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!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
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.
6 Days Without Power!
Does anyone out there know what it is like to go without power for 6 days? We people from the U.S. never seem to go without anything including power.
It has been a challenge but God is Blessing our time with no power. I've been reading a lot more. It has given me time to really reflect on my time here in Uganda. We have had 2 nights were we sat outside for our Bible studies. We worshiped and prayed by the wonderful moonlight and stars that God has provided all of us. We've also had time to just set and chat with the kids at night were other times we would be working on the computer.
So the no power time has been a blessing. But I've also needed to get some last minute work done before I leave for the U.S. so I've spent quite a few mornings at the internet cafe in town. Thank God for the cafe and being able to get things finished up!
It has been a challenge but God is Blessing our time with no power. I've been reading a lot more. It has given me time to really reflect on my time here in Uganda. We have had 2 nights were we sat outside for our Bible studies. We worshiped and prayed by the wonderful moonlight and stars that God has provided all of us. We've also had time to just set and chat with the kids at night were other times we would be working on the computer.
So the no power time has been a blessing. But I've also needed to get some last minute work done before I leave for the U.S. so I've spent quite a few mornings at the internet cafe in town. Thank God for the cafe and being able to get things finished up!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
U.S. Thanksgiving in Uganda
Well we had our 1st U.S. Thanksgiving in Uganda. Our dinner was amazing thanks to Jim's chef skills...wow! Jim, Robyn and I had a great talk about the blessings of past Thanksgivings with family and friends. We thank the Lord that we were able to have those memories and able to create a new one this year in Uganda. I will always remember my " 1st Uganda Thanksgiving". Thank you Jim and Robyn for making it so special!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
B-Day Ugandan Style
I had a great Birthday yesterday thanks to all my friends and family in the States and especially my FAMILY at Door of Hope! The children here threw me a wonderful party! All day I was kept out of the sitting room because Priscilla and some of the other girls were in and out decorating up a "storm" :) Robyn "got me out of the house" for a girls lunch at Uganda Child Care. It was so wonderful to have ice cream...cold and yummy!! By the time evening came I was only allowed in my room because of the flurry of surprises that were being created in the house especially for me!
It was all worth it because when it was time for dinner the party was starting! :) Jim made my favorite, spaghetti with his "famous" meat sauce and we had sodas for the whole family! Wow what a treat!! Moses was snapping pictures left and right! :) Wow was I stuffed after 2 plates of spaghetti hehe!
Then the big unveiling of the "surprise" in the sitting room happened. Everyone but me and Shadia, my "escort" for the night went into the room. Shadia lead me in and as soon as I entered I was AMAZED at all the BEAUTIFUL decorations and how festive the room was! Then the girls started throwing flower petals on me...wow I felt like a princess (that ones for you Jim). Shadia escorted me to my "special seat" and the festivities began!
Moses was the MC for the evening! He even wore a special "B-Day MC" hat that he made...too cute. Auntie Fatumah opened in prayer and then DJ Matthew and Rock kicked off the tunes. There was dancing my Rob, songs by Jennifer, Shadia, & Sara. Then a skit that was a total crack up about my birth and naming me Rita. I laughed so hard!! Thank you Winnie (Mom), Rob (brother Rob), Jennifer (Dad), Barbra (friend), and David (Doctor) you all made me smile!! I am so thankful to John Travis for the word and preaching he gave last night about God's plan for our lives...thank you!
Then of course it was "Cake Time"! The lights went out and the pink, pancake cake was brought in with 1 big candle in the middle burning bright. I made a speech and a wish and blew! We all ate cake, laughed, and took more pictures. That wasn't the end the music, dancing and drumming started again! Fun was had by ALL!!
Thank you family and thank you God for Blessing me!!
It was all worth it because when it was time for dinner the party was starting! :) Jim made my favorite, spaghetti with his "famous" meat sauce and we had sodas for the whole family! Wow what a treat!! Moses was snapping pictures left and right! :) Wow was I stuffed after 2 plates of spaghetti hehe!
Then the big unveiling of the "surprise" in the sitting room happened. Everyone but me and Shadia, my "escort" for the night went into the room. Shadia lead me in and as soon as I entered I was AMAZED at all the BEAUTIFUL decorations and how festive the room was! Then the girls started throwing flower petals on me...wow I felt like a princess (that ones for you Jim). Shadia escorted me to my "special seat" and the festivities began!
Moses was the MC for the evening! He even wore a special "B-Day MC" hat that he made...too cute. Auntie Fatumah opened in prayer and then DJ Matthew and Rock kicked off the tunes. There was dancing my Rob, songs by Jennifer, Shadia, & Sara. Then a skit that was a total crack up about my birth and naming me Rita. I laughed so hard!! Thank you Winnie (Mom), Rob (brother Rob), Jennifer (Dad), Barbra (friend), and David (Doctor) you all made me smile!! I am so thankful to John Travis for the word and preaching he gave last night about God's plan for our lives...thank you!
Then of course it was "Cake Time"! The lights went out and the pink, pancake cake was brought in with 1 big candle in the middle burning bright. I made a speech and a wish and blew! We all ate cake, laughed, and took more pictures. That wasn't the end the music, dancing and drumming started again! Fun was had by ALL!!
Thank you family and thank you God for Blessing me!!
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