Journey to Uganda

Let Your Kingdom Come

2010-07-26T21:10:00.005+03:00

We made it back home safely after 48 hours of traveling. It's so good to be home, although we miss those sweet faces! Thank you for your prayers and for following our blog.

While we were in Uganda, we came across this song called "Power of Your Name" by Lincoln Brewster. It truly expresses how we feel and what we saw. It is our continued prayer, "Lord, let Your kingdom come."

A Day to Remember

2010-07-21T22:59:00.008+03:00

On Monday, both of us were able to visit our sponsor children through World Vision. They are children that live with their families, but their families are very poor. Our monthly support helps them and their community by providing things like wells, English education, and AIDS awareness. The day started early by meeting the World Vision staff in Kampala. From there, they drove us about five hours southwest to the district of Rakai. We first visited Andrea's child, Peace, and her family.

Having been to Africa before, I am used to the excitement that the village children have when a "mzungu"visits. However, I was completely overwhelmed at the response of Peace's family and friends. There were at least 15 children that greeted us by the truck. Then, they led us up the pathway to the hut they had so sweetly decorated. Later, the father told us that everyone had gathered for this special event and was so excited. But, because we were a little later than expected, they began to lose hope and thought maybe we weren't coming. He was thrilled when we finally arrived!

We brought some gifts for our girls and their families. Here you see Peace enjoying some of the stickers I gave her. As part of the special event, classmates of Peace's sister came from school to sing us a few songs and share a poem. I am amazed at their innate rhythm and beautiful voices.

I think I was most touched by their sacrificial giving. Nearing the end of our time together, Peace and her family went inside their humble house and came out presenting gifts to me! I was shocked! Here I was wanting to give to her family and they were blessing me! I could not believe their generosity - especially knowing they do not have much to give. I received handmade dolls and soccer balls, a basket, two floor mats, LOTS of fruit, and two live chickens!! It was more than I knew what to do with, but I knew I had to accept their gifts because they were given out of love. Not only that, but they were given with SO much joy! Not once did I feel like this was something they had to do. It reminded me of the story of the widow's mite and how she gave all she had. It challenged me in the way I give to my Lord. This was a day I will not soon forget. I will continue to keep in touch with Peace and her family through writing letters and praying for them.

After we spent time with Peace and her family, we went to visit Annah. Annah has been a sweet picture on my fridge as a reminder to pray for her. After this trip...the pictures of many memories will always be in my heart! We parked by the road and walked about a quarter mile to where Annah and her family live. As we got closer, you could hear a song Annah and her friends were singing, "We are very happy...to see you." I don't know if she understood how happy I was to see HER!

Annah, her friends, and her family all congregated and we all talked to each other through our translator. I was so excited to give them the gifts I had brought! I don't think anyone was more excited than her brother, who was VERY excited to receive this soccer ball!!!

They also gave me fruit with a couple handmade things. This basket is something Annah and her family made for me. They were telling me how they made it! It's made out of the plastic that they buy flour out of.

Sometimes it's very overwhelming to know of the many people around the world that are starving and are in need of food, water, and education. All around the world, there are so many that could use help. What I have realized this summer is that there is something we can all do to make a difference, however small it might seem to us.

It reminds me of the story of the old man who walks by a young boy on the beach. The tide had just gone out leaving thousands of starfish on shore that would dry out and die before the tide ever came back in. The old man told the young boy, "Do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile. You can not possibly make a difference." The young boy bent down, picked up one starfish, threw it back into the water and then told the old man, "I made a difference to that one!"

The irony is that I might be the one that is sending monthly support, but I feel like Annah is making a bigger difference in me!

Jinja

2010-07-18T20:59:00.012+03:00

On Saturday, we went to Jinja, which is the second largest city in Uganda. It is about 2 hours from where we are in Wakiso, Uganda. Once we got to town, we went about 3 miles north to see Bujagali Falls. The dirt roads are fairly hard to drive on, but when you are behind 2 semis, the sandstorm makes it even harder.

Bujagali Falls is beautiful! It's incredible to actually be right at the edge of the Nile River!!

In 2008, we rafted this part of the Nile River (below). While it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we enjoyed viewing the falls from the safety of the shore. After going to the falls, we went to some of the markets in town. We met Alice who taught us how they make paperbead necklaces. Here she is showing us how they roll the strips of paper around a needle to make the individual beads.Here is the final product!

Joyful Singing

2010-07-16T07:14:00.005+03:00

Roger, this video is especially for you and your Sunday school class. Shillah, the girl you sponspor, is the one leading the line. What personality she has! :)

Seeing the Kids in a Different Light

2010-07-14T20:56:00.009+03:00

This week was the start of the third term at the Rafiki School. We were asked to fill in as teachers for the remainder of our time here. Andrea is teaching first, second, third, and fourth grade language arts.

In the morning, Jess is helping in the three-year-old, four-year-old, and kindergarten classes. In the afternoon, she is teaching several different P.E. classes.

Since yesterday was Jess' birthday, we had a surprise party for her after dinner. Our new South African friend, Cricket, helped pull it all off. She is a full-time missionary here in Uganda.

For her birthday, one of the missionaries got her a unique Ugandan gift. It was handmade by one of the mamas. It is something they put on their head in order to stabilize whatever they are carrying. That means just about EVERYTHING; we have even seen Ugandan women carrying couches on their head!! So, next time you are moving, Jess is ready to give it a try!!

Sunday

2010-07-12T20:33:00.009+03:00

On Sunday, we had the privilege of going to a local Baptist church in Wakiso. The humble building tells nothing of the joy and worship found within it. From the moment we stepped foot inside, we felt welcome. Even more importantly, we truly felt the presence of God and knew we were among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The music was incredible....rhythm is in their blood. The pastor spoke from Ruth chapter one and did an incredible job.

Later Sunday afternoon, we went for a walk in the local village. Usually school is in session when we take this walk. However, because it was a Sunday, we were able to take some pictures of this private school. As we looked around, it was hard to believe that this was a private school. This school actually has nicer facilities than most government schools.

Thanks for your patience. The internet here has been very unpredictable. We are just thankful to have it!

Some Highlights (in no particular order)....

2010-07-07T20:14:00.015+03:00

Waking up to the sound of birds chirping and children singing praises to God - Luke 19:39-40 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Seeing God's beauty and creativity in a different land

Raised eyebrows as their way of saying "yes."
Watching their drama performances of the Miracles of Jesus.
When we try to speak Luganda and the Ugandans laugh at our attempt but very much appreciate it.
Watching the kids slip and slide.

The laughter of children - I love the smiles and laugh they give from being shown some attention. It is a reminder to me that we are an extension of God's love to them. They are valuable in His sight and He adores them!
Walking in the village and being greeted by each person as we go by.
Teaching the kids new songs and hearing them sing the songs back to me during their play time.
The way the children smile with their eyes.
The boys stay up late listening to the World Cup and want to talk about it the next day.
Singing with the children.
It's quiet here. At church this past Sunday, the pastor talked about how all the noises in Uganda distract us from our relationship with God. I was amazed....if it is noisy here, what of our lives in the states?

GAMES

2010-07-03T13:50:00.004+03:00

GAMES went really well this week. It was so fun to teach them new songs and games. They seemed to really enjoy it. In fact, we have seen some of them playing the games we taught them during their free time!! Each morning, we started with the Ugandan national anthem, prayer, a song, and review of the theme verse. Then, we took the older kids (first through fifth grade) and rotated them between stations of games and art. In the afternoon, we took the younger kids (3 year olds to kindergarten) and did activities with them. This quickly became Andrea's favorite part of the day! :)

Here they are singing one of their favorite songs. See if you can recognize it....they know the tune and motions more than the words! :) Especially watch Boaz on the far right and Simon (who thinks it's too loud).

Here are two of the youngest that have become the best of friends, Peter and Mercy. When we were here last, they were just babies. It's fun to see how much they've grown and how much personality they have!! Even the best of friends can sometimes be too rough (don't worry Mercy wasn't hurt).

Kids

2010-06-28T21:13:00.008+03:00

It's been fun to hear the laughter and joyful squeals around the village. This is the beginning of their second week on break. We have been busy these past few days playing with the kids, reading to them, and getting ready for G.A.M.E.S (Games, Art, Music, Enrichment, and Sports). We are in charge of planning Tuesday - Thursday this week. We wanted to take a moment to share their sweet faces with you!

Agnes, Carol, Teddy, and Molly

Andrea reading to Cottage 1 (and admiring their incredible posture!)

Jess being herself with Cottage 4

Look at those eyes!!

Andrea being herself with Alice! :)

Today we made bookmarks and collages with the kids. Aidah did a great job on her collage!

We look forward to posting pictures and more stories at the end of the week!

Our Day at Rafiki

2010-06-24T20:40:00.006+03:00

We spent most of today organizing the storage room for the Junior Secondary School (JSS). There was a lot to sort through and organize.

Two of the older Rafiki girls, Tendo and Eva, helped us clean out the JSS. They would giggle every time Jess called out "Teeennnddooo," "Evvaaa."

There are also two other mini-missionaries here from Chicago that helped organize. This is Michelle and Andrea putting the finishing touches on the storeroom.

After four and a half hours of cleaning, we went out and played with this family. We played volleyball and soccer with them. They were so cute! For those of you who remember....Moses is the little one in front with the red shirt and Isaac (Dimples) is in the completely orange shirt. What fun personalities they have!

Wakiso Sports Competition

2010-06-20T19:37:00.014+03:00

On Friday, Rafiki took part in a sports competition. We competed in boys soccer and girls netball. We started walking to the fields with the kids around 8:30 am and arrived at 9 am. We were joined by over twenty schools from the Wakiso district. In typical Ugandan fashion, the first game began at 11:30 am. The first hour consisted of waiting for all of the teams to arrive. The second hour was spent measuring height and even weight of all the players to try to make sure the teams were fairly matched. We found it humorous that they charged an "organizational fee" to be a part of this competition when it was so disorganized (in our eyes) :). The girls played and won their first netball game. They were so excited! The boys played their soccer game next. We loved seeing their hand-made soccer goals. They played really well and won their first game also. The girls should have won their second netball game but were robbed of it by the referee - much like the USA in the World Cup! The boys won their second soccer game but lost the third. As this was their first year competing in this competition, they were happy to have done so well! It was fun to experience a Ugandan sports day and support our Rafiki teams!!!

The Rafiki Netball Team

Tendo scored 9 of our 10 points!

The Rafiki Soccer Team

Joseph scored almost all of our goals! (Behind him you can see the hand-made goal).

