Then today he told me he changed his mind because we will be having a three night stay. I guess he loves me after all!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
My new favourite conversation
On the way to our host's home in Marysville, I was sitting beside Reagan in the car. He takes my hand and turns to look at me. And he says, "Auntie, we need to talk." First of all, that's funny. So serious. Then he says, "Before you came to tour, we stayed six nights, four nights, five nights...then you came to tour and we stay one night, one night, one night. Auntie, I am going to send you back to Canada and I'm going to be tour leader. If I need you, I will call the number on my bracelet." Bahahahahaha! So I tell him, "If I go back to Canada, I won't have the phone." Then he says, "Then I will phone Auntie Marci and she will call you. Uncle Vic will take you to the border in the bus." Ah, he cracks me up.
Then today he told me he changed his mind because we will be having a three night stay. I guess he loves me after all!
Then today he told me he changed his mind because we will be having a three night stay. I guess he loves me after all!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A trip to the Dentist
I am amazed at all the ways God brings blessings. BIG Blessings! We were able to take all the children to the dentist - all 23 of them and the 2 African Chaperones. It was so great. Dr. Mills did everything - he cleaned their teeth, did fillings and extractions and even did a root canal. He donated all his time. The children have been having trouble with their teeth, so it was really great to get them into the dentist. We couldn't have asked for better timing. It is the beginning of tour so we are now set to go. I don't think some of them would have lasted much longer with the pain in their teeth.
The children were such troopers. Some of them were really scared, but they still sat in the chair and had their teeth cleaned. It was strange to see how much they trust us. A couple of the children asked to have us sit with them while they had the work done on their teeth, but most of them seemed to know that we were doing this for their good and they went in with no problems. I'm so proud of them!
The children were such troopers. Some of them were really scared, but they still sat in the chair and had their teeth cleaned. It was strange to see how much they trust us. A couple of the children asked to have us sit with them while they had the work done on their teeth, but most of them seemed to know that we were doing this for their good and they went in with no problems. I'm so proud of them!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
On the Road...Finally!
It's been a busy two weeks and I think I'm finally getting the hang of this thing called tour. Life on the bus is going to be interesting, but I think I'm going to really enjoy it. I am getting to know our children and the other chaperones and I'm realizing that this year is going to be about relationships. It doesn't matter how much paperwork I need to get done or the detail calls that need to be made - if the relationships fall, then so will all those other things.
It has been wonderful to be back with the children. I am so glad to finally be back into the thick of things. I truly enjoyed my time in BC, but I'm glad to feel like I'm being productive and that I actually have a goal to work toward. I arrived with the choir on September 1 and we've been going full steam ahead since then. I had a wonderful time in Monroe, which was my first host church. My host family was amazing. They were so warm and inviting and they blessed me so much. I was blessed to use their vehicle for the week which made things so much easier as we were without our bus. Alesha and I were able to run errands and not feel like we were imposing on someone. I did get lost :) But thankfully Robin was able to guide me back to my host home - an hour and a half after I left the church after the concert...oops!
Since Monroe, we've been to Seattle, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Hayden Lake and we're currently in Spokane. We'll be here for a few days. I have had great host family stays and I'm enjoying seeing the children interact with the American families that we stay with. I am proud of the way they have been adapting and when I stop to think about it, they are doing an amazing job. My children are only 7-10 years old and they are doing things that I would have never thought possible. They are very adaptable and willing to try new things (well, most of them!). We have been overwhelming blessed by the churches we have stayed with. They give so much to the children and the chaperones. We just had a church donate 23 Children's Devotional Bibles and the children were so excited. We also have had people donate toothpaste, toothbrushes, water, lotion, books and many clothing items. I am always amazed when we ask for things on our wish list, how quickly we have been blessed in receiving them.
On Labour Day Monday, my host took me and the 2 girls I had for the stay to the Seattle Aquarium. It was so much fun. Amy and her 3 girls also joined us. It was a blast to watch them as they discovered all the creatures of the sea. They enjoyed it so much.
Now that we are in Spokane, I get to spend some time with Marci, my choir manager. She is going to be moving on from the ACC, but I'm so thankful that we were able to have this time before we make the big switch to David. She is an amazing woman with a huge heart for Africa. I love her and have learned so much from her in the short time that we have been friends.
