Good Friends, Good Food, Good God!

The two month mark since leaving home has officially passed. Next big moment is the being here in Mundri mark which is only one week away now. I am still blown away at how fast the time moves here despite the pace of life. I thought I should try to get one more post in here this month before bringing in the month of Christmas. So I feel as if I have not mentioned yet, but I celebrated my first American Thanksgiving while here in Mundri. Gotta love that delicious harvest time food. Pumpkin goodies, including different types of pies and face stuffing goodness. It is a blessing to have people around here who are brilliant cooks. Including my dear Esther Roba who cooks for me and makes the most magnificent fresh bread. I eat way too much at times here.
Good thing the football playing has gone up as well. I might be trying to find my way onto a local club here so that I can play and be number one all star defender. Speaking of which, I scored my first goal since being here. Kind of a big deal, not sure actually when even the last time I have scored a goal period in soccer.  Not for some years at least. Thank the Lord my legs are feeling better because I love those guys I am playing soccer with, and I am hoping to build those relationships up even more outside of football. There are some really quality guys who are unbelievably generous that play there.

One friend of mine Samuel calls me about once a day to talk for a little bit and to see how I am doing. I try most days to go by his store and spend time with him. But this man, he will not let me pay for things. I go to charge my camera battery at his shop, and he does it for me for free. Also food, people here are always offering food, even when I have already stuffed my face with Esther’s bread. Rarely will they let me pay for it as well. The generosity of people, who I feel like I should give to, is flipping my notion of many things on their head. They are always looking out for me and it is a true blessing that God has given me such incredible friends.

Speaking of friends, some sad news of today is that my really good friend Scott from USA left Mundri today. He is going to Uganda for 2 weeks before heading back to the States for a Home Missions Assignment. He is going to be very sorely missed by me and many many people here in Mundri. His ministry blows me away. This man loves relationship and God has blessed so many people through him opening his house and heart to spend time with people and talk. He has been an amazing example of a way to serve God here on the other side of the world. Surprise surprise, it is not all that different from anywhere else. God has created us for relationship everywhere we go. We need to take the time to just sit and talk, to be with people, to open our hearts, to share with them experiences and possessions, quite simply just to love. As Scott has taught me, one of the most important things you can do is just taking to time to know someone. I have already seen God at work in some of my relationships. I have come to teach people about Jesus and to teach in general. Even tonight I had an opportunity to do both. I was telling some of my friends tonight about how Jesus has taken away their sins, and about 10 minutes later I was teaching how the world is round (apparently they didn’t know), how the sun rises, and more. These opportunities would not come, if God did not call me to just live in relationship with people. I am excited also to see all of the relationships that have come from the other work.

*Please pray for Scott as he goes home that God will fill him and provide him with all he needs in this time. Also that God would continue the work that Scott has done here over the last 2 years.**Please also pray for me as I will miss Scott’s friendship here. His friendship has made the first 2 months here an absolute blessing and now represents a time of change in my time here in Mundri.

Today, I finished what has been a relatively busy week. Starting last Friday, continuing yesterday and today I offered a workshop for around 400 students in Primary 7/8 and Senior 1/2. The workshop was super simple and short, but covered some basic advice on how to study better as well as gave the students some practical advice for how to actually take an exam. While it was a bit expensive I also was able to provide tea after one workshop for around 100 people, and printed off about 400 pieces of paper for the student handout I made. I am hoping that the information I gave out will help these students on their exams.

I think that is it for today. Thanks once again for your prayers. Hope you are all doing well. Also, remember that Prostate Cancer is very serious. When you see a bunch of moustacheless faces, including mine, in a few days remember this.

Love God, Stay Strong, Drink Milk

Thomas