The Grandstand :)

Lessons from Sheep...

2010-06-19T22:31:00.001+03:00

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13

Yesterday morning came with a lot of rain. It cleared by afternoon, but the streets were still marked by the weather throughout the day. I went on a walk after dinner yesterday with a family of ten orphans and their “mama,” who is charge of them at this orphanage. The children loved taking a walk throughout the village and even talked with the other children that would come up to them. We came upon cattle that were being herded across the street. Behind the herd of cattle wandered two sheep that did not follow the herd but started down the road. Their owner came running after them with a bucket of clean water for them to drink. By the time the owner had caught up to them, they were right in front of us. The sheep turned and looked at their owner; he then pushed the bucket closer to the sheep. The sheep looked at the bucket and both turned the other way. They wandered a few steps and began to drink the grimy, dark, dirty puddle of water on the dirt road.

I immediately was reminded of how many times I have chosen to fill my body with grime…I have turned to things that the world has to offer. Jesus is offering me a drink that will make me never thirst again (John 4:13). I was also reminded of how much our Shepherd loves His sheep. His love makes me never want to taste the grime again.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:11-15

They Have the Same Sweet Smiles and Joyful Spirits!

2010-06-17T14:19:00.011+03:00

Even though we only had eleven hours, we had so much fun in London! We tried to make the most of every minute. We first took the Tube (the underground transportation) to White Hart

Lane, which is the home field of the Tottenham Hotspurs. Even though the stadium is closed on Tuesdays, we got a private tour of the stadium (because Jess' great uncle - Arthur Rowe - played for, coached, and managed them). They rolled out the red carpet for us because of what Arthur Rowe had done for their club. We saw the locker rooms; director's box; $20,000 dollar collector's book with Arthur Rowe in it; and, of course, the stadium. After the tour, we spent almost an hour looking for food, but we couldn't believe we ended up at McDonald's! We took the Tube again into London Central.

We saw Westminster

Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Thames River. It was a beautiful day with about mid-60 degree weather! It was refreshing coming from the Florida heat! Then, we headed back to the airport to get ready for our flight to Uganda.

We arrived in Uganda at 7:45 am yesterday morning. It was surreal coming back and almost seemed as if no time had passed. It wasn't until we saw the children that we realized the amount of time that has passed. They look so much older and taller, but have the same sweet smiles and joyful spirits. This morning, we played soccer with the girls. They are preparing for a sports competition with other schools, which will take place tomorrow. It's been a great couple of days so far! And....as we type, we are listening to the World Cup on the Ugandan radio station!!!

Jabulani Africa!

2010-06-09T23:00:00.015+03:00

Not only the name of the official soccer ball of the World Cup 2010...

but also means "Celebrate Africa!"

The first time I traveled to Africa I was 16. It was my time with the Lord, in Africa, that has forever touched my heart and begun a lifelong journey of wanting to know and serve Him more. I "Celebrate Africa" for I love...

...the simple way of life.

...the people, and their history.

...the silence and solitude.

...the landscape.

...the memories.

I am humbled with how quickly I can forget what life is all about. I look forward to this trip so much...now if I can just pack!

On a side note...we will be in London for a 12 hour layover on Tuesday, June 15th. My favorite English Premier League soccer team is the Tottenham Hotspurs. My great uncle, Arthur Rowe, played for them, coached them, and managed them. A life-long dream of mine is to visit their home stadium named White Heart Lane. My uncle, who is Arthur's son, helped arrange a private stadium tour (my aunt helped too)! I can't believe my dream is coming true! I'm so excited and thankful!

A huge thanks to all of you that have taken such a huge interest in our trip!

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement!

This is your ministry as much as it is ours!

"Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory." Psalm 115:1

Overwhelmed...

2010-06-09T18:18:00.005+03:00

By all of the logistics of the trip, like how to stuff everything into the suitcases....praying they will not be overweight.
By how quickly time flies and how soon our departure date is approaching. Yikes!
By the incredible generosity of so many people who donated much-needed supplies for the Rafiki Village!! Thank you!
By my wonderful family. I'm so grateful they were able to visit Rafiki when I was there last time and wish they could be joining me this time!
By the way our incredible God works and the way He has provided money for our trip!!
By God's grace and patience with me as He continues to refine me.
By the power we have in the Holy Spirit. (I just read Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and am challenged to say the least.)
By the love and joy I feel as I think about reconnecting with the kids I taught and the amazing people I worked with!
By the insurmountable need in our world and what my role is in that.
By our infinite God!!!

We're Going Back!!!

2010-06-08T23:38:00.003+03:00

We leave Monday, June 14th for Uganda!! We are putting all of the final touches on our preparations. We could not be more excited! Thank you for your interest in our trip! Check back soon as we will be updating.

Tunaalabagana (See You Later)

2009-01-12T23:30:00.002+03:00

I truly dread saying goodbye. Last year, I was so looking forward to coming to Uganda and all God had in store, but I hated even the thought of saying farewell to my family and friends. This year, it is not much different. I am so excited to see and hug my family and friends back home, but I am having a very hard time even thinking of saying goodbye to my Rafiki family. I expected it to be hard. So, this is not a surprise. I just hate that sometimes joyous reunions mean pain in other relationships.

Despite these feelings of sadness, I am encouraged by all that God has done this year - in my life, in the lives of these children, in my relationship with Him. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have met and come to love more of His people around the world. I am so grateful for each of you who has been an integral part of this ministry. Because of you, I know this is not a lasting goodbye for many of the relationships I have formed; for I know that I will see many of these precious faces again, if not here on this earth, then in heaven. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart and journey with you. I pray that this will not be the last! For now, tunaalabagana!

Last Week in Uganda

2009-01-12T23:09:00.002+03:00

It's been busy around here. Last week, we had two hours of fun with the kids where we did half an hour stations of reading club, relays, ping-pong, and board games/Uno. I had fun teaching the kids Uno and watching them try to play. Surprisingly, the kindergartners and third graders were the best.

Then, we took the three and four year olds for their 45 minutes of fun. This was my cute, but very active, class.
This also marks my last few days in Uganda. This Sunday, I had to say goodbye to my friends at church. I have been so blessed by my church and my pastor's preaching. He is such a solid man. I am really going to miss him and his wife.
After church, we all went to lunch as my send off. I sure do hate goodbyes. My coworkers have not only been friends; they have become family. I will miss them greatly as I leave.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

2009-01-07T23:07:00.002+03:00

(and definitely things I am going to miss)!!

The chirp of crickets and other insects that makes me feel like I am camping every night.
The beautiful sound of birds that I wake up to every morning (even the monkey birds are fun to listen to!)
The laughter of children playing soccer right outside my window.
The hills and scenic views I see all around me (it's going to be hard to go back to flat land).
The smiles and voices of African children.
Movie nights and game nights with my missionary friends.
The Andersons who have graciously treated me as part of their family.
Practicing my Luganda and getting huge smiles - they LOVE that I try, even though they can barely understand me!
The dust from the red muram roads - ok, I lied!
Walking almost everywhere.
Listening to 3- and 4-year olds belt the Uganda national anthem.
Quiet lunchrooms.
Bicycles and motorcycles loaded down with an assortment of things (chicken, pigs, beds; you name it, we've seen it!)
Running and hearing the excitement of people yelling "mzungu, mzungu!" (This I will miss and not miss all at the same time :) ).

The list could go on and on. I know in these next couple weeks and months there will be many moments when I am feeling sad. These will be some of the special things I remember.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:05:00.004+03:00

Ringing in the new year looked much different this year than last. Last year, I was freezing cold in Times Square waiting for the infamous ball to drop. This year, I was in short sleeves around a bonfire, where Christmas trees burned and balloons popped. Last year, I was with family and friends. This year, I was with a group of people who have become my "family," including 95 precious African orphans. Last year, I was anxiously anticipating my departure for Uganda. This year, I am preparing for my bittersweet departure from Uganda. It has been an unforgettable year and I have certainly been forever changed.

The day's events included my P-3 class coming over for an afternoon snack of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and cookies. This was thanks to their amazing pen pals in Mrs. Ross' class. Thank you so much! At 6:00, we had a bonfire (enjoy the video.) Afterwards, some of the missionaries played games together. It was a fun day!The P-3 students enjoying their hot chocolate and Florida snowflakes.

One of the boys had seen one of my pictures with friends that was like this one. He didn't understand how it was done, so we tried it - so cute!

Enjoy this fun video!

Lions and Topi and Buffalo, Oh My!

2008-12-31T16:44:00.004+03:00

My last hurrah here in Uganda was to go on a safari in search of tree-climbing lions. We stayed in a tent camp near the river. It was beautiful! I was reminded once again of my God-given love of nature. I LOVE being outdoors and taking in the sights and sounds of God's wonderful creation. Enjoy these pictures, and if you want to see a lot more, click here.

Christmas - from a different perspective

2008-12-29T20:13:00.008+03:00

This was definitely a memorable Christmas! It was hard to believe it was really Christmas - it was such a busy day - but it was filled with lots of fun! It started on Christmas Eve day with the families cutting down the Christmas tree they wanted. I was surprised at the small trees they chose.Flavia was so cute. She LOVES her big sister Eva!

Christmas Day was very full. Here was our schedule:
7am - breakfast
8am - church service
9-11am - visit the houses to wish them a Merry Christmas
and let Maggie say good-bye to the children
12pm - Ugandan Christmas lunch
1pm - clean up from lunch
3:30 - start cooking dinner because the cooks had the rest of the day off
6pm - serve dinner
6:30 - clean up from dinnerThis is Mama Christine and Peace peeling matooke for lunch.

Maggie with Mama Alice's family. Notice the tree: it has balloons and cottons balls (to represent snow).

Only mzungus would serve coke, cake, and grilled cheese for dinner - an all-American meal :)
December 25th is all centered around celebrating Jesus' birth. Even the coke and cake is in celebration of His birthday. December 26th is Boxing Day - the day they open all of their gifts. As you can see, some of their gifts included baseball caps and non-prescription eyeglasses. Too cute!

