A Day of Fun for Everyone

The last full day before leaving Uganda, our team along with Run Bible Church put on their first children’s festival with carnival style games, booths, skits, music and ministry. Because of all the other events on the schedule, the children's festival went unadvertised. After setting everything up the evening before, our team hit the neighborhood passing out invitations to every child we came across.

The next morning, as soon as we arrived to the church, there were about twenty-five children eagerly waiting to participate in the day's event.


Up until the last minute, they continued to arrive by the handfuls...


Welcomed by our clowns with huge smiles, high-fives, and hugs, each child was greeted with love and given a colorful bag to contain all of their prizes...



The carnival booths were very simple and can easily be repeated with little effort and very few supplies. The children enjoyed games like the football throw and the ring-toss...


...face-painting




...our version of needle in a haystack - lollipops in a tub of beans


...a potato-sack race


...the fish pond


and many more games including water balloons, a candy walk, and balloon creations.

The children were very curious of my camera and loved posing for a picture.




There were also many adults who came and joined in the festivities too.


We had so much fun it was so hard to say good-bye!




One last photo of our amazing team!


Thank you so much to all who were praying back home and to everyone who worked hard to make this event a success! An unexpected 600+ from the community came to participate making it a huge hit!

View all of the images from the children's event here.

A Miracle

Over the past few days, I have been posting some of my favorite images from Uganda. One highlight of our mission was being able to see all of the babies. Everyday, everywhere we went, at least one member of our team was cradling a baby. As this little one quietly slept in the palm of this young man's hand, so precious and so pure, I found myself in awe of how amazing our God is. I realized that every baby is a miracle; truly God's gift to man. Immediately falling in love with each one, I had to fight the temptation of bringing a baby home with me...at least for now:)

Step Two

"Seeing is a discipline we develop. It is the first step in making a difference in our world. Unless one sees the need, one can never meet the needs."

The hardest part of going to Africa has been coming home. It is far too easy to get right back into the position we started. Busy answering emails, running errands, and working behind the computer. Soon we are back to our normal routine - it is "business as usual." When I came across this photograph of the young village boy, deep emotion immediately surfaced. When I look into his eyes, he stares back at me. I can't help but wonder, "What is he thinking? What are his needs? What are his dreams? Is there hope? What does his future hold?" Often what happens on missions trips is that we go, we connect with the people, and then we come home and it is like it never really happened. It is so different than our everyday experience that it all becomes a blur. I declare that I will not be the status quo. I pray that I am forever changed. May this be a valuable opportunity for growth and for action. May I go beyond step one, seeing, to step two, meeting needs.

My Promise

In Africa, there are many widows. The average life expectancy is 50, but the current median age is 15. This dear lady came pleading and begging for me to pray for her. She lost her husband in war and her son died as a young child. She lives all alone and her hut does not protect her from the rain and wind. Speaking to me in Luganda, she could not comprehend that I do not speak her native tongue. Throughout her story, my interpreter repeated this phrase several times, "It is so cold." In such a warm country, there are people that are barely surviving. My heart went out to this woman. How could I help her? I didn't have a jacket or blanket on hand. With nothing tangible to give, all I could give her is my promise. A promise to pray. The quiet desperation beneath her eyes will be forever etched in my memory. In such a poverty and diseased-stricken country, we can't always help everyone in our own power, but we must ask The One who can. Will you join me?

Ashley and Jonathan: Engagement

Patience is a virtue.

That is exactly what Jonathan waited so patiently for...a virtuous woman. I met Ashley and Jonathan in Portland Bible College, but they met long before that. As a young teen in high school, Jonathan was immediately attracted to Ashley. He came home to his dad and told him about this amazing girl he had met. I believe his first words were something like this, "Dad, she's HOT!" However, Ashley did not quite have the same reaction. Not ready for a relationship, Ashley told him, he must wait.

And he did. Jonathan waited and waited and waited.

Now, after finishing college, the timing is finally right. These high school sweethearts are ready for marriage. Ashley and Jonathan drove two and half hours to meet me at my new house in Vancouver for their engagement session. This, as well, was well worth the wait! We had a fantastic time.

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot:














View all of their images here.

The Gilpin Family

Just a few days before they headed for Albany, New York, I had the wonderful privilege to photograph Gareth and Jennie Gilpin, their three amazing kids, and Jennie's family in Portland's beautiful pearl district. They were so much fun, it was hard for me to stop taking pictures.

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot:












Thank you Gareth and Jennie for supporting my vision, for the inspired conversation, and for putting up with a trigger-happy photographer. I guess next year you will fly me out to New York? :)

For thoughts on God, Life, Church & Culture, or to find out what Gareth and Jennie are doing in New York, check out their new blog.

To view all of the pictures in an online gallery, click here.

The Pearl of Africa

One week has passed since coming home from Kampala, Uganda, East Africa. Last night, as I unbraided my plated hair, many emotions surfaced as I began to recall the amazing time I had. Too much to ingest all at once, I have just began to process my experiences. Many have asked me about the trip, but it is so hard to articulate in just a few words. Coming into Africa, I saw the dirt, the poverty, the intense living conditions, the sick and the diseased. If I had only one word to describe it, it would be "poor." Coming out of Africa, it is just the opposite. The word I would now use to describe it is "rich." Rich in color and character, the people of Uganda are full of love, joy, energy, passion, and laughter. Although they have little, their hearts are full. Now I know why they say Uganda is the pearl of Africa. It is the purity and the richness of its people. Although I miss the matoke (steamed banana), the music, and the landscape, what I will miss the most are my friends.

This is my mukwana (my friend). Her name is Yulusumu. She is only seven years old, but there is a sophistication about her. Confident, strong, and smart. We connected right away. Her face, I will never forget.