Mama Inger, Mama Inger come. There is this huge commotion going on down by the roadside. I’m going toward the children and they bring this huge thing to me… They are going to rap it in banana leaves and eat it…. My first words were…. WHAT!!! Would you eat something like this?? I chickened out, and they enjoyed it.

Life at Kasozy Village is good. The children are busy doing their exams at school, so many of them come for prayer. They are fasting, so that they can get better results. It is so encouraging to watch them coming for prayer when the other children are enjoying their breakfast, lunch and supper. It encourages me to fast as well – which is something I’m not to found of doing… =). The children are more comfortable having me around now, which is quite fun. Cuz they come wanting to converse and hang…. It’s awesome.

Discipline is still something that is part of our daily life here. Sometimes it’s not fun, but needed. They have also realized that they can sort some of the things themselves, which is good.

The workers are working on getting the fence up around the property where the housing is, and when that is done – it will be easier to control the coming of unwanted guests…. They come to shout – some with not so good intentions. So please pray for protection on the children and all the activities that is going on here at the center. We are in need of good guards. It is by God’s grace and mercy that nothing has been stolen from our property – His protection has been here and it is very visible and tangible.

The rain is still a problem in areas, we have had some heavy rain here as well. The crop are being washed away and people are loosing their livelihood. Last week 4 people died in Kampala, due to the rain. Haven’t heard much of the North these days – but the roads are still bad. They have to go on huge detours to get where they need to go – cuz the bridges are not fixed – and the roads are not there. That is challenging when you want to travel…. =)

Update from Uganda, various things!

The rain has ceased, and people are able to harvest some of what they planted before the heavy rain started. The roads up north are still not fixed, but they can cross other places so that they can get to their destinations. Uganda has been very affected, and people are still trying to get their lives back together.

The children at Kasosy village are doing well. The bales of clothes has almost all been given out to them. But it has taken a long time. Some of you know that shopping for clothes isn’t what I like to do so often – and when I do go shopping it’s done quickly. Well try to give out clothes to 140 children, when they all have to try the t-shirts, the shorts, the jeans …. Yup you can laugh, I didn’t by the end of 4 hours – and that was only giving it out to the girls…. Then the boys were the next day. It was worth all the hard work though, cuz the smiles on the children’s faces showed their gratitude.

Earlier this week when one of the caregivers, 3 sick children and I were on our way to the hospital in Jinja – someone called me. They asked me to go back to Kasosy Village, cuz there were people coming from the district to visit. The kids needed to be called back from school – so that the visitors could see them and greet them. So I got out of the bus, and went back. The kids helped clean up the place, it was very clean and well done. Then they took a bath and put on their new clothes. I heard that the visitors were coming from Gulu, we have 28 children from that region. My heart jumped, cuz last time there was a team from Gulu they didn’t have much good to say. The children were asked to go start worship and they all did. The visitors came, they were very impressed – and said that the reports they had heard about our place were wrong. The children were asked if they wanted to return to Gulu, if they didn’t that they should stand. ALL of them stood, non of them wants to return. That made a huge impression on the visitors and on us the staff. The officials from Gulu said we have good reports to give back to their relatives and caregivers in Gulu. Thank you for your work and what you are doing for our people. Can you come up to Gulu and do the same work there???

Wow God was so in all of that, it was amazing. The children were impeccable – I was so proud of them.

It does not end there. Some of you know that I’m in the process of trying to get a work permit. The most difficult paper would be a police rapport from Norway. Cuz you have to apply yourself and present it to the police. Well that is difficult when I’m on a different continent. =) I asked my parents to go to the police and ask on my behalf, and then ask the police to fax it to the Norwegian embassy here in Uganda. They went and got things done. But the police usually don’t send official documents on fax – yet it was done for me…. Praise the Lord. Then I went to the immigration. My folder was taken and processed….was talked to different offices that day – the process that was done in one day usually takes 1-2 weeks depending on how many files needs to be registered. FAVOR that is what all of this has been. My gratitude goes to My Lord and Savior.

