Get out!

"We're not saying another word..." - Mel and Cory

It seems like every time we make one of those "I could handle this, but not that" comments, THAT happens. For example...

"I can handle mice in my house, just not rats." - Mel

• We have rats, not mice. (They're growing big and hairy.)

"I can handle a mouse in my room, just not ON me." - Mel

• I woke up to a rat in bed with me on Thursday night. Seriously.

"I can handle a rat in my room, just not a snake." - Cory

• Cory woke up to a snake in his room last night. He killed it like a champ, but we're both still scarred.

What's up with this crazy zoo we're livin in? God, help us!

Cory and I are learning a new meaning and application to ... only by God's grace...

(We're laughing....but still very serious.)

Please Pray for Steve Murphy and his family

Good morning, friends.

Will you please pray for Steve Murphy and his family: http://www.prayforian.com/. Steve was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor yesterday. He has a large, wonderful family in Indiana, PA of whom his oldest son's name is Ian. You may have prayed for Ian before. He was in an accident three years ago where God miraculously spared his life. Ian was comatozed for many months and is still recovering. Please continue to pray for his complete healing as well.

This family knows and deeply loves our Lord. They have been walking bravely through hardships and sufferings for many years already - glorifying and praising God each step of the way. I don't know their needs intimately right now, but I do know that they need God. Please pray for them as God leads you. His wife's name is Mary and children's names are Ian and Larissa, Ben and Jan, Caleb, Devon, and Lydia. Today is Devon's birthday.

An encouragement from Steve as you pray...

(Steve wrote this after Ian's accident - I inserted Steve's name beside Ian's)

He Is So Good
He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. (Matthew 9:9-13)

I read this passage in my devotions the other day and was greatly encouraged by it. What struck me most was how eager Jesus was to do good to the man with the withered hand. The Pharisees were slaves to their own laws. All they cared about was obedience to their man-made laws regarding the Sabbath. They could have cared less about the man with the withered hand. But not so with Jesus. Oh how deeply he loved the man with the shriveled hand. How disgusting that hand must have looked! A shriveled and shrunken hand that probably had not been used in years would not have been a pretty sight. But He valued the man with the withered hand and longed to do good to Him. Jesus is absolutely bursting with goodness. Like a ripe orange that is simply bursting with juice, so the Savior is full of goodness. He longs to do good to His people.

Jesus greatly values (Steve) Ian Murphy as well. Not because of anything good or meritorious that (Steve) Ian has done, but because of the cross. (Steve) Ian is saved and is therefore covered in the precious, valuable blood of Jesus. God delights in (Steve) Ian and longs to do good to him because (Steve) Ian is washed in the blood of Jesus. Let this encourage us to pray boldly! Jesus is longing to do good to (Steve) Ian. He is longing to bless Him and pour out mercy on Him. Let us appeal to our good and generous Savior to heal and restore (Steve) Ian, full of faith that He longs to do good.

For His glory alone...
-Stephen A

Words from the Wise

(Jinja scene)

"It is not the level of our spirituality that we can depend on. It is God. And nothing less than God. For the work is God's and the call is God's and everything is summoned by Him and to His purpose, the whole scene, the whole mess, the whole package -- our bravery and cowardice, our love and selfishness, our strengths and our weaknesses."

Elizabeth Elliot

Tidbits of life....

I'm currently planning our future water projects for the southwest region of Uganda. Next year we will be providing 18,000 more people - mostly children - with access to clean water. They will also get to hear about the Living Water offered through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

I think my new favorite meal in the village is fried cabbage and matoke (plantain mush) with a side of guac and chipati. Quite tastey.

We are getting loads of rain in Buremba right now - making for happy farmers, peaceful evenings, and fast runs to the latrine.

The rains have also brought a beloved mouse problem into our teamhouse. After Liberia, mice don't really bother me. But it's funny to see Cory all up on his chair about it.

Yesterday I saw Generous and Julius (two of my married staff members) reading the bible together. We are going through the story of Joseph in devos and they were talking about it, laughing, and truly enjoying God's word. A precious moment.

I got to talk to my family for an entire hour on Sunday. It was so wonderful!! Thanks guys. :)

And right now I'm enjoying Moses' laugh around the corner. But he just knocked over a baby...so now we're both listening to her cry. Way to go Moses...