The Best Gift is Giving

2008-12-26T13:16:00.008+03:00

On Tuesday, I had the awesome privilege of joining our church in an outreach to a nearby slum area. One of our deacons ministers here each week by conducting a church service on Sundays and a Bible study on Tuesdays. He compiled a list of the families that attend these fellowships so that we could organize boxes for them. Over the past couple of months, our church has been collecting clothes and other items to give away. Tuesday, we sorted through the clothes and picked at least one article of clothing for each member of the 55 families on the list. We put them in boxes based on their family unit. We also added a bag of rice, a bag of beans, sugar, and soap. Some families also received blankets, toys, and cooking utensils. After we packed the boxes, we headed to the slum area - only about 5 minutes from the church. I was shocked when we arrived that no one was clambering for the boxes. In fact, some helped us unload while the others patiently waited for instructions. Our deacon made sure to announce that these items were donated by friends here in Uganda - they were not brought from America or Europe, which is often the case. As he called out their names, they would step forward to receive their box while everyone else clapped for them. It was amazing to watch! After most of them returned to their humble homes, some of the kids stayed to play and admire my white skin. I absolutely LOVED going and seeing the gratitude on their faces. It reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive!

(The other pictures can be viewed here.)

The Wedding

2008-12-26T12:21:00.003+03:00

So many things have been happening in the past couple of days, I have not been able to keep up with it on my blog. The wedding was last Saturday, and I was so glad I was able to attend. It was supposed to start at 2pm, but in typical fashion, the bride and groom didn't even show up until 2:40pm. The wedding started at 3pm. There were some differences but much was the same. They had some music, said their vows, exchanged rings, signed their marriage certificate, had a prayer of blessing, and then were pronounced husband and wife (no kiss though). Afterwards, there was a reception and food. To see a lot more pictures from the introduction and wedding, click here.

An Introduction

2008-12-20T00:27:00.003+03:00

....into more of the Ugandan culture. An "introduction" is essentially the families of the bride and groom meeting one another, negotiating on a bride price, and (hopefully) ending with their engagement. The traditional dress of the Buganda tribe is this gomez. Apparently, they want you to look "full" in the dress. After trying it on the day before, I was told I needed to look bigger (I have never heard that in the U.S. before!). So under this stunning dress, I have three skirts and a sheet wrapped around and folded to help my rear look bigger. On the right side of both of our dresses, you can see some extra material hanging down. This is actually about a yard long and is supposed to be folded in a fan-like way so that it drapes down once the beautiful belt is tied. I'm amazed I actually got this thing on by myself. A "muzungu" in a gomez, I was quite the comic relief.

Two hours late, the groom and his family finally arrived. They had some friendly exchanges with the bride's family before being allowed to cut the ribbon and enter the ceremony.

It was quite the ceremony with many "searches." It started with the M.C. from the groom's side having to identify the bride's auntie - the one who is in charge of negotiating the bride price. So these women danced out, kneeled, and answered some questions before the auntie was revealed. Then, the auntie had to go search for the groom among the relatives.The bride is hidden among these women. Can you find her?Once she was "found," she was taken to her future husband but then danced away again.Probably one of the most crucial parts of the ceremony is negotiating the bride price. Thankfully, this auntie was kind and seemed to accept the gifts the future husband offered. Some of the gifts included pineapples, bananas, a huge bag of salt, a huge bag of sugar, cases of soda, a chicken, a goat, and a cow. They were presented before the bride-to-be (the one in gold - notice she changed dresses) and the auntie (the one on the right).They exchanged engagement rings and then cut the cake
(which has a gorgeous sparkler on the top). They fed each other cake and then drank some coke (notice she is kneeling before him).
We each got to taste some crumbs from the cake. I am so thankful I was able to attend this introduction. I taught with Cissy (the bride-to-be), so it was fun to be a part of this special day and learn more about the Ugandan culture. I look forward to the wedding tomorrow. Can you imagine?

Field Day Fun!

2008-12-17T23:38:00.004+03:00

We had lots of fun at field day today. We did water relays, basketball, volleyball, jumproping, ping-pong, parachutes, and running relays. Can't believe tomorrow is our last day! Enjoy these pics. (You can see more by clicking here.)

Challenged

2008-12-14T15:30:00.001+03:00

Just thought I would share two quick things that I have been challenged with recently....

1. Recently, God has been reminding me how much I care about what other people think of me. I care too much, and I know it. I tend to be such a people pleaser. Although God has been refining me in this area, I still have a long way to go. As I prepare to come home, I began to get concerned about what others will say - the opinions they may have about my length of stay or the ministry here. Then, at church, we had a time for corporate confession of sin. I love how God is so personal! This is the prayer we prayed (italics added by me):

Gracious and generous God, we are a fearful people who are held captive by what we really believe is true. Some of us are afraid that life really is a competition, so we focus on getting what we want or need to survive. Some of us are afraid of facing life and taking responsibility for our actions, so we find ways to escape. Some of us are afraid of disappointing or offending others, so we let others determine how we use our time. Forgive us, we pray. Overwhelm us again with your grace and cast out our fear. Transform us into trustworthy slaves who love deeply and courageously invest all we are in the service of others. For it is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

I truly want God to be BIG in my life!

2. I was also challenged by this youtube video that I heard about through a friend. Maybe you've already seen it. Just seemed to put things in perspective for me. If you want more info, visit www.adventconspiracy.org .

Distracted....

2008-12-14T15:20:00.005+03:00

...That is what I am attributing my delinquency in updating this blog. School is ending for the year in this next week. Can I just say that I think it makes a lot more sense for a school year to go from January to December? What a great way to celebrate Christmas with the school year finished! So, I've been working on grading papers and doing report cards. Below you can see me with my second grade boys - man, are they hilarious but difficult to keep focused in a classroom. You can see a little of their personality in this picture. (Thanks, Erin, for taking this pic!)

As you can see, I've also been decorating for Christmas :) These were the cheap lights I bought in Kampala. You can't tell from the picture but only the red and yellow ones work, so much for blue and green :)

Some friends I met through a mutual friend of ours (Zach Swee) came out to visit for the night. They let me visit their ministry in October, so I was so happy to hear they wanted to stop by for a short visit. They have an adorable son!

One of the teachers I work with is pregnant! She is so ecstatic to be having a baby. I don't know if you can see her baby bump in this picture. She is so petite!

Me with two of my teacher friends. These are two of my favorites. They are hilarious! That's why I posted both pictures because I couldn't decide which one I liked better. In this one, you see Sarah's fun laugh (the one in the middle), but Cissy is cut off a bit. I'm excited because Cissy is getting married next weekend. I am hoping to attend her wedding. Hopefully, more pictures to come!

From My "Family" to Yours.....

2008-11-27T20:43:00.002+03:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
This is my whole team at Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for each of them.I am so blessed! This continues to be an incredible year. Thank you all for being such an encouragement and support!

Keidi and I

Mom, this picture is dedicated to you. Even in Uganda, we celebrate with Pilgrim salt and pepper shakers. I wonder how many Publix stores they searched in order to find them. :)

Beyond Blessed

2008-11-23T21:42:00.005+03:00

Aside from being slightly warm, this weekend was beautiful weather! We had sunny blue skies and a nice breeze that helped to cool things down - especially in the shade. Yesterday, I met up with two teachers from our school to see one of their newly built houses. It was so different from a newly built house in the states. In fact, he has only finished one small section of it (which is where he is living) until he gets enough money to complete the rest. After we chatted for a while, we went out to help him in his garden (I will have to try to take pictures of his place some other time).

When I got home, I took my work outside and sat under a tree to continue to enjoy the beauty of the day. These pictures do not quite do justice to the day I experienced, but they are an attempt to give you a glimpse. I am so thankful for the place God has brought me this year - it is a beautiful place - and not just in the physical sense. I have learned so much and truly feel blessed beyond words!

Caution: Don't Watch If You Get Motion Sickness

2008-11-15T20:52:00.002+03:00

This is some video footage from our field trip. It was taken in the taxi, so it's a bit jerky. The last one is my favorite. :)

These two girls were trying so hard to blow a bubble with their gum. They were too cute!

Jinja Field Trip in Pictures

2008-11-13T21:20:00.004+03:00

The excitement begins.....

At the hydroelectric power plant - our first stop

Our view of Lake Victoria at lunch - amazing!So excited for fish and chips....
Thomas in his over-sized life jacket :)At THE source of the NileAll of us on the boat tour - they loved this part of the field trip!To view more pictures from this field trip, click here.

Highlights From This Week

2008-11-09T23:00:00.003+03:00

In an attempt to incorporate more sports, we took these girls for a cross-country run (run/walk) in the local village. It was a 3-mile loop. Like most girls, they talked the entire time.
Mercy - what a hoot!Apparently every girl learns to talk on the phone at a young age. :)Jane (left) and Sumaya (right). If you still have my prayer card, you can see the difference in Jane. She is the third one from the bottom.They love having their picture taken!

First Steps

2008-11-05T06:21:00.002+03:00

These two babies - Mercy and Peter - arrived here early this here. They have just begun walking and it is adorable! Peter seems to have a little more trouble (even though he is older). I think it's because he tries to run rather than walk. Enjoy!

Small Group Stand-In

2008-11-02T23:09:00.002+03:00

For these past three weeks, I have had the privilege of leading this small group of girls since our childcare director was on vacation. We met for an hour on Sundays to go over their catechisms since they all have expressed an interest in going deeper in their relationship with God. It was a sweet time to be able to spend with them. They are precious girls as you can see. The prayer time at the end is what blew me away. These girls can pray! They prayed with power and conviction for specific requests. It was so special to get to hear their hearts. As you can tell from the picture below, they also had plenty of silly moments as well. I am so blessed!

Least to Greatest

2008-10-25T11:06:00.010+03:00

When Jesus was asked by his disciples who would be the greatest, he brought a little child to stand beside him and said, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."

This principle has stood out to me over the past couple of months. As I am teaching here in Uganda, I often forget the backgrounds these children have come from, the lives these children have lived. I am amazed at who God is and how He works. He has specifically chosen these children to be here. These children who were once counted among the least of their country are now being given the opportunity that only some of the greatest have. They are well-fed, clothed, loved, cared for. They are receiving an education - which is HUGE here - but not just any education - one that is founded on the Bible. I am truly astounded at how God works! There is still much work to be done both here in Uganda and around the world, but each precious life God has transformed is a reason to celebrate!

Here are just a few of the transformations. I teach each of these boys during language arts.

Martin

Yoweri
WillsonIn this picture, you can actually see all three of them. They love playing football (soccer).

Friends in Uganda!

2008-10-18T22:21:00.002+03:00

I was so excited to hear that Brandi was going to be coming to Uganda. She and I graduated high school together, and it was crazy to meet up in Kampala! She is so passionate about caring for orphans - especially here in Africa. I love to hear her heart and the many ideas she has! It is always so encouraging to just be around her.
Here we are with a view of some of the city behind us.I went with her and their whole team to Caring Hands. It is such a neat organization that reaches out to the local impoverished community. Along with many other things, Caring Hands offers a place for destitute widows and single moms to learn the trade of making paper beads. These beads are then fashioned into necklaces, bracelets, and belts. These women are then able to provide for themselves and their families. We heard several of their testimonies.

