tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50937746279212357402024-03-04T21:42:33.565-08:00ccjinjajesseJessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-10398802973142579312014-02-17T21:14:00.000-08:002014-02-17T21:14:54.881-08:00Something Different On The Menu Of LifeSome people are adventurous, some are not. Some people like variety others do not. I'm somewhere in the middle. <br />
<br />
While I don't like whitewater rafting, I do like bungee jumping. They both are done here, on the same river. While I have no desire to be in a boat on the river it seems to make perfect sense to hang upside down from a rope 60 feet above that same river.<br />
<br />
While I don't live in the bush of Karamoja, I do live in Africa, a place I had never expected to end up when I was younger and unsaved. But it seems fairly normal now.<br />
<br />
When my friend Don brings over an empty tear gas canister that was used to disburse the crowd on the street below his apartment (which had nothing to do with him personally with the exception of his wife having to hide in the bathroom to escape the gas) I think, "Cool!"<br />
<br />
Or when a friend passing through town wants to cook a lizard, "No problem."<br />
<br />
So it came as no surprise last night when Ben came out with a plate of roasted meat and said "Bev, wants you to try this before it gets cold." It looked really good and tasted good too. Mystery meat! This was not our usual Monday night burger! <br />
<br />
What was it? Think of the song "Hakuna Matata" without the bigger animal. Poomba has come for supper. Yup, BEV'S newest favorite fast food restaurant is "Wartaburger!"<br />
<br />
The Christian life is this way.<br />
<br />
Putting all the foolishness aside, or more accurately putting it on, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." (I Corinthians 1:21 NKJV)<br />
<br />
You never know what is going to be on the menu of life each day. As Jesus told Nicodemus "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 NKJV) Following Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit is the best and greatest adventure you can have. Everyday is different even when it seems the same. There are always people to love, people share your faith with.<br />
<br />
Challenges can seem harrowing but whether you are on the rapids with the whitewater towering over your head or in a storm on the lake, Jesus is in the boat. Even hanging upside down over the river holding on to the seemingly thin rope of faith we live the adventure of following Jesus.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you don't know what the main course for dinner will be but I know it will be good. Jesus is just that way working all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. What will Jesus have in my life today? I wonder what's on the menu today? I don't know but I'm sure it will be deliciously exciting.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-72940125714558858502013-07-13T09:47:00.002-07:002013-07-13T09:47:13.393-07:00The Greatest Tool<br />
I love tools. I like to use them, I like to feel them in my hand. Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers all make me feel good.. Saws are a little bit different because if you don't take the proper time you end up cutting the wrong piece or cut the piece the wrong length. You have to really watch what you do with a saw. But other tools are much easier to use and the danger of misusing them is significantly less.<br />
<br />
Let me give you some examples. The hammer is a great tool. You can drive a nail with it .You can tap things into place or even beat things into place. The choice is yours according to the skill level you have. Of course you could use a rock but it just doesn't have the same balance as the hammer does or project the same aura of craftsmanship or power. Do you want to be Fred Flintstone, a rock pounder, or John Henry, a steel driving man. <br />
<br />
Screwdrivers are fun because they are so vesatile. You can pry with it or clean gradoo (crud that builds or collects on things) even tighten or loosen screws. The whole world of appliance repair is at your fingertips when you hold a screwdriver. Wives go crazy over a husband who can fix their blow dryer.(she doesn't need to know that you have no idea how you fixed it).<br />
<br />
Wrenches are great, too! Give a man a cheap wrench set and an hour to play with it and he can have your automobile reduced to a pile of nuts, bolts and strange, wonderous parts that do who knows what. Great advancements in scientific discovery have been brought aboutt from wrenches.The whole medical field of psyhcology began when Sigmund Freud dismanteled his wife's Buick. Working on the car's rearend he told her, "Vhat difference does it make? Now that it is taken apart we can't go back." Thus bringing about the term Freudian slip, or more precisely, Freudian nonslip differential.<br />
<br />
But seriously the greatest tool I have ever had in my hand is the word of God. It fits perfectly in my hand. It has great balance when used properly. It can gently tap and align the wayward soul back to Christ or beat into rubble those strongholds that stand against Him. It can cut to the heart of the most defiant sinner or cutoff the legs of the worst false teachers leaving them no place to stand.<br />
<br />
It can pry into the heart to uncover sin and then clean up all the crud that has accumulated in our lives. It can dismantle all the strongholds of the evil one and put us on the rock where our feet do not slip.When we carry and use God's word we are fully equipped to meet all the challenges and problems in life. No other tool can make this claim.<br />
<br />
How much would you pay for one tool that could handle every job, that is easy to use because it comes with a full set of instructions It even has a built in support line, the Holy Spirit! All you have to do is get a copy and read it. What is there that you can't love about this offer? Nothing.<br />
<br />
That is a tool I can love and use daily. Can you? <br />
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-47242891851848386522013-05-08T16:44:00.000-07:002013-05-08T16:44:57.777-07:00Finding Your PlaceI am jealous. I am jealous of my wife, Bev.<br />
<br />
We are flying from Reno to Greenville, S.C. and the look on her face explains it all. As we land in Dallas to change planes it is obvious that she has come home. Home to her is Texas. It doesn't matter where in Texas she just wants to be in Texas. I believe that if she was being robbed at gunpoint she would smile because she is in Texas. What is it about this state that makes it more than a location to those who were born here? As we passed from New Mexico airspace to the cloudy skies of Texas a serene smile slid across her face. She was home.<br />
<br />
We will not actually visit now but we will in a few weeks. But it is enough for her just to breathe the air at DFW airport as we pass through.<br />
<br />
I am jealous because there is no place like Texas in my life. I have places where I used to live and these places evoke strong memories but for Bev, Texas is more than memories. It is the future and the present all at one time. I think the closest I can come to this feeling is heaven.<br />
<br />
The idea of heaven intrigues me and occupies a big space in my mind. I have a future there and my citizenship is there. But to say that I know what it is like or what it will be like is too much for me to fathom.<br />
<br />
For the day will come when we will go there and see Jesus. We will worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now we need the Spirit to worship God but when the day comes we will know even as we are fully known. Then the smile on our faces will tell the story. We will have survived our temporal lives and arrived at the Holy city of God. I think that explains Bev's current smile.<br />
<br />
She can understand the idea of a perfect place. After all she is from Texas and for her that is as close to perfection as the earth gets.<br />
<br />
Now if they could just do something about the Dallas Cowboys.<br />
<br />
<br />Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-28880751384324207522013-04-22T03:29:00.002-07:002013-04-22T03:29:47.180-07:00The Red Eyed MonsterAhem, that red eyed monster would be me. Or that would be me with jet lag. What else would get someone out of bed at 3:00 am when that very person just wants to sleep? That's right the international, trans-time-zonal afflicter of sleeplessness, jet lag.<br />
<br />
My eyes are red, and puffy and I don't look good today. And there is good reason why this is happening. It is not noon as my body insists it is. It is early morning and I should be asleep but no, I am up wondering why I am up.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that there is an element of divine retribution. Many visitors to Jinja arrive in the same kind of condition that I am in. Unfortunately for them if they arrive on a Wednesday it means they will attend evening Bible study and I see them struggle to stay awake but they just can't do it. I get a laugh watching their faces contort trying not to yawn and I chuckle when their faces slowly slide into a vacant expression that can only indicate peaceful, bliss filled rest. And then I ask a question watching heads snap back as they try to appear awake but it is no use. They are out. The lights are on but nobody is home!<br />
<br />
I understand their problem better now. <br />
<br />
