so sometimes you leave places when you really like them and it's really hard.
leaving home was one of those times.
leaving Uganda is one of those times too.
of course as we go we're looking back a lot at what we've done and the things we've learned.
here's some of those things i (tj) have learned:
-i've learned that you can get used to eating rice and beans and hardly crave anything else.
-i've learned that i had lost my first love that i had when i was younger, and i also have rekindled that love with my savior.
-i've learned how selfish and prideful i can be. how irritable and horible and sinful.
-in that i found out that i have two awesome friends who love me anyways and continue to challenge me to be better.
-i've learned some luganda andd some swahili...and i've learned that i'm not very good at either.
-i've discovered a family i didn't know i had and i have a new understanding of the "family" of Christ. i truely do have family everywhere there are believers. i can never really leave home.
-i have less fear. less fear of physical things, myself, and the future, and way way more hope and faith in God.
-i found out what Matt 11:28-30 means. His yoke is SO easy and SO light. When you're doing what He calls you to there is joy beyond words, and comfort beyoond description.
-i have been reminded daily of Him love and faithfulness.
-i have learned to choice my battles and shut up sometimes. (this was kind of a big one for me...)
-i've learned that hand washing clothes is not easy. thank you who ever made washing machines. you're amazing.
-i've learned that using a squatty potty is not very pleasant, but once you do it for a while, you can adapt to it. that leads me to believe you can adapt to just about anything.
-i now know how smart rats how, and how to catch them.
-i've learned to be more edifying. people here always: 1. say you're welcome when you come into a room, sit with them at a table, or join them in line. 2. say "welcome back" when you get somewhere, even if they were in the car with you. 3. say "sorry" if you drop something, get hurt, trip, cough...pretty much anything. 4. say "amen" to pretty much anything you say that they find encouraging. 5. if you say "thank you." they usually respond with "thank you for appreciating." basically they're just really encouraging and edifying even in the small things and i love it!
-i can buy paint, catch a taxi, ride on bodas, go to market, and go to the crazy taxi park with out any worry or stress even if there's not a guy to take us around.
-i am so much more ready to speak or sing in front of people. i could share a testimony, give a sermon, talk about my experience here, lead worship, or just sing a special for as long or as short as was needed without much notice. the idea of that would have just about killed me before.
-i've learned that Jesus really does work good out us flawed people. me being a really good example of that.
thank you Jesus.
i am sad to leave, but i know with complete faith that God wants me in America, at least for a little while. I'm pretty sure that i'm coming back here, bbut even if i don't, i know where i ever i go, God is going to keep teaching me awesome lessons about myself, my flawed self, and His forgiveness, faithfulness, and glory!
ok, side notes:
we're at teen missions right now.
we have had an amazing time here so far. i have been really really really blessed.
we helped with their graduation. it was a really eventful day. we helped lead songs and both me and marlee goofed on something. bahaha. but it was ok, and was fun.
we've gotten to spend some good time with the people we knew from before and have also gotten to know some people from kenya and tanzania who are so incredible.
it's making it really hard to leave, but we've been to blessed and encouraged here. good place to just talk and praise God together.
we asked if we could paint their classroom because we wanted something to keep us busy and we have been busy! buying paint, painting, talking to some guys from alabama we met at church last weekend, talking,doing paper work for isaac, laughing...tomorrow and the next day we're leading chapel here, and on friday we're giving our testimonies to a group of youth. saturday we're going to watch the guys here play a football (soccer) game and then sunday afternoon we head to kampala to spend the night there to we're closer to the airport.
whew!
please pray for:
wisdom as we speak and share
speed in finishing the paperwork and paint
grace as we leave and reenter
our hearts as they are feeling a little heavy with going...
joy in coming home, even though we are sad to go that we would have the full joy that God desires for us to have
peace
guidance
safety
that we would catch our flight
that the friendships we're making and have made here would be ones that remain. that we wouldn't loose sight of the things God has taught us, the things and people He has blessed us with, and that our mission doesn't end on the 18th when we fly away. our life is to be a continuation of this work, the work of the Kingdom, the work of the harvest!
-tj
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Practicallity and the emotionallity
The practicals, and the emotions
For those of you who know me, you know that for me those two things go hand in hand. So we’ll start with practicals of our life coming up, and then move on to all the other stuff.
So Friday we move out. So sad. Wow really sad. We’re going back to Nakabango and staying there til the 10th. After that we head to Kampala to hopefully volunteer at Sanyu’s Babies Home. Not sure how that’s all going to work out.
And the last week or so…
Last Friday was the last day of school. We had a chance to address some of the parents and to encourage the students. Then a group of students got up and sang us some songs written by Florence. Don’t worry we filmed it all, so when we get home ask and I would be delighted to show you. It was really really really sweet and needless to say, I balled. So did a bunch of the kids which made it way harder for me to keep composed.
Saturday we went with Florence to Pastor Emma’s home. It’s pretty far away and hard to find so it was nice to have Florence to guild us. She has been so incredibly helpful. We had a really awesome meal there prepared by his wife. It was the first time we had met her because she is usually away studying to be a nurse. It was a little awkward because they had the TV on the whole time so we didn’t really talk much, but I think it meant a lot to them that we came.
Sunday was our last Sunday at Oasis of Love. (Lots of lasts…) We were asked to speak and sing some songs. Upon arrival we discovered they had gotten speakers, a mic, and a key board. The key board kind of made it feel like we were in 1987, but we got over it and had really good worship. Everyone was really energetic. One of the guys, Ronald asked me to sing a song he had written with him. He had sung it a few times at our house so I knew it and got up and sang with him. Then Florence was asked to dance while a guy sang and she didn’t want to do it alone and while on stage, asked me to go up with her. The thing about it being our last Sunday is, I hardly cared if I did look like a fool so I got up there and danced with her…and had a blast doing it. Then it was time for us to speak. Mac went first and did an amazing job. She talked about the man by the well who had been there for years and never been healed and Jesus asked him why he hadn’t been healed and then healed the man. She spoke about how sometimes we get comfortable living our lives and how God has more for us but we would rather live our lives “blind” or “crippled”. She then tied it into how we are now comfortable here but we have to go home and live out what God has for us there. I then got up and talked about hope and how we have to set on hope on eternity and on God’s word and not on the church building or on people. I explained that our hope for the children we had taught was in God, or else everything that we had done here was pointless and when we left would be void. When I came to the part where I told them I couldn’t put my hope in home or I would lose the joy of being here, and I couldn’t put my hope here or lose what God had for me there I, of course, cried. Then Marlee got up and shared about her struggles with school and being faithful and how God was faithful to us all the time. I missed some of hers unfortunately because I was outside with Florence. What I heard was really good, and really applicable to these people’s lives.
Sunday night Lydia (not the one who cooks for us, she goes to our church and lives by the school and has the most beautiful little girl) came over for dinner. Thing is we give our Lydia Sundays off so we were on our own. So we went and bought pork at the butchers and McKenzie and I did our best to cut it up and cook it. We also made some other things the locals eat a lot. Over all it was a success and I am not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of the three of us for pulling it off.
Whew…so then this week. In the mornings we meet with the kids for two hours or so to sing and play. Monday when we went we took with us a soccer ball (football). I think the kids thought we were going to teach them stuff, like math and English. When we pulled out the balls and started blowing them up, they got pretty excited. The next day they showed up at our house about 45 min early asking for the balls and I think were a little surprised when I answered the door considering I had just climbed out of bed. Yesterday (Tuesday) mar wasn’t feeling well, so me and mac had to go alone. After some balloon blowing up and catch and soccer, they got out the drums. We then did tribal dancing lessons and drum lessons. My hand may never be the same. It was all red and swollen yesterday; today it’s just minorly bruised. It was really fun and very worth it. Marlee got tested for malaria and it came back negative, but we ignored that and started her on medicine. She’s feeling better today after some rest.
The other thing that’s been going on this week has been door to door evangelism. Day one we went out with Just Lydia and Florence. We talk to a woman named Rita, and a man named Stone and both of them decided that they wanted to follow Jesus. I think Stone was a major breakthrough considering when we first got there he told us we only had 10 min. Day 2 we went with Ronald, Lydia, and Florence. We talked to a Seventh Day Adventist for a long time. I don’t know much about their religion and I think that here it’s different than in the states. But he believed in Jesus, he just didn’t think he needed to get baptized and he was really strong on going to church on Saturday. After that we went to the home of one of our students and talked to her mom, Susan. After a long discussion, she too wanted to know the Lord and accept him into her heart. What’s awesome about this is that we have all the Bibles so we’ve been able to give them away and it’s really amazing. Today Marlee stayed home and rested and Lydia didn’t come so it was us and Florence and her three sisters. We talked to an older woman for quite some time; she wanted a Bible but said she was still thinking about becoming a “born again” because her family would reject her. They’re catholic. Here the separation between Catholics and Christians is a major one. Then we got to talk to Pross who is married to a Muslim. She doesn’t go to masque and he won’t let her go to church. We prayed with her and she accepted Jesus, her helper and comforter. She also accepted a Bible and said she would try to hide it and read it when she could. Please pray for her, she is trying to do in incredibly difficult. We then talked to a few other people. All of which were Christians. We were able to answer a few questions and give them Bibles. The look on people’s faces when they receive the word of God in their language is amazing. As we walk around town we’ve seen so many people reading their Bibles. Thank you to those who supported us. We are so blessed to get to the ones who hand out His word.
So that’s about it for the practical’s. Sorry it was so long but I think it was all important…? Now on to all that other stuff.
