Reflecting Through the Lens

The pigs are doing well. 

 Faith is a very curious sow... and she gives me hope that this piggery project will work out!

 Bear the Boar is growing at a steady pace

And Grace, the original sow is doing so much better.  Isaac really loves the pigs!!

And now, completely switching topics:

The Best Wedding!!

 Grace and Sam have finally said "I do"

 She's a stunning bride with a fantastic voice for Jesus!

 I love their style!

After the wedding, I took an overnight bus and traveled to Kampala, so that I could catch a flight to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

 Seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro from the plane, as I flew to the Thrive Conference. 

For three days I was able to enjoy the fellowship of these other ladies… swapping stories and tips about living in Africa.  The guest speaker, Peg Forrest, was truly inspirational and I praise God for her message.  It was about seeing God in the little things of every day.  Sometimes we might think we are plucking blackberries, when really, we might be standing in front of the burning bush.

Every day we met in small groups.  I was a part of a singles group, and so there were 8 of us to encourage each other and pray for each other.  It was so special to have hands placed over me in prayer, from other women who serve on the field and know the joys and struggles. 

Afternoons were a time of pampering and relaxation.  I slept a lot because I have been fighting a very deep cold, and I know that I would not have been able to rest in Soroti.  I also received a haircut and a pedicure on one afternoon.  During another afternoon I met with a counselor and a prayer partner.  

Every evening we had a good time of worship and then played games (which the prizes were sweet treasures from the west – like Reeses Pieces, dried fruits, magazines, etc.), before sharing experiences and advice from the field once again.

 At the end of the retreat, I headed to the Indian Ocean with 11 ladies, to go snorkeling for the afternoon.  Truly rewarding.

 We saw a super cool sailboat on our way to the snorkeling location

 It's cargo was a sight to behold

 I was super pumped as we approached the island... I knew I was in my much beloved Africa when I found another item on my bucket list.... a Baobab tree!

 I just think they are the coolest trees out there

 Playing with God's creation

 Anchors up as the sun was setting

 Upon reaching shore, I found an old college friend waiting for me.  Rebecca took me out for some incredible seafood, at a yummy restaurant called "Gourmet".

For some reason, I felt like this restaurant belonged in Morocco - the atmosphere was filled with flowing red fabrics and cool music.

Rebecca invited me to stay in her home for two days.  I was able to see her in ministry - working at a school in DAR, and hanging out with some pretty awesome youth.  I was truly blessed by 5 days in Tanzania.

Messing Up

Tonight I locked myself inside the house... knowing that I need some quiet time.  Time to dig into God's Word, and write in my prayer journal.  Time to just be. Time to step aside from friends, ministry and the business of life, and just rest.  Time to lay down and get over this deep chest congestion that's starting to irritate my presence.  While I was chatting with God, pictures came to my mind of places where I feel like I am messing up... and I thought I should share them with you.

1. Two weeks ago, I was shooting off an email, sitting by the laptop in my dining room, when a few visitors came to the house.  Good friends of mine, with my room-mate, entered the kitchen.  And I heard them say, "Oh children, how do you know where Auntie Karen's sweets are?"  I jumped up immediately to work on boundary setting.  I don't believe in caning, but I do believe in discipline, manners, and so I wanted to check out the scenario right away. 
Three neighbour children were standing in the kitchen, each holding a lollipop that they had helped themselves to from the cupboard.  I took the treats away and scolded them for taking my sweets without asking.  I explained to them that they had to respect my space and not just take things.  That's called stealing.  Well, the four year old boys understood and shrugged it off, but the three year old girl began to cry.  My room-mate said I was being tough on the kids and making a baby cry, but I was determined to stick to my boundaries.  Against my wishes, my house-mate ran to her room and offered biscuits to the children instead.  I was not impressed, but let them keep the snack.  After a few moments, I went outside and chatted with the three amigos.  I explained to them again why they couldn't just take things.  And I gave them hugs and let them know that I loved them. 
The children went back to playing nicely and I went to sit with my friends in the living room.  Suddenly I heard the little girl crying outside, and my gut reaction came out in a speech I wish I could take back.  I said "I hope she bit her tongue chewing on those biscuits she doesn't deserve."  Yep, my friends were shocked, and I was sorry. 

