tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274357182024-03-13T04:36:43.186-07:00Just a thought...Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-47887413880261604782014-10-13T20:15:00.001-07:002014-10-13T20:15:39.184-07:00Mirror, mirror on the wall...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cannot even begin</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to explain what is happening in my head <strike>sometimes</strike> EVERY MINUTE of every waking hour. That is not at all to say, that my sleeping thoughts are fewer or make more sense . But that's another conversation for another time and I chuckle and shake my head in the wondering of my wandering mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cannot describe it as rabbit trails, because for heaven's sake there is no rabbit on this planet that would run that hard for that long... every once in a while I throw out a random thought to the Captain just to relieve the pressure <i>a little</i>. Most of the time he is good enough at covering the "blankness" in his stare and contributes the appropriate, yet non-committal "huh" so that I don't feel the need to explain where it came from. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But every once in a while he is so caught off guard that his expression gives him away before he has a chance to cover. I <strike>probably</strike> definitely have an unhealthy desire to be understood so I dive head first into a promising explanation that connects the mental dots that got me to that point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am overly entertained to hear it spoken aloud believing that the audio adds veracity and clarity. His eyebrows usually say otherwise and I am left with the reaffirmation that my cranial activity needs to be saddled up and reined into submission like a wild horse...instead it remains more akin to the bull in the ring at the rodeo or a hamster in his wheel.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">None of this has a thing to do with anything except to reinforce the title of the blog..."Just a thought" and can serve as a warning that if it was a paper book, an entire forest could be consumed attempting to record the firings beneath my hair follicles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today my obsessive nonsensical thought...the cost of a mirror...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cross cultural experiences add such richness to living. Every once in a while the contrast in a particular area makes me take pause and circles over and over again in my head. Living in a country rich in all manner of material things exaggerates the absence of possessions in poverty stricken third world environments. As the years and trips roll around in my memory, every once in a while God shows me something true about myself. Proves again that more is not necessarily better and there is a real freedom in simplicity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strike>Today </strike>For weeks, I have been swirling over the first mirror brought into the children's home in Uganda. It was not intentional really, but attached to a wardrobe purchased for the closet-less room of our house mom Janet. Its the only one and generally behind a closed bedroom door. Children of all ages wake, bathe, dress for school and leave for the day with no reflection of their outward appearance. Our female staff go through the same routine without the concern or ability to see what everyone else will as they go about their day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The number of mirrors in our home and the number of times we catch a glimpse of ourselves during a single day whether we intentionally seek it or not is mind boggling. I am the first person I see in the morning and often the last real person at night. Getting into the shower, brushing my teeth, and all manner of readying for a day happens within the capture of a rectangle reflection or two. Closet doors, leave nothing to imagine in my clothed head to toe, and then 10 steps down the hall and another captures my profile. Mirrors are framed like artwork and flipped down from the visor each one sending messages that boldly state "acceptable today or not". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Message recorded and then worn like an identity when the image we wear encounters the outside. To deny it affects my mood or attitude or my strategic "hide and seek" on some days would be a lie. To stand before a closet full and contemplate a trip to the mall is a direct result of the reflection on the other side of the door. The cost of and time spend with a blow dryer or make up bag is an effort to hear the inaudible "well done" or "do over" or an all too often "waste of time" caption under the image. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My sudden awareness of mirrors is by no means an exercise in self loathing but instead a remarkable acuteness of the time and expense and effects of seeing ourselves from the outside. I heard Beth Moore refer to FACEBOOK as Fakebook and I felt immediately convicted not that I am contributing anything false, but that we take how many photos? to get the most flattering and cringe when someone else tags or posts our image and we HATE it not because it isn't us, but because it really is and for heaven's sake real life isn't all that flattering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Its easy for me to imagine a world without mirrors, where our sense of presentable is maybe more about the heart and the way we look <i>toward</i> others instead of worrying about how we look <i>to</i> them. Several weeks each year there is some freedom I see and sense and admire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Less isn't always better..".the google" says mirrors were invented in the first century so clearly our physical image has always had some importance... God created us in his image so perhaps that is what we are really looking for when we gaze at our reflections...some sign that there is beauty stamped in us regardless of whether we can see it in the rectangle on the wall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span class="reftext">Genesis 1:27 </span><span class="highl">"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them"</span></i></span><br />
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<br />Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-8339952658607105582014-07-09T10:23:00.003-07:002014-10-13T20:18:08.456-07:00"For our HOPE is in YOU alone"<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Uncomfortable; wrestling...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This post has been started in my head a hundred times, usually in the middle of the night when the warm sheets and cool summer night air discourage me from getting up and actually writing anything down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The delay has been both</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the comfort of my pillow AND how to address the subject matter in a way that doesn't make us all curl up in a ball at the <b>depths of evil</b> in our world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our newsletter is intended to keep our wonderfully committed and supportive sponsors, donors and encouragers in the know and updated on the recent past, present and future hopes of daily life at Chayah. Facebook posts are brief and current; prayer requests or antics of a young family to be celebrated.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOME NEWS JUST DOESN'T FIT </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>comfortably</b></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ANYWHERE</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within the reality of this very new ministry, born out of desperate circumstances,</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a truth that the rescue and protection of children was created in the heart of God. Doing something can be just plain reactionary as we experienced in 2012. The questions for us were both "what can we possibly do?" and "how can we even imagine not doing...something?"</span>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've moved past the thrilling, frightening, humbling months of setting things up stateside. January 2013 contains memories of putting together a protective, stable home filled with every necessity, stocked with food. We got to welcome children, arriving with a variety of physical illnesses, emotional fears and their own wonder about the future. We have gotten to experience the sweetness of watching their lives even out through security, love, and a father in God himself. Perhaps we should be content, grateful and settle in to what should feel like success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>AND YET WE WRESTLE</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because there is this thing called "all the rest" and we hear stories that instantly tear our thoughts from contentment to tears and the relief of doing <i>something</i> is quickly swamped by a grieving...and we wrestle... and the news is ugly and we are uncomfortable again because...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a young girl's<i> </i>life was taken at the direction of a witch doctor and her mutilated body was left just yards from the protective walls of Chayah. It's not the life itself he demanded, but enough of her that she could not survive it. Satan has wreaked havoc, stolen, destroyed and made promises he will never keep, to a desperate someone willing to do the unthinkable... and our kids are shaken and fearful...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and we wrestle and its uncomfortable </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because sisters 11 and 13 are pregnant and its <i>common</i>... and at that age they should be playing jump rope not skipping over their childhoods. The 11 year-old is blind and in some ways if rape were the cause it would maybe be easier to stomach, as wretched as that would be. But instead they sold themselves for 40 cents because its <i>all they have to sell</i> and because their house is full of siblings already and their mother is now raising her grandchildren too and there... is... <i>nothing. </i>And because who can plan for a tomorrow when today is so desperate. Two more tiny lives will enter a home bulging against cow-dung walls... and a girl, not old enough to babysit in our families, will, in just a few months, suffer through and deliver a baby onto the red dirt floor of their home unless her own barely-adolescent frame refuses to cooperate with this taxing burden of motherhood called birth. And then what...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and we wrestle and it's uncomfortable </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because girls disappear regularly headed off with who-knows-who, to a promise of a job as a house servant in the big capitol city of Kampala. Except that there are thousands of street children there who would take the paying job if there really was one. And when a couple of years later a 15 year old returns, pregnant and used up...well heads hang at the reality of broken promises and shame replaces ignorance. Motherhood will again drown childhood unless of course disease steals them both. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and we wrestle...and it's painful...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and this kind of news reaches all the way across our shared God-created-earth and it doesn't sit or fit well anywhere. And we are earnestly "ministry minded" and "God-changed" and have asked Him to" break our hearts with what breaks His" and so He does...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and we wrestle...and it's difficult to bear the knowing</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it is not without H O P E</span></div>
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Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-7201555930952616122012-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:002012-09-30T07:16:14.776-07:00Uganda 2012...the last thousand words<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ed1jbL9IQI/UGe0pspgwvI/AAAAAAAABqs/nkLr22EiBbo/s1600/4+boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ed1jbL9IQI/UGe0pspgwvI/AAAAAAAABqs/nkLr22EiBbo/s400/4+boys.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compassion boys...Julius, Hassan, Emma, Timothy</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Fjy8pZzX0/UGex-R9MKhI/AAAAAAAABqI/S7nrdlsWyJ4/s1600/humble+mother.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Fjy8pZzX0/UGex-R9MKhI/AAAAAAAABqI/S7nrdlsWyJ4/s400/humble+mother.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD2NORQEwUE/UGe0uNeQZsI/AAAAAAAABq0/l2kcsl85GvY/s1600/dann+hugging.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD2NORQEwUE/UGe0uNeQZsI/AAAAAAAABq0/l2kcsl85GvY/s400/dann+hugging.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grateful mama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIQ8Rk6FTfE/UGe058IE3JI/AAAAAAAABrA/4Usl-dHvbfA/s1600/human+knot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIQ8Rk6FTfE/UGe058IE3JI/AAAAAAAABrA/4Usl-dHvbfA/s400/human+knot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching the Human Knot to Compassion boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvO8IzDCnFM/UGe1OKXmrvI/AAAAAAAABrI/nVek4ZIZemg/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvO8IzDCnFM/UGe1OKXmrvI/AAAAAAAABrI/nVek4ZIZemg/s400/IMG_1810.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Joseline & Rogers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Julius's brother</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boX21htUtio/UGe1bDyb8vI/AAAAAAAABrY/mtLcQ0A-968/s1600/boys+crafts+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boX21htUtio/UGe1bDyb8vI/AAAAAAAABrY/mtLcQ0A-968/s400/boys+crafts+.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys come to VBS dressing in their best</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVEwX1E2Xgk/UGe15Fd2qkI/AAAAAAAABrg/mRRb-aF4JPQ/s1600/Baby+eating+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVEwX1E2Xgk/UGe15Fd2qkI/AAAAAAAABrg/mRRb-aF4JPQ/s400/Baby+eating+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet baby </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DffPCRSpMeo/UGe2EwiUaKI/AAAAAAAABrs/1wc03Ov1tFY/s1600/Dann+visors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DffPCRSpMeo/UGe2EwiUaKI/AAAAAAAABrs/1wc03Ov1tFY/s400/Dann+visors.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big hearted Captain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtCb_KUs-C8/UGe2Gayi0wI/AAAAAAAABr0/Xs2MBTxtqAk/s1600/singing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtCb_KUs-C8/UGe2Gayi0wI/AAAAAAAABr0/Xs2MBTxtqAk/s400/singing.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VBS - what a joy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77vyS8hl5lc/UGfCxPoIPEI/AAAAAAAABsY/2JR5TV5dMv0/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77vyS8hl5lc/UGfCxPoIPEI/AAAAAAAABsY/2JR5TV5dMv0/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dot...just like her dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmnn0JACJiQ/UGfCyS_7DHI/AAAAAAAABsg/YIclq9LVRVQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmnn0JACJiQ/UGfCyS_7DHI/AAAAAAAABsg/YIclq9LVRVQ/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VBS Singing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvIVtpff4nA/UGfCzu1pVYI/AAAAAAAABso/CGJy9TS4x1g/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvIVtpff4nA/UGfCzu1pVYI/AAAAAAAABso/CGJy9TS4x1g/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VBS Crafts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onaEYVxH8NE/UGfC1PqfkmI/AAAAAAAABsw/WZxjs8-JjXI/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onaEYVxH8NE/UGfC1PqfkmI/AAAAAAAABsw/WZxjs8-JjXI/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody loves a camera</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii2yL5zA7ug/UGfC2AdASCI/AAAAAAAABs4/tMk0KDut5yA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii2yL5zA7ug/UGfC2AdASCI/AAAAAAAABs4/tMk0KDut5yA/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing smiles</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTDveXZufIE/UGfC-sQ8PgI/AAAAAAAABtc/SCgconL4RPk/s1600/9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTDveXZufIE/UGfC-sQ8PgI/AAAAAAAABtc/SCgconL4RPk/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">many beautiful</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmypl_ENC10/UGfC3uBNIMI/AAAAAAAABtA/nnIHAxFiI54/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmypl_ENC10/UGfC3uBNIMI/AAAAAAAABtA/nnIHAxFiI54/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds, but really a group of one's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IjthBLbySA/UGfC5QwZ8QI/AAAAAAAABtI/M34TaGyllVc/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IjthBLbySA/UGfC5QwZ8QI/AAAAAAAABtI/M34TaGyllVc/s400/7.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful one</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqxJhtdu6k0/UGfC84_DBgI/AAAAAAAABtU/1ON1WO4sVQc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqxJhtdu6k0/UGfC84_DBgI/AAAAAAAABtU/1ON1WO4sVQc/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another one</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyiYJMiPs60/UGfDhrrn8WI/AAAAAAAABts/-ZhpIPYrGvg/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyiYJMiPs60/UGfDhrrn8WI/AAAAAAAABts/-ZhpIPYrGvg/s400/11.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful ONE<br />