Once, having come back to the USA with a massive head cold and jet lag, the friends we were staying with took us to their favorite restaurant. I was wearing an old baggy gray sweater that had grease stains all over it, (it was the only warm clothing I had) and I got up to go to the rest room. Two little old ladies were just coming out of the women's side. They saw me, gasped, grabbed one another and backpedaled into the ladies room. I thought, "My that was strange." Normally I don't have that effect on little old ladies. I wondered what was up with them. I hadn't considered my looks as a factor. But peering into the mirror I saw just how bad I looked. Going back to my table I had to pass these two again. I decided to apologize for frightening them. Of course I didn't look any better and because of the massive head and chest cold when I spoke all than came out was a low raspy noise which sounded like Clint Eastwood saying, "Do you feel lucky? Do ya, punk?" and a cat fighting with a chainsaw. Their eyes grew wide with fear and they literally ran from the diner.<br />
<br />
Telling Bev what had happened she told me that I should probably save all greetings and subsequent apologies until after I had shaved, combed my hair and my eyes had least some white return to them. A very wise woman, she is.<br />
<br />
Now I just have to go wake her up and ask her for more advice. On second thought maybe I'll wait til morning.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-52774573655949141752013-04-14T03:18:00.001-07:002013-04-14T03:18:43.437-07:00An Excuse to LiveI was diagnosed with PD (Parkinson's disease) in December of 2005. At that time I struggled not to let my identity become "the missionary with PD." I thought it would be simple. I would just act as if the illness didn't exist. I put on a stoic face (that is a part of PD, the mask, which is a loss of facial expression). It seemed easy enough to do. But as time has gone on the stoic approach has turned out to be a bad idea. It gave me an excuse to hide. It gave me an excuse to get lazy and to stop caring for people. It gave me an excuse to quit.<br />
<br />
I imagine others feel this way. Any sort of chronic, debilitating disease can drain the life out of you. You start to look at what you have lost and forget about what you have. As symptoms get worse and you feel the effects more, the illness eats you up and you become the very thing that you swore you would not become.<br />
All the while you think everyone sees you are not the same. That you are crumbling into the dust. But that is far from the truth. Because we personally feel it we think everyone sees it. But it is only our badly distorted view of our lives.<br />
<br />
I write this not to get sympathy or attention but to encourage others and myself that if you look only at what has been taken away you will never see the good things the Lord Jesus has put in your life. I know. The depression I have had from PD is minor but I still have to battle it. It still looms like a dark storm in my rear view mirror from which the tornado can appear at any moment. It is exhausting to try to move forward when I am only looking back. My depression is much worse when my life seems to lie in the past and only struggle and death is ahead. I have come to the conclusion that this is nothing but my sinful nature rearing its ugly head. I start to grumble and complain like the Israelites in the desert who did not see the manna and quail for what it was, God's blessings. I overlook the good things God has given me just as the people of Israel did. It gives me an easy excuse to die. <br />
<br />
But God has given me the perfect excuse to live. Living life as joyfully as I can. It is a lot more satisfying than giving up. Why should I, or any of us, rob ourselves of our future and cling so desperately to the past? <br />
<br />
At a pastors and wives conference this past week, it dawned on me that God had somehow given me a relationship with all these families. They are reminders of the past when our friendships began but more so they remind of of the future. The chance to see them grow in Christ. See their infants become kids, then teenagers. They are now starting to have families themselves and God has given me a front row seat to their lives. Provided I don't decide to sit in the balcony. <br />
<br />
As Bev and I head to America for the first time in three years, I have been afraid of what I will find. Have we been gone too long? Why do I feel more like I am going on a short term mission trip? I am hearing the Lord tell me, "Be at peace." So I am getting excited about seeing family and friends again.<br />
<br />
"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33<br />
<br />
That is my excuse to live!<br />
<br />
<br />Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-73006791662109827812013-04-11T10:12:00.000-07:002013-04-11T10:12:07.068-07:00Down The DrainWhen I first came to Uganda I was very curious as to which way the water would spiral down the drain at the equator. I took it upon myself to test it when I had an opportunity. Since Bev and I only had a shower with no tub I had to do preliminary tests in the kitchen sink. These tests were inconclusive as every time I would attempt this experiment in physics one of the staff members would come in and ask what I was doing.<br />
<br />
I love the people here dearly but they really don't have a desire to perform sophisticated drain water spiral analysis as I do. They would walk up to me and ask what was wrong with the sink. "Nothing" I'd reply. To which their answer would always be, "Good, I was afraid you had broken it." (I've always had the suspicion that my wife had told them to say that.) I would then be forced to defend myself and humbly mention that I was the one who fixed everything around here. I can still see the smirk on Bev's face when J.B. slowly pointed at the six ongoing repair projects in the kitchen and said "Like those?" In my defense, those things would have eventually been fixed, if parts had been available.<br />
<br />
But finally after 6 months my opportunity came when Bev and I were asked to house sit for some friends. They had no shower, just a bath. So my first experiment in June of 1998 gave conclusive proof that at the summer solstice the water at the equator spirals the same direction as in America. Subsequent tests during the winter solstice showed the water spiraled the other direction. Further test on the spring and fall equinoxes showed that the water doesn't spiral at all but goes straight down the drain. I was so excited about these last findings that I immediately emailed my twin brother, Jim. I still remember his excited response, "You didn't break the tub did you?"<br />
<br />
But the most important thing I learned from this is to be happy that the sink drains or the toilet flushes at all.<br />
<br />
Homes in Uganda have three styles of toilet. The third world squat style which is little more than hole to a pipe with water in it. Effective but messy.<br />
<br />
The US style, which has the tank mounted on the back of the throne, is better. The problem with this style is the African siphon valve used to flush it. They don't work well and many times to flush it you must pump the handle continually until it flushes and then there is not enough water to finish the job or it never flushes and you pump the handle until the water is gone. At this point the water is over and you must wait to try your luck again once the tank is filled. If you try again too soon it will not flush and you have to try yet again. I believe the ancient library in Alexandria began as a restroom and had instructions on how to flush the toilet. This expanded in size with the addition of How-to-books on flushing until the library was formed or the thing finally worked. This tradition carries on today in most American homes.<br />
<br />
The third type is the two piece throne and tank. To function properly the tank must be precisely 105 millimeters above the throne. It never does because it never is. This style of loo is readily identifiable by the bucket of water next to the toilet. You just pour it in the bowl and your trouble is over. Plus it also works as a calendar, provided you watch which way the water goes down.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-42023095922219636162013-03-26T12:20:00.001-07:002013-03-26T12:20:50.409-07:00Is It Getting Darker... Or Is It Just Not As Light?As I grow older it seems that my eyes are not as good as they used to be. I can't run in the predawn darkness like I did ten years ago because I just can't see the potholes anymore. (Not to mention that I am completely out of shape.) The dark I referred to is physical darkness. The absence of light.<br />
<br />
Africa just seems to steal the light. Ask any newcomer to this continent about driving at night and they will insist that car headlights here are not as powerful as they are elsewhere. Unless of course they are aimed directly in your eyes. Then they are too bright!<br />
<br />
So my question now is, "Is it getting darker or is it just not as light?" This is a spiritual question not a physical one. Here is what I mean.<br />
<br />
Jesus told us "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Mt.5:14-16 <br />
<br />
So many of us come here from the western world and forget that we are to bring light. We are to chase the darkness away not make it darker. How do we "lights of the world" fail to do this? We live like the world does.<br />
<br />
When we come to a different culture we have to respect that culture's values except where those values conflict with the Bible. An example from here is drinking alcohol. Born again Christians are not allowed to drink. It just is not accepted here. It may be fine in Germany, England, USA or elsewhere but it is not here. When we do this, people see good works as bad works and the light turns to darkness.<br />
