Homosexuality in Uganda

Are you ready for this post? I might fire some people up with this one, but here it goes.

I recently had a long, passionate conversation with my Ugandan co-workers about homosexuality. They were locked in a car with me for 5 hours, so they got a lot of my mind on this. I saw them passing a piece of paper around and signing it. Out of curiousity, I asked to see it. It was a petition. Against homosexuality in Uganda. And all my co-workers were signing it.

I felt my temperature rising, but I tried to keep my cool. "What is this guys?" I asked.

They explained to me that homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. You go to jail if convicted and in the villages you can be stoned to death. They want to remove all homosexuals from the country because they fear that they will corrupt the rest of the population to become homosexuals too. Therefore, my Christian co-workers were signing a church-sponsored petition to keep homosexuality illegal.

I told them that I have friends who are homosexuals in the states and they told me that I should end those friendships. I told them that they were being ridiculous and that this is not what Christ would do. We are called to love our brothers and sisters - unconditionally. We all fall short of the glory of God - right. I am no different. We are saved by grace - not works - not sexuality. They didn't budge.

It's sad to me that homosexuals are not accepted into church families here and in many other places throughout the world.

We all need Christ.

A little message

Because it's difficult for me to hear a good, challenging message over here - I listen to a lot of sermons on my i-Pod. Right now I'm listening to a series called the Journey from Real Life Ministries. This is what I'm hearing that's impacting me...

God doesn't send us places (like Uganda.) We go with
him to places.

Do what you do with the Lord, not for the Lord.

In scripture...

Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in
me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me - you can do
nothing." John 15:5

May we abide in Him today. Walk with Him. Spend time with Him, today.

He loves you so much!

So what's God teaching you?

Enjoy clean water. Enjoy God's Love!

I am often asked the question...so what do you do out there anyway? Well here's an idea of what my team is doing and why they're doing it. Check out this link:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/water/

Uganda isn't featured, but our projects are very similar. My team constructs thousands of biosand water filters for the poorest of the poor in Western Uganda. They also build water tanks, water jars and shallow wells for public places such as schools and health clinics. This link was featured on SP's website because we're all facing rather large budget cuts due to the downturn in the global economy. If you feel that God is asking you to give, I can assure you that your money is being well spent.

We're working hard to bring clean water to our neighbors here in Uganda. Currently, less than 5% of our community has access to clean water. This especially affects the health of the children. Contaminated water carries diseases which are completely preventable, but also prove fatal in poor environments such as ours.

We're working hard to teach them about good health, hygiene and sanitation. For instance, this week we're holding a Children's Hygiene Fair. Playing games like the poop toss and hand washing relays. :) We are also training some of their parents to be on Village Health Teams. These teams will be responsible to train their villages about proper hygiene and sanitation practices. We hope to see families washing their hands, building improved latrines and using their filters to get clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. These simple changes can save lives.

Finally, we have a passion to show them God's love and to tell them about Jesus - the eternal life saver. It was so encouraging yesterday to hear my staff asking me for bibles in the local language and discipleship training. They are eager to share Christ within their villages. And I am eager to equip them as best I can.

Our team wants to share this message with everyone, including you:

Enjoy clean water. Enjoy God's love!

As you're enjoying your clean water today, we also want you to remember God's love for you.

Have a blessed day, my friends!

Patty - laundry isn't the same without you

Today I did my laundry by hand because I'm out in the sticks. I'm staying at this place called the Cape and technically, I could have the staff do it for me. But for some reason I feel bad about that. This is one of those gender things for me. If I were a guy, I don't think I'd hesitate. I would just put a helpless look on my face and ask. But being a woman, I feel like I should avoid being lazy and do it myself. So, I scrubbed away today and it reminded me of a fond memory of Liberia.

(Photos of Patty in Malawo)

When I was in Bopolu, Liberia doing VBS with Patty, we did our laundry by hand one Sunday. First off, we had all too many clothes. Secondly, we scrubbed too hard on the first few items. Thirdly, I think we were wimps. But by the time we got to the bottom of our buckets we were simply swirling, smelling and rinsing because we were so tired. After hanging our things, we took a nap. :)

You would have been so proud of me today, Patty. I had half as many clothes and I scrubbed them all! And I didn't even need a nap, though it's sounding a bit tempting right now. However, I can definitely say that laundry-by-hand isn't as much fun without you. I miss you Patty...this post is dedicated to you!!

