the @childrenscup back-to-school project [an interview with @danohlerking]
While on a mission trip to Uganda, I saw a message scribbled with chalk on a door. It said, “No education, no future,” and continued, “with education dreams com true.” I don’t think I realized right away how much that image would impact me. We live in a country where education is not only a [...]
on @childrenscup [an interview with @danohlerking]
I’m always honored to talk to people who are working to help kids have a better chance at life. Dan Ohlerking is one of those guys. He’s the Internet Campus Pastor at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA, but he also works with an organization started by his missionary parents called Children’s Cup. He’s really pretty amazing [...]
the back-to-school supply list
My son starts school in the third grade this week. That means we’re checking our lists to make sure that he has everything he needs. I was looking at the supply list from his school, and thinking about the things he’s required to bring. This is the list for his grade level from the school’s [...]
how to help [dying kids in africa]
2,000 children die from malaria every day. That’s 83 children every hour. With every minute that passes, another child or two dies. Would you believe me if I said it’s possible to end all malaria deaths by the year 2015? It’s true. By getting involved and mobilizing the people around us, we can save millions [...]
@fivetalents tanzania program featured on @bbc one
Five Talents has been featured as charity of the month on BBC One’s Lifeline program. See the 10-minute broadcast right here… Lifeline is the BBC’s monthly television charity appeal program. In May, Five Talents was the selected charity. For more than 20 years, Lifeline has helped raise money for and increase the profile of hundreds [...]
[the africa diaries] day fifteen: headed home
Waking up this morning I couldn’t wait to get home! While I tried to enjoy my last few hours with the team, my mind was already wandering home. At breakfast we all talked about how wonderful this experience was, while I (as the team chaplain) challenged them to not let it end here. What would we [...]
[the africa diaries] day fourteen: back to kampala
Mission accomplished. Our work is done, and we now begin our journeys home. First the long drive across Uganda from Kasese to Kampala. Then after our last night our team flies together from Kampala to Nairobi to London where we part ways and I board my flight from London to Miami then on to Tampa. [...]
[the africa diaries] day thirteen: our last classes
Our last day of teaching ended up being one of the hardest days for me on this trip for several reasons. Some of it was related to the obvious realization that our time was nearly up on this incredible journey. While I was anxious to get home to my family, there was part of me [...]
[the africa diaries] day twelve: teaching in uganda
You’ve probably never heard of Rwesande. In fact, you won’t even find it on a Google Map. It’s in the area of Kasese up in the Rwenzori Mountains. Based on the roads that we took to get out there, I’m not surprised that I can’t find this place on a Google Map. But after a very [...]
[the africa diaries] day eleven: a walk in the clouds
Her story rocked me, and still hits me hard today. But more than her story, it was her attitude and resilience that stood out most. Getting out to meet the clients is exciting because we get to meet them where they work. This part of the trip in Kenya was pretty eye opening for me, [...]
[the africa diaries] day ten: the road to kasese
It was a beautiful morning waking up in Kampala! Wow… It feels weird saying that even now. It was (and still is) hard to believe that I was there. The day was fresh, and I was anticipating some cool experiences as we made a few stops and hit the road for our ultimate destination of Kasese. Our [...]
[the africa diaries] day nine: headed to kampala
Leaving Kenya and flying to Uganda was the biggest thing on our agenda for this day. I have to admit that it was tough leaving my new friends in Kenya. Because of the great distance, I knew that it wasn’t likely that I’d see most (if any) of them again. Yet, their impact on my life is etched on [...]
[photo journal] everyday life in uganda
[the africa diaries]. You can also check out the complete set of everyday life in Uganda on Flickr.
[photo journal] everyday life in kenya
[the africa diaries]. You can also check out the complete set of everyday life in Kenya on Flickr.
[the africa diaries] day eight: a retreat to remember
Good morning Mount Kenya! The picture above was the view through the front door of my tent as I woke up in the morning. As the sun was rising enough to light up the sky, it still had not risen enough to creep over the top of Africa’s second highest peak. We got up early so that we [...]
[photo journal] children of africa
[the africa diaries]. You can also check out the complete set of children of Kenya and Uganda on Flickr.
[the africa diaries] day seven: wrapping up business in kenya
She walked up to me as I was setting up for my morning session, shook my hand, and simply stated, “I am Alice.” We laughed about that for a moment, but I never realized that this was about to be one of the most powerful moments of this trip for me. In order to understand [...]
[the africa diaries] day six: starting with the next group
I was finally an accomplished missionary! Well, at least in my mind I was. After all, I had just finished my first full sessions with one of the churches in Kenya, and now I was off to another. I knew that this next group that we were about to work with would be different, I just [...]
[the africa diaries] day five: finishing with our first group
Finally! Today is my day to teach! Well, at least for half of it… Day two of our lesson plan calls for two important subjects. First up was the financial session. In this session we covered such basic, yet critically important, topics like keeping your business and personal money separate, and how to create a budget. [...]
[the africa diaries] day four: first day of teaching
Here we go… This is what we came for! Our first day of teaching has arrived! And one of the first things that I learned today was that schedules (time) in Africa are very different than they are back in the States. I think that our start time was supposed to be 9:00 AM, but it [...]
[the africa diaries] day three: visiting the clients
This was the big day that I had been waiting for! Today our plan was to meet with the people at the offices of Thika Community Development Trust (TCDT). They are the Five Talents partner that runs the local microfinance program. After that, we were going to go out and meet some of the existing program clients… [...]










books, community, and social justice: [february 2011 top content]
I love looking at my analytics and learning more about what people are picking up and reading around here. I always learn a lot about what’s resonating with people, and sometimes renew a passion for certain topics that I may not have thought about in a while. This month, I definitely see some trends in [...]
Mar 07, 2011 | Categories: connect, engaged in culture, reviews, the latest | Tags: #icorphan, africa, analytics, bible commentary, books, community, justice, lists, malaria, mark, marriage | 2 Comments »