Easter Sunday

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you all well and spending time with your friends and family. I am very pleased to say that I got on a bus and made it home last night to be with my Ugandan family for Easter today. Its the first time in three years that I will have Easter dinner with a family. The bus broke down, and I had to get on a different one halfway here, and had to sleep in the extra room because Mike locked me out.........but it was definitetly worth it.

I walked the kids to church this morning for the last time (well this trip anyway), and then after the service we went to Acholi Inn for some fun. They really had a good time in the pool, and of course having some treats. While at church, I looked around and realized how comfortable I was being one of only a few other muzungus there. Next week I will be looking out from the drum cage and gaze across of see of .........well...........not so much color ;). Hard to believe how three months can make such a difference.

I am in many ways ready to come home, but in others would love to stay. Like Julie said in a previous comment.......it will be hard now that my heart is in two places. I look forward to future trips to here, and other places around the globe. I think Julie was right when she said it just allows the heart to grow. I'm always up for that. I love loving people. I love helping people. I don't think that will change wherever I go.

Our neighboring mama has always been such a sweet old woman who always says hello whenever we walk by. She doesn't speak any english, and my acholi is weak at best, but we always seem to manage to understand each other in our passing conversations. She lives alone, but has a young family renting a hut adjacent to hers on her compound. She also has a daughter, but she isn't around much. I have for over a month, been thinking that I wanted to buy her a rooster for Easter. Being in Kampala, I didn't think I was going to be able to, so I asked mama Val to pick one up for me. She did and when she delivered in on friday, it almost brought her to tears. The mama said that she didn't know how or what she was going to cook for Easter dinner, and didn't know if her daughter would be able to bring anything either. She said that I was the nicest muzungu she has ever met. Its just little things like that, that make being here so great. It doesn't take much and I can make a holiday memorable. k

I don't think its much different at home. Well except for the cost of things, but really the best things you can do for someone don't cost much if anything at all. Take time to make someones day special. Whether its your neighbor, your family, or a complete stranger. Do something small but significant that really shows you care. You may be surprised to find that what you thought you were doing for someone else..........in the end does as much for your spirit as theres.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

I miss Gulu

Hello Everyone,

Well the good news is that we finally have the van, but its in the shop getting some work done. Which means that I won't be heading back to Gulu until probably Monday. I really am not happy about spending my last two weeks in Uganda here in Kampala, but it will be worth it in the long run.

I really miss the kids and the community and it stinks that I won't really have time to say goodbye to everyone.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter weekend. Guess I will have to wait til next year to spend it with family.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Racing to Kampala

Hello Everyone,

Mike just asked me and Mama V if we could be ready to leave for Kampala in thirty minutes. That gave me two minutes to pack, twenty five minutes to do my hair ;), and three minutes to pray for a connection and blog.

Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that we can get everything accomplished before we come back next weekend. Please don't be surprised if I don't post for a few days.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Zoo take three......well the fair anyway.

Hello Everyone,

Today we took the three older ones back to the expo fair to see if we could get them on the rides. It was not very busy, and we had a blast riding the "big ride". It was just like a big wheel that spun us around on swings. It was a lot of fun, and it was great watching Paul's face as he spun around as we went around the ride.

To be honest I may have to leave for Kampala tomorrow, and I am a little bummed that I may not have only a few days left in Gulu. We should be back for Easter weekend, but even if we are, we are heading back down the monday following.

This morning I was up a little before four with a cough I have been fighting for a while. I actually slept last night without it bothering me until I woke up early this morning. I decided to try and not wake my roommate, so I came out and got on the computer to kill the time. When the sun was about to come up, I grabbed some nescafe, and headed out to the porch. The sunrises and sunsets are very beautiful, but very fast here. If you aren't quick you miss them. It was a great sunrise.............AND I was able to see the sunset last night too. Really got me thinking about how much this has become home. I know that its not my home home, but its a great home away from home.

After a very productive morning of finishing the hose "reel" and all but the assembly of the kids clothes drawers, I had a wonderful lunch of rice and cabbage. One of my favorites for sure. Then because it started to rain.........I had another cup of nescafe, and took the kids upstairs to watch Charlotte's Web. I grabbed my pillow and laid on the mat with them. Because of my high body temperature, and the damp air, the kids all snuggled up on me, and we enjoyed a quiet.....well mostly quiet afternoon. Gloria kept grabbing my hands and putting them on her face and telling me my hands were nice and warm. Faith had me warm her feet with mine. Emmy just snuggled up against my chest, and told me I had a baby in my belly. I am really going to miss these kids. The closer I get to leaving, the more I realize how much of my heart they have stolen.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Zoo take Two

Hello Everyone,

This afternoon after the older three were done school, we took them to see the expo fair the younger ones were able to see yesterday. Today we made it through the zoo, and over to the rides, when the skies opened up and it began to downpour. We waited under a ride for twenty minutes or so, till the rain was too getting the kids wet. Then we ran over to a tent to stay dry. While waiting the tent across from us fell over, and one in the corner flipped completely over. Thanks to all my handy dandy Hurlbut Tent Rental training...........I quickly evaluted our tent to be safe enough to stay under. The rains came down hard, and it began to thunder and lighting. It was great. The kids and I enjoyed playing in the river that was flowing through the tent.

After the rain subsided we brought the kids over to enjoy a treat in one of the soda tents. Unfortunately they got very cold, very fast so we didn't stay long before we decided to walk home. Riding a boda would have only made them even colder, and the walk helped them to warm up. We all laughed at Auntie Aida, as she was so worried about getting her feet and painted nails wet, as the rest of us just walked through the puddles when neccessary.

We finished off the day with making some chips and guacamoli, and of course a nice "hot" shower. Even though we got wet, and didn't make it onto all the rides, I think the kids had a lot of fun. I know I did. I really enjoy thunderstorms and rainshowers, so tonight I will be sitting out on the porch with a cup of coffee, and enjoying another one of natures shows.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Zoo anyone?

Hello Everyone,



Today I took the three youngest to the "zoo" that came to town. There was a small variety of African animals, and the kids really enjoyed themselves. They spent most of there time watching the ostrich. There was also an african fish eagle, two grey parrots, a kob(like an antelope), a camel, the african version of a peacock, and an anaconda. There was also a Serval cat, which was my favorite. We had a nice strole from the compound to Pece Stadium where it was housed. It was basically like a fair, except that even thought opened today, most of the vendors and rides were still putting up booths and getting inventory brought in. Time is much different here then it is in the States. Punctuality is not the norm. The kids and I enjoyed walking and I started to get sad realizing that I only have a few more weeks left with them.

I also had a lot of fun when I went to school to get the older three. I got to the school a little early and got to play a little soccer with some pre-schoolers hanging around. One was the little girl who melted my heart about a month ago. The best part was that she had her little sister with her, who had the cutest little dimples. I don't know how you could not want to hide these kids in a suitcase and bring them home.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Chicken on Sundays ROCKS!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Being Sunday we had two fantastic meals. Cabbage and porcia for lunch, and chicken and rice for dinner. I really do look forward to this meal all week long. It might seem ridiculous, but we only have meet a few times a week. Fish on thursdays, mince meat on saturdays, and chicken on sunday. Chicken is much darker here then at home..........kindof of like the dark meat on a turkey, but it is SOOOOOO good. Auntie Jennifer laughs at me every week, but gives me the part of the chicken reserved for the honored guest.

I really enjoy walking the kids to and from church.........well as long as they don't play in the road. The traffic here is crazy, and cars drive by within inches of us. I put my "big" back between me and the vehicles, but don't like it when the kids are being careless. A friend once told me that I would be too strick as a dad, and its times like that when I think they are right. Hopefully I balance it well with telling them how much I love them. I have defintiely learned that you can't correct each child the same. Some are much too sensitive to take harsh correction. Maybe I should work on being kinder when I am correcting.

I have just been thinking a lot lately of what I have done and said over the past few months, and want to really reflect and see if there are things that I should change. There definitley are, but others I hope I do well. I guess only time will tell.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Hair cuts and rooster shopping

Hello Everyone,



This morning I went town to find a barber shop or salon with a generator so our boys could get there hair cut. We did find one, and after a little wait, the boys finally showed up. They were very well behaved, and after they were done we walked down to the salon that Maggie was having her hair done in. They were again very well behaved so Mama Val and I stopped and got them a little treat which they ate while I went into the pharmacy to get something for this cough that I just can't seem to shake. Well me and the majority of the kids.

Then we went into the market and I let Emmy pick out with rooster he thought was the biggest. He chose well, except that the one he picked was extremely mean, and kept trying to bite me. I'm a little bigger than he is, so I took care of it, just had to ride on a separate boda back home. Of course if I had just been picked up my legs and held upside down, knowing that I was going to be someones Sunday dinner, I probably wouldn't be very nice either.