<br />Our style of dress can be the thing that steals our light. If a girl's clothing shows an overabundance of skin on the legs or chest even though it might be considered modest, stateside, no one will listen to her no matter how well she shares the gospel or glorifies God in other areas of her life.<br />
<br />
Obscene language is just as obscene here as there so leave it there or the darkness starts to encroach.<br />
<br />
But just as the car headlights in you eyes make it impossible to see, so our light can do the same to those in the dark. Public displays of affection are not approved here. The President said last week that if he kissed his wife in public he would never win an election.<br />
<br />
But we western Christians come and kiss in public and put hands where they don't belong and wonder why no one takes us seriously when we teach on sexual immorality. Our "enlightened" light then blinds those around us.<br />
<br />
Homosexuality is a case in point. The western governments are trying to force Africa to accept and ultimately embrace homosexuality. This is not just culturally wrong it is biblically wrong. The light goes completely out when we make the biblical error as well as the cultural error. Our western view of tolerance has made too many lights for Christ become dim and the darkness will fast overtake the light if we don't live in the light.<br />
<br />
Then Jesus said to them,"A little while longer the light is with you.Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going, While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."<br />
<br />
Is it getting darker or is it just not as light? Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-1413133040612814922013-03-25T00:35:00.000-07:002013-03-25T00:35:41.600-07:00What Defines Us? I was talking with a dear brother in Christ this week and our conversation ended up with a question. Where do we find our identity? What makes me, me? Unique to myself but still connected to the rest of mankind.<br />
<br />
One person might answer "I find myself in what I feel." The problem with this thought is that emotions and feelings are tricky things that can change like the weather. If I only find myself whenever I "feel" alive then my life would only be a series of emotional highs and lows and at the very bottom I may wish to give it all up. There is no guarantee that I'll ever have another emotional high so I might want to quit while I am ahead. Go out on top! But then life would be something of a high stakes craps game. But like the dice game, either a pair of ones, the lowest, or a pair of sixes, the highest, still put you out of the game. That forces us to live to the most average median number or emotional state. Hardly how we want to be defined, Mr. Average.<br />
<br />
Another man might say that what defines me is my work. Western men in general define themselves this way. I'm Bob-accountant. Phil-mechanic. Larry-cook. If our passion is our work, it starts well but when you cannot do what defines you anymore then why go on living. This is why so many men soon die after their retirement. They are totally lost without the definition of worth that work gives them.<br />
<br />
Still others find their definition in relationships. Marriage can bring definition. Bev and I once took a trip to Kenya and since she booked everything the name was under Beverly. So everyone we met called me Mr. Beaverly. That name stuck with me for five years! I don't mind being connected with my wife and I hope she feels the same. But will we only be described as, "He's the guy that has the great wife." "She's the one who has that quiet husband."<br />
<br />
Some find their definition in their physical ability, what I can do. I am a runner, a tennis player, a cripple, a Parkinson's patient or whatever else ails us. Too often we end up here. Defining our existence by the strength and abilities of our bodies. When we do this, degenerative diseases or cancer or whatever else we face becomes our label. It is constant struggle for me not to define myself by my disease. I am more than that.<br />
<br />
Some insist it is their reputation that defines them. How others see them. Sin or righteousness that will define us. "He is such an evil man." Or "Such a good man." This too has its drawbacks as the good man or evil man will often be labeled according to his latest act. Good or evil. By what standard do we measure it. Who of us is objective enough to apply the standard of good or evil, in a fair and timely manner?<br />
<br />
Is it our sin that defines us? Is it our drunkenness, our uncontrolled tongue. Is it our sexual immorality, whether heterosexual or homosexual, that says who we are? We must be more than the things that hold us in bondage. <br />
<br />
Of all the ways we can find ourselves the only true way is in Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God through His son Jesus is the only accurate definition we will ever have of ourselves. That is because of God's unchanging nature. The best definition we can have is "child of God". And we define ourselves not with pride <br />
but true humility.<br />
<br />
When we allow our lives to be defined by Jesus we now find our true worth. Ephesians 1:5 says we are adopted sons of Jesus, or through Jesus adopted as sons of God the Father. Here is where I am really defined. And this should be what is said about all of us. we are holy and blameless; redeemed by His blood; our sins forgiven, having wisdom and understanding, together with God under heaven.<br />
<br />
Now what defines me will not change. The immutable God has put His definition on me by means of His true son, Jesus. I am predestined to bring God glory. That is His will for my life and all men's lives. Living to know our Creator, our Savior, our God. Living to show Him holy, full of grace and love. Patient and abounding in love.<br />
<br />
What defines me? Not what I feel, not what I do, not who I married. My true definition is I am me because God loves me. What makes me, me is Jesus Christ in me. Any other answer misses God's purpose for why we were created. Find yourself today!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-49471204932803244432013-03-17T23:15:00.003-07:002013-03-17T23:15:54.682-07:00How Long Does It Take To Do Nothing? Bev was gone for two days with all the women staff teaching a women's seminar at one of the village churches. So being a caring husband with nothing to do I thought I would clean the house for her. But where to start? I decided to start with my desk. It is visible from every part of the house. That is, when it is visible. As of late it has been MIA (missing in action) or MUP (missing under paperwork). <br />
<br />
Now finding my desk was easy, I just backtracked the computer wires from the wall socket to the large pile of paper in the corner of the room. Sure enough there was a desk under the mound of paper. Realizing I needed a bigger trash can I left the desk and went to the back yard. Turning off the light reminded me that it needed a new bulb. So I put the cleaning project on hold for 15 minutes. Setting the step stool in place I removed the globe and bulb but the socket itself came out in pieces. This is to be expected since Uganda is the dumping ground for every cheap electrical, plumbing or automotive part in the world. I wisely keep spares on the "shelf".<br />
<br />
Other homes have the junk drawer, we have the "shelf". It is like the junk drawer but much larger and more disorganized. 35 minutes after my search began I found the spare socket. Of course the shelf was cleaner by the time I found what I was looking for. Now back to the light. Elasped time since the start: 55 minutes.<br />
<br />
Removing the two screws that hold the lamp fixture in place I discovered that the the fixture can't be removed since the mason had plastered it in place. So back to the shelf to get more tools then find a real ladder. I spent the next hour chipping and scraping away plaster so the fixture could come out. Then comes the discovery that even though the old and new parts were from the same company and bought at the same time from the same little guy at the market they are completely different. So now begins the modification process to make the new part fit. This process takes another hour. This isn't going as easily as expected. 2:45 into the desk cleaning/light bulb changing project, I have not finished one task yet.<br />
<br />
Finally with the light fixture repaired and in place I go back to the shelf to get a caulking gun to seal up the edge of the fixture. This must be done to keep out the geckos. Unfortunately the caulking gun explodes as I am testing it in the kitchen. Now with caulk everywhere I have to clean the kitchen but since my hands are covered with caulk I decide to wait because it would not be good for me to ruin Bev's kitchen towels with caulk while cleaning my desk. That of course is not quite the way it happened but that is how it would sound. <br />
<br />
So going back to the light, I finally get it all sealed up and working. Elapsed time 4:30. Then I clean the kitchen. If I am going to clean the kitchen I might as well do it right. So it is no surprise that ninety minutes later George finds me cleaning tomato sauce spots off the faces of friends whose pictures are hung on the refrigerator a little too close to the stove. I guess I will have to get new pictures since some of the faces now look like they are suffering from leprosy. Perhaps new pictures will replace the visual in my head of dear ones without noses and chins.<br />
<br />
After explaining to George how my morning and early afternoon went I get back to my desk and finish cleaning it. It is now 3:30pm. Eight hours and fifteen minutes after starting. The desk is clean, the kitchen is clean, the light in back of the house works.<br />
