All of our children except for three are now in school. These three are still awaiting their test results from December, which is normal here. So all fifth year students all across Uganda are just sitting home waiting. We have our kids in six different schools across Luwero, plus all across Uganda at different universities and trade schools. One doing his aeronautical internship with Eagle Air, another finishing her last report for her Business management Degree, another in her last year of nursing school, another in Lab Tech school, another in Business school, another two heading out on Monday for Electrical Trades school, another in automotive mechanics school and another who just started Lab Tech school. If you sponsor any of these university/trade school students (Ali, Amani, Antoine, Lawrence, Kennedy, Rhina, Alex, Peter) we want you to know that they are excelling ever onward. I am so amazed at what God has done through our supporters. Two years ago we couldn’t even dream of such things happening for all these kids. It was too big for us. But God has a destiny for each of our children and we fully believe that He will complete what He has started in them.
I was enjoying some quiet quality time with two of our older girls who are waiting to start their fifth year of high school (they go for six years here) and they were saying that they are always encouraged because we constantly speak destiny into their lives, always believing in them. They tell me that this means more than anything, to have someone believe in them and fight for them. They also said that they know without a doubt that God has a very good plan for them and this is what spurs them on, knowing He will do it. They laughed because they have been raised this way and they don’t know any other way to believe. They see many students worrying over their future and they know in whom to put their trust. They have seen the goodness of God in the land of the living. No one can tell them any different and that’s why they smile all the time and are so peaceful.
We have been planning all of our building projects that we need to build for our new land with excitement and for me a bit of trembling. It’s a huge undertaking and a bit overwhelming, but God can and will make it all happen. Kathryn Khulman once said, “It is when active faith dares to believe God to the point of action that something has to happen.” We are putting stakes in the ground, marking off house placement and putting our faith into action by believing.
We have even involved all the older kids in the process so that they feel a part of making their home their home and not just a compound. We are a huge loving family who really enjoy each other and everyone has a say. It was their decision to stay in Luwero, not mine, and so we honor their concerns and desires. I want to honor them and listen to their hearts and let them know that they have a voice that matters to us. It is just so wonderful to watch this crazy amazing loving family unfold and grow together. We are filled with hope and expectation concerning our future here.
We visited the South Sudan Embassy yesterday and every time I see the Director of the Immigration department, Paul, I always tell him I just want to hug him because we love him so much. He always smiles so big and we hug and truly share a brotherly love for each other, even saying I love you when we part. We are desperate for all of South Sudan to share this amazing Jesus love with each other. Right now Americans are not very welcome in South Sudan because of the latest arms embargo, even being told by the Embassy that its best to stay off the streets unless necessary. There is no money left in that land and even our embassy guys here are struggling to make ends meet. It hurts our hearts because we all just want peace, we want people to lay down their guns and take up plow shears and hoes. Our children fear their own country and don’t want to go back. They are afraid of what any future will hold. This war is so hard on everyone. I know the soldiers on both sides must be getting so tired of living in the bush and not having enough to eat and sleeping under trees. We pray for both sides to know the peace of the Lord in all things and to give peace a real chance in their very hearts.
My trip to Holland was so wonderful and we really shared our hearts about the heart of Jesus and His passion for all mankind. It was my first time to meet David Wagner and I was so amazed by his testimony because he should have been dead ten times at least, by his own hands, and God kept calling him through so may people, never failing to remind him of his calling and his destiny. I cannot say enough how important it is to remind people how God sees them, even in their mess. I have been in many messes yet here I am saying, “Who am I God that you should be so mindful of me?” He is Father, plain and simple, and a good one, all the time.
In one more week I will be flying to the USA for my annual visit. If you would like to keep up with my schedule just visit our website at https://irisminsudan.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2833&action=edit . And our kids swill be getting their third round of the hepatitis B vaccine, which is mandatory for school children here. They take it all in stride, even Mercy who used to bite people who bore shot needles. She’s come a long way – lol.
As for our Land Cruiser? It is still under “arrest” as we now move mountains of paperwork through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The man we met was very nice and helpful but he did admit that it would take awhile. So we are paying $3 USD every day our car sits on the lot. Please pray for favor that we get the exemption because this means that the Ministry of Gender…. will actually pay the taxes for us deeming that what we are doing for their nation is important enough to pay these very high taxes. Only God can make the happen by moving the hearts of man. I did pray for this man and his ministry and family and he liked it. We pray every step of the way. So we put our faith into action by believing God to the point that something good has to happen, it just has to!