Tag Archive - women

3 Steps to a New Husband: Rediscovering Your Man

April 26, 2012 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Ministry to Women with 2 Comments

These three steps will give you a new husband within the week.

Okay, so that might not be a promise I can keep. But chances are very high that you will have a better relationship with your husband if you daily practice these things. Everyone wants to know the short way to better relationship. Follow these keys to a man’s heart and your husband will take notice.

Wife Respecting Husband

Last week I shared some unofficial statistics about prayer that spurred this post. Prayer for Marriage topped the list of felt needs. It’s no big surprise that marriage, the most unifying human relationship with the greatest opportunity of rift, causes us to seek God’s help.

Prayer makes a difference in our relationships.

After exercising the suggestions from Marriage Tops Secret Prayer List, try these steps to a new husband.

3 Steps to a New Husband

1. Pray.

  • Change your prayer. Stop praying about your husband and how you need/want him to be different. Rather, learn to pray for him according to what the Bible says.  See Stop Praying About Your Husband: How to Pray For Him!
  • Pray to see specific things that would make your husband feel valued and respected. We have different triggers. Scratching his back may make one man feel valued, but do nothing of another.

2. Create a Respect List.

Make a list of things you can do to show respect for your husband. You may have to set aside time to create one, but keep it somewhere you can continue to add to it on the fly.

 3. Respect with words and actions.

Begin telling him daily at least one thing from your list that you respect him for. Show him respect with your body language. No angry faces, snarly smirks, or inappropriate eyebrow raises. Never say or act in such a way as to belittle him. Belittling scratches off all previous respect on his score card.

Resources for Marriage relationships (affiliate links because I value their insight):

His Needs, Her Needs by William Harley
Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger (Judeo world view)

How do you see respect affecting your marriage? What resources have you found helpful in growing a strong marriage?

Interested in guest posting, check out the guidelines. This post is part of the blog series A Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges. Check out the others.

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*Picture by  Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stop Praying About Your Husband: How to Pray For Him

April 25, 2012 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Ministry to Women with 2 Comments

In praying for husbands,

wives should lay all expectations at Jesus’ feet.

That’s a hard one, but it’s the difference in praying about our husbands and praying for them.

Not that my younger self would’ve listened, but I wish that someone had told me when I got married that my husband wasn’t supposed to fulfill my every need or that I couldn’t change him.

Evidence shows that a high percentage of secret prayer involves marriage. See Marriage Tops Secret Prayer List: Discover You’re Not Alone.

Confess Our Need

Each prayer for our husbands should include our confession that

we look to God to meet our needs and accept our husbands as they are,

allowing God to make any changes that he deems worthy. Neither of us are perfect, but God is and he can perfect us.

Let’s begin our attitude of prayer with the truth that

we should be our husband’s best cheerleaders.

And in that role, we can pray to God:

  • Make me his good helper, companion, champion, friend and support.
  • Help me create a peaceful, restful, safe place for him to come home to.
  • Teach me to take care of myself and stay attractive to him.
  • Grow me into a creative and confident woman who is rich in mind, soul and spirit.
  • Make me the kind of woman he can be proud to say is his wife.

Praying Earnestly for My Husband’s Best

Prayer Card for Husbands

God please:

  • Give him strength to lead, time to know his family, and passion to manage his home. (Joshua1:7, Jn10:14, 1Tim3:4)
  •  Bless his work and show him daily how to honor You in his attitude and spirit; confirm the work of his hands unto Your purpose. (Ps90:16+, Dan6)
  •  Make him a wise steward of our finances and all we possess, remembering that all things are Yours and entrusted to us for Your purposes. (Mt6:19+, Luke16:10+)
  •  Help him love You with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and hate evil. (Mk12:30, Ps97:10)
  •  Make him quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. (Jam1:19)
  •  Protect him physically, mentally and spiritually. (Ps28:7+, Ps41, Jn17:15, 2Thes3:3)
  •  Give him the desire to teach and model a godly lifestyle for his children. (Dt6, Ps78:5+)
  •  Instruct him and teach him the way he should go; give him peace in the circumstances and integrity in decisions he must face today. (Ps32:8, 1Cor14:33, Pr11:3)
  •  Bring him to meditate day and night on Your Word, pray without ceasing and stay faithful to Christ to the end. (Ps1:1+, Ps119:18,73, 1Thes5:17, Hb12:1+)
  •  Develop for him strong relationships with other godly men. (Ep4:24+, Hb10:24)

