April?

I can't believe that it is already April. That means I will be heading home this month. I feel very weird about this because it is going to be so hard to leave this place but I can't wait to see my friends and family back home. This week is Easter week and I am doing two dances at Ggaba Communities Easter service which should be fun. One of the dances is with the group that I have been working with for the past couple of months and the other one is a solo that I am doing while the mass choirs sings. I am really excited to be dancing in front of people again and I can't wait for Sunday. Then on Monday Hallel (the dance group I work with) is having a dinner with one of the former members and I have been invited to go with them. So that means I will be heading to Bethany village on Tuesday and will stay there until Saturday for my last stay there. I can't believe how fast time is flying now and I don't really know how to handle it. I just seem to wake up and then the day is done. Oh and I got exciting news last week, Joel and Alica are engaged. I wish that I had a film crew following me around because I don't think the smile left my face for one second after I found out. I was so excited for them and I can't wait to see them and celebrate with them when I get back. So that would be the third engagement that happened while I was over here. First was Brittney and Justin, second was Matt and Majo, and then third was Joel and Alica. It is amazing how fast things are changing in my life and I can't wait to see where I am headed next. I am planning on enrolling into LSCS next year and will be getting my degree in Psychology or Social Work but will get a minor in Graphic Arts and so I will be a busy student. Anyways I love and miss all of you, but will see you in no time (that includes you Randi and Jake in Witchita).

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28 days!?

Sorry that I haven't written in a while with the internet not being up lately and being very busy I just couldn't find the time to get onto my blog but here I am. So I have 28 days left and I can't believe it. It seems so weird that I have already been here five months. Time really now is flying. I had a great time with Ron while he was here and I got to do some things that I probably wouldn't have if he hadn't come. One thing that was unforgettable was our trip to Kisumu to visit Josh and Rachel because the bus ride there was the bus ride from hell! We were told by Pastor Peter that It would take 4 hours. Since I knew that it took 4 hours to get to the border I was planning on a six hour trip. Well 8 hours later we landed in Kisumu in probably the worst part of town at around 11pm. Thankfully there was a man who owned a little snack shack that took us in until Josh got there and picked us up. Ron said that he would leave that part of his trip out when he talk to mom and dad but I think he told them anyways. In Kisumu Ron and I picked up Brea and brought her back to Uganda and we had such a great time. Brea and I ate chocolate and watched a movie every night and it was really really good to have a friend for a week. We went to the second biggest mosque in Africa and when a lady at the gate saw Brea she just freaked out. Brea had to be covered up because Islamic women cannot wear pants or show there shoulder which she decided to do both that day. Anyways it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to and the whole time we were there I was in awe. I got to take them to Bethany village. I know that God answered my prayers and that Ron really fell in love with Africa. The last couple of weeks I have been doing odd jobs around ARMS but have been staying busy. I got to go to the North of Uganda to Gulu (If you have ever seen Invisible Children you will know that city) for what they call Campus Megafest. It was amazing we saw around 70 people get saved and many students recommit their lives to Christ. My purpose for going was to be the photographer and I took about 300 or more pictures but it was at night so many of them turned out blurry. But I did get some good shots so all is good. We got back into Kampala at around 6am the next day and so I have been trying to get back onto some sort of good sleep schedule ever since then and am still trying. All in all things are going good I just can't believe that in 28 days I will be flying into the Seattle airport and I will get to see Mom and Dad again. Also I can't believe that I now have a niece that is 15! Happy Birthday Jame' and Happy belated Birthday Caedmon (sorry I didn't call I didn't have your new number on me). I love you and miss you all but will see you in 28 days.

