A Change in Call

Thank you for your continual prayers. I pray that you are having a wonderful summer and God is using you.

God has brought an exciting change in my life. It has been something that I have been praying about for many years and something that my parents have been praying for even before I was born.

In February while on Home Ministry Assignment in Ohio I was able to reconnect with one of my best friends. He and I dated while we were in college and God has brought us back together full circle. We knew that God had brought us back together for life but were unsure how all of that was going to work. Each time I spoke at a church service or home meeting my heart was torn because I knew that I was called to Uganda and that would mean being very, very far away from Tim. I gave it to the Lord, but honestly I was hoping that God would call Tim to go with me. I was wrong, I was trying to fit Tim into my plans, the plans that I thought the Lord had for me.

As Tim and I talked, we discussed how we wanted God to be first in our relationship, each other second and family to be third. The problem was I was equating Uganda as God, therefore putting Uganda before Tim. God showed me that it didn't matter where I was or what I was doing, it was just important that God was first and that I was obeying Him. God has changed my call. I have resigned from World Gospel Mission and will not be returning to Uganda to serve. Right now, I am to be where Tim is and later God will show us together where He will use us. I was happy and sad, I didn't want to go back to Uganda alone, but I was also very sad because I love Uganda and know first hand how much they need my help right now. I was frustrated because I didn't know how God could change my calling so quickly, so during that process I really prayed for God to show me and confirm to me that this was what He wanted. And He did, and I know I am exactly where He wants me to be.

God used His calling me to Uganda as part of the confirmation process. As I was serving last year in Uganda, I knew God was calling me to return. I obeyed, but in my heart I also felt I was giving up on marriage. Not that God couldn't work a miracle, but it would be more difficult since I was a world away. God used this experience to confirm to me that, "You obeyed my calling, now here is your gift." Secondly if I would not have been on HMA (deputation) Tim and I would not have been in the same place long enough for us to realize that we still loved each other. And lastly God confirmed through my support raising. I had hardly raised any new support, the little money I had coming in wasn't even covering my travel expenses to raise the needed funds to return. God knew all along. His timing is perfect and I praise Him for knowing just what we need even before we do.

As Christians we are commanded to "Go into all the world". The call is the same, but the location has just changed a little bit.

Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for Tim and me as we seek God's perfect timing for all things in our life.
2. Please pray for me as I seek to find a job in the Columbus/Circleville area.
3. Please pray for Uganda, that others would be called up to fill in the gap.

Thank you for being a part for my prayer and financial team! You are precious to me and I thank God for you!

MK's LOVE Soccer Too

Soccer is a big deal in Uganda. Our MK’s (Missionary Kids) love it just as much as they do and most of them are on the HIS (Heritage International School) teams. And of course Aunt LeeAnn had to be there to cheer them on.

Here are some pictures of them playing. I miss you guys already!!!

I'm Home

It is hard for me to say I'm home because Uganda was home too. Home for me can be many places, so for right now it will be the USA. But it will not always be, because God has called me to return to Uganda.

I hit US soil in Chicago with one missing piece of luggage and the other damaged, but praise the Lord nothing was lost. Even though we arrived later than planned into Kansas City, Missouri Thursday night, I still wanted to go out to eat at Jose Peppers (Mexican food).

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update you on my blog and the details of my arrival. As always I hit the ground running and we have been taking advantage of the nice weather. Dad had me helping build fence, as well as cut up the three deer that he shot.

Saying goodbye in Uganda was not easy. I was anxious to see family here in the US. But in all reality, I am at complete peace in Uganda because that is where God has called me to be. Jesus is the one who gives me that peace.

The first weekend of December I will head to Indiana to WGM Headquarters. I will meet with WGM's review committee to finalize my application to become a career missionary with World Gospel Mission. Then in January I will return again for training seminars. Immediatley I will begin the process of traveling around the US to visit all of you who have helped me both with prayer and financial support this past year. I want to "Thank You" personally face to face for the blessing that you have been to me throughout this last year. I want to share with you the great things that God is doing in Uganda and how God wants to continue to use me when I return. So I ask you to pray for me as I begin these travels to come and see each and everyone of you.