Prayer excerpted from “Lifting My Husband Through Prayer” by FamilyLife ©2006 (No longer offered on their website.)

How can you change your prayer habits to make your marriage stronger? What additional requests can we pray for ourselves or for our husbands?

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Marriage Tops Secret Prayer List: Discover You’re Not Alone

April 20, 2012 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Ministry to Women with 1 Comment

After years of counseling women, I’ve noticed that nearly every one carries some kind of relationship burden.

Their prayer requests and private conversations are loaded with relationship issues. The dominant prayer topics are for their children or spouse.

Couple in Relationship Trouble

Marriage Hurts

The marital relationship is the most crucial one in the heart of women.

Recently, after coming home from an event, I was contacted by two women desperate for help in their marriages. Neither attended that day’s event and they lived over 175 miles away from each other. Yet their cry seemed universal.

“My marriage is the pits.” 

After encouraging these women, I had a bright idea.

In the past, I’d taken written prayer requests from women at church events. Why not dig them out of my files, sort them into categories and find the percentage breakdown? I found a correlation between their prayer and their relations.

Unofficial Research

Obviously, this is no official research such as Barna, but it is my findings concerning prayer for relationships.

Prayer Request Percentage

The percentage of prayer requests concerning marriage was much higher than any other type of prayer need recorded.

  • The marriage/spouse requests outpaced the rest at 45% of the group.
  • The requests for their children and step-children came in at 33% of the group.
  • The remaining 22% is a special case. I grouped them together. Many were for other families emphasizing trouble among its members. Odds are pretty high that many of these requests include hidden prayer for marriages.

Christians don’t often admit we’re having trouble with our kids and we surely don’t want others to know our marriage is horrible. We try to keep appearances of having it together, yet the divorce rate is just as high with believers as it is for non-believers.

A bad marriage makes us feel powerless and hopeless, like giving up. Yet, the reality is that we are much more vulnerable than helpless.

We have a 50% chance at minimum to make a bad marriage good, or a good one even better. We are half the answer. If we choose, we can work to change our relationship. And that’s not helpless. Vulnerable maybe, but not powerless.

We can Make a Difference

Change is hard. One way to make the relationship better is for us to change for the better. Here are some things we can do to initiate the desired change:

  • Check our attitude. (Momma was right on this one.)
  • Place a guard over our words.
  • Understand our own imperfections which allows us to offer grace to others in their weaknesses.
  • Trust God to love and keep us safe even if we can’t trust the person who hurt us.

Yes, we are quite vulnerable. But if we add complete faith in God, we are even more effective in changing.

God knows it all.

He already knows the circumstance you’re in and your thoughts about it. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight…” (Hb 4:13). In that case, we should want to discipline and clean our personal and spiritual lives.

Learning to pray conversationally is key to becoming spiritually fit.

Since God knows what we’re thinking, we can tattle to him about others. Venting with God slowly changes the way we think and act, because prayer changes us.

I wrote a training/mentoring book to teach others how to pray in this way. Come Awake has 21 days of exercises and takes the reader though the prayer process while reading the Gospel of John.

When we learn to pray and focus on God, obeying him in all things, our chances of change rises above 50%. In our obedience to God, we pray for the best things to come to the other person and we stop our selfish actions.

We need all the help we can get, because relationships are hard. They are heavy weights in our emotional wellbeing. The closer the relationship, the more weight it holds for possible joy and inevitable pain. I love the line from the movie, The Help. “Love and hate are two horns on the same goat…” And we have to have goats, those close relationships.

