The Story Tellers

(Billy, Cosmas, Nicholas, Mugisha, James, Gideon, John Onek, Jonathan, Benson, and Andrew)

"You really must love us!" Andrew's big smile was lit up across his broad face. We were sitting in his room at a conference center in Lira, Uganda. This last week many of you were praying for me as I traveled with nine of our pastors to a conference on story telling. We had felt it would be significant for some of our key pastoral leaders to get properly trained in storying. Three came from Kampala, three from Nebbi, and two from Sudan.

For the guys from Nebbi, it was a cultural experience.

When I asked Andrew why I loved him, his fellow pastor Cosmas burst into laughter. If you can imagine, Andrew's smile grew even bigger. I was not following the laughter or smiles and tried to ask again, "Why do I love you?" The reply was quick, "Because you brought us to this high living."

We had already been a little anxious about taking folks from a village mindset to a "conference." So I quickly tried to explain that I had nothing to do with picking out the 15,000 shiling (8$) a night "luxury" room where we were staying, but before I could finish Cosmas proclaimed, "It's the one step latrine. Andrew likes the one step latrine." I looked to Andrew and found him again smiling. He pointed from the bed to the bathroom and declared, "I can go from the bed to the toilet in one step and then from the toilet back to the bed in one step!" Now I was smiling, realizing these men had never stayed in a room with indoor plumbing!

Andrew piped up again, "And there is hot water! They have hot water here for bathing!" The excitement was uncontainable and none of us could keep from laughing. Cosmas promptly announced that Andrew had not known how to work the hot water tap but he had explained how to regulate the two to get the right temperature. After waiting for Cosmas to teach Andrew the ways of "high living" our conversation dissolved into more laughter, discussing what stories we would have to tell the people back home and numerous more references to the "one-step latrine."

The conference was a success in numerous ways. There was a mixture of teaching and small group times and we heard a lot of stories. We practiced learning a Bible story (not memorizing), then telling the story, and finally leading the audience through questions to draw out the truths God would have us apply to our lives. The best part of such a conference is all your "break" conversations are about the Scriptures. Because we are basically doing oral Bible study, every session is potentially quite convicting. Our leaders eagerly dove in and began participating, many of them playing active roles in the various practice sessions.

You may have heard us make mention of this method of communicating called Storying. In the last twenty plus years , numerous efforts have been made both in academic as well as missiological circles to understand how to better communicate with oral learners. An oral learner is a person who cannot read or write at all but it also includes people who can read and write but prefer to learn through oral methods.
Narratives... Stories are the traditional method of learning for oral cultures but it has taken a little while for me to realize how much they are a part of even my own "American-sophisticated" culture. Maybe you don't think of yourself as a story lover but let me ask - what do you do watch every night on television... daily stories, made up stories, people telling their stories. Whether you start your day with a physical newspaper or you go online, what are you reading...but the latest "stories." Real entertainment over the weekend is popcorn and "a story." We grab coffee with friends and listen to what... their story. The mediums are totally different here in Uganda but the love for stories is just as great if not greater.

Joanna and I have had the privilege to be asked to investigate and research these oral methods and specifically, pursue whether Bible storying could be a viable method for sharing the Gospel both in Uganda but then also throughout WGM East Africa.

Thus, not only was the conference valuable for “training” in story telling, but the networking and strategy conversations were invaluable. It was great for me to be able to sit around and drink coffee with people who are wrestling with similar challenges of discovering the best way to implement storying into practical training and discipleship for all men, women, youth and children. The amazing thing is stories transcend age, gender and even ethnicity.

Joanna and I have one avid story fan. Although I have been describing "oral methods," Elsie Jayne is not afraid to tackle the literate challenge. Please pray for her, that she will learn God's Story and for us, that we might be faithful at telling His Story to every one He brings into our lives.

What will today bring?

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that we are the LORDS and as we avail ourselves to Him, He is the one who directs us... "As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right." Jeremiah 26:14

Yesterday we had a day clearly directed by Jesus, but nothing as we imagined it might be.

Thursday evening we were thinking Friday might be a restful family day as the weekend was looking quite full. That night we got a call that we were having a big delivery from Kampala bright and early the next morning. We should be ready for our container to arrive at 8am.

We have been working for months on a plan for the Missionary Disciple "stuff" that is in Arua. These things were the Rinehimers furnishings and will soon belong to our new colleagues, we trust...but when "soon" is, we do not know and how to store a household of furniture in the meantime was the question. Well, this week, the people we were loaning it all to have set a date to move into the Congo and therefore given us a date to find a new storage place! We began the process in earnest of finding a container (like the back of a big truck) to put in our backyard and after many phone calls and big checks it was on the way.

So, we delayed our morning plans and waited on the truck to arrive. By 11a.m. there was still no sign of the truck. There were however clear signs our dog, Marori was about to deliver pups at any moment and Elsie Jayne was too excited to take a nap! (so much for a day of rest)

A good friend came and stayed with Elsie Jayne so we could go on a lunch date! THAT WAS A BLESSING!!! Still staying with the phone, trusting the container might show up at any moment.

After lunch we came home to find two puppies...eventually Marori birthed five beautiful puppies yesterday! Elsie Jayne is so excited that Marori chose to birth them right outside our kitchen window.

Five oclock and still no container...we kept calling the driver and he would tell us he was almost to Arua! All day!

