Life Update: February 2021

The Hallahan's are moving to Kentucky! What's in Kentucky? Well, Wilmore to be precise. A tiny little town with a big global impact.  "Why does God move in the strangest places and through unimpressive people? He comes where He is wanted." And that is just what is happening with the Francis Asbury Society- they want Him! We have been invited to join the Francis Asbury Society (FAS) in discipling students at Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary, and coming alongside, encouraging and resourcing local churches and church leaders around the world. If you have known us long at all you know our hearts are glowing with this job description! Student ministry, preaching, small group discipleship, encouraging pastors, missionaries and believers was at the core of our ministry in Uganda and now we get to do it from Wilmore! One year ago God woke me up on a balmy Ugandan morning with four words echoing in my heart. "Fight for My Bride", He whispered. I thought He was talking about Africa Gospel Church. But as the entire global scene has shifted, our own personal world has been turned upside-down, and the Church in America sits in a precarious position His whisper is echoing even more loudly in my heart. He has brought missionaries back to America this year in droves and for a multitude of reasons and I believe His purposes are far grander than we've dared to imagine. We are so thankful for the ways you have carried us and cared for us as we've made the transition from Uganda. We could feel your prayers and the financial gifts God led some of you to send were so precious to us. We couldn't have made it without you. And His Bride needs you now- would you consider joining us in building His kingdom here in America and around the world?

Ways to Partner with Us Just like when we were missionaries abroad, we will need to raise up a support team: Pray- would you consider joining (or staying on) our prayer team? Give- we are starting from scratch raising a full support package. Click here to donate: Josh and Kelly Hallahan Choose our name from the "Fund Designation" drop down menu and then choose a dollar amount, and then decide whether that is a one time gift or a monthly/annual gift.  Let us know if you have any questions about that! Host a zoom call with your friends, small group, pastor or anyone who is passionate about building the kingdom!

Where two or three are gathered...

after my baptism in the Indian Ocean

these are my people.

what started out 15 years ago today (cannot believe it's our 15th anniversary!)... has blossomed into this: husband and wife, two boys, and two girls in Africa with Jesus. love spilling over and bringing life. and I am so grateful.

it's what He does- it's who He is. God is love. and love seeks an object- before the foundations of the world He was living in love Himself- Father, Son and Holy Spirit in a beautiful dance of community and love- He didn't need us- just like I didn't need my children- but our love grew so big that we wanted more people to share it with- likewise He is longing for all to receive what He so generously and lavishly wants to pour out.

WGM believes that transformed people will transform their communities who will transform the world. that from my intimate, abiding relationship with God my heart would overflow to those around me. that as He transforms me more and more into His likeness, putting to death the works of flesh and walking in the Spirit, I will live and love like He does. and that God incarnate, Jesus Himself in me, would be drawing people to Himself.

Mansi and the girls

and so our family mission is to live and love each other, and welcome people into that love often. so we live with open doors and an extra place at the table. my girls ask almost everyday- "so, who's coming to dinner tonight?".

we also love to host house guests! it has been sweet gift to have Mansi live with us the past four months and it will be sad to see her go tomorrow. our kids have loved her, their unofficial "big sister", and it's been good to have another adult in the house to pray and process life with. fresh eyes, after living here for 8+ years, are always welcome.

prayer warriors at Azmera Retreat

this Christmas we will be posting daily to give you a more extensive update than a year end email could contain. He began the transformation in me this year- a deep surrender that allowed Him to fill me with His Spirit of love and power to live a holy life. You can read more about that here. and as He came and filled me to overflowing at an Azmera Haven Retreat, then He spilled over into our marriage, our family, our home fellowship, our community at Heritage and our WGM Uganda team. Stay tuned for more stories! it's been a good year. and 2020 will only get better!

Spur One Another On

^"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25

Comparing. Competition. Discontent. Pride. Jealousy. These are a few of the dangers of life in community. As a team we have been wrestling with these issues and God is beginning to bring light and freedom and health. We are so grateful. We have a long road ahead, as teammates come and go. But we are doing the work- and the Spirit is honored. 

Whether you are a missionary on a team, a member of a church, a supporter of a missionary, a part of a family, or just person who has friends- the threats of comparison and competition are real. So what can we do about it? A few steps we are taking as a team:

• Share someone else's successes or victories- at prayer meeting let someone else tell about your most recent God-story. You will be encouraged and there is no temptation to brag. God gets all the glory.
• Encourage one another. 
• Serve together. Even if you are involved in very different ministries- take time to invite someone else to join you on a project. They get to see the nitty-gritty details, failures and successes, and you get support!
• Celebrate together.
• Focus on who God is- everything else will be put in proper perspective.

