I am once again amazed at the turning of pages…I just found out today that its the end of October and realized…I need to update my blog……So sorry to my family and friends for taking so long. I have had a crazy month needless to say. We have a great team here right now from Calvery Chapel Costa Mesa, in fact they have been coming for 18 years and even laid the foundation of the guesthouse. So they are very honored guests and so far, loads of fun. I talked four of them to get on bodas with me today and go to the market in Kiwoko after lunch. Gave them the “town tour” dragging a bunch of mzungus through the hardware store, the supermarket and stopping by to sample the somosos (African fast food)

Let me try to back up now and catch up with the adventures! The first weeks of October we had Calvery Chapel Oxnard at the guesthouse, a team of 9 people. I am fascinated about each story I hear of how God brings people to this ministry. Each one is so different but all have reference to hearing Gods call…I have really thought hard about that and it has rung true with me as well. I had wanted to come to Uganda for a couple of years, but this time, I knew I was being called by God and I answered. It was totally His timing and I can see now that it would have been a much different experience if I had come on my own power any earlier. On October 9th, (Pastor Daniels BD) Uganda celebrated 47 years of Independence from the British…(ironic that Daniel was British) anyway we had a big community meeting and out of 60 some tribes in Uganda, we have 42 tribes represented here at Kasana. We then ate lunch together and had a big football match. (they only let one mzungu on the field at a time, I think they were getting in the way…) It was a great afternoon and ended with a nice boda ride and then a great rainstorm. How perfect!

The next day I talked with my family as my youngest son Joshua (23) and oldest granddaughter Morgan (7) celebrated their birthdays on the 10th. My heart was tugging as I wanted to be home for this special family time, but God knows his plan for my life right now and I am trusting Him with my family while I am gone. It is hard to explain how God works but I am totally convinced He knows….He knows what is best for me, He knows my hearts desire, He knows and sees the full picture and I can rest, just knowing that He has good plans for me!

In the middle of the month, I was granted the honor of meeting Bizi, a son from the beginings of the Kasana family. If you have read the book, ((The long road to Hope) Bizi is listed in chapter 23 and also on the promo CD for NHU. Auntie Jamie Dangers brought him to my house when he had stopped by to visit their family. By the way, I have finally figured out how to upload photos!! Right after Bizi came, we had the Silks arrive, Gordon was 83 and his wife Mary is “older” and they have been coming to Africa since the early 1950s. This was probably thier farewell visit and I was honored to serve them. We had very exciting conversations as I fixed them a breakfast of posho pouridge every morning, at their request. Many people here at Kasana had them over for dinner and Rukundo was one of them. He invited them but didnt ask me to make the dinner until the day before! Since we dont a local Walmart, we had to improvise. Rukundo ran around the chicken coup and then finally called the kids to catch the cock…but he came around the corner holding the chicken as his own trophy! I then got to watch him slice the neck, drain the blood, throw it in a bucket of hot water…then he handed it to me to pluck! I am now an experienced chicken plucker….and will add that to my resume right after bean sorter. I often wonder what the Lord is preparing me for next! Anyway the Silks were great entertainment and provided too many stories to share here. In summary, I did get a 25 minute demonstration on cleaning my lantern from Gordon…things a girl needs to know to survive in Africa. Because the more you burn it, the darker it becomes…..hummm

i had an awesome garden this past season, tons of lettuce, huge radishes that were so hot, cucumbers the size of my forearm, gigantic carrots and three pots of string beans! The ground is very fertile here, I even have a small “garden” that started growing outside the back door of the kitchen. We pitch “bad” beans out the back door and dishwater at times…the other day I had asked Fred to pick the weeds. It was my fourth request and when it was still green in one area, I was going to weed it myself. When I got a little closer and yanked on some plant…it was full of string beans and the taller plant had 5 small tomatoes growing, next to the vine of pumpkin….he had pulled the weeds…the rest was vegetables growing from nowhere! You can also plant a stick in the ground and it will grow into a tree or bush very quickly. It really is amazing how fast food grows and you have to wonder why so many people are hungry in Africa. Uganda is the “Pearl” of Africa, and very different from the Congo or Sudan. I never realized how big Africa is but land wise it makes the entire United States look tiny!

As many of you have heard, the Danger family is heading home to Colorado for some needed rest. At first I had a pity party, because I so wanted to come to serve them, but then I realized I am doing just that, whether they are here or not. In fact, God knew before I came that He would take the Dangers out of the picture. I think if He would have told me that I may not have come…He only gives us what we can handle at the time…because He knows us intimately! Anyway, since they have made a choice to rest…they have been quite busy with their good byes…and I was able to cater two meals for them with the guesthouse staff…..hence using my catering experience…..not just a coinkidink…but God knows…..We fed 35 one meal and another 80 or so a couple of days later. I will miss them but know that I am here on a mission and will continue on. As part of their goodbyes, we had a singles night of singing and fellowship, it was my first official “singles” event…that was kind of a weird experience since I havent been single in so many years. We all had a great night of fun and I am really embracing this stage of my life.

Last weekend I ran out of shampoo and I found out braiding my hair cost about the same as a new bottle. So I got a new hairstyle! The first few nights I could not sleep well because the braids were so tight. People said I looked younger but I really think it was the temporary facelift action going on. They have relaxed a bit and I slept well last night! I posted pics on facebook! I am counting the days until I get to travel home for a visit. I had not intended on returning to Colorado for at least one year, however there have been some changes going on. I have been asked to pray about staying a little longer, we are not sure what the Lord is doing but I am praying hard. Funds were provided for me to come home and talk with my family and those that are currently sponsoring me. Please pray that I get clarity on what I am suppose to do to remain in His will for my life. The enemy can take things and make us run in the wrong direction, like minimal funding has me questioning wether or not I should commit to longer. This is not a plea for support, but a plea for prayer, I do not want anyone supporting me that has not heard from the Lord to do so. I want to make sure this is Gods calling and not just a test of obedience. Some days I can see living here long term and then some days I am choked up thinking about my children, family and friends that I so dearly miss. The past two months my sponsorship money has been minimal, so I am coming home for a time of rest, prayer and to check on my family. Pray that the Lord clearly opens doors that I should walk through and closes doors that are not in His plan, because afterall, He knows! I will arrive in Denver on December 7th and look forward to having coffee and ice cream with many of you. Thank you for your love, your support and your prayers, may the Lord bless you abuntantly and call on you to serve Him daily. When He calls, please answer.

I also wanted to just remind everyone that internet is not always available and I have noticed your notes and prayers and have often been knocked offline or loose power before I can properly respond. So thank you to Pearl, a longtime friend from my childhood, Donna Kay, I got your message from Capetown, my mother and close friends at MSC and all my family…..and any others that have sent emails or posted things on Facebook…I love the encouragement and contact and miss you all so much! I pray for your safety and for you all to be living an abundant life of freedom.

I serve the mighty Lord, King of Kings, The Creator of all things…and He knows each one of us intimately!
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Desiree’