on the Road with the Rambos

A Morning of Grocery Shopping

2012-02-01T13:41:00.000+03:00

I wanted to try to capture what it is like to go shopping for food here in Arua. Pictures can never fully explain an experience, so feel free to come and visit any time!

First, there is the food market. This is where we go to get fresh food. To get there you must first park somewhere and walk down Market Rd.

This is Market Rd.

All along Market Rd. there are little shops (called dukas) and small stands. In these shops you can find all kinds of things. I have not yet fully investigated them. The stands tend to sell basic needs such as salt and different soaps. Some sell fun things like sunglasses, locks, candy or cheap watches.

The other option is there are always people walking up and down the road trying to sell the same things. I don’t normally buy things along the road but there are some exceptions. I get eggs from a little shop right near the market.

Two boys selling salt and soap. The blue sticks are long sticks of soap that they break into smaller pieces to use.

Once inside the market there are lots of places to go. For the most part the market is grouped by type of food you are buying.

Lots of sugar, rice and tea leaves

This is where we buy sugar. You can buy it on the street but I am trying to build relationships and so I try and buy from the same people as much as possible. Also, at this stand both the sellers speak Swahili. I practice with them every time I go in. It has helped a lot to have regular interaction in it. Sadly, when I brought the camera the other woman who I practice with the most was not there.

Next I go to see my friend, Mama Lucy. Her and her daughter Lucy have this stand. I don’t buy much from them but we greet each other and talk every time I come to the market. I do not think they know Jesus but I pray that I can be a light to them. We are building our relationship slowly but I am excited to see what God wants to do through it.

Mama Lucy

From here I go to “Mundu Row” which is how they say “Visitor (white person) Row.” They sell things here that are not common for the Lugbara people to buy. They sell them for people like me, which I am quite grateful for. Here I can find, when it is in season, carrots, peas, green beans, lettuce, green peppers, watermelon, zucchini, cilantro, and cucumbers. All these things are not there all the time, but it is nice to be able to find them when I can.

Mundu (Visitors) Row

We get some onions and potatoes by the basin full and we are halfway done. We go down this row to get oranges or tangerines.

Basins of onions and potatoes

Next, I get tomatoes from this stand. There are a group of women who work it together. They let me practice Lugbara with them. They always make me count in Lugbara which is good practice then we talk price in Lugbara as well.

One of my favorite stands for cultural purposes was not open this day. It is where we buy ground nuts, similar to peanuts. They also sell a variety of bugs. We can get some for you to try when you come visit :)

Our last stop for the day is beans. There are many ladies in the market who sell beans. It is the major source of protein for people here. These ladies do not normally speak much English and not much Swahili either. I often buy from whoever speaks English well enough. The bags of beans you see, when full, are 100 Kilo bags which is about 220 pounds. I would not like to carry those!

From here we go to the supermarket. My favorite of the five in town is West Nile Supermarket. Each supermarket has the same basics but then they each carry slightly different things. I also go to Arua Supermarket regularly to get things they carry that West Nile does not.

Here is one of the four aisles of the store. I get basics here, peanut butter, milk, pasta, butter, flour, cleaning products, cheese when available, snacky foods, oil, powdered milk, baking supplies, and cooking things. There is a “toy aisle” but the toys are cheap in price and quality. Tim still loves going to look at the toy aisle whenever we go.

Tim loving the "toy aisle"

Cookie options, but not nearly as good as double stuffed oreos

Cooking Supplies, sometimes there is a better selection

Checking out

The pictures give you and idea of what things are available. We have much more available to us than there used to be in Arua. We are so thankful.

So this is grocery shopping in Arua. What questions did this leave for you? What else would you like to know?! Tell me so I can help you understand life this side of the world.

LINK: Entering Congo?!

2012-01-25T09:50:00.000+03:00

I wanted to point you all to this blog post on our field's prayer blog for a couple of reasons. 1) It directly involves us, and so we want it to involve you. 2) To introduce you to our field's prayer blog; there are other great ministries happening here in Uganda that need your prayers as well.

Entering Congo?!

Please keep Scott in prayer this weekend as he heads to DRCongo. Pray for the right relationships. Pray for clarity to be added to the vision. Pray for understanding. Pray that we will be like Jesus and demonstrate God in daily life. Pray also for Meg as she remains with the boys, very much a part of this ministry right now.

An "Average" Day

2012-01-20T13:47:00.000+03:00

We asked some friends what they would like to know more about from our lives in Arua. One friend asked what a normal day looks like. I will try my best, and will expand more in later posts, but here is outline of the typical day for us. Also, if you have any great ideas for blog posts or anything questions you have let me know!

Our family gets up, some days earlier than others. We do breakfast somewhat together. After breakfast Meg and the boys "do chores" while Scott gets ready for the day. Doing chores means cleaning up the table from breakfast, putting any toys away that came out in the morning, folding and putting away laundry. Then Meg and the boys get dressed and the boys get kicked outside to play until "school time."

When Scott does not have other meetings scheduled he goes out to his office for the morning. We have what is called a "boys quarters" in the back of our house. There are two rooms and a bathroom. We are using it as Scott's office. It gives him a chance to get away and get some work done without Meg or the boys bugging him.
Benjamin often takes a morning nap while Meg does school with Timothy. We are working on a unit with the Coppedge girls on the Armor of God right now but then we will be working through the book Before Five in a Row. We like our school time a lot. Two days a week we do with the Coppedges and two days we do school on our own.
We do lunch then naps. Recently, Meg has been napping with the boys a couple times a week but when she is not napping she is catching up on house work, emails or doing errands in town. Scott returns to his office to continue the work of the day.

Around 5:00 Scott usually finds his way back into the house, or Meg sends the boys to check on him. The boys get "dada time" outside while Meg gets dinner on the table. We eat as a family and are currently doing the Joy Dare as a family at dinner.
After dinner is bath time, most days... then the two little boys run around naked for a few minutes. Quite a joy of the day. We get pajamas on and read a bible story together. Ben goes to bed, we read more to Tim and then he goes to bed.
At this point Scott and Meg clean up the kitchen, and relax together. For Christmas we got a season of Psych, so we have been watching an episode in the evenings.
That is our "normal" day. We have team meetings on Mondays, prayer meetings on Fridays, Meg has bible study on Wednesdays, Scott meets with some Sudanese pastors on Thursdays and Sundays are a thing all of their own :) I will try to do a special blog about what a Sunday means for us sometime as well as other special things we do.

Oh, and meet the newest member of our farm. This kitten is Jackson.

2011 in Pictures

2012-01-11T14:37:00.000+03:00

2011: The Year of Transitions

Started in New Jersey

Went to Mississippi

Tim with his friend "D"

the boys "helping" Mama cook

Pastor John Hugh baptizing Benjamin

Up to Marion, IN for training

Hallahans, Duncans (Regional Directors for Africa) and us

Mission Training International Palmer Springs, CO
- for language learning and cross cultural training

Back to the Northeast to say goodbye to friends and family

At the Philadelphia airport with 35 pieces of checked lugage!

In Uganda, our first days!

Scott at a pastor training

Moved "home" to Arua, and doing life

Scott preaching at Panyimur

Billy helping to pull fish in

Learned a little of the local language, this was my tutor, Annet

Trip to Lui, Sudan for the "Enthronement" of the new Bishop, Stephen Dokollo

Scott and Billy with the new bishop and his family

We hosted a team of women from Asbury University, we got to go on safari with them!

This is Mer, she stayed another 4 weeks with us

Went to Tanzania for Language school to learn Swahili

On the weekend we went to a game park in Tanzania

Ben looking at a leopard in the tree

We got to see lions for the first time

Great time as a family

And back to Arua

Went to an African wedding, see this post

Visiting our watchman's family at his home

Visiting Regina and her family at her home

Getting mail from friends and family

Going to an orphanage and playing with the kids

Learning to sew on a treadle machine

Learning to use a charcoal iron

Making a chicken coop, see this post for the full story

Reading books with grandparents over Skype

Hosted a Community Health Empowerment conference

Had visitors

Doing school work with cousins

Taking a walk down our street

Tracy visited with the Burkhalters to give hand made dresses to girls in Africa

Ben turned 1!

To Kampala in November

The Installation of the first bishop for the Africa Gospel Church Uganda

Source of the Nile; we had a few days get away, just us for the first time since Ben was born

Making "muscles" with Caleb

Christmas in Arua

Playing in the water, outside, in December

Making Gingerbread house cookies

Toys, toys everywhere. And having fun doing it

Dirty boys are happy boys, a family motto

Somethings that were missing due to lack of pictures...
*Scott's training in Kenya on using Megavoice recorders to get stories from the bible in the national languages
*Scott meeting regularly to disciple three Sudanese pastors
*Building relationships around town
*Scott took a trip to Gulu and Lira to look at starting a new pastor training site
*Visiting most of the Nebbi churches to encourage them

We are looking forward to all that God will do in 2012

Chicken!

2011-12-31T15:48:00.000+03:00

So, our story begins with a small church in Nebbi District. We were visiting the congregation of Akaba Africa Gospel Church to encourage them and Scott was the guest speaker. As a thank you gift, they gave us a rooster. And so begins our chicken adventures.

We kept the rooster, and named him Rocky. We decided to embrace this idea. Scott built a chicken coop. Tim and Ben enjoyed helping in the process. And start to finish, it was a process. Going to the market to buy nails, buying wood in one place and having it carried across town to be cut to size, and finally trying to explain a hook and eye latch to people who do not have such a thing. It worked out and he found everything he needed and built a chicken house.

Next we had our watchman get us two hens. We named them 'Chicken Big' and 'Chicken Little.' We waited and waited for them to begin laying eggs. We expected Chicken Big to be the first to lay, but it was Chicken Little, who laid first.
Meanwhile, we received another rooster as a gift. This one was from the church of Okollo but it was sick. We did not want it to get our other chickens sick so we ate it the next day. Our watchmen and house worker were quite helpful in the process of getting it ready to cook.

After some time, Chicken Little began to lay eggs. We heard a loud comotion in the window. When we went to check, both hens and the rooster were trying to sit on the windowsill. About half an hour later we found an egg on the ground next to the window that had decided to play Humpty-Dumpty. Similar thing happened the next day but we got the egg before it jumped. We then taught the hen to lay in the house.

She was laying eggs well, and we let her sit on them while we went to Kampala for Thanksgiving. Not long after we got back we had three chicks. Tim and Ben loved chasing the chicks around. Wilmore, our dog, did not seem to care about the chicks until one day when her previous watchmen came by. She caught and killed one as a trophy for them. We, especially Tim, were crushed. That day we went from three chicks to one. We decided to build a new chicken house that could keep the chicks inside. We also decided to keep the rooster. By this time we had another rooster who we named Rambo. The plan was to give Rocky and Rambo away as Christmas gifts, but now we needed to keep Rocky to get more chicks, so plans changed.

We had the Hallahan's up from Kampala for Christmas. We had our other rooster for dinner one evening while they were here. So now, we have one rooster, two hens and a chick. The hens have been renamed; Chicken Little is now bigger than Chicken Big so it did not seem to fit. We now have Rachel and Leah. Rachel is more beautiful, but Leah is the one who is laying eggs. I thought it seemed to fit. Tim has named the chick Jacob after reading the bible story of Rachel and Leah. I tried to explain that Jacob was the dad but... we now have a chick, whose gender is not yet known, named Jacob.

I am sure there will be more adventures to come with animals around our house. Next addition comes in a few weeks, a kitten!

I Just had to Share this Story

2011-11-03T23:00:00.000+03:00

Something I've found, even in our short time here, is that even though a given group of people might have the Bible in their language, but they still cannot read it. It could be that they cannot read at all, it could be that their language is difficult to read and write, it could even be that they just aren't wired (like many Americans) to read a page of text and understand or remember the information. Over the past few weeks I (Scott) have been talking with our team leader, Billy, about the possibility of using solar-powered media players as a tool in this ministry. The thinking behind it is that they would be loaded with stories from the Bible in the heart language of a people and would be able to be used by a storyteller or pastor to 1) learn new stories, but also 2) maintain the integrity of Scripture.

