15 July, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
When I allow so much time to expire between letters then I am at a loss as to where to begin. Once again we have had the privilege to have several visitors in the last month who have been a blessing to us
On June 9th we took Ron & Danielle Reese to Kampala and asked another missionary to take them to the airport while Keith and I escaped to a nice motel for an early anniversary celebration. The room was luxurious with very cold air conditioning, comfortable bed, a bathroom as large as our kid’s room with double sink and superb shower and a large buffet breakfast. (Ok, you can tell it has been a long time since I have been Stateside. J ) Then Wednesday, the 10th, we picked up another surveying couple from the missionary’s house that came in on the flight the Reeses left on. Michael & Christine Campbell arrived with no luggage, and it didn’t catch up with them until two days before they left our house to stay with Andrew & Jacky. They have recently graduated from Bible College and are seeking God’s direction of where to serve in missions.
July 2nd found us back in Kampala picking up Paul & Judith Wagoner from the airport. Brother Paul is a principal of a Christian school in Montana and enjoyed his visit so much last year that he wanted to bring his wife. They brought many supplies for the school and have been helping out with the school/orphanage every day. They will be going back to the States on Monday.
Keith has been diligently working on translating the book of Romans into Luganda with Missionary Marlin Petersen. They worked together on the book of John, so doing a second book is easier. He is enjoying teaching college and enlightening their eyes to the practicality of the Bible. It was a revelation to them to learn the meanings of the names in class last night, and last week they enjoyed watching some dvds about creation and archaeological findings that support the Biblical account. Keith made class extra fun by providing soda and popcorn, too. Two weeks ago when he returned home from soulwinning, he pulled a totally shredded tire out of the back of the van. It had blown while he was in the village. Keith replaces all of the tires on our van each year, but this year we have had a couple of blow outs. That is how bad the roads are getting.
Shane was so happy that yesterday I was able to find 2 pairs of jeans for him in the market. One of them was two inches longer than what he wears, but I bought them anyway knowing that soon they will be the perfect fit – at least in length. It is impossible to find the waist as skinny as his is and still get the length. He has been very faithful in giving out the John booklets every day as part of our soulwinning campaign and enjoys taking Stanley with him.
Stanley has a tree branch hanging above his desk. He found it had a cocoon on it, so he broke the branch off and brought it inside to watch it develop. Science and history are definitely his subjects of forte. Recently we got two history books called The Story of the World Volumes 1 & 4, and he has devoured them and come to me repeatedly with all of the new things he has learned. Next year I am taking him off of computer study and am going to hand him several books for learning. He is self-motivated in learning if it is found in a book.
Shae-Lynn is anxious for Savannah to grow up and be able to play with her on her level. Right now she enjoys teaching little sister new words. She is our extra-lovable child needing and giving hugs throughout the day. She was pleased that tonight when she told Savannah “I love you” that Savannah replied back with “Luv u.”
Shiloh got baptized last month and also used his own money to purchase a Bible. He loves to find a verse in the Bible that he can read and then show me his skills. It is exciting to see his zeal to read the Bible. Both him and Skyler have really enjoyed painting window sun catchers that someone sent. They are ready to display them in all of the windows.
Skyler has declared his favorite foods to be chocolate, chai (our African tea that I have been getting every visitor hooked on), and leftovers. He is a live wire that needs a daily dose of fun with daddy. We had the Wagoners bring a baseball glove in his size that we will give to him on his birthday. He will probably have us playing catch non-stop. He found an old Christmas card with a picture of a snowman on the front, and he has been begging us every day, “When can we go to this place?”
Savannah is a bundle of fun that is striving to show her independence and stubbornness. She has taken to playing with dolls more and loves to be in the middle of whatever her siblings are trying to work on. She loves to wear Shae-Lynn’s and Rebekah’s shoes, especially if they make a loud noise.
The Lord has blessed in ladies’ soulwinning and has given my partner and I people ready to accept Christ every week. Last Thursday we talked with a very old lady who told us, “About six months ago my family brought some pastors here to pray with me, but I was not ready to be saved. Today — I am ready.” Her hand was crippled, and she didn’t get up from the mat on the floor the whole time we talked, but praise the Lord, she trusted Christ and will receive a new body when she enters heaven.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Whoops – I still didn’t get this sent, so that means I get to include some good news. Yesterday morning JJ & Harriet were blessed with a third daughter. JJ manages our orphanage, and Harriet is the secretary and bookkeeper for all the church property workers. They are a sweet couple who have allowed God to use them in a great way. When I took Harriet and Baby Lorna home, I tried to convince the orphans that Lorna was my baby because she was the same color as I. The amazement on their faces was comical as I put my hand next to hers and showed them the resemblance and then placed her big sister’s hand next to her and showed the major difference.
We are in the dry season and is it ever dry!! We have had just two 5 minute showers in the past 3 weeks. With the dust so thick in the air, several of us are suffering from sore throats and runny noses. But although it is dry, the wind has been very strong. When I go outside to remove the clothes from the line, I see broken clothespins and clothes on the ground from the wind snapping them around.
I am going with Keith in the morning to take Wagoners back to Kampala, so I must hurry along. We had a full service this morning – 61 in my children’s church and 60 in the adult service. Praise the Lord for all of the people. Thank you so much for praying for us – please continue to do so.
Have a great week serving our Lord!
Keith & Sally Stensaas