February Favourites 2025

 

We have realized that not everyone is on social media, and there are still some blog readers out there, so I am updating here once again.

Soul Sistaz started up again at church. 

Soul Sistaz is a Friday evening program of Bible study, fellowship and accountability. The Men of Honor also meet on this night.

While at a Life Essentials retreat, us ladies had to break away from the men to discuss the book called The Measure of a Woman.

And we "relaxed" in a beauty session. I was way out of my element as I placed foundation, creams, lotions, colours, eyeliners, and lip gloss on my willing victim. I wasn't so comfortable with extra make-up, and certainly no foundations, so the ladies volunteered to braid my hair. Ah, heaven!

We spent one week in Kampala while Moses co-trained 80 church leaders and NGO workers on Helping Without Hurting in Africa. The 5-day seminar had great discussions, great cultural insights, along with stirring emotions and a slight wonder of "will things ever change?".

We ate well every day - rice pilau, matoke (plaintains smashed) with gnut (peanut paste), greens, and meet - either chicken, beef, or goat. 

I am almost finished being trained in this curriculum, so that Moses and I can train together in northern Uganda. We enjoy training together, and it saves the budget of us sharing vehicles and rooms, :) rather than bringing in another trainer from somewhere else. The information is really too much for one person to lead the curriculum, so a team we shall be.

We accidentally, or purposely, came home with another sweet dog. ZORO.

She is a Boerboel/German Shepherd mix and should grow up to be a big guard dog.

Sunday school has moved outside for a few weeks because the hot dry season is upon us and fresh air is needed more than the stuff classroom. It's hard to keep the children within boundaries though.

The discussions were lively as we tried to discuss alleviating poverty or helping without hurting.

We were 3 expats in a room with 80 church leaders and NGO workers, and I must say that I was culturally and emotionally stretched. And I once again learned that laughter is how many Ugandans process trauma and hardships.

Moses did a great job leading long sections of the workshop.

He enjoyed working alongside the authors of the curriculum - Anthony Sytsma and Jonny Kabiswa.

I am hoping to finish the course so that I can become a trainer alongside Moses.

Moses bumped into one of our bridesmaids in Kampala - at the supermarket. I ended up going to church with her the next day and sharing a meal at her house.

We attended Eric's graduation party in Kampala. Moses was asked to be a motivational speaker and to pray over the graduates.

Three Sunday school children were blessed with a Bible, pen and journal as they aged out of Sunday school. One young man cried tears of delight when he received his own personal copy of God's Word. He just sat in his chair, with his head buried in his hands, and let the tears flow. Hallelujah.

Apparently some church members were missing me while we were down country, so they created this AI version.

Moses took me out for German food for Valentine's.

I love hanging out with my bestie!

Make-up is done

Feeling good!

It looks like we had another break-in at church. This time it was the termites who made themselves at home. I'm always amazed at how quickly a mound can be built up overnight.

After two years, I finally got up with Toto Hallelujah. She is one of my adopted mothers in Uganda, and her daughter Rose is one of my sweet besties here.

On the northern express highway in Kampala, on our way to the workshop every day. It's rare when the traffic is so light. Normally traffic is chaotic.

Moses invited anyone who wanted to play on Sunday night, to join him out at World Embrace's Gulu City park.

Apparently Moses thinks he's a winner.  :)

Church family

University students just love photo shoots. :) And we love them!

This week was a good week - I got two packages at the post office!! One was a book of short stories, that surprisingly contained a mystery chapter that I wrote back in 2012, as part of the Writer's Nest. It put a smile on my face to have another piece of writing published.

The second one was a delightful Christmas package from my long-time friend, Michelle. Treats and treasures, a note and home-made love from the kitchen.  Thanks for blessing my heart!

I wouldn't move to Uganda for the food. I would probably choose Thailand. But I still have my favourite foods here. And Rose's lentils (choroko), with friend pork, greens, and cornmeal (posho) is one of them.

Dry season is upon us. The temperatures are around 38 degrees centigrade and when the wind is blowing it reminds me of the times I have spend in the desert in northern Kenya. We think we see rain clouds in the distance, but it might be wishful thinking.