This is Ted writing. I want to take a minute to introduce myself for those of you who do not know me.
I am 23 years old, 24 next week. I became a born again christian at the age of 15 through the outreach of some of my friends. My life has changed dramatically since I came to know Christ. I went from being the selfish kid who always had to have things fair, to a guy who, by slow degrees, is thinking less about himself and more about others. The hope and peace I have because I am part of the family of God is a dramatic difference from the depression and hopeless of my early high school years. Christ is my savior in very tangible ways.
For university I attended The King’s College, a Christian college in New York City. The mission of the school is to raise Christian leaders to influence the secular world. While there I studied and developed a passion for business. I love Jesus and have a passion for his ministry, but I do not have a direct calling as a pastor or some other roll in a church. That may change someday, but for this season of my life I have concluded that I want to use my passion for business to do the work of God and make that into my ministry.
This desire to use business as ministry is largely why I am in Uganda. When Andy told me about the trip he was planning I could not get out of my head how cool it would be to join him as he helped Ugandans think about creating sustainable wealth to combat poverty in their communities. I came to serve in whatever way possible and I came to observe and learn about how I could apply my passion for business to loving my neighbors.
I have had a tremendous experience that I will write more about later. My biggest conclusion is the God is good and that Jesus has been the Lord of this trip.
Grace and peace,
Ted
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thoughts From Andy
Our last night in Kampala seems to have come quickly, but at the same time we seem to have been here a long time. We’re all looking forward to seeing family and friends. It has been an amazing two weeks. We have spent time with people we have come to love, met new friends and seen new opportunities. We set out to “spend” ourselves on others for two weeks. We have done that, but in God’s amazing economy we have received so much. We will never forget how welcomed and blessed we have been by the people of Arua and Kampala. Many have nothing to give except their hospitality, warmth and friendship. We have experienced nothing but kindness, gentleness and love. It is wonderful to be with brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of location, race or economic circumstance. There is an instant bond that transcends the purely human experience. The Holy Spirit binds us together in ways that are truly mysterious. We have ministered to so many; we have come with ideas, hope and love, yet we ourselves have been changed perhaps most of all.
As Westerners we ask ourselves the question: Have we achieved anything? Time will tell, but we are optimistic about the future.
In Arua, a large group of Christian business men and women took two days to listen, discuss and understand the ideas we were bringing. We offered a higher vision for work - a calling if you will - to “love our neighbor as ourselves” in practical ways of developing the local economy by growing sustainable businesses that would generate income for the people of Arua; this would also fulfill the command we have to be stewards of God’s creation. We identified that the current businesses did not reflect some considerable competitive advantages that Arua has as a town. We also saw that there are business opportunities that capture more of the value chain and therefore deliver greater economic potential to Arua. For example, we asked why bricks are being transported over 500Km from Arua at incredible cost? We also looked at Arua’s assets and tried to match them to the opportunities. As a result of our work, a Christian Business Forum has been established to take this vision and make it a reality.
In Kampala, we spent days with our friends at Jesus Commissioned Ministries and tried to understand their circumstances and how best to try to help them grow their school. The visits to the local neighborhood were eye opening. We were invited into homes no more than 75 sq. feet in size, some in total darkness. For some the school will be the only way out of this life. What would Jesus do? The investments made to date have had incredible impact, and there is the opportunity for more. However we need to be careful to keep the local people involved. There is a tendency for them to pull back and expect the Muzungu to provide for everything. We have agreed on a new strategy for the school which might allow it to be sustainable and even had the opportunity to speak before the parents. But there is much to be done and they will need to be sustained by the Holy Spirit.
But maybe the question: “Have we achieved anything?” is the wrong question. Perhaps the right question is: “How did the Lord use our trip?”
It is hard not to think of the worship services we helped lead. In small brick buildings, under trees beside mud huts, in wooden buildings with sheet metal roofs God’s people meet every Sunday to worship. And worship they do! This is the highlight of most people’s weeks. They are in no hurry to leave - some pray all night before - then dressed in their best clothes they sing, dance and cry out in pure joy to our Father. How much the church in America could learn from these poor and humble people. The ability to teach was an absolute privilege. Whether providing testimonies, teaching Bible studies and Sunday School, or bringing the sermon, we were able to serve and challenge in ways they deeply appreciated. In Nebbi, I had to wait for 2 hours for my ride to pick me up. My church sat with me - it would be impolite for them to do anything else. The Lord used the time as, slowly at first, they asked me questions that they had about the Bible, questions about food and prophecy among others. Believers reasoning together - anxious to know the whole Word of God and its meaning.
It is also impossible not to think of the way people told us how we were encouraging them - just by being there and caring for them. They understand the notion of spending themselves, and they expressed deep gratitude that we would do so on their behalf. They saw the love of Jesus in us - a love that only Jesus himself was able to give us to share. None of this was done in our own strength, just Jesus using us to minister to his people. What a blessing and privilege to be used by the God of the universe in this way!
In Arua I was given two African names - Ayiko, which means “full of happiness” and Kisa, which means “merciful”. I cherish the gift of these names and thank God for them.
In this life, none of us know the full extent of the impact that we have as we are obedient to God’s calling on our life. We simply pray that God would be glorified in everything we have done and that he would use our endeavors for his own perfect purposes.
Finally, to let you all know that we have felt lifted in prayer by you all in such a powerful way. So many times we needed God to intervene on our behalf, and each time he has done so. We thank God for his mercies and you for your faithfulness to us all.
As Westerners we ask ourselves the question: Have we achieved anything? Time will tell, but we are optimistic about the future.
In Arua, a large group of Christian business men and women took two days to listen, discuss and understand the ideas we were bringing. We offered a higher vision for work - a calling if you will - to “love our neighbor as ourselves” in practical ways of developing the local economy by growing sustainable businesses that would generate income for the people of Arua; this would also fulfill the command we have to be stewards of God’s creation. We identified that the current businesses did not reflect some considerable competitive advantages that Arua has as a town. We also saw that there are business opportunities that capture more of the value chain and therefore deliver greater economic potential to Arua. For example, we asked why bricks are being transported over 500Km from Arua at incredible cost? We also looked at Arua’s assets and tried to match them to the opportunities. As a result of our work, a Christian Business Forum has been established to take this vision and make it a reality.
In Kampala, we spent days with our friends at Jesus Commissioned Ministries and tried to understand their circumstances and how best to try to help them grow their school. The visits to the local neighborhood were eye opening. We were invited into homes no more than 75 sq. feet in size, some in total darkness. For some the school will be the only way out of this life. What would Jesus do? The investments made to date have had incredible impact, and there is the opportunity for more. However we need to be careful to keep the local people involved. There is a tendency for them to pull back and expect the Muzungu to provide for everything. We have agreed on a new strategy for the school which might allow it to be sustainable and even had the opportunity to speak before the parents. But there is much to be done and they will need to be sustained by the Holy Spirit.
But maybe the question: “Have we achieved anything?” is the wrong question. Perhaps the right question is: “How did the Lord use our trip?”
It is hard not to think of the worship services we helped lead. In small brick buildings, under trees beside mud huts, in wooden buildings with sheet metal roofs God’s people meet every Sunday to worship. And worship they do! This is the highlight of most people’s weeks. They are in no hurry to leave - some pray all night before - then dressed in their best clothes they sing, dance and cry out in pure joy to our Father. How much the church in America could learn from these poor and humble people. The ability to teach was an absolute privilege. Whether providing testimonies, teaching Bible studies and Sunday School, or bringing the sermon, we were able to serve and challenge in ways they deeply appreciated. In Nebbi, I had to wait for 2 hours for my ride to pick me up. My church sat with me - it would be impolite for them to do anything else. The Lord used the time as, slowly at first, they asked me questions that they had about the Bible, questions about food and prophecy among others. Believers reasoning together - anxious to know the whole Word of God and its meaning.
