A Long Delay

Dearest Family and Friends –
Many of you have wondered what African pathway we got lost exploring… the path through the last month has indeed been exciting but we finally are emerging. We were away from Arua for three weeks and thought we would have better email connections but honestly they were hard to come by. We returned only to promptly lose electricity for the week and that combined with some minor computer challenges was enough to “overcome” us. Forgive our delay but thank you for caring for us and praying so faithfully for the last month.

Our time in Kenya was fantastic. We were able to get in a few days of R&R which was a blessing from Jesus as well as attend a leadership conference specifically for missionaries. The conference was good but what we enjoyed the most was drinking coffee with some of our close WGM Kenya missionaries. It was a treasure to be in their homes, sit at their tables and just “be” together. You would have laughed at us though because there is a great coffee house in Nairobi (that has a Starbucks feel) and we just could not get enough! Funny the things you miss in AruaJ

One of our close friends is Staci Wells and she is working with abandoned babies at the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center. It was sheer delight to spend a Saturday holding and playing with Lucy and Mary Martha and 23 of their closest “friends.” We have a new appreciation for such joys.

Returning to Uganda, we had a doctor’s appointment for Joanna to have an ultrasound and meet with an OB/GYN. We trust all of you got our prayer letter but we pregnant and Joanna is due with a “baby girl” in November!!! We are so excited and trying to celebrate/prepare even amidst hosting our first mission team. They are a leadership team from Indiana Wesleyan University and we have had a blast with them. They have been a huge encouragement to our hearts as well as been a tremendous blessing to the community of Arua. After a few days of “retreat/orientation” in the game park they courageously planned and hosted a VBS which just finished on Friday. Children like Moses, Haman, and Hope all experienced the love of Jesus through ten college boys laughing, singing, dancing, performing dramas and valiantly trying to pick up greetings in the local language.

Please thank Jesus with us for all He has done for us in the last weeks. We are celebrating Kenyan Friends! Our first team! And A BABY! Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!

This morning (Monday) the team kicked off a missionary kid program. Everything from career day to water sports is planned and it will give them the opportunity to love on some of the missionary community here in Arua. Pray those kids can see Jesus in the lives of “cool college guys.” Friday John and Billy will drive the team to Kampala where they’ll have some shopping time before flying out on Sunday. We thank Jesus for your prayers this week for relationships and travels. Hallelujah! Praise God Forever!