This afternoon we did another outreach for the kids in the community. It went really well, and we had a lot of kids come. I got to play Jesus for the death and resurrection scene. After the outreach the children called me Unlce Jesus. I love these kids. The six children who I consider my own, but also to dozens and dozens of neighborhood kids who call me Unlce Joe too. One boy who was our goalie for the Sunday afternoon soccer game, asked me if we could start our own team. He was pretty dissapointed when I told him that I will be leaving in just a few weeks. Because of Easter we may only have a few more games left.

Like I said yesterday, its hard to believe that April is almost here and that I will be going home so soon. I am getting ready to go, but will miss all the kids so much. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can return.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Less than three weeks

Hello Everyone,

Today I had the day off and spent the day drinking coffee and trying to organize my pictures into some sort of sense. I had to buy another flash drive to fit them all.

In three weeks from right now, I will getting ready to board my flight from Newark, NJ to Montreal QC. Where has the time gone. It seems like we just went to Mike's wedding, and now Cassie is already home, and I will be on my way soon.

I don't know what else to say other than, I can only hope that I make the most of the time I have left. I hope this finds you all well.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Ordinary Miracle

Hello Everyone,

Today we had a long staff meeting and because we needed all the staff present we had the youngest ones watch Charlotte's web to keep them occupied. Just as our meeting was ending, the credits for the movie came on. The music in the background to it was "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah Mclachlan. I know that this will make me seem like a big sap, but to be honest..........I am a big sap. Whenever I hear her voice, I can't help but to think of my brother Jake. Its a long story that I won't get into, but I really can't help but think of him when she sings. Hearing the song of course peaked my interest, and made me rewind the credits and watch it again with the kids. I don't know if I had ever heard the song before, and if I had, I definitley didn't pay attention to the lyrics. The kids snuggled up with me, and as I actually paid attention to what was being sung, I was very moved. Here are the lyrics, and a youtube link if you want to listen to it. (again.........I know I'm a sap, so just get over it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urv7tyeJ7qE

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it’s time to snow
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
Will always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
‘Cause we’re all a part of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional
The things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It may not be that impacting to you, but just thinking about how much in the world around us really is a miracle, definitely impacted me. I know that I have said before that its the little things in life that make it wonderful, and that the best things in life are free. I still completely agree. The lyrics of the song talk about beautiful miracles of nature, and how amazing it is that seeds grow, birds know how to migrate, and how the "sky knows when its time to snow". One of the best lyrics is "When you wake up everyday. Please don't throw your dreams away. Hold them close to your heart, 'cause we're all a part of the ordinary miracle." I think that so many times we wake up, and not only do we not realize the wonderous miracle of a beautiful sunrise, the birds chirping, or fresh falling snow (ok, maybe I'm in the minority for loving the snow, but just bare with me); but we also get lost in the business of life and forget about our dreams. In essence we them away.

It has been a dream of mine to come to the african continent and serve since I was just a teenager. I went on some mission trips after high school, and got busy with college, and trying to find a career. Somewhere in the middle of that, losing my brother, and just life in general, I got really comfortable with where I was. I wasn't living, or even pursing any real dream other then building a house, and finding a job that I enjoyed. Not really pursing the dreams of my heart.

I still don't know what I am going to do when I get home, or what the future holds, but I do know that I want to keep pursing my dreams. I also want to never lose site of the ordinary miracles that unfold right before my eyes, each and every day. I want to live a life full of adventure, and uncertainty, but still be able to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Here's to appreciating the ordinary miracles we see, and are a part of everyday.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all going to enjoy some corn beef and cabbage today. We however had some white ants and cabbage instead. Like I've said before they really aren't too bad. I am actually probably going to miss them soon.

I found out today that during our outreach for the community this weekend, I get to play Jesus. Of course I will be a little more "generous" than our Messiah was two thousand years ago, but Rebbecca, I thought that you would be glad to know that you aren't the only one who thought I resembled Jesus. I have a funny suspicion that it might have a lot to do with the fact that I am muzungu and have a beard. Or something that resembles one anyway.

Where on earth have the last few months gone? Days are going faster and faster. Hoping that the time I have left doesn't go too fast.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Mama Aida

Hello Everyone,

Today was Mama Aida's first full day with it, and I think she was a little overwhelmed with all the tasks involved with keeping up with the six kids. I told her just to enjoy herself, and to not believe anything Mama Val has said about me (her roomate). To celebrate..........well really because I wanted some..........I made some banana bread again today. A lot more actually. Two loaves and a 9x9 cake of it. Mama Val is on her way up with some right now, and I can't wait to have some with fresh fruit juice. She usually makes passion fruit juice, but today she added some oranges. I already tasted it and its incredible.

I think that I will really miss all the fresh fruit and such all the time. I know that we have the farmers market, but during the winter it won't be the same. I am having a hard time believing that I am leaving in just over three weeks. This month, and really this year has flown by. Hard to believe we are in the second half of March already. Yesterday while helping the kids with there homework, I snuck them some fries(chips) that I was making for doing such a great job. I ran out of the kitchen with them and whispered good job, then I love you them. Then they both crouched down and whispered back...." Thank you booga booga......we love you too." Acholi kids don't hear that very often, and I am so blessed to be able to say it to these kids all the time. I say it so much that sometimes I think they will get annoyed with me, but the never do. Maggie and Bill(the two oldest whom Mama Val and I did homework with last night) start to blush and turn there heads away and say it really quitely, but I can tell they enjoy it.

Last night I sent a few people a message saying that I can't wait to be a dad. I really can........but what I meant was that the little conversation I just mentioned made me think about how much of a blessing it is to be able to say it these kids. Whether or not I ever am a dad, I do know that I will always have at least a few kids that "Uncle Joe" can love on.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Shopping and shovels

Hello Everyone,

Today was a fairly typical Monday. Well the morning anyway. I did my laundry, then helped Mama Val do the shopping. We are really getting to know some of the vendors at the market, and its great that they always take care of us and even give us "bonus" fruits and vegetables. It also nice to be able to have small talk with so many Acholi people, and have them laugh when I can speak............even though its limited.........there language.

When we got back, Uncle Mike and Uncle Francis were outside the compound digging a pit for our garbage. After lunch Uncle Mike told Francis that it was pretty much done, but I wanted to go swing and sweat for a while. I have a strange fetish with work that requires a strong back and a weak mind. Lots of sweat insued, as we dug down to where Mike originally wanted, but then said the majic words. "Well its ok, but deeper would be good........but if you tired, we can do it tomorrow." Being a guy...........and one that prides himself in his ability to work, I of course stayed out there, and even though I wasn't smart enough to wear gloves, I kept working even though my hands blistered, then even bled. Wow..........me and my stubborn pride sometimes.

I was really glad to finish it, and in the process half of Gulu walked by to admire a muzungu actually working. That may be more of why I stuck it out, because I really don't like the fact that "white people" don't work (manual labor) here. Not only is it not above me, but I actually enjoy it. Of course the fact that most Ugandan's think I am really strong, also kept me working. Well that and the fact that a bunch of kids showed up, and I wanted to finish so I could play with them. Play we did. Uncle Francis and I spent half an hour picking kids out of, and "throwing" them into the hole. The neighborhood kids really enjoyed it, and kept playing long after we went back into the compound.

Another great day.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Banana Bread anyone?

Hello Everyone,

Well its been a long, and very tiring day. We had a lot of bananas starting to go bad, so I decided to end the day with some nescafe(instant coffee) and some fresh banana bread. Yes.....I made it myself. It turned out pretty good too. A little dark on the bottom(but not burned) because I had to take care of a bat in Mama V's office, but still really good.

Took the children to church on my own this morning, and they were all pretty good. Although I don't understand what they are talking about when we walk, I can usually tell when its fun conversation or someone being mean to another. When we got back we ate lunch, and then while the youngest four played soccer and such outside, Auntie Jennifer and I spent two and a half hours helping the oldest two with homework. At first I was a little upset with them because I thought they were just trying to get me to do a lot of it for them. After some conversation with Auntie Jennifer the children told her that they don't understand. They recongnize all the letters, and some words, but in essense can't read, or pronounce words. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get them caught up with the rest of the class, but we can do it. We would all really covet your prayers as the next few weeks are extremely busy, and we need to make sure that we don't neglect the childrem. They are the reason we are all here in the first place.

They all are incredible children with lots of potential. Here's to helping them reach it.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Kids, kids, and more kids.

Hello Everyone,

Today we spent all morning getting the house and compound clean for the upcoming arrival of our landlord. The children worked diligently from after breakfast, right up until lunch. What a great bunch of hard working children.

This afternoon we had an outreach in the compound for the kids in the community. Our children as well as we the staff did some skits, and taught and learned songs. We focused on worship today. On why we do it, different ways in which we do it, and had a great time with the neighborhood kids. We had better than seventy five kids particiapating, and it was great. Two of which where the twins (Opiyo and Achen), as well as several of there brothers and sisters. We had about a dozen of them come up for salvation at the end including Achen.


