The Value of Perspective

I saw a sign on a building in Dundee, Oregon today that made me laugh. It was an obvious protest to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and how it uses it's money on road construction and said something to the effect of "Third World Roads, First Class Money."

Really?

Do you think the person who designed this sign has even seen a "third world road?" Even though I am in agreement that certain stretches of the road between Dundee and Newberg need some work - they are terrific roads when compared to roads in less developed countries.

I looked for a picture of one of the many Ugandan roads I have traveled on so that there was a real comparison of what a third world road looked like, but could find the one I wanted, so the photo above will have to do.

Mail from afar...

I love mail. On some days, there's even something more than bills and junk - that happened a couple of days ago.

I got a letter. Not just any letter. A letter from Uganda (via Texas and the Cashes!). And it was a real letter - handwritten and everything!

Reading the words carefully written by my friend Jasper lifted my heart and brought tears to my eyes. What a blessing she is!

It's at these times that I wonder if I am really living where God means me to be - or if I am called to live somewhere else.

My heart misses Africa.

A view of Uganda: New Year's Eve

We were blessed to celebrate the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008 in Uganda. Our team, as well as Jeff and Andrew, had made our way out to Camp Saaka to begin setting up for Faith Quest Uganda 2008. Joining us at Camp Saaka that night were the youth from the Ft. Portal area Churches of Christ. It was a great chance to get to spend some extra time with these youth from the immediate area before the rest of the youth groups from around the country arrived.

It was a busy day - and included a lot of packing, unpacking, and setting up of tents. As we had brought tents and sleeping bags with us in our luggage, we got a chance to get those out and set them up. It was entertaining watching the boys attempt to put up one of the tents - because of course, they didn't want to read the directions first!


What a blessing it was to celebrate and worship as a group. While we waited for the matoke (our dinner) to finish cooking, we were all entertained by Mark Long and his crew from Kampala with what we called "Brazilian fireworks." They were fabulous as you can see by these pictures:

The evening ended with a devotional around a campfire and lots of singing. The highlight was definitely the singing group from Rwebisengo. They are amazing! One of these days I may post the video I have of them - but that would require the ability to figure out how to make it shrink enough to post (currently it sits at about 500 MB).

I will say that as I lay in my sleeping bag, being lured to sleep by the youth as they continued to sing the New year in, that I believed it was one of the best ringing-in's of the New Year that I have ever experienced.

A view of Uganda: Anaiah

For now, ignore the funny-looking guy on the right - I will blog about him later. Take this moment to appreciate the beauty that God has created in the beautiful child in his arms. Miss Anaiah Martin - what a beautiful, sweet spirit this baby girl has!

Many people might think that such a young child does not have much of a role on the mission field. I would greatly disagree with you. On a continuous basis, Anaiah provides the following:

For her dad (Andrew) - A way to show other men how they should love their children.

For her mom (Aimee Jo) - A way to be grounded, focused, and to grow in the special, God-given privilege of motherhood.

For the Cash Family - A way to be reminded of how special and beautiful life is with just one smile.

The Faith Quest Uganda 2008 team was so thankful to have little Anaiah to love on. She made us laugh, she reminded us of those we missed at home, and she provided us with a reason to be goofy.

I know it is difficult for her family back in the States to watch her grow from afar. And for those grandparents, aunts, uncles, counsins, friends, etc., who are so far away from her, I leave you with this: Thank you for letting her touch the family of God in Ft. Portal. She is a breath of fresh air to all who worship there. I know God is using her to help His kingdom grow.

Anaiah - we love and miss you. May you grow healthy and strong. May you be an ambassador for the Lord. May your heart always overflow with love for those around you.

A view of Uganda: Matoke

They look like bananas. But let me guarantee you this - they do not taste like the banana you are probably thinking of! These, my friends, are 'plantains' or as they are called in Uganda: Matoke.

Matoke is a staple of the Ugandan diet. Raw, it is white and firm - and fairly sticky to peel. Cooked, it is soft and yellow - and in my opinion kind of tastes like squash.

It takes a lot of matoke to feed a group of almost 200 people at Faith Quest Uganda. The number of peels on the ground is pretty amazing. The cooks would peel the matoke, then they would wrap the whole bunch up in the large leaves of the matoke trees. The whole large lot is then steamed in a pot over an outdoor fire.

The result? a soft, yellow mash of matoke. Generally, it's served with a sauce of some kind - maybe a ground nut sauce or sause with a vegetable base, and if you're "lucky", there just might be some kind of meat in the sauce (usually boiled beef).

I like it. Really, I do. I just can't eat a lot of it. I would sit and eat a bowl of matoke, rice or yams, and ground-nut sauce - and could hear my brain shouting at me as my blood sugar started to rise dramatically from the high starch/carbohydrate content.

But I like it. It's simple, filling, and for a Ugandan, something that grows in the back yard.

I think we should eat matoke here in the U.S.A. Maybe for one meal at Faith Quest Oregon this year.

Unless, of course, we could serve millet instead!

Just kidding.

But I liked the millet too.

A view of Uganda: Spinner

Take a look at the picture closely. Yes, that is a motorcycle. Yes, it does carry two individuals and a load of lumber. All of these things are very obvious. What is also obvious is that this is not the way we as Americans would deliver a load of lumber. Additionally, I'm pretty sure one of our nice police officers would pull you over if he saw you transporting lumber this way. In fact, the Oregon Motorcycle Driver Manual states:

"Most motorcycles are not designed to carry much cargo. Small loads can be carried safely if positioned and fastened properly."