The miracle of the bales

Kateh and I went to look for bales of clothes in Jinja, not knowing where to go or who to talk with. We walked along the street, and we prayed that Jesus would show us who to ask with. Kateh said let's go into that bookshop and ask if they know anything about bales of clothes. We talked with them; they said - let the white girl sit here in the shop with us - and one of us will go with you to require for it. I sat there, listening to music they were playing - which was Christian music. They offered me a coke, which I gladly took. Kateh and Mary came back after 1 hour. They had good information to give us, with prices and when they bales would possibly arrive.
We left the place, very encouraged.

Two days later we came back to Jinja, and the guy had a bale of t-shirts available. The seller needed the money, so we scram belled it together. Because the person that was supposed to give us the money wasn't able to come. Mary from the shop lent us what we didn't have. We got the bale and placed it in the bookshop. After paying we were left with no money.

That morning when we left Kamuli, where the orphanage is, I brought my foreign currency - why well, who knew we needed money... GOD.
I realized it was there, so we went to the exchange place and ....... we had money. God is so funny. The money had been given to me by a friend, cuz she was not returning to Kenya anymore and had some shillings.....
We were able to get some food, find a place to stay - cuz we needed to be in Jinja early the next morning.

It has been one blessing after another, God is so good - and takes good care of us.

132 children, what to do?

Living at an orphanage that now has 132 children, it’s quite something. There are so many things happening, quite fascinating watching what is going on. Then needing to bring some correction and helping them understand that they can’t hit their brother or sister. Cultural differences, tribal issues….so much to learn.

Some people have wondered about how long the children can stay at the orphanage! This is their home, and they are always welcome. The day they descide to move after they are 18, then they can. It's their home.

It hit me the other day that the kids here are orphans, the tears flooded. They don’t have parents, this is true – but I’ve never thought of how they lost their parents. Reading their stories made me cry even more. Most of their parents died in HIV/AIDS. Many of the kids from the north lost their parents when the rebels came into their village and set the huts on fire, or beheaded them, killed them on the spot, in crossfire….it hit me hard. I started thinking about my family….what a blessing it is to have one.

Two nights ago, we got a visitor coming with a child. The child, an 8 years old boy – don’t speak any other language than what his tribe does. At the orphanage, we don’t have anyone that comes from his tribe. He is all by himself, lost his mother in AIDS 3 weeks ago, his father died 7 years ago, coming into a home where nobody speaks his language…….imagine. He cried lots, which is understandable. The next day, we found out that there are similarities with another tribe’s language….which makes life easier for him. He is now playing with the smallest children, and seems to get along with life at the orphanage.

Flooding in Uganda!

The thunder is rumbling, the lightning flashes in the sky – and the rain comes and goes. It’s quite fascinating, yet there is another side to all of this.
The situation here in Uganda is quite severe. The Northern part is pretty much disconnected from the Southern part. As you can c in this picture from the newspaper, taken on the 18th of September – the bridge is non existent. 300 000 people have been affected, and some have been killed. “Experts say the rising waters may hit as yet unaffected areas in the coming days, such as Uganda’s central regions.” (quoting from The New Vision) People are filling bags with sand, and dirt so that they can build up some flood fencing here in Kampala….

A friend of mine in Rackoko, in the Northern district Pader said: “Please pray 4 the end of flood, it has made things difficult”.

Quoting from the newspaper The New Vision. “With camps for the displaced fast swelling in countries across the center of the world’s poorest continent, experts say the threat of disease is mounting quickly”. They are afraid of diarrhea and cholera outbreaks.

My plea to you is, pray for the people that are affected by the floods, not only here in Uganda – but also the other countries that has been severely affected. Sudan, Kenya, Niger are some of them.