It is also impossible not to think of the way people told us how we were encouraging them - just by being there and caring for them. They understand the notion of spending themselves, and they expressed deep gratitude that we would do so on their behalf. They saw the love of Jesus in us - a love that only Jesus himself was able to give us to share. None of this was done in our own strength, just Jesus using us to minister to his people. What a blessing and privilege to be used by the God of the universe in this way!
In Arua I was given two African names - Ayiko, which means “full of happiness” and Kisa, which means “merciful”. I cherish the gift of these names and thank God for them.
In this life, none of us know the full extent of the impact that we have as we are obedient to God’s calling on our life. We simply pray that God would be glorified in everything we have done and that he would use our endeavors for his own perfect purposes.
Finally, to let you all know that we have felt lifted in prayer by you all in such a powerful way. So many times we needed God to intervene on our behalf, and each time he has done so. We thank God for his mercies and you for your faithfulness to us all.
Last Day
Sunday, June 28, 2009 Day 12
Today, we had our second Sunday service in Uganda. This service, however, was much different than our previous one. For this service, we were in a building made of iron sheets, instead of under a tree. Also, the three of us were together today. There were also about 100 people there today, about 75 more than last weekend. However, Jesus was glorified in both places.
We were able to see four different worship teams perform, including adults and children. Then, Ted and I gave our testimonies, and Andy gave a sermon. The hardest part was saying goodbye to the children. After church, we went to lunch with Lisa and Jean, another missionary in the area.
Tonight, we celebrated the end of our trip with a dinner at the hotel. We took time to recount our favorite stories and think about all that had taken place. What a trip!
Please pray for safe travels tomorrow. Pray that Andy and I fly safely back to the US and that Ted has a safe journey to Busia. Thank you for all of your prayers during our trip!
Sp3nt
Today, we had our second Sunday service in Uganda. This service, however, was much different than our previous one. For this service, we were in a building made of iron sheets, instead of under a tree. Also, the three of us were together today. There were also about 100 people there today, about 75 more than last weekend. However, Jesus was glorified in both places.
We were able to see four different worship teams perform, including adults and children. Then, Ted and I gave our testimonies, and Andy gave a sermon. The hardest part was saying goodbye to the children. After church, we went to lunch with Lisa and Jean, another missionary in the area.
Tonight, we celebrated the end of our trip with a dinner at the hotel. We took time to recount our favorite stories and think about all that had taken place. What a trip!
Please pray for safe travels tomorrow. Pray that Andy and I fly safely back to the US and that Ted has a safe journey to Busia. Thank you for all of your prayers during our trip!
Sp3nt
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Eleventh Day
Saturday, June 27, 2009 Day 11
This morning, Daniel picked us up and took us into the communities which his church, Jesus Commissioned Ministries, serves. In Kampala, the richer people live in better homes up the hill. Therefore, as you go down any of the 21 hills of Kampala, the people become poorer and poorer and the houses become more and more shabby. Today, we were in the valley. We were in a slum where most of the homes were one or two rooms, both the size of average closets in the US. In these two rooms, the people fit all of their belongings and all of their families, with the number of children in a family ranging from two to twelve. However, a lot of the children are orphans, and so their aunts or uncles are housing them along with their own children.
As we walked through the community, children would run at us, screaming “Muzungu!” or “White people!” They found a lot of amusement in rubbing our arms, hair, and faces, mostly because we are white which is very different. They also proceeded to use us as human jungle gyms, climbing up and down us, and wanting us to pick them up and swing them. We handed out crackers to the children, and told them that they could see us again if they came to church tomorrow morning!
We also saw a lot of children who had been in our classes the previous two days. Some of the children even remembered my name, saying, “Hello, Teacher DJ!” Seeing where these children live made their situations very real to us. Also, it made us realize why their parents have so much difficulty paying school fees. Finally, we were able to appreciate their enthusiasm in the classroom even more.
This afternoon, Daniel arranged a meeting with the parents of the children in the school. Because most of these children come from such extreme poverty, it is very hard for the parents to pay school fees. Also, because they believe that white people like us who know Daniel are paying all of the fees. There was even a group of white people who came to Kampala last year, visited the school, and took all of the children out to lunch, which does not help the parents mindsets that Muzungu should pay the fees. However, because of the economic decline, these people were not able to help the school financially this year. Moreover, because the church operates in this poor community, it cannot bear the burden of all of the school fees either. So the school is in a precarious situation, where there are not enough funds to even pay for the teachers.
Andy talked to the parents about changing the way the school works. For one child to go to school, it only costs 140,000 /= (about $70) per year. (At each school, there have to be school fees because there aren’t free, government-run schools in the area.) Andy told the parents that each parent has to contribute some money to the cause of their children’s education, because that will make it important in their minds. Then, a scholarship fund will be created so that kids who cannot pay the full price will be able to go to school. The school will become a school of excellence, where the best children will be accepted, as many as the scholarship fund allows. This school already tests as high, if not higher, than the other schools in the area, so the school needs to stay in operation. These changes should be able to keep the school in business.
After the meeting with the parents, we met with the leaders in the church and the school about the proposed changes. We also discussed some ways to help the community and the church. Then the three of us went back to the hotel, to prepare what we will say in church tomorrow.
On a side note, we were held up after our journey through the community because of an interesting Ugandan ritual. As we walked back to the car, we saw many men in white robes and western suit jackets, and women in bright, colorful dresses and sashes. As we got closer, we saw dozens of adorned baskets filled with rice, sugar, matoke, and live chickens. Then Daniel told us that this was the groom-to-be preparing to go to the parents of whom he hoped to be his bride. He was giving a speech to his posse about how to behave at the feast. Daniel told us that the parents can either deny or accept the man’s request and if they accept, then the baskets would be the dowry. However, then the groom would also have to pay for a wedding.
Thank you for all of your prayers! God truly listens to and answers them! Today, Andy’s leg was infinitely better than it has been the rest of the trip. Also, we prayed to find Pastor Daniel’s ATM card which he left at the bank the other day, and we went back and they had the card. Then we went to lunch and they didn’t have any chocolate ice cream, but I prayed, telling Jesus that I really wanted some, and 10 minutes later, the ice cream re-stocking truck rolled up with more chocolate ice cream! Finally, we just feel like your prayers have truly kept us safe, when there were so many things which could have gone wrong over the course of this trip.
Please pray that God will speak to us about what we should say at church tomorrow. Please pray that he will give us the words which will most impact and help the community.
Sp3nt
This morning, Daniel picked us up and took us into the communities which his church, Jesus Commissioned Ministries, serves. In Kampala, the richer people live in better homes up the hill. Therefore, as you go down any of the 21 hills of Kampala, the people become poorer and poorer and the houses become more and more shabby. Today, we were in the valley. We were in a slum where most of the homes were one or two rooms, both the size of average closets in the US. In these two rooms, the people fit all of their belongings and all of their families, with the number of children in a family ranging from two to twelve. However, a lot of the children are orphans, and so their aunts or uncles are housing them along with their own children.
As we walked through the community, children would run at us, screaming “Muzungu!” or “White people!” They found a lot of amusement in rubbing our arms, hair, and faces, mostly because we are white which is very different. They also proceeded to use us as human jungle gyms, climbing up and down us, and wanting us to pick them up and swing them. We handed out crackers to the children, and told them that they could see us again if they came to church tomorrow morning!
We also saw a lot of children who had been in our classes the previous two days. Some of the children even remembered my name, saying, “Hello, Teacher DJ!” Seeing where these children live made their situations very real to us. Also, it made us realize why their parents have so much difficulty paying school fees. Finally, we were able to appreciate their enthusiasm in the classroom even more.
This afternoon, Daniel arranged a meeting with the parents of the children in the school. Because most of these children come from such extreme poverty, it is very hard for the parents to pay school fees. Also, because they believe that white people like us who know Daniel are paying all of the fees. There was even a group of white people who came to Kampala last year, visited the school, and took all of the children out to lunch, which does not help the parents mindsets that Muzungu should pay the fees. However, because of the economic decline, these people were not able to help the school financially this year. Moreover, because the church operates in this poor community, it cannot bear the burden of all of the school fees either. So the school is in a precarious situation, where there are not enough funds to even pay for the teachers.
