National Sports Competition, Mbale

This year Mbale hosted the National Sports Competition. Districts from all over Uganda brought the best of the best from the primary schools in their area to compete in running and field events. Thousands of students invaded Mbale, sleeping in area primary schools, all with the mission to bring back boasting rights to their area.

Lulwanda Children's Home Primary School was blessed to have two students qualify to the national level: Ivan K and Abel.

Seeing as the competition was in town, we took advantage of the closeness and brought a different group of 13 kids from LCH each day of competition. It was a wonderful experience for the kids to have the exposure to town and to see how competitions work. They were able to talk with children from other areas and make some new friends.Ivan (in the middle with yellow shorts) running onto the field.

Abel and Ivan were on the same relay team. Abel was the 3rd to receive the baton and passed it to Ivan, who finished off the race. They ran very fast and were the 5th team in their group of runners.

The hand-off

While we were there, amidst the many spectators, Rachel's brother recognized his sister and they had a nice visit catching up.

The non-participants from LCH kept busy in between races by playing games. Notice the table they are playing on.

The winners of the whole competition received the gift of a "gold" metal, a mattress, blanket, school bag, and math set.

LCH watching the races

Ivan running the 200 meters for Senior boys. Unfortunately, corruption can reach all levels and Ivan was discriminated against by the registration officials, saying he was too big for Juniors (which he was not). Seeing as he raced with very big "boys", he was last in his group. (But sincerly this was not a fair match because some of the Senior boys looked like they were ready to be recruited for the Olympic team tomorrow).

Waiting to enter the field.

The proud cheering squad. Special thanks to Teacher Nathan and all his hard efforts and long hours spent to assure that LCH P/S participated in these competitions.

Both afternoons, Jarod and I took the kids into town to walk around. They were so excited to be moving freely in town, getting to see the people and the places that are so common to me but a rarity to them. We showed them around the supermarket, the market, the post office, and Jarod threw in his comments about where certain stories he has told them occured. We had a very fun time.

While they were moving around town, Betty and I sat at the Dutch Snack Shop and took passion fruit juice. We also enjoyed taking picture of the people moving past us.

Moving through the market.

The first day, after much adventuring, we stopped at a restaurant to have a fresh chapatti (in the family of a tortilla- I guess) and some "soup" to dip it in. Mmm, chapatti!!


The second day we took our "packed" lunch to my house to eat (seeing as we have probably the only picnic tables in Mbale). The kids really got a kick out of seeing where I lived and sitting on my bed. They also were so excited about the huge guava tree that they were sitting under because they knew dessert was coming.Overall it was a very fun few days. I am grateful that the kids had the opportunity to experience all that they did. Now for the reports of our next adventure- the site of the Bududa mudslides (that blog will come soon).

too tired and busy

National sports competition went well. Ivan and Abel did very well, though did not qualify for the semi-finals. Their friends from LCH had a fun time watching the events and moving around Mbale. Now we are headed to Bududa, where the mudslides were. The kids had the idea to donate some of their clothes to those who are in need. I am just amazed at their love and compassion. They teach me more than I teach them. Photos will come once things calm down.

Easter Weekend...

It has been a nice, long weekend full of many fun things. My housemate, Jennifer, turned 31 so we had a special birthday breakfast for her.
Then of course, Easter service. It was a beautiful morning, without any rain, so many people make it to church. The service was a bit different because instead of Sunday school, people had the chance to share a testimony or a special song. After service I went to Ugandan family's house (Pastor and Mama's) and had a great feast with many family and friends. I was so happy to see my sisters home from boarding school. I miss them while they are gone.

Me and Jaja, looking "smart" in our Easter outfits.

At the end of service, the elders introduced to the church 2 couples that are engaged and planning their introductions and weddings. This was very fun because I am friends with both the couples.

Introducing, Sylvia (LCH teacher) and EliaKim (CBIT student/now Pastor)

Introducing Dennis (CBIT student/now Pastor) and Sylvia

So, there are many weddings coming in the next few months. I am excited to celebrate with these couples.

BUT, I am grateful for Easter. For the hope of the resurrection. I am grateful that I know my Savior and my Savior knows me. I am grateful that sin has lost its power and death has lost its sting. Truly I will never know how much it cost for Jesus (blameless in all His ways) to bear the burden and penalty of my sin. Thank you Jesus!!

I was touched by a song from the David Crowder Band called Remedy:
Here we are
Here we are
The broken and used
Mistreated, abused
Here we are

Here You are
Here You are
The beautiful one
Who came like a Son
Here You are

So we lift up our voices
We open our hands
To cling to the love
That we can’t comprehend

Oh, lift up your voices
And lift up your heads
To sing of the love
That has freed us from sin

He is the one
Who has saved us
He is the one
Who embraced us
He is the one who has come
And is coming again
He’s the remedy

Here we are
Here we are
Bandaged and bruised
Awaiting a cure
Here we are

Here You are
Here You are
Our beautiful King
Bringing relief
Here You are with us

So we lift up our voices
And open our hands
Let go of the things
That have kept us from Him

He is the one
Who has saved us
He is the one
Who forgave us
He is the one who has come
And is coming again
He’s the remedy


Oh, I can’t comprehend
I can’t take it all in
Never understand
Such perfect love come
For the broken and beat
For the wounded and weak
Oh, come fall at His feet
He’s the remedy
He’s the remedy

So sing, sing

You are the one
Who has saved us
You are the one
Who forgave us
You are the one who has come
And is coming again
To make it alright
Oh, to make it alright
You’re the remedy
Oh, in us
You’re the remedy

We have qualified onto NATIONALS!!

