Entebbe Airport experience.

Hello family and friends.

Hope all are doing well.

Here is a little update of my adventures in Uganda.

kampala was amazing, I had lost my ability to make decisions coming from 8 months in Beni to a huge town like Kampala.

But I got some delicious ice cream, food and some much need pool time.

K enjoy the photos and video.

at this point they said they had it contained... hmmm

watching people walk around like nothing was going on was entertaining, (don't mind the huge flames of death behind you.)

(Ralph Laurn?)

Brandon and his faces, and his mustache is gone as well.

I know don't judge me, it is gone now as you can see above.

This is the pool overlooking Cassio lodge in Kampala.

Ok so I know that i had a ridiculous mustache, It is gone now to the joy of many others

But where and world can you grow a mustache and not be judged?

Exactly! I knew you would see it my way...

But seriously all i could do was laugh about the fire. No one was hurt, just another day in Africa.

I am doing well. classes are underway again for me and going well.

I just gave another assignment for my students and this time they are doing a skit/ sketch of around the house and we had a role reversal. This should be interesting. Most of the students are not too sure about it but i can't wait to see.

As some of you know here the roles for women and men are very different.

I believe that it is important to change the stigma behind that. Not that this assignment will, but also to hopefully change the perception of some students, for the better.

Things you can pray for:

• For students and staff
• The Forest Hill Church team coming in January
• The Town of Beni, and for corruption to end
• And for the Fruits of the spirit

Thanks for the support and prayers always.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

Kampala, Uganda

Hey folks Moose here.

So I am in Kampala Uganda for a little break from Beni Town in DR Congo.

This place is really amazing. I look around and I see how people are talking and interacting and it is sometimes hard to think that I am still on the same continent of Africa.

Kampala has so much to offer and it is a bit strange when everyone understands you and doesn't stare at you like an alien.

But I have been able to relax and eat some delicious food, sleep in, and swim in some amazing pools. Pictures will come later of one of these amazing pools.

One of the pools i went too reminds me of Wilderness lodge at Disney World. A while back my family went the the lodge and stayed for a week. amazing pools and just cool outdoor lighting.

But since i have been here i have been really being a lazy bum. I am staying in the same compound as a friend of mine that I went to AppState with. Her name is Jill she teaches second grade here at a school just down the road. She is a great host and is escorting us around the city.

The food that we have had has been amazing. oh and ice in my drink has been a whole new experience. You really don't think about things that you take for granted until you have been in a situation where you don't have those things. Then enter into a place that just blows you away and it is a bit overwhelming. a lot like drinking from a fire hose.

The first night we were here we went to this place called Lotis Mexicana, nice little Italian place... haha kidding. The chips and salsa were delicious, and the Chicken enchiladas were even better. We didn't have to wait 2 hours to get our food and it was hot and hit the spot.

We also tried out a place the other day called New York Kitchen. The pizza and milkshakes are amazing and a great place to just sit and feel like your in another world. I also found out that Lotis and New York Kitchen are owned by the same person. A little taste of america in Uganda.

The Pool experience was amazing, this hotel we went to after playing an interesting game of volleyball on a slanted grass court had an amazing view of Lake Victoria and the Kampala City. The pool was amazing. I didn't realize how rejuvenating a pool could be for me. But needless to say i am still on the pool hunt here in Kampala, we found one the other day that is amazing that we are going to spend most of the day at on Thursday.

So things are going well here, getting some great rest and just hanging out. Trying to recharge my batteries. Doing an ok job so far. Thanks for the awesome prayers and thoughts.

Things you can be praying for:

• My head and heart and my job in the DR Congo
• Discernment and wisdom
• the Fruits of the spirit in our home and in me.

Hope your all doing well.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

Ummm... is it really December?

Hey friends and Family

I am really getting bad at this whole Blog thing.

I just wanted to let you know I am still alive and kicking.

I am amazed to look at my calender and see that it is December, i feel like i have stepped into a black hole. Time is flying by here.

I wanted to put up a few photos that Brandon and I had taken.

also to just keep you in the loop on G Haun.

I am doing ok things are still busy, and classes are going well.

I am taking a break soon, I am going to Kampala for a week to just rest and find a pool.

A friend from App-State is working and living there she is helping us find cheap free places to stay. But My head and heart are so ready for a short break.

Thanks for the amazing prayers that are flowing over this place and my head.

I can feel them daily.

also I just wanted to let you know that I am in communication with UWM(United World Mission) and the Nepal team, I think when my time is done here I am going to be helping produce and film a highlight spot for UWM and the UWM team in Nepal.

What i know now is that God is doing amazing things with their team and fruit is clearly being grown there, and my job is going to be helping get that documented.

when I know more I will let you know.

But you can be praying for funds and the right equipment and ideas to flow like milk and honey.

experimenting with the bulb on the Camera.

Trying to make lunch with 100 kids around not a good idea.

I like throwing things I can't help it.

I love this shot makes me smile, I love these kids.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Blessings on you all.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

Hold on tight! Here we go again...

My buddy Brandon has safely arrived.

Dr. Kasali on Opening day at UCBC.

Our New flag the waves fiercely in the Congo Wind.

