We can’t believe it has been two and a half months since we
left Michigan! The last few weeks of adjustments have been exhausting at times,
but as a whole we are acclimating and growing stronger as a family.
My work has kept me very busy the first couple months
juggling a lot of miscellaneous small projects. As of March 1, we started work
on a project for Music For Life – African Children’s Choir (https://africanchildrenschoir.com/)
building a choir training facility. The African Children’s Choir consists of
children, who in many cases have lost at least one parent to war, famine, or
disease. Through performances around the world these children raise awareness of
the needs of destitute and orphaned children in Africa while also raising funds
to pay for their future education.
I get the opportunity to be on the jobsite most days to not
only manage the construction project but to work with the ultimate goal of
building relationships with the men on-site. These men come from all over
Uganda and beyond and speak countless languages (there are around 40 different languages
in Uganda alone). Many of the men are desperate for a job and eager to work
very hard for a source of income. I am continually impressed by how hard these
guys work.
There are Christians, Muslims, tribal religions and non-believers
among the men. We have started holding chapel onsite every Wednesday. Although
optional, everyone has been attending. This week, Tatyabala Richard (our site
Foreman) spoke about how our strength comes from Christ and he is the
Foundation of our lives. Just as the strength of the building we are
constructing comes from the foundations we are digging, the strength in our
lives comes from our solid foundation in Christ.
It has been a great joy for me to begin learning about these
men’s lives. With permission, I hope to share some of these stories in the
months to come.
We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve in Uganda.
Thank you for your support through prayers and encouragement as we continue to
settle into our life here.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he
considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” 1 Timothy 1:12
Blessings,
Matt and Family
Here are some pictures from the site over last few weeks:
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| Site rendering of finished product. |
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| Clearing the site. First things first - Termite mounds. |
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| And sometimes you find snakes that make even grown men squeal and run. |
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| Clearing the site. Pick axes, hoes, and shovels. |
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| First foundations. |
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| Chapel on-site. |
