Where is the SOLDIER in me

So as many of you know I had my friends and family write to me in a daily journal so I had words of encouragement for every day I was gone.  The following was todays entry… written incidentally by my amazing mom.

Are you being a soldier?
Soldier's get hot!
Soldier's get dirty!
Soldier's get hungry!
Soldier's get homesick!
Soldier's WIN WARS!
I love you Mom

You would think this being my 4^th trip to Africa in the last year I would have learned a few things.. Well in hindsight, I had learned a lot but this trip I feel that God decided that my faith and courage needed to be tested in much more dramatic ways.

I can handle the mosquito’s, though they are at times almost unbearable, I have started crying a lot less at the sight of enormous cockroaches (thankful for my roommate who has no qualms about killing them for me), I have learned to live without a stove and microwave, I have learned to deal with frequent power outages, and learned to keep my “technology” fully charged at all times just in case.  I have learned to survive with very few showers, even when I do bathe, the water pressure is so low and cold but at least for a few minutes I feel somewhat “clean”. I am thankful that although Uganda is SO hot, it is not humid and makes the days seem more tolerable.  I am thankful for when it rains (torrential downpours) because after the rain the weather is so beautiful with cool temperatures.  I have learned that pedestrians NEVER have the right of way and have learned to look both ways frequently when trying to cross a busy street.  I travel by boda (motorbike) almost always, and have learned to hold on and pray knowing that when going up a hill, the driver can and will push you off the back without warning in order to “climb” the hill.  I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when I walk into a store where the “spirits” are not good.  I plead the blood of Jesus more times in a day than I ever thought I would need to.  Nicole (my roommate) and I frequently plead the blood after coming in contact with people who clearly don’t love Jesus.  We recently went into a shop and upon entering the back room we immediately felt so overwhelmed with a demonic presence we quickly exited the store pleading the blood while doing so and stopped outside to pray and ask for a thick hedge of protection.  There are many Islamic mosques in our village and several times a day they pray on loud speakers for the whole village to hear.  Nicole and I pray WITHOUT ceasing and again plead the blood.  I have no idea what they are saying as the words are not in English but I have enough of a discernment of Spirits to know it is not good.  

When we visit Ben and Susan (the 3 and 5 year old that we reunited with their mom) I see the conditions they live in. Literally a 10X10 brick house which is one room, complete with a mattress for mom and her 4 children, a charcoal stove, a blanket dividing their “home” into 2 rooms..  They have 2 plates, a few cups and a huge jug of dirty water to drink.  It never ceases to amaze me that this is the way most of the children here live and are so happy; the children follow us as we walk around town in “herds” the little girls take our hands and kneel at our feet to greet us.  When we walk through town the children literally flock to us, so happy just to touch a mzungu (white person).  I have to admit at times I feel like a bit of a celebrity.  To see the smiles on their little faces just because we wave and say hello makes all the “negativity” here completely worthwhile.

Ben and Susan's home

I was beyond blessed to meet some new friends here who have helped us to reunite some of the children in our baby home with their families.  We were blessed with an incredible Sunday worship service…. It was much needed… Nicole and I do devotions together daily, I spend frequent time in prayer. 

I have to say I am homesick, not for the comforts of North America (like air conditioning), but I miss my parents,

I pray that this does not come across as me complaining after all as my mom kindly reminded me I am a SOLIDER!  AND:::

Soldier's get hot!
Soldier's get dirty!
Soldier's get hungry!
Soldier's get homesick!
Soldier's WIN WARS!

I AM WINNING THE WAR!

Please click the following link to my roommates blog we posted separate as to not repeat stories.

africanblessings.blogspot.com

the sun shines through the storm

Mzungu in Iganga

Sorry I haven’t been updating more often but time sometimes gets away from me while I am here.  I have had a great week.  Nicole and I took the children (11 months 3,5,12,14, and housekeeper) to church in Jinja.  We went to Acacia church in Jinja.  Pastor Terry was great!  It was amazing you really haven’t experienced church until you have had an outdoor service African style.  Worship service was awesome they sing all the same songs as at home, a couple with an African twist!  Sunday afternoon we treated the kids to a boat ride Lake Victoria, I’m sure no of them had ever been before.  We take the boat to the Source of the Nile River it is quite an experience.  We also treated the kids to chicken fingers and fries at an “Americanized” restaurant which was quite a treat.

