Equipping the Saints

Baking a Cake, Tukwatanize Style

2012-01-02T11:33:00.000+03:00

The women learning to measure and mix cake ingredients using a receipt.

This past week about twenty of the women from the Tukwatanize (means “to work together” in Rutooro) circle met with me at the Shalom Parent School to learn to bake a cake. One of the income generating ideas of the women is to start a small catering business. We have agreed to start with focusing on baking cakes. Good quality cakes, made specifically for special events, are in high demand in the local markets. It is a nitch market and has potential to be very profitable. Baking cakes is kind of a mysterious thing here. It is left to those who are more educated or have received special training in such things. Because of this the price for even simple cakes is very inflated and offers us a good opportunity.

The women have never used standards of measures or a receipt to make anything before. So, my first challenge was to share the baking standards of measures with them so that they can consistently make good quality cakes and be able to accurately estimate the cost of the ingredients. Next, we worked together through a chocolate cake receipt step by step, mixing the ingredients. Finally it was time to bake the cake. This is where I became the student and the ladies became the teachers. Since most of the women do not have access to power or an oven, they decided to try to bake the cake using a more traditional method, over a fire. This definitely peaked my curiosity. So the women poured the cake mixture in a metal mold pan and then placed it in a much larger aluminum pan that was about half full of sand which had been pre-heated over the fire. We then covered the larger pan with old, rusted tin sheets and placed bricks on top and waited with anticipation. Each time we checked the cake, I showed them how to use a toothpick to test the readiness of the cake.

Placing the cake mold in the pan filled with sand

Covering the pan with tin sheets to keep the heat in

While waiting for the cake to bake, I took the opportunity to show the women how to make a simple butter frosting and an icing glaze for the cake. We also worked together through the cake receipt to estimate the cost of each item to determine how much we have invested in making this specific cake.

Finished cake!

Well, the moment of truth had arrived, the cake was finished and ready to be served, and it was AWESOME! Of course, we all had to share in the fruits of our labors. One more mystery was solved and the women left encouraged that each one of them was capable of baking a cake without the need of years of schooling or special training. This week we are going to get together again and they will demonstrate their new skills to me as they bake another cake. They have agreed to bake a more traditional Ugandan spice cake. I have challenged them to create a receipt for their cake according to our new standard of measures and to present the estimated cost of the cake ingredients. Can’t wait to taste the next cake!

Blessings,
Luan

Learning Knitting Skills

2012-01-02T10:52:00.000+03:00

Grace (left) and Jennifer (right) knitting in their small shop.

For the past month I have been learning how to knit sweaters and various other items using a manual, knitting machine. I have purchased two such machines through the generous giving of some of our supporters. The Lord has provided a wonderful and patient teacher named Jennifer in my path. I am spending about four days a week in her shop as she teaches me the basics of knitting. She has allowed me to use half of her little shop (6’ x 5’) to set up and leave my knitting machine. Her daughter Grace, who is here on holiday break from university, is also teaching me how to utilize the pattern making part of the machine. They are both giving of their time and skills for free!

I am learning these knitting skills so that I will be able to teach the first young women who will participate in the Sewing Seeds Project. Lord willing, discipleship and skills training will begin in February 2012. Jennifer was unavailable to help as she needs to tend to her own business. The first quarter of the year is the busiest season for knitting sweaters as all of the school children return for the new school year. I am confident that I will be ready to pass on what I have learn to the young women and Susan who will be partnering with me in the ministry.

Please pray for wisdom, discernment, direction, and unity as we move forward together in the ministry. Pray that the Lord will reveal to us the young women who love the Lord, have a teachable spirit, and will be committed to participate in the project.

