Summer in Canada

We have arrived in Canada for our mid term break and are enjoying time with family and friends and the calmness of the countryside.  It is such a blessing to be able to worship with our home church family and spend time around the campfire with friends.
Among our time with family,  we will also be visiting some churches and sharing an update about our ministry with MAF.  We would love to connect with you and say thank you in person for your prayers and support.

Wednesday, June 21, 6:30pm at First Baptist Church Listowel

Sunday, June 25, 10:30am, at Ingersoll Baptist Church

Sunday, June 25, 5pm Forest Baptist Church BBQ at Sparlings Family

Sunday, July 2, 9:30am Knox Presbryterian Church, Thedford

Sunday, July 9, 10:15am First Baptist Church Timmins

Monday, July 10, 6:15pm Bible Fellowship Assembly, Timmins

Sunday, July 16, 10:00am, Elim Bible Chapel, Arkona

Hope to see you there.

More than a To Do List

As I started my day, I prayed,

"Lord, help me to see the people and not just my to-do list".

I got started on the laundry, washed the dishes, and headed out to the market, butcher and grocery store.  I was feeling very accomplished as I unlocked my van and readied myself to climb in.  I had got most things checked off my list and was going to head home.

Then came the call,  " Madame, Madame, would you like to buy a bicycle man? "

My first thought is, no, I don't need it, I don't have time and I just want to go home.

"Please, Madame, I give you a good price"

Then I stopped.  Here was a person, God had placed in my path today.  Was I going to slow down and see the people and listen?

The young man, continued to explain, that he is making these simple toys to support a youth centre down the road.

I bought one.  Not because I needed it, but because I needed the reminder that God is hearing and answering my prayers.  And I need to be listening and watching for His answers.

I needed to be reminded that my day is not just my to-do list, but it is people and relationships, and sharing His love.

Everybody is selling something.

Buying local is a phrase we hear most around the holidays or during summer's produce season, but here in Uganda it is everyday life.  All the basics and even some special items, can be bought right close to our home, supporting the everyday livelihood of those around us. New vendor stands pop up all over, as people try out new ways to support their families.

During a simple drive to school we will see multiple vendors out making a living.
There's the lady with her small produce stand with her vegetables spread out on a mat in front of her.   The lady on the corner cooks her mandasies (solid muffin type cakes) and cassava chips ready to make a sale to breakfast seeking customers on their way to school and work.  Later in the day those selling roasted corn or meat skewers will emerge preparing for the dinner crowd.  In between there are those who cook full Ugandan meals and deliver them to the shop owners for lunch.

There are also those who carry their wares as they walk around looking to catch those passing by with an interest in what they have for sale.  These pedestrian sales people usually have a certain item that they are carrying, whether shoes, toys, backpacks, sunglasses, fabric, mosquito nets;  maybe fresh fish, sugar cane or vegetables, it can be just about anything.  And if you are in a traffic jam, no worries, you can get some shopping done at the same time.  Sellers will walk down the line up of cars, selling anything from snacks, to toilet paper.  The girls find it comical to see what the oddest
item is going to be.

But there is a third group of vendors and these are the ones that make a certain product at their home, then connect with you for pick up or delivery.  I have a few that I buy from regularly and I love sopporting these local business ladies.  I can get buns and donutsballs from a young mom seeking to build up her own business.  Housecleaning detergent and dish soap from my house helps sister,  roasting chickens and eggs from a colleagues friend, and tortilla chips and salsa from the house help of the neighbour.  These are entrepreneurs who are working hard to provide for their families when other jobs are scarce.  I admire their determination and desire to do all they can to support their families and I will do my part and support their efforts.

New Sights and Experiences

In the week leading up to Christmas we took a trip up to the northern region of Uganda, to Karamoja, and visited friends up there at their mission base.  It was great to get out of the city and see more of  Uganda, which included more bumpy roads, incredible amounts of dust, ostriches and other wildlife, mountain ranges at a distance and amazing waterfalls.

Our friends are part of a mission base that supports the community through a medical clinic, public health training, an elemenatry school and Bible teaching.  While we were there we were able to visit a couple of villages close to the mission compound.  I say close, but it was still a fair walk in the hot sun.  

This group sang songs for us and also loved getting their picture taken.

This group at the second village sang and also tried to teach us to count to 5 in Karamajong which sadly, I really didn't catch onto very well.

It is a very hot and dry area, especially in the current dry season which has begun sooner than normal and will result in a very hard season for the people and their food supply

We attended church at their mission as well and did our best singing songs in the Karamajong language.  

During our time there it was very evident, that knowing the local language is very important.  We felt very limited in our communication with the people, and fully commend our friends and their colleagues for taking the time to learn the language so they can be most effective is building relationships and sharing the message of Christ.