“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, where ever you would call me, take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith would be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.” ~Oceans, by Hillsong
Ok, so maybe not that big of news... and for many of you this news wont be that shocking... but...
Late next summer instead of getting ready for another school year, I will be moving to Kampala, Uganda!!! I couldn't be more excited or nervous about this. My plan is to live with the Fulks for at least a year. I will be helping Michaela home school their kids. If the makeshift school is still going in Kisenji, I will help with that. I will help train the teachers, help plan what the kids need to learn next, and spend some time loving on kids. If the school is not effective or if those leading it right now feel led to do other things and the school ends, that's OK. I will find somewhere else to plug in and serve the least of these (Matthew 25:40).
With all that said, I really don't know what it will look like. I don't know how God will work through me, but I am trusting that he has good works planned for me to do in Kampala (Ephesians 2:10).
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Hope for the Hopeless
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." ~Revelation 21:4
Ahh, my time in Uganda is over (for now). The time spent in Kisenji, teaching the kids and training Lokwii was good. The kids are able to write a few of their letters, know some of the letter sounds, and few kids can count. These foundational skills are important, but not the most important. I can give them and teach them something that will help them temporarily, but how much better is it to give them something eternal. To give them Jesus and an eternal hope. Even when things are hard in their life, which they will be, if they know Jesus they will have hope. That's what the Fulks are doing here - bringing the hope of Jesus to the Karamajong.
I was blessed to be a part of what God is doing in Uganda and in the Karamajong community.
Ahh, my time in Uganda is over (for now). The time spent in Kisenji, teaching the kids and training Lokwii was good. The kids are able to write a few of their letters, know some of the letter sounds, and few kids can count. These foundational skills are important, but not the most important. I can give them and teach them something that will help them temporarily, but how much better is it to give them something eternal. To give them Jesus and an eternal hope. Even when things are hard in their life, which they will be, if they know Jesus they will have hope. That's what the Fulks are doing here - bringing the hope of Jesus to the Karamajong.
I was blessed to be a part of what God is doing in Uganda and in the Karamajong community.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Frustrations and Miracles
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!" ~2 Corinthians 5:17
We have a little boy that has been coming to school. His name is Sharif and he has a big personality. Because of the culture he was raised in and his own sin (Romans 3:23), he doesn't handle conflict, anger, or not getting his way well. He often hits, bites, kicks, pushes, pinches (you name it). Sometimes his actions seem totally unprovoked. But despite all this, he is an incredibly lovable boy.
We set up classroom rules so that there would be a little bit of order. If a child breaks a rule, he or she is sent home for the day and they can try again the next day. Just having them leave the classroom was not getting our point across. Sharif was put outside the classroom and eventually sent home many days. In fact, rarely was there a day he was able to stay the whole time. Until one day...
Sharif came in, and let's be honest, part of me thought that we would be dealing with him for a little while and then he would have to go home for hurting another child. I was proven wrong. Sharif was so friendly and participated in our song and Bible lesson. He sat quietly as Lokwii and I taught them about when Jesus was a boy. He listened and was able to answer questions. He followed the rules of the game, all while laughing and having a great time. Then came time to work on writing the letters A and E.. and he did it! He listened to how to form the letters and practiced with everyone as we wrote in the air. He was respectful with the chalk and chalkboard. He had a great day at school!!!
It is so encouraging to see children not only improve with their letters, but to see their attitudes change as well. To see their character improving and watching them learn to make better decisions. Sharif will still have bad days. There will still be days when he is sent home for hurting others. But one good day will eventually lead to more as he learns and grows. I can't wait for the day when God captures Sharif's heart and changes this boy into the likeness of Christ!
We have a little boy that has been coming to school. His name is Sharif and he has a big personality. Because of the culture he was raised in and his own sin (Romans 3:23), he doesn't handle conflict, anger, or not getting his way well. He often hits, bites, kicks, pushes, pinches (you name it). Sometimes his actions seem totally unprovoked. But despite all this, he is an incredibly lovable boy.
