Ricky Lee Mosher June 21, 1955 to November 22, 2008

Friday, April 30, 2010

Dresses for Uganda

According to Pastor Bob’s website, “ladies in Uganda who wear pants, split skirts, or shorts are considered to be loose.” I expect this also means that these ladies are approached more often. To avoid hindrances to ministry, we’re advised to wear long skirts and tops or dresses.

Yahoo, I get to go shopping…again. Can you believe I don’t have any dresses? As a reminder of just how much I dislike shopping, review my previous post about the subject. I eventually had a great experience, though, and found Boots for Alaska…that I didn’t end up needing.

Salvation Army here I come. I figured four dresses for two weeks would be sufficient. I learned there are ladies that will launder my clothes for a very low price, which also gives them some badly needed income.

                             
 
What do you think? Not bad for $22.93, right?

“Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:23).

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Compassion International

Met with Compassion International a short time ago and learned more about the philosophy of that Christian ministry. They were founded in 1952 and exist as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. My own interpretation of their philosophy includes some of these ideas:
  • Impact the complex issues of poverty and the effects of poverty on children and their development. 
  • Fund the community to employ its workers. Short-term missionaries swoop in to “help” and don’t realize that the local people are in need of the employment the short-termers take away.  
  • Form long-term relationships. Short-term missionaries are transient and their ministry often cannot produce long-term positive effects.
  • Partner with the local church to reach families and children in the community. The local church has already begun a movement and may not need to be revamped to fit U.S. mental models. 
  • Serve with humility. Short-term missionaries believe they know more about the Gospel or have a more correct view of the Gospel. 
  • Develop meaningful, long-term relationships between sponsors and children. Short-term missionaries come for a week to play with the children, put on puppet shows, or perform street dramas and then leave having had no lasting, meaningful impact.
What surprised me most was the alignment this mission philosophy has with the book I recently read called Serving with Eyes Wide Open. Don’t misunderstand – there is a need for short-term mission work but having an informed understanding and approach to missions is essential when trying to have an impact for the Kingdom.

I trust God to direct my path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Change Me or Accept Me?

My Second Year purpose is to break down walls, build compassion, and show grace. The purpose has always had this dual audience: me and those I would serve through missions. Yet a close friend recently challenged me to think about whether or not my desired personal result should not be a changed me but instead a changed acceptance of who I am. Huh…love myself for who I am even with all these broken, ugly parts? Why is that idea so difficult to grasp? Why does it seem so impossible?

Do I want to change who I am as a result of fear? Fear of judgment? Fear of condemnation? Fear of rejection? Fear of being picked last? Do I want to change who I am so that I can be a better person? Be a better friend? Be more liked? Loved? Or do I want to change me to become more acceptable to Jesus? Yes, I can hear the flaw in all of my thinking.

How can I accept who I am, get comfortable in my own skin? How do I love Jesus more so I can love other people more? How do I get comfortable with the idea that there is no change in me that will make me more acceptable to Jesus? How do I love me because Jesus loves me even when other people don’t?

It seems to me that changing me and accepting who I am as I am are synergistic goals. Are they even achievable goals? Here I am back at measuring something, setting performance standards.

Wow, friends… I love being challenged to think differently, to change my paradigm, to see through a different lens. It’s not always easy though.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Book Review: A Distant Grief

A Distant Grief is the story of Kefa Sempangi who founded and pastored a 14,000-member church in Uganda. He described in firsthand detail the suffering and persecution of Christians during the 1970s and 1980s at the hands of Idi Amin. In addition to the post about confessing your faults to one another, a number of other lessons stood out as important for me.

First, Sempgani was able to identify with the people of Uganda because of his own poverty but when the people elevated him to a position of power he was no longer able to identify with their suffering (p. 24).

Second, an observer told Sempangi that “You pray to indulge your own desires. You center on your needs or the needs of the brethren, but you do not center on Christ.” Along with his brothers and sisters in Christ, Sempgani determined to “…make Christ the beginning and the end of all [their] expectations. [They] determined to have no hope except that which was derived from Scripture. [They] learned that prayer was not a platform for self-expression but a self-emptying process” (p. 44).

Third, a brother from the church warned: “Brothers and sisters, I fear there is too much brokenness here [referring to authentic repentance]. We are walking too much in the light. We must remember that the devil will not stand for this.” He was silent for a moment. Then he trembled, and he spoke these works, “It is a frightening thing to be a child of God” (p. 45).

