We Choose Joy

We Choose Joy. This is a phrase our friends put on t-shirts. This was after they had sold their home, their belongings, raised support, and moved their family of 4 to Africa to spread the word of God. Four months later, they arrived back to the US in flip flops to find the test results determined their 5 year old daughter had leukemia. This sweet little girl just finished her treatments about 2 months ago. It was a celebration. And just this last week, she relapsed. The last post on facebook shared the good news that there is no cancer in the Bone Marrow. It is the best news they could receive! This family is an inspiration to us. We know they have really bad days, but it is evident they still are Choosing Joy. Join us in praying for them.  followingthecall.org

Over the course of the next few weeks. We are going to be writing about the many ways God has been at work here in Soroti, Uganda. We are going to focus on the many blessings. We are Choosing Joy. I could write a whole lot about the struggles and tears we have experienced here, and maybe at some point I will, as we do want to be 'real' about life here in Africa. But the truth is, the Holy Spirit has a way of turning trouble into Blessing. That is what we want to share with you, so stay tuned!

The first blessing I want to share is the gift of a new life 

 Our friend Kathryn knocked at the gate around 8am. She was holding her stomach and saying it's time! She needed to pick up a few things at the supermarket yet, so we left quickly, picked out some rubber gloves for the doctors, a basin to bath the baby in after birth, a towel for her to clean off with, and a few other things. No epidurals or pain meds for Uganda ladies! One and a half hours of difficult labor and Chloe was born. If she were to be a boy; it would have been Christopher. Our Chloe was beaming! Praising God for this healthy little girl and an uncomplicated delivery.

 Frances checking out his new cousin 

 Rita- a very excited big sister

 

 The Afterbirth Room

Kathryn and her two beautiful daughters

Kathryn is a single mother. The father of her child left her upon discovering she was pregnant. She struggles to provide school fees for her daughter, Rita. Kathryn has a gift of hospitality. She was the first neighbor to welcome us to Soroti. We have shared many meals, laughter, prayers, and encouragement with each other. Before the birth of Chloe, she had been helping in our home a couple days a week to help provide for her needs. Our children love her. We are blessed to know her. We praise God for the blessing of this child and the health of her mother. When you consider; more than 100 women die each week during childbirth in Uganda, We praise Him for the gift of life!