A Word from Pastor Paul to all of us...

I woke up this morning receiving this email from Pastor Paul. After a summer filled with stories of trials, suffering, pain, and fear, God's faithfulness and love toward His people pierced through those clouds of despair. Read the words from Pastor Paul, who knows more about trials than I ever will, and be encouraged that whatever you may be going through RIGHT NOW will eventually serve as a testimony to God's faithfulness in your life. Use this as your devotion for today- and allow it to speak to your life.

Hello friends, Jack and Elaina, My daughter Kelsey.
Hope all is well with you, thank you for standing with us in prayers.Edith says hello to you all.

This morning i was studing about suffering and trials and God spoke to my heart in aspecial way which i thought i can also share with you and the church.
In the OT the prophets announced that, after a time of testing, God will wipe away the tears from the faces of his people and remove their disgrace.isiah25:6-9.

What is important in trials is to know how the Bible encourages us to face them. we need to affirm our confidence in love and tenderness of our God and father. It is He who allows us to experience these tests. But He provides away of escape from this trials. He does not allow them to last too long or to be too hard for us to bear.1corth10:13.
Howeverin God's hands, trials can become a tool to purify,to mature and to strengthen his children

Let us accept willingly all the trials through which we pass, never forgetting that testing of our faith produces persevererance. But let us be sure that this perseverance is allowed to finish it's work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking any thing.Jas1:2-4.
Let us worship the Lord not because of the things we have but let us worship God because of WHO HE IS.
Greet one another with a kiss of Love, Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.
From pastor paul, a servant of servants of God.

Our Prayers have been Answered...

Right before I flew home, I received an email from Pastor Paul concerning the situation with Julius. My father has been praying Psalm 35 over Pastor as he has been persecuted for his lovingkindness, and the Lord has heard our prayers! So read below and see how God truly is our Protector!
(Acton Faith Bible Church- you are small, yet powerful! THANK YOU for your prayers and your faith!)

"Hai Namugombe,
How is your morning? Iam just imagining how you are getting prepared for tomorrow back home!!!!!! Greetings from your mum, she says hello to you,I have been very busy moving in different police offices,with alot of spending, But i thank God that some thing has come out!!!!!!!The Court has given me a letter saying that i have no case to answer, It is Ikoza (Julius' father) who has the case to answer. With Tresspassing and Assault.Now it is Uganda verses the father of Julius and those he came with in my home. So for me i will act as a prosecution witness.

Thank you for your prayers and the financial support.
I wish you a safe journey and send my greetings to all my friends.above all to mr COWBOY. (That's you dad!)

Your African father,Pastor paul."

Sooo...who wants to come with me next summer to work on the clinic, minister with the widows and oprhans, and encourage Pastor??? Anyone, Anyone? :)

That's a wrap!

From the depths of Uganda,

to the mountains of Rwanda,

down to the cities of South Africa,

To the Karaoke hot spots of Kenya, we have had quite an adventure!

I've been domesticated... (I know, this is truly a miracle!) and yes, I picked out her apron...

Serenaded...

Educated....

Saturated (Walking home in the pouring rain, wearing the bus driver's sweater he so kindly let me borrow)...

Impersonated (fine fine, it's me. Yes that's my leg in the air. And you're shocked??) :)

World Vision-ated.......

And openly accepted....into the Mlay Family (Vice President of World Vision Wilfred, his wife Faith, and youngest son Josh)

As I was walking onto my plane Friday evening, I just stopped and soaked in my last minutes on African soil. As the sun pierced through the clouds, the Lord overwhelmed me as I began to count every blessing I received on this trip. I know that each relationship, experience, and memory fits into His perfect plan for what is ahead. So I walked on the plane smiling as I realized this summer is just the beginning of a life full of rich experiences such as these.




"Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering yourself with Light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind..The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works." psalm 104

Nurses, Anyone???