I could list pages and pages of amazing words of wisdom and stories from Ugandan history, but instead I’d like to challenge you to read the book for yourself. I am told that I may have the opportunity to meet Dr. Rev. Sempangi and pray that I find the right words to bless him for sharing his testimony.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Uganda Life Expectancy

Today the Ugandan life expectancy is 52 years (78 in the U.S.) but as peace time continues this age might increase. A number of factors, other than the prevalence of AIDS, determine life expectancy such as access to medical care, life risks (smoking, alcohol, etc.), body mass, and access to healthy foods.

Just for kicks I calculated my life expectancy using the death clock. I will die on Thursday, September 10, 2048 at the age of 79. No thanks. According to this same clock Rick should have lived until Thursday, January 19, 2023. Huh, guess it’s off a little.

According to the calculations of financial planners, I should live to be 89 years old. Again, no thanks. They said that my weight and personality type were two of the biggest factors prohibiting a longer life and that my age is a positive factor…how can a certain age be a positive factor for having a longer life? None of these factors are compelling enough to change so that I live beyond 89, as a matter of fact I might just start on the fried chicken again.

According to the calculations of life insurance companies, I should live till I’m 90. Seems like the financial planners and insurance companies have ulterior motives. I tried to do a life expectancy calculator for Boston Apartments but the end button didn’t work. Apparently life expectancy is important when renting apartments in Boston.

All joking aside, a life expectancy of 52 years in Uganda would be expected to limit wisdom based on life experience, hinder motivation to excel in school, or derail efforts to effect major change in the country. I wonder about the reality of the affects of short life expectancy in Uganda.

“The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Reform, Rely, Renew

The decline of the kings comes after David’s reign. Solomon fell away from God as did his son Rehoboam and his son Abijah. But after Abijah died, his son Asa became king of Judah and he realized that he had a choice to make. Would he follow in the ways of his father or would he do what was right in the eyes of the Lord?

2 Chronicles 14 tells the story of his choice to remove alters, smash stones, and cut down poles. He relied on God for help and he renewed his commitment to his laws and commands. Azariah, a prophet, called a blessing on Asa and Judah and said, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Every day I have to give up things that were once important to me (control, power, justice, being right, etc.) and refocus my heart on God. Every day I renew my vows to Him and ask for a heart that beats with His heart. Every day I feel like I fail…miserably. Why? What keeps me apart from Him?

Flesh Responses
• Does not have to be invited
• Shows up immediately
• Shouts

Spirit Responses
• Desires an invitation
• Comes over time
• Whispers

Why is it that I have to start every day over…from the beginning? Why is it so hard to move from flesh to Spirit? Why do I have to fail over and over again? Why? Why don’t I seem to “get it”? Am I the only one? Why is it so hard for me but not for other people? What is wrong with me? What will it take?

Thanks (I think) to Pastor Jeff at Ada Bible Church for providing my Saturday date-night with Jesus and for writing a sermon just for me even though this is only the second time in 10 years that I’ve attended this church. Thanks for telling me over and over again, “…be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Pray for Peace

We all know that change happens every day, but for some reason we’re never quite prepared when it comes. In very specific terms I can name a major negative event happening in the lives of at least a dozen friends and three people I encountered in an airport. These aren’t just little worries; they’re big problems. They’re consuming the minds and hearts of the people I love. Imagine multiplying my little circle of friends and their worries across our nation, across the world.

I don’t know how to name that inner turmoil, that stress that change brings. It feels cloudy, fearful, angry, sad, disappointed, uncertain, grey, and so much more…all mixed together. This prayer is for you.

Oh Holy Spirit, you are our wonderful comforter. Please bring peace, bring stillness, bring clarity and light. Let a calm wash over my friends and all the people who need you. Surprise them today with a hope they never expected to have given their circumstances. Paint a beautiful picture of their future right before their eyes. Open up the heavens and show them the beautiful tapestry into which you have woven their lives. Amen.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Uganda Population

According to the CIA World Factbook, the Uganda population includes 32 million people (as compared to 3.8 million people in Oregon); 1 million people (3.125%) are living with aids. The US population includes 307 million people; 1.2 million people (0.391%) are living with aids. I was tempted to think only 3% of the population of Uganda is living with AIDS, that’s not too bad. But I had to remind myself that this rate is 10 times higher than in the United States. In reality any people living with AIDS are too many people.

