We are in Uganda!!!!!

We are here!  Things have been incredible so far.  The flights went very smoothly.  Everyone was SO very nice and helpful.  Because of our kids, we were facetracked through every line there was.  Always taken right to the front.  I felt like we were VIPs at Disneyworld or something.  The kids were great on the flights.  Karson was determined to stay awake the entire way and was almost successful.  Of course, that meant I didn't get but maybe 2hrs of sleep the whole trip.  Still recovering!

Then once in Uganda (we landed around 10:30pm) there were 3 airport workers that helped Jason unload all the luggage while I kept up with the kids.  The car seat was the only thing missing. (we were able to use the seat on the first flight, but they said there wasn't room for it on the second so they took it at the gate).  So we had to wait at the luggage claim for quite a bit while they were checking tags.  Finally, Jason and I decided to just forget about the seat because even if they found it later and had it in Entebbe, we would have to pay $100 both ways just to go pick it up and it wasn't worth it.  The blessing in disguise though was that since it took us so long to get all of our luggage and deal with the seat, the rest of our flight was already completely done with customs and security.  I guess they don't hang around in between flights because there was NO ONE at security.  The workers helping us push the carts asked if we needed to go through customs, if we had anything we were trying to sell that we needed to pay taxes on.  I said no, we don't have any of that so we can just skip that and they let us just walk right out the door.  We had some shillings so I tipped the guys that helped us and they looked at me really strangely.  I asked today about tipping in Uganda and they said it is not normal and that in some situations it can be looked at as a bribe.  Thank goodness me tipping with the luggage didn't get us into trouble.  So much to learn!

We were finally leaving the Entebbe airport around 11:00pm and had decided to drive strait through to Jinja.  We arrived with no problems at Arise Africa Guest House shortly after 2am.  THE KIDS WERE WIRED!  I think it was well past 5am before I finally got Hadlee and Pierce completely to sleep.  Rachel Ruiz and Brooke Thomas were there to meet us at the airport and have been such a huge help.  Our hopes were to let the kids sleep in their room and Jason and I get some rest, but the kids had other ideas.  Pierce ended up "sleeping" with me, and I use that term loosely because he mostly tossed and turned all night.  We did stay in bed until well past 1pm though!

The rest of today was just spent hanging out at Arise.  We went to a place called 2 Friends for dinner, which was just a short walk away.  It was a beautiful place and they had pizza so the kids ate and ate.  Pierce has been going up to every person he meets and just bear hugging their legs.  They all just pick him up and toss him in the air.  He loves it and I think they love him too.  It just cracks me up how bold he and Hadlee are.

That is all for now.  Tomorrow morning we are heading to another area to take the kids to visit the Amazima program and to meet the kids at Canaan's Children Home.  Then tomorrow afternoon we are traveling to the Mafubira area with Lufafa (who we found out goes by Emmanuel and Lufafa is his last name!) to see the future site of the new clinic and meet the people we will be helping.  I can't wait for that.

Making Progress: 17 Days

We are just a little over 2 weeks out before we move our family to Uganda.  Add to that the normal busyness of the holiday season and you can imagine what things have been like around here.  We are making progress though, even if it isn't at the speed at which I hoped. 

Last weekend we had our big yard sale to get rid of everything we can't take with us.  We will be allowed 18 - 50lb bags.  We are hoping to fill a lot of those with just medical supplies for the clinic.  So that leaves us with a lot to get rid of.  All we hope to leave behind is a hope chest full of our memorable items.  The rest will be sold or given away.  I have to admit, it is a very freeing feeling.  There have definitely been some hard things to part with..... the wagon that has pulled all of children around for years.....the dishes that we were given at our wedding, that we have used every day since....... a collection of African artifacts and giraffes that my dad helped me gather.  I did keep a couple of those things for memory purposes. 