Andy talked to the parents about changing the way the school works. For one child to go to school, it only costs 140,000 /= (about $70) per year. (At each school, there have to be school fees because there aren’t free, government-run schools in the area.) Andy told the parents that each parent has to contribute some money to the cause of their children’s education, because that will make it important in their minds. Then, a scholarship fund will be created so that kids who cannot pay the full price will be able to go to school. The school will become a school of excellence, where the best children will be accepted, as many as the scholarship fund allows. This school already tests as high, if not higher, than the other schools in the area, so the school needs to stay in operation. These changes should be able to keep the school in business.
After the meeting with the parents, we met with the leaders in the church and the school about the proposed changes. We also discussed some ways to help the community and the church. Then the three of us went back to the hotel, to prepare what we will say in church tomorrow.
On a side note, we were held up after our journey through the community because of an interesting Ugandan ritual. As we walked back to the car, we saw many men in white robes and western suit jackets, and women in bright, colorful dresses and sashes. As we got closer, we saw dozens of adorned baskets filled with rice, sugar, matoke, and live chickens. Then Daniel told us that this was the groom-to-be preparing to go to the parents of whom he hoped to be his bride. He was giving a speech to his posse about how to behave at the feast. Daniel told us that the parents can either deny or accept the man’s request and if they accept, then the baskets would be the dowry. However, then the groom would also have to pay for a wedding.
Thank you for all of your prayers! God truly listens to and answers them! Today, Andy’s leg was infinitely better than it has been the rest of the trip. Also, we prayed to find Pastor Daniel’s ATM card which he left at the bank the other day, and we went back and they had the card. Then we went to lunch and they didn’t have any chocolate ice cream, but I prayed, telling Jesus that I really wanted some, and 10 minutes later, the ice cream re-stocking truck rolled up with more chocolate ice cream! Finally, we just feel like your prayers have truly kept us safe, when there were so many things which could have gone wrong over the course of this trip.
Please pray that God will speak to us about what we should say at church tomorrow. Please pray that he will give us the words which will most impact and help the community.
Sp3nt
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tenth Day
Friday, June 26, 2009 Day 10
Today, the three of us tried our luck at teaching again. Today, Andy taught the oldest kids again, but Ted and I switched classes; Ted took the nursery class and I taught the middle age groups. Because the Ugandan school system is based upon the British school system, the middle age group is P1 level and the oldest kids are P2. Ted taught more numbers and letters to the kids, while I taught Science and Andy taught English. We were all impressed once again today by their enthusiasm in the classroom. Every time we asked a question, all the kids were jumping off their benches with their hands in the air, yelling “Teachah, teachah!” Finally, we were reminded how special an individual has to be to teach little kids.
After school, we headed to Jinja, where the source of the Nile is located. We went to Budjagali Falls, where there are three rapids flowing into the beginning of the River Nile. When we got there, a man came up and asked us if we would pay 10,000 Ugandan Schillings (a little less than $5) to see one of his companions jump into the river with a can of water, and swim down through the rapids. Them man navigated through the rapids swiftly but safely, and it was a thrill to watch. Then, a man started blowing his whistle at us, motioning for us to come up the embankment and watch his show. For 5,000 Ugandan Schillings, we were able to see a man who had a crippled leg, but an extremely muscular upper body and second leg, climb up and balance at the top of a 12 foot pole.
After seeing the Nile, we headed back to the hotel, ready for a night of sleep before our ventures into the slums tomorrow morning.
Please pray for Andy’s leg and hip, which are sore from his arthritis. Please also pray for his sermon on Sunday. Please pray that Ted have safe travel to Kenya on Monday. Please continue to pray for Pastor Daniel and his church, and the school in the church. Finally, please pray that we can help encourage, and minister to the poor people in the valleys of Kampala tomorrow morning.
Sp3nt
Today, the three of us tried our luck at teaching again. Today, Andy taught the oldest kids again, but Ted and I switched classes; Ted took the nursery class and I taught the middle age groups. Because the Ugandan school system is based upon the British school system, the middle age group is P1 level and the oldest kids are P2. Ted taught more numbers and letters to the kids, while I taught Science and Andy taught English. We were all impressed once again today by their enthusiasm in the classroom. Every time we asked a question, all the kids were jumping off their benches with their hands in the air, yelling “Teachah, teachah!” Finally, we were reminded how special an individual has to be to teach little kids.
After school, we headed to Jinja, where the source of the Nile is located. We went to Budjagali Falls, where there are three rapids flowing into the beginning of the River Nile. When we got there, a man came up and asked us if we would pay 10,000 Ugandan Schillings (a little less than $5) to see one of his companions jump into the river with a can of water, and swim down through the rapids. Them man navigated through the rapids swiftly but safely, and it was a thrill to watch. Then, a man started blowing his whistle at us, motioning for us to come up the embankment and watch his show. For 5,000 Ugandan Schillings, we were able to see a man who had a crippled leg, but an extremely muscular upper body and second leg, climb up and balance at the top of a 12 foot pole.
After seeing the Nile, we headed back to the hotel, ready for a night of sleep before our ventures into the slums tomorrow morning.
Please pray for Andy’s leg and hip, which are sore from his arthritis. Please also pray for his sermon on Sunday. Please pray that Ted have safe travel to Kenya on Monday. Please continue to pray for Pastor Daniel and his church, and the school in the church. Finally, please pray that we can help encourage, and minister to the poor people in the valleys of Kampala tomorrow morning.
Sp3nt
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Ninth Day
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Kampala and Arua are very different. The most fundamental difference is that between a city and a town. Also, a different tribe, the Bugandan tribe, with a different language, Lugandan, inhabit Kampala. We have now leaned how to say “Thank you” in 3 different Ugandan tribal languages. The traffic in downtown in Kampala makes New York City look calm. The smog is also overwhelming at times. However, we are here to help minister to the poor people in the slums.
Today, we went to Pastor Daniel’s church, where a school for ages 4-8 runs during the week at three different grade levels. The school rooms are merely wooden planks put up to separate the rooms from the wooden beamed, iron sheet-roofed sanctuary. However, there are a lot of papers on the walls to help the children learn. We were able to see these incredibly committed teachers teach their enthusiastic children many subjects, including English. The three of us were even allowed to teach for a little while! Then, we were able to play with the children which was so much fun! We also served them lunch. After lunch, they set up on stage and sang us two songs which was the cutest production ever. They were dancing and singing and being children.
Later in the day, we went to two secondary schools in the area, and Ted and I gave our testimonies to some of the students. I was also able to tell my story from Matthew!
Tonight, Andy led another Bible Study. Ted and I, on the other hand, caught up on our sleep, and prepared to teach the kids again tomorrow!
Please pray for these children in the school. Although their situations are difficult, they are very happy kids and want to learn a lot. Please pray that God would bless these wonderful teachers who are teaching these kids so much. Please also continue to pray for Pastor Daniel and his church.
Sp3nt
Kampala and Arua are very different. The most fundamental difference is that between a city and a town. Also, a different tribe, the Bugandan tribe, with a different language, Lugandan, inhabit Kampala. We have now leaned how to say “Thank you” in 3 different Ugandan tribal languages. The traffic in downtown in Kampala makes New York City look calm. The smog is also overwhelming at times. However, we are here to help minister to the poor people in the slums.
Today, we went to Pastor Daniel’s church, where a school for ages 4-8 runs during the week at three different grade levels. The school rooms are merely wooden planks put up to separate the rooms from the wooden beamed, iron sheet-roofed sanctuary. However, there are a lot of papers on the walls to help the children learn. We were able to see these incredibly committed teachers teach their enthusiastic children many subjects, including English. The three of us were even allowed to teach for a little while! Then, we were able to play with the children which was so much fun! We also served them lunch. After lunch, they set up on stage and sang us two songs which was the cutest production ever. They were dancing and singing and being children.
