April 28, 2007

Hello family and friends! It is Pamela writing to you this time. Many have complained that you have not heard from me and I feel your pressure. So, today is my birthday and this is my gift to you. A blog. For those of you who were close to me, you know that I love to give gifts and I really miss not getting to bless each of you on your special days. I hope today that I can bless you with a blog. Now, because I haven’t written in almost eight months, I have a lot to say. So, get a cup of coffee and let’s pretend we are sitting on my couch, as I did with many of you, and talk about the wonders of our life here in Uganda.

First, let me say that I am so thankful for how well Kevin has written on the blog keeping everyone updated on our life events. He is such an excellent communicator. I on the other hand write like I talk – all over the place. You sanguine personalities will follow along just fine. The rest of you might struggle and I am sorry. I am a random writer, but I hope you don’t stress out. There are so many things that I wish to share with you: our home, our food, our daily life, our boys, our friends, our ministry, our adventures, our heartaches, our sights, our smells, our sounds, our hopes, our Lord and Savior and His work in Uganda and in us, of course. I realize Kevin may have already shared some of these thoughts with you so you can skip over or enjoy my viewpoint.

Our House: is very nice and we are most thankful after a two-month search through some very scary places. We have a beautiful compound with a great place for our boys to play as well as the students we work with. We have fruit trees and a great garden that is producing many things. Christian has been enjoying the garden. I get tickled to look out and see him walking around out there looking at everything. Even Addison and Collin have helped plant some carrots. Of course, it cost me a few hundred shillings. Our home is a two-story with the main living down and bedrooms up. The kitchen and bathrooms are clean and functional. The house is really more than we need but it seems it is definitely where we are to be as we have been able to use all of its extra space for guests, a sewing area for teaching, a place to store things shipped for ministry, a room for books to loan out, etc. I have done my best to make our house a home with my interests in home decorating. I have made curtains for our windows and some covered headboards for our guest room so that we didn’t have to buy more beds. As a matter of fact, we just received some furniture that was ordered in November. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a bad deal and I am paying someone else to finish the work. This new guy does good work and quickly. So, I hope to have everything finished by the end of May.
OH MY, DID YOU READ THAT – THERE IS A GUEST ROOM AT THE IRONSIDES – SO PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW- WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANY OF YOU.

Our Food: Meals are a bit challenging some times without all of our American conveniences. I was definitely a woman of convenience when it came to meal prep and I can say now that I had no idea what meal prep was until I came here. Oh my, you start by going to the market or the garden, then cleaning the vegetables, then preparing the vegetables to be cooked, then cooking the vegetables, OK now the vegetables are ready for whatever you’re preparing. Lets just say I am making chicken curry with rice. I would buy a whole chicken with skin, bone and sometimes other things inside from the butcher. You boil the chicken, remove the skin, take the meat off the bone and cut up into bite size pieces. There is no canned cream of soup if you are preparing casseroles. There are these packets of dry ingredients mixed with water that makes this type of cream of chicken or mushroom soup but not the same flavor for sure. So, there is another whole step in preparing to put together what I would call a simple casserole. Now, I need some lemon juice to add to the soup. I don’t have those great bottles of lemon juice ready and on hand but I do have lemons. I cut up a few and squeeze the juice until I have enough for the recipe. Now, we are ready to put together and put in oven, which I am thankful to have by the way. All that to say that meals are a bit challenging because they are so time consuming but we are thankful to have the things we have here. Meats, cheese and milk don’t taste as good but oh are we thankful to have them. I must tell all our fellow missionaries living in much harder places with much less that I appreciate you so much and the sacrifices you make where you are spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I really appreciate what we do have here even though it takes long to prepare our meals. Some other meals that we have for those interested are pizza (homemade sauce, homemade dough and homegrown vegetables), rice and beans, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, spaghetti, stew, of course all the African foods as well. We have a great garden with cucumbers, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cilantro, carrots, and other things. Some haven’t brought harvest yet but in time they will. We have so many cucumbers and pickles are expensive that I have learned to make pickles. For breakfast sometimes, I make banana/coconut pancakes, which has become everyone’s favorite and occasionally French toast. Syrup is also rather expensive and I have learned to make my own as well. I know all of you that do these sorts of things all the time are not at all impressed but for those who know me well – this has been a challenge and an accomplishment. Please rejoice with me! Cereal is about $6 a box but we do buy it once a week out of convenience on school mornings. The boys eat lunch at school and they would have a lot to say about that – not good. It is African food that they are less than excited about and they get a punishment if they don’t eat it all. Most afternoons, they come home ravenous for snacks because they have eaten little at school. It seems that Thursday is the worst lunch. Blake told me he accidentally trips every Thursday spilling his food. Kevin and I, of course, quietly laughed and then told him not to do that anymore. Oh, the cleaver things these children come up with. Collin has actually turned into our best eater, although, his size wouldn’t show it. Well, that is if Christian isn’t in the race.

