queen Cedar of Mistmantle"
Here she is after a long night's work. Seeing that she is a guard dog more than a pet we will let her be lazy (for the most part) during the day.
Lady and Curly posing for a picture. She stays chained up most of the morning. Her routine is something like this: guard, get put in the kennel, eat breakfast, chill out on the chain, after lunch play with her "pack", chill on the front porch, eat dinner, guard. Easy life!
She is a really good dog, sweet and gentle with the kids, but could be threatening if she needed to be. Right now we keep her away from every one but family.... so she won't think that every one in the compound is a friend. We have to set boundaries so she will be aggressive with people she doesn't know. She can sit, lie down, heal and kinda stay, when she wants to.

Because she has spent her whole "life" on a chain, she is unlike most dogs that we have ever owned. You know how most dogs pester you for your attention..... she doesn't do that. We have to ask her to come to us. and when we are finished petting her, she doesn't nudge our hand for more attention... she goes back to her corner and sits back down! CRAZY! But I kinda like it!

We love having her..... Honey and Baby Girl enjoy singing to her: "You're our Lady and we're your clan". Thanks Kenny for that inspiration!