It is standing tall on top of our new welcome Center.

I am sorry for it being a month since I have posted last.

Things are going well, Classes are underway and starting well.

I am going to be teaching a Conversation class, I am not sure of details of my communication course yet but I believe that will be happening again.

UCBC staff is returning and making the staff room a little more full. It does do my heart good, Most of you know me very well and know that I like being around a lot of people.

Our home which we call Nyumba ya Amani (House of Peace) is filling up and is filled with more laughter and happiness. Community is building, and God is working in me. He is doing great things.

I will be Honest, I am in a low patch right now. I have a lot on my plate and I know that I have to trust God even more when it gets to that point. You can be praying for my head and heart and that I can continue to shine for Christ no matter what.

I would definitely say that I am in a refining period. God is sticking me in flames, the white hot heat (for all those blacksmiths). I love the definition of Refining it is simple:

To Remove Impurities or unwanted elements.

I so need that and my human nature wants to run away and not look at my self and challenge my self with what God is putting in my path. It is a difficult thing to do. But I know it is of God and it is going to make me a better man, brother, friend and someday a husband and father.

well that is Grant Michael Haun being transparent. I think it also helps me to do write this too you so you know how to better pray for me. God is doing big things and I need to run to him and not away from him daily. I sometimes think it is a sprint, but I need to think more of a cross country race.

I hope and pray that everyone is being blessed daily.

I am really being stretched and I am so excited to know that God is developing me.

Other things you can be praying for:

• UCBC staff, right teachers, enough teachers
• Clear communication
• Community for staff and students
• Continual support and fund raising for Student scholarships
• For the Fruits of the Spirit to grow in this rice Congo setting

Thanks for being a great support team

Much love

FROM

THE

M O O S E in A F R I C A

A snap shot...

So here are a few shots of what is happen around here. I have been enjoying some rest before the next semester of classes start, i have been running, working out have great fellowship with students and learning so much. It is Crazy to think that i have now hit my six month mark. well i have on my visa, I am currently getting a new one. But it does mark the longest I have ever been our of the country. Well honestly i hit that mark after 17 days of being here. hahaha But some would consider Boone, NC to be a different country at times. So here are a few shots, more will come soon. I am going to try and load as many as I can.

Doesn't look like much right now, but this building will add sixteen more classrooms and a radio station and eventually a amphitheater that will seat 1600.

God really does favor us at times. well always but sometimes we are paying attention, These are the Rwenzori Mountains that we share with Uganda. The Sokomutu (Gorillas) live close to these. I love that I get to wake up and see the mountains even here in Congo.

The construction is a breathing growing organism. This is going to be the welcome center.

I love the detail on the outer edge that my camera picked up.

You know the moons made out of cheese. haha that is all i could think as i took this one.

The Queens of Africa... I don't know how they do it but i am pretty sure if women of Congo stopped doing what they do, life would stop here in Beni.

I see this little guy everyday that I walk into school. Always smiling. This day he was walking to get water.

This is one of the side roads coming from Matongé, it is a market where we get the obscure things such as Peanut butter, and cokes, and a few other tasty treats.

This was in a church this little girl was pondering while looking out the widow. I snapped this before she noticed me, after that the window wasn't as cool as the Muzungu (white guy) sitting behind her.

So thanks for the continued amazing support and prayers. Jesus is alive and well in DR Congo and I am doing very well. Tomorrow I start teaching English classes. I am helping teach conversation English. oh my favorite part watching movies in English so the students can start to understand different speeds and accents. My heart is doing well. People are starting to return from the states and students are coming back into town. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well.

Prayer request:

• UCBC, staff, students and teachers.
• For safety of everyone return for the next semester.
• My boss Kevin Mason and Brandon Holmes are coming in this month, on the 23rd. Pray that it can be a a smooth transition for Brandon, and continue to lift him up.
• Beni, DRC. This place is changing rapidly, pray that the right government officials are put in place and that the corruption that is here starts to move away or end.
• and you can pray for my head as I start teaching and doing some more videos for UCBC. and the strength to keep loving people, no matter what.

K thanks for being a awesome support team. talk to you soon.

IN HIM

G R A N T M O O S E H A U N

Simple is Best...

Hey there folks hope and pray you are well. It has been a while since i have update the blog... But I am doing very well. I am still here in the Congo it has been very quiet but great. I have been able to work on my quiet time and prayer time with Jesus. My relationship with the students and more of learning about Congo, and a side note (I have also been able to work on my handstands, it is going really well.) The students are on break for about a month more. I have been working on stories for Congo Initiative, it has been going well. We are in a program called Kipepeo which is butterfly in Swahili, They are raising support for the scholarship funds for the students. You can pray that God spreads the word about UCBC and that it finds some great supporters.

So i have also loaded a video or two onto my Facebook page. It is really difficult to get videos online here but a few were able to go through. One of them was a video the students help me do. It is how they want to change their world and that they are not here at UCBC only for themselves but for their community. He is preparing these students for something great and I am proud to say that I have been a part of that. God is alive and well in the Congo and is getting ready for the start of a new year of teaching.

