I forgot to post the link to the recipe I used. Try it for yourself, they're GREAT!
New Years Cookies
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Getting Ready for New Years!
As usual, I woke up today and was missing home. This season is usually one of my favorite season for SO many reasons. One big reason is because I LOVE doing stuff as a family, some of which involves certain traditions and traditional foods, which I am a HUGE fan of food! :)
Anyway, because I was missing home and the traditions, I decided to try (for the first time ever) and make one of my FAVORITE New Years treats. The Dutch call them "olie bollen" (sorry mom if I spelled it wrong) and the German call them "neues jahr kochen" (sorry mom Frederick if I spelled it wrong). It is translated from dutch literally as "oil balls" and from german as "New Years Cookies". What ever you call them, I LOVE them!
Anyway, move over mom and grandma Nikkel, because I tell you, there's a new cook in town! :) Even in Uganda, on a propane stove, with no measuring spoons or cups, I managed to make them, and boy were they GOOD. It brought a little bit of home in this HOT place so far away from home. The best part was, I got to share them with everyone here at Sanyu - the guests and the workers. They were a hit, so much so that I might just do it again because I have left over ingredients. It did take me all morning, but it was a bit of a stress reliever with all the other things happening (and not happening) here.
Anyway, because I was missing home and the traditions, I decided to try (for the first time ever) and make one of my FAVORITE New Years treats. The Dutch call them "olie bollen" (sorry mom if I spelled it wrong) and the German call them "neues jahr kochen" (sorry mom Frederick if I spelled it wrong). It is translated from dutch literally as "oil balls" and from german as "New Years Cookies". What ever you call them, I LOVE them!
(the finished product - yes these are truly the ones I made!)
Anyway, move over mom and grandma Nikkel, because I tell you, there's a new cook in town! :) Even in Uganda, on a propane stove, with no measuring spoons or cups, I managed to make them, and boy were they GOOD. It brought a little bit of home in this HOT place so far away from home. The best part was, I got to share them with everyone here at Sanyu - the guests and the workers. They were a hit, so much so that I might just do it again because I have left over ingredients. It did take me all morning, but it was a bit of a stress reliever with all the other things happening (and not happening) here.
Here's how they started (I forgot to get pics of me actually making the dough, but I have witnesses that will vouch for me)
This is the third one (the recipe said that the first two usually are "throw aways" and that was true for me too)
Making sure to flip them at the "perfect" time
And "voila" - the perfect one!
So where ever you are in the world, I want to wish you a happy New Years full of blessings from God. May 2010 be filled with family, friends and blessings!
From Uganda,
Teach
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Unexpected...
I started today off thinking I would relax and just take it easy. Little did I know, God was going to use me today for something I never expected here in Uganda.
A North American friend, Jessica, that I have been working with (and I would even say a good friend at this point) at the slum feeding program and at African Hearts in Ssenge came to the guest house around 11. She was visibly upset and broke down as soon as she saw me. I knew it must be something major just by her actions and emotions. She just kind of blurted it out, "One of the boys from the Kivulu house died!" Shocked, I wasn't sure how to react, so I did the only thing my father instinct told me - hug her. She breath a HUGE sigh and just thanked me. She said that she needed to come to someone that would understand and just let her cry - and she chose to come to me. She said the Ugandans just don't understand and look at her and the other North American girl funny because they are crying.
Death in Uganda seems WAY too common and too much a fact of life that they deal with too much. I don't know if it is culture or just the commonness of it all, but many Ugandans (I will not generalize because I did see several upset today) just seem to deal with it like it is nothing.
Of course, I decided immediately to go with her and be of any help that I could. She seemed relieved and was able to settle a bit once we started walking. We talked a bit about the situation and I figured out that this boy was one that I had played with just last Tuesday. This boy I had taught a card trick to. This boy I had showed a couple coin tricks to. This boy - Martin - had been one of the very boys I was blessed to serve over the last 10 weeks. He was only 9 years old! He had fallen ill with Malaria, a rare and severe kind called cerebral malaria. The doctors didn't realize it until it was too late and although he was being treated for the more common malaria, it was not enough and he suddenly and quickly succumb and died. The Kivulu house was/is devastated, especially the other boys who were like brothers to Martin and the 2 NA girls and one Uncle, who was especially close to Martin. Jessica told me that this uncle was having a really hard time and I just felt God speaking to me to try and talk with him. There were SO many people at the house and I was praying for the right moment. It came at the strangest time - when we were both heading to the latrine. I just said I was so sorry and he broke down in my arms. I think he too was feeling like he just wanted to cry but was afraid or embarrassed to express this in front of the others. I told him it was okay to cry and to take as long as he needed. To make a long story shorter, I found out that he blamed himself and was going through SO much emotion and carrying a huge burden. I explained that it was not a burden he needed to carry and prayed with him. We just stood there, with our arms around each other for a long time.
The boys in the home and many from the feeding program, as well as the uncles and anyone connected to the house were at the grave site. It was a hard, but also a beautiful time of celebrating Martin's life. Many people spoke, many people talked of amazing and good memories they have with and of Martin. He truly impacted SO many people in his short life. He now has no more suffering or pain or tears because he knew Jesus and that truly is something to be celebrated for a boy that had come from the streets and a life that many of us can't even imagine.
Please, if you are reading this, remember Jessica, Jessie, Uncle David and the other uncles and all the boys in the Kivulu house and the slums in your prayers. Say a prayer for them. Pray that Martin's life and his faith will influence other boys to come to Christ. Pray that those here on earth that remember and miss him will be comforted and have God's peace. Pray for Martin's family that was not able to located. Join me in praying for them all. Pray also for me, as I too feel the loss of a boy I was only beginning to know. Pray that I will be used to continue to show Jesus to these other boys yet in my time left here in Uganda. Thank you, dear friends! Thank you!
Teach
P.S. I forgot to ask you to pray for Abi too, she just left Uganda on the 26th but was close with Martin also.
A North American friend, Jessica, that I have been working with (and I would even say a good friend at this point) at the slum feeding program and at African Hearts in Ssenge came to the guest house around 11. She was visibly upset and broke down as soon as she saw me. I knew it must be something major just by her actions and emotions. She just kind of blurted it out, "One of the boys from the Kivulu house died!" Shocked, I wasn't sure how to react, so I did the only thing my father instinct told me - hug her. She breath a HUGE sigh and just thanked me. She said that she needed to come to someone that would understand and just let her cry - and she chose to come to me. She said the Ugandans just don't understand and look at her and the other North American girl funny because they are crying.
Death in Uganda seems WAY too common and too much a fact of life that they deal with too much. I don't know if it is culture or just the commonness of it all, but many Ugandans (I will not generalize because I did see several upset today) just seem to deal with it like it is nothing.
Of course, I decided immediately to go with her and be of any help that I could. She seemed relieved and was able to settle a bit once we started walking. We talked a bit about the situation and I figured out that this boy was one that I had played with just last Tuesday. This boy I had taught a card trick to. This boy I had showed a couple coin tricks to. This boy - Martin - had been one of the very boys I was blessed to serve over the last 10 weeks. He was only 9 years old! He had fallen ill with Malaria, a rare and severe kind called cerebral malaria. The doctors didn't realize it until it was too late and although he was being treated for the more common malaria, it was not enough and he suddenly and quickly succumb and died. The Kivulu house was/is devastated, especially the other boys who were like brothers to Martin and the 2 NA girls and one Uncle, who was especially close to Martin. Jessica told me that this uncle was having a really hard time and I just felt God speaking to me to try and talk with him. There were SO many people at the house and I was praying for the right moment. It came at the strangest time - when we were both heading to the latrine. I just said I was so sorry and he broke down in my arms. I think he too was feeling like he just wanted to cry but was afraid or embarrassed to express this in front of the others. I told him it was okay to cry and to take as long as he needed. To make a long story shorter, I found out that he blamed himself and was going through SO much emotion and carrying a huge burden. I explained that it was not a burden he needed to carry and prayed with him. We just stood there, with our arms around each other for a long time.
The boys in the home and many from the feeding program, as well as the uncles and anyone connected to the house were at the grave site. It was a hard, but also a beautiful time of celebrating Martin's life. Many people spoke, many people talked of amazing and good memories they have with and of Martin. He truly impacted SO many people in his short life. He now has no more suffering or pain or tears because he knew Jesus and that truly is something to be celebrated for a boy that had come from the streets and a life that many of us can't even imagine.
Please, if you are reading this, remember Jessica, Jessie, Uncle David and the other uncles and all the boys in the Kivulu house and the slums in your prayers. Say a prayer for them. Pray that Martin's life and his faith will influence other boys to come to Christ. Pray that those here on earth that remember and miss him will be comforted and have God's peace. Pray for Martin's family that was not able to located. Join me in praying for them all. Pray also for me, as I too feel the loss of a boy I was only beginning to know. Pray that I will be used to continue to show Jesus to these other boys yet in my time left here in Uganda. Thank you, dear friends! Thank you!
Teach
P.S. I forgot to ask you to pray for Abi too, she just left Uganda on the 26th but was close with Martin also.
Monday, December 28, 2009
WOW
Words... they escape me right now. All I can say is "Thanks". You all have truly blessed my heart and made a hard time better. I knew people were reading, but I didn't know that I had people reading and waiting for my next post and following along with me at every step of this journey. God is GOOD all the time and ALL THE TIME God is good.
