The Story of Esther

Two days ago Marc and I had the opportunity to sit down with this amazing young lady and listen as she shared her story.  A story that testifies to the goodness of God.

Meet Esther. This is her story.

Esther is the youngest of 7.  Shortly after she was born her father abandoned her family.  Her and her siblings were raised by their mother.  A woman of faith, who Esther often overheard praying to the God of the Universe.  She cried out that God would protect her children and be a father to the fatherless.  Esther didn’t yet know or understand this God, but she knew her mother had a deep faith in Him.

When Esther was 7 she was abducted by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army).  She and 3 of her sisters were hiding in a tree, but she was caught.  Caught because she was a curious 7 year old who was peeking from the branches to get a better view of the men in uniform.  When they found her, she did not reveal the hiding places of her sisters.  Can you imagine?  7 years old.

As I write this I find myself staring at my son.  He is 5 and will turn 6 this year.  I can’t imagine.  I can’t.  I can’t fathom the depth of pain a mother would feel when she discovers that the baby of her family has been kidnapped by the atrocious LRA.  The fate of these children was certain death. 

The first day Esther travelled.  Far.  On the second day, she hid in the bushes and managed to escape.  Again, 7 years old. Imagine the fear of being found again.  The fear of trying to return home.  But return home she did.  The fear of the LRA was a constant companion to those living in her small rural village.  To the point that Esther completed her final year of primary school as a boarding student in Soroti (the town we currently live in).

She worked hard that year because she had the HOPE of going to secondary school.  You see in Uganda, primary school is publically funded.  Secondary school is not.  The options were simple.  Earn high enough grades to qualify for a scholarship and attend a secondary school.  OR return home to the village and be married off.  Esther explained that although it is technically illegal to marry so young, it is common practice in the village.  Many brides are 13 and 14 year old girls.  The sadder reality is that some girls, feeling no hope of a future (because they did not earn high enough grades to get into secondary school) commit suicide. 

Esther’s story continues.  She was chosen as a scholarship student for Beacon Secondary School, run by Pilgrim Africa, here in Soroti.  In 2007 Esther started her first year of Secondary School.  Through her time at Beacon, she discovered there were others students who had suffered the trauma of the LRA and abduction.  She quickly found comfort that she was not alone.  During her 6 years at Beacon, Esther also found HOPE.  Hope that isn’t based on circumstance.  Hope that isn’t based on feeling.  Hope that is firmly planted in the person of Jesus Christ.  In a faith that offers second (and third and fourth) chances.  She found HOPE in the God of the universe.  The God that her mother constantly prayed to.

Esther is filled with joy and thankfulness.  Beacon provided her a quality education and allowed her the opportunity to discover her personal talents.  Based on the gleam of happiness in Esther’s eyes, one would never know she faced such trauma at a young age.  She is the living testimony of someone who didn’t allow her past, to dictate her future.

Esther is currently entering her second semester at Uganda College of Commerce, here in Soroti.  She hopes to be an accountant.

THIS. IS. WHY. WE. ARE. HERE.

“To restore the hope and dignity found in Christ to those who have been devastated by war, poverty or disease.”   This is the VISION of Pilgrim Africa.  This is a vision that we support.  This is why we moved our family half way around the world.  This is why we live in a rural village in Uganda.  “Our work doesn’t bring HOPE.  HOPE is the work!”

Celebrating Christmas Abroad

We have only been in Uganda 2 weeks, but there is a lot to get used to.  A LOT.  Everything is different.  Sometimes vastly different and sometimes just a tiny bit different.  But different.  

This year we will be celebrating Christmas away from friends and family in a foreign country. It'll be different.  Which is ok.  Different isn’t bad.  It’s just different.  I could spend my thoughts and energies focusing on the different.  That would be exhausting and discouraging.  I could be frustrated by the differences.  I could.  But I’m trying really hard to accept what’s different and work within it. 

Before we left the U.S. my sweet friend Christina gave me a bunch of Christmas crafty things to bring to Uganda.  I had found a few things too.  Gearing up for Christmas in shorts, t-shirts, and sandals is a whole new experience for us.  But we are making the most of it and creating some fun new memories, as well as enjoying some traditions we have created as a family.

decorating our Charlie Brown Christmas tree

Making a Gingerbread House

Creating ornaments to place around the house

Some crafts and activities still to come

An absolute HIGHLIGHT every morning for the kids

Regardless of all the change.  Regardless of the temperature outside.  Regardless of our geographic location.  Regardless if we have plenty or find ourselves in want.  Regardless of it all…we know who we celebrate this Christmas season. 

