From the Back of a Bicycle

These days we have continued to be without a car…a common experience amongst many of our Ugandan friends, so a great reminder of reality. I was riding home from town on the back of a bicycle, side-saddle in my skirt while I was pondering how to share about the last few weeks on the blog. As I clung to the biggest box of Rice Krispies I have ever seen in this or ANY country, I had to laugh at how bizarre it is to relate in two totally different worlds. For one, most women on the back of bicycles are clinging to their bananas or mangos or their children; for me, I had this amazing western treasure I had found. Then also the reality was running through my mind of the computer, and internet and posting pictures, while the scenes I was truly seeing in reality were of children chasing one another barefoot and men sitting under trees discussing politics.

Anyway, a lot of things came to mind to tell you all about…

We have just said good-bye to our first summer team. It was a group from Kentucky that consisted of some great friends and even three siblings of our teammates! What fun we had taking them to pastoral training in Nebbi, ministering to children, painting, showing the JESUS Film, eating, talking, prayer-walking, and just living life with one another!

We have also really enjoyed having Jeannie around. The neighborhood kids have as well! She has led them in Kids Bible Club each Saturday morning. She had the privilege of leading a young teenage girl to Jesus this past week at another discipleship group she is leading this summer. This coming week she’ll be helping to train one of our pastors from Sudan who is coming down for a couple of days of discipleship and training with us. Pray for her as she teaches on Evangelism.

Finally, as I tightened my grip on that flimsy cardboard box filled merely with air fluffed bits of rice as if it could help me keep my balance, I thought of telling you all about our day yesterday. We woke up to find our house literally flooded with white ants, that are a type of termite and crickets. The team left in the morning, so we had to say good-bye to 9 people who had come as some friends and some strangers, but now left as dear partners in ministry. We are so thankful Jesus brought each one of them.

As we were waiting to say good-bye to them we found our neighbors had come into our yard and were catching termites by the handful. It seems our lights had attracted them in the night and we had so many crawling all over our yard. The Lugbara find these little creatures to be a delicacy and were so excited to share in our bounty. We were thrilled to welcome them, so we joined the hunt and collected tons of them.

Returning back into the house Billy realized the sink was not working in the kitchen. There was already a problem with the bathroom sink leaking, so he got to play plumber for the day and work on that exciting adventure for the next few hours! He did a great job, I must say and now all the sinks are working great (almost!).

So, anyway, we are eager to welcome mechanics still in Arua, and are quickly adding plumbers to that list. Do you feel Jesus calling you!?

Thank you for your prayers and love. Every day is an adventure...in our love adventure with Him!

JOY amidst the Journeys

The best part about Daddy traveling so much is that HE COMES BACK! When he arrived back from a week in Nairobi at a leadership conference, Elsie Jayne was all smiles and welcomed him home excitedly! We had a special weekend together as a family before he had to go to Sudan for a week of pastoral training. Jesus really helped him and we were able to welcome him back again (knowing he will stay for a while this time) after a great weekend of training and discipleship in Yei, Sudan.

While he was away, we celebrated our friend Jennifer’s 24^th birthday! She invited over a few other friends and we had coke and cake to celebrate. Elsie Jayne LOVED the party and I think Jennifer really felt loved as well!

Jesus really ordered conversations and interactions for Elsie Jayne and me while Billy was away. The girls I am meeting with on Monday evenings are becoming more vulnerable and open with me…we can all see Jesus working in each of our lives and it’s exciting! Jesus is helping us…and Elsie Jayne only makes every interaction sweeter! She’s doing well…please do continue to pray for her development in every way!

Jeannie Banter is back with us!!! We are so excited to have her here for the next 6 weeks. She already jumped back in this morning with Bible Club here in our yard. 20 neighborhood kids came and learned about Jesus in the temple when he was about their age. Jesus is using Jeannie in Africa…keep praying for her please!

Thank you for carrying us in your hearts! We are so humbled that Jesus would let us live and work here in Arua…and in Kenya, and Sudan, and wherever He takes us tomorrow!

Rejoicing with those who Rejoice!

Mambo Charles, a man in Billy's Tuesday evening Bible Study was married this past Saturday to Joyce! It was a beautiful ceremony and Jesus was truly honored! Billy had the privlege of being the camera man and the videographer! He was also the taxi driver for the newly wed couple! Besides a smoking car half way back to Arua, the day went off without any major hitch! Jesus was present and the day pointed to Him!
Billy really loved spending the day with his friends from the Bible study. He is pictured here with Mambo, the groom (center) and Imam another dear friend. You prayed for he and his wife Tina...PRAISE JESUS, she has just delivered a baby girl! THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!


Elsie Jayne is beginning to perfect her crawl. So, even though she and I were not able to make it to the wedding festivities we wanted you to see her new skills here!

Thank you for your prayers...somehow Jesus responds and truly He is sustaining us. Billy is in Nairobi this week for a leadership conference. When he returns this weekend, we have a day together before he goes to Yei, Sudan for this months pastoral training...please remember him as travel is such an adventure here...and remember Elsie Jayne and me as staying and missing daddy isn't our favorite part of life! We had great interaction with the ladies in our discipleship group last night...please pray specifically for Jennifer...she has a lot of financial difficulties right now. And I wanted to update you all on Christopher...he came by yesterday...the hand that was effected from the stroke was doing so much better, but now rainy season has come and he says the pain is so so bad. Please pray Jesus would multiply the Tylenol and really use it to bring comfort to our dear friend.
THANK YOU FOR CARRYING US TO JESUS IN PRAYER!