Bri here, and I would just like to announce that: I'VE DONE IT! I have officially taught basically every child at Faith CHildren's Home how to Play Big Booty! I hear little Angel singing the beginning to it constantly! "Big booty, big booty big boo-ooty! O Yeah! Big Booty..." Haha I love seeing her sassy little face light up when I catch her singing it and I ask her if she wants to play. She can only make it from number 1 to number 2 then she gets this worried look on her face so we just repeat the beginning again about four times and again when she still can't get passed number two, haha!
But anyways...here's what's been goin on with the gang and I :)
On Friday night after we finished laying down the concrete at Faith CHildren's Home we rested up the rest of the day to prepare for the overnight at church. And let me tell ya...I should've actually slept during the day because the night was rough sailing! First Kaly and Natasha blessed us with some inspiring messages and lessons, we even got to act in Natasha's! Then we worshipped on stage with the worship team, dancing and jumping and praising the Lord. We had a guest Pastor from the big city of Kampala come and he went for about 5 HOURS! Towards the end of the event he began to annoint people in the crowds and that's when things got, well-interesting. I guess it's a pretty powerful and common practice for them that when they're deep in praise and the Holy Spirit is abouts, demons are exercised from people and they fall to the ground with fits and tears. The team and I were nothing short of disturbed because we had never seen anything like this before. We were all very confused and unsettled by everything and are definitely in search of advice on how to go about interpreting the night's ending events. And after that finally died down we were asked to sing some worship songs on Natasha's guitar up on stage, of which we were incredulous of how we would be able to do so after what we just witnessed. But we buckled down and got up there in our half-dead, sleep-deprived state and sang our little croaking hearts out for Jesus.
Saturday was our dear sister Kaly's 21st BIRTHDAY! We celebrated by spending the day shopping for presents for family and friends in Jinja! I spent all my money basically on the coolest and most random things I could find for gifts. While we were there some boys had been following us around asking for money. I knew they were probably bad news and pick pocketers but I felt God tuggin at my heart strings, as he enjoys doing more than I would prefer sometimes, so I stopped and gave them some money and watched to make sure they used it to buy food, then I talked to them and got to know their names: Joel, Sam, Jackson, and Shaggy (like from scooby Doo!). The boys were only about 13 and apparently had no money for school fees so they begged on the streets instead. Joel was quite the show off, flashing his dance moves and sporting some orange shades that were missing a lense, saying he was a fighter and was waiting for the rebels from the North to try and make their way to Jinja so he could show them what's what. Something tells me he would be thinking twice about his "fighting skills" if that event ever came to be, which God forbid it does! But the boys were funny little rascals and it was obvious they were only living the only life that was available to them at the moment. But later that night, when we arrived back home, Mama Mercy and the girls surprised Kaly with a delicious homemade carrot cake and we sang "Happy Birthday" and celebrated as a family.
Sunday was church and we partook in Holy Communion, which had been the first time for me in a rather long while. Although I'm not qite sure what the "blood" of Jesus consisted of I'm glad I was able to share that precious tradition with my new family here in Uganda. That night we returned to FCH and broke out the glow sticks for a night of revelry, laughter, songs, and many rounds of Big Booty.
Today when we returned to FCH, it was warm with a cool breeze blowing the big white clouds above us lazily across the sky. I played tic tac toe, and a few other games I don't know the names for in chalk on the veranda with the kids. And then I was getting my hair done like Baby Spice from the Spice Girls when I stopped in my mind and thought of just how peaceful it was to be here, in this single moment of time. With the kids I have grown to adore and the beautiful African sky passing by above me, worship music spilling out of the main hall with the breeze and the smell of campfire coming from the kitchen. I think it suddenly hit me how much I'm going to miss them and how hard it will be to say goodbye.
But I hope it's in God's plans for me to return one day and catch up with all my friends here, but for now I'll be happy to play a few more rounds of Big Booty, even if little Angel can't make it passed number 2 still...
Monday 13 August 2012
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Thankful for Calluses
Hey all!