Anyway, we were looking for opportunities for me to be trained in the process of translating Bible stories orally (in a language you don't speak) and recording and formatting them for use on these devices. The Simply the Story (the storytelling method we use) coordinator for Africa lives in Nairobi and Billy had been talking this over with him and they thought it would be a good idea for us to send someone there to check things out. Well I had a gap in our schedule when we would be in Kampala in between meetings and I thought there might be some dead time. So I suggested trying to make it work. It sounded like a great plan, until I didn't hear anything back. This week I resigned myself to the fact that it probably wasn't going to happen since that gap in our schedule begins 10 days from today.

Then last night I get an email from Billy saying that he had spoken with STS coordinator and things might still work out. I called him this morning, he said, "Come on," and I bought plane tickets this afternoon to spend 4 days in Nairobi being trained in this method.

All this might sound amazing enough in and of itself, but it gets better.

A couple weeks ago I got an email from a contact back in NJ asking if we had any immediate financial needs, then we had some internet issues and some illness going around the house and I hadn't ever emailed him back. So this morning I remembered that and so I sent him an email telling him about the trip and the training and that I was estimating it would cost between $400-500 for plane tickets and to cover expenses while I'm there. Here is the email I received back, after the tickets were already purchased:

"A year ago a young person's auto ran into my car. The driver lied and told the state trooper that I had hit her. He wrote up the report that it had totally been my fault, when it wasn't. It was an uphill battle getting my $500 deductible back because of the police report.
I prayed that if I got back my deductible (under these seemingly impossible circumstances) the money would be given back to God.
Six months ago my insurance co. said they weren't able to get back the deductible but would still try.
A couple weeks ago as I walked through my living room I remembered that it had been almost a year since the accident. I then prayed, "God, it's been a year but nothing is impossible through you, and the money is yours " The next night I received an email from [the insurance agency], 'We have gotten 100% of your deductible back and will send a check for $500.'
Scott, I was hoping you needed $500! God is amazing!"

I was floored as I read that email. I remembered him telling us, over a year ago, about that accident just after it happened. I had prayed that God would bring justice for our friend. But honestly, I hadn't given it another thought since then. I don't think either of us ever expected things to work out this way, but isn't that how God so often works? There is no other option but to point to God and say, "He did this." I think part of an email back from him later in the day sums things up:

"God laid on my heart that your ministry should be the one to benefit, and you confirmed that when you said you could use $400 to $500. That blows my mind!"

Blows the mind, indeed.

"God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply." Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission

Link: What Bible Storytelling Isn't

2011-09-23T18:33:00.000+03:00

When people hear that a major part of our ministry here is Bible storying, they often have a lot of questions and sometimes even objections. Here is a good article I came across today. Hopefully, it will help people understand this vital part of our ministry better.

You can read the article by clicking here.

A Beautiful Wedding

2011-09-14T22:24:00.000+03:00

We were blessed to be able to attend the wedding of one of our watchmen, Fedreck. We wanted to share some of it with you. There were some beautiful parts and some funny parts, all around God used this time to bless us and for us to bless our employees. We brought the other three full time watchmen with us and the Coppedges house help to the wedding. Our car was quite full plus we had to bring our present (see below!)

When we got there we were greeted warmly by Fedreck and the Priest. After a little while, the bride showed up. There was much singing, dancing, yelling and celebrating at her arrival. The wedding started with the African version of flower girls which was really young girls who danced out. It was fun and festive. After the girls came the women of the church. They came in wearing simple yellow or white cotton dresses. Each had a piece of fabric called a kitenge around their waist. As they came in they laid their ketenge down to make a "runner" for the bridal party. It was such a show of service, it was one of the highlights for me (Meg).
Next the bridal party came in and they were so formal, more dressed up in western ways than I expected. As they came up the "aisle" the dancers and singers continued.

The service seemed a lot like what we are used to. There was a time of the Priest speaking, there was a time where he asked the couple questions and the couple responded with various forms of "I do." Most of the service was in the local language of Lugbara so we did not understand much. I was quite thankful that we had brought Mathew, Simon, Joel and Jane along, they were quite helpful in translating at times. Benjamin wasted no time making friends. He did not like sitting still so he would crawl around until he found someone to play with.

After the ceremony the bridal party and "honored guests" were invited into the church building for a light meal to hold us over until the reception. Yes, we were the honored guests. I was so humbled to be included in such a special time with the bridal party. The reception was amazing. A couple of highlights, part way through the wedding party left for pictures, when they came back the groom hid in the crowd and the bride had to walk around trying to find him. It was a fun game. The other highlight was the way they give gifts. It is a big party and celebration.

People get into groups based on how they know the couple, the groom's family, the bride's family, the groom's friends, the bride's friends, the groom's company (that was us) and so on. Again, much of this was in Lugbara so we did our best to understand. Each group took it's turn going out of the reception area, getting organized and then forming a conga line to bring their gifts to place before the couple. It was a lot of fun seeing the different gifts coming it. In the picture above you can see a mattress all rolled up and a large metal cooking pot. To the right is the presentation of a goat. Some people brought money and they put it in the bucket when the got to the front of the line.

We also brought a gift. We gave him a goat, yes a goat! I feel so African. :) Our watchmen decorated it, isn't it pretty?! It was a lot of fun to present our gift to the couple. It is not done in a flashy, look at me, kind of way. The gift giving is a celebration and a joyous time.

After gifts came the eating. It was a feast! And it tasted so good. There was meat, rice, vegetables and cassava bread.

You must know that cassava bread is a staple here. Everyone eats it. It is the cheapest food and it is filling. For lack of a better way of explaining it it is like mash potatoes but the consistency of play-dough. They take it and mold it and use it to scoop broth, rice or meat. When you come to visit us we will provide an opportunity for you to try it. The picture is the amazingly huge pot of it. There were a lot of people, and there was a lot of cassava bread.

We ended up leaving before the very end of the reception because the boys (and us) were getting tired. We were told the only part left was the cutting and giving of cakes. They have the cake that is cut and eaten at the reception but they also have a few small cakes that the wedding couple gives as gifts to thank people who contributed to the wedding. Another fun tradition.

When we were leaving we ran into a traffic jam, African style. This big truck ran out of gas. So, he was stuck in the middle of the road and therefore the road was blocked. We got to this point, asked some questions, turned around and found another route home. Always an adventure!

Asbury Team and More

2011-07-30T20:29:00.000+03:00

We were so blessed to have a team of five girls from Asbury University come be with us for two weeks. They were a great group who were a blessing to us as well as to the orphans they served. Check out Meredith's blog or Jeri's blog for more stories. We also had the blessing of a VIA from Kampala, Jon Ewing, join us while the team was here. It was amazing to see how God worked in those two weeks.
Meredith has stayed on with us for an extra four weeks. Her ministry has been a continuation and follow up of some of the work the team did. She has been a blessing to many children who do not get much love and attention. Not only has she loved on Ugandan orphans, she has been so kind to Tim and Ben. Both Scott and I got a stomach bug and Meredith has been so great with the boys. She babysat for us one morning and when we returned she said that the hardest part was that both Tim and Ben wanted her to themselves. We are thankful.
We had to say goodbye to Billy and Joanna Coppedge for six months. They have returned to the states to give birth to two baby girls. As you think of them, pray that the twins would not come early and they would be healthy and ready to travel to Uganda in January. We are doing fine without them, but we sure do miss them. Tim misses his friends Elsie Jayne and Lucy.
Scott is still working with the Sudanese pastors in Arua and is continuing to build relationships with the Africa Gospel Church pastors in Nebbi. I (Meg) am trying to get to know my neighbors and am praying that God will connect me with those I need to build relationships with.
The boys are getting bigger. Ben has taken some steps and is oh so close to walking. Tim talks like a grown up and gets frustrated at the phrase, "you are not big enough yet."
What next? On August 11th we leave Arua for Kampala. We will bring Meredith down to catch her flight to the US and the Rambos will fly to Arusha, Tanzania for Swahili language school. We will be there for three weeks. I will be in the beginner class and Scott will be in the intermediate class. The boys will be in class too. Mostly being watched, but they will pick up as much Swahili as we do!

Ministry, Fun and Getting Settled

2011-06-20T19:19:00.000+03:00

We are settled and into our Arua house. We love it! I am hoping to find time to blog and include pictures of our house soon. For now I just wanted to you know what we have been doing for our first month in Uganda.

Where We've Been
We reached Arua from Kampala on May 27. It was great to see our house and to meet some people. On June 6 we drove back down to Kampala so Scott could be a part of the "Pastoral Training Of Trainers" (PTOT) and meet some of the leadership for Africa Gospel Church Uganda. It was nice to get to see the Hallahans again and to buy somethings we can't get in Arua. We then went on June 9 to Field Retreat with all the WGM missionaries in Uganda. It was a good time to build relationships and get to know each other. Each of the sessions were great and encouraging.
June 12 we drove back up to Arua and are trying to find our new "normal."

Ministry
Some have asked, "so when will you start working?" That is a fair question but know that we have been in the middle of it already. We attended a church of one of the church leaders our first Sunday in Uganda. We were able to build some relationships and also encourage this congregation. Our first Sunday in Arua we did the same. We attended Cosmos' church in Nebbi Town and went to his home for lunch. It was amazing to be welcomed into his house. It was in the village and all that you would imagine of a grass hut in Africa. God taught me much about appreciating what I have.
When we went back down to Kampala, Scott got to participate in a training session (Pastoral Training Of Trainers or PTOT as we refer to it). They were training the nationals who are teaching the pastors. (Isn't it amazing to see the national church taking ownership!) They had a good two days. Scott also got to know some of the church leadership during this time.
Back in Arua, Scott and Billy have been trying to meet weekly with three Sudanese pastors Who are living and ministering in Arua. I am sure Scott will blog about this himself sometime. This past weekend Scott and Billy were a part of a pastor training in Nebbi. They spent the night in a village on Lake Albert called Panyimur and attended a church plant there on Sunday. It was an encouragement to the congregation for Scott and Billy to be with them. Scott even got to preach his first sermon in Uganda! Again, I hope that Scott will blog about this sometime.
We have our first team coming in July and we will be hosting all 6 girls from Asbury. A lot of Meg's time is planning and preparing for their arrival. We are getting our guest bedrooms ready. Scott was busy hanging bug nets last week.
Between all of these activities we have been trying to build relationships with our guards, Mathew and Fedrick, and our house help, Regina. I am excited to see how God uses these relationships for His glory.

Fun
We have had a lot of fun since we got to Uganda. At retreat we were able to swim, and that was a special treat for me! We went on safari for a day with a fellow missionary, Lisa Fish. There will be a blog on that to come soon too :) Most of our fun has been trying to learn the culture. We laugh a lot and get laughed at even more. Our neighbors find Ben's pacifier very funny. They don't understand why he would suck on something that is not food. My favorite cultural surprise so far was the "phone charging" stands. Many people here have cell phones but do not have electricity to charge their phone. So they can go to these stands and charge their phones for a charge. So funny to me.

Getting Settled
Slowly but surely we are getting settled. We successfully went to town on our own last week. I bought all the food we needed at the open air market and the grocery store. Scott got the mattresses for our team coming in July. He even negotiated the price (which is very much part of buying anything here). We are figuring it out and when we struggle to understand or become part of the culture we call out "God Help!" And He has been faithful to meet us every time. We got internet in our house, but it took going to the office several times. Nothing happens quickly here. We are learning and God is showing us that we need to trust Him and be patient.

More blogs to come soon. I have so many things I want to share!

Our First Days in Uganda

2011-05-21T10:20:00.000+03:00

Sorry that we've been so quiet these last weeks. As you can imagine, it has been quite a whirlwind since we arrived in Colorado at the end of March. After two weeks of language acquisition training, three weeks of other preparatory training, and two weeks of packing and making final arrangements, we have finally arrived in Uganda.