So there was a point on this trip I honestly wondered why the heck God had asked me to come here. I didn’t want to stay and while I thought Uganda was pretty and such, I wasn’t that into it. Well that was in Jinja. I loved the people there, but they all loved God and I was pretty useless. We lived in a compound with people who encouraged us more than us them. I felt useless. When we went to the Promise Land it was good, but the rest of the time I didn’t know what I was doing here. Now that I’ve lived in Kisoga I feel so different. There’s a huge part of me that doesn’t want to leave. I feel kind of like I’m being torn in half. I will always love Uganda and have a very special place in my heart for these people. Now I’ve lived next door. I’ve taught their children. I’ve eaten their food. I walked their streets and ridden in their taxi’s. I love it here.
Today I was in the back of an overcrowded taxi looking out the window and I started to cry, once again. Before it got too bad the smell of fish came wafting in the window. I will not miss the smells of Uganda…
I am going to miss…the ever green hills.
...men riding on bikes piled with stuff
…being able to walk outside and play with kids.
…people cooking on their front porches.
…being called mzungu around every corner.
…holding babies.
...the kids in our classes.
...old women and their toothless “Oliotya” and they’re joy when you respond in Luganda.
There are so many more things, but I’ll spare you the long long list. I wish everyone could come for just a day and see this place; the sights that we see and that have become home to us.
I also hate the things I want to come home to. (Besides family, people, and church.) I hate when I hear myself wanting food. Or wanting space. Wanting a car. Who am I that I should deserve these things? Am I blessed having them? Yes! But I am also so blessed living here. I am lacking in nothing. I don’t want to come home and judge, or be bitter. I also don’t want to come home and fall again into the trap of things. I want to keep the mentality that I am here to serve, to love others. That I shouldn’t grumble, that truth should always be on my lips, that children and adults alike need love and light. I am so excited about coming home, and yet I am terrified that “real” life will over take me. Living here I have gotten to witness genuine desperation, joy, friendship, sorrow, pain, trial, struggle, and so much more. I am so blessed and I want to live out that blessing. Not get overwhelmed by college, people, money, etc.
Today a woman handed me her one week old baby and ask me to take her with me to America. I would if I could. There is a boy from one of my classes, Jamiru. He and his younger two siblings are neglected. He comes to school on his own instinctive. He’s eight. He loves to come running up and throw his arms around us. I would love nothing more than to take these kids and give them a home. I will miss them so much. Please keep the children of Kisoga, of Uganda, and all over the world that don’t have the blessings we have in your prayers. And please keep us in your prayers as we pack up and transition.
Thanks to all.
We do miss you so so so so much and can’t wait to see you! Sorry this is so incredibly long and jumbled. Welcome to my mind. :)
For those of you who know me, you know that for me those two things go hand in hand. So we’ll start with practicals of our life coming up, and then move on to all the other stuff.
So Friday we move out. So sad. Wow really sad. We’re going back to Nakabango and staying there til the 10th. After that we head to Kampala to hopefully volunteer at Sanyu’s Babies Home. Not sure how that’s all going to work out.
And the last week or so…
Last Friday was the last day of school. We had a chance to address some of the parents and to encourage the students. Then a group of students got up and sang us some songs written by Florence. Don’t worry we filmed it all, so when we get home ask and I would be delighted to show you. It was really really really sweet and needless to say, I balled. So did a bunch of the kids which made it way harder for me to keep composed.
Saturday we went with Florence to Pastor Emma’s home. It’s pretty far away and hard to find so it was nice to have Florence to guild us. She has been so incredibly helpful. We had a really awesome meal there prepared by his wife. It was the first time we had met her because she is usually away studying to be a nurse. It was a little awkward because they had the TV on the whole time so we didn’t really talk much, but I think it meant a lot to them that we came.
Sunday was our last Sunday at Oasis of Love. (Lots of lasts…) We were asked to speak and sing some songs. Upon arrival we discovered they had gotten speakers, a mic, and a key board. The key board kind of made it feel like we were in 1987, but we got over it and had really good worship. Everyone was really energetic. One of the guys, Ronald asked me to sing a song he had written with him. He had sung it a few times at our house so I knew it and got up and sang with him. Then Florence was asked to dance while a guy sang and she didn’t want to do it alone and while on stage, asked me to go up with her. The thing about it being our last Sunday is, I hardly cared if I did look like a fool so I got up there and danced with her…and had a blast doing it. Then it was time for us to speak. Mac went first and did an amazing job. She talked about the man by the well who had been there for years and never been healed and Jesus asked him why he hadn’t been healed and then healed the man. She spoke about how sometimes we get comfortable living our lives and how God has more for us but we would rather live our lives “blind” or “crippled”. She then tied it into how we are now comfortable here but we have to go home and live out what God has for us there. I then got up and talked about hope and how we have to set on hope on eternity and on God’s word and not on the church building or on people. I explained that our hope for the children we had taught was in God, or else everything that we had done here was pointless and when we left would be void. When I came to the part where I told them I couldn’t put my hope in home or I would lose the joy of being here, and I couldn’t put my hope here or lose what God had for me there I, of course, cried. Then Marlee got up and shared about her struggles with school and being faithful and how God was faithful to us all the time. I missed some of hers unfortunately because I was outside with Florence. What I heard was really good, and really applicable to these people’s lives.
Sunday night Lydia (not the one who cooks for us, she goes to our church and lives by the school and has the most beautiful little girl) came over for dinner. Thing is we give our Lydia Sundays off so we were on our own. So we went and bought pork at the butchers and McKenzie and I did our best to cut it up and cook it. We also made some other things the locals eat a lot. Over all it was a success and I am not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of the three of us for pulling it off.
Whew…so then this week. In the mornings we meet with the kids for two hours or so to sing and play. Monday when we went we took with us a soccer ball (football). I think the kids thought we were going to teach them stuff, like math and English. When we pulled out the balls and started blowing them up, they got pretty excited. The next day they showed up at our house about 45 min early asking for the balls and I think were a little surprised when I answered the door considering I had just climbed out of bed. Yesterday (Tuesday) mar wasn’t feeling well, so me and mac had to go alone. After some balloon blowing up and catch and soccer, they got out the drums. We then did tribal dancing lessons and drum lessons. My hand may never be the same. It was all red and swollen yesterday; today it’s just minorly bruised. It was really fun and very worth it. Marlee got tested for malaria and it came back negative, but we ignored that and started her on medicine. She’s feeling better today after some rest.
The other thing that’s been going on this week has been door to door evangelism. Day one we went out with Just Lydia and Florence. We talk to a woman named Rita, and a man named Stone and both of them decided that they wanted to follow Jesus. I think Stone was a major breakthrough considering when we first got there he told us we only had 10 min. Day 2 we went with Ronald, Lydia, and Florence. We talked to a Seventh Day Adventist for a long time. I don’t know much about their religion and I think that here it’s different than in the states. But he believed in Jesus, he just didn’t think he needed to get baptized and he was really strong on going to church on Saturday. After that we went to the home of one of our students and talked to her mom, Susan. After a long discussion, she too wanted to know the Lord and accept him into her heart. What’s awesome about this is that we have all the Bibles so we’ve been able to give them away and it’s really amazing. Today Marlee stayed home and rested and Lydia didn’t come so it was us and Florence and her three sisters. We talked to an older woman for quite some time; she wanted a Bible but said she was still thinking about becoming a “born again” because her family would reject her. They’re catholic. Here the separation between Catholics and Christians is a major one. Then we got to talk to Pross who is married to a Muslim. She doesn’t go to masque and he won’t let her go to church. We prayed with her and she accepted Jesus, her helper and comforter. She also accepted a Bible and said she would try to hide it and read it when she could. Please pray for her, she is trying to do in incredibly difficult. We then talked to a few other people. All of which were Christians. We were able to answer a few questions and give them Bibles. The look on people’s faces when they receive the word of God in their language is amazing. As we walk around town we’ve seen so many people reading their Bibles. Thank you to those who supported us. We are so blessed to get to the ones who hand out His word.
So that’s about it for the practical’s. Sorry it was so long but I think it was all important…? Now on to all that other stuff.
So there was a point on this trip I honestly wondered why the heck God had asked me to come here. I didn’t want to stay and while I thought Uganda was pretty and such, I wasn’t that into it. Well that was in Jinja. I loved the people there, but they all loved God and I was pretty useless. We lived in a compound with people who encouraged us more than us them. I felt useless. When we went to the Promise Land it was good, but the rest of the time I didn’t know what I was doing here. Now that I’ve lived in Kisoga I feel so different. There’s a huge part of me that doesn’t want to leave. I feel kind of like I’m being torn in half. I will always love Uganda and have a very special place in my heart for these people. Now I’ve lived next door. I’ve taught their children. I’ve eaten their food. I walked their streets and ridden in their taxi’s. I love it here.
Today I was in the back of an overcrowded taxi looking out the window and I started to cry, once again. Before it got too bad the smell of fish came wafting in the window. I will not miss the smells of Uganda…
I am going to miss…the ever green hills.
...men riding on bikes piled with stuff
…being able to walk outside and play with kids.
…people cooking on their front porches.
…being called mzungu around every corner.
…holding babies.
...the kids in our classes.
...old women and their toothless “Oliotya” and they’re joy when you respond in Luganda.
There are so many more things, but I’ll spare you the long long list. I wish everyone could come for just a day and see this place; the sights that we see and that have become home to us.
I also hate the things I want to come home to. (Besides family, people, and church.) I hate when I hear myself wanting food. Or wanting space. Wanting a car. Who am I that I should deserve these things? Am I blessed having them? Yes! But I am also so blessed living here. I am lacking in nothing. I don’t want to come home and judge, or be bitter. I also don’t want to come home and fall again into the trap of things. I want to keep the mentality that I am here to serve, to love others. That I shouldn’t grumble, that truth should always be on my lips, that children and adults alike need love and light. I am so excited about coming home, and yet I am terrified that “real” life will over take me. Living here I have gotten to witness genuine desperation, joy, friendship, sorrow, pain, trial, struggle, and so much more. I am so blessed and I want to live out that blessing. Not get overwhelmed by college, people, money, etc.