Please share what help you have to offer. What are your most pressing prayer requests? How could you change to create better relationships?

Here is a post to help women in make their marriage better: 3 Steps to a New Husband.

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*Picture by David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5+ Ways to Help Girls Feel Pretty: A Girl’s Need for Beautiful

March 29, 2012 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 4 Comments

Every girl wants to be told she’s beautiful. (Heaven forbid that anyone would strike at her heart by telling her anything less.) I spoke at a ladies event with over 500 women in a picturesque setting when it happened to me.

Girl in Mirror

Thoughts of beauty were on my mind because of a previous Google question that brought a reader to my site. Check out the post I wrote in response to the question, “Does a Minister’s Wife have to be beautiful?”

Requirements of ministers wives aside, I often tell the women I meet they’re beautiful. But during this event, a young woman passed by then turned around to say, “You’re a beautiful woman.”

I scraped myself up. Me, someone with loosening skin and a few extra years. You’d a thought I just won a million bucks. All of a sudden my feet in those pointy heels didn’t hurt anymore. I walked taller, smiled bigger and, well, fulfilled those prophetic words. I became beautiful. I couldn’t pick that giver of beauty out of a crowd of two, but if you’re that woman, “Thank You!”

The Value of Beauty

Isn’t it odd how much better we feel when we think others value our beauty? We actually feel valuable. Oh, I know it’s a mind thing, but somehow it shows in our countenance and behavior. The link between beauty and value exposes a great feminine need. One that’s almost as important as food and water. Girls need a regular diet of words, actions and attitudes that make them feel beautiful. For without this need being met, our spirits languish like that of a newborn left on cold hard surfaces, never to be held in a warm embrace. Something within just dies.

We are bombarded all day with ugly, unkind and you-don’t-measure-up influences, some that stare at us from the face in the mirror. Let’s find some uplifting reinforcements of the beauty that God created us to be.

Ways to Help Girls Know They’re Pretty

Here’s a short list of a few thoughtful ways to make the girls in your life glow in beauty. We can become like the woman at the event and be a giver of beauty to girls that desperately need Read through these and add more in the comments.

  • Out of the blue, tell her she’s amazing. Recognize each time they dress nice and compliment them on how beautiful they look.
  • Acquire for them an inexpensive little something (flower, lotion, costume jewelry, flip-flops, whatever) and say, “This was so pretty. It reminded me of you and I had to bring it to you.”

My husband bought a single red rose and placed a little ruby ring in its blossom then brought it home unexpectedly. He said it reminded him of me: spicy, beautiful, prickly dangerous at times and, well, … I’ll not say the other one. Some things are best kept secret.

  • Notice her effort to create something beautiful (a meal, room decor, craft, etc.) and make a big deal about how she creates such beauty.
  • Hug her while acknowledging the beautiful way she relates to people: nurturing, caring and handling various kinds of people.
  • Work for her or together with her while saying she’s worth it, or beautiful when focused on the work. She will know she’s valued.
  • Enjoy time spent with her doing something she likes or nothing at all.

Quite unintentionally written, but these actions remind me of the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. In Chapman’s book, you could read up on his 5: words, time, touch, gifts and acts of service.

What else can you add to the list? How have you encouraged girls in your circle? If female, in what ways have you received positive hits to your beauty/value meter?

If you have a topic or suggestion you would like to discuss please contact me here or make a comment on this post! Or if you’d like to guest post, check out the guidelines.

This post is part of the blog series Insights into Ministry and Leadership. Check out the others.

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Beauty: a Requisite for a Minister’s Wife?

March 10, 2012 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Ministry to Women with 3 Comments

Should a minister’s wife be beautiful? From a Google Internet search not too long ago, this question landed here on Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife. When I read it, I chuckled and figured I wouldn’t make it if that were a requirement. After a laugh, I began to empathize with the one asking the question.