So recently i after returning from Budapest I have started running, it has now been grafted into my work out that I do here. It is interesting. for the first time in my life I have a desire to run. And believe me it is still weird for me to be saying that. I mean coming from being a thrower and living by the motto "Why run and puke when you can throw and eat!" is a huge change, But Congo is changing me in every way of the word. I do believe that it is a journey that God has me on and it is a great journey. Honestly sometimes it makes me want to skip to the end of the book or movie just to get a preview of what God might have up his sleeves.

I have been here for almost 5 months now and it has flown by... really I am asking my self where has it gone. I can only imagine what it is going to be like when my time here is finished and i look back at all that I had done and just sit or stand or whatever it is that I will be doing and be amazed. I really am learning to just be and as a friend of mine recently told me "don't wish it away, you will be back before you know it, and your in a pretty amazing place." So that is one thing I am working on.

As for the others I am working on. I have read through the Gospels and they are great, I am thinking I am going to read through them again. I am pretty sure they are like a good movie that you could just watch over and over again. Well i guess in this case a good book that you can read over and over again. But as most of you know I am a movie minded person. But back to what I have been working on: I have been thinking a lot about the men in the Bible that Jesus called to do works and how they got those done. Is it something they realized during or not until they had finished what ever it was they were called to do. The Holy spirit is something really special and is one thing i believe we will never fully understand. But It moves when God says move. I also have read the story of Samson the last few days and it really does get me fired up. I just love the story of this man that was the muscle for God(not that he needed a man to do it) and was willing to be used for anything. another side note. I have decided to grow my hair until i return to the states. As of now it is close to the longest it has ever been. So we will see if i am blessed with super natural strength. But if not, it is all good because I know God has something else special for me. Finally i have been thinking about how sometimes we get so caught up in trying to think like a philosopher or like a great mind of our time, But i realized that a lot of us have forgotten how to think like a child( at least I have). We think we are being more Christ like by explaining things that are difficult or using big words, but sometimes i find the best answers are from children, they think simple. We love the idea of make more work for ourselves. Sounds strange like that because your probably saying " no i don't why would I want to do that" But I think we tend to make more work so that we feel that we have done something with our life, we can feel some sort of completion because we can look at all the great things we said or did. But I read from another great book Called Streams In The Desert say "sometimes living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone." Think simple and think like a child.

SO there you have it what has been going through the mind of the Moose in Africa. I truly am blessed. I have an amazing support team, and amazing friends and family that care for me, and on top of that all an AMAZING God that loves me for who i am.

Things you can be praying for:

• UCBC- to get the right people and staff in place to educate these students.
• for the leadership here that it can be blessed and given wisdom and a passion for the Congolese people.
• For my buddy Brandon Holmes I think he is going to be here in October. Pray that he can be encouraged and know that he is raising funds for the furthering of the kingdom.
• For the travels of staff members coming back into town from the states where they have been raising funds.
• A shipping container or crate that can be filled and sent with supplies and equipment for the new building that is coming together.
• My heart and mind that i can stay focused on what is in front of me and not what is behind me and what Christ has for me.

K that should do it for now. But i do hope and pray you are all doing well. Thanks for being great and supporting the M O O S E IN A F R I C A.

PEACE,

GMH

The Moose is Loose in Uganda and Europe

A cool shot in one of the many Huge churches in Budapest.

I like low textured photos. i know, weird.

This was an amazing sunset while we were cruising on the Danube.

The Parliament at night.

Lions guarding the entrance to Castle Hill.

Castle Hill at night

One of nine bridges that cross the Danube, this one is called the Chain bridge.

An amazing Bath house, many of these were spread out through all of Budapest.

One of many monuments in Hero Square

Hanging out at Lake Victoria the Largest Lake in Africa.

The Roads of Uganda are no match to the Roads in Beni. So nice to be on real roads

Trying to be artistic and enjoying the 8 hour car ride to Kampala and Entebbe.

This was such an amazing trip. I have hundreds more photos if you want to see them on Facebook. But Thanks for your support and help, God provided and I was able to go and enjoy this time. His timing is perfect, it was a great get-away and a time to recharge, mentally, spiritually, i wish i could say physically. But it was worth it. I am pretty sure i walked over 50 miles or more while I was there. It was great to see other UWM teams from all over, 17 different countries were represented. We had some amazing prayer time for our fields and for the families that are involved.

But just a quick update on The M O O S E , now that I am back i am giving my exam. I have one student that is taking it today because she is leaving to get married. The rest of my students are taking it tomorrow morning. Pray that they will not be tempted to cheat and do it on their own. My heart is doing well. God is giving me Peace and is blessing me more than i deserve but I guess that is how it goes. I will be teaching some english classes and I think a frisbee class. Pretty excited about that. I pray that the next few months here are a time for me to grow in areas that God is talking to me about and really hear from him.

Some of you might know that Forest Hill church is going to be sending a team here in October. I am very excited about this, not just because My home church is sending a team but my parents are going to be on the trip as well and I am excited for them to see what i have been doing and to see my life for this year. I would love for you to pray that everything comes together and gets worked out. I know there is a substantial amount of money that has to be raised to bring the whole team here. I know they are sending out letters of support and prayers. So if you know of anyone that is interested in supporting a short term mission trip to the DR Congo. Let me know and i can get you in touch with the right people. But I know that if they are supposed to come God will provide like he always does.

