Leaving Karamoja-

Last night was our last night with our new friends... so bitter sweet to leave. Touched beyond words by tender hugs and pleading eyes... especially Joyce who said, "Please don't forget me." She lives in Karamoli, Dr. Val's village. She is a widow and life is hard but she is filled with Christ's love. Another man, in English I didn't understand without hand motions, wanted me to have a picture of him and me taken... I will have the picture... he will never see it, but he wants us to remember him. He wrote us a note with his name, his wife's and each of his 6 children... and kind words of thanks for us coming. About 70 people attended atleast a few days... so there are so many stories and we took many pictures. I will try again to post them. It was actually really hard to leave. We felt like we were just beginning to make meaningful connections with them. I really can't imagine never seeing them again...

We left on MAF this morning. We were told it was a 9:40am flight. At 9:45 and no plane, Dr. Moses called and was told it was changed to 11:45am. Things do not run as in America. lol We enjoyed a peaceful time at the airport with the 1 other passenger. no baggage check...no security...no ticket... boarding pass. haha The pilot checked us in as we boarded and put our own bags in the plane's luggage compartment. We are now back in Kampala, Uganda and we leave tomorrow at 8am for Yei, Sudan. Fortunately the rain Jonathan kept predicting didn't hit while we were in that small plane!!! It did come, accompanied by thunder and lightening and was a torrential downpour!

And speaking of Jonathan... I know you all know he is fantastic... but you should see him here! He connects with the people, remembers so many of them from prior visits, chats with locals and teaches with analogies and passion that these people are riveted by. God is using him in mighty ways here and Mark and I are learning so much from him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot imagine doing this trip without him here. The culture shock is immense and he brings us right through it and makes it all feel just right.

Well, dinner calls soon and I am in desperate need of a shower... I look like I've been backpacking for a week.

Please pray that God blesses the seeds that were planted in the pastor's hearts last week and grow into mighty change in the people's lives and their community. Also, Monday we begin 5 days of teaching in Sudan. We ask your prayers that we communicate all that God wants us to and that the students come prepared and the message is well received.

Love to all from each of us...
Debbie, Mark and Jonathan