Approved!

Corinne & Daniel walking to church with Wayne and Parker!

It's been a busy, yet exciting several weeks! We have been deep in letters, building plans, and GSF activities, all while enjoying the company of Corinne's sister and family. Keep reading for a quick update and photos.

Corinne worked with the 80+ GSF kids to get the child sponsorship letters sent out. Once those were wrapped up, Corinne did letters with the 400+ GSF students for the Class 2 Class letters. If you're involved in either of these programs, check your mail in the coming weeks!

Gayla, Paul, and Rosie writing industriously

Thank you for your prayers - the building plans for new residential units at GSF are approved! Daniel is now finalizing design plans, mobilizing workers, and getting everything in place and ready to break ground next week, Lord willing. He is looking forward to providing needed residences for GSF staff!

Literally a stamp of approval

Along those lines, one of Daniel's workers from the previous building project, Mukwata, had his baby dedicated at Light of the World Church recently. What a wonderful thing to have the life of a child dedicated to the Lord by his parents. Daniel is excited to continue being part of what the Lord is doing in the lives of project workers and their families.

Mukwata and his family, center

The Brust family (Corinne's sister and her husband and kids) has been here in Uganda to adopt a little boy from GSF. The newest member of the family - baby Wayne - is doing very well, and it is great to have them all here with us. After the court date, Jonathan returned to the US and Carly and the kids are remaining in Uganda until the adoption process is completed. It's been so much fun showing the Brust family the beautiful country of Uganda. We also had the pleasure of giving them a grand tour of our house! We are so excited to gain another sweet nephew :)

Enjoying a meal in Kampala before going to court

Corinne with Wayne

Jay and JB getting a ride on the Iya boda

Light of the World Church recently had a service project in Buwundo, the local village next to GSF. Brothers and sisters from the church came out one morning and helped a "mzee," or elderly gentleman, rebuild his mud hut. It was encouraging to see the local church give of their time and efforts in service - all in the name of Christ.  

The hut in the village

Applying a new coat

Working on the interior

Cord Groups (monthly GSF discipleship groups) are back! Daniel's most recent group time consisted of playing games outside, coloring, and praying with these young boys. It was fun to see their proud, smiling faces after they finished coloring. 

GSF's take on Disney

Here are some ways you can continue to pray with us:

1) Pray that the final preparations for starting the the project will go smoothly and that the Lord would lead Daniel to the right workers to hire for the crew.
2) Pray for God's favor in the adoption process for the Brust family. Pray also for grace for Carly as she completes the process and takes care of five children in Jonathan's absence.
3) Pray for the GSF kids as many of them are taking exams this week.
4) Pray for wisdom for Corinne as she works to maintain and grow the sponsorship programs. Also pray as she serves alongside the baby house aunties.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back in UG

We made it safely to Uganda! We arrived with all our baggage intact and were welcomed warmly by the GSF children at the entrance to the children's home. We have since moved back into our home in the village of Nyenga. Our house was very well kept, and we were greeted by our neighbors with smiles and the familiar, common greeting of "Well be back!" In fact, much is very familiar, and we were able to recover from jet lag quickly and settle back into the flow of life. All of this is tremendous reason to praise the Lord for His mercy, faithfulness, and provision. Thank you for all of your prayers concerning these things.

The week we arrived in Uganda, GSF held its 4th annual Staff Appreciation (Sports) Day. We were able to participate on our respective teams (yes, we were on different teams) in events such as Bible quiz, relay races, and a soccer tournament, and even help hand out gifts to the GSF staff at the end.

Corinne hanging out with brothers Elijah and Ibra

...and they're off! Daniel taking the first leg of the 4x100 men's relay.

Handing out gifts and T-shirts

As far as ongoing projects, roles, and responsibilities:

We certainly feel like we hit the ground running! Corinne is continuing as Sponsorship Coordinator and as Co-Director of the Baby House. She is currently very busy organizing all the kids to write letters to their sponsors. Managing the baby house is no small task either, with Corinne's roles including childcare training and leading a Bible study. Some of Corinne's additional responsibilities at GSF include working with two newly-hired nurses, teaching Sunday School, tutoring one of the GSF kids, and leading 5- to 7-year-old girls in discipleship (cord group).

