Riding in God's Palm

Friday, June 19, 2020

Shifting to Gulu

Over the past few years there have been a number of times when I felt an internal prompting that maybe my time in Soroti was coming to a close. I have delivered OneHope curriculum to many churches and schools in Soroti and surrounding villages and have spent time with many teachers - learning different teaching methods and discussing Educational Care. It's often said that a missionary should have a goal of working oneself out of a job... and I think I have for now. Discipleship, Bible studies, music ministry will always be there, but now it's time to move out of Soroti.

Shortly after Moses and I got engaged some acquaintances in Gulu said that we should come to Gulu and pray about God's leading us to that place. The two of us had prayed about other Uganda locations and didn't have any peace about those towns or districtus. We wanted to check out a ministry in Gulu that works with a new "Roots to Fruits" nursery and primary Christian school curriculum. They were looking for someone who could help edit the new curriculum that is being developed, and maybe become a trainer of the curriculum. Also, they wanted someone to help with creating an IT video, as a training supplement, so that schools across the country can have access to the use of the materials. Moses is great in the IT world and we both got excited.

In February we took a short 3 day vision trip to Gulu, which is 270 km or 4 hours north west of Soroti. Our hearts were excited. We felt so much potential there - for discipleship, prison and hospital ministry, music, curriculum development, teaching and preaching, along with training more teachers in the OneHope Bible story curriculum. We may also be able to bring TLT (Timothy Leadership Training) and EC (Education Care) to that area. Another family has welcomed us to stay in the same compound as a small school and their beautiful family. We loved the house. The market. We found a Bible believing/solid preaching church and just felt excited about going some place new.

We wanted to have some time as "newlyweds" in Soroti, and 7 months has already passed and we have settled well into married life. Moses and I are able to share visions, passions, prayer requests, struggles, and callings.... and we both feel a clear leading to Gulu. A week after our small vision trip to Gulu, a serious lock down began in Uganda. Covid19 was beginning to affect our corner of the world, so we stayed home and continued to pray, seek God, talk to friends, and work from the house.

I might add that we have not always enjoyed the rental house that we moved into around the time of our wedding. The compound/yard was awesome with 6 orange trees, guava, bananas, hibiscus and more, but the house was dark, damp, moldy, old, with electrical issues, backed up sewage and an uncaring landlord. We were not feeling well in that house. We started praying about moving out of that house. Whenever we had a leading on a different house in Soroti, the Lord kept closing doors... and it was part of the confirmation that it was also time to go to Gulu.

It is so cool to hear Moses get pumped about all the fun ministry ideas in his head. I just wish that we still weren't under lock down - because we can not meet with groups. Still a curfew by 7pm. Only 3 people in the car. No churches, no trainings, no worship events... but we have hope that the Lord will open doors soon.

Almost a month ago we went back to Gulu to pray and seek once more and the trip felt like such a joyful confirmation. And our new "team-mates" were delighted to have us come. The house that we are moving into had some furnishings in it... so we rearranged and moved things out and also created a to-do fix-it list before we entered. Our awesome friends in Gulu went straight to work and even built a staircase into an office loft for us!!

Upon returning back to Soroti, we felt the Lord saying... go now! Uganda might be tightening their lock down restrictions once again. For example, for two months we were not even allowed to drive our own car. We could only walk or bike to town. We new that this was the time to transfer. If we have to continue working from home, we wanted to work in our new home - which is bright and cheery and start developing relationships if possible. We will continue doing some translating of materials and working on a craft book for teachers.

So... on Friday morning we loaded a lorry and headed to Gulu. We are almost unpacked and thanking the Lord for leading us on this adventurous journey.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

They believed...

Today's post is a little true story that I have written because I am a part of a group called the Writer's Nest and they gave me a line of inspiration, a writing prompt, that said:
"When I told my parents _______ they did not believe me."

They Believed

With Mother's Day just over, these are always the times to think of all the wonderful things my Mom (and Dad) have done for me.

