Fresh. Delicious.

the joys of Uganda. 

fresh, tropical fruit. 

delicious vegetables.

every. day. of. the. year. 

ah, eternal summer. 

grateful. 

Monday with God

Monday, 21 May 2012

5:30am- i wake coughing.  but it's the Lord's gentle nudging.  come.  be alone with Me.
6:30am- the boys sneak downstairs for some morning snuggles.  i welcome them.  we snuggle.  then i go get Josh- it's his turn for morning duty.
7:00am- i take my african chai to the balcony.  and keep company with Jesus.  He speaks.  i listen.
8:00am- praise music flows from the ipod.  i spread my calendar and agenda before Him.  we figure out the to do list, He and i.
8:15am- Josh comes up and joins me.  we discuss the slow week before us.
9:00am- i get to the computer and blog and email and feel productive.  He is helping me!
11:30am- Josh leaves to get the boys.  i finish up my posts for the week.
12:15pm- Josh gets a call.  there is an emergency at the palace (where we do university ministry).  he makes a few more phone calls.  two of our student leaders have been taken downtown to court.  this is spiritual attack.  Seth cries out- he banged his finger.  Josh heads down to the palace.  he decides to walk- i wonder if he needs those moments to pray up before he arrives.
12:30pm- seth bangs his poor finger again.  i snuggle him and i pray for Josh and the palace and victory over darkness.
1:00pm- i make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  and we hear the call to prayer- Caleb calls from the dining room- "mommy, let's pray for the men who pray at night (aka muslims)." So we pray for the muslims to come to know the True God.  And we pray for Daddy and all the university students. 
1:20pm- Josh calls.  apparently a neighbor doesn't like the ministry taking place at the palace and has been complaining about the noise level of their prayer nights and other weekly activities.  she's gotten the City Council involved.  but Josh said that our lawyer sent someone down to help the guys in court.  we wait.  we pray.
1:50pm- we print some coloring pages for rest time and i send the boys to their room.  i need some lunch with Jesus. 
2:15pm- Josh comes home with a package and a Family Fun magazine.  i enjoy some downtime while the boys rest. 
3:00pm- Josh gets Rachel from school.  i figure out what i'm going to do about dinner since i haven't gotten to the grocery store yet!  might be rice and beans.  thankful i have beans in the freezer and rice in the pantry.  write my grocery list.
3:15pm- didn't get that list written. went to play outside with the dog.
3:45pm- Josh and Rachel got home.  boys asked Rachel to watch Veggie Tales with them.  i thanked Jesus for Rachel.  then made an afternoon snack for my guys.  these. i always have the ingredients on hand.
4:30pm- they need 300,000 UGX per person bail bond.  Emmy Mugisha is with them.  he says they are in good spirits. I'm glad the guys have each other.
5:00pm- start dinner. Josh gets a call.  they don't have time to get to the bank to pay the charges there.  When they returned from the bank, the man to receive the payment receipt had already left.  Seems it was intentional. the guys will have to spend the night in jail.  ugh.  keep praying.  get the boys praying.  get facebook friends praying.
6:00pm-say grace. pray for the guys. eat dinner.
6:30pm- Seth is tired.  Bathe the boys.  Seth poops in the potty- praise the Lord for a small answer to prayer! Josh rallies prayer warriors to meet at the palace at 8pm.
7:00pm- Read the boys a story.  Pray for a good night (for everyone).  Think about joining Josh for the prayer vigil.  But then wonder, "if we both go, will Satan shift his attacks toward our boys??"
7:30pm- Head downstairs and tell Josh I don't think I should go.  He had already been wondering, "if we both go, will Satan increase his attacks and we could all go to prison??"

So here I sit.  At the end of my day with God.  Alone with Him.  Fighting the hardest battle we've had lately.  Who would have thought this is where I'd be today??

Cherishing THIS PLACE

I'm getting really excited about visiting family in less than two weeks!  We're heading to Florida for Dave (Josh's brother) and Leah's wedding on 8 June.  But while this is an incredible opportunity and happy vacation- I'm a little nervous about seeing people we love (and stores we love, and roads without potholes, and sidewalks) half way through our first term.  You see, it's been a really good first year, and the transition was relatively smooth.  And I don't want to sabotage that.  I don't want to get back to the states and realize just how much we've been missing.  I don't want to go to the store and fall in love all over again with finding everything I need. 

