Yesterday we travelled to Anaka which is the third largest IDP camp in Northern Uganda with a population of over 30,000 people. We participated in a program called ‘Solidarity Day’ with the CPA (Concerned Parents Association) and students from Gulu University. There were also radio personalities, local pop music artists, newspaper reporters, and photographers with us for the event. The goal was to show solidarity between the youth of the IDP camp, the youth of Gulu University, and the youth of America. We were greeted by a traditional processional and walked about a mile from the entrance of the camp to an enormous mango tree that thousands of people were sitting underneath. The program included speeches from many of the local government and camp leaders. We then divided into groups to spend part of the day as we would if we lived in an IDP camp.
The ladies were sent to pump water and cook – Jennie cooked fish and okra, Alyssa prepared some sort of ground grain paste, and Kellen won the prize as she prepared portio (a dense white cake) with white ants. They all were incredibly brave as they ate with the families they cooked with. Kimball and I went to the field to dig with the men of the camp and the male students from Gulu University. We tried to keep up with the local men to little avail. We were congratulated after about an hours worth of digging with our wooden hoe with some raw sugarcane. The rest of the afternoon we sat and listened to traditional and ‘pop’ Ugandan music. The day concluded with a football game between the students and the camp. They were only able to play one half as we needed to leave by 6:00pm for security reasons.
As we drove the hour and a half back to Gulu we witnessed the most amazing African sunset. But the tension that existed between that beauty and the reality that we needed to stay close to the armed security escort in front of us was almost too much. One stretch of the road we were on has been notorious for the rebels crossing. We passed several military checkpoints and due to the level of security were unable to take pictures for most of the way. As I sat and watched the sunset I was overwhelmed by the paradox of Uganda. It is a beautiful land with kind and generous people, but the reality of life here is there are thousands of lives in constant danger and a deep sense of loss by everyone for the children who are still ‘in the bush’.
This morning Kellen and Kimbal left with Holly to return to Lira. They will be spending the next week with Ben and Holly on a much deserved holiday. Jennie, Alyssa, and myself are travelling towards Kampala today to begin our journey home. It seems as if we have been travelling together for much longer than two weeks. We are all anticipating being home, but our experience here has impacted each of us significantly. Thank you for your prayers for our team, for this country, and for the hope of peace.
[Jared Mackey]
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Images of Hope
We arrived in Gulu on Monday evening after a relatively short, but breathtaking drive from Lira. Tuesday we headed along a heavily guarded road to an IDP camp called Lalogi to work with a camp youth group. I was very excited about visiting this camp because we were planning on painting a mural. I had been thinking for a long time about what we should paint but it was hard for me to imagine what could be meaningful to people who have been through so much trauma. Before we went we were talking to Holly about what she thought might be most meaningful, I loved her idea. She shared about the youth group we were going to be seeing and suggested that we let them paint the mural. The mural’s title is “Hope for Lalogi/Gen Pa Lalogi”. The members of the youth group, all affected by the war in some way were asked to paint their interpretation of hope for their camp. I can’t express in words what each member painted but I would like to share a few that impacted me. One that was very moving read “Only God Knows My Problems”. Even though this was not an expression of hope I was so glad that this person used art to express herself. It was somehow so important to have the struggle juxtaposed next to the hope because that is how it is there. So many times you will sit and hear how much pain and suffering someone is going through one moment and then be laughing and dreaming with them the next.
Other paintings included images of schools, and teachers, more agriculture or livestock. We even had someone draw our vehicle coming to the camp; I’m not sure about that one. In the end there were two that I really loved. The first was written in the Acholi language. It read “Peace and Reconciliation/Timo Kica Ki Mato Oput”. In a country so filled with turmoil and genuine reasons to hate and kill there must be a voice that speaks for true healing. I am so glad that there are voices among the most effected youth that are crying out for this kind of end to the violence. The second image was portraying the village elders and all of the young children sitting around the fire late at night. This tradition has been lost in so many places because there is a curfew in the camps. Traditionally, this act is important because it is how morals and important tribal histories are passed on. This person was saying that hope for the camp would be to allow the traditional rituals to be carried out, bringing some sense of normalcy to their lives.
After all of the youth members finished painting we had a crazy patchwork of “hope”. It was so fun, and much more meaningful to me and to them I believe.
Our last few days have been amazing. We are going to be doing a solidarity day tomorrow and then wrapping up the trip. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers over these last few weeks.
[Kimbal]
Other paintings included images of schools, and teachers, more agriculture or livestock. We even had someone draw our vehicle coming to the camp; I’m not sure about that one. In the end there were two that I really loved. The first was written in the Acholi language. It read “Peace and Reconciliation/Timo Kica Ki Mato Oput”. In a country so filled with turmoil and genuine reasons to hate and kill there must be a voice that speaks for true healing. I am so glad that there are voices among the most effected youth that are crying out for this kind of end to the violence. The second image was portraying the village elders and all of the young children sitting around the fire late at night. This tradition has been lost in so many places because there is a curfew in the camps. Traditionally, this act is important because it is how morals and important tribal histories are passed on. This person was saying that hope for the camp would be to allow the traditional rituals to be carried out, bringing some sense of normalcy to their lives.
