Maid of Honour - A True Blessing

Saturday, December 20, 2014

I was the Maid of Honour for my neighbours - AKA - friends and FAMILY.

It was a truly special day, watching the two wed in church after 17 years of traditional marriage.  God is working in their hearts and lives and I just rejoice.

 Eddie and Rose are preparing to exchange rings

 The ladies sit on one side, the boys on the other... for the bridal party that is... but I had to cross the lines many times because it is the Maid of Honour's role to look after the flower girls and peg boys.

 Eddie was happy to make Rose his true wife!!

 Standing with the other maids/party.

 Dancing at the reception while collecting gifts.

 Singing during the service.

 Preparing with my adorable peg boys!! (Ring Bears)

 At the salon, Ann and Teddy were also preparing for another wedding... these are two of my closest children's ministry colleagues.  :)  So fun. Teddy was also Maid of Honour.

 During the sermon I had to take the kids out and give them a snack of chapatti, pork, and potato wedges. 

 Look at the peg boy.... never seen before in Soroti.

 We had lots of fun parading around Soroti town.

 Eddie and Rose!

 My good friend Sam was the handsome Best Man!!

At the end of the day, the boys had to crash at my house until other party people came home after a very late reception.  I was so proud of my kids and many people were very impressed with how much these boys respected this mzungu.  What people don't know is that I am a super good Aunt to them - through the good and the bad - school meetings, visits to the clinic, playing in the house, and so much more.  I love these boys so much.

A great day for a wedding!

Youth Camp Time

Wow, the two weeks leading up to Christmas have been overwhelmingly busy, but totally awesome and worth it.  For two days I traveled to Serere with my children's ministry colleagues to do a village training with the PAG churches there.  About 70 participants spent two days learning about children, how to share God's Word with them, and how to creatively teach them - especially with the OneHope curriculum that we were able to bring with us.

The following day, the huge annual Anglican youth camp started in Soroti.  I went on Sunday evening and began to register youth.  I was so overwhelmed with attendees that I had to call for back up!!  For three days straight I registered youth and balanced their books.  Registrar and treasurer is a big task, but I thrive there!! Over 2000 youth showed up from all over Teso Land!!  Hallelujah.

When I could break away from the youth camp, I also went to help my children's ministry colleagues once again... we were running a 5 day CYCAS training. (Community, Youth, Children, And Sports) The number of trainees was little, but the information was vital.  Together we went through materials on how to teach children, how to plan camps, how to tie God's Word in to the games you play, and so much more.

Here are some photos of the youth camp.

"Running" the Race

I always love December in Soroti.  The season is changing from rainy to dry... so it begins to get hotter - which is my favourite!!  And ministry switches from being in the schools to running youth camps, Bible clubs, and more trainings.
Friday morning, Peter and I drove out to Serere to train about 70 more Sunday school teachers.  A village church was organizing everything and it was amazing to show up at 8am and see everyone already seated and waiting.  We had left Soroti at 7am with my Tata (Grandmother) to also take her home to Serere for a few days so she could plan for firewood and food for another festive wedding next weekend.
Throughout the day, Peter and I tag-teamed on the curriculum.  I read a story, he taught some games, I did a Bible study on children's ministry, he shared different methods of teaching, etc.  This training is always one of my favourites to teach and Peter is full of energy.  Really, I'm proud to partner with him!  God has given him great gifts.
At 5pm I drove back to Soroti alone, while another partner, Joseph, came to do an evening and early morning session with Peter.  Upon reaching town, I ran a few errands then quickly got ready for Oil of Gladness.  On this night we went to Moses and Harriet's house - to minister to their family.  I am excited to see how God is opening up a new ministry of O.G.  Encouraging, building up, sharing the oils of gladness and putting on garments of praise.
After eating very little (I was starting to feel nauseous), I drove many band members home and reached my house at 11pm.  Soon I was sleeping, but by 2:30am I was up with a seriously running stomach.  I spent the rest of the night on the toilet.  I didn't know how I was going to make it back to Serere to finish the training.  (Sorry if this is too much information, but missionaries learn to talk about their bodily functions. :) )  I sent out a text to Peter and my neighbour ran to the pharmacy for some medication. 
At 10am I thought I was strong enough to finish the training, and really I had to go and finish my duty because Peter and Joseph were supposed to leave by 11am.  Another friend help me load 3000 student manuals in the boot, and I took off for Serere.  Upon reaching the church, leaders came out and told me they were all praying for me.  I was humbled.  Weak. Overwhelmed.  And yet, very ready.  I wanted to teach!!  Peter and Joseph greeted me with joy and soon they were wrapping up their session and giving me the floor.  I could feel God fill my body with strength and energy.  I taught for four hours, and the class looked like they were enjoying their time.  I went through the OneHope materials with them and played many more games with application lessons.  When lunch was announced at 3:30pm I just crashed.  I hadn't eaten in about 18 hours and didn't want anything either.  I ate a few dry biscuits and that was enough.  After lunch the leaders asked me to come forward.  I was honestly brought to tears as they prayed for me and my running stomach.  The power of prayer that was coming from their mouths resembled the energy I would think it takes to cast out demons. :) I was speechless as they closed in prayer and gave me permission to go home early.  They would do the group work on their own.  Our God is so good.  And so BIG!  I couldn't believe that I had actually finished the training that I needed to do.  But yet, why shouldn't I believe... God is bigger than a running stomach. 
I drove a few kilometres up the road and picked up Tata and another friend and together we drove back to Soroti again.  I took the neighbour boys to the tailor to get their peg boy uniforms fitted for next Saturday and then I closed the door to my house and rested for the evening.

