Thankful, home, new blog post!

I have really struggled with the title of this blog, even as I'm typing this, I haven't chosen a name!  Is it something like "thankful" since I'm home for Thanksgiving?  But that makes it sound like I'm thankful to be home (which I am, but that's not my focus).  Or is it "A week home?"  Because I've been home for a week?  I don't know, so this might be titled BAGAN (Blog aint got a name...as opposed to Post aint got a name...good thing I figured that one out!)
I've been home a week, and I've got a lot of things to be thankful for, but probably not what you would expect.
Of course I'm thankful for the normal things, I always have been!
-clean water, that comes from my tap
-hot showers (okay, that one's new!)
-health care
-not having to worry about being bitten by a mosquito that is going to give me malaria
-Food.  Especially nourishing food
-shelter
-clothes
- a bed.  Although, I realize how spoiled I am now...I love my bed!  Next time I want a new one, I'm just going to go away for a few months, because I will appreciate it when I get back!  (And, because now you are thinking that I was sleeping on a bad bed, I was not.  It was a good bed!  It's just always nice to be home in your own bed....that a lizard doesn't poop on)

Anyways, the list can go on and on.  I'm thankful for many things.
But this year, I'm thankful for my last 2 months.
I'm thankful that God put me with 3 people that I could be comfortable with, be myself with (my REAL self), share with, admire, listen to, and learn from.  I laughed harder in the last 2 months than I have in a long time!  I'm telling stories of people who were there for a short time...and were all "most" appreciated or got rabies...and people who were there for my entire time!  Each person impacted my life in a different way.  I learned from everyone I was around, and it was incredible!
I'm thankful that my time was just not living a dream, but it was a true sabbatical!  I feel rested, reenergized, and ready to go!  I feel validated in some of my decisions, or how I handle certain situations, I feel encouraged, I feel thankful!
God did a great thing (of course He did!) by sending me to the Village of Hope!
I was prepared to return home with a longing to go back.  I've been struggling with that longing for 13 years, and as I got home this time, I realized that I feel like it has been fulfilled.  I feel at peace!  For the first time in 13 years, I feel at peace!
Now, don't get me wrong, I still want to go back, and I'm sure I will be talking about getting a team together before you know it, but it's going back in a different way.
Right now, I don't know what the future holds, but I know I'm in it for the ride!  If God calls me back full time, I'm ready to go!  If He doesn't, I will stay!  I'm just happy to be living in the peace of God right now.  And for that, I am thankful!
I'm thankful that I can look at pictures from my time at VOH and not cry.  Yes, I miss the kids, but I realized that before I left, so I took every opportunity that I could to hug on them.  I didn't miss a chance.  And, I hope that I will see them again someday!  I would love to return, and to watch them grow!  And if I start saving now, that could happen!
I am thankful for so many things!  But mostly, I am thankful that God sent me to VOH for 2 months.  2 months that weren't at all what I thought they would be, and ended up being so much more!  God really knows what He's doing when we let Him be in charge!

And with that, I'm home!  It is one week today,  I'm still fighting jet lag, still catching up and will hit the ground running on Tuesday when I return to work.  (I kind of did this week with the retreat and session, but I still went to bed early and took naps!)  I'm looking forward to spending the day with my family, and going bowling tonight!  Sunday I am preaching and having a Bead party/tell you all about my time in Uganda party at my house (Contact me for more information).

Today I am thankful for...
friends and family who have been driving me around this week, since I didn't feel safe on the road (and rightly so, since I couldn't figure out how to get out of the car!)
an incredible church family to return to
being able to spend time with my family, and my sweet nephews who welcomed me home!
A week of sunshine, because we know that usually doesn't happen in November, and it has made the transition much easier!
That you are willing to read this blog that jumps around a bunch, and has random thoughts, especially since I'm not fully awake right now
And so much more!

I'm thankful for many things!  But mostly for a God who knows my needs better than I do, and takes care of me!

Now for some pictures...

I'm thankful that I can look at this picture and laugh, not cry!  This is one of my favorite pictures!  Daisy, Faith, Aber, Esther, Remi, Brenda, Faith, and Trinity (who is holding a grasshopper)

 Welcome home from the boys!  Will even drew animals that I had talked about!  (look closely for the cobra!)

I'm thankful that this was mashed potatoes and not posho.  Although, to be honest, the posho was better than these mashed potatoes were!  And to be completely honest, I still like posho!

I'm thankful to come home to this incredible group at CPYA!  I love them and had missed them!  (also missed those who weren't able to make it to CPYA, but I hope you know that!)

