Time to catch up....and time is running!!!

Greetings All!  My apologies for not blogging for nearly a month.  We have experienced so many adventures since our last entry....one of which was Malaria!  Yep...Eli contracted Malaria, and then Chrissie got it next. It is one of the reasons that delayed our blogging.  Fortunately, Jim hasn't and prayerfully, he won't!  It was not a fun experience at all.  Thankfully, malaria is 100% curable with treatment; which both Chrissie and Eli had.  Sadly, many people here still die from malaria, as they do not recognize the symptoms on time nor can many afford the treatment.

We got to experience another wedding introduction; this one was a bit less formal, but most amazing.  Ronnie and Janet, who are both involved with the ministry here, celebrated their introduction last month.  They get married 6 July, and we are so sad that we won't be here to celebrate with them.

Just when I think our experience here can't get any better, it does!  We've heard that we have blessed others here...yet, God has used each person and each opportunity to bless us beyond imagination.  We have experienced laughter in the midst of hardship, joy in the midst of sorrow, and peace in the midst of pain.  What an amazing God we serve and love.  And for all the love we show Him, His is immeasurably greater.

For those of you that are curious about the cultural differences, here are some fast facts:
-Public Schools are not fully funded by taxes, therefore, children must pay to go...and they do all they can to attend.  The cost of school is approximately $30-$125 per year.  If they don't pay, they will either have to work the garden and sell the produce to earn the money, or they become street children, with no education and no hope.
-Families do not usually eat breakfast, and some do not get lunch.  Many get one meal a day, and it is often the same thing, day after day.  I can't help but think of many Americans, who complain when they have to eat leftovers more than once.
-Not all, but many of the friends we've met here live in a mud hut with a grass roof, which is one large room, with a curtain dividing the parent's and children's sleeping area. They live, sleep and eat in the same place.  There are no separate rooms or indoor bathroom/shower, and there is no electricity.  Bathrooms are outside, (a bit like out-houses), and the family members get a basin of water to bathe in.  It was a bit like our field time in the military, before field showers.
-Government hospitals are the most unusual places.  Patients must have a family member with them to care for, feed, change, etc...they must bring their own bed linen, food, and water.  Nurses may check a patient from time to time, but doctors will not visit a patient without bribes (extra money).  Such a sad condition...but this is what FREE government healthcare will get you.
-There are two seasons here...rainy and dry.  Yet, even the rainy season is dry most of the day.
-Many shops have weird combinations...such as the laundry press shop is also a hardware store; and we passed a shop that sold couches and coffins...YES, you read it right.  Just bizarre stuff.

We have all been so busy with evangelism, children's ministry within the villages, youth seminars, visiting shut-in's, and trying to be used by God any way he says.  Eli led Sunday School for over 30 kids, and evangelized to as group of 35 adults and youth.  He has become a pied-piper to the children here.  We can't walk down the path without kids following Eli or calling for him.  If he is not with us, they yell..."Greet Eli for us!"

Last Saturday, we had a Back to School Day at church.  Yes, the kids here just ended their holiday and started school Monday.  We expected and planned for approximately 150 kids...but lo and behold, nearly 300 showed up!!!  Although we purchased food for 150-175, we had enough, plus some left over.  YAY GOD!

The children are so beautiful here.  Each one has a unique quality about them that make you want to take them all home.  The life of a Ugandan is one of hardship.  Many work so hard, and can lose much from damaging rains, disease, drought, or death.  However, the prayers of believers humble me at every turn.  When you hear them pray, you would think they lived in a mansion, had no worries, pain or need.  Instead, through all of the hurt, they show such gratitude for what they do have and for life.  Amazing faith!

One man who characterizes this is Sam.  He is in his early 30's and 4 years ago, he suffered a stroke, which changed his life forever.  Sam was working in the capital city of Kampala, in a lovely international hotel.  Now, he is paralyzed from the waist down and often has times he cannot speak at all.  Yet, despite his circumstance, Sam wears a smile and shows his love for God, each time we meet.  What a joy it has been spending time with him.  Sam's family was so grateful for our visits that they gave Eli a chicken as a thank you.  This is the second chicken Eli received.  You may laugh, but it's a great gift, as it is their food or means of income.  Eli (with the help of our friend Beatrice), made good eats of his gift.

We found a snake pit with a 10 foot cobra inside!  Yikes...we are all steering far from that critter, for sure.  Yet, these are the challenges these folks live with every day.  We have all grown in our appreciation for all the people here go through, but also for what we have back home.

Now, we are down to our last two weeks, and our hearts are heavy with the thought of leaving. It has been incredible to put into action the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...."  We believe God will bring us back here; back to our friends and His ministry.  The only questions are:  When and for how long?  Until then...we continue to lift our beautiful Ugandan Family up in prayer, and we look forward to our reunion with family and friends in the good ole' USA!