Monday, August 27, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
what’s going on here
here’s an update for everyone that might actually be reading this.
well, work is pretty crazy these days. and by that, I mean that I haven’t been doing much the past few days. the past 2 weeks were pretty crazy, and actually I guess you could say that the last 4 weeks or so have been crazy. we have had the annual student symposium and the recruiter kick off. both were big events and took up too much time and effort. the symposium is alright if your a tech student…which I am not. and the kickoff was alright except the told me that i was going to run the A/V side of it and all I did was hold mics. but as for the past few days, work has been fairly boring.
ok then, now that that is out of the way, lets talk about the rest of my life. As many of you know, I am engaged to be married. yeah, thats pretty amazing in my opinion. I found me a nice girl to settle down with and make babies with and all that. just kidding. I am really happy to be with Melody. she is amazing. but it turns out, planning a marriage is a lot of hard work. like wow! a lot of work. the past couple of months have been the most exciting and yet the most stressful time of my entire life. we have done so much to get ready for this wedding and for our marriage and it still feels like there is a mountain of stuff to do. this week our goal has been trying to get the invites finished and out of here. I dont think that will be accomplished until next week though. all this planning and preparing has been crazy, but seriously, I am stoka-ba-boka about getting married.on top of being busy, I am about to start school again. with that, I suddenly decided, “hey, why dont I just go transfer to CNM this semester?” I know what your thinking (or something like that). why did I transfer. well, I was gong to UNM here in the great state of New mexico, and I was attempting to got into the Radiography program here. now your thinking, what the heck is radiography? well, its the guy who takes x-rays of you when your all busted up. ok, well, just as I was applying to get into the program there at UNM, the fine folks there decided that radiography wasnt really worth keeping as a program. and so, they canceled and closed the program. this left me lost and alone looking for something to do. I considered getting a degree in religious studies, but decided that that wasnt going to be a very good thing to do for a future career, seeing as there is not a huge demand for religious studies majors out there. I also thought about just getting a degree in general education, but again, that would not have offered me much in a trade or occupation in the near future. and so, last week (I think it was) I went ahead and decided to transfer to CNM, the community college here in albuquerque. they have a radiologic technology degree. and so, I have been franticly running around trying to get all of my transfer stuff in order. I recently found out that my lottery scholarship was no longer going to be valid at CNM though. so, now i am going to have to fill out a fafsa in order to possibly get some financial support. and here in a couple of months, I will have to refill one out, because I am getting married and will have a kid. if that doesnt get me some money, I dont know what will.
in other news, last night Nick got really sick. they think it might be meningitus or malaria or some crazy virus. either way, he got really sick and definitely needs our prayers. and be praying for shaena as well, as she is probably a little stressed out. Faith (soon to be daughter) got sick last too. we think it is some bug that Melody’s friend’s kid had, and if that is the case, she is going to be having a fever for a few days. please be praying for her too.
I guess thats it for now please enjoy this video
Uganda love it :: Day 13 :: July 3, 2007
Well, its been awhile. but not really at the same time. Saturday we drove back to jinja from Ogongo and Monday we drove to Muchinson falls. but lets get back to Sunday. Sunday was our last day of ministry here in Uganda, and it was quite a good day. We started early and went to the 8:00 AM service at calvary Jinja. Services here last awhile since they are given in english and then translated into Lugandan. After that we headed out right away to a couple of prisons that are across lake victoria. It was pretty cool. We got to cross in these row boats to the other side. when we got there twe went to one prison where we did our skits and then a guy named Aaron gave a teaching.
Afterwards we had to take the heavy sounbox up a very large hill where we would be visiting another prison. It was hard work, but after a good lunch of PB&J on chibatti bread we were ready to go. It was the same routine as before. afterwards we recrossed to lake and headed home.
As soon as we got there, Ryan came up to us and said that the bungee jump was open. This was very exciting news as we had been denied the chance twice before. heading up there was easy, but climbing the tower was when you realized that you were about to jump 140 feet. the Jump was over the Nile River and it was beautiful. getting up there and coming to my turn was exhilarating and nerve racking at the same time. all in all. I was terrified but I did it anyways. bungeeing was great and I can see myself doing this again in the future. After that we all went out to a chinese dinner that was alright but to generalize all of Uganda would be to say that customer service here STINKS.
