Merry Christmas

It is Christmas eve in Colorado Springs, but there is no snow on the ground. This morning as I was wrapping the last two presents I was remembering my last Christmas in Michigan. Midnight on Christmas eve it started to snow and by Christmas morning there was at least a foot on the ground. It was beautiful, untouched by plows and cars in the silence of the crisp morning. While, that Christmas was a Bing Crosby dream come true, it was spent alone. Though I sat in a cozy house amidst a beautiful scene, it was a very difficult day.

What a contrast to today as I sit in this house surrounded by family and friends. While there is no snow on the ground, it doesn't matter. Christmas isn't about snow or decorations or presents. It is about the love of God. The love He bestowed upon us by sending His only Son. It is about His love that fills us and we share with others. So, as you gather with your family and friends this holiday weekend remember those in your life that might be alone or do not know God's love this Christmas. Share the glorious, eternal gift you have received.

I wish you and your family have a blessed and wonderful Christmas.

Fear

There has been a story from Uganda that I have wanted to share for some months. I could tell tales of bugs, snakes and spiders - oh my! But something really special occurred that I was reminded of today:

We had a day where we to spend some time reflecting on what we were where afraid of. As we ventured out to find places to be alone, I ended up at the edge of the compound, next to the fields, and below the trees. It was raining a bit and I thought the trees would add a bit of protection in addition to the umbrella I held as I sat and prayed. As I came before the Lord, asking Him to reveal to me what I was afraid of the drops continued to drip on my umbrella, then came the odd noise. It sounded like a branch breaking but as I looked up I saw nothing in the tree, maybe it was a small branch from an animal or something. I turned my focus back to praying, but something did not seem right. I repeatedly, kept looking back at the tree and saw nothing. Finally, I stood and moved to the side for a different perspective and then I saw it.  Directly above where I had been sitting a rather large branch had snapped off from the trunk and was hanging by just a few fibers. If it had failed directly on me I would have been severely injured.

 Stunned, I moved away from the tree and sat back down. I had been sitting there trying to focus on what I was scared of, completely lost in perspective. Yet, in the midst of that this branch starts to fall off and the reality is that God held it in place. I mean there was just a few strands of tree holding this thing together. Even after it happened it took me getting up out of "my spot" and changing my view to see what was going on. Then it hit me, the real problem in all of it was that I was not and had not been trusting God. Yet, here He was continuing to protect me. He had been there all of my life guiding and protecting, but I was so focused on "me" that I was not seeing it. My fear was based on past experiences of man, but God had never let me down. I was trying to hold him responsible for the sins of others. However, He was holding me safe.

I was reminded of this incident and revelation today as I sat and prayed, questioning God's will and plan in my life. Thankfully, He spoke peace into my heart and then later I was encouraged by the story of Mary. Here was a young woman who had dreams and desires of her own accord, yet the Lord came and gave her a calling. Her response is amazing, in that she willingly and easily submitted to His word. Her faith outweighed her fears. Could I be that strong? I know that I am not called to be the mother of Jesus, but I do know He has a plan for me. Now how I respond will be the test. How will the scales land, hopefully fear will fall to the peace and assurance of Christ!

"I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It's apples and cider.
It's an airborne spider.
It's pumpkins in bins.
It's burrs on dog's chins.
It's wind blowing leaves.
It's chilly red knees.
It's nuts on the ground.
It's a crisp dry sound.
It's green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.
It's clouds in the sky.
It's fall. That's why...
I love fall."   - Author Unknown

So long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye
Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you
I leave and heave a sigh and say good bye
- goodbyyyyyyeeeee!





I will be back in California this weekend (arrive Thursday) to settle things and say .... not goodbye, but "see you soon". Things will be very busy, so I apologize if I do not get to see everyone.

I am heading out on Monday morning to drive back to Colorado Springs.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support. I hope to see you in the next few days.

I am officially HIRED!

 It is still a bit surreal to think of but I will be starting a new job at the end of the month (Aug. 30th) as an accounting assistant.

I am heading back to California next week (Thursday th 19th) to finish packing, settling things, and saying "see you soon"s to everyone.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support! They have been grealty appreciated. I am excited to walk in this new experience with the Lord.

I'm Moving ... to Colorado Springs!

