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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Walk in the Way of Love at Shelemiah

I’m becoming brave in finding my way to new places in Uganda. Though Musita isn’t far from Bugembe in Jinja, “stop at the trading center” is about as generic as it gets. Which trading center and how will I know I’m at the right one? I found it though, thanks to a somewhat helpful taxi conductor and a very kind petrol station guard who made sure I stayed out of the sun.

 Dennis came limping to collect me once I arrived and I cringed at the story he told about his recent boda-boda accident. Without giving all the details, I will tell you how very thankful I am that he is alive. He is the primary caretaker for about 15 children of primary and secondary school age – though during his long recovery his sister, Norah, joined him at Shelemiah Orphan’s Home. Norah is a beautiful young woman who seemed thrilled to have another woman in the house if even for a short time.

The home relocated recently. They moved away from a perfectly situated very large compound to something nice but much smaller. Landlords tend to take advantage of ministries with outside funding by increasing rents and thus the children were all moved to a new location.

This sunny Saturday, 11 students were home after school and I had the joy of spending time with this huggy bunch once again. Though our work together is simply based on love and encouragement, I so enjoy spending time doing simple lessons with this group. Alongside the Easter resurrection message – and the reason for the resurrection – I had the blessed opportunity to wash the feet of these children and teach them about walking in the way of love based on Ephesians 5:1-2. After washing their feet, each child received a pair of Sensible Shoes to help remind them each time they step into those shoes that they need to love their neighbor.

As Dennis walked me back to the stage he shared some of the struggles he’s had with unethical behavior on the part of others and the dilemma this causes for him. I’m decreasingly surprised at the stories I hear but never do I fail to be sad about the human depravity that exists so boldly in this foreign land. The message of walking in the way of love from Ephesians was not only useful in helping those who do not love others as they ought to, but also in reminding people like Dennis and me not to lose that love for even those who persecute us.

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Nile Vocational Institute

The sound of dishes clanking and metal chairs shuffling filled the dining hall at The Nile Vocational Institute – a school founded many years ago by German Christians. As Pastor Fred and I arrived, we were ushered into that faculty dining hall for tea while the leaders prepared for the workshop. Standard practice for most places of business in Uganda is to provide tea, which is likely the first meal the faculty and staff will have for the day. Tea typically consists of…tea (and bread).

The Nile Vocational Institute is a boarding and day school in Jinja where students who wish to master a trade come to learn. As in America, these students could have performed poorly in primary or secondary school and still wish to have some way to provide for themselves. They could also be students who are interested in a particular course of study regardless of their scores. Hairdressing, mechanics, brick laying, and carpentry are just a few of the many trades taught here.

Pastor Fred’s sister is a teacher here and together they arranged for me to teach a short workshop to those students who will soon be exiting the school. As is not uncommon, communication failed to reach me about the desired length and content of the workshop. I’d prepared The Art and Science of Thinking for these students. Initially the administrator expressed a bit of disappointment but after the workshop was finished she was very excited about how practical and necessary creative and critical thinking skills are in the lives of every individual, particularly those just starting off on their own. She was so excited that she arranged an impromptu workshop immediately following lunchtime for those students whose schedules allowed them to return.

I’ve been invited to return and to bring the very same content again. After suggesting it might be wise to offer the workshop to faculty so that they can teach the principles in their own classes and then reinforce them with practical application, the administrator wholeheartedly agreed. I love seeing how Jesus takes something that got a little rumpled (time and content) and turns it into something wonderful for everyone.

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Teaching Schedule and Progress

Sitting in the shade of an unfinished brick room, the ladies continue to gather for tailoring class. We’ve run into a small concern with the teacher. She changed the schedule to meet her needs, which is less convenient for the rest of th

e group. Further, she sometimes doesn’t come and so students have also stopped coming. This behavior is unfortunately quite normal for Uganda but not at all what we will accept in America. And, well, we had a meeting to talk about the needs of the group and whether or not she was the right teacher to fill those needs. She agreed that she was and promised to improve for the good of the community. Please pray for us as I do believe she is a good teacher based on what I see from the students.

Students have recently requested “good” fabric so that they can begin making and selling their samples. Yea! I taught about creative and critical thinking and I believe they are starting to see the importance of creativity when it comes to entrepreneurship and work. I’ll reinforce that lesson as time progresses and we add other lessons to their toolbox.