Our Daily Life: Laundry- this shall be a never- ending task as long as I live, I think. We are thankful to have both a washer and a dryer. We originally thought we would air- dry our clothes and not have a dryer because of lack of power and the expense. I am thankful to say that we are able to use our dryer and only have to hang dry when the power is out and clothes are wet. Laundry is challenging trying to judge when you will have power and not. There is no consistent schedule with power outages. The boys only have two uniforms for school and they get so dirty here - unbelievably dirty. So, trying to keep a clean uniform can be a challenge but not as challenging as hand washing them at 4 or 5 in the afternoon and hoping that they dried by morning. When we first moved in our home, we did not have a washer or dryer for several weeks. So, I have had a taste of hand washing and drying. Although, it was hard, I really am most thankful for those experiences. They make you more grateful.
Market Shopping- I have been pleasantly surprised with all that the supermarkets offer. When doing my grocery shopping, I generally go to at least two or three supermarkets to gather all the things on my grocery list. As much as I hated shopping for hours at Sam’s and Wal-Mart, I miss the convenience of it as well as all the selections and low prices. Fruits, vegetables, and even meats are affordable but prepackaged things are pricey. I enjoy visiting the various fruit and vegetable markets and sharing with our friends there. Life is so hard here and you can see it on the faces of many people. It is a blessing to love and bless these workers with a smile and simple conversation.

Our Boys: As of today, they have all had birthdays this year and are growing like weeds. Christian is officially taller than me and out weighs me -- that I don’t mind. He is maturing so much and I am seeing God’s work in His life. It is evidenced in his prayers, which are sincere and genuine. He is not fearful of doing new things even taking a boda-boda and going to the supermarket for me. Wow, I couldn’t believe it when he did that. You all would be proud of him.
Blake, although, you wouldn’t know this by his words, is enjoying the adventures of Africa. He has many trees to climb, things to build, fruit to eat, animals to play with and wonderful weather.
Addison was made for Africa. He has picked up the language and accent most. He rarely eats meat and loves mangos and rice.
Collin too seems to be so happy. I was most worried about his transition and asked many of you to pray specifically for him. He has done so well. He loves school, he eats well, he has even become quite the soccer player. He hangs in there with all the big boys.
They just finished their school year and are off for one month. They begin a new term the last week of May.
They want to say thank you to all of you who have sent packages of candy, macaroni & cheese, chocolate chips, pudding, jell-o and kool-aid.