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Living with Brits

I am back in Ggaba after my week with pastor Deo and his church. While I was there I helped them build a website for there education center which consists of a primary school a kindergarten and hopefully soon a finished orphanage and secondary school. Although I didn't finish in the week that I had I am still working on it and will update you guys with my first website. I got to stay with a British couple named Jez (short for Jeremy) and his wife Hellen and their three kids. I had so much fun and loved being with their kids. We would play games and joke around and just had a great time together. Also there was a bunch of kids from the U.K. that were volunteering at the school for a couple of months and I got to go to their house for dinner one evening and then they came to Ggaba for Hallel the dance group that I help with. Anyways I found some new friends here and they invited over to their house any time that I want to, and they are going to keep coming to the dance group so that was cool. Anyways probably the most exciting thing right now is that Ron is going to be here TOMORROW! It is crazy to think of but I am so excited. Although he is only here for nine days it is going to be so much fun. I still can't believe that he is actually coming all the way to Africa. It is amazing how much God blesses us. I can't wait to show him Uganda and hope that I get Africa in his DNA, which will surely happen because it does to almost everyone who steps into this country. I love and miss everyone and will see you in less than two months!

D.I.T.

Dad In Training. That was what this trip to Kenya was all about. By the end of my two weeks I was changing poopy diapers and can tell you how to efficiently put on a cloth diaper. I had so much fun and can't believe that the two weeks is already up and that I am back in Uganda. Brea and I got to go to Kisumu and spend the weekend with Josh and Rachel and baby Tekoa and it was so much fun. We had cinnamon rolls, thanks to Brea, chocolate peanut butter pie, thanks to Rachel, and a really great time. When we were headed to Kisumu Brea tried paying the taxi driver 4 shillings instead of 400 shillings like we were suppose to but it was all good fun for the Kenyans and the just sat and laughed at the Americans. I got really really sun burnt when Brea and I took Troy and Dannon to the swimming pool so I have been regretting not putting sunscreen on. But the two weeks was so full of things happening I can't complain on bit. First off the Leisters have added another baby to the mix. Baby Enoch was born prematurely and was going to die if something wasn't done. Thanks to God and a German nurse named Sarah, Enoch lived long enough for the Leisters to convince the D.C.O. and the judge that this baby needed to come home with them. He is so sweet and such a good baby. Then the day before I left Sarah Ellen another baby decided that she was going to walk. And after a few minuets of walking she was running and now there is no stopping her. All in all it was a really good trip. I had dreams of babies last night and for the last couple of nights. I can't wait to be a dad (but I really can wait and will) and know that when I am everyday will be a new adventure. I can't believe that there is only two months left in my stay here in Africa and that Ron will be here in about a week. It almost doesn't seem possible how fast time moves. I love and miss you all.

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A learning experience

So I am back from Miyuge and it was an experience that I needed to go through. I know that this whole African experience has been a training ground for me and that every experience that I have has something to teach me and this week was no different. I was suppose to help them there in one of the offices with a database that they were working on with one of their computers, but this was a little town and so things like electricity weren't reliable. So one out of the five days there was power for me to help them on the computer. The rest of the time I was helping them update the sponsored kids folders by taking pictures and updating the grade and year in their school forms. The very first day I was there I sat through a meeting and I didn't know what to expect for the rest of the week and was nervous. I called my parents and whined, complained, or vented but whatever I did and everything that my mom said helped me get through the rest of the week with a better attitude. I never thought that part of my stay here in Africa would be at a desk in an office but again like I said every experience is here to teach me something. And in the words of a very wise women "I believe now more than ever God is training you to be a prophet". I needed to be somewhere where all I could do all that I had to do was to focus on God and hear him. It was my training ground desert. But after that first day everything else was a blast I stayed with the pastor and his family and there was four kids that stayed in the house with me. I don't know if I have had more fun in my whole trip as I did with all these kids. We took pictures, watched movies on my laptop, made a video, danced, sang, had a blast. I was sad to leave but knew I needed to be back in Ggaba. I was suppose to go to pastor Deos this week but after loosing my cell phone on my way back to Ggaba I still haven't gotten a hold of him and Michael and I have decided that I will reschedule and go the first week of March and that this week I will get settled back down in Ggaba and in Abby's house before I go to Kenya for my last stay. Although I really, really want to go to Deo's I know that one of the things that I have been learning everyday here in Africa is how to wait and be patient and I think this is another opportunity to excercise that. I hope that pastor Deo is okay with that and knowing him he will be. So this week I am back in Ggaba and will be going to the Praise/Worship team practices and then teaching the Hallel dance group again this Saturday. I miss and love all of you but each day is bringing me closer and closer to coming home, but also drawing me closer to leaving a place that I have begun to love with all of my heart.


