MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 09-02-2019

Greetings! Summer sure went by quickly, didn’t it?

Our journey back to America went very smoothly. No luggage lost (we had one bag left in Chicago, but they brought it to our house the very next day), nobody got sick, and the plane didn’t crash – this is always a plus in international air travel. Thank you for praying for us.

As we knew we would, we got back to St. Louis and hit the ground running. This furlough we are moving our three eldest sons, James III, John and Ethan, to America permanently in order to attend Pensacola Christian College. This summer we had to work with them to get them fully plugged into the American system so they can function here as adults. Bank accounts. Jobs – they all three were hired by QuikTrip! Drivers’ licenses – Ethan has been getting the crash course (not literally) in training so he can take his driving test over Christmas break, along with Elizabeth. Shopping for the clothes they will need for school. Buying a used car for the three of them to have at school – I wanted them to have the ability to move themselves back and forth to St. Louis during breaks. Outfitting for college. And a myriad of other things. It’s been controlled pandemonium.

They have just completed their first week of school. The rest of us have been staying nearby in the area so their mother and I could be available if they needed anything. They are well setup, and appear to be thriving. We have attended every chapel, meeting, and church service here. I’ve been impressed with the preaching and gracious attitude of the leadership that we’ve seen since we’ve been here. I’ve got my fine young men in the best possible place to pursue their educations (Mechanical Engineering for James and John, Computer Science/Software Engineering for Ethan).

We are about to kick off our Fall. We are traveling non-stop between now and right before Thanksgiving. I have been very diligent in scheduling meetings. I am trying to raise more support. We need 15 more supporting churches. We are doing the work of four missionaries. I want to expand our work in Uganda, and this will require more funding in order to remain effective. Please pray about this.

I need to raise $50,000. This will cover all of the buildings I need to rebuild, the library building, all the bookshelves, and medical and other health needs. This is an ongoing, serious need. Please pray. I want to head back to Uganda with these funds in savings so I can put Chrispus to work immediately.

Pray for our pastors and churches in Uganda. They have been through another dry season. Pray the rains will come soon. Pray for the continued growth and health of the churches. Pray for Pastor Theogene at Ngarama. He is still having problems. He has been to the hospital multiple times. It seems to be primarily due to mental issues, which has resulted in malnutrition – he is not eating properly. Pastor Zizi and our leadership at Sangano have been taking up the slack, but I am going to need to train somebody to replace him. I do not know how to help him, as his problems appear to be psychological rather than physiological.

Pray for our travels, for the health of our bodies, for our safety on the road, and for the mechanical health of our car.

God bless you, and if we’re coming your way, see you soon!