An update with some pictures of day to day life here at
YWAM Hopeland

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My walk to our morning get together for myself and the team of staff I work with to pray for the day. Pretty stunning!

Life in Uganda

Quite the adjustment

Let me preface this by saying that I have traveled quite a lot and have seen a lot of things and adjusted to lots of different ways of doing things, but nothing could prepare me for the reality of Africa. Life here goes at a pace that is almost hard to believe in it's slowness. Some days, that's refreshing and on others it makes one feel like the slightest task is impossible to accomplish. One thing is for sure though, it might be good for our whirlwind pace of life to see a different way of doing things so maybe we have more time for the things that matter. In many ways it is the hardest place I've ever been, but it's worth it. I am blessed to be able to be here and thank the Lord every day for making a way to come. The people I've met humble me and it is an honor to rub shoulders with them every day. They are heroes each and every one and it is amazing to hear the insights they are pulling from the class sessions we have together. I can't wait to hear from them after they finish and go back to apply the things they've learned about how to enter communities, serve them, and help them to break out of the cycle of poverty in lots of small, innovative ways that bring dignity, life, and hope where previously there was helplessness and despair.

Have you ever heard of Farming God's Way or No Till agriculture? The name of the organization has recently changed due to the title being somewhat presumptive, but the main idea is that the soil, the crops, and the farmer do far better if the land is farmed without heavy equipment and large amounts of chemical inputs broadcasted in the fields. They are having a lot of success with these methods here, and in the process are helping people to think differently about planning, order, and saving for the future. It's pretty awesome to see!

Amazingly enough, this base is able to prepare food for sometimes up to 150 people on these wood-burning stoves. There is very little infrastructure, so propane gas is not a viable option. They have done some experimentation with methane production, but have only so far been able to generate a small amount. It takes quite a long time to prepare a meal, just one of the things that makes me thankful for everyday conveniences that we're all so used to!

Having reached the halfway point of our school a couple weeks back, we wanted to plan a school outing somewhere fun. Jinja's main clame to fame is that it is the "source of the Nile".
There is actually a beautiful park overlooking the river just a few hundred yards from where it exits Lake Victoria. Apparently at that point there are 2 large springs that feed 30% of the Nile's water into it, which is why that place is of interest. It was a really good evening encouraging each other and enjoying a snack together. It never ceases to amaze me how these groups of random people come together to learn inside YWAM and become a little family every time.
God is good!

Here's our school at the same spot. What a great bunch! I'm looking forward to the final third of the school with these guys. Please be praying for all of us as we learn, grow, plan for their outreach, and raise the remaining funds for the school. I hope everyone is having a great summer! Enjoy barbecues, camping, fireworks, and all of the rest of the fun summer has to offer.

God Bless!

Michael