G&G Shaarda are Here!

Lots going on around here...Harvesting, Karlie left for a little while, G&G Shaarda have come, graduation, greeting...  Hope you enjoy the pictures of our activities.  More to come soon!

Drying and harvesting simsim (sesame seeds)

Our neighbor Margaret with their harvest of simsim

Our family walking to greet neighbors

Lydia, Karlie and Grace learned how to make mundozis (kinda like a doughnut) with our neighbor Winnie

Karlie and our kids in Jinja before she left for MI for two months (has to do orientation with IT)

Karlie has enjoyed her time in Uganda so much she was in tears having to leave.  So glad she is coming back!

Boat right to the source of the Nile

Then Grandpa & Grandma Shaarda arrived!
They are here for almost three weeks.
We are so excited to share our home and lives with them.

Josh, Dad, Luka and Grace went fishing for Nile Perch on Lake Victoria.

Almost a catch, seaweed.

Grace ended up with the only catch - a big 2 incher.
They were disappointed not to catch the big one but they did enjoy their morning together on Lake Victoria.

Mom, Lydia, Malai and I went craft shopping while the guys were fishing.
This is our smoothie break.

Sharing Obulle with G&G

Bible study on Revelations

Luka keeps Grandpa busy.  He is Grandpa's buddy.

G & G are trying lots of new things - and being great sports about it!

Walking to the school at church

Dad sharing at schools nursery (preschool) graduation

A few people attended

Eating Obulle style

Looking at the classrooms

Blessings this Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We had a wonderful cloudy, cool day here (we could at least pretend it was fall, not sweat so much, and have a fire in our fireplace!).  I so enjoyed setting up and decorating to make the day special.  We had 26 of us for lunch (and supper).  We enjoyed a day of fun and laughing together.  The kids loved the group games!  Thanks for all your support and encouragement.  You were on our Thanksgiving list this year.

Mom & my pumpkin pies

So special to have Dad & Mom Shaarda part of our special day

Carving the turkey

Great, traditional Thanksgiving food!

The girls did a Christmas craft together

And the Christmas season began in our house!

We have a beautiful Christmas tree, a house that looks like Christmas, and family to enjoy it with!

Preparing for Thanksgiving in Obulle

It is almost Thanksgiving!  Josh's parents are here too!  (I will share more about that soon.)  For now I wanted to share some of our Thanksgiving prep...

Our turkey arrived on the back of our teammates motorcycle 

Good thing we have hunters in the family

Luka loved helping Dad and Grandpa.

His Indian hat we made

Mom and I were busy in the kitchen making pumpkin pie from scratch

Have a Great Thanksgiving everyone knowing God is good!  Can't wait to share our pictures from the party...

Faith Through it All

Nov. 17, 2014

As I have shared we have been going through some difficult times.  I wish I could say things have gotten better but honestly this has been the hardest things we have ever been through.  Our conclusion; we are at battle against the evil one.

In this time of trial I have cried out to God like never before.  Holding on to faith with the last bit of strength I have.  I have searched God’s Word to endure.  I know God is my Refuge, my Shelter, my Defender, Protector, wisdom and I am loved by Him.  He will bring truth out of the confusion.  He will rescue.  He is in control.

I am not saying it is easy.  I have never been to this point in my faith where I begged God to answer, to send encouragement, to protect us.  I had nothing and was counting on the prayers of others for me.  I never doubted God but was tired.  God did send love and encouragement.  Our Ugandan neighbors and friends came.  Their love and faith encouraged me.

The battle isn’t over, but God is with us (and for us).  I would love to share all the scripture God has spoken through, and maybe I will little by little, but I know it was for me.  The Psalms, Job, and the life and ministry of Jesus lead me on.  Thank you for praying for us as we obey the Lord through these trials.
 
My prayer from Psalm 31
In You, Lord, I take refuge; let me not be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness.
Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Lead and guide me.  Free me from the trap that is set for me.
Into Your hands I commit myself; redeem me, the God of truth.
I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.
My life is full of anguish.  My strength fails because of my affliction, I am weak.
BUT I trust in You, Lord, You are my God.  My times are in Your hands.  Deliver me.  Let Your face shine on me and save me in Your unfailing love.
Let me not be put to shame for I have cried out to You.  Let the lying lips be silenced for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
How great is Your goodness for those who fear You, for those who take refuge in You.  In the shelter of Your presence You hide them.  In Your dwelling You keep them safe from accusing tongues.
Praise be to the Lord, for He shows His wonderful love to me.  You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help.
I love You Lord.  You keep the faithful but the proud will be paid back.  Be strong and take heart all who hope in the Lord.   

Team Retreat

In the mists of some hard times, our team was blessed with a retreat.  We had so much fun together and God equipped  and encouraged us. 

All our kiddos in their new tie dye shirts 

A BIG thank you to our wonderful teachers!  Our kids loved the retreat

We had a team photo scavenger hunt using a mug

We had a family fun night with lots of silly games!

Our teammate, Jennifer, blessed us with her parents help.  Our kids quickly called them grandpa and grandma.

The adults did a Bible study on Nehemiah.  We were encouraged in the Holy Ambition God has given us. 

Good eating too!

Praying for those suffering for Christ

Even though we go through difficulties, I am reminded we are still so blessed.  My minor troubles don't compare to what other Christians are facing.  People are loosing their lives for their faith.  The evil in this world brings me to tears.  It is sick and I grieve.  

Please go to the link below and pray for this family and other Christians around the world suffering.

Pakistani Couple Beaten, Burned to Death by Muslim Mob -- four children now orphaned (she was also 5 months pregnant)

https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2014/11/Article_3462820.html/