The Songs, A Community, A Servant

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Parts 1,2, and 3 of my sermon from Isaiah’s Servant Songs.  August 30, 2009

Friends to Die For parts 1, 2, and 3

This is my second sermon at Park Place as Youth Pastor and I think it is also my longest. I don’t know…  Anyway it was a joy to labor over and share with my heart. 

Praise be to God

Community of the Resurrection Part 2

Here is the link to the second part of my first sermon at Park Place.

Community of the Resurrection

The above link is my first sermon at Park Place  (Part 1)

Enjoy

Wedding Bells

I find myself currently sitting in my hotel room in California the day of my best friend’s wedding.  Later this evening I will officiate his wedding, my first ever.  I pray that God will be exalted above all else.  

It’s been a real joy to dig through scriptures and talk in depth to Matt about holy matrimony as his wedding has gotten closer and closer.  What makes this all come together even more is the fact that my wedding is only two weeks away.  There have been a few pre-wedding jitters, but for the most part Audrey and I are just really excited about this next step in our journey together.  

If you are interested in seeing engagement pictures you can look on facebook if you have an account.  

anyway I hope all is well

My first CRASH

Well it hasn’t been the best week of my life in most senses, even though there are many dreams coming true in the midst of some great heartache.  Wednesday of last week I got a hunch to back up my Macbook, which I hadn’t done since I received it in March.  Friday rolled around and sure enough my screen went white and I couldn’t get my computer to respond.  After hard starting the mac and trying everything I could think of the inevitable finally started to sink in.  My fears were realized when I took my mac in on saturday to the tune of “we’re sorry, but it looks like your hard drive has failed.”  they replaced it for free, but it did cost two trips to indy in gas.  

Fast forward 24 hrs.  

It was Monday night and I decided to make a McDonalds run since I hadn’t made myself an adequate meal after a busy day.  It had just rained and it was quite dark.  I was 5 blocks from home and had just made my second to last turn when disaster struck… This dear lady in a tank of a car pulled right out in front of me.  I’m guessing you know where this is going.  I tried to swerve and put the brakes on, but before I knew it I was sliding right into her with a loud bang.  The left front corner of her tank hit my poor toyota right between the headlights.  There were no injuries, thank the Lord… only a stiff neck and lower back today after much stress to the body.  There are pictures attached to this entry so that you might share in my heartache over such a wonderful car.  

In the midst of these crashes I’m well aware there is certainly a power working to destroy, to tear down, to disable…  I stand on what I know to be true: That Jesus is the Rock and it is in Him that I put my trust.  Even though there are times of great trial and heartache, I pray that I might be found worthy of the calling God has placed on my life.  That I might be rooted and established in love… firmly founded in the truth of identity with God.  

GRADUATION!!!!!

check out the pictures above

My Uganda wrap up

Download this to see pics as well… march-25-wrap-up-pdf.pdf

 

 

Family and Friends

Well once again I find my self apologizing for being lax in writing this final update.  The last 2 weeks of my trip and the last 3 1/2 weeks back in the states have simply flown by.  Since I’ve been back, my internships have sprung back into action and wedding plans have continued forward.  There will be more on some of those other things later, but I want to be sure to bring some closure to some of my experiences in Africa.

I think where the story left off was with Audrey’s arrival. After being asked every day by my close Ugandan friends when she would arrive, the day finally came for Audrey to join me in Uganda. Annie and Edrin poked, prodded, and pleaded to be able to be at the airport when she arrived, and so they ended up taking me to the happy homecoming. Seeing Audrey again after such time apart was truly so sweet as my heart in the US was joined once again with my heart in Uganda.  

Not wasting any time, we were sure to make the most of Audrey’s two weeks. She arrived on a Friday night and was quickly put to work on Saturday morning as she taught the TAPP women the basic concepts involved in making journals. (If you’re wondering where this came from you can check out bound4freedom.org) She just melted right into the hearts of the Ugandans as her smile and warm heart were very gratefully received. With only minimal sleep and a good dose of culture shock we continued to immerse Audrey into life in Uganda with a church service on Sunday and TAPP home visits, Kupona kids, and bead making on Monday.  We met these two families below who live in the slums in greater Kampala. The huge gap between the rich and poor cause many like these to slip through the cracks and live on what’s left.  The family on the right sleep 8 people in a 9 ft X 6 ft room.  On the left Grace is pictured. She was a young baby that as you can see has the ability to capture you with her eyes. 

