News flash, fun VIDEO, and Tshirts

NEWS FLASH:

For those of you who graciously partner with me through your financial support, I wanted to let you know that Midland Bible Church has moved. Please send checks to their new address:

Midland Bible Church

5900 Whitman Drive

Midland, Texas  79705

(and remember to write "Natalie Rolfe" on the memo line)

FUN VIDEO:

And now for your viewing pleasure :)

My Life In Africa from Natalie Rolfe on Vimeo.

This is the video I played during some of my speaking engagements this trip to the States.



T-SHIRTS:

As part of my fundraising, I had really cool tshirts made to sell at the different events I spoke at. BUT not all of them sold, so I thought I would offer them here for anyone who did not have to opportunity to purchase one. The suggested donation/price is $15 each.

There are two different designs.  Each shirt is hand printed (in Uganda).  See the photo below of both designs.

Design 1:  HOPE (with Africa as the "O")

I have them in white shirts with the orange/yellow/red design.  Or I have them in navy blue shirts with the white/blue/green design

Here are the sizes and quantities available: (I could fit in a S or M)

White shirt                  Blue shirt

Small = 5                    small = 5

Medium = 4                medium = 5

Large = 2                   

Design 2: Africa as central feature, with Hope embedded inside

*  these shirts are not uniformed so there are a variety of colors of shirts with different paint colors

Medium = 2 (tshirt color: navy blue)

Large = 1 (tshirt color: olive green)

If you are interested in purchasing one, please send me an email at natinuganda@gmail.com indicating the quantity, design, color, and size. You can pay through pay pal or a check. We can discuss whatever is easiest.  The tshirt will then be mailed to you.

design 1

design 1

design 2

End of 2012 Newsletter

Natalie's End of 2012 Newsletter

More than blessed.

As many of you know, I departed Uganda for a few months to spend the holidays in Texas with my family, to visit friends, and to do some personal fundraising for me to continue in my ministry in Uganda.

It was a bittersweet time preparing to leave, as my heart was very excited to be reunited with my family I haven't seen in 2 years, it was also sad knowing that the children at LCH are soon getting a long school holiday (my favorite time because the kids are out of school and available to have fun with).  Also, God has allowed me to establish a wonderful life in Uganda that I now call home.

To my surprise, the week I departed held a few special moments that I will treasure forever.

On Tuesday night, I stayed at LCH a little later just to have some more time with the kiddos- or so I thought.  As I pulled into my gate in town I saw an extra car that looked familiar.  Then I saw the all the lights in the sitting/dining room go out.  A little suspicious :)  Upon entering the house, with only the twinkle of christmas lights and candles lighting the way, I saw a few sets of legs sticking out from a beautifully set table.  At that point, all of my closest friends in Mbale jumped up, shouting "Surprise!"  

Since I will be in Texas for my 30th birthday, my sweet housemate Tiffany didn't want this milestone birthday to pass by uncelebrated.  (Thanks Tiff- you are really so wonderful!)

Don't worry- you didn't miss my real birthday.  I will officially leave my twenties on January 7th.

My heart was beyond blessed as I sat around the table, black and white skin sprinkled throughout, sharing a meal together.  My heart was blessed in seeing the faces of the people God has brought into my life who have loved me, taught me, challenged me, and enriched my life since being in Uganda.  And my heart was blessed as we danced and laughed throughout the evening.

                       

The next day was my last day at LCH (for this year).  It had been announced at the previous week's staff meeting that we were to have a "Fun Day" to send me off.  But I didn't think much about it as the days drew closer.  Usually I am the one to plan activities like this, so that morning I thought to myself, "I wonder if the Fun Day is really happening?  If they have planned something, they have done a good job keeping it a secret."  

When I got to work, I was told that things are happening but I don't need to get involved in them unless I am instructed to.  Later at lunch, Jerad came into my office instructing, "Nat, we need you to leave the office now and go to the library until further notice."  So, off I went.  

I was later collected by 2 staff and 2 kids who blindfolded me and tied my hands together behind my back and led me to the Main Hall.  Everything was quiet, too quiet when you know that there should be noises of about 200 children around.  I was led inside and as my blindfold was removed EVERYONE started singing Happy Birthday which was followed by a remix of "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and (of course) dancing! 

The Main Hall was decorated with balloons that hung overhead and spelled out the word "LOVE", Christmas trees, and a bear shaped cake.  It was in all its African glory and it was WONDERFUL!!

The afternoon proceeded with dance presentations from the little ones, a game where you try to pick up a box with your teeth (that gets cut down smaller each round), a skit about me and my life at LCH, another episode of wearing the blindfold and finding/removing sweeties from the tree, and a special interview and song from one of the puppies.  (I will also add that the puppy was wearing a baby onesie and seeing a dog in clothes and "singing" had everyone out of their seats and laughing.  Remember this is Uganda and dog are just scavengers, not pets - so the idea of putting any sort of clothes on an animal is completely foreign to them.)

                       

At the end of it all, beautiful words of love and appreciation were spoken over me.  I even received some special cards and gifts to bring home to my family.  And then the traditional "cutting of the cake."

It was such a fun and special day.  Maybe one of the best celebrations that we have had yet.  And throughout it all, the only thing I could think was, "Thank you, Lord!  I am more than blessed!"

Just another day...

Friday in the office one of the staff came to my desk wanting to ask me something.  The conversation went a bit like this...