It's Sonora reporting to you for the first time since the first post. We are here one more week....oh my goodness. Where did all of our time go?? We've been having such a great time here every day. Today, I can truthfully say that I am thankful for calluses. We worked for maybe two or three hours at Faith Children's Home, mixing cement, sand, and rocks together to pave the common area in the FCH compound. We shoveled endlessly, and I wheeled the wheel barrow back and forth countless times, weighed down with sand and rocks and wet cement. But you won't hear any complaints here. It was so great feeling like we were really working hard. We always have a great time speaking at churches and loving on the children at Faith when we go there, but actually doing physical work was wonderful. I felt like we were tangibly serving these amazing people here. And it was also nice to prove the assumption wrong that us "mzungus" don't know what it means to get our hands dirty and build up a few calluses. All the children gathered around, and the older boys who were helping out with cementing, laughed when we first started working. We were told that they thought mzungus (whites) don't get calluses. But, oh! Did we prove them wrong. I watched as they stopped laughing after the first hour or so of work and looked surprised that we were still going strong. We did some hard work, and it was nice showing the children at the home that we are made of tougher things. And it was such a fun time! We laughed and sang and encouraged each other the whole time. We go back tomorrow to finish the paving, and though our muscles may be complaining in the morning, I have no doubt we'll all be excited to do more productive work!
This evening, we went to another church before our usual fellowship at Pastor Hudson's church. It was such an amazing place. If you just walked up to it without the congregation in it, you would not think much of the place. It is such a simple place, set far back off the main road into the countryside. Probably no bigger than your typical living room. But let me tell you, when the church is assembled there and the music is going and the children are laughing, you feel more joy in that place than in the most beautiful building you've ever seen. We arrived before sunset and joined the congregation of no more than twenty people, as they rejoiced at our arrival and the opportunity to meet new sisters of Christ. We sang and danced with them, and the energy that these beautiful people exemplified just made me a witness to the wonder and love of our Creator. The music they made was beautiful, and they did it all in praise to our God. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole service. I spoke there, as well. I gave a message on Matthew 11:28-30, on rest for the weary. I am usually a wreck up in front of churches when I have to speak. I think if I had been given the option of doing something else rather than giving sermons to churches full of people, I would have taken it all too quickly. But I have had to speak, and each time I become nervous before I go up to the front. I worry that I am inadequate and that I won't say what I want to say the way I want to. But tonight, I really prayed and asked that I say not what I need to say, but what I am meant to say by God's grace. And I was the calmest I had ever been, praise be to God. Sitting in a pew before I got in front of the crowd, I felt so at peace...the weather was wonderful, and I heard thunder in the distance off to one side and a cow repeatedly mooing nearby on the other side. If you know me at all, you know that I love an approaching storm, and that cows are so much a part of what I associate with home...so it just seemed so right that I should be speaking right then. Coincidence? Nah. It was wonderful, and there was a moment after I had finished speaking, when Pastor Hudson asked the congregation if they felt like God spoke to them through us (Kati Paye spoke after me) and they all put their hands up. Woah. Praise be to God, and not to us at all, but it just felt like I was really doing something right. So many times I wonder if what I'm saying is even reaching people, or whether what I bring to the front of the church is relative to the lives of people here or not. But today, I felt like God was really using me for a purpose...and it felt GOOD. So yay!
One week. That's seven days. I'm trying not to think about the upcoming conclusion of this amazing and unforgettable chapter of my life, but it's hard not to. I see the faces of the people I have come to love so much every day, and every day I feel like I become even closer to them and love them in a whole new way. And that's not something that you can just turn off because you know you'll have to say goodbye in the near future. But I do dread the day when I see them all for the last time before we get on the plane. The kids here have stolen my heart, and the Suubi family has made me a part of their own. I consider Mama Mercy and Daddy Suubi my parents here, and all their beautiful children and the children at Faith my siblings. Goodbyes are going to suck; plain and simple. But I rest easy in knowing that we were put here for a reason, and these goodbyes won't be forever. I hope so much that I will be back here next summer through Emmaus Road, and maybe for more than that, as well.