We left the States on Sunday night, May 15th, spent a day in London on layover, and arrived around 7:30a Tuesday morning. From there we drove from the airport in Entebbe to Kampala where we are staying with my brother-in-law and sister, Josh and Kelly Hallahan, before we head up to Arua late next week. That first day we fought off Jet lag and tried to unpack a bit and feel settled for the two weeks we are here.

Wednesday the ladies (Meg and Kelly) went with one of the other missionaries here to see what some of the stores here in Kampala have to offer and begin to learn the cost of living here; including how to quickly convert the currency in your head to have a better comparison of the expenses. With the exchange rate hovering somewhere just south of 1 USDollar = 2,400 USHilling, you can imagine this is no simple feat. If you brought $500 to Uganda you'd be a millionaire!

After they returned I (Scott) had a chance to take the Land Cruiser out on the roads for the first time. It was quite the experience. Check out some more in this video:

The rest of the week has consisted of more opportunities to get to know the culture like more shopping, going car shopping with Josh and some other missionaries, and just living here. We're adjusting to the time difference (7 hours when the US is on DST, 8 hours otherwise), getting used to the Ugandan versions of things we use in daily life (did you know milk comes in a bag?), and being oriented to the way Uganda works and they way our field operates.

As you can see, we're in the midst of huge amounts of transition and a lot more is coming when we move out of the big city and up to Arua. Would you pray for us in the midst of the newness that comes with each day? As you can see above, the boys are enjoying it, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard at times. Would you pray specifically for them and for Meg and I as we try to parent them through this? Finally, would you pray that in these days of transition and preparation we would be open to what God is wanting to do in us?

We are here!

2011-05-19T23:07:00.002+03:00

We are in Uganda! There will be more later, and pictures I promise. We arrived on Tuesday and are just now feeling like the worst of jet lag is over. Thanks for your prayers!

We have to be able to say what?!?

2011-04-08T01:56:00.000+03:00

Over the past week and a half we've been participants in PILAT (Program In Language Acquisition Techniques) at Missionary Training International in Palmer Lake, Colorado. This has been incredibly stretching but also incredibly valuable. We've been learning about how to learn a language, some techniques to use in doing that outside a classroom setting, and how to work with a helper who isn't trained to teach a language.

We've also been practicing various phonetic sounds to prepare us for some of the foreign sounds we'll have to reproduce in learning our target language. All I can say about that is, "Wow." The English language uses 44 different sounds to produce all the different words we use, but the human mouth is capable of producing hundreds of different sounds! So each day we have one, and sometimes two, "Phonetics Drills" where we focus on practicing a different category of phonetic sounds. Some are easier than others, some sound funnier than others, and some just flat out make you sound ridiculous.

In the midst of some of these drills that were a bit harder and made us feel a bit like morons when we struggled to say them, Meg got a verse in her email. The verse was 1 John 3:16, "By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." She shared that with me and we got to thinking; it may not be our literal lives that we are laying down, but are we willing to lay down our egos and our pride, sound like idiots for a while, for the sake of those who will be impacted by the gospel through our learning a language?

And then today, the verse was this: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). If we have died to self and Christ lives in us, shouldn't we do the kind of things He did? He came and "dwelt among us." He became one of us. He came into a specific culture, spoke a specific LANGUAGE, and showed us how to live.

My train of thought then turned to our devotion time from the very first day of PILAT. Dwight, the founder of the program, shared with us from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 where Paul is talking about submitting himself as a slave in order that those around him might be won. All for the sake of those around him, all for the sake of the Gospel; Paul was willing to be the one who laid down his rights and his identity.

How often are these our attitudes? Do we lay down our lives? Do we submit ourselves for the sake of those around us? What is more important to us our rights, or those around us being won? Are we willing to be the one who adapts and goes to others, or are we going to sit back and wait for people to change and adjust to us, "learn our language," before they can hear the good news?

Thanks for bearing with me through this post, I don't know that I always made sense, but I wanted to share about what is happening in us as we go through this training. I welcome any feedback or further thinking, I know I'm not completely where Jesus wants me to be in this area, but I want to be and I know He will do it in me as much as I will let Him.

Radical

2011-03-22T17:31:00.003+03:00

While we've been down here in Mississippi these past couple of months we've gotten to connect with our Bellwether Church family in many ways, but I think our favorite part has been visiting all the different small groups they have. We've not been able to attend any one of the evening groups more than once or twice, sadly, but I (Scott) have been able to meet with the men's group each week. Aside from the fact that they meet early in the morning each Tuesday, this has been a phenomenal part of our time here. I've been challenged through our time and, hopefully, have been able to spur on some of the other guys as well.

In this group we've been studying David Platt's Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (God timed our visit so I could jump in at the beginning of this study and I'm only missing the last chapter next week). I, yes even me the missionary, was challenged by this book and had to struggle through some of the chapters, wrestling with what Platt was saying and what I see in life and in Scripture.

The basic premise of the book is that we've taken Christianity and, mostly unknowingly, softened it to conform to what would be called the "American Dream." When he looks at the Bible, Platt sees a lot of conflict between what Jesus is saying and what he sees the church doing today. He believes that we've shaped Jesus into what we'd like him to be, rather than allowing Him to shape us into what He wants us to be. He begins the book by asking a simple, but extremely probing question, "Is the Jesus you know someone worth losing everything for?" If not, why not? That's what the early disciples believed. That's what Christian's in the rest of the world live.

Platt builds on this idea throughout the book, challenging various aspects of our American Christian culture, until he challenges people to take up his radical experiment for a year. This radical experiment covers 5 facets of our lives where we need to be radical. Here they are: Over the next year to....

Pray for the whole world
Read the whole Bible
Commit our lives to a multiplying community (Church, small group, something)
Sacrifice our money for a specific purpose
Give our time in another context

What would your life look like if you made a commitment along these lines? What kind of impact could you make in the world? It doesn't necessarily mean packing up and coming to Uganda with us, but the result would be no less transforming. I'd challenge you to pick up a copy of this book and read it (if you've got a kindle or a kindle app on your phone or computer you can get it for just a couple dollars). Be open to the challenge and see where God might want to move you outside your American comfort zone.

You can also check out some more info by visiting www.radicalthebook.com or www.radicalexperiment.org.

Why We Train Pastors

2011-03-19T16:02:00.000+03:00

Ever wondered why we have focused our ministry on training pastors?

Check out Josh and Kelly Hallahan's blog to read the story of Pastor Wilson -- I think his story will show you exactly why we believe in training pastors.

A Day at the Zoo

2011-03-12T05:56:00.001+03:00

Today, we got to spend the morning at the Jackson Zoo. It was great fun to see Tim's excitement about seeing all the different animals. He would run up to one exhibit, look at the animal inside for about 10 seconds, and then turn to us and say, "Let's see another animal!" Benjamin wasn't quite so excited, but he did enjoy a nap in the fresh air... But as we were walking around, the zoo (like so many things these days) got me thinking about Africa and what our boys might think of the zoo the next time we're home for Homeland Ministry Assignment.

You see, this was probably the last time that our boys will see some of these animals through a cage or over a wall. They are going to grow up watching animals like that through the window of our car as we drive from Arua to Kampala (and who knows where in the future). What an amazing opportunity they will have to grow up in another context. Not that life will always be easy or as fun as safari, but when we're back in the States again (at ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/2) their worldview is going to be vastly different than that of their peers. They are going to see life here very differently than the average American kid.

But it also got me thinking about whether coming back to the States will even feel like coming "home" to them. Probably not. Do you remember anything about your life prior to age 2? Prior to 6 months old? I don't. And I wonder, how long will it take for Africa to feel like it is home for me? We know that God has called us to Uganda at this point in our lives, and to Africa for our lives, but at what point does "home" change?

These are some of the thoughts and feelings that we're wrestling through as we look toward our departure for Uganda (we're currently at 88%). I don't have answers to all (or any) of this, but I thought I'd share so you all can get a glimpse of where we're at and know how to pray with us even more. Thanks for joining us in this journey.

***A correction to our last post***
We apparently experienced our first team miscommunication (of many, I'm sure) about the vehicles in Arua. The Coppedges are actually going to continue driving the Land Rover I described below while we will be driving a Toyota Land Cruiser (which is equally exciting: more to come on that when I know more). And all that is kind of relative anyway; they're both Arua team vehicles and we'll use them as the mission requires.

Land Rover!!

2011-03-02T15:00:00.008+03:00

Exciting news: We found out not very long ago that there is a Land Rover sitting in the Coppedge's yard waiting for us! I (Scott) am super stoked about this (just ask Meg; I've been reading stuff online, looking for service manuals, etc. She thinks I'm ridiculous). For one, because who doesn't want to drive a Land Rover around Africa!?!? I mean, seriously, talk about adventure. Isn't that just iconic? But also, two, it means we are close to going! They are getting ready for our arrival. Jesus is making a way! That is truly exciting. (Side note: For those who care, it is a 1995 Land Rover Defender 110)

There are other exciting things related to departure happening too. Billy and Joanna have been praying and looking for a home for us to live in in Arua. We've started making some preliminary packing lists. We're heading to Colorado for our last training at the end of this month. We're studying our Swahili (although, probably not as consistently as we'd like). We're praying in the remaining 22% of monthly support that we need. Would you pray with us that God will get us to Uganda soon? If all of our support is in by the end of March we will be cleared to leave by the end of MAY!!

If God is leading you to be a part of getting us to Uganda, you can click here to download an electronic fund transfer form to set up a recurring monthly gift, or here to give online.

Along for the Ride

2011-02-14T21:44:00.000+03:00

Well, it's been a little (or not so little) while since we've posted anything here on the blog. Not because there hasn't been anything going on, but because there's been so MUCH happening.

Since we last posted we've spent three weeks in Mississippi connecting with our home church, Bellwether Church. It has been amazing to see God provide in every way; from housing, to support, to time with friends old and new. We've seen our support increase from 55% to 75%! Praise Jesus! Because of this we've been able to schedule our training with Mission Training International for March 28th through April 29th.

While we're there in Colorado at MTI we will spend two weeks in PILAT (Program In Language Acquisition Training), where we will learn how to learn a language, and SPLICE (Spiritual, Personal, Lifestyle, Interpersonal, Cultural, Endure/Enjoy), in which we will gain some tools to help in our transition to living in a cross-cultural situation.

We're praying for our support level to reach 100% by the time we leave for MTI at the end of March. This is a big prayer, but we serve a BIG GOD! We've seen Him do big things, over the last few weeks in particular, and we're trusting Him to keep it going.

The Hallahans, Terry & Karen Duncan
(WGM Africa Regional Directors), and our family.

We spent this past week at WGM headquarters in Marion, IN for "Orientation Camp." This was our last training at HQ, and should be the last time that we're there before we leave for the field. We had a great time learning from the international ministries staff and got excited again by talking with our regional directors for Africa.

We're still waiting to hear about our visas but, trusting that they will come in, if God continues to work as He has then we would be free and clear to leave for Uganda in mid- to late-May. We are overwhelmed by His goodness and the way He has chosen to work and answer prayers over the lat couple of months. Over the last week, we've found ourselves pausing randomly in the midst of doing something and saying, "Jesus is SO good to us."

Would you join us in praying these big prayers and watching to see God work? It doesn't always happen the way we think it should, but He always answers and usually it's even better than what we asked for. It is an amazing privilege to trust God and watching Him work and knowing that we get to be along for the ride.

Sudan Referendum less than 1 week

2011-01-03T06:55:00.001+03:00

If you haven't heard, in one week (Jan. 9) the people of Southern Sudan will be voting on whether or not to secede from Sudan and become their own independent country and several disputed regions will decide which country they will be a part of. This referendum comes as a key piece of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in 2005, which ended decades of violence costing millions of lives and displacing millions more.

Would you join us in praying:

for peace between North and South, but also between the various tribal groups.
for peaceful resolution of the disputed areas; their borders and residents
for a smooth, fair, peaceful referendum process.
that the church in Sudan would continue to be a witness and a minister of reconciliation
for reconciliation; between North and South, between government and rebels, between tribes, and most importantly between Sudanese people and God.

