tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88486522619269401412024-03-08T09:41:26.812-08:00Blake's in UgandaBlakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-73639378493933647302011-10-07T22:51:00.000-07:002011-10-08T12:14:48.902-07:00Helping Hands<div style="text-align: left;">It would be impossible to list all of the incredible people who need to be thanked for their efforts and sacrifices toward the building of Restore Leadership Academy. The contributions have come in many forms: hours of prayer, financial partnership, and even traveling all the way to the other side of the world to join hands in the physical work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In July of this year, the Restore construction team welcomed Mike Wire, Kelly and Ryan Sumner, and Eric Ryan. Each of these men possessed unique skills which they employed with rolled up sleeves and willing hearts.</div></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPeDwLRKkrE/To_wCAs8xTI/AAAAAAAAAhE/IIexSC1LA7o/s1600/Ryan%2BKelly%2BMike.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPeDwLRKkrE/To_wCAs8xTI/AAAAAAAAAhE/IIexSC1LA7o/s400/Ryan%2BKelly%2BMike.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661007173966939442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mike Wire, Ryan Sumner, and Kelly Sumner stand over a recently poured slab for the girl's dorm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div>Mike, with a background in metal fabrication, helped design and make the metal forms which enabled for smoother mass production of monolithic concrete slabs for our foundations. He worked with Jack, an Acholi man in Gulu who owns the metal fabrication shop that produces our doors and windows, and who was excited to have the opportunity to work with someone of Mike's level of expertise.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZopSdPpc3c/To_uINrT19I/AAAAAAAAAgo/KfbTomzuM_0/s1600/Drilling%2Bthrough%2BMetal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZopSdPpc3c/To_uINrT19I/AAAAAAAAAgo/KfbTomzuM_0/s400/Drilling%2Bthrough%2BMetal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661005081505683410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike drilling holes in a metal form as Cosmos and Komakech assist and learn</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kelly Sumner, who has years of experience as a general contractor, and his son Ryan gave a monumental effort during their month in Uganda. They lived in the hut on the land, and grew close with many of the Restore construction team members as they worked together side by side.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rC786DLQbRo/To_z3O8cOHI/AAAAAAAAAhk/5Qwk5hf2yqk/s1600/Slab%2B4%2BPrep.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rC786DLQbRo/To_z3O8cOHI/AAAAAAAAAhk/5Qwk5hf2yqk/s400/Slab%2B4%2BPrep.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661011386857961586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Teaming up to lay A-98 metal mesh on foundation 4</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eric Ryan is one of those unique individuals who can adapt to incredibly diverse environments and rise to the challenges. Despite never having traveled abroad, Eric agreed to fly all the way to Uganda to help with the construction effort for 2 months. He had 3 days of training with me before taking the reins to cover a two week period when Shane and I could not be here. Imagine going from the U.S. to one of the least developed places in the world- struggling to adjust to the heat, dust, poverty, and shear shock of the new environment, as you drive a construction truck on the opposite side of the roughest road you've ever imagined to a project you're leading for the next two weeks...exhausted after finishing the day alive, you go home to find the power's out, and the generator is broken, making communication with the states impossible...so you decide to go turn the shower on, and the water is out, so now you attempt to splash the dirt and grime off yourself using bucket water from the bore-hole which your neighbor fetches for you... Eric did an incredible job for those two weeks, and the rest of his two months with us in Uganda. He continues to assist with communications, logistics, and finances from Goff & Dewalt's offices in Gig Harbor, Washington.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PHOEz-ly4/To_uI1X-SwI/AAAAAAAAAgw/wyMTf9tcpb0/s1600/IMG_4058.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PHOEz-ly4/To_uI1X-SwI/AAAAAAAAAgw/wyMTf9tcpb0/s400/IMG_4058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661005092161997570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Eric Ryan hammering away with the assistance of Cherobino</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div>Each of these men would express deep appreciation for the dedication, hard work, and welcoming spirit of the men of the Restore construction team. As I thanked Eric, Mike, Kelly and Ryan for their efforts and sacrifices, without fail they mentioned what a privilege it was to work with the team, and what a blessing their efforts are for the future of Restore Leadership Academy.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHvIyYFeA8w/To_uJD4UrWI/AAAAAAAAAg4/MetILEdDHwk/s1600/Mixing%2Bin%2BProgress.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHvIyYFeA8w/To_uJD4UrWI/AAAAAAAAAg4/MetILEdDHwk/s400/Mixing%2Bin%2BProgress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661005096055778658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Restore construction crew mixing cement for the pouring of the girl's dorms</div><div><br /></div><div>So we're pressing on here, facing new challenges each day, but asking God for the strength and grace to pursue this endeavor He's given us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sf0pT22s4KI/TpAAaCCM7qI/AAAAAAAAAhw/z-rWrCOf740/s1600/Moving%2BCement.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sf0pT22s4KI/TpAAaCCM7qI/AAAAAAAAAhw/z-rWrCOf740/s400/Moving%2BCement.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661025178827419298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrQtKePhuB8/To_wCWrkscI/AAAAAAAAAhM/qHGXizfj_Zo/s1600/Teacher%2BHouse%2BEast%2BSide%2B9-23.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrQtKePhuB8/To_wCWrkscI/AAAAAAAAAhM/qHGXizfj_Zo/s400/Teacher%2BHouse%2BEast%2BSide%2B9-23.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661007179866747330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-73812641130889470332011-09-10T08:04:00.000-07:002011-10-07T22:41:41.425-07:00A Willing Life<div style="text-align: left;">It's been an unbelievably busy 6 months, and once again I find that the time has flown by without blogging. There are volumes of incredible stories to catch you guys up on, so let me start with the first one:</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Joined by my cousin Shane in at the beginning of March:</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRolq_1E-Ag/TmyKVe7_ryI/AAAAAAAAAeo/JXKBAsjrois/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRolq_1E-Ag/TmyKVe7_ryI/AAAAAAAAAeo/JXKBAsjrois/s400/028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651043734129717026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shane in front of our new Hydraform Machine</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">It’s difficult to put into words what a blessing it’s been having my cousin Shane here. We grew up little rug-rats together exploring the Puget Sound at the family cabin, climbing the heights of the Cascade Mountains, and swapping stories of our latest gridiron or outdoor adventures. I’d always known Shane, his older brother Jake, and Uncle Mark to be man’s men- knowing how to tear apart and rebuilt anything mechanical, proficient hunters with a bow, muzzle-loader, bush gun, or sighted rifle, telemark skiers, mountaineers, avalanche patrolmen, sailors, fishermen, divers, dirt bike riders…and on and on… my brother Grant and I always joked that they were born in the wrong century, and had a blast just trying to keep up with them when we’d get together for family reunions and holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I had an idea then, just what a massive impact Shane would have if he were to join us for the construction of Restore Academy here in Gulu. I had no idea though, how masterfully he had refined his craft in the last decade. Most of the carpentry you see in the following photo was done by Shane’s own hands:</span><b style="color: black; "><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHksbFmG3jo/TmyKVj_-DPI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g7lyIJFXDUY/s1600/Shane%2527s%2Bwork.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHksbFmG3jo/TmyKVj_-DPI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g7lyIJFXDUY/s400/Shane%2527s%2Bwork.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651043735488564466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I knew he had been building upscale homes in the Seattle area, but seeing his work recently was an eye opener. What’s unique about Shane though, is that he’s one of those rare individuals who’s mastered something to this level, and yet can just leave it all behind to go pour his knowledge and life into a community where he knows he can make a meaningful contribution to those in need. He truly cares about his fellow man more than his personal success or accomplishments, revealing a character he’s imparting, quietly and patiently, to the young Acholi men with whom he now works. Shane recognizes the importance of learning first to be good men, and then good tradesmen.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be-cavi3Coo/TmyKVrXA6hI/AAAAAAAAAew/-75K9Ct78ug/s1600/020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be-cavi3Coo/TmyKVrXA6hI/AAAAAAAAAew/-75K9Ct78ug/s400/020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651043737464269330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shane, Kerobino and Kennedy pouring foundation #2</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">You’ll find him one minute brick in hand, sweating and dirty, grinning and joking with the boys as they lay the foundation of the school- and the next minute he’ll be drafting new improved engineering for the doors and windows, or patiently and humbly engaging the boys in a teachable moment. It’s a skill he’s developed thoroughly during his 10 years of service as a wilderness guide for kids, and base-camp construction leader at a Young Life Camp in the mountains of Canada. He felt called to use his mountaineering experiences to help guide kids through formative and meaningful challenges and adventures in the mountains- helping them to overcome fears, and appreciate the God's beautiful creation and our need for each other. Shane has embraced the truth that we're given gifts in order to give back to those who are hurting and in need. We can live with much less, hold it in loose hands, and be used to bring relief to the least of these...all signs of the life and sure hope of this coming kingdom...</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AeUJ4T18n14/TmyKVEixD-I/AAAAAAAAAeg/7NLYIMtbz6k/s1600/007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AeUJ4T18n14/TmyKVEixD-I/AAAAAAAAAeg/7NLYIMtbz6k/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651043727044579298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shane and Kerobino discussing the design of Teacher House #1</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">There's an incredible story God's writing here, and amazing people who are being written into it. In the coming weeks I'll do my best to continue to share them with you...</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JV1FVM19ax0/To_iBsvgNaI/AAAAAAAAAgc/IkXd1MI26yI/s1600/039.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JV1FVM19ax0/To_iBsvgNaI/AAAAAAAAAgc/IkXd1MI26yI/s400/039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660991775446152610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-58940652730291629022011-04-15T05:43:00.000-07:002011-04-15T22:17:46.854-07:00Emerging Victorious<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ombGGLWoSkM/TakkTfcBs5I/AAAAAAAAAb0/v-ISz6rG6as/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-size: medium; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "></span></i></span></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSN1L9twWoI/TakkTER0DaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/XYA-ZqIk-UQ/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSN1L9twWoI/TakkTER0DaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/XYA-ZqIk-UQ/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596043921969122722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">It was a monumental achievement. Restore Leadership Academy's boys and girls soccer teams not only won the Amuru District Championships, but also emerged victorious in last week’s Regional Championships. For a tiny little academy of 240 students to rise to this level was an incredible achievement- they are the champions of a Northern region spanning 7 districts and well over a million people.