Quick update for November

Sorry for the delay in blogs.
I know I used to write a blog every two weeks. But it feels like I have only been managing one once a month.
So my apologies, it can take quite an effort sometimes to think of something exciting and insightful to say.

We are a little bit quiet at the moment, but we are anticipating the busy season of the Christmas holidays.
Not only will we have lots of youth looking for things to do, but two new babies will be joining our household, as well as all our new chickens that have just come in.

We have started our next lot of broiler chickens this month. Two days ago we picked up 600 little chickies.
The first week (especially first 4 days) are very important, as the chickens are so sensitive. They need constant warmth, and so a charcoal pot needs to be kept burning, as well as topping up their food and water.
They also need to be checked every hour, because at such a young age it is easy for them to be crushed when they huddle together.
But this means you have to check them all the time, not just during the day, but also at night.

Farouk and I are taking shifts sleeping down at the property in our tents. Farouk has done the last two nights, and the next two nights will be my turn.
I actually look forward to sleeping under the stars and having my own camp fire. Of course it is very safe because we have a night guard who also is at the property protecting the place.

Our youth are also excited for the schoolies to come! We have a dancing group which is looking forward to performing for the schoolies revolution team, as well as sharing their own messages for them.

They also look forward to doing their own outreach these school holidays, which has been initiated by the group themselves.

We have also started a prayer and fellowship evening, every Wednesday at YSU. We really felt that we were lacking in communal prayer at YSU, and felt the need to commit to weekly prayer for each other, Uganda and the ministry.

We started with a few people on the first day and it has grown since. We have made it open to all people connected with us, and it has been interesting to see how many people are attracted to coming and simply singing together and praying for each other.

It is all a part of bigger journey of mine, to rediscover prayer, and how important it is.
It is so easy to run on your own steam, and want to serve the King without asking for the Kings strength.

Even in ministry work, it is very easy to fall into a pattern where you actually don't feel like you are living out in faith day to day.
Often we stress that we should serve harder, do more for the kingdom, sacrifice more, give more, and all of those things are true. But often the place to start is on bended knee, humbling yourself and asking for help. If you skip that process ... you will burn out.

I know I have been close to burn out here before, or at least have recognized I could be on the trajectory towards burn out.
And so constant prayer and leaning in towards God is the most vital thing. Not serving harder, and sacrificing harder .... those things will be a natural over flow of resting in God's strength. But first come seeking the presence and rest of God.

Our weekly fellowships.

Agnes is also doing well! Although she gets very uncomfortable at night, and struggles to sleep because of the large belly in her way.

We are also very thankful for the contributions people put towards for us to be able to purchase a Boda Boda. This Boda Boda has been very helpful, especially with our chicken project.

Farouk and I also completed two adventures in the last month! Since we know that the next few months won't really give us time off to do such things.

We went for a camp in the African bush, and we also walked from Kampala to Jinja in 2 days (100 km)
You can watch both little videos here:

https://vimeo.com/144285549

https://vimeo.com/145478847

Otherwise I want to thank everyone again for all the support and prayer that they give to Agnes and myself here in Uganda.

We love you all very much.

God bless.