October 22, 2003
Good morning friend,
The rain whipped through at 4:30 this morning and I got up to close windows and decided to stay up. You cannot believe how hard it can rain here and the ground, like a huge sponge, receives it all and grows everything into lushness! 
Some have said, “If you throw plastic on the ground in Uganda, it will grow!”. Early morning remains the sweetest time of all the day for me–it is quiet and the sunrises are worth getting up for! The heavens announce the glory of God morning and evening–it is a humbling display.
Today we leave for Jinja and I pray we will see things that are delightful and enjoy each other’s company. Jinja is about an hour and a half from Rafiki village and it is a place run by a Dutchman who planned it to cater to missionaries. There are very modest bando style cottages to stay in but the landscape is gorgeous and refreshing.
The pace has been nonstop since we landed so it will be great to have some time to think on all that is and has gone on.  
I know it is God’s help to me that my work here allows me very little time with James–I sense that there is a weaning of the heart going on. I’ll miss his help with the kids, I wonder how I will pass his room and know that he may not return to this place. J
ane, I am beginning to wonder how I will put him on a plane in Entebbe and let him go–there is an indescribable ache in my heart as I consider that. 
Yet even as I think that thought, this fresh wind blows in and I am reminded that the same God who pushed me off of one continent and onto another– and who provided for all that I have needed (can you hear Robert’s hymn influencing me?)  will not leave me standing comfortless. You can make yourself so sorrowful by rehearsing what causes your heart to hurt! So, I am most grateful that this gift of get away time has come to us so that I can savor this young man’s company a while longer.
I began thinking this morning about Psalm 102:18–about the “people not yet created that may praise the LORD.” I thought about the children He will bring here over the years–they are not yet created but to Him He already has the plans for each of them in place. How marvelous is this God?     
 
My friend I have had you in my thoughts and prayers today as well. I have prayed for renewed strength for you now that He has seen you through ACTP and you will be refreshing the retreat talks for Myrtle Beach. 
I trust that there was much that He let you see and enjoy in the prayer retreat. I hope there were people who sang from the same sheet of music with you and that God Himself stirred up hunger for more prayer in His people. 
Just think –if we were not so captivated by Christ and kingdom work–we’d have to occupy ourselves by taking bus trips to Branson, Missouri! We have been rescued –we are set free to enjoy our Maker! You are a cherished friend–until later, lissa