Today’s student perspective comes from Jake:

Time slows down in Africa. Emmy D comes to pick us up at least 45 minutes later than the agreed upon time every day, if we are lucky. Some of the Type A’s around here are annoyed at least somewhat by this, however, when you take a step back, it is quite refreshing.

Rwemikoma came and went in a flash. It seems almost paradoxical, considering my previous statements. And yet, here in the moment, you cannot help but feel that simplicity that runs through the veins of Ugandans is the reason that both speed and sloth can coexist. As someone once said, “K.I.S.S.”

Simplicity is lost on us, for the most part, because of all we have. The more I observe, the more I realize: the greater possessions you have, the harder it is to appreciate that which you possess. Rwemikoma exemplified the opposite. Every child there, with a toothy smile and a joyful laugh, were content for us to simply sit and listen to them.

They sang, they danced, they recited verses, but the simple, overarching theme was joy. In an instant, we saw that although Americans had everything on this earth,  they missed the mark- material goods “don’t last eternally,” sure, but they hardly last during our time on Earth. Children in Rwemikoma were infinitely more joyful than children in America.

I slept on the bus back to Katyazo. Well, I tried. My eyes were closed, but my mind raced. My body was idle, yet my brain wandered far away.

Coach Reed was the only one who did not nap. He related a quick story that exemplified servitude in the KISS lifestyle. We drove past a construction crew, toiling in the equatorial sun, and without thinking twice, SuperMom tossed them a bottle of water and we went on our way. I’m sure the workers were grateful, but we didn’t have the chance to ask. She passed more than just a sip of water to them: she passed a small taste of the joy she had.

No one could be content living in the squalor we see; at least we are lead to believe that. They KISS and abide in God, and they have no need for MacBooks, iPads, or even running water. They find true joy in their King.

For the most part, I show just an inkling more emotion than a wooden plank. As in very little. I definitely show more emotion than McCray, as a wooden plank would show more emotion than him. Which is weird, since it’s inanimate. However, it was hard not to feel something when we made it back to Katyazo for the very last time. Even McCray claimed to have felt emotion, although I didn’t witness it. I’m sure it was beautiful.

The kids at Katyazo bid us goodbye to America, where we will return to reality TV, microwaveable popcorn, and Snuggies, all while they drank some porridge out of the one cup they owned. And yet it was weird; in a way, I was envious of them. Their smiles were glowing, a rarity in our nation. I keep repeating that notion, almost superfluously, but that was what I noticed the most. A KISS lifestyle, bringing them so much joy. They were satisfied with the porridge, thankful for us, and grateful to God.

The pain that came from saying goodbye wasn’t because we were leaving. Partly, yes, but not entirely. It came from my fear that by returning, I’d be faced with the material excess in America, and I would be reclaimed by it, forgetting what true joy looked like. When I return, it will be hard, but I will hope to:

Keep It Simple, Stupid.

A note from the leaders:

Jake has really captured one of the common themes that most teams come home to contemplate. What are we to do/be when we return home. My wife has put it well in several mission trip meetings that she has worked. You leave your home as a square person, and you travel to a place of round people. After spending some significant time around those round people, you will inevitably return home a little more round, and a little less square than before. So how do we now live in a square world with slightly rounded edges?

We are returning home from a place with beautifully simple lifestyles. Their shining faces are a reflection of the joy of obedience and blessing. God is in the little things, sometimes, and we have to learn to be content by recognizing the grand value “little things” have.

Rwemikoma was a lively group today! They were so excited to see us and to just have us listen. They wanted to perform for us more than any other school on this trip. There was lively dancing, wonderful singing, and exhibitions of scripture memory. It was wonderful!

The two things that stick in my mind were how close the children wanted to be to us, and the singing by Amon.

We learned later that possibly up to 50% of the kids there have never seen a white person outside of PCM teams. That explains why they would stare and stroke our arms as they held our hands. I guess I seemed like a white, slightly fuzzy stuffed animal. It was pretty funny! One kid liked to come up to me and just squeeze my forearms as hard as his little hands could. Not sure if he was trying to extract something or pop me like a balloon, but it was amusing.

The singing of Amon was one of the things that Beth and I were looking forward to most. We saw him sing last time we were here, and it was so great. Amon sings with just about every ounce of his young body, tilting his head back and shaking it like a bobble-head. It is adorable and entertaining. A little known fact, that we learned from Pastor Emmy: Amon sings like that because one of the previous U.S. teams came with a puppet who would sing and dance. Amon enjoyed it, and began to emulate it in his own singing. So precious!

Today’s student perspective comes from Hayden…

Wow. Today was long! But it was so good. We spent the night at Katyazo last night, which went surprisingly well!  But before going to sleep we played soccer in the dark, it was so fun! We had glow sticks everywhere; lining the goal, lining the field, and on the wrists of the kids to differentiate the teams. After that we went back to the dorms and talked about 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 with the kids, which says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”. The guys wrote the verses on little basketballs and the girls wrote it on colored paper and got to use stickers and colored pens…you know, girly things.

