A Few Pictures

I know these aren't many pictures, but it at least gives you a little taste of what we saw and did. I have about 800 photos that I will sort and put into a slide show. If I can figure it out, I'll see if I can post it when it is done so that you can see more. I also tried to label these, but it was not working the way I had hoped. Anyway, enjoy.

Thanks again to you all who have prayed for us. We love and appreciate you!

Home again

Hello from Byron Center! We made it back safely yesterday evening, but not after a day of hair-raising travel. When we arrived in Valencia, the line to check luggage was particularly long, and by the time we got to check our luggage, we didn't have a whole lot of time until our flight was to leave. When they checked our tickets online, however, they said they had been cancelled and we wouldn't be able to fly. Needless to say, we were not happy with the situation. I had to go to another place to speak with a woman who could hopefully help us to sort things out. Karin and Rebecca kept assuring me that God would take care of things, and even though I knew they were right, they also couldn't understand everything that was being said to hear how hopeless things seemed. The woman who was helping was very sympathetic and kind, but couldn't bend the rules for us. To make a long story short, she was finally able to contact Northwest airlines and discovered that when they redid things for our trip from Uganda to Spain, they inadvertantly cancelled our return-home tickets. They were able to resolve everything, and though we were almost the last ones on the plane, we made it. We had some issues again in Paris, but made that connection just in the nick of time, too.

Our days in Spain were such a blessing. We were able to take my friends' (Alicia & Luis) boys for an afternoon to give them a break, which they don't often get. It was great to hear from them how God has been working in their lives and in their town and church. We were also able to connect with some other dear friends, Ruben and Elizabeth, who were also a great encouragement. It is so exciting to see how God is using His children in Spain to make a difference. Their culture is in such need of the Lord, too, and although it is a very different context than Uganda, it is so clear that Christ is the answer for all of their problems---and ours. We were able to enjoy some quiet time right on the beach of the Mediterranean, and to relax walking around the town. And even though it was awful that Karin got sick, it gave Rebecca and I a chance to be alone----which we were needing after so many days of constantly being surrounded by people. So, God is good. We had a wonderful trip, but we are also so blessed to be home safely. The boys, and our dog, are all looking a little shaggy (but cute), so I think we'll be getting hair cuts this week. It is so nice to be back to my house full of men---the big one, and the little ones. They welcomed us home with a boquet of flowers for each of us, and with lots of hugs and smiles.

I will try to insert some pictures from our trip, but no guarantee how well this will work.

Last days in Uganda and We made it to Spain

We arrived in Spain yesterday after 3 problem free flights. Thankfully, there is only a time change of one hour, so it isn't so difficult to adapt to things here. Rebecca recognizes a fair amount of Spanish words and is learning some new ones. She is enjoying her little friends Marc y Joel and they are loving her like a big sister. It has been good to reconnect with our friends here...it brings back a lot of memories. And it is a joy to show Rebecca where we once lived and worked and for her to meet our friends, too.

On last Saturday we road with Tim out to a remote village, bumping down the pot hole filled Ugandan dirt roads, to find a man named Steven. He lives in a hut with his family of 5 children and wife. Steven is crippled since a bout of polio at age 5. He has gone to the Bible College in Soroti and feels a real calling to minister to the disabled. We went with him to visit various handicapped children. In one family, there were 3 children with brittle bone disease. It is so sad to see how malnourished they are and how they have absolutely nothing to support them or help them in their disabilities. We also went to a hut where there was a 9 year old boy who at age 5 months contracted malaria, which advanced and caused brain damage. This poor boy has to be locked in the hut alone for entire days while his mom goes to work in the fields. His dad left him and his mom with the healthy children and his situation seems so hopeless. The disabled are truly the most neglected and marginalized Ugandan culture. There is such a need for someone to come alongside Steven, to train him, and to help him train these families to care for their children. A lot of you reading this work with disabled children; I would encourage you to pray about how you could help, maybe by going and teaching. Pray for Steven, too, that he will continue to pursue what he feels God has called him, too.

Sunday morning, Easter, I had the privilge of preaching for one of the local churches. I was able to use the sermon that Glen had helped me to prepare, with some modifications to make it work in their context. Thank you all for your prayers; I could feel your prayers! Rebecca and the kids she had worked with sang and did their liturgical dance...it was beautiful. I enjoyed playing the guitar for them. Ugandan children sing so well and they love to sing! I wish you could all have the experience of hearing them.

Sunday after church we went to Sipi Falls. We hiked as a team, spent some time praying and reflecting on our time in Uganda. It was a good chance to wind down and to begin to process all that we have seen and learned. Monday, we headed to Kampala. Tuesday, we were able to enjoy seeing Karin' dream of meeting Rossette come true. It was so exciting that God worked out all of the details so that they could meet. Rosette and her mom both came to Kampala to meet her. We enjoyed the craft market in Kampala, too. I was able to purchase prizes for next years' Ride for Refuge, so hopefully, you'll all begin to think about participating again!

Right now, Karin is quite sick after mistakenly drinking the tap water here. Please, keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery and that she'll be able to have a chance to enjoy her time here.

I better go. I am going to bring Karin some toast, and then we need to eat lunch ourselves. Thanks again to all of you for continuing to pray for us.

Gardening, Kids' Club, The Blind, etc...

