many THANKS and much GIVING

What a delight it was to spend Thanksgiving in Indiana with Joanna's family! Elsie Jayne got to meet all of her cousins on the Neff side of her family as well as her great-grandmother she hadn't yet seen! What THANKS we give to Jesus for this gift!!!

At her two week check-up just before the journey north, we learned that Elsie Jayne had gained back her birth weight PLUS a pound! She is a healthy little lady and we know that is Jesus' provision. THANK YOU for your prayers! Jesus is meeting the needs of our family through your faithfulness in prayer!

The Neff's celebrate Jesus' birth just after THANKSgiving. While we are all together, we had the opportunity to give GIFTS and rejoice afresh in the GIFT of Jesus!!! How precious having a tiny baby at Christmas time is...what perspective we are gaining...so much we still have to learn!!! We cannot THANK Jesus enough for His GIFT of Elsie Jayne to us.

We are still so very THANKFUL for the way Jesus is working in the life of Billy's daddy! His hand continues to be on him and health and strength are gained daily. THANK you for your continued prayers for daddy's well-being and full recovery!

Please do pray with us for the paperwork we are waiting on to return to Uganda. Elsie Jayne's passport is being processed. We need Jesus' timing and wisdom on airline tickets "home" to Uganda. He has made a way step by step thus far and we know He won't abandon us at this point. We hope to travel back to Arua sometime after the holidays assuming Daddy is ready for us to go and Elsie Jayne is strong enough to travel well. THANK YOU for your continued prayers!

Elsie Jayne

What fun we have had the last seven days of our lives!!! How incredible is the Lord's goodness to us to grant us this priveledge! The honor and responsibility to be parents...to know in a fresh way Who God the Father is and to experience His Holy Love in new depths. It's starting to sink in...3a.m. feedings will do that to you...we are realizing this is real...we are parents. We couldn't have asked Jesus for a more incredible baby. She is sleeping and eating really well. We are so aware each day that you all are carrying us in prayer and that is making a difference even now as we attempt to find a routine as a family of three!!! Pictures for your delight...and more gratitude than we can articulate! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for carrying us to Jesus these days!

She's HERE!!!!

Elsie Jayne arrived last night at 10:42PM. She is amazing!!! She was 6 lbs. and 12 oz. She is 20 inches long. She and Joanna and both well and getting to know one another face to face at Central Baptist in Lexington, KY. We are all three so grateful to Jesus to be together and be well! Thank you for your prayers and love!!!! We are forever grateful.

Note the picture of daddy Al and Elsie Jayne...our two Jesus miracles!!!

"It's a Waiting Game"

Every doctor we see has the same report. Whether it's when Elsie will arrive or when Daddy might be 100% again..."it's a waiting game." Such is life. How hopeful and incredible that we have a Savior Who knew...Who had already been instructing us to wait on Him. As we wait we are so thankful to enjoy life together. Daddy celebrated 64 years of LIFE on Friday...what a celebration that was! Again, confirmation that coming back was right as we got to be all together as a family to celebrate that miracle day.

Jesus has been faithful. Your prayers are carrying us and He is meeting us. We have moved into our grandfather's basement and set up a borrowed basinet...all is "ready" for Elsie as we wait.

Thank you for your love and prayers. We are forever endebted to you all!

Update on Daddy

Thank you for praying!!! We feel so carried in prayer. We cannot express our gratitude for each one of you and your support of us these days. Jesus has done a miracle. Our daddy's heart actually stopped and Jesus still chose to give him LIFE!!! Even now his heart is getting stronger. We are in awe of God's goodness.

While the heart was stopped, oxygen couldn't get to his brain. There is quite a bit of memory loss at this point. The doctors aren't sure at what rate it will come back and how completely, but we know that the same Jesus who touched daddy once, loves to give a second touch! We are depending fully upon HIM!

Joanna and Baby Elsie made it to America safe and sound (along with Billy!!!). They see a doctor here in Lexington, KY tomorrow and trust that will be a good report. The due date is November 4th. Thank you for your prayers for all of us in these difficult days...and exciting days as we await the birth of Elsie.