Today a woman handed me her one week old baby and ask me to take her with me to America. I would if I could. There is a boy from one of my classes, Jamiru. He and his younger two siblings are neglected. He comes to school on his own instinctive. He’s eight. He loves to come running up and throw his arms around us. I would love nothing more than to take these kids and give them a home. I will miss them so much. Please keep the children of Kisoga, of Uganda, and all over the world that don’t have the blessings we have in your prayers. And please keep us in your prayers as we pack up and transition.
Thanks to all.
We do miss you so so so so much and can’t wait to see you! Sorry this is so incredibly long and jumbled. Welcome to my mind. :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I'm pretty sure we have set a new record for how long we have gone without updating our blog. Im not ashamed to say its an area we need to work on....next time we will try to be a little more on top of things.
Okay. Now where do I begin.
A few weeks ago we were able to go to Our Banner of Love (the school run by Pastor Joseph...not to be confused with Oasis of Love run by Pastor Emma). Pastor Joseph lives in a village about 15 minutes from Kisoga. It is very small and seems like it is even more in the middle of no where than where we are but the school itself has a lot of children. We went for an afternoon visit and visited the baby class and the primary school. We played a few games with baby class and then went and introduced ourselves to the primary classes. After lunch we had an assembly with all the kids under a tree because there wasnt enough room in any of the classes (they already had two classes per room). We sang a few songs, gave a few testimonies,had some time of prayer,and then they asked us questions. One of the kids asked if the white people had fingernails just like they did. It was interesting to see how the kids view white people especially when they view themselves in comparison to white people. We had some time to explain that we were just like them...we just have different colored skin. Among other things we got to tell them about Texas weather and about our favorite food. Overall it was a good time and we enjoyed visiting another school. We will be returning sometime next week for another program. Your prayers would be much appreciated because according to Pastor Joseph there is a lot of which craft in that area and many of the kids parents or guardians are in bondage of it.
a picture with the primary students
primary school building.
Although living smack dab in the middle of town has it disadvantages it does not go without its advantages as well. One day Marlee thought of starting Jump rope for Jesus. Pretty much all it consists of is us bringing out two ropes that have been tied together...then we start swinging it round and round. Not long after kids start a-flockin. (we have even had a few adults join the activity....one of which is way prego-we were a bit apprehensive and a little worried she might pop but we were wrong and she proved to be an awesome jump-roper). When it starts getting dark we gather the kids and sing a few songs. I must admit Tj and I prefer hanging out on the sidelines holding babies but its really fun having the kids over. Its even more fun whipping out the bubbles and watching the kids scream and chase them.
some awesome jump-ropers
Two Sundays before Easter we were asked to lead the church service. Ok well we didnt exactly know what to do other then praise&worship and the message. (apparently we were also supposed to be like the MC and give another message but no one ever told us that..but no worries everything worked out). So yes... im not sure if anyway has told yall but we are on the praise team. Okay-this isnt so strange for the very awesome very talented Marlee and TJ who not only sing but play the guitar but for awkward no rhythm McKenzie...it can be a challenge. I was doing fine until i was put in the middle of the praise line and then we started swaying...thats when i thought THIS IS AWESOME ;) Anyway, so we led praise and worship and then Marlee and TJ sang and awesome song (revelation song). Then for the message we each talked for a while. I talked about Gods word and the importance of being founded on truth, Mar talked about testimonies and the importance of it, and Tj talked about asking God for bigger things and then expecting Him to fulfill it. It was a good service and i think we were able to bless the people.
One of our friends from church invited us to DDM (Dance, Drama, and Music) Competition. His name is Billy and he goes to a secondary school right outside of Kisoga trading center. He was participating in one of the dramas. We went for a few hours. The school was competing within itself and there were four groups. Although the dramas were really good (they were original plays about domestic violence in families) the dances were my favorite. The groups each had a different traditional dance(northern, central, eastern, western).I have never in my entire life seen anything like their dances. They were so so awesome and unique and i just couldn't believe how talented they were. (dont worry we video taped it so anyone interested in watching it just let us know.)
Besides the worms that have made a home in our stomachs we have been relatively healthy for the majority of the time in Kisoga. At least this was true until Marlee got malaria...thats right it finally caught up with her :( At first we thought she had the flu because she had a cough and was really stopped up....well the Sunday before Easter we woke up to find her with a very high fever. After getting her fever down we decided to take her to get tested for malaria because she started having a bad headache and had no appetite (both symptoms of malaria). Well she went and was tested and was found to have malaria. Long story short she was given treatment but because she couldnt keep her food or her medicine down we took her to a hospital in Kampala. She hadnt been getting any better and we thought better safe than sorry. She was put on an IV (after being pricked 5 to many times) and was started on quinine treatment. After her treatment was finished she was released from the hospital and taken home. The hospital was good and clean for the most part but the doctors and nurses werent the most informational. A few days later marlee was feeling back to her normal self...just in time for her 19th birthday and Easter. She took a hard beating from malaria but in the end she kicked it to the curb. Thank you so so so much for all the prayers...i know it boosted her moral and made her feel better despite her situation. We give God the glory for restoring marlee back to good health. Thank you once again!!
The Mckenzies (the family who connected us to this village) have gone back to America. They will be coming back in September. They were planning on going back for the summer but the father, David, has been in America since Christmas fundraising and it didnt look like he would be coming back any time soon so they decided to go be with him there. No worries if anything were to happen we have people we can go to and numbers we can call. Not to mention God is on our side. His protection and mercies have been so overwhelming and his hand has never ceased to be upon us.
Now for an update on our school. This week is testing week. Most of our classes have taken their test and honestly they have done better than expected. This is a huge blessing because we werent really sure if the kids were learning as well as they could have been if we had known Luganda. We have one more week with them and then the term is over. At times teaching has been the most frustrating thing...other times it has produced some of the sweetest moments. We are all going to miss those kids so so much and saying good-bye is going to be really hard.
I will finish with this. We have worms (dont worry we finally got medicine to kill them) and have been experiencing the oh so wonderful life of spending way to much time in the latrine. Two days ago i got that ol' familiar feeling.Headache, joint pains, fever. It was the feeling of malaria. I wasnt worried just give me some medicine and ill be just fine. Last night i was sleeping only to be awakened by a coach roach crawling through my hair and up my mosquito net. I calmly sat up brushed it out of the net, grabbed a shoe, swung to kill it, missed it, then went back to bed. A few months ago when this happened i freaked out jumped out of my net grabbed a shoe and some DOOM (bug killer) and searched all around until i found it and knew it was dead..only to get back in bed and be a nervous wreck the entire night imagining things that were on me that really werent. My point is, this is my life, and i love it. We have made some adjustments (some of which probably shouldn't ever be adjusted to...a.k.a cockroaches) but in no way would i ever chose to take this experience back. We will be returning to America soon and i know i need to prepare myself for returning home just as i prepared myself in coming here. I have been thinking about home a lot and have been reflecting on our time spent here. Words do not adequately explain my love for these people and for this place. There have been struggles and challenges but Christ has never let go of us nor has he ceased to show us his unimaginable but very tangible grace. Many times the people here comment on how we have given up so much to come here and every time they do i just smile and tell them that i would do it over and over again and that we are the ones who are truly blessed in being here. We might have given up some of our possessions but theres no doubt about it, we have gained so so so much more. I am very grateful for my God who gave us the vision to do this, and i am very grateful for everyone who made this possible. Leaving Uganda is a sobering thought that wakes me up to a reality i need to face. I am excited to see my family and friends but honestly i wish you all would just come here ;) well i think i have rambled long enough.
Oh one more thing. We have purchased 100 bibles (70 in Luganda, 30 in English). We have recently just received the order and have started out passing out the bibles. Marlee was the first one to take it to one of our friends named Rebecca. She owns a shop where we buy water and bread from. When Marlee gave her the bible she couldnt believe that it was hers. Mar said she wouldnt stop shaking her hand and telling her thank you. She said she would read it everyday. She also told mar that she couldnt imagine or understand the amount of love she had shown her. Having these bibles is such a huge blessing for us. We have the opportunity to give these people the best gift they could ever receive, Gods everlasting truth. We have given out bibles to a few other shops and our neighbors. One two of the people we gave the bibles too had one already. One of our neighbors who doesnt speak very good english had a bible but it was in english so she couldnt really understand it. When we handed her the Luganda bible she was so so happy. We will continue handing out the bibles and are going to give some to the church we are a part of (there are about 20 members who are believers but do not have a bible). Thank you so much for blessing us financially to be able to do this. I wish you could see these peoples faces - they are so grateful.
Well we love and miss you all!! thank you for checkin out our blog.
we are prayin for you guys...be blessed.
-mckenzie
Okay. Now where do I begin.
A few weeks ago we were able to go to Our Banner of Love (the school run by Pastor Joseph...not to be confused with Oasis of Love run by Pastor Emma). Pastor Joseph lives in a village about 15 minutes from Kisoga. It is very small and seems like it is even more in the middle of no where than where we are but the school itself has a lot of children. We went for an afternoon visit and visited the baby class and the primary school. We played a few games with baby class and then went and introduced ourselves to the primary classes. After lunch we had an assembly with all the kids under a tree because there wasnt enough room in any of the classes (they already had two classes per room). We sang a few songs, gave a few testimonies,had some time of prayer,and then they asked us questions. One of the kids asked if the white people had fingernails just like they did. It was interesting to see how the kids view white people especially when they view themselves in comparison to white people. We had some time to explain that we were just like them...we just have different colored skin. Among other things we got to tell them about Texas weather and about our favorite food. Overall it was a good time and we enjoyed visiting another school. We will be returning sometime next week for another program. Your prayers would be much appreciated because according to Pastor Joseph there is a lot of which craft in that area and many of the kids parents or guardians are in bondage of it.
a picture with the primary students
primary school building.
