Karamoja Okkens

Christmas greetings from Nakaale! It seems the dry season has finally come upon us which means wind! Yes, and some warmer temperatures. It is hard to believe that we are at this Christmas season again. It seems like so much has happened this year, but looking back, everything seems like a blur. We are thankful to God that He has given us another year.  This Fall was full with birthdays. Caleb is now 9 years old and still blond. People say he is looking more and more like his dad. I have to be honest and say that his 4 th grade schoolwork overall might not be his favorite thing, but he does enjoy History and Science. So, at the moment, it is all about Vikings and bats. His fairly constant companion is his Karimojong friend, Tony, who at the moment is on a school break so Caleb gets to see him more often. Megan is now 6 and enjoying 1 st grade. She still enjoys her dolls and her jewelry, but her two brothers definitely influence her interests. So we often see Iron Man and Cinde...

  Yes, it was market day in nearby Namalu and we decided to make it a family outing! It can be quite a scene on Wednesdays where everyone in the surrounding areas come out to buy and sell. I decided to do some 'window shopping' while David and the kids waited at a nearby 'hotel/restaurant' where we had some lunch. So, a little sunburn and a few things purchased and some lunch, we were on our way to a nearby tree farm to bring some little trees home. A day on the town!

Well, the rain continues. We thought for almost a week we were headed back into the dry season, but we were wrong. We just spent this week down country doing some shopping and spending some time with teammates and friends over Thanksgiving. I'm thankful we made it down through the mud and bumps and even made it home safely today, even though now the rain continues as I type. God is good and sovereign...and yes, praying the 'dry' would come and the Ugandan government would keep their promise and pave that road!

Found under the hood waiting to say good morning New friend Amina New friends - the Ward kids Caleb and Dad (taking pic) with the Wards for a hike

puddle fun that of course had to include mud beards road to our compound We are having many of both these days. Wouldn't you know that after David's last post about the dry season upon us, we have had rain just about everyday for the last couple of weeks! So, needless to say, we have many puddles and even small rivers around here. And yes, the roads are a muddy mess as well. We pray that those of us on the Mission that are traveling back and forth will have safe travels and that the rain would ease up! :)

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 ...