Also, please keep our colleagues, John and Erica Rinehimer in your prayers as they serve in Arua as the sole WGM representatives these days. Jesus has His hand on them and they were AMAZING to help us get here so quickly. Pray for protection, peace, and Jesus guidance day by day.

Billy's Daddy

Our dad has suffered a massive heart attack. From the poor connections of cell phones across the sea and the reality of no clear plan yet on our part…we cannot say much for sure, only that we desperately need Jesus to help us. Joanna is 36 weeks and we can only fly at the latest, this week. We are trying to get an airline to approve her and start moving toward America even now. That will be about a three day journey if it is even a possibility. Daddy is in ICU in Lexington, KY. Thank you for your prayers as we attempt to move forward in Jesus.

We cannot praise Jesus enough for the time we had with Mama and Daddy in August. What a love gift those days were/are! Jesus is kind to us.

Please carry our mama and family to Jesus as well.

Greetings and Good-byes

Jesus has blessed us with so many friendships over the course of the last year! He is so kind to us to give us the relationships we need that we might grow into the family He desires us to be, (John 17:21)…that the world might come to know Him!

One group of ladies has been a special encouragement to Joanna. Hope, Jennifer and Tina came this past week for tea. They have all been friends of Joanna’s for a while now and she has been able to share Jesus in different ways with each of them, but Saturday they greeted one another for the first time. We are excited to see what Jesus will bring about though those new relationships! Hope and Jennifer are both university grads who are interested in starting businesses here in Arua. Tina, you have prayed for before…she has just found out that she is pregnant again. Please pray with us that Jesus might help her carry this baby to term.

Ken Good is a colleague and friend who has been serving in the southern part of the country for the last few months. He has been an encouragement to those being trained at the eight pastoral training sites in and around Kampala. We got to train alongside him when we came to Uganda in the summer of 2003. He spent the weekend with us and helped at our training in Nebbi! He is heading back to the states now. Pray with us for Jesus’ best ministry and employment for Ken back in Ohio.

Eric Smith is another dear friend Jesus has blessed us with since we moved to Arua. He and his bride Martha have challenged and encouraged our walk with Jesus and been “young missionaries” alongside us for the past 8 months. Her health has transitioned them back to America. We were sad to see them go, but we are trusting that Jesus has a mission field prepared for them there. Eric is a missionary kid who grew up in Congo. Please pray with us for their closure here and Jesus’ best as they continue to say “yes” and walk with Him now on “your” side of the sea.

These are some of the greetings and good-byes Jesus has trusted us with in the last couple of weeks. We wait with anticipation to see what new relationships He will open before us in the days ahead.

Another good-bye we would rather not make is with our silly dog Marori…she is quite sick. Please pray for all of the above people before you mention our dog, but we aren’t quite sure at the moment that she’ll live through the week. It seems silly, but she has lived this last year’s adventures alongside us…every greeting and good-bye she has been there for. We’d love for her to be around to greet Baby Elsie in the next couple of weeks and even each one of you as Jesus brings you to our home! Jesus knows what is best. If He reminds you, pray for her to recover. Thank you. Greetings from Arua!

A Rainy Day in Arua

Many of you have sweetly emailed and checked up on us due to the flooding in our area. Thank you so much for your prayers and support in that way. We are doing well. In general the Arua area is ok…we have had much rain and many gardens are ruined, but most people have not been displaced from home or anything at this point. Again, that is in our area. We have heard the same stories you have about areas around, so do continue to carry the weather in your prayers. Dry season is due to arrive soon!In the mean time, Billy has enjoyed the privilege of pulling people out of the mud! He thinks that is great fun! Last Saturday was an interesting pull/push situation. Our friend and colleague John Rinehimer found himself making room for another car to pass when the road fell away into the ditch beside him. He called for us to come and pull him out. Another missionary friend reached him before we did and as Frank pulled John forward we tried to keep him from rolling down the steep rode backward! That was an exciting challenge. Thank you for your prayers for our safety on the roads…during the rain and always!