Later in the day, we went to two secondary schools in the area, and Ted and I gave our testimonies to some of the students. I was also able to tell my story from Matthew!
Tonight, Andy led another Bible Study. Ted and I, on the other hand, caught up on our sleep, and prepared to teach the kids again tomorrow!
Please pray for these children in the school. Although their situations are difficult, they are very happy kids and want to learn a lot. Please pray that God would bless these wonderful teachers who are teaching these kids so much. Please also continue to pray for Pastor Daniel and his church.
Sp3nt
Eighth Day
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Charley!
We arrived in Entebbe Airport this morning after a wonderful farewell breakfast with the Coppedges. At the breakfast, Andy and I were able to share the stories we have learned! When we landed, Lisa Fish, a World Gospel Missions missionary in Kampala, was there to pick us up. We then went to lunch at Khana Khazana, Andy’s favorite Indian restaurant, with a couple who is in the process of adopting a baby from here in Kampala.
After lunch, Lisa took us to some shops where we could buy some gifts for back home. After the shopkeepers had persuaded Ted and I to buy everything they had, we went to check-in to the hotel so we could be ready to be picked up for Bible Study at 6. At 7:30, Pastor Daniel picked us up and we headed over to Jesus Commissioned Ministries for Bible Study. Unfortunately, Ted could not come because he was feeling under the weather. Andy took this mode of story telling to Bible Studying, telling a story as if he were Paul, sitting in the Roman jail, and writing to the Philippians.
After Bible Study, we went to the house of a family in the Church to pray with them. After having tea and g-nuts (they call peanuts, ground nuts here, and abbreviate them to g-nuts), we prayed with the family about their financial problems, and also for the expecting wife and her baby. Then we went back to the hotel and went straight to bed.
Please pray for Pastor Daniel and his Church. Pray for the congregation, especially for the financial problems in this poor community. Please pray as well for Ted to feel better.
Sp3nt
Happy Birthday, Charley!
We arrived in Entebbe Airport this morning after a wonderful farewell breakfast with the Coppedges. At the breakfast, Andy and I were able to share the stories we have learned! When we landed, Lisa Fish, a World Gospel Missions missionary in Kampala, was there to pick us up. We then went to lunch at Khana Khazana, Andy’s favorite Indian restaurant, with a couple who is in the process of adopting a baby from here in Kampala.
After lunch, Lisa took us to some shops where we could buy some gifts for back home. After the shopkeepers had persuaded Ted and I to buy everything they had, we went to check-in to the hotel so we could be ready to be picked up for Bible Study at 6. At 7:30, Pastor Daniel picked us up and we headed over to Jesus Commissioned Ministries for Bible Study. Unfortunately, Ted could not come because he was feeling under the weather. Andy took this mode of story telling to Bible Studying, telling a story as if he were Paul, sitting in the Roman jail, and writing to the Philippians.
After Bible Study, we went to the house of a family in the Church to pray with them. After having tea and g-nuts (they call peanuts, ground nuts here, and abbreviate them to g-nuts), we prayed with the family about their financial problems, and also for the expecting wife and her baby. Then we went back to the hotel and went straight to bed.
Please pray for Pastor Daniel and his Church. Pray for the congregation, especially for the financial problems in this poor community. Please pray as well for Ted to feel better.
Sp3nt
Seventh Day
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Today, we went to Merchisson Park, the game park south of Arua. We didn’t see a lion...we saw six! We were within thirty feet of six lions for one and a half hours. We even took tea with the lions (we are in the process of copyrighting that children’s book title)! Actually, we were in the car while they ate their baboon outside. Before we had arrived, the lions had caught a baboon. So while we sat there watching the lions, we also were able to see them eat their baboon. We also saw countless Ugandan cobs, a flock of crested cranes, many warthogs, several giraffes, and many other wild animals. We saw a herd of elephants surrounding their young, and the biggest one even faked charging at us to intimidate us. The trip was amazing. 1200 photos later, we were back at the hotel. Andy was able to have some meetings with more Aruan business people. Ted was also able to do some more work with CAFECC. I decided to learn a story. While we have been in Arua, Billy has told us about the way he has been ministering to the people in the surrounding communities. For the most part, he has been learning stories from the Bible, telling them to the people, and asking them questions about the verses. However, because the people are mostly illiterate and are oral learners, he memorizes the story and then recites it. I was inspired and decided to spend my afternoon learning Matthew 14:22-33, the story when Jesus walks on water. I feel like it is a great evangelizing, ministering, and teaching tool. The three of us have even found that it is easier and more fun to learn a whole story than one verse.
First of all, thank you for all of your prayers! Please pray for the Coppedge’s ministry to these people. Please also pray for the Aruan business people, that they would stay inspired and use what they have learned from Andy and Ted’s talks. Finally, please pray for our safe travel to Kampala tomorrow.
Sp3nt
Today, we went to Merchisson Park, the game park south of Arua. We didn’t see a lion...we saw six! We were within thirty feet of six lions for one and a half hours. We even took tea with the lions (we are in the process of copyrighting that children’s book title)! Actually, we were in the car while they ate their baboon outside. Before we had arrived, the lions had caught a baboon. So while we sat there watching the lions, we also were able to see them eat their baboon. We also saw countless Ugandan cobs, a flock of crested cranes, many warthogs, several giraffes, and many other wild animals. We saw a herd of elephants surrounding their young, and the biggest one even faked charging at us to intimidate us. The trip was amazing. 1200 photos later, we were back at the hotel. Andy was able to have some meetings with more Aruan business people. Ted was also able to do some more work with CAFECC. I decided to learn a story. While we have been in Arua, Billy has told us about the way he has been ministering to the people in the surrounding communities. For the most part, he has been learning stories from the Bible, telling them to the people, and asking them questions about the verses. However, because the people are mostly illiterate and are oral learners, he memorizes the story and then recites it. I was inspired and decided to spend my afternoon learning Matthew 14:22-33, the story when Jesus walks on water. I feel like it is a great evangelizing, ministering, and teaching tool. The three of us have even found that it is easier and more fun to learn a whole story than one verse.
First of all, thank you for all of your prayers! Please pray for the Coppedge’s ministry to these people. Please also pray for the Aruan business people, that they would stay inspired and use what they have learned from Andy and Ted’s talks. Finally, please pray for our safe travel to Kampala tomorrow.
Sp3nt
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sixth Day
Monday, June 22, 2009: Day 6
Please go to look at the pictures!! http://gallery.me.com/run4bases/100041
Karibu Sana! Welcome to our blog! A few thoughts before I start. First of all, I, DJ Jauss, will start talking in the first person from now on because I am writing the blog. Andy and Ted told me that I should take credit for my own work, which really means that they don’t want anyone to think that they are making any mistakes on the blog!
Secondly, as a lover of country music, there is a great country song entitled, “I Saw God Today” by George Strait In this song George Strait sings about how he sees God in everyday beauty, when he takes the time to look. Being here in Uganda, it is almost impossible not to see God in the beauty of his creation. When we were flying to Arua, we were lower to the ground than a normal plane flies and, looking down, it was like seeing His fingerprint. The sunsets, the sunrises, the nature, the animals, the trees. We are amazed by the beauty and reminded of how mighty a God we serve.
Third, we are not sure if, as Isaac sometimes says, we “smell like America” much anymore. Because the power is so inconsistent, there usually isn’t hot water at this hotel. So when we take showers, they are pretty cold, which doesn’t encourage me to take showers.
Also, I just want everyone to know that the Coppedges have been extremely hospitable. They have helped us with some laundry, they have fed us dinner, they have let us use their internet to post the blog and pictures. Billy is also going to take us to the game park tomorrow morning, and he is an expert guide! The Coppedges have an amazing heart for the people and, as we have experienced, a heart for all people. We were very happy that we were able to bring a few things from home like M&Ms and Skippy peanut butter to thank them!