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The most difficult goodbye.....Abbo Olivia<br />
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<br />Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-36576940715464458912012-08-13T08:36:00.001-07:002012-08-18T16:49:40.852-07:00Uganda 2012...a needle in a haystack!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Its our final day in Uganda and we headed out with one single purpose, to find a 9 year old boy named Daniel. One of our team members, Nicole, is his sponsor and she was so praying that she would get to meet him. The ministry headquarters is very near us, but could not provide help in finding him, so all she had was a prayer and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in faith bought rice and beans and we all pulled together a backpack with a toy, stickers, dresses and shirts for the family. We gathered around the van this morning asking God to guide us to him. Like a needle in a haystack, really. She had his sponsor card showing his neighborhood name, but seriously</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> there is no rhyme or reason to these American </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">urbanites</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, so we depended on Annette who had offered to escort us and help in our journey, as Chris our van driver took us to the general area. We were told "good luck finding him". Luck? We don't need luck, we asked God to show us and we were not to be discouraged. At one point we stopped to show the picture she had of the boy to a teenager standing on the side of the road. "Do you know him?" "YES!" "Do you know where he lives?" "Yes!" WHAT???? Will you show us "Yes!" He was so excited to help, he jumped in our van and showed us the way. We drove as far as we could and walked the rest of the way to a brick and mud home tucked a bit away. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4fVJl1Rd0k/UCkaWdLohjI/AAAAAAAABmg/qbqmTbvPcfU/s1600/X+Nicole%27s+search.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4fVJl1Rd0k/UCkaWdLohjI/AAAAAAAABmg/qbqmTbvPcfU/s400/X+Nicole%27s+search.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCCWmvnmRzA/UCkaBOqz3jI/AAAAAAAABmY/dGdA3YReN0Y/s1600/X+follow+the+leader.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCCWmvnmRzA/UCkaBOqz3jI/AAAAAAAABmY/dGdA3YReN0Y/s400/X+follow+the+leader.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We got there and she asked for Daniel. He came out, but was thoroughly confused by 8 white people showing up at his remote home. Through Annette, he was told that she was his sponsor for school. He was hesitant and unsure until she showed him the card with his picture. Finally he understood and it was a party from there on. </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcCYZZIBDe0/UCkY_SrjrTI/AAAAAAAABl0/dcz2-y94_gI/s1600/X+the+lost+has+been+found.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcCYZZIBDe0/UCkY_SrjrTI/AAAAAAAABl0/dcz2-y94_gI/s400/X+the+lost+has+been+found.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> His mother was retrieved from her work in the "garden" and we were all invited into her home. 7 of her 9 children were there along with all of us and each child was so excited to receive something from the backpack. </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLuk-VrEw5s/UCkat-oWQMI/AAAAAAAABmo/K-rYPRWFTts/s1600/x+boys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLuk-VrEw5s/UCkat-oWQMI/AAAAAAAABmo/K-rYPRWFTts/s400/x+boys.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The girls got pillow case dresses, the boys received shirts. </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07VaExmCj_w/UCkZYMMrd9I/AAAAAAAABmQ/tzrPstLVUTo/s1600/x+pillow+case+dress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07VaExmCj_w/UCkZYMMrd9I/AAAAAAAABmQ/tzrPstLVUTo/s400/x+pillow+case+dress.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILovHjpzaNg/UCkbnr88JLI/AAAAAAAABnA/U3CdWJ5YU1g/s1600/x+boy+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILovHjpzaNg/UCkbnr88JLI/AAAAAAAABnA/U3CdWJ5YU1g/s400/x+boy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The notes were read to them and each pocket held a piece of candy. There was such joy, such celebration and to think that more than anything she could give, to come so far to find him and bless him in the name of Jesus, was AMAZING! As only God can do, we were so so thankful that the Lord led us right to him. Do you know how many children were in that small area alone? Did you see the pictures from VBS? Did you read that nearly 800 children gathered near in that one small village? It was a miracle, that God would show us such favor is just humbling and so so wonderful. Nicole will never forget this day, Daniel will never forget this visit and we will never be able to forget how much the creator loves us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left the area, drove back to Jinja and made a purchase for the village of Kakira. Then sat a while, shopped a small bit, enjoyed a Coke Zero and a chocolate bar and then decided to end the day with a hoot and a hollar! Sending Chris, our driver, back to the hotel with our purses and supplies, we hopped on the back of a Boda Boda, 2 of us on each one</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, scrambled for the $1.00 each that it cost and rode off into the sunset! What a thrill! </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjQ_C2JKdLE/UCka1rBUQeI/AAAAAAAABmw/sRfpyD63O2M/s1600/we+are+crazy+fun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjQ_C2JKdLE/UCka1rBUQeI/AAAAAAAABmw/sRfpyD63O2M/s400/we+are+crazy+fun.jpg" width="342" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> FYI...every time we do something a little risky, they blame me. Don't you believe it for a minute...those girls were all about the Boda </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boda! Crocodiles and the camping in the wild? Maybe not so much!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEx8joF3yEw/UCkdHrJqfbI/AAAAAAAABnI/sLKMNQ3o0vg/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEx8joF3yEw/UCkdHrJqfbI/AAAAAAAABnI/sLKMNQ3o0vg/s400/IMG_2617.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Uganda, we leave you at 9am tomorrow morning, just 16 hours from now. You have been gracious to us, your people so welcoming and appreciative. We pray the God who sees us all and brought us to serve with you here will keep you until we meet again. If it is in eternity, we'll be the ones standing in on your worship singing "Higher Higher Higher" </div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Revelation 7: "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe
and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the
Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their
hands.<span class="text Rev-7-10" id="en-NLT-30782">And they were shouting with a great roar,</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span class="text Rev-7-10">“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rev-7-10">and from the Lamb!”</span></span></div>
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<div class="top-1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-7-11" id="en-NLT-30783"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And
all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders
and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their
faces to the ground and worshiped God.</span> <span class="text Rev-7-12" id="en-NLT-30784"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>They sang!</span></div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Rev-7-12">“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rev-7-12">and thanksgiving and honor</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-7-12">and power and strength belong to our God</span>"<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Rev-7-12">forever and ever! Amen.”</span></span></div>
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Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-54974500697366541122012-08-12T08:11:00.000-07:002012-08-18T16:42:32.483-07:00Uganda 2012 Day 12...Goodbyes<span style="font-size: small;">Today is Sunday and we headed into Kakira for the last time. </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EmPoLj8zyE/UCe-pFkBIrI/AAAAAAAABjs/vy9Rs-LuTN8/s1600/Sally+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EmPoLj8zyE/UCe-pFkBIrI/AAAAAAAABjs/vy9Rs-LuTN8/s400/Sally+1.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> Our arms bursting with all of the extra clothing, VBS supplies, shoes and a small gift for each of the 21 men and ladies that helped us with VBS this week. I stayed up late and then again this morning writing notes to the most special to my heart. Wrapping things in brown paper and black plastic bags so that others could not tell what was being carried. I have learned since being here that Janet who has taken in 3 additional children, was the target of some jealousy from inside and outside the church. If anyone discovers that someone is receiving money from the US, they are suspect and others become very jealous. I went to Janet's home, it is the bare minimum just like everyone else, but when Olivia and Jesca came to live there and went to school, people knew that money was coming from somewhere. When Janet goes to the village market on Sunday her prices are higher. She told me that there just came a time when she had to realize that she must live to please God, and not be concerned with the talk or opinions of man. This grieves me. After seeing where they live, 5 people sleeping in a 8 X 8 room, happily, I felt like I wasn't helping enough. But sending a bit more seems like it would cause a problem for her as well. I'll be praying for wisdom in this. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Dann and the Pastor's son Robert led one song during worship this morning. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kRk2nxl9K4/UCfAxGfHK0I/AAAAAAAABj0/uRv5ApS1uyk/s1600/Sally+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kRk2nxl9K4/UCfAxGfHK0I/AAAAAAAABj0/uRv5ApS1uyk/s400/Sally+5.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sNKgCo4PhNw/UCfBJQel3uI/AAAAAAAABkA/3ez5KxZgBMY/s1600/Dann+worship.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sNKgCo4PhNw/UCfBJQel3uI/AAAAAAAABkA/3ez5KxZgBMY/s400/Dann+worship.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There was other music and dancing and the children's choir and a great message. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmHKAISg120/UCfCTeyOKiI/AAAAAAAABkY/fh3qgLtrD0I/s1600/Sally+6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmHKAISg120/UCfCTeyOKiI/AAAAAAAABkY/fh3qgLtrD0I/s400/Sally+6.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> At the end, a cake was brought up made by the Kakira ladies. They started this business a couple of years ago to earn money for their woman's ministry. Dann and I were asked to come up and cut the cake, together, like cutting a wedding cake. We found out later that when a visitor cuts a cake like that, it means you must return to the village...ok then! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cutting the cake began the most difficult part of this trip so far. The beginning of the goodbyes. Janet. Jesca and Loid, OLIVIA. I had prepared myself as best I could. But opening your heart wide just does a thing that cannot be made easier. I love her so. And it is clear that she has not held back a thing either. The longing for 2 years, was not undone in a weeks time. I believe it is just something I will have to live with, a part of my heart broken and left in Uganda. God is so good to create in us love that is so deep, so real. I wouldn't change a thing. Well water proof mascara would have been a good change this morning. Hearts have been touched on this trip and not just mine. Its amazing to take something so unexplainable and watch someone else experience it. No words are quite right, its just a heart thing. At least now Dann and I can give each other a knowing look when her name is spoken or we go through the pictures. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The Pastor of their church had arranged a lunch for us in the village with a few of the leaders of their church. Never before has a team come to minister to the children of the village and been able to pull it off. He just kept saying, 700 children under the same roof heard the gospel and with God's nurturing the seeds that have been planted, the impact in Kakira will be huge! Ah yes, just like our God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow we are heading out on an adventure of our own making. There is a boy, named Daniel, who is sponsored by one of our team members. She has little information about him except his school name, which narrows down his village and a picture of him. We are taking a woman we have met with us and will scour the area talking to other people, other children, passing out candy and dresses and shirts and doing everything we can to locate him. She will surprise him with gifts of things we have brought along and some rice and beans for his family. Please pray we find this little guy named Daniel. It will be such a treat for everyone and such a surprise for his family. Can you imagine, they have no idea she is even in the country and she will show up at their home with gifts! I know, don't you wish you had come just to witness it! Front row seat we have, yes maam. Until tomorrow. </span>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-4843010874362720742012-08-11T13:38:00.000-07:002012-08-18T16:35:54.123-07:00Uganda 2012 Day 10 & 11<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Day 10</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">began at 3:30am, packed and checking out of the hotel we headed to Entebbe to drop off Dot and Ashley as they began their trip back home ahead of the rest of the team. Pastor Scott decided with the first phase of our work completed, we'd head North where the wild things are and spend the night at a national park. