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GENERAL UPDATES
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| Checking out land with Pastor Thomas |
In our monthly newsletters we usually pick three things to highlight, but this month we have a handful of things to share with you. We thought we'd put them in shorter form and will be able to share more when we're back in North America for our visit.
In two weeks we'll be flying back for a six week visit and Kylann (Janessa's brother) and Aimee's wedding. We'll be in Pennsylvania (May 16 - 22), Winnipeg (May 23 - June 12) and back to Pennsylvania (June 13 - 26). We're working on plans to have a fundraising event both in Butler and in Winnipeg to share about our upcoming plans for Gulu. We'll send out an email in the next few weeks to let you know the details. If you'd like to plan a time to meet while we're home shoot us an email or facebook message and we'd love to arrange a time to see you.
One of the pastors in our discipleship group, Pastor Thomas, will be leading the Bible study while we're back home. For the past few weeks we've been working together to prepare the lessons that he'll teach on being a servant leader. We're praying that this will be a great opportunity for him to grow and also a chance to see how he does leading the group. He's been a great help to us and we're praying he'll be a part of the ministry in the future.
I was hoping to share a picture of us with our new car in this update, but it has been delayed due to issues found during the vehicle inspection. The good news is that it will have a completely new braking system when it arrives. The bad news is that it won't arrive in Uganda until the beginning of June, so we'll pick it up when we arrive back from the US.
Our languages lessons are continuing well. I feel like this is the same update every month, but it really is going really well. Our teacher is excited at the progress we're making and complimented us this week by saying that our "acoli is ripening". That is definitely welcomed encouragement because there are frustrating points when you spend hours learning, studying and practicing. Then when you try to use it in public all you get back are confused looks at times. I think often, they're confused because they don't expect us to be speaking Acholi. However, once we repeat it again they realize it's Luo. One way or another we're pushing forward. Please pray that we find time to study while we're home so we don't fall behind. Feel free to test us when you see us and maybe even learn an Acoli word or two!
We've begun the process of looking for land to build a discipleship center on. It's not a simple process and one of the most difficult parts is that I can't really be involved. The moment a munu (white person) shows up, the price of land doubles. This is one way Pastor Thomas has been a blessing to us, by leading the search. He's traveled all around Gulu visiting and meeting with potential sellers, then informs me about the different options. For now, we have a price range in mind and when we come back will be hopefully be able to select the right place and begin the process of purchasing it.
One huge praise report is that rainy season is finally here! It came about a month and a half later than usual, but we've had good rainstorms at least every other day for the past week. That means city water is working again and farmers are busy planting their crops (that should have been in a month ago). Thank you so much for everyone who prayed.
We also have a new mailing address for Uganda! Check it out below! Thank you so much for the blessing each and everyone of you are in our lives. We couldn't serve Uganda without the support of those back in North America. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
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CYPHERS ON SAFARI
Our neighbors recently invited us to join them on safari. We had a wonderful time looking for animals and seeing the beauty of Uganda. Silas enjoyed seeing all the animals and can now name quite a few. We saw giraffes, elephants, hippos, warthogs, a crested eagle, cape buffalo, antelope and baboons! We even managed to see four young lion cubs resting under the shade of a tree. All in all it was a very long but wonderful day!
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PRAYER POINTS
- For getting things organized as we prepare to leave Uganda for 6 weeks.
- For safe travels as we travel between Canada and the USA
- For continued good health and quick adjustment to a new time zone
- For our friend Christine's daughter (Irene), who is home from school due to mental sickness. She has been on medication for Epilepsy but doesn't appear to have those symptoms. Pray the doctors have wisdom as they change medication and try to find the source of the sickness.
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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.
Thank you so much for your prayers as we serve in Northern Uganda!
Blessings,
Tim & Janessa Cypher
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We would love to hear from you!
E-mail us at:
cyphersinuganda@gmail.com
CANADA:
Attn: Tim & Janessa Cypher
Heartstrings World Mission
430 Lakewood Blvd
Winnipeg, MB R2J 4B6
USA:
Attn: Tim & Janessa Cypher
Harvest Alliance International
3620 Ocean Ranch Blvd
Oceanside, CA 92056
UGANDA:
Attn: Tim & Janessa Cypher
P.O. Box 329
Gulu, Uganda