Although living smack dab in the middle of town has it disadvantages it does not go without its advantages as well. One day Marlee thought of starting Jump rope for Jesus. Pretty much all it consists of is us bringing out two ropes that have been tied together...then we start swinging it round and round. Not long after kids start a-flockin. (we have even had a few adults join the activity....one of which is way prego-we were a bit apprehensive and a little worried she might pop but we were wrong and she proved to be an awesome jump-roper). When it starts getting dark we gather the kids and sing a few songs. I must admit Tj and I prefer hanging out on the sidelines holding babies but its really fun having the kids over. Its even more fun whipping out the bubbles and watching the kids scream and chase them.
some awesome jump-ropers
Two Sundays before Easter we were asked to lead the church service. Ok well we didnt exactly know what to do other then praise&worship and the message. (apparently we were also supposed to be like the MC and give another message but no one ever told us that..but no worries everything worked out). So yes... im not sure if anyway has told yall but we are on the praise team. Okay-this isnt so strange for the very awesome very talented Marlee and TJ who not only sing but play the guitar but for awkward no rhythm McKenzie...it can be a challenge. I was doing fine until i was put in the middle of the praise line and then we started swaying...thats when i thought THIS IS AWESOME ;) Anyway, so we led praise and worship and then Marlee and TJ sang and awesome song (revelation song). Then for the message we each talked for a while. I talked about Gods word and the importance of being founded on truth, Mar talked about testimonies and the importance of it, and Tj talked about asking God for bigger things and then expecting Him to fulfill it. It was a good service and i think we were able to bless the people.
One of our friends from church invited us to DDM (Dance, Drama, and Music) Competition. His name is Billy and he goes to a secondary school right outside of Kisoga trading center. He was participating in one of the dramas. We went for a few hours. The school was competing within itself and there were four groups. Although the dramas were really good (they were original plays about domestic violence in families) the dances were my favorite. The groups each had a different traditional dance(northern, central, eastern, western).I have never in my entire life seen anything like their dances. They were so so awesome and unique and i just couldn't believe how talented they were. (dont worry we video taped it so anyone interested in watching it just let us know.)
Besides the worms that have made a home in our stomachs we have been relatively healthy for the majority of the time in Kisoga. At least this was true until Marlee got malaria...thats right it finally caught up with her :( At first we thought she had the flu because she had a cough and was really stopped up....well the Sunday before Easter we woke up to find her with a very high fever. After getting her fever down we decided to take her to get tested for malaria because she started having a bad headache and had no appetite (both symptoms of malaria). Well she went and was tested and was found to have malaria. Long story short she was given treatment but because she couldnt keep her food or her medicine down we took her to a hospital in Kampala. She hadnt been getting any better and we thought better safe than sorry. She was put on an IV (after being pricked 5 to many times) and was started on quinine treatment. After her treatment was finished she was released from the hospital and taken home. The hospital was good and clean for the most part but the doctors and nurses werent the most informational. A few days later marlee was feeling back to her normal self...just in time for her 19th birthday and Easter. She took a hard beating from malaria but in the end she kicked it to the curb. Thank you so so so much for all the prayers...i know it boosted her moral and made her feel better despite her situation. We give God the glory for restoring marlee back to good health. Thank you once again!!
The Mckenzies (the family who connected us to this village) have gone back to America. They will be coming back in September. They were planning on going back for the summer but the father, David, has been in America since Christmas fundraising and it didnt look like he would be coming back any time soon so they decided to go be with him there. No worries if anything were to happen we have people we can go to and numbers we can call. Not to mention God is on our side. His protection and mercies have been so overwhelming and his hand has never ceased to be upon us.
Now for an update on our school. This week is testing week. Most of our classes have taken their test and honestly they have done better than expected. This is a huge blessing because we werent really sure if the kids were learning as well as they could have been if we had known Luganda. We have one more week with them and then the term is over. At times teaching has been the most frustrating thing...other times it has produced some of the sweetest moments. We are all going to miss those kids so so much and saying good-bye is going to be really hard.
I will finish with this. We have worms (dont worry we finally got medicine to kill them) and have been experiencing the oh so wonderful life of spending way to much time in the latrine. Two days ago i got that ol' familiar feeling.Headache, joint pains, fever. It was the feeling of malaria. I wasnt worried just give me some medicine and ill be just fine. Last night i was sleeping only to be awakened by a coach roach crawling through my hair and up my mosquito net. I calmly sat up brushed it out of the net, grabbed a shoe, swung to kill it, missed it, then went back to bed. A few months ago when this happened i freaked out jumped out of my net grabbed a shoe and some DOOM (bug killer) and searched all around until i found it and knew it was dead..only to get back in bed and be a nervous wreck the entire night imagining things that were on me that really werent. My point is, this is my life, and i love it. We have made some adjustments (some of which probably shouldn't ever be adjusted to...a.k.a cockroaches) but in no way would i ever chose to take this experience back. We will be returning to America soon and i know i need to prepare myself for returning home just as i prepared myself in coming here. I have been thinking about home a lot and have been reflecting on our time spent here. Words do not adequately explain my love for these people and for this place. There have been struggles and challenges but Christ has never let go of us nor has he ceased to show us his unimaginable but very tangible grace. Many times the people here comment on how we have given up so much to come here and every time they do i just smile and tell them that i would do it over and over again and that we are the ones who are truly blessed in being here. We might have given up some of our possessions but theres no doubt about it, we have gained so so so much more. I am very grateful for my God who gave us the vision to do this, and i am very grateful for everyone who made this possible. Leaving Uganda is a sobering thought that wakes me up to a reality i need to face. I am excited to see my family and friends but honestly i wish you all would just come here ;) well i think i have rambled long enough.
Oh one more thing. We have purchased 100 bibles (70 in Luganda, 30 in English). We have recently just received the order and have started out passing out the bibles. Marlee was the first one to take it to one of our friends named Rebecca. She owns a shop where we buy water and bread from. When Marlee gave her the bible she couldnt believe that it was hers. Mar said she wouldnt stop shaking her hand and telling her thank you. She said she would read it everyday. She also told mar that she couldnt imagine or understand the amount of love she had shown her. Having these bibles is such a huge blessing for us. We have the opportunity to give these people the best gift they could ever receive, Gods everlasting truth. We have given out bibles to a few other shops and our neighbors. One two of the people we gave the bibles too had one already. One of our neighbors who doesnt speak very good english had a bible but it was in english so she couldnt really understand it. When we handed her the Luganda bible she was so so happy. We will continue handing out the bibles and are going to give some to the church we are a part of (there are about 20 members who are believers but do not have a bible). Thank you so much for blessing us financially to be able to do this. I wish you could see these peoples faces - they are so grateful.
Well we love and miss you all!! thank you for checkin out our blog.
we are prayin for you guys...be blessed.
-mckenzie
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Good morning class. Welcome again to Re-evaluate Your Spiritual Life course 101.
Today we’re going to do a little evaluation test.
First, raise your hand if you believe your trying to follow God with your whole heart?
Marlee, yes, I see your hand.
Raise your hand if you thought that coming on a six month mission trip would change everything about your life? Spiritually, mentally, and physically?
Ok… thank you Marlee, you may put your hand down.
Now raise your hand if, right before you reach the four month marker of that six month feat, you discover that your in a spiritual rut. You’re completely amazed at yourself because all of the sudden you start looking like one of those imprudent Israelites who never, ever, get it. Of all places or stages in your life, the period of time that you have set aside, devoted solely to serving the Lord on the "mission field" should be the once place and time that you get everything that was mediocre in your life straightened out and become a much better Christian.
Wow, Marlee I really appreciate your enthusiastic participation today…
BLAH!
Two things:
1. I am not perfect.
2. There is hope!!! I serve a God who is perfect. And He will one day completely transform me and conform me to the image of His son. (check Hagg. 2:23, II Corinthians 3:18)
Have you ever had a really good light bulb moment? When things that you have been taught over and over for a split second make really good sense? When God opens your eyes so that you can finally FINALLY see?
All I can do is be thankful that God enables His servants to speak truth and allows me to hear it! The majority of the time, my accountability comes from Teej or Mac; several times since living in Africa it has been our friend Isaac. And I am extremely grateful for them because they remind me, help me, to stick with the race, to get back on the right track when I am struggling. But this time it was my youth pastor, Paige Findley, via podcast.
All day I had been devouring scripture trying to find something that would just jump out at me and grab my attention. I wanted to find the one story which would totally parallel with my “predicament”. But despite my oh-so-grievous search, I felt like I hadn’t really found what I was looking for. That night I couldn't go to bed. I wasn't especially tired and plus I was frustrated with trying to figure out how to keep our ministry fresh. While I waited on my body to wind down, I decided to listen to some YBS pod casts we happened to have. The two that we have are titled “ A Seriously Happy ‘How To’ ©” and “Life, Death, and Happiness”. (Super anointed messages, and if they’re still on the website I suggest that you download them.) That’s when it all began to sink in....
Both the best thing and the most challenging thing about a long term mission trip is that eventually you get settled. Eventually you get into a groove. You form a schedule. You develop habits. As sick as this may sound, for about a month I’ve been pulling my hair trying to figure out how to make the best use of my time. My time… funny right? Meanwhile, I’m cooped up in the house busy with my thoughts and idly going about my petty chores or whatnot. 'How do I really pin down this missionary thing?' 'What do good missionaries spend their time doing?' 'What new program could we start?' 'If only I was creative enough to start something that would entice everyone to come and realize that Jesus is awesome and then they would be healed and this village would be changed forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
*Uh-oh…red flags all over the place. Can anyone say Satan’s best strategy???