Our Friends: Let me introduce you to Selena and Dowdy. Selena is the house girl to a lady that lives next door. The Madame is a woman pastor who travels around preaching in various countries frequently leaving Selena at home alone. Selena is about 24 and has a two-year-old son named Dowdy. We think that Selena has leprosy but we are uncertain. She has missing fingers and many skin lesions, which are indicators of leprosy. Her son, Dowdy, was born as a result of rape from her previous employer’s son. When she told the boss what had happened, Selena was chased away. Thankfully, she was taken in by Jasmine, her current employer. Although, this lady is a born again woman, she too mistreats Selena as so many people do to their helpers. Selena works full time and receives only 20,000 shillings per month, which amounts to about $10.00. You need to know that full time work is roughly sunrise to sunset. So, no easy job for sure. Selena is born again and pays tithes and offerings to the church from this little money. She often doesn’t even have enough money to buy milk for her son. We pass by their place as we come and go from our compound. As we are passing Dowdy comes running to the edge of the road waving both of his little hands, almost without fail. He is so precious and so is Selena. I am telling you so much about them because this relationship brings me so much JOY. Because of their circumstances, I have had many opportunities to help them by taking food, clothing, and toys for Dowdy, money and just sharing Jesus together. I take our boys over to play. Shortly after we arrive the other 11 nearby children come and play soccer. I sit under a beautiful tree with Selena and anther mother and we just talk. They all enjoy watching my boys be boys and playing with their children. Most people here speak English, but these children know very little. It is good for my boys to have to find ways of communicating with them and they all make do. In this relationship, I have been able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them in their need. I have been able to minister to them frequently as of late and when I went by recently Selena just blessed me so much with her words of thanks. She recounted the story of Jesus telling the disciples when I was hungry you fed me and when I was thirsty you gave me drink. Then, the disciples asked ”but Jesus where were you?” Selena said to me,” Jesus will tell you, I was at Selena’s house and you helped me”. This was just a sweet reminder of what we are here to do. Our ministry here is so multi-faceted and being the hands and feet of Jesus is what we hope to do. Again, yesterday when I was speaking to Selena and she told me that her prayer for our family is Proverbs 28:27. It says, “ He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” Her response to this ministry is praise to God for providing for her needs. It is so beautiful for her to acknowledge her God as the provider, not the mzungu next door. I trust you hear this in the spirit it is being shared. This testimony is in no way intended to bring any praise or glory to us, but to God for how He is working in the lives of people here. (I have posted a picture of Selena and Dowdy together as well as the neighbor children.)

Our Ministry:
I have had the privilege of partnering with United Faith Chapel, a university fellowship, and Women’s ministry. It has been my heart’s desire to impart the truth of God’s word to these ladies and to enable them to search out the scriptures for themselves. I have had the opportunity to teach on or be apart of teaching times focusing on media, modesty, purity, physical well being, order and cleanliness of the home and self, being a woman of God – with aspects of a single woman as well as a married woman. Recently, I hosted a ladies conference here at my home with 50 students in attendance. Our topic was the Journey of a Woman looking at whom God has created the woman to be, the single woman and the married woman. All of the teachings have been grounded in the Word of God. It seems so many of these teachings are in contradiction with what many of these women have grown up knowing – here in is the importance of laying the foundation of God’s word. There are so many “born again” however, their belief and understanding of God is made up of what they think, have been taught or experienced. This is leaving many confused as the Word is coming forth because their foundations are being shaken. Their foundation has not been God’s word and some are finding themselves confused and frustrated. This is actually somewhat exciting as they are hanging around long after meetings are finished to further discuss the scriptures and gain understanding. Please pray for these woman to have their eyes opened and hearts receptive to truth. They are eager to know it. Also, pray for those whom might be more resistant because it shakes their foundation or what has been their foundation.
I have been asked to sing at every place we have gone to minister. Whether prepared or not, I have offered some testimony in song. I have to confess that this has been humbling a few times feeling so unprepared, but they are blessed and I trust God is too with my obedience not my perfection. Speaking of singing let me share a story you are going to love. As many of you know, Kevin is a self-proclaimed “non-singer”. Well, the other day he was training some pastors at a three-day seminar for pastoral leadership. When I came to get him, he asked me to sing a song that went with their teaching for the day. Unfortunately, I did not know the tune well, but Kevin did. I asked him to sing it and he did. Even after he sang it, it still wasn’t coming to me to lead. I needed him to sing along to help me with the tune. In the middle of singing, I got so tickled that I was actually singing a duet with my husband that I could hardly sing for a few moments. The laughter I hope came off as great joy over the song and not laughter at my husband. You need to know that he really can sing and did a great job. I know it was probably humbling for him, but really it was beautiful to me and those there for the training. Who knows maybe one day you will hear a number from him. Don’t count on it though.

