Jimmy.

Hello dear friends and family,

We just received news that a very dear friend from Tyler, Jimmy Brazell, was in a water accident this past weekend in Montana where he was trapped under a waterfall for 5 min. He went to be with Jesus this morning...We both are still in shock and shaking, hurting, crying....Please pray for the Brazell family as well as Jimmy's many many friends during this time. Wishing we were home right now to embrace our friends...

I praise God for Jimmy's life....Jimmy was someone that you had to know to understand how cool, how amazing, how full of Jesus he was. His life touched countless people...wherever he went. He had an excitement and joy for life that was contagious. His love for the Lord and passion for the Gospel was breathtaking...his worship leading was so full of the Spirit-drawing others into the presence of God- encouraging them to forget themselves and worship fully in awe of what our Savior has done for us....His humor was unlike any other- making people smile in Tyler, and around the States and in China, where he taught this past year....

We love you deeply, Jimmy. We pray for the strength to trust in God's faithfulness and goodness....for strength to accept His comfort and peace. I know that you expressed more than once, your desire to be with your Savior- to look upon Him face to face. I can only imagine your smile right now as you are doing just that...It's just hard on us who have to wait a little longer. Thank you for showing the world what it means to be  sold out.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

The Jungle and the Fire

Finally got to go to the jungle this week!! The trip started out with a very interesting car ride. We took public transportation again, and they put the 5 of us in the back seat of a very small car. :P I wanted to get a picture, but all our bags and cameras had to be put in the trunk…It was a hilarious, yet very uncomfortable hour. By the time we arrived, Brayden’s legs were numb and he fell to the ground. The driver himself was sharing his seat with someone!! Those taxi drivers know how to get their money’s worth out of a drive. 

We spent our 3-4 hour hike through the jungle exploring, looking for monkeys, eating bark, learning about the rain forest, climbing vines and if you’re Brayden-getting pooped on by a monkey. :D  

Our guide. 

Brayden trying his hand at being a monkey. 

A huge, beautiful tree. 

We had a good guide who was a lot of fun and helpful…it was great! There is something surreal about walking through a rain forest- experiencing the sights, sounds and smells, hearing birds that we have only heard in movies before. J 

The group: Josh, Beca, Bryn, Cooper and Brayden. 

While in the rain forest, I was struck by how awesomely creative God is…detailed, creative, incredible…cares about details. 

                                  . . . . .

Monday morning, about 3 am, a friend of the Cashes’ house burned to the ground not far from here. Mr. Cash went with the local fire dept. to fight the fire that night trying to save what they could. Sadly, it burned to the ground. The next few days, we spent trying to salvage letters, important documents, pictures, solar panels and etc. from the ashes… 

It was very sobering to see how quickly everything was burned…so much gone. It re-emphasized again to us the need for more fire equipment here. They desperately need equipment here for their fire brigade ministry that they are trying to get started...to help serve friends, villagers, fellow missionaries by being able to save their homes, valuables and often times, their very lives...Praise God no one was hurt during this particular fire. 

The "Introduction" and other misc. happenings

Friday, we went an excursion with Beca and Cooper (two interns that we met at the July 4^th party) to Kibale National Forest (Jungle) to go on a chimp walk…basically, a hike through the rain forest looking for wildlife. We took public transportation which is always quite an experience and lots of fun if you have a good attitude. :D They always charge us more, because we’re American and therefore, must be rich. Often times, transportation is in the form of a van that is packed with as many people as will fit. And fit as in- in any way possible- or not so possible. There were about 25 ppl in ours by the time we left, not counting babies. It also takes a little longer because they make stops at villages along the way…

Taking public transportation...notice the hat- 

Bryn is representing the Fightin' Texas Aggies even in Africa. :D 

Anyway, we arrived too late and they were closed. So the four of us took of down a dirt road in the middle of the jungle, trying to flag down the cars that passed. So we spent the next several miles walking, enjoying the scenery, eating bananas and trying to figure out what we were going to do if we came upon a pack of baboons...when the cell service started to go down, Beca said she felt like it was the beginning of a bad movie. Four Americans walking down a road in the middle of the jungle, with only bananas to eat…and losing cell service. J A taxi eventually came along and made the hour trip back in 20 min! We all saw our lives flash before our eyes a couple of times on that exciting trip…was the closest thing to a roller coaster ride I’ve had in a car in quite a while. But we made it out ok and are going back again this week to hopefully see some monkeys…

Yesterday, Derrick took us to an “Introduction” in another village. This is culturally almost equivalent to a marriage ceremony, holding lots of tradition and formalities. They usually take all day, but I will try to summarize. J You’re welcome. J  …I don’t really have any pics, cause we were trying to be respectful and not act like tourists. :P

Brayden, Martin and Derrick waiting 

for the introduction to begin.

