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. :)

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