Adventure

Over the Christmas break Farouk and I decided we felt like we needed to go on an adventure. After seeing so many facebook posts from home of people going away for the holidays, as well as having many people here going away, I started to get the taste for a little bit of a holiday of my own.
All of Youth Support Uganda's projects have finished up for the year, and Agnes has gone away on a short term mission trip, so I was feeling like now would be the perfect chance to go away for a few days, as next year will be very busy.
Farouk has been by himself at his home this Christmas period as Beatrice took their little baby to go and visit her family deep in her village.
So sitting and chatting at the office the other day we decided we should go on a little field trip for a day. What started as maybe a day exploring some scenery turned into 3 days of heading far over to the mountains of Western Uganda.
Western Uganda is a beautiful place and is shadowed by one of Africa's biggest mountain ranges, the Rwenzoris. These mountains divide Uganda from the Congo, and is full of beautiful green scenery, lush jungles, chimps and monkeys, and extinct volcano craters.
It took a full day to reach the west in public transport, and we only had our backpacks and no idea where we would stay.
There are lots of very cheap guest houses here that the locals use, which is basically a room with a bed for about $3.00 a night, so we made use of these places while during the day we took boda bodas deep into the mountains to go walking.
We got to explore a lot, and we found beautiful waterfalls that we went swimming in (even Farouk got to go for a swim, which is very rare) and there were also these awesome bright blue crater lakes that you could swim in.

We also got to see lots of wild life and there were plenty of monkeys running around.
Western Uganda really is a paradise, and we were both awe struck at the beauty of the place. I captured our little adventure on my GoPro and below you will find the link to watch our little adventure.
It was great to have a refreshing time out in creation before the busyness of next year starts. Those of you who know me, know that one of my biggest passions is exploring new places and being among wilderness.
I really get a sense of God's glory in the beauty of creation, and I feel privileged to have been able to go on a little adventure, even if it was only for three days. It was also great to take Farouk along, as he has never really traveled before and was especially taken aback by the waterfalls.
I'll leave you with some words from John Piper about creation which I think is fitting for my time in Western Uganda.

"When I look at this universe,
I am just so moved by what a work of wisdom it is, and what knowledge is displayed.
Everything that God made, speaks!
And since God never speaks in vain, everything ministers, if you have eyes to see it, and ears to hear it.
Everything ministers, because everything speaks God, and God is in ministry.
God heals, God gives hope, God gives happiness, God gives humility, in and through everything that He has made.
And you know that this was made!
This is a painting, not the painter, this is a design, it is not the designer.
And no evolutionary speculation to the contrary can shake loose the deep, primal, intuitive, normal, ordinary perception that this was made!
These stars were made. This little spider who carries air to the bottom of the lake and fills his little nest was made.
It is just amazing how God has put this world together, it should just stun us to silence as we look at how the world fits together.
In wisdom He has made it all"

You can watch me and Farouks adventure here: https://vimeo.com/82946264

A special Christmas party and getting engaged!

Christmas break has been good here! Its very busy on the roads and in the towns, as everyone has been traveling to and from their home villages for Christmas.

So far Farook and I have been searching for a new place to move into since we will have to be leaving our office in a few weeks, and I will be moving from where I have been staying as well. Things look to be ok, and we may have found a very nice double story house with lots of rooms where we will both live and have the YSU outpost as well.

Last Friday was a special day as we had our Christmas breakup party for the tailoring class! We had a big lunch of meat and rice, washed down with some bottles of coke! Farook, Beatrice, Agnes and I all gave little speeches as well to the girls to congratulate them on how they have been doing so far. During last week we designed up some little exams for the girls to do, to see how they are going and where their strengths are. All of them have been improving a lot in the 2 and a half months they have been sewing, so all of us had a lot to encourage them about. Farook had asked me to be the pastor for the day and give a short word, which I was able to prepare and do. It was special to be able to encourage these girls, and to talk about the love of the Father, and to talk about the value they have in Him, even when they feel like they don't amount to much considering some of them have gotten pregnant in the past, only to have their man abandon them. So to tell them that God is faithful to us, even when we are not, was a privilege.
After lunch we also gave out presents of sugar thanks to a donation from a schoolies revolution member! The schoolies girls also left a bunch of clothes, so in typical girly fashion they all squealed with delight as they tried on their new clothes. They also ended up blasting the radio and dancing around in their new skirts and dresses, and it was quite clear there was a lot of joy present. They even managed to get Farook up for a dance (pictured) and then pulled me up as well (not pictured) which caused them all to crack up laughing and to shout and hoot
Looking back on it, it was a really special day, to see so much joy on their faces and to be able to give them simple gifts was beautiful. I remember while eating dinner looking around at everyone present and the different walks of life represented at the table. Here was a table that was full of orphans, outcasts from pregnancies outside of marriage, single mothers, rejects, an ex gang member, former drug and alcohol abusers and those living in abject poverty, all sharing a meal together in fellowship. It felt like a feast that Jesus would be present at, all united together under the love and grace of a Glorious Father.

