Yesterday was a good'er day!  I had a visit out to a school in Bugiri, google map it, its in the middle of nowhere.  The actual village is called Budembe.  This village is the poster child for the WWCS model.  They have an amazing amount of faith and it is consuming the community.  Last year, our social worker, Prossy, made her first visit.  At that visit, she was introduced to an area where schooling has not been available.  Where the people have been left alone, without any sort of aid for improvement.  There are jokes made about the people coming from Budembe, as if they are the outcasts of an already beat up society.

Allow me to explain why this project is so exciting.  Uganda as a whole seems to be a country formed by dependency.  The United States is revered for its generosity.  Praise God.  However, Gadaffi is also praised for his generosity.  Isn't that interesting?  Without going into detail, just suffice to say that there is a commonality with good will projects in that there will have to be some fountain from heaven for it to succeed otherwise there is no hope.  Knowing this, it has been a little change in plans, but it has been a good part of our work here to convince schools and communities that they can succeed without dependency on some foreign aid.  It has been a challenge, but it is definitely an important task.  As a matter of fact, the country team here in Uganda has had this focus knowing that they cannot be totally dependent on foreign aid to be a successful mission-oriented organization.

Last year, Prossy visited this community.  The community is a melting pot of tribes who have been displaced by the wars that have hardly left the horizon.  There are nearly 6,000 people collected in an area far from the beaten path.  In fact, they just recently got a road graded for them because they refused to vote in the last election without it.  Otherwise, if they wanted to get access to public transportation they had to trek roughly 8 miles through the bush.  Anyway, this community has finally had a glimmer of progress.  Two years ago, they decided that they needed a primary school.  So they recruited some volunteer teachers and started teaching Nursery through 4th Grade under some trees with a single chalk board.

Through the Holy Spirit they made contact with WWCS Uganda.  A representative of the community came to Kampala to meet with a few folks about the visit.  Which led Prossy to the meeting one year ago.  At that meeting, Prossy talked to the teachers, the parents, and some of the students about how they do not have to wait.  They can have a school and they can do it with their own power.  She explained to them that they can use what they have.  They have land.  They have livestock.  They have man power.  So they have been making bricks.  They have been planting and harvesting more than they need.  She explained to them that they are not poor.  They have these things and they are gifts from God.  They can use them for their advantage and make a school.  So since last year, they have been doing the things she said.  They have made bricks, harvested crops for selling, and they have started paying a small tuition for their childs' education.

In two years, they have accrued 303 students!  For only having children up to the age of 9, that is quite impressive!  So now, they have been able to charge a small amount for these children.  Though it does not seem like much, $1.40 from each kid, has been a great change for the school.  They now can pay their teachers a small salary.  They have saved money to purchase an additional chalk board for each class.  The most impressive thing is that they have built a two classroom building.  They have built a pit latrine for their students.  They now have a church.  All of this was done in ONE YEAR!  And they did it on their own!

This seems unimpressive for most of the people reading this blog.  Our culture has simplified how important it is to be independent.  However the culture here has a big task in front of them if they can ever discount the importance of independence.  It is unfortunate but a reality for them.

Anyway, this school/community is one of just a couple of projects that can say they did something for themselves.  This is the model for the Uganda Country Team.  In fact, even though the school is young, they are already actively participating in the Education Care Training that WWCS offers.  It teaches the teachers how they can incorporate Biblical understanding in each subject in the classroom.  It is really vital for the Christ Foundation that WWCS is all about.  I am really proud of this school.  I am really proud of this community.  I am really proud of Prossy and her success at reaching the community and school in accepting and using the model that we know will work.  Praise God for Budembe Primary School.  Please pray that they can continue doing such a great job.

Now I titled this blog as "roller coaster ride."  So far this entry doesn't seem much like a roller coaster ride.  Well, yesterday, we continued our saga of having trouble with our "blessing" of personal transportation.  We have had several mechanics try to "help" us.  That too has been a struggle to see if they are trying to make the vehicle worse or better.  Though I am confident now that we have a mechanic that is trying to help us, now.  So he was working on it again.  There seemed to have been progress.  The vehicle ran correctly yesterday before they left.  This morning, when I drove it to see, I think it got even worse.

