Thirst

Thirst

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”  Psalm 63:1

         As soon as we reached home in Midigo, Zachary said, “It looks like a deserted wasteland.”  It is dry season and the only main water source for the whole village, all of the schools (close to 7,000 children), government hospital, etc. is our one water pump our church has put.  Everything is dry.  Some days there is no water.  Truly a dry and thirsty place.

         We unpacked our 28 suitcases, gave most of the things out, had visitors to welcome us home, but did not fully feel at home until Sunday morning. Wow! This is the first time our church has grown so much while we were away! What a blessing! It reminded me of this scripture above. Surely, our flesh longs for the Lord in this dry and thirsty land! Vincent went up to teach and shared how humbling it is to see so many new faces, but even more, that those who have stayed have grown deeper in their walks. We have never focused on numbers but instead the depth of each person’s walk. The only time we usually share numbers is to give understanding. But seeing the church grow in number reminded us that we are His instruments. He is always moving; we are just blessed to be part of it.  

         We haven’t even been back a full two weeks, but God has helped us to hit the ground running. He has encouraged us as a family to keep serving and focusing on Him. The growth I have seen in our family alone shouts praises to God!  

Ministry Updates:

Church- God continues to move. He has removed some whom He knew He needed to and added many more. The gossip groups have stopped meeting. Our leaders have a new zeal for the Lord and their lives are changing. The discipleships are growing. The consistent men’s study is now at our compound so they can feed on both the word and physical food. We are prayerfully looking to buying land for our church plant in Koboko. We are reaching out to the other churches around us and in near by South Sudan. God has put in our heart to be encouraging them and helping them in their doctrine and in prayers.  

School- Our school year has started. We have less students so far as many parents are struggling to get school fees. We have had to increase the pay for our teachers as the government has also increased. Without increasing, it is too hard to keep teachers. Even in all this, the children really reflect “the joy of the LORD is our strength.” The children love the LORD, they love their Bible studies, discipleship, and all church activities. It excites us to see them and imagine what the church will be like in 10 years!  

Koinonia Community Center- This last week, our nursery students went with their teachers to go and play at the playground. I am quickly seeing we may have to add to it.  Hearing the laughs, seeing the smiles, all I can do is praise the LORD for His playground! We are starting the research into building the bookshelves for the library. Praying for His direction in this next exciting step to bring the first library to Midigo.  

Sports- Our sports team has struggled to say the least being in Premiere League for the first time. Some of the players, coaches, leaders, and fans had lost sight and vision of why we have the sports ministry. We praise God for the changes He has directed this week. May we all go back to our first love and the team refocus on sharing of the gospel only.  

Hospital- We continue to be the main staffing and medicine supply for the government hospital. As hundreds are seen daily, they leave not only healed physically but also spiritually. My friend from Canada will be coming to do some refresher days with mid-wives. Please pray for the preparations.  

Prayer Requests:

·      We praise God, we made it through immigration, all 28 suitcases came through with no charges and we reached Midigo safely. Please pray as we seek God to go on the new system and whether visa or dual citizenship for Vincent.  

·      One of our friends in America gave us a water pump and it has reached us in perfect time! We are praying to put a second pump closer to the compound. Please be praying with us for them to find water in the ground and also for the finances to finish.  

·      Please pray for rain!  

·      The government is bringing electricity to Midigo! Please pray our paperwork/application and all other things.As I have no understanding, But pray it will get done and they connect the compounds to power! 

·      I know there is more, but my brain is still in a fog as I have been sick, and it has been hard for me to sleep with the heat. Please ask the Lord to lead you in other ways to pray for us.  

Thank you for all your prayers and love for us!!!

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