International Worship

Well folks, sorry about the radio silence but I’m back.  This is Abbey today. We’re actually working not just at summer camp!  So we’ve been lesson planning and in meetings all week.  Still having a great time but that’s why you haven’t heard as much from us lately.

But let me back up to the awesome weekend we had.  We went to two church services this past weekend.  On Saturday we went to Bunga Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.  We walked in and we were the ONLY two white people in the whole church of over 450 people.  It was awesome!!!!  We sang some great hymns that were familiar.  It was also Children’s day so the children did the whole service.  They sang and danced to special songs in English and Luganda (I think), did a drama and presented a message.  It was really neat.  After church a man who lives right behind our school invited us over for a snack.  Not only did we not have to walk home we spent some time getting to know a new friend & neighbor!  It was really a special day.  *I'll try to post pictures later, I'm struggling to get them off Ernie's iPod.  I need Stacia or Mark's help!

On Sunday we attended the church that meets at our school cafeteria.  The place was filled with people from all over the world, joining together in worship songs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It was amazing to think that in heaven all believers, from all nations, will join together in worship and what an awesome day that will be!

I think that is the amazing thing about being a part of the Heritage community here is being in such an international community.  Last night we had a staff dinner and at our table at one point we had people from Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Kenya!  Amazing!  We laugh when we try to pronounce things in each other’s languages (like Ernie trying to say “good night” in Dutch).  It has been so rewarding to journey with each other as we go through the ups and downs of all the idiosyncrasies of living in a new culture and doing things in a new way.

This week I’ve been feeling more of a purpose and more confident about living here.  At first there was the excitement of everything new and then the frustration of doing everything differently than I’m used to.  But little by little I feel small victories are being made.  We successfully navigated the Matatus, grocery shopping and the stove top.  (Not the gas oven without a thermometer though.)  So I think we’re going to be okay.  Though I do reserve the right to panic later!

So some of you have asked how the pregnancy is going…here’s the update.  I’m 21 weeks now and the baby (according to babycenter.com) is about 10 ½” long, as long as carrot.  He weighs about ¾ of a pound and he’s moving every day now.  No more vague fluttering but more like swimming motions in my belly.  I am just in awe. 

Thank you for all the prayers you’ve been sending!  Please keep them coming as we begin school on Monday.  Please pray for the staff and the students to have a great year and for the Lord’s name to be lifted high.  I haven’t gotten sick at all and Ernie had a little bout with tummy sickness but is better now.  If you could continue prayers for health (especially for the baby) as well it would be appreciated!  Also, if you could pray for some of the staff that is having a tough transition and some with illnesses that would be great too.