Mike (staff member): "Excuse me teach.  They have left for me some bricks just there at mile nine.  But the springs on the truck have broke so they can't bring them here.  I was wondering if you could help me and use your car to go pick them?"

Me: (a bit confused by the randomness of this conversation) "Ok, how many are there?"

Mike: "About 40."

Me: (Thinking how bricks are a bit heavy and though I can't really gauge how much 40 bricks weigh, they might be too much for my car) "Ok, well can't you wait for the small truck to come back from shopping and pick them up?"

Mike: "No, if I leave them, the people might steal them."

Me:  (hesitant but wanting to help) "Well, ok.  Let's go then."

I brought the tarp and laid it in the "boot" of my car and we headed off.

In the car I asked the normal things- about his home, about how his family is.  Then I asked, "So what are you building?"

Mike: "Sorry.  I did not get you."
Me: "What are you building?"
Mike: (with a great look of confusion and concentration trying to understand me) "I don't know what you are saying."
Me:  "Building.  What are you going to build with 40 bricks?"

Well, it turns out I misunderstood.  We were not going to pick 40 bricks...

But rather 40 loaves of bread that were meant to be delivered to LCH.  Instead we found them under the trees by the signpost at the main road.  

Oh Uganda... your randomness continues to amuse me :)

Our country in 50 years.

 A day in the life...

The other day I stopped by the post office to buy stamps.  But they didn't have any in stock.  So, I went to the gas station to get some gas.  But they were out of gas.  So, I went to another station.  But they too were out of gas.  Luckily, the 3rd place I stopped I found they had fuel so decided to fill up.  As we say, TIA.

This week Uganda celebrated it Jubilee Independence of 50 years.  The newspaper has been running a competition in its weekly kids magazine for children to design and send in the Uganda they want to see in 50 more years to come.  Lulwanda Children's Home has had some shining stars.

These are the two Faith's listed above.  We have also had 2 other winners.

A kitchen tale...

A long, long, time ago… in a Mzungu kitchen in a far off land…

Where organic produce was the only option,

And grew bigger than to be expected.

Where dinner is often cooked by solar power lights because of the shortage of electricity,

And herbs are grown in the garden outside…

Were three housemates cooking dinner.

Each busy with their part of the preparations,

In a kitchen where a gas powered stove and oven are a MUST (due to the previously mentioned power outages).

This normal night, one housemate went to do the normal task of lighting the oven.

Noticing that the knob was slightly turned, she thought nothing of it and proceeded in lighting the match and carefully tossing it into the little hole that ignites the burner.

But this was no normal night…

As the match flame neared the small hole, a surprising fireball spit out of the mouth of the oven, seemingly engulfing the match-lighter.

Stunned and in disbelief the match-lighter slapped her face asking the other two, “Am I ok??”

Their response, “Yeah.  But ARE you ok?”

“Yeah.  So I am not on fire?”

“No.”

But the stench of burnt hair lingered in the air as the match-lighter realized ALL of the hair on her right arm had been scorched off.

And proceeding to the mirror, the match-lighter, rejoiced at the sight of her eyelashes and eyebrows.  Knowing that they only barely escaped, seeing that they had been slightly singed.

And the three housemates in the kitchen decided not to use the oven that night and gave thanks to the Lord for his GREAT protection.

I had the opportunity to take two children to Kampala with me this week.  Though I would never think to make an 8 hour round trip journey in one day in the States, in Uganda it is not uncommon.  People do it all the time.  So, when in Uganda do as the Ugandans.

Having left super early, Fatuma was tired and quickly fell asleep in the car.  As we approached into Jinja (the midway point of our journey), Siraji tapped my shoulder from the back seat and said, "Teacha, Fatuma has been taken by sleep this whole time.  She is missing all the places I have longed to see."

The journey continued with an entertaining and educational commentary from Siraji:

Siraji: "Teacha, is this River Nile?"  

Me: "Yes" 

S: "River Nile is the longest river in the world.  It also runs north." 

Me: "Do you know why it runs north?"

S: "Yes, because Uganda is higher than Egypt."

S: "Oh we are now entering into Mabira forest.  Teacher Amos tells us that it is 400 miles long."

Me: "400 miles?  Or maybe 400 square kilometers?"

S: "Oh yes that.  It has equatorial climate.  That is why it gets rain most of the year.  Mbale has tropical climate so it rains and it's dry and it rains and it's dry."

Me: "Is geography your favorite subject?"

S: "Yes."

Me:  "I could tell."

The journey continued with his informative commentary.  And since Fatuma slept through the first passing through the forest, he was stopped her in the middle of singing a worship song on the way back and said, "Fatuma, you see.  This is the forest.  It has equatorial climate.  Feel it (as he rolled down the window)." "But I would not be caught walking on foot through the forest at night."

Me: "Why?"

S: "Wild animals."

Me: "Sure?"

S: "Ahh, you try it and see.  The animals will come and bite your legs."

Me: "You think there are more than monkeys in this forest?"

S: "Ahh Teacha, there are many animals, but even these monkeys can handle you."

Outside of the commentary, I just love the phrases and word choices they use.

The journey continued with all three of us singing sweet songs to our Savior.  It was a precious moment.

And a very successful journey.  Everything we set out to do in Kampala was accomplished.  

AND...  I now have a ticket to the US 

and will arrive in Austin on November 16th!!

(I am still in need of a car to use for part or all of the time I am in the states, so please pray with me)

Waiting for ice-cream at Nat's favorite place in Kampala

Elephants in Kampala?