Here, they are making the paper beads. They use strips of paper that would have otherwise been garbage. As they roll it, the colors from the paper themselves are what eventually make the color of the jewelry. No paint is used. It was so interesting to watch!

It was so fun for me to spend a day with an old friend. Thanks for meeting up with me, Brandi, and for being the bearer of so many gifts from home! :)

Lessons from Little Ones

2008-10-11T09:52:00.002+03:00

This week some of our children had to get immunizations. As I sat with them in the clinic, they sang so many hymns and songs they’ve learned in school. It was so cute! I think the most precious thing was hearing them whimper as they got their shot, walk out with tears in their eyes, and then start singing a worship song to Jesus. What a testimony these kids are to me!

We have been studying the Psalms recently. No matter what troubles David was facing, he always focused his attention on who God is. I am learning, just as David did and these young children I work with, to praise God in every circumstance. No matter what I “feel” like or what situations arise, my desire is to praise the Lord of heaven and earth who knows so much better than me and loves me more than I could ever imagine!

Dear Mrs. Ross and Mrs. McKinney's Class,

2008-10-10T12:09:00.005+03:00

I was so blessed yesterday! I received a package in the mail that so encouraged me. Thank you for all of your handmade cards and your thoughtful letters. I appreciate all of the prayers you all have prayed for me too. My hand has healed and now the scar is slowly beginning to fade. I think I will always have a reminder of my time in Uganda :) I have decided to save the candy and give one piece to each of my students when we return from our school break on October 20th. They will love them so much! Thank you for thinking of me and taking the time to send me a package. You all are an essential part of my life and ministry here.

THANK YOU!!!!

Love and thanks,

Miss DiBartolomeo

Rhino Trekking

2008-10-01T22:04:00.002+03:00

This past weekend, we took some of our short-term medical missionaries to a place we had never been before. We went to a rhino sanctuary. It was actually a great weekend getaway. We were able to see some rhinos - up close and personal - and relax a bit too. Two of the rhinos were actually donated by our very own Animal Kingdom. May I add that the stars in the African sky are gorgeous!?! I could see SO many! I clearly saw the Milky Way, as well as Venus and Saturn.

If you want to see some pictures from the weekend, just click here.

Running

2008-09-29T20:36:00.003+03:00

Tonight, I went for a run through the local village. Running in Africa is so different. Everyone waves and yells "Mzungu, mzungu" - especially the children. How could I not like running here when I have constant encouragement from the community?!? They all smile too because they think I am crazy to be running in the name of exercise. When they walk, they walk for a purpose - to get to work, to go to the garden, etc. They hardly ever run. Tonight, so many children ran up to me to shake my hand and ask, "Mzungu, how are you?" It was so sweet! The real kicker came at the end of my run. Some children started running alongside me - they think it is so funny. There is a fairly steep hill right before the entrance to Rafiki. One little boy ran with me all the way up. Mind you, I usually walk up that hill, but with a little barefooted boy beside me giving me encouragement, you better believe I made it up!

It made me think about what it would look like if we encouraged each other in the same way in the race of life. If we truly ran alongside one another and encouraged each other through the most difficult times. If we welcomed one another with smiling faces, shouts of joy, and arms wide open. I know I made it up one daunting hill because of the encouragement of a young boy....

A Father to the Fatherless....

2008-09-23T21:41:00.002+03:00

In my P3 class, we are reading Pippi Longstocking. One of the questions for comprehension asked where the townspeople thought Pippi should live. The answer, of course, is a Children's Home or orphanage. When we were discussing the answer, one of the little girls asked, "What is an orphanage?" I love that she had no idea! Her home here is a family and so far removed from an orphanage that she had no clue what the word even meant.

As I was reading Psalm 68 for our study this week, verses five and six stood out to me: "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." It is amazing to see tangible evidences of how God is faithfully being a father to the fatherless and setting the lonely in families.

Sights and Sounds

2008-09-16T20:30:00.003+03:00

Lately, I've tried to consciously pay attention to the sights and sounds around me. The birds I hear chirping from my living room or the gorgeous sunrises I can see from my kitchen are truly amazing. Tonight, it was the sound of children laughing that caught my attention. After dinner, I was pushing some girls on the swings. They all know how to "pump" their legs, but they gladly let me do the work for them and giggled every time I would send them soaring in the air. Most of the time, they even purposely stopped themselves so I would do it again. Then, as they were swinging, they started singing. Their precious little voices melted me. Their first song choice surprised me, it was "Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!" They know more verses of this hymn than I do! Then, they sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children" - which was the song we taught them in GAMES. You can't help but put a smile on your face when you hear these sweet girls laughing, smiling, and praising Jesus with all of their hearts.

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2008-09-14T16:32:00.003+03:00

Mom, Aunt Nancy, and Lindsay,

Oh, how I wish I could be there on this special day! Please know how much I love and miss you. I hope you have a great day celebrating. I appreciate each one of you and the support you have shown me this year. Thanks for coming out here and seeing firsthand what I do everyday. I could not ask for a more loving and caring mom, aunt, or sister. You guys are the best and I love you SO much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Accident Prone

2008-09-14T15:08:00.002+03:00

Thanks for your encouragement and prayers for the healing of my wrist. Thanks to Dr. Tyler, it appears to be healing well. For those who are interested, I have posted pictures - just click this link.

A Child Once Again

2008-09-08T17:00:00.004+03:00

Before arriving at Rafiki, Phiona was her brother Emmanuel's (Emma) caregiver. At the age of six, she was basically his mother. She would carry him around on her back. She struggled to find food to sustain them. You can see from the pictures how small Emma's legs were. Now, Phiona is able to be a child again. She still looks after her brother, but in a much different way. And, as you can see, they are much healthier and happier as well.

Promises

2008-09-04T17:04:00.002+03:00

This was the beautiful Ugandan sky just before a rain the other day. It was gorgeous! God is so faithful in all of His promises. I know this is quite selfish, but I feel like this rainbow was a promise to me that He will continue in His faithfulness in my life. I really appreciate your prayers recently. They have meant so much! God is continuing to speak to my heart and remind me of who I am in Him. This place that He has me this year is absolutely beautiful - trials, joys, and all. I wanted to share a piece of it with you!

Refined By Fire

2008-08-27T20:44:00.003+03:00

This has a more literal meaning as of late. On Sunday, I had some candles lit in my room and left for just a minute. When I returned, the middle section of my curtains was in flames. I know....the classic story. As I was trying to put it out, I burned my left wrist. I ran to the kitchen to get some water to throw on the fire while calling our doctor about my burn. The water put out the fire and I didn't damage too much in the process. I am left with two small third degree burns on my left wrist. It was quite a scary experience. I am SO thankful for SO many reasons: the fire and damage could have been a lot worse, my burn could have been a lot worse, Dr. Tyler and his family had just arrived back in Uganda on Friday - I'm so thankful they were here to help!

My wrist is in the process of healing - we'll know more of the permanent scarring in about two weeks. I feel like besides my physical injury, my heart has been "under fire" recently too. I know God is using everything to refine me to be more like His Son, but these past few days have been more challenging. If you think of it, please pray that I would rest in God's truth alone and that I would stand strong against the attacks of the evil one. I really appreciate your support and prayers!

With all that's been going on, I have found comfort in these words from C.S. Lewis, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Lord, please give me ears to hear what you are saying to me.

Favorite Quotes

2008-08-23T15:31:00.002+03:00

People wonder how teachers do it. It seems like such a routine job at times, and granted, at times it can be. It really depends on my perspective. However, when you deal with people, especially children, every day looks different. I feel like I had some really fun times with the kids this week. God knew exactly what I needed because I was feeling a little more homesick than normal. Here are two of my favorite quotes from the week:

I am tutoring Kato in spelling and he got the first seven or eight words right. I was so impressed and told him so. He said to me, "It's because I think of the words in my heart and then I spell them." Too cute! I need to start thinking of the words in my heart too :)

On Thursday, I took my P-3 class to the computer lab to look up information for a descriptive paragraph they are writing. As the pages were printing out, they told me, "Teacher, the printer is vomiting paper!"

Kids - I love them!

The Change

2008-08-16T15:30:00.003+03:00

Sorry about the delay in updates. I am still here in Uganda. I've been struggling with staying connected as our internet capabilities are usually limited to an hour or two when we come in town on the weekends.

However, I wanted to continue my blogs on some of the changes in the children since they've arrived at Rafiki. These are pictures of Moses. He arrived here in February and was a very skeptical little guy (as you can see from the first picture). Our directors thought that he would always be a little boy that was angry at the world. As you can see from the last two pictures, that is so not true! It is an amazing difference! He is still pretty hesitant around new people - I think he is afraid someone is going to take him away. It takes some children a while to realize they are safe and secure here. I'm so thankful for this little guy. It is a joy to hear his squeaky voice say, "Hello Teacher." He is one who has stolen my heart - maybe he will take yours as well.

(Thanks Sara for this great photo.)

THANK YOU!!!

2008-08-03T13:40:00.001+03:00

This is a LONG overdue “Thanks!” In June, when my family came to visit, they brought with them suitcases full of donated supplies and toys for our children. They had to be creative in packing in order to fit it all in. This was the generous gifts of two separate families. First, thank you to Daniel – one of my former students - who chose to use his birthday as a chance to collect items for those less fortunate. Instead of gifts for himself, he asked each of his friends to bring gifts for the children here at Rafiki. Many of the things they donated will be Christmas gifts for the children this year. Thank you, Daniel! I am impressed with your maturity and selflessness at such a young age.

The second “Thank you” is for the 2007-2008 first grade class at TMA. They had a service project where they collected much-needed items for our school. We used some of the items you donated during our GAMES this summer. We will continue to use the rest throughout the school year. Thanks for the stickers, paper, pencils, etc.

Thank you to my family for somehow managing to pack it all!

THANK YOU just doesn’t seem adequate! Many will be blessed through your generosity!

GAMES

2008-08-02T11:32:00.006+03:00

For a week and a half over the school break, we did GAMES here at Rafiki. It stands for Games, Art, Music, Enrichment, and Sports. The kids had a great time, and we were very fortunate to have so many mini-missionaries here to help. In this first picture, you see them at the opening to the day's events. Our theme for the week was "One Body."