We dressed in our nice clothes…wanted to get some Toro dress clothes, but didn’t have time. We went with Derrick and his cousin Martin with the groom’s party to the village of the bride. There we waited for a long time, resting in the shade of the Matooki trees (banana) for all the groom’s party to get there. Once they all arrived, the bride’s family invited us to the ceremony….All the brides’ family and friends sit under a pavilion on one side and the groom’s family and friends file in a procession, carrying gifts. Then we were seated in a pavilion facing the bride’s.

Then the groom and several others go and kneel before the father of the bride and introduce themselves. Then they state the reason they have come…There is a lot of conversation that takes place that is formalities and some of it jokes…For example, the father of the bride will tell them they have come to the wrong village and no girl by that name lives there. J They select a small group to go into one of the houses to eat coffee beans and drink lots of milk…Brayden and I were part of this group. The coffee beans and milk represent unity or something. The servers are not allowed to turn their backs to the people they are serving, or look them in the eyes most times.

Then the father of the bride brings several groups of girls before the groom’s party, asking him to pick which one is the one he has picked. If he says none of these…then the bring out another group until finally, the bride is brought out and picked and everyone cheers…Then there is the process of agreeing on a dowry (even tho it’s decided prior to the introduction) and the giving of gifts that has to happen before the father agrees to give the daughter….There is lots of music, waiting and dancing.

Then there is the meal and entertainment. The entertainment this time was a couple of young Africans dressed liked American rappers and lip-syncing to a Ugandan pop song.  It.was.hilarious. 

After the introduction is over and pictures are taken and the meal is eaten, they dance until morning….Really disappointed that we didn’t get to stay for that, but it was quite an experience anyway. So glad we got to go!

Here are some more pictures of random stuff...

Wearing our new African sandals!

Little girl Bryn was coloring with at church.

So precious...we were showing her 

her own picture on the camera.

Taken on Brayden's 19th b-day last week. 

Rwenzori Mountains in the background. 

Have an awesome week! We miss all of you! 

July 10th

Helped take care of some other missionary kids this weekend so the parents could all go out to eat together. It always amazes me to be around American kids who have been born and raised in another culture…their perspective on life is so different and so eye-opening. They play hide-and-seek in tea fields, know that if they find a snake or caterpillar it’s most likely very poisonous, kill rats with bats and brooms, take malaria medicine when they get sick, eat fish eyes….they are used to talking about the hard, painful things of life. They can hold a conversation about their favorite movie and music and then go to a village and change the way the interact and speak so that they are showing respect to the people of the culture they live in… It’s amazing!!

We’ve been talking a lot with Mr. and Mrs. Cash about seeing the world through the lens of our culture… even if we are “individualistic” we are still an individual within our culture…Even the way we interpret Scripture often times is very influenced by culture…. How can we begin to see the world less with an American- colored lens and more with a Jesus-colored lens. We can’t help be affected and influenced by our culture- what we know and love. But what does it mean when Paul says he became, “all things to all men to win some”?

