So close and yet so far . . . . .

We feel so close!  We are close to the completion of the painting and carpentry work being done in this house.  Close to completion of the first three months of language study.  Close to feeling at home here. Close to going home to visit Kenya.  We are so close, and yet so far in many ways.

This is the longest time of transition we have been in. There is hardly any furniture in the house while we wait on completion of the work being done inside, and while we wait to bring our things from Kenya.  Even when we went to Kenya the very first time it didn't take this long to get things from home there.  It’s the small things we look forward to when our household goods can join us here…like having our tools ready-at-hand when we want to do a project; like having favorite recipes at our fingertips; like having enough hangers for our clothes; like having the hair clippers we are used to using….they are so close and yet so far!  Of course, we could get those things here, but when they are so close to joining us why purchase more?  And so it goes…we’re so close and yet so far. But that’s OK.

We are close to the end of these initial months of language study.  We know a lot of vocabulary in Luganda.  We are close to simple conversation level with other Luganda speakers.  Yet, we seem so far from being able to speak the language.  All our conversation is halting at best.  We laugh at ourselves because we hear what is said in Luganda, we think of the reply in English and then figure out how we would say it in Kiswahili (which we studied in Kenya) because the grammar is similar to Luganda, and then we translate it from Kiswahili into Luganda as we “hunt” through our minds for the right words.  No wonder it takes us a while to get anything said!  So close and yet so far. But that’s OK.

We listen keenly to what we hear.  We observe intently that which we see.  We notice what is said and done.  We are listening and watching, waiting and observing to know what all God is inviting us to join that He is already doing.  We pray.  We read.  We listen and watch.  We hear Him speak.  We see Him at work.  We are close to “diving in” when language study is done.  We are close…and yet we wait, not wanting to be far. We want to be right with God as He continues to move and speak and draw others to Himself. Even when wishing to be more at home, it’s OK. We want to be right where God wants us to be…right where He has us now. It’s OK.

We are close to going into Kenya.  Mid-November will find us at Tenwek for the graduation exercises of Tenwek School of Nursing.  We will also visit the Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Kenya that commissioned us as their missionaries.  We can hardly wait to go home.  We are so close…and yet, we are sure it will feel a bit far as we visit.  That is not our home anymore.  It will always be home to us, but it is not our home anymore.  We will be so close, and yet so far. But that’s OK.

This week we had a taste of home.  The first fruits (greens, actually) of our garden here were eaten with a friend from Kenya (who lives in Uganda) and a friend from Uganda in celebration of God’s faithful provision for us all.  We had a “Kenyan” meal of sukuma wiki (the greens), ugali (maize flour cooked up just as we like it), beans and chapatti.  YUMMMMMM!  It was grand to us.  Made us feel right at home…so close…so very, very close.  And that’s OK.

Lessons in transition are worth learning, even when they pain us. Contentment is worth realizing. Planting a garden and bringing in harvest is worth the effort. Listening, watching, hearing and observing bring new insights that remind us to be content in all circumstances. God called us here to be laborers in His harvest.  It is worth the effort.  It is worth the wait.  We are close, even though it sometimes feels far. And that’s OK.  It really is OK.  We are content in Christ alone.

A great weekend . . .

Thank you for praying!  We appreciated your prayer as we traveled.  Saturday the traffic was thick and slow, mostly due to attendees at the soccer match between Uganda and Zambia.  Our slow travel might have been frustrating to some but we enjoyed the time to see many things along the route, ranging from little shops to scenic fields of sugar cane.  Our vehicle worked very well.  We really enjoyed getting out of Kampala and seeing the countryside.

We were blessed to be with our missionary colleagues. They are excellent hosts.  We enjoyed playing, chatting, eating, pondering and praying together.  The visit was altogether refreshing for us.

Sunday we were warmly welcomed into the church.  The Ugandans were pleased that Jeff began his talk in Luganda, introducing himself, mentioning our family and telling why we are in Uganda.  He then explained that since he is a student of the language he would proceed in English.  At the close of his use of Luganda they cheered for him.  That was very affirming! Jeff felt the help of the Lord in speaking what God laid on his heart.  Again, thank you so much for covering the service in prayer.  God’s spirit was evident in the service.

Jeff posted some photos from the church service, as well as some of Lake Victoria as seen from the location of the church (see the link on the left).  

Again, thank you so much for your prayer.  We appreciate you!

Christine, for Jeff too

A couple of firsts

Time for a new first in Uganda! We are packing a suitcase to go visit friends overnight.  We have done lots of unpacking our first six weeks in Uganda but this is the first time we have needed to pack a suitcase for travel.  It is rather exciting J  Last night we mentioned to each other that it has been years since we have had six weeks at home without needing to go anywhere overnight.  Wow!

We are excited to get outside our compound gate and off our “beaten path” we have traveled these first weeks as we get to know where to shop, where to visit friends and attend meetings.  Today we are headed to Jinja, a town about 1-2 hours away.  It will be fun to visit a WGM family in their home!  We are eager to be with their kids as we have time to relax and “play” together.  Our fellow missionaries are ministering in the greater Jinja (click) area, including on Buvuma Island (click to see more about the ministries).  We look forward to hearing more from their hearts!  Please pray for our safety in travel and for us to be a blessing to the Burke family!

Tomorrow, Sunday, Jeff has been asked to preach in one of the Africa Gospel Churches in the Jinja area.  This is the first time for him to preach in Uganda.  God has given him words to share with the congregation there.  The title of the sermon is “All I ever need, has already been provided.”  Jeff plans to give his greetings and introductions in Luganda.  That will be another first. Please pray for God to speak through Jeff and minister to the hearts of those listening.  More than anything we desire to join God at work in connecting people to Jesus!

Thank you for praying.  Mwebale musaba!

Christine, for Jeff too