Taking the load off of God and hopelessly trying to carry it all myself.
Driver swap, much?
Yikes! NO, THANK YOU!
Wow, it’s so easy for me to complicate sharing the gospel.
That is what I was doing.
Here is what the Lord spoke to me through pastor P.:
I was sent to Uganda to testify through my actions and through my words that I value the living God. That I believe the King of Kings is worth all of my adoration. Thus, I glorify the only One worthy of glory. I love my Creator.
In reality, the world doesn’t need a new program. It needs to hear the ageless word of truth spoken over it. It needs people to genuinely display their love for God by living a life that clearly communicates (through their actions and through their words) that they are deeply and truly joyful, dancing in the overflow of God’s love.
That’s it! And the crux of that message really freed me. He has given me the gift of His spirit. Those who seek after Him will be greatly satisfied with this gift. And they will start to seek after Him when they see us enjoying Him to the fullest. For some reason those girls are happy, and it’s not because they are white and rich. If people see that I believe with my whole heart that God really is more precious than silver, more costly than gold, then will they start desiring Him for themselves.
Another thing-
Two weeks ago a young brother in the church named Billy preached a slick little sermon from Revelation ch. 2. vs. 2-5. He was pleading with the church to return to their first love. This is how it reads:
“2. I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them who are evil; and you have tried them who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
3. And have endured, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have labored, and have not fainted.
4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against you. Because you have left your first love.
5. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your lamp stand out of this place, except you repent.”
What’s the point?
So many times I go through life trying to behave correctly. As I should. But if the focus has shifted from the original reason I changed and started leading a more “well behaved” lifestyle in the first place, then I am laboring in vain. Don’t go astray from your first love. This idea goes hand in hand with seeking the Spirit itself, rather than the fruits of the spirit. If you want your ministry to be fruitful, live in the Spirit. Love and feast from the Spirit.
How do we do this?
God suggests we repent. Attack and confess the sin. As much of it as you can think of.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8)
Psalm 51
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)
So for now that’s all I’ve got.
Pray for us as we expressively enjoy our King throughout Kisoga. : ) After all, the more we delight in the Hero, the harder our enemy has to work. I invite you to be apart of this movement. Suit up soldiers. Psalm 18. Ephs. 6:11-18. HOO HAH!
We love you all so so much. Know that we miss you a lot and continue to lift you up in our prayers.
Love,
Marlee
Today we’re going to do a little evaluation test.
First, raise your hand if you believe your trying to follow God with your whole heart?
Marlee, yes, I see your hand.
Raise your hand if you thought that coming on a six month mission trip would change everything about your life? Spiritually, mentally, and physically?
Ok… thank you Marlee, you may put your hand down.
Now raise your hand if, right before you reach the four month marker of that six month feat, you discover that your in a spiritual rut. You’re completely amazed at yourself because all of the sudden you start looking like one of those imprudent Israelites who never, ever, get it. Of all places or stages in your life, the period of time that you have set aside, devoted solely to serving the Lord on the "mission field" should be the once place and time that you get everything that was mediocre in your life straightened out and become a much better Christian.
Wow, Marlee I really appreciate your enthusiastic participation today…
BLAH!
Two things:
1. I am not perfect.
2. There is hope!!! I serve a God who is perfect. And He will one day completely transform me and conform me to the image of His son. (check Hagg. 2:23, II Corinthians 3:18)
Have you ever had a really good light bulb moment? When things that you have been taught over and over for a split second make really good sense? When God opens your eyes so that you can finally FINALLY see?
All I can do is be thankful that God enables His servants to speak truth and allows me to hear it! The majority of the time, my accountability comes from Teej or Mac; several times since living in Africa it has been our friend Isaac. And I am extremely grateful for them because they remind me, help me, to stick with the race, to get back on the right track when I am struggling. But this time it was my youth pastor, Paige Findley, via podcast.
All day I had been devouring scripture trying to find something that would just jump out at me and grab my attention. I wanted to find the one story which would totally parallel with my “predicament”. But despite my oh-so-grievous search, I felt like I hadn’t really found what I was looking for. That night I couldn't go to bed. I wasn't especially tired and plus I was frustrated with trying to figure out how to keep our ministry fresh. While I waited on my body to wind down, I decided to listen to some YBS pod casts we happened to have. The two that we have are titled “ A Seriously Happy ‘How To’ ©” and “Life, Death, and Happiness”. (Super anointed messages, and if they’re still on the website I suggest that you download them.) That’s when it all began to sink in....
Both the best thing and the most challenging thing about a long term mission trip is that eventually you get settled. Eventually you get into a groove. You form a schedule. You develop habits. As sick as this may sound, for about a month I’ve been pulling my hair trying to figure out how to make the best use of my time. My time… funny right? Meanwhile, I’m cooped up in the house busy with my thoughts and idly going about my petty chores or whatnot. 'How do I really pin down this missionary thing?' 'What do good missionaries spend their time doing?' 'What new program could we start?' 'If only I was creative enough to start something that would entice everyone to come and realize that Jesus is awesome and then they would be healed and this village would be changed forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
*Uh-oh…red flags all over the place. Can anyone say Satan’s best strategy???
Taking the load off of God and hopelessly trying to carry it all myself.
Driver swap, much?
Yikes! NO, THANK YOU!
Wow, it’s so easy for me to complicate sharing the gospel.
That is what I was doing.
Here is what the Lord spoke to me through pastor P.:
I was sent to Uganda to testify through my actions and through my words that I value the living God. That I believe the King of Kings is worth all of my adoration. Thus, I glorify the only One worthy of glory. I love my Creator.
In reality, the world doesn’t need a new program. It needs to hear the ageless word of truth spoken over it. It needs people to genuinely display their love for God by living a life that clearly communicates (through their actions and through their words) that they are deeply and truly joyful, dancing in the overflow of God’s love.
That’s it! And the crux of that message really freed me. He has given me the gift of His spirit. Those who seek after Him will be greatly satisfied with this gift. And they will start to seek after Him when they see us enjoying Him to the fullest. For some reason those girls are happy, and it’s not because they are white and rich. If people see that I believe with my whole heart that God really is more precious than silver, more costly than gold, then will they start desiring Him for themselves.
Another thing-
Two weeks ago a young brother in the church named Billy preached a slick little sermon from Revelation ch. 2. vs. 2-5. He was pleading with the church to return to their first love. This is how it reads:
“2. I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them who are evil; and you have tried them who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
3. And have endured, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have labored, and have not fainted.
4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against you. Because you have left your first love.
5. Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your lamp stand out of this place, except you repent.”
What’s the point?
So many times I go through life trying to behave correctly. As I should. But if the focus has shifted from the original reason I changed and started leading a more “well behaved” lifestyle in the first place, then I am laboring in vain. Don’t go astray from your first love. This idea goes hand in hand with seeking the Spirit itself, rather than the fruits of the spirit. If you want your ministry to be fruitful, live in the Spirit. Love and feast from the Spirit.
How do we do this?
God suggests we repent. Attack and confess the sin. As much of it as you can think of.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8)
Psalm 51
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)
So for now that’s all I’ve got.
Pray for us as we expressively enjoy our King throughout Kisoga. : ) After all, the more we delight in the Hero, the harder our enemy has to work. I invite you to be apart of this movement. Suit up soldiers. Psalm 18. Ephs. 6:11-18. HOO HAH!
We love you all so so much. Know that we miss you a lot and continue to lift you up in our prayers.
Love,
Marlee
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
genda rat
AH!!! So many important things to talk about. Wow. Ok.
1) I know in the last blog Mckenzie told you about how many of kids at the school couldn’t pay their school fees. Really unfortunate for the school and the parents feel a lot of pressure to try to get the money together. So we prayed about it and from our calculations we will have some money left over and we wanted God’s wisdom in how to use it. One of the things we felt like God wanted us to do was offer to cover the 37 students that couldn’t pay. We talked with Pastor Emma and decided it’s what we needed to do. We wanted you who supported to know that according to Pastor Emma, this is the first school term since the school opened (7 years ago) that all of the students have been paid for. Praise the Lord. Thank you from them to all of you! Here is a list of all of the students:
Baby Class (Pre-K)-
1. Jackob Kigundu
2. J. Kisekka
3. Halima Takola
4. Gladys Nakibuule
5. David Naliima
6. Teo Nantongo
7. Joan Namwanje
8. Violet Nakafu
9. God Sowagudde
10. Shamim Namule
Top Class (Kindergarten)-
1. Christine Ndagire
2. Sandra Namuli
3. Martin Kato
4. Vaniva Naxidde
5. Denis Kazibwe
Primary 1-
1. Grace Namugwanya
2. Shadiah Nakato
3. Joan Nalukoago
Primary 2-
1. Joseph Kasaga
2. Felix Damuliv
3. Maureen Nalugo
4. Jamiru Kisebe
5. Michael Kakande
6. Flavia Nakawunde
7. Anold Kyimba
Primary 3-
1. Rebecca Namusisi
2. Rose Babinye
3. Ben Kawuka
4. Monday Mugisila
5. Joseph Katumba
Primary 4-
1. Moses Luutu
2. Douglas Mubiru
3. Samuel Kawooya
4. Henry Kande
5. Maureen Nalweyinza
Primary 5-
1. Doreen Nantongo
2. John Kaziinza
*We are only paying for the first term. There are three terms in the years, at roughly $10 a term per student. So $30 a year covers the school fees for one child, including breakfast, school books, pencils, and lunch.
