Dear Friends and Family,
We are so thankful to the Lord to let you know that we have made it to Uganda!! We have been here for just over 2 weeks and are still settling in. We had an eventful trip to Entebbe that involved ticket issues for Dawson, one of our bags getting tagged with the wrong information, a 2+ hour delay that drastically decreased our layover in Brussels, running to our gate as they were calling our names before closing the doors, some turbulence, and finally arriving late at night in Entebbe where we found out we were missing one bag (later to find out it had ended up in Lake Charles). Nonetheless, we are here! Thank you so much for your prayers for our trip! The kiddos did SO well and as eventful as it was, we arrived safely and our missing bag has been returned. Praise the Lord!
Expected Challenges And Some Surprises!
The seven hour time difference was definitely a tough adjustment! The first night in our new home, everyone slept so well that we THOUGHT we were off to a good start. The second night, all four kiddos fell asleep at bedtime and all woke and stayed up from 11pm-3am wide awake. The following nights, 2-3 of them were up at varying times with “I can’t sleep, Mama,” “I’m just not tired, Daddy.” Travis and I could have slept at any point during these first few days because we were wiped out, but I guess that’s the life of being a parent – especially when you move your entire family across the world!
We have since adjusted and everyone is back to a mostly normal routine. Jackson got sick shortly after our arrival and after a week of fevers, we decided to navigate the health system over here and see what we could find out. Malaria is always a concern in this part of the world. So, we had him checked out at a local hospital/clinic, and he was negative for malaria. They did another blood test which indicated a bacterial infection.
He has been feeling much better since the antibiotics, and thank the Lord has been eating really well [Travis: more like eating us out of house and home!]. This is a huge praise from previous updates where his appetite wasn’t great. Pictured is Jackson continuously sneaking into/raiding our pantry (Yes, he does in fact wear pants in public)!
Meet Beatrix!
Meet Beatrix! Beatrix is from another Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Florida, and is staying with us as we start our life in Uganda. The OPC thoughtfully put out a request for someone to come over with us to help out with childcare as we settle in, learn a new culture, and figure out how to do basically everything over here. She graciously filled that need, was even able to fly over with us (yay for extra hands!), and has been such a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for her!
New Adventures
We have started lots of new adventures since arriving here. Where we are located now, disposable diapers are available. However, we will be moving in a few months, and certain items will not be as available. So, we decided to do cloth diapering. We began that shortly after arriving and are figuring it ALL (Emphasis from Travis) out. We also started homeschool for the twins which is fun and challenging (two very different learners). Everyday life has brought lots of learning in and of itself. The tap water is not safe to drink, so we have to filter all of our water. You cannot even brush your teeth with it! Trying to get the toddler not to ingest it (And everything else around here that can get you sick) has been a feat of its own. We have had to learn how to wash fruits/veggies in a way that will limit illness. Paying bills, buying food, driving on the other side of the road, setting up phones, doing laundry, and so on have each been a learning experience.
Plugging Into The Church
In Mbale, our home church is All Nations Presbyterian Church. It has been such a joy to worship with them the past few Sundays. The littles have enjoyed going to Sunday School, and a few other children close to their age are attending. So, we are hoping to build those friendships. The church is meeting at OPUM’s Reformation Book Room which is just 5 minutes from where we are staying (In fact, we can get most anything we need within a few minutes drive or have it delivered on a boda!)
Through the church, we have met some local believers who have been of great encouragement and wisdom to us. We have met other missionaries who get together for men’s and women’s prayer meetings at a local coffee shop which has been a sweet time of fellowship as well. Travis has been able to see the mission’s work firsthand at Knox Theological Seminary and will likely be helping out in various ways there while we are in Mbale. Providentially, fellow OPC missionary, Ben Hopp, is currently teaching a class on missions at Knox. Travis has enjoyed sitting in on some of Ben’s lectures and getting to know some of the staff and students there.
Life-long Learners?
In this season, it does feel somewhat like going back to school…we are students, constantly learning, sometimes in structured environments, but always in each daily task and conversation. Often, our brains feel tired from just the amount of information we are processing! While incredibly humbling, it can also be great fun- as long as you learn to be able to laugh at yourself.
We are missing our loved ones and certain comforts of “home” (a strange term now as we feel home is in more than one place). Pray that the Lord would comfort and encourage us. Pray for us to be able to compassionately help our children through this transition process as we struggle through it ourselves. Pray for stamina and endurance as even the little things can feel exhausting and sometimes overwhelming (Like going to town, running errands, getting food, etc.). Pray that we would be able to continue to be flexible, filling in and helping out wherever and however is needed. Pray for our team as they each are facing challenges and difficulties of their own right now (From deaths of dear Ugandan church members and staff, to family emergencies forcing unexpected travel back to the states- we are burdened for our team that is going through so much right now). Pray for the Church here in Uganda and the various ministries of OPUM. Pray that many unbelievers might be saved, the saints built up in the faith, and in all things God would continue to be glorified here.
In Christ,
The Emmett’s
Praises
- We have made is safely to the field and are beginning to settle in
- Our lost luggage (though tagged with someone else’s name) has made it back to us
- Jackson is feeling better and eating well!
- We have a local church body to plug into and are starting to make other local connections
- For all of you who have prayed for and supported us in this!
Prayers
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Salvation for our children and unsaved loved ones back home
- Health, safety, and a smooth adjustment for us and our children
- That the Lord would provide friendships to be formed in the community we are currently in and the one we will soon be going to
- That we would be able to get our work visas and dependent passes quickly
- That the Lord would give us wisdom with how best to serve our team
- For wisdom and encouragement for both the OPC Foreign Missions Committee and the OPUM team as they navigate multiple changes on the field.
- That the church plants in Nakaale and Mbale would continue to grow/thrive.
- For elders and deacons to be raised up from within the congregation of Nakaale Presbyterian Church.