Grace’s father is a boda-boda driver who had an accident only a few weeks prior to our visit.  The wreck has left them without their primary source of income.  So many stories happen like Grace’s.

Tuesday We Left for Rwanda

After a 8 hr car ride to the boarder we actually got stuck in no man’s land (in between the Uganda and Rwanda boarders).  The boarders closed before we could get through all the way, so we turned around and went back into Uganda for the night before waking up early the next morning to try once again to get back into Rwanda.  

This time there was only minimal hardship as our drive had ironed out his difficulties the day before. We drove into through the mountains of Rwanda to the city of Kigali, which unbeknown to us was visited the day before by President Bush.  He and Laura have been praised for their African policies and projects!

It actually worked out quite nicely that we arrived when we did, because we were able to exchange money, settle into our hostel, and then trek to the airport to pick up the Children of promise team we were meeting from the states.  Within that group was Linda Mason the associate direct of Children of Promise and her team of two missionaries (to Japan and China), an 80 year old wonder woman and another now dear friend.  They were the main reason we had come to Rwanda… to update the children of promise photos, profiles, and get a sense for just how things are going. Right away Audrey and I found our place as crowd control for hundreds of children who would arrive in an instant as soon as we stopped anywhere.  For three days we threw, played with, “talked with”, and were driven crazy by hundreds of kids who seemed to be having the time of their life.  We absolutely loved playing with the children, but the language barrier, long days of driving, and overwhelming crowds begin to take a toll on us, until finally I ended up patrolling the van keeping the kids a switches length away from the van. Don’t worry I never hit any kid, but more or less played a little game with them as I would walk circle the van trying to catch the children close to the van.  

The Genocide

I’m still amazed when I think of the cultural diversity that exists within each Country in Africa.  Rwanda was no different as the genocide has had obvious effect on its people.  One our three days of traveling we passed over 15 mass graves and were able to visit the genocide museum.  At the genocide museum alone, over 250,000 are buried.  Since that awful occurrence almost 15 years ago there has been an influx of outside aide, which in many cases has created a stigma around us Muzungos.  The effects of the genocide is also visible in the governmental control which is extremely tight on its people who no longer refer to themselves as hutu or tutsi, but only as Rwandan.  There’s no way to give words to such an event as this.  

On the Left

This was our welcome on Sunday morning at a church where were gathered with the people to lift up one name, the one who had brought us all from our own hardship and struggle for life.  What a welcome we had as the children’s choir sung and danced with all that they had.  What a day of rejoicing it was as we danced together, sang together, read together, prayed together, and learned together.  It was obvious that God was there the entire time.  I was also able to speak one last time in Africa, which was such a joy!  

After church the women showed us the projects they had been working on.  They come together to dye cloth and make soap as a way to provide income and community all at the same time.  Really the women in Africa are quite amazing as the think of ingenious ways to provide income for themselves and the broader community, all this while fulfilling their role as mother, wife, and home keeper.  

We had to eventually say enough is enough and take the crew to the airport to catch their respective flights as we hit the road to try to make it back across the boarder into Uganda before it closed.  We made it to the boarder with only 15 minutes to spare on the Rwandan side and then actually got the lights shut off on us while in the Ugandan passport control.  It was close, but we all breathed a great sigh of relief to have come that far.

The journey back to Kampala was long in a sense of time, but also as I thought about the faces and stories we had just left as well as the faces I would soon leave as my time in Africa was drawing to a close.  Audrey got one more chance to lead a workshop about journaling and then spent one day shopping before heading to the airport that night.  It was almost surreal pulling out of the Stevenson’s compound that evening as I knew the part of my heart I had come back to get was actually remaining there.  

On the way back to the States Audrey and I were blessed greatly with tickets that placed us in the bulkhead for both of our 8 hr flights back.  We spend $22 dollars at McDonalds in Amsterdam for breakfast, but was also able to get some much needed rest in 2 lounge chairs that sat next to each other.  Audrey’s roommate Ray was a glorious sight to see as the reality of being back in the states was sinking in slowly.  

