Monday, March 29, 2010

Highlights of the week and the wave

Please check this location next week for more highlights!

What do you say when you can't remember the past week? We had a visit from Denny which was great but as always too short. Denny always brings a lot of wisdom with him so I enjoy the opportunity to sit and visit (or whine) for a while. Denny is very patient and lets me go on and on for as long as it takes or 15 minutes, whichever comes first. It is nice to bounce ideas off someone not always on site to get perspective. Its kind of like wearing someone elses glasses and taking infield practice. You think you see the ball clearly but then it hits you right between the eyes. Anyway, thanks Denny!

Jordan has also come out from New Mexico. Great guy from what I can see! (no I'm not still wearing Denny's glasses) He'll be working a while in Moroto with Noah helping run some Proclaimer listening groups. The Proclaimer is a solar/handcrank/electric gadget from Faith Comes by Hearing/Hosanna that has the bible prerecorded in Karamijong. Listening groups are set up in various trading centers so an oral society can listen to God's word in their native tongue. Works really well. Just have to have people monitoring the groups and answering questions. Jordan stayed with us last week but went to Moroto(he arrived safely) today.

Had a wonderful Wednesday evening Bible Study 1 Thessalonians 2.

JB and I finished teaching church history Thursday and Steven is now teaching Apologetics. With the exception of last year's class this has been the most interested class for Church History.

Thursday I was down with malaria but we had a good elders' meeting anyway.

On Friday Jordan, Pastor Apollo and I went to Tororo to conduct business. Selling a piece of land where a church once was. The church was shut down due to the lack of a pastor. What was supposed to take two hours took eight and on the way home the truck's alternator died. So we were racing to beat the darkness back to Jinja so we wouldn't have to use headlights which, minus the charging system, were dim at best. We almost made it but the darkness caught us about 15 minutes from home. So we groped our way home (Hey, lots of trucks here don't have lights at all) and dealt with the beast the next day. I wish I could say we buried it on a nice hillside overlooking a freeway. But no! We fixed it and it lives on. Actually I love that truck. But then I love root canals too. And like my teeth I just get one fixed and another one goes bad, so we get one thing fixed on the truck and something else goes out.

Saturday was sermon prep day and Sunday was delivery day. The radio program would have been better except for the medicine. I don't take my 6:00 am meds until after the 6:30-7:00 program or else I fall asleep in the middle of the program. Not a problem if you are listening but a big problem when you're the one speaking! Well not only did I not take the morning meds but I was so tired the night before that I forgot to take my bedtime meds. So as I'm trying to teach on the radio my hand is shaking so much I look like a waving Rose Bowl Parade queen (elbow-elbow, wrist-wrist) after an all nighter at Starbucks with her hand caught in a paint shaker. It got so bad that I had to sit on my hands and then almost threw myself out of the chair twice! Other than being laughed at by the radio man because my voice was shaking as fast as my hand, it went well. And that middle part I don't remember it much.

But it really was a good week and the Kajjansi Women's Conference was a great blessing. Bev, Jo, and our 5 Ugandan staff ladies, all teaching and sharing. But two days without Bev is too much! Next time I'll go too. Now that I've got the wave down.

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Serious side of malaria

But seriously, malaria is nothing to laugh at. When the parasites get into your blood they attack the red blood cells. When the parasites reproduce they explode the red blood cells. This causes many of the symptoms: aching joints, headache, fatigue etc. The overall weakness and fatigue makes the desire to go and get treatment be replaced by the desire to sleep and rest. This gives malaria the opportunity to get the upper hand on the system. The fever comes as the body battles against the increase in parasites. So you get this cycle of fever spikes which get closer together as more and more parasites breed and the body gets too weak to fight.