I found that Uganda has the second highest birth rate in the world (first highest is Niger) but that their median age is only 15 years (37 years in the US). What is happening to all those children born in Uganda? I suspect that the median age will shift upward as time passes given that the dictatorship of Idi Amin during the 1970s and 1980s was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ugandans and that they’re living in relative peace now.

“Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Uganda Geography

Uganda is located in Eastern Africa and is slightly smaller than the state of Oregon. The country borders Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania. How these countries, given their war-torn history, affect life in Uganda is something I look forward to learning more about.

According to The CIA World Factbook, Uganda has a tropical climate with two dry seasons – December to February and June to August (think malaria). Uganda is mostly plateau with a rim of mountains near Lake Edward. Mount Stanley (5,110 m elev.) is the highest point in Uganda – what a beautiful climb that would be (Alexandra Peak is to the left; Margherita Peak is to the right).

The natural resources in Uganda are copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, and gold. Current environmental issues include draining of wetlands for agricultural use, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, water hyacinth (flower) infestation in Lake Victoria, and widespread poaching.

I hope to learn more about how information from June Arunga’s The Devil’s Footpath pertains to Ugandan life today. The film is used in my Global Business course at Cornerstone to help students better understand life in other countries. Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Confess Your Faults to One Another

One of the founding fathers of the East African Revival Fellowship challenged Sempangi, author of A Distant Grief: The Real Story Behind the Martyrdom of Christians in Uganda, to see the confession of sin to others as the practice that brings brokenness and then grace. Here is my attempt at paraphrasing with efforts to maintain the powerful nature of the content (pp. 38-39):

Left to ourselves, we’ll never confess to one another. However, allowing grace to enter in through confession pushes pride into a corner. The power of the Holy Spirit moves when repentance is made through confession. “When there is repentance, pride gives way and in its place is conviction and confession, and then forgiveness.” Remember James 5:16, “Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.” Mongo (a Fellowship leader) went on to say that, “It is not the man who has the correct exegesis of the verse who knows its truth. It is the man who confesses his sin to his neighbor.”

Walking in the light means a total sharing with our brother of our secrets. Mongo reminded Sempgani of Jesus’ words to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, a servant knows not the secrets of his lord but I have shared with you the secrets of my father.” Sharing our secrets brings total identification with one another, which forms a bond based on reciprocity. Consequently, gossip has no room because our confession is already in the light. Instead of gossip we make efforts to strengthen and defend one another.

Brokenness, even as Jesus was broken, means having no pride. Pride prevents confession and an absence of confession means an absence of forgiveness. “The broken one is he who is broken to heal a broken relationship. He is the one willing to ‘give in,’ who doesn’t find his identity in always being in the right.” Like the breaking of the five loaves and the two fishes, we must surrender our will to be broken so that God will use us, so that we don’t only remain a “nice loaf of bread.” Unless we are broken we would be too proud to lose our life for sinners, too proud to give our lives away for imperfect people. We would wait for the perfect person or the perfect community and never find it. “We would end up like Judas, making only a partial commitment to the body of believers to whom I belonged and finding my identity in my rebellion from them.”

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Immunizations and Vaccinations

According to the Center for Disease Control, traveling to Uganda requires record of a number of standard immunizations along with some more unique immunizations like yellow fever, typhoid, and malaria. These vaccinations cannot typically be obtained at the doctor’s office because of low demand and short expiration dates. I made an appointment at the health department and went in search of my immunization records. Um wait…I don’t have any immunization records. According to the Center for Disease Control, adults without immunization records have to start all over. Oh yea!

Because no record exists for the standard immunizations, my health insurance covers most of those shots. Would you consider sponsoring the uninsured immunizations (Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Malaria)? Consider this the perfect opportunity to repay me for anything I’ve ever done to you that was mean.

• Health Dept Consultation Fee ($50) – Yes, I have to pay for them to tell me what the CDC website already reveals.
• Yellow Fever ($90). Side effects: fever, headache, muscle aches.
• Typhoid ($42). Side effects: nausea, vomiting, skin rash, abdominal pain.
• Malaria ($180 est.). Side effects: cough, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, mouth sores, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, weakness (and this was the choice that didn’t have vivid hallucinations as a common side effect).
• Six month boosters (Hep A $37, Hep B $44, IPV $39). Side effects: Fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, sore throat, dizziness, drowsiness, body aches.