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team has varying degrees of comfort and response to things like wart hogs and crocodiles. To be honest, when the crocodile suddenly leaves his rock to swim at and bump into your boat, it is a little unsettling, in a crazy adventurous exciting kind of way. Some screamed, others snapped photos, the boat driver laughed at all of us. We cruised down to see the falls and on the way back saw a bunch of crocs surrounding a dead hippo in the water, as they were moving in, so was our boat and darned if one of those huge reptiles didn't leave the hippo to assault us under water! Geez, like we were really going to try to share their dinner...a selfish and aggressive breed they are. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 10 hours of driving and 2 hours on the river, we disembarked just in time for a pouring rain storm, another one of my favorite things in the world. We ate dinner on a thatched roofed room, and went to bed in a tent. Hippos are knows to be the most deadly animal in the jungle, lions are seen in the camp on occasion and I was trying so hard to hide my enthusiasm in respect to the nervous ones, but I was like a kid going on the DisneyLand jungle cruise only everything was real! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been fighting a migraine all day from all the bobbling of my head on the drive. Infrastructure and road paving are not Uganda's strong suits. But after writing a letter to one young girl in the village of Kakira who lost her dad a year ago, I fell sound asleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up at 6am this morning, with our breakfast in tow, we headed for the game drive area and were so privileged to see giraffe's, elephants, monkeys and more hippos. Then headed back to Jinja on a ride that felt eternal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wart Hog!</span></span><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Way more fun than the Hotel!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZTrrlegCns/UCa-FxI00MI/AAAAAAAABi0/XbW_1EnWU9s/s1600/hipp+weighs+a+ton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZTrrlegCns/UCa-FxI00MI/AAAAAAAABi0/XbW_1EnWU9s/s400/hipp+weighs+a+ton.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He made a hippo that weighs a TON!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HT4uizoXtD0/UCa9ow7wFYI/AAAAAAAABis/eCIByhJqgiM/s1600/giraffe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HT4uizoXtD0/UCa9ow7wFYI/AAAAAAAABis/eCIByhJqgiM/s400/giraffe.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">God's fingerprints are everywhere</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merchison Falls</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One minute he was smiling away at us...</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hip hip hip hippopotomus!</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did I mention we are in AFRICA? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tossing candy out the window
to children walking along the road made the day. We got back to the
hotel about 7:30, settled back into our rooms, repacked suitcases and
bags for all the things we'll be taking into the village to leave with
them. Excess VBS supplies, clothing and very simple gifts for each of
the 21 people who made the week work by assisting us in every way.
We'll be out the door at 9:30 am for one of the most difficult days I've
had in a very long time. Worship and a sermon and set the clock to
good bye to Olivia, in motion. Each minute we spend there is going to
feel like a heart breaking beat, knowing that this time with her, though
very scattered as we worked the same ministry, but not side by side, is
soon over. Please pray for me as I love them so much. Janet and those
girls. If it was easier for them, it would be easier for me, but this
is the way of it. Giving your heart away to a child and then dealing
with the separation won't kill us, I learned that when each of my own
went away to college, but living through the pain of it is only a breath
above death, there is just no describing it. A beautiful young girl
who so badly wants me to be her mom. To stay or to take her with me,
neither of which is a option. Hearts knit tightly together isn't enough
this time. We both need face to face and arms around each other, we
just do. </span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So you wouldn't be wasting a prayer on us tomorrow, as we attempt the impossible. Thank you...as you sit in church tomorrow...praise Him for all he is and all he has done...He is worthy. </span>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-44385507007284101282012-08-09T12:59:00.000-07:002012-08-18T16:27:39.608-07:00Uganda Day 9...<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Today we headed to Kakira for our final day of VBS and the women’s conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness we’ll be back there for church Sunday because I feel like my heart is about to break and I can’t face it yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized today that Olivia is unprepared for our leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had asked to stay with us at the hotel one night and as much as I wanted to have all three girls here for a slumber party, I didn’t feel right about them seeing our accommodations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pastor Scott also hinted that the more attached she is to us, the more difficult it will be for her when we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has waited 2 long years to see us again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has added my name to her own at her school, calling herself Abbo Olivia Jode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears ran down her face today as she hugged me when presented with her certificate for completing the women’s conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine were at flood level for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L6ctkqvqPw/UCam0ME58DI/AAAAAAAABfs/_kAv97kkihY/s1600/vbs+3+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L6ctkqvqPw/UCam0ME58DI/AAAAAAAABfs/_kAv97kkihY/s400/vbs+3+boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">VBS went really well today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the 4th day the children know what is coming next and are ready to move with little instruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how much preparation we do for crafts each evening, there is always a shortage.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Planning for 550, was 10% over the highest estimate, and when 600, 700 and today nearly 800 show up, the thought of anyone being left out is not an option so there was some organized scrambling for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dann, Kristen, Olivia and Sharon lead the group again in a really fun version of Jesus Loves Me and Fingerprints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chorus of Fingerprints talks about a hippopotamus, which we thought was something they would know all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight we heard that all week they have been saying beep beep beep la la la la la la, instead of Hip Hip Hip Hippopotamus, what a kick!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eDYJkGdjRA/UCaa5qzmJQI/AAAAAAAABe4/MFJ22JnNeX0/s1600/how+they+roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eDYJkGdjRA/UCaa5qzmJQI/AAAAAAAABe4/MFJ22JnNeX0/s400/how+they+roll.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">After the kids are divided up by ages, they sit and wait, 10, 20, 30, 40 minutes to get a plate full of rice and beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while the Ugandan helpers, are entertaining them with skits and songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love it, sit quietly and pay attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today Dann played Jesus and Kristen played one of the disciples in a skit while they were waiting to be served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t see a thing, as I was in the back with my back to them bent over a 1/2 barrel of rice, but I could hear the roars of the children every time “Jesus” had the correct answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished on time today, headed 1/4 mile to the church and walked in to begin serving Dann and the women, their lunch of...well Rice and beans, with a little cole slaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0c3U_8TBM/UCanNMjcG-I/AAAAAAAABf0/NvAisVjrdY4/s1600/jodi+teaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0c3U_8TBM/UCanNMjcG-I/AAAAAAAABf0/NvAisVjrdY4/s400/jodi+teaching.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Then we began our last afternoon of the conference, Nicole and I both taught on fulfilling our purpose in God’s plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As several offered a song to show their appreciation of all God has done, we wrapped up the conference, shed a few tears,</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icFEiTqXkgQ/UCan66-Xe1I/AAAAAAAABgU/K7PDQSx5Bek/s1600/kristen+and+margaret.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icFEiTqXkgQ/UCan66-Xe1I/AAAAAAAABgU/K7PDQSx5Bek/s400/kristen+and+margaret.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;"> hugged all 80+ women, handed out certificates and ended with a dance party and lots of pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet explained that having a certificate of completion for even this type of learning, helps them to get a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Dot and Nicole had a great conversation with Janet, sharing their hearts with her, as she shared that her prayer for several years matches up exactly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all amazed, that 3 women thousands of miles apart can be knit together.</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raMs8ZciBhQ/UCamTvIMYOI/AAAAAAAABfc/M3UkRp4fScg/s1600/older+women.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raMs8ZciBhQ/UCamTvIMYOI/AAAAAAAABfc/M3UkRp4fScg/s400/older+women.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was bitter sweet today, more sweet than bitter since we go back Sunday, but Lord have mercy on my emotions that day, our last in Kakira.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Tomorrow we leave the hotel at 4am to get Dot and Ashley to the airport for their 9am flight, then we head farther North and East for a day and a half of exploring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My energy is amazing, I don’t know how long it will take to recover once we get home, but I’m grateful for it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could better explain all that is happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just know that each blog post is taking about 2 hours to write, upload pictures and post...you’re worth it and so is the telling of all that is unfolding here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We'll be away from the internet for a couple of days and its 11pm and I'm going to skip the pictures for now. I just don't have another hour in me tonight. </span>I still can’t believe 782 children were under our care today, amazing. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u2Lz9LNOAM/UCangmW9OUI/AAAAAAAABgE/izFxKFbQTXk/s1600/Team+at+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u2Lz9LNOAM/UCangmW9OUI/AAAAAAAABgE/izFxKFbQTXk/s400/Team+at+dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. O'teeley the owner of the place we are staying took us to dinner at his restaurant overlooking the Nile. Quite a treat, lots of laughs...lots!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-69133410651623032722012-08-09T12:56:00.004-07:002012-08-18T16:21:24.074-07:00Uganda 2012 Day 8<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Its 10:48 and we are finally back in our room for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pictures uploaded from the day and</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">Another huge VBS...728 today. I don’t know how we pulled it off, but God is providing strength and peace, excitement and joy and stories and music and enough food for all that came.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone else thinking "where's waldo?"</td></tr>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I so wish every one that contributed to the team could see the faces of each child as they sit on the floor of a church building, knees touching and hungry enough that as they eat with their tiny brown fingers, every single grain of rice is picked off their plates, any juice from the beans poured into their mouths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seems right to fill their ears with music, their hearts with a bible story and send them home with their tummies full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are spent before its over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have just enough time to jump in the van to travel to the other church about 1/2 mile away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get out, go straight to hand washing and then walk to the front of the meeting room to sit around a table full of plates and pots of rice, beans, and cooked cabbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the women’s leader, it is my responsibility to serve each one on the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dann hates that he cannot help me, but has to sit and be served first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he suggested we keep this up back home, I told him that what happens in Uganda, stays in Uganda!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had a ball serving together, him leading at VBS, me teaching at the women’s conference and the two of us teasing each other in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we eat, the conference begins with the praise and worship portion, so demonstrative and sincere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes there is power for the microphones, sometimes the rain on the tin roof is so loud, everyone scoots in close and it feels like bible study in the home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a bit more casual this year than in 2010, but has purpose and I can only pray is making some impact in the hearts of Kakira.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course Olivia is there each day to help both with the women in the afternoon and helps with leading the music and parachute time with the littlest ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is as sweet as I remember and if I thought coming to the US would not wreck her contentment when she got home, I’d love to have that child come visit for oh 100 years or so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">We left the village today, dropped off about 8 along the way at several stops, stopped by the hotel for a quick break and to pick up some things and off we went to Raining Hope’s Home for children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there are about 25 or so living there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offered us their great appreciation and sang a couple of songs as a group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is it just so touching to see them respond to visitors this way and offer the only thing they have, something of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to tour the house, visit for a little while and hand over about 12 of each of the dresses and shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children don’t know about them yet, I suppose they will be handed out at a later time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of you gave puzzles and some tic tac toe pads of paper. This was a new game to them and was fun to teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">We left and Dot asked the Pastor who oversees the home, for a “spread sheet’s” worth of information just in case we might ever want to know if having a home in Uganda for orphans would fit in anybody’s budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always thinking, that girl, always wondering what more can be done for someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sees with her heart, and its so obvious her vision is tinted with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we could only see just as he does, respond with gifts that are truly sacrificial, and watch the Lord take what we’ve offered and rescue the hungry and hurting, well that will be a great day. “you are not your own, you are bought with a price”, if only we would respond as slaves doing the master’s work at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">We got back to the hotel about 8:30 I guess, ate dinner and 9 of us met in Maggy’s room to prepare crafts for the kids tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has done such a great job choosing things that she could pack and carry here, that were affordable and somehow turn supplies for 550 into whatever the number is for the day...yesterday, 450 or so, today 728!