The excitement of having this vehicle and the access to things we never had available to us has made this saga so much worse.  In fact this morning, I can honestly say that I am defeated.  Please pray for us.  Though it may seem trivial, there has been little that made Uganda seem like home.  Well this car did.  Let me emphasize... DID.  Now it is a endless pit of money.  We need your prayer to see what we do.  Do we continue to "try" and fix it, or do we cut our loss.  This really sucks.  The decision to buy a car was difficult and now it is blowing up in our face.

I feel retarded for having written just a few days ago about how hurdles make us stronger.  Now the hurdles got a little taller and a little more rigid.  Though it seems that Grace has recovered from her amoeba.  I think she really wanted to keep them as a pet.  But she is actively getting rid of them.  Her medication is working and she is feeling well.  Though sickness has been a part of our daily life here.  It is what we expected.  There are many things here that our bodies are not used to.  So continue to pray for us.

Serving a Mighty God (as best we can),

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

I liked running, back in the day, but hurdles always scared the crap out of me.  They always seemed so high!  I could jump over them, but trying to clear them will minimal vertical clearance always seemed to scare me.  I think I was/am a sissy who was/is just afraid of falling at full speed.

Lately, we have been experiencing some good sized hurdles.  Not the wooden ones that one tries to clear in a race.  Rather hurdles that slow our stride and cause discouragement.  We have been sooo blessed while here in Uganda.  We have a really nice house.  We have a semi-healthy family.  We have a refrigerator.  And as of recently, we have a vehicle.  However, those blessings can easily become a burden if your heart is in the wrong place.

Healthy bodies has been a common prayer for our family.  There are so many more tropical diseases here that one cannot imagine.  The obvious, Malaria, has been a burden on us.  But we have overcome it.  Parasites have been another.  When we first got here, the parasitic infection from the caterpillars was a problem.  Lately, Gracie has complained about a recurring stomach pain.  We had taken her into some clinics where they claimed she had malaria.  Even though we were advised by some expats, we kept going to the clinic to get treatment.  But the blessing of a vehicle finally allowed us to explore the suggested medical facility here, The Surgery.  We went there this week.  We were pretty impressed that they had a modern (looking) facility.  The real impressive part of the clinic was that the physician, an actual doctor, did a physical examination of Grace.  Ruling out many other causes, they actually had tests, she requested a stool sample.  So we were pretty excited that they were actually doing a thorough check.  After collecting and testing, we found out that she has a Cystic Ameoba infection in her intestine.  From what we understand, it is pretty common in third world countries.  The cause can either be running bare foot in the dirt or transmission from flies to food (or consuming raw vegetables).  Regardless, she is now on a treatment plan and should be CURED in a couple of days!  Praise God!

Like I said before, a blessing can be a burden if your heart is in the wrong place.  A good example, the vehicle... the Pajero is a trusty steed.  It has been such a great thing for us.  It allows us to navigate where and when we want.  Removing 90% of the travel restriction holding us back til now.  However, this past week it has been a burden.  The roads here, using the term "road" very loosely, are extremely treacherous.  They are extremely abusive on vehicles.  And we have seen evidence of that this week.  Our alternator had shaken loose from its restraints.  So badly that it stopped charging the battery.  It had been loose long enough to ruin the bearings on one of the fly wheels.  Inevitably it has been a chain reaction of problems.  This morning, on the way to church, I noticed the power steering getting really tight.  As we went along on the "road" the transmission was acting up (it would not switch out of 2nd gear).  As we turned onto the road to church, the floodgates let loose.  A belt snapped and got tied in the fan making the most horrendous noises.  So we ditched the car and walked the rest of the way to church.  However, I called the mechanic to come and help.

