NEWSLETTER: May 2016

Small plane, kids, moving, and prayer requests....

A little trip....

Did you know that AIM has it's own aviation department?
It is conveniently known as AIM Air.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go on one of the flights from Kampala to Arua in northern Uganda. The plane was super small!!! There were only four seats. I was the only passenger so I sat next to the pilot with the controls literally at my fingertips and we each had one empty seat behind us. It was incredible to to see the landscape of Uganda as we fly over a forested area andMurchison Falls National Park. Then, as we approached the northern part of the country, it was intriguing to see the remote areas where national's live in traditional houses built in groups.

I was able to visit friends in Arua that serve with AIM Air. While there, we dreamed a little about how great it would be if I could stay there and work with them. We also went out of the town a little ways and enjoyed some fabulous fresh air with a beautiful view. [see top photo]

Being wanted & appreciated....

Blessed is the only thing that comes to mind when I think of being wanted and appreciated. The last few weeks I have really felt this both in my "day job" and as a friend. It is a wonderful feeling that I hope you get to experience on a regular basis.

It was really encouraging to be "wanted" by both my friends in Arua and those I have been working with in Kampala. Sometimes, some extra does of appreciate

I have been going to the neighbor's house the last couple months on Sunday evenings for a little prayer and singing time. It is transforming into friendships and an encouraging time of fellowship. Yesterday I was there for a birthday dinner and when I left my face hurt from all the smiles and laughs. Three kids there suddenly decided I was ok and before the evening was over I was sitting on the floor with a 2, 4, and 5 year old coming at me from all angles. I wasn't complaining and can't wait til we can do it again.

         

Flying over Murchison Falls National Park. 
This is one branch of the Nile, the falls are in the distance, and in the foreground is one of the landing strips for the park.

This is the plane I flew in to get to Arua.
It was an incredible experience!!

It was fun to pretend that I was working there.
Although, those in Kampala were not a fan of that plan and insisted that I return.

Big news....

I actually have two exciting bits of information that I want to share with you!
1. Prayers have been answered and I have found a place to live permanently!!!! After nine months of guest houses, hotels, and other people's places, I am beyond thrilled about this. Moving day should happen within the next week.
2. I'm going back to my roots and visitors are coming all in one! Visiting Orphans has a trip going to Rwanda in late June. This is the organization that I served with when I first came to Africa. The leaders just so happen to be two great friends from my home church and after I join them in Rwanda, the two of them will come to Uganda for a few days.
 

Prayer Requests....

-PRAISE for new housing that will be a more permanent situation. Please pray for the "things" to come together.....from buying a fridge to silverware and finding transport and physical strength to get everything up the stairs.
-PRAY for logistics of the trip next month to continue to fall into place
-PRAISE for an opportunity to see friends and show them a little bit of my life here
-PRAY for an easy transition to the new place and that I can feel settled soon even if on a small level


Many thank you's to you for all you have done. Can you believe I've been on this magnificent continent for 1 year and 4.5 months?!

Abundant grace and every blessing to you and your family!

With love,
Katherine 

NEWSLETTER: October 2015

Making many changes as I turn onto a new path.

Greetings to you!
“Two roads diverged in a wood…..”
Do you recognize where that line is from?
Can you finish it?
It appears at the beginning and end of a popular poem by Robert Frost. At the end it is followed by, “I took the one less traveled by”. 

There are so many unknowns when one serves in full time ministry whether it is in the town you grew up in or a continent on the other side of the world. In my 9 months on the field with AIM, I have encountered plenty of unknowns. In the last couple months, the biggest unknown has challenged me in so many ways.
 
Just as a simple walk in the woods to explore can turn into something far different than an explorer expected for the day due to taking the path less traveled, my journey in Africa is turning into something far different than I expected as everything about my ministry here is changing.
 
The road I was on included moving to Tanzania, being on a two person team, living in a village, eating rice and beans for two of my meals each day, working in a Christian school in a Mu$lim area and a variety of other aspects.
 
The road I have turned onto is leading me to another country, being with a larger team, living in a city, eating a variety of foods (as much variety as I cook anyway), working in an office setting, and an assortment of other characteristics.



For some geographical reference:
Going from a village outside of Tanga, Tanzania to
the city of Kampala, Uganda.

This road that I am on now is leading to Kampala, Uganda. Lord willing, I plan to arrive there in the middle of November. I may not have planned to take this road.  Also, it might be considered unusual to live in 4 different countries (USA, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) in one year. With that said, I wrestle daily with the grief of what was lost in Tanzania and the excitement of so much potential in Uganda.
 
My new role will be working at the Central Region Office for AIM. This office coordinates the ministry that AIM does in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, D.R. Congo, C.A.R., and Chad. Due to some restructuring of roles and responsibilities as well as a number of home assignments and medical leaves, there has been a great need for someone to help in the office. From everyone I have talked to there, I am a huge answer to prayer.
 
Do you know how the poem ends?
The last line of the poem is something that I can only hope and pray will be true for my journey.
 
“And that has made all the difference”
(hopefully Frost is referring to a positive difference)

Please visit my blog for current prayer requests.

For more information about AIM's vission in the central region, I encourage you to watch this video. It is a few years old but depicts a very accurate picture.