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">The most astounding part of this success is the way in which they did it: with uncompromising integrity and solid teamwork. It is common here for teams to bring "mercenaries" (older and highly talented players that are paid) to help their school succeed. Player documents are forged, bribes are paid, and the resulting games are often violent clashes, fueled by the insatiable desire to win at all costs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUqC6bFmzuc/TakkTozl09I/AAAAAAAAAb8/2zRtqlo37LM/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUqC6bFmzuc/TakkTozl09I/AAAAAAAAAb8/2zRtqlo37LM/s400/IMG_2105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596043931774473170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Our boys facing a "mercenary" from Kitgum District</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Restore’s kids quietly and steadily defeated each of the loaded teams they faced this year, letting their unselfish feet do the talking, and their united spirit the rebuking. Restore's conduct and success sent a clear message to the region: <i>These games are meant to develop children’s character, unity, and respect for each other- virtues that not only lead to success on the soccer field, but also to the kind of leaders this society will need as it breaks free from the corruption and evil that has stifled its past.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSN1L9twWoI/TakkTER0DaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/XYA-ZqIk-UQ/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></span></i></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ombGGLWoSkM/TakkTfcBs5I/AAAAAAAAAb0/v-ISz6rG6as/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ombGGLWoSkM/TakkTfcBs5I/AAAAAAAAAb0/v-ISz6rG6as/s400/IMG_1866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596043929259717522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></i></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">We are so proud of our students, and so thankful for our teachers and staff that have poured love and life into them. It’s already bearing fruit: we’ve witnessed these young men and women challenge and inspire their peers, honor God and their fellow man through their actions, and emerge victorious on the field and in life. I have every faith they’ll continue to lead their families and communities into a brighter future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TO57Vhcz_1k/TakkT3aBe6I/AAAAAAAAAcE/iUPk2COcJag/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TO57Vhcz_1k/TakkT3aBe6I/AAAAAAAAAcE/iUPk2COcJag/s400/IMG_1944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596043935693765538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-63848454837250775272011-01-31T09:30:00.001-08:002011-02-05T05:39:01.002-08:00Land Title for our "Promised Land"<div style="text-align: left;">After three years of toil, and an incredible amount of patience and persistence, Restore Leadership Academy finally has it's land. John emerged from the Ministry of Lands office 1 week ago with title in hand, one of the only official land titles in Amuru District. Land is an incredibly difficult issue in Northern Uganda, and we've been able to greatly assist the district in building it's administrative infrastructure in order to get it done. It's a remarkable achievement, a tribute to John's steadfast resolve, and God's providence.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0Dq_RgIdI/AAAAAAAAAa0/Wrlm03I3QQk/s1600/John%2527s%2BTitle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0Dq_RgIdI/AAAAAAAAAa0/Wrlm03I3QQk/s400/John%2527s%2BTitle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570112351201403346" /></a><br /><div>Upon returning to Gulu, we jumped on the bikes and headed to the future home of the school- it felt like entering the Promised Land. There's something about toiling at a task for three years, which makes it so meaningful to finally complete. It feels like relief. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0AyClgx8I/AAAAAAAAAas/AqCY4kp6tb4/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0AyClgx8I/AAAAAAAAAas/AqCY4kp6tb4/s400/IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570109173814839234" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a video of John and I on that day, riding past our water well toward the future entrance of the school campus...almost all of the land you can see in the video is part of our 40 acres...</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19592638" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/19592638">"Promised Land"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3730269">Blake Gaskill</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div>I can feel the page turning, see the fresh ink of this new chapter, the building of the school. You educators can smile with me, anticipating the ways this school will enrich the lives of children in this community for generations to come. This will be one of the few secondary schools in war-ravaged Amuru District, where the need is desperate: yesterday we had over 100 applicants for 30 spots in our freshman class. Restore Leadership Academy will be a launching point for so many amazing young people, the training ground for young men and women of virtue who will go on to write the future of Uganda. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU1SUTQbSSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/gHIPnrK0sGs/s1600/girls.uniforms-300x225.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU1SUTQbSSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/gHIPnrK0sGs/s400/girls.uniforms-300x225.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570198822847203618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been overwhelming how God's woven our stories together to bring us to this point, and He continues to call amazing people to join in this inspiring journey. It feels right, it feels like the time, and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0AyClgx8I/AAAAAAAAAas/AqCY4kp6tb4/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg"></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0Ax5SS5MI/AAAAAAAAAak/J6O7oVtOOOg/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TU0Ax5SS5MI/AAAAAAAAAak/J6O7oVtOOOg/s400/IMG_0539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570109171318318274" /></a></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-31409583627423822562011-01-15T07:44:00.000-08:002011-01-15T10:40:42.977-08:00Nebbi Wells a Success!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8.33333px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHYMxB7RMI/AAAAAAAAAZY/bLmid-PJKCs/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHYMxB7RMI/AAAAAAAAAZY/bLmid-PJKCs/s400/IMG_0414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562464728610718914" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Hello all!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here'</span>s a summary how things turned out with the wells in Paidha, Nebbi District on the border of<span class="Apple-style-span" > Congo: (it's a little technical, but perhaps nice change of pace from the normal blog diction)</span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Well #1<span> </span><span></span>named “God Given” by the local community</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHn9VNRi2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/PPwjHVHwUS8/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHn9VNRi2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/PPwjHVHwUS8/s400/IMG_0309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562482055630130018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Location:<span> </span>Two hills (10 minute walk</span>) away from Sister’s Cathedral, a site chosen by her trusted Brother for good community access. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Diameter: 5”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Total Depth: 33’</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pump set at 31’ (12” above gravel pack)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Feet of water: 12</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Notes:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had the well down to 39 feet, but made the mistake of pumping out the well to try to reduce hydrolock that was causing us to lose loads out of the auger.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ended up collapsing the well to 33’, and at the time our 6” casing hadn’t arrived, so we set the pump at 31’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lesson learned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After two days of pumping, the water has clarified, but is still slightly cloudy from sand particles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The well cannot be pumped dry.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHWimb2YJI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/rB04OUYgWhc/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHWimb2YJI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/rB04OUYgWhc/s400/IMG_0355.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562462904700526738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><o:p><br /></o:p></div> <p class="MsoNormal">Well #2<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(not yet named)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHmGyyYL2I/AAAAAAAAAaI/LRn33Ol4BxQ/s1600/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B028.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHmGyyYL2I/AAAAAAAAAaI/LRn33Ol4BxQ/s400/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562480019165949794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></p><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">Location: Down the hill from Sister’s Cathedral, located in a cassava field owned by Sister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s about 150 feet away, uphill from the open water stream.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Diameter: 6” to 45’, then 5” to 53’</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Total Depth: 53’</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pump set at 48’</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Feet of water: 25</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Notes:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Drilled with 6” to 45’, tried to get 6” casing down, but had to widen hole with bailing wire tied around auger.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally drove<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>6” casing down to 45 feet (with an upside down table, 1000lbs of gravel pack, and Bitek and I jumping on top- photo coming…) Set 4” casing down to 52’, then put 6” large gravel, followed by 2’3” gravel pack, bringing the level to the 50’3” depth mark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Set the pump a bit high because we had 4” of sediment settle in the well overnight, and wanted to play it safe (we also have 25 feet of water in good aquifer, and don’t anticipate being able to pump it dry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After pumping for a few hours, the clay cleared, and only the cloudiness from the sand particles remains.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Due to time constraints, we weren’t able to measure recharge rate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is the location on which Sister plans to build a medical clinic, so we’re hoping that this well may clarify with time, and perhaps even support a solar pump sometime in the future.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.6667px; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHYNEYdAiI/AAAAAAAAAZg/SKSCeL-MA3s/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHYNEYdAiI/AAAAAAAAAZg/SKSCeL-MA3s/s400/IMG_0380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562464733805478434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Local youngsters helping out with the pipes</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHZ_Y3p8XI/AAAAAAAAAZo/01Z2cjniNc8/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHZ_Y3p8XI/AAAAAAAAAZo/01Z2cjniNc8/s400/IMG_0368.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562466697810145650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;">Brick and concrete foundation</div><p class="MsoNormal">We sure learned a ton about the fine art of working delicately in unstable layers, and about the importance (and challenge!) of using 6” casing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We’ve gone with a taller tripod, and 20-24 feet tubing sections for quicker transitions (and also due to a dearth of viable square to round end pieces!