It Seems like Yesterday

Remember this?  

This was the kids leaving Texas January 4, 2010.  Our friend Natalie brought doughnuts to the airport for the kids to eat as we checked in, which took a long time.

The airline wouldn't let us on because we didn't have a return ticket.  We had to contact our company and get a letter faxed to the airport, so that they would allow us on the plane.

We arrived in London for a layover,

And started life in Uganda.

Riding bodas became the norm

Watch dogs and a guard on the compound became a part of our life

Receiving packages was such a joy

Learning to cook in a new environment was a new challenge.

This is our house during the most recent packing marathon in June 2013.

We found a gecko behind a box in the garage

Looks like he had been "stuck" here quite a while

We brought several bags home (I'll spare you the number), and we left several behind for some wonderful people from Arkansas to carry (again, I'll spare you the number).

In case you've missed the news somewhere along the way, we will not be returning to Uganda when we come back overseas.  

The other news is that we don't know yet where we WILL be going.

So, in the meantime, feel free to follow our journeys as a family full of children who don't quite remember America, and the interesting observations they make.

Celebration and Goodbyes

In May, our colleagues had a going-away party for us at their house.

Two tents were set up.

 

 

Chairs were unloaded.

 

A pig was cooked.

Enya (the local food) was made.

(no picture...sorry)

People came.

Speeches were given.

Lemech

Obey

 

Eric Allen

Rev. Alice

Beatrice

Food was eaten.

And pictures were taken as we visited with friends and said goodbyes.

As a side note. Pasca called me yesterday (8/8) to tell me her husband died.  Pray for her and her 4 kids.

It was so much fun to have so many friends in one place.  

Here are a few of the things that were written or told to us:

*Kathryn, when i received Dougs Message of farewell i felt am going to miss alot of thing. I started thinking about the time we had together with Doug in learning stories from the Bible and how those stories have transformed me spiritual. These days i can stand to preach the word of God withought fear beause of doug, i can preach how to get into right relationship with God through Jesus and the right Baptism and many many others i have real learned.  i have real appreciate your work may God be with you and bless you. 

 *your family has really challenged me.

     After giving me a gift, my friend said, "This is not enough.  You have given me everything.  You gave me salvation and a Bible and everything."  

     I said, "I didn't give you salvation.  God did."

     Then she said, "But you gave me life in His Word.  You taught me, encouraged me, and if I ever need anything or feel down, you have left me His Word."

Story Group

My head is about to explode with all the posts I want to write, so I'd better get caught up on the past so I can move to the present.

 This post is just for you to get a closer look at some faithful disciples in Arua. Plus, as an added bonus, you can see how much Keira was a distraction for them.

 The guys in the group, especially, all took turns holding her over and over, letting her play with their lips, eyeballs, and anything else in their face she could poke or grab.

 I even have more pictures of different stages of her growth that show them with her as they would come over weekly.

 Sweet, sweet people and friends!

Taban James

 

Richard Kana

Medline holding Keira while James and Medline's tall husband David look on

Mawa James

More Richard

One night after Bible study...all the kids with Richard

Beautiful Medline

Muffin (left) and Betty (right)

Caleb photo-bombing David and Medline

Everyone except Richard, Sunday, and Eric, who arrived later

If you ever think of these faces or names, pray for them to continue to be faithful.

Richard and Taban have been traveling every Saturday to a town north of Arua to minister to people from their home tribe.  They sacrifice a lot to go, but they have continued to be faithful to train a new church plant in the stories that they learned from Doug.

James has been sharing with some motorcycle taxi drivers and others he comes in contact with.

Betty is home with a new baby girl, but she has been faithful to share with her mom, her children, and those that live around her.

All of their names are:  David, Medline, Richard, James, Eric, Sunday, Betty, Muffin, Taban

Where is Truth?

We have a friend who came on Sunday afternoons to learn Truth.

 He always brought his camera, and he asked me to take pictures with his camera and with mine.

 He wanted it well-documented that a Christian took the time to share knowledge and Truth with him.

 He brought his holy book and a list of questions every time.

He also told us what poses to have in each picture.

I LOVE how his face lights up when Truth registers and the light comes on, especially when it's to a question he has had for a long time, and he finally sees the answer in the Word of God.

We really enjoyed our time and conversations with him.  I only wish we had more time.   Pray for his heart as he wrestles with what to do with the Truth he learned.

I hope this is an encouragement for you to talk to people who think and believe differently than you.  And I hope you feel that you can share what you believe with them in a loving way.

Who are the shots hurting?

We took Keira to the clinic to get her six month shots the last time we were in Kampala. This is the second time the kids have gone with us, but this time seemed to be a little different, especially for her big brother.

The lift

The placement

Add a twist

Executed perfectly

Watch the love of a brother.

Comfort time