Week 18

Hello everyone!

It's been a busy week with our team from Texas! It's been so great to have my baby sister here. I've missed her sweet smile and crazy sense of humor. It's been great to show her my life here though, honestly, it's a bit strange to have my American life and Ugandan life mixing! Bailey has now met my friends and seen: my home, the school where I work, the church I attend, the store where I buy Pringles, and the coffee shop where I spend most of my free time. It's fun to have her experience these things alongside me. We hold on to our time on the mission field in New Zealand by recalling memories together, both good and bad, and now we'll be able to do the same with Uganda. When time has passed and I'm back in America (or wherever I'll live in the future) I'll be able to say, "Remember that place in Namatala?" or "Remember my dog Rocky?" and she'll be able to say yes! Mbale, Uganda is now a part of her and we'll both always have a bit of this place in our hearts.

 The team had not been here two days before we all had quite the African experience: a traditional Ugandan introduction and wedding ceremony. We began the 12 hour celebration by dressing in our introduction attire: a traditional African dress called a gomas. A gomas is usually made with six meters of fabric. It goes on like a bathrobe, then takes a great measure of folding and tying to get it all in place. A wretchedly gaudy belt is tied around your waist. The shoulders are pointy and I genuinely feared poking someone's eye out. BUT OH! I've forgotten the best part: underneath your dress goes a "bum blanket". Pretty much all it is is a blanket that you tie around your waist and fold over so that you appear to have a, well, larger rear end. My my, how Africa and America differ.

The introduction takes place at the home of the bride's parents. I, along with my friends Callie and Natalie, participated in the introduction as a "fake bride". We danced out in front of everyone and then knelt on a mat before the groom. He declared that we are not what he is looking for (the nerve) and sent us on our way with a parting gift. Since we had "spent too much time in the sun" and that's why our skin turned from black to white, we were given umbrellas to shield us from the sun. Someone needs to give that guy a lesson in Tanning 101, but whatever, I got an umbrella. After lots and lots of music and ceremony, the bride eventually comes out and the groom claims her. Dowry is exchanged and gifts are presented. With all of this done outside in the merciless Ugandan sun, it was a really long morning.

Everyone changed clothes and headed to the church for the wedding ceremony. Thankfully, an American dress would do for this part of the day. There was a lot of singing and happy yelling. Like anything in Africa, it was long, long, long. After the ceremony, we went to the reception at a hotel. It was absolutely beautiful. The bride made her fourth garment change of the day and my gosh, was she breathtaking. Overall, it was a really cool experience. Though, for the sake of all who had to see me in a gomas, I hope it isn't something I experience again for some time.

We took a trip to Karamoja, the place where most of our IChooseYou families are from. It was absolutely beautiful- National Geographic Africa. The huts had perfect straw roofs and the mountains were breathtaking. The villages were so clean and as one mzungu described, "pure", untainted by the modern world. We took three of our kids, a little boy and a brother-sister pair, to visit their home villages where their sick mothers reside. We found the mother of the young boy quite sick. It was absolutely heart breaking to see this woman so ill and weak and to see her small son weep, so hurting to see her in that condition. When we took the two teenagers to see their mother, we found out that she had already died.

These things always provoke a lot of questions from me. Mainly,

"What the heck, God?"

Why do some live in such poverty? Why do some not have enough the eat? Why do some experience such grief at such a tender age? He uses these moments to teach me a lot. The feeling of hopelessness is suffocating and if I don't work it out with Him, I wouldn't last five minutes in this country. I am not for one second going to act like I have this figured out because I most certainly do not. I've found that the first thing I have to do is be honest about how I'm feeling, with another person as well as with the Father. I didn't used to talk to Him about this kind of stuff, but then I realized: I'm not going to offend Him by being real with Him. And he already knows what I'm feeling anyway. He's okay with a "What the heck, God?" every now and again. It's okay to talk to Him about what I'm feeling. He can handle my questions, my confusion, and my tears. After all, we're friends.

On another note, I'm currently obsessed with the song, "Wake Up" by All Sons & Daughters. Seriously, have you heard this song? So great.

Thanks for reading! Love y'all.

Em

Week 15 + 16 + 17

My name is Emily, and I'm the worst blogger ever.

Here are some photos from the past three weeks! 

I let a four year old paint my face. SO fun. 

Got care packages from home! 

Within one of my care packages from home was this pair of glasses. My friends convinced this guy from the coffee shop to try them on. He's such a good sport. 

I'm so glad to be back at the school after the holidays- I missed this girl so much! 

Photo shoot with friends

Can you say, "Rapunzel"? 

Ivan. Love this kid. 

Stargazing with friends. 

