The Last Few Weeks...

Why yes, it has been a while since my last post. But now I am back from a crazy end of year rush.

I am currently sitting in Entebbe, re-energizing for my flight back to America tomorrow evening. And now that I am here, stationary, I feel like I have time to reflect on the last few weeks and wrap my mind about returning home for a month-long visit.

The last few weeks were filled with a music recital for my students, stepping in to fill the team's coordinator position for some dear friends, ending the year's school term, a worship night, graduations, packing, moving house, etc. 

But in all the craziness of life, I really was able to see God’s provision. With friends to share the load, encouraging emails, special times with our kids. 

And even at times when my head and my heart went ahead of the situation. 

God was the one protecting me.

Here are some pictures documenting the last few weeks…

Two of the faces I will miss dearly while being on holiday

Music with the Special Needs Program

Music in Primary 2 Classroom

Busy doing Christmas Baking

Having a bit of fun while we were baking

My little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree all ready for Christmas with the Family

Some of my girls at their Senior Four Banquet

Heart of Worship Team after our Last Worship Night December 1st

 Thank you Tiffany and Allison for the photos!!! 

Worship under a starless sky

The last Saturday of every month, the Heart of Worship team holds a worship night for all who are interested. It is a time where we gather as hungry hearts, full hearts, aching hearts. Hearts that are wanting to lift High the Name of the one who Satisfies and Heals our hearts. 

Well this season of life has been CRAZY and a "crispy" feeling has been a sort of epidemic. So instead of doing intense preparation for our monthly worship night, we decided to, just as a team, enter into nature and around a fire, have a night of Worship. 

There were no microphones, no speakers, no set program. Just worship as it came. Hearts that were tired, dry - finding rest and refreshment by surrendering it all to Him. 

We ended night with this as the cry of our hearts 

"As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 

My soul thirst for God, for the living God." 

                                                                      Psalm 42:1-2b

As the Deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my hearts' desire and I long to worship Thee

You alone are my Strength, my Shield

To You alone does my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship Thee...

                                                                                                          -Lyrics by Martin J. Nystrom

Faces

These are some of the faces that add to the richness of my life. 

And behind each one of these faces, there is a story.

A story of joy, pain, triumph, failure.

 But in all of these stories, God has shown His Hand Strong - even if it takes a lifetime or longer to see it.

There are many more faces, more stories that make my life burst with Joy.

Some faces are in Uganda, some are in other ends of this world. 

But to make that distance not so far, this I hope. As Ann once said, "In heaven, lets talk long..."

Wednesday Favorites...

Music with the Special Needs Program – one of the highlights of my Wednesdays.

A class of absolute treasures, these students love life, love being together, and love singing praises to Jesus.

A month ago, we decided to compose a song – still Untitled, but now known by all.

The words are simple. A song about God’s love.

Anjagalannyo, tumwagalannyo

(He Loves Me, We love Him)

Ayagala (insert Student’s name) leero, enkya, mirembe gyonna

(He Loves (insert Student’s name) today, tomorrow, and forever

When we first composed this song, we finished and were silent for a moment. Then, Kakande (a student/helper/headboy) opens his mouth with utter worship and mutters, “Anjagalannyo.” All the while, nodding in agreement.

I could feel the tears coming – How much these kids challenge me in my Walk, in my Worship - in my Love for the Father.

Wednesday favorites – Entering into a time of Worship as we abandon our hearts to His love.

Celebration!

October 7th - High heels, driving in circles, running in front of a parade, singing for the President. 

I look back on that day and it not seems more like a crazy movie than actual life.

As to how we got here… To make a long story short…

New Hope Uganda was asked to bring a choir to sing for the 

50^th Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Celebration in Kampala…

Uniforms were made…

Performance tracks were recorded…

Backup vocals were recorded…

Practices were had…

Choreography was added…

Meetings were attended…

And now that brings us up to October 7^th – the Day of the Celebration

The Capital city of Kampala was busy and many streets were blocked off as we entered town. So, with 19 kids, all carrying their uniforms, we raced downtown, all the while running in front of a parade in order to get to our destination.

Uniforms were thrown on, teeth were brushed, hair was combed, and then we raced back up the hill to our bus which took us to the final destination – the place of the celebration.

Fancy dresses, polished shoes, high heels, nervous stomachs. All a part of the day.

With our soundcheck complete, we began our wait - our wait for the celebration to begin.