Thank you for commenting and for your beautiful words of encouragement and care. They have uplifted me, encouraged me and helped renew my strength. I read them over and over and over. In fact, I have a separate window open so I can just come to them any time of the day and see that I am not in this alone. Thank you!
I have a few posts that have been welling in my mind for some time and I will try to get them up in the coming days. Something a little different and on a different note but still something that goes along with my journey here in Uganda. Stay tuned for that and thank you SO much for your prayers - I do feel them and God IS with me.
Teach
Thank you for commenting and for your beautiful words of encouragement and care. They have uplifted me, encouraged me and helped renew my strength. I read them over and over and over. In fact, I have a separate window open so I can just come to them any time of the day and see that I am not in this alone. Thank you!
I have a few posts that have been welling in my mind for some time and I will try to get them up in the coming days. Something a little different and on a different note but still something that goes along with my journey here in Uganda. Stay tuned for that and thank you SO much for your prayers - I do feel them and God IS with me.
Teach
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Encouragement for my James
It has been over 9 weeks since James left Canada to bring our babies home. It has been over 7 weeks since I left Uganda to come home to be with our other children here. These have been long, draining weeks. James needs some encouragement.
So.... here is where you all come in. I know that there are a lot of people reading this and if all of you would post a comment of encouragement for my James I know that it would do a lot of good for him. He needs to know that there are lots of people out there praying for him, us and our situation. So even if you never post a comment I beg you to do so this time. Let's see how many comments we can get up before James gets to a computer tomorrow.
Thanks for helping me out by encouraging my sweet, sweet man. I know it will make his day and maybe his week to get a bunch of encouragement...
Cheremi
So.... here is where you all come in. I know that there are a lot of people reading this and if all of you would post a comment of encouragement for my James I know that it would do a lot of good for him. He needs to know that there are lots of people out there praying for him, us and our situation. So even if you never post a comment I beg you to do so this time. Let's see how many comments we can get up before James gets to a computer tomorrow.
Thanks for helping me out by encouraging my sweet, sweet man. I know it will make his day and maybe his week to get a bunch of encouragement...
Cheremi
Friday, December 25, 2009
Trying to Keep Merry this Christmas
I have to admit that today I am sad. Today has been a down day, a crying kind of day. When I embarked on this journey, I hadn’t even really given it any thought that I would be away from more then half my family at Christmas. This has been a difficult journey, and today is the hardest day so far of this journey. I miss my wife, I miss my three kids at home. I want nothing more then to just hold them.
Today I have been “wrestling” with God, questioning His plan and wondering what He has in store for me – why is this taking so long? I have been praying, reading my Bible and just trying to listen. To be totally honest, I can’t hear anything right now. I am longing to hear a word from God to affirm, encourage, strengthen and uplift me in this fight. Satan is attacking me right now and I am trying to stay strong.
And amidst all of my discouragement I am reminded that I have a LOT that I need to praise God for. And for this revelation, I have to thank the street boys in the slums of Kivulu.
This week I had the extreme blessing and humbling experience to help with a Christmas party for some of Kampala’s most destitute and poor. These boys quite literally have nothing but what they are wearing or carrying with them. The program I have been helping with runs 3 days a week – Monday, Wednesday & Friday. On these days, the boys are taught some sort of school lesson from a teacher that the program has hired. Then there is usually a football (soccer) match and a bit of free time while a couple of the leaders do “medico” on the various scrapes, wounds, burns and surface things that the boys have. The more severe case are taken to the hospital and treated (paid for by the program). After that, there is an activity like beadwork or something else and then a simple bible study lesson. This is followed by a very SIMPLE meal of posha (made from corn flour) and beans and the liquid from cooking the beans. Posha is cheap and filling and carries you a long time. These days are likely the only decent meals the boys get all week and they are left to fend for themselves the other days. There is just not enough financial or volunteer support to run the program more.
Anyway, on Tuesday, was their special Christmas day. The boys got to go swimming, hear the Christmas story, and have their “special” meal of rice, matoke (ma toe kay) – cooked, mashed plantains, posha and cooked beef chunks and broth. There were 60 boys that were fed.
A church in the US had sent 6 HUGE cargo boxes full of Christmas stockings stuffed with traditional stocking “stuff” and some extras that would be useful for the kids – shirts, pencils, paper pads, etc. There were enough stockings for every boy as well as for some of the other programs that the leaders are involved in (African Hearts Kampala and Ssenge & Kivulu House). I think the pictures speak for themselves. (can't get them to load, but will try when I have a better connection)
It was truly humbling to see and be a part of this and it reminds me today that even though I am sad, lonely and away from home, I have SO much that I need to remember to not take for granted. Even the very simple things like 3 meals a day, a bed and home to sleep in, clothes to wear (that aren’t falling apart) and SO much more!! So, although I miss my family and wish I were home for this special time of year, I am trying to keep Merry this Christmas for all God has done for me and my family this year and every year. Thank you Jesus for coming to bring life to even a sinner such as I on this SPECIAL day.
I love you Cheremi, Trae, Nate and Naleah and am wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with Christ’s love. Kaysia, Ezekiel and I are there in spirit and we are praying we’re home soon!
Daddy (Teach)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Long Time No Post...
This last week has been a VERY full week with some ups and downs, highs and lows. I'll see if I can sum it up for you and try to be as brief as I can.
Each day of course, I played with the kids, got them ready for and took them to school and tucked them in bed each night - still a highlight of everyday and I can't WAIT until I get to tuck them into their own beds at home, where they belong!!
Aside from that, I kept myself busy with a number of activities. On Monday, I went to visit another children's home called Peace for Children Africa. It was supposed to be just for a few hours, but ended up being an almost all day event. There were 21 kids of all ages (3-18), both boys and girls staying at the home. Each one had a unique story but most come from a VERY hard life. I toured the home and then they put on a performance of african dancing and drumming as well as some acrobatics. It was cool! Afterward, we went to play football (soccer), as is the MUST activity for almost anywhere you go visit in Uganda. It was fun, and boy were those boys good! It poured on us, so we went back to the home for "lunch" and sharing time (it was 3 PM already - Ugandans eat lunch VERY late). A few of the kids shared their story of what their life was like before they arrived at the home and how they met "Uncle" Paul (one of the men that runs the home) and were taken in by him. Heart-wrenching stories! At 5 PM I said I had to leave because I wanted to be back in time to spend some time with the kids.
Tuesday, I walked to Garden City Mall - a western style shopping centre - and picked up a few things and then walked back. To Ugandans, this is a LONG walk but I enjoyed the time out and was not in a rush. Round trip was only 3 hours including my shopping, looking around and eating time - not too bad. In the afternoon, I went back to Wa'Mamma W'Africa to tutor the younger girls again. This time the topic was English - My BEST subject (not really) but I did pretty well, I think, and I don't believe their English was hurt too badly by my instruction. :)
On Wednesday, an internet friend from Canada came and so I was her "tour guide" for the day. I picked her up at the airport (with a driver of course) and took her to get money exchanged and drop off documents at the lawyer's office (her family wants to adopt from Sanyu also!!) and then finally to Sanyu to get settled at the guesthouse. We went and saw the babies for a bit and tucked them in for their naps. Then I thought she should really experience Kampala, so I took her on a walk for lunch and to pick up a few groceries. She did VERY well for her first time (and I took it easy on her :) ) and enjoyed some "local foods" for lunch. We came back to the guesthouse again and went and played with the babies some more. I think it was a very FULL day for her because she went to bed shortly after supper, but she said it was a good day.
On Thursday, I was supposed to go to Ssenge village to help harvest beans, but I got a call from Junior just after 9 AM saying that it was raining and we would have to cancel the trip - in Uganda EVERYTHING stops when it rains, even if it is only a drizzle or it only lasts for a short time. It ended up being a blessing in disguise because I needed to renew my visa and the girl that helped me could only do it that day. I got that done (phew!) and in the process got a phone call saying that the Consulate had some documents for me from the HC. Could it be our medicals finally?!? No such luck! Instead, it was 2 letters, one to Zeke and one to Kaysia (not even addressed to me) stating that their cases are open, they will be sent a date for an interview (?!?), that they should be looking for employment in Canada while they wait for their visas (?!?) and that the processing time for their particular type of visa is 22 months! That's right folks, I said 22 months! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!?!!!!?!? What the heck? A person can get a visitor's visa in 5 days, a work visa in 8 weeks, a student visa in 12 weeks, but for a child who has Canadian citizens for parents and is waiting to come home, the processing time is 22 months!?! How does that add up? Some Joe-blow could be working in Canada from Uganda way before my kids get their visas! Do you think there's something messed up with the system here?!?!? Yeah, I think so!
Anyway, we are looking into our options on how to get them home and considering which one is the best.
Well, that kinda makes the rest of my news not seem as important. Friday, I went to the Friday market (only on Fridays, hence the name) and found some stuff and just relaxed the rest of the day. On Saturday, I took my Canadian friend to Ssenge with Junior and we had a good time playing football, doing card tricks, bouncing on the trampoline and eating GREAT food. Side note: if you are ever in Uganda you MUST go to African Hearts in Ssenge and try Moreen's food - the BEST in Uganda!!!