We set up classroom rules so that there would be a little bit of order. If a child breaks a rule, he or she is sent home for the day and they can try again the next day. Just having them leave the classroom was not getting our point across. Sharif was put outside the classroom and eventually sent home many days. In fact, rarely was there a day he was able to stay the whole time. Until one day...
Sharif came in, and let's be honest, part of me thought that we would be dealing with him for a little while and then he would have to go home for hurting another child. I was proven wrong. Sharif was so friendly and participated in our song and Bible lesson. He sat quietly as Lokwii and I taught them about when Jesus was a boy. He listened and was able to answer questions. He followed the rules of the game, all while laughing and having a great time. Then came time to work on writing the letters A and E.. and he did it! He listened to how to form the letters and practiced with everyone as we wrote in the air. He was respectful with the chalk and chalkboard. He had a great day at school!!!
It is so encouraging to see children not only improve with their letters, but to see their attitudes change as well. To see their character improving and watching them learn to make better decisions. Sharif will still have bad days. There will still be days when he is sent home for hurting others. But one good day will eventually lead to more as he learns and grows. I can't wait for the day when God captures Sharif's heart and changes this boy into the likeness of Christ!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Morin
Briana had the great idea of introducing you to some of the kids in Kisenji. This is what she wrote about a little girl named Morin (Maureen).
Angel Morin. She has been with us from the start in Kisenji. When I first started coming to school with Mathilda (who was a huge help in starting the school!) we were told that after class Morin would round up the kids and play teacher. She would say "Call me Auntie Morin" then continue to go over the letters and numbers we had learned that day. On days we teach hygiene she makes sure to be the very last. She patiently waits for the 20 + kids to finish so that she can enjoy the rest of the water and attention to herself. She is such a blessing to everyone in her life. She almost always has a smile on her face and a look of wisdom in her eyes. She has a grace about her that draws adults and fellow students to her and even though she is only 5 our little angel is so sharp.
Angel Morin. She has been with us from the start in Kisenji. When I first started coming to school with Mathilda (who was a huge help in starting the school!) we were told that after class Morin would round up the kids and play teacher. She would say "Call me Auntie Morin" then continue to go over the letters and numbers we had learned that day. On days we teach hygiene she makes sure to be the very last. She patiently waits for the 20 + kids to finish so that she can enjoy the rest of the water and attention to herself. She is such a blessing to everyone in her life. She almost always has a smile on her face and a look of wisdom in her eyes. She has a grace about her that draws adults and fellow students to her and even though she is only 5 our little angel is so sharp.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Lasting Change
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~Ephesians 2:10
Coming to Africa for the summer seems like a long time. Before I get here, it feels like I will have plenty of time. In reality, the summer is not very long. I don't have plenty of time. I think back to last summer in Sierra Leone, and although it was good and I believe God used my time there to touch people's lives, the work has stopped. There was no one in Mokanji to continue the children's Bible study. It was some time before someone went there and was willing to help tutor the kids at Hope's Rising Children's Home. I desperately wish there was someone who would've been able to continue ministering to those children everyday.
It's about half way through my time here in Uganda and I can't help but think... have I or will I actually accomplish anything this summer?
The truth is lasting change doesn't come from short term mission trips like this. Lasting change comes from the people who are living here, building relationships, discipling, and training people. People who are trusting God to use them so that others may know Christ. I'm not saying God cannot use people like me who are only able to be here for a short time. If I believed that I would not have come. However, because time is short we have to consider how to best use the gifts and opportunity God has given us. Yes, teaching and loving the kids has been great, but what I have really enjoyed is the opportunity to help Lokwii and Jennifer learn how to organize, plan, and teach.
