It is so hard to believe that we have hit the 1 month mark!! Time has flown by! We are really feeling much more settled now and the feelings of homesickness are starting to subside. We still really miss our families, but it is not quite the same feeling that it was and for that we are thankful!
God is doing so much in our hearts! Thursday and Friday of this week were HUGE in our lives! We discussed several "isms" in class. The first one that really hit me (Rachel) was "me-ism". God revealed my attitude of superiority. So many times I find myself getting frustrated when things are not done the way I think they should be done! This goes across the board from big things to the smallest things like the way I want my laundry to be folded! I look at situations and the way people handle them and think, "Well, I would have done ____" or, "That wasn't the best way to handle that. If it were me..." This attitude is SINFUL! It leads me to be so critical of the people that surround me, and can even lead to a bitter spirit which effects my relationships with people. God is definitely changing me in this area and teaching me how to recognize when I am thinking with this attitude. I have to remain in a constant state of repentance, and recognize my sin, turn from it, and turn to the truth of God! The truth is, I am fallen just like the rest of mankind and just because I do things different, doesn't mean that they are better or the best. After discussing this with Laura Beth on Thursday, I recognized just how far this attitude can go. It plays into every area of life, especially my marriage. It keeps me from submitting to Mike's leadership and allowing him to lead. Even in what I would consider insignificant things! I recall many times we would be in the car and he would be driving. I would question the route he was taking to get somewhere, which really doesn't matter. Maybe I like going a certain way and maybe he thinks another way is faster. Either way I am called to let him lead. It seems so silly in some circumstance, but this attitude will also come out in different areas that could really hurt or disrepect him and cause problems in our marriage. It is part of the curse that I want to lead, but I know that is not my role and I am really trying to submit my heart to God's Word! Please pray that God will continue to teach me in this area.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Support New Hope Students, Buy Coffee!
A group of older students at New Hope is selling the best Ugandan Coffee to help raise school funds. One lb. of coffee for $7! What a deal! Some of the best African coffee one can buy for only $7 and you get to help pay for their school. Just think, you are at home sipping the coffee and you can think about the kids that get to learn because of the coffee you are drinking. Email me (Michael) if you are interested ervin4tg@gmail.com and I will explain how to pay and how you will get the coffee.
For the Gospel!
Michael and Rachel
For the Gospel!
Michael and Rachel
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Week #3 Hidden Chains of Media!
It is almost hard to believe that on Monday we began our third week in the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family (NHICF). There are so many things that we could write about, but words really cannot convey the things that we are learning in and out of class!
I do want to appologize for not having put any photos up yet. It has been difficult to get any to upload with the inconsistancy of the internet connection. We hope to have some up soon, but if we cannot get any up then you all may just have to wait until May to get pictures! :o)
God is really teaching me (Rachel) so much about relationships! He is really directing me into some sort of ministry. I have no idea what it looks like yet or what form it will take, but I am increasingly having a desire to build solid, deep, lasting relationships with the women around me. It is almost distracting! I am so eager to come home to put into practice the things I have learned in the past 2 weeks, but I also know that I am not fully prepared for that! I still have 17 1/2 weeks of teaching in the institute before I can fully understand all that He is teaching me now! Please continue to pray that we will be open to what God is trying to teach us so that our lives will be transformed!!