Today, I went to church with some other guests at the guesthouse. They wanted to see the church I have been going to since I've been here. I LOVE Calvary Chapel. It has definitely been a place for me to be "fed" while I am SO far away from my family and friends. I look forward to it every week. The worship is AMAZING and the preaching is AWESOME - a great combination!
And that was my week. PLEASE keep praying for us, especially now with the latest news! We need your prayers and support more then ever. I know God does NOT want these kids waiting here for 22 months for a visa and we are trying to listen to what He is saying and do what He wants us to do in order to get His kids (and ours) home. This fight is not of flesh and blood and the devil is throwing EVERYTHING he can at us to discourage us. God is our strength and He WILL be victorious over this!! Join us in prayer. If you also want to join us in fasting, that is awesome too! Jesus said, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29 "... and with prayer and fasting, (they) committed them to the Lord." Acts 14:23. These passages are referring to something else, but I believe that the point is that for the most difficult or important things, we should be praying AND fasting.
Thanks again for supporting us, however you can! Blessings,
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Each day of course, I played with the kids, got them ready for and took them to school and tucked them in bed each night - still a highlight of everyday and I can't WAIT until I get to tuck them into their own beds at home, where they belong!!
Aside from that, I kept myself busy with a number of activities. On Monday, I went to visit another children's home called Peace for Children Africa. It was supposed to be just for a few hours, but ended up being an almost all day event. There were 21 kids of all ages (3-18), both boys and girls staying at the home. Each one had a unique story but most come from a VERY hard life. I toured the home and then they put on a performance of african dancing and drumming as well as some acrobatics. It was cool! Afterward, we went to play football (soccer), as is the MUST activity for almost anywhere you go visit in Uganda. It was fun, and boy were those boys good! It poured on us, so we went back to the home for "lunch" and sharing time (it was 3 PM already - Ugandans eat lunch VERY late). A few of the kids shared their story of what their life was like before they arrived at the home and how they met "Uncle" Paul (one of the men that runs the home) and were taken in by him. Heart-wrenching stories! At 5 PM I said I had to leave because I wanted to be back in time to spend some time with the kids.
Tuesday, I walked to Garden City Mall - a western style shopping centre - and picked up a few things and then walked back. To Ugandans, this is a LONG walk but I enjoyed the time out and was not in a rush. Round trip was only 3 hours including my shopping, looking around and eating time - not too bad. In the afternoon, I went back to Wa'Mamma W'Africa to tutor the younger girls again. This time the topic was English - My BEST subject (not really) but I did pretty well, I think, and I don't believe their English was hurt too badly by my instruction. :)
On Wednesday, an internet friend from Canada came and so I was her "tour guide" for the day. I picked her up at the airport (with a driver of course) and took her to get money exchanged and drop off documents at the lawyer's office (her family wants to adopt from Sanyu also!!) and then finally to Sanyu to get settled at the guesthouse. We went and saw the babies for a bit and tucked them in for their naps. Then I thought she should really experience Kampala, so I took her on a walk for lunch and to pick up a few groceries. She did VERY well for her first time (and I took it easy on her :) ) and enjoyed some "local foods" for lunch. We came back to the guesthouse again and went and played with the babies some more. I think it was a very FULL day for her because she went to bed shortly after supper, but she said it was a good day.
On Thursday, I was supposed to go to Ssenge village to help harvest beans, but I got a call from Junior just after 9 AM saying that it was raining and we would have to cancel the trip - in Uganda EVERYTHING stops when it rains, even if it is only a drizzle or it only lasts for a short time. It ended up being a blessing in disguise because I needed to renew my visa and the girl that helped me could only do it that day. I got that done (phew!) and in the process got a phone call saying that the Consulate had some documents for me from the HC. Could it be our medicals finally?!? No such luck! Instead, it was 2 letters, one to Zeke and one to Kaysia (not even addressed to me) stating that their cases are open, they will be sent a date for an interview (?!?), that they should be looking for employment in Canada while they wait for their visas (?!?) and that the processing time for their particular type of visa is 22 months! That's right folks, I said 22 months! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!?!!!!?!? What the heck? A person can get a visitor's visa in 5 days, a work visa in 8 weeks, a student visa in 12 weeks, but for a child who has Canadian citizens for parents and is waiting to come home, the processing time is 22 months!?! How does that add up? Some Joe-blow could be working in Canada from Uganda way before my kids get their visas! Do you think there's something messed up with the system here?!?!? Yeah, I think so!
Anyway, we are looking into our options on how to get them home and considering which one is the best.
Well, that kinda makes the rest of my news not seem as important. Friday, I went to the Friday market (only on Fridays, hence the name) and found some stuff and just relaxed the rest of the day. On Saturday, I took my Canadian friend to Ssenge with Junior and we had a good time playing football, doing card tricks, bouncing on the trampoline and eating GREAT food. Side note: if you are ever in Uganda you MUST go to African Hearts in Ssenge and try Moreen's food - the BEST in Uganda!!!
Today, I went to church with some other guests at the guesthouse. They wanted to see the church I have been going to since I've been here. I LOVE Calvary Chapel. It has definitely been a place for me to be "fed" while I am SO far away from my family and friends. I look forward to it every week. The worship is AMAZING and the preaching is AWESOME - a great combination!
And that was my week. PLEASE keep praying for us, especially now with the latest news! We need your prayers and support more then ever. I know God does NOT want these kids waiting here for 22 months for a visa and we are trying to listen to what He is saying and do what He wants us to do in order to get His kids (and ours) home. This fight is not of flesh and blood and the devil is throwing EVERYTHING he can at us to discourage us. God is our strength and He WILL be victorious over this!! Join us in prayer. If you also want to join us in fasting, that is awesome too! Jesus said, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29 "... and with prayer and fasting, (they) committed them to the Lord." Acts 14:23. These passages are referring to something else, but I believe that the point is that for the most difficult or important things, we should be praying AND fasting.
Thanks again for supporting us, however you can! Blessings,
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A New Pic...
Its been a while since I posted a pic of the "babies". I thought you all out there might like to see them. I may be a little bias, but I think they are stinkin cute! Anyway, enjoy. Blessings,
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Friday, December 11, 2009
Prayer Request Update...
I have tried to keep myself busy the last week and a bit so that I can get my mind off of all that is frustrating me in this process. Although I believe God is using me in here for AMAZING things, my mind is still focussed on all things surrounding my children - both here in Uganda and at home in Canada. As busy as I can make myself, I cannot get my mind off of this process.
So, instead of trying to forget, I think it is better to step up the prayer (and believe me, I have been praying - maybe like I never have in my life!). That's where you all come in. Yes, I can even say there are a lot of you because I have read the comments and I added a "visitor tracker" to see where you all are coming from and how many come each day. So, I know there are "a few" that are at least visiting. I want to ask you not to stop praying. I know I have been asking that a lot over the last 8 weeks (Today is 8 weeks since I have seen my kids back in Canada - boy do I miss them!), but please, just because time is dragging on doesn't mean we need prayer less. In fact, we need it more then ever. I believe we are in a fight for our kids - for all the Canadians who have kids they are trying to bring home. This fight is more then just political, it is also spiritual. Satan does NOT like what we are doing. He does NOT want these kids to have families. He will do ANYTHING to stop us. What we need to remember is that God is BIGGER and STRONGER then satan and He wants these kids HOME!
So, specific requests for you to be praying for:
1) We have been waiting 3 weeks for medical forms, which are required before we can get our visas, to come from the High Commission (HC) in Nairobi. Please pray that these come SOON! We are "stalled" until we can get these forms and are not even at the stage of officially waiting for visas until these forms get back to Nairobi and are placed in the files for the kids.
2) Pray for Cheremi and the kids back home in Canada. They miss me SO much and it is VERY difficult to be separated like this. Our family is split on 2 different continents. The kids have been sick and are not sleeping well and just need dad home soon. Cheremi is essentially single parenting while I am here and that is EXTREMELY tough (I am SO proud of the job she is doing taking care of everything back home)!
3) Pray for me and Kaysia and Zeke in Uganda. I miss Cher and the kids SO much and it is VERY difficult to be separated like this (sound familiar?). I am trying to tell the kids that things will happen soon, but they just don't understand and just want to go home (they actually seem to know they are supposed to be going somewhere). I pray this whole HC business will be over SOON.
4) Pray for the HC and government. I know this may sound strange, but God calls us to be in prayer for our governments - remember, He has given them their position of power and we are to respect what God has appointed. Pray that the HC will begin processing visas for all the families waiting. Pray that they truly are doing and will do the jobs they are supposed to do and not let politics, power and excuses get in the way. They need God just like everyone else does!
5) Pray for the orphans waiting for homes, not just here in Uganda, but around the world. EVERYONE deserves a loving home and we are called as Christians to "look after orphans (and widows)... " (James 1:27).
Thank you for continuing to read our blog and follow our story. Thank you for joining us in praying! Thank you for your TREMENDOUS support up to this point! We appreciate your encouragement SO SO much! Blessings!!
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
So, instead of trying to forget, I think it is better to step up the prayer (and believe me, I have been praying - maybe like I never have in my life!). That's where you all come in. Yes, I can even say there are a lot of you because I have read the comments and I added a "visitor tracker" to see where you all are coming from and how many come each day. So, I know there are "a few" that are at least visiting. I want to ask you not to stop praying. I know I have been asking that a lot over the last 8 weeks (Today is 8 weeks since I have seen my kids back in Canada - boy do I miss them!), but please, just because time is dragging on doesn't mean we need prayer less. In fact, we need it more then ever. I believe we are in a fight for our kids - for all the Canadians who have kids they are trying to bring home. This fight is more then just political, it is also spiritual. Satan does NOT like what we are doing. He does NOT want these kids to have families. He will do ANYTHING to stop us. What we need to remember is that God is BIGGER and STRONGER then satan and He wants these kids HOME!
