Uganda Trip Summary

Blessings in Uganda

At the end of May I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Central Uganda with two friends and brothers from Seminary on a two week mission.  While in country we were able to build relationships with the people of the Ntutti and surrounding tribes, work with and train local pastors and church elders, work with the students training at African Hospitality Institute (AHI), repair water wells, mud homes and schools, and enjoy the beauty and culture of the “Pearl of Africa”.  It was encouraging to see the ministry which is ongoing in that region long after the three of us came home but it was equally encouraging to know that the partnership opportunity is long term.  Quality pastoral training is a real need in this remote area of the country and the pastors there are eager for us to return.  

Below you can read more about the region and the ministries which we partnered with during our time there.  Words cannot express my gratitude and thanks for everyones support and encouragement for this mission.  Please know that the people there are incredibly grateful for the gifts which we were able to share and send many thanks and prayers for their brothers and sisters in Christ back in the United States.      

Ekitangaala Ranch: African Hospitality Institute

Nine million Ugandans live on less than $1 a day, and most of these belong to households depending on subsistence agriculture.  Uganda is also plagued by health problems including high rates of malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malnutrition and infant and maternal mortality.  African Hospitality Institute Vocational Training and Guesthouse is located 70 miles north of Kampala on Ekitangaala Ranch, a working dairy ranch owned and operated by Cornerstone Development Uganda.  AHI was created in 2002 to provide vocational training to chronically poor and vulnerable youth; preparing them for employment in the growing tourism and hospitality industries in East Africa.  Students are admitted without regard to race, gender, or religion.  Tuition and salaries are sponsored by generous donations of individuals and organizations.  While at AHI students experience unity and teamwork in a caring community, build hope for the future by learning valuable restaurant, hotel and domestic skills, develop practical communication and leadership skills, and receive assistance in securing future employment.  AHI is a restorative community committed to following Jesus; bringing hope and opportunity through the sacred practice and vocational training of hospitality skills.  AHI promotes the dignity of man, respect for individuals and the freedom to make life choices in a community of trust, grace and peace.   

Green Means Go...

Thank you all for your ongoing prayers during our recent Church Planter Assessment Center (CPAC) process.  It was a very busy month filled with some wonderful opportunities for connection, self reflection, and encouragement.  Many of you know that as we pondering making this transition to Seminary we have had a strong feeling that we were being called to a church planting ministry.  Although this type of ministry is very rewarding, the challenges and sacrifices that it takes to start a new church can take a toll on the ministry staff, as such, the LCMS is very intentional about screening potential candidates and providing them support and training prior to entering the mission field.  Participating in CPAC was our first step in joining this track at the seminary.

I will give you a short overview of the process.  First, both Angie and I were asked to complete an extensive battery of personality and "gifting" inventories.  This was fun as Angie, of course, enjoys them! After the "at home" portion, we also participated in two in depth interviews (one "behavioral" and one "psychological").  We had some really wonderful assessors and although we were "under the microscope" greatly enjoyed their company and look forward to continue our connection with them beyond CPAC.   Our favorite part of the process was being paired with two other GREAT couples and given a demographic profile of an area where a church plant is being proposed.  It was our team job to develop an in depth proposal and present during the CPAC weekend.  We were so blessed by the process and really loved our team members....it would be a joy to work with any of them again in the future.

The weekend itself was short but full.  I was asked to preach two short sermons, we heard others presentations, and had some great networking time with church planters and mission executives from across the country.  There are some incredible things going on....we can't wait to join in.  The final step of the assessment was a feedback session.  During our session we were affirmed and encouraged in our calling and given the green light to continue on in the missionary development track with the intention of church planting upon the completion of our time here.  We are looking forward to continuing relationships with the people we met and doing some more intentional training in church planting.

We are so grateful again for you all, our extended family and friends.  During the CPAC process so many of the stories we shared involved many of you and all the lessons we have learned.  Thank you for your investment in our lives and the knowledge and love we have gained through our relationship with you all.  We would not be able to be doing this without you all.  Please know that we send our love, prayers, and thanks!

And remember....we are all called to GO and make disciples...where is God calling you today?

Here's to a New Year!

The 2011 Holiday Season came and went for the Walston family in a flash.  We were blessed to spend time with family and friends across the country and have traveled our fair share of miles both driven and flown over the past six weeks.  Along with the holiday bustle we have had some time to reflect on the incredible blessings we have received during our short time here at Seminary.

We began our holiday season with a drive to Iowa City for Thanksgiving.  We met Angie's mom and sisters at her Uncle David's beautiful home and had a weekend of catching up and fun.  David and Noreen were more than gracious hosts providing excellent accommodations, food, drink and entertainment.  The highlight of the trip was probably the creation of the "next big sport" coined Roller Hoop....it involves a hula hoop roll, may rules and point system.  It was our first break from St. Louis and seminary life as Bobby was on his quarter break.

