ekissa

What next?

2011-06-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe we are back on American soil. As I unpacked my suitcase this morning (1:00 a.m. was too late to do it when I got home), my shoes still had the dirt from the roads of Uganda on them and the sight of it almost made me cry. (I wonder if that violated any customs laws?)

How can we return to normal life after what we have seen and experienced? I know it will be easier for those for whom this was a return trip, but for us who saw it all through "Disney-wide eyes", we have so much to process, so much for which to seek the Lord. Some of us have to try to relay it to our spouses - to try to get them to understand the tug on our hearts of the little Ugandan children who have a permanent place there. As we worked together as a team to gather and organize our thoughts, several phrases came to my mind that, for me, will be guiding my process as the Lord deals with me:

When I was ignorant, I was innocent; when I have knowledge, I have responsibility.

So, what next? There is so much need, in so many places. We can become overwhelmed or say it is too much for anyone to really make a difference, or, we can listen to the heart of God and hear what He says to each one of us, adjust our lives, and fall in line in obedience. That is my prayer. That is where I want to find myself. Pray with me for each of our team and for the precious Ugandan children, families, believers and friends we left behind. Our God is so big and so active all over the world. Let's find out where He is working....and join in!

Thank you for following us in love, prayer and thought. Your prayers have been largely responsible for the work we were able to do.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Worship as a Lifestyle

2011-06-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

"And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5:9, 10

We had the privilege today of worshiping with 2 different groups of believers. Gaba Community Church meets right beside our house and we had a more familiar worship experience, with an African twist and were able to sing along to praise songs that we knew. Then we scooted over to Bweya to meet again with the body of believers we fellowshipped with last night. They were fully in motion with seating overflowing the capacity and more coming. The growth that has taken place in one year is amazing, since last year when the team visited them in the "chicken coop church", they had about 40 in attendance and today, we worshiped with over 100. There was an excitement and energy that could not be denied and much of the service was led by various groups of youth that were an integral part of the church. It is so encouraging to see how God is so clearly at work in this place and to be able to have taken part. But possibly the greatest joy is just the thrill of being with other believers in another land who have been joined together by the blood of the Lamb who has promised to bring together ransomed ones from every tribe and language and people and nation. Praise God for his word going out among the nations.

We, as a team, have had such rich times each day of debriefing and reviewing all that we each have experienced and felt. It has brought so much growth to each of us. I wish you, the reader, had the benefit of viewing this trip through each team members' eyes, as we each have a different perspective and receive from the Lord individually from each encounter. As we bring our trip to a close, and head home tomorrow, please pray for all these requests that sum up the complexity of what God is doing on this trip.

That each team member will take adaquate time to process their experiences on this trip and that God will give wisdom and ears to hear His voice so they will know what step of obedience is to be set into motion as a result.
Bweya Community Church as they move forward, led by Pastor Robert. Pray that they will be protected and given wisdom as they care for new believers, evangelize their neighborhood, and make plans to build their building on their newly purchased land.
Steve and Debbie, Edith and Derrick, as they begin life together as a family in the US. Pray for the integration of the children into their family and into American society, and for wisdom for their parents as they tread this new turf.
Marvin, as he is being considered for admission to a children's home that would be a much better situation for him, and for Beth and her family as they continue his sponsorship and seek the Lord regarding his future.
Kevin and Nicole as they continue to seek the Lord's will in their process of pursuing international adoption. Pray that they will be encouraged, hear clearly from the Lord, and have His peace.
Mercy and her family, as they see the love of God expressed through the fellowship of the Bweya church. That Mercy's mom can see a plan from God that involves the family staying intact; that she will be able to start a business and provide for her family after the recent lose of her husband.

In closing, this Scripture encapsulates the desire of our hearts to be used as God's instruments:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Luke 4:18

Celebration day

2011-06-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

We are winding down and nearing the end of our trip and it was time for a few hours of shopping at the craft market in Kampala. After that, we had some American-style pizza in a restaurant in the parking garage! It was good and a nice reminder of home. We headed to the celebration that was scheduled today at the location of the land that was purchased through donations through Ekissa.

Bweya Community Church showed up for the festivities and there was much rejoicing. Over 150 people from the church and community gathered over the course of about an hour....African style. They were dressed in their finest, arranged for tents and chairs to be set up, hooked up the sound system and proceeded to worship. We shared in Lugandan worship songs and traditional African dances and helped them celebrate the excitement of the prospect of having their own church building on their own land one day. We were reminded by one of the speakers that the Church was already present, because it consisted of the people who were present.

It was a privilege to share in their celebration and to have had a part in the coming together of this day. These people are so loving and welcoming and so full of the joy of the Lord. It is a blessing to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ across the world and know that we share a bond that transcends nationality and culture. Tomorrow, we will worship with them at their present location at Mercy children's home.

So Many Stories...

2011-06-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.
He settles the fatherless in families...."                                           Ps. 68:5,6a

God is so busy here and it is hard to know which story to tell first of all He is doing. We started the day with a beautiful boat ride which we launched just down the road from our house onto Lake Victoria. We traveled for about 45 minutes along the coast, passing fishermen and small villages along the way to visit the children's home at Bethany Village, operated by the Africa Renewal Ministry (ARM), with which we partner. This place was such a breath of fresh air after the desperate conditions in which we have viewed orphans all week. Here we found, set among lush palms and grassy lawns, individual "homes" where hundreds of children live in "families" with a "mother" who is a local widow who has been carefully chosen and hired to live with and care for 12 to 15 children in each house. This facility has its own school and medical clinic and shows to us all what can happen when the believers in the States funnel their resources through a system that is intentional and accountable. It was a beautiful thing to see these children receive godly love and instruction and live in the truth of the Gospel. Needless to say, our hearts were encouraged and spurred on to see this happen elsewhere, proving that it can be done!

After lunch, some of us went to the Loving Hearts Baby Home, also run by ARM. The conditions there would rival any facility you would find in the US. We returned with Kevin and Nicole, our team members who had visited there all morning, looking for the child that God would connect them with, as they have been pursuing the adoption process for almost 2 years now. Please pray for them in their search for God's will, as they have had many closed doors, but still feel strongly that God is leading them to adopt internationally. Pray for open hearts and doors and for them to receive some encouragement in this process. It has been a privilege to walk beside them this week in just a tiny bit of their journey in this and now their burden has become ours as well. It was such a blessing to see the sweet Ugandan women who lovingly care for these babies and to see the Scriptures printed all over the walls of this home. Places like this give us great hope in the midst of much despair. Praise the Lord for the way He is at work in the hearts of His people. Pray for their continued obedience.

But as we were visiting this place of hope,  Beth and Sarah had to face the painful and harsh reality of returning Marvin to Airfield school where he lives. It was not a pretty picture and there was no easy way of doing it and no other options. This is one of those situations where we are completely helpless to do anything for him because of the corrupted system in which he finds himself. This is a very personal example of the frustration that is experienced over and over again with the poorly run children's homes that are in place here.
At the same time, we have also seen much worse conditions.

Part of our team, Mark and his daughter, Kristie went to a school in the slums of Kabalagala, not far from here today. I had visited Rays of Hope on Tuesday with Emilie who is working each day there on her summer-long trip. Mark's sister had made dresses out of pillowcases and sent them with him and he went to deliver them. Here is a school that has been established for years for the street orphans of that slum, to give them a safe place to spend the day, have a meal a day and a semblance of an education, while receiving Christ's love and the Gospel through the hands of His people. There is no children's home for these. When the school day is over, they return to the streets. This is when the need becomes overwhelming and we can feel despair with the levels of corruption and the helplessness we feel. Thank the Lord He is in control, sees it all and is Sovereign. We can trust Marvin, Kabalagala, Mercy Home and Airfield school to His wise and loving care. Oh, let us be tools in your work, oh God.

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy."
                                                                                                                              Ps. 140:12

Meet the Neighbors

2011-06-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth."
I Jn 3:16-18

Today stretched a few of us but we would all agree that this stretch was good for us and so rewarding and may have been used of the Lord. Pastor Robert asked us to work within the Bweya Community today cleaning up trash and burning it as a sign of service to the community and, more importantly, visiting with the neighbors and getting to know them and looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. This news created a mix of emotions in me. I am generally leery of this activity just because it is often received unfavorably in our country. I think a few other team members had the same feeling. But at the same time, I had really wished I could get a closer look into Ugandan life as we whizzed by in our vans each day. So this was our chance.

Split up into teams of 4 or 5, and each equipped with a translator, we began approaching people on the street, at their businesses and sitting in the doorways of their homes. We were amazed at how willing they were to talk with us and share their lives. It became apparent that the issues of their lives, though the events occur a world away from us, were really no different from the issues of our lives. Most asked for prayer for their health, their families, desire for children, need for jobs and provision for homes. How different they look from us on the outside. How different their surroundings from ours, and yet, we all have the same heart-deep need for the love of our Saviour and the basics of our lives.

Some of us had the privilege of actually leading others to faith in Christ and we all were able to share the love of Christ and the news of a church in their community that loves and cares for them. It is exciting to see God at work in this village and to be a part of what He is doing here. Each of us will have to process what God is saying to us through the things we have seen and experienced here. There is always responsibility that comes with knowledge and now that we know about these neighbors of ours across the ocean, we must ask the Lord to show us what our responsibility is. Pray with us for our neighbors and for our response.

Thank you for praying for Marvin. He has recovered nicely these last few days as he spent them with us, under Beth's watchful eye. Tomorrow we will have to return him to Airfield School and Home so please pray that his transition will be smooth and that the Lord will be as faithful as He already has been in protecting and providing for him.

New Friends, Reunions and Good Byes

2011-06-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

"Jesus said let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

We started our day out at Mercy Home to lead a VBS for the children of Bweya. The morning began with singing and dancing, led by the 4 African college students that we have been fortunate to have with us all week. They connect with the kids in such an amazing way. It doesn't hurt that they also speak their language! I think for the majority of us participating we would have estimated that we might have 50-100 children but as the music started the shelter area quickly filled and we had over 300 children and parents there to hear about God. It is such fun to watch the enthusiasm and love that children express to God even in such a dry dark place as Mercy Home.

I am sitting in a very familiar place having written the blog for the trip in December except this time I was looking through very different eyes.

We had a plan for our day and what we thought would happen but God had his own plan. We would all be touched in one way or another either personally or by watching our friends. It is easy to enjoy and connect with children-they are funny, cute, carefree. These children are also that same way but they are also very hungry for something deeper. Many of them have parents that are trying hard to care for them and then there are some that have no one and nothing. God has a way of placing those children in the hands of the one he knows will stop for just that extra second and realize their need. I saw this happen with Mark and Mercy.

Mercy is a precious, petite girl who smiles and you immediately smile back. I kept noticing her at Mark's feet. As the morning went on I would see them interacting and before long her little hand was in his almost constantly. I knew that he was growing to love her. That may sound strange to some but you see I recognized this immediately because in December this was happening to me with Edith. It is a beautiful thing to witness. Mark was here serving with ekissa (Mercy in Llugandan), at Mercy Home and he is now caring for a little girl named Mercy. It is so amazing how God can orchestrate such small details so that we might recognize him at work.

Steve and I are in Uganda finishing up the legal process of adopting Edith and her brother Derrick. On this very day we received the visas for both children to allow us to return home with them. We officially became their guardians.

All of us are along with the ekissa team participating today. Edith's older brother, Asharuf, is a 8 year old boy who lives at Mercy. They were both so excited to see one another. Even though many of these children are separated from their family there is still a deep sense of commitment to one another. We were serving lunch to all the children and parents. When Asharuf was receiving his plate he immediately recognized that his brother and sister were not eating. He passed his plate to Edith so she would have something. He may not have even in days but yet he was sacrificing his lunch for them. He also stuck by them all day rather than having fun with the VBS activities. We finished the lunch time and the kids began playing in the yard of Mercy Home. It was so awesome to see all these kids having fun and laughing.

The afternoon went on and we all knew it would be time to leave them. Having left Edith in December I knew what a hard time Mark would have when he had to finally part from Mercy. And I also knew that this might be the last time that Edith and Derrick would see their brother Asharuf. I had no idea that he might be aware of this reality. As we were leaving he began to hold tight to Edith's hand and my heart grew extremely heavy. How were we to leave this young boy here alone with no one to take care of him? What would we say? How is Mark going to let go of the hand that he had been holding all day? As Edith was yelling out to her brother "Goodbye Asharuf, I love you." and Mark was hearing the tiny voice say "Come back Mazungu." the tears began and I believe that inside Mark and I are still crying. But we also know that God will provide for these kids as well as provide for us.

How it will all turn out for Ashuraf and for the relationship between Mark and Mercy? We don't know. I know that when I came in December I certainly didn't come with the intentions of adopting. God does have a plan and for that I am grateful.

When we let go and let God have the reign of our hearts it is easy to love with the depth that only God can provide. He simply loved us first.

