If It Ain't Broke, Break It!

Another core value at Lake Ann Camp is “If it ain’t broke, break it!” They say that in their quest to make an eternal difference, I should not be surprised to see established programs sidelined in deference to relevant new opportunities. They say that “embracing constructive change is essential to creating an environment where life-change happens.”

Have they been watching me? Remember my new friend “flexibility?” We’ve become quite close…most of the time. What I’ve noticed most about my new friend is that I’m free to respond to the Holy Spirit in a way that I might (or definitely would) have missed before.

I think of all the needs that were spontaneously met in Uganda. Had I stuck to the process I might have reserved my funds and my heart for just what was promised/planned. Instead, I was able to let go of those programs and respond to the deep needs of the people in a way that actually made a difference. How cool is that!

I can’t wait to see what God will do while serving the youth, volunteers, and leaders at Lake Ann Camp. My God is limited only by my own mind…and even then, sometimes, I am surprised.

Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

My Dad, June 29

I had every intention of posting about my dad for Father’s Day. As per usual, I got caught up in something else and didn’t even remember that it was Father’s Day. My dad so often gets the short end of every stick, although you’d never hear him complain. So, on this day – the day he became my earthly father, my birthday – I want to honor him. In keeping with the purpose of this blog – to address the issues of grief and healing along with the mission work God has called me to – allow me to write a little about my father.

A father never stops being a father. When Rick died, my father cried all the tears I couldn’t. He cried for the ache in his little one’s heart. He cried because he couldn’t fix it. He cried because he couldn’t be a substitute. When Rick died, my father wrestled with his desire to protect me and to give me over to the great Protector. We’re still working on that one. A father never stops being a father.

I am my father’s daughter. So many of the things I love about life, I learned from my father. My passion for the great outdoors came from many years of camping. My love of motorcycles and snowmobiles came from him too. My dad challenged me to go on my first roller coaster at Cedar Point, the Mine Ride, and then the next, the Gemini. My dad is the reason Duncan Donuts made it on my list of 50 Things I’m Thankful For. He used to take me for donuts every Sunday morning before church, a very special one-on-one time. Peanut butter pie made it on that list because of him too, mostly because we both love anything with peanut butter. I am my father’s daughter.

They say men marry women like their mother and women marry men like their father. Rick had many of the qualities my father has. This sense of adventure you see in me originated from my father and was perpetuated with my husband. The boldness to face My Second Year and to respond to God’s call on my life is the result of the way my father and husband showed me the Father. I have been so blessed to have two of the most important men in my life unknowingly and synergistically drawing me closer to my heavenly Father.

If you have seen me, you have seen the Father (John 14:5-14). I love you, dad!

Ask the Questions that Beg Asking

One of Lake Ann Camp’s 10 core values is “Ask the question that begs asking.” I was particularly drawn to this value because of my grief experience this past year and a half. I found that because grief was an entirely new state I was unable to put words to my thoughts or to organize these thoughts in a way that made any sense. To compound the problem, as my friend in Uganda noted, I am “broad minded and big brained.” I think he meant that I am a thinker; I process my thoughts and emotions intellectually. So, without a way to organize and process all that had happened, I was more than a little lost.

Few people know me well enough to know that I needed them to ask the questions that beg asking. Few people love me deeply enough to be willing to challenge me during that fragile time by asking the questions that beg asking. Few people were unafraid of talking about grief and death with me, unafraid that I might burst into tears, unafraid of their own mortality to ask the questions that beg asking.

The questions that beg asking are not questions like: How are you feeling today? Is there anything you need? Do you miss him? The questions that beg asking are more like: What is it like to not have anyone touch you? How do you feel when you put away his things? Who is encouraging you every day? Even these questions don’t scratch the surface of the depth needed to draw out my experience in a way that helped me process the grief.

Thank you. Thank you to those few people who know me, love me, and have the courage to ask me the questions that beg asking. Don’t stop. You made it safe for me. I pray that I can take what you taught me to Lake Ann Camp and be bold enough to ask the campers those “deep unanswered questions that often lay dormant in the human heart until someone cares enough to mine them out” in a way that campers “will not be afraid to allow God to minister to them.”