Anyway, I am not giving all of this detail to prove our defeat.  For some reason, this has happened to us with little sore effect.  We get briefly discouraged.  But soon after the catastrophe with the car we stepped into church when the bible study started.  For some reason, out of the normal flow, the elder started talking about something he felt he had to say before welcoming the pastor to speak.  He started talking about Nahum 2:1... "An attacker advances against you, Nineveh. Guard the fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal all your strength!"  He has no idea that he was asked by the Holy Spirit to speak directly to us.  No one had any idea of our misfortune prior to entering through those doors.  Except the Lord... He knew that we had had a hurdle or two that we had to clear.  He knew that we were being challenged by our enemy and that we needed some encouragement.  

As soon as I heard that brief message from the elder I started thanking the Lord for hurdles.  Without hurdles I may not rely on the Lord for strength.  Without hurdles there would be no successes.  So I am thankful that we are OVERCOMERS!  We are thankful!

As always, we are heavily reliant on everyone's prayers.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

Please pray for the family of Brother Edward Kimbo.  He was found in the bush yesterday, after being missing for a few days, dead.  Apparently, he had gone out on Monday to continue looking for his daughter who recently had a mental breakdown and had run away.  Because Edward often leaves to come to Kampala, his absence was not too alarming.  However, yesterday, a friend or family member had been in the bush and noticed a body.  To that person's sadness, it was our friend and elder Edward Kimbo.

Early this morning, I was awoken by a telephone call from our pastor, Rev. Ssemwanga, cancelling our plans to visit a school.  He casually mentioned that he was going to a burial instead and that it was our friend.  After being taken back, Liz and I decided that we should attend this ceremony.

Edward is the man who got WWCS-Uganda connected with the Edusabo Community Junior School.  That is one of the schools that has a lot of promise for construction to start soon.  It is the community where we showed the Passion of Christ movie, first.  Needless to say, we have quite a connection with the community and his family.

This was definitely a cultural experience that we never planned on attending.  However, we were definitely honored to be welcomed the way we were.  The family and friends, in their circumstances, were extremely warm and welcoming.  Having a close relationship with Pastor Paul Ssemwanga and Pastor Joseph Musiitwa, the pastors directing the funeral, I was included in a some areas of the ceremony.  After first arriving, and having introductions, I was asked to speak and offer my condolences.  At the time of the burial, I was asked to read some scripture.  It was special to be asked and accepted as a participant of this ceremony.

This family desperately needs your prayers.  It was not bad enough that a daughter is missing.  But now the head of the household, the father, the brother, the husband is gone.  So please pray for them.

This circumstance has put perspective on the fragility of life.  Don't take any moment for granted.

Serving a Mighty God,

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator

Liz and I celebrated our 11th anniversary with roughly 60'ish Ugandans in a village 2 hours north of Kampala.  We were invited to be a part of a ground breaking ceremony for a Reformed Seminary and Vocational Training Center.  Check out our video of literally breaking ground on the vidoes link on this blog.  

The potential for this school is limitless.  Having a foundation in Christ and devoted proprietors, this school is bound to do well.  The school is being founded by a group of individuals who are deeply rooted in the Presbyterian Reformed church here in Uganda.  With the gift from a generous family the school has a square mile available for its use.  That is 640 acres of land!  This is the biggest school plot that I have seen yet!

The school is first and foremost a seminary.  There, teaching of theology and Presbyterian Reformed doctrine will be made available for anyone interested.  Secondly, it is a vocational school.  Having the specialized instructors from the seminary paired with leaders in the field of each vocation, everyday disciples will be made.  They are offering vocations that are important to the Ugandan culture both currently and to benefit the country in the future.  Agriculture and animal husbandry will be a huge part of the school.  Having the land available to grow large scale produce will help the school be self-sustainable.  This school will offer jobs to the nearby community to manage the property and also make an adequate education readily available.

The part of the story that makes me most excited is that it is a Christ-based "adult" school.  With the resources available to the school, it has the opportunity to become the only Polytechnic University in Uganda!  Not only would it be the only poly-tech school, but it would be the first Christian Polytechnic University in Uganda!