                “Then the angel of the Lord appeared, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said.

                              ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people.  

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born 

             today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 

                      And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby 

                             wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’”  Luke 2:10-12

The Christmas Story

Our dear friend, and security guard, Phillip joined us
 for a retelling of the Christmas Story

Planes, Trains and Automobiles...medics, ambulances and EKGs

Another title for this post may have been “DISASTROUS start, with an Excellent ending.”

Our time in England, as previously mentioned, was excellent.  Although we were flying out on Saturday morning, our friends in England had a family affair to attend and left Friday night.  My friend called a cab company to come pick us up and take us to Heathrow airport the next morning.  We were quoted £95 for the trip.  We had no way to contact the company, so just prayed they would arrive at 7 am the next morning.

We woke early Saturday morning to start our anti-malarials, then finish packing and get the kids ready.  I wasn’t feeling very good, but just attributed it to stress, lack of sleep, and waking early.  As the morning progressed, I just started to feel worse.  Very very nauseous (a known side effect of the anti malarial).

After Marc finished loading the vehicles with our stuff (think 12 pieces of luggage, 2 car seats, stroller and numerous carry ons), I found out the company sent 2 cars.  Not 1 van as requested.  They expected £95/car.  Which was outrageous.  So after holding my ground and reminding them it was their mistake, we settled on a fair price for the trip and were on our way.

Heathrow airport is about an hour away from where we were staying.  As we drove I started to feel worse and worse.  At one point we actually had to stop the car so I could jump out and attempt to throw up on the side of the road.  Not cool!  By the time we go to the airport I was barely able to hold on.

This is where it gets exciting.  The guy who had our luggage quickly unpacked his car and took off.  So there are 12 pieces of luggage on the curbside.  No problem…we’ll just grab a porter.  But of course there was no porter within sight.  The kids are still in the other car staying warm.  I am on the side of the curb with my head in a paper bag.  At this point I am wavering between passing out and throwing up.  The cab driver was mostly patient, but he was eager to get going.  Marc was still looking for a porter.  And it was freezing outside. 

Marc came back without a porter and the cab driver saying he had to get going.  I couldn’t lift myself off the curb, let alone worry about all our luggage.  Marc went to the security and asked them for some assistance.  THEY WERE AMAZING.  They called a porter for us.  As they came closer, one of the security guys saw how sick I was looking and asked if I needed a medic.  After some pause, I said YES. 

So a lovely medic (Sally) rides up on her bike and offers to assist me.  Kids are buckled in their stroller, porter has baggage, and the security have now gone to get me a wheelchair.  We get inside, where it was so much warmer, and the medic does her check.  I can barely speak because I feel so sick.  Any movement and I am sure I will pass out.  Sally, my medic, can’t get a clear check on my vitals because my blood pressure seemed so low.  So she calls an ambulance to come. 

Needless to say, it was starting to get very stressful.  I felt horrible.  We hadn’t checked in and were supposed to be flying to Entebbe, Uganda in just a couple hours.  An almost 9 hour flight awaited us.  At that point we had to consider missing our flight and spending the night in the hospital (and what in the world would we do with ALL that luggage??).  I had an EKG done and Sally indicated I wasn’t having a heart attack (good to know), but that my chart indicated something that was not standard textbook.  Great!  She recommends I get that checked out.  Umm….I’m moving to Africa today.

The story takes a turn for the better at this point. Still dizzy, but I did not feel like I would throw up.  We decided to check in, and if I needed once inside the terminal we could call the medic back.  I stayed in the wheelchair as I could not stand up yet without feeling like I would pass out.  The wheelchair turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

British Airways had us go through the Business Class check in.  It was not stressful at all as they weighed each bag and tagged them.  And our amazing porter stayed with us through the whole ordeal!  He was amazing.  We needed someone to push the wheelchair as Marc was busy pushing the kids.  So BA provided one.  We went right through security (no lines for us).  Then was taken directly to our gate for boarding.  The guy literally pushed me right up to the door of the plane.  What started out as an extremely stressful morning was starting to go smoother.

