Father Heart

June 23-24... I found myself at a child sponsorship site - training the parents about the Father Heart of God.  I once again loved training along side of Peter and Tereza.  I spoke on mothers - the role the play, what happens when they are absent, what a Godly mother looks like and more.  Peter spoke more from the father's perspective.  Even though none of us are parents, I loved seeing how God provided awesome material for us to lead these struggling, vulnerable parents.

 Tea time

 Ice breakers

 Teaching with Teddy 

 Lunch time

 Chowing down

 On the ground...

 Day two

Posho and beans.  

African Child Day 2016

For the past three years I have been the guest speaker for "African Child's Day" at Precious Children Nursery and Primary schools.  I always love being with these children and the relationships are growing with the teachers.

 The children did a few songs and poetry presentations.

 I told Bible stories about characters who prayed - Hannah, Daniel, Peter.

 The kids listened well, sang with excitement, and participated with energy.

 Sharing God's Word is a delight for me.

 Captain Salvation joined me in the ministry this year.  :)

 Although the kids really wished that he could fly. 

This little girl was recognized for being such an active listener and participant.

Songs, games, stories...

all of it focusing on the fact that:

Children can Pray!

Admitted with Malaria

On Monday, May 30th I trained at a small private school in the village.  There were 23 attendees at the training, and I shared about creative teaching methods, eight different multiple intelligences, and that pupils are made in the image of God.  During lunch, my friend Jennifer - a nurse - was showing school staff on how to use a malaria test kit.  Everyone watched with curiosity, and at the time, I had no idea that I would be driving over to Jennifer's house that night looking for a test kit myself.
The test came up negative.
The next day I traveled to Kampala to get my car fixed, to watch a movie, and to relax. 
Wednesday morning, I still wasn't feeling good.  The headaches had been occurring for about 4 days... and well...
I ended up blacking out in one lab, throwing up in another... and finally being admitted at IHK (the International Hospital of Kampala).  I had no idea the malaria was so high.  Shivers, fever, headache, joints aching, and nausea.  I have never spent a night in the hospital in my life... but I guess there is a first time for everything.
At least I have friends in many places.  People came to check on me, and thankfully the hospital provided food and bedding.  (Many hospitals in Uganda do not provide those things.)
I spent two nights in the hospital, until malaria was no longer sighted in the bloodwork.  I drove home with friends on Friday afternoon, and I have spent the past 5 days in my house sleeping, sleeping, sleeping.  I am exhausted, but today is the first day that I finally feel good.  I thank God for healing and for the medical care that I received, and for the friends who looked after me.

Educational Care

I love weeks like the one I just finished... busy, full of purpose... seeing teachers and church leaders become trained sharing God's Word through all of the curriculum... recognizing that we are all made in the image of God.

 I was co-planner, registrar, treasurer, and attendee of the 5-day long "Educational Care" training.

 When it was hot we would have class outside

 Praying for Rhoda - who was sick with malaria

 I love hearing all the stories that my new friends had to share... trainings like this are always culturally insightful for me.

 Small group discussions

 Sharing God's Word together

 Attending with Steven and Rachel

 Praying over one-another's action plans!

 (Out of order, but for the last two weeks, I have been fellowshipping with friends, celebrating my colleagues introduction and wedding)

Peter and Eunice

 And I took the kids swimming for Opio and Ocen's 6th birthday!!

 Can you find me at PAG?

 Mwaya and Munyiva wa Kitavi - my East African director for CRWM

 Church friends and leaders

 Global Prayer Safari planning meeting

It was a great week of learning, sharing, and growing!

Tiny Blessings

No matter how many days, hours, or weeks go by, I am slowly learning to sit down and remember the tiny blessings in life.  Here are a few of my latest thanksgivings:

1. Last week I had a quick getaway to Kampala.  I took the bus with my friend Teddy and we chatted the whole trip.  We sat behind the driver and enjoyed the journey, especially when we started eavesdropping on the conversation in the seat behind us.  I heard a man tell his seat-mate "Well, there is one thing I know for certain, Jesus is not the Son of God."  My ears perked up and my heart began to pray.  Soon, Teddy and I were in a very active conversation about faith.  As we were about to disembark the bus, Teddy stands up and loudly proclaims to everyone... "Heaven is a free gift.  And the password is J-E-S-U-S!  All you have to do is accept him and the gates will open."  I was so proud of my "co-disciple".

2. We stayed at her sister's house in Kampala and were able to join in a Watoto church cell group.  It was so neat to see the small group praying for their community and seeking out ways to make a difference in their neighbourhood.  Teddy's nephew "Jojo" shocked me that night back at the house.  As I was climbing in to bed a 11:30pm this sweet three year old boy said, "Auntie K, can I pray for you."  I smiled and sat at his eye level.  He began praying, asking Jesus to bless me and watch over me in my work.  His words became stronger when he threw out his hand and rested his palm upon my forehead.  I was blown away by his prayers and so thankful for the encouragement.

3. I attended a ISC meeting at the Watoto church in Kampala center.  ISC is International Sports Coalition and it's a new way for me to do outreach to the children in Soroti.  I have slowly been getting involved with this group, and this was the first time I was able to attend a regional meeting and see what the Lord is doing with this awesome ministry.

4. In a funny way my latest blessing is HoLeGiGa... Honey mixed with Lemon, Ginger, and Garlic - juiced.  I have been down with a terrible chest cold, and my neighbours are feeding me this local remedy.  I am getting used to the flavor and recovering from the cold that knocked me down at the beginning of the week.

5. And right now I am thankful for team-mates who have power while mine has been out for 24 hours. 

17 Stories and Sports Day

Monday mornings I share fun Bible stories at a primary school close to home, during the general assembly.  Then later in the morning, four days a week I drive over to another primary school to teach the religious education class and to hang out with teachers.  A third school has me teaching on Wednesday afternoons, and yet another school has requested me to come for guidance in both sports/games as well as mentoring in Bible story telling.

 Here is on of the Primary Three classes that I teach daily.

 When you ask children to colour, they feel the need to copy.  :)

 God created... Sin Separated... God promised hope!

 Noah... the Flood

 Jacob Wrestles with God... 12 Tribes of Israel.

Part of the 17 Stories curriculum has the children learning hand motions to remember each lesson.  At the end of 17 lessons they have a whole story to tell with their hands... of God's Hope - Christ.

 Last Friday was sports day.  The whole school was divided in to four colourful houses - Peace, Patience, Love and Joy.  Here are the kids during opening ceremonies.

 Points were collected all day and parents were watching the events.  It's like Track and Field Day, but with fun games played between the sports.

 I loved watching the little ones race.

 At the Officials Table - scoring their points.

 The Nursery Students had to sort groceries :)

 An intense egg race

 Sack Race

 Monkey Vomit... a leader has to help their partner cross a pond of monkey vomit by only stepping on the paper...

 After they step on the paper, they have to turn around and grab the second paper and place it further down the line... a super fun game.

I tried to get someone to take my photo while I explained to the kids how to be a Human Caterpillar, but they thought I only wanted pictures of kids... oh, even the English language can be a barrier.  :)   

So the only photo of me at sports day is a selfie. 

A race to fill the bottles

Overall, it was a long, tiring, fun, energetic, hot, awesome day. 

 On a completely different note... yesterday, I went to minister with a band called Jericho 7.  We sang and preached at a Secondary school outside of town.  Afterwards, when we were loading the truck with equipment, I started playing games and chatting with a precious little girl.  She has cerebral palsy and many people ignore her and stare at her, but we ended up chatting in a simple way and communicating love through the side mirror.  This little girl stole my heart!