Starbucks Gets It

2010-12-02T16:00:00.093+03:00

So I was walking in to Starbucks the other day and saw this sign on the door:

And I thought to myself, "They get it. It's not just Africans that love stories, we all do." And then I realized that Starbucks understands people better than a lot of churches. (This blog post has nothing to do with the book The Gospel According to Starbucks, at least not that I'm aware of; I've not read the book.)

Too often we in the West want to make Christianity about mental assent, and so we preach about concepts and conversion means accepting certain propositions. But in reality, Jesus is inviting us into His story. That's not to say that right thinking is irrelevant to us as Christians, but right practice, right action is where our thinking is lived out. He wants our whole life.

The Bible is full of stories. In fact, the Bible tells a story. Did you know that 75% of the Bible is narrative? (Side note; have you ever thought about the number of sermons you hear from the epistles compared to the rest of the Bible?) People love stories and we have the best Story to share. But do we share it? Do we invite people to participate in what God has been doing and what He is going to do?

Telling stories is going to be a big part of our ministry in Uganda. Not just any stories though, the Story of God breaking into the world to redeem and heal it. As we teach these stories to the African pastors and help them discover what God would say to their people through them, we are giving them Scripture in a way that is accessible to the people in their communities and tools to open up those Scriptures to them.

In just over a week I'll have the opportunity to travel to Louisiana to participate in a training that will equip me to share and empower others to share those stories. The training is put on by Simply the Story and is the same method our friends have been using in Uganda already. I'm very excited to have this opportunity and I'm excited to see how God is going to prepare me for ministry in Uganda through it.

As I end this blog post though, I want you to think about the Story we've been given, the Story we're a part of. We're in the midst of the Advent season. We're looking toward Christmas. Christ didn't come to earth just to come, He came with the cross in mind. He lived, died, and rose so we could be reconciled to God. What a Story we have to share! If that Story is not a gift, I don't know what is. How could we not share it?

Who can you share this Story with this Christmas season?

We are Thankful

2010-11-27T00:08:00.000+03:00

Given that we recently celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, we thought it would be fitting to share with you some things related to our journey to Uganda that we are thankful for. I know, it’s a little cliche; but here goes. In no particular order, here are a few things:

Monthly support increase: we received an email from our boss letting us know that some cash in our account, beyond what we need, will be converted to monthly support. This increased our monthly support from 46% to 54%. We’re officially over the hump! But God also used that news as the beginning of an answer to the prayer that we are praying for 11% of our support to come in each month until our visas are ready (You can read a bit more about that in our Nov. ’10 newsletter).

Chances to be real: we had an opportunity to have dinner with a family that has recently moved to the States and started attending a church we’re connected with. When we met, they shared that they had never met a missionary before. Now, we didn’t have some super-spiritual conversation about missions or God or anything like that, but we did have a chance to share our story with them and show them that God calls and uses ordinary people, just like them.

Time with family: Since we’re not in Uganda yet, we get to spend another holiday season with our family. It has been so sweet to see Tim and Ben interacting with our extended family and, Tim specifically, building relationships with them. (Thanksgiving crew to the left)

People who pour into us: As we’ve been feeling more tired and stretched thin after an extended time of homeland ministry assignment, we recently made a conscious decision to put a group of people around us to hold us up in prayer and be an encouragement to our hearts. God has honored their commitment and we’re thankful to have them in our lives.

These are just a few, concrete examples of things we are thankful for, and they only begin to scratch the surface. God has been so good to us and has blessed us so richly. We have so much to be grateful for and are striving to live lives of thanksgiving.

Tim Turns Two

2010-11-17T21:01:00.000+03:00

As a proud father, I need to take a moment to brag on my son, Timothy. Tim just turned two today and we are so pleased with the little person that he is becoming. That's not to say that we're happy about everything he chooses to do, but we love the trajectory that he is on. We're excited that he knows his colors (most of the time), that he is working on his numbers (although not always in the right order), and that he can identify the animals (in English and Swahili).

But even more than all of that, we're excited that he is learning to love Jesus. Each night before bed he can hardly wait for us to read him his Jesus Storybook Bible. After that we both take a turn praying, and each night he needs less and less leading; he's learning to pray on his own. If you ask him about Jesus, his answer is, "Jesus lives my heart." Not that he fully understands what that means, I don't know what that fully means, but his heart is already being oriented to God. This evening ritual has become one of the sweetest times of my day.

We know Tim isn't perfect, no two year old is, but we're excited to see that the parenting choices* we made are bearing fruit. We pray that this is just the beginning. We can't wait to see the man that Tim grows up to be.

*We owe a debt of gratitude to Matt Friedeman, one of my professors at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and his wife, Mary, for the godly example of parenting they set before us and for their willingness to share that in a classroom setting. Meg and I were taking their class, "Discipleship in the Home," when we found out that Meg was pregnant with Tim and the concepts they taught there significantly shaped our idea of family and parenting. They recently distilled that semester-long class into a book, Discipleship in the Home, that I would recommend to anyone.

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-06T00:21:00.000+03:00

So I saw on our friends Nathan and Cydil Waggoner's blog that this Sunday is National Orphan Sunday. I know that this is dear to their hearts due to the fact that they have adopted two beautiful, precious children from Albania. But when I saw the link on their blog, it tugged at my heart as well for entirely different reasons.

If you don't know already, Uganda is home to roughly 2.5 million orphans. Many of these children live in Northern Uganda and have lost their families due to the rebellion of the Lord's Resistance Army. Roughly half of those 2.5 million orphans lost their parents to AIDS.

This Sunday, Orphan Sunday, would you join us in praying the words of psalm 82, asking God to

3Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;

maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Doing Ministry Where You Are

2010-10-26T05:59:00.000+03:00

While I was "waiting" for Ben to arrive I had lots of time to think. I realized that I was so focused on getting to Africa so that I could start doing my ministry that I was missing all that God has for me here. God's "still, small voice" has been working on my heart. He has showed me that there are things here I can be, and should be doing. If I believe that God has called me to share the joy He has given me, why am I waiting to share?

So, I started calling around. I have found some womens groups that are a part of local churches. The first group was the UMW from Pitman UMC. I was invited to come to their meeting and give the devotional. I shared how God has given each of us something special and He wants us to use these gifts for His glory. Two evenings later I got to share with the Friendship Ring of Evangelical UMC in Clarksboro. The ladies were so welcoming and I was able to share the call God has given me for the women of Africa. It was wonderful to be used to encourage and bless these two groups.

As I am learning to serve where I am, I realized that was exactly what these ladies were doing. They are serving Jesus right now, in their church, community and family. In some ways their ministries look different than what I will be doing in Uganda, but the heart of it is the same. We are encouraging, mentoring, teaching and doing life with other women.

I will be doing this by having ladies to my home and sharing a cup of tea.
Some of these ladies meet at the local coffee shop to chat.
I will have bible studies and small groups.
These ladies meet regularly to open God's word and pray together.
I hope to have English classes, cooking or sewing classes.
These ladies have social groups from quilting to baking to scrapbooking.
I hope to develop a program to train the women leaders of the church in women and children's ministries.
These ladies are doing the women and children ministries in their church.

I was so encouraged to know that what is going on around the corner will teach me and train me for what the future holds. It is important for us to keep looking and striving to get to Uganda, that is where God wants us. As we all look forward to what God has for us, we need to be careful not to miss all God has for us right now, right where we are.

"Wherever you are, be all there." -Jim Elliot

Babies, Bedtime, and Hope

2010-10-07T20:21:00.000+03:00

Sorry the blog has been so quiet recently. If you haven't heard though, Benjamin Daniel Rambo was born at 9:37pm on September 23, 2010. Needless to say, things have shaken up quite a bit in our home. Everyone is healthy and adjusting fairly well to the new realities of life, although I don't think any of us would argue with a little more consistent sleep.

The day after Benjamin was born, in an effort to help Tim not feel completely abandoned, I came home from the hospital to eat dinner with Tim and put him to bed. Per our normal bedtime routine I got him dressed in pajamas and we sat down to read a story from The Jesus Storybook Bible (which, by the way, we highly recommend). As we opened up the Bible to pick up where we had left off it just so happened (quite providentially) that we came to the Christmas story. And as we read that story, retold to point young hearts to Jesus, I found myself struck anew by the glorious reality of what happened on that momentous night.

Just hours before I had held in my arms our tiny, 8lb 7oz baby boy so many emotions swelled in my heart. On one hand I saw how frail, how helpless, how needy he was; and as I read that story of God breaking into our world I realized again that was how He had chosen to come. So humble, so dependent, so powerless. But I also saw in Ben's fresh, new life hopes and dreams and desires for what his life would hold and as we read I couldn't help but wonder what aspirations and hopes filled not only the heart of Joseph, who had been told his son was Immanuel--God with us, but also the heart of God.

As we prayed that night and thanked God for breaking into our lives with His "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love" I couldn't help but be humbled and astonished and glad and maybe even a bit skeptical that God has chosen to invite us to be a part of sharing that love with the world. But what great news this is to share, what a glorious story it is to invite people to participate in.

I'm so thankful for Benjamin (and Timothy, for that matter), but I'm also so thankful for this reminder that God doesn't choose to work in the ways that we would. I'm thankful for what God accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son and I'm hopeful for what he will accomplish in and through the life of my sons.

Ways to Pray

2010-09-03T19:54:00.000+03:00

We wanted to pass along a list of ways you can be praying for World Gospel Mission's ministries in Uganda. Those in bold relate specifically to ministries in Northern Uganda where we are headed, but all of WGM Uganda's ministries need prayer. Thanks for being part of the team.

How you can be Praying for WGM Uganda…

Please pray for the physical & spiritual health of the missionaries & their families…
Southern Uganda Missionaries

Jonathan & Lisa Mayo (Jordan & Ethan)
Kenneth & Delight Hopson (Kaleb, Austin, & Emilee)
Lisa Fish (Home Ministry Assignment)
John & Beth Muehleisen (Home Ministry Assignment)
Jean Komline (beginning her 3rd year teaching at Heritage)
Brent Duncan (in charge of housing and vehicle maintenance, works with university students, pastoral training)
Karli Elsrod (teaching physical education at Heritage)
Jessie Mittleman (teaching art at Heritage)

Northern Uganda Missionaries

Billy & Joanna Coppedge (Elsie Jayne & Lucy Mae)

New Missionaries Preparing to Serve Throughout Uganda

Josh and Kelly Hallahan (Caleb& Seth - preschoolers) will be the chaplain at Heritage International School, working with university students
Scott and Meg Rambo (Timothy - preschooler) will be in Arua working with Coppedges
Michael and Brenda Guilliams (Luke - preschooler) working in Jinja
John and Nancy Ferg (Carly & Jamie - both in high school) will be in Kampala helping with maintenance
Matt and Joy (Morse) Burke (Judah & Lily - preschoolers) will be working with pastoral training/community health & development

Uganda Field Pastors

Rick and Janie Burkhalter (visit Uganda missionaries twice each year)

Ministry Prayer Requests

Matt and Joy Burke praise God for the little bundle of joy He has brought into their lives, Lily. They also ask that we pray for their Home Ministry Assignment schedule. It's difficult for them to work full time and make contacts.
Josh and Kelly Hallahan are heading to Colorado fornew missionary training (SPLICE/PILAT) September 13-October 15. Pray that the training would sink deep into their hearts, equip them for the field, and at the same time, that God would help them keep building their support team!
Two families will arrive in Uganda this month. Michael and Brenda Guilliams will arrive on September 3, and Billy and Joanna Coppedge will arrive on September 7. Please pray for both of these families as they adjust to living in Uganda as well as for wisdom and guidance as they engage in ministry (Guilliams in Jinja and Coppedges in northwestern Uganda and southern Sudan).
Heritage International School has an urgent need for a principal and English teacher. Praise the Lord the other teaching positions have been filled.
The income tax situation at Heritage is still unresolved. Please continue to pray for God's intervention.
The Uganda field has an urgent need for a business manager/treasurer. We don't have anyone at this point to fill this very important position.
Please pray for the MK’s during this school year: Kaleb (10th grade), Austin and Jordan (8th grade), and Emilee and Ethan (6th grade).
Scott and Meg Rambo are expecting a new baby, Benjamin, to arrive around September 13. Please pray for the last weeks of this pregnancy, for a healthy delivery, and for all of the family adjustments that come with this happy event.