We left for a family visit to Nick Strong's soccer practice. It is incredible all of the doors Jesus has opened for Nick with soccer in Arua...we are so humbled and grateful to Jesus for His leading! One amazing opportunity is coaching a team called "Arua Central." They are beyond excited to have Nick helping them this season. We got to visit with his fellow coach and get some fun pictures of Nick in action!

Elsie Jayne made a great little friend on the sidelines...a little man named Junior who is also fifteen months old. He was not quite as excited about Elsie Jayne's show of affection as she was, but when she let him play with her hat, he was sweet to her anyway.

About six thirty the truck with our container finally arrived! Just a bit after 8a.m.! The men who brought it up did an amazing job of getting it off the truck (notice the picture of the truck in the air as they were offloading the container) and set up. Even in the dark they were able to get it set up on rocks, so we hopefully won't get critters in the bottom of it.

We are SO THANKFUL to Jesus to His faithfulness all through the day yesterday...He protected and kept us all and we had a really happy day together even though it didn't look exactly as we imagined. We trust Jesus did all that He thought was good and right in and through us!

Snakes and Spiders

Some days living in Africa isn't much different at all from living in Jackson, MS or Wilmore, KY! Today was a bit of an adventure though!

We awoke to find a HUGE spider inside the mosquito net with us! That is not supposed to happen!

Then all through her breakfast Elsie Jayne waved to the ants on the kitchen floor. As I began stepping on them, she started saying (her favorite words) "bye-bye, bye-bye!"

As I sat down to do some work on the computer this morning I sensed it was too quiet in the living room...I found Elsie Jayne playing with a dead (thankfully) cockroach in the corner!

Literally 20 minutes after that senario, I found her chasing these little jumping spiders that always come after the rains begin again. At least this time she was trying to step on them as I had the ants, rather than play with them!

Finally, and I am NOT exaggerating, Elsie Jayne had the broom outside on the porch having fun sweeping when I hear another girl that was with her yelling for our watchman to come! There was a snake on our porch! How do snakes climb steps!? Seriously!? Simon took it away and killed it and came back...those are the "bad kind" he informed us!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

All of these creatures before Elsie Jayne's morning nap!

We do not take your prayers for our protection and peace for granted...from the silly inconveniences to the real threats...Jesus has His hand upon us and our little family and we are so grateful for a safe morning to write about rather than anything more exciting! He is good and His love endures forever!

One of Those Days

Maybe it is being six months pregnant. Maybe it is 90+ degrees in January. A new culture...somehow feeling more complex rather than more familiar after28 months of living here. A fifteen month old to chase and train up in Jesus...a serious travel schedule...a constant longing to see a LIFE really drawn into HIS LIFE...whatever was the instigation...yesterday was just "one of those days."

By 9a.m. Elsie Jayne and I had hosted three people for tea...all of them unexpected and all of them "needing" something from us (but really just needing Jesus, but...you know, really thinking they needed something else). So, we realized after the last one left and we went to change her diaper and get ready for naps that we hadn't shared any Scripture with any of them! We had prayed together, but in this culture that is just expected...we had missed three opportunities before the day had even reached double digits! That was a disappointing reality!

Elsie Jayne slept and I read, asking Jesus for more opportunities and grace not to miss them!

In the afternoon a friend came to take Elsie Jayne's one year pictures! She is a photography student but out here as a short term missionary. We had fun and enjoyed lunch and conversation together.

After she left we had THREE more visitors in the afternoon...again, all unexpected. One waiting for us as we showed our lunch guest to the door. So right away we got to share with him...he is Christopher...whom many of you have prayed for. He is doing really well since the stroke now and even though he is clearly aging, his joy is back and we praise Jesus for that!

The next was a friend who is often around but is really struggling this week. She and I were able to pray together and be quite honest with one another...painful, but helpful...iron sharpening iron!?!

Finally after Elsie Jayne's afternoon nap another young man showed up...needing some money for school fees...his tuition. We were able to pray together and talk about what he had learned and how he had grown over the school holiday and as he walked out our door, we had to thank Jesus that He made a way for us to share with three sweet souls HIS LOVE...when ours was empty and tired...that's the message we have come to share...He can love through us and in spite of us and we praise Him that He did yesterday...when we were having "one of those days!"

Last night as I locked the doors and pulled the mosquito net around my bed, I was still a bit disappointed in the day...sad to be away from Billy, as he is at this Bible Storying Conference this week and knowing I would wake up today to his 29th birthday and not see him all day. Jesus led me to Psalm 27 and quieted my heart...even though last night was also "one of those nights" when your husband is away and there is crazy wind outside and you hear lots of things that you can't identify!...He still met me.

Praying today for His Sweet Spirit and His Joy and His Hope throughout this special day! Billy is having a great time at the conference. He was asked to help lead it once he arrived!!! This is Africa and that was a definite surprise, but we are thankful for the opportunity! Our pastors from Nebbi seem to be especially enjoying the time and those from Sudan and Kampala are willing learners as well! (pictured here with part of the Sudan team) We have so much to be thankful for! Jesus has been so faithful in the last year of our lives...Billy has traveled many miles in his 29th year and Jesus has protected him...He has had so many opportunities to share his love for Jesus and people have listened and grown...He has gotten to be student to many, learning culture and truth and wisdom on each journey from our pastors and friends and fellow colleagues! Jesus is faithful and we are excited to witness to His faithfulness in this new year of life!!!