Our Journey.

my family

2012-02-12T22:14:00.000-08:00

I feel the need to play catch up just a little bit since the last time that I blogged! Ruco and I had the chance to go to Pensacola for Thanksgiving AND Christmas this year! What a treat. I think I finally get the whole "aunt" thing and it is absolutely wonderful. I love my brother's children as if they are my own, and I would really, really keep them forever-- if only someone would let me. Noah has loads of energy and is as cute as can be! Little Nehemiah loves to interact with people and is going to be a deep thinker...I can tell! Jordan, my brother's step daughter is also so, so cute and I love her! It's crazy that my little brother has 3 children. I have lots of catching up to do! ;)

little noah and I on the trampoline

my mama! I love her...she's the BEST listener.

my little brother (one of them at least). I am a blessed girl.

Noah Tristan--what a cutie! And where did he get those bright blue eyes??

In January this year, my grandmama and Aunt Kimberley also came for a little visit SF! It was a blast. They got a hotel room and we all stayed together in the city. We went whale watching, went to China town, and went to Napa/Sonoma Valley. I love showing off where we live, because I really think it's so amazingly beautiful. God blesses me more than I could ever, ever deserve.

love that Napa is only 45 minutes away.

So cool that we are here together.

We spotted some gray whales on our whale watching adventure!

some of my most favorite people in the world.

love my auntie kimberley!

Firemen and Tiffany's!

2011-10-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been kind of MIA the last few months. Life has been a bit hectic with my work, and with training for my first ever half-marathon. I've been training and raising funds for the last 5 months with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Team in Training). With the help of my amazing friends/family/colleagues, we raised $1,849 for LLS!!! And I am so grateful to each of you who helped me with my goal. It has truly been the BEST experience, and I would wholeheartedly recommend doing "Team in Training."

I am running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco TOMORROW!! I love that it is really geared towards women. At the end of the race, there will be firemen in tuxes handing out Tiffany's necklaces to all who finish (I know...ridiculous)! There will be 20,000 of us tomorrow morning lining up in Union Square!!! I feel like it is Christmas...I am SO excited to run with my TNT friends. God has provided me with such an awesome opportunity to meet so many wonderful people here in the Bay Area (when I still felt new to the area). He has also allowed me to be opened up to another world entirely, and to realize that there are things I can do to serve him and love on others wherever in the world I am!!! I have had a blast!

Here's what I've been up to:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf11/kvandermer

LOVE from the Bay Area!

...and then there was that time in Paris...

2011-08-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

In July, Ruco and I made a really quick and rash decision that we should indeed go to Paris for our friend's Crystal and Mike's wedding! And it was one of the best decisions we've ever made! It was such a wonderful time with friends--old and new. It was our first time in Paris without my in-laws (they lived here for 5ish years and we stayed with them in Paris for 6 months in 2007). It was so strange to be there without them, but we tried to enjoy ourselves anyway! ;)

Upon our arrival in Paris on an early Saturday morning, we took our luggage and our booties directly to Fat Tire Bike Shop. Crystal and Mike worked here together. Actually, Mike worked here in Paris for SEVEN years, and was a manager at Fat Tire Bikes! In the last 3 years, we've been able to hang out with Crystal and Mike a lot! We hung out with them in Germany in 2008, last year in Uganda, and here in the Bay Area a few months back. During those times together, Crystal and Mike would always tell us the crazy stories that encompass "FAT TIRE BIKE TOURS!" So it was really wonderful to see them in action (they pretty much led the two tours we took), and to see what their lives looked like as tour guides in Paris! I must say it was also awesome to see Mike work a bicycle. He is basically a circus man! ha!

So back to that first day...we met everyone at the bike shop and we got ready for our Versailles tour. We had been to Versailles before (with Tara, Morgan, Elizabeth and Matt), but NEVER on bikes! It was such a fun experience. Once we got to Versailles, Crystal and Mike said they had a surprise for us all...we were going to play "hide and seek" at Marie Antoinette's chalet! It was so funny to see a bunch of late-twenties to thirty-ish people playing hide and seek! haha! After our hide and seek, we took our lunches (which we bought in the market together) down to the water for the longest picnic I have ever had. We ate, and laughed, did gymnastics, swam, and were all around silly. It was a blast, and I had one of those moments like, "ahh. This is what life should be...JOY! LAUGHTER! and wonderful friends!"

The next day, Ruco and Jason Mumford took bridal shots of Crystal, and they turned out GREAT! Crystal is such a natural model. Later, we again had one amazing picnic under the Eiffel Tower with lots of friends and laughter! We also had a mini-bachelorette party for Crystal at that point.

Finally, we ended our day with another bike tour. This one was a city tour in Paris. It was perfect. All 50 of us biked around Paris, danced in the street, gave out roses to perfect strangers (per Crystal and Mike's request), and ate crepes/ice cream. To finish the evening, we then went on a BOAT tour on the Seine. We have NEVER done this before. This was a blast! We danced and ate stinky cheese on the boat, and I had another thought of how truly joyous and FULL OF LIFE Crystal and Mike are! They rub off on everyone around, and I thought to myself, "I want my life to be like theirs...full of life and love!" Crystal and Mike are truly inspiring!

Then the next day, we all headed out for the actual wedding location. The wedding was located in La Fere, France. We all got on the train together and headed out for the village! Once we all arrived, we were in awe of the beautiful chateau that Crystal and Mike were going to get married in, and where all 50 of us would be staying for the next 3 days! It was breathtaking! The next 3 days were filled with swimming in the pool, hanging out and getting to know some pretty awesome people, bike riding (of course), catered 5 course rehearsal dinner meals, and girl talk!

AND finally, the wedding day arrived. It was so fun to hang out with Crystal as she got ready. We were able to chat and be silly...but all along I remember thinking, "Life is so funny. I can't believe I am here, with such a wonderful friend and mentor to me, because she is getting MARRIED in this amazing chateau in France! God is so amazing! He truly has given me gifts beyond my imagination! His plan for my life has been SO much better than anything I could have dreamed up!"

The ceremony was beautiful. Crystal and Mike had the most amazing vows, and Ruco and I were honored that we were asked to do a joint prayer. It was perfect, and the celebration afterward was awesome as well. The reception actually lasted until the wee hours of the morning...and Ruco and I actually had to leave the chateau around 5:30 am to catch our flight!! We were indeed exhausted, but wouldn't trade a minute of this trip.

I know I am gushing, but it was such a wonderful time...sandwiched right in the middle of a VERY hectic summer -- with Ruco being away in Tunisia and Kenya for 2 months out of the last 4 months. God knew exactly what I needed to keep me going this summer! I needed to be reminded through Crystal and Mike that life is about being joyful and finding a way to give thanks in all situations. I am indeed SO thankful. We are so thankful for our friends all over the world, and for all the people who love us--spread out near and far!

Such a sweet friend to me!

Heaven.

during the Seine boat tour

The bachelorette shindig!

The Louvre

Right before giving out roses to complete strangers!

I love this girl!

the most funny couple! Now Californians! yea!

We really love them. Ruco has a big man crush on mike!

Just the two of us!

Almost one year has passed.

2011-07-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ruco and I left Haiti on July 31st last year. It's almost been a year that we have lived in the States again. I remember when we told our friends in Uganda that we were leaving (especially for California) they were worried. :) They said, "just be cautious." I didn't know what that really meant. I was sure our faith wouldn't change. I have given my life to Jesus...and that will never change. And with all the things my eyes have seen, surely I would never forget and become like I was before. Why did people think that us moving back to the US would "change" us?!??

...oh, but how that "American dream" seeps its way in when you aren't guarded...when you aren't paying too much attention. This past week I have been SO stressed out. I have been worried about which grad school to attend. I got into two great schools--both global MPH programs. One online and the other here in San Fran. Oh how I fretted when I had to notify both schools of my decision. Which program will be the best...land me the job I want to have?!? Which one is really a "better" school with a "better" value? I've also been worried in the last few months about Ruco and I finding an apartment that's a little larger...and furniture with which to fill a new apartment. I rationalize and say we are thinking of starting a family...and we "need" this. and we "need" that.

But I know better. I know what real needs look like.

God brought these verses to my mind today: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

This week, Ruco prayed with me for an eternal perspective, and God answered my prayer. He reminded me that He is all that matters. It doesn't really matter which grad school I attend. Or if we find the apartment of our dreams in the Bay Area. All that matters is Jesus. He is all that matters. I so long to be found faithful in His eyes.

Today, I am longing for that ""hard" life we had before. The kind that made me rely on Jesus everyday.

Finally an update from the VDM's!

2011-03-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

I have definitely fallen off the blogging bandwagon as of late! I am really not sure where to start with an update. It seems as if the last time I blogged was in October, just before I started my job here! So I will start there...

I got a job in October working with a non-profit in the Bay Area called "East Bay Innovations." It's a great organization working with people with developmental disabilities. I was immediately drawn to how warm and caring the staff were and I think this was the biggest reason I accepted the job! :) I am all about the working relationships, and so far my experience has been great at EBI.

Ruco has also been busy with classes. He is working on his Masters in City and Regional planning, and trying to focus on international housing and slum upgrading, etc. He is enjoying it, but this Masters degree thing is much more work than either of us expected for him! He also received a GSR (Graduate Student Researcher) position at Berkeley, so is busy working with his professor in his Nairobi Studio class, and is really excited about going to Kenya in May with that studio class to learn more about slum upgrading projects.

So far this season of life for us has been good, but not at all what I expected! To be honest, Ruco and I really needed a rest after our time of working in Karamoja, and I think we thought that being back in the States and working towards Masters degrees would bring us rest, but so far it has been a lot more about transition, and little about rest.

We did find a great church right away in Berkeley. It's called Mosaic, and though it used to have ties with the Mosaic church in LA, it doesn't any longer. Immediately Ruco and I felt cared about through our small group and gatherings at our church. In that way, we have found rest. We are thankful God gave us such an amazing church family right away, and for the last 7 months we have lived in California, he has helped us to nurture those friendships.

But we still miss working and being in the field all the time, and I find myself getting emotional when I think of the friendships and the work we left specifically in Uganda. We have had some friends from Uganda visit us here in California--Susan, and Chris and Jodi. They all worked with us in Uganda with Samaritan's Purse. It really meant so much to us that our friends would travel just to see us, though we would both feel a little sad when they left. I think it's just a sadness for having left a place and jobs that we loved with all our hearts. Truly, Africa is still my heart, and God placed the desire to work there in me when I was just a little girl. My grandmama always tells stories of me telling her I was going to be a missionary in Africa when I grew up, and I remember a friend of mine in high school (Amy) and I also talking about the same thing when I was a teenager. For as long as I could remember, that was my dream. But it's not just my dream, it's the dream God gave me, so I think I am going to always feel unsettled unless I am living that dream. I don't think it's a bad thing that Ruco and I have this time in the US. I think it's necessary that we pursue more education, and are prepared when we go back to the field, but we just miss it! And this is definitely a time of transition for us.

Ruco is actually in Tunisia working with SP right now. He is working at the Libyan/Tunisian border with refugees who have come over from Libya (though they aren't just Libyans). I miss him tons! He will be gone a total of 2 weeks. When I talked to him today I said, "Are you ready to come home?" He said, "I'm ready to come back to you, but I don't know that I want to come home. This is what I love doing!" He is in his element, and I am happy he was able to make the trip to Tunisia.

We have had fun in California too. It's not all sad transitional stuff! ;) We've taken trips to Yosemite National Park, Point Reyes (where we saw a huge pod of gray whales--I was SO excited), Big Sur, and this weekend I went to Lake Tahoe with our Mosaic friends. God is SO good to us! He takes care of us and blesses us more abundantly than I ever anticipate, and I am so thankful.

Thanks for always praying for us, and loving us! I will try so much harder to keep my blog updated, so I don't have to make a book of an update! Thanks for reading! :)

Yosemite for Thanksgiving

in front of golden gate

Suz came to visit. I am so blessed by her friendship.

my baby brother also came to visit in December! I love him!

beautiful Big Sur, CA


Ruco's very special 28th!

Elephant seal on the beach at Point Reyes! Awesome!

Being silly in front of the Painted Ladies

Christmas time in the city

Friends from Mosaic, and also a couple of Ruco's classmates

We spent Christmas just the two of us. It was a sweet time.

Ruco with Dan, our friend from the Gambia. He also visited in November

You can't tell in the photo, but it was POURING on us!

me and Suz again

Christmas with our small group

I had a little skin cancer removed in December. That was a stressful time! wear sunscreen, people!

Natalie and I.

So much fun at the Harper's home!

Our backyard!

2010-10-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

God has really blessed us in that we are able to live in a beautiful area up in the hills that overlook Berkeley. There is an awesome park/lake within walking distance, and we are very close to a botanical garden and UC Berkeley's "Strawberry Canyon" facilities. The house belongs to an amazing (elderly) Christian lady. We have the downstairs portion of the house, and our entrance is at the back of the house (shown in a photo below). That means no one really comes to the back of the house, except for the two of us. Which means, this backyard is ours to enjoy as we sit and talk over coffee, have lunch on the picnic table, or plant our own veggie garden. When we moved in, we had lemons, apples, pears and plums in bloom. Right now, we only have lemons and apples. I really love our backyard! Even though I don't have a green thumb myself, I love to just go and sit with Ruco while he weeds and gardens.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

The Blues come to the Bay!

2010-10-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend was wonderful-I would say our best weekend yet here in the Bay Area! We went to see the blue angels on Saturday in San Francisco. It was very funny for us to see them for the first time in a place other than Pensacola! We very much felt like they were OUR blue angels (because they are based in my hometown-Pensacola, FL), and we were just letting everyone else play with them for a little while! ha!

Here I am walking towards the blues

I also got to try the famous clam chowder from Fisherman's Wharf for the first time. I waited a LOOONG time for that--since Ruco came back from his California trip in Summer 2003 and told me how wonderful it was. It did NOT disappoint. I love clam chowder.

There was a live band playing when this photo was shot, I promise I am not crazy (well not entirely).

Ruco and I are constantly in awe of the beautiful place that God is allowing us to live for the next 2 + years.

The VERY large crabs for sale at Fisherman's Wharf. I REALLY wanted to try the crab sandwich...next time.

We also found a very funny vintage arcade museum. Here we are posing like our friends in the display cases. Ruco thinks he looks deranged in his photo. hmm.

pier 39!

