I Love Surprises

Serving as a missionary in East Africa, I am constantly bombarded with stories of woe followed by bold requests for money. I hate to admit that my heart becomes a little hard every time I’m asked for money…but it does. When was the last time a complete stranger off the street asked you for money? Not a single day passes where I’m not compelled to listen politely and decline gently. I’m not sure if it’s the asking or the declining that trouble me most. And here we are talking about inspiring generous living.

This story begins one hot Ugandan afternoon. A small, wrinkly grandmother occupied the taxi seat to my right as we lumbered down Entebbe Road. Her very best gomesi (traditional African dress) covered her frame while her lap-size satchel carried all four of her worldly possessions. Upon closer inspection, that gomesi was a bit worn at the edges and a button was missing, but she’d done her best to look presentable. Very likely a widow, perhaps this jjaja was returning from the village after helping her ailing sister. We rode in silence until that tiny woman climbed over me and left the taxi.

The rest of our ride went on uninterrupted. I became lost in reflecting on how hard the village women work in Uganda, how their bodies really show it, and how they continue on without complaint. A widow works twice as hard because she not only has to keep the home without the help of modern conveniences, but she also has to provide for family necessities. And here I fuss about having to do my laundry by hand. The conductor startled me from my daydream and the driver pulled to a stop. I handed over my money as I clambered around the 15 bodies that remained in the taxi. “No,” the conductor said, “that old woman paid your fare.”

My mouth caught flies as I stared after the taxi now hiking down Entebbe Road. The best surprises are definitely the ones you never expect…the ones you can never even dream of hoping for…the ones you don’t even know are possible. The best surprises are the ones that give you hope.

This story is dedicated to SO@50. I pray you are surprised by 50 stories of generous giving.

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Happy Anniversary Surprised by Hope

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the official formation of Surprised by Hope. What an amazing year it has been! Over the years I’ve heard people talk about “God’s call” or being “in God’s will” and intellectually I understood what they meant but eventually these phrases seemed overused or, dare I say, misused. These last few years, however, shed new light on their meaning. When I look back over the events that led to forming Surprised by Hope, I cannot help but be absolutely amazed at how God aligned every detail. Doors swung open and then fell off their hinges. Opportunities tumbled out at my feet and created a flood. Relationships were founded and then built up like strong towers. The Body was built up and then added a few extra weights to that barbell. It’s crazy in only the way God could make it all crazy!

You’ve just received a newsletter update so I thought I’d make this post full of fun pictures from the past year – the ones that are a little more unusual. So, happy anniversary everyone…thanks for being part of my family!

Lake flies at Garetti's on Lake Victoria - I think I drank one.

Stuck car...I didn't do it!

REAL pancakes (cake made in a frying pan).
Hey, a girl does what she must...

Bye-bye Bujagali Falls

Lauren's wedding day.

I don't know who this is but I do know that she really liked the party.
My birthday gift, the Ugandan name Kisakye.

If only I could haul my camera out fast enough for all these kinds of photos.

I didn't do this either. Hmm...I'm sensing a trend (ha).

You just never know how your next meal gets to the plate.
Good thing I don't eat so much fish.

(Sniffle). Children picking through the garbage dump in Jinja for the day's food.

Oh to be able to sleep like a baby.

Nakasero Market - the best place for fresh foods.
I get all my apples - of the apple and peanut butter meals - from Nakasero.

Sorry but...at girl has to do her laundry.
My undies were filled with gnats.
Pick 'em out and wear 'em, that's my philosophy.

Boda men can balance almost anything on their bikes.
I've even seen coffins going down the street on the back of a boda.
Hopefully there wasn't a body inside.

Taxi park. One day I'll have someone else take a picture of me in the part and
you can play Where's Waldo with me.

After spraying for bats, the ants never came back...much.

One bat thought he'd escape through the drain pipe.
That's just what I need...a bat coming up through my shower drain.

Nakasero corner with my back to the market.
A Sunday afternoon nap.

Sweet dreams...I think.

The doorless shower. The skylight was gorgeous, though!

Who let that cow into my front yard?
The cow-bird combo can often be seen grazing nearby.

The view out my bedroom window. Sigh, I miss my kiddies.

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Valentine's Day Girly Dresses

The big red event is just four days away. No matter how much you recoil at the idea of another Hallmark holiday, you do want to express yourself to that special someone you love. If you’re like me, you reject traditional gifts – flowers, chocolates, a fancy dinner – in search something a little less traditional, more thoughtful, and definitely something with an awe factor.

Nine new girly dresses are awaiting your selection. They’re perfectly suited for Valentine’s Day with red lining, big pink and red flowers, and an awe-factor that keeps on giving. Sponsor a girly dress for $25 and watch the blog beginning in May for the story of the little East African girly who receives your loving gift.

Then…wait to see how your one true love melts with (com)passion over the story of the girly and that special dress. This is one Valentine’s Day gift she will never forget!

Baby 1

Baby 2

Baby 3

Small 1

Small 2

Small 3

Small 4

Small 5: Molly D.

Small 6

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Until Next Time...

One of the real benefits of living in both Uganda and the United States is that I get to see everyone more often. I miss you all so much regardless of which side of the pond you live on. So many of you are constantly encouraging, praying, and cheering me on. I love telling you the stories of what’s happening in ministry, of showing how God is working all over the world, and of using pictures to illustrate how your support and prayer is making a difference.

Ministry in Uganda keeps me quite busy but preparing for that ministry in the United States keeps me even busier. Any new business or ministry takes a lot of time and energy to nurture and grow and my time in the U.S. is designed to allow for the work needed to make that happen. Organizational development, fundraising, marketing, not to mention developing new relationships and fostering existing ones are just a few of the things I’ll be working on these next three months.

