Journal Day 6- Soroti Rock

First of all...if anyone reading this knows of a place in Hudsonville that we could rent, please let me know! We have a month before we need to be out of our home. We are praying that God will provide the right place.

On Monday, we left the guesthouse at 5am to catch the Sunrise on Soroti Rock. This meant we needed to get to the top. I tried not to think about the critters that might be living up there as we hiked to the top with a flashlight as our guide! We arrived at the top just as the sun was starting to rise. Tanya read devotions from the book of Psalms. We watched the town wake up and marveled how peaceful and beautiful it was from up above. When down below, we can sometimes only see the dirt and despair, but God sees the big picture of beauty and hope. On the way down we saw some monkeys and were greeted at the bottom by some children who thought we were pretty funny to climb a big rock for fun!
After our climb, we walked with Tim to Nurture a Child- Uganda. This is a home of a Ugandan couple who has taken in 22 orphan children. It was encouraging to hear of Ugandans that are caring for orphans because it is very rare. Some of the children were sick the day we visited, which was sad to see. Chris had alot of fun teasing a guy he nicknamed CRASH after he told him the story of why his leg was in a cast. As we have gotten to know the people of Uganda, we have seen alot of them have a great sense of humor! On our way back, we stopped at Nakatunya school. Ninety children for one teacher and the children can pass to the next grade with a 25%. A team member was tutoring a child from this school who was 13 and couldn't read three letter words.
The afternoon was spend with Bobby and Rachael Kolb. They have 2 children; Levi is about 5 months and Nico is 3? Bobby is involved with a sports ministry. They are using sports as a way to interact and disciple street boys. There are many boys age 6-14 who are living on the streets in Soroti. Most of them are sniffing glue and high all the time. We walked around town with Bobby, but were unable to find any of them at the time. Instead, we ran into a man Chris met earlier in the day, who is the Ugandan scrabble champian. He has traveled all over competing in scrabble competitions! In the middle of town, here is eight men sitting by two plastic tables playing a couple of very intense scrabble games! We enjoyed getting to know the Kolbs better over dinner and coffee.

Journal Day 5- Sunday in Soroti (Obule)

On Sunday we were picked up by the Shaarda family for church. The church is in Obule. Soroti has many different 'Sub Counties' I don't know if that's the right name for them, but Obule is still in Soroti (I think!) Anyway, the top picture is of the church The service was done in English and translated in Teso. The Lord was glorified that day, under a thatch building with a dirt and dung floor, on wooden benches, with drums and homemade tamborines, with little babies and children scattered around........and it was simply beautiful. They didn't need comfy pews, nice carpet, an expensive organ or piano or a big beautiful building...not that those things are bad, but it sure was a blessing to worship with such simplicity, that Gods word was the only focus......

After the church service we were escorted to a hut where we would be served lunch. It is custom that when a guest visits the church they serve them lunch after the service. While we ate, we listened to the testimony of the pastor of the church. He shared about the changes in his life as a result of the Biblical training that Josh Shaarda had done with them. He shared that his wife didn't know he loved her because he never said 'I love You' during the whole time they had been married. He also was cruel and abusive to his children. He didn't know Gods word spoke of children being Gifts from God. His family had changed so much, that his neighbors began asking about it and wanted him to come speak about it at their churches. There is a picture below of us with the pastor and his wife and other leaders in the church with their wives....all with their arms around eachother. When Mandi took this picture, she said this was so uncultural because men don't touch their wives in public, so it was so great to see them follow Chris and put their arms around their wives! In poor communities such as this, a man is chosen to be pastor if he is good at speaking and respected in the community. Many times, they don't even own a Bible. They have such a desire to hear and learn Gods word.



Sunday evening we had Pizza and Praise nite at the Guzzaldos with all of the team. Jim made pizza in his new oven for the first time....the one he made in his backyard out of a termite hill, cow dung, dirt, and brick! The pizza was fabulous and so was the praise.

Journal- Day 4 in Soroti

The mornings were beautiful in Uganda...sunny and cool where you sometimes even needed a sweatshirt..sounds of animals and people moving around...we even started sleeping through the 6am rooster call. We were greeted by the smiles of Avalien, Moses, and Zulea who were always out in the yard playing away..waiting for Chloe to join them.




This morning we spent time with the Guzzaldo family. Margaret and I and Elliot (his pic is above) went to the market to pick up some things she needed for lunch and Chris joined Jim on his first business training. Jim went through material he had put together about 'Kingdom Business' with a Ugandan man who is getting started in a photography business. Chris really enjoyed this and wouldn't you know that the first Bible passage Jim went through was Daniel 6. God must know we really need to be knocked in the head before we know its from HIM, and we will pay attention, because this wasn't the last time Daniel 6 came up. Chris and Jim also took a drive to the Gemmens hardware store of Soroti (pictured above) The Guzzoldo family was so sweet and we had a great time sharing with them over a delicious lunch of homemade tomato soup, grilled cheese and fruit salad.

