July 09’ News from the Mitchells,
We hope this letter finds you enjoying the summer months. Here in Uganda we are smack in the middle of a dry season and with a near empty cistern we are seeing the reality of and understanding more and more what daily physical dependency on the LORD looks like as we wait on the LORD with eager expectancy for rain. But with the dry season we are also celebrating the gift of the harvest as we prepare to close up shop tomorrow (everything comes to a screeching halt at harvest time, even the admin. offices shut down for a day) to harvest this season’s crop of maize.
On July 1st as Caleb’s parents celebrated their 37th anniversary we celebrated our 12th. Interestingly enough we spent last year’s anniversary on New Hope’s Lake Victoria Property and this year we were there just two days after our anniversary. The biggest difference was that this year we had Nicolas with us. We enjoyed touring the property with Jay Dangers (New Hope Director) and Steve & Angela Annett (a couple from the U.K. who were here for four weeks as business consultants). It was also great to spend a few hours with Syd and Andrea Sparks who are pioneering both life on the property and the beginnings of camp work- hosting teams, overseeing projects, and building relationships within the community. The highlight of Nico’s time was petting their puppy Nala, who didn’t frighten the living daylights out of him (probably because he was the first dog he’s been in contact with that was actually smaller than him.)
Nicolas is now 18 months old and talking! (At least we call it talking=) He is saying words like: De-Da (Lydia), boots, and Hallelujah (when it rains or when he sees the stars). Caleb pointed out the other day that he is talking in complete sentences: “I love you” and “I love De-Du” (Jesus). He even tries to sing “The B-I-B-L-E,” (taught to him by Kizza the mother of his good friend Andrew), as well as and the song Great Grandma Smith (Nico calls her G.G.) sings, “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck,” (famous to all Caleb’s cousins on the Smith side of the family). He’s getting taller by the day and acting more and more like his dad- mimicking almost everything he says and does.
Saying Goodbye to Lydia was bitter sweet, and I say that because although she is missed, we are fully anticipating what God has for her as she begins this term at Anderson. Right away Lydia found a special place in the hearts of the youngest members and the older girls of Pacific Family (who, by the way “send their greetings” to you Lydia). I (Alair) told her quite a few times that although her time here at New Hope looked completely different from her experiences with the team she was a part of in Kampala, she has blessed us more than she will know. You are missed (tremendously by Nico and Andrew)!
Just days before Lydia boarded her plane back to the States; she was able to observe New Hope’s Thanksgiving celebration with us. Right away you might be saying to yourself, “I thought the U.S. was the only country that commemorates the pilgrims and Indians first feast.” Well you’re right, but the Kasana family has much to be thankful for and has for many years celebrated a different version of the holiday by recalling the immense blessings LORD has shown throughout the year. With banners raised, banana and palm branches waving and voices loud and strong we sang, shouted, and danced our praises to God. This year each of the seven families, all the department heads, every tribe, and community represented at church that Sunday had opportunity to share (even in various languages) what they were most thankful for, among which “new family members” was at the top of Pacific Family’s list. Which of course is at the top of the our own family’s list too, as last July was the month we met Nicolas, and now he has become part of our family! Also high on our personal praise list this year is the “hope of glory” and our future home! It was a full day of remembering the works of the LORD’s hands.
For the next several months Caleb will be involved in helping with the teams that come to visit and serve here at NHU. The Teams Coordinator Nancy Kirsch is doing much of the organizational work involved with hosting teams, but while she is attending the Institute of Child Care and Family (the same five month training we were in last July) Caleb will be assisting with the ground work (pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport, leading orientations and tours, and being available to do various tasks that are needed. It has been a joy to see how these teams and individuals have been a blessing to the ministry.
Here are some tidbits about New Hope’s development and even a couple new ventures… You are already aware of the camp on Lake Victoria which now officially has a name: Musana Camps (Musana meaning “sunshine” and referring to walking in the light that is accompanied by growing in truth). Musana Camps has a first family overseeing its development: Syd, Andrea and baby Sparks (on the way in September). In addition to a few permanent structures, Musana has also been graced by many hardworking, hands that have helped to make it all possible, including EMI (Engineering Ministries
International) who completed a week-long visit to Musana and have completed design plans.
Other ways we are growing and changing include building projects. The Clinic Expansion is nearly finished. Upon completion the clinic will have more than tripled in size and will include a wing for dentistry and vision care as well as men’s and women’s general reception. Hope House Extension is New Hope’s baby house project. While the original baby house building (on the secondary site) is still caring for babies, the anticipated move to a new building and location (on the primary site where the church, primary school, clinic, administration offices and family groups are situated) will also triple the capacity to care for babies (infants- toddlers).
As a part of New Hope Uganda’s endeavor to see the villages and communities around us transformed through the power of the Gospel, we are excited to announce the beginning of our Pastoral Training Program. NHICF Pastoral Training Program’s vision is to mentor and disciple village pastors (most of whom have little to no biblical education) in a God-centered, worldview-confronting, Bible-saturated, Spirit-empowered, theologically-practical education that will provide a holistic foundation for life and ministry. The training will be centered on the Gospel and the Glory of God as it relates to all areas of life including agriculture, work and God-centered self-sufficiency.
