Greetings From Uganda, Vol. 1

Laurie and I have been in Uganda less than a month. 

Looking back, we realize that from the time that we first informed our elders in Fredericksburg of our desire to work in Mbale to the time of our arrival has been almost exactly two years. While it has been some time in coming, we are very grateful to the Lord for making it a reality at last and also thankful to all of you for partnering with us to make it possible.

These are the first steps in the journey and we look forward to traveling with you God willing for years to come. The first few days have been about getting over jetlag, getting better acquainted with our team and our community and beginning to establish a rhythm for ministry. Here are some first impressions of our new home:

Beauty - After a delay in London, we finally arrived at Entebbe airport at about 1:30 in the morning. Thankfully, Vince Vigil and Othaina Eid were patiently waiting to pick us up. The next day, we woke early to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 50's.  Though we're told there is a dry season, Uganda for the moment is a wonderfully verdant country, with rich red soil and rain showers every morning and evening. We can collect mangoes and avocados from the trees in the yard.

Hospitality - Though we have a house, it needs some work before it will be move in ready. In the meantime, we are benefiting from the generosity of our teammates, the Robinsons, who are letting us stay in their guesthouse, as well as the Vigils and Allens, who made sure we had plenty of delicious food to eat.

Community - The city of Mbale is blessed to have a wonderful community of expatriates, some who have been here for a few months and some who have been here for several years. There are families of missionaries, medical professionals, educators, project workers and others. Several of them have already had us over for meals and they provide a ready network for resources.

Electricity - (not!)

The power in the city continues to be off in the day about as much as it is on. Thankfully we were aware of this and you have helped us purchase an energy backup system for this (which was shipped in our container, yet to arrive). On the bright side (no pun intended), our water (which comes from the Nile!) so far has been reliable.

Ministry - One of the things we are immediately struck with as we walk the streets of Mbale is the number of youth (median age in Uganda is 15 years old); people who need encouragement, purpose and hope.

This is also one of the most compelling reasons we have come to Mbale, to help them to know and to grow in Christ, the only One who can save and give them fullness of life (John 10:10).

Thank you again for praying for us and sending us to be a part of this mission.   
Daryl & Laurie