2. Last year, I had two occasions where I was called to speak in various villages - to share, preach, and teach.  Those are all great things, but not when it means the pastor only wants you there to show off that he has a white friend.  And promises are made to the villages that I never even imagined.  Now those pastors are coming back to me, saying that villages are getting upset that I won't come back and visit them also.  If I came to one church, why won't I come to another.  I've tried dodging the phone calls of these leaders because I struggle with saying no, but more and more I am realizing that I need to clearly say NO... "maybe" doesn't even come close to cutting it here.  Also, with my ministry and locality so clearly defined right now, I feel it is an injustice to travel to other places just to be shown off... I know the work that I am doing is for the glory of the Lord and He has brought the right people for me to walk alongside of in the ministries of children and music.  But why is it that I still feel torn in my responses to these village churches/leaders?  Am I guilty for having my ministry so clearly laid out?  Am I thankful that my schedule is already fully book with teaching every day in a primary school and singing with Oil of Gladness?  Am I torn between knowing my own personal limits and desiring to see God's Word shared in the village?  Do I feel abused for being paraded around the villages when there are far better Ugandan preachers who could share the Word in those places?  I have no idea.

October's Rush so Far

 These past few weeks have been delightfully busy. 

 Opio and Ocen are happy to help prepare the Canadian Thanksgiving Turkey

 Participating in the Ride for Refuge

 Attending the birthday party of my friend Jesca.

 Soroti Rock

 Last week I had to look after 5 children in church.  They were so good.  For two hours they sat on the pew and listened to the music, sermon, liturgy and prayers at the local Anglican church.

Opio and Ocen and I walked to church... we were all dressed in the same green cloth... and then when we arrived at the Cathedral - Adiba, Becky, and Brian also wanted to sit with me.  Adiba and Becky's father is in his final stages of studying to be a priest... so he had to be up front with the other priests.

 My twin brother - Moses - in his white robes, with the many buttons, is learning from the Vicar, all that needs to be done during a service.  Please pray for Moses as he follows God's calling on his life.

 Victor is capturing two turkeys in his cage.  :)

 Ok... so these are out of order... my big turkey preparations.

 Oil of Gladness is practising at my house twice a week right now for the big wedding on Saturday.  Sam, the groom is standing at the back by the curtains.

Here is a little glimpse into a practise session.

 Rockview Baptist Church welcomed me back last Sunday - as I taught Sunday school to the middle class.

 The church even baked me a cake!!

Teddy, Anna, Peter and myself are preparing for even more exciting ministry projects.  Right now we are daily teaching Bible stories at a local primary school.  My childhood dream of becoming a school teacher has finally come true... and wow, it is a lot of work and energy.

Marching with Tradition

Saturday, September 27th

The traditional marriage of my good friends, Arimon Samuel and Asio Grace

 Driving the girls to pick the envelope... which comes from the groom... telling of how many cows, goats, and shillings he is giving to the bride's family. The girls kept themselves covered, so that none of the groom's family could see who picked up the envelope.

 Marching butterflies

 The men were looking for the bride

 Here I am in traditional wear

 The groom!

 Having fun!

 Flittering and fluttering

 Waiting to be chosen

 Given gifts - a headband for each lady

 Dancing

 My good friend Soos

 The bride in pink!  My beautiful roomie (well, for three more weeks anyway)

 50 maids marching!

 The grooms family looked me over, but I am not the bride

 Here she is - Grace, a stunning beauty

 Welcomed by the in-laws

 Passing in front of the groom's family

 The bride - coming to find her man

 She has found him, and pinned him with a cross

 Sam and Grace, a lovely couple

 The engagement ring

 Cutting the cake... the bride has changed again

Sharing cake at the end of a long, ceremonious day!!

How Does One Not Worry?

This passage is not for me today, but for a friend, who is struggling so deeply...

