Sharing with FRCS

We are so grateful to Front Range Christian School for allowing our kiddos to share their own stories in each of their respective classrooms today.  They each did a wonderful job and earned an A+ in public speaking!  Jim and I continue to tell them that this move to Uganda is not only about daddy, but is all about their lives and the people they reach as well.  They are each so excited to go and serve in any way they can.  And needless to say, the Lord has already opened so many doors for them to be able to do so!    

(Bradley reading his story)

(Bradley's classmate surrounding us and praying for God's sovereignty and provision throughout.  Its overwhelmingly humbling when a 3rd grader lays hands on you and prays for God's will to be completed!) 

(Julia delivering her speech.)
I'm bummed that I didn't get photos of my sweet Allison delivering hers, but as you know, SHE ROCKED IT!

Under Contract

We are under contract on our home!  One more day in which the Lord is confirming our move.  We plan to close April 29th, then head to Mission Training International for the month of May.  This home has been another appointed blessing.  Each home in our story has been so significant, and this one is no different.  We are so thankful and ask for your prayers to close successfully.    

This was Allison's 10th bedroom in her sweet 12 years of life!

My Most Favorite

The best moment of my week was visiting with the director of Cherish Uganda.  He gave us a tour of their 80 acres in the center of a fishing village off the coast of Lake Victoria.   As we walked through, he shared with us their new health clinic (shown below designed by eMi), their school, and their housing for their 400 orphaned children, all HIV positive.  They have more plans to expand the school and update the employee housing, in which they will call upon eMi for help.  

He shared the story of how he arrived there from Austin and how Cherish Uganda began. I've told the story several times, but have not gotten all the facts straight (probably couldn't comprehend it all clearly through the tears in my eyes as I was listening).  Therefore, I would love for you to read it HERE  

As he continued, he looked straight at our team and said "thank you eMi."  "Without eMi we would not be nearly as effective in this small village.  This clinic has changed our ministry completely."  Yes, before the building was built, they were serving the poor, sick and lost, with a focus on children that are HIV positive.  However, now they were doing so completely equipped by our Savior's abundance of resources!

Cherish Uganda changed my perspective of eMi and why we are moving our family to over 7,000 miles away to serve the poorest of the poor.  When eMi changes a ministry's environment, we change their existence, impact, power, and sometimes expand their purpose.  When those serving on the "front lines" can be suited with the best of the best earthly armor, they can dive into the depths of pain and suffering, then rise to the top by God's grace!  Lives are touched, changed, healed, and opened to the Gospel of God's love and forgiveness.  eMi doesn't just build buildings, but they build lives.  

 

I will speak for Jim and say that meeting Hattie was his week's highlight.  Near mid-week we stopped by the eMi office where he was able to meet Hattie. She is a Ugandan native, born and raised.  She went to university there and studied architecture.  She is now employed by eMi and works in the office full-time. When the two of them sat in their office getting to know each other, Jim teared up, just as did she!  He told her that we've been praying for her and are really looking forward to working with her, discipling her, and mentoring her professionally and spiritually.  She then voiced that she has also been praying for him.  She can't wait for him to finally move there, as she desperately needs his help. We told her that we'll be there ASAP.  Its was actually hard leaving.  We wish we could be there tomorrow, just for her sake.  

I believe that Hattie is Jim's most motivating thread.  He lights up when talking about leading, discipling and growing up Ugandans in their specific discipline.  They are so willing and able and treasure work.  Its such an honor to come along side these precious people and lead them to their greatest potential at the foot of Christ.     

A Few Random Pics

Ugandan lunch after church on Sunday.  LOTS of starch!

 Superbowl Party at 2:30AM.  First time to have 

coffee at the Super Bowl rather than chips and dip.

 Church on Sunday at Calvary Chapel Entebbe.  Didn't hear much of the sermon, as we were so distracted by Lake Victoria and the amazing birds an fisherman behind the pastor. Uganda has over 1,000 different bird species!  I can't even put to word how creative God is! 

 Typical street scene 

 Made it to the zoo.  Kinda odd to go to a zoo in the middle of a country home to so many 

wonderful animals, but I have to say it was the best zoo visit EVER!  And yes, I road a camel.  No side-saddleing a camel.  

Quick pic of what we might be driving. A van, 

or at least something with high clearance. 

Good Shepherd's Fold

 We also stopped by Good Shepherd's Fold near Jinja, 

which is an orphanage and school.  eMi designed this pavilion.  

 We were blessed by their staff to enjoy a wonderful 

dinner with them and gracious tour of their property.  

 eMi also designed this home for the staff director.

This home was along the side of the road on the way back.  

This make-shift shack is more typical than not.

Our Stay in Jinja

Our 3 hr drive from Entebbe through Kampala to Jinja.  Beautiful forest part of the way, as well these rolling hills of tea were amazing.  We were able to have real "drive thru" experience on the road.  If you pull your car over for just a second, you will be swarmed with the whitest, sweetest smiles, asking you to buy their "Gonja" (grilled plantains).  And WOW!  Way better than a drive thru McDonalds window!