We are still praying for Mel and Vic's Visas to be granted. They are the last link to our team being complete. I can't wait for them to join us. I am being stretched in ways I never thought possible and joke that our team is so flexible we are practically contortionists! We are learning to adapt to every possible situation and it is amazing how much you can actually give when you don't have any other options.
I am grateful that God's strength and grace continue to be poured out. There is no other way we could do this. Even when I am tired, God's strength is there to carry me through. Such an amazing blessing.
It has been wonderful to be back with the children. I am so glad to finally be back into the thick of things. I truly enjoyed my time in BC, but I'm glad to feel like I'm being productive and that I actually have a goal to work toward. I arrived with the choir on September 1 and we've been going full steam ahead since then. I had a wonderful time in Monroe, which was my first host church. My host family was amazing. They were so warm and inviting and they blessed me so much. I was blessed to use their vehicle for the week which made things so much easier as we were without our bus. Alesha and I were able to run errands and not feel like we were imposing on someone. I did get lost :) But thankfully Robin was able to guide me back to my host home - an hour and a half after I left the church after the concert...oops!
Since Monroe, we've been to Seattle, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Hayden Lake and we're currently in Spokane. We'll be here for a few days. I have had great host family stays and I'm enjoying seeing the children interact with the American families that we stay with. I am proud of the way they have been adapting and when I stop to think about it, they are doing an amazing job. My children are only 7-10 years old and they are doing things that I would have never thought possible. They are very adaptable and willing to try new things (well, most of them!). We have been overwhelming blessed by the churches we have stayed with. They give so much to the children and the chaperones. We just had a church donate 23 Children's Devotional Bibles and the children were so excited. We also have had people donate toothpaste, toothbrushes, water, lotion, books and many clothing items. I am always amazed when we ask for things on our wish list, how quickly we have been blessed in receiving them.
On Labour Day Monday, my host took me and the 2 girls I had for the stay to the Seattle Aquarium. It was so much fun. Amy and her 3 girls also joined us. It was a blast to watch them as they discovered all the creatures of the sea. They enjoyed it so much.
Now that we are in Spokane, I get to spend some time with Marci, my choir manager. She is going to be moving on from the ACC, but I'm so thankful that we were able to have this time before we make the big switch to David. She is an amazing woman with a huge heart for Africa. I love her and have learned so much from her in the short time that we have been friends.
We are still praying for Mel and Vic's Visas to be granted. They are the last link to our team being complete. I can't wait for them to join us. I am being stretched in ways I never thought possible and joke that our team is so flexible we are practically contortionists! We are learning to adapt to every possible situation and it is amazing how much you can actually give when you don't have any other options.
I am grateful that God's strength and grace continue to be poured out. There is no other way we could do this. Even when I am tired, God's strength is there to carry me through. Such an amazing blessing.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Stuck in BC
So, things have not been going as planned. BUT, I'm learning to take each day as it comes.
I have been stranded in British Columbia for a week and one day. At first, it was so frustrating and I felt so angry, but as the week has progressed, I have discovered that I am feeling rested and blessed.
I have spent a few days at the Music for Life/African Children's Choir office. I'm getting to know the people who really work behind the scenes to make this ministry possible. I have taken over Dave's old cubicle and done some work, but mostly I have done whatever Mike needs me to do. It's been fun.
At first, I felt like a huge inconvenience. I don't know anyone in this area of BC, so staff from the office have been taking care of me. It has been hard to be so dependent, but I've been so blessed. I've stayed with 2 different families from the office and I've made some wonderful friends. Hanging out with Rhonda has been so much fun. They've also given me freedom and space, things that I really need.
Langley is a beautiful place and in reality, I could be stranded in a much worse place :) It's not home, but it feels comfortable and I really am enjoying being here.
This morning at church, the pastor spoke on being in exile and I leaned over to Rhonda and said that is how I feel. He talked about how when we are in exile, we shouldn't be praying to get out, but praying into our situation. I have not been praying for that. I want out, but really, I should be asking God to show me what he wants me to learn from this experience.
So, although I would love to be in the States with my choir and the other chaperones, I am thankful for this time that God has given me. I am blessed in the midst of the storm.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Discovering Uganda
I have so many thoughts rolling around in my head after my time in Uganda. Bear with me...this may be long and disconnected but at least the thoughts will be out!
