Ugandan Endeavor: Day 2 – Alongside family

I slept under the mosquito net; a slightly different experience. I am very happy to have running hot water for a shower. I spent the morning requesting room service for breakfast only to have nobody show. No breakfast this morning. I also hand-washed my dirty clothes in the sink. (Thanks for telling me to bring detergent, Cat.) My breakfast this morning consisted of several handfuls of Kirkland Fruit & Net Medley and half a PowerBar (Thanks for telling me to pack these, Cat). Patrick agreed to pick me up to attend a worship service at the University here.

Patrick has been a true blessing in so many ways. I spent Sunday with him and his wifre Barbara first worshipping at St. Francis Chapel at Makerere University (www.stfrancesmakerere.org). Afterwards, he took me to his home for Sunday lunch. His was prepared a very good meal while Patrick and I discussed business and how the US and African society and business culture differ. After a fantastic meal, the three of us went to visit Jonathan (their eldest son) at a top boarding school. He is about to take his exams which will determine his university options. After patiently waiting, he showed and talked with his parents. He’d been so eager to see them from many text messages to his mom during the previous days and since his parents showed up later than normal this day, he was disappointed (thinking they may no come) and was taking a nap when we arrived. I was truly impressed with the character of Partick and Barbara. They consistently reinforced the face that God was in control and has always blessed them. Before Jonathan left, they prayed as family for God’s blessing and provision, but were also very thankful for all He has done for their family.

Today, I leaned several amazing things. These people are very joyous and grateful. Coming from the US, I am appalled at our selfishness. These people, whom have less than your average homeless person in the us, are so friendly and giving. They are incredibly grateful for the blessings they have in their lives. These people are constantly thinking of others and caring for them. Their mentality is not as self-centered as ours in America.

During the worship service this morning, there was a reading from the Bible about how God provides and is to be praised through hardship – suffering, persecution, famine, lack of clothing, etc. To us in American, we know that we will never face that – so this verse is lost on us. However, hearing these people praise God through this reading was humbling. These people run this risk every day – famine, lack of clothes, suffering, disease, etc. Yet they are so joyous and are praising God for everything in their lives. They choose to praise when we American would choose to complain. How selfish we are.

Patrick has shown me everything about his business and has agreed to give me all of the materials he uses to run his internet cafes. How amazing is that? He is going to give out his propriety knowledge, processes, and templates which have taken him 6+ years to develop with many pitfalls for no reason that I can figure out. He is truly a diving gift of God. Even though I’m going to competition for his business!

We sang songs today that were community-centered. That may seem small, but it different to hear these people create songs where they proclaim the hope they have in God (astounding when contrasted with the opportunities in America). They sing songs where they ask for God to bless their land – not for God to bless them! They sing songs that say, “All we can do is say, I love you Jesus.” I only heard these people asking for God to bless them as a whole and them proclaiming that God is good, sovereign, and constantly blessing them. Yet, as an outsider from America, I see difficulty and hardship. I wonder if American will continue to be blessed by God with our self-centered complaining attitude. I wonder if our wealth separates from the joy of God. I am almost said to hear that these people want to go to American to experience the “American Dream.” How I do not want these people to become dull Americans living the unfulfilling and monotonous suburban life. They have too much energy and love for that.

Ugandan Endeavor: Day 1 – Arrival and Business Education

After around 24 hours of travel, I arrived in the Enteebe airport in Kampala, Uganda. My first taste of Africa was in Ethiopia where I had a layover to catch a flight to Uganda. The flight was scheduled to leave at 10:45 am, however we did not take off until 12 noon. When I arrived in Uganda, and found my contact, Paul M, he said he was very pleased that I made it out of the airport by 2pm (even though I was scheduled to arrive at 12 noon). He immediately informed me that the African culture does not run on schedules very well.

I went around with Paul M to take care of a few things and get checked into my hotel. After this, he and I took a taxi (not like in America) back to the city for dinner. What an ordeal; however ,this is completely normal for Uganda – you get there when you get there. I made contact with Allison and then Patrick as well. After arriving back at my hotel, Patrick came and picked me up to show me his internet café operation. He has been in the business for 6 years now and his experience shows well. He had means to address many of the issues one has to deal with when running a business in Uganda. Many more obstacles than in the US – mostly people management though – a whole new area for me.

God has been very good to connect me with such a well-established businessman. He even gave me a cell phone to use while here and has agreed to give me all of the documents surrounding his business plan so that I can incorporate them into this one.

Ugandan Endeavor – Did you know…

Ugandan Endeavor

Ugandan Children - BoysDid you know that currently, 77% of Uganda’s overall population are youth and of that, 30% are orphans?

On August 3rd I am going to Uganda to start a project that will enrich local communities, rescue child soldiers from bondage, provide orphans with an education and basic healthcare, and give the orphans hope for a future free from poverty.

To achieve these goals, local Ugandans will run an internet cafe to generate a sustainable revenue stream allowing the profits to be used to support the orphanages. My role on the project is to start the internet café, train the employees, and provide business and technical consultation to stabilize the business.

