Constant Changes

Change seems to be all around us here in Uganda. From a change in seasons (dry season to rainy…and now back to dry season), to change in ages with the boys’ birthdays which have come and gone, to the impending changes in our community and friends…change can be good, but can also be hard. “Not all change is improvement, but all improvement is change.” As we embrace these changes around us, our prayer is that our relationship with God, with one another, and with those around us will indeed improve.

Recent family photo taken at close friends’ wedding a couple of weekends ago. These friends are making preparations to leave Uganda in the coming weeks.

Rainy season view from our home front porch

OUR FAMILY

Both of the boys celebrated birthdays since our last post…one is now 15 and the other 17. We had small get-togethers for each boy on the day of their birthday and allowed them to pick (to some degree) what would be cooked for dinner that night. One chose Mexican food (making Ashley proud), and the other chose spaghetti.

The oldest enjoying games with his friends at his 17^th birthday celebration.

Another change in our family has been the addition of a pet rabbit. The younger of the boys is very interested in farming and won the rabbit at an EMI event by catching her before anyone else. It was very fun to watch. He never looked so proud. His plan with the rabbit is to save money to buy a mate so he could start a small business in rabbit farming by selling the babies. It turns out that this rabbit was not only a female…but a pregnant female! She gave birth to 6 bunnies just a couple of weeks after joining our farm. The bunnies have been a huge hit with friends, and have kept him busy feeding and taking care of them as he prepares to sell them in the coming weeks.

With his prize at home just after winning the rabbit chasing contest at an EMI Family Fun Day event.

Joshua continues to change every day. He is growing bigger and bigger, becoming stronger and stronger. He has started crawling, navigating his way around the house and can often be found chasing our cat Tiger. He is now beginning to pull himself up to a standing position using household items around him. 

Crawling every chance he gets

And standing

MATT & EMI

Life at EMI continues to be busy and continues to change. One project and intern term has ended and a new one has begun. Matt's roles at EMI keep him busy. His days consist of anything from managing projects, teaching interns drafting, mentoring an intern in structural engineering, meeting with potential ministry partners, fielding questions from the construction sites, to leading a small group bible study. Matt recently had the opportunity to write an article for an EMI publication, you can read it here.

Changes continue as we look ahead. EMI Uganda's director will be returning from a sabbatical, the interim director will be out of the office for a year with one of our ministry partners, the other structural engineer in the office is in the US for an undetermined period of time due to a family medical situation. Interns and volunteers come and go throughout the year. It can be hard to find stability in life's circumstances. Thankfully we have an unchanging God, who gives us comfort amidst uncertainty.

 ASHLEY & DOORS

Volunteer season has hit at DOORS keeping Ashley busy making preparations for volunteers and visitors, doing some orientation activities, and organizing schedules and modes of transportation. While it is a bit more challenging having Joshua in tote for each of these, it is enjoyable for Ashley to be able to show others the country we love and live in and introduce others to the amazing programs and staff God has brought to DOORS. Yahaya’s Plot has enjoyed wonderful harvests of pumpkins, greens, eggplants, French beans, black beans, maize and more during the recent rains! It is always a joy to be able to deliver these harvests to the various DOORS properties.

The Yahaya’s Plot Farm Manager’s daughter showing off how large the pumpkins were that were harvested from the farm last month. Every DOORS program and home

PRAISES

-our family is doing well and settling into a new normal

-Joshua continues to grow and do new things. He has brought a lot of joy to us and our community

-despite lots of changes both EMI and DOORS are moving on in positive directions

-Ashley's mom arrives this week for a visit

PRAYER REQUEST

-life is busy with many things demanding our attention. It is harder to find quality time for each other. We desire to continue to grow closer to each other in this season of life.

-in a couple of weeks, Matt will be the only structural engineer at EMI Uganda. It is going to be a busy and potentially stressful time.  

-DOORS is still adjusting to some recent staff changes and trying to determine the best way forward

-wisdom to guide our family

-our community continues to changes, we ask that God would keep us in life-giving community

Thank you for your support and encouragement. We are grateful to be in community with you.