Happy Birthday Nana!!! Hope you are having a great day! I love and miss you!!
Cassidy
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24
I was not feeling well again this morning, but around lunchtime I was feeling much better. In the afternoon I went shopping in the market with Mrs. Sally and Sara, one of their workers (she does the dishes, dusts, sweeps and mops all the floors; she also helps with the girls at the orphanage). They were looking for some scarves to make bridesmaids dresses modest.
After the market we went to the church for ladies soul-winning. Mrs. Sally exlained to the ladies that since I was there and I am a nurse, she thought I would like to see what the hospital looks like and how different it is from the states so the ladies decided to go soul-winning at the hospital. My partner was Harriett, she helps run the orphanage.
Not all the patinet'sthat have TB are adults there were two young boys and a young girl in the women's ward. Harriett and I had the privelidge to lead this boy to Christ:
This patient and is family were also sitting outside. He and the lady in the redand black shirt also accepted Christ:
After the market we went to the church for ladies soul-winning. Mrs. Sally exlained to the ladies that since I was there and I am a nurse, she thought I would like to see what the hospital looks like and how different it is from the states so the ladies decided to go soul-winning at the hospital. My partner was Harriett, she helps run the orphanage.
The hospital has an emergency department, a children's ward, a men's and women's medical ward, a maternity ward, an accidnet/injury ward, a TB ward, and a surgical ward as well as different dr. offices/clinics.
Harriett and I went to the TB ward:
This is the men's side -- There were not many patients, 5-6:
Harriett and I went to the TB ward:
This is the men's side -- There were not many patients, 5-6:
Patient's must bring their own sheets and blankets; there are no gowns, so they either wear their own clothes or no clothes; There are nurses, but the patient's family provides the majority of the care as seen here (in fact I did not see one nurse the entire two hours I was there):
Not all the patinet'sthat have TB are adults there were two young boys and a young girl in the women's ward. Harriett and I had the privelidge to lead this boy to Christ:
This boy is very sick and lonely (the red capped bottle next to him, is what they are given to cough and spit into):
This is the nurses station that separates the men's side from the women's:
Although the men's side only has about 6 patients the womens side is so full there are patient's on the floor:
Although it was crowded, the wards were cleans and free from any smells.
This patient was sitting outside, getting some fresh air. We witnessed to her and she accepted Christ:
This patient and is family were also sitting outside. He and the lady in the redand black shirt also accepted Christ:
In all there were six people (2 women, 4 men) in the TB ward who accepted Christ. Please pray for them!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23
Today I did not do much, as I was not feeling well. Some of the Stensaas' kids had the 24 hour flu before going camping and then some got it after we got back so we think that's what I have.
I was feeling a little better and was able to go to church in the evening. Services started at 5:30. There was singing and one of the nationals preached for an hour and half. The electricity had been off at the church all day so when the sun started to go down church got really dark -- I think that had the preacher and the translator been able to see what they were reading in the Bible, he could have and probably would have preached a lot longer. :)
I was feeling a little better and was able to go to church in the evening. Services started at 5:30. There was singing and one of the nationals preached for an hour and half. The electricity had been off at the church all day so when the sun started to go down church got really dark -- I think that had the preacher and the translator been able to see what they were reading in the Bible, he could have and probably would have preached a lot longer. :)
Tuesday, June 22
In the morning I babysat the Stensaas' kids while Bro. Keith went to court and Mrs. Sally went shopping in the market with Harriett, one of the main director's at the orphanage. Babysitting was pretty easy -- the older ones had school work that was assigned and Savannah was entertained by watching Thomas the Tank Engine.
I don't understand everything that was going on with Bro. Keith going to court but apparently about 3 years ago there was a church member that turned away from God and was getting into all kinds of trouble. Bro. Keith had to remove the man from the church membership, then he also had to put an advertisement in the paper saying that the man was no longer affiliated with the church. That man sued him and the court case has been going on for the past 3 years. Every time they go to court, either the man does not show up or he would come with new accusations and they have to start all over. Anyway today they had a court hearing at 9am with a new judge who threw out the case against Bro. Keith. Praise the Lord!!!
Mrs. Sally and Harriett were shopping for material to make the orphans uniforms and play clothes.
