So here it is 2010 and we've made it a year in Uganda. Things are still wild as ever and God is doing amazing things. Dan was ordainded as Associate Pastor of Arise and Shine Worship Center in January. Don't laugh, the name rocks! Our good friend Moses is the lead pastor there and over the last 8 months, a friendship and discipleship relationship grew. Dan will be Associate Pastor there for the rest of the year as he gains experience and makes plans for our own church plant next year. Dan and Moses are preaching through the book of Galations, doing leadership training every week and have just implemented home groups with the growing congregation. It is so exciting to see real truth preached in Arise and Shine and to watch these friends grow deeper in their faith. Last night we had about 12 or so people at our house for home group and one man named Wilson had a moment of self discovery as they studied. He raised his head up and said, "Pastor! It is God who causes us to be born again!" The look of joy and understanding on his face caused us to rejoice. It is moments like those that remind us how amazing the Gospel is as it transforms people.
Vintage 21 Church in North Carolina has sent us three people to help get a child sponsorship program off the ground. Sarah is a 23 year old young lady who is living with us for a month and she will go back to the states and be the coordinator stateside for the program. The two young men who came with her are staying with Moses and Betty and sharing a room with Kostya. We miss Meredith terribly but it has been nice to have someone fill the empty room at our house and especially since it's a girl!
So we have had some dental drama lately which included a double tooth extraction for Daniel. (His wisdom teeth caused all sorts of problems including a broken tooth resulting in a root canal.) After months of pain he is on the mend. Dentistry in a third world country was a bit daunting but it all worked out okay and cost us about 1/3 of the cost it would have back home. I also was the lucky recipient of a root canal today and it went better than I expected. I am glad to have all our dental issues taken care of relatively easily and I look forward to some pain free days.
I do have a serious prayer request for all of you faithful friends. Our NGO was approved after MUCH drama but now they haven't issued our NGO certificate. Without the NGO certificate we cannot obtain a work permit. Without a work permit we are illegal and will have to leave the country. So after calling our lawyer and crying like a girl in junior high he is working on getting our NGO ceritificate. As always, things don't always make sense here and can be really frustrating. Please pray for a speedy turnaround on the NGO certificate and legal status. Daniel will be in South Africa next month the same week that I'll need to cross a border. I don't want to do that alone!
Life is crazy but good. The kids are well. God is faithful in all things. Love to all!
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May God continue to bless, provide trust and vision, and accomplish all that is for you to accomplish.
Clair