These guys are all heading back to their homelands over the next couple of weeks. I'm enjoying the last moments I have with them- what a blessing they've been to me. 

Thanks, Jesus. 

Evening in Namatala with these awesome kids! 

Caught a baby frog! 

GUESS WHAT WORLD: my seester is here! 

Em 

Week 14

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16. Arguably the most well known scripture in the Bible.

I was preparing a lesson for my P-6/P-7 kids over John 3:1-21, the story of Nicodemus. I've read this story before and I've known John 3:16 by heart since I was a small child, but I never put together that Jesus spoke these famous words to Nicodemus.

Nicodemus. One guy. One very confused guy. Who came to Jesus in secret. In the middle of the night. In the dark. What?

Doesn't it seem that the most important words in the Bible, the most famous, the sum of the Gospel, should have been spoken to someone really important? Or perhaps a multitude of people? Shouldn't it be recorded when Jesus was standing on some hilltop, speaking to thousands?

Nope. Jesus chose to sum it all up to one man. In secret. In the dark. Why were they in the dark? Because Nicodemus was afraid.

Jesus tells him about what it means to be born again, gives revelation of the Holy Spirit, and the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven.

I started to think: if Jesus spoke to Nicodemus of such important things, one man in the strangest of settings, is He possibly revealing things to you, in your fear, in the darkness, that are of great importance? Things that could rock your world, things that need to be shared, things that the world needs to know?

Em

Week 13

Hello everyone!

Another week of my kiddos out of school means another week of tagging along with other ministries. I attempted to do some tutoring and Bible study with my kids this week, but it never seemed to work out. I guess that's just how it goes with school holidays. I'll catch up with them when they're back in school in two weeks. :)

I went with some friends to a Bible club in town. They had a team in town from the States. The team was doing some teaching on listening to God and praying for healing in a way that young kids can understand. They explained to the children all of the different ways that God speaks to us, putting special emphasis on the fact that no way of hearing from God is better than any other way. They gave the children an opportunity to listen to God for an encouraging word for their neighbor. I partnered up with a little boy named Joseph. God gave me a picture of Joseph as a cornstalk in a field. He was growing up rapidly, surpassing all of the plants around him, reaching up into Heaven. God showed me that Joseph is going to grow strong in the Lord, in knowledge and understanding. After God gave me this picture, my mind began to wander and I started thinking about a friend in America that I miss very much. When the listening time was over, I told Joseph about the picture God gave me of him. I asked him if God told him anything for me. At first he shook his head no. Then he said, "God told me to tell you that He loves your friend very much." Wow! It was awesome. The team then taught the kids about praying for healing. They shared a story from the Bible then taught the kids about basic steps to use to pray for people. The kids then practiced by praying for one another. It was an awesome day of learning- I absolutely loved it!

A friend of mine works for a local children's home and invited some of us out to the home for a day of fishing with their kids. We split the kids into two groups and went in shifts. We started by collecting grasshoppers in a nearby field to use as bait. The kids found poles on the way down to the river. We helped them tie string and a hook on the end, along with a small piece of cut up flip flop to float like a bobber. Baiting the hook with a grasshopper was probably my favorite part. I think the final count of fish caught by the group was something like six. I didn't catch any fish, but I did catch ten grasshoppers and of that fact I am quite proud.

This week was my lovely roommate's twenty-fifth birthday. Happy birthday, Callie! Here are twenty-five of my favorite things about her:

• She always has good advice.
• She’s always ready to have fun.
• She isn't afraid to make fun of herself.
• She loves the kids in her care with a fierce love.
• Self sacrifice is second nature to her.
• She loves people.
• She makes me laugh.
• She makes me food.
• She always knows when something is wrong. Always.
• She never shames people.
• She always smells good.
• She loves people.
• She watches New Girl with me.
• She always tells me I’m pretty even when I am really, really not.
• She encourages me.
• She loves people.
• She gives the best hugs.
• She laughs at my jokes.
• She loves people. Like, she seriously loves everyone.
• She’s honest.
• She wants everyone to feel comfortable.
• She tans really well.
• She speaks life into people.
• She smiles all the time.
• She loves people.

I really couldn't ask for a better roommate, workmate, and friend. You’re the best, Callie dear.

Em

Week 11 + 12

Hello Friends!

