Tuesday Tree work and Lunch in Uganda

The tree work continued today. We finished the area next to the jungle in the morning and then we went to clearing power lines along the road and by buildings. There were a couple huge trees that were tricky getting the branches past the power lines without getting zapped. But the Lord was kind and allowed me to complete the work needed. On the walk to the power lines by the road, I took a picture of the new 800 seating worship building for the church. They are hoping construction will be complete by next year.

At SOS campus, lunch break is from 1:00pm-2:00pm. During a normal day when school is running, the SOS kitchen feeds 900 people everyday for lunch. At 1:00pm everyone stops for lunch, including our crew. We walked over to the designated area and set in the grass waiting for lunch. Today lunch was delayed, so we started eating around 1:45pm. The van from the kitchen drove over and dropped off the meal on the grass and left. All the men from the construction crews and in our crew enjoyed a hot meal of beans over white corn.

Monday Tree Work In Uganda

We are off to the races on our planned work for the week. Everyday we are going through a book with the students ages 10-25 from 7:30-8:30am. The students are currently on a 1 month break from school, so during this month they are SOS employees helping with projects and getting work done.

We started off the day with 3 people from the maintenance crew and 10 students with chainsaw safety and knot training. A couple of the guys even tried out using the saddle and equipment. So begins a full week of trimming trees back away from the power lines. It has been great working through the jungle with these guys. And jungle it is. Since this campus is only 4 hours south of the equator, the humidity and jungle growth is pretty dominate. But with enough water we keep going.

Sunday Worship in Uganda

Sunday is a rich day of fellowship and worship on the SOS campus. Don't get me wrong, the weekly soccer game at 5:00pm every Sunday shows how much everyone enjoys company with each other, but the direction of everyone is truly set to show the love of Jesus and to direct our worship to him.

Church officially starts at 10:30am, but most usually it is around 10:45-10:50 the service actually begins. The sermon that Shannon brought was from Matt. 21:12-17 when Jesus cleansed the temple after his triumphal entry. It was a compelling message to look at 5 scenes and the zeal king Jesus had for worship to take place in the temple of God. After the triumphal entry, Jesus first act as the accepted king was to purge the temple from the corrupt market it had become. Shannon is the living the dream of every preacher, as his sermon wasn't over until nearly 1:00pm. 

Nicki and I then spent the afternoon at the Hurley's house getting to know the many children in their home and learning the fine taste of many Ugandan meals. We finished the night singing 5 hymns and spending 30 minutes with the family reviewing Sunday mornings message. A great day of worship on the Lord's day.

SOS and a Ugandan Wedding

It was a refreshing time at the hotel. A decent night sleep and a nice breakfast. They sent Chris as our driver, he is the same driver when I was here 9 years ago. Best driver in Uganda and it was the shortest 3 hour drive catching up and chatting with Chris the entire drive. 

Once we arrived at SOS, the wedding was about to start. We were able to quickly unpack and made it over right before the ceremony started. Shannon and the other missionaries have helped to frame the wedding very similar to an American wedding, but the special features is the lively dancing when they walk down the isle. For the bride, she was dancing and singing a duet with the groom as she walked. Ugandan culture is definitely a warm culture. 

The reception after the ceremony was likewise warm spirited and lively. Hours of friends and family talking and eating together. In one sense very similar to an American wedding, but in another sense completely different. 

Into Uganda and Almost to SOS

 After 21 hours of flying we landed in Entebbe around 11:00pm. No trouble at all with customs and we are safely at the hotel. Tomorrow morning a regular driver for SOS will pick us up and drive us the 3 hours north to SOS facility. Both of us slept a few hours here and there on the flights, but we are looking forward to a full night sleep (hopefully, as it is now 2:38pm CA time). Nicki is already out, so I will try to follow her good example.

Over Greenland (Whiteland?!)

The first flight was a fun route. Up through Canada, above Hudson Bay and over Greenland. Just before we finished crossing Greenland the sun came up. It was spectacular to see the mountains filled with snow.

After getting past the mountains, the ocean was filled with little ice packs. Then 3 hours later we landed in lush green Amsterdam. Flat and beautiful country.

Uganda Trip Day 1

After Charlie was most punctually picking us up and safely bringing us to the airport. We made it in with no issue. We are now in our seats, soon to take off to Amsterdam (10 hours) and then Entebbe (10.5 hours).  We are pretty sleepy, so I expect we will sleep most of this first leg.

Christ Community was abundantly generous as we ended up bring 13 x 50lb checked bags. Many books for leisure reading, 63 textbooks for the seminary, lots and lots of tasty food, a couple chainsaws and tree climbing gear. Friends of SOS are sending much love in 50lbs cases to spread the love of Jesus to Uganda.

Each step of the way and each item done on the check list, the Lord has been our shepherd thus far. We look forward to follow His leading over the next 10 days. From getting phone calls at just the right time, to sending some letters from the airport, the Lord provided just enough time to complete everything He had planned. 

Whit, Thad, Rosie and Rusty are most excited to now spend 10 days with grandma and grandad! We miss you’al all ready. I am sure they will have many stories to tell when we return.

See you tomorrow from Amsterdam!

Backyard Transformation

Nicki is the most content women on the planet. To provide for our family, the Lord has had us at our current home nearly 7 years. Never once do I remember Nicki ever complaining about the size of our backyard. It is not huge, but we have strategically planted a trampoline as the centerpiece. 

”But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.“

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It has taken sweat and toil to dig, contruct and repeat many times. But with 4 fabulous children who can dig like moles and who love to help every way possible, we have made it fun for the children and comfortable for guests. 

I must say, the greatest gain i have found from being content with a small yard is a darling wife I would happily spend a lifetime with, even if it meant living on a postage stamp!

Six years ago today, April 5, 2018 we completed the basic yard with a make-shift trampoline in a hole.

The following year in 2019 we added rings, a swing, a hammock and log platforms to jump on the trampoline. This lasted 3 years until all the logs rotted and we had to remove them.

Here is the yard with some snow March 15, 2021

In  May 2021 we tried putting a pool in the trampoline hole. But with old rotting plywood and mud, it was a mess and it put holes in the pool many times.

 So we did an upgrade. Including adding a 55 gallon barrel 8 feet below ground level for a drain we regularly pump out.

January 2022 we added a block wall and a trampoline designed to be installed in the ground.

Summer of 2022 the second pool was much better success.

The patio cover and tile we put down in 2019. Also notice this is the original fence that came with the house in this picture spring of 2023.

Our last big project last summer 2023 was to replace the fence and add a couple more tiled patio areas.

There is always more on the list to-do. But we are ready with my amazingly industrious wife and 4 creative and hard working children.

Chainlink fence v. Oak Tree

The wonder of God’s creation is daily meant to wow us. Many times I have seen tree’s grown on a fence, but never this much. Many tree’s would not tolerate such and invasive collision with this fence, but this oak tree has completely meshed with this fence. May this tree today turn our eyes from the wonder of creation to the wonder of our Creator, who made this tree able to adapt a fence intruding through the entire middle of it’s trunk!

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

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