A good story.

James was staying at my house so that we could work on different things, and just enjoy being together. On Tuesday morning, he asked me to take a trip with him. So, off we went. He asked me what was the best way to go so that we could gather wildflowers on the side of the
road, and I directed him toward the country roads. Then, he said, “I’m trying to go somewhere and I don’t know how to get there.” Well, he wanted to take me to my mother’s grave. So, I directed once again, and we gathered beautiful flowers along the way. We got there, and reflected for awhile. He began talking about the commitment we’ve already said that we had to marriage, and he emphasized that by saying “I do” we are committing ourselves to one another until “death do us part.” Standing at my mother’s grave brought all of this into stark relief. Yes, it was sad, but it reminded me of what we are getting ourselves into.
Well, we left that wonderfully sad place, and went to a low water bridge crossing that I used to enjoy in high school. It’s a beautiful little spot in the “woods” (this is Kansas, I don’t know if woods actually exist here). We looked around for awhile, skipped some rocks and just enjoyed a beautiful day. We were enjoying one another, whispering sweet nothings… Then, he turned me around, got down on one knee and had me sit on his bent knee. He said, “Heidi, this is me. This is who I am… I would be honored if you would be my wife. Will you marry me?” Of course, tears are falling down my cheeks, and I said, “Yes. With all my heart.”
He stood up, and showed me my mother’s ring, sized to fit my finger and was about to put it on my finger when a van popped over the hill. A man, we like to call him Bubba, not wearing a shirt, smoking a cigarette and apparently in a chatty mood stopped on the bridge right beside us. (Insert a country accent here) “You folks fishin’? This
creek is a great place for fishin’. Last year I caught a great stringer of fish.”
“No sir, we’re not fishin’ today.”
“Well, I was thinkin’ ‘bout fishin’ today, but I can come back in about 15-20 minutes.”
“Alright sir, that sounds great!” (Thinking to ourselves the whole time, please just go away!!! Can’t we have a private moment here? The ring still isn’t on the finger!!!)
Off Bubba went up the other side of the bridge, we breathed a sigh of relief, and also laughed pretty hard. Well, James pulls the ring out of the box, and is getting ready to put it on my finger and finally make it official (or was it
already? I don’t know!).
Back comes Bubba. Apparently he had to turn around and come back to get wherever he had decided to go. We stood there waiting for him to go by, laughing again, flushed and impatient. And, Bubba stopped to chat, again. He
said, “Ya better watch out for snakes on this creek. Last year, I saw a black water moccasin on this here bridge, and it had about 30 or 40 females wrapped around it, mating or something. So, I just thought you all should watch out for snakes.”
I looked around and pretended to look for snakes, thinking the whole time, “Just go away, man. Just go away.” Well, with a few last warnings, he finally left. James slid the ring onto my finger, and it was official.
The rest of the day, I was on cloud nine. We went to the sandwich place where we ate together on our first date. We saw my family. Called friends and relatives, and had a blissful day. It couldn’t have been more perfect. I have a great story to tell. And, I will never forget it.

Let me tell you about my ring. My ring belonged to my mother. It is not expensive, not big. It is a simple gold band with etched star patterns on the sides, and a small diamond in the middle. She wore it for 25 years of marriage.
Now, it is my turn to wear it. I am honored and privileged to wear my mother’s ring. I pray I can learn from her example in my life, and bring glory to God in my marriage, just as she did.
For those of you who don’t know my fiancé, his name is James Morrill and he is from Manhattan, KS. We met in college and while I was in Uganda we began talking online. We have been dating for 1 and a half years. We are planning to exchange vows on October 3, 2009.
Thanks for being excited for us and with us! We also appreciate your prayers!
Blessings!

Answers

Dear friends,
Last time I wrote a list of prayers needs. . .
This time, I want to share with you the answers that I have received to those prayers.

~ The car has been sold!!! YAY! Praise the Lord! I do ask that you pray for the new owners. Pray that they will benefit from the use of this car, and that God will do great things for their ministry through it.