God's Timing is Perfect

2011-06-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Tuesday, we continued to host a medical clinic at the Bweya Children’s Home. When we arrived around 9:00AM there were nearly 90 people waiting on us – news travels fast by word of mouth here. On Tuesday, we saw over 200 patients including adults and children. It was a blessing to be able to provide these medical services to the people of Bweya Village.

On an encouraging note we conducted nearly 150 HIV test and only one person tested positive. That was definitely a blessing because according to one of the pastors in the area, in the past this number would have been much higher. The blessing to us in this experience was seeing the reaction of the women when they learned they didn’t have HIV! One women I personally witnessed receive her news looked like somebody had just given here a million dollars.

There was another orphanage in the area, Air Field Children’s Home, which had several dozen students who needed to see a doctor and so we decided to just stop by there when we finished in Bweya instead of bring them to us. Additionally, one of the team members, Beth, sponsors a child at Air Field and she would get to see her child, Marvin, for the first time! When we arrived Marvin wasn’t there and we asked one of the children to go get him.

Marvin is a very active, bubbly child with an ear-to-ear grin that exposes two enormous dimples. He’s always in the center of whatever is going on. When he walked up, we saw a shell of a child; head down; not smiling; not talking; and really unresponsive to conversation. We were not even sure it was him. After five to ten minutes, it was evident that something was wrong with him physically. By this time the team doctor arrived and looked him over. This same child had malaria a few years ago and looked just like this them. Between the doctor’s assessment and Sarah’s memory of how he looked before, it was decided to take him to the doctor.

At the medical clinic it was confirmed that he had a complicated case of malaria and would need to be admitted. It was becoming clear that the reason Beth was on this trip was to be with Marvin. He needed her and God brought the two of them together in this place and time. In this unique experience, God positioned Beth to where she was able to spend the night with Marvin in the hospital, at his side and watching over him through the night.

When morning dawned, Marvin was a new person. His true self was back and he was on the way to a full recovery. Beth was able to spend the entire next day with him as well and was able to really soak him in.

Seeing God move and orchestrate the perfect plan for our day was an incredible experience. Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. God clearly did more today through Marvin today than we ever imagined he could do.

Sarah says we should focus on making the difference in just one and today that was accomplished.

A Beautiful Thing

2011-06-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

I am sitting on the back patio of the "home" in which we are staying. The voices of children playing games and singing songs is wafting from the school next door to my left. Some awesome African sounding music is playing from the yard to the right. And in front of me beyond the manicured English garden is the breathtaking view of Lake Victoria. Did I mention this place is beautiful in so many ways? Pinch me...I'm in Uganda!

Not that all of today was picture perfect, but it was God-ordained, and therefore AMAZING! With a good 3 or 4 hours' sleep behind us, we headed to Bweya Children Home in Bweya Village to hold Day 1 of a 2 day medical clinic. Our own Kevin and Nichole Rice accompanied a team of doctors and nurses provided to us by the people of Ggaba Community Church. We all had our jobs, some of "triage assessors", some as "receptionists", others as entertainers for the children of the neighboorhood and photographers and socializers. It was a beautiful sight. The Body of Christ, from a world apart, joining together to serve the people of a community with love and using their varied abilities to meet needs.

My first observation was of mothers and babies and children, mostly, coming for physical help for ailments of various kinds. Though sad in the sense of the physical suffering, it was not an uncoming thing to see in NC. Just change the clothes and some of the skin color and surroundings and it might be what you'd encounter on a normal day, with the exception of the need for HIV and Malaria testing as routine. But when the vanload of children from Airfield School arrived and older children were caring for younger children and sadness wore on many faces and you realized the loneliness and often hopelessness of these precious children, many without parents, it hit me. And it hit me hard. I wondered what good this small effort really was doing in these children's lives. If I only looked at today, I might feel like these do-gooder Americans were making themselves feel better about a day or two helping out those less fortunate in Africa. But then I remembered why we were here (see yesterday's post)...in answer to a call to obedience, not asking what the final outcome would be, not thinking we were the answer or had the ability to do anything on our own, but obeying a command and leaving the result with the Commander. How fulfilling and freeing it that?

The highlight of the day for me was when, in a seemingly isolated moment, I looked around and saw more Ugandan faces than white faces, ministering to their own people, allowing us, the outsiders to be a part with what God has called them to do for their own people. To me, this was a true picture of mission. To see where God is at work, hear Him ask you to join Him there, and watch you serve beside brothers and sisters you have never met before! So, though we were still jet-lagged and mostly unwashed, today was a beautiful thing that will resonate in our minds and hearts and that the Lord will know the eternal value of. And that's a good thing.

Pray for continued health and strength, still for the missing luggage, and for day 2 of the medical clinics tomorrow. How exciting to anticipate what it may hold.

In spite of...

2011-06-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

In spite of forgotten passports…In spite of sliding tackles at the gate…In spite of sickness in flying and searches in security (who brought the peanut butter?)…In spite of long layovers, longer flights and lack of sleep, we safely arrived shortly after 1 am this morning. By God’s grace, He has brought us to Uganda, with no “real” incident, aside from the lack of most of our luggage (pray for its quick return), and in spite of ourselves.
May this be the theme of our week. That it won’t matter what we do right or wrong, what “tasks” we accomplish or fail to do, what we are able to check off our list on our schedules, but that the Lord’s purposes prevail, even in spite of us.
Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” This is our prayer. We have made many plans in preparation for this trip but it is the Lord’s purpose that must prevail. Pray with us as we begin medical clinics today and tomorrow with the few hours of good sleep the Lord granted us.

We are already enjoying renewing old friendships and making new ones. We are so incredibly privileged to be a part of what God is already doing here. Pray with us that His purpose will prevail.

From many roads.....

2011-06-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

There are as many roads that have brought us here as there are team members but we are packed and ready to go! Steve and Debbie and Emilie are already on the ground in Uganda, and the rest of the 14 of us are on our way! We've been preparing for months and for me personally, this call has been on my heart for years, so in some ways, it is hard to believe that we are actually going to Africa! The veterans among us are excited to return to friends and familiar scenes. The newbies (me being one) are filled with a strange mixture of excitement, wonder and even a little fear. But there is no question about our calling and we are beyond thrilled to be answering. To be able to have just a small part in sharing the love we have received is more than a privilege.

What will we do there? Whatever God wants us to...but we are prepared for medical clinics, VBS, soccer camps, feeding and loving on children and fellow believers who live across the world and share the love of the same Saviour.

What will we see and experience? The darkness of a land where many need to see the Light. I am guessing we will be amazed, frightened, loved, tired, hot, moved and changed, I pray.

Pray for the safety of our bodies and supplies as we leave Charlotte tomorrow. Pray for the health of our hearts and souls as we prepare to be empty vessels for the Father to use in the lives of those He loves.

Stay tuned for more when we hit the ground....running!

Our soles and souls have arrived in the US

2010-12-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

As we shake Uganda dust off of our sandals we want to thank everyone for supporting and praying for us over these last 10 days. We truly experienced Psalm 91- we abided under the shadow of the almighty and he was faithful in his protection. We are now beginning to board the last flight to Charlotte. We look forward to sharing more of our experiences with you. While our bodies are tired our spirits are strong.
Blessings-

Bway-la-Bah (Goodbye)

2010-12-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

We spent our final morning reflecting on our trip, what God revealed to us about ourselves, and how to apply what we have learned to our lives. We were asked to list and rate our experiences in order of the impact they had made on us, both mentally and spiritually. As each of us were uniquely created, so were our experiences. The main consensus was that we had witnessed modern day miracles in almost every situation we had planned or been led to, and the multitude of prayers spoken on our behalf were answered. We all acknowledged that without God none of this would have happened- we are empty vessels trying to walk this earth. We are greater with Him and nothing without Him.

This small but mighty group has bonded in a special way this week. We gave thanks for one another and the example and support we had received from each other.

The team agreed that our experience this past week could be best summarized by Isaiah 61:1-3.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

Walking the dirt roads of Uganda

2010-12-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

“Jesus Jesus Jesus my Savior-I love Jesus oh yes I do do do-”

The fun African song can be heard throughout the village of Bweya. We have had an amazing day of worship, evangelism and song. We joined with Gaba Community Church members to canvas Bweya Village in hopes of bringing them to the temporary church site. Pastor Robert has acquired a unique building once used to house chickens as his place of worship. He will use this facility until his church is built on the 3 acres of land. This church will be called Bweya Community Church. We started out the morning with a light drizzle. The team shared a common burden as we prepared for our day. We are towards the end of our trip and our senses are high. We have seen God do some amazing things this week and I think we all feel as if our work is not yet done. We are on our way to the church site and have just finished praying together in the van.

When we arrived at the church we could hear the distinct African drum beat. People old and young had already started to gather to see and hear what was happening. There were people inside already singing praises and there were many outside looking in the windows. They waited with anticipation to see what would take place. We began singing praise songs with the group. We were in a chicken coop just in case you all have forgotten The walls are concrete and the floor is sand. But I will tell you with great assurance that we were standing on holy ground. It seems fitting that Jesus was born in a manger and we were worshipping in a chicken coop. So much for those large church budgets that we tend to worry with. The voices were raised and people were clapping and praising God. We finished singing and were partnered with our African friends to go door to door within the village. I use the word door very lightly as doors are a luxury and you will see very few, mostly fabric hanging over an opening. We were talking with the village people as our Ugandan friends translated. Many of the people did not know about the church but were willing to come. Some are born again Christians and others have never heard of Jesus. The hospitality of this culture and their willingness to listen is amazing. Americans tend to run from any oncoming strangers that may be associated with a church and how many of us have not answered our door when we thought they were knocking?

At the end of our time we all gathered back at the church to pass out the mosquito nets. The music started back up and so did the dancing. A large group of children gathered and to watch them dance freely was so exciting. We sang praise music and then ended our time with prayers. It was so fulfilling to see the beginning of the plans that had been placed on Sarah’s heart a year ago. God has taken this work and multiplied it. We all left with new relationships and a renewed energy about our calling to these people.

We left there with lifted spirits and made our way to Bweya Children’s Home. This is a nice facility that houses about 80 children. We passed out the remaining cloth dolls and the sunglasses donated from Salem Baptist Christian School. The kids loved the glasses and had a fun time looking at one another with them on. They couldn’t see themselves so they depended on the responses of their friends. I wondered how it must feel to not have a mirror to see what they looked like. We are Christ’s reflection to others and often times the only example that some people will ever see. Let’s hope our reflection is honoring of the one we claim to serve.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is work within us. To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen

Ephesians 3:20-21

Satisfied?

2010-12-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hello to Mrs. Branson’s class at St. Pius in Greensboro, NC. As we write this blog today we thought it would be nice to describe where we are and how it differs from the United States.

We are staying in Ggaba a fishing village in Uganda, Africa. It is located on Lake Victoria near the capital city of Kampala. Lake Victoria is the second largest lake in the world. The view of the lake from our home is magnificent. It is lush green with mountains and lots of tall trees. With the heat and dry air the lake is awfully inviting It is however polluted so getting in the water is not a possibility. There are long canoe like boats on the water and men fishing for their next meal or catching fish to sell at the street market. This takes us to the streets. Wow-I don’t even know where to begin with those. They are dry dusty roads and are filled with large potholes. There are not only boda boda (motorbikes)flying by there are a few cars, vans and lots of people including children and toddlers. Let’s not forget the occasional long horned steer and lots of chickens and goats. They all share the narrow two lane street. It is buzzing with open air market type shops with lots of the same goods up and down the street. We actually bought some live grasshoppers for Florence, the cook at our home, to fry for us tonight. It was also suggested by David, our dear African brother that we try cow small intestines and well as stomach. So we purchased a bag (about 5 lbs) out of a cage in the market and brought it home to cook tonight. Some of us are anxious to be apart of this cultural experience and some plan to leave the room. This describes the streets in the city-when you get into a village it is much more desolate without as much market area and the only difference is that the potholes just get deeper. It is still dry and you will see hut type houses, some with walls and ceilings and others just lean to type structures. There are always children within eyesight and lots of adults in and around the road. The children are usually wandering around with little to no clothes on and they rarely look clean. Of course the living is so different here that honestly when we have been in the field the “dirt” doesn’t really matter. It adds to the simplicity of this life in Uganda and makes you literally apart of the earth. Isn’t that we are supposed to be anyway? How can we really get a feel for where we come from without getting in the dirt.

Our hands are meant to be dirty helping others or working this land we are so blessed to have. I feel like that is one of the differences in our mindset in America. We make our way through our days somewhat cocooned in our own environments. We seldom have to live in and from the earth. We are cooled when we need it and when we are cold we turn the heat up. These beautiful people rely on the earth to survive. If it is hot they are hot, if it is raining they are wet. If the ground isn’t producing food they do not eat. It makes our grocery stores, conveniences and housing appear a lot different to you after you witness this. As sad as these circumstances seem to us at times-we have learned to see these people for what they are. They are a joyous people with eyes that light up when you meet them. For the most part they seem so content with so little. It is refreshing and when you are around them you forget about all the things you wanted or needed. When you meet someone for the first time they want to sit and tell you about themselves-and they want to know about you. There is no concern for what you have on, what you look like or where you live. They look into your eyes and are truly blessed by your presence. There is no rushing, time schedules, school sport practices or errands to run. Conversations and relationships are the most important event of the day. When you look around at the dirt floors and the meager amenities you could wonder how in the world they are satisfied. They are satisfied with the richness of life and its fundamental rewards: God, family and relationships.

