2/26/10 7:30PM
Uganda; day 59
This week has been one of reflections, and realizations. Having been here for about two months I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions. There have been some good days and some challenging days. The challenging days are the ones where I find myself questioning if we’re really doing any good here. If what we’re trying to teach them on budgeting is really going to stick, or if they will return to their old ways as soon as we’re gone. If I’m making any impact in the girls study group, or if they’re just sitting through it to humor me. I didn’t have clear expectations for what a mission trip would be like, but I didn’t expect it to be like this. I pictured having more impact on people’s lives, on making a significant and noticeable difference. I came because I felt like God was telling me to come, i didn’t know why, but I was willing to do whatever he put in front of me. . .
Two months later, I find the only thing in front of me is His word, and a lot of free time. I’ve come to understand what it’s like to meditate on His ways day and night. To give glory to Him even in the small things. I have a deeper understanding of the relationship that’s possible with Him. And most importantly, I feel like I’m beginning to understand in a way I’ve never seen before, the love He’s given to us, and the love He commands we return, and share with others. If you had asked me two months ago if I needed to go across the world to figure these things out I would have told you no, I probably would have even thought that I already knew about those things. But that’s just it, I knew “about” them, I’ve read the bible, I know the greatest commandments of love, I’ve followed the rules, I’ve talked to God, but I wasn’t grasping the fullness of it. Now I realize that the significant and noticeable difference i was looking to see in other people has happened within me. That though I had a plan of helping others, apparently God had a different plan for me first.
I may go home wondering if I’ve really helped anyone on this trip, but I will leave with a renewed heart and mind for God.
-Brandi
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Calvary Chapel
2/21/10 9:10PM
Uganda; day 54
It has been a wonderful Sunday. Kurt and I started the day off by taking a taxi to town, and then walking about 25 minutes to Calvary Chapel of Jinja. We got there just in time, and were pleased to see that there were no electronic sounds coming from the band. We got to listen to songs we were familiar with for the first time in two months, and the message was in English. Aside from just being happy that I could understand it, it was also a great service. We will definitely be going back. It also gave us a chance to meet some other missionaries that are living in the area, and we’re excited to get to know them better.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 54
It has been a wonderful Sunday. Kurt and I started the day off by taking a taxi to town, and then walking about 25 minutes to Calvary Chapel of Jinja. We got there just in time, and were pleased to see that there were no electronic sounds coming from the band. We got to listen to songs we were familiar with for the first time in two months, and the message was in English. Aside from just being happy that I could understand it, it was also a great service. We will definitely be going back. It also gave us a chance to meet some other missionaries that are living in the area, and we’re excited to get to know them better.
-Brandi
Saturday, February 20, 2010
2/20/10 3:45 PM
Uganda; day 53
It’s a rainy day here in Jinja, one of those days you just curl up inside and enjoy the sounds while staying dry. The power went out again last night around 1:00 AM which was actually before it started raining. It just came back on a few minutes ago. It was to hot for sleep, even after 53 days of getting used to the heat, sleep is impossible without a fan. Being here has definitely made me appreciate all of the comforts of the states that much more.
The kids received a truckload of supplies this week, it’s unusual for them to receive things from the states because the cost of shipping is so high. But it was wonderful to see them get so many things that they truly needed, there were clothes, bibles, shoes, towels, and toys. There were even some Tom’s shoes in the bunch, which made me smile. It was great to see how excited they get over getting such basics, and how grateful they are for them. Unfortunately when it comes to buying food, or clothes for the kids we have to go with the more immediate need and buy food, so it’s good that God is providing their needs in other ways.
I’ve contacted Compassion International and they are arranging my visit to see Paul in Kenya. I’m really excited about it. We have it set up for March 29. Our 3 month Visas expire on March 28 so if there are any problems with renewing them we will be able to go to Kenya that day on the visas we will have there. I would have done it sooner but they require 8 weeks notice which I wasn’t aware of. They’ve been really helpful and are making an exception to let us meet that soon. We’re also going to take advantage of being in Kenya, since they are known for their safari’s we’re looking at a 3 day 2 night camping safari which sounds awesome. It’s at one of the best reserves in Africa, the Masai Mara Reserve. So I’m really looking forward to that little adventure.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 53
It’s a rainy day here in Jinja, one of those days you just curl up inside and enjoy the sounds while staying dry. The power went out again last night around 1:00 AM which was actually before it started raining. It just came back on a few minutes ago. It was to hot for sleep, even after 53 days of getting used to the heat, sleep is impossible without a fan. Being here has definitely made me appreciate all of the comforts of the states that much more.