In Him,

Luan

Reaching Out

2011-08-08T21:38:00.000+03:00

We truly believe that there are no such things as coincidences, only divine appointments. While house hunting, we met a women named Evelyn Komuntale, and have since become friends. Evelyn shared with us her testimony and passion that lead her to establish a non-profit organization called Outreach To Africa (OTA) to reach out to the people of Uganda and DR Congo. Since its inception in 1996, OTA has continued to reach out in various ways and through various projects to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Evelyn Invited us to visit two of their projects – Paul Devlin Academy Primary School located about an hour drive (7 miles) outside of Ft. Portal and Rwebisengo Medical Center about a three hour drive (45 miles) due west on the border of DR Congo.

Paul Devlin Primary School

On the first day, we went along with a small medical team to the primary school. Several of the team members with medical training were visiting as part of a larger short term mission team from the United States serving in another area of Uganda. One hundred and ninety four children are currently attending the school. About thirty percent of the students are boarding at the school, the remaining walk every day to school from the surrounding area. The medical team was tasked with giving basic physical examinations, administering Tetanus booster shots and testing the children for HIV/AIDS. Small Pox vaccinations were also given to those children who had not already received them. The medical team had already worked at the school the day before and attended to more than half of the children. Our goal was to see to the remaining students. Although we were just tagging along with the medical team, George and I quickly found ways to be useful. George worked most of the day alongside of some of the team members who were administering the HIV/AIDS tests and recording the results. Praise the Lord, on this day, all sixty four of the children tested negative for HIV! I stayed busy filling in where needed and in the afternoon played games with the children. Having accomplished what we set out to do, we traveled back to Evelyn’s home and shared in a wonderful evening meal together.

Luan cutting pills in half to make proper dose for children.

Teddy drawing blood for HIV tests.

George managing HIV results.

Yesu says, raise your right hand and turn yourself around!

Doctor Amy attending to a young patient at the clinic.

The next day, we traveled with Evelyn and two of the women from the medical team, Amy and Annette, about three hours west to Rwebisengo Village bordering the DR Congo to visit OTA’s Rwebisengo Medical Clinic. Rwebisengo has a population of about 30,000. A large number of them are refugees who ran away from the DRC due to ethnic warfare. OTA has turned a hotel into a medical center equipped with a laboratory, pharmacy, maternity and private rooms for patients. They see some 5000 patients and deliver 300 babies annually with only one doctor, one medical assistant, one nurse, one midwife and several other workers who support the administration and physical needs of the clinic. An amazing amount of work is being accomplished with such little staffing at the clinic. We were impressed by the cleanliness and organization of the clinic. Even more impressive was the genuine care and attention

Private patient rooms provided at the clinic.

by the staff to the needs of the patients. Since there is no power in the village, the laboratory equipment and testing methods used are designed to be utilized without power. Amy and Annette, who are both medically trained professionals from the US, brought along medical supplies that had been donated for the clinic and attended to a steady stream of patients during our time there. Following our visit to the clinic, we had the privilege to visit the home of Evelyn’s uncle located a little ways from the clinic. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together prepared Congolese style before returning to Ft. Portal. Our return trip took a little longer than expected as both lanes of the road were closed for some time while construction crews were excavating the mountain side above. A large front end loader had to be used to remove the huge boulders and rocks that had fallen and blocked our road before we could continue on our journey.

Patiently waiting for road construction to clear.

We encourage you to learn more about OTA and ways that you can pray and support their ministry by visiting their website at www.outreachtoafrica.org. May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

In His Grip,

George and Luan

Answer to Prayer!

2011-07-30T21:58:00.000+03:00

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21)

Three bedroom, two bath house with large compound.

George and Gladys chatting in the house.

