NEWSLETTER: December 2019

Did you know? Greetings to one and all from a hotel just south of St. Louis, Missouri. Today was meant to be a travel day. After a glorious weekend in St. Louis, a place filled with people and memories that are so essential to who I am, I was to drive the quick 3 hour trip to TN. However, the snow storm coming through was faster and stronger than expected so my quick trip became even quicker when I only made it about 30 miles and landed at a hotel for the day and night. I'm hopeful to continue the drive to TN tomorrow (Tuesday). Did you know (before that opening paragraph) that I'm in America right now?  I arrived just over a month ago. Landing on American soil in a snow storm actually. Per the itinerary I was to have my first transatlantic journey in under 30 hours. However, the snowball effect of flight delays added on some extra time and the journey was about 33 hours. I thought my arrival was well communicated, though mostly through social media and word of mouth. With hindsight, it seems worth noting in case this news did slip by some people. So far I have slept in four states and will add one more before the week ends. The odometer indicates I have spent about 1,450 miles / 2,334 km driving since being back. Did you know I've been working on logistics? A look back at the last few months in Kampala shows that one of the main aspects of my ministry is helping with logistics for our South Sudan Shuttles. All of our missionaries in South Sudan are in places accessible by road IF: there is enough time, good weather, skills for roadside car repairs, and a big piece of prayer. Within AIM we are so blessed to have be part of ministry and serve to support our missionaries. Roughly once a month we send supplies in by plane to help our missionaries thrive in the work they are doing to spread the Gospel in remote areas. I enjoy helping with the shopping and organizing it takes to get this done and look forward to joining the efforts in this when I return in May. Logistics are also a big part of home assignment. These next few months will be filled with reunions, rest, rejuvenation, re-support raising, re-everything somehow. A few of you have been in touch about meeting with me. Please continue to let me know and follow up until we get something confirmed. After that happens, don't hesitate to follow up with me as appropriate because all too soon I'll be able to write something similar to this post. A glimpse at some of the organizing that happens as supplies is purchased and prepared to be flown to south Sudan.

I had some fun in the snow Sunday evening when the first round came to the area. Too many pictures depicting friends to choose just one so here's this one with an armful of friends and a glimpse of the beauty of the fall season in the background.

Did you know you can give any day? Giving Tuesday was a couple weeks ago and some may say it is the season of giving anyway. So, there is the commercialized plug. More seriously though....giving is such a joy and I hope you find that joy in it this season. If you are looking for ways to give financially, please allow me to make two suggestions. South Sudan Logistics: This project helps to raise funds that fulfill the monetary aspect of flying in supplies each month. You can click that link for a tiny bit more information and a place to give online. If you prefer to give in another format, please let me know and I will help you figure out those logistics. ;-) Merry Missionary: This is through an organization that is doing many great things including finding ways to support full time missionaries around the world. This includes putting on retreats, bringing supplies, and helping family members visit. Myself and my friends have benefited from their retreat. Please note that gifts to this project will be tripled on Tuesday, Dec. 17 only. However, gifts can be received any day. Be Well and Love Much, Katherine Top picture: Sunset in TN that clearly shows God's creativity and His desire to give us beautiful things. I had the pleasure of chasing this sunset as I drove west after taking this picture. A Life Overseas: This is a blog that is linked twice in this email. It is of great encouragement to me and many others. I reccomend you to read it as well as it may give you glimpses into my life overseas.  Prayer Requests:  Thankfulness - I'm so thankful I had the means to make a sudden hotel stop due to bad road conditions today. I'm also thankful that even though the intensity of bad road conditions was short lived for me, I was still able to get to a safe and warm place to wait out the storm. Family - there will be lots of family time over the next couple weeks. Please pray for this time together. Pray for our conversations as we come together mostly next weekend. I get to travel with my brother as we see extended family over Christmas. Pray for our 17+ hours on the road (round trip) and for sweet memories with family as we are rarely able to gather together like this. Communications - Pray that I would find the right words to communicate with people from the 90 second conversations to the visits that last a few days. (There have been some odd ones and I'm beginning to think I need to take one friend's advice and open with the line: I'm from Africa.) Pray also that I would know when to listen to you. I want to be here for you as you need me. Not all conversations have to be focused on my time in Uganda.  More gratefulness - I'm so very much thankful for the past few days in St. Louis. I was able to connect with people I hadn't seen in over 10 years. Their reciprocated excitement, memory of me, interest in my life, and kind words were so life giving to me the last few days. And in the midst of that meeting some new people was also very exciting to me. (And bonus: then God topped it all off with snow.)