The other thing that I wanted to share with everyone is also pretty special! Agnes and I have really been enjoying our relationship and getting to know each other more and more as well as becoming best friends. We both entered into this relationship knowing that we were pursuing something long term. So I am happy to let everyone know that Agnes and I are going to be getting married in May next year! We really do love each other a lot and its both a strong desire on our hearts to get married and begin a family. There has been lots of fun (and scary) moments of meeting her pastor and her foster parents and being interrogated to make sure I am a decent enough guy for their lovely daughter haha.
Agnes and I are also really excited about living a life of ministry together, as our core values of faith and mission are aligned together. We know we will be staying in Uganda for a while to come, but we don't know where the future may lead us, and we are happy and willing to leave that one up to God.
We have talked a lot about marriage together, as well as reading books and hearing advice from older people. The picture of marriage that I have in my head is not some hollywood idea of finding 'the perfect one' to complete and fulfill me, to live happily ever after as we ride of into a sunset together. But instead the picture I now have in my mind is that of laying down my life for this woman I love, to serve and love each other regardless of our imperfections, as Christ serves and loves us. To hold strong to each other with Gods strength through the joyful, blissful times and also, if not especially, through the teeth gritting hard times. Ultimately I believe it to be a picture of the love of Jesus for His church, through grace, compassion, sacrifice and suffering (as I said, I have the picture in my head, but I humbly admit that now I am actually going to have to try and live it out haha)
We look forward to our life together, and we look forward to family and friends joining us in May!

                                        

               

                    Me and Aggie (who my parents happily said "outshines me a bit")

So big news and good times over here in Uganda, I have a feeling next year is going to be a very big year .. not just in the changes that will come with marriage, but also in the work God has me doing for YSU.

I want to leave you with a little youtube clip! The video really doesn't have much to do with Africa, but I guess for me, it has everything to do with Africa, as the person that the video is about is the very reason I find myself here.
God bless and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dhlqPr4eS4&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLv9GoRaYBpUV4E0t_pchCmYIj-uU_Hoz3

Skype dates, plots of land and relocation issues

It hasn't been a full week yet since my last post, but seeing as it took me almost two weeks for the last one to come out I thought why not write a little post.

                               

Another week in Uganda, full of joy and some frustrations as well, but enjoying it non the less.

I have been having a few visitors from the village of hope who want to come and check their emails and learn some computer skills, and usually when these friends come they spend a bit of time dancing around and playing with all my different types of musical instruments which is fun.

                                

I have also really been enjoying my Friday night devotion night with a few young guys here. I have seen them come along way, and this weekly experience has actually been one of my favorite times of the week. It's great to have young guys come and just be free and share their thoughts and issues and struggles, and then pray with each other. We often watch interesting videos on youtube together, and this last Friday we watched Luio Giglio's "Indescribable" video (check it out if you have some time). Two of the boys mentioned that they struggle reading the bible as they only have New King James versions, so of course I had to run to town the other day and buy some N.I.V bibles so I can give them out as a gift. This version will at least have language that these boys can wrap their heads around and hopefully get a lot of joy out of.

This week I was also able to introduce Agnes to my family over skype! It was really awesome to sit there with everyone as we joked and laughed together. Agnes was really nervous as expected (it usually is scary for everyone the first time they meet 'the parents') but she did great and she felt a lot of love coming from my family, even if it is through the computer. I know it's just a bit hard for my family as they would love to be able to spend more time with her, but due to us living in Africa its obviously a little hard.