There was also a cute little boy with red sweatpants on, that were a little too big. At one point I noticed him walking toward the front and his pants just fell right to the ground. What a cute little guy. He must not have been more than one or so, and he took right to me. Unlike the little girl who came, and cried and cried when she first saw me. After a while, I got her to not cry, but she didn't warm up like this little guy. He came right over to me, and after I played with him for a bit, he wanted to be held. I reluctantly (YEAH RIGHT!!!!) picked him up, and we had so much fun. Near the end we gave the kids a couple of candies, and this little guy was no different. He spent about half an hour nibbling on his and covering my shirt in drool, and sugar.

What a great day......children really are such a blessing.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

No SIM.....but life is still good.

Hello Everyone,

Well as you can probably figure out from the title, I did not find my SIM card today. The good news is that ATT is sending me a new one over night, and not charging me. The bad news is that I won't be able to use it until April. I guess I will just have to deal with no return texts from the states..........except for the few of you who have international plans, or just think I'm worth the money (just kidding).

Its so hard to believe that this week is almost over and that we are almost halfway through March already. Musicals have already started at home, and the Ramsdell sugar shack is well into production. I am really missing some of the things at home, but also feel so blessed to be able to be here with these wonderful people. I was thinking this morning how hard it will be to go back to "normal" life, and to be honest I hope that I don't completely get comfortable again. I do look forward to the sounds of the frogs and crickets out my window, but not to all the hustle and bustle of "keeping up with the Jones'" Of course a good friend of mine once told his white collar neighbors that "I am the Jones'"(miss you guys by the way!!!) Life he is harder in the sense that all the luxuries that make task easier, but it is also so much simpler. I don't believe that we shoud all just give up everything and live in poverty.........but we should all not take what we have for granted.

The things that really matter here, are the same things that really matter there. Faith, family, and friends. I think that we all lose site of that from time to time, and we all (especially me) need a good kick in the pants once in a while (I'm ok for now Elaine, but I will let you know ;)....).

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Help!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well I can't write a good blog tonight because I need to keep looking through the house to find my ATT Sim card. I seem to have misplaced it today. Please pray I can find it.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Good coffee and great reading.

Hello Everyone,

I had today off and spent most of it drinking coffee ( I know....surprise surpise), and reading some books from a friend. I kept finding myself reading, then looking at my life to see how I was, or wasn't really being the church to the world.

In the first book, Crazy Love, there were serveral quotes that impacted me, but none as much as the following one from Tim Kizziar. "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things that don't really matter." What an incredible statement. It really makes you think if what you are investing in is really worth the time and engery you are pouring into it.

In the second book, Irrestible Revolution, Mother Theresa is quoted saying, "We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it." How many times have you found yourself, or at least I have found myself, doing something because it should be done, but not doing with the right heart. Not putting my whole heart into it, and definitley not pouring my love into the task, or the people involved in it.

I don't know about you, but these quotes, and the rest of the reading, has really pressed me to really look inward into what I am doing, and more importantly why I am doing it. Christ calls us to take care of the widows and the orphans in the distress, but he also calls us to do out of love. He calls us to love Him with everything we have, and out of that love we have no other option but to spill His love onto the world around us.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Thank you

Hello Everyone,

Today was a pretty typical day, except that I am now the assistant shopper on tuesdays and I washed my sheets and towels today instead of yesterday with the rest of my laundry. I was thinking about how amazing the offering that came in on Sunday at NTC was, and how blessed we are to call it our home church(for those of us that do obviously ;)...). What an amazing community of people. I know first hand how generous NTC is, from both past experience, and then of course now on this adventure. Your finincial support has been overwhelming to me, and I can't begin to say how helpful it has been. The prayer support from NTC, as well as all you other wonderful people I am so blessed to call friends, has been so incredible. I can so sense your prayers every day.

I wish that there were some way I could truly express my thanks better. I am honored to be on this adventure, and even more honored to be able to share, if even just a small bit,..... with you.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

I'm fat, but I'm fit =)

Hello Everyone,

Today was a great day. Today was a public holiday in Uganda where they celebrate women. We spent women's day by doing laundry, and then playing lots, and lots of soccer. We went to the field after lunch and started to play with just our six children. Soon two more boys who were near by wanted to play. We went shirts and skins...........the boys being skins (including me), and within fifteen minutes we had over sixty children flooding the field.

The children all were extremely entertained by my jiggling around the field. I spent half the time playing soccer, and the other half playing with the children. Picking them up and throwing them in the air, or spinning them around, or just tickling them silly. They all especially enjoyed it when I picked one of them up, threw him over my shoulder and ran around the field until I scored. It so easy to make these children laugh, and it warms my heart everytime I hear it. As much as I play with the kids for the kids...........I do it just as much for me too.

Auntie Jennifer, and Uncle Francis were talking the other day, and thought it was important to let me know that I am fat. However I am also fit, and that isn't what they are used to seeing with a guy my size. I guess I am definitley not a normal muzungu. I hope that a good thing.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

White ants anyone?

Hello Everyone,

Today we went to Watoto like we usually do, and after I walked into town to pick up a few things from Prince "supermarket". It was a beautiful day. Very warm, but a nice breeze made it actually quite nice. I returned home to find that the white ants we bought yesterday had been made into a sauce for the porcia and cabbage. They are actually pretty tasty. Well they tast like cooking oil....and lots of salt. They are fried with tomatoes and onions, so its ok, but a funny texture is all. Auntie Jennifer thought it was pretty funny that a muzungu would eat it without complaining.

After the delicious lunch, the children and I played soccer and rode the bikes around the compound for most of the rest of the day. We had a great time, and it was so warm that I unzipped the legs on my pants and ran around in shorts. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to play soccer in shorts, and use sneakers instead of stubbing my toes because I toeball too much. Its just so hard to keep up with these kids as it is, and the extra protection on my toes really helped.

During one of our breaks I sat on the bench and Gloria laid down in my lap and told her that I looked like Jesus. I laughed thinking about my blog the other day, and although I wish it was because my actions reminded her of Him, its just because I haven't shaved in a few months. Then she looked up at me and said......"Uncle Joe.............you are my father, and I am your daughter." If only I could pack her in my suitcase and make that be true. Its amazing how I have been hoping that I have been making a good mark, and God lets me have a fiew glimpses to let me know that I am not totally screwing it up.

Good day.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Hard day, but a good one.

Hello Everyone,

This morning Mike and I spent the morning cleaning the upstairs, then going to the market to get groceries for the next few days. After lunch I got to play with the kids and have some time to read on my own.

During the morning, I worked through some issues in the house, that have been bothering me. It was a long discussion, and at time heated, but in the end we were both on good terms. Its amazing how clearing the air with issues makes everything so much easier, and even better.

Michele in response to your comment, I am, and will continue to make sure these kids know that I love them. I tell them every chance I get, and if fact I think that they might be getting a little sick of it. Well maybe not the girls, but Bill seems to act like he is too old and too cool to have that really matter. Today I was able to play soccer alone with him for a while, and at the end when I told him I loved him he smiled, said he loved me too, and gave me a big hug.

Thats what its all about.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Uncle Joe...Uncle Joe!!

Hello Everyone,

Today was another quiet day in which I worked on cleaning our bathroom, and tidying up the upstairs. This is just to make the saturday cleaning a little easier tomorrow(Yes Mama V, we will clean even when your not here ;)..). I was able to play football with the kids and try to get a little color on my starch white legs. The younger ones are a lot easier to keep up with while running around barefoot.

As usual I went to pick up the older three, and on the way a bunch of neibhorhood kids ran up with the usual muzungu, muzungu. The best part was after when some of them started to call me Uncle Joe. I recognized a few of them from the Jesus film we showed, and it was so great to hear them call me by name. Maybe I am making an impact after all. Mama Christine put some pics of my house online, and it was great to see them. It made me miss the house, the snow, the church, as well as my friends and family. Hearing the children call me Uncle Joe helped to realize again that I am right where I am supposed to be.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Pretty Quiet around here today.

Hello Everyone,

Today was our first full day without Auntie Cassie, and its amazing how quiet it was. I had today off and spent most of the morning drinking coffee and reading a great book. I came back to the house just after lunch to bring Emmy to the clinic. He has had a cough for some time now, and is now complaining that it hurts to eat. He is fine, and is very happy to be getting juice every night before he goes to bed. After the checkup we walked to town to buy him the juice, and then I stopped at Kope Cafe to relax and try some ginger soda to try and settle my stomach.

The book I started reading talked about how we call ourselves christians, but in Christ's time, people didn't call themselves that, people called them that because they reflected the life of Christ. How cool would it be for us to live lives that people couldn't come to any other conclusion except that we were followers of Christ. Just a thought.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Its a sad day in Gulu.....

Hello Everyone,



Today we put Mama V and Auntie Cassie on the bus to Kampala, so that Cassie can fly back to Bermuda. We had a final stop at Cafe Larem, and then back to the compound to say goodbye to everyone. She will be greatly missed. By the children, the staff, and the community. She is great with the kids and has a huge heart for the children and the people in the community in generl. She even made a point to say goodbye to the elderly mama who lives next to us, and the woman was so happy for her to do so. She wanted to know when she was coming back, and said that a year may be too long. I am quite certain that this will not be her last stop here in Gulu, and it has been a fantastic two months working with her.