After all of the youth members finished painting we had a crazy patchwork of “hope”. It was so fun, and much more meaningful to me and to them I believe.
Our last few days have been amazing. We are going to be doing a solidarity day tomorrow and then wrapping up the trip. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers over these last few weeks.
[Kimbal]
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Honey & Prayer
[this post was written on Monday morning - we were unable to post it in Lira due to power surges]
After the last post on Saturday morning, we went to visit Dan, Ben and Holly’s night watchman. (You can find Dan’s story on Holly and Ben’s blogspot linked from our page). Dan lives in a village about 9 km north of Lira. It is down a long dirt road through some of the most beautiful countryside we have seen, lush and green, undeveloped and open. Dan’s family were all there to meet us, his grandfather, parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. After a round of formal introductions in which every person had to stand and give a mini speech, we sat down for a meal. First came the honey, harvested just the night before, which we ate straight from the comb. Dan’s grandfather was so excited for us to try his honey that he prayed over it before we ate. Wow, the honey was sweet and so filling, we hardly had room for the traditional Ugandan meal of rice, sweet potatoes, chicken and bitter herbs with g-nut paste (similar to peanut butter) which Holly helped to prepare. Although I was a little skeptical, the meal was actually really good. Dan took us on a tour of his family’s tobacco farm, and then we went up to a rock, the highest point in the village. The view was spectacular, with the cool breeze and surrounded by friends both new and old, I felt like we were experiencing just a small glimpse of the kingdom.
Sunday we gathered with the staff and friends of CPA to pray and fast for the children who have escaped from the LRA and for those who are still in the bush. In typical African fashion, the service lasted about 4.5 hours. Once they found out that Jared was a pastor, he was called up to the front to help lead. I think he got off easy, as he only had to give two sermons during the meeting. In all seriousness, it was so good to be with brothers and sisters, listening to their prayers for their people, and adding our own to theirs, asking God to bring healing and restoration to the people of Uganda.
After the prayer meeting, we went into town to get groceries for dinner that night and ran into a group of American college students. They were over here helping to build an orphanage in Lira. What makes this meeting so amazing is that the mother of Jonathan, one of the students, had met Jared and Kellen at TNL and again at the Global Night Commute. She told them about what he was doing over here, and hoped that we could meet them. Unfortunately, we did not think this was possible, until we ran into them in the store. What a small world. They whole group came over to Ben and Holly’s last night, and we had a great time laughing, listening to good music, and taking communion together. We leave for Gulu today, and so we begin another week here in Uganda.
Your thoughts and prayer are so much appreciated.
Lots of love to you all.
[Alyssa English]
After the last post on Saturday morning, we went to visit Dan, Ben and Holly’s night watchman. (You can find Dan’s story on Holly and Ben’s blogspot linked from our page). Dan lives in a village about 9 km north of Lira. It is down a long dirt road through some of the most beautiful countryside we have seen, lush and green, undeveloped and open. Dan’s family were all there to meet us, his grandfather, parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. After a round of formal introductions in which every person had to stand and give a mini speech, we sat down for a meal. First came the honey, harvested just the night before, which we ate straight from the comb. Dan’s grandfather was so excited for us to try his honey that he prayed over it before we ate. Wow, the honey was sweet and so filling, we hardly had room for the traditional Ugandan meal of rice, sweet potatoes, chicken and bitter herbs with g-nut paste (similar to peanut butter) which Holly helped to prepare. Although I was a little skeptical, the meal was actually really good. Dan took us on a tour of his family’s tobacco farm, and then we went up to a rock, the highest point in the village. The view was spectacular, with the cool breeze and surrounded by friends both new and old, I felt like we were experiencing just a small glimpse of the kingdom.
Sunday we gathered with the staff and friends of CPA to pray and fast for the children who have escaped from the LRA and for those who are still in the bush. In typical African fashion, the service lasted about 4.5 hours. Once they found out that Jared was a pastor, he was called up to the front to help lead. I think he got off easy, as he only had to give two sermons during the meeting. In all seriousness, it was so good to be with brothers and sisters, listening to their prayers for their people, and adding our own to theirs, asking God to bring healing and restoration to the people of Uganda.
After the prayer meeting, we went into town to get groceries for dinner that night and ran into a group of American college students. They were over here helping to build an orphanage in Lira. What makes this meeting so amazing is that the mother of Jonathan, one of the students, had met Jared and Kellen at TNL and again at the Global Night Commute. She told them about what he was doing over here, and hoped that we could meet them. Unfortunately, we did not think this was possible, until we ran into them in the store. What a small world. They whole group came over to Ben and Holly’s last night, and we had a great time laughing, listening to good music, and taking communion together. We leave for Gulu today, and so we begin another week here in Uganda.
Your thoughts and prayer are so much appreciated.
Lots of love to you all.
[Alyssa English]
Saturday, June 24, 2006
IDP Camps & Hope
Today is Saturday. Yesterday we concluded our time in the I.D.P. camp with a football (soccer) game. Thanks to the skills of the youth we worked with out there we won the match 2-1. It does not change the fact that USA lost to Ghana, of which we are reminded everywhere we go.