Corinne's Sunday School class on her first week back!

Daniel is continuing as Construction Manager at GSF. The upcoming (imminent) project is the construction of two to three residential units (efficiency residences). The building permit is still in process, however, and it is still unclear when the project will begin. When it does start, Daniel will be involved in worker training, discipleship, and bible study. Some of Daniel's additional roles at GSF include leading worship, checking in with special needs workers, and discipling 4- to 6-year-old boys in a cord group. The young boys in Daniel's cord group have been asking about when the next cord group is. They are definitely excited!

Here are some things you can be praying with us about in the next few weeks:

1) Pray that the building permit would come through quickly so that construction can begin soon.

2) Pray that Corinne would be able to wrap up writing letters with all of the children. She is hoping to have all letters written by the end of this week!

3) Protection from spiritual attacks of disillusionment and discouragement. It's been a blessing to be back in Uganda, but we are also reminded of the great needs here, both physical and spiritual.

Tickets ✓

The tickets are bought! We're heading back to Uganda on October 3rd. We have had a great time in the states visiting friends and family.  While we were in the US, we had the opportunity to travel a bit visiting family and friends, but we spent most of our time in Elverson, PA with Corinne's family. It's been a wonderful time here but we are excited to get back to where we feel God is calling us to serve in Uganda at Good Shepherd's Fold.

Thank you to all who prayed for Daniel's immigrant visa back in April/May - we thank God for providing (as He always does!). Daniel was granted an immigrant visa and now has permanent resident status in the US which will make traveling to and from the US a whole lot easier for us in the future. Thank you again for interceding on our behalf.

Here are a few ways that you can pray for us over the next few weeks:

1) Logistics as we wrap up things here in the states (packing, last minute shopping, appointments, etc).

2) Safety in traveling back to Uganda.

3) Our transition back to our home in Uganda, such as getting back into the swing of things regarding ministry and work and adjusting to the time zone.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And a special thank you to the many of us that welcomed us into your homes and lives over the last (almost) 5 months! 

Check back soon to read about our upcoming projects, roles, and responsibilities that we're looking forward to in Uganda. In the meantime, enjoy a few photos from our time in America.

Daniel and I with our cohort of missionaries at Missionary Orientation Training at Global Outreach in Tupelo, MS in August

Daniel's siblings and father at his sister's house in New York!

Corinne and her siblings at her brother's graduation from Covenant College in Georgia

Daniel with his college buds in Longview, TX

Visiting with three of our nieces in Longview, TX

Corinne speaking at a women's event at Community Evangelical Free Church in Elverson, PA

We celebrated 2 years of marriage in Nashville, TN with our friends

Fewer Walls to Separate

Christmas gift from my mom

I hear that tiny houses are quite the trend in the US these days. Although I have yet to watch any of the shows (and believe me, I fully intend to watch one whenever I can get my hands on one), I am truly surprised that these tiny houses have gone from a few pins on Pinterest to entire television series. It's interesting to me because the tiny living that totally captivates America was widespread in Uganda long before it took HGTV. But it's not entertainment here; it's totally normal. And it's nowhere on Ugandan television. Maybe it's not considered entertainment because most Ugandans haven't chosen to leave a 2,000 sq. ft home for a much smaller, economical 200 sq. ft living space. Or maybe it's that the houses here tend to lack the glam that those American customized micro spaces exude. 

Whatever the case, Daniel and I moved into a small(er than we were ever used to) house when we moved to Nyenga in January 2014. And by the grace of God, Daniel and I have made this little >100 sq. ft. room our home. For me, it has been  beautiful experience. Limiting living space forced me to evaluate what stuff I value, "need", and want in my life. That process in itself has opened my eyes in a very real way to the irrelevance of stuff. It is easy for me to believe that things directly influence my happiness and quality of life, but living with less has guarded me from falling into that futile pursuit. And although I still have a weak spot in my soul for shopping, it's not even tempting to store up treasures where moth and dust destroy (Matt. 6:19) when you don't have anywhere to put the "treasures"! 

