Africa and Missions

African having been raised under African Traditional Religion experience religion in terms of the Old Testament and pass those beliefs and practices along to their children and grandchildren. The New Covenant was introduced about 100 years ago when western missionaries first arrived. Shortly after realizing the abundance of resources on the continent, a very cruel colonization began. Present day African religion has yet to fully experience the New Covenant, and freedom in Christ.

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Administrative Work Isn't Painful, It's Prophetic

Thanking the Lord this morning for all the administrative tasks that have been accomplished while I've been in Nairobi. Many of these tasks were already in various stages of completion as they can never be far from our mind. But having them finished but flexible is such a rewarding feeling to a former operations manager like me.

First, we took time to reflect over all that the Lord has accomplished through Surprised by Hope during 2014 and continue to wonder at the way he orders our lives (Romans 8:28) with tremendous thanksgiving. While his vision for the future of this ministry has been clear for a while now (we've been communicating that medium-term vision for about a year) it was nice to ask for and receive his confirmation of that vision and all that must be accomplished in 2015 once again.

Second, we closed out 2014 by reviewing our stated goals and recording all that was accomplished in more detail. We examined our budget results (right on target) and reviewed financials for accuracy (all good), collected all the statements and other documents needed for audit and sent them off to Whitewatermark. We prepared and distributed year end tax statements to all of you. Finally, we prepared the content of our annual report and sent that off to the designer (coming soon).

Third, we opened 2015 by establishing short-term goals, preparing a general schedule for ministry, and setting budgets to support those activities. We reviewed legal requirements for annual reporting when operating in three countries, and prepared those materials. And we prepared and conveyed all the materials needed for the Annual Meeting of the Board later this month.

While these are just a few of the task-oriented highlights for these past few weeks, my bigger appreciation comes in two areas of revelation. First, purpose. We are so thankful in knowing that we are exactly where the Lord wants us to be and that we are doing exactly what he wants us to do. The continued sense of Divine purpose over these past 4 years is like nothing I've ever experienced before, which allows a measure of certainty in our decision-making. In all we do, we desire to walk alongside him in seeing his plans fulfilled in the lives of so many East Africans and in those who support Surprised by Hope.

Second, prophetic. Cornerstone University professors are always challenged to incorporate faith into learning into application (which is not easy in the business world) and having been raised in that environment I strive to do the same. When we bring these kinds of administrative activities before the Lord, especially our future plans, we have an opportunity to invite his prophetic voice to speak over us and our future. I believe that allowing the Spirit to speak into our plans gives power and shape to Surprised by Hope in a way that sets us apart. This intense time in the Spirit offers hope, depth, and transformation both for us and for those we serve. For that we praise the Lord.

Onward to a greater depth of ministry and service than has ever before been seen in Surprised by Hope. Amen!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

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Team Development Meeting

Vickie, Alex, Alone, Pr Fred (Pr George and I are missing...sniffle)
Team's gotta eat!

We gathered together in the name of Jesus to see that Surprised by Hope achieves its vision to see that underprivileged East Africans become positive influencers in their community, in their country, and in the body of Christ.

With the eye of adapting a leadership curriculum I developed for small church groups in the States for use in East Africa, each of three days the team studied the topic. We began with various definitions and examples of leadership from life here and from Scripture. From there we identified our center or our motivating force to understand what leadership looks like with any center other than Christ. Finally we used a spiritual gifts inventory to understand and encourage one another to use our God-given gifts in service to the Lord.

Vickie, Alex, Alone, Pr Fred and his wife Justine
in front of their stationary shop.

Our afternoons were spent facilitating (on my part) and learning (on the part of the team) alongside Pull the Net, a group of pastors who organized themselves in Buwenge. The topic included the second half of the Entrepreneurship series, typically taught in two parts, which includes marketing and competition and then strategic framework.

While in Buwenge, we took the opportunity to pray for Pr Fred and for Alone. The projects they began while applying what they learned from Surprised by Hope teachings are going on well and we loved the chance to ask God to continue showering them with His favor.