~ Teaching is now finished. I finished with a thud, though. The last village failed to show up to the church! I guess we miscommunicated or something. But, the day before that one, I went to a village, and the lesson went very well.

~ Funds came in abundantly for the women’s meeting that was lacking the funding. Thank you to those who contributed!!!

~ The HUGE meeting was phenomenal. We had so many international visitors arrive, and it was a wonderful time of fellowship and planning for the new University that we are working to build here in Mbale. It was a stressful time, but all things considered, it was wonderful. Thank you for praying for that meeting! God answered prayers, and we have a vision to pursue.

~ Well, the staph infection had gone away. . . until this week. It’s back again. Pray that healing will come. That I will be able to get over whatever is in my blood stream, and that it won’t affect me any more!

~ God is beginning to show the beginnings of the road to take. He will always be leading and guiding. I am so glad to know what steps to take for now.

- The last one is always a prayer request. So, please pray with me that God will raise up workers for his harvest field. I’ve been overwhelmed lately with the few amount of workers there are for the vast mission in this world. All over the world, missionaries all say they need more man power, they need more people, they need more help. Pray that God will raise up the workers, will provide his servants with what they need to do the job they have been sent to do!

Thank you for praying! I have felt the prayers on this end! I thank you for lifting high these needs. God is so good!

Prayer Points

Hello to all of you who read this!!!
I am writing another list. Not a funny one, not a sarcastic one. It is a serious one.
I am leaving my beloved home in 34 days.
So much needs to be done before that time! For the next little bit, I’m going to be running around like crazy!!!
Therefore, I am asking for your prayers.

- Pray that I will be able to sell my car! This is a huge burden right now. It would be horrible to have to leave it behind and make my team deal with trying to sell it for me, and it’s just not fair to them to ask them to have such a huge burden on their already overloaded shoulders.

- Pray that all my teaching will be thought out, planned, and not neglected by all the hussle and bussle that is starting to surround me.

- Pray for funds to come in for a women’s seminar that needs to be funded. There is one left. That’s it! Pray for $600 to come in to cover it!

- Pray for a HUGE meeting that is happening on April 29-May 1. We are inviting people from all over the world, literally, to participate in helping us form, shape and hone our plans for building a University. We have been given authority to do everything except enroll students in this university, so we need help in shaping by-laws, land plans, building ideas and hiring faculty and staff, etc, etc, etc. Please pray that this meeting will be fruitful, that God’s will be done and his ideas, his plans will succeed!

- Pray for my health. I am FINE! No worries! But I do have a recurring problem with a random staph infection. For those of you who knew about the malaria I had a few weeks ago, thank you for praying! I am doing great! No problems whatsoever.

- Pray that God will pave the way for the future. Pray he shows me where to go, what to do and what He wants.

- Pray that God will raise up workers for his harvest field. I’ve been overwhelmed lately with the few amount of workers there are for the vast mission in this world. All over the world, missionaries all say they need more man power, they need more people, they need more help. Pray that God will raise up the workers, will provide his servants with what they need to do the job they have been sent to do!

Heidi’s coming home. . .

Yes. I am coming home. I’m happy to be coming home. But, I realize that things are going to be so different when I get there and start living. Here’s my list of things that I think will shock me, amaze me, flabbergast me, and just be different in general:

1. When I drive on the highway, I might just fall asleep. I’m used to potholes, goats, bicycles, motorcycles, cars driving too slow, and cows.

2. While waiting in line at the store (a.k.a. Walmart) I’m going to be amazed at how quick the line moves, and the fact that I don’t have to worry about not getting all my money back, because there are no coins small enough to cover my change!

3. I’ll be flabbergasted that the power won’t go out whenever it starts to rain! And, the internet won’t be shaky because the rain isn’t hitting the wires outside.

4. I’ll be confused that I won’t have the electric company’s number, or the water company, or the internet people’s numbers programmed into my phone.

