Pinafore Project

Arms stretched wide on both young and old, another pack of children ran toward me for welcome hugs. These children belong to the families somehow associated with the Life in Africa group. As I reflected on why exactly this arms-wide-open welcome is so common to me – but would never likely be expressed so openly with others – I gave thanks. I gave thanks that God would use me to show these children his love, safety, and joy. I give thanks that God would know exactly what I need and when I need it and then send a pile of obedient, dirty, smiley, energetic little ones to do the work.

As I approached the workspace, I could hear two women working together on their sewing machine – the second machine is being repaired. Soon all six ladies who faithfully attend the daily Life in Africa tailoring skills training group arrived. The teacher inspects their work and often calls for the seam ripper (I’m glad I’m not the only one who needs such a tool). The blackboard is cleared and the ladies get out their notebooks. Each with careful drawing and instructions about the specific garment they’ve learned to sew.

Stitching tiny garments so as to lower program costs is practice for the real thing. The ladies of Life in Africa go through a series of learning projects – skirts, shirts, aprons, and the like – to prepare them for the competitive world of tailoring. At the moment, the ladies are learning to make pinafores along with other school uniform pieces. My observation is that, compared to what I see in other areas, tailors are few in the village of Namavundu. Schools, though, are in abundance. I look forward to seeing how they apply their new skills and business teaching to partnering with these schools to make uniforms.

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Dolly of Three Dresses

Sloping down from the somewhat main road toward the Life in Africa gathering place, the familiar children began calling after me about their 100 Christmas Dollies. This time when I stopped to greet them, I demanded to see how they were taking care of their babies. Sandra was the only one who could produce her dolly as her older sister ran to retrieve that baby.

Somehow, this dolly must have been shivering in the night. She was clothed first in overalls – meaning she was a he – and then in a dress with another dress on top. Children in Uganda seem somehow genderless when it comes to their clothing so we’ll not focus on that issue for the moment. It’s the shivering that I can’t imagine. Doesn’t this Florida-born dolly know that Africa is HOT too?

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Prisoner-Student-Pastor Geoffrey

Geoffrey and Carpenter John

The space Geoffrey occupies ends right at the door.

A small mud room measuring 8’ x 10’ is the place Geoffrey calls home. No longer does he reside in Bugembe Prison, sleeping with dozens of other men on the hard concrete floor, but instead he lives as a free man in the town of Bugembe. He proudly showed me his tiny place, where he now sleeps on a mattress set upon the earthen floor, and then announced that his wife stays there too. Oh my.

Twin size foam mattress on the hard floor.

Geoffrey was both the lead tailoring teacher at Bugembe Prison and the in-house prison chaplain. Careful and intentional discipleship by Carpenter John alongside a partnership with Surprised by Hope to deliver skills development programs and ministry led this young man to love Jesus. Read the letter he wrote to me after one teaching that touched his heart.

Geoffrey proudly shows his books,
purchased with your gifts.

Carpenter John found a missionary-based Bible school in Jinja town that allowed Geoffrey to attend for free – all he needed was requirements. Two families stepped up to help Geoffrey – to invest in his future with the hope of saving many lives through him. Mukama akuwe omukisa (God bless you)!

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Sanctuary School

Michael and Silvia have about 20 resident orphans living in their two-room home – The Sanctuary Babies Home – and twice as many attending the small school they started. Most of the children are in what we call “baby class” which means they are preschoolers but as time progresses so do the children. They recognized that so many children in the neighborhood could not attend school because fees were too high and they knew for certain they could not pay for their 20 children to attend. Starting a school seemed like the only answer.

Temporary wooden structures rest just outside the compound gate and are almost ready to be filled with children. Michael also reports that he’s gardening on a few acres of land outside town as well. He’s using what he learned in the Entrepreneurship workshop to give back to his community, though the start is definitely not easy. Michael did report that the children went without food for a few days – and I believe him. I know this man and he is not one to ask unless there is an emergency. He believes in hard work and the blessings of the Lord.

While he is doing all he can to put to good use the assets he has around him, that doesn’t mean the way is easy. Please pray that Michael and Silvia would supernaturally have the resources they need to care for this future generation – that bags of rice would remain full, that cartons of whole milk would never run dry, that those sending their children to this school would have the resources in abundance to enable them to pay their school fees. In Jesus name, amen!

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Bugembe Bricks

Remember there is a "no photos allowed" rule.
This picture doesn't include prisoners or the prison.

Smoke filled the air as I neared Bugembe Prison. Benjamin – the in-house chaplain replacing Geoffrey, and guided by Carpenter John – waved me down before I passed too far. Without supervision, Benjamin worked alongside four other men to hone their prison-acquired brick-making skills. He reported that they’re working to make bricks for the OCs residence and eventually for sale. Brick-making is just one of many skills programs available at the prison. Better yet, the program was initiated by the officer in charge and modeled after the skills programs developed in partnership with Carpenter John and Surprised by Hope.

