TRAVELLING LIKE MZUNGUS

It's the night before, and I'm just posting briefly to try out the computer we are taking with us ....


Our living room is in disarray, filled with 3/4 packed suitcases, and we are frantically checking our lists. We are not "travelling light" ... rather, I'd have to say that we are travelling like typical North American "mzungus", as I'm told we will be called in Uganda ... thank goodness for a 2 checked bag plus 1 carry-on limit.

Anyways, tomorrow we go; please pray for us as we go off on our adventure.


DID YOU KNOW?


Evidently (from everything I've read) "mzungu" is the universal Ugandan term for North Americans ... quite an accomplishment to have a widely-used term in a country with so many different languages. But what does it really mean?


(Again from what I've read), it appears to mean something along the lines of "one who wanders, or travels". It also seems to have connotations of "one who wanders aimlessly, or restlessly, or as if they were lost."   Hmmmmmm.....

2015 - The Making Of A Teasm

Monday, July 6, 2015 11 days to go….

I have been thinking for a while that it was high time to kick off the blogging for our trip … so here goes.

To be honest it still doesn’t quite seem real to me. In 11 days I will step on a plane from everything that is familiar, and some 20 hours later I will step off a plane into … well, I really don’t know. I keep reading things. I talk to people. I think that I have some intellectual inkling of what I will see and hear … the roar of the boda bodas … the chaos of Kampala … the different languages … fruit and tea and (best of all) coffee growing on trees … roadside coffin sales … the mob of people meeting us at Marare … cell phone towers in places that don’t even have electricity … children everywhere … dust … but I don’t think it will really impact me until it surrounds me.

So I’m probably not going to write anything about what we are going to see until we are there. It won’t age well. Instead before we go I want to talk a little about what we’ve done to get here … “the making of our team”. It may sound a little heavy on fundraising, because quite frankly that’s a lot of what we have done … but also because it has actually been the primary thing that God has used to form us into a team.

We first met in January of this year … a group of nine from four families, each knowing the others to varying degrees (some very little…). Right off the bat we heard the challenge .. raise how much by when? … and we went to work. 

We immediately dove into the deep end, starting with the most complex event, the Silent Auction and Dessert Evening, organizing it in six week. We’ve written elsewhere about what a success this was, and a very concrete wake-up to some of us as to how God was going to bless and take care of us, so I don’t need to repeat that. But we also very much saw each other in action. Going out of our comfort zones to approach donors (with great success). Organizing team meetings. Going over (tons and tons of) details. Hauling stuff. Decorating. Preparing food. All that stuff. And we did it together, remarkably well for a group with such limited familiarity with each other. It was a huge step to forming us into a team.

After a not-so-long break we went fundraising in May full tilt. This started with a fundraising team experience in which we faced a bit of adversity together. The first Saturday of our BBQ at Wallish didn’t start that well … with the Yellowhead actually closed between Edmonton and there (how often does that happen?) it took some of us well over an hour to actually get there. But it worked out OK. 

The second Saturday seemed to start out even worse … but in a very real way it was the greatest for forming us as a team. We got there in the howling wind and rain … we were close to just calling it a day. But as we sat there we realized that the Wallish staff were actually looking forward having BBQ lunch, and we decided to go ahead. We set up in the cold (thank goodness for the team members who brought coffee!), unable to even set up a tarp to shield us due to the strength of the wind. We persevered … and the people (and, in time, even the sun) came out. And we knew that we could work together, and even enjoy it, under less than ideal conditions. A good thing to know! (and thanks to Wallish Greenhouses!)

But if that wasn’t enough we had a third fundraising weekend in May … selling parking in the Comfort Heating lot for the Rainmaker Rodeo. Fortunately this was a much easier thing, with much better weather to boot. (and thanks to Comfort Heating) But at the end of it we were tired; but we also knew we could depend on each other to persevere. 

After this we went (deservedly, I would say) for something a little more relaxed. In some other years the Run/Walk for Marare has been quite an elaborate event, but this year we decided to make it low key; a simple event just for anyone to drop in. But that was OK; because it became another reminder that our team was part of a bigger team; the whole group of those who have gone to Marare before and have the village in their hearts.

In all our other events we saw members from former teams conspicuously showing their support; and we definitely saw it again at the run … organizing the venue and course at Goldbar Park (very nice), serving food, and then coming out to run and walk and just plain support us. A great feeling of being supported in community.

Anyways, just a few highlights … there were other things we did too, plus the excellent training sessions with Gary at our meetings (every two weeks!). But in the end one result; we have been formed, by the experiences that God has provided us, into a team.

So I don’t know what I will find when I get off that plane … but I know that I will face it with God, and with my team.

DID YOU KNOW?

And finally a bit of Ugandan trivia … why do they call the motorcycle taxis boda bodas? I mean, it rolls off the tongue delightfully, but why that name?

Well, here is the answer from Wikipedia….