The field ministry blog is designed for just that, keeping you posted on what’s going on in the field. This means that I’ll not be posting to the blog regularly, but I will try to keep you updated on what’s happening and how you can be involved. I plan to head back to East Africa in early May lest my darker friends need blinders to fend off my pale (as compared to my now very tanned) skin...so stay tuned…

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Twin Dollies for Cynthia and Bobo from Grayson and Isaac

Every set of twins stood out to me until I suggested that someone might like to sponsor twin dolls. After that sponsor stepped forward I was hard pressed to find one single set…of course. I had so hoped to give the twin dolls to twin girls, but…it wasn’t meant to be. Instead Cynthia and Bobo each received a dolly. These girls are part of the group of four girls who always greet me in a culturally proper, respectful manner...the ones who live up the road and always say hello as I pass by.

Cynthia, Samat, Bobo

The girls weren’t sure exactly what to do with the dolls but the maamas were so very interested…particularly in the sleepy face and awake face. Big smiles on their own faces, the maamas were so appreciative. I’m glad these relationships continue to grow and will be very sad when I have to leave. I hope they don’t forget me.

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A Dress for Samat from Sarah

The walk from my house to the main road (Entebbe Road) is plastered with children, of course. Just up from the first dusty corner, four particular children tend to greet me in a way that suggests more than simply doing so out of fun in calling out “muzungu.” Samat, Cynthia, Bobo, and Grace are always ready to welcome me for the morning by kneeling and shaking my hand. Well, grace is a bit little yet. The two older children speak very clear English and mimick anything and everything I say.

This day Samat was given her beautiful new dress, which fit perfectly. The mothers gathered with big smiles on their faces in hopes of receiving a gift for their child. And when the gifts were given, more children swarmed. It’s not hard to find children to give gifts but it is very difficult to have enough gifts for every child…of course, that is American thinking…children here seem to realize that not every child will always receive. Samat, though, was very pleased and each following afternoon on my way home she could be found waiting to greet me.

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Konoweka Kids have Courage

Each week the Konoweka children come running in expectation of singing songs together. Not to be disappointed, we sang several childrens’ Bible songs. They’re getting very good at doing the motions at the right time too. Today, though, they got an added surprise. We read a story about courage and the kids colored some pictures for you. I always look forward to continuing to spend time with the kids while waiting for their maamas.

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Sewing Machines for Konoweka

Hmm...which one to choose...

I’m kinda proud of myself. I figured out how to get two sewing machines and their stands from the third floor below ground up to the busy main road and then to my car without help from anyone I know. Not so proud that I relented on the prices thinking that I must have been mistaken about what I paid for machines last time. Did you know some machines don’t come with zig zag and that those that do cost twice as much? Yikes.

The ladies were thrilled to get their new machines and put them to work immediately by making the dresses from the pattern and fabric your sponsorships provided. I purchased their first dresses, which gave me the opportunity to offer feedback so that their dresses improve in quality as well as to get them started in managing their money (tithing, purchasing more material, contributing to the sewing machine maintenance fund, paying themselves a salary, etc.). I hoped to give these dresses to some girls in the slums but my trusted boda guy wasn’t around and I didn’t dare have someone else take me. I saved them for next time.

This woman often declined to lead Bible study because
she could not read her Bible. With her new large print Bible
and a pair of glasses (thanks to my SC friends) she was
almost jumping up and down. We couldn't get her to
stop reading and participate in the study with
the rest of the group.

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A Dress for Vivian from Clover

Vivian’s tiny little feet didn’t fit any of the shoes we brought but she was just the right size for this cute little dress. She wasn’t very interested in visiting with me but she didn’t cry either. Her little nose ran and smeared all over her face. Her maama and jjaja were tickled with the interesting gift and weren’t concerned at all about the Christmas print on this dress. Another girl wrapped in the love of Christ because of the prayers over this little dress. Continue to pray for this family as the ground is covered with footsteps that claim this land and these lives for Christ.

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A Dress for Janus from Katie

Janus was a screamer. The moment she saw me she ran the other way. Even when offered this cute little dress with rocking horses on it, she wanted nothing to do with me. Daniel, on the other hand, was a welcome visitor in her book as long as he didn’t go near the muzungu. Daniel helped Janus slip the dress over her head and model for the camera. Nope, she didn’t want to see her picture after I took the snap. Through this dress, Janus is wrapped in Christian love, prayers, and the love of all of you who are praying that she grow up in Christ.

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Wherever These Little Feet Step

You prayed over these shoes with me so that we could go into a mostly Muslim community and pave the way for Christian ministry. Daniel and I went to his hometown of Buikwe and, as always, the children were both eager and afraid. Once we pulled out the small gifts, they quickly warmed up…as did the maamas. Two different locations received piles of the shoes we prayed so hard over. The formerly bare-footed children now had some small way to keep their feet clean and to unknowingly claim the land wherever these shoes trod for Jesus. Please pray that as we grow this relationship we can change lives here.

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First Visit to Buikwe

Our time was short in Buikwe, shorter than I would have liked. Sometimes I think I can get more than one thing done in a day…but that never seems to happen. Our visit began at the little eight-person church before heading out to the village where the majority of the population is Muslim. I had my eye on this little girl, daughter of the pastor and his wife. She was happily drumming and shaking her “tambourine” made from bottle caps.

Daniel grew up in Buikwe so the community welcomed us eagerly. We visited a few homes and were greeted warmly. We were very warmly welcomed. I pray we have the opportunity to do more than just greet families next time we come. I know Daniel agonizes over the fact that these people need Jesus.

I wanted the tamborine but was afraid to ask. She was
really enjoying her job.

Almost the whole congregation can be seen in this photo.

Sugar cane fields of Lugazi.

Can you see the jjaja sitting under the tree?

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