April 24
I have been feeling so much better lately. I am SO grateful for everyone’s emails and phone calls. I was so encouraged by your prayers and concern for us. It helped me a lot knowing people cared.
The girls are doing well. Lydia can write her name now. Grace can get out of her bed (there is a railing on it) – that is a bummer. Grace also regressed in potty training – bigger bummer! Grace is praying all by herself now. And Lydia is still praying for a baby brother. Both girls love wearing their “clappy” shoes (dress up high heel shoes). The girls still miss all of you and sometimes ask when we are going to MI or if Grandma is packing to fly here. Oh, how I’d love for you to just see them play and hear their little voices sing.
April 30
We just got back from the bes
t weekend we have had since we came to Uganda. Our team was blessed with a spiritual retreat at Speke Resort in Kampala. We had so much fun! Speke is on Lake Victoria and is a beautifully landscaped resort. We did a lot of walking because the place is so big. Everything was done to high standards and the workers were very professional. They offer a weekend rate for residents that includes; all your meals, horse rides for the kids each day, and boat rides. The meals were amazing and we ate way too much. You got to choose an appetizer, main course, and dessert each meal. Breakfast was a buffet and so were our last couple meals. The desserts were so good. We felt so spoiled. Sitting outside looking at Lake Victoria, served a four course meal, no cooking or cleaning – what a break. The girls loved the horses! They weren’t scared at all and looked forward to it each day. Grace road a horse called Casanova. She ca
lled it, “my Casanova” and wanted to check on him every day. We all enjoyed the pools. We had sun the whole weekend. The resort has a pool on the lake and another Olympic size pool. I have never seen such a big pool. It was like a lake. They even used a small boat to clean the pool. They had a wonderful, big kiddy pool too. We had a great time swimming together. We went for a boat ride on the lake too but it wasn’t anything special. What good is a lake when you can’t swim in it because of the sickness you can get. Besides, it was so full of green scum. Each day Josh led us in a Bible study about Barnabas. It was a bit hard to keep the kids entertained or find a time when they were all sleeping but we made it work. The whole weekend was such a blessing – a needed break. We didn’t have to go anywhere or worry about anything. We are so thankful! 
It is hard to get back into things now. What a different world when you leave the resort! Back to reality. Hopefully we will adjust soon. However; there is no way around it, it is difficult living on the mission field. Will I ever feel at home and content? Not that I want to pack up and move home (although a long visit would be nice). So what do I want? I guess that is part of livin
g in a world that is not our home.
I have been feeling so much better lately. I am SO grateful for everyone’s emails and phone calls. I was so encouraged by your prayers and concern for us. It helped me a lot knowing people cared.
The girls are doing well. Lydia can write her name now. Grace can get out of her bed (there is a railing on it) – that is a bummer. Grace also regressed in potty training – bigger bummer! Grace is praying all by herself now. And Lydia is still praying for a baby brother. Both girls love wearing their “clappy” shoes (dress up high heel shoes). The girls still miss all of you and sometimes ask when we are going to MI or if Grandma is packing to fly here. Oh, how I’d love for you to just see them play and hear their little voices sing.
April 30
We just got back from the bes
t weekend we have had since we came to Uganda. Our team was blessed with a spiritual retreat at Speke Resort in Kampala. We had so much fun! Speke is on Lake Victoria and is a beautifully landscaped resort. We did a lot of walking because the place is so big. Everything was done to high standards and the workers were very professional. They offer a weekend rate for residents that includes; all your meals, horse rides for the kids each day, and boat rides. The meals were amazing and we ate way too much. You got to choose an appetizer, main course, and dessert each meal. Breakfast was a buffet and so were our last couple meals. The desserts were so good. We felt so spoiled. Sitting outside looking at Lake Victoria, served a four course meal, no cooking or cleaning – what a break. The girls loved the horses! They weren’t scared at all and looked forward to it each day. Grace road a horse called Casanova. She ca
lled it, “my Casanova” and wanted to check on him every day. We all enjoyed the pools. We had sun the whole weekend. The resort has a pool on the lake and another Olympic size pool. I have never seen such a big pool. It was like a lake. They even used a small boat to clean the pool. They had a wonderful, big kiddy pool too. We had a great time swimming together. We went for a boat ride on the lake too but it wasn’t anything special. What good is a lake when you can’t swim in it because of the sickness you can get. Besides, it was so full of green scum. Each day Josh led us in a Bible study about Barnabas. It was a bit hard to keep the kids entertained or find a time when they were all sleeping but we made it work. The whole weekend was such a blessing – a needed break. We didn’t have to go anywhere or worry about anything. We are so thankful! 
It is hard to get back into things now. What a different world when you leave the resort! Back to reality. Hopefully we will adjust soon. However; there is no way around it, it is difficult living on the mission field. Will I ever feel at home and content? Not that I want to pack up and move home (although a long visit would be nice). So what do I want? I guess that is part of livin
g in a world that is not our home.
Hi! I am a friend of Linda Sumner, the Geneva Women's Soccer coach. I have been reading your blog, and it looks to me like your work for the Lord is difficult, and lonely. Here in the US, we don't understand the magnitude of the need you see every day. We really don't understand the hardship you face as a couple. But you aren't there for us. Your Lord understands! He left the glory of God's throne for this storm-filled, ant-munched, sorrow-laden, dry, thristy world. I pray that He will give you encouragement. That He will be your Home. That He will comfort you in your sorrow. That He will heal the land of Uganda. Press on. Your work is not in vain! Keep teaching, even if it is just one, hungry man! I pray for much spiritual fruit, and for a feeling of "home." You are true heroes.
ReplyDeleteSusie Layton
Michael Card - Distressing Disguise
He is in the pain, He is in the need
He is in the poor, we are told to feed
Though He was rich, for us He became poor
How could He give so much, what was it for?
In His distressing disguise
He waits for us to surmise
That we rob our brothers by all that we own
And that's not the way He has shown
Every time a faithful servant serves
A brother that's in need
What happens at that moment is a miracle indeed
As they look to one another in an instant it is clear
Only Jesus is visible for they've both disappeared
He is in the hand that reaches out to give
He is in the touch that causes men to live
So speak with your life now as well as your tongue
Shelter the homeless, take care of the young
In His distressing disguise
He hopes that we'll realize
That when we take care of the poorest of them
We've really done it to Him