 

While in Jinja, we visited Amazima ("truth" in Lugandan) Ministries.  If you get a chance google Amazima!  Katie Davis's story of the Lord's work through her life is absolutely remarkable.  I encourage you guys to read Kisses With Katie, a book she released in 2011. Anyway, eMi has designed and is managing the construction of a 65 acre campus, complete with a boarding school for 700 Ugandan children.

These last two pics were taken where we stayed on the Nile River.  Unbelievable. 

Our First Stop in Uganda

 We had an amazing trip that was more than confirming!  We took over 400 photos, so here are just a few to catch you up.  

Entebbe Vine Inn.  It was like a B&B here in the states.  Such a great place!  

Our Team!  Jeff, on the far right, was our guide for the entire week.  He is on staff with eMi and has lived in Kampala for over 4 years.  Very knowledgeable and such a gracious host! 

This is a quick shot of Entebbe, where the international airport is.  You can see Lake Victoria in the background.  The second largest freshwater lake in the world.  Beautiful!

This little guy confirmed the Lord's presence in my week personally.  If you know me, I'm not a fan of any type of amphibian...ANY.  So as we were having morning devotional outside under the wonderful gazebo, God's little creature paid us a visit....and I didn't freak out!  I know it may be a minor thing for some of you, but when the Lord makes a MAJOR thing in our life minor, its a big deal!

This is Enid. She served us a stellar breakfast every morning!  Veggie omelet, toast w/jam, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and juice. Scrumdidilyumcious!

Staff Orientation/Training

Jim and I had an incredibly fruitful week at Staff Orientation/ Training at a conference center just north of Colorado Springs.  There was about 40 people in training total, 10 future staff and 30 interns (interns volunteer for 6mo-1yr, in every office all over the world, and are most often in college or just out).

Next will be our "exploratory" trip to Uganda.  We leave Tuesday for 10 days.  Once home, we'll be preparing the house to sell and pack for our month at MTI (Missionary Training International).  We will be staying at MTI, full room and board, on campus for the entire month of May.  

That's it for now.  Its hard to plan too far in advance, but just wanted to give an update as for what we have planned.  We studied Proverbs 16:9 yesterday in our family devotional which says "A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."  This verse is a constant thread to our daily walk.  Our year ahead is so unpredictable, yet we are called to 'plan our way.'  We'll do our best, as we turn it over to the Man upstairs :-)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Its official!  We are moving to Kampala, Uganda.  Jim and I had our final interview with eMi (Engineering Ministries International).  After Jim went on his third project trip to Uganda this past September (the first two were to Haiti), we began the application process for a full-time staff position.  Last month, we were able to meet with the Colorado Springs staff and tour their office.  During this meeting, it was agreed upon that our family would be a good fit for the eMi East Africa Office in Kampala.  Jim will be the Design Manager, leading and discipling the design team and other staff architects and interns in this office.  More so, we will be listening, learning, and observing A LOT, as we adjust to Ugandan life and culture.       

We are so very excited and feel incredibly honored to embrace this opportunity.  The Lord has lead us through an interesting, but wonderfully rewarding year and believe that this move is the culmination of it all.  The Spirit has broken our hearts and charged us to share hope with the poorest of the poor, while using architecture as the vehicle.  

Before we leave, our family will be deep in much preparation and training.  Jim and I will be attending an eMi staff training in Colorado Springs mid-January.  We will also take a trip to Kampala (just Jim and I) in February to gather a better lay of the land.   As well, our entire family, including the kids, will attend a month long training with MTI (Missionary Training International) based out of Monument, CO.  We are looking forward to these next few months as we grow and learn.  

Needless to say, "when" is a difficult question with all the preparation and training that lies before us.    So, for now, I just want to encourage you to pray for us, ask us questions and research along with us.  I've set up a few website links for you to check out in the right-hand sidebar.  As well, I'm taking up Facebook again along with this blog to better communicate with those partnering with us.  We will be using the two to communicate more regularly with you.  Connectivity and fellowship is vital for us as we move through this process.  If you are aware of this blog, then you are our family!  You are imperative to this commission laid upon us, that is the Great Commission laid upon us ALL.  We thank you for your prayers and friendship.  Know that we love you all, and could never do this without you. 

    

A few pics of the new eMi office in just outside of Kampala.  Its between Entebbe and Kampala.  The staff just moved into the new office in September.  They were previously renting office space closer in the city of Kampala.  The new office is shared with MAF ( Mission Aviators Fellowship).  Its on 60+ acres that includes an airstrip and hanger.  eMi is on the second floor, while MAF is on the ground floor.  

These are just a few shots of average streets and neighborhoods. 

This last shot is of the downtown skyline.  

Kampala is in a beautiful setting on the shoreline of Lake Victoria.  Its on the equator and sits at about 4,000 ft above sea level.  Despite its lush vegetation and exotic animals, it is home to extensive poverty.  

Summer Sum Up

 Last trip to Arrowhead with sweet family friends

 Jim races in the HR mountain bike race series

Finished up in Grand Lake with Nana & Poppy.