For the last three days we have been working with a subsidiary organization to Concerned Parents Association, the organization that Ben and Holly work for, Concerned Children and Youth Association (CCYA). They regularly go into the IDP Camps to organize play days. As they instructed us on the first day, “we are trained in making fun”. The day consists of hundreds of children, from those carried on the backs of their siblings to young 20’s, being divided into groups to “make the fun” together. The addition of our team has provided humor and some additional resources. After two hours of dancing, a Ugandan version of “duck, duck, goose”, singing and laughing we are exhausted. We have had different art projects each day – the first day distributing over 900 pieces of construction paper and a single (actually half) crayon to each child to draw. It is amazing seeing hundreds of children sit and wait to be instructed on what they will draw. Yesterday we gave out 500 pieces of chalk, broken to have enough for the children to have one piece for every two kids, to color on an abandoned building. The colors and pictures of trees, houses, flowers, animals, and math equations demonstrated how dedicated the children are in every opportunity they are afforded. Each day we have given out Colorado Rapids Football jerseys to the children who have participated the “best”. To give out 50 jerseys and a dozen footballs is wonderful. To only be able to give them to a handful and have thousands of eyes stare at you and question why there is not more is probably for me one of the worst parts of my day. We brought enough candy for every child to have one piece. As we walked down lines of hundreds of children placing a single piece of candy in their hand I had a moment where it was not candy, but rather a form of communion - that I was there touching the hand of a child and praying for them that they would somehow know the love of God in this place. Leaving the camp yesterday there was a sense of deeper understanding, greater confusion, and a desperate need for hope.
The most memorable part of the day was a conversation with a young man named Dennis; he was 20 years old and has lived all of his known life in IDP camps. He had many questions for me including how far away from our home were we, if it is 2:00pm in Uganda what time is it in the USA, which led to a poor explanation by me about how the world is round like a football (soccer ball) and how Africa is always about a half a day ahead of the USA. The question that turned the conversation was when he asked, “compare life here in this camp to life in the USA”. I told him, “you can not, there is too much difference”. By the time the conversation ended there were over 100 people listening to us discuss how we both wanted the extreme poverty and unimaginable living conditions of the camps to not be the only life he and thousands of others would know. He asked regarding my desire to see things change, “what NGO (Non Government Organization) are you with?” I replied by asking him, “you want things to change, what NGO are you with?” The crowd laughed and he smiled. We agreed that we were simply two men standing in the middle of a camp, surrounded by thousands of people living in some of the most difficult circumstances, and hoping for change. Last night at dinner and this morning at breakfast our conversations continued about what does hope look like for this country, these people. A small piece of clarity came with that hope is not prescriptive, rather redemptive.
The day included multiple celebrations of Alyssa’s birthday as well. The CCYA staff sang to her and gave her an unexpected “bath” of water poured over her back since it was her “bath – day”. Ugandan humor I suspect. We also had an angel food cake baked by Ben and Kimball that we took to a restaurant where the entire restaurant joined in singing to her – twice. Once when we brought the cake out with the candle, and once we the power went out and we were all sitting in complete darkness for about three minutes. We learned the additional verses to “Happy Birthday”, which were, “how old are you now?” and “you look like a donkey”. When the power came back on an African man looking at Kimball shouted, “Where is my wallet?, Kimball looked at him and shouted the same, with much laughter following. At times laughter is the best, and only, medicine.
We have been away now seven days. It seems at times much longer. The moments of pause at the end of the day include either “high / low” or reflection and silence of what we have seen and experienced. There is no doubt that we are sustained and given strength to walk through this land by the prayers of so many. We continue to attempt to post pictures of our time here; the power issues and the unstable connections make it difficult. To try to give you a picture of what we see here imagine the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets with the biggest sky you have ever seen. Against that backdrop is poverty, pain, sickness, and doubt that it is almost impossible to remain engaged with. It is good to be here. Not easy, but good.
Grace and peace.
[Jared Mackey]
For the last three days we have been working with a subsidiary organization to Concerned Parents Association, the organization that Ben and Holly work for, Concerned Children and Youth Association (CCYA). They regularly go into the IDP Camps to organize play days. As they instructed us on the first day, “we are trained in making fun”. The day consists of hundreds of children, from those carried on the backs of their siblings to young 20’s, being divided into groups to “make the fun” together. The addition of our team has provided humor and some additional resources. After two hours of dancing, a Ugandan version of “duck, duck, goose”, singing and laughing we are exhausted. We have had different art projects each day – the first day distributing over 900 pieces of construction paper and a single (actually half) crayon to each child to draw. It is amazing seeing hundreds of children sit and wait to be instructed on what they will draw. Yesterday we gave out 500 pieces of chalk, broken to have enough for the children to have one piece for every two kids, to color on an abandoned building. The colors and pictures of trees, houses, flowers, animals, and math equations demonstrated how dedicated the children are in every opportunity they are afforded. Each day we have given out Colorado Rapids Football jerseys to the children who have participated the “best”. To give out 50 jerseys and a dozen footballs is wonderful. To only be able to give them to a handful and have thousands of eyes stare at you and question why there is not more is probably for me one of the worst parts of my day. We brought enough candy for every child to have one piece. As we walked down lines of hundreds of children placing a single piece of candy in their hand I had a moment where it was not candy, but rather a form of communion - that I was there touching the hand of a child and praying for them that they would somehow know the love of God in this place. Leaving the camp yesterday there was a sense of deeper understanding, greater confusion, and a desperate need for hope.
