I have literally lost count of how many times I have moved in my life…maybe that’s a good thing since being an overseas missionary involves a lot of moving and it’s not the huge stressor for me that it is for someone who has only moved once in their life…or never. Regardless, it’s time to do it yet again.
In about 2 weeks we will finally be moving to the Musana Camps property. As you can imagine, this brings lots of mixed emotions. Our first 7 months in Uganda have been spent living at the Kasana Children’s Center, which has provided an amazing opportunity to live in the most genuine Christ-centered community I’ve ever been a part of. It will be tough to leave the people and relationships behind and move to the camp where there is only one other family and a single Ugandan man on staff that we’ll work with each day. The kids will feel it the most. They have absolutely thrived here with all of the other kids they have to play with and now will have only themselves at the camp. As I write this, Andrea is homeschooling Emileigh and Katelyn, and Micah is sitting on the floor playing with Rachel, the daughter of Uncle George Opuche, the family father of Samuel family, which is our family group here at Kasana. She is one of many playmates. Rachel will be missed.
As consolation, I have agreed to let the kids get a puppy. One of the other family’s dog had some pups, and Katelyn begs to spend every waking minute with them. She has named the one she wants “Joy,” which is “Ssanyu” in Luganda. So we will soon have an addition to the family. Ssanyu comes amidst some busy times, and I can’t say I’m overly excited about training a puppy in the midst of moving and then have several groups come to the camp for back to back programs in August. It’s funny because when I was younger, I was a huge dog lover and dreamed of having my own golden retriever and a husky when I was married with kids. Now, dog = work, hair, smell, ticks, vet bills, babysitters when you travel, large expensive bags of dog food, and that inevitable drooling and licking thing…which I hate. At least it will provide a measure of protection for the family when I am away. How can I say no with all the transition the kids will be going through? It is our hope that Ssanyu lives up to her name and truly brings our kids JOY as they adjust to a new life at the camp. I will admit she’s rather adorable. The things we do for our children…
So now it’s time to live like the stereotypical picture of a missionary I grew up with. We’ll be in the bush miles away from civilization and modern conveniences such as supermarkets and hospitals. The house we’re moving into is a 2 room building designed to be a cabin for our camping programs. There’s no running water in the house, hundreds of bats living in the attic area (which we hope to have killed & removed before we move in), no toilet or shower in the building, and bedroom walls made of papyrus reeds. Our kitchen, dining room, and living room will all be in one room about 18′x18′. But lest I sound all negative and dreary about the situation, out the window is one of the most gorgeous views I have ever seen in my life with a constant gentle breeze and the occasional monkeys playing in the trees chattering with the jungle birds. There’s no hustle and bustle of modern civilization. No manmade noise and pollution. No individualistic, materialistic, consumerist culture that leaves you feeling empty, alone, shallow, and tired. Life will be different and definitely involve some big adjustments. But the truth is, we’re excited about it all at the same time. It’s what we came to do. It’s where we know God wants us. It’s our journey and ultimately we know where it will lead and what this journey is unto: The Glory of God.
With that in mind, please keep us in your prayers. There is much work to be done for the development of the camp. We still need to raise the remaining $25K for the construction of our permanent house. Relationships, love, and the Gospel need to be shared with those in our surrounding communities on and off the camp property. Our family and friends need our love. Our children need our focus and consistent attention. Our marriage needs to be nurtured…all unto the glory of God.
Through it all, there is a lot going on. We’re moving. But action is a good thing…especially when accompanied by faith. I don’t want to sit still and stagnate in the midst of fears about the future and challenges ahead. The Kingdom of God only advances when his people are about his business…moving…for him. So the Bouffards are moving…again.
I’m very excited to say that New Hope Uganda has launched a brand new website…and it’s pretty sweet! Check it out @ www.newhopeuganda.org. Be sure to visit the Musana Camps pages. We’ve had many questions about NHU and the many facets of our ministry…the website should answer lots of them! Enjoy!
So blogs are great if…you update them. As I signed on to post this, I saw that the last time I posted was exactly one month ago today! Pathetic! Shameful! Lame! We beg you to forgive us! So much has happened since then and it would be impossible to summarize it adequately, so lemme give [...]
So I realize it has been a LONG time since we’ve posted. Next week is our last week of Institute and we graduate on the 21st of May. We’re almost there! These last 2 weeks we’ve had tons of homework as we’re wrapping up final projects and papers. Then we will be sending out another [...]
Repentance. It simply means to change your mind, turn away from one thing unto another…180 degrees…at least that’s what I learned in Bible college. This word has recently taken on new meaning for me and God is using it to transform me from the inside out. For years, I failed to see that repentance is to [...]