Have been reading a lot thsse past few weeks.
Oliver Twist
Jane Eyre
The Swan Thieves
The Brethren
All interesting books. The first two classics I had never read and thoroughly enjoyed.
The Swan Thieves published 3 years back in England is an eye opener for art lovers and those of us who know nothing about art at all. Makes me want to learn more. The Brethren is first of a trilogy on the the Crusades from the 1600's and is presented from both sides of the conflict. Takes me right up against some of my misconceptions and biases. Very interesting.
Hope you have good books in your life too.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Happy Birthday Florence
Saturday we celebrated 56 years of life for sister-of-my-heart, Florence Rubura!
Not only did she receive presents and her favorite foods for the meal, but she had friends come and celebrate with her for the first time ever!!
In Uganda people don't celebrate birthdays. The cultural focus is not on individuals but on whole families, communities and tribes. The individual is not lifted out much, and certainly nothing like I have known in my life.
Florence's daughters love celebrating their birthday, and made a big deal of celebrating Florence's. They shopped well for her gifts (took 2 days). Miriam treated her to a hair weave session downtown and stayed out with her from 10 till 5 when they came back. Rachel did all the cooking for the fancy Black Forest Cake, broiled pork chops, matooke (of coures) and other items. I helped with cleanup and straightening the living room.
It was so much fun to see Florence visiting with friends and sharing her life in ways different from what she had done before. The ladies were impressed with the quilted items that Florence makes and sells and which decorate our living room and my bedroom. Since 1 of the ladies also teaches at Florence's church, there was lots of teacher talk and ideas shared too.
All in all a very happy, blessed birthday for a wonderful woman who is amazing for her character, her strength, long-suffering-ness and faith in God to work for good in all things. Her life is a testimony to God's faithfulness here and now. I am so, so blessed to have her in my life.
Not only did she receive presents and her favorite foods for the meal, but she had friends come and celebrate with her for the first time ever!!
In Uganda people don't celebrate birthdays. The cultural focus is not on individuals but on whole families, communities and tribes. The individual is not lifted out much, and certainly nothing like I have known in my life.
Florence's daughters love celebrating their birthday, and made a big deal of celebrating Florence's. They shopped well for her gifts (took 2 days). Miriam treated her to a hair weave session downtown and stayed out with her from 10 till 5 when they came back. Rachel did all the cooking for the fancy Black Forest Cake, broiled pork chops, matooke (of coures) and other items. I helped with cleanup and straightening the living room.
It was so much fun to see Florence visiting with friends and sharing her life in ways different from what she had done before. The ladies were impressed with the quilted items that Florence makes and sells and which decorate our living room and my bedroom. Since 1 of the ladies also teaches at Florence's church, there was lots of teacher talk and ideas shared too.
All in all a very happy, blessed birthday for a wonderful woman who is amazing for her character, her strength, long-suffering-ness and faith in God to work for good in all things. Her life is a testimony to God's faithfulness here and now. I am so, so blessed to have her in my life.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Charles Dickens, who would have guessed??
In just 6 weeks Kampala Amateur Drama Society will present Oliver! the Musical, with a cast of 54 people. Since I am helping with costumes, it was time for me to read Oliver Twist. It was amazing, a snap shot of London's values and culture, set in early 1600's. Dickens published it as a newspaper serial, writing it when he was only 24 years old!!
The musical will be great fun, lots of catchy songs that will have people humming for weeks afterwards and the plot has lots of food for thought.
Buy tickets early if you plan to see it. The 8 performances will be sold out fast.
The musical will be great fun, lots of catchy songs that will have people humming for weeks afterwards and the plot has lots of food for thought.
Buy tickets early if you plan to see it. The 8 performances will be sold out fast.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Used by God
In the sermon at church today I heard something new to me - that every moment is different from every other moment, with God's potential in all of them. Do we have eyes to see?
Given my last week of ups and downs, prayer times of 20 minutes and 2 hours, nudges to reach out and to release....it does seem that God is present in everything that I do, that you do....mind boggling.
What if the moment on Wednesday when I let a staff person go was nudged by God to open up better opportunities, or save him from big trouble or...something else. What if the letter I write to one long lost from my life is really God dictated and directed. What can happen then??
God is a God of miracles today, and I am so glad that He is in charge of my life. Thanks be to the One who Loves with mercy and understanding.
