There are many ways to find directions now days, GPS, Google Maps, or the old fashion way of looking at a Road Atlas. Of course you can ask someone too. Remember the old days when you were lost and went to the gas station to ask directions because for some reason the guy there knew where everything in town was! :) Well it is time for me to ask God for directions. He is just like that guy at the gas station. He always knows what direction to point us and set us on the right path to our destination. Life has many turns and things that get us off course but He always sets us back on track.
I've had a few e-mails in the last week that have made me wonder if my life is taking the right track. I've questioned my return to Uganda but I know that God wants me there and is just setting me on a "new road course". Thank you God! I love you and trust you because you ALWAYS put me on the right path. You are my life GPS!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Prayer Request
Please pray for:
Please pray for the kids at Door of Hope- 4 of them (Sara, Barbra, Rob & Joann) just lost a older brother, Richard, last week in a traffic accident.
Please pray for provision for The Jireh Foundation (U.S.)/He Will Provide NGO (Uganda).
All the organization and coordination that has to be done while I'm here in the states to go smoothly.
Prayers for my 501C3 to get started and the organization of the Faith Hope Love Missions Foundation to form
Thanks so much and God Bless!!
Please pray for the kids at Door of Hope- 4 of them (Sara, Barbra, Rob & Joann) just lost a older brother, Richard, last week in a traffic accident.
Please pray for provision for The Jireh Foundation (U.S.)/He Will Provide NGO (Uganda).
All the organization and coordination that has to be done while I'm here in the states to go smoothly.
Prayers for my 501C3 to get started and the organization of the Faith Hope Love Missions Foundation to form
Thanks so much and God Bless!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
U.S. Road Trip
31 Dec, 2009
Well I made it half way across the U.S. yesterday. I completed my 1,345 mile road trip from Spencerville, IN to Woodland Park, CO. I started out my first day from my Dad's house at 7:30am, a half hour behind schedule. I quickly made up time because I had great weather...no snow! I reached St Louis, MO by mid-day and by 6pm local time I had reached west of Topeka, KS. It was a long day but I was very blessed to have arrived at the hotel that night without any problems. I rang my family and my Dad was impressed that I had pushed through to west of Topeka. Guess I inherited his driving skills. hehe It felt wonderful to get a hot shower and rest my tired muscles and back. :)
The next morning I woke to 2 inches of snow on my car. Thank God I70 was clear and I had wet but a hazard free road. By mid-day I had almost reached the Colorado state line. Gees was Kansas a boring drive but the farm country was pretty. I kept myself entertained by listening to some great mixed CD's that my friend Donna had made me and taking pictures out the window. I'll say that once I got off I70 and onto U.S. 24 the rolling hills of the Colorado plains were beautiful.
By 3pm I was pulling into a Starbuck's in Colorado Springs to meet my brother, Rob. It was so great to see him!! I jumped out of the car and gave him a BIG hug! Thank you Lord of the safe, uneventful, and beautiful journey half way across the U.S.
Well I made it half way across the U.S. yesterday. I completed my 1,345 mile road trip from Spencerville, IN to Woodland Park, CO. I started out my first day from my Dad's house at 7:30am, a half hour behind schedule. I quickly made up time because I had great weather...no snow! I reached St Louis, MO by mid-day and by 6pm local time I had reached west of Topeka, KS. It was a long day but I was very blessed to have arrived at the hotel that night without any problems. I rang my family and my Dad was impressed that I had pushed through to west of Topeka. Guess I inherited his driving skills. hehe It felt wonderful to get a hot shower and rest my tired muscles and back. :)
The next morning I woke to 2 inches of snow on my car. Thank God I70 was clear and I had wet but a hazard free road. By mid-day I had almost reached the Colorado state line. Gees was Kansas a boring drive but the farm country was pretty. I kept myself entertained by listening to some great mixed CD's that my friend Donna had made me and taking pictures out the window. I'll say that once I got off I70 and onto U.S. 24 the rolling hills of the Colorado plains were beautiful.
By 3pm I was pulling into a Starbuck's in Colorado Springs to meet my brother, Rob. It was so great to see him!! I jumped out of the car and gave him a BIG hug! Thank you Lord of the safe, uneventful, and beautiful journey half way across the U.S.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Chritsmas!
I've been thinking about Christmas past and how I've been so Blessed over the years to be with family or friends celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus. Again this year I'm a able to be with family!
I think this year is extra special because it's been so longs since I've seen or had quality time with my family. Thank you Lord for the gift of family and for the gift of your life.
May all my Blog followers, supporters, friends and family have a very Merry Christmas! Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
I think this year is extra special because it's been so longs since I've seen or had quality time with my family. Thank you Lord for the gift of family and for the gift of your life.
