Sunday May 1, 2011 - May Day!

Happy May Day! It is funny how uncelebrated (well at least by me) holidays, such as May Day, become holidays that I really want to celebrate. A few months ago, some friends and I hosted a Purim party - complete with a whole menu including challah and delicious hummus among other items. Purim Menu of 2011 I've never celebrated Purim but it was fun learning about this festival as we gathered. I guess it is the fact of being away from family that makes me want to celebrate anything and everything. And when I am finished posting this, I think I am going to throw together a May Day basket and head out.

Hannah's Happenings

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April Newsletter

Wednesday April 27, 2011 - A Cup of Coffee Will Do That...

The holiday has begun for the Primary and Secondary School students and all of Kasana can take a sigh of relief - all the late-night studying, early morning reading and anxiety of finals and school has come to a temporary halt. And it is nice.

Some mornings I get up and rush to get out the door on time that I neglect my morning "few" cups of coffee. Without that morning flavor, it seems like my morning drags and my day is just a little off. And then, I make coffee at lunch time and my brain kicks in gear and then finally, the fog lifts. I got to thinking how much I need that morning jolt to start my day on a good note - how much more do I need the Lord's word in my heart and mind as I start the day. He is much better than my morning jolt - He is my perfect peace, the One who puts my day in order even before I have time to examine it.

As I enjoy my afternoon cup of coffee, I am reminded of the words of David, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Ps. 34:8.

So this coffee in my cup is much more than a tasty, caffeine-laced beverage. It is my reminder to fill my heart with the Life-Giver's Words. Because unlike the coffee's temporary buzz, His Presence never goes away. -Genesis 28:15

Sunday March 27, 2011 - A visit from the past...

There are some days when your morning is so strange that you have no idea what the day will bring. Well, today was one of those days...

I woke up at 5am this morning to the sound of wings flapping - ah yes, a visitor from my past had come again. I tried to go back to sleep and ignore the little friend until a bit later, but 45 minutes later, I woke again to the same "flapping" noise. I decided to get it taken care of then so I could sleep soundly again. I thought about calling a friend to assist me in this adventure, but figured it was a battle that I had to fight solo.

Every time I battle a bat, though the situation might be different, there is one thing that remains the same - a blanket or towel always ends up on my head. I must be convinced that bats are drawn to my hair or something, so yet again, a blanket went over my head as I started my attack.

I figured the bat was in my sitting room, so I cleverly closed the door separating my sitting room from my bedroom and exited my house using my bedroom door. I escaped out the door with a headlamp and blanket on my head, a Maglight torch and a big stick - used for walking/snake killing/bat beating/etc. I probably looked like a deranged lunatic running around my house dressed like that, but I was well covered. I opened the outside entrance to my sitting room to find the bat sitting very still near my sofa, just waiting for my approach. I tried to scare it somewhere but found out that it had trouble flying. The little guy fluttered around and flew about an inch off the ground towards something - I couldn't tell where it was trying to fly initially since I covered my face fully at this point so it wouldn't get me.

I spotted the bat again, this time it had landed in-between the door and the doorpost - the door leading into my bedroom (thankfully I shut it, otherwise I would still be chasing that little guy around). I thought, "This is the perfect place to trap it and shoo it outside." When I told people this story, they asked me why I didn't beat it - well, bat beatings are gross and not my choice of things to do at 6 in the morning. So, I opted to trap it. I tried poking the bat trying to scare him into my trash receptacle but it finally spread its wings and flew out of my house, exiting left, of course.

Well, I tried to go back to bed, but the adrenaline from the early morning battle was too much to send me back to my slumber. But how thankful I am that My God doesn't sleep or slumber. He was watching over my every move and every dream. He must have had a good time laughing at my fight this morning. My Father certainly has a sense of humor.

Thursday January 20, 2011 - Brownie Delivery Girl

Last July or August, I'm not quite sure when it was, I discovered a recipe in my family's cookbook - Tasteful Treasures from the Bernhardsons. I brought this cookbook with me to Uganda because it had so many recipes that feel like home. As I was searching for a "pudding" recipe to bring for my friends from the UK, I came across this recipe that I have been eyeing for years - Cookie Dough Brownies. I figured, cookie dough, chocolate brownie, what could be wrong with that? Well the truth of it is nothing is wrong with it except for the sugar high that it might induce! I've continued to make this recipe for different occasions last year and last night I decided to make them and bring the chocolate delicacies to a meeting that we had. The brownies received rave reviews and today, I had the privilege of delivering the left-over brownies to 4 of the number one fans. It felt like a cross between a Pizza Hut delivery girl and a person who works at Mrs. Fields. But oh so fun. Below is the recipe for those brave souls who dare to experience the madness.

