The first 2:55 minutes are the same as the previous video posted, but after that there is an interview with her, which is really interesting.
Friday 30 December 2011
Tuesday 27 December 2011
06.11.11 - Journey to COME Uganda
For those who aren’t aware, I was staying and working at an organisation called COME Uganda.
Well, someone ‘borrowed’ by pen. Given I’ve left the airport, I don’t think I’m getting it back. It’s absolutely cracking me up.
I spent the time in the line being chatted up by a middle-aged Iranian. He pretended he knew me from Moscow (I’ve never been!) He supposedly ‘wants people to join him in his business’, and invited me to stop by his hotel anytime. I don’t think so. I thought, I’m not that young, and I’m definitely not that stupid.
I left the airport, and the driver, Patrick, was there to pick me up. He has 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. He’s really nice, and has told me how friendly everyone here is. There is a bit of a rivalry with Kenya – kind of a Sydney / Melbourne rivalry.
There are people everywhere on boda-bodas, their motorbikes, and animals on the streets like its their backyard. Big fat chickens and lean cows, even some goats.
There is an African child conference on! People were being picked up for it at the airport. I saw people for World Vision and etc there.
There are schools, childcares, and churches everywhere, and the smells of fruit and meat cooking, and it seems like its washday, with clothes everywhere, even in bushes and spread out over the grass to dry. And some things are universal, with Patrick lowering his phone as we drove past a police van.
The houses vary immensely, from ones that would seem slightly small and run down in Australia, to shacks that we wouldn’t keep animals in. In front of virtually every house is a stall of some kind.
I arrived at COME Uganda, and found that most people were away, including anyone I’d talked to or heard of. A family who are on a mission trip here for 5 months were here, and they helped me find my way around. They are Britt, Andrew, and their two daughters, Amaya (5) and Abbie (3). Britt showed me all the things, then I unpacked (I have my own room - luxury). We ate dinner together, which I could eat, being GF, and then they let me use their internet to email my family and Kal & Step to let them know I’ve arrived safely.
It’s only 8PM Ugandan time, but I am knackered. I am going to read my Bible and then go to sleep.
Well, someone ‘borrowed’ by pen. Given I’ve left the airport, I don’t think I’m getting it back. It’s absolutely cracking me up.
I spent the time in the line being chatted up by a middle-aged Iranian. He pretended he knew me from Moscow (I’ve never been!) He supposedly ‘wants people to join him in his business’, and invited me to stop by his hotel anytime. I don’t think so. I thought, I’m not that young, and I’m definitely not that stupid.
I left the airport, and the driver, Patrick, was there to pick me up. He has 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. He’s really nice, and has told me how friendly everyone here is. There is a bit of a rivalry with Kenya – kind of a Sydney / Melbourne rivalry.
There are people everywhere on boda-bodas, their motorbikes, and animals on the streets like its their backyard. Big fat chickens and lean cows, even some goats.
There is an African child conference on! People were being picked up for it at the airport. I saw people for World Vision and etc there.
There are schools, childcares, and churches everywhere, and the smells of fruit and meat cooking, and it seems like its washday, with clothes everywhere, even in bushes and spread out over the grass to dry. And some things are universal, with Patrick lowering his phone as we drove past a police van.
The houses vary immensely, from ones that would seem slightly small and run down in Australia, to shacks that we wouldn’t keep animals in. In front of virtually every house is a stall of some kind.
I arrived at COME Uganda, and found that most people were away, including anyone I’d talked to or heard of. A family who are on a mission trip here for 5 months were here, and they helped me find my way around. They are Britt, Andrew, and their two daughters, Amaya (5) and Abbie (3). Britt showed me all the things, then I unpacked (I have my own room - luxury). We ate dinner together, which I could eat, being GF, and then they let me use their internet to email my family and Kal & Step to let them know I’ve arrived safely.
It’s only 8PM Ugandan time, but I am knackered. I am going to read my Bible and then go to sleep.
Saturday 24 December 2011
5:45AM Ugandan Time. About to Arrive in Doha! (Then on the plane to Entebbe)
I got off the plane and had 15 minutes until boarding time for my next flight started – not much! My ticket didn’t have the gate number printed on it, so I had to ask at information. They ignored me, even serving other (male) people who came after me before me. Another girl was also ignored. She got frustrated and left.
Just like at church, I’m the minority on this plane. What’s unexpected is that Africans are not the majority, Indians are. Most of them forgot to order their vegetarian meals, and complained immensely. My meal managed to be vegetarian, but I could actually eat less of it than on the previous flight, as it was mostly gluten. They didn’t have enough time to get GF/CF food. They gave me some extra fruit. So I guess I’ve started one “African weight loss plan”. As long as I don’t get the usual one (travellers belly).
