Archive for August, 2009

Thank You : “There is nothing sweeter”

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

It’s been 2 weeks now and I think the whole team is finally now back in the same time zone again.   The trip flew by as usual and we are all processing what we saw and experienced.

I wanted to say some words of thanks to some people that were instrumental for this trip:

1.  Cyber war czars and PCM technical staff: Greg and Alissa. There is no way that many of you would have been able to join us on the other side of the world without their steadfastness and dedication to PCM and our readers/supporters.  They did such a great job thwarting the attacks of the evil one….even at one point typing the entire list of blog address to their own computer………oh my goodness…..we all owe you both a huge hug, some Andy’s custard, and a some nights watching your two beautiful boys.   Thanks for all you did. So many were able to go along with us on this trip due to your efforts. You are faithful friends. PS what are you doing for Christmas?  We might need your help again. ;o)

Just in case you still can’t read days 1-3 just download firefox and you can read it all using that web browser instead of IE. Here is the link:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html

2. Mike and Annette. I haven’t been able to share but they donated a coloring book and crayons for every orphan ” Jesus Loves You.” It’s the salvation story written and illustrated by them. It is now a ministry for them.  Check it out. The children and teachers loved the books so much.
www.reachingkids4christ.com
3. Snack and rice donors.(Chandler/Charlie, Kelsey/Brooke/Andie, Ruby/Regina/Kim/Meka, Justin and Christie, Matthew)   Multiple people gave in a big way to provide a special snack for the kids the day we played soccer and net ball. Driver Emmy and Emmy went with Pastor Doug to town to get the boxes and boxes of large orange juice drinks and graham crackers.  When they got back they had huge bags of rice as well for the orphans for dinner.Whohooo!!!   We looked at all these snacks and wondered if it would be enough for 225 that day.  When it was time every child lined up and received a large drink and 2 packages of crackers.  After the last child received her juice and snack, we looked down and there was none left. Amazing how the Lord provided for everyone of them.  I was about to take the keys to the Miracle Van and get some more if needed, but that was not necessary.  He is all we need.  He is our provider. (PS thank you Marc and Jamie for making this picture possible…..it wouldn’t look the same without you.)
4. “Mr Cha.” I can’t express in words my respect and admiration for your teaching ability.  The kids and teachers absolutely loved you. Better yet we appreciate your ability to be discerning to the needs of this ministry and…..not only that …..but to actually to have an ability to come up with solutions on the ground, right in the middle of the Miracle Van. You have a huge heart bro…..I can see now why thousands of kids have been impacted by your gifted teaching. It goes well beyond anything printed in any textbook. Spelling is way overrated. ;o) Thanks for your love for Junior. You have made a difference already in his life…….. (PS thank you Jeff and Kelly)
5. Pastor Doug.  Thank you for your ability to marry 13 couples in a foreign country, crowded by Ugandan paparazzi and using an interpreter pausing for every vow and staying on track.   Amazing…….It was an unbelievable experience.  I am thankful for your heart for these 43 pastors, your gift to pour into their lives and your ability to come alongside our friend Emmy. We know that many churches will be a part of this effort and we are thankful for your presence and future planning that is so vital to this ministry in Uganda.
Thanks also for throwing up a “block” at dinner for the team to get in the buffet line before the massive groups from our hotel. Your son Micah must be teaching ya something from Coach Maddox. Vicki thanks for loaning your husband and being our bus driver to DFW.  Next time you get to ride with us in the Miracle Van…..  ;o)
6. Jay and Ashley: What more can we say Ash.  Your obedience was a lesson to us and to all of the children as you spoke to them in public (whohooo…..way to go). I can’t clearly describe what the rest of us all saw that week just off a small dirt road in the middle of nowhere Uganda.  It was like watching a heart melt right before your eyes. I think it all started on the steps to the boys dorm as you passed out every single name plate and greeted every orphan with a smile and a hug. Thank you for totally diving in that week we were there…….these kids were hanging all over you.  You not only stepped out of your comfort zone by just showing up after 52 hours of travel……..but you showed the whole team, all the children, and everyone on the blog what it looks like to have compassion for those that have been forgotten and abandoned in this world. As you make your way around town these next few months,  it may not always be easy to share everything in just a few minutes.  However,  I am sure your heart for these children will be clearly visible for those who want to see and hear your story.
“Mr Ja”  you were the first to come alongside us and believe that the Lord was calling more than just our family to do this work. We never had to convince you to come with us.  He told you to come long ago.  Your gift of leadership is ever present in all you do and a joy for me to watch and learn from.  Your willingness to ” make time ” for these teachers, staff and pastors is so encouraging to us. You have less of it to give than most of us but you continue to sacrifice your time, talents and resources for His Kingdom. Your ability of seeing further down the road  will serve us well as we continue to do this work of His in Uganda and who knows where else. Love you bro,no one throws a better “smartie bomb” than you my friend.
