Coffe is the largest export of Uganda. And if you've had some Uganda Gold, you'll know why they export so much. If you'd like to purchase Uganda Gold Coffee from me, just send me an e-mail. The proceeds benefit the farm workers in Uganda and help me with travel costs to Uganda.
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Coffee earns Uganda sh440b in 2007
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/628207
By David Muwanga
UGANDA earned $265m (about sh440b) in 2007 from coffee exports, making it the leading foreign exchange earner. A report by the Uganda Export Promotion Board, said the revenue from coffee had risen since 2001 when $97m was earned.
The report said the coffee wilt disease had, however, affected production in 21 districts. It said 122,400 out of the 240,000 hectares of the coffee crop in these districts had been infected.
The report also blamed the continued export of green beans for depriving the country of great revenues from processed coffee.
“A plastic container with a capacity of 100gms of blended coffee, both Robusta and Arabica originating from Uganda but processed abroad, costs $14.
“The Ugandan exporter on the other hand fetches only $1.3 by exporting green beans,” the report bemoaned. It indicated that coffee revenue was followed by fish and fish products that fetched $124m in 2007.
The report noted that although the revenue from the fish sector had grown, over-exploitation of fish especially the Nile perch, was a challenge.
“The Nile perch is considered to be nearing maximum sustainable yield, implying a possible collapse of stock levels and loss of supplies for export.
“The sector operates at a disadvantage with respect to export distribution cost due to high freight charges compared to Kenya and Tanzania. There is also lack of effective management of resources.”
“Roads to and from landing sites are in a sorry state and fishing equipment is largely composed of small canoes that affect quality and level of fish catch.”
Fish was followed by tobacco at $66m, while export revenues from tea remained at an average of $30m.
The report named cotton as the worst performing product in the traditional exports crops with earnings dropping to $19m in 2007.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
The title of this blog comes from two sources. One, Winston Churchill once called and the people of Uganda are still fond of calling Uganda “The Pearl of Africa.” Two, every since reading Chuck Swindoll’s book, Improving Your Serve, this parable of the Pearl of Great Price comes to mind. Here is imaginative version of that parable found in Swindoll’s book.
“I want to buy this pearl. How much is it?”
“Well,” the seller says, “it’s very expensive.”
“But how much,” we ask.
“Well, a very large amount.”
“Do you think I could buy it?”
“Oh, of course, everyone could buy it.”
“But, didn’t you say it was very expensive?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how much is it?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
We make up our minds, “All right. I’ll buy it,” we say.
“Well, what do you have?” he wants to know. “Let’s write it down.”
“Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank.”
“Good – ten thousand dollars. What else?”
“That’s all. That’s all I have.”
“Nothing more?”
“Well, I have a few dollars in my pocket.”
“How much?”We start digging. “Well, let’s see – thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars.”
“That’s fine. What else do you have?”“Well, nothing. That’s all.”
“Where do you live?” He’s still probing.
“In my house. Yes I have a house.”
“The house, too, then.” He writes that down.
“You mean I have to live in my camper?”“You have a camper? That, too. What else?”
“I’ll have to sleep in my car!”
“You have a car?”“Two of them.”
“Both become mine, both cars. What else?”“Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?”
“Are you alone in this world?”“No I have a wife and two children…”
“Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?”
“I have nothing left! I am left alone now.”
Suddenly the seller exclaims. “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine – wife, children, house, money, cars - and you, too.”
Then he goes on. “Now listen – I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don’t forget they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because now I am the owner.”
In order to inherit the kingdom of heaven, we are not called to give up ice cream, or swearing, or the niceties of life. We’re called to give up everything. After going to Uganda I was ready to give it all up. Over the last two years I’ve grown cold and callous. I hope the Spirit moves me again.
“I want to buy this pearl. How much is it?”
“Well,” the seller says, “it’s very expensive.”
“But how much,” we ask.
“Well, a very large amount.”
“Do you think I could buy it?”
“Oh, of course, everyone could buy it.”
“But, didn’t you say it was very expensive?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how much is it?”
“Everything you have,” says the seller.
We make up our minds, “All right. I’ll buy it,” we say.
“Well, what do you have?” he wants to know. “Let’s write it down.”
“Well, I have ten thousand dollars in the bank.”
“Good – ten thousand dollars. What else?”
“That’s all. That’s all I have.”