George and I want to thank you for all of your prayers, especially regarding our challenges in finding housing since relocating to Ft. Portal, Uganda. The Lord has answered in His perfect timing and by providing abundantly beyond all that we ask or think! We looked at a house a couple of days ago and have verbally agreed to terms to move in on September 1^st. Please pray as we finalize the tenant agreement and that the owner will be faithful to complete the remaining work on the house. The house needs to be painted and some cabinetry needs to be completed, but the house is of new construction and built to western design and standards. An older, single women, named Gladys and a younger man named Samuel will live on the compound with us in the boy’s quarter that is located behind the main house. They are cousins to the owner Olive, who lives and works in Kampala. They have been living on and taking care of the compound on her behalf. Their presence will help ease any security concerns as they are from this village and have family in the surrounding area. They will help to take care of the sizeable compound which also has a matooke (local green banana) farm and a large garden area. They have also agreed to share some of the garden area with us so that we also can plant a garden. The house is located in an area called Kamengo, off the main road leading into downtown Ft. Portal. It is nestled into a quiet, village setting surrounded by plush, green hills covered with garden plots and pasture land spectacled with grazing cattle. It also has a view of Rwenzori Mountains in the distance and is very near to one of the beautiful crater lakes. We can’t wait to move in, meet our neighbors and really begin the discipleship ministry that the Lord has placed in our hearts!

In His Grip,
George and Luan

Continuing to Share Our Vision

2011-02-08T05:38:00.000+03:00

George and I chillin', literally, in Gulf Shores, AL.

For the first couple of months after returning to the States we rested, hung out and celebrated the holidays with family and friends. After all, it had been over three years since George was last in the States and over five years since we celebrated the holidays together with our families. Since December we have been traveling and sharing our new direction and vision for a discipleship ministry in western Uganda. George and I continue to seek opportunities to share the desires that the Lord has placed in our hearts for this ministry and we continue to pray for the Lord to multiply the number of supporters that have a heart to partner with us financially and in prayer. We are currently staying in southern Tennessee with friends who have graciously opened their home to us.

I have to confess that we are getting anxious to return home to Uganda. We are trying to use our time wisely to prepare for our return to the mission field. George successfully completed a pretty intense motorcycle driver training course which enabled him to pass the DMV driver’s test with flying colors. This is pretty amazing considering that he has not driven a bike in, well let’s just say, a very long time. The cool part is that Uganda will honor his motorcycle license. So, when we return, we will be able to move around the village areas much more easily and cost effectively. Now we are praying that the Lord will provide for us a reliable motorcycle for us to use when we get there.

Singer Treadle Machine we will use.

I am learning to sew. Yes, you heard me right! Several women have offered up their time and resources to teach me basic sewing skills. Bless them for their willingness and patience! The Lord has really laid on my heart to start a young ladies sewing project when we return to Uganda. I hope to reach out to some of the young ladies who have mild physical handicaps, to empower them with practical skills that they can use, such as sewing and small business skills, to provide for themselves and their families. Even more near and dear to my heart is using that time with them to help them grow in their relationship with the Lord. I am praying that the Lord is, even now, preparing a godly women who has a teachable spirit and is able to teach the necessary sewing skills to the young ladies. I hope to share more details with you and how you might be involved in the ministry soon.

George and I sincerely thank all of you who continue to cover us in prayer, sacrificially provide for us during our stay here and have made a commitment to partner with us financially. “Blessed be the LORD, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our Salvation.” (Ps 68:19).

In His Grip,

George and Luan

We're Back!!!

2010-10-21T19:02:00.006+03:00

George and I arrived back in the States a couple of weeks ago. George is already in California visiting with his family. It sounds like he has made significant progress in dining at some of his favorite eating establishments. After all, he has been away for almost three years. I am staying with my parents in Michigan and will join George toward the end of October. I am staying busy by helping my parents around the house. My dad just had knee replacement surgery about a week ago. He is doing well but recovery is a long, slow process. While here, I am also reconnecting with family and friends and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and amazing display of fall colors. Even though we are glad to be back home, we miss our friends and family back in Uganda. Re-adjusting to life back here can also be a little overwhelming at times.

We anticipate that we will be here for a more extended period of time which will allow us to catch up more with family and friends than in our past visits. We plan on staying at least through the holidays, but the length of our stay will really depend upon how quickly we can raise the financial support needed to return to the mission field. We expect that we will be traveling quit a bit as we are seeking opportunities to share our new direction and vision for ministry in Uganda.