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room was packed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But completely under control every minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the women from the church were responsible for deciding who got to come in and who did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did a great job, but this was still difficult to see...outside the fence</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial;">, this little guy could see and smell the food, hear the voices of the children and still not get inside for either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breaks my heart and I know yours, but the building just could not hold another body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard today that the children began arriving and waiting for us at 8am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get there at 10 to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be the biggest thing they’ve experienced in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>126 kids came forward to accept Jesus as their savior today. I’m praying it is a seed the gets firmly planted and that they experience great blessing in their village and in their generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we finish up the last day of VBS, how will we walk away and lock the gate on that many is beyond me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is what happens on short term mission trips when you give your whole heart right from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been asked to return next year and do an entire day with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea how that will work out, but trust God to guide and direct it if he thinks it’s a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is asleep but me AGAIN...so I’ll wrap it up for tonight and try to get it uploaded in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks again for sending us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have made a wonderful investment in the lives of grateful people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span></div>
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Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-6667547924346118632012-08-07T21:49:00.004-07:002012-08-18T16:13:57.304-07:00Uganda 2012 Tuesday Day 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohe5xBEpVoE/UCFqyFxFqUI/AAAAAAAABb4/opv7K7Wvm4c/s1600/Eating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKb_vVTK9a8/UCFixU8BSdI/AAAAAAAABa4/bPlpomGg_mA/s1600/huge+group+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKb_vVTK9a8/UCFixU8BSdI/AAAAAAAABa4/bPlpomGg_mA/s640/huge+group+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v54RnSj2jyo/UCFnYxKsAEI/AAAAAAAABbg/k4EchwyUEOI/s1600/Dann+Handwashing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v54RnSj2jyo/UCFnYxKsAEI/AAAAAAAABbg/k4EchwyUEOI/s400/Dann+Handwashing.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank the Lord that the day at VBS went much smoother. The adjustments we made to the program were exactly right and we had plenty of time, plenty of space and a plenty of smiling faces again today. They have really gotten the music down at this point and their joy in singing the new songs</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">falls just short of ours in watching.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Today I just so loved watching those eager faces wait in long lines to wash their hands and be served a plate of rice and beans. I was collecting empty plates and realized not one grain of rice remained when they were finished. I'm so so grateful to everyone that contributed to bless the dress. There was more than enough food today for the 500+, after yesterday running out when 620 showed up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had more help today and simplified the schedule. It was perfect!</span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohe5xBEpVoE/UCFqyFxFqUI/AAAAAAAABb4/opv7K7Wvm4c/s1600/Eating.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohe5xBEpVoE/UCFqyFxFqUI/AAAAAAAABb4/opv7K7Wvm4c/s400/Eating.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The women's conference finished day 2. Nicole taught on forgiveness and I taught on the parable of the persistent widow and taking our need for justice to God. Just as I began to teach a rain storm began and it POURED for about 20 minutes on the church's tin roof. It was so loud, that even the microphones couldn't make us heard over the noise. Everyone had to move their chair up close surrounding the podium and it made it feel more like a bible study in my own living room with the intimacy. We wrapped up the day and headed back to the hotel for about 15 minutes at about 6pm, then we were off to a home for orphaned boys. Most had lived in another place where they experienced some kind of abuse, at another boys home. Perhaps abuse of funds, I'm not sure. I just know that as several shared their stories</span></span>,<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> it was clear that these God loving young men have faith that comes from living through some tragedies and not just surviving, but overcoming in the most humble way. They don't get visitors there, from the states anyway, so they treated us to VERY fresh home grown chicken</span>...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'nough said!</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got back to our hotel by about 9pm and I'm trying to throw this up tonight before I fall into bed. Dann is sleeping in the dining room chair next to me because the internet doesn't work in our room. I suppose I love him enough to wrap this up and take our Musea Muzungu Music Man back up to our home away from home known as room 76. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until tomorrow...bless you and goodnight</span></span>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-84567604967209871192012-08-05T19:59:00.001-07:002012-08-18T13:03:40.702-07:00Uganda 2012... Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 5... Sunday in the
Village</div>
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We hit the ground running again today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a last second load by the computer to
get the blog posted, we had just enough time to run the laptop back upstairs
before piling in the bus headed for church, Ugandan style!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so old when it comes to pictures and
blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My camera is a bulky one and
my internet<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a 14” laptop, the ones I
am traveling with carry both in the size of a deck of cards called the Iphone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t even had time to check facebook and
for some reason I’m locked out of my email account so by the time I get
pictures transferred over, cropped and resized, uploaded to the blog and
inserted in text written in the wee hours of the night before, well I’m sure this
is a boring “that was so 12 hours ago” account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the other hand, I believe I get to spend much more time relishing the
memories of the day by the more labored recording.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, onward.</div>
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Janet, now a dear friend from Kakira, greeted me as soon as
we got out of the van chased by children yelling Muzungu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a sweet reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are sisters, living continents apart, but
tied together by our love for Jesus and a petite child named Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I searched for Olivia right away, but she had
been sent to get her mother from a village quite a ways away so that we could
meet her. You can bet through both services I was glancing over my shoulder
hoping I would see her come in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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CBC has a new building, above ground built of bricks and
much larger than the previous basement that was dug in the ground, by hand and
wheelbarrowed out years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That dirt
floor basement is now used as a separate room for the children’s ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The windows are openings without glass, but
the cool breeze was such a relief from the stifling heat from 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service opened with energy and enthusiasm
and praising<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nWJvYaTIhc/UB8rwcPY9gI/AAAAAAAABW8/pwjmww-OC7k/s1600/worship.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nWJvYaTIhc/UB8rwcPY9gI/AAAAAAAABW8/pwjmww-OC7k/s400/worship.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just as demonstrative in their
worship as I remember and the children just as delightfully clinging very
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pastor Scott preached a message
of 3 points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is one gospel,
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is one purpose, giving of ourselves…for
the life of me I cannot remember the 3<sup>rd</sup> and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to please blame the children for
sitting on my lap and distracting me with their fascination of all things
Muzungu!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bible was held tightly by
one, my glasses were shared by another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Olivia
has a sister Jesca who has also been taken in by Janet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sang in the youth choir then came and met
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl who was shy as can be the
one time I was able to call, was equally shy in person. Like her sister, she
has a beautiful smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We were introduced and asked to say just a few words about
ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcvT030QSvU/UB8rkGAGUOI/AAAAAAAABV8/36G25KbG80M/s1600/introduced.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcvT030QSvU/UB8rkGAGUOI/AAAAAAAABV8/36G25KbG80M/s400/introduced.jpg" width="400" /></a>Tomorrow we begin all three
conferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all convinced today
that there will be A LOT of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am so praying that we will not run out of craft supplies, having only prepared for
500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds crazy, I know, but man
the numbers of them… Rogers, the oldest of the Compassion boys, came all the
way from town to the village to have church with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such an effort and so sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wore the suit he bought with his Christmas
gift we sent him and his mother sent a plaque that had been hanging in their
home with John 3:16 burned into the wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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The rest of the team left the village after church for lunch while the 3 Plums stayed and went with Janet to see the home where they live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-JAPYfj6SA/UB8roua5aGI/AAAAAAAABWU/FJAbobV9Xvs/s1600/Janet+couch+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-JAPYfj6SA/UB8roua5aGI/AAAAAAAABWU/FJAbobV9Xvs/s320/Janet+couch+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is 2 rooms, an upgrade from just one, when
the girls came to live with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
room is about 10 x 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One serves as the
living area, cooking outside on the porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other is a bedroom for all 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One set of bunkbeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top for
Edrine, a son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom single sleeps
Jesca and Olivia and a bed each for Sharon, a cousin and for Janet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clothes piled to fit in corners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet showed me the marks for each girl’s
last school term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still hadn’t seen
Olivia and I was very anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked
through the market which is only on Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several blocks look like a flea market, and we were able to purchase
some fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to a small meadow
kind of area where rustic tables and chairs were set up for us under a
tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet had hired a friend to
prepare a feast for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two kinds of
chicken, some beef, rice, pasta, potatoes, nut stew, poshe and pineapple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was delicious and so much food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A banquet that began just after Olivia
finally arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot tell you how I
felt when we exchanged hugs after 2 years of thinking about this sweet girl
nearly every day.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30Vm174CgSs/UB8woPBfbdI/AAAAAAAABX0/UB06ta5kPVA/s1600/Olivia+hug+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30Vm174CgSs/UB8woPBfbdI/AAAAAAAABX0/UB06ta5kPVA/s320/Olivia+hug+4.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot, because its
just a heart thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somethings are
better left felt, without the depreciation of a description.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJD1grHJd7k/UB8r6pcSApI/AAAAAAAABXM/mydb2N1WFLY/s1600/Olivia+hug+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJD1grHJd7k/UB8r6pcSApI/AAAAAAAABXM/mydb2N1WFLY/s1600/Olivia+hug+2.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love her so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is as beautiful as ever, and so so
grateful for the help we have been able to provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved her chair so close, that our
stackable chairs were nearly stacked while we were still seated in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> She spent the rest of the day by my side, arms linked with hers, head on my shoulder. She signs her name in school Abbo Olivia Jodi, taking my name as her mother. </span>I met her mother,and felt funny about the great show of affection towards me in her own mother's presence and our language barrier accompanied with her reserved nature made the meeting seem a bit awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesca and Olivia’s father died several years
ago and her mother “went with” a different husband, this is when the girls were
