What a weekend!

It was a fun and busy weekend! On Saturday, I had the David Family girls over starting at about 11 a.m. We began with jewelry making, which they absolutely love. They made some beautiful pieces and had a great time. While we made jewelry we took turns mixing the dough for cinnamon rolls. Because they already know how to make bread they were quick learners for the rolls. We made about 50 cinnamon rolls!! Saturday night is a "fun" night and being the school holiday at present I wanted to really give them an entire day off so I washed all the dishes while they played games, finished the jewelry, and waited for a movie! I was a bit tired today after all the activity and dish washing, but I thoroughly enjoyed having them over all day. We had decided to invite the boys in for the games and at about 3 p.m. we started the movie which then turned into a second movie! They didn't go home until 7 p.m. and they went home happy!!!!! It was a fantastic day.

Nabukeera and Agnes preparing the cinnamon roll dough

Dinnah wearing her newly made earrings and bracelets

Playing games while waiting for the cinnamon rolls to finish

While I was enjoying the David Family kids, Geoff was having an adventure of his own, which he can tell you about . . .

I was able to attend a village wedding yesterday of one of my graduating vocational students. It was unlike any I've ever attended before--there were no preachers, no gowns, no marching down the aisle. Only bargaining, paying a dowry and consumption of large amounts of alcohol. Included in the bride price was 10 gallons of locally made, very potent, moonshine which the elders quickly began to consume when the payment was made. On the one hand the simple cultural expectations were beautiful, yet on the other hand the destitute poverty and hopelessness was saddening. The location was approximately 8 miles from our little town. Electricity has yet to reach this village and their understanding of a need for a pit latrine is lacking. People literally survive from day to day on a standard so low that would shock most middle class Americans. I was received warmly despite being the surprise of the event--I was the ONLY white person there. The village is one where very few whites have gone. The conditions I experienced made me appreciate the standard that New Hope has brought to our village and we praise God for the changes that have occurred in our area. I am happy for the young man that was married and pray that the seeds of hope we have instilled in his life will affect his inlaws in the future.

Well said Geoff, too bad we didn't get a picture of the white guy in his dress. (Traditional African dress, kanzu, is a full length long sleeved white "dress" worn over slacks and under a suit coat.) We also failed to get a picture of same guy trying to jump start his van to no avail. He ended up having to borrow the vehicle we were using to attempt to start ours. No worries - - - the van is fine. It was only dead as we left the key turned on the day before when we rolled up the windows during a rain storm.

And to round out the weekend we had a great church service today!!!! The two outreach teams that were gone last week gave numerous testimonies to the power of the Kingdom of God as they ministered in Rakai and Amuria. The Amuria group told of children who had been kidnapped by Kony being able to forgive their captors and, as they came to Jesus, the chains of bitterness and hopelessness being stripped away. They asked for prayers as those children return to their villages and to persecution from among their own people. These children didn't have a choice when Kony came and took them, but now they are treated as the enemy by their relatives and village neighbors. Pray for their continued belief that God loves them and for them to be accepted by their people.

In Rakai, there were physical healings as well as many who came to know the Lord. The people there begged one of the team leaders to stay on as their pastor. The new church was longing for some leadership and guidance.

The outreach team to Rakai was led by three of our older boys. We mentioned in a previous blog about the youth organization they have started. They raised the money for the outreach and organized all the details. One of them came to New Hope from that area when he was a small child. He has desired for some time to return to his people and bring the hope, love and truth he received. He is the one whom the people requested to be their pastor. It was amazing to realize the progression of events. In 1992 some of our staff that went this past week to Rakai were the young people on an outreach to that area. In 2001 those kids led an outreach to Rakai which involved New Hope kids and included three who this time were the leaders themselves!!!!!

And finally, more pictures of our kids and the dog

Acacia enjoying her newly rearranged room. We've only been in the house a month and have already rearranged . . .

Toby and Bubbly in the living room. I think Bubbly isn't sure of what she's gotten herself into . . .

The kids playing in the pool at the Red Chilli last weekend when we went for our time away. The pool is really too small for that shark!!! It's more like an oversized hot tub, but they loved it!

Kevin doesn't do much of anything in a normal way. He is learning to love to read and I'm still loving that he does crazy things warranting a photo op.

This week at New Hope

I just wanted to let you all know of some of the great things that are happening this week here in Uganda. We have a number of outreach teams going this week to different parts of the country. For us, the only sad part is we did not to go with any of them, but stayed back to support from this side.

One team is in the North working again with the kids from Amuria. If you remember last year I (Geoff) went to the North to minister to a village that was hard struck by Joseph Kony and the LRA. We have seen great results and a lasting relationship with that village and the young people that had returned from captivity with the rebels. This week we are doing a youth camp with over 60 people that once were child soldiers but are now free. In addition, the entire area is suffering from a famine at present. We were able to take more than three tons of food for distribution to the needy. The amazing thing is that all the money required for this outreach came from our local church here. God's people helping God's people, even the poor helping the poor. Praise God!

