So Blessed to go to Uganda!

What a wonderful trip we had to Uganda! The purpose of our trip was to help Pastor Mathias conduct a seminar for children's church teachers. We took a curriculum and some teaching "hints" and off we went! It was WONDERFUL to be there! Uganda is absolutely beautiful! Everything was green, and lush. Even though Dubai is pretty in its own way, Uganda is absolutely gorgeous! Pastor Mathias and Frances were THE BEST, sharing their home with us! 

We spent Friday and Saturday doing the seminar. We began each day around 11:00, stopped for lunch around 1:30, and finished around 4:00. It was such a blessing to work with the teachers and hear how committed to the children they were. Some of them had teachers helping them that THEY had taught previously! That's what it's all about! They were excited about the material we brought, and were planning to use it in some churches the very next day! 
On Sunday, we went to church at Pastor Mathias's church. I always tell them it is my favorite place to worship! Then, to hear the teachers use the training to teach was such a blessing! After church, we went to one of the hospitals. There are no words adequate to describe it. Mathias kept trying to explain it to us, and I think decided that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Beds were crowded into rooms. It was not clean, with very few nurses and doctors. Families must stay at the hospital with their loved ones to provide food, wash their bedding and clothes, and make sure they have everything they need. Family members sleep on the floor by the bed or outside. Even though I am trying to describe the conditions in the hospital, it is beyond words. It is impossible to describe the awfulness there. 
We went out to Wakisi where they were having children's church. What a blessing to see Lea teaching the children about God! We then went to Mashah Village, which is the orphanage associated with Eleváre. The children were absolutely precious, and it was so good to see them again. There are twenty-one children there now. 
On Monday, Mathias took us back through Kampala to Entebbe to catch our flight home. We stopped in Kampala to buy beads!!! What fun!  The area where we went was in Kampala, and houses were crowded close together. Mathias knew just where to go! When he told them we needed beads, women came from all directions with beads! Mathias is quite the "deal maker!" 
This trip was such a confirmation for us! God is so good! When Mathias asked us to come, I found myself saying "yes" and could literally visualize stepping off the "edge." God helped me find resources to adapt for their curriculum; He gave me friends to help me prepare my presentation and pray, and He stood right beside us the whole trip...One Step at a Time!

Yum!

Esther's son, Emanuel...Ema for short!

Isn't he the cute?

The church is beautiful!

Esther cooking lunch for all of the teachers.

Larry organizing!

David had a nap!

These were the precious teachers that attended the seminar.

Children at Mathias's church, and Jennifer and Daniel

Children's Church!

Mathias preaching, and Andrew translating on Sunday.

Isn't she precious? I LOVE this picture!

More than friends...family!

New church building at Wakisi

Children from Wakisi that came to children's church

Lea and the children after she taught children's church

The new kitchen at Mashah Village

Precious children and Mamas at Mashah Village

LOVE this picture too!

Kids at Mashah

This little boy was at the "beads" house! So cute!

Beautiful beads!

This little one kept grabbing my shirt and then running away!

Uganda...a Piece of Heaven!

We absolutely loved our trip to Uganda! It is my favorite place to visit, and truly feels like home when I am there! It was so good to see friends we love so dearly, revisit precious churches, and see the The Met church property (Elevare' and Mashah) again! So much work has been done, and it looks absolutely beautiful! The children and adults of Uganda have a very special place in my heart! 

We met the team from The Met on Saturday, and drove by bus from Entebbe, through Kampala, to Jinja, where we stayed at Sergios! What a wonderful hotel! The grounds were beautiful, the service great, and the food delicious! I was counting on losing weight in Africa...not so much! Ha! After arriving, we went to Mashah, the orphanage, and met the sixteen children that live there! They were precious, and their smiles beautiful!

On Sunday, we went to church! Larry and I went "quickly", and that is a relative word in Africa :), to Pastor Zachariah's church, then also attended Pastor Mathias' church! I LOVE worshipping and praising our Lord in Africa! There is nothing like it! I find myself closing my eyes just to hear the beautiful worship and language. It is such a time of total surrender and focus on praise! I cannot express the closeness to God I feel when I am in Uganda, especially in church!

That evening, we celebrated at the orphanage with a birthday party for all if the children! What a fantastic idea! (thank you, Terri!) I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...the children or the missions team! There was singing, dancing, party hats, party favors, gifts, cake, drinks, AND most importantly, happy children! Just like any other birthday party, right?

On Monday and Tuesday, we worked at Evangel Church, painting the outside of the church, and building a fence. It was such a blessing to work alongside Ugandan church members, laugh with them, and get to know them better. The fence was built to completely encircle the church property. We painted a primer, then TWO different top coats! I must admit I questioned Mathias' wisdom in challenging us with two colors...but it turned out beautifully! When we were there two years ago, we met church members on Sunday, but to work alongside brothers and sisters in Christ was such a blessing. I was covered from head to toe in paint, and was very tired physically both evenings! It was so awesome to see the progress, and see the beautiful end result!

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we visited a total of eight schools, and held two children's festivals at Elevare'. The format was the same at each school and festival. K-Krew, an African music group, and the youth group from Evangel Church would begin with singing with the children. We all said what a boring group we would be without these young people! They would worship and praise God, and JUMP for Jesus! When they were done, our part was easy! Our group would then do a craft, and recreation with the children. The ones in charge of planning these activities did a fantastic job, picking activities that were both meaningful and doable! The parachute was a huge hit!!! Members of the group would also present the gospel and testimonies. It is estimated 3,000 children attended, and 350 decisions to accept Jesus were made! 