Yahoo, how fun. The good news is that after all these shots I can travel almost anywhere relatively safe from major illnesses.

Appointment #1 (January 21): 4 shots (Hep B, Hep A, IPV, MMR)
Appointment #2 (February 4): 1 shot (H1N1), 4 oral (Typhoid)
Appointment #3 (February 22): 2 shots (Hep B, IPV)
Appointment #4 (February 23): 1 shot (Yellow Fever)
Appointment #5 (April 21): 1 shot (MMR)
Appointment #6 (Before June 8): Lots of oral (Malaria)
Appointment #7 (After June 21): 3 shots (Hep A, Hep B, IPV)

Yes – I am keeping track!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

From Alaska to My Second Year

You read about the amazing way God brought Alaska and My Second Year together. Rick and I had always dreamed of going to Alaska and had planned to visit together for our 20th wedding anniversary. Going to Alaska was a little like that one last thing that was left undone. Not quite a year after he died, I sought God’s will for my second year and realized that my bucket list dream of doing mission work would be fulfilled. As I reflect on the dual goals, I am even more confident that God wove these two loves together just for me.

I’m not sure how or when it happened, and I can only see this after having returned home, but at some point this trip became about me and my destiny in Christ and not about grief and loss. Do not misunderstand – I was keenly aware of the beauty that surrounded me and the absence of the one with whom I dreamed of experiencing it. But somewhere along the way – perhaps it was the wonderful people I was with, perhaps it was the focused mission work, perhaps it was knowing that there were parts of the trip that Rick would not have enjoyed (and giving myself permission to acknowledge that) – somewhere…the focus became being where God called me to be and doing what he called me to do.

I am so glad my God can do things like this…give me this almost tangible transformational moment deep in my spirit. I am so thankful for all of you who continue to encourage and support me as I clumsily figure out how to hear God’s voice more clearly and to live this new life more boldly.

“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Uganda Short-Term Mission Guide

ACTI’s president, Pastor Bob Hayes, is currently serving as associate pastor and mission coordinator in the Presbyterian denomination at a church in Panama City, FL. The church’s mission focus is on Uganda. He prepared a website that details what to expect and how to prepare for a mission trip in Uganda.

The site is amazing and comprehensive. Given that there are only eight weeks before departure, I’m focusing on some of the advance preparation needs such as the Trip Preparation Timeline, information about passports and visas, the packing tips checklist, and the benevolent gift list.

Prepare to hear more about various monetary and non-monetary needs related to this trip as we race toward the departure date. I won’t be able to do this without your support!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Whispers of His Presence

For a long time after Rick died I could vividly remember how his arms, his hands, his chest felt in that warm, all-enveloping, welcome-home hug. I could clearly hear his excited voice, so happy to see me…every day. I could remember how he smelled after he shaved that dimpled baby face. I could remember how that smooth face felt when he paused just so that I would wrap his soft cheeks in my hands and kiss him. I could hear echoes of his heavy breathing when he came in the door a long run. I could remember him walking up the stairs with tired legs headed toward the refrigerator. I could sense his presence in those routines, those wonderful monotonies of life. The memories were so vivid, so recent, that I could almost sense him.

Today I realized that I can only remember that I had these sensations…if I try hard. They’ve become echoes, whispers.

I’m not sure I like this change. Somehow it might mean that I loved him less. Somehow it might mean I don’t want him back. Yet, I know both accusations are lies from the enemy. Perhaps the fading of my memory is one way God softly closes one door while he opens others. Perhaps this gradual fading of one thing will bring a gradual lightening of another. This new realization is like another loss, but it brings expectancy too.

My God will act on my behalf if I wait for him (Isaiah 64:4).

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Traveling Companions

Typically a group of 20 or so people participate in this short-term trip to Uganda. Many of these people return regularly in their ongoing ministry to Ugandans in the areas of health and education, while Mercy Uganda focuses on women and children. They were all planning to participate in the June trip until they realized the flight costs were higher than normal because of the World Cup held in South Africa during that same period.

