Paidah Financial Management

Participants were leaning forward in engaged anticipation so much so that I thought they might gobble me up. So many familiar faces lined these benches as the pastors and other leaders learned about product pricing, budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting. Pastors must have additional sources of income to support their families, but we made our learning relevant to the church as well.

Most of these people indicated they’d never learned about money management before and, as much as I hate to say it, it showed in the way they’d planned for this event. Our mistakes are often our best learning opportunities, aren’t they? Real life examples and solving those real life problems are the best teachers and I’m thankful for the ability to make relevant our learning on the fly.

The sounds of heavy downpour on the iron sheets disturbed us just a few times but we loved the worship that filled in those gaps.

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Sensible Shoes from Barb

Children crushed in with the hope of receiving a pair of shoes to separate their feet from the perils of jiggers and other horrible things hiding in the bare ground. My joy, though, is found less in the shoes and more in the tender washing of those tiny feet and the prayers and prophecy over them. Yes, I cringe when I scrape thick layers of earth from between those toes, which have obviously not been washed in any recent weeks. I wince when I find open sores hidden by loose flesh also caked in dirt. But Jesus loves these children and accepts them dirty feet or not.

A simple thought passed through my mind, ever so quickly. Can’t we at least have some clean water for each child? The answer, I already knew was “no.” Their only access to water was several kilometers away, downhill. To ask my host or anyone else, for that matter, to traipse up and down that hill for hours so that I could wash the feet they failed to wash themselves would be ridiculous. And so the basin gradually provided something more like a mud bath.

As I prayed for these children, I found myself praying that the girls would have the boldness to break out of the stereotypes so heavily ingrained in them and for their freedom to live and love as the Lord does. I found myself praying that the boys would recognize the way Jesus loves his church and that they would grow to be men who loved their wives in the same way. On and on the prayers for these children went until finally I asked the adults surrounding me as I prayed and washed these feet whether they too prayed for their children. We had the perfect opportunity to be an example to these parents of how to love and pray for our children.

I was so humbled and thanked the Lord for this specific appointment. I asked his blessing for Barb because she made this ministry opportunity possible. Tender, sweet, and life-changing. I admit that I had hoped, though rather foolishly, that I’d be able to make some kind of exchange – old shoes for new shoes – so that I could create a simple gift for Sharon, the inspiration for this small ministry endeavor. But I quickly new there would be no shoes to exchange. And so, we shared 10 pair, but there are so many more in need.

The story of Surprised by Hope and Sensible Shoes goes back a bit and is filled with some very meaningful moments. Feel free to read all about it on my blog and then go to the Sensible Shoes website to find out how you can buy a copy of the book that inspires so many.

The man who was kind enough to help me with photos
had never used a camera before and so didn't understand
the importance of getting the shoes in the photo.
Each of these children received a pair of sensible shoes.

These and so many other children in this area are in need of sensible shoes.
The one boy in the front who has two pair of shoes was so proud
that he owned these shoes he wanted to be in the picture too.
He is one of three children I saw who had a pair of shoes in this whole community.
Even several of the pastors who attended the workshop in the next blog post
didn't have their own shoes.

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Shading? What's That?

About 60 children were quietly seated on their rocks when I entered the very small one-room school. The darkness combined with their deep brown skin challenged me. I explained through an interpreter that I desired their help in making beautiful cards on which to send thank you notes and they were happy to help, though they really had no idea what it meant to send a card to a friend.

Armed with a box full of markers, crayons, and colored pencils, as well as some note cards already outlined with the shape of Africa (which the children could not identify) I invited them to begin. Shading? They had no idea what to do with this stick and paper in their hands. After showing them how to shade, and how to do it in a train to avoid turning every card to the color of clay, they quickly caught on.

Teachers in remote villages rarely have a blackboard let alone supplies for themselves to use as teaching aids. Children who, in the city would be required to wear a uniform, wear black shoes, and have books and pencils to write with come to school even without lunch. But they come, praise God!

So, think of these children in Ojigu when you receive your Africa-shaped thank you card. Remember they didn’t know what crayons were or what it meant to color or be creative. And remember that because of you they got a taste. Thank you!

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Bibles and Bags for Pastors in the North

All 28 pastors in Paidah at Ojiga Presbyterian Church were very excited to receive their first Bible in the Alur language along with a simple tote bag made by a lovely and obedient woman from Lamont CRC. If that wasn’t enough, 14 pastors in Nebbi received two Bibles each with the commission to give them to active church members who didn’t already have a Bible for themselves.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to spread the Word in the local language because of the sacrificial giving of those loving friends and family at Beaverdam Baptist Church in SC. I pray that God would return your gift tenfold!