The kids received a truckload of supplies this week, it’s unusual for them to receive things from the states because the cost of shipping is so high. But it was wonderful to see them get so many things that they truly needed, there were clothes, bibles, shoes, towels, and toys. There were even some Tom’s shoes in the bunch, which made me smile. It was great to see how excited they get over getting such basics, and how grateful they are for them. Unfortunately when it comes to buying food, or clothes for the kids we have to go with the more immediate need and buy food, so it’s good that God is providing their needs in other ways.
I’ve contacted Compassion International and they are arranging my visit to see Paul in Kenya. I’m really excited about it. We have it set up for March 29. Our 3 month Visas expire on March 28 so if there are any problems with renewing them we will be able to go to Kenya that day on the visas we will have there. I would have done it sooner but they require 8 weeks notice which I wasn’t aware of. They’ve been really helpful and are making an exception to let us meet that soon. We’re also going to take advantage of being in Kenya, since they are known for their safari’s we’re looking at a 3 day 2 night camping safari which sounds awesome. It’s at one of the best reserves in Africa, the Masai Mara Reserve. So I’m really looking forward to that little adventure.
-Brandi
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
2/17/10 9:30 PM
Uganda; day 50
Yesterday brought more sad news from the states, my Grandmother passed away yesterday morning. I didn’t have a close relationship with her, but it is difficult to get this kind of news from so far away. It has been just over 7 months since my Dad passed away, and it breaks my heart that my Mom has to deal with the loss of another loved one so soon. There is little I can do from here to offer comfort. I pray that God is offering her the comfort that I’m unable to. Please keep my Mom and the rest of her family in your prayers.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 50
Yesterday brought more sad news from the states, my Grandmother passed away yesterday morning. I didn’t have a close relationship with her, but it is difficult to get this kind of news from so far away. It has been just over 7 months since my Dad passed away, and it breaks my heart that my Mom has to deal with the loss of another loved one so soon. There is little I can do from here to offer comfort. I pray that God is offering her the comfort that I’m unable to. Please keep my Mom and the rest of her family in your prayers.
-Brandi
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Political unrest
2/15/10 2:00PM
Uganda; day 48
The atmosphere here in Jinja has changed over the past week. I noticed small differences on Sunday when we went to town, but nothing major, just enough to notice that something was up. Today however, was a different story. On our way to town men walked in front of our taxi in Bugembe, they were yelling something in Luganda, and it appeared they wanted the driver to stop so they could talk to the passengers, the driver steered right for one of them and didn’t slow down until the man jumped onto the curb out of the way. Something similar had happened on Sunday, so I became curious as to what was going on. I mentioned it to Kurt, but since we don’t speak Luganda we were left in the dark. So we headed to our normal spot, the Source Cafe, on Main street. As we were sitting there drinking coffee a political parade went by, tons of people on motorcycles, bikes, trucks or walking, all holding signs. Most of them said things like “Homosexuality is an abomination”, “God love’s homo’s but hates homosexuality” you get the idea. From what I’ve heard they are having a vote, something to the effect of, if people are caught doing homosexual acts they should be put to death. So this is pretty serious stuff, I’m going to find out more details so I understand exactly what they’re voting for. But in the midst of all of this I’ve noticed a definite change in attitude toward us as we’re walking in town. I can only attribute it to the fact that most of the population here appears to be against homosexuality, and everyone is well aware of how much of America not only accepts it, but supports it. People were, giving us odd looks, and making comments to each other as we passed by, some of them even called out to us asking if we agree with everything going on in our country, another asked if we think homosexuality is ok. Considering how high tensions seem to be here over this vote, it tends to make one nervous when your getting put in the group of “opposition” just because of the color of your skin.