Now I realize that this vision for the school is far off.  There are years worth of preparation to become so grand.  However, it is totally possible.  The lead proprietor has already founded a very successful private university here in Uganda.  It is called Ndejje University.  He founded it on Christian beliefs with the expectation that quality education would draw students to PAY for schooling.  Because when the school was started, government run colleges were all free.  So that is his belief here.  He is bringing the best veterinary instructors for the animal husbandry school.  He has made arrangements to partner with Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan to assist with the seminary school.  He has plans that will make this the best school in Uganda, Lord willing!

One more reason to be excited... his grand plan for the school is not ten years out.  He wants to set record time on the construction of this school.  He wants to have structures available for teaching in January of 2012!  I don't know what to say... I am so extremely excited, I am refraining from jumping for joy.  Thanks be to everyone for praying generally for our ministry.  Now pray that we can work well with this school group to get the necessary building plans in place.  Also that the community will contribute and get building materials (i.e. bricks) made as fast as humanly possible.

We have some work ahead of us!  Praise God!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

Lately, it is uncommon for us to attend our own church.  As I wrote last week, we were visiting a church in Kampala where we were asked to speak to the youth (i.e. preach).  Yesterday, we were invited to a community where we are planning to build a school.  It is in Kasawo, about an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Kampala, the site of Edusabo Community Junior School.  Let me first say that it was a treat to go there!

This church is home to what I can only estimate as about 300 church members.  For Uganda, that is crazy, especially in a village!  Thankfully, we traveled with our pastor so he was asked to preach rather than us.  Our purpose was two part, we were to ask the community to support the school that is being built and show a film.  The school here, has some construction that has taken place due to funds received from the community already.  However, that was depleted pretty quickly, so now you see a skeleton of a building with some rickety rooms built within it to hold classes.  The school is home to over four hundred students!  And the classrooms would not be equivalent to a barn in the US.  Americans would not find their horses safe in such structures, let alone their children.  Needless to say, we are fervently trying to get teams here and continue the construction of the school that has such great potential.  Please pray for this school, their students, and the teachers.

The second reason we were there was because there is a projector at our disposal to show Christian films to communities that will receive it.  This was our first time doing this.  So we went in skeptical, but excited.  The skepticism was due to the fact that we rely on some technological advances to successfully pull this off.  That is that the sound system can connect to our laptop and that there is POWER to run the projector.  Two things that are not concerns where we come from.  So we brought an insurance policy, two movies.  Our original intent was to show the Jesus Movie.  However, with the chance that the sound system would not connect we brought the dubbed Passion of Christ film.  Well, my suspicion was a reality, so we talked and figured that the Passion of Christ was our only option.  Of course, we were a little leery due to the graphic nature of the film.  But we explained it to the crowd and continued.

Thankfully, we had some unexpected resource available to us... a professor from Makrere University.  He and his accomplice translated the movie and explained some of the scenes in the chance that someone did not know the context of the movie.  It was a huge success!  I counted the number of viewers at one point and there were about 140 people.  However, as that was just in the beginning, the number went way up as people came in from the community.  In fact, Liz and I saw at least one Muslim child outside the church watching without entering.  I tried to invite him in, but he was scared.  I hope that he could get some sort of understanding of the great sacrifice made for him.  However, all in all, it was a great experience.  We were truly blessed to have been there.  We are anxious to do it again... anywhere!

The way it looks today, Monday, we may go back to our church this week.  I know they miss the kids... you never know about Liz and I!

On a side subject, Liz and I have been contemplating the idea of acquiring a vehicle.  We feel limited in our ability to serve and incorporate our family in the service.  It has only recently become a problem as we are getting more intimate with the school projects.  Having the family able to go to the places where we serve inspires the community even more.  When the villagers see a few crazy white kids they are interested.  It is a great lure!  Then we explain why we are there and suggest support.  It is a good tactic!  Well anyway, taking public transportation to all of these villages becomes expensive with 6 family members and a nanny.  And as you can imagine, it is not necessarily the safest when our visits extend into the evening.  Anyway, we are curious if there are people that would help us with this.  We are praying about it, it is a tough decision.  We want to be good stewards of the money we have been blessed with, and that we are SOOO thankful for.  So we want your feedback.  Shoot us an email or let us know in some way what you think.  Also, please pray for us as we consider this.  It is a huge part of our ministry that we make ample use of what we have been blessed with.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Serving Christ with you,

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

That's right folks.  We are now experienced evangelists.  Today, September 18th, we had to lead our first sermon!

