NEWSLETTER: May 2018 part 2

Catching up with more happenings
27 March 2018

It's been more than a week..... It's certainly been more than a week since I last wrote. Sorry for that! However, it is still within the same month, does that count for getting back to you soon? Though, it works out well because two big things happened last week. I'll start with the difficult one. Our wonderful and loving church family received the news last week that a young family's daughter has three dangerous holes in her heart. She is just shy of one year old. Her parents are amazing people in the leadership of the church and as friends to many. You can imagine the turmoil they are experiencing. Unfortunately, their daughter's best chance for surgery for this life threatening condition is go to India. This needs to happen in the next couple weeks. If you are at all able to give financially to make this possible, then please visit this page. The family is also very grateful to be lifted in prayer through the coming weeks and months as they seek to save their daughter's life. There is also good news. Last Monday, we received the notification that my work permit was approved. YEAH!!! It has been paid for and this coming week I will go to immigration to get it put in my passport. The crazy part is that 2 years was requested, yet somehow I was approved for 3 years. Not to worry, this doesn't mean I have to stay here for 3 more years. It just means I can come and go as I please for 3 years without paying for a visa. TOP PICTURE: Just another unique load on the back of a boda (a motorbike used to transport goods and people). It's artistic if the subject is almost out of the shot, right? I hope so...some moments are hard to capture when traveling through town. Also, my friend was driving.

Round 1 of pizza for my friends.  The car has been great and already super helpful for transporting things that don't fit on a boda easily.  Round 2 is finished and I'm quite happy at our successful endeavor in the kitchen. The car has also developed an ornery battery. Thankful for this power bank with connectors (that's on loan) that started it a few times.

It was super fun to host two AIM missionaries from another part of Uganda. They were in the big city for a number of reasons and I was happy to offer them my extra set of keys. One evening another friend came over and the four of us made our own pizzas. I was delighted with our success. (Pictures above) As you probably know, one of the biggest Earthly factors that allows me "to do what I do" is by the generous giving of monthly and other regular donations. With almost 3.5 years with AIM, it is understandable that things will change for donors in that same amount of time. I've certainly had a lot of changes. Right now, I am about $400 short for my monthly support. Please pray for me as I seek out the best way to fulfill this deficit.  PLEASE PRAY FOR: -The Tabu family of my home church in Kampala. That they would feel our Lord's presence through this very difficult time. That the finances would come so they can get safe and reliable heart surgery for their young daughter. -Praise for my work permit getting approved and for longer than we asked. (Often times a shorter amount of time is given.) Pray the time at immigration office goes smoothly this week. -Thankfulness that I'm able to provide a place for other missionaries when they need to be in the city. -Direction as I seek the best way to communicate my financial needs to potential supporters. Pray that I would be led to the right people or groups. Pray they would be open to a commitment and hear God's calling. Pray for me to have the right words to communicate what is needed. -Pray for two colleagues (and their families) from the office that leave for home assignment in the next few weeks. Please pray for their transition back to their passport country and for the transition in the office. -Please continue to pray for my friend that moves back to America for a season after three years in Uganda.

NEWSLETTER: May 2018 part 1

Catching up with the happenings
6 May 2018 - Catching Up, Part 1

Greetings dear friends - 

There's been so much to write about, yet I've had a difficult time slowing down enough to be present in the moment and get it done. Not to worry....I've kept a list and hope to send the rest of the news by the end of the week.

THE DAY JOB:
Things in the office continue on per usual. There are a number of meetings in Kenya over the coming weeks and some from the office will be there. A few of us will hold down the fort.....or maybe we will just go relax by a pool and eat ice cream. We have seen the completion of a team within the region. Throughout the last year or so, teammates have trickled in to come and serve in Moroto, Uganda. The team is serving among the Karimojong in northern Uganda. This is a very large people group that has many barriers and strongholds that each must overcome to know the Lord. Please pray for this team as they continue to grow together and support each other through challenges and successes.