So, specific requests for you to be praying for:
1) We have been waiting 3 weeks for medical forms, which are required before we can get our visas, to come from the High Commission (HC) in Nairobi. Please pray that these come SOON! We are "stalled" until we can get these forms and are not even at the stage of officially waiting for visas until these forms get back to Nairobi and are placed in the files for the kids.
2) Pray for Cheremi and the kids back home in Canada. They miss me SO much and it is VERY difficult to be separated like this. Our family is split on 2 different continents. The kids have been sick and are not sleeping well and just need dad home soon. Cheremi is essentially single parenting while I am here and that is EXTREMELY tough (I am SO proud of the job she is doing taking care of everything back home)!
3) Pray for me and Kaysia and Zeke in Uganda. I miss Cher and the kids SO much and it is VERY difficult to be separated like this (sound familiar?). I am trying to tell the kids that things will happen soon, but they just don't understand and just want to go home (they actually seem to know they are supposed to be going somewhere). I pray this whole HC business will be over SOON.
4) Pray for the HC and government. I know this may sound strange, but God calls us to be in prayer for our governments - remember, He has given them their position of power and we are to respect what God has appointed. Pray that the HC will begin processing visas for all the families waiting. Pray that they truly are doing and will do the jobs they are supposed to do and not let politics, power and excuses get in the way. They need God just like everyone else does!
5) Pray for the orphans waiting for homes, not just here in Uganda, but around the world. EVERYONE deserves a loving home and we are called as Christians to "look after orphans (and widows)... " (James 1:27).
Thank you for continuing to read our blog and follow our story. Thank you for joining us in praying! Thank you for your TREMENDOUS support up to this point! We appreciate your encouragement SO SO much! Blessings!!
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tutoring!
Just a quick update today. The HC sent an email yesterday saying they actually had our documents! This is at least something. Now we wait for them to "investigate" and send us the medical forms we need to finish the required paperwork and "officially" wait for our visas. At least they have the documents because they had emailed before saying they didn't.
The last two days I have been able to go down to Wa'mama W'Africa and tutor the "younger" class of girls (primary 1-7 --> its like elementary). It was a little refreshing to put on my "teacher" hat after being "off" for almost 8 weeks. The girls are very attentive and asked very good questions. I am amazed at the topics and levels of things these kids need to know. It is much more challenging then our curriculum in Alberta, at least for the elementary level. They even stumped me a few times (but I claimed, and stick to, cultural differences - I didn't know what the term they were referring to was because it is a term we don't use in Canada). It was "fun" for this teacher man. I plan to go back again next week.
The last couple days I have also been blessed to be able to encourage a few families that have kids here in Uganda while they are back in North America by taking and sending pics of their kids via email. I love that God is using me to bless other people and in the process blessing me SO much! Thank you Jesus!!
Tomorrow I will try and connect with another Ugandan friend and Friday I hope to go back to the street kid feeding program. That's it for today. Be Blessed!!
Still Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
The last two days I have been able to go down to Wa'mama W'Africa and tutor the "younger" class of girls (primary 1-7 --> its like elementary). It was a little refreshing to put on my "teacher" hat after being "off" for almost 8 weeks. The girls are very attentive and asked very good questions. I am amazed at the topics and levels of things these kids need to know. It is much more challenging then our curriculum in Alberta, at least for the elementary level. They even stumped me a few times (but I claimed, and stick to, cultural differences - I didn't know what the term they were referring to was because it is a term we don't use in Canada). It was "fun" for this teacher man. I plan to go back again next week.
The last couple days I have also been blessed to be able to encourage a few families that have kids here in Uganda while they are back in North America by taking and sending pics of their kids via email. I love that God is using me to bless other people and in the process blessing me SO much! Thank you Jesus!!
Tomorrow I will try and connect with another Ugandan friend and Friday I hope to go back to the street kid feeding program. That's it for today. Be Blessed!!
Still Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Bad Connection, Quick Update
The internet is doing funny things today, so I can't write much.
I am well and so are Kaysia and Zeke. I've been busy with a variety of things. I will continue to work on immigration tomorrow - I actually got an email response on Friday! Not what I expected :) I'll try the phone tomorrow and see if I can go 2 for 2! Pray for things to move soon!
K, gross thing just happened!!! A bird crapped on my hand and the edge (thankfully!!) of my computer. I am outside (as most things are outside in Uganda) so I guess I am open to "the elements"! GROSS!! I gotta go and clean myself and the computer off. I'll try to write more tomorrow. Blessings til then!
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
I am well and so are Kaysia and Zeke. I've been busy with a variety of things. I will continue to work on immigration tomorrow - I actually got an email response on Friday! Not what I expected :) I'll try the phone tomorrow and see if I can go 2 for 2! Pray for things to move soon!
K, gross thing just happened!!! A bird crapped on my hand and the edge (thankfully!!) of my computer. I am outside (as most things are outside in Uganda) so I guess I am open to "the elements"! GROSS!! I gotta go and clean myself and the computer off. I'll try to write more tomorrow. Blessings til then!
Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Another Fun Day...
Yesterday I got to go out to Ssenge village again with a good friend, my Ugandan brother, Junior. This is the third time I have been able to go out there and each time there is something new for me. Junior says I am such a blessing to the boys and to him, but I think I'm the one being blessed. Here's some pics for you to enjoy:
This is the corn field that African Hearts planted just a few weeks before Cher and I got to Uganda. Now some of the corn is taller then us. In this pic is Junior, Goloba - a great man who helps out the Ssenge home all the time, and Safic - one of the boys from the home.
Junior just had to run to the middle of the field. Can you see him? Where's Junior? :)
On the way to Goloba's house, we had to stop and wait for a herd of cattle going down the road. Look at those horns! I wouldn't want one of those cows to get mad at me!
African Hearts have a field o 1400-1500 Eucalyptus trees on public land just behind Goloba's farm. These trees will be used to generate income for the home. After 2-3 years, the can be used for scaffolding (I'll try to take a pic of it on a building sometime). After about 5 years they can be used for telephone poles. And after about 7 years they can be used for electricity poles. Each one has a demand, but the electricity poles are worth far more then the others - the government is in the process of changing all the poles in Uganda, and the price is very high for them right now, so hopefully the demand remains because these trees are only about a year old.
We are "trimming" the dead branches from the bottom of the trees so that they don't hinder the further growth. 1400 trees is a lot! We didn't do them all, but maybe one day I'll go back and do some more.
After "trimming" the trees, it was time for a snack. Fresh mangos are AWESOME!! I got to climb up and pick them myself.
I think I am beginning to fit right in - notice, no shoes or socks, just like a regular Ugandan. Maybe I have some Ugandan blood in me after all! :)
And of course, what day would be complete without some friendly football with the boys. SO much FUN! These boys are great kids and I love just goofing around with them and sharing my love with them. Another great day out in the village! Blessings from Uganda!
Teach
Monday, November 30, 2009
Keep Praying and Advocating!
The weekend has come and gone. Fortunately, God doesn't take the weekends off. Please keep praying for us. We are still waiting on the Canadian Government. The High Commission in Nairobi is CANADIAN and they are the ones that are controlling how long this takes - ie we can GO HOME when they give us our visas! I am waiting for them to send me the medical forms for the kids so I can get their exams done and send them back the form. Then that will complete ALL the paperwork and we wait for the HC to make a decision - a no-brainer, really - on our visas. For some reason they seem to think that this should take between 6-8 months, the same time it takes a business man or some other individual trying to immigrate to Canada. What they fail to remember is THIS IS A CHILD WITH A CANADIAN FAMILY!!!! Not some guy trying to come to Canada. Children are being left in Uganda because the Canadian government doesn't have a separate category for adopted children immigrating with Canadian parents.
Please scroll down, and read my post about contacting the government on our behalf or jump over to "A Place Called Simplicity" she puts it very well! Time is running out, gotta go, will try to post more later
blessing from Uganda,
Teach
Please scroll down, and read my post about contacting the government on our behalf or jump over to "A Place Called Simplicity" she puts it very well! Time is running out, gotta go, will try to post more later
blessing from Uganda,
Teach
Friday, November 27, 2009
Something a little different...
Today was a National Holiday in Uganda, so not really much I could work on for the adoptions. Because of this, I decided to contact one of my contacts here in Uganda that runs a feeding program in the slums three days a week. The program is amazing and it is humbling that God would choose to use me in even just a small way to care for these street boys, even if only for a few hours. Of course, being an unfamiliar "mazungu"(white person), I had boys all around me for most of the day.