If I could only find where I put the trash can it would be a perfect day of doing nothing.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-13727304666281349852012-11-19T22:04:00.001-08:002012-11-19T22:04:14.638-08:00A Difficult SeasonThere are times and seasons in life as we learn in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." The last three months have been a difficult and dry season for me personally.<br />
<br />
While the ministry has been having a fruitful season I have struggled. On the July 31st Bev was shot at during an attempted armed robbery. God spared her life and only some bullet and glass fragments entered her eye. These are microscopic shards and the fear is that they will move and cause damage. She flew home to America and the doctors could only shake their heads in wonder and amazement that she has no real loss of eyesight. We praise our Lord, Jesus, who restores sight to the blind but also protects the sight of those who can see. Jesus is with us in all trials protecting us, guiding us and giving us strength to endure all situations.<br />
<br />
Not having Beverly here for 3 weeks was difficult. We have become such a team the last few years. She is always there to help and assist me that I can sometimes take her for granted. But she is now back and we are facing new challenges all the time.<br />
<br />
I am losing the ability converse with people. Things of daily interest just don't come to mind now. Where I have always been quiet it now takes an all out effort to enter into a conversation. I can teach but the ebb and flow while talking to a friend is not there.<br />
<br />
After the robbery attempt, trusting others and not looking at every stranger as an enemy or potential thug has caused strain in all of our relationships. Who can and do you trust? God is there but it is just harder to see Him in others!<br />
<br />
Sickness has made this a more trying time. In the last three months I have had two strong colds, a tough case of malaria and a bacterial infection in my lungs. Even as I write this the infection still refuses to heal. I am tired and weak and Bev is getting weary looking after me.<br />
<br />
But good things are there as well. George and Luan Fellman have come from the western side of the country to help with the Ministry. This is an answer to lots of prayers over many years. George can give me relief from some of my physical duties and Luan can take the strain off Bev.<br />
<br />
Isaac and Clea Wootton will join us in December and will take over the School of Ministry and some other duties. That takes away five hours of daily work. Connie Cross, Clea's mother will also be coming and help carry part of the load. All this is great. So what is the problem?<br />
<br />
I have become so focused on work, what I do, and how I serve the Lord that I have started to struggle with how to "Love the Lord your God." It now seems that if I can't serve the Lord to the exact measure that I did in the past, I have become worthless.<br />
<br />
Our clinic in Ogongora is struggling to make ends meet. The people want the services and medicines for free. Many would pay if they could, but they cannot. 70% of the monthly charges do get paid but it still leaves a hole. God has been more than faithful to supply but I don't want to take God's gracious provision and then say it is not enough. Therein lies the challenge. To trust God, to let God work according to His plan but also to follow Him and work according to the pattern He has shown us even when we are not sure of the provision.<br />
<br />
At the end of it all we endure the difficult seasons for we know that Jesus will get us through even if we do not know how. Psalm 27:13-14 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-3553751605748252652012-11-17T09:04:00.000-08:002012-11-17T09:04:57.122-08:00An Evening of Entertainment and SportI don't want to say that evenings in Uganda are boring but unless you go out every night you do run out of options. So we have developed a new sport. Geckoing.<br />
<br />
Origins of the Sport: <br />
Geckos live every where in Uganda. In anything enclosed, like a house, latrine, shed, roof, or box you'll find at least two geckos there. They are cute, fast, but very shy. They may run if you see them or they may freeze. They also poop on anything that is beneath them. This is the origin of Geckoing. My wife has had enough of their mess. Trying to get rid of them before they stain your ceiling, walls or furniture is the object of the sport. (While a large percentage of Ugandans wrongly think geckos are demonic, this has caused confusion between Geckoing and the sport of Dragonslaying. With these similarities one can see how confusion develops.) <br />
<br />
The Game<br />
Play begins just before supper time and may last for hours. With
the night, the geckos come out to feed on the insects that are always
buzzing around. The early moments of the game are spent analyzing the opponent. Does it run straight or zigzag? Is there hesitation in the throwing motion? Is he a sweeper or smacker? In the singles version the contestant takes a throw pillow from the furniture and tries to knock the gecko off the wall and down to the floor. Pillow size and weight are essential to minimize household damage. Then the player pounces on the gecko and if successful, the player throws it outside. The doubles version calls for a lanceman and a wrangler. The lanceman knocks the gecko to the ground with a stick or whip where the wrangler seizes it and throws it out. The winner is the player with the most geckos caught inside and tossed outside into the night.<br />
<br />
A Few Simple Rules <br />
1. You cannot kill or maim the gecko during the course of play. This immediately stops play. A lost tail may cause a delay in play but since tails grow back, no harm no foul!<br />
2.Spotlighting to immobilize the gecko is not allowed in eastern Uganda; however it is popular in the West.<br />
3. The gecko must be caught by the wrangler in their hand or a dust pan and put outside to score.<br />
4. While early in the sport's history, aerosols were used to slow the competition, now with the advent of both modern strategies and equipment these sprays are no longer used.<br />
<br />
As in all sports there is the risk of injury to competitors. The sport has been endorsed by both the Uganda Gecko Homeboard (UGH.ugh .co) and the Kilimanjaro Intellectual Outdoor Sideral Society (Kil-It-Out-side Society)<br />
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-43931459210072025902012-08-19T11:06:00.000-07:002012-08-20T11:15:55.367-07:00An African PassoverFriday at 3:00pm, right during the height of the Be Disciples youth conference, the storm hit. It took us all by surprise to say the least. It had been raining a little bit here but it seemed like the rainy season was about over. A couple of days of sun and heat had lulled us into a false sense of meteorological peace and security.<br />
<br />
With 260 youth on the compound all having a blessed time of learning and fellowship,who had time to look up? Then it started to drizzle. 90 seconds later the rain came for real. I hoped it would stop quickly but the storm had different plans. It rained even harder Then we remembered the tent. <br />
<br />
Our tent is an 80' by 20' tarp that has relatively few holes in it so it is worth saving. But without holes it has no way to release the water. I decided I'd better check. As was feared the tent had begun to resemble an above ground pool only this one was literally three to four feet above the ground. Since poking holes to let it drain was not an option, Faisal and I tried to lift the tent upwards to drain the water off the sides.<br />
<br />
Now I admit sometimes I'm not too bright and this was one of those times. Two hundred gallons of water weighs approximately the same as an early model Volkswagon bug fully loaded with twenty high schoolers of your choice. Pushing didn't work since we had to push it up about four feet.. The ropes would have to be untied. Only problem is you can't be under the tent to untie it. So out in the rain we go. The rain is coming harder, the water is getting heavier and the tent is hanging lower but we finally got it done. Faisal and I even managed to avoid being swept away in the flood from the now collapsing tent! People wonder why I don't go white water rafting. Why should I when the same amount of terror is right here at home?<br />
<br />
But the cool part is the African Passover. The winds were really howling during all this. We lost two trees on the compound and many in the neighborhood. The next day Patrick and Robert came and told me how it was just like we had read Wednesday night at bible study. Asking how, they said it was just like the Pasover. God protected his people in His house and His people's houses. Apparently the wind tore the roofs off the houses next to the ones the church rebuilt and the roof off the Ministry of Works building across the street. My friends were excited to tell the story of how God had spared them by passing over their houses.. All I could say was "Amen" to that!<br />
<br />
I do have to admit I'm not sure what to expect this week. It is Exodus 13-15 the parting of the Red Sea it should be very exciting and hopefully drier!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-1187670929449330202012-08-01T12:11:00.000-07:002012-08-01T12:11:45.810-07:00Armed Robbers!This is no joke! Yesterday four armed men forced Bev off the road as she was coming back from the bank. As she slowed down to turn into our compound a car cut her off and the thugs jumped out. We had seen two armed robberies in front of our house and we had prayed it would never be us. Today we can't say that. But today we give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that in the worst case scenario He is right there watching over us.<br />