Yesterday (Mike) in class we discussed "technology" and the effect that is has on our lives. Ironically, while Keith was teaching his cell phone began ringing and would not stop til he answered it. A few minutes later it began ringing again. A few minutes later it rang again. We were all so frustrated with the disruption. It was rude and shallow that he would consider answering his phone over teaching his lesson to us. Have you had an experience like that? Maybe you were talking with someone and then their cell phone rang and they answered it. It was like this cell phone was his screaming baby and it would not be quiet until he consoled it. Keith was giving the cell phone power. Power to control him. The point is that technology is not neutral. So is it good or bad? I bet you are saying 'that evil cell phone.' Wrong. Something becomes bad when it has reversal effects on us. You see the cell phone is not bad because it interrupted class, it only became bad when Keith gave it power to control him. It in essence became a god. This can happen with any form of technology and media. We all know that many of us have given TV too much power, we have allowed ourselves and children to be given over the power of video game consoles. We are in a culture of technology and media overload. We need to carefully think through the effects that technology and media has on us. What kind of power does the medium (a vehicle carrying information) of facebook or this blog have over you? We need to be aware of the truth that the medium eventually becomes the message. Here are some of the 'Laws of Media' or questions you should ask about media, 'What does the medium extend?' Essentially, all forms of media and technology are extensions of our human capacities. For instance, the cell phone is the extension of our voice and our hearing. The computer is an extension of our mind 'the ability to make outlines on Microsoft Word for my sermons' it also combines many other human capacities like sight, hearing, voice, etc. I hope you get the point. Second, 'what does the medium replace or make obsolete?' Third, 'what does the medium reverse into?' For instance, the car is an extension of my legs and can get me from point 'a' to point 'b' much faster. But if there is a traffic jam then the medium revereses. Last, 'what does the medium retrieve?' The book that this discussion was primarily based off of is entitled The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture by Shane Hipps. We would definitely encourage you to take a look at this book and allow the author's thoughts to penetrate your heart and cause you to really think about the abundance of technology that we are accustomed to using and its effects on our lives. Hipps has another book that is similar but condenced which is called Flickering Pixels. Again, we would encourage you to take a look at the perspective this brings on the way technology influences and inprisons our culture, churches, lives, relationships, etc. As the Church, we need to be careful in how we share the gospel with through the medium of media. In doing so, we risk changing the message of the gospel itself. God intends us His body to be the message of His gospel. We are the best medium to proclaim the greatest news and to be His hands and feet.
4tg,
Michael and Rachel Ervin
I do want to appologize for not having put any photos up yet. It has been difficult to get any to upload with the inconsistancy of the internet connection. We hope to have some up soon, but if we cannot get any up then you all may just have to wait until May to get pictures! :o)
God is really teaching me (Rachel) so much about relationships! He is really directing me into some sort of ministry. I have no idea what it looks like yet or what form it will take, but I am increasingly having a desire to build solid, deep, lasting relationships with the women around me. It is almost distracting! I am so eager to come home to put into practice the things I have learned in the past 2 weeks, but I also know that I am not fully prepared for that! I still have 17 1/2 weeks of teaching in the institute before I can fully understand all that He is teaching me now! Please continue to pray that we will be open to what God is trying to teach us so that our lives will be transformed!!
Yesterday (Mike) in class we discussed "technology" and the effect that is has on our lives. Ironically, while Keith was teaching his cell phone began ringing and would not stop til he answered it. A few minutes later it began ringing again. A few minutes later it rang again. We were all so frustrated with the disruption. It was rude and shallow that he would consider answering his phone over teaching his lesson to us. Have you had an experience like that? Maybe you were talking with someone and then their cell phone rang and they answered it. It was like this cell phone was his screaming baby and it would not be quiet until he consoled it. Keith was giving the cell phone power. Power to control him. The point is that technology is not neutral. So is it good or bad? I bet you are saying 'that evil cell phone.' Wrong. Something becomes bad when it has reversal effects on us. You see the cell phone is not bad because it interrupted class, it only became bad when Keith gave it power to control him. It in essence became a god. This can happen with any form of technology and media. We all know that many of us have given TV too much power, we have allowed ourselves