MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 10-14-2010

Howdy! Thanks for praying for Mom and Dad. They're doing much better, although there is still a lot of healing to do, especially for Mom. Pray she will be able to endure the pain, and make a swift recovery without complications.

I took the opportunity to visit Mordecai's family. I am attempting to build a friendship with them and preach the Gospel to them. We had a great visit. They fed us up with lots of delicious matoke and beans, and we have an open invitation to come back and preach to an even larger gathering. Pray for Mordecai as he continues to grow. He will be getting baptized soon, which is a blessing. I am continuing to disciple him, which is progressing well.

Thanks for praying for our needs. We have the money now for our work permits, and we replaced the tires. I got some much needed repairs done to the car. This is our vehicle for getting to the camp, so it's a necessity to the ministry. It takes a beating every week driving the bumpy road to Nakivale, so we have to maintain it well so we can keep going there.

The whole family went to Kampala earlier this week along with the Bassetts. We visited the Hudson's and the Olachea's. The kids had a great time. We got some Chineses and Mexian food, and ice cream (bonus!), and we got some things that you can't get easily or cheaply in Mbarara. 

Anna's first doctor visit in the capitol went well. We found out we don't have to have all the money for the birth immediately, which buys us some time to save up for it. It's a new, clean, modern hospital with well-trained, professional staff. I'm very pleased with it, and am quite comfortable going there for her to have the baby. By the way, we found out we're having a girl! Elizabeth, at long last, shall have a sister. We're going to name her Brennah LaDynne. Continue praying for Anna and baby as we bring this pregnancy to a successful conclusion in 19 weeks.

I checked on the work permit while in Kampala. I took a bus trip down there over a week ago to begin the process. We have a file number now, which means the paperwork is in the system and being processed. It may create a problem when the kids and Anna's visas expire at the end of the month. I can't start theirs until mine is done, and it can take weeks. Pray it will move through the bureaucratic tangle quickly and without issue. Pray I won't have to pay a bunch of fines. Jeff Bassett is still in Kampala getting his vehicle worked on also, so he is attempting to get student passes for the kids (beginning the process with their papers), and a special pass for Anna. This will cost $100, but he is going to try to see if, since they let us start the process for the kids early, they will do the same for Anna, which will save us $100. Pray it will go well, and that the ladies at immigration will be sympathetic and work with him. Pray I can get this done. It will be great to no longer have the looming threat of deportation hanging over my head.

Pray about the van we'd like to buy. I have mentioned before the Toyota Regius we would like to get for running around town and going to the capitol, leaving the Beast for going to the refugee camps and going out to villages. We are going to need the extra seating capacity for Brennah next year, so keep praying we will be able to get this, or another vehicle like it.

Pray about the new children's ministry we are beginning in Nakivale on Sunday. I am alternating with Jeff Bassett between two of the preaching points, to help get the preaching on Sunday done a bit quicker, and allow us to spend more time with the people. I will be preaching for the adult service, and then Anna and I will be conducting a children's service afterwards. There are many children in the camps, and they weren't being dealt with directly. Now that we are going with the Bassetts, there is enough laborers so that they can do a children's service there while we do one at our preaching point. They were wanting to have a service with the kids also, so it works out well. It's exciting, and I'm looking forward to it greatly. Keep praying for the services. I am taking on more responsibility, which is a good thing, but I'm also conscious of the need to keep after the language study as well.

There is much to do. Pray for us, for the other missionaries here, and for the many ministries ongoing in Mbarara and all over Uganda, as we seek to reach the lost of Uganda with the Gospel.