I'm still feeling side effects of the vaccinations.
Sometimes it feels like I'm hallucinating, other times I have a headache. Today I didn't have enough sleep and promptly felt like garbage. Like I had a sinus cold or the flu. Chills - my mom said to help with a certain problem I should increase my water intake and incorporate some bran into my system.
I'm having way more vivid dreams than I remember and I'd really like to get back to just feeling like me.
Which means I can't wait to start taking the drugs for when I actually go to Africa.
In other news, the silent auction is coming together nicely. Movie night should be a huge success. Guest speakers are expected.
The run is expected to be a huge success - pretty much - God is looking after the things that need looking after.
So much more to cover. Gotta get on that reading the material train.
http://vimeo.com/10039258
I wish I was able to just post the video - but I don't have those permissions.
Bible Verse of the Day:
Ecclesiastes 3:13
And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Pre trip... 32 Days to take off...
Marare is located in the Mbale district, which is in the southwest corner of Uganda. The closest geographical idea I can give you about Uganda is that it is half the land size of just southeastern Ontario, and the same closest shape, but holds 32Million people. Probably better just to look at the picture inserted here:
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
The Mbale district is highlighted in a green and red circle... and ...
... as you can see, it`s about as far away from the Congo as you can get, and comfortably far away from Sudan. I mention both of these countries for my families sake because these two countries have a history of being unstable.
Unfortunatly for them, Somalia is close by, although when you look at this map you see Kenya on the east, but on the other side is Somalia, so when I land in Nairobi I will be even further from the Congo and Sudan but closer to Somalia.
Regardless, life is a risk so why not take it.
The two official languages of Uganda are English {Yippee} and Swahili. Swahili was instituted by Idi Amin back in the 70's, because quite a few people North of Lake Kyoga speak it, but it is very rare to find it spoken anywhere else. This is because The Congolese and Sudanese people speak it to the north. Where Northgate Baptist is going, Lugando is the primary spoken language and about 3-10Million people speak it fluently. I will be brushing up on my Lugando pretty soon. Just so that I understand basic words in the event of a.. something or other.
Most people in the Marare district of Uganda live in mud huts, or more appropriately called Rondavel's. You can find out more about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondavel .
The children in Marare suffer from malaria, ulcers, malnutrition, pneumonia and diarrhea. The nearest clinic for people to attend is about 5km away, which, in our culture may not be far, the roads getting there can make this trip almost impossible during the rainy season when the roads are wiped out.
Gender equality is another problem in this district, as kids, more specifically, female children are discriminated against highly.
There are 514 households in the Mbale district, and 1,214 children under the age of 18 living in this region.
The agriculture in the Mbale district isn't quite what we're used to here either, where access to clean safe water isn't always available. While Marare has great fertile soil, floods often threaten secure food production and the consumption, storage and preservation.
Bible Verse of the Day:
John 21:17
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Pre trip... 34 Days to go..
This post was actually inspired by a friend.
God bless her soul, she donated $100 for the group trip and all I have to do is run around a track 5 times, 4 in a dress and once in a bikini.
This post is for all of you who have, or will or who have planned to contribute to the trip.
This person put foot to butt - and followed through on her word. She came to me, she asked, she got it done. I really had to do nothing.
I guess my one and only solemn prayer for all of you contributors, senders as the letter to the church family put it, is that you will be able to see the change that takes place as the trip both nears and takes place.
I promise to take pictures of the school being built from day 1, to the kids and everything that takes place inbetween. I will do everything I can to give you as close to live updates as possible.
Already I'm seeing changes in myself. Running water is one. The things I used to take for granted. Food is another. I may not be able to go back to Kelseys, after seeing all the food I throw away. Attitude is one after that.
Bible Verse of the Day:
Matthew 10:29-31
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
God bless her soul, she donated $100 for the group trip and all I have to do is run around a track 5 times, 4 in a dress and once in a bikini.
This post is for all of you who have, or will or who have planned to contribute to the trip.
This person put foot to butt - and followed through on her word. She came to me, she asked, she got it done. I really had to do nothing.
I guess my one and only solemn prayer for all of you contributors, senders as the letter to the church family put it, is that you will be able to see the change that takes place as the trip both nears and takes place.
I promise to take pictures of the school being built from day 1, to the kids and everything that takes place inbetween. I will do everything I can to give you as close to live updates as possible.