If you look really close, you can see the blues flying in the background.

And I was so proud of this-my first sea lion spotting! I am sure there will be many more where that came from, but I was a tad excited.

Alcatraz! We wanted to go on a boat tour to get closer, but our BFF from The Gambia (Dan) is coming to visit us next month, so we are saving that outing for when he comes.

Lots of military paraphernalia since it was "Fleet Week"

You are the Life-sustainer

2010-09-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have had an amazing last few days. Last weekend, I went home to Pensacola for my step-sister, Daysha's wedding. It really was a beautiful wedding, and so sweet to see the love that Daysha and Deric have for one another. I was also able to spend quite a bit of time with my family, and really enjoyed it.

The biggest part of this weekend though was the way that God drew me unto himself. For quite a while now, I have been really focused on what I am DOING for God (which I am not saying is a bad thing). I would pray, "Lord, what do you want me to DO!?" and "Just tell us where you want us to GO next." It has been hard coming back to the US because, well, I don't feel like I am "doing" nearly enough. While my motivations/actions were good and right, I quickly became exhausted. I wasn't spending nearly the time with God that I needed in order to be replenished spiritually. Jesus says, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

He has been showing me in the last few days that it is not my activities, but my relationship with Him that is life-sustaining. Jesus says that a relationship with Him will bring rest to my soul!!! But I was never receiving "rest" because I wasn't coming to Him for it. I prayed just to ask for my next "assignment" or "activity."
I have to think though, that Jesus spent His time on earth surrounded by NEEDS. He was surrounded by opposition and people around constantly (ie. no privacy). In my head, I am thinking, how did he EVER get any rest??! But Jesus knew the path to spiritual rest, and would go to His Father when He needed to be filled up again. Through some good prayer time with my younger brothers last weekend in Pensacola, God was able to fill me again with His spirit and restore my soul. He restored my passion and my JOY!! I realized this weekend that I can't do it without His power. I can't just keep going and going without spending the time I need with HIM to be filled up again. So, I've committed to spending a LOT more time in prayer so that I won't quickly become so exhausted again. I want to be used by Him, to meet the needs of others-but I realized, I just need HIM most of all. He is life-sustaining.

Also today I got word that my Grandaddy blacked out yesterday at the church. They called an ambulance and he went to the hospital. After some scans, it seems that he has a tumor on his pituitary gland. It is rare apparently for such a tumor to be malignant, but they will still need to run many more tests, and see how they can go about shrinking the tumor and removing it. I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the ultimate Healer, and that He can take care of this situation. But would you join with me in praying for my Grandaddy? I believe fully in His power...it blows me away.

Finally, I will leave you with a couple of photos from Daysha's wedding this weekend. She really was a beautiful bride...


the wedding party in silly poses

Another cool one with the guys jumping over the girls! FUN!

My twin

2010-09-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

So, my Grandmama sent me this devotion today, and I thought to myself, "Did I actually write this devotion?" It is written by a girl named Emily Freeman, but she sounds so much like me!! Everything she wrote about herself, I find in myself.

I like this part:

I convince myself that I want to be the strong girl, the easy friend, the happy supporter. That is why I am uncomfortable when I am persnickety or hurt or tired from the weary world, the pressure, and the dishes. It is those times when we most want to hide, to be invisible, to figure out the source of the discontent on our own. But in the hiding, we miss out on the relief of being found. We miss out on the opportunity to experience love and support. We exchange connection for control. And community is lost, or never even found to begin with.

I am an emotional girl, and so are you. Are you waiting to be found? Are you running from community because of fear or worry or all your what-will-they-think-of-me’s? Let me encourage you to risk love and embrace connection. Seek out your community, look them in the eye, and let them see you.

I have felt this way lately. Since moving back to the US and trying to fit in again here (which I fear sometimes is impossible!?), I have felt hurt and tired. I have definitely felt "persnickety." And then I get mad at myself for feeling this way (because I want to be the easy and happy friend), so I withdraw! Today I am praying that I learn to embrace my emotions...and embrace community. I am praying that I lay down the "what-will they-think-of me's" and just be. I pray that I allow people to really see me: the big tears that go along WITH my loud laugh. I pray that I can embrace who God made me to be, and allow others to really see me...even when I am TOO emotional! Because it is a wonderful thing to be known, and loved anyway in community.

ROAD TRIP!!

2010-09-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from our road trip across the US-FL to CA! We had a wonderful time...we drove, and drove, and drove. Sometimes we listened to music, sometimes we rode in silence together, and sometimes we talked about our future. I am so glad that no matter where in the world God has me "going," Ruco is always by my side.


Leaving Grandmama and Grandaddy's house in Louisiana

Lunch with JoJo in Louisiana

Austin, TX

Ames and I waiting for the bats under Congress Bridge in Austin

Ruco posing and pretty!

The Grand Canyon

We were excited!

My love and I in front of the Grand Canyon

It was beautiful.

It was a beautiful sunset in Las Vegas this night

Las Vegas, NV


At the Venetian...I thought the gondolas were so cute. Cute little mini eiffel tower.

Napa Valley

A little weekend trip once we arrived in CA!!

Back in the States, so now what?!

2010-09-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

I have been away from the blogging world for quite a while, and I think I have an inkling as to why I have been avoiding getting back into blogging. I guess I feel like my story is just not interesting anymore. I have moved back to the States, so I don't have anymore stories about chickens in my office, or running over goats in the Land Cruiser. :) Living and working in Uganda/Haiti was my "calling." And I guess now, I feel a little at a loss for a "calling" here in Berkeley (where we moved for Ruco to attend grad school at Cal). Maybe I feel a little less "hardcore" because whereas life was hard in Uganda and Haiti, now it is just...normal and easy. And I have been finding it hard to hear His voice with the lure of entertainment, convenience, and FUN! FUN! FUN! demanding my attention!

And what do I do with this, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19?? Jesus COMMANDS me to "go." In fact, I was reminded in my devotion this morning (Experiencing God), that we need permission to stay!! Jesus left His Father to go to Calvary, and he instructed those who wanted to follow Him to leave their comforts and their homes. And "go" to me for the longest time meant...Africa.

So why ARE we back?!? Answer: Grad school for Ruco, and me too (hopefully next fall). And Ruco was given a REALLY awesome full scholarship which includes a living stipend. But we are cautious, and don't ever want the pursuit of "success" by the worlds standards to get in the way of us being obedient. I never want success to be a hindrance in going where God wants us!!! Jesus called disciples in the midst of great successes in their careers. Think Peter and the big catch, right?!

So, my biggest prayer while God has us here in Berkeley is that we will still continue to "go." My prayer is that I will listen to the gentle nudgings of the Spirit and "go" volunteer to work with the homeless or refugees in our area, or "go" and talk to my neighbor about Him. And I pray when Ruco and I finish our education, that we don't use our talents/successes for this world, but for HIS glory!!! Most of all, that we NEVER let anything come in the way of following Jesus, not comfort, not family, and certainly not worldly success!!!!!!! That we will ALWAYS "GO" where he tells us to go...whether that's Uganda, Haiti, or Berkeley, CA! My prayer is that we will be found faithful.

Oh Lord,
Hear my prayer that Ruco and I want to only be obedient to you. We want to go WHEREVER you send us, and love on whomever you call us to love. And Father, may it not be about our glory, fame, and success by worldly standards, but it be about YOU and YOUR son, and what you did for us. Thank you for loving me with a love that I can never, ever comprehend. My life is yours now, and forever!!!!!!!!!!


Love Ruco's caption on this photo: "bffs." Ha. I do LOVE these people.

Everybody now...farewell party in Haiti

Such a beautiful night, with amazing people

A Haitian dance party

God gave us the most beautiful sunset for our last night on Jax Beach!!

The last week in photos...

2010-07-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

This past week has been busy, but so great. I have been traveling around visiting many of SP's shelter sites. This is where SP has constructed temporary transitional shelters for families. Over the last few days, we had many things to distribute to our shelter communities including: mosquito nets, jerry cans, kitchen tools, hygiene kits, and rain barrels (in order to harvest rain water). Monica and the WASH team did awesome trainings each day on hygiene, and how to properly use the items being distributed! Patty and I took care of the logistics of the distributions. It was wonderful to see the families come together and take pride and ownership in their new shelter communities! Overall, it was a great week in Haiti! God has so blessed Ruco and I with the chance to work here, and get to know the people/culture, and also other staff working on the ground here. If God does choose to lead us elsewhere, it will be hard to go...

A little girl peeking from her shelter

Cutie little boys watching the WASH team's skit

Mon and I with two little girls from one of the shelter communities

Monica is SO fun, everyone loves her.

Our piles of kitchen sets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and jerry cans!

So sweet...

Patty with one of the shelter staff members-Elliot

The wonderful Patty Hutton and I. She does a great job with her shelter communities!

Lunch time!

Patty, Gabi, and myself.

With lots of new girlfriends at one of the sites

Patty distributing some of the items

We are super cheesy...


These are the tents we live in...

Ruco just put his cold/wet hand on my face! But another shot of our lovely tents in the background...

Let no one seek his own...

2010-07-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

My great-grandfather passed away recently. He was 99, and left behind quite a legacy. The service was beautiful...Dan Findley did a great job, and I was so happy to be there. My grandfather was so ready to go be with the Lord!

Because of funeral, I was able to go home for a few days to be in Florida.. It is so nice to be working in Haiti...such a short plane trip home! I was blessed with the time spent with my family. I was especially encouraged by my brothers this visit home. They picked me up at the airport...and I almost cried seeing them there. I really love them both so much, and had missed them. During dinner, and during the drive from Jacksonville to Starke, they told me all about their homeless ministry on Thursday nights. Every Thursday, they seek out the homeless and broken. They talk to them about God's love and ask to pray with them. They also bring them meals that usually my Aunt Gwen and mom have put together. They are SO passionate about living out their faith, and being a testimony to all men of God's amazing love and grace. I loved having so many awesome conversations with my youngest brother, Kaleb. He truly longs to see others come to know and love Jesus. He says he regularly hangs out with around 40 guys and they fellowship and share together about their faith. When I hear this verse, I think about him. "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well being." 1 Corinthians 10:24. So proud of those boys! I know how easy it can be to just live a self-focused life, but thankfully, I see my brothers seeking after Jesus, and striving to live outside of themselves!!!

K and his sweet nephew Noah

Mom (GiGi) and her cutie grandson!

Serious baby kidnappers!

My brothers, nephew and I. Words don't describe the love I have for them!

Uncle Al! My favorite uncle!

Noah boy...

My mom, brothers, nephew, Auntie Gwen, and myself.

Can you tell I think K hung the moon? 'Cause I do.

I liked my whole vacation!

2010-06-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

So my friend Christi posted this video on her facebook when we were in Barbados:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

Ruco and I watched the video of this cutie patootie together, and thought it was hilarious!!! So, in honor of her, this is how I would describe our recent R & R trip:

Now, our whole vacation was GREAT! We did everything good! I liked Barbados! I liked everything! I liked the seafood! I liked the beaches! I liked the sea turtles we saw! I liked our hotel on the beach! I liked Ruco! I liked him surfing! I liked snorkeling! I liked our alone time! I liked Ruco teaching me how to surf! I. LIKED. MY. WHOLE. VACATION! We can do anything GOOD! yea yea yea!!!!

Hopefully, you were able to watch the video. If not, I'm sure this blog post was really awkward. haha.

Here are a few of the photos of our trip...it was so awesome to get away just the two of us!

the beach....coffee... i'm good to go!

beautiful beaches!

artsy shot-BARBADOS!

sea turtles are the coolest!

again, love our coffee!!

Funny car we rented (moke)-no doors!!

My handsome hubby!

We laid out on this beach until sunset, and were the only ones there...

My surfer boy...

Honestly, the best dinner date we have ever had!

On our way to the Friday night fish fry~

So that was our sweet getaway trip! We are now back in Haiti, and are really enjoying being back! We are still waiting on news about Ruco's FLAS award, and once we find out, we will make a decision about whether or not we will go to grad school in the States. Our plan for now: if Ruco gets it-California, here we come! If Ruco doesn't get it-we would like to stay in the field (Haiti? or elsewhere?) and do online masters studies. It is an exciting time for us...especially since we don't know where God will lead us to live 1 1/2 months from now! But He has always made our paths clear in the past, and we know He will guide and lead us where we are supposed to be in the fall...:)

So far in Haiti...

2010-06-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a crazy 10 days it has been since arriving in Haiti! Where do I start??

I was able to fly from Miami to Port-au-Prince with some of the other SP ex-pat staff in Haiti. Betsy, one of the deputy country directors, was on my flight. It was great to see a familiar face (we first met in July 2008 in Boone for SP orientation). It was great to chat with her, and hear ALL about operations in Haiti, and also about how much Ruco had been missing me! ;) Once I arrived at the main base in Haiti, I met LOTS of new faces, and everyone said to me, "Oh! You are Ruco's wife? He has been SO excited about you coming!!!" It was what I heard over and over with every new face I met. Needless to say, I was growing really anxious to see him again. But he was in a meeting in Port-au-Prince!! When he FINALLY arrived at the base, I just hugged him and cried and cried! I was a wreck! The 3 weeks we had been apart went by quickly, but it was just so nice to be in his arms again!!

The next morning, we flew by chopper to our base in Leogane (which is right on the beach). It was my first time in a helicopter, and I was excited about that! Once I arrived on base, everyone was super welcoming! So many new faces to meet...

Since then, it has been a whirlwind. I have had ups and downs. With meeting so many new people, I have been longing for friends who know us and love us, like we had in Uganda. I am grieving us leaving Uganda for the first time. I know that those kind of relationships take time to develop, and will happen here in Haiti too, but I have really been missing the connections and closeness we had with people there...

Work has been good! Ruco is just as busy as ever! I had the chance to visit one of the food distributions this week! It was nothing like my first visit to a food distribution in Karamoja (which entailed whistling, dancing, and rioting)! haha! But it was awesome, systematic, and predictable! ;) Ruco is once again "in his element" and I love seeing him doing what he loves. I have also been busy this week organizing a tent distribution. The tents are huge and will be used as gathering places for churches, and also temporary learning spaces for schools that SP has cleared here in Haiti! I have enjoyed being busy!

