As the exams let out today, a massive group of kids screeched up to our veranda, laughing and joking--certainly letting out the stress of a full day of exams!  Their spirits soared high, but their tires were flat, so we brought out the desired bicycle pump and they fed each tire.  It gave us a few minutes to congratulate them for a day well spent, and to encouragement them for tomorrow.  

I also took the opportunity to arrange with one of them the plans for his birthday cake!  This will be my third time to prepare his CHOCOLATE birthday cake for his party!  It all started a few years ago when I had made treats for Toby’s class and Ssekago was bold enough to ask Toby if I could do a repeat for his upcoming birthday!!!  It is an accomplishment to make a good-looking cake that can be carried either on a bicycle, motorbike or the back of a pick-up truck through a few villages down the road and still look good and taste only of cake (not dusty road) by the time it arrives at the party!!!!! Sooo, Ssekago and I made plans for the first Sunday in December--chocolate again, and I’m happy to be able to bless him!  

In other news, Geoff is doing well. He is managing his time well and is usually able to rest when he needs to take some time out. Thank you for your prayers!  

P7 encouragement!

Tomorrow young people all across Uganda will begin an exam spanning two days. It is their primary leaving exam and will do much to determine their academic future, though we all know that God is the master planner!  Last night we gathered our P7s from David Family together for an evening of encouragement, prayer and fun.  A few others dropped by at just the right time and joined in the fun! Please be praying for them now, Monday and Tuesday as they take the exam.  Then also on next Monday as they will be taking their entrance exam for our secondary school.

Geoff started off the evening with some good words of encouragement from God's truth.

Agnes, Toby and Abraham

This is the class that Toby has studied with the past couple of years. He is sooo happy to be back with them as they enter this next phase of their schooling!  Abraham (in the chair with him in the picture) is his best friend here--the one who challenged him, if you remember, to keep his hair growing from last October until we returned!! Not too ridiculous  of a challenge if we had returned in May, but, alas, the locks were chopped off this past summer when we found out we were going to stay longer!

Sam, Patricia and Christine 

After tea, sweets and prayer we turned our attention to making rubber band bracelets for each one. Acacia showed them how and a few of them, while waiting for others to finish, decided to make their own by hand without the loom.

Acacia, showing how to load and then remove

Patricia and Abraham venturing an attempt at hand making

The boys of P7  Toby, Mark, Abraham, Junju, Michael, Sam and Jesse

Junju, Patricia, Jesse, Abraham, Toby, Mark, Agnes, Michael, Sam, Christine

Some crazy game of running around, dropping to the ground,  and trying not to get swatted with a stick--made for lots of sweaty kids!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Geoff and Uncle Tony made plans for their upcoming visit to son Perez at his secondary school tomorrow afternoon. There is never a dull moment when Uncle Tony is around!!! (By the way, Uncle Tony is Abraham's Dad--fathers and sons keeping up good friendships!!!!)

Bosco Berries

For seven years we have lived in Central Uganda. 

It is an understatement to say we enjoy the people, the work we do, the landscape and a lot of the foods available here. WE LOVE OUR LIVES HERE!!! 

BUT, we have missed the berries of summer. Occasionally, we see strawberries and maybe even blueberries or raspberries for sell at the supermarket in Kampala, but the price is extremely prohibitive! I can't justify paying those prices for a few juicy, sweet bites! 

Last year we were blessed beyond measure when we were introduced to BOSCO BERRIES!  Now, don't go looking in the horticulture books for the likes of such a name. It is our own nomenclature, but are probably closely related to mulberries or huckleberries.

We call them Bosco Berries because our co-worker, Uncle Bosco grows them in his compound, and generously shares with us.

In Uncle Bosco's compound you can find a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. He is the proverbial green thumb!  Mangoes, guavas, lemon grass, papaya, tomatoes, maize, beans, numerous flowers and Bosco Berries to name a FEW.

He has invited the kids to pick as many berries as they can each day, provided they also pick some for him at that same time! 

So, they reach and climb and fill plastic containers and always say thank you at the end of the picking.

Then they bring them to me and I transform them into all kinds of treats--treats we missed out on the first six years of our existence here at New Hope. 

Praise God for Uncle Bosco and the introduction of the Bosco Berry to our lives!!!!

Last year, before we left for the U.S. he shared a cutting from his bush. I have seen a few berries on it already!  We're looking forward to an abundance in the next few years. Won't you come and taste of the goodness of the Lord here with us at New Hope? 

Yum. Yum

We're BAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve been here for a little over a week and WE ARE SO GLAD TO BE BACK!!!!!  It was a “quick” trip, though it took more than 24 hours in total to reach our house. But as we flew, so did the time! 