Should a Minister's Wife be

Was it a man knowing he would eventually fill the role of a minister? Or a woman about to become a minister’s wife? Could it have been a woman already performing as a minister’s wife who feels pressure to be what she thinks she isn’t? Sadly, this is common because someone somewhere didn’t value her and may have told her she was less than desirable. These wounds cut to the core of a woman no matter its source.

Source of Beauty

Without knowing the source of the question, I’ll attempt to answer it by starting with the origin of a woman’s beauty. Since God created woman, he’s the designer of her beauty. Each and every characteristic as well as her God given image displays his handiwork. It is her natural beauty. But when God redeems a woman, his beauty comes to reside in her. When she intently follows him, God gives her a supernatural beauty that shines similar to Moses’ veiled face (Ex. 34:30). A woman living in obedience to God becomes uncommonly desirable with an unexplainable glow. The source of original beauty is God.

God backs up these views about beauty in the scripture. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised” (Pr 31:30). In another reference, those who carry the Good News in obvious obedience to God have beautiful feet (Rm 10:15).

Common Looks Becomingly

With obedience to God, a common woman becomes uncommonly beautiful. The French have a word for this phenomenon. Belle laide means “a beautiful ugly woman, a woman who is attractive though not conventionally beautiful.”[1]

So “Should a minister’s wife be beautiful?” Well I believe, in light of God’s supernatural work, the answer is an absolute yes. Should the trappings of our culture’s view of beauty and a woman’s value be weighed in the decision? No.

Thinking Deeper

But I don’t think the questioner wanted a simple yes or no answer. They may have wanted some thoughts to ponder or even actions to take. So, if you’re looking for a few suggestions, here are some to consider:

  • Single men – Seek a woman who is so in love with Jesus that you feel like a third wheel.
  • Married men – Lead the family and serve them while showing them how to obey and serve God. Treat your wife like a beautiful queen. Most will respond by behaving more beautifully.
  • And for women whether single, married or married to a minister, I suggest you keep practicing the regular beauty treatments, with moderation. Yet give your all in seeking after the perfect lover, Jesus, who will make you remarkably beautiful.

Give it a shot and let me know what you think. Let me know how others respond differently to you when you practice these “beauty” treatments.

If you have a topic or suggestion you would like to discuss please contact me here make a comment on this post!

This post is part of the blog series Minister Wives Fellowship and Support. Check out the others.

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[1] Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Two Life-Changing Tools for Spiritual Growth

October 21, 2011 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 0 Comments

While I was MC-ing Yahweh Street Ministries Ladies Retreat, I gave a brief devotion emphasizing our need to spend time with God. I shared answers to feeling spiritually adrift and longing for something more, a life change or spiritual growth. Two things make the difference: listening to, and responding to, God.

Come Awake Cover 3D

Learning to listen and respond to God with Come Awake

Out of my desire to help others find the missing spiritual piece in their lives, I wrote Come Awake. The book is a devotional/journal training manual. It’s what I use to mentor people who want to grow closer to God and work out their lives to gain inner peace. In it teach reading the Bible for life-change and how to respond in prayer. If you’re looking for someone to help you strengthen your spiritual life, use God’s word and pray effectively, then I suggest trying Come Awake. And if you are mentoring others you can order copies to aid your work with them.

NT in 75 Days

Reading NT in 75 Days

Reading the Bible in such a way as to hear God speak into your life situation is a powerful life changer. Another tool I’m using to help me read the Bible is the New Testament in 75 Days app for Apple products. I’ve had several ask for the link to the app. Check it out. If you don’t have Apple capability you can download the NT in 75 Days Reading Schedule and read along using your own Bible or an online one.

As you will find in Come Awake, you can change your life by reading and praying in only 20 minutes a day. I stretch it to 30 minutes when I have time. Anybody can find 20 minutes to invest in a life-changing relationship with God. I challenge mentorees to put effort into spending time with God this way, setting aside 20 minutes five or six days a week for at least 21 days in a row. Twenty-one days is usually the amount of time for creating habits. And how cool is it to have created a habit of spending meaningful time with God!