and children to be given over the power of video game consoles. We are in a culture of technology and media overload. We need to carefully think through the effects that technology and media has on us. What kind of power does the medium (a vehicle carrying information) of facebook or this blog have over you? We need to be aware of the truth that the medium eventually becomes the message. Here are some of the 'Laws of Media' or questions you should ask about media, 'What does the medium extend?' Essentially, all forms of media and technology are extensions of our human capacities. For instance, the cell phone is the extension of our voice and our hearing. The computer is an extension of our mind 'the ability to make outlines on Microsoft Word for my sermons' it also combines many other human capacities like sight, hearing, voice, etc. I hope you get the point. Second, 'what does the medium replace or make obsolete?' Third, 'what does the medium reverse into?' For instance, the car is an extension of my legs and can get me from point 'a' to point 'b' much faster. But if there is a traffic jam then the medium revereses. Last, 'what does the medium retrieve?' The book that this discussion was primarily based off of is entitled The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture by Shane Hipps. We would definitely encourage you to take a look at this book and allow the author's thoughts to penetrate your heart and cause you to really think about the abundance of technology that we are accustomed to using and its effects on our lives. Hipps has another book that is similar but condenced which is called Flickering Pixels. Again, we would encourage you to take a look at the perspective this brings on the way technology influences and inprisons our culture, churches, lives, relationships, etc. As the Church, we need to be careful in how we share the gospel with through the medium of media. In doing so, we risk changing the message of the gospel itself. God intends us His body to be the message of His gospel. We are the best medium to proclaim the greatest news and to be His hands and feet.
4tg,
Michael and Rachel Ervin
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Mailing Address
For those of you who are interested. Our mailing address is:
Mike and Rachel Ervin
PO Box 16
Luwero, Uganda
East Africa
If you do want to send us something, we suggest using a small bubble envelope, boxes may take months to get here.
4tg,
Mike and Rachel
Mike and Rachel Ervin
PO Box 16
Luwero, Uganda
East Africa
If you do want to send us something, we suggest using a small bubble envelope, boxes may take months to get here.
4tg,
Mike and Rachel
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Lies and Fear
This week has been another great one here in Uganda so far! God is really working in our hearts! Monday was a bit rough for me (Rachel) as I once again began having intense feelings of homesickness. In class we discussed idols, and it was at that point that I realized that I was holding my family, home, and all that was familiar to me as an idol. I was allowing my feelings to be at home control me rather than the knowledge that God has called me here for this appointed time. It was a very difficult thing. I had never felt such a real struggle between my flesh and my spirit as I did that day. Finally after much arguing in my heart I submitted my heart to God's will. Just as I am reading back through the last couple of sentences, it does not convey the intensity of what was going on in my heart! I guess I really cannot put it into words! Tuesday was another hard but glorious day!
In class we discussed FEAR. In the fallen world we are controlled by fear and every fear (except a reverant fear of God) is founded on lies of Satan! We spent about 15 minutes in prayer individually begging God to reveal our fears to us. BOY did HE! He revealed many things to me but the one thing that really struck me that my homesickness was being caused by a fear of missing out on things at home (even the boring everyday occurences). When I dug deeper, God revealed that this fear was based on the same lie that Satan told Eve in the garden which is basically that "God is holding out on you". WOW! When I made this connection in my heart and mind a rush of emotion came over me! I was angry that I had believed such a lie, excited to be set free from the bondage that lie and fear was holding me in, and in awe of our great God! There are still twinges of ache in my heart and longing for home, but now when those things arise and I can combat them with TRUTH from God's word rather than simply believe the lies and allow fear to once again enslave me! This has truly been a freeing experience! I told Mike last night that I do not know if I have ever felt so free from the bonds of Satan as I do now! Facing your fears is scary and something that I did not want to do, but now I see just how important it is to be honest with yourself and with God about your deepest fears and their roots!
Amen!
I (Mike) am so happy for what God is doing in our hearts. It was so hard seeing Rachel battle like she did. I didn't think I could be the man that she needed in those times of intense stuggle. But by the grace of God and much battle against my own flesh the Lord spoke through me His love and truth to her. I was changed through Him doing this. I am now able to see how God's powerful Words really cut and heal, like a surgeons scalpal, not like a knife.