In the afternoon Mrs. Sally took me shopping at a market that also included a clothes market. There lots of people selling piles and piles of clothes for cheap prices -- there were even some name brand stuff like Sag Harbor and Croft and Barrow that were only 1,000 shillings (about 50 cents in US). We looked through several piles and found some nice shirts for Shae-lynn (age 10) and some "princess" dresses for Savannah (age 2):
Monday, June 21
Today I went to the orphanage that is on the churches property. This is the same orphanage that I went to two years ago. I was able to sit in on the teachers meeting, got to meet all the teachers, and sit in on a few of the classes as well.
The class starts when the teacher walks in the room, the children stand and welcome the teacher to class.
This is an English class -- they were learning the contractions isn't and aren't and the proper ways to use them in a sentence. Their teacher's name is Pros.
When the class ends,the teacher begins to walk out of the classroom as the children stand and thank the teacher for teaching them.
The children of the orphanage have breakfast before school starts, then at about 9:30-10:00 all the children (the school is open for children of church members as well) have a break and are given porridge -- it is made out of corn -- its kinda like cream of wheat or grits. Don't know if you can really see the porridge, but here is a picture of my cup:
For lunch I went back to the Stensaas' house and then I spent afternoon helping Mrs. Sally around the house.
The class starts when the teacher walks in the room, the children stand and welcome the teacher to class.
This is an English class -- they were learning the contractions isn't and aren't and the proper ways to use them in a sentence. Their teacher's name is Pros.
When the class ends,the teacher begins to walk out of the classroom as the children stand and thank the teacher for teaching them.
The children of the orphanage have breakfast before school starts, then at about 9:30-10:00 all the children (the school is open for children of church members as well) have a break and are given porridge -- it is made out of corn -- its kinda like cream of wheat or grits. Don't know if you can really see the porridge, but here is a picture of my cup:
For lunch I went back to the Stensaas' house and then I spent afternoon helping Mrs. Sally around the house.
June 20 -- Sunday in Masaka
This is my first Sunday in Masaka. I went to Masaka Independent Baptist Church. The children met in different classrooms and the adults met in the sanctuary for some songs then were dismissed to their Sunday School classes -- the men with Bro. Keith and the women with Mrs. Sally. Mrs. Sally continued teaching on how we need to be like Christ in everything we do and to do that we have to die to self --Philippians 2.
After Sunday school we all met in the sanctuary for the main church service. There was singing, accompanied by Mrs. Sally on the keyboard, announcements, and prayer. There was a time of introducing visitors and I was asked to stand while being introduced by Bro. Keith and also handshaking to welcome all the visitors. There was a special song and then Bro. Keith preached on David and how when Saul threw the javelin at him, he just walked away, not once but twice. He said that there are times when people throw spears (Ugandans don't know what a javelin is so they use spear instead) at us we need to let it go, not pick up the spear and throw it back at them.
One interesting thing about the churches, in Mbarara and here in Masaka, is that the offering is taken up at the end of the service. We all stand to sing a final song, and during the second verse those who want to give an offering, leave their seats, go to the front of the church and put their money (or fruits, vegetables, once there was a live chicken) into a basket. After everyone that has offering is finished, a man is chosen to come forward, hold the basket in his hands and is asked to pray to dedicate the offering to God and to conclude the service.
After the service we went out for lunch at one of the local restaurants and then it was time for afternoon naps.
Sunday evening service started at 5:30. Bro. Keith is doing a series on Godly parenting.
It was a good Sunday!! -- I took video instead of pictures and because the Internet here is so slow, I can't load any of them.
After Sunday school we all met in the sanctuary for the main church service. There was singing, accompanied by Mrs. Sally on the keyboard, announcements, and prayer. There was a time of introducing visitors and I was asked to stand while being introduced by Bro. Keith and also handshaking to welcome all the visitors. There was a special song and then Bro. Keith preached on David and how when Saul threw the javelin at him, he just walked away, not once but twice. He said that there are times when people throw spears (Ugandans don't know what a javelin is so they use spear instead) at us we need to let it go, not pick up the spear and throw it back at them.
One interesting thing about the churches, in Mbarara and here in Masaka, is that the offering is taken up at the end of the service. We all stand to sing a final song, and during the second verse those who want to give an offering, leave their seats, go to the front of the church and put their money (or fruits, vegetables, once there was a live chicken) into a basket. After everyone that has offering is finished, a man is chosen to come forward, hold the basket in his hands and is asked to pray to dedicate the offering to God and to conclude the service.
After the service we went out for lunch at one of the local restaurants and then it was time for afternoon naps.
Sunday evening service started at 5:30. Bro. Keith is doing a series on Godly parenting.