Given my last week of ups and downs, prayer times of 20 minutes and 2 hours, nudges to reach out and to release....it does seem that God is present in everything that I do, that you do....mind boggling.
What if the moment on Wednesday when I let a staff person go was nudged by God to open up better opportunities, or save him from big trouble or...something else. What if the letter I write to one long lost from my life is really God dictated and directed. What can happen then??
God is a God of miracles today, and I am so glad that He is in charge of my life. Thanks be to the One who Loves with mercy and understanding.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Seasons
Personnel actions are among the most difficult areas for me. In the past when I have laid a staff person off, it is after much soul searching and once on direct orders from God.
Yesterday I released a staff person that I really like and who is a good man in many, many ways. Yet, as we discussed what had occurred, it seemed as if there was a fork in the road that God had laid out. The decision was mine to take and the employee was gracious, self-contained and seemingly easy with the change that just tossed his life into the unknown. He will likely leave Kampala today or tomorrow with his family and return to the village for a time.
I have to trust God that this was/is the right decision. But it is hard. Prayers and tears don't change it. But God can bring something much better out of this. The jobs I have for guards are boring, not challenging, lots of down time and little to keep the person growing either in faith or skills. If anything, it is so easy as to perhaps lead to loss of skills and maybe even attitude.
Now, there are only 3 employees here and hopefully no changes in the near future.
Yesterday I released a staff person that I really like and who is a good man in many, many ways. Yet, as we discussed what had occurred, it seemed as if there was a fork in the road that God had laid out. The decision was mine to take and the employee was gracious, self-contained and seemingly easy with the change that just tossed his life into the unknown. He will likely leave Kampala today or tomorrow with his family and return to the village for a time.
I have to trust God that this was/is the right decision. But it is hard. Prayers and tears don't change it. But God can bring something much better out of this. The jobs I have for guards are boring, not challenging, lots of down time and little to keep the person growing either in faith or skills. If anything, it is so easy as to perhaps lead to loss of skills and maybe even attitude.
Now, there are only 3 employees here and hopefully no changes in the near future.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Drinking Water
Think of the two things you need every day to survive.
Was air and water on that list?
Here is what some people have had to use for their water source. They walk from their home, often up to a mile away, to fill a 5 gallon (20 liter) plastic can with this brackish swamp water for their cooking, drinking, cleaning. Not a pretty thought.
Below are some of the photos of the men from Streams of Life making a well to supply clean drinking water to an area with 30 families. The two day project cost about $600 and will last for years if the people learn to take care of the simple machinery and don't contaminate the land around the well.
The test hole was dug 3 times with the hand auger before finding the one with a good refill rate. Photos on my earlier blog showed the drilling process for that step.
Once the hole is dug, the water refill rate is checked by dropping in a sleeve like cylinder with a closeable bottom flap. This is used to pull the water out and then the well is timed to see how long before it comes back in again.
Once the well location is selected the hole is enlarged to 6" diameter, which accommodates the 4" perforated pipes (see the earlier blog).
Once the pipes are in place coarse sand is poured into the space between the pipe and soil to act as a biofilter for the water seeping into the pipes.
With the 4" pipe firmly in place the pieces of the actual pump housing are added.
Around the housing are placed bricks which are part of the solid base of the pump
More bricks are added to outline the platform and the drainage trench
Cement is used to fill around the pump housing, between the bricks, tamped down to make a solid base.
When all is firmly in placed the smaller water pipes connected to the pump are threaded together in inserted into the middle of the 4" pipe.
The top part of the pump housing with the handle is added and fixed to the smaller pipe that reaches to the bottom of the well, minus 1/2" for clearance.
With the pump mechanism fully in place the final finish work on the well platform and surround is completed.
Instruction to the people is given in how to use the pump and to take care of it. A few pumps of water are used to demonstrate, but the people will have to wait a few days for it all to set up and dry properly before coming for their new water.
Was air and water on that list?
Here is what some people have had to use for their water source. They walk from their home, often up to a mile away, to fill a 5 gallon (20 liter) plastic can with this brackish swamp water for their cooking, drinking, cleaning. Not a pretty thought.
Below are some of the photos of the men from Streams of Life making a well to supply clean drinking water to an area with 30 families. The two day project cost about $600 and will last for years if the people learn to take care of the simple machinery and don't contaminate the land around the well.
The test hole was dug 3 times with the hand auger before finding the one with a good refill rate. Photos on my earlier blog showed the drilling process for that step.