In class we have been looking at Worldview. Worldview is the lens by which peolpe interpret life and reality. It is shocking to see how much the church has been influenced by the fallen worldview of our Western culture. I mean, even the most conservative churches are influenced by the fallen man-centered worldview. I am so thankful for the Gospel to confront us in our worldview. The Gospel is the answer to this problem.
4tg (For the Gospel),
Michael and Rachel
In class we discussed FEAR. In the fallen world we are controlled by fear and every fear (except a reverant fear of God) is founded on lies of Satan! We spent about 15 minutes in prayer individually begging God to reveal our fears to us. BOY did HE! He revealed many things to me but the one thing that really struck me that my homesickness was being caused by a fear of missing out on things at home (even the boring everyday occurences). When I dug deeper, God revealed that this fear was based on the same lie that Satan told Eve in the garden which is basically that "God is holding out on you". WOW! When I made this connection in my heart and mind a rush of emotion came over me! I was angry that I had believed such a lie, excited to be set free from the bondage that lie and fear was holding me in, and in awe of our great God! There are still twinges of ache in my heart and longing for home, but now when those things arise and I can combat them with TRUTH from God's word rather than simply believe the lies and allow fear to once again enslave me! This has truly been a freeing experience! I told Mike last night that I do not know if I have ever felt so free from the bonds of Satan as I do now! Facing your fears is scary and something that I did not want to do, but now I see just how important it is to be honest with yourself and with God about your deepest fears and their roots!
Amen!
I (Mike) am so happy for what God is doing in our hearts. It was so hard seeing Rachel battle like she did. I didn't think I could be the man that she needed in those times of intense stuggle. But by the grace of God and much battle against my own flesh the Lord spoke through me His love and truth to her. I was changed through Him doing this. I am now able to see how God's powerful Words really cut and heal, like a surgeons scalpal, not like a knife.
In class we have been looking at Worldview. Worldview is the lens by which peolpe interpret life and reality. It is shocking to see how much the church has been influenced by the fallen worldview of our Western culture. I mean, even the most conservative churches are influenced by the fallen man-centered worldview. I am so thankful for the Gospel to confront us in our worldview. The Gospel is the answer to this problem.
4tg (For the Gospel),
Michael and Rachel
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Week 1
Well we have completed our first week of classes at the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family. What an interesting week!
I (Rachel) have really struggled this week with homesickness, to the point where I was begging Michael to take me home. I knew that being away from my family and home for 20 weeks would be a difficult thing for me, because I like being at home! When I was in high school I would cry when I went away for 1 week to church camp! :o) While the first few days of this week, and even now, have been tough for me, God has used this time of stretching to teach me just how much I need HIM. I am finding out just how much I MUST have Him and His Word just to live each day! I know that being at home in America I would not have learned this lesson the way I am learning it here. We have had several times of discussion and prayer with Keith and LauraBeth. Those times have been encouraging! Mike and I have been praying each morning before getting out of bed and meditating daily on Psalm 63.
I have never been the most open person, but this week God has made me realize that I NEED to be open and real with my thoughts and feelings. I was able to sit down with Mike and let him in on a portion of my life that I had never discussed with him before. While it was difficult (because I like to keep things to myself) it has deepened our relationship in a way we never imagined! These things all happened before class even began!!
The first 2 days of class (Tuesday and Wednesday) consisted of each person telling his/her "life story". Talk about amazing! It is easy as individuals to think that we are the only ones who are struggling or have crazy things happening in our families, but when you sit in a room of over 20 people and hear the things that other people have been through or are going through you recognize that everyone is human and we ALL have problems and issues to work through. Michael and I have not had the opportunity to tell our stories yet, but we will probably have that chance on Tuesday or Wednesday! Please pray that God would give us just the words to say that would clearly convey our stories to our classmates.
