Dear Partners in Ministry,
Praise the Lord!! It is a great feeling to have our household items finally with us. Keith Stensaas and I left on Monday the 18th to retrieve our container from customs officials in the capital. We prayed fervently for the process to only take 3 days. (The average time in the past has been 7 to 10 days.) Once again the Lord answered our prayers, and we had the container to our home and unloaded by Wednesday evening. Keith has helped many containers pass through customs during his 10 years in Uganda, and he said ours was the smoothest process he has ever seen. The customs officer normally requests for the unloading of at least half the container. For us the doors were opened, a few things checked off the packing list, and the doors closed. Whew! We breathed a sigh of relief. Unpacking will take about a month to complete, but we are happy to be doing it.
Adjusting-to-Life Update:
Overwhelmed! Overwhelmed! Overwhelmed! Have you ever felt a little inadequate for certain circumstances? Or felt like there was no way possible to achieve a task effectively? Keith and his family are leaving in about a week for a 10-month furlough. I will then be in charge of the ministry including maintaining a radio (which I know little about), preaching on Sundays, organizing 2-week modulars for the college, and learning the language of Luganda. Kristy feels the same way regarding the set up of the house. Our reliance on Christ and Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.) is essential.
Culture Moment:
The gas prices have once again risen. A gallon now costing $4.76 definitely rearranges the budget. Praise the Lord the dollar is slowly rising in value giving a minor compensation to the fuel increase.
Ministry/Orphanage/School Update:
Two weddings took place this month uniting Christian couples which we pray will be an asset to our church. After Moses and Sharon’s wedding, a train of vehicles drove slowly through the center of town honking their horns. The bride and groom stood up through our sunroof and waved to everyone. (This is a Ugandan way of the local people recognizing a joyous celebration and through applause and cheering rejoicing with the new couple.) We had our college graduation on Wednesday the 14th. John Omogin and Florence Ndagaano were given the charge to go forth and use what they have learned to further the cause of Christ.
In His Service,
Tony & Kristy Applegate
tony@theapplegates.net / kris@theapplegates.net
phone-011-256-782-903-147 / 011-256-782-903-137
CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES:
Praises: Our container arrived safely and with no problems in customs.
Prayer requests: The strength of the Lord to carry us through this very busy time. A continued understanding and memorization of the Luganda language and culture.