The most memorable part of the day was a conversation with a young man named Dennis; he was 20 years old and has lived all of his known life in IDP camps. He had many questions for me including how far away from our home were we, if it is 2:00pm in Uganda what time is it in the USA, which led to a poor explanation by me about how the world is round like a football (soccer ball) and how Africa is always about a half a day ahead of the USA. The question that turned the conversation was when he asked, “compare life here in this camp to life in the USA”. I told him, “you can not, there is too much difference”. By the time the conversation ended there were over 100 people listening to us discuss how we both wanted the extreme poverty and unimaginable living conditions of the camps to not be the only life he and thousands of others would know. He asked regarding my desire to see things change, “what NGO (Non Government Organization) are you with?” I replied by asking him, “you want things to change, what NGO are you with?” The crowd laughed and he smiled. We agreed that we were simply two men standing in the middle of a camp, surrounded by thousands of people living in some of the most difficult circumstances, and hoping for change. Last night at dinner and this morning at breakfast our conversations continued about what does hope look like for this country, these people. A small piece of clarity came with that hope is not prescriptive, rather redemptive.
The day included multiple celebrations of Alyssa’s birthday as well. The CCYA staff sang to her and gave her an unexpected “bath” of water poured over her back since it was her “bath – day”. Ugandan humor I suspect. We also had an angel food cake baked by Ben and Kimball that we took to a restaurant where the entire restaurant joined in singing to her – twice. Once when we brought the cake out with the candle, and once we the power went out and we were all sitting in complete darkness for about three minutes. We learned the additional verses to “Happy Birthday”, which were, “how old are you now?” and “you look like a donkey”. When the power came back on an African man looking at Kimball shouted, “Where is my wallet?, Kimball looked at him and shouted the same, with much laughter following. At times laughter is the best, and only, medicine.
We have been away now seven days. It seems at times much longer. The moments of pause at the end of the day include either “high / low” or reflection and silence of what we have seen and experienced. There is no doubt that we are sustained and given strength to walk through this land by the prayers of so many. We continue to attempt to post pictures of our time here; the power issues and the unstable connections make it difficult. To try to give you a picture of what we see here imagine the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets with the biggest sky you have ever seen. Against that backdrop is poverty, pain, sickness, and doubt that it is almost impossible to remain engaged with. It is good to be here. Not easy, but good.
Grace and peace.
[Jared Mackey]
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Life in Lira
Well, it is hard to believe that we have been in Lira for 3 days now. For the past two days, we have been traveling to Bala Stock Farm, which is an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. There are over 15 camps in the Lira area. To give you an idea of how many people are in these camps, Bala is one of the smaller ones. Yesterday we had about 500 children, today we had over 900 as the word spread that we were there, and tomorrow they are predicting that there will be even more children as they all bring more friends. I can't get over how beautiful the children are when they smile. Some of them, especially the little ones, are frightened of the "munus" (white people), but we are learning a few words of greeting in the Luo language and we have found some ways to communicate without words.
I look around at all of the children and wonder how they can live in the conditions in which they live. As a nurse, I see so many of the kids with medical issues that would be so easy to fix in the states, but they will never get the care that they need. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start, but I found a place today. As we were driving back to Bala after lunch we saw a boy on the side of the road with 2nd and 3rd degree burns covering his left forearm, and another one on his right leg, with the flies buzzing all around them. I was able to clean the wound and put some antibiotic cream on it (yes, mom, I did wear gloves), but it just wasn't enough to keep the flies away. Ben called CPA, and we were able to take him to a clinic where they could dress the wound and give him some extra supplies. It seems like we did so little for him, but as Ben was telling us last night, if we can help at least one person, then it is worth us being here.
There are many eye-opening experiences staying in Lira. It is striking to walk around the town and the only other two white faces I see are my two teammates that I am walking with. People everywhere stop and stare wherever we go, sometimes they just laugh at our “strange” ways. This morning, I rode the boda the wrong way. A boda is the main source of transportation, it is a bike with an extra seat over the back tire. The women sit with their legs to one side, but apparently, I had mine on the wrong side and the people in town thought this was hilarious. I asked the driver if I had embarrassed him and he said, “Well, yes.” The power here in Lira is on again off again, approximately every other day. The generators are on from dinner until the World Cup games are over, then the fans are off and the rooms just keep getting hotter until about 3am. Kellen and Kimbal are staying with Ben and Holly. Jennie, Jared and I are all staying in the Mango Tree Hotel in Downtown Lira. We all share the bathroom in Jennie’s room, and every day is a new adventure as we figure out which way will work to flush our toilet. Jared has broken the toilet twice, but Jennie still lets him use it.
