Hello to all you Bzungu (Mzungu plural) reading back home,
Thanks for all your prayers and such, I really appreciate it. There has been minimal sickness, but some hard labor going on, but its so awesome to be here. Like a dream come true. I haven't been able to do any blogging the last couple of weeks due to activities outside the norm, as well as a full internet cafe when I last tried, so wasn't able to do it. So here are some updates from the last few weeks.
1. For us on the slum team, our projects have been going great. Today we gave out a loan to a momma in the slums to expand her business and be successful, not worrying about the next meal for her and her children. Also we started doing planned day care, in which two of us head each day's activities, full of fun and educational stuff for the kids that might never be able to go to school due to expense for all levels of schooling. The activites mix fun and exciting with educational and spiritual parts, like songs, games, coloring, letters, numbers, art, and stuff like that. I have my first day to lead with a girl named Caitlin on wednesday, Im thinking singing with guitar, art therapy activity, and whatever she has up her sleeve. So good.
2. We all went to Bagali Falls, in which most of our team river rafted on some awesome rapids (I did it last year) and also bungee jumped about 100 feet off the Nile river (Awesome, but I didn't have the cash for it). Such an awesome experience for us that didn't go too, we traveled into the close town of Jinga and looked around town, visited an amazing local artist, had some great coffee and had great conversations. I read a lot too on this visit. It was great to just relax from a long time working hard, but never a break from loving hard! :)
3. Last saturday we got up early around 4:30 to travel into a remote village for 5 days. This village, home of Julius, one of our Ugandan leaders (someday senator in Uganda), is freakin amazing. Around the small village is a huge banana plantation, and I've now tasted the best of the best when it comes to bananas and matooke (food, basically green bananas that are mashed into something like a thick mashed potatoes, with yellow color). Its so amazing being here. We hiked two mountains while we were here. It was so great, one of my favorite days. Sleeping on the ground every night and long drops only for bathrooms wasn't so fun, but made me greatful for beds and toilets. Ha! Oh and showers... hot showers... I will be more greatful for now on.
4. Leaving the village we went to an island resort for a day and night (dont worry, it was only about $20 US for dinner, lodging, and breakfast). It was an amazing day and night. I swam with a bunch of others, and taught Mugabe to swim for the first time. So fun.
5. Ive probably only showered 4 times since Ive been here, just FYI. Awesome!
So thats about all the major stuff. I cant wait to update again with what God is doing here and in me. And I cant wait to show all the tight pics I've taken. Now to head to the kids house! Peace and love in Jesus!
Matt
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
July 17, Day 17
Hello everyone from Uganda!
Everything is great here, minus the fact that it took 30 minutes to get to this page to post a blog, lol. Well, what to tell? We got through another week of hard work, aggressive traffic, and rarely eating meat. Today one of the kids at the slums stole on of our girl's camera, but we found out the culprit's name and it looks like we will be getting that back soon, so thats great. She was not too happy about that happening, of course.
A few things that happened this week;
1. I went to the hospital again, this time to the broken bones/amputation and also other surgeries. It was quite a sight to see. I saw open wounds like broken legs and what happens to a girl that gets robbed and is shot. One girl we met had a C-Section, and she showed that to us (just me from the volunteer team was there, by the way, and 2 leaders), and it was open, no stitches. And this is at the biggest and main hospital in the capital. Yeaaaahhh. She had me feel her stomach (around the cut, not on it, that would be gross!) and she was having tons of pain. It was very warm, and there was this churning feeling. Wierd.
2. We finished the 1 room house, and had a welcome party for the Mamma (Flavia is her name) and her two daughters. Her dream was realized through this house and her having her own land. She got out of the slums and has her own business. Pretty exciting for her. She was soooo happy and greatful!
3. We went to prayer mountain last sunday evening, which was an amazing time with God and the others. It brought out a lot of frustrations as well as joy.
4. We had a soccer game with Come Lets Dance against the youth group at the church (which they cheated and brought professionals to play with them outside the church). We lost, but it was a ton of fun. I got to play for about half of the second half. Fun stuff. We are now at 2-1 on win-loss.
This is actually all I can think of, we have been hard at work over here though in the slums, at the farm, the kids house, and wherever we go. God is good and everyone is basically in good health. Praise God. Keep up the prayers. Half of my trip is nearly over. Ill see you guys at home soon.
(P.S. One of my pics I took is on the front cover of the summer CLD newsletter, sweeeet!)
(P.S.S. Im giving serious thought to moving to Colorado within the next year. We'll see.)
In Christ,
Matt Murnan
Everything is great here, minus the fact that it took 30 minutes to get to this page to post a blog, lol. Well, what to tell? We got through another week of hard work, aggressive traffic, and rarely eating meat. Today one of the kids at the slums stole on of our girl's camera, but we found out the culprit's name and it looks like we will be getting that back soon, so thats great. She was not too happy about that happening, of course.