Being a Muzungu in Kamwenge

(A glimpse of life in Kamwenge)

I visit Kaganga Supply Shop to pay our multi-million Ugandan Shilling (UGS) debt. I walk up the dirt path to the dusty shop. I follow a pathway of iron roof sheets that leads to the wooden desk where Mrs. Kaganga sits and will take my money. I quietly stand in line behind a local man from the community and plan to wait until he is finished making his purchase. He turns around with big eyes and says to me, "You better than me, Muzungu* - you go." He ushers me forward with his hand but I refuse with laughter. "No no! You go first. I am no better. I can wait." He finished his purchase and I feel incredibly awkward.

I hand Mrs. Kaganga our last millions and we try to have a pleasant conversation in english as she counts. She understands every 3rd or 4th word I say. We smile a lot and laugh a bit at our poor communication. But she is getting her money and I am getting my receipt, so we're both content. I play with her 4 year old child, Joseph. Tickling him a bit. Laughing with him. Mrs. Kaganga smiles and points to her smallest child - about 6 months old - sitting pantless on the dirt floor behind her. "You can have that one", she says. I laugh nervously. "Mrs. Kaganga, that beautiful boy is yours!" "No no, you take him. Take him with you. You can have him," she says bluntly. I say "no" again with a smile. She smiles as well. I turn and leave. Feeling a tinge of sadness.

Next I go to the market to buy some sweet bananas. I was trying to pay, but I was being clumsy. Dropping all my things. It was taking quite a long time. During all this fumbling, my merchant calls her daughter to come talk to me. Instructing her to say "how are you?" I entertain the small child and say "I am fine. How are you?" She smiles and says "fine." I finally grab the coins I need, read each one and pay the child's mother. I walk away saying "Webele (thank you)". But the mother calls me back and makes her daughter talk to me again. But this time, the child is told to bow to me. I quickly get on my knees as well. Eye to eye, we exchange the same simple words as before. I leave hoping and praying that the young girl understood that she never has to bow to a Muzungu.

I don't what to say about these experiences. I have them everyday in Kamwenge. I just pray that the Lord would guard me from the temptation to take advantage of my skin color.

May our Lord be glorified through these Muzungu bodies.

*Muzungu is the term used to describe a "white person" in Uganda.

Rafting the Nile

Last weekend I went to the source of the Nile River with some friends from SP, Lori and Mia. The source of the Nile is located in a town called Jinja and there is some great whitewater rafting there. After spending the night in a dorm on the banks of the Nile, we woke up to the sound of rushing water and a view of the river that just makes you sigh and smile. After a couple hours of being lazy, we went over to our outfitters, got all suited up with life jackets and helmets and hit the river. We rafted some crazy class 5 rapids. It was super scary, but SO much fun. I fell out on one of the big class 5s and sucked in some serious river water before my head popped up. But praise God, my friends scooped me up and I'm here to tell you to go do it too!! Above is a picture of our craziest rapid. That's us at the very tippy top on our way down. Good times! :)

For anyone who wants to go, I recommend: Equator Rafts (Price = $75 includes rafting, one night's stay, breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Hope you're all having a little fun too!

Know that I'm missing you, my friends!

Hot Tamale!

I thought it was just the doxycycline* that was making my skin feel so hot out here. But aparently it is indeed quite toasty! I think this reading is deceiving (125 F), but I also think we exceeded 100 today. Sizzlin!

Don't be fooled. I love the weather over here. It's a dry heat. Especially compared to Liberia - sorry guys. And God is good to adjust your thermostat quickly. I sleep with a blanket at 75 degrees already.

Enjoy Springtime, my friends! Maybe plant some flowers today. :)

*Doxycycline is an anti-malarial regime which does have a side effect of making your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Kiburara Gospel Center and Covenant Mercies

(Kiburara Gospel Center praising God! )

Today was a very special day! Moses, from Covenant Mercies, came to pick me up and take me to church with him in Kiburara, just 30 minutes away from Kamwenge. His church is home to more than 80 children who have been sponsored by Covenant Mercies (and YOU.) We worshipped God together. I gave a short message of encouragement. Then we worshipped God some more. And Moses baptized a baby. Then we worshipped God some more. And one of my team members, Alfonze, gave the main message. Then we worshipped God some more. Oh it was wonderful!

