Part of buying land is planting the demarcation posts or property markers. Ours is a bacon-shaped strip rather than a nice rectangle with square edges. Property marking is often done with short posts, but we decided to buy the full-sized fence posts rather than spend money on something temporary. We try to think long-term rather than quick and easy in all we do. We want the ministry God does through us to outlast us and our grandchildren.
Here you can see Pepé, our little blue mule (the motorcycle truck), moving materials around the new 8-acre lot. Patrick, Todd's number one man, managed to hire some helpers and bring some friends and, in two hot, sweaty days, got all twenty marking posts up and set in stone.
On the same day Cindy and I arrived in Uganda this January, there was a horrific bus crash that rattled the senses of everyone in Uganda with a radio or newspaper. We were mortified to learn that our friend and neighbor, Morris, his wife Beatrice, and their four-year-old son were in that bus when it crashed outside Kamdini. Beatrice and fifteen others were killed instantly. His son would die two days later in the hospital.
Morris had his legs crushed and was in critical condition for weeks. His wife's sister, Brenda, stayed with us while she was on holiday from her boarding school because she has no other family. Morris is the kind of guy who was always looking for ways to help us out, offering to wash our car or go to town for us. Now he was in St. Mary's Hospital at Lacor, fighting for his life. We could do little but visit and pray, but prayer is the greatest thing anyone can do. Isn't it?
Abeja Beatrice, Morris' late wife
Morris was discharged from the hospital shortly before I left Uganda this month. While he was in the hospital, someone burglarized his house and took everything. This man has lost everything in his life, but he remains as faithful as Job. I stopped in for one last visit as I was driving out of town headed for the airport. He was sitting outside his house across the street from ours, repairing a phone for someone in need. He was so encouraging! I went there to bless him, but he blessed me and my journey and smiled as he said, "I have lost everything, but I am believing everything will be okay."
Yesterday, Morris sent me this photo of him leading worship at his church. Can you share with me a "Hallelujah"?
Last year, Morris asked me for a specific keyboard, which he could not get in Uganda, but which was available for $250 in the US and would cost us another $200 to carry over on a plane. I repeatedly told him, "I cannot afford to bring this back from the USA," but he insisted, "I believe that God will make a way." Today I am convicted to ask you who follow and pray for us if you might be interested in helping to make Morris' dream come true. Contact us to find out how to contribute to that end or visit our "contribute" page.
2023 has come, and along with it, the hope of more opportunities to love others and share resources with our brothers and sisters in Uganda. Cindy and I are packing for our departure in two days. Cindy will visit for two weeks, quickly touring to check in on our sponsored kids, associates, and our home in Gulu. I will remain for three months, during which I hope to continue building relationships and cultural relevance in the northern territory of Uganda known as Acholiland. I hate to admit it, but my Acholi is getting rusty already. A work permit is one of my first orders of business, but there will also be a lot of real estate investigation. We will follow up on the possible acquisition of a vacant hospital in Minakulu. I will also be viewing several properties with potential for use in TLCU’s other planned projects, which include a church meeting hall and community outreach center.
Our ambitions are bigger than our budget. Still we are faithful to do what God has called us to do, acknowledging that it is out of His riches, not ours, that He will glorify Himself (Philippians 4:19, Ephesians 3:20). At this time of year, while you are praying for us on this trip and developing your annual budget, would you consider joining us as a financial partner? A commitment to monthly support would help secure our place in Uganda and open that window of blessing to our impoverished brothers and sisters there. Not everyone can “go into all the world," (Matthew 28:19) but we are more than happy to represent you!
God bless you and your families this year! May God’s richest blessings warm your heart to overflowing, so that all with whom you have contact recognize that you have something they also need.
We would love to hear from you while we are in Uganda, but we turn off our American phone lines while overseas. Instead, try us on WhatsApp or Instagram.