Malaria takes it greatest toll on kids. They are fine, running around and playing and then in a matter of a couple of hours they are on death’s door. They lie down to nap or go to sleep at night and then they are too sick to get up. If you live in the village where there is no transport how do you get a sick 2-5 year old someplace for treatment. Most villagers can’t afford the frontline medicines that I get to take. So they give their child chloroquine or fansidar which are now less then 20% and 40 % effective. And the child worsens until it has to go to a hospital or clinic for intravenous treatment with quinine.

It is malaria’s ability to resist drugs that makes this disease the number one killer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Parents can’t afford the proper medicine let alone a blood test to confirm that it is malaria so at any sign of fever the malaria medicine that is cheapest or most easily available is given, usually in less than full dosage and that builds the drug resistance in the parasites. The government here tries it’s best to keep effective medicines in stock but it takes so much of its funding that it can’t possibly keep up.

Malaria also mimics many others diseases and often gets ignored as a cold or flu until it gets too advanced to treat and cure easily. That is why many doctors take the position treat for malaria first then, if there is no response, treat for another disease. This also leads to drug resistant strains of malaria.

It is estimated that 95% of malaria can be prevented by sleeping under a mosquito net. But getting nets out to the rural people is not easy. When the government can give away nets many sell the nets to get income for other needs.

It all needs God’s intervention. He is where our hope lies. He is the healer and divine planner. Pray for the kids of Africa. Pray that God’s mighty hand of protection will cause malaria to end. Pray for medicines that are effective and cheap. Pray for a vaccine. Pray for good officials to distribute what God provides. Our hope is in Jesus. He is the answer to all our prayers.

I Got I!

Yep, I got it! Malaria, again. What a strange disease. You feel fine and then the wheels fall off.
Headache, backache, extreme fatigue, bad stomach, fevers that come and go plus anything else you can think of. All rolled into one little mosquito bite. Pesky little guys those mosquitoes (pronounced mos-kwee-toes). They live under my desk and attack my ankles at night when I work on the computer. I get bitten all the time but nothing usually happens. Then they invite one of their out of town malaria parasite covered relatives over to feast on the leg of muzungu being served under the desk and there you go, you got it.

It's not too bad this time, I caught it early and Bev has given me a new drug. It's a one day course of pills. Eight at one shot rather than over a couple of days. Its easy but you just don't know how it's going to hit you, the medicine that is. Malaria has the unique ability to make you sicker while you get better. It's because the illness is caused by parasites that are reproducing in your blood. As the parasite count grows your symptoms get worse. Then you take the medicine and kill the parasites and you feel better. But that poison in your system that killed the parasites tends to make you feel as miserable as those nasty invaders did. So you're sick from the medicine. And now your blood is full of poison as well as the bodies of all the little dead malaria bad guys. They make you feel just as bad when they are dead as when they were alive. But eventually the system gets rid of them all and you're back to normal. Or as close to normal as you personally might be.

Martin had malaria Saturday, Steven got it yesterday and I got it today. Tune in tomorrow to find out who the next contestant will be on "I got it but you can have it!" Meet you under the desk.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Church History- A Time to Nap

I'm having fun this week teaching church history to the School of Ministry. We are going into our final three weeks so we are doubling up classes but that is easier said than done. Trying to find one or two hours in the afternoon is difficult. We scheduled this afternoon for 3:30 because we had an insurance guy coming to sell us some health insurance at 2:00. Which is good timing allowing me to take a nap for 20 minutes before he arrives. But he called at 1:45 to say he'd be late so we changed class to 2:00. There goes my nap!

Now typically 2:00 is a bad time for me as food shock from lunch makes me tired (no, eating less isn't an option) and then I take my afternoon medicine at 2:00 and it makes me very tired. But since it was the only time available, off I went to round up the students.

This was easy to do as apparently a morning class of three hours of church history makes them extremely tired! They were all sound asleep in their bunks. Except for Joseph who was studying out on the lawn swing. I left the others in their bunks to go inform Joseph of the schedule change. As I walked over I realized that he wasn't studying at all but was sound asleep in his history notes. I gently woke him up ( he really did hit the ground softly) and he soon was in class with the others who had by this time awakened after someone had apparently slammed their dorm room door a few times.

