Karamoja Okkens

Greetings from Karamoja! We asked you to pray for a break from the rains. Your prayers were answered. It definitely feels like the wet season is behind us. It is hot and the roads are dry (and even slowly being repaired in many places) for safer travel. We thank the Lord. It also means that ministry activities are not being rained out. I am thankful for good attendance as well as attentive listeners to village Bible studies these past weeks. In our chronological Bible story teaching, Al Tricarico has continued leading studies out in the villages of Akuyam and Kopetatum, where this past week he taught the story of the golden calf (Ex. 32). When we begin in a new village, sometimes we start from the beginning of the Bible. So, in Nakathian and Naminyit where I began teaching some time back, we have just reached the story of Noah and the flood. What a powerful story teaching us about human depravity, God’s judgment and His great salvation through Jesus. How blessed we are to be safe in ...

Baseball with the Karimojong Megan turns 6!!

We are back in Karamoja after our recent trip to the states. Our time home was sweet thought too short. It was a great time with family as well as many friends. Our only regret is that the time blew by so fast that there are many whom we would have loved to see but were unable. Heaven will be such a wonderful and unending reunion! The trip back was long and arduous, especially the last part. As some of you may have seen on our blog, excessive rains have led to just about the worst road conditions we’ve seen in all our time in Karamoja. Our first attempt to drive back to Nakaale from Mbale failed as a road repair stopped us half way. After returning to Mbale for the night, we took an alternative route the next day. So, instead of a 3 hour drive, it took us 8. We enjoyed beautiful scenery in places we’d never been, but we were exhausted. Now we have adjusted and are doing well. The ongoing rains have at times disrupted our village Bible studies. However, I am thankful for a very e...

This is what the little roads leading up to our compound look like these days. This past week we have returned from our six week trip home to the States. Time flew by as I knew it would. But, it was so nice to be able to be with our family, see friends and be with our church family for a few weeks. The kids had a wonderful time with their grandparents, cousins, enjoying the pool and bikes. A few milestones on the trip were Megan mastering bike riding without training wheels and starting to swim in the pool with no floaties! The rains came with a vengeance while we were gone and didn't let up much. Our usual route up to Nakaale from down country has been a big muddy mess and when trying to come up last Saturday we did not make it. We ended up going a very out of the way route that brought us West, then North and over in our area of Karamoja that way. What a long drive! After about 8 hours we finally reached. The one positive was that the roads were dry, just bumpy. The pictures abo...

Our teammates Al and Laurie Tricarico write that the rain that had been prayed for has been coming and been a good amount until about three weeks ago. These days it is coming for longer periods and every day. It has made driving and walking a bit difficult. Now our Karimojong neighbors are worrying about their crops. Please pray with us that the rain would slow down. Of course, God is sovereign and good so we also need to continue to pray for our Karimojong neighbors that they would see that and trust in Christ.

It seems I have a difficult time blogging. Yes, everyone reading this would whole-heartedly agree! My excuse right now is that I'm on vacation. :-) We are back 'home' in San Diego for the month. It will go by way too fast, but that is life. In the previous post you will notice the time we spent first with the cousins in Tennessee. What fun they had! I must confess the weather was a bit warm and going from real hot to real cool (a/c) took some getting used to. Yes, we are used to hot in Uganda, but not with humidity. Jacob and his 3 yr. old cousin, Sophia, were the cutest to watch. They were best buds the whole time. Now, we enjoy more grandparents and good friends and our church family for the month. God is good! Hopefully we will 'fit it all in'. It was a blessing to be with our church family again this past Sunday and look forward to the few more. Hopefully we will kick this cold bug very soon. Yes, our bodies aren't used to all of these American germs! Giv...