“Nothing more?”
“Well, I have a few dollars in my pocket.”
“How much?”We start digging. “Well, let’s see – thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred twenty dollars.”
“That’s fine. What else do you have?”“Well, nothing. That’s all.”
“Where do you live?” He’s still probing.
“In my house. Yes I have a house.”
“The house, too, then.” He writes that down.
“You mean I have to live in my camper?”“You have a camper? That, too. What else?”
“I’ll have to sleep in my car!”
“You have a car?”“Two of them.”
“Both become mine, both cars. What else?”“Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?”
“Are you alone in this world?”“No I have a wife and two children…”
“Oh, yes, your wife and children, too. What else?”
“I have nothing left! I am left alone now.”
Suddenly the seller exclaims. “Oh, I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine – wife, children, house, money, cars - and you, too.”
Then he goes on. “Now listen – I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don’t forget they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because now I am the owner.”
In order to inherit the kingdom of heaven, we are not called to give up ice cream, or swearing, or the niceties of life. We’re called to give up everything. After going to Uganda I was ready to give it all up. Over the last two years I’ve grown cold and callous. I hope the Spirit moves me again.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Give of Your Best..
Mike Erre’s book, The Jesus of Suburbia, is a book meant to push Christians beyond the comfort of a suburbanized, safe Christianity. Here’s an excerpt that seems even more powerful given the upcoming trip to Uganda.
"I'm inspired by the many college students in our church who take what are called the 'best years' of their lives and spend them on the poor, the needy, and the outcasts. When a team from our church recently left on a two-week mission trip to India, a young woman among them was making a one-way trip. She intends to stay for three years (maybe more) and minister to prostitutes and sex slaves.
What would happen if such giving began to characterize our churches? What would happen if we took the best of our resources and refused to spend them on ourselves but instead invested them in making the world a better reflection of Jesus? What would happen? People need to see what we are for, not just what we are against. So much of our message is tied to what the Christian opposes: Harry Potter, homosexual marriage, abortion, feminism, stem-cell research, et cetera. But what are we for? The world needs to know we stand for faith, love, truth, beauty, grace, compassion, kindness, and courage. The only way they will know is if we show them. Words, these days, are meaningless."
The sentence prior to this excerpt is exciting and depressing, "Luke reminds us that in the early church, 'there were no needy persons among them.' (Luke 4:32-35)"
My how Christianity has changed! Lord, change me. Help me to cheerfully give of my best so that the world can see the true image of your Son - the faithful, loving, truthful, beautiful, graceful, compassionate, kind, and courageous one.
"I'm inspired by the many college students in our church who take what are called the 'best years' of their lives and spend them on the poor, the needy, and the outcasts. When a team from our church recently left on a two-week mission trip to India, a young woman among them was making a one-way trip. She intends to stay for three years (maybe more) and minister to prostitutes and sex slaves.
What would happen if such giving began to characterize our churches? What would happen if we took the best of our resources and refused to spend them on ourselves but instead invested them in making the world a better reflection of Jesus? What would happen? People need to see what we are for, not just what we are against. So much of our message is tied to what the Christian opposes: Harry Potter, homosexual marriage, abortion, feminism, stem-cell research, et cetera. But what are we for? The world needs to know we stand for faith, love, truth, beauty, grace, compassion, kindness, and courage. The only way they will know is if we show them. Words, these days, are meaningless."
The sentence prior to this excerpt is exciting and depressing, "Luke reminds us that in the early church, 'there were no needy persons among them.' (Luke 4:32-35)"
My how Christianity has changed! Lord, change me. Help me to cheerfully give of my best so that the world can see the true image of your Son - the faithful, loving, truthful, beautiful, graceful, compassionate, kind, and courageous one.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Jinja’s Owen Falls bridge cracks
This is a huge news story. If this bridge were to collapse the country's economy would tank. It's the only way to cross the Nile for Uganda and it's the preferred route for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to get coastal access to Kenya's seaport. The link will take you to an aerial picture of the dam and bridge so you can get an idea for the geography. We crossed this bridge twice during our last trip. Just a few miles away is the famous Ling Ling restaurant. -------------------------------------------------------
Monitor Online News
May 7, 2008
Jinja’s Owen Falls bridge cracks
Yasiin Mugerwa & Emmanuel Gyezaho
The 54-year-old Nile Bridge at the Owen Falls Dam in Jinja has developed serious cracks and is on the verge of breaking, an occurrence that only spells doom for a land locked country that heavily depends on its functioning to survive.