Loaves and Fishes

2010-12-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Tuesday

Our day began with a meeting with Samaritan’s Purse at their headquarters in Kampala. The purpose of the meeting was to educate ourselves with their current projects and the ministries they provide specifically to the OVC-orphans and vulnerable children. We introduced Samaritan’s Purse to ekissa to lay the foundation for a future partnership.

We traveled to an OVC site with Charity, a SP OVC project manager where we were greeted with hugs and sounds of singing children. The orphanage was housing approximately 26 kids. The home is completely funded by a local church and is in financial crisis at this time. We were informed that the children at best eat once a day. We had our packed lunches for the day and decided to feed the children our food. We were able to divide our sandwiches and bananas to feed the group. The children lined up quietly and all of them said thank you for their provisions. Because the children had not eaten today, after they were fed within 30 minutes their life returned and they were smiling and talking. There were three children who were sick. We noticed a young boy who seemed very feeble and was completely lethargic. We learned that he had also been sick and we were very concerned whether or not he could survive the week. He was severely malnourished and filled with parasites. His stomach was very distended and he was basically bones. After speaking with the house mother and Charity we felt strongly that Jared needed immediate medical attention. We transported him to the local hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. Charity is calling us when they find out his prognosis. We felt like the Lord had his hand all over this afternoon. While spending time with Charity we learned as she shared her testimony that she was a survivor of the street herself. Both parents died of Aids leaving her to raise 13 siblings. Charity pointed out to us that by stepping out in obedience by sharing our lunch with the children we saved a child’s life.

Whether loaves and fishes or PBJ and bananas--- GOD PROVIDES!!!

Leap of Faith

2010-12-07T09:55:00.001-08:00

Monday

Joey’s word of the day ekissa kyo kimala gyen’ndi = your grace is enough for me.

We woke up this morning to a bright orange sun and the birds singing.

Our anticipation of the day was apparent as we were meeting with Robert Fleming. The Lord began to orchestrate this meeting through Joey and Sherry in August while they were in Houston. Numerous encounters with various individuals and the obedience of following this trail resulted in an amazing day of discovery, information exchange and enlightenment.

Robert is an unassuming man with a tremendous sensitivity to the culture and compassion for the kids, as witnessed by the rescue of a Ugandan newborn baby out of a trash can. Our Ugandan team members were also impressed with his forthright respect for their culture. Robert who is an American has spent 10 years in Uganda and understands the basic need required for survival of the children and their need for transition into a productive adulthood. Our conversation at the coffee house eliminated any anxiety we might have felt prior to meeting him face to face.

After an educational visit with Robert he took us to his home to see his “adopted” kids. The very first thing that we all noticed when the van door was open was the “sounds” of children. We walked around the house into the backyard and all of us responded the same way-smiling from ear to ear. There was a backyard full of happy laughing children. They were playing with one another, running around and so happy to see their dad. This was more like it. We all stood speechless at the site of what was happening and the stark contrast to where we had been. The final confirmation for us all was drawn from the sermon that we all heard on Sunday. Pastor Peter talked about how when children trust their father that they willingly jump from a high place into their arms in complete trust that they will not fall. He then called us as believes to freely and confidently jump into the arms of our Father and know that he will not let us fall. The truth of that faith and trust was played out in front of us as Robert called them each by name to jump into his arms off of a high wall. Our God again was reassuring this team that the steps we were taking from his lead were in fact the right ones.

Sunday Afternoon

2010-12-07T09:52:00.005-08:00

After lunch we ventured back to Airfield Primary School to pass out some handmade dolls that Green Meadows Baptist Church had made for us to distribute. We also delivered gifts for the sponsored children and other clothing and supplies donated by family and friends. We were excited to be able to see the children again.

The children were expecting us and were waiting at the gate when we arrived. We were coming to give to the children,unaware that they were waiting to give to us. We were greeted by loads of artwork that the children handed to us so proudly. When you think you are going to be doing the giving God has a way of turning it around on you.

The kids were so happy with the dolls and surprisingly all the kids including the older boys wanted one. We spent a few hours with them while they colored and then they sang a song for us. We made a video that we plan to post on the website for you to see later. I will tell you that this blog is being written in the back of a van while we are traveling. The roads are mainly potholes so as you can imagine we have a lot of proofreading to do before we send this.

Jack was not with us today while we were visiting Airfield. He was visiting with a missionary couple and also his sponsored child Daniel whom he is meeting for the first time. We missed not having one of our teammates but we were glad he was able to establish a good relationship with his sponsored child. He was also thrilled that his luggage arrived today and he was able to change his clothes. (We were thrilled about that!!!)

Day Three/Sunday

2010-12-05T04:58:00.001-08:00

We were honored today to be able to attend Ggaba Community Church The first prayer started by telling us that today is Dec. 5 and we were reminded that God had protected us through almost all of 2010. We gave thanks for the most basic of needs-our breath and health.

The simplicity of the prayer but yet the depth of the words were overwhelming. The service started with amazing praise music. Hands were raised and minds and hearts were prepared to worship God. The willingness of this culture to freely worship was liberating. We were liberated physically to raise our hands and to use our bodies, we were liberated emotionally and spiritually to put our entire selves into the act of worship.

The scripture was Hebrews 11:1-6 Pastor Peter spoke on faith and hope. Faith is the substance of the things we hope for. The basis of our faith depends and stands on the promises of God.(Romans 4-18:21) God does not break his promises and our ability to understand that makes the difference between common people vs. extraordinary people. What do you want to be? We are called to trust in God for everything. We worship a God who spoke the universe into existence with one word. Any need or concern we may be dealing with pales in comparison to how big our God is. This should bring us great relief from any concerns or obstacles we may be facing. God is faithful and dependable and he does what he says. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Day Two/Saturday

2010-12-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. Oh love of God how rich and poor how measureless and strong -he shall for evermore endure the saints and angels song....Frederick Lehman, 1917

Our first full day in Uganda was difficult to describe. We spent the entire day in Bweya Village, starting with a visit to Landowner Robert. Robert is the gentleman that we are purchasing 3 acres of land from. ekissa plans to use this land to serve Bweya village beginning with a much needed church. Robert is a gentle man with an infectious smile whose heart for the Lord shines through his eyes. He is robust and laughs a lot. He introduced us to his parents who have been married 73 years. His dad is 106 and his mother is 87. We enjoyed listening to them share about their life together. We prayed with them and then began our walk on the property. The land is full of lush vegetation

and in the distance you can see Lake Victoria. Robert explained the lay of the land. I don’t know who is more excited about this venture..Robert or Sarah. We joined hands and prayed together over the land. The act of joining hands and hearing prayers lifted in English and Luganda as the breeze blew on our faces was surreal.

...

It was a good thing that we had covered ourselves in prayer because from there we journeyed to the orphanage where it all began: Mercy Children’s Home. Our new friend Robert Fleming, who has been working in Uganda for years, was thankfully successful in transferring all the girls from this place to a safer environment, leaving only a string of boys of all ages. Some of the boys seemed content - a couple of the older boys even expressed interest in plans for the future - but the majority of them seemed sad and without hope. A few boys were bullying another, but they stopped when we passed by. Their accommodations are sparse and without basic essentials. The walls are concrete and very hard and dry feeling. The beds are twin bunk beds made of metal-similar to those you might see in a prison movie. The few pieces of clothing the boys may have are hanging from the ceiling on a clothesline. The bathrooms are outside with a hole in the floor and a shower head. There is an open courtyard where they congregate. There is no sign of vegetation. Just dry and barren-very similar to the faces of the children.

Our next stop was Airfield Primary School. We were greeted by children standing at the fence The ages at airfield range from 3 to 13 and it houses both girls and boys. It is also a dusty place with very little vegetation but there is some sense that this is a home where children live. There is a tattered volleyball net and we did see some markers and legos out on a table. But what was missing was the laughter that normally accompanies children. They stare at you with blank eyes. Because some of our group had been to this home there was a spark in a few eyes when they recognized some of our faces. But the overall feeling is heaviness of heart and mind.....

I would be remiss if I didn’t stop now and give you my personal first hand experience at this orphanage. Because I had never been to Africa much less an orphanage I honestly had no idea what to expect. Prior to arriving Sherry and I had been talking about a young boy that she had met the last time she was here. His name is Benard. She wasn’t expecting him to remember her. How many other “mazungus” had he seen since last year? We opened the van door and when Benard saw Sherry his eyes lit up and he ran to her with open arms. It was the saddest and sweetest moment I had ever witnessed. The love that she was expressing to this young boy that she had only met once and the joy that this orphaned boy showed to her was such an exhibit of raw love. Sherry and Joey then embraced Benard together in a big bear hug as he cried. All the questions that I had asked myself about how this experience was going to make me feel were being answered. Tears abound and we hadn’t even entered the gate of the orphanage.

When the kids recognized Sherry and Sarah they did smile and light up. Seeing their faces caused these kids to have a light in them that hadn’t been shining prior to our arrival. Just to have their name spoken was a thrill to them. Someone recognized them. There were several children who were in the background not really what sure what to do with our presence. There was a little girl in the corner who I motioned to come to me. She hesitantly sat on my lap and settled in for what would be the rest of my visit. She watched the others from my lap and as she became more comfortable she melted into me. This precious child was named Edith and she doesn’t know how old she is but the director told me they think she is approximately three years old.

It was apparent that the children hadn’t eaten in awhile so we got the extra bread and bananas that we had in the van and brought it in to split between the kids. They all “waited” obediently for us serve them their small serving. It amazed me at their manners and the fact that they were so happy with so little. How many times have we heard our own kids ask for seconds or want more? They sat and watched all their friends eat and when there was some left over we split that again and shared with them. There was no pushing, shoving or arguing.They were just content with what they had been given. Edith continued to sit on my lap and eat her food. She speaks very little English but did respond when I said her name or asked her if she wanted more food. The other boys were playing with balls and games that Sherry and Joey brought with them. There was now laughter in this concrete yard.

The children were then served lunch and they all ate quietly. There was very little left in the bowls that consisted of a grits substance with beans and avocado. When lunch was over all the kids washed their own plates in a plastic pan with water. This included 3 year old Edith. I put her on top of the table and she leaned over the pan and washed her dish. I couldn’t believe the “independence” of such a small young girl. What had she seen and felt in this lifetime that most 3 year olds never have to experience?She lost her father and her mother could no longer afford to keep her so she was brought to Airfield. There are very few younger kids here so my thoughts went to where she slept and who took care of her when she was in need. By this time a few hours had passed and Edith and I had bonded. She knows such little english that talking to her was impossible but the love that was passed between our hands and bodies was evident. It was getting closer to the time for us to leave and travel elsewhere. I didn’t know how I was going to let go of this child who now had her head against my neck-she was also aware that we were leaving. How could I love someone so easily and quickly that I didn’t even know? We were now forever bonded. God sacrificed his only son so that we would know this love. If I can love this child so quickly can you imagine how our Father loves us? How he desires for us to climb into his lap for this same bonding time as I was giving Edith.

We were returning to Airfield tomorrow so when I put Edith down to join her friends I was able to reassure her that I would be back. That will not be possible the next time I go there. My leaving brought forth a lot of tears and many emotions.The funny thing about this is that I needed Edith as much as she needed me, actually I think I needed her more. This experience opened my eyes to the basic needs that humans have to be loved and no matter how far the distance or the time away from that individual- we know true love. It was evident in the joining of Sherry and Benard. We need that love more than anything else. It is for our survival. What has made our society so inside out about establishing relationships with orphans or widows that we won’t reach out? “Undefiled religion is this, to look after orphans and widows in their time of need.” James 1:27 We are all orphans to Christ. He is waiting to adopt each and everyone of us. All we have to do is believe.

We all felt when we left that we had seen the hand of God at work. We were tired, rejuvenated and quiet. The Holy Spirit was at work and we felt privileged to be a part of what was happening.

Day one in Uganda

2010-12-03T11:45:00.001-08:00

Day one on the ground in Uganda-we arrived this morning around 5:30am and despite all the air miles we accumulated yesterday we were all in good spirits for an 8:00 am meeting with ARM and Pastor Robert. After a quick breakfast Pastor Robert greeted us at the front door of Gaba House with a smile from ear to ear. Our exhaustion faded as we realized how genuinely excited Robert was to meet us and spend time with us over the coming days. Over the course of the day we heard Robert’s amazing story, complete with childhood trauma, an attempt on his life, a two-year pursuit of a woman he’d never met (now his wife), and his journey from roots in witchcraft to Christianity. Robert will be leading the outreach and ministry in Bweya Village and is thrilled to have partners across the world who care about his people.