Truly, the need here is so great. I think it just hit me for the first time 2 days ago. There is just SO much damage: homes collapsed and rubble everywhere, people living in tents made out of linens (in the rainy season!!!) roads damaged and cracked, etc. I have been observing the destruction all along, but the perspective of just how great the need is hit me like a ton of bricks just recently. However, I have to say, (and I know I am biased,) but SP is doing SO much awesome work here. Everywhere I go, I see "Samaritan's Purse" tarps and people tell me of the work SP has done for them-clearing rubble, setting up shelters, and building latrines, among other things. The people are so generous and grateful...happy that SP is here, and happy that people are caring for them! I love it!

Anyway, because the work load is so much in Haiti, SP does provide some leave time for their staff. Although I haven't been here long, it is time for Ruco to take his leave. We have decided to go to BARBADOS for a proper anniversary trip! We are so excited! It has been a couple of years since we were able to take a real vacation, just the two of us, and I think it is just the right time! We are longing for time together as a couple...time to just be together and enjoy one another! We are thankful that we have this opportunity to re-charge and really process all the change we have experienced in the last 1 1/2 months! :)

So this afternoon, we are off on the heli again, headed to the main base. Then, our flight to Barbados tomorrow! I will try and update about our trip! Love and miss all of you greatly.

My first helicopter ride to our sub-base in Leogane, Haiti

Aerial view of our base in Leogane

Our beach in Leogane

I took this shot of Ruco when I visited the food distribution, love that vest! ;)

Loading up horses to carry those heavy food bags! It was our first time to see this...

Donkeys also...

Offloading the food truck

Mom and kids picking up their food!

And at the end of the day, we have this to come home to. Ruco snorkeling...

Just so glad Jesus blessed me with a man who exemplifies His love!

Headed to Haiti...

2010-05-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

I am in the airport in Miami for my 5 hour long lay-over before my flight to Haiti. So, I figured this would be a great time to update the blog!!! :)

I have had a wonderful 3 weeks in the US visiting with family and friends. It was such a sweet time. I was able to celebrate my 27th bday in America with family and friends, and I was also able to meet my brother's new baby, Noah. I fell in love. There were also sweet times to catch up with family and friends and share what is on my heart, and hear what is on their hearts. Well, to tell the truth, there are many times when I haven't been able to adequately share my heart. :/ I feel a mixture of emotions when I come and also when I go...and a lot of times, I don't know how to express those emotions, so I don't.

Yesterday, I was able to have a wonderful chat with my friend Audrey who lived in Japan for 2 years, and she really helped ME to understand my experience. She told me about something she had heard at an IMB mission conference. OK, bear with me, hopefully I get this right...

She said that as an American, I grew up in a yellow country. I was yellow, and thought like a yellow person. Then, I went overseas. Uganda was a blue country. The people were blue and thought like blue people. To fit in, I had to blend, but I could not get rid of my yellow tendencies. They are there, so I became green instead. I take some things from my native yellow culture, and then adapt to certain ideas and thoughts associated with the blue culture. But now I am GREEN! And I don't feel like I can wholly be yellow again, but I also don't feel wholly blue when I am overseas-in Uganda, and now in Haiti. I am just green!!

*sorry about all the highlighting, I just have a lot of time on my hands! haha!

I'm not sure if that made any sense?!?? But, it made sense when Audrey shared it with me. :) And it comforted me that she also felt the same when coming back to America. I guess no matter what color I am, I can rest solely in the knowledge that my citizenship is in heaven...! Ruco texted this verse to me this morning: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Christ Jesus." Phil 3:20. It was comforting to me. And as I was flying high in the clouds this morning on my way to Miami, I looked out the window and said to Him, "Lord, I am so glad that my citizenship is actually in heaven, and when I am there with you someday, I won't have to worry one bit about this culture shock business or what "color" I am, or have blended to become!!!!! Because this Earth will never feel like my home!!"

Anyway, I enjoyed my time with family and friends so much, and will be back soon for Audrey's wedding in August. For now, I am looking forward to being in Haiti...to experiencing a new place, and a new people! I am also SO excited to be with my husband again (for he is green like me!!!!) :)

Now for some photos!

So great to be home and see all of you!!!!

Saying Good-bye

2010-04-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

Last night, we had our going away party here in Moroto. It was so much fun, and at first, I thought I would make it through the party without waterworks! I was wrong! We had a great dinner, and then we were serenaded with some songs written by our very own Agnes and Michael! Afterwards, we had some gifts that were really sweet-jewelry and the biggest Karimojong stool that I have ever seen (signed by all the staff)! Up until this point, I was doing OK-laughing and having SO much fun. Then came the speeches. I just can't handle those speeches. Some were really funny though. Musa said, "I have learned from Ruco how to treat your partner. Ruco can't go 3 hours without seeing Kristi. After that time, he is looking for her." haha! That made me laugh. But really, it has been so wonderful for Ruco and I to have the chance to work together, offices side by side. I don't know what we will do when we have to go the whole day without seeing each other. :/

Everyone else also said really sweet things, and it just made me realize how much I am going to miss everyone. They were our family for the last 14 months. So, of course at the end of EVERYONE else's speeches, I also had to give one. Well, if you were at Heather's wedding when I had to deliver the matron of honor speech, it was pretty much a do-over of that. No words: just lots of sobs. I don't know what is wrong with me!!!

But it truly was SUCH a wonderful night that I will remember throughout my life!

Now for some photos! The posing for photos was hilarious last night! I have chosen to leave out the many photos of people posing with their pieces of meat and food. haha!

Me with Agnes! She is so wise...

Ruco with his massive Karimojong stool. Everyone LOVED it and was cracking up when Ruco was later posing as a Karimojong man!!!

Ann P just wrapped his arms around Ruco!
:)

Both of us can sit on this huge stool.

Roseline and I, I really love her and will miss her!!

Sam David wanted to pose like this!

Ruco and all the guys (behind him is our "first-born" and my "best girlfriend" here in Moroto, Tred! We will miss him SO!!)

They decided to pick Ruco up! Emma calls Ruco his "first born."

Singing the good-bye song that Agnes wrote

Such sweet memories!

It is with SUCH heavy hearts that we are saying good-bye, and we are praying that God brings us back to Uganda, and to Karamoja to visit our "family" again someday!

We have finished our packing this morning, said have said good-bye to our little apartment at Mt. Moroto!!!

Tomorrow-Kampala

Monday-get on airplane and head to US.
May 1st-Ruco heads to Haiti with SP (I will join him shortly)!

I can't believe it.

Being Observant

2010-04-20T02:14:00.000-07:00

Lately, in devotions here at work, we have been learning the Bible Storytelling technique that our Ministry Programs use here in Uganda! It is an oral method of telling a Bible Story and engaging listeners in discussion. This morning, one of our new staff members told the story from Luke 13:10-17. He told the story about the woman who had been crippled for 18 years. It was the Sabbath day, and Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. There He saw the crippled woman and He called her unto Himself and He healed her. The rulers of the synagogue were angry with Jesus because he healed the woman on the Sabbath Day. They considered this "work." They said, There are six days of the week which are designated for work! Those who want to be healed should come on one of those days, not on the Sabbath! But Jesus corrected them and said, "You hypocrites! Don't each of you untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? Then ought not this woman, who is a daughter of Abraham who Satan bound for 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
When I hear the story, I think the point of it is to learn that Jesus was about compassion and people. The rulers of the synagogue were all about strict rules and laws, and had forgotten to just love people!
But when we got to our discussion this morning, our staff drew out other observations. They said, "I am seeing that Jesus was observant! He saw the need of the woman before she even came to Him."
Hmm. Yes! Didn't think about that!
But I have been thinking about this whole "meeting needs" thing a lot lately. My friend Jill wrote a blog about the way her dad is so intentional about meeting the needs of people in the States, and it just got me thinking. Here, the needs of people are so apparent. People ask for help. But in the US, we have such HUGE pride issues. Everyone takes care of himself/herself! You don't ask for money! You don't ask for help!
I have been thinking a bit about what kind of ministry Ruco and I can have when we get back to the States. Like I said, in Uganda, it is so easy to orient yourself around the needs of others. But how will I do that at home? I remember what it was like when Ruco and I lived at home. It is so easy to just get into your little routine, your comfort zone, and take a blind eye to the needs around you. You have to be SO much more intentional (like Jill's dad) in meeting the needs of people in America. You have to be observant!!! You have to be on the lookout because people won't always ask you for help!!! My prayer is that I will be able to do that when Ruco and I return home for grad school in the fall. My prayer is that we will be observant and intentional about meeting needs. Pray for that with me, it has been on my heart so much!

So, I also thought I should leave you with some photos of my friend Keren and I! She was an intern with us in 2008 here in Uganda! Now she lives and works in Mozambique, but flew just to see us! We had a blast, and have many plans to work and live together in Africa after grad school! :)

She made the Starbucks logos for our coffee cups! I said I wanted Starbucks, and voila! She made it happen! ;) There ya go, meeting needs. ha!

The best Starbucks date I have ever had!

Uganda to Haiti

2010-04-06T04:31:00.000-07:00

Ruco and I have been decision-making machines lately! :)

We were moving right along in making choices about where we would like to be for the fall for grad school. We were also making some vacation plans for our interim period between Uganda and grad school. An around the world trip was in the mix, and I was already day dreaming of being in South Africa, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti…just lying on the beach with my hubby and enjoying 2 solid months of time away! Then, out of the blue, we got an email from SP asking if Ruco would consider being the Food Manager in Haiti.

Ruco and I hadn’t thought a lot about GOING to Haiti. We were broken over the situation there, and were inspired by what SP has already done in Haiti, but we didn’t feel a calling to GO to Haiti! We knew SP was pulling many people out of the field in other regions to go and meet immediate needs in Haiti, but we didn’t think too much about going. We were perfectly content to be intercessors and pray on behalf of the Haitians from right where we were! ;)

I guess God had other plans for us all along. Those plans didn’t include surfing and lying in the sun on a beach somewhere. :) But even better, those plans are to be His hands and feet. SP is doing so much in Haiti, launching the biggest relief efforts in 40 years! They are feeding hundreds of thousands, re-building homes, making sure that Haitians have clean water to drink, and focusing on medical care.

I have heard from numerous people that the resilience of the people in Haiti is remarkable. Despite such despair and such heartache, they are looking forward. Many have given their lives to Christ since the quake, and are hopeful about the future to come. I can’t imagine. I can’t imagine losing everything I have. I can’t imagine my home in ruins, and family members gone because of such a disaster. Yet, this is the reality they face every day.

But I have heard from others who have gone ahead that God is doing an amazing work in the lives of Haitians. That He is bringing people to Himself. I can’t wait to go and witness His glory written all over their faces. I can’t wait to see how God is moving and working in Haiti. We will be there beginning May 1^st, and will stay at least 3 months, as we are still hoping for grad school in the fall. But I am slowly learning not to make too many plans of my own!!!

Thanks for your prayers, we appreciate all the encouragement so much!

Antidote for Fear=Faith!

2010-03-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

I have been doing OK lately....not so stressed in my job anymore, and loving having my husband back from the Congo! Actually last night, we made some coffee and snuggled up to watch another episode of our favorite show, Top Chef. As we were enjoying our night, I said to Ruco, "I haven't been stressed about work/life in Moroto for a while!!" Even despite some really sad things happening in our area in February, I'm content. I'm so much more at peace.

In our devotions at work, we have been reading through the book of Mark. In the last couple of stories we have read, one common theme stood out to me: conquering fear/anxiety with faith.We read in Mark 4.35-41 about Jesus calming the storm. The disciples were terrified as the waves were breaking into the boat, and the winds were raging. And Jesus was asleep on the stern of the boat. So, the disciples woke him up and said, "Jesus, don't you care that we are perishing?" So Jesus first calms the storm, then he deals with the disciples lack of faith. He says, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" Even though the disciples walked with Jesus everyday, they still lacked faith in His power! Because of their lack of faith, the storm was terrifying to them, even though they were in the very presence of Jesus!

Today, we read again the story of Jairus and his daughter in Mark 5.21-43. Jairus had great faith and humility that Jesus could heal his daughter who was on the brink of death. He actually fell at the feet of Jesus and begged Jesus to come and lay His hands on his daughter so that she might be made well. After making it back, before entering the house, the ruler of the synagogue approached them and said: "Your daughter is already dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" And Jesus said to the ruler, "Do not fear, only believe." Jesus goes on to heal Jairus' daughter because of the great faith that Jairus demonstrated. But those words really stood out to me this morning. "Do not fear, only believe." The opposite of experiencing fear, is experiencing a real faith in Him.

I am so much like those disciples in the boat! I really get myself all anxious and stressed in the midst of certain situations! Even though I have walked with Him for many years, I seriously lack faith that He is in control, that He has power over all things! The outward expression of my lack of faith is fear. I have SO much to learn!

This is all relevant to us now, because Ruco and I are in the midst of making big choices. Ruco applied to 9 grad schools! Crazy boy! So far, we have heard from 5 of those schools, and he has been accepted to those 5. Like I said in the beginning of this post, I am JUST now getting to a place of peace, a place of feeling content, and a place where I am trusting Him. Yet, here we are, deciding whether or not to pack up and start all over. This could scare me for numerous reasons. I have become comfortable in Uganda, with my job, and with our situation. I KNOW we are where God wants us...in the center of His will. So making a decision to leave, at this stage, is a bit scary. Financial worries among others come creeping in. We haven't lived in the US since all of this economy stuff, and we have heard HORROR stories about how bad it is, and how long it takes to find a job. In fact, by the time we get back, we won't have lived in the States for 3 years...

It would be so easy for me to fall back into my old pattern of stress. anxiety. fear. But instead, I am choosing to have FAITH! I am choosing to have faith that God is in control, and He will make our paths straight.

I will leave you with some photos of baby Ruco. One of my women from last year delivered a precious baby boy! She was the one who told me that she was CERTAIN she was having a girl because of the way she was carrying. :) His name is Ruco. He is the third Ruco (fourth if you count my original) in Moroto! It's just so funny to me because before now, I had never met another Ruco!

Me with baby Ruco (we are in my office)

The Rucos! CUTE!

Melisha's Grandchildren Update...

2010-03-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to give an update to all of you who supported Melisha and her 3 orphaned grandchildren over a year ago. Remember Melisha who was living in a house in Kampala which was only half constructed? The roof was wide open, and allowed for rain to easily pour into her home. The walls were also only half-way built. You could easily peer into her home from the outside. She and her grandchildren (one of which has HIV) slept on the damp, muddy floor. Ruco blogged about the story here (click link). Actually the cute kid who is sitting on the wall on Ruco's blog header is actually Charles...the youngest of Melisha's grandchildren. He is the one who has HIV.