2) We recently went to Rwanda (yes, like Hotel Rwanda) to renew our visas. Our attempt to upload a blog to inform everyone of our upcoming journey failed but we really wanted to let everyone know. We left on Thursday the 5th and returned on Monday the 9th. Isaac, from Teen Missions, went with us. While we were there we visited someone whom he fondly refers to as, “Jjajja”. Jjajja (means grandmother in luganda) supported Isaac during his youth and school years. This woman is incredible. If you think that God can’t send people of all ages across the world to do His will, you are sadly mistaken. Jjajja, Monique, is 80 years old, beautiful, spunky, and so so full of life. Was born in France into a missionary family, and has been working for the Kingdom all her life. She has been living in Africa since 1993. She runs an organization that works with orphans and widows in Rwanda and Uganda and at the moment she lives in Rwanda. For those of you who got the memo that we were leaving earlier thanks so much for your prayers. We had an awesome visit and felt the Lord’s hand on us the entire time. What else is new? He is always faithful, thus we are ever thankful.
3) And that Leads me to my next thing. Pastor Joseph has a niece, Grace, who is in Primary 3 at our school. She’s really sweet and bright and we all like her a lot. Her father died last year so now her mother and her stay with Pastor Joseph. He lives quite a distance from Lusoga and so it’s been really hard for her to make it to school consistently but she really likes school. Today he told us he was going to try to find a way for her to stay in Lusoga with someone….anyone see where this is going? Yeah. Well he tells us this and then walks outside to talk to Pastor Emma. I immediately was struck with the scriptures about helping the widows and the orphans and helping the least of these. We all start discussing the possibility of her staying with us. God reminded me that the night before when we had been praying together I told Him we were willing, just show us what we could do to help. After a quick discussion we decided to offer our home. So as of now we’re not sure where she will sleep. I think me and Marlee will share a bed and Grace will take mine until we can get her a mosquito net and a mattress. She will be eating with us too which is good cause we usually have leftovers. But yeah, we’re going to be mothers from Sunday night to Thursday night, possibly until we leave. That starts the Tuesday after we get back…so things might be a little crazy. So you can pray once again, strength for us. Also patience and grace and willing hearts to change anything about our life right now to welcome in Grace. There is the part where she doesn’t really speak English and we don’t really speak Luganda…so that we would be able to communicate what we need to and that she wouldn’t feel isolated.
4) We are getting there….um, so last night me and McKenzie where talking and really felt like God put on our hearts to do a healing/ministry revival. We don’t really know how to plan one of those in a village in Uganda, but we’re trusting in God and trying to get that going. The plan as it stands right now is it will go down the first Saturday in April. We are looking for people to speak and music stuff and a location. We also want to “shop hop” the weeks leading up to it and get the word out and kind of pre-minister to some people. Plant seeds. Put up flyers. Make announcements over the loudspeaker thing. Get the church involved. We’re so excited to see where God takes it. Please please be praying for the doors to open up to take care of some of those things, for us to be lead by the Spirit, and for His name to be glorified in everything that is done.
5) Another way we want to start reaching out is through “Jump Rope for Jesus.” It was Marlee’s idea and we tried it out the other day. We took a rope outside and started jump roping. Before long there where like 20 kids hanging around, some jumping with us, some just laughing and watching. Plus there where about 10 adults watching from a little ways away. After it started to get dark we sang some Luganda Christian songs we’ve learned and some of the kids sang with us! We want to do it daily and maybe even get them to memorize scripture while they jump. Plus we want to get out our guitars, maybe get a djembe and have some kid sing-a-longs. Really exciting.
7) Lastly, we have some trials around the house…..For instance, behind our house used to be pretty quiet, save the neighbors. But there where only like two families back there. Well the other day, we hear some construction going on back there and low and behold, they built a road behind our house. In one day, we have a dirt road going behind our house. As if it wasn’t bad enough to have to walk outside for the world to know you’re using the latrines, now a road goes behind our latrines and sometimes kids throw rocks on the latrines while you’re in there shouting “Muzungu! Muzungu!” It’s really awesome. Second, adding to the major cockroach problem we had before, we now have a rat…and he’s smart. We tried to poison him and everyone told us it would work. Never touched the stuff. I’ve seen him and we hear him crawling around sometimes and he eats our food…..uggh. Not our friend. He also steals our stuff and wedges it under our stove thing on the counter. We daily find rags, candles, apple cores, napkins, boxes of matches….and who knows what else up under there. Pretty gross and annoying.
Plus I have to play man of the family whenever anything gross shows up. Story. Last night we went to bed really late between getting really excited about the revival and then life being so incredibly funny. So I’m lying there and I’m exhausted and I’ve just fallen asleep when Marlee wakes me up with, “TJ. TJ! I hear him. He’s over there. In my stuff.”
Me: ok. It’s ok. Just go to bed.
Marlee: Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I just saw him!!!
So I climb out of bed and go over. At this point I’m awake enough to get a little nervous cause I don’t really want him jump on me. So I have to reach right over where she saw him to turn on the light. Marlee’s curled up in her bed. And I go looking for him. Real scary cause I was waiting to move something and have this monster rat come jumping out at me. We can’t find him. Marlee thinks it may have gone into Mckenzie’s room. I’m getting real annoyed because I just want to go to bed but go check anyways. Well what I discover is a huge toad sitting on McKenzie’s backpack. Terrifying, huh. At that point I’m about to go to bed but then McKenzie wants me to get rid of it. So I chase it out, block the base of the door with some towels and head back to bed. The rat needs to go. It’s interfering with my sleep in a major ways….."genda (go in luganda) rat. genda."
Well that’s about it. Sorry this is so long! Lots of things to share!
Oh, and just to let you know we have joined the worship team at church. That involves a few songs with the guitar and the rest in Luganda, doing the whole dance and sing and sway thing in the front. It’s pretty embarrassing sometimes but I think it blesses the people for us to show that we’re getting involved in the community. Like Mckenzie said last time, we don’t have 7 years, so we’ll skip straight to dancing with the worship team if it will open the doors to the people’s hearts!
Love to all! Wish you could see this place, it’s amazing! Thanks again for your prayers.JEAN
1) I know in the last blog Mckenzie told you about how many of kids at the school couldn’t pay their school fees. Really unfortunate for the school and the parents feel a lot of pressure to try to get the money together. So we prayed about it and from our calculations we will have some money left over and we wanted God’s wisdom in how to use it. One of the things we felt like God wanted us to do was offer to cover the 37 students that couldn’t pay. We talked with Pastor Emma and decided it’s what we needed to do. We wanted you who supported to know that according to Pastor Emma, this is the first school term since the school opened (7 years ago) that all of the students have been paid for. Praise the Lord. Thank you from them to all of you! Here is a list of all of the students:
Baby Class (Pre-K)-
1. Jackob Kigundu
2. J. Kisekka
3. Halima Takola
4. Gladys Nakibuule
5. David Naliima
6. Teo Nantongo
7. Joan Namwanje
8. Violet Nakafu
9. God Sowagudde
10. Shamim Namule
Top Class (Kindergarten)-
1. Christine Ndagire
2. Sandra Namuli
3. Martin Kato
4. Vaniva Naxidde
5. Denis Kazibwe
Primary 1-
1. Grace Namugwanya
2. Shadiah Nakato
3. Joan Nalukoago
Primary 2-
1. Joseph Kasaga
2. Felix Damuliv
3. Maureen Nalugo
4. Jamiru Kisebe
5. Michael Kakande
6. Flavia Nakawunde
7. Anold Kyimba
Primary 3-
1. Rebecca Namusisi
2. Rose Babinye
3. Ben Kawuka
4. Monday Mugisila
5. Joseph Katumba
Primary 4-
1. Moses Luutu
2. Douglas Mubiru
3. Samuel Kawooya
4. Henry Kande
5. Maureen Nalweyinza
Primary 5-
1. Doreen Nantongo
2. John Kaziinza
*We are only paying for the first term. There are three terms in the years, at roughly $10 a term per student. So $30 a year covers the school fees for one child, including breakfast, school books, pencils, and lunch.
2) We recently went to Rwanda (yes, like Hotel Rwanda) to renew our visas. Our attempt to upload a blog to inform everyone of our upcoming journey failed but we really wanted to let everyone know. We left on Thursday the 5th and returned on Monday the 9th. Isaac, from Teen Missions, went with us. While we were there we visited someone whom he fondly refers to as, “Jjajja”. Jjajja (means grandmother in luganda) supported Isaac during his youth and school years. This woman is incredible. If you think that God can’t send people of all ages across the world to do His will, you are sadly mistaken. Jjajja, Monique, is 80 years old, beautiful, spunky, and so so full of life. Was born in France into a missionary family, and has been working for the Kingdom all her life. She has been living in Africa since 1993. She runs an organization that works with orphans and widows in Rwanda and Uganda and at the moment she lives in Rwanda. For those of you who got the memo that we were leaving earlier thanks so much for your prayers. We had an awesome visit and felt the Lord’s hand on us the entire time. What else is new? He is always faithful, thus we are ever thankful.