To all our family and friends, we love you and appreciate your prayers. It is so fun reading your comments on our blog.
[Alyssa]
I look around at all of the children and wonder how they can live in the conditions in which they live. As a nurse, I see so many of the kids with medical issues that would be so easy to fix in the states, but they will never get the care that they need. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start, but I found a place today. As we were driving back to Bala after lunch we saw a boy on the side of the road with 2nd and 3rd degree burns covering his left forearm, and another one on his right leg, with the flies buzzing all around them. I was able to clean the wound and put some antibiotic cream on it (yes, mom, I did wear gloves), but it just wasn't enough to keep the flies away. Ben called CPA, and we were able to take him to a clinic where they could dress the wound and give him some extra supplies. It seems like we did so little for him, but as Ben was telling us last night, if we can help at least one person, then it is worth us being here.
There are many eye-opening experiences staying in Lira. It is striking to walk around the town and the only other two white faces I see are my two teammates that I am walking with. People everywhere stop and stare wherever we go, sometimes they just laugh at our “strange” ways. This morning, I rode the boda the wrong way. A boda is the main source of transportation, it is a bike with an extra seat over the back tire. The women sit with their legs to one side, but apparently, I had mine on the wrong side and the people in town thought this was hilarious. I asked the driver if I had embarrassed him and he said, “Well, yes.” The power here in Lira is on again off again, approximately every other day. The generators are on from dinner until the World Cup games are over, then the fans are off and the rooms just keep getting hotter until about 3am. Kellen and Kimbal are staying with Ben and Holly. Jennie, Jared and I are all staying in the Mango Tree Hotel in Downtown Lira. We all share the bathroom in Jennie’s room, and every day is a new adventure as we figure out which way will work to flush our toilet. Jared has broken the toilet twice, but Jennie still lets him use it.
To all our family and friends, we love you and appreciate your prayers. It is so fun reading your comments on our blog.
[Alyssa]
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
God Loves Patience
The First 24 Hours- 2 perspectives
1.) Our arrival in Entebbe, Uganda came after a ‘short’ 8-hour plane ride from London. We have to admit we felt quite blessed with the emergency row/bulk head seats…but even with the extra room it was hard to sleep. Perhaps it was the anticipation, but I think our combined total hours of sleep for Sunday evening was about 8 hours – between 5 of us! And so began our first day in Uganda…
The drive into the capital of Uganda – Kampala – was complete with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Victoria, lush green hills, and a few African bottle-neck traffic jams! Having loaded some of our bags into the bed of one of our trucks while at the airport, we realized they were easy prey in the midst of the traffic. Jared offered to be their guard & took up his post with the bags - he’ll have to tell you more about that adventure himself.
The plan was to spend a few minutes in Kampala to drop Holly & Kellen off at the bus with some of the luggage since it wouldn’t all fit into one truck. The few minutes turned into a few hours (see Kellen’s perspective below) as the banks had some pretty specific requirements for our exchanging money. But, we finally got it all worked out & the other 5 of us headed to Lira via a truck the Concerned Parents’ Association so kindly allowed us to use.
The drive was long, about 5 hours, through beautiful green hills, gradually flattening out and providing us with the ability to see for miles. Even those of us who have been to Africa before still cannot get over how big the sky seems – there’s just something expansive & elusive to it that awes you. And we crossed the Nile along the way…wow it’s hard to describe the beauty! Lush green foliage all around, class 5 rapids & some waterfalls – we weren’t able to stop, but we did meet some baboons on the road just after crossing – ah yes, we’re in Africa!
There’s much more to tell, but for now know that we are safe, settled, and loving every second! The next few days we’ll be oriented to the city & introduced to the staff at Concerned Parents’ Association who Ben & Holly work with. And we’ll head to the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps to do some planned crafts/games/activities with the children & play fooball (soccer)!
We’re feeling tired, excited, blessed, and inspired – thanks for your prayers and thoughts! (Jennie)
2.) Overjoyed, I walked out of the airport to see one of my best friends, Holly. I nearly cried to hug them again. How natural it felt to be here with them. As we packed the vehicle (they don’t call them cars here), we realized that all seven of us and our ten bags, filled with soccer balls, candy and loads of stickers, would not fit. Holly had decided that she would ride the bus with a few bags. With joy and excitement, I volunteered to go with her, longing to spend a few hours on a bus with my dear friend.
We arrived to the Bus park in Kampala minutes after the 8AM bus left and had to wait for the next bus. It was scheduled to leave at 10AM. We decided to make use of the extra time by exchanging money and running to a local Italian bakery for pastries and a cappuccino. We never made it to the pastry shop. When we went to exchange the team money, the bank wouldn’t take any American bills made before 2000. After a fun time sorting old vs. new bills, exchanging the current dollars and creative problem solving on “how to get the older dollars taken” it was 9:55 so we had to run to the bus park. When we got back to the bus park they informed us that the bus would be leaving at 11AM.