I am so incredibly grateful to know the Fulks and other people who have committed many years to work with the Karamajong. I am grateful for Briana, who although is only in Kampala a few more months, is continuing to follow Jesus in establishing this school. I am thankful for Ugandans like Lokwii and Jennifer, who want to join in what God is doing among the Karamajong and want to continue teaching the children in Kisenji once Bri and I are gone.
Coming to Africa for the summer seems like a long time. Before I get here, it feels like I will have plenty of time. In reality, the summer is not very long. I don't have plenty of time. I think back to last summer in Sierra Leone, and although it was good and I believe God used my time there to touch people's lives, the work has stopped. There was no one in Mokanji to continue the children's Bible study. It was some time before someone went there and was willing to help tutor the kids at Hope's Rising Children's Home. I desperately wish there was someone who would've been able to continue ministering to those children everyday.
It's about half way through my time here in Uganda and I can't help but think... have I or will I actually accomplish anything this summer?
The truth is lasting change doesn't come from short term mission trips like this. Lasting change comes from the people who are living here, building relationships, discipling, and training people. People who are trusting God to use them so that others may know Christ. I'm not saying God cannot use people like me who are only able to be here for a short time. If I believed that I would not have come. However, because time is short we have to consider how to best use the gifts and opportunity God has given us. Yes, teaching and loving the kids has been great, but what I have really enjoyed is the opportunity to help Lokwii and Jennifer learn how to organize, plan, and teach.
I am so incredibly grateful to know the Fulks and other people who have committed many years to work with the Karamajong. I am grateful for Briana, who although is only in Kampala a few more months, is continuing to follow Jesus in establishing this school. I am thankful for Ugandans like Lokwii and Jennifer, who want to join in what God is doing among the Karamajong and want to continue teaching the children in Kisenji once Bri and I are gone.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Hygiene Day!!
"Love each other as I have loved you." ~John 15:12
Kisenji is the area of Kampala where our makeshift school is located. As we walk in (usually in flip flops) we are stepping through mud, dirt, trash, and other things I would rather not think about. The smell can be nausiating as very few people actually use the public bathrooms. There are stray dogs, goats, and sheep in the streets. Bodas, bikes, and trucks fill the street and you have to be careful not to get hit (they don't stop for pedistrians). We walk by people's homes, which are small shacks with enough room for a bed, maybe two. People are outside cooking, washing clothes, and just being. When kids are not begging on the streets they are running around covered in dirt. If they are wearing clothes, the clothes have holes and stains all over. When they get a cut they do not know how to clean it. They do not know how to protect themselves and others from disease. It's hard to tell when the last time a child has gotten a “bath.” This is life in Kisenji. Jesus loves Kisenji and the people there. It breaks His heart that they do not know Him and are living day to day without hope.
On Fridays we take a break from teaching the kids how to read, write, and count and teach them something that is probably even more valuable right now. We teach them about personal hygiene. It's not very in depth. We basically teach them that it is important to take a bath using clean water and soap. Then we help them put it into practice and each kid gets a bath! I should clarify what I mean by bath... each kid gets less than a galloon of clean water using our tub. We give them a bar of soap and they wash their hands, arms, face, hair, and ears (many do NOT love washing their faces and ears). Each kid is dried off and we put lotion on them. Lotion is a luxury many have rarely experienced!
Following Jesus sometimes means going to places most would rather avoid, getting dirty, and teaching people not just about Christ, but also how they can have a better quality of life now. We want to see God change their hearts, for them to know Jesus and to know love, but we also want to see them living healthier lives physically.
After all isn't that what Jesus did for us? He came down to Earth, so that we may have hope of an eternal life with God. He provided a way of salvation to meet our spiritual needs as sinners. But then Jesus blesses us even further by giving us a full and abundant life. We want to see Jesus change and redeem Kisenji and the Karamajong people - both spiritually and physically.