Earlier that same day Erica Rinehimer blessed me with a baby shower!!! (Erica and I with Baby Elsie in all her glory!) She invited all of the international ladies from a bible study we attend here in town. We had SO MUCH FUN!!! Did you know that Americans are some of the few in the world who celebrate babies in this way before their birth!?! Our friends thought it was an “interesting” idea to have a party in honor of an unborn little one. They have obeyed Jesus and followed Him to Arua from Austria, England, Germany and New Zealand. We enjoyed not just celebrating Elsie, but also learning each other’s cultures that day! (I am pictured with my friend Sarah, from England, who made Elsie a mobile!)

Thank you for joining us this weekend in Nebbi, through your prayers. We travel Saturday to teach the five men there who have been so eager to learn more of God's Word! Also continue to pray for the pastor's that Jesus has entrusted to us in Sudan. We'll be meeting with at least one of them, John Onek, in two weeks time.

CHICKEN, CHILDREN, and COLLEAGUES

There is something amazing about traveling to the village and having the privilege and responsibility of sharing the Word of God with believers there. What a humbling assignment. On Sunday Jesus helped and many in the Yumbe district heard of Jesus’ desire to be their Lord and their God! In response for the day’s journey and exhortation we received one of our favorite village gifts! A chicken! Jesus is so good to provide abundantly!

Another great joy about being in Arua at this time in our lives is the joy of bearing new life here. Joanna and Baby Elsie are doing well (thank you for your prayers!) and are eagerly anticipating meeting one another face to face! While we wait though, we have had the privilege of hosting our friend Hope in our home with her new baby girl Awadifo. Hope loves Jesus and is eager to continue growing in her love relationship with Him. Do pray over our relationship with her as well, that we might be a light and a challenge as we all enter this new stage of parenting together!

Many of you have continued to pray over the health and wholness of our dear friend and colleague Jeannie Banter. We wish we could report that she is back here in Arua with us, still she is in the states. We are trusting Jesus to make a way for her return. The doctors are struggling to find answers for her. Pray for clarity and discernment for her doctors and patience and Jesus’ nearness and blessings for Jeannie! Jesus knows the best time for her return to us, so we are waiting on Him! Thank you for carrying her in prayer as well as the ministries she was leading here.

Sometimes we stand amazed at Jesus’ good gifts to us. This last month we had the privilege of having my parents in Africa! We had so much fun and it was so special for my mama and daddy to see where we live, get to know some of our Arua friends, visit our Nebbi pastors, and even just be excited with us over our coming baby. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!
We were able to arrange for my daddy to share with the church in Nebbi and both he and I got to speak which was a great father-son memory. The church promptly honored him with his very own wooden carved Ugandan crane! They were able to meet several of our friends, including Christopher who many of you all pray for. He is slowly improving with physical therapy so thank you for continuing to pray.
We were able to take them on an African safari even got away for a bit of a holiday. We slept and read and then slept again… which was magnificent. Somehow being able to show our family our world just opened up whole new perspectives for them as well as understanding for all of us to communicate in ways that had not been possible before. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!
We thank Jesus for His traveling mercies. Joanna has had a great attitude with being pregnant and the baby seems to be healthy and lively. Please continue to pray for her and the baby these last two months (she is due November 4). We need God’s grace and discernment to know how/when to transition Joanna to Kampala. He knows though and will lead us.
We thanking Jesus for the chance to be back in Arua and we are excited about the opportunities that Jesus is opening this morning. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!

Billy & Joanna & Baby Coppedge

Trusting His Timing

The journey into Congo was cut short just hours before we were to leave. The flight we were planning on taking to Bunia was on schedule, but the return flight had been cancelled as MAF had a plane down. We received that news a bit confused and frustrated as we had been looking forward to this exploratory trip for some time. We decided it best though not to go for an indefinite period of time, but to stay home and trust Jesus for when the journey should be.
He is so faithful and good to us. I didn’t know Joanna and our baby would need me while I was scheduled to be away.

