Visiting Friends

Last weekend we had the opportunity to catch up with some old friends. We spent most of Saturday reconnecting with Momma Christine and her children (who of course, have all grown up). It was so encouraging to see how the Lord reconnected us and to share our hearts with each other over a delicious meal. She had our wedding picture proudly displayed in her photo album, along with photos of her children. Back in 2010, Momma Christine worked at the missionary housing complex where Tim and I both stayed while we were ministering in Gulu. Missing family is just part of the "missionary life" and I feel it's probably the hardest part about moving here. And yet, God is good. He has placed dear friends in our lives to help ease the sting of missing our other "homes."                                                                                                                                            

Saturday afternoon we went to visit a Andrew, who both Tim and I had spent time with discipling back in 2010. He was one of the teenagers in D12.3, a discipleship, drama & dance team I was apart of. Andrew, only fourteen back then... has now grown up! He was so excited and shocked to find out that we had returned to Gulu. It was such a blessing to introduce him to Silas and to meet his mother and relatives living close by. While Tim & Andrew went to speak with another family living close by, I spent some time attempting to speak Acholi with his family. Of course it brought laughter as I tried to remember what we've been studying in our Acholi lessons. The children enjoyed walking around the huts with Silas and chasing the "gwenos" (chickens). Silas loves the chickens!                                                                                                                                                                                        As we continue to reconnect with dear friends and seek the Lord's direction, please pray that we would be an encouragement where it is needed and that the "maro pe Lubanga" (love of God), would flow out and to those around us! 

Blessings, Janessa (Tim & Silas)

A Dying Seed

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” – John 12:24

 Tim has recently begun planting a little garden of vegetables and herbs. I love the image that John 12:24 describes. Ok, to be completely honest, I love the last part of the image that this verse describes. I love that when a single seed is planted somewhere, it’s purpose is to produce many more. That single seed, holds more potential inside it than can be seen from the outside.

From a single seed, a tree takes root and grows towards the sky.
From a single seed, when nurtured can produce sweet and delicious fruit.
From a single seed, many more are born.

However, the only way for anything to come of that single seed, is for it to be planted. And to be planted means it must first be put deep into the soil of the earth. And here is the part of the process that doesn’t feel as rewarding as the harvest. This is the part where the seed may forget its purpose and struggle with being on its own.

It’s here where the hard work needed to produce abundant life, takes root. And this is where the seed must die. Just like the germination process of a seed, our dreams, our vision, our purpose must die. This is because we are just a single seed in a great big garden. We may think we know who we are and what we are to do in this world… but we are the seed, not the gardener. The gardener knows. He knows our true purpose and he is the one who will nurture us into full maturity. All that is needed from us is to surrender anything that we put “my” in front of and to replace it with “God’s.” We are called to lay down “our” thoughts and take up “His” way. After all, isn’t his way better? God sees the big picture, when you only see the darkness and dirt surrounding you.

We have been in Uganda for over three weeks now and it’s been filled with adjusting to a new way of life, in every aspect. To be honest, it hasn’t been the easiest thing; missing family and friends, raising a baby in a foreign land and waiting on God for his plan to be revealed to us. Though none of these things are a shock, the weight of it is felt a whole lot more once you are planted in the ground. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and forget that we aren’t planted here on our own. The same God that planted us here, is with us and caring for us as a faithful gardener. He protects us from harm (insert: those nasty cockroaches) and will continue to provide for all of our needs. Yes, there are moments that are super uncomfortable, and yet it’s a small price to pay to know that our ultimate purpose it to bear fruit. We are in a waiting time … and in every stage of life, a “fully relying on God” time. We have been transplanted into this red dirt soil for a time and season such as this.

 And he is the same gardener that has planted you right where you are. He knows your needs and concerns, and he is watching over you. So whether you are in a time of dying beneath the heavy soil, on the verge of break through or dancing in full bloom and fruitfulness, know that you are not on your own. And though you may be a single seed in a great big garden, the gardener knows where you are and all you are meant to be. He will not walk away from that which he has planted for an incredible purpose and fruitfulness.

Trust the one who sees the potential, even when you cannot.