5. When bugs are hatching and beginning to fly around, I won’t see people frantically covering the road to catch them and eat them.

6. I’ll be blinded at night by all the lights that can be on at one time in one town!

7. Clapping just won’t be the same.

8. 50 second conversations will leave me dumbfounded and unable to pull myself together for the next one.

9. I can get how much done in one day?!?! You’ve got to be kidding me!

10. I’m not going to hear “well done” as I walk down the road, and I won’t be responding “well done” as I go by. How sad is that?!

And, there are so many more that I could write here. . . maybe next time.

A few funnies. . .

This is closely related to the “Things that make you go, ‘Hmm. . .’” segment.
I just wanted to let you in on a little bit of my life, and a few moments where I absolutely did not know what to do.

1. Having a lady kiss my hand as she guided me into my car. I felt a little like a princess. She was so gallant.
2. Having my internet turned off because the Company owes me money!
3. Stopping an entire meeting because my translator needed to feed her baby! But, we danced and sang while we waited, so it wasn’t totally “wasted” time.
4. Actually referring to my friend Laurie as “Rolly”, and not cracking a smile.
5. Story time: A fellow missionary was en route to a far away village, and wanted to get there in adequate time before sundown (so he was going at a good clip). He decided to pass a car, but the car would not let him, and so he did as all good missionaries learn to do, he went through the ditch to pass the extremely slow car! Well, as he emerges, safely, out of the ditch he is told by his passengers, “Ah, we know you! There are two drivers in Mbale. You are one, and the other is Heidi!” (I don’t know whether I am proud of this, or a bit ashamed. . . both I think)
6. My gate keeper telling me he didn’t like me to open my own gate, and that he will do it from now on, thank you!
7. Being able to communicate faster overseas, than I can to a village 1 hour’s drive away!
8. Having a man I DON’T know climb into my car in order to guide me to the village that is “just there”. And I willingly and gladly let him!
9. Seeing an OU shirt way out in the boondocks of Uganda. . . and thinking, “I should leave my KU shirt here!”
10. Going to church and having a “Jack Bauer” moment when I see a guy pull a box with wires out of his pocket! Then, I realize he’s just playing with a wall socket that he found on the road. . . yeah.

A new Video!!

This particular video was made in Mufutu, Uganda. It was an enjoyable women’s meeting with 120 women in attendance!!! It was amazing! Enjoy!

P.S.- Sorry I didn’t say this earlier, but this particular video is from a meeting we held in August. . . (sheepish grin). I’m a little behind in making these. But, I hope to have a slide show of pictures ready soon from the meeting this past weekend (there was no video footage, sorry!).

And He hears. . .

God hears us when we pray. I have no doubt about that.

This past weekend was a success in every way! 150 women from 45 different churches (that partner with our mission) attended our Annual Women’s Meeting at the Mbale Church of Christ (the church that was established 10 years ago by our mission here in Mbale). Although I didn’t get a firm count, there were at least 75-100 children present at the meeting as well! (No child care is provided here. . . ) The children were well behaved for the most part, and the women were encouraged to quickly and efficiently take care of the children so as to not disturb the meeting. I think they were ready and willing to comply. Only a few times did a screaming child interrupt anything, and that, my friends, is a miracle.

The weather was trying to overtake us, but it did not succeed. We are in the middle of dry season here, and dry season means “hot season.” It was hot from 10 or 11 in the morning to well past dark. But, even though it was hot, the women are used to it and sat and listened well. The sound system didn’t like the weather too much, and overheated a few times, but the women still listened intently.

I was able to teach on Friday morning, and it was a blessed time! Our theme was “Having a heart after God’s own heart.” I taught the lesson on having a heart of love. It was a good lesson, something I learned from as I prepared. God is good like that. He taught me so much, and I believe the women learned something as well. What I do know is God’s words did not go out and return void. Seeds were planted. I believe that with all my heart.