We started by playing some football (soccer for you North Americans). It was SO fun! I love playing with kids and it is amazing how quickly you forget where you are, what the backgrounds of these kids are and just get down and have fun with each other! I think this is one reason the program is SO successful. After about 1 1/2 hours, we went in for a lesson, taught by another friend who used to be a teacher in Uganda. Then we did some beading crafts - the boys gave me bracelets, rings and necklaces they had made. It was touching to see the look on their face when they put it on me. During this time, I also brought out the entertainer in me and did some "tricks" for the boys - disappearing/reappearing coin trick, juggling, etc. They ate it up! The coin trick I had to do about 30 times or more and they loved it every time! :) After the beading, we went to the church and watched a movie (they were still watching when I left). Normally during this time they do a bible study, but some of the leaders weren't there, so they skipped it today. During the movie, the food came - posha and beans. The street boys each got a BIG bowl of posha with a scoop of beans and sauce. This is most likely the only meal for many of them for that day and maybe even a few days if they weren't able to make any money selling the junk they scavenge for.
The best part of the day wasn't what we did, it wasn't even dishing up and passing out the food. It was just being with the boys, playing with them, having fun with them and just getting the chance to be "real" with them and show them a little bit of Christ's love. VERY rewarding for me - I think I benefitted from it more then the boys did. I definitely want to go back again before I leave!
Anyway, that was my "different" day. Hope yours is good too! Blessings and have a great weekend!
Teach
We started by playing some football (soccer for you North Americans). It was SO fun! I love playing with kids and it is amazing how quickly you forget where you are, what the backgrounds of these kids are and just get down and have fun with each other! I think this is one reason the program is SO successful. After about 1 1/2 hours, we went in for a lesson, taught by another friend who used to be a teacher in Uganda. Then we did some beading crafts - the boys gave me bracelets, rings and necklaces they had made. It was touching to see the look on their face when they put it on me. During this time, I also brought out the entertainer in me and did some "tricks" for the boys - disappearing/reappearing coin trick, juggling, etc. They ate it up! The coin trick I had to do about 30 times or more and they loved it every time! :) After the beading, we went to the church and watched a movie (they were still watching when I left). Normally during this time they do a bible study, but some of the leaders weren't there, so they skipped it today. During the movie, the food came - posha and beans. The street boys each got a BIG bowl of posha with a scoop of beans and sauce. This is most likely the only meal for many of them for that day and maybe even a few days if they weren't able to make any money selling the junk they scavenge for.
The best part of the day wasn't what we did, it wasn't even dishing up and passing out the food. It was just being with the boys, playing with them, having fun with them and just getting the chance to be "real" with them and show them a little bit of Christ's love. VERY rewarding for me - I think I benefitted from it more then the boys did. I definitely want to go back again before I leave!
Anyway, that was my "different" day. Hope yours is good too! Blessings and have a great weekend!
Teach
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
He's ours on Paper!
To steal a dear friend's words - YIPPEE JESUS!! Went to court this morning, waited for 2 hours, went in to the judge and heard the words we have been waiting for over 2 weeks to hear! Ezekiel is officially ours, by order of the judge, which is written and signed and sealed! And to top it off, tomorrow I get the detailed rulings for both Kaysia and Zeke!
Today was a good day! Thank you Jesus! Now we look on to the next step - immigration. Tomorrow I will send the final documents for Zeke (Kaysia's were sent last week) and wait for the medical forms to come, which is the last step for us. Then it is a waiting game as to when the visas will be issued.
Pray for speedy mail and for the med forms to come quickly (next week would be AWESOME!). Pray for the HC's investigation to be concluded quickly and visas to be granted to all the Canadian families waiting.
Oh... side note... have a contact that could help with immigration here in Uganda. Hope to make connection with him tomorrow. Pray he can see me quickly, that he can and is willing to help and that his help does help speed things up in Nairobi!
Thank you to all those who are writing and calling the Canadian government officials. Keep it up! For those that haven't yet, would you consider doing it on behalf of the orphans around the world waiting to come home? God calls us not to be lukewarm Christians, will please take a stand with us on this? Thank you! you can find the info you need here
Blessings to you all! Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Today was a good day! Thank you Jesus! Now we look on to the next step - immigration. Tomorrow I will send the final documents for Zeke (Kaysia's were sent last week) and wait for the medical forms to come, which is the last step for us. Then it is a waiting game as to when the visas will be issued.
Pray for speedy mail and for the med forms to come quickly (next week would be AWESOME!). Pray for the HC's investigation to be concluded quickly and visas to be granted to all the Canadian families waiting.
Oh... side note... have a contact that could help with immigration here in Uganda. Hope to make connection with him tomorrow. Pray he can see me quickly, that he can and is willing to help and that his help does help speed things up in Nairobi!
Thank you to all those who are writing and calling the Canadian government officials. Keep it up! For those that haven't yet, would you consider doing it on behalf of the orphans around the world waiting to come home? God calls us not to be lukewarm Christians, will please take a stand with us on this? Thank you! you can find the info you need here
Blessings to you all! Fighting in Uganda,
Teach
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Another Step...
Today I had the hearing I have been waiting for. I got up early this morning, spoke to Cher, got ready, waited for the the call to come and then got Ezekiel ready to go to court. The judge was in (albeit late) and she agreed to hear our case right then! YAY Jesus! I needed some good news today. She also said that because of the previous history (ie Kaysia having a completed ruling, this being the second time for this file to be heard...) that she would give the ruling tomorrow at 10AM Uganda time (12 AM MST). Again, YAY God!
So, please pray that the judge will be there tomorrow, give us our verbal ruling, complete the written order and even finalize and sign the detailed written ruling all tomorrow - that would truly be AMAZING and truly God, although this has been God all along! If that happens, then I am only 1 week behind on the visa processing and there is a chance that I could get the two (Kaysia and Zeke) caught up.
Also, please be praying for Kaysia's (and Zeke's next week) medical forms to come - this is the last step before visas can be granted. Continue praying for the High Commission to be satisfied with the process here in Uganada and start issuing visas PRONTO. There are too many children waiting to go home to Canada, not just my kids. The families need to be together and they need to be home!! God is moving, I can almost feel His wind of the Spirit!!
And also, THANK YOU, thank you, thank you for standing with us and praying and fasting and supporting us! I know I have said it before, but it means SO much to us to have your support and just know we're not alone in this fight! More tomorrow...
Be blessed,
Teach
So, please pray that the judge will be there tomorrow, give us our verbal ruling, complete the written order and even finalize and sign the detailed written ruling all tomorrow - that would truly be AMAZING and truly God, although this has been God all along! If that happens, then I am only 1 week behind on the visa processing and there is a chance that I could get the two (Kaysia and Zeke) caught up.
Also, please be praying for Kaysia's (and Zeke's next week) medical forms to come - this is the last step before visas can be granted. Continue praying for the High Commission to be satisfied with the process here in Uganada and start issuing visas PRONTO. There are too many children waiting to go home to Canada, not just my kids. The families need to be together and they need to be home!! God is moving, I can almost feel His wind of the Spirit!!
And also, THANK YOU, thank you, thank you for standing with us and praying and fasting and supporting us! I know I have said it before, but it means SO much to us to have your support and just know we're not alone in this fight! More tomorrow...
Be blessed,
Teach
Monday, November 23, 2009
Contacts...
I have had a lot of people asking in various forums about how to contact anyone about immigration concerning adoption, so I thought I would post it here
Right Honourable Stephen Harper - Prime Minister of Canada
email: HarpeS@parl.gc.ca and pm@pm.gc.ca
phone: (613) 992-4211
Honourable Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration & Multiculturalism
email: KenneJ@parl.gc.ca
phone: (613) 992-2235
And of course, if you are Canadian, you can also contact your MP by looking it up here
Right Honourable Stephen Harper - Prime Minister of Canada
email: HarpeS@parl.gc.ca and pm@pm.gc.ca
phone: (613) 992-4211
Honourable Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration & Multiculturalism
email: KenneJ@parl.gc.ca
phone: (613) 992-2235
And of course, if you are Canadian, you can also contact your MP by looking it up here
Sunday, November 22, 2009
More Clarification...
I am running out of battery, so this will be short and I may have to write more about it later.
I just wanted to clarify something from my previous post "Concerned". I had stated that the family heading back to Canada had been denied visas for their kids. This was a misunderstanding that I had. I have since found out that they were not denied visas but were told the high commission was clear that they (the HC) were not in position to issue the visas and they did not know when they would be. The HC stated that they still had to meet with Ugandan court and government officials and they didn't know when that would happen.
So, basically we need to pray that this meeting happen SOON and that the visas be granted quickly. I do know of one Canadian couple that were actually denied visas from the HC in Nairobi who were adopting from Uganda just last week. We pray that this be reversed and ALL visas for these kids who are waiting to go home be processed quickly.
I am deeply sorry if I have misled or misrepresented facts on this, as this was not my intention. The HC not being in a position to issue visas is still just as concerning to me as denying them because it still prevents people from bringing their children home. Please be in prayer for this to be resolved quickly!
Thank you all for your HUGE support this weekend and carried on into the future. It means SO much to us to have people surrounding us with prayer and love. I will try and keep you updated when I know more.
Blessings,
Teach
I just wanted to clarify something from my previous post "Concerned". I had stated that the family heading back to Canada had been denied visas for their kids. This was a misunderstanding that I had. I have since found out that they were not denied visas but were told the high commission was clear that they (the HC) were not in position to issue the visas and they did not know when they would be. The HC stated that they still had to meet with Ugandan court and government officials and they didn't know when that would happen.
So, basically we need to pray that this meeting happen SOON and that the visas be granted quickly. I do know of one Canadian couple that were actually denied visas from the HC in Nairobi who were adopting from Uganda just last week. We pray that this be reversed and ALL visas for these kids who are waiting to go home be processed quickly.
