MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 06-29-2010

Howdy! I can't believe it's almost July already, and yet here we are. Our container is in Mombasa. I heard from our clearing agent, and once the details of clearing it at the Ugandan border are settled, it should start heading our way in the next couple days. Our house in America has been painted, fixed up, spruced up, and the plumbing fixed, which is an answer to prayer. I think all that remains is someone to lay the carpet (God provided new carpet for the house), and there may be someone in the church that can do that for less than what a standard carpet layer is charging.

Our language study continues. Basically, you study every day, and review, review, review. Then you practice in common speech wherever you can work it in. There is no quick or easy way to learn a language. It's just work and time. I'm going to the refugee camp with Jeff Bassett this Sunday, and we have been going with Matt Stensaas to aid in the prison ministry outside town. I'm discipling a Ugandan man named Andrew. That's going well. He's really excited about his new relationship with Jesus Christ, and it's great to be able to work with him, showing him the ropes of Christianity as it were.

In other news, my wife Anna is pregnant. It was a bit of a surprise, since we didn't think we'd be having any more, but we're excited and pleased about it. I'm hoping for a girl personally, because Elizabeth could really use a sister, but will be happy with whatever God gives us. This does change things somewhat. We will definitely need some more support now, so pray that God will bring it in from some of the churches we have visited in the past. We will need another car. The Pajero I have is well-suited for getting back into villages, and navigating the many rutted dirt roads and paths around here, and just as a rough and tumble work vehicle. However, for taking my family places, especially longer trips like to Kampala, I'm going to need a minibus, which seats 8. I know a guy in town who has one he will sell me for around $10,000 (perhaps a bit less following the standard Ugandan haggling). It's 4 wheel drive, and diesel (cheaper than petrol). Pray God will make those funds available. Such a vehicle would be a great blessing to my growing family. I will need to take care of our work permits sometime in the next 4 months, so pray we will have what we need to accomplish this. We still need a tenant for our house in America, or better yet, a buyer, so keep praying about that. Such things seem unlikely in today's economy, but I am confident God can take care of it without any difficulty.

Life is good here in Uganda, and I am so enjoying the great privilege of serving the LORD right where He wants me. Thanks again, as always, for your prayers and encouragement.