RANDOM THINGS I MISS:

Love. Teach. Serve.

V O L U M E 7 0 5 J U L Y 2 0 1 1

Dairy Queen Mac n Cheese My Pillow Kleenex brand tissues Driving Fields o corn Starbucks My family Blaise!!!!!

The Lone Mzungu

I have taken boda bodas all around the part of town that I live in (Muyenga); however, as my boda driver careened down Kibuli Road at a frightening speed, I wondered if I should have opted for the matatu taxi. Too late now. My driver wound through the tangled mess of downtown traffic, passing people on either side, weaving and bobbing through a steady stream of cars. Once, I glanced back, but did not see my Ugandan friend anywhere. Great. Each new street my driver turned on looked a little more crowded and a little more claustrophobic than the one before it. We were clearly heading to a part of town that wazungu do not frequent, and looking around, posed destination and my boda driver announced that we were there. I said, I have to get off here? Yes, this is where he told me to take you. I glanced around and saw that all eyes populating the very crowded, very dirty downtown street were on the lone mzungu who arrived in screeching fashion on the boda. Where was Grace? I thought. I decided that I was not getting off the boda until Grace arrived...Im adventurous, but not stupid! In only a few minutes, Grace arrived on his boda and I breathed a sigh of relief. Though I was still the only white person in sight, I was not alone. Continued on Page 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Radio Programming The Surgery

The busy street below us in downtown Kampala.

2 2 2 4 4 4 5

it seemed that I was the lone mzungu. When we arrived at our sup-

Jinja MiniVacation New Wears Off July 9th: Let Freedom Nasir, Sudan

Sudanese Church Service

Last Sunday, Kerrie and I, along with Daniel, Angelina, Ellen, John, Santino, and David crammed into Kerries car African-style, and headed out of town for another Sudanese church service. I had gone with Daniel before, but this was Kerries first time here in Kampala. At the church, we were given seats of honor at the VERY front of the church, and this was a combined service with all of the Sudanese churches in Kampala...so we were on stage in front of 400 people! The day was yet another blessing, though. There was so much energy in that church, and there were many songs and dances to celebrate southern Sudans coming independence, as well as many prayers about Sudan. After SIX HOURS, we took Daniels family out to dinner before heading home. So good!

Politics before People

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Radio Programming
I finished writing my first 23 teacher training lessons on Monday of this past week, and then Kerry turned all of the technology stuff over to me. I spent the week building precisely one-hour playlists in iTunes of the Chronological Bible Stories, Dinka Rek songs, health and hygiene lessons, and teacher training lessons. Then, I spent the last several days compiling the playlists into chronological days and burning them onto CDs. I was so relieved and excited this morning when I handed all 46 days worth of programming over to Mark (Kerrys guy) to then take to Nairobi. From Nairobi, an AIM pilot will fly the CDs into Aweil, Sudan, where Cush4Christ will begin broadcasting them to tens of thousands of Sudanese. Its kind of nerve-wracking knowing that so many people will be hearing what I wrote, but I cannot wait to begin hearing stories of how God moves. For a little extra info on the radio project, Aid Sudan has two towers built and running in Aweil and Nasir. A third tower is fully-funded and will be erected in a few months in Tonj. Finally, we are praying like crazy that funding quickly comes through on a fourth tower that will go in. For a nation of people in which only 1% of the population are literate, radio is one of the only ways to spread the Word of God to the masses.

Daniel Lual recording in Dinka Rek for the radio.

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:10

The Surgery
I have had some serious intestinal issues since Ive been in Kampala, and then last week I had chills and muscle aches, so I decided that it was time to see a doctor. Standards of healthcare in Uganda are far below what we are used to; fortunately, there is a mzungu doctor here where those with money can go to receive competent medical care. So, on Wednesday, Kerrie and I drove to Kololo to see Dr. Stockley (an Englishman) at The Surgery. Stockley has been practicing medicine here in Kampala for 25 years, and all of the expats go to him. After a quick consulation, a blood draw, and a stool sample, the doctor reported back to me that absolutely nothing showed up in the tests. WHAT?!? NOTHING?? 85,000 UGX (about $40) and two hours to find out that all of the wonkiness is my new normal. Thankfully, no malaria, no intestinal parasites, and for now, no Bilharzia!

A young boy carries two very heave jerry cans down a dirt road in Jinja.