It is funny.  We have been asked to "speak to the youth" before.  The first time, it was more of an open forum for youth and biblical relationships.  Well this last week, I was asked by another colleague (preacher) to come speak at his church, directed toward the youth.  Unfortunately, the language barrier makes most phone calls very difficult and end in expectations with me having no idea of what was said.  Sure enough, it appeared to be that case today.  I thought that maybe we would be doing another forum, or maybe offering a testimony... NOPE!  They wanted us to give a sermon, or "speak to the youth."  Yippee!

So, first of all, the typical sermon here ranges from 60-75 minutes long.  Yes, the minimum sermon is an hour long!  Second, we did not have anything prepared, because we had no idea what we were expected to do.  So when I asked the pastor this morning, what he wanted us to talk about, he made it sound pretty clear that there needs to be a sermon.  One with the direction of having the youth take hold of their faith and use their gifts for the Kingdom.  Does that sound like something we do... no!

However, it was too late.  When I asked, we were already on our way.

We started on our way to church around 11 am.  We finally reached church around noon.  The first round of praise, worship, and preaching took us to about 2:30.  At that point, they break for lunch.  They were nice enough to offer us a lunch at the church.  Because we were guest speakers of course!  Then the service started again at about 4.  With a bunch of singing, dancing, and more singing, we were finally asked to come speak at 5:30.  I almost asked them how long they wanted us to speak, but I did not want to commit to a duration.  I emphasized that I was not a preacher, at least three times.  But Lizzy is, so I asked her to join me!  Together, we talked about acting on faith, listening to the Holy Spirit, and surrounding yourself with believers... all with the idea of staying focused on Faith.  Using Moses and Joshua as examples from the bible.   It wasn't horrible, but if we were better prepared it could have been better.  Our sermon only lasted about a half hour.  Too long for American church, and not long enough for Ugandan church.  Proof that preaching is not on our resume!

Someone asked me if I ever planned on going into evangelism as a career.  I quickly said no.  And I explained that my mind is too fast to wait for an interpreter.  By the time the interpreter is finished translating what I last said, my mind has skipped the next phrase and moved on to the shiny object in the corner of the room!  So... pretty much, preaching is not on my list of things I want to keep doing each week.  (Big Sigh!)  However, I am pretty sure that I am going to have to do it again.  Yippee!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

For the past few weeks, it has escaped me to mention that we have actually made progress on a building site.  The project that we talked about as we were planning to come to Uganda, Kingsway Primary School, has broken ground on their building site.  I seriously cannot believe that I failed to mention that on here!  I am an idiot!

In August, a ground mover came to the site and did some serious damage to the property.  It is no longer a farm, it is a building site.  Not only did it remove stumps and debris from the area where the building will be built.  It also paved the way for a new driveway to the school.  Though it seems insignificant, it is monumental to the school itself.  Before, the students had to trek through wilderness to get to their classrooms.  As the school stands right now, there is already a secondary (junior and high school) built.  However, the area is drenched with witch craft believers.  So getting a primary (elementary) school there is essential.  In fact, the nickname for the area is called "the hills of human sacrifice."  It is said that there are still practitioners of witch craft in the area.  Though it is banned by the Ugandan constitution, it has not yet left Uganda.

As you can see above, what used to be a beaten path has since become a road!  Quite honestly, it is better than 50% of the roads in Uganda!

So it is exciting that a school that we have been intimate with has started some work.  The next step is to go out and survey the foundation.  We can then mark where the digging needs to occur and start laying the foundation.  However, laying the foundation does require money.  So we are waiting to hear of a donation or team assembled to start the construction.  But for us, this is a BIG START.  Praise God for progress!

Above is a picture of the building site, cleared for construction.  Just below that, there is a rough draft of what the plot will look like with the school constructed.  Like I said, this is a ROUGH DRAFT!  It was the first project that I started on with the drafting program that I downloaded for FREE!  Regardless, you get a good understanding of what will be built here.  They will have 10 classrooms, 2 offices, and a staff lounge.  Not to mention latrines for the students and teachers and a kitchen for food preparation.