May all my Blog followers, supporters, friends and family have a very Merry Christmas! Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Well we have our 1st significant snow fall of the year here in Indiana. Dad and I went to breakfast at Harlan Cafe this morning and when we left there was 1 inch of new snow on the ground and by the time we got out of the cafe there was at least 2 inches. You couldn't even see were he had plowed the drive-way this morning. :)
The snow is so beautiful on the trees in the woods and down the road that Dad lives on! The snow just clings to the trees and flocks them in pure white beauty. The weather is SO different from Uganda but all the snow has got me in the Christmas spirit for sure! It's now time to wrap presents, bake Christmas cookies, then snuggle up by the fireplace! :)
The snow is so beautiful on the trees in the woods and down the road that Dad lives on! The snow just clings to the trees and flocks them in pure white beauty. The weather is SO different from Uganda but all the snow has got me in the Christmas spirit for sure! It's now time to wrap presents, bake Christmas cookies, then snuggle up by the fireplace! :)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Back in the U.S.
Well I'm back in the U.S.! It's been great being with family and seeing friends. I thank God for them.
I've had a few people ask me since I'm back what I missed most. Well besides my family and friends heres a list of those things; hot running water, electricity every day, being able to brush my teeth with the tap water, a refrigerator, good chocolate, high speed internet, loft cookies and deli meat! :)
I haven't had the "too many things in the stores" freak out yet but you never know when it will hit. :) I will have to say it has been weird to go into Wal-Mart and Meijer (super market). People in the U.S. have so many choices; 7 different kinds of butter and don't get me started on cereal!! :) Just think about it. There is something to say about living simple lives. I'm glad that I'm in Indiana right now and havnen't hit the "craziness" of San Diego yet. :)
Well I just thank God that we in the U.S. can enjoy prosperity. I just pray that we remember that it's by God Blessings that we have received this prosperity. Thank you Lord! I pray for those that don't have it in the U.S. and those in the World that are struggle for just one meal or clothes. At this time of year it seems like this is in peoples minds more but I pray that they don't lose that feeling. That all year long the giving and loveing spirit of the Lord to their brothers and sisters of the world be with them.
I've had a few people ask me since I'm back what I missed most. Well besides my family and friends heres a list of those things; hot running water, electricity every day, being able to brush my teeth with the tap water, a refrigerator, good chocolate, high speed internet, loft cookies and deli meat! :)
I haven't had the "too many things in the stores" freak out yet but you never know when it will hit. :) I will have to say it has been weird to go into Wal-Mart and Meijer (super market). People in the U.S. have so many choices; 7 different kinds of butter and don't get me started on cereal!! :) Just think about it. There is something to say about living simple lives. I'm glad that I'm in Indiana right now and havnen't hit the "craziness" of San Diego yet. :)
Well I just thank God that we in the U.S. can enjoy prosperity. I just pray that we remember that it's by God Blessings that we have received this prosperity. Thank you Lord! I pray for those that don't have it in the U.S. and those in the World that are struggle for just one meal or clothes. At this time of year it seems like this is in peoples minds more but I pray that they don't lose that feeling. That all year long the giving and loveing spirit of the Lord to their brothers and sisters of the world be with them.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Two Weddings and a Funeral (1st Wedding)
I have finally experienced the being of a new life as two and the end of a life as one in Uganda. I went to my first Ugandan wedding a month ago in Mbarara. It was a friend’s brother-in-laws wedding, so I attended the Give Away, the Wedding and the Reception, all in very traditional Uganda style.
The Give Away was on a Friday afternoon. It is always in the bride’s home town, so we traveled about 45 minutes away from Mbarara to Ishaka. We were with the groom’s side, so all the family and friends meet up just outside of Ishaka at a small restaurant and traveled to the site of the give away in a caravan of cars. It had rained very heavily that morning and early afternoon so the whole party was delayed. When we arrived on site for the give away all of the family and friends of the groom stood outside of the hall in a long line of couples, all dressed in their traditional Western Uganda give away dresses and suites. It was a parade of colors as we entered the venue, where the bride’s family had been waiting for many hours. The groom’s friends and family were seated for a traditional dinner; cabbage salad, matooke, millet bread, Irish, deep fried cassava, beans, rice, chicken, beef, pork, chapatti, fruit and soda.
After eating we were moved into the main venue for the give away to begin. The bride’s Godfather was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He introduced the parents of the bride & groom and welcomed everyone. Soon there were men carrying crates of soda, boxes of washing soap, salt, flour and bags of rice in and laying them at his feet. I was told it was a thank you from the groom’s family. Not long after that traditional music started and the maids and the bride entered into the venue in a slow dance positional. They were dressed in brightly colored yellow and blue traditional dresses. They were ended and sat on mats at one end of the hall by her parents table. Then friends and her mother came up and gave her pearl necklaces (still not sure what that was about). After that the bride started walking around the groom’s side of the hall. I was told she was looking for her potential mate and that this was the Introduction part of the ceremony not the give away yet. She finally found him and took him to her mat with the maids. When that was done they both left the hall and the guest were server sodas and there was entertainment of traditional dances.
