Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Too occupied for words

Shortly after the last blog entry, we left for Musana Camps where we spent a very restful week. We returned home via Christmas shopping in Kampala and arrived home to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas day complete with a church service and community meal. Today is the last day of 2014 and we are excited for ALL that 2015 has for us. Enjoy a few pictures from the past two or so weeks. Take a photo journey with us to Musana Camps, Christmas activities, a birthday party, the annual deroaching fest, and our New Year's Eve Family breakfast this morning. What a treat!

First we have a photo from the final few days before we left for Musana Camps. Geoff was heavily involved with the EYO Youth Camp and is seen here complying with photo scavenger hunt requests from Nabukeera & Toby's group.
One of our favorite sites along the road to Musana--the "veranda truck" as we call it. How it got there or why is the great mystery!

A hike to the waterfall was early on in the week. Toby is happy, happy, happy!

Kevin

Sam

Acacia

The best camp dog EVER, Bambino, takes a much needed rest on the beach after following us EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME!

Getting set for one of many canoe rides: Kara Peterson, John (with the Peterson's), Kevin, Sam. The Peterson family, Tim, Kim, Kara, Micah, John and Mwinnie were at the camp the same time we were.

Toby and Acacia

Kara and Acacia's sand castle creation

Some loves for Bambino

Sam, the sand man

Sam in total relaxation mode


Jumping around at the beach
Beautiful Musana sunrise!
Watching the sunrise (Sam slept til after 10 on that day!!!)


This rather long snake came out of the water and jumped completely off the ground before Tim Peterson managed to kill it with one of the canoe oars!
Next up on the agenda was the grand quest for grasshoppers! We all enjoy ensenene as they are called in Luganda, but the kids definitely make it a passion! They spent a couple of hours hunting and then brought back their catch.

The de-legging, de-winging party prior to cooking our yummy snacks!
Acacia displays one of the many she caught. And Sam certainly had a great time getting the grasshoppers ready for frying!!!!!




When they first go in the pan they squirm a little bit! But then they "settle down" and then we EAT THEM! Yum! Yum! Later that evening I prepared goat in the same pan and I'm SURE the Indian sauce tasted better because it had grasshopper parts included! 

Toby and Acacia began the shopping for Christmas at "Shoprite", a South African grocery chain, while I hunted for stocking stuffers next door at "Game" a store chain recently acquired by Walmart. 

And the "totally different than any other year" Christmas shopping experience continued at the absolute nicest and newest mall in Kampala. We never used to "Christmas shop" because it meant traffic jams to a shop that probably didn't have anything you wanted to buy anyway. This year it was actually enjoyable! There was even an attempt by mall owners to add to the shopping fun for the little ones. A few characters milled about while the shoppers cooled down in the air conditioning and this duck character provided us with a laugh! He had no idea he'd put his costume  on backwards!!!!!

The day before Christmas Eve is "Pork Day" in which, way too many to count, pigs are slaughtered and pieced out in Kiwoko. We took part as Geoff and the kids BBQ'd muchomo (roasted meat) on our outdoor BBQ. Bubbly got the bones and fat and had a difficult time containing her excitement when the delivery was made.

On Christmas eve Crystal the cat and Henrietta the chicken sized each other up. Henrietta survived Crystal, but became the main event at the Christmas meal of Nabukeera and Jajja!
Kevin impatiently watches the "pumpkin luwombo" which Geoff cooked outside for about eight hours on Christmas Eve on our "sagiri" (small charcoal stove). 

 One of our girls from David Family helped him wrap the luwombo (whole pumpkin in banana leaves) after he had gutted it and stuffed it with tomatoes, irish potatoes, onions and spices. It was the first time we'd eaten such and we will certainly try it again!


Acacia received this gift for her birthday a few weeks ago, but it doesn't seem to be working!  A couple of days ago I woke up from a short nap to find no less than 5 different visitors in my living room! And more came after that! 

This and the following are more surprise visitors of a different kind! All of these pictures were taken on the SAME DAY on or near our veranda!

Toby, Kevin and Medi, our compound worker, killed this snake that had made a home in our bag of charcoal.

Caterpillars are not cute and cuddly here in Uganda! They sting and burn!

Mating bugs of some sort. These little insects invade for about a month's period and you find them everywhere--always two by two!

Another not so cuddly caterpillar!

Making something a bit more yummy than insects . . . snicker doodles!