Already I'm seeing changes in myself. Running water is one. The things I used to take for granted. Food is another. I may not be able to go back to Kelseys, after seeing all the food I throw away. Attitude is one after that.
Bible Verse of the Day:
Matthew 10:29-31
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Pre Trip... 37 Days to go...
So today was immunization day.
Now, when I was a young child, needles weren't my thing. In my old age now, I've come to accept them as either really good, or really bad. While I could never be a needle based junkie, I probably could learn to needle myself in the event of an emergency.
And while I was sitting with the pharmacist for the first hour of the consultation, he explained everything from typhoid to malaria. I took the most notes about malaria.
In fact, I may give donations now to malaria research as it kills an entire population the size of Alberta each year. He also said Malaria wasn't preventable and that I should use extreme caution when it comes to bug bites and insect repellent on exposed areas every four hours. 35% deet to be exact.
Peel your own vegetables, use lots of hand sanitizer, eat everything piping hot. And so on.
And then time for the needles.
I thought I was going to have anaphalatic shock is what I thought, and it turned out to be a mild panic attack. Something about a live virus being inside me which he stuck me with.
Apparently 5-7% of people it turns into a real case, that I should monitor it for two weeks and that it could make me feel ill. So pay attention. I feel all right as it is, except that someone punched me in the shoulder ten times as though it were a never ending game of punch buggy blue.
I waited around for 15mins to see if anything was going to happen before I could leave. Just in case I needed medical attention.
Later that night, I called Kelseys to inform them I wouldn't be on time for work, they told me not to bother and so I went to my first basketball practice of the year, men's league style.
Ripped it up good. Men's league has been over since May now, and this was the first run of the 10/11 season. Broke a hearty sweat, as I've been playing coed which isn't as strong a talent pool or as talented and feel pretty good still.
Shoulder though, I think with a bit of tendonitis also, still feels achy. I attribute that to the needles.
Anyways, I will have another pretrip update in a couple days. Silent auction and stuff like that.
In my old blog, I always finsihed off with a verse of the day, I will do that here also.
Bible Verse of the Day:
Matthew 6:34
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Now, when I was a young child, needles weren't my thing. In my old age now, I've come to accept them as either really good, or really bad. While I could never be a needle based junkie, I probably could learn to needle myself in the event of an emergency.
And while I was sitting with the pharmacist for the first hour of the consultation, he explained everything from typhoid to malaria. I took the most notes about malaria.
In fact, I may give donations now to malaria research as it kills an entire population the size of Alberta each year. He also said Malaria wasn't preventable and that I should use extreme caution when it comes to bug bites and insect repellent on exposed areas every four hours. 35% deet to be exact.
Peel your own vegetables, use lots of hand sanitizer, eat everything piping hot. And so on.
And then time for the needles.
I thought I was going to have anaphalatic shock is what I thought, and it turned out to be a mild panic attack. Something about a live virus being inside me which he stuck me with.
Apparently 5-7% of people it turns into a real case, that I should monitor it for two weeks and that it could make me feel ill. So pay attention. I feel all right as it is, except that someone punched me in the shoulder ten times as though it were a never ending game of punch buggy blue.
I waited around for 15mins to see if anything was going to happen before I could leave. Just in case I needed medical attention.
Later that night, I called Kelseys to inform them I wouldn't be on time for work, they told me not to bother and so I went to my first basketball practice of the year, men's league style.
Ripped it up good. Men's league has been over since May now, and this was the first run of the 10/11 season. Broke a hearty sweat, as I've been playing coed which isn't as strong a talent pool or as talented and feel pretty good still.
Shoulder though, I think with a bit of tendonitis also, still feels achy. I attribute that to the needles.
Anyways, I will have another pretrip update in a couple days. Silent auction and stuff like that.
In my old blog, I always finsihed off with a verse of the day, I will do that here also.
Bible Verse of the Day:
Matthew 6:34
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Pre-trip... 39 Days To Trip...
Well, no better place to start then the begining.
I wound up here in this spot simply just wanting to help. God pretty much tugged at my heart, and tugged again at my heart and before you knew it, I was giving a deposit and doing some fundraising to go.
This is a unique oppurtunity in that trips out of the country are pretty special. Trips off the continent are rare, and trips into the heart land of Africa don't happen for normal people like myself everyday, especially one's to help people.
However, I firmly believe they will be helping me more than I can help them. While their needs are physical, such as water and education, food and physical health, my need is spiritual. This I will readily admit.