How do you mentor and lead people in spiritual growth? What have you found to help you read God’s Word and respond in prayer?

This post is part of the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.

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Arrival into Iganga

August 3, 2011 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 5 Comments

Upon arrival in Iganga, a village of 30,000 people, we drove through after the people worked all day. They were rustling about the market buying their day’s food. The people get paid at the end of the day (like Bible times) and then can buy their food to cook for the evening. They fix dinner which may be eaten anywhere from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Here are some great pictures out of the van window.

Iganga Market

Iganga market

Iganga market

Iganga market

Iganga market

By the time we arrived at the missionary house, it was known throughout the village that we were in town. When we pulled into the metal gated yard at the house, the children from the orphanage were waiting on us. They jumped up and down clapping and smiling. As we exited the vans they each came forward with a unique handshake and a “Welcome” and “Habari” which is Swahili for “How are you?”

New Friends with the Orphans

Uganda Friends

Uganda Friends

I was so humbled. These children are so welcoming and glad to see us. As I mingling with the kids, a young girl of about 5 years approached and bowed to her knees before me. I nearly cried. I felt I needed to bow to her. I bent over and picked her up and hugged her tight. She was so precious. As a sign of respect, it is the custom for girls to bow as they approach. The girls all sat on the ground in a circle around Jacque. I approached as they were getting acquainted, and one of the older girls that spoke English asked me how old I was. I gave them the year that I was born and let them do the math. That’s because my kids aren’t with me to remind me how old I am. (And no, I’m not telling you here!) The children here are so very respectful and age is highly respected. Discipling them this week will be extremely fulfilling.

The kids had to leave shortly after our arrival, before sundown. And the large metal gate was locked behind them. Apparently, it is very dangerous to be out at night. The gate reminds me of the story from the Bible about Sodom and Gomorrah where the traveler came into Lot’s house and the town came knocking on the door. Moses, our house guard, sat just inside the gate with his bow and arrow and guarded us all night. We came in for dinner, which by the way was an amazing meal! The food here is all fresh, real food.

Real Food

Real Food

Real Food

After dinner, we sat out under a nearly starless night and talked while some awesome local music was playing loudly across the road. They were having a birthday party and the local music reminded me of what I would hear in Mexico, lively and fun. I’m positive one could salsa or zumba to it.

We settled in for the night. I took a shower that is arranged by gravity not water pressure, think of trickle. No problem, I was thankful for running water and a toilet in the missionary house. Most of the country has squat latrines and no paper. then I crawled into a mosquito netted bed of the same type of foam mattress that was in the hotel in Entebbe. It was good to lay down and elevate my swollen feet (the plane ride still taking a toll on my extremities). Slept awesome!

Remember the pictures of the market. The orphans that escaped from the north scavenge for scraps of food after the market is closed. This is where Phil began collecting the kids and taking care of them. Where will God break our hearts to begin making a difference in the lives on others.

More pictures are uploaded on Facebook. Check them out.

Please pray for the mission. You can sign up to be a partner in prayer. And for updates while on location you can subscribe to feed here.

Please comment below. Remember the pictures of the market. The orphans that escaped from the north scavenge for scraps of food after the market is closed. This is where Phil began collecting the kids and taking care of them. I’d love to hear where and how God has broke your heart to begin making a difference in the lives on others.

This post is part of the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series and you can read more about our trip in the previous Uganda posts. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.

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Entebbe Road

August 2, 2011 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 3 Comments

After staying the night in the Entebbe Flight Hotel, we loaded into the vans and had the ride of our lives. Driving in Uganda is an adventure. I decided I’d breathe once I put my feet back on the dirt. Holding my breath beat the constant gasping for air. While driving, there is absolutely no personal space and no stop lights or stop signs. The roads have British style lanes (opposite sides of the road), but these lanes are really only suggestions. They drive and walk all over the road. Honking is the friendly communication of, “Hey, I’m here.” The drivers honk and pass blind while going over a hill. “Bike” lanes are part of the side road and are used by motorcycle taxis, bikes, pedestrians and vehicles too. Big trucks pass amazingly close to people walking, even very small children. Absolutely frightening!

