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:)