Lake Ann Camp

Next week I will be volunteering at Lake Ann Camp for Mission #3. Lake Ann Camp exists to challenge individuals in a group setting to make biblical, life-changing decisions through unique learning experiences. In support of an increasing number of local churches and families, Lake Ann Camp strives to ignite a fire in the hearts of young people and mentor that flame to spiritual maturity.

The Camp offers a variety of summer camps for kids from fourth grade through senior high school. They also offer retreats throughout the year for both youth and adults.

All I know thus far is that I will be “happily serving Jesus one hungry camper at a time” (i.e., working in the kitchen). How’s that for flexibility? I have no idea what exactly I’ll be doing, when I need to arrive, what my lodging will be…and I’m not really all that worried about it either. I love waiting to see what God will do instead of trying to make a plan for everything. I know, try not to gasp out loud at that. There is hope for me yet (smile).

A Third Way

I’m finding it difficult to make the head and heart transition away from Mercy Uganda and toward the next mission adventure, Lake Ann Camp. I don’t have the luxury of two months of mental and emotional processing time between Uganda and Lake Ann like I did between Alaska and Uganda. It feels a little like overload.

To fully engage myself in the experience of My Second Year, I have dedicated my focus to the upcoming mission. This is not to say that I forget what has gone on before but instead that I want to break down walls, build compassion, and show grace. To do that, I need to focus on the upcoming mission so that I can also be sensitive to the Spirit and his promptings rather than be distracted by the past. Does that make any sense?

But…must it be that way? In my own mind I’ve created compartments for each trip, for each experience. But am I really doing the right thing by creating that separation or boundary? Can they coexist? Can I mentally and emotionally manage having my heart in two places? Can I dedicate myself to Lake Ann Camp in the way I desire and they deserve and still be in love with Uganda?

There must be a third way, a way that does not require division or separation. I know that God can and will use all that I loved and learned while in Uganda to bless the people at Lake Ann Camp. And I know that I never have to choose one or the other, I don’t have to pick a favorite, or be loyal to only one. So many worthy and wonderful missions exist and they can also coexist thereby making my world richer and fuller in a way I’ve never known before.

Mission #4: Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

Mission #4 was chosen to honor my dear Aunt Jean and Aunt Jill. They have been supportive to me during this grief walk in ways I never knew I needed and definitely knew I didn't deserve. Now I am going to walk for them! You guessed it; they're both breast cancer survivors.

This walk is for my aunts and their daughters and granddaughters. It’s for my daughters and granddaughters too. I can't stand to look into their pretty faces and wonder if they'll be one of eight women who never get to live a whole lifetime without breast cancer.

This walk for you and all the women in your life too!

Please support me as I take an amazing journey in the fight to end breast cancer! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds from the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure™ are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. Go to my personalized webpage to make a tax deductible donation today.

Surprised by Joy

Is it like this for everyone? When you come home do you have this deep ache to have never left? I never imagined a mission trip could have this effect on me. There is something special about Uganda and her people. God is so good to have surprised me with such joy.

Front: Gabriel and Lauren. Back: Me, Henry, and Laura.

Olivia's Friends

My friend challenged her daughters to prepare care packages for an orphan to go along with the care package for Olivia. When preparing to give Olivia her package I asked her to choose two friends whom she would like to give a care package to. Nakato and Charmane were the two friends who came quickly to her mind. She eagerly ran to get these girls and we gathered around for gift giving.

Olivia handed each girl a mosquito net along with their gift box. The smiles were wide at having been selected by their friend to receive these gifts. They were very polite and expressed their appreciation a number of times. When done, I gave each of the girls a coloring book and crayons (gifts from another of my friends) and charged the girls to give these gifts to another child…pass it on.

Olivia's Story

I had the honor of visiting Olivia, the child my friend sponsors. Olivia and her sponsor are the inspiration for this mission trip. Olivia is a beautiful 10-year-old girl in P5 or fifth grade. Her mother died and her father left so Olivia had been living with her older sister and her sister’s husband. We learned that Olivia had not been boarding at the school and so began investigating. Olivia would like to board and the school so Lauren and Gabriel will follow up with Olivia’s sister to find out if she had concerns about having Olivia board there. In the mean time, the school is prepared to welcome her to the boarding house.

