Our lives, in a nutshell.

Since our return to the US in early April, we have had the pleasure of talking to family and friends. Based on questions that are being asked, we realize we have not done a good job of keeping people informed about our lives right now. So, here is all you need to know about us (at this time)....

We are:
Living as guests in a lovely home in Riverside owned by our dear friend, Susan Miller;
Driving a car owned by our church, The Grove;
Paying rent on the Mission House in Gulu, Uganda. We also support our housekeeper, her three children, and our guard who all currently live there;
Planning to return to Uganda. We don’t know when. All borders and the airport are closed because of COVID-19;
Continuing our ministry. We do this in several ways, but currently our major focus is to raise funds for food for Ugandans;
Thanking God for each person who supports us. We rely on your gifts for living expenses and send any remaining funds to Uganda for food.
Extremely concerned about the people we know in Uganda. When we left in early April, the country was in a state of lock down due to COVID-19. Travelling was restricted to "footing it" (walking) and a strict curfew was imposed. The result? Gardens located out of town in the villages could not be reached, food could not be harvested, and people immediately began to feel hungry. Then the government shut down all businesses except open air food stalls. The result? People had no jobs or income, so could not purchase food, even the dried beans and rice which were available.
Many people live in rented premises. They are torn between looking for money to pay rent and for putting food on the table.
All the teachers in private learning institutions at all levels are out of work, and struggling to sustain their families.
The boda boda (Motorcyclists) are out of business since they are not allowed to carry passengers...yet this is a livelihood business for those who did not make it far in education.
Since then the government has allowed some businesses to reopen, but the economy is out of balance and the poor are still unable to purchase either fresh or dried food.
Prior to COVID-19 we enjoyed living in Gulu, Uganda, even though it is definitely part of a third world country. Poverty and hunger were evident, but not as severe as they are right now.
Currently, people we know personally are very hungry. This is very disturbing to us. It is one thing to hear an organization asking for funds to “feed the starving children in Africa”. It is quite another to know those very hungry people by name.
Trying to be a part of the solution. We transmit money to a pastor in Gulu we partner with. His house is on his garden plot so he has been able to weather the storm thus far. He then purchases dried beans and rice and distributes them to the community. Our friends and relatives here in the US have been very generous and donated funds to send to Uganda. We have trimmed out any discretionary spending to be able to contribute, too.
Hoping you are able to help buy food, too. Here is your chance to help make a real difference and provide food to those in urgent need.