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A new adventure

So today I am headed to Miyuge. It is a village and I know that it is going to be an adventure. Lately I have really been challenging myself and taking it up with God that my Christian walk should be an adventure not a boring everyday is the same and nothing ever changes "settled" life. But in three months I have become settled here in Ggaba and I know that isn't good for me so this trip to Miyuge will be good. I have been pushing myself to dig in deeper with not only God but with everyone around me. I mean I am in Africa for crying out loud life should be an adventure every single day. And I am going to make it and this trip is just the beginning. Anyways I will be working with a church there helping them with computer stuff things with kids and whatever and wherever they need me to help. I am really excited because this isn't going to be a big city like Kampala so it will be a whole new side of Uganda and Africa that I have never seen before. Anyways I know that this is something I have to do and something I need to see. I hope and pray that God would use me and that I will see great things in this new place. Either than that I missed the Superbowl which is kind of sad because the Superbowl is one of the most American things I can think of but I hear that the Steelers won so that is... Well I don't really know if that was good or bad but anyways. I will be leaving Ggaba around 1pm so that is in about three hours so I will be getting ready here at the ARMS office and then will be heading out on my next new adventure. I love all of you and miss all of you.

P.S. Jame I don't know if you read this but my Uncle/Niece time list is at 30 and I am still working on it. And mom this is the little boy I was telling you about. Love you.


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Kenya!

So this weekend I went back to Kenya and got to spend the weekend with the Leisters and with Brea! I had so much fun. I left Kampala at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday morning and I was a little nervous that I wouldn't have enough money to get across the border. I prayed and had my parents praying and anyone they could get a hold of. Anyways God blessed me when I found extra money when I was exchanging into Kenyan Shillings and then at the border they didn't even charge me for a new Kenyan Visa like they were suppose to (I had no problems on the way back either). Anyways Horace picked me up at the Bus station and then I went to their house to spend the day with all the kids and Brea! The next day Phyllis and I walked to the Tuckers (which is who Brea is living with, and also who married my parents) and picked Brea up with Dema one of the little girls that lives with the Leisters and is my "chubby chubby" friend. During Christmas I got her to say chubby chubby all the time because that girl has rolls everywhere and is so cute! Anyways that day we spent the whole day at the Leisters helping taking care of the kids and Brea stayed over for dinner and movie night (which is suppose to be Saturday nights but Troy and Dannon insisted that I be present when they had it). Anyways I left the next day which was Saturday at 1pm and it was really hard. Dema came running out to say bye and I almost started crying. I really have fallen in love with all those little kids and hope that the Leisters will save one for me so that I can addopt one once I am married so they might be 13 but hey worth the try. Anyways I had so much fun and am planning on going back in February for two weeks of more and really can't wait to go back and see the babies, the Leisters, and Brea! Anyways my life will be mostly the same back here in Uganda except for a week trip to Miyuge the first week of February. And maybe going and helping out another pastor in Kampala named Deo for a week or less. But other than that I will be teaching dance classes and being a part of the music ministry and life here at GCC and ARMS. I love and miss all of you and will continue saying that at the end of these messages until I have been to Seattle, Yakima, Wichita, Lewiston, and seen everyone that I love and miss!










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Busy!

So this week is going to be a lot of fun. I am taking pictures of the Mwangaza Music Festival. I will be using one of the ARM's cameras and I think that it will be a lot of fun. Then tonight I am taking Rachel (my sister) and Abby (my mom) out to dinner because after I go to Kenya this weekend I won't see Rachel the rest of my trip since she will go back to school. Then I will head back to Kenya to visit the Leisters and Brea for the weekend. I leave on Thursday at around 6:30 am and will be in Kenya Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Anyways I am going to be seriously busy and having a great time. I also hopefully before I leave will go to Fortunate's house one of Abby's many adopted daughters to get So You Think You Can Dance DVD's which will be awesome if I do. Anyways I am doing better than I was an am not feeling very homesick. I love all of you and miss all of you but need to get back to taking pictures.