Kisenji is the area of Kampala where our makeshift school is located. As we walk in (usually in flip flops) we are stepping through mud, dirt, trash, and other things I would rather not think about. The smell can be nausiating as very few people actually use the public bathrooms. There are stray dogs, goats, and sheep in the streets. Bodas, bikes, and trucks fill the street and you have to be careful not to get hit (they don't stop for pedistrians). We walk by people's homes, which are small shacks with enough room for a bed, maybe two. People are outside cooking, washing clothes, and just being. When kids are not begging on the streets they are running around covered in dirt. If they are wearing clothes, the clothes have holes and stains all over. When they get a cut they do not know how to clean it. They do not know how to protect themselves and others from disease. It's hard to tell when the last time a child has gotten a “bath.” This is life in Kisenji. Jesus loves Kisenji and the people there. It breaks His heart that they do not know Him and are living day to day without hope.
On Fridays we take a break from teaching the kids how to read, write, and count and teach them something that is probably even more valuable right now. We teach them about personal hygiene. It's not very in depth. We basically teach them that it is important to take a bath using clean water and soap. Then we help them put it into practice and each kid gets a bath! I should clarify what I mean by bath... each kid gets less than a galloon of clean water using our tub. We give them a bar of soap and they wash their hands, arms, face, hair, and ears (many do NOT love washing their faces and ears). Each kid is dried off and we put lotion on them. Lotion is a luxury many have rarely experienced!
Following Jesus sometimes means going to places most would rather avoid, getting dirty, and teaching people not just about Christ, but also how they can have a better quality of life now. We want to see God change their hearts, for them to know Jesus and to know love, but we also want to see them living healthier lives physically.
After all isn't that what Jesus did for us? He came down to Earth, so that we may have hope of an eternal life with God. He provided a way of salvation to meet our spiritual needs as sinners. But then Jesus blesses us even further by giving us a full and abundant life. We want to see Jesus change and redeem Kisenji and the Karamajong people - both spiritually and physically.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
The Mamas
As we began teaching the older children phonics and the beginning skills needed to learn to read and write, the mothers asked us to teach them as well. We started with how to write their names, which will be life changing for them, and are now working on basic letter sounds.
The children are learning English and Ngakaramajong. Since children's brains are still in a stage where language acquisition is more natural, they are able to learn in both languages. However, the mamas are just learning Ngakaramajong. Since that is their native language, it will be easier for them to learn and will be more useful in their everyday lives.
There are several reason why we are so excited to teach the mamas.
They have a desire to learn. They asked us to teach them. They come and work hard. We pray this desire to learn to read and write spills over into a desire to learn about God and the Bible. Education is a great thing, but Jesus is who can truly give them a hope and a future.
They are taking action. All the women have an opportunity to learn how to start a small business. They just need to save money, which means they need to be diligent in working and not spending money on alcohol. When they begin their business, having basic literacy and math skills will be very valuable.
They can teach their children. This is empowering for them and a great opportunity for the kids. What the moms learn, the kids will have a chance to learn as well.
With anything, this will take time. The school is still in its very early stage, but it is encouraging to see the desire to learn in kids as well as adults.
The children are learning English and Ngakaramajong. Since children's brains are still in a stage where language acquisition is more natural, they are able to learn in both languages. However, the mamas are just learning Ngakaramajong. Since that is their native language, it will be easier for them to learn and will be more useful in their everyday lives.
There are several reason why we are so excited to teach the mamas.
They have a desire to learn. They asked us to teach them. They come and work hard. We pray this desire to learn to read and write spills over into a desire to learn about God and the Bible. Education is a great thing, but Jesus is who can truly give them a hope and a future.
They are taking action. All the women have an opportunity to learn how to start a small business. They just need to save money, which means they need to be diligent in working and not spending money on alcohol. When they begin their business, having basic literacy and math skills will be very valuable.
They can teach their children. This is empowering for them and a great opportunity for the kids. What the moms learn, the kids will have a chance to learn as well.
With anything, this will take time. The school is still in its very early stage, but it is encouraging to see the desire to learn in kids as well as adults.
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