I would also ask you to pray about the possibility of me coming to share at your church, camp meeting, or even a small group gathered in your home. Any assistance in this way will help me to return to Uganda even faster. Uganda is so short handed right now that I hated to leave, but I knew that it was necessary so that when I returned I could stay and serve for a longer period of time.

I would love to hear from you! Here is my contact information to set up a meeting:

LeeAnn Owen

6500 SE Grindstone Rd

Cameron, MO 64429

816-390-4236 cell

leeannafrica@yahoo.com

Just another normal day...

Living in Africa, or any foreign country for that matter, requires the ability to be flexible and go with the flow. This week has been one of those weeks. Both the washer and dryer quit, the light in the pantry had a short, the back-up battery stopped, and we had two plumbing problems! But yesterday's happening had to be the funniest of them all.

As I was walking around downtown, taking care of a few items for the office and showing Michael Kelley (he is taking over the office when I leave) the ropes, my shoe fell apart! Yep, I'm walking along in the hot sun and the strap broke on my sandal! What else was I to do other than pick up both my shoes and start walking bare foot? Oh my! Was the cement ever hot! I think I burnt the bottom of my feet before I actually got into the shade of some of the buildings. I'm sure that everyone who passed me got a "kick" out of watching this Mzungu (white person) walking down the street without any shoes on her feet.


I stepped into a little convenience store and purchased the last tube of super glue they had. I kept on walking to the cell phone store, where I was heading to pick up the phone that was be worked on. The two girls working at the counter had huge eyes as I walked into the store. They said, "What happened?" All I had to do was hold up my shoe. I told them, "It's ok! I purchased some super glue and will glue it back together." Oh no, they would have none of that. One girl took off her shoes and gave them to me to wear and the other took me by the arm and said, "No, I am going to take you to someone who can fix your shoes right." So off we went. It was just across the street. The picture below is of the gentelmen who fixed my shoe. I was impressed with the process. But I really wondered if it would even hold. My shoes were just a pair of rubber sandals, but he sewed them, glued them, and they look great. His fee was only 1,000/= ($0.45) which I gladly paid. The girl who took me over to him was bartering for a lower price but I told her it was ok. This poor man was only trying to make a living for his family. You see this wooden box in front of him? Well, this is his business. He carries this box to and from work everyday. I would guess that you can find him in this exact spot every day as well.
This lady has her stand just beside this shoe repair man. I convinced her to let me take her picture by showing her the picture after I took it. The Ugandans love to see pictures of themselves.

Long Time

Truth be told, I have no idea where the time has gone. The good thing is my stacks in the office are dwindling but the bad news is I will be leaving soon. It has been an interesting last couple months. Electricity has been off and on, last time I paid workers it was in the dark. Yep, I pay half of them in the morning at 7AM and the others at 7PM, and it is dark at 7PM, luckily there was a flash light nearby.

I am feeling the stress of running out of time to get everything done before I leave. Yes, there will be someone else here to fill in, but I really want EVERYTHING in perfect over before I leave. I don't want the Kelley's to have to figure out my unfinished messes.

My parent's and grandma are coming to visit, that will be a blessing. They arrive here next week. Hopefully they can help me catch up on a few things too!

Can't wait to see you all, I will begin my travels in January to raise prayer and financial support. I would love to come and see you, so let me know when is a good time to stop by!

MK Day

Every couple of months I like to take ALL the WGM MK's (Missionary Kids) on an outing. Most of the time we just go to the pool, which everyone loves. But we had been waiting for a long time for the movie Ratatouille to arrive in Kampala so that we could ALL go and see it. We all loaded into the Prado and headed to the mall. Everyone with a drink and snack we were ready for the movie. After the kids played in the bouncy machine we headed for Ciao Ciao for ice cream. And arrived home just in enough time to go play football.

Happy Birthday!