Truly, I thank God for this experience. I thank God for the opportunity to be so immersed in the Ugandan culture, growing to know the people who I serve and serve alongside in a richer way. I pray that I will always appreciate the simplicity of less as well as the convenience of having more (indoor plumbing really is a great idea). And a special shout out to my husband who makes living in tight quarters enjoyable and easy =) 

Daniel made me those shelves a few weeks ago!

That blue thing is a TivaWater filter, and it's awesome! 

Panoramic photo compliments of the iPhone

Standing outside of our house looking towards the latrines and bathing areas (bathing stalls are where those clothes are draped, and the latrines are those wooden doors back there).

Neighbor boys making some popcorn!

Outside of our door (kitchen area). Orange bucket is what we use to hold the charcoal.

Kitchen sink ;)

Thank you so much for praying for me and Daniel. As you know, we have been working on Daniel's paperwork for his US immigrant visa. Last week, we were able to schedule Daniel's visa interview for April 27th. This is a HUGE step forward for us! The interview will be held in Nairobi which is about a 12 hour bus ride from Jinja. Daniel is currently in Nairobi to get a required physical done before the interview. I will be joining Daniel over the weekend and attending the interview with him. If Daniel's visa is accepted, he will be considered a permanent resident of America and we will be able to travel back to the United States a few weeks after the interview. This is exactly what we intend to do. We have actually booked tickets for the beginning of May. Please pray that Daniel's interview goes well! Although we see no reason for the visa to be denied, there really is no guarantee. So we are putting it all in God's hands and we ask that you would lift this request up in prayer this week. 

See you soon, we hope!

Baby House Blessings

On January 30th, God brought three beautiful little girls to the Good Shepherd's Fold baby house. Three lives, preserved through the grace of God and the faithful ministry of Abide Family Center, changed forever. The caretakers of the baby house gently loved on the triplets, even during difficult hours of sleepless nights and scream-filled mealtimes. Within the first weeks, the babies went from crying when touched to smiling when held; from avoiding eye-contact to seeking moments of attention; from fear to trust. It was a miracle unfolding. The caretakers remarked on the emotional development that they were witnessing in these lives. It was beautiful.

Victoria, Teopista, and Kaana, with baby house supervisor, Adrine. 

I praise God for demonstrating to the baby house caretakers the transforming power of His love and character poured into little lives. I praise God for reminding me of the way that He cares for us and continues to pursue us, even when we cry to be left alone or avoid His presence. He meets us where we are, even if it is in the middle of the night; God doesn't turn His ear the other way. What a beautiful example He gives us as we care for little ones. 

(Picture by Caralina Gwartney)

Bringing in new babies is always a test of stamina for the baby house aunties, and a 6-month old baby girl, Patricia, also joined the baby house just weeks after the triplets. After 2 months of caring for the full house of 15 babies, the caretakers were getting tired! Claudia (director of the baby house) and I wanted to give the ladies a day away of refreshment. Women's Day provided the perfect opportunity to pamper the caretakers and give them a well-deserved break. We surprised the ladies with a day at the salon, including new hairdos, manicures, pedicures, and more. What a great time we all had together!

L-R: Sylvia, Claudia, Adrine, Daisy, Diana, Florence, and me

Getting more involved with the baby house over the past several months has been a great joy and blessing to me. I love the front-row seat it gives me as I watch God's healing hand in the precious lives of the babies. Sometimes the healing is emotional and sometimes it's physical. For those who prayed for baby Daniel during his kidney complications, THANK YOU! After weekly visits to the pediatrician over the past 2+ months, Daniel has been given a clean bill of health. We are so thankful and relieved that Daniel's kidney problems do not appear to be chronic. Daniel is doing well and is as happy and active as ever!

Although each triplet has at least 1 sponsor, GSF children are not considered fully sponsored until each one has 4 sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor for any of the triplets, feel free to sign up at www.goodshepherdsfold.org and I would love to get you started! Feel free to shoot me an email at gsfsponsorship@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Prayer Requests:

1) Praise - We were able to renew Daniel's Ugandan visa with a quick trip to Kenya! Our time in Kenya ended up being a huge refreshment and wonderful time away.