“The name originated from a need to transport people across the ‘no-mans-land’ between the border posts without the paperwork involved with using motor vehicles crossing the international border. This started in the southern border crossing town of Busia (Kenya/Uganda), where there is over half a mile between the gates … . The bicycle owners would shout out boda-boda (border-to-border) to potential customers”

Home Visits to the Sponsor Children

By Deb Tetz:
     Come on a walk with us through the village and into the homes of some of our sponsored children.  The children we sponsor form the backbone of the work that FH does in the village of Marare.  Here we are priviledged to glimpse the hope and progress that our gifts are making in the lives and families of these kids and the community as a whole.

     Meet Joan (pronounced JoAnne), Lana's sponsor child, a happy, slightly chubby gal, pleased as punch to show us her family's tippy tap.  Four generations live in this home, the grandmother a particularly strong leader in the community.  This family hosts a Cacsade Group once a week in their home;  a group of 12 women taught health and hygiene lessons.  Each of these women in turn teach the lesson to 12 of their neighbors, a huge impact of 144 people!

     We walk over to sit on a stool in the dirt front yard to visit with Sarah and her father, Sarah (Vilay's) child.  After a big hug upon first greeting, Sarah barely speaks or even looks up during our visit. Occasionally she gives a shy, tiny smile.  We are surrounded by a crowd of curious children.  We leave with Sarah's hand firmly glued into Sarah's for the rest of the afternoon.

     Sumin, Ingrid and Elson's sponsor child, is a young girl with a sharp mind.  Only in P4 (primary grade 4), she confidently reads her letter aloud (in English) without help!  Quietly and with determination in her voice, she tells us she will study to become a doctor.  i have no doubt.

     Esther, our sponsor child, is a phyically beautiful child, as are all of her 5 siblings.  Calmness, elegance and shy thankfulness emanate from her.  Their home is clean, with simple added touches to make it homey.  Clearly, simplicity and beauty are not the sole property of the rich and priviledged.

     And then there is Kezia, from the home that breaks your heart.  I've seen lots, but I've never seen anything like this.  This is the face of poverty.  Marlene and Frank, I'm convinced that God has particularly appointed you to love and care, support and pray for this child and her family.  Your compassionate heart is huge, and they need everything you've got, maybe more.  We have no wifi, only paid internet ($$$/minute) so i can't post a photo, but i will attempt to paint a picture for you.  Kezia comes from the most basic home imaginable, buried deep within the muslim part of town.  They couldn't even provide a stool for us to sit on in the yard for the visit, so Kezia ran over to the neighbors and borrowed three.  A set of twin boys, perhaps 15 months or so, tottered around the yard, sickly and scrawny, about the size of an 8  month old.  The dad, an ex-military man, and Tim exchange salutes.  Kezia, the oldest of 6 children, is shy and slight, calm but seeming to carry the weight of the home on her shoulders.  A young mother figure to her siblings.  She looks small and young, about 8 or 9 years old, but she is likely much older, probably 10 or 11.  She hopes to become a nurse, and she seems to have a natural compassion  born of hardship.  The mother, hanging on by a thread, barely has the strength to offer hello or thank you.  But it's there, unnspoken really, just a nod, but a thank you from the heart.  During our brief visit, as the youngest twins were  fussing, she alternated between holding them and dragging them roughly along by the wrist through the dirt.  The father stood straight and aloof nearby; she was on her own.  I search her eyes for a small sliver of hope, but cataracts obscure what i am praying to find.  Is it the lack of support and freindships in this far muslim corner of the village?  Is it a harder road for the wife of an ex-soldier?  A young woman, not yet 30, her body ravaged by sickness, overcome with weariness.  Can she get better?  A short visit, perhaps 10 minutes or so, with mom struggling to hold it together, just because we're there.  "Guys, we should go......come on, this is too hard for her"   A shrug of relief, almost imperceptible, that she didn't have to pretend that all is ok.  This is Kezia's reality.

     Jacob, a fine strapping 18 year old, Dave and LaDawn's sponsor child, was a complete surprise.  All of the other children we visited were young and we had no clue how this one was going to unfold.  Darryl offered to take the lead for Jacob's visit.  As we stepped into the well kept yard, we were surrounded by the mom and dad singing and dancing over us!  In delight.  With pure joy.  And neither Jacob or his brother were embarrassed.  Really, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.  We were ushered inside, the first time to be offered this honor in 13 visits, for the home visit.  It was warm and breezy outside and it was stifling hot in the airless room, so we sweated our way through a marvelous visit.  As it turned out, Darryl and Jacob were already well acquainted from 2 days on the volleyball courts.  A great natural athlete, he had watched and absorbed and stuck right with Darryl to learn what he could from this cool old guy who could hit the ball hard.  Shy and polite, he let us know his future plans; starting vocational college next week for house construction, a 2 year program.  Jacob's parents were so appreciative, joy and thanks overflowing!  They could not say enough about the positive changes that FH has brought to their community and indirectly, into their home.  And not one word was in English!

Matthew 25:37-40
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'   The King will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

This is Marare.  These are the faces and stories of the people.  This is our honor to share in God's work. 
Blessings from Marare.
Deb

Day 2 in Marare

We are woken up at 5:30 AM by a Mercedes car alarm on repeat, the first world tones shattering our third world dreams. Today is our first day doing home visits to sponsor children. This makes me nervous. I was never very good in other people's houses in Canada, much less entering homes of such a wildly different culture.

