Our home service
in Michigan didn’t go exactly as planned.
Because of many health issues, our return to Uganda was delayed six
weeks in. I find it hard to put this
home service into words. It has been
harder then most, busy (with over 50 doctor appointments and 3 surgeries!),
emotional, yet we were also blessed.
Josh had hip surgery to repair a growth on the bone and torn labrium. He is recovering well but it is long recovery. The physical therapist working with Josh had
the same surgery and said after a year and a half Josh will be glad he had the
surgery. There have been some low days
for Josh, not being able to do what he would like to do but we are thankful he
will be well again. Grace is doing very
well after six months of stomach aches and pains. She is on medicine for abdominal
migraines. I am the first to say I had
to see it to believe it and now I believe.
Emalai had tubes put in her ears after two months of ear
infections. She now loves to hear
herself talk and is sleeping better at night – yeah! I, Mandy, had cataract surgery and would love
to tell you how well I see now, but I can’t.
I am thankful the surgery was successful but it seems I will always have
imperfect eyes. We thought we were all
done with medical issues until Luka went in for his normal check-up. His urine was a little off and because of
past kidney failure he had to see his kidney doctor. From there his blood work came back abnormal
and he had to see a blood doctor. In the
end Luka seems to be fine and will just be watched. Despite all these health issues and other
hardships we realize God is with us. Through
each attack and disappointment we can trust in God. He is our healer, our protector, and the One
who holds our plans.
Thank
you for praying for us and lifting us to the Great Healer! We are grateful for you.
Even
with all our health issues, we were able to speak at all 16 of our supporting
churches. We loved sharing what God is
doing in Obulle with those who partner with us.
We were encouraged by interest and grateful for your prayers for us and
the ministry. We were also able to enjoy
time with our families and even get in a couple vacations. Josh and I celebrated our 15th
wedding anniversary and renewed our wedding vows. Our three oldest children attended school
while there were here too. Josh went to
International Teams leadership conference and Mandy was able to go to a retreat
for missionary women.
Now
as we once again prepare to leave and transition back to our home in Uganda, we
are thankful. Thankful for our time in
Michigan and thankful we are able to go back to serve in Obulle again. Our kids literally cheered after Josh’s
doctor appointment that cleared him to return to Uganda on the 20th
as planned. We are excited about being
home, back to our new house in the village, back with our team, with our church
and friends. We are eager to again be teaching, discipling, and leading. Praise God for His sure calling on us to go
and make disciples in Obulle!
Our Teacher!
We
are praising God for answered prayer.
Karlie Maxwell from Lake City CRC is going to teach our children this
year in Uganda! It has been a joy to see
God speak to her and lead her to come and serve with us. Karlie will be traveling back with us August
20 – her first plane ride! We look
forward to having her teach our children and be part of our family.
Pray with us:
|
Pray for
us as we pack up and say goodbye to our families once again. Although we love our home in Uganda, it is
always hard to leave those we love (and everything that is nice here). We know at times like this that our faith
becomes action. All we say and believe
is tested as we must put it into action.
We know God is loving, faithful, and present. He is our protector and
peace so we go. Pray for our families
too as they trust in God and let us (and their grandkids!) go once more.
| Pray for continued good health and healing for all
of us.
|
Praise God
for Karlie! Pray for God to prepare her
spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Pray for all her support to come in.
Pray she knows God’s peace in this journey and as she adjusts to her new
home in Africa. Pray that God equips her
as she teaches and serves with us.
|
Pray for Josh as International Teams Uganda Area
Director. Pray for Josh as he desires to
learn the Ateso language to the point of preaching this next year. And pray for him as he resumes his passion
for teaching and disciple-making in Obulle.
