Reflections and Preparations
What a whirlwind time it’s been, being home for furlough. We came back just before Christmas and have been busy almost every day this last month. Today, Saturday, we will finish packing for departure back to Uganda on Monday, coinciding with Inaugural Day. Returning to the states just in time for this Polar Vortex was quite a rude awakening. We bought a half cord of firewood and have had the wood stove going for the last three weeks, thank goodness.
Returning to the United States after being away for an extended period is always a mix of emotions. The familiarity of home brings comfort, yet the experiences we had in Uganda have deeply changed us. Coming back just before Christmas meant diving straight into the holiday season, a time filled with joy, but also busyness. We were constantly on the move, reconnecting with family and friends, sharing stories of our mission, and preparing for our departure once again.
Mary and I are now preparing to finish our last six-month “tour of duty” in Uganda. When I retired in the fall of 2022, we were exploring “full-time” missions in Uganda. We had started the process with Amazima, Katie Davis Majors’ organization. During the application process, we joined a group in January 2023 serving for the annual Youth Conference in Kiburara. It was there that Moses and Sarah approached us privately and asked if we would consider joining them to help with Covenant Global Ministries (CGM). We honestly didn’t think they would need our help, so we hadn’t asked. However, after much prayer, we made a two-year commitment to CGM, from September 2023 to August 2025.
This has been an incredibly exciting time living overseas, and we have learned so much about cross-cultural missions. We can humbly say that we have made plenty of mistakes, but God has used us amid our inadequacies. It is always humbling to be reminded by our sweet Savior that we were never in control to begin with (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We are refreshed and encouraged now as we prepare to return to our “second home” in Kiburara. What we have learned about ourselves, and our new community, is more than I can describe here. The richness of village life, the scenery of the Rwenzori Mountain range, the clean air, and lush vegetation are beyond what you can imagine.
Our small “community” in Africa awaits us, and we are looking forward to seeing them. Thank you for following us and praying for us. We truly would not be able to serve in this way without you.
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