I just keep reminding myself of Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

I know in time I won't even think of these things that we are parting with, and likely not even the things that we keep behind.  It is still definitely a big part of the process though, saying goodbye to things.  Maybe it is just a step in preparation for the hardest part yet to come.  Saying goodbye to our family and friends.  Or my sweet dog, Jax, that I have had for almost 13yrs. (longer than I have known Jason!)  Through all of the hard things though, God keeps reassuring us with a peace that passes all understanding.  A heavenly comfort in knowing that we are in His will.  We do appreciate your prayers though, so very much.
(from Kari)

Healing Faith Benefit

I have sat down numerous times this week to write this blog update, however the words just will not come to me.  Kari and I are in such awe of the outpouring of support for the Healing Faith Benefit.  How do begin to express gratitude for all the time, effort, energy and preparation that went into planning. There are not words to describe how blessed we are by all the miracles that God performed to make this event happen. 

The event was a huge success due to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers!  Kari and I would like to thank everyone for the enormous amount of support we received.  We are truly humbled and awe struck at the outpouring of support from our friends, family and supporters.  We were truly excited to get to share the journey that God has placed our family on and the work he has called us to in Africa. 

Kari said from the beginning, we should all think big and not to put limitations on God.  We are always told to “think outside the box.”  Well our box runneth over.  We get so caught up in our daily lives and our planning that we sometimes put boundaries on God and what we think God can accomplish.  We let the limitations of our own lives spill over into our spiritual lives and doubt begins to creep in.  He has no limitations and is bigger than we can even imagine.  “I can do all things through He who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13

God moved in such a big way!  We could truly see His hand in every aspect of the evening from the planning stages right down the last detail and last auction item of the night.  It was an amazing evening surrounded by friends new and old alike and family who believe in what we are doing.  The night went by so quickly and much of it was a blur.  Again, we would like to thank everyone involved.  We are truly blessed to have such an amazing support system.  We are more confident than ever and know this is truly our calling to serve in Africa.  Sometimes we let doubt creep into our minds, especially with all that needs to be done before we leave.  After the tremendous display of love and support for Healing Faith, all that doubt has washed away.  We need to listen to what He is calling us so clearly to do and too often we forget to sit still and listen to what God is telling us.  Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” 

                                                      Have you been still and listened today?

 

If a child cries out in in the darkness...

If a child cries from hunger in the darkness and nobody hears it, does it make a noise?

If you were going about your daily life and saw a child starving and alone on the streets, what would you do?  How many of us would turn the other way or act as though you didn't see it? I hope that the answer is none.  But did you know that it is happening right now? There are children starving and alone on the streets in Uganda. I believe the issue lies within the context of the sentence “If we saw a child starving and alone on the streets.”  We get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't see what is right in front of us. We don't want to admit there are children dying from something as simple as food and clean water. Some many of us want to turn a blind eye to the problem.  We often act like if we don't see the problem then is does not exist.  

I have heard many people say “It is not our problem” or “we have so many needy people here in the United States.”  My answer has always been, it is your problem and what are you doing to help them.  What will help  solve this world wide problem?  The answer is simple, YOU will.  The only way to fix a problem is to attack it head-on, admit there is a problem and find a solution.  You may turn a blind eye to the problems overseas, but there a problems right here to address.  If you do not want to be involved somewhere else, get involved here at home.  Help someone in need.  God did not call all of us to go overseas and serve, but He did command us to “Love one another” Galatians 5:13 “By love, serve one another”

What are we doing in our daily lives to serve one another?

As we prepare for this journey I have been in absolute awe of how God has provided.  As I am typing now, there is a group of volunteers who are spending hours upon hours of planning to prepare for the Healing Faith Benefit.  I have been humbled by the outpouring of support through time, energy and talents spent planning and organizing to make this event a reality.  God has surrounded us with people who believe in what we are doing and believe in making this world a better place.  It has been an emotional roller coaster as the reality of leaving in 61 days has set in. There have been stressors affecting our lives and doubt trying to sneak in.  However, we know that this is the enemy trying to disrupt the good work that is being done by so many.  I had one individual tell me that he was going to line all the hungry people up here in Bryan/ College Station to wave goodbye when we leave to serve in Africa.  My response, “Good, then you will know right where they are all so that YOU can make a difference in their lives.”  God did not call all of us to serve overseas, but he did call all of us to be missionaries in some capacity. We are following a calling to serve His people in Uganda. We cannot let the doubt and discouragements of a few overpower the outpouring of support that we are receiving from so many.  Thank you to all the effort and support that has been put into the Healing Faith Benefit and to the mission in general.