Things you can be praying for:

• Brandon Holmes, my buddy he is still in the states raising support and getting things ready to come. He will be joining the October team from Forest Hill and staying here a year as well and teaching economics and business stuff.( i will find out exactly what he is doing at some point)
• My family, Yesterday was my youngest nieces birthday and next week is my brother-in-laws birthday. and for my parents as they are raising support to come here and see what God is doing. My brother is still working unbelievably hard and that God can bless him for his servants heart and hard work.
• My head and mind and that God is working in me and i can work hard and do what God has called me to do. and to do it with a happy heart because I am not doing it for man but for God. (at times it is easy to forget that.)

Thanks for the amazing prayers and support as always, my prayer to you is that God is blessing your families and giving you peace. Go read psalm 105:1-5, and Zeph: 3:17 some great verses that i am really trying to understand and believe.

Also just a quick note from the devotional i am reading:

when a shipbuilder erects a boat does he do so only to keep it on the scaffolding? No, He builds it to sail the seas and to weather the storms. In the same way, when God made you a believer, He meant to test you. And He gave you promises and asked you to trust them, He made His promises suitable for times of storms and high seas. Do you believe that some of His promises are Counterfeit. His word of promise is meant to be tried and tested. There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for his people to publicly profess Him and then not use Him. He loves for us to make use of HIm, for His covenant blessings are not simply meant to be looked at but should be appropriated. Our Lord Jesus has been given to us for our present use. Are you making use of Him as you should?

God has promised us a lot and it is amazing to see that promise/promises come true. and to be blessed by that. I am really trying to understand what that really means. It is a lot for me to swallow. God is perfect in His time and I will understand when I need to.

K thanks for being a great support team.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

IN HIM

I am a Storyteller, my father is a storyteller, and my fathers father was a storyteller...

This is Munguanenzo Madjeo (story to follow)

I think you get the point. Sometimes it takes a little bit of a journey to find what God is called us to do. Sometimes that Journey is long, short, and every other direction but the right one. But God has a whole bag of tricks of how to tell you what you are called to do for a season. My head and heart are doing well. I am grasping on to God and being silent and listening to him. This thursday i am have asked my house to have a silent day and not talk for 24 hours. For some this will be very difficult but I wanted to challenge them to do something they would normally see as not that important. So i would love to extend the same invitation at some point in your near future to try and be silent. For some it my be easier and you will have the time to be silent. But it is a time that i have done before and have heard many things from the Lord. It is just a different way of communicating to the Lord how much we love him. Give up words for a day to hear what he might be whispering.

Ok so that is what I have been thinking about spiritually lately. But My mind has been busy with stories of UCBC, and stories of Congo that are changing this place. I have been doing interviews with students that have something to share. The picture that you see at the top of the page is Munguanenzo Madjeo. He is one of my students in the communication department. and this is his story.

In the DR Congo being a student is a gift. I came here to serve the CI- UCBC; Congo Initiative - Christian Bilingual University of the Congo to learn and to help others learn. My family reminds me all the time that I am a storyteller, hearing and experiencing events in life and sometimes retelling, sometimes broadcasting them with pictures. Many times a storyteller embellishes to make the point stronger or seem more powerful, clever, even more gripping. The stories that I relay here are the most powerful ones I have ever seen and they are the real stories of these Congolese people. They are not written with embellishments, they are not told to exploit these private people. These people have so little yet hold so much hope. It is clear to me for this season that I must be a part of telling some of their stories.

This country has been robbed of many of its natural resources, its direction, purpose and in many cases it does look hopeless. There has been no clear path out of the day-to-day survival, and certainly no clear road to any form of higher education. This is where CI-UCBC comes in. A dream sprouted to educate people, to help them live better and at the same time add spiritual truths and Christian values. The prayer is that they might see and learn that hope is alive again in the heart of Africa. There are true stories of death, famine, civil wars, broken families, and children that are being used, and abused. In the Town of Beni in the North Kivu province there is a new force at work. Students at CI-UCBC are telling their stories. These stories are being used and cultivated to be the mouthpiece for God, for transformation.

His name is Munguanenzo Madjeo it means; God has given Peace. He is in the communication department here at the university. He says that the peace God gave him is not only for his name, for his family but also for his country. He knows his name means what he must do. We are the same age, 23. Yet he has experienced a type of life I cannot even imagine. His father left him and his family, when he was very young. He does not know how many brothers or sisters he has. He thinks there may have been be 8 or 9 children. Madjeo grew up in Nyankunde in Ituri, Northeast DRC, here he started primary school and eventually started secondary school (equivalent to High school) but was only able to complete one year due to outbreak of wars and then civil wars. He lost many family members in the war as well as everything he and his family owned. He became a painful victim of this war torn country. I can see the pain in his face as he retells this story, and then he reminds me of this name; God has given Peace. He smiles. At age 16 Madjeo and his family were running for their lives through the bush. He didn’t know if they would live, would have food, would have any place to survive. He told me “God was with us.” He smiled as he told me “God really protected us” He provided food for them to eat, he provided cover for them to hide in and keep them safe, he was amazed at how God watched over them. They spent a total of two months on foot travel and hiding in the bush. The rebels were in pursuit of anyone that didn’t join them. These groups still exist today in the Congo. The APC, IPC, UPC, and one call themselves the Effacer, which means to clean or cleanse. These rebel groups were fighting against the Congolese army and the UN. Madjeo and his family for those two months ran, hid and traveled more than 80 kilometers to a town called Mambasa. They stayed there for three years. Madjoe was able to start school again. Then he moved to Oicha, a small town located in the North Kivu. In Oicha he had two more years of secondary school and finally received his state diploma. He did not think about studying more nor did he know he would have the opportunity.