Looking forward to a 7 hour ride back to Kampala this weekend...because I don't have to drive and once I get there, I have some hazelnut creamer waiting for me. Thanks mom!

Just another glimpse into life on this side.

Hope you're having a great day!

Boasting damage-free driving

(Tea fields on our way to Buremba)

We managed an almost-record-time, 6.5 hours, from Kampala to Buremba today. And I was the driver, baby! Sounds like a funny thing to boast about (it is), but I typically have a driver, Julius. However, Julius had wedding things to take care of this weekend, so I hit the road without him. I must say, Ugandan roads are a little .... unpredictable. For those of you who have traveled anywhere outside the States like Mexico, Zambia, Egypt think about your crazy car rides and your funny stories. Yeah, most of you know exactly what I mean by "unpredictable". ;) I don't have any cool stories, except for the fact that we made it damage-free. And that makes me really happy.

So now I'm back in Buremba, safe and sound. I was greeted by beloved Moses and his caretaker Mary as soon as I arrived. A wonderful blessing. I was also happy to see my neighbor Alex. He and his wife just had a baby and asked me to name her. We now have a new Hope in our village. :) Sounds nice, doesn't it.

I really want to thank you all for your many prayers and encouragements. They have meant so much to me. God hears you and responds. He continues to give us grace sufficient for each day.

Have a blessed day!

Comfort

(Buremba children having some fun)

Tomorrow morning I drive out to the village to be with my team again. I've been in Nairobi and Kampala for the past few days. Buremba seems a world away. But we're on our way...

I had a wonderful, unexpected blessing today. I spent some time with a family visiting from the States. They should have been strangers to me, but instead God truly blessed our time together and made it comfortable. It was so refreshing to sit around and chit chat. I don't think they realized how much they were caring for me by just sharing a bit of their family warmth. It felt like I was close to "home" for a couple hours.

So now it's time to pack my bag again. I have a little checklist in my head these days...headlamp - favorite toilet paper - buff - iPod - SP shirts - good to go!

I'll be honest, it's a bit hard to get excited about going back out. I feel guilty about it sometimes. I know God has me in the village for this time in my life and that He wants me to persevere. I trust His motives and His goodness. But then that desire for comfort creeps in.

Tonight I'm reminded that comfort is a gift. Something that we should praise and thank God for! And something that we should hold with an open hand. Willing to give it up. For His sake.

I'm so thankful for the gift of comfort I had tonight and during my time in Nairobi. God is so kind to us. He is so good at caring for us.

I am also in prayer tonight - that God would help me/us to willingly give up that comfort - so that I/you may serve Him with a joyful heart - no matter how uncomfortable or difficult the circumstances.

More to celebrate!

(Dana and Sarah)

Aren't my two best friends beautiful? :)

I know that this photo seems a little late. Since Sarah's wedding was about two months ago. But I am in the wedding mood, so it actually fits perfectly. It is the perfect excuse to announce that...

Dana is getting married!

To her lover, Ryan.

Congratulations, Dana and Ryan!!

I love you guys. And I can't wait to be with you again soon.

Oh Happy Days - Enjoy it!!

Come

(Buremba sunrise)

I am exhausted and craving God's spirit to come be with me tonight. I am back in the village and our team is struggling, spiritually. We are begging for unity that is rooted in God's love. Begging for God to give us depth to our faith. Begging for Christ-like character.

Fortunately....

"I can never escape from your spirit. I can never get away from your presence. If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.



If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

May God's presence - His peace - envelope us all tonight.

Three times

The poor lady had to wash my hair three times to get all the dust out. In my own defense, it is the dry season here in Uganda. And I swear that I wash my hair in the field. Though I admit, as much as I try to get clean, I know I still have a layer of village dirt on me even after my basin baths. And my hair is no exception.

Friday was a mini-milestone day for me and a little slice of heaven. I travelled back to Kampala and got a professional haircut! It's been over two years since I've had a professional haircut. You see, I taught my best friend Sarah how to cut it - to save money. And I've been using her ever since. But since I won't be seeing Sarah for at least 8 more months, I decided it was time to move on - or I was going to begin looking a little too "bush".

After about 20 minutes of hairwashing and head massaging (oh la la), I sat down for my South African friend to start chopping. We laughed and laughed because my hair was so crooked and crazy. Like a good beautician, she was really happy that I was finally taking proper care of my locks. But honestly, I still miss Sarah's crazy cuts.

Miss you, Sarah!