A bullet list update on life
April 5, 2011 |
When you don’t update your blog very often, it’s tough to recap what all has happened over the course of months…if you’re going for the “update on life” kind of post. Here’s a brief attempt to share a few things that have happened since I last posted (in no particular order):
- We traveled and finally got a mini-vacation in…now a while ago.
- We had a team from North Dakota come to the camp. I can still say every North Dakotan I know is way cool.
- Wes the baby vervet monkey returned and is now tormenting us daily and trying to avoid being killed by Andrea. Stereotypes of pet monkeys are true. All 3 of them: 1) They are thieves. 2) They like to steal things. 3) They like to take things that don’t belong to them. What we didn’t know about monkeys before having one: 1) They like to sleep with your chickens at night and force the hens to let them sleep under their wings…literally 2) They like to attack your chickens though chickens don’t like to wrestle and “play.” 3) They are cute, but they have such bad manners you wonder if “serpent” could be translated “baby vervet monkey” in Genesis 3. 4) They look like rats when you give them flea baths.
- God provided more money to continue building our house through some amazing supporters. We now have a basic solar system, a water tower to provide running water, lights, a full cistern, and AMAZING view! We should move in the end of April after the baby comes, though there’s still a lot of work to do and we’re trusting God for the money to finish.
- The Internet got worse, not better.
- Our dog died. Not fun when it’s your fault.
- We adopted the camp dog to live with us, cause he bit someone and he wore the cone of shame after being fixed. Long story.
- We bought 3 cows for camp, one died the moment it stepped off the truck.
- We had neighbors threaten to kill some of our security guards. I was able to deal with one of them and we’re now “somehow” friends.
- Some serious growth and change of worldview has taken place. Jesus has become less distant, and I’ve been seeking, listening, and following the Spirit more closely.
- My perspective on our neighbors is shifting and my love is growing for them, even those who are still disturbing us and would consider us enemies.
- My faith has grown, as well as my trust in The Father.
- Relationships are growing.
- My excitement for community development is growing.
- My fears are diminishing.
- My calling is becoming more clear.
- Loving your “enemy” has a much deeper meaning than it ever did before.
- I feel more distant from American culture, and don’t miss much of it.
- My heart has been breaking for America, just as much as Uganda, but probably not in the way you might think.
- I’ve learned a bit more Luganda.
- Emileigh had a birthday…now 6.
- Micah had a birthday…now 4.
- Andrea had a birthday…now 21…haha
- I’ve watched my children change before my eyes, physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually.
- I’ve often found find my 8 year old reading her Bible…without being asked to…and had it bring me to tears of joy.
- I’ve turned into an “ear eating hippopotamus” who has removed Micah’s ears approximately 321 times.
- I’ve watched Emileigh go out to the latrine in the dark…alone.
- Emileigh has learned to read!
- I have almost daily chosen NOT to “spare the rod”…of discipline! My kids are perfect! =)
- Andrea and I had one candlelight dinner at home to ourselves w/o kids, courtesy of the Sparks!
- I’ve hired 10 new staff.
- I visited the home of Mama Rose, who washes our clothes and met her husband.
- Syd & Andrea Sparks went back to the US for a 9 month furlough.
- The Jacksons are now living and working with us at the camp.
- I’ve made a good friend with one of our neighbors who was fighting us seriously in the beginning.
- I’ve become a solar light salesman.
- We’ve had rain. Lots of rain. Water is good. Lightning that kills 6 year old neighbors is bad.
- I’ve read 6 books: The Hole in Our Gospel, When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor or Yourself, Running Scared, Crazy Love, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring (not the first time for the last 2).
- Books I’m currently reading: The Two Towers, Colossians Remixed, Desiring God.
- We had an earthquake. No harm done other than creating some fear and serious sympathy, heartbreak, compassion, and hope for Japan.
- Failed to decide on a name for the active little girl growing in my wife’s womb that seems to want to come out badly…but not as much as her mother wants her to come out.
- We started building a meeting/dining hall pavilion for camp.
- We started installing a water system to supply water to the main site at camp from our stream.
- I killed a small snake on the back porch.
- I’ve killed 4,356,734 ants…in the house.
- I’ve learned a lot about politics in Africa.
- I’ve been through a Presidential election in Uganda.
- I’ve learned a lot about war and violence in Africa.
- I’ve sat and talked with dozens of people who’ve shared their stories of incredible pain and loss and trauma…but have a smile on their face…a hope for a better life…and an absence of complaining.
- I’ve counted my blessings and the sum is immeasurable.
There is more…so much more…but that will suffice for now. Thanks for reading, thanks for being patient between posts!
Categories: Blog
Troy in Alaska said...
1great to catch up on your activities. And a new baby as well. see you this summer for NHICF.
04/15/11 10:10 PM | Comment Link
Chris Adam said...
2Appreciated your transparancy in your sharing. God bless you and your family.
(I was on the survey team in 2009)
02/11/12 7:40 PM | Comment Link