Team Five Morris

 A little paint, some screens on the windows and we're cookin' rice and beans for dinner.  Got all the furniture and appliances we need and now are in the process of making it home regardless of the lack of hot water.  We are living 200yrds from what those who live in Kampala call "the" slums of Kampala.  It's the Kabalagala area, Wabigalo Kisugu district off eighth street, Ssali Stage were we live (yes you have to say most of that to tell people were you live) You can find it on google maps/google earth.  It's been a super busy week moving in and getting things for the house while attending an Acts 29 church planters conference.  Joel and I had the privilege of meeting with the pastors for dinner at my place. These guys are awesome, real guys who really love Jesus and His people. The conference was awesome, even though some were put off by their biblical approach. Things like male eldership only, plurality of elders, Jesus as the senior pastor, mercy and justice were just a few points they had to wrestle with. They were timeless messages that were great for these people to hear. Some of these teaching were heard by some for the very first time, said Pastor Joel. Considering most of their theological training is done either by going to other crusades or by TV preachers of which they just copy how and what they say. Loring enjoyed the opportunity to entertain guests who also happen to be our first official American visitors. Who will be next??

Loring and I aren't as freaked out, scared and swirling with doubt as we were in the beginning. (as if we've been here for months) I did find out that some of my habits and personality actually fit directly into this culture.

For one my driving skills as a “wanna-be” indy car racer have really paid off. Joel says that every time we drive together he wants me to drive because I get through traffic better than he can. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not. Also since I moved around a bit as a kid I never settled into a particular culture so my parameters are quite wide and it will be an easier transition to make for me. The bad new about that is Loring pretty much lived in one place her whole life except the last 7yrs or so. So be praying for that.

There is a bunch more information to give out, but I just wanted to give you a broad sweep of things. I hope I didn't make us sound too good. It's weird, even if my mind wanders to the thought of coming home, it doesn't even register. Like there is no home, no place we could go or do that would make it any “better”. I'm not sure how to describe this sensation except that we are forced to find our satisfaction in Christ, our identity in Christ. I thought I had done that already but as it is, much of the Christian life is a journey and we've just jumped from the safety of our boat into the crashing waves realizing how little faith we have. I know the King is there to snatch us up as he has so many times already. This is the Gospel applied to our lives. We're not coming here as holy sanctified people to preach and teach these sinners. We are desperate needy people preaching the gospel to desperate needy people, we are both in need of a savior and imperfect. Be praying for God to get his glory, for us to have joy in Him and be continually encounter by and encountering others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.