New Year update

Hi All

I arrived safe and I’m back since Tuesday morning. The flight was half full as most of the muzungus (whites) left the plane in Nairobi. So had two seats for myself to sleep on. A bit shattered though. Stepping into my house felt like a strange place to me and I needed to adjust to feel home again. The first days I was a bit lost and in a shock, being confronted with the grey sky and the cold and the so different environment ,people and culture. Went straight to Steve and Larisa , where I was very warm welcomed. I had a need to be with friends.

I wanna to respond to some email reactions I got for what I posted on my blog. My visit wasn’t a failure or a disappointment, neither: “sorry that it didn’t work out for you”. I knew that I was going on visit and apart for the trip to Burundi there were no other plans. My stay would be temporary but not knowing in ahead of time when this would take an end as I wanted to listen for this to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. My intention was to catch up with friends, the work, the people and church family there and spend time with them.

Last summer I heard from Ian for the vision for the coffee shop, but it was then still something for a later future. But recently while being myself in Kampala  the vision became  a reality, and I was excited for  it and approached for to be involved with this new project. By the time the team knew they could go ahead with the plans, the place  that looked as an option was taken. I was told it is not going to happen soon. So then I considered that it would be better for me to return and wait for the right timing and  if my  assistance & involved will be needed once the right place will be found and set up.

Of course I feel a bit sad, which will pass too but it is the right time for me to be back. I know also that to make some important decisions for the future, I need to be here to listen to God and to see how He will lead me to sort things out in all the practical for myself.

Whether what the issues will be, I read today that there is no coincidence or confusion on God’s calendar. He plans our lives right down to the minutest detail. He says, “What I have planned, that I’ll do” Isaiah 46:11

Whatever is going to happen in 2009 I can trust God and look forward  that He is in control for every detail.

May God bring you revelation & vision for 2009

With much love

Ingrid Verbiese

Important change…

Dear all

Just dropping a few lines before leaving Uganda.  Circumstances led me to end my visit suddenly.  There was no reason for me to stay longer in Uganda and  I concluded it would be better to celebrate Christmas eve home than leaving Uganda end January and then regretting i missed it out.  And for what concerns the YEA business coffee shop it may take longer than expected to find the right place, set it up and make a start.  So I cannot stay and wait for that to happen and just hang around between in Uganda.

I am flying tonight 21.40pm Ugandan time, first to Nairobi and then to Brussels where I land at 6.10am Belgian time , on my sandels with 2 pairs of socks on.  Will be catching the train and be home around 10am.  Firstly will be going into to town for grocery shopping and then dig out my Christmas three from the garden and decorate it.  I’ll be back on my Belgian sim card Wednesday afternoon, as Rania has my sim card and will bring it with her than.the number is +32 495 873105.

Of course I always feel a sadness leaving everyone behind here, not knowing when I’ll see them back. I had a good time spending time & catching up with friends, people and church family here.  But I am thankful to God for all His blessings He has manifested through people.  I am also very grateful for Faith , Maria and Mim for their hospitality at their comfortable home.  May they be blessed in return.

Pastor Andrew said that I am always welcome at any time.  I want to thank KBC for having welcomed me, and for being one of them in their midst.  I want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement and any other support & for walking along with me in this journey.
 
May God bless you all
 
Much love
 
Ingrid Verbiese

End of Year update

Hi all
 
I may not write on my blog until 2009!  Therefore I wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas season and a Happy New Year.
When I came back from Burundi 1 month ago, people kept asking me what  the next steps and my programme  were, which I couldn’t tell ,which was embarrassing for me too not having any answer to their questions.   I had some options running around in my mind which I could choose from.  I wondered if I should stay longer, as I did not see any reason at the time for  me to stay longer in Uganda.  I considered maybe I should fly back, or even going back to Bujumbara and serve there came also out as an option.  We all face intersections in our lives.  They are our turning points, the place where we must take decisions.  I had been continue with people, so I wanted to spend some quality time to seek God and ask Him for directions, guidance and clear vision in what to do, as I want to make right decisions according to His plans. My housemates went away for a  few days to a conference with overnights so I had 3 days by myself.  God started to speak through me with a word from Isai 41:10. He taught me that faith opens the door for Him to get involved in everything we do, and that with Him on our team we cannot lose.  It is challenging to continue having faith when nothing you see, feel or think supports it.  But this is when we need to look deeper in our hearts.  When we do, we will find that God is always there to encourage us.  Living by faith is looking at everything in a positive way and trusting in the power of God, who loves us and wants the best for us.  When the 3 days came to an end, I  had still no clear direction for the next step.  I said Ok God will wait upon You for the rest of the week and see what is going to happen.  Then that evening Rania my daughter called. I shared with her what I was going through, I cannot go into the details of our consversation, but in the end of our chat she told me that I should stay & wait and see.  She said there was no reason for me to fly back to Belgium not even  for Christmas.  I never expected her to respond like that but it was obvious to me and very clear that God spoke through her. I t was so special, afterwards I had such a peace.  I made the choice to stay.
Yesterday we had Vicky’s farewell party for which I was involved for the baking.  It was a lovely time of fellowship and very tasty food cooked by Ian.  Tomorrow we shall visit the YEA campsite.  I am looking forward to this as it was still a basic plot of land when I went seeing it in February 2006. 

I’ve been approached by Brenda from TGIF for some cake baking for their Christmas event on the 19th.   Will be doing that for the 21st too, for  the NGO board members and YEA volunteers team their Christmas party at Ian’s.    Then next, on the 25th, the usual annual Christmas party at his place as well.

I spent a day with Grace last week the manager for VOW ( Vessels Of Worsip ministry)  We  put some thoughts on paper how we could fundraise for their concert on the 18th of January.  The location is a school between Wandega and Kisementi, near the Rwandan Embassy.  They are in charge for the overnight on the 31st at KBC.  So we concluded I could bake cakes, and sell them on the 31st and the 18th of January.  Combined with sodas and other snacks.  With some profit towards covering the costs for the concert.  We will also cater VOW on both days.  For the baking I always need to prepare myself the day before any event, and even if it is a larger quantity I share the work over 2 days.  So this looks like a programme doesn’t it?

The more recent news is that YEA is chasing a place to start up a coffeeshop.  So please pray for this new step and for the right place, as I am volunteering to be involved with..There was a place that looked to be an opportunity, but it was taken. I am sure God has a better place. 
 
Then the other thing a few people have asked me is if I could teach them French,  which I would need to buy books for and copy the lessons etc… I have not responded to it, as people have busy lives and to get the students together for one evening won’t be easy. It is something I am thinking about, so if anyone has a comment for that please share.
 
I think this is all until  next year. 
 
May God bless you all in this advent season looking forward to the next coming of the Messiah!
 
Much love

Ingrid Verbiese