As part of the day, we did a reading club. The children tried to read as many books as they could and would earn a sticker each time they could successfully read and tell us what the book was about (for the older kids, they got a sticker for every chapter they read). I think they really enjoyed reading in this kind of environment.They also participated in some fun games. They still request to play some of the games they learned. Lizz is the one in the multi-colored skirt. She helped to organize GAMES and became a close friend to me. I am so thankful she came to Uganda this year.The children loved the different art activities they did. This is a one-eyed binocular (telescope?) they made to go on a Lion Hunt. Here you see Jesca. She is in P-1 (first grade) and one of the students I tutor. She is a joy to work with and so full of life! The lion hunt mural they all helped to color.On the last day, they performed some of the things they learned. Here you see the adorable three and four year olds attempting to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children."

In the afternoon of the last day, there was a treasure hunt. One of the clues led them to my front gate. They absolutely loved it!

I'm still here!

2008-07-19T12:47:00.002+03:00

On Thursday, I had the privilege of going with Carolyn and twelve of our Rafiki children to Ssanyu Babies’ Home. We took this excursion because these twelve children came from this particular Babies’ Home. At first, the children were really shy and subdued. But, at first sight of the babies, they opened right up. They were so eager to hold their “sisters and brothers.”

This is Kato and Babirye – twins – and they are standing in front of the beds they had when they were here. Kato says he still remembers.
Sophie, William, and Molly are sitting at the same table they were seated at when Carolyn first laid eyes on them.
These children are sitting at a table similar to the one they sat at when they were just toddlers. Although, Carolyn says the Babies’ Home has made tons of improvements since these children were here.
Of course, their favorite part was holding the children. I was surprised at how the workers allowed the children to hold and play with the babies. Then, Carolyn said they were bounced around just as much as infants and toddlers – I forgot about that.
They treated our (their) children like honored guests. They gave each one a huge bowl of cookies and sweets and a soda. They also gave our boys and girls new shoes, books, and stuffed animals. It was neat to see how proud they were of how these children are growing up.

At the end, the Rafiki children sang “How Firm a Foundation” and we left to go home. I actually think one of my favorite parts was driving in a packed car with children on my lap. It was the cutest thing to hear the children’s conversations, questions, and laughter on the way there and back. They are such normal kids with questions like “Are we almost there?” every two seconds. I was so grateful to have this opportunity and truly see how the Lord has hand-picked each of these children to be at Rafiki at this time for His specific purpose. Our God is truly amazing!

Peanut

2008-07-05T11:21:00.002+03:00

Flavia, also known as Peanut, is one of the youngest children here. She has come to the village within the past two years. From the pictures, you can see the changes that have occurred. I am not sure of all of the family situations she left behind, but I do know the life she leads now. It is one of order, peace, security, and hope. In the first picture, you can see a black bracelet around her wrist. This is given by the witch doctor to ward off evil spirits. They are very common to see throughout Uganda. The second picture was taken last week at her birthday party. She is so full of life!

Another Celebration

2008-07-05T11:10:00.003+03:00

Last Saturday, we had another celebration for birthdays in the months of April, May, and June. The mamas try to outdo each other in table decorations and hats for their children. This mama got very creative. I love the 3-D hat and glasses. This is Deo, and he is in my kindergarten class. So cute!20+ children were sung to for their birthday.

These two precious kids - Ruth and Isaac - took a little too long coming to the front and missed the birthday song. So, Lil and I sang just to them. It was adorable to watch them hold hands.

Here is Rachael in her new dress. Lisa, do you see that lollipop in her mouth? They gave out the "tooth" suckers for the birthday celebration. They loved them! Thanks for the donation.

Disconnected

2008-07-05T10:59:00.002+03:00

Having the internet really makes you not feel so far from home. Because of a recent power surge, our internet capabilities are limited to when we come in town and can make it to an internet cafe. We probably will not have access at the village for another month or so. All this is to say, please continue to check back but give me grace if I have not updated in a while. I love to share what is going on so this kills me! You all mean so much - thanks for your continued prayers and interest!

FOOTBALL GAME!

2008-06-28T16:43:00.005+03:00

Last Saturday, the boys had an official football game (for those of you confused, soccer is called football everywhere else around the world). They were so excited! It wasn't really any different than their normal football games except that they got to wear their uniforms and all of the families came out to watch them play. The uniforms were given to them by another mini-missionary who came last October and did a football camp with them. This first picture was them running around the field as a warm-up.

They always pray before the game.

Can you tell who likes to be in pictures? :) Willson cracked me up!
I love these kids and it's so fun to support them in all that they do!

A Photo Tour of My Family's Visit

2008-06-23T20:49:00.005+03:00

Our first picture all together. (Also in this picture, the two dental hygienists - Kristen and Lisa - and Carolyn Enis - the Childcare Director.)

Yes, I drove to pick them up! My mom did much better with me driving then I thought she would.

They really came! The Anderson Family made them a sweet "Welcome to Uganda" sign and posted it on the front door.

The whole crew - we were able to spend some great quality time together! I love them ALL so much!

We are heading to a potluck dinner with homemade pizza. Yum!
The dental crew: Lisa, Stephanie, my dad, and Kristen

plus three lovely P-2 students :)While they were here, my dad and Steph stayed busy with dental work. Here, I believe they had just taken out this little girl's decayed root tip. (Dad, correct me if I get the info wrong and I love the glasses :) ).
My dad after working on Stone.
While they were at the dental clinic, my mom, aunt, and Lindsay stayed busy helping me in the classroom. Thanks guys!
The kindergarten class that Teacher Sarah and I teach.
The day my aunt and I matched :)
One of the sweetest things to see was my dad playing with these precious little ones.
They loved him!

In front of the Rafiki gate right before we departed for the airport.

Come back soon! It's not that far!So many of the mamas and teachers told me what a kind family I had. They loved having them here. They kept thanking me for having such a sweet family (like I had anything to do with that) and for bringing them to Uganda. All of them wanted to know when they are coming back. I love you guys!

Christmas In June

2008-06-22T15:25:00.002+03:00

Lately, I have been addicted to listening to Christmas music. I do know it is June but listening to it makes me so happy. With the arrival of my family, it truly felt like Christmas. It was a wonderful reunion. My parents, aunt, and two sisters came. It was so fun to all be together and they brought me lots of fun gifts from home. So, it truly did feel like I was opening gifts on Christmas morning. While they were here, my dad and Stephanie worked with two other hygienists to do much-needed dental work on some of the children in our community. They worked on the students from the village first and then worked on some of the Rafiki kids, teachers, and mamas. While they were busy at the clinic, my mom, aunt, and Lindsay helped me at school.

Thank you so much for your prayers! I had a wonderful time with each of them and am so glad they made the sacrifice to come. The two weeks went by at just the right pace - although I wish they could have stayed longer. When my mom is around, she takes enough pictures for all of us, so I will have to wait to get the pictures from her before I post some. I just wanted to give you a quick update since it has been too long. They are now safely back in Florida.

P.S.

2008-06-08T17:04:00.001+03:00

I will go to pick up my family from the airport tomorrow!!! I cannot wait to see them. Please pray that the two weeks they are here will go slowly and that we will have a great time being together. I cannot wait to post pictures of my family in Africa - they are going to be a riot!

Time Flies

2008-06-08T16:50:00.003+03:00

I cannot believe it has already been five months in Africa! I can remember the day I left like it was yesterday. I have definitely only had confirmation that this is where God wanted me this year. Teaching has been a big responsibility but lots of fun! It keeps me busy constantly. In just three weeks, our second term will be complete and the school year will be half over. Below are some pictures from my second grade class.

In reading, each student is working to pass a certain level. When they do, they receive an award like the one I am giving here to Rick. He's going to be a good-looking young man.

I am giving another reading award to Diana.

May 20th-29th we had a community medical clinic where the locals could come receive free medical care. (If you are in the medical field and are interested in helping with one of these, please let me know.) My students wrote some verses and notes to give out to waiting patients. They were excited to do this until we got there; then, some of them became nervous - as evidenced by the one running away after he handed out his notes. :) Our hope is that through the clinic they would understand how much God cares for them and that He is the healer.
The second grade class and I after handing out the letters. You can see the clinic in the background to the left.

Kids - Gotta Love 'Em

2008-05-31T18:44:00.005+03:00

This is William, and he is in my kindergarten class. He comes up with the cutest things. A couple of weeks ago, he said, "You are going to miss me because I am going to P-1. But don't worry, you will have new kindergarten students." The funniest thing is that his kindergarten year is not over until December. I guess he is giving me plenty of time to prepare. Then, the other day, he told me, "When I grow up, I am going to be like you." I thought, How sweet! Then, his very next words were, "And when I grow up to be like you, you will die, right?" That wasn't quite as sweet but I guess a dose of reality. Kids - I really love teaching them!

Trip to Jinja

2008-05-25T22:12:00.003+03:00

Two weeks ago - right before Jenae left - we went on a trip with Mike and Carolyn to Jinja. It was so fun! The pictures kind of document what we did. On the way there, we stopped and got a Rolex - much different than what you are thinking. In Uganda, a Rolex is an egg wrapped in a chapati. I think it is their version of a McDonald's Egg McMuffin - except I thought the Rolex was better. It was my first "fast food" in Uganda. Then, we stopped at Rafiki's satellite village in Mukono. This is Mike and Carolyn in front of one of the newly-constructed cottages.

Once we arrived in Jinja, we went on a boat ride to the source of the Nile. It was a little less exciting than I thought it was going to be. The stone marker behind Jenae and me is supposed to signify the beginning of the Nile. I did not realize that Lake Victoria feeds into the Nile.

There is a spring that comes up from below the ground that they say is the source of the Nile. Jenae and I touched the source with our very own feet!After visiting the source of the Nile, we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant owned by an Indian man who is married to an American woman, and they live in Uganda. Pretty crazy! However, it was fun to have fajitas and tacos, and they tasted good. Here, I am holding the owner's week-old baby, Jag. He was precious! (This couple also directs Amani Baby Cottage in Jinja).While in Jinja, we were also able to visit Bujagali Falls - one of the falls we rafted down just a month before. You can see the raging rapids behind us.

Our last stop was a restaurant to have cake, ice cream, and African tea (one of my favorites) to celebrate my birthday. This place had an amazing view - you can slightly see Lake Victoria through the trees. We had such a fun time!