Something completely unexpected – my ticket was via Doha in the Middle East and not South Africa, which was what I thought. I seriously didn’t realise! But my one plan is to get to Entebbe, Uganda… hopefully with all my luggage.
***
2:10PM – Touchdown in Entebbe. Overflowing with thankfulness to my God for bringing me here, to the place of my dreams for the past 18 months.
Just like at church, I’m the minority on this plane. What’s unexpected is that Africans are not the majority, Indians are. Most of them forgot to order their vegetarian meals, and complained immensely. My meal managed to be vegetarian, but I could actually eat less of it than on the previous flight, as it was mostly gluten. They didn’t have enough time to get GF/CF food. They gave me some extra fruit. So I guess I’ve started one “African weight loss plan”. As long as I don’t get the usual one (travellers belly).
Something completely unexpected – my ticket was via Doha in the Middle East and not South Africa, which was what I thought. I seriously didn’t realise! But my one plan is to get to Entebbe, Uganda… hopefully with all my luggage.
***
2:10PM – Touchdown in Entebbe. Overflowing with thankfulness to my God for bringing me here, to the place of my dreams for the past 18 months.
Wednesday 21 December 2011
Katie Davis
People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid. I am much more afraid of remaining comfortable. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear things that destroy the body. I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases, and many times I am the only person who can help them. I live in a country with one of the world’s longest-running wars taking place just a few hours away. Uncertainty is everywhere. But I am living in the midst of the uncertainty and risk, amid things that can and do bring physical destruction, because I am running from things that can destroy my soul: complacency, comfort, and ignorance. I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy.
From her book, Kisses From Katie
From her book, Kisses From Katie
Sunday 18 December 2011
More on Vaccinations
Some more important information for those travelling internationally for foreign missions.
Get a blood test done. I was no longer immune to measles, German measles (aka Rubella), or Hep B, all of which I have been vaccinated against. Not only that, but I even HAD both measles and German measles. I was fine for mumps, which I have never had, ironically. So get a blood test - the last thing you want is to be out of action with something minor, contagious and preventable like chickenpox.
The worst injection I had was the Yellow Fever injection. I ended up feeling slightly sick for a few days afterwards. It is a live vaccine, and cannot be given less than 10 days before travelling, because of potential side effects. GO TO THE DOCTORS EARLY.
Check your pills. I had to take back my original malaria pills because they contained gluten and dairy, both of which I react to. If I hadn't checked, I would have spent the trip having difficulty breathing, vomitting, and having other reactions. The information was on the packet - but I had to check. Don't rely on the doctor to get it all right, they can make mistakes, jsut like anyone else.
Live vaccines need to be one month apart. This means that your MMR and Yellow Fever cannot be at the same time. Take this into account when planning vaccinations. Teh vaccines for different places vary, but there is a big chance that there will be more than one live vaccine. Go early so that you can be fully protected from diseases.
Get a blood test done. I was no longer immune to measles, German measles (aka Rubella), or Hep B, all of which I have been vaccinated against. Not only that, but I even HAD both measles and German measles. I was fine for mumps, which I have never had, ironically. So get a blood test - the last thing you want is to be out of action with something minor, contagious and preventable like chickenpox.
The worst injection I had was the Yellow Fever injection. I ended up feeling slightly sick for a few days afterwards. It is a live vaccine, and cannot be given less than 10 days before travelling, because of potential side effects. GO TO THE DOCTORS EARLY.
Check your pills. I had to take back my original malaria pills because they contained gluten and dairy, both of which I react to. If I hadn't checked, I would have spent the trip having difficulty breathing, vomitting, and having other reactions. The information was on the packet - but I had to check. Don't rely on the doctor to get it all right, they can make mistakes, jsut like anyone else.
Live vaccines need to be one month apart. This means that your MMR and Yellow Fever cannot be at the same time. Take this into account when planning vaccinations. Teh vaccines for different places vary, but there is a big chance that there will be more than one live vaccine. Go early so that you can be fully protected from diseases.
Thursday 15 December 2011
Sunday 6th, 5:20AM Ugandan Time. Plane to Doha.
Been reading Desiring God (pg 190 my edition), and I came across the statistics that so shocked me when I first read them. They are current as of 2002.
