3/29/10 10:15AM
Uganda; day 90
Yesterday was a great day! We went to church in the morning and afterwards we headed to a place called Jinja on the Nile with some new missionary friends we met at church. It’s a little resort overlooking the Nile, once you walk through the doors it’s hard to remember you’re still in Uganda. We had a good lunch, and got to hang out with a lot of great people. Just hanging out, playing games and talking is probably the thing I miss most about home so I really enjoyed getting to do that yesterday. We also got to hear a lot of things that people are working on in the area, some of which sound pretty intense. We’re hoping to have a chance to check out the work their doing here when we get back from Kenya.
Today is the day! We leave in a few hours for Kisii Kenya, by this time tomorrow I’ll be talking to Paul and his family. This is going to be such a great experience!
-Brandi
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
3/25/10 11:00AM
Uganda; day 86
The past week has been a good one, the Wednesday night bible study did turn out to be a good, we went again last night. It’s really cool how much information you can get out of a seemingly simple verse.
This week we’ve been able to start gathering information on how the home can become more self sustainable. It’s one of the goals of Raining Hope to help the people here become less dependent on the states. I got some good information on some local crafts they can make at very little cost, and even found out they will train them how for free. So that was pretty cool, we’ll continue looking for other things they can do while we’re here.
I’ve learned a lot about the children and their families that I didn’t know this week. I’ve been updating their profiles, so I’ve been asking them a lot of questions about their backgrounds, most of them have 6 or more siblings that live in other places. It’s sad to see families split up so much.
I’ve also been getting ready for our trip to Kenya this week, we leave on Monday. I can’t believe how hard it is to find simple toys, coloring books, or story books here. We went all over town without much luck, but I was able to find a few things. Thankfully Paul’s favorite game is soccer, and there are plenty of soccer balls here. I’m so excited that the trip is just a few days away now.
The first school term is coming to an end the second week of April. When the term ends most of the children leave to spend their holiday with families, or guardians. I was surprised to hear the term was ending so soon, it seems like it just started. So the home will be very quite for their 4 week break. The next team from California should be arriving about the same time they get back. Which is another thing to look forward to!
-Brandi
Uganda; day 86
The past week has been a good one, the Wednesday night bible study did turn out to be a good, we went again last night. It’s really cool how much information you can get out of a seemingly simple verse.
This week we’ve been able to start gathering information on how the home can become more self sustainable. It’s one of the goals of Raining Hope to help the people here become less dependent on the states. I got some good information on some local crafts they can make at very little cost, and even found out they will train them how for free. So that was pretty cool, we’ll continue looking for other things they can do while we’re here.
I’ve learned a lot about the children and their families that I didn’t know this week. I’ve been updating their profiles, so I’ve been asking them a lot of questions about their backgrounds, most of them have 6 or more siblings that live in other places. It’s sad to see families split up so much.
I’ve also been getting ready for our trip to Kenya this week, we leave on Monday. I can’t believe how hard it is to find simple toys, coloring books, or story books here. We went all over town without much luck, but I was able to find a few things. Thankfully Paul’s favorite game is soccer, and there are plenty of soccer balls here. I’m so excited that the trip is just a few days away now.
The first school term is coming to an end the second week of April. When the term ends most of the children leave to spend their holiday with families, or guardians. I was surprised to hear the term was ending so soon, it seems like it just started. So the home will be very quite for their 4 week break. The next team from California should be arriving about the same time they get back. Which is another thing to look forward to!
-Brandi
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
3/17/10 12:07PM
Uganda; day 78
We’ve crossed the halfway point, we only have ten weeks left in Uganda. That’s not very long at all really. The first half of the trip was full of getting used to a new country, and learning a new culture, which I’ve enjoyed doing. Now that all of that is out of the way, I’m curious what the next ten weeks will be like. We have our trip to Kenya in less then two weeks, I’m sure it’s going to be awesome on so many different levels.
I cut Kurt’s hair yesterday, if it hadn’t looked so bad to begin with that would have been a scary thought. But we both agreed even though I had no experience cutting hair it couldn’t look any worse. We were right, it looks much better, not perfect by any means, but better.