After that we went to bed then they got to sleep in the next morning. We all woke up at about 7 instead of the normal 5 o’clock that the students usually get up. We then came back the the hotel, ate breakfast and got ready to go back to Mbarara. Emmy P (Pastor Emmy) got back today and he came to the hotel with Supermom before we left and we all talked for a little while and got stuff ready for the choir kids. We then headed to Mbarara and it was so sweet when we gave the choir kids their stuff! They were so excited to get even the little they got, so were the leaders!

We then went to the pitch (the soccer field) and played games with all the kids and teachers. I got to get in at the end of the soccer game and got to score a GOAALLLL! But it was a penalty kick so it wasn’t that impressive.

After that we came back to the hotel again and ate lunch and got to take about an hour nap.   We then went back to Katyazo and we were all gearing up for the first annual Muzungu vs. Ugandan basketball show down! It was a close game but the Muzungu’s pulled though and brought home the trophy! However, the Ugandans had only been playing for about a day and a half. So I am not anticipating a repeat next year.

After that we all gathered in the class and watched the video we put together for them and they loved it! Finally we came back to the hotel and ate dinner and I am now blogging about today. Today was a solid day! Definitely the best so far!

Here is the leaders’ perspective concerning today:

First some of our own highlights.

Waking up with kids who would give up their own bed for us, and go share a bed with another student was just so nice. Even when we thanked them for sharing their beds, one of the girls responded by saying that it was such a blessing to them for us to sleep in their bed. WOW!!! REALLY?! They loved on us so dearly. Though they have little, they give so much! Seeing the early morning and the sun rise over the hills of the countryside in Uganda was majestic and humbling.

And when we met with the choir at both Mbarara and Katyazo, it was so sweet to look into the eyes of these teenagers and talk to them about what will be a perspective altering experience in their own regard when they come to us next month. Some were scared of the plane ride, but the best question we got came from Laban at Katyazo: “If I am on the plane and I hear music, and if I begin to feel the music, can I get up and dance?” You know what Laban, if the Spirit moves, who am I to say no?

While the students played basketball, Beth got to go with Supermom down to the sweet potato fields to watch some of the students harvest. It was a beautiful thing to behold. All the girls wore traditional African wraps around their waists while working the crops diligently with their hoes.

Then they put the potatoes in containers and carried them back up the hill on their heads.

The boys also harvested some bananas and a few girls picked some type of lettuce called “doe doe.” We wish that our students in America had the chance to learn agriculture in high school. It was so wonderful to see these students work together to feed their whole school.

I think that Hayden was right. Today was probably the best day that we have had! To be honest, I was not sure what impact was being made on our students. I knew that they were appreciating what we were doing, and that they liked the trip so far.  But was the trip just a cultural experience, something that any world traveller could take in, make some mental notes, and throw out the information they learned at their next social gathering, hoping to impress those around them? That was my prayer last night before we went for the night at Katyazo. It was reaching that point in the trip where you begin to realize how long it has been since you were in the comfort of your own hometown. Were we going to choose to be homesick, or were we going to embrace what we were really doing on this trip: meeting God through the service of his people. Seeing the value of another who lives in a different day to day reality, and knowing that Christ died for them as much as me.

Today was the answer to my worries! God is faithful to work in his people as we are faithful to him in our obedience. We shared beds with teenagers trying to figure out who they are going to choose to be once they get out on their own, just like us. We had fun. We had fellowship. We spent quality time with many students. We shared interests. We played soccer on the “pitch” while others held little children, talked, or sat and took in the beautiful landscape.

We shared our lives. We shared basketball. We shared agricultural lessons. We were one community today. Mazungus and Ugandans, doing life together. It was that experience we are all praying and hoping for, no matter where we are in the world. As we sat in the classroom at Katyazo, the kids ate dinner, we played David Crowder Band songs, and we watched a slide show of pictures from the week that helped us all reflect on our time here, as we knew the end of it loomed ever closer. Hearts were full, but heavy…aching for some middle ground, where we did not have to go back to different day to day realities. And after dinner tonight, I asked the students to fully take in these last days of ministry here. Observe the details, and let our contemplations move towards processing what God wants us to hear and take home from this trip.

All of this, and we still have more for God to do tomorrow in Rwemikoma.

Today, as our team went on the safari we were reminded of God’s glorious creation.  There is a song by David Crowder band that was just playing over and over in my head as we saw God’s beautiful creatures.  So, we thought we would share the lyrics in between the some of the pictures we took.  Enjoy!

The day is brighter here with You
The night is lighter than it’s hue
Would lead me to believe
Which leads me to believe

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
What does that make me?

My eyes are small but they have seen
The beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe
There’s light enough to see that

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

From glory to glory
You are glorious You are glorious

From glory to glory
You are glorious. You are glorious

Which leads me to believe
Why I can believe that

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

From glory to glory From glory to glory
You are glorious. You are glorious.
You are glorious. You are glorious.

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

Today’s student perspective comes from Avery…

Today we went to Sanga and played games for two hours. Hayden and I were on a very steep hill trying to teach the little kids games who didn’t understand English very well. It was very difficult and long, but even though we could not communicate clearly we just sang and danced for the Lord. Hayden and I met Kellen, our sponsor child, who is so adorable!!!

We also met her sister Ruth and her little brother. We gave her a letter and play dough but they did not know what that was so we had to teach her.  We gave all the children at the school dum dum suckers, and they were so happy. One of my favorite parts of the day was just seeing the joy on all of their beautiful faces!