I am deeply sorry if I have misled or misrepresented facts on this, as this was not my intention. The HC not being in a position to issue visas is still just as concerning to me as denying them because it still prevents people from bringing their children home. Please be in prayer for this to be resolved quickly!
Thank you all for your HUGE support this weekend and carried on into the future. It means SO much to us to have people surrounding us with prayer and love. I will try and keep you updated when I know more.
Blessings,
Teach
Clarification
Because I think there might be a little confusion (especially among our church family),
I want to clarify for those who don't understand. This battle for our children is NOT over. They are our children and we will NOT back down... we are not walking away from them... God has called us to care for the orphans and we will fight until our children are home. God sets the lonely in families. God will reign and we will not stop praying and fighting until they are home.
I want to clarify for those who don't understand. This battle for our children is NOT over. They are our children and we will NOT back down... we are not walking away from them... God has called us to care for the orphans and we will fight until our children are home. God sets the lonely in families. God will reign and we will not stop praying and fighting until they are home.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Concerned...
Well, I had a great blog from today already worked out in my head (actually I had 2 separate ones) but recent news has sort of "trumped" what I was going to post.
We have heard heartbreaking news that another Alberta family that is/was (depending on when you read this - they are leaving tonight) in Uganda are heading home because Immigration in Nairobi has denied their visa and basically has said no visas will be issued for Ugandan children to come to Canada to be adopted until they can investigate further. Of course, this is devastating for us too because we are right behind these people in the process and are trying to get visas for our kids too.
I am asking all of you (and if you could spread the news to your friends too) to PRAY. Flood heaven with your prayers for these orphans who are being left behind because the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi is refusing to let parents take their children home, even after meeting ALL the requirements - paperwork, supporting documents, fees, everything. In fact, I will take it a step further and ask you to join me in fasting for this. The bible calls us to prayer and fasting and I don't have time to go into details right now, but if you are willing, please join me in fasting. It doesn't have to be a specific day but I think I will be doing it this weekend on Saturday (that will give any readers time to read and decide if they want to join me. Please anyone who wants, post this on your blog or link to this one - we need ALL the prayer and fasting support we can get. These kids need to get home! God is bigger than any government official or High Commission. Let our prayers go up to Him and watch Him move!
Teach
We have heard heartbreaking news that another Alberta family that is/was (depending on when you read this - they are leaving tonight) in Uganda are heading home because Immigration in Nairobi has denied their visa and basically has said no visas will be issued for Ugandan children to come to Canada to be adopted until they can investigate further. Of course, this is devastating for us too because we are right behind these people in the process and are trying to get visas for our kids too.
I am asking all of you (and if you could spread the news to your friends too) to PRAY. Flood heaven with your prayers for these orphans who are being left behind because the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi is refusing to let parents take their children home, even after meeting ALL the requirements - paperwork, supporting documents, fees, everything. In fact, I will take it a step further and ask you to join me in fasting for this. The bible calls us to prayer and fasting and I don't have time to go into details right now, but if you are willing, please join me in fasting. It doesn't have to be a specific day but I think I will be doing it this weekend on Saturday (that will give any readers time to read and decide if they want to join me. Please anyone who wants, post this on your blog or link to this one - we need ALL the prayer and fasting support we can get. These kids need to get home! God is bigger than any government official or High Commission. Let our prayers go up to Him and watch Him move!
Teach
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A few more little steps and some mountains starting to move...
Just a quick post today. The Judge was in! We waited from 8 til after 11, but she heard my lawyer and agreed that the case should be heard by the first judge! YAY Jesus!! Now it is a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's to make that happen. The judge cannot reassign a case - that must be done by the registrar - and he seems to...
DISCLAIMER: for lack of a better expression, I apologize in advance to my more sensitive readers, but sometimes you just have to call it like it is.
... he seems to have a pickle up his butt. He wants a "signed note" from the judge stating she will not hear the case and suggesting where it should be sent. The lawyer is going back tomorrow to talk with the judge about it, so we need prayers again that she will be in and will write the note. If this happens, we are hoping things move along quickly with the first judge (which the first judge's clerk seems to think it will). That's it for tonight, I'm tired and need to relax.
Teach
P.S. I also got the documents I was waiting for today and should get the detailed ruling tomorrow for Kaysia - little steps, but steps all the same!
DISCLAIMER: for lack of a better expression, I apologize in advance to my more sensitive readers, but sometimes you just have to call it like it is.
... he seems to have a pickle up his butt. He wants a "signed note" from the judge stating she will not hear the case and suggesting where it should be sent. The lawyer is going back tomorrow to talk with the judge about it, so we need prayers again that she will be in and will write the note. If this happens, we are hoping things move along quickly with the first judge (which the first judge's clerk seems to think it will). That's it for tonight, I'm tired and need to relax.
Teach
P.S. I also got the documents I was waiting for today and should get the detailed ruling tomorrow for Kaysia - little steps, but steps all the same!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Slowly, Slowly...
Well, I woke up this morning and thought it would be my "off" day because the judge for Kaysia's detailed ruling is out of the country so I can't do anything with that until Thursday and the Judge for Zeke is very unpredictable, so I decided I would take the day off from sitting and waiting around in offices and court rooms, unless I was called in by my lawyer.
I decided to get a few little things done today for immigration and for myself. I took Kaysia and Zeke to get visa photos done (different from passport photos). It was nice because I took them right after breakfast, got them dressed, took them to my room and changed them into their clothes and shoes and then just played with and spent some time with them before going to get pics taken. Another Canadian who is here offered to help me (he is also adopting from Sanyu and is just a bit further ahead in the process) take them down to the local shop to get the photos taken. It was fascinating to watch them as we walked on the side of the street and just see how they looked at EVERYTHING! Pics were taken (not the best, but they will work) and we were to come back later to get them. We got back to Sanyu and I took the kids to "school" after getting them changed out of their clothes and back into Sanyu clothes.
Then I decided to call and see if some other "side" jobs the law office needed to do for us were being done. I won't go into details, but I ended up down at the office and respectfully, but sternly, told them that these things need to get done. It looks like I will have another small piece of the puzzle tomorrow and be one step close to sending away the immigration package - my goal is on Friday - for Kaysia.
Since I went in, I decided to try and see what we could do on the court date front with Zeke. My lawyer found out that the new judge was supposed to be "in" in the afternoon. To make a long story shorter, we did not see the judge, but we did get the original application for Zeke put in the new application and this should cause the new judge to send it back to the original judge - this is what we tried to do all week last week. There are no guarantees, but my lawyer is supposed to speak with the new judge tomorrow and hopes that she will send the file back to the first judge. So, what this means is that we managed to do today what we couldn't do all week last week and are optimistic that our file will be sent back to the first judge, which is one hurdle we are trying to pass, and then the first judge hopefully will assign a date and hear our case and rule quickly as she is trying to clear her desk before the next session of court.
I also found out that our detailed ruling for Kaysia is done and just needs the judge's signature and seal, which should be done on Thursday - I will be sitting there on Thursday until it is complete!
Anyways, no date yet but small steps were gained today in getting closer to what we want. Slowly, slowly we are getting there. Thank you Jesus for some progress on this "off" day, I really needed that! Your continued prayers are appreciated, especially for the new judge to be there tomorrow and to send our case back to the old judge. Blessings from Uganda,
Teach
I decided to get a few little things done today for immigration and for myself. I took Kaysia and Zeke to get visa photos done (different from passport photos). It was nice because I took them right after breakfast, got them dressed, took them to my room and changed them into their clothes and shoes and then just played with and spent some time with them before going to get pics taken. Another Canadian who is here offered to help me (he is also adopting from Sanyu and is just a bit further ahead in the process) take them down to the local shop to get the photos taken. It was fascinating to watch them as we walked on the side of the street and just see how they looked at EVERYTHING! Pics were taken (not the best, but they will work) and we were to come back later to get them. We got back to Sanyu and I took the kids to "school" after getting them changed out of their clothes and back into Sanyu clothes.
Then I decided to call and see if some other "side" jobs the law office needed to do for us were being done. I won't go into details, but I ended up down at the office and respectfully, but sternly, told them that these things need to get done. It looks like I will have another small piece of the puzzle tomorrow and be one step close to sending away the immigration package - my goal is on Friday - for Kaysia.
Since I went in, I decided to try and see what we could do on the court date front with Zeke. My lawyer found out that the new judge was supposed to be "in" in the afternoon. To make a long story shorter, we did not see the judge, but we did get the original application for Zeke put in the new application and this should cause the new judge to send it back to the original judge - this is what we tried to do all week last week. There are no guarantees, but my lawyer is supposed to speak with the new judge tomorrow and hopes that she will send the file back to the first judge. So, what this means is that we managed to do today what we couldn't do all week last week and are optimistic that our file will be sent back to the first judge, which is one hurdle we are trying to pass, and then the first judge hopefully will assign a date and hear our case and rule quickly as she is trying to clear her desk before the next session of court.
I also found out that our detailed ruling for Kaysia is done and just needs the judge's signature and seal, which should be done on Thursday - I will be sitting there on Thursday until it is complete!
Anyways, no date yet but small steps were gained today in getting closer to what we want. Slowly, slowly we are getting there. Thank you Jesus for some progress on this "off" day, I really needed that! Your continued prayers are appreciated, especially for the new judge to be there tomorrow and to send our case back to the old judge. Blessings from Uganda,
Teach
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Making Chapati...