The 9 hour flight to Entebbe went well.  The kids did amazing.  We even got a small nap in.  This next part of the trip was what I anticipated as being the most stressful.  It was midnight when we got in line for Immigration.  Kate started to melt down.  That worked to our favor, as we were ushered to the FRONT of the line.  I guess at midnight no one wants to hear a 3 year old screaming and crying.

We got our VISAs and headed to collect our luggage.  Again I was feeling anxious about collecting all of our bags and getting through Customs next.  Well the day ended amazingly as the Director of Pilgrim Africa had been on our flight and met us at baggage claim.  He completely took care of us.  We collected all our bags.  EVERY SINGLE PIECE ARRIVED IN TACK!  Then we walked right past customs to friends waiting outside.  Not sure how we skipped Customs, but I wasn’t complaining.

So although our very long day started out terribly, we are thankful for the grace of God as we see His provision in so many of the little details throughout the day.  Our day ended so well and we were all thrilled to be in Uganda safe and sound.

1st stop: England

12 pieces of luggage, 2 car seats, 1 stroller, 6 carryon’s, 10 family members, 2 airports, 9 hour flight, 2 meals, 4 cities, 2 preschoolers…all in a day’s work.  Literally.

We left Spokane, Washington with very mixed emotions.  This process of moving abroad has provided many opportunities to say goodbye.  None of them easy.  But saying goodbye to family is especially hard.  We felt so loved and supported as all of Marc’s family came to the airport to “send us off.”  We boarded the plane with heavy, but excited hearts.  Looking forward to the year ahead and all that God has for us.

We spent 5 wonderful days just outside of London, England.  We have very good friends who work with YWAM and are based in Hayward Heath.  The experience was amazing.  Reuniting with my dear friend, after 7.5 years, was incredible. 

The stopover also really helped our kids (and ourselves) adjust to the time change and deal with jetlag.  England is 8 hours ahead of Seattle.  The first night we all found ourselves awake at 1:30am.  What does one do in the middle of the night, while battling jet lag—watch a movie and make grill cheese sandwiches of course. 

The next day was a write off as we slept in until noon (ish).  But we enjoyed time with our friends and just being.  No agenda.  After the craziness of packing and traveling, it was nice to just rest.

The following day we headed to London and took in the city.  It was so hard to wrap our heads around how old the country is.  Absolutely awesome.  We took in all the big tourist sites and loved every minute of it.  

I suppose this picture speaks for itself

Holmstead Manor, the YWAM base our friends serve on

Just one view of the gorgeous gardens at Holmstead Manor

Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard

Trafalgar Square

Big Ben (tley) 

Westminster Abbey

Tower Bridge

London was incredible.  But Bodiam Castle actually took our breath away.  On Friday, our last full day in England, we drove through the English countryside (awesome) to take in the ruins of a castle built in the 1300’s.  The castle had a moat.  A. MOAT.  Seriously this is the stuff of books and movies.  It was surreal to see it in person.

Bodiam Castle

Saturday we left for Uganda.  There is a story to be told about that day of travel.  Let’s just say it involved a medic, ambulance and an EKG.  Details to follow on the next post (sorry to make you wait).

I know who goes before me

                                 I know who goes before me

                                                     I know who stands behind

                     The GOD of angels armies

                                      Is always by my side.

                                             The One who reigns forever

                                                     He is a friend of mine

                      The GOD of angels armies

                                      Is always by my side.                         ~Chris Tomlin

This song has been playing on the Christian radio station.  I find myself drawn to it every time. The God of angels armies is always by my side.  Always.  I know who goes before more. I know who stands behind.  I believe this in the very depths of my being.  The God that I serve and love has so graciously prepared a way for us.  He has prepared us for a time such as this.  And not only us, but those we will encounter and work alongside in the Pearl of Africa. He has gone ahead.  He has provided.  He IS Jehovah Jireh.  And because of this, I take great confidence that he also will come behind.  That He will protect.  Yes, I battle fear.  Yes, I have worries.  I can choose to allow them to overtake me, or I can surrender them every time they surface, and then focus my thoughts on

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9

We have 11 days left (but who's counting?).  Any given day, or moment, I face the gambit of emotions--joy, fear, sadness, excitement, frustration, impatience, hope.  Marc has finished working at the Seattle office and it is great to not have him on the other side of the state.  We make more sense together, than apart.  

