Kenya Update for February

February, 2008, Kampala, Uganda, Africa

The days seem to be melting away now as we have many tasks to complete before our departure by mid April. We leave for Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 24 for a meeting and Danny returns here on the 29th but I remain there to most probably have knee surgery. I have a torn meniscus and will be seeing a doctor March 3 and possible surgery. I might be there 3 weeks before surgery can be scheduled and then some recuperation and return. I have had a problem for 4 months, and not sure how it started, but this was unexpected so it has hastened our need to begin closing out the furnishings in our apt so that when I return we can have most of that behind us and can spend the latter days here visiting with our Uganda brothers and sisters. We do keep wondering where these 3 years have gone? We can hardly imagine leaving Uganda and the dear friends we have made here. WE will sorely miss them. It has been a busy and challenging ministry and one for which we are so grateful. We still are not completely sure about the next step in our journey but will continue on in the process with IMB to return to some job, perhaps still in Africa, if not Uganda. We are just open to where God leads us. WE are getting very anxious to see sweet Isaac, and of course our other family. He is growing quickly and beginning to crawl and has bottom teeth.

We went to Nairobi for a week of medical testing before some other training was to begin. We got good medical checkups overall and were so grateful that Danny’s prostate biopsy came back negative. We were to be in Nairobi for 3 weeks for Strategy Leader training but on the second day we were all advised that we must return to our countries because of the continuing conflicts in Kenya. There were riots, fighting and displacements very near the place where we were staying. Though we did not feel we were in any immediate danger, those in charge felt it was best to cancel the meeting and send us home. We do appreciate the care and concern that the IMB has for its people. We were disappointed to return but the leaders there also had much to deal with in their city. Things continue to be very critical in Kenya and they do need our continued prayers that peace may come. Please PRAY for the conflicts in Kenya and also for our many missionaries there.

We have had a wonderful team from Mount Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria, AL, working with us these past two weeks. They have been such a joy and have done a wonderful job. They were involved in some new work about 3 hours west of here, near Ft. Portal, and in their 3 days there, 150 folks gave their lives to Christ. Also, there were 3 new house churches born. PRAY for these new house groups. This is Mount Zion’s third year to come to Kampala and they have added so much to the ministry here and we appreciate them and their church for sending them. We have been so blessed with many wonderful volunteers who have come these past three years. They are such great helpers to reach out into the city and beyond and share Jesus with love and enthusiasm.

Manna Ministry, the food distribution program, started a new 6 month program in two areas this month and we are looking forward to seeing house churches born in these areas. We have been so blessed to be able to partner with them as they share food and we share the gospel at the distributions and see house churches and celebration points come to be. WE are blessed by Jimmy Barry and the men he represents who meet physical needs for about 400+ folks per month. Many folks are being saved through this program and that is their goal along with feeding hungry and dying people.

Thank you to so many who shared love and concern for Rose, our helper, whose house burned. She is doing well and is so grateful to God for the way that He has helped her and sustained her. She was so devastated with the loss but He has multiplied her blessings and she is doing well. And her faith has been a perpetual testimony of His grace and love.

In January, we welcomed Stephen (pronounced Stef-en) and Kaye Carson, Longview Point Baptist Church, Hernando, MS, to our team. And what can I say?????….Mississippians are just great folks!!!!! They are a young couple and had been to Uganda before as volunteers and felt God leading them to serve here at least 2 years. They are quickly becoming acclimated to the culture and are doing a great job loving the Ugandans. PRAY for Stephen and Kaye that they will adjust well and have the privilege to share Jesus with many people.

Thanks again for all your wonderful love and encouragement to us and we are looking forward to soon being able to see many of you when we return to the US. We will be hiding out some with Isaac so that his parents can’t find him but we will also be traveling some and look forward to crossing paths with many of you. We just are so grateful for the joy to have had you on this journey with us in prayer, love, financial support, love gifts, visits, emails and the list goes on. You are dear and precious to us.

Danny and Claudia