Dear Partners in Ministry,

 I Corinthians 15:58  – “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 

 It is hard to believe we have come to our last monthly update.  The time we have spent with the people in Kyahi have knit our hearts with theirs.  In church this morning, we choked back the tears as church members bid their farewells.  Kristy and I were summoned to stand in the front of the church while the people filed by one at a time to shake our hand and give us gifts.  Tears welled in my eyes as these poor people showed their appreciation by giving eggs, bananas, and even a little money.  Although the people here need the money, to refuse their gift would be considered a great offense. The memories and faces of the Kyahi people will remain etched in our minds.  In my closing remarks to them, I challenged each one to faithfully walk with God and fervently pray for continued spiritual growth.   

 God has done a wonderful work in the life of Anet, a single lady we mentioned in the last update.   We have spent several weeks counseling her concerning her public sin of fornication and resulting pregnancy.  Just before we were leaving the church Wednesday, May 7, she walked up the drive.   We caught everyone before they left and ushered them back into the building.  What a precious time as Anet explained the situation to the church and let them know she had confessed the sin before God.  She then proceeded to ask the church to forgive her.  Everyone in the church raised their hand in recognition of forgiveness and then rushed to shake her hand and encourage her.  Jane Francis also mended her relationship with God this past week.  We appreciate all of you who prayed for these ladies.   

The big day finally arrived for Eliab and Molly!  We learned more about culture through those two days of events than we have through our entire trip.  Molly had to be picked up from her home early on Saturday morning and taken into town for make-up and dressing.  There is such a fear of the bride being kidnapped that the parents would only release Molly to the driver if Eliab was present.   Eliab had to be somewhere nearby her until the moment she reached the church.   Except for the wedding starting two hours late, everything went smoothly.  I had the honor to be Eliab’s best man.  One of the family members, in a speech afterward, made a joking comment that he had never seen a muzungu (white man) as the best man.  The party after the wedding was held at Eliab and Molly’s house.   

We want to say a special “thank-you” to all of our supporters.  The time here in Uganda has been priceless--getting a glimpse of Ugandan culture and of the difficulties of life on the foreign field   Our plans are to be back in the States on May 17 and start speaking in camps, churches, etc. the first week of June.  The Lord has faithfully provided our needs, and we know He will continue to do so.  We are praying that God will burden people’s hearts to continue supporting us as we start deputation.  Our desire is to be back in Uganda as soon as possible to begin our new ministry in Masaka.  If you would like to support us as we continue in missions, please contact Pastor David Strehlow at Liberty Hills Baptist Church (P. O. Box 874, Liberty, MO  64069, 816-407-0777).

 We do not have an address yet for when we return to the States, but any mail can be sent to Kristy’s parents’ house at 3790 Co. Rd. 6340, West Plains, MO  65775.  Also, as of May 13, we will no longer be using this email address.  Future correspondence can be sent to applegates@themuellers.ws or scawthron@townsqr.com 

 Thank you so much for your prayers and support for us while we have been in Uganda.

 In His Service,

Tony & Kristy Applegate

P. S.  We would like to thank Kristy's parents, Billy Joe and Sue Cawthron, for mailing the "snail-mail" updates each month for us!