Yesterday, I had the chance to go back out to Ssenge Village and help out a little and play with the boys of Africa Hearts. I had bought a soccer ball, and gave it to the boys. "Football" as the rest of the world calls it, is VERY popular and the boys LOVE it. They don't have a huge space, so they tweaked a few rules and made a smaller net with no keeper (goalie) so that it works for the space they have. I played with them too and had a lot of fun. Of course, it rained on the way out there, so the dirt was muddy and slippery, but it made for some interesting and humorous moments.
Before football, I helped with a little cooking. Moreen, the lady who is in charge of the house and takes care of the boys needs - she is called Auntie Moreen, is a MASTER cook! I totally think she has the BEST food in all of Uganda! Last time I was out with Cher, I asked if she could teach me how to make Chapati, a Uganda food that is kind of like a flat bread but looks like a pita or thin pancake. It is DELICIOUS!!
Anyway, Moreen decided it would be a good day for Chapati and so she taught me how to make it. Like all of her food, her Chapati is the BEST in Uganda and she makes it with a lot of love! It is quite simple to make, but is time consuming. It is not easy cooking and caring for 11 boys, but she does it with such a cheerful and loving heart. She truly is an AMAZING woman! Here a couple pics of the cooking of the Chapatis over the coal stove and cast iron pan.
The Master cook at work, showing me how it is done.
Then there's me, the rookie, giving it a try.
I didn't even burn them! It did take a couple tries to get the flipping down, but I think I am ready to give it a go when I get back to Canada. Chapati anyone? :)
Today was also a good day. I got to go to the Calvary Chapel Kampala, a church we visited when I was here in June. It has AMAZING services. I SO appreciated the heartfelt worship and the fact that everyone is SO sincere and unhindered in praising God. I think we, in North America, could learn a few things about worshipping in the spirit (at least I can). I was truly blessed by the services!
I also got to play with Zeke and Kaysia today and do a bit of the usual routine - although weekends there is no school, so it always makes it a bit more challenging. My favorite time is still tucking the kids in bed, especially when I can find a quiet place to pray and sing with them before tucking them into their beds. I usually try to tuck in a few little ones first - praying with them is SUCH a blessing - and then I take Zeke and Kaysia to a spot away from the rest of the action to pray and sing. I feel blessed to be able to do it, but really desire the day when I can do it at home, in their clean beds, without all the chaos going on around. I know it will be soon and am looking forward to it!
That's it for today. Please keep us in your prayers this week as we try to get more accomplished. Thanks! Blessings,
Teach
Friday, November 13, 2009
Still working... Keep Praying!
This has been a week of sitting and waiting, waiting and praying. Our case for Zeke has been assigned to a different judge because technically it was a "new" application, and therefore could be assigned to any judge, even though the previous judge had already read everything in our file and the only difference now is the order we are asking for.
So, the lawyers are not happy about this because they believe the first judge would complete the process faster and is known for giving the ruling in a more timely manner. This week we have tried to get the file transfered back to the first judge and up to this point all our attempts have not been successful. Today the plan is for the lawyers to speak to the new judge and explain that another judge has heard the case already, and, because we are processing 2 orders and have received one already from the first judge, the hope is that the other judge will pass the case back to the first judge - this is what usually happens when one judge has read/heard a case already because the judges do not like to take cases from other judges. Pray that the new judge shows up today so the lawyers can talk to her! (This is also common in Uganda for judges to just not show up for work/court)
Of course, the story is MUCH longer and MUCH more complicated then that, but those are the Cole's notes. If the judge chooses not to pass the file back, we hope that she will assign a quick court date and then provide a fast ruling as well. This judge is not known well by our lawyers and it is said she can be unpredictable because she is VERY thorough and can take her time to make a ruling.
We pray that whatever happens, whatever judge we get, that the case be heard quickly and a ruling is also given quickly so we can continue on with immigration. We are trusting God in all this - even though at times it can be FRUSTRATING! Your continued prayers are appreciated!
With all that, I have managed to get a few things done this week (besides sitting and waiting, waiting and praying). I now have both birth certificates AND passports for the kids. I also have the court order for Kaysia and the detailed written ruling is supposed to be done today (although my experience is to not count on it). These documents are all necessary for the immigration process, so we are getting closer.
In it all, I am trying to stay focussed on God and I see Him and His power throughout the days. Kaysia and Zeke are really warming up and bonding with me! They RUN to greet me with a BIG hug (Zeke even knocked me off my feet this morning! :) ) every time I come to see them. Kaysia even gave me a kiss on the cheek this morning (I kiss her every time I see her, Zeke too)!! Praise God for the affection they are showing to me! They are also ALWAYS very excited to hear about mommy and the kids and want to see the picture I carry in my pocket every 5 minutes it seems. Last night, they asked to talk to mommy on the phone again (we did it the other day) and so today we will arrange a call. I just need to look into their faces and it takes all the frustration away and reminds me once again that this is all WORTH it! That's it for now. Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Blessings
Teach
So, the lawyers are not happy about this because they believe the first judge would complete the process faster and is known for giving the ruling in a more timely manner. This week we have tried to get the file transfered back to the first judge and up to this point all our attempts have not been successful. Today the plan is for the lawyers to speak to the new judge and explain that another judge has heard the case already, and, because we are processing 2 orders and have received one already from the first judge, the hope is that the other judge will pass the case back to the first judge - this is what usually happens when one judge has read/heard a case already because the judges do not like to take cases from other judges. Pray that the new judge shows up today so the lawyers can talk to her! (This is also common in Uganda for judges to just not show up for work/court)
Of course, the story is MUCH longer and MUCH more complicated then that, but those are the Cole's notes. If the judge chooses not to pass the file back, we hope that she will assign a quick court date and then provide a fast ruling as well. This judge is not known well by our lawyers and it is said she can be unpredictable because she is VERY thorough and can take her time to make a ruling.
We pray that whatever happens, whatever judge we get, that the case be heard quickly and a ruling is also given quickly so we can continue on with immigration. We are trusting God in all this - even though at times it can be FRUSTRATING! Your continued prayers are appreciated!
With all that, I have managed to get a few things done this week (besides sitting and waiting, waiting and praying). I now have both birth certificates AND passports for the kids. I also have the court order for Kaysia and the detailed written ruling is supposed to be done today (although my experience is to not count on it). These documents are all necessary for the immigration process, so we are getting closer.
In it all, I am trying to stay focussed on God and I see Him and His power throughout the days. Kaysia and Zeke are really warming up and bonding with me! They RUN to greet me with a BIG hug (Zeke even knocked me off my feet this morning! :) ) every time I come to see them. Kaysia even gave me a kiss on the cheek this morning (I kiss her every time I see her, Zeke too)!! Praise God for the affection they are showing to me! They are also ALWAYS very excited to hear about mommy and the kids and want to see the picture I carry in my pocket every 5 minutes it seems. Last night, they asked to talk to mommy on the phone again (we did it the other day) and so today we will arrange a call. I just need to look into their faces and it takes all the frustration away and reminds me once again that this is all WORTH it! That's it for now. Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Blessings
Teach
Monday, November 9, 2009
More Prayers Needed!!
Well, today was a day of ups and downs, highs and lows. The judge did give me both rulings today at the same time, which was a blessing. She granted Kaysia's guardianship order and we are one step closer now to bringing her home! Thank you Jesus!! The written order should be ready and waiting tomorrow morning for pick up and then the detailed ruling by tomorrow evening.
However, the judge did not rule in our favour for the adoption order for Ezekiel. She dismissed the case on the grounds that we do not/did not meet the residency requirement in order to have an adoption order granted. She stated that she did not agree with the previous judges rulings that the residency requirement was unconstitutional.
After court, we (the lawyer and I) went back to her office and quickly got a new application together. This time for guardianship (which is what we did with Kaysia - its a long and complicated story that I will not get into here). This meant that I had to wake up Cher in the middle of the night and get her to print, sign, scan and email a new statutory declaration so we could submit our application right away (thanks honey! You did SO well for the middle of the night!!). We got everything ready in about an hour and then the application was sent to the registrar's office to register it for a hearing before the judge.
I found out tonight that the judge will see one of the lawyers tomorrow morning @ 8AM Ugandan time (10PM MST) so he can plead our case to have her see it quickly because she has already reviewed all the documents - the only thing different is the declarations from Cher and I. He told me he would phone me @ 9AM to let me know what she said and to be ready for court. Please pray that the judge sees our case TOMORROW and that the ruling comes ASAP (like tomorrow also) so that we are not held up by this little (big) bump in the road. We really need things to move quickly because our family is separated and I miss them and they miss and need me and Kaysia and Zeke need to be home!! Thank you for your prayers to this point, they really do mean SO much!!
I know God has this all under control and there is a reason we did not get two different types of rulings. I have a feeling that it would have complicated immigration or something else along the way and God was just protecting us from that. He knows best, whatever the reason, and we are trusting Him to continue to take care of ALL the details! He wants these kids home too and will make sure it happens the way He has planned. I will keep you posted on any new developments when I can.
Prayerfully,
Teach
However, the judge did not rule in our favour for the adoption order for Ezekiel. She dismissed the case on the grounds that we do not/did not meet the residency requirement in order to have an adoption order granted. She stated that she did not agree with the previous judges rulings that the residency requirement was unconstitutional.