The rain has created puddles in the small dirt paths leading of off the main road in Marare. I stare at my shoes as I step carefully around the mud and try not to think about all the cultural mistakes I will make today. Small children follow close behind, running up occasionally to touch my arm or my hand. I do not mind this but have trouble responding. There is much laughing, smiling and staring, but little other interaction. My funny faces and English words remain unanswered.

The sponsor child visits are very strange to me.  A few chairs are brought out of each home, and the sponsor child sits down with us very nervously. Parents stand close by, and Food for the Hungry staff translate for those who do not speak English. We try to relax and ask the same questions we would ask of any school age child, but home lives here are so different that I have trouble connecting. For each child I ask questions until I find something in common with them. This makes me feel better.

Each visit takes between 10 and 20 minutes, but the walks in between are much longer. While we walk we talk with the staff about the village and the vegetation. So much vegetation.  I make noises and funny faces at the many farm animals, but they do not repond any better than the children. About halfway through the morning I realize that I did not talk much to strangers either when I was young. Kids are the same no matter the culture or location. Then I decide that I like home visits. I will return tomorrow and work on better funny faces in the meantime.

In the afternoon we return to the school field to play volleyball with Darryl and the kids. 2 nets and a lot of rope have created 10 small courts. 7 of the volleyballs are used for volleyball. 2 volleyballs are used for soccer. The offical netball is used for soccer, and 1 volleyball is used to play netball. Darryl is at the top of his game, and everyone is burning calories at unprecedented rates. Drills are performed and skills are mastered. Kids open up, as kids do with sports. Our energy runs out at about 6 PM and we head home. I have forgotten all the cultural mistakes I made.

Day 1 in Marare

Our journey from the Entebbe Airport to the village of Marare was long and full of jet lag, but filled in many of the blanks for me. I cannot say I understand Uganda completely, but the drive gave me much more appreciation for the complexity of living here. We are truly in someone else's world.

36 hours from our first step into the airport at Entebbe, our bus stops outside the school in Marare. Sarah says it has changed, but I don't see it. I see the red dirt where hundreds of feet play all the time. I see a few chickens content to dodge kids in the school yard, and a garden of beans peeking out from behind the school. I see a chain link fence strung between red steel stakes, a cordon around the community's bright future.

The village leaders beam proudly from the school entrance, and the women and children run to greet us. Summer vacation is still wrapping up, so we are ushered inside the school auditorium. Introductions commence, and it takes all of my senses to remind me that this is real. Maybe it's the jet lag, but everything seems surreal. Soon I have a new name, democratically chosen by the crowd of people sitting at the desks. I'm proudly told attendance numbers and shown innumerable physical improvements over the past 4 years. And then we drive off for lunch.

After lunch is when the real fun kicks in. The community netball team has been waiting to play with us. We use a volleyball and try to learn the rules as fast a possible. Sarah already seems to know them, but I am hopeless. One liter of sweat later we switch to volleyball. No net, but a lot of enthusiasm. We run less but laugh more. There is so much talent here that no game will ever be exempt from this field. This is Marare.

Community to Community

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Over the past 4 years, the standard of living in Marare grew by leaps and bounds.  Each team has seen new successes, and each annual update has shown important advances. An independent, well-rounded community is emerging, and I am overjoyed that Northgate is lending a hand. 

As Marare becomes more self-sufficient, we wonder when it’s time to start cutting back and letting them stand on their own. Marare has proven that they are capable of building a church, managing their money, and teaching their children. 

So where does that leave us? Has our mission shifted from what it started at 4 years ago?

The answer lies in our initially envisioned relationship to Marare and what both Northgate and FH set up. 

Actually it lies in that word ‘relationship’ 

We are not in a contract with Marare—our support is not traded for their self-sufficiency. This is also not an aid mission, where we are helping to get a community back on its feet after a disaster. 

We are in a relationship with a community just like us.

Marare was a struggling community before Northgate and FH entered the picture, but so was Northgate. Marare has showed us how to be united, driven by our faith in God and prayer. Marare has given us a passion for generosity, and a desire to strengthen and build each other up. 

A Christ centered relationship blesses and strengthens each party, and both Marare and Northgate have experienced the fruits of this. But a relationship requires 100% of our support. 50-50 isn’t enough, nor is 60-40…nor even 90-10. Both sides contribute 100% and the relationship continues to flourish. 

So we come back to our original question. Where does that leave us?

The answer hasn’t changed in all 4 years of this relationship. Both Marare and Northgate are still struggling, and always will. The problems may change, some things will improve, but we are all broken ever since the fall. 

Marare needs 100% of what we as a church can give, and we need 100% of what Marare has to offer. If our faith and passion has grown this much in just 4 years, imagine what the next 6 will be like! 

And imagine what Marare will look like…. 