3) And that Leads me to my next thing. Pastor Joseph has a niece, Grace, who is in Primary 3 at our school. She’s really sweet and bright and we all like her a lot. Her father died last year so now her mother and her stay with Pastor Joseph. He lives quite a distance from Lusoga and so it’s been really hard for her to make it to school consistently but she really likes school. Today he told us he was going to try to find a way for her to stay in Lusoga with someone….anyone see where this is going? Yeah. Well he tells us this and then walks outside to talk to Pastor Emma. I immediately was struck with the scriptures about helping the widows and the orphans and helping the least of these. We all start discussing the possibility of her staying with us. God reminded me that the night before when we had been praying together I told Him we were willing, just show us what we could do to help. After a quick discussion we decided to offer our home. So as of now we’re not sure where she will sleep. I think me and Marlee will share a bed and Grace will take mine until we can get her a mosquito net and a mattress. She will be eating with us too which is good cause we usually have leftovers. But yeah, we’re going to be mothers from Sunday night to Thursday night, possibly until we leave. That starts the Tuesday after we get back…so things might be a little crazy. So you can pray once again, strength for us. Also patience and grace and willing hearts to change anything about our life right now to welcome in Grace. There is the part where she doesn’t really speak English and we don’t really speak Luganda…so that we would be able to communicate what we need to and that she wouldn’t feel isolated.
4) We are getting there….um, so last night me and McKenzie where talking and really felt like God put on our hearts to do a healing/ministry revival. We don’t really know how to plan one of those in a village in Uganda, but we’re trusting in God and trying to get that going. The plan as it stands right now is it will go down the first Saturday in April. We are looking for people to speak and music stuff and a location. We also want to “shop hop” the weeks leading up to it and get the word out and kind of pre-minister to some people. Plant seeds. Put up flyers. Make announcements over the loudspeaker thing. Get the church involved. We’re so excited to see where God takes it. Please please be praying for the doors to open up to take care of some of those things, for us to be lead by the Spirit, and for His name to be glorified in everything that is done.
5) Another way we want to start reaching out is through “Jump Rope for Jesus.” It was Marlee’s idea and we tried it out the other day. We took a rope outside and started jump roping. Before long there where like 20 kids hanging around, some jumping with us, some just laughing and watching. Plus there where about 10 adults watching from a little ways away. After it started to get dark we sang some Luganda Christian songs we’ve learned and some of the kids sang with us! We want to do it daily and maybe even get them to memorize scripture while they jump. Plus we want to get out our guitars, maybe get a djembe and have some kid sing-a-longs. Really exciting.
7) Lastly, we have some trials around the house…..For instance, behind our house used to be pretty quiet, save the neighbors. But there where only like two families back there. Well the other day, we hear some construction going on back there and low and behold, they built a road behind our house. In one day, we have a dirt road going behind our house. As if it wasn’t bad enough to have to walk outside for the world to know you’re using the latrines, now a road goes behind our latrines and sometimes kids throw rocks on the latrines while you’re in there shouting “Muzungu! Muzungu!” It’s really awesome. Second, adding to the major cockroach problem we had before, we now have a rat…and he’s smart. We tried to poison him and everyone told us it would work. Never touched the stuff. I’ve seen him and we hear him crawling around sometimes and he eats our food…..uggh. Not our friend. He also steals our stuff and wedges it under our stove thing on the counter. We daily find rags, candles, apple cores, napkins, boxes of matches….and who knows what else up under there. Pretty gross and annoying.
Plus I have to play man of the family whenever anything gross shows up. Story. Last night we went to bed really late between getting really excited about the revival and then life being so incredibly funny. So I’m lying there and I’m exhausted and I’ve just fallen asleep when Marlee wakes me up with, “TJ. TJ! I hear him. He’s over there. In my stuff.”
Me: ok. It’s ok. Just go to bed.
Marlee: Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I just saw him!!!
So I climb out of bed and go over. At this point I’m awake enough to get a little nervous cause I don’t really want him jump on me. So I have to reach right over where she saw him to turn on the light. Marlee’s curled up in her bed. And I go looking for him. Real scary cause I was waiting to move something and have this monster rat come jumping out at me. We can’t find him. Marlee thinks it may have gone into Mckenzie’s room. I’m getting real annoyed because I just want to go to bed but go check anyways. Well what I discover is a huge toad sitting on McKenzie’s backpack. Terrifying, huh. At that point I’m about to go to bed but then McKenzie wants me to get rid of it. So I chase it out, block the base of the door with some towels and head back to bed. The rat needs to go. It’s interfering with my sleep in a major ways….."genda (go in luganda) rat. genda."
Well that’s about it. Sorry this is so long! Lots of things to share!
Oh, and just to let you know we have joined the worship team at church. That involves a few songs with the guitar and the rest in Luganda, doing the whole dance and sing and sway thing in the front. It’s pretty embarrassing sometimes but I think it blesses the people for us to show that we’re getting involved in the community. Like Mckenzie said last time, we don’t have 7 years, so we’ll skip straight to dancing with the worship team if it will open the doors to the people’s hearts!
Love to all! Wish you could see this place, it’s amazing! Thanks again for your prayers.JEAN
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Its official. The WAG‘s are now legit Ugandan teachers at the Oasis of Love school in Kisoga, Uganda. What’s funny is that we don’t have a teaching certificate….what’s awesome is that here, you don’t need one…especially if your white. The school is run by the church we are working with, Oasis of Love Church. It is a primary school but it only goes to P5(usually here it goes to P7). It has what they call baby class which is like nursery, pre-k and kindergarten, then they have P1. P2, P3. P4, and P5 class which is just like elementary school.
Day 1: Okay well our first day was interesting. At first I was really intimidated because we still didn’t know what classes we were going to teach and well none of us have ever done anything like this before so we didn’t know what to expect. The first few hours were spent delegating who would take what subjects. Besides us there are two other teachers for P1-P5.…we don’t teach the baby classes. I think its safe to say that none of us felt comfortable teaching science, agriculture, social studies, or Luganda…so those were given to the other teachers. That left Marlee with -P1 reading, P2 English, P3 Math, P4 English, and P5 English., TJ with - P1 English, P2 Math, P3 English, and P4 reading, and myself with- P1 Math, P2 reading, P3 reading, P4 Math, and P5 Math. We also help with music class and P.E. After that we went around to the classes and introduced ourselves ….it was an interesting experience because at that time we didn’t have interpreters…and well small children who don’t know English paired with three white girls who don’t know Luganda is kind of an amusing scene.
Day 2-Day 5: We are supposed to have a time table with a schedule to know when we teach…you know its that thing called organization….well according to one of the teachers “we just make the time table to show the government we are a serious school but we don’t really go by it.” I guess for some people its not a big deal but for me its super aggravating. I wouldn’t mind so much if the kids weren’t getting gypped but they are. Some times because there aren’t enough teachers and because we don’t have an actual schedule classes are just left without any supervision or teaching. They also don’t end up getting all of their classes like P.E. or music. Thankfully as time went on I realized I couldn’t control that and decided to just make the best of my time with the kids in class. Three grades (P3, P4, and P5) are taught in a one room church, and the other two (P1 and P2) are taught in another one room building. At first I thought that it would get really hard teaching with another class so close by but then we found that the Ugandan teachers don’t really teach, They kind of just write stuff on the blackboard and tell the kids to copy it down. Everything here is taught by memorization which is rather unfortunate because 1) the kids arent actually learning and 2) they don’t learn how to think for themselves the rational way. This in turn causes problems when they grow up because then they are stuck in one way of thinking which usually doesn’t make sense.
The second week was a lot better. After a few classes with each grade we were able to see where the kids were in learning that specific subject and what methods were more effective than others in communicating with them. We also have two awesome translators, Isaac and Florence. Isaac has taken it upon himself to teach us some Luganda which I love and Florence has become our new house lady (Lydia took a different teaching job in Mukono and so she couldn’t help us anymore). (they both gave us a dancing lesson the other day. I just want to say that TJ is the queen of Kalipso). We are getting to know the kids and all their little quirks which is fun, a few of them have even earned themselves a nick name.
There is G.I. Joe - this kid is in baby class and he wears the same outfit everyday. Whats funny is that he looks like he belongs in the army. He also really really likes porridge. After he eats his he goes around to all the other kids and gives them the most intensely sad looking face until one poor sap feels sorry for him and gives him their porridge….then G.I. Joe gets a huge grin on his face and goes on his way.
There is also this kid names Joseph….A.K.A creeper Joseph (hes not really creepy just a creeper). He is in P1 and is kind of TJ’s stalker. A few days ago he walked with us home and then waited outside by the pit latrines until our neighbors told him to leave. The next morning he was waiting for us to walk with us to school…hes quite the gentleman because he holds TJ’s bag sometimes…real cute.
Im not sure if it was said in the last blog but we weren’t supposed to go to this village. Until we actually met up with the McKenzie’s we thought we were still going to the Bakka village. Things didn’t work out there but they had another opportunity for us here. Whats amazing is being able to see how this was Gods plan for us all along. We were talking to Pastor Emma…hes the guy in charge of the school and the pastor of the sister church of House of Love in another village…and he was telling us that because they don’t charge the kids who go to the school a lot for school fees they aren’t able to pay the teachers a very good salary. As a result teachers are hard to come by…especially good ones. Before he knew we would be coming to teach he said he had no idea how they were going to make ends meet but he continued to pray and trust that God would provide. He said it was a miracle that we came.
Our house is finally starting to look like a home and each day we are becoming more and more familiar with the village and the people living in it. We have our place where we buy our bread, another where we buy our eggs, and so forth. We have heard missionaries say that it takes seven years for the community to finally accept you …but we are trusting and believing that with God by the end of three months we will leave Kisoga not only feeling like we belong but also for having the nationals feel the same.
We are approaching the three month mark in a few days and in all honesty im freaking out. I love it here and the thought of being half way through is a little much to take in. Because we all three have been thinking about that we were really moved to remember our mission in Uganda. God has called us half way around the world to serve Him in some mighty ways. The more we seek His face the more He reveals His plans for us. We have not come to just teach English…that’s a by-product of our love for the Lord. We have come to worship our God and to share in that worship with others. Please join us in our prayer that God would change the hearts of the people of Kisoga through His Spirit of Truth and that lives would be transformed. Be encouraged the Lords hand is at work and we are so grateful to be a part of it and so thankful for all of you who made I possible through prayer and financial support. Thank you thank you thank you! We continue to pray for you all back home and miss you a lot. I think it would be good if you all just came for a visit ;)
I think I will end on something funny. Because we are always around each other we have to be creative in our conversations because we have covered all the normal stuff. Im not sure how the conversation exactly started but somehow we came to the conclusion that our neighbors and probably half the people in town are aliens. Ill give you the facts and let you decide on your own.
