Thursday, October 27, 2011
From Gulu to Entebbe
SO sorry it has taken so long to get an updated blog up on the page. We have been without internet everywhere we have been or the electricity has been out. Also, Nick is posting pictures to an album on his Facebook page if you want to see some of our photos.
Last friday we piled in the Scully van and headed on a 5 hour journey to Gulu. On the way up we had fried bananas from a roadside market, we saw the magnificent Nile and all its glory as we crossed over a huge bridge, and we saw tons of Baboons just hanging out of the side of the road. We got to stay with one of the directors of Touch the World Ministries Uganda for two nights. Her name is Andrea. ( Her husband Jesse is in the states fundraising.) Andrea and Jesse have adopted an 8 year old girl from Uganda, and also have a 9 month child. As soon as we got to Andrea's house, she asked me if i wanted to help her make juice. We made fresh passionfruit juice. This country is overflowing with every fruit and vegetable. Just walking down the street and looking at this rich land is a testimony of how God sustains his people. Though most are in a state of poverty, they are able to grow whatever seeds they plant ( if it rains), and are able to eat the fruit around them. We spent a lot of time just talking to Andrea about their ministry in Gulu. Many of the people in Gulu are the generation that was drastically affected by the LRA. Many people are uneducated, do not know english, and do not have skills because they never had a chance to learn. Andrea and Jesse along with several nationals on staff are trying to help the people of Gulu. They have built a huge medical center ( They just need staff now!), they have gotten clean, fresh water that the whole community can use ( The McNutts from Augusta, GA helped put their clean water in!) , have a huge children's ministry, teach vocational skills such as brick making and tailoring and more! Their desire is to helped the displaced people of Gulu to have a fresh start and resettle in their part of the country. Later on Saturday afternoon we had a huge Pork roast. They literally went to the market, killed the pig that morning, and prepared him for us by 2pm that same day. We had pork-ka-bobs grilled over an open flame, on bamboo sticks, marinated in a ugandan bbq sauce. It seriously was the best pork I have ever had. We went to church with Andrea on Sunday morning and then came back to Uganda Christian University Sunday night. Please pray for Andrea, Jesse, Paulina ( their beautiful adopted daughter), and Kaylee ( their 9 month old). Pray that God will continue to Bless their ministry and guide them as challenges arise. Pray for health for the whole family. Pray that the medical center will be filled with Staff in the near future. Pray for the people of Adok, the village their ministry is in. Pray for wisdom, strength, and perseverance for Andrea and Jesse.
Monday, Nick and I went to the local market with Karen. I wish we had pictures. Hundreds of people and their fruits and veggies are just piled within feet of each other. I wish we had a market like this in Augusta! We bought a pumpkin, potatoes, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, and tasted a jackfruit while we were there. If you have never seen a jackfruit, look at Nick's Photos. It is the biggest, weirdest looking fruit. They can get up to two feet or more and just hang in trees. Karen and her kids say it tastes like bubblegum pineapple. It is super sweet.
It's so funny walking anywhere here, people yell "Mzungu" ( white person)! It's just so odd thinking about how that would be if people did that back in the states. Somehow I don't think that would fly.
Tuesday Nick and I went to an orphanage in Entebe called St. Mary Kevin's. We stayed with a couple named Adam and Christie Sayer. They are our age. They have been building relationships with the children at the orphanage and helping with a sponsorship program also through Touch the World. The orphanage also has a boarding school, so half of the children are orphans, and half are just boarding to go to school there. It was such an eye-opening experience to see where the children sleep and how even the 5 year olds are expected to wash their own clothes by hand in a basin outside. Pray for the children, for funds to come in for the children to afford to go to school their, and for the owners of the school to not be discouraged when things get overwhelming.