I'm thankful to come home to a dog who doesn't growl at me (just kidding! I miss Tiger!)  I am also thankful that she was only like this for  a day!

I'm thankful for such an adorable nephew who comes up with new ideas for beads!  There you go, Janelle!  Here's a new idea!  "Look I'm a bug!"

I'm thankful for parents who love me and surprise me with "welcome home" flowers!

I'm thankful for a sister who loves me so much that she takes advantage of "the girl who is already having crazy dreams due to the Malaria meds" and hides my biggest fear IN my bed!  I slept with it by my head for 3 nights!  Three nights that it could have come out and killed me in my sleep!

Thanks.

And lastly, I'm thankful that Daisy warmed up to me within a few days!

I hope to see you all on Sunday...well, those of you who are in the area!

PS I am thankful for so many more things, and to so many more people who took care of things while I was gone, and who made this trip possible.  I can't thank you all enough!  I feel loved, supported, covered in prayer, and grateful!  

Sabbatical Sunday

Today is my last Sunday here in Uganda (at least for this time).  The kids are in assembly right now, so I thought it would be a good time to update. 
My time here has gone by so quickly, and as sad as I think I should be about leaving, I'm not yet.  It just hasn't hit me yet.  I don't feel like this is the end.  I still have 3 days, so I am focused on that.
Today in church I said a quick goodbye.  Not worded as well as I would have liked it to be, but those I am close to, I have been able to talk to privately and/or write letters.  I really don't feel like I'm in my final days, or that I will be home in Oregon this week!  The other night was windy, rainy, stormy and when I looked at the temperature, it was still 75 degrees and I was layered in pants, a short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, and two sweatshirts (Thanks to Wendy and Randy!)
How am I going to survive next week?!?!
I have truly loved my time here, and have learned and grown so much!  I have gotten back to my roots, and been reminded of my love for Jesus and of His call in my life.  Not only has this been a great experience, but it has been the most wonderful sabbatical!  I feel refreshed, joy filled, and excited for what the future may hold.  I still have no clue about my future, but I feel at peace, and that's the best it has been in a long time!
Today in church, as I listened to the beautiful blend of voices, I was amazed by many reflections I had.
I loved watching people walk in, and knowing their names, their stories, or at least their faces!  My first Sunday here, I didn't know anyone but the Muzungus and a few boys that would play ludo with me on my ipad.  I didn't know the songs, and I felt nervous about what was ahead.  Today, I sang along, I knew the songs (or at least a few of them), and I felt comfortable in worship.  It was a wonderful thing.
The greatest thing that I realized was that as I listened to the singing, I was not emotional.  Usually when I hear Africans sing, my emotions get all worked up, and I feel a tug on my heart strings.  I realized today that I usually felt that way because I wanted to return to Africa!  I knew that I wanted to spend time in Africa someday.  My emotions have not been worked up, because I am here!  I'm not struggling with a call, or begging God to let me return, I am here!  I am worshipping God in an open church in the Kiryandongo District, in Uganda, Africa!  I am here!  I am not longing to be here, I am here!  Living up every moment that I can.  Hugging children, listening to singing and laughter, playing games...I am here!
And that is an incredible thing!
I will continue to be here and enjoy every moment!  I still have 3 days to make the most of this opportunity.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, for reading my blog, for praying for me, and for loving these kids as much as I do!
I can't wait to share my stories and pictures, and will do so when I return home.
I have 2 full days left to work and spend time with kids.  Please pray that everything works out and I am able to spend these last moments loving on children!
Thank you!
The assembly is over, so I'm going to go play Ludo!

I'm having a Bead Party! (Sung to the tune of "Me Party" from the new Muppet Movie)

