by Hampton | Feb 28, 2013 | Uncategorized |
Update February 28th We had a great mtg today with Kevin – Regional Director Young Life there in CR. We are moving forward and will meet next with Kevin’s boss, Kevin, Chad (our placement guy), and Jeff (our fundraising helper) Looks like we will try to go in April/May to visit as Kevin’s schedule is really busy. We’ll try to visit schools, areas, find out about homes, etc. Probably what will happen is that we will live in San Jose for a year, then move into the town we choose. They suggested we decide over that year what school and area best fits our family. Here’s the school we’ll likely attend. http://thespanishinstitute.com/home/ They suggest we do this as we will meet other families going through the same thing and our kids will be at the same school we are in, so we’re literally together all the time, for a year. We were told today we just need to take as much support as we can in that first year, culture shock, etc. And the school has counseling, housing, and all sorts of practical help for the first year to help you know how to do life in CR. So I’m praying over the knot in my stomach about living in San Jose… not initially what I wanted, but also want to lean on the advice of ones that have gone before us. Today, this all feels very real. Anyway, love you and wanted to give you a heads up. Sounds like the vision for our roles are the same as we had thought, international schools, and there’s a internship...
by jimmy | Jun 16, 2012 | Uncategorized |
Well the first 24 hours is coming to a close. Wow. Our Pastor wrote a blog recently, about a woman that suffered a stroke and was left with a restricted vocabulary but one of the words she spoke well and often was WOW. As I lay here thousands of miles away from Austin in bed listening to frogs, distant fireworks and a thunderstorm that word WOW rings true. WOW what a God! I believe more and more as I read scripture that He wants us to pursue Him but also he is always at work making the way for us. Take this trip for example. I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about the difficulty leading up to the trip. It was honestly one of the toughest things I have ever done. You can read the blog post here. In fact, you probably should because the way God showed up since that day has been WOW! In short, the post talked about needing my business to pick up but sensing the need to step out on Faith. Faith, not that God would do something for us.. I mean, I guess that is part of it, but He wanted us to do something no matter the cost. No matter the costs, and let me tell you I can count some costs with the best of them. This thing Faith that He hinges everything on is just brilliant. Letting go of something you can try to control and just letting the chips fall and trusting that God’s plan is better, well that is just crazy. Or is it? Over...
by jimmy | Apr 28, 2012 | Uncategorized |
There have been times in the past few years where I have come to a point where I know what I need to do but I am almost paralyzed with fear. This past week was one of those moments. We are in the process of exploring a trip to Nicaragua for the summer. Our plan is to take the entire family there for much of the summer and show the kids how Jesus can lead and move. Sure sounds easy. The reality is it is so much more than that. Because the question is not can we go for five weeks but what happens if we go. My business has been little slow lately and our cash flow kind of stinks. My natural tendency is to grab the wheel and make the business rise again. But in my heart I feel the pull to GO! It is hard to explain. I am learning to listen and hear God move my spirit. This is one of those times. It is clear. But what does that mean? Well, the possibility of coming back to nothing is real. What happens when I leave does the business burn up? What then? Our house? Everything would be gone. Or would it? Is that even possible? Or is that FEAR? Enemy comes to kill and destroy. My Father in heaven cares for and provides for the birds of the air and the fish in the sea. I am choosing to put my trust in HIM and let Him provide. Wednesday was probably one of the hardest days of my life. I cried often. I was...
by jeannie | Apr 12, 2012 | buildingaboat, buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
I recently wrote Sister Rosemary a letter, sending photos, dreaming about another visit, thanking her for spending time with us, for how she lives her life and looks so much like Jesus. She’s a woman that you can’t help but feel changed by when you meet her. It’s her joy, perseverance, and love of the people she serves that stands out. St. Monica’s was among the places we visited while in Gulu, and we had met her a day before one night on the deck of our hotel eating pizza. She had a great impact on me personally and our group as we listened to her and learned all she’s done for the people of Gulu. This video does a better job telling the story than I will, but this great work still goes on today and expands much wider now. CNN Heroes, Sister Rosemary (click link to watch video) Here’s a beautiful shot of one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the privilege to meet and becomes friends with: Sister Rosemary Gulu is a more peaceful place now. Many of the people there remember when it wasn’t, but will tell you that they feel much safer there now. Thanks to much of the work Sister Rosemary has done there, women and children have a new start and a new hope. There’s a great blog you should check out. Jim Gash and his family are living in Uganda helping reform some of the judicial practices there, and they have a great blog worth following. I enjoyed meeting them, and appreciated them sharing their experiences with us. Jim and...
by Hampton | Apr 12, 2012 | buildingaboat, buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
I recently wrote Sister Rosemary a letter, sending photos, dreaming about another visit, thanking her for spending time with us, for how she lives her life and looks so much like Jesus. She’s a woman that you can’t help but feel changed by when you meet her. It’s her joy, perseverance, and love of the people she serves that stands out. St. Monica’s was among the places we visited while in Gulu, and we had met her a day before one night on the deck of our hotel eating pizza. She had a great impact on me personally and our group as we listened to her and learned all she’s done for the people of Gulu. This video does a better job telling the story than I will, but this great work still goes on today and expands much wider now. CNN Heroes, Sister Rosemary (click link to watch video) Here’s a beautiful shot of one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the privilege to meet and becomes friends with: Sister Rosemary Gulu is a more peaceful place now. Many of the people there remember when it wasn’t, but will tell you that they feel much safer there now. Thanks to much of the work Sister Rosemary has done there, women and children have a new start and a new hope. There’s a great blog you should check out. Jim Gash and his family are living in Uganda helping reform some of the judicial practices there, and they have a great blog worth following. I enjoyed meeting them, and appreciated them sharing their experiences with us. Jim and...
by jeannie | Apr 10, 2012 | buildingaboat, buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
While we visited the location where the new school was being built, we kept greeting people who lived nearby. This woman walked up and talked with us and I got a shot of her with one of the men in our group of travelers, Ted. The way he greeted this woman is how he greets everyone and he was a blessing to all of us on this trip as we watched his interaction with the Ugandan people. Having been to Uganda before, he helped give context to what we were experiencing, but also let us experience Uganda in our own way too. The woman was incredibly warm, like most people that approached us. She has so little, but seems to have everything she needs to be thankful, to be smiling, and to be so gracious to strangers. Ted lives a life of faith. He steps into their culture more than most of us, eating what they eat while some of us ate the safer rice & curry or pizza, and always open to any experience, smiling with overflowing compassion and love for the sweet people there. On our second night in Uganda, knowing there were several days and nights left and being overwhelmed with what I saw, I felt a sadness that I was feeling a sense of void, being closed off or even an unwillingness to truly do “anything” God asked of me. Praying, I just asked for courage, and God gave me sleep. But in the morning, God gave me Ted. Without knowing, Ted invited me to sit across from him, and began sharing his life, his...