How do you fight the temptation to compete?

What to do when your life looks mostly like this:

toddler in my lap. baby bump (due August 1). grilled cheese. watching Backyardigans.

I may have been sent to Uganda, but my everyday probably looks a lot like yours, perhaps with better weather.

We are all called to go into all the world and make disciples. Most days I can do that from my living room, or my laptop. You might do that through your bank account, your prayer closet, or your neighborhood playground.

If you are anything like me, though, it doesn't always happen. I don't gather my kids around the Bible everyday. I don't pray for them like I should. I can rush through a whole day cooking, chasing, resting... without ever glancing in His direction. This is why I needed the word "tend" this year. I need to be intentional. I want to tend my little flock well.

I've discovered there are a few things I can do daily that help me remember that I am a "sent one":

• Stay in the Word, especially the Gospels. Even if it's just one verse to cling to for a whole week- write it somewhere you will see it. And keep clinging!
• Ask Him what He wants you to tend today. I've given up on living a "balanced" life- ebb and flow is much more realistic. And as I ask Him what to tend He gives me His assignment for the day (and it's generally way more do-able than the list I have in my head)- some days it's baking for my people, other days it's reaching out to other missionary women. Sometimes He reminds me to tend to my husband, and occasionally He says "Let Me tend you today". And when I accept His assignment I don't have to feel guilty that I am not being all things to all men every moment! Hallelujah! Such freedom in obedience!
  
• Surround yourself with other women in the same season of life. And encourage each other in your mission! It has been a blessing to join a weekly Bible study targeted at pregnant mamas in a nearby slum. Not only do I get to minister by my very presence at this Bible study, I am in their same season of life. It is good for me to be reminded of the vital ministry we have to our children and future generations!
• Don't compare! You are uniquely sent wherever you are. He didn't send anyone else. Embrace your role and your season and make disciples! {totally preaching to myself as I wish I could be a tad more productive these days}

What season are you in? What does disciple-making look like for you?

Happy Labor Day!

We are at Delanco Camp Meeting this weekend and wanted to leave you with a Labor Day prayer request from Jesus: 

“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out laborers into his harvest field.” {Matthew 9:37-38}

 Please pray that God would send out men and women into the harvest to join Him in His work.  Pray that nothing would block the way of those who are called. 

Specifically we are asking for 42 missionaries in Uganda in the next 10 years. {Click here for a FREE printable Field Declaration for Uganda}. And teammates who could serve Jesus in the DRCongo with Scott and Meg Rambo! 

Interested?  Click here to find out how to serve with WGM!  Happy Labor Day!

Beginning of the End

We are starting the process of transition... we leave Uganda in less than two months! And while we are looking forward to being in America, we already can't wait to be back.  God is gracious.

We've not passed this way before, and so I am gathering all the resources I can find it make this transition a smooth one.  This is our first furlough- while I am excited to go home, I understand that this probably feels more like home to our boys than America does.  So we tread lightly.  We seek Jesus often.  We grieve the loss of places and people and foods.  And we look forward to seeing friends and family and supporters in America.  And we make lots of lists!

If you are a missionary hunting for resources on transition, furlough, packing here are some great links for you!

• Ron Kotesky has a ton of helpful e-books on re-entry for you and your kids! 
• Preparing for Furlough by William Ardill, M.D. 
• Thought on "leaving" over at Missionary Moms Companion!

And a free gift from me to you!

{Download here} 

What I'm Reading...

I'm reading a new book, Godspeed by Britt Merrick.  He really throws the challenge at the church to be on a mission with God.  I love that.  This quote really challenged me and rattled me {in a good way}. 

"God called Abraham, He sent Abraham, and He blessed Abraham.  God chose to bless all nations through Abraham.  The process is the same for the Christian: God called us, He sent us, and He blesses us to bless others.   Not because we are awesome, but because He is awesome.  

The last thing we want to do then, by self-absorption or self-centeredness, is to become a clog in that flow.  It is our human and cultural tendency to want God to bless us, just for us.  But the truth is that God blesses us so that we will do something with that blessing.  So that we might bless others." -Britt Merrick, Godspeed

I know what it's like to sit in America surrounded by grocery stores at every intersection, aisle upon aisle of pretty new things, thousands of options at the closest sandwich place and think- what in the world did I do to be born here?!?  How did I get so lucky?