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After pouring bleach, and leaving the first well for two days, the locals have already begun using the well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has not cleared entirely of sand yet, but is already so much more pure than the muddy stream that it’s the best option, and the community is happy with it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We expect the water to become completely clear within a week or so, but regardless, the water should be free of the typhoid and other diseases currently wreaking havoc on the community members’ health.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHa0dMFMmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/ePHEf8a5B3g/s1600/IMG_0334.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHa0dMFMmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/ePHEf8a5B3g/s400/IMG_0334.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562467609502626402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.6667px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHlVQGthVI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/jhlyonnPpG8/s1600/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B011.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHlVQGthVI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/jhlyonnPpG8/s400/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562479168042403154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Still thirsty?... a couple of videos:</p><p class="MsoNormal">Pumping Water...</p></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybHmUO37OM53BAFmT6Wbz9Rag69e29C6g7J3J4RcgK6TZ1KALXHI0eBSq3hJ80y-OE0OaRSgXYPI3FwjOX6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Down Through the Layers...</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxbNCvoii-JpcBaHWf4Ch1vRWPnCAFPmjelmSEgXfPeK1cBqyc06u2d8_LvSPxidte0LvhV1oU3S__LsROVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHmGaKbZtI/AAAAAAAAAaA/G2wtAusQawM/s1600/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B031.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TTHmGaKbZtI/AAAAAAAAAaA/G2wtAusQawM/s400/Nebbi%2BWell%2B2%2BDay%2B6%2B031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562480012555937490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">A well deserved rest.</div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-14087865439772200202011-01-02T01:51:00.000-08:002011-01-02T03:08:00.857-08:00Happy New Year from Congo!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">We spent New Year's Eve bouncing (literally) in the back of a truck from Gulu to a town called Paidha on the border of Congo. The journey took 9 hours, but the team (Kaben Kramer, myself, and 6 of the Young Men Drilling team of Restore Water) held tough, arriving at 1:00AM. I chased the truck on my Honda 250 dirt bike (Roxanne- the double Soul Safarian is still going strong!) Kaben's got a bruised tailbone, but you won't find him whining... he's been grinning the whole time- he lives for this kind of mission. Kaben is a water engineer from California, who arrived last week with his wife Jenn to lend a hand and some expertise to Restore Water's team. Jenn is connecting with the women leading Purse of Hope, and pouring into the girls' lives. It's a blessing to have them with us, and they're planning to move back here permanently in May!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBWAcJmD2I/AAAAAAAAAYo/-M4Mel7KNyQ/s1600/IMG_0291.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBWAcJmD2I/AAAAAAAAAYo/-M4Mel7KNyQ/s400/IMG_0291.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557536505731616610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Back to Paidha... the water situation is the worst I've seen, with people walking great distances to gather from dirty streams. The few wells that we have seen are either broken, contaminated, or locked with owners insisting on payment for water. After scouting for a half day around the area (including a quick walk into Congo), we selected our first drilling site, around 200 ft from the stream, on the downhill slope of one of the hills near town. The distance from the stream, and the lack of nearby latrines provides the best chances we've seen thus far from having a clean source of water. Here's a quick video of Kaben near one of the dirty streams:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.6667px; "><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWUmKPMUOLHo8cqHYEP0eoFD3xCGZ4J3LT9hzydnFe_l87hgGBVckGTu8GebWpnAKHLtnvY1dE4TmWmmAd' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaIG555qI/AAAAAAAAAY4/M1Zl6GInR2U/s1600/Nebi%2BWells%2B010.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaIG555qI/AAAAAAAAAY4/M1Zl6GInR2U/s400/Nebi%2BWells%2B010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557541035514128034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaH8gN5LI/AAAAAAAAAYw/_rkS4kzyG-0/s1600/Nebi%2BWells%2B008.JPG"><br /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We hit rock with the 6" auger at 15 feet depth yesterday, and battled it for the afternoon, calling it quits at dusk. Today we managed to dig around the rock with the 2" auger, and then proceed down with the 5" auger, to 25 feet, where we were thrilled to hit water! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaIPspF9I/AAAAAAAAAZA/28VOviJh2ck/s1600/Nebi%2BWells%2B032.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaIPspF9I/AAAAAAAAAZA/28VOviJh2ck/s400/Nebi%2BWells%2B032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557541037874419666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The people of Paidha have been so overwhelmingly welcoming... and surprised to see Muzungus (white people), as it's extremely rare for whites to reach this town- we haven't seen a single one since leaving Gulu. It's been fun playing with the little kids who come up running and yelling (mundu, mundu! - the local word for white person). You get every possible reaction you can imagine, from standing stunned and dropping things, to smiling with delight and running up to shake hands, laughing with friends nearby at the rare sight. The babies and young ones are especially fun, usually either bursting out in fearful tears, or staring wide-eyed with wonder and smiles. They're learning quite a bit about us too... like what a sunburn is!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzRtG9E82li4h11JqGVjODr-Db7oH7eYu2b0qs_VIZV8jsp8lfVPCtjqVleMy8LmHJjTR87arZoUrlCQnHrCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're praying for these two wells, that we might have success, and perhaps pave the way for much needed attention to clean water in this area. The truth is, in our journey from Gulu we passed nearly 200 kilometers of places with great need for water, which has been overwhelming and daunting for Kaben and I. Such immense need... but we're looking for strength, and grateful for each step...</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.6667px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaH8gN5LI/AAAAAAAAAYw/_rkS4kzyG-0/s1600/Nebi%2BWells%2B008.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TSBaH8gN5LI/AAAAAAAAAYw/_rkS4kzyG-0/s400/Nebi%2BWells%2B008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557541032722031794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-59088230560802791702010-12-16T00:07:00.000-08:002010-12-16T01:16:40.213-08:00Do you guys believe in Lions?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnMED190KI/AAAAAAAAAXw/fyg1PhqpvoI/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnMED190KI/AAAAAAAAAXw/fyg1PhqpvoI/s400/076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551192385834045602" /></a></span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 115%; ">We sure had a blast hanging out with John's folks, Dave and Janet Niemeyer, during their recent visit here to Uganda. The Niemeyers were kind enough to let me tag along on their adventures, which included an amazing safari through Murchison Falls National Park. It was absolutely gorgeous as we made our way though mud, muck, sand, grasslands, and bogs... and we were fortunate enough to see giraffe, warthogs, gazelle, monkeys, water buffalo, countless birds, and even a leopard and lion. The Niemeyers shot the following pictures from our Land Cruise</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">r (in addition to that picture of the lion, which was resting after having killed a gazelle that we saw nearby):</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnMeEu8_LI/AAAAAAAAAX4/D69KDYfDpl0/s1600/068.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnMeEu8_LI/AAAAAAAAAX4/D69KDYfDpl0/s400/068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551192832749665458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></p><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnM1j2K4ZI/AAAAAAAAAYA/pKAC7kMqb7Q/s1600/069.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnM1j2K4ZI/AAAAAAAAAYA/pKAC7kMqb7Q/s400/069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551193236238426514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnNpz-R9LI/AAAAAAAAAYI/C1Wj9cQk_OE/s1600/085.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnNpz-R9LI/AAAAAAAAAYI/C1Wj9cQk_OE/s400/085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551194133920609458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnN8TiC7eI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Ab324o3JvrY/s1600/093.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnN8TiC7eI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Ab324o3JvrY/s400/093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551194451629764066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I'm heading back up to Gulu tomorrow on my (Shane's really) recently fixed Honda XLR200. Just a small tweak to the fuel/air mixture in the carburetor and she'll be good to go...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 13.3333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnTovIyZFI/AAAAAAAAAYY/EHqiurfynkk/s1600/511.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TQnTovIyZFI/AAAAAAAAAYY/EHqiurfynkk/s400/511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551200712512398418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">It'll be nice to have wheels again around Gulu. The wells in Attiak were completed successfully, so we'll be scouting out the next project to complete before Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, we've been trying to play as much Christmas music as possible to get in the spirit! (Otherwise, with the weather we have around here, you'd never know it's mid December!)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Much love from Uganda~</span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">B.</span></span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-33202159646734929942010-12-02T04:30:00.000-08:002010-12-02T09:48:08.828-08:00Drilling wells in Attiak<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div>I'm writing to you from a closet, plugged into solar power at the Catholic Mission in Attiak, Uganda. Restore Water team (comprised of 6 students and a teacher) and I are here, in hot, dusty Attiak near the border with Sudan, drilling wells for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j3kLa4k9l0">Sister Rosemary</a>. She's one of the most amazing people I've had the honor of knowing. (Click on her name to see a deeply moving CNN's Heroes video of her story). She's been a wonderful friend to John and I, and we live just down the road from her tailoring center that can be seen in the video.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://water4.org/?page_id=2">Water4</a>, (you should click on the video at that link) another incredible organization working to improve access to clean water around the world, came to Gulu in May last year with Adrian Peterson, Tommy Harris, Mark Clayton, Roy Williams, and friends with <a href="http://prosforafrica.com/">Pros for Africa</a>. Water4 taught us a new system of inexpensively drilling wells, drilled the first well on our new land for Restore Academy, and donated a complete set of tools which we are continuing to use to bring clean water to friends and the local community. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfQORcdwvI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/lAld2fIOvt0/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfQORcdwvI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/lAld2fIOvt0/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546130409749594866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfQORcdwvI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/lAld2fIOvt0/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The Pros also held a sports clinic with the students of Restore Academy, a day they won't soon forget! We joined the Pros, Water4, and Sister Rosemary for many of these joint activities which occurred during their trip last year. We're blessed to have such an amazing community, and look forward to their return next March!