Blessings of an African Connection

The colors of Fall continue to develop in our area.   One of the highlights for us each Fall when we are in the US, is to experience American football on the TV or attend a game in person.   Yesterday we had the opportunity to travel to Independence, Oregon to visit some some friends and watch their son playing a couple of short football games.   The temperatures were definitely indicative of Fall so we were "bundled up" against the cold.  

Chris with the King family

We enjoyed our visit with The King family, who are part of our connection in Africa.   During Chris' junior and senior years at Rift Valley Academy, the Kings were his dorm family.  They are now in Oregon on furlough.  We are blessed through this African connection!!!

As the Fall colors continue to develop, we recognize God's joy in demonstrating His love to us through His creation and His people.  How is God  using you to bring joy to others? 

Oh! Ohhhh!

Fall is our favorite season of the year.  Experiencing Fall in the Willamette Valley of Oregon makes it the best!  The crisp, cool air and resultant leaf color changes give image to Fall.  It always reminds us that God put order into his creation.  He is the God of order, not of chaos or confusion.  His creation gives evidence of this all throughout, but Fall is particularly poignant, I think.

Maple leaves

Salmon return to their birthing place to spawn.  Geese migrate.  Tree nuts mature and drop to the ground.  Squirrels store up winter supplies.  Apples sweeten, bursting with flavor and color.  Farm animals put on heavier coats.  Chrysanthemums bloom brilliantly.   “That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me.”  (Isaiah 45:6, NASB)  All of creation moves together like a well-rehearsed symphony harmoniously following a “maestro” conductor.

Hazelnuts on the ground waiting for harvest

Yesterday we experienced anew these views of Fall while exploring outside  with our one-year old  great nephew.  He toddled around outside in the crisp air, stopping to bend over and look at red and yellow leaves on the ground while exclaiming, “Oh!  Ohhh!” while sporting a big grin of wonderment.  Upon hearing geese calling in the sky he quickly looked upward, pointed, and again gave his familiar, “Oh!  Ohhhh!”    It seemed everything drew him in with wonder and excitement.

We are in a new season of our lives.  Our children are all in college or beyond.  We are transitioning from serving in Kenya to serving in Uganda.  We want to embrace this change of seasons with the same wonder and excitement as our nephew, noticing what God is doing and exclaiming, “Oh!  Ohhh!” while sporting a big grin of wonderment!

African Connection

You may be wondering where we came up with the title of our blog, "African Connection."    I guess, to put it simply, we have had a personal connection with Africa for so many years as we have served in Kenya with World Gospel Mission that it seemed a natural "fit."    In addition, many of you have your own connection in Africa through participation with our ministry team through the years.   Together we have an African connection.    A connection that transforms lives and connects people to Jesus.

We trust our blog will strengthen our connection to Africa and her people, as well as to each other.  We invite your comments and feedback as a vital part of our connection. 

Here we are!

 Well, here we are finally moving into the world of blogging.   We have been following others blogs for a long time and felt now is the time to join the world of "blogging."

Our desire is to use this blog to  provide you with information about the work of World Gospel Mission (WGM) and Africa Gospel Church (AGC) in Uganda and to give you regular updates on our preparation for and ministries in WGM Uganda.   If you would like to receive notifications when we post to the blog, enter your e-mail under the "Follow by email" below and to the left.

Stay tuned!