Oicha is only 16 Kilometers from Beni. Madjeo had family he was going to visit in Beni. His Aunt told him there was a school there. Madjeo believing God had protected him from the rebels helped him land in different cities to continue his schooling now finds himself in the town of a new University. He believes all this time God was preparing him for UCBC. Madjeo has been in UCBC for two years. His life has begun to change. He began learning something at UCBC he never experienced in other schooling. He found his prayer life increasing and asking God if the University was something that he was supposed to follow. He told me that there is no doubt in his mind that it is and was Gods will that he be at UCBC.

Now that he is in University he looks back at primary and secondary school and says that it was a time of darkness. He was studying for himself during this time and not for God. He didn’t know what God was doing, he didn’t think he had anything left to offer his country, he didn’t see the light. He says his eyes were open because of UCBC. He noticed his spiritual life increasing everyday, and he says still is. He told me three times how thankful he was for Dr. David Kasali, director of UCBC and his course called Congo Realities. This course made Madjeo mad about what was going on with his country. This gave him passion to do something about it and make a decision for public interest. He was tired of sitting and doing nothing. Now he is studying communication and believes that communication is power. Every relationship, every friendship and every thing he is going to be involved in is affected by communication. It is the building block of every relationship. He said with emphasis “ Without communication you have no power”. I believe him. The main reason he is studying now is because ultimately he wants to be able to communicate effectively the ideas he has for his country.

Madjeo has had a difficult time at UCBC, things don’t always go smoothly here but we do get the joy of reminding ourselves that it is God who is in charge. Madjeo mentioned to me that one of the biggest challenges is the fact that the condition of life in the Congo makes it difficult to be able to study efficiently. He loves and wants to study so badly, he sees and understands the vision but the school fees are difficult for him to pay. He doesn’t always know where the money is going to come from but he has faith and knows that God wants him at UCBC.

God has been teaching him to love people and to serve others. He believes that for him to be a great person and a great leader he needs to be able to serve well, and work well. At UCBC the students are involved in a work program that instills a work ethic with a background of Christian values. He said that his work boss always works with them he doesn’t just tell them what to do but he does it along side of the team. He also mentioned how he wants to be known as a person who works hard. He knows that this work ethic is something that is growing.

His heart and mind are changing “God is preparing something great for Munguanenzo Madjeo.” God wants him to dream big and to do big things for the Congo. He dreams and hopes that people will see and know of his transformation, when they see how he serves. UCBC is a blessing to Madjeo and he is now able to learn and serve with God’s power. He tells me about his passion. When he is done at UCBC he wants to travel around the DRC and his community and go to churches and into society and spread the truth, a truth about being able to change.

I asked Madjeo if he could tell people who have no idea about Africa and his troubles today what he would say. “Our Country is going through some really tough and difficult challenges but yet we have hope, we have hope because of a source that is a blessing, UCBC. God is using this school to transform people and this place. We are being transformed to transform. That is why we have hope and you have hope with us as we believe that God can use us to change the country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

My hope is that you can hear the heart of this young Congolese and see that he has made a choice and is choosing to think positively. He wants to do what God wants him to do. He is the future of Congo and is going to change this country. I believe that. Pray for him. Pray that God will raise up funds and help to make many more stories like this come true in this land.

I hope you pray for all the students that i am interacting with daily, they all have stories like this and are changing their world.

Things you can be praying for me:

• my buddy brandon, that God speaks to his heart and lets him know what he needs to do and when he needs to come.
• for our home here in the Congo.
• The leadership of this country and for our University.
• Safety as we travel to Budapest Hungary for the Conference. and the return trip.
• For Justin and Bethany and Chelsie who are still in the states and are preparing to return soon.

Hope and pray that everyone is well, Be blessed and be encouraged about your personal story. It is a gift from God. Thanks for the amazing support. SDG

IN HIM

P E A C E from the M O O S E

The 4th of July on the 5th of July and no boom boom

Hey Beautiful people,

Just a quick note from the moose. Things are going well, It is really hard for me to see how it is July already and have been here in Africa for three months. The time really is flying by, I have been busy working on my class, and trying to put together profiles of all the students with head shots. I think the plan for that is to have them put up on the website and be able to see all the students and put a face to their name.