And Christmas eve around here isn't complete without a birthday party at either the Muwanguzi or Okoth households! Abraham has a birthday a few days before Christmas and Emma's is on Christmas day. This year the party was at the Okoth's from 4-5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and included Abraham and many other friends!




Christmas morning excitement

Hunting for and handing out the presents

Too much Christmas makes this little kitty a bit tired. Brandy slept like this for about two hours!

Nabukeera and I had too much fun the Saturday after Christmas as we took on the nasty roaches in the kitchen.

We started at 8 a.m. and finished at 6 p.m. and we are SO GLAD it is over for another few months!!!!!

This morning, New Year's Eve morning, we had a special breakfast of Dutch pancakes! Our toppings included Nutella, Peanut Butter, apples, powdered sugar, lemons and whipped cream! The whipped cream was a splurge, but so worth it!

Toby's finished product, stuffed with apples, nutella, lemons and cinnamon, and topped with whipped cream!

You can't have whipped cream ONLY on food! It HAS to be squirted DIRECTLY into the mouth, as lovingly taught to us by Leslie Patterson a few years ago in Texas!!!

Kevin's turn

Acacia's turn

 Sam is currently spending a couple of weeks with Nabukeera and Jajja out in Wakayamba. He left the day after Christmas! We miss him and he misses us, so we visited yesterday and found that all is well. Last night was the first time we spent alone as our five member family since leaving America in October 2013! (Other visitors have been with us since Sam left, and tonight and tomorrow more are set to arrive!) Life just never stops spinning here in Kasana at New Hope!


Friday, December 12, 2014

Now You See Us, Now You Don't

In the past two weeks we have been seen everywhere! 

Last Monday was the graduation ceremony for students of the New Hope Vocational Institute. With the recent announcement regarding the closing of the vocational school, the importance of our gathering together and celebrating the impact of the training institute on the lives of numerous students through the years was paramount. Uncle Sam, the headmaster, as well as Geoff and Uncle Jay spoke at various times through the event. Though all in leadership see the immense value in vocational education, we prayerfully came to the decision to close the school due to, among other factors, a consistently decreasing student population in recent years. We don't believe the closing to be permanent, but hope we can reopen at some point in the future. The students were blessed as we honored them with cake and a huge lunch. (It was at 8 a.m. that same morning that Geoff and I came to the sudden realization that I had promised to make the cake, thus my morning was filled with flour, cocoa powder and icing up to the moment we left for the function.)

On Tuesday, Sam and his classmates at the secondary school continued preparing the gardens and compounds for the 2-month holiday in which the grounds are unattended. Primary school teachers prepared for their closing day by finishing up reports and planning for the arrival of students' family members. I gathered what ingredients I needed for yet another massive cake due for a birthday party on Wednesday. At least I was thinking ahead for this one!