I will try to write more later. Nick and I are about to head to the market again.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
To the Village We Go
Two nights ago, we met up we met up with Pastor James and his wife Ida. Our church in Augusta will be partnering with his church in the next few months. Nick and I first rode with them to the "Ministry Office". Pastor James and his wife also live in this building. The building is less than halfway done. It is common to see half-finished buildings here because funds run out before the whole building is done. Pastor James showed us their calf in a stall behind the house. The mother cow died a few months ago, but the calf survived. They will use the calf for milk. Right now, they use the cow dung for Bio-Gas. The dung goes into a 14' by 7' covered pit in the ground and is mixed with water underground. The gas that comes from the dung goes in a pipe underground that leads up to a shack behind their house which is attached to a gas stove top. The dung gives them gas which gives them a flame to cook their food over and to heat water. And if that is not being resourceful enough, when the dung is used up for the gas , the leftover dung is used for fertilizer for their garden. They let NOTHING go to waste. He also showed us a stable with their 1 pig. They had 9 pigs two months ago, but the "Swine Fever" killed all but 1.
After they showed us the future office/ their current home, they took us to a nice hotel where we ate chicken and chips ( french fries). It is rainy season here and it started raining and hailing so hard that we could not hear each other talk . ( Tin roof). After lunch we kept driving towards the village.
Up to this point we had driven about 2 hours outside of the city. We then drove over 1 and half more hours into the middle of the hills far away to Pastor James' home village, where he is Pastor and the director of a Vocational School he started a few years ago. As we drove into the village, we passed houses of all kinds-- ones made of mud with thatch roofs, ones made of scrap wood, ones made of scrap metal. Everyone in the village lives off of small plots of land. Not small plots because there is not enough land, but they live off of small areas because they are farming with their hands- the only farm equipment is a hoe. No tractors, no machines, no watering systems. They farm enough for their family and enough to sell to make a living. If it is a bad season, they will suffer. There will be no food and no income.
When we arrived at the school, dozens of children, teenagers, and all of the adults involved in the school were dancing, shouting, and playing drums with all of their hearts. Pastor James said, " Get out of the car. Go to them". I didn't realize for a few minutes that the celebration was for us. It was a welcome greeting and celebration for the "Mzungus"-- white people. The whole school and children from the village had come to rejoice in our arrival. As we got out of the car, Pastor James started walking through a gate into the school's courtyard. Nick and I followed , and the celebration followed us. Everyone surrounded us still singing, dancing, and definitely staring as we walked. When Pastor James stopped in the courtyard a boy ran up to us with two chairs and made us sit down. Then several students ( and one teacher) sang us a song in English that they had written for us. I will never forget that moment.
Before we went to bed, Nick and I stayed up for a while talking to Pastor James and the Principal, Matthew for a couple of hours. We learned of how the school, and a clinic, and the church came about. The school was created for the village kids who cannot afford to attend school, dropouts, and orphans. He says the school is a second chance for them. The children go to his school for 2 to 3 years and learn a trade such as carpentry, tailoring, brick laying, motor vehicle , and cement. The teachers practically work on a volunteer basis. Principal Matthew is the highest payed position at 200,000 shillings a month (Around $70.00 a month). He has 6 children and a wife and is trying to finish school himself.
Several years ago, Pastor James went off to seminary in the UK for three years and then moved back to serve his village and minister to his people.
He has also started a clinic . It consists of one Ugandan Aid as the staff of the clinic. The closest hospital is 6 miles from the village. It is way too far on foot if there is an emergency. They are in desperate need of education on health care and medical staff in the village.
The next morning ( yesterday morning), Nick and I were told we needed to share a greeting. We had no idea what to do, but he said just to tell about ourselves, and give encouraging words. So at 8am yesterday, Nick and I gave greetings from our home, our family, and our church to the school. Nick taught a boy to play a cadence on their drums with sticks, and I learned how to do a traditional village dance with a grass skirt! Out of our comfort zone? Yes. Enjoying every moment? Definitely.
We left at noon yesterday to head back to Dale and Karen's house. Because of the rain, the dirt roads, and the many trucks that got stuck in the mud and blocked the road multiple times, our 3 hour journey home took 8 hours. But we made it. It was an experience we will never forget! Beautiful people, beautiful land and many wonderful memories.
We are so excited to see what God has planned for our partnership with Pastor James and his village!