Just last year, the church was able to produce for them a well, something capable of producing a clean source of water and in this relationship, I can only see good things coming from it which is part of the reason why I have agreed to be a part of it.
Already I can see the miracles of modern North American plumbing in which I can turn on a tap and see clean running water. Leave it on for hours and come back and still be running. I don't know how far into the stone age parts of Africa are, but it's pretty special what we have here, and I'm learning less and less to take it for granted.
To be more grateful to God and the Lord Jesus for giving me parts of a good working heart in which when I get jaded due to abundance that something like this can take me back and remind me.
I won't even mention the shots and immunization that I have to get, the flights which I believe are two eight hour ones Calgary-London-Entebbe and then back again covering a distance of more than 14,000km each way.
I'm looking forward to a safari, but I think the oppurtunity to teach 400 kids is going to be stunning. I have a couple of brick walls to smash on my own - mental and emotional ones that I don't know how to get people to see past.
How do you teach a person to spiritually fish?
I'm reminded of a story about two boys playing in the ditch. Little James and John are their names. This older kid, Jesus he's walking down the street and finds them building dirt castles in the ditch and says to them, "What are you doing in that there ditch?"
James replies "We're building dirt castles Jesus."
Jesus says "Why don't you come with me to the beach where it's nicer? It's clean, the water is clean, the sand is beautiful and you can have all the fun in the world!"
John responds, "But we like it here in the ditch. Thanks though."
You see, until you take that leap of faith, you'll never know how good or how bad a time you're missing until you get there. In this case, no matter good or bad, it's going to change the lives of 8 people.
I wound up here in this spot simply just wanting to help. God pretty much tugged at my heart, and tugged again at my heart and before you knew it, I was giving a deposit and doing some fundraising to go.
This is a unique oppurtunity in that trips out of the country are pretty special. Trips off the continent are rare, and trips into the heart land of Africa don't happen for normal people like myself everyday, especially one's to help people.
However, I firmly believe they will be helping me more than I can help them. While their needs are physical, such as water and education, food and physical health, my need is spiritual. This I will readily admit.
Just last year, the church was able to produce for them a well, something capable of producing a clean source of water and in this relationship, I can only see good things coming from it which is part of the reason why I have agreed to be a part of it.
Already I can see the miracles of modern North American plumbing in which I can turn on a tap and see clean running water. Leave it on for hours and come back and still be running. I don't know how far into the stone age parts of Africa are, but it's pretty special what we have here, and I'm learning less and less to take it for granted.
To be more grateful to God and the Lord Jesus for giving me parts of a good working heart in which when I get jaded due to abundance that something like this can take me back and remind me.
I won't even mention the shots and immunization that I have to get, the flights which I believe are two eight hour ones Calgary-London-Entebbe and then back again covering a distance of more than 14,000km each way.
I'm looking forward to a safari, but I think the oppurtunity to teach 400 kids is going to be stunning. I have a couple of brick walls to smash on my own - mental and emotional ones that I don't know how to get people to see past.
How do you teach a person to spiritually fish?
I'm reminded of a story about two boys playing in the ditch. Little James and John are their names. This older kid, Jesus he's walking down the street and finds them building dirt castles in the ditch and says to them, "What are you doing in that there ditch?"
James replies "We're building dirt castles Jesus."
Jesus says "Why don't you come with me to the beach where it's nicer? It's clean, the water is clean, the sand is beautiful and you can have all the fun in the world!"
John responds, "But we like it here in the ditch. Thanks though."
You see, until you take that leap of faith, you'll never know how good or how bad a time you're missing until you get there. In this case, no matter good or bad, it's going to change the lives of 8 people.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Marare 2010 Silent Auction
This is a list of all the items that will be available at the Silent Auction, September 25th, 2010:
iPod AM/FM Portable Stereo
TEAC CD-X60i Ultra Thin HiFi System
Kelsey's Restaurants Gift Cards and Steak Dinners
Three 13pc Knife Sets
Antique Tea Pot
Mexican Carvings
Multiple Golf Items including a PING Golf Shirt
Miami Heat Basketball Jersey
Fresh Baked Goods
AM/FM Radios
Candle Holders
Hot Chocolate Makers
Picture Frames
Multiple Books
Original Hand Woven Ethiopian Garments
Towel Sets
Kitchen Ware
Family Pass to Fort Edmonton Park
Family Pass to the Edmonton Zoo
SWATCH Golf Mens Shirt
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