Baby John is doing exceptional.  He is drinking 32 oz of formula a day and is growing before my eyes.  The change I have seen in him in such a short time is miraculous.  He is thriving and actually has started giggling.  He ate his 1^st “meal” yesterday of infant cereal it was such a treat to watch him memorized by the spoon :)

Iganga is such a different town from Jinja.  As I stated before the other Nicole and I are virtually the only 2 mzugu’s (white people) here.  Whenever we walk into town we are surrounded by smiling faces and greetings.

We have also visited Amani Baby Cottage of course I needed my Hope “fix”.  It was great to see the twins still wearing the clothing my mom made them in January and Baby Judah (without hair lol)

Me and Hope

Hope (of course loves Canada)

Caroline and Josephine

Baby Judah

Tonight we had Bible study with some of the neighborhood children. 

We taught the story of creation, the children were so attentive, and answered questions after.  We prayed at the end and then all the kids got “sweeties”

answering questions

prayer time

sweeties!!

I CAN'T REACH MY MACE!!!

*NOTE:  this is a dual blog written by Nicole Katterjohn and Nicole Ramage*

What started as a calm relaxing day for shopping in Jinja turned into all but!!!!!!!

9 a.m.  Two mzungus walking through Iganga to board the taxi (bus) headed to Jinja.  The capacity of theses taxis is 14 however in Africa that means more like 20…. The “fee” for this trip should be 2000 shillings which is about .80₵ however the going rate for mzungus is more like $1.25 which doesn’t sound like much but it’s a total rip off.  Nicole and I were seated in the very back seat of 4 rows and when all of a sudden the back door is opened and we feel something grasping at our ankles forcing us to shriek with terror!!!  As we frantically pulled our legs up on the seat we hear laughter from the other passengers and loud clucking, turns out the capacity in our van was 19 people and 4 chickens right under our feet.  Needless to say the next 45 minutes was far from pleasant for us but completely amusing for the African passengers. 

 this is the view behind our seats.. 

10 a.m. We arrive in Jinja completely unsure of exactly where we had been dropped off, so we walked and walked…. and walked until finally we stopped and asked for directions (yes women know how to do this). 

10:15 finally located Main Street where we shopped and shopped and ate American food.

12:30 stopped at Amani Baby Cottage to see all the kids and get some picture with Hope!

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. you will never guess what happened!!! We shopped and ate more American food

This is where our story takes a drastic turn…… “insert dramatic music here”

So Nicole K purchased 2 large African drums I wish there were words to describe just how difficult it is to ride on a boda (motorbike) with a driver and two passengers let alone carrying such large items and purses and bags of purchases… Thankfully we managed to make it back to the taxi/bus stand.

4:30 p.m. With only 2 seats available we were forced to sit separately with our large drums on our laps.  Nicole K sat in the front seat Nicole R in the back…  Our 2^nd stop to pick up passengers turned into another chicken fiasco.  A man literally holding 4 large live chickens by the feet sat right behind Nicole R. (where I asked Nicole K “Do you not hear the clucking?”) Nicole K found this rather amusing little did she know what was in store for her….

Dun dun dun dun….

After befriending Pastor Robert who graciously offered to hold Nicole K’s large drum she was in the middle of receiving free Luganda lessons when she looks up much to her horror to see a car facing head on with our taxi.  “Surely he is going to get out of the way.  Is our driver going to slow down?  Um we are getting a little close… Um HELLO!!!  STOP!!!”

CRASH BANG BOOM AHHHHHHHHHHH!

The inevitable had happened thanks to the crazy Ugandan drivers who follow absolutely no road rules.  CLEARLY our driver had the right of way!  In America this is where the drivers would get out and exchange insurance information and be on their merry way BUT NO this is AFRICA!  Although our driver remained calm the other driver who was CLEARLY at fault was raging mad, screaming waving his arms and harassing our driver.  The African passengers bailed from the taxi seeking other means of transportation while the 2 mzungus decided to stay back to defend our drivers honor with our newly learned Lugandan phrases Vayo, ja, olimulalu and thanks to Nicole R’s mace… just in case (courtesy of Brian).

After realizing the police most likely were not coming and with darkness approaching we grabbed our drums and flagged down a boda…. Did we mention we never got a refund from our “taxi adventure?”

Our boda driver claimed to know where we were going, but because of our series of misfortunate events such was not the case and we wound up ….  Yes you guessed right …. LOST

Nicole R: “Dear Jesus please help us, he’s taking us somewhere to shoot us, do you know what they do to women around here, I can’t reach my mace… Heavenly Father please protect us”

Nicole K: “You worry too much, or maybe I don’t worry enough”

Nicole R: “You don’t worry enough!!!!”