I delivered a care package to this shy young lady, on behalf of my friend. Gabriel helped translate although I believe Olivia understood most of what we talked about. He explained to Olivia that my friend and I share the same name and that I am delivering this package on her behalf, that I am not her sponsor. She was so pleased to receive a gift and kept trying to hide her bright smile. In addition to this care package, Olivia also received a mosquito net and a Bible. And lest my friend disown me, I left provision for a number of basic needs from the requirements list.

I also asked questions of Olivia such as whether or not she liked the school, whether or not she had friends, if she liked the teachers, if she felt she was learning. Then to the hard questions, was anyone abusing her, touching her improperly, etc. The most difficult situation Olivia could think of was that a girl was mean to her but that girl was no longer at the school. Praise God. I had no reason to suspect any problems in these areas but if you don’t ask…

School "Requirements"

One of Mercy Uganda’s priorities is getting orphaned children a quality, Christian education. Thus, sponsorship fees generally cover that education and boarding at the school along with a mattress and a blanket. No Mercy Uganda administration fees are included in what sponsors pay; that money goes directly to the school. Yet so many additional needs exist beyond just the education and boarding. For example, students need a school uniform, sportswear for gym class, shoes and socks, and a sweater. One of each costs 60,000 shillings. Having more than one of each is helpful when it comes to laundering, particularly the school uniform.

For dormitory purposes, students are asked to provide for themselves: bed sheets, a basin, a jerry can, a mosquito net, and a torch – 36,500 shillings. For toilet purposes students are asked to provide: a sponge, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a comb, shoe polish and brush, slippers, soap, towels, Vaseline, toilet paper, and a basket to carry things in – 38,000 shillings. In the area of non-uniform clothing, students are asked to provide: casual clothing for non-school times, underwear, and nightwear – 79,000 shillings (shoes are expensive). Students are asked to provide their own kitchen wear: sugar, plate, fork, knife, and spoon – 9,500 shillings. Miscellaneous requirements include: exercise books, black books, a charcoal iron, brooms, a ream (paper?), and a set – 28,000 shillings. I know that all these items are different and necessary but I’m not sure how.

So you see, this $450 education and boarding just increased by almost 200,000 shillings or by 25% not including the uniform. Not all sponsors can afford to add to the fees they’re already paying. Some aren’t yet aware of these additional needs. These are undoubtedly items, however, that we pay for when our own children need them. School supplies, clothing, toothbrush, food, etc. We all know they add up but which one of these items would you tell your child to go without. Sorry honey, no toilet paper today.

Bethel Junior School

Mercy Uganda chooses which schools its sponsored children attend based on the quality of the education provided. There are some circumstances, such as location, where a Christian school is not available but every effort is made to ensure the children receive a Christian education. Bethel Junior School, in Namulanda, is one of the schools where five sponsored children attend.

School leaders are generally inclined to be helpful and open about their schools, their curriculum, and the affairs of the sponsored children. Of course, the schools don’t function in exact parallel to how they might function in the U.S. so Mercy Uganda is still learning what questions to ask so that each student is most well cared for.

For example, we learned that all of the students receive porridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From what I can tell, porridge consists of milk with cornmeal. Seems cruel but given the available funds in an already poor area of the country, porridge three times a day is more than so many other children receive. The children can bring “pocket money” to purchase additives such as geenuts (peanuts), honey, or some other small foods. In a week’s time, students will generally need 2,500 shillings ($1.25) per week to have access to these extra foods to make the porridge more nutritious and more edible.

What this means is that child sponsors may wish to provide pocket money for their child from which to enhance their meal time and nutritional intake (at least a little). The $450 sponsorship fund is for education and boarding, but that money does not cover pocket money. This approach seems to be mirrored throughout all the schools we encountered.

Coming of Age

I talked with Gabriel about the status of orphans in society, about how little they have. Gabriel, being an orphan himself, pointed out that the orphan children who attend school are quite well off. They have a place to sleep, some food to eat, and they are learning. That place to sleep may be on the floor but at least there is a place. The food they eat may be milk with cornmeal but their tummies rumble less than other tummies.