Though I arrived on official business on a non-visitation day, I was blessed with the kind words of a thankful man. What was Benjamin thankful for? That someone outside the prison, with nothing personal to gain, would care about them. Moreover, that people who haven’t even been to Uganda would care about them.

While not every risk can be eliminated when investing in these (or any) men, we do our best to listen to God before starting, allow him to work through us as we prepare the men for living for Jesus, and release our own control over to God as the men are also released. Please pray for each one of these men as they approach their various release dates. Prison life makes loving God easy; it’s life after prison that is hard.

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Jjaja Omukyala

The hard but cool cement of the veranda is home to this beautiful old jjaja omukyala (grand woman). Every day I pass by on my way to the main road and again on my way home. Without fail, she is there keeping her hands and her mind busy. I wave and shout out, “Wasuse otya, jjaja” and she waves back and shouts her reply. About once each week I stop and sit with her while we exchange the few words of Luganda that I know along with a few grunts and pointing. Other than greetings, I can usually tell her where I’m going and what I’m doing but not much more than that. I always depart from that short sitting by saying, “Mukama akuwe omukisa” (God bless you).

This day I waited for someone to meet me nearby and while I waited jjaja handed me her weaving project. A basket. She showed me how to weave that basket and I made a couple stitches and then wondered at the strength she has in her hands. A couple thousand shillings and a few hours later and that jjaja handed me my new basket.

I LOVE my neighbors – young and old!

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The Docks at Gaba Beach

The cockswain watches over the landing site.

Bags of charcoal coming from the islands to the mainland.

The wooden boat piled high with charcoal, a layer of fish,
and on top a layer of passengers.

Three guys heft these giant sacks of charcoal. The little
guy in red didn't need any help. Man these guys have
some serious muscles.

These guys lined up to stare at me.
Should have taken the opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

Poor little scooter.

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Praise and Worship Church of All Nations

Pastor Gerald's jjaja, and now mine.

Bricks formed from the red clay earth depict the outline of what is now called Praise and Worship Church of All Nations. As is common, when the bricks run out the building stops. A temporary structure sits inside that foundation – rough hewn timbers support an iron sheet roof – to protect from sun and rain.

Alex leads part of the problem-solving exercise.

Inside that church voices ring out in song and dance, praising Jesus for his goodness. People gathered to learn together and though the numbers aren’t many – given how spread a part people are in the villages – all it takes is just one person to make a difference in their community. Pastor Gerald – a young man with a beautiful family – has a raw, authentic faith that humbled me. He’s not afraid to say that he’s young and new and at the same time he delivers the power and love of Jesus to a group of people who respect and look up to him.

I’m so thankful to Alone of Shared Hope for Orphans for connecting me to this lovely group of believers, to Alex for translating and slowly taking over teaching the lesson (training the trainers), and to Pastor Gerald and his leadership team for having such willing hearts, and to Pastor Gerald’s jjaja for giving her land freely to this church for the purposes of God.

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The Art and Science of Thinking

Teaching The Art and Science of Thinking – addressing creative and critical thinking along with problem solving and decision making – has become a standard workshop from which to begin all workshops. Sometimes we are trapped simply because of the way we think – often influenced by culture, education, experience, and opportunity (or lack thereof). Learning how to change the way we think – about our lives, about our community, and about our God – can set us free.

To begin, I ask people to describe what they think of as “art” and then of “science.” Typically no one will venture a guess. Why? Because in these villages exposure to such seemingly insignificant subjects is non-existent…they really don’t understand what these terms mean. Using pictures, I illustrate with famous works by Michelangelo, Da vinci, and others. Most people are amazed, though I have no expectation that they will have ever seen the likes of paintings such as The Creation of Adam. But when I show them pictures of Ugandan people dressed in traditional clothing, engaged in traditional dance, or crafting pottery and jewelry I somehow expect recognition or realization. Instead, what seems to happen is this moment of amazement that their very own culture could be filled with art. What comes next is the teaching that we are made in the image of The Creator and thus ought not be surprised to find such beauty among the people.

More than 20 people squished into this small sitting room to watch.

Closing the section specifically about this topic, we watch the film NOOMA Rhythm where the ideas of art and science come together in the form of a symphony (another unrecognized element from more developed cultures). Though most don’t understand the language, the visual medium affords dialogue that leads to a greater awakening of how art and science (rhythm and symphony) can bring us in alignment with God’s plan for our lives. I ask the question of whether or not we are in tune with His song? This question – taken from the film – seems to create a moment of pause…a moment when people begin to see how it all fits together.

Seated in the darkness and quiet of post film viewing, we contemplate the question…the question of whether or not we’re in tune with the song. This is when the Holy Spirit takes over and the real ministry begins.