Another exciting outreach is happening this week also in an area called Rakai in South Eastern Uganda. Our EYO group (Emmanuel Youth Outreach) had headed up this effort. One of our young people was brought from that area 12 years ago and has longed to go back and take God's love to his people. The area has been especially hard hit by AIDS and poverty. They will be working for people in their gardens and doing open air meetings in the evenings. This outreach group is led by 3 of our older boys who have such a heart for ministry that they organized this group, raised the funds and have become excellent role models to all our young people.

And last but not least we will be having a seminar for all our 90+ staff members beginning on Monday on the authority of the Word. There is such a strong cultural spirit here that very often the Word of God is competing with cultural beliefs. Even born again Christians will often argue biblical truths with cultural views. It will be four days from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please keep us in prayer that God will move mightily.

A new member of the family

OK another day I thought never would come has come. After many years of excuses and timeless delays, we finally ran out of reasons to say no. So, "ok kids, we can get a dog"...famous last words.


Say hello to Bubbly Britton :-)



If she looks familiar you are right! She looks like our former Tiara. That must be one of the reasons Mary and I wanted this one.

Spurgeon

I don't usually post a blog without pictures or without info on what we're doing here, but when I read Spurgeon's daily devotional selection today I thought the message would speak to many of you. And for those of you hungering and thirsting for news about us . . . we are leaving this morning for a 4-day reprieve from work. Our plan? . . . not much. Swim, swim and swim some more. And when we're not swimming? Read. That's it.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional
August 21st AM
"He that watereth shall be watered also himself."Proverbs 11:25
We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord's battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow's tears, and soothe the orphan's grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other's limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet's wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.

Brakes, Bread and Brain covers

Geoff worked on our brakes yesterday. Our good friend and "son", Dan (on the ground), stopped by and decided to help, followed by one of our sons in David Family, Kiweewa (standing). While they worked, Stella stopped to say hello. Stella is one of Geoff's advanced tailoring students at the vocational school. David Family houses are seen in the background.


As Geoff was tightening the wheel back on, Annet and Nabukeera walked over from David Family with the fresh-baked bread they had made for us. Tuesday is one of our two bread baking days during the week. They make a nice honey wheat and honey white bread shaped into loaves or buns at the customer's request.





Later that day, "Dr. Daddy" removed the stitches from Toby's 13-day-old "Brain Cover" (scalp) wound. I'm praying for a reprieve from injuries for awhile!!

Offspring--what a funny word, but here they are...

Kevin--Mr. Animated

Toby--reads anytime, anywhere

The dirt is not on your computer screen, but on the face of a pretty little girl who loves to play in the mud!

Butterfly hunters Kevin and Acacia

"When you see banana plants you see a home"

Someone commented to me this week that our house is looking like a home. He said that in Uganda when you see banana plants you know there is a home there and he thanked us for making our home here. In the picture, some of our many banana plants are in the background.

We continue to do a little this and a little that on the house. This morning Toby put the varnish on our curtain rod holders while Kevin and Acacia decided to slash some of the weeds in our compound. Acacia has a panga (machete) for her tool and Kevin has a very sharp blade called a slasher.

Geoff fixed some more plumbing leaks last night and is now putting shelves in our storage shed. I will spend a bit of time with the David Family girls this a.m. helping them further fine tune their bread making skills. We also have an all day prayer meeting to culminate a week of focused prayer on bringing God's Kingdom to our families, the church, ministry, our community, district and beyond.

There is a team here from North Dakota and they will be doing VBS during the afternoons this week. The kids are very excited!!!!!!

In these next pictures, Kevin, Acacia, Judah, Sharon and Biru are building sand castles. Next to them is Kiweewa clearing some of the weeds/bush that surround our compound.

Nothing else to report for now . . .

A Tribute to Bear

Simply knowing that a habit acquired in "babyhood" by your child has to be broken at some point before they enter university doesn't always provide the strength against the emotions that come when they finally announce they are ready to give it up. Kevin has carried around his red bear (or sometimes a blue fraternal twin would do) since infancy. He snuggled it often and when the bear found it's way to his arms, his right forefinger would immediately go into his mouth--bear in hand, finger in mouth without conscious thought. So, earlier this week when Geoff was telling the boys goodnight, red bear was tossed out of the bed with the accompanying comment, "I don't like him anymore." At that point the parents took up the mantle of concern for "poor old bear." He looked so dejected sitting there alone after years of love and care, and confession here, "abuse". Kevin carried him so often that if we weren't paying attention, before long, red bear became "stinky bear". It was always a tough toss up . . . leave him stinky or wash him and have him lose fluff. Kevin didn't like it when we called him stinky bear, but there frequently came a point when even he realized that the stink was overwhelming and bear needed a bath. Then came the agonizing waiting time while he dried.


So, thus ends another stage in the life of our youngest. He's growing up. I think I'll tuck bear away in a safe place so he's ready to bless my grandchildren . . . or at least give me special memories when I look at him.

