From June 3 Florence and I had been fasting. She ate only one meal a day, after 6 pm, little water between and no tea or coffee. I tried to do a fruit only fast. So I took fruits, fruit juice, water, tea and the occasional soda. We both ate on Sundays.
The fast ended June 30. There were 3-4 times when I lapsed from the goal in front of me. Not because I was hungry, for that has never been the case, but because I wanted something that looked good. It is humbling to learn the limits of my will power, and put myself back into God's hands. Who would have guessed that eating one seeded roll, hot from the oven, would have led to eating 3 more, with margarine and then some bread and beans and rice? Or that simply tasting the batter for a cake I was making would lead to eating a piece of cake and 2 handfuls of ground nuts? Give my appetite a bit and it wants everything in sight. Humbling for sure.
Still, this time of fasting was wonderful. Picked up and memorized 2 scriptures, Rom 8:37-38 and Phil 4:8. Memorization is something I have not done since I was 5 or 6. Maybe this is a new season in my life. We'll see.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Neighborhood news
A lot has happened in the past month.
The building on the big lot across from me and down a bit was halted while people went to court. A family member, aunt to one of my boda guys, had stolen the land title and sold off the land to the man who wanted to put in an apartment house. For a while, there was no building at all, but now the sounds of cement mixer and hammers are going all day..
After the Judge decided that the man who purchased had acted in good faith, but the aunt had no authority to sell, he rendered a reasonable decision. The buyer was allowed to keep and continue building on the back part of the lot. The front part was returned to the rightful owners, who are now preparing to erect a perimeter wall to define their property and keep any others out who might claim it was for sale.
The apartment building walls are going up fast. The front plot is ready for building, if Martin and his sisters decide to do something with it after they get the title re-issued.
Buying land here is a very tricky thing as there are few land titles and most property is not surveyed or handled in clear ways.
Be thankful if you buy or sell land in the States that there are safeguards and things like deeds and title insurance.!
The building on the big lot across from me and down a bit was halted while people went to court. A family member, aunt to one of my boda guys, had stolen the land title and sold off the land to the man who wanted to put in an apartment house. For a while, there was no building at all, but now the sounds of cement mixer and hammers are going all day..
After the Judge decided that the man who purchased had acted in good faith, but the aunt had no authority to sell, he rendered a reasonable decision. The buyer was allowed to keep and continue building on the back part of the lot. The front part was returned to the rightful owners, who are now preparing to erect a perimeter wall to define their property and keep any others out who might claim it was for sale.
The apartment building walls are going up fast. The front plot is ready for building, if Martin and his sisters decide to do something with it after they get the title re-issued.
Buying land here is a very tricky thing as there are few land titles and most property is not surveyed or handled in clear ways.
Be thankful if you buy or sell land in the States that there are safeguards and things like deeds and title insurance.!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Breezes and other good things
I love the church I attend. This 300+ church meets in the Heritage International School cafeteria. This is a large, roofed space with cement floors and cement block walls at either end. On the long sides, there are large openings about 6'x8' high, beginning around 4' from the floor. There are roof supports along the sides, with the wall stopping just below the roof line.
There are no doors, windows or ceiling to this room. If a wind-driven rain storm comes, we pull together more closely, away from the sprinkles that come in. Most of the time there are gentle breezes that come through and the place is pretty comfortable. Sometimes a butterfly will wander in one window and out another, or birds might walk on the tin sheet roof and make a bit of a scratchy sound.
Out any window one can see fields of green, with many types of trees past the edge of the school property line. In the field you might see crested cranes, ibis, ground eagles or kites (who like to eat baby chicks)....or maybe a family of monkeys will come and play while we are worshiping.
When we sing praise songs and the breeze comes across my skin, I feel as if God is touching me and reminding me of how much He cares about each of us. I love my church family...and the space where we worship together.
There are no doors, windows or ceiling to this room. If a wind-driven rain storm comes, we pull together more closely, away from the sprinkles that come in. Most of the time there are gentle breezes that come through and the place is pretty comfortable. Sometimes a butterfly will wander in one window and out another, or birds might walk on the tin sheet roof and make a bit of a scratchy sound.
Out any window one can see fields of green, with many types of trees past the edge of the school property line. In the field you might see crested cranes, ibis, ground eagles or kites (who like to eat baby chicks)....or maybe a family of monkeys will come and play while we are worshiping.
When we sing praise songs and the breeze comes across my skin, I feel as if God is touching me and reminding me of how much He cares about each of us. I love my church family...and the space where we worship together.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Special Day
Birthdays.....just another day or cause for celebration?
In the States, I experienced both ways. Some times, when family was away, my birthday would be just another day. Often, with family and or friends around, it was an excuse for a party or bigger celebration. Like the time Ananda and Shanthi through me a surprise party after work. All the guests came and “got” to clean up the house and the dishes in the kitchen! Was I embarrassed! But the party ws great fun.
Here in Uganda, hardly anyone pays attention to their birthday, or the birthday of a loved one. Many people over 40 don't know their birth date and the records for many old people are gone, if they ever existed.
One of the things I have done is have parties with those closest to me to celebrate their special day and give them appreciation for all they contribute to me and to others. Soon it will be Rachel's birthday, she turns 21!! We are hoping to surprise her with some gifts, time with friends and of course a cake.
Florence is really great at decorating, with flowers, signs and banners. She loves making the place look special and creating something for the person to remember.
What is surprising to me is that people continue to remember celebrating birthdays, even after they are no longer in my immediate connection. Life is precious and definitely worth making a big deal over.
Hope your next birthday is a special one, where others let you know how much you are cared about and appreciated.
In the States, I experienced both ways. Some times, when family was away, my birthday would be just another day. Often, with family and or friends around, it was an excuse for a party or bigger celebration. Like the time Ananda and Shanthi through me a surprise party after work. All the guests came and “got” to clean up the house and the dishes in the kitchen! Was I embarrassed! But the party ws great fun.
Here in Uganda, hardly anyone pays attention to their birthday, or the birthday of a loved one. Many people over 40 don't know their birth date and the records for many old people are gone, if they ever existed.
One of the things I have done is have parties with those closest to me to celebrate their special day and give them appreciation for all they contribute to me and to others. Soon it will be Rachel's birthday, she turns 21!! We are hoping to surprise her with some gifts, time with friends and of course a cake.
Florence is really great at decorating, with flowers, signs and banners. She loves making the place look special and creating something for the person to remember.
What is surprising to me is that people continue to remember celebrating birthdays, even after they are no longer in my immediate connection. Life is precious and definitely worth making a big deal over.
Hope your next birthday is a special one, where others let you know how much you are cared about and appreciated.
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