During one of these school visits, I had the most amazing experience! I remembered a little girl from our trip two years ago to Uganda. She had the saddest eyes, and came to the medical clinic at Elevare' both days. She sang with me, and read the two books I took with me over and over! I have prayed especially for her for two years. When we made plans to go this year, I talked to God a bit, and said, "I know there are many children in Uganda, Lord, but it would really confirm our service there if I could see that sweet girl again." As best I could understand, her name was, "a bire." in Uganda, they put their last name or significant name first. Anyway, at one of the schools, a young girl came up to me and said, "You are Beth!" It was her!!! Her name is Beth Babiere! She wanted to know where my Jesus books were that told about Him doing miracles like walking on the water, and feeding the 5,000 with the two loaves and five fish! Well, needless to say, we had a wonderful visit, and I told her my tears were happy tears!

On Saturday, we enjoyed the Nile River, and took a jet boat ride on the river! I said it was like dune bashing in the desert, only on water! :)

Larry and I were so blessed to be able to stay an extra day! We spent time with Mathias and his wife, Frances, spending the night with them! What an honor and blessing! We are so thankful to call them dear friends! What a testimony of faith they, and their four children are! On Sunday, we attended "part" of church and Mathias and Frances took us to the airport. 

We had such a precious, precious time in Uganda! The team from The Met was such a blessing. It was so good to be with them. There are moments in my life when I truly feel like I am exactly where God wants me to be! It truly feels like Heaven, for I cannot imagine Heaven being any better than these moments! I am so thankful for these times! And as always, I find that, God  leads through these moments as well,  One Step at a Time...

Roadside Market

Picture taken from the Bus

I LOVE this picture!

Gorgeous Smile!

Pastor Mathias' family...minus Jr!

Precious!

The Whole Crew: Children, Mamas, Pastors, Missions Team!
Taken at the Birthday Party

"It's Your Birthday!"

DJ Brian!

One of the sweet ladies who came to the church while we were working.

I wish I was even a little bit this flexible!!!

Building the fence!

Painting!

Many times people living close would come when we were at the schools.
This lady and her sweet baby walked over while we were at our first school.

Larry praying with one of the students.

My sweet friend and her sister!

What kid doesn't like a parachute???

One of the classrooms!

I took this picture while we were walking up to one of the schools.

The plants (AND KIDS)  are beautiful in Uganda!

Children running in to Elevare' for the Children's Festival!

Sometimes it's really hard to stay awake!

The finished product!
Church Members stayed up late Saturday night to finish the  church sign!

Children's Church

"Lady of the Night", this plant opens and smells heavenly at night!

Nile Rive

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things...

We have been in Dubai one year! So, we thought it was a good time to celebrate! Larry and I went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and it was WONDERFUL! There are so many restaurants here, and every kind of food! There are many American restaurants, some are just like at home...some not so much! Anyway, there are so many things about Dubai that we like, and I want to celebrate those as our first year draws to a close. 

One of our favorite things to do is walk down the walkway! We love seeing all the different people! There are many nationalities, and huge variations of dress! I love just listening to all of the languages you hear as you walk along. I STILL cannot tell by "looking" what nationality a person is, or what language they will speak!

I have really enjoyed the Gulf, and the beach. The weather is hot, but I like the sun, and would much rather be hot than cold. The views from our apartment are so fun, with the marina on one side, and the Persian Gulf on the other. The tall, tall buildings are all around us. The way the apartment is situated, you can see through nice windows on all but one side...the elevator side! I also enjoy sitting on the patio. We "inherited" plants with the apartment and have managed to keep them alive! The plants and small pool make the patio so relaxing!

Our lifestyle has changed completely here in Dubai! It is not a change I would want permanently, but one that has been fun! We have no car!!! We walk, or take public transportation everywhere we go. Most of the time, it works perfectly! Larry takes a taxi to work, and the metro home. I use the metro, buses, and taxis. And...we WALK! ALOT!!! We begin our day with a walk around 6:15-7:15. It is so nice for Larry to have the time to walk in the morning. He leaves for work when he is in Dubai around 8:00. Two weeks each month, he is in Iraq. Not fun for me, but it is where the work is. He has had some very unique experiences in Iraq...and really enjoys working with the people there. 

We have made some wonderful friends, and have enjoyed learning about different cultures through them. Having been here a year though, I have already begun to lose friends here! Life is very transient, so people are coming and going! Thank goodness for FaceBook and email so that we can stay in touch! We are so blessed to have a wonderful church and church family as well. God is good!

As we enter our second year, we are so blessed! Summer here tends to be a mass exodus during the extreme heat, Ramadan, and trips "back home" to see families. But, we are looking forward to the fall! I have begun teaching ESL to a precious group of Ethiopian ladies, and will continue in the fall. I will also continue teaching 5/6 year olds at church. Of course, I will love that! Larry works with the HUG (Hospitality, Ushers, Greeters) at church, and will continue that as well!

But first, we have big summer plans! We'll be going with The Met in Houston (our home church) on a return trip to see our friends in Uganda in July. Then, home in August...to Houston to visit friends and West Texas to see our parents. We are planning a 90th birthday party for my mom...how fun! Finally, we'll visit our kids and friends in New Braunfels before returning to Dubai. 

It has been a fantastic year of adventure! We are so thankful God has led, and continues to lead, One Step at a Time!

"Our Town"

The Walkway!

Home Sweet Home

Our hotel is 20 stories high...it is the SMALL one in the picture.
It gives a good perspective of how tall most buildings are!

We are on the top left of the building!

"My" chair!

A picture of the patio taken from inside the apartment.

Taxis!

This is one of the metro stations, with the train leaving the station.

The Burj Khalifa on a very clear day!