Update: Bed by Boda & Other Things

Hello! It’s been a few weeks since our last newsletter and things have been happening! We have been busy settling into our new home, and trying to find the rest of the furniture and items needed. It’s a little challenging when you don’t have Walmart for all your one-stop shopping needs. For example, we bought our bed from a carpenter off the side of the road and had it delivered to us by boda (motorcycle). Bed sheets and mosquito nets we bought at one store, a kettle and floor mat at another and a broom and plastic shelf for the kitchen down the road from that. Everything takes a little longer, especially when you are new to the area! But we are learning! We have walked into town to buy vegetables, fruits, beans and rice at the main market and of course, Silas gets all the attention from the ladies there :).

 A huge blessing and answer to prayer is that Silas and I have a play group we go to on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with other missionary moms and their little ones. It’s been encouraging to see so many missionary kids out here, and an awesome support group for raising kids in a foreign country. It’s definitely challenging having a baby who can’t quite walk yet. His hands, knees and feet are always red from the dirt and with the teething, quite often, everything is put in his mouth. Let’s just say, we are looking forward to the day when Silas isn’t crawling anymore… however, new challenges will present themselves, I know!! We are so blessed to be here, despite the adjustments and change it brings. We are continuing to trust the Lord for his direction and connections.

 Please, continue to pray for our health, safety and direction. We are continually blessed by your prayers and support. Love from Uganda, Janessa, Tim & Silas

June Update

View this email in your browser HOME, SWEET HOME What makes a home? For Tim, probably food and a place to sleep.  For me, it’s all the little details that transform a house into a place of comfort. While we are very thankful and have been blessed with a house to call our own, I know it will be some time before it begins to really feel like our home. However, this week, we were able to get a whole lot of cleaning (yes, this includes the dreaded cockroaches) and much needed baby-proofing done. That has helped make our adjustment (mostly, Silas & I…) a thousand times better and we are beginning to feel settled. We were also able to find a crib for silas and bed for us with little effort, so that in itself was a huge blessing. Figuring out how to hang the mosquito net over the crib so Silas wouldn’t pull it down or chew on it, was a bit of a challenge though! We are also blessed to be in a compound with five other families (four of which have children for Silas to play with) and next week we are hoping to start our herb and vegetable garden. Hopefully we will be able to grow some spinach and lettuce as they are difficult to come by. EDDIE THE EAGLE If you’ve ever flown on long international flights, you know how much it helps the time pass if you can watch a couple of movies.  On one of our two eight hour flights to Uganda we were able to watch the movie Eddie the Eagle.  It’s about a British skier who learned how to ski jump so that he could fulfill his lifelong dream of being an Olympic athlete.  He faced plenty of challenges, self-doubt and foes along the way but was able to fulfill his dream at the 1988 games in Calgary. Watching his journey, I could help but think about the journey we were literally on.  We’ve known our calling has been to come and serve pastors in Northern Uganda for a number of years, and after years of waiting on God’s perfect timing and plan, we were finally on our way.  It’s one of the numerous times these past few weeks where I’ve found myself fighting back tears, excited to be taking this step of faith.  Thanks for being with us on this amazing journey!   FEAR, FAITH & PRAYER  Returning to Uganda has definitely given us a ton of joy, but to say there’s not some worries wouldn’t be true either.  The week before we came there was an attack on the police station in Gulu (less than a mile from our apartment) by a group of self-proclaimed rebels, which can cause some worry in a place only a decade removed from a 20-year civil war.  And just before we left we heard news that a missionary who was in Gulu (we didn’t know them personally) had passed away after a four-month battle with malaria. As much as we can worry about sickness, violence, cockroaches and a dirt covered baby, we know that moving here was an act of faith.  Our faith is found in a Savior who is always faithful.  Yes, the worries here are different than they would be back in North America, but as we’re reminded in 1 Corinthians 5:7 “we walk by faith, not by sight.”  Knowing that we have your prayer support is a huge encouragement to us when we’re tempted to let fear control us instead of faith.  Thank you for being by our side as we continue to get settled here.   PRAYER POINTS For partners to connect with us through prayer and finances For the family of Myron West, the missionary who passed away from Malaria For a smooth adjustment to living in Uganda For understanding and persevering through learning Acholi We will continue to keep you updated with monthly newsletters. For more updates, check out our blog http://cyphersinuganda.blogspot.com or click the orange blog link below.   Copyright © 2016 THE CYPHERS We would love to hear from you! E-mail us at: cyphersinuganda@gmail.com CANADA: Attn: The Cyphers Heartstrings World Mission 430 Lakewood Blvd Winnipeg, MB R2J 4B6 USA: Attn: The Cyphers Harvest Alliance International 3620 Ocean Ranch Blvd Oceanside, CA 92056 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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