I'm excited about these people – and sad I don't have a picture of us all together – because I can see how God is using them to see that the future of Surprised by Hope in Uganda is certain. Please pray for their continued encouragement and provision, please pray against any plans the enemy may be making against them, and pray that they would continue seeking Jesus in a deeper way.

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Three More Years

Imagine heading over to the post office to get your passport for the first time. Next you send that passport off with a completed application form to the embassy in Washington D.C. for the country in which you'd like to travel. A few days later, the passport is returned and you have a beautiful stamp in your book. While I realize this isn't the picture of how most expatriates would actually obtain a work permit, it is the image most of us share given our limited exposure to other countries and cultures.

Obtaining a work permit from inside a developing country is rather different from how it's done from America; and it's rather different from inside each country too. No two processes are alike. I recently had the opportunity to experience the contrast between the process in Kenya and the process in Uganda. I have to be honest that I continue to be surprised at how drastically different the two countries are in so many ways given their close proximity.

Both countries required some kind of proof for the need to be in country. In my case, that proof was the establishment of the NGO (nonprofit) in that country. Once that general step was complete, each with its differing set of hoops, the work permit application begins.

Uganda required a letter from the NGO board recommending me for the proper work permit. Asking in advance what Immigration required was the key to avoiding extra money, travel, and frustration. I simply provided all the documents, signatures, and the NGO Board letter to the Immigration office. I think this is where people get frustrated. Many differing lists of requirements exist and, well, some folks aren't great at documentation and following lists and such. Perhaps my operations management background gives me a leg up in this area. I checked back in the allotted time, paid the prescribed fee, and dropped my passport to receive its final stamp.

In Kenya, though, I needed help from a dear friend, James. Moving around Nairobi in and of itself is exceedingly different than in Uganda. Nairobi is so much more spread out than Uganda and so without his help I would have failed to find the mailbox let alone Nyayo house. Kenya has more information available online and it seems to be consistent. Once he delivered the prescribed documents, we waited. The next step was delivering the money. The next, picking up the approval and then fingerprinting and registering for an alien identity card (wonder if I'll have green skin and google eyes).

Getting to the point of the so far rather boring story, I have heard via personal conversations, Facebook groups, and eavesdropping while waiting in line that those applying for both Ugandan and Kenyan work permits were exceedingly frustrated. Here's why, they'd had:

• Service providers who were unethical or inattentive.
• Bribes that were required to get files "unlost."
• Delays were unexplainable (though a peek inside the office mess explained a bit).
• Advice differed from one representative to another.
• Rejection notices seemed not to be warranted.
• Time was lost.

I could go on. Instead I want you to hear my story.

My story is one of favor - the favor of my Father in heaven. I am truly rejoicing in him for sparing me the anxiety so many have experienced, for giving me favor with the leaders and decision makers in high offices, and for affirming my work through Surprised by Hope. Please, I am not saying he loves only me and all these other people and their unfortunate frustrations are any sign of failure or lack on their part. Not at all. Instead I'm choosing to give him the glory for making my application and approval process relatively easy. Yes, I now have 3 year work permits for both Kenya and Uganda. 2017 here we come!

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Team Uganda Development Meeting

Back: Pr Fred, Leslie, Alex
Front: Pr George, Mukaya, Vickie

A small business-as-mission café on Main Street in Jinja would be the place we’d gather for our twice annual team development meeting. The Source Café is a well known muzungu lunch spot and while we work hidden away in the library, the café fills to capacity.

Our seclusion, though, bodes well for the activities and teaching that strives to further prepare the team of five Ugandans to deliver the biblically-based business teaching about entrepreneurship. The team is made up of pastors and teachers, each having some small business experience, and so reinforcing business knowledge and skills is essential.

Surprised by Hope strives to expand its presence in Kenya where I’ll spend at least half my time each year. Given that goal, it makes sense to grow a team of Ugandans to work alongside me and to do the same in Kenya. As such, this training and sending has never been more important.

This great group of leaders sacrificed their time away from their work and ministries to come alongside Surprised by Hope in supporting that ability to expand. I’m so thankful for each one of them and for their support and encouragement in our plans to reach more people for Jesus with the much needed economic development skills.