We stopped in Kampala, Uganda at a mall with a Wal-Mart type of store called the Game. Phil picked up some things while we began absorbing the culture. Always aware that we had to stay together. Peter, his wife, Ken and Susan watched over us and the vans.

Coke is King in Sugar Cane

Coke

Coke is great in Uganda!

I had a bitter lemon drink that was very refreshing. It was a sparkling lemonade that had the taste of the lemon rind. Chuck got a bottle coke. THE OLD COKE made with real locally grown sugar cane. He let me have a sip. Yummy! It was delicious. Why can’t we have real Coke back home? The difference is astounding. Makes me want to grow sugar cane and make my own Coke.

Once Phil got the prepaid internet card and other things, we loaded back into the van for another breathless ride. Some of our team saw monkeys while on this road. The locals don’t like them. The monkeys eat their crops and are menaces, “worse than squirrels at home,” said Phil.

Ugandan Roadside Cook

Roadside cook

Roadside cook

We stopped for fast food in Mabira Forest on the road to Iganga. The roadside in this spot in the forest had lots of people selling food. We were told to stay in the van and close the windows. The sellers mobbed the vans. Susan got out and negotiated the buying of food. This was amazing to watch.

I learned that since our skin is white, we are considered rich people. They call us muzungu, which is the word for the color white, but to them means rich people.

Through the windows, Susan handed us chicken on a stick, grilled bananas and bottled water. I’ve never had better tasting chicken. Take a look.

Ugandan Fast Food

Ugandan fast food

Ugandan fast food

I Saw The Nile!

After eating our Ugandan style fast food, we started back down the road. We approached the Nile River and crossed the bridge. There were school children walking on the bridge and political signs posted on it.

School children walking across the Nile River bridge

School children walking across the Nile River bridge

Later we arrived in Iganga. The next post will be about our route to the missionary house through Iganga.

Seeing the Nile was something I never thought I’d do. Pretty cool. More pictures are uploaded on Facebook. Check them out.

Please pray for the mission. You can sign up to be a partner in prayer. And for updates while on location you can subscribe to feed here.

Please comment below. I’d love to hear about something you never thought you’d do. God has a way of making what seems impossible happen.

This post is part of the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series and you can read more about our trip in the previous Uganda posts. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.

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Entebbe Night and Morning

August 2, 2011 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 0 Comments

After landing at 10:15 p.m. Uganda time, we stood in the VISA line and paid our clean $50 for a pass to minister in Uganda. At the airport we saw a young man carrying a semi-automatic walking around. We were stopped and had our trunks searched before we were able to get out of the airport.

Once we were cleared to leave we met up with Phil just outside. After hugs and greetings, Phil said follow me. Chuck was targeted as the elder and attracted several “helpers” that tried to detain him. I followed Phil and looked back to see he was detained. I didn’t want to go back, and sort of panicked. I hollered, “Chuck, Phil said come on.” Phil had made arrangements for the native elder, Peter to handle the helpers. They were trying to double dip. Chuck finally walked away to follow us.

We loaded our trunks and bags into two vans and drove a few minutes to the hotel for the night.

Entebbe Flight Hotel

Entebbe Flight Hotel

At Entebbe’s Flight Hotel. We drove into a guarded gate and and was escorted to a room with four poster bed and mosquito net. The windows were open with iron bars across them and a oscillating fan was mounted to the ceiling to keep us cool. There was a pipe with hot and cold running water and a drip system in one corner of the small bathroom a sink in the other and a toilet. Nothing else, no shower curtain, no counter, just the basics, but after 20 something hours of traveling a shower and a bed was so welcome.

The bed was a single foam mattress that slept awesome no matter how thin. I was so tired and weary of sitting that laying down was simply awesome!! I slept like a baby.

