a simple shopping trip

If there is one thing I love (as many women do), it’s shopping! I could spend hours looking in and out of stores for things to buy… whether they are needed or not. However, now that we have moved to Gulu, shopping has become something else entirely. For example, if you needed to buy chicken, rice, avocados, a broom, a notebook, fabric, a hammer and packing tape… you could just drive on down to the nearest Walmart. After reading the signs above each aisle, you could make your way through the store (possibly stopping for a mocha frappe at McDonald’s?) and pick up your few items. Can I just say… that would be delightful! All those options in one convenient place? Or perhaps to spend the afternoon at a mall… eating Subway while checking out Chapters?

Well, in Northern Uganda… we have no Walmart and we definitely have no Chapters. We do have a Main Market where we stop in to purchase our meat (if it hasn’t been hanging there too long), eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, dried beans, fresh fish, etc (most from items are bought from individual vendors). We pass by many stalls and chat with those along the way. On the second floor of the open-air market, you can purchase fabric and find a tailor to sew you a skirt, along with new and used clothing to be sorted through. All other items, can be found at the stores around town… if it’s in stock or even carried at that store. If not, a 5-hour drive to Kampala may (or may not) prove to be beneficial.

This week, we attempted to do a weeks-worth of grocery shopping & thought we’d put together a little look into our shopping experience:

Stop #1: Main Market (muzungu “rare imported foods” stall) – cucumbers, cilantro, red pepper & zucchini

Stop #2: Main Market (odii Stall) – a container of Odii (sesame seed paste (tahini) for making boo)

Stop #3: Main Market (banana stall) – bananas

Stop #4: Main Market – (fresh produce stall) – tomatoes, green pepper & leafy greens (Nightie, pastor of a small local church)

Stop #5: Main Market – (fresh produce stall) – Irish potatoes, onions & carrots

Stop #6: Main Market (fresh produce stall) – avocado, a cup of peas, and passion fruit

Stop #7: Main Market (dried goods) – dried beans

Stop #8: Main Market (tailoring stall) – to pick out some fabric to make Silas a Ugandan outfit (I did a Bible Study with these tailors back in 2010)

Stop #9: Main Market (egg stall) – eggs

Stop #10: Almasa – mustard

Stop #11: Mega Shoppers – bag of milk, flour & curry powder

Stop #12: Country Bakery – a loaf of bread & t-bits (dried chipati & the closest we get to tortilla chips)

Stop #13: Fresh Cuts – chicken

Stop #14: Households Store – 2 plastic chairs & plastic containers

Stop #15: Jayshree Hardware – a small can of varnish (our neighbor is the manager)

After 15 stops, 27 items, a mere 3 hours of grocery shopping, spending a total of 177 000 shillings ($38 for groceries & $15 for the chairs) & a relatively happy baby, we succeeded in finding the majority of the item on our list J. Most days we only pick up an item or two, but we will see if a bigger shopping trip saves us time throughout the rest of the week.

July Update

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ACHOLI LESSONS

Kopango! Itya nining? (Hello! How are you?)
We have been taking Acholi lessons for the past three weeks and enjoying every minute of it! Our teacher has been coming to our place for three hours a day, five days a week. It has actually been quite difficult to find the time to study on top of lessons, meeting up with people and adjusting to living in Africa with a toddler. So, as of this week, we have decided to take a break from daily lessons and take time to study what we have been learning with friends. We have also been using Acholi when shopping at the market and within our daily interactions with those in town. I (Janessa), even used a few vocabulary words in the message I spoke at a church this past Sunday. As you can imagine, it brought smiles and a whole lot of laughter.

Since language learning has been our primary focus for this trip, we haven't been as involved in ministry as we would like. However, our long term plan is to minister in the village areas where English isn’t as well known and without learning Acholi, we would be limited to using an interpreter.  We feel that taking the time to learn Acholi is a little like planting a garden. You can scatter and plant seeds quickly, in hopes that your garden will grow sooner. However, if you take the time to prepare the ground by breaking up the soil, digging holes and adding fertilizer, the harvest will come in the proper time. So, learning the language of Acholi is our ministry at the moment.  As we continue to use what we have been learning in daily conversations with those around us, we know we are planting seeds that result in us being able reach out to those we feel God leading us to in the future. 

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GULU & DISCIPLESHIP

Along with learning Acholi, the focus for our time spent here is getting reconnected in Gulu.  The city of Gulu has grown a lot since we lived here 5 ½ years ago.  It’s hard to find updated numbers but it has most likely doubled in population these past five or so years. Many displaced Acholi have been returning to their home after the war and as commerce is being re-established, more job opportunities are being created.  While the city has grown, so have the number of ministries taking place here including at least four ministries that are involved with discipleship.

I (Tim) have been able to meet with the leadership of those ministries and observed meetings for two of them. Hopefully, I'll be observing a third next week.  It’s exciting to see all of the discipleship taking place and at the same time presents us with different questions and opportunities for our future plans.  Please continue praying with us as we seek to hear from God if we should join in with one of these ministries or start a new program.  There is still plenty of need and desire for more discipleship especially outside of town and in the villages.

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MONTHLY UPDATES & BLOG

This month we wanted to take a moment to share with you about why we do a monthly update. The two main reasons we send our monthly update is for prayer and to keep in touch.  We know that prayer is so important and that our efforts and energy will be futile without God. We desire for God to be at the center and purpose of everything we do.  Secondly, to put it simply, we live far away from so many friends and family. We don’t want to lose these encouraging relationships or only be connected when we’re back in North America.

              At the same time, we try to keep or newsletter to bullet points of our lives so it doesn’t take you too long to read through it.  For more detail into what’s happening in our lives we also have a blog: http://cyphersinuganda.blogspot.com, where we try to post at least once or twice a week.  Since we have more space to write on our blog, this is where we expand on things we’re processing through, struggles we’re facing and mostly about our amazing experiences serving God while living in Uganda, Africa!

Click on the following links to read the blog posts that we (Janessa) shared this past month:
Bed by Boda & Other Things
A Dying Seed
Visiting Friends

We are hoping to write about the following topics soon:
Speaking at New Life Church
Grocery Shopping in Gulu
Moving Again
Praying for God’s Direction
Daily Life at Home

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PRAYER POINTS

- For partners to connect with us through prayer and finances

- For understanding and persevering through learning Acholi

- For good health

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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

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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Home, Sweet Home

Wow! Things are happening fast! We are busy packing (well, I am busy packing) everything we plan on taking with us for the next 3.5 months. It is becoming very real and comforting to be heading back to a familiar place. Praise God! We have a BIG praise report to share from this past week. As Tim was looking up hotels to stay at in Gulu while we find our new home, he came across a posting for a 2 bedroom apartment in town. He emailed the contact listed and it turned out to be a missionary who had left Uganda in January and would not be returning due to health issues. After a delightful conversation, and seeing pictures, we felt this was the place!

The missionary was hoping to sell all of her furnishings (pots, pans, gas oven, beds, dressers, etc), so we were delighted to take them off her hands. We will still need to purchase a few items while we are in Kampala before heading up to Gulu... but this certainly helps us out! We also bought the generator from her (you have to buy every appliance and piece of furniture), which means we will have back up power when it goes out! There is a nice big yard for Silas to have a little freedom and a garden ready for us to plant in. Yay! This is the place we've been praying for. The most amazing thing is, the apartment is half of what we had budgeted for! We have finalized the plans with the landlord and are very excited to have a place to move into as soon as we enter Gulu. Please continue to cover us in prayer as we board the plane this coming Monday, June 20th.

Thank you for your love and support.
Blessings,
Janessa (Tim & Silas)