Laura was asked to go regardless so that she could maintain her contact with the Ugandans and I will be traveling with her. This mission will be a unique one in that she and I will be the only two people going. Once arriving in Uganda, we will join the ministry liaisons that live in Uganda full time. Henry is the health and medical liaison and Lauren is the ministry liaison.

I am excited about the opportunity to experience yet another approach to missions and ministry.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Mercy Uganda

I wrote about my second mission trip in the post called Mission Trip #2: Uganda. Mercy Uganda is a Christian, humanitarian ministry born from several trips to Uganda. Mercy Uganda was founded by Laura Knetzer and is governed by a board of directors. The ministry is “dedicated to working with women and children to address spiritual, physical, educational, and economic needs, thereby helping alleviate the causes of poverty and injustice, and providing hope and a future.”

Mercy Uganda began their journey through the Africa Christian Training Institute (ACTI), which has served Ugandan's through pastoral training and church planting since 1983. This sister ministry is responsible for arranging short-term mission trips to Uganda. ACTI’s mission includes: partnering with Ugandan churches, enabling evangelists to serve there, arranging for Christians to use their gifts there, encouraging career mission involvement there, and to encourage seeing God at work in Uganda. In summary, ACTI is interested in forming a bridge through which many Christians can become involved in Ugandan ministry.

When I think of the way these two ministries are working together I am reminded that, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give…And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Unending Alaska Mountains



I cannot come to Alaska and not notice that almost every place I go is covered in beautiful snow-capped mountains. While Denali is most well known, given that it’s the tallest mountain in the U.S., the Brooks Range and the Alaska Range are responsible for scope.

Something struck me about so many of the mountains I’ve seen on this trip. They seem to be topped with a glassy, unadulterated, sheet likely resulting from the warm sun melting the ice crystals and bonding them together. With undulating waves beneath its surface, the mountain tops look something akin to Crème brûlée – that fancy dessert where the server caramelizes the surface with a blow torch.

As I ponder the beauty of the mountains I see, this song comes to mind and feels rather appropriate to be included in my story:

Over the mountain and the sea
The river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free

I’m happy to be in the Truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your Love came down

Monday, April 5, 2010

Tetlin Blog Posting

As learned from reading Serving with Eyes Wide Open, there is no way to really get to know a group of people and their culture during a short-term mission trip. Sometimes the information provided in advance can be inaccurate or obsolete and sometimes direct observations can lack proper cultural context. Out of respect for the people in Tetlin, I will not post regarding my experiences and observations in this village. I have a deep respect for the people who so warmly welcomed us and want only healing and prosperity for them.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Sunday

I am unspeakably thankful that Jesus conquered death for me…for us. Because of his miraculous substitution, I will get to see my husband again and all of you will get to see the ones you love again too. Not only will we get to see the ones we know and love, we will all be in a perfected state so that any old sins, hurts, grudges, or other pains will not exist. We can be in perfect relationship with one another.

I don’t really know what it will be like when we arrive in heaven, but I imagine it to be like a race with all our friends and family who have gone before us just waiting to welcome us to the finish line. Jesus stands with his arms spread wide…waiting to welcome us home as if we are a reward for his suffering. Really? Are we Jesus’ reward for his death?

Angel's Rest

There are lots and lots more musings from the mission trip but wanted to insert this post given the special day. Read on…

I allocated a few days for vacation following two weeks of very busy, physically challenging, emotionally draining work. A beautiful, mountain-filled drive from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula netted me the rocking chair I’m seated in right now. With my feet up on the middle of three windowsills that front the cabin, I’m watching something bob up and down in the waters of the bay…an otter lays on his back and kicks his feet to propel himself through the water. Every now and then he turns to check his position. A flock of small mallard duck butts can be seen in the retreating waters no doubt searching for their evening meal. A bald eagle just passed by, white head stark against the dark waters. Nothing gripped in his sharp talons…yet.

From this window-fronted, one-room cabin I can see the tide come and go. It takes a while but the slimy green plants left in its retreat confirm the change. The waters ripple toward shore regardless of the tidal direction. The snowy mountains across the bay remind me that it’s still winter up there, but the lush bunches of green firs at the bottom hint of spring.

I rented one of three cabins from “Angel’s Rest.” The specific cabin I’m in is called “Cloud 9.” I’m overlooking “Resurrection Bay.” Tomorrow (written Saturday night) is Easter. Seriously, I could not make this stuff up. God is so much fun!