George and I would love to reconnect with you during our time here. We would also like to share with you the desire the Lord has placed on our hearts to minster to our brothers and sisters in western Uganda. The easiest way to contact us is by e-mail at georgeandluan@yahoo.com. We are also now on facebook and would love for you to be our friend. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/ and search for LUAN FELLMAN.

If you are not already supporting us and you would like to support us financially, please go to http://www.shepsstaff.org/. Click on MISSIONARIES. Select FELLMAN. Our missionary account number is 5511. Our aim is to have as many supporters bearing as little financial burden as possible. We are asking you to please consider making a commitment to give just $20 per month. We would be tremendously blessed if you can make an even greater commitment. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

In His Grip,
George and Luan

Rain, Rain, Go Away...Come Back Some Other Day

2010-03-06T18:53:00.006+03:00

You may not have noticed, but Uganda has been in the international headlines the past several days. We have had a trememdeous amount of rain over the past several weeks that has caused mudslides in the lower east region of the country in the district of Bududa. Bududa is located in the foothills of Mount Elgon which is situated on the border between Uganda and Kenya. Several days ago mudslides wiped out two villages. The death toll is nearing 100 people and there are over 250 still missing. Please pray for the recovery, provision and comfort for those who have lost loved ones and in many cases all that they owned. We, like many of you, are experiencing unusual weather for this time of the year. December through March is supposed to be our dry season. We have had an unseasonably cool dry season and it has been accompanied by days of rain showers. We have been told by the meterologists that the unusual weather patterns in Europe have caused the weather pattern from northern Africa to slide down into our region, thus causing the rains. They are predicting that we will have much higher than normal rain levels and to expect this weather pattern to continue through June. In some areas of Uganda the rains are much needed and long over due, but in other areas such as Bududa it can be devastating. Here is a link http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/712052 to a story that may give you some insight not only to the horrific tragedy but also to issues related culturally that may be contributing to and possibly making events like these more frequent and even more devastating.

Well the rains have also stopped for the most part the excavation of the MAF aircraft hanger. George estimates that they have only been able to work about one day in the past three weeks. There is at least a good week or more of excavation work needed before foundations can begin. The construction site is now fondly referred to as Lake George. They have also discovered that the water table has risen drastically and is only about twelve inches below grade, so extra measure are going to have to be implemented to allow for the digging and installation of the building foundations. Please keep George and the workers in your prayers.

Blessings,
George and Luan

Ground Breaking

2010-02-13T16:39:00.005+03:00

Construction finally began February 2nd on the new MAF aircraft hanger. For the past several weeks hundreds of truck loads of soil have been removed from the construction site and relocated to another location on the airfield property to prepare for grading of the site. Grading for a new access road and of the site is now in progress. Lord willing, they will complete the finish grading of the site and begin digging the foundations for the building in the next week or so. George has been working six days a week from dawn to dusk with the contractors to get through this critical phase of the project. Pray that their progress would be unhindered and work would continue safely.

Agape, George and Luan

Happy New Year! Looking Forward to 2010

2009-12-29T19:00:00.005+03:00

George and I wish you a Happy New Year and pray that you and your families will be blessed richly by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in 2010. We enter the New Year with anticipation of the good works that the Lord has planned for us to walk in. Lord willing, George will begin construction of the new MAF aircraft hanger in January. The project will keep him busy through most of next year. The Lord continues to give me the privilege of leading several weekly Bible studies with the women who are working for or missionaries with MAF. I am spending this time over the holidays preparing for our next series of studies. Pray that we would grow in our knowledge, understanding and relationship with our Lord and Savior as we study through the book of Ephesians on Wednesday mornings and through the book of James during our lunchtime study on Thursdays.