After court, we (the lawyer and I) went back to her office and quickly got a new application together. This time for guardianship (which is what we did with Kaysia - its a long and complicated story that I will not get into here). This meant that I had to wake up Cher in the middle of the night and get her to print, sign, scan and email a new statutory declaration so we could submit our application right away (thanks honey! You did SO well for the middle of the night!!). We got everything ready in about an hour and then the application was sent to the registrar's office to register it for a hearing before the judge.
I found out tonight that the judge will see one of the lawyers tomorrow morning @ 8AM Ugandan time (10PM MST) so he can plead our case to have her see it quickly because she has already reviewed all the documents - the only thing different is the declarations from Cher and I. He told me he would phone me @ 9AM to let me know what she said and to be ready for court. Please pray that the judge sees our case TOMORROW and that the ruling comes ASAP (like tomorrow also) so that we are not held up by this little (big) bump in the road. We really need things to move quickly because our family is separated and I miss them and they miss and need me and Kaysia and Zeke need to be home!! Thank you for your prayers to this point, they really do mean SO much!!
I know God has this all under control and there is a reason we did not get two different types of rulings. I have a feeling that it would have complicated immigration or something else along the way and God was just protecting us from that. He knows best, whatever the reason, and we are trusting Him to continue to take care of ALL the details! He wants these kids home too and will make sure it happens the way He has planned. I will keep you posted on any new developments when I can.
Prayerfully,
Teach
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Please Pray!
I'm not sure how many will read this before the actual time, but i wanted to post it anyway. Please pray for mountains to move today. In a couple of hours I go before the judge to receive my first of 2 rulings and then later in the day I go again for the second ruling. My ultimate prayer is that I will get both rulings at the same time, that they will both be positive (one ruling especially will be a precedent setting case here in Uganda). I am praying that I will get EVERYTHING today - verbal ruling, written ruling, detailed ruling and all seals so that I can continue on with immigration.
During the day, if I get the rulings, I also have A LOT to do - like get passports, Ezekiel's birth certificate and other appointments to make. Please just pray - whatever God puts on your heart - for our family today! Thank you SO much!
Teach
During the day, if I get the rulings, I also have A LOT to do - like get passports, Ezekiel's birth certificate and other appointments to make. Please just pray - whatever God puts on your heart - for our family today! Thank you SO much!
Teach
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Music Time and More!
Today was a good day again. I got to spend a bit more time with the kids in school today. I have been trying to make a point of taking Kaysia and Ezekiel to school after getting them dressed in the morning. Then I stick around a bit to help the teachers get the shoes on all the kids and play with them for a bit. I am facinated by how well 1 1/2 to 3 + yr. old kids can remember which pair of shoes are theirs. Not only that, but the majority can also tell you who the rest of the shoes belong to! AMAZING!
Every Thursday a volunteer group comes in and does music with the kids. It was a TON of fun! Most of the kids have VERY good rhythm, unlike this rhythmless Canadian :). They clap, step and sing to the beat quite well! Here are some pics of the whole thing:
This afternoon I was also able to get a couple steps closer to having the documents need for immigration. The passports are ready and waiting for our ruling (Monday!) and now that I have given them the correct birth date for Ezekiel, I will get his birth certificate tomorrow. I have Kaysia's already. So Passports - check, birth certificates - check 1, other check for tomorrow. Getting closer! Thank you Jesus! A blessed day to you all!
Teach
Every Thursday a volunteer group comes in and does music with the kids. It was a TON of fun! Most of the kids have VERY good rhythm, unlike this rhythmless Canadian :). They clap, step and sing to the beat quite well! Here are some pics of the whole thing:
This afternoon I was also able to get a couple steps closer to having the documents need for immigration. The passports are ready and waiting for our ruling (Monday!) and now that I have given them the correct birth date for Ezekiel, I will get his birth certificate tomorrow. I have Kaysia's already. So Passports - check, birth certificates - check 1, other check for tomorrow. Getting closer! Thank you Jesus! A blessed day to you all!
Teach
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
More Pics From Uganda...
I figured with Cheremi on her way back to Canada to be with our other kids and to prepare for Kaysia and Ezekiel, I should post some more pics. And since a picture says a thousand words, I'm doing pretty good tonight because I have 9 for you today. Enjoy!!
I bought some food ("Chaps and chips") for Cher the other day when I was out with a Ugandan friend and the kids were visiting when I brought it back (we do "medicine" vitamins each afternoon). Well, needless to say, they LOVED it. We barely had the take-out box open and they were grabbing and devouring! I was a mean dad and made them wait for me to get a plate for them. Every time Ezekiel thought I wasn't looking he would try to grab from Cher's plate also!! :) Chaps is like a ground beef meat patty with spices and some other ingredients in it, then it has a thin batter crust on the outside. It was pretty good. Oh and tomato sauce was a hit with the kids too!
Meet Camilla. She is a TINY little doll at the orphanage who is FAR too advanced for her size. I don't know much about her except that she is SUCH a sweetie! In this pic, I had just given her a mint Tic Tac. It was hilarious watching her face as she sucked on it!!
An older lady from Norway had brought "new" shoes for the big kids class at the Sanyu. It was SO cool to be a part of helping the kids find new shoes that fit them - and some even wanted shoes that didn't even come CLOSE to fitting, but boy were they HAPPY!! The lady in the pic is teacher Lydia, she really truly cares for ALL the kids and is an AMAZING lady!!
Here are Ezekiel and Kaysia finding their "new" shoes. Zeke INSISTED on pink shoes (not shown), but they were the only ones that fit his BIG feet. Kaysia got some pink sandals that looked quite cute.
Kaysia was FASCINATED with the camera yesterday, so I helped her take a few pics. Here's a nice one of Cher and I under the hut at Sanyu...
And the two of us together...
Ezekiel was not quite as thrilled with the camera yesterday, as you can see from the expression on his face, but afterward he wanted to take more.
Well that's it for now. Another look at what's going on on this side of the globe. Thanks for checking in on us. Please keep praying for next Monday (Nov 9th) and our rulings and following that, for immigration! Pray also for Cheremi and I who are now apart - she, caring for and looking after our kids at home and I, caring for our kids in Uganda and looking after the adoption details. Thank you SO much! It means A LOT to us!!
Teach
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Continue praying...
Well, things are moving at a typical Ugandan speed here, and for anyone who hasn't been here, that seems to be SLOW. We have, however, seen God speed things up for a few friends along the way this past week. We are praying that He do the same for us.
He moved mountains when Justin and Shauna got their verbal ruling, written ruling and seal done in one day. He moved mountains when Lovelyn got her verbal ruling, written ruling, & detailed ruling in one day.
November 9th is coming and we are praying that He move mountains for us to receive our verbal ruling, written ruling, detailed ruling and seals all in one day. We are praying that He move mountains to get ALL our documents sent to Nairobi by Wednesday, the 11th. We are praying that He move mountains that we get our letter from the AB government in 1 day and that they send it to Nairobi immediately. We are praying that He move mountains for us to get our VISA in less then 2 weeks! We are praying that He move mountains for Cher to catch a connection in 55 mins in London tomorrow so she doesn't have a 24 hr layover. We know He CAN do ANYTHING and are asking for mountains to MOVE in the next week and beyond on our behalf. Please join us in praying!
Thank you for ALL your AMAZING support so far and in the future! Blessings,
Teach
He moved mountains when Justin and Shauna got their verbal ruling, written ruling and seal done in one day. He moved mountains when Lovelyn got her verbal ruling, written ruling, & detailed ruling in one day.
November 9th is coming and we are praying that He move mountains for us to receive our verbal ruling, written ruling, detailed ruling and seals all in one day. We are praying that He move mountains to get ALL our documents sent to Nairobi by Wednesday, the 11th. We are praying that He move mountains that we get our letter from the AB government in 1 day and that they send it to Nairobi immediately. We are praying that He move mountains for us to get our VISA in less then 2 weeks! We are praying that He move mountains for Cher to catch a connection in 55 mins in London tomorrow so she doesn't have a 24 hr layover. We know He CAN do ANYTHING and are asking for mountains to MOVE in the next week and beyond on our behalf. Please join us in praying!
Thank you for ALL your AMAZING support so far and in the future! Blessings,
Teach
Sunday, November 1, 2009
For Sale...
I mentioned in the last post that yesterday we were able to get some jewelry and other things from women in Uganda that they sell as a means of income. We have bought some stuff and are offering it for sale to you - our friends and family. Like I said earlier, it is a way to support these women, help us in a small way raise funds for our adoption and also share in a piece of Uganda. Below are pictures of the various items we have for sale. These are all hand made and will be available when Cheremi gets home later this week. If you want us to hold something for you, let us know and if there are more requests then items we have, I (James) can get more from the ladies. Prices are listed:
Medium hand bag (doll to show size) - $10
Christmas stars (hand made by a mamma at the orphanage, she has 5 children and 2 grandchildren she is caring for and trying to pay for school fees) - $2 each (color variety shown)
Small paper bead necklace, standard length - $8
Close-up of small beads
Large paper bead necklace, standard length - $10
Close-up of large beads
Small paper bead necklace, long length - $12
Close-up
Multi paper bead necklace (small & large), standard length - $10
Close-up
Large hand bag - $15
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