Christmas '08 Giving Guide Options!

Greetings friends!
Our latest Hope Is Alive magazine is in the mail - and should be arriving this week. It's full of great stories of our partners, a group in Texas that raised money for our Sudanese orphanages, and a note from Esther on her trip to Portland.

Included with the magazine is a booklet with 10 Giving options that you and your church, school, or family can prepare for over the next two months. We've also set up an online page where you can track our collective gifts - and watch how it impacts East Africa this next year.

www.Lahash.net/Christmas08.html

Arrived in Kajo Keji, Sudan

Yesterday we arrived at St. Bartholomew’s Orphanage in Kajo Keji, Sudan in a small pickup truck carrying nine or sometimes ten people, five 200-lb bags of maize meal and beans, three boxes of washing soap, thirty small containers of petroleum jelly, five backpacks, assorted laptop bags and purses, and a partridge in a pear tree! In this picture, it looks like we might be just posing on top of our things, but that’s how we rode the three or so hours to Kajo Keji from Adjumani over bumpy roads.

Our time in Adjumani was great. As I mentioned previously, we had tea with the Thiesens and Jackie and Erin, and spent the next several days handing out school supplies and candy and soap and singing with the children in the evenings. The children at Amazing Grace Orphanage are all school aged, so during the days we planned Bible and health lessons and spent some time relaxing, getting to know the staff, and playing with the kids who had half days.

Now that we’ve arrived at St. Bartholomew’s Orphanage, the dynamics change dramatically. Our living conditions are similar, but the number of children is roughly 3-4 times greater, and they are, on average, much younger. Charlotte Babies’ Home for children aged 0-4 is here, and they have a nursery school on site for the pre-school aged kids. There are also many more staff members, as IWASSRU’s key personnel are mostly located here.

Jose Nunez, who has been living and working here for the past year, will leave today for Kampala, from where he’ll leave for the States on November 4^th. Last night they had a bit of a welcoming ceremony for us at the same time that they were saying goodbye to their father and brother, Jose. He’s been such a blessing to the staff and children here, and it was really touching to be on hand as they said their goodbyes.

Photo courtesy of Teresa Risner, who wants to be sure to send her greetings to the ladies at Shepherd’s Door who are following her trip!

Arrived in Adjumani

After a 5:00am wakeup call, a taxi ride to airport whose soundtrack included some 1980’s country hits, being too early to the airport, a beautiful flight on Eagle Air from Entebbe to Moyo, a somewhat scorching ride in a lorry (pickup truck), a two-plus hour wait for the ferry at the Nile River, and another 45 minutes in the lorry, we arrived in Adjumani!

We were enthusiastically greeted by the kids at Amazing Grace Orphanage and settled into our tukuls. The staff here are Beniah (say “Ben-I-uh”) the caretaker, Margaret the cook, and Wani Alex the night watchman. (There is another cook, but I haven’t caught her name yet.)

It still the rainy season here in Adjumani, as we were reminded as we prepared for bed last night. Teresa and Rita went tothrough. In Portland, much like the Eskimos and their use the toilets, and returned wet clear snow, we have many,

many words for rain, but here there’s no sprinkling or sleeting or showering… either it’s not raining or it’s raining big heavy drops that get you wet to the bone.

This morning we have been invited to visit the Imago Dei Community in Adjumani, the home of Jeff and Michelle Theisen, Jaclyn, and Erin Carkner. The Theisens and Erin are from my (Leisha’s) home church of Imago Dei Community in Portland, and Jackie is from North Carolina. The Theisens have been missionaries in Africa for something like twenty years, and use

their base here in Adjumani to work in Southern Sudan, although not the same area we will be going to. Jackie and Erin do regular work with the children at Amazing Grace Orphanage, and are building relationships with them through weekly Bible studies, songs, and games, as well as occasional fun things like painting the girls’ toes. I really enjoyed my time with them when I was in Adjumani last, and most of the team got a chance to meet Jeff and Michelle when they were in Portland recently for the funeral of Jeff’s mother.

Please pray that we will have meaningful opportunities to connect with the children and staff here at Amazing Grace, and that we will be a blessing to them.

Blessed by friends

Today marked our last day in Kampala, and I'm sitting at the computer with a bag of veggies at my feet that I'll be carrying on our flight tomorrow morning to northern Uganda. We've been so blessed the past 24 hours by the arrival of several friends, both old and new.

The first was Poni Gloria, the girl who is sponsored by Berean Baptist Church. She attends a boarding school for deaf children, and received a special pass for the weekend to come see the Berean representatives. Teresa's love of sign language has made their connection really special. Poni is so friendly, and has such a beautiful smile, she makes friends wherever she goes!

The second friend we were blessed by was Emmanuel Lasu. We'd already spent time with this Sudanese musician, a friend of IWASSRU and Lahash for several years, but he blessed us by serving as the master of ceremonies for the party this afternoon. In this photo he is shown with Yangi Esther, one of the children living at Kampala House, who gave a testimony during the ceremony.

Finally, we were blessed to make many new friends today at the party. They were all friends of Mama Susan's or Emmanuel's, and they were so kind. The guest of honor was Bishop Manase (retired) of the Kajo Keji district. I've heard so many wonderful things about this great man and how he has assisted IWASSRU, that I felt truly honored to meet him. In the photo at left he is greeting the attendees and giving the opening prayer.

We'll leave by taxi for the airport early tomorrow morning. As I mentioned, we'll be carrying on bags of vegetables for eating in Adjumani and packing gifts and more dry goods for eating. Edwin and Christine left by bus this morning, and will meet us at the airport in Moyo with a trunkful of medicine, clothing, and games, as well as a bag of Irish potatoes and onions!

