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Kisses from Katie

I want to be like the Jesus I see in her...

 

Kisses From Katie

And yes. I will be buying the book.

i just don't know what to say...so here's some pictures

This page has been staring at me.  Asking me to say something.  Some of you have been asking.  For something.  And I'm just not sure what to say. 

So I load up my Bible, My Journal, My Mac and head to Panera before church.  And sit here and stare at it.  Maybe it's the super loud northern family with the 4 kids running (literally) around and the 2 grandparents that decide they have to be super loud as they talk to their children that are distracting me.  Maybe it's that I don't want to ramble to much and too long (too late) with trying to piece together my Uganda trip.  Maybe it's that it is too close to my heart right now to share with the world.  (I've shared with a few close peeps- with another couple on the way this week).

I will share this- Moses.  His story is more than you think it was/is.

Uganda-it is more than I know it is. 

America- it continually frustrates me.  The more I read God's word. The more I get frustrated this side of Heaven.  But I love my crazy country.

My Peeps- You are dear to my heart.  I enjoy your investment in my life.  Nothing like some pool time, laughter with and at you, and a good dinner a time or 4 a week :) You bless me. And for those of you who speak 1 sentence in the midst of a conversation that speaks deeply to my heart (voice of God type sentence) thank you. And for being a sounding board.  Thank you.

I will give you some more pictures I did not previously share...

Buloba Community Church has moved up a little in the past 2 years.

I have always joked about "Chicken Tonight" in Kampala.  Last day- last meal...they took me to Chicken Tonight.  I had a vegetable samosa (i wasn't up for fried prior to 20 hrs of travel) and a Mirinda Fruity.

Olive in the backseat with all our kid stuff and mattresses we bought at the market.  Sweet Olive.

The teacup table in Amseterdam.  I couldn't get a picture of me in one...but it was fun.  It was open on one side and had a table in the middle.  Next time you are in Schipol Airport...i suggest it.  It brings back good and nauseating memories of Disneyworld/land. ha

I found it highly ironic that i sported a "Don't Conform" shirt while i sit in a middle class house in a upper scale Kampala neighborhood with my Columbia pants and Choco sandals...

My sweet sponsor Child Rahman.  I gave him a ton of stuff- cars, clothes, books, coloring books, a backpack, shoes...and at the end of our meeting he reaches down in his big pile of stuff and pulls out the little photo album i gave him- of my family and a picture of him and me from last trip.  Oh how it made my heart smile.  So many "things" are unimportant.  A little kid in the "bush" in Buloba knows these things.  It brings tears to my eyes now.  (i have to write my kids more!)

Resty and her grandmother Ruth.  I gave her this dress 2 years ago..either she never wears it or she sure has been taking good care of it.  Or maybe both.  I love this sweet quiet kid.

Sweet Fiona's house.  The little kids weren't so sure about the white lady...

Piper's child- Catherine's house.  At least 4 people live here. Amazing.

 

I promise I will have something to say soon.  For some of you- you can thank me for the break from my rambling anytime.  :)

beautiful kids!!!

For the sake of time i will save the commentary for later.  Here are pics of the kids some of you know and love...

 

Catherine- sister Joanita, mom margaret and brother johnthan.  Piper's kids :) now write her!

Fiona and her mom- Lynn's girl

On the way to find Braden Belchers child we found Hillary.  Kyle and Jeanna Valaer's child.  Regans parents died and he stays with them now. 

Scott and Deb Fillmers child.  sorry it's sideways. stupid photo thing. I will fix it later.

 

Reagan is staying with this sweet momma for now.

Winner of best Buloba smile- Rita.  Becky Williams girl.  With her lame feet she still walks around smiling!

My Boy Rahman and his family.

I will post some video when i get back.  crazy Eddie drove like a maniac so we could get to everyone's home in an hour and 10 minutes and then head back to town!