We returned home to a quick start to Bobby's quarter (Hebrew in the morning and Greek readings in the afternoon) and Angie's end of the semester (lots of grading).  With the intensity of Bobby's study and class schedule it was decided that he would take a break this quarter from his on campus job while Angie increased her work hours at The Parenting Center providing grant writing and the development online parenting classes.  Bobby was also trained for the "snow removal team" in case of ice and snow (of which we have seen none yet...but I'm sure it is coming).  Bobby's brother Mark joined us for our last week in St. Louis, helped watch the girls while Angie finished up work responsibilities, and entertained us all.  We finally did the Budweiser tour during his trip here, it was shockingly interesting and historical!  We will bring you when you come visit.  It was a fast two weeks.

Christmas break provided us the opportunity to go home to Texas much to Maddie's delight.  We drove to Fort Worth as soon as Bobby finished classes and were able to spend 10 days at his parent's house (with one night at our friends Missy and Ben's).  It was a great return trip, and though we both shared some anxiety about heading home and wishing we haven't left, during our time there we continued to be affirmed that it had been time to leave and we had made the right decision.  Don't get me wrong, we miss Texas.  Our licenses and plates remain loyal, but it is clear that God has been leading us here.

We wrapped up our time in Fort Worth on Christmas Day and drove back to St. Louis.  We spent only two hours in our apartment switching out luggage and headed to catch a flight to Phoenix.  We enjoyed the dessert weather and getting to see family as well as our dog Kali, who Angie's mom has been graciously keeping while we are in student housing.  Maddie had missed her terribly and enjoyed following her around (though Kali may have had enough).  It was fun to see Angie's sister Shaina looking pregnant (baby Joshua is due May 16th) and spend time with her mom and sisters again.  Maddie enjoyed time with her Aunties in a special made princess tuladoo (tent/fort).  It was a special time.

We returned to St. Louis on January 1st, Bobby returned to class, Angie began prepping for the semester and we were blessed to find out that just as occurred last quarter, we received enough last minute Adopt-A-Student funds to cover our tuition and living expenses.  God is so GOOD!  One of our donors gave a very generous amount anonymously....if you are a reader of our blog please know that we came to tears with the news...you have been an answer to prayers.  These gifts allow us to remain taking out the minimum amount of loans, God continues to confirm how he works through the body to provide for his people.  Thank all of you for your prayers, words of affirmation and support, and financial gifts.  

As we embark on the next few months keep us in your prayers.  We will begin the CPAC (Church Planter Assessment Center) process next week with a set of psychological interviews and participate in the "retreat" the weekend of the 20th.  We pray for God's leading and guidance in this process.  Also, Bobby will be traveling to Austin the last week of February to attend the VERGE conference on church planting and missional communities, keep he and his fellow 8 students who are going on the trip in your prayers.  

Peace and Blessings and Happy New Year!

The Walstons

One Quarter Down and Missionary Formation Track

We are thrilled to report that Bobby has successfully completed his first quarter!  He passed his Greek Qualifying exam and joined the rest of his class in the tradition of jumping in the Seminary Fountain in celebration.  Although this two week break has been nice for us, we have all been passing around a head cold with congestion and coughing.  Both of the girls are on antibiotics for ear infections and Bobby and I haven't been sleeping much!  We had a long list of things to do during the break (including rest) but have only gotten through a few of them.  I am hoping that this second week of break is a bit more fruitful.  

Bobby was able to finish the initial screening and interview to join the Missionary Formation Track.  As most of you know, we are hoping to become church planters (establishing a new church and outreach) upon completion of seminary.  After completing an online questionnaire, Bobby met with the program director and was invited to continue with a set of screening instruments (I have to do some too :)) and we have been invited to attend a Church Planter Assessment Center (CPAC) in January. Bobby will potentially be going on a two week "class" in March visiting several of the church planting networks in Arkansas and Texas (he would get to see our friends) and attend a conference in Austin.   We are excited to begin this process and as for your prayers during our initial interviews and meetings.  You can learn more about the LCMS efforts in church planting here: 

I have been working on finishing up my classes for this semester and am excited that Maryville has asked me to create and teach a new course in Cognitive Development in the Spring.  This is exciting but a lot of work and reading for me prior to January.  I have also been doing work with The Parenting Center on grant writing and online class development...we are very close to launching the online classes.  I will be posting some free online class trials on Facebook if you want to be our guinea pigs!  Finally, I have been able to begin doing more individual consulting through my blogging and networking.  If you know of parents who are in need of some guidance please send them my way!  You can visit my blog at www.wordpress.c3parenting.com.

We are very excited to be heading to Iowa for Thanksgiving to spend time at Angie's uncle's home.  Her mom and sisters will be joining us and we look forward to family time and a break from St. Louis.  Perhaps we will even get to play in some snow.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and THANK YOU for all of your love and support.  God is good!

Seminary Family Updates

Hello to our Friends and Family! As a part of our seminary journey (and just our experience as a family) we have been trying to create ways for people to stay up to date with our lives.

 Many of you have been receiving our quarterly newsletter (which we will continue to publish and post here as well) but have asked for other ways to keep up to date. So here it goes! We hope that our honest reflections about seminary, family life, ministry and marriage encourage you and give you some laughs.

 Maddie recently told us "It is a great day when i have mine whole flamily". We couldn't agree more. Sometimes we don't have much, the world is busy, falling apart, and unkind. . .but we have a wonderful family of Christ supporting us, loving us and encouraging us along the way.

Thank you for being a part of our Flamily!

The Walstons