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

Caroline & Josephine

There are many, many stories here in Uganda - some will break your heart and others will fill your heart with joy. The story of Caroline and Josephine have done both for me.

It was mid-September when COG mentor Diana and COG supporter Mike Essrig discovered 2 1/2 year old twins, Caroline and Josephine in the village of Buzeka. Diana and Mike, braving some of the roughest road’s in Jinja, went to Buzeka to do a routine visit and assessment for one of COG’s sponsored children, Jovia. Jovia a bright young student has done well in the COG program, so needless to say, it came as a shock to see Caroline and Josephine, sitting on the ground beside their Jaja  looking severely malnourished. 

Caroline’s legs were too weak even allow her to stand on her own. Josephine sat near her, cross-eyed and lethargic, unable to keep her own head up. Their eyes told a story I had never heard before. Needless to say, Diana, Mike, and the rest of COG knew that something needed to be done to help these two little girls. It was clear that their Jaja, who is also the grandmother of young Jovia, cared for them deeply, but was simply unable to provide for them.

The girls were brought to a malnutrition rehabilitation center called Serving His Children - run and founded by an amazing 22 year girl named Rene. After three months of careful attention and scheduled feeding, the twins were healthy enough to go home. The twin’s Jaja was brought in once a week to spend time with her grandchildren and to go through classes on nutrition and health, so that when the babies were returned home they would return to a family that understood their needs. This is a standard part of Serving His Children’s amazing program. 

Just last friday we picked up Jaja for the last time to help her gather up her two healthy grandchildren and bring them home. I’ve never seen a smile as big as the one across Jaja’s face when she saw baby Caroline standing on her own two feet and baby Josephine, who’s cross-eyed vision has been fixed, walking on her own. It was truly a miracle.

The Joy of Christmas

Last Friday was a day to remember. Absolutely a day that had the Lord was smiling and rejoicing. Don’t know exactly how many kids...more than 250 (a few flukers!) K – P4 kids were here in the CoG ministry centre for the 1st annual Christmas party......they all played, danced, enjoyed food and drink, ate cake, danced some more, heard the story about Christ and baby Jesus and the JOY that He brings to us.....and even welcomed ‘Father Christmas/Santa Claus”.....aka one of our mentor staff.

Wow....what a day...chaotic at times...a few 'bumps and bruises'....but I can’t think of anything that’s a greater blessing than to see our kids being loved on and getting a glimpse of what baby Jesus brought to this world. As we heard one little girl express to her CoG mentor..."I'm going to go tell Ja Ja (her grandmother) that we don't need another Christmas cause we just had the real one".

These are the times of real JOY.

"Two down- Two to go"

We were all so happy to see Phillip when he arrived at the Entebbe airport last Wednesday evening. After a very long flight he was greeted with lots of smiles and hug's from Paul, Cassidy and I. Phillip's been keeping himself busy since he arrived - trying to catch a monkey, honestly, I just think the monkeys are too smart. Phillip, Joe and Cassidy spent almost 6 hours of their Sunday afternoon trying different traps they had made. In the end - no monkey. We'll see.............

Now we all eagerly await Andrew & Meagan's arrival on the 21st of December. The next two weeks will be very busy around here. Schools out and there is lots going on. VBS in the villages of Masesse and Walukaba, a holiday tutoring program here at the office, planning our children's Christmas party.................

Expect to see lots of stories this week.....

God Moments

Life here in Africa is not about the usual or the mundane. But God is everywhere and 'shows up' just when life seems to get a little 'unusual'. Take for example, this past weekend. I needed a little medical procedure. In the US, it would be considered 'day surgery'. No big deal....in and out...all done.

Here in East Africa, not quite the same. After months of research and investigation, decisions were made to have a Dr. from India -- who practices in Nairobi, Kenya -- travels to Kampala once a month to perform his speciality, since there are no doctors in Uganda with similar experience --at a private 'theatre' (OR) facility built only a few years ago so some surgeons could have a 'modern' place that meets western standards -- Ok, routine deal in Africa.
Everything seems to be coming together. I travel the 2 hours to Kampala with a driver at 5am. Arrive at the facility, not a sole around except night assistant. Ushered into a small 'hospital' type room and wait....almost 1 hour! Satan begins to have a field day with my mind...did I make the right decision, will I leave here on two feet....my fears escalate. About that time, an 'older' Ugandan lady, very matronly, comes through the door in street clothes. She introduces herself as Dr. Margaret, anesthesiologist. My fear just increases. The ONE part of this entire event that had me most concerned....general anesthesia. After the introduction, the VERY FIRST words out of her mouth were "I hear you love the living Lord.....I do to." Wow...where did that come from..how did she know? Whatever the answer, she quotes scripture and calms my fears as she preps the IV. God Moment #1

God Moment #2......I actually walk from the hospital room to the 'theatre' (their term for OR)...TIA....to hear the sweet sounds of worship music. I get to 'fall asleep' humming worship songs. I knew I was in the hands of a very loving Lord.

Several hours later, I wake up to the voice of  Donata. God Moment #3. She is a 'mid wife' nurse that's on the Dr's team. We've never met until now. For the next 2 hours as I regain coherent thought, Donata literally sits by the bed talking to me. I'm sure my words were gibberish, but hers were filled with spiritual thoughts and scripture verses. She tells me parts of her life experience and how Christ the living Lord has encouraged her to reach beyond her orphanage background.

I thought this experience was just to mend my broken body...when it really was about meeting two Godly women, Dr. Margaret and Donata who inspired me when I needed comfort. Thank you Jesus for giving me discernment to recognize you in everyday life!