So, I ask again, if you see a child in need...Will you help?  Will you answer their cries? 

You can help us, help one by supporting Healing Faith. The Benefit on 11/11/11 is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the ministry and what you can do to directly help those in need in Uganda.

Winds of Change

With the winds of fall finally arriving it brings about change.  Change is everywhere, a change in the weather, a change in wardrobe and a change in the season.  Excitement is in the air!  It is time for pumpkins and scarecrows now; soon it will be turkey and pumpkin pie, and then the Christmas season.  This is such an exhilarating time of year. 

This fall the winds of change are bringing so much more change to our family.  I realize that we have less than 70 days until our departure.  70 days!  How do you minimize your life into three 50lb bags each?  How do you make all the arrangements to leave the country with four kids all under the age of seven?  How do you visit all the family and friends before it is time to go? How do you…?  The list goes on and on.  We know that it can only be done with His help.  So we ask you for your prayers for our preparation and for patience during this time of change.

Healing Faith has exciting news about collaborating with a wonderful Ugandan family to assist with a clinic for the local village. Our first big project for Healing Faith is to come into the already existing clinic and work side by side with Lufafa providing medical care to those in need. God has already been working miracles in this building; they currently serve a large area and large population. This amazing man has been providing medical care to those in the community, while attending school to further his nursing education.

However, the clinic is in desperate need of basic supplies. Medical supplies that are required to provide care to those in need, simple ones that we take for granted every day.  Healing Faith will be taking over as many medical supplies as possible on our first trip.  There will always be a huge need for more.  In addition construction was forced to stop due to a lack of funding while Lufafa continues his education. He is supporting his family and running this clinic for the area all on his own.  Our goal is to raise enough support to resume construction on the structure that is in progress and to help supply the medical needs of the clinic. The new building will provide much needed space to be able to better serve the needs of this every growing community.  Our hope is that the benefit, being held on 11/11/11, will help to accomplish these goals. We hope and pray that you will consider attending the benefit or donating to the cause of making this clinic a reality.  The benefit will be an exciting night to learn more about Healing Faith, the people of Uganda and to learn how you can help play a role in supporting those in need.

Current building project

Child-like Faith

It is amazing to me the faith that our young children have. I have been both proud as a parent and moved as an individual to see how this journey that God has put us on has made an impact on our children. This past week we went to he post office to get our passports taken care of for the whole family. While we were filling out paperwork another family with a little girl about the same age as Hadlee came and waited in line. Hadlee began talking to the family and telling them "We are going to Africa to help the people." As I listened from nearby I heard the other mother asking many questions. The mother asked where we were going and Karson told them Uganda. She asked how long will you be there to which Karson replied "forever." I did not hear the rest of their conversation but I watched as Karson, Everett and Hadlee shared with this family of complete strangers all about our journey to Africa and what we have been called to do. Karson gave the family an information card with our family photo on one side and information about Healing Faith on the other. As we left the post office that day Kari and I never had the opportunity to speak to the family, we only smiled as we walked by. I was amazed at the boldness and the conviction of our children telling this family about our move to Africa. However, the story does not end there. That evening we received an email from the woman at the post office.  Her email stated: "The precious Segner children spoke to my heart in the post office today as they applied for their passports. May God keep you safe on the adventure!" A woman that Kari and I did not have the opportunity to speak with was moved by our children ages 6, 4, and 3 enough to make a gracious and substantial donation to our ministry. Kari and I were both in such awe and so touched that we were speechless. I think that is the problem, we were speechless. At times we both struggle with being bold in our faith and sharing with everyone we encounter the story of Healing Faith. Not our children! They will talk to anyone and everyone that will listen and will share with them our story. I think Kari and I both learned a lesson that day in child-like faith from our own children.

Hadlee moved us on her own this week. She has been talking non-stop about her sister that lives in Africa.  She has decided that when we move to Uganda that she will find a sister. Kari and Hadlee were looking at some photos online from a mission team that is currently in Uganda when they saw a picture of a little Ugandan girl in a skirt. Kari continued to flip through the pictures when Hadlee said "wait I think that was my sister in that skirt." Hadlee did not see a little girl that looked different than her, she just saw a little girl she thought should be her sister. At what age does this change? At what age do we "see" the world differently? I was amazed at her child-like faith only knowing she wants a sister. 