PRESENT VS ABSENT:
Have you ever realized how these two concepts are so tightly related? It is similar to saying that there is no such thing as dark. There is only absence of light. Inspired by this blog on Velvet Ashes, I've been really torn with this concept lately. The more and more I get engaged here and build relationships, the more and more it seems like I am missing out in the events and happenings of your lives. This truly is a daily battle recently. If I set aside time to be available to you and invest through some form of technology, then that takes away from my ability to be present in my life here. This isn't simply a matter of time management. It is more closely related to never truly being at home. Yet, at the same time I write this from my apartment that is definitely a place I call home and love to spend time here. ..........I hope these contradictory ramblings make some sort of sense.

THE CAR:
Probably one of the biggest noteworthy items is that I was able to buy a car. Or maybe you bought a car. Or we bought a car. Many, many thanks to all of your financial support over the years that has enabled me to make this life changing purchase. Part of the monthly support goes into an account called "work funds" and I was able to use the money from this account to buy the car. I am truly endlessly thankful for your ongoing faithful giving and the support structure AIM provides so that I was able to move quickly when an ideal car was available!!

The look of disbelief and joy when I bought the car. First day driving in Kampala.  What happens when I'm not overwhelmed with the joy.

PICTURES:
L-This was the day the car was brought to me and the keys handed over. I just kept looking at it and smiling. It was hard to believe it actually happened.
C-My friend, Kelsey, graciously rode with me on the first day (and other times) to help and offer much appreciated advice.
R-Some things never change and buying a car does come with the reality of other aspects.

THE CHURCH:
The church I found just a few months before returning to America continues to be my church home. I am so thankful for the people there and the Bible based teaching that is challenging and encouraging. Today, a group of us spent the afternoon celebrating the birthday of a friend who also happens to a be a pastor at the church. Although we were there to celebrate and honor him, it was actually quite the honor for me to be there and join them. It is small things like these that really make you feel part of a community.

Last month I also started attending a cell group at church. This is equivalent to life group or small group or.....probably a number of other terms. We gather on Tuesday evenings and dig deeper into the sermon from two days prior. The only downside is that it makes for a long day early in the week as I leave at 7:30 to get to work and don't get home until around 9:30pm. I'm thankful for the opportunity to get to know a few more folks from church and around the city.

THE PRAYER REQUESTS:
The first thing I want to ask you to do is to check out PrayAfrica!!! That is a website that has been put together to share prayer updates for specific unreached people groups. I encourage you to subscribe to the website as a whole or to individual pages for people groups. You could subscribe to just the ones for Central Region and join myself and those I work with in seeking to reach the lost in the countries we serve.
-praise for good health. Though I had one of these pesky colds a few weeks ago, I have actually been quite healthy so far this year and it is lovely.
-pray for a fast learning curve as a piece together a map of the city while driving and for safe journeys around town with this new form of personal transport
-pray for my friend as she navigates the logistics and emotions of moving back to the states in about 6 weeks (just typing this fills my eyes with tears)
-praise for the opportunity for my brother to visit in July

With love and hugs from me to each of you,
With unending gratefulness for all the support you provide,
and with amazement at how fabulous our Heavenly Father is each and every day,

Katherine

PS: For a fun little flashback....check out this news from October 2016. It is crazy how things are similar yet so different from 18 months ago!

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: February 2018

A few thoughts from last week's meetings.....

Leadership, Imposter Syndrome, & Flowers to people

12.Feb.2018
Hello and greetings from Nairobi, Kenya!
Can you believe it is me? Less than two weeks ago I emailed you.
Hopefully you noticed in my previous message that I would be traveling to Kenya. It truly is a short journey (when you fly). It was less than five hours from my flat in Kampala to the venue in Nairobi. A year ago, I would easily drive many more hours than that in a day to get to where I needed to be. 
{prayer requests at the bottom}
 

MEETINGS
Previously, the set of meetings from last week was simply called "Leadership Meetings". At some point in recent years it was changed to Koinonia. Do I have any Greek scholars on my list that know what this means? Even if I did, I suppose I should explain it to the others. According to a quick google search, koinonia means: Christian fellowship or communion, with God, or more commonly, with fellow Christians. So there's a new word for you to use! Though even with this fun new word, the week still has the stigma of "leadership meetings". As this kept creeping up in sessions, I often wondered about myself. Am I a leader? Do others see me as a leader? If I am a leader, then I don't think I knew that. I thought I was just in the office in Kampala, trying to do my very small part in this massive task of furthering the Kingdom. There are plenty of people from last week that even have "leader" in their title with how they serve. I'm not one of those people. 