The people charged with our care here at Gaba House are so very giving. They look after our every need, basically treat us as family... hugs are freely given and received. And they delight in teaching us some simple Luganda phrases!

Joey’s Word of the Day: “In-sahn yoo-say okulava” ... Nice to meet you!

After dinner we walked over to Gaba Community Church for a Friday evening service. As a first-time visitor to Africa it was a bit surreal to walk the dirt roads of Uganda and hear church songs in English! The stage was manned by energetic speakers, alternating English and Luganda. They preached from Ezekiel 37 regarding bringing the dried bones back to life. Ezekiel responded that God already has all the answers and we can rely on him when we need questions answered through pray. All things are possible with God. Please pray that with us while we are here.

Somewhere in the sky

2010-12-03T10:41:00.001-08:00

4:46 pm Clemmons, NC time

10:50pm Cairo, Egypt time

We are excited to tell you that we made our connecting flight to Entebbe. We went from

playing The Amazing Race to Matt Lauer’s “Where in the World is the ekissa team”?

We arrive in Entebbe around 5am on Friday morning. We will have just enough time to get to the house before we have a meeting with Gaba staff/ARM staff and Pastor Robert. We are looking forward to see the sun rise above Lake Victoria.

Did I mention I am in the same clothes as the last two blogs?

Dekunlefuji=Michael

2010-12-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well let me begin by saying that from the time our van delivered us to the Charlotte airport our timing for this trip went completely out the window.

God has his own timeline.

Our flight from Charlotte to Atlanta went pretty smoothly once we passed through security. Atlanta was another story. We were delayed in Atlanta for about 2 hours sitting on the runway. This caused us to miss our connecting flight in Amsterdam. We were a little worried as we got off the plane as to how long it would take us to get into Entebbe. Actually I am blogging from the airplane now. We are headed to Entebbe by way of Cairo, Egypt. When we left Amsterdam it was -23 degrees and snowing. We were delayed in Amsterdam so we already know ahead of time that we will not make our connecting flight in Cairo. This feels like the amazing race trying to get to Uganda. Except when we arrive there we will all be winners!!! What day is it and what time zone are we in?? None of us know----All we really know is that we are in the same clothes that we were wearing in Charlotte and will still be wearing them tomorrow.

With all of that said, we are still so excited about what God has planned for us. Surely, we haven’t been re-routed across the country and not have a bigger purpose for that. We did have an experience in the Amsterdam airport that made our delay worth the wait. We spotted a table in the McDonald’s ( is there anywhere that there isn’t a Mc Donald’s) and we asked the gentleman if we could share his space. We needed to recharge- our electronics and our bodies. It didn’t take us long to strike up a conversation with a man named Dekunlefuji. His American name is Michael. Let’s refer to him by Michael from here on. It also didn’t take us long to realize that this was on God’s schedule. Michael is a Christian rapper who performs in different churches around the world. He is from Nigeria and was on his way to Paris. He had a friendly demeanor and immediately recognized us as sister’s in Christ. He shared his testimony. He spoke of how important it is to do one small thing for just one person and what a difference that can make to the giver and the receiver.

Michael shared how he had been able to help a few people in that very airport during his 12 hour layover, even to the point of purchasing a ticket for a gentleman who had been stuck in the airport for 7 days because he couldn’t afford $130.00 to get home. He also had an opportunity to take up for a woman who had been cheated in her exchange rate and didn’t know it. When we shared with him what we were going to Uganda for he told us he felt like it was brave. But, he said, everyone is capable of doing something with their God given talents they just choose not to. It all comes down to choice. Again, we were left shaking our heads at how just a few minutes with a stranger turned out to be the beginnings of a long term friendship. A man in a McDonald’s in the Amsterdam Airport -who knew?

God in the flesh!

Hopefully the next time we write to you we will be in fresh clothes-Good Night!

Baby Face and 3 blondes...aka...Joey and the 3 ladies

2010-12-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

Well, our motley crew of 5 has hit the road bound for the Charlotte airport...well actually we’re missing Jack as his first flight is different from the rest of the group.There is a mixture of emotion aboard this church van. For Sarah and Sherry having had experience on several of these trips, they are beyond excitement. For Joey and I- well it is more apprehension than excitement. Although I know God is getting ready to do a mighty work through us and in us I am fearful of the unknown.

One thing I do know is God is going to do immeasurably more than I can imagine or expect. The sobering realization hit me this week that there are so many people all over this world that have no idea our great Creator even exist. There are people that have never even heard his name-we are so blessed within our culture to have heard his name and be able to worship him freely.

I am praying that the Holy Spirit will permeate our thoughts and actions and that will enable us to show God’s love to all the people in Uganda. In the meantime we have lots of air time to get through. We should be on the ground in Entebbe Thursday evening. First I have to get through the trip to the Charlotte Airport in the backseat of the church van. Yuck!!!

May 2010 mission trip

2010-06-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

To those that sent us and prayed for us... thank you!

click here for the video of this trip

Home!

2010-05-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

After a time of rest, may have another post or two.
Thanks for praying and for following the blog...

Worshiping, Trusting, and Waiting on the Lord

2010-05-30T03:40:00.000-07:00

In just a few hours we will embark on our two-day journey from Uganda to home. Today we had a perfect send-off with attending worship at Gaba Community Church. Pews packed with somewhere around 1000-1100 people, we all sang, danced, and worshipped together - both Africans and Americans - the same mighty and loving God.

African worship is much more expressive than what most of us are used to - starting with the music. There was about an hour of praise and worship music before the sermon began, with singers accompanied by drums, keyboard, and an acoustic guitar. Africans were dancing in the pews as they sang - expression not only on their faces but with their gestures and body movements. Music was upbeat, spirit-filled, and moving. Much of the music consisted of traditional rhythms and cadence indigenous to this part of the world. It was a unanimous celebration - everyone in the church fully participated - no one was simply standing there observing. Every soul was a part of the celebration.

We were welcomed by many of the church members, and were brought on stage and introduced by Patrick. Sarah spoke of how the relationship formed with Patrick and Gaba and how ekissa is the response of God's call for ministry in Uganda. Kirsten was asked by Patrick to give an impromptu testimony to the church about having children with special needs and how she was able to minister this week to a mother and young Ugandan boy in Gaba Church who suffers from Type I Diabetes, just like her son, Jake. She spoke about God's provision even in difficult times.

Patrick gave the sermon this morning which focused on trusting God in all seasons of life. In Africa, they have two seasons - wet and dry. He paralleled the wet season to those times in life where things are flourishing, where things are going our way. The dry season was used in reference to trying times in our lives. We should praise God in wet (good) and dry (hard) seasons of life. Not only praise God because something great has happened, but also praise Him when something terrible happens. God is undoubtedly using that experience to teach us something or to strengthen our faith. He talked about Paul and Silas in Acts when they were thrown into prison, and how they immediately started singing hymns and praising the Lord. He talked about Noah going through a dry season of life after God asked him to build the ark. Noah had every right to doubt God: he'd never even seen rain, he lived 100s of miles from the nearest ocean, he didn't know how to build a ship, and it was 120 years between the time God called Noah to build the ark until the floods came. Yet Noah did not give up or get discouraged during that time - he continued to praise the Lord even when it didn't make sense.

We learned about waiting on the Lord and how God's delay never destroys His purpose. Trusting God is an act of worship. Patrick's sermon referenced people from scripture who waited on the Lord - Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, and even Jesus. Through scriptures we see that these people learned to trust in God and through their trials realized that His timing is perfect. We can certainly learn from these people who have gone before us. Everyday we have opportunities to learn to trust in God - faith is trusting in the unknown. Thank you, Patrick, for these reminders.

Pray for us and for safe travels as we leave in just over 2 hours. We look forward to seeing you all on Monday!

Last Day Reflections

2010-05-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 29th

As we began our last full day in this beautiful place, we have mixed emotions. We're ready to get home, but sad to leave our friends. As we prepare to see our own children, we cannot help but think of the children here who desperately long for a family. While we are excited about getting back to our homes and families in America, many of us will no doubt feel a sense of homesickness for our beautiful home and those we have come to think of as family here in Uganda. Many of us are nervous and anxious about the "re-entry" into our normal lives, yet we hope things never get back to the same "normal" we had before our experiences in Uganda. Some of us are ready for American foods we have not had here (milk, orange juice, cereal, steak, cold sodas), yet we'll miss how Florence, Betty, Jennifer, & Isaac took such great care of us, introduced us to local foods, and prepared our meals here with love.

Today we started the day shopping at an African market in Kampala. We went vendor to vendor, haggling with the locals over the shillings for handcrafted items. We picked up many items to remember our trip as well as souvenirs for those at home. After our morning of shopping, we headed to get a taste of home at I Love NYK (I Love New York Kitchen). We loaded up on NY style cheesecake, NY style pizza, and cold sodas. We even tasted some hand-squeezed passion fruit juice, which was absolutely delicious.

After filling up at lunch, we rode back out to the land ekissa is planning to purchase in order to do a prayer walk there. Robert, the owner of the land, came over so we all joined hands and said prayers as a group. As we continued to pray, the breeze gradually intensified, almost as if God was giving His affirmation and blessing through the wind. As our prayer subsided, so did the wind.

Some of us came back to the house and cooked another chicken pie and cake for dinner. The second half of our group went back out to Bweya to pass out the remaining mosquito nets we had purchased.

As we debriefed and enjoyed our last night here, Bob played the guitar and we shared several laughs and stories from the week. Please pray for us as we travel Sunday and Monday back home. We leave Sunday night from Uganda and (if our flights are all on time) we should be back Monday afternoon/evening. Pray for the people we leave behind in Uganda and for those who we have blessed and who we have been blessed by. This truly has been a life-changing trip that has pushed many of us beyond our comfort zones and has strengthened our faith. Many of us have conquered fears and been exposed to the Holy Spirit like we've never experienced before. We have seen God's hand and His love and understood better how we can show the love of Christ to others. We have learned that obedience in God is more important than acceptance by the world. Everyone was impacted in a unique way and we cannot wait to share these things with our families and friends. Undoubtedly, none of us will ever forget the time we spent here. We thank those of you who were instrumental in helping make this trip happen - through donations, supplies, and most of all, prayers.

Wooden Canoes, Boda Bodas & the Southern Cross

2010-05-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 28th

What does a wooden canoe, a boda boda, and the Southern Cross constellation have in common? All describe amazing adventures that our team experienced today.

This morning we met up with the Sozo group and walked down to the Gaba docks where all 19 of us climbed into a long, narrow, old, wooden canoe and were pushed out into the lake by some locals. A crowd of 19 muzungus on a boat had gotten the attention of a crowd of local passersby, especially when we had been pushed off and our engine wouldn't start! I think they were all wondering what this boatload of muzungus were going to do. Thankfully another boathand was able to quickly change out the motors. We were then headed across Lake Victoria, the largest lake in the world, in a boat that reminded us all of something in which the disciples would have journeyed. The canoe ride provided breathtaking views of Uganda as we puttered along with the 5-horsepower engine canoe. After a 30-minute boat ride, we came ashore across the lake, climbed out of the canoe, and immediately jumped helmet-less on the back of boda bodas (motorcycles), some of us riding with 2 people behind the driver. We held on tight as the local Africans whisked us along winding dirt roads into the Ugandan countryside. We were greeted by people in the yards outside their thatched roof huts, with children smiling, waving, and shouting "muzungu, muzungu!"

Our boda boda drivers led us to Bethany Village where we were introduced to Francis, the director of the children's home. After riding the boda bodas we were so glad some of us had baby wipes to wipe the dirt off our faces! We toured the facilities and were in awe at how polar opposite this children's home is from Mercy. In just a short boat and boda boda ride, it was like we were in a different world. The children were happy, well-behaved, well-mannered, and well-kept. The model for this children's home is cottage-style, where the cottages are set up like families. House Mothers parent and spiritually shephard an average of 15 children per cottage. These cottages have a living area, dining table, food preparation/kitchen area, windows with bars and curtains, inspirational Bible verses and pictures on the walls, and a front porch with flowers, plants, grass, and trees everywhere. Betty, the House Mother of the cottage we toured, explained that she teaches the children to be completely self-sufficient, growing their own food, cleaning up their own messes, and respecting their fellow housemates.

We came back home to relax and fellowship with each other during the afternoon. Some of our teammates went out to purchase baby gifts for one of our African helpers, and a group of us took the gifts to his house after dinner. He and his wife had a baby boy just a few weeks earlier and since the baby is so young, they could not yet take him out of the house to visit with us. This young family didn't have much for the baby, so we wanted to get baby items to shower and bless them with. Just before we left for their home, Sarah pulled me aside and told me that this family is Muslim. I did not have a chance to share that with the rest of the team, which was exactly God's plan. Diana prayed over the new family, which was undoubtedly divinely inspired, and we loved on them through our visit and gifts. What a blessing it was to be with them and to show them God's love. The team was able to fully show the love of Christ without intentionally or unintentionally filtering what was said/done becuase of the family's Muslim faith. After a few minutes and final hugs, we walked out of their modest African home and the Southern Cross constellation was in plain sight in the sky just before us. It's like God's presence was so visible right there in the sky and God gave us that present to let us all know that He hasn't forgotten about this family. Please join us in praying for this family's salvation.