Jinja Mini-Vacation
The Hendersons, Kerrie, and I loaded up last Friday and headed out of town to a small, tourist town called Jinja. There, I white water rafted on the Nile River, which was one of the most incredible experiences ever! We went over Class 5 rapids and several times I thought I would die...or at least get Bilharzia...but it was so much fun! Saturday, we spent the day on the town. We were total tourists, but there are so many cute craft and coffee shops, I loved being a tourist for a day! It was exactly what our team needed to refuel and refresh after weeks of intense work on the radio program. It was also great for me to spend some time in nature processing things. Praise God for small getaways!

LOVE.

TEACH.

SERVE.

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The Lone Mzungu Continued...

Our first stop was at the very tip-top The Old floor of the mall, on Taxi Park the very back side, from on a balcony. above. There, I was taken aback by the view. It definitely was not an, Oh, its so beautiful type feeling, but more an, Oh, this is SO Africa! Below us on a tiny, crowded street, people walked in every direction, bumping, shoving, and shouting. Vendors sold their wares, taxis and buses streamed through the crowd, and people inched their way along the alley. The buildings around us had clothes hanging out on the lines. Down the street a bit was the Old Taxi Park...a mess of taxis and people everywhere. I have been to the taxi park a couple of times, but to see it from above was absolutely dizzying. It was several minutes before I could even lift my camera to take pictures (the whole point of the journey). Once I did, I was SO excited about the pictures! The rest of the afternoon was more walking through crowds to the tops of buildings for pictures. So. Much. Fun!

As Grace and I walked toward the shanty looking shopping mall, I wondered where on earth he was taking me. Inside, the halls were crowded and everyone stared...at me.

Go, swift messengers, to a people of tall

Highlights/Praises

Finding a home church in Kampala finally. Our growing multi-cultural Bible study that we host each Tuesday night. All of our employees now attend to soak up Gods Word! My minor boda boda collision was just that...minor! No injuries, which was a miracle!!

and smoothskinned, to a people feared

No intestinal parasites thus far! A fantastic and festive 4th of July celebration at the American Club here in Kampala. Ugandan friends who teach me a new language and take me to places that, as a mzungu, I would never get to go otherwise.

I get to see Blaise in only 6 DAYS!!!! I dont regret a single second of this trip this summer, but we will never be apart for this long again! Peter Swanns visit and the opportunity that he placed in my lap. I feel tremendous peace about it, but we are still waiting for Blaise and Is vision trip into Nasir next week.

far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers. -Isaiah 18: 2

Prayer Requests

Pray for what will soon become the new nation of the Republic of South Sudan. They will become independent this coming Saturday, July 9th. Amidst fighting in the North, confused borders, and tribal disputes, please be praying for the people and the leaders as Sudan prepares to split.

Healing for my body. Everything checked out at The Surgery, but then I came down with a bad case of bronchitis. Im on antibiotics, but I dont have much time before I go into Sudan NEXT WEEK! Safe travels for Blaise and the rest of our Nasir team as they leave the U.S. this weekend

and head this way. We are planning to head into Sudan on July 12th.

Kerrie Snow as she continues to adjust to living here and being

Daniel Luals son at the Dinka church service last Sunday.

Continued on Page 5.

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When the New Wears Off

The first few weeks of living here felt like one long adventure. Everything about this place was strange and new, from traffic to asking for ketchup. However, over time, the newness of it all has worn off. Only a few things here and there are novel now, and mostly Im just doing my daily thing and trying to be obedient to the Lord. pened to me. I felt at home. I know...weird, right? Im definitely a minority, I dont speak the language, and Im far away from everything that is mine. But Im right where God has asked me to be, and there is really no greater feeling than the peace you experience when you know that you are on the path that He made for you. Thats not to say that it has been without its struggles and frustrations. Some things about living here are absolutely maddening; however, I know that I have been called and I simply answered that call. God has provided for everything else. So when the new wears off, the thing that is left is a comfort and joy in knowing that the Lords purpose is much greater than my own and that all I have to do to fulfill it is to say, Lord, here I am.

Downtown Kampala street from above.

When the new wore off, however, a very strange thing hap-

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but... against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

July 9th: Let Freedom Ring

Most of you have been praying about Sudan with me for some time. This coming Saturday, July 9, 2011, the brand spanking new Republic of South Sudan will be born. Those of us here at Aid Sudan are extremely excited for this day, as are the southerners who fought for nearly fifty years to gain economic and religious freedom from the Islamic North. A split will not mean an end to problems in the south, however, as there is no infrastructure and no economy to speak of. It will take decades before the south is fullyfunctioning. I want to ask that you keep Sudan lifted in your prayers this week as the preparations continue. Pray for a peaceful split, and peaceful celebrations across the whole of southern Sudan. Also, pray for godly men to be appointed in the new GOSS offices, and that they would lead their people well and peacefully. My heart is in Sudan, and their independence day means as much to me as our own 4th of July!