Little Moments Like This

2008-05-23T22:44:00.006+03:00

It's little moments like the one I had today that remind me of the joy I have in serving here. This past week in kindergarten, we have been talking about helpers. Each day, we have had a different helper from our village come in and speak to our class about what they do. Today, our village director came in, shared about his work, and showed a short slideshow of the kids that he might show to supporters who want to know about the work here. The kids got a kick out of seeing themselves and their friends on the screen. It was so cute and even brought me to tears. Here are two of the pictures that were in the slideshow. This is the before and after picture of Chloe - one of my kindergarten students.

She melted my heart when she came up to me after class, hugged me, and whispered, "I love you so much." I am so thankful to be here!

If you....

2008-05-21T12:42:00.002+03:00

think you have trouble giving enough "think-time" (periods of silence that follow teacher questions and students' completed responses), then come to Uganda. It will truly test your patience. I seriously think I wait a standard of 5-7 seconds before every answer. Giving the suggested 3 seconds seems easy now. Patience is a virtue but, right now, it doesn't seem to be mine!

Rafiki

2008-05-19T20:46:00.002+03:00

That is the Swahili word for "friend." Some friends of mine from church were in Uganda in March and were able to come out here to the village for a visit. They took this picture that I have been wanting to take. It is me in front of the entrance to the village. On the gate and lamposts, you can see the logo of Rafiki. Thanks Gary and Alice - I had a great visit with you even though it was short!
P.S. I tried to post quickly since the other post was not so delightful. (By the way, you can add two more to the count :) ). Also, I really appreciate all the prayers. As of today, the wireless seems to be back up and working! I'm excited!

EncROACHing

2008-05-18T11:25:00.003+03:00

I have killed thirteen of these invaders in the past two days. I am so thankful I am from Florida and used to these pests. However, no matter how many times I see them, they still gross me out. If this is my biggest complaint living in Africa, I know I am doing well. I am just thankful that we have beds here and I do not sleep on the floor - like so many in Uganda do. I am also thankful for my mosquito net and pray it keeps out more than just mosquitoes. The funny thing is we just had some more short-term people arrive to help with the medical clinic we will be doing in the next two weeks. I was trying to have everything clean for them before they arrived (a few are staying on the other side of my duplex) and kill all of these intruders. Five minutes before they came, I was wiping down the counters - proud of my hard work - and I found another roach in hiding. I sprayed it and tried to kill it with my shoe but it escaped into a hole. Of course, as I was showing them around the kitchen, this roach comes crawling out right in front of them. So much for not wanting to mention the roach problem!

As I said before, these creatures literally make my stomach turn. As I was cleaning yesterday, a thought occurred to me. My sin is worse than the thought of roaches in God's sight. It is disgusting and repulsive. I think next time I am tempted to think of my sin lightly, I will remember my unwanted house guests. I am so thankful for God's grace and mercy!

Dailies

2008-05-12T17:06:00.002+03:00

That is the nickname one of our Rafiki boys coined for the students who come to school from outside the village. It has been such a joy to work with these children. There are four in my P-2 class and three in my P-3 class. Right after school, I help with a half-hour study hall that we have instituted to help these children with their homework. It is one of the highlights of my day. They are incredibly sweet, and I have seen drastic improvements in these first few months alone. Continue to pray for Sarah – she is one of the dailies who is the furthest behind.

This is Jenae and I with the "Dailies." Jenae just left to go back home last night.

Me helping Sylivia with Math.

Viola - one of the P-3 students

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T15:58:00.002+03:00

Mom, I just wanted you to know how much I love you! You are so special to me! God could not have placed me with better parents. Thanks for entrusting me to Him! I love you! Can't wait to see you in less than one month!

Thank You!

2008-05-07T19:19:00.005+03:00

Thank you so much for all of your sweet birthday messages and comments! I felt so loved and appreciated yesterday (and always!)! I cannot tell you how much you all mean to me. Thank you for all of your love and support. I truly felt it yesterday.

It was a wonderful day - starting off with cards my third grade class had made me. Jenae and I made homemade pizza for my birthday dinner. After dinner, the Andersons (an amazingly sweet missionary family) made me a cake and had a little party for me. They made me the crown you see in the picture - that is the way we celebrate in Uganda (see Birthday Celebration). It was a truly wonderful day - thank you!

Learning from Teaching

2008-04-27T19:13:00.001+03:00

Last week, we were reading a story in class about a friend who gives a gift to two of his other friends. After we read the story, we read Matthew 7:11 which says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” We discussed how our friends and parents give us gifts all the time, and if they know how to bless us, how much more we can trust God since he is the One who taught us how to even give.

The next day, I began to ask myself if I really believed what I had taught. Do I really believe that God gives me good gifts? It is easy to answer right away, “Yes, of course.” But I was struggling with why it is hard for me to trust Him for future things if I know He gives good gifts. A thought struck me. I can trust my parents and friends because they give me good gifts and often have my comfort in mind. They hate to see me hurting and in pain, so they will do anything they can to help me avoid that. My Father in Heaven loves me and gives me good gifts but He is not so much worried about my comfort. He has what is best in mind for me but they usually comes with some discomfort. How convicting! If I had my choice, I would often choose to stay where it is comfortable, but that would come at the expense of God’s good gifts. It is amazing how much I learn as I teach!

Well, I gave it a try....

2008-04-27T18:57:00.004+03:00

For the first three months, I’ve been eating in the dining hall with the children for lunch and dinner. Lunch is a traditional Ugandan meal and dinner is a more well-balanced meal. By that distinction, I mean that Ugandan food is typically heavy in carbohydrates. Heavy. Most schools serve rice and beans for lunch and dinner every day. Here, the lunch menu is more diverse but still includes the Ugandan carbohydrates. Some of the meals are:

Posho (white cornmeal cooked to be a tofu-like consistency) and beans

Matooke (before it is cooked, it looks exactly like a banana)

Matooke (once it is cooked, it looks more like mashed potatoes, but it does not taste anything like them) covered with groundnut sauce (like a hot peanut butter sauce).

Chapatis (similar to tortillas) – my personal favorite

All to say, after three months, I decided my body wasn’t used to this kind of food. I was so tired every day after lunch (right when I was supposed to teach) and was never hungry for dinner. I enjoyed eating in the dining hall but my body could no longer take it. I still enjoy the evening meals with the children and their families. I also really enjoy the play time after dinner. It gives me a good chance to get to know the children.

Never Say Never

2008-04-20T11:45:00.003+03:00

I have often heard the phrase, "Never say never." But, I haven't experienced the ramifications of that statement until this last week. I always said that I would never want to teach kindergarten. I so admire kindergarten teachers and don't know how they do what they do. But, I have never had the desire to be one.

Well, right before school started again for this second term, our education director received a call that one of the Ugandan teachers would not be returning - the one that was supposed to teach kindergarten while one of our long-term missionaries is helping in Tanzania. So, I was asked to teach the class. It actually works out perfectly with my schedule because I normally teach third grade math in the morning with a Ugandan teacher. So, he can take the full teaching responsibilities for that class while I teach kindergarten language arts. God has been so faithful as this past week went very well. The kindergarten students are fun to work with and are very well behaved. I just have to get used to changing activities every 10 minutes and singing songs ALL the time :) Thanks for your prayers and keep praying as I am now teaching language arts for three different grades (K, 2nd, and 3rd). . . . And, I will stop saying "never."

Can you believe it?

2008-04-20T11:41:00.002+03:00

Three friends from Florida meet up in Uganda! I stole these pictures from Nicole. This is the three of us after we spent the night at Nicole's dorm. It was so fun to all be together! I can't believe Jess has already gone home and Nicole will be leaving in two and a half weeks or so. What will I do? :)

One of the Cutest Things You Will Ever See....

2008-04-13T13:04:00.003+03:00

This is Naomi. One of the newest to arrive here at Rafiki. She supposedly came from a Muslim home, so we were shocked when she broke out into this adorable song and dance that praises our God. Enjoy!

P.S. Zach, if you know how to flip this video, let me know.

Jess Visits Uganda

2008-04-13T11:39:00.004+03:00

I have been so blessed to have Jess here for the past two weeks! We have had such a great time together over my Spring Break. Last weekend, Jess, Jenae, and I went white water rafting on the Nile River. I don't have pictures yet, but trust me, it was pretty intense! Almost every raft flipped and many people fell out, but thanks to our great guide, Tutu, we never did! That night, we met up with Nicole and her friends at Uganda Christian University. It was so crazy for Jess, Nicole, and I to be having a reunion in Uganda! Who would have thought?

On Monday, Jess started a soccer - football - camp with the girls. They absolutely loved it! This was a first for them as girls do not usually play soccer here in Uganda. There were a couple who have serious potential!

Jess with Molly - the youngest of the soccer girls
At the end of the camp, Jess was able to give each girl a donated soccer ball.

The whole team

In the afternoons, we helped the first, second, and third graders make witness bracelets. Jess enjoyed getting to know the kids I teach every day.
Jess and Auntie Edith with the girls showing off their bracelets.
(Alice is the one on the right.)You have heard me talk about "Dimples" before - his real name is Isaac. But, Jess got an amazing picture that shows you why I gave him this nickname. Isn't he the cutest?I am going to miss this girl!
I am so thankful she was able to come visit and get a glimpse of my life here.
I love you, Jess!

The Lion Chase

2008-04-04T11:24:00.002+03:00

Beyond Words

2008-04-01T14:09:00.007+03:00

This weekend Jenae, JoAnn, and I went on a safari to kick off our two-week Spring break. It was amazing! The first three pictures are views of the safari park from our hotel. It was a gorgeous view! This place was so inexpensive - I could not believe the panoramic view that came with it. The afternoon we got there, we went out on our first game drive and saw the most animals we would see all weekend. We saw lions (I got an amazing video of a buffalo chasing the lions- I am trying to post it - we'll see), buffalo, water buck, waterhogs, elephants, topi, and cob. The next day, Jenae was not feeling well so she stayed back :( JoAnn and I went on a river boat and saw hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, and lots of birds. We were supposed to stay one night at a tent camp but the roads were washed out due to the rain, so we came back a day early. I was thankful for all we were able to see though. On the way back, we stopped at the equator and I got my picture taken while standing in both hemispheres. And, yes, they did have demonstrations to show that the water does circulate differently depending on the hemisphere. For those who were wondering, I am in the Northern Hemisphere - just like you :)

These pictures just do not do it justice. God's creation is AMAZING!If you look closely, you can see the Rwenzori Mountains in the background.These lion cubs were so cute!

In my opinion, the warthog is one of God's ugliest creatures.