JUST got this from Pastor.... Isn't this AMAZING?? Everyone told me working with the government in Uganda will take FOREVER, but PRAISE THE LORD the He works in amazing ways:

"Hai daughter,
Hope you are doing fine,busy preparing to go back.Greetings from your mum, Thank you for your prayers,God is caring for us.

Today i was in the office of the District Health Officer. in our discussion he has agreed to give us the Nurses because he is the person responsible to recruit nurses in the District. So he has told me to write to him requesting for the nurses. He has also given me some one to come and inspect the building. I thank God for this!! God bless."

This is a GREAT first step! Pray with us as they begin to inspect the building. I know the road may still be long, but the District Officer's friendly assistance is a Praise!!

No word on anything from Pastor concerning the Julius situation. Let's keep praying about that as you never know what can happen-

To Acton Faith Bible: (and any others) I just got the HUGE bag of necklaces the widows made, and they are beautiful! Get the Christmas Boutique ready!

Kels

On the Up-Side...

Another project we are working on in the Pastor's village is getting the clinic up and running. Missionaries came a few years back and built this beautiful building, and yet it has been standing desolate ever since. This summer when Jessi and I were there, the Lord put it on our hearts to research how we can get this clinic functioning.

While I have been in Africa, we have already had one of our widows die of simple causes, mainly due to the fact that she had to ride a bicycle for 17 kilometers to the nearest clinic. Pastor said, "Kelsey, my people are dying!" Something has to be done.

Seeing how I have NO clue about how to get government staff in the clinic, I just looked up the Ministry of Health in Uganda online and told Pastor to make an appointment. The meeting there went really well, and they said we need to start at the regional level.

I JUST received a text message from Pastor this morning saying that his meeting with the District Health Officer went GREAT- He is going to be Very helpful in this process. The officer even tried to call me to thank me for ???? not sure! BUT he is going to help! And I praise God for that.

In the midst of the difficulties Pastor is facing, he continues to serve his people and focus on issues like this. If any of you have any contacts with the Ministry of Health in Uganda (hey, you never know!) or have any advice.... let me know! :)

Have a GREAT Friday......

Update from Pastor Paul

"Hai Daughter,
Thanks for your concern, Faith works best in Crisis, and God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. Trials come and go they are not permanent but they are painful however His Grace is surfiecent for us.

Thanks for the good news about Molly,Praise the lord!!!! thank you for having good friends who cares.

Daughter the situation here with Julius's is just funny, Julius and his father they no long greet us, They went and influenced the Police, gave them the money and changed the file, I was to be arrested two weeks back. A friend of mine leant their plan and informed me, So i went and faced the State Atony but all was in vain.Kelsey Uganda has fought coruption but it is still too much in police. It is God who is protecting me. I am planing to go to higher offices and all this movement means means money. The money needed Elaina has already sent through David. Surelly God cares. Thankuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..

Of course the family can not be safe.Continue praying for your mum as she remains home alone with the children as i move here and there. But i trust in My God he will protect us by 2nd corith4'.8. We miss you as afamily. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED WHATEVER WILL BE TAKING PLACE.
Thank you for caring and praying with us. Ilove you with 30Vs Your father paul."

His son, Elijah emailed me after I received this email saying that Pastor has been called to report to the police. Elijah (is 25) is on his way home to the village now to take care of mom in case anything happens.

As you pray, please read Psalm 35 and pray those words over Pastor and his family today. Thanks...

Kels

Forgivness Part II

Good morning. If you have not had a chance to read one of my first blogs in Uganda on forgiveness, this will not make sense to you. Please take a second and read it so you understand the context of this prayer request.

I just received this email this morning from Pastor Paul from Mawanga, Uganda.

"Hai daughter i need your prayers. the father of julius is planning seriosly to take me back to prison. i discovered on friday that i was by this time to be in prison,but praise God!!! Iam planning to go to higher office but idonot have money,so i humbly request you to support me financially.Things are not good with me.
i will write to you soon.
Paul"

One thing you must know about Pastor Paul is this: He Never outright asks for money. Ever. Our relationship has never been focused on financial benefits- he is truly my African Father and I have been blessed to be a true daughter in his family.