To save Uganda’s import and export trade, the government is now desperately looking for about Shs9 billion (5,379,557.681 USD) to keep the bridge working, at least for the next five years. However, it claims only Shs5billion (2,988,500.28592 USD) is available in next financial year’s budget.
“This bridge should be a priority in the next budget because of its importance,” said Mr Byanyima, who also doubles as the chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee. “Finance says there is no money but what if a terrible catastrophe happens to the only bridge we have, what would happen to the country?” he asked.
In an interview with Daily Monitor yesterday, the State Minister for Works, Mr John Byabagambi, confirmed the MPs’ fear, suggesting that the bridge is effectively on its deathbed. “I am not a prophet of doom, but the current bridge cannot last for more than five years,” he said. “It has grown old and has developed various cracks.”
The Nile Bridge, supported by the Owen Falls Dam and built in 1954, is the only road link across River Nile on the eastern route, and as such, is essential to the region’s transportation network. Other land locked countries; Rwanda, Burundi, and the DR Congo, also use this bridge as a link to the coast through eastern Uganda.
Click here for more of the story…
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Jinja_s_Owen_Falls_bridge_cracks.shtml
Click here for map...
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=0.44256,33.188753&spn=0.010171,0.014505&t=h&z=16
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Jinja_s_Owen_Falls_bridge_cracks.shtml
Monitor Online News
May 7, 2008
Jinja’s Owen Falls bridge cracks
Yasiin Mugerwa & Emmanuel Gyezaho
The 54-year-old Nile Bridge at the Owen Falls Dam in Jinja has developed serious cracks and is on the verge of breaking, an occurrence that only spells doom for a land locked country that heavily depends on its functioning to survive.
To save Uganda’s import and export trade, the government is now desperately looking for about Shs9 billion (5,379,557.681 USD) to keep the bridge working, at least for the next five years. However, it claims only Shs5billion (2,988,500.28592 USD) is available in next financial year’s budget.
“This bridge should be a priority in the next budget because of its importance,” said Mr Byanyima, who also doubles as the chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee. “Finance says there is no money but what if a terrible catastrophe happens to the only bridge we have, what would happen to the country?” he asked.
In an interview with Daily Monitor yesterday, the State Minister for Works, Mr John Byabagambi, confirmed the MPs’ fear, suggesting that the bridge is effectively on its deathbed. “I am not a prophet of doom, but the current bridge cannot last for more than five years,” he said. “It has grown old and has developed various cracks.”
The Nile Bridge, supported by the Owen Falls Dam and built in 1954, is the only road link across River Nile on the eastern route, and as such, is essential to the region’s transportation network. Other land locked countries; Rwanda, Burundi, and the DR Congo, also use this bridge as a link to the coast through eastern Uganda.
Click here for more of the story…
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Jinja_s_Owen_Falls_bridge_cracks.shtml
Click here for map...
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=0.44256,33.188753&spn=0.010171,0.014505&t=h&z=16
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Jinja_s_Owen_Falls_bridge_cracks.shtml
Our Family Article
Below is the article that appeared in the Our Family publication from our 2006 trip to Uganda...
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa
As fifteen Pillar Youth from the United States traveled through the wilds of Uganda, they uncovered countless pieces of evidence that Uganda truly is the “Pearl of Africa”. During the journey, the Pillars – single New Apostolic Christians between the ages of 21 and 36 – spent time ministering to the needs of our Uganda family.
Over their ten day stay the Pillars were involved in all sorts of missionary activities. They painted the Busia town church. They met in the homes of members from the Namashisyo congregation and brought encouragement and gifts. They played with the orphans; gladdened widows; and gave out candy, toiletries, and balsa wood airplanes to hundreds of Ugandan children and youth. The group also hosted a Sunday School seminar in Kampala and started five sister congregation programs.
The trip came to a climax as the Pillar Youth from the USA met more than 800 Ugandan youth from all over the country at the annual Day of the Youth weekend in Masaka. In an unprecedented display of excitement and brotherhood, the youth performed cultural dances from all over their various regions. The Pillars replied by singing the Ugandan national Anthem and various American hymns. The service, held in English by the Apostle Kavuma, centered on the protection God provides to His valued children, who are the apple of his eye.