After blogging about the need to repair Melisha's house, Ruco and I received an outpouring of support in order to help Melisha. So much so, that the house was fully repaired in October, 2008. We were also able to buy beds, linens, clothes, groceries, and special treats for the kids. It was wonderful, and so special. But I wanted you to know that the story did not stop there. My friend Dana, who worked with me at Rebuild Northwest Florida told her family about Melisha and her grandchildren. Dana's family decided to forgo Christmas that year, and instead gave additional money to Melisha's grandchildren.

The biggest burden for a parent here in Uganda is paying school fees. There are 3 school terms each year, and each term costs $375.00 for Melisha's 3 grandchildren. That's $1,125 per year. This includes paying for boarding school and food for the two oldest: Harriett and Ivan. It was so wonderful to continue supporting Melisha's grandchildren throughout 2009 with the help of Dana's family. All of their food, school fees, and boarding costs at school were covered! What a blessing!

A couple of weeks ago, while our friends were here visiting, we all went to see Melisha and the kids. They were SO excited to see all of us, and the house looked great! Melisha loved Mike- Crystal's boyfriend. He was almost double her size!! Speaking of size, she also had a thing or two to say about mine. She was THRILLED to see that I had "increased" or gained weight. Here, gaining weight shows you are healthy and happy. I have really had to learn the hard way that it is indeed a compliment. :) Melisha was so glad to see I had gained weight in Karamoja of all places, that she insisted on coming and visiting Ruco and I. She wants to see for herself this wonderful place that has made me so plump. Maybe I should tell her now that she will be very disappointed, as we can't get alot here. Lots of rice and carbs have been the main culprit for my "increase." ha!
Anyway, It was the start of the new school term, so Ruco, Mike, Crystal, and I set out with the kids to go and pay school fees. We went to all 3 schools, paid fees/boarding costs, and bought new school uniforms for the kids. Then, we went shopping for all the new school year items that they needed. They mainly needed snacks, soap, shoes, backpacks, stationary, pens, and other personal items. We were happy to get all that they needed! After a long day of shopping, we HAD to get something to eat. Someone suggested pizza, so off we went to get some pizza for lunch. NONE of the kids had ever tried pizza before. It was so cute. Charles loved the pizza, but Harriet and Ivan were a little more skeptical. I don't think they were entirely sold even after the meal. I guess pizza is an acquired taste!!! After pizza, the kids headed home to Melisha. She was THRILLED that all the kids needs for school were met. Harriett told me later, "Thank you. Now my Ja Ja (grandma) doesn't get scared and worried anymore."

So, I guess I wanted to say thank you. again. for what you did for Melisha and her grandchildren. She remains SO grateful, and the kids are still doing great! I will make it a point to update everyone whenever we see them, because you were such a big part of the ministry to these kids, too.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

Friends come and visit!!

2010-02-22T01:59:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, we had some friends come and visit us in Uganda. I went to high school with Gus and Crystal, and it was so fun to hang out with them. I was so glad we had an entire week with them. Even though we have done a great job at keeping in touch over the years, I felt like we really needed a whole week together to get to know one another again! Crystal was really a mentor figure to me in high school, and I loved talking to her then about my relationship with God (did not say "the Lord" for you, Tred). It was so good to dive right in again, and have those kind of talks again. It was also great to get to know her boyfriend, Mike. He is such a great guy!
Anyway, we did A LOT while they were here! They saw a good bit of Uganda. We went rafting down the Nile again (scary)!! Then, we went on Safari to Murchison Falls, and Crystal spotted a leopard up in a tree! She was an awesome safari guide! I had never seen a leopard before (apparently they are really shy). So that was an experience for all of us! We also drove them all the way to Karamoja to see where we live. It was so cool to share our lives with them, and so cool how interested they were in Karimojong culture!!
Anyway, thanks for coming guys, we LOVED having you come and visit! Can't wait to see where we will meet up next!

Getting ready to raft "de Nile"

Ready for a fun day on the water!

Crystal and Mike on their first boda boda

Love the hippos yawning

Love spotting them out of water, too!

Crstal and I with some elephants in the background!

Yummy milkshakes in Kampala

Buffalos!

All of us-with Mel and Tred (our lovely friends and co-workers) My husband is striking a pose-he is seriously so cute~!

Elephants at Murchison Falls

Saturday fun!

2010-01-31T00:50:00.000-08:00

So far, we have had two meetings for our Children's Outreach program. We will be meeting in the local slum in town every Saturday and going through our Chronological Bible Storytelling program with the kids. The kids also get a hot meal, and a lot of fun time. We have had well over 150 kids show up for the program both weeks we have met! I think the hot meal is quite an incentive for them. They bring their own bowls/cups from home. It kind of broke my heart, as even the small ones would just grip their cups while jumping rope and playing football. They are all just waiting to receive their food.

The program went really well yesterday. I taught the second part of the Creation Story, and had someone translate for me. After, I asked some of the kids what they learned from the story. One girl I met, Fiona, said, "I learned that God made man out of the dust, and he breathed the breath into the man's nostrils." It was so cute. Then I asked her, “Did you also remember the part of the story where it told us that man was made from God’s image?” I continued by telling her how precious she is to God, and that He has created her wonderfully in His image. As she walked alongside me, holding my hand, she nodded. I hope that she really understands that she was created wonderfully in His image. Pray with me that through the program, all of the children will come to understand their incredible value, and how loved they are by our Savior!!!

Bible Storytelling

So cute, but looks so sad!

Jumping rope, a work out for me! I'm quite out of shape!

Ruco flipping the kids..they love him.

Walking on his hands. You can imagine what ensued after this. Lots of kids attempting to walk on their hands!

I think this might have been the cutest little girl I have ever seen. All smiles.

Those girls could really whip that rope! I lost an earring to that rope!

Hot porridge.

My multi-talented husband...so gifted! :)

Mama in training!

Weddings, and Babies, and Birthdays OH MY!

2010-01-26T04:52:00.000-08:00

Previously, I had promised to write about my dear friend Shannon's beautiful wedding in December. I was so blessed to be able to attend this sweet ceremony, and meet Shannon's now husband, Andy. Shannon met Andy on a trip to Australia in summer 2003. I remember her calling me that summer asking if I could come to Australia. She told me that she was having an AWFUL time, and had not hit it off with anyone. A couple weeks later, after meeting Andy, Shannon was singing a COMPLETELY different tune! When she came home, she gushed about the cute boy she had met in Australia. Now, 6 years later, that CUTE boy is her husband. God is so good, and His plans for us are so perfect! During the rehearsal, Andy and Shannon decided that they would like to have Shannon's dad come up and say a prayer over the couple. As we were rehearsing, Andy said, "I would love for the whole wedding party to gather around us, and lay hands on us as we pray." As we practiced that part of the ceremony, Andy said again, "Yes, this is what I like! Friends gathered around and praying together." It brought tears to my eyes, and I immediately knew that Shannon had truly met the one God had for her. Shannon has such a beautiful heart for others, and I was so glad to see that Andy shared that heart and passion.

Shannon and Andy at their rehearsal dinner
The bride and I
Just before the ceremony..so exciting!
"Shandy" leaving the reception!

The wedding was just before I flew back to Uganda. I was a little emotional about saying good-bye to everyone, but I was SO anxious to be with Ruco again. It just feels like my right arm has been cut off or something when we are not together! ha! We have been through so much together over the last couple of years. God has allowed us to be more bound together than ever because of all the challenges, tough days, and distance from our family.

My very best friend and I!

After getting back to Uganda, I was busy right away! A donor had given SP some recently translated Bibles for me to distribute in the Karamoja region. It was such a fun day! Churches organized a day of celebration where all of their congregations came together. We were able to fellowship together, and believers in each church received their very own copy of a Bible. Everyone was SO happy about receiving a Bible translated into their own heart language. Not only that, but the Old Testament was JUST translated last year, so many people were saying, "I am seeing the Old Testament for the very first time!"It was such a sweet day, full of joy and tears.

One Church in Amudat receiving Bibles for the very first time!

So joyous!

This lady shared with me her salvation story...so beautiful.

One little girl shared with me that she was saved in November. I was also saved as a little girl, and was able to encourage her to keep walking with Jesus!!

Handing out some Pokot Bibles

Last week, Ruco headed off to the DR Congo with SP. I stayed at home in Uganda..but missed him terribly! While gone, he missed the news that we are now officially "Aunt Kristi and Uncle Ruco!" I received a phone call last week that my brother and his wife, Ashley, delivered a healthy baby boy-Noah! He is sooo cute and SO chubby! I can't wait to meet him and love on him! Welcome to our family baby Noah!

My baby brother is a dad! Crazy!

So sweet, and looks so much like his daddy to me!

Ruco thankfully came back on Saturday, and I loved being reunited AGAIN! He was just in time for us to celebrate his VERY SPECIAL 27th birthday together. I will have to post pics of his birthday, and the bday boy soon!!! I am so thankful for him.

Lastly, I have been busy organizing and planning what the Ministry Program will look like this year in Karamoja. We will have not just one, but four women's groups!!! We will also have a children's outreach every Saturday, a radio program where the gospel will be shared over the air waves, and 30 -40 Bible Storytelling listening groups set up throughout our region! God is so good, and I am so excited to see what he will do with the Ministry program in Karamoja, Uganda this year! Will you also join me in praying for SP-Uganda: for our programs and staff members...that God would especially find favor in us, and bless our endeavors!!!

We love and miss you all dearly! Hope to catch up with you all individually very soon! We are also praying for you!!

Very Proud!!

2010-01-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

My in-laws, after serving with Campus Crusade for Christ for the last 13 years, are now changing organizations and will be working with Godspeed. Their mission: “To care about the emotional, spiritual, and organizational well being of missionaries, missionary leaders, and cross cultural missionary teams in order to refresh their spirits and to establish healthy environments in which they can thrive to help fulfill the Great Commission." My father in law (Willie) is a clinical psychologist. In his new position, he will be able to care for missionaries on the field through crisis interventions and preventative and restorative services. This can be in the form of debriefings, counseling, team building exercises, workshops, trainings, etc. Basically, missionaries can experience lots of stresses living in the field emotionally and physically, depending on their situation. Godspeed aims to care for missionaries out in the field so that they can better care for the people they are there to serve. Check out their NEW blog for more information about their positions and ministry with Godspeed. You can click on the "Ministry" tab to read more.

http://willievandermerwe.wordpress.com

The best part is that they will be relocating with Godspeed to Southern Africa (Namibia) at some point next year!!!! I really am so very proud of them, for what they are doing and have done to further His Kingdom! After having lived out in the field now for a bit, I really understand the need for what they are doing. Mamma and Pappa-I can't wait to come and visit you guys in Namibia!! We are so blessed because of you!

Home for the Holidays!

2010-01-01T06:36:00.000-08:00

I was able to go home for Christmas! It was so wonderful! It had been almost 10 months since I had seen my family in Florida and Louisiana. While away, I had missed a wedding (my brother got married) and 3 of my best friends had babies. So much can happen in 10 short months!

I began my trip in Louisiana where I was able to see my family there.

SEE!

My best friend Jill came and picked me up in New Orleans, and we went to go and meet Brant for the very first time!

SEE!

Then on to Pensacola to see my amazing family and friends there. While there, I met the other 2 beautiful babies for the first time, and spent so much great time with my mom. We needed some good one on one time together, and I was so thankful that we got it! Christmas was wonderful and relaxing, and it was so much fun having a kid around this year! I got a new niece when my brother married Ashley, and she is too cute!

SEE!

And I got to meet this sweet girl for the very first time, and hang out with her cute mamma! Lyla is just the sweetest baby! I loved her oh so much, and it seemed she loved me too! It was love at first sight!!!!

Jill had a Christmas brunch for all of us girls, and I got to see Christi, Ashley, Emily, and Danielle for the first time in YEARS. I also got to meet sweet Charleigh for the first time! She is seriously so gorgeous.

SEE!

We also had a baby shower for my sister in law, Ashley. I will be getting a nephew soon! I can't wait, even though I am going to miss his arrival. I could probably start crying now thinking about that. What is wrong with me!??!?

I also got to see my friend Audrey, whom I hadn't seen since May 2007-when she was getting ready to leave for her 2 year stint in Japan with IMB. Audrey is FANTASTIC at keeping in touch, so I really couldn't believe it had been that long since we had seen one another! We had such a fun time together at the Chik Fil A! Our favorite place to go together!

Last but not least, I hadn't seen sweet Kennedy since she was 3 months old. Then she could barely sit on her own. Now, she is running all over the place: talking and laughing! She is so much fun with a BIG personality just like her mama! Here I am with Miss Kennedy!

SEE!

AND I still got mo' to sho' ya! ha!

My best friend from college, Shannon got married a few days ago. I had a WONDERFUL time at the wedding. I will have to dedicate a whole post to that one. Next time.

I love all of you, and am so thankful for your love and hospitality during my time home. I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life! See you next time! Back to Uganda I go! I am SERIOUSLY missing my husband!!!!

Old Wives' Tales...

2009-12-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

So, it's 8:01pm, and we are still working in the office. Well, let me re-phrase that, my husband is still working in the office...so I thought I would post another blog! So many silly things happen in my day to day life here in Moroto. I always think, "I should share that with friends, or tell about it on my blog.." But I blog so seldom that I forget all the funny things that happen throughout the day. Not only that, but so many things I would have thought were "funny" or "strange" a few years back, are just absolutely normal to me now! As I write, I can hear my co-worker, Tred, shooing the chicken who has come inside our office, back outside. The generator is running full blast, (which makes it possible for me to deliver this blog post to you), and I keep running back and forth from Ruco's office (which is only 2 doors down), to my own office. You see, he has the recently delivered care packages and snacks in HIS office! ;)
Today was a fun day, we had one of our staff from Kampala who is a veterinarian doctor come and speak to my women's group about raising poultry. They have been so excited about learning how to raise and care for chickens, as well as turkeys!! Afterwards, we had our Christmas party! The special treat was that we were having ROASTED goat's meat. The women were so happy!! Me, not so much. I still don't really like the taste of goat's meat, and don't eat the beef here in Karamoja either. It's just really chewy! You can chew and chew and chew (and chew).
During lunch, we started having the most funny conversation about old wives' tales here in Karamoja. Three of my women are expecting. They have asked me to bring them ALL baby clothes when I come back from America. They say the clothes are better in America. When I asked one of my women if I should purchase boy or girl clothes, she says I should definitely purchase girl clothes. When I ask her if she has ever had an ultrasound to determine the sex of the baby...she says, "no." ha! When I ask her how she knows the baby is a girl, she says because the baby is lying on the left side. Apparently if the baby is lying on the right, it is a boy. If it is on the left, it will definitely be a girl. This began a WHOLE other conversation on all things baby and pregnancy...and seeing as how I am the only non-Ugandan and non-mom, it was very interesting to say the least! One of my women told me that if you drink lots of milk and white foods, the baby will come out more clean. hmm.
I love all the old wives' tales here. I know we have some of our own in the states. I would love to hear some and compare....
Sooo many silly conversations are had throughout the day, and so many funny things happen. We laugh a lot at all of our miscommunication! I can't wait to get home and share more with you all.....