Farook and I also purchased a small plot of land for cultivating the other day. We had been keeping an eye on a small plot of land as we are planning an agriculture project that will help young boys in poverty to learn how to start their own little micro finance venture selling crops. Farook has been making money from his own small agriculture business for a while now as well as helping and training other people in the community, so he is the ideal person to run this program. We aim to have the plot of land as a training grounds where young men can learn the basics and make a bit of an income, after which getting a small loan to start their own business to help them get on their feet. Farook will also be a part of guiding them through the first few months of doing their own small business.
The plot of land we got is in the perfect location, and we have been waiting for an opportunity to get land in this place as it has a constant water source. It is in a swampy area as there seems to be a spring that runs out of a rock and has running water all year round. This means crops can be grown even in the dry season when most people on normal plots of land can't grow.
We got really lucky as the man who owned the plot fell into some financial troubles and wanted to sell it, and seeing as he knew Farook, we were the first people he approached. The plot we bought actually has the place where the spring of water runs from. This means we have the constant supply of water, but it also means we have a bit of a responsibility, because the way we channel the water can rather mean sharing water with the neighboring plots of land, or cutting off any water supply to them. Of course there is quite a few plots of land that many people own in the swamp that depend on this water source, and there is always a constant flow (as Farook has been using it for a few years now) so of course we will want to share the water and make sure everyone gets a good chance of growing their crops.

                                 

Farook and I have also had a bit of  an issue and a shake up in regards to where we operate from. We have been having trouble with the housekeeper of where the office is for a while now. He often will tells us one thing, then say another thing a few weeks later, but today we have really been messed around.
While I have been staying at Ron and Anne house, it was always planned that during this time I would organize a place to stay once they came back in January. Farook and Beatrice rent a room in the same house that the YSU office is in, and as there are a few rooms in there I had planned to move into the house as well in January. Farook has been asking the housekeeper for a few months now and he has been reassuring me I could come and stay and rent a room in the house in January. This would be a perfect option as I am in the same house as the office and Farook, and the security is good in this place. I was even going to get a room with a small toilet and bathroom (flushing toilet) which is a big bonus.
But today when Farook went to confirm with the housekeeper, he told us that the owners of the house are coming back in January and want to renovate the house, so the offer is not open anymore ... four weeks before I am meant to be out of the place I am staying in.
So now I am a little stressed as I was supposed to use this time to organize a place to live in, and have not been doing so because it sounded like a guarantee to stay in this house. This afternoon though I went back to talk to Farook and realized things were a little worse then I first thought. It seems that the housekeeper is now saying this also means the YSU office (tailoring class) and Farook and Beatrice also have to go. Never mind that he said it was perfectly fine for us to stay a long time, and we even payed for the January rent. This happens a lot here .. people telling you things and then changing what they originally said (this is why Farook and I really look forward to having a youth center, which is our own place to run all these programs from, instead of having to rent from untrustworthy landlords haha).
So Farook, Beatrice and their little baby are also most likely going to have to find another place to stay in one months time, as well as having to move our whole YSU office.
Interestingly enough when Farook told me, I wasn't even angry or surprised, and when Farook sighed and said "this is Africa", we both cracked up laughing at the silliness of it all.
It's not a guarantee that it will have to happen, but as Farook does not trust this man, and he may very well spring it on us that we have to leave in 2 days time or so, Farook isn't going to risk it and will start looking elsewhere for relocation.
As much as it is a big mess around we both trust in God, and what will be will be.
It really made me think though, as I often don't agree with the prosperity gospel, and will often speak against it .. but in a sense we all have a love of the prosperity gospel in us don't we! Because when something doesn't go your way, it can cause you to get upset and frustrated .. as if we are entitled to having everything go our way when doing Gods work.
But it has been a good reminder that I am not entitled to anything, and everything that I have and has been achieved with YSU is purely from Gods grace, and is most appreciated.
So I will continue to try and be joyful through it all and thank God for all things, and to know and trust that what will be will be.
So your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.

God bless you all, and much love from Uganda

Holiday Season

Sorry to everyone who is a regular reader, I have been a bit slack and it has been close to two weeks since my last post.
Holidays are on its way, as a result I have found myself having a bit more free time as a lot of my programs are finishing up for the year.
With holidays on I am not doing any classes in the schools, and the Tailoring class will finish up for the month at the end of next week.
One of the film groups have also finished up their film which they are all very super happy about! We are now in discussions on where we want to show the film. The boys want to approach TV stations here, as well as suggesting they play the film in schools to educate youth. This would be a great opportunity to get this group of youths to get up and speak about the film and the things that they learnt about social issues while making it.
The Schoolies team also left last Wednesday morning. It was good to be able to catch up with Johann and Joely Poppenbeck, as well as the team, and say good bye to them. Of course an in depth Theological discussion on the state of the church with Joel P last Sunday afternoon at a cafe in town was in order, always love a good deep talk with that guy!
The Schoolies team also left some dresses and skirts for the girls in the tailoring class, which we are going to hand out next Friday on the Christmas break up. This is going to be a blessed time, and I know the girls will love these new cloths.