We’re going to a bible study at Calvary Chapel tonight, it’s supposed to be a really good in-depth study. We’ve avoided going to town at night ever since our first encounter with it, which was a little unnerving. But now that we’re more comfortable with our surroundings, and the people in them, we’ve decided to venture out more
Unfortunately the situation at the home has only gotten worse in the past week or so. Three schools that the children attend have sent them home because we have no money to pay the school fees. Things just seem to keep getting more behind with every week. We did receive money this week, it was just enough to get beans and firewood, which is a relief.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 78
We’ve crossed the halfway point, we only have ten weeks left in Uganda. That’s not very long at all really. The first half of the trip was full of getting used to a new country, and learning a new culture, which I’ve enjoyed doing. Now that all of that is out of the way, I’m curious what the next ten weeks will be like. We have our trip to Kenya in less then two weeks, I’m sure it’s going to be awesome on so many different levels.
I cut Kurt’s hair yesterday, if it hadn’t looked so bad to begin with that would have been a scary thought. But we both agreed even though I had no experience cutting hair it couldn’t look any worse. We were right, it looks much better, not perfect by any means, but better.
We’re going to a bible study at Calvary Chapel tonight, it’s supposed to be a really good in-depth study. We’ve avoided going to town at night ever since our first encounter with it, which was a little unnerving. But now that we’re more comfortable with our surroundings, and the people in them, we’ve decided to venture out more
Unfortunately the situation at the home has only gotten worse in the past week or so. Three schools that the children attend have sent them home because we have no money to pay the school fees. Things just seem to keep getting more behind with every week. We did receive money this week, it was just enough to get beans and firewood, which is a relief.
-Brandi
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
3/8/10 12:50PM
Uganda; day 69
We woke up last night to the loudest thunder I’ve ever heard, it’s been raining off and on ever since. We went to town this morning anxious to get answers on some things from the states, but still no word. Almost everything was closed for a holiday. I guess it’s national women’s day today. After battling the muddy road to get back to the home we’ve decided to remain indoors for the day.
The needs of the home seem to get more desperate everyday. They’re almost out of food, the firewood (for cooking) is almost gone, and five of the children have malaria now. I feel badly for the foster father here, he has so much on his shoulders right now. I can do nothing but pray, and try to encourage people here that God will provide. I know He will, it is just a matter of time. That brings me to prayer points, for all of you wonderful people that have been keeping all of us in your prayers here are some things to focus on.
-Shadrach (the foster father) pray that his faith will remain strong, and that God will take the burden off of him, and give him peace.
-Pray that the children that are sick will be healed quickly, and that the rest will remain healthy.
-Pray that God will use Kurt and I to encourage, and bring the focus back to him at all times.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 69
We woke up last night to the loudest thunder I’ve ever heard, it’s been raining off and on ever since. We went to town this morning anxious to get answers on some things from the states, but still no word. Almost everything was closed for a holiday. I guess it’s national women’s day today. After battling the muddy road to get back to the home we’ve decided to remain indoors for the day.
The needs of the home seem to get more desperate everyday. They’re almost out of food, the firewood (for cooking) is almost gone, and five of the children have malaria now. I feel badly for the foster father here, he has so much on his shoulders right now. I can do nothing but pray, and try to encourage people here that God will provide. I know He will, it is just a matter of time. That brings me to prayer points, for all of you wonderful people that have been keeping all of us in your prayers here are some things to focus on.
-Shadrach (the foster father) pray that his faith will remain strong, and that God will take the burden off of him, and give him peace.
-Pray that the children that are sick will be healed quickly, and that the rest will remain healthy.
-Pray that God will use Kurt and I to encourage, and bring the focus back to him at all times.
-Brandi
Sunday, March 7, 2010
3/6/10 7:34PM
Uganda; day 67
So today we went back to town to find out why our wireless modem wasn’t working, and found out that we were misinformed when we got it. We had been told that you buy a certain amount of “airtime” and you use it until it’s gone, or two months time has passed. Well, we’ve had it for one month, and we were being careful not to use it to much so that it would last two months, unfortunately now they’ve changed that so it expires after one month. So we’re back to no internet at the home. We will see how we do with waiting to go to town to get news from the states. The connection was so slow we couldn’t do anything but check our email anyway.
After that we went to the Source Cafe for my dose of caffeine in a yummy mocha latte, and to check my email for any sign of hope that money would be coming soon for the needs of the home. Unfortunately there was no such hope. Maybe there will be tomorrow when we go to town for church.