Reluctant to wait, Holly and I got on the bus while Jared, Kimbal, Alyssa, Jennie, and Ben left in the vehicle toward Lira. The hour wait in the bus went by quickly as we caught up on life. We noticed it was 11:45AM and the bus was still in the station. Our friend, Edward who worked for the bus, then told us that the bus would leave closer to 1PM. You see there aren’t “official” departure times in Uganda. Holy explained that here a bus leaves when the driver decided it is full. Out if the corner of my eye I noticed a bus with the name “God Likes Patience” parked across the street. I laughed with Holly and told here that I am not sure my American form of patience is true patience.
Finally, at 3:30PM our 10AM bus left the parking lot. We made it four whole blocks before the engine began to smoke. Everyone exited the bus, gathered their luggage and waited for a new bus to come pick us up. The second bus picked us up. Holly made sure our bags got on, while I fought through the crowd to get a good seat on the bus. At 4PM the bus left, again, and broke down nearly 100 meters in front of the first bus. We once again left the bus, sat on our bags, as it started to rain. Around the corner came our third bus. “God Likes Patience” was its name. Holly and I laughed, got on the bus and finally left for Lira, on the 4:51PM bus.
The ride was quick, one that normally takes five hours, made it to Lira in three and a half. The scenery was beautiful, and lush while I could keep my eyes open to see it. We crossed over the Nile in the dark and made it to our destination, Lira. Coming home, with Ben and Holly was so good. We chatted over a cup of tea, and then Kimbal and I crashed under the mosquito net. It was good day! I am eager for many more; I just pray that I can remember to fill them all with the patience that God likes! May you all as well… (Kellen)
1.) Our arrival in Entebbe, Uganda came after a ‘short’ 8-hour plane ride from London. We have to admit we felt quite blessed with the emergency row/bulk head seats…but even with the extra room it was hard to sleep. Perhaps it was the anticipation, but I think our combined total hours of sleep for Sunday evening was about 8 hours – between 5 of us! And so began our first day in Uganda…
The drive into the capital of Uganda – Kampala – was complete with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Victoria, lush green hills, and a few African bottle-neck traffic jams! Having loaded some of our bags into the bed of one of our trucks while at the airport, we realized they were easy prey in the midst of the traffic. Jared offered to be their guard & took up his post with the bags - he’ll have to tell you more about that adventure himself.
The plan was to spend a few minutes in Kampala to drop Holly & Kellen off at the bus with some of the luggage since it wouldn’t all fit into one truck. The few minutes turned into a few hours (see Kellen’s perspective below) as the banks had some pretty specific requirements for our exchanging money. But, we finally got it all worked out & the other 5 of us headed to Lira via a truck the Concerned Parents’ Association so kindly allowed us to use.
The drive was long, about 5 hours, through beautiful green hills, gradually flattening out and providing us with the ability to see for miles. Even those of us who have been to Africa before still cannot get over how big the sky seems – there’s just something expansive & elusive to it that awes you. And we crossed the Nile along the way…wow it’s hard to describe the beauty! Lush green foliage all around, class 5 rapids & some waterfalls – we weren’t able to stop, but we did meet some baboons on the road just after crossing – ah yes, we’re in Africa!
There’s much more to tell, but for now know that we are safe, settled, and loving every second! The next few days we’ll be oriented to the city & introduced to the staff at Concerned Parents’ Association who Ben & Holly work with. And we’ll head to the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps to do some planned crafts/games/activities with the children & play fooball (soccer)!
We’re feeling tired, excited, blessed, and inspired – thanks for your prayers and thoughts! (Jennie)
2.) Overjoyed, I walked out of the airport to see one of my best friends, Holly. I nearly cried to hug them again. How natural it felt to be here with them. As we packed the vehicle (they don’t call them cars here), we realized that all seven of us and our ten bags, filled with soccer balls, candy and loads of stickers, would not fit. Holly had decided that she would ride the bus with a few bags. With joy and excitement, I volunteered to go with her, longing to spend a few hours on a bus with my dear friend.
We arrived to the Bus park in Kampala minutes after the 8AM bus left and had to wait for the next bus. It was scheduled to leave at 10AM. We decided to make use of the extra time by exchanging money and running to a local Italian bakery for pastries and a cappuccino. We never made it to the pastry shop. When we went to exchange the team money, the bank wouldn’t take any American bills made before 2000. After a fun time sorting old vs. new bills, exchanging the current dollars and creative problem solving on “how to get the older dollars taken” it was 9:55 so we had to run to the bus park. When we got back to the bus park they informed us that the bus would be leaving at 11AM.
Reluctant to wait, Holly and I got on the bus while Jared, Kimbal, Alyssa, Jennie, and Ben left in the vehicle toward Lira. The hour wait in the bus went by quickly as we caught up on life. We noticed it was 11:45AM and the bus was still in the station. Our friend, Edward who worked for the bus, then told us that the bus would leave closer to 1PM. You see there aren’t “official” departure times in Uganda. Holy explained that here a bus leaves when the driver decided it is full. Out if the corner of my eye I noticed a bus with the name “God Likes Patience” parked across the street. I laughed with Holly and told here that I am not sure my American form of patience is true patience.