-Brandi
Sunday, February 14, 2010
2/14/10 12:45 PM
Uganda; day 47
We spent the morning walking all over Jinja, we were looking for Calvary Chapel. We finally found it, but they were nearing the end of their service so we decided to go next week. I’m excited about going though, I could hear the translator from the street. My main dilemma with churches here has been even when there is a translator I can’t hear, or understand them. So next week it is.
I gave the message at the nightly devotion at the home on Friday. It was a first for me, talking in front of people has never been my thing. But with God’s help it went better then I expected. And if they got nothing else out of it they at least learned what the two greatest commandments are, which I was surprised they didn’t already know.
Kurt and I keep getting emails, and comments that different people are praying for us. Just thinking about it gives me warm fuzzy feelings. Not only is it nice to know that our friends and family haven’t forgotten us, but to know that we’re being covered in prayer is very reassuring. So thank you to all of you that continue to do so.
Prayer focus
That God will be behind everything that we do, that he will guide us, so we use our time wisely.
That he will use the study group to reach these girls, that they may live a life for him.
Uganda; day 47
We spent the morning walking all over Jinja, we were looking for Calvary Chapel. We finally found it, but they were nearing the end of their service so we decided to go next week. I’m excited about going though, I could hear the translator from the street. My main dilemma with churches here has been even when there is a translator I can’t hear, or understand them. So next week it is.
I gave the message at the nightly devotion at the home on Friday. It was a first for me, talking in front of people has never been my thing. But with God’s help it went better then I expected. And if they got nothing else out of it they at least learned what the two greatest commandments are, which I was surprised they didn’t already know.
Kurt and I keep getting emails, and comments that different people are praying for us. Just thinking about it gives me warm fuzzy feelings. Not only is it nice to know that our friends and family haven’t forgotten us, but to know that we’re being covered in prayer is very reassuring. So thank you to all of you that continue to do so.
Prayer focus
That God will be behind everything that we do, that he will guide us, so we use our time wisely.
That he will use the study group to reach these girls, that they may live a life for him.
Friday, February 12, 2010
To Give or not to Give . . . what is the deciding factor?
2/13/10 12:08 AM
Uganda; Day 45
From a biblical standpoint, when if ever, is it ok not to give when someone in need asks something of you?
In the states you have the occasional beggar, or homeless person that will ask for money. If you go to any homeless shelter training they will tell you not to give money but to give food, or supplies. That’s understandable, you want to know that you’re actually helping the person, not contributing to his/her addictions. But in the states, you can ask a person what their need is and provide it, without dealing with a language barrier, or a different culture full of unknowns.
Now I’m in Uganda, every time I step out of the home I’m faced with the needy, the sick, the hungry, the least of these. . . the training books tell you while your on a mission trip keep things in perspective, know and understand that you can’t remove poverty from the world. On a large scale I understand that, there will always be poverty. However, not being able to remove poverty from the entire world, or even one country doesn’t mean that you can’t meet the needs of those within your reach. That brings me to a question, every verse I’ve read in the Bible about giving, says to give without reluctance. To give to the poor. Paul tells us we don’t have to give to the point of having nothing, but to give that their may be equality. So if all of these verses say to give, to not worry about the possessions you have on this earth, but to know that by giving to the needy you are storing up treasures in heaven. Where have all the training books, and people come up with all the rules on giving? Are they rules of the world, or rules from other verses in the bible that I’m not familiar with? Are we following the commandments that we’ve been given, or changing them to fit into our culture? Is it up to us to take control in deciding what is best for the people in need who are asking for money, food, etc? Or are we to depend on the verses below and know that God is in control of every situation, and that we are simply called to give.
I want to hear thoughts on this, leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Matthew 5:42 (New King James Version)
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Matthew 10:42 (New King James Version)
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 19:21 (New King James Version)
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Luke 12:33 (New King James Version)
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
2 Corinthians 8:8-14 (New King James Version)
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (New King James Version)
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“ He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
Uganda; Day 45
From a biblical standpoint, when if ever, is it ok not to give when someone in need asks something of you?
In the states you have the occasional beggar, or homeless person that will ask for money. If you go to any homeless shelter training they will tell you not to give money but to give food, or supplies. That’s understandable, you want to know that you’re actually helping the person, not contributing to his/her addictions. But in the states, you can ask a person what their need is and provide it, without dealing with a language barrier, or a different culture full of unknowns.
