HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Today, in the USA, we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is an especially wonderful time for families to come together to celebrate a great feast and to give thanks for their blessings.

 We would like to celebrate today by praising our almighty God and thank Him for so many blessings because He has truly provided for all of us.  As missionaries, we have learned to trust in Him for all of our provisions as we are committed to serve Him.  God always amazes us with His plan for our lives and how He orchestrates everything  to work together for His good and in His time.  We have learned to honor "His time", but sometimes it takes a lot of faith and patience.

Our Testimony Of How God Has Provided For Us 

In January, God provided the airfare for Robyn and then again for Jim in July, for them to go on furlough in the US.  It was a much needed break because 18 months is a long stretch without a day off with the help of only one part time staff member.  In Uganda, nothing comes easy and a seemingly simple task back home can become a difficult challenge there.  To make all of this possible,  God provided a partnership with Love In Action, to care for our children during our break. This has been a wonderful transition and truly blessed by our Lord as our children are doing fine! This has been a great relationship for all of us because Love In Action has been able to provide additional support to our children, like social workers and other staff.  We have continued to transfer the sponsorship funds to cover all the costs of our kids for education, food, shelter and clothes, and we thank and pray for our faithful sponsors who help to provide for these children.

  We thank God for this time with our family and to check up on our health and to rest.  While in the USA we stayed with our daughter Jenny and her family since we had no permanent home other than in Uganda.  Todd,  Jenny's husband, was offered a pastor-ship at a church in the neighboring state of Idaho.  We were then called into action to help prepare their house to be sold, this worked out pretty well since Jim's background includes owning a construction company specializing in home improvements.  The Lord had the house sold in record time as we have seen Him do before with our own house just three years earlier.  When God calls you, He will take care of everything, including all the necessary details.  In faith, our plan was to stay in the home until the close of escrow and then go wherever God sent us.   Just a week before the close of escrow,  the new owners of the house offered for us to stay with them for a while until we had a place to go, of course we thought; Wow!  It is just amazing how God works!  We have found that many times the Lord will give more than one solution to a problem or a need, just to remind us how magnificent he really is.  A few days later we were at the new location of our daughter's house in Idaho after helping them move.  On the day we were to return to Montana, we found out the house next door had become vacant.  We were able to meet with the landlord and she agreed to an extremely low amount for rent, (what we could afford) with no deposit or up front money, she simply said; "we need you here"!  A truck and trailer were provided for us to move our  possessions to our new home.  We have been blessed with a little home overlooking beautiful Lake Couer d' Alene, which is next door to our family with five of our grandchildren.

  In his heart man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

Late one night, a visit to the emergency room became necessary  because of a case of pneumonia. The bill for the ER services was $600.00, and we don't have health insurance.  When we went to make arrangements to pay the bill, the clerk said you have no balance.  The hospital bill was "mysteriously" paid!  

On a follow-up visit with doctors, many other needed tests were performed for various medical conditions, and all of the medical fees and several months of the very expensive medications were covered under a grant program.  Since getting settled, the Lord has provided us with food and other needs through many people in this wonderful community.

 ...The Lord will provide... Genesis 22;14

During this time in the US, besides resting, visiting and praying we have been working on our future plans in Uganda.  We were blessed again recently when we met with a director of Love in Action to discuss our future  in Uganda regarding the continuing care of our children along with some other exciting possibilities. 

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19 

Yes, this is a time of Thanksgiving!

"Baptize Them In The Name Of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit"

On a recent Sunday we had another exciting event at the Door Of Hope!  We decided to have our weekly fellowship at the evening service at church, because one of our boys was ready to publicly proclaim his Christianity, by being baptized!  Our entire family was there along with the other church members, to witness this wonderful event.

  About two years ago, Moses accepted Jesus Christ as His savior and that is when he dropped his given Muslim name for his chosen Christian name.  It is encouraging to all of us as we witness our children take new steps in their walk with God.  We praise God and give him thanks for all of these opportunities as we watch our children grow in their faith and love of the Lord!

It truly is exciting to witness these milestones!  

This Is How We Celebrate Birthdays At The Door Of Hope!

Happy 13th Birthday Moses!

One thing Robyn has taught us at the Door Of Hope is how to celebrate birthdays.  In fact, anyone who personally knows Robyn will attest to this.  She makes it a special time to celebrate your life and to thank God for your existence.  It is a special day that begins when you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at the end of  the day.

