New pictures

Today we received a few new pictures of the mission house in Uganda. In one of them, it shows the painting of the walls and ceiling in the hallway to the bedrooms. Not the colors I would have chosen but I love it! It seems more real with plaster and paint on the inside of the house.
There are a few more things to get done at the house. The outside needs to be plastered and painted, finish painting inside, perimeter wall constructed and appliances installed. I almost laugh when I say "appliances". This consists of two toilets (yes! I consider a toilet in Uganda an appliance), a washer, a stove and a small refrigerator. Let me tell you that I am happy to be getting these items. No, don't have a need for a clothes dryer, a line in the back will be sufficient. No, don't need a furnace, it's always warm in Uganda. No, don't need an air conditioner. Although I am sure there will be days when I wished I had one!
Please pray for the all provisions to come from His hand in His time.

Why move to Uganda?

When the subject of moving to Uganda comes up, I sometimes get asked, "Why?". Sometimes the answer just flows out of me and other times I have to work on how to put it into words.

I am reading "The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. His book helps me to understand why. Besides seeing how God has opened so many doors from the start of our trips to Uganda, He makes it feel right to me. As I read the previous mentioned book, I see many reasons from scripture and also words from the author as to why. "God wants to see the authenticity of our faith put into action, not the emptiness of a faith without deeds." "...we cannot say that we do not know about the suffering poor; we cannot claim that we don't have the means to help. We, too, will one day stand before God and give a accounting." These are just a few words, but help to express the willingness I feel to go to Uganda and also to go without while I am here.

Rarely do I miss shopping for the things I have wanted in the past. When I think of the needs in Uganda, I more clearly see the difference between the "needs" and the "wants" in my life here. We could all do well to examine the difference of the needs or wants in our lives and then think what is it that God would want from us.

A few facts

I often get asked what is it like in Uganda. Besides being a beautiful country, the people are beautiful, friendly and very giving. They often remind me of the widow who gave all she had to the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-16) . She had really nothing to give but gave what she had. The people in Uganda seem to live this way, giving to each other, depending on God instead of the government. They don't have assistance programs as we do here in the U. S. Can you imagine if we all depended on God and each other, that we COULD depend on each other??

Some statistics found on BBC. com:

The GNI -(gross national income divided by its population, this reflects the average income of a country's citizen) for Americans is $47,580 (= $130.35 per day), for people of the Dominican Republic is $4,390, for Guatemalans is $2,680, for Haitians is $660, for Ugandans is $420 (=$1.15 per day).

Life expectancy for Americans is 77 years (men) 81 years (women), for people of the Dominican Republic is 70 years (men) 75 years (women), for Guatemalans is 67 years (men) 74 years (women), for Haitians is 59 years (men) 63 years (women) and for Ugandans 52 years (men) 53 years (women).

A few other statistics I've found on Uganda from other sites are interesting to think about.
48% own a radio, 4.5% own a TV. 22% of Ugandans own only one set of clothing (or less), 43% own a pair of shoes. 8% have access to electricity and 97% cook with firewood or charcoal.

Think you can't change the life of one person? Or even change the lives of a few? You can!

Sponsoring orphans

On our last trip we were asked to work more closely with Besaniya Orphanage. We were also asked to help find sponsors for the orphans. We now have been blessed by connecting 6 orphans with sponsors! Please be in prayer for the remaining 12. They can be sponsored for $30 a month. This amount covers their school fees, food, clothing, including school uniforms, etc. For more information on this program, please contact us!

Mirembe Primary School- Mukono

Lots of faces trying to get into the picture!

Some students couldn't pass up the opportunity to feel a muzungu's hair, fun times with the kids!

School lunch. This is where it is cooked and served. Everyday is posho and beans.

Some students taking their lunch to the shade of a tree.
We try to visit Mirembe Primary School every time we go to Uganda. The teachers and students are wonderful to spend time with. This year Ken spoke to the P-7 group. They were to have exams soon after our visit. P-7 is the final grade level for kids in primary (elementary) school.

orphans

Here is just one of the orphans we are wanting to find sponsors for. She stopped by the house we stayed at wearing her best dress to get her picture taken. Most of the orphans we are seeking sponsors for are teenage boys who live at the orphanage where we stayed, but there are a few who live outside, in the area of Mpoma, also called Kisowera.
One of the largest hurdles facing the teen boys is getting their education. Attending school is not free and the cost is out of reach for orphans. There is one young man who is 22, but has not attended school since his was burned by rebels in the north part of the country years ago. He works at the orphanage but is too old to get help from them to pay school fees. Currently the people who had been supporting the orphanage have stopped sending money even for the employees monthly pay. His story gets sadder, but he has hope! He knows Who to put his trust in!
If you have any interest in helping to bless someone in Uganda with a sponsorship, please contact us at:
libmissions@yahoo.com

Great trip!