"I Walk the Dirt Roads of Uganda"

2010-05-28T05:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 27th

After the emotionally draining day we had yesterday at Mercy Home, several of us had a rough night Wednesday and individually felt the presence of the enemy throughout the night. The enemy's presence here in Uganda is nothing like any of us have ever experienced and is so much clearer and thicker. We even had someone at home email us to tell us that they were woken up at 4:45am the night before with an overwhelming urge to pray for us - that was the exact time we were arriving at Mercy Home here in Uganda. We are so grateful for all of you praying for us - we have surely felt those prayers here.

Chelsea's morning devotional had three inspirational quotes that I want to share about the struggle between good and evil:

- Our invisible God is greater than the visible enemy.
- The cure for fear is faith.
- If you don't believe in the Devil's existence, just try resisting him for a while.

I think we were all glad that for the time being we were going back into the village of Bweya and not Mercy Home on Thursday. We had a day planned of walking the streets and ministering to the people there, handing out mosquito nets. We traveled to the outskirts of Bweya, along a narrow, winding, bumpy dirt road up the hill from where we were earlier in the week. This was a much different area of Bweya than we experienced on Tuesday. If Tuesday was the "ghetto", then today we visited the "Beverly Hills" of Bweya. There were nice, larger homes with grassy yards; houses were spread out more and people had larger plots of land. There were not as many people around this part of the village, likely because they were working and families could afford to send their children to school (we were there during the school hours). We were able to walk around and talk to the locals, introducing ourselves, asking them where they worshipped (some were Muslim) and giving them mosquito nets. Although we talked with several interesting people, we observed that (sometimes just like in America), the more material possessions the people had, the less receptive they were to talking with us. It's like the further we had gone into poverty on our first visit Tuesday, the more friendly and welcoming the people were.

We invited them to a worship celebration we were hosting in a field in a couple of hours (some land ekissa had looked at purchasing). After our walk, we settled in the sunny field; Bob started playing the guitar and we sang. School was letting out, so some school children stopped to join in the fun. We taught them how to sing Deep & Wide, This Little Light of Mine, and Jesus Loves Me. We then gave them salvation necklaces and did an impromptu VBS with the children under the shade of a tree, telling them the significance of the colors of each bead and the cross pendant. We gave them coloring sheets and crayons of the story of Joseph and played catch with them. We got out the parachute and all of the children got around it, whipping it around trying to keep the ball bouncing up in the air on the parachute.

After our time in Bweya, we went to Uganda's version of Wal-Mart - the Quality Supermarket. We went in and bought ice cream, cold soda, and a few souvenirs. Diana even found a bakery and bought the team some yummy pound cake and chocolate cupcakes for an afternoon snack!

We came back to the Gaba house where we're staying and had designated tonight as the night we were going to cook for all of our African facilitators, help, and friends. We cooked them Southern-style chicken pie, carrots, green beans, and a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I think Florence secretly enjoyed the break from being our personal cook, however she could hardly pull herself away from the kitchen! When anyone would get out a sharp knife, she would take it from them and say "that's too sharp - use this one"; she was still looking out for our safety - what a servant's heart she has! She brought her personal stove for us to use (the oven in the house was broken) on the back of a boda boda (motorcycle). Yes, she strapped the stove on the back and hauled it over from her house to ours!! It was a coal oven, so we really felt like we had gone back in time when cooking! We all wanted to break out into song and sing I'm Every Woman because we're pretty sure Florence fits the description in the lyrics! Our African friends sat around our dining room table and many of them commented that they hadn't been that full or satisfied in weeks. It was such a blessing for all of us to be able to serve those who had joyfully served us all week!

Tomorrow is sure to be an adventure - we're riding in a wooden boat across Lake Victoria and then hopping on the back of boda bodas (motorcycles) to ride through more of the African countryside to Bethany Children's Home, a best model, best practice community for orphans.

Please continue to pray for us as we are quickly beginning to wrap up our trip. It's flown by and I don't think any of us are ready to leave just yet. It's hard to believe we only have 2 more full days here. God has already shown each of us so many amazing things that we cannot wait to share with our friends and family back home. I think we all wish each of you could experience Uganda. Continue to pray for our safety and protection, as well as our family members back at home who are dealing with loss and difficulties. Pray for our African facilitators and friends and for all of the people we've talked to and ministered to this week. We know that no one is never too far into sin for redemption, so we pray for redemption for those who are misled.

Spiritual Warfare

2010-05-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 5/26

We dropped off our team nurses, Diana and Mary, at Wentz Medical Clinic for the day. The biggest realization of their time spent there was how far behind the United States they are in medicine and lack of sanitary procedures (sterility). At the medical clinic, patients don't have insurance - they pay cash for their visits and medicines (and any lab work needed), so if people can't afford to go to the doctor, then they don't go. Another interesting fact is that doctors won't talk to women about birth control until they've had 8 (!!!) children. The people of Uganda are superstitious (stemming from ancient witchcraft practices), even in their medical care. One lady got her medicine and asked the doctor if she could have something else to take, because she didn't want to take yellow-colored pills! At the clinic they saw an outbreak of "red eye" (not referring to a flight!), but what we would call pink eye. All of the clinic employees as well as the doctor (Dr. Martin) are born-again Christians and their faith is something discussed often with each other and the patients.

A piece of great news is that our remining bags came in, so Kevin and Patrick journeyed to the airport to pick them up. All of our bags went through Nairobi, Kenya (??) on the way to Uganda, and the crazy thing is that it seems as though the inspection officials emptied all of our bags out in a big pile and then repacked them. None of our bags were packed the way we had originally packed them and we had a smorgasboard of teammates' contents in the bags.

That same day, the other 9 of us went back to Bweya Village to visit the orphans at Mercy Home. Honestly, I'm not usually speechless, but I'm really struggling with how to capture what we experienced there in this blog. Words like oppression, injustice, deprivation, corruption, starvation, neglect, and evil come to mind. Yet still, words like hope, forgiveness, grace, and unforgotten also come to mind. It's a struggle between good and evil - a visible spiritual warfare - that is taking place on a daily basis in that location. Most of us had heard stories about this place and the administration and children before, so it wasn't a surprise that we wouldn't be in ideal conditions or that this is not a good place, but nothing could have prepared us adequately for the feelings we'd feel while we were there or would later process. It's unlike any other place on Earth and unimaginable, but I'm going to try and capture it as best I can for you in this blog post.

When we first arrived, all of the children greeted us at the gates of the orphanage grounds, shaking our hands, not really making eye contact, and eager to get the introductions with the muzungus over with. It's like they really didn't want to look at us for fear that we would realize their feelings in their eyes and face. Like if we had looked into their eyes, we would have surely recognized the pain and fear and they didn't want to take that chance, for fear of reprocussions from the older children or administration. They emotionally & physically kept their distance from us the entire time we were there (unlike the other people of Bweya Village we had met with the day before, who were very affectionate and warm). Rejection was written all over them, from their expressionless faces, to their dirty, ratty clothes, to their broken or nonexistent shoes, to the dirt and dust that covered their entire bodies. The hollowness of their existence and the lifelessness of their sweet little bodies were almost unbearable.

The only time the children showed expression (and we suspect it is packaged and/or manufactured) is when they were singing or dancing for an audience. The children did what we referred to later as the administration's "dog and pony show" of singing and dancing which was actually quite amazing. These children are incredibly talented. All of a sudden, the children came to life, smiling while dancing and singing about Jesus. The downfall of that is that the children aren't getting the real story of Jesus - the sacrilidge of the teaching of Jesus is overwhelming there. This "show" was the administration's way of stealing your heart so you would give money, which likely would be misused.

We did a Bible story with them about Joseph and the coat of many colors, talking about jealousy, sin, and forgiveness. They listened intently but were still so stoic and it makes you wonder how a child who has gone through so much could ever experience pure joy, love, grace, and mercy. Thankfull the Lord can do all things for those who believe in Him, but you can't help but think that it would have to be a long and grueling process for these particular children.

After the Bible story, the younger children colored a picture of Joseph and the older children went outside to play a game of football with the soccer ball we brought them. It broke our hearts that the children coloring did not want to keep their pictures after they colored them - they insisted on giving them back to us. It was puzzling, since these children have nothing to call their own - we thought they would want them, but this may be the very reason they didn't keep them - they didn't feel worthy of having any possessions, even if it was just a picture they had colored.

I've never seen Satan in such a visible and recognizeable way than I have at Mercy. Pastor Moses, the group's spiritual leader, was evil - there's no other way to describe him. He talked a good talk, he was charismatic, he was attractive, it's almost what you imagine what the anti-Christ will be like (albiet much more polished, and Moses wasn't able to deceive us). It's literally a form of brainwashing. They take everything from the children - food, clothing, independence, innocence, confidence, self-respect, a sense of safety, love - to break them down enough to have control and power over them. Abuse is overwhelmingly rampant in the orphanage - sexual, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Even when a child there dies, they receive no dignity. They burn the child's body in a large fire pit located in plain view beside of the dormotories - no proper burial is given. It's like the child never even existed.

It's so hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, the children at Sozo home (where we visited on Monday that was founded by the college students from Alabama) were at Mercy - were just like these children I'm describing. However, their basic needs are being met at Sozo and the difference between those children taken from Mercy to Sozo and the children still at Mercy is radically and indescribably contrasting. The children at Sozo are getting regular meals, clean clothes and shoes to wear, love, play time, a safe place, medical care, education - the result is that they've come back to life. Undoubtedly, the children at Sozo have many issues they're dealing with & will deal with for probably the rest of their lives, but they've been given the one thing they desperately needed - HOPE.

It's so ironic to all of us here that the name of this hell on earth is Mercy. Words like compassion, love, forgiveness, and grace come to mind when you hear the word "mercy" - here it is a complete oxymoron. When we think of this Mercy, our thoughts go to words like oppression, deprivation, injustice, and sacrlige.

One of our teammates said something very powerful - "the most potent thing we can do for Mercy is to pray for them." Pray that these children are somehow rescued. Pray that they hear the true story of Jesus and know the love of Christ. Pray that their basic needs are met. Pray for wisdom and discernment for those trying to minister and help Mercy. Pray for safety of the children. Pray for strong & honest spiritual leadership of people who are interested in the welfare of the children. Pray for the distinct spiritual warfare taking place in that location.

Beginnings of the Kingdom to Come

2010-05-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

Day Two on the Ground (May 25) --

At our debriefing after the end of the day, one of our teammates, Bob, described the day as a glimpse into the beginnings of the "kingdom to come" here on Earth. Bob explained that the scriptures tell us of the kingdom that will come when Christ reigns and we derive from our interpretation of the scripture of God's will for us as far as our behavior towards one another. Bob explained that the Word tells us that's how the kingdom come will be. It's even in the Lord's prayer, which was Christ's response when the people asked "how should we pray?" (thy kingdom come, thy will be done). How awesome is it that if you want to be a part of God's kingdom, you don't have to wait until you die! Bob explained that the keys to the kingdom of God are more behavioural and obedience based than simply a rite of passage of going to Heaven. We're all so excited that in this trip already, on the second day on the ground, we've gotten a taste of what is to come in the kingdom to come referenced in the scriptures. On one hand, it's a shame that we had to come this far to experience that, but Praise God that we have experienced it! That may just be a part of God's divine plan!

We want to share with you our experiences from the day and how we've seen first hand the beginnings of the kingdom to come. Our first trip today was to a Ugandan supermarket where we picked up mosquito nets (and some ice-cold sodas - something most of us are really missing from back home!). We then made our trek to Bweya Village to visit the Air Field View Primary Day & Boarding School, ran by Melinda Hayes from Kernersville (a team member from a previous ekissa trip who decided to move to Uganda for a few months to serve as a preschool nanny). This is where most of the team was introduced to the Ugandan "squatter" toilet (and when I say "toilet" I mean hole in the ground!). We visited the classrooms in the school and the children sang a beautiful Ugandan song for our team. Many of the children there are children who were formally at Mercy Home, and we were able to spend time with some of the children sponsored by folks in America, like Rowland, Marvin & Eddie.

We then parked the vans in Bweya Village and set out for an adventure on foot. For several hours and several miles, we walked along the dirt roads in small groups, stopping at people's homes and visiting with them. Many of them invited us into their homes, made of clay brick-type structures without electricity or running water, and just enjoyed talking with them. The Ugandan people are by far the most inviting, approachable, welcoming, and hospitable people many of us have ever met. Even though these people live in a way that most of us cannot imagine or would ever want to imagine living, the people in no way have any sense of entitlement and they truly feel that the few things they do have is a blessing. The culture is such that when you approach their yard (because they are usually sitting out in their yards during the day, washing clothes by hand in a basin without a washboard, taking care of children), they welcome you by literally rolling out a welcome mat for you to sit on and talk with them. In America, we're inconvenienced by people who drop by without calling first or who stay too long when we've got something else to do or somewhere to go. The people were so incredibly thrilled that we had come to visit them; they wanted to show us so many things, like how to cook bananas and a picture of one of women who danced for Queen Elizabeth when she visited their village. One family even gave us jackfruit as a thanksgiving for our visit with them. In Uganda, they take responsibility for each other, including letting the neighbor's children spend all day playing in their yard. It was such a blessing to pray with them to the same amazing and loving God - all the way around the world and in a situation so very different from our own. With all of the obvious differences we have with these people, it's amazing that we also share a common belief in Christ.