<br />
As Bev saw the men she started to scream for help. Steven heard her and ran towards the gate and hollered for me to come. Reaching the street Stephen tried to keep the the driver from taking off and I ran over to see if Bev was okay. Then I saw a man holding an AK47 yelling for Bev to open the passenger door. At first I thought he was a security officer but then realized that he and the one with him were thieves and were planning to shoot Bev. I tried to pull her out of the car but couldn't since the robber had his gun pointed at her. I waved with my hands "Don't shoot, wait!" Then I started around the back of the car. Just then they fired a shot at Bev shattering the passenger window and spraying her with glass. <br />
<br />
I ran back to Bev and found her laying across the passenger seat. My heart sunk. Then I realized there was no blood and Bev sat up! This time she got out of the vehicle and we ran across the street into the compound. I told Kelli to lock the gate then get Bev inside. Then I ran back to check on Steven.<br />
<br />
The driver of the thieves' car had managed to get away so when they fired at Bev, Steven ran towards the car as the thieves ran off. Steven followed in pursuit. They fired two shoots at him but he keep after them. Finally coming close to them they turned around and headed back in Steven's direction then walked past him. Then Steven pelted one of them in the back of the head with a stone, knocking him to the ground. <br />
<br />
<br />
By this time Rogers, Davis, Joseph and I were spread out into the banana plantation<br />
looking for the thieves. Apparently the one with the gun abandoned his friend, who Steven had stoned, and jumped on a waiting motorcycle. The guys managed to catch and hold the bleeding thief who we locked in our compound. There were more minor injuries to our guys trying to keep the mob from killing him but they kept him until the police came.<br />
<br />
Two hours later after fetching the fingerprint man from his barracks and taking him back again Bev and I went to Central Police Station. We were led into an office to give our statements and there on the floor was the bleeding thief, giving his statement. Part of me wanted to go kick him in the head. Part of me wanted to know what drives a man like that.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I don't need to know. Perhaps I just need to remember that God is in control and trust Him to do His will. We are extremely thankful that God let none of us be severely injured or killed. He has been so gracious to us. Thank you Lord!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-16368919363474690252012-07-31T12:29:00.001-07:002012-07-31T12:29:21.341-07:00You Are The God Who Protects UsI thank you Father for protecting Bev's life and the lives of our staff today.<br />
<br />
Bev could have died when that gunshot shattered her window but You made the bullet divert through the roof of the car. <br />
<br />
Steven or Davis or Rogers or Joseph could have been shot and killed when they chased the robbers but You made them miss and none of us got shot. <br />
<br />
Thank you Lord for putting such a bond of love between us that my brothers would chase down two armed robbers in a dense banana plantation and capturing one because they had tried to harm Bev.<br />
<br />
God you are so good to us that we cannot say thank you enough. <br />
<br />
Lord thank you for giving me more time with my wife. <br />
<br />
You indeed are the God who saves. Thank you, thank you, thank you!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-91754821079821951012012-07-23T13:44:00.001-07:002012-07-23T13:44:51.315-07:00Building a Souler HeaterI've been sick for a week now, maybe malaria, maybe something else but it is annoying me! I've got a project to build. A solar water heater.<br />
<br />
With a design finally in place and a plan duct taped together, I am ready to go. But if I had tried to build it this past week I would have botched it. Fortunately as the illness delayed my start I began to see some design flaws. Places where I had cut corners or didn't consider what the design would lead to. So back to the drawing board.<br />
<br />
As an avid Do-it-yourselfer I enjoy my time planning projects but invariably when I think I know better than the experts I doom the project to either failure or very limited success. So this period of reconsidering and redrawing plans is beneficial but frustrating. I want to get the heater right the first time but I don't always want to take the proper steps. <br />
<br />
My desk is covered with ideas about things I want to build but don't take the time to get all the information I need. (I was going to include a picture of my desk but adding a picture to my blog is too technical for me.) I tend to get excited about a project for awhile then as it proves more difficult than I imagined, I lose my enthusiasm and many times the project dies in a heap of paper on my desk.<br />
<br />
But then I realized today that this is the story of my life. Not my physical life but my spiritual life. I read in God's word about what I can be and what God wants me to be and I get excited. I jump with both feet into a new commitment to improve a weak spiritual area in my life. Only to realize that it was not a simple as I thought. <br />
<br />
I start to cut corners and neglect to heed all of God's word. I look for the quick easy solution rather than going by the expert design and plans of my Creator. I start to think I can improve on the design of my life by doing-it-myself. But it doesn't get better only worse. But if I slow down and go back to His design I learn how to build my life, when to change my life, where to live my life and why God has given me this life.<br />
<br />
And as I am learning to slow down I am learning to meditate more on what Jesus is doing in my life. I look to and for Him more. Then I start to feel the warmth of His love for me. That is the souler heater I really need!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-29681740584526294352012-07-11T15:11:00.001-07:002012-07-11T15:11:53.239-07:00Don't Look At The First Man"Don't look at the first man but look at the one behind him." God had me speak these words to a young man in South Africa as he was preparing to plant a church. A group of us were praying for him and God put those words on my lips for him.<br />
<br />
I was reminded of this Tuesday as we were looking to interview for a new Laboratory assistant at the clinic in Ogongora. I had tried without success to reach our # 1 candidate from the previous year but his phone was never available. On the 6 hour drive to the clinic I kept trying his number only to get the recording that his phone was not available. One time it did ring but nobody answered so I prayed again for the Lord to put us in contact.<br />
<br />
Two and one half hours later when I arrive at the clinic my phone rings and it is the Lab Asst. I explain why I had called him and he agreed to come from Kumi to interview. Pastor Okello Stephen and I rejoice at God's answering our prayer. It was perfect! Or so it seemed at the time.<br />
<br />
Three hours later, when our prospective Assistant arrived he immediately informed us that he wanted three times what we could afford to pay him. And He also was just put on the shortlist for a better job in Soroti. He then declined to discuss anymore details and wanted to leave. Since I had agreed to pay his transport I reluctantly reached for my wallet.<br />
<br />
As I went to ask the boda, the motorcycle driver, how much he was going to charge us I noticed he was a middle aged man not like the young daredevils who typically drive bodas. He told me the price but then asked if he could have a minute of my time. "Sure, what can I do for you?"<br />
<br />
"Well my son is a lab asst. and I overheard that you are looking for one. Would you mind if I went and got him?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, by all means!"<br />
<br />
Thirty minutes later we were interviewing Ronald and he was promising. Are you born again? Yes. I asked how old he was- 23- good we wanted a young man. I asked if he was married but it wasn't likely at that age. He said he was married. Hey this guy is getting better all the time! But no children? Yes, my first born was born this morning! Wow! He wants a job close to home so much so that he leaves his wife in the hospital to interview with us. Next question, "How much would you want to get paid?" He gives a number and BINGO right on the dot to our budget. <br />
<br />
I am so excited I can hardly keep from hugging this guy! A final question pops into my head. "Is there any other medical work you can do?" He is trained to dispense drugs! The other staff person we needed to hire was someone who could dispense drugs. <br />
<br />
That is when I remember the words Jesus had put on my heart. "Don't look at the first man but look at the one behind him." The Lord made me realize that he was in control, not me. All my plans fail but His don't. And I could take no credit it was all the Lord's doing.<br />
<br />
I am also reminded that the first man Adam failed. But the second Adam, Jesus Christ has never failed! Look past man and see the One that God has sent for us. He is perfect for our lives no matter how many questions you ask!<br />Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-54727056992441446422012-06-25T02:43:00.000-07:002012-06-25T02:43:37.238-07:00The Pain and Joy of PrayerThis past week I was able to minister to others with a team from Believers World Outreach at two free clinics. I was challenged and blessed. My brother Jeremiah and I shared the gospel and prayed with all those standing in the queue waiting to be seen by the medical personnel. It was painful and joyful at the same time.<br />