Wow, did we have a great trip! Actually, Ken is still there and I am sure he is still having a great time. Lots of new things to keep us on our toes, or should I say on our knees in prayer.

First off, when we arrived to Mukono where we have always stayed, our friends informed us that the orphanage where we were to stay has moved to another area about 10 minutes from Mukono. We stayed in a new house that I was very happy with! It came with a stove, a refrigerator, flushing toilet and a shower! The whole "compound" is fantastic, I felt very comfortable with the surroundings and the people there.

Another new item is doing ministry in Luzira prison. Not a prison like we are accustomed to in the U.S. Once inside the main gate, they have a whole community. The employees live inside the main gate with their families. There is lots of housing, shops, even schools. They have a handful of different lock-ups in areas around the prison grounds. The first time we visited, we went to the maximum security area and also a medium security lock-up. I really wanted to take pictures from inside, but of course it was not allowed. They have a fabulous view of Lake Victoria and Kampala. All prisoners that I talked with and encountered were very nice and not intimidating at all.

One more new thing was to go to Mityana, a few hours drive, to go see the Kaziimba family. Last year Stephen was appointed as Bishop to this area. We stayed one night there and he showed us the cathedral that he is in charge of, his office, staff and also took us to a Mother's Union event. It was very nice to be with this family again, they are dear to us and many others who have met them. Bishop Stephen oversees more than 500 churches in a very large area. He is still working on visiting each of them and also their house is getting repaired. He (as well as his wife Margaret) are very busy.

I'll try to update this blog each week with pictures!

Getting ready!

Yes, getting ready. We leave in about a month. I would like to start packing already but it's too soon for that, I'm just in a hury to get there. Ken and I have recently been at a few events with our booth for Liberty, trying to the word out there. At the end of the month (the last Friday/Saturday) we will be in Allendale during their "Boulevard Days". Hope to see you there!

We have been given money for a few piglets to give to widows and orphans, could always use a little more. They cost about $30 each but the outcome on the small investment is huge. Can't wait to meet more people to give them to. I hope to catch up with a few people who have already received a piglet in the past.

Please keep us in your prayers, there are lots of decisions to make and lots of discernment to think on.

Blessings to you! Enjoy the last few days of summer 2009!

A busy summer

Bishop Stephen Kaziimba has now gone home to Uganda. He had a busy time here, visiting many churches, including Lighthouse Community Church in Allendale for a Friday night. It was great to have more friends meet him and get to know a little more about Uganda.
Ken and I have now bought our ticket to go back to Uganda in September of this year. Our middle son, Kevin just graduated from high school so now we are busy with his upcoming open house. He also recently earned his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. Our youngest, Nathan just finished his sophomore year in high school. Both of them will be going out west on a trip with their troop later this month.
Our friends have asked us lately about the house getting built in Uganda. We slowly are getting more work done. A few months back we were able to send some money to get the ceiling and wiring worked on. Richard sent a picture of a ceiling in one room, but it's hard to tell what it is if you don't already know how they look there, so we won't be posting it.
Prayer requests would be for God to continue to open doors He wants us to go through and us to have the faith to go through them.
Until next time, be blessed!

Bishop Kaziimba to speak

Ken and I are excited to let you know that Bishop Stephen Kaziimba will be back in the States at the end of April and will be speaking at Lighthouse Community Church in Allendale. He will be speaking on life in Uganda and the life of the church there. It's set for Friday evening (7pm) on May 8, 2009.
If you would like to hear more about Uganda or wonder what we do there, please join us (for those of you who live in the area of course!)
For more information please email us at: libmissions@yahoo.com

February

Wow. It's hard to believe that this has not been updated since October. I am sorry to the few that have checked here and not found anything new. There isn't much to update as far as new pictures or lots of new information about what's going on with us and Liberty.
Last Sunday Ken spoke at Generations Church in Allendale. It's always nice to talk to people about our friends and our mission in Uganda. Although we've been here in Michigan instead of making any trips to Uganda, we still keep in touch with our friends there.

Bishop Stephen recently emailed us to let us know how things are progressing for his ministry in his new district, Mityana. He is as busy as ever, and the people there have been welcoming him. His current problem, outside of being so busy with his many churches there is that he has problems with his home. It is much smaller and older than what he had to leave behind in Mukono. There are bats taking up residence with his family and of course, this is a problem.
On a good note, his youngest son, Joseph, has earned high marks with his grades and is considered among the top in the country! All of Bishop Stephen and Margaret's children are very good students and this is a high honor for them.