We were invited to walk into most of the people's homes and none of the homes had mosquito nets over the beds. It was such a blessing to be able to give the people the mosquito nets that we had all raised money to purchase. Thank you to all of you who donated money for nets - you have no idea what a blessing those were to the people of Bweya Village. Those nets are truly "life" for them. Our goal of visiting with the people of Bweya was to build relationships with them so when the church plant happens, we will feel comfortable with them and likewise. As one of our teammates, Kirsten, said, she feels like while we were there the people of Bweya were able to give us a new perspective on the verse, "Love your neighbor as yourself." They showed us the love of Christ by their actions and in turn we were able to do the same.

Our last jaunt for the day was back to the Entebbe airport to pick up luggage that had come in on a later flight - 9 of our 11 missing bags were there! Most of our checked bags were filled with supplies, so we will look forward to giving those out in the orphanages we visit, the people we meet in the villages, and the medical clinic.

If day one was the orientation to the people, the culture, and the country of Uganda, then day two was the day where we really started to get down to the business of our trip. Day three we plan to spend the day at Mercy Home.

It's amazing how even though we were the ones who came to bless the people of Bweya, we were the ones who also ended up receiving the blessings. Praise the Lord!

How Can I?

2010-05-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

A song written by one of our teammates, Bob, who played the song on his guitar and sang it at the debriefing of our first day.

How can I begin to understand,
What you're doin' with this humble man.
How can I begin to prepare,
For what I'll see, just over there.
I'm ready now, for a change,
My heart knows, it'll never be the same.

How can I share with my little ones,
The things I see, and the things I've done.
How can I, tell those that don't know,
The love and grace You so freely show.
I'm ready now, for my heart to change,
And my heart knows, it'll never be the same.

How can I find words to say,
Maybe just a hug or tear and it'll be okay.
I'm ready now, to move on ahead,
I'm ready now, to do what You said.

I'm ready now, oh-oh
I'm ready now, oh-oh!

(copyrighted 2010 Bob Kennedy)

Mulungu (Beautiful) People

2010-05-25T09:39:00.001-07:00

Day One on the Ground in Uganda --

We started out the day with a delicious breakfast from our cook, Florence, and a group devotional. We didn't have electricity most of the day, but really didn't miss it except for wanting to toast our bread at breakfast! ;) The cold showers actually felt great since our fans weren't able to work during the night and most of us were still getting used to the warmer temperatures in Africa! When we arrived in Uganda late Sunday it was dark on our drive from the airport to Gaba. There are no street lights, so we were anxious to get out and see Uganda and the people.

Our in-country facilitators, Patrick, David, and Eddie took us out on a walking "tour" of the surrounding area where we are staying. We first went to Wentz Medical Clinic and then walked down the street where we're staying. We encountered many Ugandans of all ages, and enjoyed shaking their hands and hugging the children, who were calling out "muzungu, muzungu" (what they call white people). The streets are dirt, uneven because of erosion from the rain, and trash everywhere. Chickens roam the streets with the people and many folks are just walking, without any particular agenda. The children often carry yellow plastic containers that remind me of gas cans that we found out is what they carry water in from the clean water sources in the area. To the children, it was like us muzungus were on parade - like the circus had come to town. These children may have never seen muzungus or don't see them very often based on their reactions. We took lots of pictures and the children loved seeing their pictures on the screen on the camera.

The smells are so distinct in Uganda - probably more so than any other place I've seen. I was not as surprised by the sights that I saw (although it is disturbing nonetheless to see what we've seen) because we've all seen pictures and video of Africa. It's the smells that have made the biggest impressions - the smells of dirt, sweat, burning trash (a common practice), fish, coal, exhaust from cars and boda bodas (motorcycles), vegetation, food cooking, etc. It's unlike any place we've ever been and all of our well-traveled teammates have commented on the distinct smells unique to Africa.

"Smitten with charm" is a way one of our teammates have described the people in Uganda, and I couldn't have captured it better. The people here are so warm and welcoming and seem thrilled to talk with us and interact with muzungus. I was afraid that we would be met with some outsider mentality, but instead we were welcomed with open arms by approachable people.

I cannot get over how absolutely BEAUTIFUL the people are. "Oli Mulungi" is how you say "you're beautiful" in Luganda, and we've definitely used that phrase no less than 1000 times when interacting with the people. Their chocolate brown smooth skin, big brown eyes, long eyelashes, beautiful smiles are so striking that you cannot help but want to go up and hug and talk to them.

After our walk in the village of Gaba, we headed to Sozo House where college students from Alabama have started an orphanage for 17 children ranging in age from 3 to 11. Mercy, the youngest of the bunch, is the feistiest one in the bunch and Esau, the 11-year-old, was definitely the "big brother" of the bunch and took care of all of his younger housemates. We served them lunch of rice, beef, and potatoes, and were all amazed by the manners that were exhibited by these children.

In preparation of eating, they were responsible for getting out the tablecloths and silverware and did so without complaint. They sat quietly patiently waiting on their meal without any bickering. As the meals were being served, they waited until everyone had been served and the blessing was said before even touching their plates or silverware. There were no special orders, you could tell the cook wasn't a "short order cook" like so many of us are for our children. Everyone ate the same meal and cleaned their plates without saying things like, "I don't want this" or "I'm not hungry" or "Can I get up now?". Once everyone was finished, plates, cups, and silverware was cleared by the children and their after-lunch treat was a soda in a glass bottle. We all complained that we wished our children could be exposed to this and see how 17 children ate in complete peace without complaining or bickering. I know Kevin and I have been convicted that we may be raising a "brat" by being too lenient with Whit during mealtime.

While at Sozo we were able to love on the children, playing games of soccer with them, letting them wear our sunglasses (which they loved!), letting them use our pens and paper to draw, and talking with them. Sarah was glad to see that Michael, one of the boys in the house who had come there from Mercy Orphanage, was not only alive but 100% healthy. On her last trip, Michael had been deathly ill - in fact if you look through this blog and see a picture of Sarah holding a lethargic little boy whose ribs are showing, that's Michael.

After our visit to Sozo, we headed to Bweya to the Mercy Orphanage. The children weren't there - Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, had come to take them on a field trip to the zoo and the beach. We were able to tour the facilities and assess the needs they have. We are planning to take them firewood in the next day or so because they had food, but no firewood to cook the food with. The dormitories are open-air, and many of the beds did not have mosquito nets. Everything is dirt there - the floors, the grounds - there is no grass there. We saw Success, but his brother, Prosper, was not there that day.

There are so many things we've observed already about Uganda and the Ugandan way of life that is far removed from our reality:
- In America, we constantly see "For Sale" signs - here in Uganda you see "Land NOT for Sale" signs. In Uganda, people don't build houses until they have the money for construction - there are no mortgages. You see several houses or structures that are under construction because people build their homes as they can pay for them, so many times it takes much longer to build. The good news is that once the structure is finished, it's paid for!
- In Uganda, people walk everywhere. Now, you see lots of vehicles and boda bodas, but for the most part, if you can walk, people do. Children walk to and from school - even children as young as 3 who are in nursery school.
- Even though the people don't have much, they are incredibly happy. In America, oftentimes we have everything but still cannot find happiness.
- Ugandans put new meaning to the words "free range" when speaking of animals. Cows, goats, and chickens roam freely throughout the towns and villages.
- There are no school buses for students except in the expensive, private schools.
- Going to school is a privilege - school costs money in Uganda, so not all children are able to go to school. The school year is broken into three terms, each lasting 1-2 months with a 3 month "holiday" in between terms.
- Lake Victoria is HUGE and constantly in view. From most places we've been, Lake Victoria is there. She's beautiful, peaceful, and like the arms that wrap around this part of Uganda.
- Ugandans have a distinct handshake unlike ours in America - when we get back, ask one of us to demonstrate for you. The locals are thrilled when we shake their hands like this and put ourselves into their culture in ways like a simple handshake. Ugandans also love to do a fist bump/pounding knuckles just like we do in America.

On the bus ride back to our house at the end of the day, I asked one of our facilitators, David, what advice he would give to people visiting Uganda, specifically what should we not miss or definitely see while we're here. His response was that Kampala (and other larger cities) don't give an accurate representation of Africa. He would suggest that people go into the villages to see the people - places like Bweya Village is what he described as "real Africa." We all feel so blessed to be given this opportunity to travel across the world to a foreign land to see and experience God in a new way. We're glad God is giving us the experience of the "real" Africa and it's mulungu people!

Angels & Demons

2010-05-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

We knew the trip was off to a great start when we were checked in at the Delta reservation desk by an employee named "Angel". Our first blessing was when we did not have to pay the $25 checked bag fee, saving the team $350 each way. We thanked Angel, who diligently and cheerfully checked us in, weighed our bags, printed our boarding passes, and checked our passports.

We found our gate easily and stopped to eat lunch at the food court before making our final trek back to wait on the first leg of our trip from Charlotte to Detroit. As folks were registering their SkyMiles points, Angel reappeared at the customer service desk and gave us the confidential heads up that our 3:10 flight would likely be delayed. We found out shortly after that our flight was delayed by one hour. We were anxious to “officially” start out trip, but soon found out that our flight was delayed by a second hour. This meant that we likely wouldn’t get to Detroit in time to meet our connecting flight to Amsterdam. If we didn't make it to Amsterdam in time, there was a chance that our trip to Uganda could be delayed several days since there is one flight in and out of Uganda daily.

Sarah quickly joined the long line forming at the Delta counter while Sherry got on the phone with Delta, hoping one of their attempts would prove successful. The rest of us sat, praying that we would be able to catch another flight out of Charlotte in time to get to Detroit for our connection. We got word that we were rebooked onto a USAirways flight that was leaving ASAP. We ran through the airport to the other terminal, but got there only to find out that they didn't actually have 11 seats available on the flight. Sarah, still at the ticket counter tying up loose ends, got stopped by security (we're not sure really why), so literally the entire flight was delayed because of our group trying to book the flight. They wanted to split our team up and book us on separate flights, but Sarah stood her ground to make sure that we all flew together as a group. When they scanned our tickets, we found out that Bob wasn't even in the system, but somehow the USAirways people let him on the flight since he had a paper ticket.The USAirways person went onto the plane (which had already boarded) and asked for volunteers. How awesome was it that the first two volunteers were two men from AFRICA! They didn't know until after they volunteered that the people they gave up their seats for were going to Africa on a mission trip, but once they found out, you could tell in their faces that they were thrilled to have given their seats up for us. We still lacked two people being able to board the plane, so two other women volunteered -- all 11 of us were on the flight! Many of us were placed beside of people that we didn't know or by other teammates that we weren't originally booked to sit beside, which was a great thing since we got to know each other a bit better during that flight.

When we landed in Detroit, we walked out of the gate to realize that we were going to be sprinting through another airport in order to make our next flight to Amsterdam. Diana apparently got up too quickly and fainted at the end of the gate. We quickly made sure she was okay, but didn't want to chance anything so Kevin pushed her in a wheelchair through the airport to our next terminal. We were taken by bus to another terminal in the Detroit airport and were finally boarding our flight to Amsterdam.

We had 8 hours of calm on the overnight flight from Detroit to Amsterdam, with most of us sleeping for much of the flight. We arrived at the Amsterdam airport on Sunday morning and boarded the last flight to Uganda. The KLM flight to Uganda was met with impeccable customer service by the KLM employees. We were constantly being fed great food, and the people were so pleasant. A little before 4pm local time, we crossed the Mediterranean Sea into Africa. We landed in Entebbe late Sunday night and made it through customs to get our Visa. When we went to the baggage claim area, it was soon apparent that only our carry-on bags had made it to Africa. Since we had been rebooked onto a USAirways flight in Charlotte, our bags had been delayed. We found out that it may take several days for our bags to make it to Entebbe.

Patrick, our in-country facilitator, met us at the airport and we all made the 50-minute trek to the home where we were staying in Gaba. Most of us came in and went right to bed, eager to start Monday morning in Africa.

It was apparent throughout the entire journey from Charlotte to Entebbe that there was spiritual warfare taking place. Satan was pulling out all of the stops -- from delays to overbooked flights to physical harm (with Diana fainting and then Bob dropped his guitar on his toe) to trying to fluster us to the point where our hearts were in the wrong places -- but thank God we had "Angels" on our side to battle the demons, not only in the Delta employee named Angel but also in the angels that helped us along the way and protected us during our travels.

