Last week, Sarah and I were able to attend the regional AIM conference in Rwanda. I was a little anxious about taking the night bus there and back and being told a bomb went off several weeks prior on the same bus line as we were taking killing three people only perpetuated those feelings. It's also not encouraging when Ugandans tell you it's not safe to ride the night bus. Anyway, prayer and Nyquil got me through it.
The conference was just what I needed. It was good to get away and have a break from the constant demands at GSF. More than that, it was so good to be fed spiritually. At the GSF church, I can hardly understand the Ugandan pastor and we sing songs like, “Move to the right in the name of Jesus, move to the left in the name of the Lord and shake that body that the good Lord gave you”. I love the fellowship with the kids, but it can be very difficult to grow spiritually. The speaker at the conference was challenging and encouraging talking about the sovereignty of God in difficult situations. The topic preached on was so appropriate for the tragedy that was to come. The last day of the conference I got a phone call from one of the missionaries at GSF saying one of our special needs boys Emmanuel (9 years old) fell off his potty a couple days prior, was taken to the hospital, and within a day passed away. This came as a complete shock. It was hard to swallow the sad news, especially over the phone and a country away. This was a harsh reminder that our future is God's hands and nothing can thwart this plans. Death has its sting, but is comforting to know Emmanuel’s broken body has now been made whole and he rests with the Lord. What better ending is there than this?