It was a good Sunday!! -- I took video instead of pictures and because the Internet here is so slow, I can't load any of them.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Camping - Friday and Saturday Morning
Friday morning we again woke up to clear and sunny skies but at lunchtime a huge storm blew in. The wind was so bad that it collapsed part of Bryan and Cheri's tent -- with Mrs. Cheri inside. A few of us including Bro. Bryan were standing under the car port finishing our lunch. When he saw the tent collapse and Matt run out of his own tent to tell his dad about it, Bro. Bryan was not concerned because "Cheri is inside holding it up." He was even laughing and acting out what he thought she would look like holding it up and said she was probably screaming for his help -- but because of the wind no-one could/would hear her. It was funny.
More Monkies:
Feeding the Spider Monkies:
We were allowed to feed the monkey chapatis (like flour tortillas) left over from lunch:
I also got the feed one of the monkies, but it was too fast, they were not able to get a picture.
Friday afternoon was more swimming; this time the water was really cold and choppy from the storm. On the way back to the campsite from the bathroom, I noticed a sign:
I was told that there are crocodiles and snakes that live in the lake, but that they should not come to where we were swimming. :) 
More Monkies:
Feeding the Spider Monkies:
We were allowed to feed the monkey chapatis (like flour tortillas) left over from lunch:
I also got the feed one of the monkies, but it was too fast, they were not able to get a picture.
Kimberly is always on the go -- the longest I have ever seen her sit still was when she pulled up a chair and sat down to watch the monkies. I think she sat watching them for about 10 minutes:
Friday afternoon was more swimming; this time the water was really cold and choppy from the storm. On the way back to the campsite from the bathroom, I noticed a sign:
I was told that there are crocodiles and snakes that live in the lake, but that they should not come to where we were swimming. :)
Friday night we bad a bon fire -- well, we tried to have a bon fire, but the wood was still wet from the storm we had had earlier -- and roasted marshmallows, and sang some hymns until it started raining again:
It rained the majority of the night on Friday and some in the morning, but by the time we were packed up and leaving the camp-site the sun was shining.
Camping with the Stensaas family is a lot of fun!!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Camping - Thursday
On Thursday we woke up abound 7am to clear skies, but could hear thunder, not far off. We did have a thunderstorm but by lunch time the storm had passed and it the temperature was warming up.
This spider monkey is waiting for the food on our tables to be left unattended long enough for him/her to jump down and grab it:
Because it was Cherokee's first time to swim she didn't like it -- she was too scared:
Matt and Keith brought nerf balls that we could squeeze and they would fill with water, and then we could throw them at each other -- so it was girls against guys:
Bro. Bryan had hit me in the face with one of the balls and is about to do it again:
With lunch brought some visitors, that over the next few days proved to be a nuisance:
This spider monkey is waiting for the food on our tables to be left unattended long enough for him/her to jump down and grab it:
This one is eating pineapple that someone threw to it:
Alisha brought her dog, Cherokee. Cherokee, who was the only one of Alisha's dogs that came with her to Uganda is more like her child than a dog. Alisha bought a life-jacket for Cherokee so that she could go swimming with all of us after lunch.
Alisha brought her dog, Cherokee. Cherokee, who was the only one of Alisha's dogs that came with her to Uganda is more like her child than a dog. Alisha bought a life-jacket for Cherokee so that she could go swimming with all of us after lunch.
Because it was Cherokee's first time to swim she didn't like it -- she was too scared:
Matt and Keith brought nerf balls that we could squeeze and they would fill with water, and then we could throw them at each other -- so it was girls against guys:
Bro. Bryan had hit me in the face with one of the balls and is about to do it again:
Tonight around the campfire, Bro. Bryan gave us a devotion on how we can either influence other people for God and bring them to Him or how they can influence us and bring us away from Him.
Camping - Wednesday Afternoon/Evening
The Stensaas Family (All except for Andrew and Jackie and their kids who are on furlough) -- Bro. Brian and Cheri, Alisha, Bro. Matt and Keila and their kids (Marcus, Kendra, Kirsten, and Kimberly) Bro. Keith and Sally and their kids (Shane, Stanely, Shae-lynn, Shiloh, Skyler, and Savannah) and two other girls, Andrea and Rebecca and myself went camping. We went to Lake Nabugabo, about half an hour outside of Masaka. We had so much fun and enjoyed having time to relax.