Another Win

2010-05-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

a poem by one of our teammates that explains parts of our "adventure" from Detroit to Amsterdam...

Excitement continued in Detroit,
We still were running late,
While hurrying to deplane our flight,
Diana fainted at the gate.

We quickly found a wheelchair,
And loaded her aboard,
Sprinting through the airport,
We sent more prayers up to the Lord.

At the international checkpoint,
We threw luggage to and fro.
Bobby’s guitar went a flyin’
And landed squarely on his toe.

Diana in the wheelchair,
Bobby hobbling with care,
We arrived at our departure gate,
With little time to spare.

Now aboard our flight to Amsterdam,
Satan defeated once again,
We seek rest and relaxation,
To prepare for God’s next win!

by Sherry Olivier

27 hrs of travel later...

2010-05-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Uganda safely around 8pm (Uganda time is 7 hrs ahead of EST). All group members & carry on luggage are here, but NONE of the 20 checked bags of supplies are here. We are praying that they make it here in the next few days. We are leaving the airport soon to ride the 50 mins to the house where we are staying. A shower & clean pair of clothes are on the top of everyone's list! Stay tuned for a longer post later detailing our travel stories!
Lori Robertson

Shedding

2010-05-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well, they're off. This morning, about 9:30am, the team and families gathered in the church parking lot to pack up the vehicles and begin the journey. Most of the packing of suitcases had been done, all preparations made, and the excitement had already built to a new level.

God saw fit to bless us with a slow but very steady rain - it was refreshing. All assigned vehicles had each nook and cranny stuffed with some suitcase, duffel bag or carryon... One last huddle, by the church door (sheltered from the rain) for prayer. David led us, calling on God to 'show His mercy'. THAT's what this trip is about - knowing and showing the mercy of God.

One by one, team members ran out to vehicles, trying to not get wet. My father in law handed me a handful of pink yarn - something they use to tie on suitcases / duffel bags to better distinguish them. He said that he was told to give this to me. When he asked what it was, my reply was... "shedding". This is something you do when you have physically, mentally and spiritually prepared all you can - you simply shed. Whatever is not needed for the task - whether it be yarn, families, friends, homes, jobs. We can count on Him to supply whatever is needed for this journey, because He has proven Himself faithful to us in the past.

So, in honor of this journey (now in progress), let's all shed. Whatever is 'extra', whatever is not needed for the tasks WE are called to carry out. Gear up and GO!

Shedding - Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Chuck Ledford

12 Short Hours

2010-05-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

In just 12 short hours we'll be meeting as 11 individuals bound for a life-changing journey to Uganda. We're a diverse team, ranging in age from 17 to 60. (I'm guessing since it's probably rude to ask!) We are composed of 3 men and 8 women, but more importantly consist of 2 nurses, a preschool teacher, a talented musician, two high school students, an avid runner/exercise enthusiast, a mother of 4, a community college teacher, an agricultural guru, and last but not least, our fearless, pink-haired leader, Sarah. It's not hard to see that we all have various backgrounds, talents, interests, and testimonies, but we have the common bond of Christianity and a desire to follow God's will.

However multifaceted we may individually be, in the past few months of training, we've gradually come together as a cohesive group with one common and distinct purpose - to travel to Uganda to minister to and to be ministered by the people of Bweya Village.

As we spend the eve of our journey cherishing precious time with our families who will be left behind, packing last minute supplies, checking final things off our 'to-do' lists, and nervously anticipating what this trip has in store for us, I encountered a verse via Facebook today that I was unfamiliar with but that fits where we are about to be in just 12 short hours.

2 Chronicles 20:20-21 states - "Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.' After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever.'" (NIV)

In these verses, Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Firm faith equals a firm life. Faith inspires people with true courage; nor will anything help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief in the power, mercy, and promise of God.

As we set out on our own "Desert of Tekoa" tomorrow morning, may we all remain faithful in the promises of the Lord and know that because of our faith, our trip will be successful. May we prepare our hearts and minds for what we will encounter and may we constantly give thanks to the Lord, even when we are feeling anxious, nervous, wired, and excited -- all at the same time!

We ask that you please keep our team in your prayers as we make this 7000+ mile trek that we all undoubtedly have been led by the Lord to take. Pray for our work in Uganda to bring glory to God and to be pleasing to Him. Pray that we constantly follow His lead and that we are surrounded with His protection from the enemy. Pray for our families at home as they go about life without us for the next 10 days. Pray for the people we will encounter and the locals who will be working along side us.

Stay tuned...the REAL fun begins in just 12 short hours!

"Captivated" part II

2010-05-02T11:01:00.001-07:00

As if seeing God move in regards to the church plant in Bweya Village wasn’t enough, God decided to jack up the “shock factor”!---(which shouldn’t shock us at all) In addition to His movement as it concerns the church for Bweya Village, simultaneously He is working to provide a “safe haven” for some of the children to be rescued from the local orphanage.

One of our indigenous partners contacted me proposing he and his wife move forward to establish a children’s home in Bweya! This couple shared with me a year ago that their passion and desire to serve the Lord is through establishing and running a children’s home. Following our initial involvement in Bweya, this family has committed every weekend to go and provide direct care for these mistreated children at the local orphanage. It appears the government has gotten involved in the local orphanage and it’s going to be closing in a few months. God’s timing is always just right on time! I often feel it’s late or He’s “coming in on 2 wheels” (at the last minute)… but His timing is always perfect.

So, it looks like God’s been doing a little OT (overtime) in Bweya and the ministry of ekissa… my cup spills forth!

I was trying to explain my emotions to a friend today. I have all the faith in the world that God can do anything… anything He wants and chooses to do! I see Him moving about and doing the most amazing things in and through the life of so many. However, while I expect Him to work and move in the lives of others, I’m regularly caught off guard when He wants to move and include me in what He’s doing.

I told my friend the only word I can think of to describe my feelings is “captivated”. I am “captivated” by what He’s doing, all He’s doing and captivated at His love for me. I don’t know why He’s chosen to give me this “birds-eye view” but I’m so humbled He has. It’s not anything I deserve and certainly nothing I’ve earned, but I accept it with a humongous sense of gratitude. IF God showed partiality among His children and had a “favorite”… well, I’m feeling like I’m it right now!  ---again, not that I deserve it…I suppose it’s that concept of in being a “child of the King”, I’m feeling “chosen”.

I’m cuddled up in His blanket of love. This world can be a rather cold place but when wrapped in His blanket, it’s as if nothing can penetrate the threads of love and acceptance. This is where I am right now… how great it would be to stay like that…never moving from this place! ---soooo… healthy or not… I’m considering myself “His favorite!”

How about you? Are you feeling “chosen”? Are you feeling that “blanket of love” on a chilly evening? Are you feeling like His favorite?

Not that one ever needs a blanket in Uganda, but, it’s those threads of love and acceptance I pray every child in Bweya Village will eventually feel. This will only come through knowing and experiencing the life changing love of a Father… Jesus.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19

"Captivated" part I

2010-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

You know…we are one strange creation created by Christ Jesus! I often have to sit back and laugh at myself.

ekissa (our nonprofit- www.ekissa.com )has been looking for land as we’ve partnered with Gaba Community Church in Kampala Uganda, to plant a church in Bweya Village; a village just outside of Uganda. Bweya is void of any church and lacks many basic necessities for a “community” to function productively. (Keeping in mind that “productivity” is subjective.) It needs clean water sources, a medical clinic and an orphanage/ children’s home where children can thrive, frolic like children should, and grow in Christ.

I was reminded this afternoon of my first introduction to Bweya village. It was May 26, 2009… less than one year ago. Upon arriving in that village and entering an existing orphanage, my life has been forever changed…changed in such a way I dare not to return. The affects of my seeing and experiencing have had a deep branding in my soul. The lack of care and concern for humanity in a local orphanage was about more than my heart could take.

My first trip to Uganda was called a “Vision” trip… and indeed it did just that… it gave me “vision”…a vision to see the unthinkable really does exist and some children live it every day. Children live through the aches of going days without anything to eat. Children living with the chills from fevers, the sting of skinned knees and the absence of a mother’s warm embrace when the boogie man comes out at night. Young girls endure exploitation and the unthinkable when the sun goes down. At night when they should be having “sweet dreams”, nightmares are all they know. Dancing sugarplums are not in sight; they simply hang on in fright.

I wondered why God had taken a “stay-at-home” mom all the way to East Africa, exposed her to such atrocities, simply to return home with passion as her only resource.

I began to pray… pray for God to move… move in a way like I had never experienced; move in such a way that no one could deny it was God.

I wanted to see him do the impossible, in what seemed to be an impossible situation. My desire was to somehow see the local orphanage closed, the children placed in a loving environment… to see Christ raise up a church in order that the people of this village could know of a hope in their desperate situations.

Well, 11 months later He is doing all of these things. When I think over the last year, I am in awe and humbled at all Christ has done. He has heard the cries of these young children.

Land is in the process of being purchased for a church plant, “Bweya Community Church”. The asking price of this land is $25,000, and within a matter of 3 days, almost $11,000 has been raised. God is calling the North American church to step up and provide the financial resources for a physical church in Bweya! What a beautiful picture. Just as I began to feel weak in my belief (not doubting God’s sovereignty but doubting the response of His people), God “busted a move” to remind me that HE is GOD… and I am not! His people have responded! God is faithful….but stayed tuned… He’s not finished yet!

“The one who calls you is faithful…1 Thessalonians 5:24

Do you want to know

2010-05-02T10:52:00.001-07:00

Please click on the link below to view the ekissa video.

Do you want to know

"Free-flowing?

2010-05-02T10:47:00.001-07:00

I read something the other day which I’ve been marinating in…so much that it woke me up in the middle of the night. It’s the idea that we as Christians “imprison” Christ within us…the notion that the Lord is so confined with in us that nothing flows out of us.

It’s been interesting to experience the worship of my Christian brothers and sisters in Uganda. They are so free with their worship as well as their everyday Christian walk/ life. When I return home to North America, it’s such a “let down” to be with the average Christian.

Christ lives on through His followers…and while I know Christ is certainly alive here in the states, we DO imprison Him a great deal! When I was confronted with this concept, my head immediately fell in shame! How often we squelch the Spirit of the living God. How can we say we are His agents if we don't allow Him to freely flow through us?

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing." John 6:63

Oh God…may we all submit to you as a broken alabaster jar, such that your spirit flows like a river through us. May others smell the pure fragrance of your love. May we know you experimentally and may our brokenness be a picture of beauty.

Are you living the full life He has called you to? Or…is He your rainy day fund? How are you imprisoning Christ? Is He "free flowing" in your life?

....Release Him…release the Spirit!

originally posted on 04/05/2010

Home Sweet Home!

2010-03-08T05:08:00.002-08:00

Home Sweet Home! It’s now Wednesday, March 3 and we are on our final flight to Charlotte North Carolina. It’s been quite a little adventure but I’ve reconciled that Christ simply had something else for us in Uganda. While we had planned to leave Uganda 4 days ago, the Lord sought to keep us there a little longer.

I’ve learned a lot of things during this extended time; more of the character of God, the natural tendencies of man and further details to cover in training a team for mission trips.

I was reminded and comforted over and over with how much God is in control of our lives. He cares about every detail of our lives. Our lives would be much easier if we would simply turn every detail of our life over to Him.

In our deepest hour of need, following the emergency landing of our plane, Christ put before us “Emmanuel”…literally… a young man with a name which means “God with us”. We asked Emmanuel if he knew what his name meant…and he did! I asked him if he was a “Christ follower”, and he was! God didn’t simply surround us with Christ followers, He let us know we were surrounded by Christ followers! Our Lord knew our team needed reassurance of His presence.

We were in a “strange land” with “strange people” but God found favor with this group. The enemy attempted to thwart our efforts but God’s work can never be thwarted.

It’s good to be home! I look forward to how God will show Himself when I return in May.

Emergency landing

2010-03-08T05:08:00.001-08:00

Well, it’s Monday, March 1 at 1pm and based on our travel itinerary, we should be arriving to Charlotte NC in about 2 hours. However, the team is currently at the Imperial Hotel in Kampala Uganda. Our being here is a result of our flight being delayed 4 hours with that resulting in an emergency landing.

Minutes following takeoff, it was announced our plane would be returning to the Entebbe airport due to the left engine not working properly. In actuality, the left engine wasn’t working at all. I had noticed (as well as other passengers) as the plane initially took off, it didn’t sound quite right.

The plane returned to Entebbe and made an attempt to land. It seemed we were going a bit fast as we descended. Just as we hit the ground, the plane came in at an angle. As we “landed” all the tires burst. The plane continued barreling down the runway, never slowing down. My heart began to sink as I thought, “this plane is going to run out of runway…”. All of a sudden the pilot aborted the landing and the plane ascended again.

The hum of the plane was extremely worrisome yet the plane obviously couldn’t land safely. The pilot began dumping fuel. After about 5 minutes the pilot started a second descent. I continued praying as I looked around. There was a lot of tension among the passengers and the flight crew. The air was filled with an intense burning smell. The pilot slammed the brakes for what seemed like eternity as we touched down.