Living Out Isaiah 61

Wednesday evening, a few Oil of Gladness members collected in my sitting room.  The kitchen door was open, waiting for more people to arrive, but none came.  Only four of us sat there... quiet, until Sam made us all look at our TLT Action Plan.  We are all supposed to memorize Isaiah 61:1-3 because that is the passage from which we chose our name.

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy (gladness)
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

 

After really searching through this passage and having a great Bible study, we started wondering if Oil of Gladness is living up to its name.  We began thinking that maybe we need to change our ministry approach. Yes, we are a great praise team, and churches love it when we lead worship, but are we doing all the things we are called to do?  We spent time in prayer and worship together and slowly a new plan came.  Especially as we deeply looked into what it means to provide for those who grieve in Zion.

Moses and his girls came in the house near the end of the meeting, and he led us on the piano, singing together I Surrender All we felt the Spirit leading us in a new direction.

So last night, five of us hopped into Sam's car, with a few shakers, a local drum, and a guitar...  no fancy sound system, no microphones... just our voices, hearts, and Bibles.  Followed by another member on a motorcycle, we arrived at the Sub-Dean's house.  He is one of the leaders of the local Anglican church here and we knew that he was not feeling well.  We bought some medicine and oranges and spontaneously arrived for a truly awesome evening of worship.  We wanted to bless this church leader and encourage him in his faith and ministry.  It was inspiring, sitting in his living room, sharing God's Word and the old hymns together.  His dear wife also blessed us with tea and bread and surprisingly we each went home with a bag of peanuts. 

"Mama, how many years have we been married?" the Sub-Dean asked.

"Thirty-two," she replied.

"And have we ever had an evening like this in this house?"

"No," she said with a smile.

With his hands held to his chest in thanksgiving, he asked us all to kneel on his floor.  We were all given an emotional benediction.

I am so personally touched by last night's sweet fellowship.  I have a feeling that the band is going to completely switch direction and focus, because we dug a little deeper in to God's powerful Word!

Rainy Day Fellowship

After returning from Abango, the village where the Oil of Gladness piggery project is taking place, I decided to invite a few families over for some cooking lessons and fellowship.  The skies were grey and I just knew that rain was going to keep us indoors.  (Oh, by the way... our first sow has mated!!  I think babies might be on the way!  It's been a slow process, but someday we hope the piggery project will make money.)

 Sam and Moses read my Aunt Roely's pizza dough recipe, and with lots of guidance from yours truly, they were able to roll out some very yummy crusts.  Harriet and I watched as these men got excited about their cooking lessons. 

 I also made banana muffins with the children, and a avocado/banana milkshake to accompany the day.  Through this whole time of baking, the men also wanted to roast pork, so we seasoned it really well and put it in the oven after all the other baking was finished. 

 Anticipating snack time...

 Ta... Da... Minced meat and pepperoni pizzas

 After the boys put the pizzas in the oven, I slyly told them that I had actually never made a crust from scratch before... so well done guys!!

 Victor can't wait to try this western food!

 Serving it up...