Ongoing Prayer Requests for the Field:

Please continue to pray for the field housing situation. With rent increases and more missionaries arriving, the need for affordable field housing continues to remain a need.
Please pray for the pastoral training program in 2010. The training syllabus is being updated and revised to a new discipleship/scriptural knowledge/leadership model.
The Africa Gospel Church will be going through a time of transition in 2010 as they will soon get their registration from the Uganda government. They will be learning how to govern themselves as well as how to budget the church's finances. This is a huge step in the life of the Africa Gospel Church.
Pray for the Community Health Empowerment ministry (CHE) that was launched last February. Pray that those involved in this ministry will be true servants of Jesus Christ and will help lead not only their local churches but also their communities toward transformation.
Please pray for the youth pastor’s training as well as a devotional book that is in the works for the youth who are away at school.
Please pray as we continue to look at new areas for outreach. New ministries have already begun in South Sudan. We are now looking at ministry opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 5 strategic locations within Uganda.
Please pray that the Lord will provide 42 new missionaries in the next 10 years to meet the needs of the expanding ministries.
Please pray for the printing ministry that Kenneth and Delight Hopson are involved with. The print shop touches every area of ministry of WGM in Uganda.
Please pray for land to be purchased to build an Urban Center or to be able to purchase land with an existing building for multi-purpose ministries inKampala. This Urban Center would be a place for the 600 plus students from 11 African countries in the University Ministry. It would be a multi-purpose building for a church to reach professionals, a place to begin businesses or to rent out to other businesses to help fund the ministries of the church.
Please pray that God will provide the necessary resources to meet the needs within all of the ministry opportunities.
Please pray that we would all have the attitude of Christ, that we would keep Him the center focus of our lives, marriages, families, & ministries, and that we would be a light to Uganda.

Mango Muffins

2010-08-08T03:12:00.000+03:00

As we look toward living in Africa we are trying to do little things to get ready. Our most recent preparations is learning about cooking in Uganda. We asked our friends the Coppedges lots of questions about what is available and what is most commonly used. We asked about stoves and refrigerators. They are very gracious and answer all our questions. When we are living in Uganda, we should have a stove and oven. We will have a refrigerator and it will run on a generator. The Coppedges said that they don't use their fridge much, they choose to eat mostly fresh food. I am so excited about the idea of our food being fresh :)

We will be able to get mangos and bananas most of the year. To get me ready for cooking and baking, Scott found me some recipes for mango muffins. We tried all three muffin recipes this week, one each day. My favorite was the simplest, which is very convenient. Scott found the recipe here. I also included it below in case you want to try it. It was so good that we tried it again later in the week.

Another way that we are preparing is looking through, and hoping to try some recipes, from More-with-Less. Some new friends gave it to us when we joined them for dinner. The Browns were missionaries in Arua, Uganda and are planning to go back. They not only shared their cookbook with us, but they shared many stories of what life will be like. We are so thankful for all the little ways God is preparing us at this time. We are ready to go, but God is teaching how to use each day for His glory and become ready for what the future holds.

We're still here

2010-07-22T18:18:00.000+03:00

Greetings friends. We are still alive, although our blog activity recently may indicate otherwise. Since our last post we have spent time in NJ, NH and just last weekend returned from spending 3 weeks at Delanco Camp.

We had a great time at Delanco, despite the number of campers being on the low end. It was interesting to see camp from 3 different perspectives (adult camper, program director, and missionary) in 3 back to back weeks. We had opportunities to share the vision God has given us for Uganda in both corporate and individual settings, and even had some people join the team! But we also got to see people coming to know Christ in new and deeper ways, which is always an exciting thing to be a part of.

But, in some ways, it was also a hard time. You see, there was a sense in which being at camp this summer brought us to grips with where we're at in our journey to Uganda and in our homeland ministry assignment specifically. At this point last year we anticipated that we'd be gone, or at least leaving, at this point in the year. But here we are, sitting at 46% of our needed monthly support.

We don't know why we're not in Uganda yet; we feel that we are working hard to get there. It could be that God's time table is different from ours and we haven't accepted that yet. After all, we will be leaving with the blessing of another son that our parents will get to see as an infant. But at the same time, we have to wonder if there is something else holding us back. We know that God is doing new things in Uganda, Sudan and Congo and that Satan is fighting that work (Eph 6:12), and maybe delaying and discouraging new missionaries from reaching the field is part of his strategy to hold on to power there.

But we do know that our calling is still to be in Uganda, and to be there as soon as we can. We are learning with Paul to be content wherever we are and with whatever we have and we are trusting that God will continue to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:10-19). At the same time, we are not content to let Satan have his way. In Daniel 10, as I was reading recently here, we see a picture of God responding to the prayer of Daniel, but at the same time that response was delayed because of a spiritual struggle. When Gabriel arrived he said this:

12"Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." (Daniel 10:12-14)

We don't know why we're not in Uganda yet; whether it is God saying not yet or spiritual forces obstructing us. But we do know that our God is greater than anything that can stand against us (Rom 8:31). Would you stand with us, as Michael came to help Gabriel, praying that nothing but God would keep us from getting to Uganda?

All around update

2010-06-03T04:55:00.000+03:00

We had a great time in MS. I failed at taking pictures with all the friends we saw. What can I say? I really just enjoyed the time together and forgot. We were able to enjoy 3 Sundays with Bellwether Church and it was wonderful to visit our home church again. We saw so many friends from our time in MS who helped to start the church plant, and so many new friends from this visit.

I wanted to let you know what this summer looks like for us. We would love to see you or meet with your small group while we are in your area. Also, we are looking for churches to connect with through the summer and fall. Look at your schedules and let us know when we could set up plans.

Time in NJ
June 4-6: Delanco Camp's Women's Retreat
June 7: Sharing at South Jersey Christian School's Chapel Service
June 12: Richwood UMC's pancake breakfast

Drive up to NH
June 13: Countryside Community Church
June 20: River of Grace

Summer in NJ
June 27 - July 3: Delanco Camp Meeting
                           (as guests)
July 4-10: Delanco Camp Junior High 1
                           (as Dean)
July 11-17: Delanco Camp Teen 1
                           (as missionaries)
July 18: Evangelical United Methodist

Out to IN
July 25-31: Orientation Camp at WGM Headquarters in Marion, IN

Back to NJ
September 13th: Benjamin is due

Lastly, I want to keep you updated on our support. We are currently at 42%. Each month I hope to put up a pretty little graphic and let you know how much support we have and what we still need. So here is our information at the end of May.

On the Road in Jackson, MS

2010-05-13T06:21:00.000+03:00

We are back in Jackson, MS for most of May. It has been great to see all our old friends and to make some new ones. I must admit that I am terrible about taking pictures. I will work on this, but I did want to keep you updated on our travels.

All is going well so far. We had a few days of being sick this week and sadly had to cancel on some friends, but other than that things have been great. We got to stay with Scott's Uncle and Aunt on the way down. I always love that.

Next we stayed with Bill and Amanda Blair. They have a little boy 3 months older than Tim. The boys had such a fun time playing together and they also got to work on sharing. They also have a sweet 6 month old little girl who I just loved.

Now we are staying with our friends Marcus and Ashley Dukes. They were a part of our small group at Bellwether Church. They have a beautiful dog named Coltrane. Tim has bonded with him and we are thankful since Tim has missed our dog Chief.

We are half way through our trip and I am hoping to be better about taking pictures but I make no promises. Keep us in your prayers as we are recovering from being sick and still have lots more friends we would like to see. If we have not made plans yet with you PLEASE call or e-mail us. We would hate to leave Jackson not having had a chance to visit.

ALSO, have you heard that we are having a baby BOY? His name is Benjamin Daniel and he is due September 13th. We are so excited.

Prayer

2010-04-26T22:27:00.000+03:00

Prayer is such a huge part of God working in Uganda. Without prayer much of the ministry could not exist. Prayer is how God chooses to work in this world. We are trying to teach Tim how to pray. At bedtime we say a prayer and have him repeat key words back. Each night we say, "Jesus, thank you for ____ and help ____. Amen." We try and thank Him for something Tim knows and appreciates and then we ask Jesus to help someone we know is in need. If we don't have a specific request on our mind we look at our prayer map. We have hung up missionary prayer cards around the different places where they serve. Tim prays for the different kids who are serving with their parents.

Last night we had the chance to host a "Uganda Prayer Night." We had an excellent time of prayer. Sadly I forgot to take a picture of our group but we had a good turn out. We had 10 people who came to lift up the needs of Uganda and to pray for its people. I know many of you would have been with us if you could, so I wanted to pass along our prayer requests and ask that you take a few moments this week to pray over this list. Thanks for joining us!

Uganda Prayer Requests

You can always go to http://www.wgm.org/uganda to learn more about the ministries in Uganda

Heritage International School

teachers for next year
specifically for science, math, English, social studies, art, and several elementary positions 
students as they finish this year and have summer break
specifically for a 16 yo student whose dad just died suddenly of a heart attack. The family is really struggling financially- in addition to their grief.

Missionaries on the field

specifically for safety, wisdom, and preparation for new missionaries coming

Missionaries on HMA (homeland ministry assignment)

specifically for safety with travels, good time with family, good connections with churches and individuals, transitions back to USA

Missionary Disciples raising support

specifically for safety with travels, good connections with churches and individuals, gain a lot from trainings

Africa Gospel Church

growth in their congregations and protection from false prophets
specifically for Mugisha Emmy, the director of youth ministry for Africa Gospel Church. He has had an infection of some sort, pray for his healing.

Pastors being Trained

study hard, stay connected in current ministry, hear God’s call
specifically for pastors in the Northern region who are without missionary support

Hope

2010-03-19T20:51:00.000+03:00

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

This past weekend we had the opportunity to be a part of a mission conference in Western Pennsyvania and while we were there someone sang the hymn "the solid rock" as special music. This is a great song that holds a special place in my heart, it was our class hymn at Asbury and it was sung at our wedding, but it hit me in a fresh way as I listened to the words being sung.

I think often when I hear the word "hope" my first thought is our future hope in Christ. But when I heard it this time it hit me that the hope we have in who Christ is and what He's done isn't only a future hope, but also our very present hope in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. It is hope for salvation, hope for a life pleasing to God, hope that God will fulfill His promises, and for us, hope that God will bring us to Uganda in His way and His time.

We've been a bit discouraged recently that we are not further along in the proccess of getting to Uganda, but when this song was sung I was reminded that I cannot hope in anything but Christ; not myself, not a
church, not our organization. As we approach Easter in this Lenten season know that your only hope for whatever is facing you today is found in Christ and what He did in dying and being raised again.

"My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

Refrain:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain"

10 Things That Make Me Happy

2010-03-04T23:10:00.000+03:00

So I must admit, before we get started with this list, that I totally stole this blog idea from our friends Philip and Kara Gormong's blog. But hey, it sounded like a good idea to get us back to blogging a little more regularly. Here goes... 10 things (in somewhat, but not entirely, particular order) that make me (namely, Scott) happy:

#10. Sleeping in our own bed
While we had a great time visiting friends and sharing God's call on our lives while we were on the road in February, nothing beats sleeping in your own bed. We had gracious hosts along the way, and they let us sleep in wonderful beds, but it's just not the same.

#9. A cup of coffee and a book
The best way to start a day, continue a day, end a day... I guess it doesn't really matter what part of the day it happens, it's just great. Recently, I've been reading a book by Dr. Allan Coppedge on "The Biblical Principles of Disciplehip" and one on the interrelated conflicts in central Africa, "Africa's World War" in preparation for our ministry in Uganda, Sudan, and Congo.