George and I are also praying about starting our own NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) here in Uganda in 2010. Our existing work permits expire in fall of 2010. Starting our own NGO will afford us the stewardship and flexibility to do what the Lord has called us to do and allow us to renew our work permits to continue to serve Him here in Uganda. May the Lord bless you and your family as we enter into the New Year!

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Agape,
George and Luan

Youth Conference on Kakira Sugar Plantation

2009-12-29T18:28:00.015+03:00

Just before Christmas, I was invited to go along with Melody (Mel) to teach at a youth conference on the Kakira Sugar Plantation near the town of Jinja, located about an hour and a half drive east of Kampala. Mel is a retired, primary school teacher from the UK and has been a missionary in Uganda for over four years. She shared this past fall with the youth there and was invited back to speak at the conference. We shared over two days with the youth from Ephesians 6:10-20 about our need to daily, put on the whole armor of God so that we might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We gathered daily in a school assembly hall on the plantation. Approximately fifty to seventy of the youth attended the conference each day. Mel indicated that their strength was knowledge and memorization of the Scriptures, but that our challenge would be move them from head knowledge to practical application of the Word of God in every situation, trail, or temptation in which they find themselves or that the enemy may throw at them. Knowing this, we had fun not only teaching, but engaging them in their area of strength, the knowledge of the Scriptures, by asking them lots of open ended questions that required them to think through the meaning of the Scripture and how to apply the Word of God to their specific situations. The students responded with an openness and willingness to answer our challenging questions and to share their doubts and struggles with us. We left the conference encouraged by their desire to learn, apply and grow in their relationship with the Lord. Please pray for wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to help the youth to bring to remembrance and apply the Word of God to their life, as they are faced with moment by moment choices to trust and follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we made our way through the plantation each day, I was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of it. The beautiful green fields of the sugar cane stretch as far as the eye could see in all directions. The plantation covers over 9,500 hectars (36.7 sq miles) and produces over 93,000 tons of sugar per year for consumption in Uganda. It was like a small city once inside the plantation. They employ over 7,500 workers. I was told that there were approximately 40,000 actually living on the plantation including men, women and children. Although Kakira has provided much for the workers, the living and working conditions are still unfavorable for most. Workers are paid very little and working conditions are tough. Local brewing and consumption of alcohol is a major problem, especially since sugar cane is so readily available to use to make alcohol by brewing it in 55 gallon drums.

Pastor Nicholas, who hosted the youth conference, and his wife Maria also run an orphanage and a Christian counseling center on the plantation as part of the church outreach. During my short time getting to know them, their love for the Lord and compassion for helping others was obvious. Please pray for strength, wisdom, provision and protection for them as they continue to serve those in need, both physically and spiritually, on the plantation. Pray, also, as we have been asked to return to spend another day with the youth on the plantation in mid-January.

In Christ,

Luan

14 Killed, Hundreds Injured as Riots Encompass Kampala!

2009-09-14T15:34:00.005+03:00

(Picture taken from front page of Thursday, September 10, Daily Monitor newspaper) Uganda made international news this past week as riots, looting and violence encompassed downtown Kampala and the surrounding areas. The riots started as tensions between the Central Government lead by President Museveni and the Buganda Kingdom reached a boiling point. Buganda is the largest cultural people group (tribe) that is located in Kampala and the surrounding counties. Buganda has their own cultural leader, King Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, as well as their own form of governance, land, radio stations, etc. Politics seem to be at the heart of the latest confrontation as both parties feel threatened by the power of the other. Crowds were dispersed by tear gas and rubber bullets by the police, but they were soon overwhelmed. The military was brought in to squelch the unrest and real bullets began to fly. Praise the Lord, things have quieted down but the fall out still continues and nothing has really been resolved.

All of us serving here in the Kampala area stayed secured in our compounds. The riots took some us by surprise. There was a power blackout for several days prior to the riots so many of us were unaware of what was happening right away. Things can change so quickly here. Many of our friends had children in school when the riots expanded outside the city center to the surrounding suburbs. There were some pretty scary moments as parents received emergency calls from the school to pick up their children as gunfire, unrest, and fires were burning in the streets blocked normal travel. Sunday was really the first time many of us ventured out since last Thursday when the rioting began. Calvary Chapel Kampala is located right at the heart of the unrest in downtown Kampala. We were unsure if services were going to be held until we passed by the entrance and saw the doors to the building open.

