Set Apart: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

There Is More To Africa

Than power outages and chasing chickens
written by Papa Hunter

Two fighting cocks ended up on our veranda yesterday. One was obviously terrorizing the other, who ran behind the wicker love seat to hide and find safety. I jumped up and attempted to shoo them off the veranda and and into the compound next to ours. The weaker bird thought better and sought refuge through the open door into our living room. I finally chased the victor out the front door, but the wounded and bleeding one buried his head in three different corners and under a coffee table ... leaving blood spots on the walls and floor. Not until I grabbed both of his wings and heaved him out into our compound yard did this ridiculously funny episode come to an end.

This experience and the recent power and water outages, that we lived with while the team from Idaho was here, are not what make up my time and give me meaning here in Uganda. They are minor and amusing elements that bring smiles to my face and generate some great stories.

Sarah, Rose, Paul, and Hannah

Hannah, Sarah, and Rose give an accurate picture of what helps define my destiny here in Uganda. No, they are not Africans. They are not here as missionaries. They are three teenage girls from Oregon and Idaho who came to live life with Pam and me for 7 weeks here in Uganda. They leave for the States two weeks from Tuesday. Several days ago, they again reminded us that they wanted Pam and me, along with Nathan and Lainy Robertson, to be intentional with them and mentor them relationally.

Discipleship is not a program. It is not a body of content and information designed to indoctrinate subordinates with personal theological convictions. Discipleship is a mutually encouraging and empowering relationship that results in an intense and intimate following of Christ. It involves giving away all that Jesus Christ has given us, particularly to the next generation regardless of what continent they live on, so that they have a better skill at living life than we ever did.

Edgar, Sera, Jeff

Last night we had the joy of sharing Edgar with these three young ladies. Pam and I met and worked with Edgar in 2004. Edgar lived in the same compound with us. He is now 28 years old and he makes us proud. When he first met us he was filled with selfish ambition to be an impressive apostle to the nations. Today he lives in Western Uganda and works diligently to develop a high quality dairy on a farm for which he has great vision.

Last night he was filled with wise words, demonstrating fruit gleaned from the past several years. He told the girls that there are few people who help sow seeds in the lives of young people and stay committed to them to see fruit from those seeds. He expressed gratitude to the Lord for bringing Pam and me into his life, helping plant seeds in it that have helped him be who he is and come to where he is. Edgar has made the transition from boy to man and become a real man of God over the past 7 years. We delight in the amazing work of transformation God has accomplished in his life.

Love connection between America and Africa

Chasing chickens and dealing with the absence of comforts common and expected in the West are not even side bar issues with us. Seeing the next generation mature, find their identity, and embrace their destiny is what makes our boats float! Hannah (18), Sarah (17), and Rose (16) are well on their way to becoming amazing women of God. The privilege they are enjoying here in Africa is providing them with a fantastic climate for spiritual and personal prosperity. Soon they will have chicken chasing stories of their own to tell, but I'm confident that the focus of their lives will be on discovering and displaying the glory of Jesus ... wherever they are and in whatever they are doing!

To God be the glory. Great things He is doing.
Paul D. Hunter

A once in a lifetime experience

On the 8th of Aug. Hannah, Sarah and I were given an invitation to record, in studio, with the Dove Voice Band. We, along with Papa, Momm, Jeff Kasigwa and Sera Kasonga, spent all day in the studio with the band. I dont even have any words to express how amazing that day was, you'll just have to take my word for it! Here is the day from Papa Hunters perspective.

Getting ready to record

The amazing Producer Adella and Young Serge

Emma, Convio, Adella and Serge

discussing......

Hannah singing the melody with Sami and Robert

Robert and Sarah styling.....

Ready or not here we go...

Sarah and I singing harmony with Robert

Sami and Hope loving Sarah!

We're just posing in this picture :)

Singing Upendo

Momm being cute :)

Praying for Producer Adella

Robert :)

I've never seen these guys so happy!

Serge jamming out.....

Convoi looking very "smart"

Celebrating while listening to the finished product...

Looking back I can honestly say that it was one of the Best day's of my life! Not because my voice was being recorded to go on the album of a band that would soon be famous ;) but because of the relational time that we had with each other! On the way home I laid my head on Mama Sera's shoulder and cried. "I don't want this day to end" were the only word's that I was able to choke out between sob's. I think we all felt that way!!

It was a day that I wish could have lasted forever. It was a day I will NEVER forget. It was a day that only God could have planed so perfect. It was a day I was able to just rest in the arms of my heavenly Father.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

New Life

Last Saturday, August 13th I was re-baptized by Papa Paul and Momm Pam Hunter. Hannah and Sarah were baptized as well. And to our request The Dove Voice band came along. Before the baptism I shared some of my life and the reason for my desire to be re-baptized with the Dove boys and I wanted also to share it with you. I can honestly say that I'm a new person, I died to my old self and was raised up with Christ! Amen!

"I grew up in a Christian home with fabulous parents and grandparents that nurtured me and taught me, and brought me up to love Jesus. I asked God into my heart when I was 3 years old under the conviction that I didn’t want to burn forever in a lake of fire in hell. But I still lived like an orphan. I lived as a walking dead man on the inside for almost all my life. I was baptized by my Dad when I was 12 years old along with several other kids in our church, but it wasn’t significant for me, it didn’t mean anything to me, it was just something that every Christian did and it was cool to be able to tell people that I had been baptized.

