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Saturday, June 14, 2025

The Gift of Life

For the past 11 days, this song - Miracle Child - has been playing in our house. Moses kicked off the month with a motorcycle accident and that has shaken us a little. On June 2, Moses was going to visit a site just a few kilometers away. He put on his helmet, hopped on his big bike, and moments later, I received a phone call from Moses' number. An Indian's voice said, "Madam, Mr. Moses has been in a minor motorcycle accident, near Steel & Tube, please come." Click. Yikes, that's a way to jump start your day. I told the girls I was going to find Daddy, and I hopped in the car. Halfway to the accident site, Moses himself called me - well, can I get a Hallelujah!, and he shakily told me that he was riding on a motorcycle taxi straight to the clinic and he wanted me to meet him there. We pulled into the clinic at the same time.

A young man, a carpenter, was riding his bicycle, and ferrying lumber. Without signaling to turn, he cut in front of Moses, the bike and the lumber blocking the road. Moses dropped the bike, rolled a good distance, and thinks he might have blacked out briefly. When he got up, he praised the Lord he was alive. He couldn't see his motorcycle, and there was a crowd around both of the victims. The other guy was immediately rushed to the main hospital. He had 3 broken bones in one leg. He definitely needed surgery.

Now, on top of being grateful for Moses' life being spared (of which I believe he has more lives than 3 cats), I am grateful for community. Church members came to the clinic during our 5 hours there getting treatment. Others went to be with the man on the bicycle. We wanted to make sure he was okay. It took 3.5 days before the doctors were able to put pins in his legs. We had to buy surgical pins from Kampala in order to make it happen soon, otherwise the doctors were talking of amputation.

For the next few days, my years of experience as a support worker came back, as I helped Moses bathe, dress, smear lotion, and walk around the house. On top of that, the second day, we had 17 visitors come to check on Moses and I had to prepare tea with a snack/escort, and a big supper. I thank God I have been feeling energetic, because there was a lot to do. I was also able to pick up crutches from the bus park, that were sent by our sister in Soroti. 

Back to living in community - it just blessed our hearts how many people came to visit, pray, support, and become mediators with the other man's family. And many people brought fruit, so we enjoyed some delicious smoothies as a family.
It's now been over 12 days and Moses' arms are finally drying up. He is still having difficulty with his shoulder, palm, and knee on the right side, but we praise God for no broken bones or internal bleeding.
Another amazing community that stepped up were friends in North America who quickly came to the rescue to help cover the costs of medical treatment for the bicyclist and more. You know who you are and we are eternally grateful for the difference you made here! May God bless you abundantly!
When Moses was strong enough to be left at home, I joined a few church members in attending a burial for one of our neighbors at church. The mother left behind 6 children and one often comes to our Sunday school class. She's holding the mic in the photo below. She's really been struggling with the loss of her mom. We got to the burial function around 11:30 and didn't leave until 4:30. And I would consider that a short service. 
When the casket was lowered into the ground, tables were set up to feed the maybe 2000 people in attendance. I went to go find my Sunday school star, and found her seated on a mat, behind the house, near a nurses station. Yes, at this burial, there was a first aid station and an ambulance on site. My young friend was in shock and as we left her in the hands of her friends and with medical staff, she was being put on an IV drip to gain some energy. I was also sitting there in shock - culture shock. I often think that Ugandans are amazingly strong people, but when it comes to burials, there is a culture of wailing, fainting, and medical attention that I am not used to seeing. Trust me, we cry when we lose someone, but for the most part our services are very orderly and family/close friend oriented. There are no political speeches or land disputes of which I am aware.

Both the accident, and the loss of a neighbor have reminded us how fragile life is and that no one knows the day or the hour. I am glad that I have the confidence in knowing that "this world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through" and that heaven has a place prepared for me. Check out the song that has been speaking to Moses this month, and has now become an anthem in our home.

Lyrics for "Miracle Child" by Brandon Lake:

I shouldn't be aliveMy future was six-feet underOne foot in the graveNo hope to be saved, yeahI shouldn't be alive
But I'm a miracle childDefied every diagnosisAnd as close as it cameI can stand here and sayI'm a miracle child
Death, where is your sting?My Savior's word is finalI am resurrectedBlood-protectedI am a miracle child
If you're facing the oddsIf you think you're beyond His savingThere's no life He can't raiseNo, your wounds aren't too greatHe's a miracle God
'Cause He shouldn't be aliveHis body was six-feet underThree days in the graveBut that stone rolled awayYeah, our God is alive, oh
Death, where is your sting?My Savior's word is finalI am resurrectedBlood-protectedI am a miracle childOh, death, where is your sting?My Savior's word is finalI am resurrectedBlood-protectedI am a miracle child
You're the living, breathing God of gloryI'm a living, breathing testimonyYou're the one who turns a dead-end storyTo a living, breathing testimonyYou're the living, breathing God of gloryI'm a living, breathing testimonyYou're the one who turns a dead-end storyTo a living, breathing testimony
Death, where is your sting?'Cause my Savior's word is finalI am resurrectedBlood-protectedI am a miracle childOh, death, where is your sting?My Savior's word is finalI am resurrectedBlood-protectedI am a miracle child
I've been crucifiedRaised with ChristI am a miracle child


Tuesday, June 3, 2025

The Colours of Our Life

At the end of the university year, we mamas at church took the younger ladies out for a night on the town. We dressed up, shared testimonies of the insights we had learned at Soul Sistaz this year, laughed, prayed together, and of course, had a fun photo shoot.
Chatting with the Ladies
Soul Sistaz in Style
Hello from the ladies
Palm Sunday
The church was waving in remembrance of Christ's entry into Jerusalem.
He is the King of kings!
Praise the Lord!
From the kids corner... just learning of the Good News.
This large snail greeted me at the gate one day. He was enjoying posho - cornmeal.
The Easter Lily bloomed on Palm Sunday. God's timing is amazing.
The Good Friday services started with 7 lit candles. 
The Mamas at church
On Easter Sunday, 27 youth came home for the day - for food, fun, fellowship, a movie, and more. We were squeezed and loved every minute of it.
This year the youth love getting their photos taken after church. A different outfit = a new smile. 
Cheers everyone!
Mango season - fresh from our tree
In national news, a bus from Kampala to Soroti, served to miss a bicycle and lost almost all the passengers. So sad. Please pray for the safety on our roads.
TLT Graduation in Kitgum. After 2 years and 6 modules of Timothy Leadership Training, 14 certificates were handed out in a fun ceremony of celebration.
Grads brought along friends and family to celebrate with them.
Sand castles in the village
Aztecs or Mayans
So creative!
White ant season. These flying termites announce the beginning of rainy season. These sources of protein are collected, dried and fried for a tasty snack.
Foot washing ceremony
Benitah and I, just a little sassy.
Visiting with my mother-in-law.
Barbecuing with friends
Back to the TLT grads
Even I got my diploma - 2 years late. :)
After being sick for a week and a half - it was good to be back out in public and have a little bit of spunk in my spirit.
Speaking of Sunday Shots - Family Photo
And one final grad photo.
Thanks for glimpsing our lives in the past two months.
Village Roads

Going to church in a tuktuk