Monday, October 19, 2015

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.