Post Number 2 From Uganda

Don't get too used to these posts every other day. Though we do want to try to be on here consistently, I feel pretty confident in saying that it won't be long before we are struggling to maintain posting once a week.

Anyway, two things to comment on today...

First, I'm going to take this opportunity to be one of those people and brag on my amazing kids for a little while. If we were to put down a list of what we just put our children through in the past week or so, a number of official agencies would most likely start investigations. (If I was going to make that list it would include stuff like sleep deprivation, long periods of being strapped into horribly uncomfortable positions in confined spaces, mandatory forced relocation and other such things that I'm pretty sure are out-lawed under the Geneva convention as war crimes.) Despite all of this, they have done so well. They have been patient and adaptable. They have stepped out of everything that is comfortable and familiar and faced the unknown with confidence and boldness beyond their years and I couldn't be more proud! A huge thanks to all who have been praying specifically for Izaac and Ellie. There will be tough days ahead and a lot of a adjustment still to come, so please keep praying, but they have handled all of this like champs so far!

Next, we had a really productive day (which means something a little different here) and accomplished a couple important things in regards to the process of settling in here. We made our first trip into town without the aid of Ruudy and Beckie (We did bring my sister Jenifer, but I'm still counting this as an accomplishment since she's not very familiar with this city). Also, I successfully drove into and around and back out of town without being killed or maimed or anything. Important note, no one outside of my vehicle was killed or maimed either. Another big task checked off: getting new tires for our truck. Doesn't sound like a big deal, you say? Just run it down to Pepboy's, you say? Those days are past for us now. In brief, it took nearly 4 hours and 2 trips to 2 different banks. Last, but by far not least, we found a great house to rent at a really great price! We talked to a few people who painted a rather grim picture of our prospects so we set up a bunch of appointment to try to see a few different houses. As we were headed out to meet with the first guy, Ruudy got a call from a friend who had seen a house for rent close by, so we stopped by for a look, tracked down the owner while he was having lunch in town, went back to the house, looked it over, and made a deal! This was a another huge need that we felt uncertain about but a lot of people have been praying and, once again the Lord provided in a way that was beyond what we even expected!