Our sounds and sights and smells:
Sounds- the things I love about Uganda are the sounds of children laughing, playing, singing and/or running after you hollering “muzungu” and giggling. These are joyous sounds and sights. I wish I could capture the sounds and sights of these precious little ones and allow you just a glimpse. Another joyous sound and sight, is the celebrative worship of the people here found on Sunday mornings all across Uganda from the most elaborate cathedrals to the dirt floor, wooden-benched, tin-roofed meeting places. They really put us to shame with their joyful spirits while living in such desperate situations. These people know that JOY is found in a person not in their circumstances. When I hear of their heart breaking testimonies, I am ashamed that I can become so bothered by trivial matters.
Titles and names are a big deal here. I have been called by many names here in Uganda. Here are a few with their meanings or context. Madame – I am most often called this by just anyone showing respect for a lady. The Luganda form of this word would be Nyyabo. Those who know us well may call me by Momma Christian (usually the first born son) or Momma Blake, Addison or Collin and sometimes-just Momma. I think that one is my favorite, although, Mrs. Kevin would run in close second. We are called the Addison’s as a family sometimes. Of course, we are daily referred to as mzungu or mzungus, which is white one. We hear this mostly from children who squeal and come running for you to touch them. I must tell you that this never gets old from the children. It is so precious to see them come running and you have love and a touch to offer them. Their faces light up so much. I wish you could see them and hear their voices.
Sights- the landscape of this place is breath taking. The flowers are so beautiful and abundant. My favorite sight is the morning sunrise though. The pace of life at which I must run with raising four boys has not changed and in order to get a little moment of quiet, I have been rising early to see the sunrise and be alone with Jesus before the busy day. I wish each of one you could see them. They are absolutely gorgeous. I have tried taking pictures but they are a far cry away from the incredible beauty each one brings. The time alone with Jesus is also a beautiful thing. (I have posted a picture for your enjoyment)
Smells- most of these aren’t pleasant so I will leave this alone.

Our hopes: Adoption- For those of you who have been keeping up with the blog, you are aware that we have been diligently praying about the adoption of another child or children. Many of you already know this has been a stirring in our hearts for quite sometime. I must tell you that even though this has been on my heart, I have found myself scared and anxious at the thought. Some have asked if we have gone to visit any orphanages yet and the answer is NO. I know that my compassionate heart would walk out with several children but that compassionate heart won’t carry me on the hard days with extra children and their hurt. We are waiting to hear God’s voice on this matter. The assurance that we have walked in obedience to His voice and heart are what will sustain us on hard days not our own compassion. This is the very truth that sustained us in our early days here in Uganda. Things were tough but our assurance in Gods call was unwavering. Please continue to pray as we wait upon Him. Adoption in Uganda is not an easy process and we have been encouraged by some to look at other countries in Africa. I want to let everyone know that of course I would love a little girl but I have not entered this adoption process seeking to satisfy a selfish desire. My heart has been open to boys as much as girls. As a matter of fact, I have envisioned adding boys to this tribe more than a little girl. After, praying this month specifically about adoption, little girls seem to be on our hearts most, especially Kevin. When speaking of adoption, that is all you will hear from him – is little girls. So, let it be known that the big man desires a daughter maybe more than me.