<br />
The pain comes with praying for others one by one. To see so many sick, hurting and needy people makes the task seem hopeless. Thoughts of "How can I help these people?" overwhelm you. You see your own inadequacies and can even begin to wonder if God is listening. Am I qualified spiritually to intercede for all these? The answer is "Yes" and "Yes".<br />
<br />
"Yes" is the first answer that pops into your mind. God is listening! <br />
<br />
The next answer is "Yes" as well. I don't know these folks so how can I seek God's will on their behalf? The solution is simple, find common ground. Begin to relate to them as people and not a ministry. Ask them what hurts, what doesn't feel right, what do they need. Where does their hope lie? As you begin to get answers you now find the strength to pray. These are people who need God's help. So you now approach the throne of grace with confidence. This is not a vague prayer but it is a plea for Loyce and her bad back. It is a plea to our loving God for Beatrice and her dislocated wrist.<br />
<br />
The pain of feeling worthless is slowly replaced by joy. The more you talk with God the more you feel His presence. You pray more confidently knowing that God is listening and has chosen you to bring their needs to Him. And you get the peace in your heart that God has you right where He wants you doing just what He wants you to do! <br />
<br />
The hospital prayer ministry is more of the same. How do you pray fur a 58 year old woman who was hit by a car losing her left arm, both legs and is in a coma with a drain tube in her skull being treated by her daughter who lost her son in the same accident? All you know is that this wounded family needs Jesus' help, so you pray! By now you are confident that God is listening. Every word, every breath draws you closer to Him who saves and heals. Now the pain is fully turned to joy. The doubts are gone and the Holy Spirit causes us to go beyond words and pray in Him. Not in tongues but in heart with a passion that far exceeds our best verbal prayers. The family receives comfort and so do you. <br />
<br />
I have been humbled and blessed this week by praying for others. Take time to pray and you will be blessed too!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-8652099473768769662012-06-23T01:37:00.000-07:002012-06-23T01:56:18.676-07:00Flat Tire FolliesI am so tired of flat tires!<br />
<br />
A few weeks back Jo, Maddy, Asiimwe Grace and I went to the clinic in Ogongera to do some work. The day started well and we reached Mbale in good time. That 140 kilometer ride from Jinja is over some of the finest roadway in Uganda. However the next 105 kilometers to Soroti is over some of the worst roadway that this country has to offer.<br />
<br />
As we were leaving Mbale on the bad road the truck began to feel a little squirrelly. Just then I moved over to let a vehicle pass and he pointed to my tires so we stopped. Both rears were almost completely flat. Fortunately the Lord allowed this to happen in front of the last service station for the next 25 kilometers so we limped in and began the process of repairing the punctures. <br />
<br />
Two hours later with the spare in place and the two tire tubes patched we started again. Things went well for 50 kilometers until the spare, now on the right rear, went flat. <br />
<br />
The rack for the spare on the truck is under the bed of the pickup and it has a chain hoist that lowers the spare to the ground when you need it. At least it is designed to work that way. In my yard it works that way but on the road, especially in the dirt and mud it does not! It likes to stick, get jammed and fail right when it is the most inconvenient time. It seems that is the nature of anything associated with a flat tire. Maximum annoyance with a minimum of reliability. <br />
<br />
So now I am under the truck on my back trying to lift the tire up with one hand while using my shaky left hand to guide the chain. While doing this Grace is attempting to lower the chain with the handle. Too bad he can't remember which way to turn the handle, so he raises the spare back up getting my hand stuck between the bed and the tire. I carefully monitor my tone of voice and ask Grace to kindly turn it in the other direction. To an untrained bystander it may have sounded more like a growl or even a shout concerning the prospective lifespan of Grace at that particular moment depending on his next choice of action. To be exact I said, " If you value your life you'd better turn the handle the other way. NOW!" Grace does indeed have a strong value system when it comes to his longevity and down came the tire on my chest. The added pressure kept me from saying anything else that might have offended anyone. The hand stopped bleeding as the dirt encased and sealed up the wound. The rest of the tire change was a piece of cake. <br />
<br />
We bought a new tube in Soroti and proceeded to do our work at the clinic.<br />
<br />
Since then as you have read elsewhere we have had 8 more flat tires on various vehicles. But God is in control and teaching me to be more patient with others and not to put my expectations on them. I need to enjoy the ride He has me on. Even if the tires aren't round any more. I think Jesus wants me to know that where I'm going is important and so is when I get there. But not at the cost of forgetting where I am now and how I behave in the present in His presence.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-50227801812223441442012-06-23T00:13:00.000-07:002012-06-23T02:03:29.867-07:00Time to Wrap Some Things UpI have found that I love to blog. It is fun to share with others the things going on in Bev's and my life. But many times I get so busy that I never get to finish the story. So today I'll try to wrap some things up.<br />
<br />
How Long is Too Long To Wait? <br />
Well we finally got the Landcruiser back from Patel's shop on April 12th. The good news was that he had one of his mechanics bring it back to Jinja so another bus adventure was not needed. The Prado runs well and it seems to be relatively sound. Since it's return we have had to buy a new tire since Bev had a blowout traveling with Jo and Maddy. The least expensive tire for that vehicle costs $285 but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, in this case it would be a rubber bullet, and get the tire. Now the vehicle runs well but it doesn't look good. Here in Uganda village kids can't afford paper and pencils so in order to practice their penmanship they do what Fred would do (Fred Flintstone) and that is take a rock and scratch their name or message on the side of the car. The gray lettering of the primer makes a beautiful contrast with the black paint. Sort of like a reverse Etch-a-Sketch. Now if only I could pick up the car and shake it upside down to erase the messages! Oh well, maybe one of these kids will be famous some day and I can have an original Apollo or Patrick or Irene... <br />
<br />
The Trip of a Lifetime <br />
<br />
We had a blessed time in Israel and if the Lord allows us to go back sometime we would be blessed even more. We traveled to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, visited the site of the Sermon on the Mount, Capernaum, the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Western Wall, Mount of Olives. All this with 74 of our newest friends. These people made us feel right at home. Sometimes as a missionary you never fit in since you are not from where you are serving and no longer part of where you were from. But on this trip everybody was a fish out of water. Dave and Cindy, Mike and Hilda, Dave and Sue, Frank and Vicki, Greg and Delores, Bobby and Judy, John and Georgia, Skip and Lenya everyone made us feel a part of the body of Christ in a way that we hadn't felt in a while. <br />
<br />
After the tour left, Bev and I had two days to explore, so we rented a four door roller skate, and headed to Masada, the Dead Sea and Qumran. This car was so small that my feet on the control peddles also served as the front bumper. It ran well but we did have some problems. <br />
<br />
You can't rent a car on the Sabbath so we had to rent it Thursday to have it for Saturday and Sunday (Pentecost is a special Sabbath). The man at Hertz assured me that there was a jack and lug wrench under the spare donut tire. There wasn't! <br />
<br />
Saturday we had a flat at Qumran but all Hertz offices are closed on the Sabbath so they were of no help. Bev finally found a young Israeli who borrowed tools and helped us change the tire. He didn't speak English but we got it done. The day trip was fun, exciting and annoying all in one but we loved it! We also got to explore Jerusalem on our own which made the Bible really come alive. <br />
<br />
Sunday we drove to Tel Aviv, got lost a few more times but made it to our flight on time. A very blessed and exciting trip. Thank you Lord! And thanks to all His servants. <br />
<br />
That should bring us up to date!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-20669616017157534682012-06-05T12:41:00.003-07:002012-06-23T02:32:29.173-07:00What Do You Say?Saturday our day friend and longest attending church member, Lilian(she started attending our church under Pastor Jay in 1997) lost her husband David. <br />
<br />
