The last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind! Well, let me use the analogy of a hurricane instead, as rain has been a major theme of life at Musana Camps. As I write, we are in the middle of a week-long retreat hosting a group of 20 street boys from Jinja. They have been wonderful, and seem to be having a great time. Among other things they hiked the stream, went swimming in the lake, played several initiative games, and joyfully washed dishes for us. Tomorrow they will do a work project and Friday they have challenged our local village boys to a football match! Pray for their last few days here, that God would meet them in ways they have never experienced! When they leave us Saturday, another 20 boys from the same ministry (www.1morechild.org) will join us for another week. We appreciate your prayers for us as we host them and share God’s love with them.
Just before their arrival, we hosted our family, the Samuel family, from Kasana. It was so great to have them on different turf and interact in a more intimate way with them. They truly had an awesome time! By far their highlight was every afternoon they got to spend in the lake. However, a close second would be the endless supply of sugar cane growing in our gardens. They also enjoyed the evening campfires- Dave shared with them about choices each evening, from salvation to our moment by moment choices, and on the last night they even got to roast marshmallows over the fire- an absolute first! They went away refreshed and reunited, two of our many purposes in having them here.
In the midst of our transition here, we said goodbye to our dear friend, Wes Foley, who spent his summer at Musana Camps. He was such a blessing to us and the Sparks during his 2 ½ months in Uganda. Micah hasn’t quite understood why Wes isn’t “sleeping on the top bunk” anymore. We are missing you, Wes.
On the family end, we are all doing fine- at the moment, healthy, and for the most part adjusted to very different circumstances. The biggest adjustment has been the removal of the privilege of electricity and plumbing. Of course, a close second would be the 5 of us moving into a two-room house with all of our belongings. But if there has been one thought that has come to mind over the last very strenuous 3 weeks, it is that His grace is sufficient. Personally, this is by far the biggest transition I’ve ever experienced to date and I’ve seen the Lord meet me where I am and carry me. Daily I’m faced with the choice to succumb to my circumstances, and while I don’t win every moment, God has been pouring out His abundant grace to us.
Will you pray for us? Here are a few specifics you could remember:
-Our current retreat, followed by another on Saturday. Pray for God to work powerfully in the lives of the boys while they are here.
-Our health.
-Our continued transition to life here at Musana Camps- the kids are adjusting well, though Katelyn has probably struggled the most, missing a big component of her personality, people.
-Our daily interactions with those around us, whether construction crew, guards, employees or guests- that as our name implies, we would shine the “light” of Christ; willing vessels, living in obedience to Him.
-We need rain. At the moment, we are trying to run retreats, construct buildings, and live on one small cistern filled with rainwater. It isn’t adequate (nor is it full of rainwater). Pray for rain and the funds to solve a problem that will only continue.
Mrs. Debbie Brandt said...
1Good Morning,
I got your web site from sister Kathy. My son (Michael) works at the Lighthouse Vocational Building in New Holland, PA, USA.
I enjoy reading about your mission and I will keep your family in my prayers.
Mrs. Debbie Brandt
08/26/10 10:17 PM | Comment Link