the third week of june

“In the quiet of the early morning, the sunlight streams through the overhead vent screens and I slowly become aware of the intrusion.  It is still and peaceful, inviting me to shake off sleepiness and ever so quietly enter the day. The house is silent, no one else is awake. I answer the invitation to start the day as I stealthily creep down the hallway in order to preserve my aloneness. With Bible and devotional book in hand I put the water in the kettle and light the stove in prep of downing that delicious brown liquid (well, solid, as I make it!).  I settle into a chair and soak in thoughts of RESTING in God, praying continually and asking Him to take control of the details of my journey with Him. I turn to Psalm 62 and thank God that He is my rock, salvation, defense, refuge. God has spoken: Power belongs to Him and also mercy--He is the strength of my life, I will not be moved from where He has me.

As I savor the coffee and ask God to fill me with His truth I begin to hear the rising hum of the day . . . the ax striking the wood, the chickens announcing the sunrise, the smoke drifting in from surrounding kitchen fires, bicycles rumbling by on their way to the local bore hole, quiet talk from the family across the path and the bird symphony rising and falling. 

Suddenly, the cats scramble up the banana stalk and onto the iron roof. The kids begin laughing in the back rooms and the day has officially begun. It is Sunday and we have the privilege of meeting with others to worship and pray, listen and respond, laugh and share. It is a blessing to be alive. Thank you God for this day.”

Those were my thoughts from a week ago Sunday. Geoff was still away from us in the U.S. with his family, having gone to help after the death of his brother-in-law. It was a very different Sunday to yesterday. Then, Toby and I were still sick, the strain of being without Geoff was beginning to show and the busy household into the late evening was together a joy and drain on our stamina.  Now, yesterday, we all went to the service TOGETHER (!), there is nothing like the strength of our family moving with all members present!!!!!  After the service, true to his historical precedent, our son Kambo showed up just before Sunday dinner was served. Once again Kambo had to “rought it” with the strange fare set before him. Yesterday was left over enchilada casserole, left over pizza and a pot of rice added in to expand the stomach--he survived the odd combination! It was 2:30, church having dismissed rather late, and a birthday party for Toby was looming large, planned to start at 3 p.m. There was no time to sit and contemplate the morning for the afternoon was filled with balloons, games, laughter, sweets and treats, including the roasting of marshmallows around a small fire. At 5 p.m. the party complete, we sauntered together down to the volleyball court where David Family was competing against Jonathan Family. We spent the last hours of the late afternoon and into the early evening playing volleyball, sitting and talking, laughing and soaking up the beauty of the relationships God has given us here. A few American gentlemen had arrived late last week for a short visit to New Hope and one is a dentist. While sitting and talking on the fringes of the volleyball match he held two impromptu dental sessions, one with Dodovico and one with Kevin. Both have needed to go to a dentist recently, but we haven’t been able to make the trip into town to date. God never ceases to amaze me how He brings people to our remote little village at just the right time! 

Our Father’s Day evening was spent playing Rummikub, a gift from Papa and Grandma Britton. Geoff called his Dad and Beth (our current visitor from the U.S.) called her Dad. We all turned in a bit early and slept well. Praise God for a beautiful day and for the friends with whom we worshiped, ate, played, walked and laughed with!!!!! 

Birthday crew: L to R Acacia, Kevin, Ssekago, J.T., Toby, Micah, Junju, Abraham

After burning the first ones, they carefully crafted golden brown beauties!!!

yum yum. Kevin's safety glasses. "for safety at the fire!' he exclaimed. What a character!

Playing "Left, Right, Center" a new game from Grammie

Basket -- Ball, a Britton birthday tradition and guaranteed for fun AND for bringing Kakande running for a chance to play!!! (Ssekago, Junju, Abraham, Toby, Kakande)

Geoff and Junju walk to the volleyball competition

Kakande gets a chance at "Basket -- Ball"

David Family team

Jennifer really puts her all into play!

Biru, budding photographer takes a shot at Margret and Beth

Volleyball drew a large crowd and they had a great time!

An impromptu dental check on the sidelines

Patient #2 being assessed as the volleyball match continues . . .

And most important . . . a word of encouragement 

Uncle Mulu and Geoff -- glad to be back!!

Each time someone served they said, "Wilkommen!"  and the use of German was puzzling until I realized they were saying, "Ball Coming!" The accent still gets me sometimes!!!!

Uncle Geoff at the net

Uncle Clive and Aunt Hannah help out the David Family team