Every year our church, Ggaba Community Church, focuses on a particular theme. Last year the theme was, appropriate for us, “Steps of Faith.” This year the theme has been “Renewal & Restoration”…which is turning out to be a very appropriate theme for our family once again. Adjusting to the major life changes of last year (namely the three children that now live with us aged 17 to 9 months…), major shifts in our community of people coming and going, and significant shifts in each of our individual roles at work have all contributed to the renewal God is doing in our lives in Uganda, and helping us to focus in on priorities in order to restore our part of the world back to God’s original intentions…at least to work towards that. We’ve been able to spend time thinking over this theme in our year and those to come, and dreaming of what could be in order to do life more fully. Jesus said He promises life and life to the full as those follow Him, we enjoy the journey of seeking that full life…a life full of challenges, but full of purpose and fulfillment as well.
 |
| Panoramic view of our side of the Yahaya’s Plot compound from our porch. We look forward to hosting more events with our community in the approaching months as people continue to come and go. |
FAMILY
Both of our older boys have finished their second school term of the year. The older, who recently switched schools, did wonderful for his first time back on the Ugandan system…but of course still has much room left to improve as he prepares for the Primary Leaving Exam at the end of next year which will determine the level of secondary school he qualifies for…which determines what type of vocation training program or university he can apply to after secondary school. He loves school and continues to work hard despite the challenges faced, and dreams of being a pilot one day. He spent one week of his two week school break visiting his mom and step father who live just on the other side of Kampala.
Both of our older boys have finished their second school term of the year. The older, who recently switched schools, did wonderful for his first time back on the Ugandan system…but of course still has much room left to improve as he prepares for the Primary Leaving Exam at the end of next year which will determine the level of secondary school he qualifies for…which determines what type of vocation training program or university he can apply to after secondary school. He loves school and continues to work hard despite the challenges faced, and dreams of being a pilot one day. He spent one week of his two week school break visiting his mom and step father who live just on the other side of Kampala.
 |
| He is on the far right attending the morning chapel service at his new school. |
The younger of the two older boys continues to find more enjoyment in his rabbit project than in school. Matt took him out of school for one day during last term and conducted his own field trip at a university connected to our church, African Renewal University (ARU). The university has a rabbit farm and so he was able to go and learn everything he could about keeping, breeding, and selling rabbits. He loved it, and used some of his saved money to buy a male rabbit to begin his small rabbit breeding business. He also made his first rabbit sale this past month which really boosted his confidence. As he dreams farming as a career, he spent one week of his holiday with some friends of ours who run a successful farm about 3 hours outside of Kampala. He had a great week and learned lots!
 |
| After spending the morning learning at ARU, he and Matt spent the rest of the afternoon constructing a new cage for the mom rabbit, the new male rabbit, and the surprise litter of bunnies that came just after the mom rabbit arrived. |
 | ||||
|
The completed cage with three separate rooms. From left to right: male
rabbit, female rabbit, bunnies.
 |
Last month we also had a wonderful visit with Ashley’s Mom. Much time was spent watching Joshua crawl around the house, and go on mini outings around town in between his naps.
 |
|
Joshua enjoying some of the water features at a nearby resort we
visited with Jjajja. (Jjajja is the Luganda term for a grandparent).
|
 |
| Joshua is enjoying exploring solid foods…though keeps us on our toes with his ever changing preferences. |
 |
|
He is also standing up every chance he gets.
|
Matt attended a conference hosted by our church entitled Renewal Summit. The conference was attending by over 700 people from 15 different countries. The focus was on the church’s role to bring renewal and transformation to all of society. It was encouraging to attend and has left us with some things to ponder regarding our roles here.
 |
|
Matt captivated by the speakers at the Renewal Summit. This picture
made it onto the conference website. We are very proud.
|
EMI
After a short break between terms, EMI continues to be busy with new interns arriving and new projects starting a few weeks ago. Matt is supervising two structural engineering interns and working on six different projects. In addition to all that due to some recent staff transitions, Matt has taken on added responsibilities as the Engineering Manager and Project Team Development Leader and he is currently the only structural engineer in the office. This will be a busy year.