Love from Uganda.  24 hrs more and I will be home.

the mall-Uganda style

ok. so Mac Word just ate my blog. Here's the short version:

late startp pick up Amos :)

craft market

mall

pizza

Pastor Peters house

packing

 

Tomorrow-Buloba. Love those people there.  My heart may be largely part of Africa but my stomache regretfully remains American-miss Cheese.  Miss Gatorade.  Enough Water-usually water with lemon, a Dr Pepper in the morning, and some Gatorade.and remarkably i crave a Chicken burrito from Moe's.  even though I eat beans and rice everyday-almost everymeal here. ha  and of course Chick Fil A...

I hope to have time to upload Buloba pics before I head to the airport and it becomes crazy expensive for internet. 

I have lots to say but I think i need to sit on it for now and let my heart sort through it with the Lord. I am grateful for your prayers. 

reality check

I have a little time so let me take a minute to give you a little reality check on being in Africa.  Things don’t always go as planned.  As I have previously shared I have been pretty unprepared.  Today I was ready.  Granola Bar in case I got hungry.  Tennis shoes to stay out of the mud because it looks like rain.  Camera batteries charged. Toilet paper roll in my bag just in case the toilet was toilet paperless.  Going to the baby house.  Headed out at 9:15ish.

 

Went to the Loving Hearts Baby home which is here in Gaba.  It is run by the Gaba church with several partners.  They keep orphaned children newborn to 3 years old.  In the past 2 years they have had all the children adopted out thus far but if they make it to 3 years old they go to Bethany Village to start schooling and live in a “family” home there.   I met the office staff and Miriam the director (She was the director of the school right down the street from Gaba-kids in yellow we visited one time while we waited for the women’s ministry booth to open.).  I anticipated holding and playing with babies all morning. Well…..

 

I got the tour with Dorah-one of the workers then met the director and chatted with her.  I told her I would do whatever.  I am willing to assist as needed.  So she said “Maybe you see the babies and do some ironing and washing.” Ok.  Sounds like a plan. 

 

So we walked inside and got the tour.  And she took me outside to iron.  And I ironed baby clothes, towels, washcloths and everything in between.  For 2 ½ hours. 

At first I was just sitting and ironing away.  Contemplating why I was there “Was my reaction not strong enough when I went inside?  I should have said “BABIES. OH MY WORD I WANT TO HOLD THEM ALL. Maybe then I would be inside holding babies. But no….i play it chill and here I am ironing.”  It reminded me of when we went to Mexico and built homes.  The troublemakers, the ones who wouldn’t keep working had to go and “paint the trim” to keep them busy and out of trouble.  So I am thinking….i guess maybe I am painting the trim.  Goofy white person.  She doesn’t seem interested in babies. So we will put her out doing the ironing.

 

On the way here and yesterday I finished up the first section of “Sons of Encouragement”  it is by Francine Rivers and it is a narrative based on different biblical men.  She has some similar books I have read also.  I read about Aaron-as in Aaron and Moses.  And after you read it you always have to go back to the original Bible text and read the story again.  So I have been working on that.  And as much as we think Moses was amazing and things were probably just awe inspiring from leaving Egypt, the ten commandments, burning bushes etc…Francine does a wonderful job pointing out how it really might have been- the days in between. 

 

Those mundane days.  When God told them they would have to wait at the foot of the mountain while Moses went up to met God.  And the days of tedious waiting.  Of the people grumbling and complaining to Aaron.  The day to day rituals for Aaron as they wandered.  To set up the tabernacle and possibly the next day pack it up to move and then have to do it all over again.  And have to mind every detail as God told you or there would be trouble.  Aaron the high priest having to take the sacrifices of his people every day and slaughter them. Animal after animal after animal.

 

And while I am sitting there ironing I’m thinking this is what it is like.  Ministry-a life of service is ironing when needed.  Washing baby clothes.  I said “Whatever would be helpful” and they decided helpful was ironing baby clothes.  Life.

