Tough Update

Update from Uganda

Greeting Faithful Friends and Family

We wanted to send out a quick update to let you know the situation with us here in Uganda.

Firstly, we are so grateful for those who have reached out to us and expressed concern and let us know you’ve been thinking of and praying for us even in the midst of your own difficult circumstances. That means so much and is such an encouragement to us!

Next, here is a bit of an update on the state of things in Uganda. We are praising God that the spread of the virus has, thus far, been slower in sub-Saharan Africa than in much of the rest of the world. Uganda especially has fared well up to this point. This slower rate of transmission has given the region much needed time to enact preemptive measures that the majority of the world was not able to get in place. These, along with a myriad of other factors that may or may not come into play, could mean that sub-Saharan Africa might avoid the scope of the virus that has been felt in other parts of the world.

However, it is also possible that, over the next couple of weeks, things here will escalate to the levels that are being seen elsewhere. Again, there are many factors that could come into play to increase the severity of the situation. If this were to be the case, it could very likely be disastrous for the African continent. Already weak healthcare systems will rapidly be overwhelmed and collapse, government systems and programs will be vastly inadequate, resources that would normally come from better equipped countries to aid in an African crisis will be much more limited, slower in coming, or simply nonexistent due to the global nature of this crisis. Also, apart from the immediate impact of the virus itself, the economic effects of this situation will have disproportionate and even deadly repercussions amongst the poor and vulnerable in Africa and around the globe.

So, in light of these possibilities and realities, we have had difficult discussions and needed to make hard choices. To claim that we have not felt scared and anxious, or had strong inclinations toward self-preservation, would simply be lying. We have felt all of this even as we have spoken of faith and trust in the sovereignty of God. Our prayer has been that of the father who, though face to face with Jesus himself, had to say “Lord I believe, only help my unbelief”.

We will be staying here where God has placed us for the time being. We have had opportunity to go even as the last emergency repatriation flights will be leaving this week, but we do not believe that it is our time to leave yet. We do not know what the next weeks or even the next days will hold but we will face what comes alongside those we have the privilege of calling our community and our friends. Much of our “normal ministry” work is on hold as schools, churches and gatherings are suspended. We are now finding new ways of being the peace and grace of God in these times. We will be working to cultivate more of our property to provide food. We will continue to provide livelihood and support for our staff and their families. We will reallocate whatever resources we are able to those who are most at risk and vulnerable in our community. We will continue to be, just as we have always been, a conduit through which the provision of God can flow along with the gospel message of His saving grace.

At this point in time we are still planning to come back in May as we had intended. If the borders are open and flights are available, we will still come in 43 days with the hope of connecting with as many of you as we are able. If it’s not possible at that time, we will come as soon as we’re able. As for now, we are committed to continuing to pray for all of you and we would ask that you pray for us also. Please take care of yourselves without forgetting or neglecting others. Please continue to support the work of Christ in the world as much as you are able. Seek the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding in your own lives. Seek to reflect that peace to those around you as a witness to the hope that we have in Christ despite our circumstances. Be reminded of the words of the old hymn and “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and Grace!”  

To borrow Paul’s final words to the church of the Thessalonians:

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace in all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thess. 3:16

Grace and Peace,

Benj, Christina, Izaac and Ellie

Progress!

In case you’ve missed it, we’re trying to raise the funds to purchase a vehicle- And we’re making progress!! So far, we have raised $8,500 out of the $21,000 we need!

Here’s why we need to do this:

·     We don’t have a functioning vehicle. The one we’re using now is an automatic that we have to shift manually and it only works in second or third gear. It still gets us to town and back but that’s about it and it may not even do that for much longer. It desperately needs to be retired until it can have a significant overhaul done.

·     Between the other families on our team and the ministry, we currently have 3 other vehicles, all of which are older than 1995, all of them require a decent amount of time and effort to keep them on the road, and none of them can carry more than 5 people. 

·     As we continue to grow, our desire is to partner with more and more communities to start more Village Learning Centers. To do this, we will need to make more and more trips into (and back out of) remote places on difficult roads and we often need to go with more than 5 people. 

·      I (Benj) am having greater opportunities to work with other ministries and organizations, helping with equipment and facilities maintenance, automotive repair and modification, welding and fabrication, and just general problem solving. I need to be able to get to these projects, often with tools, equipment, and materials. 

·     Also, it is my desire to do more and more of this sort of service, especially to help those in hard to reach, under-resourced areas. I will need a vehicle to carry my stuff and my guys over rough terrain.