Internet access is a bit harder in Adjumani, so updates will be less frequent, but know that we're all well, and that we covet your prayers!

Hanging out in Kampala

Greetings from Kampala, Uganda!

We've been in Kampala for a few days now, mostly absorbed with adjusting to the time and climate changes, getting tickets and visas lined up for the rest of the trip, and hanging out with the children and staff at Kampala House. Below Lewis and Rita sit chatting with Esther Basa (left) and Mama Susan (right).
We have also been sorting through the bags and trunks of supplies to determine what goes where and when. Thank you to everyone who contributed supplies or funds for the orphanages. We'll only be able to carry about a quarter of what was sent with us on this trip, since we're flying, but I'll carry more on the bus when I return to Adjumani and Kajo Keji in a few weeks.

Wednesday night the children and staff sang worship songs in English, Arabic, and Baari, while we tried to follow along in the song books. (Arabic is easier to sing along with than Baari, which has a letter shaped like an "n" with a "j" tail on it. I still haven't figured out how to pronounce it!) Last night the team learned some Sudanese dances and songs from the kids, and tomorrow there will be a big party to welcome the team to Africa. According to the typed schedule we've been given for the party, there will be "The Word of God by Lewis Kyle" and we'll bring our greetings from friends in the States. We've been asked to share a song, but are still undecided what to sing.

I'll try to update with some photos from the party tomorrow night, but we're leaving early Sunday morning for our flight, so there might not be time. Thank you for your continued prayers for team health and unity!

Berean Team Arrives in Kampala

So we arrived safe and sound last night! We'll update more as time goes by, but we had safe, mostly comfortable flights, and have arrived with all of our luggage in Uganda.

Edwin and I are heading out to pick up the Sudanese visas for the team, and look into the airplane tickets for the team to fly up to Northern Uganda early next week. The team sends their greetings to all their friends and family back in the States. Now I should get off so that they can send their greetings over email!

Berean team heads out

Our friends from Berean Baptist church met at the Portland airport this morning at 6:30 AM and headed off to Kampala, Uganda for 2 1/2 weeks of partnership and service with IWASSRU. Teresa, Rita, and Lewis will be joining Leisha for the trip. Our East Africa coordinator Edwin will be waiting in Uganda for the team. Please pray for this group as they travel. Pray that they will have safety, humility, and unity. Pray that they will be a big encouragement to our Sudanese brothers and sisters serving the vulnerable in the region.

From Berean Team Travel

Leisha and Edwin will be be blogging along the journey - so bookmark this page for the trip. Leisha also is keeping a personal blog as well - so check out LeishaInAfrica

Nickson gets to visit Tenderfeet

Nickson Khamasi is a Lahash board member who was born in Kenya. He has been in Kenya recently for the funeral service of one of his brothers. His brother died unexpectedly recently - and the family would appreciate your prayers at this time.

Since Nickson was in Kenya for the past couple of weeks, he did get a chance to visit with Mama Margaret, the Tenderfeet board, and with our East Africa coordinator. These photos were taken by Edwin on Friday. You can see more photos of the visit in Edwin's photo gallery.

Warner Pacific Students prepare for travel

This November Lahash is excited to facilitate a trip by recent Warner Pacific College graduates - Jeremy and Lexi. The two will be traveling with Leisha Adams and Edwin Angote through Uganda and Sudan. Together we are looking to future possibilities between the college and internship/practicums with Lahash. Please pray for Lexi and Jeremy as they prepare to leave. And please pray for Leisha as she has two trips on her plate and a lot of little details to iron out.

From Warner Pacific

Tenderfeet gets a visit from Australia

Yesterday Craig Garratt from Australia popped in to say hi to the kids of Tenderfeet school in Kenya. You can see more pictures of his visit on Edwin's gallery.

New kids needing sponsors!

Khadijah ("ha-DIJ-ah") is five years old, and lives with her Muslim father and baptized Christian mother. Her mother became a Christian she was diagnosed with HIV and began receiving home visits, counsel, and nutritional assistance from Grace and Healing Ministry of Dodoma. Khadijah has one older sister and one younger sister, and struggles with some asthma as well as other health issues. Her father's job as a night watchman is not enough to pay for Khadijah's school fees and medical bills in addition to caring for their family's other needs.

Khadijah is a beautiful, somewhat serious girl who loves to play with the little girl who lives next door to her. They like to play house with dolls, just like millions of other little girls around the world. I got to visit Khadijah and their family in June 2008, where Adam McInturf took this picture of Khadijah and her friend.

Khadijah needs a sponsor who is willing to pay $12 per month. That $12 will enable her to attend weekly sponsorship meetings where she'll receive tutoring, nutritional and health education, Bible lessons, and affection from the volunteers and staff of Grace and Healing Ministry of Dodoma. In addition, her school fees will be paid and she will receive regular health checkups for her medical needs.

If you are interested in sponsoring Khadijah or any of the the 19 other children needing sponsors, please email the sponsorship director, Leisha Adams, at ladams@lahash.net.

Lahash welcomes Casey Schilperoort to the team

Our team is delighted to welcome Casey Schilperoort to the Lahash family! Casey is a skilled video and media guy with experience in production, editing, and filming. He and his wife Abbe and son Asher live in Portland, Oregon. Casey will be forming a partnership team to support him in this transition. Casey, Abbe, and I (Dan Holcomb) are planning on visiting Tanzania early next year to jump into relationships with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters and working to represent the good work that Grace and Healing Ministry is involved in.

From The Portland Team