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Caring and Sharing Dollies

The tiny children collected themselves under the iron canopy that is the church roof. It was as if they were waiting for me…knowingly. But there were certainly more than 10…what to do? Gathered in the shade of the partially finished brick wall, 10 of about 20 children received dolly gifts from a lovely group of women in Florida who call themselves Caring and Sharing. Though, my American heart worried about the fact that some children would not receive a dolly.

The children paraded past me one by one in order to see themselves in a photo. They actually organized themselves in doing this (no adult direction). They saw me take one picture and then lined up for their own. Eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen…wait…I only brought 10 dollies. I discovered the children were sharing the dollies so that everyone could have their picture taken – caring and sharing (I love what God did with irony).

Seated inside the church (um, under the iron sheet), Patricia came boldly to me and began running her hands through my hair. She did this for about 10 whole minutes while I prayed that her hands were somewhat clean’ish. She was enthralled, I was in love.

The next day the children could be found helping one another tie the babies on their backs like the maamas do. One girl almost tipped herself upside down while another tried to tie a too-short piece of cloth around her. Of course, they were too quick for me to get my camera ready. Simply precious!

Thank you so very much to the Caring and Sharing ladies for your ongoing prayers and support. May you be blessed to overflowing for your love and generosity!

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Hope Sings

This tiny one up front? Amazing!

Voices lifted high as they rang out from the temporary wooden structure Shared Hope for Orphans uses as a school. This particular Sunday the children were practicing the songs they intend to record and sell as a means to raise funds for the school. I love hearing about the creative ways leaders of this organization find to raise funds. The prayers and determination of their leaders are no doubt what sets them apart from so many.

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Lucky to be with the Luckeys

The plane landed on time and delivered two of three passengers successfully…um, how does passenger number three get separated from the group and end up on another flight? I was so blessed to have the opportunity to serve another missionary family here in Uganda by picking up their guests at the airport and delivering them safely to the motel. Planes arrive late and the Luckey’s live very far away and so my job was to help make everyone comfortable. After collecting Cindy from the airport the next morning, everyone was safely off to Jinja.

Later that week I stayed with the Luckey’s – they so often bless me with the opportunity to lodge with them (and eat with them) when I’m working in Jinja – and had the chance to get to know the three newbies all the more. My goodness there are some truly lovely people in the world. Cindy blessed me…uhem…us with a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls before they all set off for Naigobya. My oh my!

A conflicting appointment for the Luckeys again afforded me one more opportunity to spend the day with the visitors in Kampala. We did some shopping at National Theater, walked through Nakasero Market where Thomas my boda man gave them a tour and a taste of almost every odd thing there, and then down to a lookout of the giant taxi park. By the time we were finished we were hot, burnt, and ready to go. Saying goodbye to Thomas we said hello to Godfrey again who took us to the same hotel we stayed the first night. A bit of freshening up and off to Faze 3 – a delicious upscale’ish restaurant on Lake Victoria near the airport.

I am so blessed to have had the chance to get to know these people, to serve the Luckeys in a useful way, and to play a small part in enlarging our understanding of God’s great big world.

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Victory Family Center Preaching

I arrived at the town center in Buwenge before Pastor Fred was ready for me. After purchasing a bottle of water at the supermarket I stepped outside. An invitation from Achmed resulted in my sitting on a bench next to him and several other men who were speaking in Lusoga. Had they conversed in Luganda I might have had a chance to understand and participate in the conversation, but it was not to be. Achmed is a business owner who transports produce to and from various places around Kampala. He was quite interested in my favorite meal and then buying me lunch that day before I headed back to town. Although I politely declined, he persisted. I also discovered that he and another nearby man were negotiating which would become my husband. Thank goodness Pastor Fred arrived with his wife Justine and their baby Claudia.

Pastor Fred has been so instrumental in arranging teaching and ministry opportunities in the Jinja area. This week he invited me to preach a church he planted about 10 years ago. Victory Family Center is similar to so many other churches in Uganda. Unfinished brick walls sopped wherever the brick supply was finished. Metal sheets supported by rough timber sticks shielded us from the sun (and half baked us too). Worship had already begun and the sounds of joy filled the enclosure.

I’m not sure God has called me to be a preacher but three invitations could not go ignored. I continue to feel the Holy Spirit highlighting a few key concepts to me, concepts that are somehow engrained in this culture – and to be honest, probably every mind since the Fall. Given the opportunity, I teach about things that have to do with the way we think and what we think about. Battlefield of the Mind and The Art and Science of Thinking contain such essential messages if we are to gain freedom from the oppressor.

Pr Fred's Adorable Claudia

I’ll never really know how I performed as a preacher, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lots of people came to the alter for prayer to be set free from captivity in their own minds. At the same time we prophesied, prayed for healing, and then…all the children started coming. Something happened in the children there. I don’t know how it started but eventually almost every child came for prayer seemingly without prompting from their parents. Maybe it was the muzungu factor but God was showing me that we need to pray for protection over these minds that have yet to be corrupted by the enemy. Please join me in continuing to pray for these children and that they not become gripped by the same generational plagues so prevalent in this country.

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