Every December 3rd Sekago turns a year older. Having been one of Toby's classmates and friends for many years, and one that Toby usually invites to his birthday parties, I have been the designated "birthday cake supplier" for Sekago these past five years. Until this year, the cake and the boys have made their own way out to the village where Sekago lives. This year I drove the precious items out myself. What an adventure. My plan was to take Junju (of David Family), Emma (one of our Okoth neighbors), Sam (our Sam), Toby, Kevin and The Cake out at 1:15 for the 1:30 party. I would drop them off and return after 4 p.m. to pick everyone up. So much for things working out like I planned. At 2 p.m. no one but Toby, Kevin and The Cake were available for transport. Turns out that Junju forgot to ask Uncle Mulu beforehand if he could go to the party, so he couldn't go. Emma either forgot or decided to stay home. Sam was still at a Scripture Union function and wanted to stay and finish. So, Toby, Kevin, The Cake and I loaded up and headed down the dusty road. Kevin and I had never been to Sekago's before and Toby had never been there on the newly cut road. We stopped where Toby thought Sekago's house was located and confirmed it by asking about ten young children. They all answered together that we were indeed at the correct house, but Sekago was not there, having left for the town center! We were greeted by THE WHOLE FAMILY and some neighbors and various other onlookers, and ushered into seats of honor in the house far at the back of the compound. There was only one English speaker and between his minimal English and our minimal Luganda we enjoyed a fantastic conversation on Sekago's various relatives and our time in Uganda. Being that most of the family are drunkards, it was a lively conversation. I was seated next to the family muzeye (elder male) who was a brother to Sekago's deceased father. (He looked about 70 but is actually only three years older than me! Years of alcohol abuse surely ages a person!) I had decided that I would not leave my boys there among inebriated people whom I'd never before met, nor could predict the actions thereof! It was a good 45 minutes before Sekago appeared. Knowing I could trust Sekago with looking out for my kids, I announced that I would be leaving with plans to return at 4ish. With imploring eyes and arms laden with platters of food he begged me to stay and eat. Well, well, well, two hours later I had been filled with matooke, g-nut, sweet potatoes, rice, meat sauce, irish potatoes and greens while continuing to creatively visit with friendly drunks. I also became the official cake cutter. This is no small task. In fact, cutting a cake in the buganda culture is a learned skill. First you size up the cake and the makeshift implements you've been given for cutting. Then you size up the crowd. Then you do the math. What follows next is really a butchering of sorts, for the beauty of the cake only goes as far as their first view and an appreciation for the one who made it. There are no pretty plates on which to serve, no attention to decoration once cut and no aesthetic presentation. The hastily cut, various sized pieces are piled onto a huge platter which guests grab as the platter sweeps past them. Thus is the art of serving a birthday cake. After the cake has been eaten the party is officially over. Gifts are usually opened after guests leave. And so we made our way out of the house and toward the car. It was a short walk past other houses in the compound, but required a greeting of each and every person we passed. I kneeled onto a few of the mats as the ladies seated were most definitely older than me (or at least I assumed they were! Again, years of alcohol yields a SO MUCH OLDER appearance!!!)  Upon finally reaching the van there arose a great persuasive argument so as to get me to take a "short cut" out of the village. No can do, said I, as I was sure said short cut would yield only more confusion as to which bush or tree to head toward! As least the newly cut road was a straight shot to the main road. Careening down the dusty road amidst a rehashing of our crazy afternoon was delightful for I was with my boys! That night we spent a couple of hours with David Family kids as we discussed their prayer requests for the upcoming holiday as many of them will be visiting extended family--many of which are not Christians, nor are the environments always the best.

Thursday we headed to Kampala. Our long time friends and fellow New Hope missionaries Steve and Kathryn Brown and their three children live there as Steve heads up New Hope's Investment Year program and the IY house in the city. Steve was directing and Joel and Anya, their two oldest had parts in the Kampala Amateur Dramatic Society's pantomime of "Treasure Island."  After a lunch treat we went Christmas shopping at one of the local craft markets and then on to the theatre. The classic slapstick show ended after 10 p.m., so we visited briefly until a little past 11 and then also briefly in the morning at a 6:30 breakfast before Kathryn and the kids left for school. Geoff and Steve then took the opportunity to grab valuable meeting time discussing their Early Adulthood department, while our kids enjoyed the trampoline. 

We made it back to New Hope around 11 a.m. and drove direct to the secondary school without passing by home. Friday morning was the Secondary 4 banquet in which those who successfully completed S4 were celebrated with song, dance, speeches, cake, awards and a special lunch. One of our dear David Family girls graduated and we were pleased to be a part of honoring her. After the banquet, the lower secondary classes were given their reports. As Geoff was looking ahead to a week of back-to-back meetings and numerous speaking engagements, I went to pick up Sam's report, an activity which, in the past, has taken up to two hours. This time, however, I saw the head teacher right away and had the report in hand in about 15 minutes! Sam did very well and we are quite pleased with his performance. But, as I was leaving I noticed some shenanigans being crafted by another student who was trying to dupe the teacher into believing an age-mate and neighbor had been sent by his family to pick the report. This was a ploy to keep the family from seeing the report which he suspected was riddled with failed marks and a possible directive to repeat. Being that Geoff is the mentor for this one I intercepted the report and received an understanding of the conditions which the young man must meet this holiday if he is to be promoted to the next class. Having his report in hand I invited him to accompany me home to visit with Geoff. However, wanting to keep all things from the appearance of wrong doing I needed other kids to be in the car with us. So, fifteen minutes later I'd found quite a few who welcomed a car ride back to the other side and once piled in, we left that part of our day. Our friend Allison was already at our house waiting for me. She was one of our kids' teachers early on in our time here and was back for another visit (she has returned multiple times over the years.) We thoroughly enjoyed laughing and sharing and she stayed for supper as well. To sit and enjoy the company of a long-time friend was a great ending to a very busy week.  