As the week went on, I would get hit with waves of feeling honored to be able to attend the meetings. There were two main speakers that both had great messages filled with ideas and concepts to ponder. Funny story: When I first saw a schedule a few weeks ago, it had James and Luke for different times each day. I thought we were going to study those books of the Bible. Nope. James and Luke were the names of the main speakers. 

THOUGHTS
Though "leadership" is not the official name of the meetings anymore, leadership is still discussed from different angles. Someone stated that a leader's sense of identity & calling strongly impacts how one leads. Then he mentioned something called "imposter syndrome".   Any guesses what this might be about? This term is used to describe those that have an inability to internalize their accomplishments as well as having a persistent fear of getting exposed as a fraud. 

This concept really hit me hard as it speaks into one's identity.....which is what further discussion was about. We were encouraged to examine but not dwell. To focus on God's grace, not our own strengths and weakness. A favorite phrase for many was the phrase: Fill the gaps with grace. Let me know if you want to read any more about this or learn how we further explored this concept or other things I learned from the week.

 .   

Left: Depicting maybe 1/3 of the room, this is where we gathered last week. 

Right: What if.....

WHAT IF.....
This year AIM is putting emphasis/focus on the mobilization of Africans. As we talked about what this might look like, there was some time to consider "what if". There were no limits. People simply offered any what if statement that came to mind and we filled the board with ideas. It was a neat exercise in considering possibilities without boundaries. What areas in your life could you explore with this simple concept? I'd love to hear what comes of your dreaming as your listen to God for whatever is before you!

Keep reading for some thoughts on flowers and people. 
AND if you still have time left, then keep reading further down for prayer requests. 

Much love and thankfulness,
Katherine



View of the gardens from the entrance to the large meetings.

People from all areas of AIM ministry were at these meetings. We were just shy of 150 in total and I think it is safe to say that someone from every country AIM serves in was there. (Maybe not...but we had to be pretty close with that many people.) Anyway......I was usually standing just outside the door during the opening worship time so I could gaze into the garden area nearby. [See above picture] I was thoroughly enjoying the sun warming the side of my face, the breeze blowing through my hair, and seeing the variety in the garden area nearby. One day I noticed this patch in the garden of some white flowers....or so I thought. [See left picture below.] When I looked closer, I noticed that the white ones were actually dead with a brown stem and the "real" flower was red with the obvious green stem. [See right picture below.]

I started thinking about how this represents those gathered for the meetings. Some probably feel like they are at their lowest, struggling to stay up and maybe even facing/falling down. But looking at them you may not know just as I thought the flower was actually white. Others are blooming/thriving in what they are doing. They could be so caught up in the success that they are unaware of what is to come when they struggle or unaware of those struggling around them. And yet others may be in a dark place, just about to bloom. But they are hard to see as they are smaller and blend in with other greenery. Yet no matter where each person is in his or her ministry, someone looking in from the outside likely thinks that beautifully things are happening just as each phase of this flower has its own beauty.

     

Prayer requests: 

• Many thanks for all the safety for so many traveling. With that many, I'm sure there were logistical hiccups but as far as I know everyone was safe. 
• Please pray for those that are in low areas of their ministry.....people in your life or those serving abroad.
• Pray for those that are thriving that they may be able to encourage all around them...people in your life or those serving abroad.
• Pray for another round of meetings that started this afternoon and will conclude on Wednesday. This is just people for the region I am involved with and is a much smaller group.
• Pray Colossians 3:1-17....I'll expand on this next time. But if you know/read it then you'll be able to pray those things for whomever. Today we spent some time discussing it. 

NEWSLETTER: January 2018

8 Quick notes for the start of 2018

Often I feel like a broken record when I write to you. At least this time I know the pictures are new. 