So our support will remain in place—never faltering—until Marare is ready to begin a relationship with a nearby community.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Three Locks. A Logbook. And Desire.

This year's Christmas project at Northgate Baptist Church doesn't involve construction. Nor physical labour. Nor machinery. There are no walls or roof needed, no blueprints to be drawn up, and no ground to be surveyed. It is neither built up, nor dug down.  It doesn't involve programming for the kids, nor supplies for the teachers. It involves locks. A logbook. And the desire for change.

Here's how it works

The Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are groups of 12 - 15 people meeting once a week or once every couple weeks to pool their savings or take out small short-term loans. Each group has a chairman, a vice-chairman, and  a secretary. At the start of each meeting, the members deposit their extra money into a common pool. The deposited money is then loaned out at a fair interest rate for business loans, and 0% interest for medical or emergency loans. Deposits and loans are carefully logged and at the end of every meeting, the extra money is put in a box with three locks. Northgate's Christmas project over the next few weeks is to fund the training and set up of as many VSLA groups in the Marare area as possible.

It's a group effort and a village benefit

To describe all of the benefits of a VSLA would take much more than a simple blog. A complete description would include buzzwords such as "holistic", "sustainable" and "versatile", and would go over the hundreds of ways in which a VSLA supports healthy growth in both the community and in individuals. But I want to tell you about just one: a single reason that stands out to me, not above all the others, but in stark contrast to North American society. Because in a world full of self-reliance, self-realization, self-fulfillment and plain old selfishness, VSLAs are showing us a genuine, supportive community. A community where individual dreams and hopes are encouraged and supported, and individual problems are shared. Responsibility and work are not shirked, because each loan must be paid back. But the group members stand firmly behind each member, ready to help with overwhelming medical bills, or perhaps a new business venture. It is the meeting place of the individual and the community, where one supports the other without a breakdown of either. It is the meeting of the short and the long term, where savings are stored for the future, and loans are provided for the present. And it is the breaking point of selfish ambition; the start of genuine generosity.

Getting started

To start all this takes a mentor. Someone to walk along side a group, meeting them every week to start. Teaching them biblical principles about money, and setting up the steps to accountability and responsibility. After six months the mentor only stops by occasionally, and after year he is gone entirely. No outside money is given to the group at any point, but the training they receive is invaluable. So Northgate is committed to paying for that training this Chrismas, and providing several enthusiastic groups with their three locks and logbook.

It costs $700 to get a group started. Let's get as many groups going as possible! Remember, one group is 12 - 15 members that each have children and spouses--compounding change beyond the meetings. To donate, stop by Northgate Baptist Church on a Sunday morning, or follow this link to donate online.

Sadly,...the Final Day in Marare

Our final day in the village:

As soon as we arrived at the village, Matt, Ashley and Sara went straight to work on showing videos to the last 3 children and then taping their replies. The ladies of the village had their crafts laid out for us to see and purchase. They had crocheted items, woven purses/bags, beaded decorated bowls & doilies, a woven mat (which we didn't purchase because of the size), a handmade ball and an ingenious 'lamp' that looks like a toy airplane. We purchased a few things personally and the rest we purchased to bring home and sell at the sharing evening. After we had completed all the transactions, someone arrived with jewellery... so we had to purchase more. It is so exciting to see that they are making crafts, as well as sewing clothes.

Soon, it was time for them to dress us. Different women had donated outfits for us to wear... It was hard for them to find a gomez to fit Erin's stature, but the one they settled on suited her coloring so well. We all felt very special, even though we were very warm! Matt and Brian were dressed in the long white shirt dresses with a suit jacket over top... also warm! But the approval of the villagers when they saw us was worth it!

Then the ceremonies began... The children's choir sang a number of songs... the first one was very sad and several of the children started to cry. It is so touching to see these emotions from children we had met such a short time before. Then the women sang several songs for us... their voices are beautiful. Many speeches followed, full of appreciation... and many admonitions to greet the people of Northgate and send them love and appreciation from the people of Marare. Brian was called on once again to give a response speech on our behalf. The speech-giving is really not in his comfort zone, but he has risen to the occasions and done a great job. Speeches in Africa must be long... if they are too short, it's not a good thing.

A contingent of students and mothers from the neighbouring village of Nashisa had walked over to take part in the day (that's a LONG walk). These children sang 2 numbers for us.

The final speech was from the "guest of honour"... the head of the parish in that area (includes about 12 churches I believe). And all of these speeches had to be translated, phrase by phrase.

The ceremonies ended with gift presentations to us. The 5 women on the team received a simplified gomez, complete with the large, heavy sash. Matthew and Brian received the traditional long, white shirt/dresses. We felt so honoured.

Following the formal time, they served us lunch in one of the classrooms. We line up to wash our hands as someone pours water from a jerry can (it's so gratifying to see how they do take care to wash hands).

Sam and Justine prepared all the food and brought it out to the village. It's a lot of work for them. Their is no such thing as disposable plates/cutlery, so they had to bring all that and take it back to the office to wash.

