Thankful for Modern Conveniences (A Washing Machine)

Well we have now had the washing machine for about 5 months. And I thought today as I was washing Ellie's stuffed animals and a very large blanket that I should write again.

I am so thankful for all the support and donations that people gave for the machine. It has been so helpful for getting things washed and dried in the sun so quickly. I have been able to do some school with Ellie or run into town to grab groceries all while getting the laundry done. Even in the rainy season it has been really nice to be able to wash a different day if it is raining or still getting stuff to dry on the porch. It is not really easy to wash the bigger blankets and sheets or stuffed animals (who always seem to find their way outside to play in the mud with Ellie). The washing machine gets them almost clean as new. So mostly this is a thank you post. Thank you for making the washing machine possible. My hands and back thank you and Ellie and her stuffed animals thank you too!!

Christina

It takes a village

You know the saying it takes a village? Well I have been thinking about that a lot this past week.  I have not been feeling well for a week now and so I think that is why it is on my mind.  I was thinking that in the states if I was not feeling well I would try to take care of things on my own and Benj would still have to go to work and I would have to take care of the kids and keep the house clean and make dinner and all that good stuff. It just isn't in our nature to ask for help except maybe from our parents. But here Benj has been able to rearrange his schedule a bit, Goretty has helped to keep the house looking great and helped to cook some meals. Our friends keep checking on us and even picked Izaac up from school because I wasn't feeling up to getting him and Benj was working. My sister offered to drive 4 hours to come stay with us to help with cooking and cleaning and watching the kids. It really has been cool (despite being sick) to see our "village" and how they come together to keep us a float when we need it. So I am challenging you all. Who is your village? Who can you call for help when you are sick or overwhelmed? Your "village" doesn't have to be just family but could be anyone that God has placed in your life even if it is just for that season. I am praising God today for my "village", for the people He has placed in our lives, for such a time as this.  I count all of you who are reading this as part of our village too because you have been praying for us and I could use your prayers for healing now as well!

Christina

Homesteading

I've always loved the idea of homesteading and I dream often of having a remote piece of land somewhere, a house I built with my own hands and a life carved out that's tough but satisfying. Elements of this dream are self-centered and isolationist and need some Divine refining, but also some of it is good and pure and set deep with-in me and worth pursuing. Here in Uganda I'm blessed with opportunities to practice some homesteading and I'm really enjoying it.

So here's what going on down on the Kragt family farm:

              
 Though the rains have been inconsistent this season, we have done some planting and the garden is doing well.

Tomatoes are just beginning to flower. I had to build my own cages since they don't use them here.

The maze and beans need to be weeded and we need to lay some ground cover, but they are also doing well.

I've done some container gardening as well. This one has 2 celery plants though one was just put in and is still very small.

We also have some herbs and some fruit tree starts going. The bigger ones are rosemary and basel. Then in the front are 2 lemon trees, 2 pomegranates and a hibiscus in the bucket.  

Pumpkin is growing well under the sugar cane.

We are also so excited about our strawberries, which are doing really well so far!

We also have a number of matoke (like plantain) trees, our avocado tree is producing far more then we can eat, and we'll get a few mangos off of the old tree in front pretty soon. That is so say nothing of the sweet potato vines, elephant grass and other miscellaneous rabbit food we'er growing.  

We have some "livestock" here on the farm too.

 Ellie's rabbit, Princess, is just about ready to find a good man, settle down, and start a family. 

And our ugly little bare-necked hen has proven to be a good mother and is currently raising 11 chicks. Hopefully in about 6 months we'll be producing a bunch of eggs. 

Lastly, what homestead would be complete without a mouser-in-training (Mario), and a trusty guard-dog (Tyson)

Visitors

I love having visitors! This year we have had three sets of visitors so far with more to come!! There are many reasons why I love having visitors and I thought I would write about some of them.  I think part of the reason this is on my mind is because our visitors just left.

It is awesome having people come especially if they have never been before because I love seeing through their eyes. I also like that they get a glimpse of what life is like here.

I can try to explain and describe things but until you come and experience them for yourself you can't fully understand (like how bad the roads are or the amount of motorcycles that flood the street or how cooking seems to take all day because you make most everything from scratch). Visitors bring a new energy and excitement.

