NEWSLETTER: June 2019 Looking ahead

What is ahead? As my communication seems to be dwindling, I thought I would offer some little bits of knowledge on what I do know about the future....at least known events. The first major event on the horizon is I am going to South Sudan to visit our teams there. I will fly up on 27th July and spend a long weekend there, traveling by air each day. I feel rather honored to get this opportunity. It didn't actually feel real until today when my visa was approved and put in my passport. This is a great chance to get a better understanding of what life is like for our missionaries there and how we can best support them from Kampala. Just after that, I am taking another few days for some holiday in Ethiopia. I will get to see the same friend that came to visit me in April. She has been able to get an amazing trip organized and this will be so much fun! It is good to get out of the normalcies (good and bad) of big city Kampala life and I think these two trips will definitely provide that. In August, we have our regional conference that happens every other year. I help to plan for this and coordinate some logistics as it gets closer. We are thrilled to have a team and speaker come from the U.K. The team will have a program planned for kids and a separate one for our teens. This is a great opportunity to spend time with people that we so often only communicate with via email. Possibly the most exciting event on the calendar is going to begin just as August comes to a close. My mom and brother will come visit for two weeks. All three of us are so excited; though it probably shows in our own unique ways. I've been working on a schedule for while they are here. I think they will be more excited about the sunrise at the Nile than Waffles was in the picture below. That's a little snipet of what is on the horizon here. So at least now you have some idea of what I'm doing when I'm not communicating well with you. Many thanks for all your continued prayer and financial support. There never will be words that can effectively convey my gratitude for all that you do so I can do what I do. Be Well and Love Much, Katherine

NEWSLETTER: June 2019

10 Highlights for 10 Weeks - Part 2 Recently, I haven't communicated well. I shall assume that you offer continued forgiveness on this and for that I am grateful!! Life continues on here. The "10 for 10" line was supposed to highlight 10 things in my first 10 weeks in Uganda after returning at the end of January from a short sabbatical. I'm pretty sure an additional 10 weeks (plus more) has passed since the first part. Not to worry...I remember (most) of what I was going to wright for part 2 and all of what's in my brain is still applicable. Without further delay, let me get right into it.

6. News from the office  New job and new boss. That's right, a couple months back, I switched jobs. Surprise! I still work at the same place and serve the same amazing missionaries around central Africa as we seek to further the Kingdom. I was asked to consider and did accept the position of Office Manager. I realize this isn't the typical thing that comes to mind for someone serving overseas for mission work. There is much admin and background work that goes into the organization (and probably any company). Leaders have noticed my ability to see how different parts overlap and work together. In this new role, I try to keep they overlapping pieces working and interacting smoothly. It puts me in a position to see processes and put things in motion to make improvements where needed so that we can serve the missionaries in our region more efficiently which will in turn spread the Gospel.  The leader for our office and region has also changed or is changing. This has been a long anticipated and planned for change as the previous one and his family have needed to transition back to America. The new one will start on Monday after we've had an interim and unique transition time. Please pray for this ongoing transition in the office. I think some of us, myself include, are still processing the grief as one leaves and the anticipation as a new leader comes. Picture: My office complete with some pictures hanging above the computer and a lovely chair for visitors when someone comes to see me. Prayer Point: Please pray as my new role continues to develop and gain definition. Pray for clarity on how I should focus my tasks. Please pray as we continue this transition with our leader.  Pray that everyone would have grace for each other and that we would all of a learner's attitude as we move forward under new leadership for the office and region.

7. Two Great Weekends  At the time of starting "10 for 10" there were two fabulous weekends on the horizon. One of them was camping with two other ladies. Their husbands were gracious to take care of their kids and let the ladies get away. We stopped for an adventure at a ropes course on the way. It was incredible! We didn't know what to expect but it far exceeded anything we could imagine. The second weekend was a friend coming to visit from Kenya over a long weekend. We had met at meetings in September and have stayed in touch. It was so great to be together again as she will soon make the transition across the ocean. Picture: From the ropes course, here I am crossing the spider web section. It was sooo much fun! Prayer Point: Though it is weeks later, please join me in praise for the time with my friends. Looking through pictures of these adventure out of the city and time with friend(s) on the long weekend, I was reminded of how blessed I am that God has provided the exact friends I needed in different situations.

8. Doing Well  You may remember that I went to the states for about six weeks at the beginning of the year. In a nutshell, the last quarter of 2018 had worn me down and I needed a major reset. Thankfully, my leaders acted and suggested I get a break and some much needed rest. Since returning at the end of January, I am so thrilled to say that I have been doing well. Actually, just last week, a good friend was telling me that she can still tell that I doing really well. It is reassuring to know that is seen from others and not just my opinion. I'm still human and this is still life so there are times of homesickness and the typical bad day everyone gets from time to time. In all the greatness, I am sure that Waffles (my dog) plays a part in this. She's been a great addition to my life. Picture: Waffles and I just laying around enjoying life. Prayer Point: Please join me in thankfulness for this time in the states at the beginning of the year. Thankfulness that AIM has policies and procedures in place for such a time and need. (I've learned not every organization has this.) I'm ever thankful for all the logistics coming together of where to stay and how to get around. I'm thankful for the time that I had with a variety of people, each one that encouraged and helped in their own unique way. I give thanks that even months later, it is clear how wise that decision was and that the rest and encouragement received sustains me still.

9. Revolving Door  This is a recurring topic and will remain a hot topic as long as I live this life. The revolving door of friends continues to revolve. I often tell people that there's no way for any orientation to cover this aspect of expat life. There is something so unique about the bonds formed overseas and when those bonds get stretched over an ocean, much grief is had for all involved. The above picture is from my balcony. Somehow the light area, dark clouds, and obvious rain seemed fitting for such a situation with a variety of emotions. Light - thankful for the good, the memories with friends. Dark - the gut wrenching feeling as people transition away that builds as the time approaches. Rain - the messy feelings of everything all mixed together and yet one must keep going through it all. Prayer Point: Join me in praise and thankfulness that God provides amazing friends to provide the support needed while our paths overlap. Please pray for the undefined loss as our paths part and we both make adjustments. Pray for these friends that are settling into America after up to 10 years of service in Uganda. Pray for the new friendships to form and current ones to deepen as I mend the holes of support these friends provided to me.

10. Home Assignment is Coming  This picture is from a day a while back when I started dreaming a little about what my next time in the states would look like. At the time it was some months away. However, soon it will be just four months away. That's right! In early November I will be headed to the states for 6 months. AIM refers to this as "home assignment". Historically, some may have referred to this as furlough. The problem is that furlough gives an implication that rest may be sole focus of this time. Other high priorities include seeing many of you, sharing stories about this term (since 19 April 2017), and raising more support where needed. Now is the time to start thinking about if you want to spend some time with me or if you have a group that may be interested in hearing about my small part in AIM's efforts to spread the Gospel in Africa. Just a few days ago, I made some tentative plans with friends for December. I started looking at filling in the time before and after and it made me realize how blessed I am to have so many people to see and places to go. It does mean that you should speak soon so I can get you on the list as I put the calendar together. Prayer Point: Please pray that I would remain present in life here and still find the right times to start planning for my time in the states. Please begin praying for the big details like transportation and a place to stay. I am praying for a place that I can use as a "home base" of sorts instead of continually going from one to another like I did in 2017.  Well, I will consider you a little bit more caught up on the happenings. I'd love to hear of the happenings in your life as 2019 reaches the midway point. Top picture: from the camping trip with friends. A simple sunrise selfie at the Nile. Be Well and Love Much, Katherine