After that we went to Mbarara and climbed the hill (more of a mountain to Americans). It was a steep and long climb but I loved it! I was holding hands with the kids all the way up and down the mountain. When we got to the top, which was one of the prettiest things I have seen, we sang songs and just praised God for his beautiful creation. I also got to talk to two of the choir girls and I can’t wait to be able to see them in America!

I am loving Uganda so much and the Lord is doing amazing things in my heart. He is showing me what it is like to rely on his strength and I am also having to rely on him to give me the right words to say. I love all of the hugs from the children and even though they may not know that many words in English, all they want to say is said through a hug.

They give me a little glimpse of God’s love for me and that is amazing!!! These children are so loving and joyful and yet they have nothing. I am so blessed to be able to be on this trip and learn from God’s little children!

Additional thoughts from the leaders:

I feel like today was very tiring, but it has been a good kind of tired. We got a late start due to some unforeseen issues with our van. But I believe that God’s providence was in all of it. Instead of going to Rwemikoma, today, we went to Sanga. I think that this was our team’s best ministry for the children yet. We spent some quality time with the children from this blossoming school.

In just 2 years, they have grown from about 100 students to over 300 students. It is a very rural school. There were cows surrounding our van as we played. Many of the students are very poor, but they were all joyful. God is doing mighty things there. What a blessed place!

Naboth is one of the sponsorship coordinators here. He is a wonderful young man who works very hard for PCM while also finishing his school on the weekends. He grew up in the Sanga village, so that is the main school that he works with, although he helps with all the schools. Today, we had the opportunity to meet Naboth’s mother, father, sister, and little niece. They help serve the children of Sanga through the church that meets on the property. Naboth told us a lot about his family today. Naboth’s father is the pastor at the church next to the Sanga school. He has 6 brothers and sisters. His parents have supported him through school, and he started working with PCM because Pastor Emmy saw that he was such a good student and a good man. Naboth is a very big blessing to PCM!

A fun miracle happened today at Sanga. We brought candy to give out, but quickly realized that we did not have enough for all the students. We counted the candy, then started pulling any random candy out of our bags that we could find. Then we prayed for fishes and loaves! Miraculously, we had enough for each child, plus enough for all the teachers and staff! This might not seem like a big deal, but to these children, candy is a very rare treat, and we really enjoyed seeing their eyes light up when we gave it to them.

Some of you may be wondering how Sanga is doing after the two children there died of Typhoid. On the way to Sanga, I asked Supermom how the school as a whole was dealing with the loss. She said, “They are ok.” It is hard to understand how these children live, especially in the rural areas. They are always working very hard in school and in their homes. They still mourn the loss, but they must keep going in order to survive.

I also talked to Naboth about the children’s family. He said that they have fallen on hard times. The father had some money to buy some land. He thought that he had bought good land, but then soon found out that it was government owned, so he was kicked off the land. The pastor at Sanga gave him one forth of his own personal banana plantation just to help him get back on his feet. He also borrowed some land from another family. This family seemed to be willing to help him, so much so, that when it was it time to bury his children,they let him bury them on their land. However, now the family is kicking them off that land also. He and his wife have two other children and they need to find a home quickly. Please continue to pray for this family.

As we spent time with the kids it was wonderful to look over and see the progress on the new classrooms for Sanga.  Thank you so much to all of you who have helped to make these classrooms a reality.

When they are complete our 300+ children at Sanga will be even more proud of their school where they have the chance to receive a great education and learn about Jesus!

We got a special treat on our way to the mountain! Driver Emmy took Supermom home, and she invited us in to take a brief tour of their home. The last time we were here, in June of 2012, we got to tour the home as well, but it was simply the structure, with concrete walls and bricks. Today, we got to walk from room to room. Pastor Emmy and Supermom’s vision of what this house can be is fully realized. It has the space to take in the kids that need a place to stay when they are not able to board at the school. Supermom wanted to say “a big thank you to all of you in the U.S. who have helped to provide for this home”. So to all of you from Supermom, through us, THANK YOU!

Walking up the mountain was a great experience! We talked with students on the way up and down. The wind blew hard. We saw lightning, heard thunder, and feared rain. But we tarried on. We sang songs of praise with them. We prayed with them. We danced with them. We heard God’s voice in the wind and in the children’s voices. We shared how God’s blessing was seen in each other, which is the kind of encouragement that Paul so consistently communicated with his fellow believers in churches throughout his missionary journeys. Then we ran down the hill and said our goodbyes. Not a drop of rain came until we got into the bus. Praise God for a blessed time!

Today’s student perspective comes from Samantha:

Today was our favorite day so far! We ended up spending the whole day at the Katyazo school with the students and it was absolutely amazing! Today our main goal was to sit in on some of the classes at the school, build and set up the two basketball goals, and basically create some relationships with the kids.

Sitting in on the classes was really cool, especially for me, since I am also a student at the same age and grade level as most of the Katyazo students. I sat in on a morning business class, and after lunch I sat in on a literature class with one of the girls I met yesterday- (her name is Gloria).

After sitting in on classes and hanging out with the kids during lunch, we went up to an empty field above the dorms where we began to set up the basketball goals while the students finished up their day of learning. Right as we were about to begin the construction of the second board, it began pouring down rain like crazy! So after an hour of sitting in the bus watching the rain, it finally let up just before we were about to give up.