It wasn’t until I started planning this trip last year that I realized how much trouble I was getting myself into. I realized what a mess I was creating for myself and other people by the way I was living my life.

I’ve never dated, never been intimate with any boy, I’ve never wanted to get into drugs or alcohol, I’ve never struggled with depression , I’ve never been abused… so the World would say that I’ve never experienced HARD TIMES or difficulties, and until I came to Africa I believed it. Since coming to Africa God has done a miraculous work in my heart. He has opened my eye’s to see the real me. He has used so many people here in Africa…specifically Papa-Paul and Momm-Pam, Jeff and Lyzette, my sisters Blair, Robyn, Hannah and Sarah, and the Dove Voice Band, in a very powerful way to change me….to help me turn my life around and start a new beginning. I want to live now as one who has been forgiven….I want to live like a SON not and ORPHAN. I know that fear builds walls instead of bridges, and I have let my fear build too many walls in my life (that I am now having to knock down)……but, I am God’s child, and I don’t have to be afraid anymore!

Because of my brothers in the Dove Voice Band I feel like I know how to love a brother…….I have never experienced the type of love that these guys have shown me! They loved me before they even new me….and after they new me, they could only love me more! I am SO blessed to have the relationships that I have with these men and I want to take the relationships that I have made with you guys back home with me and build relationships with my brothers in the same way! I cant even explain how much I love the Dove Voice Band, I have taken and kept EVERY thing that they have spoke into my life. They are true, serious men of God and I respect them so much!

I want to live my life wholeheartedly for God not because its the right thing to do, not because my parents want me too, not because its what everyone else is doing or wants me to do……but because its what I want to do! God Is drawing me. He is calling me, to himself, through conviction by the Holy spirit. He want's ME! He has put new dreams in my heart and pointed me in the right direction and I’m so excited to do work for HIM!

So, that is why I want to be baptized…I want to rededicate my life to the Lord….. This is a new beginning for me and I want to give it all, 100%, to Him."

This is the name of one of the boats down at the Nile river where we
were getting baptized..........what a coincidence!?!

Family time before the baptism!

Boris adding a few words of wisdom

Sarah sharing

Me sharing, and shedding more than a few tears

Hannah trying to share

Praying

Add caption

Hugs all around!

Us girls with Momm and Papa

Family picture!!

I have no words.........

It was the happiest day of my life! Glory to God in the Highest heaven!!!

Blessings <3

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Wholehearted

written by Sarah Knight

When people found out I was coming to Africa this summer, the most frequently asked question was: “What are you going to do there??”

Honestly, I had no idea. I didn't have an agenda or schedule. And the people here don't either.

Uganda isn't about accomplishing anything, feeding kids, rescuing orphans, building houses. It's about establishing relationships, about getting to know people, about loving people. But how do you explain that to people in a society that measures success based on achievements and tangible rewards?

I can already hear the same question when I return.

“What did you do there?”

I already know the answer. I didn't do a single, dang thing. God did all the work in me.

I can't take any of the credit but give it fully and wholeheartedly up to Him.

I'm not held back by anything; I have no ties to my old life. I'm starting fresh, a clean slate. A new beginning.

Not having an agenda doesn't mean we sit around all day staring at our feet. We spend time with people, visiting, relating, sharing life togezza. I honestly cannot get my fill of spending time with the Dove guys and Mama Sera's boys. If all we did was with them, I would be blessed and happy. That time plays a big part of our days here (...not enough!), but we fill our time with other things, too.

That's another thing. You never have to kill time here! Our days are gifts, as cliché as that sounds, and to waste them is missing out on incredible opportunities. Our days are fulfilling, rich, full of growth, encouragement, and conversations.

Honestly, I'm starting to get distracted by thinking about how different life is going to be once we leave here and are forced again into the fast-paced American society. It's going to be different on so many levels because it is a new start. I have a new focus and new priorities. I'm beyond excited to see what God has in store for me!

At the same time I'm praying this is permanent, not just a phase or “high”, and that God will continue to change and use me. I'm praying that I'll be willing to continue saying “yes” to Him every single day for the rest of my life. He has laid a foundation of change in me that I know deep down will last and He will continue to cultivate and develop the change. I'm willing to say He's not finished working on me, willing to admit there's still more I am asking Him to change in me.
I've surrendered to Him.

I have to force myself to not think about being back home now and to enjoy here while it lasts. I know the time is going to fly by and it's nearly impossible to not be apprehensive about the future.

But no, I'm in Uganda now. Right now.

And that's what I need to keep in mind. That's all I need to think about and savor.

I'm okay with not accomplishing anything by American standards while I'm here. I'm doing enough the African way.

-Sarah-

Sera's Caring Place

The Caring Place was officially born April 4, 2008. Sera Kasonga, an amazing woman of God whom I have adopted as my African Mommy, started the home with 19 boys that she took off the street's who all agreed that they would give up, begging, drinking and sniffing glue for an opportunity to live in a home with her as their mama. They agreed that they would all go to school, though none of them had school experience. They promised to follow her directions and obey. Sera now has 21 boys living with her.

One thing I want to make clear is that The Caring Place isn't an orphanage........it a home, and there is a BIG difference between the two!

Every Thursday night we have been privileged to join The Caring Place family for devotions and I can honestly say that those night have been some of the sweetest time's I have had here in Uganda!! I love each and every one of those boys and I thank God EVERY DAY for the opportunity to love them, worship God with them and get to know them personally!!