#8. Oranges and grapefruit from Florida
We've been enjoying the fruits of our labor since we've been home, and by that I mean that we picked up some oranges and grapefruit on our way out of Florida. It's been fun to be eating them and looking forward to all the different fresh fruit we'll get to enjoy in Africa.

#7. Our champions
We've been continually blown away by the way God has brought people into our lives who want to be a part of what He is doing in Uganda. It is so humbling to see how different people have responded to God's call and have joined the team, and are getting involved in various ways through prayer, financial support, and connecting us to their networks. If God is calling you to be more involved in the ministry in Uganda, or elsewhere, we would love to talk to you more about how that could happen.

#6. LOST

Meg and I are hopelessly addicted to the TV show "Lost." We're excited that the final season is taking place now, while we are in the States. Recently my sister Elisa has become hooked as well and it has been fun to re-watch some of the early episodes with her and watch her get so confused, just like we were when we first watched it--and still are.

#5. Reconnecting with old friends
We had such a great time on our February trip reconnecting with friends from various parts of our life; such as college, seminary, high school, and friends we'll be serving with in Uganda. God is so gracious to have given us so many great friendships that, despite time and distance, pick back up in a moment when we are together again.

#4. Knowing we're doing what God has called us to
There is nothing in life that brings greater happiness and fulfillment than knowing we are doing what God has called and created us to do. Right now, that includes preparing for Uganda, raising Tim, and growing in our relationship with Him.

#3. Tim's belly laugh
This is a sound that was sadly missing from our home a few days after we returned, until we discovered Tim had an ear infection and we could get that treated. Thankfully that sound has returned and it is a sound that brings such joy to my heart. No matter what is going on in life if I hear that laugh I can't help but smile.

#2. Reaching 35% of our monthly support needs
Praise God! We've reached our first major milestone in raising our monthly support. This means we are now eligible for health insurance coverage and to receive a salary as we continue to work full-time to get to Uganda. Our next big goal is 50%, at that point we'll be able to schedule our remaining trainings and figure out our travel plans for the next few months.

And last, but certainly not least....!

#1. A new baby and our growing family
My family brings me such happiness and joy and knowing that our little family of 3 has grown to a family of 4 only increases that joy. Our second child is due September 13th, 2010. This means Meg is currently 12 weeks along and we're just so excited about that. While Meg is hoping for a little girl so she won't be outnumbered anymore, Tim and I are holding out for a boy so that Tim won't be the only little boy between the Coppedges and us in Arua.

Quick Update from the Road

2010-02-14T16:44:00.000+03:00

We have been having a great time of fellowship and sharing. We started with Abbie Gagnon in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a friend of mine (Meg) from high school. She watched Tim so that we could go on a date :) We went to see the play A Midsummer's Night Dream at a local theater.

Next we went to Terre Haute, IN to see Phil and Kara Gormong. It was very precious to have time with these dear friends. We went to their church's prayer meeting and were blessed by the time with them.

From there we went north to Kendallville, IN to join Jeff and Andrea Wolheter. Tim loved the time he had with their children, Wesley (5), Ethan (3) and Elizabeth (2). He worked on sharing and enjoyed having playmates. Jeff is the pastor at Bridgeway Community Church in Kendallville. This church is very missional. They are reaching into their community to reach the unchurched and praying and sending missionaries around the world.

We headed south (which is excellent as far as I am concerned as long as it keeps getting warmer). We stopped by WGN headquarters in Marion, IN and continued on to Wilmore, KY. We are sharing at the Asbury WGM student involvement center Sunday evening. While in Wilmore we have connected with SO many friends. We got time to fellowship with Billy and Joanna Coppedge who we will be serving with in Arua, Uganda. We saw friends from our Asbury days and met with some students still attending at Asbury. Finally we met with many of the connections we have from Wesley Biblical Seminary who have moved to Wilmore to continue their education.

God has been so good to bless us and our time traveling. Tim has been great in the car and has been a trooper visiting with people during nap time.

If you think of us will you pray for our time in Florida? We will be meeting with two small groups and we pray that individuals will feel called to become a part of what God is doing in Uganda. And also, on this visit we will see all my grandparents for (probably) the last time before we leave the US. This will be a very bittersweet visit. Many of my extended family are struggling with the idea of mission work and do not understand why we would choose to go. Would you pray for us and for them during our time?

By the numbers

2010-01-26T23:16:00.000+03:00

4,000 miles + 65 driving hours + 15 states + 10 beds = 1 month, February 2010

In a couple of weeks our family is hitting the road to share God's calling on our lives, to visit some family and friends, and to take a few more steps on the road to Uganda.

We're excited about the prospect of seeing some old friends, but also about making some new ones. Would you join us in praying for safety as we travel all these miles and for Tim as he adjusts to all these new people and places?

But these aren't the only numbers that have been on our mind. We've been encouraged recently by the way God is bringing people on board with us and the ministry He has for us. We still need people who are willing to commit to giving on a monthly basis, but progress is being made as God continues to provide. We're currently just past 31% of what we need which means there is still 69% remaining. This can seem like a daunting figure at times, but we've chosen to break it down when we think about it.

Think about it with me -- $4500/mo seems like a lot of money; but if we can find 450 people who are willing to give just $10 a month, we could be in Uganda doing the work God has called us to. It can be tempting to think that $10 doesn't make much of a difference, but it really does add up quickly. Could you be someone who joins our cause for $5, or $10, or $100 a month?

For those of you interested, here is where we'll be over the course of the next four weeks:

Jan 30th - 31st ~ Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 2nd - 5th ~ Terre Haute, IN
Feb 6th - 9th ~ Kendallville, IN
Feb 11th - Feb 15th ~ Asbury College, Wilmore, KY
Feb 17th ~ Tampa, FL area
Feb 18th - 21st ~ Coral Springs, FL
Feb 21st - 22nd ~ Orlando, FL

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel; that we would be safe, that we would be bold to share what God lays on our hearts, and that God would bring us into the lives of the right people.

His Timing, Not Ours

2010-01-02T07:28:00.001+03:00

Over the past few weeks we've gotten some "good" news and some "bad" news (that's how it appeared to us at first anyway), and we wanted to share that with you all. We'll go good-bad-good.

Just yesterday we found out that we have received a gracious and generous gift to our ministry account that has fulfilled our projected cash need! We are rejoicing that God has provided for that aspect of our financial support. What a great way to start of the new year.

But then, some bad news. While our one-time cash needs are taken care of, our pledged monthly support is currently at just 26%. This is the support that will provide for our ministry and living expenses, and the support that needs to be at 100% before we can leave for Uganda. Because of this reality, a week of training that we anticipated attending in February has been shifted to the last week of July. This also means that our earliest departure date moved from June to August.

But, there's more good news as well. Even though we are not where we were projected to be by this point in our homeland ministry assignment, our boss has cleared us to attend our big training session at Mission Training Institute in Colorado as scheduled (April), which means that training will not be something that delays our departure. This was an encouragement, not only because we had planned around that trip (including our visit to MS in May), but also because it felt to us like a vote of confidence that we are making progress.

We wanted you to know where we stand with raising our support so you can pray for us more effectively. Would you join us in praying for champions who will commit in a monthly way? And to remind you (as we have been reminded) that God's timing isn't always our timing, but His plan is always best. He knows when we need to get to Arua, and He's going to get us there at the right time. We can all rest in the fact that He will make a road for us as long as we trust and follow Him.

Christmas Lights

2009-12-08T07:32:00.000+03:00

As we are driving around we have gotten to see many Christmas lights. I love it; they bring such joy to my heart. Tim has gotten to the stage in life where he points at things and says, "eh?" It is his way of asking, "What?" Last Sunday I noticed how often he is pointing at light. He points out the window, then the chandelier, then to the desk lamp, to any source of light.

He is drawn to the light. Oh, how I wish my focus was like Tim's. I should be drawn to the Light and always looking to the Light -- Jesus. In John 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

If I follow Him, He promises me that I will not walk in darkness. If I seek Him with all my heart He promises that I will find Him. Those are some amazing promises to hold onto this Christmas. So when you see Christmas lights this year, remember that Jesus is our Light. He desires that we seek and follow Him in this holiday season and the year to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!

Give a Gift that Makes a Difference

2009-11-23T22:20:00.000+03:00

As I've been thinking about the upcoming Christmas season and all the gifts that will be given, I've been struck by the amount of "stuff" that fills most of our American lives. I'm struggling to think up gifts to give to people who already have most everything they need, and even most of what they want. This issue has been raised, in part, because Meg and I have been consciously trying to downsize our belongings in preparation for moving to Arua. But I have also been hit anew recently, especially in light of the recent drought and food shortage in Uganda, by how little others in the world have.

This Christmas, would you consider with me how we can give gifts that make a difference? I'm not just talking about giving another inspirational, feel-good book that "will change your life" though, I mean giving in such a way that could make the difference in someone thriving physically and spiritually.

I want to suggest an idea for us this year. Instead of buying someone in our lives one more thing to sit on a shelf or hang in the closet, why not use that money to make a difference in Uganda (or any part of the world that is on your heart)? World Gospel Mission publishes a resource entitled The Great Co-Mission Catalog that can assist in doing that very thing for the different fields they serve in.

Let me share a couple of concrete ways you could do this.

Instead of buying someone the new bestseller, why not buy a Bible for someone in their own language ($12/ea.), or textbooks for schoolchildren ($7/ea.), or even help a Christian book get translated into an African language ($25)?
Instead of the hottest new DVD, what about providing an opportunity for a village to see The JESUS Film in their own language and encounter Jesus in a dynamic way ($180)?
Rather than buying a warm sweater, or a new pair of pajamas, would you purchase mosquito nets that would allow a child or pregnant mother to sleep in peace, without fear of contracting malaria overnight ($10/ea.)?
In place of giving someone the latest and greatest technology, could you give a pastor in Uganda a bike ($110/ea.); a piece of technology we take for granted, but could increase their ministry by reducing their travel time.

By choosing to give to someone in need, in honor of (and in place of) that "someone who has everything," you can make a world of difference for someone around the world and for the Kingdom of God. What better way to celebrate God's self-giving love and revelation of Himself than to give so that His love can be revealed anew this Christmas?

www.wgm.org/catalog

Working Together

2009-11-10T00:57:00.000+03:00

This past Sunday we had the privilege of sharing at Richwood United Methodist. We shared the service with the Hallahans. It was amazing to see how interconnected everything with our ministries is. I (Meg) shared about how we are going to be training pastors to reach their communities. Josh shared about how they will be working with the students at Heritage Christian School to send them home to work with their communities. Kelly shared how they will also be working with the college students at Kampala International University who will in turn go back to be leaders in their countries and bring Christ with them, and how Richwood UMC has that same opportunity with nearby Rowan University. Finally, Scott closed with how we all, whether in Uganda or in the U.S., have the same challenge; making disciples. We are all called to mentor others in their faith so they can pass it on.

So we are trying to do that too. We want to help you in any way we can; especially helping you set up a mentor relationship with someone currently in your life. How is God working on your heart to help them grow? Who in your life could you approach and ask to mentor you? We all need to be giving to others and yet we also need to be trained and discipled, just like Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2. Let us know what God is doing in your life. How can we help and pray for you better?

It's a God Thing

2009-10-10T04:16:00.000+03:00

Our God is God of relationships. Let me share with you one example of how I have seem this at work in my own life recently.

Some might say it is coincidence, I say that its a God thing. In the spring my sister Laura, and at-that-time husband-to-be Nate, were looking for a church where Nate could be hired on as the youth pastor. Through some connections they had (again, relationships) they got word that there was a pastor in West Lebanon, NH who was looking for someone he could mentor as an intern. Nate was quite excited about the possibility of being mentored by an experienced pastor and getting to learn from his experiences in a real-life ministry context. As they started to look into this opportunity, they found out the pastor was Eric Ramage. That name may not mean anything to you, but Pastor Eric was our pastor when we were kids in elementary school. It amazes me that God has brought us back into each others' lives.

