God is Good

A little story for you, by Julie.

We mentioned in our last post that we have had a problem with bed bugs. We had actually had that problem for probably about 6 weeks before we realised what was going on. By the time we found out where all the itchy bites were coming from, we had endured a fair bit of suffering. We had tried spraying some things, which helped for a little while, but the bugs always came back because that's what bed bugs do. When we found out what they were, how they like to hide in tiny little cracks and crevices, how difficult they are to get rid of and how much blood they suck, we started feeling very discouraged. Bed bugs are like a cross between ticks and headlice. They suck blood like ticks (minus the corkscrew nose) and they breed and spread like headlice (minus the living on your head thing). We were already very tired and we didn't feel like we could handle this.

On the Saturday before last, we had been in church during the morning while I did some Children's Cantata stuff and we really didn't want to go home. We couldn't face it. So, we checked some movie times for the local malls. These malls only show about three or four movies at a time and most of the time, we are not terribly keen on the choices. But on this Saturday, God made sure the movie that we really needed to see in the name of emotional wellbeing, Johnny English: Reborn, was playing. It was such a wonderful breath of fresh air and we laughed the whole way through it.

After the movie, we were lured into an electronics shop with a "3D World by Sony" sign. The 3D wasn't operational, but we did see three T.V. screens showing scenes of New Zealand! Not only that, but they were scenes of Auckland, places we know and fresh and clean ocean. We told the shop attendant that our city was playing on the T.V. and he watched it with us. He was amazed at the lack of dust and we found that rather amazing as well. Among the scenes was a shot of the ferry I used to ride to work every day! There are only about 2 boats that look like that in all of Auckland and one made it to an electronics shop in Uganda. I was so happy to see it, I shouted "That's my ferry!" I knew that God could see us and that he cared. We also knew that, before too long, we would be back in the ocean and there are no bed bugs in the ocean. =)

The final icing on the cake was dinner. There was a grill we had seen before but had never been to and we decided to give it a try. It was part of a butcher's shop, which seemed promising. It was amazing. Definitely the best food we have ever had here. There were many tasty vegetables and the chef knew how to make a dignified well-done steak which is quite rare (haha). I have recently discovered that my one of my biggest, if not my biggest, love language is being fed. If somebody gives me good food then I feel loved and taken care of. I know that this dinner was another gift from God.

The bed bug battle continued, but we found that we could face it a little better than we could before.

So that's my story. Thanks for reading. Your regularly scheduled program will continue shortly.

Sideline Headlines Part One

Hello, everyone! We are glad to finally be updating you. The next two updates should give you an idea of why we have been so busy. Here is part one about what we have been up to, besides our IT work.

Discipleship Class
Discipleship class at Watoto is an intensive small-group-based study of the Christian faith. Attendees spend time learning the essentials as well as unlearning 'toxic religion' they may have picked up along the way. Jordan is a facilitator for one of these groups, meeting once or twice weekly, and keeps in-touch with the guys between.

A couple of TXTs Jordan has received:

"Hi Jordan, good morning! I Just woke up with this big desire to say thank you. Thank you for who u have been to us as a group and to me as an individual. Thank you for being there. God bless you."

"Hey Jordan! Praise God! I really cant thank you enough for today. Thanks for being passionate about the works of God and thanks for ministering. God will bless you so much. I loved the talk and the food also. Thanks again brother. And regards to Julie."

He co-facilitates with the other leader (in the red). Jordan is passionate about helping new believers experience what Jesus says in John 8:32, "the truth will set you free", and these classes have been a great avenue for this.



Jordan does Hospital Ministry

Wow, this is a tough calling. This is a big part of the vision I had for coming to Uganda, and it has definitely impacted me. Going and seeing people in such dire straights, really gives you an appreciation for your circumstances.

I have joined an experienced Ugandan Christian in going to pray for the sick, encourage them and talk about God's love for them.

Eventually, I also lead the Discipleship Class to come and experience this ministry. In the public hospital here, people are lucky to get a bed, and if no friends or family come to look after you, you don't eat. Not to mention medical care may well be insufficient for the (dire) needs.

 It has been very humbling trying to bear a message of hope to people in such circumstances. Nevertheless, we were privileged to see several people give their lives to Christ, and I look forward to hearing of answers to prayers as people are followed up.

Coming up in Part Two...

• Julie has been facilitating in Children's Church and helping prepare for the Children's Cantata at the end of the year.
• We have begun teaching computer classes for young high-schoolers at the Bbira children's village.
• One of our IT team will be taking us to the source of the Nile this weekend!

Please Pray for:

• Wise use of our last month here.
• A swift death (for the bed bugs which have been discovered in our home!). It is really tiring us out keeping these horrid critters at bay. Please pray that the soon-coming fumigation and other measures will be 100% effective.
• The Cell Point website getting operational and in good condition before we leave.

Praise God for:

• The Cell Point system coming together.
• Good people who have helped us get around.
• The amazing experiences we have had!

Amazing things about New Zealand

Amazing Things We Have Learned About New Zealand During Our Time In Uganda:

• In New Zealand, people rarely greet strangers. Often, people pretend not to notice you.

• In New Zealand, bananas and mangos taste more like cardboard!
  
• In New Zealand, children complain a lot about doing household chores!
• In New Zealand, cars only drive on one side of the road, and motorbikes never drive on the footpath!
• In New Zealand, you can chew your food with reckless abandon There are no stones in it!
• In New Zealand, no one ever chants through a megaphone before dawn. If you want a natural wake up call, you need roosters!
• In New Zealand, shops, houses and cars keep their colour! There just isn't enough dust to make them go clay-coloured.

In New Zealand, taxi vans don't have random, nonsensical slogans!

• In New Zealand, even the prime minister can be held accountable for his actions.
• In New Zealand, no one can get away with burning miscellaneous household rubbish and smoking out the neighbourhood. The air is clear in the suburbs all year around!
• In New Zealand, the government employs people especially to stop loud music playing after bedtime. Super loud nightclubs in residential areas would never last.
• In New Zealand, you can make a whole house out of wood! It will last over a hundred years without being eaten.

• In  New Zealand, a bus ticket costs as much as a private hire taxi in Uganda!
• In New Zealand, a family's rent for a week can easily cost as much as 4 1/2 month's wages, for a Ugandan with a decent job. Yet, the New Zealand family still has money left over.
• The eggs in New Zealand are exotic.

• In  New Zealand, there is a coastline! With beaches! Sometimes, you can even swim in fresh water, and drink water out of the tap!
• In New Zealand, electricity is on most of the time, even in the suburbs!
• In New Zealand, people have so much to thank God for, yet most rarely do.
• Wherever you go, anywhere in the world, people are like rice: precious, and 15% broken.

Thank you, everyone, for your ongoing support and prayer. Life is good. Praise God.