On Thursday the "family parents" came in to talk with the class. You see, there are several family groups here at New Hope. The orphans here are all living within a family setting rather than a typical orphanage. This way they are able to get a glimpse of what a typical family is supposed to look like. Each student in the class is assigned to work with a particular family group. We will be involved with Ebeneezer family. There are many ways to get involved, but probably the most common thing for us will be having a meal or two with them throughout the week, working in the garden with them, and participating in family devotion times. We are very excited about this opportunity, but again God is using it to stretch us! I (Rachel again!) am a little bit nervous about having to be the persuer of relationships. I have never been very good at being the persuer, and that has probably resulted in many "could have been" friendships. I know that God is going to use this to teach me valuable lessons that I must learn! I reall appreciate your prayers in this area!! :o)
Friday, our last day before the weekend!! We really got into the class material on Worldview. Keith talked about the lens through which we see everything and everyone, how that lens is built (by our culture, past experiences, etc), and how it affects us! We then watched a bit of The Truth Project. We both had viewed The Truth Project before, but after hearing what Keith had to say it seemed to mean so much more! I am sure we will be discussing more about worldview over the next 19 weeks!
Saturday (today!) was also a day of learning! We learned how to do our laundry...by hand! What an experience! As Keith said, it really makes you appreciate having a washing MACHINE!! :o) We actually had an enjoyable time learning together. It was definitely a team effort. As for the rest of our day, I think Mike is planning to play some basketball with some other guys. I will probably go with him and may play as well. Other than that we are kind of just taking it easy!
Have a great weekend and keep an eye out for more posts this week! Now that we have a little bit of a routine established we might be able to post more!!
I (Rachel) have really struggled this week with homesickness, to the point where I was begging Michael to take me home. I knew that being away from my family and home for 20 weeks would be a difficult thing for me, because I like being at home! When I was in high school I would cry when I went away for 1 week to church camp! :o) While the first few days of this week, and even now, have been tough for me, God has used this time of stretching to teach me just how much I need HIM. I am finding out just how much I MUST have Him and His Word just to live each day! I know that being at home in America I would not have learned this lesson the way I am learning it here. We have had several times of discussion and prayer with Keith and LauraBeth. Those times have been encouraging! Mike and I have been praying each morning before getting out of bed and meditating daily on Psalm 63.
I have never been the most open person, but this week God has made me realize that I NEED to be open and real with my thoughts and feelings. I was able to sit down with Mike and let him in on a portion of my life that I had never discussed with him before. While it was difficult (because I like to keep things to myself) it has deepened our relationship in a way we never imagined! These things all happened before class even began!!
The first 2 days of class (Tuesday and Wednesday) consisted of each person telling his/her "life story". Talk about amazing! It is easy as individuals to think that we are the only ones who are struggling or have crazy things happening in our families, but when you sit in a room of over 20 people and hear the things that other people have been through or are going through you recognize that everyone is human and we ALL have problems and issues to work through. Michael and I have not had the opportunity to tell our stories yet, but we will probably have that chance on Tuesday or Wednesday! Please pray that God would give us just the words to say that would clearly convey our stories to our classmates.
On Thursday the "family parents" came in to talk with the class. You see, there are several family groups here at New Hope. The orphans here are all living within a family setting rather than a typical orphanage. This way they are able to get a glimpse of what a typical family is supposed to look like. Each student in the class is assigned to work with a particular family group. We will be involved with Ebeneezer family. There are many ways to get involved, but probably the most common thing for us will be having a meal or two with them throughout the week, working in the garden with them, and participating in family devotion times. We are very excited about this opportunity, but again God is using it to stretch us! I (Rachel again!) am a little bit nervous about having to be the persuer of relationships. I have never been very good at being the persuer, and that has probably resulted in many "could have been" friendships. I know that God is going to use this to teach me valuable lessons that I must learn! I reall appreciate your prayers in this area!! :o)
Friday, our last day before the weekend!! We really got into the class material on Worldview. Keith talked about the lens through which we see everything and everyone, how that lens is built (by our culture, past experiences, etc), and how it affects us! We then watched a bit of The Truth Project. We both had viewed The Truth Project before, but after hearing what Keith had to say it seemed to mean so much more! I am sure we will be discussing more about worldview over the next 19 weeks!