To get this email this morning has been a test of faith. JUST YESTERDAY I heard an entire sermon on forgiveness (seems to be a progressive spiritual lesson for me on this trip!) To be honest, I was sitting there as if I have conquered this topic back in June with the Julius situation. I thought, "Lord, nice sermon, but I already passed my test of Forgiveness!"

...but this test is far from over. And now comes the test of faith in prayer.

As I sit here in the World Vision office, I think of what the Pastor is going through. But if I have learned anything on this trip and living with Faith Mlay, I have learned that the strongest weapon we have as believers is prayer. So fellow soldiers, it is time to draw our swords and stand with him during this time. Let us Praise the Lord that he is not currently in prison, and pray in faith that he will never enter that place. And you know, if he does enter that place, let us have Faith that God is protecting him just as God was when Paul (of the New Testament) was in prison.

What I haven't mentioned is that late last week, Molly (a young woman I brought to the village with me last summer) emailed me Randomly. I had not heard from her in ages, and she wanted to let me know that there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't think and pray for the village. She was supposed to be in Ghana all summer, but after she raised her support she didn't feel right about going. She said she knew she was supposed to give all of her financial support to....the village! The Lord was summoning her heart to give, not knowing the situation at ALL. THIS is how our God works!

Therefore, if finances are an issue, the Lord has already provided before our prayers left our lips. The root issue, however, is not finances. They can still throw pastor in prison; they can still continue to harass his family; they can still aim to distract pastor from serving the Lord. That is why I am summoning you to prayer.

I will keep you posted as I hear how your prayers are being answered.
Blessings,
kels

My Quote and Verse for this Summer...

"When we are foolish, we want to conquer the world. When we are wise, we want to conquer ourselves."

In devotions this morning at World Vision, we talked about how the biggest enemy in this world is ourselves, and how we should strive to be continual learners and refiners of our character. We are students for life! This takes discipline. This takes accountability. This takes humility as we strive for feedback and advice from those around us. Before I know my place in this world, I must seek the Lord to understand myself- my strengths and weaknesses- and work through those weaknesses daily. We must start today on this process and keep our hearts open to what the Lord wants to teach us about ourselves. Only then will the Lord open our eyes to how He wants to use me in my community.

My friend David I've talked about before ALWAYS has a notepad with him. If he has a conversation with someone and feels compelled by what he or she has said, he writes it down. He is always listening to those around him and open to how the Lord can use people in his life.

I pray that you seek the Lord to continually give you a student's heart, and ask the Lord to continue to mold you into who He wants you to be!

"Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will Not fail. Though it tarries, Wait for it; For it certainly will come, it will Not delay." Habakkuk 2:2-3.

As I seek the Lord's vision for my life, I begin to think of all that burdens my heart: the youth, the church, raising up leaders for our future generations, America's role in the developing world, orphans and widows, encouraging local leaders, communicating and facilitating the needs of the world to those who want to hear- I could go on. I have seen and experienced so much, and my heart feels heavy. I continually ask God, "What is my vision? What is my purpose?" As I turned 25 this month, I have done a lot of reflection and written down what I want to see in my life in the next 25 years.

However, as overwhelming as the world is, I LEAN and TRUST in this promise in Habakkuk. I am in the process of waiting for the appointed time when the Lord will reveal my vision. And knowing Him, He will show me step by step, inch by inch- and I am content in that. Actually, I'd rather it be that way than to know the Whole picture! I wouldn't need Faith if I knew what was going to happen! And knowing ME, once I knew the big picture I would work out how to accomplish that plan- not relying on the Lord. SO, God has driven the spirit of anxiety and fear out of my life and I simply trust that my day to day experiences, conversations, and lessons all contribute to His great plan.

