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Posted in On the Field by Nathan Hood on 8/14/2011
*This blog was written by the wonderful Josie Huss in the final week or so of our time in Bugiri. My apologies for not having it posted earlier. There were some technical difficulties involved along with a touch of forgetfulness. Sorry Jo-Jo.*
Uganda Do It
With only a few days left, I’m trying my hardest to savor each moment that we have left here. As I try so desperately to take it all in, I can’t help but wonder how I’m going to explain this place to my family and friends at home. After thinking for about a week and a half, the only word that really seems to describe my experiences here is, “beautiful.” Truly from the moment we open our eyes in the morning to the moment we close them at night, this is the most beautiful place in the world. We have beautiful African women cooking a buffet of foods daily, a flawless schedule planned out for each day, silent, uninterrupted prayer and worship, translators translating from Lugandan to perfect English, children insisting on calling us “mzungu” which really means “white person,” oh and we’ve also had perfect health. What can I say? We’ve been blessed with perfection. (: All sarcasm aside, this trip has really been TIA worthy.
We really are blessed to wake up in such a naturally beautiful place. Looking back, my fondest memories take place simply sitting on the porch and looking out at the wandering cows, goats, and chickens, talking to the armed guard (trying to at least), having three or more children fighting to sit in my lap... half of them without pants on, and just relaxing. I thank God for the women who sit in the courtyard cooking and cleaning for us and their servant hearts. The fact that every person you visit with gives up their chair instantaneously, insisting that you sit in their place is something you can’t find in America. The pure joy that the children get from a simple “mzungu” smile. The way that God teaches you in unconventional ways. It’s all so beautiful.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned here? God is in charge. I think I speak for all of us when I say that His plan is greater and it WILL be put into action. You never learn the lesson that you expect to learn. God has taught me his healing not through miraculous “I am healed!” moments, but with actual medicine. I mean that’s why he created it, right? I’ve learned how to cope with things, ration my food, make my bed (kind of), overcome my fears, listen, and most importantly, I’ve learned about my character.
I could write pages and pages of the lessons I’ve learned in the last 20 plus days, but I could never express the true change that each of us have experienced. All I can say is that it’s all in God’s hands and he is so unbelievably perfect in every way.
Saying that this is the most beautiful place in the world is an understatement. Uganda is one of God’s greatest creations and I thank Him for each and every experience that has come our way. This month has changed our lives forever with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.
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Posted in On the Field by Rebecca Arnold on 7/18/2011
Thank you so much for following us on here. It was a life changing trip for everyone involved. We each walked away learning something. Thank you for all of your prayers that you sent up on our behalf. We are thankful for each one of them.
Below are a few pictures. To see more ask one of the girls. I know that each one would love to tell you all about their experience in Uganda.
One of the many times we taught the kiddos new songs and dances.
Courtney teaching a bible story.
Crossing Lake Victoria in a boat.
The children always sang for us.
Eating Americn in Africa. May have been a mistakes. But no regrets.
Again, thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. To those who prayed or gave money or cheered the girls on.
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Posted in Field Support by Kasandra Williams on 7/12/2011
It seems like every country I travel to, the children have a saying that goes along with their country. In Nairobi, Kenya it was "Mzungu, Mzungu, How are you? How are you?" In Cebu they greeted us with a hand to the forehead and a "Hello Ate!" Here in Uganda, along with the Mzungu's and the How are yous, the kids like to say Bye-eee, Bye-eee making a special emphasis on the eee :o) It is, of course, very cute!
Well now it is our time to say Bye-eee and we will be off. Today we are spending the day cleaning and debriefing as a team. Tomorrow we will head to Jinja to do some shopping before we fly out of Entebbe at 11:30 pm. We will be back on American soil on Thursday, and the students will head out on Friday! Please pray for a safe journey.
We are excited to be going home to share all that the Lord has done in us and through us on this trip, but we are also sad to have to say Bye-eee. Most of all, we are blessed that the Lord chose to use us in Bugiri, Uganda this summer to do his work. What a wonderful and humbling job we had here, and the Lord has blessed it!
See you soon!
