Collaboration

Being a project manager in Kabale, Uganda has been so rewarding through LMH.

If you have read my blogs, you know that I have helped with tea farms, starting a chicken business, overseeing an executive hotel amongst other things. All of which I am extremely proud.

On my latest return to Kabale, Uganda I was privileged to meet my roommate, Andrew.

Andrew works for “Wells of Life”. This is a Christian non-profit water development organization. They are dedicated to serving the most vulnerable people including children and families. They partner with rural communities to overcome water poverty.

Remember in my last blog I mentioned no massive corn crops in Kabale, Uganda due to lack of water? Well, we have been blessed in my village and surrounding areas to have “Wells of Life” come in to drill for wells and provide much needed water for our communities.

I consider it an honor that Andrew and his company have let me be a part of helping/watching this blessing of water come to fruition.

These children and their families who thought that clean water was only a dream or a very LONG trek have now realized what can be done when people don’t give on up on their dream and work to achieve that dream.

As our National bird is telling this HUGE elephant, “You don’t scare me, my God is bigger and WILL provide”!

I hope if you are reading this, you will find it in your heart to look up Lay Mission-Helpers and all the amazing work the missionaries do to try and enrich lives, all while enriching our own and restoring our faith in humanity.

God is GREAT and he is ever present. ALL the people said AMEN!

Thrive Not Just Survive

Lay Mission Helpers sent a Nebraska "Cornhusker" born man 8100 miles from home to Uganda, Africa. I learned quickly that there was no corn growing here as that takes a lot of water which tends to be scarce... but more on that in my next blog. 

Being sent back to the USA due to growing concerns over Covid19, was unexpected and came with mixed emotions.

It was a blessing to get to see my family, but my heart knew that there was so much yet to be accomplished in Kabale, Uganda which had become my second family. 

I was able to stay in touch thanks to modern technology.  My Ugandan family kept me up to date on progress of the beautiful tea crops of which I'm very proud.

They let me know that Covid-19 was taking its toll as it was across the world.  They continued to pray for me and my family’s health.  They prayed for this disease to weaken and end and subsequently allow for my return and for their lives to return to some type of normalcy. 

I was back in USA much longer than anyone could anticipate-14 months total.  LMH worked closely with Kabale’s Bishop Callistus to determine my need in Kabale and how to bring me back safely and to be active in mission once again. I returned to Kabale, Uganda at the end of May. LMH and their collaboration with others is impressive.

Covid-19 was trying is best to cause havoc in the lives of all but Kabale, Uganda has stayed the course.  I am impressed with the steps that my community has taken to try and keep its citizens safe.  

Restricted travel, face coverings, limiting gatherings of larger groups and many other sanctions are difficult but necessary and will NOT stop the faithful Kabale community from living life. 

We have great plans for our future. We know that in the Bible Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I Know The Plans I Have For You' Declares the Lord, 'Plans to Prosper You and Not to Harm You, Plans to Give You Hope and a Future.”

LMH has sent me to help Kabale do just that and this Nebraska Cornhusker will NOT fail.  I will do my best daily. Side by side with my second family, we will not just survive but thrive. 

Back In Uganda

After a year absence due to the pandemic, I was finally able to return to Uganda to complete my mission service.  It wasn’t easy to leave my dad (age 89) again, but I know he is proud of me and supports me.

One of the projects I manage is the tea farm. Profits from the sale of tea helps support several important ministries in the Diocese of Kabale.  I was pleased to discover that in spite of the pandemic and all of the hardships they experienced, the workers continued to work in the farm and the plants are thriving.  This is a great partnership: the workers do all they can to help nurture and maintain the plants and with my ability to create a budget, plan and supervise, we are able to optimize the tea farm to make it profitable for the Diocese.

Note:  See the woman in far left of the photo – she is farming with her baby on her back.  A common site here and a testament to the women of Uganda. 

Why I Serve

The formation program and my mission service has changed my very being. My vision of God's great universe will never be the same. I have grown intellectually, spiritually, and have a greater idea of what true empathy is.

I have found great passion and joy in my daily tasks. Whether I am raising chickens or managing tea farms the daily journey is rewarding. Before I only cared about results.  The passion of the daily journey is the key, the results will follow.

Covid tried to interfere with my mission and I wasn’t sure if returning to Uganda was going to be an option.  I have been a substitute teacher in Lincoln Public Schools during my time back in the states. This wouldn't have been possible without my formation training through Lay Mission. I cannot see me doing anything else now. My first week teaching I was assigned to teach 6th grade a course on “Humanities”.  I spent five days going over five religions.  Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  My four months in the formation program teachings, allowed me to shine as I taught this 6th grade class.

God works in different ways.

I really don't get concerned about the little things anymore, peace is a beautiful thing! God's will has spoken again and my journey has not ended. I will return to Kabale, Uganda on May 26, for one more year. I look forward to my continued education, Kabale has taught me soooooo much.

