I’m packing, giving goodbye kisses, and will leave for the airport soon.

The purpose of my trip to Minnesota is to visit official Together in Mission (TIM) partners that we didn’t get to during our initial round of speaking back in spring-summer-fall 2008–in most cases because these congregations picked us up AFTER we left for Africa.  My schedule is on a previous post.

I’m thrilled to share that the Gillard budget was funded to the tune of 108% in fiscal year 2008/09 (and the surplus stays in our account and carries over into the next year).  So I’m NOT being sent to the USA to beat the bushes for more cash but just to keep the partnership alive and say, “Thanks!”

It will be grand.  See you soon.

This is the time of year for grasshoppers–also called locusts.  Photos were taken earlier today.  Don’t knock ‘em ’till you’ve tried ‘em.

Michelle with bowl of locusts

Michelle with bowl of locusts

Michelle savoring the taste of locusts

Many of you have asked me about thanksgiving and have sent us thanksgiving greetings–thanks.

Here is the story. The girls and I have been working up to thanksgiving for the entire month. We read books, made crafty turkeys for the table and created our own thanksgiving book with some coloring pages from the internet. It was all quite exciting.

There was a man from the U.S. here in country and he was coming to eat. I invited a neighbor lady and her daughter. Pastor Charles, Eva, and Trumps were also invited.

I didn’t know what to cook or any of that. Decided to do chickens but not too keen on the idea. Heard turkeys aren’t good in Uganda. Then Jacob goes on a walk and finds a neighbor with turkeys running around in the yard. The next day I talk to them and ask if I can buy one. I buy one. Then I spend a few hours running around to find a pan big enough for the turkey and small enough for my tiny stove. Got one in the end. Was feeling pretty good. Sent my house lady all over tarnation looking for “orange” sweet potatoes and all the other fixins…AND my mom’s box arrives from the U.S. with cranberries and stovetop. I made my apple and two pumpkin pies ahead of time and froze them. The dough for the rolls was made. We were to pick up the butchered turkey at 9 a.m. I woke up in the morning ready to cook and bake all day.

THEN….

The electricity went out. It was out all day. This happens often but it isn’t always all bloody day. I actually walked back and forth in my bedroom during nap time praying and anxiously waiting for the power to return. It didn’t. I gave up. I almost cried three different times. Jacob told me he was sorry…that made me feel better. I told myself that it was ok…TIA…(This Is Africa)…and there are a lot of other things in life to fret over…turkey dinner isn’t one of them.

So now I sit here…planning when to make all the food piled in my refrigerator that cost me way too much money…all in an attempt to bring a little of America to my home in Africa.

Oh well…right?

UPDATE: Monday, November 30

Michelle worked really hard all morning to turn out this meal.  All of it was really good but I liked the gravy the best.  We ate around 3 pm but are saving the pumpkin pie for later tonight.

Line’s endorsement summed it up the best when she turned to us between bites and said in her most serious voice, “Mom, this is so good that I hardly would puke.”

Amelia eating thanksgiving meal

Line eating thanksgiving meal, just after complimenting mom on the meal

The Rev. Dr. Jim Heining serves as senior pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in Rochester, MN.  He could have taken his sabbatical a hundred other places but he chose East Africa.

His lovely wife, Jolene, accompanied him on the six week adventure this past summer. They began in Kampala and reached villages throughout the country.

His official title was that of “Theological Educator”. He taught basic bible with a focus on “Law & Gospel” and “First Corinthians”.  He baptized, confirmed, preached, and married.  They ended their trip on the Kenyan coast where Pastor Jim served as chaplain for the LCMS East Africa missionary retreat.

This couple had the best attitude about every experience they encountered in Uganda.  They blessed everyone they met.

I’m especially excited to check in with them on my brief visit to Minnesota next week.

If you’d like to serve as a short-term theological educator (advanced theological degree required e.g. STM, PhD, etc.) please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with recruitment services.

You could call it an “outreach blitz”.  Three carloads of leaders ventured west the weekend of August 28-30 to sow Gospel seed in Ibanda and environs.  The team included Lutheran Media Ministry staff, missionaries, and pastors.

Seminarian Frank Kainerugaba—a native speaker—was sent out a week ahead of time to prepare people for baptism, confirmation, and holy communion.  LMMU staff started with an Equipping the Saints workshop and film shows.  Saturday afternoon saw baptisms, confirmation, holy communion, and a wedding at Holy Trinity in Ibanda town.  On Sunday morning we fanned out in 5 directions:

• Dr. Jim & Jolene Heining went to Ishongororo-Kemihoko with Moses Ahimbisibwe translating
• The Gillard family went to Bethany Kinyamugara with Robert Baingana translating
• Rev. Charles Bameka went to Mushambya-Bulemba with Fred Magezi translating
• Vicar Samuel Ogwang went to Kazo 1 & 2 with Gordon Turyamusiima translating
• Vicar Trump when to Mabale-Miyola with Frank Kainerugaba translating

The people of this region had been waiting for official acts for some time and we’re pleased to report:

• 1,703 in attendance in 6 worship sites over 2 days
• 21 baptized into Christ Jesus
• 40 confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church
• 256  received Holy Communion

It was incredibly moving to wake up and sit around the breakfast table before the work began that day.  It felt like a wave of Christ spreading across the land.  Excitement and the Spirit filled the air.

Read more.  My co-worker’s version is here (PDF file, 572k).

Girls on a bodaboda

We use many modes of transportation in Uganda.  We have a very strong Toyota Land Cruiser VX.  This car can handle all the difficult terrain Jacob finds on his travels around the country.

I take a shared taxi when I go to city-center.  Taxis are minibuses that pick people up and drop them off on certain routes.  City center is much like the downtown of any other downtown in a metropolis of 2 million people.  City center has everything and everyone is there buying it all.  I pay fifty cents to ride 15 kilometers to town.

A bodaboda* is a motorcycle taxi.  They will pick you up anywhere and take you anywhere.  They cost more than shared taxis.

It is very common to see three grown men on one bodaboda with a stalk of matooke (green bananas) and baggage.  They also transport doors, beds, metal beams, lumber and three babies at a time. It is a sight to behold.

The girls and I take the bodaboda from time to time.  Amelia sits behind the driver, them me and Line is in her Ergo backpack on my back.  It is quite fun—even if it isn’t super safe.

* A bicycle or motorcycle taxi.  Derived from the English “border-border”.  The term was first used at an international border crossing where the driver would take pedestrians across the ‘no man’s land’ between border posts.  Hence, from “border to border”.

I’ll be in MN Dec 4-14 to connect with supporting congregations.  I’ll make the visit by myself while Michelle and the girls stay in Uganda.

Here’s the schedule.  Drop in at the location that suits you—I’d love to see ya!

I’ll have some bead work items for sale—bracelets, necklaces, etc. made by the Pokot people in Eastern Uganda.  Most prices are $5—it’s a great time to pick up some stocking stuffers and support some sisters in Christ who otherwise don’t have a market for their bead work.

It’s time to update that Gillard family photo.  The little girls have grown so much but they’re still just as cute!

You can also find it on Picasa here.

Ordination of Jerome, Aaron, and Samuel, October 11, 2009 in Kampala

At long, long last the LCMU’s roster of ordained pastors increases by three!  Congratulations to Jerome, Aaron, and Samuel–and their families!

Bishop Paul Kofi Fynn of Ghana officiated. Claude Houge represented LCMS WM.  Other guests included Pastor Jacob Bisi and Pastor Edward Nzeme from the ELCS.