After lunch, Becky picked us up for a Soroti hospitol tour. I couldn't take pictures there, but it will be forever engrained in my head. Open aired rooms lined with beds. The floors were cement, dirty and it smelled of urine. I don't think I can give a clear picture of it with words. It was really sad. A couple weeks later I walked into Spectrum Downtown to see my new nephew and the contrast of the hospitols is unbelievable. We were told by becky that the pregnant women need to take with them; gloves for the doctor, their own stitches, and someone to cook for them while they are there (which happens in a grassy area outside the rooms) and also a piece of black plastic to lay on the table where they give birth without pain meds. When the baby is born you move you and the plastic, so the next lady can hop up and deliver.

After the hospitol, we drove to Kamuda, where Becky assists in leading a weekly Saturday Bible Study. It is a mixture of girls and boys...ages 13- 30 along with little children scattered all over, which doesn't bother them one bit. On the way there, we came upon some girls who were on their way (we picked them up)...some of them who attend this bible study walk for miles to get there. Their music was incredible and moving. They truly praise God with all they have. The topic that day was on idolatry. If there is a guest, they like to hear some words from them, so Chris was able to share a little from his heart. He also shared what a great blessing and encouragement they were to us. The bible study lasted between 3 and 4 hours and they soaked every bit in.































We finished the day with dinner at Soroti Hotel. It was great getting to know Becky more...she is an incredible woman. The day left us so very encouraged.....seeing a group of young people with such a desire to hear God's word and praise HIM!















Becky and Betty

Thankful- Day 3 in Soroti

As we awoke and got ready for worship this morning, we couldn't help but think about the team in Soroti celebrating...the two turkeys they would be eating that we last saw running around the Teisengas yard ....Mandys pumpkin pies made from scratch...and the many reasons they have to celebrate and be Thankful. Today we give thanks for them and the many ways God is using them to reach the people of Uganda with HIS word and HIS love!

Day 3 in Soroti God answered prayers and allowed us to see HIM at work in the heart of a woman named Angelina. Angelina became blind at the age of 5 from chicken pox, but that didn't stop her; she has a HOPE that she is not afraid to share. We found her that day sitting on the ground in a small square room with 3 of her friends who are also blind. She began sharing her heart for the blind people of Soroti. Being blind in Soroti used to mean a life of begging on the streets. Angelina began reaching out to the blind in the community and mentoring them in how to live and survive being blind. While we visited with her, she read to us from the book of 1 Corinthians out of her braille Bible. I loved this woman, her spirit, her faith, her determination, and her love for others. She was such an encouragement to me and meeting her is definitely one of the things that stands out from our trip.

Josh Shaarda then drove us out to see the orange grove that the blind had planted all themselves with direction from Team Beyond. This grove now supports Charles and his family. Angelina encouraged Charles while we were there. She said to me on the drive back "their children need some new clothes...did you see them?" I thought, Yes...but how did she see them? She told me how the last time she visited, she brought Charles' wife some of her clothes because she needed something to wear.

We enjoyed lunch with the Shaardas. We really had a wonderful time with them and their kids. There is a picture above of Chloe and Lydia reading at their home and a pic of how you get to use your creative brain in Africa.....when you can't buy weights, you make them!

We spent our evening with the Tiesinga family...having dinner, touring their neighborhood, and since it was a power out night we got to talk together with candle light. It was great seeing them again and seeing how well their family is doing and adjusting to life in Uganda. They have been there about 8 weeks now and have children close in age to ours...so it has been very helpful talking with them!

It was this night that God gave us Daniel 6. Daniel and the Lions Den...a story we all know, right? Well, it came alive to us in a whole new way. We were both wrestling with God..knowing He'd led us to this place...but both of us battling so many fears. Daniel was surrounded by hungry lions and yet God provided safety for him. He reminded us through this verse that He is sovereighn over all in our lives..right down to the number of our days. The hard thing in Africa...is I don't feel in control of my safety, I have to trust HIM more. In the states, it is much easier to 'feel safe' because the doctor is a call or drive away, there are no cobra snakes, I'm not responsible for my childrens education, and the list goes on. But in reality, in the states, Cancer still happens, Auto accidents happen, Break ins....etc. Chris said to me, what was it that Daniel was doing when he was thrown into the den of lions? He was in PRAYER and he did it 3 times a day. We realized it doesn't matter where we are, but who we trust. Bad things happen everyday, everywhere, but do we trust HIM enough to know whatever comes our way....He is in control....even if someday we end up in a den surrounded by hungry lions? (or cobras)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Journal- Day 2 in Soroti

Our second day in Soroti began with a visit to Amecet. A dutch woman named Els runs the home. Their goal is to take in sick children, nurse them back to health, and then place them back with their families. This is not always possible when 1 in 14 women die during childbirth. At the time we visited, there were 4-5 children available for adoption. Anyone who has visited a place like this knows how your heart breaks for these children. How you wish you could take them all home and give them the love they so need and desire. Little babies lying in their cribs craving someone to speak words of love to them.