 

A girl named Karen came over to help.  Turns out my big blue tub had a partner.  If I had known that I would have ironed faster.  So I joked with her that maybe I was too slow.  She assured me that wasn’t the case.  So we talked and we ironed.  And I made it through my tub and part of hers.  She got done and I had a few more things and the rain came.  Aww man. I had 2 more things to iron! Job undone.  Guess I will have to go back and make up the difference.  I did learn a lot from Karen-she is from Kenya and is at Kampala International University studying sociology and child development or something along those lines.  She wants to work for a project with children somewhere.  Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda.  She is open to what God calls her to.  She said she’s worked at the baby home for 6 months.  Victor came over an picked fabric balls off some clothes and we all talked.  He is Ugandan and usually does the ironing and washing (mostly in the washing machine- thank goodness). And he does outside cleaning and a bunch of other things.

They did bring the older ones out for bathtime.  Totally cracked me up.  Christine- the worker who continually sings was bathing them.  She would put a baby in the swimming pool splash and splash and laugh.  One of the babies thought it was hilarious.  One of them wasn't too thrilled with bath time in general.  one of them tried to crawl away after his bath.  Cutest things ever. 

 

It rained and rained.  I ate lunch with Mariam.  Rice, Matooke, and sort of a beef stew.  It was good but a little rich.  I had a big ol glass of juice and worried that the food was going to circle back around.  (after my gallbladder surgery sometimes it happens.  I think it is mostly because I don’t each much greasy food…not that this was greasy but it was rich).  I sat and talked with Mariam about life in the US and in Africa and it slowly started circling back around. 

 

Here’s the funny thing- I went to the bathroom earlier in the morning- but it was DARK in there.  When I shut the door there wasn’t much light from the holes at the top of the door. And of course-no flashlight so I had to stand there a minute to adjust to the dark to find the porcelain hole in the floor.  Well…it just stopped raining and I HAD to go.  So they took me to a regular toilet inside a store room in the house.  Thank you Lord for small favors.  But a little problem….the toilet won’t flush.  The tank has no water in it. Soooo no where to turn the water on going in the toilet…so what to do…. Hmm. Bucket over here.  Fill it up in the sink that is working.  Manual flush type thing- pour it in the bowl and it will go down.  Thank you previous Mexico trips to know this is how it goes when the pump goes out and the water is off.

 

Why am I telling you this? I don’t know.  Maybe to just say TIA-This is Africa.  Maybe to say that this trip hasn’t been all fabulous.  I knew it wouldn’t be.  But I think like when we read the Bible “stories” we think of the amazing parts and forget they were people just like us.  In the not “amazing” days it’s mundane. It’s the little things.  It is work.  There is no “easy” road to true discipleship.  The body is called to serve. And while many days it is joyful and crazy and fun…somedays it is joyful in the normal, everyday, mundane things. And sometimes we do things and don't fully understand why..but we are called to obedience.  I found out after Patrick picked me up the reason they iron everything (including underwear and socks) is to disinfect the clothes.  Ohhhh. My 6th trip here and first time anyone has ever told me that.  I was just thinking everyone was being OCD or something.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

I have no clue what tomorrow looks like.  I guess it will be a day o surprise.  I do know that tomorrow night I have to pack up… boo.

 

Oh.  the grasshoppers- I only ate one last night. tasted a lot like a little shrimp.  Pretty good. But it was bed time so I didn't eat more.  Maybe tonight after dinner.  And as Sarah mentioned in her comment yesterday-she gave me a pea lookin thing the other night and warned me that I wouldn't like it.  She said it was a good antioxidant and brings down your cholesterol.  Well...it was terrible.  Tasted like chewing and eating an aspirin or something.  i told her she can keep her pea and I would go with blueberries or something...

was today Tuesday? I slept through it

Today the plan was to go to the hospital for an appt. Sarah had.  We left around 9 and got there around 930.  By 10am I was fighting the worst sleepiness i have had in awhile.  As I read the paper Patrick bought I kept nodding off.  Come to realize this morning when i grabbed my medicine bottle to take my thyroid medicine I grabbed the muscle relaxers I brought.  I have a bad neck and brought them just in case-I have an incredible ability to pull a muscle doing absolutely nothing.  Typically i take a half unless i am planning to go to bed or stay on the couch.  Needless to say-i took a whole one.  The rest of the day was a complete loss. I do remember sitting until 1:30 going to the museum to eat traditional ugandan lunch then back to sit for another hour...TIA.