I share this vision with you because I realize that success cannot be achieved without the support from my friends. I would like you to participate in this endeavor through some of the following areas:

  • Prayer: If you have a relationship with Jesus, I’d love to have you pray with me.
  • Advice: If you have insights, wisdom, concerns, or questions, please contact me. If you have ideas for business in developing nations, regional contacts, or economic models for sustaining this type of work, let’s brainstorm.
  • Financial Support: My financial goal is $2,500 for my trip with any additional funds going toward the $13,000 start-up cost of the internet café. If you would like to help fund the trip, business, and orphanage, please send your tax-deductible donations.

I will share my experience at http://jason1365.com and keep it updated with new insights and issues as I continue on this journey. Thank you for considering to partner with me to change the lives of Ugandan orphans through business development.

Continue reading Ugandan Endeavor – Did you know…

Ugandan Endeavor: Frustrated, but Continuing

Well, I’ve been trying to connect with as many people as possible that may be able to help me understand how to coordinate this internet cafe endeavor. I must admit, I have been very frustrated with it recently. I’ve been realizing more and more that there are simply so many unknowns, especially for me since I’ve never done anything like this before. However, I just received an email from somebody in Uganda that may be able to connect with somebody that has started and is running four internet cafes in Uganda. That’s so exciting. And just when I needed it. God is good.

Even though I still don’t have a lot of definites yet, I’m excited that things are looking up. A friend of mine mentioned to me today that he may be interested in coming and helping. This is awesome because he is also a technology guy. I have been concerned with the fact that I wouldn’t really have anything with a business and technology mindset to help me with this. However, his insight and friendship would be greatly welcomed on this trip.

I must admit, that everybody I have talked to about this has been incredibly supportive and has tried to connect me with somebody with some Ugandan experience. I’m quite surprised how many people know somebody that has been to Uganda or are able to make a connection in some fashion.

Overall, I need to relax and trust that God is going to take care of this. This project’s success is not my own, but God’s. It’s God’s project and he ultimately determines its success. So, if God wants it to succeed it will, and to Him be the glory. It will definitely not be because of my own abilities – because I have none at all to even feign responsibility for success. May I humble myself and remember that throughout this.

Doesn’t God deserve all credit?

I was driving around today and thought about how many things God has blessed me with. I met with my advisor at work today, and he mentioned that one of the partners in the firm praised me in front of all the management regarding my performance. I wasn’t entirely sure why my advisor would tell me that except for God to teach me.

As I was driving back to the office, I remembered the story of Daniel refusing to eat the defiled food of the king of Babalyon. Daniel 1:9 says, “Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel.” So, I began thinking. Are my friends my friends because of how great I am? I quickly come to the conclusion that it’s not because I’m great, but because God is. God is so great that he causes others to show favor to me for no good reason. God places me in circumstances with people for a reason unknown other than to live out my faith with these people.

Basically, God is soverign and in control. He gave me everything – great parents, intellect, determination, friends, talents, circumstances to excel, salvation from my own terrible decisions, mentors, everything. How can I ever say that anything great that happens in my life is somehow out of my own hard work? How can I even think of stealing glory from God?

Do I really believe God’s way is better?

Over the past several weeks, myself and the guys at the God Lab have spent time repeatedly discussing girls and dating. It’s been quite a focus ever since spring arrived and so did the desire to enjoy the beautify of the world along with our own beauty. This desire for a girlfriend has been very consuming and along with this comes many questions, differences, struggles, and confusion. But, through this difficult and containing difficulty, God has been good and patient. Continue reading Do I really believe God’s way is better?

Ugandan Endeavor: The Vision

The first and most appropriate question is ‘Why’. Why Africa?
Why not? I am blessed so much with my lifestyle here in the DC area. How can one ignore the cries of those in need? I cannot think of a better way to get to spend my time.

Ethiopian Rescue

I will travel on a team of 16 to spend a week in Ethiopia serving the health needs of the poor. We will setup a small clinic for anybody to come and receive treatment. Our team will only be treating basic health problems that are so well controlled in the US that we don’t even talk about these problems as anything of concern.

References:

Ugandan Endeavor

In particular, I intend to travel to Uganda investigate and help start a business with the sole purpose of providing for a coalition of orphanages. These orphanages take child soldiers (see Invisible Children) from camps and provide meals, education, vocational skills, and a new life perspective.

I am partnering specifically with an organization called Melchizedek’s Treasure, part of the Active Blessing project – a ministry to the abandoned. My participation in the project’s goal is to expand the capabilities of the orphanages by helping build local business that both provide services / resources for the orphans, but also create a revenue stream to pay the teachers working with the kids each day. There are also some drawings and interviews with some rescued orphans available.

I plan to spend two weeks in Mbale, Uganda working to start an internet cafe targeting nearby university students. Some more details about the project can by found on the Active Blessings website. Cost breakdown estimates for the internet cafe are also available.