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Surprised by Hope Sustainability

Surprised by Hope strives to reach 50% self-sustaining and 50% supported giving ministry income. We’re not all the way there yet, but part of that self-sustenance includes reselling handcraft products made by a few of our ministry partners. I want to take a minute to highlight the work Tony and Marti Mehari do to help achieve our goal. Here’s a message from Marti:

Tony and I were in Mason MI today [Saturday, May 3] for an outside craft show.  We have an EZ up tent from last year, so thought we were prepared (that's your first clue!). The day started out at 45 degrees and threatening of rain, but we got all set up with winter jackets  and gloves on, but no rain. People were coming by, but hurrying through - a few sales. Then the rain started, but only lasted about 15 minutes. Then about noon the wind picked up. 

I had a stand to hang the necklaces on and that blew over while I was holding everything else down.  So got that back up and all the necklaces untangled, put some weight on the base (we had the tent weighted down, too, and tried again, but it blew over again and broke part of it off.  Put it up again and tied it to the tent.  Everyone around us is having great trouble too.  I gave upon standing up any bags or animals, and just tried to get them to stay on the table. Then came a big gust and out tent went flying, with the weights hitting the tent across from us, as she is trying to hold hers down.  Unfortunately, I was helping a customer and couldn't grab ours fast enough. 

So everyone around is scrambling to pick up our tent (it didn't break), and pile everything back on the table.  Then someone two tents down brought over some stakes and pounded down the tent in addition to the weights.  While they were helping us, their table with glass vases blew over and broke a lot.  Then another big gust, but I caught the tent before it took off with the weights and the stakes, but all of the bags, animals, etc all blew away. 

Well, that was the end - we put everything back in the tubs while trying to hold everything together, and finally got it in the car and headed home.  Everyone else was having similar problems except the one guy next to us who was selling painted bricks!  (Got any bricks?)  All in all, it was an interesting day.  There was a lot of people traffic, but the weather did not cooperate.  Bottom line, we sold $211, but I think could have been a lot more if we didn't have to chase everything around.  I'm sure the weather kept people away, too.  Lots of NICE people.  It will be a show we remember!  Not sure I can get my hair untangled - not sure I want to try!  Considering everything, I think we did really good! 

What an amazing gift to Surprised by Hope, dedication that surpasses even the postman!

If you’d like to have a handcraft party at your home or workplace as a way of supporting Surprised by Hope and the ministries we work with – a bit like a Pampered Chef, Tupperware, or Silpada party – please send us an email at info@surprisedbyhope.org. Here are just a few of the beautiful handmade items from the women in the slums of Kenya.

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Team Development Meeting

Demand for the teaching ministry offered by Surprised by Hope far exceeds our capacity and so for the past six months or so we’ve been inviting select East African’s to join with us in facilitating portions of the Entrepreneurship series of workshops. Apart from this individual learning, we need to increase team building and training opportunities so that we can expand our reach beyond only my own ability.

The six apprentice-facilitators met to get to know one another and to work on developing our knowledge and understanding of the teaching-ministry material. These six apprentice facilitators are either teachers at Christian schools or pastors and so investing in their growth and development serves to strengthen an already solid spiritual base for both Surprised by Hope and for their own professional careers.

Our meeting was one filled with fellowship and learning. We all left feeling relationally closer to one another and strengthened in the Lord. I thank God for Pr George, Pr Fred, Pr Ephantus, teacher Vickie, teacher Alone, and business student Alex. Of course we can travel wherever needed but we now have apprentice-facilitators whose reach extends to Northern, Eastern, and Central Uganda as well as coastal Kenya. Please pray that God would continue to provide for our needs as we grow and that he would bless these men and women for their investment in his Kingdom – pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

(I reminded myself at least a dozen times to take a picture…and then promptly forgot. Boo!)

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Service Delivery Philosophy

Underprivileged. Underprivileged East Africans. The Surprised by Hope vision statement indicates that we’ll deliver biblically-based business training and education to underprivileged East Africans. One might wonder if the term underprivileged describes the entire majority world (developing countries). I suppose from an American viewpoint, being underprivileged just might. But the discerning eye will recognize being underprivileged as relative to the general population.