I think this might be my last post until we get to Spain. Yesterday was a good day; it was nice not to have to teach for 3 hours during the heat of the day. I wouldn't trade the experience of being with the ugandan women for those 9 hours for the world, but it was very draining, so it was nice to have a change of pace. In the morning, we got up early to work in Tim & Angie's garden. They have been going non-stop since their return to Uganda, and they still have so much unpacking and settling in to do themselves. We wanted to serve them and make their lives less burdensome, so they asked us to get their garden ready for planting. Karin had done some weeding on Wednesday, and then yesterday, between Karin, Rebecca & myself, we not only got it ready for planting, but we did all of the planting, too. It felt good to dig in the dirt and do some physical work. Rebecca & Karin cleaned all of the cameras that have been collected for the pastors; they learn to use them, then get paid to take pictures at important family gatherings, etc... The ones that were in storage while the sleidrechts were in the states were dusty and the cases had gotten some mold on them, so karin and Rebecca got them all clean as new. We also helped Tim move some office furniture from the resource center to their house. They need to make more space in the resource center for all of the Bibles and books that were brought here by us and by Tim & Angie, so we removed a couple of desks to make it more spacious. It was good to help them, and now they can begin to get their office at home all set up and settled in.
In the afternoon, we had the kids' meeting one last time. Rebecca has taught the kids "We love you Lord" with the motions she learned at her GLIMPSE class at Byron Christian. Alll of the kids have learned it so well; on Sunday we will all sing it together at the worship service. We had been telling the children the story of Easter the previous two days, and yesterday we shared about the resurrection. I think we had the most kids yesterday of any other day. Rebecca likes the smaller groups better, but still, she did such a good job of leading the Bible story each time. She wants me to let Mr. Burgess know that she has been SO busy (and it's true) that she hasn't been able to do as much journaling or math as she had hoped. Maybe while we are in Spain...
After the kids' club, we went to SACAAB, which is the Christian association of the blind that the Shaardas' and Sleidrecht's work with. Each one of the blind people we met shared their story---how they lost their sight, and most importantly, how God opened the eyes of their heart to embrace Jesus Christ. Honestly, of all of the people we have met in uganda, these struck us as the most genuine, the most committed to their walk with God. They were an inspiration to us.
After our visit there, we drove to Pastor Patrick's house. he is the pastor of the church we will be going to on Sunday. We wanted to speak with him before Sunday because I am planning to do the teaching/preaching, and we just thought it wise to connect with him first. He is a wonderful man, and you can just see how much he loves the Lord and appreciates the work that Tim and Angie and Josh & Mandy are doing. He is excited to have me teach them; please pray that I speak what God wants me to speak. I will also meet for an hour-long study with the women after church tomorrow. So, those would be the things to have you praying about. Tomorrow afternoon, we will head out of soroti. We'll camp for the night in Sippi Falls. On the way, we will visit M'Bale where Team Beyond is hoping to start a new children's home. Then, Monday we'll head to Kampala, and Tuesday, we leave for Spain.
This morning we were up at 5:45 to climb Soroti Rock. We watched the sunrise---breathtakingly beautiful---and had our personal devotions. Then, we prayed together over Soroti. God placed a rainbow in the sky right over Nacatunya, which is the neigborhood where Tim and Angie live; a sign of hope for this dark place.
We had our last visit at Amacet, holding and praying over children and babies. Rahama, the little girl we saw the first day who had heart problems passed away this week; our hearts are heavy. We pray for a future and a hope for these precious little ones.
Well, again, thanks for praying for us. We don't know what mission lies ahead in spain, but we believe He has a purpose for us there, too. Please, keep us in your prayers. Pray for uganda.

Women's Conference Ends

It's been a bit since I've had time to update our blog, and unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time now, so I will have to be brief, and fill you in on more details later. First of all, God is just so good! Our plane ticket problems have been resolved better than we could even have imagined. So, thanks for all of your prayers and notes of encouragement.

Today I finished up the 3-day teaching with the women. It was truly a very special three days. The first day was good, but the second day, the women were clearly very engaged---frantically trying to write down everything, answering questions, and asking good questions, too. Several women came forward afterward yesterday and asked for prayers; two of them could not believe all that they had learned and asked that i would pray with them that they would be able to apply the truths about their identity in Christ to their lives. Today, was incredible, too. As I wrapped the lesson up, I re-emphasized the significance of Christ in us, and they all cheered, then broke into dancing and song. They spent a half hour at the end sharing what they had learned, how God had touched them, and how thankful they were that I came. Once person spoke at length about what an amazing husband I must have to sacrifice so much to let me come; they are definitely right about that. I still can hardly hold back the tears as I think of how this week has gone. I told Angie on the way home tonight that it was just amazing how the Lord kept giving me verses and illustrations; there's no explanation except the Holy Spirit and the prayer support of so many of you. I closed by thanking them, too, because I feel like I was more blessed than they were. i also shared about my church and friends who have been praying for this week for a long time, too, and they all clapped.

Rebecca went to Betty's school today; incredible to have so many kids crammed into a room! Betty received a prize from her teacher for bringing a muzungu to school (muzungu means white person). In the afternoon, the school kids came over and Rebecca read the first part of the Easter story and led the craft time. She does a very good job of teaching! The kids all watched a movie on the life and death and resurrection of Christ (thanks to the projector Tim was able to purchase before their return to Uganda), and then went home in the evening. They will return tomorrow for the story of the resurrection. Tim is planning to show the movie again this weekend; it's a great new tool for sharing the Gospel.

We went to a market today, as well, which was an ineresting experience---lots of new sights, sounds and smells. Oh, and we saw a Dung beetle, too, which is about the size of a toddler's hand. Creepy!

i have to go. thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. I hope you who are praying realize what a big part of this trip that you are.

Love, Kori & Rebecca