Maybe it's just that this isn't "most mostorcyles."

Anyway - the scene in the picture was not a one-time sight. It happened again and again. Sometimes heavier loads, sometimes multiple people, sometimes you just wondered how they stayed upright. What I know for sure is that during one road trip the male members of ourgroup decided upon a name for these types of cargo-carriers.

I believe the term they decided upon was "spinners."

You see, these motorcyle drivers and their loads would quickly zip in and out of traffic. This would, of course, leave one wondering just what would happen if they caught just the very edge of the load on the side of another vehicle. What exactly would happen to a motorcyle loaded like this during that type of collision?

The answer: It would be a "spinner."

My only explanation is that the guys decided that if you caught the edge just right, the motorcycle would be lifted up and then, in helicopter fashion, take off spinning through the air.

Thus, the "spinner."

We never did get to see a test of their theory (thankfully). What we did hear was a frequent call of "Spinner!" from the back of the vehicle.

May God protect all of the "Spinners."

A view of Uganda: Pineapple

So - over the last few mission trips I have taken, I have had the opportunity to 'educate' others on one specific fruit: the pineapple. Here's my recollection of the latest 'education' required:

We had arrived in Uganda on Friday, December 28, 2007. On Saturday, after some orientation, lunch, and a few errands around Kampala (the capital city), we headed out on the road to Ft. Portal - our base of operations for most of this trip. There were eight of us who loaded up into the Cash's Land Cruiser and in a slightly cramped, but wonderfully air-conditioned vehicle, we headed out. There was lots of discussion and laughter.

It was just an hour or so into the drive, when Jeff was suddenly pulling off to the side of the road. He had seen that the Hi-lux pickup was pulled over on the side of the road - with all of our luggage inside! We all got out to stretch our legs and were quickly apprised of the situation: the bearings in the front left wheel had shredded. Derrick and Patrick were already in the process of going back and forth to town to find replacement parts and a mechanic. We all settled in to wait - not wanting to leave them on the road without knowing if things would get fixed.

No one moaned, no one complained. We were in Africa! It started off our trip with that typical African experience of waiting, and waiting, and waiting. We began visiting and looking around the area. I immediately noticed the pineapple field and called Jenna over. Our conversation quickly turned to where pineapples grow (and people - it's not in a tree)! We got a good look at the field and the new pineapples. Derrick listened in amazement about how many Americans don't know how pineapples grow because this fruit just doesn't grow on the mainland U.S. of A.

There was much laughter during this exchange - not 'at' Jenna, but near her. And as we waited, soaking up the sun, walking along the road, visiting with Patrick, or in Greg's case - napping in the Land Cruiser, we enjoyed every moment of our 3-hour + detour.

We almost couldn't wait for our next 'African' experience to come along.


(Note: Just as part of a lesson in history, pineapple is not native to Uganda. If my memory serves me correctly, it was brought in during the British colonization of Uganda.)

Jet Lag

I have been home approximately 36 hours.

Here's what you need to know:

Right this moment in Ft. Portal, Uganda, it is:

12:58 p.m. (the middle of the day)

Approximately 80 degrees farenheit (29 degrees celcius)...or so.

But where I am, it is:

1:58 a.m. (very dark)

and 37 degrees farenheit (3 degrees celcius).



Can I just say that I'd rather be back in Uganda!!!

Prayer Request

I wanted to keep this story to myself (or a very limited number of people) - but only because it is easier for me. I just didn't want to deal with all of the people who will make a quick decision that my trip to Uganda should be postponed or cancelled. I am of the belief that this trip has been placed in God's hands and that He should determine the path for this mission trip and our team.

As I continue to read updates about this situation, I have realized how selfish it is for me not to tell others so that their prayers can be added to those already be placed in front of our God.

I share it now with you.

Below is an edited e-mail our Faith Quest Uganda 2008 team received yesterday from Greg Woods (our fearless leader) :

"There has been an Ebola outbreak in the Bundibugio District of Uganda, in the hill country near Karagutu. The US Center for Disease Control is already on scene. Jeff Cash has said that this should be well under control by the time we arrive. The only effect on ourFaith Quest Uganda team froom the U.S. will be a change in itinerary. Whereas the team has traveled through Karagutu in the past; we will avoid this area altogether and work with small bush churches in other areas. This disease is spread by bodily fluids like AIDS. Jeff said a person would generally have to sneeze or cough right in your face for you to contract it. A person should wear layered clothing, mask and goggles in the affected areas. Jeff is suggesting that in the next few weeks, Americans not use public transportation in Uganda as a precaution. Jeff and Cheryl's good friend Dr. Myhre, a medical missionary with World Harvest is working directly with those affected. Jeff has asked for prayers of protection for the Myhre's and those that are serving with them. Jeff feels that it does not pose any eminent danger for the work and areas we will be in, but that he will keep us posted as to any changes. He also said that if you want to learn more about Ebola you can go to the CDC website and type in Ebola."


The story regarding the ebola outbreak in this area has been posted on just a few news websites - and overall there hasn't been a lot of coverage in the U.S. I direct you to the Mhery's blog if you would like more information about the front-line work being done in this area by the Mhery's and others:

Mhery Blog

There are some very touching and personal stories on this blog, as well as pictures.

Cheryl Cash posted a request for prayer covering over this situation on her blog as well. I join her in asking for your prayers for all of those who are affected by this horrible disease.

Join me in seeking the healing power of the Great Physician.