Safari in {Uganda}

After our crazy, wonderful first day (which was really day 4 if you include travel), we left Lira early for Murchison Falls.

Murchison Falls is where the Nile River forcefully pushes through a canyon, creating a breathtaking view.

Our hotel was a lodge which overlooked a calmer part of the river.

The entire two days, I was just so in awe of God and His amazing creation.

We drove and saw many animals including giraffe, elephant, many species of antelope, warthogs, buffalo, baboons and different birds.

Some of my favorite are these large Obsidian Hornbill. They mate for life...awww...

At one point we watched this guy walk straight to our bus and pass in front of us.

I loved seeing all of these animals in their natural habitat. My heart races just writing about it. There is such a peace about these animals...like they all know the order of things and what their purpose is. So unlike me on some days...

Early on our second day, I walked out onto the patio of our room to watch the sunrise. I was so taken by the sounds of all the insects and birds. I decided to video it and this is what happened (make sure your sound is turned on!)...

Crazy, right! I later learned that the hippos were out for feeding and that no, he wasn't interested in eating ME. He was just expressing his thanks for a full tummy...I think...??

The second day we boarded a two-decker boat for a cruise down the Nile.

We saw many hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and birds...

We ended the cruise by hiking to the top of the falls. This was by far one of the best experiences of my life. We were soaked by the time we got to the top. The rapids are so strong!

I am again just so humbled and amazed at the adventures that God takes me on! I am so thankful and excited for more!

All day, I had this song going through my head...

It was truly an amazing experience.

Next week I'll be sharing about our ministry in Kampala! See you then!

Photos courtesy of some wonderful team members...Krista Bobo, Jonathan Moos, Katherine Houghson, Jeremiah Skuya and Caleb Parsley

Lira, {Uganda}

I know, I know...I'm slow in updating about our Uganda trip. I've been too busy settling back in and playing with my kids!

We spent our first full day in Lira, Uganda. Our team split in the morning. Half of our team went to an orphanage run by Christian Life Ministries. They spent time with the mums (the women who care for the orphans)...giving gifts, praying together and worshipping.

They also got to play with some kiddos.

The other half of our team spent the morning at Victory Outreach Church.

They worshiped together and then spent a while discussing all things worship...why do we worship? How do we/should we worship? How does a good team function?

It was a great morning. I think it's so fun and fulfilling to connect with people from another part of the world and realize that we are not all that different...

We had some time before our evening event, so we got to play with more kids while they were on their lunch break from school.

Then we headed out of town to one of the neighboring villages. At one point, we stopped to ask for directions. The people of the village wanted to see my kids. So what did my kids do? Without hesitation, got out of the car and talked with the people.

They were fearless! I was challenged and amazed at their acceptance and friendliness toward these people who look so different from us and barely speak our language.

We arrived at the village and I immediately got my hands on this little guy.

His name is Emmanuel and he took a nap in my arms.

After a warm welcome of singing and dancing, the local pastors led some worship songs. We sang one as well and then Brad preached the love of Jesus and about the salvation that is available to all of us.

I was struck by the hurt that was evident in the eyes of many of these people.

They live in the northern portion of Uganda...the areas we've all heard about...where Joseph Kony did his thing for many years.

 Kony's army has not been in Uganda for several years now but it will be many more before true healing and restoration will occur. We know that true healing can only happen through the work of Jesus. Many people came forward and received prayer. I am so thankful for the work of the local church in this region. They are the physical hands and feet of Jesus for many of these people. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to participate in what they're doing.

On our way back from the village that night, the bus that was carrying our team (Brad, our kids and I were traveling with our host in his car) ran out of gas...or broke down...I'm still not completely sure what happened except that one of our hosts called our car to inform us that it had stopped running. Out in the pitch darkness, remote bushy wilderness of Uganda.

As our car drove to meet them, Brad and I were a bit nervous about the reaction of our team...by this point it was late and we were running behind schedule. They hadn't had dinner and we knew that they were probably anxious to get some rest. When we arrived, however, they were all gathered at the back of the bus...worshiping, counting shooting stars and fireflies, and taking turns using the "restrooms" in the tall grass on either side of the road.

We were amazed at their response! What an amazing team God put together for this trip! After the problem was fixed, we made our way back to our hotel. One of my favorite memories is eating dinner that night, completely exhausted but so content and excited as our host relayed stories of the villages and the people that have been changed through their ministry.

I knew we were in for many more wonderful days in Uganda! I'll update you soon on our next stop...the safari!

Returning from {Uganda}

I have been back from Uganda for almost two weeks now...physically, at least. Mentally, emotionally...that's another story. I feel that part of me lives there.

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These people, this nation, is a part of me. I am fully content with my family and calling here in Colorado and oh how I love being reunited with my kiddos!
But there is a piece of me that longs to be there. I know that many who have spent time there feel the same way.

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God is doing wonderful things in Uganda. Amidst poverty and hunger and hurt and pain...there is joy. There is freedom. There is love.

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I am so thankful that I've now been able to go two years in a row. I am so SO thankful that Brad and our oldest two children came this year! We built some wonderful memories and I believe God did some things in my children that will last forever. THANK YOU to those of you who supported us and prayed for us and helped us go. YOU invested in us, especially our children. YOU invested in the people of Uganda.

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I will share more in the upcoming weeks...I am still gathering pictures to share with you. I am not going to rush because I am also still learning and processing through what we experienced.
I will say it was exactly what I expected and not at all what I expected. It was extremely fun and challenging. We took part in the planting, watering and harvesting of seeds. I was uncomfortable and at the same time very much at home.

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Our team was incredible--hard working, joyful and pure in heart.

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I think we accomplished both goals of short-term missions...we left lasting change in Uganda and we left with lasting change in our hearts.

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Our homecoming is not the end, but only the beginning of many God-adventures. I am so humbled that He has chosen me...Andrea, wife to Brad, mother of five, to experience such amazing things. My heart is full knowing that I am merely answering the call...and that it isn't to the exclusion of my roles as wife and mother. No, it is becoming even more clear that ministry, prayer, worship, caring for people in need...this call is all wrapped up in my calling as a wife and mother. I'm learning that one is not as strong without the other pieces. They all go together like a perfect, God-planned puzzle. I only have to watch and obey as each piece is put in its place...

photo credit 1~Krista Bobo
photo credit 2~Cameron Daniels