I awoke to freshen up, put on my long skirt and go to breakfast with our team, Phil, and Ugandans, Peter, Susan (his daughter), her mother, and Ken (Susan’s brother), and Keith (Susan’s infant son). We had buttered toast, omelet with tomatoes and cheese and bananas (short, little ones that were tangier and sweeter than ours back home. To drink we had Fresh squeezed mango juice, yum, and African Tea. The teas was exquisit. They mixed warmed milk, African tea, and ginger to make the very milky drink. It sort of tasted like flavored warm milk. I had fresh unprocessed sugar to sweeten it. Extra yummy. Jacque said it reminded her of Starbuck’s Chai Latte.

After breakfast we packed and sat in the courtyard waiting on the van. It had a power steering leak and Peter took it to a shop to have it fixed. We are on Uganda time. Everything moves slow. Relaxed. The weather here is soooo nice. below 80 and cool breeze blowing. While we waited Ken took us walking about the hotel We walked up several floors and saw Lake Victoria and the village of Entebbe.

I asked for a bathroom and was escorted. My escort waited for me just outside the door. That felt weird.

When the vans were loaded, we took off down Entebbe Road.

Loading Van Leaving Entebbe

Loading Van Leaving Entebbe

Jacque is holding Keith, Susan’s son. More pictures are uploaded on Facebook. Check them out.

Please pray for the mission. You can sign up to be a partner in prayer. And for updates while on location you can subscribe to feed here.

Please comment below. I’d love to hear about your experience with a different culture’s breakfast. Muzungu breakfast in Uganda is awesome!

This post is part of the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series and you can read more about our trip in the previous Uganda posts. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.

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Flight to Uganda

August 2, 2011 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, Leadership, Ministry to Women with 0 Comments

The team pulling out.

Team Leaving out of Texas

Team Leaving out of Texas

Due to a weird passport rule that we were unaware of, our leader, James was denied flight with us. His passport was valid and due to expire the month after our return. We didn’t know that Uganda requires a passport that is good for six months after the trip. We thought James could fly with us to Amsterdam, our first layover and work with the embassy to get an extension. Turns out Holland requires a valid passport for three months after trip. James had to stay in Houston and get an expedited passport re-issue on Monday and fly out that afternoon.

After a disappointing start at the airport, the rest of the team stood in line to board. We took off at 4 p.m. Houston time.

Lined up to get on first flight to Africa

Lined up to get on first flight to Africa

Here’s the view I had for 9 hours…

My 20 hour view

My 20 hour view

Take a look out our window starting at 11:30 p.m.

midnight view of dawn

midnight view of dawn

Pretty cool to see such a bright midnight. By this time we were flying over Ireland (35,000 feet is as close as I’ve ever been to Ireland) with an hour left until landing in Amsterdam. With little or no sleep we start the day there at 7 a.m. That’s eight hours ahead of Houston and we didn’t have much night. Where’s the Starbucks!

It’s amazing how dehydrating long flights can be. Little cup sips don’t cut the dryness. Houston to Amsterdam (9 hr 15 min.) followed by 8 hr 20 min. (Amsterdam to Kigali then 1 hr 5 min (Kigali to Entebbe) makes 18 hours and 40 minutes in the air. I could drink the Nile River!

I had no idea how difficult flying that long would be on my body. My feet hurt horribly and my wrists and hands too. They were so swollen and puffy from the altitude. I learned I could never be an astronaut. Maybe I should walk more laps around the plane on the ride home.

Add 3 hours layover to the flight time and we’re finally ready for some sleep before a 4 hour van ride to Iganga, Uganda.

Check out more pictures located on FaceBook.

Please pray for the mission. You can sign up to be a partner in prayer. And for updates while on location you can subscribe to feed here.

Please contribute your comment below. I’d love to hear about the travel experiences you’ve had and what you expected at the end of your travels.

This post is part of the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series and you can read more about our trip in the previous Uganda posts. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.

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