Following lunch, we changed from our borrowed clothes to our gifted clothes, which were cooler because there wasn't the multiple layers of cloth, and participated in a net ball tournament. First there was a game between the girls of Marare against the girls of Nashisa. It has started to rain by this time, but they played anyways. Eventually the rain stopped and the spectators gathered round. Nashisa won that game. They moved the court because it was too muddy/slippery and the women's game began, again between Marare and Nashisa. It was very competitive and Marare won this game.

It has been an amazing adventure! God has watched over us and it has been so exciting to see Him in the people of Marare and the FH staff!

Thank you to all of you (Northgate church family and the family and friends of the 2013 team) for your love, support and prayers!

FH Staff Shares the Gospel Message

This was our debrief day to spend with the FH staff. We had 2 vans to fit everyone and drove to Wanale... a nearby 'mountain'. The drive up was so interesting... there were homes/villages built all the way up so lots of children to wave to and hear "Muzungu, Hi!!". The area is known for growing "Irish" potatoes. They call regular potatoes "Irish" ... to differentiate them from sweet potatoes, casava, banana (what we would call plantain). All along there were terraced farmer's plots. The view from the top was spectacular... we could see Mbale and Marare far below. We all sat around a large rock and enjoyed a lunch of plain chapatti and pop.

The best part was that Livingstone and one other of the FH staff wandered off because Livingstone felt the Lord was telling him that someone needed to hear the gospel today. They came upon a man, shared with him and he accepted the Lord! The FH staff are such a witness to us!

That evening we took them out for supper as a thank you for all their care for us. We were at the hotel that previous teams have stayed in (Kayegi...sp?). We started out sitting on the patio, but it started to rain and we were getting wet, so moved indoors. We had a lovely time visiting and sharing together. So sad that our time was drawing to a close. One very special day left...

Tuesday - Neighboring Village Visits, and the Serving Hearts of the FH Staff

It is amazing to see the FH staff in action. These people are devoted and diligent. They love their work amongst the villagers and have just the right people skills to encourage and bring out the best in both children and adults.

Note Sliva, a passionate agriculturalist, up-to-date with experimental farming, who takes courses and studies on the weekends.

Then there is Steven, always flashing a big smile. He's delightful to watch as he brings the sponsored children to see the videos. He prompts them about their sponsors' names, explains what they are saying, and suggests ideas about what they can say in reply. During this time he's laughing and joking, making the shy kids feel at ease when getting them to talk is like pulling teeth.

Another FH friend is Miriam, who works in the office and stands in for Moses when he is away. She pitches in wherever needed. Miriam took us shopping, bargaining on our behalf so we didn't get cheated. She takes a genuine interest in our personal lives. What a blessing she is!

Then there is Sam, a busy cook who cheerfully prepares our meals. He's a university student hoping to eventually earn a degree in social work and administration. Sam is always praising the Lord, and loves singing!

We're also blessed by Moses, Justine, Livingstone, Sarah, David, Molex and Julius. These servants of God are the connection between Marare and Northgate and serve as witnesses and models for the communities. It's Moses who sets an example for us all in humility, wisdom, and love.

Today's Events: Today was our day to visit 2 other FH villages in the area. First was Bufukhula, which will be graduating in November 2013. The children performed some wonderful music and dancing for us. Three boys played a large xylophone carved from wood - it gave beautiful sound. The girls came in and danced a highly energetic dance. In the middle of the performance, the rain started. The skies opened and the sound on the metal roof was deafening. It was decided we better leave before the muddy road became impassable. We did get stuck, but the 3 FH staff with us (Moses, Sliva, and David) pushed us out.

In the afternoon, we went to Nashisa: got a full tour of all the classrooms. In each one the children stood and recited a welcome and introduction to their school, including their school motto.

Then in the church building there were speeches, welcomes and performances from the children. The place was packed! In the middle of the program they served us bananas and water, which really hit the spot. After the performance we split up and enjoyed spending time with the children and adults.

Supper at the FH office, included the chance to try suger cane (as Gary Zander said, "its' like chewing on sweet wood"). Moses, who returned to Marare to help with the construction of the church when we went to Nashisa, joined us after supper. He looked very weary, but eternally optimistic and praising God for the progress of the day.

Please continue to pray for him as he is so vital to the work of FH in the Mbale area.

Day 8 (Monday) - Brick by brick

Monday, August 5.... NOT FINISHED

Backtracking a bit here, on Saturday the church leaders as well as pastors from neighbouring churches, joined together at St. James Church and then went out visiting church members asking them to contribute to the church building. They were "stalled" in construction because the money ran out and they needed more cement. On Sunday, there was a form of an altar call and people came forward with contributions towards the building... this included a goat, several chickens, eggs, corn, tomatoes and even some cash. The perishable items were auctioned off for more cash.