Thank you for praying. Your prayers were answered in a mighty way. God was glorified, and though Satan tried to defeat us, he did not succeed. All the women send their greetings to those who prayed. So, consider yourself well greeted by many Ugandan mamas.

Mungu Akubariki! (God bless you!)

Upcoming Events!!!

Hello everyone!

I wanted you all to be in prayer, please, for the women’s ministry here in Mbale.

This weekend we are having our annual Women’s Seminar. I’m so excited! We’re talking about what a Christian Woman’s heart should look like. I get to teach the session on having a heart of Love. Wow. . . yeah that’s a big topic!

Pray that the women are receptive.

Pray that they learn from us this weekend and put what they have learned into practice.

Pray for the speakers (there will be several of us) as we study and deliver our messages.

Pray that the Holy Spirit is present and working in many capacities.

Thank you for praying!

Heidi

“Give Me Jesus”

“Give Me Jesus”

In the morning, when I rise,
In the morning, when I rise.
In the morning, when I rise,
Give me Jesus.

Chorus:
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus.

Verse 2:
And when I am alone,
And when I am alone.
And when I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Verse 3:
And when I come to die,
And when I come to die.
And when I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Sometimes, this is all I can pray. Give me Jesus. These are the only words that fit my troubled, anxious, even praising soul. Give me Jesus. I can’t want for anything else. Give me Jesus. He is my good Shepherd, my Way, my Truth, my Life. Give me Jesus. He is my strength in Weakness. Give me Jesus. In every circumstance of life, whether trial, suffering, blessing and more: Give me Jesus.

Things that make you go “Hm…”

It’s been a long time. So, I thought since I can’t post a video right now, I’ll post a list of things that make you go, “Hm. . . ” (These are in no particular order)

1. Someone greets you by saying, “How are your ends?” (meaning: how is your home?) And it makes you want to try to look at your bottom and say, “Well, it’s still there. I guess it’s ok!”

2. Watching a cherry red, fully-loaded sportscar go down the street as slowly as possible, so that it won’t be damaged because of all the potholes. Then, watching as a dusty, beat-up SUV (with 4 wheel drive and a visible spare tire- think of any car you’ve seen in the Australian outback) zooms around it, because it was made for roads like that!

3. Going to a store to look at a Money Safe and hearing the words: “The man with the key has gone.” Meaning, they can’t find the ONLY man in the store that has the key to this particular safe! So much for buying that one! We’ll just look at the next one.

4. Being asked to drive someone to their house and when you ask how far it is they say, “Oh, it’s just there.” As you look in the direction they point, you see nothing except trees, bushes, a small walking path bordered by bushes (with THORNS) on both sides. You ask again, “How far is it?” And they reply, “it’s just there, it’s not hard to reach.” So, you pray and say, “Alright, let’s go.” You get in and hope the tires hold up. As you get going you think it can’t be much longer. . . 30 minutes later you’re still thinking it can’t be much longer and you finally ask how much longer, and the answer will always be: “It’s just there.”

5. Watching a motorcycle taxi go down the road and seeing not one, not two, but three or more pairs of arms and legs and wondering how in the world that little scooter isn’t falling to pieces under all that weight!

6. Seeing a bicycle taxi go down the road with a man on the back holding onto another bicycle. . .

7. Passing a car on the “highway” and looking back in the rear view mirror to see two very large heads in the car you’ve just passed. You wonder about this and then realize that the driver and passenger have helmets on! Then, you go on to realize that there is no windshield for that car. Well, I guess you don’t NEED a windshield to drive on the highway after all!

8. Being told you are fat, and it’s a compliment!

9. Listening to the announcements at church involves hearing: “Brother so and so is gone today. Praise God. Our sister is having some small complications and is in the hospital. Praise God.”

10. Hearing someone say, “You extend.” And you think to yourself, “Who am I? Inspector Gadget? GO! GO! Gadget Arms!” (“You extend” means: please scoot over to make room for one more person.)

I hope you have enjoyed this list. I am sure another one will come someday.