Nasir, Sudan: July 12-22

Nuer boy from Nasir trip in July 2010.
I am so thrilled to hop on a little plane and head North into Sudan again next week! I am returning to the village I was in last year, only this year I will have Blaise with me and a whole new set of goals. Our trip goals include graduation for Bible school students, visiting numerous storying groups, commissioning ceremony for Torpuot and Keirwan village-to-village projects, getting the satellite locked in for the radio project, handing out hand-held radios, getting me into more schools for observations, and meeting with commissioner. Its a big trip, but we are confident that God will work out exactly the details that we need and provide powerfully on this trip. This is also a vision trip for Blaise and I, so pray that God grants us answers.

LOVE.

TEACH.

SERVE.

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Politics before People

go to Muyenga High View of School for some crazy Kam- classroom observations. pala and

Everything in Africa is a power struggle. People here like power and they love to have the upper hand. This definitely came into play as Grace, Mark, and I worked diligently to set up a day when I could

Lake Victoria The first meeting with the head master was brief, and I simply explained why I was in Uganda and what I wanted to do with his school. He asked the question, How are you going to help us? Hmmm
The second meeting was supposed

to be an observation day, but then the head master reneged and suggested that the teachers might think I had bribed him (this subtle mention of bribery was likely a sign that he wanted a bribe). It was a no go. Last week, Grace went and talked to the head master, man-to-man, and the head master has finally agreed to let me come on Wednesday and simply sit in a classroom and observe. Im still skeptical, but I am thrilled that Grace was able to get through the political games!

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Upcoming Events
Its going to be another busy week as we finish some things up and prepare for our trip to Nasir next week! Here are some things that I have planned

Video recording Daniel tell his story of surviving the war Observation at Muyenga High School Photo field trip to another slum area in Kampala Meeting Nancy, one of our Nasir team members, here in Kampala

Mulago Hospital prayer visit Two Bible studies Celebrating Republic of South Sudans independence on July 9th Sudanese church service Picking Blaise and Mimi up on Monday and going to Sudan!!

Romans 12:15

Photo shoot of Henderson family Purchasing team supplies for trip

Prayer Requests Continued

apart from her family

Continued guidance and direction from God, and courage for Blaise and I to follow the path that might mean many sacrifices. Our teams visas for our Nasir trip. Since May, they have changed the requirements, and now they are saying that we

have to go in person to get the visa at least one day in advance...and our team will not be here until 3-5 hours before we are scheduled to leave for Sudan. We are praying that they make an exception for us since the rules just changed. PLEASE PRAY!!

Our radio tower in Aweil was

struck by lightening, and the transmitter was blown out. Cush4Christ is working on fixing it, but we need prayers for a quick fix so the Word will be broadcast very soon.

Dancing and singing at the Sudanese church service.

Crazy Things are Happening

Life here is full of adjustments. Each day that I leave the house (and even sometimes when I dont), something strange happens. I have learned not to expect things to go a certain way, but I can always expect wonkiness! Here are some examples: -Yesterday, Kerrie and I were loaded into the car and headed out to the American Club for the 4th of July celebration, and when we honked the horn for our guard, Daniel, to come open the gates, nothing happened. After honking for several minutes, Kerrie went searching for him, but it appeared that he had gone. We waited for at least 30 minutes for him to return. Finally, he came strolling out of the guard house yawning and rubbing his eyes. He hadnt been gone, he had been SLEEPING at 3:00 in the afternoon!!! -We saw a boda boda driver carrying a dining room table and SIX chairs on his motorcycle!!! Can you imagine? -Kerrie nearly had her purse stolen off the back of her chair at a very upscale Indian restaurant. Luckily Neltia saw the woman and yelled out, so the woman dropped Kerries purse on the floor. -We returned from Jinja to find that a wedding reception was taking place in the back yard of the house next door. The speakers must have been at max volume, and the party went on until 11:00 that night. Its called ZONING laws, people!! -Kerrie went to light the gas oven, and there must have been gas trapped inside, because the whole thing EXPLODED!! No one was hurt, but we nearly had heart attacks! -We had a heated debate among our expat Bible study group about whether or not speaking in tongues is Biblically founded. It was INTERESTING! -Our 4th of July celebration at the American Club included a LOT of African drumming and dancing...not so American!

Broken-down, abandoned van in Jinja, Uganda.