1. After Christmas I was able to enjoy an adventure on the Nile with two other friends. The picture below is the first moment the water wasn't calm. We had so much fun; it was definitely a unique experience. It was also very different from the rafting I've done in America. 
2. A few days later, everything was back to usual with work. It continues on....just as yours does too I'm sure. A number of people are ready to come here and serve but are held up as they wait on adequate financial support. We continue to pray for that to be provided. 
3. -Friends return and friends go...two of my closest friends that have been gone for home assignment in recent months both returned in the first half of January. Words don't describe how delighted I am to have them back. On the other hand, last week we took a couple to the airport as they move back to the states after 7 years in Uganda. 
4. I continue to love my home church I have found here. It is a fabulous group of people that love the Lord. A few weeks ago 14 people were baptized; it was a great day!
5. Tuesday evenings are a favorite time now. My friend, Kelsey, and I have decided to always spend time together on Tuesday evening. We have successfully done this all 5 Tuesdays so far this year. It means good food too! Last minute this week we decided to acquire some cheese which lead to a great moment shown below.
6. Sunday I will make the short journey to Nairobi for some meetings. These are meetings that AIM has every other year. People from most (maybe all) offices gather as well as some others. This will be Sunday evening - Friday. Please pray for this time together.
7. Afterwards, there are more meetings. Since the those of us from around the region will be gathered, we will have our regional meetings in the same place and I'll return home (to Uganda) on 14 February. 
8. What questions do you have for me? What would you like me to write about in these emails? 

I suppose that's all for now. Perhaps no big news is good news? I hope your 2018 has started off with only good excitement or at least an uneventful first month.

Much love to you and your family,
Katherine

Top picture: Sunset over the Nile River

 .     .   

Left: I recently spent some time on the Nile River. I'm in the green shirt and black helmet. 

Center: Baptisms at church are always very exciting. Many gather outside and sing throughout. 

Right: Savoring a cheesy moment on Tuesday night's dinner.

Newsletter: December 2017

17.Dec.17 SURPRISE!! It's me again! You get two emails in the same week. Are you excited? I felt there were a few more things that I wanted to share now. MAIL Did you know I can get mail? There is a post office here. Well actually there are multiple post offices here. Cards have gotten here in as fast as 10 days. How great is that? AIM: Katherine Rowe PO Box 4008 Kampala Uganda **hint, hint....to anyone mailing Christmas cards... FINANCES This is always the hard topic. But it is an important one too!! No ministry from Sunday mornings to college campuses to local outreach and everything across the world can function without the proper financial backing. God has lead me to be overseas for a few years now and as fast as things can change in a minute, so many things can change in a year. With that said, time has brought some changes to my financial situation. Some monthly supporters are having to stop with the end of 2017 and my monthly support target will be going up in 2018. This is obviously creating a deficit. Please prayerfully consider supporting me monthly for an ongoing basis. You may also consider a one time gift as these are helpful too. Follow this link to give online. If you are not led to donate, then please be sure to join me in prayer that the right conversations would be had with those that are called to give. If you would like more information including numbers and how monthly support works, then let me know!!! I will get back to you in January with details!

Notes from earlier this year. Click the photo for a direct link to give right now.

GOING & COMING You don't have to follow me long to hear/read the phrase "revolving door". People are often coming and going. The expat community is ever changing. People go to their passport countries for planned home assignments; some leave unexpectedly for medical reasons; others get called to serve our Savior in other parts of the world. Two families (not with AIM) but friends of mine left Uganda this week. And a handful of people that are with AIM are expected to arrive early next year. All of this means that there are a lot of goodbyes happening. Please pray for those that say goodbye on the field and those saying goodbye at home. Pray for the details to come together as one phase of life ends and another begins. Pray for relationships and roots to be established quickly in the new places. CHRISTMAS SEASON As I wrote a few days ago, Christmas season is definitely in full swing now. I have a small collection of decorations for this time of year and have been gradually been putting a few things out. From card's I've kept to a nativity scene to a tree ornament I use as a tree and snow cut out snowflakes....anything helps to create the seasonal atmosphere. You know what though??? It's hard. The weather actually starts to get get warmer this time of year. Traditional foods are difficult to make because one struggles to find the right ingredients. The typical outdoor activities (cutting a tree, anything snow/ice related, looking at light displays....) can't be accomplished here. Parents long for their kids to have "normal" experiences as if they were in their passport countries. In short, this time of year can be really hard for missionaries. Please pray for the families to know just how to make the time special for the kids. Please pray for those that came to the field this year and are days away from their first Christmas without family. Please pray for friends and family at home (like you) that look around the room knowing someone is missing this year. Please pray for the busy ones that dive into a busy time of ministry over the next few weeks. Please pray for the individuals that don't have the built in community with family and seek to have memorable moments with others this time of year. WHEN IN DOUBT.... Sometimes you may have no idea what to do. That's ok. Sometimes that's how I feel and I expect that feeling tomorrow at the office. One thing you can always do is pray for health. This past week I had some gut issues disrupt my plans. After a visit to a clinic and some antibiotics, I'm doing much better. Just as being sick where you are greatly affects plans, the same thing happens here too!! It feels like quite the snowball effect (seasonal pun intended) as my role involves communicating with people around the world. So tomorrow as I go back to the office and try to dig myself out of the hole, I expect one of those moments of not knowing what to do. For all expats, anytime.....pray for health. Pray for healing. Pray for wisdom. Pray for trustworthy medical professionals.  With love and gratitude for all you do for me, Katherine