Yes, I had a birthday. Those who knew that were asking WHY I hadn't put any pictures on my blog from it (so here ya go). I turned 31 on the 18th of August and the night before all the missionaries in Kampala suprised me by taking me out to Haandi, my favorite restaurant here in Uganda. Until coming to Uganda I had never eaten Indian food and I absolutely LOVE it!

Emily and Ashley entertained themselves by playing UNO until the dessert was brought out.

Just over a month ago a restaurant opened in the mall called I Love NYK (New York Kitchen). It has become a favorite for all of us because they actually serve cheesecake, milkshakes and bagels. Things that we could never get here until now.

Without Words

Ok, even I’m beginning to think I don’t do anything productive by looking at my blog, but I have to admit I think MOST (not all) of the things I do are pretty boring for a picture. Who wants to see me: 1) Handing out money for Africa Gospel Church ministries; 2) Counseling overseers on how they should be filling out their expense reports; 3) Waiting in lines at the bank; 4) Paying bills at MTN or UTL; or 5) Sitting at a desk looking at a computer. Ok, I give. Here's a picture of me sitting at my desk. :)



During the week you can find me doing any number of these things, but on the weekends one of our most important jobs as a missionary here in Uganda is to visit our surrounding Africa Gospel Churches. I try and visit a different church each Sunday morning to encourage not only the pastors but their congregations as well.

This past Sunday I visited Bukasa Wakiso. I was very touched when a lady came and thanked me for coming and for bridging the gap between Ugandans and Mzungu (white people). This is a truth I see every week. Just my presence speaks more than any words I could say. My willingness to worship with her, in her church was a love language to her.

That I would be willing to sit on a wobbly school desk, on a dirt floor, with no walls, spoke to her more than any words I could say. I continue to be humbled as to the ways that God uses me. It is nothing that I do or have done, just my willingness to be used by Him, wherever He sends me.

I was so impressed with these youngs boys playing the drum. They are so young but even the little one kept the beat perfectly. At one time there were even three of them playing it all at the same time.

"Let the children come unto me..." Matthew 19:14

Soccer Game - Uganda vs. Nigeria

The Olympic sized stadium filled with happy fans after Uganda scored their first goal.

As soon as the game was over and Uganda had WON, people started jumping out of their seats down to the field.

And more and more people came down onto the field.

It didn't take too long for the SWAT team to mobilize. They didn't have to use their weapons, but were prepared too if things got to out of hand. Honestly, if this is the type of riot that happened when Uganda won, I would hate to find out what it would look like if Uganda had lost.

Excursions with the Nephews – Part 2

Lake Mburu National Park is three to four hours southwest of the Kamapala. Just a little bit too far for just day trip. We braved it and made reservations with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to stay in some bandas. I wasn't expecting much and I was right, but at least it was a bed and a roof over our heads. The bathroom was a long ways away and oh, I couldn't get there anyway, there were hundreds of impala everywhere. Lots of memories and what you would expect about the true conditions in Africa. Baby Crocodile on Lake Mburu. It is hard to believe that this baby crocodile is already out on its own. We did see another large crocodile. Lets just say I wasn't at all disappointed that it was far, far away. It was absolutely huge and our boat was very very small in comparision.
Eland - The World's Largest Antelope

Our main reason for going on a walking tour was to see hyena. We walked and walked only seeing animals that we had already seen the day before while driving around. We wondered whether or not it was at all worth while. Almost back to the car, our guide spotted these Eland, they are very skittish and wouldn't let us get very close. Some Cape Buffalo were nearby as well and they made it known that they didn't like us in their pasture. I also saw my first crested crane (the national bird). It was way far away, but you could see it through binoculars.

Zebras - Are they not totally cool or what? This was the closest we could get to them, but I thought ten feet was a good distance. Zebras are very family oriented and stay together, even sometime adopting other families.

This Hippo gave us all a good scare, it popped its head up right next to the boat. A hippo can weigh up to two tons and are very mean animals when angry and could easily topple a boat if it thought you were a threat.

The Fish Eagle - They are everywhere along the Nile River and here on Lake Mburu.