While the boys finished pouring the cement, Avery, Hayden, Beth and I went to hang out in the girls’ dorms with all of the girls. We ended up playing card games and just getting to know the girls for the next couple hours while the boys finished working. We all were teaching each other card games and talking/comparing our lives by the time we had to leave at seven.

The boys did an amazing job constructing the backboards…with maybe a little help from a local carpenter, brother Robert. Basketballs are now pumped, the goals are up, the cement is setting, and there is a pick-up game of basketball scheduled on Wednesday- Katyazo Students vs. The Brook Hill pick-up team. Go Guard!!

Additional thoughts from the leaders, Beth and Austin:

It was really fun today seeing our students interact even more with the Katyazo students. They really started bonding with them, getting to know their names and backgrounds more. We were also proud of them, as they observed classes. We gave them an assignment of writing down five observations about the differences they saw in the Katyazo classes from their own classes in America. They sure had a lot to talk about after class time. The main thing we all saw was that most of the teachers were not teaching out of a traditional textbook. Instead they were teaching from a handwritten, most likely self-prepared, notebook. These teachers work so hard every day. They do not typically have the luxury of pre-made textbooks, and neither do the students. All the students were basically writing their own textbooks as well. We were also, therefore, very impressed by everyone’s penmanship. Since they handwrite everything, their penmanship becomes very beautiful. As I was observing one class and taking notes, I became very embarrassed when the teacher passed by and saw my illegible handwriting. I am pretty sure he laughed at it!

As Samantha said, we also set up the basketball goals for the students today. Most of them have seen basketball but have never played, so they were very excited to learn. Setting up the goals were a little more complicated than expected, but that is just how some things go in Uganda, and we all adjusted and made it work. One of the Katyazo students worked very hard to dig holes for the goals.

Because of the complications, Austin was able to spend more quality time with Brother Robert, who constructed the goals. They worked really well together and became quick friends. Brother Robert is a very selfless and kind man. He wants to eventually have a furniture making workshop, so he is obviously very good with his hands.

While waiting for the goals, we pumped up the 20 basketballs that we were able to bring with us that were donated by Brook Hill. The Katyazo students were so excited. They immediately started bouncing them and doing tricks. Daniel, one of Pastor Emmy and Supermom’s sons, has played basketball at his former school, so he was able to show his friends how to play.

Daniel is a boy of many talents. He brought out his guitar that Andy Warren gave him on PCM trip 27 and was playing very well for us! He was very proud of that guitar.

As I watched all the students together today, I felt as if they all went to the same school.

Sometimes when they were talking, laughing, and playing, it seemed as if they had been friends for years.

It is a blessing to students on both sides, and surely a blessing to us as leaders.

McCray:

My prayer always for every trip is for the time to pass slowly.  It never does. It never will.  Eventually the bus would make the last trip to our Mbarara campus. Today would be a bit different…today is Valentines Day.

A day set aside to show our love to those closest to us.

Some like these are much sweeter than I

and others like this girl named Angel are incredibly easy to love. Write this down. Angel will be coming to America on some future choir tour. She has the choir package already at such a young age: she can sing, she can dance, and she can pray.

Before we left our hotel, we said goodbye to Dora and Milton and Edward. Dora was thrilled to receive a valentine box of chocolate.

I don’t think I have ever seen her smile bigger and that is saying something. Just a $1 gift from Wal-Mart but she will never forget Valentines 2013.

Soon we would reach our main campus. Team 27 quickly flocked to the Bible teaching coming from Teacher Emmy.  One of our best teachers, Emmy was very busy using the whole board to talk about sin.

If you have ever heard this man teach, you would agree there are few like him.

We would make our way to the steps of the boy’s dorm where we would continue to wash the feet of those we missed this past weekend.

One of those people was our beloved Bonny.  Ever the servant, he is known as the Metropolian for the time he came to bring me some papers 3 hours away before 8am on the public bus after I forgot them. We invited him to join us for the remainder of the trip to Kampala at the Metropole Hotel where he would spend his first night ever in a hotel. He ate a huge meal and watched his favorite soccer team, Manchester United, on a big TV. In his words, “The greatest day of my life.”  Mark this down.  Bonny and his gifted voice will help lead PCM Choir Tour #2.

Teacher Allen would sit next to him. Of all the hugs I received this trip none was bigger than hers. A huge thanks goes to those of you who give to our general fund. You are helping pay for her continuing education fees.  What a blessing she is to our children.

Allen works right along with these two teachers, “Coca”Scola and Fausta. They were part of our original eight teachers and still remain five years later, each with a bundle of joy on their back. So faithful, so ever present and so engaged with their students while being excellent mothers as well. Thank you for serving us so well.

Last night we got to climb the mountain. We call it a “mountain” but it is more like a steep hill with 3 climbing parts. My favorite part is watching the children move toward the starting line before we start. Last night I assigned Duncan as the pace pupil. I dare ya to take him on. He can humble any cross trained mzungu ;o)

I love watching him race to heights in times I can only dream about now.

I was very proud of our children tonight. They have always walked alongside the mzungus and the various teams that have climbed.  Last night’s climb was difficult since the grass was so high.