Thankfully some school children knew where we lived even though we didn’t, we arrived home safe, sound and exhausted!

   

My HOPE is in Him... (not at Amani Baby Cottage lol)

So I have finally arrived in glorious Africa.  After a few delays at the airport I managed to get here about 4 hours late (my poor driver waiting patiently for me).  I was thrilled that my 2^nd 12 hour flight was filled with all missionary teams going to Uganda, it was encouraging, there were teams going to set up medical clinics in remote villages, with labor and delivery nurses equipped with so many supplies.  I met a team going to Iganga (where I am currently staying) to plant a church, the team is from Los Angeles but their pastor is from Thunder Bay!  

I went to Amani on Sunday and could not have asked for a better welcome.  The momma’s came running from their cottages to greet me, momma Lucy was crying because she was so happy to see me.  As I approached the girls cottage I saw little heads poking out and when they saw it was me I was overwhelmed with little girls rushing to all hug me at the same time.  When Hope saw me she came running to me…. (Yes I said running she has learned to walk since I last left!)  I have to say that was the highlight of my month… holding all those kids again about 15 of them all trying to sit on my lap at the same time made me feel like I never left.  I tried to take pictures, but the kids we so happy to see me it was hard to get them to sit still.  I went into the nursery and actually cried. The babies that were in there when I left have for the most part grown and moved into the bigger cottages, a few of the smaller ones were still there, and there are so many new faces!  Unfortunately my time there was very short as I still had an hour drive to my final destination.

So I arrived in Iganaga and I have to say it was a little bit of culture shock. I was so excited to meet Nicole (the other volunteer who is here with me for 2 more weeks).  I had been conversing with her on facebook for the last couple of months so I felt like I already knew her.  There are currently 5 children at the house.  Baby John who is 11 months old but is only the size of a 2 month old, Ben (3) and Susan (5), Eva (12) and Joseph (14), Mercy also lives here, she is kind of a housekeeper/cook/momma.  
This is certainly not the Hilton.  There is no stove (we use charcoal) and I got the fridge fixed the 2^nd day I was here.  I purchase bottled water to drink and brush my teeth.  The shower has somewhat warm water, but the water pressure is very low.  

There are a ton of mosquito’s here.  I brought a new mosquito net with me, and bug spray, but I am still already covered in bites.  I purchased a new mosquito net today that has been treated, and I pray it does the trick.
I hope none of you think that I am complaining about the conditions here.  I am in Africa and I did not expect it to be like home.  These children are amazing.  When Nicole and I walk into town we are the only 2 mzungus (white people).  The children all come running to greet us.  Everywhere we walk we hear, Mzungu, mzungu!  Many of the children here do not speak English, they are filthy, poorly dressed, most without shoes, and have little to eat, but they have the most beautiful smiles, and are so happy.

It is hard to see the intense poverty here. Garbage covers the streets and there isn’t much in the way of greenery.  As I walk into town it seems like there are more children than adults. I see so many toddlers wandering aimlessly without supervision.   Although the people here are almost always smiling their eyes look hollow, they lack that sparkle that children’s eyes should have.

Me and Hope!

our "stove"

baby John

TEARFUL GOODBYE'S

I can't believe my trip is already here.  It seems like just yesterday I decided to plan this.  I want to start by thanking all of you for your support both financial and in prayer.  Please continue to pray that I go where God leads me and that I have the servants heart He would want me to have! 

These last few weeks have been a blur.  Packing 260 lbs into 4 suitcases is definitely not an easy task.  Thank you so much to everyone for all the donations.  I have tons of clothing, shoes, formula, medicine, diapers, medical supplies, crayons and the list goes on.  

I am so excited to see what God has in store for me.  I already feel Him stretching me in new areas, and  although it's not always easy, HE is always in control.  I just need to remember.. Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  I should not be surprised by the fact that I have had so much peace!  Yes there have been shed tears, but I know that God is with me wherever I go... yes He even follows me 12806 km all the way to Uganda!  

I was reading my Bible the other day and this verse really hit me... Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  I know that it is only by God's incredible grace that I have made it this far, and He will continue to strengthen and guide me all the way through this amazing journey!

It wasn't easy saying goodbye, I spent the whole day with the twins (Nellie and Viki) on Tuesday, they have finally learned to say Maman Nicole.... I hope they don't forget me.  I spent some great quality time with my parents, and then Brian (my love) spent all day Thursday with me, doing all my last minute shopping and catering to my every whim :) He bought me a fantastic new devotional I cannot wait to dig into!  I don't know how I am going to leave everyone for so long, but again, my GOD never fails me!  He holds me in the palm of His hand.  He is my comfort and my strength, really and truly He is all I need.