Monday, as I said, was another travel day. Pretty boring but kind of nice. We got up here, ordered our meal for dinner and went to the Falls here at the park. It was pretty sweet. I love seeing waterfalls. Dinner was ok and then we went to sleep.
This morning we woke up at 5 to have breakfast. as stated before about service, it was late. We were trying to get off early to be the first out to the safari. Luckily we still made it and were still first in line. The game park was amazing. We say ever animal they had to offer including a lion and a leopard. it was beautiful but it still got kind of boring. this afternoon we had a river tour that went up to see the falls. It was pretty cool. Wegot to see a lot of hippos and some crocodiles. however, this also got boring, but much faster than the safari. Right now we are hanging out and waiting for dinner. I am totally ready to go home and see my fiance and my future daughter and my family and friends. This trip has been awesomebut I love my home and want to sepnd time with my new family. I might write one more time but if not thats ok too
Until next timeGod bless
Anthony
Africa :: Day 9 :: Friday, June 29, 2007
Welcome to the village. We are here in Ogongo which is near Suroti. We came up here to help lay down a foundation for wall that will build an extension to a church here. A few years ago, rebels came and destroyed a lot of stuff here at the church. We got here yesterday and ate a lunch here. After that we went to the town center and did our program. It was pretty crazy. We had a good response from the kids there but the adults just stared at us. We found out that one of the passtimes here is sitting around and drinking locally brewed alcohol. but it was fun because after the program we all danced with the choir here. It was so awesome and tiring. We came back at sunset and fellowshipped with the locals. They showed us some more of their worship for awhile. it was cool to see the differences in the styles of worship. last night as we went to sleep we are sure that the local kids put a couple of chickens in our room. it was hilarious.
Today we have worked most of the day. We tried our hardest but for the most part it was the locals who did most of the work. The men here are so strong and can work for so long. Although I mixed cement for a long time and I was pretty proud of myself. I’m not sure whats going on now but tomorrow we have a big day planned.
until next time…
AFRIKA :: Day 7 :: Wednesday June 27
Well, I guess the first thing to say is that I did not bungee jump yesterday. We were hoping to but the people were doing some maintenance on the rope and so we could not. We might try to do it again on saturday.
Yesterday we got to do some shopping. It was a lot of fun. Since I am now engaged, I even tried to get some practical things…well kind of. We also went to a couple of schools yesterday and did our skits. It was pretty cool. Last night we had Ryan’s youth group, Ignite, and there were a lot of people that showed up. A lot of whom that we had invited over. we continually give the Gospel and we continue to see the fruit from it. Kelli O and I were talking about it and it seems that this trip has been almost the exact opposite from england. It was so hard to see any fruit in England, but here the harvest is so ripe.
Today we got to slept in a little bit. It was really nice but I always wake up earlier that I need to anywasy which is always nice. We went to a couple of schools; the first where we got to preach to about 600 primary students.
This afternoon. we went to a prison where men wait for a trial. It was aawesome to see because there were a lot of men who came and we filled up the hall where we were staying. We have a break now but wednesday service will be starting soon.
Tomorrow we will be heading up north to wrk on a church/clinic that was messed up by the northern rebels. We will be gone for 2 nights arrive back on saturday. should be intense.
Until next time, God bless
Uganda love it :: Day 5 :: June 25, 2007 (night)
Another eventful couple of days. Yesterday was Sunday and I was sure we were going to have a relaxing morning and just go to church. being that we are on the mission field, I was very wrong. We woke up early to go run the children’s ministry for the guards church which is inside the prison facilities. We got to hang out with the kids and do our skits. I did the chicken skit and totally messed that up. oh well. life goes on. I also got to give the gospel message which went good. like usual, all of the kids raised their hands which usually worries me until I heard about the usual age of death here in Uganda. knowing that people here die much younger than people in the states tells me that there is a great need to get the Gospel out to the youth.