If I can pinpoint my purpose for this trip to Africa right now, it is simply to Listen with open ears to those around me and learn from them--Whether it is dying laughing over discussions with mothers about how HORRIBLE labor pains are (Yeah, after that illustrative description I'm adopting!), or whether it is sitting across the table from a woman who lost her husband to the LRA rebels in Northern Uganda- and she herself was taken captive three years later and STILL manages to forgive-- my role is to simply listen. And it's amazing what God can teach you.

So this verse allows me to see great joy in the small things- as I sit here editing reports for World Vision, I am joyful. As I sit across from the dinner table with Faith Mlay, the strongest prayer warrior I have ever met, I feel joy. As I worship with children from Kibera slums on my birthday, I feel great joy. I pray that you too can lean on this verse and trust in his Great plans for you...even if it is revealed one day at a time.

Shopping for Winter Clothes in Africa, WHAT?

Yep, you heard me! I'm off to South Africa tomorrow for one week with World Vision. They are conducting a strategic meeting for the Africa office and I get the privilege of attending! Yesterday Dorothy told me, "Uh, it's going to be cold, so bring a warm jacket- it might even snow!"

SNOW? SNOW? In Africa? Right. Sure. It's over 100 degrees in Colorado right now, but kels is going to venture in the snow!! SO, Kels had to take a little trip to the 2nd hand shopping circus here in Kenya to warm up for South Africa!! So lets take a look at the bargains I found!

SO....for $9.00, Kelsey purchased this LOVELY White Winter coat for her warming pleasure! :)

Up next we have the wanna-be ski jacket made from Europe and surprisingly warm! ALL for the low cost of $9.00!!!!

And last I bought several sweaters all for the low price of $ 4 bucks each! Here we have the oh-so-warm turtleneck accompanied by some used black socks as I realized I only brought white ankle socks- not so hot with slacks! hehehe. I'm ready to GO!

Picture Time! My time in Rwanda thus far...

Nyartovu, a village World Vision works in. I spent 5 days here with researchers conducting surveys with local families. Imagine farming on the side of a mountain!

First, we hike to community homes- and yes, with a huge hunk of wood to measure the height of the children. I'm trying to come up with an easier system- any ideas??






Then, we find the head of the household and begin asking them about their family. Questions concerning Nutrition, Education, Household Resilience, Food Security, etc.

Then we measure the height...

And Weight of the children ages 0-5.

and of course loving on the kids is a must... they are shocked to see a muzungu (a white chick) hiking through the mountains!

New Friends....

Learning how to drive stick on the streets of Rwanda!

Muraho! Bi te? (What's up?) So kels has been a little busy lately! :) So far I have spent most of my time up north conducting surveys in the rural areas- and it was a great learning experience. This week I will be traveling to the south to visit a World Vision program which conducts mentorship programs for orphans in rural communities. They train, equip and monitor 144 community members to visit and care for over 400 orphans! I am excited to meet the orphans, encourage the mentors, and glean ideas for ROWAN in Uganda! Then on Friday I will be heading to the east to be involved in focus group discussions going on there...

I have met some incredible people along the way, including other fellow Americans! :) Two friends of mine are conducting research on Rwanda's curriculum development concerning their recent conflict. We keep each other posted along the way about what we find as we are all traveling around! This weekend a bunch of us got together for dinner and discussed the question:

"WHAT IS DEVELOPMENT?" And let me tell you, we had varying answers! Rwandans and Americans together discussing current issues and interests in Africa- it doesn't get much better than that!

My friend David, born in Rwanda and living in Kenya, said that development is a myth that outside countries created in order to control and limit Africa and its resources. The textbook version of, "Enhancing and enabling others towards peace and prosperity" didn't cut it for this guy. He is one who Definitely thinks outside the box, and I love it. How would YOU define Development??? Is development a myth???

David also said, "Africans are not being educated, they are being domesticated, and I am fearful for my fellow peers. We need to be critical about what is going on within our continent! We can not continue to point our fingers at others, because the rest of the fingers are pointing back at us. Africa is Africa's responsibility..." Needless to say, it was an intense conversation. I am learning more from conversations with friends I meet, Kofi (the VP of World Vision Rwanda I am staying with), and Aba (Kofi's daughter) than anyone else. The key is to listen, and boy- do I still have a lot to learn!

