A Political Storm

Hmm.  We just read on Facebook that some of our friends here in Jinja have left Uganda and are in Kenya.  We imagine it's because of the disturbing circumstances surrounding this presidential election.  Today's news relaying the promise of the contender that he is going to inhabit the State House (executive seat of the Ugandan government) whether he wins or not sounds distinctive similar to that of person planning a coup.

And, yes, we have been warned by the U.S. Embassy in Kampala about staying away from certain places until after things settle ... when the outcome of the election is known.  And, a list of things Americans need to do in preparation in the event of the worst case scenario.

Loving life with a woman of faith

I love what my wife wrote in an email to one of our daughters just five hours ago:

It's a funny time ... here in Uganda.  It reminds me of a coming winter storm in Oregon.  You hear it's coming and so you prepare for the worst.  And somehow you can get caught up in the excitement of it all (of course BEFORE the storm it's just an idea and can be enjoyed, somehow).  But when the power goes out, and trees are down across roads and driveways, and food spoils, and the phones don't work, and you can't tell what's going on outside your own little world, well, it is no longer an event to plan for.  It's a problem to live with.  That is kind of how this election feels right now.  We are warned, from the state department, to prepare and have a plan.  So, we are working on that.  We'll have our documents ready, the van fueled, maps, etc.  We already have the pantry stocked, keeping our phones charged and on (as we were advised).  I only wish I had TV so we could watch the latest news.

Safety is highly valued by the people of our Western Culture.  Risk is to be avoided.  Safety (even comfort) is so important that others sometimes want to impose their idea of safety on the rest of us.

It's a bit of a tricky thing.  Fear is a misrepresentation of risk.  Fear is never a friend.  Fear is a bad counselor.

It's fascinating to me that faith seems to be a threshold to risk.  Faith requires abandonment of self preservation and invites us to trust in divine preservation.

Maybe that is why neither Pam or I sense any fear.  We have only our imaginations when we contemplate or converse about being involved in an African coup or civil war or even a bloody riot. But, we still have this deep sense that we are just where God intends us to be when He wants us to be here.

So, when the sun rises in just a few hours, we will go about our normal work day.  I'll be supervising some construction that is taking place on the NGM property in Bugembe, taking a medical patient to the clinic to redress a wound, working with Ezra as we put the finishing touches on a video, and maybe still have some time to work on recruiting students for our ONE STEP course.

And, Pam?  This amazing woman plans to prayer walk at as many polling places in Jinja as possible. Bringing the heart of the Father to a people that He desperately loves.

I love being married to this girl.  Our life has been an amazing adventure.  And, she constantly reminds me, "From a distance it is an adventure.  But, up close, it is filled with challenges."