We tried a new spot for lunch today, it’s called Ozzie’s. It was pretty good, the prices are cheap and the food, including hamburger buns is all homemade. They had some homemade chocolate cake that looked delicious but I managed to restrain myself . . . this time.
As soon as we got back to the home we decided to go for another long walk. We were just going to do this on days we didn’t go to town, so we could get out of the house and stretch our legs, but we’ve enjoyed them so much we’ve been going everyday. Today we decided to go all the way to the top of the hill we walked up a few days ago. It took about an hour, and we got to see a bunch of monkeys hanging out in trees along the road. There were even some baby monkeys hanging onto their moms for dear life. So cute! We got about halfway down the hill when it started raining. By the time we got back to the home we were completely drenched, it was coming down so hard we weren’t sure if it was rain, or hail. It may not sound like it but we had a lot of fun! We were laughing the whole way, and I felt like a kid again, running through mud puddles.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 67
So today we went back to town to find out why our wireless modem wasn’t working, and found out that we were misinformed when we got it. We had been told that you buy a certain amount of “airtime” and you use it until it’s gone, or two months time has passed. Well, we’ve had it for one month, and we were being careful not to use it to much so that it would last two months, unfortunately now they’ve changed that so it expires after one month. So we’re back to no internet at the home. We will see how we do with waiting to go to town to get news from the states. The connection was so slow we couldn’t do anything but check our email anyway.
After that we went to the Source Cafe for my dose of caffeine in a yummy mocha latte, and to check my email for any sign of hope that money would be coming soon for the needs of the home. Unfortunately there was no such hope. Maybe there will be tomorrow when we go to town for church.
We tried a new spot for lunch today, it’s called Ozzie’s. It was pretty good, the prices are cheap and the food, including hamburger buns is all homemade. They had some homemade chocolate cake that looked delicious but I managed to restrain myself . . . this time.
As soon as we got back to the home we decided to go for another long walk. We were just going to do this on days we didn’t go to town, so we could get out of the house and stretch our legs, but we’ve enjoyed them so much we’ve been going everyday. Today we decided to go all the way to the top of the hill we walked up a few days ago. It took about an hour, and we got to see a bunch of monkeys hanging out in trees along the road. There were even some baby monkeys hanging onto their moms for dear life. So cute! We got about halfway down the hill when it started raining. By the time we got back to the home we were completely drenched, it was coming down so hard we weren’t sure if it was rain, or hail. It may not sound like it but we had a lot of fun! We were laughing the whole way, and I felt like a kid again, running through mud puddles.
-Brandi
Saturday, March 6, 2010
3/5/10 7:20PM
Uganda; day 66
It has been one of those days, when one thing goes wrong it seems that everything goes wrong.
The water was shut off at the home, there was no money to pay the bill so they disconnected it. The power has been out all day, and the internet is also down. Just as I was discussing using the last of the home’s emergency money on beans for the children, and water that they can buy and carry back in containers. I was told one of the girls has a serious case of malaria and needs treatment. The children will be out of beans in 3 days, which leaves them with maize flour, they boil it in water to make porridge, or posha. It’s not very nutritious, or good, but at least it’s better then no food at all.
It is discouraging times like these where I have to keep running James 1: 2-4 through my head “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
I definitely feel that we’re being tested here at the home. I do have faith that God will provide, as He has promised, and proven repeatedly. I just pray that it is sooner rather than later.
-Brandi
Uganda; day 66
It has been one of those days, when one thing goes wrong it seems that everything goes wrong.
The water was shut off at the home, there was no money to pay the bill so they disconnected it. The power has been out all day, and the internet is also down. Just as I was discussing using the last of the home’s emergency money on beans for the children, and water that they can buy and carry back in containers. I was told one of the girls has a serious case of malaria and needs treatment. The children will be out of beans in 3 days, which leaves them with maize flour, they boil it in water to make porridge, or posha. It’s not very nutritious, or good, but at least it’s better then no food at all.
It is discouraging times like these where I have to keep running James 1: 2-4 through my head “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
I definitely feel that we’re being tested here at the home. I do have faith that God will provide, as He has promised, and proven repeatedly. I just pray that it is sooner rather than later.
-Brandi
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Quick update and prayer request.
3/4/10 2:15PM
Uganda; day 65
The rainy season has officially begun. I actually had to wear a sweater the other night, which I thought would never happen here. It’s been raining almost everyday, anywhere from a quick shower to all day long. From what I’ve been told the rainy season here is only one month. I was also told that February is the hottest month of the year, so next month should be pretty good weather. I keep hearing news that the states are getting hit with one storm after another, I have to admit I wouldn’t mind seeing some snow right now. It sounds like the snowboarders at home are getting quite the season.