This past week was an amazing reminder, a renewal as to why we are following God's call. With the to do list growing longer and longer the stress level is staring to rise. This past week was a renewal of that child-like faith thanks to a chance encounter at the post office and a lesson learned from a 3 year old little girl who is looking for her sister in Africa. 

What do you need to do to renew that child like faith?

Less than 5 months Now

Matthew 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."    It feels this simple to us.


I thought I was semi-prepared for the craziness that life would become before the big move, but I never could have imagined this.  I guess updating the blog has fallen under the "can wait" category.  So I apologize for the slack in posts!

Life Past: So we made it back from the road trip and it was incredible.  Just over 3000miles total with stops in 5 states.  The kids were such troopers and to say that we were encouraged by all the support for Healing Faith, would be an understatement.  We are truly blessed with such amazing and supportive friends and I know we couldn't be making this move without them.  I will post some pictures from the trip at the end of this post.

Life Present:  Currently we are gearing up for a big event during Aggie Week, here in College Station.  It is the M.O.V.E. event and is being hosted by Imani Tumaini Upendo.  You can read more about it here http://imani-africa.com/?page_id=392.  And if you live in the area, we still need volunteers and would be grateful for your help.  There are applications at the above link.  Healing Faith is going to have the opportunity to share at the event about what God is calling us to do in Uganda and I hope you can make it.

-We are also steadily checking off items on our to do list and adding about 5x that everyday! God keeps sending us sweet reminders of why we are doing this and we are just extremely thankful for this time with our family and friends before we move.  We know the time to leave will be here before we realize it.  Some of the big To-Dos right now that we would love for you to pray with us about are

      *figuring out what to do with the house.  Do we try to sell?  Do we rent?  How in the world do I get it presentable, either way, with 4 young kids running crazy in it?

      *we are starting home schooling with Karson this fall.  We are both very excited about this.  I am really looking forward to the time we will have together.  We have chosen an incredible curriculum for him in Sonlight and so luckily not much rests on me!  Haha.  This really is something we are both looking forward to so please pray we can adjust our schedules to this change.

     *Time management!  Jason will still have a full time job and currently two part time jobs, up until we move.  That coupled with my full time job of having 4 kids at home and now teaching too, makes it hard to find time to do all the necessary things we need to do to prepare to move.   We know we are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to work and get financial matters in order before we move, but it is a juggling act.  I know it is possible, we just really could use prayer.

Life Future: Our departure date for Uganda will most likely be around the 2nd or 3rd of January.  We are hoping to travel with the kids to Jinja before our training starts at New Hope on the 9th.  We have been blessed with an incredible intern, Rachael Ruiz, that will be with us during those 5months to help with the kids.  Please be praying for her that she will be able to raise the necessary funds and prepare for her time in Uganda.

-There are big things happening concerning the future ministry that Healing Faith will be doing.  I don't want to go into too many details before things are more concrete, but please be praying for Healing Faith and our future.  We daily are seeking God's guidance and His will for the ministry.  There are big decisions to be made and we truly appreciate you going before the Lord on our behalf.

-October 28th we will be holding a fundraising dinner and auction for Healing Faith.  Please pray that things will fall into place for this.  We think this could possibly take care of a huge portion of our upfront costs (roughly $17-18,000).  Please pray that God will be preparing the hearts of those that are to help, those that will donate items for the auction, those that will attend and learn about Healing Faith, just all aspects of the event.

- These are a few of many upcoming things. I do hope to update the blog more frequently and please know that you can always send us email at healingfaithuganda@yahoo.com if you have any questions.  We want to be an open book for others who might be considering life in the mission field and what our experience has been like in preparing.  There are just too many details to list, but please feel free to ask.


Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jason and I are resting in peace in this verse that no matter how crazy life may become for us these next few months, we rest in assurance that this is God's will for our lives.  No, this is not and will not be an easy road.  Yes, we are deeply saddened about the family and friends that we will be leaving behind.  But making this decision has been the most confident thing we have ever done and that confidence could only come from God.  Thank you for your continued support and prayer.

I have decided if I ever hope to get this posted, pictures will have to wait.  Hopefully there will be some soon!