A few things that happened this week;
1. I went to the hospital again, this time to the broken bones/amputation and also other surgeries. It was quite a sight to see. I saw open wounds like broken legs and what happens to a girl that gets robbed and is shot. One girl we met had a C-Section, and she showed that to us (just me from the volunteer team was there, by the way, and 2 leaders), and it was open, no stitches. And this is at the biggest and main hospital in the capital. Yeaaaahhh. She had me feel her stomach (around the cut, not on it, that would be gross!) and she was having tons of pain. It was very warm, and there was this churning feeling. Wierd.
2. We finished the 1 room house, and had a welcome party for the Mamma (Flavia is her name) and her two daughters. Her dream was realized through this house and her having her own land. She got out of the slums and has her own business. Pretty exciting for her. She was soooo happy and greatful!
3. We went to prayer mountain last sunday evening, which was an amazing time with God and the others. It brought out a lot of frustrations as well as joy.
4. We had a soccer game with Come Lets Dance against the youth group at the church (which they cheated and brought professionals to play with them outside the church). We lost, but it was a ton of fun. I got to play for about half of the second half. Fun stuff. We are now at 2-1 on win-loss.
This is actually all I can think of, we have been hard at work over here though in the slums, at the farm, the kids house, and wherever we go. God is good and everyone is basically in good health. Praise God. Keep up the prayers. Half of my trip is nearly over. Ill see you guys at home soon.
(P.S. One of my pics I took is on the front cover of the summer CLD newsletter, sweeeet!)
(P.S.S. Im giving serious thought to moving to Colorado within the next year. We'll see.)
In Christ,
Matt Murnan
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11, Day 11
Hello friends and family,
Oliotia from Uganda! I am enjoying the wonderful weather here, around 80 right now, and its considered hot. Today we took the kidz from the orphanage to a pool in Kumpala, the capital, about 15 minutes away from where we are staying in Nansana. The team is getting along great, and I am truly loving the country. Its different from last year, everything is more spaced out in time frames and we are getting a lot done. Here are a few things I can remember from the past week and a half that has happened or amazed me... or both!
- At least 2 kids were healed from the cancer ward after prayer. I took part in the prayer, God did the healing. Both were dealing with pains and cancer in the stomach. One of them was able to finally eat, and the other got up and was dancing around, he had a huge smile on his face. Praise Jesus!
- The Kids at the Orphanage (Kidz house) are doing great, and a majority of them are going to school, which is hard to come by in Uganda, it costs a lot. I got to look over a few of their books (grades) for the term, seems like they need a bit more studying :)
- We have slashed up some bush about 100 yards long and hoed the ground to make a road for the farm in the romote village. It was a lot of work, but it was great.
- We built a small 1 room house for a lady named Mamma Flavia in 4 days, with the help of some hired Ugandans, of course.
- We have worked in the slums, loved on the kids there, and have met several ladies that we will be pouring into in the next few weeks. Its been amazing hearing their stories and being able to pray for and with them.
- Morning devotion is awesome, and its getting better every morning. I got to lead one in worship so far. It was fun, but I haven't done it in a long time, so I was a bit rusty.
That is just a few things that is happening now. Its been great so far, and I love everything about it. It has been very busy and hard work, manual labor. I probably have lost a good 5 pounds already. The food is amazing, nothing processed, all fresh. Take that America! Ha. I will be adding pictures soon, hopefully a few before I get back. Thanks for the continuous prayers, and I hope to update again next week. Unfortunately last week I was unable to update because of time constraints and the fact there were no vacant computers to use at the internet cafe. Love you guys, peace out.
In Christ,
Matt Murnan
Oliotia from Uganda! I am enjoying the wonderful weather here, around 80 right now, and its considered hot. Today we took the kidz from the orphanage to a pool in Kumpala, the capital, about 15 minutes away from where we are staying in Nansana. The team is getting along great, and I am truly loving the country. Its different from last year, everything is more spaced out in time frames and we are getting a lot done. Here are a few things I can remember from the past week and a half that has happened or amazed me... or both!
- At least 2 kids were healed from the cancer ward after prayer. I took part in the prayer, God did the healing. Both were dealing with pains and cancer in the stomach. One of them was able to finally eat, and the other got up and was dancing around, he had a huge smile on his face. Praise Jesus!
- The Kids at the Orphanage (Kidz house) are doing great, and a majority of them are going to school, which is hard to come by in Uganda, it costs a lot. I got to look over a few of their books (grades) for the term, seems like they need a bit more studying :)
- We have slashed up some bush about 100 yards long and hoed the ground to make a road for the farm in the romote village. It was a lot of work, but it was great.
- We built a small 1 room house for a lady named Mamma Flavia in 4 days, with the help of some hired Ugandans, of course.
