...
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Transportation Costs
One evening we all sat under the moon together talking about
very spiritual things (while playing cards). A phone call came in that prompted
a very long discussion about politics. A local election was nearing and the
candidates were campaigning for votes by calling all their friends. The part of
that discussion that intrigued me was this.
Like America, various locations are established for voting.
Unlike...
Women's Work
Every day the ladies from Pastor Martin’s family can be seen
toiling…all day long. Add having visitors and that day just got longer. These
ladies prepared the most lavish meals using food transported from more than
four hours distance…because there is no food in Takora. The cost of that food
tripled by the time transport is added to the mix.
Some of the ladies work as nurses at the next door...
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Films Motivate Participants
As is common in all of Uganda, keeping time at the workshop
in Karamoja was a challenge. I’ve begun to wisen up to some teaching strategies
that will both reward those who arrive on time and encourage late comers to
arrive on time the next day…films. It worked.
NOOMA Rhythm
is a film that explicitly illustrates the art and science of creative and
critical thinking – lessons taught in the first...
Sunday, February 24, 2013
A Dolly for Little One from Zoe
This little one sat outside the church door along with who I
assume is her grandmother and played quietly as only some children do. Her
bright smile and curious gaze caught my eye. While the class watched a film I
snuck out with her small gift. Handing the dolly to little one, she didn’t even
seem to realize that she should reach up and receive the gift. It wasn’t fear,
it was more like she didn’t...
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Pastors Workshop in Takora
Twenty some pastors and community leaders gathered in the
tiny church room. So many familiar faces returned from our
last workshop together in May. What a joy to see them all doing relatively
well in this seemingly hopeless place. The content of our workshop was not
unlike that from the Watamu,
Kenya event but the setting is exceedingly different. I couldn’t help but
acknowledge that the principles...
Friday, February 22, 2013
Sanctuary Family
Children’s faces peeked through the iron bars that secured
their home. Their voices shouted with joy as they anxiously awaited my
approach. Tiny bodies piled on mine as soon as I sat on the bench to greet them
all. Why did there seem to be so many? Who could ever leave such beautiful
children alone in this world? Two additional young ones sat on the floor watching
the chaos with veiled interest.
Valentine’s...
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Rain is a Good Thing!
Raindrops spotted the ground and we prayed that the 20 minutes it would take to reach Bugembe Prison wouldn’t leave us soaking wet. Those gentle drops felt more like paintball shots given the speeds at which we drove. But we did indeed arrive before the deluge. Rainy season has officially begun and I sometimes fail to remember that from midday on the rains can disrupt any and all plans for the day…which...
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Love Written in Blood
This message was delivered on Valentine’s Day to the inmates
at Bugembe Prison.
A train derailed killing 11 people and injuring over 200
more. After regaining consciousness, John Phillips found himself pinned in the
wreckage and lying in a pool of his own blood. Fearing his death, he scrawled a
message on the upended train seat right above him. Using his own blood he
wrote, “I [heart symbol] my kids. I [heart symbol] Leslie.” The rescue team was
so moved when they found the message they had...
Saturday, February 16, 2013
A Divine Boda-Boda Ride
Finishing my yummy bowl of fruit at The Source Café, a man
standing just inside the doorway asked if I needed a boda. The truth is that I
did need one, but usually when it seems that someone is stalking me I prefer to
find someone who doesn’t know what I ate for my last meal. Somehow, though, I
heard my voice saying “yes” and we were off to Bugembe Prison. Along the way
this boda driver asked the usual polite questions and, when he learned that I
love Jesus, revealed himself to be a pastor.
Ever...
Friday, February 15, 2013
Life in Africa
The main path to Charlie’s house is a dusty one and finding
dusty children along the way is no surprise. This week, though, the children
called out in their very best English “babies.” They remembered me as the giver
of 100 Christmas Dollies and were trying to acknowledge that gift. When asked “babies
ali wa?” (where are your babies) they all just stared at me. Maybe next time
they’ll be ready to...
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Neighborhood Reading
The children of Beaverdam Baptist Church filled a shipping
box with their Christian storybooks so that my neighborhood children in Uganda could
have some books to read. While I’m amazed at how quickly books wear out here,
I’m so thankful that the demand for these books creates such a problem. Sheffar
is thrilled to have board books for her little yet destructive hands.
Faridah dove in to the...
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Kipepeo Designs Gets New Line of Cards
Surly those doing business in one outskirt of the Kibera slum wondered what the two white ladies were doing tiptoeing purposefully up the road while dodging garbage piles. Arriving at the gate, we made our way to the new location for Kipepeo Designs. As is common amidst slum dwellers, finding and keeping a home or a business is a challenge here. Yet “here” is the best way to provide easy access...
Saturday, February 9, 2013
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