Phone call from Josh!

I was able to connect with Josh today - he got me his cellphone number and I called him using Skype and we got to talk for 20 minutes! He is having a really phenomenal time - it took him a few days to get his energy together after his journey and jetlag, but has been speaking and sharing his testimony at many of the different ministries at ACTION Gulu. Bible studies, Home of Love orphanage (where he is hosted in an unfinished room with no electricity/plumbing), a Prison Farm ministry, a pastor's seminar at an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Attiak (site of great slaughter in the recent past), church, etc. He had a rather unsuccessful visit to the hospital in Gulu where it sounds like the administrators were more interested in promoting the hospital to the white guys than answering Josh's questions about medical facilities that will be available for Gracie.

Tomorrow he'll visiting some housing options to see what kinds of housing are available and he may actually check email tomorrow. He has spent his evenings studying by candlelight in preparation for the last minute speaking the next day. This is very typical for missionaries in general and especially visiting missionaries - to be given surprise assignments at the last minute. The rule of thumb for a missionary man is to always have a short and a long message prepared, and always carry your Bible!

Interested in "seeing" Gulu? Go to Google maps, search for Gulu, Uganda, click on Satellite and for photos click on More and select Photos.

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Check out this progress!

A year ago, my friend Rachel http://josiecomehome.blogspot.com/ emailed a photo of her beautiful son standing on his own... I've since dreamed of having a photo to post of Gracie doing the same thing. It was always one of those wild-don't-think-it'll-ever-happen kind of dreams, a romantic, fairy tale type of dream. But this week, Gracie made another leap in development and muscle tone. It started when I leaned her up against the wall and planted her feet a shoulder-width apart. For the first time, she didn't lunge for the safety of my arms or hands, but rather, she allowed herself to stand steadily on her own two feet and she kept her center of gravity centered over her feet instead of wildly in front of her or to one side or the other. She even quickly figured out that she couldn't lurch around in excitement while standing on her own two feet with no support but a wall behind her back, but rather had to express her excitement over this new development with a gentl

Amazing girls!

Gracie and Ana have taken to walking around the church together - Ana pushes Gracie's gait trainer as Gracie walks along. Between the two of them, they make a pretty efficient team (except for the steering part!). They love it and could do it for hours! Gracie has made amazing strides (no pun intended) in standing up - we'll get some video up soon of her standing, supporting herself ONLY with her right hand (her otherwise useless hand) - it's amazing! We didn't dream that we'd see her looking this strong and steady. Plus, now she's smiling and her little heart isn't pounding out of her chest with stress at the thought of standing up without human contact - God is SO good! Gracie went to music camp this summer at the Y which was somewhat fun for her, but definitely good to have her around other kids.

Family of Three!

We are in Liberia - the electricity goes in and out because the generator is having trouble keeping up these days! So hopefully it will stay on long enough to post and the internet connection will allow me this luxury! We were united with precious Gracie on Thanksgiving day - I will write more about this later. But, oh! is Gracie a joy! She is so beautiful, so joyfilled, and a bit mischievious. Her physical limitations do not permit her to accomplish much mischief, but we can tell that she is trying to push some limits already. If we were not in love with her already, she is irresitable and such a treasure and blessing from God. In our two days together, she has not cried once. She spends most of her days smiling, she loves to snuggle (good match for us!), and has the most contagious laugh! Life takes more effort for her - her cerebral palsy is moderate and every activity is a challenge and is clearly tiring for her. Meal times (which she loves) take a long time and much patience and d

Rattins living Coram Deo

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