And the bottom-line is- luck had absolutely nothing to do with it.  God blessed me so that I would be a blessing.  There is responsibility tied to that blessing- He didn't just give it to me to do as I please.  He blessed me, abundantly blessed me, so that I would pour those gifts out to others in need. 

Living here in Uganda, I am confronted by my millionaire status {in shillings, that is} on a daily basis.  There may be guilt over that, their may be pride, but what there should be is generosity.  And I admit, there isn't as much of that going on as there should be.  But Jesus and I are working on it. 

And I'd like to challenge you to think about it too- why in the world do you have so much? why are you so blessed?  and what are you going to do about it?  Oh, and pick up the book, it's a good read and I'm only on chapter one!

Heading Out!

Josh and the men head out tomorrow on their survey trip to DRC and Mbarara!  Pray for safety and good connections with people while they are out, but also please pray for us as we stay behind.  Joy Burke and her kids will stay with us so we won't be completely alone!  We are praying that the Lord leads and guides us as we pray over our plans for the next term!

Check out these two links for more ways to pray! 

• Survey Trip July 2012
• Women and Children

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!

Feast or Famine

Living in international community has it's joys and challenges.  Some weeks we settle into our routine, go about our ministries, tend to our families, and life goes on as usual with little excitement.  Then come weeks like this one with numerous airport runs, new people to see, dear friends to reunite with, and lots of fun extra events to look forward to!  My personality much prefers a "normal" routine; I live steady.  But it's fun to shake things up every now and then! 

Our colleagues, Billy and Joanna Coppege arrived last week.  Our Retreat Speakers, Regional Directors, Field Pastors and a Member Care rep from headquarters arrive this week.  A new family with WGM, Matt and Joy Burke arrived Monday.  They will be serving Jesus in Jinja with their two small children.  Such a flurry of guests arriving before Field Retreat next week!  Whew!  I'm exhausted just thinking about it- but I'm sure there will be some fabulous stories to be told and photos to be seen in the weeks to come!  Stay tuned!!

Gifts of this Calling

i love this crazy wonderful life we live.  there are days when i am stay at home mama.  there are days when i am cherished wife.  there are days when i'm the preacher, the preschool music teacher, the Bible study leader, the social media professional or the confidant.  and i enjoy all those hats i wear.  trying to balance them all is a circus act, so i was so encouraged when i found this quote and can echo these words with my life.:

"For years, I tried to juggle all the elements of life.  I knew there was a God call on my life to be in ministry, and yet I also knew it could never be at the expense of my family.  When I tried to juggle all the boxes, I learned the hard way that it is difficult to keep them all from crashing down.  So I no longer have boxes for marriage, ministry and motherhood.  Instead, God has shown me that there is a divine order for my life.

Instead of trying to make sure that everything is balanced (there is no prescribed formula for balance), God showed me that I am to break of the box mentality and instead seek Him for divine order for my life.  Each day differs from the day before,  The dynamics change, but the call on my life doesn't.  Marriage, motherhood, and ministry are all cohesively part of that call.  God anoints us for our entire call." -Darlene Zschech

excerpts of gifts of this crazy wonderful calling:

#5784. Your heart for the world
#5785. his love of painting
#5786.  my little messy man- no guts, no glory
#5787.  sharing this time to be creative

#5788.  lazy, late afternoon sun
#5789.  warmth.
#5790.  beauty.

#5792.  music. loud & soft
#5793.  getting to use my education degree
#5794.  sharing my love of music with 4 year olds

#5800.  a daddy built tent
#5801.  happy boys sleeping in a fort
#5802.  no one woke in the night-that tent is magic!

#5805.  You meeting us as I preached
#5806.  men and women willing to go where You send them!
#5807.  gloriously spent for You.  Sabbath rest.

Weekend Links

Ready for some inspirational songs and some challenging quotes?  Need someone to light a fire in your heart for missions today?  Head on over to the 247 Prayer Room for our weekend links!

And if you just want to spend a Saturday morning browsing. Go here. Now. It will be time well spent.

400th Post! {and a giveaway}

Caleb being silly in daddy's tie

Get excited!  In honor of our 400th post- we thought we would do a little reminiscing and a giveaway!

Friday Five: Top Five Favorite Posts!  Take a look at some of our all-time favorite posts and get some history if you're a new follower, or stroll down memory lane with us if you've been with us since the beginning!  Scroll down to see giveaway details!