7. Kristin .  Most of you don’t know Kristin but you have only seen about 40 of her photographs.  I lost count at about 6000 and haven’t even seen the real pictures, only snippets of the raw ones she has taken…. Simply incredible.  She is working on the photos of the children first. Each of you sponsors will get a special photograph done by Kristin of them holding their name plate. They are awesome.  Thanks for your patience as she works through the tedious job of editing. Check out kristinjphotography.  Her impact on our ministry will last for years and years to come.  You are worth “many cows” as they said in Uganda.   Keep your day job though, playing backup to the broken horn on the Miracle Van might put the hurt on you over time with all that traffic.
8. Emmy My beloved friend and pastor. You are an inspiration to so many. Your humble servant like approach to your pastors, teachers, staff and children is an example for us all.  Your “faith” to believe what He told you long ago  in a mud hut when you had nothing in your pockets and a congregation of just 8 female believers is a story for us all to know.  You met in the house of one of your current church members today ………and  we were blessed to see  this very  lady give a heartfelt, tear producing song of thanks and praise to Jesus for you at sunday service. You are a blessing to so, so many.  Oh Jesus,  give us faith like your beloved son Emmy.  You are a visionary and are constantly looking to the future of what God will do for not only your people in Africa but your friends in America as well.  You may not have a visa in your hand today to visit the US,  but you have “a ticket to heaven.” I was blessed to call you my “best man” on  wedding day #2.  I promise not to be a “catch and release” friend as Denver Moore said in Same Kind of Different as Me. If you are looking for a real friend.  I’ll be one.  Forever.  My heart is with you.
9. My wife Monica–twice married …..now that should seal the deal shouldn’t it? You are a constant source of inspiration to me.  Your ability to hear clearly from the Lord is amazin….. The gifts He has given you are the perfect match for me.  I couldn’t ask for more …..really.  A wife who taught me to get my head out of this world, and start looking up at Him. A wife who has shown me much about prayer……. A wife who was obedient to His calling to go to an unknown African country to fulfill His purpose more than 2 years ago. I am not sure many people would have made that trip, and some even told you not to go back, but we know that was the devil trying to stop you.  You were obedient to His calling. THANK YOU !!!! One of the couples we met this trip were Roger and Julie,  a New Zealand couple in their 70s who had donated the money for the land more than 10 years ago that the school in Mbarara sits on today. Wow!!!! Lord, give us three more decades to serve and give to your work around the world before you call us Home. There is nothing I would rather be doing.   I love you Monica….You are more beautiful today than ever.  I am a different and better person because of you and your huge love for Him.
10. Finally the end.  You made it.  I want to thank you the PCM blog readers, orphan sponsors and supporters. You were a blessing to our team with your emails, texts, comments and prayer support. Without you and the 70 or so sponsors and many supporters this work would never get done.  Our single biggest current need is sponsorship of these children to meet our operational budget. Once we do this, the gifts given can be used to improve the lives of these children, pastors and people of Uganda. (PS special thanks to  Norman and BettyRae, Cliff and MaryAnn, Steve and Susan, Mark and Tina, Kelly and Jimmy, Randy and Shannon,Karla and Kim, Foy and Mia,John and Julie, Roger and Liz and many many others………….)
And just a few more:
  • my good friend Daniel for his love and support during this trip daily. He is the executive director of a very awesome family camp near Kalamazoo Michigan. Check it out at  www.gulllake.org . He traveled with us to Uganda in November and made an impact instantly with the orphans and the pastors. The children are asking and looking for you “Ambuuuush.” We are forever grateful for your love and support for what we are doing in Africa.  Thank you for teaching me to be bold in my love for Jesus.
  • our daughters: Bailey and Libby.   While we were gone you made your way (with grandmommy and granddaddy) to Michigan to be with Daniel and family at camp. It is such a blessing to have a friend who can baptize your children without your presence. :o) Thank you girls for your obedience.  You are a tremendous part of this ministry. You have sacrificed quite a bit as we have begun this ministry.   We couldn’t be prouder of your willingness to go with us and to be a part of it.  The Lord has brought us a long way from that lonely place on Trip #1 stranded on the side of the road with a broken down van in the middle of who knows where Uganda. He will continue to be with us every pothole of the way.  All the orphans are waiting for your presence this Christmas. It will be the best one ever I believe for our family.
  • our pastor David for his ability to listen, and listen and listen and listen some more about EVERYTHING.  And to give wise heartfelt advice and to be a quite an excellent speech advisor.  You, Hilliary and your parents are so valuable to us and this mission.
  • my parents for their understanding and acceptance of a ministry that is I agree a little different…… but growing and helping so many already. There was a time at the beginning that I am sure every parent would wonder “what are you doing?” and I know my time is coming some day,  but as you have begun to see, it’s not about “us”….it’s about “Him.”  We love you and thank you for all the golf clubs, balls and headcovers sold on ebay.   It’s really helping God’s kids around the world.
  • And finally my friend Les  who has stood with me at PCM doing so much that so many of you will never ever see or know.  If you see him or know him,  just thank his bride Wendy and him for us.  They are flat out awesome.
One last treat.  Here are the orphans, singing “Mr Cha’s” favorite new song
Uganda: The Pearl of Africa . The started their second break of the year this week but the choir is hanging around to record a CD of this and many other songs.
Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29FgnyCE03o
Mukama Asiimwe.
Bub and Monica
Be watching your email for the dates and locations where we will show the premier of our original movie……… PCM Trip #3.   It’s coming to a home theater near you SOON.  Admission FREE.  Snacks and drinks FREE too.

