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And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Dear Friends and Family, This past month has been reminiscent of last year when Uganda first went into lockdown because of Covid. It is crazy to think so much time has past and yet we are still battling the same thing. 6 weeks in lockdown seemed like a very long time but last year we actually were in lockdown for 4 months before we had the freedom we have now following an easing of this past lockdown. For the next 60 days we have what is called a partial lockdown. People can drive again but only 3 people per vehicle, which makes it hard for families to go anywhere together, businesses can work at 20% but still only essential markets are allowed open. Churches and any type of religious gathering are closed for these 60 more days. Schools are closed until the government can acquire the Pfizer vaccine and vaccinate the 12—18 year olds. Weddings and funerals can have 20 people present. The government put out strict steps to follow as they ease the lock down but the picture here is a picture taken the day after the president spoke. It was as if all of Kampala came out at once. ...

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 Dear Friends and Family, We pray you are all doing well and enjoying this summer. We have heard that many places around the world are now opening back up. We praise God for those answered prayers. In Uganda it is a different story. Covid variants are ravaging the country and the people. It seems so strange because last year when the rest of the world was really suffering, here in Uganda we had hardly any cases and very little death. Now that we are hearing praise reports from other countries we find ourselves back in a strict lockdown with more cases and death weekly then all of the last wave. All businesses besides food vendors and essential services are closed. No public or private vehicles allowed. To go shopping people must walk or ride a bicycle. You can have groceries delivered but there is a curfew at 5. If someone works in a food market the government has asked them to sleep there. They have provided mosquitoes nets to the vendors since many of the stalls are out doors. ...

There is salvation in no one else, f or there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Dear friends and family: This time of year always fills me with so much hope. Knowing that my Savior is not dead but Alive! There is no other religion that can claim and prove that their God is alive . This renewed hope comes with a sense of urgency. An urgency to tell others that they too can have hope if they put their faith in Jesus Christ. Just as this time of year brings about new birth for plants and animals we are praying for spiritual new birth for the many people hearing the Word of God through all the different ministries and outreaches taking place. ...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her — Ephesians 5:25 Dear Friends and Family, For the first time in what seems quite awhile I feel like I am ending this month and approaching the new month with real expectancy and hope that things are moving forward: away from covid, away from elections and riots and towards something more real and full promise. Numbers of covid have been going down dramatically here in Uganda and the rest of the world is beginning their vaccines. Ministry outreaches and new studies are taking place and we now have freedom to gather together in large numbers once again. ...

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." … As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." —Ephesians 4:16 Dear Friends and Family, As I continue to look forward to what this year holds for our ministry the Lord has reminded me that it is not just “our” ministry. It has caused me to reflect over the things the Lord has already done and the people he has brought in our lives along the way. We, Christians, are truly one body, Christ’s Body. In Uganda, Brian pastors Arise Christian Fellowship, but we work together with many other churches and pastors. We spend time helping to build up their congregations and communities as we also receive encouragement and counsel from them. While there are so many people who bless us daily and support us through their wisdom and spiritual giftings, I wanted to mention a few that we work with most closely and Brian even is part of some of their boards. ...

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 Dear Friends and Family, 2021! Only God knows what this new year is going to hold for all of us. We are praying that there are great things in store and that many opportunities to share the love of Christ and the Gospel will present themselves. I believe the important thing is to live each day for Him, expecting those opportunities. And while they may not always be as we planned or hoped, they will be there. ...

Dear Friends and Family, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! We would like to thank all of you for blessing us through your support and prayer for our family and for the ministry in Uganda. This has been a hard and unusual year for most of the world. With the difficulties we have been blessed with many good times and experiences as well. This year has led us and the church to pray like never before and I believe if nothing else we have all drawn closer to the Lord. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as we enter this new year. God Bless You this holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! ...

…You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Dear Friends and Family, We are praying for all of you, in you area of the world. Some days, as I watch the news it is hard to believe that it is actually the news and not a science fiction movie. I could never have imagined that one day this would be what the world we live in is like. As the world continues to fight off the effects of Corona virus we have been trying to help those who are further from any type of help or assistance then we are being in Kampala. Uganda is still under many restrictions. The number of cases is rising steadily as well as deaths. Due to these circumstances travel is restricted and there is a strict curfew. ...

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 Dear Friends and Family, We continue to pray for you all as 2020 seems to continue to challenge and test us. Things in Uganda are continuing to be difficult. This path month Uganda recorded its first Covid death and now it is up to 7. Uganda was put at a level three threat which means that there are community cases that cannot trace the origin of transmission. On top of Covid there have been many natural disasters and crime, kidnapping and domestic abuse is on the rise. Many people are truly suffering and are tempted to lose hope. What the Lord has really been teaching us through this is 2 basic Biblical truths. 1st, love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. If our eyes are not on the Lord, where does our hope come from? 2nd, Love your neighbor as yourself. We are very blessed to have continued to receive support from our FRM and SGWM families during a time when so many have lost their jobs and cannot provide. We cannot keep those blessings to ourselves. While we cannot help every suffering person in Uganda or even in Kampala we can help some of them. ...

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. —Proverbs 22:6 Dear Friends and Family, I never would thought that after all these months we would still be dealing with Covid. It now seems like years ago that we were visiting America and taking the kids to Disneyland. I was actually just the beginning of this year and now the world, Uganda, is such a different place. Uganda started off with almost no cases and now seems to be having more and more cases daily. To be honest it is just starting to get scary here as we begin to hear about cases near us and in the city. I have to try to stay away from the news and focus and the positive things that are happening. ...