I came to Village of Hope not knowing what I would be doing.  People kept asking, "What are you going to be doing there?" and I would just have to answer "I don't know!"
Well, God knows me best, knows my passion, knows my heart, and also knows that I might not be interested in something until I am exposed to it.  That's pretty much what happened!  If you would have asked me if I would want to work with beads, I probably would have said no.  But somehow, I ended up in the bead room and it ended up being one of my favorite places to be!  Whenever I don't have a plan for the day, I can count on going to beads and helping out there!
Granted, this has had some downfalls too, like the fact that I want to buy everything in the store...and somewhat feel like I have, but it is so neat when you know the stories of who is making the beads, when you see the kids putting their heart and souls into it, and when conversations happen around bead making, as well as relationships being built.  I think that's why it's one of my favorite places to be.
As the last person to leave before the holidays, I am taking home many things for the staff here to mail for them.  I am also taking home a bunch of bead stuff, jewelry and crosses and what not.  I will be sending the beads to Janet to put on the website and to sell at bazaars and fairs in time for holiday gifts.  Before I send this package on, I have been given the okay to have a bead party of my own.  I am VERY excited about this!!!  It will be a way that I can continue to help VOH from stateside, and also share my stories.  Sunday, December 1, I will be preaching in the morning, and then if you are interested in supporting VOH and buying beads of hope, I will be having a party at my house from 3-5pm.  There will be snacks, conversation, pictures, and beads!  If you have any questions about my time here, join us for the party and I will answer it all!  It will be a great way to see everyone as I return, and also a lot of people have been asking me about beads or ordering them online, so this will be your chance to see them in person!
Don't feel obligated to buy anything, just come, join me, hang out, and let me share my experiences!  I hope you can make it!
For all of my non Oregon readers, you can also buy beads of hope on the VOH website, www.villageofhopeuganda.com

I am officially into my last week here!  Today, as I took my malaria medications and crossed the day off of my "Malaria Calendar" I just couldn't believe that it is already Thursday!  A week from right now, I will be on my way home.  I will actually be in Brussels for my first layover.  I just can't believe it!  Time has gone so quickly, and my time here has been so wonderful and refreshing!  The kids are starting to realize that I'm leaving soon, and are sad, which makes me sad, but I'm focusing on the week that I have left!  I can be sad on the plane!  For now, I am going to enjoy every moment, get all of my hugs in, appreciate the stars and the land, and pray about when I will be back!
There is a calendar on the office wall, and this month's picture is Haystack Rock.  It's taunting me, saying, "You're coming home soon!"  But not yet!  There is still much work to be done!  Many smiles to enjoy, and laughs to listen to!

ABC's

Today I want to share with you the ABC's, or the highlights of my weekend!

A.  Answered prayers!  I woke up Saturday morning to an email from a dear friend of mine wanting to sponsor a child!  This child had been wanting a sponsor so badly, and we had just been talking about her, so it was such a surprise and a blessing to wake up to that email!  Praise the Lord!  Another child is sponsored!

B.  Bweyale.  Saturday Mike, Janelle, Donna, and I went to Bweyale for the day.  It was a fun day filled with shopping at the market, a headpan of pork, great conversation, and crazy muzungus running around the market in the pouring down rain!  Great memories and a great experience!

C.  Cobras.  Saturday night at dinner, Mike had his feet on Pepper the dog, and was joking about how this was just an invitation to have something run up your leg.  The next time he looked down, there was a cobra at his feet!  I got up and ran, but was amazed to watch him as he calmly stood up, and crushed the snakes head with his chair, killing it!  It was amazing!  Luckily for us, the it was cold out, and the cobra had just eaten a lizard, so the combo made the snake lethargic.  PTL!

It was a fun weekend!  I also got to be a part of the P7 graduation and send them a greeting as a sponsor from the US, reminding them that a whole bunch of people around the world send their love and are praying for them!

Our internet is down, so I am using the office computer, which means that I can't add pictures, but I will add them when I get home!

Also, if you are interested, I will be speaking at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 1.  The service begins at 10:00am.  I will be sharing about my experience.  Hope to see you there!

2 Weeks in Africa

Have you heard the song "Two weeks in Africa" by Caedmon's call?  It is one of my life songs.  It came out 7 years after I returned from my first trip to Africa, and hit so close to home.

Tomorrow begins my final 2 weeks.

I can't believe that this 2 months has gone so quickly!  As I think about "2 weeks left" the song, "Two weeks in Africa" keeps running through my head.  Numerous teams have come and gone that were here for 2 weeks.  I am so honored, and have been so blessed to work with each hand every team, and to also learn from each and every team.  I see the impact they made in 2 weeks, and I am committed to make this my best 2 weeks yet!  So much can be done in such a short amount of time.  I am so lucky to have been able to be here 2 months, and still can't believe it!  My time may be winding down, but I'm not done yet!  My plane doesn't leave for another 2 weeks and 3 hours, so I am going to make the best of every opportunity until then!

I have loved the variety of projects that I have gotten to do here!  I have loved teaching, playing with the children, making funny sounds at them, playing games, sorting beads, learning how to make beads, counting beads, I am surprised by how much I have loved working with the beads!  It's my favorite job!  My other favorite job has been counting money for payroll.  Who knew I loved to count so much?

