Mission Trip to Northern Uganda

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lam 3:19-24, NLT)

After suffering disease, sickness, death, destruction, war, loss, poverty and fear… PEACE is finally coming upon the land and the people in Northern Uganda. The war that has raged for the past 12 years and that had driven people to live in Internally Displaced People camps is now coming to an end. A new day is truly dawning in Northern Uganda. Even though there has been peace in Northern Uganda for the past several years, many have hesitated to return to their land for fear that war would return. As we visited several of the once larger IDP camps, it was encouraging to see that many have returned to their land to begin a new life. Please pray for peace to continue in Northern Uganda. Unfortunately, the various people groups and cultures have been devastated. A generation has grown up in the camps often unable to provide for themselves and dependent upon others to provide for their every need. Help is still needed in the transition and organizations like UAPO desire to fill the gap by helping to holistically equip rural villages such as Pajule, with the facilities and resources to rebuild self-sustaining communities.

I had the privilege of working alongside of a team of volunteer engineers (eMi) and members of the UAPO team to create a master site plan for the land given to them by the community. I was unsure of my role on the team as a mechanical engineer was not really needed. But I found myself busy working daily with UAPO team members listening to their vision that the Lord has given them and translating that into a working project plan of tasks and proposed schedules for the construction as well as the development of the various ministries of the project. The project is broken into three phases. We focused much or our attention on the first phase by “putting the meat on the bones” to addresses the most immediate needs of the community that will provide much needed health care and income generating opportunities for women. UAPO already has established women’s crafts in the area through the Akola Project and desires to increase the opportunities to empower women through the existing and new crafts as well as skills training. Empowering women has proven to be one of the most effective ways to improve the family conditions as the income tends to filter directly into improving the health and providing for their children’s needs. You may be wondering, “What about the men?” Pray for the men as many cause problems and fail to contribute to the needs of the families. Many spend much of their time drinking local brew. Living in the camps and depending upon outside handouts to survive has minimized the man’s need, role and integrity to provide for their own families.

Our time was not spent entirely focused on engineering. We traveled several times to the local IDP camps. Several members of the volunteer team brought clothing and shoes for those still living in the camps. Additional trips were made by team members to the camps to provide basic medical first aide to as many as possible with limited supplies. On Sunday morning, we had the privilege of visiting a local church. I have to be honest and say that this is not usually what I look forward too. Most of the churches we have attended in our previous travels in the village have been pretty scary experiences. But this time, visiting the local church was the precious moment of the trip for me. While we mingled and worshiped alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ singing songs of praise to our Lord and Savior, it was as though for a brief moment all the cares of this world faded away and heaven opened its door for us to have sneak peak at what it is going to be like after our Bridegroom comes to take us, His Bride home.

“For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Any you have caused them to become God’s kingdom and his priests. And they will reign on earth.” (Rev 5:9b-10)

Our trip wrapped up with a safari in Murchinson Falls National Park on the way back to Kampala. This was my first time on a safari. From the rising of the sun to the splendor and diversity of God’s creation that surrounded us in every hill and valley we were reminded of His awesome power, goodness, care and provision. What a fitting way to end our trip.

“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.” (Rom 1:20, NLT)

In Christ,

Luan

Hitting the Ground Running

As you might have guessed by now, I have made it back home safely to Uganda. We arrived back to our apartment with no power and still no refrigerator. Our refrigerator died about a month ago and is supposedly getting repaired. George has eaten an impressive 20+ boxes of macaroni and cheese during my time away. Pray that our refrigerator is fixed soon and that the costs will be covered under warranty.

I have hit the ground running. The ladies from the MAF Women’s Bible Study want to start our weekly Bible study as soon as possible. We will have our first study next week. Pray that the Lord will prepare our hearts as we study selected Women in the Bible. Pray that we would find practical application in our lives as we read the fascinating stories of ordinary women who become extraordinary in the hands of God.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom 15:4

I am also busy making preparations to go on a mission trip from May 28th through June 6th to Pader District in Northern Uganda with Engineering Ministries International (eMi). I will be part of an engineering team that is going to design a master plan for a community center on a five acre plot of land owned by Uganda American Partnership Organization (UAPO). The center is intended to assist community members in rebuilding their lives as they move back to their land after being forced to live in camps for more than 12 years. The proposed master plan seeks to include an assembly hall, community kitchen, medical clinic, vocational training center, library/educational center, agricultural training grounds, and recreational facilities for children. You can learn more about UAPO at www.theuapo.org. For more specific details related to the project, select the Mukisa Community Village Project. You can also follow along on the project’s progress by choosing to view their blog updates at www.theuapo.org/blog. Pray for our safety as we travel by road eight hours or more to get to the site. Pray that we will be united in purpose, that Christ will be glorified in everything that we say and do, and that we will be able to accomplish all that is needed to complete the design of the proposed community center.