Finally, at 3:30PM our 10AM bus left the parking lot. We made it four whole blocks before the engine began to smoke. Everyone exited the bus, gathered their luggage and waited for a new bus to come pick us up. The second bus picked us up. Holly made sure our bags got on, while I fought through the crowd to get a good seat on the bus. At 4PM the bus left, again, and broke down nearly 100 meters in front of the first bus. We once again left the bus, sat on our bags, as it started to rain. Around the corner came our third bus. “God Likes Patience” was its name. Holly and I laughed, got on the bus and finally left for Lira, on the 4:51PM bus.
The ride was quick, one that normally takes five hours, made it to Lira in three and a half. The scenery was beautiful, and lush while I could keep my eyes open to see it. We crossed over the Nile in the dark and made it to our destination, Lira. Coming home, with Ben and Holly was so good. We chatted over a cup of tea, and then Kimbal and I crashed under the mosquito net. It was good day! I am eager for many more; I just pray that I can remember to fill them all with the patience that God likes! May you all as well… (Kellen)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
London
This evening we leave London for Uganda. Our flight was, as described by our BA stewardess, "a bit bumpy", but we arrived safe and sound. All of our luggage, inclduing a bin for Ben and Holly duct taped by Kimbal at the last moment at DIA, arrived as well. Our hotel is a study in small spaces and staircases. Kellen and Kimbal have the "penthouse suite", located after six flights of stairs and about sixty five square feet of lodging heaven.
We were fortunate to meet Holly's family here in London - her parents, Jay and Terri, and her siblings, Travis and Christina.
We celebrated Kimbal's birthday at a local coffee shop complete with burning stir sticks as make shift candles. We spent the evening in traditional British fashion, watching the World Cup game between USA and Italy. Afterword we enjoyed walking to the South Bank along the Thames River, taking too many pictures of Big Ben and laughing at our evening entertainment, Kimbal and Travis, complete with matching cowboy hats.
Sunday morning here in London has allowed us time to catch our breath and some rest. Hyde Park affords a calm and quiet refuge among a busy city for us to pause and pray about the road ahead. This time tomorrow we will be in Kampala, it is what is most in our thoughts. That along with that many of our friends and families are together today in various places praying for us.
Grace and peace.
[Jared Mackey]
We were fortunate to meet Holly's family here in London - her parents, Jay and Terri, and her siblings, Travis and Christina.
We celebrated Kimbal's birthday at a local coffee shop complete with burning stir sticks as make shift candles. We spent the evening in traditional British fashion, watching the World Cup game between USA and Italy. Afterword we enjoyed walking to the South Bank along the Thames River, taking too many pictures of Big Ben and laughing at our evening entertainment, Kimbal and Travis, complete with matching cowboy hats.Sunday morning here in London has allowed us time to catch our breath and some rest. Hyde Park affords a calm and quiet refuge among a busy city for us to pause and pray about the road ahead. This time tomorrow we will be in Kampala, it is what is most in our thoughts. That along with that many of our friends and families are together today in various places praying for us.
Grace and peace.
[Jared Mackey]
Monday, June 12, 2006
What Are We Doing?
Facts about Uganda:
Uganda has been called one of the worst humanitarian crisis because of the lack of attention
An estimated 1.7 million people have been forcibly displaced in Northern Uganda
An estimated 40,000 children have/are being abducted to fight as soldiers by the LRA Tens of thousands of children are commuting nightly for safety to avoid these abductions
130 people die per day in Northern Uganda due to the ongoing violence
What is being done? What can we do? How do we as followers of Christ respond?
These are the questions heavy on our hearts. We are both enraged by the ongoing atrocities afflicted mainly upon the children of Uganda as well as inspired by the stories of hope in the lives of families struggling to survive in this war-ravaged country. In response, a team from The Next Level Church (Jared Mackey, Kimbal & Kellen Kurtz, Alyssa English, and Jennie Otte), is traveling to Northern Uganda June 16 - July 3, 2006. We will be spending time in Internally Displaced Persons (I.D.P.) camps serving with local non-governmental organizations who are working towards peace in Uganda. We will support long term workers by planning activities for the kids, listening and encouraging the leaders in the community, and hopefully bring cheer and hope to this place of pain and suffering through our presence.
We will be traveling and working with our friends from Denver, Colorado – Ben and Holly Porter, who are serving with the Mennonite Central Committee in Lira, Uganda. They work with the Concerned Parents Association (C.P.A.), a local NGO that birthed after the abduction of over 300 girls from a girls school. Ben has a background in counseling and his Masters in Counseling from Denver Seminary. With an emphasis in traumatology and a passion for war-torn regions of the world, Ben is working as a psycho-social trainer for the C.P.A. Holly has MA in International Development & Conflict Resolution, with an emphasis is in community development in conflict affected areas. She serves as a technical advisor for peace and reconciliation with this grassroots organization. Our goal in visiting Ben and Holly is to listen, observe, serve, and encourage them. The health and peace for the Ugandan people they seek is not easy to obtain. Daily life has become at times disheartening for them. We want to laugh with them, cry with them, and offer assurance that they are supported both there in Uganda and here at home.