Dave Dow, our experienced but senior member, would reach the first platform half way point and could progress no further. Three of our children would remain there with him…the whole time…even during worship. Way to go kids…you are teaching Epa how to be patient with others.

Further ahead, the choir was jumping with joy for my camera and me.

Especially Esther and Evalyn.

Both of these girls are members of our choir and resonate more joy than any of our other team members. Charter members of our PCM smile team, they will be front and center of any performance we will be making. You will soon see.

This place is like no other in Mbarara. When we are here, we feel even closer to Jesus. I know He hears these kids.

Andy would skillfully lead all the children in Amazing Grace with his guitar. I believe this guitar is the first one to make it to the top. Thank you Andy for donating this guitar to our Katyazo school blessing thousands of children.

I have been working on letting my family help out with pictures this week. Thanks Jude and Patrick. Y’all have been a blessing this week to me.

So many children, so many stories.  Randy got to connect with his daughter, Courtney’s, sponsored child, Amos.

Evalyn is looking forward to meeting her sponsor in Tyler, Texas.

These three leaders are all very important to me: A driver, a businessman, and a builder.

If there was a world’s best book for professionals and friends, they would be on the first page. All of them and in both categories.

Finally you cannot ever leave Mbarara without worshipping.

That’s exactly what happened.

We even saw some new instruments, the leg guitar X 2.

Team 27 got to thank the children for teaching them how to welcome, how to love and how to care for others.

Their joy will never leave our hearts.

Then Rich stole the show with this announcement. He said to the children and me that his family would be serving as the point family for PCM Choir Tour #2 in 2014 when the team will be traveling to Michigan.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Jump…jump as Pastor Emmy says. We haven’t even hit the ground with PCM Choir Tour #1 but I already see the Lord working in the hearts of some great men, men who have grown a great love for these children that have been traveling all week with us. Wahoooooooo, God is good. I am not sure when we will be in Michigan, but I would love late April 2014.  Kristen and Page, Sam and Seth, we will need to borrow a winter coat for a week’s drive.  Supermom wears the full parka for 60 degrees and under.  ;o)

Dave grew attached to Teacher Emmy and gave a family cross as a thank you for his leadership and love this week.

The Miracle Bus would load once again. This time with 27 people, 20 bags and 8 backpacks. It is such an incredible gift that I can’t emphasize enough. No one took public means. We traveled together. Not a single team member complained. They knew this was privileged territory.

The Metropolian followed us to the first fuel stop on his motorcycle. Then he picked up some passengers.

I just want to make sure Steve’s family knows he successfully made it around the gas station a couple times without injury.  ;o)

All aboard for PCM Kyasenya School.

Soon we would arrive.

It is our first ever PCM approved school and our newest.  We bought this structure for $8000 due to the generosity of a couple of donors.  Today, this place is thriving with hundreds of children learning about Jesus in a village nearby where Pastor Emmy grew up as a child.

The greeting is a highlight of any PCM trip and most resembles that love you receive from your puppy returning home………it’s unconditional, never changes, and warms your heart every time.

Some team members would find out the doorways aren’t made for everyone,

but we sure are glad he was with us this week and are thankful for his wife Kara holding the fort down with all their family treasures at home.

PCM 27 had another performance of the Good Samaritan within them; this time it was outdoor theater.

Jude got to perform with the group.

Steve was in his regal best robe passing by on the other side.

Frank, the Levite, thought about helping, but just like last time

he couldn’t manage

to help poor Jude.

The stars of the show once again were Randy P. and his Samaritan owner Emmy D.

Sometimes when we perform places, my favorite thing to do is watch the action “outside the fence” from the local villagers. This performance literally stopped traffic. Even those carrying the day’s firewood had to get a look.

Randy got a “mighty handiclap” at the end of the performance and seemed to really want to stay in character.

Andy did a terrific job narrating and then got to love on his brother-in-law and sister-in-laws sponsored child, Allen. Not sure who is smiling bigger here………you be the judge.

The horn was honking……….it was time to go………………load the miracle bus.

Emmy D, you have two new navigators, both worthy of the job.

We pulled up about 1 km away and stopped at the Kate Clinic to check the progress of our first ever medical clinic.

Much work has happened here.

I am so grateful to have met our nurse, Diana and Justus, our lab tech, two nights ago at the hotel.

We discussed at length where we are, what we need, and when we can start.  Sooner than you think was the answer. The needs here are huge, the impact will be enormous, and the community is waiting. So grateful to name our first clinic after Kate, Emmy’s aunt who has served in this area as a midwife for the past 50 years in her tiny mud home.

She delivered the first two of Emmy’s children and also pushed Supermom on a bike for miles taking her off for contractions until they reached a higher level of care.

Wow………..way to go Kate.  We are grateful for you and all the children you have brought into the world.

What is left? Furniture, basic lab equipment, a water tank, solar panels for our roof and a few more staff is basically all that is lacking.

Those of you that have given here have no idea what joy this building is giving the community already. They are taking pride in a structure that has no life yet.

People of all types of faith are rejoicing on the street.  We are thrilled for what Jesus is doing with the Kate Clinic.

Our bus continued down the road deep into the night.