Still…the overwhelming majority of the East African population is indeed underprivileged. These people lack access to education, communication, transportation, health care, clean water, or even lack of access to a trading center. These are just a few of the common marks of the underprivileged. Though, it seems a majority of those living in urban areas tend also to define themselves as underprivileged as an expression of their mindset. A mindset we strive to overcome with teaching about God’s central character.

Even among the truly underprivileged, experience has revealed a few key factors that help ensure the success of the delivered content. It’s important to understand the filter through which we operate as we interact with nationals – saying no is never easy but having a clear target is essential. It’s also important that supporters understand how exactly we decide who we will serve and who we will refer to other sources.

The first criterion is that the group desire biblically based business training, training that does not result in any kind of distribution of funds. Common practice for many foreign ministries is to give nationals money for transportation, food, and lodging in order that they come to some central location for training. Those who offer such rewards often find their participants come only for that money or the free trip into town. Surprised by Hope, however, does not provide money for any reason. Instead, we travel to where the people are. Our mobility allows entire villages to participate in training rather than only select leaders.

 The second criterion is that the recipient group somehow has a ministry or charity focus. We do provide an analysis and feedback report to those who strictly operate businesses and request such, but our main target for delivering services is those who operate ministries or charities focused on developing larger communities of people.

The third criterion is that there be potential for ongoing relationship. Relationship is essential to the success of any service delivery as it offers the building of trust that leads to open doors to hear about the love of Jesus as well as course correction, encouragement, and sustainability. Going into any community to teach just one time, and never returning, does not allow the fruit to mature and therefore we strive only to go where we can observe and encourage development over time.

The fourth criterion is that there is a clear and motivated leader. We cannot be in every community we serve all the time. This leader needs to pick up where we leave off and continue to encourage and champion the ongoing application of the teachings in his or her group. No clear and motivated leader will ensure the death of every good thing sown. Further, underprivileged people often see the service provider as their savior and yet our true Savior has equipped us to do every good work and therefore, relying on Surprised by Hope for any semblance of success is misguided.

The fifth criterion is that the group served must take partial financial responsibility for our work together. For example, when we travel far we ask that they provide lodging and food for us. Usually this means staying with the pastor and his family and sharing the food the family eats. Leaders and participants do not pay for training and so sharing in this way ensure their seriousness in our investment. Now, I do tend to bring my own water and other essentials (toilet paper) so as not to be an overwhelming burden, but not so much that there isn’t some small sacrifice on the part of the community.

The final criterion is that the group is somehow referred to us by a leader already known and respected by Surprised by Hope. This criterion was implemented as a result of a high demand that could never be met and the need to discern which groups are authentic and serious and which maintain a secret hope to simply gain financial support.

God has given us a very clear picture of what he wants us to do and these are just a few of the ways he’s revealed as enabling us to identify those he wants us to serve.

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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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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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East Africa

Torrential rains and blazing sun, stampeding wildlife and swarming insects, vast deserts and impenetrable jungles, exotic plants and peculiar foods.  The distant rumble of drums, intricately painted bodies, and nighttime war chants.  Witch doctors, cannibalism, and child sacrifice.  This is what many Americans imagine when they consider Africa.  For some people this is precisely the Africa to which they are attracted, while others are decidedly repelled.

Africa has an allure to adventurous people like me, but that isn’t why I went.  In November of 2008 my husband of almost 20 years died unexpectedly.  After the first year of some very difficult grief work—my husband was also my best friend—I spent the second year pursuing God’s plan for my continued healing and growth.  The purpose of that year was to break down walls, build compassion, and show the grace God had shown me, and I pursued that purpose through a series of five short-term mission trips.  The whole year and all that went with it—grieving, healing, and ministry—is chronicled at My Second Year.

Reflecting on the work of My Second Year I recognized some very specific passions threaded throughout the experience.  These passions arose from the ministry I shared in, as well as the East African people I came to know and love.  God affirmed his call that I continue serving in East Africa and that I use these passions for his Kingdom.  And thus, Surprised by Hope was born.

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