It is fun to show people around town and especially the work that God has called us to. Introducing them to the people we do life with and minister to/with.

Also I am not going to lie I love the things they bring for us. It feels like Christmas every time someone comes because we get spoiled with some of the things we love and miss from the states (like Flammin' Hot Cheetos for Benj and the kids) 

and some things that are more of a necessity that we can't get here. I don't know if this is encouraging anyone to come visit  but you are most welcome and we would really love to have you and show you around Uganda.

Christina

Building Update!

We've been traveling and visiting with my parents (posts to come soon) so this is a bit overdue, but our training space in Lawmbogo is just about complete.

At this point the walls are up, the ring beam is poured and most of the trusses are built and stacked on top of the walls.

The trusses are set and just about ready for sheeting. 

At this point I'm missing pictures of a few steps for some unknown reason... Its a good things she's so sweet. I can't be mad at her for long!

Now the roof is finished and facia is on. Also, doors and windows are installed and plastering has begun.

The walls are built up above the roofing. The like to do it this way and it matches the existing buildings. Plastering is also well underway.

Plastering is nearly finished and "scaffolding" will come down soon. 

Finishing details. The front walkway and water run-off control, clean-up, and painting.

We also set another 10,000 gallon rain water tank. This brings our total water catchment capability up to about 40,000 gallons or so. Gutters to be installed after painting is complete.  

So right now we are finishing interior details like electrical, doors, and painting. Lord willing, we should be complete by the end of this week!

Construction

The new workshop/ sewing room/ classroom building is well underway in Lawmbogo.

 The Design 

I spent a lot of time and this and made a bunch of changes along the way. We'll see how close the final product matches the plan.

Digging and Foundation

I didn't get pictures of the digging but once the foundation starts going up, then you can start to see something.

Pouring the floor

This was a long day. All the concrete is mixed by hand and hauled 1 wheel barrow full at a time. Here is the result.

Also, they delivered the block and this happened. Kept the day interesting I guess. 

Start laying up the walls. 

A lot of guys on site today to lay brick. The walls went up pretty quick. 

 Pour the support columns 

Once the walls are up to the top of the windows, we form and pour the support columns that tie everything together and support the ring beam. That is where we are at now.

Hopefully by the end of next week we'll start on the roof which will be good as the rains are beginning. Still a lot of work to do but its really coming along. Another post to come in a few days with updates!

Year End Giving

When we first raised our support and came over here last February, we were incredibly blessed by the number of one-time gifts we received.  These gifts were essential in helping us cover all of the costs related to setting up and starting our life and ministry here as well being spread out through the year as monthly support. We could not have done it with out them!

Now, as we look ahead just a bit to beginning our second year, we’re asking if you’d consider a year-end or one time gift again?

We now have a better sense of what life and ministry look like for us here and mostly what it looks like is availability. We are, first and foremost, available. We’re available to help with projects in the village, available to lead youth bible studies, available to help maintain and improve facilities and vehicles. We’re available to help with meds at the monthly clinic or transport people to the hospital in town, or hauling people and supplies for mobile dental clinic or anything else.

Beyond just the work with our own organization, as we get to know more people, we’re having more and more opportunity to serve others in their work as well. I have been blessed to help out friends and work with Amazima Ministrys (https://amazima.org/) with some construction work and have also made connections with Good Shepherds Fold (http://www.gsfuganda.org/) and look forward to helping with maintenance and projects with them in the future.

I say all of this because this work, which I love and feel is where my calling lies, brings up the need for me to increase my tool and equipment supplies. The first, and one of the largest things I need is a welder. We need about  $1800.00 to get this machine and one of the first things that will be done with it is repairing a bunch of toys from the kid’s home that are, literally falling apart.

    

     

This welder will also be vital for auto repairs, upcoming sustainability projects in Lawmbogo, and fabrication of playground and sports equipment for the youth.

Please pray about this and consider if you could help us help those around us!

To give, write a check and mail it to: Calvary Life Fellowship

    Missions: UG-Kragts

    P.O. Box 1161

    Brea, CA 92822

Or give online at our partner ministry, Locodi