So keep praying for the foreign assistance that we are so dependent on.  Unfortunately, there is little self sustenance here for projects such as these.  But with God's grace, there will be in the future!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

Well the time had finally come where we were going to be illegally staying in Uganda.  Even though we are getting really close to having the work permit, assuming the board approves it when it is reviewed.  But not having the proper pass stamped into our passport, Uganda is allowed to charge each illegal immigrant $30 per day they are here illegally.  And when I say each person, they count Isabel too.  So that would be $180 per day!  Ouch!

This time, we had two options:  get a special pass from the Ugandan Immigration office, or get another visitor pass from border patrol in another country.  The special pass would be the easiest route, because it is just paperwork.  But the cost is outrageous!  They want $100 per person!  That is crazy!  Though I am not sure how long it lasts it seemed to demand research in the other option.  In looking at the bordering countries to Uganda:  Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Sudan.  Taking into account proximity, Kenya and Tanzania were the two only options.  Kenya has two visas that can be purchased, a visitor visa ($50) or a transit visa ($20).  Tanzania costs $50 regardless.  So we thought that we could take the gamble and try to get the cheaper of the two visas in Kenya.

In making the decision, we thought that if we were out seeing the country, maybe we should stop somewhere.  Not too far from the border crossing was a national park, Mt. Elgon.  In looking online, it boasts the third highest mountain peak in Uganda.  It also offers numerous waterfalls during the rainy season.  Which coincidentally, the rainy season started about two weeks ago!  So Mt. Elgon National Park it is!

We left our house at about 8 in the morning.  We made it to the Kenya border in 4 hours!  That was incredible time!  However, as we got to the Busia border we met our first challenge.  We had to convince the border patrol that we were coming to Kenya to travel through, in order to achieve the Transit Visa.  To our great surprise, it was no problem!  After a few thousand documents, we were allowed to enter and we only had to pay $120!  Music to my Dutch (by marriage) ears!  There were a couple of surprise costs... having to pay for the vehicle to pass and having to buy Kenyan "insurance."  But they were pretty negligible.  The weird thing at this border was that all of the Ugandans were just walking across without doing any immigration paperwork.  So we thought that Azeda would be good to go.  Weird, but when in Rome...

So we traveled the nearest road that connected the Busia border crossing to the Malaba border crossing.  It appeared, on the map, to be only about 15 miles.  No big deal right?  Well we started the route and thought that it was going to be no problem.  However, after about 5 minutes on a beautifully paved tarmac, we had to veer off onto another road.  This road was not beautifully paved.  It was more like rocky and treacherous.  I do not want to mask the beauty of the landscape as we maneuvered the road.  It was mountainous and awesome.  It was back country and primal.  It is definitely something that a person remembers as natural beauty.

Well after about an hour and a half, for 15 miles, we reached the other border at Malaba.  As you approach the border crossings, there are people there who know the ins and outs of the crossing.  So they "volunteer" to assist you as you cross.  So three men immediately hovered over our vehicle.  Of course, just as they did that, the car stalled.  So we had three "volunteers" to help push the vehicle to the immigration offices.  As our driver maintained his vehicle, Liz and I went to the office to get the exit stamp for the Kenya side.  Immediately, the patrol officer said that there is a problem and asked us to come to the back room.  Yea for us!  We went back there and he had two questions for me... why have we come to Kenya and why did we let a stranger help us pass the border?  I told him the truth, which I think he appreciated.  The stranger thing, I didn't know any better.  I figured if this man thinks he can take our passports, I could take him!  After a few threats by the border patrol officer, he reluctantly stamped our passports and allowed us to leave his country.