Creepy Crawlies

Kevin: "MOM!!!!! Give me some of those doctor gloves!!" "Why?" said I. "Bees, (Kevin's word for because) we are gonna pick up a snake!!!" "Is it dead?" (a very important first question) "Yes!" It's not just any snake. Eeeewwwwww! It's a green mamba!!!!! They played with it and showed all the girls and then gave it a proper burial in the sand pile--not to honor the snake, by the way, but to hide it so they could invite their friend over to dig in the pile and get the surprise of his life!!!! I DID NOT grow up with brothers-----I'm learning a lot these days!!!

Later, I saw the David Family kids throwing rocks at a tree and all standing around nervously looking up. I asked, "Is it a snake????" The reply? "No, just an animal!" I'm thinking, WHAT KIND????? After 20 minutes of throwing rocks and climbing trees I see that it is a squirrel!!!! My, my, my---all that for a squirrel. And if they get it down???? They plan to eat it! Yuck!

Now off the creepy crawly subject . . . we had a request for pictures of Hasan's house. The green is not the green we thought it was going to be, but it will be the green we have for sometime!!!

Earlier today I taught our music makers class for the young missionary kids. I show this picture to show how much they love the class. Our living room is so big they can run around unhindered and they love it!!!!!

And lastly, I am thankful that our three kids play so well together. From lunch time on, we had no other kids at the house today. They simply played and laughed and were VERY LOUD, but had a great time!!!!

We've Moved!

Our move is complete and we are blessed to have been helped by so many!!!! All the big/heavy furniture was in the new house by noon on Saturday August 1st. The rest was finished by mid-afternoon. The last of the tid bits that always seem to hang around forever filling this box and that box finally got moved Monday a.m. In this picture, Kevin is seen playing in the sand pile left over from the construction. As you can tell, landscaping is needed! Lots of dirt right now!!!

On Sunday night the 2nd we had more than 30 people come to pray with us as we dedicated this house to the Lord. We are blessed to have been given the funding by many of you for the construction and we are privileged to be living here as we serve God’s children at New Hope Uganda. This land was once the site of much witchcraft activity and the horrible war atrocities of the 80s. Praise God that it is now the site of a place of peace and life-giving ministry!

Geoff and I spent Thursday in Kampala buying shelving, plants, plumbing, baskets, household hardware, etc., for the new house. It was a long day and traffic was horrible as we were trying to leave Kampala. We’ll have to make a few more trips like that, but we’re slowly getting things in the places where they need to be.

We are now in the complete it/repair it mode. Geoff worked most of Saturday on the house—hooking up the hot water for the solar; repairing door locks, toilet seats and bathroom faucets that had all broken before we moved in; hanging pictures, clocks, towel racks and mirrors that needed permanent homes on the walls, and installing door stops for wild doors. Good thing he started before sunrise on the solar as the rain came just as he was finishing and he had to slide down the roof carefully on slippery sheet metal. Only a small scrape—no major falls.

I love the new kitchen. It is brighter and more open than the former one. I feel a part of what is going on in the rest of the house instead of stuck in a hole! I also love our

new bedroom as we have more windows so the air flow is better, and we are surrounded by trees. The kids are enjoying their new rooms—Acacia’s is pink and purple

and the boys’ has a blue wall in honor of the Chelsea football (soccer) team.

The living room is huge and we are excited for our first movie night with David Family! It will be the first movie night in which everyone will fit comfortably in the living room!!! (sorry, no picture yet.)

We hosted our first overnight guest last night. Joyce, who lived with us last year had a birthday yesterday so we invited her for special dinner and a sleepover. We had a great time talking and the kids climbed all over her as usual. After supper we watched Benji, a great Walmart$5 movie. She then came home with us after church and we had birthday cake and presents. In the late afternoon we walked together to visit a few people and give her a "push" home as we say around here. It was a great day, but has been a busy week with moving and trying to get settled. Many people have been stopping by to tell us congratulations which is very enjoyable, but has taken extra time out of our already activity-filled days.

We’ve just received the itinerary from Geoff’s parents for their visit here in December!!!! They will bring their granddaughter Sarah and will spend almost the entire month with us! The kids are already counting the days!!!!!

And speaking of the kids. . . we had a little mishap Saturday as they were playing in the sand pile with hoes and shovels. Seems when Acacia swung her hoe, Toby bent down to move the sand and Toby’s head met Acacia’s hoe! I have to say it was the smoothest ER visit of all that we’ve had. Only 1.5 hours total from leaving our house to returning. Three stitches later he’s doing fine.
And, though we are in the new house, there is not a new school banda, yet. For now, Uncle Josh, our current missionary teacher is using our old banda to teach. This is a picture of reading time with all the first grade and one older independent study child. In the background on the banda porch you can see our makeshift carpentry workshop from where our carpenter is still building our kitchen.

Guess this has turned into a novel. That’s what happens when I take more than a week off from the blog. More news another time . . .