We'll be seeing you all real soon (too soon)! This Friday, we are having an "overnight" at the church we attend here, where we will worship and dance and hear wonderful messages from amazing people. All. Night. Long. I'm determined to try and stay through the whole night, but we'll see how that goes! On Saturday, we celebrate Kaly's 21st birthday! And we also spend the day shopping around in Jinja to get gifts and such, and do the tourist thing one last time. Our days are numbered, but I know they will all be filled with more beautiful and unforgettable memories. Just looking back on the time we have spent here already, I feel so incredibly blessed to be here with the people I came with and to have met the people I have met. I have gained so much from this trip and it blows my mind that it has only been three weeks of our lives. Pray for health for us, as we all seem to be reaching that point where sickness comes easily. And pray for us and the people we have come to love, that our goodbyes and transitions go smoothly with minimal tears. We love you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Love,
So-narwhal and the team-team
It's Sonora reporting to you for the first time since the first post. We are here one more week....oh my goodness. Where did all of our time go?? We've been having such a great time here every day. Today, I can truthfully say that I am thankful for calluses. We worked for maybe two or three hours at Faith Children's Home, mixing cement, sand, and rocks together to pave the common area in the FCH compound. We shoveled endlessly, and I wheeled the wheel barrow back and forth countless times, weighed down with sand and rocks and wet cement. But you won't hear any complaints here. It was so great feeling like we were really working hard. We always have a great time speaking at churches and loving on the children at Faith when we go there, but actually doing physical work was wonderful. I felt like we were tangibly serving these amazing people here. And it was also nice to prove the assumption wrong that us "mzungus" don't know what it means to get our hands dirty and build up a few calluses. All the children gathered around, and the older boys who were helping out with cementing, laughed when we first started working. We were told that they thought mzungus (whites) don't get calluses. But, oh! Did we prove them wrong. I watched as they stopped laughing after the first hour or so of work and looked surprised that we were still going strong. We did some hard work, and it was nice showing the children at the home that we are made of tougher things. And it was such a fun time! We laughed and sang and encouraged each other the whole time. We go back tomorrow to finish the paving, and though our muscles may be complaining in the morning, I have no doubt we'll all be excited to do more productive work!
This evening, we went to another church before our usual fellowship at Pastor Hudson's church. It was such an amazing place. If you just walked up to it without the congregation in it, you would not think much of the place. It is such a simple place, set far back off the main road into the countryside. Probably no bigger than your typical living room. But let me tell you, when the church is assembled there and the music is going and the children are laughing, you feel more joy in that place than in the most beautiful building you've ever seen. We arrived before sunset and joined the congregation of no more than twenty people, as they rejoiced at our arrival and the opportunity to meet new sisters of Christ. We sang and danced with them, and the energy that these beautiful people exemplified just made me a witness to the wonder and love of our Creator. The music they made was beautiful, and they did it all in praise to our God. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole service. I spoke there, as well. I gave a message on Matthew 11:28-30, on rest for the weary. I am usually a wreck up in front of churches when I have to speak. I think if I had been given the option of doing something else rather than giving sermons to churches full of people, I would have taken it all too quickly. But I have had to speak, and each time I become nervous before I go up to the front. I worry that I am inadequate and that I won't say what I want to say the way I want to. But tonight, I really prayed and asked that I say not what I need to say, but what I am meant to say by God's grace. And I was the calmest I had ever been, praise be to God. Sitting in a pew before I got in front of the crowd, I felt so at peace...the weather was wonderful, and I heard thunder in the distance off to one side and a cow repeatedly mooing nearby on the other side. If you know me at all, you know that I love an approaching storm, and that cows are so much a part of what I associate with home...so it just seemed so right that I should be speaking right then. Coincidence? Nah. It was wonderful, and there was a moment after I had finished speaking, when Pastor Hudson asked the congregation if they felt like God spoke to them through us (Kati Paye spoke after me) and they all put their hands up. Woah. Praise be to God, and not to us at all, but it just felt like I was really doing something right. So many times I wonder if what I'm saying is even reaching people, or whether what I bring to the front of the church is relative to the lives of people here or not. But today, I felt like God was really using me for a purpose...and it felt GOOD. So yay!