So this past 4th of july was interesting. I didn't realize how much I love the 4th and what fun and great family time it is. So what did i do on the 4th, well nothing really. I tried to explain to some of the students that the 4th of July is the same as the 30 of June for them, which is their Independence day, this was their 49th one. But all the American citizens do try and get together. The Embassy in Kinshasa had a big Celebration but being that it is 13 hours or more away by car for me I don't think i could have made it. But on the 5th of July we were able to have a great cookout with great food, with my buddies Justin and Zac we had the duty of cooking all the meat. We had beef and pork and it was soo good, maybe just because we cooked it our selves and the smell of grilling made us all think about being home and grilling with the family and maybe having an adult beverage. But that wasn't the case here, we drank orange Fanta instead which is more then good enough for me. The rest of the food that was prepared by mama Kasali she made some potato salad and some really good rice and green peas, not what you would imagine to be 4th of July food but for here it was PERFECT. I did miss the fireworks and watermelon, Hotdogs, and mac and cheese. I think if we had fireworks here the Congolese would have thought they were under attack. At least that is how Dr. Kasali explained it to me, I think his words were "people would be running around thinking they are under attack and on fire. It would be bad... ohhh bad." But we had a great time and played some games and just hung out with the american peeps sharing stories of previous shows we had see and how amazing they were and almost being blown up by a low firework and the smell of the black powder and sulfur. I am realizing that me being here a year is going to be strange for the holidays that I take for granted. Like the 4th and the long list of others. mothers day, fathers day, (thank you Hallmark) Easter, Christmas, new years, and my birthday. But I think i will be In Budapest Hungary for my birthday this year. I know right not too bad huh?

But I am thankful for all my experiences here. I know God is teaching me a lot, I can't see what the whole picture is yet but I am totally ok with that. It is allowing me to be fully reliant on the Lord and know that yeah those holidays are nice and full of joy but where does all that Joy come from, he says "IT COMES FROM ME" so as much as i miss those things I am here and having a different kind of Joy that is really filling me up on the inside and mending my heart, mind and soul.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day that was soo good for me to have, and hear from the lord through someone else. I am here to be a learner and to hear from the Lord in a way that is different and fresh, and to experience pain and sorrow and hurt that is all around us. Also to get dirty and do something with my life. It is no accident that things happen, we meet someone we go somewhere. At times things may seem to be going all wrong, but God knows our circumstances better than we do. And HE WILL work at the perfect moment, if we will completely trust Him to do it his own way and own time. And when ever my time is done here, it will be difficult to re-enter into a culture that, yes is different but unique in every way possible. God will make our obstacles serve His purpose, and those obstacles or mountains, people or things that threaten to block us in our spiritual growth only cause us to search and grow stronger. We might not understand that at first but one day you will be sitting thinking and realize you are so much better off with the hard times you went through cause you will see how God used it in your life.

It is easy for me to think that I am inadequate here, or not good enough to teach, but then i realize that i need to be praying for power equal to my tasks, God will equip me with what I ask. makes me think of a verse that my sister goes too a lot and I have been thinking about, But Matthew 7:7-8 ASK, SEEK, KNOCK. Go read it a few times.

But really THE M O O S E is L O O S E in A F R I C A and things are going really well.

Things that are coming up for me that you can be praying about...

• I leave the 26th or 27th for Uganda and then to Budapest for the Afro Euro Conference.
• I have only a few weeks left of teaching I am working on another quiz and preparing my exam for the final.
• Brandon my room mate and good buddy is going to be coming back with us after the conference in Hungary.
• You can pray for Bethany who is the assistant to Dr. Kasali and Justin who is also on staff here have both gone back to the states for a while to regroup and look for some more funds.
• You can keep praying for me and my time here that God shows and reveals himself to me daily.
• and for my impact here.

Thanks for being supportive and your prayers I really do appreciate the sacrifice, oh and also pray for the team that is going to be coming in October from Forest Hill. I pray that it is a productive trip, and safe. K well until next time.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

1.21 Gagigga watts

Hello people,  I feel like back to the future here sometimes. I am Michael J fox (Martie) and i had to go back in time and i have to help change the future.  I just need Doc and 1.21 Gagigga Watts.  

Just wanted to say a quick hello and try and post some pictures. Things are going really well here, and Jesus is keeping things interesting, and very exciting. The Build crew is here with the architect  and the framing of the roof is coming together smoothly, I have been going down and helping with them a few hours every day, I have been learning a lot form the builders and one older Gentleman name Bob aka "Bob the builder" He sure does run a tight ship, it is funny to see how the dynamics of the team that has come works.  I can always use a teachable moment and learn something new.  I will send some photos of the progress of the building soon. 

My class is going well, I gave my first quiz last thursday and the students freaked out cause of the length. I laughed to my self, thinking that I am a teacher. It is just crazy for me to see my self in this position.  On the whole the class is going well, we are starting to talk about editing and different types of editing.  They will be working with me on the next project for the University to produce a piece for the Scholarship program.  They have come up with some great ideas so far and i am looking forward to seeing how it will come out. 