I honestly never thought that I would go to Africa. It isn't a place that I know a lot about. It isn't even a place I thought a lot about or wondered about. It seems to me that God has planted me in a completely different direction than I ever thought possible.
My time in Uganda was both good and hard. It was an amazing, confusing, thought-provoking, emotional, joyful, stressful, enlightning and a million-other-feelings-that-I-can't-begin-to-put-into-words time. I think the learning curve was so high at the beginning of my time there that I almost blocked it out.
I arrived in the evening and spent my first night at Lwaza with Choir 34. The next afternoon, Uncle Abraham drove me into Makindye where I got to meet my choir. What an amazing experience. The children all lined up and gave me a big hug and introduced themselves. Uncle Barnett made sure they knew who I was and they were all pretty excited.
My first sort of "crazy culture" experience was going into Kampala with Barnett. We rode on the public transportation, which is a 14 seat van-taxi. It was unbelievable. You stand on the side of the road until a taxi with free seats drives by. Barnett took me around Kampala after we visited Ambassadors of Hope - the Music for Life sponsorship office. I met Mammy Rubina who has been with the organization since the first choir back in 1984.
Kampala has more people than I think I could have ever imagined. Everywhere you looked - people. People walking, riding bodabodas, getting in taxis, buying almost anything you could imagine from a street vendor or a market stall or even a high class store front. I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people. But, beyond that was the level of class that could be seen everywhere you looked. From the beggar on the street corner to the businessman in his suit or the little street stand outside the hightech electornics store. So many contradictions.
I really got settled in to life at Makindye. Being in the compound was very comfortable and it was easy to forget that there was life outside of the fences. At Makindye, I observed a lot of rehearsals, taught a little bit of school and in general just hung out with the people who work there. I had many wonderful conversations with Kenneth and Morris. I learned a lot from hearing their perspectives and thoughts on both Africa and America. Auntie Ruth - who is the training centre cook - was also a source of knowledge for me. Watching the amazing way she served the children was such a lesson to me. She loves them fully and builds into their lives in the amazing way she serves.
I was also very blessed to spend some time with Auntie Sally. She is an amazing woman who really opened up my eyes and my heart to the mission of Music for Life and the African Children's Choir. She has lived in Africa for many years and really has an excellent perspective on African/American relationships and cultural differences. I found in her a kindred spirit and beyond the culture talks shared many wonderful laughs and chats with her.
However, the hardest part of my time in Africa was my home visits. I was fortunate to be able to meet 10 of the 12 Ugandan children's families. It was amazing yet difficult to go to the homes of my children. It is true that the African Children's Choir is helping Africa's most vulnerable. It doesn't mean that our children are orphans, it just means that they come from very needy homes. Several of the homes I went to were the size of the bathroom in my home - and a family lives there. Imagine for a moment that you live in a space the size of your bathroom and that the actual bathroom is a communal "long-drop" that you walk to some distance from your home. Then imagine that in that space, there is no electricity and your roof is a piece of tin that you've set on top of some random nailed boards and is held on by rocks. Or imagine that your house is made of red clay and when it rains, it melts. Can you imagine? I couldn't imagine. But suddenly, I was there. Seeing. Knowing. Wondering. Hurting.
I have some very sweet children in my choir. Seeing where they come from makes me wonder how they can still be so sweet. My children have come from situations that could never be imagined by the children in America. My children are the same age as my neice and I can't imagine her living in the conditions in which they do.
Then, on top of all the emotions that I was feeling, I was amazed at the beauty of many of the families I visited. In one home, the mother prayed for us before we left and I have never felt so blessed. I didn't know what she was praying - she was praying in Lugandan - but I knew that she was praying for God's blessings to be upon us. It was amazing. She was so thankful that we would give her daughter this opportunity. An opportunity that she would not likely get otherwise.
I am not the same person I was when I left 2 weeks ago. I am changed. Deeply. I am still figuring this out. So many more thoughts to work out. I know I will need a bit more time. I'm so grateful for this experience. I am grateful that God saw fit to put me into this position. Life will never be the same.
I honestly never thought that I would go to Africa. It isn't a place that I know a lot about. It isn't even a place I thought a lot about or wondered about. It seems to me that God has planted me in a completely different direction than I ever thought possible.