Posted in Trips to Uganda | 1 Comment »

Day 7 Stuff, Letters, Goodbye, Hello and the Trip to Kampala

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

We woke up early and were ready to go about 730am (American time) and the Miracle Van showed up not too long after.  We packed it with several fewer suitcases and were headed for the school to say goodbye to the orphans.  I was the last to exit the hotel…….complete with Emmy’s computer he had loaned us to help with the blog problems.  As i made it outside the team was waiting with a packed Miracle Van and they looked at me and said, “look at Bub everybody.”  Yes i know a picture says a thousand words and it probably does in this case.  I have spent a lot of time with this stuff late at night this week but i am grateful for opportunity to share what the Lord is doing in Uganda.

A special thanks this week goes out to my technical team in Texas, specifically Alissa and Greg Melton for their hard work and determination to persevere and make sure each of you could actually read this blog every day.  Whohooo as Emmy would say.  They did such a good job i am going to employ them again in December around Christmas when we do it again.

We headed straight over to the school after dropping Emmy off in town.  Strange as it may seem,  by the time we looked up at school there was Emmy.  We think he caught a motorbike “boda boda” as they call them but we were amazed he was right there with us so soon.  We wandered around the grounds ducking our heads in the classrooms watching the orphans and thinking i can’t believe it is time to go now.  Mr Cha still marveling at the expertise and talent of these young teachers.

What we needed to do next was hand out the packets given to us by sponsors for the 30 or so that had given them to us.  We had agonized all week over this decision but met as a group the night before and made an executive decision.  We decided to pool all the packets together and make one suitcase of school supplies, one suitcase of other gifts and one suitcase of candy.  You see,  these orphans got it right.  They know how to share and they really aren’t lacking when they don’t have “stuff” like us Americans.  We keep thinking we need to make them like us,  but i can tell you it is just the opposite.  We need to be like them.  One of the most striking things we noticed all week was how attached the orphans were to the letters written by sponsors.  One of the orphans had a pack nearly 2 inches thick, and let me tell you,  she was smiling everyday,  everytime i looked at her.