Saturday (today!) was also a day of learning! We learned how to do our laundry...by hand! What an experience! As Keith said, it really makes you appreciate having a washing MACHINE!! :o) We actually had an enjoyable time learning together. It was definitely a team effort. As for the rest of our day, I think Mike is planning to play some basketball with some other guys. I will probably go with him and may play as well. Other than that we are kind of just taking it easy!
Have a great weekend and keep an eye out for more posts this week! Now that we have a little bit of a routine established we might be able to post more!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday Morning Worship and Being Received
Today was our offical welcome into the community here. We started the day off by sleeping in til about 8:15 and then had eggs and beans for breakfast. It was very British and delicious. After that we prepared for the church service which began at 1030. You need to understand something about church services here in Uganda. There is only one church service in a week which is held on Sunday morning, which means no Sunday School or Wednesday night Bible Study. Although there is a Junior Church which is on break until February. I am sure I will write more on how the church operates as I learn more about it.
As we were walking toward he church building we could hear the choir already singing and their instruments blaring for all to hear the call to worship. Once we arrived we were warmly greeted by many people. I (Michael) was greeted several familiar people that I met while visiting four and five years ago. One of them was Roger, pronounced Row - jay, sounds French because he is originally from Rwanda which used to be a French colony. He has an amazing testimony of God's obvious providence in saving him from certain death during Rwanda's genocide.
I (Mike) was particularly excited for Rachel to experience the Ugandan worship service for the first time. You see, she is not used to people dancing, clapping and singing their hearts out not worrying about what their neighbor thinks. It seemed very pure, true and in spirit. I felt so much more free to worship the Lord with my whole self as it commanded and taught in Scripture. At home I feel more restricted in most churches but sometimes I remember the Word of the Lord about worshiping truly, in spirit with the whole self and stand before the Lord freely and openly.
Just before Pastor Jones began preaching he had us come before the congregation to be introduced and received in the Love of Jesus. So there we were standing in front of many Ugandans and only a handful of Mazoongoos (White People), a minority, and Jones implores the community to reach out their arms, literally. So the congregation was standing their with arms stretched out toward us to receive us with the loving touch of Jesus. Then Jones prayed for us to be received into the community as brother and sister, that we are now a part of the community there at New Hope and Kasana (the outlying village), that God would use us in their midst and that they would be used by God in our lives as well. We were and are truly blessed!
4 the Gospel,
Michael and Rachel
As we were walking toward he church building we could hear the choir already singing and their instruments blaring for all to hear the call to worship. Once we arrived we were warmly greeted by many people. I (Michael) was greeted several familiar people that I met while visiting four and five years ago. One of them was Roger, pronounced Row - jay, sounds French because he is originally from Rwanda which used to be a French colony. He has an amazing testimony of God's obvious providence in saving him from certain death during Rwanda's genocide.
I (Mike) was particularly excited for Rachel to experience the Ugandan worship service for the first time. You see, she is not used to people dancing, clapping and singing their hearts out not worrying about what their neighbor thinks. It seemed very pure, true and in spirit. I felt so much more free to worship the Lord with my whole self as it commanded and taught in Scripture. At home I feel more restricted in most churches but sometimes I remember the Word of the Lord about worshiping truly, in spirit with the whole self and stand before the Lord freely and openly.
Just before Pastor Jones began preaching he had us come before the congregation to be introduced and received in the Love of Jesus. So there we were standing in front of many Ugandans and only a handful of Mazoongoos (White People), a minority, and Jones implores the community to reach out their arms, literally. So the congregation was standing their with arms stretched out toward us to receive us with the loving touch of Jesus. Then Jones prayed for us to be received into the community as brother and sister, that we are now a part of the community there at New Hope and Kasana (the outlying village), that God would use us in their midst and that they would be used by God in our lives as well. We were and are truly blessed!