(click on the "Latest News" tab for more information)

Refuge Radio

http://www.kwave.org/

Friday July 30th @ 4:30pm

Refuge Radio

Missionary Interview: Helen Parks

If you miss the interview on Friday listen later at www.refugefm.com

Just click on Podcasts or RSS Feed

California Road Trip

Some of my favorite pictures of my recent trip with the Rothert's.

New Hope

                             

Here is the video from sharing @ Refuge CCHB

Also, to hear the actual message

Check out: www.refugefamily.com/wednesdays-study

Wednesday June 23 (TODAY)

What: I am sharing

Where: REFUGE CCHB

When: 7pm

For more information visit: www.refugefamily.com

Kenya

A day at the Kiambethu Tea Farm while visiting the Ferguson in Kenya.

"It is the family home of one of the earliest tea growers in Kenya. The farm dates back to 1910 and the present house, set admist colorful gardens, has been home to four generations."

Sunday Question Day

Top Three Questions of the Day

#1- How long are you here for?

#2- What's next?

#3- Are you adjusted yet?

Answer: I am here for a bit, visiting with friends and family. The adjusting is going well and I am very grateful for the help and grace everyone is giving me. The hardest part is not having a definite answer for everyone. I am waiting on the Lord and His plan for what is next in my life.

Empty Hands

Today I took a walk to the beach and felt the impact of empty hands now:

No jerry can of water to carry

No notebook and pen for class
No flashlight
No scratching bug bites
No swatting bugs
No shaking hands with everyone you meet

No child's hand slipping in yours as you walk

"Reverse" Culture Shock

• Stage one: Disengagement may happen before you leave your host country and often times occurs because of the pace of work, goodbye dinners. As a result, you begin to distance yourself from friends and host country nationals.
• Stage two: Initial Euphoria may also occur as a result of leaving your host country and returning to the US. This is where you may have formed idealistic views of home, and what will happen upon your return. You are happy to be home! This feeling of euphoria may last a few weeks, but may inevitably give way to feelings of loneliness.
• This is Stage three: Irritability and Hostility, which is the realization that life at home went on without you, and as you were learning new things and making subtle changes, they were too. You may feel that friends and family don’t understand or want to hear what you experienced abroad.
• Patience and continued reflection will lead to Stage four: Readjustment & Adaptation. You may see the world through a different lens now, but are quick to find that the cultural differences you once thought so great are, in reality, infinitesimal. You have learned to incorporate the changes you’ve made within yourself, into new goals and ideas that don’t negate your own culture’s norms and values. You have attained a balance between both cultures.

A Few Views

The Vogt Family - Rebecca on the left was my mentor

One of the many snakes killed over the months!

Graduation Prayer

Graduation:

I cannot believe graduation is so close - just five weeks away!! AHHHHHH!!! I am feeling a mixture of excitement and nervourness. It will be so sad and wonderful to mark the end of this time in the Institute, but also somewhat nerve wracking as I ponder...."what next". To be honest, my future in unclear. There is a lot of praying and talking going on and we will just have to wait and see what happens. But that being said there is one clear plan in action - after graduation I will be heading to Kenya to visit the Fergusons!! YAY!!!
www.fergusonfourblogspot.com

Then.... back to the States - yes I will be back in Orange County around the middle of June. I look forward to seeing and visiting with everyone. And I must admit the idea of a hot shower and power sounds so luxorious :D

But in all that I would like to ask for prayer. Pray that the Lord would reveal His plan. That it would be clear. That He would confirm or close this path.

Thank you everyone!

Blessings and Love
Helen

Update!

Prayer Requests:

• POWER!!!! We are really struggling in this area - the last outage was for over a week. It is inconvenient because of keeping food and computers and phones, but most importantly we cannot run our well. When power is out we have to go to boar holes to fetch water. It is not the end of the world, but is hard with so many people fetching water and intermitent rain.
  
• Physical protection - I have been battling inestinal parasites and have had a few falls. Also, we are going to be traveling a bit this week.
  
• Children - our kids just finished exams and will have their last week of classes this week. They will be on holiday for a few weeks. Pray that they use their free time wisely.

Mini Update:

Institute =

• Just finished "Child Training"
  
• Will be visiting other ministries in Uganda this week (Bethany Village, Watoto, Compassion, etc.)