Nate and Laura are now a part of West Lebanon Baptist Church and Nate is on staff at the church and we are excited to be connected with this body. They are currently actively supporting missions around the world and in their neighborhood.

If this were the only example like this that we could give you, it would be much easier to call this a coincidence. But over and over again God is bringing people back into our lives that we would never have expected and its amazing to see how He wants to use those relationships to further His cause. Our God is a relational God. He wants us to be connected; to Him, but also to one another.

Who has God put in your life for bigger purposes? Who are you connected with? Don't just appreciate them, use them! Who can you mentor or who could be mentoring you? We all have things that God has taught us, but we also have things to learn. Just like Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

Our New Home

2009-09-14T18:10:00.000+03:00

We wanted to show you our new home. We are living in Dave and Laurie's (Scott's parents) basement. It is wonderful to spend this year on Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA) with family. We have a full house with Scott, Meg, Tim, Dave, Laurie, Elisa (Scott's 17 year old sister) and Elsie (Scott's Grandmother) all living under the same roof. The basement is our space though. Let me give you a tour.

This is our room. It doubles as bedroom and living room.When we moved in the walls were painted but we added the curtains on the closets and the curtains on the windows.

We refinished the couches to match.

We decorated the walls with things from all over the world.

South America (Equador)

Pacific (Papua New Guinea)

Africa (Uganda, Sudan, Guinea)

Asia (Japan)

Our world map and collection of international money

You should see Tim's room too. But to do that you have to go to his blog :)
rambokids.blogspot.com

Soon we will be going to NH. We will be up there for about 3 weeks visiting my family and sharing at some churches. I am looking forward to spending time with my parents, getting to visit my sister in her new home, visiting friends in VT and hopefully seeing some beautiful leaves. So much to be thankful for and be looking forward to.

Growing in the Word

2009-09-04T17:52:00.000+03:00

This week I was reminded of the importance of getting in the word regularly. I know its hard, and I know it takes time, but it is so worth it. A missionary friend of mine reminded me that as a mom I am more effective if I have first sought out the Lord. She shared how it is hard to be consistent and to faithfully follow through with discipline if we are empty. So true, but how do you find the time when you have 1, 2, or 6 little ones running around needing your attention?

For me, I needed someone to hold me accountable. I know that is a scary thing! No one wants to be called out or judged. I am not talking about that kind of accountable, I mean someone who is in the battle with you. A friend wants to rejoice when you are doing well and love you when you struggle. Kelly Hallahan, my sister-in-law, and I are doing that right now for each other. We each do a week of devotions from Women of the Harvest and then discus what God showed us. It is amazing to be growing and have a friend cheering me on.

No matter how you do it, try to spend time with Jesus each day. It really will make a difference. If you don't believe me, ask Scott. He will tell you that I am a different person when I spend time with Jesus, and I am not so pleasant when I don't. In John 15:5 Jesus tells us, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I know that I want to bear much fruit, and I pray that for you also.

Like Father, Like Son

2009-08-20T17:53:00.000+03:00

As Tim has gotten older he has entered a phase where he wants to be just like me. This has become most clear in the way he wants and tries to imitate what I am doing. It doesn’t really matter what I’m doing - if I’m drinking coffee, he wants a cup; if I’m brushing my teeth, he wants his toothbrush.

This all started happening around the same time that I was planning my lessons for a class I was to teach to junior high kids on holiness at Delanco Camp. As all these thoughts were going on together I realized that the same thing should be true in our Christian lives. Since we have been brought into the family of God, He is our Father and as His children we have the privilege of imitating Him and even to become like Him.

So how does this happen? Just like it does for me and Tim, by imitating what He does. The first thing we need to do then, is to look for what God is doing and where He is working and then joining Him there. This can take many forms from partnering with missionaries as they head to the field to serving at the local food pantry; anywhere you are working with the lost you are imitating God (Mark 2:17).

But doing things by itself will never make us like God anymore than doing the things a dog does will make us a dog. We need God to give us His character if we are really going to be like Him and serving other only one avenue that God uses to impart His grace to us. We must do what He does, but we must also spend time getting to know who He is and letting Him shape us. It is only then that we can truly be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), holy and loving.

We were made in the image of God to be like Him and through the person and work of Jesus Christ we are invited and enabled to imitate God in the power of the Spirit. What we do flows out of who we are, but who we are is also shaped by what we do.

Sweet Home Camp Delanco

2009-07-11T18:37:00.000+03:00

We are at Delanco Camp in Tabernacle NJ for the summer. Our first week was Camp Meeting; a week where families can come to worship Jesus together. We made new friends and reconnected with old friends. Through the week we had an opportunity to challenge the youth. The theme for the youth program was Super Heroes. Monday we looked at Paul, a super missionary from the Bible. Tuesday we looked at William Carey another super missionary. Thursday got them thinking about the scriptural basis for missions (yes, that would be a class lead by Scott). On Friday we ended with Uganda Jeopardy. We also had a few minutes in each evening service to share our story and vision and God blessed our time.

The second week was Junior camp (going into grades 4-6). Rob Lewis was the dean and brought a great staff with him. We again played Jeopardy with the campers then we looked into Acts 1:8. I (Meg) challenged the campers to be witnesses like the verse says. First in Jerusalem (their home town), in all of Judea (to people who are like them), to Samaria (those people who they do not like and who do not like them), and to the ends of the earth (praying for and supporting missions around the world).

As I was teaching them I realized that going to Uganda is not that hard of a task. It is easy compared to loving people who I don't like, or who don't like me. Think of that jerk, that person who is mean to you and makes your life difficult. Not only does Jesus tell us to love them, but to witness to them. Wow. So as I was teaching junior campers God spoke to my heart also. I am excited to see what else God will show me this summer. I know that I still have so much more to learn.

So as you think of us, please be praying for the rest of the summer. Pray that we would build good relationships with campers and staff and that we are examples of God's love. Also pray that our family will be intentional about spending time together in the midst of the busy-ness of camp.

The Wedding

2009-06-18T14:43:00.001+03:00

On Saturday, June 13th at 3:33 my Meg's little sister Laura got married. I (Meg) am excited for her. Her new husband is Nathan Claggett; a man who loves her and loves Jesus. What more could I ask for my little sister. My prayer is that they will grow closer to each other as they seek Jesus each and every day. This picture is of them praying. After they lit the unity candle they each prayed. Such a special moment to share.

The ceremony was beautiful and everything was just as my sister wanted. I personally am glad she enjoyed it and I am VERY glad it is over. I don't do stress well. This is something I have been learning since I was in college. You would think that I would have learned not to let stress take over after I battled with it in student teaching. Or when I would procrastinate and barely make deadlines at work. Or when I got behind on chores around the house and didn't have dishes to serve company on. Isn't it funny how we have to learn the same lessons over and over before we get it.

So true about my spiritual life also. Each day I seem to be reminded of some sin that is still in my life. But Jesus is faithful and continues to purify me. So today I lay all of me on the alter and wait to see what God prunes away. What sin He will ask me to leave for His glory. I pray that what He convicts me of today I won't try to pick up again in a few weeks. I want to be more like my savior each day but that can't happen if I keep turning back to the same sins that Jesus already asked me to leave behind.

Tim was a champ all the way through. Scott did have to take him to the nursery for the ceremony but he did so well with all our friends and family loving on him. Tim decided to take a nap on Scott's shoulder between the ceremony and the reception. Who can blame him? With all the hellos, kisses and new faces. I wanted to take a nap too :)

HMA is Underway

2009-06-16T06:46:00.000+03:00

Well, it's really starting to feel real. We've officially been on HMA (WGM speak for Homeland Ministry Assignment, or the part of our ministry we spend in the States) since the beginning of May, but it didn't really feel real until we left our home in Jackson, MS and moved back to the Northeast.

In the last two weeks we've had the privilege of connecting with two churches in different ways. Let me tell you about each of these experiences and maybe (as I process through them) some of what we've learned from each one.

First, we met with the missions committee at St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Ocean City, NJ. We were connected with them by our friends Michael and Albree Smith; Michael is the associate pastor there. Speaking with a small group (their miss. com. had 6 people there that night) is very different than speaking in front of an entire church and brings its own advantages and disadvantages. We love sharing with small groups because it allows us to connect with people more personally and have a more open dialogue because people can ask questions and interact with us.

Secondly, we had the opportunity to share at The River of Grace in Concord, NH. This is the church that Meg was a part of during high school and went to Hungary and Guinea with. We were given a few minutes to share in both of their morning services and to speak with the 4-6 grade Sunday school class. Sharing with a congregation is great because you get to broadcast your vision to a bigger group of people and see what God does in the people who come to meet you after the service. And speaking with kids is a great privilege because you have a chance to expand their view of the world and of God and what He is doing.

We're thankful for both of these churches and for their partnership with us in God's work in Uganda. We're currently looking for more churches and small groups and families and individuals to share with, please pray that God would open those doors for partnership, we can't do it alone. Pray also as we share this Sunday morning (6/21/09) at Countryside Community Church in Contoocook, NH and next Wednesday (6/24/09) with the missions committee at BEFree in Barrington, NH.

And now, since we all know this is the real reason you visit our blog:

Some pictures of Tim.

On the Road

2009-06-03T03:07:00.000+03:00

Well, we moved from Mississippi. It was hard to leave the only place we have lived as a married couple. MS is the only place Tim has known as home. And MS will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Packing went well. We managed to fit everything we were keeping in a U-haul trailer that we pulled behind the Jeep. Most of it will go up in the attic at Scott's parents for storage.

Here is a sketch of our schedule for the next few months:

June 4th -25th in NH for Meg's sister's wedding

June 7th Sharing at River of Grace in Concord
June 14th Worshiping at BEFree in Barrington
June 21st Worshiping at Countryside Community Church in Contoocook

June 25th - August 22nd at Delanco Camp as missionaries in residence

After camp.... only God knows, and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. God has our schedule in His hands and we are confident that He will provide. If you want us to share at your church or with your small group let us know! The fall is open and we would love to see you :)

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A new phase of life

2009-05-05T22:07:00.000+03:00

Well, it has been a while since we've posted anything to this blog, but that's not without reason. The last month has been a whirlwind of activity. Particularly the last week, and even more so this past weekend. We've been busy transitioning into what will be the next phase of our life as a family. But let me go back a little bit before looking forward.

On Friday night (May 1) we, along with both sets of our parents and our dear friends Chuck and Fran, attended the WBS Senior Banquet held at River Hills Country Club. It was a very emotional time for me as I reflected back over the last three years and realized they were about to come to an end. I was privileged to be one of the Seniors who was asked to share a brief reflection on my time at Wesley. Here is what I shared:

"If you had told me 5 years ago tonight that I would be here speaking to you on the eve of my graduation from a seminary in Jackson, MS of all places, preparing to go to Uganda as a missionary, you would have gotten one of two responses. One, I would have laughed in your face, or two, I would have bet you a million dollars that you were wrong, and I'd be a much poorer man than I already am.

You see, 5 years ago I probably would have told you that I'd be doing something like sp
orts broadcasting or web development. In fact, my dear wife Meg, who was only my girlfriend at the that time, knew she was called to the mission field and almost broke up with me because she wasn't going to let anything get in the way of God's call on her life -- the fact that she didn't is proof to me that there is prevenient grace.

But then God got a hold of a part of my heart that I didn't even realize I was holding on to. I began to take little steps in the direction He was leading and as I did His voice became clearer, and clearer, and clearer. When I accepted His call to Uganda, I knew that I wasn't equipped for that ministry, which is what led me to WBS.

I came here to be equipped, to get tools in my hands to do ministry -- and I have, don't
get me wrong -- but even more than that, I have been shaped for ministry. I am not the same person I was when I arrived at WBS. Through classes, chapels, discipleship groups, the abortion clinic ministry, helping to plant a church, and the friendships I've built, God has taught me so much about who He is and who we can be in Him.

I know that there is still so much for me to learn, but I thank God that He brought me to Wesley Biblical Seminary and used so many of you all to form the foundation in my life for that to happen. Thank you."

Saturday was the big day: Seminary Graduation.