First days in Uganda

After a long trip I came to Uganda. Some friends of mine came to the airport and picked me up which was a huge blessing. Wasn’t up for any public transport that day…lol

The next day Kateh, one of my Ugandan friends and I took public transport up to the Children’s home in Busota. This is the place I stayed b4 going back to Norway in April. The children didn’t know I was coming, which was part of the surprise. Kateh and I came from the bush way, so they wouldn’t be able to c me right away. But they were doing some dancing at the end of one of the houses, so they saw me. It took them a split second to see us – and they came running like a huge wave toward me. What a welcome. They screamed “Mama Inger” and almost pushed me over wanting to hug me all at the same time. It was awesome. Some of them came over several times, just to make sure that it was for real.

Christine one of the caretakers, didn’t know what to do – she told the children not to joke with her, saying Mama Inger is back. When she saw me, she came running leaving her shoes behind – knelt by my feet and said: “God is so good, you are back.”

Maria, one of the girls at the home is quite the evangelist and prophet. She is talking about God to her friends, preaching the Good News. When they are having worship her countenance is changing. She has some white spots on her face, but they go away and are gone for hours after worship is over. Maria is also a listener and she hears God talking to her. The other kids have understood that, and are coming to her to ask different things. She tells them: God hasn’t spoken to me today, if He hasn’t. And if God has, she tells them.
One of the boys came up to her and said: “Since God is talking to you, tell me what we are going to ear for Christmas? “ She looked at him and said: “God has not sent you to me to ask me that, this is you asking.” A bold one she is, about 7-8 years old.
I’m looking forward to spend more time with the children… There are more stories to tell….

The big family!

This is my family; mom and dad - one sister and two brothers. They are all married - my sister has 4 children, my oldest brother has 3 and my youngest brother has 1 child.
We have been together this weekend, to celebrate my nephew Kristoffer's confirmation. It was a big dag and many guests - and lots of food.
The next time we'll be together is when we all go to Madagascar which will be next summer.

And now the journey continues - my family will go back to their work, school and pre-school - while I'll head back to Africa!! Yuppie!

Getting ready to leave!

Time flies, and I've enjoyed my time here in Norway. Of course I've not stayed here all the time :) that would have been a miracle!!!
Went to visit some friends in Northern Ireland, where we had a grand time as they say. It was good cing them all again. Good to have fellowship with them, which is so needed.
Some of the things that I've realized while being here in Norway this time, is the necessity of staying in contact with people that are like minded - to have a relationship with them. Just as important it is to have a relationship with our Father. Staying grounded in this Word, spending time with Him, set time aside to be with Him and nobody else. He is a jealous God, and He’s serious about it.
God so put us on the spot sometimes; this is one of the times where He did put me on the spot. I was sitting on the bus coming from Oslo. A lady sat next to me with a knee problem. While talking with her, I wanted to pray for her – but ….. didn’t. She left the seat next to me to sit somewhere else. Then I had to tell God I was sorry that it hadn’t been done, and asked for a second chance…. Guess what – she came back… didn’t take me long to ask if I could pray for her.

And now, it’s time to move again. The ticket is booked, and I’m leaving for Africa on the 3rd of September. The destination is Uganda, possibly Sudan.

The one and only thing that I want, is to be with Jesus – I’m not going anywhere unless He’s with me. Sounds pretty basic, but so important.

Latvia, Riga and Rezekne

Left Norway for Riga on the 28th of June, and came back on the 13th of July. It was an amazing trip where God showed up in many ways. We were a team of 6, 2 from Northern Ireland (Dan and Gill), 2 from UK (Jason who lives in Northern Ireland and his brother Steve), Agia our Latvian translator and myself.
The first couple of days we stayed in Riga, enjoyed being tourist b4 we started the meetings. We had one meeting Sunday morning, one Monday evening and one Tuesday evening. People got saved, healed and refreshed in the Lord. Jason put us on the frontline, asked us to prophecy over people in the congregation….it was a lot of fun and a bit scary – thank you Jason for doing that. We needed that, and we all grew in the Lord.
We took a 3 hour train ride to Rezekne, where we stayed for one week, loving on the children in that ministry. The children come to stay at the house, when their parents have difficulties having them at home. The girls there liked having us there, we played with them – had water balloon fights…..
The team also attended a conference. 4 people from Finland spoke the first couple of days, b4 Jason shared the next couple of days. The people got refreshed here as well, and received a touch from the Lord.
Some days we spent hours in soaking, which was so refreshing and renewing. God showed up in that prayer room – awesome.
While there, 2 other teams came to join us. Some of them came from a Presbyterian church, so a lot of the worship, soaking and ministry time was foreign to them. One of the evenings after the teaching (which was on prophecy) we had a prophecy time, the group was split in two, and we should prophecy over each other. Everybody stayed!!, All got something for the person they prophesied over – God is faithful. The boat got rocked, the Presbyterians got excited and want more of what God has for them.
This trip has done so much for me, where God has yet again showed His faithfulness and stirred the pot using people to put me on the frontline…… Thank you guys!!