The baby hippo is the one standing.

These baboons were definitely not afraid of cars or people. They came right by the roadside to see what handouts they could get. The baby decided to pose for me.

Committed

2008-03-28T19:11:00.002+03:00

I am amazed by the commitment of these students. It humbles me. Yesterday, it rained for more than 24 hours. I was hoping it would stop an hour or so before school started because some of the day students walk a long distance to come. But, it didn't - it was a steady rain all morning. And, out of 44 students from outside of the village, only 4 did not show up. They had no umbrellas; some came without jackets. They were soaking wet when they arrived; some muddy from the roads. I am just amazed by their dedication to school. We take so much for granted in America!

Speaking of the rain, it has caused our wireless internet to be working only sporadically. So, please be patient with me and keep the emails coming. I love to hear from each and every one of you! If I have not responded, it is only due to my access to the internet. As well, this weekend, I will be going on a safari with Jenae and another missionary, so I will not be at my computer. However, I promise to give you an update when I get back. Pray for safe travels. Thanks for your commitment to staying updated!

To the Most Supportive Dad....

2008-03-25T10:02:00.004+03:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Thank you for holding me loosely and always putting Christ first. You are such an example to me! I love you, Dad, and miss you beyond words! I hope you have a great day!Just looking at this picture made me tear up. I miss you both so much. Mom, do not be mad at me for putting this picture here. I love you! :)

Easter Picnic

2008-03-22T23:50:00.004+03:00

It is tradition here at the Uganda Village to have an Easter Picnic. We all sat out on the lawn on straw mats and ate dinner with our hands. The kids look forward to it every year. This is Jenae and I. I'm so glad she's here - we've had lots of fun together.

The kids in line for the wonderful buffet served by our cooks and kitchen staff. They roasted two pigs for this picnic.

It is hard to see all of the food on their plates. But, it is pork, motoke and groundnut sauce on top. They are waiting for some collared greens and fruit.

Alice is the little girl on the right.

Simon never smiles - this is the best we could get.This is one of my favorite families. I love them! Isaac (Dimples) is in the middle. Moses is in the front to the left. The two new girls, Ruth and Naomi are the ones not in yellow. They are all precious!

I wish I could have caught him smiling because his dimples are amazing, but this is little Isaac.John-John - too cute for words.

I teach Robert (the one in the front) and Ivan (the one in black). Ivan is the one I tutor who I have asked you to pray for - I need creative ideas with this one.

Birthday Celebration

2008-03-22T22:50:00.024+03:00

We celebrate birthdays three months at a time here. So, today was our celebration of January-March birthdays. The mamas decorate their tables and make crowns for each of their children that have a birthday during these months. The children all get a piece of birthday cake, and for those who have a birthday during these months, they get their own miniature birthday cake.

The dining hall all decorated.Rick - I think he wins "Best Smile."

Moses is on the left and he can melt your heart just by looking at you. Tendo is on the right - she is in P-2 and quite a bright little girl.

Bridget - with her crown, cake, and in all her glory.

Boaz - one of the new little guys. He was just loving the camera.

Little Peter is new to Rafiki and only 6 months old. He was very malnourished when he arrived and is finally starting to gain some weight. Look at those big eyes!

This is little Mercy. She is four months old and new to Rafiki as well. (Compare Peter to her and you will see the difference.)

Look at these girls dressed so cute and carrying some of the decorations their mama made.

Outside Rafiki

2008-03-22T13:31:00.011+03:00

Some people have asked what the area looks like outside of Rafiki. I have not taken many pictures because we are usually just driving through and it is difficult to get a shot. However, Jenae and Kim - the two missionaries who are currently here - took some photos yesterday, so I thought I would share them.

How much can you carry on your head?

This is why it is difficult to drive in Uganda. The road is shared among many forms of transportation.

Thankfully, this is not where we buy our meat. I love the names of places here.

This is motoke - a form of unripened banana. We eat it a lot here - a traditional Ugandan food.

What A Privilege

2008-03-13T22:29:00.002+03:00

What a privilege it is to be here and see the effect Rafiki is having on these children's lives. In my third grade class, we are learning to write friendly letters. They could write to whomever they wanted. Here is one of the letters:

Dear Mommy and Daddy, (This is what they call the director and his wife.)

How are you doing? Thank you for bringing me to Rafiki. I am very thankful when you brought me to Rafiki Village. I am thankful because I have a home, a place to eat, a place to put on clothes, and a place to sleep. I praise God for having the decision of bringing children to Rafiki.

This little boy's letter touched my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of what is going on here in Uganda - I appreciate all of your support and prayers! These children are a blessing!

Driver's Ed

2008-03-08T18:02:00.002+03:00

"It's just like driving in the snow or ice," were the words I heard as we finally got ourselves unstuck from the mud for a second time. For this Florida girl, those words did not mean much.

We were on our way to the airport to pick up the new missionaries that arrived (which I am so excited about!), and Carolyn, the director's wife, thought it would be good if I learned to drive. I was excited about this new adventure too, until I remembered that it had rained the night before which does not mix well with our dirt roads. I did fine at first; I remained calm even when we got stuck the first time. God sent a Ugandan that Carolyn knew to help push us out. But, the second time, I got us in a little better. Carolyn got out, barefoot, to push the car. I'm telling you, this woman is amazing! She is not only a godly example, but so courageous. Five or six Ugandans came to help push us out. Finally, after she took over the wheel, we managed to get out. It was a rough start, but she didn't let me stop there. Once we got to drier ground, she made me take over the wheel again. It was a good first introduction to driving. It made the rest of the trip - dodging people, bikers, and oncoming cars - not seem so bad.

I don't know the next time I'll be driving, but I'll be sure it is during the dry season :) I think the coolest part was getting to experience the kindness of the Ugandans and their eagerness to help a poor Muzungu.

What I Didn't Know About Orphans....

2008-03-02T17:19:00.002+03:00

When I got here, I was surprised to find out that an orphan by Ugandan standards is any child that has either one parent caring for them or no parents caring for them. I suppose, even if they have one parent, they consider them orphans because of the high rate of AIDS. I'm not sure. So, it becomes tricky when our village is looking for true orphans in need. Many would like their children to be here because of the education they receive. There is an intense screening process before a child is accepted into the village. I admire this organization because they desire to follow all of the proper protocol set by the government and are looking for children truly in need. Some children we accept do have a living parent or parents but that means they are dying of AIDS or are severely sick in some other capacity.

Second, I learned that in order to gain custody of a child here in Uganda, you must first foster them for three years in country. Then, after that three-year period, the case will be reevaluated and guardianship could be granted until the age of 18. This is one reason it is so difficult to adopt a Ugandan. So, Rafiki has custody of these children for three years and must appear before the court again to gain full guardianship. So far, there have been no incidents in which the relatives want the child back, but pray that continues to be the case.

Lastly, when I picture orphans, I envision malnourished children - skin and bones. I was surprised by the pictures of orphans and the ones that we have received who seem well-fed and, at times, even overweight. I was told that, despite looks, they are usually severely malnourished. Their diet is unhealthy - the bad carbohydrates - and the weight is not good weight. Once they come to Rafiki and begin eating the well-balanced meals provided here, the difference can be noticed.

I've learned a lot, and it's only been six weeks!

To My Sister

2008-02-28T16:43:00.003+03:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Steph!

I love you and miss you! I wish I was there with you today -
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!

Check This Out....

2008-02-27T21:43:00.005+03:00

I love this girl's name: Harriet. Isn't it fitting? She is one of the nine new children that we have taken in here at Rafiki. Unfortunately, her hair was shaved today, but I don't think any of us will be able to forget it :) I am looking forward to getting to know each one of these precious little ones better. For the next couple of weeks, they will spend a lot of time with just their new mamas and families so that they can bond with them. They seem to have already made a smooth transition.

Below, you see Abiba - another new little girl - learning to say grace before her meal.
On a side note, at the end of my teaching time today, our class was interrupted for a visitor. When a visitor enters the room, the students stand and welcome the guest. As the guests were exiting the room, my director whispered to me, "That's the First Lady's Secretary." Usually, the village requires prior notice before a visit, but there are some people who are welcome any time, announced or not!

Your Prayers Are Appreciated

2008-02-25T19:21:00.003+03:00

You may recognize this sweet face from my prayer card. Her picture was one of the ones on the right-hand side of the card. Her name is Jane, and she is a precious little girl. Since she has arrived here in December, she has struggled with her physical health. She goes through bouts of flu-like symptoms for a couple of days and then gets better. Thank goodness, sickle cell anemia was ruled out last week. She is doing much better this week. Please continue to pray for her health as well as the overall health of the village - we have been fighting off various germs.

In addition, tomorrow will be a buzz around here. We will receive nine new orphans. It is such an exciting time! Please pray that they will make a smooth transition and bond quickly to their new mamas and families. I look forward to giving you reports on these new ones God has graciously brought to us.

Boy, Oh Boy!

2008-02-16T13:18:00.006+03:00

It is amazing how your mindset changes. I used to think a family of six was large. These days, a family of six is small. Most of the mamas here have eight to ten kids. The family that I wrote about in my last post only had six kids. I was honestly sitting at dinner thinking "Wow, this is a small family." Then, I started counting and realized there were still 6 kids! The picture below is one of the all-boy cottages. This mom is so brave! I teach six of these ten boys.Front to Back: Yoweri, Stone, Sam, Willson, Samuel, Kato, Rick, Martin, Dan, Derrick

Yoweri is in my third grade class. I really enjoy him. He is so inquistive and is not afraid to ask if he hears a word he does not know.

Sam, Willson, Kato, Rick, and Martin are all in my second grade class. Can you imagine being in a class with that many of your siblings? They are fun boys (although very silly at times). I think Rick has the best smile. He and his biological sister look so much alike! I tutor Kato. He is easily distracted, as you can see from the picture. He truly needs God's help in spelling, but this week he made a 90% (Praise the Lord!).

Isaac and Moses

2008-02-15T22:35:00.002+03:00

Dimples. That is my name for little three-year-old Isaac. This week, I ate dinner with him and his family. He has four older sisters and one younger brother. The oldest, Shillah, I teach in my second grade language arts class. The others, I got to know this week. They were so fun to play with! We jumped rope, played dodgeball, and went on the swings. When I would push Isaac, he would get the cutest smile on his face, and his dimples would melt me. Baby Moses is only two, and he discovered that when he called "Teacher, teacher" I would come push him on the swings. He thought it was the funniest thing, so I heard it often.