As we left the office, we came back to the vehicle, which was running.  But immediately following, a police officer came to Liz's window and was asking questions about Azeda.  Why not, right?  Things were going too smoothly!  After a few questions about her traveling documents, he asked for her to leave the vehicle and go with him.  You betcha, he was going to arrest her for traveling illegally!  Thankfully, our "volunteer" friend, who no longer had possession of our passports, went and talked to the officer to find out what could be done.  I will give you one guess as to what COULD BE DONE.  You got it, BRIBERY!!!  We had to pay the guy to let her go.  I really wanted to see if we left what he would do.  I think it would be funny for his plan to backfire.  But at the expense of Azeda... I couldn't bear the burden.  So we paid the turd and left.  Apparently $30 will do wonders in Kenya.  Congratulations Mr. I Need Cash Even Though I Have a Job!

Now the good news... we finally got to the Ugandan entrance border.  There was no paperwork to fill out.  Sweet!  The woman asked how long we were planning to stay in Uganda and I told her.  She said that if we were working on the work permit already, that three months should be enough to finish.  So she was very gracious and stamped us for another three months!!!  Success!!!  Now we should have plenty of time to figure out the few remaining steps to get our work permit finalized.  Praise God!

After the border adventures, we rerouted to Mbale, the city just outside of Mt. Elgon Park.  We had dinner there and spent the night.  In the morning, we left early enough to grab breakfast and head to the park.  We figured the biggest attraction, next to traversing the mountain, was the falls.  In this case, the biggest attracting falls in the area was Sipi Falls.  So we went there...

We found our place, after driving up a few mountains, literally.  At the first stop, you could see the first of the three parts of the waterfalls.  The lower falls drops about 300 ft.  The middle falls drops about 150 ft.  The upper falls drops about 250 ft.  After seeing the lower falls from a distance, we saw the photo opportunity and took advantage of it.  After that, we went to the middle falls.  At this location, there were trails that would take you close to the falls.  So we chose to go on them.  To our amazement, the trails led you to the falls, literally.  We could stand in the cave, formed by the water hundreds of years ago, right behind where the falls hits the rocks.  It was one of the most beautify things I have been privileged to see.  The best part about it was that we were able to see it with the kids.  They don't realize it, but they saw raw creation at its finest.  Only God could make something that perfect!

As we started to leave the middle falls, it started to rain.  Big surprise, right, I mean with the RAINY season and all!  But this time, we were a little worried.  It is because, just after we started on our adventure, we bought a newspaper.  On the front cover was a catastrophe story about a landslide in the Mt. Elgon region.  Yeah, with that in our mind, we were out of there.  We decided that the upper falls would not be that cool to see if we could not blog about it.  So we bailed, happily, having seen such an awesome sight.  From there, we headed home...

We had a two day adventure.  There were a ton of memories.  High points, low points... but overall, it was a successful trip.  No one says life is easy and we will never say that getting a work permit is easy!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

So most of you will never believe this... of all the people not to get Malaria, it was Lizzy and Isaac.  Everyone else got it, and with awesome grace we have all healed.  Everything is normal again.  The kids are crazy.  I am crazy.  Azeda is crazy.  Lizzy is putting up with it!

Quite a few people have showed concern for the illness that we have had.  Thankfully, with immediate treatment, Malaria can be 100% cured with oral medications.  There is a lot of research and articles about Malaria on the web.  Some offer honest information, others promote their mission to eradicate it by limiting the information offered to make it sound like the worst disease in the world.  Do not misunderstand me, I know it is harmful.  But we have been blessed with the resources to fight it.  We are aware of our children's welfare to combat it.  So we should be in a good position to walk away from this experience with memories and nothing else when it comes to Malaria.

The time has come again!  We are nearing the point where our visitor passes will expire.  It seems like just yesterday when I was complaining about my experiences at the immigration office.  And now we are due to deal with the mess again.  However, this time we are a little better off.  The application has been received, processed and has been submitted to the board for approval.  So we are very close.  But our options are limited as we go from here.  From talking to other people who have been through this ordeal, other missionaries (white people), they have ALL had the same issue.  And it seems that they all wind up going to Kenya for a day to get another pass on their passports.  Sadly, it is the lesser of a few evils.  But hey... we may get to see Kenya!  Well, at least the border...

