End of the Lahash Conference-Kampala,Uganda

As we finished our conference on 26th September 2009, we just took some time to pray fro our partners as they head back to there ministries. we were really blessed with the great opportunity we had to share with our partners in east Africa Through our guest speaker Ron and char Holcomb, he was such a blessing to us sharing and encouraging us to keep on sharing Gods love to others through God’s stories by sharing Gods image in us with others especially the vulnerable. We should desciple one onother and encourage one each other just as jesus did.
We also had a session where each partner had a chance to analyze one another on how they keep there financial records. Below is a group of members anlysing the Tenderfeet program finanicial books. We encourage our partners to be very transparent and they were so much impressed with how Tenderfeet keep there records.

We were encouraged with the progress our partners are doing in their organization and the teachings form the conference will really help them in the implementations and improvement that they need to take to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability in their organizations. it was wonderful that partners also contributed with the teachings which was very encouraging also to learn from them.This is Musa a member of our partner in Tanzania teaching on accounting.

Susan Tabia will be visiting Portland Oregon this November for the upcoming Lahash banquet , Dan has been working very hard for Susan to get her Visa. We really want her to travel to the US. So if you could pray for all the process to be successful, that will be wonderful.
Most of our partner have already left,Dan,Erin,Casey,Leisha,Jeff,Christine and I will be travelling up north of uganda in Adjumani and later on in Sudan just to share Gods love with the Children. We are hoping to share the God story that we learnt from the conference.

Lahash conference going well

From Conference2009

(update from Dan) The conference here in Uganda is going really well so far. We've had days focusing on fasting & prayer, strategy & planning, advocacy, and today is on transparent integrity. It's so incredibly fulfilling to have all of the partners here and be encouraged by the stories and hope of the whole crew.

Our two guest organizations this conference are AMCC (from Kenya) and Savior's Home (from Uganda). John, Nancy, and Tim have added a lot to the conversations.

It's really been great having my parents here and sharing in ministry with them. My father (Ron) has been teaching some oral Bible story methods to help the group in learning simple, repeatable theology.

(Susan Tabia and Char Holcomb cooking at the Nsambya Children's home)

Emma Lasu carries Catherine across the home compound.

Tim Bata, Jeff Angote, Cristine Angote, Char Holcomb, Edwin Angote, Ron Holcomb, Casey Schilperoort, and Leisha Adams praying at the conference on Monday.

Esther Muhagachi shares with John Muhika.

Thanks to all of you for the prayers. Things have been really encouraging so far in the week.

Kickin it with the Kampala kids

(Update from Dan Holcomb)
Casey and I arrived in Kampala and are staying at Mama Susan's home (which is also the Nsambya Children's home). It's great to see all of the kids again, although many of them have coughs and have had typhoid recently. Susan has had a variety of illnesses over the past several months, and it's hard to see her so worn out and sick.

Tomorrow people are streaming in from across East Africa for our second regional conference. We'll be staying at a Catholic conference center for the week.

We were pleasantly surprised to see a good amount of the IWASSRU staff here in Kampala. Babiya, Mogga Michael, and Lupai Nelson are all here for the week.

It's going to be incredible to see all of the partners and staff here in town tomorrow! Thanks for your prayers friends - we'll post more in the upcoming days.

The Holcomb's Visit Tenderfeet.

Ron and Char Holcomb (Dan Holcomb's parents) made a visit to the Tenderfeet school. They visited both the Kibera and the Riruta Satellite schools.
They were amazed with the progress that has been going on in the school and the enormous steps that the teachers are taking in teaching the children. They got to listen to the songs and poems that the children were singing and reciting respectively.
Ron and Char Holcomb will be the guest speakers at the upcoming Lahash conference that will be taking place in Uganda on the 20th-26th of this month.

Heading out to Uganda & Sudan

In just over a week's time, Casey Schilperoort (our media director) and I (Dan) will be landing in Entebbe, Uganda for a three week trip to East Africa. We would appreciate your prayers as we prepare to leave!

Our itinerary looks like this:

• September 20-27 - A week in Kampala meeting with our Lahash partners for the second East Africa Lahash Conference. We'll be focusing on one core value each day: Prayer, Strategy & Flexibility, Advocacy, Transparent Integrity, Holistic Care, & Leadership Development. We are looking at about 20 of us all joining together in Kampala - should be a good week!
• September 28-October 8 - Traveling in Uganda and Sudan visiting the orphanages of Sudanese refugees.

We'll be posting updates about our journey here on the Lahash blog as well as on Facebook. Thanks for journeying with us - virtually!

Leisha & Leah leave for Tanzania

Yesterday we said goodbye to our friends Leisha and Leah. They are both about to arrive in Tanzania where they'll be working with our partners in Dodoma. Leisha Adams has been our sponsorship coordinator for a couple years, and has been planning to live with our brothers and sisters in Tanzania for a good while now. We've had several goodbye events for her, one at the Lahash office/home in Portland where shared our prayers and blessings for her upcoming trip.

Her family also put on a Mbuzi (goat) roast in the Newberg area where many friends came to enjoy African, Indian, and American cuisine. Leisha shared some about her plans for the future to the crowd.

At the airport we also said goodbye to our traveler Leah Burkholder. Leah will be serving in Tanzania for the duration of a year. She'll be working with the Home Based Care program at the church and spending time loving, teaching, and encouraging the kids in the Lahash sponsorship program.

It was an emotional moment as many friends and family said goodbye. Leisha will most likely be in Tanzania for a two-year period and has intentions of being based there for much longer than that.

Please pray for both of these friends as they journey and become integrated with the Tanzanian brothers and sisters.