Around the campfire Alisha, Keith, Matt, and Bro, Brian and Cheri started singing oldies songs from Mrs. Cheri's MP3 player. After a couple of songs, Bro. Brian and Keith decided that I was a BIMI spy and that I would go back to the states and tell them all the Stensaas secrets -- like singing oldies songs -- so they decided "What happens at camp, stays at camp" Anyway the evening was so much fun; their singing and acting the songs out was hilarious. I videotaped one of the songs Alisha sang, I will try to get it to upload.
Here Andrea, Rebecca, and I (taking the pictures) are trying to set up our tent:
Here is the tent all set up -- even though there were no instructions on how to set the tent up and it was just the three of us setting it up as everyone else was setting up their own tents, we were the first ones to get our tent up and all our things unloaded from the van and inside the tent.
Here Bro. Bryan is choppping firewood to make a camp fire.
Stanley brought me a chameleon to play with
Kimberly is terrified of lizzards, gekoes, chameleons, and bugs; but with help from me and her Aunt Alisha, we were able to get her to touch and eventually she wanted the chameleon put on her dress:
Around the campfire Alisha, Keith, Matt, and Bro, Brian and Cheri started singing oldies songs from Mrs. Cheri's MP3 player. After a couple of songs, Bro. Brian and Keith decided that I was a BIMI spy and that I would go back to the states and tell them all the Stensaas secrets -- like singing oldies songs -- so they decided "What happens at camp, stays at camp" Anyway the evening was so much fun; their singing and acting the songs out was hilarious. I videotaped one of the songs Alisha sang, I will try to get it to upload.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Hey Everybody!!
I have returned from camping -- had a lot of fun. I am in Masaka and will be here for the remainder of my time here in Uganda.
I have spent the morning updating the past few posts with pictures that I was finally able to download.
I will try to post pictures from camping later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
I have spent the morning updating the past few posts with pictures that I was finally able to download.
I will try to post pictures from camping later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Going Camping
Today Kelia and I spent the day doing laundry, cooking, and packing to go on vacation. We are leaving in the morning to go camping at a lake that is several hours away from Mbarara and will be there through Saturday afternoon. After camping I will be staying with Keith and Sally in Masaka and working in the orphanage they have there.
I will update you all when I can, probably sometime next week. Have a good rest of the week and a wonderful, restful weekend! :o)
I will update you all when I can, probably sometime next week. Have a good rest of the week and a wonderful, restful weekend! :o)
Monday, June 14, 2010
I Survived....
A peachy ride. In Uganda motorcycles are called peachies (not sure how they spell it). Peachy drivers sit at the corners where the roads intersect and wait for people needing a ride -- kinda like taxis in the Stat
es. One huge difference is that peachies have absolutely no traffic laws -- they weave in an out of traffic, drive on sidewalks, speed up, then slam on the brakes, you name it they do it. And women have to ride side-saddle because of their skirts. Needless to say I did not want to ride on one but after Ladies Bible Study tonight Keila needed to get home quickly and it is about a 30 minute walk from the church to their house so I consented to a 5 minute peachy ride. Keila told my driver to be careful because it was the first time I had ridden one in Uganda. She told me where to hang onto the seat so I would not fall off. After she got on her peachy, my driver tried to get me to hold him around his waist -- I said no -- and hung on to the seat with my free hand (we were taking home dinner). It was really different trying to keep yourself balanced sitting sidesaddle, holding on for dear life and trying not to drop your dinner. Anyway, I made it safely to Keila's house; not sure if I want to ride another peachy for a while though.
es. One huge difference is that peachies have absolutely no traffic laws -- they weave in an out of traffic, drive on sidewalks, speed up, then slam on the brakes, you name it they do it. And women have to ride side-saddle because of their skirts. Needless to say I did not want to ride on one but after Ladies Bible Study tonight Keila needed to get home quickly and it is about a 30 minute walk from the church to their house so I consented to a 5 minute peachy ride. Keila told my driver to be careful because it was the first time I had ridden one in Uganda. She told me where to hang onto the seat so I would not fall off. After she got on her peachy, my driver tried to get me to hold him around his waist -- I said no -- and hung on to the seat with my free hand (we were taking home dinner). It was really different trying to keep yourself balanced sitting sidesaddle, holding on for dear life and trying not to drop your dinner. Anyway, I made it safely to Keila's house; not sure if I want to ride another peachy for a while though.
Chahi Christian School
Today I went with a few if the Tracht kids to a school that is just starting in the church in a village called Chahi (not sure ifspellingiscorrect). I was at this church 2 years ago with the Medical Team from Operation Renewed Hope. It was a blessing to see how much the church has grown and to be able to talk with the pastor again.
