This is what keeps me laughing.....

So, I've decided to dedicate this post to some of the hilarious things that have happened and we have seen since we have been here. I hope this brings you laughter. Simply stated: these moments can only be defined by TIA (this is Africa!) Here goes.....in no consecutive order:





1) When we were in Johannesburg, there was a river next to our retreat center. As you are walking beside the river...which is very apparently a river...... you see this sign:




2) Jena (the journeyman that was a nurse and is now our facilator who WE LOVE!!) has a car here. She needed a new seatbelt for the passenger side, so once she got to Kampala they put her car in the shop. And guess how she got a new seatbelt African style?!?! She had to get a NEW SEAT!! Isn't that hilarious!! An entirely new car seat just because the seatbelt was broken. TIA!

3) Sometimes Ugandans have trouble saying American words. For instance: Jake, one of the guys on my team, met a guy at the market the other day that was a christian. The guy asked for Jake's number, so he gave it to him. The next morning Jake gets a text message that begins like this...... "Hey Jerk...." hahahahaha!! He thought his name was Jerk.

4) Traffic laws in Uganda aren't exactly like they are in America! For example, there were 7 of us plus groceries in a car that should have only fit 5...... We get pulled over by the "police" and they actually ligitimately asked Stephen (a missionary here) what he thought they should do about it!! "What do you think that I should do here?" hahaha And then they ended up letting us go, no problem.
And he suggested to us that if we ever got pulled over, and nothing else is working, we should use this line........ (everyone loves obama!!!!)
"Hey, isn't Obama your cousin?!? He is my President!! We are pratically cousins!!" And that should work every time.... hahahahahaha

6) Along the lines of Obama......... Usually, when we are walking through streets/villages, we frequently hear people yelling out Mazungu while pointing at us and laughing. Mazungu means white person. We literally hear it all the time. But today...instead of Mazungu----- we heard people pointing to us and yelling "Obama! Obama" As in, that is how they referenced us! hahaha

5) Lastly, I don't know if this will be funny to yall or not but we were riding in a public taxi yesterday (just imagine an old van with a lot of people in it that stops every 3 feet to let yet another person in or out) When you get close to place you need off you say " Mawsow" (sp?) But we were just learning the language.....and the national that was with us that day, Dickens, told me to try and yell it out. So, I yell out, what I thought was the right word...but instead it was... "Moscow!" As in the place..... I'm pretty sure you had to be there. But the embarrassment of being the Mazungu that just yelled the wrong word was hilarious!!! One lady did tell me that she was impressed that we were trying to speak the national language. There's one victory!!! So.....it is my advice that whenever you decide to yell out something in another language....make sure its the right thing! Or you will be laughed at ALOT! =)

That is all I have for now..... There will be many more of these to comes!! This list could go on but for now I'm headed to sleep.... Love you guys!

Team U.G.

Here is a picture of my Kampala team!!!! They are left to right: Willie, Jana, Sarah, and Jake! =) Be in prayer for these guys as well.

Also, there are 7 other teams that are a part of Hands On all over South and East Africa. They need prayer as well, as we are all now adjusting to our new homes for the next 4 months.
There are: 3 Johannesburg teams, 2 Malawi teams, 1 Botwana team, and 1 team in P-Burg. (I can neither pronounce or spell where they are. bahaha)
Thanks!

Uganda, Holla!

Hey Guys!!!! Day 2 in Uganda is now coming to an end!! I just wanted to let you know that I have arrived safely. Training was hard....but incredible! God has already done so much in my heart and in my life!! I didn't expect training to be a time where God would transform me, but He has! I can now say that in Johannesburg, South Africa...I have truly experienced the power of God!! =)

I'm so sorry I am just now updating. Things are pretty crazy here...trying to get adjusting to life here in Africa. I promise to have some exciting post to come soon. =)

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am doing good. Some days are hard.....but each day God pours so many blessings into my life!!

I miiiiiissssss you guys!!!! =) Hopefully I will be able to update again within the next week. You never really know though... I mean it is TIA. (That is what we say when things go wrong: This is Africa!!) haha.

Ok, I love you all to pieces and I love the pieces, I can't wait to write more and let everyone know what is going on. Love you!

Bound for Africa

Today is the day!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!! 8 hours and counting until my plane boards. I am crazy excited and nervous and stressed! =) But all in the most wonderful way. haha

I wanted to let you know that I'm leaving at 4:20 today and will land Thursday at 10am South Africa time. (around 2am) I will be able to get online to let everyone know that I made it safe BUT...... the bad news is that while I'm in training I won't have access to internet or a phone. This is to mentally and spiritually prepare our hearts for the months ahead. Here's the time line:
Fly out of DFW: 4:20pm, Jan 13
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa: 10:00am Jan 15
Training in J-Burg Jan 15-Jan 26
Fly to Kampala, Uganda Jan 26th.