Homecoming or going

My time back in the states has been quite the adjustment as I have faced a more personal culture shock than my last time back.  Last time my culture shock was in large part characterized with an anger about the waste that we abound in.  How we have so much while need so little.  It just didn’t seem right. (still doesn’t)  However this time, since I’ve been back I’ve asked myself time and time again where my home truly is?  

More than anything else I miss the people.  Their smiles, will to live, genuineness, hard work, true joy… oh the list just goes on and on as the faces continually pass through my mind’s eye.  What does the future hold for Audrey and I?  You know I’m not exactly sure.  I would like to say that some day Audrey and I will return to that place of adventure and life, but I also know adventure and life stare us in the face here.  Africa will always be a part of our life together.  Will we end up there for a longer period?  Only God knows… and for now I leave it at that.  

 

Uganda after Lira trip

Friends and Family,

Hope this email finds you all doing well. The past week I have been thinking about many of you as the days have gone by quickly. I wonder what all I have missed and how in the world I’m going to go about the task of sharing or even processing this grand adventure. My nights have become restless over the last week or so because of the expectation of the arrival of Audrey on Friday and the time I’ve spent pondering the questions above. The last time I wrote was over a week and a half ago. There is much to tell so I will stop jabbering and go on with the stories.

We pick up with the “tale of the crocodile.” On Thursday, week before last, we received a call that one of the villagers that works for Tim and Colleen had been eaten the night before. The story went on and we found out that after fishing in the evening the man went down to clean off a bit before going home. He went down to the water’s edge and was taken by this troublesome croc who had already been building its reputation. Tim, Moses, and I pilled in the van and drove 3 1/2 hours to the piece of land that is referred to as “the peninsula.” We carried a coffin and some other things for the family down the road that had been severely washed away. Actually we couldn’t even make it down part of the road and had to walk a spell after getting stuck a few times already. When we reached the water’s edge we were surprised to see the croc just chilling only a few hundred yards from where the man was taken. All of us, feeling the adrenaline pumping crept closer to the shore for a closer look. After it had submerged we all froze as we peered across the lake. Then about 40 ft away the croc came up and splashed its tail, making it very known it wasn’t intimidated by us. It was a large croc which added even more excitement to our “crocodile hunter” experience. (moment of silence for our good friend Steve Erwin)……….. Nothing could been done about the croc, especially by two foreigners, because crocs are no longer legal to hunt. This being stressed by the villagers traveling with us, we hiked back up to the van after surveying the land only to spend 3 hours trying to get our van back up to the main road. A group of onlookers quickly gathered and began to share their input as we jacked the van up placed rocks underneath and of course play with the children . It made our 3 1/2 hour trip extend to about 6 1/2 hours before it was all said and done. Quite an adventure!

The next morning I packed my bags and headed for the bus station. Lira, in northern Uganda, was my destination. This is the area that was most affected by the LRA and insurgency that was taking place only 5 years ago. The plan was that I was to meet up with Rev. Martin in the north and stay with him and his family in Lira for a week. Traveling around to different places meeting the youth, sharing, teaching, visiting schools, and doing home visits. I met Stella (Martin’s daughter) at the bus station and we traveled together the 7 hours across some of the worst roads I had been on thus far. We were in a full size bus that looked like it had taken one to many trips down this road. I was the only Muzungoo on this bus and I quickly learned that in the north were Louo is spoken, “white person” is actually the word Muno. The bus ride alone was quite an adventure as we swayed this way and that while trying to avoid pot holes, people, and other traffic. Every time we stopped people would run from their roadside shops to lift fruit, water, roasted meat, cassava (kind of like potatoes), and a wide variety of other things to the window, hoping to make their money for the day. I ventured to try some meat on a stick which I’m sure wasn’t the best idea, but it looked well enough cooked (probably too much). It was quite tasty though.

