Questions

What am I learning?

How am I being changed?

Where have I seen God?

How will I be different when I come home?

I have been challenged with questions like these on a daily occurrence. At times, I have really just been unsure on how to answer them. One thing I do know is that God is really teaching me patience and also how to hear his voice. I have not had any earth shattering experiences on this trip, and nor have I had any major breakthroughs with things he is teaching me. There are times when this is frustrating, because my thought is that, "I'm in Uganda, I'm doing missions, shouldn't I be having some crazy God experience?" This I think is the lie that Satan is telling me.

Last night, I was reading my friend Laura Parker's blog. Laura, her husband Matt, and their 3 three kids are living in Northern Thailand as missionaries right now. One thing I notice when I read her blog is simplicity. They are living in Thailand, serving people, and serving God. Yes I am sure that they have had some pretty intense spiritual experiences, but they are not on a quick summer mission trip. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with summer mission trips, I have taken part in my fair share. What is different about the Parkers though is that they are experiencing life and serving at the same time.

Let me try to tie this all together. I have been in Uganda for over a month now. Whether I would have come here or not, my relationship with the Lord would have continued. I would still be learning things if I were back in the states. I feel like I am living here, it may be a short time, but it is living. I am pursuing God here, and I know it was in his plan for me to be here. I don't have a complete and solid answer for any of these questions yet, but I know that ultimately God does have an answer. I am trying to listen and know that I will still have much to learn about my time here even once I get home.

I ask that you would pray that I am not distracted. Pray that I can hear the Lord's direction for the remainder of my time here, and also truly listen to what he is teaching me. Thanks for reading and I am so thankful that I can count on your prayers and support.

Sorry if my post was confusing or made no sense whatsoever!

God Bless,

Christian

Faces of Uganda

Face full of drool!

Christine from Suubi and her 9 month old

Suubi women rolling some beads

One of the Suubi women

Marlena and a friend from Suubi

Phillip Kakungulu, our friend from last time we were in Jinja

Abdallah from the boy's home

Musa from the Boy's home

Maureen, one of the volunteers at the Boy's Home

Baby Beckham who has been in Joe and Melissa's Care

An elderly man from the farm (photo courtesy of Emily Harpe)

A girl from the Farm (photo courtesy of Emily Harpe)

Tabatha's son

A lady from the farm

Olara Geofrey working on bamboo jewelry

Ochaya Jackson repairing the road

Little Susan

Mr. Achana slashing a grass roof

Pallisa

On the morning of the 14th, we (Sarah Ray, Heather Ray, Pat Harpe, Emily Harpe, Emily Gamil, Katy Lindquist, Katelyn Wilson, Geofrey and myself) traveled to Pallisa located in Eastern Uganda. Sarah had a contact there named Simon. Simon is a Ugandan man who is on staff with YoungLife; a youth outreach organization. Going there, we weren't completely sure what our time would look like. The remainder of the large team was still at the farm and we would all later meet in Jinja before they head home. Sarah had asked Geofrey and I to come along. One reason being that there were no guys with them, but the other was that it would be a great opportunity for me to spend time with Geofrey and for him to gain some great connections in other parts of the country.

Our 'venture' (to say the least) to Pallisa, which should have taken maybe 7 hours, ended up taking about 14 hours. But thankfully, we arrived safely and were greeted by Simon at about 11:00 that night. The next morning, we took a short walk around Pallisa town and got to hear about the ministry Simon is taking part in. YoungLife club only happens on Saturdays, and unfortunately we would not be there on a saturday. Simon did tell us about all of the dedicated volunteer staff that YoungLife had in Pallisa. After discussing with him our desires for our time, we began making plans. We decided that we wanted to take all the volunteers on a day trip to Mbale and Mt. Elgon; both in eastern Uganda.

In the beginning of the week before taking the volunteers out, we went to a local school for 2 afternoons. Simon was also affiliated with the school. We hung out with the children playing volleyball and also teaching them some fun YoungLife style games. Also, once a week, the Younglife volunteers get together in the evening and have a prayer and worship time. We were blessed to be able to take part in that for this week.

On thursday that week, we traveled with the volunteers 2 hours to the east. Mt. Elgon was beautiful and it was so great to see all the YoungLife guys really enjoy themselves. Simon told us that this may be the only time they do anything like this all year. The highlight of our day was getting to hike to the base of Sipi Falls; which is 100+ feet high water fall. We ended our day by taking them to Mt. Elgon Hotel for a big late afternoon lunch. We were so thankful that we had the opportunity and resources to be able to do that for the leaders.

After our time in Pallisa, we traveled back towards Jinja where were would meet the rest of the team. But that's for another post! Thanks for reading.

Geofrey

Many of you probably remember stories about our friend Geofrey from Canaan Farm. Just to refresh your memory, Geofrey is a 24-year old Acholi man from Kitgum, Uganda. When Geofrey was 12, the rebels raided his village. His family was able to get away but Geofrey was kidnapped. For 2 years he served in the LRA as a child soldier. He would sleep in the bush every night for only a couple of hours, and was forced daily to raid other unsuspecting villages and homes. For those 2 years, Geofrey saw many of his friends get killed before his eyes. After really learning the ways of the rebels, he understood how he could escape without being caught. One day during a raid, he stayed behind and while the other soldiers were leaving, Geofrey snuck away. He traveled in the bush for 4 days with no food or water before finding his brother working in a nearby district. Geofrey then stayed with his brother for another 2 years before traveling to his family. After almost 5 years away, Geofrey was reunited with family at Canaan Farm in Masindi District.