After that we came back to the church to attend Sunday service. Worship here is crazy awesome. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kind of worship that we do but it is really fun and exciting to dance and jump to the rhythm of the African drums.
After taking a lunch break a bunch of us headed back to the prisons to join in the prison service. It was cool to see all the men in there in such horrible conditions being so happy. It was also good to see that we “buzungu” brought in a bigger crowd to hear the gospel.
We came back and pretty much had the rest of the day off. We needed it because today was work day. We totally rocked today with how much werk we got done. Praise God! Tomorrow is a halfway day off and I only have one thing to say…BUNGEE
Uganda love it :: Day 3 :: June 23, 2007 (night)
It has been a crazy 2 days. Let me start off by saying that yesterday was amazing. We went to 3 schools. first we started by goiing to a primary school where we did our dramas and most of the kids knew what it was about. We quickly learned that african kids love to get their picture taken. They almost fight to have their picture taken and then to be able to ss t on a digital camera was amazing to them. We came back and ate a quick lunch and headed back to another school. This time a secondary school.
After our dramas, I got to hangout a bit and talk with a group of kids that really wanted me to dance with them. So of course I embarrassed myself. We went to one more school where we had a lotless time but we still got out dramas in. after that we kind of thought our day was through, but we then headed over to a place called Loco.
Loco is an area that we would call the slums or a ghetto. It was dirty and filthy but amazing at the same time. The kids there were amazing. none of them spoke eny english but being able to have fun with the kids was amazing. They would crowd all around you and hold your hands and your arms and legs. they had a blast when I would pick them up in the air. and they would all beg to be the next one to get picked up. my arms were tired but it was all well worth it.
This morning I did devos and shared from James. I always get really nervouse whenI do them but I think God still used me. Today was another intense day an Iam thinking there is a pattern in that.
We went to a market place where a lot of handicapped people bought and sold goods. We had a little bit of land where we were able to do our skits. It was amazing. for the first time, we finally got to minister to adults. after our serious skit there was a smal response but a good one still. We all got to go out and talk to the people and I got to talk to a man who responded to the alter call. A group was standing right next to himas we spoke via translator. all of the others seemed very interested as well.
After playing with some kids there and giving them a lot of balloons, we went back to loco where we had invited people to play football (soccer). Hundreds of kids showed up.
After playing a lot of chase and ring around the rosie with the younger kids, we started playing a football match with locals. We played alright but we still got whipped.
After wards I felt like I was going to die, I was so tired. Next a few of the girls played (which is very uncommon here) . I think they might have started a revolution because they played very well and their team won…even in skirts!
the day was long but God is showing us so much. I must say amazing one more time and it truly has been….
AMAZING!
Uganda blog :: Day 2 :: Friday June 22, 2007
We are in africa at last! We got here ysterday morning and after getting through customs very easily and packing up the vans, we headed out. It took about 2 1/2 hours to get here to Jinja. We also got to drive through Kampala, which I believe is the Capital. This country is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful! We have come here at the tail end of the rainy season and so the weather is wonderful. I think it is hotter in Albuquerque than it is here.
When we got to the compound, we ate an authentic African lunch and most of us ate with our hands as custom allows. After that we were given the chance to take a long nap and it was much appreciated 3 days where I probably got a total of 12 hours of sleep. We woke up and I got to meet some of the church staff who were very friendly. the rest of the team woke up soon after that. we then practiced our dramas and got to eat dinner.This morning was wonderful. After 4 days of not showering, I was able to shower. Although it was cold, it was Wonderful!
We have just eaten breakfast and most of the students are having quiet times before devos. We will be going to 3 schools today where we will be showing dramas and giving the gospel message. I am excited and nervous but more excited. We might also visit the slums of the town. It should be interesting. I pray God uses use today and does a mighty work.
I am expectant that the African students will e polite and listenbut I hope that their hearts will be open to the Gospel.
I just exchanged $50 and got 80,00 shillings in return. It was pretty nuts. there are a lot of people here in Uganda who only make about $30-$50 a month. We are all so rich and ungrateful.
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