Saying goodbye, saying hello, birthday celebrations,
engineering conferences and ministry transitions is what we have been busy with
recently. Read below to see what the Lammers have been up to.
These past few months have found us saying goodbyes to two
families of our close community that have moved from Uganda with no return
date. We are thankful for the time we’ve had with each. However, saying goodbye
is always hard. A recent goodbye has hit one of our older boys harder than
others as it involved one of his best friends moving across the ocean.
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Saying goodbye in his unique way to his close friend.
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Joshua and Matt at a recent farewell breakfast for friends.
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These past few months have also found us preparing to say
hello. With our approaching due date of 13 July, we have been doing our best to take
advantage of the days we have as a family of 5, before we make the huge change
to a family of 6. Good thing we invested in a big SUV! Friends from our EMI
community threw Ashley a Baby Shower/Blessing Way that was very meaningful and
encouraging for us all. We’ve also appreciated the support and words of
encouragement from friends and family abroad during this pregnancy as we
prepare as best we can for the unknown.
FAMILY
The older of our two boys recently had a school break. He
spent it mostly playing on a local soccer team that he joined as a walk-on. He
has natural talent that a friend of ours believes can get him a scholarship
into secondary school. This is a dream of his; we have enjoyed watching him
chase and invest his time and efforts in that dream. He played every afternoon
and evening with the team which was made up of young men older and bigger than
him. Despite that, he scored many goals at their practice matches and made
quite the impression on his coach. He is now back at school and using his
energy towards academics. He continues to be a bit behind academically, but not
for lack of trying. We are proud of his efforts. Recently, he was also asked to
lead some worship songs at the Saturday Night youth service for our church.
Doing this is another dream of his. He was excited and nervous as it was his first time to perform at the church. He came home and said it was tough, he was nervous and didn't do so well. We hope he will try again sometime.
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He is a man of style and many talents.
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The second oldest boy has finished his first term at his new
school. We are thankful for the improvements we have seen in his social skills
and personal confidence as results of this school and program. He has really
enjoyed it too and looks forward to the next term. He is currently on his
school break and is spending it taking care of his rabbits, helping Ashley
around the house and playing with Joshua.
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With a friend enjoying a nearby swimming pool to celebrate his 16th
birthday. (The older boy also celebrated his birthday at the swimming pool
recently turning 18).
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Joshua continues to bring joy to each one of us in the family.
His personality shines more and more each day. He has become fond of running
everywhere (sometimes not looking where he is going making for some close calls
with walls and other objects), jumping, and racing his push-boda/motorcycle.
Recently he has tried saying “On your marks, get set, go!” and racing either on
his boda, or with his toy cars. He hasn’t started speaking yet, but continues
to try, and has begun to become more and more able to understand what we say to
him.
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Striking a pose on his push-boda/motorcycle.
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Joshua has also taken a new liking to playing with grasshoppers…a habit
that the older boys and Matt encourage by bringing him ones that they
catch.
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EMI
The transitions continue with EMI. A project term has finished and some of the interns, including the 2 interns Matt was overseeing. These interns had been here since August last year. Matt enjoyed working with them and they expressed appreciation as they left. Though the project term has ended, there are still some projects ongoing and Matt is working hard to get things organized so he can take some time off when the baby comes.
Two staff families have departed/are soon departing. It is a challenge to continue to say goodbye to people in our community. We are thankful that God continues to bring the right people at the right time.
Preparations
for the 2019 Kilimanjaro climb are in full flow, and registration is open! If you are on Facebook please check out the Climb4HOPE -
Kilimanjaro Facebook event page or Climb4Hope – Kilimanjaro web page. Matt participated in a similar climb in 2014 as a fundraiser for EMI Uganda's office construction. If you are interested in participating or have questions send us a message.
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| Matt attended a training for the Ugandan Institution of Professional Engineers. He enjoyed being able to get a better understanding of what structural engineers in Uganda looks like such as what challenges they face, as well as learn more about the new codes that Uganda is looking to enforce. |
DOORS MINISTRIES
Doors Ministries officially made the announcement last week
of transitioning to a solely-Uganda based organization (no longer an
internationally-registered NGO, but a locally registered NGO). This transition and preparing for it is what
has been keeping Ashley busy these past couple of months. To learn more about
the transition, about what Doors Ministries looks like on the ground now, and
ways of partnering with the organization as we move forward, please check out
our Facebook Page (Doors Ministries), follow our blog (www.doorsministries.blogspot.com),
or visit our new donation site (www.allegrosolutions.org/donate/DoorsMinistries001).
Though the transition has been a lot of work, and stressful at times, Ashley
has enjoyed seeing the ministry get to the position it is in now, and seeing
new leadership step forward, instilling new vision upon the organization. She
will continue working with Doors as their Sponsorship Coordinator in the months
to come in an effort to help the organization continue to get fully set up
post-transition.
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Students in class at Doors Primary School, one of the 5 Ministry Arms
of Doors currently.
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PRAISES
- A continued healthy pregnancy and growth of our little girl on the way. July 13th is the due date.
- Joshua’s continued health and growth and joy he brings to our family and community.
- Noticeable growth and maturity we have witnessed in our two older boys.
- A great kick-start to Doors’ transition as a solely Ugandan organization.
- Hard goodbyes with community that has left recently as it shows how deep friendships and relationships have been.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- For Doors as the ministry fully makes the transition. Specifically for sponsors to step forward to partner financially with each of the children and students in Doors programs.
- For our oldest boy as he continues to prepare for the end of year national exam which will determine if and what secondary school he can attend.
- Continued wisdom as we plan for our family’s future in Uganda collectively and individually.
- For a safe delivery for Ashley and the baby, and for Joshua who will stay with a friend of ours when the time comes.