And so the next two weeks- I'm clinging tight to His hand- I want Him to be enough, not only in the hard times, but in the amazingly-wonderful-too-good-to-be-true times.  I don't want people or stuff to draw me away from Him.  And His calling for our lives. 

Just this morning I read this:

"And don't turn aside, for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing." -I Samuel 4:21

So, I want to enter in fully to this glorious life He has called us to.  I want to hide myself so deeply in His heart that nothing can turn me aside and draw me away.  I want to cherish the gifts of this place, so that I can cherish the gifts of Florida, and return here full, and not bitter.

Here are some moments I've been cherishing:

6388.  a morning alone with You
6389.  this balcony. our balcony.
6390.  living in a tropical paradise.

6391.  Family Movie Night
6392.  Toy Story 3.  Popcorn. Friend and Family.
6393.  Silly boy- inviting Rex to join us :)

 

6394.  fresh fruit.
6395.  starting the day right.
6396.  juicy mangoes, grown right here. 

6397.  a good man.
6398.  I get to do life with him, til death do us part.
6399.  a dripping wet puppy.
6400.  squealing, happy boys in afternoon sun

6401.  dress shopping with Rachel

6402.  fun african fabric

6403.  alterations made while we waited.

6404.  necklaces. bracelets. bags. shoes. one stop shopping.

6405.  this song. panning for gold. that's what I'm doing these days. 

Friday Five: New Faces

With the summer months fast approaching, there are lots of new faces around here! 

1. Rick and Teresa Morse are in town for CHE Trainings this season (with their two adorable kids)!
2. Rachel Goss arrived two weeks ago.  She is helping at Heritage International School.  She is staying in our home!
3. George and Joyce Rodgers arrived with Rachel. George will be working in the Finance Office- he is an answer to prayer!  Thanks for praying them here!
4. Anna Leon arrives Sunday.  She will be creating a film for Kikongo Primary School out on Buvuma Island.  She is staying in our home when she is not on the island. 
5. Dan and Linda Wronski (Meg Rambo's parents) arrived this week, and have traveled up to Arua with Scott and Meg and their three boys!  Happy family visit!

Pray for our visitors, volunteers, and missionaries during the busy summer months.  Pray that God would show them exactly what He wants them to see, use them each in the way He wants to, and that lives are transformed because of their obedience. 

Pray for us as we host these volunteers- that our home would be a haven of peace and joy- and for our boys' hearts as they welcome these ones into their hearts and then have to say goodbye. 

And our field is gearing up to host several teams over the next few months- pray that God prepares the heart of each team member, their funds are provided, and that He would use them and change them as He sees fit!

Want to come visit?  You are most welcome!  Karibu!

TIA: Diversion

"The symbol of the New Testament and the Christian Church is a cross, which stands for a love faithful despite physical agony and rejection by the world. No amount of air-conditioning and pew-cushioning in the suburban church can cover over the hard truth that the Christian life... is a narrow way of suffering; that discipleship is costly: that, for the faithful, there is always a cross to be carried. No one can understand Christianity to its depths who comes to it to enjoy it as a pleasant weekend diversion."  -W. Waldo Beach

Tuesdays with Lilias Trotter

You know when you've been in the presence of someone great.  Your soul feels larger just for having been with them.  You think more grand thoughts.  You stand a little taller.  Your eyes are brighter.

Lilias Trotter is one such soul.  Though dead since 1928, her life still speaks.  The book is:  A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness.  Lilias was an artist, and a pioneer missionary to Algeria.  Her artistic insight, attention to detail, and spiritual application from the natural world are an inspiration to me.  I've met a kindred spirit.  I'll let her own words speak for themselves:

A bee comforted me very much this morning concerning the desultoriness that troubles me in our work.  There seems so infinitely much to be done that nothing gets done thoroughly.  If work were more concentrated as it must be in educational or medical missions there would be less of this- but we seem only to touch souls and leave them.  And that was what the bee was doing, figuratively speaking.  He was hovering among some blackberry sprays, just touching the flowers here and there in a very tentative way, yet all unconsciously, life-life-life was left behind at every touch, as the miracle-working pollen grains were transferred to the place where they could set the unseen spring working.  We have only to see to it that we are surcharged, like the bees, with potential life.  It is God and His eternity that will do the work- Yet He needs His wandering, desultory bees! (diary, 9 July 1907)

Let all things their Creator bless...

Some days this calling is a challenge.  It's tough.  It feels like a sacrifice.  But then there are other days I can't believe I get to be a missionary!  We're growing our boys in Africa. We are spreading the love of God.  And going on safari.  Really?  I get to do this!  Just hanging out with giraffe in the road. 

