Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Intentionality


I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.         (3 John 1:4 NLT)

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Hope you were able to reflect on all the many Blessings God has provided you this year and that you were able to celebrate with family and friends.
We enjoyed our Thanksgiving Day a little differently, with Bruce teaching a class in the village and Janine cleaning at home and helping Doreen with a new sewing project.  We ate Chicken instead of turkey; rice replaced our potatoes, and we had banana bread instead of pie. Not your traditional Thanksgiving meal, but still delicious!

Teaching with Intentionality
This month we have been back at it hard and with a little more Intentionality.  We are continually reminded that our time in Uganda is not permanent, this is not our home, we are only visitors passing through, and that God will eventually lead us somewhere else.  With these reminders come thoughts of:  What will we leave behind? What legacy can we leave?  Will the work that was started last? Did we do enough?  Were we an example of Faith?  Did they see Jesus in us?  Some of the same thoughts parents have as they send their children out into the world are again our thoughts with these people and this community.

We think of the village as our family, in a way we think of them as Our Children.  We have been training them to Grow and to Go in the way God has for them; just like we did with our children.  The most precious thing we can leave our children is an Example of Our Faith – a confident conviction that God is who He says He is, and He will do all He has promised.  Put your trust in Him!  Like parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring them to follow Christ.  It doesn’t just happen.  We must be an example for them to follow!

We were like Proud Parents when we returned from the states and found our village friends working diligently for our God!  We were so happy to see that the villagers were following our lead.  They did an awesome job continuing the work!  Some of what we have been teaching seems to be sticking!
But our work isn’t finished, we continue helping them take necessary steps toward maturity.


Pastoral Training
Bruce is finishing this week with the final courses in the Pastoral Class.  The men will be given a final field assignment to complete, and then they will receive a certificate.  They have been like sponges, soaking in as much as they can.  We are so proud of what they have accomplished!

Women’s Ministries & Training
The Ladies have been hard at work with beading and sewing projects.  The ladies working on the Pad Project have been busy sewing and learning how to run a business.  Sylvia, the leader, has been learning how to be a good boss, how to lead and delegate in a working environment.  We hope to have enough products ready to distribute in early February.

The Fun Stuff
Janine was able to spend some time with 29 Primary 2 students teaching about keeping our bodies clean, even our teeth.  These kids had never seen a toothbrush or toothpaste.  (Something we take for granted these kids can’t afford.)  They were so excited to learn about this new tool and for being able to take one home and show their parents and siblings.  Thank you Bethel EFC for sending this gift!  You put big smiles on these little faces!

Bible Study
The Ugandans are leading Bible studies.  We get the pleasure of joining them and being there for moral support helping with questions when something needs a little more explanation. They are understanding God’s truths and sharing what they are learning with each other.  It is awesome to watch them as they communicate in their own language and in their own way.  They are learning!  What more can we ask for?

Our PRAYER Requests          
& Praises
·      *THANK YOU for praying for Bruce’s knee!!  He say’s it is almost like brand new!
·      *Please pray for Erine who is family and lives in our compound with us, (Simon’s 6 year old little girl), she fell and Broke her arm.
·      *Pray for Wisdom and Discernment as we continue to transition the leadership over to the Nationals. 
·      *Safety as we travel the roads
·      *Safety from thieving.  There has been and increase of reports of home break-ins
·      *Overall we stay healthy from sickness and disease
·      *Pray for Clarity as we seek God’s will for our future

If you are considering an End of Year Gift for Us or Afayo, Please remember to attach a note specifying for: “Cokers” or “Afayo”. Any money not designated as such is put in ECM’s general budget.
God Bless & Merry Christmas!

Serving Our KING together with you!
Bruce & Janine