This last week has been a unique mixture of highs and lows. Monday of last week (20th), our close friends and fellow missionaries, John and Erica Rinehimer, arrived in Uganda. We were elated and they brightened the whole holiday week. Jesus has been so gracious to provide friendships here and we feel very connected to a number of folks for which we are very grateful. There was a certain delight though in seeing old friends again and we thank Jesus for them.
Thursday was honestly a hard day for both of us. Maybe the toughest yet in Uganda. We got up early and made French toast...and both seriously missed our moms. The hardest part was nothing here was "thanksgiving." We still had Swahili class, still had to run errands, still had to figure out life in Uganda. Not bad...just weird. Nothing was familiar. No Macy Parade, no football, no faces we know so well, no neices or nephews climbing our shoulders. Friday the WGM Uganda field celebrated and that really did feel more like a holiday. We were 27 people all together and that almost felt like home. Turkey was availabe through the U.S. embassy for which we all were grateful! Funny though, the thing everyone of us missed the most...not the parades, football, or even food but the people. So many of you all prayed for us and we thank you. Jesus has been very present and honestly we feel bonded to those whom we have shared these last days with. He is faithful to provide.
One of the highlights amidst the week was we got to meet with the landlord of one of the houses we checked out in Arua. He was overly gracious and very much willing to work with us. Nothing is official yet but please continue to pray for the LORD's unfolding the best housing arrangement for us and our team in Arua.
Please mark your prayer calender: Billy preaches on Sunday at the University church. Also we are planning another survey/scouting trip to Arua December 8-10 with the Rinehimers and Jon Mayo. Housing and contacts are at the top of our priority prayer list.
We thank Jesus for you all these days and your willingness to hold the ropes with us. Happy Beginning Advent Season.
7 comments:
Billy and Jo, we thought about you all there in Uganda on Thanksgiving. I was in a deer stand Thursday and Friday and prayed for just about everyone I know. Thought a lot about you b/c I am thinking of buying another gun. Pray for us, I feel like God has been pushing me into church planting and that is scary but exciting. All the best, in Him.
Billy and Jo!
It's great to have each other isn't it? I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in four years! I miss the fam too, but it's great to know that I'm always with Lori (and Riley of course). I wasn't missing home too much until I received a call from Ryan C. asking if I was in town to play football with the fellas. Thank you for your testimonies from Uganda. We love the updates!! Mark
Happy Beginning of Advent to you! I hope the sermon went well. I am sure it did. Glad to hear the Rineheimer's made it! YEAH! We hope you are well and love seeing your updates.
Hey Y'all!
So excited you are there-know we are praying for you guys! The church plant launch is in mid Jan.-pray for us! We love you guys! Keep us posted!
Love, Matt, Lori, Emma and Jack
So great to hear updates from your life in Uganda... I remember my Thanksgiving there- it was hard- but we made the best of it- the staff at Heritage had a little American Thanksgiving celebration and we played football! Ironically that was also the day I ate my first (and only) fried grasshopper! Needless to say- some things were just like home and others were absolutely not. Praying that as you enter the Advent Season you will know the peace, hope and love of our Savior who was born to redeem the whole world! - Much love, Kelly, Josh and Baby Caleb!
This is my first time to blog so you may not get this message, but in case you do, I still pray for y'all everyday and visit your blog every so often. Y'all's photo was on the church jumbo-tron on Sunday. Blessings! Pat
This is my first time to blog so you may not get this message. But if you do, I want you to know that I still pray for y'all every day and even visit your blog periodically. Y'all's photo was on the church's jumbo-tron Sunday - y'all looked very cute. Pat and Phil
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