The benefit of having an infant and traveling across ten time zones is that I didn’t suffer from jet lag, at all whatsoever. In fact, I arrived more refreshed than I’d been in days since I was actually sleeping when Carmel was sleeping on the plane! (And even sometimes when she wasn’t and daddy took the shift bouncing for an hour in the airplane’s galley.) As you can imagine, our first month in country has flown by, hardly allowing us the time to note its progress. Here are some events from our time thus far.
We’ve dived straight back into the work, and even taken on a few more responsibilities. I had continued doing the finances for the mission while away. However, upon returning I’ve been able to wrap up many loose ends. I’ve also begun taking a larger role in assisting with the finances for our clinic ministry. This will streamline reporting and records across the Karamoja mission. Christopher has assisted with repairs on the Okken’s house (badly needed to repair bat/termite damage) and overseen school boys who we hire to plant our fields. A new crop of hibiscus is now in the ground. Together we’ve taken over payroll for the mission. And sundry other responsibilities in lieu of teammates that are temporarily off the field.
As many of you know, hospitality is core to our vision of the church body and ministry. We’re putting that into practice by hosting all of the missionary associates and visitors for dinner once a week (10-15 people). Hosting Africans is a bit trickier since many do not want to be out of their villages after dark. However, we hope to begin inviting them on Sunday afternoons soon. In the meantime, we make a lot of tea!
Carmel turned two months! She is now smiling and cooing often. Everyone, missionary and African alike, want to hold her! Church has become a lesson in letting go as she is handed from one Karimojong to the next. I only get her back if she begins to cry! Their greatest concern is that she isn’t wearing a hat, socks and a sleeper or wrapped in a blanket. Cold is apparently her greatest enemy in this tropical place. She has also been given a Karimojong name, Moru (mountain), since she is named after a mountain in the Bible. It is rather hilarious though since at first they all think we named her Camel. I’ve begun stretching out the “r”! People delight in constantly asking how “the child” is. I’ve been encouraged that a crying baby is a healthy baby.
This last Tuesday, Christopher biked to Namalu (the closest town, about 6 miles away) to attend a service in honor of the Church martyrs. It was a national holiday and the local Catholic church always puts on quite the celebration. He enjoyed getting back on his bike and joining the throngs that headed to town. Maybe one day you will see some footage from the event! While in town, he visited with one of our church members who owns a shop there and watched his bike while he went to the service.
That is a skeletal summary of our life for the past month. Once Carmel is sleeping through the night, I’ll attempt a more poetic, pensive prose.
Good to hear from you Chloe! I’ve been thinking of you all a lot, and keeping you in my prayers.