After Amecet, we went to Arapai Market. People everywhere..selling what they can so they can buy what they need to survive. So different than where I live, where we work to have excess things, vacations, bigger and better. These people are working to survive, to feed their children, pay rent for their mud floor homes, and to pay school fees so their child can go to school and maybe have a chance of a better life. We were a sight in the market...alot of stares, curious people, and white skin means money. We wanted to run, like Jonah. We wanted to pretend we never heard His clear call to go. Can we just go back to the 'easy' life we have back home? Where is God in this place? This was how BOTH of us felt our second day in Uganda.

After lunch the team met at the Sleidrects home for a team meeting. The team shared praises, hopes, and struggles. It was evident, that they need each other, they lean on each other, and are vulnerable with each other as they strive together to be lights in this place. Meeting with them was a great encouragement to us.

In the evening we walked through Nakatunya, the neighborhood where Tim and Angie live. We visited some of the homes of their neighbors. There were so many needs right outside thier gate, that prayer and discernment was needed for each one because you can't help everyone. You could tell this was a struggle for them. Children are neglected, even by the Christians in this area, because their lack of a Biblical World View. Many churches are led by pastors without a Bible!

A 13 year old girl. We'll call her K. She was living with her aunt, I believe it was because both of her parents were deceased. However, in Uganda, if an extended family member takes you in, you are not treated as their child, but rather like a slave. K did much of the cooking, but could not eat with them. She could eat if there was anything left. Another neighbor girl slept outside their gate one night because she was chased from the home she lived at. I prayed many times that God would give me a love for the people of Uganda. That He would break my heart with what breaks His, and that He would show me HE is present in this place that all I could see was Hurt, Poverty, and Darkness.

Journal- Day 1 in Soroti

We are home, landed in Chicago Saturday afternoon! Our bodies are still adjusting to the time change, but we're getting there. We are beginning to process all we experienced to last couple weeks. We have been given a debriefing packet that has helped a lot! So, I am going to write about each of our days in Uganda... I think it will help me remember and process...as it all feels like a blur right now!

First of all, 2 days after arriving home, we received an email that the couple who bought our home contingent on the sale of thier home...SOLD theirs and their buyer would like to close before the end of the year. All I have to say is God's timing is incredible and I am still in a state of shock about it......no tears yet, though sure to come. This morning we got the call that my sister had a little baby boy Kendall! I just got back from seeing him! So amazing...such a miracle! He is beautiful. I couldn't help but think about the contrast of the hospital here to the one in Soroti. Two totally different worlds.

DAY 1

We awoke to the rooster, whom I think we wrote about our fondness of previously! Chloe loved the Sliedrects yard, they had bunnies, chickens, and a rooster running around. It is a large yard with lots of room for the kids to run and for the neighborhood kids to join them. We took a walk into Soroti town. It was busy with people as is everywhere in Africa. That is the biggest change in coming home, is that you see no one outside....in Africa people use their homes for sleeping mostly..so everyone is outside. We toured the market in town where you can find lots of fresh produce. The woman in the pic above is blowing the rice to remove the shells on the rice. (there is another name for it?) We ate at Landmark Restaurant and had an 'American Meal' of chicken, fish, and fries. After this, we visited the Hindu Mosque and a Muslim Cemetery. It seems so silly to us that they would worship dolls as you see in the pictures above. And how incredibly sad that they have not heard the truth...or their eyes have not been opened to see the lies they believe. A field full of tombstones of adults and children that are not in heaven. I think day one was overwhelming to Chris and I. I know I was in a state of culture shock and not even sure of how I was feeling. The faces of so many little children, some with eyes glazed over from lack of stimulation......I wondered; which ones were hungry, which ones had no home, which ones were subject to abuse.....I wish it was easy fill all their basic needs...but the big picture was overwhelming. I found myself thinking where would you even begin to make a difference. But that was the problem and I needed to realize its not me that would make a difference. In fact, God doesn't even need me. God does care about each one, and if God sends our family to Uganda to share Christ with only one...that is enough of a reason in His eyes. We don't need to change the world, God IS the one who can change their world and give them true HOPE. I am just a tool. It just took a while for this to sink in for me!