Class begins and we're looking at Martin Luther and and the birth of the reformation and things are going well but then my meds begin to kick in. They don't just make me tired they make me forgetful. As in, what was the point of my story. I have literally forgotten what I was saying in midsentence and have had to ask people what my point was. I've even been told that when I tell a story I should try to have a point. (that is not a good statement if you want a passing mark in Church History) Then the uncontrolable yawning starts and class is over. No point in fighting a losing battle. But we did get an hour and twenty five minutes in. Now I'm going to take a nap.

But as I head back to the house I see an old friend, Blind Grace, waiting for me at the hut and one of our street kids is sitting with him.. Grace always asks for water when he comes so I decide to get it first and then go greet. It was a good idea but for some reason this past week I havn't been able to hold on to the plastic cups we use. It was no better this this time. I get some nice cold water ( it was very hot today) and go to greet Grace. I get all the way to the hut and I realize Grace is sound asleep! Why is it everybody else gets to nap except me? As I approach him the plastic cup slips from my hand I reach for it and almost get it but not quite . Just at that instant Grace wakes up but being blind he doesn't see the deluge of water coming his way. Bosco the street kid is staring at me wide eyed at the thought that I would be so mean to Grace. I never saw Bosco or anyone else run out the gate so fast.

I must admit Grace took it well enough. He had come to see me because he had a toothache and wanted some panadol so I went to get it and some more water which Grace very kindly asked if he could have in a cup this time. I told him sure and then the insurance guy showed up. There goes my nap again. I got Grace taken care of sent him on his way and proceeded to the insurance meeting.

I have just found the greatest time to nap! I used to think it was Saturday afternoon watching professional bowling on tv but an insurance sales pitch on a hot day in Uganda beats the PBA by miles. I woke up fully rested and fully insured! And the rest is history.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Newton and Ministry

I've been reading a biography of Newton, John not Isaac. John Newton is the man who wrote "Amazing Grace", Isaac wrote about "amazing gravity".

John Newton had gone to Africa to be a slave trader and became a slave to the man who was supposed to be his partner. For the better part of 18 months he was chained to a shallow riverboat and fed scraps to eat. It was only by God's grace, shown through other slaves who gave him food secretly that he survived. When he was freed he headed back to England and during a severe storm that was breaking up the ship he had a conversion experience. Nineteen years later he wrote "Amazing Grace". But He continued in the slave trade for six more years as a slave ship captain. Then became a pastor in the Church of England.

I am astounded by the idea that after being a slave himself he continued in the work of the slave trade. My mind says "How could he?" But at the time slavery was a part of normal society. God was indeed changing Newton's life but sometimes He brings slow changes that take time to fully develop in us to be the people He wants us to be. Newton had to see and understand the glory and righteousness of God more fully before God used him to help abolish the slave trade.

Many of us follow Christ but then get right back into the sinful mess we had left, just like John Newton. We don't see the evils in our society because God has to show us His righteousness first so we can see the unrighteousness of the world. But we can never stop seeking His righteousness. And He will never stop turning our hearts to him.

What is it we allow today that 100 years from now will be condemned by the Holy One? What are we blinded by in our world that we are content with but our grandkids will condemn. Brideprice? Immorality? Corruption? Is it the sinful things we allow into our homes as entertainment? What will we look back on at the end of all things and say, "Why didn't I see how this looks to God? How could I have not known this offended our Lord?"

Are we too comfortable with this world so that we cannot change it? Are we too content with the status quo to speak against or even see the evil that is there?