Cookie Dough Brownies

Submitted by Alexander Berhardson

2 c. sugar 1 c. vegetable oil

1 1/2 c. flour 4 eggs

1/2 c. baking cocoa 2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. chopped walnuts (I've never used this, simply because I don't have

any)

Filling:

1/2 c. butter, softened 2 T milk

1/2 c. brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 c. sugar 1 c. flour

Glaze:

1 c. chocolate chips 1 T. shortening/butter

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa and salt. Add oil, eggs and vanilla. Beat a medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in walnuts if desired. Pour into a greased 9X13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until brownies are done. Cool completely. Filling: Cream butter and sugars in mixing bowl. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Beat in flour. Spread over brownies. Chill until firm. Glaze: Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Spread over filling. ENJOY!

My grandpa asked me if we ever have any type of sweets over in Uganda, so now I can assure him that we do!

Today was the first day that I actually felt warm. Ever since I arrived, I have been having to put on long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts or jackets. It has been unseasonably cool, but one would think that I would be dying after visiting the sub-Canadian tundra. But after today, I can really say that I have settled back in.

Tuesday January 18th, 2011 - Power!

Power is back on, and I can't believe how much I appreciate it! Being back in the States for just a month and I got so used to the continuous flow of usable power. But being back here, we have only been having power on most evenings until morning. (Which makes evenings much easier to endure, especially since the sun goes down at about 7:00/7:30pm) But my trusty headlamp and I are being the best of friends once again. We do everything together...read books, work on projects, do dishes, and clean. It's great to have illumination wherever you turn your head...ooh! I can see!

Today was the end of our Envisioning Week. It really was a good week and so much better than I had anticipated. The fact that I was still trying to recover from jet lag at the beginning of the week made for some rough afternoons, but my reliable standby (java) helped me pull through.

The past week of Envisioning was really a challenge to me as I am called to serve at New Hope. I mentioned in a previous post how this theme challenged me in how am I letting His Name and His Renown be the Desire of my Heart. And now, how am I joining Him in His purpose? I often find myself contemplating, "what is my purpose?" "where am I fitting in the middle of all of this?" But if His Name and Fame are the Desire of my Heart, than I will feel content in joining Him in His purpose. A constant battle of suppressing my selfishness and independent will and walk hand in hand with Him.

January 16th - Christmas Day!

Well, it is not technically Christmas Day, but a few of us did celebrate Christmas in January with a delicious Christmas Day feast. A friend of mine, Jennie, wasn't able to have a Thanksgiving meal this past year and wasn't with her family over Christmas, so a bunch of us (9 total) came together for chicken, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie (courtesy of my sister, Betsy)and everything else in between. We all left with our stomachs 2 sizer larger than when we started, but it was oh-so-good! I really do think we should celebrate Christmas more than 1 time a year!

Yesterday, we also had an amazing fill of food from the Western part of Uganda as the staff feasted and danced with Western tradition. Our plates were mounded with food and I have to say that it defeated me. The food was fantastic, but so different than the traditional Kigandan and other ethnic foods we eat in this part of the country. The only food name I remember was sombe...It was so good and my cousin Becca was very right when she said how good it was!

Many of the kids in David Family wanted to know what the weather was like when I was back in the States. It was so completely opposite of here it is hard to describe. I actually took some video of the blizzard that I encountered while I was home, just so I could show them what it is like - because there are now words that can describe it, especially here. I can't wait to show them the video, now that my camera has a full charge.

I wish I had a steaming cup of apple cider to sip on now since my Christmas meal has ended. It's beginning to 'feel' a lot like Christmas...well maybe in 11 months...

Wednesday January 12, 2011 - Finally Unpacking

Today was the start of the 2011 Envisioning - it is a time for all the staff of New Hope Uganda - those from Kasana (Our Main Site), Musana Camps (Our New Camp that we are in the process of developing. Located on the shore of Lake Victoria), Musana FM (Our local Radio Station whose mission statement is "To Shine and Transform." Located in one of our nearest villages, Kiwoko), and Kobwin Children's Centre (Another centre that has been developed in northern Uganda) It was a great day of sessions and really refocusing ourselves about why we have been called here. "Your name and renown, are the desire of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8. It has been a big challenge to examine this and not just let it be a 'Theme Verse' for the year, but rather a constant pursuit of our hearts as we are called to serve as we bring the Fatherhood of God to the Fatherless.

I finally took some real steps to unpacking...I would usually have most of it done the day I reached here, so this isn't quite like me, but I think more of the culture is rubbing off on me.

Power has been on in the mornings and the evenings, which is much better than having nothing at all. No snakes, bats, rats or caterpillars for me yet, but I will keep you all posted.

January 9th - Back in Uganda Again

I'm back again! I just arrived back in Uganda safely with all my luggage. All the flights and connections went well but now it is time to try to get some sleep. It is currently 12:10am, which makes it only 3:10pm in North Dakota.(plus I forgot my melatonin) More later...