It is funny how hard the devil fights against our efforts.  I have been so proud at how quickly we have been able to turn around the paperwork needed to recruit for HANDS teams to come here.  As I went today to scan in the many documents, after walking for a half hour one way, the scanner that I usually use was broken.  The devil sucks!  Why can't he just make things easier?  It is funny... the "battle" of good and evil here on earth is just like that of Megamind (the movie).  The bad always loses, while good always prevails.  I will not give up on the document scanning.  In fact, we will not give up on the work permit.  Why does he think he stands a chance?  Onward and forward...

We are a little bit excited here.  Liz has gotten a dose of normalcy.  She has found a bible study that is similar to the one she is used to.  She has found a play group that she can attend to give the kids some interaction with children who also speak English.  We have visited another church that resembles one that we would otherwise be semi-used to.  So at this point, though we are quite busy with everything else, we can find a little balance to make things a little easier.  Praise God! 

So for now, keep praying for us.  Pray for strength.  Pray for wisdom.  Pray for encouragement.  Pray that we are safe from all that may harm us.

On a last note... Isabel is nearing that point where cognitive awareness is immediate.  She is starting to attempt to repeat what we are saying.  Today, as we were calling for our friend Desire, Isabel blurts out "Desire!"  She is sooo smart.  But like Isaac, with that intelligence comes stubbornness, mischief, and pure entertainment!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA

So most of you will never believe this... of all the people not to get Malaria, it was Lizzy and Isaac.  Everyone else got it, and with awesome grace we have all healed.  Everything is normal again.  The kids are crazy.  I am crazy.  Azeda is crazy.  Lizzy is putting up with it!

Quite a few people have showed concern for the illness that we have had.  Thankfully, with immediate treatment, Malaria can be 100% cured with oral medications.  There is a lot of research and articles about Malaria on the web.  Some offer honest information, others promote their mission to eradicate it by limiting the information offered to make it sound like the worst disease in the world.  Do not misunderstand me, I know it is harmful.  But we have been blessed with the resources to fight it.  We are aware of our children's welfare to combat it.  So we should be in a good position to walk away from this experience with memories and nothing else when it comes to Malaria.

The time has come again!  We are nearing the point where our visitor passes will expire.  It seems like just yesterday when I was complaining about my experiences at the immigration office.  And now we are due to deal with the mess again.  However, this time we are a little better off.  The application has been received, processed and has been submitted to the board for approval.  So we are very close.  But our options are limited as we go from here.  From talking to other people who have been through this ordeal, other missionaries (white people), they have ALL had the same issue.  And it seems that they all wind up going to Kenya for a day to get another pass on their passports.  Sadly, it is the lesser of a few evils.  But hey... we may get to see Kenya!  Well, at least the border...

It is funny how hard the devil fights against our efforts.  I have been so proud at how quickly we have been able to turn around the paperwork needed to recruit for HANDS teams to come here.  As I went today to scan in the many documents, after walking for a half hour one way, the scanner that I usually use was broken.  The devil sucks!  Why can't he just make things easier?  It is funny... the "battle" of good and evil here on earth is just like that of Megamind (the movie).  The bad always loses, while good always prevails.  I will not give up on the document scanning.  In fact, we will not give up on the work permit.  Why does he think he stands a chance?  Onward and forward...

We are a little bit excited here.  Liz has gotten a dose of normalcy.  She has found a bible study that is similar to the one she is used to.  She has found a play group that she can attend to give the kids some interaction with children who also speak English.  We have visited another church that resembles one that we would otherwise be semi-used to.  So at this point, though we are quite busy with everything else, we can find a little balance to make things a little easier.  Praise God! 

So for now, keep praying for us.  Pray for strength.  Pray for wisdom.  Pray for encouragement.  Pray that we are safe from all that may harm us.

On a last note... Isabel is nearing that point where cognitive awareness is immediate.  She is starting to attempt to repeat what we are saying.  Today, as we were calling for our friend Desire, Isabel blurts out "Desire!"  She is sooo smart.  But like Isaac, with that intelligence comes stubbornness, mischief, and pure entertainment!

Chad Neeley

Construction Coordinator - WWCS Uganda/USA