“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philipians 4:6-7
We started out this month with the first week of class for the new pastors. On the first Sunday of the month all the new pastors showed up at Calvary Chapel Gulu for their introduction into the class. Each pastor was introduced and given a study Bible for the course. They worshiped, went over ground rules, and ate together. For this first week, we only covered Genesis 1-12:3; from creation through Abraham’s calling from God. These first chapters of the Bible carry so many foundational themes for the rest of scripture, it was difficult to unpack them in only a weeks time. By the end of the week, one student pastor whom we work with at the BAM was saying it was as if he had never read the Bible before and was now reading it for the first time, despite being a pastor for many years. Praise God for that work!
We did a lot of work with the Business As Mission (BAM), as well. Gerald, the man who manages the BAM with Matt was at a class out of town for 3 weeks, and Matt was paired with another administrator to keep things running. Things are really developing at the BAM. The first batch of chickens are about to start laying eggs, the fish are growing, and the products we make from sunflower seeds and maize are selling very well. Matt has also worked hard to get the hydroponics system working so we can feed our chickens for cheaper. I think all-in-all it was a very productive 3 weeks despite Gerald being gone and us not being farmers and all.
This month we were also hit with malaria. Maddie contracted it first (now recovered), and now Matt and I both have it at the same time. Matt is almost recovered, and I am still taking the anti-malaria pills. Malaria is actually a parasite, passed through mosquitoes (this is apparently mosquito season). Thankfully, for those who can get tested right away, malaria is not as fatal as it sounds. You can die from it if you don’t treat it right away, but if you have a fever and you get tested for it sooner than later, it is a very treatable sickness.
The last few days have been difficult. One person with malaria is manageable, but both parents having it at once has made it hard to keep on top of things. Today we have been taking turns napping and caring for the kids, while our amazing helper, Gladys, has taken care of the house for us. Please pray for us over the next few days as we recover and as we try protect our children from the mosquitoes (thank God we have nets for our beds and plenty of bug spray).