Finally, no matter where I go, I cannot escape it. Billy took Ted and I to a place in Africa which I had never heard of. No more than four or five hundred people populated this town. Only thirty or forty people were at Church and no one in Uganda plays baseball. However, one of the kids was wearing a shirt which read, “Baseball is life. The rest is just details.” If that is not a sign from Jesus, then I don’t know what is!
This morning, I got up early to watch the sun rise. Isaac’s radio tower for Voice of Life is up on a big hill overlooking Arua. So I went up the hill early in the morning and took some pictures of the beautiful African sunrise. While I was taking the pictures, the Aruan soccer team, which just recently was added to the Ugandan professional soccer league, was using the rock face to do exercises such as carrying each other up and down.
Today, Andy and Ted met with CAFECC, a struggling micro-finance business in Arua supported by the American company, Peer Servants. The meeting lasted all day, but much progress was made. Ted spent the day making an incredible spreadsheet of the business model, which should really help the company. I was able to sit in on the final part of the meeting, and it seems that although the business is doing so poorly right now, with some hard work and smart business moves, the future looks much brighter.
I, on the other hand, was able to have a pretty relaxing day. I was able to go into town to buy stamps at the post office and to visit the Coppedges. The only responsibilities I had were my remaining secretary duties from Business Vision Arua 2009.
Tonight, we were able to go to White Castle. No, not the White Castle with the mini-burgers, but the Ugandan restaurant White Castle. After a wonderful two and one half hours of fellowship, we got our food. Then, we got back to the hotel, ready for an early morning at the game park on Tuesday!
Please continue praying for rain. Please also pray that God will bless the Coppedges as much as they bless other people. Please pray for CAFECC, that it would make the right moves to turn their business around. Please also pray for the meetings Andy will have with specific Aruan business people tomorrow. Finally, please pray that we will see a lion tomorrow at the game park!
Sp3nt
Please go to look at the pictures!! http://gallery.me.com/run4bases/100041
Karibu Sana! Welcome to our blog! A few thoughts before I start. First of all, I, DJ Jauss, will start talking in the first person from now on because I am writing the blog. Andy and Ted told me that I should take credit for my own work, which really means that they don’t want anyone to think that they are making any mistakes on the blog!
Secondly, as a lover of country music, there is a great country song entitled, “I Saw God Today” by George Strait In this song George Strait sings about how he sees God in everyday beauty, when he takes the time to look. Being here in Uganda, it is almost impossible not to see God in the beauty of his creation. When we were flying to Arua, we were lower to the ground than a normal plane flies and, looking down, it was like seeing His fingerprint. The sunsets, the sunrises, the nature, the animals, the trees. We are amazed by the beauty and reminded of how mighty a God we serve.
Third, we are not sure if, as Isaac sometimes says, we “smell like America” much anymore. Because the power is so inconsistent, there usually isn’t hot water at this hotel. So when we take showers, they are pretty cold, which doesn’t encourage me to take showers.
Also, I just want everyone to know that the Coppedges have been extremely hospitable. They have helped us with some laundry, they have fed us dinner, they have let us use their internet to post the blog and pictures. Billy is also going to take us to the game park tomorrow morning, and he is an expert guide! The Coppedges have an amazing heart for the people and, as we have experienced, a heart for all people. We were very happy that we were able to bring a few things from home like M&Ms and Skippy peanut butter to thank them!
Finally, no matter where I go, I cannot escape it. Billy took Ted and I to a place in Africa which I had never heard of. No more than four or five hundred people populated this town. Only thirty or forty people were at Church and no one in Uganda plays baseball. However, one of the kids was wearing a shirt which read, “Baseball is life. The rest is just details.” If that is not a sign from Jesus, then I don’t know what is!
This morning, I got up early to watch the sun rise. Isaac’s radio tower for Voice of Life is up on a big hill overlooking Arua. So I went up the hill early in the morning and took some pictures of the beautiful African sunrise. While I was taking the pictures, the Aruan soccer team, which just recently was added to the Ugandan professional soccer league, was using the rock face to do exercises such as carrying each other up and down.
Today, Andy and Ted met with CAFECC, a struggling micro-finance business in Arua supported by the American company, Peer Servants. The meeting lasted all day, but much progress was made. Ted spent the day making an incredible spreadsheet of the business model, which should really help the company. I was able to sit in on the final part of the meeting, and it seems that although the business is doing so poorly right now, with some hard work and smart business moves, the future looks much brighter.
I, on the other hand, was able to have a pretty relaxing day. I was able to go into town to buy stamps at the post office and to visit the Coppedges. The only responsibilities I had were my remaining secretary duties from Business Vision Arua 2009.
Tonight, we were able to go to White Castle. No, not the White Castle with the mini-burgers, but the Ugandan restaurant White Castle. After a wonderful two and one half hours of fellowship, we got our food. Then, we got back to the hotel, ready for an early morning at the game park on Tuesday!
Please continue praying for rain. Please also pray that God will bless the Coppedges as much as they bless other people. Please pray for CAFECC, that it would make the right moves to turn their business around. Please also pray for the meetings Andy will have with specific Aruan business people tomorrow. Finally, please pray that we will see a lion tomorrow at the game park!
Sp3nt
Monday, June 22, 2009
Pictures!
I finally figured out a way to let you see the pictures of what we are doing!! Just go to http://gallery.me.com/run4bases/100041
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fifth Day
Sunday, June 21, 2009
This will be a day that none of us will ever forget. Today, Andy went and preached at Akaba African Gospel Church. He taught sunday school, gave the sermon, gave his testimony, prayed for the sick, and led a young boy to Christ. He also participated in African worship in this church of about 25 people. Ted (or Teddie as he is being called by the Ugandans because it is an easier name for them to pronounce) and DJ went Upedhere African Gospel Church. Ted gave the main sermon, DJ gave his testimony, and they both participated in the African-style worship. Both church services only lasted about one and a half hours each, however all three of us spent six to seven ours in the small, mud-hut villages, eating and fellowshipping with the people.
Ted and DJ were given seats and meals of honor. Although these village people cannot afford the meat, they still served chicken, as well as a full meal to all three of us. They were extremely hospitable and all loved Jesus. Ted was even able to mobilize a whole village of adults and children to play frisbee. The children loved Ted and DJ’s cameras. They kept asking us to take pictures and show them the pictures of them. Andy was asked to do just about everything during the service, because all of the people wanted to hear from the guest. Finally, during breakfast and lunch, we kept being told to “add,” or eat more food.
We (especially Ted and DJ, as it is their first time here) are learning much about the culture and customs of the Ugandan people, as well as how things work in Uganda and the surrounding African countries. First of all, the people are of different tribes. The African tribes were not the people who determined the territory boundaries, but instead the colonists from Europe. Therefore, the tribes are actually split up into different countries. So today we were with the Alur people in Nebbi while in Arua we were with the Lugbara people. The different tribes speak different languages and have different appearances, for example the Lugbara people are bigger and stronger than the other tribes around. However, throughout the different tribes, there are a few common customs. For example, hand-washing is a religious practice in Uganda; the people hand wash before every meal and sometimes hand washers even come around with water, basins, and soap for hand-washing. Also, as we saw today, these people treat guests with the highest honor. They gave us the best seats, the best meals, and the warmest greetings, even though the money and food are tight. Finally, the Ugandan people are very relational, stemming from their tribal ways. When we gave them greetings from the Christians in America they asked us to send them back, and now they feel connected to all of you reading this blog! So greetings from the West Nile Christians!
Please praise God for being the same God in America, and in rural northern Uganda. Please pray for the churches which we attended today, that they would grow and have plenty to eat. Please pray for Andy and Ted’s meetings with specific Christian business leaders in Arua over the next two days. Finally, please keep praying for rain!
