So long, George, my friend

When I was in Uganda with Hesed Minstries this year, we made some good friends at Hesed as we worked together as a team. One of these fine people and respected friends was George Mayende. (That's George, in front in the picture, leading worship at a conference where we all worked together.)

To my great sadness, George Mayende, a faithful servant of God passed away on Sunday morning in Kampala, Uganda from malaria and further complications.

George was born in eastern Uganda near the Uganda/Kenya border and was 43 years old. He served with Hesed Ministries beginning in 1999 as the head of Hesed's music ministry that has been very effective in presenting the Gospel through traditional music and dance. George was happiest when communicating the Gospel through song. In addition to this ministry, George worked very closely in Hesed's orphan ministry. George had a deep passion for orphans, having grown up an orphan himself. In fact, his ministry and outreach to orphans is found in the number of children that have survived him - 19 children that included 7 of his own, 2 sons that he adopted after his brothers died, his late sisters' six children whom he provided for, and, most recently, four boys that he led to Christ to whom he had become a surrogate father.

George suffered a disabling hip accident as a toddler that left him crippled and in pain. He was disabled, but when it came to worshiping God, he was fully able. We remember in prayer his family and especially his wife, Topia as she assumes the the responsibility of care for all their children.

I was honored to meet and befriend this man from a small village in Africa who grew to impact so many in his own country as well as all of us so far away. George was an incredible man and we are really going to miss him.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas ... Vacation

Taking cues from the Christmas Vacation movie, we've added squirrels and attic adventures in our holiday memories. Yesterday evening, after some weeks' battle with galloping squirrels in the attic, Marty made yet another trip to the attic to search for their access. No squirrels spotted, but Marty misstepped on a joist and put his leg through drywall all the way up to his hip. Ouch! He's bruised, but fine. The ceiling in the game room upstairs has a huge hole and he narrowly missed the ceiling fan. We tried taping up the drywall, but about 15 minutes later we heard a weird sound upstairs and realized that now a critter could have access to the house through that hole! Fortunately, the noise was just the tape ripping loose. And more fortunately we figured that out before a squirrel found his way in. Marty screwed the drywall into the joist and covered up any small cracks. That might be as good as it gets before the houseful of family arrives for Christmas.

Sing with me now ... "Christmas is that time of year ..."
(That Spirit of Christmas sung by Ray Charles)

One ____ to Rule them All

Peter Jackson deservedly has made his mark in New Zealand. After the trilogy of Lord of the Rings, everyone is familiar with the fabulous sights of this beautiful country. And the country has latched on to the publicity. In newspapers, billboards and TV, the marketing for products centers around the famous phrase, "One Ring to Rule them All" - so fill in the blank with your product. One: phone, TV, air conditioner, whatever - it will "rule them all." The landscape does not disappoint this beautiful, rugged, mountainous, beach, sheep-filled country. Marty and I remarked as we traveled the countryside, "It's so Lord of the Rings!"

We only had enough time to get around the south island, flying into Christchurch; driving over the Southern Alps; winding down the west coast to see glaciers; into Milford Sound; Queenstown; the rugged southernmost coast with penguins, sea lions, elephant seals; the Scottish city of Dunedin and back up to Christchurch. Wonderful sights, interesting people, good food (we didn't have to eat there, but Subway's special sandwich is roasted lamb with mint sauce - wouldn't fly in the US. Burger King even offers Pavlova - a merengue dessert.)


The Tasman Sea


Hiking to the Fox Glacier (also hiked to the Franz Joseph Glacier)


I can't believe twice in the same year - helicopter landing on the top of a glacier!


It's surprising considering the beauty of all the water, but we didn't do any fishing in this legendary, fishing country.


A boat cruise through Milford Sound (really a fiord since it was carved by a glacier) 9+ miles till it meets the Tasman Sea. With crested penguins, fur seals, dolphins and thousands of waterfalls.


Yellow-eyed penguin on remote beach of the southernmost coast. (only about 1000 left in the world)

For the whole slide show of Australia and New Zealand, just click on the picture below to use controls and see the captions. (Double click on the slide show to see the pictures individually.)