Anyway I spent a week in Lira meeting wonderful people, hearing stories of so many who had been displaced because of the war, hanging out with Myla who is a Candian missionary, wondering around the town, and playing with the children! The first full day I was there I played soccer on a concrete courtyard with two of my immediate friends (my age) and ended up burning my feet. The whole week, and actually up until tonight the bottom of my feet have been tender and full of blisters. I was very grateful that they remained closed and painless as most of our transportation in Lira was by foot. Immediately I learned a path to town, a path to church, and a few of my friends numbers in case I got lost . After preaching on Sunday and playing a little soccer that evening we headed to a village on Monday for a special time of sharing and singing. We drove 2 1/2 hours into the bush with a truck full of people to Aloy. We shared with the people, listened to their awesome music, heard their stories, shared a meal, told the children stories, played with them, and then I was taught how to play the udungoo. It is essentially a hard made with raw materials and a few structural modifications. I guess the best way to describe it is a mix b/t a guitar, drum, and harp. They come in all shapes and sizes and sing beautifully together when played in unison. Before I left Lira Rev. Martin bought me my very own Udungoo, a smaller one of course. All the Ugandans are completely shocked when they see me carrying one around and kind of mock and jeer until they challenge me to play it. Their mockery turns to amazement when they hear the one song I know how to play. Then they usually say something to the effect of, “I’ve never seen a white person play one of those.” It is an instrument that is used widely in the village and is sadly on the decline in city churches as keyboards usher in a new era for church worship. You think worship wars are only in your church? Only in your state? Only in your country? Continent? Nope it reaches the whole world as we try to find the balance between the sacred and secular. As we ask questions about what’s important and what the outcome of submission will do.

This short summary doesn’t do my trip to the village or Lira justice, but I guess it will have to do for now. I guess my favorite part about the week was spending time with the family who were so warm and welcoming, and spending some time at Hoffman Primary school. The school is on the grounds of one of the churches there and is filled with nearly 400 students all under P6 (system is a little different). The whole campus seemed to be interested in some strange white guy (me) the two days I was privileged to visit. I messed with them by throwing my Frisbee while 50 children chased it to possible be able to run it back to me. Finally by the end of the day they were beginning to throw it back… quite funny. Some of the children would laugh, some would cry, and some would just stand there. These children have forever found a way into my heart as their innocent smiles seem to never get enough exercise. I want to pick every single one of them up and just hold them in my arms to share with them God’s love and favor toward them. “Let the children come to me” -Jesus This just kept coming to mind as I watched throughout the week all that these children had to deal with. Many of the young ones had to watch even younger ones, some were abandoned street children, many couldn’t afford school fees, some were sick, some were even beaten, and all of them are precious in God’s eyes. I’ll never forget the look in the eyes of each child as we played together. The week went quickly and left a lasting impression as I climbed back on the bus to head back to Kampala by my self. It was 6am and Rev. Martin hooked me up with the bus conductor who was supposed to take me to Kampala. Just after Rev. Martin left the conductor approached me and told me that I was actually going to travel on this other bus. I surveyed the move quickly and looked carefully to see if the other bus was going to Kampala, knowing that I could be in for quite a time. It was labeled Kampala, and so I grabbed my things and climbed unto the second bus. Once traversing the last step I looked around to see once again that I was the only Mouno in the sea of faces that was before me in this crowded bus. It was as though I was in the bus scene from Forest Gump as I proceeded down the aisle. “Seat Taken” I heard glaring eyes say to me as I passed row after row heading to the back of the bus. Finally after stepping over a few people and turning every head in the bus, I reached my seat. It was the very last row, the very middle seat… I sat optimistic kind of laughing about the whole ordeal as people were everywhere packed into every nook and cranny. We began down the dark road as the guy net to me said “I know you.” I turned to see a guy that I have never seen before, wondering what would come next from his mouth. He explained that he was actually one of the chefs from the restaurant a few of us Short Assignment Missionaries had gone to eat at one night. He introduced himself again and I complemented him on the meal. About 30 minutes into the journey we ran across the rain that quickly disrupted what little rest I thought I was going to get. Before I knew it there were people scrambling as some of the windows revealed that they weren’t exactly waterproof. It was an interesting journey as the bus again swayed from one side to the other. On this return trip I found myself being catapulted time and time again from the strangely placed Ugandan speed bumps. I spent some time talking to my new friend, surveying everyone I could, listening to music, praying a lot for safety, and I even got a chance to “pee-pee bush.” (A skill I learned in Virginia when I was a child– encouraged by my mom and her family ) We reached Kampala after 7 hours and got stuck in a major traffic tie up as the rain had caused all kinds of problems. The bus began to empty little by little while we moved 4 blocks in an hour. They off-loaded every one else and I found myself being guided through the crowded muddy streets by an older Ugandan Angel who only had 6 teeth. She walked me about 6 blocks to meet up with some of my friends to catch a boda back to Kasubi to meet up with Colleen. Needless to say it was quite an exhausting day. I was so happy to be back to a familiar place with familiar people as life, even those few hours north was so much different.

