Ready Set Go and a Christmas Cantata

Last week I again assisted my friends Peter and Teddy in teaching youth in the community.

 We worked with about 40 youth to train them in Global Community Games, where sport and games are used to share the Gospel with others.

 I was excited to see these youth grasp the task.  Tomorrow's leaders are getting ready today.

I'm glad I have a relationship with so many of these youth.  It's been amazing to see them grow over the years.

Also...

For weeks Oil of Gladness as been preparing a list of new songs to sing at this year's Christmas cantata.  We've had our struggles lately... there seems to be an atmosphere of change in the band.  Some members have left, new ones have come.  We are struggling to find regular instrumentalists, but at least we were able to be together for Christmas.

 A King is Born, this day in Bethlehem!! 

 Singing with Oil of Gladness and Trumpets of Gideon.

 The crowd got bigger as the day went on, but....

It's always a pleasure to sing for Jesus.

A Meaty Christmas! 2016

It is sometimes hard for me to take a Sabbath Day, since ministry can happen any day of the week, so that's why I decided to go to Kampala for a few days over Christmas.  After 2.5 weeks of ministry everyday, I hopped in the car to celebrate a very Meaty Christmas with friends!!  

 A strawberry nojito... a refreshing start to some much needed time off... and 

it's Christmas DAY!!

 Wow, we had fun shopping for the meat feast in the evening.

 The sausages were the appetizers to get us ready for the rest of the meat and chapati.

 Not ashamed... I reached a meat coma.  :)

 I loved cutting the cake with Tata (Grandma).

Service with a smile!

Here are just a few things I've been up since I last wrote...

 A ladies Christmas tea...

 We had a time of crafts, devotions, gift exchange, and yummy eats.

 Here is my tree ornament of the day.  

 Amy made the most creative treat!

Then of course... I had to decorate the house for Christmas with the kids.

 I was blessed with a cool package in the mail.

 I was treasurer and registrar for the annual Anglican youth conference.  This year we had over 1400 youth in attendance.  A full time job!!

 The youth didn't all fit under the hired tents, but that didn't stop them from listening to the sessions.

 Checking my lists and accounts

 Trying some new ideas with a fun pan I found in my cupboard.  Gingerbread quiche.

 Singing at the ordination service at the Cathedral

 Opening gifts with the neighbour boys.

 And having Oil of Gladness practise in my house for two weeks straight... every night until the Christmas cantata.

 On the last night, Trumpets of Gideon, another band also joined us.

Wow... no wonder I needed a break.  And I still want to share about the Ready Set Go training, the Christmas Cantata, and the Poor Man's Christmas!

Ins and Outs of Life

Right now I would love to relax on a cushy couch and watch a good chick flick, while popping on a few peanut butter M&M's, but I don't have a cushy couch or the M&M's.  The past few weeks have been emotional for me, yet deep and clarifying.  

I am so glad that I was able to live with the Tiesenga kids from Nov. 3-18.  I feel like I really bonded with them and I'm thankful that I could be an Auntie who could help out hardheartedly.

 The kids learned that I love writing cards and am always excited to send out my Christmas mailing.

 But they also learned it was a lot of work!!

 I held back many tears as I watched the family reunite after Steve battled with lung complications as a result of malaria.  We were all grateful that Steve and Tanya came back safely from Nairobi.

From there I drove to Entebbe to meet with CRWM staff and to take a day to go swimming.  I am glad I went - for fellowship, partnership, and some relaxation.  I think I needed it because sometimes I just need a weekend off.  I rarely take time off or a day away, because I love my life in Soroti!!

 American Thanksgiving was a joyful celebration.  I am glad that other partners in town allowed this Canadian girl to crash their party.  It was full of fun, food, games, socialization, and more.

 Everyone saves a few hidden treasures from the West for a delicious feast.

 And like most Thanksgivings, I am sure I over-ate on the goodness!!

This past week has been another one of those weeks where I pray, reflect, and receive counsel from others to confirm my role in Soroti.  But through all of that, and a wonderful visit from a lovely British couple, I still know that Soroti is where I am to serve God for now.  Phone calls were coming in - that I was asked to preach on Sunday, and share at God's Big Story at a Kindergarten graduation.  Ladies Discipleship Bible studies still take place.  Oil of Gladness is gearing up for a Christmas concert.  The piggery needs feed.  And youth conferences are booking up for December.  As well as plans for the Poor Man's Christmas.

 But today I was overwhelmed.  I went to the Cathedral to be with my brother and ministry partner, Rev. Beseri, as the funeral service for his father took place.  I had gotten to know his father over the past few years, and even I have tears.  He was a great man, but he has left behind an incredible legacy.  Especially when I see how much Rev. Beseri gives his heart to the Lord and to the ministry.

I also found out today that Al Voth from the Global Outreach Mission headquarters passed away.  He was our VP, accountant, friend, and advisor... and so my heart also bleeds for the office that supports me so much.  His wife Sue works in the Canadian GOM office.

While riding out to speak at the Kindergarten graduation, I was informed that I was not helping out with one youth program this year for a silly reason... and I don't know how to swallow it.  Last year I helped to train a few teachers in Religious Education curriculum and run a short youth program.  A short term team from the US had come... and they were surprised to see me there, working with the youth. Well, it was requested that I not come this year because it looks bad for publicity if I am there when the short term team comes.  They wanted the training to be their program and didn't think it was right that a person was here, working on the ground with these teachers.  Yikes - short term jealousy.  And that is just so different from the awesome visit I had with this British couple.  They come every year just to encourage those of us who are here, on the ground.  They came over for tea, listened to my stories and heart, offered guidance and advice, encouraged me in my work, and prayed over me.  I wish there were more short-term missionaries like them.  