Saturday and Monday Joanna had small contractions. Wednesday they grew larger and we called our OBGYN in Kampala. He prescribed anti-biotics thinking it might be an infection and asked us to come if we could. There was a flight with two seats open the next day! HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD FOREVER!

We spent Thursday traveling and then between three different medical offices. The final outcome was a great report! Elsie Jayne is doing great!!! She is happy as can be and as active as she has been. All is well with her. Joanna has a couple of infections that caused the body to begin labor. With medication and your prayers, all of that is under control at this point. We praise Jesus for His kindness to us.

Wednesday night we were imagining a much more grim ending, so we are thankful to Jesus for sparing our girls and giving us great hope that not only will Elsie and Joanna make it to term, but will be healthy and strong. HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD FOREVER!

Again, we praise Him for His timing and provision. We praise Him for you and your prayers that carry us from day to day.

Africa's Wedding

Well, the trip to Congo was postponed. We found out the MAF flight had tickets for us into Bunia but not out. Minor detail. We thank you so much for your prayers and we trust Jesus' protection and guidance in the days ahead.
So we found ourselves home... available to attend an African wedding. It actual was for a missionary bride from UK and a Ugandan groom from Arua. We went with several other missionary friends and truly it was a cultural experience. Much of the actual wedding ceremony was similar in some degree to those at home. Slight differences like the order of the ceremony with homily coming after vows and rings or an offering being taken up for the church at the end of the service.
What was exciting was the reception, particularly the gift giving. The reception was held at a local restaurant which was elaborately decorated in bows and ribbons. The bride and groom were seated on a stage whereby they could view all the different groups of guests, including "clergy," "bride relatives (which included any missionary)," "Arua town guests," and finally the "groom's village." Speeches were made and food was served; cokes were available for all which is always exciting. Finally they got around to bringing a table out into the middle of the floor whereby the Mothers Union members oversaw the bringing in of presents.

First, the missionaries went forward with their relatively calm and relatively small packages or envelopes. Afterwards came a wave of slightly bigger parcels, some even in fancy wrapping paper. But then a whole line of friends came, singing and dancing, as they led their gift - a goat clad in bows, ribbons, and various celebratory paraphernalia. Not to be outdone though, when the groom's village came (and they also came

singing and dancing), they brought four more goats! What is a young newly married couple going to serve their goat on though? So other relatives brought in a coffee table and numerous small end tables. Perfect for serving roasted goat. But what is a new young newly married couple going to sit on to eat their goat off these wonderful tables? How about a massive couch with two massive arm chairs. And sure enough these came in being hoisted by a whole new bunch of relatives/ friends, dancing and calling out as they paraded their gifts before the bride and groom.

How you parade in a couch and chairs, we don't know but it happened and we laughed and danced along with the delighted crowd. Somehow so many things are the same. Yet somehow they are so radically different. For us this weekend, the differences were a source of joy. At the next wedding you attend, maybe you ought to consider dancing in your gift.

Celebrating the joys of Africa...

Without Ceasing...

Truly we praise Jesus for you all and your prayers for us! Jesus is working in Arua and the surrounding areas, through you!!! Thank you for "holding the ropes" with us these days.

In Uleppi on Saturday we were able to observe the cattle project that Jeannie is working with and see her cows! They are really the cows of 10 families who have joined together to care for their herds. There were over 100 head there. We got to meet 8 of the farmers and hear their needs and vision. Jesus blessed us with the priveledge of opening the Word of Life to them as they seek new and better life in their herds as well as their families! The local church also joined together to welcome us and share cokes and biscuits as well as gather in prayer again as Billy shared briefly from Psalm 23 on our Good Shepherd. We praise Jesus for His going before us and making a way that His name might be proclaimed in this farming community this weekend.