Sp3nt
This will be a day that none of us will ever forget. Today, Andy went and preached at Akaba African Gospel Church. He taught sunday school, gave the sermon, gave his testimony, prayed for the sick, and led a young boy to Christ. He also participated in African worship in this church of about 25 people. Ted (or Teddie as he is being called by the Ugandans because it is an easier name for them to pronounce) and DJ went Upedhere African Gospel Church. Ted gave the main sermon, DJ gave his testimony, and they both participated in the African-style worship. Both church services only lasted about one and a half hours each, however all three of us spent six to seven ours in the small, mud-hut villages, eating and fellowshipping with the people.
Ted and DJ were given seats and meals of honor. Although these village people cannot afford the meat, they still served chicken, as well as a full meal to all three of us. They were extremely hospitable and all loved Jesus. Ted was even able to mobilize a whole village of adults and children to play frisbee. The children loved Ted and DJ’s cameras. They kept asking us to take pictures and show them the pictures of them. Andy was asked to do just about everything during the service, because all of the people wanted to hear from the guest. Finally, during breakfast and lunch, we kept being told to “add,” or eat more food.
We (especially Ted and DJ, as it is their first time here) are learning much about the culture and customs of the Ugandan people, as well as how things work in Uganda and the surrounding African countries. First of all, the people are of different tribes. The African tribes were not the people who determined the territory boundaries, but instead the colonists from Europe. Therefore, the tribes are actually split up into different countries. So today we were with the Alur people in Nebbi while in Arua we were with the Lugbara people. The different tribes speak different languages and have different appearances, for example the Lugbara people are bigger and stronger than the other tribes around. However, throughout the different tribes, there are a few common customs. For example, hand-washing is a religious practice in Uganda; the people hand wash before every meal and sometimes hand washers even come around with water, basins, and soap for hand-washing. Also, as we saw today, these people treat guests with the highest honor. They gave us the best seats, the best meals, and the warmest greetings, even though the money and food are tight. Finally, the Ugandan people are very relational, stemming from their tribal ways. When we gave them greetings from the Christians in America they asked us to send them back, and now they feel connected to all of you reading this blog! So greetings from the West Nile Christians!
Please praise God for being the same God in America, and in rural northern Uganda. Please pray for the churches which we attended today, that they would grow and have plenty to eat. Please pray for Andy and Ted’s meetings with specific Christian business leaders in Arua over the next two days. Finally, please keep praying for rain!
Sp3nt
Fourth Day
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thank you for all of your prayers! The second day of Business Vision Arua 2009 went just as well as the first day. We believe that Isaac’s purpose for this seminar, to give the Aruan business people a vision for business, was very successful. Andy and Ted were again able to convey their business teachings clearly and accurately to about 50 business people. The business people were again enthusiastic and interested. They all were ready to listen and learn.
We had our regular two tea times per day and were energized throughout the day, however, when we arrived back at the hotel, we were exhausted and ready for sleep. After watching another beautiful, Ugandan sunset, and speaking with the owner of the hotel, Hillary, who had been at the seminar, we headed to bed, getting energized for church on Sunday morning.
Please pray to thank God for orchestrating such a successful Business Vision Arua 2009. Please pray that God will use this seminar to put the Aruan economy into motion in the right direction. Please pray that the Aruan business people will take what they learned at the seminar and implement these teachings into their businesses. Please also pray that the committee which set up the seminar will continue to meet and plan ways to help the Aruan business people. Finally, please pray for rain!
Sp3nt
Thank you for all of your prayers! The second day of Business Vision Arua 2009 went just as well as the first day. We believe that Isaac’s purpose for this seminar, to give the Aruan business people a vision for business, was very successful. Andy and Ted were again able to convey their business teachings clearly and accurately to about 50 business people. The business people were again enthusiastic and interested. They all were ready to listen and learn.
We had our regular two tea times per day and were energized throughout the day, however, when we arrived back at the hotel, we were exhausted and ready for sleep. After watching another beautiful, Ugandan sunset, and speaking with the owner of the hotel, Hillary, who had been at the seminar, we headed to bed, getting energized for church on Sunday morning.
Please pray to thank God for orchestrating such a successful Business Vision Arua 2009. Please pray that God will use this seminar to put the Aruan economy into motion in the right direction. Please pray that the Aruan business people will take what they learned at the seminar and implement these teachings into their businesses. Please also pray that the committee which set up the seminar will continue to meet and plan ways to help the Aruan business people. Finally, please pray for rain!
Sp3nt
Third Day
Friday, June 19, 2009
Last night, we had dinner at the Coppedges, and another missionary family who was visiting from Khartoum, Sudan. We learned that because meat is so expensive in Arua, most Aruans only eat meat on Christmas and Easter. Therefore, since Billy and Joanna want to be like the people, they hardly ever eat meat.
The Coppedges also told us that the Aruan people are hungry. In Arua, they have two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season, which each happen two seasons per year. The rainy season just officially ended, however, there wasn’t really any rain during the rainy season. Therefore, even though the crops look tall, they were not fruitful. The Coppedges have a real heart for the Aruan people, and we could feel their broken hearts when they told us, “The people are hungry.” They said that most families are down to one meal per day, which they eat at night so that they can sleep.
Today, we had the first day of the Business Vision Arua 2009. We had 61 business people there throughout the day! In between fun activities such as lunch, jokes, and writing our names with our waist, Andy and Ted gave talks on business opportunities in Arua while DJ took down notes on his computer to hand out to the business people tomorrow. Also, the Ugnadan Minister of Transport was there (only an hour late) to give the opening remarks after the first hour of Andy’s talk. The business people were very enthusiastic during the sessions, intent to give their input and state their mind. They all seemed to be very driven entrepreneurs who want to succeed in the business world which was very encouraging.
Andy and Ted talked about identifying needs, cost structures, the value chain, competitive advantage and available assets, especially geared toward Ugandan businesses. (DJ, on the other hand, got an orientation into what he will study next year in college.) Andy and Ted are trying to help train these Aruan business people on how to crate sustainable businesses. They are also trying to change the habit of just giving money, but instead investing the money in potentially successful businesses.
The funding became an issue for the seminar, and Isaac was unsure whether we could continue tomorrow. However, God provided, and the funds were all paid for. So tomorrow morning, we will meet again.
After the seminar was over, Ted and DJ were able to make a visit to the middle of town, to the marketplace. On the way there, we rode on a boda-boda, a motorcycle taxi-service, where they rode on the back of a motorcycle into town. Then, on the way back, we rode on a bicycle boda-boda.
After eating a 6,000 schilling buffet of Ugandan food (less than $3), we went to bed after a long day, preparing for the second day of Business Vision Arua 2009.
Please pray for the continued success of Business Vision Arua 2009. Please pray that the business people will show up enthusiastically and rearing to go again (on-time) tomorrow. Please pray that God guide Andy and Ted’s words again tomorrow to make the most impact on these business people and, in turn, the Aruan economy. Also, please thank Jesus for all of the funding being provided so that we can have a second day of this business seminar. Finally, please pray for rain in Arua. Pray that the rains come even in the dry season, that the crops will grow fruitfully, and that the people will be fed.
Sp3nt
Last night, we had dinner at the Coppedges, and another missionary family who was visiting from Khartoum, Sudan. We learned that because meat is so expensive in Arua, most Aruans only eat meat on Christmas and Easter. Therefore, since Billy and Joanna want to be like the people, they hardly ever eat meat.
The Coppedges also told us that the Aruan people are hungry. In Arua, they have two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season, which each happen two seasons per year. The rainy season just officially ended, however, there wasn’t really any rain during the rainy season. Therefore, even though the crops look tall, they were not fruitful. The Coppedges have a real heart for the Aruan people, and we could feel their broken hearts when they told us, “The people are hungry.” They said that most families are down to one meal per day, which they eat at night so that they can sleep.
Today, we had the first day of the Business Vision Arua 2009. We had 61 business people there throughout the day! In between fun activities such as lunch, jokes, and writing our names with our waist, Andy and Ted gave talks on business opportunities in Arua while DJ took down notes on his computer to hand out to the business people tomorrow. Also, the Ugnadan Minister of Transport was there (only an hour late) to give the opening remarks after the first hour of Andy’s talk. The business people were very enthusiastic during the sessions, intent to give their input and state their mind. They all seemed to be very driven entrepreneurs who want to succeed in the business world which was very encouraging.