There was an announcement that all passengers would be “off loading” the plane with our belongings. The fire brigade as well as buses surrounded the plane. The passengers from the plane were quickly ushered off the plane, onto the buses, and returned to the airport.

After returning to the building, KLM employees were making their rounds to all the huddled passenger groups, explaining what happened and what the protocol would be.

The plane’s left engine failed, the breaks caught fire, a lower cabinet caught fire and the tires had burst. ---It’s a miracle we were alive as the pilot made an emergency landing with multiple issues.

The only flights out of Entebbe to Amsterdam are late in the night. We were told another plane would have to be sent and it would be the following evening before anything would arrive. We were given no details from KLM but they had booked all passengers a room at 2 local hotels. We were assigned to the Imperial Hotel and it is at this Hotel that we would spend the next three days.

2010-02-28T02:55:00.000-08:00

Starts with a spark...

2010-02-26T14:46:00.000-08:00

It only takes a spark of “hope” to ignite a flame of passion. Today our team was blessed with a boat ride across Lake Victoria and then a boda boda ride (motorcycle) up to Bethany Village. Bethany Village is the orphanage started by African Renewal Ministries (ARMS-a ministry of Gaba Community Church).

This part of our trip is always a blessing to me as I’m reminded of what can happen when ministries put their egos and competitive natures aside, partner together, for the greater-good for the life of orphans and the glory of the Lord!

Seeing the smiles of the children running around during a class break, eating their morning poo shoo (porridge), laughing and playing tag, is such a blessed reminder of what “childhood” should be. It provides a vision of hope and possibilities for the ministry God has for Bweya Village/ Mercy orphanage.

After we finished our time at Bethany, we returned to the guest house for lunch and visited Wentz Medical Clinic, another ministry of ARMS. They provide such an amazing outreach to the community. It is there we delivered 27 mosquito nets for distribution. Dr Martin, the physician at Wentz, as well as an ekissa board member, will provide a net for a child as they present to the medical clinic and receive a diagnosis of Malaria. There was a Canadian nurse volunteering at Wentz for 2 weeks. She mentioned that all she had seen was individuals with Malaria. This nurse shared she has volunteered in several locations in Africa and that Uganda has by far the highest level of Malaria within all of Africa. 320 children die everyday in Uganda with Malaria. This is a serious diagnosis that is avoidable with the right prevention. Thank you to all who generously donated financially so that we could assist with this need.

Following our visit to Wentz, ekissa held its’ first Ugandan Board of Director’s meeting. I was excited about the enthusiasm from the board and am excited to see how God moves. He continues to do things far greater than I could ever hope or imagine. I’m so thankful His ways are not my ways, nor is thoughts, my thoughts because mine are incredibly limited.

Our team ended our day with attending an all night prayer/ praise service at Gaba Community Church, which began at 11pm. This is the most amazing experience…to see the freedom in which they worship! The North American church is missing something! We need to become more “active” in our worship as “worship” is actually an outward expression of who Christ is as well as an expression of appreciation for all He has done.

We are about to complete our time here in Uganda as we will have some time for shopping and a meeting on Saturday, and then worship on Sunday. Sunday evening following worship we will begin the long trek home. Please pray for continued stamina in health. One of our team members (Michelle) is actually not feeling very well this evening.

Thank you for your participation in ekissa and this mission trip. You have support us through your participation through prayers, finances, etc…, and we humbly appreciate your support.

Blessings!
Sarah

Blackout in Uganda...

2010-02-26T02:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings Seekers,

Praise God! Our luggage arrived from Nairobi, but not until we had worn the same clothes for four days. And, Kathy's shirt reappeared. It's been a glorious day!

Now for the bad news....as we began to retire for the evening, we came home to luggage, but no electricity. Blackout in Uganda. The power came back on after 2 hours, but then it was time to eat dinner, and seeing as how we had no lunch, Michelle had to eat three plates of food before anyone could move from the table.

After dinner, as we pushed our chairs away from the table, removed Michelle's plate from her death grip, and… THE POWER WENT OUT AGAIN AND WE HADN'T SHOWERED YET!

Would you like to know what it is like to try and bath with a flashlight hanging from your teeth? We were that desperate. The good news in the calamity is that Jack's Mag light is back.

Just kidding...the power came back on after 10 minutes and we were able to bath in comfortable, lighted conditions. We smell grrrreeeeaaaatttttt now!

Now on to some serious stuff...while there may have been a blackout in Uganda, the light of Jesus is shining ever so brightly in his people here in this corner of the world.

Our day began with our first trip to Bweya Village. While driving, we prayed mightily in the name of Jesus against the enemy that was so present on the last trip. Pastor Peter, the head pastor of Gaba Community Church, gave us on Wednesday a great reminder of the Ugandan history of the spiritual warfare that consist of witchcraft, demon worship and the casting of spells. In fact, Pastor Peter reminded us that before Gaba planted its church in this community, and even after the planting, the head witch doctor in ALL of Africa resided a few feet from where we're staying.

Moving on, we arrived in Bweya to find the bridge washed out. We were forced to find an alternate route. Finally arriving at Mercy orphanage, we found it to be rather sparse with children. There were 3 sick children, one of which appears to be days away from death clearly due to starvation. Much to our surprise, we learned that a Catholic Mission team made a visit and decided to sponsor most of the children for one year of schooling. This is a HUGE praise. However, in talking with the children, we learned that none of them had eaten that day and many of them had not eaten the entire week.

After spending some time with the children, the group left to shop at the open market for food. We bought rice, beans, oil, sugar, salt, onions, cabbage, tomatoes and made rice and beans topped with cabbage, onion, tomato stew that we made and served. The truth we now struggle with is, while they ate today, we don’t know when they’ll eat again. Walking away from this situation is very hard and we know that God cares, without a doubt God cares.

While we were leaving, one of the Mercy boys handed us four pieces of paper. These torn pieces of paper contained the following prayer requests, verbatim:
To be honest and faithful & Christian foundation,
Orphanage funds
Friends to stand with us,
Medicine,
Enough daily food,
God to open closed doors for us

Please join us in praying for these children.

We love you, we miss you, and may God bless you.

Michelle, Kathy and Sarah

Content?

2010-02-24T05:51:00.000-08:00

It's not the end of day one but I've got some down time and thought I'd post. We had a slow beginning to our day which has been nice for most as our bodies are trying to adjust to the time change.

At mid-morning we had a roundtable conversation regarding the vision of Bweya Village. Those gathered at the table were Dr. Martin from the Wentz Medical Clinic, Pastor Peter, the Senior Pastor of Gaba Community Church, Les Neely and Scott Beidler with Upward Sports, Michelle Speas and Kathy Brehm of Cornerstone Christian Church, David Sebanna, a "Bridge" student and myself. We had an awesome time of sharing.

One of the main focuses was regarding the purchase of land for the new church plant in Bweya Village. Land has been located and it looks like we need to raise about $35,000 pretty quickly. (All donations humbly accepted!! :-) )

Our meeting ran into the afternoon so our "unannounced" visit to Mercy was put off until tomorrow. We will rise and shine early tomorrow, go purchase food and mosquito nets and then go directly to the orphanage.

If I can be completely honest, I'm a little fearful of what we may find when we arrive. Michelle thinks the place will be empty with the children wandering the village. I anticipate many will be wandering, but I also anticipate a more worse degree of starvation than Sept as well as some in the bed sick...hopefully no deaths. With starvation and malaria the reality here, and with the level of neglect, I pray God will grant me the necessary grace to take in it. This reality is what ekissa is all about...seeking justice for the injustice and sharing the Good News of a Father to the "fatherless".

Following our meeting today, the group took a walking tour of the slums of Ggaba. Hopefully this helps prepare the group for what they'll encounter tomorrow in Bweya.
As we entered the slums we were greeted happily with smiling faces of the children. As expected, they approached us yelling "mzungu! muzungu!" Such big smiles and happy cries to the mzungu! I dare say I would respond like such if I had to endure their way of life. I believe the writer Paul challenges us regarding a state of being "content". Yikes! Were are you measuring???

Well, just wanted to post that all is well. We still have yet to receive any of our luggage! Thank goodness I packed 2 days worth of clothes in my carryon! :-) A word for the May team!!

Chuck, David and Patrick send their greetings! They say they love you and miss you greatly.

Stay tuned and thank you for your prayers! Specifically pray the price of the land can be lowered. The land is key in order for us to move forward with what God has for Bweya. We will see the plot tomorrow. Pray for stamina for the team tomorrow. It will be a busy day as we go to Mercy and see the plot of land, we will also visit Mary Smith at the Primary Boarding school just outside of Bweya. Pray the supplies will arrive with our luggage! At last check, our luggage was in Nairobi!?!??!?!?

We are so blessed as a people. It feels good to be back here!
We love you all!
Sarah (for the gang)

"Packed Flight?"

2010-02-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

It’s Monday, 2:10 pm and we’ve just taken off from the Charlotte/ Douglass International airport. Our flight was delayed for about 90 minutes. As we were sitting at the end of the airport, just about to begin the forward throttle down the runway, I looked out to see the airplane which took off just ahead of us. It was a cloudy day, so in an instant as that plane lifted from the runway, it was snuffed out of sight into the clouds.

I sat buckled in my seat, about to take off, thinking…”Isn’t that a picture of life!” As that thought went through my head, I wondered if the plane was a “packed flight” and I wondered about its’ destination.

I looked around the plane I sat in…the seat beside me was empty. The seat to my right and back one isle…3 seats empty. One seat in front of me, empty! I couldn’t believe all the empty seats around me.

My plane took off shortly following. As we ascended, a question passed through my thoughts; “When my life is snuffed out, I wondering how many people I’ll be taking with me?” I wonder if my flight will be a “booked flight” or if there will be empty seats all around me. Those empty seats representing missed opportunities of sharing the gospel. A sense of sadness pricked my heart for a moment.

As we were racing down the runway, with the clouds somewhat blanketing the city of Charlotte, visibility was fairly poor. I could faintly see part of the skyline. As our plane rose into the sky, visibility worsened. However in moments we were above the clouds. There was a bright sunshine accompanying the gigantic fluffy white clouds and crisp blue sky. Wow! What a view…beauty only God could have created.

Sometimes life can present as a dreary, raining day with poor visibility. But upon the wings of Christ we can rise above that and the view is breath-taking.

Life is short like the ascent of that plane into the clouds. One minute it’s there and in a blink it’s gone! What are you doing to ensure others board the plane for “take off”? Just who will you take to heaven to enjoy that view of eternity?

Oh God…my heart overflows with thanksgiving for the ministry of ekissa you’ve birthed and called me to. I feel so inadequate and unworthy to have this “front row seat” to experience what you’re doing in the lives of the people in Uganda. I pray you will take my feeble hands and feet, multiply my efforts, working through me and in spite of me, to bring your people to an understanding and acceptance of who you are…Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!

Feb 2010 Trip

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Wow! I can’t believe all that God has done since returning from Uganda in October 2009…only 4 months ago. Now, in less than a year, I’m leaving on my 3rd trip to Uganda having been led of the Lord to begin “ekissa”, (which means “mercy” in the language of Luganda) a nonprofit that serves the orphans solely of Uganda, East Africa. You can get more of the background of this ministry at www.ekissa.com .

This particular trip to Uganda is a pivotal trip in the ministry of ekissa. This is a team of 5 which will travel together for one week. Members of this team are comprised of myself, 2 members of Cornerstone Christian Church and 2 individuals from “Upward”, a Christian sports program that shares the Gospel of Christ to children through the venue of sports. The thought behind “Upwards” involvement is to partner together in order to offer the children of Bweya Village (outside of Kampala Uganda) an opportunity to be introduced the Gospel through establishing an “Upwards” sports program there in the local village of Bweya.

ekissa will be returning in May for the purpose of a church plant in Bweya. Gaba Community Church (GCC), an indigenous church, has agreed to partner with ekissa to begin a holistic approach to ministry in Bweya Village. The new church will be named “Bweya Community Church”. This church plant is paramount to the ministry that God desires for Bweya village.

The new Bweya Community Church will be the hub of all outreach for Bweya. It is ekissa’s desire that Upward’s would partner with us to bring about a sports program to be facilitated through Bweya Community Church.

Please pray for discernment as we travel, that I am able to share with the team, the vision Christ has given me for the village of Bweya. Please pray for safety, stamina and health. Today, two days before travel, I’m dealing with a sinus infection. The enemy wants to divert my attention and he can do that through illness!

“So, put on God’s armor now…you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and…you will still hold your ground.” Ephesians 6:13

My prayer is that God will be fully glorified through everything that takes place regardless of the end results or “partnerships”. My desire is that we can move completely out of the way for all to see Jesus!

Please continue to visit this new blog as we hope to chronicle our trip. Pray for the “world-wide web” or as the Ugandan’s refer to it, “the world-wide wait”, to cooperate. On our last trip we struggled greatly with the use of technology.

Blessings,
Sarah