One week. That's seven days. I'm trying not to think about the upcoming conclusion of this amazing and unforgettable chapter of my life, but it's hard not to. I see the faces of the people I have come to love so much every day, and every day I feel like I become even closer to them and love them in a whole new way. And that's not something that you can just turn off because you know you'll have to say goodbye in the near future. But I do dread the day when I see them all for the last time before we get on the plane. The kids here have stolen my heart, and the Suubi family has made me a part of their own. I consider Mama Mercy and Daddy Suubi my parents here, and all their beautiful children and the children at Faith my siblings. Goodbyes are going to suck; plain and simple. But I rest easy in knowing that we were put here for a reason, and these goodbyes won't be forever. I hope so much that I will be back here next summer through Emmaus Road, and maybe for more than that, as well.
We'll be seeing you all real soon (too soon)! This Friday, we are having an "overnight" at the church we attend here, where we will worship and dance and hear wonderful messages from amazing people. All. Night. Long. I'm determined to try and stay through the whole night, but we'll see how that goes! On Saturday, we celebrate Kaly's 21st birthday! And we also spend the day shopping around in Jinja to get gifts and such, and do the tourist thing one last time. Our days are numbered, but I know they will all be filled with more beautiful and unforgettable memories. Just looking back on the time we have spent here already, I feel so incredibly blessed to be here with the people I came with and to have met the people I have met. I have gained so much from this trip and it blows my mind that it has only been three weeks of our lives. Pray for health for us, as we all seem to be reaching that point where sickness comes easily. And pray for us and the people we have come to love, that our goodbyes and transitions go smoothly with minimal tears. We love you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Love,
So-narwhal and the team-team
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Monkey Business
After painting Faith Junior School for four days, the job is finally done! We sang and laughed the whole way through, enjoying the hard work. Once the work was finished, we were able to be reunited at Faith Children's Home (the orphanage). The image of the children running toward us with smiles from ear to ear is something we'll never forget. Our time with them is always special and joyous... I don't know how we'll manage saying goodbye.
Each night we continue to have church fellowship, consisting of worship and two sermons given by a rotation of our "team team". On Sunday Kaly and I spoke at church! We've definitely been learning a lot from the preparation it takes to preach. More extensive time spent in the Word and in prayer has undoubtedly been great for all of us. For me, I know I gain an incredible sense of peace and clarity that can only come from the Lord. But there's also conviction that comes with all these teachings...
On Friday the twins came home from boarding school! There are now 18 people living in this house. Plus all the random people that come to serve and be friends. All I have to say is it's a full house, but never a bore.
Pastor Hudson and his wife Mercy took us to the rainforest yesterday for a wonderful lunch and to see monkeys! It was super refreshing and relaxing to get away for a second and breathe. All of us have felt some sort of sickness the past couple of days, ranging from allergies to migraines to the flu. But by the grace of God we're all feeling much much better and healthy. (Note to all concerned parents: We're fine! It could be far worse).
Everything is still going strong here. Trying to soak in these last 8 days in Africa as best we can. Thank you all for the continued love and prayers!!!
-Kati Paye and "team team"
Each night we continue to have church fellowship, consisting of worship and two sermons given by a rotation of our "team team". On Sunday Kaly and I spoke at church! We've definitely been learning a lot from the preparation it takes to preach. More extensive time spent in the Word and in prayer has undoubtedly been great for all of us. For me, I know I gain an incredible sense of peace and clarity that can only come from the Lord. But there's also conviction that comes with all these teachings...
On Friday the twins came home from boarding school! There are now 18 people living in this house. Plus all the random people that come to serve and be friends. All I have to say is it's a full house, but never a bore.
Pastor Hudson and his wife Mercy took us to the rainforest yesterday for a wonderful lunch and to see monkeys! It was super refreshing and relaxing to get away for a second and breathe. All of us have felt some sort of sickness the past couple of days, ranging from allergies to migraines to the flu. But by the grace of God we're all feeling much much better and healthy. (Note to all concerned parents: We're fine! It could be far worse).
Everything is still going strong here. Trying to soak in these last 8 days in Africa as best we can. Thank you all for the continued love and prayers!!!
-Kati Paye and "team team"
Thursday 2 August 2012
A picture!!!
The internet finally let us upload some pictures! This one is on our African Safari. Team-Team, Momma Mercy, and our driver Mike in front of trusty ol' Filly!