pushed to the side, or outcasts in their own families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two more children have come and the new man
is gone now to be with another woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is very difficult for the mother, 2 children at home, no income, farming a very
small plot for their food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand
better now why she was willing to let the girls go to Janet’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very common scenario and
contributes a great deal to the struggles of families in Uganda.</div>
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We walked for a while waiting for the team to return and
then broke up into teams of 3 and 4 to go visit some of the most desperate
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went into a small room with
an aging sick woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blind, with pain in
her legs and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a believer but
has been having visions or senses that there is something dark or evil in her
home wanting her to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we prayed
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the most we could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqE4SuDNjX4/UB8rlyA4K8I/AAAAAAAABWE/g8QYYTIvrP4/s1600/house+visits.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqE4SuDNjX4/UB8rlyA4K8I/AAAAAAAABWE/g8QYYTIvrP4/s400/house+visits.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed out to several other homes, but the
residents were out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dann however
discovered his secret weapon with the children and we walked through different
small gatherings of darlings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lets
them touch his hair!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHPkHezlXAQ/UB67T0yArII/AAAAAAAABVY/KP6aT7dy-og/s1600/Danns+hair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHPkHezlXAQ/UB67T0yArII/AAAAAAAABVY/KP6aT7dy-og/s640/Danns+hair.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are fascinated
by the white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its not blond, its not
brown…its silver-white and they love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was also teaching them some pretty awesome dance moves that have
until toda,y been reserved for the most special occasions like family dance
parties and Ryan’s wedding.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5U7WOZCzWc/UB67ofrqOFI/AAAAAAAABVo/DaGrn15uJb8/s1600/dann+dancing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5U7WOZCzWc/UB67ofrqOFI/AAAAAAAABVo/DaGrn15uJb8/s400/dann+dancing.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uganda will
never be the same and the kids mimicked his every move with huge smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They now think Americans are still stuck in
disco fever if that tells you anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love him.</div>
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Dann and Kristen have been asleep for hours, I need to get
some myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our day in Kakira went from
9am to 8:30 tonight and we haven’t yet begun the official work we planned,
teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But tomorrow will come and we
will do our best with what God has given us both in talent and treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pray that those who come will either
meet Jesus, give their lives to Him or find a deeper understanding of his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the best part of life... its the giving and serving and loving... the very best part. </div>
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<br />Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-23123076994733313302012-08-04T22:21:00.000-07:002012-10-01T14:50:46.658-07:00Uganda 2012 Day 4 Compassion visits!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compassion Children </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwVkiuXtw7I/UGnsCu6VAvI/AAAAAAAABwc/RDq-xb9EmL0/s1600/Group+compassion+workers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwVkiuXtw7I/UGnsCu6VAvI/AAAAAAAABwc/RDq-xb9EmL0/s400/Group+compassion+workers.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48FfdZGVyFI/UGnsXokB5WI/AAAAAAAABw8/KfkUggkVqQs/s1600/bowing.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48FfdZGVyFI/UGnsXokB5WI/AAAAAAAABw8/KfkUggkVqQs/s400/bowing.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s true…when Jesus asks you to do something sacrificial
there is such a huge blessing on the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That blessing was delivered today and my heart could hardly take the
size of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compassion suggested the
children we have sponsored, come to the hotel to meet with us and they began
arriving about 9am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One family after
another came and we were able to put our arms around all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their gratitude they brought gifts, each
one so special to us and we were told that just the evening before the families
were informed about our visit, so I believe they probably took something
especially meaningful right off their own shelves at home. It was so so
humbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One mother in her desire to
express her appreciation, bowed to the ground in gratitude. The oldest boy arrived first, Rogers. After exchanging greetings and introducing ourselves as Dann and Jodi we sat with the Compassion representative who had all the school and medical records for Rogers and Joseline. While I was looking over their performance marks and chatting, Rogers was talking to Dann about his future plans. Then he asked Dann where he was from. Dann replied that he was from the US from the state of California. Rogers asked a question we thought was already answered..."Do you happen to know Mrs. Daniel Plum (my sponsor name)? Dann was puzzled, but pointed to me and said..."that's her". This strong man-child jumped up and ran to me with the biggest hug and expression of gratitude I have seen in a long time. Language translation and name tags had confused him. When we all realized what had happened, we removed our tags and laughed at ourselves. Sponsoring a child matters very much. So much that a strapping 16 year old boy could hardly contain himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We hadn’t planned on the parents joining us today, but we
discovered that most of the children had not been in a swimming pool before
this day and some asked to watch their child play in the water.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful to those back home that gave
us bathing suits to bring, each one had something to wear and some quick
scissoring on Dot’s part made them each a good fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few water toys and plenty of floatation
rings, we were playing games and teaching cannonballs like we were
children <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ourselves.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMXMAoe1_rs/UGnsgrTaIZI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uQG3Rj-qn1k/s1600/Joseline.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMXMAoe1_rs/UGnsgrTaIZI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uQG3Rj-qn1k/s400/Joseline.JPG" width="373" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are beautiful
and fun and sweet spirited and smart and shy and gregarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ha0k4qvsFo/UGnsi0KTYtI/AAAAAAAABxY/EhnR-w5rtsw/s1600/saying+goodbye.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eeyb8XevTeg/UGnsEUBqRXI/AAAAAAAABwk/cR6ZSKIQqtw/s1600/grace+playing+guitar.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eeyb8XevTeg/UGnsEUBqRXI/AAAAAAAABwk/cR6ZSKIQqtw/s400/grace+playing+guitar.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, Rogers, who is the oldest at 18, wants
to be a doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big dreams and simple
lives, hard work and praise to the Lord, 3 fair skinned visitors and the most
beautiful bunch of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dann worked
with the oldest on playing the guitar.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
taught them the “human knot” and the children smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate lunch at the hotel, handed each their
backpack full of necessities and toys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Captain prayed over them and it was time to begin the goodbyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A note to the parents, a bag of rice and
beans and a blessing spoken to each quietly wrapped in a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kbNN0VMNnU/UGnsHI77tyI/AAAAAAAABws/UnIB4P5H82o/s1600/CK+Rice+and+beans.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kbNN0VMNnU/UGnsHI77tyI/AAAAAAAABws/UnIB4P5H82o/s400/CK+Rice+and+beans.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What a glorious day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ha0k4qvsFo/UGnsi0KTYtI/AAAAAAAABxY/EhnR-w5rtsw/s1600/saying+goodbye.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ha0k4qvsFo/UGnsi0KTYtI/AAAAAAAABxY/EhnR-w5rtsw/s400/saying+goodbye.JPG" width="382" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That the God we know and who sees our need,
connects hearts from one continent to another, there are no boundaries in his
kingdom and no bounds to his love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of the Compassion Center workers told me<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>today that it was a day the children will never forget, well tonight I’m
thinking that until the day Christ comes back or we greet each other in heaven…we
will never forget it either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glory
of it is almost too much to bare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow, the village, Kakira.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church from 9-1, then visiting a few families
in the village with extreme needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll bring along some food, clothes and share with them about scripture
and Jesus…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and tomorrow I will get to
see and introduce my Captain and Dot to my Olivia; a blessed day it will be.</span></div>
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Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-43350387211670296332012-08-04T22:16:00.000-07:002012-09-29T19:52:43.628-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Day 3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve arrived”… great phrase, but today I didn’t need a
sign to know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re here. Our room is
set up, dinner eaten, some worship songs sung, accompanied by the Captain overlooking
the Nile, a shower, a tour of the grounds of the hotel and one of the longest van
rides I can remember. 12 people in little more than a Volkswagen sized van,
with about 500 lbs of luggage, some tied to the top, and more traffic than I
have endured in a LONG time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it
was about 5 ½ hours, Entebbe to Jinja, and the poor captain sat next to me in a
seat that had no back except the suitcases shifting forward with each bump in
the road. We were thanking God it was a cool 75 or so degrees and overcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never want to see the inside of that van
again, except that it is our source of transportation for at least a week and
it will take us into the village where a “family reunion” will take place every
day even if we’ve never met. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Clearly the sleeping pill I took on the plane worked
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up after about 4 hours to a
soaking wet seat and white pants that were now transparent with the
drenching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An open water bottle that was
served with dinner lay sideways on my lap completely empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can image my gratitude and relief when I
realized something had been spilled rather than the alternate possibility that
was running through my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know exactly what happened; could have been a prank by Dann or Kristen, could
have been the practical-joke playing team sitting next to us on the plane, or
that bottle could have fallen in my lap mid way to my thirsty mouth when the
medication kicked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, I soaked myself and never even so much as felt cold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On that note, don’t tell anyone, but my poor focus
arrived in Entebbe right along with 97% of our bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the type who should always have a
bathroom buddy along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again the US’s relationship with other countries
has been tested by a 50 something white lady waltzing into the first MEN’s
restroom we saw in Uganda at the arrival gate at the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is with me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone asks, I never need to see another
urinal again in my life, never, just not necessary, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully that visual had me turning tail to
the correct door and the team gave me a refresher class on the signage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our greeters along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We missed one bag on the carousel when we picked up our
luggage, and didn’t realize it until mid afternoon at the hotel. It’s for the
Compassion kids and we had to get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am so grateful the hotel desk clerk knew just how arrange it and it did not
involve us getting back in the van right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone was exhausted. They ate napped and
showered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wandered the paths of the
area around the hotel and were able to meet the staff and a family living right
behind the hotel in an unfinished brick building, no roof 8 children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow, the Plums that are here meet a squad of kids we
call “our own.” It’s our compromise between the Captain’s brilliant strategy
that we always have food and shelter and my longing for more little ones to love. So,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the </span>Compassion kids are coming here tomorrow to
the hotel and we will be meeting these precious little ones, having a swim party
in the hotel pool and visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
a small backpack with toys and necessities for each one and some rice and beans
for the family and I can hardly stand the excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They have just this evening been told we are in the country, Compassion protects them in case there is a change of plans and a sponsor cannot make the visit, waiting until the last minute to tell them. But tomorrow...just hours from now, we'll be celebrating what God has brought together through Compassion.</span></span></div>
Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-28325691293010076752012-08-02T12:45:00.000-07:002012-08-18T12:34:55.973-07:00I see London, I see France....<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is it day 2 already?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the time change we are feeling like it’s yesterday, hungry like its
noon time, ready to board a plane about bedtime where we will be served dinner.