The Pillars were struck by how happy the people of Uganda are despite the terror of the country’s past dictatorships and present rebel activity in the North. Though poor by the standards of the Western World, they are truly rich in joy, faith, and brotherly love. Our Pillars returned truly enriched by the many experiences they lived through and are thrilled with the many bonds of friendship that were created with our brothers and sisters. Although half-way around the world, our New Apostolic family in Uganda shares the same love for the Lord’s work as we do.
Winston Churchill was wrong. It is not the beautiful landscapes that make Uganda a pearl. It is the people.
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa
As fifteen Pillar Youth from the United States traveled through the wilds of Uganda, they uncovered countless pieces of evidence that Uganda truly is the “Pearl of Africa”. During the journey, the Pillars – single New Apostolic Christians between the ages of 21 and 36 – spent time ministering to the needs of our Uganda family.
Over their ten day stay the Pillars were involved in all sorts of missionary activities. They painted the Busia town church. They met in the homes of members from the Namashisyo congregation and brought encouragement and gifts. They played with the orphans; gladdened widows; and gave out candy, toiletries, and balsa wood airplanes to hundreds of Ugandan children and youth. The group also hosted a Sunday School seminar in Kampala and started five sister congregation programs.
The trip came to a climax as the Pillar Youth from the USA met more than 800 Ugandan youth from all over the country at the annual Day of the Youth weekend in Masaka. In an unprecedented display of excitement and brotherhood, the youth performed cultural dances from all over their various regions. The Pillars replied by singing the Ugandan national Anthem and various American hymns. The service, held in English by the Apostle Kavuma, centered on the protection God provides to His valued children, who are the apple of his eye.
The Pillars were struck by how happy the people of Uganda are despite the terror of the country’s past dictatorships and present rebel activity in the North. Though poor by the standards of the Western World, they are truly rich in joy, faith, and brotherly love. Our Pillars returned truly enriched by the many experiences they lived through and are thrilled with the many bonds of friendship that were created with our brothers and sisters. Although half-way around the world, our New Apostolic family in Uganda shares the same love for the Lord’s work as we do.
Winston Churchill was wrong. It is not the beautiful landscapes that make Uganda a pearl. It is the people.
Monday, May 5, 2008
News From Uganda
In going to another culture it helps to know what they struggle with, what they value, and how they think. This is especially important if we want to minister to them. Realizing this, I hope to keep you updated on important news stories from Uganda. If you notice any stories in your local newspaper, please let me know.
Commodity prices soar
“The prices of most food items, including those locally produced, have more than doubled since the start of 2008, raising fears that the country could be headed for a food crisis.
Bananas, potatoes, beans, beef and vegetables are exiting to foreign markets in South Sudan, eastern DRC and Rwanda, where growing (and competitive) markets must be satisfied.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Commodity_prices_soar.shtml
Poor Ugandans rise to 9 million - Survey
“New figures show that the number of Ugandans who cannot afford basic needs in life such as food, clothing, water, education and shelter has risen from eight to nine million to date.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Poor_Ugandans_rise_to_9_million_-_Survey.shtml The study shows that nearly 30% of Uganda’s population is impoverished, an increase from 26%. The population of Uganda is 30 million; and is comparable to California’s population of 33 million. Imagine nearly one-third of Californians not being able to meet basic needs.
Ugandan teachers turn to prostitution
“A new study on the HIV/Aids prevalence in communities in northern Uganda reveals that teachers in the region are increasingly taking up prostitution, which they say is more lucrative than teaching.
Teachers are now counted among the vulnerable people along the Kampala –Juba route (South Sudan), where sex trade is increasingly exposing them to the deadly Aids scourge, the Focal Officer for Aids in Emergencies at the Uganda Aids Commission, Ms Joyce Namulondo, has said.
“In Gulu, one of the prostitutes interviewed was a professional teacher. Asked why she had resorted to prostitution, she said she was making a lot of money out of this trade compared to teaching. She said she gets Shs1.5 million ($896 USD) per month out of prostitution,” Ms Namulondo said.