2) Praise/Prayer - We heard from the National Visa Center and Daniel's US immigrant visa is onto the next stage! We are currently waiting for an interview date at the US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Lord willing, the interview is the last big step until we get his visa. Please pray that his interview date would come quickly and for patient hearts for us.

3) Please continue to pray for the elections and unrest in Nigeria!

4) Please pray for the baby house, that God's presence and love would reign over all in that house. Pray specifically for the new babies: the triplets and Patricia.

Project Completed

The Fish house is finished! It was an exciting and challenging experience, and I learned a lot about construction, building in Uganda, managing people, and myself. After 8 months and a lot of work from my casual workers, skilled laborers, and contractors, the new missionary home has been completed - more or less on schedule and under budget. To God be the glory!

* For those who are interested, here are some specs:

• confined masonry construction
• reinforced concrete slab, columns, and ring beam
• timber trusses (double top and bottom cords), pine
• 28ga corrugated metal roofing sheets
• aluminum sliding windows
• steel, screened exterior doors and solid timber interior doors
• waste management: septic tank + soak pit
• exterior finish: exposed brick with 2 pack poly varnish
• completely off the grid: 24V solar system and solar water heater

House from the front

House from the back

Installed solar panels and solar water heater

Furnished living room

To celebrate the house being finished, we held a worker appreciation party for everyone who had been part of the project from start to finish. This past December, I was able to purchase Bibles in English and Luganda (depending on what each worker preferred) and give them to some of the workers for Christmas. At the worker appreciation party, I was able to give more Bibles to the rest of the workers who had not received them yet. Praise God that His word is reaching people in the communities around Good Shepherd's Fold (GSF)! Pray that, indeed, it will not return empty (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Giving a word of thanks and encouraging the workers

Joking around during lunch

Giving out the Bibles

Socializing with the foreman and some of the masons

Corinne, me, and my foreman Joseph

We also had a dedication where we invited all of the GSF staff to come and see the house. After about an hour of walking through and fellowship and snacks, David Fish and the GSF director Mark Gwartney said a few words. David then closed the gathering with a time of corporate prayer.

The GSF staff checking out the kitchen

GSF director Mark saying a few words

Through the course of the project, I tried - with the help of my foreman - to speak into the lives of my workers and provide spiritual and practical guidance. One of them, Kaiga, picked up on the skills quickly and by the end of it had been promoted from porter to mason. Another young man, Kawoma, began saving his pay, week by week, after we spoke to everyone about the importance of budgeting. Kawoma is also part of a family that lives in the community neighboring GSF, and David and Lisa Fish invited his family to come to church. He received a Bible around Christmastime and was encouraged to read it along with the other workers. Then on New Year's Eve, he traveled to Namboole Stadium (Uganda's national stadium) to attend a Christian prayer event. He accepted Christ as his savior there, and has now been attending church regularly! Even though the project is done, I see him and two of my other workers, Lubega and Muwonge, at Light of the World Church each week.

Lubega, me, Kawoma, and Muwonge at church

Having these guys coming to church is a great opportunity to follow up with some of the workers who got Bibles. Please pray that we will be able to plug more and more of them into the local church. Also pray that there will be more opportunities for discipleship of the others on future projects.

Most of my crew of workers

Here are a few other things you can be praying with us about:

1) The upcoming elections in Nigeria have been postponed until March 28 (presidential and parliamentary) and April 11 (state governors and assemblies). The reason given for the delay is that the military resources that would be allocated to monitoring the elections are otherwise tied up fighting Boko Haram. However, the whole thing may just be a ploy for the current administration to keep power. Please pray for peace as tensions are rising leading up to the polls, and please pray that the Lord would use the person appointed as president for His purposes and glory.

2) Corinne and I are still waiting for an interview date with US Immigration. This has made it difficult to plan for the months ahead. Also, my legal immigration status in Uganda is drawing to a close (it expires March 11th), so we have started looking into our options there as well. Pray that the Lord would go before us in both these processes.