Packing has begun.  I am constantly asked if we are sending a container of our belongings. Not this time.  So the next questions are how do you know what to take and how will you get the stuff there.  I know several people who are serving overseas and they have shared their suggestions, and I have keenly listened.  We will take bedding and some toys, familiar/comfort foods (at least to help at the beginning as the kids get used to the food), kitchen gadgets/knives, movies, and presents (since we will be there for Christmas).  

Our baggage consists of a couple duffle bags, a few suitcases and a few hardy plastic totes.

We are also packing all of our non-clothing items in Ziplock bags.  It will help keep bugs out, once in country, and prevent transfer of smells.  Because who wants chocolate chips that taste like Dove soap?

Lastly I would never have even known where to start if not for this dear friend who came and helped me sort, stuff and begin the packing process.  Without her, I would still be staring at the pile feeling highly overwhelmed.

It's the final countdown

20 days.  Seriously we have 20 days left on U.S. soil.  I am constantly being asked how I'm doing.  The truth....I'm overwhelmed.  I'm excited, but I am overwhelmed.  We spent the last 3 Sundays speaking at churches in Washington and Idaho.  I have a great respect for missionaries who itinerate around the country speaking at different churches EVERY week. 

We have been filling our time with as much family time and memories as possible.  We went apple picking with friends, pumpkin patch with the grandparents, trick or treating with the cousins, and baking cookies  and carving pumpkins with grandma.  I am trying to love these moments and not feel sad that we will miss them next year.  I try to focus on what's ahead and what we will experience as a family, but I am a sucker for nostalgia and traditions.

Even as I get overwhelmed I am so very confident that God is taking care of us and all the details.  We have been raising funds to help us on the field and that has been a crazy humbling journey.  We have received funds from unexpected sources and not received funds from expected sources.  In all of this I give Him praise. He has reminded me that He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  Fundraising isn't awesome.  I'm brand new to it.  I don't love it.  But I do love watching God take care of our needs.  Some people may not take their families to Africa, but they may make a monthly donation to us, and truly are partnering with the work and ministry we will be doing in Uganda.  I am blessed.

Our flights are booked.  We leave on Monday, November 25.  20 days from now!  Even our flights were an example of God taking care of the details. We ended up getting great flights that leave out of Spokane at 2:30pm.  As compared to the other flights we almost booked that had us leaving at 5:45 am.  Who wants to leave at 5:45 am? With kids? And fly for hours and hours?  NOT US!  So British Airways will be our lovely host in the skies.  And we get to spend a few days with my dear dear friend Andrea and her family.  Andrea was my maid of honor and I haven't seen her since my wedding 7.5 years ago.  So 2 kids later (for both of us), we will reconnect outside of London for a few days.  Again, I am blessed.

So what does one pack for 11 months in Uganda?  We are cramming what we have into 12 suitcases (3 per/person....thank you BA for your generous baggage allowance!), at 50 lbs a bag.  I have tried to cover my bases from comfort snacks, bedding, toys and gifts, to the practical of any medicines 2 adults and 2 children might need in a foreign country for months on end.  I am starting to feel that I have "over" prepared.  I just want to help my kids embrace the newness of our culture, with some things that are familiar and remind us of home.  But as I look at the mound of items to pack I feel like it is excessive.  A bit ironic to be complaining about the abundance of stuff I have as I head to a nation that is stricken with extreme poverty.  Once again, I am blessed.

Just a pic from my newest favorite acquisition to take with us...





















Pics to follow as we pack, say good bye and embark on the next part of our journey.

Home is...

***Updated*** (I guess the slides/picture were not showing up.  Here's hoping I've figured it out!)

Traditionally the saying goes, "home is where the heart is."  However I recently read a missionary blogger who commented, 

Home is where you lay your head

I'm starting to get it.  We have spent the last 5 weeks in Spokane, Seattle, Edmonds, and Pasco.  The kids and I are about to make a short trip to Canada as well.  They have done amazingly well with all of the transitions.  We are learning that home IS where you lay your head.

In light of this, I thought I would share a bit about where we will shortly be laying our heads. 

Uganda.

We will be living in the town of Soroti, in the Eastern region of Uganda.

The country of Uganda is comparatively the size of Oregon State

Malaria claims the lives of approximately 300 people a day, primarily children, pregnant women and the elderly.

I (Katrina) will have the opportunity to come alongside and work with the amazing educators at Beacon School.