I will keep you posted with pics and stories as I continue to travel around Rwanda. Looks like I'll be heading back to Kenya sometime next week, and I know I am going to miss this beautiful country and my friends here! Who knew Colorado Mountains could be found here in Africa? (Just topped with crops instead of Aspens!) Off to edit a DVD script in the Communications Department; they are keeping me busy!!!

Happy Independence Day to the US, and Happy Liberation Day to Rwanda!

It has been 13 years since the genocide. You all are familiar with the 3 month long (war they call it) back in 1994. I have never experienced being in a culture where war is a common experience in life. EVERYONE was and is affected. Don’t assume otherwise. You have victim walking and living among murderers- today all living in peace.

Yesterday they danced and sang in celebration of peace. And peace is an understatement. I have Never felt so safe in a foreign city before. Kigali is spread over 5 hills- great roads- not much traffic- and calm people. Peaceful people.

Wives, can you imagine your husband stabbing you to death because you were of a different tribe?
Daughters, can you imagine still living in peace with your father after he stabbed your mother?
Can you imagine living near neighbors who killed all of your children? Friends? And they Would have killed you if they had the chance??

I know that deep beneath the surface lies pain. Lots of pain. But these people KNOW, TASTE, and LIVE Grace. God’s grace.

Yesterday, as everyone was celebrating their holiday, I ventured out to town. The only thing open was Bourbon Coffee Shop where I chilled out and read for the afternoon. There was a group of Americans I ran into and many worked for USAID, PEPFAR, and others. They invited me to dinner and I happily agreed to enjoy an evening with some Americans! They told me of their adventures in Rwanda and filled me in all I needed to know about this country. But over and over, they kept saying, “These people live in peace, and I don’t know how. I could NEVER forgive people who killed my family. Never. Much less live next to them. They claim its grace from their savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Come and Listen to What He has Done.”

I’ve only been here 3 days, but already see God’s footprints in the reconciliation process of this country. Tomorrow, I begin my home stay with the head of the Rwanda office, Kofi Hagen. He began the World Vision office in Uganda during their continued war in the North, and was called into Rwanda 5 years ago to help begin World Vision work here. He told me that he has seen change, and it is TRULY exciting. He has seen death; he has witnessed hate in the worst form; he continues to pierce hate with Christ’s Love and Forgiveness. I can’t Wait to soak in this man’s testimony in hopes that it can transform mine.

Today and tomorrow I am going through researcher training for the quantitative segment of our field work. Monday I head north to the villages to assist (as much as I can) in this 30-Family survey. I can’t wait to see the rural life here, as you all know that is where my heart is. Training is tough as I have to use an interpreter to understand the lecture, but it’s very useful and practical. Again, another piece of my puzzle! The picture is still fragmented, but slowly coming together…

I’ll be off to the memorial site this weekend, so stay tuned. Much more to come. And it probably won’t be easy….

Thanks for supporting me. Thanks for walking with me- I can feel your love and prayers.

Night!


“Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.” –Psalm 25:12.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.”- Luke 4:18-19

"United States of Africa." Dream, or reality?

African Presidents joined together this week in Ghana for an Africa Union Accra Summit. On Monday Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi came out strongly in support for the “United States of Africa.” The idea is to create a unified government with one military for the ENTIRE Continent. Declaring that there is no future for single state nations in Africa he said development is possible only with the creation of a single state like European Union. He thinks it will help unify the continent, be a good economic move, and keep the youth in Africa who may want to migrate. There are suggestions of having one currency, one national language, and even redrawing the borders. He claims, "For 40 years all the summits have failed," he said. "Our micro-states have no future."

Sounds just perfect, doesn’t it???