 A Celebration that was brought about to give Thanks to God for how He has brought Uganda thus far, but now to rededicate this Nation to God.

As our children sang their songs – songs truly magnifying God’s name – I was moved to tears that these children – some of whom the world meant for nothing – but now these very ones were singing before the Leaders of their Country. And proclaiming their Love for the Lord not only publicly, in front of their whole nation.

I was BEYOND proud of these kids.

The day was long, but filled with memories that I believe will be etched into their minds forever.

Here is a picture from the day – were only able to take photos before the event started, so here we are, waiting in our seats after our soundcheck.

October 9^th was Uganda’s Official 50^th Birthday

We came together as a community for a celebration.

The choir that presented at the Golden Jubilee was given the opportunity to sing for the 

New Hope Family.

One of our youngest vocalists :)

Pure Joy

Blowing the Shofar of Celebration 

The Choir
 Minus 4 members

All photo credits go to John and Janessa Biedler – THANK YOU!!!!!

Hannah's Happenings - August Edition

Hannah's Happenings - August Edition has finally been released.

New Digs

Good morning from the Farm. Yes, I said farm - I have lived on one my whole life, and now again, I am on the Farm. No, I don't have a tractor in my yard nor am I scanning the grain prices for the upcoming months. But I do have chickens - 10 little friends who enjoy greeting me in the morning with their pre-sunrise songs of "Food, Food, where for art thou food???" Don't worry, these Ugandan chickens don't know English, actually I do speak to them in Luganda most of the time :)

Besides chickens, cattle pass by daily and right out side my front door is a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables and berries.

The end of July brought about a change, which is why I now life on a Farm. The Peterson Family left for the US for a time of furlough and I am house/farm sitting. This will be my home until I head back to the States in December for Christmas. It has been a nice change, complete with indoor plumbing and solar power. There is more space in this house as well, which makes for very exciting family gatherings - games, hot chocolate, music and dance parties. 

Since many of you don't exactly know where I am living now, I thought I would do a little Photo journey through my Monday morning living on the Farm. 

Entering the chicken coop - Aunt Heidi - these chickens are sometimes rather vicious, pecking at my ghosty white legs (thinking that my legs are their "feed")
But I try to cover up as much "leg" with my flowery rubber boots

There are 10 little ladies in all. I am slowly conquering my fear of their wild ways.

But this morning after I was all showered and dressed for the day, I heard some funny noises coming from outside the house, where 9 of the 10 chickens had made a run for it and were scattered around the yard. Then I REALLY had to get over my fear of these feathered creatures by rounding them up - some I chased back into their enclosure, while some I just had to pick up, much to their dislike. 

My new roommate, Cleo. Well actually I should say that I am her new roommate since she has lived here longer than I have. We (Cleo and I) will be joined shortly by another roommate, Chrissy, a human,  the end of August. 

My Monday Morning Reading/Planning Stack. The Heart of Worship Team is going on a retreat this upcoming Friday at Musana Camps. Final preparations for the weekend :)

And yes, that is a house plan for a possible house... Please pray?

A beautiful morning on the Farm.

Learning to live a life that is Abundant with Him - even in the new places He puts me, chickens and all.
"...I have come that You might have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:10b

Hannah's Happenings - June Edition

The June Edition of Hannah's Happenings has been released. If you would like to be added to the newsletter email list, please Contact Me

Enjoy!

April 24 - The Development

A cool Tuesday greeted me this morning - I sometimes consider Tuesdays to be the first "Real" day of the week. It is as if your weekend was a plane ride across many time zones and then Monday was your catch-up day. Not necessarily on sleep, but not such a serious day. It is more like the day that you have to get over your jet-lag from the weekend and then Tuesday starts. And this Tuesday morning was cold. Serious and cold. Where are my socks??

I spent Friday and Saturday in Kampala - resting and getting ready for the month ahead. The holiday from School has started and the holiday that has shown a "facade" of rest is going to be a busy holiday packed with events and excitement. So, I was getting a bit of rest before I crash after the month of May. Just trying to make sure I'm in check before I have to play catch-up.

While away, I was mulling over the thought of the Development of this new role and program. So far it has morphed into something much better than I could have imagined it to be. And as I have been digesting the development of it all, it has come with lots of difficulties, joys, challenges, and unexpected happiness. But I have been enjoying it. At times I've had to put reigns on the "rushing bulls in china shops"and just walk through the process quietly. Peacefully. Submissively. And yes, there are times when I just wish it would be all set in stone and ready to go. Chop chop. All done. But am I really enjoying the Process? The development. Am I being thankful for the times in that process that make me call on Him even more? As I certainly can't do this myself.