Unfortunately, most of the property damage and injuries have been caused by the idol youth which took advantage of the situation. The news recently reported that the youth make up 50% of Uganda’s population and that unemployment is 83% here, the highest in the world.

I thought a writer from the local newspaper, Daily Monitor, today summarized the real roots and heart of the riots and unrest. The writer said that “The war, however, is ultimately economic. The divide-and-rule policy of sponsoring tribal identities and alliances may create short-term political gains and keep national issues from emerging but it cannot paper over the cracks of poverty, high unemployment, corruption, and the growing gulf between the rich and the poor.” The writer went on to say that “for many rioters the violence was a vehicle to vent against the regime. Tribal identity can be used to divide the masses but nothing unites them more than poverty and a sense of disenfranchisement – and that is one war that cannot be fought with bullets.”

Please pray for:

Continued safety and security of all of us living and serving in Uganda, including the nationals who have been innocently plundered or injured.
For the leaders of Uganda to deal with the real issues underlying the recent spread of violence such as poverty, corruption, unemployment and the gulf between the rich and poor.
For peace between and within the cultural groups and the cultural groups and the Central Government.

In Christ,

Luan

MAF Aircraft Hanger Arrived!

2009-09-04T16:48:00.008+03:00

The containers have finally arrived safely from Houston, Texas! Four, forty-foot open top containers arrived this week containing the pre-fabricated aircraft hanger building. The containers have successfully cleared customs and now sitting at the Kajjansi Airstrip awaiting the decision to move forward with the site preparation and construction phase of the project. Please continue to pray for unity and wisdom for the project and the team members.

Blessings,
George

Settling In & Pressing On

2009-09-04T16:33:00.003+03:00

We have finally completed our move into our new house! George is staying busy fixing things here and there to get us settled. The Lord has really blessed us with a perfect house to meet our needs and to enjoy. Pray that we would use this house to glorify Him.

We have completed our short journey through the Bible this summer discovering and studying the stories of various women used by God. Through studying their stories we were able to see aspects of ourselves in these women and through their testimony learn timely lessons for us today. God’s very nature and character shined through as we saw His mercy, grace, longsuffering, goodness, power and love continuously extended toward us. Our God is alive and intimately active in each of our lives today!

We are now diving into a new and exciting study through the book of Daniel together. Although many of the stories about Daniel and his three friends are very familiar, we don’t want to miss out on what the Lord has for us to learn and practically apply to our lives today. Not only are we living in the very times Daniel describes, but we too are in a way “living in Babylon”. It is our prayer that we like Daniel and his three friends can resolve to stay undefiled in the midst of opposition, trials and a culture which in many ways is like Babylon during Daniel’s day and have faith and confidence in the Most High God! Pray for wisdom and understanding for me as I continue to prepare and lead the study. Pray also for the Lord to prepare the hearts and minds of the ladies coming to the study.

We are also beginning a new weekly lunchtime Women’s Bible study for the ladies that work in the MAF Office. We are very excited to begin our study of various Women of the Bible. This will be a good place for us to start our journey together. Pray that we would be of the same mind and have a sweet time of fellowship together. Also pray that we would be encouraged and discover practical application of the living Word in our lives though our study together.

Maranatha,
George and Luan

Giving with an IMPACT!

