Leaving Adjumani...

I can't believe we only have four days left here in our beloved N. Ugandan town. I'm having a hard time grasping that in about thirteen days I'll be back in my hometown starting to have conversations about what life was like here. It just doesn't seem possible. I do have peace about leaving...it is definitely time to go. We had a wonderful goodbye celebration at Liberty Baptist church last Friday - the church we worship at most Sundays. And, it really helped me to feel the sense of closure that I have needed. Many of the people we have worked alongside and love were there to celebrate what God has done in these last several months. It really wasn't a time of sadness, but of praising and rejoicing in God's goodness to all of us. And, it was beautiful to hear the cheers of agreement that we are all one in Christ, and will remain together in spirit and in prayer.

Our pastor, Pastor Henry, shared a message about the will of God and how we answered the call to come to Adjumani even though there were many uncertainties and many reasons that people told us not to come. I really believe that one of the most meaningful things to the people we've been living life with is that we came and stayed even though things can never be certain up here in terms of peace and security. And, there are also the realities of sickness and the extreme hot weather in the dry season (December through March) that make it so many people choose not to stay or even to come at all. I'm not trying to puff those of us up who did come to stay for some time. I'm only trying to illustrate the way God speaks through solidarity and sacrifice of the things that help one to feel secure in this life. It's really incredible...It truly is about entering in and genuinely "being" with people in their daily lives - sharing in what makes life for them - good and bad. It sounds too simple, but I've found it is where so much of Christ's teachings come to light.

So, in these last days, we are trying to spend time with all of those we love dearly. I can't believe the relationships that God has invited us into here, and how it really feels like we will be together in heart and spirit even with the great physical distance between us. And, that will become even more meaningful because communication from the U.S. is going to be difficult as many of our friends don't have access to computers, post office boxes, or even money to use their phones (some have pay-as-you-go cell phones). We have found ways to get letters or other things to them, but it will take a lot of time and patience. We are all at peace with it as we have no other choice and it will make the communication we do have very sweet. And, most importantly, it will drive us to pray much more for our community here as we won't have their words to tell us how they are doing.

Sunday was our last morning to worship with our dear friends...there will be many "lasts" this week...but, many "firsts" are to come as I leave with a completely new perspective on life and my walk with Christ.

I'm not sure if I'll blog again while in Uganda...We'll see. I'll leave you with some photos of the people I've spent time with in the last few weeks...Blessings to all!

Esther, Palima, Jaclyn, Savior (Palima's son), and myself playing with the camera on Jaclyn's computer.

Our dear friends, Annet and her daughter Freeder (pronounced "Frida"). We spent time with Annet and Freeder in Bible study and sharing each week.

We got to visit the place where Esther was raised in Dufile of Moyo County. Pictured here are many of her family members who still live there (as well as Esther - the one with the big smile - and her two little girls).



Jaclyn and I with Pastor Henry's wife, Regina. This was the last day we spent with her as she left for sunday school teacher training in Yei, Sudan the following day. She is a dear friend to us.

This is Sunday's wife, Betty, with their son, Anzo. Betty is pregnant and due in March. We enjoyed a day of just sitting together, chatting about life, and playing with their children.


This is Morris Taban from Amazing Grace Orphanage holding baby Nancy. Jaclyn and I got to spend the night at Amazing Grace a couple of weekends ago...what a treat it was to hang out with the kids into the evening, singing/praising, and then watching 'Ratatouille' together.



This is our dear brother, Pastor Dominic and his wife Consy, and son, David. The woman on the left is their church's women's leader, Margaret. Dominic really is a good friend and light of Christ in Adjumani.

Our goodbye celebration on the 23rd: Here are many of our friends waiting in line for the delicious food that was prepared by several ladies that morning (chicken, posho, beans, beef).


Children of both Liberty Baptist church and Ciforo Baptist church performed some sweet goodbye songs for us at the goodbye celebration -To hear those children sing and to see them dance is such a gift.


We invited the traditional Madi Dance Troupe to come and perform at the celebration. It was wonderful! Jaclyn and I also got into the circle and tried our hand (feet) at it...pretty humorous:)!


There were several farewell speeches made by pastors in the Madi Baptist Association which were very heartfelt, meaningful, and encouraging for all. But, I had to get a photo of this pastor who decided to salute us in saying farewell...I've never been saluted before! ;)

Jaclyn and I receiving farewell gifts from some of our dearest women friends at Liberty Baptist and in Adjumani. They presented us with small water pots (the kind that were traditionally used for carrying water) that were made by a woman at her home in Adjumani. We were also given a traditional broom that is made from the grasses near their homes.


There are so many more wonderful photos and stories to share, but I'll have to come and have coffee with you to do that. ;) Love and blessings to all!