April Happenings

April has begun and has brought with it lots of rain! Either the wet season has officially begun or we are being teased. Sometimes early rains can get everybody busy with their farms only to disappoint them by disappearing for six weeks. We would appreciate your prayers that these ones would continue and would result in a bountiful harvest.

Two weeks ago we came up to Karamoja with David’s parents! The kids have sure loved having them around, as have mom and dad. We have enjoyed doing some traveling, seeing some sites and making some memories.

Kopetatum update: Our neighbors in Kopetatum are slowly rebuilding their homes after having them completely wiped out by that fire we told you about last month. Government aid came in the form of a large contribution of grain. Our Mission decided to further assist by buying much of the aggregate which the people had in possession for sale. We will use it for some construction projects current and future. Also, this last week many of us went out to their village for a work day. It was a joy to come alongside the Karimojong and get our fingers dirty (more literally than ever in my life!) mudding their homes and putting up fencing. The people were quite surprised (and even disappointed in some cases) that we wanted to work ourselves rather than simply bringing money to pay Karimojong to help each other. By freely giving of our own sweat we hope to honor our Lord. We also hope that our example will encourage others in the community to freely help each other and so serve one another out of love for Christ rather than only for financial gain. We believe that this is a better way of adorning the gospel which we proclaim with good works than simply handing out cash. Many seemed to be genuinely touched by our effort. For the time being at least we plan to be out there working with them once per week.

We enjoyed a full and blessed Easter weekend with 37 visitors! Many friends had come up from Mbale. We even had a pig roast on Saturday evening, complete with all the fixings. We hope that you all as well had a joy filled weekend and, particularly, a blessed Lord's Day as you remembered the resurrection of our Saviour and King, Christ Jesus!