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Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. —Isaiah 26:20 Dear Friends and Family: “Its not about convenience, its about survival” This has been a quote we have heard often over the last couple of weeks from President Museveni, the president of Uganda. As I write this the country has been in lockdown for almost 2 months. I know that most of the world is currently abiding by stay at home orders. While I believe there is hardships everywhere because of these orders, countries like Uganda are really struggling. In Uganda, many people, especially in the cities, live hand to mouth. This means that they normally work a day, earn money for that day and feed their family for that day. After this amount of time in lockdown people are starving. Families are desperate and there has been much violence, especially within families. ...

Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. Stay Home and Stay Safe! This is a saying we have all heard multiple times over the last couple of months as the world has faced the Covid—19 pandemic. What I found comfort in is that while this is the first time that for me to go thru something like this it is not the first time for God and as always He has been with His people thru it. ...

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.—Job 1:21 Dear Friends and Family, This past season has been a bit of a difficult time for our family. With in a short period of time 2 of our beloved dogs passed away: one from cancer and one from an unexpected accident. One week later our house was robbed, which according to the police most likely was someone who works with us and we have trusted. Shortly after these incidents the hardest hit of all arrived when we got the phone call that my dad had passed away. ...

“.. .And you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” —Mathhew 1:21 Dear Friends and Family, As the holiday season has come to an end and we are jumping into the new year, we wanted to take time to share about the Christmas outreaches that have taken place. As part of our church ministry we reach out to the market place and the people who work there. This is actually how Arise Christian Fellowship began. Many men came to the Lord and the church was born. The women in the market place have been harder to reach. Many of them have had very hard lives and are caught up in practicing witchcraft. As I was preparing for this years women’s Christmas tea the women from the market place were really on my heart, that they would really understand the true meaning of Christmas and why Jesus came. There are a couple ladies from church who come from the market place so in the days leading up to the Tea they were really helpful in reaching out and inviting other market ladies to come. I planned for 2 teachings and a light meal, as well as Christmas cookies and tea. ...

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. — Colossians 2:6-7 Dear Friends and Family, It is exciting to look forward to the new year, knowing all that the Lord has already done. The theme through the Christmas season has been Jesus, what he has done for us and who we are in Him. ...

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” —Matthew 19:14 Dear Friends and Family, Summer is always a crazy time for us in Uganda. For most of the summer we have teams coming in and out of the guest house to serve with various ministries that Far Reaching Ministries has in Uganda and in Sudan. It is amazing to be a small part of what God is doing in and through so many peoples lives. While the summer keeps us busy at the guest house it is also a busy time at church and in the neighborhoods. ...

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. —Psalm 138:2 Dear Friends and Family, Each month we share about the different ministries that take place through Arise Christian Fellowship and Far Reaching Ministries. As I was reviewing all the things that have taken place in this last month one thing has really stood out to me: the emphasis of teaching or sharing God’s Word. It is the foundation of all the ministries, outreaches and events that take place. Isaiah tells us that God’s Word will not return void, Romans tells us that faith comes from hearing God’s Word and 2 Timothy tells us to teach what we have learned to others who might teach it as well. As I review and write about what is happening in the ministry here in Uganda, I pray that all of these are being fulfilled and are a testimony to others. ...

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, This past month we had a very big surprise. Amina came to visit! She surprised all her friends and family. Only Brian and I knew. We didn’t tell the children and when they woke up in the morning Amina came to breakfast. They went crazy. Luke and Laylee were laughing/crying and hugging her. Liana was in shock, she just sort of stood there staring like she couldn’t believe it was real. She actually remained that way for a couple of days. For those of you who may not know, Amina is like one of our children. She lived with us for many years before getting married and moving to the USA. ...

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 Dear Friends and Family, This past month we celebrated Luke and Laylee’s birthdays. Luke turned 9 and Laylee 8. It is so hard to believe how fast time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday they were babies. We love them so much and are so proud of them. ...

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 Dear Friends and Family, He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! We pray that you all are having a wonderful time celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This month we once again saw many things taking place here in Uganda within the church, the guest house and our family. ...