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Home

It is really weird how homesickness kind just comes and goes while I'm here. The last couple days I have really just missed home a lot. I missed hanging out with friends sitting down in my parents room to watch T.V. with them. I miss driving my car, and my bedroom. But today has been better. I called Sam this morning and got to talk to him, Danny and Connor. Also I bought my ticket to go back to Kenya to visit Brea and the Leisters. I went to the immigration office because last time I went across to Kenya they told me I needed something else added onto my visa anyways I went to there and the guy told me that I couldn't be volunteering at ARMS with the visa I have. It doesn't make any sense to me, but there wasn't any problems besides that I know that if I just say I am visiting instead of volunteering then it is all ok. Anyways there hopefully won't be any problems at the border when I am going to Kenya which I leave here at 6 am but I will get into Eldoret at around 2pm. so that will be good. Anyways I also have some really really exciting news. I just got asked today to be in a music video for a local artist. So tomorrow I won't teach the dance class with the kids I will be dancing for a music video how cool is that! Anyways I still miss you all at home but I am not homesick which is good. I love you ALL! And I mean ALL of you!

AWESOME!!!

So if today wasn't already great, which it has been, I just got my packages from home. I am so excited and it was really good to get things from home it makes me feel so happy and warm inside! I love you mom and dad and thank you so much! Also thank you everyone who put things in their, the Carters and Joel and Alica. Seriously I am so excited you have no idea. We now have enough movie here to watch for the rest of the time I am here and I know that it will bless Michael, Abby, and everyone I am friends with here. I can't believe how awesome today has been I hope and pray that it just gets better and that tonight something big happens at the revival meetings! I am very expectant and know that something big will happen. Thank you again guys I feel so happy and loved right now. I pray that you are all blessed to the nth amount. I love you a whole lot!


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How?

So I am still in wonder on how a young man from Lewiston Idaho is in Uganda, Africa. And to top that off, I have met basically famous people here while I have been here. Like the speakers at this revival meetings. The main speaker lived in Benny Hinn's house for a period of time. There is a lady here named Annette Biggers and she is a famous photographer who seriously is so talented, and she and her family go to Rick Warren's church, you know the guy who wrote A Purpose Driven Life. Then the lady from Las Vegas named Jenifer goes around the U.S. speaking to groups for business and Christians. It almost, actually it isn't possible that I could ever meet these people. But going across the world shows you how small the world is and how big God is. I mean I have gotten to talk to these people and have created a relationship with them and really it is all because we have Jesus in common. I got to show Annette some of my pictures yesterday and she liked them. Seriously this life is such an adventure and I have been blessed so much. Also within the last couple of days I have talked to both Ron and Ryan King. It was really good to hear from both of them and I am excited that Ron is thinking and planning a trip to visit me. I am so blessed to have such a strong and large family back in America. My family has grown past blood and names and now is truly is a kingdom family. I was talking to my parents this morning and my mom said that she is going to send Abby my host mother here a letter thanking her for being my Ugandan mom. Also she reminded me that I have a Japanese mom that I need to reconnect with. I have been thinking about them and will email them as soon as possible. This is truly a gift from God and all I can think of is, How? Seriously there is no way this is naturally possible. I am seeing the supernatural all around me in simple things like a mother that is African and not white like me. God I thank you so much for all the blessings around me, I pray that I would be a good steward and would not keep any of this for myself but that I would pour it out into others lives. This week has been so good and I have really grown and drawn closer to God. I still am in Awe on how Good God is and how he blesses us so much. Love and Miss you all!

