This and That

A walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Notice the zebras in the back ground. It was amazing to walk so near the animals!

Acacia and Toby relaxing with Grandma at the Mihingo Lodge after hunting animals.

Geoff and I at the Mihingo Lodge. It is built on the top of a high rocky hill and is gorgeous.

Kevin, Acacia and Sarah goofing around at the Mihingo Lodge.

Reading stories with Papa at home

Papa and Grandma enjoying being with the grandkids.

Decorating the Christmas tree and giving out special ornaments to Sarah and the grandparents!

The grandparents and niece arrived late Saturday the 5th and we got to the hotel in Entebbe about midnight. Early the next morning we set off for New Hope as Geoff was significantly involved in the morning church assembly that day. We had a special family service in which we "launched" many of our former children and those who are just now preparing to adventure into the areas for which they been trained. We gave them certificates, commissioned them, prayed for them and emphasized that they were still a part of the family, but "out there" as lights in the world--representatives of New Hope and of all they've been taught of the Gospel. After focusing on the young people we turned our attention to a wedding ceremony of the father of one of Geoff's recent graduates of the vocational tailoring program. He has a unique story and has found someone in a similar situation with whom he desires to share his life in marriage. It was a beautiful service and the congregation rejoiced with them as they start their new life together.

Many of the New Hope kids left Saturday the 12th for their Christmas holidays. We returned yesterday evening to a very quiet New Hope as we had spent the past 4 1/2 days touring southwestern Uganda with Papa, Grandma and Sarah. It was a fantastic safari and adventure, but we are happy to be home!!!

Hassan has been sick and needed to go to Kiwoko hospital last night as he has malaria. Last week he received a new Gastric tube to aid him in eating. He had a rough time the first few nights and now the malaria has him down. He will recover fine as he is receiving good care and appropriate treatment at the hospital, so my request for prayer is not just for him, but also for Kate who cares for him. She is quite tired and weary due to all that has gone on with him these past two weeks. Fortunately, we have older and responsible girls in David Family who can also stay at the hospital with him so that Kate can get some sleep! And after we returned home last night (and before he went to the hospital) I was able to assess him for her and give some suggestions which she welcomed. Unfortunately, I couldn't do more as shortly after that both Geoff and Acacia threw up and I became pretty busy with all that. I think it was something we ate that seemed to affect them more than the rest of us because it was just one time for both and then they both felt better.

We will be home for a few days here and then off to Jinja for the weekend to show the family another part of Uganda. We will take Nabukeera, the girl we have sponsored for the past few years, with us and she and Sarah will be roommates. Should be a fun time for all of us. Pray for all of us to be healthy!!!!!

And lastly, but most exciting to report, this is a picture of a hyena!!! We were out hunting for animals in the middle of the day (from our van--not on foot!!!) and saw a number of hyenas preying on cows. This was very unusual as hyenas are nocturnal and don't usually hunt, but scavenge off of the kill done by other animals.