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

Six years --- all in a moment

How could I have let this opportunity slip by? The opportunity to reflect on six years of living immersed in the ministry to God’s children here at New Hope Uganda? It was the moment that caused the slip . . . that moment when I was on my way to the school banda and the milk man came to give milk AND to get paid, that moment when the house workers arrived and direction for the day’s work was given, that moment when the son who drove the car yesterday returned the keys and gave the receipts, that gas can, and the beans, all that had been on the list, that moment when I was called away from teaching to find the keys to the motorbike and to exchange friendly greetings.  That moment when a friend stopped by to ask a medical question and we talked longer than we both expected to and found more answers in that moment than we thought we’d find in one day. That moment when a daughter rode by on her bicycle and the siting required a holler for her to come see me after school and then lunch at 2:30 (!!) because the day had been full up to that point. The moment when the wind picked up and the temperature dropped and the sky darkened requiring a race to the clothesline for rescue of almost dry clothes, then the promised visit of the daughter after school which enjoyably turned into an hour of talking and laughing, the moment on my way into the kitchen to begin supper prep and I catch a glimpse through my kitchen window of a son walking away from my front door--I hadn’t even known he was there--I called him back and found and answered a need for love and attention and malaria treatment. And in that moment even before he was gone another friend arrived --one who bas been busy, like me, and we haven’t seen much of each other, so we catch up on our doings and demands and the nature of our kids’ illnesses and talk briefly of our husbands’ absences, but ever so briefly because to dwell on the absence seems to magnify the void of presence. Then she makes a request I am not able to fulfill; we embrace at goodbye and I fly into the kitchen in another attempt at making food come alive for a meal. Praise God for eggs and bacon, the go-to meal of the too-busy household.  We sit down to our omelets and I glance at the clock, 7:30 p.m.!!! Where does the time go? Oh, right, a quick review and I know where the time went---in so many moments. Then the kids are off to their toys and games and I settle into some necessary emails. A quick jaunt into Facebook splashes instant messages onto my screen extending the intended glance.  Now, getting teeth brushed, pajamas donned and tired kids into bed.  It’s 9:45 p.m. and Geoff is landing at LAX. I call my mom to let her know I’ll stay up to hear his voice crackling through on a distant connection, no matter the time!  I watch Madea---confession, I LOVE Madea, and I laugh. Then I read and read and read. The phone tucked beside me buzzes. His call comes and he’s made it safely and slept well. Now it’s my turn to sleep. It’s 12:22 a.m. The next day.  The 6th anniversary of our arrival at New Hope Uganda has passed amidst the busyness of life lived well. I reflect on six years of ministry to the people God gives us and I reflect on the moment. Every individual moment--every opportunity to bless and be blessed and I am thankful for the moment--every moment of the past six years and the future ones to come.