Pabbo Crusade

(Pic above: Leader & Pastoral Training)

Our journey to the village of Pabbo began on Friday and ended on Sunday night. I was accompanied by Erin, Lindsey, Cassandra and a few of the FOGM staff. While our accommodations were … well, let’s just say interesting…the weekend proved to be a wonderfully exhausting experience. It may be surprising, but our team found it rather chilly….it rained…no poured…almost every day.

After an hour drive and settling into our home for the weekend, we headed out for our first door – to – door evangelism. It was quite the experience…especially since we were to do all the speaking, along with our translator. After a wonderful supper we joined the rest of the team at the open-air crusade. The amount of people that joined together was overwhelming. Praising and worshiping God shook the place. It was amazing to become apart of it, however, we could use a few lessons on how to dance. Let me rephrase that… I could use a few lessons on how to dance. I will get there….in time.

(view from the church I spoke at...it was breathtaking)

Both Saturday and Sunday turned out to be a challenge for me as I was volun-told to speak both to the youth (youth conference) and preach on Sunday during the first service…before speaking to about 75 children. But God gave me the words to speak…praise the Lord! I have conquered my fear of speaking in one weekend. I had made the comment Saturday morning at breakfast that I would speak after three months of preparation…however, God decided to break me in abruptly, instead of gently. What a sense of humor He has!

(Church of the Living Savior in Pabbo - the one I had the opportunity to speak at)

I will be making the shift to youth ministry in the next few days…along with a team of youth, we will be going into schools, universities, youth conferences and conventions, street ministry and a youth community center are a few of the things we are going to be discussing in a meeting sometime this week. One of the needs is a portable stage - for drama’s, the band and preaching. It costs about $3000.00. If anyone is interested in fundraising for that please contact director@heartstringsworldmission.org to find out how you can support that youth targeted project.

Besides the fact that my toilet did not work, this weekend was an incredible experience…God is moving in Uganda…and I am so blessed to have the privilege to be apart of it. Thank you for your prayers as they are needed!

Blessings,

Janessa

On a Bicycle Built for Two

First day on the job and I already had to leave my class unattended. Well, other teachers kept their eye on my students while they focused on their examination. At 8:30 I began teaching primary 7 (grade 7) English until I was interrupted by the arrival of the Social Studies exam. It took them about 2 ½ hours. During that time my nose decided to bleed…and of course I had nothing with me…and the school had nothing with them…so one of my fellow colleagues came to my rescue with himself and a bike. He pedaled and I sat side saddle on the back of a bicycle built for two all the way home. I made it just in time to get myself put back together. I am averaging a nose bleed every three days. I am praying they stop. However, it will be the dry season for the next two months and if the weather is the cause, I am in trouble!

Once I returned with myself under control, I sat at my desk in the back of the classroom and observed my studious students. It was so quiet. It was so focused. So serene. I couldn’t help but smile. It was a picture of the “perfect” classroom. The sunlight was pouring through the open window and the dust was dancing on the dirt floor.

My thoughts were interrupted by a tap on my shoulder saying it was time for tea. Let me tell you…the tea was amazing. Just tea leaves – no bag, a few drops of a freshly squeezed lemon, and extra hot just the way I like it. Never mind, I didn’t like it….I LOVED IT! And of course chapatti on the side. During my hour long tea break, I fell in love with Joshua. Now…don’t get ahead of yourself. Joshua is the most adorable, content, four month old baby I have ever had the privilege of holding. And I did….I fell in love with him. I held him during tea, and after lunch for two hours while I waited for my ride…and I will hold him again tomorrow.

Before calling it a day, I received my first Luo (Acholi) Language lesson from Godfrey. I have him translating this sentence for me tonight: I am single and not searching. It is actually from a popular song up here in Gulu...I also have him translating: I am single and searching....just in case (jk!). We had a good laugh about it! Laughter is the best medicine. Especially when you are allergic to tomatoes. It has been a little upsetting...since tomatoes are used in a lot of the cooking.
Hopefully, this blog isn't too random or dramatic. I promise everything is true! But be censored: I took my malaria pill last night and have been a little sketchy since then, as my house roomies can testify.
Oh..and the pictures above is of my classrooms.

much love,
j

On a Bicycle Built for Two

Dirty Feet

Yes. Dirty feet is the name of my blog...it is inspired by my cousin Jordan, his wife Erin and Amanda after playing a game of football with the children at House of Hope. I watched while they sweated and swung their legs in all directions and on the very rare occasion actually kicked the ball away from the boys. They are so pro...I opted to save myself the pain and shame of passing out from exhaustion after one run down the field.
While most of the team tried to keep up with the boys, I was joined by Small, a young girl who has much in common with me. Needless to say we got along just fine. She had picked me some flowers off the ground that had fallen from a beautiful tree. Amanda told me the name...but it has left my mind.