I pray that Jesus lets us see what is offensive to the Father in our world today by showing us what real righteousness is. The apostle Phillip said "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." To which Jesus replied,"Don't you know me, Phillip even after I have been among you such a long time." Let us know Jesus so well that we know what breaks our Father's heart. Let us put an end to those things. Let us be ahead of our time by knowing the eternal God.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Working for the women

What is the difference between success and disaster, triumphant victory and utter defeat? Sometimes its all just a matter of timing. Yesterday was women's day. JB, Martin and I have, the past couple of years, cooked for our wives on women's day. So JB suggested we do the same but this year we also got Steven, Don and Joseph to join us too. With this many cooks we figured to take the endeavor to a new level and cook for all the women on the compound. Six fearless strong men going where no man has gone before, the kitchen.

JB and I decided on the menu and JB was appointed to purchase the food. Good plan, bad timing! Women's day is a holiday. The market was closed! No problem you can always buy from street vendors and even save some money! Good plan, bad timing! The rains began last week and street vendors don't sell in the rain so JB had to search to find the food. What should have been a 45 minute trip took 3 hours but the man got it done! (I don't want to hear how a woman would have planned ahead, we got it done).

Now we 6 brave men descend upon the kitchen with the confidence that comes from watching people (women) cook for years and assuming it is as easy as it looks. The phrase "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" came to mind as we all had full ideas on what to do but only half a clue on how to do it. JB started cutting meat, Don-chickens, Joseph-carrots, Steven-onions, Martin-rice and I was the Head Man (I got to shred two heads of cabbage). We were a well oiled machine, each wearing a nice apron, and in no time we had food everywhere. I did learn that you need a really big pot for two shredded cabbage heads. Good enough I missed the pot about half the time so actually for two heads a one head pot will do. Irege was supervising
and almost gave himself an injury when he slipped in the puddle of tears that Steven had shed chopping onions. Don with JB and Martin did a superb job on the meat and poultry. I still wonder how that other 1/2 chicken got away. All we had to do was cook it all.

Now the team spread out. Some in our kitchen, some in JB's, and some in the cooking hut. Again we were so efficient that I went and did some counseling, Steven went and did some repair work.
We all came back about 6:00 pm and started setting up for dinner. By seven we were ready and all 43 people had a wonderful meal. Especially if you llike your rice slightly scorched or your posho Cajun style(blackened)All my fault.

We served the women first then the female kids then the male kids and finally the men. Then the men even did the clean up. Dishes were finished by 8:15 and women's day was over. Now I can rest up for next year!

Note: No persons were injured in the making of this event but some aviary and bovine helpers were lost. One person was injured but not during the celebration.(broken bones mend) Thanks to Ryan as advisor to the culinary portion of the day.

Thank you Father for the wondeful blessing of wives, sisters and daughters!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Sting of Death

William, our newest member of the elder board, lost his father today. He had been sick for a number of years and he passed away this afternoon. He was a believer in Jesus Christ and a great many people are expected at his burial. The problem is he died in Lugazi and he is to be buried in the north past Arua. This is an all night trip as he is to be buried tomorrow due to the lack of embalming. Someone has donated a truck and the church is helping with petrol. There will probably be 50 people on that truck as the man's entire village wants to go. That's the way it is here. The two most expensive things to do here are to die or get married. Of course it is better if you reverse the order! Families go into deep debt as they are expected to provide food for whoever shows up. For a week! But it is a sign of great respect and honor to have so many people so families do it gladly. Richard who is JB's assistant and Ryan's replacement is going to represent our church as it would look bad to the people for no one from his son's church to be there. We would send more but it will be a two day trip and most people can't be gone that long.

Ryan also lost his Grandfather today. It is tough on the mission field when your family member dies back home. Ryan is taking it well but can't get home for the burial so it bothers him that he can't comfort his family in person. That is one of the decisions that missionaries make when they leave home. But that doesn't make it any easier to not be there. Pray for Ryan that he will be able to console his family from a distance.

Death happens to all of us but it is when our loved ones die not knowing Jesus that we hurt the most. Don't miss the opportunities to share the reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Take away the sting of death by sharing God's gift of life in Jesus.

May God bless you and keep you until we see each other again and keep praying for the lost of the world and in our families.