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Ojiga Presbyterian Church

The end of the paved road in Paidah demanded that our overloaded boda bodas climb some serious hills in north western Uganda. More than 10 kilometers away, Pastor Charles and I were safely delivered into the hands of a very welcoming pastor. My little mud hut was expertly prepared by single mother Olivia who undoubtedly had the gift of hospitality. Perhaps the only roll of toilet paper within 10 kilometers rested innocently on my bedside table.

The next morning 28 pastors (both from Congo and from Uganda) eagerly waited for their personal ministry time before the bigger workshops began. I love having personal time with pastors. These men of God often feel isolated and bringing them together in this way offers a time of ministry and fellowship with other men like them who have similar trials and triumphs. I feel so blessed to play a small part of facilitating this union.

Our four-day workshop from the Entrepreneurship Series proved invaluable for these pastors. They raved about its usefulness and ease of application before promising to return with powerful testimonies of successes both in their personal lives and in the church. I love the encouragement these men received and am thankful for the opportunity to deliver the Word of God through business teaching.

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Creative Futures Workshop

The business planning workshop organized by Pastor Silva included all of the 30 Christian businesspeople who were invited. I was glad to see a fair representation of women among the group. During introductions I learned that some of the people were tailors, shop keepers, barbers, teachers, farmers, and more. The goal of the workshop was to teach new skills and to model a way for them to continue working together in my absence.

Pastor Silva, Thaddius, Leslie, Augustine, Joel
Not sure why but Ugandans seldome smile for photos.

We talked about asset-based business, using your business and personal assets to define the work that would bring income to your family. We talked about the fact that God created everything and that his economy is one of abundance, and thus there is no need to hide or hoard our assets. In fact, we learned that working together may produce an even greater return than working alone. A variety of exercises helped the individuals connect with one another from a business standpoint to see that there may be cooperative ways they can share resources or burdens for the good of all.

We also talked about creating long- and short-term goals and objectives based on the assets they discovered and their overall business planning. The exercises we used helped demonstrate how these objectives are connected to the success of the business. If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail. If you have no goals, you will most certainly never reach them.

Many people in the group said they came away with a new perspective about business and cooperation as well as about goal-setting. They said they had never looked at business in this strategic way before and that they felt like they gained some new skills to help them lift their businesses. They asked when I’d return with more teaching and when the group could meet again to continue developing their business skills with one another. I love that they accepted the possibility of continuing without me. My hope is never to create a dependence on me, but instead to demonstrate a model for them to use in my absence. Yahoo! They got it and they want it.

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Another Dolly in Paidha

Augustine, Joel, and I sat in the back row of the church and just as worship began a tiny tot slowly approached. Typically all they want is to shake my hand, which is just fine with me (even considering where these hands of often been). I got the sense that her bigger sister or pack of friends was teasing her thinking she would be too afraid to approach. Instead, this little one with her big eyes reached both arms up signaling that I should pick her up. Me and my little melted heart did just that (only to discover bare buns under that pretty red dress).

She sat quietly and examined my white skin and the relatively long blond hairs on my arms as well as my blue eyes so different from hers. A dolly was in store for this little doll. She was so pleased. As usual the first operating procedure was to check under the dress – bare buns just like hers. She played with the buttons and ribbons on this doll. Untying the ribbon she then directed me to re-tie…over and over again. She examined this doll until she began yawning, at which time she tucked the dolly in close to her and leaned into my chest. Sleepy baby.

I think the sermon that day was something about how miracles are for today and that we don’t need a pastor to ask God for them. My little miracle was sleeping contentedly on my lap. There’s something indescribable that happens for me when these girls come close. So sweet, so healing, so peaceful. After church I found this girl once more wrapped with fabric and carrying her doll on her back, just like the mommas do. She’s starting early in getting practice to care for her own babies. Thank you Jesus for my momma and for these moments of tenderness I so often need.

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Jane's Demons

Augustine inquired of Simon about a woman who was recently saved and then became demon possessed. Her family demanded she take a goat to a witch doctor to be cured…so she did. Women in villages are not as empowered to do their own will as they ought to be. Augustine and Simon determined to visit her soon and not to write her off because of having lost faith. Just then Jane arrived.

Jane said that she was demon possessed and that her family cursed her and told her to take a goat to the witch doctor to be cured. Jane was NOT the women Augustine was just inquiring about…but how funny that she should appear just then. She came to us for prayer and proceeded to describe her horrible visions or imaginings. She said it was sometimes difficult to tell the difference between what really happened and what she feared would happen.

Jane described her family as rejecting her and her fear of going home again. She said her husband and neighbors were troubling her as well and that she overheard them saying that someone should just chop her up with a panga (like a machete). We’ll never know if this was in Jane’s imagination or not, but she was absolutely afraid.