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfPz38CdlI/AAAAAAAAAXI/K_NBu3W8nGo/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfPz38CdlI/AAAAAAAAAXI/K_NBu3W8nGo/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546129956226102866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfPz38CdlI/AAAAAAAAAXI/K_NBu3W8nGo/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG"></a></span><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Back to Attiak... I'm still sweating in the closet... I learned when I was first here in 2008 that you simply have to let yourself sweat and stink. I nearly drove myself crazy with anxiety at first, as sweating in the States usually means something is wrong (either the air conditioning isn’t working, or you’re wearing too many clothes!). I’m just getting ready to head back to the well, have to bring the guys some oil for the pulleys, but I wanted to pass along a little piece I wrote this morning:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The dust billowed forth as the pickup jostled along the potholed road to Attiak yesterday, pipes and poles bouncing along, red marking rag flapping in the wind. The Young Men Drilling Team of Restore Water, grinning with eagerness, made their way north to strike water once more.</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYMbpybwI/AAAAAAAAAXY/OW8yoEzZ6yU/s1600/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B004%2Bsmall.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYMbpybwI/AAAAAAAAAXY/OW8yoEzZ6yU/s400/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B004%2Bsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546139174223113986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYMbpybwI/AAAAAAAAAXY/OW8yoEzZ6yU/s1600/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B004%2Bsmall.jpg"></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The journey began eight months ago, as the men from Water4 made their way to Gulu and into our lives. A promising new chapter was opened that day, in this redemptive story being lived out in Northern Uganda. Years of war and unspeakable violence have beset this land and its people for decades, and yet hope shines forth in God's providence. You can see it in their faces, hear it in the laughter of children, feel it in the cool cleansing water pouring forth from this healing land.</span></span></i></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYcr0S_HI/AAAAAAAAAXg/XwfJnJFwaSM/s1600/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B029%2Bsmall.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYcr0S_HI/AAAAAAAAAXg/XwfJnJFwaSM/s400/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B029%2Bsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546139453440064626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYcr0S_HI/AAAAAAAAAXg/XwfJnJFwaSM/s1600/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B029%2Bsmall.jpg"></a></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I awoke this morning to the glimmer of the day’s first light, and the sound of the boys rustling on their dusty clothes. Without a thought of breakfast, we made our way to the drilling site. We stomped the tall grass, offered up prayer, and turned our heads heavenward as the tripod and our hopes rose to meet God’s glowing dawn sky.</span></span></i></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 13.1944px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYv7KXVoI/AAAAAAAAAXo/fsxLrLhtcCA/s1600/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B038%2Bsmall.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TPfYv7KXVoI/AAAAAAAAAXo/fsxLrLhtcCA/s400/Uganda%2BNov.%252710%2B038%2Bsmall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546139783976670850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></i></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; "><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We’re at 9 feet now, and the 5” auger has been pulling up full loads of yellow-brown clay. I wish you were with us to hear the squeaking of the pulleys, the clicking of the sailing winch, the laughter of the boys as they yell out “Telu! Telu!” (Pull! Pull!)</span></span></i></p><p></p></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-28591010322911080342010-11-25T12:21:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:31:28.971-08:00Back in Uganda...<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzs4MHvFGeo2OauR40JCWiqPXTtACvge-Mt4aZNcKwFQkRe-diQkef3DW0me11wgSFQ5ReHUIGoQSslkivP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>TO SEE THE VIDEO IN BETTER QUALITY, <a href="http://www.twitvid.com/NZJUF">CLICK HERE</a></div><div><br /></div><div>More to come soon...</div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-23894216420343895772010-10-27T21:42:00.000-07:002010-10-27T22:50:02.757-07:00Autumn Days~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The leaves are bursting with red, orange and gold, and the morning air is turning crisp~ Autumn has arrived in all its splendor, my first since 2007. It's been delightful~ bro's comforting soups, football with friends, and that faint smell of smoke in the air from wood stoves finding flame once more. The homes are warm and cozy, and the mountains resplendent in their white winter coats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the rain on Saturday morning, my Aunt Debbie and I squeezed one more riding day out of the season, as we rolled along the Sandy River Gorge up the Historic Highway to Crown Point.</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TMkCVHR8zPI/AAAAAAAAAWE/sHpf-Ew_huM/s400/010.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532956178956209394" /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TMkCVdE8mDI/AAAAAAAAAWM/uhUKOTH02_4/s400/033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532956184807249970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I've been managing to keep pretty busy working odd jobs, enjoying the season and bouncing around with family and friends. I've also gotten to do a bit of house and dog sitting; my running buddy Lucy:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TMkIsINOvzI/AAAAAAAAAWU/mraTE5N27Yg/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532963171411607346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; ">Fall in the northwest... a familiar comfort~</span></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-5600963220140892542010-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:002010-09-30T20:57:49.242-07:00Wait what? A year went by?!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Well it's been more than a year since may last post... not that I'm a procrastinator or anything...</div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided to begin writing again, to share some of the incredible events of the last year. The truth is I've intended to, but haven't been disciplined enough to actually sit down and reflect...it's time to blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking of walking through the events of the last year chronologically, I've decided instead to give a bit of an overview, and then just fire off posts of events as I remember them- perhaps a little life lesson here, or funny anecdote there, a story about almost being trampled by elephants in the jungle during a 4000 mile motorcycle <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=195360734886&ref=ts">Soul Safari</a>... that sort of thing... so the posts may be a little sporadic and random, but hopefully organic :) Please feel free to share thoughts and comments, as the fun part's sharing the journey and reflections!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Brief Recap:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Sigh, deep breath... ready to read a novel? Me neither, so I'll keep it short... promise :) (tangent: Every time I use an emoticon I hear <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqSBZ8Xsjiw">Lance Armstrong's</a> voice in my head saying, "men over 30 should not use emoticons" :0 </div><div><br /></div><div>The plane lifted off in September, the warm northwest summer still aglow. A stop in Chicago to meet up with Kristen, the founder of <a href="http://www.purseofhope.org/">Purse of Hope</a>, then off to Uganda... </div><div><br /></div><div>It's absolutely impossible to express the love, pain, joy, and redemption I experienced during the establishment of Purse of Hope in Uganda over the last year. It's really best you just check out the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Purse-of-Hope-NFP/151054414448?ref=ts">Purse of Hope Facebook page</a>, where hundreds of people are cheering the girls on, offering support, and keeping up to speed with the awesome photos, videos, and news updates. You'll want to laugh, cry, and maybe even dance... :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's just start with that... a beautiful story...</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVWWoXBLZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/PkHRMneHXtM/s400/Kristen+%26+Stella.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522915464830856594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVW2acQXrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/d4TAf_Du7v0/s1600/Stella.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVW2acQXrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/d4TAf_Du7v0/s400/Stella.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522916010850541234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRICQk2I/AAAAAAAAAVM/8QoCtlskxNM/s1600/skype+with+gulu.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRICQk2I/AAAAAAAAAVM/8QoCtlskxNM/s400/skype+with+gulu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522916469766132578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRrYceRI/AAAAAAAAAVc/nqVIUBnx83M/s1600/Shiraz+and+Blake.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRrYceRI/AAAAAAAAAVc/nqVIUBnx83M/s400/Shiraz+and+Blake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522916479254427922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRVl5rWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/PpinqwlT5bI/s1600/Bwaise+Girls.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/TKVXRVl5rWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/PpinqwlT5bI/s400/Bwaise+Girls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522916473405287778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-60206708716079850382009-08-03T12:51:00.001-07:002009-08-12T20:29:56.288-07:00Back in the GameFor the last 7 months, my world has seemed to "revolve around my <span style="font-style: italic;">heal</span>"...(pun intended)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRgvEBjNI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/l0_Vtsr7P_U/s1600-h/IMG_2358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRgvEBjNI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/l0_Vtsr7P_U/s400/IMG_2358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369224803586772178" border="0" /></a>...and after dozens of doctor and physical therapy appointments, and countless hours in the gym, the pool, on the bike, and most recently jogging on the treadmill (albeit slowly and painfully)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRhcff2nI/AAAAAAAAARA/aueyRSgyPFY/s1600-h/IMG_2361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRhcff2nI/AAAAAAAAARA/aueyRSgyPFY/s400/IMG_2361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369224815781599858" border="0" /></a>it works again!<br /></div><br />Thanks to the steadfast support of my family, friends, Dr.s, PTs, and the folks at Restore, my recovery has resulted in, (Dr.'s words) "as positive an outcome as I could have hoped for." Thanks guys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRjL0uLeI/AAAAAAAAARQ/EfEuBiyjDUY/s1600-h/IMG_2323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRjL0uLeI/AAAAAAAAARQ/EfEuBiyjDUY/s400/IMG_2323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369224845666954722" border="0" /></a>Nana and I enjoying a lunch in Cascade Locks<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRjgncSLI/AAAAAAAAARY/66JfBLi14og/s1600-h/3690926144_e3e1080ac8_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRjgncSLI/AAAAAAAAARY/66JfBLi14og/s400/3690926144_e3e1080ac8_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369224851248400562" border="0" /></a>4th of July with Dad's and Lani's fams~<br /><br /><br /></div>And now for a crazy story...<span style="font-style: italic;"> THE OMEN</span>...<br /><br />So one of the ways I've kept busy these last few months (other than all that PT activity) has been pet-sitting for family and friends. (As I'm sure you can relate if you've ever experienced a chapter of incapacitation or joblessness- word of your availability gets around quickly!) I actually really enjoyed it, as I'm a softy for furry little friends...