Mourning here is a very visible practice and when we had brought David's body to his house in Loco literally hundreds of people gathered to weep and wail for David. We cleared out the house so the body could be viewed and then I left as the women began there wailing. This continued all night and started again when we put the body into the casket early Sunday morning. It grew to a crescendo as we loaded the body of the late and the family into the truck. Then I drove Lilian and her kids and David's two cousin brothers, his niece and his body 320 kilometers to David's family home in Kaberamaido. The trip was uneventful but because of the poor condition of the road it took us 7 1/2 hours to get there. It was a quiet ride but not too bad as the wailing stopped as soon as we left Loco. <br />
<br />
For the entire trip the 20 something niece never made a sound but as soon as we arrived at the family home she started to shriek and scream for her uncle. It was so sudden that it scared the daylights out of me. Then the thirty or so family members started in! <br />
<br />
I left to find a better route for the three bus loads of people who would come the next day from Jinja. I made it back to Soroti just after dark after finding a better route. <br />
<br />
When I went out to the truck in the morning I had a flat tire! Last trip to Soroti I had three. So I hoped it would not get multiplied and the day grow worse. But it did! Bev called me with the sad news that Katherine, David and Lilian's oldest daughter, two day old infant had died on the trip home from Fort Portal. So now double tragedy. <br />
<br />
I waited in town for Bev and the three buses to arrive. They got there at 12:15 and Bev climbed into the truck with me to show them the route. After about 5k I noticed the buses were falling back. Bev said they would catch up. Then we got the call, bus #2 had broken down. We went back loaded people on the two buses and put ten people in our pickup. Now we commenced again. Things went well until we got to the "shortcut" I had found. Apparently the road looks different at midday than it does in the evening. I took the wrong road! After 17 k where the fork was supposed to be and it wasn't I asked where Kaberamaido was. The old man said take this road to the left and you can't miss it. and we didn't. Now the burial was difficult but to not get us back to Jinja too late the family shortened the service and we left at 5:30. We took Lilian's kids with us and Katherine remained with her mom. Then the struggle to get home began. <br />
<br />
We stopped for fuel in Soroti and the rear tire looked low on pressure. We inflated it but needed to get on the road as lightning started crashing down around us. We had a large tarp so we covered the guys in the back and took off. 20 kilometers later the tire went flat. Thankfully it had stopped raining but we still had to change the tire. Sending the buses on we changed the tire in record time. We hoped that the tires would last until Mbale town. Three did but one didn't! <br />
<br />
So here we are, flat tire no spare, next to a small trading center that has no services. Fortunately we had caught up to the buses when the passengers stopped to relieve themselves. <br />
<br />
We sent Martin and Steven on the buses with the two flat tires to Mbale 15k ahead. By now it was 10:00pm. Seven men and my wife stuck under the full moon in the middle of nowhere. Four of the men decided to nap by the side of the road, laid out the tarp, crawled in and promptly went to sleep, looking like four dead accident victims to anyone passing by. Martin returned with one tire at 1:30am but Steven's motorcycle hire broke down on the way back with the other tire. Guess what the break down was? Yep, flat tire! <br />
<br />
We got Martin's tire on the truck, found Steven on the way, loaded up his tire and the motorcycle driver AND his motorcycle, and went to Mbale. Dumped the motorcycle and driver then prayed we could get to Jinja in one piece. We did! The last bit of adventure was when security police stopped us to see what was under the tarp. Imagine his surprise as he reaches for the tarp and five heads pop up! Praise the Lord that the police officer didn't shoot anyone and praise the Lord we got home by 5:00am.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-91076342721253376802012-05-31T10:37:00.000-07:002012-06-23T07:01:13.592-07:00More on the Trip of a LifetimeAfter a good night's rest we headed for more food! Breakfasts in Israel are either dairy or meat as kosher rules don't allow the two to be served together. The dairy consists of veggies of all kinds, a wide variety of cheeses, cereal, yoghurt, breads and fruit. No porridge or meats of any kind. In fact at one place we stayed, cheesecake was served at breakfast. I am not an expert on the dietary laws found in Scripture but I am very happy to report that cheesecake is a clean food and highly recommend it for breakfast. But be advised it does not fuel your body for long so have that second piece! <br />
<br />
We then got on the bus and headed to Caesarea. The ruins there were amazing. To stand where Paul was held for two years and to see the way Roman cities were designed was fascinating. Then we visited Mount Carmel and saw where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. On top of the mountain all of Israel could see the fire from the Lord come down and declare Him as the only God. Israel should have and did already know this but the world slowly turned them away from God. It is the same for us. The world gets us to look for other answers to our problems while deep in our hearts we know that Jesus is the solution to our problems. <br />
<br />
Leaving Carmel we crossed the Valley of Jezreel then climbed up to Nazareth. Nazareth over looks the valley we just crossed and on the Mount of Precipice you see so many biblical sites, Mt. Tabor where Deborah judged, Mt. Gilead where Gideon led his 300 men, Mt. Gilboa where King Saul fell on his sword. This is also thought to be the spot where the people tried to throw Jesus down the cliff after he read from the scroll of Isaiah. It is all right there! Pastor Skip brought the Word and we worshiped the Lord right in His childhood backyard. It left me thinking that I should learn this place for there will come a day when the army of the Lord will come here to defeat the armies of the world. I plan on being there on Jesus' side. <br />
<br />
Then we headed for the Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberias. It was a day when and a place where dreams came true. No! Not Iowa but Israel!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-86428606300375784022012-05-31T01:21:00.000-07:002012-06-23T07:04:57.142-07:00The Trip of a LifetimeShalom. Peace. That is in my heart today. Bev and I have just returned from a one week stay in Israel. The Lord blessed us by providing everything we needed for the trip of a lifetime. <br />
<br />
The weeks leading up to the trip were hectic to make sure everything would run smoothly here in Jinja. I say hectic, but there was no worry since all the ministries are well handled by Steven, Kelli and the rest of the staff. Bev and I also set aside time each day to discuss our upcoming trip so we would be sure to not let each other miss the things that were important to us. <br />
<br />
On the day of our departure we had another blessing. Pastor Aaron Mawanda from Kajjansi asked me to be the guest speaker at the graduation of the first class of the School of Ministry at Namalanda. It was such a blessing to speak to a group of young men that had been taught by someone we had trained at the SoM in Jinja. To see a third generation, over 100 kilometers away, springing forth from what Jesus has started in Jinja was an incredible thrill. <br />
<br />
We arrived in Israel at 4:00am and found a taxi that took us on a high speed ride to our hotel in Tel Aviv. The driver did not have to encourage us to put our seatbelts on. But since it was still dark we didn't care that we went too fast as there was nothing to see anyway. By 6:00am we were in bed trying to get caught up on sleep as we waited for the rest of our tour group to arrive that afternoon. <br />
<br />
They arrived around 5:00 and we started to get to know our tour mates. We had already bumped into Pastor Skip and Lenya Heitzig in the supermarket opposite our hotel so we knew what time the group would arrive. We got to welcome them as they got off the bus. And they came bearing gifts! Mike and Hilda Butcher brought my repaired hearing aid (thanks Vera and Keith Benevides), Dave and Sue Fischer brought batteries (sent by Dr. Jenny Carver) for the hearing aid which was good since yours truly forgot to bring some, and the Hilland's, Dave and Cindy, brought three pounds of witnessing coins in Luganda. They all did a great service for us (I like to think we did the same by giving them extra room in their luggage to bring home more mementos from Israel). <br />
<br />