That is right!! Both Ivan and Abel qualified to represent Mbale District at the national level this week. Ivan placed #1 in the 100 meter race and Abel came in #3 in the 400 meter race. Competitions should begin on Wednesday.

Ivan leading the race in black.

Lining up to be recorded by the officials

Checking that the boys qualify for Juniors through size and weight
Abel squaring up his competition.

Sports competition 2010

We had around 20 different children participate in this years Sub-county sports competition. The day started out with the sun blazing down on us and thousands of kids cheering their school athletes on. Competitions included track races (long and short), relays, discus, shot put, and javelin. Around 1pm the rains came, forcing us all to seek cover wherever possible. Everyone from LCH Primary School made it into an open classroom where we waited out the rain for an hour. Needless to say, after the rain the fields were quite muddy. But despite slippery conditions, 2 of our students made it to the next round of competition- District. Tomorrow LCH is cheering for Ivan K (in P7, who made it to Nationals last year) and Abel (P3- who escorted Ivan to Gulu last year and must have been motivated to make it himself this year). We are very proud of all our participants and saw that their participation boosted the confidence of many of the students to know that they can compete in and OUT of the classroom.


THE TASTE OF VICTORY - Ivan just as he was crossing the finish line and winning that race.

SylviaAidah

The P7 boys in the middle amidst the competition

Namakoye Brenda finishing lap 8 of 12

Pray for Ivan and Abel. If they succeed in district levels they will participate in the National Competition, which will actually be held in Mbale this year!

The Love of God

The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. In reflection of my morning reading, I was struck by the words of "treasure" and "richness" that the Amplified Bible uses. Here is my journal entry from this morning:

"To me, though I am very least of all the saints, this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, unsearchable, incalculable, and exhaust-less) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out]." -- Ephesians 3:8

But surely these riches are not simply physical....

"Out of His infinite glory, may He give you the power through His spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted and built on love, you will, with all the saints, have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God." -- Ephesians 3:17-19

Oh Lord, the greatest riches in all the world is a relationship with you. And as with any earthly relationship between men, it must be based in love. Those friends that make life mean something are rooted in love. But how much more with you?

These verses say that the fullness of the love of Christ is beyond all knowledge. BUT the unending, boundless, fathomless, unsearchable, incalculable, and exhaust-less riches of Christ is that the Holy Spirit can enlighten my "hidden man/ inner self" (Himself indwelling my innermost being and personality) to the GRANDNESS of His love for me. What is "beyond all knowledge" can become knowledge to me, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The greatest riches I could ever have is a deeper glimpse of how wide and long and high an deep the love of Christ is towards me. His love surpasses mere knowledge. And this growing understanding of His love for me fills me with the utter fullness of God [the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself].

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly, [far over and above], all that I dare to ask or think (or pray of desire or hope for or dream)- to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen." -- Ephesians 3:20-21

Lord, change me through and through. Your Word is true and life giving. Your love is without end. Let me dwell in the exhaust-less riches of Christ through knowing and being confident in your love for me. Oh, that the depth and length and height and width of your love for me would circulate through my heart. Bring back to life those areas that have grown cold. Let me daily be filled to the utter fullness of You. Only then can my cup run over. Only then can You use me at my full potential. Only then will my light shine the brightest, for Your glory, because I will be secure and confident in Your unconditional love for me.

Again, I go back to Psalms 8:4-6, "What is man that you are mindful of him? And the son of man that you care for him? YET (although unworthy and nothing), You have made her a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned her with glory and majesty!" Praise You that even the greatest expressions of love on this earth come nowhere close to Your love for me.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!

Thank you Jesus! Amen.

This and that.

I had forgotten about these photos on my big camera. Some are from LCH and the others are from around my house in Senior Quarters. I like to take a walk in the evening and see what I might be able to shoot. I hope you enjoy.

My dogs, Bandit (the big one) and Daisy

My favorite bird in Uganda, the Woodland Kingfisher.
It has brilliant blue wings with a bright orange beak.

Flavia

Notice the girl jumping in yellow.
She was trying to take down the laundry but was a bit too short.

Hanging around.

Ivan, Florence, and Sarah

Our seamstress, Mama Flower (Margret)

Gift

Usually all cards turn into a game like war, but
I taught them the REAL rules of skipbo and they loved it!

The simple pleasures in life.

Sunset over the maize field.

A "Piki Piki", (aka motorcycle taxi), a common mode of transport

Matoke- plantain like bananas

The view, from my street, of Mt. Wanale

Sweet Daisy.