God’s Amazing Provision of a Car

Since I have two major supporting churches in Ontario, and Toronto is a good destination for international travel, we booked our round-trip tickets for our mid-term deputation trip from Entebbe, Toronto, Entebbe, with the thought that we would use/rent/lease a car from there during these three months. When we realized how difficult/impossible it was to insure a New Brunswick licensed driver of an Ontario licensed car, we began to be concerned what we would do. The answer came through the kindness of a missionary colleague who was willing to accept the risk of leasing the car in his name and putting us on his insurance policy. What a huge gift to us from God! We certainly are enjoying our blue/gray Ford Fusion car; I promptly put the key on a Uganda key chain sporting a lion as a reminder of this wonderful "Lion Sighting" that we have experienced. We look forward to using it for the many kilometers ahead of us until we return it  just before flying back to Uganda on the 10^th of November.

Disappointment Followed by an Answer…in the Nick of Time

As we looked ahead toward our mid-term deputation trip, we sensed that it would be difficult for our one-and-only full-time worker, Martha, to carry on the ministry by herself during our absence. The name of a person we knew came up with the news that she was seeking God about changing ministries and was interested in VOICE. She seemed a “perfect fit” and after a few discussions she said she was ready to transfer to VOICE as of August 1, but needed to discuss it with her supervisors. The directors of that ministry are a couple who are based in North America and visit only now and then to check on the ministry. As God would have it, they were due to return for a visit about a week after our discussions with her. So, we decided not to announce her joining our staff until that discussion had taken place. As it turned out, her supervisors felt it was not good timing for her to leave at that point and convinced her to stay at last for several more months if not indefinitely.

Obviously we were disappointed and faced the real possibility that we may have no choice but to leave Martha alone, especially since our departure was so near. However…about a week later, we heard of another Christian children’s worker who was completing her contract as of the end of August and may be available to work with VOICE. We also know her and have heard others comment on her gifts especially in the area of training. She also test taught a couple of the modules and had expressed her opinion that such a program and curriculum are greatly needed in the schools. Although the timing wasn’t “perfect” in that we were leaving the middle of August, we decided to explore the possibility with her. Three meetings later, mixed in with prayer, Patrah agreed to join VOICE full-time as of Sept. 1 as a Training Assistant, and has committed herself at least until the end of this year! Her current position allows some flexibility so she will be involved in one or two trainings that are planned for the latter part of August. She wants to pursue further studies which she feels she can do while working.

Praise God for this answer to prayer and we know we can rest assured that God’s timing is always the best!

Hey Africa, Asia, and North America

“May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy….”
Psalm 67:3, 4

A couple of weeks ago we realized we must confirm plans for one more visit with the Chinese young man God had brought into our lives…first when we visited his country and then when he came to Uganda to work. His place of work is almost 2 hours from where we live so times for face to face connecting have not been too frequent. We learned he was returning home while we are away for our mid-term deputation trip. Sunday, the 26 of July was set. He’s such a “people person” that he asked if he could bring 3 Ugandan friends with him, and we also invited an Indian friend, Jasper, from church who also knows him. So, Ruth and I worked on an after-church menu we felt we could manage and then prepared most of the food and set the table before leaving for Bible Study (Sunday School) and church. Our Chinese friend and two of his friends joined us for church to hear a great missions sermon. Six of us arrived home in two cars at around 2:00 PM (our normal time) and our 7^th guest arrived fairly soon after. As we chatted during our lunch of chili, rice, chicken and green salad, we realized that we had 5 nations represented around the table. How amazing to hear/see how our God has drawn us to the Cross and connected us as brothers and sisters through His Son.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t linger too long following lunch, but our enthusiastic and technically connected Chinese friend wanted us to see a video clip he had just received from his colleague on God the Father’s tender love for those He created and how He desires all to become His children. Can you picture all 7 of us huddled watching/listening to a little mobile phone screen? Tears came to some of our eyes as we heard once again of God’s amazing and tender love. Then our Chinese friend’s driver, Ben, volunteered to lead us in prayer which particularly focused on Ruth and me—how humbling! The inevitable “farewells” came with warm handshakes and hugs…and a few more pictures. How great is our God to connect us once again and give us that assurance that we will yet see each other if not here on earth, then around Christ’s throne, giving praise and honor to our Heavenly Father Who loves all the nations!