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."  Matthew 6:25-32

Over the years I have learned not to doubt and worry because the Lord does answer. When I used to seriously wonder how my college fees would be provided, God answered.  Gifts, loans, work... whatever - I was able to go through school.  When the ATM machine swallowed my money, I fretted, but again God answered and four months later, all the money was returned.  I can "worry" about what to cook, or finding clothes that I think look "good enough" or how my family is doing... but I have food, clothes and a family.  When I heard that my funding was really low - I was worried about how I could really serve effectively when I'm living under-budget, but again, the Lord has provided.  Why me?  Why is it so easy for me to hear, see, and know that God is answering?

I have a dear friend here who struggles every day.  She works full time for an NGO but there are times she (along with her family) goes to bed hungry, only taking black tea as a filler.  Her job is being threatened because her education isn't high enough.  The university where she is trying to get her Master's continues to set up cruel roadblocks.  She is so down.  She works hard everyday but money isn't enough for rent or food, clothes or school fees.  Her faith is quickly declining as she becomes bitter with God.  How can she not worry about tomorrow when her tomorrows have been almost 2 years now?  I can sort of see how she is getting frustrated with God.  How can she not worry?  What is life - if you can't work, eat, host, support?  Life is important in the eyes of God and so it is my prayer that He will touch her life!!  She needs encouragement.  She needs answers.  She needs a light at the end of the tunnel.

Pray for me, as I strive to be an encouragement to this sweet friend. 

Walking with Others

I am so very grateful for my partnership with CRWM and it was on my heart to be a part of these three days of meeting with CRWM and World Renew in Entebbe.

 32 of us gathered from around East and South Africa... to worship, share, pray, and encourage.

 We met right on Lake Victoria - what an awesome Creator we serve!!

 One of our biggest projects was working on TLT (Timothy Leadership Training) forms - for follow-up and accountability.  This is a truly valuable tool, used to train leaders all over the world. 

 It was great meeting up with those who work in the CRWM office in Kenya, but also to fellowship with another mzungu (Mike Ribbens)... I went through training with him way back in 2001, and now, years later, our paths cross again.

This week I had a super fun project!!

OneHope was sending a team to Soroti to assess their curriculum with low-literacy students.  OneHope, which used to be Book of Hope, is a free, international curriculum that is given to children everywhere - through pictures, videos, books, and apps. This Bible material goes out to almost 100,000,000 children a year.

 I went with to the school, to be the familiar face for the children, as I introduced the team from Kampala and Miami.  For a whole day we made presentations in the P3 and P5 classes, and then pulled out 30 of the low-level reading students to do a one on one assessment... in order to better the materials.  These children are Soroti will have a voice for the children of the world who receive this awesome material!!

 Ann is also one of my children's ministry partners, now the two of us have lots of follow-up work to do at this fun little school.  17 Stories - here we come!! 

The Kampala teachers were fantastic at making the kids feel comfortable and letting them know that their opinions mattered. 

In the evenings, before and after the assessment, I enjoyed meals with this team and some sweet fellowship in my home. 

Airline Encouragement

After returning to Uganda, I checked my airline card to see if the miles for flying were updated.  Half of the trip showed up on the summary - the part from Toronto back to Entebbe, but the first half was missing.  I decided to call Customer Service and see if I could get my account updated and the miles or points collected.

I was quick to explain my situation and at first the lady on the other end of the line told me that I had to finish my travels before the points could be awarded.  I explained that I had completed my travels.  I live in Uganda... so I started from here and finished here.  She finally understood, but then she changed tones.  What?  You live in Uganda?  What do you do there?

After describing that I am a missionary, and participating in training teachers, as well as, doing music and children's ministry she asked if I had a website for the mission agency I serve with.  I told her that since she had my email address on file, she should send me a personal email and I would send her the info. 

Well, since then I have received two emails and I am gently encouraged.  That is one customer service phone call that has been a shocking source of simple delight for me.  Here is her latest response:

I read your email Friday and checked out your blog as well. Meant to let you know, but been really busy. 

It was a pleasure speaking with you as well and then to see your ministry opportunities.  Having worked in Christian schools for over twenty years, it is such a joy to see young people such as yourself following the call of God for their lives and affecting the eternity of others. 

May the Lord bless you abundantly,

 

God's treasures are everywhere and I'm thankful for this airline lady today!