The three of us prayed for Jane. We demanded that the enemy leave her and that the spirit of fear would depart in Jesus’ name. We prayed for a sound mind and for strength and courage to call on Jesus when she felt the enemy interfering with her mind. The prayer time went on for several minutes and then the guys were preparing to send her home. But wait, I had this sense that we were sending her back to a place that may be causing the problems in the first place. I wasn’t talking about the people as much as the spirits dwelling in her home.

Once again we prayed for Jane. We prayed that the enemy would leave her home in Jesus’ name and that the home would be holy and safe and free from disturbance. At this Jane burst into tears – an unusual display of emotion for African women. Both Augustine and Simon escorted Jane home and prayed for her there as well. At least for tonight, Jane would be safe. We’ll visit with her again the next day and purify that house once more. In the name of Jesus let it be so!

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Two Dollies in Paidha

I caught a glimpse of a very unhappy toddler who was forcibly having her teeth brushed and face washed. I knew just the solution. I slowly approached with a dolly believing this would make things all better. Ha. When she saw me she screamed even louder. I think the scream was more like a high pitched squeal. Well, at least she wasn’t crying because of having her teeth brushed anymore.

During the evening, while waiting for supper and serving as the freak show at which all children were content to simply stare upon, another young girl would have nothing of getting closer to me. Her sister and the rest of the children teased by bringing her closer only to hear her scream louder. They kept on, over and over again. This pour tortured child.

I reached out to shake the hands of the many children around me and this young one saw they were none the worse for the wear. Eventually she reached her hand out to me as well. I held it softly for a short time and then she got afraid. I saw her examining the front and back of her hand as her sister took her away. She returned several times to touch the mondu (mzungu in the local Arua language). Through a long series of brief encounters and experiments on her part, she eventually ended up on my lap. She only stayed for a few seconds at first, but the duration extended the more she experimented.

I had just the prize to reward her courage. Augustine ran in to get a dolly and the camera. She and the rest of the crowd examined the two-faced doll. Sleepy baby and awake baby – the concept was interesting to the older children. At first the small girl wasn’t sure she wanted the doll. She held it away from her, perhaps to see if anything bad would happen. Eventually she ended up in my lap again at which time I tucked the dolly in close to her and squeezed her and that doll in a tight hug.

Quickly returning to her place on her sister’s back – the bear hug did it – she also applied the bear hug to her new charge. No, no other child would have the chance to examine this doll now. She was busy holding on for dear life. The next day at church the girl continued to hold this dolly so tight and no adult could pry it away from her for a proper examination. She peeked at me over her mother’s shoulder with great interest but was still a bit shy about touching me. That she still clung to the doll was sweet.

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Women's Ministry in Paidha

The church floor was sloped so that an amphitheater-type experience enabled everyone to see the preacher well. Women trickled into the building on Africa time. Three times as many filled the church shortly after we began. Praise and worship rang through the tiny town before beginning the ministry program. Women on the drums…awesome! My hope was to use the film NOOMA She as a starter to ministry but, as usual, the power failed us. The content of the accompanying study guide allowed for the ministry to continue.



Amen is the women who housed and fed me
while in Paidha. I love her Coca-Cola dress!



The film uses the imagery of an African mother fetching water from a far away source for her children every day and likens that work to the maternal impulse to care for her family. God is described as having created that impulse in his own image. He was described as compassionate and as representing a number of other somewhat female or motherly characteristics. We talked about how we tend to view God as a man, but learned that God is spirit and that God transcends or perhaps includes both male and female qualities. This realization led to the discussion that women are not “second-best” and that without her voice in the conversation something is lacking.

Women in Africa often have a sense of being less than valuable, perhaps because of an ingrained cultural history. Yet I see women working hard…I mean hard. They wake early and fetch water, dig in the garden, prepare meals, do laundry, and more every day of the week. Their hands and feet are rough and calloused from the hard work and I’m convinced the short lifespan in Uganda (54) is due at least in part to the hard work and the fact that these women have simply worn themselves out. Having been created by God in his image, we changed our paradigm so that we could see ourselves as valuable and worthwhile creations.

Following the time of ministry, Augustine pointed out that this is the first time a woman has ministered to the women in this town and that the women don’t tend to receive ministry…at all, let alone ministry tailored just for them. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet with, worship with, and pray for these ladies. God is so good.

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The Lord is My Shepherd

While waiting for dinner, typically very delicious meals prepared by Amen, the lady in whose house I stayed in Paidha, the original 20 children plus a few extras gathered around to stare at this freak show again. Not long after, the children began demanding… “sing.” Once again, we went through the songs until I pulled Augustine in to sing a new song with me. He quickly learned the song from Psalm 23 and we sang it in rounds.

