Uniquely Ugandan: Happy July!

By Lauren

Our lovely front porch and Eric built us this fence!

Happy July to you, our family and friends!

I am writing to you on a beautiful Gulu afternoon! The weather has been delightful with just enough rain to satisfy the many crops and plants that Eric has planted over the last couple of weeks! (YUM!! The harvest is coming soon!)

This past month we have continued to settle into our life in Gulu. We are about to celebrate 3 months of living in here, but first, we will celebrate Eric’s birthday this coming weekend!

I joined a Bible study that meets weekly and I also formed a prayer group with two other ladies- we meet every other Friday morning. Eric and I have hosted a handful of new and old friends over for meals and overnight stays this past month. It is such a gift to have a guest room and space for hosting. We are still praying and working on building friendships here.

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The herbicide test plot in the beginning.

The herbicide test plot 4 weeks in!

Eric has been working really hard around the yard- putting up fences around our porches, as well as planting crops, herbs, flowers, and trees and he has also organized a well planned and structured herbicide test plot (I'll let him tell you more about that in another post). In addition, he works regularly with the World Renew farm just outside of Gulu. He has traveled twice this past month for work trips to look at farms with his colleagues and to help with agricultural work in a village several hours from our home. He also participated in a collaborative planning trip with a US-based university who is organizing to send students on a several week learning trip to work alongside the World Renew partners.

Eric hard at work!

Getting the ground ready! George and Ceasar hard at work.

The seeds have been planted and we are waiting for the harvest!

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In early June, I got to spend time with an organization that I have known for several years. The organization is called One Tribe and their main focus is building peace in war-impacted communities through radio drama programs and community workshops centered on elements of peace. They also work in the communities by training in skills that strengthen personal and collective dignity. Their main focus is working with South Sudanese and since the years of war, many South Sudanese are now living in refugee camps in northern Uganda. I traveled (about 2 hours from Gulu) to the camps and worked alongside the team.

Our team meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister, before we set out to the camps.

Juma (left) is a dear friend and student from LASS who I have known for over 6 years, he volunteers with One Tribe on translation and recording of the radio dramas as well as acting as an advocate for the organization.

Community Peace Building workshop with One Tribe.

The expensive view from the northern refugee camps.

In the latter part of June, I traveled to Kampala for a work conference, where I met with the team I work with on curriculum and we were able to review the work we have gotten done so far this year and evaluate ways in which we need to progress forward. I am so grateful for this work that I get to do. I love education and curriculum that is Christ-centered and it is truly life transforming. The curriculum that I get to work on is training the youth of East Africa in spiritual disciplines, character development, and servant leadership. This work has been ongoing for over 25 years and I have witnessed first hand how the truths and lessons in this curriculum have impacted and influenced so many! It is a gift to work alongside east Africans friends who strive each day to see greater healing and change for their region.

While in Kampala, I went to the doctors for my 14-week pregnancy check-up. It is a miracle to me that we have made it this far and we are absolutely grateful! All looked good and the baby is growing!

We have a full July ahead of us and we look forward to sharing about it in our next update! Until then, many thanks for your continual love, support, prayers, and care for us.