Around 4 years of age, I was running down the stairs with my neighbor and friend, Adrian. The trapdoor unlatched and when I screamed down to my parents that Adrian's finger had been cut off, they did not believe me. But when they saw me carrying the fingertip that had been chopped by the heavy door, they quickly believed and made sure he was on his way to the hospital quickly.

As a young girl, I loved camping trips to Cypress Lake, where we would hike trails and climb rocks. My favourite spot was swimming in the Grotto where there is a watery hole in an open cave. Swimming in the frigid waters, I would free dive into the hole to watch scuba divers make their way to the sunlight. When I first told my parents that I could see the sun from the other side of the tunnel before coming back into the darkness, they did not believe me. But Dad took the courage to follow me into the depths of the cold waters and swam with me all the way into Georgian Bay. Mom prayed on the rocks from inside for five minutes until we surface swam back into the cave.

Around that same time, I experienced a life shaking change. For four or five years I had been going at least twice a month to a friend's house for slumber parties, but one night I called my parents and screamed that I could not spend the night. When I first told them I was homesick, they did not believe me. But they soon learned the reality. They picked me up, supported me with love, took me to counselling, and prayed for me, I'm sure, and 5 years later, while almost drifting off to sleep, I wrestled with God. When I walked downstairs the next morning and told Mom that I wanted to go to a 4-day youth conference the following month, she didn't believe me. Although, with joy in their hearts they eagerly sent me away to grow with God.

As I grew older, I decided to go off to Bible College, and I told my parents that they had to drive me to Michigan for every school break, because I would never take public transportation, they didn't believe me. And for four years, I never did take public transport. But I'm sure they were people who never gave up hoping and trusting, because a few months after graduation, I flew to the Netherlands for work and took a taxi by myself for the first time. Now my parents love how I've taken almost every mode of transportation in the world.

Eventually God led me to my beloved Africa, where I also gained a best friend. When I told my family that I was surprisingly engaged, they didn't believe me. But then they asked questions, trusted me, and found their way to Uganda for a beautiful wedding.

There may have been times when they didn't believe me, but they have always loved, supported and encouraged me and ultimately, THEY BELIEVED IN ME!!

Friday, April 10, 2020

Good Friday story... Because I Love YOU!

Moments of March 2020

March felt like a month that we were under quarantine for a long time... and yet we accomplished much. It was a full month indeed.

Here we are with 31 pastors and church leaders... taking module one of the Timothy Leadership Training course. Moses was a huge promoter for this training at Deliverance Church, Soroti, and we played a big role in hosting and feeding all the participants. Anthony Systma (World Renew) did a great job facilitating the week long course on "Caring for God's People".

The discussions were deep, Biblical, and sometimes controversial. We have so much to learn in making sure that people feel loved, valued, heard, supported, and cherished.

I kept record of all the financial accounts... including being the tax collector for those who had to pay fines for being late or having their cell phones make noise. :)

Moses and Anthony have been drumming a little more together too... Moses always loves learning musical tips. He walks around the house doing paradiddles all day long!

Drummers!

Here is our 3 month Action Plan - with our goal for Kingdom Change. It might not work in the time frame because of the Covid-19 lockdown, but we shall find a way of making a tool to support our local church!!

I'm thankful for this garage in Kampala... the owner always makes sure our car is well looked after!

Einstein... getting updated and aligned

God's glory revealed in the Kampala skies.

This bridge cracks me up whenever we travel. I just had to stop for some Isolation Tourism.

I'm grateful we have Bolt in the compound... he occupies many of my evenings.

He's cute and hard to train.

Riding in our compound... trying to keep active.

This photo, I just love! It describes the times we are in.

Here's another one from FB that speaks to me.

Wiffle ball... more activity!!

Just before the lockdown was announced, a few of us GOM Uganda staff were able to have a meeting - for prayer, accountability, and encouragement. I cherish what God is doing in their lives!

Standing on guard at our gate... let the stay at home begin...

For church now days we stream into the Junction and listen to my Dad preach!

And of course... what is quarantine without a puzzle. :) We have also learned a few new card games and recipes. We thank the Lord we are healthy and safe.