My where abouts!!

I'm still in Norway, have been hanging with my family and such. It has been needed and good for all of us.

Went to London and helped out at a conference where Heidi Baker was speaking. While there, some Holy Given friends showed up. Some from the first school, and some from the third school. It was holy chaos - a lot of fun. Meet new people, and had a blast. Saw people healed, refreshed, excited for the Lord - it was awesome.

In a couple of days I'm going to help at another conference which is going to be in Latvia, Heidi is not coming to this one, but Jason Holbeceh is. He and his wife Kellie were students at the last Holy Given School - carriers of an awesome anointing. The team whom is going, believe that huge things are going to happen!

I do want to mention a little girl from the Kamuli orphanage in Uganda. After I left they did an HIV/AIDS test on the children - and one of them tested HIV+. I've been asking for information about the children, whom are doing well - and they got 42 new kids from Northern province as well. Anyways!!

I got news about the little girl, she's 6-7 years old. I'm quoting what happened at the Uganda Orphands Fund senter in Kamuli.
"The girl is doing OK, she took a fast on her own to ask Jesus to heal her. The Dr had put her on antibiotics (after she took a second test which turned out negative :)) and she had asked one of the Caregivers why she's taking pills daily...she told C she was going to fast and pray for healing for 3 days...after 3 days of fasting she went to C and told her she doesn't need the pills anymore because Jesus has healed her...C tried to insist - then she would take the pills and throw them away...she will be due for another test next month."

What to say about that? Many of the children at the senter are eager to pray and fast, not because they are asked to do it - but they want to. Yeah God!

My time in Norway!

I've been in Norway for almost 8 weeks, time goes by so fast. Most of the time has been with the family, which has been good. Helping my parents move into their house, helping my siblings with their children - being aunty......

Have been traveling some in Norway, gone fishing and caught some fish - fun.

Have been sharing at different occations about Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa. People ask for prayer and God shows up. Praise the Lord. He is faithful in all He does.

The question is always the same from family and friends..... How long are you here for? Where are you going next? I've been here for ....... not sure where to next....... But there are many things on the blueprint - timing is the one thing that holds me back....lol

In the near future, a conference with Heidi in England. Some people from the last Holy Given School in Mozambique will be there as well - believe there will be awesome stuff happening there.

Back in Norway

I left Uganda after my visa ran out, and came back to Norway. Surpriced my parents, and my brothers and their wifes - they didn't know I was coming. Only my sister and her husband knew. You should have seen my parents reaction when they saw me or heard my brothers reaction when I talked with them on the phone- it was fun. Priceless!!
This is the house I moved into, nice isn’t it - it's my parents house in Kristiansand southern part of Norway. They haven't lived here for 10 years so there is a lot to do in renovating and such. Soon after I got back, a spiritual cleansing was done in the house – needed!! There was such a difference in the house after that. Imagine that!!

It has been hectic for me since I got back, because I have been a fulltime aunty for my nephews and niece. Good to see them and spend time with them, yet very different from being with the children in Uganda and in Mozambique.

The other day somebody asked me to come and share at an Africa evening. The people were able to ask questions after pictures had been showed and stories had been told from my time in Mozambique and Uganda. They were interested in signs, wonders and miracles - and some of them wanted prayer afterwards. There is a hunger for more of the Lord, something that really is encouraging - and I do believe that Revival is coming to Norway soon.