 And chowing it down!

 Everyone was willing to try.

 What is a day indoors without a little bit of drama?

And a few good laughs

As the children went back to the playroom, four of us adults went through another "Meet Me at the Burning Bush" devotional reading by Peggy Forrest.  It is so beautiful to know that we can crawl up into God's lap when the world seems so topsy-turvy, and share our joys and burdens with Him.  We loved  Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." 

 Later in the evening we called everyone back together in the sitting room.  And had a great time of worship.  The kids all had a shaker, tambourine, or drum and they really kept the rhythm.

Actually, this was the afternoon worship time... in the evening the power was out, so we sat around by the light of a solar lantern, munched on roasted pork and cucumbers, and had more worship with just shakers and drums.  In the dark we worshipped the Lord together and I praised God for the fellowship of the saints.  What a great day of breaking bread together!

The Cathedral... a full Day of Worship

Saturday afternoon was our final day of practise for our long day of worship on Sunday.  Oil of Gladness was called to lead the music for four services... 6am - Holy Communion, 9 am - Lugandan Language, 10am - Teso Language, 11:30 am - English service.  That was a full plan at the local Anglican church here in town.

At first I was excited... we were going to practise at 2pm... so I started getting the song books and equipment ready and headed over to the Cathedral.  Of course there were no sound guys and another group was meeting in the church, and band members weren't showing up... so time started dragging.  By 6:45pm the crew was finally there... equipment and sounds set up and all the singers present, but my mind was not in a good place.  I went and sat at the back of the sanctuary and spent time in prayer.  I asked the Lord to forgive me for being impatient and culturally insensitive.  I prayed that God would give me peace, energy, and joy to sing for yet a few more hours before heading home to sleep.

By 6 am I was back at the Cathedral and ready to worship God in a brand new way!!

I love worshipping with OG and I am so proud of the band... we not only sang, but some led in intercessory prayers and two of the guys preached as well.  The whole morning was about worship.

 Sam is leading the church in prayers.

 Moses is sharing God's powerful Word with the congregation.

During the fourth service, I read all the Bible passages throughout Moses' time of preaching.  I really felt like a Miriam, doing ministry with her brother.  :)

 Holy Communion

 The Vicar asked me if I grew up Anglican because from the altar he could hear me reciting the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer with great certainty.  I just smiled and told him about my very foundational upbringing!! 

 The band sang until 2:30pm because rains kept people in the church.  God is good.

A Tough Journey

Life changes from day to day here in Uganda.

 One day the boys are busy cleaning my car and having a great time, and the next day one of the twins falls out of a tree at school and suffers with a concussion.

 One day boxes of Children's Ministry material is delivered to my spare room, for upcoming trainings...

 And the next day they are turned in to a fort to keep the children busy.

 Four boys and 3 girls crammed their way into the boxes for a whole afternoon.  Two of the girls, Becky and Sarah, were visiting me because their mom was in the hospital.  One day the mother left town to attend a workshop 8 hours away, and the next day we receive word that she was hemorrhaging, struggling with malaria, and losing a baby at 11 weeks of pregnancy.  I was so sad for my friend, that I volunteered to look after the girls while the father traveled to be with the mother in the hospital.

 Ocen is here, trying to gain strength after his concussion.  At first the doctors diagnosed him with malaria, to diagnose the vomiting, but after talking with his twin brother, we found out he fell from a tree at school, and the symptoms were much worse.  For four days the mother and I had to help Ocen eat and walk around the compound.  His eyes were distant and his speech was very slow, but I praise God that he is much better now.

 Okay, so these are in random order... but the makings of a fort.

 Last Wednesday I took the ferry with my car, so that I could quickly get to the western side of Uganda, to pick my friends who had been in the hospital.

 It was smooth sailing, even through fields of floating lily pads.

 The car got all the way to Kampala on half a tank of gas!!  A great trip.

It was good to be with my friends, to see another doctor in Kampala, and then to drive them home.  Please continue to pray for my friend - that she will receive complete healing.  She is also struggling with fibroids and her hemoglobin is too low to operate. 

Last night we spent time in prayer and one of their daughter prayed this prayer:

"Dear God, help the baby in Mommy's tummy not to be dead; make it alive again so that we can have brothers.  O Lord, we need brothers to protect us.  And help Daddy to find money for food and clothes.  And help Mommy to feel better."