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