Alfonze preached a message about experiencing Jesus Christ. He was explaining to us that we could go to church every Sunday and still not experience Jesus. He encouraged everyone to open their hearts to Jesus and allow Him to penetrate their lives. It was a strong, sound message. I am so blessed to have Alfonze on my team to help lead us spiritually!

After church, the congregation gave me the warmest welcome. I think every single person shook my hand with a sweet smile. I felt very comfortable with everyone. A gift from God. This really is a sister church, my SGM friends.

(The children were were having a blast with the camera!)

Funny sidenote - one of the elder men introduced himself and said - you are a beautiful young woman. You are not married? I said no, but then quickly pulled out a picture of Phil from my bible. We both laughed and he kindly got the point. :) Wew - marriage proposal diverted.

Next, I visited Covenant Mercies' office and the health center for the children. It is a beautiful space. Equipped with a fantastic well, spewing out lots of clean water! Well done, my friends.


And then we had lunch at Moses' home and let me tell you, it was seriously the BEST Ugandan food I've had since I arrived! His wife, Sarah, is a phenominal cook. I hope to have her teach me her secrets in weekends to come. She made us matoke (banana mush), rice, chipatti (thick tortillas), beans, goat stew, and chicken stew. I ate all too much, but left very happy!


I hope to visit our church family once a month and to share more of their lives with you. For now, some prayer requests for our sister church in Kiburara are:

• For God to provide the resources and funds needed to finish their church building
• For God to bring unbelievers into their church - so that they may hear the Gospel
• For God to continue his healing work in their congregation - physically and spiritually

They thank you all for your many prayers! They were so excited to hear your greetings - I mean hooting and hollering excited - literally. :)

You have made a very meaningful impact in their lives. God is using you to encourage them and to spur them on in spreading His love throughout their community!

Embraced by God

I made some new friends in Kamwenge - the children next door. They are super cute and curious about the Muzungu (white woman) who walks by every day. When they see me, they run to the edge of their yard, yell greetings, and wave their little hands with big smiles.

I love it! I smile, greet, and wave back.

Today I wanted to buy a pineapple to give to my friend Moses (from Covenant Mercies) as a gift tomorow. I started asking around town, and they told me to go to the market. I soon realized that I couldn't find the market, so I asked another lady for directions. She said, "follow me, I'll take you." "Wow - so kind", I thought.

Ten strides later she said bluntly, "you buy me my pineapple because I show you."

This expectation frustrated me. So I just turned around and decided to go back pineapple-less. And with a really bad attitude.

I prayed a lot on my walk back. Praying that God would help me to love as He loves - not because we love Him or are even kind to Him - but unconditionally.

So I approached my place and could hear the kids laughing and playing. Already, they had made me smile. But this time, they did more than greet me and wave - they ran up to me one by one, arms open wide and gave me a bunch of great big hugs! I was shocked and immediately filled with so much love for those children.

God was answering my prayer with those hugs - He was helping me to love Uganda - and He was showing His love to me - unconditionally. I was embraced by God today!

May He continue to help us love Him and his children more...may He place unconditional love in our hearts...and may we share it with those who need it most.

PS. Sorry for the lack of photos...my internet connection isn't quite strong enough to download them right now.

Field Survival Tips

These tips come from my personal experiences in Uganda...enjoy!

1. Do NOT take Larium - and if you are - stop now! Doxy is a thrify alternative coupled with sunscreen. Or splurg on the Malarone. Just trust me here.
2. Cinnamon and honey in your tea are a great anti-histamine.
3. If your vehicle gets stuck in the mudd, use your snow-driving experience to get unstuck.
4. African shortcuts = American scenic routes, aka. the LONG way
5. Railroad tracks are never meant for minibuses
6. 1 African kilometer = 2 American miles or more

It's been a fun week so far. I'm thankful to be healthy and still smiling - thank you Lord!