Christine and Faith, who are in the women's group

Making some jewelry together!

Cute mom and babe at a food distribution

Watch this video!

2009-12-05T03:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.elevationchurch.org/sermons

I am not able to watch the video really well because of our internet connection here in Moroto,
but I have seen bits and pieces. The video is from an Elevation Church visit to our programs in Uganda. It really gives a good idea of what God is doing through Samaritan's Purse in Uganda!! Check it out to see where we live, and what kind of programs SP is running in Uganda.

In the first few minutes of the video, the Pastor- Steven Furtick is in Moroto, where we live. He films a bit of his sermon at one of our food distributions (which is what Ruco is doing with SP).

Then later, while he is in Lira, he talks a bit about the Bible Storytelling program (which is what we have started doing in Moroto, and is what I do with the women's group).

Check it out, and tell me what you think! I can't wait to get home in a couple weeks and watch the entire video!

I'll be home for Christmas....

2009-12-05T02:02:00.000-08:00

Things have been going really well lately here in Moroto. My women's group has been great as always! They are still excited to learn each Bible Story, and to share what they learn about God within their families and communities. My little Maria told me last week that she recently shared the story of Joseph (which we have been discussing) to 40 women in her village!!! She said those women have asked her to share stories with them every week!!!! So Maria is starting a Bible Storytelling group with 40 women on her own!! What an encouragement Maria is to me.

Maria! Photo by Mrs. Susan Davis

Maria also shared with me that her 89 year old mother (Alice) also loves learning the Bible Stories. After our group meeting, Maria goes home and teaches Alice the stories she has learned. So I set out to Maria's village to meet Alice.
I was so encouraged after meeting with Alice, and again so thankful for the heart that her daughter (Maria) has for others to come to know Christ!

Alice is blind. She spoke of being excited about being with Jesus one day, and having her sight restored!!

I also rejoice with her!!! This is Alice with her great- grandchildren...

I think in my last post I told you about how we learned to make local baskets for income generation for the women (which is going really well by the way). A few weeks ago, we also had a soap-making workshop. Did you know that soap is made mainly from animal fat!??!? YUCK!! Every morning, the local butcher would deliver beef fat to our office for us to "render" into "tallow" for making the soap. Basically, just cook down for the oil. Oh, I had a really tough time with this whole animal fat thing! It smelled AWFUL! But the women really enjoyed learning how to make soap. They had never done so before. And guess what!! It worked! It was so amazing to use a batch of the soap and have it lather up really well. The women were very happy about the workshop. I have to say though, the next weekend Ruco was at the office while I was at home. He called me and said, "The butcher is here. She has killed a camel. She said the hump of the camel has really good fat, and would probably make great soap." After a week of collecting kilos and kilos of beef fat everyday, I just had to say, "no thanks!!" haha!! We needed a little break from the animal fat, and I was certainly not interested in that moment with the camel hump fat!!! haha! I know, our life sounds so weird! :)

So, on hiatus from animal fat collecting, we have been making baskets like crazy! ha!

Making a basket from Palm Leaves

Using Sisal and palm leaves...

Marita and I, not to be confused with Maria, or Martina. Somehow, a lot of the women's names sounds alike!!

It seems that we have only been busy with work, but we HAVE managed to sneak some fun in too! Ruco and I have had the chance to hang out with really good friends in the last couple of weeks, and do some fun things. I have really been encouraged and challenged with the wonderful chats we have been having lately. I can't wait to get home for the holidays and chat with family and friends about the things God has been laying on my heart lately too!!

See you all in less than 2 weeks!!!! Love you all!!

Joy comes in the morning....

2009-11-09T22:35:00.000-08:00

Things have been going well here lately! My women’s group has been a lot of fun. Last week, we had a wonderful lady come and teach us how to make baskets out of palm leaves, and other local materials. Her technique and baskets were really nice, and the women really tried hard. The teacher kept saying, “Your women can really try. They have good morale, and that has made me want to teach them.” She’s right. These women really desire to better their livelihoods and to learn more about Christ. They listen intently. They learn each and every Bible Story. They go out into their communities and share Him with others. They cut palm leaves until their fingers bleed (literally). They walk miles with babies on their backs just to be a part of our group. God has given me such a love for these women!!!
Things have been better for me lately too. To be honest, I had just been feeling so stressed the last few months. It was a new kind of stress I had never before experienced. I know I can attribute it to living in a new environment and starting a new job. These things obviously can cause stress, but I just didn’t know what to do about the stress! I was holding onto all these worries I had, and though I tried, couldn’t quite lay the worries at the foot of the Cross. I was clinging to all my burdens and worries. I was talking Ruco’s ear off instead of going to the One who knows my heart best.
Lately, however, I have FINALLY allowed God to carry my burdens, my hurts, my worries, and my STRESS. I have given them to Him. I have allowed His love and grace to cover me-to envelop me. To be in His arms, and let him take my burdens is the most wonderful place to be. Why did I make it so hard just to give him my worries? And now that I have given it all to Him, I can’t remember why I was so stressed in the first place!!!
I love this verse: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28
Yes Lord, I am weary, and I am so very tired! But I will come to you!! Thank you for giving me rest, and for making my JOY new again!

Marita with one of the big baskets the teacher brought as an example. We are learning to make baskets that will look like this.

Sitting with the women learning to make the baskets

This is Christine. She has a very special place in my heart. She endures a LOT at home, more than I could ever imagine. Yet, her joy is so abundant, and her faith so steadfast.
This is Nakiru making her basket. Nakiru was recently saved and is working on her husband also becoming a believer! She is 25 and pregnant with her 4th. Please pray for her husband!
Nakiru, baby Precious, and I...
The teacher who taught us how to make baskets wanted a photo of all of us. We made really small baskets to practice and learn the technique.

My Wednesdays

2009-10-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday, I meet with 30 awesome and inspiring Karamojong women! We encourage one another, learn Bible Stories, try out some income generating activities, and chat about things that are important to us. Wednesdays have quickly become my favorite day of the week!!
I have really enjoyed this group of ladies. Each week, we learn a new Bible Story together using a method called, "Chronological Bible Storytelling." First of all, we learn the stories as they are in the Chronology-from Creation to Christ. Since we just began the group last month, we have just finished the story of Noah...
In addition to that, it's an oral method of learning a story - just hearing the story (not reading it, or using pen and paper to take notes.) I've actually read that over 70% of the world's population communicates mainly by stories, songs, dramas, proverbs, etc. This way of learning is certainly traditional in Karamoja (and throughout Africa I would guess...) Stories are passed down from generation to generation orally. Important facts, even history is passed down through story, song, or word of mouth. These things are not necessarily written down on paper! So learning Bible Stories orally is what makes sense in this culture/tradition.
So after a Simply the Story training SP hosted in August, I have learned how to tell the story in a way that is easy for the women to understand, and in a way that enables them to remember and re-tell the story! Each week, I tell the story to the women, have them re-tell the story to one another, and then we walk through the facts of the story. Last, but certainly not least, I have the women tell me the observations they have from the story, and ways they can apply the stories to their own lives!
I love hearing what the women have to say about the Bible Stories! Last week when we were learning about Noah and the flood, the women just started laughing!! When I asked what was happening, I was told that the women have heard this story before. It has been passed down from generation to generation, but no one had any idea that it was a true story..in the Bible!
The women also loved hearing the story of Adam and Eve the first week! They had never heard the story before! One of my ladies, Maria, went home and told her neighbors the story. She said the next day she had a line of people waiting to hear why it is that women have to endure labor pains and pain in childbirth! ha! It is wonderful to see the excitement the women have each week as we are preparing to learn a new story.
It is so refreshing to be with these ladies! I am able to experience these stories I have heard all my life in a fresh and new way!!
We also have been doing some bead-working (jewelry making) to make a little income for the women. That is what is going on in most of the photos...
I just wanted to share with all of you why I love Wednesdays!

These ladies are great! The one in the middle loves going back home to her neighbors and telling them the new Bible Story she learned in our group.

These ladies are all sitting together and making jewelry

This is Maria. I really love her. I will have to post a whole blog about the reasons why. Here she is telling the group the story of Cain and Abel.

Marita showing off the necklace she made!

More jewelry making!

Another shot of Marita

One of the many babies that also attends each wednesday. :)

Long overdue for news...

2009-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we met up with some of the other ex-pat staff in Uganda and went to one of the national parks here, Murchison Falls. We had a great time and were able to see loads of animals. We camped right by the delta of the river, and even had a few elephants wander into our camp in the middle of the night. It was such a great time to spend with other staff, especially since some of those live on the other side of the country and we really don't get to see them often! We had so much fun, and I wish we could all get together more!

Ruco, Jodi-somehow, Cory, me, Melanie, and Tred (don't I have the cutest husband???)

Then, just last week, ALL Samaritan's Purse staff members from across Uganda (Kampala office plus 3 sub-offices) met together for a Ministry Retreat just outside of Kampala. It was such a wonderful time where some gave their lives to the Lord, and others became more committed in their relationships with Him. There is nothing more precious than when someone comes to understand Christ's love and the weight of the cross for the first time!! It was definitely emotional for our staff and leaders. It was wonderful, and I loved seeing some SP staff members whom I hadn't seen since Ruco and I were interning with their program (some over a year ago.) SP Uganda really has the best staff, and I love being with them.

Now we are back to work in Karamoja. I began my job about one month ago as the program coordinator for the Karamoja Ministry program!!! So far, we have had a Bible Storytelling training for 31 church leaders in Karamoja, have begun weekly women's group meetings for around 20 women (where we are using the Bible Storytelling method and will be doing some IGA's - income generating activities,) and have begun translating Bible stories into Ngakarimojong language (to later be recorded on solar-powered audio players.) I definitely feel overwhelmed at this point - still being new in the position. But I have to keep reminding myself that this is what I have always desired to do...to be working in Africa, sharing the love of Christ!!! God really has met the DEEPEST desires of mine and Ruco's hearts. He has provided us with chances to serve Him even beyond our imaginations. I know through prayer, He will continually equip us to do our jobs adequately!!

I am sure I will have tons of great stories over the next few months, and I am so excited how God is going to work through the SP Ministry Program in Karamoja! I will keep you all updated! I love and miss you all.

Fun with the Fam!

2009-08-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

My in-laws have now gone back to Germany…and Ruco and I are pretty much moping about. We had such a wonderful time with them. It was so great to show them what our lives look like here in Uganda, and just be able to talk face to face without dealing with a crazy phone connection or long delay. We had so much catching up to do!! They had never before been to East Africa, and really loved it! They had a blast identifying lots of new birds (they are the bird watching type!) and taking in the unique and colorful details of Karamoja. We really live in such a beautiful place…with so many distinctive characteristics.

While they were here…
-We were able to raft down the Nile River (as you already know!)
-Go and visit my friend Damali and her babies’ home in Jinja!
-Go on safari at Kidepo National Park for a weekend and see lots of animals including but not limited to: lion, giraffe, elephants, lots of buffalo, zebra, hartebeest, warthogs, monkeys/baboons, etc. etc. As I said earlier, Ruco’s parents are avid bird watchers, and oh man they were also excited to spot over 110 new species of birds!
-Relax in Mbale at the pool and eat LOTS of yummy authentic Indian food.
-Check out Sipi Falls again and hike down to the big waterfall
-Check out the “Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre” and spend three nights in the bandas there (so awesome!)

We really had a blast.Thank you mamma and pappa: for making the trip to see us. We love you, and miss you guys already!

One of my most favorite people..such a gift to me!

Talking and talking..what we do best!

Ruco, Hugo and I headed down to the lake

Mamma and I in Nakapiripirit (about an 1 1/2 hours from where we live)

My love and I

Our "missionary family photo" as Hugo says..

And a silly one...

My silly bro in law, we have so much fun together!

The sweetest couple who have been married 30 years!

At sipi falls

on safari

my first lion spotting! 5 at once!

This elephant was very tame. He just strolled into the camps where people lived...

The VDM's rafting down the Nile!

2009-07-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

My amazing in-law family is now here in Uganda with us! They arrived last Tuesday, almost one week ago. So far, they are really loving Uganda! This past weekend, we took them rafting down the Nile...something Ruco and I had already done, but enjoyed doing again. They LOVED it...my MIL kept saying, "I can't believe I'm doing this!!!" and "Here I am, on Pharaoh's NILE!" Our guide's name was Moses...fitting. We felt safe with him, although I once again had a brush with death, like last fall. I was catapulted out of the raft (only me) and was sucked under and tossed about for what seemed like an eternity!! My MIL told me later that Ruco looked so scared as well because no one could find me once I fell out (like I said, I was being tossed about under the water like a rag doll.) When I finally made it back to the raft everyone confirmed that I was indeed under water for an ETERNITY! Those rapids are just tough (class 5!!)
We are back in Kampala now, and after some hefty shopping for supplies, we are going to drive up to Karamoja tomorrow. I can't wait for them to see Karamoja..the people, the environment, the dress, and way of life are so different than anywhere else in Uganda, and anywhere I have ever been! I really think they will love it! I will try and post more (better quality) photos once we get back home to Moroto.
We love and miss you all! Enjoy the grainy and blurry photos for now (taken by another guide.) :)

Because no matter where we go...

2009-07-16T01:12:00.000-07:00

...neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38,39)

Long time...