As I sit here trying to create in this space I find myself getting greedy. Just one more picture, just one more thought . . . and as I try to add to the little I first put down, the internet crashes for more than one hour. I should have been happy with a couple of pictures and a few words, at least to just get the word out that we are here, safe and happy. 

Now I wait, not knowing WHEN the internet will allow me to actually find success with this post! 

In our first days back, we have been blessed by hugs, smiles, greetings and visits!!!!! And in between all of that we are trying to organize! Being away from home for almost a year makes for a huge organizational process when the reunion with the house finally happens!!!

The kids started school this week and are loving being in a class with other kids. They ride their bikes over to the secondary side, return home for lunch with us, and then finish up by 4 p.m. The afternoons are filled with laughter as our compound fills up with kids, bikes, footballs and impromptu science experiments complete with explosives!

Poor Sam, though he's very happy to be back with us, he is in the midst of studying for his PLE (Primary Leaving Exam) which spans two days in early November and contributes to the determination of what his future will look like. He has been studying diligently in the living room despite the noise of frequent visitors, and amongst late night suppers with other families. We covet your prayers for his academic success. We want him to know that God is with him through this time and always.

I have interspersed organizing and reorienting myself to the lengthy process required for cooking anything worthwhile, with sweet visits with my favorite young ladies. I cherish the times I have had to sit and talk and laugh, share and pray with the three that I am closest to, AND with the others I also love so much!  The David Family hosted us for a goat feast last Saturday night and also treated me with a yummy birthday cake!

Before the internet crashes again, let me just say we live a great life and are thankful to God for all the opportunities He has given us!!

Enjoy some pictures from our first week!

This photo is a perfect representation of how love and joy, hugs and smiles were a part of every welcome back greeting we've received since arriving back home last Monday!  Kakande is in the blue shirt. The girls who stayed in our house report that Kakande asked EVERY DAY during the recent months if Uncle Geoff was returning "today"!

We were so excited to see Sam, Irene, Abby and Emma!  The whole family arrived on the motorbike and we enjoyed laughing and sharing stories from the past ten months!

Though I celebrated my 50th birthday with a party in Long Beach. My actual birthday occurred in Uganda. These are our pictures from that day!  I love these three kids soooooo much!!! So easy going with all the changes we've experienced these past few months!

My miracle husband and me!  Praise God we BOTH survived my 50th birthday!

Sam and Kevin are so happy to be together again! When you ask Kevin what he missed most about Uganda he replies without hesitation, "SAM!"

A rainstorm should NOT be a deterrent to a good game of football! Acacia did a good job of  controlling the ball!

The grass can be a little slippery and discarded tire tubes can be a distraction, but Kevin keeps up with the football anyway!

What a joy to see Kambo again!!! It's all smiles when Kambo is in the house!

Kakande--a frequent and well-loved visitor to the Britton household!

Latest Newsletter

I'm a Teacher and I am in LOVE with Our School's Principal!!!!!

 As a teacher I must be forthright. I owe it to my students and posterity (oh,  my students ARE my posterity.) So, I admit it. I AM IN LOVE WITH OUR SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL!!!  (Who also doubles as my amazing husband!!!)

We are in the stress of finishing up three weeks of school curriculum in less than two weeks and I've been a bit overwhelmed. We've been pushing hard through the recent heat wave and spending the majority of our day with our noses in the books, pounding out our lessons. We must finish through week 20 in order to be in tandem with the other family with whom we will be participating in school once we arrive back at New Hope in Uganda in October.  With all that business going on Geoff made an executive decision and whisked us off to the beach today--albeit with some books in hand.

At break time around 11 a.m. he told the kids to change their clothes and they were confused--it was only 11 a.m. and they'd been studying hard--they hadn't even had a chance to get dirty yet, why change?  When they realized he meant to change into their swimming suits the whoops and hollers almost kept me from hearing their feet pounding as they excitedly ran around the house! In less than 10 minutes we were out the door and on our way to our own little piece of paradise in Laguna Beach. But, we kept the kids in suspense. They guessed Seal Beach, Sunset, Huntington (notice they are listed in south-going order?? That's because once we passed the "guessed beach" without stopping, they adjusted their guess.) Newport . . . "WHERE are we going, DAD?" Finally, they saw the Laguna Canyon sign and we had whoops and hollers all over again!

General silliness along the route to the beach

Focused excitement when they realized we were going to Laguna--our own little corner of paradise!

some leisure reading for the teacher

a little rest for the body surfing boy

snacks for the famished

mmmmm, smoothie on the go!