We ask that you would join with us in the journey and would ask for your prayers for the following:
- For Ben and Holly to be deeply encouraged and refreshed by our visit and service
- That our hearts would be purely motivated by compassion and love for those in the Ugandan crisis
- For both our safety and health as we travel through the war torn and unstable environment of Uganda
- That we would communicate the hope of Christ and God would be honored as we serve, learn, and partner alongside those who are literally “in the trenches” of His Kingdom in Northern Uganda
Your help in supporting the financial costs of this trip is appreciated. The total cost for our team is $16,000 – we contributed the initial $6,000 personally. To date, we have had $10,000 given for the additional costs of the trip. Any financial support over the trip cost will be directly given to support the work in Uganda.
Financial support should be sent to The Next Level Church, 3999 South Lipan, Englewood, CO, 80110, c/o Uganda Team. All support is tax deductible. In addition to financial support our team has collected resources and goods for Ben and Holly, and supplies for the work in the I.D.P. camps. One example of the generosity of those supporting the trip is a friend from the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club who donated 50 jerseys and 25 soccer balls for the children in the camps. It is with your partnership that we seek to learn and then communicate to others how we can support peace and healing for those in Northern Uganda.
We will have an opportunity for you to share in our experience when we return through video, photos, and stories of our time in Uganda. Our hope is for this trip to be a catalyst of growth and encouragement not only for ourselves and those we work with in Uganda, but for you as well.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May the peace of Christ be with you.
The Uganda Team
Uganda has been called one of the worst humanitarian crisis because of the lack of attention
An estimated 1.7 million people have been forcibly displaced in Northern Uganda
An estimated 40,000 children have/are being abducted to fight as soldiers by the LRA Tens of thousands of children are commuting nightly for safety to avoid these abductions
130 people die per day in Northern Uganda due to the ongoing violence
What is being done? What can we do? How do we as followers of Christ respond?
These are the questions heavy on our hearts. We are both enraged by the ongoing atrocities afflicted mainly upon the children of Uganda as well as inspired by the stories of hope in the lives of families struggling to survive in this war-ravaged country. In response, a team from The Next Level Church (Jared Mackey, Kimbal & Kellen Kurtz, Alyssa English, and Jennie Otte), is traveling to Northern Uganda June 16 - July 3, 2006. We will be spending time in Internally Displaced Persons (I.D.P.) camps serving with local non-governmental organizations who are working towards peace in Uganda. We will support long term workers by planning activities for the kids, listening and encouraging the leaders in the community, and hopefully bring cheer and hope to this place of pain and suffering through our presence.We will be traveling and working with our friends from Denver, Colorado – Ben and Holly Porter, who are serving with the Mennonite Central Committee in Lira, Uganda. They work with the Concerned Parents Association (C.P.A.), a local NGO that birthed after the abduction of over 300 girls from a girls school. Ben has a background in counseling and his Masters in Counseling from Denver Seminary. With an emphasis in traumatology and a passion for war-torn regions of the world, Ben is working as a psycho-social trainer for the C.P.A. Holly has MA in International Development & Conflict Resolution, with an emphasis is in community development in conflict affected areas. She serves as a technical advisor for peace and reconciliation with this grassroots organization. Our goal in visiting Ben and Holly is to listen, observe, serve, and encourage them. The health and peace for the Ugandan people they seek is not easy to obtain. Daily life has become at times disheartening for them. We want to laugh with them, cry with them, and offer assurance that they are supported both there in Uganda and here at home.
We ask that you would join with us in the journey and would ask for your prayers for the following:
- For Ben and Holly to be deeply encouraged and refreshed by our visit and service
- That our hearts would be purely motivated by compassion and love for those in the Ugandan crisis
- For both our safety and health as we travel through the war torn and unstable environment of Uganda
- That we would communicate the hope of Christ and God would be honored as we serve, learn, and partner alongside those who are literally “in the trenches” of His Kingdom in Northern Uganda
Your help in supporting the financial costs of this trip is appreciated. The total cost for our team is $16,000 – we contributed the initial $6,000 personally. To date, we have had $10,000 given for the additional costs of the trip. Any financial support over the trip cost will be directly given to support the work in Uganda.
Financial support should be sent to The Next Level Church, 3999 South Lipan, Englewood, CO, 80110, c/o Uganda Team. All support is tax deductible. In addition to financial support our team has collected resources and goods for Ben and Holly, and supplies for the work in the I.D.P. camps. One example of the generosity of those supporting the trip is a friend from the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club who donated 50 jerseys and 25 soccer balls for the children in the camps. It is with your partnership that we seek to learn and then communicate to others how we can support peace and healing for those in Northern Uganda.
We will have an opportunity for you to share in our experience when we return through video, photos, and stories of our time in Uganda. Our hope is for this trip to be a catalyst of growth and encouragement not only for ourselves and those we work with in Uganda, but for you as well.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May the peace of Christ be with you.
The Uganda Team
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