Water from above...

The Ma'di word for rain is simply water. I suppose one knows when you are specifically referring to the type of water that falls from the sky! Regardless, the rainy season has officially arrived. Predictions varied as to when it would actually begin, and our friend Mark Vuconi was right on the dot with March 15th. He said he could feel it in his skin, that he didn’t need any fancy technology or tools. A torrential downpour came this past weekend and blasted through every window in the house. Rick ran quickly outside, shutting the windows to our rooms. Within seconds, he and everything within two feet of the windows was soaked. I laughed to watch him stand under the rain, shirt off, scrubbing his armpits. True to his word, Rick declared he would shower in the first good rain (pictures to go along). The following day Jaclyn and I went for a long bike ride, exploring the more rural areas of Adjumani. We came to a dead end and found three children already preparing their land for planting; they were probably between the ages of 6 and 12 and each used a hoe that matched their size. Apparently we’re not the only ones excited to see the rain!

The signs of new life are all around and we’re seeing more and more fields being cultivated. The mangoes on our eight trees are beginning to ripen and Rick has almost completed a solar food dryer that Michael and the members of ATRUD hope to make use of. Even the grass is coming up green for the first time in three months. Our fearless chickens have all settled in, and Gloria, our gift chicken from a nearby church, has been sitting on eight eggs that are due to hatch at the end of the month. Rick just informed me that the speckled chicken, Gretchen, has just laid her first egg. We’ve all been watching their nesting activities with great anticipation. Baby chicks are due at the end of the month!!

Today as the town of Adjumani celebrates Good Friday, we’re preparing for our journey to Kampala tomorrow. It’s been three months since Rick and I have made the long trek and we’re really looking forward to a bowl of ice cream. I won’t lie, I’ve even dreamed about eating a hamburger. On Tuesday we’re flying to Mombasa, Kenya where we’ll be joined by other World Venture missionaries from Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for a five-day renewal conference. It’ll be a great time to reconnect with friends, hear some encouraging speakers, and relax. It’s also just in time for our third anniversary. Who would have thought we’d be spending it next to the Indian Ocean.

The next time you hear from us, it will be with the happy news that our good friends Derin & Andra Williams from our home church in Portland have arrived safely in country. They’ll be with us for the month of April and are excited to see, learn, and participate in Adjumani life. Please pray for a safe journey for us all!