Gabriel pointed out that the real problem was when an orphan graduates and must leave the orphanage school. Many of these orphans literally have no family, and they have no savings. So, when they graduate they have no place to move to and no job. These now-adult orphans are at the bottom of the chain when it comes to getting jobs. Although, most jobs obtained outside Kampala are based on relationships not any kind of formal application process.

Some orphans learn a skilled trade if their sponsor supports them through university age. But still, they need funds to have a place to stay and to get started in their craft. The dynamic seems unfair, but so many things here seem that way.

Eseza's Story

Eseza is a dear five- or six-year old girl whose sponsor is paying for her to attend a local Christian school. When visiting that school today we found that this girl was not attending. Here’s why.

A few short months ago there was a heavy rain causing a rock slide. That rock slide crushed and killed Eseza’s mother. There are three younger children at home – a boy about age three and a set of twins about one and a half years old. You can see Tracy pulling on her ears. All you mom's out there, you know what that means.

Eseza stays home to care for these three younger children…as much as a five-year-old can care for three children. Honestly, I’m not even sure she is aware she had some added responsibility beyond the protection a typical sibling would provide.

The father spends his days working in the quarry and trying to earn other income, relatively unsuccessfully. The family lives in the two room home much like the one described for Amen with no beds, no mosquito nets, and no material “things.”

Eseza’s story is not all that different from so many other family stories in Uganda. The poverty, the malaria, the hunger, the tragedy…it’s all real. We’re not selecting one or two sob stories among a field of green, these stories characterize what seems to be a majority of little lives here in Uganda.

Mary's Story

Mary Nakazibwe’s father died and her disabled mother works in a quarry. She was taken into Bethel Orphanage Home in 2004. Mary was one of the helpless children in Uganda, but God helped her. She studied at Bethel Covenant College up to Senior 4 class. From there she joined the Institute at Entebbe Vocational School. She studied tailoring for two years and graduated this year on May 14, 2010 with a diploma in tailoring. Mary is now making sweaters, school uniforms, and other African attire for ladies. She is currently helping Mercy Uganda make sweaters for school children in Karamoja.

Mary received a sewing machine from Mercy Uganda this week and used it to make me an outfit. I’m proud to be her first sewing machine-based customer.

The Widow's Club

Being a widow under the age of 40 in America is quite unusual. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are only 44,000 widows in that group as compared to 650,000 widows over the age of 40. When people in the U.S. learn about my story, most are surprised. Yet being a widow under the age of 40 in Uganda is quite common. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicates that 705,000 people are widowed and that 630,000 of those widows are under the age of 40. Quite a reversal compared to the U.S. No one is surprised about widowhood here. Remember too that the Ugandan life expectancy is 52 years as compared to 78 in the U.S.

A major difference between how the two cultures respond to widows is that widows in Uganda have few rights to the land or property held by their husband. Another major difference is that Ugandan widows typically have only homemaking skills, which are important but not sufficient for providing finances for the family. In short, if a Ugandan woman is widowed while under the age of 40 she would be evicted from her home, have several small children, and have no skills from which to earn a living for her family. More than once I have been thankful that I have been able to stay in my home and that I have skills and education sufficient for earning a living.

What strikes me is that any culture could be so accustomed to premature death that they’re almost desensitized to it. This is not to say that there is something wrong with the culture but that there is something wrong with so much death.

Weather in Africa

I’m not really sure that I had any expectations for weather in Africa except that it was to be in the 80s every day and 70s every night. The temperature is fairly consistent throughout the year. Instead of seasons based on temperature, the seasons are based on rain – rainy season, dry season. We’re currently in the dry season and the first week and a half of the trip was exactly that.

Thursday morning presented some rumbles of thunder. Friday, however, was a drencher. While walking with Gabriel in the early morning hours, the rain poured down beginning at the halfway point. I thought it was beautiful, drenching, refreshing. There is something magnificent about a real downpour in Africa…the red dust is washed off the lush foliage and the whole world shines when the sun comes out. At one point Gabriel asked how I liked walking in the rain. While I enjoyed the cool African rain, he was freezing. We were both nothing short of absolutely drenched.