  

Here in Africa so many of the children have no idea when their birthday is, let alone celebrating it.  Over the past year and a half we have introduced birthday parties and assigned birth dates to ones who didn't have one.  It has become a very popular event here.  The thing that is really exciting about our birthdays is that it is not focused on presents.  It is focused on everyone celebrating and having fun and of course birthday cake too!!

Why Was This Birthday An Extra Special Event?

Because we introduced Birthdays, "Door of Hope Style," to Love In Action!  They will be hosting the parties while we are out of the country and they joyfully welcomed our birthday party events!  The kids run the whole show, from decorating to games and skits.  It really teaches them a lot about loving their neighbor!

This was a special day for Moses as he turned 13!  This is truly a time to thank God for all His blessings, because just a little over two years ago, Moses was on the streets without a home.   The Lord has blessed him and us!

Stay tuned for later this week to see what else is in store for this young man!

Robyn Is So Happy, She is Doing Handstands!

Well, almost handstands!

File photo- the day we received the ministry-cycle

Thank you for the donations to get Jim home!  We appreciate it so much.  So far we have collected $1140.00.  We praise God and give thanks for all His blessings.  It is so wonderful to have friends who are able to help make this happen, it is very encouraging to all missionaries around the world! 

7 As you go,  preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'  8 Heal the sick , raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;  10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11 Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.  Matthew 10: 7-11

The fees and paperwork for the Work Permit Visa have been submitted, so we are hoping to be able to make airline reservations soon!

We Believe He Will Provide!

We Are OK, Praise The Lord

The US Embassy has advised us to contact our friends and families to tell them that we are OK! 


"U.S citizens in Uganda not directly affected by today's events are strongly encouraged to contact friends and family outside of Uganda to notify them of their well-being."


 We are a couple of hours away from the capital where the bombings took place.  We know from past experiences to be extra careful and watch for local activities that are spurred on from events such as these.  So saying a few extra prayers for us is always helpful, they won't go to waste!


Here is one of the full communications our Embassy has sent us:


On 11 July 2010 at approximately 2310 local time, a bomb exploded at The Ethiopian Village restaurant, which was filled with spectators watching the World Cup finals match.  Approximately 10 minutes later, a second explosion occurred at the Rugby Club, also crowded with customers watching the soccer match.  Initial reports indicate that at least 13 people were killed at the Ethiopian restaurant.  At least 40 were reported by the police as killed at the rugby club site.  Many others were reported injured at both locations.  At least one American was reported killed in the blasts.

U.S citizens in Uganda not directly affected by today's events are strongly encouraged to contact friends and family outside of Uganda to notify them of their well-being.

Bombs are popular for criminals and terrorists because they are easy to conceal or place.  A device does not have to be complex to be effective, and even a small size bomb can cause great damage.

It is critical to remember that a bomb can look like anything.  It is limited only by the bomber's imagination.  Practice good situational awareness by being aware of suspicious objects or individuals around you and remember the "3-R Rule" to responding to a suspicious device:

--Recognize
--Run Away
--Report


The following are other protective measures in response to a suspicious device:

--Do not attempt to move or investigate anything in the vicinity of the device
--Move people away from the immediate area
--Do not move the object
--If you do hear an explosion:
--Move away from windows
--Evacuate to a safe area
--Assist the injured
--Be aware of the potential for secondary devices or explosions

U.S citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

The Great Preacher Has Already Come!

  Our radio broadcast this evening focused on one of our familiar verses.  One of my favorite scriptures can be found in several books but I usually go to Matthew 28: 16-20.  It gives us specific instructions:  All authority in heaven has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. 

The Great Commission of the Old Testament! 

What I find very interesting is that this was not the beginning and end of that message.  As we dig deeper we find that we have been directed to do this from the beginning.  Yes, in the Book of Genesis we find in chapter 12: 1-3 The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."  

We find in Isaiah 49: 6 “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

So where does that leave us?  Surely, this is a big responsibility that we have been given!  How are we all supposed to do this?  We can't all leave our country, can we?  We can get out of our comfort zone.  We can  get out of our favorite chair.  We can go outside and down the street to a neighbor and share the Word of God.  

But we might say; "We are not all great preachers!"  My answer is the great preacher has already come, we are here to reflect the light of Jesus. Christ is the light of the world!  Remember if we are reflecting the light of Jesus, we don’t need to be a "great preacher."  

 You might ask; "How can I get enough strength and confidence to do this?"  The answer will be found here in   Acts: 1:8   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Let us all pray that the Lord continues to have you and I work for His purpose, honor, and glory and that the Holy Spirit will come upon us and give us the power!