Now I’m in Uganda, every time I step out of the home I’m faced with the needy, the sick, the hungry, the least of these. . . the training books tell you while your on a mission trip keep things in perspective, know and understand that you can’t remove poverty from the world. On a large scale I understand that, there will always be poverty. However, not being able to remove poverty from the entire world, or even one country doesn’t mean that you can’t meet the needs of those within your reach. That brings me to a question, every verse I’ve read in the Bible about giving, says to give without reluctance. To give to the poor. Paul tells us we don’t have to give to the point of having nothing, but to give that their may be equality. So if all of these verses say to give, to not worry about the possessions you have on this earth, but to know that by giving to the needy you are storing up treasures in heaven. Where have all the training books, and people come up with all the rules on giving? Are they rules of the world, or rules from other verses in the bible that I’m not familiar with? Are we following the commandments that we’ve been given, or changing them to fit into our culture? Is it up to us to take control in deciding what is best for the people in need who are asking for money, food, etc? Or are we to depend on the verses below and know that God is in control of every situation, and that we are simply called to give.
I want to hear thoughts on this, leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Matthew 5:42 (New King James Version)
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Matthew 10:42 (New King James Version)
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 19:21 (New King James Version)
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Luke 12:33 (New King James Version)
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
2 Corinthians 8:8-14 (New King James Version)
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (New King James Version)
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“ He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
2/9/10 7:40PM
Uganda; Day 42
Another week is passing by. Today was the first big rain storm we’ve had since we’ve been at the home. It poured outside for about 30 minutes. The rain is very welcome here, it drops the temperature down to a comfortable level, and I know it’s needed for all the crops around. The power went out again for a few hours, but thankfully it’s back on now.
Kurt and I went to church on Sunday with the younger children, they have no transportation here at the home so we walked to the Nazarene church that is very nearby. I would say Sundays are the days when I’m the most homesick, I miss our churches, being able to understand the message and the music, and fellowship with friends. It’s come to my attention that there are a lot of missionaries from the states in the area. We’re going to check out a church that is run by a missionary couple, hopefully this Sunday.
I’ve started a study group with the older girls here at the home, we’re going over the book Purpose Driven Life, I read it a few years ago and loved it. I think that it will be good for all of them, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of them better. If you’ve never heard of it you should pick it up and grab a friend to join you, it will challenge the way you think about things.
The children are going back to school tomorrow, school officially started last week, but we weren’t able to purchase the school requirements to send them back until this week. Thanks to some wonderful supporters in the states they will be able to go back. God is good.
-Brandi
Uganda; Day 42
Another week is passing by. Today was the first big rain storm we’ve had since we’ve been at the home. It poured outside for about 30 minutes. The rain is very welcome here, it drops the temperature down to a comfortable level, and I know it’s needed for all the crops around. The power went out again for a few hours, but thankfully it’s back on now.
Kurt and I went to church on Sunday with the younger children, they have no transportation here at the home so we walked to the Nazarene church that is very nearby. I would say Sundays are the days when I’m the most homesick, I miss our churches, being able to understand the message and the music, and fellowship with friends. It’s come to my attention that there are a lot of missionaries from the states in the area. We’re going to check out a church that is run by a missionary couple, hopefully this Sunday.
I’ve started a study group with the older girls here at the home, we’re going over the book Purpose Driven Life, I read it a few years ago and loved it. I think that it will be good for all of them, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of them better. If you’ve never heard of it you should pick it up and grab a friend to join you, it will challenge the way you think about things.
The children are going back to school tomorrow, school officially started last week, but we weren’t able to purchase the school requirements to send them back until this week. Thanks to some wonderful supporters in the states they will be able to go back. God is good.
-Brandi
Friday, February 5, 2010
2/5/10 9:45PM
Uganda; day 38
So posting pictures isn’t working out so well, I’ve tried a couple times but I think the internet connection is just so slow it times out. I’ll keep trying.
The Power was out for about 24 hours, it made for a very hot night. Kurt got up and started walking around outside around 2:00AM trying to cool down. Lets hope that doesn’t happen very often.
