Malaria?

A few nights ago, as we were sharing with friends from our home church about God’s work in Uganda, I started feeling pretty ill. Soon afterward I was shivering uncontrollably. I had been having back and head aches all day, actually on and off for a few days, but I assumed it was just from packing and moving heavy bags. (I’m not as young as I once was.) When I started shivering and then felt nauseous, I realized that this is the normal progression when I have malaria. Last summer when we had been in the US for 2 months, two of our kids came down with malaria. They tested positive after several cycles of high fevers and nausea. 

Now I am wondering if I have malaria. I tested negative for Covid and so I am just treating for malaria. We know too many stories of people coming down with malaria in the US and it getting very severe because the treatment isn’t as accessible here. So we travel with malaria treatment. I have now treated and am feeling much better. The day after my high fever, Esther took care of Evie and did the shopping and packing for heading back to Uganda. She is an AMAZING daughter! What a gift! I slept on and off most of the day and was feeling much better after medicine and some good rest! 

The next day was another day of packing up and shifting to another house. We are very grateful for all of the generosity of many people sharing their homes with us! We will also be happy to be in our own home in Uganda and not living out of a suitcase! One of my children pointed out that we will have slept in 9 different places this summer. I thought that couldn’t be true since we spent a whole month at one missionary guesthouse, but then I counted. It is true. And it is hard to wake up each morning and need to remember where everything is in this house. This morning I noticed that Google maps told me that my “home” was the missionary guesthouse where we stayed for a month. I almost cried. I am thankful that during our next furlough we will be able to stay in our own house in Georgia! 

While a physical “home” has been elusive, our church family certainly felt like home again quickly. Our whole family has reconnected with friends from our church. I am so thankful for these relationships that have been a tangible representation of the love of Christ to us over the years. It makes saying goodbye hard every time, but I am thankful! 

Last night this amazing church family helped us celebrate Elijah turning 18! Since Elijah enjoys chess, our sweet friends who were our gospel community group 10 years ago set up a chess tournament birthday party. It was so cleverly decorated and set up with his favorite things. In the midst of sickness and packing and everything, I didn’t know how I would plan a party, but my sweet friends did it all! I am so very thankful for this community that loves us and uses their gifts to show love to our family! 

 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:12

I am so thankful to know the love of Jesus better because of these dear friends who show his love to us!