• The global income of church members is $12.3 trillion ($12,300 billion)
• Of this, $213 billion (1.73%) is given to Christian causes
• Of this, $11.4 billion (5.4% of 1.73%) goes to foreign missions
• Of this, 87% goes to those who are already Christians, and 12% to already evangelised non-Christians
• 1% of 5.4% of 1.73% - just $114 million – goes to the unreached.
Current stats are available at missionfrontiers.org
• The global income of church members is $12.3 trillion ($12,300 billion)
• Of this, $213 billion (1.73%) is given to Christian causes
• Of this, $11.4 billion (5.4% of 1.73%) goes to foreign missions
• Of this, 87% goes to those who are already Christians, and 12% to already evangelised non-Christians
• 1% of 5.4% of 1.73% - just $114 million – goes to the unreached.
Current stats are available at missionfrontiers.org
Monday 12 December 2011
Support Bushikori Over Christmas
If you are looking for Christmas cards that support the spread of the gospel and helping those in difficult circumstances (especially widows and orphans) then look no further! Bushikori Christian Centre in Uganda are selling Christmas cards.
Card 4
Card 2
To see the full range, visit this page of the Bushikori website.
If you want to order some, either leave a comment, email Sam, or speak to her. Alternatively you can order directly from Bushikori (details on the website). For those who want more information on Bushikori, the work it does, or how to further support Bushikori, again, get in contact with Sam.
Card 4
Card 2
To see the full range, visit this page of the Bushikori website.
If you want to order some, either leave a comment, email Sam, or speak to her. Alternatively you can order directly from Bushikori (details on the website). For those who want more information on Bushikori, the work it does, or how to further support Bushikori, again, get in contact with Sam.
Saturday 10 December 2011
Israel - Must Apply SOON
I am aware of a short term missions trip opportunity to Israel. The trip is 1-16th of Feb, and costs are $4200. You must be between 18-35 years of age.
The trip is run through Celebrate Messiah, a Melbourne based group that focuses on reaching Jewish people with the love of Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus).
(From their site / information broshure) Outreach Israel is a short-term missions program designed to bring you face to face with Israelis for the primary purpose of relational evangelism as well as encouraging the local believers in Messiah. Time will be spent in practical activities – like meeting and encouraging believing young people (Jewish and Arabic believers), helping the poor and needy, reaching out to Holocaust survivors, and supporting local messianic congregations. We will be staying in communal accommodation where we will cook together, live together and travel as we minister in the Promised Land. We will also make sure we have some time to play and explore some of the major sites of Israel. The Lord will use you mightily as you reach out to Israelis, hear their stories, and share yours!
Applications close in "mid December", so you have only about a week to think about it and apply.
If you are interested, the information on how to apply is HERE, and if you want more information, then get in contact with Sam.
They also have other mission trips and events, including local missions and missions to New Zealand. I will update with more information as I have it.
The trip is run through Celebrate Messiah, a Melbourne based group that focuses on reaching Jewish people with the love of Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus).
(From their site / information broshure) Outreach Israel is a short-term missions program designed to bring you face to face with Israelis for the primary purpose of relational evangelism as well as encouraging the local believers in Messiah. Time will be spent in practical activities – like meeting and encouraging believing young people (Jewish and Arabic believers), helping the poor and needy, reaching out to Holocaust survivors, and supporting local messianic congregations. We will be staying in communal accommodation where we will cook together, live together and travel as we minister in the Promised Land. We will also make sure we have some time to play and explore some of the major sites of Israel. The Lord will use you mightily as you reach out to Israelis, hear their stories, and share yours!
Applications close in "mid December", so you have only about a week to think about it and apply.
If you are interested, the information on how to apply is HERE, and if you want more information, then get in contact with Sam.
They also have other mission trips and events, including local missions and missions to New Zealand. I will update with more information as I have it.
Friday 9 December 2011
Prayer for Shaun (Mission Trip to the Phillipines)
1. Philippines is not a very safe place. I only knew that after my Skype session with my mum. Before that, I was totally oblivious to the dangers in Philippines. After reading the website below:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Philippines
And this happened a few days ago.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/blood-in-home-fuels-fears-for-kidnapped-australian-20111206-1oh9l.html
Typhoons hit northern Philippines 2 months ago.
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/typhoon-doublewhammy-pummels-philippines-20111001-1l2lg.html
And in January 2011, a public bus was bombed in Makati, central Manila. Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured. Terrorist attacks could occur anytime, anywhere, even in Manila.
The last three points hit pretty near home, 'cos we'll be based around Manila.
Pray for the team, myself included, that we'll arrive back on Australian soils safe. And that we'll alert for any news updates. And when the situation arises, we will trust in God's protection, the Spirit's prompting and do the right thing at the right time. Pray for physical and spiritual covering for the whole team, including Hope Manila.