After some sulking (just in case Cassie reads this ;)...) I went back to Cafe Larem for some reading, then home to spend some time with the children. Paul pulled me up to the table, and asked me why I didn't leave for Bermuda with Auntie Cassie and had to explain that I won't be going to Bermuda, but to America, and that I won't leave for another five weeks. To which he said," Uncle Joe, we go on airplane to America?!" When I replied telling him that I would be going alone, and that he would have to stay here, he started to well up with tears. He was trying to be tough, so kept looking away and tried his best not to shed a tear. To be honest I don't know if he did or not, because I had to just tell him I loved him and walk away before I started crying.



Its so hard to believe that I have only been involved in there lives for two months, and even harder that I will only be involved for one more. Well at least for this trip. I sat thinking after dinner about what both Auntie Cassie and I have done here. Thinking that the helping around the house, and with the kids has been a bonus, but I think they could have handled it without us if they had had to. I know that Cassie left a lasting impression on the community, and I am hoping and praying that I am leaving more than just "Uncle Joe, your stomach is big", or me getting to the kids to say booga booga, and finding out that in Acholi it means fat and soft(fitting that is what the kids call me), or that several boda drivers call me Africa(black) because I was kidding with one of them over a month ago and told him that he was the muzungu and I was Africa. Its been a fun joke that has now spread to a bunch of drivers. I am sure that what I am doing is making an impact, and I just want to make sure that I make a lasting and positive impression on this community, but especially on our children. I know that I am not there dad, but I do know that I am one of the few male role models they have. Here's to making the most of the time I have left, and to leaving a mark that lasts.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Guacamoli and chips anyone?

Hello Everyone,

Today was Auntie Cassie's last full day with us, and she will be leaving around noon tomorrow. It was a fairly normal day with a trip to the market for groceries, then cleaning my "project area", and building the fence for the chickens. Its not very pretty, but it works.

I went to pick up the three older children, and while waiting I saw dozens of kids chasing and catching what the Acholi like to call white ants. They are a flying ant that is fried and eaten as a scrumptious treat. I tried it a few weeks ago, and all it tastes like is crispy cooking oil. While walking home a young boy was trying frantically to catch one out of the air, and kept just missing. I walked by and snagged it for him, and when I handed it to him you would have thought I had just given him a million dollars.

Tonight after dinner Mama Val and I made chips and guacamoli(sp?) for a little going away snack. We ate, and ate, and ate.........oh and had some fresh passion fruit juice. We laughed talking about all the kids and how wonderful and hilarious they all are. She will be greatly missed. By the children and all the staff.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

IDP Camp again

Hello Everyone,

Today we went back to the same IDP camp, but this time the rain held off so we could walk around the came. We stopped and prayed for some people, and after the first stop, we had a large train of children following us around the camp.

I had so much fun running around chasing, and being chased by the children. Saying hello, and asking them how they are doing in Acholi, really helped to break off the timidness that many of them had. I juggled for some of them, and they thought is was the funniest thing. When I would drop a piece of dried mud, someone would grab me another one to keep going. After that one girl grabbed my arm and held tight as I lifted her up off the ground. I quickly became the newest ride at the funpark. I got quite a work out between running around and between huts catching and dodging the children, and lifting and spinning them in the air. A few of the smaller children were really brave and let me through them in the air.

After all that, I don't think I could have gotten them all to go home if I had to. They followed us around on the rest of our tour, and jump at the chance to hold my hand as soon as another child let it go. The love of a child is so amazing. Many of them had torn and weathered clothes, and very few had any kind of shoes. A few were even covered head to toe in dirt grim, and some in wounds. Although there was a woman who was bit by a snake and hadn't been able to walk for a month was healed, and was able to walk, I think I will remember the faces of the children for much longer than hers.

What a great day.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

The rainy season is definitley here!!!

Hello Everyone,

Today was Auntie Cassie's last sunday with us. Worship at Watoto was good, and thankfully today was the last of a series of video sermons. I think it was pretty hard on Cassie when she had to say goodbye to Pastor Joe after the service.

After we got home, we changed, ate, and of course played some soccer. We didn't play very long when the rain came and forced us inside. The kids went upstairs and were able to sit on the mat and watch a few educational videos and each some popcorn. During which Emmy lost his second tooth in a week, and was a little bummed that he didn't know where it went. =)

Not a whole lot went on today, just hanging out with the kids in the house, and trying to enjoy the last few days with Auntie Cassie. Oh, and its a little weird that Mama Christine emailed me to tell me she was sitting on my couch.......technology is great.

Well not much to tell today......hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Ice cream and chinese!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Today Auntie Cassie and I had the day off, and we went to Cafe Larem for some coffee, then met Valerie in the market to pick up some groceries for dinner today and tomorrow. We had to get a rooster for dinner tomorrow and I turned a lot of heads for the second week in a row carrying it around the market.

In the afternoon we took the kids back to Cafe Larem for some ice cream. They loved it, and they were all great. Emmy was Emmy and spilled it all down his front, which was no surprised, but they all really had a great time. After they left I stuck around and played with a little boy who asked me to get some water for his water gun. I used the handwash station to fill it, and he had a blast shooting me and other kids, but even more when I shot him with it. I assumed he was a child of one of the employees, but when I asked who he belonged to, the owner said she though he was with me. If I could, I would stick in my carryone, but I don' t think he would clear customs.

After the kids went to bed, the staff, Auntie Cassie and I all went out to dinner at the Gulu food joint. Its an indian/chinese restaurant in town. We had a wonderful time celebrating the last few days that Cassie has with us. She leaves for Bermuda in just a few days, and we will all greatly miss her. She has done a great job with the children, and we will have a big hole to fill when she is gone. We spent most of the night laughing, and a little bit eating. It was so great for all the staff to just get out of the house, and really enjoy each other's company.

What a great day.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

The chicken coop is here!!

Hello Everyone,

Well for starters I got the results back this morning from the tests and I am fine. Just need to keep taking milk of magnesium for a few days and I will be fine. Thanks for praying, but don't worry so much(you know who you are ;)...)

Today after I got back from the test(and the coffee shop) we had devotions, and then I spent the rest of the day working on the chicken coop. Uncle Francis helped, and actually made some really nice stairs going up to the "executive suite". It was a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast helping to nail in some of the boards. I had to nail them in most of the way first, but they really enjoyed it, and had a hard time sharing the hammer with each other because they all wanted to keep swinging away. After dinner we caught the hen and the chicks(watching me run around the compound chasing the chicks must have been quite a site to see) and once we put them in the coop, the mother hen settled right in under the ramp in the back with her little ones. She seems to enjoy it so far. At some point I will have to put up a chicken wire fence to keep them in the corner of the compound, and more to protect the chicks from the children playing soccer.

Speaking of the children, today was a day when I realized that as much as we can learn from Africa, there are some things they can learn from us. Of course there is the obvious one, that men can........AND SHOULD.....help out around the house, and in the kitchen. Acholi men don't. Well not most of them. Not because they are busy doing "guy things", but they will just sit and watch as an acholi woman will jump through hoops to make there tea, make there food, and then serve it to them. Ridiculous!!!! Even more ridiculous, in fact its completely WRONG.......is how they cane there children. I'm not talking about spanking, I'm talking about beating there children with sticks. I was spanked, and am not opposed to it, but today when Emmy came home with a swollen bruise spanning one shoulder to the other from caning..........I was ......well lets say upset. He had been beaten, then had a fifteen minutes boda ride, then changed his clothes and came out to play. All of which taking over twenty minutes..........and thats if he was caned just before he left. I completely and totally believe in forgiveness, and when he showed me the bruise, I wanted to jump on a boda find the teacher........and when I was done I would have asked for forgiveness. Yes I know that its not the right thing to do, and we aren't. We are going to address it on monday with the head master. I'm just saying thats what I wanted to do.

Sorry for the venting tonight, but I really just need to right now. I have been trying so hard to just show these kids how much we love them, and just foster the gifts they each have; and then Emmy comes home looking that way. I know its going to be fine..........and we will take care of it on monday. Sorry again.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

My stomach is paining!!!

Hello Everyone,



Just wanted to let everyone know, that yes I have had some issues with my stomach the last few days, but I am doing fine. The clinic said that I am fine, but as a precaution are running some tests just to be sure. In other words..........stop worrying please...........but don't stop praying ;).



Today was a good day. Maggie was home again today, and it was really nice to just spend some time with her coloring and just loving on her this morning. I have really been trying lately to just love on all the kids, and try to find the unique gifts in each child, that should be fostered, and not so much on the actions that need to be corrected. Not that these children don' t need to be corrected, but thanks to an email from a great friend(thanks Jocelyn), I have really been trying to focus more on the gifts that each one has. They are all such wonderful children, and each have very unique personalities, problems, but even more so is there unique God given gifts. Adam Avery talked about how his father fostered his gift of music when he was young during a talk at NTC a few months ago. I listened to it the other night, and between that and Jocelyn's email, I have been really trying to do the same.