Our longings: The things I miss the most are running outdoors, the Destin beaches, hot showers, diet coke and Dove dark chocolate. OK, of course, I miss all of you the most and then those things. I have been running since I was eight and it just rejuvenates me physically and emotionally. There is a place that I can go run on a treadmill, but oh I miss Bluewater Bay Blvd. I have tried running in our village but between the dirt roads that are so rocky and the boda-bodas (motorcycles used for public transportation) and the people starring, it is not refreshing but stressful. As for hot showers, our bathrooms have tubs with shower sprayers but unfortunately, the water pressure is not good and we are left to just take a bath in a few inches of water –most of the time warm although when the power has been out it is cold. So, I miss hot showers with water beating on my back. However, I am thankful even for two or three inches of water (four on a good day) to clean in as walking on dirt roads with open toed shoes leaves your feet nasty most days. As for the diet coke and dark chocolate, I have found some alternatives, but some sacrifices must be made and I can live without them although, some of you probably thought I couldn’t.

Our heartaches: There are so many things that I love about Uganda and then there are certainly many things that I hate. I know that hate is a strong word but when you hear what these things are you will hate them too. Here are just a few headlines from today’s paper. Twelve-year-old girl burned by stepmother. The stepdaughter was made to put on a dress soaked in paraffin and then made to light a candle, burning her severely. Her very own father, the husband to this woman, defended the stepmother and wanted custody of his child probably to actually kill her this time. Another headlines, fourteen-year-old girl and baby boy abandoned and desolate. This young girl was living in Gulu with her family. One day her parents took her to school. While at school, the girl was informed that there had been raids in her village by the LRA- Lord’s Resistance Army (a war going on here in Uganda for the last 20 years). She never imagined that her parents would have been taken or hurt, but when nightfall came and they didn’t return from working in the fields, she knew what had been their fate. At the time, this girl was only eight with three younger siblings. They were taken to a government run IDP camp for internally displaced persons. Sometime later a man came and offered to take her and her siblings to Kampala for a better life. Of course, they went, who wouldn’t have. After a short time, this man began to demand sex from her. This was just a child – how could he. She became pregnant when she didn’t even know what that really meant. She gave birth to a baby boy. Now, she is fourteen with a six-month-old son and three younger siblings. They go for days with no food. She puts the baby on her breast but no milk comes. The children cry when they see people eating and they haven’t eaten in three days. These young girls stories represent many young people walking the streets of Kampala. The violence here is traumatizing and not uncommon to the people here. It is apart of their lives. Just a few weeks ago, there were riots here in the city over some land being given to the Indians. So, Ugandans just began lashing out at people of Indian descent. One man was thrown from a boda-boda and stoned to death- an innocent man. If you are caught stealing here, they’re a variety of torturous actions that could be taken out on you. One is that they put a tire around your head and shoulders and set it on fire. Even a simple traffic accident can lead to mob violence perhaps killing someone, over a dent. Probably the thing I hate the most is seeing young babies, babies who can barely sit up, sat in the median of a busy road to beg. One day, we were driving through town, where the streets are lined with such children. This precious baby probably not even eight months old was sitting up sleeping with its little hand held out and open. A ragged woman walked over and reached into the child’s front pocket and took out some coins someone had given. How can this be?

Our Lord and Savior: God has been working in and through us in amazing ways. Sometimes, I wonder if this mission is more about what God wants to do in us than through us, but praise God He is doing both. There is no greater Joy than walking in obedience to Him, whether taking orphans off the streets, discipling university students, preaching the gospel, singing the gospel or living the gospel. We are so humbled that God would allow this opportunity and privilege in our life to share in His goodness. Since coming, life has not been easy but oh He has been sufficient and personal in every way. We want to bless Him, praise Him and declare His faithfulness to us. He is at work in the lives of people in Uganda. His word is alive and active and transforming lives in this place. Please pray for His continued work in and through us.

I love and miss you all and appreciate so much those who correspond with us. It means so much. THANK YOU!