Kurt and I took a little nature walk up a hill/mountain yesterday, it was a great walk with a really rewarding view of the whole area, and Lake Victoria. It took about two hours, and was very refreshing, so we will be doing some more exploring whenever the weather allows. At some point when I get to an internet connection that isn’t working at the speed of a snail I’ll upload some more pictures.
After we got back to the home we spent some time playing with the kids. They had a long jump rope, and Kurt decided even though he was three times as tall as the people swinging it he would try to jump it . . . as you can imagine it didn’t work so well. I got my camera out which I haven’t done enough since we’ve been here and started taking pictures of the kids. They LOVE having their pictures taken, they always get excited when I take their picture, and then run over to see what it looks like.
I have a special prayer request for today, I received it from a friend earlier, I don’t know the family personally but I know most of us have felt how devastating cancer can be. So I just ask that you keep this family in your prayers.
-Brandi
Prayer request for Gary and Cindy Hogman by way of Faith Presbyterian Church.
Gary is serving in Iraq while his young wife is fighting cancer here. See his Request below.
My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not. My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 Cervical cancer. Her chances for survival are very slim. She was pregnant with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3 Months; and now we know why. This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone you know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed, the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit 'forward.' Please do it and don't delete this. Your prayer can, and perhaps will, save her life. Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the HEALING of CINDY HOGMAN And the removal of all cancer from her body, so she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the wonderful mother to our 5-year-old son Michael. The power of Prayer is unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the next few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea. This is only a request for your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing! No words can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together.
Regards, Cindy's husband - Gary Thank you,
and please send it to the far reaches of our world
Uganda; day 65
The rainy season has officially begun. I actually had to wear a sweater the other night, which I thought would never happen here. It’s been raining almost everyday, anywhere from a quick shower to all day long. From what I’ve been told the rainy season here is only one month. I was also told that February is the hottest month of the year, so next month should be pretty good weather. I keep hearing news that the states are getting hit with one storm after another, I have to admit I wouldn’t mind seeing some snow right now. It sounds like the snowboarders at home are getting quite the season.
Kurt and I took a little nature walk up a hill/mountain yesterday, it was a great walk with a really rewarding view of the whole area, and Lake Victoria. It took about two hours, and was very refreshing, so we will be doing some more exploring whenever the weather allows. At some point when I get to an internet connection that isn’t working at the speed of a snail I’ll upload some more pictures.
After we got back to the home we spent some time playing with the kids. They had a long jump rope, and Kurt decided even though he was three times as tall as the people swinging it he would try to jump it . . . as you can imagine it didn’t work so well. I got my camera out which I haven’t done enough since we’ve been here and started taking pictures of the kids. They LOVE having their pictures taken, they always get excited when I take their picture, and then run over to see what it looks like.
I have a special prayer request for today, I received it from a friend earlier, I don’t know the family personally but I know most of us have felt how devastating cancer can be. So I just ask that you keep this family in your prayers.
-Brandi
Prayer request for Gary and Cindy Hogman by way of Faith Presbyterian Church.
Gary is serving in Iraq while his young wife is fighting cancer here. See his Request below.
My name is Gary Hogman. Some of you receiving this know me, some do not. My wife, Cindy, is 32 years old and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 Cervical cancer. Her chances for survival are very slim. She was pregnant with our second child and had miscarried recently at 3 Months; and now we know why. This is a request for you to forward this e-mail to everyone you know asking for prayer. The more people that pray for her to be healed, the better. Pray and forward. It only takes a second to hit 'forward.' Please do it and don't delete this. Your prayer can, and perhaps will, save her life. Please pray and ask everyone you know to pray for the HEALING of CINDY HOGMAN And the removal of all cancer from her body, so she may enjoy all that life has to offer, and to continue to be the wonderful mother to our 5-year-old son Michael. The power of Prayer is unsurpassed. I want the whole world to have her in their prayers the next few weeks. God will hear our cry. Please do not be offended by my plea. This is only a request for your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and helping with our request for healing! No words can express the power we have when we each do a little to come together.
Regards, Cindy's husband - Gary Thank you,
and please send it to the far reaches of our world
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