Not exactly. Ideally, this would be great. All you would have to do is eliminate all of Africa’s history, thousands of languages, and nationalism! It is a logistical and political nightmare in my book. Outside agents have dealt with loans and assistance to countries on an individual basis, how would that change over? How would one political party benefit local needs? What would all the current presidents do? Become governors? Why would the wealthy countries want to combine their wealth with the poor countries?

I have so many questions, and I am sure the meetings covered many of these hesitations and more- with the result of only ONE other president agreeing with the proposition. Interesting…

What are your thoughts? I don’t know all there is to know about this idea, but if you do- please fill me in! And if you haven’t, what’s your opinion about this US of A????

What others think:

Africa's survival depends on one thing only. Good governance. How can we unite if we still haven't resolved the same issues that divide us. How can we unite if some people still think that taking arms and going into the bush is another form of gaining political power. We must first address these problems, then when we all begin to think along the same line, our unity will come naturally. Nicholas Boampong, Accra

We have been hearing the tune of many African saying and shouting Africa Unite. In my own word, we are far from it. It is not possible for Africa to unite.
To make this dream come true, we should first interpret love among the neighbouring countries. For example, i am in Senegal presently. On my way coming to Senegal, i face a lot of embarrassment by the officers due because i speak English, can you imagine this. You are there talking about the unite of Africa!
It is better for everyone to look after his or her home.FODAY SILLAH, Freetown- Sierra Leone

The idea of African unity is worth a try. Sure there are and there will always be problems but it is better to attempt to solve them even if a little at a time. So far, almost or oil-rich, and other natural-resource-rich countries have detrimental political and other issues which are no accidents. The corruption and fighting is encouraged by the powers that deposit money into private accounts of the leaders, the arms exporters, unaccountable corporations. Unfair trade and predatory contracts, the list goes on but we have to start somewhere. After all, the people who first conceived the idea of aeroplanes were considered criminals, but now even space travel has commercial passengers. "Throughout history it is the inaction of those who should have acted, and the silence of those who should have spoken, that has made evil to triumph" - Haille SelassieKwame, Ontario, Canada

I think that is the only way for Africa to pull all the blessed natural and human resources together for the benefit of all Africans as against greedy individuals. As I write this, my eyes are teary just thinking of the possibilities this has for Africa. Adam Abu, Philadelphia USA
The African micro-states have actually failed its people. This is mainly due to the way they were formed, by the Western powers who colonised the continent. It's like Africa was programmed to fail. Gaddafi's vision of a United States of Africa seems OK on paper. But with our diverse focuses, interests and multi-ethnicity, I do not see Africa uniting yet. At least not in our generation.Lamin Dumbuya, Freetown - Sierra Leone

Yes, united we stand divided we fall, Africa needs to form one government to help reduce the violence caused mainly by leaders.Musa Bah, Novi, USA

Pics from Uganda

The 1st Mawanga Sleepover!

the cutest...

We played serious games.....like Snarf! Thanks to Jessi! :) Hakim is gett'n crazy!

Yes Megan, I'm gardening. I won't make fun of your herb garden anymore!

Barnabus- our miracle baby! Now 3 years old! :)

That's right, any time is Dancing time with Kels!

They call them: NIGHT BLASTERS!!! The lights, not us. ;)

The Nyende Family! What a joy~

The Village....gotta love it....

THIS JUST IN! Nala Eats Pumba!!

For those of you who are not familiar with the Lion King, Let's just say that I saw a 4 Lions HUNT down a Wart Hog! The past 3 days I went to a game park with Jessi and the missionary family we are staying with and it was JUST amazing. We were right along the Nile River in the the lush land of North Western Uganda.

Hippos
Elephants
Giraffes
LIONS- we drove right next to 2 female lions crouched down in the grass, looking out at the lovely little wart hog family chowing down on some grub. The male lions were a decoy as the wart hogs didn't even notice the females. 3-2-1 the ladies pounce on the screeching wart hog and TA DA! Breakfast is served!! And we saw it all in action!!

Ladies- isn't it interesting that the females are the hunters and do all the work, and the men come running when food is ready? hmmmmm .... hahahahaha...... interesting.