Today we journeyed to the Islands Togolo and Cheganga (I am not sure of the spelling). We saw how the lack of knowledge about nutrition is being addressed. Groups have been formed there that take part together in growing a communal garden. They have classes during the week to learn what foods have good nutrition in them so that they can provide for their families and keep them healthy. As a group they bring their produce to the market as well and earn a profit to be distributed between the members. Through this program families are being taught about healthy alternatives and how simple it is to prevent sickness.

This is the Boar Hole where children play and are often sent to fetch the water for their family.

Whenever I go to the village my heart is always altered. A part of it is left with those children who yell "Muzungu (which means white person), How are you?" or run up to me to hold my hand or are sick from a lack of the proper diet. Yet, it is God who is in control, God who knows each and every one of those children, and God who loves them with His steadfast love that reassures me each time.

When we were in the different villages today I learned many new Lusoga words, but my favorite phrase was "Mukama baloonji (I'm not sure of the spelling. Pronunciation=Moo-kah-ma Ba-loon-gee)" God is good!! How simple, yet powerful. Amidst the struggles of life, the uncertainties, and joyful moments God is good!!

 Thank you for your prayers and support!

 

Mukama Baloonji!!

Ruth and Lydia

Fear, it is something I have struggled with my whole life and is something I fought through during the beginning of my time here in Uganda. Questions rolled around in my mind. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Which ministry is right for me at this period in my life? My mind was filled with doubts rather than the promises God has given us in His Word.

“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The opposite of fear is faith. However, to have faith you must be willing to be placed in a vulnerable spot, where you are not in control, but are resting in the care of your Heavenly Father. Often we fear this unknown place, but in reality when we surrender this position over to the Lord we find ourselves consumed in His peace knowing that God is in control. What a joy to know that my faith rests in Jesus and that He does and will provide the exact amount I need for each situation.

            How amazing it is that the Lord turns our fears into blessings. What once were questioning doubts are now peaceful statements- I am filled with joy and God’s peace to be here in Uganda, to see God’s beautiful creation all around me and I know that the Lord is in control and will direct me to the exact ministry He has for me in His perfect timing.

“…God is love… There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

1 John 4: 8, 18

May the Lord be praised!

Ruth & Lydia

 

Some of the beauty of God's creation discovered as one afternoon we walked down to the Nile!

 

 

Yes, the "big rain" is heavy and cold,

but it is peaceful too because it is a picture that even amidst the fear of the storm God is in control!

Come along with us and see the first two weeks of our journey to Uganda.We begin in...

Chicago- a great time of visiting friends



Bethany and Rachael came with us to the airport to say good-bye :)







Exploring the sights of downtown Chicago with Starbucks in hand

 

 London- We were able to head out into the city and see firsthand some of England's culture. 

  

 

 

The Beautiful Kensington Gardens

  

"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

 

 

After miles of round-about walking, inquiring for directions, and a few stops along the way we finally made it to

 

BIG BEN!!

 

"You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!" The Peter Pan Statue

The Island-This Saturday we went with Kate and Micah to

meet the people there and learn more about their everyday lives.

We spent the day with Medina and her family she made us lunch-fried fish, cassava, and hot milk with sugar. Her family was very friendly and hospitable.

We spent the day playing games with these kids: ring around the rosy, hide sand seek, and some African games too! They were full of smiles and laughter!

Last Saturday we went to the village to partake in a Ugandan wedding.

 The happy couple!

The day was filled with smiles, dancing, lively children, plenty of food, and lots of laughter!

 

        Rain. Big rain. It is an amazing thing. Starting as a trickle and growing into great, drenching, tumultuous waves falling from the sky. It is a hard rain, but sometimes hardness is what it takes to cleanse and cause growth. When the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.
It's a beatuiful experience, the sound of the pounding rain drops, seeing sheets pouring off the roof, the smell of fresh earth. I step unknowingly into a puddle on our porch and it makes my heart smile. I'm thankful to be here in this moment. It makes me think of Noah. How he must have felt when God shut the door of the ark and the rain began. The process of making things new again. But, the newness brought by the rain is temporary, fleeting. It's good to know that ultimate newness has come already. We have been cleased and made new! Not through the rain, but through a Person. Our Savior has made us new.

Katonda Yeba Zibwe!
-Lydia and Ruth


Also, here's a picture of a bird, just for fun.
There are so many different kinds of birds here! It's great!

We made it!

       We made it! We have now been here for just over a week, a week filled with new experiences! Visiting Masesse, going to a Ugandan wedding in the village, learning our way around Jinja, exploring the banks Nile, navigating the market, meeting new friends... What a blessing! It seems we have learned so much, but at the same time there is still so much that is unknown. When we recognize the unknown, it gives us an opportunity to trust.
I don't know why I'm here, but God does. It is safe to trust. Sometimes I feel lost and I don't know where I am, but God does and He will give me strength. It is safe to trust. I miss my family, but I know God is enough. It is safe to trust.
Trust, trust, trust... What does it mean to trust someone completely? This concept has been running circles through my mind lately. Today I read Genesis 22, about Abraham. Talk about trust. Imagine being 99 years old, having no children, but being told that your offspring would be more numerous than the stars and a blessing to the whole, entire world. Abraham trusted that God's Word was true, in spite of all evidence to the contrary. Then, when his son, Isaac, was born (a miracle!) God told him to sacrifice him, to take his son, his only son, the heir to God's  promise, to take him to the top of Mount Moriah and slaughter him as a burnt offering. How incomprehensibly terrible! Abraham didn't understand, but He trusted in his Father's chesed, His steadfast, always and forever love. Abraham trusted God. How I long to trust like Abraham, to trust to Him the unknown. It's a growing process.
We have been busy since getting here to Uganda, a good kind of busy, full of blessing. It's hard to process all the feelings I have experienced since arriving her, but most of all I have had a sometimes overwhelming sense of hope...all encompassing hope of eager expectation. We are so excited to see how God continues to work here! We don't know exactly what kind of ministry we will be involved with during our time here yet, but we don't have to know or understand. God knows. He has a plan and He will be faithful to fulfill it in us.

        Please continue to pray as we find where we fit in God's plan for ministry here, that He would be guiding us to exactly where He wants us to use our time and energy. Please pray also that we would continue to trust the unknown to our all knowing Heavenly Father.

Katonda Yeba Zibwe!

- Lydia and Ruth