It was a great experience and I met so many great people, but coming back to Kasubi just felt like a homecoming as many hugs were exchanged and I was able to show and tell a bit about the journey. Okay… wow…. I forgot how intense some of these experiences were. I think I’ll stop there for now. In the story it is Friday Feb 8th and I’ve made it back to Kampala. All is still just dandy here. I have really appreciated the emails that I’ve received this week. They have given me the encouragement and taste of friends and home that I need to push through these next few days before Audrey arrives. There is more to come about this week’s activities and the journey that preceeds us as we prepare to go to Rwanda next week. Grace and Peace

Love God love people,

Joshua Weiger Proverbs 3:5,6

Ps– some pictures are attached

After STW visit

  Friends and Family,

      So I’m going to try to keep this update a little shorter as I give you a chance to check out some pictures.  I’ve attached a JPEG file that has 7 pictures on it.  All I’m going to do is share about each one so you know what they’re about and then tell just a little about what’s coming up in just a few days.

      Picture 1-> Me playing with some of the little ones at Heritage International School. 2 weeks ago I was able to go for a few days and help lead their P.E. time.  It was a blast! We played toilet tag, we danced, we just had a great time! They were/are so cute.      Picture 2-> The boat ride right after the group from the US arrived in Uganda.  We were traveling to Comey Island for the night.  They were all exhausted after the flight, but we only had a few days to show them so much.  So we got right on the water and enjoyed our time with them so much. BTW the boat ride was almost 3 times as long on the way back because of the number of people we were carrying.        Picture 3-> Arrival snack… when we arrived there was fresh Tilapia waiting on us… quite yummy, even though it was staring at us while we ate .      Picture 4-> Howard Megill and I emerging from our short night in the tent.  The night before really wiped us out as we danced, watched a Jesus video on the Island, and also took a late night hike in the dark (so awesome).  With all this outdoors stuff, hiking, camping, cooking over the fire, and danger all around (only minimal mom) I really felt like a man!  Anyway this is only part of our “camping village” that had 10 tents I do believe.       Picture 5-> My first time baptizing someone! What an honor.  If you don’t know the story check out my blog site or facebook notes.      Picture 6-> Second baptism, I am carrying Grace out of the pool as her clubbed foot made it quite difficult to maneuver. Again check out the story (http://lovegodservepeople.wordpress.com)       Picture 7-> Ester Wafula.  The most beautiful child I have ever seen!  David, her father is the director of TAPP in Africa and is a man that I carry deep respect for.  A good friend and brother in the faith.  His daughter is one of those little ones who just capture your heart with her huge smile.  She seemed to recognize me from the start from a year ago when we first met.  Really interesting.  Tons of fun!      OK so that’s it for the pictures for now.  So here’s a little taste about what’s next.  I’m going to the north!  On Friday I leave to travel to Lira to visit with Rev. Martin.  He is the northern regional director for the COG and has graciously agreed to house me for the week.  I’ll be traveling around for a week meeting youth, doing some teaching, seeing the schools there, and going to some IDP camps in GULU.  I’m really looking forward to getting to hear many of the stories and such from these people who have faced so much in this part of Uganda.  This week will stretch me a good bit as I’m away from the family environment of the Stevensons and have to face some pretty hard stories and ultimately all the processing alone for a week.  Should be a great week.  Please pray for me.  Hope all of you are doing well.  I would love to hear how you are doing!  Love God love people,Joshua Weiger