We are sitting in the London airport and with the exception of one television,
I hear nothing about the Olympics and see no real evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s odd that way, I thought the buildings
would be adorned with Olympic rings, banners welcoming visitors and competitors
and an Olympian measure of souveniers…apparently Heathrow heard there was a
group heading to Uganda and the fame belongs to Jesus today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are trying to act calm and like they
don’t notice us but I'm pretty sure those books, magazines and snoring are cover for their jealousy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flight #1 I sat next to a gentleman from Norway who was
returning from the US and a golf tournament combined with a spiritual
conference about inner peace and meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I talked to him for oh about 90 minutes and we debated and
discussed faith, Jesus, the Bible and truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was very kind, though confident in his stand, so was I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept saying he didn’t want to offend me
and that this was his opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
reply time and time again that I was not the least bit offended, because I KNOW
my Jesus is exactly who he says he is and fortunately my opinion lines up
precisely with truth, so I could talk all day, or flight in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when he ordered a beer, followed by a
glass of wine. ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, kind of reminds
me of Fred the driver in Uganda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a lively discussion, though neither one of us was
swayed, for now, I pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>65 year-old
Bjorn will have more chances to find truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we disembarked as friends, I couldn’t
help but think…I’m going on to Uganda, I hope you know you have a big decision
about where you will end up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The time is passing so smoothly and now that we have
connected with Scott and Ashley, the team is complete and intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a big bunch of blessings and the
fact that most are a generation younger than the Captain and me, I want to just
dance over their faith and hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
that we are at the gate I have to get over the impulse to hug every ebony
skinned person as though we know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Self control…not a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re boarding
the plane that will take us to our mission field in just about 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t be wasting a constant grin on my
behalf over the next 14 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Would it surprise you to know that I am balancing this big ol' lap top on one arm while typing and handing my boarding pass to the gate attendant? The rest of the crew are already seated, praying fervently that I do not place blog above making the flight. </span></span></div>
Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-57893079951555480352012-08-01T21:01:00.004-07:002012-08-18T12:29:37.496-07:00Clear Vision<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<br />
My contacts are the type that need to be changed once a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I was really good about it or a calendar
watcher or better ye,t had an app on my iphone that would remind me to change
them at the appropriate time, I would be ahead of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I don’t have a smart phone I go with
plan B, if bump into things I know it’s time, perhaps, to change my contacts, unless
of course I’ve had to call an ambulance in response to whatever injury has
reminded me to change my lenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is something about permeability and debris in the ocular macular type thing…blah
blah blah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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Anyway, cloudy vision is
corrected overnight and I’m good for another month or stubbed toe, whichever
comes first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized this week, that
clear lenses isn’t all there is to great vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus is helpful too, the mental kind, as I
found out earlier this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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To say Uganda has been on my mind is such an
understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t really remember
too many details of the whirlwind called July, but this Thursday, I realized I
needed to GET A GRIP when I walked into the MEN’s restroom at Albertsons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could say this was my first offense
of the male species, but if you remember my adventures in Turkey at prayer time
in the Muslim city square and heard the yelling from overseas, you would be
ever so grateful and find a renewed appreciation for our ambassadors or
diplomats or God himself for saving us from a Turkish attack on the US for
violating the sacred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my defense, I
don’t read Turkish or whatever was written on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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But here in the US, I should be able to read the door
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOCUS, that’s the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gratefully there was no one between me and
the urinal that gave away my misstep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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FOCUS…clear vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Its my prayer tonight as we sit at LAX waiting to board the first leg of
our trip to Uganda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0HPLSouBWM/UC_r4vtyDJI/AAAAAAAABoo/V2RHoJ639yI/s1600/airport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0HPLSouBWM/UC_r4vtyDJI/AAAAAAAABoo/V2RHoJ639yI/s400/airport.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to see all
that God has for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want my vision to
be clearer than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want the lenses
of my failing eyes to see from the heart of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for us, you won’t be wasting one minute
and we would be so grateful, humbled and desperate for Him to lead us with eyes
wide open.</div>
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<br />Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-46416887088939150142012-07-27T17:07:00.001-07:002012-07-27T17:36:26.321-07:00When love takes you back...finally...I get to return to Africa, Uganda and the village of Kakira. I've never had a family member head off to war but I've had children go off to college and I know some of you would argue that the two hardly compare, but I cannot imagine a reunion much sweeter than when ours came home again, where they belonged.
Even that doesn't really explain how I feel about Africa. Perhaps that is why this long period of silence on the blog. But NOW...VERY SOON...we leave the comfort of the US and head for a little taste of heaven, again.
Don't read my absence from "Just a thought.." as an absence in anyway from a heart overflowing with Jesus. Its just that somehow it has not translated into anything that could be communicated in words.
But I had to break the silence...somehow. Can I please just say that my heart is so full at this moment it dares to compete with the bulging suitcases we are packing upstairs for this next trip. Why this Great God of ours would allow this brokenness to minister in his name again, is just a testimony to His amazing gifts to the ones who least deserve them.
We will be leaving next Wednesday to be gone for a full 16 days. LAX, London, Uganda. 2010's trip cost us 47 hours of travel, one way. Somehow even with the Olympics in London at the same time, our flight time is a bit more efficient on the way over and we'll touch down in Entebbe, Uganda Friday morning at 9am. I cannot calculate the hours with the time changes, I just know that on Friday morning some very dear faces will greet us and escort us back to the heart of Jesus for me.
Dann (a guitar playing Muzungu Music Man) Kristen will be with me this time along with a team of mostly 20 somethings planning on pulling off the best of Bible School 500 Kakira children can handle. My heart is already swollen picturing my big ol' hero of a husband playing the guitar while Kristen teaches the hand motions to the music for the week. Its possible that the dance moves we are planning might just be improved upon by the masses when they get a little familiar with the songs. A good friend Mags will quickly become famous both because of her long wavy RED locks and the crafts she's got planned and packed for the multitudes that show up each day. Ojai's VBS director, NC will be leading up the children's conference with the stories each day, and Nat with a history of 12 years Russian and 8 years English will lead games through a Lugandan interpreter...Fun mixed with a huge dose of love is a universal language! And that, followed by a meal, (thanks to BLESS THE DRESS contributors!) will be our mornings. Afternoons, Nic, JC & a darling veteran of this ministry will participate once again in the Women's conference portion. Don't let the name fool you. This is not the American church women's conference. No cushy seats, no free breakfast, salad bar lunch, multi media production. This is down and dirty bible, in a basement-style church, dirt floors and adorned with barefoot cherubs peaking through the glass free windows while their mama's and grandma's pack onto backless wooden benches with hearts and ears wide open to hearing from the King Himself! They believe He makes a difference, loves like no other and keeps His promises. Um hm, we are building on some truth already firmly planted. Two lessons a day, two others sharing personally and discussion groups, all encased on all sides by singing and dancing in worship and the wind of the Spirit breezing through, sometimes lightly, sometimes like a hurricane stirring everything up! We'll fall into bed each night with barely enough hours of rest, but when the beauty of His people await us each day...more than the minimum would seem a waste. Love takes me back...and finally.Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-85688606281479213712011-06-01T20:23:00.000-07:002011-06-01T20:23:40.388-07:00Haiti day 5...bugs and rainBug bites and swollen ankles are the new accessories to shorts and the coolest tshirts we can find to wear. Benadryl, Immodium and gatorade powder are passed in the hallways and when I asked a small group who wants a diet coke over ice, I got the most enthusiastic response all week. Their hopes were clearly dashed when I replied "I know me too". I don't think they thought it one bit funny, but don't seem to be holding it against me. <br />
We hit the ground running again today and Dann and I headed back with Rachel to the Depot to finish going through boxes and putting things away, then making a master list of what was on each shelf. Cloths closet group sorted through the last of the items there and the painting was finished at the boys house. The day care center with the youngest ones, mostly toddlers is at the same location as the depot and about late morning each day these darlings are given their baths outside in two wash tubs. We asked if we could do the bathing for the staff...you know to give them a break today. It was an easy sell and I do believe we had far more fun then the children! Nothing cuter than a 2 year old baby, than a soaped up soaking wet bronze skinned bundle of energy and smiles! I know...right?<br />
After lunch we walked to the transition house, where the older kids are taught skills like sewing, carpentry, baking and screen printing. Just blocks away, we saw an entirely different kind of people. I could feel myself on high alert. The Deeds was with us and just beginning to feel the symptoms of some bug. He went to the community feeding program, but didn't stay long when his fever and aches developed. Dann and I stayed and the door was opened to let them in just as the sky opened with a moderate rain. The kids were not one bit deterred. They still played soccer on the concrete, jumprope and basketball. It was refreshing to us and again they were given a beaded project to complete and taught from the bible, sang some worship songs and had a meal. Dann was back at the guest house with Micah when Ashley the nurse asked if he could come to the clinic with her to stitch up the back of one of the boys heads. It has rained steadly the rest of the day and has cooled everything down a bit tonight. The Deeds is feeling better but he and I stayed back from the worship night to lay low and make sure. Dominoes, the Matching game and Go Fish seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. I am praying all the stomachs settle down by the morning as we might just venture out into greater Port Au Prince tomorrow or possibly do some painting at the new staff house. I do know we'll begin the day again, singing praises to the King of Kings everything after that is up for grabs. Makes for a great sense of adventure and I am always up for that. Sorry there aren't more pictures, I am the mercy of someone else lending me their camera and then downloading what I can. Until tomorrow!Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-72810129448835553992011-06-01T16:03:00.000-07:002011-06-01T16:03:50.858-07:00Haiti Day 4Yesterday began with Dann playing the guitar and leading our team in some worship music. We are so grateful to be here, serve and see first hand the labor of love of those who now call Haiti their home in order to provide for the children of MDL. After our holy huddle we split into several smaller groups to tackle some tasks. The "Depot" an underground storage room at the girl's room is home to donated items from hygiene products, school supplies, craft items, sports equipment and some misc construction items. We were asked to reorganize it and unpack and store the items we brought. It has taken 3 full mornings with 3-5 people working to go through bins, suitcases and boxes and create a little more order. Doing so will allow the staff here to more effectively update the website list of needs for future donations and make it much easier to find items that are needed. But hot, humid and dusty, roaches and some rodent "souveneirs" provided us an opportunity for a mighty big dose of holy perspiration; probably not at all what our team mates called it over lunch. Others from the team were next door sorting clothing and setting up a room as a closet that would be easily accessible and clearly marked and seperated by gender and size. Still another group were doing some painting at the boys home. Dann, Lynette and Kristen spent the afternoon at the clinic. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQQAg9VnIuQ/TebEiYZnjQI/AAAAAAAABPw/ItZvos3xTGo/s1600/Day+4+Haiti+Clinic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQQAg9VnIuQ/TebEiYZnjQI/AAAAAAAABPw/ItZvos3xTGo/s320/Day+4+Haiti+Clinic.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>A doctor very recently joined Ashley the nurse who looks to be about 25 or so and arrived in Haiti just 2 weeks before the earthquake. She alone, was the go to person when the boys home became a makeshift hospital. For seven days straight she "deputized" the older boys and other staff members as fellow nurses and treated people with whatever was available including at least one amputation. Her nursing degree cannot come close to designating her skill, knowledge and all she has seen. The rest of the women did some crafts with the older girls while they waited for their time with Alicia who would examine and purchase the necklaces and purses each had made for the "store" here at the guest house. With the money they make, they are required to save 1/3, put aside 1/3 for more supplies and keep the last 1/3. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQwMq1DSHaA/TebEd_hC2MI/AAAAAAAABPs/UOkWaiNwGBk/s1600/day+4+Haiti+kp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQwMq1DSHaA/TebEd_hC2MI/AAAAAAAABPs/UOkWaiNwGBk/s1600/day+4+Haiti+kp.JPG" /></a></div>All the in between time was spent talking to or holding and playing with any child we could get close to. Darling little bundles of sweetness and amazingly bright smiles most often mask the history and brokenness of their young lives. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwcLJuz-_zw/TebE1F3JfTI/AAAAAAAABP0/qFVustIklsA/s1600/day+4+haiti+girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwcLJuz-_zw/TebE1F3JfTI/AAAAAAAABP0/qFVustIklsA/s1600/day+4+haiti+girl.JPG" /></a></div>Each has a story, not that they share with us, nor do we dare ask them to recount such things, but the staff is free to confidentially share some basics with us and the fact that they can smile and laugh, run and play is evidence of what Jesus does and the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the staff and those teams that have come to help. There is just no more meaningful work if I can even call it that. Thank you for praying and supporting us.<span id="goog_606036688"></span><span id="goog_606036689"></span>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-51158808943048434772011-05-30T18:13:00.000-07:002011-05-30T18:13:04.759-07:00Haiti Day 3...the good stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Srb0hv86hIQ/TeQ9bX7uHWI/AAAAAAAABO4/lUNljvXv6qo/s1600/dann+learning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Srb0hv86hIQ/TeQ9bX7uHWI/AAAAAAAABO4/lUNljvXv6qo/s320/dann+learning.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smuQjjHUWTI/TeQ9j_kIj6I/AAAAAAAABO8/ecZFUEpVgQo/s1600/feeding+program+serving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smuQjjHUWTI/TeQ9j_kIj6I/AAAAAAAABO8/ecZFUEpVgQo/s320/feeding+program+serving.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTbErfpwpDM/TeQ9pwgj5mI/AAAAAAAABPA/GdY_dnG3has/s1600/dp+feeding+program.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTbErfpwpDM/TeQ9pwgj5mI/AAAAAAAABPA/GdY_dnG3has/s320/dp+feeding+program.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifBrD6ALDXA/TeQ9wsVXR9I/AAAAAAAABPE/aNXBTBEwD3g/s1600/lynette+with+baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifBrD6ALDXA/TeQ9wsVXR9I/AAAAAAAABPE/aNXBTBEwD3g/s320/lynette+with+baby.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA57ueEoc7k/TeQ95TgjSHI/AAAAAAAABPI/zCY55bBcMN8/s1600/rachel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA57ueEoc7k/TeQ95TgjSHI/AAAAAAAABPI/zCY55bBcMN8/s320/rachel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRLjGFXjc84/TeQ-tfVeyzI/AAAAAAAABPM/b_GCgExk32U/s1600/Dann+and+guitar+boy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRLjGFXjc84/TeQ-tfVeyzI/AAAAAAAABPM/b_GCgExk32U/s320/Dann+and+guitar+boy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEFnjnYlJz0/TeQ-ytLV20I/AAAAAAAABPQ/zgIvxAqyaOQ/s1600/deeds+is+the+minority.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEFnjnYlJz0/TeQ-ytLV20I/AAAAAAAABPQ/zgIvxAqyaOQ/s320/deeds+is+the+minority.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXbIdFjLmi0/TeQ-4ilZxhI/AAAAAAAABPU/ombj9iQiUdk/s1600/kp+haiti+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXbIdFjLmi0/TeQ-4ilZxhI/AAAAAAAABPU/ombj9iQiUdk/s320/kp+haiti+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLNQViGV2MA/TeQ_VCjyc5I/AAAAAAAABPY/yOAsTNgForM/s1600/micah+carrying.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLNQViGV2MA/TeQ_VCjyc5I/AAAAAAAABPY/yOAsTNgForM/s320/micah+carrying.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdis0K4poDU/TeQ_acHfdXI/AAAAAAAABPc/hIz7WRu-x0g/s1600/supplies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdis0K4poDU/TeQ_acHfdXI/AAAAAAAABPc/hIz7WRu-x0g/s320/supplies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We rose early today to gather for a meeting this morning at 7am and one of the members talk to us about John 4 and the woman at the well. Living water is the only thing that satisfies and makes any long term difference in a life. We were in organized chaos this morning. Unpacking all the 20 some bins and 23 suitcases here at the guest house, sorting and sending them to the storage room, transition training facility, the clinic and the two homes. Some of the group went to the storage room and starting rearranging and organizing some of the many things that have been brought to the orphanage in past months and didn't necessarily find their final home. Unpack, sort, pack, deliver, unpack. There was so much and we were so grateful how our churches and friends helped resupply so many necessary things. We got to witness the value and use of the gummy vitamins today at the feeding program that happens three days a week. About 150 children from about 4 to 12 are identified and invited to the patio area at the boys home. The boys at the home help set up, organize and host each of the 12 or so tables. When the gate opens, these chosen children are welcomed in and go immediately to a table based on their age and gender. They are so well behaved, probably out of gratitude for the meal ahead. We positioned ourselves at the tables and helped them do a craft, a cross with beads that represented the gospel message. Then they sang some great songs and they had a such a great time. A bible story was told to them as a group, in Creole, so I'm not sure what it was but when quizzed about what they had learned, they answered and were thrilled to get a toothbrush and toothpaste as a prize...how different they are than American children. Then we prayed for the meal. The kids never got up, cried, needed to use the bathroom or anything else. They all had self control and just seemed to know the rules and the routine. Then came the food, rice and beans with a small amount of meat. Some knew they wouldn't eat all of the small portion and immediately poured 1/2 of theirs into someone elses plate or bowl. No fighting for more or complaining. Every plate was clean. Nothing was wasted. Water to drink and then they were free to play or go home. We washed the dishes and played with any who lingered. It was such a great afternoon and if we weren't in love with Haiti before today, our hearts were stolen today.Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-22315870774457022942011-05-29T18:54:00.000-07:002011-05-29T18:54:50.391-07:00Haiti...Day 2After a great night's sleep and breakfast with the team, we were picked up in what was probably a flatbed pickup at one time. Back inside the cage that protects us from the outside and thank goodness keeps us from falling out, we made our way to church. It was full and by American standards over full as people packed in tight against each other for the service. The youngest children from the boys and girls homes sat on the edge of the low stage and looked our direction as we watched them. The worship time was great and the message about having an attitude that reflects God's promises and ability, was encouraging. We had time to play with some children in the yard, pushing them on swings and playing hand games. The language barrier gets to me. I want to talk to them and hear from them. A few speak English, but they are the minority. We came back to the guest house for a quick refill of water bottles and change of clothes and left for the home of the family that had the vision to begin this program and orphanage. We were served lunch and had time to connect with our team and make some plans for the week. Then, it was off to the boys home to help them with a craft for their house mom as today is the Haitian Mother's day. There were some basketball games, soccer games and some pretty crazy monkey bar tricks! About 5 or so, the women headed back to cook dinner. We wanted to give the staff the night off and all went well until we were told we had served some dessert bar that was intended for the boys home. Question: What could make a girl feel worse than to eat some dessert intended for boys who don't have a mother on Mother's Day? Answer: NOTHING. Tonight we will be planning for tomorrow and what is needed. I feel so much more prepared this trip. The degree of poverty here is tragic but somehow I felt more prepared. The children though, never prepared to see a child 1/2 naked or asking for food. This morning after the church service Dann went back inside to talk to someone and a man brought in an 8 day old baby, just hoping someone could help him get medical attention. Another man said his sister has a 4 month old baby girl that his sister couldn't take care of. Its so much to think about and try to understand. <br />
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Tomorrow we head to the transition program building to paint, organize and build some shelves, then at 2pm we'll head to the boys house for the community feeding program. Off to the shower and then headed for bed, night all.Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-5118755517628048962011-05-28T19:41:00.000-07:002011-05-29T13:14:46.199-07:00Haiti...just say "No, Merci"<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>We left the house in Ventura about 5:30 and reached LAX in great time, despite the holiday weekend, boarded the plane and left LAX at 11pm. After a few hours of layover in Miami, some bad coffee and meeting up the the rest of the team, we left for Port A Prince. Haiti greeted us with a blast of heat and humidity </p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1>and we boarded the shuttle to the terminal. The smallest blonde member of our team, the Deeds, was immediately under the watchful eyes of just about all of us. His mama, had such a tight grip on him, I'm surprised we didn't hear him squeel. We were given and had read over and over in the airport procedures not to give anything to anyone and say "No Merci" to anyone asking to help us. From the lines were ushered into, each took his/her turn infront of the immigration desk officer. Their presentation behind the glass must be intended to break us down and show us right from the start that we are guests and can be removed from the country at the hint of a problem. I admit I am always intimidated as they look at the visa paperwork, look at me, look at the passport, back at me, back at the passport and then slam the stamp of approval allowing us to move about 10 feet to the baggage claim area A uniformed guy approached us asking how many carts we needed and though we remembered to say "No, Merci" it came out 4, 4 please! Dang! That lapse in memory cost us the first $20.00. In our defense, the US has effectively taught its citizens that when a uniformed anybody in the airport asks a question, we answer. Period. No hesitation, no questions. No body wants to be "that guy", the one who shuts down the airport for some security situation because he hesitated in answering the "uniform guy's" question. So we did. After all 23 checked bags, with nearly 1200 lbs of supplies and 12 carryons, we headed out. Uniform Guy asked for our gate passes and our luggage claim tickets. I'm pretty sure the correct answer was "No, Merci" but instead we each handed over the small claim tickets because "Yes we want to take our bags with us and your uniform has "obey me or go home in a box" written all over it, so here". It took all of 20 minutes for the real baggage guy to find Uniform Guy and give him another $20.00 to buy back those baggage claim tickets. We Americans are sharp like a tack we are! "Big" wearing a hat that said "Jesus is the Boss" picked us up, and all 25 of us piled into the back of a caged truck bed with benches on each side and 2500+ lbs of luggage piled on top. A bumpy potholed road lead us to the guest house and we listened to some information about the area, tent cities etc... while said Americans sweat the equivalent of a small swimming pool...and oh how I was wishing for one earlier today. </p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1>We were given an orientation, introduced to staff and then taken on a tour of the boys' home, girls home and sports center. An afternoon full of darlings whose smiles could light up the darkest night. The Deeds and some of the young boys traded water bottle sprays and touching each other's hair. </p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1>Back to the guest house for dinner and some cause conversation explaining the history of the Manesstero family story of coming to Haiti. Tomorrow, church then lunch and planning for the week. Its been great so far. We are all exhausted and as I finished this up at 9:30, I am pretty sure I am the last one standing and that is just about to end. Thanks for praying. I'll try to get on tomorrow.</p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1>Sorry, no pics...my camera is having Err 99 issues. Pretty sure a local repair shop would have a guy wearing some sort of uniform that I am helpless to stand up to. We'll see what a good overnight charging for the camera and recharging for us brings..Night all.</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-71438718710476538462011-04-15T06:53:00.000-07:002011-04-15T06:53:35.359-07:00Day 9 & 10We arrived in League City late Tuesday night to the arms and bright eyes of my Mother-in-law's sister and her husband, the colonel. That's the official connection but the real connection is true-blue family and a love and devotion to us that will send us out the door today wanting to bring 'em home to California. <br />
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Cousins and their grown children have hurried home from their jobs each evening and the 3 of us have been trying to be ever so charming so that they might just decide to pack up and follow us home. We have shared great food and such fun conversation. We heard some Roger & Betty stories, visited the park and the Space Center and were reminded of the joy of a stolen cookie in the middle of the night.<br />
<br />
