Our family has had many opportunities to work through conflict during our van time. Being all together during this time can often be challenging, and we are given many opportunities to overlook offenses, confess, and extend forgiveness and grace to one another. This conflict has also taught us to pray in the morning when we get in the van, not just for safety, but for God to give us his love and patience toward one another.
On the days when everyone is getting along well, we are sometimes able to also listen to a sermon or worship music. We have often been encouraged by pastors from Faith Presbyterian Church in Georgia, The Village Church in Texas, and Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Florida. We are so grateful for Internet access so that we can be encouraged in this way.
One of our favorite things about our commute is all the animals we have been able to see. Since we cross the Nile River twice each day we have seen some fascinating sights. Most days we see a great variety of waterfowl including pelicans, cormorants, egrets, herons, kingfishers, and storks. We would sometimes also see otters and Nile monitor lizards. On a few days we even had the privilege of seeing a hippo! We also thought we saw the snout of a crocodile one day, which Zeke called a "crocodile snot." Most days after that the children all claimed to see a "crocodile snot." Below is not a great photo, but it was all I could get of the hippo.
While these travels have been good memories, mostly, we will be happy to trade in our long drive for a short walk. But we do want to thank God for keeping us safe as we drove these roads daily. Only once did we get our mirror knocked and some paint from a taxi left on the side of the vehicle. Considering the way people drive around here, our safety over these months is truly a blessing from God!
As we look back, we are thankful for the ways God has blessed us in our time living in Jinja, but we also look forward to seeing how he will bless our time living on campus. It feels like God is teaching me the secret of being content in each new circumstance. This passage from Phillipians has often been on my mind, so I thought I would share it. I hope it is encouraging to you also today.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:4-13 ESV)
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