In Christ,
Luan

Whirlwind Tour Comes To An End

The last leg of my journey actually took me through a tornado! Unknown to me and the other passengers on our commuter flight into Huntsville, AL airport, tornados were sprouting and touching down in the immediate and surrounding area. Pastor Don met me at the airport with a less than encouraging greeting saying, “I can’t believe you are here!” I didn’t know what he was referring too until he explained the weather situation. Even as we exited the terminal building, public tornado warnings were screaming at us. My time with my brothers and sister at Calvary Chapel Madison County (CCMC) was short but sweet.

For the past several years I have been invited to share a little about Uganda with the children at Ridgecrest Elementary School located in downtown Huntsville. Rather unexpectedly this year I was the keynote speaker for a school assembly of some 390 children along with faculty and parents. I shared with them a day in the life of a Ugandan which is largely agriculturally based. This fit in well with a wonderful play that the children enacted about farming and gardening of fruits and vegetables. During my short time with my CCMC family, I also shared at a weekly Women’s Bible Study, did some Stampin’, shared at the church and had a wonderful time renewing fellowship with my church family at a BBQ Potluck. Ok, I did get to squeeze in a quick round of golf while there as well.

As my time in the U.S. has come to an end, I want to thank each and everyone one of you who gave me an opportunity to share and for listening while I shared with you the opportunities that the Lord has given for George and I to equip the saints here in Uganda practically and spiritually. Thank you all for the love of Christ that you demonstrated tangibly toward me during my short visit on furlough in the States. I left for Uganda renewed, refreshed, blessed and encouraged by your kindness, caring, sharing, and giving extended toward me.

In Christ,

Luan

Furlough Adventures - Part 1

In my short time back in the U.S., I have already traveled to Florida, California, Wisconsin and back to Michigan where I started. My parents invited me to spend time with them on vacation in Florida at their time share. While on our journey south, we made a pit stop for a couple of days in Asheville, NC to tour the Biltmore House and to go gem hunting at a local mine. After arriving in the Orlando area we took in several Detroit Tiger spring training games and visited family. Dad and I busted out one day to Busch Gardens. My goal was to ride every roller coaster as many times as possible while there was no waiting in lines. Mission accomplished! We did have to stop for a little rest as my dad’s stomach got a little queasy. Our time was brief but we had a great time together. As usual, time flies when we are having fun.

My next destination was sunny San Diego, California with family and friends. I also got a warm greeting from our dog Daisy that we left with George’s mom, Luella, before leaving for the mission field. I celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior with George’s mom, his sister Debbie and her husband Rick. Rick is an awesome cook, so you know we had a lot of good fellowship over food. We went to Balboa Park several times for a little bit of culture to see the Body Works display and Da Vinci exhibit. We also participated in America’s favorite pastime, going to a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. As always it is hard to leave, but my time hanging out with them was precious.

My next stop was Appleton, Wisconsin to attend the Great Lakes Pastor’s/Leadership Conference hosted by Calvary Chapel Appleton. It had been several years since our last visit. I was afforded the opportunity to have a display table and share about the ministries that the Lord has given us with those attending the conference and during the Sunday services. The best part of my visit was renewing fellowship and meeting new brothers and sisters in Christ. I was encouraged by those who shared their persistent intercessory prayer and support for us. I left feeling refreshed and renewed by the teaching of the Word of God and kindness demonstrated toward me during my time in Appleton.

In Christ,
Luan

Trip Upcountry to FEM Project

For some time, my brothers and sisters from Family Empowerment (FEM) project have been struggling to get a second fishpond that they dug by hand draining properly. A small existing pond supports fish, but it is not big enough to provide for everyone living on the farm. Fish is a great source of much needed protein and vitamins. They have a vision to expand the number of fish ponds to meet their needs and to reach out to the surrounding community.

I traveled along with a couple of engineers, Chad and Dennis, serving with Engineering Ministries International (eMi) to perform a topo-survey of the existing ponds and surrounding area in late March. The survey will help to determine drainage issues with the existing pond and if the slope of the land will support any additional ponds. Over the two days of our, Chad and Dennis surveyed 16 acres. Pray for those that will be evaluating the information and helping to make their vision for more fish ponds a reality.

I really went along on the trip to introduce Chad and Dennis but, I had a hidden motive of getting an opportunity to visit with the ladies on the farm and to share with them from the Word of God. While the guys were sweating in the 100+ degree heat walking through the bush that was still smoldering from recent burning, I was having some fun with the ladies in the shade under a group of trees on the farm. We gathered together mid-day for a Bible study and crafts. I shared with them about our blessed hope of Christ returning for us.

Following our study, we partook of communion together. This was the first time for many of the ladies to take communion. For the remainder of our time together we worked on an income generating craft. The ladies are making earrings from bamboo that grows indigenously in areas of Uganda. Income from the sale of the earrings will be used by the ladies to provide school fees for their children and to purchase basic necessities. Pray that the Lord will bless their hands and efforts through the income generating project.