Saturday morning there was a brief storm that netted a beautiful rainbow (as seen from Lauren's front porch). God is so good to show me the variety of displays of weather from Africa.

(Dis)Obedience

I have a confession to make. A dear friend gave me piles and piles of goodies to bring to Uganda, one of which was two wads of pens…you know the ones you have no idea where they came from or how you ever got so many. Well, I thought…I don’t think we’ll need those and left them all behind.

Guess what…now I have to admit to not listening to God and apologize to the person who gave the pens to me. I’m sorry. We were asked to bring pens to the women’s conference we’re preparing for Monday night. Do you know how hard it is to get writing utensils where we are in Uganda?

Oh my, forgive me for my disobedience.

Women's Conference

Lauren arranged a women’s conference at her church during our visit. The plan is for Laura and me to speak at this conference on Monday evening. During our meeting with Veronica from The Comfort Center, we learned she would have a well-known guest in town and so both of these ladies will also have time to speak.

The general theme is marriage and family but the ladies, after I was introduced in church as “knowing a lot about business,” also asked to have that topic addressed. I need to prepare a 20 minute presentation, including translation time, about business. I believe I’ll develop my section of the conference so as to address maintaining Christian values in business practices. Given the corrupt nature of many Ugandans, I believe planting this seed will be useful for these women.

The assumption is made that whenever American’s come, they pay for everything. On the surface this norm seems contrary to American culture. In reality the Ugandan’s can scarcely pay for food let alone the materials needed for a conference with 50 women. Please consider contributing $75.00 for food for the 50 women expected to attend this conference. In most cases, this will be the only meal these ladies have that day.

Property Visits

Mercy Uganda is contemplating purchasing some land on which to build a guest house. We walked some of that property today. Just a few of those photos barely show the beauty of this country.

These boys were herding cattle on the road in front of the property. The corn stalk in the foreground shows the land is fertile and is the view from the furthest point on the property.

Another view of the lake and then the road on the opposite side of the property line. Green, green green...all the time.

Some boys carrying wood on a "campsite" or a site where people are allowed to stay until a new place to live is found for them. This land is between the 15 acres and the water. It's too rocky to be developed and is not for sale because there are people squatting there.

Birthday Party

We celebrated Lauren, Henry, and Gabriel’s birthdays at Fishing Village (a restaurant) on Friday night. Earlier in the day Gabriel helped Laura bake his own cake.

Before the meal arrived, Henry gave a long speech. Never at a loss for words, Henry pointed out that the exact date of his birthday was unknown and that this was his very first birthday party. He was so surprised when he opened his gift (a digital camera). I’ve heard several Ugandan people say similarly that they don’t know the exact date of their birth. Such a marker had never been important or useful.

Gabriel, a man of very few words and a polar opposite to Henry in that regard, also made a speech and thanked so many of the people around the table for the various contributions we’ve made to his life. So sweet. Both Henry and Gabriel choked down a piece of Duncan Hines with chocolate frosting…way too sweet for their taste buds.

Prayed for a Muslim Woman

We had an appointment to have x-rays made of Kato’s (Kaa-tow) malformed legs at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services of Uganda hospital. It’s worth clicking through to this site to see a few pictures of the extreme type of work they do. A doctor in the U.S. will be evaluating Kato’s x-rays in hopes of performing corrective surgery at no cost to him or his family. While waiting for Henry to navigate the system, we saw many extreme needs patients waiting for their turn. One guy stood out because he had a rod the size of an empty paper towel roll attached to the side of his arm with four screws sticking out. Okay, painful but probably better than the alternative. I couldn’t help but think…what if one of those screws that stuck out at least two inches got caught on something and yankes…yoweeee.

I noticed a woman sitting in the waiting area with a son who appeared to have a developmental disorder. I tried to ignore her but you know how God can be so I gave in and went over to her. I introduced myself, talked about why I was at the hospital, and asked if I could pray for her. She agreed and said that she wanted prayer that she could return to the University to finish school. She said she had the funds and she had child care so I wasn’t sure what she needed prayer for. Oh well, press forward.

