A glimpse into our World

Paul is back in Uganda, and Cassidy and I will be joining him in early August.
We've had a great time visiting with friends and family this summer. The question I've been asked over and over is "what is it that you're doing in Uganda?" It's hard to explain all that we do, but I think this video, put together by Meagan and Holly will give you a glimpse into our world and what we are doing with Children in Uganda.

The village you see in this video is "Massese". We sponsor many kids here through Children of Grace, and as you'll see, there are many, many more waiting.................

Good Times

Probably noted - We've been off-line" for a while. We've been in the states since mid - May visiting family and friends. While here we've had the opportunity to attend the weddings of the two young flower girls in our wedding, 24 years ago. Our niece, Grey, was married May 20th on Bald Head Island and Erin, a family friend on June 19th, in Princeton, New Jersey. In between these two events we've been able to connect with family and friends in many different states. At times it's felt a bit like a traveling bus tour, with stops in different places every 3-4 days, but we've had great times and most importantly have been able to catch up with our own children. It seems we're all going in different directions, but it's been good to meet up in some of our favorite spots.

Time at the beach in Carmel - missing Andrew............

Marin Headlands at Sunset - missing Meagan

People ask how the past year in Uganda has been. Are we going back? What have been our greatest challenges? Our biggest blessings? All good questions, but the answers are not so "straight forward". Uganda and America are just different worlds in every aspect - it's difficult to connect the two. We don't have answers to all the questions we've been asked these past weeks, but we do know that Christ's love is constant and that serving those we find right around us, no matter where we are, is what we are commanded to do. Even when we don't have the answers, we can rest and know that God has given each one of us unique gifts and we are called to "love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our minds and love our neighbor as ourselves". 

A most Blessed Easter

Like all our holidays this year, this Easter was unique and special and I'm sure one we'll never forget. We began the day at Acacia Church with worshiping and praising under the shade of the beautiful palm trees. During the service, we had the blessing of seeing a crippled mom who lives across the street from us receive her first EVER wheelchair after 'walking' on her arms/hands since birth. Her joy was overwhelming!

After church, we accompanied another family from America (who is going through their African experience) for lunch by the river Nile.

wow..those Gibson girls are gorgous...as well as our "adopted" daughter Holly.

After lunch we had the amazing opportunity of witnessing the Dad baptize their 10 year old daughter in the Nile River. 

"Say No to Bad Behavior"

Couldn't resist this one...........

Meet my friend Isaac

Isaac is an Artist, with a capitol "A".  He has an amazing ability to see the world through a lens of color and beauty. Where ever he may be standing, he sees the most beautiful thing and focuses on it - then when he can he sits down and draws it.  I recently paid him a visit at school and was escorted to his "favorite spot"  at Nile Vocational School.  Standing there on the third story, overlooking the entire school all I could see was a decaying building, peeling paint, over crowded classrooms and mud everywhere. He asked me what I saw, and when I told him he responded "No-No, look beyond that, don't you see that beautiful tree? - look at all the colors in it"  I realized then that I have a lot to learn from Isaac. In a third world country, like Uganda, it's easy to get caught up in all that is wrong and miss the beauty of God's creation all around.

Last December, a donation was made that enabled us to purchase paints and paper for Isaac - something he had never owned before. He was so excited that he went back to school and asked to paint a mural on the wall of a new classroom, which was being built for vocational students to teach preschoolers. I couldn't believe what I saw when I walked in the classroom. Isaac had painted a beautiful Mural that stretched from wall to wall of the classroom. If you've ever been in a classroom in Uganda, you would know that this is not what kids usually see. I know the children will be so happy and have big smiles on their faces when they walk into this classroom for the first time. Thank you Isaac for helping us see the world as you see it and for making us smile.

Election time in Uganda

These are the people of Uganda. They are gentle, fun-loving, kind-hearted people who love their families and their country. They have been ruled by one president for the past 25 years. This Friday is election day for president, members of parliament as well as local offices. Elections in Africa are not always a pretty thing. Please pray for the people of Uganda as they go to the polls that the process is fair, safe and free of any violence.

Most schools, a lot of businesses as well as the CoG office will be closed a few days before voting until a few days after. Just for precaution sake, Janet, Cassidy, Meagan and Holly will get a short vacation in Tanzania....Zanzabar to be exact. I will hunker down at the CoG compound.

THE PEOPLE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY NEED ALL OUR PRAYERS RIGHT NOW

Those boys....excuse me, Men

Phillip and Andrew from a proud papa.................

Phillip was here in Uganda for about a month...left for Rwanda a few weeks ago.

Andrew's first visit to Africa was a short 1 month...he returned to San Diego this past week

Both had experiences that will be a 'marker' in their lives....changes for the good I'm sure!

For me....well I can only say the time with those boys showed me the men they have become

They are at two completely difference places in their life journies right now...but to see the love they shared for their mom....sisters.....and yes even this one.....it was truly a time to cherish.

Andrew and Phillip....I love you dearly and miss ya much already!

Dad