After dark, Richard set up a generator, projector and movie screen that he had borrowed in an open field on the farm. I took several movies with me for them to choose. Families from the farm and the surrounding area came to watch "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." As I watched from a distance men, women and lots of children appear out of the fields and the bush to come and watch this movie, I couldn’t help but thank the Lord that He could make this all possible in such a remote location. A little ways from the movie, we had a camp fire going. Keeping with tradition, I took a food that they have never tasted for them to try. This time I took marsh mellows to roast over the fire. Ok, so maybe marsh mellows are not a food group, but either way, they couldn’t get enough of them!

In Christ,
Luan

Goin' Upcountry

Greetings from Uganda! George and I are both doing well and staying busy. George is awaiting civil/structural drawings from the hanger manufacturer before he can move forward with the airplane hanger site preparation. They are expected to be ready in mid March, so he has a little bit of a lull in his schedule right now.

I just received confirmation that I will be traveling, Lord willing, with a small team of engineers to the Family Empowerment farming project about a four hour drive upcountry on February 26th and 27th. I have shared with many of you in the past some of our adventures and work to bring clean water, sanitation, and health care to the families that participate in the co-op farming project. The past couple of years I have tagged along with other short term teams to teach the ladies the Word of God.

Recently, I have been trying to coordinate the efforts of supporters in the United States that are trying to bring the project's vision for creating fish ponds on the farm a reality. The team will be surveying an area on the farm where an existing fish pond and future fish ponds will be located. Test wells monitoring changes in the water table were just installed in January by a short term mission team. I will go along with the team of engineers to help facilitate any needs they might have as they complete a topo-survey of the proposed sight. Our trip has been postponed several times, so pray that our trip will continue as planned. Please pray for safety as we travel by road and for the area to be easily accessible for the team to complete the survey.

I am most excited about getting a chance to share from the Word of God again with the ladies on the farm. The Lord has really laid on my heart to share with them regarding the return of our Lord Jesus Christ for us and the blessed hope we have being a child of God. Pray that any cultural, language or educational barriers are removed as I share with them. Pray that Christ would be magnified through the teaching of the Word of God. Pray that my sisters in the Lord will be encouraged as they learn about the great blessings our God and Father has in store for us that have a personal relationship with him. Pray for understanding of the scriptures, that lives will be changed and for anyone who may attend that has no hope to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

The second Project Management workshop with MAF Uganda leadership is going well. Feedback has been very encouraging. We have one more day of training to complete the workshop. Please pray as I have been asked to meet with a member of MAF International, UK leadership team regarding further Project Management training opportunities with MAF.

Please pray that I would be able to find and purchase affordable airfares as I begin to make travel arrangements for my return to the U.S. in late March. Looking forward to seeing many of you!

In Christ,
George and Luan

Ok, so I need to get better at bloggin!

Wow, I really need to get better at blogging. I am still transitioning from the mentality of writing a newsletter that is published once a month to chatting with you weekly. I promise to get better and publish more frequently.

For the past year, MAF Uganda has been raising donor support to build a new and much needed airplane hanger at their Kajjansi airfield. The existing aircraft hanger was built in 1994. It has been added on to several times to accommodate the growth in the ministry over the years. The existing hanger is in need of significant repairs. It is inadequately sized and lacks the facilities needed to support today and anticipated future growth of the ministry. George has been working with the MAF team to finalize the new hanger layout design. The new hanger will be 120’Wx110’D including office space and facilities to support needed aircraft maintenance functions and staff. A decision was made this past week to move forward and purchase the new prefabricated structural steel hanger from a supplier located Houston, TX. The hanger is expected to arrive in August. Pray for George as he now seeking the right resources to prepare the site, erect the hanger and finish the interior work and office space of the new hanger.


Existing MAF hanger at the Kajjansi Airstrip

Feedback has been very positive following the completion of my first Project Management Training workshop in January with MAF Uganda staff. Six more staff members are scheduled to participate in the second workshop beginning Monday, Feb 9th. We will meet each Monday for the next four weeks. Pray that the training will be practical and applicable to their everyday work and lives. I have also been asked about leading a third workshop with the national staff. Also, pray that my computer will hold out. Our existing laptop is having seizures. Unfortunately the diagnosis is not good. I am using an old laptop that has no battery and has issues of its own as well.

Please keep me in your prayers as I lead the weekly MAF Women’s Bible study. Pray that our time together will be a great time of fellowship as we seek to enter into a deeper relationship and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul admonishes us in Colossians 3:1-4 to diligently, actively, single mindedly pursue the things above, in other words, Heaven. It is my desire in our study of Heavenly things that we would gain a greater and different perspective of the things that are of this world and find encouragement in our moment by moment walk with our Lord in lue of the riches and glory He has stored up for us in Heaven, eternally secure and undefiled. Pray that we would set aside our time together each week as priority from our daily routines.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!” (NLT, 2 Cor 4:16-17).