The Lord is my shepherd I’ll walk with him always

He leads by still waters I’ll walk with him always

Always, always, I’ll walk with him always

Always, always, I’ll walk with him always

We got pretty good at it and stopped. Then we heard this faint whispering of the song coming from two older girls who had been listening intently. Augustine and I each took a girl and began singing the song in rounds again. Two and two. The other children listened as we all sang. These girls were quite good. Mothers watched on too but they were not interested in learning the song.

Keep your eyes on the girl in the red shirt in the far left of the photo.
You'll see her again soon.

After we let these girls rest their voices, I taught the hand slapping game to one of the girls using Miss Suzie Had A Steamboat. Okay, after I went through the first time I realized this might not be exactly the song to teach. Luckily the song was long and complex so there’s no chance they’ll remember. However, they might find a way to use the hand slapping part to some of the songs they already know.

Again, a whisper of the Psalm 23 song came from behind me. It was Augustine, the song was stuck in his head. What a blessing music can be.

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Children's Worship

The number of children following me around Paidha multiplies. Where I stay, about 20 children rough and tumbled around me. When I sat under the shade tree, they came closer and eventually I shook the hands of each one, some two or three times. Not wanting to waste the opportunity but also wondering about the language barrier, I began to sing songs that had motions that went with the words.

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it then your life will surely show it,

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

We added stomp your feet, say “amen,” and do all three. We also sang Head and Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and ended with “clap your hands and praise him.” Let’s see…we sang the Praise Ye the Lord song and we sang Jesus Loves Me…the children knew the chorus. After singing each song a dozen times the children just stood there and stared at me. Apparently I am entertainment enough just to look at.

While waiting for the women’s ministry to begin, about 100 children appeared and those who participated in singing this morning kept saying “sing.” So, sing we did. We went through the list of songs twice before I was called to begin ministry to the women. The mothers watched on and laughed to see the children being so engaged.

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Market Day in Paidha

Joel snuck up behind me as I was singing with the children. What a wonderful surprise. He and Augustine are nearly inseparable but this is the first time I’ve seen Joel in Paidha and it’s been at least two months since seeing him at all. After some time of catching up – particularly because Joel has found a woman he wishes to marry and I needed to hear the details – we set out to begin our program for the day.



Heading into the crowded market was a bit unnerving after having my wallet snatched in Kampala. Wall to wall women sat patiently on the ground with their matoke bananas and avocados. They waited for the truck drivers to pick their goods for purchase so they could be shipped into Kampala markets and made ready for sale.

Augustine and Innocent, a native Paidhan ministry helper, are not used to caring for mzungu in the same way Gabriel and Henry are, but I’d learned a few things from those two wise men. I asked Augustine and Innocent to sandwich me. Augustine led the way and Innocent followed behind me. They may not have been as alert as would have been helpful, but they at least deterred possible evildoers.



Deeper into the market, we passed through the stalls of meat. Raw meat hanging by rusty hooks or laying on dirty benches…the thought of vomiting entered my mind a few times. I am happy to avoid thinking of such things when enjoying the roasted meat served at meals.

After nearly being plowed over by a fast moving guy hauling some giant and heavy sack of something round, we examined the African pancake. They looked tempting and, well, I had to try one. Beyond nasty isn’t quite kind enough. A quick greeting to a pastor also working as a tailor, and we went on our way to visit the place Augustine, Joel, and Innocent call home.

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Arriving in Paidha

Mine was the second door from the left.

The seven hour ride to Paidha was uneventful. The roads were good, the driving speed was fast, the bus clean, comfortable, and half full…nothing like the ride to Karamoja. The conductor’s departing prayers and general kindness made the trip enjoyable, although I could have done without the very bad kung fu movie with Luganda voice-overs.

My tidy and comfortable room.

Augustine and I talked the whole time. We hadn’t seen one another for some time and we had much to catch up on. We arrived just before dark and Augustine dragged that heavy suitcase through the rocky paths toward the home where I would stay for the next three nights. There we were warmly welcomed by a Christian family who spoke neither English or Luganda. The ladies took my bags and ushered us to a living room where we chatted with Simon, an English-speaking ministry partner native to Paidha.

The open blue door was my pit
and the far right door was my bucket washroom.

Hot water was prepared for my bucket wash. When I opened the door to the stall after my bucket wash I found about 20 children waiting for me. I’m not exactly sure how much of a show they got given the cracks in the door between the boards. Hopefully they weren’t blinded. Rice and beef stew were waiting upon my return to the living room…yum (seriously, it was delicious). Augustine, Simon, and I talked some more; I didn’t realize how much I miss chatting with friends all night long.

The guys retired to their home leaving me with this family all by myself. I could have been tempted to feel scared, but I resisted that thought immediately upon sliding the giant bolt to the heavy metal door into place. The two room apartment was pitch black. No mosquitoes in Paidha (can you say “happy Leslie”), the temperatures were very cool for sleeping, and the internet works. Good night.

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