So many wonderful jobs that I have had, I can't even count them all.  But again, the greatest blessing is who I have been working with and working for.  This is an incredible experience, and I can't wait to see what the next 2 weeks brings!

I love these kids!  They make my heart so happy!

This has been a great sabbatical!  I am refreshed and ready to see what lies ahead for the HPC youth!  I believe that blessings are coming, and that God is going to move in our group greatly!  Please pray for our youth group as I return and we move forward together.

I am going to miss many things about being here!  My favorite time of day is probably dinnertime.  Not because I'm always thinking about food, but because after dinner we just sit out and talk for hours under the stars.  I love that!  I love this team that I am blessed to work with!  

Even tonight, we laughed so hard, the sky was clear and beautiful, and we had wonderful conversation.  Then on my way back to the hut, as I was enjoying listening to the drums and singing of the staff worshipping across the village, I saw a shooting star.  Incredible!

There are so many things I love about being here, and I am definitely feeling blessed today!  I am blessed by the children, by the staff, and mostly by God!  I am thankful!

As I finish out these next few weeks, I have a few prayer requests:

1.  That I will continue to build these relationships, that God will shine through my conversations, and that I can help wherever is needed.

2.  For my health.  I am feeling great lately, but I also remember the reality of jet lag.  As soon as I get home, I jump into a youth retreat.  Please pray that I get plenty of rest as I travel, and that God will keep me healthy!  Pray for that retreat, that I will have energy and health throughout it.  Also pray that I continue to be healthy so that I can fully enjoy and invest in these last weeks.

3.  Pray that the next 2 weeks will not be about goodbyes, but about being here now!

4.  Continue to pray for the children and staff at the village.  Pray for the children who are not sponsored, that they will be sponsored, that God will continue to provide for them, and that they can feel the love of God, the staff, and hopefully of a sponsor soon.

5.  Please pray for the village and community.  There seem to be a lot of cases of malaria and pneumonia lately, pray for healing for these people.

Thank you for your prayers!

Now, for some of my favorite moments...

Every day we walk to Mile 8

Today we made signs to encourage the P7 candidates on their way to their exams.  Unfortunately, they left early today, so we didn't get to see them, but it was still fun to make the signs!

The kids picking berries off of the tree outside of my hut.  If you look closely, you can see that there are actually kids IN the tree!

We played "take 2" after church on Sunday.  So much fun!

The kids here play hard!  They are very good at football.  Another great thing that your sponsorship provides is a medical clinic.  These boys are taking their friend to the clinic after an injury in the game.

"Two Weeks in Africa"

By Caedmon's Call

Johannesburg to Capetown,

the plane had barely touched down.

She was taking photos for the friends back home.

This was always where she felt her heart belonged.

She was finally here,

the sky was bright and clear.

(Two weeks....)

And we all can feel the calling,

(Two weeks....)

to make the world a little smaller.

And so a girl got on a plane,

for two weeks in Africa.

Johannesburg to Houston,

she came home on a mountain.

But school was starting, things kept moving on.

Before you knew it, seven years had gone.

She found a picture of her,

standing, smiling,

arms around the starving kids.

She swore not to forget,

she swore not to forget...

(Two weeks....)

And we all can feel the calling,

(Two weeks....)

to make the world a little smaller.

And so a girl got on a plane,

for two weeks in Africa.

And if we follow our dear sun

to where the stars are not familiar.

Faces turn to numbers,

numbers fall like manna from the sky.

Why, oh why?

Oh Father, why?

One village in Malawi now has water running pure and clean.

One church alive in Kenya's full of truth and love and medicine.

We put the walls up, but Jesus keeps them standing.

He doesn't need us, but He lets us put our hands in.

So we can see, His love is bigger than you and me.

(Two weeks....)

And we all can feel the calling,

(Two weeks....)

to make the world a little smaller.

And so a girl got on a plane,

for two weeks in Africa.

Life in the village

I love living in the village because of how everyone encourages and supports one another!  As a village, the kids study, eat, play, sleep, worship, laugh, worry, cry, share joy together, and so much more!  This weekend has shown me so much of that in different ways!

Our P7 students are starting their final exams today.  This is a big deal for them, they are called candidates, and this allows them to graduate in to the secondary school.  As I watch them study and prepare, I can't think of a time in my life where I have worried so much about an exam.  I can remember writing papers, but not such an important exam.  Yesterday in church we prayed for these students.  These students have been encouraged by Mama Cindy, staff members, and a recent visitor, Cyrus.  If you think about it, please pray for these kids.