Counting the extraordinary gifts of this calling (#6375-6387):

hanging out with awesome people

by the Nile River

watching these guests invest in our children

sweet treats from the states

seeing Your handiwork
exquisite, brilliant brushstrokes of light & color
being in the middle of Your unspoiled wilderness
the heavens declaring Your glory- and us getting to live here and join them!

Your sweet love gift to Rachel.  Perfect timing.
Elephants on the way out of the park!
She had always wanted to see an elephant and You sent a whole herd.  and babies!
Your extravagant ways!

This song coming on as we drive through African Savannah.

khfk

Friday Five: Testimonies from Baptism

 On Wednesday, we had the sweet privilege of watching 11 students from Heritage International School testify to God's work in their lives through baptism!  What an amazing gift!  It is a wonderful way to end the school year, by providing all of our students the opportunity to profess their faith publicly.

And we are so excited to share this day with you!  The seeds you've been planting through prayer are coming to fruition!




Josh asked each student: "Why do you want to be baptized?"

Josh praying over the students

1. "I want to be part of God's family."
2. "I want to take the next step in my Christian life."
3. "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I want everyone to know!"
4. "To show my public faith in God."
5. "To show my friends and family I am a new creation."

"Father, we dedicate each of these students to You.  Guard them from the evil one.  Give them boldness to continue standing firm in their faith.  And take them deeper in this next year." Amen

TIA: One Year!

i think our palm tree has grown more than our boys have!

I cannot believe we've been in Uganda for one whole year.  Some days it feels like we just got here.  Other days it feels like this has always been home.  There have certainly been some incredible ministry opportunities (at Heritage and at United Faith Church), and some hilarious TIA moments.  I hope you've been enjoying this Thursday tradition! 

We love being on this journey with you- we certainly couldn't be here without you!  

We're celebrating this happy first anniversary by going on safari!  We got on the road this morning (will post soon: Road Trippin' Africa Style) and will return to Kampala Saturday.  Just a brief holiday to enjoy God's glorious creation and soak up some african sun.  

How has God changed you by being a part of His work here in Uganda??  We would love to hear from you in the comments section (and just maybe there will be a giveaway to celebrate our first year in Uganda)!

I think, one year in, we're becoming more compassionate as a family, and more grateful for all our blessings.  Our boys have certainly become more open to the things of God.  And, personally, I'm praying more than I ever have in my life.  What about you?  Leave your transformation story in the comments!

Road Trippin' Africa-Style: Part 1

So we're heading to Murchison Falls National Park tomorrow, and I've got my mama-planner hat on. 

Apparently it's road trip season:

• All for the Boys did a series last year: Road Trip Round Up
• The Happy Family Movement: Road Trippin' fun via Pinterest and Five Tips for Awesome Family Road Trips
•  Roadtrip.com: Games!
• And just for you (in case you'd like to see what kinds of things we see on road trips): Uganda Road Trip Bingo **free printable!**

Enjoy these fun links while we're gone!  And let us know about your next road trip!  Send us a postcard!

Tuesdays with Rachel

Family Movie Night with Rachel

Our very first VIA (Volunteer in Action) arrived yesterday!  Rachel Goss is a friend of ours from Delanco Camp.  We have a friend from home staying here with us!  What a happy day!  She will be here until we fly out to Florida in June.  What a gift! 

Rachel will be working at Heritage International School as a Teacher's Aid in fifth grade in the mornings, and helping with first grade in the afternoons.  She will also be helping with Sunday School at United Faith Church.  We're praying that God would use her, transform her, and clarify His calling on her life in these days. 

Rachel has just started a blog- so would you stop over and check it out?  It is interesting to see this place through the fresh eyes of a visitor. I'm sure you'll enjoy her stories of life in Uganda. 

If you are interested in coming to visit, or live here, check out www.gowgm.org!

little things. big things.

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.” -Sarah Ban Breathnach


We are grateful for the little things- and our list is full of them this week.  But it is also a joy to be able to celebrate the big things when they come along!  It's been a Big and Little Week.  

6368.  Josiah!  Here!
6369.  sweet baby in his daddy's arms.
6370.  pride and joy. 

6373.  a house full of life- four of us and six Coppedges
6374.  doing life with friends
6375.  happy play time in the sandbox

6379.  kiddie plates.
6380.  baby bowls.
6381.  coffee cups. the essentials.