Much love to all,
Caleb, Alair & Nico
We hope this letter finds you enjoying the summer months. Here in Uganda we are smack in the middle of a dry season and with a near empty cistern we are seeing the reality of and understanding more and more what daily physical dependency on the LORD looks like as we wait on the LORD with eager expectancy for rain. But with the dry season we are also celebrating the gift of the harvest as we prepare to close up shop tomorrow (everything comes to a screeching halt at harvest time, even the admin. offices shut down for a day) to harvest this season’s crop of maize.
On July 1st as Caleb’s parents celebrated their 37th anniversary we celebrated our 12th. Interestingly enough we spent last year’s anniversary on New Hope’s Lake Victoria Property and this year we were there just two days after our anniversary. The biggest difference was that this year we had Nicolas with us. We enjoyed touring the property with Jay Dangers (New Hope Director) and Steve & Angela Annett (a couple from the U.K. who were here for four weeks as business consultants). It was also great to spend a few hours with Syd and Andrea Sparks who are pioneering both life on the property and the beginnings of camp work- hosting teams, overseeing projects, and building relationships within the community. The highlight of Nico’s time was petting their puppy Nala, who didn’t frighten the living daylights out of him (probably because he was the first dog he’s been in contact with that was actually smaller than him.)
Nicolas is now 18 months old and talking! (At least we call it talking=) He is saying words like: De-Da (Lydia), boots, and Hallelujah (when it rains or when he sees the stars). Caleb pointed out the other day that he is talking in complete sentences: “I love you” and “I love De-Du” (Jesus). He even tries to sing “The B-I-B-L-E,” (taught to him by Kizza the mother of his good friend Andrew), as well as and the song Great Grandma Smith (Nico calls her G.G.) sings, “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck,” (famous to all Caleb’s cousins on the Smith side of the family). He’s getting taller by the day and acting more and more like his dad- mimicking almost everything he says and does.
Saying Goodbye to Lydia was bitter sweet, and I say that because although she is missed, we are fully anticipating what God has for her as she begins this term at Anderson. Right away Lydia found a special place in the hearts of the youngest members and the older girls of Pacific Family (who, by the way “send their greetings” to you Lydia). I (Alair) told her quite a few times that although her time here at New Hope looked completely different from her experiences with the team she was a part of in Kampala, she has blessed us more than she will know. You are missed (tremendously by Nico and Andrew)!
Just days before Lydia boarded her plane back to the States; she was able to observe New Hope’s Thanksgiving celebration with us. Right away you might be saying to yourself, “I thought the U.S. was the only country that commemorates the pilgrims and Indians first feast.” Well you’re right, but the Kasana family has much to be thankful for and has for many years celebrated a different version of the holiday by recalling the immense blessings LORD has shown throughout the year. With banners raised, banana and palm branches waving and voices loud and strong we sang, shouted, and danced our praises to God. This year each of the seven families, all the department heads, every tribe, and community represented at church that Sunday had opportunity to share (even in various languages) what they were most thankful for, among which “new family members” was at the top of Pacific Family’s list. Which of course is at the top of the our own family’s list too, as last July was the month we met Nicolas, and now he has become part of our family! Also high on our personal praise list this year is the “hope of glory” and our future home! It was a full day of remembering the works of the LORD’s hands.
For the next several months Caleb will be involved in helping with the teams that come to visit and serve here at NHU. The Teams Coordinator Nancy Kirsch is doing much of the organizational work involved with hosting teams, but while she is attending the Institute of Child Care and Family (the same five month training we were in last July) Caleb will be assisting with the ground work (pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport, leading orientations and tours, and being available to do various tasks that are needed. It has been a joy to see how these teams and individuals have been a blessing to the ministry.
Here are some tidbits about New Hope’s development and even a couple new ventures… You are already aware of the camp on Lake Victoria which now officially has a name: Musana Camps (Musana meaning “sunshine” and referring to walking in the light that is accompanied by growing in truth). Musana Camps has a first family overseeing its development: Syd, Andrea and baby Sparks (on the way in September). In addition to a few permanent structures, Musana has also been graced by many hardworking, hands that have helped to make it all possible, including EMI (Engineering Ministries
International) who completed a week-long visit to Musana and have completed design plans.
Other ways we are growing and changing include building projects. The Clinic Expansion is nearly finished. Upon completion the clinic will have more than tripled in size and will include a wing for dentistry and vision care as well as men’s and women’s general reception. Hope House Extension is New Hope’s baby house project. While the original baby house building (on the secondary site) is still caring for babies, the anticipated move to a new building and location (on the primary site where the church, primary school, clinic, administration offices and family groups are situated) will also triple the capacity to care for babies (infants- toddlers).
As a part of New Hope Uganda’s endeavor to see the villages and communities around us transformed through the power of the Gospel, we are excited to announce the beginning of our Pastoral Training Program. NHICF Pastoral Training Program’s vision is to mentor and disciple village pastors (most of whom have little to no biblical education) in a God-centered, worldview-confronting, Bible-saturated, Spirit-empowered, theologically-practical education that will provide a holistic foundation for life and ministry. The training will be centered on the Gospel and the Glory of God as it relates to all areas of life including agriculture, work and God-centered self-sufficiency.
Much love to all,
Caleb, Alair & Nico