I have had some time at our home here to pray and think and just listen, it has been an enjoyable time to just be, and hear from the Lord. Again i hope that you get a chance a few times a week to stop what you are doing and just BE! for my self when i lived in Charlotte I would go up to the airport over look and just watch planes land.  You know the funny thing here is that the air strip is just right down the road and i go sometimes to watch the plans land and take off. God does have a since of humor.  But use that time to pray and lift people up that you are thinking about and need to be prayed for, might be co-workers might be your children, might be your neighbors, and if might be someone you don't care for to much.  When I am at the University and i try to go out for a walk to have some quiet time, it always is taken over by children coming out from the tall grass, they must have a six sense around here for Wazungu! but I learn Swahili from them in my broken swahili as it is now, but just spending time with children and loving on them like Jesus would. There really is something about Children here the grab your heart and you don't want to look away.   I will put a picture of two particularly cute kids that are around here a lot.

Well Jesus is teaching me a lot, and keeping our spirits high here. I am learning to be fully reliant on God and it is very exciting. Blessings to everyone and I am going to have a post soon of just photos. Thanks for the prayers. 

P E A C E from the M O O S E

IN HIM 

Hi people of the world.

Hello beautiful people. 

Sorry for not updating as much as you would like. and I would like.  I wanted to share just a little of what is going on here and this upcoming month. It is hard to believe that it is already June.  Really the time here is flying by. But this month is going to be busy, in a great way. The Kasali's are coming back form their trip to the states. And another person (muzungu){that is a white person} is coming here from Goma to help with the Women's center.  The 16th or so a couple of guys are coming from UNC Chapel Hill to work and volunteer here for about 6 or 7 weeks. and just Before them a construction team is coming to help put a roof on the new building that is being built in unbelievable speed.  So great things are ahead in the month of June.  

Swahili classes are going really well, i am starting to understand most conversations that as somewhat slow.  It is very exciting. But I also wanted to tell you how amazing God is. I know some of you know that my camera (still Photo) was stolen. It might have happened at the University but really i have no idea. But God is amazing and in providing the tools that i need some amazing supporters heard about this and wanted to help.  I now have a Camera that is on its way here via the Kasali's and that way I can show you more of what is going on. So Not that i need to explain why you were not getting pictures but I just thought you should know that God provides when we least expect it.  

I know a few of you know the story that happened the other day while i was driving through Beni, but It is just too good not to share again.  It is a crazy small world here in Beni, DR Congo believe it or not. But I would love to know how certain things get here.  I saw a man walking that had on his head an Appalachian State University Hat, I mean i have seen the big normal schools that you would expect. But for APP STATE to be in Congo just blows my mind.  You will see the occasional brett number 4 floating around and some other big American Footballs jerseys, but you see all kinds Baseball, NHL, NBA, it just amazes me how things get here.  But I was happy and sad at the same time when i saw the App State hat cause i was happy to see it but sad to think i was not the first of a representatives of App State.  I have a look out with my video camera ready so i can ask the guy where and when and if he even knows what he is wearing. 

So I did finish Wild Goose Chase and it was great, I have been passing it around the house and people here have had a similar reaction in loving it. So I do hope that you have treated your self to a good read and bought it. I am about ready to read it again. But right now I am reading a book called Tribes.  It is a smaller book that is just about how we as humans gravitate towards some sort of tribe, we want to belong to something that is bigger than ourselves. It talks about people in History that are tribe leaders and how they had a vision and a God sized dream and went out and fulfilled that.  My Dad says that our family is a tribe family, I guess he was saying that we go to a different beat of a drum than most. But if you know us Haun's you probably already know that.  

I wish I had some thing else to tell you for right now but, God doing what he is doing and blessing this place in the Congo is sufficient enough for me right now.  I do hope to have a post of just pictures and on Facebook to get some things out that you just have to see. Hopefully one day in person.  But Thanks for the support and prayers. God is really working in my heart and I am tuning my ears to listen to him. The people that I am surrounded by here are great, the staff of UCBC is really an encouragement, I am very excited for the return of Dr. David Kasali so i can pick his brain and understand the heart and vision of this man. 

As for Prayers for the MOOSE:

• Continue to lift up my good buddy Brandon, he is at CIT and is loving it. God is speaking to his heart and is preparing him for an amazing road. 
• Pray for the travelers and visitors that are coming in this month, for safety and great time here.
• Pray for my heart as I am learning how to do things differently and really trying to be fully reliant on God all the time. I want to think no matter what " it is ok God is in Control" I am loving life here. so what ever you all are praying is working wonders.
• I have some friends that are traveling in Africa now. they are Charissa, anna, ashley, Brittany, and anna. 4 of them are in Kampala, Uganda serving for some time at a place that helps children and young women, called Empower a Child Mission, you can check it out here. http://www.empowerachildmission.com/Home_Page.php
• and the other one is in Malawi, she is working with an orphanage there that is really changing people and kids.  Pray for health and safety and works to have spoken through her. 
• The University is going well students are about to start preparing for exams, and then a break for summer. Pray that everything here gets taken care of with finances and this place is really blessed. 

I hope that you are finding time to stop and just be quiet and listen to what you might be missing.  as of recently I have been getting very excited and overjoyed with the thought of the God of the Universe is really caring about me. I am amazed every time i spend time and the feeling that mack talks about in the shack about when Sariyu is singing and he is overjoyed and feels it in his body, that is what I am feeling at times here.  I do hope and pray things are well. I will be sure to update you went I get some new pictures with the new camera. Blessings. 

P E A C E from the M O O S E

Wise words from a Wise man

Hello Friends and Family

Hope and pray you are all doing well.