So please keep praying for me, I will blog and post pictures as often as I can.  I love all of you!  The next time I blog I will be in AFRICA!!

When is God good?  All the time
All the time, God is good!!

26221 minutes until I leave for Uganda!

Hey it's been awhile since I updated this blog and so much has happened.  I'll do my best to catch you up on all the latest.

I leave for Uganda in 18 short days.  Life has been hectic
trying to plan a wedding, find a house, apply for immigration, applying for Michigan nursing licenses, trying to pack for an 18 week trip..... Bible studies, running around collecting donations for Africa, trying to fit all these donations into 4 suitcases...

I am so INCREDIBLY BLESSED.  God is so good to me.  As stressfull as all of this is, I have a peace that surely passes all understanding. 

As for my trip to Africa, here is my itinerary,  I leave for Uganda on July 5th from Detroit Metro Airport, thru to Amsterdam, then after a brief stop in Rowanda, I arrive in Entebbe Uganda July 6th @ 10 pm.  My drivers Eric and Shallom will pick me up at the airport and we will stay the night in Entebbe.  On July 7th I will stop in Kampala to grocery shop (this is the last "real" grocery store in Uganda) and at the hospital in Kampala to give blood.  (I have a rare blood type and I'm sure they could use it)  We will then drive the 3 hours to Jinja where I will stop in at Amani Baby Cottage to visit and drop off some donations I have for them.  Also I will get to see Hope...... I miss her so much <3
That evening Eric and Shallom will drive me the last 45 min of my trip to Iganga Uganda to Kwagala Baby Home.  
My friend Emily opened this orphanage in March, and I am thrilled to be spending the 1st two months of my trip with her.  (She is currently ill and in the USA receiving treatment... please pray for her).

 

The 2nd half of my trip will be back at Amani Baby Cottage in Jinja!  

I will keep you posted as to my lastest ventures...
Please keep me in your prayers as I begin my travels.  Pray for finances, safety and health..

I love each of you!!

NICOLE
 

Harsh Realities and sweet endings..

So my week started on a bit of a sad note.  I took 3 children who have HIV to the Children's Hospital.  It is one of the worst things you can possibly experience.  Picture you are sitting in an Emergency room, but take away the plasma TV, the air conditioning and every last spec of cleanliness.  Add about 100 women all with infants or young children, no bathrooms, no vending machines and 100 degree temperatures.  Add in birds and the worst filth imaginable.  Blankets spread all over the lawn so families can visit with their sick children.  The ward in the hospital has about 3 infants to a bed, it's overcrowded and understaffed... but it's free.  You wait hours to check in, hours to see triage, hours to see the Dr, and then wait again to receive your medication.  Next time you are sitting in Emergency complaining about our Health care system remember you could be living here.... (I did not take any pictures it didn't feel right)

But God is good!!! ALL THE TIME!!!  So despite the beginning of my week being sad my Friday was AWESOME!  The other volunteers and I all got to take a child and go on a boat trip down Lake Victoria to the Nile River~~~  How amazing!  It was so much fun.  We saw monkeys and tons of different birds.  A few sea otters.  A great end to a good week!  

I miss you all, but I wish I could stay here forever!!! 

Better by the DAY

Had a great day Saturday relaxing and sightseeing!

Sunday I went to a great Church service with amazing worship!  I taped the service so maybe we can try some African songs at Parkwood!  We also did devotions on Sunday night with just the girls (my roommates) it was incredible.  7 girls from all over North America, from all different kinds of churches coming together for an in depth look into 1st Corinthians.  I love these girls and I know God put us all together for a specific reason.

Today was the best day yet!  I started back in the girls cottage!  I love every last one of them.  They are all beautiful with fantastic personalities.  A family from America showed up today, they have their final court date tomorrow to adopt one of the girls from my room.  It's bittersweet.  I know she is going to a great family who love Jesus and will give her a great life, but it's hard to see her go.

I brought lots of the twins clothes with me so today I brought them to the cottage.  Mama Lucy started dressing the girls in the new clothes but the were a few who didn't get new things.  They were starting to cry when I dug for more, and with the donations of another volunteer every girl got new clothes.  Their smiles are priceless!

I also got to spend my lunch hour with Hope, I don't know how I will be able to leave her here.  She stole my heart!  Look at that face!!

