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
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