Around Tororo

This week has been the usual ebb and flow of the mostly typical week we have gotten use to here in Tororo. Dustin took time to get out of the house and work on sending e-mails, research, and those type of things he can do without having to travel.  He also had the opportunity to go see some land for potential projects, and to help harvest ground nuts this week. As a family we spent a few afternoons at Smile Africa playing with the kids and spending time with the babies. I also attended one of the widow’s classes this week where they go through character training. Next week I even get to read the group the English text…good thing I’m not the one that has to translate though!

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Photo by Lisa Rovenstine

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We traveled to Mbale yesterday to renew our tourist visas. All went smoothly and now we pray that over the next three months the paperwork goes through for NGO status for Forest of Hope and we can get our work visa through that.

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There have also been times for good relaxation and fun this week. A play date, dinner with new friends, pool time, and getting to eat out at a great restaurant, Endiro, while in Mbale.

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Three months has almost passed and Tororo is starting to feel familiar and like a place we can call home. We of course still miss our family and friends back home, along with the simple pleasures of summer in Ohio, though we are not missing the rain you all are having! But good relationships are being built here and wonderful memories made. Tororo has much to offer and we are excited to continue this journey that God has laid before us.

Sipi Falls

Last week when the group from our organization, The Reckoning International, was visiting, we took a trip to Sipi Falls. We got up at 4:30 am. That’s right, you read that correctly. A.M. We picked everyone up and got around to leaving by around 5:30. A few hours later we were driving up the mountain, amazed at the beautiful scenery and picturesque waterfalls that could be seen from a distance.

Once we arrived, our guide took us on a short, steep hike. It was colder than we expected and the spray from the waterfall gave a sharp chill as we got closer and closer. Lillie had the whole hiking with comfort thing down as she got to ride in the back pack. Gracie was a trooper, but when her little legs couldn’t make it, Dustin carried her along.

It wasn’t very long before we reached the waterfall. We took pictures as we got sprayed by the water and took in the beauty and power that surrounded us.

Here are a few of the pictures to give you a little taste of some of the beauty you can find in Uganda. God is an artist, and it is so evident here!

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Love From Uganda

The month of June FLEW by! With how quickly June has come and gone it’s not hard to imagine that at the end of our three year term we will look back and wonder where those three years went! We continue to grow accustomed to Ugandan living as each day passes and we are so appreciative of the continued prayers and support we know many of you have been sending our way. We thought that now that we are a few months in, it may be a good time to update our prayer requests!

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As a family we ask for prayer for continued safety and health. We have been blessed with both so far and pray that as we continue traveling (occasionally longer distances to Kampala, which is a four hour drive) we will be granted safety. We also ask for prayers that our visa situation will continue to progress and the paperwork would go through speedily and with little or no complications.

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Dustin-prayer to continue meeting the right people needed to help projects progress and thrive. For wisdom and safety as he travels, builds relationships, and plans his next steps. For patience with those he works with as he often has to wait on others to fulfill their tasks first and patience at home as we adjust to a new family schedule.

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Moriah-prayers for guidance and wisdom as she seeks more defined roles at the orphange (Smile Africa), and continued guidance in her continued roles as wife, mother, shop owner, friend, etc.  For patience, confidence, and courage to love without fear at home with her family and also with those she meets and forms relationships with.

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Gracie and  Lillie- prayers for patience and peace as they often have to wait longer for things or through things than accustomed to. For a growing understanding of the importance of kindness and generosity to those we meet and a desire to strengthen their walk with the Lord.

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Thank you again for all the support and love you have sent our way. We are so thankful for each of you and want you all to know that you are appreciated and are a great blessing to us!

Love from Uganda,

The Steiners