Pre-Uganda Journal 5

This week has been full of emotion, and it is only Tuesday. We've begun packing so that we will know how much space we have available for any additional items for Josh & Mandy and Tim & Angie. Packing makes our trip more and more a reality. Mostly, though, the last couple of days have been filled with prayers and thoughts for Luka Shaarda, Josh & Mandy's 12-month old son who is very ill in Kampala. He is dehydrated and has been diagnosed with a very bad parasite. We're praying for Luka to be healed and for peace for Josh & Mandy. Please, join us in praying for them, as this is a very dangerous illness for such a little guy to endure.

Many of you know that I love to run and have been pretending to train for the Riverbank 25K. I say "pretending," because I'm doing the training schedule, but don't know if I'll ultimately run the race. I found out yesterday, though, that Rachel and Bobby, who are missionaries who just joined Team Beyond (Tim & Angie, Josh & Mandy), have just started a running club in Soroti, so I just might have some people to run with when we get to Uganda. I'm so very excited about that possibility. Last week after our girls' running club at school, I was reflecting on how much I truly love to help others succeed at running and to encourage them in their spiritual walks in that sort of context. So, I just feel really excited about this possibility, too.

Rebecca has been excitedly preparing some crafts to do with the kids while we are in Soroti. I think it will be a great way for her to connect with the kids there. I just hope we can fit all of this stuff into our suitcases!

Many of you have been praying that I would have the time I need to work on Bible lesson planning for our trip. God has been answering those prayers in a lot of different ways. On Saturday, Glen took the kids to the Meijer Gardens so I could be alone for 3 hours; I got a great start on the plans for the women's conference. Yesterday, Caleb was home sick with a fever, and that also gave me some much needed quiet time during the day.

I think a lot of you also will remember that Rebecca was selling some children's books to raise money for her trip to Uganda. Kathleen Trock, who founded Pebbles & Stones, who also authored the book, told Rebecca that she would pay her comission for each book that she sold. That was Rebecca's first real opportunity to raise money for this trip, and it was such an amazing answer to her specific prayers for God to give her a way to earn the money for this trip. We are so thankful for Kathleen and her generosity, her encouragement and kindness over the last few months. And today our hearts are also sharing in Kathleen's grief, as she mourns the passing of her husband, as she put it, "to the other side of eternity" yesterday morning. Please, keep Kathleen and her family in your prayers.

We leave exactly two weeks from today----the time is coming quickly! Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us. Please, continue to do so, and may it all be for the glory of God!