I kinda really love Matthew, I think he makes a difference wherever he is, that was not the case before LMH and Uganda. I have learned as in 1Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart”.

Peace is a beautiful thing.

Come To the Pearl of Africa

 

Kabale, Uganda is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Winston Churchill called Uganda the pearl of Africa, and Kabale the Switzerland. In January 2019 I arrived in this peaceful community and I was welcomed with open arms. My journey has taught me faith, hope and love. My journey taught me to judge a man by what he can do without, not what he has. My son was married in October and many clergy blessed his wedding from a different continent ......how cool is that?

I am a project manager and I am inspired by Mr. Jeff, whom I have never met.  Jeff was a LMH’er in Uganda years ago, but his talents keep on giving.  He served with his wife and family.  He assisted with the development of a hospital that continues to serve people today.  It is one of the best hospitals in the area.

There are other hospitals in the area, including one only two miles from my house, that can also benefit from LMH’ers like Jeff.  We have the most supportive Bishop, Callist Rubaramira, in all the world.  This mission will change your life’s perspective. 

 What does the diocese provide? They can make sure you have a comfortable house within a short distance of the hospital. They can get you all set up with your basic needs. I promise after your 4 month training in Los Angeles with Lay Mission-Helpers, you will have all the wisdom you need. I promise to be a very effective project manager. The Diocese needs a LMH  (Imagine YOUR name here).  Please, come make a difference in the lives of these amazing Ugandans!  

2020 has been a difficult year with the crazy pandemic we've come to know as Covid-19.  It forced me home back in March.  Although I've loved seeing family, at a distance and masked, I dream of the day I can return to complete my mission in Uganda.

As I've learned and you will too when you join our team, you come thinking you will improve the lives of Ugandans. That you will do my friend,  but the added bonus,  you will leave Uganda blessed more abundantly than you can imagine.

Enjoy a couple more photos before you start the paperwork to start your mission! 

As I finished writing this,  I was extremely saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of an amazing  Ugandan Priest- Father Evarist Ankwashze. I would like to have him remembered for the great man he was.  R.I.P. Father Evarist.

Updates in 2020

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I have entered the gate and traveled the narrow way, the rewards outnumber the challenges ten fold. My journey with LMH and Uganda is for 3 years; my lessons are for a lifetime.

A great deal has happened since the beginning of 2020. My journey continues into the second year. Tea farms in January/ February 2019:  21,000 Kilograms, 450 shillings per, 9,450,000 gross income. January/ February 2020: 71,000 Kilograms, 600 shillings per, 42,600,000 gross income. 

Thank you Jesus Our Father please keep the locust out of the fields.  Amen.

Chickens keep clucking and keep laying eggs.  

Thank you Jesus.  

My mission mate has arrived. I was very nervous about sharing space with a person from Colorado. They generally feel intimidated by the Big Red, can you imagine living in the red shadow. Much to my amazement Tony is an amazing person. His talent level is undisputed, his path is clear.  He is Mission. Ed and Cathy join us March 19, 2020. 

Fourteen months ago I was in a strange land all by myself, and soon we are four:  Project Leader, IT specialist, Physician Assistant and Registered Nurse.  Thank you Jesus.

All the people I have met, all the land I have traveled has added tremendous purpose to my being. I thought God called me to Uganda to help others, after 14 months I figured it all out. God sent me to Uganda to help me.  Thank you Jesus

Coming Home

I arrived back again on the sacred soil of Eastern Africa in Uganda, after spending sometime in the States. I was greeted by so many people as my car entered my village, cheers of joy, many waves, smiles. I am not an emotional person but tears came to my eyes.

My mind wondered for weeks what would I find, how would the projects be doing, chickens, tea, hotel, apples? I found the Chickens in perfect health, everyone accounted for, the Kabale environment and Martin were a perfect match. Father Leo Kosch taught a man to fish and fed him for a lifetime.

I found the tea farms continuing to flourish, the record tea production was not only maintained but was far exceeding goals. Herbert, John, and Lydia received 5 gold coins and returned 10, as scriptures writes the master was pleased. Humble Matthew was encouraged, enlightened, and moved. When Matthew left the record was 2,400 kilo grams per day, it is now 4,000 kilo grams per day. My four brothers know how competitive I am, Jesus knows how to humble his servants and this Nebraska boy is one proud, humble, inspired human. Thank You Jesus (as Damian Kabot always proclaims upon success).

Capricon Excecutive Hotel in Kabale Uganda is online with pictures for your viewing and booking pleasure. It is a Diocese owned hotel that is doing amazing things. Peter, Otto, thank you for your leadership. 

Matt & John Case

Apple John Case has taught me more about apples than any text book could ever begin. I look forward to the many lessons and just a small amount of apple wine. My father Paul taught me how to love again, and my son taught me a lesson in forgiveness.

Matt with his dad, Paul.

Go Chiefs from the Pearl of Africa Matthew