DOORS MINISTRIES
These past couple of months have marked the end of volunteer season at DOORS, and the beginning of the rainy season in Uganda. These mean that Ashley said goodbye to our three summer interns, and hello to abundant harvests from the Yahaya’s Plot farm: eggplant, greens, papayas, jackfruit, pumpkins, passion fruits, and more! Over the school break (which is August 25th to September 11th), the secondary sponsorship pupils of DOORS came to work at Yahaya’s Plot, as well as the girls from the Sarai Sarah Home. Ashley continues to find the balance of working at DOORS and mothering Joshua challenging, but is thankful for the continued support of all the DOORS staff who are all too happy to hold and play with Joshua for during meetings and activities.
After a short break between terms, EMI continues to be busy with new interns arriving and new projects starting a few weeks ago. Matt is supervising two structural engineering interns and working on six different projects. In addition to all that due to some recent staff transitions, Matt has taken on added responsibilities as the Engineering Manager and Project Team Development Leader and he is currently the only structural engineer in the office. This will be a busy year.
DOORS MINISTRIES
These past couple of months have marked the end of volunteer season at DOORS, and the beginning of the rainy season in Uganda. These mean that Ashley said goodbye to our three summer interns, and hello to abundant harvests from the Yahaya’s Plot farm: eggplant, greens, papayas, jackfruit, pumpkins, passion fruits, and more! Over the school break (which is August 25th to September 11th), the secondary sponsorship pupils of DOORS came to work at Yahaya’s Plot, as well as the girls from the Sarai Sarah Home. Ashley continues to find the balance of working at DOORS and mothering Joshua challenging, but is thankful for the continued support of all the DOORS staff who are all too happy to hold and play with Joshua for during meetings and activities.
 |
|
One of the young men of the Joshua Home helping to harvest some
jackfruit.
|
 |
|
Passion fruit starting to grow at Yahaya’s Plot, with the Sarai Sarah
Home girls working in the background.
|
 |
|
Earlier this summer, all DOORS leaders had the opportunity to attend a
special training that addressed working with and counselling children and
adults who live with a history of adverse childhood experiences. Joshua was a
hit at the two day, all day training. It was also very powerful for all of the
staff that attended and has helped DOORS to better understand and serve the
children and adults in the various programs and ministry arms.
|
PRAISES
• Joshua continues to grow strong, hitting his developmental milestones, and bringing joy to our family and community.
• School holiday for the older boys has been restful and fruitful for them. The elder had a wonderful visit with his biological family continuing to reconcile his past, while the younger had a great time at our friends’ farm and was able to cast some vision for himself over his own future as a farmer.
• A vision for the future as life continues to evolve for us here in Uganda
• Joshua continues to grow strong, hitting his developmental milestones, and bringing joy to our family and community.
• School holiday for the older boys has been restful and fruitful for them. The elder had a wonderful visit with his biological family continuing to reconcile his past, while the younger had a great time at our friends’ farm and was able to cast some vision for himself over his own future as a farmer.
• A vision for the future as life continues to evolve for us here in Uganda
PRAYERS
• Our close community in Uganda is changing as many of our close friends have left the country or are leaving soon. Over the past few months we have been thinking about how to develop new community.
• Both Ashley and Matt’s evolving roles at work, raising our family, and the other activities of life leave us feeling stretched. We want to be thriving and finding rest in this season of life. We need wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. We need strength to get through our busy days. We need vision to see what God is doing and not our circumstances.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. More and more we realize that life needs to be done in community. Thank you for being an important part of our community. We couldn’t be here without you. And thank you for reading to the end.
With love,
Matt & Ashley
• Our close community in Uganda is changing as many of our close friends have left the country or are leaving soon. Over the past few months we have been thinking about how to develop new community.
• Both Ashley and Matt’s evolving roles at work, raising our family, and the other activities of life leave us feeling stretched. We want to be thriving and finding rest in this season of life. We need wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. We need strength to get through our busy days. We need vision to see what God is doing and not our circumstances.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. More and more we realize that life needs to be done in community. Thank you for being an important part of our community. We couldn’t be here without you. And thank you for reading to the end.
With love,
Matt & Ashley