Also, on Saturday we sensed your agreeing with us in prayer as Joanna taught 20-25 students and staff at Uganda Christian University's "Sunday School Teacher's Training." Kristen, our friend from New Jersey joined her in instructing these eager students. Jenna, another volunteer from the states helped Billy not only keep the kids in the area occupied for the two and a half hours of training, but also shared a bible lesson with them and worshiped Jesus in song! Thank you for praying for endurance and grace...it's exhausting to run around in the African sun all morning!

We thank you as well for continuing to carry our friends Tina and Imam on your hearts. Jesus is healing them both phsyically and emotionally. He is meeting the spiritual needs in their hearts these days. Please continue to pray we might love as Christ loves.

A Tale of Two Women

There once were two women. One was American; one was Ugandan. Both were pregnant and due within ten days of each other. The women and subsequently their husbands had become friends, living near each other in their Aruan neighborhood. Two weeks ago the four of them had met for bible study and even talked of making such meeting a regular occasion. Since neither couple was originally from Arua, there was a natural companionship, a friendship really which was only heightened by the joint pregnancy. Tuesday night the Ugandan husband called the American husband to relate that they had just returned from the hospital where they discovered his wife had miscarried.
Joanna is the American woman. Tina is the Ugandan woman. Her husband is Imam. We found ourselves in their little one room (think small) “residence” two nights ago; the only light being a single candle balanced on an empty TANG juice container. We could speculate on their call but since both are strangers in Arua (just here for work) we aren’t sure they had anyone else to call.
The paradoxes of living anywhere cross culturally dance a thin line that borders between circumstances being hysterical and overwhelming. This one leaned more towards the overwhelming side. The silly thought that crossed our minds this week was could it be that over time of living in such paradoxes, we ourselves become the paradox. The whole time Joanna sat next to the woman who just lost her baby, she was conscious of our baby kicking. We returned from their Tang candled dorm room to security lights flooding our yard. How do you process? Understand? Relate? Pray? Or even be grateful? Are you allowed? Should you?
As with all of life anywhere, the more practical question is not how do I process but when? There is no time. Early yesterday we took Tina and Imam to the mission hospital outside of town. Several German doctors work there, including an OB/GYN. She worked with us to get Tina the proper attention she needed and thankfully, we were able to bring her home even yesterday afternoon. We are grateful for Jesus’ providential provision and mercy to spare Tina. While the circumstances are painful and confusing, we are thankful for the opportunity to grow closer to these our new friends.
Living the Paradox…

NEGST and Nebbi

Jesus has filled our last couple of weeks with sweet gifts from Himself. We were blessed to have the Banter family with us the first week in July! What a joy to celebrate the fourth of July with dear American friends! They were our “first family” to come…Jeannie’s family. We’re trusting Jesus to bring our families and the Rinehimers’ in His time!!!
We were humbled by the honor of attending the graduation ceremony of Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology (NEGST) this past weekend in Nairobi, Kenya. Our dear friend Brent Duncan was graduating along with new friends from Congo and Sudan that we are building relationships with. It is exciting to see how Jesus continues to cross our paths with them and connect our hearts for His partnerships in Congo, Sudan and throughout the northwest of Uganda.
This Saturday Billy and the Rinehimers have the privilege of training in Nebbi again. They will be going over the next few lessons in the Africa Gospel Church membership manual. Please pray as we tread on these front lines in this battle field for Jesus. Pray for protection as we travel, clarity as we teach and are taught! Pray for humble hearts and teachable spirits for all of us.
Joanna will stay in Arua and welcome our next team of volunteers. This team has become two young ladies we are friends with from New Jersey. Jenna and Kristen are already traveling this way now, so do pray for their safety as they come. They will be such a blessing to the children’s ministries and other various ministries we are involved in on a weekly basis. Pray more Aruans come to know Jesus!

The baby update is that Joanna and “Elsie Jayne” are safe and growing! While in Kenya our first African friends acknowledged Joanna’s tummy!!! That was so fun for us both. Still the baby isn’t being discussed in Arua, even though the stares are longer these days. Thank you for praying for continued health and safety and Jesus’ timing!