It’s so nice not having to go to town everyday, it was getting kind of old having to take a taxi everyday. So now we have more time to do things at the home, and we’re saving a lot of money.
Kurt played a worship song today at the devotional, all the kids go so excited when he came out with his guitar. It was cute, they didn’t know the song but they had fun dancing around while he sang it.
For those of you that have been asking we now have a post office box. It was really cheap, and easier then getting one in the states so it worked out great. We brought all the necessities like toiletries and such that we will need for our stay here with us, but that didn’t leave any room for snacks or goodies that we can’t get here. So any yummy food we get will be devoured with much joy. If you’re sending something our way just give us a heads up and let us know how long the post office says it will take so we can go to town and check for it.
The address is:
Brandi Hennigan
P.O. Box 1953
Jinja Uganda, East Africa
For all of you that have been praying for Martha, I saw her mom yesterday and she said she is doing much better, and thanks everyone for their prayers.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 38
So posting pictures isn’t working out so well, I’ve tried a couple times but I think the internet connection is just so slow it times out. I’ll keep trying.
The Power was out for about 24 hours, it made for a very hot night. Kurt got up and started walking around outside around 2:00AM trying to cool down. Lets hope that doesn’t happen very often.
It’s so nice not having to go to town everyday, it was getting kind of old having to take a taxi everyday. So now we have more time to do things at the home, and we’re saving a lot of money.
Kurt played a worship song today at the devotional, all the kids go so excited when he came out with his guitar. It was cute, they didn’t know the song but they had fun dancing around while he sang it.
For those of you that have been asking we now have a post office box. It was really cheap, and easier then getting one in the states so it worked out great. We brought all the necessities like toiletries and such that we will need for our stay here with us, but that didn’t leave any room for snacks or goodies that we can’t get here. So any yummy food we get will be devoured with much joy. If you’re sending something our way just give us a heads up and let us know how long the post office says it will take so we can go to town and check for it.
The address is:
Brandi Hennigan
P.O. Box 1953
Jinja Uganda, East Africa
For all of you that have been praying for Martha, I saw her mom yesterday and she said she is doing much better, and thanks everyone for their prayers.
-Brandi
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Let there be internet.
2/3/10 9:50 PM
Uganda; day 36
The days have been going by much quicker lately. All of the kids have returned from their holiday visits with family. It’s great to have them all back, the home is much more lively with everyone here. School started on Monday, unfortunately some of them aren’t able to go back yet because we don’t have the money to get their required school supplies, but we have faith that God will provide what is needed.
Today has been a great day, I spent the afternoon playing bible card games with the kids, we had a lot of fun. Kurt and I headed to town around 3:00, we did our usual routine of walking to the main road to wave down a taxi, as soon as we got in the Taxi we noticed the interior was new. Most of the taxi’s here are on their last leg. Just as Kurt finished saying “this is a legit taxi” the “legit” taxi died, we ran out of gas. So everyone got off and we started walking and waiting for another taxi, we thought it was pretty funny when the taxi that had run out of gas happened to be the first taxi that had room to pick us up. So after that short delay we got to town and finally we were able to pick up the modem we have been waiting on. So we now have internet at the home, yay! So we stopped at the Source Cafe for a coffee (thank God for coffee), picked up a few supplies and grabbed another taxi to head back to the home. We made it about one mile before a police pulled the taxi over and made everyone get out because the tags weren’t current. So Kurt and I found ourselves walking once again, waiting for another taxi. Thank goodness we went to town later than usual because it was much cooler, and walking wasn’t bad at all. We got back to the home just in time to get dinner started and go to the daily devotion. Now I’m sitting in the dark, as I was writing we just got really crazy wind out of nowhere and the power went out. The power goes out a lot here, I don’t think their system is very stable. It’s a good thing the laptop just got done charging. So now that we have internet at the home, I’ll have more time to update, and post pictures.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 36
The days have been going by much quicker lately. All of the kids have returned from their holiday visits with family. It’s great to have them all back, the home is much more lively with everyone here. School started on Monday, unfortunately some of them aren’t able to go back yet because we don’t have the money to get their required school supplies, but we have faith that God will provide what is needed.
