WUNDERLI WANDERINGS

While I was living it up at Ladies Retreat Simon was holding the fort at home with Joshua and Zara.  I don't go away that often but when I do the kids know that fun times lie ahead with Dad.  The rules get bent a bit when either Simon or I are gone and the kids like this alot.  It means staying up late with friends and being spoiled in one way or another. During this weekend Joshua had a football tournament on.  The school that J and Z are at have joined ISSAK (International School Sports Association Kampala).  Joshua is on the school team and they practice on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3-5pm.  Unfortunately they lost this time around but Simon said it was very close and could have gone either way.  Seems like they had a great time and a lot of effort was put it.  Below are some photos of the team and Joshua.

Some of you might be wondering how Ladies Retreat went.  Thank you first of all for praying.  We definitely needed it.  We had ladies not only from the Kampala area but also further afield in Uganda. It was fun to reconnect with ladies from the previous retreat that we had had in February and have some catch up time together. We started out on Friday night with dinner together and then an ice breaker game that quickly showed the competitive people in the group.  We laughed a lot and made new friends which was the intent of an evening of fun. Saturday morning started out with worship and me speaking on Mark 5:21-34 followed by some reflection time.  In the afternoon we had some free time.  Some ladies had organised a craft for those who were interested.   Others caught up on some sleep, went swimming or did pottery.  There was also a beauty salon on the site where people could get a variety of pamperings if desired. In the late afternoon...

Life is flying by but have a few minutes now to update you on what we have been up to recently..... Joshua and Zara They have both started the new semester well.  Zara has adapted to the senior site and is having fun with her friends.  She starts gymnastics this week as an after school club.  I just hope she doesn't ask me to copy some of her moves. :) Joshua has now moved up to grade 7.  He plays soccer/football twice a week from 3-5pm after school.  He comes home pretty tired and hungry but is enjoying his new coach and the time together with friends. Homework is not the most fun thing for them to do and they get enough to keep them busy. However, the thoughts of detention for not doing it is a great motivator :) On Friday's Joshua goes to a Youth Group.  There are two couples leading it who are MAF colleagues.  The kids have a lot of fun and keep their leaders challenged.  I am sure Simon and I put put a few grey hairs on our leaders ...

Tuesday was the first day back at school for Joshua and Zara.  It was a particularly big day for Zara as she moved into Grade 5 and moved up to the Senior school where Joshua is.  When they got back from school on Tuesday afternoon both of them said it was AWESOME.  Not sure I had a day at school where I said it was AWESOME :)  The school has had more classrooms added and other additional things.  Looking forward to having a tour tomorrow. Joshua and Zara at 7am and ready for school.  Well shoes still need to go on but that is definitely the last thing to happen.  

The month of July saw us on furlough in Switzerland.  We got some much needed rest and enjoyed time with family, friends and supporters whilst there.  We are grateful for all those who continue to be interested in what we do with MAF in Uganda after all these years (13+).  Thanks for your commitment to us in various ways.  We don't take it for granted. Alongside meeting up with people we enjoyed some other fun things.  We walked in the mountains, swam in the lake, rode scooters down the mountain and treated to a glider flight which gave a different view of Switzerland.  It is definitely a beautiful country and all those postcard pictures you see are real :) We also met up with MAF Switzerland during our time there.  Some things have changed for us in this regard.  For the past 13+ years we have been with MAF Switzerland but really only in name as SMG was our sending agency to MAF International.  This has all changed in the last few months...

Last Thursday Simon had an appointment with a spine specialist here in Switzerland.  Thankfully, this doctor confirmed there is no need for a further operation for Simon.  His recommendation is the same as the Italian doctor in Uganda that it will heal but it seems it is just taking longer than expected.  There is some scar tisse and a narrowing of the space between the two vertebrae where the nerve bundle is which is causing the problem. This should sort itself out in time. Yesterday we went walking in the mountains with some of Simon's family.  He did well all the way up and has had no adverse side effects today so that is great news considering two months ago he could hardly walk.  Thank you for your prayers and concern for him.  We are grateful for answered prayer.

As I write this post I am surrounded by suitcases, passports and a to-do list that is slowly being checked off.  In a few short hours we are heading off to Switzerland for home assignment.  It has been a hectic last few weeks especially for Simon as he hands over his responsibilities to others whilst he is gone.  We are looking forward to a change of pace, hopefully :) and be able to catch up with family and friends that we haven't seen in two years.  The furlough will definitely be different this time around with Simon's Mum no longer around.  However, we look forward to spending time with Simon's Dad and other family members.  Next Thursday Simon has an appointment with a spine specialist in Switzerland.  The Italian doctor here in Uganda recommended he get a second opinion.  Please pray with us regarding this and that God will give this doctor wisdom and insight into what needs done, if anything, to improve the situation with Si...