The Last Week or So

Dearest Friends and Family –
The last week has been good. Thank you so much for your prayers. Last (last) weekend we had the privilege of hosting Terry and Karen Duncan, our regional director, and his family. They were a tremendous blessing and we were excited to include them in a number of ministry experiences. Saturday, June 24th, we had a staff appreciation celebration for all those

who help us. They all brought their families which added to quite a crew and everyone seemed to enjoy the cokes and popcorn. It also gave us a great opportunity to express our gratitude, allow Mr. Terry to share a bit about WGM, and Erica to share her testimony.
Then Sunday, we traveled to Nebbi where our group divided up and we attended three different churches – the pastors of which are the ones with which we have begun preliminary training. The village experience was good for all of us; one of the churches literally pulled chairs and tarp out under a tree being as yet they do not have even a temporary structure. Perspective.
On Tuesday, we traveled with Duncans back to Kampala and Wednesday we met the lady who is going to deliver Joanna in November. It was very exciting and we were able to get a tour of the hospital. We were able to hear the baby’s heart beat which was super exciting and we praise Jesus for a healthy mama and baby. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Saturday (30th), we returned with our colleague, Jeannie Banter and her family who are visiting. We have known the Banters for many years and it felt a bit like our own family was here! Praise Jesus for His sweet blessings.

Monday (July 2nd), we had the privilege of hosting John Onek who is a pastor working with us in Juba, Sudan. He has started a fellowship there and came to discuss church and mission registration in Sudan. While there are many details involved which will take some time, it was a privilege to talk and pray with Pastor John. Please pray for continued guidance on God’s timing for registration and for the church fellowship in Juba. Sudan needs Jesus.
Tomorrow (July 5th), we fly to Nairobi for the Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology graduation. We have been asked to attend, representing the Uganda field. Primarily, we are going to love and celebrate with our close friend, Brent Duncan. Secondarily, we hope to follow up with several of his Congolese classmates whom we met in April. Please pray for traveling mercies and God’s combination of celebration and ordered conversations.
Many of you know also that our colleagues and friends, the Rinehimers, visited Rethy, Congo over the weekend. They had an excellent (and safe) trip and felt like the experience was worthwhile. Thank you for your prayers. As you are praying, we are trying to put together another exploratory trip to Congo at the end of this month. Please pray that Jesus would open the right doors and give us guidance about how to go forward.
We miss you all today and trust your 4th celebrations will be filled with Jesus, BBQ, and fireworks. Inspite of all issues, days like today make us most grateful for the privilege to carry American passports. Happy 4th!

Billy & Joanna & Baby:)

Digging Ditches

The one unique aspects of life in Uganda that one never thinks about before actually coming to live is… trash collection. We have seen no such thing as a trashcan in Arua much less knowing of organized trash pick up. For some time we have just had two large piles in the back of our yard, one for burning “rubbish” and one for compost that can be used on the garden. Recently, after Marori’s numerous escapades in dispersing trash all over our yard, we decided something needed to change. We decided to dig two large pits for the waste and then build screen covers that will rest over the pits and hopefully keep the dog out. Raymond, a new friend, is needing some financial assistance and having a building background, we felt he was perfect for the job.

This morning’s devotion included the classic story from II Kings 3 where the kings of Israel and Judah go off to make war on Moab. They pass through the Desert of Edom and promptly run out of water. The kings quickly realize they have many parched warriors and animals that are quite discontent and they call for the man of God. He comes and the word of the LORD is to… dig pits. “Make this valley full of ditches.”
One has to wonder at such commands from God – to dig ditches in a sandy valley under a desert sun when there is no cold coke at the end of the day. Yet they dig ditches and the following morning they awake to a valley full of water. That story is not new but reading it this morning as Raymond labored outside our window, digging a four foot ditch it seemed as though God was reminding us that the ditches we dig are not vain. Many times the relationships, experiences, trips back and forth to the market or receiving another visitor at the gate feel like useless ditch digging; where one works up a sweat, expends a lot of energy with no assurance the thirst in your heart or theirs will be quenched. Yet we have to keep believing He is faithful to fill the ditches.
Pray with us this week that we would be faithful to dig wholeheartedly. And trust that He will fill each ditch with the life quenching waters of Himself. Truly we ourselves and those around us thirst for Him.