Eyelashes and Boogers
Greetings America!
Yesterday we began working on painting the Faith Junior School. It is the school adjacent to Pastor Suubi's church; it's the school that most children at Faith Children's Home attend. The school used to be housing for the big boys at Faith Children's Home, but last year was turned into a school that Pastor Suubi opened himself for many of the children in the area. The outEven side of the school had already been painted, but our job was to turn the inside classrooms into a work of art... well, sort of. Our job was to make them a beautiful bright blue color, and to rid the walls of all the dirt and scum build up from over the years.
We didn't know quite what to expect when we got there, but the first job was to sand all of the walls of every room. Using just a piece of sand paper and our own two hands, we got to work scrubbing off as much of the dirt on the walls as possible. It was hard work, and not only did we tire easily, but the powder, dust, paint particles and cobwebs covered us by the end of the job. It was a great time to use our hands and get down to some hard work that we haven't done in a while.
At the end of the sanding, KatiPaye said she was thankful for two things: Eyelashes and boogers. They catch everything. Haha... Two things I never thought I would give thanks for, but after the day's work, I most definitely praised God for granting us with eyelashes and boogers.
Even though we worked hard, I still felt inadequate. Many of the older boys from the children's home and even men from the church were there helping us, and it's safe to say they did more work than any of us. I wanted to do my best and work as hard as they did, but I felt weak and helpless next to them. They were so encouraging and helpful to us, as I wish we could have been for them.
By the end of the day we had sanded and painted a first coat in each of the 5 classrooms! Beautifully restored, we are ready to go back today, tomorrow, and the next day to finish the work we started. Bri spoke at church about how God loves when we work hard, and so we will continue to press on for Him, praising and dancing as we work. It's a time to serve others, and we pray to do it joyfully.
Yours truly,
Kaly and the Team-Team
Yesterday we began working on painting the Faith Junior School. It is the school adjacent to Pastor Suubi's church; it's the school that most children at Faith Children's Home attend. The school used to be housing for the big boys at Faith Children's Home, but last year was turned into a school that Pastor Suubi opened himself for many of the children in the area. The outEven side of the school had already been painted, but our job was to turn the inside classrooms into a work of art... well, sort of. Our job was to make them a beautiful bright blue color, and to rid the walls of all the dirt and scum build up from over the years.
We didn't know quite what to expect when we got there, but the first job was to sand all of the walls of every room. Using just a piece of sand paper and our own two hands, we got to work scrubbing off as much of the dirt on the walls as possible. It was hard work, and not only did we tire easily, but the powder, dust, paint particles and cobwebs covered us by the end of the job. It was a great time to use our hands and get down to some hard work that we haven't done in a while.
At the end of the sanding, KatiPaye said she was thankful for two things: Eyelashes and boogers. They catch everything. Haha... Two things I never thought I would give thanks for, but after the day's work, I most definitely praised God for granting us with eyelashes and boogers.
Even though we worked hard, I still felt inadequate. Many of the older boys from the children's home and even men from the church were there helping us, and it's safe to say they did more work than any of us. I wanted to do my best and work as hard as they did, but I felt weak and helpless next to them. They were so encouraging and helpful to us, as I wish we could have been for them.
By the end of the day we had sanded and painted a first coat in each of the 5 classrooms! Beautifully restored, we are ready to go back today, tomorrow, and the next day to finish the work we started. Bri spoke at church about how God loves when we work hard, and so we will continue to press on for Him, praising and dancing as we work. It's a time to serve others, and we pray to do it joyfully.
