Please pray for:- safety in travel
- students to gain a vision for reaching their campus
- students to learn and apply how to share the gospel
- a strong, Christ-exalting movement to be started at Bugema
Thanks for praying,
Jamie
Friday, February 24, 2012
Travelling to Bugema on Saturday
Please pray for:
our water tank
Just another day in Africa here...
The Water Tank from the Strickland scoop on Vimeo.
*a disclaimer* Don't worry, this isn't where we got our drinking water from. We buy giant bottles of water for drinking. This was just to collect rain water for things like watering grass, washing down outdoor areas, etc. Definitely NOT for drinking.
*a disclaimer* Don't worry, this isn't where we got our drinking water from. We buy giant bottles of water for drinking. This was just to collect rain water for things like watering grass, washing down outdoor areas, etc. Definitely NOT for drinking.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
striving to see beauty
I wish I could capture the smell of the rain as it hits this dry, red earth.
I wish I could take a picture of the way it feels when the cool wind blows against my skin.
I wish you could hear the songs of the birds in the towering trees and the lone rooster crowing in the distance as the thunder rolls across the skies.
The rains bring life here. Those who complain about the hot season here, often complain about the "cold", rainy season. But me? I absolutely love the rainy season.
In this place we've chosen to live that is so different from the culture and climate from which we've grown up in, it's so important for us to strive to see the beauty in the every day. To look for the things that are delightful; the things that I never want to forget and will one day miss about living in Kampala.
I wish I could take a picture of the way it feels when the cool wind blows against my skin.
I wish you could hear the songs of the birds in the towering trees and the lone rooster crowing in the distance as the thunder rolls across the skies.
The rains bring life here. Those who complain about the hot season here, often complain about the "cold", rainy season. But me? I absolutely love the rainy season.
In this place we've chosen to live that is so different from the culture and climate from which we've grown up in, it's so important for us to strive to see the beauty in the every day. To look for the things that are delightful; the things that I never want to forget and will one day miss about living in Kampala.
Philippians 4:4, 11b
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!
...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Lenten resources
For most of my life I didn't know what Lent was or what it meant for me, a Christian.
It's only been a few years ago now that I've acknowledged it and most times participated in it and so to start off the first day of Lent, I thought this prayer by Thomas Merton would be appropriate to meditate on:
It's only been a few years ago now that I've acknowledged it and most times participated in it and so to start off the first day of Lent, I thought this prayer by Thomas Merton would be appropriate to meditate on:
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always,
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always,
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Some other Lent resources and ideas for you and your family:
A meditation from Ann Voskamp on forgiveness.
Fast from all other drinks except for water and donate the money you saved to 40 Days of Water.
A Bible study for teens on Lent.
and here are 40 more ideas for Lent.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
new look!
We have a new look!
In an attempt to streamline our look and as well as engage you, our supporters, we've revamped our blog, created a Facebook Group (you should join it!) and we'll be posting more updates, pictures and videos.
Please take a minute to either become a "Follower" of this blog (located a bit further down the sidebar) or subscribe to this blog by email or via the RSS feed (located on the sidebar) as this is where the main bulk of our updates will be located.
We're looking forward to letting you into our lives on a whole new level!
In an attempt to streamline our look and as well as engage you, our supporters, we've revamped our blog, created a Facebook Group (you should join it!) and we'll be posting more updates, pictures and videos.
Please take a minute to either become a "Follower" of this blog (located a bit further down the sidebar) or subscribe to this blog by email or via the RSS feed (located on the sidebar) as this is where the main bulk of our updates will be located.
We're looking forward to letting you into our lives on a whole new level!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Merry Christmas!
A very merry Christmas to all of you! We are so thankful for you and wish you love, peace and joy this Christmas and in this year to come.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
wandegeya
wandegeya.
an area we often drive through here and joke about as a team that this is where the guys do their drive-thru shopping. many vendors will come up to the windows and try and sell you their wares. we've bought locks for our gates there, sunglasses, fresh produce, kids' toys as well as getting more airtime cards for our phones.
but there are also other people coming up to our window at wandegeya.
people in wheelchairs, homeless people and children.
begging for money.
Truly he taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
today we were stopped at the main intersection in wandegeya when 3 little children ran up to our car.
my heart broke.
i asked one little boy what his name was.
araba, he said.
one of the little girls looked to be only just older than noah.
they spotted our water bottle and started miming the drinking motion.
i handed it over, grateful to be able to give something tangible but wishing i had three of them.
the light turned green and we started to move.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
noah says, i hope there's a restaurant at the store where we're going because i'm starving.
how do i reconcile the huge gap between my lifestyle and those begging, starving, thirsty children?
