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!

Faith 1.1

A basic course in Faith…that’s what we feel like we’ve been enrolled in during these four weeks in a foreign country dealing with rather major surgery and all that went with it. In somewhat different ways, we both struggled as we were “forced” to deepen our faith in our loving, caring, wise, all-powerful, sovereign God…our Good Shepherd…whose ways are much too high for us to truly understand. And at the end of our 4-week “course,” we can confidently say with greater conviction that God indeed can be trusted and is faithful.

Upon arrival at the Johannesburg hospital, x-rays confirmed that due to Ruth walking on her broken hip for almost 3 weeks, the blood supply for both the upper part of the hip joint and the “neck” of the hip bone had been badly damaged. Thus the surgeon felt that a total hip replacement was needed—a real shock to us! Surgery was set for Monday, June 16, 2 PM. Generally speaking, all went as expected and the first two nights were spent in Cardiac Intensive Care—not fun, but God saw me/us through. The second day, I was up and using a walker. Once the blood pressure returned to normal, pain became quite minimal and has continued to be so—what a gift!

Insurance did not cover Laura’s costs, but our mission fully supported her joining me and has worked with us to find ways to help with the costs.  We thank God for the generosity of His people. Laura had to trust God is new ways as she searched for Bed and Breakfast/Guest Houses (many had no vacancies), transportation, places to eat, etc. in a strange city (thank God, English is widely spoken). Laura was such a blessing to me in every way and I can never thank God enough for our friendship which has deepened through this 4-week ordeal.

After a 3-week stay in the hospital, I was transferred to a Rehabilitation Center for one week of Physio and Occupational Therapy. Of all things, I was assigned to the Ward named Faith. And when we were saw the number above my bed, 1.1, we both pondered the meaning…Faith 1.1—yes that’s what we’ve been enrolled in these weeks! The bed in the opposite corner was numbered 1.18 meaning there were 18 beds with semi-partitions between every 6 beds. Most of the others were stroke patients or accident victims and it didn’t take me very long to realize that I was the best off of all of them and had no reason to complain about anything! The two therapists assigned to me were excellent. I especially appreciated the Physio guy—when he learned of my longing to get outside, he did my initial evaluation by taking me to the garden. As soon as I was in the sun, I stopped and raised my hands in delight saying that was the best therapy for me possible! He moved me from the walker to one crutch within a few days and sent me home with greater confidence.

The number above my bed.

There’s so much more we could write, but let me close by giving yet another testimony to add to so many before me—God is faithful and can be trusted. His love to us is truly unfailing and unstoppable!

The Vacation You Don’t Want

Who wouldn’t want a period of time devoted to rest…in a country you’ve never been to…with all (or at least almost all) expenses paid?  Well…depends!

Tomorrow morning we pack our bags into our car and Fred, Lord willing, will drive us to Entebbe airport to catch a 7:35 a.m. flight to Johannesburg, South Africa—Ruth even flies Business Class!  Four hours later we will be met at the airport by reps from Sunninghill Hospital and be transported to a room waiting for Ruth.  They will do an assessment including x-rays, etc. and make a decision what to do with her fractured left hip.  As far as we can tell the fracture occurred more than 3 weeks ago but 3 x-rays and an MRI did not pick it up until this past Monday yet another x-ray in a different position revealed it. We thank God for our Mission and all they have done to support us and put us in touch with Insurance and logistics.  We leave our work here in Uganda in God’s Hands.  Esther and Chris will carry on the VOICE ministry.  Thanks for your prayers during this “unwanted vacation.”  We will keep in touch as we are able.

Ruth's "new toys"! The cane was used to aid walking during the almost 3 weeks prior to the x-ray that revealed the fracture. Let's say that she's not very coordinated with either the crutches or wheelchair...but there isn't any choice!

Seizing the Opportunity

Chris, our male VOICE worker, is naturally outgoing and finds it easy to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He and the National Director of Scripture Union Uganda were traveling together to share the Scripture Union ministry including the VOICE program with some church leaders. They were pulled over by a police woman. It soon became obvious that there was no justifiable reason but rather she was hoping for a bribe—perhaps she was hungry. Chris decided to introduce her to the CrossTalk tract and realized that she was showing seemingly genuine interest. Before he finished, she read the “sinner’s prayer” and thanked him for sharing the Good News with her! Could it be that her spiritual hunger was greater than her physical hunger? Praise God for using Chris to seize a potentially awkward situation and use it for the Lord.