After they showed us the future office/ their current home, they took us to a nice hotel where we ate chicken and chips ( french fries). It is rainy season here and it started raining and hailing so hard that we could not hear each other talk . ( Tin roof). After lunch we kept driving towards the village.
Up to this point we had driven about 2 hours outside of the city. We then drove over 1 and half more hours into the middle of the hills far away to Pastor James' home village, where he is Pastor and the director of a Vocational School he started a few years ago. As we drove into the village, we passed houses of all kinds-- ones made of mud with thatch roofs, ones made of scrap wood, ones made of scrap metal. Everyone in the village lives off of small plots of land. Not small plots because there is not enough land, but they live off of small areas because they are farming with their hands- the only farm equipment is a hoe. No tractors, no machines, no watering systems. They farm enough for their family and enough to sell to make a living. If it is a bad season, they will suffer. There will be no food and no income.
When we arrived at the school, dozens of children, teenagers, and all of the adults involved in the school were dancing, shouting, and playing drums with all of their hearts. Pastor James said, " Get out of the car. Go to them". I didn't realize for a few minutes that the celebration was for us. It was a welcome greeting and celebration for the "Mzungus"-- white people. The whole school and children from the village had come to rejoice in our arrival. As we got out of the car, Pastor James started walking through a gate into the school's courtyard. Nick and I followed , and the celebration followed us. Everyone surrounded us still singing, dancing, and definitely staring as we walked. When Pastor James stopped in the courtyard a boy ran up to us with two chairs and made us sit down. Then several students ( and one teacher) sang us a song in English that they had written for us. I will never forget that moment.
Before we went to bed, Nick and I stayed up for a while talking to Pastor James and the Principal, Matthew for a couple of hours. We learned of how the school, and a clinic, and the church came about. The school was created for the village kids who cannot afford to attend school, dropouts, and orphans. He says the school is a second chance for them. The children go to his school for 2 to 3 years and learn a trade such as carpentry, tailoring, brick laying, motor vehicle , and cement. The teachers practically work on a volunteer basis. Principal Matthew is the highest payed position at 200,000 shillings a month (Around $70.00 a month). He has 6 children and a wife and is trying to finish school himself.
Several years ago, Pastor James went off to seminary in the UK for three years and then moved back to serve his village and minister to his people.
He has also started a clinic . It consists of one Ugandan Aid as the staff of the clinic. The closest hospital is 6 miles from the village. It is way too far on foot if there is an emergency. They are in desperate need of education on health care and medical staff in the village.
The next morning ( yesterday morning), Nick and I were told we needed to share a greeting. We had no idea what to do, but he said just to tell about ourselves, and give encouraging words. So at 8am yesterday, Nick and I gave greetings from our home, our family, and our church to the school. Nick taught a boy to play a cadence on their drums with sticks, and I learned how to do a traditional village dance with a grass skirt! Out of our comfort zone? Yes. Enjoying every moment? Definitely.
We left at noon yesterday to head back to Dale and Karen's house. Because of the rain, the dirt roads, and the many trucks that got stuck in the mud and blocked the road multiple times, our 3 hour journey home took 8 hours. But we made it. It was an experience we will never forget! Beautiful people, beautiful land and many wonderful memories.
We are so excited to see what God has planned for our partnership with Pastor James and his village!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Finally Here
Alright.. we're finally here. annnnnd we finally slept. Friday night Jordan took us to the atlanta airport arriving at about 2 AM. We waited there until our 5:45 flight to Washington D.C. From DC we flew 13 hours via Ethiopian Airlines. That was the roughest part so far thanks to the middle seat in a row of three. We arrived in Addis Ababa Ethiopia with little idea of what time it was where we were or what we looked like... which was rough.. we then jumped on a third plane from Addis Ababa to Entebbe Uganda. That was about a two hour flight.
