Arise and Shine

Every year our church, Ggaba Community Church, choses a theme to focus on for the year. Every year, that theme seems to divinely resonate with the season we find ourselves in (2016 Steps of Faith, 2017 Renew & Restore). This year we expect nothing less. The theme of Arise & Shine comes from Isaiah 60:1; “Arise and shine; for your light has come and the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.” The church is focusing on equipping the congregation to arise (get up and moving) and shine (walk fully in the calling of God). We were able to spend some time over the New Year praying about what it is we need to arise in, what our goals and focus should be for this year, and how can we move from arising to shining in those areas. We are excited about where we feel God leading us this year and about the vision we feel He has granted us for each of our boys, for our marriage, for ourselves, and for our places of work/ministry.

Joshua got to experience snow for the first time during our very cold visit to Canada.

One of Joshua’s 6 airplane rides.

FAMILY

We enjoyed a wonderful Ugandan Christmas full of too much food, friends, and lots and lots of noisy chatter. It was a great way to celebrate the holiday with much of our DOORS community. The day after Christmas, Matt, Ashley and Joshua set off for 3 ½ weeks in North America. We had a great and restful time in Canada and California and are so thankful for all the friends and family we got to see and visit with, and all the people Joshua was able to meet and connect with. He even started walking one day in Canada, and hasn’t slowed down since. We were also thrilled to be able to share some exciting news with our family in person…

Baby Lammers #2 expected mid-July 2018. Each of our parents were gifted with this picture in a frame as our way of sharing the exciting news with them.

Experiencing Niagara Falls in Canada while visiting Matt’s brother who lives near there.

Spending a day at a zoo in California. Joshua’s favorite part was the petting zoo full of goats.

Unfortunately our other two boys weren’t able to travel with us, but they both had a great time doing separate things in Uganda. The younger of the two spent three weeks at our friends’ farm in a village about 2 hours outside of Kampala. He learned a lot about gardening, which is what he desires to pursue in the future as his career, and also had some fun chasing chickens, killing snakes, and watching movies. The older of the two was able to stay with a friend of his for a week before heading off to a 3 week youth camp focused on listening to the Father’s Heart of God. It is a camp geared towards teens and young adults with rough backgrounds such as his. He thoroughly enjoyed the camp and it seems it has set a fire in him to continue on the path God has placed him on. As he is starting his last year of primary school, we’ve already seen an increased work ethic and dedication in him to the tasks placed before him.

The older boy quickly made friends at camp, and was frequently found playing his guitar.

The younger of the two boys helped to put up and decorate our Christmas tree which we ended up having to hang from the roof so that Joshua wouldn’t knock it down.

EMI

After a busy year for Matt at EMI in 2017, it was good to have a break for a few weeks at the beginning of this year, though after returning to work it feels like he is a few weeks behind. 2018 is looking like it will be a busy year as well but there is relief in sight. One of the two structural engineers who has been away will be returning in August. Unfortunately the other structural engineer will not be returning, it seems like change in our community is constant. Thankfully a new structural engineer and his family have decided to come this year. They plan to arrive in August as well.

Projects have begun again and are in full swing now. Matt is managing one project, updating the master plan for UCBC who Matt has been involved with for a few years. He is also overseeing the structural design for two other projects, one for GEM Foundation and the other for Rafiki Africa Ministries. There are several small project and support for ongoing construction. Though it is busy it is good to be back in the office and feel a renewed excitement for the vision of EMI.

DOORS

DOORS continues to change and evolve with the new year. Some staff and program changes were made in an effort to further pursue fulfilling the vision of the ministry in each ministry arm, and reduce costs to lessen seemingly continuous financial challenges. Ashley is excited about these changes initiated by the Ugandan leadership team. Her role overall continues as mostly an advisor to the leadership team and helping to oversee Yahaya’s Plot. Due to expecting Baby Lammers #2 in July, she won’t be hosting a summer DOORS volunteer program which is greatly reducing her workload even now allowing more time to engage with Joshua, one of the older boys who is now home in the afternoons, and get the needed rest to grow a baby.

Though it is currently dry season in Uganda and the hottest month (typically) of the year, Yahaya’s Plot has begun preparing for the expected March rains by beginning a nursery with eggplant and greens. The nursery bed is covered to protect the young plants from the sun and to help them retain water.

PRAISES

·        A restful and rejuvenating North America trip for Ashley, Matt and Joshua; and fruitful time for both boys in Uganda in our absence.
·        Joshua continuing to grow and hit milestones.
·        Vision and focus granted for 2018.
·        A healthy pregnancy thus far.

PRAYER REQUESTS

·        Perseverance to continue to pursue our vision and goals for 2018 in the months to come
·        Our oldest boy who is entering his last year of primary school. He has to take a national standardized test at the end of the year that will determine his eligibility for secondary school.
·        For the second oldest boy as he has changed schools and educational tracks this year. Thus far he seems to be thriving, but struggling to get out of his comfort zone and befriend classmates and get involved in the school.
·        Continued health for the pregnancy.