2. This is from Hope Manila:
Please pray for Ps Soradej from Hope Manila. He was injured yesterday in a car accident whilst going to officiate a wedding. The car
suddenly lost control, resulting in one side of the car being badly
damaged.
Ps Soradej sustained some facial injuries and is undergoing an
operation to remove some foreign object from his face near the eye
area. His wife Eunice is fine. There were two others in the car and
they were also injured.
Please pray for him, his wife (who was the driver), and the other two
who were injured. Let's pray for God's miraculous healing. Let's also
pray for Hope Manila. For God's protection and also that His grace
would overwhelm and sustain them in this time.
3. You can also pray that my journalling abilities will be activated, because I'm not one to write down good memoirs or stories. So, dedication to keep writing, remembering details, being observant in God's moving, and less slacking.
4. Pray that we'll make an impact in the schools, universities, and prisons we'll be visiting. Pray especially for my sessions (highlighted).
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Philippines
And this happened a few days ago.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/blood-in-home-fuels-fears-for-kidnapped-australian-20111206-1oh9l.html
Typhoons hit northern Philippines 2 months ago.
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/typhoon-doublewhammy-pummels-philippines-20111001-1l2lg.html
And in January 2011, a public bus was bombed in Makati, central Manila. Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured. Terrorist attacks could occur anytime, anywhere, even in Manila.
The last three points hit pretty near home, 'cos we'll be based around Manila.
Pray for the team, myself included, that we'll arrive back on Australian soils safe. And that we'll alert for any news updates. And when the situation arises, we will trust in God's protection, the Spirit's prompting and do the right thing at the right time. Pray for physical and spiritual covering for the whole team, including Hope Manila.
2. This is from Hope Manila:
Please pray for Ps Soradej from Hope Manila. He was injured yesterday in a car accident whilst going to officiate a wedding. The car
suddenly lost control, resulting in one side of the car being badly
damaged.
Ps Soradej sustained some facial injuries and is undergoing an
operation to remove some foreign object from his face near the eye
area. His wife Eunice is fine. There were two others in the car and
they were also injured.
Please pray for him, his wife (who was the driver), and the other two
who were injured. Let's pray for God's miraculous healing. Let's also
pray for Hope Manila. For God's protection and also that His grace
would overwhelm and sustain them in this time.
3. You can also pray that my journalling abilities will be activated, because I'm not one to write down good memoirs or stories. So, dedication to keep writing, remembering details, being observant in God's moving, and less slacking.
4. Pray that we'll make an impact in the schools, universities, and prisons we'll be visiting. Pray especially for my sessions (highlighted).
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Sam's Uganda Trip - The Airport and Plane
During my trip to Uganda, I took as detailed a journal as possible, with the aim of sharing it here on the missions blog. This will take place over a variety of posts – it’s MUCH too long for one or two posts. Other posts (reviews, quotes, prayer points, etc) will continue in the mean time, but I hope that you all find the details recorded here useful.
Saturday 5th November, 2011. At the airport, 10:15PM Australian time
The bit that has always worried me most about this trip was the airport. Not being in Uganda, not flying, but the being in the airport. If something goes wrong, it is here that it will happen. And this is the place I can’t control things as much, but will want to the most.
The initial stages went well. We got to the airport fine, checked on my luggage fine, and all that. We played a game for a gin company, and I won, and got a pack of cards. Mum got a shot of gin. (Julie and I don’t drink – her at all, me much.) We got a photo taken, dressed up in funny hats, with me having a trophy.
Then it came to entering the security, so I had to say goodbye. I went in, they took photos. I forgot my jacket. It’s my only warm one, but the weather should be ok. I have some rain macs in my luggage.
Then I had to get rid of my chocolate spread. I was so sad – it’s GF/CF, vegan, organic, etc, and amazing. I seriously nearly cried. Especially as they don’t have any food on the plane for me – they lost that information. So I now have half a packet of rice chips and some GF/CF cookies for a 14 ½ hour flight. They are sorting out the other end.
What’s worse is I don’t have my phone. Mum said to just leave it at home, so I did. So I couldn’t give them my coco-choc spread or get back my jacket. Sad.
I have about 1 hour til boarding.
Sunday 6th November, 2011. 10:10AM Aussie time.Dark outside. On the plane.
Well, I boarded the plane well, but completely forgot to take a photo of the take-off. I’ve got a spare seat next to me, and Geoff, the boy of the aisle seat is friendly. He’s going to Tanzania to climb a mountain, and then is going on safari. I was tempted to evangelise and say, as Ray Comfort says he does “Don’t like, there’s the door.”