We wouldn’t reach Kampala until late that night. We were sweaty, hungry, dirty and smelly. Our hearts were full though. We came to serve the Kampala and Mbarara business community, and we did. We came to encourage,

serve and wash the feet of every PCM staff member from Pastor Emmy to all of our water boys, and we did.

Thank you Jesus for this opportunity to give back to those who are in the trenches day in and day out. We will never remain the same.

Philippians 2:1-4: If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Katyazo is a place for bountiful harvests, a place where blessings flow everywhere you look.  Despite our recent setback with the water, this place is flourishing. This land is led by these two men,

Moses on the left, our PCM Farm Manager and Simon on the right, our PCM Secondary School Headmaster. If you have ever been with us to Uganda, you would agree that our circumstances are quite humble at all of our sites.

Nearly three years ago, a generous donor gave us these 70 acres.

This is the first picture I have of that day when our older children got to see it for the first time.  Here is Jude leading his peers that day.

They reached about 1/3 of the way up the giant hill on our property and stopped and began to pick up the grass.  We asked what they were doing?

One of them said, “We are thanking the Lord for the grass.” I hope I have a heart of thanksgiving like these kids I love so well.

We have been developing this place for the past couple of years.

Today, there are many structures standing, a feat that has baffled the mind of PCM 27 leader Rich Wolowski. He was here 14 months ago. NOTHING was standing here; there were three foundations and a small man and a brick machine.

Today many beautiful buildings stand there such as our PCM science center.

Our children will be the next generation of Ugandan leaders and we are doing all we can to help them pursue those dreams.

We are moving toward self-sufficiency in all we do here on “the farm.”  One of our two PCM banana plantations is located here.

Our tilapia ponds were stocked on PCM trip 14.  Today our children eat these fish regularly to increase the protein in their diet.

We have so many cows, including our favorite “Check” in the black,

that we have to rent land next door to let them graze. Our prayer is one day to have more acreage to put our cows and grow more of our own food.

One of my favorite Supermom lines is “I love cow.” Usually our children are blessed if they eat meat even once every quarter.  So, we started a new program……..the PCM Piggie program……..Triple P.

Here are our six new blessings just 1 week old.

Supermom says, “She loves cow, but that she likes pig.”  Gotta love that line too.

Today I saw a new building on the farm; our new PCM goat house.  Yesterday we were back at the farm and for the first time all week it rained. I was looking out the window in the rain and wind watching the goats come from the bottom of the hill and all stand on this ramp waiting for someone to let them in. They love their new home.

This next picture has quite a story.

Many of you have heard about Moringa, a plant with the highest percentage of protein in it’s leaves. I have been studying this plant and recently reached out to our friends at Mercy Ships for some advice.

I learned that this plant has changed the lives of thousands.  It has been a game changer to many, many children around the world. Growing as a bush for leaves or a tree for seeds, Moringa can be dried and ground into a powder or you can just take the leaves and eat them whole.  It does not really taste bad either.

I asked the Mercy Ships land coordinator how to obtain some seeds. I told him I wanted about 1500. He gave me the name of this ministry in Florida. After calling them I learned the seeds are expensive……….50 cents each. These people would sell me some. I said, “Great”. They said, “Your packet of 3-5 seeds would be coming in the mail.” We could only get 5 seeds?!  Seriously……..I was crushed. This was a ministry and my best shot at obtaining seeds.

There was another man in California who has Moringa Farms. His name is Rodney Perdew. He was just a businessman doing Moringa now full time. I shared our PCM story and farm with him. His words were this to me via email

“Today is your day.  I want to bless you with 1500 seeds……..for FREE.”

Wow, what a blessing. I’m so grateful for you, Rodney. Here are Moses and Amon with our Moringa now.

You will not only make a difference to the health of thousands of our children, but also to the lives of the children of our rural pastors as we hope to plant these seeds around their mud homes and huts in the village.

Soon we will transplant these seedlings to the ground for a permanent home.

Hey! Look! There are some of our staff taking a break with their homemade checker board. I am dreaming one day of a staff lounge for a place to rest and play that would honor our hardworking PCM staff.  God willing, I know it will happen someday.

Everywhere you look, you can see beauty. From flowers in front of our dorms, to this building: a nearly completed teacher’s housing addition that was funded in record time by many generous people.

Many of our teachers were treated unfairly by a man down the street when he tripled their rent. Now, each of them and their family will have a tiny, one room home right on our campus. Oh Lord, help me be grateful with my own home.  Why do we need so much and they so little?

All I know is Simon and Amon are incredibly grateful for this blessing of a building.  Thank you to those of you who gave here.

The last time I was here, these children asked for a computer to begin learning how to use them.

We are grateful for the Cornerstone Foundation for providing our very own first two computers for the high school. Thanks to Greg Brandenburg for loading them with Microsoft Office. They are ready to go!!!

My biggest surprise of the day was seeing this picture. Oh my gosh! Simon is jumping for joy. Our new solar building is fully functioning now for just 3 days.  I am so grateful for the family that gave this gift of solar, our first ever self-sufficient power system at PCM.

The solar is being harvested here and stored in these batteries.

We don’t have all the panels we need to meet our needs during the day, but we have effectively turned off our generator and buying fuel here.  Praise God!!!  Help us pray for 4 more large panels at a cost of about $2500.