References:

Love in Action

I had an opportunity to speak at a bible study at Mt. Pisgah United Methedost Church in Richmond, Va today. My friend Phil, his girlfriend, Christine, and I were asked to share stories of how we have been involved in God loving others. I share a couple brief interactions I have had with some people in need. My goal was to call those in attendance to action; it was to encourage tangible results. I left the church frustrated because many people came to me and told me how much they enjoy my story or me sharing. One woman told me about how she could relate to my faith story because she went through the same thing.

Yet, what is the purpose of good stories? What is the purpose of attending a church? What is the purpose of studying the Bible, etc? If this time does not bring about action and change, what good is it? I don’t know.

I haven’t had many interactions with the older generation (60+), but from my little interaction, I have found complacency and a desire to hear good things and blessings. Maybe a mentality sets in that after so many years one has sacrificed and served enough. I hope that mindset never comes into my life. Why live when life is about comfort, ease, blessing, fond memories, etc? How meaningless, meaning (at least thus far for me) comes from giving of myself (out of God’s abundant blessing on me) to/for others. I hope my whole life embodies this if I live so long.

Continue reading Love in Action

The Greatest Love

Excerpt from “When God Weeps” by Joni Eareckson Tada, p. 52-54. Also found in “Booy Meets Girl” by Joshua Harris. Understanding intellectually is completely different from feeling with the heart. So frequently, I understand and don’t feel. I proceed without passion and conviction. I wish this reality was real in my life each day.
Continue reading The Greatest Love

Provisions

So, life is pretty hectic around the Christmas holiday season. I was in Atlanta for a week with short notice only to come back to work to prepare and support a go-live (so longer days at work). Then on top of that is the looming task of writing Christmas cards, collecting addresses, getting cool gifts, and making arrangements for the various activities of the season. I say that to say simply, that I was very busy come Thursday, Dec 21. I had not done any of the Christmas card work at this point and I was beginning to feel like I should just forgo the cards this year.

I was planning to leave either the evening of the 21st or the morning of the 22nd to return to the farm for Christmas. That morning, I decided I was going to stop trying to do things myself. I had meant to leave work early each day to work on the Christmas cards, but things just kept coming up. So, as I prayed that morning about my frustration with the issue, somehow I was able to let go of it.

I left work that evening around 10pm. I proceeded to go to Michael’s and pick up card stock. I then began to work. I consolidated my list of receivers, created the front and back of the card, and the envelopes. I began the printing of the cards and envelopes while working on the text for the inside of each card. I then printed all of the insides of the cards, and stuffed them into the envelopes. I then delivered all of the cards to co-workers directly to their desks. After this, I went home with a large stack of cards in envelopes arriving home at 7:30AM to see Phil finishing breakfast and getting ready for work. I then proceeded to address and stamp each card. I finished this a little after 9:30AM. I then packed my things for the trip to the farm and proceeded back to work because I left my power adapter there. I stopped by the post office and also returned the excess cards to Michael’s. I was on now beginning the 3.5 hour drive to the farm without any sleep.

After arriving home, I went to dinner with the parents, unpacked, etc. I went to bed at a reasonable hour of 10pm. Throughout the entire endeavor, I was consistently realizing God’s provision in my life. I know that it wasn’t under my power that I was able to work all day and night and the next day without becoming incredibly tired – that’s just not something I can do. Also, the simple fact that everything went smoothly shows that God was involved. I’ve never been able to create Christmas cards in anywhere near 12 hours of time.

Basically, that is the long way of saying that God is good. I feel like He really enjoys it when we rely on him and not ourselves. As I’ve been reading through the history Israel through it’s many kings and wars, God consistently blesses battles when the people rely on him and brings curses when the people attempt to overcome in their own strength. It’s the same with me, each time I find myself attempting to accomplish under my own strength I get frustrated and many times fail. Yet, when I just let go of my ego and pride and all of that self-centeredness for a few moments and rely on God’s provisions, things seems to work out. Hence why my favorite verse is Matt 6:33.

Frustrations, Change, Radical

So, I just finished reading a chapter in “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. And, well, I got excited, inspired, angry, upset, frustrated, confused, concerned, hurt, and thrilled. So, in case you don’t know, I’m not invincible, some super-person, or any sort of person that is really good at anything. I make mistakes; I try to do right; sometimes I don’t think about what is right. I fail with some things repeatedly because I am weak. I don’t have a clue what the future holds. I don’t care too much about what is in the future actually. I care about who I am now. As you may know, I’m not good at being who I say I am or who I want to be. I hate it. So, I take some “drastic” actions at times. Drastic change is what is needed in my life, right? I mean, I don’t want to keep going on as things are. It’s frustrating, pointless, painful, tiresome, and unfulfilling. I am looking for something more in life, something worth living, something with meaning and purpose – something that excites me to get up each day to live, not something to endure. I’m sick of working, and trying, and pushing, and learning, and everything. It’s time to exist, to be, to live.
Continue reading Frustrations, Change, Radical