I did get some street shots as we travelled from Muynuno-the neighborhood in Kampala to the north east side where the hospital is.  I tried to get a picture of the newspaper guy that jogged or chased our van for almost 3.10ths of a mile.  Patrick didn't have his money ready.  So they guy had to catch up because Patrick couldn't stop.  Patrick tipped him as he should have.

Tonight we ate by LED lamplight-power went out again (it was out earlier at the house while we were gone).  And as I reported earlier- word of the week seems to be unprepared.  Forgot my flashlight (first rule of coming to Africa-toilet paper for when there is none, and a flashlight).

Tomorrow I am heading to Buloba.  As much as i cannot wait to be there I kind of dread it.  I feel like a celebrity there-I am treated as such.  And while it can make my head swell up, I often wish I wasn't so highly regarded.  I have simply been a servant to the Lord Almighty and sought to do what He would have me do here in AFrica.  And the honor and praise belongs to Him...not me.

But I cannot wait to see my friends. And my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would remind me of so many names I have forgotten. I cannot wait to give out some sponsor kid gifts and I will go to the Bible College that Gaba has started down the street.  It's going to be a good day. Please pray for me especially tomorrow and Thursday as they will be Buloba days.

And rest assured-the muscle relaxer bottle has been far removed from my bedside table...

Patrick honked relentlessly at this poor guy because he was too slow. ha

For the rich ugandans or the muzungus-golf course downtown.  Regular folks don't play-it just doesnt make sense to spend the money on it

Day 1 Uganda- to market to buy a fat pig.

No we did not buy a fat pig...

I made it to Entebbe airport last night after a long day on a plane. Turns out our plane went to Kigali, Rwanda to let off some folks and pick up new ones. And as we taxied out to the runway they discovered an empty seat with a man’s passport and belongings but no man. Check the latrine, announce his name several times, ask the people around his seat…back to the terminal. Come to find out he moved seats and did not move back as instructed when we landed. So then they had to discover where his passport was with immigration control etc. But we managed to only be 3 minutes late to the airport.Sunset over Uganda- note the other plane in the picture heading on to what I assume would be South Africa since he didn't land in Uganda nor Rwanda and was heading further south. it's the speck to the left of the clouds sticking up.

We went to the Africa Renewal Ministry office to meet everyone and get all the gifts registered. Stop by the Bridge Office- say hello to my sweet friends David and Alfred. I got to hear what has been going on- busy world for them this season. Off to exchange money and go to the market-supermarket and the street market (for lack of a better word). I went with Olive while Patrick stayed with the van. All the pictures I took were shot from my hip basically while I carried my camera. It just takes too long to ask everyone and try to explain that NO I am not going to pay you because you let me take your picture. This market is there Monday and Thursday- well, the market is there daily. But the people parked on the ground aren’t. their goods are brought on a boat from the other side of Lake Victoria. And “the other side” can be far or just a little bit away… clothes and shoes to vegetables. There are even smart little guys walking around selling plastic bags to hold all your goods.

As we left I noticed a couple of little boxes- people live in them. The brick ones are hard to see in my picture because of the smoke. I clarified they were actual homes and took the picture a little late. Amazing. Patrick said I would die before 2 wks was up if I lived in one of them. (I’d probably die before that due to giving up before 2 weeks.) It is astounding.





ARM Building 2011

Lunch at home-delightful “salad” avacado, tomato, cucumber and a bunch of other Ugandan things. Then to the bank. Sat in the car for seriously an hour while Patrick withdrew money…TIA (This is Africa). I met with Irene for a little bit- she is Pastor Peter (Gaba church pastor) wife. Good to see her and how the children have grown! Today has been pretty uneventful. Just settling back into the interesting and sometimes frustrating Ugandan world here.