But all the flying and waiting has already proven worth it! Once we got to Uganda there stood a 6'5" white guy in the middle of about 50 relatively short black men. This was Jachin! Jessie and I knew Jachin from Toccoa Falls and he was incredibly refreshing to see! He picked us up from the airport and took us to Uganda Christian University where Scully's live, and where we're staying throughout the trip. We got here at about 3pm local time and spent the evening relaxing and walking around the university. Fresh pineapple, fresh guacamole, a local rugby tourney and monkey's in a tree ( http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/detail/275948419_351430 ). It's been cool. Also, Dale took me to the ATM where I withdrew $200,000. Hopefully the US will just skip the details and let me convert that dollar for dollar when we get home. We've now gotten 8 or 9 hours of sleep and are recharged and ready to go!
Today we're going to ride with a local pastor to a more remote village for today and tomorrow. This is who the WELL had put us in contact with, so we're very excited to meet him and go see the country.
I'm taking lots of pictures and I'll put those up throughout the weeks I think.
thanks for all your support friends!
-Nick Duke
But all the flying and waiting has already proven worth it! Once we got to Uganda there stood a 6'5" white guy in the middle of about 50 relatively short black men. This was Jachin! Jessie and I knew Jachin from Toccoa Falls and he was incredibly refreshing to see! He picked us up from the airport and took us to Uganda Christian University where Scully's live, and where we're staying throughout the trip. We got here at about 3pm local time and spent the evening relaxing and walking around the university. Fresh pineapple, fresh guacamole, a local rugby tourney and monkey's in a tree ( http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/detail/275948419_351430 ). It's been cool. Also, Dale took me to the ATM where I withdrew $200,000. Hopefully the US will just skip the details and let me convert that dollar for dollar when we get home. We've now gotten 8 or 9 hours of sleep and are recharged and ready to go!
Today we're going to ride with a local pastor to a more remote village for today and tomorrow. This is who the WELL had put us in contact with, so we're very excited to meet him and go see the country.
I'm taking lots of pictures and I'll put those up throughout the weeks I think.
thanks for all your support friends!
-Nick Duke
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Our Journey Begins
For those of you who don't know, Nick and I are traveling to Uganda for 15 days , October 15th through October 30th. Many of you helped make this trip possible. Most of you have been praying for us for weeks already. Here is a part of our support letter we sent out to a few people to let you know a little more about the trip:
"Recently, God has opened the door for Jessie and I to serve for two weeks in Uganda. Africa, in general, has been on our hearts and in our conversations over the past couple of years. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says it well, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” As simple as that verse is, Jessie and I both feel it sums up our mission. God began to soften my heart back in college. Through leading in music and serving my home church, I began to realize that my worship had to be more than just music. Through that realization, my heart’s desire is now to serve in Christ in whatever way He will have me. Since Jessie was a little girl she has wanted to do mission work in Africa at some point in her life. The reason she became a nurse was to do medical missions. Our mutual desire to live out the gospel missionally has been one of the main foundations for our marriage.
The two of us help support missionaries, Dale and Karen Scully. About a year ago they felt the Lord leading them to Uganda so they sold everything and relocated their family. The Scully’s have offered to host Jessie and I this October 15th through the 30th. Mrs. Scully is going to connect us with several different ministries and organizations possibly including teaching skills, teaching the bible, sports ministry , playing with orphans and more! We are so excited to serve overseas together for the first time ever as husband and wife! We want to ask you to come beside us in prayer, as this is more than just a two week trip for us. Jessie and I both feel like God has called us to overseas missions to some degree. We don’t know if that is a long-term calling or simply something He wants us to do for a season of our life. We are both praying that God will bring us clarity and direction for the future. Whether we end up in Africa or remain in Augusta we believe our purpose is to serve Him with everything."
This past week God has opened even more doors! Our church in Augusta is about to start partnering with a church in Uganda in the next few months. The Scully's were able to contact the pastor of the church in Uganda so we will get to meet him and stay with him for a couple of nights. So amazing how God is just allowing doors to open!
So that brings us to today. We are now waiting at our four hour layover in Washington D.C to head to Ethiopia, then finally Uganda. I apologize if this first entry is not making complete sense. We have been awake for over 26 hours now. Pray for rest and strength from the Lord! Pray for safety as we are about to board our 15 hour flight. I cannot wait to step foot in Africa. Beautiful Africa, Here we come.
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