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Falling In Love

Now don't be scared Mom, Tiagh, and Randi. I haven't fallen in love with some Ugandan princess. I just had a realization last night about something. I was thinking about love and God and I realize how much I have fallen in love with him here. Yesterday I got the chance to lead worship at the night revival meeting, and although it didn't go perfect it went true and from my heart, it was worship. As I was singing and playing the guitar I began to love my God even more. I don't know how to explain it rather than that. Lately I have been thinking about love and relationships, a lot because of things back in America, and I realized that there is a phrase used in the Christian community that needs to be true in my life and in everyone's life and that is our First Love. That shouldn't mean that Jesus was the first person we fell in love with, it should mean that He is our First Love. That no love, no person, no thing comes before Him. I know that I have always known this but it came more into view last night. A lady from Las Vegas named Jenifer spoke at the meeting and she talked about gifting and talents and how we should be giving out of all our blessings. It was a message on what I have been learning here since day one. I know that I am blessed with things and gifts and it is my duty as a Christian and as a Lover of Christ to follow in His footsteps and give everything I am to Him and those around me in complete worship to Him. So if that means taking thousands of pictures while I am here and sharing that with those in America and putting Africa in their DNA I will (and am doing that), or if it means dancing my heart out and teaching others how to I will, and if that means leading worship or being a part of the worship team and teaching them more songs that I know I will. See the thing is I will fall more in love with God, with Christ the more I pour myself and my love into Him and into my neighbors that is why those were the greatest commandments. And really all other commandments are based out of those two. We won't be murdering others if we are to busy loving them. So I am falling in love. Falling in love with my God and falling in love with Africa and Uganda. T.I.A (This is Africa) and it is beautiful.

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INTERNET

Today has been a great day. I went with William to the MTN store in Kampala to reactivate an internet modem that Pastor Peter had bought but wasn't using. At first it wasn't working but I worked my magic and now I will have internet the rest of my stay no matter where I go. I really just had to add the international code to the phone number in my internet settings then they gave me the rest of the information that I needed. Also today one of the ladies here for the revival meetings held a photography class. She and her son have a business in photography and have done photos for famous people and they are really good. If you want check out their website at www.triplecord.com to see some of their work anyways I really learned a lot and even figured out some better ways to use my camera to its fullest potential. Now I can't wait to get my camera back from Kenya. If you didn't know I left my camera on the Leisters table as I was leaving. I kinda just forgot to put it in my bag. Anyways I am excited to be able to add to my blog no matter where I am and am really happy to have gotten to write twice in one day. I will make sure to write more on the revival meetings next time, but with the modem I have to switch some things around about every ten minuets or it looses connection. I love all of you and miss you a lot.

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A Kenyan Christmas, A Ugandan New Year!

Hey everyone,
It has been a while since I have posted anything and it seems like so much has happened since the last time I wrote. I got to go to Eldoret Kenya and spend Christmas with the Leisters, all of them baby Tekoa included. I had so much fun and it was hard leaving all the kids and family but I needed to come home. I got back into Uganda on the 27th and headed for another camp the next day after church. Within one week I celebrated the two month mark of my trip, my 19th birthday, and the new year. Camp was really exciting and I got to meet another Mazoongo which is what they call white people. Her name was Anna and she was from Sweden. I can't believe that I have been in Africa for over two months. Time is so confusing because it seems like yesterday I was walking off the plane and yet it seems so far away. This week they are holding revival meetings at Ggaba Community Church and so I will be attending those every night at five. I am expecting God to move in great ways and know that he will. I got to talk to Ben Goodman while I was at camp and it was really good to hear from him. I have been praying that I would get to do some more training under him and that I would get to spend time with him out int the world. I have been talking with my parents and am excited to hear that Breanna Holben will be coming to East Africa, she will be in Kenya, in just a couple weeks. I am planning on going back to Kenya to visit her while she is here. I hope that she will get to come to Uganda and know that she wants to. I will be helping a dance group come up with some coreography within the next week and will start the dance classes next week. I am really excited and can't wait to dance again. I have been dancing in my room for the last two months but it hasn't given me my fix. I need to go all out which is hard to do in a small room. I am excited to see what God will be doing this week and this year. I made some hopes and goals for this next year and one of them is to step foot onto two new countries. I think that God may answer my prayers if I get to go on a trip with Ben and then go to India with the team from RCC in September. God is so good and I am realizing even more how Big He is and how small the world is. I love and miss all of you and promise to write again soon.


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