2009-07-24T11:36:00.014+03:00

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But is shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

During my time in the States this past spring, many of you gave generously toward the purchase of Audio Bibles. With the money given I was able to purchase and bring with me twenty seven dramatized New Testament Audio Bibles in two different native languages, Acholi and Kiswahili, spoken by the women living on Canaan Farm, part of Family Empowerment Uganda (FEM) project. You can learn more about FEM Uganda at http://www.familyempowermentuganga.com/. The audio bibles will remove literacy barriers that hinder the women from having access to the Word of God. The Bible sticks are portable and operate with a simple AAA battery. They are provided by an organization called Faith Comes By Hearing. You can find out more information about them at http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/. I was able to receive a 33% reduction in the cost as indicated on the internet by using them for ministry purposes. Richard, the leader of the FEM project was so excited and thankful to receive the Audio Bibles. I have been in frequent contact with Richard and want to share with you a portion of an e-mail that I recently received from him about the impact that the Audio Bibles are having on the farm, in the surrounding community and among the men, women and children of all ages. I pray that you will be blessed by the praise report and consider supporting the purchase of more Audio Bibles.

“The Bible Sticks have been received with much excitement, joy and thanks. The ladies asked me to convey their sincere thanks and appreciation for the Bible sticks. They say listening to the New Testament in their own language is the best gift they have ever received or will ever receive. I can boldly testify that the Bible stick is one of the most effective tools of spreading the Gospel in rural communities where illiteracy rates are still high a major stumbling block to reading the Bible. I have seen a renewed hunger for the Word as a result of the Bible stick and the Proclaimer. The old and young are interested in listening to the scriptures. Many people who can’t read are now asking questions and discussing what they have heard. Some young people come during the week days and listen to the Proclaimer at night at the bonfire. There are a lot more people interested in the Bible sticks and we may need to look at getting some more in the near future. I have attached some pictures of the ladies using the Bible sticks. Thanks once again…God is surly moving in an amazing way!

Blessings,
Richard

MAF Aircraft Hanger Update

2009-07-16T08:16:00.002+03:00

There is good and not so good news regarding the hanger project. The good news is that the pre-fabricated hanger has been manufactured and shipped as scheduled. The four containers are currently in Dubai. They are expected to arrive in Kampala mid-August. I have been busy doing leg work with a local engineering consultant to receive approval from the district government for the erection of the new building on the existing property. An environmental impact assessment has also been submitted for review and approval. The airstrip is located next to wetlands. We are not expecting any real issues but we are at the mercy of the local governmental authorities which requires patience and tenacity.

I had hoped to be sharing pictures with you showing physical construction progress of the hanger by now. We had planned to have all of the building ground works, foundations and the anchors set before the arrival of the hanger building. Unfortunately this is not the case. During this time of worldwide economic slowdown and market uncertainty, Uganda is blessed to be in an economic and construction boom that is showing no signs of a slowdown. Unfortunately for us, this time of growth and prosperity has increased supply and demand for materials and labor. Both have negatively impacted the overall project budget, schedule and resource needs. Tenders sent for the civil works portion of the project have come in well over budget. We are experiencing unpredictable price fluctuations on essential raw materials like cement which is one of the largest civil works project costs. More construction projects and employment opportunities have made it that much more costly and difficult to find and secure skilled workers and qualified contractors. Pray for wisdom and unity of the project team as we continue to discuss alternatives to achieve the desired project objectives while remaining within the project budget agreed to the end of last year. This is proving to be very challenging. The need for the new hanger continues to grow as the MAF Uganda program continues to grow.

Blessings,
George

We are moving again!

2009-07-16T08:02:00.003+03:00

We are starting to feel like Bedouins! We are packing up and moving again, this time just a little ways down the road. George has been looking for a small house that we could rent cheaper than our existing apartment and that also might offer us a little more privacy. We got a tip from one of our missionary friends about a small two bedroom house for rent in our neighborhood. We checked it out and have since signed an agreement with the landlord to move in the first of August. Pray that the landlord will get all of the needed repairs completed as he agreed. Unfortunately, we will have to pay double rent for the month of August because we had to give two months notice to our existing landlord. We are very excited to have our own little place on a compound. The cool thing is that the rent is now $100 less per month than our current apartment rent! The Lord’s timing couldn’t have been better. Our current landlord just raised our rent by $50 per month to cover additional security costs. Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we also have to consider our security needs at our new location. Hiring security will be an added cost, risk and burden. We would prefer not to have anyone in our compound but we also want to be wise in the matter.