About to take a 15 minute power nap before dinner. I slept well, but Patrick is meeting with some people so I am going to take the opportunity. Enjoy the pictures.

before I get to Uganda

I thought i would post a list of prayer requests before I actually get on a plane to Uganda.  I sat in the airport in Atlanta right as they were getting ready to board the plane and got a little overwhelmed.  I realized I was alone.  No team. Just me. Going to Africa.  To figure out what God is up to.  In the world. In me.  And I fought back tears.  Grateful that I can go.  A tad scared to not know what is next.  But I guess that can be like any day.  Even at home.  We don't know what today will bring.  But I know that God knows.  And He has his best for me.  So that is enough.

For my bags to arrive- a 20 hr layover...have no idea where they are right now. I just want my big one to get there- it has most of the sponsor kid stuff.  I have gifts for at least 9 kids...I want the love to arrive!

For God's vision.  For what He is doing in Uganda.  How He would want me involved in that.

For my work peeps-for things to not be too crazy without me.  I know it can be a burden on them when I am not there.

For Barbara and Daddy- Barbara's Dad has been in the hospital for weeks with a broken hip and severe complications and hasn't even had his hip repaired yet. 

For my health- for rest in my bones.  Already I feel how out of shape I am! To not have sickness as a distraction.

For my protection- I don't pray for safety much.  It's never a guarantee.  Just ask those Bible guys...Jone, James....But whatever happens for the Lord to be glorified in my response to what may come.

For me to share life giving truth to whomever may need it.  And encouragement to the body of believers. 

For my sweet friends in Uganda- for the current unrest that exists there.

For God's people to think globally.  He blesses us in the states so much.  My desire is that "we" would know how to appropriately use what we have been given. 

To NEVER get motion sick in Uganda.  It is SUCH a distraction.  And to be drugged all the time is terrible.  I lose so much focus! This has been a previous prayer request every time I've gone.  And every time God has answered! Amazing. I get so car sick even in Auburn driving around town sometimes! (well, riding)

I may post again before I board...i got a sweet text this morning and have been awake so I thought I would list this.  I was thinking about the prayers being spoken by my sweet friend and realized I have failed to share specifics like i have always done in the past.

Thank you.  Grateful for each of you. And your intercession for me.

 

word o the day-unprepared

so i forgot to get my glasses out of my carry on bag...and i had the middle seat.  So my contacts ended up glued to my eyeballs.  Forgot to get my dramamine for the second half of my flight to AMS.  All is good...but it coulda been better.  And I forgot my bandanna for covering my eyes up in my carry on too.  And forgot to print out my ticket to Anne Frank House.  more on that in a second.

Uneventful flight to AMS for the most part.  Got to the Yotel in the airport and couldn't figure out my confirmation number so I took advantage of the slower but free for 30 min in the airport internet to look it up and try to print my ticket.  And I had 20 min til I could check in anyway.  Got checked in.  But the page didn't print. So I had to try two more times walking between the Yotel and where the free internet will print for you.  Finally got it and headed  out at 3pm.  My Anne Frank time was 345.

Found the ticket for the train.  Went down and got on the train.  And as we drove into Amsterdam my prayer became "please Lord let this be the train to Amsterdam Central"  It was.  When I walked off the platform down into the train station-holy cow.  It was like Penn Station in NY but more squished up. 

And then I got outside.  People, bikes, trams, a lot going on.  Bikes parked everywhere.  And walking down the street it was literally like being in NYC when it was rush hour. I found the Anne Frank house and was so grateful I had bought my ticket- there was a long line just like everyone says.  And for those of you contemplating a trip in the future- you go past the long line and ring the doorbell to let you in if you have a ticket. 

I don't know what to say about Anne Frank- it made my heart hurt at the thought of people having to hide and keep the curtains closed all the time.  But I was surprised at how much bigger it was than I thought it would be.  Not that it was roomy by any means.

