Among the more strange aspects of missionary life is furlough. Not infrequently am I asked what the purpose of furlough is, and I struggle to give an answer. For most people, employment is year-round, broken by perhaps a few weeks here and there of vacation.
Remember me, O my God, for good. Nehemiah 13:31b The cycle of sin and salvation has been turning, turning since that first forbidden fruit. Humans bask in God’s presence, then forget its sweetness and, in our desire to make ourselves God, get what we deserve.
Pastor Julius Mukwana was installed as the organizing pastor of Nakaale Presbyterian Church under the RCEA on March 3, 2024! Stating it so simply grossly understates the gravity of the event. The OPC’s work in Karamoja began in 2000 with renovating housing for missionaries to
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its
A few weeks ago I called the husband of a friend who had just had a baby. I wanted to ask if we could come visit the following morning. Before I could ask about the visit, he casually told me in Karimojong that he was
I have been pondering the privilege of being present in this place at this time. The Bible does not tire of the analogy of the world as a field. Pictures of soils, seeds, vineyards, thorns, vermin and harvest abound. Many a missionary has termed their
We made it. We made it through the final goodbyes, the airport send -off, the dentist appointments, immunizations, Kampala craziness, too much sugar, and the trip home with me behind the wheel. The Folkerts family flew back to Canada on Sunday night. There were real
The Easter lilies have bloomed; the rains have returned; the oxen are in the fields plowing; white ants and wild greens and mushrooms are available. Everywhere we are surrounded by seasonal reminders of life renewed and refreshed. But the lilies and mushrooms spring up and
A generous reading of the blank spaces between postings on this blog would assume not only that life on the mission in Karamoja is very busy, but that it is too ineffable to be memorialised in such a space as this. Indeed, much (too much?)
The Way We Do
Remember Me For Good
Remember me, O my God, for good. Nehemiah 13:31b The cycle of sin and salvation has been turning, turning since that first forbidden fruit.…
Though We Hear Gunshots
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the…
Olive, Only One of Her Names
Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. Psalm 91:14 A…
On Being a Missionary
On Being a Missionary – Chapter 8
A Palace, or a Mud Hut? We come to what is perhaps one of the discussions that Chloe and I are most apt to…
On Being a Missionary—Chapter 7
Kings, Cooks, Beggars, Saints Our last chapter was a bit theoretical on the inevitability of culture shock and how to overcome it. This chapter…
On Being a Missionary – Chapter 6
Culture Shock It’s the biggest catch-phrase of moving between continents. When Chloe and I first arrived back in San Diego, it was the first…