That being said, we realized that we couldn’t shower just 30 with a ton of stuff and give nothing to the other 170.  We decided to present the letters and pictures to them and allow “Supermom” to distribute the other gifts over the next few months as a group.  It was so the right decision.  I know i promised many of you to present these well thought out packets to your orphan, but i can tell you it’s not what they need. If you were extra generous with giving more in your packet i want you to know that you will bless many besides your own sponsored child in the months to come.  All these children need is love and that is what is being shared through the letters.  So in the future this will make it easier,  we will be bringing letters and pictures but no “stuff”.  I hope many of you understand.  

We took some group pictures and then all addressed the orphans one last time. Monica and Ashley shared words from their heart and tears from their eyes.  It was touching to watch both of them share. Jay,Doug and Kristin also gave some parting words. I was privileged to call Esther up front and remind all 200 that she had previously asked for a blanket on our last trip.  We bought 2 blankets and called Aron, the head boy, and Lydia, the head girl up front. I told the orphans that under the direction of the Jeske family,  each orphan would soon be receiving a nice blanket like the 2 we have here.  Until they arrive,  Aron and Lydia would be in charge of deciding who gets to sleep with it based on which child most closely shows the qualities on the signs throughout the school.  All the orphans burst in to cheers as they realized that a blanket was on its way very soon.  Lydia and Aron stood on the side of the group, beeming with confidence of their new responsibility. They were thrilled to lead in this endeavor.  Then all of the children gave a huge verbal “thank you Jeske family” complete with Ugandan accent that i am learning to love so much.

Mr Cha got the group to sing “Uganda , Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.”   What a treat it was to hear that again. We made our way back in to the van and waved goodbye for now…….each of us wanting to stay much longer but we knew we had a big journey ahead of us.

Our first stop of the day after school was at Pastor John’s church.  He owns a local store and you could tell by his church.  The outside and inside was beautiful.  Decorated stone and smooth concrete floors inside giving  great acoustics.

We named this the “singing church” and Monica and Jay tried it out singing the Revelation song with the guitar.  Great job despite the fact they hadn’t rehearsed for this performance.  While we were there we were blessed by Pastor John’s generosity as he brought forth bananas, bread, tea and water for our group to share.  It was some good eatin for sure, even Driver Emmy couldnt resist being a part of our group.  He seems to get fed at each stop no matter where we are.  You would never know looking at him though.

Next stop was Pastor Stephen’s church.  Just the opposite of the previous church.

He was unable to attend the wedding or pastor’s conference due to severe back pain.  He pain was better when we saw him and there was a smile on his face at our arrival.  Here he is with his wife and a picture of us in his humble church.

We were able to find one more cell phone in a backpack and we presented it to Pastor Stephen on our departure. Oh my goodness, he nearly jumped in the van with glee. True gratefulness……….  none of us will forget that display.  We are so blessed that these rural pastors are going to be able to communicate with each other much better.

We were off and running again…….slightly behind schedule but moving.  Our last stop was Pastor Januanario ’s church and home.  He is building his house of stone but his church is hurting. Their are a real lack of men at his church and you can tell the leadership issues he is having as a result.   I call his church the ” the church of light” since standing in it you see some incredible images of light entering the church.    Today the church stood empty except for our photos through these windows.

We piled in one last time and were ready to finish the journey to Kampala.  We arrived around 7pm and checked in to our hotel, a very nice find in the city by the golf course.  We were all watching Emmy and Sarah smile from ear to ear as they probably had never seen such a nice place.  You see…….11 years ago they were still in a mud hut.  Oh my how things have changed now.  What a blessing it is to give them a night away from the 20+ that live in their home in Mbarara. Emmy told me about three times in the hallway with one of the biggest smiles of the week……..”Supermom is very happy!!”  We told them at dinner that we can’t wait to do it again after Christmas when they bring us back to Kamapala.   Next time though we told Driver Emmy that his bride, Mary, would need to come along as well.   Maybe we can even get the Miracle Van to pick up Reuben and Hallen.    The 10 of us in the van showing up at this hotel after Christmas.  I am already looking forward to such a blessing just watching them.

The next morning we awoke and made it to the airport.  Some time with Emmy for hugs and a quick picture and we were headed back to America.   Once again time had gone too quickly .  My prayer is always for it to pass very slowly but it never does.  This place will be missed.  It will be 4.5 months until our return at Christmas. It is getting easier to leave,  knowing full well we will be back with another group to shower the orphans and pastors with love.  What a trip it has been.

Mukama Aisimewe.  ”Praise God”

Bub

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