Crazy as it seems, we are now about a third of the way into 2025. Maryland had bone chilling weather in March, so I am sure with spring’s arrival, there were smiles as your thoughts turned to Easter and planting your gardens.
The east coast of the US typically enjoys a greater shift of seasons as a bounty of spring flowers bloom across verdant green hills, but here in Africa, we also enjoy the budding of new life in our gardens.
Early in the month, we had our first EVER pineapple maturing in our garden and mid-month, we transplanted trailing lantana and mounds of yellow gazanias from our garden started in 2023, to the entrance of Hope Community primary school up the road. Getting our hands dirty just seemed like the right thing to do and it was fun to share plants we had grown ourselves.
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3-Month Tourist Visas
Because we are using 3-month tourist visas, we need to leave the country every three months, for the renewal process. We chose to take a short break to recharge at the same time. We opted to head to Brussels, Belgium. We often use Brussels Air to fly home, so it was an uncomplicated way for us “to hang a few days” while we did our visa reapplication. You may not be aware of it, but the country of Belgium produces the finest chocolate in the world. As two chocolate lovers, we did not need more of an enticement!
Because it is spring, our break happened to coincide with the tulip blooming season in the Netherlands, Belgium’s neighbor. We had heard all about the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam.
His Artistic Skill
It was THE best decision we made on that trip! We totally enjoyed lingering in the gardens. Reminded of the wonderful gardens back home. Longwood Gardens, Sherwood Gardens and the National Arboretum are all just a short drive from our house.
We have not experienced anything like the sensory overload we did at Keukenhof Gardens. Acres and acres, garden after garden of every kind of flowering plant, we had never seen before. There are over eight hundred varieties of tulips, not to mention the crocus, hyacinths, daffodils, irises, lilies, and roses. All manner of flowering trees and shrubs form the backdrop for each garden designed in a way to highlight the best of each grouping.
Every year, the caretakers/designers create new gardens with new bulbs…..over seven million of them! We actually had to take a long lunch break to recoup from the fatigue of all we saw! Crazy!!
Needless to say, we were delighted. Back at our hotel, as we thought back on our day, we were impressed with the enormity and beauty of it. Our minds simply could not process it all.
Varieties of Tulips
We have shared before how creation reveals God’s beauty and leaves us in awe of His artistic skill. God has formed these landscapes for our enjoyment. Filled with gratitude when…. we see this kind of beauty, when we slowdown in our hurry-up, anxious world.
After walking in the gardens one thing struck us. There are Hundreds of varieties of tulips. Some are huge, (bigger than a hand) that sit top 2 1/2′ stems. Others are petite little things, not much taller than a crocus. There were plenty of multicolor or unusually hued ones, as well as those with fringe around their petal edge. Added to this, are ones that look like puffed-up parrots or even a woman’s twirling skirt. Really crazy varieties and differences!
Beautiful Diversity
The amazing variation we saw there in the tulip gardens can echo as a picture of God’s People across the globe. We all share an equally wonderful diversity.
Even within various language and cultural groups He’s created so much physical variety, temperament differences, and growth requirements among us too.
We have found this beautiful diversity as something we treasure in the small study groups we have been building in Uganda. Each group is unique and made up of individual members with their own “flair” that make the groups so impactful. As each group has grown more comfortable and progressed in their study skills of the scriptures, different passions and/or insights manifest.
Some trainees are more outgoing and exuberant as they ask lots of questions. Others are more timid. But as we’ve watched them grow it’s been encouraging to see how God has orchestrated each group and how well they playfully pit themselves against each other working together, gleaning more from our times. I think we will now “see” the Keurkenhof Gardens displayed afresh in our different study groups as they continue to grow and bloom in their understanding of the Word.
Our Next Phase
Regarding our future plans and the next phase of our Uganda Mission. God has clearly answered our prayers. His direction actually felt a bit like DeJa’Vu, like when He first opened the path for us to live in Kiburara two and a half years ago. His answer was simple and unexpected.
Previously we shared that our full-time work would end in August, and we had been praying about a “part-time” option that could split our year in Uganda and in the U.S.
We have a new exciting opportunity that gives us that flexibility. While we don’t have the details hammered out, we know that Paul will assume leadership of a faith-based NGO (501(c)(3)), already established in Kiburara. It has functioned at a base level for a number of years, but has so much potential, with in-country Ugandan leadership and employees. Our hope is to develop and build on that foundation with strong Ugandan’s taking the lead. 1 Corinthians 3:10, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it.
All of this is brand new and very little is in place now, but we know that our mission statement aligns with theirs. We can see ourselves building this Mission together. In their articles of incorporation, they state “the Corporation shall endeavor to do Christ-Modeled good in a world of Gospel needed service, by working with Indigenous People to Implement Sustainable Services, Business, and Self-Sufficient Education”.
A Sustainable Ugandan Based Organization
As more specifics become clear (and we raise capital) the goal is to create a sustainable Ugandan based organization. There’s a variety of initiatives the group could pursue from agriculture to animal husbandry or vocational training.
A huge plus is that there is an established well maintenance program, called “Well Clubs”. These “Clubs” maintain wells for clean, drinkable water to thousands of people in 18 locations. They have also started growing a goat herd to “reward” villagers who commit to the Well Clubs.
We would never have imagined being part of such a venture if God hadn’t so clearly laid it in our laps! We expect the how, what and where will be made clear as we continue to walk in faith, so stay tuned! We have seen the Lord do amazing things with our gifts & talents when we are willing to let Him direct us! We welcome your prayers as we complete our two years commitment with CGM and as we ease into assuming this new mantle.
http//:www.upwithuganda.org Walking in Trust
Up With Uganda 