WELCOME

Part 1

It's the 2nd of June, 11:43 pm, Uganda time, as I start our first of many blogs to come.  We began our journey with the traditional goodbyes from mom and dad's house, followed by a 4 hour ride in the Prather's Expedition.  Kent, Sandy and Allison Prather have seen us to the airport and picked us up to many times to count. Each time I tell Kent thanks, his reply is classic Kent with a great big grin, "Wouldn't have missed it!"  Let me tell you something, when your leading your immediate family to a developing world, and saying farewell to family and friends, it's people like the Prather's that keep you going.

In fact, let me brag a little bit more on this family.  After checking in all 15 totes, and crossing our fingers the airline wouldn't weigh our carry-on’s (which they did, but had an extreme amount of mercy), right before we stepped into the never ending line at TSA, Kent grabbed my hand, and said, let's gather round and say a prayer.  Yep, that's right, it wasn't, "We'll be praying for you"...it was, let's do it NOW.  I honestly have no idea what must have went through the minds of the hundred's of witnesses that surrounded us in one of the countries busiest terminals on Memorial Day, but this I know for sure.  For just a moment, the Church parted the seas of people, and Christ was truly glorified.  Thank you Kent for being mindful of Jesus in the midst of the storm.  Thank you Sandy and Allison for standing with us and being there...you'll never know how much that prayer meant.

Besides our first flight being delayed by one hour, the rest of the journey was quite pleasant.  A few bumps, but God truly had us in His hands.  With all 15 totes surviving the journey, we arrived in Uganda, early in the afternoon, and were greeted with the traditional Ugandan welcome, which is always a good thing.  A huge thanks to Michael, Solomon, Derrick, Alfred, and Dicky, for assisting us home.  I believe the entire staff would have come, but someone had to stay behind and care for the children of FNC.  

Part 2

We’ve been in country now for 12 days… One would think it could take at least a month or so to come across some challenge.  I wish that were the case.   But funny enough, we were prepared.  In fact, the day we landed, the one and only road, which leads from Entebbe airport to Kampala was all of the sudden closed as we were making our way back.  Why you might ask?  TIA, (this is Africa).  After a slight diversion, only about 3 hours, we arrived at our home well and good, and a bit tired.  

Jet lag has begun to ware off, and our sleeping patterns have just about become normal once again.  I don’t know this to be a fact, but I think the older you become, the longer it takes the human body to make these kind of hemispheric adjustments. 

FNC Academy closed, for our normal 2 week holiday the following day we arrived.  I believe it took all we had to visit the school, before the students and staff took their break.  But we made it, and what a greeting it was!  After literally being bombarded with hugs and kisses, each class had prepared a special dance and song, followed by gifts and cards.  I told Wendy, they had never greeted ME like this!  She thought it was humorous.  In all seriousness, I was completely taken a back.  Their welcome was not only respectful but, sincere, and heart felt.  Thank you to all the FNC staff, teachers, and students for welcoming us back with such love and care.    

Let me conclude this update, with a simple, but sincere word of thanks to all of you who helped us get back to our 2^nd home.  So many of you helped us not only get here, but prepared us for what God has in store.  Your prayers and support truly continue to sustain us.