I began by asking Jesus by name to join us as we brought Renee’s needs before him. There was no mistake that my prayer was one calling on Christ to meet these needs. After the prayer I chatted with Renee and her son a little longer and then returned to my seat. Just a few minutes later her Muslim husband (as demonstrated by his traditional attire) sat down. Yikes, did I just pray for a Muslim woman in Jesus’ name? Well, she said I could. Still, I’m a little embarrassed. I guess if I would have known I would never have approached her. Who knows what God will do now.

Broken for Kyamagemule

I am so broken for this place my heart aches. At 3:00 a.m. I could no longer sleep. As I sit here trying to write about Kyamagemule, I can’t see because tears fill my eyes. Not because of any sadness, but because of the joy I found in this place despite their circumstances. How is it that we can forget about these people and all the other villages just like them? How can life ever be the same after having known them even for a short time? How can I go home to a lonely life of “things” knowing that I could instead be among these adorable children and loving people?

Dolly Girl

Toys are a luxury that are not often found in any of the places I’ve visited so far. And yes, food is far more important than toys. Yet I was struck by this child whose baby doll had quite a shock of hair. Are there any tender-hearted mommas out there who would like to provide a new baby doll for this little one? Thank you JH.

Sponsor Millie

Millie is this beautiful little girl in a dress of many colors. She is just a bit shy but smiled when I held her, She was one of many children who walked up to me and put their backs against my legs so that I could put my hands on their shoulders and eventually bend down to grip them in a warm hug. Her right ear is torn and oozing as if a piercing got infected, and blood dribbles slowly from her nose. Without treatment – perhaps with medicine that costs less than $20 – this precious little one could become quite sick.

Millie is an orphan; no one knows who her parents are. She’s currently living with an old lady who is also caring for a baby with malaria. People here have nothing and they divide that nothing to share with whoever is in need.

We’ve not collected all the necessary information for this dear one to officially register her as a child available for sponsorship through Mercy Uganda, but that will be done within the next few weeks. I’d like to ask you to prayerfully consider sponsoring this child. For $450 annually, she will receive an education, real food for lunch rather than porridge, and she will have your love. You will be able to send care packages and could choose whether or not you wished to fund anything extra for Millie, such as medical care, clothing, or supplemental needs.

Before coming to Uganda and all while I’ve been here I wait on God to show me which needs to bring before you. There are hundreds more needs that I’ve seen and tens of thousands of needs that I’ve not seen. Please know that I am not making this request without the direction of our Father, which means there is someone out there who will hear this call. If you’re the one, please visit Mercy Uganda or let me know and once we get all the information I will connect you with the right people.

Clean Water

In my Mission Trip #2 announcement post I described my reason for choosing Uganda. In addition to sponsoring a child in another area, my friend’s dear husband provided a matching gift to sponsor a well for the remote village of Kyamagemule. At present, the children walk more than a half mile to a small hole filled with something that resembles water to replenish their yellow cans with this liquid that cannot replenish their bodies.

The photo of the children washing their lunch mugs behind the auditorium/classroom is the desired location of that well. Not only will the children be able to remain in class rather than traipsing out to get water, but they’ll also have CLEAN water to drink on demand.

The September trip to Kyamagemule will commence well digging. I cannot thank my friend and her husband enough – as well as those who stepped up to take advantage of that matching gift – for being obedient to God’s prompting and for stepping into the lives of these most deserving people. I can promise you all that you’ve made a very fine decision.

Greetings from the Children

Greetings in Kyamagemule is a hands-on experience. The children swarmed on us as if we were Santa Claus. One little baby bawled at the sight of me. But of course their little lives have not been spoiled by such things. Their interest was in part the return of the Mercy Uganda team and for the wonderful things they’re doing here. And in part, their interest was at having mzungu (white people) come to their far-away village.


These beautiful children, dressed in school uniforms handed down from a Christian school in Florida, crowded around me and pawed every inch of my exposed skin. Some even smelled their own hands after they touched me to see if white people have a different scent. I’ve never had so many dirty little hands all over my body at the same time, it was the most heavenly experience I have ever had!

Did you know you can hold five little hands in one adult hand all at once and that all up each arm at least another 20 hands can hold onto you? When walking up toward the school, all those little bodies will move with you in a swarm. Have I mentioned that my love language is touch?