Seaborough Lane has some territorial issues we learned last night. The Deeds might have been crawling on the floor right along with the herd of Dachsunds, when he got a little reminder that he is not actually a dog. The morning has brought a near complete recovery of the reminder and a good story to take back to California.<br />
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League City...thank you for everything. We could move here, no doubt, with the feeling of home that we experienced over these 2 1/2 days. Let us return the favor as soon as you are able, we'd love to have you, all at once would be a dream!Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-77041126083150486972011-04-12T09:49:00.000-07:002011-04-12T09:49:30.352-07:00Road Trip Day 7 & 8<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">Shawnee Oklahoma…Can I just say that nothing you read on the blog about this part of our trip can come close to describing all that has taken place in 2 ½ days.<span> </span>We ate and walked and watched movies… there were a few wrestling matches, some shopping and cooking and a field of dreams for one little man.<span> </span>A little bit of girl talk, a bit of mother-son time, some sibling laughs, some dreaming and planning, not quite enough hugging, but that just leaves us anxious for this couple of college kids to return home in a few weeks.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We leave today after a few errands and a quick lunch and head out to Keller Texas.<span> </span>We’ll stop there to see one more cousin and her amazing and big family in their new house.<span> </span>Then on to Houston to see the Taylors, we think of them as "Plum" good relatives.<span> </span>Micah has talked about seeing cowboys on horses, complete with holsters for their guns since before we left on the trip.<span> </span>I realized yesterday that his expectations will be pretty high when we hit the state line, so I have tried to warn him by telling him that cowboys drive trucks now except when they are on their ranches, so we might not see any horse riding-gun slinging men in boots tomorrow…”that’s just terrible” was his response.<span> </span>I just love him!<span> </span>If I could wrestle me up some rodeo men to hang around the neighborhood while we’re visiting, I think I’d sell my left hand…I need my right one to hold on to his as we drive off into the sunset tomorrow, leaving my own boy behind here in Oklahoma.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Get ready Texas…there’s a curly headed cowpoke and his mama and DD about to see Texas!</div>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-76776505305585862322011-04-10T18:56:00.001-07:002011-04-10T18:56:17.245-07:00Day 5 & 6<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">Humboldt Iowa…We spent the day meeting more Nelsons and Johnsons and visiting different places that I remembered from my last visit in 1983…(way too long ago).<span> </span>We went to the cemetery where my dad is buried and I surprised my own self by getting emotional.<span> </span>I don’t know why it hit me that way.<span> </span>It’s been almost 40 years and I know its only his body buried there, but just seeing and tracing his name on the headstone made<span> </span>me wonder again, “what if?” We left there and went to see some property that my cousin had purchased to build a new home on.<span> </span>It will be so nice for them, plenty of trees and lots of space…no fences between houses allowing neighbors to be neighborly.<span> </span>One cousin, Susie and her family lived in Humboldt until 2 weeks before we arrived, when all 14 of them moved to Texas.<span> </span>But, we got to see the house and hear the stories of where their home schooling was done and the music was rehearsed and many cars have been worked on.<span> </span>A home rich in memories, tell-tale charts still on the wall detailing meals etc…<span> </span>My cousin Rick and his wife Connie share our empty nest woes, but recently purchased a house and had it MOVED to the property where my grandparents farmed and raised their boys.<span> </span>“How on earth do you move a house across town?”<span> </span>“On a truck”…well ok then.<span> </span>I have seen modular homes moved in sections, but a regular ol’ house?<span> </span>Micah loved the daughter’s racecar in the garage and thought it was pretty cool that the house had theme rooms.<span> </span>Aunt Bev stole Micah’s heart and devotion with an extra special piece of apple pie with plenty of vanilla ice cream.<span> </span>She stocked us up on GORP for the road and we had a great dinner with the whole gang followed by a trip to the park to see the train Uncle Howard built.<span> </span>Chambry, Chase and Micah could have stayed and played all night, but we ended the evening with sparklers at the park and said goodbye to Steve.<span> </span>Saturday, we left the hotel and spent a little more time at Uncle Howards before heading out on the 10 hour drive to Oklahoma.<span> </span>Humboldt represents the only place I know where my Dad is somebody.<span> </span>Somebody with a history, with a childhood, with people that really knew him and remember him as a person, not just a position in a family.<span> </span>God knows what he is doing and he always has.<span> </span>I do wonder how life would have been different had he lived a long life, but I do not doubt that God can bring beauty from ashes and replace mourning with gladness, Isaiah 61:1-4<span> </span>It is His way.<span> </span>I love what He has brought to my life and for the family in Iowa who honor my dad.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We arrived in Shawnee Ok about 2am and Dot scooped a sleeping Deeds up from his carseat without a peep…until he say Uncle Ryan when he opened the door.<span> </span>Remember when our babies stretched their arms out to be picked up or handed over to someone else?<span> </span>That was the Deeds…without a word, just a sleepy smile, he stretched from Dot’s arms to Uncle Ryan and melted against him.<span> </span>I don’t know who looked more content…Uncle Ryan or the Deeds…or me, but the middle of the night has never felt so good.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Quote of the day –running into the restaurant… ”I can’t wait to order what they have!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday morning came early for Dot and me…the deeds woke up pretty early and his mom pulled a trick out of her bag by sending him into Uncle Ryan’s room to negotiate a breakfast date at the donut shop.<span> </span>Sarah came over and we headed to Ok City to the fireman’s museum…advertised as open on Sunday, but alas, not this Sunday. Thankfully the zoo was right next door and we saw all the best the zoo had to offer including an ape that found Micah so intriguing, he nodded to him, then sauntered over to be nose to nose with him at the window of the exhibit!<span> </span>Micah thought it was probably that the ape thought he was also an Ape…<span> </span>”since he didn’t have his shirt on”.<span> </span>We had a great day, got some laundry done and are settling in for a movie tonight.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Quote of the day “Mom, when I grow up will I grow hair all over my face?”<span> </span>answer “Yes”… “ok then I’m going to shave in the afternoon and the nighttime cause I don’t think I want to grow that.”</div>Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-83520968164020798382011-04-07T21:17:00.000-07:002011-04-07T21:17:20.686-07:00Road Trip Day 3 & 4We left Rawlins Wyoming about 10:30 Wednesday morning and headed to Cheyenne about 2 hours away Can I just say that if you are Terry Bison Ranch and you spend some time and money creating a great website full of intrigue and adventure...please be prepared to deliver on your tease. We arrived to...well no one. The alpaca's, horses and ponies were accessible, so we parked and walked the cat walk overhead and then took an apple from the car and fed the ponies small bites on small gloved hands, stretched out flat preserving fingers. Of course, the Deeds insisted on wearing his cowboy hat and I thought a car and three Californians might have raised some interest and a greeting or at least a scolding for feeding their animals, but no one...was around. There was country music playing from speakers around the different buildings...but without any humans in sight, the thought crossed my mind that we could have just walked in on some major crime scene and the barn might contain more than some tack and baby kittens...perhaps I watch too much CSI. We seized the opportunity for some good photo ops and finally found the guy that gives the train rides who was more than nice, but seemed a little tired from the three rides he had given earlier that morning. After the animals, we were anxious to visit and fish from the stocked pond, except that I guess we were supposed to bring our own poles and string and whatever else fisher guys use. I told them how far we had traveled hoping they would find a loaner in the back somewhere...but alas my charm and sympathy seeking techniques failed miserably. Dot and I were sorely disappointed...the Deeds seemed just as happy to stand in a mud puddle and pretend to fish with a stick. My bitterness...it lingers. <br />
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Fireworks are legal in Wyoming and I am hoping Nebraska and Iowa because we stopped to purchase some sparklers to light up a parking lot in the next few days. Memories...we're making a few.<br />
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Dot looked up a great Rodeo Museum and we stopped there for an hour or so and the sweetest grandma in Wyoming sold us tickets and made me want to bring her home with us. Frontier Days...not this week, but worth planning a trip around in the years to come. <br />
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Then we hit the road and headed for Lincoln Nebraska...7 hours in the car and we were pushing the limit on exhaustion. Nothing though that can't be cured by an awesome hotel room and a good night's sleep won't cure. The Deeds celebrates each time we get to go to the breakfast where "you can get whatever you want and you don't have to pay." That way we can save our money, he tells us, which I believe illustrates he knows our LOVE LANGUAGE. A morning swim, showers and we were off to the Lincoln Children's Museum...just google "Heaven on Earth for Kids" it was awesome! Anyone of the play areas would have entertained our early childhood traveler for hours...he was like a ping pong ball with so many options. If I won the lottery, I would build one at home...so great.<br />
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We hit the place next door for our first restaurant meal and had the best macaroni and cheese since ever to ever. Amen. Then hit the road cause we thought we had about 2 1/2 hours or driving to Humboldt Iowa. Except that it was really 4 hours+ but worth every last minute. This is the place my dad was born and raised and his family is wonderful. Makes me so wish we had stayed more connected with them after the death of my father and so glad we still have now. So genuine, kind, unpretentious and loving and a sense of humor that feels familiar. I am looking forward to a tour of the town tomorrow. Perhaps I am trying to recreate days long gone and the history of my Dad, but there is a little feeling of home in my heart tonight. <br />
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Until next time..Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27435718.post-9813868569247640362011-04-06T07:57:00.000-07:002011-04-06T07:57:35.436-07:00Road Trip Day 1 & 2I woke up early this morning in our hotel room, dark from the black out drapes, (if I were going to have an affair...it would be with black out drapes...they complete me:) I think it was a headache that woke me up and after making a hot pack (hot towel in a plastic bag from subway, genius!) I climbed back into bed and laid away thinking and pouring out my heart to God, thanking him for our family. I'm sure it has more to do with the fact that they are ours and no one elses, so I have a front row seat to their dreams, hopes, laughter and see first hand how they live out their priorities with such conviction. Today I was especially focused on the courage they display. The character stuff, that is was gets me, what tenders me towards them and makes me so grateful.<br />
Each one in their own way, and on their own path have and continue to face challenges that require an extra measure of fortitude, and they keep walking. Sometimes the call is to make the right decision and sometimes, to make their decisions right. It isn't unlike what their parents have also experienced and the grandparents before that...its just different to watch it in your children, and its hard in the dark and the quiet, not to soak a pillow with early morning tears of gratitude and love.<br />
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2011 will be marked as a year of great adventure and new things, and the grace and manna God has stored up to serve us each day is more than sufficient! <br />
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This road trip adventure began with a marathon of driving and we tried to figure it out last night, but I was way too tired to calculate the number of hours we had driven in the last 24 or ratio of sleep to awake considering time zones and trip odometers and gas stops.... this would I think require something above Mr. Rigsby's Algebra 2 class in 1978! I do know we recorded 1000 miles and 4 states, 2 sandwiches, 2 salads, way too much coffee and gas prices ranging from $4.99 a gallon to $3.67. We played the guess who game, the matching game...an eye spy game of sorts, watch Franklin videos, heard hours of legos going on in the back seat, road an Alpine roller coaster...twice and opened a couple of items from the prize box as the eye spy points accumulated. A 4 year old is good for me. Who else, but a grandchild could make be go from Jacuzzi to pool at 8 oclock at night, performing a dive move from the 70's? <br />
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Today we are headed to Cheyenne. Can I just say God and I had a moment yesterday driving through Wyoming...I'm not sure what he was intending for this flat, brown state, uninhabited for miles and miles... no animals, no homes, no plants really...except perhaps he wanted to keep some land for himself, as though he is perhaps some sort of "green" wanting to preserve some creation from the development of an industrial people. Mission accomplished, Lord, what you claim for yourself is yours to admire, though I have to say it reminds me of the Israelites desert and makes me want to stay on course, lest I be sent to Wyoming for 40 years to wander!<br />
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We woke to a car covered with about 2-3 inches of snow, the roads look clear, but we are hoping the Ranch in Cheyenne full of the promise of animals, a train and a pond stocked with fishing success, is open and waiting to greet us.<br />
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Until next time...Just a thought...http://www.blogger.com/profile/18083751853350706495noreply@blogger.com1