Today, while Donna, Janelle, and I were on our walk, we got to send off the P7 class, who walks to Mile 8 (the town here) to take their exams.  It was such an exciting moment to greet them, encourage them, and remind them that we are praying for them.  42 incredible children, ready to move on to the next step in life.

Another exciting thing that happened yesterday was getting to observe the Hybrid Solar Eclipse with the village!  Everyone was out with mirrors, water basins, welders goggles, film, anything we could use to witness the eclipse.  It is so fun to see the delight in the children's faces, and also staff faces, as we all experience this together!  What a great moment!

What an incredible place we live in!  I am so blessed by my time here, and by the people around me.  I am thankful for you all who have supported me financially and prayerfully so that I could be here to experience this.

It's been an interesting week of reflection, as I wonder...why am I so lucky?  I am so fortunate to be the body sent by so many to come and love on these kids.  I am amazed at all of you at home, and how you have played such a part in this, by sending letters, encouragement, prayer, so many bits of love that I get to bring to this village.  It's all because of you, and I am thankful!

I still don't know what God is doing in my life, or what I am learning, but I do know that I have been sent here for a purpose.  That purpose is still not clear to me, but it is becoming more clear by how I see others impacted by my time here.  God is doing something great, and I am thankful to be a part of it!

Now for some more pictures...

Elijah climbing the tree outside of my hut to get to the best berries

Watching the Red Rover game with Faith and Daisy.  This is right before Pepper (the world's sweetest dog) decided to come and lay down by us, causing the girls to scream and cry in fear.  Poor girls, poor Pepper!  Elijah and Cosmos saved the day by moving Pepper.

Everyone out to watch the Eclipse

Janelle trying the upside down binocular trick

I managed to get a good reflection with my camera

Me and Cosmos comparing hands

Even the shadows on the hut were crescent moons

I love my life!

There's a storm brewing outside right now, which is perfect timing for me to come inside and say, "I love my life!!!"

Have you ever had one of those days?  I have a lot of those days, and today was one of them!

Today was the perfect Saturday, filled with playing and conversations with kids.  I am so blessed!

Not only that, but I am blessed because of who I get to work with.  God knew what He was doing when He sent me here!  I get along with the staff so well and really enjoy their company!  It couldn't be a better fit, it just worked out perfectly!  I am counting my blessings day by day!

I can't believe that I only have 2 and a half weeks left here.  I am going to be so sad to leave, but I'm trying to make the best of it while I am here.  Although, to be honest...I am looking forward to coming home to fresh baked cookies!  ...hint, hint, hint Mom and anyone who feels led to bake me cookies!  :)

Today was one of those days that even the posho had a new taste and was delicious!  I went back for seconds!  Actually, truth be told, since they farmed our maize and made our own posho, it has been AMAZING!!!  It's so good and fresh!

Anyways, what is with me and food?  I wanted to write about my awesome day!

The kids were back around today and it was awesome!  It was so much fun to fill my hut with little smiling faces!  Nothing could be better!

I had this great blog idea worked up earlier today, but now that I'm sitting here, I can't put it into words.  It's just been a day of blessings, where you see what God is doing in the lives of the children, in the lives of the staff, and all over the Village of Hope.  I am amazed!

One of the highlights of today was watching the kids play "Red Rover," especially since we're not allowed to play it in the US anymore!  I love listening to the children's laughter!  So much was going on today!  A football game, Red Rover, and groups of kids hanging out and studying.  The P7 class has their final exams on Monday and Tuesday.  This is a big deal for them, so please keep them in your prayers!

I've had a lot of thinking time lately, and it amazes me how God has been answering prayers even without me noticing!  My back is feeling great, my hand is much better, the kids are building relationships, the well is working, and so much more!  This is just one of those days where I end by saying "Praise The Lord!"

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!

Now for some pictures!

Our sweet little piglets are growing up!

The kids outside of my hut today, trying to knock down berries out of the tree

Red Rover

And todays child who needs a sponsor is Arbu Innocent.

She is one of the girls who came to my hut a few weeks ago, and now visits every Saturday.  She is a sweet girl, kind hearted, with one of the greatest smiles!

If you are interested in sponsoring her or any other children, go to villageofhopeuganda.com

If you need the BV number, contact me and I will get it for you.  I was hoping to have it for this blog, but the rain came and we all ran inside!

This is Gladys, Innocent, and Oliver watching the Red Rover game today.

This is from a few weeks ago.  Innocent is in the white