Uganda, Green - life, growth

Uganda is such a green country, specially in vegetation. But there is also life and growth in the spiritual atmosphere. Living with the children at Busota, was challenging but also very fun. Staying with 40 other girls in a house that didn't have walls all the way up to the roof - didn't always give good nights of sleep..... if something happened in one end - it would be heard in the other end..... leaving the rest of that to your imagination LOL We had times where the children needed discipline (imagine that), and that is not always easy to do, one on one, when the culture is – “something is happening lets go look what it is” ...... cultures are different and we need to take that into consideration. Getting water at the borehole down the road was always something. They ran to find a gerican, and then go fast or run so that they could have time to play when the others filled their gericans. Children are so alike when it comes to play..... Leaving the orphanage was hard, but I was ready to move on - not in a bad way - just because I knew it was time. The children have changed so much during the time there. From being shy to come running toward us when we came, and give us hugs. It’s huge.

Many things have happened on the property, and a lot of buildings have been built - 2 new homes, 1 dorm for the girls and another for the boys. They have also built 2 school building, new latrines and showers. By now the school is done, and the children are all excited about the new Kasozy Primary School. They will have new uniforms, shoes and stockings. God is so cool.

After leaving the orphanage, Duncan Hill whom is the founder of UoF, had met someone on his way over to Uganda - and it was another divine connection. He got introduced to a person that has huge influence in Pader district - and had a meeting with him. This resulted in that the team I was a part of went up to Pader 3 days before we all were supposed to leave Uganda. The place we went to is the same place that I went to in the beginning of my stay in Uganda. Interesting !!!! I was able to meet some of my friends there, which was very good.

One of them has a daughter that had had diarrhea for 1 month - I prayed for her and then they left. The next day I went over to say hi and buy (since we were leaving) and guess who was outside playing.... the little girl. She didn't have any problems at all...Glory to God

Busota!

Busota is a place north of Jinja close to Kamuli in the southern part of Uganda. The houses on the property are built by Uganda Orphans Fund (UOF) and owned by them. They also own the land and are buying land to cultivate.

They are now in the process of building schools for the children, and are planning on building more houses so that they can take in more orphans. The goal is to take in 240 orphans from all over Uganda. Right now they have 74 children, from 2 till 16 years old. 36 girls, and 38 boys.

I have the privilege of staying with these children over a period of time, together with a friend of mine, Jeff Gazy. We are there helping them with their school work, loving on them, playing with them, getting water with them…… what ever is needed.

They don’t have electricity or running water, but they have LIFE. They are so full of life and are happy kids. I don’t know who is benefiting of this the most, the children or Jeff and I. They are so fun to be around.

Last Sunday Service, after giving the word – the children was asked to come forward if they had any pain or sicknesses. A lot of them came forward, and we prayed and prayed. Many of them got healed, and some was completely well the next day. Yeah God.

The Bible talkes about caring for the widows and orphans, at the home - the widows are talking care of the orphans - by being their mothers. And we have the priviledge of being part of this. Thank you. Lord.

Rackoko

Northern Uganda is different from the south, how - well busyness is one of them. Driving up to the north takes hours - the roads are not paved - it's red dust roads - love it.

The IDP camps (Internally Displaced People) have their own stories, but the people have all been told to move from their villages. Some of their stories are to strong/horrible to tell, it breaks my heart. All the evil that is out there, how people are deceived and blinded from the Truth. This is the reason we need to go out, so they will learn about the Living God that gives hope in a hopeless situation. That will love them when love is missing....

Now that things have settled down and the peace talks are somewhat in process, people are starting to go out and plant so that they can get food to their families - sell some of it and get money to buy from others. Less than 1 year ago, they had a curfew at 5 pm - they had a lot of fear - in fact they still do with good reason. Slowly but surely they are getting back into a routine, that seems normal....