Sunday morning, we brought the guitar to children’s church during the sermon and taught some new songs with hand-motions. We love working with these kidos…praising them and seeing their faces light up. Holding their hands and feel them cling to us…

That afternoon, we celebrated Brayden’s 19^th b-day and the Cashes 18^th anniversary!! Went to Mountains of the Moon (a restaurant down the street from their house that has really good food).  Mrs. Cash made a chocolate cake!! That in itself was amazing. :D Chocolate cake has always been highly prized at the Goode household… Brayden got some sweet African gifts…some leather sandals and a wallet, a dagger, tshirt and etc… So happy birthday Brayden!! (This is Bryn here: just wanting to say that Brayden is an awesome brother and wonderful best friend. So glad we get to go on this adventure together! You have become an awesome man of God…thanks for all the work out sessions, long talks, for making me laugh at the end of an argument, for rappin out with me, for being patient as big sis learns how to go from 2^nd mom to your friend…J You da bomb broski)

And happy anniversary to Jeff and Cheryl!! A marriage of 18 yrs- most of which has been spent here in Uganda. They are such a testimony to both of us. Their heart for God, for the lost, for His Word…their passionate, heartfelt prayers…their perseverance and commitment to the work in the face of heart-ache, disappointments and incredible odds. -Thank you both for continuing to fight the good fight of the faith while pursuing love and faithfulness.

July 4th!

We’ve never celebrated the Fourth of July in another country before…it puts America in a whole new light. It also makes us extra thankful for the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. We celebrated with several other American missionary families from the surrounding areas.  It was weird being around so much American food…grilled chicken, cookies, baked beans, potato salad, apple pie….wow. It was amazing!  J  

Doing some tie dye with the kids!

Both of the families brought interns with them who were all college agish. It really was a blessing to be around them. We had fun hanging out, getting to know each other, swapping stories of our experiences and impressions and etc.. Had a fun jam session with the drums and guitars. One of them brought a frisbee…made our day. J It’s been too long since we’ve played Ultimate frisbee… been missin one of our favorite sports!  It was a good day and lots of fun.

The "interns"- a bunch of American kids and one Canadian 

who love Jesus! So fun! 

....Also been playing with the kids and doing school with them…we rotate between cards, trampoline, soccer, board games, reading, arts and crafts, dance competitions on the Wii when the generator is on, sometimes trying to concoct something in the kitchen… 

Check out this shirt :) 

The boys...

...and the girls

We drove through a rain forest the other day...saw quite a few baboons and some chimps...baboons can be kinda scary- just sayin. 

River through the rain forest

It’s been sunny the last few days which has been awesome. it was good to get out and wash some of our clothes!! Thank God for sun so we can dry our clothes and play some soccer! 

Come on, Brayden- wash some clothes. 

It's kinda fun and builds muscles. lol

That's not how you do it. :) 

Quote of the week came from 7 yr. old Silas to Brayden. Brayden just asked Silas what he wanted to do for the afternoon and he responded, “Let’s do something manly….like take off our shirts and eat some BBQ.” 

 Bryn and hilarious Silas

Hahaha! Love these kids. 

Faithful in the small things

In the movie Amazing Grace John Newton said, “God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms. Drip. Drip.Drip…..”   It is easy to be a follower of Jesus when He calls us to do big exciting and sometimes hard things. When He is doing His work in a storm.  I have really enjoyed several of the things we’ve done this past week-  like driving through the Ugandan countryside to visit the airstrip that Mr. Cash owns and talking to the mechanics that may be working on his airplane (more on that later); or sharing a meal with some of our friends here… I even got to help Mr. Cash assist two German tourist gals who were new to town. J However, as I said, it is easy when you have exciting things to do for the kingdom of God. But… what happens when nothing earthshaking happens? What if it is God’s work is being done in a gentle drizzle? This is what my week has been. Nothing earthshaking … It has happened to be a surprisingly and fairly normal week. But God calls me to be just as enthusiastic about following Him now living a peaceful life as when I am fighting fires (which I may get to do while I am here) or getting my hands dirty for Him. God says in His word, “Be still, and know that I am God.” My friends, know that if you are in a still time in your life, God is just as much at work in your life as when you are in the middle of the heart pounding times of your walk with Him. God is at work. Even if His works don’t seem huge and flashing-they still are. Maybe not in ways that makes sense to us at the time. But they are huge.  

 –Brayden

I think this is something God has been showing both of us in various ways over the past couple of weeks…Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land…” I think often times, I try so hard on the doing good part that I forget to DWELL in the land. Completely embracing where I am right now.  I am so thankful for the rest and semi-quietness of the past week… It’s so refreshing to have a chance to practice Isaiah 30:15- “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘…In quietness and trust is your strength.”  When we ask God to enable us to…

make the most of every opportunity.

see every task a ministry.

live life on purpose.

dwell in the land.