 

Today is a great day, God has been speaking to me through a lot things here and it is an amazing experience.   I want to share with you one of things that he has been speaking to me.   My father before I left gave and charged me with reading this Book called “Wild Goose Chase” by Mark Batterson. I have mentioned this before to many of you and have even written about it on my blog, But this book really is speaking some amazing truth that I have missed.  And It tells me this: What we all have to say(tell others) may it be something hard that we have endured, survived, ridden out, come through, and even something we have loved, family, pets, funny story, Gods amazing grace and provision.   What ever it is, it is something we must share, (yes some of those things are meant for just you and God that is fine or someone who asks and is in need) But God brings us through things to learn something and we all have our own path that we take.  No path that someone else has taken has been like ours or will be like ours. Yes it might be similar but we are dealing with whatever it is because God is teaching us something. And are we listening? Are we paying attention when we come out of the fire like Paul did after his divine shipwreck and snakebite in Malta? Are we giving thanks to even when things are not falling apart because God is in whatever it is we are doing? SO with that all said of what I am thinking this is what spawned that thought process and really do your self a favor and treat your self to an amazing read that is short and simple. Honestly as soon as I am done with it I want to start it again and do it all over again.

 

This section is in a Chapter “Sometimes is takes a shipwreck” and a sub Chapter called  “A sense of Destiny”

 

“ The Church I serve as Pastor, National Community Church, may one of the most disoriented churches in the country.  That’s because 70 percent of NCCers are single twentysomethings who are navigating the quarterlife crisis.

            The third decade of life is full of spiritual, relational, occupational, and even geographical disorientation.  Twenteysomethings are making the decision they will manage the rest of their lives.  What do I believe? Who should I marry? What should I do with my life? Where should I live?  Those are tough decisions with lifelong ramifications.  And that is why the quarterlife crisis can be so disorienting.

            My cousin-in-law Dave Schmidgall was navigating some of those quarterlife issues a few years ago when we invited him over for dinner to talk through some of the decisions he was trying to make.  He was experiencing disorientation on all fronts.  He wasn’t sure what to do with his degree. He loved living in DC, but he was thinking about moving back home.  And he wasn’t sure where his relationship with is girlfriend would or should go.  We talked for several hours.  Then I prayed one of those unscripted prayers where you aren’t sure exactly what you’re saying until after you’ve said it.  “Lord, thank you that you want us to get where you want us to go more than we want to get where you want us to go.”

            We actually quit praying and started laughing when those words came out of my mouth because we weren’t sure what I had just prayed.  It took a minute to decipher the riddle, but once we did, we felt a tremendous sense of relief.  All the stress was taken off our shoulders when we reminded ourselves of this simple truth: God is for more concerned about your future than you are.

            We put so much pressure on ourselves, as if the eternal plans of almighty God are contingent upon our ability to decipher them. The truth is, God wants to reveal them more than we want to know them. And if we think one misstep can frustrate the providential plan of the omnipotent one, then our God is way too small.  Not only does God want us to get where God wants us to go more than we want to get where God wants us to go, but He is awfully good at getting us there. He may mot always reveal His plans how or when we want Him to.  But when we chase the Wild Goose, our future becomes His responsibility.  “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

            Do me a favor. Stop reading for a moment and take a deep breath. Now let it out.

            A deep breath recalibrates us physiologically.  It relaxes us.  The sovereignty of God has the same effect on me spiritually.  When I’m reminded that God is the one ordering my footsteps, it helps me relax.  God is in the business of positioning us in the right place at the right time.  And that ought to give us an unshakable sense of destiny even when we feel disoriented.”

                                                                                    --Mark Batterson—

So that is what I read today I think 3 times.  And the previous statement is how I feel when I read things like this.  The reason is because Mark was given an experience for others to benefit from.   Like our personal stories are given to us from God to help us get through something and also tell others what had happened. We all have stories that are these moments of revelation an AHH HAAA moment. Us being silent about what God is doing is at times hurting others from hearing something God needs to be telling them through us.  Put that in your pipe and smoke on it. What is God telling you to share with others that is going on in your life?

Thanks for the amazing prayers from everyone. Even if it a quick one when you think of Africa.  Blessings to you all.

Things you can pray for:

·      UCBC and to get materials they need still.

·      Brandon Holmes he is about to go to CIT for training and then to hear so pray that his support continues to come in.

·      Our team and our house.

·      For some of the students who have malaria, their names are Ralph and alfonz. They are still in the hospital.

·      Shanga Rosa she is not doing well health wise she is the older sister of Dr. Kasali

 

K until next time…

P E A C E from the M O O S E

 

Oh and do something different today just for the fun of it. Be spontaneous. Take a friend lunch or buy someone some food that doesn’t have any. And you might have to go out of your way but it will make your day.

 

 

OK for real final thought(s):

GO GET THE BOOK!

And “I think some of us want to know the will of God more than we want to know God.  And it short-circuits spiritual growth.  You can’t do the will of God if you don’t have the heart of God.  And that is where shipwrecks and snakebites come into play (Paul in Malta).  They don’t just get us where God wants us to go; they help us become who He wants us to be.”