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Why on earth would two singles in their 60's walk away from 28 years of exciting ministry in the Philippines and head toward Uganda for their last term as cross cultural missionaries? Good question! The short answer is "God." If God had not intervened, we'd be heading back to the Philippines...gladly, and with keen anticipation of jumping back into a ministry that we love.
The longer answer to that question begins in mid-September, 2009, when God stirred our hearts on the very same morning while we were each spending time with Him in our separate rooms. For Laura it was a question "are you available to minister to a broken people (coming from Isaiah 58); for Ruth it was a sense of something new, refreshing, exciting that God was about to give if she was willing to trust Him (coming from Luke 4). That evening we were both amazed as we shared what we "heard" God say that morning, and then absolutely stunned when an email arrived from Uganda asking us if we would consider going there to begin a teaching-Biblical-values-in-the-school ministry, similar to our Philippine involvement. How our hearts raced as we began to realize the implications of what was happening.
The very next day, we shared our experience with three near-by trusted missionary friends, including the director of our school ministry, and each committed themselves to pray for us. Many internet "Uganda" searches and emails followed plus fervent prayer for God to clearly lead us.
A month or so later two staff members from our Canadian mission office came to the Philippines and we hesitantly shared with them this story...only to be "blown away" by their encouragement and support. With that "wind in our sails," we then wrote to our sending churches and a couple of major supporting churches and once again were strengthened by their response.
Soon after, we revealed to our families and prayer and financial supporters God's unexpected direction for us and our ministry. A 2010 initial Uganda visit, our 2-month mid-term deputation visit that same year, attendance at LittWorld 2012 in Nairobi, a second Uganda visit, this year of home service, full monthly financial support, a furnished house waiting for us in Kampala, a grant from a foundation (total surprise), and more have all served to confirm God's leading.
And so, Lord-willing, on July 1, 2013, we will leave for Uganda, rather than the Philippines ...confident that God goes with us, as do the prayers of our support team. Humanly speaking, it doesn't make too much sense...but God!
Through this blog we look forward to keeping in touch with our North American "teammates," and together watch what God will do.