Because of the successful fundraising, the villagers were determined to continue work on the church while we were still here. After devotions at the FH office this morning, they wanted us to wait at the office until they were ready in the village to start laying more bricks. BUT, we asked if we could proceed to the village because there were still many children who needed to see the videos from their sponsors, and others needed to tape their reply videos to bring home. It turned out to be a very productive day. Ashley and Matt spent many hours showing videos to one child at a time, waiting while Steven or Molex coached the children and had them practice what they would say, and then Ashley would video them. It was a very slow process and involved a lot of waiting. After the child was finished, then Sara would take a portrait photo of each child. By late afternoon, Sara released Matt and Ashley to go play with the children. Huge thanks to the 3 of them for persevering. There are only 3 children left to show videos and tape reply videos.

While the "film" crew was working, Erin, Miranda, Brian and Jennie had lots of different adventures. At one point they went over the the church building to see if they could help. There were some young, able bodied men, who had built a scaffold and were beginning to lay bricks on top of the structure. We found out later that these men were skilled brick layers who chose to not go to their jobs (and therefore, gave up their regular wages) to work on the church and receive only a pittance. Erin, Jennie and Miranda carried a few bricks (Erin is by far the strongest and pushed the wheelbarrow). Brian was busy taking photos. The church leaders wanted us to at least symbolically help because we are partners in all the development in Marare.

The brick layers really didn't need their help so Jennie, Erin, Brian and Miranda went back to interacting with the small children who weren't in school and visiting with some of the ladies and FH staff. Erin was blowing bubbles, singing action songs and making up games to play with the small children. Miranda wandered into the existing church building and found a class with no teacher, so she began singing songs with them. The teacher arrived and announced it was break time, so they all went outside and kept singing. Erin arrived with her entourage of small children and she and Miranda taught the children some songs. The best arrangement was when they asked the children to sing... these children love to sing and are very good at it!

Jennie spent some time watching the video process. Stephen was so gifted in helping the children figure out what to say and encouraging them along. Later she, Brian and Miranda were sitting outside the hall in the shade and a crowd began to gather. Somehow the conversation turned into English lessons.

There is some "healthy competition" going on between Sara and Brian with regard to photography... competing for the best shots and constantly comparing cameras.

There are 2 older ladies with the name Alice... one speaks good English and the other speaks no English (who I will call Alice #2). Alice #2 has taken a real shine to Miranda and goes into a prolonged greeting, including some dancing and singing whenever they meet. Today she was sewing and Miranda watched and helped her in a small way, which resulted in many thank you's!

Most of the children are dismissed from school by 4 pm and that's when the games begin. David was hoping to run AWANA, but somehow various games and activities formed by themselves. There was a netball game going on with the older girls and women, with Ashley taking part. Matt spent a long time with a group of children and a circular tug-of-war rope (from the AWANA supplies). Erin was with her usual group of many small children, just having fun together. Miranda spent some time taking pictures of children and then showing them the images on the small screen of the camera... they love that and tend to swarm anyone who brings out a camera. At one point, she was able to sit on the grass with a group of girls and have a great conversation. Brian was directing what looked like some volleyball drills.

Sam, the FH staff member who cooks for us, has a strange sore on his leg. It looks like a hole in his leg and is very swollen around the main site. We have so wished that we had a medical person on the team. Miranda has been doing her best cleaning the site with antibacterial wipes, trying to squeeze out the infection and applying clean bandages. It is quite painful, but Sam never complains. We have encouraged him to go to a doctor, but he said unless the infection was throughout his body, he wouldn't go to a doctor because of the cost. We don't realize how blessed we are in Canada.

Day 7 - In the House of the Lord

Sunday Blessings

Hi Northgate, (and all other readers!!),

Erin here! Today was a very special day in Marare. We have many things to be thankful for today. Ashley was able to teach in the children's service and Mandy interacted in the children's Sunday School. Some of us are still trying to be more flexible and accepting of a different view of time and schedules... and today was a testament to that. The church service was in both English and in Lugisu. We heard from Brian and Jennie. Jennie shared her testimony which focused on forgiveness; mainly about being forgiving ourselves after we've forgiven others. We've prayed many times this week and today was no exception. Brian has been asked to pray so many times this week he's becoming an expert with 'on the spot' prayers.

Today, I witnessed a lot of blessings within the church of Marare. It's amazing, after a week, we are all able to carry on very basic conversations with adults and children. We even converse with our Taxi driver in basic Lugisu. Many times throughout the service I was able to pick up on certain phrases that were spoken. Although I still had to ask Miriam what was going on a certain times. The team was asked to come to the front of the church during the presentation of the wedding albums for the two weddings the 2012 team was able to attend. Both the couples were extremely grateful and indicated that never in their wildest dreams did they ever think that they would be able to have a wedding album. The whole church was excited and those books made their way around the church in no time flat.

After the church service, we attended Moses' house and we were welcomed by the whole family. Those of you who have been to Moses' house will be aware of the family and I ask that you bear with me as I introduce his family. We met Moses' wife, Grace, his children, Emmanuel, Faith, Peter and Noah, his nieces Gloria, Lydia and Alice, and his nephew Sam, and his mother.

We also got to meet Livingstone's wife, Joy and learned about how they met. For those who were not aware, Livingstone is an FH staff member and he was married earlier in the year. His wife resides in Kampala and he stays in Mbale, so they do not see each other very often. It was God's handiwork that they were both able to attend church in Marare today and join us for lunch at Moses' home.