Oh yeah...I have a job teaching. Well...volunteer job of course. Yesterday, I went to the school for a visit and the headmaster found out I was a teacher. Oooops! So he whisked me off to the P7 room and introduced me to Chris, my coop teacher...as of now. I bought my teaching books and need to find time this weekend to prep for teaching English to my grade 5's and 7's. I will paint a picture of my classroom for you. Think mud walls, no door, a window or two and a chalkboard at the front. Nothing more, nothing less. I think my class is perfect! Oh yeah! and the best part...my new students. Being that I am the new P7 teacher, I have to get them prepared for their examination in November. No pressure or anything! I will let you know more about my kids, when I first..learn their names...and second...get through the first day! I did spend my lunch hour in the staff room....which was being renovated due to termites...and relocated under the huge tree in the middle of the yard. I was introduced to my fellow colleagues and ate two plates of the Acholi dish prepared. However, I was told I need to eat more and become fat. I was told I was showing disrespect to the kitchen staff. I tried to tell them I ate two plates of food....but the headmaster (my new boss) told me I need to grow horizontally now. Oh....and for all of those who think I'm short. Here in Uganda, I still have hope. People keep growing until they are 28. Yeah! That was welcome news.

Besides teaching every morning....meaning I need to get up at 6:30am, I will be working alongside the youth director Zalin, who is also the director of trauma counseling in the IDP camps. I am SO beyond excited! Favor of God is hoping to begin a youth community drop in center in the middle of town. We just need the funds! So if anyone is interested please email Heartstrings: director@heartstringsworldmission.org to find out how to donate.
A youth program has not yet begun, so I will be working alongside Zalin to hopefully get it up and running. I will also be joining him in the camps with the trauma counseling.

Today, we joined the PBS (portable bible school) for their graduation. It was such a celebration. This little angel was one of the children who sat behind us...trying to check out the new Muzungo's. I kind of fell in love with him.
I've been on here too long, and Jordan wants to have some friendly cousin competition. He doesn't know that I am quite speedy at Speed!

Much love,
Janessa (Jonessa - my new name as I was introduced at the graduation celebration)

Gulu: the beginnings of a new home

The pictures above are Peter and I last week. He has grown into such an amazing little boy, with quite the personality! He was screaming my name as I attempted to chase him "Auntie Janessa!" Squealing with laughter...you can't help but smile!

GULU:

We arrived safely in Gulu, Uganda yesterday afternoon. The ride up was hot, sweaty and bumpy...I loved it! Grabbed some chicken on a stick...Uganda’s version of fast food and continued on our 6 hour journey. Amanda and I have now been joined by three more team members....Jordan, Erin and Lindsey. They are most welcome! And they brought me an emergency bag of supplies... misquito spray, sunscreen, soup, and of course...chocolate!! It was like Christmas! Yeah!

We have made our home away from home ever so lovely. I have put up a few picture frames and a few candles out on the coffee table. It looks like a home now!

We were welcomed by the Favor of God staff this morning at staff devotions, which, might I add...it like experiencing a little taste of heaven. We are looking forward to devotions every morning...beginning each day praising and worshiping the Author of Life....yeah!

We actually went to church 3 times today. Staff devotions, noon-time prayer and at the Gulu prison. It was such an amazing experience today. Jordan, Lindsey and I went to the men’s prison and joined them in praise and worship, and of course hearing from the word. The verse that kept coming to my mind was the last line of Isaiah 61:1 – “and release from darkness the prisoners.” However, one look at these prisoners and you would hardly call them that...

It was in a prison, that I found myself sitting on a wooden bench overcome with a joy to see men so free in Christ...tears streaming down their faces as they worshiped their Redeemer and Saviour. Talking with a few of the men...they are content in this season in their life to grow in God and look forward to the day when they are released in the physical, for they have indeed been released in the spiritual. Their voices, the beating of the drum and other instruments coming together in praise was so powerful...I found it difficult to hold back tears.

We ended our first full day in Gulu getting to know our neighbours and eating Ethiopian food. They are three wonderful young ladies from the States. The heat up here in Northern Uganda is slightly different then in Kampala though. It is much hotter! With only one of our team members burnt...we have learned a very valuable lesson....more sunscreen for us Muzungo’s.

For the rest of this week we will be getting to know the many ministries of FOGM, and potentially staying overnight on Thursday in one of the IDP camps about a 45 minute drive from Gulu. There will be a graduation of students from the portable bible school on Friday. The team is looking forward to that!

Blessings and much love,

Janessa

God Bless the Rain down in Africa

It is about 7 o'clock on a Saturday morning and I am sitting outside on a veranda receiving internet from a house only a 10 minute walk from where I am staying in Kampala. However, the fact is that it is pouring rain. But the morning is beautiful! I am surrounded by trees and flowers and red dirt - not turned to red mud. It smells so good....so fresh!
In a few days we leave for Gulu, a small town up in northern Uganda where I am not sure exactly what I will be doing...other than to love those I come in contact with.
I have been in Kampala, Uganda for almost two weeks now and it still feels a little surreal.
The above photo was taken in a slum in Jinja... it is incredible the beauty found in even the most broken of places. There are so many pearls here...I have lost count. Walking through the slum and past peoples homes, which are mud made or built with scraps of tin...I can't help but wonder at such beauty found in the broken.
I was at Katwe slums here in kampala the other day on a home visit. With tears in her eyes, one of the mothers explained that she was very sick with malaria, along with her daughter and rest of the family. What can be said when sickness comes and there is not enough medicine...or food for that matter. The truth is, this is one family living in poverty and there are millions more...not only in Uganda, but through out the world.
What am I to do? What are you to do? It is very easy to get overwhelmed at the suffering...and yet that same mother said to me "Don't worrry, God is with us." Don't worry, God is with us.
I am in awe that even in the midst of their pain...their faith carries on strong.
Betty reminded me of a verse as we left Katwe...

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.."Revelations 21:4

Blessings,

Janessa