I will try and post upon my arrival Thursday to let everyone know that I have arrived, but then it will be the end of January before I can post again!

Please know how much that I miss yall already!! =) I wish I could take all of you with me. I am very ready though for this journey. Among all of the nerves is a peace that I am following my heart and spreading the wings that God designed for me. May all glory, honor, and praise go to Him. For it is through Him and in Him that all things are done.

I love you! Miss you! And can't wait to update you at the end of January!

One last note: Thank you all so much for your overwhelming support, encouragement, love, and prayers. I have been daily overwhelmed. God has used you to place a strength inside of me that I didn't know I could have. Thank you!

Goodbye Hair Products, See ya later Ice in my Glass

I am dedicating this post to all the things I am planning on missing while in Uganda. I'm sure there will be a post to come of all the things I didn't plan on missing. For now, heres the top 20:

1. Family/Friends
2. My dog, Lucy!!
2. Sunday morning worship/Sunday mornings at The Blend
3. Accessability to hair products, all of which keep my hair from being unbearably crazy.
4. Ice in my glass. So please, when the ice in your glass hits you in the face (which I hate!), will you please think of me?!
5. Great Escape
6. Sharing in ministry with my friends
7. Bible Studies at Bobby and Laura's
8. Coffee dates with the girls
9. Having personal space
10. Being able to take pictures without worrying about my camera being stolen/having a hundred kids who also would like their picture taken along with the elephant.
11. Packing a bag without worrying about the weight limit
12. Internet that always connects
13. Good food with good friends
14. Target...Wal Mart...or any other store that has ample supply of all your needs
15. Good quality toilet paper (Not sure about Uganda...but lets just say in Imbirikani, Kenya.....)
16. Passing people I know on the road and waving....actually, just seeing AYNONE I know!
17. Driving my car
18. Cool temperatures
19. Air fresheners
20. Good smells!

Excitement!

Today I woke up with excitement running through my veins! =) I am still nervous...yes, and packing is stressful! But, I was talking with my Uncle Mike last night and he reminded me of so many things. How blessed I am to be able to go to Africa for this time. Will there ever be any other time in my life that I have the freedom to just go and fully give of myself to others without responsibility back at home?! I am getting the opportunity to go and live in another culture, and really become a part of it!!! Though I've been before this will be 4 X the time period!!

I am excited!! Excited to be on this journey. Excited to learn and grow and share my heart and my spirit with new people in a new place! This truly is my heart and my heart's desire!

Lord, Thank you for being sufficient. Amen.

So, here goes. This is my first post as I begin my journey to Uganda. 6 days and counting until I fly out on Tuesday, Jan 13. (For those of you who don't know... I will be in Africa Jan 13-May 30 ministering to children in Uganda. More details on that in a later post) I don't know if I will be very good at this, but I will try my best to share my heart here and all that the Lord is doing.

Tonight, as I lay awake yet another night with lists, "to-do's," and worries running through my head....I remind myself how Sufficient God is. He is the Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. He is Wisdom, Power, Love, Peace, Joy, Sustainer, Guider, and Protector. Why do I fret? Why is my biggest fear that I am not adequate? Ofcourse I am not! It is He ,who is in me, that is Adequate. And that Rock is what I can stand on.

The nerves are running high as I try to figure out how to pack 4 1/2 months into 2 bags and prepare to minister in a culture that will be foreign to me......and knowing that this journey will be without my family and friends who are such a huge part of who I am and the ministries I have been a part of. I have decided that you guys spoiled me!!! To be able to share my life and ministry with people whose hearts are so bound together in the same direction. A blessing!

I am so thankful that God has already gone before me on the trip and paved my way. Through all the nerves, I know in my heart that my God is Soveriegn. He is ready to meet me each step of the way as He lights the steps I will take.

So, to you guys reading. Know that I love you each very much. You are a huge part of my life and a huge part of this ministry in Kampala. I am thankful for your partnership, and I know that there are so many blessings in store for all of us!! This is the Lord's ministry and I feel so honored to be with you on this journey.

Now, let's all stop worrying and take a moment to get on our knees and thank Jesus for all that will happen in each of our lives over the next 5 months. I am daily praying for you, your relationships, and your ministries, and keeping you close in my heart!