Once the hole is dug, the water refill rate is checked by dropping in a sleeve like cylinder with a closeable bottom flap. This is used to pull the water out and then the well is timed to see how long before it comes back in again.
Once the well location is selected the hole is enlarged to 6" diameter, which accommodates the 4" perforated pipes (see the earlier blog).
Once the pipes are in place coarse sand is poured into the space between the pipe and soil to act as a biofilter for the water seeping into the pipes.
With the 4" pipe firmly in place the pieces of the actual pump housing are added.
Around the housing are placed bricks which are part of the solid base of the pump
More bricks are added to outline the platform and the drainage trench
Cement is used to fill around the pump housing, between the bricks, tamped down to make a solid base.
When all is firmly in placed the smaller water pipes connected to the pump are threaded together in inserted into the middle of the 4" pipe.
The top part of the pump housing with the handle is added and fixed to the smaller pipe that reaches to the bottom of the well, minus 1/2" for clearance.
With the pump mechanism fully in place the final finish work on the well platform and surround is completed.
Instruction to the people is given in how to use the pump and to take care of it. A few pumps of water are used to demonstrate, but the people will have to wait a few days for it all to set up and dry properly before coming for their new water.
Monday, February 6, 2012
So What Is a Mission Trip?
Can you believe I have never been on a mission trip? I have supported many missionaries in various ways over the past 30+ years, but never have gone myself.
Yes, some have said my life is a mission trip, but that is different, for I live in (and sometimes for) my routine, and just do what there is to do.
Going on a mission trip means deliberately setting aside time and self interest to put others' needs first. When Shanthi told me she was leading a team from her church to come here to Uganda, to work along side a well-digging team and to do vacation bible school, I thought that was wonderful....especially since I'd get to see her. Then she asked me to come along. I said yes, not realizing really what it would mean.
Having been to rural villages here before, I had some idea of what I would find. So I took my thread and needle and seam ripper along so that I could mend clothes for the kids. That was the full extent of my planning. While all the other team members, for their first trip to Africa or first mission trip, had read some books, had conversations with Shanthi and with Chad, organized according to their checklists and packed up essentials, including flashlights, mosquito repellant, etc.
So here are some shots of us at work and play
Madison playing football with the kids
Melissa pumping water into the jerry cans (50 pumps to fill a 20 ltr can)
Shanthi and Karen holding down the pipe for Madison and Melissa to cut perforations over 700 cuts by a hacksaw for each pipe piece
Russ and Karen digging with an auger at the first sample hole
Me, mending clothes
Karen decorating the Sunday School Room
Karen teaching children about Jesus
On our last day the well at the Gulu Baptist Church broke. The Steams of Life team went into action and had it repaired and working in under 3 hours. A great relief for the 90 families around who use is almost daily!
All in all, 6 days for God to work in and through us to bring His blessings to all/each of us.
Yes, some have said my life is a mission trip, but that is different, for I live in (and sometimes for) my routine, and just do what there is to do.
Going on a mission trip means deliberately setting aside time and self interest to put others' needs first. When Shanthi told me she was leading a team from her church to come here to Uganda, to work along side a well-digging team and to do vacation bible school, I thought that was wonderful....especially since I'd get to see her. Then she asked me to come along. I said yes, not realizing really what it would mean.
Having been to rural villages here before, I had some idea of what I would find. So I took my thread and needle and seam ripper along so that I could mend clothes for the kids. That was the full extent of my planning. While all the other team members, for their first trip to Africa or first mission trip, had read some books, had conversations with Shanthi and with Chad, organized according to their checklists and packed up essentials, including flashlights, mosquito repellant, etc.
So here are some shots of us at work and play
Madison playing football with the kids
Melissa pumping water into the jerry cans (50 pumps to fill a 20 ltr can)
Shanthi and Karen holding down the pipe for Madison and Melissa to cut perforations over 700 cuts by a hacksaw for each pipe piece
Russ and Karen digging with an auger at the first sample hole
Me, mending clothes
Karen decorating the Sunday School Room
Karen teaching children about Jesus
On our last day the well at the Gulu Baptist Church broke. The Steams of Life team went into action and had it repaired and working in under 3 hours. A great relief for the 90 families around who use is almost daily!
All in all, 6 days for God to work in and through us to bring His blessings to all/each of us.
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