Dear Partners in Ministry,
Mwasuze mutyanno bassebo ne bannyabo (Good morning gentlemen and ladies),
What a joy it is to fellowship with co-workers in the ministry! The annual conference for BIMU (Baptist International Missions of Uganda) took place on March 22-23. Eric Bohman, a missionary for 11 years in Kenya, gave 2 days of very practical yet convicting messages. Once again the importance of learning the language and understanding culture was stressed for a healthy and fruitful ministry. His wife Lori attended the same high school as Kristy and I. Unbelievably, we have not seen each other since high school so we were thrilled to get reacquainted. It was priceless to watch the hotel workers stare in amazement at the 38 white missionary children playing outside. Praise the Lord for this time of encouraging the brethren and sharing burdens and praises.
Adjusting-to-Life Update:
The Ugandan men in our ministry joke that I have now been through phase 2 of 3 in being welcomed to Uganda. My stomach was attacked by some form of amoeba. An entire day of vomiting and running to the bathroom was definitely not my idea of a good time. (They won’t tell me what phase 3 is!)
Culture Moment:
We were reminded this month of why we have come to Uganda. The mother of Florence, one of the faithful members of our church, was hospitalized. Kristy and Sally visited her, and while they were in the hospital they saw a woman whose face and shoulders were severely burned. (This is one way Muslims deal with “unruly” women.) Florence’s mom was sent home “recovered” on Monday, but early Tuesday we received word that she had died. Kristy and Sally went to the house and spent some time sitting with the ladies sharing in the grief of Florence’s loss. (In Uganda, a scarf is wrapped around the head—to keep the jaw shut—and the body is covered and laid on a mattress inside the house where the ladies sit until the time of burial. Family members must break out into wailing whenever visitors come to bring comfort, and some families hire professional mourners.) The neighbors and friends of the family sleep outside the house the entire night before the burial. It was amazing to see people bringing mats and blankets and then finding any open place on the ground to claim for the night. At the burial, a live chameleon was tied to a pole to keep it from raining during the funeral.
Ministry/Orphanage/School Update:
We have seen our tutor Vian and his wife Florence (not the same one whose mother died) truly growing in the Lord. They study their discipleship lesson during the week, and when we meet on Sunday they have many questions and comments. I believe God is going to use this couple greatly for His work in the church. I preached at Kalisizo Baptist Church on Easter Sunday. Pastor Diton from Kalisizo is beginning a Bible College out of his church. Praise the Lord there are 18 people signed up to attend.
Eliana cut her first 2 teeth this month! She is growing quickly and developing quite a personality.
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: We had safety during our travels this month; we are gaining a rapport with the people.
Prayer requests: Container still has not arrived; Florence to be a witness to her family during this time of grief; diligence in studying the language.