Ken and I are often asked how the house in Uganda is coming along. Since Ken last went in October, there has not been much work done just because of money. We have to save enough to send to get more work accomplished. The walls are up, the roof is on and windows and outside doors are installed. There is lots to do yet. The floor, inside doors, plumbing, electrical, finish on walls inside and out just to name a few. But everything comes in His time, not ours and I rest in knowing that.

This year will be very busy for us here with our family. Kevin graduates in the Spring and both he and Nathan have a few trips planned with Scouts. Hopefully, Ken's brother and his family will visit again from Texas this summer. After Nathan gets started back to school in the fall, we are planning on returning to Uganda in September. Care to join us?

short update

Here are a few pictures from last year's Unity Festival in Muskegon. Rev. Stephen Kaziimba and his sons came to sing at the festival. They are listed from left to right: Moses, Enoch, Samuel-Ronald, Rev. Stephen, Joseph, and Peter. I just received the pictures last week and wanted to share them.

On a more recent note, Ken had a wonderful trip this past month. He was gone for just over two weeks and got a lot of things done. The school ministry went well, as always. It has been clear that God has blessed us and the students with this ministry. Ken also spoke at a few services the first Sunday he was there and had several older men come forward to accept Christ. This is more impressive because the younger people look up to and respect their elders more there than in the U.S. (sadly). I will work to get some pictures downloaded this next week from his trip. One thing I was happy to hear about concerning the house that is getting built, there is a young family living in a small area that has been finished enough for them. The woman (Harriet) has been working in the "yard", clearing it some. She has already killed 3 cobras! I really like her and have not even met her yet!

Another newsletter is about to come out. If you check the blog but are not on our email list for the newsletter, please send an email to: libmissions@yahoo.com We'll make sure to get you the newsletters!

Blessings!

Deanna

Ken made it safely and on time!

Hi everyone....
Just a quick note to let all of our praying partners know that Ken made it safely to Uganda. He said that all of his flights had landed ahead of schedule, something about unheard of these days. Just goes to show how God blesses when we pray!

He slept late and worked off the jet lag on Saturday morning and went to a handful of weddings that Rev. Stephen conducted later in the day. Sunday he went to a few church services, one lasting 4 hours. Must have been very good. I got the idea that he spoke at each service, but with the phone connection, I could have that wrong. I'll update more at the end of the week!

Thanks for the prayers, keep on!

Be Blessed!
Deanna

Getting ready

There seems to be lots of things going on right now with Liberty. To start with, we are going to be involved with Allendale's Boulevard Days. Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23 we'll be in the Heritage Square area (behind Huntington Bank) with a booth set up.
Also, we just sent out our second newsletter. There have been great responses to the first two. People have pledged to buy a few piglets for widows and orphans since finding out about this project in the newsletters.
Kevin has set up an account in Facebook under "Causes" to raise money for a projector. Once we get the projector, we'll be able to show Christian films to large crowds in Uganda. So many people there don't have any opportunity to watch films, especially Christian films. This will be a real blessing for them.
Ken is getting ready to travel back to Uganda on Sept. 11. He will be doing the regular ministry, but also attending a dear friend's wedding. (Sure wish I could go)! He has a list of things to get done on this trip. Please pray all goes well, that much is accomplished, for His glory of course!
Thanks!
Until next time, may your days be blessed!
Deanna

new pictures of the house

Here are two new pictures of the house in Uganda. We just received these this past weekend. I called and talked to Richard, who sends the pictures, and he says they have the metal on the roof now also. I tried to make these pictures bigger, but was unsuccessful. Sorry about that. Side view, showing the garage and back of the house.

Front view, showing the veranda (porch).

We could use prayer right now for Ken making plans to go this fall and for coming up with the money to put the doors and windows on the house. Once they put those on, we can wait with the rest of construction until we save the money. At this point they are in a hurry to put the bars, windows and doors on to keep out people who would destroy the work already done. Please keep these things in your prayers. Thank you!!

Bishop news

Rev. Stephen and Margaret Kaziimba visited in the U.S. during the month of May. While staying in the Holland area, they learned he had been elected Bishop of the Mityana district. The news of his election was not unexpected, but was met with a wide range of emotions for them, their family and many, many friends in the Mukono area where they currently live and serve.

The Mityana district is a 4-6 hour drive from Mukono. This makes the thought of moving difficult, knowing visits will be few and far between. We know this is a blessing that God has brought and He will continue to bless them and others through this appointment to Bishop.

This picture of the four of us was taken at a special open house for them at Freedom Village in Holland, Michigan. Many people have come to love the Kaziimba family as we certainly have.

Your prayers for them and this new beginning in their lives will be greatly appreciated.