4 the Gospel,
Michael and Rachel
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Years in Uganda
Happy New Year from Uganda! :o)
We arrived in Uganda on Dec 29 at 10:00 pm. We are staying with our family here (The McFarlands) for a few days until we are able to move into our own little house. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. They have shown us around New Hope and the surrounding villages as well as city of Kampala.
The first few days have been rough on us because of jet lag. We are 8 hours ahead of the United States which has made it a little difficult to adjust. Keith and Laura made us stay awake on our first day so that we were able to get a full night of sleep...which was difficult at the time but having a full night's rest was wonderful!
We were able to get a Ugandan cell phone so that we are able to communicate with people here and our family and friends back home.
The weather is very nice. It rained a little bit this afternoon which cooled everything off. It is very warm here, but we are enjoying it right now! It is a very nice and welcomed change from the snow that we left in West Virginia!
We thank you for your prayers for us! God has given so much peace and rest in Himself. Rachel has especially experienced a peace from God about being so far away from home. We know that He has called us to this and we are resting in Him. He is already changing our hearts in just the short time that we have been here.
We visited the village near New Hope this morning which was so eye opening. There were so many children! Mike mentioned that most of the population here is very young and we have found that to be true! The houses that the families live in are constructed of brick and cement with a metal roof. These types of houses are very new to the area (they just began being built about 10 years ago). Before these types the homes were basically mud homes. Some people still have those, but most of them have brick houses. It was very interesting to see things that we had only seen on TV in person. There are many times that we have seen homes like these and children running around with no shoes and dirty clothing on television, but actually seeing them in person and recognizing that it is REAL was incredible. We wish you all could see what we have seen in just the few short days that we have been here!
Some of you have been asking for pictures and we will post some soon! :o) You can check our blog here or our group on facebook in the next few days to see if we have posted any! We are trying to adjust to being here before we dive right into picture taking and blog posting everyday! Once again, thank you for your prayers! We love you all!!
Love,
Mike & Rachel
We arrived in Uganda on Dec 29 at 10:00 pm. We are staying with our family here (The McFarlands) for a few days until we are able to move into our own little house. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. They have shown us around New Hope and the surrounding villages as well as city of Kampala.
The first few days have been rough on us because of jet lag. We are 8 hours ahead of the United States which has made it a little difficult to adjust. Keith and Laura made us stay awake on our first day so that we were able to get a full night of sleep...which was difficult at the time but having a full night's rest was wonderful!
We were able to get a Ugandan cell phone so that we are able to communicate with people here and our family and friends back home.
The weather is very nice. It rained a little bit this afternoon which cooled everything off. It is very warm here, but we are enjoying it right now! It is a very nice and welcomed change from the snow that we left in West Virginia!
We thank you for your prayers for us! God has given so much peace and rest in Himself. Rachel has especially experienced a peace from God about being so far away from home. We know that He has called us to this and we are resting in Him. He is already changing our hearts in just the short time that we have been here.
We visited the village near New Hope this morning which was so eye opening. There were so many children! Mike mentioned that most of the population here is very young and we have found that to be true! The houses that the families live in are constructed of brick and cement with a metal roof. These types of houses are very new to the area (they just began being built about 10 years ago). Before these types the homes were basically mud homes. Some people still have those, but most of them have brick houses. It was very interesting to see things that we had only seen on TV in person. There are many times that we have seen homes like these and children running around with no shoes and dirty clothing on television, but actually seeing them in person and recognizing that it is REAL was incredible. We wish you all could see what we have seen in just the few short days that we have been here!
Some of you have been asking for pictures and we will post some soon! :o) You can check our blog here or our group on facebook in the next few days to see if we have posted any! We are trying to adjust to being here before we dive right into picture taking and blog posting everyday! Once again, thank you for your prayers! We love you all!!
Love,
Mike & Rachel
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