It is such a privilege to see, firsthand, how these lives are being changed. I was told that when Moses' picture was taken just a few months ago, before he was brought to Rafiki, he had a permanent scowl on his face. He was described as looking as if he was mad at the world, and it didn't look like that would ever change. Now, his smile and laughter lights up a room. He runs to play with his siblings and is bonding to his new mama. It is so cool to watch.

In just a week and a half, we are supposed to receive nine new orphans to our village. I will be interested to see their transition to their new home. If you think of it, pray for their safety, health, and adjustment. I look forward to letting you know how they are doing!

A Touch of Home

2008-02-10T16:51:00.000+03:00

Well, the weather this past week has made me feel like I never left Florida. Last Sunday was so hot that I came home from church so exhausted by the heat. Wednesday and Friday were extremely rainy days, and Friday it was about 68 degrees. I was so cold. I have been trying to figure out if this is the dry season or the rainy season. I have been told both. I do not think anyone knows the weather here in Uganda. So much like Florida! But, it's beautiful - I can't complain.

Probably the biggest touch of home was getting to see a good friend from Florida, Nicole. She is studying at a university here in Uganda for the semester, so we made plans to meet. I did not think it would happen so early in the year, but I am SO thankful it did! We went with another missionary family to a nearby resort to swim. It was a gorgeous place and a beautiful day (although we did get sunburned :) ). It was so refreshing to get outside the village for a bit, but mostly to catch up with a friend. She came to spend the night at my place and then went to church with me today. I loved it! I am hoping we can do it again soon!

Nicole and I The resort's olympic-sized swimming pool.

Although not the greatest shot, this is a picture of Lake Victoria. It is so pretty!

Humbled

2008-02-05T17:09:00.000+03:00

As I said before, every week we have a Bible study with all of the missionaries at the village. We just finished studying Psalm 53, which is David discussing the core of our hearts as humans. He says, "The fools says in his heart, 'There is no God'" and "God looks down from heaven....to see if there are any who understand, any who seek after God....there is no one who does good, not even one." I was reminded of my heart without Christ. I like how one of the men summarized it. He said our hearts are so dead and so corrupt, that, on our own, we would refuse the greatest offer EVER given to us - Jesus who has come to take away our sins. In our flesh, we say "No thanks." Even to accept this offer, we need the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts.

I am so thankful for God's work in my life. He offers us hope and a future. Verse six of Psalm 53 ends with this same hope. David says, "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."

Kids, kids, and more kids

2008-02-04T20:38:00.000+03:00

You know in The Sound of Music when Maria starts praying for all the children she is a governess for and she cannot remember one of the boy's names for the life of her? Well, multiply that by 12 and that's me!

There are 83 boys and girls at this Rafiki Village. I know it has only been a little over two weeks, but I would really love to have their names down by now, especially the ones that I teach. Each night at dinner, I am a guest at one of the family's tables. As I sat down to eat tonight, my thoughts were, "If I could only picture where this child sits in the classroom, maybe I could remember his/her name." At least telling the girls from the boys has gotten a little easier. Just a couple more days, and I think I'll have it :)

Lots more pictures :)

2008-02-02T11:13:00.000+03:00

Well, here it is Saturday. I don't know where the time goes. But, I do know that in order to upload pictures I need a good hour. So, here are many pictures from this week. Know that I appreciate you all so much. Thanks for taking the time to stay up with what is going on with me here in Uganda. It is so encouraging! I hope you get a sense of the wonderful place the Lord has me right now.

This is the gate entrance to the Rafiki Village. You can see their logo of the children holding hands at the top. It is very secure here with guards 24 hours a day. There has never been a problem, but we don't want there to be.

This is me with Maggie - one of the missionaries' children. Yes, soon I will get my picture with some African children.

On Tuesday, we had a jump-rope performance. The two mini-missionaries who were here during January taught these children many jump-rope techniques. Here they were showing us.
P.S. This is also the dining hall where we eat.

Sharon, a student in my P-3 class, jumping Double Dutch (is that what it's called?).

The sidewalk I travel every day:)

It was such a beautiful day I could not resist taking pictures. These are all orphan cottages. You can also see some of the play equipment for the children.

The building in the distance is the guest house - where you could stay if you come visit me. Isn't it nice?!? We are looking for doctors to come help with the medical clinics - the next one is in May. We will also need teachers to substitute for a couple of weeks when some of the missionaries are home on furlough. Anyone interested?

The building straight ahead is the primary education building. You can also see the new basketball court they are constructing. The cement was just laid the weekend I arrived. The other two buildings on the left are two of the orphan cottages.

A beautiful tree in front of our primary classroom building. This is where I teach both second and third grade.

I will try to get a better picture one of these days, but here is Alice - now in first grade - playing dodgeball. She is adorable! (She's the one in the middle of the frame).

Having fun outside! These are some of the students I teach. You can be praying for Sarah, the one standing on the left. She is from outside the village and is having a very difficult time in school because she does not understand much English. She is very sweet but I can tell she has gotten so frustrated.

This is the classroom where I teach Math and Language Arts for P-3 (Primary 3). In case you can't see, the floors are cement so these wooden desks and chairs make lots of noise. :) It is a small class of 10, so it is fun to be able to do more with them. Two of the missionaries' children are in this class. They get along very well with the other students. This picture gives you a good idea of how big the classroom is. We are blessed, though. In a normal Ugandan school, this room would be packed with children. It is unheard of to only have 10 students in the class!

This is Thomas. He was one of the first four boys here at the village. He is a very bright student, but, just like any boy, he enjoys being silly.

Here you see my entire P-3 class (third grade). My assistant is Sarah, and she is incredibly helpful to the new students. She constantly works with them, and if they cannot understand my English, she can say it again in English or Lugandan.
From Left to right, Back Row: Sarah (my assistant), Yoweri, Josiah, Thomas, Robert
Front Row: Sarah, Viola, Oliva, Bridget, Sharon (neither of whom are looking), and Keidi

Things I'm Becoming Accustomed To...

2008-01-28T21:05:00.001+03:00

Older men and women being called "Uncles" and "Aunties." This does not mean the children are related to these people. In fact, they may be a stranger, but their title is "Uncle" or "Auntie." I have even been called Auntie.
Being called "Teacher Andrea." Everyone here is called Teacher _____. I must say, this is much easier than saying "Miss DiBartolomeo." :)
In school, the students must stand to speak (which I am used to) but they also have to reply "Yes, Teacher" before answering the question. This can especially be confusing when the answer is a negative. For example, does 15 + 14 = 28? "Yes, Teacher. No, 15 + 14 does not equal 28." Oh yeah, they also must answer in a complete sentence (which I think is a great idea to help them with sentence structure).
Children shouting "Mazungu, Mazungu" and waving wildly. This means "white person." It is not a particularly flattering phrase, but it is not offensive when spoken by young children.
Wearing skirts and dresses ALL the time - even when taking a walk for exercise.

I am learning to appreciate each of these things. I really am so thankful to be here. It is such a learning experience!

Keeping in Touch

2008-01-27T19:53:00.000+03:00

Many people have asked how they can reach me here in Uganda. Thankfully, there are many ways. I will also post them off to the side of my blog, in case you come back later and forget. I love hearing from each of you. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Skype me: andreadibart
Call me: 011 256 772 700 557 (If you are able to find a cheap international phone card, the call from the US to my cell phone is free for me - all incoming calls are free here.)
Write me (old-fashioned style): My name, The Rafiki Foundation, P.O. Box 12714, Kampala, Uganda, EAST AFRICA
Visit me: I would love for you to come out here on a short-term missions trip. You are allowed to come whenever works best for you. All you have to do is go through a short weekend training which is near Orlando!! The dates for the training are February 8 and 9; April 11 and 12; May 2 and 3; May 30 and 31; October 3 and 4; and November 7 and 8.

I hope this helps for those who were wondering! I miss you all!

A Taste of My New Home

2008-01-26T13:42:00.001+03:00

Well, here are some pictures from my home in Uganda. I have not explored around our village to take pictures. But, these are some pictures from my house. This should help to give you a flavor. Just so you know, this Rafiki village is truly like a resort compared to the surrounding areas (which I will have to capture some other time). This country is beautiful! My home is wonderful as well - it is bigger than my apartment in Florida! I've described each picture below the image.

This is the view from my front door. So gorgeous! The red roofs are three of the orphan cottages.This is the front of my house. I feel very safe. They have never had any problems with people breaking in, but to be cautious, they have us lock this gate you see in front of my door.
This is the view from the entrance.
Here is my living and dining room.
This is again from the entrance hallway. You can see the back door that is gated and my bedroom on the right.
This is my room with my princess bed - otherwise known as a mosquito net :)
This is the second bedroom.
This is the view from my backyard. The children play soccer on a field to the left. You can see a trail that one of the missionaries has cut to jog and walk on.
This is my neighbor's backyard and home.

Simple thoughts during a movie....

2008-01-25T22:24:00.000+03:00

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared

These words struck me tonight as I watched The Sound of Music with the other American missionaries. It so clearly expresses the question that has been on my heart this past week. God has made it so plain to me that I am to be here in Uganda at this time. He has put this desire in my heart - before I even recognized it. I truly have always longed for this adventure. So, when faced with it, why am I so scared? More than anything, God just used these simple words to convict my heart - to remind me that He is the One who has led me here. He is the One who has paved the way. I know and trust that God is good and that He is faithful to His promises. So, I have no reason to fear. This thought was confirmed earlier in the night when I went to our weekly Bible study. As I was explaining how God led me to be involved with the Rafiki Foundation, they shared how I was an answer to their specific prayers. The God we serve is so mighty! He works outside of our time and space. And, He is good - He has our best interest at heart. Why am I so scared?

Thank You!

2008-01-23T20:32:00.000+03:00

Thank you so much for all of your specific prayers. I wanted to give you some updates. First of all, I received my luggage today!! Everything was in tact. I cannot tell you how nice it was to put on my own clothes and take a shower with my own supplies. I have never been more thankful for my suitcase :)

Also, I have been sleeping so well here. The first day, I was so tired. But, ever since then, I have been very awake during the day and slept all through the night. One of my prayer requests was that I would experience minimal jet-lag. God has been more than gracious! In fact, sleeping here is kind of fun. We do not have air conditioning because of the temperate weather. So, I sleep with the windows open. With the sounds of all the insects and animals, I feel like I am camping but in a nice, comfortable bed. For those of you who know me well, I love camping! So, this is a great experience.

Thank you again to all of you! And, thank you, Lord, for Your goodness and provision!