I was able to eat about half the meal, but I completely forgot to keep the things I can’t eat that were in packaging. There are a lot of beggar street children in Kampala, and I was planning to save stuff for them. But I saved me snack, choosing the biscuits I can’t eat over the ice-cream I can’t eat.
Aside from that, I’ve napped, watched House, Super 8, and started a few other movies that weren’t that good, and done a little reading (Desiring God, by John Piper). I should probably get out my Swahili language book and ipod. Swahili is the 2nd national language of Uganda (the 1st is English). The thing is, most people speak neither language as a first language, instead speaking Luganda. I have a Luganda music CD on my ipod, along with the words in both English and Luganda. It’s a praise and worship CD, so I can learn a bit about Jesus in their native tongue. Back to my reading and music.
Saturday 5th November, 2011. At the airport, 10:15PM Australian time
The bit that has always worried me most about this trip was the airport. Not being in Uganda, not flying, but the being in the airport. If something goes wrong, it is here that it will happen. And this is the place I can’t control things as much, but will want to the most.
The initial stages went well. We got to the airport fine, checked on my luggage fine, and all that. We played a game for a gin company, and I won, and got a pack of cards. Mum got a shot of gin. (Julie and I don’t drink – her at all, me much.) We got a photo taken, dressed up in funny hats, with me having a trophy.
Then it came to entering the security, so I had to say goodbye. I went in, they took photos. I forgot my jacket. It’s my only warm one, but the weather should be ok. I have some rain macs in my luggage.
Then I had to get rid of my chocolate spread. I was so sad – it’s GF/CF, vegan, organic, etc, and amazing. I seriously nearly cried. Especially as they don’t have any food on the plane for me – they lost that information. So I now have half a packet of rice chips and some GF/CF cookies for a 14 ½ hour flight. They are sorting out the other end.
What’s worse is I don’t have my phone. Mum said to just leave it at home, so I did. So I couldn’t give them my coco-choc spread or get back my jacket. Sad.
I have about 1 hour til boarding.
Sunday 6th November, 2011. 10:10AM Aussie time.Dark outside. On the plane.
Well, I boarded the plane well, but completely forgot to take a photo of the take-off. I’ve got a spare seat next to me, and Geoff, the boy of the aisle seat is friendly. He’s going to Tanzania to climb a mountain, and then is going on safari. I was tempted to evangelise and say, as Ray Comfort says he does “Don’t like, there’s the door.”
I was able to eat about half the meal, but I completely forgot to keep the things I can’t eat that were in packaging. There are a lot of beggar street children in Kampala, and I was planning to save stuff for them. But I saved me snack, choosing the biscuits I can’t eat over the ice-cream I can’t eat.
Aside from that, I’ve napped, watched House, Super 8, and started a few other movies that weren’t that good, and done a little reading (Desiring God, by John Piper). I should probably get out my Swahili language book and ipod. Swahili is the 2nd national language of Uganda (the 1st is English). The thing is, most people speak neither language as a first language, instead speaking Luganda. I have a Luganda music CD on my ipod, along with the words in both English and Luganda. It’s a praise and worship CD, so I can learn a bit about Jesus in their native tongue. Back to my reading and music.
Saturday 3 December 2011
Book Review: Kisses From Katie
You have had the opportunity to read a few quotes from this book. So far, it’s probably my favourite book for the year, and definitely my favourite missionary biography. When you consider that I read 15-20 books a month, you can be assured that this book is really, REALLY good.
Short breakdown: girl goes to Uganda to teach kindergarten for 1 year, planning to go back to her “normal” life in America after that year. Instead she ends up taking in 14 girls (she’s currently in the process of formally adopting 13 of them) , starting an international ministry that provides food, school fees and school supplies to over 200 needy children in her area (the current number is more than 300), and providing basic medical care for people around her.
One of the things that isreally great about this book is her reflections on God’s heart, and how that affects her ministry, and most of these reflections are relevant not only to her ministry, but everyday life anywhere.
The other thing that I really enjoyed was that she stressed how normal she was, how she lived the fairly normal teenage life back in America, how she doesn’t always have a great attitude, and things like that.
I found this book to be really interesting and encouraging, and as I said, one of the best, if not the best, books I’ve read this year.
You can purchase the book here at 147 Million Orphans, and 50% of the proceeds will go to Katie's ministry.
You can purchase the from Amazon book here.
You can visit Katie’s blog here.
You can visit Amazina Ministries (the website for Katie’s ministry) here.
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