The beloved principal

This is what qualifies it as a school field trip .. . reading school books at the beach

And I had a revelation at the beach today. It's not very deep, but it's a revelation nonetheless. I had to use that word because it's a big word and apparently teachers use such words, and apparently I'm a teacher, although Tim Hawkins would probably beg to differ since I'm a HOMESCHOOL "teacher".  He wouldn't be surprised, I suppose, that we spent half of our school day at the beach--it fits right in with his frequent comedy jabs at homeschoolers and I'm happy to oblige him.  Sooooo, anywaaaaay, while the kids were jumping in the waves and trying a little body surfing, Geoff and I snacked on some Athenos Spicy Three Pepper Hummus. Here's the revelation, Athenos Spicy Three Pepper Hummus is simply Spicy Bean Dip in a can repurposed for today's hipster. I know, you're welcome for my assistance in helping you to identify why you like it sooooo much.  

Our time in the states is coming to a close and it is days like these that I will truly miss! Yes, we had cancer. Yes, our set plans had to be adjusted and tweaked. Yes, it wasn't what we wanted. AND, YES, we are thankful!

Everyday we thank God for our gifts of life.  Today, we thank Him for the extraordinary beauty of His creation!  To see it up close--to touch it--to feel the pounding of the waves and the intensity of the sunshine!   mmmmmmmm, very good!

mmmmm, so beautiful!

RED LIGHT RUNNERS

During our time here in S. California over the past 5 months our kids have developed some funny habits.  Often when we are sitting at a stop light waiting our turn to go, one of the kids will shout out “RED LIGHT RUNNER!”  Someone just ran the red light in front of us.  It is almost daily that we experience it.  To me it seems to be happening far too often, people just don’t seem to be respecting the driving regulations here like they use to.  

This has led me to think about why that is.  I have come to the conclusion that as a culture we have grown to hate people telling us NO.  That’s right, our American liberties have grown to the place that we are free to do what we want and who are you to tell me I can’t?  It’s a free country isn’t it?  Not that this is a new predicament that is unique to our day and generation, but there has definitely been an increase in people resisting boundaries. 

I have used the saying often that says “what one generation tolerates, the next will abuse”  and I am becoming more and more convinced that this is the case with many of the situations that are arising today.  People have been less inclined to spell out clear boundaries for their children and slower to inflict discipline when they violate the ones that do exist.  

We have become tolerant of disobedience, and we have become resistant to boundaries in our lives.

We strive as a culture to ensure our kids are happy and have everything they need, often at all costs.  We fear to crush their spirits or limit their personal expression, not wanting to limit them by telling them no.  The question is where is that leading them?  What world views and expectations are we engraining in them?

The idea of sitting still and being patient are foreign to children today.  Sitting in a restaurant parents need to entertain their children, giving them a video game or phone to occupy them.  The idea of sitting there quietly while we wait for our food is nearly impossible for most.  Vehicles come with video screens in the back for our children, they must be entertained, give them what they want.  Arrgh! the light is turning red, I don’t want to wait, I NEED to go! 

When I was growing up if you wanted something you began to save for it, waiting until you could afford it.  Yet today you can have what you want now, no need to wait while you save up, you have credit.  You want to reach your destination, the light only just turned red, why stop?

I am convinced that when we grow up expecting and experiencing a life without boundaries we struggle to fit into a culture that requires boundaries.  Yet boundaries or laws are what preserves order in our culture.  Boundaries define what is acceptable, and are there to keep us safe.  Without boundaries we have chaos.  If I am so used to getting what I want and people being afraid to tell me no then why should I stop at the red light?  The red light will just slow me down and besides I have somewhere to go.

You may be getting the idea that this blog is all about running red lights, but really it’s not. If boundaries are not instilled in my life, when sinful temptations arise I am not as quick or able to resist and tell myself no.  The need for personal discipline, self-control and boundaries in our lives in crucial.  Just as we all need these characteristics in our lives our children need to be trained and equipped for their future as we know that a “a man without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken down”,  vulnerable to attack, without protection and destined to be overthrown.

The lack of boundaries in our culture these days is promoting a newer culture that says I must have what I want.  Selfish undisciplined children grow into self-seeking adults with little respect for others.  Adults that want the moral constraints of God’s holiness thrown off and to be able to live life their way.  A people resistant to a righteous standard that God intended to guide our lives.  Where God has intended us to be imitators of His holiness we have chosen to be a people searching to remove boundaries, but only finding chaos and emptiness.

Boundaries are not restricting, but on the contrary are liberating.  Only one who is subject to the rule and authority of another can truly be free.  Will you embrace them?

Geoff