Sethman being crazy with water

1. Enough- 2006 I started blogging as a new mom.  This post is just a glimpse into my life and what I was clinging to in those early mommy-hood days with my firstborn!
2. Turned Upside-down- 2008 ah, the struggles of adding another baby to the family!  and some of our first stirrings towards Uganda... God was doing a lot of big stuff that year!
3. The In-Between Times- 2008 I love this post for so many reasons!  The quote is great, (I recommend that book for anyone wanting cherish every moment with their little ones), it's just an average glimpse into our life, nothing grand or spectacular just loving the everyday, and that date is still one of our favorite memories!  And the autumn leaves- so lovely- don't see those in Uganda!
4. Are there Giants in Uganda?- 2011 a post from Josh on our journey to Uganda.  It took us two years to raise our funds, and we wanted to hurry God, but as our departure neared we wanted Him to slow down :)  His timing is best!
5. The Happy and the Hard- a gratitude post.  one where i wrestle with the hard eucharisteo of living in a third world culture.

***And details for the giveaway***

• We will be choosing 5 random people to win a Ugandan craft (bark cloth bookmark, or batik wall hanging).  
• Leave a comment to enter.  Tell us your favorite post, or something you've learned from reading our blog or ask us a question about missions or Uganda! Make sure there is a way we can contact you, if we can't find contact info we will select another winner.
  
• Winner will be announced Tuesday, 14 February.  You may comment until 12midnight EST, 13 February to win!
• For an additional entry, you may leave a comment letting us know you subscribe to our blog or we're in your feed-reader. 

My Brother About to Enter...

So, we're blogging over at the Prayer Room- let me just tell you- things are about to get real...Scott is trying to get into _______________ ... well, he's going to do a survey trip to __________________... ok, just click over to the Prayer Room to find out where my amazing brother is heading this weekend!  And pray!  For real.  Pray for my brother, Scott Rambo and his sweet family as they follow where God leads!

Live as Light

"Arise, shine; for your light has come!  For the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." -Isaiah 60:1

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:1-8 

Candles flickering.  Scent diffusing throughout the room.  Filling.  Glowing.  Warming.  Dispelling the darkness.


Shine!  Our Light has come!
Be imitators of God. 
Be loved.  Love. 
Give. Give thanks. 
Light.  Live as children of light.


What does that look like in this dark world?  What does that look like at Christmas?  In your hometown?  In Uganda? 


No impurity.  No greed.  No foolish talk.  No idols.  But rather, thanksgiving.  

As we wait on Him, One who came down all for love, He comes to us.  He spreads His love abroad in our hearts.  And we can give that love away.  We don't have to wonder if there will be enough left for us- He takes care of those who give!  We cannot out-give God.  And so we look for ways to love and give and light this weary world, like baby diapers and rice under our Christmas tree.  Our gifts to those who have nothing. 

For us, we are reaching out to a nearby babies home.  The boys and I went to the babies home on Monday to love on the babies.   We wanted to reconnect, since we hadn't been there since summer, and to find out what their needs are.  The boys aren't really connected to need in a real way, and nor are they capable of truly comprehending.  But this was our introduction.  And it was good. And hard.  These babies, in a full house, with lots of aunties, yet all alone.  And it breaks my heart that I can't take even just one of them home.  To our real home, with Christmas tree and cookies, with love and joy and brother-fights, and hope.  But we will do what we can.  And I'll play this song and this song over and over this Christmas. 

I love watching Seth in action- he loves babies.  Caleb isn't quite sure.  So mostly he just handed toys to babies.  And played with the toys.  But it's a first step;  it's a part we can play, and they will grow into it.  I'm excited about that!

What first steps are you taking this year to be light and give Christmas love away?

Interview with United Faith Chapel leaders

One of our favorite things about ministry here in Uganda is building relationships with Africans who love Jesus and want to serve Him. The ministry at Kampala International University is called United Faith Chapel and we LOVE spending time with these college students. We see a lot of potential for future ministry with these students and are already seeing the potential come to fruition.

Last week I (Josh) sat down with Edwin Eregwa and Laura Oyieri to discuss the ministry at UFC. Laura and Edwin are former students at KIU,  they are from Kenya but have remained in Kampala because they feel led by God to serve in the leadership of this ministry. God worked in their lives through the ministry and now they want to give back. Grab a cup of coffee and take 6 minutes to listen to their thoughts on the ministry here.

If you ever want to become more involved in the ministry at United Faith Chapel (financially, through prayer, coming to visit, etc) please let me know!