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Holey Nets

Thanks to YOU, we replaced then holey mosquito nets for the children and we even provided one for Michael and Silvia. The children were so very excited to get their new nets. Now we just need to pray that these adorable but rambunctious kids aren’t the future cause of those most holey nets.

Thank you to those who gave to meet this simple but life-saving need.

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Shading Jesus

“Shading” is something the children have come to expect when they see my face appear in their compound. I bring simple Bible lessons and corresponding coloring pages for these kids each time I’m in Bugembe. Their caretakers – Michael and Silvia – have done a fantastic job expanding that small home to include some small education for the children even though they aren’t an official school. The children are happy and respond to their loving caretakers without fear.

This visit we shaded pictures of Jesus standing outside the tomb. I love that a tomb can be bright purple or neon blue. Children are so boundary-less! We talked about Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. We talked about how if we believe in Jesus then when we die we can be with him in heaven. The kids’ ages range from 1.5 to 6 years so we keep it short and simple. Seeds. Seeds.

After shading we ran outside to blow bubbles. 20 plus children running, jumping, slapping at bubbles…the joy of chaos.

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Geoffrey Attends Theology School

Almost two years ago I introduced you to Geoffrey, assistant in-house chaplain at Bugembe Prison. He gave his life to Jesus after hearing me preach (undoubtedly following a lot of seed planting that had nothing to do with me). After beginning skills training programs in that prison, Geoffrey became the tailoring teacher there and did a terrific job with his responsibilities. When Frederick, the then in-house chaplain was released, Geoffrey became the lead chaplain and continued his tailoring teaching.

A few short months ago Geoffrey was released, having served his two-year sentence with good behavior. He stays close to Carpenter John and attends church with him at Bugembe Methodist Church. When asked, Geoffrey said that he wanted to get theology training and become a real pastor. What an amazing testimony to the wonderful things God is doing inside those prison walls.

Carpenter John, by the grace of God, received approval to allow Geoffrey to attend a particular school and earn a certificate in theology…at no charge. Geoffrey is responsible for his books and school materials but he can attend classes for free and receive a certificate upon completion. When visiting Geoffrey recently, Carpenter John found him in a handmade mud shack by the side of the road. If I understand correctly, Geoffrey simply found a small space where he thought no one would disturb him and started making mud from the ground to build a little hut.

During that same visit, Carpenter John observed that there wasn’t a single thing in this man’s house…including food. When asked, Geoffrey said he had no food and he had not resorted to stealing food and instead gave God glory for his life. Last week I handed Carpenter John an embarrassingly small shilling note and said he could use that to pay for the fuel he’d used in taking me up to the prison and give the rest to Geoffrey. Instead John gave the whole thing to Geoffrey so that he would not be tempted to steal.

There’s more. A few days after I gave that money Geoffrey called. He said thank you for the money and that he chose to buy one of the many needed books for his class rather than to buy food. People, we have got to do something! Can’t we provide the books he needs so that whatever small money he can scrape up with tailoring or other work can be money for food? Can’t we believe God for even more than that? Can’t we believe him for food? I think that even $50 total will buy his books for the term and give him a tiny bit of money for food for one month.

Please understand that there is risk in such an investment…but the potential reward must far outweigh that risk. Will you join me? If you’d like to help Geoffrey become a pastor and/or eat, please click here.

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Visit with the Jjajas

We huffed and puffed up to the island top in search of the path leading to the unsuspecting jajjas. Our visit this year was a little later than normal so we thought they’d be completely surprised…yet the boat driver (not sure what you call a fiberglass motorboat driver) beat us to their home and spoiled the surprise. This man unknown to the family spent his afternoon helping these 80+ year old ladies with some chores around their house including picking a few of the choice pineapples for our enjoyment upon arrival.

The bread and butter was jajja Manjerry’s (Marjorie) favorite gift among the sugar, rice, and other small gifts. No bread and butter for these little old ladies who will likely never get off the island again before they die. Among the many things we chatted about, jajja Ida asked about Heidi and when she would return and she asked about my sister – the one who made them blankets – and asked when she would come visit too.

Only the two elder ladies were reclining at home while the younger was off working somewhere. I noticed their hearing was acute, their memories intact, and their bodies literally worked to the bone. Such dear ladies.

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