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Posted in Field Support by Tori Bueno on 7/12/2011
This trip has had more ups and downs than I can explain to you. Living here in Bugiri, Uganda had been an experience I could have never imagined. It’s beautiful, strange, mysterious, broken yet healing, and most of all, in need of what we, those who follow Jesus, have to offer: the love the Father has given to us. When we are exhausted, and sticky and smelly and hungry, we remember that love, and push on. Our hope is this: In running the race with diligence we will see the light through the cracks, we will dance upon injustice, and we will encourage those who are sick to “Get up. Take your mat and walk.”
We have ministered in the Bugiri hosptial on a few different occasions, and for me, it is the most difficult area of ministry I’ve encountered. Praying for the sick can seem hopeless. Seeing these beautiful people dying of cureable diseases is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before. During on hospital visit last week a group 3 girls, including myself, prayed over a man named Israel. Israel was paralyzed. He told us a witch doctor had come to him and hit him on the back, and now he could not move. Israel was emaciated, just skin and bones. So we prayed. Us three girls, Jenny, Molly, and I prayed with hope that this man would receive healing.
The next week, we looked for Israel. Finding he wasn’t in his bed, Jenny and I just looked at eachother with a similar thought in mind. We both thought we would not see him again, that our prayers were not enough. After seeing the empty cot, I went outside the hopstial wards to pray with Becca. While listening to Becca pray over me, I lifted up my head, looking at those walking by. A minute goes by and I begin to see a familiar face. Actually, familiar dreads. I could never forget those crazy looking, grey dreads. Those were Israel’s dreads! Israel was walking! All he had was a small cane and a bag, of what I assume was food. He turned to me, with a smile on his face that said “I am healed”, and just waved.
Luckily, I wiped the surprised expression off my face in time to smile a huge smile and wave back to Israel. The emotions flooded over. “The joy of the Lord is our strength” had never had so much meaning to me until this moment. God had healed him, and used us to help. Many times we forget that we sew the seed, but God makes it grow, and we do not always get to witness the fruit in this life. It is our joy to see the Lord working through us, our hope of things unseen, and our reward is the love that fills our hearts from the movements of God’s hands. Ministry in the hospitals is still hard, but hope continues to fill the halls and each room we visit, and that is healing, in and of itself.
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Posted in Field Support by Jenny on 7/11/2011
The first day of training camp, I heard God whisper the word, “patience” in my ear. At first, I was hesitant to believe that it was really God speaking to me and not just a random thought that popped into my mind. But, throughout the past few weeks, God has continually been whispering (sometimes shouting) that same word to me, asking me to trust in Him with all of my heart and to patiently wait for Him to move in my life and the lives of those around me.
About two weeks ago, we traveled to Iganga to a school/orphanage called Hope Home. I have to admit that at this point of the journey, I was feeling discouraged. I felt like our presence in Uganda was useless and that we really weren’t making a difference; God made sure to wipe that thought straight from my mind! Within the first five minutes of sitting down, this precious little girl came up to me and jumped in my lap. As she was gently tracing the outlines of my hands and arms with her fingers, I noticed that her left elbow was swollen to the size of a baseball and she had to use her other hand to physically lift her broken arm. My heart dropped; this smiling angel had to be in so much pain! Kasandra looked to me and said that there was a reason this girl came specifically to me and reminded me of the healing power in Jesus’ name. God broke my heart for this child and I poured all my love, prayers, and energy into her and up to God. She sat on my lap the rest of the day, cuddling and hugging me and speaking in the only common language we knew: love. When we left that day, I was surprisingly overwhlemed with peace. If there was just one reason why I’m here, it was her and I knew it.
We didn’t return to Hope Home for another week and waiting that long to see if God had healed her the way I prayed he would was so difficult spiritually and emotionally! Trusting God with a prayer like that and truly believing in His power is much harder and more frustrating that I thought it would be. But sure enough, when we arrived at Hope Home a week later, I was greeted once again by that same smile; the first thing she did was give me a huge hug and high five with her once “broken” arm! I wish I could put into words the pure joy I felt at that moment. I have never personally seen God move in such a real, physical way; but He does and He did!
