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!!!