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

2011 Video Update

We wanted to share a video update, so you can picture the full impact of your prayers and support!  God has assembled a great team, and we're thankful you're a part of it!  Enjoy the show-

                       

Leave a comment- how have you been impacted by your involvement with us here Uganda?

Advent Resources

I love putting great resources in your hands for advent- how to make the season meaningful and missional!  Today you have the awesome opportunity to buy Truth in the Tinsel for only $2.99! 

Want to start teaching your children about the true meaning of Christmas? Amanda at impressyourkids.org has written Truth in the Tinsel; an advent devotional that teaches the main characters of the Christmas story, using age-appropriate lessons and a creative craft ornament to make with your child!  Decorate your tree with the true meaning of Christmas this year! Because aren't our kids our first mission??

Ann Dunagan, author of The Mission-Minded Family, has a series of Christmas posts with lots of great ideas for making this Christmas more missional! 

Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree devotional from last year- looking forward to doing it again this year with my boys!  And this post- Who's birthday is it really?  A must read.

And I love this post on how to have a radical Christmas!  

Advent begins next week!  How are you preparing?  How will you give the love of Christ this Christmas?

How to Pray for Team Uganda

We're feeling the weight of spiritual warfare, and we need you to fight for us!  We feel as though God wants to do a new thing here, and Satan is fighting against that.  Wesley Duewel shares some specific ways to pray in his book, Touch the World Through Prayer:

As you carve out extended times of prayer for Uganda, pray for God to:

• Deepen hunger in the members of our team
• Reveal a new dimension of His holiness and power.  This is always an important preparation for God's mighty working.
• Produce a holy discontent with things as they are
• Quicken and strengthen faith that it is God's will to move and act on our behalf
• Give God's children new sensitivity to His guidance and voice.
• Give God's children an eagerness to be used of God and to obey Him
• Give new awareness to His people of the urgency of our need for revival
• Prepare the key individuals whom He plans to use
• Motivate and coordinate the prayer and faith of large numbers of Christians so they continue in earnest, prevailing prayer.

We long to love one another, to know God more, to serve Him faithfully here in Uganda.  Will you pray for unity among our team, for spiritual victory and deep joy in the Lord?

Lenten Prayer Guide for Uganda

Lenten Garden inspired by this post

dark earth, awaiting seeds of Easter hope.

today is the first day of Lent- and we'd like to invite you on a Lenten Journey with us as we (yes, you) prepare our hearts for Uganda. 

"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil." -Luke 4:1-2

As we stare at the giants looming large in the Promised Land (Uganda), we plead for one more lap around the wilderness.  He graciously grants our request... but not exactly how we envisioned.  He has a different wilderness in mind... one thousands of years after the first... 40 days and not 40 years... Jesus spent 40 days in the desert after He was baptized, filled with the Spirit, and commissioned into ministry.  40 dark days of temptation in preparation for ministry and also the cross. 

This barren garden reminds us of how trying the days ahead will be.  Satan fights hard.  We are weary in the waiting.  But Lent is just the time to set aside that which distracts us from God, and push into Him, so that we too might rise victoriously with Him on Easter!

Will you join us?  Perhaps you've never observed Lent before, but it is simply a time of preparation for Easter.  As we near our departure date (May 15!!!!!!!!) we need our team strong!  Let's redeem this time in the wilderness with time on our knees- where the real battle is.  Here's the challenge:


Pray for Uganda for the next 40 days.  There are a couple ways you can do this:

• Find a prayer partner and meet (in person or over the phone) once a week to pray for Uganda.
• Fast and pray for Uganda one day each week.
• Share the weekly prayer focus with your small group and pray together.
• Fast sleep and rise an extra half hour early to pray for Uganda.
• OR ask God how He wants you to participate in His plans for Uganda as we journey toward the cross together

Here's the Prayer Guide:

• March 9-16: Pray for the Ugandan Government
• March 17-23: Pray for the Church in Uganda, Africa Gospel Church in Uganda, and the Pastor's in training
• March 24-30: Pray for the missionaries in Uganda
• March 31-April 6: Pray for Heritage International School
• April 7-13: Pray for the Compassionate Ministries in Uganda
• April 14-20: Pray for Kampala International University
• April 21-24: Pray for Revival in Uganda!

STAY TUNED: We will update the blog with devotional thoughts and specifics in each weekly prayer focus throughout Lent as we focus on God's global purposes in Uganda!