Week 1

Just finished week 1...  I was fortunate enough to spend the 1st 3 days in the nursery.  Those babies are so amazing.  I seriously would bring every last one of them home with me if there was a way for me to do so without landing in jail.  :)  

So I did my Bible study on Thursday morning before work and had a good prayer time.  God reminded me that I won't always get my own way and that he will put me outside of my comfort zone to allow me to grow.  
AND THAT HE DID.....  
I got transferred into one of the boy cottages ages 1-5 who are all quite spirited.  By 10 am I was ready to head home.  Then I prayed and again Jesus reminded me that none of this is about me, and that ALL these kids need love and attention; also He will never give me anything I cannot handle.  I worked Thursday and Friday in this cottage and then.....

Jesus kept His promise

I will be spending the rest of my time here in the girls cottage.  Which I love.  It's where I worked the last time I was here.  They are age 1-5 including 2 year old twin girls who make me a little less homesick :)

I will try to post photos another time, they are all on my facebook if you want to look there!

A glimpse of Heaven!

So I had my 1st day back!  It was AMAZING!!!

I got to work in the nursery.... you all know how much I love BABIES!!!

There were a few new additions since I left, including the youngest who is only 1 week old.  He is so precious.

Unfortunately I won't be working in the nursery as I am needed for another age group, but I will be sure to stop in on my lunch hour daily!

I'll post a few pictures so you can see how great this is.

I definitely think that when we get to heaven this is what it is going to look like!

Tina



Noah

Mercy

Anne

Hope :)

Me and Hope... She totally wants to come home with me!

I love you all, thank you for all the prayers!  I'll keep you posted!

UGANDA BOUND for the 2nd time!!!!

Wow, things certainly have changed.  As most of you know I returned home from Uganda January 31st as I was very ill.  After several trips to the emergency room, no one had any idea what was wrong with me, and I had no intentions of ever going back to Africa.  Finally, my test results came back and I was given the proper medication and was well on my way to recovery.  I had spoken with my insurance company about the possibility of me returning to Africa and at the time I was told that they would fly me back if I wanted to.
I was then informed that because of my illness, even with the letter from my Dr stating I was fit to travel and had no more complications, that the insurance company was unwilling to send me back.  I was beyond disappointed.  Then my mother (the mom of all moms) called for me.  She has a way with words!  Finally on the 21st I got a phone call that they had made an exception for me, and would pay for my return trip!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!
Needless to say I am running around like crazy with less than 48 hrs before I leave, trying to pack and get everything I need in order.  Making phone calls, cancelling appointments, and making sure that the twins have everything they need for the next 3 weeks!   

Throughout this entire ordeal, I have prayed and asked God for His will to be done, but I have to say I was so stressed, so worried, so anxious... Then I remembered the following Scripture.

Philippians 4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

HE NEVER FAILS!!!

The first week

I am having trouble upload pictures so I'll just tell you what has been going on.  I have been sick in bed the last 2 days.  Some sort of a cold.  It's not easy to be sick so far away from home.  I have to say I am missing some of the comforts of home like cold drinks and air conditioning.  It has been over 30 here everyday.  The kids at the cottage are amazing.  Now that they have found out that I am a nurse, I have been using my skills.  Doing HIV testing, and little things like Tylenol and cough syrup.  I am enjoying this aspect of my work.  I went to the Children's hospital the other day, it was so sad.  The babies are 3 to a bed, they are so overflowing with kids and not enough space or staff.  It's heartbreaking.  I promise to update you more soon when I am feeling better!  On a bright note I have lost 6 kg in the week I have been here!!

BABIES!!!!!

 This is Caroline and Josephine.. 2 year old twins.. Imagine that. 

This is Alima she is one of the older girls in the cottage.  When she prayed at lunch my 1st day she said Fold our hands, close our eyes, thank you for the Mama's, thank you for the Aunties, thank you for the New Auntie.. That's me!! Thank you for the food Amen!

This is the wall in the girls cottage!!

This is one of the girls rooms

These are 1-2 year old boys eating their breakfast.  No complaints, so well behaved.  They sit in a circle, pray then eat!

The aftermath of lunch.  What a mess!

Playing outside !

 This is the interior of the boys room

This is the result of eating by yourself!! No harm done, they eat with their hands.. Easy clean up!!

The men are working on a playground for the children.  Waiting for all the funding :)

Colleen reading the boys a story before nap time.  They ALL sleep 1-3 no CRYING!!

Kristiana feeding Crystal

 So much laundry!!! SO MANY DIAPERS!!

The nursery.  Where I haven't had the chance to work.  Hope is SOOOO stinkin cute!!

All the boys having snack, pineapple and papaya