It's hard to believe that this day had finally arrived, but here it was in all its academic glory. We had a beautiful service and the great honor of hearing Dr. John Oswalt give the commencement address as he retires from service at WBS.

It was a wonderful time of celebration with our family and friends and mentors who had been with me along the way. A lot has changed in these 3 years of life in Mississippi, not the least of which is the addition of Tim to our family, which leads me to the next part of this great weekend.

Sunday morning we had Tim baptized in the midst of our church family at Bellwether. (We figured if our parents were coming down, we might as well make the miles count.) It was a precious thing for this step in the life of our family to take place among our Bellwether family that has loved us and become so dear to us in these past months. We're proud that Tim's baptism can forever bind us together with the beautiful body of Christ in Jackson, MS and look forward to their continued involvement in shaping him to be the man God desires, even if they do it across an ocean.

All that to say, it was a wonderful weekend full of looking back at God's faithfulness to our family and looking ahead to that same reality being born out in the future. It's the end of one era in our life and the beginning of a new one, and so we go from here with a mixture of sadness and excitement; sadness, because Jackson, MS is the only place we've known as a family and has truly become home for us, but also excitement, because we know that we are in the center of God's will for us and there is no better place to be than in the palm of His hand.

Learning to be African in Jackson, MS

2009-04-07T05:16:00.000+03:00

We have lived next door to the Langat family for almost three years now. The Langats (Reuben, Jane, Mercy and Brian) are Kenyans who came to study at the seminary. When we first came down, Jane introduced me to African Chai which is hot tea made with part milk. It was so good and I asked her to teach me how to make it. Well, I was not successful when I tried on my own and quickly gave up.

Recently I became interested in learning to make chai and other traditional African meals. Jane and Mercy had me over during spring break and taught me how to make mandazi. It is like fried dough. They eat it with stew or with chai. It didn't seem that hard. Mercy taught me how to make chai. Jane and Agnes (another student from Kenya) showed me how to make mandazi. The pictures in this blog come from this wonderful time of fellowship.

I want to be able to make mandazi to give to people who host us as we are on Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA). It would be so fun to be able to make chai and a snack as we go into people's home to share our calling with others. My first time trying on my own was with our close friends, Phil and Kara. They are missionaries with Global Partners to Russia. I made stew (similar to our stew but with a seasoning called Royco), mandazi and chai. It turned out well.I know it was good because Jane and Rueben both said it was good when I brought some over for them to try.

God is showing me through little things that I will be able to make it in Uganda. There are times when the idea of entering a different culture is very scary. I am nervous about trying to cook when I don't have the things that I have available here. I am scared about not knowing the language and struggling to communicate. I am scared to be so far from family and friends. But the God we serve is bigger than all our fears. He will be with us every step of the way.

He calls us to step though. He will be with us, but we need to be faithful to move as He directs. Each of us will be scared at times and each of us will prefer to stay right where we are. But how will Jesus shape us into what He wants us to be? How will the gospel spread if we are too scared to leave our comfort zone. So be encouraged! Our God is a BIG God and has BIG plans for each of us.

Getting So Big ~ an update on Tim

2009-03-20T20:14:00.000+03:00

Tim is growing so much so fast! We wanted to share some of the highlights up to this point.

First, Tim is now 4 months old. Having shots made for a rough evening but we made it through. He is now 16 lbs. and 26 in. long.

Tim has become a loyal Philadelphia fan thanks to Scott.

Sorry no new eagles pictures, the jersey was "put away" till next year right after the loss to the Cardinals.

He is not yet rolling, but we keep trying :) He is holding his head fine and is almost sitting on his own. When he sits in the bouncy seat he tries to sit up and often gets frustrated at not being able to.

Tim has become quite snuggly these days. A strange answer to prayer but I did ask the Lord for a snuggly baby for this first one. I may regret that request as he now doesn't want to be put down much, but I do love getting to take naps with him in my arms.

We have started cereal. Not for nutritional reasons... just to introduce texture. (Dr. Cathie encouraged us to)

Notice Meg's tongue sticking out. Clearly this is her first experience with baby food too :)

Tim has found his thumb/fingers. He still takes a pacifier but does enjoy his thumb/fingers regularly, especially when he is wanting something to teethe on. Keep checking back... we will try to post every other week. Feel free to e-mail us if we are getting behind!

Our Date Night

2009-03-05T15:05:00.000+03:00

We went on our first date since Christmas last Friday night.

(yes, Scott is only this dressed up because he loves Meg)

It was wonderful! Friends from church watched Timothy so we could have a night out.
We went to PF Changs for a nice dinner,

and then walked around "Renaissance" which is an outdoor mall.
It was a beautiful night and dinner was really good.

Be sure that where ever you are at in life you are making time for the ones you love!

1 More Step on the Road to Uganda

2009-03-04T15:33:00.000+03:00

You know that feeling when you are right in the center of God's will? It may have been when you picked which college to go to. Or when you chose your spouse. Maybe when you were baptized. Or when you returned to church after being gone awhile. We are having that feeling now. Scott and I have known for years (almost 5 to be exact) that God's plan was for us to go to Uganda.
Now we have prayer cards! We are seeing God causing His plan to happen. It is a very strange feeling to see our prayer card next to others on the fridge. I have always looked up to and admired those "missionaries" and now we are joining them. Very humbling.
It reminds me of when I was student teaching and it suddenly hit me that "I was the teacher." After 4 years of college preparing to have my goals reached and my role changed was powerful.
Where are you on the road? Our road is changing from preparing to going. Is God showing you His plan? Is He preparing you for all that He has? Are you walking along the road He has mapped out? It is our prayer that you are right with the Lord and that you will take some time to think about what He is wanting to do with and through you.

ALSO! If you want a prayer card let us know :)

He is Faithful

2009-02-04T16:42:00.001+03:00

It’s been a busy few weeks since we’ve returned to Mississippi; Meg has started back to teaching, I am back to classes and working at the seminary and at church, and Tim is spending 4 days a week with the Gentrys (dear friends who are headed to Mexico with OMS) and ½ a day with our friend Fran Ray.

Since we’ve been home we’ve also ordered our table display and our prayer cards.
For some reason, these two acts have made the reality that we are coming up to the end of our time in Mississippi and beginning the transition to full-time support raising in preparation for Uganda. It’s a bit of a staggering realization. For so long we have been preparing for this time and looking forward to it, and now it is finally here.

As you can probably imagine, I’ve been pretty reflective. As I look back over these last 3-4 years I’m amazed at God’s faithfulness to us and His provision for us. God has made a way for us every step of the road. Having seen His faithful provision over the years has made it so much easier to trust Him as we make this next step on the road, knowing that He will continue to provide for us because we are exactly where He has called us to be.

While it will be difficult to leave the support structures that we have established in our lives, it’s a little easier knowing that God is already raising up a support team of people like you. Thank you for joining us on the road to Uganda and being a part of our team. We cannot and dare not go without you holding us in your hearts and prayers.

Pictures From Our Travels

2009-01-26T03:45:00.001+03:00

A happy baby :)

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!
Watching the game with Grambo

Kisses from Cousin Caleb

Christmas morning with Mama

Grandma Wronski, all smiles

Uncle Nate and Aunt Laura

"Bucko" holding his first Grandson

Tim enjoying his "friends" on the car ride

Tired Tim and Tired Dad after a long drive

The cousins at WGM

Back "Home" From All Our Travels

2009-01-26T03:21:00.000+03:00

We traveled A LOT over Christmas Break. We were in NJ, NH, KY, and IN. (Not to mention all the driving between these places.) Through all this I realized that home really is an interesting idea. I found myself referring to NH, NJ and MS as home. Some say home is where the heart is. I agree, but I also say that home is where you make it. It is where you feel loved and safe. Our prayer is that you will feel at home wherever you are at in life. Know that God is loving you right where you are.

I hope to get some pictures up of our trip but the internet is not cooperating tonight. :( If you can't wait, check out facebook :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2008-12-31T06:35:00.000+03:00

Merry Christmas! We have had a wonderful 6 weeks. It has been a joy to have Tim as part of our family. He is growing bigger each day and makes us smile tons.
We have been visiting family. We spent some time in New Jersey with Scott's family and then some time in New Hampshire with Meg's family. This holiday season has been a good reminder of just how special friends and family are. God has blessed us through so many of you. We can't thank God enough for all he has done for us. We pray that your holiday season is as wonderful as ours has been.

Welcome Timothy David Rambo!

2008-11-23T03:00:00.000+03:00

Our baby has arrived! Timothy David Rambo was born November 17th at 9:22 am. He was 20 inches long and 6 pounds 12 ounces.

We are now home and settling in. Our families have been supportive with lots of phone calls. Our church family has come and visited and brought food. We are so thankful for both.

6 weeks left

2008-10-07T02:47:00.000+03:00

SIX WEEKS LEFT!!!

Crazy! We had these ultra sound pictures taken a week ago but we are so excited. Timothy is right where he should be in size and weight (meg is very excited that he is not heavy at this point). Dr. Moses says she is very happy with the way everything is going.

In preparation for Tim's coming we have wonderful friends who
have showered us with gifts. My mom got her friends together this summer and we got some adorable clothes and two very special blankets. Our friends from afar (Kim Reeves, Emily Doane, Alisha Kraus, Jessica Cavanaugh, Sharyn Crosby and Kristen Fogg) gave us a mail in shower. We got lots of practical gifts we were needing. THEN some ladies from the church we go to, Bellwether, gave us a shower. We felt so loved. We received the Pack N' Play at this shower.

Most recently Fran Ray and Kara threw me a shower on Saturday. It was great to have different parts of my life come together. The pictures are from that shower. Fran and Kara are wonderful! We received so many of the things we were still needing. The best part of this shower was being around people who I loved and who I know love me. Friends are such a blessing that I never want to take for granted.

WGM Missionaries

2008-08-28T21:14:00.000+03:00

Well, this past weekend we went to WGM headquarters for our Candidate Review Weekend and on Monday found out that we have been accepted as Missionary Disciples appointed to Uganda. We have one more year at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, MS and then we will begin a year of full-time fundraising and training with WGM. Our plan is to be able to head to the field by the summer of 2010.

It has been amazing to see God paving the way for us since before we even accepted the call. Thank God for His faithfulness and provision when we put Him first. There's no way that we could have laid our plans half as well as He has, and all it took was trust and obedience to His leading.

Visiting Home

2008-07-17T02:35:00.000+03:00

We are "up north" visiting both families. We started in NH visiting my (Meg's) family. Aunt Kathy and Uncle John came to visit as well as Aunt Nancy, Shawn Marie and Chloe. They are all our family friends from VT. So nice to connect with them.
This is of Laura Lynn my sister and her fiance Nate. They are getting married June 13, 2009.
This was taken at 20 weeks. I am getting a little bigger each day. So exciting. 125 days left :)

A Glimpse of the Future

2008-06-05T04:27:00.000+03:00

So as we are getting excited about being pregnant everything keeps coming back to "the baby". We talk about the baby, people ask about the baby, I think about the baby... I will be very excited to know the gender and be able to call this baby by his or her name. We hope to find out in two weeks.

Here are two pictures that made me smile. Scott is holding a friend of our's little girl. She is so sweet. In 6 months from now this will be a normal thing; Scott holding a baby in one arm and a book in the other. He will be a great dad.

The future is quickly becoming a reality. Scary and exciting at the same time. We are both working on our "long application" for WGM. Scott has only one year left in seminary. AND there is a baby coming. Crazy how God is working.

The Littlest Rambo

2008-05-19T01:41:00.000+03:00

We are having a baby!!!
Here is our baby's first pictures.
We are proud parents. This little one should be born in November. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

Next Step

2008-04-01T21:16:00.000+03:00

The next step for us is for references. So exciting. We are working on learning swahilli so that we will be ready to go next summer. Baby steps...

The beginnings

2008-03-28T23:01:00.001+03:00

We have just finished our WGM application. So exciting and yet so scary! So I figured the next step was to start this blogging thing so when I needed to be I might be good at it.