Getting to Kyamagemule

Remote is an understatement. This small village is about four hours northeast of Kawuku, the place where we are lodging. Driving to Kampala is not a problem but getting through it takes at least an hour if we’re lucky. From Kampala, another hour through the lush, green jungles of Africa – a few shacks sprinkle the roadside. The people come out of these narrow, overgrown bush trails leading to their hut homes to walk the miles of road to the nearest water source.

At the fork, another hour of that canyonous road was tempted to reach up and bottom out our car. The branches from the greenery slapped our faces through the car window. The children walking along that road run into the bushes to avoid being struck. A few more forks that require some serious knowledge of where you are, and the ability to speak multiple African languages, and we arrive very dusty but safely.

Just a note for the faint of bladder. Africa on the whole has few restrooms and even fewer of those are a place you’d actually even want to stand up and pee. So, drink a lot of water because it’s hot and dusty then hold it for a four hour drive, a four hour visit, and a four hour return drive. Next, fight over who gets to use the bathroom first…in a loving Christian kind of way.

Kyamagemule (cha-ma-ga-moo-lee)

The children put on a program for us to watch after the initial greeting. Watch a short clip from the first song and prepare to be moved.

Welcome
Our vis'tors
Welcome
We receive you
We so love you
We so love you
We shall never
We shall never
Forget you

Kefa's Art

A little known fact about Kefa is that he is an artist. He has been invited to have a joint showing in a London gallery soon. Although we did not get to see any of his art, Kefa also invites certain artists to display their work on this property. Note that this work in progress is a rooster (difficult to distinguish from the angle of the photo). The artist talked about how the way that piece is being made represents the struggle to receive Christianity and to become something new.

Kefa's Chickens

When Kefa was young, someone asked Kefa what he wanted to do to earn his living. He had seen that raising chickens was a possibility, although he knew nothing about them. That person gave him an incubator and that incubator sat for more than a year because he had no idea how to use it. More than 30 years ago Kefa hired a man named John, uncle to Gabriel, to care for them. Today the chicken farm is massive. A cow or two can be seen here and there as well.

Kefa Sempangi

Part of the nonprofit status application requires two letters of recommendation from members of upstanding position in the community. Laura knew Kefa Sempangi (g like guitar, not g like juice) from previous speaking engagements in the U.S. and through her uncle Bob. Gabriel knew Kefa from having lived with his henhouse-keeper uncle for a short time during his childhood. Even so, it’s a pretty big deal that these people know Kefa and that we were able to get an appointment with him. In the photo, Gabriel, Kefa, and Henry.

Reverend Kefa Sempangi is the author of A Distant Grief and From the Dust. Apparently his people are talking with Mel Gibson’s people about producing the movie based on A Distant Grief. If you haven’t read the book, do. You’ll see what a perfect match Gibson would be. After returning from exile following Idi Amin’s reign, he became a member of Parliament. He is retired now and living on an estate that is absolutely beautiful. He gladly agreed to write the letter and we proceeded to enjoy refreshments and reminiscences.

The man is very engaging, laughs heartily, and loves people. We were both surprised when he learned that I live in Grand Rapids and that one of his children resides there as well. He shakes his head at those who do not help themselves out of poverty when given ideas and opportunity, but he also understands that there is a mindset that must first be overcome (much like the Minister of Ethics discussed).

I was so honored to meet this man who has seen so much in Uganda over the course of his lifetime.

Authentic Ugandan Crafts for Sale

David manages a business for women in Uganda who are widows. The widows generally need a male leader to get their wares to market. Becky and other widows make jewelry and crafts and they use the profits to pay for their children’s education. Support these widows by purchasing some pretty, authentic, Ugandan crafts made by Christian widows in Kampala. Place your order by the end of the day Monday and I’ll bring the items to you when I come home. You may chose a specific color and I will do my best to bring home what you request.




• $8.00 Large-size-bead Necklace
• $6.00 Small-size-bead Necklace
• $6.00 Tiny Bead Rope-like Necklace
• $4.00 Bracelet
• $4.00 Earrings
• $10.00 Table Runner
• $10.00 House Slippers
• $10.00 Purse
• $4.00 Pouch