Andy and Ted talked about identifying needs, cost structures, the value chain, competitive advantage and available assets, especially geared toward Ugandan businesses. (DJ, on the other hand, got an orientation into what he will study next year in college.) Andy and Ted are trying to help train these Aruan business people on how to crate sustainable businesses. They are also trying to change the habit of just giving money, but instead investing the money in potentially successful businesses.
The funding became an issue for the seminar, and Isaac was unsure whether we could continue tomorrow. However, God provided, and the funds were all paid for. So tomorrow morning, we will meet again.
After the seminar was over, Ted and DJ were able to make a visit to the middle of town, to the marketplace. On the way there, we rode on a boda-boda, a motorcycle taxi-service, where they rode on the back of a motorcycle into town. Then, on the way back, we rode on a bicycle boda-boda.
After eating a 6,000 schilling buffet of Ugandan food (less than $3), we went to bed after a long day, preparing for the second day of Business Vision Arua 2009.
Please pray for the continued success of Business Vision Arua 2009. Please pray that the business people will show up enthusiastically and rearing to go again (on-time) tomorrow. Please pray that God guide Andy and Ted’s words again tomorrow to make the most impact on these business people and, in turn, the Aruan economy. Also, please thank Jesus for all of the funding being provided so that we can have a second day of this business seminar. Finally, please pray for rain in Arua. Pray that the rains come even in the dry season, that the crops will grow fruitfully, and that the people will be fed.
Sp3nt
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Second Day
As we are here, we are learning why there is a struggle for successful business in Uganda: power and internet. The power comes off and on sporadically and the internet is another struggle. Unfortunately, the internet is not being cooperative with the pictures, but they will be on the way soon! Here is our post from yesterday!
This morning, we had another successful and on-time flight to Arua, which is saying something for the 15 person puddle-jumper on which we traveled. Our checked baggage was even stuffed in the empty seats behind us! We then went and met with some missionaries in Arua, the Coppidges. Riding back from the airport with Billy, the streets were packed with bicycles. We also got to meet and hold their sleeping, new-born baby, Lucy.
Today, we met with Isaac and 5 of his business colleagues in Arua. We set up the Business Vision Arua 2009, a business seminar we will facilitate for Arua business men and women which will occur over the next few days. We set up the agenda, the topics, and the timeline. We also discussed which type of people are going to come to the Seminar in an attempt to maximize its efficiency and impact. Also, we learned that the seminar will have the Ugandan Minister of Transport and the Bishop of West Nile for the Anglican Church in attendance.
Then, after the meeting, we spoke on Isaac’s radio station promoting the seminar. We had a five minute radio commercial in which Isaac and the three of us promoted the seminar and encouraged people to come, and to come on time! DJ was even able to give Isaac a demo tape, which he might play on his radio station!
We ask for your prayers in the impact of this seminar. Andy and Isaac sincerely believe that this Seminar can make a huge difference in not only Arua, but on Uganda’s whole economy. Please pray that many people will come, and that they will be open and ready to listen and learn. Please pray that the radio broadcast will encourage more people to come. Please also pray that the key name politicians in attendance will be encouraged by the seminar to invest in Ugandan businesses. Please pray that God give Andy and Ted the words to speak and the topics to elaborate on in order to have the most impact on the people there. Please also pray for the continued success of the business people with whom we met today, and the new success of the business people who are struggling right now. Finally, please pray for the continued success of the Coppidges ministry here in Arua, and their continued health.
Sp3nt
This morning, we had another successful and on-time flight to Arua, which is saying something for the 15 person puddle-jumper on which we traveled. Our checked baggage was even stuffed in the empty seats behind us! We then went and met with some missionaries in Arua, the Coppidges. Riding back from the airport with Billy, the streets were packed with bicycles. We also got to meet and hold their sleeping, new-born baby, Lucy.
Today, we met with Isaac and 5 of his business colleagues in Arua. We set up the Business Vision Arua 2009, a business seminar we will facilitate for Arua business men and women which will occur over the next few days. We set up the agenda, the topics, and the timeline. We also discussed which type of people are going to come to the Seminar in an attempt to maximize its efficiency and impact. Also, we learned that the seminar will have the Ugandan Minister of Transport and the Bishop of West Nile for the Anglican Church in attendance.
Then, after the meeting, we spoke on Isaac’s radio station promoting the seminar. We had a five minute radio commercial in which Isaac and the three of us promoted the seminar and encouraged people to come, and to come on time! DJ was even able to give Isaac a demo tape, which he might play on his radio station!
We ask for your prayers in the impact of this seminar. Andy and Isaac sincerely believe that this Seminar can make a huge difference in not only Arua, but on Uganda’s whole economy. Please pray that many people will come, and that they will be open and ready to listen and learn. Please pray that the radio broadcast will encourage more people to come. Please also pray that the key name politicians in attendance will be encouraged by the seminar to invest in Ugandan businesses. Please pray that God give Andy and Ted the words to speak and the topics to elaborate on in order to have the most impact on the people there. Please also pray for the continued success of the business people with whom we met today, and the new success of the business people who are struggling right now. Finally, please pray for the continued success of the Coppidges ministry here in Arua, and their continued health.
Sp3nt
First Day
Thank you all for your prayer and for reading our blog! Unfortunately, we were not able to post this blog last night because the website would not load. The electricity was on, however the internet was not very cooperative, especially with google mail and google-run blogs. Yesterday was the first day of our trip to Uganda, which will incorporate stays in Entebbe, Arua, and finally Kampala. For Ted and DJ, it is their first time in Africa, whereas this is Andy’s fourth time. We are coming to help promote economic growth in the west Nile (the region we are in) and to help encourage our Christian brothers and sisters in their business and spiritual lives. We were very thankful that we were able to arrive in Entebbe on time, as we only had a one hour and fifty minute layover in London’s Heathrow Airport, and if we had missed the flight to Entebbe, we would not have arrived in Arua for two days because of flight times. Also, Ted’s flight to Boston had gotten all messed up, and he had ended up flying into New York from Philadelphia and driving to Boston, arriving at Logan at 6 AM for the flight and getting no sleep. But God blessed and watched over our travel, and our driver, Dennis, from our hotel in Entebbe, was even at the airport when we arrived.
That afternoon, Dennis drove us to the zoo in Entebbe and we were able to see all of the animals; crocodiles, cranes, lions, white rhinoceroses, warthogs, snakes, etc.
However, the best animals (especially for DJ) were the wild monkeys.
We were within an arm’s length of some of the hundred monkeys running around the zoo. One of the monkeys even jumped at Ted after he got too friendly with it. Then, Ted and DJ, suffering from a bit of jet-lag, had to take naps. After the naps, we went on a walk through Entebbe, seeing and greeting the people. Whenever we walked by a house, the kids playing in their yards would yell, “Muzungu!” or “White people!” as they ran up to us to give us high-fives.
Then, as we were walking back to the hotel for dinner, we were able to sit on on the last part of a mid-week church service going on in a huge unfinished building. After the service, we were told that the building could seat up to 8,00 people! After Dinner at the hotel, Andy then Ted then DJ finally got to sleep after a long day.
As we were praying during the first day, we really felt that God was impressing upon us the word, “others.” During this trip, we really want to give fully of ourselves to others. We don’t want this trip to be about us. We don’t want the business seminar in Arua to be about us, to show how smart we are. We want the seminar to bless, educate, and help the business people attending. Also, we want to bless our brothers and sisters here, both Ugandan residents and American. Also, please pray for the church which we visited, that soon, all 8,000 seats will be filled with Ugandans praising the name of Jesus. Just as a coach says to his athletes “Leave everything on the field at the end of the game,” we really feel God telling us to give completely of ourselves. Therefore, we sign this blog,
Sp3nt
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Genesis
VISION
When Jesus was asked what was the most important command he answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your heart and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
As a follower of Jesus, it is challenging to obey these commands, particularly with regard to my neighbors.
