The Jinja Tour

the Nile - the source of all life - WATER - it bubbles and swirls out of Lake Victoria then flows through Uganda, Sudan and up into Egypt where it empties into the Mediterranean Sea - it is THE SOURCE ... of power, of life for Uganda and so many more










This fishing village was right next to the Jinja Yacht Club on the Nile and it made me think of Jesus calling the disciples to him - come and follow me, I will make you fishers of men - and it was interesting that this small impoverished village was right next to the Yacht Club - such a nice place. Who was called and why - and who followed - something to think about








"Ting-Ting" is a section in town that Ben referred to as the "Detroit" of Jinja - we journied through what seemed a maze of stalls where men were working and re-working scrap metal to sell. Hard work - a stunning place - many wanted their picture taken










The last place we visited I didn't take any pictures - but I didn't need to - I will always remember those images. We went by the Jinja hospital. The buildings seem nice, family members of the sick were gathered in groups on the grounds because there is no one else to care for the patient. I saw two nurses in the building we visited and I guess they are there to change out iv's. It is the family who washes, feeds, and cleans the patient. We've all been to hospitals and we've all visited the sick or those who are loosing hope - but somehow this was different. I can't explain it any better than this. This is a country of many needs. This was a day I will never forget.

I have pages filled in my journal already but I just can't seem to share those words here - but I CAN share a few images. More soon

Uganda: Adam, Ben, Kym and so much more

These are some of the beautiful reasons I am headed to Uganda. Adam, I pray my path crosses one of yours left 3 years ago. Ben, Kym, Eli, Noah and Bella - what a privilege to work with you and love on you. Bobby and Candice - we're just getting started! The Source Cafe waits - as it has. And the children ... who can resist. All of these things are flooding my heart as we head that way. Just a small glimpse into the lives of our loved ones that we are headed to see. I'm ready to learn ... teach me well!

... Still

Wasn't this what I was saying the last time I posted MONTHS ago ... this is me - spinning, spiraling and moving in and out of ... transition? Well I still am! Yes, I'm in Michigan now and hey, I've got one foot on the ground and in the midst of an unending whirlwind (kind of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz) - SOME things slow enough that I can see clearly for a moment - here are a few captured ones:





In the previous months I have found sanctuary in gardening, tomato toast, kayaking, U2, Josh visiting, and sacred spaces that have been life-pausing and life-giving. So you see, I've seen glimpses of a life. Moments that I wouldn't change for anything. Dear ones who look me in the eyes and know who and where I am. At times I've even felt that time past, present and future have all come together at once - especially on the river. I know what I want. I know I want to dance and laugh and and love and suffer (yes? - yes) and be my best self. I'm just not sure what that looks like - but I keep moving and I feel a change is coming. Whatever it may be I want to welcome it and breath it in - let it come. I'm hoping my next post comes to you from Uganda!

Transition

This is me - right now! There is no better way to say it, share it, word it. This is me - spinning, spiraling and moving in and out of ...

Transition- the transition from school to work; change, passage, move, transformation, conversion, metamorphosis, alteration, handover, changeover; segue, shift, switch, jump, leap, progression; progress, development, evolution, flux.

But, there is a quiet stillness within that tells me I am not alone, God is here, within all of this - what a gift.

Rochester Michigan

Here we come!!! Rochester is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb of Detroit. The population was 10,467 at the 2000 census. The City of Rochester is bordered on the north, south, and west by the City of Rochester Hills.

Rochester has great natural beauty due to the three waterways that surround the city, abundant green space of three parks, and two winding nature trails. Residents can enjoy fishing in the Clinton River or biking along the Paint Creek Trail.

"Rochester", or the "Rochester Area", are often used to describe Rochester, Oakland Township, and Rochester Hills.
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Mark has been named the director of the Resource Center for Missional Leadership at Rochester College (Equipping Missional Leaders for Faithful Engagement with a Changing World). I believe this is a wonderful fit for Mark's passion and vision for the Church in today's culture. I ask you to join me in prayer for Mark and the College as he seeks to serve in this way. Please see his blog post at http://rcmlrc.ning.com/

On the Road Again - to Michigan

The photos shown above are of Rochester College in Michigan.

Mark and I have lived in Minnesota for two years now. Mark has been attending Luther Seminary and taking classes towards a PhD in Congregational Mission and Leadership. We have enjoyed the diversity of life, of weather and of community. I believe we have learned to live more simply while we've been here. There is less that we need in this life than perhaps we thought. We've learned many things that I hope we will carry on to the next adventure in this journey called our life.

Though Mark has finished his class work, he has not finished the program. He is in progress - but timing is not always our own is it? We feel that we have been called to move, and work with Rochester College. We will begin our life in Rochester this summer. We are anxious to join the community there and work to help build and sustain this college.

I am thinking there is no one better to introduce you to Rochester College (if you don't already know) than Rubel Shelly,the President of Rochester College. The following are some of his words "Rochester College exists to engage students in a vigorous liberal arts education within a Christian community for a life of study and service. Students in pursuit of high goals, faculty committed to helping them, and genuine Christian community to bind them together in the process - this is what our college is about.

The beating heart of Rochester College is the campus life of students. Young men and women learn not only history, science, and career skills for the business and professional world but life skills about living to reflect the image and glory of God in the world. As lived here, spirituality is hardly drab and monotonous. Following the example of Jesus, it is joyous, relational, and missional. The Savior of the World loved beauty, engaged the words of Holy Scripture, and showed his love for others through unselfish service.

But the focus of the college is not in the past. We are a forward-looking, dream-driven place! With a diverse student body and dedicated faculty, we are pursuing excellence in business and healthcare, teaching and psychology, athletics and the arts - as well as Christian ministry.

The roots of Rochester College are in Churches of Christ, and its branches reach across all denominational lines. We are non-sectarian in our approach and work to build up the Body of Christ in our region and around the world."

Having learned that we need less on this journey, I hope we will be open to what is really important - to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. There is more to come -

For Earth Day

"I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it."

--Isaiah 41:18-20 (NIV)

We are stewards of God's earth, ruling over that which is not ours. "You [God] made humans ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under our feet: All flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas," Ps 8:6-8.

Let us be good stewards of the gifts God has given us. Let us not abuse, abandon, neglect, misuse or take for granted any of these amazing gifts of creation. Amen