My time in Uganda was both good and hard. It was an amazing, confusing, thought-provoking, emotional, joyful, stressful, enlightning and a million-other-feelings-that-I-can't-begin-to-put-into-words time. I think the learning curve was so high at the beginning of my time there that I almost blocked it out.
I arrived in the evening and spent my first night at Lwaza with Choir 34. The next afternoon, Uncle Abraham drove me into Makindye where I got to meet my choir. What an amazing experience. The children all lined up and gave me a big hug and introduced themselves. Uncle Barnett made sure they knew who I was and they were all pretty excited.
My first sort of "crazy culture" experience was going into Kampala with Barnett. We rode on the public transportation, which is a 14 seat van-taxi. It was unbelievable. You stand on the side of the road until a taxi with free seats drives by. Barnett took me around Kampala after we visited Ambassadors of Hope - the Music for Life sponsorship office. I met Mammy Rubina who has been with the organization since the first choir back in 1984.
Kampala has more people than I think I could have ever imagined. Everywhere you looked - people. People walking, riding bodabodas, getting in taxis, buying almost anything you could imagine from a street vendor or a market stall or even a high class store front. I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people. But, beyond that was the level of class that could be seen everywhere you looked. From the beggar on the street corner to the businessman in his suit or the little street stand outside the hightech electornics store. So many contradictions.
I really got settled in to life at Makindye. Being in the compound was very comfortable and it was easy to forget that there was life outside of the fences. At Makindye, I observed a lot of rehearsals, taught a little bit of school and in general just hung out with the people who work there. I had many wonderful conversations with Kenneth and Morris. I learned a lot from hearing their perspectives and thoughts on both Africa and America. Auntie Ruth - who is the training centre cook - was also a source of knowledge for me. Watching the amazing way she served the children was such a lesson to me. She loves them fully and builds into their lives in the amazing way she serves.
I was also very blessed to spend some time with Auntie Sally. She is an amazing woman who really opened up my eyes and my heart to the mission of Music for Life and the African Children's Choir. She has lived in Africa for many years and really has an excellent perspective on African/American relationships and cultural differences. I found in her a kindred spirit and beyond the culture talks shared many wonderful laughs and chats with her.
However, the hardest part of my time in Africa was my home visits. I was fortunate to be able to meet 10 of the 12 Ugandan children's families. It was amazing yet difficult to go to the homes of my children. It is true that the African Children's Choir is helping Africa's most vulnerable. It doesn't mean that our children are orphans, it just means that they come from very needy homes. Several of the homes I went to were the size of the bathroom in my home - and a family lives there. Imagine for a moment that you live in a space the size of your bathroom and that the actual bathroom is a communal "long-drop" that you walk to some distance from your home. Then imagine that in that space, there is no electricity and your roof is a piece of tin that you've set on top of some random nailed boards and is held on by rocks. Or imagine that your house is made of red clay and when it rains, it melts. Can you imagine? I couldn't imagine. But suddenly, I was there. Seeing. Knowing. Wondering. Hurting.
I have some very sweet children in my choir. Seeing where they come from makes me wonder how they can still be so sweet. My children have come from situations that could never be imagined by the children in America. My children are the same age as my neice and I can't imagine her living in the conditions in which they do.
Then, on top of all the emotions that I was feeling, I was amazed at the beauty of many of the families I visited. In one home, the mother prayed for us before we left and I have never felt so blessed. I didn't know what she was praying - she was praying in Lugandan - but I knew that she was praying for God's blessings to be upon us. It was amazing. She was so thankful that we would give her daughter this opportunity. An opportunity that she would not likely get otherwise.
I am not the same person I was when I left 2 weeks ago. I am changed. Deeply. I am still figuring this out. So many more thoughts to work out. I know I will need a bit more time. I'm so grateful for this experience. I am grateful that God saw fit to put me into this position. Life will never be the same.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Love much, hurt deeply
*I promise that a post is coming about my time in Uganda. I am still processing. This is an update on the days since I have been back*
I arrived home from Uganda without my bag and without an American Visa. We were supposed to have one night in Canada and then the three Canadians were going to head down to the US on Saturday. No such luck. The American Chaperones ended up joining us here in Langley and we did our training at the home of the Volunteer co-ordinator for the ACC. No big deal, training can happen anywhere. So, now it has been 3 days and still no Visas. I am hanging out at the Music for Life office, hoping and praying that they will be approved soon.