Just a few months ago I addressed our high school children and asked what their needs were. They said a soccer uniform of their own. Not a uniform from another school but one that said Parental Care Secondary School. Okay, let me work on that.

Here is what that scene looked like. All of the boys and girls were sitting on the verandah thanking the Lord.

Today I stand before you with thanks to these two men. Bruce Moore of Michigan for providing the shirts,

shorts, shin guards and socks and Terry Cox of Tyler for screen printing all of the jerseys.

We had to rush to get in the bus as we do not have a suitable field at our site yet.

Epa would even get to play.

I decided to play with the high school students in the first half and with the Katyazo teachers the second.  Yes, I know this is a surprise to many of you but 35 years ago this was my life.  These old bones played the whole game with a bunch of teenagers and I survived the cow pies, the holes in the field and the tough play. I love this game and am grateful to the Lord at 47 I can still run with these boys.

I can’t tell you the pride these children had now with a uniform of their own. Not only that, but we got 30 of them…………enough for nearly all of the boys playing.

Teacher Emmy put his mark on this match with a great goal as usual.

Some of the teachers still went without shoes.

Two of our children even mid way through the game sat down on the ground, yanked off their cleats and shin guards and said they just can’t do it. Barefoot would be the only way.  They would have to “learn” to play in a cleat. No problem.  Bruce also provided 30 brand new balls from State Farm that we used. In their excitement for having something new, two of the balls exploded on impact because the guys had overinflated them.  Wow………..now that is being pumped up for a game.

Before we left, PCM 27 had a chance to wash the feet of our PCM Katyazo teachers and staff.

One of my favorite parts of the day was watching Mr. Dave Dow wash the feet of Simon, one of our original PCM staff of 13. Simon is in our top ten humble club. He has an eye that turns outward and his English is very limited. He looks unassuming and like he hasn’t spent extra time in the gym just like me.

Simon used to carry TWO 45 pound jerry cans up the hill FORTY FIVE TIMES A DAY to provide dirty brown drinking water for our Mbarara children.

Simon, however, has some incredible strength.  Here he is 5 years ago with Moses, our PCM Katyazo Farm Manager.

He loves his new work boots.  Thank you Wolverine Foundation. You are blessing some of the most humble and grateful that walk this earth.

Finally, we had a ground breaking to hold.

Our 6 Michigan men successfully raised funds to start our Café For Katyazo, a cafeteria and auditorium.

Our building designers are busy making final plans to make this building a reality. It will be our most complicated structure so far but we know Jesus will be there with us.

This building will be a place to receive physical and spiritual nourishment. What else could any of us really need?

Thank you for those of you pouring in time, talents and resources here. Our needs are many here but so far, you are changing a generation of Ugandan children and staff members.

Happy Valentines Day

Nikikunda Munonga “I love you very much” for all you are doing.

Epa

Early this morning we were met by our beloved driver.

He was looking “so smart” as he says with his new PCM hat and jacket from Impressive Image Works. We so appreciate the Epplers and all of their staff who make us look so good in Uganda and the USA.

The road there is a long one……..full of lonely bicycle drivers.

Transportation is so precious.  If you have a ride anywhere, you are blessed.

For those of you who have given a gift of transportation, you have made an incredible difference.

Whenever I approach a group of young boys, my heart always hurts a bit.  First, they are not in school.  Really the privilege of going to school is a big one. Not every one has it.  Second, they are working at such a young age. I think the only thing I was thinking about at age 8 was when  my next soccer match would be and can I get a Slurpee after the game.

After about 2.5 hours, we arrived to this sign, PCM Rwemikoma School, our second ever PCM School.  We bought it in 2008 for $6000. One of the best investments we have ever made for the Kingdom.

No matter when you visit……..the greeting is the same.

We call it the power of presence; the only gift these children have for us is to greet us and I can’t think of what would be better.

On my arrival, I have developed a special relationship with John #2. All of these children have a special place in my heart but a few just make me stop and stare and thank the Lord for calling me to a job such as this. John is one of those children, kind of a poster child for PCM Rwemikoma. He knows now after 12 or so trips to wait right by the door and I would faithfully greet him first. We have one of those relationships where you don’t have to say anything………we just look for each other.

It took no time for PCM 27 to start their own tradition of hugging on arrival. Sometimes a single,

sometimes a double,

other times a triple.

Usually after arrival we go to the tree in the backyard, the only source of shade. Today Supermom stood and had a commanding presence in front of the group.

She said this was a special day…….the first time ever for our PCM Mbarara School to visit PCM Rwemikoma.  “rhem a ko ma”

What you need to know about our PCM Rwemikoma School is this place is the furthest in the village of any of our schools

but we have known this place as our performing arts academy. We don’t have a stage and rarely need to buy any costumes. These children take what they have and prove each trip they are some kinda talented.

If you have been here, you know that.  I love just watching these kids watch their peers. They are some really beautiful people.

This week I have been so impressed with PCM 27.  I think Andy may be leading in the hug competition but it’s tight and not over.

Here is Steve making up ground with a triple.

Dave has made a new friend

and so has Frank; he likes the coordinated look.

These people can make wearing a bathmat look beautiful.

Soon it was time for the show.

Front and center were Amon and Anna, regular members of the PCM Rwemikoma worship team.