Its hard to believe that Auntie Cassie will be leaving in less than a week, and even harder to believe that I will have just over a month left when she does. I want to impact these kids positively for the rest of there lives. I would love to come back here every year, but even if I don't I want to leave a mark. I know that there were several people who left marks on my life that helped to shape who I have become today. I have been blessed to have had my life influences by amazing people like Dave Converse, Dick Laramay, Grampa Wells, Mike Denno, my parents, and really countless others. I know that one conversation, or one kind gesture can change the course of a child's life. Sometimes for the worse, but hopefully I will say or do something to have a positive effect on each of them.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Maggie 9th birthday!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Today we celebrated Maggie's 9th birthday, and she also got to stay home from school today. Unfortunately it wasn't because of her birthday, but because she needed more shots. I mentioned yesterday that she went to the clinic. She is doing fine, but does have malaria. She needs more shots tomorrow, then I think she is back to school for friday. We celebrated with singing happy birthday, opening her present, and of course a wonderful birthday cake. She is such a beautiful girl. Her smile can melt the hardest heart. She really enjoyed her special time today, and also enjoyed cutting (and eating) her birthday cake. Glad we were here to see it.

Speaking of cakes......this morning Auntie Cassie and I did have our pancakes at Cafe Larem. They were wonderful, as were the lattes. Of course they weren't as good as Irma's, and the syrup was only 2 percent real, and nothing like the good stuff from buckton; but it was still good. We found a jewelry store that the coffee shops supports, and checked it out. It was really nice, and suprised that we had never seen it before. We really went because Auntie Cassie was looking for something specific, but I did pick up a few things. One particular thing was pink, as as long as the person for who it is for actually runs the gmr in June, I'm sure she will enjoy it ;). No pressure kiddo.

After a few trips to town and back (my stomach was off today so I needed to make a few pitstops), Auntie Cassie and I decided to rent a boda, and just go on a few hour tour around Gulu. It turned out to be a great idea. We went to Pece Stadium, Lacor hospital, the Gulu airport, and then a rock quarry. The hospital was really nice, and the buildings we past on the way there were nice too. There was a lot of catholic schools, and a HUGE catholic church. Hard to believe since to get there we drove down what looked like a cow path that people had to step off to get out of the way of the boda. Many of the wards don't have beds, and the maternity ward had dozens of women sitting or laying on what seemed to be like a porch. The most impacting part was the children's ward. Patients are not served food by the hospital, so parents or loved ones bring them meals three times a day. Parents we scattered on the floors while there children lay in beds, and some with tubes, and IV's sticking out of them. It reminded me of the children's hospital I went to in the Dominican Republic ten years ago. I don't know how someone could see that and not be moved at a real deep level. The rock quarry was another very moving site. The quarry was quite large, and there were no machinery except for a few trucks being loaded by hand with the gravel. There were a few men breaking the rock out of the ground just small enough for one man to handle. Then those rocks are thrown into piles and distributed among what seemed to be over fifty women who would break those rocks into smaller ones. Then smaller ones, and repeat the process until the big rocks were broken into gravel. A group of men sat playing cards near the entrance waiting for the truck to come back to be loaded. It made me want to grab a sledge hammer and smash there "card table" into a million pieces.

We have it so good in the west. I cannot fully describe how the trip today........and this trip in general have made me feel. Some of it cannot be described, only experienced. I just hope that I don't ever forget what I saw today, and remember to be thankful for what I have.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

The family is growing

Hello Everyone,

Well I wanted to write about this yesterday, but just as I was about to, we lost power. We have a generator, but it wasn't worth starting it that late at night just to use the computer. I didn't want to wake the children just to tell you that we have three new little ones in the family. We still only have six kids, but we also had three little chicks hatch over the weekend. We thought we could here some chirping from under the hen, but yesterday I finally saw two of them. This morning the mother was out and about the yard with three beautiful yellow chicks chasing her around the compound.

The children really enjoy watching them, and after the mother hen calms down a bit, we will let them play with the chicks too. We were hoping for seven, but it looks like four of the eggs didn't make it for whatever reason. Still, the fuzzy little ones are pretty adorable. I'm just glad that Auntie Cassie got to see them before she leaves next week.

Today was a pretty normal day. Fixing the boys bathroom water leak, devotions, polishing shoes, and picking up the older ones from school. Maggie went to the clininc today because she wasn't feeling well. She had a shot, and will get a few more in the morning, but she is fine. The boys and I barely made it home before the rain, but even if we hadn't it wasn't that hard. Last night however was another story. It was beautiful, but because we have water, I decided to forego the outdoor shower for a warmer one inside. The rainy season seems to be a little early this year, but it is good for the farmers here. It will allow for a bigger harvest. Please pray that the rain remains good soaking rain, and not devistatingly hard rain.

Looking forward to pancakes and good coffee in the morning. Auntie Cassie and I have the day off, so we will eat at Cafe Larem. Probably a good thing it took me two months to find it. Otherwise I would be broke ;).

Love and miss you all,

Joe

A walk to remember

Hello Everyone,

Today Auntie Cassie and I went to a different church to hear a guest ministry team from Texas speak, and do worship. It wasn't bad, but not what we were expecting for sure. Makes me really appreciate the church family we have at home. Not to mention I miss banging away in the drum cage. Hard to believe that it will be less than two months before I am back banging away again.

After we got home, and had lunch, we played soccer until Uncle Francis stopped by so we could go on our weekly "picture walk". Auntie Cassie leaves in a little over a week, so we wanted to finish off the pictures we had left on the cameras, so she can take them home to develop them. We walked for three hours, through a new part of Gulu and up to Gulu University. No walk could be complete without having to stop in a field so the kids could use the "facilites." The have really started to get the hang of taking photos, and not just capturing every goat or dog they see. Now they look for unique trees, or animals, or children to photograph. On our way back we came across two boys climbing a tree. Both without clothes, but one had somehow managed to get some long blue ribbon stuck to his bottom. It looked like he had a long blue tail. That truly made it a walk to remember.

Dinner was incredible as it usually is on sunday. We butcher a rooster in the morning and have it for dinner Sunday nights. Chicken and rice is always a great dish.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Singing in the rain.

Hello Everyone,

Well today we took the kids for ice cream, but because Gulu didn't have power, the shop didn't have any so we got them sodas instead. They really enjoyed getting out and having a treat. Then we came home and played some soccer (weird I know =) ....). Just before we came in for the kids to bath, and eat dinner, a big thunderstorm rolled in. I really enjoy them, and it reminds me of sitting at home watching them. The only thing missing is a good cup of coffee. Nescafe instant coffee will have to do for now.

We got power back just before dinner, but the town water hasn't run for a few days, and our tanks have run dry. Well the one for our showers anyway. So instead of using a basin, I decided to use the shower God created. In the back of the compound we have an outdoor latrine and if you open the door it gives you your own private stall. The gutter pours water on the top of the generator room, and creates a really nice shower. It was a little cold at first, but once you are wet its not too bad. Just like the first time you jump in the St. Lawrence in July. Makes me miss home a bit, but not as much as a so called friend rubbing in it that he is drinking freshly ground Jernabi, eating banana bread, and watching deer playing in the snow behind his house. Thank God he's not my pastor..........oh wait...........he is ;).

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Great Stories

Hello Everyone,

Well I was in the middle of this blog when we lost power, and with it, the majority of what I had written. I did have an amazing day on Wednesday, then Thursday was amazing, and tonight we showed the Jesus film in acholi for the community in our compound. Needless to say, you will be getting the abridged version of the past few days, but hopefully you get the jist of it. Here is what I had started to type, and then the rest. Thanks.

What an amazing day!!! Today Auntie Cassie and I had off, and Uncle Francis told us about an ice cream shop in Gulu that also served coffee. After a great run in the moisture filled air(it rained last night, and left the air cool and refreshing), I had a shower (first time in a while), and we headed out for a nice walk. We went the opposite way we normally go, and walked past the borehole, and in a new direction. We eventually made our way back into Gulu, and found the shop Francis had talked about. Its called Cafe Larem, and I was ecstatic to see a sign that said espresso. We both order lattes which were amazing. I'm sure that it was just because its been so long (don't worry Bill or Greg). We also ordered yogurt and granola. Cassie had vanilla, but I had strawberry, and was pleasantly surprised to find it had fresh bananas in it as well. What a great lunch, and we followed it by having some great mocha ice cream.

The best part of the day was our conversations with an elderly man names Charlie, and a young couple named Liz and Chad. Charlie, a retired teacher from the Chicago area, was leaving the next day to head home. He and a group of retired teachers set up an organization to help children prepare for the exit exams from primary school. He comes to Uganda for a month once a year, and really enjoys it. Before Uganda, he and his wife spend three years teaching in Istanbul. He just didn't want to sit around and do nothing with his final chapters in life. He wants to go out with his boots on (that one is for you Chris). He also travels a lot with his daughter. Jumping on the back of trucks for transportation, and visiting gorillas, and having lots of adventures along his journey. Thats the kind of father I want to be. It doesn't always take traveling the world. I just want to make memories, and memories that last with the kids here, not just with my own in the future.