Today has been a great day, I spent the afternoon playing bible card games with the kids, we had a lot of fun. Kurt and I headed to town around 3:00, we did our usual routine of walking to the main road to wave down a taxi, as soon as we got in the Taxi we noticed the interior was new. Most of the taxi’s here are on their last leg. Just as Kurt finished saying “this is a legit taxi” the “legit” taxi died, we ran out of gas. So everyone got off and we started walking and waiting for another taxi, we thought it was pretty funny when the taxi that had run out of gas happened to be the first taxi that had room to pick us up. So after that short delay we got to town and finally we were able to pick up the modem we have been waiting on. So we now have internet at the home, yay! So we stopped at the Source Cafe for a coffee (thank God for coffee), picked up a few supplies and grabbed another taxi to head back to the home. We made it about one mile before a police pulled the taxi over and made everyone get out because the tags weren’t current. So Kurt and I found ourselves walking once again, waiting for another taxi. Thank goodness we went to town later than usual because it was much cooler, and walking wasn’t bad at all. We got back to the home just in time to get dinner started and go to the daily devotion. Now I’m sitting in the dark, as I was writing we just got really crazy wind out of nowhere and the power went out. The power goes out a lot here, I don’t think their system is very stable. It’s a good thing the laptop just got done charging. So now that we have internet at the home, I’ll have more time to update, and post pictures.
-Brandi
Prayer Mountain
1/27/10 4:30 PM
Uganda; day 29
Kurt and I just got home, it has been a very hot and long day.
We went to a place called Prayer Mountain yesterday, it’s just a few minutes outside of Kampala, which is the capital of Uganda. Prayer Mountain is a mountain that is dedicated to praying and fasting. People go for anywhere between a day to a week and they spend most of their time there praying, or listening to various pastors that are there. It was a new experience to be sure, I’ve never heard of them before but I guess there are several in other countries also. It’s a really peaceful place to be, there is lots of grass, and trails going through the trees, with monkeys jumping about playfully. Kurt and I went with our friend Godfrey, we spent the day alternating between individual and group time with God and then at night we went to what they call the Alter (no we did not sacrifice any animals). They light a fire and set up benches, and anyone that wants to comes over to go through a cycle of praying, singing, and preaching. Kurt and I went between that and listening to my ipod so we could actually understand what we were singing. At one point Kurt and I decided to go get some hot tea since it was much colder there then we anticipated and just as we were leaving this lady that hardly spoke any english called us over. She tried very hard to explain that she was a prophetess and that God told her there is a message in Psalms 23 for us. We’re both familiar with it, but of course read it again to see if anything hit home, we’re still not sure about that one. They have the Alter service from 9:00PM-6:00AM Kurt and I made it to about 2:30AM before calling it a night. I had a tent to stay in but Kurt didn’t because they don’t allow guys and girls in the same tents even if they’re married. Kurt had opted not to get a tent and just sleep outside, but that was before we knew how cold and wet it gets there. So because of the combination of him being stuck outside and my tent being in the middle of a very dark forest on the other side of the compound I opted to just sit with him and try to get a few hours of sleep outside. That was when a couple of ladies that work there noticed us, (it’s hard not to notice being the only white people there) and came over and asked why we were sleeping outside, after I explained they talked amongst themselves for a few minutes and said they had a solution. We tried to insist that it was no big deal and we didn’t mind staying outside but they wouldn’t have it. They told us that usually the guys would stay in their own tent across the compound from the girls, but they had a room in the office that wasn’t being used and they said that one of us could stay in that room while the other stayed in the waiting room right next to it. It was unusual to see people going out of their way that much to help complete strangers. We took them up on the offer and got a few hours of warm sleep. We met a lot of really nice people while we were there, they come from countries all over Africa to pray there, it’s a pretty big deal for them here.
We left the mountain around 10:00AM and headed to Kampala, to look for a new converter for our computer since the one we brought got fried by a power surge Monday night. We walked all over Kampala for a couple hours looking for one with no luck in finding what we wanted. While we were walking this lady that appeared to be homeless came up behind me and grabbed my water bottle, as a reflex I latched onto it and turned to attack my assailant, but about the same time I realized I was much stronger then her I also realized I was fighting over a bottle of water that I would have given to her had she simply asked so I shrugged and let it go. It wasn’t an experience I’d care to repeat. About an hour later, sun burnt, tired, and hungry we gave up and started our journey back to the home. Here we are at last, dinner is cooking and I’m more then ready to eat, take a cold shower and get some much needed sleep.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 29
Kurt and I just got home, it has been a very hot and long day.