6390.  all the cousins.

6391.  new life

6392.  "He is just so cute.  I think I need to hold him again." -Caleb about Josiah

6393.  a round of Pass the Pigs before school

6394.  a bagel with cream cheese.  a luxury here.

6395.  the little things.

6396.  the cross.  the only thing that matters.  

6397.  grace. all's grace.

6398.  Your victory over the grave.

6399.  You.  all I need.  the biggest Gift of all.

TIA: Becoming African

Pastor Kennedy and Caleb

As I stood outside in the setting African sun at the palace, I shared our upcoming schedule with Pastor Kennedy.  His response: "You guys are really becoming African."  He was referring to us opening our home to anyone who comes through.  We've been given an amazing home here in Uganda and we love sharing our space and our life with anyone who needs a place to stay.  If you're ever in Kampala- our door is always open!

Here is our current schedule:
May 6-8: Tim and Ben staying with us while Scott and Meg are at the hospital
May 8-12: Billy and Joanna Coppedge, and their four girls staying here.
May 13- June 8: Rachel Goss (Volunteer and a friend from Delanco Camp, NJ) staying with us helping at Heritage International School.
June 8-24: trip to Florida for Josh's brother's wedding.
May 23-July 22: Anna Leon (Volunteer) staying with us working with John and Beth Muehleisen. 

Pray with us that the Holy Spirit would anoint all of our interactions with our house-guests, and that He, the Comforter, would be near as we say many goodbyes to amazing people who come and stay, and then leave. 

Tuesdays with Josiah!

We've been a little busy around here- waiting for Josiah to be born.  And then we had to wait a little longer until we could meet him.  But he is here!

On Sunday morning our nephews, Tim and Ben arrived at our house to stay a few nights while their mama and daddy went to the hospital to deliver Josiah.  He arrived Sunday but had some trouble breathing.  So we went to visit Meg and Scott, but didn't get to meet the baby. 

Monday all four big cousins went to school at Heritage!  And then we got to see the baby!  He is precious.  He is off the oxygen and is doing well.  We are so happy to welcome this sweet boy into our tribe!  We love having family here in Uganda.  And are so happy to be able to help Scott and Meg in these brand new days. 

glimpses

We've been so busy!  Nephews staying with us.  Nephew being born.  So I've stolen my husband's ipod touch this week and been all about instagram.  So here is our brief instagram gratitude this week. 

Glimpses:

silly boy. posing for the camera. 
a glimpse back into my childhood (I was always posing for snapshots)

creative boy.  using what he has to make something. a glimpse into our daily fun.

gifts waiting for me.  a glimpse at my birthday celebration.

this yummy cake. the boys' idea- chocolate cake. white icing.  and cherries on top.

a glimpse of my husband's birthday celebration.

sunset glory.  a glimpse at His grandeur. 

Friday Five: Gateway Cities

Friday Five, is actually Friday Seven this week.  Did you know that WGM Uganda is targeting 7 Gateway Cities for potential ministry?  Will you join us in praying that God would send more laborers into the harvest?  Ask that He would raise up African missionaries from our local AGC churches, and the university ministry.  Pray that He would soften the soil and prepare connections for us in advance. 

1. Arua- Billy and Joanna Coppedge, Scott and Meg Rambo
2. Fort Portal- ??
3. Gulu- ??
4. Jinja- Matt and Joy Burke
5. Mbale- ??
6. Mbarara- ??
7. Kampala- Jon and Lisa Mayo, Kenneth and Delight Hopson, Lisa Fish, John and Beth Muehleisen, Josh and Kelly Hallahan

Pray for these cities by name.   Claim them for the kingdom of God!

Is He calling you to PRAY for one of these cities specifically?  Is He calling you to come to Uganda and be a part of advancing His kingdom here?  There are many ways you can GO with WGM:  CLICK HERE!  Is He calling you to GIVE toward the ministry here?  Contact us if you want to get involved financially. 

And continue to pray this Field Declaration with us!

TIA: Goat Roast

What happens when the men from Kampala International University come for a Goat Roast?  

They bring a spoon bigger than my son! 

Tuesdays with our New Baby

We're happy to introduce the newest member of our family... he is so tiny and new.  He sleeps often throughout the day.  He is playful and snuggly.  Just 8 weeks old!

















Meet Siddeley:

The boys are happy to have a new playmate in the yard.  And Josh is happy to have a furry friend.  And me, I think it's nice having a baby around the house who doesn't need me in the night or have diapers to change :)