By putting our faith in our King, our Lord, our Daddy, this team has witnessed and experienced countless breakthroughs. For me, one of the most important lessons I am learning is that God works in His own time and in His own way; all He asks of us is to trust Him and to “cast our burdens onto Jesus,” and the rest is in His hands. This daughter of God at Hope Home is my number one example and reminder of why God is so good and so inexplicably faithful.
And did I mention her name is Patience?
-J
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Posted in Field Support by Anna Bobalik on 7/11/2011
Hey everyone! I hope you’re all doing well! This is Anna, I just wanted to share about an experience I had a week or so ago when our team went to visit the hospital.
So, our team went to do hospital ministry (praying for the sick) and eventually we ended up in the children’s ward. The children’s ward is always a difficult place for me to be. Seeing the sick and hurting is always difficult, and even more so when it is babies who are the ones hurting. I find myself asking, “Why, God??” a lot.
Summer and I stopped beside a lady who was sitting on the floor holding what I believed was a newborn baby. We learned that the baby was actually 13 months old, severely dehydrated and malnourished. I stared at this tiny, gaunt little one and thought about how she should be outside running around like the other children, laughing and playing games and having fun. But there she was—cradled in her mama’s arms, looking so hopeless and helpless. We prayed for her healing, but all I could think was, “Why, God? I don’t understand this.”
We joined our team as they stood praying by another bed. The toddler in that bed was burnt from head-to-toe, a container of butter sitting by her bed. “This would not happen in America. This should not happen anywhere.” I looked around the room, seeing all the hurt and sickness and tears. “Where are you in all this, God? Why have you left these children to hurt? What kind of God are you?”
Sick babies have broken my heart numerous times in the past, and in that hospital room God broke my heart again. Faces –from that day and from the past—ran through my mind as I stood there sobbing. The suffering was overwhelmingly saddening, confusing, maddening.. you feel helpless, and hopeless. But in all honesty, there are no words that can explain how your heart feels when it breaks like God’s does.
Where is grace in a malnourished baby? What is the purpose in a 4-year-old dying of a brain tumor? How are head-to-toe burns on a toddler evidence of God’s love? Where is God in these moments? And how can I still believe that He is good?
I have struggled with these kind of questions for years, and part of me fears I always will struggle with the “Why?” of it all. You can tell me that God works all things for good, but at the end of the day when I see these faces in my mind, I can’t help but wondering, “Why this way God? Isn’t there another way?”
As frustrating as it is to hear sometimes, the answer is that we will never have the answer to these kind of questions until that day we see His face. I don’t understand why God allows what He allows, but this I do know: the sufferings that happen in this life don’t make God bad. Our God does not turn His back on our suffering, but instead chooses to sit next to us and endure it with us. And that… that is what makes Him good.
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” –Psalm 27:13-14
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Posted in Field Support by Kasandra Williams on 7/4/2011
Here is a taste of some of the ministry that we have been doing in Uganda:
School Ministry: We travel to different schools where we spend the morning just loving on kids! It is amazing how holding the hand of a small child can bring such smiles to their faces. We often start the time splitting into age groups to play games. Everything from relay races to silly songs! The kids love it! Then after some chill time, just getting to know the kids, we come together for a bible story. What a great way to show the love of God to so many children each day.
Evangelism: In the afternoon, we often come back to the school that we began the morning in and spend our time meeting the community. We talk about Jesus, but we also talk about each other. We are attempting to build relationships with the people and not just preach Jesus from door to door. Authentic connections with people result in authentic results. The girls found this ministry difficult at first, but as we model for them and give question suggestions, they are growing more comfortable. Many are really stepping up in this ministry.
Hospital Ministry: Hospital ministry has been a difficult but rewarding experience for the students so far. This has become one of their favorite ministries. It is amazing to watch these girls go into a hospital with the sick and step out in prayer for them. We have seen much hurt in this place, but the people have a lot of hope for their futures. Pray that the Lord would pour out healing over the hospital as our girls minister to the sick and hurting.
Church: This isn’t really a ministry but it is worth talking about. Sunday mornings are spent worshipping for a few hours at church. The girls really enjoy the lively atmosphere of African churches. We dance, we yell, we sing praises to God, and we get to see others loving Jesus in a exciting way. We hope to see some of the girls give some testimonies or bring a sermon at our last church service next week.