We then had a great dinner in Joppa at the Old Man and the Sea restaurant. Too much food! But I personally showed great manners and upbringing by eating everything set before me! With the exception of the fish brain and eyes. It was quite interesting the way the fish was served. The fish was cut vertically lengthwise from nose to tail giving it a mirror image of both sides of the fish brains and all. It was like an inkblot image in a psychiatric test. Then it was back to the hotel to sleep and dream of the days to come!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-91196046858674724622012-04-02T11:48:00.003-07:002012-04-02T12:31:40.797-07:00How long is too long to wait?Well the bus ride was smooth enough. The nice thing about the buses here is that the seat backs are so high you can't see over them.This is good in that there are so many bus crashes that you really don't want to know what is coming at you. I had a window seat but still couldn't see anything ahead. But apparently the young girl next to me could from her aisle seat. The driver would start by rapidly blowing the horn then the girl would stiffen, grip the seat back in front of her let out a gasp and bury her head in her arm. I of course would start to pray and continue until the horn or gasping stopped. I admit that it was not the best way to travel but I enjoyed the time with the Lord and He got us safely to Jinja.<br /><br />I wish I could say the same thing about the car. I arrived back in Jinja one week ago but the Landcruiser is still sleeping in Mbale. I talk to it and the mechanic every day. Neither has much to say. But I still hope that the Prado will return.<br /><br />Today Bev, Kelli and I took a day of and went shooooopppppinggg in Kampala. It wasn't that long but just seemed it. Actually I am joking as we had a great time and made it back before dark. Now if only our car would come home.<br /><br />But all in all a week to be without a car is not too long. We recently got back a vehicle that had been in the shop for 4 1/2 years. No misprint there! Years! It was like a long lost family member coming home. Of course it has broken down three times since we got it back but it's like having you worst relative visit. When they first arrive you realize how much you like them and miss them then problems arise and you get a little tired of dealing with their problems. But when all is said and done you are happy that you welcomed them back. That's the way it is with the blue car.<br /><br />I wonder if Jesus has ever felt that way about us? No He has not! He died for us on the cross knowing full well what problem children we might later be. But He also knew that without His death we would have even greater problems. Eternal condemnation and no hope of changing this life for a better more righteous one. And He fixes what is wrong in our lives. He does not trade us in like a used car painted yellow with lemon written all over it. He takes the time to lovingly fine tune me and repair my body and make me whole, holy and pleasing in His sight.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-82451579281709127972012-03-28T00:29:00.004-07:002012-03-28T04:09:27.401-07:00Mbale Motorcycle MadnessSo there I sat. Don't get me wrong. If you are going to have a vehicle breakdown in Uganda there is probably no better place to have it than Mbale. <br /><br />Mbale sits at the base of Mt Elgon, which at 14,176 ft. makes it the second highest mountain in Uganda. Usually the mountain produces afternoon thunderstorms which help to keep the town from getting too hot. But the area has not had any appreciable rain since November. So it is hot. <br /><br />Mbale has lots of hotels and restaurants for the tourists. Lots of filling stations, parts stores, Asian supermarkets and such but there is not much to do. And when the hotel booted me out the door(checkout time 10:00am) I decided to walk to the shop about 5 miles away. I needed to go to the ATM (Mbale has at least six) to get money to pay for the repairs so walking seemed like a good pastime. Perhaps not my best idea.<br /><br />One of the drawbacks of walking in Uganda is motorcycles. They drive anywhere they want at any time they want. For someone who doesn't hear very well, a motorcycle driving on the wrong side of the road can hit you long before you hear it. These are small 125cc bikes that sound like a mosquito on steroids. Too high pitched for me to hear. As I walked to town I was brushed twice by these mosquito mounted maniacs, then verbally abused for having the audacity walk on the side of the road rather than in the road as the locals do. I always thought it was absolutely insane the way people here walk in the roadway. But with the pavement having more pot holes than the roadside the walkers stay in the center of the road and vehicles stay on the side. It always made sense as a driver; now I understood as a pedestrian as well.<br /><br />The bright side was as I walked through town I saw a prisons truck and I struck up a conversation with the driver. Peter told me he was the personal driver for the new Regional Prisons Commander. I found out that the R.P.C. is an old friend Kenneth who had served as O.C. of Kirinya Main Prison So I waited for Kenneth and we had a nice talk. It was actually his first day as the new R.P.C. so he insisted that I come to his office to sign the visitors' book. I did and we prayed together for his new assignment. A real blessing for me! <br /><br />Heading out again I found that all the ATMs in town were broken except one and it would only give me $20. So now I had to kill time until I could find a working machine. Two hours later with cash now in my pocket I started walking to the shop. <br /><br />By now it was truly hot. I considered a motorcycle but from the early brushes I still had a bit of an attitude, so I walked. Truth was I couldn't remember where Patel's shop was and I didn't think the boda driver would know, so I thought I'd walk and hoped I'd recognize it when I saw it. I didn't!<br /><br />Two hours later I gave up walking. I thought I had found it once but when I walked down the street it did not match what I remembered. I walked to the next main street where 20 bodas sat. How to choose? Simple, wave and the first guy there gets to take the mzungu. But since we all know that bazungu always have to pay more the competition was fierce. Six bikes fired up immediately and raced toward me. Five of the six crashed together and one survived. That is how and who I chose. <br /><br />He assured me that he knew Patel's place very well. After riding around for twenty minutes he ran out of fuel. So I paid him 2000 shillings and got on another boda. After much discussion and finger pointing we took off. After 10 minutes we asked a passing school boy. He said Patel's shop was at the end of this street. Going to the end of the street it was all looking vaguely familiar. Wait a minute, this is where I got on the first boda! And that's the shop across the street. And to think it only took me 35 minutes to get across the street by motorcycle.<br /><br />Now it is 4:00 pm the car doesn't run yet and Mr, Patel says "Let me take you to the bus. You go back to Jinja and I'll bring the car when it is fixed."<br /> <br />At least I'll be home tonight!Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093774627921235740.post-8698733503764384072012-03-26T11:16:00.001-07:002012-03-26T11:17:50.550-07:00How To Arrange a Meeting part twoAs I said we are still working on my getting back . But the good news is that everyone eventually got to where they were supposed to be. And God knew what he was doing when He killed our car. <br /><br />As Sam was leaving with Bev for Jinja she gave me a hug and said “Sorry about the car and leaving you here.” But I told her that God obviously wanted me to have the meetings and the only way He could get me to hear Him say “Stop” was to stop the car and He did!<br /><br />We towed the car to the Toyota dealer (don’t be too impressed) and after waiting for thirty minutes to push a car out from the gravel drive way we pushed ours through the gate. As I signed the form (now be impressed) the shop manager said “We will work on it straight away on Monday.” WHOA! Monday? I can’t wait until Monday! As we struggled to push the Landcruiser back up the gravel drive that it had so easily rolled down moments before, I briefly thought that Mbale would be a good place to spend the weekend. But pride won out over reason and we got the car towed to Mr. Patel’s. Who promptly told me he’d get to it first thing Monday morning. But this was obviously a much better garage because I didn’t have to sign a form to leave my car there.<br /><br />Going back to the inn, the lost travelers finally arrived from Kenya. They were so dirty and dusty I didn’t recognize them. After glancing at these filthy people coming up the drive I went the other way looking for the lost team. Then they hollered at me by name and I recognized them. Poor guys were exhausted but they had great tans only that it turned out to be dust. They looked much better but paler after they had showered. We agreed that the next morning we would meet for worship, the word and communion in the garden and off we went to our rooms.<br /><br />I got up early Sunday to prepare a message for our team and decided to check email. As yahoo came up it opened to Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead on a live webcast concert. I listened for 20 minutes and it was if my past had come back to life. As if the “Dead” had resurrected. Then that still small voice that comes only from the master said, “ I have resurrected but these have not. Where is the praise due me?” Off went the webcast. But then the Lord pointed out that the concert was called “The Bridge.” Jesus is the bridge between God and man. He has risen from the dead. And as we serve Him we too become the connections to the bridge that is Jesus Christ. That became the message that was shared from John 13. It actually was a very blessed time and I am ever thankful that God stopped me from going back to Jinja.<br /><br />I got to have great meetings with the KKAB team. It was a real blessing to hear their hearts for Jesus and their zeal for the work that they are called to do. So the meetings are over, the team has left but here I sit in Mbale with a smile on my face as I look at our dead Toyota. I’m trying to remind myself to listen and hear. I am blessed when I remember.Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492584874034660517noreply@blogger.com0