As we just seem to keep stating over and over where ever we speak to people about our mission to Uganda, we are desperate for prayer. God has been showing that to us in new ways over the last weeks as we see the team in Uganda dealing with difficulty. It is clearer than ever that they, and we, are in a war. And that they, and we, are simply not able to hold our ground or move forward into the land that God has promised (a land of gospel redemption and transformation for Ugandans) without a very strong level of prayer warfare coming from our supporters.

One of the ways that we have sought to connect with that prayer support is by forming a “Wall of Prayer”. Once we get to Uganda, we will cover the wall in our kitchen area with laminated photos of families and individuals who are praying for us. And the kids room will have one wall dedicated to photos of kids and adults who hold them up in prayer daily. We know that we can look up at that wall on the days when we are being hit hard by the Enemy and know that people 10,000 miles away are praying for us and for God’s work in Uganda.

I mentioned this the other day to a friend who came up after one of our presentations to tell me that she will be praying for us. I explained our “Wall of Prayer” and told her we’d need to get her photo. I’ll never forget her instant response. “Yes, and HIS face will be there . . . . ”

Our wall of photos will no doubt be a great encouragement. The prayers of His people are invaluable, but when we really need encouragement it is His face that we will need to look for and that we will DOUBTLESS see, any old time we remember to look up. Isn’t it crazy how much energy we put into finding peace, rest, and salvation in everything but Him?

Having said that, if you pray for us and we do not yet have a photo of your family, please email us one as soon as possible via ddpierce@earthlink.net.

The kids are growing fat and happy here at our new basement suite. They have a comfy air mattress, right in our room for easy cuddles; gatorade and juice boxes at a height they can reach right in the garage, a whole playroom full of new toys, and their fun friend Kacie to play with just about anytime they want. Moving turned out pretty well for them, so far! They are still having some rough moments, mostly due to many late nights but of course also the insecurity of unsettlement.

We spent a wonderful Daddy’s Day on the Chesapeake Bay, boating and swimming and getting stung by a few sea nettles.

This week has been quite full with wonderful chances to visit with friends and get better connected with prayer supporters, finishing up move details and winnowing our boxes and trunks down further, and beginning the great buying spree to get everything we need for Uganda . . . . right down to dental floss and deoderant (which if you were ever to walk through our village, you would quickly realize is NOT sold in Uganda.)

Today was rough. We seem to be casting off from our pier, cutting our anchor, beginning to move towards free floating. This moving from our home is a big deal for all of us. We love this house and this community. We are all sad to see this phase end. It is particularly difficult because at the same time, we are letting go of all of our furniture and almost all of our other possessions. We hang on to God and to each other (and our eight trunks!) It is a big change, and as I said, it feels like we are about to free float. The kids have been acting out yesterday and today in ways we have never seen before. They are a bit at the end of themselves. They, like us, cannot imagine what our lives/furniture/vehicle will look like in Uganda. And we all know that for a little over a month we will not be here, yet not there. We are sojourners now.

In typing this up I am left feeling that this is no big deal. So many others do similar things. Many have lost everything to a hurricane or flooding, have chosen to let it go so they can travel or downsize. But somehow, for us, right now, this IS hard.

It is sweet though in that it is another opportunity for my heart to NEED my Daddy-God and for my spirit to call out for his comfort, His arms around me, His wisdom to get through the next few minutes or hours. The more chaotic life gets, the more grounded in Him I get and I love that!

Please pray for us to have peace that passes our understanding of circumstances, and joy in this journey.

Naomi commented today that she thinks our transition is beginning it’s “chaos” stage - thanks to our training at MTI she recognizes this! In just one more day we will move out of our beautiful, old Colonial just two miles from the city dock in downtown Annapolis, and move into the basement of our friends, Dave and Shari Shrum. I am feeling a bit sad. David and I stopped to realize today that this is by far the longest we have ever spent in one place as a couple. We have been in this home about three and half years! Just as with every transition before, it is hard to give up that which is comfortable, secure, and pretty darn nice. Quinn told us today that he doesn’t want us to go to Uganda because he doesn’t really know all the people there. We talked about changes and new friendships and how God is broadening our world and our relationships. We talked about how God is the one constant in our lives. It’s all a process of moving us closer to Him - He gives us relationships and He moves us forward onto the nex thing. Through it all He is there.

Now that our house is almost empty, it’s time to begin thinking about filling up those eight trunks that will make our house in Uganda, home. We’re moving into a place that was built for SIL/Wycliffe missionaries (they’re currently in another area) so our housing expenses are quite low, just some rehab on the building. Also, we have the wonderful advantage of being able to buy their furnishings instead of waiting months for ours to be made locally (the process includes cutting the wood, drying the wood, then eventually building the furniture!). So as of now, we own furniture in Uganda!

We are also well on the way to owning a vehicle in Uganda. A guy in Kampala has already purchased a vehicle and is suping it up safari style to make it appropriate for rural use. This vehicle is a Hiace Toyota van - used, from Japan, with low mileage. If you’ve seen Hotel Rwanda (excellent but heartbreaking movie, go watch it) than you’ve seen our vehicle. You know, the one they drive while trying to escape the genocide. Lovely. We’ve asked for tinted windows.

Anyway, to the Wishlist. Clicking on Wishlist will bring you to a site we’ve set up to ask people to help with our physical needs for Uganda. This stuff all adds up and now that we’re missionaries we are NOT rolling in dough. We’d love your help, and it’s SO much more fun getting gifts than purchasing necessities!

We hope EVERYONE will take us up on the poster idea (check the wishlist for more info). what a great way to remember you!!

Many kudos to my very smart brother, Andrew, who set this all up faster than I can google. Kids these days, all about the technology.

We think we’re getting very close to being ready to leave! We’re within $5,000 of our funding goal, and when we reach the goal, we start a roughly one-month countdown for leaving. So, that puts us our departure probably around mid-July. Our agency requires us to take a two-week vacation before we go, which we’ll probably take in early July. We’ll probably move out of our house in a week or so.