When I arrived to Uganda, Richard picked me up from the airport. We hung around Kampala and Entebbe for the next day where we got to do a lot of catching up. He shared with me about Geofrey and how he was doing with school, life, music, etc. Hearing from Richard, Geofrey has been very discouraged lately and was not doing well in school. He had actually traveled to Southern Sudan and was working there for about 2 months. Richard did not want him to go, but Geofrey is an adult and Richard respected his decision to leave for some time. When I told Richard I was coming to the farm, he contacted Geofrey. Geofrey came down right before I got to Uganda.

A couple of weeks ago, Geofrey came to Palissa (eastern Uganda) with myself, Sarah Ray, and the younger girls from our team. We went to work with YoungLife volunteers. In that time, Geofrey and I were able to lead worship together. It was also a good experience for him to get away from where he lives and meet new people. Through that time, Geofrey gained some great connections and might partner some with YoungLife in the future.

In my time here so far, I have really gotten to spend some quality time with Geofrey. Most of our time in the beginning was spent playing music. However what I'm learning about music is that it's a great way to break the ice into further conversations and relationship building. Through the weeks, Geofrey has really opened up to me and we have really dug deeper into what is now a strong friendship. In my time here, I have seen him change and his drive to continue school have really grown. I have really enjoyed my time hanging out with Geofrey, and am looking forward to going back to the farm later next week and pick back up with him. God truly is blessing Geofrey's life and he is growing into such a leader. He loves people so well and has such a caring heart. Please pray for Geofrey that he can really follow after the Lord's desire for his life. I tell him often that he is still alive for a purpose and that God has an extraordinary plan for his life.

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Please keep Geofrey and the refugees of Northern Uganda in your prayers. They have all come through so much and it takes much faith and persistence to rise above the events of their pasts. With the power of God, all things are possible. Thank you.

In Christ,

Christian

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Our Team

The Farm

When we got on the road leaving out of Kigumba (on the main highway) toward Rwokayata Village (the farm), my heart was pounding. We had 20 minute car ride left. I began to recognize where I was, and also seeing familiar sights. We drove by Geofrey's house....the bore hole with children smiling and pumping...the obnoxiously large termite hill...the acacia garden...and then we turned right. Women began singing and dancing. Familiar faces were smiling and greeting us. It was about an hour until dinner and I had that same feeling you get when you arrive home after a long trip away.

For the next week, I got to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The farm is always changing, there is always a new building or crop. Richard toured us around to see the new medical clinic and vocational school that were being built. The next morning, we began construction of the new teacher's house alongside some local builders. Throughout that week, we also prepared for the team that would be arriving soon.

The following thursday, we traveled to the city of Jinja to purchase supplies for the Yobel Jewelry Project. We went to the leather tannery and a few fabric shops. That evening, we stayed with our friends Joe and Melissa. It was good to see them. Friday morning, we traveled from Jinja to Entebbe and meet the team of 16. That evening we traveled back to the farm.

Over the following few days, the team was introduced to the village life of Northern Uganda and I loved seeing their reactions and responses to what they experienced. Then for the next 2 weeks, everyone focused on different tasks. Some worked with some of the men and women in the jewelry project creating new designs and samples. Others worked on the construction of the teacher's home, and everyone at one point was able to do a few hours of home visits. During the home visits, we would help with daily tasks of gardening and planting or cleaning. Some of the team members were physical therapists, so it was great for them to work with kids and adults that have disabilities or general pain.

The highlight of my time with the team came at a time I did not expect. We were at the weekly friday jewelry meeting, and our team had brought supplies to do foot washing and painting nails. I decided to go play music for them while the women were getting 'pampered' :)! I sat down and began to play 'Endlessly' by Desperation Band. At that moment, I was struck by the joy in the women's faces to have their feet washed. The lyrics to the chorus are:

"With your majesty here, I fall to my knees, I love you endlessly.

With the beauty of your son, I find myself undone, I love you endlessly."

I can't really explain what I felt in that moment. But seeing the beauty of Christ in the face's of those people in that moment is something I will never forget.

Over the next few days, projects were continued and relationships were formed that will hopefully last forever. As usual haha, I was and will continue to be asked to bring my guitar to every gathering and play some music. I love it though, I know that music is a gift that the Lord has given me and I enjoy blessing others with it.

So, this is a very short summary of the time at the farm. Since being at the farm, I have also traveled to eastern Uganda to do some things with YoungLife volunteers, and now I am in Jinja. I will be posting about those things as well. On July 2nd, I will be traveling back to the farm and staying for 2 weeks before I head back home. Thank you for your involvement in my life and work in Uganda. Your prayers are more appreciated than you know.

In Jinja

I am now in Jinja staying at CaringPlace Boys Home, run by a Rwandan named Sarah Kasonga. I will soon post about the last few weeks. Here is photo of Geofrey and I jamming out after a hike.

Christian.