Today I am home, trying to pray, research, and write a sermon for the youth service tomorrow morning.  I am so glad that the Lord continues to use me in a variety of ways here in Soroti.  And since I gave my car to Rev. Beseri for two days, for burial movement, then I shall not stray from my task.  (Oh wait - that's how I found time to write a blog post today.)  

An Auntie in Ministry

It's kind of fun, having early morning wake ups with outdoor dogs at the bedroom door and/or children screaming and searching for big black ants in their beds - which turn out to be the corner of the pillowcase.  After making sure that medications, breakfasts, daily events are planned, I also jump back into ministry.  Last week I taught every afternoon at a local child sponsorship program.  

 The curriculum was Understanding True Love / Sexual Purity with P7 students.

 I always love tag teaming with my junior discipler - Teddy

 and energetic - Peter

 This was the first time I have completely taught this curriculum and it was exciting, rewarding, and challenging for both me and the participants.

 It's not a topic that teens talk about easily, but it is such a necessity!!

 I love it that God truly does have the perfect design for my life!

 Day one was a little awkward, but day 5 had great discussion and I think some clear understanding, or at least a little more of a challenge to date wisely.

 Celebrating with the class!

 Throughout the week, various team-mates would invite us over for dinner... and us being the Tiesenga kids and me... or find ways to help me out with being a full-time mom while Steve and Tanya spend time getting medical care in Nairobi.

 Ronnie makes the best mash and chicken for these kids.

 If I wasn't busy enough, I also booked two morning trainings for Sunday school curriculum.  To be honest, these days put a smile on my face.  I love sharing God's Word and creative story telling methods to new teachers.

 This adorable thing is one of my alarm clocks in the mornings...

 And apparently Santa can appear long before Christmas.  Ho HO HOOOO!

 Today, dear Kate was "bored" and needed some extra time, so I gave up my feet to be with her.  :)

 She was very intent on creating a masterpiece!

 The many layers took hours to dry!! I'm not sure who wins... her sister also did a great job painting my finger nails.  A rare treat for me.

It's not certain, but motherhood may end on Friday for me.  Oh, I'm going to miss this fast paced life.  

Full-Time Aunthood

Woah, it's hard to believe I have been back in Uganda for two weeks already.  Discipleship Bible studies are the highlight of my Sunday afternoons.  Today I dove into 1 Peter 1 with four other ladies and we talked about living a life of HOPE.  Tomorrow I will be sharing about "True Love Waits" or "Understanding Love and Sex" with a local community child sponsorship program for a week.
But, I want to put aside the normal side of ministry for a minute, and share what is really going on with my life right now.
There are times when I can go for weeks without the fellowship of other Western missionaries (although 5 or so of us meet on Thursday nights for Bible Study), but lately I have been with my Western colleagues a lot.  Two Saturday's ago, one of my former team-mates planned an awesome harvest party - with pumpkin games, autumn attire, yummy eats. and sweet talks.  It was a true treasure to be together - laughing, sharing, playing, and enjoying.
Then this week, my Wingman, Steve Tiesenga, started going in and out of the hospital with malaria.  I visited him in a Soroti hospital on Thursday afternoon, and he was down, and on oxygen.  Twenty minutes later, I was called by a mutual friend of ours, to see if I could stay with Steve and Tanya's 4 children.  An air-ambulance was being called from Nairobi, because Steve needed to be medically evacuated to Kenya for better medical treatment.  (Thankfully a few of us pay $20 a year to be a part of the "Flying Doctors" insurance plan... and Steve was ready to go.)
Needless to say, I have been a full-time Aunt since Thursday evening - making meals, entertaining and comforting, guiding and playing, directing bedtimes and med times, and just being with these awesome children.  At the same time, trying to keep up with the few ministry opportunities that are on my plate at the moment.
Friday was a baby shower for yet another colleague in town.  And Saturday was a meeting with a few of us, to decide who should fly to Kenya to be with Steve and Tanya, for company and assistance.  I would have gone, but it is far better that I stay with the children, because I don't do that well with medical assistance.
So here we are, in Soroti, praying for Steve's recovery... his lungs are really bad and he is on oxygen... if you want Steve and Tanya's story, you can check out their blog: Here.  I am trying to be a strong Auntie, but times are tough when there isn't always a good diagnosis or known treatment plan.  But we are trusting God and keeping smiles on our faces.  But when the kids hug me extra hard at night, or have a little melt down in their rooms, it makes me go to my room and shed a few tears too.
I am so glad though to be on a TEAM!! Not that we all work for the same mission agency (actually, I don't think any of us in Soroti do), but we share our joys and struggles together.  Some are great at obtaining flight tickets, others are making meals, others are calling prayer meetings, one couple took the kids for an overnight of camping today - which gives me a breather, others are texting, encouraging, and it's just great.  I offered up my car as well, to take another team-mate to the airport yesterday... because arranging a taxi or private hire would be too late.
God is working here.  Steve is improving.  The kids are being loved on.  And I am glad to be a part of the family of God.

 Playing games with the kids

 Inviting more kids over to play - because sometimes more is even easier for me.  :)

Fall harvest game - Pumpkin bowling