This week has been so busy for me and I love the things the Lord has been able to show me.

On Monday to Tuesday I went to the YWAM base, where I had completed my DTS four years ago. I needed that time to fast and pray. I was able to talk to the Lord with no distractions, well except my own thoughts that is. :) One thing my dad has told me more than once is that when he left for Isreal in 1990 he was excited about going and spreading the word of God. But he soon realized that he had brought himself with him. I never really understood and maybe I still don't, but I got a clearer picture of what that ment this week. I had a room to myself and it was really quiet and I was so excited to talk and to listen. Well I did some talking and when I went to listen my mind took over the thinking part. I started to make list's of what I needed from the store and on and on my mind went. Then it was clear, I had brought myself with me! All the distractions I thought I had weren't there but I was still having a hard time consintrating. The reason was me not the other people in my life, even though i'm sure they do play a part :). It was an awesome time realizing that I needed to be able to be quiet and just be in the presents of God kneeling at his feet. Being able to hear his voice, feel his presents and let him be in control of the things that worry us. I am still learning what this means and how to apply it to my life.

On Wednesday I was hanging out with Malia. We went to Ossie's Cafe in Jinja town and had lunch, then it was off to Amani to visit the babies. :) we then hurried home for her nap and biblestudy later that night. It was a wonderful day.

On thursday I woke up at an ungodly hour (6:30 am) to get ready for a long day in Kampala. Judy and I have decided to make the long and dusty trip to Kitgum, which is in Northren Uganda near the Sudan border, on public transport. It's going to be Judy and Malia's first time on public and I want things to go as smoothly as possible. :) The Pastor and his wife were headed to Kampala as well so I got to ride with them. I was dropped off on one side of town and then took a boda (motorcycle) to the bus park which was on the other side of town. But I was able to ask some questions of the bus workers and find out where the bus park was. Then it was off to the store to buy some snacks and kill time until Bev and Jesse were ready to head back home.

We leave Jinja tomorrow at 6 or 6:30am so that we can get to the bus park and hopefully get on one of the first buses leaving to Kitgum. Please pray for a safe trip. It's a 8 hour bus ride on dirt roads at high speeds.
We will be visiting a missionary family who has resently moved up there with their 11 children. They are going to show us around to different orginizations that work with children. I am hopefull that the Lord will show me the place he wants me. I have been prayerfully considering moving up North perminately within the next couple of months. This will be a great oppurtunity to see what's there and if this is where the Lord wants me.

So keep us (Judy, malia and I) in your prayers over the next 5 days. We won't have access to internet while up there so don't get worried if you don't hear from me for a week.

In Christ,
Rochelle

"For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." Phil. 1:8-10

Romans 8:28

Good Morning Jinja!!!

This morning started at around 6:40a.m. with a man over the loud speaker. Talking in a language I don't understand and it seems repeating the same thing over and over. If that wasn't enough someone started the Weed Whacker shortly after that, right under our windows and then the fumes started pouring into the house making it hard to to breath let alone sleep. So let's just say I started the day with a headache instead of a smile and my idea of a refreshing night sleep flew out the window.

In other news the weather is really nice today so far. A nice cloud cover and a cool breeze. Of course it is still about 70 something degrees which, in my mind is perfect. :)

Over the last couple of weeks my ministry has been to take care of Malia as Judy trains her replacement at Amani. I have really enjoyed spending time with her, but i find myself wishing there was more to do than walking into town or reading books and staying at home playing. I would love it if there was a park here! Man I miss parks and the simple joy they bring to being a Nanny! :) Well if anyone has any ideas of things we could do let me know. :)

About two weeks ago we (Judy Malia and I) went to Kampala and visited with some friends who have adopted from Amani. It was so amazing to be able to talk to them. They are moving up North to Kitgum area (which is where I want to end up) and they know of some organizations that work with kids. So we are hoping to go up North to visit them soon and check these places out. I can hardly wait, I love Jinja and all the people I have come to know and Love but there is just something about the kids of the North that makes me want to be there to serve them.

It has been hard over the last couple of weeks to think about leaving Jinja and all the wonderful people I've met here. I am not looking forward to saying good-bye.

Also my Visa expires on the 24th of this month and so I need to try to either renew it or leave the country for a couple weeks. If they won't renew it I'll be working on a way to go to Tanzania to visit some friends as a back up plan.

Prayer points:

That my Visa will be able to be renewed.

If I have to leave the country I will need $50.00 to leave and $50.00 to come back into the country. Plus transport cost's of $50.00.

God would open the doors to go up North for a visit.

Judy would be able to get a court date and take Malia home at the end of may.



Thank you for praying!!!



Blessings from Rochelle in Uganda! :)