This week has been just as full being that the EYO group is hosting a youth camp with more than 260 in attendance! Toby, Sam and Geoff have been quite busy with all of the activities which finish tomorrow. Geoff has had back-to-back meetings throughout the week as well as speaking three times for the camp. By early afternoon tomorrow the camp will be history and we'll be on to the next thing which just happens to be an "Introduction" ceremony (a cultural precursor to a wedding happening on Sunday.) Geoff will be in attendance at the Introduction as well as leading the service on Sunday and both of us will travel a few kilometers away Sunday afternoon for the wedding reception. 

Somehow come Monday morning we need to be all packed and ready to go to Musana Camps one last time for 2014! We will disappear into a week of quiet. Peace and quiet. Hmmmmmm. Sounds marvelous after all the doings of these past weeks! There is limited phone and internet reception, so we usually don't even attempt such!  Just thinking of the view of the lake, the breeze, the stillness . . . ahhhhhh. 

But, until then, go...go...go...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in case I don't get another opportunity to post before 2014 has ended!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

We're continuing to give Thanksgiving here on the Equator!

We celebrated American Thanksgiving last Thursday among friends and we are truly blessed! (Some pictures are below.) In the best way we continued our Thanksgiving celebration today as we moved directly from the church service down the hill to the cow pond (!) for baptisms.

There were 39 people young to old who were baptized and one of them was Acacia! Two others were girls from David Family whom I currently mentor, and many others were close friends and young people dear to our family, as well as some young men Geoff mentors. Also baptized today was the youngest of the Anderson children. I attended Pepperdine years ago with Tal and Tiffany and I love that we not only serve here together, but also watched our children go down into the waters of baptism today! Tal was able to baptize Tiegan--Tiegan was so ready! He had gotten very sick last night, but first on his mind was being strong enough today to get baptized!

Our current focus as a church family is on discipleship--our key passage being Matthew 28:18-20. A discipleship class was taught before the main service each of the past five Sundays, and Geoff preached last week on baptism. We received calls throughout the week and up until this morning of those expressing their desire to be baptized. As we lined the banks of the valley pond the air was filled with anticipation and joy. Two by two they entered the murky, but warm water. Geoff, Tony, Tim and Kato baptized and we all praised God together for His faithfulness, with thanks in our hearts.

It is fitting that Acacia was baptized this particular Sunday. Yesterday she turned 12 years old and we celebrated her birth and life with a small party. Today she celebrates the work of Christ in her and being born again!

One of the girls I currently mentor. The smile is only a small expression of the deep joy and satisfaction she has found in Christ! I have had the privilege of mentoring this one while her "real" mentor is on furlough. I have to confess I wasn't sure how our relationship would progress, but have seen a sincere and serious faith rise in this one!

Here you see the two girls I mentor passing each other as one goes to Geoff and Tony to be baptized and the other returns to the shore moments after being immersed.

Geoff and Acacia share sweet words before her baptism
And they share sweet smiles afterward!

A new creation and a really happen one, too!! 


Acacia and her friend Stella celebrate!

Father and Son, Anthony was baptized by his Dad, Tony, and Geoff

The view from the bank
Acacia, Geoff and me just after the baptismal service ended.

 And now for last Thursday's Thanksgiving photos . . .
Anivah and Betty. Anivah is the youngest of the Vogt family, one of the two families we celebrated with. Betty grew up here at New Hope and now works at the Childcare and Family Institute kitchen.

Coffee buddies, Keith McFarland and Geoff
Some pre-dinner Thanksgiving singing in praise to God!

And now, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACACIA!!!
The CHOCOLATE ORANGE cake! Yummy

Opening gifts with all the little eyes upon the birthday girl!

Kevin, in the background, hunted up a piece of jackfruit for Acacia's present. 

And the boys needed to burn off the cake and soda with a great chase

Enjoying a crazy birthday card/letter from Toby!

Three of the seven Okoth kids were in attendance!

And, the whole crew. Acacia decided it would be fun to invite preschoolers or early primary kids amongst a few of her age mates. Watching the little ones giggle, play the games, and blow noise makers turned out to make for a memorable party!!! Then, she and her two closest friends had a sleepover last night. (Hosanna, next to Acacia, and Stella in the brown hat at the back of the photo)

And who can avoid the traditional water splash??? Only this time the "dunkers" also got VERY wet!

Thank you so very much for your interest and support of our family and the work going on here at New Hope Uganda. Your prayers bring results!