Chad and Liz are a young couple who gave up good jobs, to join a group called AIM (adventures in ministry), and go on the World Race. They travel to eleven countries in eleven months, working with various ministries along the way. Sometimes having to find places to live and eat, and sometimes find projects for the ministry they are teamed up with. What an amazing couple. I almost laughed when they asked me what I was going to do when I get home. Instead of answering I asked them. We all agreed..............not sure, but confident God will lead us. Two great stories, and so glad to have heard them both. I don't want there stories, but I want to write/live some that will inspire people to do the same.

Thursday was amazing too. The short version is the Mike, Cassie and I rode an hour and a half to an old slave trade fort, called Fort Piticho. There are a few building still standing and the scenery is amazing both there and the drive there as well. We had a great time walking around and taking lots of pictures(you will have to wait till I get home to see most of them), and just taking it all in. One of the most impacting sites was a large rock shooting into the air for about thirty feet. The top of which many slaves were forced to climb, and were then pushed to there death. Human beings have done some pretty incredible things...........but we have also done some unbelievably terrible things.

We then decided to climb a hill about half a mile away. It took us a while to get there because we had to trek through the bush. It was so worth it. We stopped partway up to have a banana and some water, and were surprised by some spider monkeys at the top. It was great to see them, but they weren't so thrilled about us. We climbed down the back side, and then walked a trail past some huts, and found our way back to the fort. What a great day.

Today we spent preparing for the movie tonight, and it went really well. We had about three hundred people and children, and although it went really late, everyone seemed to really enjoy it. It was the Jesus Film in Acholi. Several children came up for prayer, were very sincere. I got to play with a lot of them afterwords and I was thrilled to have the twins from the waterhole there. They remembered that I am Opiyo too. Another great day. Ready for bed.......but looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

IDP Camp

Hello Everyone,

Well we finally made it out to the IDP camp today to see people. We were hoping to spend some time walking around the camp and talking with people. However the thunderstorm and rain made it all too difficult to do so. It also helped in some ways, because it kept everyone in the hut style church we met the group that could make it.

I spoke briefly about the abridged version of my testiomony, and spoke about how God has never promised to keep bad things from happening to us. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. What He does promise us, is that no matter how bad the situation, or how hard the trial.....He will always be there with us in the middle of it all. He loves us so much. More that we could ever fathom.

Afterwords we asked people if they wanted prayer for anything, and several came up with physical healing needs. God was faithful, and partially or completely healed everyone who asked for prayer. I don't think that its a coincidence that most of the pains they were having were in there backs. Hmmmm laundry, working in the fields.......or sweeping the yard while bent over.

The worship that they had was pretty amazing. With just a few traditional instruments, people were jumping and shouting, and really entering in to worship. I didn't understand the words, but I did understand the thankfullness that they were all expressing.

Just as we were leaving, I spent a few minutes with two girls who were standing in the doorway. They were trying to catch some rain off the thatch roof with a cap. After asking how they were, I took my water bottle and washed the cap, then filled it once for each of them. They were extremely appreciative, and the picture of there smiles will be eternally imprinted in my mind. All in all, it was great day.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Monday, monday......so good to me....

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone enjoyed there Valentine's Day yesterday. As I said last night in my blog, mine was just so much fun. Well today, Monday, is my wash day. Still no water so Uncle Francis and I made a few trips down to the borehole. With children being in school, it wasn't nearly as busy as it was yesterday. We did have about five minutes of water, which is hopefully a sign that it will be back on soon.

Today, although it was my fourth or fifth time doing it, laundry really gave me an appreciation for what most of us consider a neccesity back home. I enjoy doing laundry at home, and its extremely easy. Here however its not so much. You put a little OMO (laundry detergent) in a bucket and spend anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour bent over at the waste washing and rinsing everything by hand. The mamas however take much longer because they are washing all the sheets, towels, and clothes for six children. Its so easy to just throw the detergent, fabric softener, and clothes in (all in cold water, because I don't really separate my colors from my whites...........I know, I know........I'm a guy, but its mostly from having to do it while in basic, and it just stuck. ) and just pull the button out, shut the door, and go back to whatever else I was doing. Its not just laundry though. Everything here takes so much longer. Not in a bad way........its just does. The mamas make a simple breakfast, then spend all morning preparing a hot meal for lunch, then all afternoon preparing for dinner. All the while working in doing the dishes, cleaning, laundry, bathing and playing with the children.

Of course for me my "construction projects" take me much longer than they would at home, but that because I only have a hand saw, a tape measure, a pencil, and a ruler for a straight edge. I dont' really mind it, it gives me lots of time to think, and pray. I truly believe that I am right where I am supposed to be, and praying that God continues to show me who He wants me to become.

Tomorrow is the IDP camps, and I am slotted to speak. Pray God gives me the right words to say.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Hello Everyone,

I am hoping that this all finds you well, and enjoying today. It has been probably the best Valentine's Day I've ever had. I didn't get any heart shaped candies, chocolates, or even home made cards from the kids. Instead it was a normal morning of Church at Watoto, the walk home, and playing with the kids. After lunch and laundry(please pray that the water situation is resolved soon), Uncle Francis and I took the kids outside the compound to a nearby school to play soccer with the kids in the neighborhood. We didn't invite anyone, just walked there with a brand new soccer ball(thanks Molly), and lots of kids showed up.

There were so many of us, that we had to go shirts and skins to tell who was who. Of course my team was skins, but I didn't really need to remove mine for everyone to know who I was. However after fifteen minutes or so, it was so hot I joined them.....barefoot, and bareback. After lots of laughter from the kids(most have never seen a muzungu go bareback), we conitnued for a good hour of soccer. All the kids played really well together and it was so much fun. They all thought that it was funny when I removed my hat to head the ball, or dribbled up the field and around people. Partly because of my skin color, and partly because of the size of my stomach. I am really glad that I could bring so much joy to there hearts. As much as I did, it brought so much more to mine. Even a few trucks full of men driving by thought it was funny and honked. They all laughed when I waved back.

Today was one of the best days I've had here....if not the best. I could do this everyday......well while here.........hockey at home when its cold =).

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Opiyo and the borehole

Hello Everyone,

Well we have not had water for a few days, and the extra tank we have was getting extremely low, so Francis and I made a few trips to the borehole to get water. Because water is, and has been out all across Gulu, it was flooded with people. Because the line was long(even though we were allowed to go ahead of a lot of people), and it took a while to fill the cans, I was able to play with all the children running around. Most of them were extremely interested in this strange muzungu gathering water. It is not very often that someone as pale as myself makes there way down to the hole to collect water.

I had a lot of fun playing, and gathering, and bringing joy to everyone in between our house and the borehole. So many people laughed and yelled at me, and we so happy to see someone helping a local gather. One elderly man stopped me on the way, and asked if I was gathering water. When I said yes, he became ecstatic, and thanked me repeatedly for lending a helping hand. On our second return trip to the house, and elder woman did the same thing. The acholi people are so thrilled when they see someone helping, or trying to learn there culture. I can't wait to see the faces as we walk to church in the morning. I had an african shirt made, and although its a little big, I am going to wear it. I mean come on it is Valentine's day tomorrow =).

On our last trip to the borehole, we were helped by a very kind young woman, and I was able to spend more time playing with the children, then pushing through the line to fill the cans. As I was playing I noticed some VERY identical twins. There are a lot of twins here, but even when they are identical...........they really aren't identical if you know what I mean. These two however were, and when we were loading up the bike they both came over to see how we strapped down the load. Here in Uganda, children are given two names. Not a first name and a surname, but usually an acholi(or whatever tribe), and an english name. Twins however are almost given the same acholi name, whether they are identical or fraternal. The first born is given the name Opiyo, meaning first, and the second, Achen for second. In almost every neighborhood you can hear a mother calling for an Opiyo. These two were very friendly, and after a few greetings, and high fives, I asked them which one was Opiyo. They were both very surprised at first, but eventually they fessed up. I brought a roar of laughter from them and the surrounding children when I told him that I was Opiyo too.

What a great day. Lots of sweating, laughter, and the best game of soccer we have had in some time. Mama V was worried about my foot, (and don't worry mom) but I had it wrapped and taped. I am having so much fun, and looking forward to getting out to the IDP camps next week.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well today is a wonderful day!!!! The start of the winter olympics(which I unfortunately won't be able to see any of), and its also my mom's birthday!!!!

I just wanted to take a second, and just say thank you for all you have done, and all that you continue to do. Taking care of my finances is wonderful, but what you have instilled in not just me, but all of your children is incredible. Proverbs 22:6 says," Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Well I'm not saying that I'm old..........because if I am, then mom, you must be REALLY old =). I am saying that what I learned in church, and in the christian school was good, but was nothing compared to what I learned at home. I learned how to serve selflessly, and think of others first. To do whatever I can with whatever I have, whenever I can from watching you do it first.