1) our neighbors laugh at us every time we walk by. Its not normal laughing…its super intense super annoying laughs that never cease. we can also hear them say “muzungu blah blah blah” then “hahahahahahaha” even when we arent around them.. at first we weren’t bothered by it….but it hasn’t stopped. We don’t even want to go to the bathroom anymore because we know we have to pass by them to get to the latrines and we know they will laugh at us. Something has to be wrong with these people….we arent that funny.
2) one of their children doesn’t crawl normal….she sticks her butt up in the air and walks on her hands and feet. (we also hear the children telling their parents “they are leaving” or “they have come back” every time we leave or come back to our house.
3) one night the loud stadium speakers outside of our house started making strange noises. Im talking like legit alien noises like you hear in the movie Signs *come to think of it I think this event was how our theory was formed. I think we heard the noise and then connected all the dots.
4) I don’t know why but for some strange reason people here…especially men who you don’t know love to say “hello muzungu, how are you” in a really high pitched girly voice. At first we thought it was some strange quirky thing some people did but then we realized that the amount of people all over Uganda who do it cant just be a coincidence.
5) there is this really pretty hill that you can see from the school we teach at and until Thursday we didn’t realize the three huge metal towers on top of it. Either a) they weren’t there before because there was an invisible shield over it or b) we are really oblivious and cant see worth anything. We are pretty sure the rods are used for transporting the aliens.
6)Okay the last piece of evidence. one day when Marlee was done teaching P4 they all turned around to say goodbye but instead of waving they all put their hands above their ears and started moving their index finger back and forth like they were sending messages home to their mother ship. Strange I know.
--------there you have it…the hard evidence that Kisoga is the Roswell of Africa.
Day 1: Okay well our first day was interesting. At first I was really intimidated because we still didn’t know what classes we were going to teach and well none of us have ever done anything like this before so we didn’t know what to expect. The first few hours were spent delegating who would take what subjects. Besides us there are two other teachers for P1-P5.…we don’t teach the baby classes. I think its safe to say that none of us felt comfortable teaching science, agriculture, social studies, or Luganda…so those were given to the other teachers. That left Marlee with -P1 reading, P2 English, P3 Math, P4 English, and P5 English., TJ with - P1 English, P2 Math, P3 English, and P4 reading, and myself with- P1 Math, P2 reading, P3 reading, P4 Math, and P5 Math. We also help with music class and P.E. After that we went around to the classes and introduced ourselves ….it was an interesting experience because at that time we didn’t have interpreters…and well small children who don’t know English paired with three white girls who don’t know Luganda is kind of an amusing scene.
Day 2-Day 5: We are supposed to have a time table with a schedule to know when we teach…you know its that thing called organization….well according to one of the teachers “we just make the time table to show the government we are a serious school but we don’t really go by it.” I guess for some people its not a big deal but for me its super aggravating. I wouldn’t mind so much if the kids weren’t getting gypped but they are. Some times because there aren’t enough teachers and because we don’t have an actual schedule classes are just left without any supervision or teaching. They also don’t end up getting all of their classes like P.E. or music. Thankfully as time went on I realized I couldn’t control that and decided to just make the best of my time with the kids in class. Three grades (P3, P4, and P5) are taught in a one room church, and the other two (P1 and P2) are taught in another one room building. At first I thought that it would get really hard teaching with another class so close by but then we found that the Ugandan teachers don’t really teach, They kind of just write stuff on the blackboard and tell the kids to copy it down. Everything here is taught by memorization which is rather unfortunate because 1) the kids arent actually learning and 2) they don’t learn how to think for themselves the rational way. This in turn causes problems when they grow up because then they are stuck in one way of thinking which usually doesn’t make sense.
The second week was a lot better. After a few classes with each grade we were able to see where the kids were in learning that specific subject and what methods were more effective than others in communicating with them. We also have two awesome translators, Isaac and Florence. Isaac has taken it upon himself to teach us some Luganda which I love and Florence has become our new house lady (Lydia took a different teaching job in Mukono and so she couldn’t help us anymore). (they both gave us a dancing lesson the other day. I just want to say that TJ is the queen of Kalipso). We are getting to know the kids and all their little quirks which is fun, a few of them have even earned themselves a nick name.
There is G.I. Joe - this kid is in baby class and he wears the same outfit everyday. Whats funny is that he looks like he belongs in the army. He also really really likes porridge. After he eats his he goes around to all the other kids and gives them the most intensely sad looking face until one poor sap feels sorry for him and gives him their porridge….then G.I. Joe gets a huge grin on his face and goes on his way.
There is also this kid names Joseph….A.K.A creeper Joseph (hes not really creepy just a creeper). He is in P1 and is kind of TJ’s stalker. A few days ago he walked with us home and then waited outside by the pit latrines until our neighbors told him to leave. The next morning he was waiting for us to walk with us to school…hes quite the gentleman because he holds TJ’s bag sometimes…real cute.
Im not sure if it was said in the last blog but we weren’t supposed to go to this village. Until we actually met up with the McKenzie’s we thought we were still going to the Bakka village. Things didn’t work out there but they had another opportunity for us here. Whats amazing is being able to see how this was Gods plan for us all along. We were talking to Pastor Emma…hes the guy in charge of the school and the pastor of the sister church of House of Love in another village…and he was telling us that because they don’t charge the kids who go to the school a lot for school fees they aren’t able to pay the teachers a very good salary. As a result teachers are hard to come by…especially good ones. Before he knew we would be coming to teach he said he had no idea how they were going to make ends meet but he continued to pray and trust that God would provide. He said it was a miracle that we came.
Our house is finally starting to look like a home and each day we are becoming more and more familiar with the village and the people living in it. We have our place where we buy our bread, another where we buy our eggs, and so forth. We have heard missionaries say that it takes seven years for the community to finally accept you …but we are trusting and believing that with God by the end of three months we will leave Kisoga not only feeling like we belong but also for having the nationals feel the same.
We are approaching the three month mark in a few days and in all honesty im freaking out. I love it here and the thought of being half way through is a little much to take in. Because we all three have been thinking about that we were really moved to remember our mission in Uganda. God has called us half way around the world to serve Him in some mighty ways. The more we seek His face the more He reveals His plans for us. We have not come to just teach English…that’s a by-product of our love for the Lord. We have come to worship our God and to share in that worship with others. Please join us in our prayer that God would change the hearts of the people of Kisoga through His Spirit of Truth and that lives would be transformed. Be encouraged the Lords hand is at work and we are so grateful to be a part of it and so thankful for all of you who made I possible through prayer and financial support. Thank you thank you thank you! We continue to pray for you all back home and miss you a lot. I think it would be good if you all just came for a visit ;)
I think I will end on something funny. Because we are always around each other we have to be creative in our conversations because we have covered all the normal stuff. Im not sure how the conversation exactly started but somehow we came to the conclusion that our neighbors and probably half the people in town are aliens. Ill give you the facts and let you decide on your own.
1) our neighbors laugh at us every time we walk by. Its not normal laughing…its super intense super annoying laughs that never cease. we can also hear them say “muzungu blah blah blah” then “hahahahahahaha” even when we arent around them.. at first we weren’t bothered by it….but it hasn’t stopped. We don’t even want to go to the bathroom anymore because we know we have to pass by them to get to the latrines and we know they will laugh at us. Something has to be wrong with these people….we arent that funny.
2) one of their children doesn’t crawl normal….she sticks her butt up in the air and walks on her hands and feet. (we also hear the children telling their parents “they are leaving” or “they have come back” every time we leave or come back to our house.
3) one night the loud stadium speakers outside of our house started making strange noises. Im talking like legit alien noises like you hear in the movie Signs *come to think of it I think this event was how our theory was formed. I think we heard the noise and then connected all the dots.
4) I don’t know why but for some strange reason people here…especially men who you don’t know love to say “hello muzungu, how are you” in a really high pitched girly voice. At first we thought it was some strange quirky thing some people did but then we realized that the amount of people all over Uganda who do it cant just be a coincidence.
5) there is this really pretty hill that you can see from the school we teach at and until Thursday we didn’t realize the three huge metal towers on top of it. Either a) they weren’t there before because there was an invisible shield over it or b) we are really oblivious and cant see worth anything. We are pretty sure the rods are used for transporting the aliens.
6)Okay the last piece of evidence. one day when Marlee was done teaching P4 they all turned around to say goodbye but instead of waving they all put their hands above their ears and started moving their index finger back and forth like they were sending messages home to their mother ship. Strange I know.
--------there you have it…the hard evidence that Kisoga is the Roswell of Africa.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
hey. you want to know whats kind of disappointing? i had this really awesome blog to post and i had it all ready to go on the flash drive but for some reason this computer isnt reading it so i wont be able to post the actual written blog today. i do however, have some pictures of our time at CRO,our house in kisoga and the school we are teaching at. i hope you enjoy!
CRO
Omulett - really cute but really stinky.
Fighting is normal...
Moving all of our stuff from Jinja to Kampala.
P4 Class
P3 Class
P5 Class
Baby Class
P2 Class
P1 Class
CRO
Omulett - really cute but really stinky.
Fighting is normal...
Moving all of our stuff from Jinja to Kampala.
P4 Class
P3 Class
P5 Class
Baby Class
P2 Class
P1 Class
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