The children find time to play, some are in school - but there are to many in one class. In the one nurcery we visited there are about 60 children in each class, and they have 5 classrooms - would you like to be there when they have a break, that is about 300 children...... try to keep them in order

In the IDP camp that I visited, about 80 % are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, and on top of that many of them get malaria. The children are the ones that get affected the most when their parents dies and they don't have relatives in the camp. What to do, where to go, what now??

Uganda Orphans

Wow, this is awesome. The team I've been with these last couple of weeks has been great. We have gone into many different orphanages, yet done the same. Prayed over the children, breaking curses, blessing them with a fathers/mothers blessing. The homes are very different both in size of the houses and in how many children they have. Some have 60 children others have 12.

They have all been happy to see the "Muzungu" which is the white person. Most of the children are screaming, jumping and shouting when they see the land rover coming. The children run to greet you, the girls kneel in front of you as a way of respect and shake hands - the boys shake hands. Some take a little while to warm up, but then by the time we leave they ask when we are coming back to stay the night.

Some of the children have said that they feel very free when the prayers are done, they sense that things are different. Praise the Lord. We believe that things have happened in their lives, and that they will see the consequences later on in life.

In one of the homes we went to, 2 of Joseph Kony's children was present. Joseph Kony is the leader of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). It's so encouraging to know that they are there, and get christian influence. We believe that more of his children will come into orphagage homes.

Going to Uganda

The question always seems to be, where are you going next? And now I can answer that. :)Uganda, it is. The process has been pretty interesting, but when the decission was made that I would go - a lot of doors opened.

The first 2-3 weeks I'll be part of a team that will visit orphanages in the southern part of Uganda - in Kampala and in Jinja. We'll be praying for kids in the orphanages, lead them to Jesus, break orphan spirit, prophesy destiny, pray for healing...etc

Mid February I'll be leaving to go up to the Northern part of Uganda. Some facts about that region, and the ministry I'll be involved in.

In Northern Uganda there has been a war going on for the last 20 years. The war involves the stealing of children to make them soldiers, and the girls to become wives of the commanders. As a result of the war, there are now many displaced person camps. The rebels do not actually fight the government, they kill civilians, often torturing them. So the people in Northern Uganda have had to move out of their villages into these camps. They now depend on the UN for food.

The ministry is in the process of starting an NGO in a Northern District. The first phase is the Tabitha Project. Where they hope to get the neediest widows and teach them tailoring as well as giving them land to grow food. In the future, as they see the need they want to build a small orphanage. Lastly they hope to begin a Bible school. There are also possibilities in doing evangelism in the camp, and teaching and preaching in the church. The language is Luo, but most children are taught English in the school, so they can understand English. But to be able to communicate with the older people the local language needs to be learned.

Feeding the streetkids!

Remember how it is on Sundays after church, when all the people come to eat!
Well, now that the Holy Given School is over the street kids come in and get lunch every day. They stay at the gate all morning, at lunch they come under the tree by the compound gate - the bell rings and they come running to get food. It's quite the sight, they run for their lives - and the guard looses control....

Outreach

The last couple of months have been spent with Iris Ministires staffing Holy Given School in Pemba Mozambique. We just got back from a 2,5 weeks outreach in the bush.

It took us 2 days to get there, in the back of the truck - sore backs, laughter, fun.... very bumpy. Worth all of it, seing what God did in peoples lives.
The local church we connected with, went with us on the outreaches into the bush. 20 westerners, 7 Mozambicans and about 10-15 people from the church also Mozambicans.
We would drive into the bush, have a meeting with worship, preaching and then praying for people. Then at night the Jesus movie would be shown at a different location. After the movie, there would be ministry time where they could get prayed for and majority of the people wanted that. We saw many healings; stomach aches, heart problems, blind, deft and dumb, knees, chest pain.... it was amazing to see God at work and the way people reacted to the healings.

On the 24th of December there was a huge celebration. 15 couples got married and afterwards - food for everybody. The team helped to slaughter the goats (10), clean the rice and beans - serving the newlyweds - then the children and the others. They think that about 600 people got food that day. We had to wash the dished in between the servings, cuz we didn't have enough!! It was a lot of fun.