…it allows us to no longer see life as boring or normal, but rather as LIFE and JOY.

I’ve been listening to a new song by Cloverton called Take Me Into the Beautiful…."Take me into the beautiful/Won't you take me back again/With a love unexplainable/Come and fill up this dry land/Let it open our eyes/To see a world we've never seen/Let it open our hearts up/Take me into the mystery/Gently lift me with Your grace/Make the chaos a chorus/With Yourself come fill this place

/Cover me with Your mercy/Come and cover me with love/Cover me so that all might see/That it's You not me..."

May it be so!

Have an awesome week ya’ll!

-Bryn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXPHw4u-xng

Village Life

There are some things that can’t be described well with words; experiences that can’t be relayed over cyberspace; lessons that can’t be learned simply hearing about them…I hesitate to tell stories that are so real only to us who had the blessing of experiencing them because they aren’t just stories- they are real places. They are real people.  

Derrick drove Brayden, Hannah and I to his village, introduced us to his cousin Martin and drove away. He said he would return later, maybe the next day.  Martin and Derrick’s sister, Nunu, gave us a tour of the village and surrounding farm and lands…we walked for miles and miles- rich dark earth between our toes- our hosts explaining and showing us unusual fruits, plants, animals….explaining what everyday life is like for them. 

                                                Nunu with her sugarcane walking stick. 

Martin, Bryn, Hannah and Nunu. 

Children there don’t see white young people much and would run to the roadside and stare, point and wave. If we smiled and waved back, they would laugh and scream with delight. If we spoke to them in the few words of Toro that we know, they would grow wild-eyed- their mouths hanging open in surprise.

The head lady of the village welcomed us, grasping our hands warmly as we bowed to her in respect. She spoke of how happy she was we came to visit her.

That afternoon, they helped us kill, pluck and cook a chicken. In a matter of minutes, I saw a rooster go from running around the yard making a racket to being a few pieces of white meat in a pan. Hannah and I learned how to prepare a meal over the open fire. Can I just say that if everyone in America ground millet on stones, carried your water in jerry cans through forests and up hills and worked in gardens every day, there would be no need for gyms and fitness clubs- EVER. Now I understand why Africans don’t get working out- and think it strange. The women there were kind and patient, laughing with us as a couple of white American kids tried their best to live the way they do.

The pigs watching. 

Boiling the headless chicken so the feathers come off.

Removing the feathers. 

These pigs were cracking me up. 

Veggies for dinner. 

Hannah and Bryn outside the kitchen.

We sat around that evening, drinking tea and eating the meal we had prepared…using lanterns for light. Needless to say, we were SO ready for bed by the time we finished eating. Our sleep was interrupted by a very drunk man who angrily yelled outside the house for quite a while…shouting at the dog when no one else would listen. I was very grateful Brayden was with us. J

In the morning we had more tea, visited and attempted to carry water up the hill from the well. Between the huge cans, slippery mud and high altitude- it’s a wonder we made it at all. But then again we had our new friends to cheer us on and say how we needed to do it because “many American women are weak.” Ha. That was motivation enough. J

We sat in the sunshine watching Brayden teach some of the guys how to juggle in a open space in the garden. Life there is so quiet (most of the time) and peaceful. The people in the village spend hours sitting and talking. Or slowly walking down a long dirt road- speaking to those they pass….They work hard to live but take their time doing so.  

                                              Bryn and her favorite Ugandan baby- Melissa. 

Juggling lessons in the garden. 

Melissa and Brayden playing peek-a-boo. 

I came away with a new appreciation for dozens of things…running water, electricity, quietness, a day without a schedule, a day without worry and hurry…the sunrise…the birds…children laughing. No, these people don’t have easy lives or lives any better from anyone else. They are not nobler because of how they live. However, I think in a culture of affluence and “prosperity” we have lost awe for so many things that matter. We have lost a patience for them. A love for them.  

My time in the village made me thankful again for the simple things in life. Aaaand am I very thankful that every time I feel like eating a chicken sandwich or having chicken tortillas- that I don’t have to catch the chicken, kill the chicken, boil the chicken, pluck the chicken, wash the chicken……..