Ten Days—Really?

A couple months ago we were informed that Scripture Union Uganda was hosting a 10-day residential (campsite) Scripture Union Orientation for new members of Scripture Union in East Africa. We were urged to make arrangement our two workers, Esther and Chris, to attend. To be honest, our initial response was—TEN Days—Really? That just seemed like a huge interruption, especially when we thought we would be training test teachers to use the Lower Primary Obedience module and would also be in the midst of publishing the Forgiveness module.

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

Enter the totally unexpected hip fracture for Ruth…and all plans suddenly and drastically changed. As God worked it out, those ten days of orientation corresponded with the final ten days of our stay in South Africa; we returned to Uganda on the final day of the orientation.

As Laura, and later Ruth, met with Esther and Chris, the immense blessing, encouragement, challenge, soul-searching, and revival of those ten days under the teaching of the various SU leaders kept spilling out. Our staff met God in a fresh way during that time…as we had in the circumstances God arranged for us thousands of miles away. Eventually it also came out that during the first weeks, despite their best efforts, they faced challenges leaving them somewhat discouraged. All of that just made them enter the orientation with tender and needy hearts—just what God loves!

God certainly knows what He is doing and can be trusted!