LIVING THE DREAM

Some of you all have heard us talk about “LIVING THE DREAM!” We got challenged right before leaving for Uganda that we are amongst the most privileged for we were about to begin living the dream God gave us. At the heart of that dream God laid before us was the training pastoral leadership in Africa. This last Saturday, we began a preliminary training program with five Ugandan pastors! We turned to each other on the way home and realized that this is exactly the dream God gave to us and we are indeed living it out in reality! Hallelujah! Praise God Forever! Jesus has been so kind to us and our team to allow so much to happen in such a short amount of time.
You have heard us discuss the pastoral possibilities in Nebbi and many of you have been praying for God’s unfolding of His divine plan and timetable for working with that cluster of churches that have expressed interest in pastoral training. Jesus led our team to begin working with several of the key church leaders, particularly guiding them through our pastoral manual. The purpose is two fold; one to introduce them to a clearer picture of who we are as Africa Gospel Church. It also acts as a natural discipling tool. Thus while we are not calling Nebbi an official training site (as AGC already has in other areas of Uganda), we are taking those initial steps.
Saturday began with an hour drive south down to Nebbi town. There we were welcomed by the senior pastor, Cosmas and several of his staff. We began with a devotional and then jumped into the nature of God; first Jesus followed by the Father. We broke for lunch together and then closed with a session on the Holy Spirit. Sitting around with Cosmas, Benson, Andrew, John Kennedy, and John (the translator) we really believe Jesus himself sat with us. Their questions were real and their hearts were open. We cannot thank Jesus enough for the opportunity. They invited our team to return July 7th so please continue praying.

Amidst such joys as teaching, there are always “African experiences. We currently have two volunteers, Angela and Amber staying with us. They have been a blessing and it has been fun having them alongside. Two days ago we had a heavy rain and that night the white ants came out in droves. We don’t know how to relay the experience of catching white ants unless you compare it to kids chasing/catching fireflies after the Sunday school evening picnic. Amber and Angela courageous volunteered to help Dennis (our evening guard) capture as many as they could. Amber fried them up last night and honestly we found them best with a little popcorn salt:) Happy Africa!

We want you to know that your Prayers are NOT in vain. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and time in prayer – God is at work in northern Uganda and attribute that to your labor. Joanna and baby are doing well – thank you for all your prayers and love. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!

P.S. When you come to visit, fried ants are optional:)

Arua Christian Business Network

Jesus has been so good to us! We want to thank you for your prayers and rejoice with you in what He has done. He blessed us with a visit from our dear friend Victoria Mills who was a volunteer serving in Kampala when we first came. She and her father came from Boston, MA to check out what Jesus is doing in Arua! We LOVED having them. Jesus used them in amazing ways in their few short days with us.

Andy is a retired businessman who is serving Jesus as a mentor and discipler of younger Christian businessmen now. Jesus gave us the idea to have a businessmen’s breakfast here in town and have Andy share what God has taught him about bringing Jesus into the business world! Jesus went above and beyond our expectations. Billy and Andy both got to share on a radio program on Thursday afternoon…Andy sharing his testimony of how he met Jesus and then how Jesus led him from that point! Everyone here listens to the radio…it is our main form of communication, so we were thrilled to have that form of media to broadcast from. Also, an announcement was made then about the businessmen’s breakfast and we ended up with 50 present on Saturday morning! Again, Jesus helped Andy share and the Arua Christian Business Network was birthed!

Who knew that Jesus would call us to Arua to train pastors and then open doors to share His love with the business community, but we are rejoicing that He knows what He is doing and His plans are good!We actually do go to Nebbi on Saturday to begin pastoral training with a group of four there. Pray for us as we teach and just love those men and women. THANK YOU for the part you play in sharing Jesus with Africa through your love and prayers and support of us! We cannot thank Jesus enough for you all!