We will start off by apologizing for our lack in blog updates. If we have learned anything from this it is to update the blog while you have the chance. Because We're fairly certain we had the opportunity but put it off to do later. And of course later was to be over the weekend when we found ourselves without internet for 3 and a half days. We're hoping you can pardon our lazyness, as well as our unreliable African internet.
We are still shocked and surprised, then smile with joy every time we see our baby walking all around without help. He is so talented. We have been working hard to get a video up of him so that you all can see.
The secret is out that there is a free computer repair man visiting Calvary Chapel Entebbe. Many people from church have been keeping Grant busy with their technology needs. Bringing their sick computers to him to take a look at and at times heal. He is of course happy to serve, especially in this way, and never turns anyone down. Though to Katie's great horror, she has found that even as far away from home as Uganda she can not escape the reality of combatting a desktop being broken down in several parts and eternally spread out on her kitchen table.
When not working on computers, which is actually most of the time. Grant spent much of last week going on home visits with Julius, an associate pastor at the church. They visited with mostly widows and single mothers, getting to see their hurts and needs and then pray for them. It was a humbling experience to say the least.
Yesterday, Grant was once again gracious enough to stay home and let Katie spend the day on the medical outreach to one of the islands on Lake Victoria. The team of people was able to medicate and hydrate about 40-50 sick children. And 30 adults. Being seperated from the mainland leads the island people to suffer extreme poverty. After visiting the islands we always come home to each other with stories of very heart breaking scenes.
Needless to say it has been a challenging week for us on many personal spiritual levels. We've stayed up late so many nights talking about what our response ought to be to being brought so near to such great need. We keep these verses ever on our mind and we want to give them to you as well.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
If someone has enough money to live well, and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion- how can God's love be in that person?
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so that we will be confident when we stand before God.
I John 3:17-19
More later,
Grant and Katie
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
35 Bunches of Matoke
Well yesterday I (Grant) had an amazing afternoon at the Calvary Chapel farm. As you can see in these pictures we harvested 35 bunches of matoke, a Calvary Chapel farm month record! Praise God! Each bunch goes for about 5000-8000 Uganda Shillings which is equivalent to about $2.50 - 4.00 but here in Uganda 8000 shillings can get you a 8 hour bus ride anywhere in the country and $20USD can get you a bus ride to any country neighboring Uganda. Anyway, I had a great time out on Lake Victoria and have sun burns to show for it. The farm can be accessed by a 15min boat ride or a 1 hour boda boda (motorcycle) ride. Currently at the farm they are focusing mainly on tree crops (bananas, matoke, lemons) and beans. They have a few chickens and plan this year to try pigs for the second year. As much as much I enjoy working on computers it is always nice to go out and get your hands dirty once in a while. Yesterday I got to do both and it was freakin' awesome! In the first picture you can see the Calvary Farm crew Robin (center) and James aka The Matoke Master (right). Also I had quite a lot of fun poking fun at the Ugandans as none of them could swim very well and wore their life jackets religiously. haha We appreciate all your prayers and will continue to keep you posted. You can be praying today as I go out to the islands on a medical outreach. -G
2 Bowls and a Jar
Those are the things that Nigel has broken from our little kitchen in just the past week.One of the bowls he pulled off the shelf left him with a decent 1.5-2 inch cut on his leg. We think he's going to live. In fact, we're uncertain if he even knows he was injured. And last but certainly not least we give a special shout out to Zac Miller for at the last minute at the OKC airport equipping us with the first aid kit from his car. The Lord knew we would need it yesterday. Grant was even on his way to the pharmacy to buy supplies, when we remembered we had it.
We are still sad to be a part from all of our friends at CLD. One of Grant's last days working was spent with Ronny at the farm.
They worked hard clearing an area of dense brush along the fence. As the picture shows, they got A LOT done! Altogether they had a great day together with lots of laughs and good memories. We have been so challenged by the young men like Ronny, who are working with CLD in their home country to bring hope and healing to people. It commissions us to to the same in our own home town.
It was really fun for all 3 of us to get to visit the Kids House together. Disappointingly there were only about 2 or 3 kids there, as the van was late that day to pick them up. After waiting as long as we could we had to get back because it was getting dark, and Nigel was getting hungry. We still played hard with the few kids that were there. And they loved picking Nigel up and carrying him all around. It's a funny sight really, when a 3 or 4 year old child, who weighs only slightly more than Nigel swings him up on their hip and carries him around.
Our week has been pretty busy.
We spent most of the weekend settling in, buying a few supplies, and getting familiar with town. June 2nd-6th there was a crusade in town which was put on by all the local churches working together. It was exciting to get to be a part of it, and see God move.
On Monday we were treated by our host missionaries to a day at the beach on Lake Victoria. The weather was just right and the views were spectacular. And well, this picture pretty much sums up how Nigel felt about the Lake. We gave it several attempts, and even tried the nearby pool where there were no waves; he really wanted nothing to do with the sand and the water, but played happily in the grass.
On a happy Nigel note. We are proud to announce two important advancements in our little guys life. The first, as of yesterday we have seen serious improvement in the area of walking. He is really getting the hang of it it seems, and is choosing to walk more and more often. The second is a very recent (though slight) interest in trading his bottle in for a sippy cup. Yeah, we're pretty excited too!!!
Life has been really nice so far in Entebbe. At times we feel a little too spoiled, but know that this is where God has brought us for this time. We are currently staying at the SIL Uganda guest house. We live in a cute little apartment, with one bedroom, a full bathroom, a small kitchen, and a family room, which we use as Nigel's bedroom, and a dining room. Katie has been busy cooking all of our meals here,(we were very blessed at the hands of a cook while with CLD) as well as being kept very busy by Nigel. Grant is quickly learning all the work that Calvary Chapel is doing here, and how he can help with it. Yesterday he spent most of the day fixing some computers, a project not yet done. And today he is visiting the Calvary Chapel farm, to check out that ministry. Everything is going well, and everyone is staying healthy. We thank you for your prayers, there are times we look at each other and just know someone must be praying.
More later,
Grant, Katie and Nigel
We are still sad to be a part from all of our friends at CLD. One of Grant's last days working was spent with Ronny at the farm.
It was really fun for all 3 of us to get to visit the Kids House together. Disappointingly there were only about 2 or 3 kids there, as the van was late that day to pick them up. After waiting as long as we could we had to get back because it was getting dark, and Nigel was getting hungry. We still played hard with the few kids that were there. And they loved picking Nigel up and carrying him all around. It's a funny sight really, when a 3 or 4 year old child, who weighs only slightly more than Nigel swings him up on their hip and carries him around.
Our week has been pretty busy.
We spent most of the weekend settling in, buying a few supplies, and getting familiar with town. June 2nd-6th there was a crusade in town which was put on by all the local churches working together. It was exciting to get to be a part of it, and see God move.
Life has been really nice so far in Entebbe. At times we feel a little too spoiled, but know that this is where God has brought us for this time. We are currently staying at the SIL Uganda guest house. We live in a cute little apartment, with one bedroom, a full bathroom, a small kitchen, and a family room, which we use as Nigel's bedroom, and a dining room. Katie has been busy cooking all of our meals here,(we were very blessed at the hands of a cook while with CLD) as well as being kept very busy by Nigel. Grant is quickly learning all the work that Calvary Chapel is doing here, and how he can help with it. Yesterday he spent most of the day fixing some computers, a project not yet done. And today he is visiting the Calvary Chapel farm, to check out that ministry. Everything is going well, and everyone is staying healthy. We thank you for your prayers, there are times we look at each other and just know someone must be praying.
More later,
Grant, Katie and Nigel
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