- We have worked in the slums, loved on the kids there, and have met several ladies that we will be pouring into in the next few weeks. Its been amazing hearing their stories and being able to pray for and with them.
- Morning devotion is awesome, and its getting better every morning. I got to lead one in worship so far. It was fun, but I haven't done it in a long time, so I was a bit rusty.
That is just a few things that is happening now. Its been great so far, and I love everything about it. It has been very busy and hard work, manual labor. I probably have lost a good 5 pounds already. The food is amazing, nothing processed, all fresh. Take that America! Ha. I will be adding pictures soon, hopefully a few before I get back. Thanks for the continuous prayers, and I hope to update again next week. Unfortunately last week I was unable to update because of time constraints and the fact there were no vacant computers to use at the internet cafe. Love you guys, peace out.
In Christ,
Matt Murnan
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Uganda trip info
Hey everyone,
Thanks for taking interest in me and the trip Im taking. I look forward to sending updates to you all. I truly appreciate all the prayers (future and present) and funding any of you have or will be sending my way. Thank you.
First, God has blessed me with all the funds I needed last sunday, amazing! He took care of all the funding for the trip (~$4000), all the bills in the states, and all the traveling needed. So kudos, God. So my physical needs were all met, again I thank you guys for any help with that.
Second, prayer needs. Besides the obvious (safety), pray that God uses me and the rest of the team as His instruments to bring him glory, to whatever ends that may be. That we may have energy everyday to do what needs to be done, and to be content with what each day brings. Pray that we will rely on Him alone, and to then lean on eachother for anything that comes up. Pray that the people we will be coming in contact with, and that God softens their heart as we do our best to be a testimony of Love. Pray that we will leave all our expectations and comforts we normally have behind and to live a day at a time, enjoying the small things and knowing that our every action has consequences. Pray that we don't get distracted with any temptations, small things, spiritual warfare, lack of technology, discomforts, or homesickness.
I think thats about it for prayer requests. So yeah thats a lot, but still, I appreciate the prayers.
Lastly, THIS IS IMPORTANT! I have decided to have all my future updates on a blog. I may or may not update in any other way, so rely on this. There is a way to subscribe (the button that says "subscribe"), but there may be other things to that. Im not totally sure on that. But if you want to check back periodically, there might be some new news or maybe a few pics up, that just depends on the internet there. I may send out emails that tell you to check the site. Ill do my best to do that. Also, Ill try to update my status on facebook (add me if you haven't yet, I have to accept your friendship, and I leave monday, so do that asap) to send links to the blog. Sooo, your PRIMARY source of news will be on the BLOG. Here is the site address...
http://mattmurnan.blogspot.com/
I thank you guys again so much for everything. I know God is gonna be awesome in all this, and blessings be on each of you. Keep striving toward the Creator!
Love in Christ,
Matt Murnan
Thanks for taking interest in me and the trip Im taking. I look forward to sending updates to you all. I truly appreciate all the prayers (future and present) and funding any of you have or will be sending my way. Thank you.
First, God has blessed me with all the funds I needed last sunday, amazing! He took care of all the funding for the trip (~$4000), all the bills in the states, and all the traveling needed. So kudos, God. So my physical needs were all met, again I thank you guys for any help with that.
Second, prayer needs. Besides the obvious (safety), pray that God uses me and the rest of the team as His instruments to bring him glory, to whatever ends that may be. That we may have energy everyday to do what needs to be done, and to be content with what each day brings. Pray that we will rely on Him alone, and to then lean on eachother for anything that comes up. Pray that the people we will be coming in contact with, and that God softens their heart as we do our best to be a testimony of Love. Pray that we will leave all our expectations and comforts we normally have behind and to live a day at a time, enjoying the small things and knowing that our every action has consequences. Pray that we don't get distracted with any temptations, small things, spiritual warfare, lack of technology, discomforts, or homesickness.
I think thats about it for prayer requests. So yeah thats a lot, but still, I appreciate the prayers.
Lastly, THIS IS IMPORTANT! I have decided to have all my future updates on a blog. I may or may not update in any other way, so rely on this. There is a way to subscribe (the button that says "subscribe"), but there may be other things to that. Im not totally sure on that. But if you want to check back periodically, there might be some new news or maybe a few pics up, that just depends on the internet there. I may send out emails that tell you to check the site. Ill do my best to do that. Also, Ill try to update my status on facebook (add me if you haven't yet, I have to accept your friendship, and I leave monday, so do that asap) to send links to the blog. Sooo, your PRIMARY source of news will be on the BLOG. Here is the site address...
http://mattmurnan.blogspot.com/
I thank you guys again so much for everything. I know God is gonna be awesome in all this, and blessings be on each of you. Keep striving toward the Creator!
Love in Christ,
Matt Murnan
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