In Christ,
Luan

Mission Trip to Northern Uganda

2009-06-20T08:01:00.010+03:00

“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

2009-05-21T00:22:00.005+03:00

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

2009-05-21T00:13:00.006+03:00

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

2009-05-02T04:02:00.010+03:00

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

2009-04-30T15:39:00.032+03:00

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

2009-02-21T22:29:00.005+03:00

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!

2009-02-07T11:14:00.010+03:00

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).

Happy New Year!

2008-12-27T09:35:00.010+03:00

We have struggled for the past several weeks with internet connections to give you an update. We now have mobile internet for our laptop, so we are looking forward to updating our blog more frequently. We are now enjoying our new apartment and neighborhood. We are still unpacking some of our boxes that we shipped when we first arrived in Uganda. We had forgotten many of the items we shipped, so there was some nice surprises. When we prepared to move we thought that we didn't have very many things, but as most of you have experienced if you have ever moved, you always end up with more than you thought and wonder how you accumulated so much stuff! So we continue to try to find a place for everything.

We started celebrating the holiday season early with our friends and family here. We are blessed to have friends that are from various countries around the world. It has really opened our eyes to the various ways that other countries celebrate this time of year. We stared in mid-December with having a wonderful breakfast with a MAF missionary family from Sweden. The Balter's moved to Uganda this year. They invited many of us to celebrate St. Lucia Day on December 13th. Special food was prepared by Samuel and Jenny for the occasion. St. Lucia was an Italian Christian that lived during the 4th century. St. Lucia Day is traditionally celebrated with a feast and a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. This Swedish festival of lights also helps to lighten up the long winter nights in December. Jenny and Samuel prepared some of the special foods for Lucia's Day like Lussekatter (St. Lucia Bun) made with saffron and spicy gingerbread biscuits along with a host of other traditional Swedish breakfast foods. It was a perfect start to the holiday season. Samuel also told us that St. Lucia Day is traditionally followed by 12 days of fasting before Christmas. We were not willing to take the holiday that far!

The following week we attended the MAF Christmas party held at the Kajjansi Airport. All of the MAF missionary families as well as those employed by MAF Uganda and their families attended the party. It was nice to finally meet many of the spouses and children of the people we work with daily. The turnout was more than expected. The highlight was a puppet show following dinner. Several MAF families have created a puppet ministry to share the gospel with international and national children here. Their puppet show was fun, impressive and well received.

We went to the Wunderli family's house for Christmas Dinner. We had turkey, ham, stuffing and all of the fixin's. The only thing missing was some good ol'e American Football to watch between the main meal and desert! Well we are planning on staying home and having a quiet evening for the New Year. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace in the new year!

In Christ,

G&L

Answer to Prayer

2008-12-03T14:43:00.005+03:00

We are happy to report that the Lord has provided a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in a safe area for us to live. Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf to find more permanent housing. The apartment is located about 15 minutes south of Kampala in a quiet neighborhood. It is very near to the MAF Kajjansi Airfield where George will be building a new aircraft hanger.

A new shopping center has opened up within walking distance from our apartment. We will be able to do all of our shopping and banking there. This will really help us to save in fuel costs. Diesel is now about $6.50 per gallon! Two good coffee shops have opened as well in the shopping center. We continue to clean and make ready the apartment. We hope to begin moving in this weekend. We also have to purchase basic furniture and a stove. The Lord continues to provide in unexpected ways for our every need.

IN CHRIST,
George and Luan

Welcome to our blog!

2008-12-03T14:35:00.003+03:00

George and I are very excited to be able to share more timely with you all of the changes the Lord is bringing about in our life here in Uganda. Welcome! We hope you enjoy our blog.