Lugazi: Little Angel's Primary, St. Peter's Primary and Homeland College

This is one of the few days we went to Lugazi. We started our day at Little Angels Primary School. They have about 300 students. This school is in a poor area deep in the town of Lugazi. We always enjoy going to this school and speaking with the kids there. The picture below shows some of the younger students.

The girl in the picture with me is named Nammudu, which is the name I've been given in Uganda. It means "servant".

Here is some of the students at St. Peter's Primary School. I had my first experience of speaking to a large group of students here just two years ago. Lots of fun memories. The teachers and students are always very nice.

A typical classroom. Most posters have English words as they are taught English in schools.


These boys were out having fun in the street. You don't often see American style toys, but as kids will do anywhere, they just find something to play with.

Our last stop in Lugazi that day was at Homeland College. The students were absolutely wonderful. They had lots of great questions for us.




That's all for now. Hope you enjoy checking out the pictures.

Takajjunge Primary School

Wow, sorry it's taken so long to get back to updating this blog. Time sure has gotten away from me lately. Our boys are out of school for the summer and we already have lots of plans for the next month! I'm so glad that summer's just around the corner, but Spring seems to be going by too fast. It's time to slow down and see what really needs to be done, like getting some updates from our last trip on here :) Hope you enjoy!



The following pictures are from our short visit to Takajjunge Primary School. Last year we visited there and I was struck on how many students didn't have shoes on their feet. During our question and answer time, one student asked us if all the kids in the U.S. have shoes. We get lots of funny questions, Scripture questions, really insightful questions, but this one really has stayed with me. I was looking forward to going back to this school. Rev. Stephen told us last year that this particular area has been hit hard with AIDS and there are many orphans, which also means many very poor people. There have been many people here (in the US) who have said we should do some kind if shoe drive for this school. It sounds so much easier than it is. It will be very easy to gather the shoes. The problem lies in getting them all there. Montana (a girl from our church) has given this much thought and prayer. She's working on getting something together for in the near future. When it all works out, we'll let you hear about it!





Some of the older students who were happy to get some of the shaded area to stand in.

Ken and Richard speaking in front of the small group of students and staff.

Hope you have a blessed day!

Besanyia orphanage-CHERUB

This is the view Joy would have everyday from the orphanage. She worked there in 2007. It's up quite a hill that I am glad to say everytime I have gone there has been by riding in a car. Part of the exam room where the doctor puts on and takes off casts as well as other medical things he does.The doctor works basically on orthopedics with kids. He has made some great improvements in the lives of some kids with severe cerebral palsy.

Other kids hanging out and also waiting to see the doctor. We played while I was also sitting there waiting for someone. Had fun speaking a few Luganda words and playing pat-a-cake!

This cute little guy wasn't sure about me at first, I guess my being white was something he wasn't used to seeing. The picture below him was something he was snacking on :)

yep, those are some good tasting insects. I couldn't be sure what kind of bugs they were, but he enjoyed them!

More Spain pictures

Another beautiful building in Valladolid...my memory isn't often reliable, but I think it was going to be a castle or cathedral before the king decided to move the capital to Madrid. I certainly don't remember the century it was built. Alecia and Alvaro would know though, they were great giving information on what we got to see while there.

This is a side view of the OLD castle in Segovia.

Our super hosts in the Toledo region. Sorry, again with the memory not working, I don't remember the name of the city. Between jet lag catching up with me and getting a bit car sick on the ride to their home :(..... BUT, I do remember this is Teo and Lili. I so appreciate the way she took care of me when I needed to be taken care of. I missed going to the Romanian church and seeing Ken preach, I was getting much needed sleep. This great family lived in Medias, Romania when we were there in 2004 and actually remember us being at their church there! Small world. The view out their kitchen window. Loved it.
Monday, Alvaro took Ken and I around part of Madrid. We went to the current castle. Sorry to say they don't allow anyone to take pictures inside, but here are a few of the outside. We toured the old pharmacy (interesting), a very cool hall, dining area, a few bedrooms, sitting rooms and the armory that had many suits of armor for the men and their horses. Really interesting stuff from ancient days. In the picture below there are two flagpoles, one with the flag of Spain and the other used when the king is in residence. I had to laugh at the lightpoles, they even have gold crowns on them!

View of the cathedral across the courtyard.
Cute little police car.... two men actually fit inside.
Would you believe this is the main post office? Looks like another castle to me.

More statues. I told you before, they have statues everywhere! This park is huge, Alvaro and Alecia compared it to Central Park in New York. This is after Alecia caught up with us after class.

Alvaro wanted to show us a monument made to honor the victims in the bombing a few years ago, so this is a picture of him at the top! At the gate of the park....

Mercedes, Alvaro and Fernando. We had a great time meeting them! I can't say enough nice things about them. Super people! I look forward to visiting again sometime.