About a half hour later the maids and the bride come strolling in again, this time with red, orange and gold traditional dresses on. Ahh finally the give away was to begin. Then the groom and his best man came in and were taken to the mats were the bride and maids were. The bride and groom were joined by the Godfather, told to hold hands, some words were spoken and then everyone cheered! You’d think that was it but no. The groom left and the bride joined her eldest brother at the large table in the center of the room with about 6 cakes on it. They cut a main cake together and then drank from goblets. My friend told me this was a symbol of the family’s last meal with the bride and giving the toast was a blessing to the future marriage. The maids came around with plates with small pieces of cake for the guest to have. Then the speeches started from the brother, the groom’s family, the bride’s family, aunties, brothers, sisters, uncles, friends etc. During the speeches some of the cakes from the table were wrapped and given to family or friends, and there were also thank you baskets and presents given to people that made speeches. This last about 2 more hours. Finally about 10pm the give away was finished. It was time to head home and prepare for tomorrow’s wedding.
The wedding was at the Anglican Cathedral in Mbarara, a beautiful old brick church with amazing stained glass windows. It actually reminded me of my Grandparent’s church in the states. The wedding was supposed to start at noon but it didn’t start till 1pm because the bride and the maids were stuck at the saloon getting their hair done. Anyway, when it did start it was a very beautiful wedding! The bride was beautiful and the flower girl and peg boy (Not a ring bearer because he carries a small broom) were so cute! The Arch Bishop of Kabale even proceeded over the wedding along with the cathedral’s priest, both giving meaningful sermons. After the ceremony and all the pictures were over we headed to the reception.
The Give Away was on a Friday afternoon. It is always in the bride’s home town, so we traveled about 45 minutes away from Mbarara to Ishaka. We were with the groom’s side, so all the family and friends meet up just outside of Ishaka at a small restaurant and traveled to the site of the give away in a caravan of cars. It had rained very heavily that morning and early afternoon so the whole party was delayed. When we arrived on site for the give away all of the family and friends of the groom stood outside of the hall in a long line of couples, all dressed in their traditional Western Uganda give away dresses and suites. It was a parade of colors as we entered the venue, where the bride’s family had been waiting for many hours. The groom’s friends and family were seated for a traditional dinner; cabbage salad, matooke, millet bread, Irish, deep fried cassava, beans, rice, chicken, beef, pork, chapatti, fruit and soda.
After eating we were moved into the main venue for the give away to begin. The bride’s Godfather was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He introduced the parents of the bride & groom and welcomed everyone. Soon there were men carrying crates of soda, boxes of washing soap, salt, flour and bags of rice in and laying them at his feet. I was told it was a thank you from the groom’s family. Not long after that traditional music started and the maids and the bride entered into the venue in a slow dance positional. They were dressed in brightly colored yellow and blue traditional dresses. They were ended and sat on mats at one end of the hall by her parents table. Then friends and her mother came up and gave her pearl necklaces (still not sure what that was about). After that the bride started walking around the groom’s side of the hall. I was told she was looking for her potential mate and that this was the Introduction part of the ceremony not the give away yet. She finally found him and took him to her mat with the maids. When that was done they both left the hall and the guest were server sodas and there was entertainment of traditional dances.
About a half hour later the maids and the bride come strolling in again, this time with red, orange and gold traditional dresses on. Ahh finally the give away was to begin. Then the groom and his best man came in and were taken to the mats were the bride and maids were. The bride and groom were joined by the Godfather, told to hold hands, some words were spoken and then everyone cheered! You’d think that was it but no. The groom left and the bride joined her eldest brother at the large table in the center of the room with about 6 cakes on it. They cut a main cake together and then drank from goblets. My friend told me this was a symbol of the family’s last meal with the bride and giving the toast was a blessing to the future marriage. The maids came around with plates with small pieces of cake for the guest to have. Then the speeches started from the brother, the groom’s family, the bride’s family, aunties, brothers, sisters, uncles, friends etc. During the speeches some of the cakes from the table were wrapped and given to family or friends, and there were also thank you baskets and presents given to people that made speeches. This last about 2 more hours. Finally about 10pm the give away was finished. It was time to head home and prepare for tomorrow’s wedding.
The wedding was at the Anglican Cathedral in Mbarara, a beautiful old brick church with amazing stained glass windows. It actually reminded me of my Grandparent’s church in the states. The wedding was supposed to start at noon but it didn’t start till 1pm because the bride and the maids were stuck at the saloon getting their hair done. Anyway, when it did start it was a very beautiful wedding! The bride was beautiful and the flower girl and peg boy (Not a ring bearer because he carries a small broom) were so cute! The Arch Bishop of Kabale even proceeded over the wedding along with the cathedral’s priest, both giving meaningful sermons. After the ceremony and all the pictures were over we headed to the reception.
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