2009-07-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have last posted, sorry! I'll start from the last time I posted...
Three weekends ago, we traveled to Kampala to pick up Hugo (Ruco's younger brother) from the airport! We had a fun weekend and I was able to go to the craft market to shop for our house. I bought some paintings, a cool African tapestry, great lamps, and a really awesome apron (due to my numerous cooking attempts these days!) I think our apartment is really looking like a home now.
We also bought a TON of meat and cheeses since we can't buy nice steaks, ground beef, sausages, etc. or cheese here in Moroto...and we usually have a great fridge/freezer for storage. We stocked up, just for Hugo! However, once we arrived back home, we realized-we had absolutely NO power! The generator was in need of repair and had to be sent all the way to Kampala for those repairs. The city power was also not coming on at night (we usually have city power from 7-11pm.) We did our best to keep the meat cold, and two days later, for Huggie's 18th bday, Ruco decided we should have a serious grill-out in honor of the bday boy. So we cooked up ALL that MEAT! Food poisoning waiting to happen...and oh did it! We were SO sick for almost a week! :(
I should also comment about Hugo's bday cake. We have a really good friend, Brian, here in Moroto. He used to make cakes professionally, so I asked him to make a cake for Hugo's bday. Well, Brian is really busy..working for WFP, and timing wasn't working out for him to make the cake in time. So I made it myself. And it was good..the actual CAKE part. Tred (the intern here with us for 3 months) helped me to come up with a chocolate icing that was also turning out really nicely...just icing sugar and baking chocolate, which we were cooking in a double boiler. When we were ALMOST done with the chocolate icing, Brian showed up! And he said we were doing everything WRONG..haha! So I let the pro take over. And when I got my cake back, it had a thick layer of "Blue Band" (local margarine) coated as the icing. Then my chocolate icing was just used to write, "Happy Bday Hugo." Tred and I really laughed, and thought, well, it's different... margarine as icing. Oh well, Hugo was happy anyway...
Now we are back to work, and still loving having Hugo around. He has been volunteering at the "sisters of charity" orphanage close to our office! I love going and playing with the kids there, and I think Hugo is really enjoying it as well. He brings the kids "sweeties" everyday. It is really interesting to have his thoughts on the things he sees and experiences here. I think in the short amount of time he has been here, he has really thought a lot about what he wants to do with his future, etc. and it's nice hearing about his plans and ideas.
So that has been the last 3 weeks for the van der Merwe's in Karamoja. Please continue to pray for us here, as we love on the people of Karamoja. Prayer requests: our health, and for God to give us and our co-workers strength and energy for the long days in the field with distributions.
Please let me know how I can also be praying for you. I really want to be a prayer warrior for my friends and family...

This morning...Ruco wrestling with the puppy

Random shot.

Tred, Shadrack (program manager) and Ruco

Ruco and Shadrack...they really work so well together and enjoy each other.

Brian (the pro cake maker's) daughter Sylvia and I

Hugo blowing out all 18 candles!

Sonrise Babies' Home

2009-06-12T23:55:00.001-07:00

So my sweet friend Damali has updated her blog, and I thought maybe everyone could check it out...

www.sonrisebabies.blogspot.com

We love and miss you all dearly.

questions and encouragement.

2009-05-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

Last night as Ruco and I were lying in bed, I was watching him edit his photos. I do this a lot..just watch him. His love of creating is so intriguing to me (lately it's his garden he is obsessed with.)
As I was watching him, he started telling me all about the people in the photos, whom he had met that day. One baby in particular was so severely mal-nourished. His little legs were just bones. I have held babies like this in Karamoja-babies who look to be infants only a few weeks old, but the parents tell you they are 12 months or older. The skin on their little bodies hangs in folds, and they seem so apathetic and lethargic. It breaks my heart.
The last couple of weeks, I have been thinking a lot about the people here in Karamoja. I sit on these benches behind Mt. Moroto Hotel, and I think about all the people who live up high on those peaks. I think about the food rations they receive from WFP (World Food Program) through Samaritan’s Purse, and if it is really enough. I was imagining the other day all those who don’t have enough to eat, and those who lose children because of mal-nutrition and disease. Then I started wondering about whether or not God cares about those things or about these people in Uganda. If God really loves us so much, why do people not have enough to eat and why do some people suffer so much?At that moment, I was overwhelmed by the physical feeling of the love of our Father. He reminded me in that instant, that everything he does is because He loves us. Love is His motivation for any discipline. Love was His motivation for sending His son to die for me. He has never once forsaken me, but instead recklessly chases after me. Then I started thinking about my sin and the way I repeatedly break His heart even though he loves me more than I could ever grasp…and I thought…hasn’t God made it so that there is more than enough food for all the people on this earth, and for the people in Karamoja? There is beyond plenty…there is an abundance! But it’s us as human beings that prevent everyone on this earth from having enough food to eat. And isn’t so much of the pain in this earth self-inflicted? God has given us free will, and we have sinned against Him and broken His heart. We are so selfish...I am so incredibly selfish. Doesn’t it just take caring about other people as much as I care about myself for the world to really change? Doesn’t it just take realizing that EVERY SINGLE action I take affects other people? God did show perfect love when He was here on this earth…what do I show? I do care about the Ugandan people, and people around the world who are suffering very, very much…but I care about myself first (and my own full belly!!!) It was definitely a moment of clarification for me…to realize that it isn’t God to blame, but it’s our sinful nature as people.
I realize that for me, babies who are suffering from mal-nutrition is a reality that is staring me in the face every single day. So of course I would be compassionate to the needs here. But today, I came across a blog written by a girl who lives in Pensacola-a girl that went to high school with me. I was so encouraged by her heart for orphans, and the things she does even from Pensacola to help! She wrote a blog about how she would ship some of her excess breast milk to Africa for orphaned children. I have never heard of this, but I was hugely encouraged by it!
Last year, while Ruco and I were living in "The Gambia," there was a little boy named Bakary who had lost his mother in our village. His grandmother was raising him, and while she tried very hard (and I also tried,) Bakary was so severely mal-nourished from not receiving breast milk, that he passed away while we were there. I remember asking, "why can't someone cross-nurse or wet-nurse for this baby??" I told our language teacher that I thought Bakary was going to die. But I received no response. I later learned that there was some kind of stigma against cross-nursing and that the other women in our village would not do it. So needless to say after that experience, and then after reading the blog today, I realize that there is a HUGE need/gap. And it was so encouraging to read about this girl's amazing heart for orphans, and the things she and her husband do to put the needs of others before themselves!!
I guess I was not only encouraged, but I was also challenged. Obviously I cannot donate breast milk. :) But I am HERE. I live amongst such need, and I think God has been showing me that I really need to get CREATIVE (like my awesome hubby,) be willing and able, and REALLY put the needs of others before myself.
Ruco also read from Luke 6:27-31 this week during our morning devotions in the office. God is really speaking to my heart!!

mother and cute babe

lots of older siblings are the care-takers because mom is primary bread-winner in home

3 years have come and gone...

2009-05-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

since the best day of my life.

gettin' hitched!

"you may now kiss your bride"

26 in Uganda!

2009-05-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

My post title seems fitting since last year, my post title was "25 in Gambia!" I'm just wondering if I will be living in a different country each year on my birthday. hmm...
My birthday was nice because Ruco and I were able to spend some time together. Ruco really tries hard to make birthdays and holidays special for me...but it's kind of hard to do much out of the ordinary here. I mean, the best meal we are going to get-no matter what, is chicken and fries if we eat out. So, that morning, he woke up and immediately starting looking up recipes in a recipe ebook we have on our computer. We found a pasta dish, and then a banana chocolate cake recipe we thought we could manage with the limited cooking supplies that are available here in Moroto. I am happy to report that the pasta was delicious..but the cake, not so much. It was hard as a rock-even immediately coming from the oven! Ruco is usually a phenomenal cook, but that day was just NOT his culinary day! :)
I was also happy to get to talk to family and friends on the phone. Even when one phone call came at 5am! Overall, it was a good day!
The rest of the week has passed by quickly, but not uneventfully! Ruco's parents and brother booked their flights to come and visit us in a couple months, and I'm really excited about that! We haven't had visitors yet in Africa, and I really could have guessed it would be my adventurous VDM family to trek to the wild west (actually east) of Uganda first!
Things have also calmed a little for Ruco! He has had time to work in his beloved garden and read a little. On the other hand, I have been working a bit more in the office, helping out where I can with finances. I think we are finally meeting each other in the middle!!
Overall, I feel blessed for all that I have experienced in the last year with Ruco. I also feel blessed for all that we have yet to experience, and all that we have to look forward to in years to come! God is so good!!!

Me on my 25th birthday last year with Mohammed and Isatou...in the Gambia...

Not on my actual bday-but my bday trip to Sipi Falls..in Uganda!

Soccer jerseys=big hit!

2009-04-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

So my Aunt Kim has been collecting old soccer jerseys from her class at school (over the last year) after I told her how much the boys are OBSESSED with soccer in Africa. We gave out some jerseys in The Gambia, and have also given to the street kids here in Moroto. She also sent us with some small toys (like hotwheels cars) and candy.
I know the street boys in Moroto really well, and after building a relationship with them, handed out some of the jerseys. I also went to "Camp Swahili" nearby and gave out some of the shirts and toys. Here are a few photos so that the kids from Riverside Elementary can see some of the Ugandan kids they helped!!
PS-I love seeing the Slidell and Pearl River shirts around town!!!

Some kids in "Camp Swahili." They were really happy about their new "motor cars"
Some of the boys with their cars

cute kid and the donkey from shrek

2 of the street boys in town

This is my buddy Robert. He lives nearby.

This is Peter. I love him. He teaches me what it means to really be joyous.

Teko and friend with their new jerseys. Teko should be in P-5, but is not in school...

Some of the boys from town. Ruco and I bought that barcelona jersey for christian while we were visiting there. He has now outgrown it. That jersey has really been around the world!

Alexander, who is also our neighbor.

Sipi Falls

2009-04-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Ruco and I were able to sneak away (because of a polio campaign in town) and head to Sipi Falls (a beautiful town with waterfalls close by.) I know you are always supposed to say vacations are relaxing and amazing. But this one was EXACTLY what we needed. My poor husband who detests nap taking (I know—it’s sad really) slept for 3 hours every afternoon. We ate three course lunches and dinners every day, not to mention the colorful and huge breakfast! I am now officially 400 lbs. in case you were wondering. We were also able to take a beautiful sunset hike our first night, and then a serious hike the next day. We hiked all the way down to the bottom of the main waterfall, then back up to the caves, and up to the second waterfall. At the end, we took a dip in one of the natural swimming pools. It was beautiful, and a great time.
I have so much more on my mind that I would love to write about..but it seems so heavy compared to the vacation talk, so I will save it for another post!
I hope everyone is doing well. We love and miss you all!

I was just wanting my husband to hurry up to take a photo with me up there-but he got a nice shot anyway!

on top of the world!

the most scary swing, you swing over a cliff

Ruco taking a freezing shower

me and lots of friends making silly faces. the one beside me has on my sunglasses.
on our way to sipi falls!

im such an outdoorsy hiking girl! :)

the second waterfall

Still settling...

2009-04-04T01:10:00.000-07:00

We are beginning to feel more at home in Moroto. I now know my way around town (a big feat for a directionally challenged me…) There is a nice market with fruits and vegetables which come from Mbale (the closest large town,) another market more in the center of town for hardware and supplies, and some places where we can grab lunch or dinner. Ruco and I have been surprised at the food here. We do have the staple rice every day, but we are able to get some decent chicken, and great veggies like cooked eggplant, greens, or carrots. The town is pretty quiet actually. It is definitely much smaller than Basse, where we lived in Gambia…but there is enough going on in the center of town so as to chase away boredom. There are around 7 or 8 young boys in town who are ready and waiting to tell you each day that they are “hunger.” Ruco goes and buys them chipotes (like tortillas) everyday, and in the process, we have learned their names and stories. There is one boy Peter, who is all smiles, all the time. He will literally make you light up, he’s so cute. He has taken to the idea of running behind our car throughout town, but not just like any other Ugandan kid will run after a vehicle…oh, no. Peter can find us WHEREVER we are in order to run after us. It’s amazing really. If we speed up and get far from him, he will take some kind of back alley short cut, and land right behind us (or in front of us) again. He can always guess where we are headed and will always show up there. I guess Msungus are pretty predictable..I don’t know.
As for a place to reside over the next year-we have also decided to go with a two bedroom flat close to Mt. Moroto Hotel just because of the sheer convenience of guaranteed running water and electricity. The town is supposed to have city power and water, but we haven’t seen either one since we have been here. The guys in our office said the water came on once for 30 minutes in the 3 months that they have been in Moroto.That wasn’t so encouraging, which is why we opted for the flat.
The place is at the foot of the mountains, and it’s really beautiful. I’m counting on long walks with Ruco in the evening once he is not working such long hours! He is indeed still working a ton, but things have gotten better. He’s around the office a bit more instead of always in the field, and I have been helping Susan (who we lived with in Lira last year) write a proposal for a ministry program in Moroto. I am gathering the information on a woman’s vocational sewing ministry. The program which Susan runs in Lira operates so that 40 women are given skills training in tailoring over a 6 month period, and are also provided with spiritual training and mentoring in that time. At the end of the program, they are equipped with a sewing machine, materials and tools in hopes that they will launch a small business of their own. They are also better equipped at the end of those 6 months to be role models in their communities and demonstrate the love of Christ. I had the opportunity to spend some time with the program in Lira, and I really think that it would work well here in Moroto. Pray with me as we work on a proposal for a ministry program here in Karamoja that God would lead the direction and the vision, so that His will would be done here and not our own! We are also praying for all of you, as always.

Ruco at a food distribution

An elderly lady waiting to receive food

People waiting in line at another distribution point

Women dividing the food between themselves

A little girl carrying a bundle of food on her head

A little girl shielding the sun with a very common Karimojong garment

Cute kids underneath their house

children showing off their manyatta (Kiswahili for “villages”)

A little girl holding her registration card for WFP and shielding herself from the rain

Settling in...