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Posted in Field Support by Kasandra Williams on 7/4/2011
On Saturday the 2nd, our entire family got to go on a bit of an adventure. We loaded up one car and a Matatu (local van transportation) and headed to Jinja to see the source of the Nile, some local falls, and Lake Victoria. It was definitely an African experience that we won’t soon forget.
As we pulled into the park, you could feel the lighter temperature rising from the river. It was really beautiful. Lush trees lined the river banks, and the current of the river ran quickly south to north. One of the Niles interesting qualities.
After dipping our hands and feet in the water, and even taking a little home for ourselves, we loaded a covered boat which took us out to a small island in the middle of the river. There we could see where the river literally bubbles up from underground. It was really interesting how just a few feet away sat the still Lake Victoria which is connected to the River which was moving at a quick pace.
After taking some fun family photos we took a drive to see some waterfalls on the Nile. The great strength of the water as it crashed against itself within the river was awesome. I was amazed by the fact that people white water raft over this. I was even more stunned when an African man, carrying only a jerry can asked me if I would pay him 10,000 shillings (the equivilant of $4.16) to take himself through the rapids. I think not!
The best part of the day was simply spending it with our family! We had a lot of fun seeing these
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Posted in On the Field by Team Uganda. on 6/27/2011
TIA. This is Africa.
(Sorry for yet another TIA blog from a Africa team.)
This is a phrase that each team learns and lives while on the field in Africa. Things here are just not the same as in America. Our girls have compiled a list of the TIA moments that they have already had in Uganda in the last 6 days.
The team had done a great job jumping in and doing ministry. They have made their leaders proud. They are a group of ladies that live out “Power in Love”. The Lord has used them already and has so much more for them to come. Freedom is being experienced. Love is felt. Hope is known. Healing has come. The ladies walk in boldness nad power each day. Families and friends should be proud of each of them. They don’t let fear hold them back. They are here and listening to the Lord.
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100 Kids wait outside our house in the morning when we wake and are there at night too when we return from ministry.
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Mosquito nets have fulfilled our desire for canopy beds. Some may continue to use in America.
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Spit Cup.
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Food options. (all of us (not quite all) have become vegetarians)
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We really miss our toilets.
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Roasted Maize is our popcorn.
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We don’t know if we have tanlines or just dirt.
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The only shower we have taken has been an African friend (Faith) washing our hair.
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Nightly Ritual= cleansing ourselves with baby wipes.
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Muffin Joke.
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Molly killed a chicken.
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Josie has befriended a 2 year old.
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We are always referred to as Muzungoos
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Everytime we walk through the town it is a parade.
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We awalk bhy cows on the street- NBD (no dig deal)
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We have rediscovered all of our chilhood sing-alongs.
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We have descovered that we have no sence of rythem.
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Being an hour late for church was ok because the Pastor was with us.
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Tea and fruit at 7 pm, Dinner/midnight snack at 10pm.
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Everyone has been called fat.
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Everyone stops what they are doing to pull up a seat for you and talk with you.
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We have nap time.
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The hole in the ozone layer is above Africa= sunburn.
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Our closet has become nails on the wall.
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We pee on cockroaches.
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We have seen more stars than we ever have before.
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We have killer parties.
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We all spean African english even to each other.
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It would be much easier to sl;eep if we had some WD40.
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Fat Isaac and skinny Isaac.
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Flea bites are the new black.
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We cant end a day without debriefing.
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Wwe are all going to miss worshiping e very night together.
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We are inspired to return to America and keep helping those in this City.
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We are discovering the pwer of prayer,
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We miss our pants.
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We have known each other for 11 days and we feel like family.
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Breastfeeding- NBD
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Bugspray is our perfume and it still does not work.
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Sarah has been peed on three times.
As you can see we have had a full 6 days and are excited about the rest of them that are to come.
Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Please keep praying for us. Pray that those of Bugiri will know our Love as Christ’s. Pray that we will keep fighting and spreading the hope that is Christ.
Until Next time.
Nate, Kasandra, and Becca
List compiled by the girls and does not apply to everyone all the time. But do involve real life moments.
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