I am not yet who I want to be, but I am well on my way because of what you have poured into us. I love you mom, and for those of you reading this who aren't my mom...........call your's and tell her the same.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

I love running!!!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that my foot has healed well enough, that I was able to run this morning. I didn't go too far, but ran the loop actually faster than normal. Probably because there weren't as many kids around this morning. The run felt so good, and I really need to start adding to my miles, so that I am ready for the run this summer.

Its a great time to get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and of course see the people in the community. This morning when Auntie Cassey and I were heading into town to do some shopping, we saw a local child pointing at me and running in place. He was telling his friend that he saw me that morning. I really want to learn more acholi, but most people in town know enough english, that between that and my limited acholi we can communicate. Next week will be a little different however. We got word back from the local government officials that we can head to the IDP(internally displaced people's) camp next week. We are also hoping to do and outreach here in the compound at the end of the week.

I have really been wanting to get out to the camps, and hopefully we can get out to the bush to a village or too soon as well. There is a lot of poverty here, but I don't think it will really hit me until I see where people have been forced to lived because of decades of war. Countless people have been affected, and countless more here need help, and its hard sometimes not to just give to everyone who asks. However we know that we are here for these six children, and want to be the best stewards we can with what we do have. I have, and will continue to do some small stuff for our neighbors, but hopefully someday I can do more.

Until then, I will keep doing what I can, with what I have. Keep smiling and talking to the people we meet when I am running, or walking to pick the other ones up from school. Back and forth to Church, or just out for a walk with the children.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Muzungu.....Muzungu!!!

Hello Everyone,

Muzungu is acholi for "white person", and to be honest it will be weird to walk or drive down the road and not hear children yelling "muzungu, muzungu!!" On my way to pick up the three older children, I heard that phrase dozens of times during the half hour walk. After I got to the school, I sat on the edge of the main office like I always do, and spent the next twenty minutes or so playing with all the intrigued children in the area. I have been to the school several times now, and whether its Auntie Cassie and I, or just me....the local children always seem to swarm around us.

I have learned a few Acholi phrases and greetings, so I usually get the children laughing by speaking there language. Some of them speak a little english, and it always puts a smile on my face when one of them comes up, or just hollers from across the street......"How are you?" Today I had one of the cutest little girls I've seen(probably four or so), with white and pink beads in her hair say hello. She asked me how I was, and I replied fine when I asked her the same. The other kids were skeptical at first until I gave them five, or shook there hands. She however sat down right next to me, snuggled up under my arm, and rested her head on my stomach. To be honest...........that alone was worth the trip. The children at home are very loving, and starving for our affection, but this little girl melted my heart.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Just another day in paradise.

Hello Everyone,

Today was the first day since last week that we didn't have overcast skies and cool temperatures. Today was HOT!!!! Very hot. Picked up some more lumber to keep working on our construction projects, and the nails we got in the market leave a lot to be desired. Oh well......I'll make them work somehow.

My foot is healing well, and hopefully I should be out running again in just a few days. Man I really need to get back out there. The kids keep telling me...."Uncle Joe.........your stomach is big", and I would like to do something about that while I'm here. The mornings are so peaceful, and the roads are so quiet right after sunrise. Its a great time to think, and enjoy the scenery while making the Acholi children laugh when I say hello in their language.

The language is difficult, but I am picking up a few greetings anyway..........hopefully I will be able to teach you all a little when I get home. I am also trying to really embrace and enjoy every minute I have left here. A few friends reminded me over the weekend and again this morning that I only have a few months left, and that I need to make the most of it. How true. Its only been a month, and I am already saddened at the thought of having to say goodbye to the kids. They are all so beautiful, and wonderful. Unique, and at times quite a handful, but truly a joy none the less.

I may only have two months left here, and I want to make the most of it, but I also want to start making the most of life everyday, whether I'm here in Uganda, or at home in New York, or wherever the story leads me. I want to live a story worth telling my grandkids about. I want to sit down around a campfire, or sit on a dock with them and tell them all the wonderful adventures I've had the pleasure to live. More importantly I want to sit across from Jesus when I'm finally going over my life's story. I want to tell him all about the adventures He gave me the courage to live.........and hopefully I will see him smile.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

The Super....what????

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone enjoys Super Sunday today, and for those of you who don't like football, you can at least enjoy good food and great commercials. The one time of the year, when people actually look forward to commercial breaks.

We won't be watching the game(and wouldn't be even if it wasn't on so late), and to be honest most people here don't even know its on today. I almost forgot actually. I don't even know who is playing............although I'm sure I will get a plethera of emails from Adam to clarify that for me.

The wedding over the weekend was great. It started with Cassie and I getting into a taxi at eight thirty and then waiting until after ten for it to leave. Mostly due to the rain causing delays. After two and a half hours, we made it to Kitkum, got out of the taxi, called Mike, and waited. As we did we were offered dozens of rides, as Kitkum doesn't see many people quite as pale as Cassie and I. After a short boda ride, we stayed at a nice hotel, and after a quick lunch we went to meet Mike's family. A good friend of Mike's named Carl came along too. He is from Seattle, and we had a lot fun. He has been in Africa (Uganda/Tanzania) for six months, and has been here before.

As I have mentioned before this was the traditional wedding. Its also called the introduction. Basically, the groom and the bride's family set up a deligation team, and negotiate on the bridal price. The groom and the bride are not allowed to talk, and the bride actually isn't even involved. After hours , and sometimes days of deligation, a price is settled, and then a short ceremony takes place. For Mike and Faith, they will have a church wedding later this year, and it will be then that they go on there honeymoon.

They women all wore very colorful dresses, and because Mike couldn't afford a traditional gown, he wore a suit. In terms of dress, it was not what I was expecting. I was expecting something a little more.....................well traditional. Grass skirts and such. Those however are only worn, by people still living deep in the bush. Cassie was actually in the wedding, and had to participate by wearing a traditional dress, and then later having to carry beans in a basket on her head. She did really well and didn't drop anything.

It was a very long day, full of me and Carl taking hundreds of photos. Not sure how often I will be invited to a traditional african wedding, so I wanted lots of pictures to remember it by. A few things really stood out yesterday though. One was that Ugandan's are very beautiful, and happy people. They are also very generous and respectful. At one point a homeless man came up, who the community knows to have some mental health problems. Instead of shooing him away, they let him have a seat by the house and gave him a coke. Because of the wedding, there was lots of soda, and its not very often that people drink it, so it was a treat for everyone, especially him. Later after the family agreed on the bridal price, and the ceremony was done, we all sat under a tent and ate a delicious meal. We ate out of the nicest china bowls I've seen.....but we ate with our hands. I love it. I felt like a kid again. When we were done, there was lots of food left, and the family gave it to neighbors, and to a another homeless man who stumbled upon the party.

It just got me thinking about how many of us would allow someone who is "less then desireable" to be anywhere near a wedding, let alone invite then to share the meal. I don't think........ and I pray than I am right.........that I will ever be the same again.

Two months to go..........here's to making the most of them.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Stupid is, as stupid does!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well we lost power yesterday morning, and just got it back tonight. Yesterday was a lot of fun, and the older kids had there first full day of classes. After waiting for almost an hour for them to be done, the children were thrilled to see and ready to leave. They all wanted to ride a boda, and not walk, but they managed. Bill (the oldest) wouldn't hold my hand as we walked away from the school.....because he was too big. As soon as we were out of site and on the road walking back, he quickly changed his mind. Not dissimilar to the children back home. Wanting to show love and affection, but also want to look cool in front of their friends.

Today I was supposed to walk to pick them up again with Cassie.....however....I had a bit of an accident. I was cleaning up the area in which I do my "construction projects", and while picking up the area, decided to not put my knife down, and move stuff, but put it under my arm instead. Not my brightest moment. As soon as I pulled the plywood alond the railing, the knife slipped and of course feel on my foot and onto the one part of my sandals that doesn't cover my foot. Lots of bleeding insued as its a sharp knife, and Mama V being the mom she is, convinced me to go to the clinic. After a good cleaning and bandaging it stopped bleeding. They also gave me another tetnus shot, and some pain meds and an antibiotic. All costing around five bucks.

I have been running in the morning, but luckily I am heading to Kitkum in the morning with Auntie Cassie for Mike and Faith's traditional wedding. I won't be back until Sunday afternoon, so this will also be my last blog for a few days. This will keep me from running and the doctor said I can'r run for a bit anyway. I will try to post some pics soon. The connection is slow, which makes it pretty difficult, but I will do my best.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Things we should care about

Hello everyone,

Well when my computer crashed, I had just transfered most of my music off my ipod, and now I have Jon Foreman, and some podcasts. NTC, and Mosaic. Mosaic for the month of December did a series called "Beyond Us, things we should care about". I would highly recommend that you listen to it.