Yours truly,
Kaly and the Team-Team
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Real Live Animals
WE WENT ON A SAFARI! We took Filmore: our trusty van (nicknamed Filly) and travels hourrrrrs out into the African wilderness. Bumpity bumpity bump we went. We left at 4:30 am and got to the beautiful resort at lunch time. It was right on the Nile river. We scarfed down our food and hurryed to catch the boat ride. We got to see lots of Hippotumus's and Crocadiles. (I clearly haven't practiced spelling my safari animals). Then we saw Murchinson Falls. It was powerful to say the least. Everything has been. It's almost silly to me to even try to explain since everything we got to see with our naked eye has been seen before either in a zoo or in clearly pixelated pictures on Google. But to see it, up close and personal is surreal. When I close my eyes I still see the giraffes in their "Tower" (which is what a herd of them is called... don't quote me on that, the guide could have said Town... it was hard to heard her). It was cool to see how many times we prayed for simple things "In Jesus's name" and boom, the car started, boom, we saw a lioness (Sirabi) and then BOOM, "dear Lord, please can we see Mufasa!" and there he was. walking away from us, so we sped up and then whistled at him. He stopped, turned around and looked at us. Wow. what a mighty face. I couldn't help thinking about how God is described as a Lion and the Lamb. It brought a whole new picture of our Lord to my head. Powerful. Majestic. On His Own Terms. (its very hard to blog here, we are listening to Redeemer make all kinds of baby noises, loudly. Trinity is speaking to himself and playing with his new toy car, all the team is watching "Friends" and I have a hard time thinking without silence. And I'm the one thinking I'd love to have a lot of children... Lord, please change me to be able to love loud commotion.) back to the Safari mini vacation. We got to take out door showers which were amazing. Nothing like bathing with the saphire sky looking down on you with nice cool water. We stayed in clean tents. We ate wonderful food. We bumped around on the road a lot. On the way back Momma Mercy taught us a pluthera of songs, some in English, some in Swahili, some in Lugandan (which is the hardest for me to say/sing). Anyways. thats enough for now. I like to say in the moment. and let others use the computer. God is good... all the time. All the time, God is good!
Amena!
Amena!
Sunday 29 July 2012
Stoaked about Safaris
Today was our second Sunday in Uganda, it is amazing how in twelve days we can go from strangers in a completely new enviroment to friends who arrive at church and immediatly have multiple children calling our names and running into our arms to welcome us.
It has been such a sweet twelve days of learning and bonding. As a team we have all been enjoying getting to know one another better having "team time" and sharing our lives with one another. I feel so incredibly blessed to have these sisters in christ with me on this adventure. Each of us have a unique aspect and perspecive that makes our team stronger and more effective as we minister to the people of Uganda.
This week we have spent a lot of time playing with the Children at Faith and forming relationships with them. It has been so neat to have time to get to know the children individually as we play guitar, sing, dance, blow bubbles, jump rope, kick a soccer ball, and pass out toys and clothes. Our afternoons have been restful as we prepare for the evening services that happen everynight. Everyone has had multiple opportunities getting to speak in front of an audience and we are beginning to get over some of our fears and feelings of inadaquacy as we preach the gospel to the people of God's House of Miracles.
Tomorrow we are going on a real life African Safari! We are so excited we can barely even see straight and I guarentee that the Lion King will be sung (multiple times). We will not be able to connect to internet until Wednesday....so until then Hakuna Matata!
Prayer Requests:
1) Safe Safari
2) Bri really wants to see Giraffes
3) Relationships would continue to grow
4) God would be glorified in all that we do
Love and Blessings,
Megan and the TeamTeam
It has been such a sweet twelve days of learning and bonding. As a team we have all been enjoying getting to know one another better having "team time" and sharing our lives with one another. I feel so incredibly blessed to have these sisters in christ with me on this adventure. Each of us have a unique aspect and perspecive that makes our team stronger and more effective as we minister to the people of Uganda.
This week we have spent a lot of time playing with the Children at Faith and forming relationships with them. It has been so neat to have time to get to know the children individually as we play guitar, sing, dance, blow bubbles, jump rope, kick a soccer ball, and pass out toys and clothes. Our afternoons have been restful as we prepare for the evening services that happen everynight. Everyone has had multiple opportunities getting to speak in front of an audience and we are beginning to get over some of our fears and feelings of inadaquacy as we preach the gospel to the people of God's House of Miracles.
Tomorrow we are going on a real life African Safari! We are so excited we can barely even see straight and I guarentee that the Lion King will be sung (multiple times). We will not be able to connect to internet until Wednesday....so until then Hakuna Matata!
Prayer Requests:
1) Safe Safari
2) Bri really wants to see Giraffes
3) Relationships would continue to grow
4) God would be glorified in all that we do
Love and Blessings,
Megan and the TeamTeam
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