Lunch was served and there were again immense portions of food, but it was all delicious. Afterwards, we were welcomed by a song from Faith, Gloria, Peter and Noah. Both Faith and Gloria each recited stories, which we found impactful. Faith spoke about "All that glitters is not Gold." We heard from Grace, and she is very thankful that the teams that are coming from Northgate are fulfilling the promises made at the beginning of this relationship.

The family was given a few gifts from the team. Grace and her mother-in-law were given Canadian aprons and we took their picture together. The children received toothbrushes and toothpaste and pens/pencils for school. I even got to teach them how to use floss. Later, I was told that even hours after we had left the kids were still using the floss.

We got everyone outside for pictures in front of Moses' house. Moses mentioned that we should head back to the hotel, but we all got talking and interacting with his family. Matt, Ashley and I played Frisbee with Emmanual, Gloria and Peter. Peter, who as far as I was aware had not played before, showed some amazing natural talent. He was really good at throwing the frisbee at whomever was not paying attention. We learned fairly quickly to focus on him when it was his turn to toss.

Moses' son, Noah, who is 5, is also a very smart child. Despite having rickets, he is quite strong and showed us pushups and headstands. We ask for prayers for him as his final doctor's appointment is during the next month and he is on track to being healed by December.

Spotlight Moment: -Ashley

I got the opportunity to preach in the English Youth Service which took place at 8:30 am. I talked about Ephesians 4:20 to 5:15, where it talks about true righteousness and holiness and how to attain them. I also, got to share stories about Northgate's Youth group and some testimonial things. I ended off with stating they are the generation that is going to change the world.

Too soon our visit was over. Tomorrow is to be filled with many activities, but we are all learning that activities are contigent on what is able to be done.

I will leave you with these words, Kona Buliee (GoodNight) and Hebonane CumoCumba (See you tomorrow).

Day 6 - Heinz Ketchup

Saturday! It’s hard to believe that we have been gone over a week now!

Today we spent the morning around Mbale, seeing the sites and doing a little shopping. David and Miriam accompanied us in town, and were great guides and barterers. Brian is relieved to have his pants staying right where he wants them with the new belt he got. ;) He also hit the jackpot, finding a bottle of Heinz ketchup, as the local tomato paste just doesn't compare.

After lunch we went on two home visits as the entire group. First was Matthew's family's (Hayduk's) sponsor child, Shariff. We learnt that the family is doing well. Shariff lives with his mother and grandmother, who was very happy to see him for a second time, and insisted that he comes to visit again. The second visit was to Brian's sponsor child, Shafik. It was very impactful to see how the family lives, and to know that they were doing well. As a surprise, both children responded that they wanted to grow up to be doctors! We are very hopeful this will come true!

We returned to the school and the new assembly hall, which is being put to full use, and we are told has made Marare the new central meeting area. The church leaders were gathering together after being out doing a missionary walk. We had the privilege to share a meal with them in the village. Boy did they ever fill our plates full! We then retired to the FH office for a light snack on some fruit and debrief.

We are looking forward to the church service tomorrow and the visit to Moses' home.

Village rounds - Day 5

Aug 2, 2013

This morning many of us went to visit our sponsor children. Brian and Mandy visited Shamimu and had an unforgettable visit. Shamimu has a father and mother which is very unusual. Most children live with grandparents or other relatives because of the AIDS outbreak. Shamimu has a sister and 3 other brothers. They all go to St. James school in Marare, except for the older brother who is in college. Shamimu was able to converse with us in English. This is highly unusual because most schools teach in the local language but at St. James in Marare they teach school in English. At a recent singing competition Marare students placed 3rd, but the most interesting thing about the competition was that the choir was introduced by one of the students from the Marare choir. Every other choir was introduced by a teacher. Everybody was saying "where is this school that teaches in English to its students?" In the afternoon we showed the sponsored children the videos of their sponsors from Edmonton. The children were very excited to see these. In the late afternoon we participated in several activities, such as womens' net ball, football, dodge ball (piggy in the middle) and skipping. The entire open area was alive with games.

Jennie and Erin started out by visiting Sandra, Jennie's first sponsor child. Sandra's mother was very demonstrative when she first met Jennie back in 2010... this time she was so excited to see Jennie approaching her house she made that long wavering high pitched sound (ululation) that African women make. They had a wonderful visit.

On the long walk back to the school, they happened upon Jackson's house (the Linton's sponsored child) and they were able to have a little visit outside the home and take photos. Continuing the walk, they came upon Lana's child, Ivan. It turns out that he loves to sing and wants to be a musician when he grows up. He even sang a solo for them. How appropriate that Lana is his sponsor!

By the way, Brian is turning out to be a great source of entertainment to the younger members of our team. They can't get over his eccentric ways.

~ Submitted by Wahumitsa and Nahumitsa (otherwise known as the Leeders)

Today we got to experience showing the sponsor children videos that we brought from Northgate. The smiles on the kid’s faces as they watched the messages, recorded just for them, were priceless. After the videos we showed the kids, which by this time filled most of the community centre, some photos that various team members had taken in Marare. The kids loved seeing themselves on the big screen and there were many exclamations throughout the slideshow.