We went to a place called Prayer Mountain yesterday, it’s just a few minutes outside of Kampala, which is the capital of Uganda. Prayer Mountain is a mountain that is dedicated to praying and fasting. People go for anywhere between a day to a week and they spend most of their time there praying, or listening to various pastors that are there. It was a new experience to be sure, I’ve never heard of them before but I guess there are several in other countries also. It’s a really peaceful place to be, there is lots of grass, and trails going through the trees, with monkeys jumping about playfully. Kurt and I went with our friend Godfrey, we spent the day alternating between individual and group time with God and then at night we went to what they call the Alter (no we did not sacrifice any animals). They light a fire and set up benches, and anyone that wants to comes over to go through a cycle of praying, singing, and preaching. Kurt and I went between that and listening to my ipod so we could actually understand what we were singing. At one point Kurt and I decided to go get some hot tea since it was much colder there then we anticipated and just as we were leaving this lady that hardly spoke any english called us over. She tried very hard to explain that she was a prophetess and that God told her there is a message in Psalms 23 for us. We’re both familiar with it, but of course read it again to see if anything hit home, we’re still not sure about that one. They have the Alter service from 9:00PM-6:00AM Kurt and I made it to about 2:30AM before calling it a night. I had a tent to stay in but Kurt didn’t because they don’t allow guys and girls in the same tents even if they’re married. Kurt had opted not to get a tent and just sleep outside, but that was before we knew how cold and wet it gets there. So because of the combination of him being stuck outside and my tent being in the middle of a very dark forest on the other side of the compound I opted to just sit with him and try to get a few hours of sleep outside. That was when a couple of ladies that work there noticed us, (it’s hard not to notice being the only white people there) and came over and asked why we were sleeping outside, after I explained they talked amongst themselves for a few minutes and said they had a solution. We tried to insist that it was no big deal and we didn’t mind staying outside but they wouldn’t have it. They told us that usually the guys would stay in their own tent across the compound from the girls, but they had a room in the office that wasn’t being used and they said that one of us could stay in that room while the other stayed in the waiting room right next to it. It was unusual to see people going out of their way that much to help complete strangers. We took them up on the offer and got a few hours of warm sleep. We met a lot of really nice people while we were there, they come from countries all over Africa to pray there, it’s a pretty big deal for them here.
We left the mountain around 10:00AM and headed to Kampala, to look for a new converter for our computer since the one we brought got fried by a power surge Monday night. We walked all over Kampala for a couple hours looking for one with no luck in finding what we wanted. While we were walking this lady that appeared to be homeless came up behind me and grabbed my water bottle, as a reflex I latched onto it and turned to attack my assailant, but about the same time I realized I was much stronger then her I also realized I was fighting over a bottle of water that I would have given to her had she simply asked so I shrugged and let it go. It wasn’t an experience I’d care to repeat. About an hour later, sun burnt, tired, and hungry we gave up and started our journey back to the home. Here we are at last, dinner is cooking and I’m more then ready to eat, take a cold shower and get some much needed sleep.
-Brandi
1/24/10 4:30 PM
Uganda; day 26
Today was the first day we haven’t gone to town since we’ve been here. It was really nice to be able to eat without leaving home for a change. We made beans, peas, and noodles for dinner. We’ll have to get used to cooking things that aren’t ready in 30 minutes. It took 3 hours. With the charcoal stove there’s only one spot to cook on so everything has to take turns. The food was still hot and delicious when we got to eat it though.
We checked on getting internet at the home yesterday, they had to order the part but we should have it soon. That means pictures are coming soon! They do internet a lot different here, most people here use wireless which they treat like a pre-paid cell phone. You buy a certain amount of time each month and once you’ve used it you go buy more. Hopefully we won’t use it to quickly because it’s more expensive here then at home.
-Brandi
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