·     The nature of the systems and structures here require us to make the 6 or 7 hour trip to Kampala and Entebbe fairly regularly. We need to go to do our immigration requirements, we need to go for supplies and materials, the printer for all of our curriculum and a number of our partners are there, as well as various other reasons. We need to have a vehicle we can count on to get us down and back.          

Please help us continue towards our goal. Help us keep coloring in the truck! The vehicle we are hoping to buy will meet these needs and many others. It will be another tool to further the work we’re blessed to be a part of!

To help out, just hit this link: bit.ly/Kragts-SSMFI

Also, please drop us a message to let us know you gave: kragt.ck@gmail.com

Thanks!

Izaac's Compound Friends

Hi! It's Izaac. I want to tell you a joke. How does a mouse feel after a bath?_ _ _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _! I love that joke😂😂😂.

I have a friend named Charlie. She is a toddler. She lives on the same compound as me. She yells my name all the time. I really love to play with her. She loves to play in the dirt with me and Ellie. Mr. Evan and Ms. Britny are Charlie's parents. I get to play Minecraft with Mr. Evan and Ellie. Ms. Britny is good at baking cookies. So is my mom. I had a sleepover at their house last week. It was a lot of fun.

Ms. Theresa also lives on the compound. She lives in a small hut. I love visiting her and making crafts for her. I made a cross out of wood for her birthday.

Mr. Keith and Ms. Lisa were the first to move onto the compound. I made a cross for Ms. Lisa's birthday too. One time I did a fun science experiment with Ms. Lisa. We put white flowers into a glass that had water and food dye. A little bit later, the flowers started turning into the colors we put in the water. It was awesome! Mr. Keith makes the best chili in the world. Mr. Keith and my dad are hard workers.

The answer to the joke is squeaky clean.

Special Request

Thoughts Regarding Roller Coasters... Sort of

So the kids have had their turns to post and now I guess it's mine (Benj). In the same spirit as the kids posts, I'll start mine with a very direct statement about how I feel... 

I do not like roller coasters.

I never have.

The first time I rode one, I didn’t know what I was in for and by the end I had pretty well decided I was not a fan. I’ve ridden a few since then, mostly out of peer-pressure or for the sake of saving face amongst those who may otherwise have made chicken noises in my direction, but each time, I’m reminded of the simple fact: I don’t like roller coasters. 

I realize it is such a cliché to start anything with some iteration of “life is like…” but sometimes it’s hard to avoid. It seems especially difficult to steer away from the roller coaster analogy when each metaphorical clacking ascent, microscopic and inexplicably brief moment of exhilaration at the apex, and anxiety inducing, stomach-into-throat plummet back down to the bottom come so closely on the heels of the one before. But the truth that I have come to terms with is the fact that this is a pretty accurate way to view life, at least from the perspective of the rear-view mirror (mixing metaphors is a practiced specialty of mine).   

I know that this experience is not unique to those who live outside of their birth country but that is where I exist, so that’s where I write from. I am far more aware of it here then I ever have been before. Our life recently, it seems, has created this wave pattern that is frenzied and frantic; a significant disappointment on the heels of a great success, an exciting shift followed immediately by an unfortunate set back. When the climb to the top is gentler, or the time spent on the summit more leisurely, then the fall back down tends to seem less difficult to stomach (pun intended). 

I’m not complaining here by any means, simply observing. I am so grateful for the rise, the journey to the top and for the view when we get there. I’m grateful for the lessons learned and the growth that happens through the decline and the times in the valley. I’m praying for more grace and greater faith. I’m seeking the perspective that hind-sight affords to view the hills and valleys ahead. I’m trying to learn to appreciate the metaphorical amusement park ride of life though I still plan to leave the real thing well enough alone.    

This terrifying contraption is at Wonder Land Amusement Park in Kampala. On a trip in 2009 we brought a bunch of kids to experience this place and no one died! I, however, did not, for so, so many reasons, ride any of the rides.  

Ellie's Post

School is good. I am learning how to read. In science I am learning about canines. We had to go to Kampala to get our student visas. It was a little good and a little bad. The waiting part was bad. We had to wait for 3 hours.

In Kampala, I went to the movie theater. And it was my first time going. We saw Smallfoot. I loved it and it wasn't my brothers first time to the theater. We got to have ice-cream from KFC before the movie.

I really liked the hotel we stayed in. I slept really good and I loved having a hot shower. 😂 It is almost my birthday and I want to go to the swimming pool 🏊 on my birthday. 🍎🎂