News that we’re getting from our people in Arua is that they are doing well. A new group of students started with their courses at the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) and Grace, our lady who helps at home, runs the Guesthouse next door while we’re away.

Time flies. Lisa is crawling on the floor. The 3 oldest kids are all off to school. Anne Fleur’s teacher is getting married today, a great day for an 8 year old girl. Ruben was happy to hear this morning that it’s only half a day school for him; he plans to play the rest of the day near the riverbank where he discovered a fantastic tree and secret place. Jan Lucas enjoys both his time in class and time off. At the moment we’re finding out what might work best for the next period of service in Uganda when our kids continue with primary education. We are very grateful that they now have a full half year of primary school here in Holland together with their age mates, that will give them a good opportunity to catch up with the Dutch system before we return in the beginning of July, just when the summer holidays start here.

Aart is at work at a friend’s place, networking and getting machines ready for sea freight container transport, for the VTC. Spending time with friends and family is something really special during this furlough. It’s always good, the fact that we know we won’t see many of them in person for the next couple of years does make us realize to enjoy the moments of sharing time and lives.

We had 3 and half weeks in Northern Ireland with the whole family. Although this was a time away from home (in the Netherlands) we felt very much welcome there. Our stay at Ballynahinch at Cecil and Barbara Wilson’s cottage was a blessing to start with. Getting in touch again with Irish friends, CMS-I staff and board members was just as good. And then meeting church members of our link churches – a huge THANK YOU to all of you who welcomed us so warmly into your church services, church weekends and families: Ballybean, Kilmore and Inch, Mullavilly and Saintfield to start with and we hope to visit Ballybay and Moy in June .

We are excited that so many church folks want to be linked to our lives and work in the Diocese of Madi West Nile in Uganda. We know that this work and link blessing will work both sides; involving ourselves in mission in Madi West Nile has been and still is a privilege. We are really looking forward to welcoming a group of 6 short term Irish volunteers this fall to share this experience!

Kids are back from school. I’ll catch up another time, till then.

Geesje