Today’s performance was unique in many ways. There are two boys who run the shows at Rwemikoma: Charles and Joshua.

Charles is seen in the front of the “car” which is a stick and Joshua is in the back.

What was so fun to watch is the unbelievable creativity a group of 5 students can use to honor our King. Charles took a stick with he and Joshua on it and started driving about making car noises. As he picked up more passengers  “Jesus” kept getting pushed to the back. Eventually, with the 5^th passenger, Charles, on board he pushed Jesus “off the bus.” Then he started driving the car, and soon noticed he faced “much challenge” without Jesus.  Soon, the car would crash.

The Beautiful Exchange continued as our PCM Choir took over the drums. I think Jude, Daniel and Laban would concede 2^nd in performing arts, but there ain’t no way the Rwemikoma boys are taking the Mbarara drummers.

There are some beautiful voices in both places, but I haven’t found anyone with lead vocals like Jude and Abias.

Dianah and Milly can hang with just about anyone too!!  Aren’t you glad all four of them will be leading our choir vocals this April?  You can pick your favorite.

Today was so special because we had our PCM Rwemikoma children lay hands on and pray for the PCM Children’s Choir.  This choir will be ambassadors for our entire ministry. I am so grateful for this opportunity to have such an exchange today.  The weather was perfect. Praise God.

Today was special also for a meeting of a child and sponsor. Amon, one of our leaders here, needed no introduction to meet his sponsor Randy. He positioned himself directly across from Randy every single song he performed.

Finally they got to formally meet.

I’m not sure who is more happy here, Randy or Amon.

Randy was amazed he knew who he was. Amon said, “Of course, you had sent me a picture.”

Here is one of our Rwemikoma stadium suites.

The floors are cleaned daily.

We pray one day we can concrete the floors and finish the walls.

The second half of the performance was about to begin.  We agreed as a team not to show any face of the mzungu performers.

You’ll have to make the call on the identity of these mzungu “white people” performers.

I’m just imagining this conversation:

Andy: “Did you see that?”

Rich: “Unfortunately, yes I did.”

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite people in the entire world, Daniel, the headmaster at Rwemikoma. If you visit here, you wouldn’t notice him much. If you watched him closely, you would notice he is Rwemikoma’s greatest servant leader.

Always serving, Daniel is in our smile club as well. I think he is a top 5 all time smiler. No matter how tired you are from the journey, seeing this smile makes my day every time.

I am so grateful for PCM 27 and their servant hearts as they washed the feet of these amazing teachers and staff members.

Soon it was time to go.

The choir began to practice waving goodbye to people. They have no trouble making new friends………get ready America you shall see.

Right before I boarded the bus I felt a little tug on my pants. “Big John” had worked himself through the 300 children to directly in front of me.

He wanted another hug.

Lord, thank you so much for taking “the least of these” off a beaten down, orange, dirt road in a village nobody knows about to teach us how to love and give others what we have inside us.

June can’t come soon enough for me.

I know John will be waiting.

Serving Him,

Epa

Today, we traveled west to Katazyo, the site of our PCM Secondary School.  My plan today was to give you an update of what all is going on across the 68 acres, a dream that became reality from the generosity of a single donor.  When we got there I could not believe what I was seeing.

Today was the first day of school for our high school students.

We have grown now to just under 100 in three different grades.

We have a classroom block and two large dorms and a beautiful science center. I was planning on showing you that.

Instead I jumped out of the Miracle Bus and started chasing after the kids with my camera.

They seem to not be bothered one bit by this process.  The smile on Matthew’s face and that of his friend’s were not fazed by the circumstance.

On the way down I saw Emmy’s youngest son, Roger, joining the group of all boys.

He was headed to the bottom of the huge hill our campus sits on.

Soon we would reach one of the three ponds we have for our tilapia fish.

The line was full of smiles like that of Godson.

What were the boys doing?  They were reaching down in to the pond and filling their cans.

Why were they doing this?

We have had water on our farm/high school land since the day we purchased it.

It has been really clean and abundant for our drinking, cooking and cleaning needs.

I soon learned that there is a huge problem with water supply in Mbarara and lately delivery has not been good.  In fact, delivery is now off. Ughhhhh.

What we are doing now is having to use this brown, chocolate soup for many of our daily activities. We have some bio sand filters but by themselves it is not enough.

We are making the journey up this huge hill now with a 45 pound jerrycan full of pond water.

If you have ever carried one, you would know the weight is about 45 pounds when full.

Godson seemed to be ready for the challenge.

The march would soon begin.

Often the water fetchers have to extend their hand on the opposite side just to keep balance. This hill is tough to walk, much less carry a jerry.

Resting on this journey is nothing to be ashamed of for sure.

Eventually the boys made it to the top. The cans were delivered to their endpoint.

My request for you is to pray for this situation.

Pray that this situation be temporary for the beautiful children of Katyazo

Pray for another two water harvesting systems to be installed on the other two large dorm type buildings.

This need is big as we need two large $1,700 tanks for those buildings and a few additional ones we can bury underground.

We can no longer depend on our local water supply and need to move even more toward self-sufficiency.  Further than we have traveled so far.

We have a big God. He hears the prayers of the righteous.

Thank you for praying.

Epa