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNSEAeXvHI/AAAAAAAAARg/rzT62n5QwIM/s1600-h/IMG_2312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNSEAeXvHI/AAAAAAAAARg/rzT62n5QwIM/s400/IMG_2312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369225409556102258" border="0" /></a>Hangin' at Dan and Molly's with Freddy and Stan the Man<br /></div><br /><br />But I had the strangest experience while cleaning out the litter box of Dad and Lani's cat a few months back. I glanced down to find this curious omen:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRiJo3ePI/AAAAAAAAARI/_MAtiZrVuKA/s1600-h/IMG_2324.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNRiJo3ePI/AAAAAAAAARI/_MAtiZrVuKA/s400/IMG_2324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369224827900492018" border="0" /></a><br />So I took a closer look......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNUKx7pe-I/AAAAAAAAARo/fCiykr3i06A/s1600-h/IMG_2325.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoNUKx7pe-I/AAAAAAAAARo/fCiykr3i06A/s400/IMG_2325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369227724934708194" border="0" /></a><br />and I nearly fell over laughing! I was looking at liquid proof that God has a sense of humor- as indeed, the end of my last chapter in Africa was a bit of a pisser!<br /><br /><br />But...ever the optimist...I decided to assume that perhaps this omen was not only humorous, but also auspicious...<br /><br /><br />And, lo and behold, the last couple months have seen a myriad of circumstances coalesce into an invitation to return to Africa.<br /><br />For months, I've been offering little bits of help and expertise to my friend Kristen Hendricks, who started an organization called <a href="http://www.purseofhope.org/">Purse of Hope</a>, as she has been seeking funding and partnership to begin a home for vulnerable girls in Gulu.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoN7wDMxiPI/AAAAAAAAARw/RBwoBnBwitI/s1600-h/IMG_1689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SoN7wDMxiPI/AAAAAAAAARw/RBwoBnBwitI/s400/IMG_1689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369271246178584818" border="0" /></a>Kristen Hendricks during a visit last fall to Gulu<br /></div><br /><br />It has been Kristen's dream and passion to fight against human trafficking, and to care for vulnerable girls who either have been, or are at risk of being caught up this tragic occurrence. Her efforts are bearing fruit, and her dream is taking off, as a passionate and generous group of people from Total Attorneys in Chicago has come alongside in partnership and financial support. Kristen has offered me the position of Uganda Country Director for Purse of Hope, which I have gratefully accepted.<br /><br />So....I'm off to Uganda again! I'm absolutely stoked to see everyone over there again, and in addition to heading up Purse of Hope, I'll be living and working with John Niemeyer in the same house we were in before, and helping to support him in any way I can as he directs Restore International.<br /><br />Along with the girl's home in Gulu, we are also working with Robinah Sarah to establish a drop in center in Kampala. She is one of the absolutely amazing group of people we have on the ground in Uganda, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude. We are incredibly thankful for the groundwork laid by John Niemeyer, Kristen Vogel, and Pauline Amony. It's an honor to be working with them.<br /><br />I'll be taking off for Chicago on September 1st to join up with Kristen, and meet the team from Total Attorneys. Two days later, we take to the skies for Africa...Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-40721735501970792172009-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:002009-01-24T13:01:02.962-08:00Unexpected ReturnWell I thought the call over was quick, nothing like the call home!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SXtpOViphAI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mZM9CtcsEvg/s1600-h/IMG_2171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SXtpOViphAI/AAAAAAAAAP4/mZM9CtcsEvg/s400/IMG_2171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294941481925706754" border="0" /></a>my new home and companion<br /></div><br />So here's how it happened...<br /><br />One of the most common ways to get around in Africa is as a passenger on the back of boda-bodas (smaller, regular looking motorcycles). On the evening of Monday, Dec. 22, I was riding as a passenger, when I noticed my foot was mistakenly resting on the exhaust pipe, instead of the peg. I moved my foot, and my shoe was caught up (I’m not sure if it was the laces or what) in the spokes of the back wheel, which pulled my foot in and chewed up the back of my heel and Achilles pretty bad (bone and cut-up tendon exposed). The motorcycle came to a stop, I pulled my foot out, they rushed me to the hospital, my friend Kyle ran to my Kampala home and back to grab my passport and a few essentials, and the ambulance took me to the airport to catch the first flight out. Due to the airport closures in Portland, they ended up sending me to Seattle, which turned out to be providential, as my step-mom Lani made arrangements at the best Orthopedic Surgery Hospital in the region, Harborview Hospital in downtown Seattle. It took 31 hours to get home, but fortunately my family made arrangements with Customs so they checked me quickly, and waved me on to the hospital, where I went in for surgery with a great orthopedic team. I stayed 3 days in the hospital, and have been riding couches at my family's places around Portland for the last month. Initially, the pain was okay as long as I kept it elevated, but hurt pretty bad when I had to lower it to move around, which kept me grounded to the couch all day. I'm a little more mobile now, but still have to keep it elevated for good chunks of the day. I’m excited though, to be up and moving around a bit. <br /><br />Prognosis: No walking for at least 2 months, then physical therapy to slowly gain back range and function until a hopeful mostly-full recovery after 1 year. (So there’s still hope for the Iron Man! - although depending on how the Achilles heals, inflammation from activities like running might be a problem in the future). The days have been filled with catching up with friends, visiting doctors, reading, and working on Uganda projects, so the time has actually passed pretty quickly. As for things in Africa, I was able to call some key on-the-ground people on my way to the airport, so with some initial help from my buddy Kyle, they're keeping things going till early February when the other Country Director, John Niemeyer, arrives. I’ll be helping out as best I can remotely, but I can’t think of a more capable and experienced person than John to take the reigns, and I’ve got a lot of peace about Restore’s activities over there~<br /><br />I'm very grateful to still have my foot, and I truly am experiencing a lot of peace in knowing that although the path is winding and unpredictable, even the tough stuff (like this) in our lives is redeemed in the larger story being written. Thanks to all you friends and family who have been keeping me in your thoughts and prayers~Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-18563623150090057872008-11-28T22:50:00.000-08:002008-11-30T08:31:58.831-08:00Life and Death in AfricaThe past couple of months ran the full spectrum of human experience. “A time for all things” Solomon said. Our good friend and colleague, Peter, lost his father early this month, after battling with cancer. We were invited to join in the 3 day funeral/wake/celebration of his life, in which hundreds of family members, friends, and neighbors gathered to mourn, laugh, cry, and remember this great man’s life. It was very evident that he had deeply touched many lives. Morris was actually Peter’s uncle, but was called and considered his father, as culturally the headship over the surviving wives and children pass to the next male sibling upon one’s death. As Morris was his last immediate uncle to pass, Peter is now the male elder of the family, responsible for his aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIld27MJII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/whjm_PwQFMY/s1600-h/DSC00189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIld27MJII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/whjm_PwQFMY/s400/DSC00189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274319308494480514" border="0" /></a>Family and Friends gathered under the tent for the service.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIldSXn7EI/AAAAAAAAAMI/wWzSid2Xsd4/s1600-h/DSC00190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIldSXn7EI/AAAAAAAAAMI/wWzSid2Xsd4/s400/DSC00190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274319298681629762" border="0" /></a>More family and community members in front of Peter's home. Accompanying huts can be seen in the background.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIlc0q7zrI/AAAAAAAAAMA/-TUgwDwVEu4/s1600-h/DSC00181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIlc0q7zrI/AAAAAAAAAMA/-TUgwDwVEu4/s400/DSC00181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274319290709561010" border="0" /></a>Restore Academy students also gathered to remember Morris, and support their Headmaster, Peter.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIleALJCQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/9PUIjPI4_hk/s1600-h/IMG_1667.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STIleALJCQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/9PUIjPI4_hk/s400/IMG_1667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274319310977304834" border="0" /></a>During the service, John and I were invited to speak, and afterward we shared a meal with Peter and the the elder males in Peter's community.<br /><br /><br /></div>Tragically, our good friends at Cornerstone Leadership Academy also suffered recent loss, as a car accident claimed the lives of two students and one teacher. There are only 25 students in each of the classes, made up of the brightest kids from varied tribes and areas of Uganda, so the loss shocked the small community. We mourn their loss as well.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Celebration of Life and Restoration...</span><br /><br />Bob Goff, the Founder and President of Restore International, and his team of four (Brian of YoungLife, Kippie and Kristin from Chicago) recently arrived for what was to be an absolute blast of a trip. The foursome, along with our good friend Gary, who operates Kenmore Air (seaplanes in Seattle), were an absolute kick in the pants. We had 10 awesome days together, highlights including meetings with several dignitaries (The First Lady Janet Museveni, several Ministers of State, High and Supreme Court Justices), visiting the boys in Naguru Remand Home, and a fruitful trip to Gulu to visit the Restore Academy Community, and finalize an initial purchase agreement for a 38 acre permanent location for the school we’re hoping to build.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_M68i8I/AAAAAAAAAMg/d8zQ90CB7RU/s1600-h/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_M68i8I/AAAAAAAAAMg/d8zQ90CB7RU/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383653009132482" border="0" /></a>At the Statehouse with Bob, Gary, Tim Kreutter, Brian, Kristin, Kippie, two Members of Parliment, and First Lady Janet Museveni (in hat).<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJzcopLV7I/AAAAAAAAANQ/k5paeXDK8pk/s1600-h/IMG_1688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJzcopLV7I/AAAAAAAAANQ/k5paeXDK8pk/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274405049387931570" border="0" /></a>Kristin practicing her balance...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJzcSP55rI/AAAAAAAAANI/j86UedTEPrs/s1600-h/IMG_1687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJzcSP55rI/AAAAAAAAANI/j86UedTEPrs/s400/IMG_1687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274405043376350898" border="0" /></a>Kippie holds one of our student's baby. The students of our school face unique challenges, and some of them are child-mothers. Kippie absolutely loves children- and they love her!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_V_3TbI/AAAAAAAAAMo/vojwR_jL-ew/s1600-h/n668922903_1005763_59.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_V_3TbI/AAAAAAAAAMo/vojwR_jL-ew/s400/n668922903_1005763_59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383655445679538" border="0" /></a>Fun car rides and conversation with (from left) Kippie, myself, Bob, and Kristin.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJgAbCJ3lI/AAAAAAAAANA/VDJVsi71ieg/s1600-h/IMG_1686.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJgAbCJ3lI/AAAAAAAAANA/VDJVsi71ieg/s400/IMG_1686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383673977331282" border="0" /></a>Bob up in a tree, filming a song/poem that the students performed for us. It was incredibly moving, as it spoke of the atrocities faced in their lives, and the hope they have for the future:<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXZKKkOq2JUxG-hf5T-uROp60-EeNjzQINaVgAqvDr-LZjn-r2eN2Vcj5KGNvdcSK4yUg7M2ikN6c-tdjU9g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /></div>After two years of hard work, and countless hours (put in by our former Country Director Ilea, my colleague John, Laker, Peter, and the Restore International Team) of struggling and learning, we were thrilled to finally sign this agreement for the land. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Restore Academy Interim Board of Directors, the PTA, the students' families' communities, our lawyer Kenny, and the local Leadership of La Mogi area for their tireless efforts on behalf of this endeavor.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJ2Bm9gjzI/AAAAAAAAANY/19Xit9DN2OM/s1600-h/IMG_1682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJ2Bm9gjzI/AAAAAAAAANY/19Xit9DN2OM/s400/IMG_1682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274407883614752562" border="0" /></a>Bob, John, Peter, James, Kenny, PTA and Board Members, and the local family members celebrating at the future location of the school.<br /><br /></div><br />Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves, as we’re hoping to build 4 initial school buildings, thanks to Lazarian World Home’s generous help. This is an awesome organization that focuses on Insulated Concrete Form construction (the same type we built with at Cascade Head) in impoverished areas around the world. www.lazarianworldhomes.com They plan to send a construction manager, and all necessary supplies for the building of the school. The beauty of Lazarian Homes’ design is that it is relatively simple to construct, allowing for easy training of unskilled labor forces in these areas. Additionally, Lazarian Homes is also planning to leave the tools here, allowing us to start a micro-enterprise construction company using this unique and cost-effective building product. The cool thing about ICF is that it's styrofoam block, so it insulates well, but is filled with concrete and rebar, making it incredibly sturdy, safe, and long lasting. It might just create a wonderful new construction industry in N. Uganda.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_nQj9BI/AAAAAAAAAMw/qDdUH3OUn1Q/s1600-h/DSCN1229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJf_nQj9BI/AAAAAAAAAMw/qDdUH3OUn1Q/s400/DSCN1229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383660079117330" border="0" /></a>Bob and the Restore Academy Staff and Students<br /></div><br /><br />The dreams and potential for the school are overwhelming. We hope to incorporate solar technology, allowing the students a hands-on opportunity to participate in physics and chemistry coming to life in practical ways before their eyes (photosynthesis simulation, AC/DC battery technology, conductivity etc). Most of these students, who primarily come from the surrounding villages, haven’t been exposed to much technology, so it will be quite a leap! We hope to power lights for studying at night, as well as a computer lab, to connect them with the “Global Village”. This will allow the students to gain valuable computer and communication skills, and provide a wonderful opportunity to talk with their elders, and share their family and cultural history, and aspects of their daily lives (like photos of local foods, huts, roads, and videos of the language) with other students from around the world - A great way to claim back some of the cultural identity lost in the violence and disruption of the last 20 years.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJgAIwYunI/AAAAAAAAAM4/AZ37fdKSE0k/s1600-h/DSCN1230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STJgAIwYunI/AAAAAAAAAM4/AZ37fdKSE0k/s400/DSCN1230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383669070969458" border="0" /></a>Cause to celebrate!!!<br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Farmer John...</span><br /><br />The soil is rich, and we’re incredibly excited to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty! We have a great opportunity to grow our own food, as well as experiment with novel crops that could create new micro-markets in N. Uganda. Biology and Agriculture will come alive in practical ways as the kids learn valuable skills, and maintain a close, practical and organic relationship with the land. Jim Lorenzen, the father of our adoptive Kampala family, is a plant geneticist with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and will be advising us on which crops we can grow, and how to do it. Also, Kristin from Chicago is tied in with a seed company who is interested in donating to causes such as ours around the world, so we’ll be working together to put in a proposal for funding and equipment. It’s an absolute blast and a blessing to watch God put the puzzle pieces together!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STKZnCiJr_I/AAAAAAAAAN4/LNe3EEsKZgU/s1600-h/Preliminary+Land+Survey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/STKZnCiJr_I/AAAAAAAAAN4/LNe3EEsKZgU/s400/Preliminary+Land+Survey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274447009578332146" border="0" /></a>Preliminary survey of the land<br /></div><br /><br />So needless to say, there’s tons to keep us busy here, but it’s joyous work, and incredibly humbling to be a part of the story God is writing in this community. We're praying that everything continues to go well for the building of the school, and the projects in the High Court. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as well~<br /><br />I truly hope you are all doing well- I know I’ve dropped the ball on communicating for awhile, but please fire me off a message when you get a chance, I’d love to know how you’re all doing!<br /><br />Peace to you~<br /><br />-BlakeBlakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-42875575321142621712008-10-09T12:29:00.000-07:002008-10-21T06:54:33.410-07:00hiatus...Hello all, sorry for the long hiatus! The last 6 weeks have been full of ups and downs- going through a lot personally, as well as keeping super busy with Restore activities. I'm in Kampala today, as several of us were able to attend the National Prayer Breakfast this week. Most of the Ugandan Members of Parliment, several ambassadors, foreign dignitaries, President Museveni, and hundreds from the community gathered at the Hotel Africana Wednesday to lift up Uganda in prayer. People from various faiths were there, and it was a wonderful morning of reunion, friendship, hope and prayer for the future of Uganda and the larger African community. Unfortunately, they didn't allow cameras for security reasons, so I'm unable to pass along any photos, except this one of ten of us squeezed in the Land Cruiser on the way home from Hotel Africana:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5izEQHNgI/AAAAAAAAAIU/FVi-ncOqs6g/s1600-h/IMG_1479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5izEQHNgI/AAAAAAAAAIU/FVi-ncOqs6g/s400/IMG_1479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255246444642121218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's made a world of difference having John here- we're able to bounce ideas off each other, watch each other's back, and meet much more effectively with leaders as a team. Restore has had some pretty exciting developments, with some great prospects for finding land for the school in Amuru District near Gulu. It's been exciting to watch the students, parents, faculty and surrounding community exhibit more ownership in, and excitement about Restore Academy. The students have been doing wonderfully, and are growing not only in knowledge, but also in character and maturity. We recently elected the PTA members, and met with some of the Educational Officers for the local districts. We've been blessed to have such wonderful, wise men and women guiding us. This pic is from the Parents' visitation day last week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5izBwAH7I/AAAAAAAAAIM/Jgz6qAX_Hmc/s1600-h/IMG_1472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5izBwAH7I/AAAAAAAAAIM/Jgz6qAX_Hmc/s400/IMG_1472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255246443970568114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We've also been very busy with the High Court, and just recently received some good news to move forward with a couple of exciting proposals we have submitted. We're trying to assist the noble efforts the courts are making to effectively administer justice to those in need. We should have more on this in the coming weeks.<br /><br />John, his good buddy Kyle, and I were able to sneak away a couple of weeks ago for a little hiatus of our own. Finances have been super tight for me, so I was so glad when we had the opportunity to slip away for a two day shoe-string ($60) safari. Murchison Falls is not too far from Gulu, just an hour and a half west of the halfway mark between Kampala and Gulu. My REI tent (thanks to Erin) kept me dry in the torrential downpour and thunderstorm. Here are a few shots from the safari and the Nile River (thanks for the river tour Kyle):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO9mhnWsMuI/AAAAAAAAAKU/lOKZt-eBePs/s1600-h/IMG_1254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO9mhnWsMuI/AAAAAAAAAKU/lOKZt-eBePs/s400/IMG_1254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255532017850528482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5uapUM1RI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4mzx53zSu-k/s1600-h/IMG_1251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5uapUM1RI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4mzx53zSu-k/s400/IMG_1251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255259219234182418" border="0" /></a>Sunrise over the Nile<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prS23GuI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-fuDmSbx1rg/s1600-h/IMG_1156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prS23GuI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-fuDmSbx1rg/s400/IMG_1156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255254007705180898" border="0" /></a>hungry hungry...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5pr4TLmkI/AAAAAAAAAIs/tgTdcuctXKo/s1600-h/IMG_1173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5pr4TLmkI/AAAAAAAAAIs/tgTdcuctXKo/s400/IMG_1173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255254017756076610" border="0" /></a>Jungle _____ of a feather stick together<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prBPuSQI/AAAAAAAAAIc/0KGhrrrg8RA/s1600-h/IMG_1146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prBPuSQI/AAAAAAAAAIc/0KGhrrrg8RA/s400/IMG_1146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255254002977622274" border="0" /></a>H2O _____ soldiers (think Bob Marley)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prwTFD4I/AAAAAAAAAI0/bCeH-BcWcl0/s1600-h/IMG_1195.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5prwTFD4I/AAAAAAAAAI0/bCeH-BcWcl0/s400/IMG_1195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255254015608164226" border="0" /></a>After awhile...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5psNn5XdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NJUfBepIBek/s1600-h/IMG_1203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5psNn5XdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NJUfBepIBek/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255254023480106450" border="0" /></a>honestly...ok, I'll stop.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5uaq3_mYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/TxGvfTUM4ng/s1600-h/IMG_1219.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5uaq3_mYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/TxGvfTUM4ng/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255259219652745602" border="0" /></a>Kyle and our river guide George: this guy was absolutely hilarious, and managed to hit us up for some beer money. Murchison Falls is in the background.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5ua6Ja2PI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Ei_jYBTRN2s/s1600-h/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5ua6Ja2PI/AAAAAAAAAJc/Ei_jYBTRN2s/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255259223752366322" border="0" /></a>Took this one the morning of the safari- just thought the tree was quintessential Africa<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5ubJ7NqVI/AAAAAAAAAJk/i1e8HpNrzpk/s1600-h/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5ubJ7NqVI/AAAAAAAAAJk/i1e8HpNrzpk/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255259227987749202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_kb5a1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/V7Qsxq9JJpE/s1600-h/IMG_1276.