In one of his talks, Erwin McManus was explaining how some people don't feel the need to give to something across the world, or out of your there main site. He then went on to explain how poverty, hunger, and voilence are things that we all should care about. All human beings have an inclination to care, but for those of us who are Christ followers, we have a moral and ethical obligation to care.

Care about something bigger than yourself. Whether its across the world, or just across the room. The world is full of need, lets do what we can to meet it.


Love and miss you all,

Joe

Its February already?!

Hello Everyone,

Well its February..............hard to believe but it is. Doesn't seem like it when there is no snow, or ice, or good coffee at the Laramay's after pond hockey for that matter. Its been pretty warm lately, and today when the kids asked me to cut my hair, I really considered it. I am starting to realize why I have enjoyed not having long hair for the majority of the past thirteen years. Its easy to take care of, and its a lot cooler not having much hair. The beard(if you can call it one) isn't coming off, but if this heat keeps up the hair will.

Today the kids went to school, but the older ones came home early as the school doesn't have enough teachers yet. They start on Wednesday, but the younger ones all started at their schools. It was nice when they got back, and came in the gate screaming and jumping all over the staff. What a great group of kids. They are a lot of work at times, but they are also definitely worth it. Children really are a blessing, and I am honored to be able to have a few months to help influence these few.

I also just wanted to say thanks again for everyone at home following this blog, and more importantly for your support. I can feel your prayers everyday, and hope that this blog in some way helps you to feel a little more connected to what is going on here in Gulu.


Love and miss you all,

Joe

The power has come.

Hello Everyone,

We lost power yesterday, or as the children say....."The power has gone". We got the power back this afternoon, or as the children say....."The power has come". Water still isn't back to the showers yet, but its running outside which is good. That way we can fill the outside tank, and can still get clean. My feet will need to soak for a few hours at least when I get home to get all this dirt out of them. Then again, maybe it will just be a permanent reminder of my time here.

After Church, Auntie Cassie, Uncle Francis and I went for a long walk with the children. Auntie Cassie brought some disposable cameras, and lets the children take turns taking pictures of whatever they like while on these walks. It will be really interesting to see how they turn out, and its really amazing to see what interests them. The first few walks, all they wanted to take pictures of was goats, or cows, or the occasional dog. Now they take pictures of trees, people at the watering holes, or sometimes just random objects. They don't want to waste there turn, so they are very cautious of what they capture with the cameras. To be honest I don't know of many children who would go for a two and a half hour walk in this kind of heat. They did complain a bit...........but they're kids. Kids complain. They are all in bed an hopefully fast asleep as they have to be up early for school in the morning. I know I am pretty beat too.

The service today was about the parable of the mustard seed. A good parable, but to be honest I spent most of the time mulling over the idea of what we can do. I know that in an ealier post I mentioned that we can all do something for children. Not sure what we could do, but we should do something. Well today I couldn't help but to look around the service and think about all the new people there. People who had never been, or have only been coming for a little while. Nervous, shy, and unsure of what to think of the service and more importantly the people. Watoto does a pretty good job of making people feel welcome, and I began to think about what we do to do the same. We have greeters, and the connection center.......but what we sometimes lack is courage. Courage to step out of our comfort zones and actually walk across the church, to say hi to a face you haven't seen before. Sometimes the difference between someone coming back or not, is simply a heart felt hello and a hand shake or a hug.

I don't really know why this has been on my mind all day but it has. I know that its easy for me to say because I am halfway across the world and not having to muster the courage to say hello to a stranger. Don't get me wrong I love our church, and think that we have an amazing leadership team, incredible worship, and annointed teaching. I just think that we all have room to grow, and perhaps we should all make an effort to make sure that no one that steps through the doors of the church, leave without having someone at least someone saying hello.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Happy Birthday to the twins!!!

Today was a fairly normal day of playing soccer, and having the kids climb all over me. Followed by a walk to there school, so we know that way ourselves. It will be a fourty five minute walk or so for them each way. We will walk with them, and eventually they will be able to ride there bikes. We may boda them one way however, just to make it easier.

Tonight after dinner however, we celebrated the twin's (Gloria and Emanuel) seventh birthday. The two mama's and Auntie Cassie made a cake, and we gave them a coloring book, crayons, and a bible book each. Everyone really enjoyed the cake.

Afterwords, we all sang songs, and in fact they sortof learned the "stop and let me tell you".....song that Dave Converse taught me when I was there age. Man it brings back great memories. The middle words are a little messed up, but they got the jist of it.

Well sorry this is so short, but I have to run.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Wedding Bells?

Hello everyone,

I have some incredible news. No, I am not getting married ;)..........but I was invited to a traditional African wedding next weekend. In fact Auntie Cassie may be in the wedding, and I will help with the photography as much as I can. We will have to travel by bus for about four hours next friday, and return on sunday. Not completely sure what to expect, but really looking forward it.

I have been in, and been to a fairly large number of weddings, but I'm sure this one will be bar far the most interesting. Here in Uganda, when a christian couple wants to get married, they have two weddings. The traditional one, where they have to pay a bridal fee involving money, cattle, chickens and such. Later they will get married in a church in a more western style. Most often these don't occur on the same day because of the cost. In Mike and Faith's case, they will have the traditional one next weekend, and there "real" wedding in April, just after I leave.

That was by far one of the highlights of the day. The rest of the day consisted of soccer, being climbed on, and chasing the kids around the compound. I am a little bummed that the kids go back to school next week. Maybe the earlier wake up will get me out the door to either walk the kids to school, or go for a decent run more often.

I hope that you are all enjoying the wonderful winter weather. To be honest I am missing the cold and snow. Wishing I could be here, and still play hockey, and skate on the Rideau Canal. Oh well..........there is always next year.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

I need Africa more than Africa needs me

Today, Auntie Cassie and I had the day off. I started the day off with peanut butter on a piece of bread, and a banana. Then it was off for a nice run. The air is dusty, and smells of exhaust and burning garbage, but the sites were beautiful. Many of the locals laughed at me as I ran by, but I really enjoyed it. Then Cassie and I spent six hours walking around exploring Gulu. The sites we saw and the people we came across kept reminding me of a paragraph on a shirt I got from joining Mochaclub.org. It has been said that if someone said it best, don't try to say it again, so here is the paragraph inside my shirt. Check out http://www.mochaclub.org/ for more details.

When I think of Africa, the following images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Sex slaves. Orphans. From there, my thoughts naturally turn to how I can help, how I can make a difference. "I am needed here," I think. "They have so little, and I have so much." It's true, there are great tragedies playing out in Africa everyday. There is often a level of suffering here that is unimaginable until you have seen it, and even then it is difficult to believe. But what is even harder is reconciling the challenges that many Africans face with the joy I see in those same people. It's a joy that comes from somewhere I cannot fathom, not within the framework that has been my life to this day.
The images spilling out of my television showed circumstances that could seemingly only equal misery, and I was fooled. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. The truth is, in Africa I find hearts full of victory, indomitable spirits. In places where despair should thrive, instead I find adults dancing and singing, and children playing soccer with a ball crafted of tied up trash. Instead of payback, I find grace. Here, weekend getaways are not options to provide relief from the pains of daily life. Relationships and faith provide joy. Love is sovereign.
My new reality… I know now that my joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I'm ashamed by my lack of faith, but at the very same moment I am excited by my new pursuit. I'm forced to redefine the meaning of having much or having little. I'm uneasy with the prospect of change and of letting go, but just the thought of freedom is liberating. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart - I no longer want to need the "next thing" to have joy.
I'm not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me.

I couldn't have said it better.

Love and miss you all,

Joe

Liberation Day

Today is Liberation Day in Uganda, and to celebrate we played lots of games with the kids this afternoon. The morning was a typical one, of breakfast, then getting ready for the day. Staff devotions, then working on another set of storage shelves. It wasn't until after lunch that we started the "special" games. We had an egg race (only we used small rubber balls instead of eggs), three legged races, and then wheel barrow races. The kids (including some of the neighbor kids) and the staff really enjoyed it. In fact I think we enjoyed seeing the smiles it put on the kids faces more than anything.

Its hard to believe that they will be in school starting on Monday, so we only have a few more days with them all day before they start there new routine. It will be a lot easier to get some of my "construction" projects done, but it will be a little sad without them throughout the day. The three youngest ones will only be in school for half a day, so I'm sure I will have some very interested onlookers while I work.

Sorry Heather but the little lion boy didn't come over. He is still far to afraid that I might eat him or something. ;) I hope your prayers work though, and if so I will definitley send you a picture of him conquering his fear.

Oh, and my computer is not fixed, but thank God we have access to another computer for the rest of the time I am here. My OS is corrupted, and the Dell rep couldn't understand why I couldn't just use my disk and reinstall it, or try changing out the hard drive. Eventually he understood, and when he asked if there was anything he could do to enhance my Dell experience, I told him he could open a Dell center in Gulu. To which he of course laughed. I guess it just adds to the adventure right. This journey has been amazing so far, and I am anxiously awaiting to see what other surprises God has in store along the way.

Love and miss you all,

Joe