We also had an anonymous Schoolies member donate some money towards the tailoring class which has been most appreciated. Farook and I discussed that we will use half of this towards some supplies for the girls for the Christmas break (soap, rice) and a nice meal for them, and then save the rest for an investment in the girls when they finish the course in April next year.

I have also had the chance to meet lots of Agnes family and friends this month, even having a lovely dinner with her foster auntie and uncle (who is the mayor of the local town near here). Her foster family have been so accepting and embracing, and it has been really special to feel welcomed. Her foster Aunt and Uncle in particular seem like amazing people who have spent a lot of their time, energy and money into running a foster home for young people in need.

The last few days here have been very rainy and cold, which has been a bit of a change. I don't mind it but the mud gets a bit annoying sometimes! But I know people are loving the rain for the crops, and people are always giving praise to God for the rain.

Yesterday Farook and I were given a chicken from a close friend of ours. So in African style Farook and I ended the chickens life (sorry chicken) and had a big feast last night with friends. It was a special time, as we laughed and joked and all tried to battle through the mountains of rice on our plates, all while sitting in a leaky room and listening to Ugandan Gospel music blaring through the little radio. What a lovely time of fellowship with my friends here, and while its only little that they have, they always wear a laugh and smile and are not far away from giving thanks to God for everything they hold dear in their lives.

                               

God is here and present as usual. It was great to have one of the schoolies leaders "Pete" give a sermon in the local church last Sunday.
He talked about how everyone is important to the body of Christ, and it doesn't matter what your position is, everyone has a unique purpose and calling. I thought this sermon was beautiful, especially when often it's thought of that a 'Godly' person has to be a pastor. It was all the more special for me when Michael, the farmer of the village of hope, came up to me that Tuesday holding his hand on his heart saying that the sermon was really special for him. Here is a man who never really had an education, and works as a laborer and a farmer, a position not seen here as vitally important or special. Yet he was holding his heart understanding that he is important to God, and the way that he does his work and carries himself can glorify God as much as someone who seems to have a 'higher' position in society.
I continue to love how the name 'Jesus' is so ingrained and knitted into society here. Coming from a place where the name of Jesus can easily turn people off or cause a mocking and sneering look thrown your way, it's nice to see the affection on peoples faces when this great name is mentioned. Jesus is more then a possible historical figure to many people here. Here He is often everything, and at the core of life for everything.
I will leave you with a little youtube clip I have been showing lots of my friends here. Every time I show it to my Ugandan brothers they well up with tears and start talking about how great God is.
Do enjoy and God bless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB835wkz1Tc

Film shoots and Schoolies visitors.

Another week gone by in Uganda! Its now December and the end of the year is near.
I have had a bit more free time this week as some programs are coming to an end. Looking back over the last few months it has been good to see what has been accomplished so far.

YSU has been running the tailoring class with success, its been beautiful to watch these girls really shine.
Drug and Alcohol education classes have been run in one school through out all the year levels there.
Two film making projects are underway and the films are coming out looking very good if I do say so myself.
Devotion and bible study nights every Friday with my group of boys which has been really rewarding.
Having three people working for YSU, getting for themselves a small income that helps them.

I look forward to the years to come, the work is very exciting, and although keeps you busy and at times stressed, it is very rewarding.

Both film groups of youth I have been working with have been filming their videos. One of the groups is creating an artistic looking short film showing the lives of three different students at a school. We have been having a lot of fun together, walking around the local community doing the film shoot, laughing and acting.