NEWSLETTER: March 2018

Immigration and fun times

Greetings and salutations from...

The southern hemisphere!!! Not to worry, as you can see from above, I haven't gone too far south of my home in Kampala. Google says: "Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 km) apart."

So what am I doing in Kigali, Rwanda? Well visiting friends of course! But how might I have come here without really mentioning it? That would be because I had three days' notice for this trip. It probably sounds a bit more dramatic than it actually has been. My work permit for Uganda expired on the 9th of March and the new one has not yet been approved. The decision was made Monday of last week that my paperwork was not progressing fast enough so I needed to leave the country so as not to be in country illegally. The plan is to return on a tourist visa tomorrow (Wed. 14 March). So far this seems to be fine as I applied for the visa online and have been approved for that for a full three months. Prayerfully that is what will be granted tomorrow when I return. Followed by more prayers that the work permit will get approved soon!!

Previously I did have some planned fun with friends that allowed for more than three days to plan and excitedly anticipate. One weekend was spent at the Nile River. And another just outside of Kampala. My friend, Cath, came up from Rwanda for the latter. It was another great moment to see friends from different circles meet other friends. 


Top picture: From Kampala when I was leaving work recently. As you can see, the rains have arrived. (The same seems to be true in Kigali.)

   

Left: A glimpse of my excitement to be at the Nile River for a weekend.

Right:Crossing a bridge from one island to another with waters of the Nile flowing beneath. 

  

Left: Kelsey on my right and Cath on my left at a short retreat a couple weeks ago. 

Right:Had some Mexican food at my favorite place in Kigali tonight!!

The time in Rwanda has been quite blissful!! I have been able to spend time with friends that I met three years ago at AIM orientation in Kenya. They have truly spoiled me. Not the least of which includes sharing some of their goodies from their passport country, ensuring my mini wishlist of food to eat was met, letting me have some of their fancy hot chocolate from Europe*, and fully opening their home to me for a week! I picked a novel from their shelf and read all 477 pages in one day so it is safe to say I have been able to disconnect a bit. We were also able to attend a one day conference in Kigali. It was called "IF: gathering." Maybe you have heard of it (especially in America). I had not but it turned out to be such a blessing to me. Videos of the original sessions were projected for many to see. If you'd like to know some of what was taught, then let me know and I'll share some of my takeaway with you. Through all the fun, it has been a bit difficult to be away. Recently a handful of people coming to our region within AIM have been approved to come. (big praise here!!) When this happens it creates a snowball effect of various things that need to happen. With people arriving this past weekend and some others soon to come, it felt like a really bad time to be gone. My good friend and coworker assured me it would be ok. Although I can see the email count steadily growing on my phone, I haven't read messages. (Know that I have an auto reply to redirect people.) I also have not received any concerning text or calls so that means everything is going just fine without me, right? It is continuing on well enough anyway and for that I am thankful. I think that about sums up the last few weeks. How have you been in your part of the world? Are you remembering to take vacation and get breaks? With recent experience, I can tell you that this concept is good and I support it. Warm thoughts** with love, Katherine *It wasn't in English so I think it was fancy but it sure did taste like it was produced delicately and with passion for a tasteful experience in every cup. **It fascinates me how quickly the body can adapt. A year ago I could walk around in jeans and a tshirt when it was 55F (13C). Now? I want at least two shirts and jeans and consider socks if it is below 68F (20C). Thankful for layers and hot chocolate to stay warm in Kigali!

Prayer requests Smooth entry back into Uganda tomorrow as I go with only a pre-approved tourist visa (not a work permit) That my new work permit would get approved and finalized soon Thankful for friends to host me on such short notice and the ability to finalize logistics quickly to travel (Thanks to mom for clearing things up with the bank!) Thankful for a banking system that watches for fraud even if it is just me trying not to be fraudulent with my immigration status. For grace from myself and others as I find my way back into things at work after a few chaotic weeks of planned and not planned time away Thankfulness for time with mandatory vacation that forced a break for things and time of other activities  That the refreshment that is felt would have a long lasting effect and I wouldn't be overwhelmed with stressors too quicly

NEWSLETTER: March 2017

Another month full of adventures.