The school is just beginning and there were 100 kids ranging in ages and grades. They were split into two classrooms. Because they do not speak English, the Tracht's were asked to come in and teach the kids English. Today they were reviewing colors as well as a few songs that they had learned. 
The school is just beginning and there were 100 kids ranging in ages and grades. They were split into two classrooms. Because they do not speak English, the Tracht's were asked to come in and teach the kids English. Today they were reviewing colors as well as a few songs that they had learned.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday Prison Ministry
Every other Sunday Matt and Kelia and their kids go out to the prison in Mbarara and minister to the guards and their families outside the prison gates. This ministry started as a result of one of the guards getting saved and asking Matt to come and teach them. Since they have been going, six other people have gotten saved. Matt teaches the adults and Kelia teaches the children. There were about 25 kids and 10 adults this morning. There was also one woman who was saved after the service this morning.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Birthday Party and Fried Grasshoppers
Today I woke up (at 8 am) not feeling well -- migrane and upset stomach -- so I was not able to go soulwining this morning, as Keila sent me back to bed to rest. When I woke up about 11:30 I was feeling much better, just a slight headache.
We went to the Tracht's house (another missionary family) for a birthday party. When we got there, Mrs. Cheri Tracht said that Anete, PastorRobert's wife, had a surprise for me out on the veranda. I went out there to see what it was -- she had cooked fried grasshoppers just for me. She was taking off the legs and the wings so I could eat them. They did not taste as bad as I thought they would -- kinda like sunflower seeds. Anyway I did not have my camera with me but I wanted proof that I ate them so the Tracht's took pictures -- I am waiting for them to e-mail them to me and then I will post them.
Right now, Keila is making milkshakes for us, Matt is watching "Facing the Giants," and the kids are sleeping.
It has been a long, but good day :)
We went to the Tracht's house (another missionary family) for a birthday party. When we got there, Mrs. Cheri Tracht said that Anete, PastorRobert's wife, had a surprise for me out on the veranda. I went out there to see what it was -- she had cooked fried grasshoppers just for me. She was taking off the legs and the wings so I could eat them. They did not taste as bad as I thought they would -- kinda like sunflower seeds. Anyway I did not have my camera with me but I wanted proof that I ate them so the Tracht's took pictures -- I am waiting for them to e-mail them to me and then I will post them.
Right now, Keila is making milkshakes for us, Matt is watching "Facing the Giants," and the kids are sleeping.
It has been a long, but good day :)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Today I spent most of the day getting settled in and playing with Marcus, Kirsten, and Kimberly (Kendra was sick and spent most of the day sleeping). At 3pm I walked to another missionary families home and went with them to one of the Ugandan schools. There they teach a Bible class to any student who wants to come. It was pretty interesting.
I will be going with them again on Monday, to a differenet school.
I took some video, but I could not get it to upload.
I will be going with them again on Monday, to a differenet school.
I took some video, but I could not get it to upload.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Roommates
This afternoon I moved over to Matt and Keila's guesthouse. It is nice -- I have my own room and bathroom, well I am supposed to have my own room and bathroom but I have a few roomates:
This tree frog was on the shower curtain when I went to take my shower before bed, I named him Kermet
and the second one was on the wall by the head of my bed when I woke up Thursday morning. I named him Ribbit. I accidently flushed the third tree frog down the toilet -- did not see him when I went to use it :)
There was also a tailless geko, named Lizzy running around the room, but I think I scared him/her off -- he/she hasn't come back.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Market
Today Mrs. Cheri, Alisha, and I went shopping at the Central Market.Its kinda like a Mall in the states with all kinds of shops and street venders. Some of the shops are similar so you can look around and get the best price. A fruit and vegetable market where the missionaries get their fruits and vegetables (if they do not grow their own), and a supermarket where they get coffee, sugar,cereal, eggs, and laundry soap.
Alisha and I also wanted a Ugandan dress so we went to several dress shops to look at the pre-made outfits. Both of our dresses needed to be altered, so the lady made the changes while we waited; it only took her about 15 minutes to alter both Alisha and my dress.
Alisha and I also wanted a Ugandan dress so we went to several dress shops to look at the pre-made outfits. Both of our dresses needed to be altered, so the lady made the changes while we waited; it only took her about 15 minutes to alter both Alisha and my dress.
This is one of the dresses that I considered getting, but it was made out of linen so it was super expensive. It also did not fit quite right and it would have ruined the style of the dress to have it altered:
These are the dresses we ended up buying:
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