                                  

My film group in Njeru have been great to work with. They are a little older and have different ideas for films. Instead of focusing on a script and acting, they have decided they wanted to make a documentary focusing on alcohol abuse in the communities here. On there own time they have been going around different communities and inquiring about different types of people to interview, including local alcohol brewers, ex alcoholics, community leaders and youth who are users.
Last Saturday we spent the afternoon interviewing local brewers. This was an interesting experience, and something I wouldn't of been able to do just on my own without the youths initiating help. The place where the cheap local alcohol is brewed and fermenting is hidden down in a little valley amongst some trees, just in a run down little hut. As alcohol causes a lot of issues here (especially the home brewed stuff) the brewers are usually out of the way and hidden from sight. The place we went to was a small shack with these big tanks, or vats, of fermenting, stinky, raw booze. The stuff they were fermenting comes from sugar cane, and the place was really hot from all the fire, burning and cooking. It also had a strong repugnant smell, the place certainly felt seedy. The brewers had said they would be fine with the group of young people filming them and interviewing them, so we had bought them some sugar as a small gift to say thank you. The main woman brewing didn't want to be interviewed though, as her daughter had married into a pastors family and she was ashamed of being seen. A lot of people who brew alcohol are outcasts and ashamed, but often it is women who brew, because it is the only way for them make money to help their children. It did make me think, if Jesus was here in person today, would he be spending time with the suited up, high esteemed, church folk here ... or perhaps down amongst the stinky dirty compounds of the alcohol brewers with their torn clothing and bloodshot eyes, casted out and hidden away ... or perhaps he would of been with both parties!
It was an interesting experience none the less, and the documentary looks to come out really good!

                                    

Last Friday the young women's tailoring group had a very exciting day as the Schoolies Revolution team came and visited. For those of you who don't know about Schoolies Revolution, it is a HopeBuilders project that takes young Aussie schoolies to third world countries to give them a taste and experience of life with the poorest of the poor. It offers an alternative to what can often be a crazy time of self worship and indulgence (And I cannot judge, I certainly did not get involved with such a selfless thing like Schoolies Revolution during my year 12 break, so I really do have respect for these young school leavers).
Often the schoolies guys are really impacted as they laugh, cry, dance, worship, pray and work alongside the local people here. Schoolies was created by a good friend of mine 'Joely Poppenbeck', who has been a great friend back in the One Hope community at home, so it was awesome to see him again and have a bit of catch up.
Joel had asked me if I could so something with the schoolies, with YSU, so I had arranged for them to come and spend some time with the tailoring group of young women.
I do admit I didn't sleep much that night, and when I did, I even dreamt of the encounter. I guess I was a bit nervous about my first time hosting a team from Australia as they interacted with a YSU project. I was a little nervous at how the tailoring girls would react, as they come from very poor communities, some have been taken advantage of by boys, and some have not had a high education and as a result they can be shy and quiet.

All my nerves vanished as we approached the office and the tailoring girls came striding outside and embraced the schoolies team with big hugs (Agnes had come early to the office to prepare the girls, and when they saw us approaching outside she had encouraged them to all go outside and greet them ... lucky to have her on my team)
After first greetings we all stood in a circle and introduced our names. We then played a few games that had everyone laughing, including some very strange game that Agnes had jumped in and started to facilitate.
Afterwards I formally introduced the schoolies and what they were about to the tailoring group, and then Farook, Agnes and I all explained what we did. It was great to work alongside as a team with Farook and Agnes, and even one of the young girls stood up and explained how much she had been loving the tailoring class.
Afterwards Joely gave a short devotion to everyone. His devotion was perfect for the young woman, as he talked about our value, worth and identity within God. Many of the young girls really lack confidence in themselves, so it was something valuable to them, as well as hearing the Gospel message presented in there as well.
Afterwards the schoolies guys broke up into pairs and spent time praying with all the girls. After praying the laughter started as the young women spent time showing the schoolies their tailoring skills, as well as many people trying on the paper dresses the girls had created, even strutting and posing for the cameras.

The smiles on the faces of the girls was fantastic to see, and especially seeing them get so excited and interacting with the schoolies, as some of them cannot even communicate in very good English.
Afterwards we all got a group photo before saying good bye and leaving.
Later that day I had a chance to see the tailoring women again, they had been talking non stop about the encounter all day and most likely will be talking about it for weeks to come. I have never seen them so full of energy and with such big smiles before. Many of these girls would just not expect visitors to come and spend time with them due to their low position in society, it really was a special day for everyone, and I know I went to bed smiling that night.

It's amazing what joy simple interactions between people can bring, even when there is differences with culture and language. Love has no boundaries and can break through anything.

So another great week here in Uganda.

Enjoy some photos.