Greetings from Nebraska!!

As I was driving here, I came to the conclusion that I've never been in Nebraska before. But I can't say that anymore. It is wonderful to have friends in many places. It makes it super easy to visit all around for a big road trip.

Today as I looked back through pictures, I realized that at the beginning of the month, I was in California. And as I look forward, I'm less than four weeks from going to the airport to return to Uganda.

How did that happen?

I just know that the next few weeks will start to fly by but I will try to be intentional and enjoy moments each day until then. March has been filled with much adventure. As you can see from the map below, I've been on the road for a number of hours. It has been wonderful to visit friends and make new friends. It really makes me feel like I have homes all over the country. So many people have welcomed me into their home. So many people have blessed me with local adventures including: coffee shops, cafes, shows, outdoor exploring, and seemingly endless amounts of tasty delicious food.

[Above photo: chasing the sunset while driving across Kansas)

Hard to believe that at the beginning of the month I was in California traveling by Greyhound. 

Earlier this month, I finally had the chance to play in a tiny bit of snow...it was even in TN.

Here's a glimpse at how far I've made it on the midwest road trip. Still more than a few hours left to make it back to TN. 

At the first stop, my friends blessed me with the opportunity to see Moses at Sight and Sound. 

I spent 8 days at a retreat in Colorado. One day I spent the afternoon with the leaders' dog. 

Before leaving Colorado, new friends offered to treat me to the view at Pikes Peak. It was breath taking! And we drove to the top.

But the truth also involves the fact that the countdown is oh so close....if not already here. In less than four weeks, I'll be on a plane for the journey back to Kampala.

Please pray for fabulous memories to continue over the next few weeks. Pray that all the travel in between those moments will continue to be safe and without issues. Pray for wise decisions through packing and that I wouldn't be overcome by materialism as I start the packing tetris. Pray for wisdom as I start to transition back into work later next month.

I am very thankful that I've been blessed with so much safety in the three months I've been in America. All the travel by bus, van, and planes has been safe. I'm thankful for each of you that has been so flexible with me as I work out the schedules and often change things.

Well, I'm off to do some of that intentional time with friends. (Yeah for the work day being over!)

-Katherine

One of the breath taking views at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The visibility was over 100 miles (160 km) that morning. 

NEWSLETTER: February 2017

Lots of travels and countless memories from February.

Well it is a day late.......

But that's ok. Right?

I've learned that I'm probably the only one that watches the date like a hawk on my newsletters.

So here it is on March 1st and let me tell you a little bit about February.

Looking through pictures to figure out some points of discussion, I realized that a lot has happened in February. At the beginning of the month, I was still in Colorado for a debrief with other missionaries from around the world. Immediately following that I had 6 formal presentations in 8 days across western and central Tennessee. And the last two weeks have been filled with travel throughout Texas and Colorado.

I've been blessed with reunions at each stop and overfilled with blessings. Friends in Texas introduced me to MOD pizza. And I strongly suggest you try it if/when a locations opens near you. Then my brother and I spent a long weekend exploring different areas of central Texas before I headed over to California. Here in California I have enjoyed great conversations with long time friends, meeting up with two friends I previously only knew in Africa, and of course the obligatory time at the beach.

It truly has been fabulous. Many memories have been made and I'm so thankful for everyone and everything.

If I haven't seen you yet, then please be in touch so we can figure out if my travels will bring me to your neck of the words. If we've already seen each other and need to do it again, then please let me know also.

I hope your days are filled with joy and blessings, laughter and smiles, and opportunities to live a missional life where God has placed you.

With a full heart,
Katherine


TOP PIC: from Anaheim, CA. A good symbol of how it seems to be downhill from here. I'm just over half through with my time in the states and then it is back to life in Uganda. 

Have enjoyed reading and getting some canine time.

MOD Pizza is a fabulous discovery!!

Did some sightseeing in Texas with my brother. =-)