our final soccer match

It seems like the end of the school year is hurling towards us and there's nothing I can do to slow it down! Yesterday, on Friday afternoon, we had our last soccer game of the year. The kids played hard and fought through till the end, and we ended up tied 4-4.

I'm so proud of how far they've come this year. Some of them came in being amazing athletes-in-the-making already and have grown tremendously in their skills and technique. Others, like my one little girl Daniella, started out not being able to dribble and was scared of the ball. You should have seen her yesterday. Hustling all over the place, staying in her position (which has been the biggest challenge for ALL my kiddos this year), and getting in there for the ball.

It's so much fun to watch these kids over the course of an entire school year, seeing the transformation take place. It has definitely had its challenges (there have been MANY horrible calls by the refs) but overall I am really thankful for the opportunity to get out of the classroom and get to spend time with the kids in a different environment.



The kids have been such a joy to my life. Early on in the season, I had to make the rule, "No holding hands in soccer!" because one of my little guys, Jogi (pronounced like Georgie without the 'r') was constantly trying to grab my hand during practice. :)

That's Jogi on the right, making the funny face. Apparently I go through my soccer matches with a constant, "What on earth are they doing out there?" face, as was made evident by the 3 pics Alisha took of me, all with that same perplexed look :)

The last month or so, we've been working on "Making a V" when our teammate has the ball. I knew they'd have no idea what '45' or '90' were (getting yourself at a 45 degree angle or a 90 degree angle from your teammate so they could pass to you, knowing exactly where you are) so we made up "make a V" to represent getting in front of them and to the side of them so you could get open for a pass. I love hearing Wasswa say it, in his thick Ugandan accent. There isn't even a way I can write it... I'll have to ask him to say it for me on video!



And sweet Jonah, our goal-keeper. He's always trying to do his best, but he also wants to give me his reasoning for every decision. "Miss Kristi, I let that one go because..." "Miss Kristi, I think that when I kicked that one out, I should have..." :) It's so fun to hear! (after the game, or after practice, I tell him that he can share whatever thoughts he has, just not in the middle of a match or practice.)







Just a couple more pictures from yesterday's match...



Here's Graysen hustling on the field. Yes, his shirt is 10 sizes too big!

Here are all seven of my players on the field, all in one shot. I can imagine I was yelling, "Heritage, SPREAD OUT!!!" as Alisha took this pic. (Thanks Alisha!!!!)

From left to right: Ethan (blue shirt), Sonya (yellow #15), Jogi (yellow behind), Matthew (blue #8), Adam (blue #14 - yes, they're twins), Akuc (yellow #9), and Wasswa (yellow #10)

Here we have Emanuel and Annie, going for the same ball maybe? Our team definitely has a proclivity to take the ball away from one another. One-track minds, I tell ya. "Gotta get the ball, gotta get the ball..." :)

And, of course, our team picture. We had 15 kids for the match! :)

SUCH A GREAT SEASON, HERITAGE!!!

one day I was walkin'...

This is the intersection where our little section of town, Muyenga, meets up with Kibuli Road, which is the road you drive on to get to Garden City. This road can take 5 minutes to drive, or it can take 5 hours... oh Uganda.

I don't know how I feel about being in buildings that are constructed with wooden logs...

walking home from church, I imagine.

boda drivers aren't always incredibly friendly, but this group of guys really wanted their pictures taken. I took an individual shot of each driver on his bike. The guys look kind of intimidating, but they were actually really fun :)

I met several groups of kids who also wanted their pictures taken. They were really cute. I made sure to bring a few packs of gum with me to hand out to the kids.



such sweet kids. so full of joy and laughter.

beautiful.

I've been trying to figure out why I enjoy looking at the clouds here (not that I don't like the clouds in Cali, but there are times when I am seriously fixated on them here and can't tear my eyes away!) and I've come to the conclusion that the clouds here are higher.

I realize that doesn't make any sense. The clouds here seem like they extend and reach so much higher into the sky. They are gigantic, cumulonimbus clouds, and it feels like you're standing next to it, looking at it in its entirety. Awesome.

Need some jeans? This is (apparently) the place to go!

:)

digging through my Bible...

I came across this today, as I was looking through some old notes I've written and left as bookmarks in my Bible; things like notes from the John Piper conference in SLO, a special set of prayer requests from Bible study on March 7, 2005, the worship set from one of the times at Grace last year, a picture of my dad, a picture of Pismo Beach at sunset... some good memories, messages, and meanings are wrapped up in these tiny pieces of paper. This one, in particular, made me remember who I am because of who my Creator is. I realized over and over again in reading this, how my identity has been formed, chiselled, shaped, and molded to conform to His image, His will, and His design. I am so thankful, so unworthy, and so relieved to be covered in the Son's blood so I can have a Heavenly Father who says this about me...

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You were fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but am a complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your Provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts towards you are as countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager . (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)


Love, your Father, God Almighty

International Dinner

Three of my girls did a presentation of traditional Korean martial arts moves.

Even when, as a school, we're dealing with some important decisions and situations, we were still able to celebrate the annual International Dinner last night! Let me tell you, I have never been more EXCITED and THANKFUL that I teach at an international school!

Countries represented: Uganda, USA, UK, Australia, Korea, Holland, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Congo, Philippines, India, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Canada

There were absolutely others, but in my mind, I can only picture the food but not the country :)

Miss Sylvia and Miss Jacque are wearing their beautiful traditional gomasis!

Favorite foods of the night: the little quiche-thing from Canada that turned out to be a mini-pastry with fruit / the mango salad from the Philippines / the hamburger with all the fixins from the US / the injera from Ethiopia / the potato casserole from Australia

I felt like I had the world on a string... I mean, on a plate! haha.

And for those of you who may not have figured it out, what could be more patriotic than America's favorite pasttime? And to top it off, the Dodgers are 2/3 of the way to being all of the colors of our flag too :)

And just for all of you who GET to watch it, here's my two-cents:

LET'S GO DODGERS, LET'S GO!!!

(Alicia and the boys came as baseball players too! Yeah!)

Fruits & Veggies!

One thing that I have felt the most longing for in California has been fresh fruits and veggies. I miss tomatoes from the vine, oranges from the orchard, nectarines from the backyard tree.

Here in our part of Uganda, there are definitely a lot of fruit and veggies available. You can buy mangos, bananas, and avocados around every corner. But my 'staple' fruits like fresh tomatoes, pears, apples, oranges, peaches, plums, grapes, watermelon, cantelope, etc. are either more difficult to come by, incredibly expensive, or not very good-tasting.

Normally, I've been surviving on bananas. On Monday, though, my friend told me about this little market where she had just purchased PLUMS and CORN on the COB. I was ecstatic and immediately made plans to go yesterday after Jill and I went to the baby's home.

When I got home, I was in heaven. Not only were they real plums, but they tasted amazing! They're cute little miniature plums, which make them readily available for snacking on.

Just another reminder that it's the little blessings, the little creations, the little smiles, & the little fruits that God has put in my life that serve as constant, daily reminders to His Presence in my life.