Sponsorship =

• We finished letter writing with our primary students last week and will be working on Seconday students this week.

Family Group =

• Students are finishing first term this week
  
• Family will be going to YWAM camp in Jinja next week (however I am not able to go along with them as I am in class)

Updates

Hi everyone! I miss you all. I am struggling with keeping in touch and I am sorry for that. Power and internet access are a bit of an obstacle, but I must admit that I have not been making it a priority. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily!!! Thank you for your prayers and messages they mean the world to me.

I thought I should share I am having a bit of a hard time these days. It is hard to think that as I am surrounding by beauty and joy everyday, but things have just started to dig deeper into my own sins, relationship with the Lord, others, and future. I know that God is in control and trust in what He has planned and is doing.

Thank you again. I miss you all!

Love
Helen

Jinja

Last weekend we had a break from institute and headed off for a few days in Jinja. It is a town situated on Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile River. It was fun and very beautiful.

There are many spots labeled "the source" of the Nile, but this one seemed the most convincing. Although the picture does not seem very spectacular. Our guide took us out to a very ( I emphasize "very") small island and showed us this spot where the water was turning. He said that there had once been a big waterfall that water from Lake Victoria spilled over into the start of the Nile. This is actually the spot that William Speke claimed as the source.

Saturday

I thought I would share about Saturdays here. While in the States I would live for sleeping in and no schedule, Saturdays here are the hardest and busiests days of the week.

Typical Saturday:
8 am: Wake Up - Breakfast - Get Ready
9 - 11 am: Wash Clothes (by hand)
11 - 12:30: Other cleaning (pit latrine, sweeping, fetching water, etc)
1 pm - lunch
1:30pm - off to the village market (half hour walk to get there)
4pm - visit family group (play, garden, homework, etc)
6 pm - Dinner
7pm - Family Group OR Visiting with Friends

The funny thing is Saturday that I still look foward to Saturdays even with the extra work.

Institute Kitchen Staff

Auntie Florence & Jonathan
Betty & Mama Jane

The Tour Continues - Neighbors

Josh
Mike & Rachel

Edwin, Angela, & baby Edna

Kierstin - My Roommate!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI!!!

Start of the Tour

Bathroom AKA Pit Latrine

House/Banda

Panorama View of the Institute

**More to Come**

Video

The video is coming!! By the grace of God and His blessing upon power, my computer, and the internet connection it will be soon. I have been loading for hours...no joke....gotta love Africa.

February

Greetings everyone!

Things are going well. The kids are back in school for the new term, it rained last night (Praise God - this is a wonderful treat in the middle of dry season) and I was finally able to get strong internet access today! :D

We are battling a bit of problems with power and water - so prayer would be greatly appreciated there.

I have made a movie of things here - but after waiting 40 minutes for it to load I accidently deleted it :( Since I am running out of power I will have to try again hopefully tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers!! I miss you all so much!!

Only in Uganda Moment:

(other than waiting 40 minutes for a webpage to load)

Harvesting a field of maize by hand! Last week everyone gathered to help harvest our community supply of corn! Such fun!!

Apology:
Sorry for the lack of posts! We have been having a bit of trouble with power and to get a good connection to the internet I have to venture out into mosquito territory. However, I am trying to get up early to work on things :D

What is new:
This week is "Envisioning Week" at New Hope. Every January the staff comes together to regroup for the new year ahead and reflect on why we are here. It has been an awesome time so far with some great speakers and incredible worship.

Fun Story:
I killed a giant cockroach last night! I was heading to the bathroom and when I opened the door there he was....but not for long. I think my fright fueled the killing blow to him.

** Stay tuned for a tour of New Hope*** Hopefully coming this week!!

Week One

Home Sweet Banda

Well I have been here for a week and it has been quite busy. I met my roommate, Kierstin, in London as we headed on to Uganda. We arrived at New Hope last Sunday and started settling into our new place. It has been a bit of work, but it fun to see the progress. Class started last week, we are 21 students in total ( 9 westerners & 12 Ugandans). I have developed a cold and have been struggling the last few days but hopefully will get better soon.

Only in Uganda moment: I was just passed by a group of 5 boys pushing tires for fun!