I forgot to blog last week. Oops. So here's a double dose of my life this week:

My friend Katie made this amazing video to reflect my last three months in Uganda. It's so cool that Katie is able to use her gifts to bless others. She blesses me on a daily basis. Check out this video- it's for you!

http://vimeo.com/92328677#at=0

Easter week with my community of friends was fun and meaningful. On Tuesday I attended a Seder dinner, hosted by some friends. The Seder dinner is a part of the Passover celebration. As believers in Jesus as the Messiah, we celebrate the Seder dinner in recognition of what Jesus did and revealed at his last Passover, before giving himself over as a sacrifice for us. It was a really cool time of learning and reflection. A few days later I watched the film The Passion of the Christ with the same group. It was so cool to watch the scenes of Jesus with His disciples at the last supper, understanding the meaning and significance with each tradition fulfilled, each word spoken. The Jews celebrate their deliverance from slavery, waiting in anticipation for their Messiah to come. As believers, we know that the Rescuer has already come, delivering us from the slavery of sin. On Easter Sunday we had a large barbecue after church, complete with good food, an egg hunt for the kids, and a little tossing around of the volleyball. After that, I had a time of worship and prayer with four other girls my age. It was a really special time. All in all, a wonderful Easter.

My kids were busy with exams last week and are now on their school holidays. Since I wasn't with my kids at the school this week, I tagged along with others to see their work in Mbale. I went with Callie to check out her work with the moms. They meet each day to work on jewelry and other things to sell to create an income for themselves. I made a sweet little friend name Marian, and one of the moms showed me how to roll paper beads. Turns out, I'm not very good at it. 

I went with some friends who volunteer for an organization called Jenga to a project they help out with a couple of times a week called CRO (Child Restoration Outreach). One morning a week is spent simply playing with street kids; kicking around a soccer ball, playing games, and messing about on the playground. Another day each week they join the kids for a time of worship. I had so much fun loving on these kids in the simplest ways. It's easy to love God's children when you ask Him to give you eyes to see them the way He sees them. You take one look at them and your heart swells up with so much compassion that you can't help but scoop them up and hold them to you as if you'll never let go. As I ask God for more compassion for His kids, I'm beginning to see them as if they were like my little brothers and sisters back home. Because really, when you think about it, if God is all our dad, then these munchkins that surround me really are my little brothers and sisters. And good gracious, do I love them. 

We've continued to have worship nights at our house each week and they've been going wonderfully. This week we sang a few songs (led on guitar by my lovely friend, Bex), heard a quick word from my friend Katie, and then practiced listening to God. We were each given a number that corresponded to a person in the room. We prayed and asked God to give us a word of encouragement for that person, not knowing who they are. It can be a sentence, a scripture, or even a picture that God wants to us to relay to one another. Each person wrote down what God spoke to them, then gave it to their person when the names were revealed. It was a really great time of prayer and encouragement.

Joe and Bex, our awesome band 

To finish off the week, some friends held a Batman marathon at their house. If you know me very well at all, you'll know that nothing in the world could possibly make me happier.

Em 

Week 10

Hello Friends and Family! 

What an incredibly fun week it has been! This week has been full of friends, YouTube videos, adventure, photo-taking, eating, lots of music, Jesus, and heaps and heaps of laughter. I am so very appreciative of the friends the Lord has put in my life here in Uganda. I feel so overwhelmed with joy to be surrounded by such amazing people. I am beyond thankful that my heavenly Father has placed me in such a wonderful community of beautiful brothers and sisters. 

My friend Katie and I both love to take pictures and having our picture taken, so sometimes we take walks, snapping photos of one another along the way. Katie is an extremely talented photographer and I always end up with loads of lovely photos on my Facebook. I, however, can barely turn on the flash on my camera. The photos I take are never nearly as beautiful as hers, but being the sweet friend that she is, Katie pretends to like them anyway. Here are a few from this week: 

Here are some photos that I took of Katie. Despite my horrid photography, isn't she lovely? 

This week we had our first worship night at our house with some of the mzungus in the area as well as Ugandans. One friend led on guitar, singing music from Jesus Culture, Hillsong, and others. It was such a wonderful blessing to come together and sing familiar songs in our native tongue. Worship in other languages is a really incredible thing and I love experiencing it in Uganda. But sometimes you just want to be able to worship the Father with music you know well. It's familiar, and it's freeing, in a way that you can't really understand until you've gone some time without it. Singing some of the same songs that I've sung in America reminds me that Jesus is the same guy, no matter where you are or what you're experiencing. Hopefully worship nights will become a weekly thing among us. I am so thankful for it. 

Some missionaries in town organized a live music night at everyone's favorite coffee shop in town. All sorts of music, both well-known and original were enjoyed. It was tons of fun. This is Katie and I at the Endiro music night. 

Now here's for the most exciting part of my week: I went with a group of friends to hike Mount Wanale. Let me first say that I love adventure. I love trying new things and meeting new people and seeing new places, so the idea of hiking a mountain sounded awesome. "I'm so in!" I said in haste. 