2009-03-20T00:17:00.000-07:00

So we have been in Moroto for a week and a half now. It hasn't been an easy week necessarily, but we are getting there. Ruco has been incredibly busy with the food distributions. At first, he was getting home close to 8pm every night from the field. :( The UN World Food Program (WFP) has reformatted the way they would like for food to be distributed in Karamoja, and because of those changes, things have been moving slowly.
Despite those initial crazy days though, Ruco says the food distribution went great yesterday..and that he was actually home at 5! I think things are getting better...Ruco will get the swing of things, and we will both start feeling at home in Moroto.
Lately however, I have been shocked by the need in Karamoja. I mean, we have lived in Africa for the last year on and off, but things have never been so "in my face" as they are here. During a distribution last week, I went with Ruco to the field and was shocked by the state of the children and one baby in particular because of mal-nutrition. My heart breaks, and I only pray over the next year that we don't lose our conviction to help whomever God places in our path, even though the need is so overwhelming.
When I wasn't in the field with Ruco last week, I spent my days house hunting. Basically, I ride around on a motorcycle (boda boda,) and stop at any house that looks nice. Then, we go inside and just ask to rent the place. There's no newspaper or "craigs list." You just pull right up and say "hey, can I have your house??" It's been interesting to say the least. I think we have finally found a place that will work for us..its nice and quiet...and there is plenty of room for Ruco to have a garden, which is at the top of his priority list.
Please pray for us that we do indeed find a house..and pray for Ruco...that God would give him strength for the long days! We miss you all greatly and are also praying for you!!

Bags of food to be distributed

and more bags..at a different distribution site

cute kids, and my amazing husband at one of the distributions

Contact info!

2009-03-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I posted our updated contact info on the blog here..on the right hand side. We only have the one cell phone for now, which is country code (256) and then 772-713-111. I'm really hoping to receive a phone call soon about little Lyla's grand debut! We would also love to hear from those of you who don't happen to be Lyla's mommy! :) We are missing all of you greatly.

Back in Uganda!

2009-03-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

Ruco and I have made it back safely in Uganda! The flights over were great..our plane to Amsterdam AND our plane to Uganda were empty..so we spread out and got some good rest! I actually had four seats to myself on the flight to Uganda, so could really stretch out! Ruco asked me later if I had eaten both meals on our last flight..and I was like 2 meals? Nope. I never heard the flight attendant come around once for food. I guess the mountain of blankets over me (including my face) deterred them from asking me about food! haha.
Now that we are here, we have been shopping and getting things for our place in Karamoja (more specifically we will be located in the town of "Moroto.") We picked out a sofa and two seats, a dining room table and chairs, and a coffee table yesterday. I am currently waiting on Ruco to pick me up (he went into the office) to go look for bedding and some fabric to have window treatments made. Can you even believe we will have our own little place in Uganda?!? woo hoo! I'm pumped about that!
Ruco has been talking and getting more info about what his responsibilities will be in his new role. I guess over the next couple of months, I will be collaborating with our friend Susan about ideas for ministry in Karamoja, and hopefully will be able to work in that capacity. The plan is to head over to Moroto on Monday or Tuesday. From my understanding, we wont have internet right away, but will hopefully be getting the satellite internet soon. Until then, we will have cell phones, and I will have to update those numbers on the blog here.
We miss everyone already, and will be sure to post soon on what our lives look like in Moroto, UGANDA!!!

We're leaving..on a jet plane...

2009-02-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Well, we finally got word that we will be returning to Uganda with Samaritan's Purse. Ruco will be working as the program coordinator-reporting manager for a U.N. World Food Program food distribution project in the Karamoja region of Uganda (in the north-east, close to Kenya.) It is a harsh, but beautiful region. We had the opportunity to visit there twice before as we were helping out with needs assessments in the area.

The Karimojong are traditionally cattle keeping people that lead semi-nomadic lifestyles. (We also lived with cattle herding people group in "The Gambia"-the people group there were called "Fulas".. so it must be our thing.) The Karamoja region of Uganda has generally been marginalized in relation to the rest of Uganda. It is quite different than the other areas we visited during our time in Uganda, and the need there is great. There is extreme poverty in Karamoja, and the people struggle with a harsh climate (which regularly leads to crop failure,) insecurity (because of cattle raiding between the Karimojong,) illiteracy, and poor health. We also discovered during our needs assessments in Karamoja that there is very little infrastructure, and few health facilities compared to other regions in Uganda.

I am praying that God will provide a working opportunity for me as well in the Karamoja region. Truly there is so much need there, and it will just be a matter of God showing me in what area I am supposed to work. For now, I am excited to get back to Uganda so that Ruco can begin his new job, and we can GET SETTLED..I can't believe we will have our own place again and have a life established somewhere!! :) Well, at least for one year...

More adventures to come! Stay tuned...

A woman carrying wood and some cattle around a local water pump

The streets of Kampala are filled with kids from Karamoja.

The mountains of Abim, Karamoja.

Women returning from gathering wood in the bush.

The town of Moroto, where we will be living, sits at the foot of these mountains.

guilt?!?

2009-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, Ruco and I have moved around quite a bit in the last year. It has been wonderful to see so many different places, but each decision to move made my heart heavy. Today, we received an email from our host father from the Gambia. This family meant the world to me. We had a five year old host brother named, "Mohammed" that was my only reason for smiling a lot of days. He would come over first thing in the morning, and be with us until he had to go to bed. He even took his afternoon nap in our bed after watching a movie on our laptop. I loved him like he was my own family. I really, really loved him. When we were on our way to Uganda, Ruco and I both had a peace about our decision to change organizations and work for "Samaritans Purse" as opposed to the "Peace Corps." Oh, but I cried and cried when I thought that I had left Mohammed and he probably didn't understand why. I honestly don't know how other Peace Corps Volunteers live with a family day in and day out for TWO years and then come home. You just feel so....GUILTY! Today, I have been plagued with guilt. I feel guilty for leaving Mohammed and his brothers and sisters. I feel guilty for leaving "The Gambia" in general. BUT I know that Uganda is where God wants us. I know that "Samaritan's Purse" is the organization with whom we are supposed to be serving at the moment. BUT-I also have to endure a guilty conscience. It doesn't just stop at our decision to leave the Gambia, I experience it every time I leave my family and go to Africa..or even when I leave my in-law family. I feel awful. I know that a guilty conscience is something everyone faces at some point. So what do you do with it?

Today, God brought some verses to my attention and I thought I would share it..."And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9. I know that instead of focusing on the guilt of me leaving Mohammed and others, I should follow these instructions! I should dwell on the sweet memories we shared with our host family and also the sweet memories we are making in Uganda. I also know that Satan loves for me to feel binded by my own guilt. I Peter 5:8-9 says, "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” I know that he loves for my heart to be heavy. Satan loves my soul to be in agony! Instead, I am going to dwell in the knowledge that Christ died for me so that I can be free. Instead of focusing on hurtful things I have done in the past to others or to myself, I am going to focus on what HE has done for me! He died so that I can be forgiven of my sins, and FREE from GUILT, anxiety, fear, and death! Thank you Lord!

Christmas and New Years in Germany

2009-01-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

We have been so blessed to spend 3 weeks with Ruco's family in Germany over the holidays. The time we spend with my in-laws is always so relaxing. It feels like we can come on in, and take a load off.
Besides just relaxing, we were able to go on a little ski (or sledding if you are accident prone like me) vacation in Switzerland. Ruco's parents live in the Black Forest area in Germany so we were able to go into France a bit and were only about 30 minutes from Basel, Switzerland. It was also nice to catch up with some friends who live in Germany..although we missed seeing Aron and his fiance Clara! We were able to meet up with Gus, Crystal, and Crystal's boyfriend Mike in Freiburg, Germany, and were also able to see friends we met in "The Gambia!" Tomorrow, our good friend Katie from college is also coming over from Stuttgart where she lives, to have lunch with us. It's so crazy how God has taken us in so many different directions, but then allows opportunities to meet up again in the most unlikely places.
We are already talking and getting sad about leaving on Tuesday. We are really going to miss our VDM family. They are just such an amazing gift to me, and I never take them or the opportunities they provide us for granted. I really am so grateful.
So...we will be back in the states again on Tuesday. We will be trying to get more accomplished this time in the way of preparing to go back to Uganda, but are also hoping to be able to catch up with more great friends we weren't able to see last time we were home. We will be praying we are able to see some of you there again real soon!

My mamma and pappa before a traditional VDM hat dinner

Mamma and I on a walk near their house in Kandern

Ruco and I outside a beautiful cathedral in Strausburg, France

The two of us on a DATE in Strausburg

We met up with good friends from "The Gambia" in Germany!

It was snowing!

The whole VDM family in Basel, Switzerland

The Mamma from "The South Africas" and I

We also saw some awesome friends, Gus and Crystal (and Crystal's boyfriend Mike) in Freiburg

Crystal and I in Freiburg, Germany

Hugo and Ruco

Ruco, Hugo, and the mamma in Switzerland

The husband and I

Home around the holidays!

2009-01-01T04:43:00.000-08:00

This is old news by now, (I have kind of fallen off the blogging band wagon the last few weeks...) but Ruco and I were able to go the US for a few weeks! It was just so wonderful to see family and friends although we weren't able to see some people I would have loved to see. It was SUCH a busy time, but also a sweet time. I really realized how blessed Ruco and I are to have so many people who care for us and pray for us while we are in Africa.
We are now in Germany visiting Ruco's family. They moved this past summer from France and are really enjoying being close to Hugo (Ruco's little brother who is in school in Kandern.) We are having so much fun and have been able to rest a ton. I will be sure to post some pictures of us here with our little Mamma, Pappa, and Hugo!
About our plans regarding going back to Africa...we still aren't exactly sure! I will also have to post again as soon as I find out about that!
Lastly-Happy New Years to everyone today! Ruco and I woke up very early and he rolled over and said, "Happy New Years babe..I hope this year isn't quite as exciting as last!" ha! We are hoping for a more settled year and little less craziness and moving around. Pray that we can get settled one of these days..I think that would be pretty nice! We really miss you all already and hope to hear from each of you soon!

Me with my best friend Jill at the wedding

Merry Beth and Jim's sweet wedding day

Jill, Tara, and I at Merry Beth's shower

All the girls at Heather's baby shower

My cute and pregnant best friend Heather

Jill, Tara, and I with Kennedy

My amazingly sweet and awesome mom

Grandmama, Auntie Kimberley and I

Jo and I just before our Rockband session

My beautiful grandmama and I

Jambo!

2008-12-04T04:29:00.000-08:00

Ruco and I just arrived home today from a wonderful and relaxing vacation on the island of Lamu-off the coast of Kenya. I think my favorite part of the trip was taking a dhow boat trip for the day, fishing (and grilling that fish for lunch) and snorkeling. The scenery was beautiful with pearly white buildings and dhow boats everywhere. The Swahili culture was also very unique-with a mix of African and Arabic traditions. The Arabs used to come with the trade winds to Lamu, as with many islands off the coast of Africa, and that influence is still very prevalent. There are no cars around, so most get around using the plethora of boats available, or by using donkeys! The seafood is also great and pretty cheap, and we definitely ate our share of "prawns" over the last week, along with incredible fruit juices and smoothies. As for accommodations, we were able to stay in a wonderful private home which is rented out, and we had a whole deck to ourselves-hammock and all! I would definitely recommend a trip to Lamu for anyone coming over to East Africa. I am hoping we also get to go back someday!

Oh, I am also posting a song by Michael W. Smith, which he wrote about Lamu....this is "somehow" random!

Here we are on a boat out on the sea
Off the coast of Africa
Heading for peaceful shores
With a cast of strangers
To an island hideaway
I hear you telling me
Of the place we soon will be
A rebirth from life's demise
Where the world is still--it's ideal
Anything you dream is real
It's Hotel Paradise
And you say it's nice
(when you run to)
Lamu--far away
Leave the pain far behind you
Hoping it won't find you in
Lamu--far away
You say it's there that you can run
From the one inside of you

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la

So here we are on an island in the sea
Near the coast of Africa
And when it's right--Lamu nights,
They can be so inviting
Heaven here on earth
But I hear you telling me
This is everything you need
Well, I don't think it's true
'Cause the way you feel isn't real
You attempt to try and fill
the void that's digging thru
And it's killing you (when you run to)

Lamu--far away
Tho' that pain was behind you
It can even find you in
Lamu--far away
Because you never can run
From the one inside of you

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la

I hear you telling me
Of the place we soon will be
A rebirth from life's demise
Where the world is still--it's ideal
Anything you dream is real
It's Hotel Paradise
And you say it's nice
(when you run to)

Lamu--far away
Leave the pain far behind you
Hoping it won't find you in
Lamu--far away
Tho' that pain was behind you
It can even find you in
Lamu--far away
Because you never can run
From the one inside of you

the view from our deck
before going out for dinner
Lamu town
donkeys carrying crates of soda to Shela beach
We found a cool tree on our walk to Lamu town
A relaxing day at the beach!
A traditional dhow boat
Taking a small snoozer
Ruco swimming with friends
Having great coffee at a local cafe

Murchison Falls!

2008-11-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we were able to go to a national park with two of our favorite Canadians, Keren and Melissa. The park is famous for it's incredibly powerful waterfall and we were also able to see many animals, like giraffe and elephants. My favorite part of the weekend was going chimp trekking. We were able to see two chimps and watch one for quite a few minutes! They are quite amazing, and it was actually nice to share a first with Ruco since he had never seen the chimps before either.
Speaking of my husband, I am happy to have him back after a week of being near the Congolese/Ugandan border helping out assessing the needs of refugees there. It was just so strange not being together because we are almost always together! :)
We are still in Lira working with the Ministry Team. This week, we are focusing on the Chronological Bible Story Telling. I love this program. Many people in Uganda are illiterate so can't read the Bible for themselves. Still others don't own Bibles, so can't read/study them. This program gives people the opportunity to hear Biblical truths for the first time and learn more about the character of our God. People are REALLY enthusiastic and grateful for this program!
Next week will be our last week in Lira-we will be working with the UNICEF team. Then we will take our leave time and prepare to fly home! I cant believe how quickly our internship with SP has flown! I must say I am a little sad. I have grown attached to Uganda! However, I know that God will open a door for us after our internship ends. Pray for us that we would be given another opportunity to serve Him...and hopefully can settle in that place for a while!!! It's hard on me constantly growing attached to people and then packing up again!!

Ruco and his best friend (the camera) on safari

The four of us at the start of the fall

My first giraffe spotting!

Trekking for chimps!

Awesome! I cant remember this ones name.

Elephants..I know this photo isn't great..

Keren and I cruisin'.."is that a lion??"

Another giraffe!

The last two weeks in Lira...