How can I love my neighbors? How can I love my neighbors in a global context? How can I love my neighbors who are struggling to thrive in developing countries?
The classic response of western Christians has been to “send”. Whether we send those that have been called to vocational ministry, or send money and resources to “give to the poor”, or occasionally send ourselves on short-term missions trips. Each of these has value, but is this enough? Is it effective? Is it all that God calls us to?
The questions become more complex when you consider that no matter how much money we have spent on the “war on poverty” over decades, the problem remains as acute as ever. We are not winning the war, even here in the US. Are there other approaches?
As I struggled with these ideas, I was led to consider Isaiah Chapter 58. Here God tells us what true fasting is – to loose the chains of injustice; to set the oppressed free; to share food with the hungry; and to provide the poor with shelter. Then verse 10 says “…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”
“If you spend yourselves in behalf of others …….”
While we should send, we need to spend too.
What does it look like to spend ourselves?
For me I have been led to spend myself as follows:
• To go to a developing country, and to go repeatedly.
• To develop personal relationships with innovative leaders
• To use my own specific gifting and experience in business
• To find ways to move people out of the poverty cycle on a sustainable basis
• To invest money in parallel with my activities
• To share the love of Christ with my neighbor and to spend myself on their behalf.
5810 Project
The 5810 Project is predicated on the belief that while “teaching a man to fish” will provide him with a fish diet for a lifetime, it will not lead him out of poverty. To escape poverty people need to develop sustainable business activities. The 5810 Project’s vision is to provide an opportunity for business people from developed countries to share the love of Christ with their neighbor by “spending” themselves on behalf of others who are trying to build businesses and break the poverty cycle.
The 5810 Project is currently focused on two principal activities in Uganda.
Arua
Arua is a significant market town in the NW of Uganda, with Sudan to the north and Congo to the West. It is an agricultural market town that has grown because of government and NGO activity primarily in S. Sudan, but now increasingly in E. Congo.
While the town has prospered and grown, the native Aruans have not enjoyed this economic boon.
Our efforts in Arua are centered on helping the church and Christian business people develop sustainable businesses.
In two prior visits to Arua, we have worked on behalf of businesspeople to analyze the market situation in Arua and to offer training sessions to business people and to work with individual entrepreneurs and the local Christian micro-finance organization.
During this visit, we will provide a two-day business training session to work with those with a desire to begin and grow businesses. We would also expect to find time to work one on one with some of these men and women to provide guidance and advice. In addition, we will spend time with the Board and management of CEFACC (the local Christian micro-finance organization).
Kampala – Jesus Commissioned Ministries
Jesus Commissioned Ministries (“JCM”) is a church founded in 2000 serving three poor communities on the outskirts of Kampala. The leadership of JCM has a heart to reach the many underprivileged children in the communities it serves. Without education, there is little hope for these children to thrive. While education is available, the costs are prohibitive for most families. JCM has established Mercy Primary School (elementary) for these children. In addition to education, the children receive uniforms, food and school materials. The school currently has 25 pupils and plans to expand to 60 in the coming semester.
The 5810 Project has helped JCM develop its rudimentary facilities and buy a neighboring plot of land for expansion. The focus for this trip will be to discuss a number of business ideas that are designed to provide employment for the church members, and funding for more students.
These projects include the establishment of a hair salon, the development of a retail milk distribution business, and a wedding equipment rental business.
Opportunity
We believe that the 5810 Project offers a significant opportunity for the body of Christ:
• Grass roots opportunity to create sustainable businesses and deliver families and communities out of the oppression of poverty.
• Many business opportunities are apparent with relatively small investment levels necessary.
• Opportunities for talented business people to connect personally with emerging entrepreneurs and spend themselves on them.
• Opportunity for the body of Christ in the developed world to share the love of Christ with our neighbors in developing countries.
• Transformational impact on the “spender” and recipient alike!
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me Andy Mills at amills@TKC.edu
When Jesus was asked what was the most important command he answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your heart and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
As a follower of Jesus, it is challenging to obey these commands, particularly with regard to my neighbors.
How can I love my neighbors? How can I love my neighbors in a global context? How can I love my neighbors who are struggling to thrive in developing countries?
The classic response of western Christians has been to “send”. Whether we send those that have been called to vocational ministry, or send money and resources to “give to the poor”, or occasionally send ourselves on short-term missions trips. Each of these has value, but is this enough? Is it effective? Is it all that God calls us to?
The questions become more complex when you consider that no matter how much money we have spent on the “war on poverty” over decades, the problem remains as acute as ever. We are not winning the war, even here in the US. Are there other approaches?
As I struggled with these ideas, I was led to consider Isaiah Chapter 58. Here God tells us what true fasting is – to loose the chains of injustice; to set the oppressed free; to share food with the hungry; and to provide the poor with shelter. Then verse 10 says “…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”
“If you spend yourselves in behalf of others …….”
While we should send, we need to spend too.
What does it look like to spend ourselves?
For me I have been led to spend myself as follows:
• To go to a developing country, and to go repeatedly.
• To develop personal relationships with innovative leaders
• To use my own specific gifting and experience in business
• To find ways to move people out of the poverty cycle on a sustainable basis
• To invest money in parallel with my activities
• To share the love of Christ with my neighbor and to spend myself on their behalf.
5810 Project
The 5810 Project is predicated on the belief that while “teaching a man to fish” will provide him with a fish diet for a lifetime, it will not lead him out of poverty. To escape poverty people need to develop sustainable business activities. The 5810 Project’s vision is to provide an opportunity for business people from developed countries to share the love of Christ with their neighbor by “spending” themselves on behalf of others who are trying to build businesses and break the poverty cycle.
The 5810 Project is currently focused on two principal activities in Uganda.
Arua
Arua is a significant market town in the NW of Uganda, with Sudan to the north and Congo to the West. It is an agricultural market town that has grown because of government and NGO activity primarily in S. Sudan, but now increasingly in E. Congo.
While the town has prospered and grown, the native Aruans have not enjoyed this economic boon.
Our efforts in Arua are centered on helping the church and Christian business people develop sustainable businesses.
In two prior visits to Arua, we have worked on behalf of businesspeople to analyze the market situation in Arua and to offer training sessions to business people and to work with individual entrepreneurs and the local Christian micro-finance organization.
During this visit, we will provide a two-day business training session to work with those with a desire to begin and grow businesses. We would also expect to find time to work one on one with some of these men and women to provide guidance and advice. In addition, we will spend time with the Board and management of CEFACC (the local Christian micro-finance organization).
Kampala – Jesus Commissioned Ministries
Jesus Commissioned Ministries (“JCM”) is a church founded in 2000 serving three poor communities on the outskirts of Kampala. The leadership of JCM has a heart to reach the many underprivileged children in the communities it serves. Without education, there is little hope for these children to thrive. While education is available, the costs are prohibitive for most families. JCM has established Mercy Primary School (elementary) for these children. In addition to education, the children receive uniforms, food and school materials. The school currently has 25 pupils and plans to expand to 60 in the coming semester.
The 5810 Project has helped JCM develop its rudimentary facilities and buy a neighboring plot of land for expansion. The focus for this trip will be to discuss a number of business ideas that are designed to provide employment for the church members, and funding for more students.
These projects include the establishment of a hair salon, the development of a retail milk distribution business, and a wedding equipment rental business.
Opportunity
We believe that the 5810 Project offers a significant opportunity for the body of Christ:
• Grass roots opportunity to create sustainable businesses and deliver families and communities out of the oppression of poverty.
• Many business opportunities are apparent with relatively small investment levels necessary.
• Opportunities for talented business people to connect personally with emerging entrepreneurs and spend themselves on them.
• Opportunity for the body of Christ in the developed world to share the love of Christ with our neighbors in developing countries.
• Transformational impact on the “spender” and recipient alike!
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me Andy Mills at amills@TKC.edu
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