Near the end of the afternoon the women brought out some hoops and I wandered over to see what they were playing. The game is called net ball and I asked if they could show me how to play. I was put onto a team and told I was centre position. They then proceeded to play without informing me of any of the rules. I quickly learned what not to do with a quick whistle from the referee and an admonition of “You don’t do that”. By the half way point of playing I puzzled out enough of the game to actually join the play. The game ended and no score was kept but it was a close game.

~ Sara Tetz

This is the way we brush our teeth...

~ from the team

Day four started bright and sunny. Erin practiced her dental hygiene teaching the night before and was well prepared for her first session in the morning with the p1-p3 classes. The kids responded well to all she taught them.

Silva joined us in the village today and took us all on a walk through-out the village to explain the various types of agriculture. It was very informative and interesting. We saw yams, sweet potatoes, ground nuts (peanuts), avocado, papaya, bananas: he pointed out an improved banana tree that produce larger bundles because the current species is having problems with disease; coffee, rice, beans, corn, sugar cane. We looped around and were back at the school. During lunch it started to rain, but we continued on to Marare.

We were indoors in the newly built assembly hall for the second session of dental hygiene. After that we moved out to the now sunny field for afternoon games. Brian and Matt took penalty kicks with the children against Silva, which was a hoot for the kids to try and score. Sara sat and answered more questions about Canada while chatting with some of the girls. Ashley got lots of exercise playing football with the girls. Mandy, Jennie and Erin blew soap bubbles with the kids.

Later the teacher of p3 class went and got Matt, the day earlier the class promised to bring him all the foods that were not able to grow in Canada, they really did pay attention and learnt lots from us! He returned from the classroom with a bag full and a couple stocks of sugar cane. That was so amazing of them!

By then it was time to board the van, and we slowly loaded along with the usual crowd of handshakes and corus of byyyyeeeeee.

Day 3 - Sponsor Child Visit and Awana lesson.

~ by Jennie Ruim

On Tuesday I had the wonderful privilege of visiting my sponsor child, Brian. After lunch FH staff Steven and Irene took Ashley and I on an expedition! Brian took the lead, from school to his home. He set a brisk pace that took us along the trails that formed the streets and avenues of Marare. Past the fields of corn, cassava, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, bananas, and beans we hiked. We passed clotheslines flapping with sheets, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys. It went on and on! The locals greeted us with " Muzungu " (white people).

Finally at Brian’s very simple hut we were warmly greeted by mom Valentine, baby Marry and Grandma. They were so appreciative! We chatted about family and school. The family sang a lively praise song for us. After prayer and a photo session we hugged good-bye and hit the trail again. Feeling very blessed by the experience.

AWANA:

Who knew exactly what was expected when we were asked to prepare 2 Awana lessons? We prayed that we would be prepared but flexible, and adapt to the existing structure.

Prayers were answered in amazing ways!

Awana happened after school on Tues + Wed. Hundreds of kids cheered for the red, yellow, blue + green teams while their friends were participating in fun races and competitions. It was a huge challenge to tell a Bible story after that!

We were gathered in the middle of the field while it was starting to drizzle, but persevered. The 2nd day was much improved because the lesson was taught beside the church where we storytellers could stand on a ledge.

The entire effort was put into perspective by Awana leader David, who commented "You have changed the children’s lives. Some of them are asking if there will be another story tomorrow".

Praise God!

7 Team Members = 7 Teachers!

July 30, 2013

Today we all got a chance to teach in the classrooms at St. James School. There are 7 of us on the trip and there were exactly 7 classes. I did the grade 7 class giving information about Canada. I talked about the seasons, weather, sports and transportation. They asked some very intersting questions like, "Do you have any Muslims in Canada? Are there poor people in Canada?

Most of the team members had very positive experiences in the classroom, so it was suggested that each team in the future do this activity. We must have done a good job in the classrooms because the teachers want us to come back tomorrow to talk about Canada. We also presented some English dictionaries, reading books and some soccer balls to Headmaster Sam. He was very appreciative of these gifts. I've also indicated that before I die, Uganda must win the World Cup of Soccer (football). The World Cup of Volleyball will have to wait until Darryl Tetz comes to Marare to get their volleyball system going.

A highlight for Miranda was seeing the 3 sewing machines in action. Marian and Shirley would be so proud to seem them working. Susan seems to lead the sewing project and teaches the other ladies. They created 2 skirts and a child's top during the course of the day. Also, some of the ladies were crocheting (a result of Rita's teaching). By the way, Susan's little boy (Joshua) who was a baby last trip, is the CUTEST little guy. He is always coming us to us for a handshake and does the respectful kneeling that is so common here.

In the afternoon we did AWANA games and Jennie presented an AWANA Bible story, with the rest of the team supporting her.

We are very tired so I am signing off. Pray for health and energy for the team! Thanks so much for your love and support!

Brian Leeder