NEWSLETTER: November 2017

14.Dec.17 Greetings to you and your family!! Would you believe that I started this newsletter 15 days ago when I was in Kenya? It's true. I really did. I'm not really sure what happened to the last two weeks but here we are. I realize that Christmas is in full swing but we still need to catch up on November.  Kenya Trip Since I already mentioned it, we might as well start with Kenya. Don't get concerned by any means. I did not go to Kenya for health reasons. I actually went for work. It was quite exciting as I've never traveled for work before. The event that made it all happen was this workshop.  As you might have seen from the link, it is about using the COACHing model. This stands for: Connect, Outcome, Awareness, Course, and Highlights. It seemed like a simple concept before the workshop. But the three days was well spent. The practice sessions with colleagues from AIM were also great. I was able to see how it works as I coached someone that I had no idea how to help. However, the process proved true as she was able to come to action steps and realizations on her own. It also helped me and I saw how it could be applied personally. If you can't go to a workshop, then I definitely reccomend the book. The other fabulous part about the trip was that I was able to spend the weekend with a friend in Nairobi! Although, technically that was December, so perhaps I shouldn't go too much into that. Just know that it was wonderful and lovely! Thanksgiving What is a newsletter about November without talking about Thanksgiving? Those I work with are quite diverse by passport. However, another group of American friends invited me to join them. We had also spent July fourth together so it only seemed natural that we celebrated another American holiday together. The food was fabulous. The fellowship was lovely and timely. I had instigated a game in July so I was asked to provide a game for Thanksgiving too. I think it turned out pretty good. See the photo below.

After the loneliness of October, I made some very intentional coffee dates with friends, or at least one friend.  The room where we gathered for the COACH workshop.  At Thanksgiving, I was in charge of the game. I made a trivia game for the group to play. Just hanging around in the rafters at the ecolodge with friends.

In Other News.... Do you remember the teaser at the end of the last email? I mentioned some planning for something exciting. I am so happy to report that this came to fruition. With a few other friends, I was able to get away for two nights at an ecolodge that is nearby. It was such a needed mini break. Two of the friends actually moved back to America this week so it was extra special to make those laughable memories with them. November also brought my Ugandaversary. On 17 November I celebrated having moved to Uganda two years ago. There were no special festivities. Well, I did take the day off work and make myself some brownies from a mix I brought from America. It was a great way to celebrate. One day a friend pointed out how far I've come in those two years. Just thinking about running arounds around town or even simply getting around town....going to new places on my own....basically the common things you do when you have a life somewhere. It was great to hear a view from the outside as it is often easy for me to focus on the areas that still need improvement. With love, Katherine Top picture: The view from our classroom in Kijabe, Kenya. One of those peaks in the background is Mount Longonot....I'm pretty sure anyway. Prayer requests:  Much thanks that a lease was agreed on for another year so I can continue living in my same flat.  Pray for moments of joy during this holiday season. The miles between us always seem longer this time of year. Pray for those that have just come to Africa this year and this is their first Christmas away from home. Pray for the ability to enjoy the moments with others Pray for transitions....it seems this is a season of leaving as the list of friends leaving Uganda seems to keep growing Pray for courage to engage across the culture barriers Pray for ministry opportunities.....I've been wondering what other ways I can engage here outside of the office