God at Work

It is HOT here! I am just not good in heat. I want to complain, escape, I don’t feel well (the dryness hurts your throat, the dust gives you a headache, and the heat makes you tired). I know this too shall pass. It is literally 93 degrees INSIDE our house today with 20% humidity. When our thermometer is in the sun it goes off the charts at 120 degrees. I find it hard to want to cook supper when it is this hot. There is not air conditioning to escape to, no water to find relief in. We are more than thankful for fans and cold water! We are also glad it still cools off at night after the sun goes down. We look forward to rains again, which could be any day or 6 weeks. Until then we will keep drinking to stay hydrated and find ways to smile in the heat.

We continue to be excited about what God is doing in our church. Our church began building a permanent structure two years ago (had a big hut like building but grass is becoming less and less available to keep the roof covered). They had a five year plan to build a little more each year as people gave. In November a mission group from South Korea who invest into building church buildings came and offered to pay basically half the of the building cost if the church would do the other half. They gave the church till the end of January to build the church. So for the last eight weeks or so our church has been working hard building a church building.

Although we were leery at first, it was exciting to see our church give in every way. Everyone seemed to give generously animals, crops, and money to pay for our half of the work. Others gave their time, strength, and talents. Everyday people were there working together to fetch water, cook, dig rocks… They worked so hard! Day after day they gave of themselves. I was humbled each time I went and saw what people can do when they work together and give generously. I was excited to be apart of a church like this.

Friday was the big grand opening of our church. All week we worked last minute details, cleaned up, and prepared for cooking (for up to 1,000 people!). The day of was, of course, hot and yet the women cooked for hours around huge pots of rice and meat. Everyone was busy doing something waiting for the Koreans to arrive. I found some shade and helped the ladies shell garlic (hundreds of leaves of garlic). I was glad I could help and fellowship. My kids played with other kids near by and were excited about the cow head lying behind me. Sometimes I just sit back and laugh about where I live and what is normal. J

Everyone lined the driveway when the Koreans arrived. They shouted, sang and waving branches. It is such a festive sight! They sure know how to welcome people. The crowd gathered to cut the ribbon and enter the church. The church was full and sweaty. We had a small service and the Koreans, I think, said they would build our church school in three years. Quite a promise. After the service everyone was fed – that always amazes me.

Sunday we had our first church service in our new church building. Through the building process I prayed that our church would have a firm foundation in Christ and that He was the center. God continues to be at work in and through our church. There was sincere worship that led to intimate prayer and tears…the Holy Spirit filled our church – the people. I worshiped the Lord as I watched. I am so thankful to see my daughter put her hand on friends crying before the Lord. To see my pastor bowed broken before the Lord. To hear God’s house filled with prayer. There was a new believer, someone who fell away back again, and the faithful. We had a sermon and time of repentance on the second step to freedom – lies vs. truth. I pray we continue to remove the lies and believe God’s truth about us and others. Then I know God will use us to bring His kingdom in our lives, marriages, homes, church, and community.

We look forward to my parents visit. They arrive in Uganda on Feb. 5 and will be here three weeks. Pray for their safety and good health. Can’t wait for the kids to have some special G&G time! Malai learned to say, “Dampa and Damma” just in time for their coming. She loves to pray now too and usually repeats the word morning over and over. Once and a while she will add names of people to her prayer too. So sweet.