The hardest part about this is knowing that I will most likely not get to meet my babies at the airport. I fell in love with the children from my choir during my time in Uganda and knowing that they will arrive there without me to greet them is so hard. It is hard to believe that as Canadians, we are having a harder time with the Visa application process than 13 Ugandans and 12 Kenyans. So much for neighbourly love.
It is very much a guessing game as to when/if the Visas will come. I am trying to remember that God's timing is so much greater than mine, but right now my heart is very sad that I may miss out on the next few days with the children and the rest of our chaperone team. This week of training was great, but we were still without our 2 African chaperones and Auntie Stacie who will be joining us for the next month. It may be at least a week before we become a complete team - and that is even a bit optimistic.
I am praying that God works it out knowing that he could make this miracle happen, yet asking him to help me recognize that this is out of my control and should his answer be "no", that I will take it with the love and grace in which he sends it.
I loved much. I hurt deeply. 10 months with the children is still ahead, but I feel like I'll be missing out on the beginning. I like beginnings.
I arrived home from Uganda without my bag and without an American Visa. We were supposed to have one night in Canada and then the three Canadians were going to head down to the US on Saturday. No such luck. The American Chaperones ended up joining us here in Langley and we did our training at the home of the Volunteer co-ordinator for the ACC. No big deal, training can happen anywhere. So, now it has been 3 days and still no Visas. I am hanging out at the Music for Life office, hoping and praying that they will be approved soon.
The hardest part about this is knowing that I will most likely not get to meet my babies at the airport. I fell in love with the children from my choir during my time in Uganda and knowing that they will arrive there without me to greet them is so hard. It is hard to believe that as Canadians, we are having a harder time with the Visa application process than 13 Ugandans and 12 Kenyans. So much for neighbourly love.
It is very much a guessing game as to when/if the Visas will come. I am trying to remember that God's timing is so much greater than mine, but right now my heart is very sad that I may miss out on the next few days with the children and the rest of our chaperone team. This week of training was great, but we were still without our 2 African chaperones and Auntie Stacie who will be joining us for the next month. It may be at least a week before we become a complete team - and that is even a bit optimistic.
I am praying that God works it out knowing that he could make this miracle happen, yet asking him to help me recognize that this is out of my control and should his answer be "no", that I will take it with the love and grace in which he sends it.
I loved much. I hurt deeply. 10 months with the children is still ahead, but I feel like I'll be missing out on the beginning. I like beginnings.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Oh my soul...
I have been on the road for 10 days and I'm enjoying it so much. Tomorrow, I leave for Uganda and when I get back, I'll be on the road for 10 months! I hope that after a few months I still enjoy it as much as I do now.
I'm excited, nervous and a bit apprehensive to be going to Uganda. I will be travelling on my own, but I think that will be fine. I have a few extra suitcases to take because I'm taking all my children's sweatshirts! Makes it seem so real to have their stuff in my possession.
I love the children of Choir 32 and am sad to leave them. I have also made some great friendships with the other chaperones and I will miss being with them. I hope that I will be able to connect with my own team that way that I have with this team.
A few of my favourite things - "oh my soul", hugs every morning, hugs every night, worship in devotions with the children, Peace singing "You are my shepherd", late night snacks with Auntie Laura, and Gilbert Big's facial expressions.
One part of this journey is ending, the next part is beginning. Praise God from whom all blessings flow - even the ones that you have to leave behind.
I'm excited, nervous and a bit apprehensive to be going to Uganda. I will be travelling on my own, but I think that will be fine. I have a few extra suitcases to take because I'm taking all my children's sweatshirts! Makes it seem so real to have their stuff in my possession.
I love the children of Choir 32 and am sad to leave them. I have also made some great friendships with the other chaperones and I will miss being with them. I hope that I will be able to connect with my own team that way that I have with this team.
A few of my favourite things - "oh my soul", hugs every morning, hugs every night, worship in devotions with the children, Peace singing "You are my shepherd", late night snacks with Auntie Laura, and Gilbert Big's facial expressions.
One part of this journey is ending, the next part is beginning. Praise God from whom all blessings flow - even the ones that you have to leave behind.
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