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_kb5a1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/V7Qsxq9JJpE/s400/IMG_1276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255263152114330450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_hSKHpI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/61O5r4s3XkQ/s1600-h/IMG_1281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_hSKHpI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/61O5r4s3XkQ/s400/IMG_1281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255263151268175506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_178mzI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/-wNYz4JQ8Jk/s1600-h/IMG_1334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_178mzI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/-wNYz4JQ8Jk/s400/IMG_1334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255263156812159794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_9glEVI/AAAAAAAAAKE/w1jpLx6mCvE/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5x_9glEVI/AAAAAAAAAKE/w1jpLx6mCvE/s400/IMG_1335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255263158844854610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5yABytLhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/4nbCYxqd_FQ/s1600-h/IMG_1362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SO5yABytLhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/4nbCYxqd_FQ/s400/IMG_1362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255263159994625554" border="0" /></a><br />Ok guys- promise I won't let so much time slip by before the next post. Thanks for hanging in there with me~ I hope all are well~Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-65424496963414302312008-08-23T05:34:00.000-07:002008-08-23T09:57:08.207-07:00Kenya and TanzaniaWow, so much to catch everyone up on! I'm a little behind, so I'll send out another couple of posts soon~ In the meantime, here's a little blip from our trip through Kenya and Tanzania:<br /><br /><br />At the end of last month, John, a couple of Kampala friends, myself, and about 70 Cornerstone Ugandan friends all jumped on a couple of buses and headed out on a 24 hour bus ride through western Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The drive was long, but absolutely beautiful:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAIeTYn-9I/AAAAAAAAAFw/anwZfTV8II4/s1600-h/MVI_0078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAIeTYn-9I/AAAAAAAAAFw/anwZfTV8II4/s400/MVI_0078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237695683324541906" border="0" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykyPJHcb3hdFWWXatgH1jC-e3MPOm5KHxaZLtRRW_qQdCKNnHu_HqzAPKr5rfNbuz6V653sF8ta6STuImwYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />The view from our "rest stop" in the Serengeti desert of Kenya<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUk3KVTPI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_00TxDSjVO8/s1600-h/DSC05725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUk3KVTPI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_00TxDSjVO8/s400/DSC05725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237708990147022066" border="0" /></a>The destination was Arusha, Tanzania at the foot of Kilimanjaro, for a 4 day conference called the "Jesus Conference". Predominately Christians, but also Buddhists, Muslims, and folks from other religious backgrounds all gathered to "think, talk, act, and love like Jesus", seeking to understand His teachings on reaching out to the fatherless, widows, and poor. The conference has been running for at least 4 years, and is organized by a group called "The Family", aka "The Fellowship", aka "the group behind the National Prayer Breakfasts worldwide", founded by Doug Coe, a former and current advisor and friend of multiple world leaders. Meeting around the person, life, and teachings of Jesus, whom the Buddhists consider a great teacher, the Muslims consider a prophet, and Christians consider to be the Messiah, has proved to be a great uniter of this incredibly diverse group of people, and a beacon of hope for future inter-religious peace, understanding and collaboration. Certainly important differences in perspectives about Jesus were held, but the nature of the meeting was not to disregard differences in deeply held theological convictions and spiritual experiences, or forge a new universalistic religion, but rather to gather together on the common ground that all shared: a deep respect for the life and teachings of Jesus, and a belief that they can help inform efforts to love and serve the poor, widowed, and orphaned. The conference drew about 350 people, from 23 countries around the world, including Japan, Nepal, India, USA, Norway, Ecuador, and multiple African countries. We had a wonderful time of friendship, meals, rest, recreation, workshops, and speaking sessions on youth mentoring, school development, and many other humanitarian aims. A truly amazing group of people, our team felt honored and privileged to share ideas and experiences, build relationships and support, and glean some wisdom which will help guide our future efforts in Uganda.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7zZHDQt_P5aYTQIoG5XkeaC6idI8WQFqGk8ESnF2jzeOpXfaGybRJy2eAg79vvshuFz7aZ92n9HW9y2rakw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Upon arrival, we were welcomed by Maasai dancers and watermelon juice<br /></div><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUlC7ROAI/AAAAAAAAAGI/cU1ZsETzCKw/s1600-h/AppleMark+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUlC7ROAI/AAAAAAAAAGI/cU1ZsETzCKw/s400/AppleMark+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237708993305065474" border="0" /></a>A view of the pool and castle-like architecture of our gorgeous Nagurdoto Mt. Lodge in Arusha<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUk-bp8hI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Lx_NicTc_Zs/s1600-h/AppleMark+299.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUk-bp8hI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Lx_NicTc_Zs/s400/AppleMark+299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237708992098726418" border="0" /></a>It's the rainy season here, so unfortunately Mt. Kilimanjaro was mostly clouded in, but we were able to catch a couple of glimpses, and we had a hard time believing the scale. We'd see dark spots in the clouds as they drifted by, but didn't even imagine it was mountain, as the scale seemed impossibly large. Fortunately, the water-bottle labels were cloud-free, (so I improvised :)<br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUlfPr87I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/3_mV4-cI25A/s1600-h/AppleMark+-+Canon+-+Canon+PowerShot+SD870+IS+-+2008-07-21+14-50-00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SLAUlfPr87I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/3_mV4-cI25A/s400/AppleMark+-+Canon+-+Canon+PowerShot+SD870+IS+-+2008-07-21+14-50-00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237709000906896306" border="0" /></a>This is Esteban, one of the friends in my small group, who happened to be from Ecuador. Having difficulty understanding the African accents, I was able to help out by translating for him. He was one of only three Spanish speakers at the conference, but we happened to be in the same small group, and even seated next to each other when I discovered his difficulty. Never thought I'd be using my Spanish in Africa, but then again, God seems to weave some pretty wild twists into His plot! He seems to have quite sense of humor, and a flare for the improbable ~<br /><br /><br />Okay all, thanks for reading this far! I hope this message finds you all doing well, and again, I should have some more updates coming soon...<br /><br />cheerio!<br /></div><br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-43850705553746335672008-07-23T09:20:00.000-07:002008-07-24T01:55:29.451-07:00Never fear, Erin's here!So I'm a little late with this post, but I'm sure you understand. Erin arrived early this month, to begin this amazing chapter of life in Africa. I linked up in Kampala with some wonderful folks from her Adjumani family, Jeff and Michelle Thiessen, and Jacqulin. We all headed to the airport to welcome Erin, and I got to steal the first hug :)<br /><br />We were able to meet some of the people involved in World Venture over the next couple of days, and we spent nearly a week together before heading up to Gulu. From there we moved on to Adjumani, where Erin got to meet up with Rick and Faye Meyer, and begin settling in to her nice rural homestead, complete with chickens roaming around the yard.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SIdkJ0nYcBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/b31f5oQWIoU/s1600-h/IMG_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SIdkJ0nYcBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/b31f5oQWIoU/s400/IMG_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226256012492173330" border="0" /></a>Erin and I at the Lorenzen's in Kampala<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We went on a little hike to the top of Naguru Hill in Kampala, and took this video:<br /><br /><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyy7ldRbw05i0x4g3eohGwxcpToKJF7GOSl0g2334W0vsJqauax4LSLukNqr8Jl3r8DCNJrULRAWDnzncPwQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />I'll send another update soon~ Hope you are all well!Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-74864368266616468992008-07-04T07:20:00.000-07:002008-07-04T12:33:09.875-07:00Restore Academy Celebrates<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CnhgQmgI/AAAAAAAAAEY/jQcPG5VylHI/s1600-h/june+21+109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CnhgQmgI/AAAAAAAAAEY/jQcPG5VylHI/s400/june+21+109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219182264944990722" border="0" /></a>Head Teacher Peter, and our Project Coordinator Laker in front of a banner which students designed for Restore Academy's 1 year anniversary celebrations.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CnWzhQWI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/xSbmD__tLhA/s1600-h/IMG_3759.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CnWzhQWI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/xSbmD__tLhA/s400/IMG_3759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219182262072983906" border="0" /></a>Parents, students, and community members gathered to listen to the celebration addresses. The grove of trees behind the school in Kati-Kati provided a welcomed shelter from the hot sun.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5KWArOl8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/L-RW5DZReRw/s1600-h/DSCF2713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5KWArOl8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/L-RW5DZReRw/s400/DSCF2713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219190760167872450" border="0" /></a>After giving a short speech, James (Deputy Head Teacher/Translator) and I connected speakers to my laptop, and played a greeting from Restore's founder, Bob Goff, which we had recorded over telephone the previous evening. It actually worked pretty well!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5Fx1HQ5uI/AAAAAAAAAEw/dMv1TQuhMx8/s1600-h/DSCF2718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5Fx1HQ5uI/AAAAAAAAAEw/dMv1TQuhMx8/s400/DSCF2718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219185740542437090" border="0" /></a>Mzee Paul Lwkuia, our Interim Board Chairman, leans on my knee and shares some words of wisdom. He's a gentle, wonderful man, and grandfather-figure for many. Very well respected, and an amazing advocate for children in multiple communities, he's also a dear friend, and we're blessed to have him guiding our development team.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5FyKRvWCI/AAAAAAAAAE4/22tugSWxdLI/s1600-h/DSCF2727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5FyKRvWCI/AAAAAAAAAE4/22tugSWxdLI/s400/DSCF2727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219185746223519778" border="0" /></a>After the speeches, and a delicious meal of posho (cornflower dumplings), chicken, mashed bananas, and greens, students and community members gathered for a soccer game with visiting Saint Mary's College. Despite being younger, our boys, some of which played with no shoes, gave a spirited effort, and defeated St. Mary's 6-1.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5Fyb6IlDI/AAAAAAAAAFA/_w_SWlrqbqo/s1600-h/DSCF2733.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5Fyb6IlDI/AAAAAAAAAFA/_w_SWlrqbqo/s400/DSCF2733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219185750956348466" border="0" /></a>Enjoying the game...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CoOeX8wI/AAAAAAAAAEg/lkg4Txq4w50/s1600-h/IMG_3773.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CoOeX8wI/AAAAAAAAAEg/lkg4Txq4w50/s400/IMG_3773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219182277016679170" border="0" /></a>Gooooaaalll!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CodQ81tI/AAAAAAAAAEo/NVCjpSxeD7Y/s1600-h/IMG_3776.