On the way back to the airport I was going to grab some dutch food at a fast food type place- some sort of fried cheese square and hot dog thing but they didn't take credit cards. And I was too tired and lazy to exchange any cash.  So I skipped it. 

I like central AMS but I decided I may be more of a countryside Dutch girl...at least when I am tired.  too many people. :)

Back to the airport.  Schipol has changed a lot in 2 years.  I ate at a Danish Kitchen restuarant.  Fresh made food and fruits etc.  I got Danish pancakes. And a Banana Berry smoothie- this means Fruit blended-no added milk or sugar... it was good and a good warm up for Uganda.

I'm back in my Yotel and working on this then probably going to bed by 9.  I'll be up at 7 for fresh breakfast-Im going back to the Danish kitchen and going to sit in the table that looks like a Danish coffeecup...I didn't see that til after I ate.  So cute.Then my plan leaves at 1040 AMS time.  And it looks like my plane is stopping in Rwanda but I won't deboard.  Awwww a rwanda stamp in my passport would be fun.  But better would be some time in Rwanda. Maybe next time. haha

Enjoy the pictures.  Thanks for the texts.  And more so the prayers.  I'd write more but I am just tiredish. More later on the AMS travel today and further thoughts.

my yotel bed and the view into the bathroom-those are my feet

Fries are a big thing here.  Stores that sell a cone of fries with mayo ketchup or another sauce as you choose.  And they eat them with a little stick...skills.

A lot of the houses look crooked...

I kept seeing these signs and would think "Starbucks" Nope. Heinekin everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  And half a block from one to another.  I think they drink it like water here. Which leads me to the next picture...

These were all lined up because the trash was full.  It was where several toursit canal boats loaded up.  And there was a huge collection on the ground too.

Outside Central Station- like a parking deck for bikes

 

For you Maclovers.  I know where it is...

The Westerkerk- the church anne frank mentioned in her book.  It is right next to her house.  Those buildings in the back ground are the first row on her block.

And this is standing out in front of anne's house the view from the canal side of Westerkerk.

And my delicious little dinner.  I may have to eat again before bed. I am so hungry just looking at it. This is for you Spencer! haha

overwhelmed, amazed, frustrated, hopeful, expectant

Had to share from the Oastvalls web page.  The video story of Gwen getting Joseph and Daisy in Jinja.  So sweet so amazing.  But part 2 is what floored me.  Yep, heart overwhelmed out my eyeballs. 

All the kids there in the community.  Unfed and in need.  Makes my heart break that the body of Christ get together to serve those in need in the world.  More than what we are currently doing today. 

I think of a CS Lewis quote I saw on FB via Twitter today from my friend Sarah-

"If we live at the same level of affluence as others who have our level of income, we are probably giving away too little."

And dont send me hate mail.... but I love that Alabama fans can unite for Toomers and so far raised over 11000 dollars last time I checked. To get over the at times ridiculous rivalry. And I understand the significance of the tradition. But for trees.  Part of me smiles.  Part of me wonders- really? Only in America.  It's what makes it great.  It's what makes me frustrated when I think about it too hard.

I just stop to think about how MANYkids that money could feed for how LOOONG in this Ugandan community and other communities across the world....it staggers the mind. 

God's heart for the orphans.  It should speak to our hearts. And stir us to do something...I am hopeful. At the work His people ARE doing.  How we ARE getting on board with God's heart...expectant for more.

Blessings.  Take the time.  Watch. Laugh, smile and probably like me, let it overflow out your eyeballs.

Part 2 shows Katie who I have mentioned. The 20something "girl" with 13 children who now lives in Africa. Amazing.  You'll see their home and all her sweet kids.  Her blog is at the bottom.  Read the most recent post.  You won't be sorry.  See Jesus.  If nothing else, read Katie's blog post I put at the bottom of this post.

And did I mention I am plannin to go to Uganda soon? You wanna come with? Just holla. :)

 

joseph and daisy part 1  

 

coming home part 2

 

Katie's Blog- the journey