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
i can't give to everyone and my giving isn't necessarily going to be the best way to help in some cases.
but what i do have, i'll give. and where i can, i'll proclaim the power and glory of Christ.
come quickly, Lord Jesus.
an area we often drive through here and joke about as a team that this is where the guys do their drive-thru shopping. many vendors will come up to the windows and try and sell you their wares. we've bought locks for our gates there, sunglasses, fresh produce, kids' toys as well as getting more airtime cards for our phones.
but there are also other people coming up to our window at wandegeya.
people in wheelchairs, homeless people and children.
begging for money.
Truly he taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
today we were stopped at the main intersection in wandegeya when 3 little children ran up to our car.
my heart broke.
i asked one little boy what his name was.
araba, he said.
one of the little girls looked to be only just older than noah.
they spotted our water bottle and started miming the drinking motion.
i handed it over, grateful to be able to give something tangible but wishing i had three of them.
the light turned green and we started to move.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
noah says, i hope there's a restaurant at the store where we're going because i'm starving.
how do i reconcile the huge gap between my lifestyle and those begging, starving, thirsty children?
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
i can't give to everyone and my giving isn't necessarily going to be the best way to help in some cases.
but what i do have, i'll give. and where i can, i'll proclaim the power and glory of Christ.
come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Visa's in Jinja
As a last ditch effort to save time and money, we drove the 80km (about 2 hours of driving on African roads) to a town called Jinja, located at the source of the Nile River.
We had heard that the immigration office was considerably smaller, less busy and much more likely to grant a visa extension with less hassle.
When we arrived we found out that we needed photocopies of our passports and current visa's. So Jamie went to get photocopies while I stayed with the boys. He then returned to find out that he needed $50 USD per visa (note, this was not a bribe, but the fee that we'd have had to have paid at the border and what we paid originally at the airport.) and so he left again to get the money. I don't think either of us were too bothered as it seemed extremely likely that we'd be leaving the immigration office with new visa's in our passports.
When Jamie returned with the money, our passports were all issued new 90 day visa's!
Thank you so much for praying!
We continue to be blessed and amazed at all the feedback we have received from you and the obvious results of your prayers.
We praise God for you and for our new visa's.
We had heard that the immigration office was considerably smaller, less busy and much more likely to grant a visa extension with less hassle.
When we arrived we found out that we needed photocopies of our passports and current visa's. So Jamie went to get photocopies while I stayed with the boys. He then returned to find out that he needed $50 USD per visa (note, this was not a bribe, but the fee that we'd have had to have paid at the border and what we paid originally at the airport.) and so he left again to get the money. I don't think either of us were too bothered as it seemed extremely likely that we'd be leaving the immigration office with new visa's in our passports.
When Jamie returned with the money, our passports were all issued new 90 day visa's!
Thank you so much for praying!
We continue to be blessed and amazed at all the feedback we have received from you and the obvious results of your prayers.
We praise God for you and for our new visa's.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
2 months!
yesterday was our two-monthiversary of living here in kampala!
to commemorate, we took a team picture outside our house:
trevor, nick, jamie holding jude and noah in front of me {why yes our kids were totally not co-operating for the picture, how did you know?}.
we are indeed loving life here, settling into ministry, making new friends and learning to drive in this crazy city {we got a car, by the way!}.
we are so thankful for your thoughts, emails and prayers so keep them coming and stay tuned for our next email update!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
thanksgiving
Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving here.
We even had turkey and pumpkin pie!
There is much to be thankful for here and it was great to go around the table and talk about some of the blessings in our lives we are thankful for.
There is much to be thankful for here and it was great to go around the table and talk about some of the blessings in our lives we are thankful for.
Often there are things in our lives that don't appear to be "blessings" but God calls us to "rejoice" and "give thanks" over and over in His Word and so, we practice the art of giving thanks. In all our circumstances.
Sometimes, though, the overt blessings like pumpkin pie make us want to click our heels in joy!
So thankful for a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner here in Uganda!
Jude scarfs down a piece of pumpkin pie.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
He is here.
Here's a taste of our worship service here in Kampala at Kampala Baptist Church.
The worship leader on this particular Sunday was really giving his all.
While I (Vanessa) am not always able to be in the entire service (due to lack of childcare or needing to be in childcare with the boys) God is so gracious and always speaks to me either through worship or a passage read. He is the same God that we worship in Canada and He is here, moving in Uganda.
The worship leader on this particular Sunday was really giving his all.
While I (Vanessa) am not always able to be in the entire service (due to lack of childcare or needing to be in childcare with the boys) God is so gracious and always speaks to me either through worship or a passage read. He is the same God that we worship in Canada and He is here, moving in Uganda.
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