a glimpse

I could write about this big move we have coming up, and how I'll miss my beloved Soroti, and my beloved team, and how I'm gonna trust God for this opportunity in Jinja, and thank Him for it. Or I could reflect on the past year of marriage to a Ugandan, and how I know that I know that marriage has brought out the worst in me so that it can be killed and the best can come forth. Or maybe I should talk about living with 6 young men (one of them being my husband) and how to feed the group for under $7 a day. Or I could share each of their stories, and how they ended up staying with us. Or maybe I should talk about the purity clubs we have started and the journey of finding dedicated teachers. Or the kids we are finding sponsors for. I'm sure their stories could fill pages.  There's mango season and then the harvesting of white ants. There's the motorcycle ride to the village clinic with a very feverish young girl, and the arguing for the right cut of pork at the right price. There's hanging banners in the market declaring the love of God for His children, or the constant search for sponsors for our kids. Like how we went to the same shop about 5 times looking for money promised for sponsorship, people dodging us, tossing us and finally there was the kicking of the dust off our feet as we moved on.  Then again there are powerful times of prayer in our house, people slain in the spirit, demons leaving, praises ringing and worship of the King of King pouring out of laughing freed lips. Chapati business and visiting street kids, hospital prayer times and grieving with those who have lost loved ones. What can I say about roasting rats? And there are chicks sleeping in our kitchen pantry every night. Fast moving storms and power outages. Oh and advising young girls on how to keep pure in the ever persistent pursuing of young men at school and on the streets. Then there's family issues and celebrations back in the states and being far away, and how sometimes the distance makes things easier, and sometimes harder. Each subject could be it's own post. Each story is worthy of it's own, but then again, I should talk about time, and how it is endless and yet it never seems to be enough. And if I had the time I would expand on each of these things, but this will have to suffice for now. Call it a picture, a glimpse in to my life right now. Let it be enough for now. For another fast storm may be coming and power may go out and...

Seasons

WE ARE MOVING! WE ARE CHANGING ORGANIZATIONS! Don't worry, we're still the same crazy, God-fearing, people-loving couple, but God has called us to venture out of our much loved home of Soroti to Jinja, Uganda. WHAT?!? Yes, to the source of the world's longest freshwater river. If that isn't exciting enough...

...We are so excited about what God is doing there. We have an opportunity to come under two other couples in training local pastors, from the nearby villages, including the Lake Victoria Islands, on basic theology, marriage and family, and Framing God's Way among other topics. Most of them have basic education due to the lack of funds to further their studies. We will also be helping at Welcome Home Orphanage which is run by the same organization that we will be working under as well as helping with village outreaches to the several villages across Jinja. One of the couples we will work with is Josè and Sol Nuñes who I, Beckie, met through a friend when I first came to Uganda 4 years ago...and they are the very couple who married us just one year ago! They have become like parents to us. And we are excited to come alongside them.

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Our main focus will be teaching and learning how to run the Kingdom Life Training Center, which the school for village pastors.  Ruudy has the gift of teaching and we are excited to see him grow even more into the man God has called him to be as he develops this gift. As a newly married couple, the opportunity to come under and grow with these two mature Godly couples is such an amazing blessing. With Ruudy growing up here in Soroti, he has so many connections in Soroti pulling at him and trying to fit into the organization that I (Beckie) was already working with was challenging. We see this opportunity for us to have a fresh start in a new place that is unfamiliar to both of us.

We are still passionate about the ministry that we have started in Soroti, the Purity Clubs and the Child Sponsorship. We have the next three months to transition full time to Jinja and try to line up the right people to keep the work going in Soroti. We will stay involved in this ministry albeit from a distance.

We love International Teams and have been blessed working with them. And we will miss our teammates in Soroti, but are thankful we are still nearby. They are only a 4 hour drive away.

SO....As of May 31st I will no longer be working for International Teams. We will no longer be able to receive support through International Teams shortly after that date. 

Instead, we will be receiving support through Calvary Life Fellowship.  We urge you to make this transition with us and continue supporting the work that God has called us to. If you can accept the inconveniences that making this change may bring and journey with us as we continue to spread the Kingdom news we would be so blessed. You can begin sending support, already this month, to: 

Calvary Life Fellowship

Missions: UG-Ruudy & Beckie

PO Box 1161

Brea, CA 92822

Because Calvary Life Fellowship is a small church they are not set for electronic funds transfers but you can set up with online banking to have your bank send a check each month automatically to the address above. If writing a check you should just include our names on the envelop or a slip of paper not on the actual check.

Thank you for your support over the past 4 years! We couldn't have done it without you, and we still need you, for, "The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 1 Cor 12:21.

We are going to put together a short video soon that will better explain the work we will be involved with in Jinja. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please email us. We would love to hear from you.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Ruudy & Beckie