HOWEVER: I am not athletic. At all. I'm not in good shape, nor do I have a coordinated bone in my body. Physical challenge does not sound like fun to me. The idea of sacrificing your body for sports has always been a ridiculous notion to me. This has made me a bit of an oddball, since I've grown up in a family of athletes, one of whom, *ahem*, is a two time football state champion. All that to say: it was hard for me. Really hard. I had to take several breaks along the way for a breather. I felt a bit bad for slowing the group down, but everyone was very kind. My friend Bex waited with me and prayed for me as I sucked air. 

A word on my friend Bex. Bex is delightfully British and quite possibly the kindest human being I have ever had the honor of knowing. Bex loves people with complete abandon. She can make conversation with anyone and watching her talk to people, particularly with kids, feels like watching a painter or a musician working at their art. She has this incredible ability to relate to people and make them feel loved. She sees people in a way that most don't; in the way, I imagine, that Jesus sees them. Bex gives the person in front of her her full, undivided attention, as if no one else were around. She asks questions with sincere curiosity. She acts as if you are the most important person in the world because, in that moment, you are. The love of Jesus simply bubbles out of her, in the way she laughs and smiles. It's clear that she has been completely enveloped in the love of Christ- people simply aren't capable of that kind of love unless the Father has poured it out on them. Bex is amazing, and I feel so blessed to be her friend in this season of our lives. I can't wait to see the things God has planned for the rest of her life. If the way she loves is any indication of how the rest of her life will go, it will be full, exciting, and extraordinarily beautiful. 

Anyway, back to the hike. As we neared the top, we came to a ladder. Honestly, it was much sturdier than it looked. On the way up the ladder, what do you know, my pants ripped. Not a little rip. Like a huge, never-trusting-Ugandan-fabric-ever-again kind of rip. Now, most people might be embarrassed by something like this, but for some reason, I wasn't. I thought it was absolutely hilarious. I was able to nick an extra shirt from Bex to tie around my waist. (Nick is a word used in the UK, meaning jack or steal. I love the British slang I'm learning from my friends, though I fear the day that they realize they could get me to say really goofy and potentially embarrassing things). The sight of a beautiful waterfall was waiting at the top. All in all, the hike was great. The scenery was amazing and the view from the top was to die for (which is good, because there were points where I felt like I was going to die). Here are photos! 

Katie and I 

Joe Rolfe, king of the world (Also, our fearless leader)

Natalie and I before going up this seriously dodgy ladder

Bex and I (and Dan the photo-bomber) 

The group! 

Up the ladder. Pants ripped, don't care. 

The tippy top. 

Love this silly girl 

Waterfalls! 

I really love the people who currently make up my community of friends. And though I know these friends will come and go from my life (as is the nature of life, especially the lives of missionaries), I cherish the time I get to spend with them in this season. The Father is so good. He knows we need good brothers and sisters- people to laugh with, learn with, and love with. To quote my homegirl, Audrey Hepburn, "I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I love most, to laugh." God has put amazing people in my life. People to teach me, support me, and love me. But, right now, my favorite thing about them is that they make me laugh. 

Em 

Week 9

Hello everyone!

A friend of mine pointed out to me that the last time I took this long to blog was when I had malaria- sorry, I don't have a cool excuse like malaria this time. 

A few highlights from this week: 

I met with the school librarian (Her name is Jen and she's wonderful) about using some books and workbooks from the library to aid me in tutoring. It was fun to visit with her and I now have some great tools at my fingertips. I really enjoyed just sitting in the library, surrounded by children's books, each in their particular place. I felt quite at home. I've really begun to miss working at the library back home. It was so much fun and I always looked forward to going to work. I learned so much there and got to be around some really incredible people. If you ever go in the Wimberley Village Library, give the place and its many wonderful inhabitants all my love! 

The P-6 and P-7 Bible study is going wonderfully. Here are a few pictures we took this week: 

I was invited to dinner, along with several others, at the home of one of the missionary families in the area. Their sweet six year old daughter has just begun to read on her own and they wanted to have a celebration. She read a whole story to us aloud, all by herself. It was so sweet to be a part of such a special moment and a whole lot of fun to hang out with the family. Moments like that make living here a little more normal, a little more like home. It does my heart good. 

This is Vicky. We have epic lunch dates. She just got these new glasses- doesn't she look great? 

A friend of ours had some business in Kampala this weekend, so Callie and I tagged along to the big city. The trip was filled with fun, beautiful scenery, shopping, good food, and a whole lot of laughter. Here is a picture I took while the boys were fixing a flat tire: 

Callie, our friend Dan, and I stuck in traffic. 

A painting I bought in the market- ISN'T IT WONDERFUL?!?

Until next time! 

Em