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SG5CodQ81tI/AAAAAAAAAEo/NVCjpSxeD7Y/s400/IMG_3776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219182280986908370" border="0" /></a>Local kids cheer with Laker~ A wonderful way to cap off a splendid day of celebrations~<br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-10262476240699916602008-06-19T04:13:00.000-07:002008-06-19T08:59:38.645-07:00Bobi IDP Camp<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpTfpwiwnI/AAAAAAAAACc/m1AWntAoTD8/s1600-h/100_0467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpTfpwiwnI/AAAAAAAAACc/m1AWntAoTD8/s400/100_0467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213571321885278834" border="0" /></a>Children of the Bobi IDP camp<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwOW_jTOI/AAAAAAAAADs/iCazYb46TMI/s1600-h/100_0465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwOW_jTOI/AAAAAAAAADs/iCazYb46TMI/s400/100_0465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213602910627384546" border="0" /></a>Lending a hand...<br /><br /></div>A wonderful group of 4 students (Matt, Amber, Veronica & Travis) came from San Diego, and together we visited the Bobi IDP camp (Internally Displaced Peoples) where Restore International has built and repaired wells. As the area continues to recover economically after years of war, the government and the World Food Program have begun cutting their food supplies to encourage the people to resettle in their home villages, and begin to live off the land again. One difficult challenge in that process is that many parents have been killed, or have died due to AIDS, leaving many orphans in the hands of the elderly. The majority of these elderly have lost their social security (their children). Traditionally, the adult children would work the land, supporting the elderly and their own children. With the parents now gone, these vulnerable segments of the population remain in the IDP camps, dependent on the waning food support of the WFP. One "Mosee'", or elderly man, that we spoke with had custody of 20 children who's parents (many were his own sons and daughters) had died from either the war or AIDS. He is struggling to feed them, using the last of the WFP's allocated support food. He is not sure what he'll do now, but he continues to hold out hope that he can provide food and school fees for the children to escape poverty. It is not yet determined how the government, or the WFP plans to support this vulnerable segment of the population.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwO5A2RFI/AAAAAAAAAD0/BmlZvNS6io4/s1600-h/100_0468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwO5A2RFI/AAAAAAAAAD0/BmlZvNS6io4/s400/100_0468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213602919759627346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwL1BhV1I/AAAAAAAAADU/_9PxVsJei1E/s1600-h/100_0411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwL1BhV1I/AAAAAAAAADU/_9PxVsJei1E/s400/100_0411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213602867149100882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's incredible to see how the people utilize nearly everything. This door is covered with tin from cans of US AID vegetable oil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFp-PNLX6vI/AAAAAAAAAEA/3XbC4NVwizQ/s1600-h/DSCF2462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFp-PNLX6vI/AAAAAAAAAEA/3XbC4NVwizQ/s400/DSCF2462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213618318335273714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFp-PjVom_I/AAAAAAAAAEI/2396qVtlNDw/s1600-h/DSCF2463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFp-PjVom_I/AAAAAAAAAEI/2396qVtlNDw/s400/DSCF2463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213618324283890674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Restore International has built and repaired several wells at Bobi. Before this, many people were forced to gather drinking water from a nearby bog, which lead to dysentery, typhoid, worms, and a host of other health issues.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwMRR8F5I/AAAAAAAAADc/ole5FP5Aho0/s1600-h/100_0428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwMRR8F5I/AAAAAAAAADc/ole5FP5Aho0/s400/100_0428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213602874734155666" border="0" /></a>One of Restore International's wells in Bobi<br /></div><br /><br /><br />Despite the challenging realities of life in the IDP camp, we were received with bright smiles and greetings of "Munu..Munu!" (White-one, White-one!) After surveying the community and wells, and participating in a prayer meeting in the church hut with the pastors, women and children, we joined hands for a game of duck-duck-goose, which was an absolute riot for the kids. The elderly joined in the laughter as dust flew, and the children ran.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpWA2i51XI/AAAAAAAAACk/HuGgUn7SOo8/s1600-h/100_0469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpWA2i51XI/AAAAAAAAACk/HuGgUn7SOo8/s400/100_0469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213574091276670322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwNb0h-YI/AAAAAAAAADk/YsRDoVIhpLA/s1600-h/100_0464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SFpwNb0h-YI/AAAAAAAAADk/YsRDoVIhpLA/s400/100_0464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213602894743468418" border="0" /></a>Photographs courtesy of Matt, Travis, Veronica and Amber.Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-68687329754804472592008-06-03T05:02:00.000-07:002008-06-03T06:28:46.332-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEUzix2dOJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/GEqo7k3anDs/s1600-h/DSCF2417.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEUzix2dOJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/GEqo7k3anDs/s400/DSCF2417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207625216714160274" border="0" /></a>The Board of Directors and Administration of Restore Academy<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEVFfnP9VPI/AAAAAAAAACU/ZGuE1_lvRk4/s1600-h/IMG_7378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEVFfnP9VPI/AAAAAAAAACU/ZGuE1_lvRk4/s400/IMG_7378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207644953538024690" border="0" /></a>Inside the classroom...<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Restore Academy held a conference with the board of directors to concerning the establishment of core values, and to discuss the development plan for the school. The board consists of teachers, pastors, and community elders. The sessions centered around living out the gospel in love, and creating a safe, enriching learning environment for the students.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEU5R9M2K9I/AAAAAAAAAB8/bvhyq85TdNQ/s1600-h/IMG_7450.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEU5R9M2K9I/AAAAAAAAAB8/bvhyq85TdNQ/s400/IMG_7450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207631524772850642" border="0" /></a>A meeting with the Ugandan Head Trainer (Soccer Coach)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Laker (law-kay), one of my two close colleagues with Restore, has been organizing a youth soccer gathering from kids in Gulu. The kids gather every late-afternoon to play soccer. This provides a wonderful opportunity for Laker and other mentors to encourage the kids to avoid the dangers of the streets, to have respect for their brothers, and to work as a team. Laker is extremely well connected, and invited Stone, the head soccer trainer in Uganda, to come and speak to the kids. This would be the equivalent of Vince Lombardi in the 60's visiting a youth football program in rural Wisconsin. Stone encouraged the kids to continue to take care of their bodies, to practice physical and mental discipline, and lit a fire of hope within them when he shared with them the national soccer community's desire to tap into the talent of the youth in Gulu. "Your legs can take you far...can pay for your education...can even lead you to fields around the world."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEU7MDgRfsI/AAAAAAAAACE/KKCiDNemdNo/s1600-h/DSCF2418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEU7MDgRfsI/AAAAAAAAACE/KKCiDNemdNo/s400/DSCF2418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207633622408986306" border="0" /></a>Most of the kids can't afford shoes, so they play barefoot<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEVDZwjlFOI/AAAAAAAAACM/rqrEH3QIlP0/s1600-h/IMG_7424.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SEVDZwjlFOI/AAAAAAAAACM/rqrEH3QIlP0/s400/IMG_7424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207642653933769954" border="0" /></a>Stone, Laker, and another Ugandan National League Player<br /></div><br /><br />Things are going well here... two groups comprising 6 Americans in all have arrived this week, and are settling in, developing relationships, and helping out wherever they can. I'll send an update soon... Hope everyone is well...bye for now!<br /></div></div></div></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-50212644451302635152008-05-27T13:23:00.001-07:002008-05-27T14:36:54.125-07:00The Dusty Road to Gulu<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx4IDkulUI/AAAAAAAAABU/5wi0Ft48g44/s1600-h/DSCF2401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx4IDkulUI/AAAAAAAAABU/5wi0Ft48g44/s400/DSCF2401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205167349127091522" border="0" /></a><br />The highway to Gulu<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDxwRDkulSI/AAAAAAAAABE/etjlGahvkRE/s1600-h/DSCF2407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDxwRDkulSI/AAAAAAAAABE/etjlGahvkRE/s400/DSCF2407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205158707652891938" border="0" /></a>Holy Cow they're different here!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx5sTkulVI/AAAAAAAAABc/JOfEBmgd6_E/s1600-h/DSCF2343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx5sTkulVI/AAAAAAAAABc/JOfEBmgd6_E/s400/DSCF2343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205169071408977234" border="0" /></a>Baboons along Gulu road<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Uganda has been amazing . It's literally been a whirlwind of dusty potholed roads, huts, jerry cans, bucket showers, fine houses with servants, elder meetings, and tons of wonderful, welcoming new friends. I'll go days without seeing another white person, which is definitely a new experience for me. Kids often smile and wave, saying Munu hi! We're known as Munus and Muzungus (in luo-Acholi and Luganda languages). The really little ones are often scared, which is pretty funny, but hey, if you'd never seen white skin before, that'd be pretty alarming! There's always the rare exception though, as today the cutest little girl I've ever seen (she's 1 1/2, walked up to me with bright eyes and seemed fascinated. She stuck out here hand and looked stunned as I smiled and took her's in mine.<br /><br />Africa is hot. The rumor's true. But as I looked up during a tribal land meeting under a mango tree today, there was a palm-tree set against the beautiful expansive sky and I thought, "this is paradise."<br /><br />Outside my window right now I'm hearing chants and instruments from the IDP camps behind the house where I'm staying. It's difficult for me to describe the sound, but picture a national geographic documentary soundtrack. It's kind of crazy to be typing this on an almost state of the art cumputer and sending it half way around the world in a second, while meanwhile there is tribal chanting and dancing going on a hundred yards away. This is Africa...cell phones and huts.<br /><br />It's absolutely pouring outside right now... Todo was right... The good news is, the landcruiser's now clean...Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848652261926940141.post-21084869559878400302008-05-16T11:40:00.000-07:002008-05-27T14:31:34.480-07:00Come fly the friendly skies...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SC3YPSshuHI/AAAAAAAAAAk/uBsXD0ktxWo/s1600-h/DSCF2269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SC3YPSshuHI/AAAAAAAAAAk/uBsXD0ktxWo/s320/DSCF2269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201050901911025778" border="0" /></a><br />Flew out on Horizon to Seattle, then on to Amsterdam....and finally....24 hours later, I arrived in Entebbe, Uganda. Flights went great, and the luggage all made it, so no complaints! Plus you know I love to fly :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx76TkulWI/AAAAAAAAABk/Fuq4zsU1F5g/s1600-h/DSCF2284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx76TkulWI/AAAAAAAAABk/Fuq4zsU1F5g/s400/DSCF2284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205171510950401378" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Alps from 30,000<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx9WzkulXI/AAAAAAAAABs/dXQNUm6U00o/s1600-h/DSCF2293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_joCErCZx4mA/SDx9WzkulXI/AAAAAAAAABs/dXQNUm6U00o/s400/DSCF2293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205173100088300914" border="0" /></a><br />My new friend Allen, a guard at the Lorenzen's in Kampala<br /></div>Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13635453354958986752noreply@blogger.com0