2008-11-02T23:31:00.000-08:00

Ruco and I have completed two weeks now working in Lira (the northern part of the country which suffered in the past due to the LRA.) We have been working with a team which is rehabilitating infrastructure and supporting the community to get resettled as they return from living in IDP camps. Samaritan's Purse has really been able to do a ton in this community through various projects like shelter and water sanitation rehabilitation, as well as livelihood infrastructure developments.

While out and about in the field this week, we were fortunate enough to get our land-cruiser seriously stuck in the mud! Nothing was pulling that thing out..not us, not another vehicle or not even a tractor someone loaned us. Ruco was grinning ear to ear, helping all the guys while covered in mud. I on the other hand, found some friends/kids to sit with under a tree..I was very helpful! ;) At 7:30 pm, we called it quits and went home. The vehicle wasn't actually freed until the end of the following day!

However, over the weekend we were able to relax some. We had a little get together on Friday night (Halloween,) with 15 or so people here visiting from Ireland. We played some games and dressed up as much as we could. I turned into a baseball player at the last minute..fitting I know because of my proven sports abilities! :) I also made some bread pudding which was really great! Having good food is pretty much my only dilemma when it comes to living out in the field. So far, the food has been wonderful in Lira. You can get anything here...including diet coke and wonderful chocolate muffins and cinammon rolls---thanks to Brian's cafe!

On Saturday, Susan, Ruco, and I went to a wedding of one of the staff members. I believe it was my first African wedding! It was beautiful! Susan is also a gifted photographer, so she and Ruco took photos while I attempted to play with Brian's video camera. I hope it doesn''t turn out like Christi Tyners wedding video which my husband recorded on a setting which made the whole place appear pink! Sorry again Christi and Justin!!

We have now been working with the HIV team and living out in the field for the past week. I have really been moved by the people we came in contact with this past week. We helped out with some VCT meetings where people were tested for HIV and also went and checked out some local groups who do some income generating activities to benefit orphans and widows in the community. We talked with two groups who both make bricks and grow sunflowers to raise enough money to help those in the community. They keep zero percent of the money for themselves. I was blown away. It is one thing for us to help because we really never want for anything. It was totally different and amazing to see these Ugandans working out in the hot sun so that they can help their own community. I was challenged and inspired after spending time with these groups.

The weekend has come again, and we are lazying around Brian's cafe! I have so many other things I have been thinking about lately, but this post is getting rather long! I will try and post again next week!

Women carrying water for brick-making to benefit vulnerable people in their own community

More income generating activity benefitting the community!

A man waiting to take his HIV test at one of the VCT gatherings last week

Showing off a sling shot!

"Bye Bye to you"-one of my favorite phrases by kids in Lira (not said by kids in the other areas we have worked so far...)

He is "fearing seriously"-another funny phrase said often

This girl told her mom that she was "fearing Ruco's camera would eat her!" ha!

Rafting down the NILE

2008-10-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I would also post quickly about our trip a couple weekends ago to Jinja where we rafted down the Nile River on class 5 rapids! Everyone told me that it would be scary, and Ruco and I debated back and forth about going. I finally gave in (actually Ruco just booked the trip in my absence,) and the two of us took off for a weekend. We received great training about what to do if the boat turns over, if you are trapped under the boat, etc. Our guide told us that if you get drug under with the rapids--don't panic! You have enough air in your lungs to sustain you for quite a while. Well, our boat didn't over turn much...but when it did, it was on the worst rapid. We actually had the option not to do it, but because I had been having so much fun prior to this, I decided to brave it. Ruco was really surprised! Anyway, we really got stuck in a whirlpool and then our boat overturned. I was OK the first time I was drug under water for probably only 10 seconds even though it was scary...but when I came up again, I didn't have enough time to get a good breath of air before I was drug under water again by the current. I panicked! It was definitely scary! I finally came back up and caught eye contact with Ruco. I know I must have looked like a nut flailing about, but he reassured me that I had indeed survived! HA! It was scary, but fun. I believe Ruco's brother Hugo did it when he came to Uganda a couple of years ago. We don't have any photos unfortunately because our camera would have been ruined had we brought it along, but I thought I would share with everyone my near death experience! :) We did have a fun time though, and met some fun friends on our boat!

Children's Heart Project

2008-10-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

Ruco and I just finished up our time in Kampala with the "Children's Heart Project." Doctors flew in from the Washington DC, UNC, and Jacksonville to screen kids for heart defects and perform free surgery. Eleven kids received heart surgery over the last two weeks in Kampala. Other children are able to fly back to the US for more complicated surgeries because of SP and these amazing doctors. It was an honor to be a part, no matter how small a role we actually played! :)

I really fell in love with these kids. Each day for 10 days around 20 kids on average were screened for heart defects! Thats a lot of kids to spend time with over two weeks and it was amazing.Each of them had such gigantic personalities and each of them captured mine and Ruco's hearts. Ruco was able to show the kids "Kung Fu Panda" on our laptop as they were recovering from surgery in the ward. It was very cute! He is always thinking of great ideas to help people and meeting needs wherever he sees them.

We are now working in Lira-in the Northern part of the country. We are staying with another amazing married couple, Susan and Brian, and are so looking forward to the next 5 weeks in Lira! We will be working with many programs and hopefully I will have time to write about each of them, they all sound so interesting!

God has really been working in me lately--this morning in devotions at work we read in Ecclesiastes 3. I have been thinking a a lot lately about how God creates a season for everything and "a time for every purpose under the sun." I want to be fully available for His purposes NOW-in this time he has given Ruco and I in Uganda. Its so easy to constantly think about the future or even the past. I just want to be so aware of Gods perfect timing that I dont miss any purpose He has for us. I do miss everyone terribly some days-family and friends in the states, but I have committed to being obedient to God's calling over our lives, and I want to really BE HERE if I am going to be here...if that makes any sense. Anyway, just pray for us that we are constantly aware of God's perfect timing for our lives and His perfect purposes. Pray that we don't become anxious, but wait on His season for everything in our lives.

We love you all and cant wait to see most of you around Christmas time hopefully!

Two of the doctors and a heart surgery patient from last year...

Safari and Camping at Lake Mburo

2008-10-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we were able to go camping and on a ATV safari with some friends: Chris, Jodi, Roxanne, Ian and Waswa. We had a great time and were able to see lots of animals, including some zebra. The boys were so much fun to have around, and really loved the camping. Throughout the day, they would tell us they wanted to go back to the tent! They had fun though on the ATV too...I think more fun with Ruco and Chris than with Jodi and I, because we were prone to going off into the bushes for no reason at all! Lake Mburo park was really quiet, and was a nice place for us to relax for a weekend!

Face off...a serious straw fight

that's a big yawn!
Ruco and Ian sloshing through the mud
my first zebra spotting
hygiene is very important, even when camping!
a baboon eating Ian's banana peels
our dining spot for the weekend
a monkey going through the garbage next to us at the restaurant
Jodi and I with the boys on the boat
Before the boys decided Chris and Ruco were much more fun!

Watoto Conference!!

2008-09-29T00:37:00.001-07:00

Ruco and I were able to attend the Watoto conference last week! It was a beautiful time of sharing with people whose hearts are for orphans and vulnerable children throughout Africa. We really met some amazing people.
Watoto is a ministry of a Kampala Pentecostal Church. Basically they operate children's villages and baby's homes for orphaned children. The kids have the BEST care imaginable! They are provided with beautiful homes and amazing education. They also live in homes of around 8 children with a house mom who is usually a widow (so Watoto cares for orphans AND widows!) These kids really are blessed. The Watoto Children's choir sings all over the world, even for President Bush and Her Majesty the Queen of England! :) We really had a fun time. Damali and I laughed and laughed because we just wanted to eat and listen to Darlene sing the whole time..oh and we wanted those red shoes that all the volunteers were wearing! Ruco and I were so glad we got to be a part of the conference and are now ready to start our own children's village...someday!

Watoto Children's Choir

Worship with Darlene Zschech

They are so cute!

Damali and I sporting our bright orange Watoto bags!

Ruco learning about starch in potatoes from some boys in science class at their Watoto school

I was amazed at these classrooms...the kids even had puzzles and fun things that you just never see in schools in the village

Ruco and I at the baby's home...my baby liked to "lean back.."

Feeding time! Aren't they adorable?

Meet Damali...

2008-09-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Damali is our friend and one of our co-workers here at SP. She works with the Orphan Care and Equip project-OCEP. I thought I would share her story because I think it is beautiful and inspiring.
Damali is the second oldest of six children. When she was eight, her mother passed away from HIV/AIDS, leaving her an orphan. She was the oldest girl and so was put in charge of her 4 younger siblings. In the same year that Damali’s mother passed away, her uncle also passed away of HIV/AIDS. This meant that Damali was an orphan herself and helping to care for four younger siblings and five younger orphaned cousins.
Another relative that couldn’t afford to care for the children took them to an American couple who ran an orphanage. The man was a Vietnam veteran and had lost his legs from a land-mine. He used his VA pension to care for over 120 children out of his home on the outskirts of the town Jinja. The orphanage is called “Good Shepherd’s Fold Children’s Home.” As the amount of children grew, the American couple didn’t have enough room and resources to care for these children.
Samaritan’s Purse found the orphanage and decided to help. They purchased land and started building a new complex to house Damali and the other children in the home. Damali says it took about a year, but once it was completed, there were many different buildings, and many foster moms to care for the children there. She said she was so happy when the new buildings were completed! Damali also said that she remembers receiving “Operation Christmas Child” boxes when she was a little girl and even when Franklin Graham came to visit!
These days, Damali is the one delivering “Operation Christmas Child” boxes. She seeks out children who are orphaned or vulnerable in order to meet their needs. Damali did well in school and went to University and studied Psychology and Social Science. She volunteered at “Give International” throughout college. Upon graduation, she received her dream job to care for orphans through the very organization that had supported her and her siblings, Samaritan’s Purse.
Damali now rents a two room flat and makes a life for herself. She also supports her two sisters, Hadija (16) and Aisha (17,) and her two cousins Oliver (17) and Betty (19.) They have a living room and a back room where they all sleep. She purchases food for them and helps them to find sponsors for their school fees. She told me she thanks God that they rarely get sick because she doesn’t know how she would pay hospital bills!
Damali challenges and inspires me. She is compassionate and cares so deeply for others. She could focus on the pain in her past, but she doesn’t. She moves on, and she makes a difference in the lives of others . She could also run away from her past, but she doesn't do that either. She chooses to acknowledge the hurt of her childhood and allow God to use her experiences to minister to others in similar circumstances. Her relationship with Christ guides her decisions and her heart. She relies on him in everything she does. She is so beautiful, and so is her story. She also happens to have the most infectious laugh imaginable and I just love her!

Damali on the far right holding hands with a little boy

Back in Kampala..

2008-09-17T03:43:00.000-07:00

We finished our time with the MET team in Kamwenge (HIV/AIDS awareness) and had a great time. We basically helped with HIV awareness trainings most days and it was so eye-opening and definitely a learning experience!
We are now in Kampala and honestly think we are in Heaven! This weekend we went to see a movie in the theater, went to the pool, out to eat at a lot of great restaurants (including a South African one called Spur which Ruco was very excited about!) and even to get icecream and coffee! We are certainly spoiled here. We also had the chance on Sunday to go to "Calvary Chapel" with another young married couple working with SP. Calvary Chapel is a church I had actually been to before in Florida. The worship was great and we felt so at home.
Now that we are back at work in Kampala, we have been working again with the OCEP-Orphan Care and Equip Project. We have visited many children and done a few more Christmas Shoe box drops to kids and families who need encouraging! We have also gone to a local orphanage to pay school fees and get kids ready to go back to school this week! Next week, I am super excited because we will attend the Watoto conference!!!! I think it will be a great time of learning from more seasoned development and NGO workers about how to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Also Darlene Zschech (worship leader for Hillsong-the church we went to in Paris) will be leading worship! Awesome! I am SOOO excited~
Ruco and I are really loving being here in Uganda lately. There is a project we want to work on that is not affiliated with Samaritan's Purse, just a personal endeavor. Ruco wrote about it on his blog..www.eyeingafrica.blogspot.com. Maybe you can check out the story there. We miss you all and are so thankful for each of you in our lives, and for your constant prayers and encouragement!

The Blackham's and VDM's at the pool after Calvary Chapel Church
Ruco thinks he's a pizza eating hunk!
Ruco and Charles, a six year old boy
Ruco and I eating great food at the "Spur"
Charles and his grandmother, Melisha in front of their home

Full-Time Ministry

2008-08-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

We have been working for the last week with the ministry department. Four of our days were spent helping with pastor training seminars and two days were spent showing "The Jesus Film" and also "Passion of the Christ" with projectors in outside settings. Everyone loved the film nights and so many people accepted Christ.

During our Pastor training seminars, pastors were taught a method of Bible story telling. The method helps people retain the stories better because not many people own their own Bibles. On the last day of the training, each pastor and church leader gets a new Bible which is printed in their local language. They were beaming with pride at having received those Bibles!

During a session where we were discussing Adam and Eve, one lady raised her hand. She said she didn't understand--if man's punishment for sin is to toil over the land for food, why are all the women in Uganda plowing the fields?? We all laughed, because she really did have a good point! Women here do around 90 % of the work in the home...including working in the fields, babies on their backs and all.

Another man said that he was amazed that even before Adam knew what he needed or wanted, God gave him a wife. He didn't have to ask, God just provided. That man was so right. God does always provide what we need and what we want even before we know what that is! God is definitely teaching me that He is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1-2.) He knows where the green pastures are and where I can find still water. If I only TRUST him and follow Him, He will meet my needs at exactly the right time. By His very nature, He cares for me.

Ruco handing out Bibles

A Pastor with his family during a follow-up session

Getting ready to show the Jesus Film.

All the church leaders/pastors who had just received new Bibles.

Reasons to Smile in Uganda

2008-08-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

-the fact that I can't go anywhere without hearing Dolly Parton or Randy Travis playing in the background..
-when men grab Ruco's hand as a sign of friendship when we are walking down the street
-when someone asks "what is the staple food in America?" Hmmm...McDonalds??
-when we go on a late afternoon walk with an entire entourage of kids
-the way a child says "mzungu" (foreigner) with the cutest sense of wonder in his voice

Here are some photos of our weekend away at Queen Elizabeth national park...it was a great time of re-connecting with my husband! He has some better photos on his blog! We were also able to go on a great boat ride to see all the animals.