Then I got to thinking (thinking - for those of you who know the movie Enchanted, say it in the Prince Edward way). As I am on this journey of my life with Him, I know He is changing me. Molding me. Developing me. In this process with Him, am I enjoying and being thankful for the challenges, joys, failures etc.? Yes, the development is hard at times and at times I wish I was "done" but I will appear with Him in Glory someday. But until that day comes, I am still on this journey, this process filled with Grace each step of the way.

Enjoy your Tuesday filled with Grace.

March 27 - 3 Things Redeemed

I have been reading the book One Thousand Gifts for the past many months but when I finished reading it, I wanted the book to keep going. Thankfully, the writer has a website and posts new thoughts regularly. I was reading the site last night and came across a Daily Joy Dare calendar. As I was reading ahead for today's (27th) Joy Dare, it said 3 Things Redeemed. 3 things that I can thank God for that He has redeemed. I had many thoughts going into today, but I am so happy to share one very unexpected one with you now.

Today was rather, eh. Not too busy, not too exciting, just eh. I was thankful for a low-key day before my days start begin filling up with this and that. As the sunshine was coming to an end, I received a visitor to my door. One of our girls came to see if I wanted to order something for this week. But our visit was so much more than filling up an order form. I asked how her year had been going so far and she opened up that it was going well, but then with excited eyes she told me how the Lord had saved her! She - Redeemed. The Lord had saved this precious one and called her His own. We talked and prayed and I was just overjoyed. There is something new about her and I am looking forward to see Him work in her more and more.

Transforming her heart.

Her - putting more and more trust in Him.

Things Redeemed - 1. His Beautiful Daughter

March Newsletter

Hello again! For those who aren't on my email or mailing list, here is my March 2012 Newsletter.

Sunday March 25, 2012 "You Smell Bad!"

Today was my first Sunday back at Kasana and I also have my first visitors in my home since I arrived. Pictured below. These lovely ladies had had a sleep-over at my neighbors the night before and decided to pay me a visit in the morning. We enjoyed a morning apple together and had fun visiting and reading. I have been having meals in other people's homes since I arrived so it was fun to have some surprise visitors over at my home before church.

I couldn't get them to have a cup of coffee with me though :(

Since arriving at Kasana on Friday evening, I got to make a surprise appearance at the Worship Teams practice for their monthly Worship Night the following night. I was so happy to see their faces once again. From there, I went to David Family to catch-up with my kids. I should have been sleepy by then - with a full day of traveling and visiting, but I was surprisingly awake. I think the key for me was getting sleep the first night.

David Family had a welcome back dinner for me tonight - I was so blessed by their hospitable gesture. Lots of people helped prepare it and My! was it!

One of our youngest sons was sitting with me before the meal was served and I asked him if he was excited to eat, as he was getting ready to answer, he leaned closer to me and then has a look of disgust - and said "no - you smell bad!" My citronella spray to keep the malaria mosquitos away was disturbing him and so needless to say, he sat somewhere else during the meal :) Young kids can be so blunt sometimes - but I don't have any mosquito bites.

Made it back - Limbs and all...

I'm back again and I made it with all my luggage and limbs in tact. For those of you who know how heavy my carry-ons were, - this is not a joke.

I checked into Fargo Hector International Airport Wednesday morning, only to find an angel by the name of Cheryl Staab. She checked my luggage all the way through to Entebbe, relieving me of a big burden that I have been dreading for weeks - transferring all of my luggage from the domestic terminal to the International Terminal in O'Hare International Airport by my lonesome. Wow! Was I relieved.

The flights were good, cold but good. Sleep was found on the 2nd flight and thankfully, I was able to sleep once I arrived in Ugandaas well. I arrived at my favorite Guesthouse in Entebbe around 11pm, which is 3pm ND time and actually slept. So good!

I feel a little - like this picture right now - strange but excited. I lost my shoes for about 20 minutes - and I lost them in a room that is about 8ft by 8ft. Kind of a hard thing to do, but anything strange that I do for the next few days, I'm blaming it on my jet-lagged brain.

All is well so far. I am awaiting a vehicle to take me back to Kasana - and in the vehicle are some great faces! I can't wait to see a portion of the Kyazze family in a few minutes and in a few hours, my Kasana Family.

Yes, it is good to be back :)