A primary teacher in Uganda earns a monthly salary of Shs130,000 ($77.65 USD) while a secondary teacher earns about Shs250,000 ($149.34 USD) per month. Shs1.5 million ($896 USD) is what a primary teacher may earn in a year.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Ugandan_Teachers_turn_to_prostitution.shtml
Commodity prices soar
“The prices of most food items, including those locally produced, have more than doubled since the start of 2008, raising fears that the country could be headed for a food crisis.
Bananas, potatoes, beans, beef and vegetables are exiting to foreign markets in South Sudan, eastern DRC and Rwanda, where growing (and competitive) markets must be satisfied.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Commodity_prices_soar.shtml
Poor Ugandans rise to 9 million - Survey
“New figures show that the number of Ugandans who cannot afford basic needs in life such as food, clothing, water, education and shelter has risen from eight to nine million to date.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Poor_Ugandans_rise_to_9_million_-_Survey.shtml The study shows that nearly 30% of Uganda’s population is impoverished, an increase from 26%. The population of Uganda is 30 million; and is comparable to California’s population of 33 million. Imagine nearly one-third of Californians not being able to meet basic needs.
Ugandan teachers turn to prostitution
“A new study on the HIV/Aids prevalence in communities in northern Uganda reveals that teachers in the region are increasingly taking up prostitution, which they say is more lucrative than teaching.
Teachers are now counted among the vulnerable people along the Kampala –Juba route (South Sudan), where sex trade is increasingly exposing them to the deadly Aids scourge, the Focal Officer for Aids in Emergencies at the Uganda Aids Commission, Ms Joyce Namulondo, has said.
“In Gulu, one of the prostitutes interviewed was a professional teacher. Asked why she had resorted to prostitution, she said she was making a lot of money out of this trade compared to teaching. She said she gets Shs1.5 million ($896 USD) per month out of prostitution,” Ms Namulondo said.
A primary teacher in Uganda earns a monthly salary of Shs130,000 ($77.65 USD) while a secondary teacher earns about Shs250,000 ($149.34 USD) per month. Shs1.5 million ($896 USD) is what a primary teacher may earn in a year.” http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Ugandan_Teachers_turn_to_prostitution.shtml
Distance to Uganda
How long does it take to get to Uganda? How many miles away is it? I put this table together to give you an idea.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Having Faith in a Risk Averse Society
In preparation for the trip, I’m reading books about short term missions. One, Mack and LeAnn’s Guide to Short Term Missions, brought an interesting point about our society that also touches on service last night. Mack writes that he was once called by a parent whose child wanted to participate in the missions trip. The father demanded of Mack to give a guarantee of safety. Mack said “no”. He would not. He could not. And, suggested that his daughter not go on the trip.
It’s impossible when traveling to foreign countries to guarantee safety. But even more so, one of the purposes of a missions trip is to experience God. How could we ever have an experience of faith or even hold fast to our faith (Hebrews 4:14) if we never take a chance? When we refuse to act on faith, we have a belief system not faith.
It occurs to me, in America we are so wrapped up in managing risk, in reducing risk. We are risk averse people. We have insurance for everything. We don’t share the gospel unless we’re sure the person will be receptive. We don’t talk to strangers for fear that they may hurt us. We’re paralyzed by fear and our innate desire to minimize risk.
But, if we never risk anything we never gain anything. Like the servant in the parable of the talents we bury our treasure and then loose it.
Tristan at coffee last night used the word, “aggressive.” I like that. Not in the sense that we are called to be a bull in the china shop. But that we are proactive, taking risks when we feel the Spirit’s guidance.
Take a risk and rely on faith!
The Purpose of this Journal
From August 12 to the 27th a group of Pillars will set off to the Pearls of Africa – Uganda. While there we hope to minister to the people in Uganda.
My purpose in starting this journal is so:
Spur myself in to conintually preparing for this trip to Uganda
Help and encourange other Pillars to prepare for their trip to Uganda
Raise awareness of our trip to Uganda amongst friends, family, and church members
Consolidate and display information about resources and news events in Uganda
If you have any ideas on journal entries or questions about the trip please let me know.
Thank,
Scott
My purpose in starting this journal is so:
Spur myself in to conintually preparing for this trip to Uganda
Help and encourange other Pillars to prepare for their trip to Uganda
Raise awareness of our trip to Uganda amongst friends, family, and church members
Consolidate and display information about resources and news events in Uganda
If you have any ideas on journal entries or questions about the trip please let me know.
Thank,
Scott
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