We normally try to fit our bimonthly newsletter on one page, but January was so full that we have decided to bring you the special expanded edition of our update. First, thank you for so many of your prayers during this challenging time in our lives. For those of you who escaped the prayer chains we’ll catch you up to speed…. Caleb fell very sick the beginning of January (identically to what he went through last Feb.) with fevers (up to 105.4), night sweats, a rash, and complete exhaustion. This went undiagnosed for almost three weeks in which time Nathaniel was found to have Guardia AND an amoeba and had boil like wounds on body, meanwhile Alair was bit by an insect that caused her foot/ ankle to swell almost three times its normal size leaving her unable to walk on it for a few days. By the end of the month Caleb was finally diagnosed with Katayama Syndrome which stemmed from a parasite called Bilharzia (contracted from contaminated water- like Lake Victoria). We decided if Caleb had been exposed to this parasite, the whole family had, and should be boys tested. At that point, it wasn’t surprising when we found out that both boys had it as well. We believe it was caught and they were put on treatment early enough that they should be fine shortly.
It seems that when it rains it pours... We are pushing forward and although Caleb could think of a million other places he would have rather spent four nights than the hospital, we are thankful for the medical care we have received here in Uganda. Even as we looked outside the hospital window in Kampala, we were reminded that there are so many people that do not have access to good medical care.
We know we serve a good God who not only loves us and sees all that we are going through but who walks with us and has prepared the path for us to walk in. We continue to learn to trust Him more, and as the Lord revealed to Paul in 2Cor. 12 "My [HIS] grace is sufficient for you, for my [HIS] power is made perfect in weakness.” It is only by His grace that we live and move and have our being! Alair is doing much better after a strong antibiotic and the insect bite has healed quite well. Caleb is still weak, but recovering slowly. The fevers are gone, but it will be at least a two month regimen of treatment and testing. The boys are settling back into a daily routine and Nicolas, who in the midst of it all, turned three on Jan. 17th, and is learning to ride his new bike with training wheels.
The body of Christ both here in Uganda and in the States have proved to be a blessing beyond measure. From prayers on our behalf, to watching our children and bringing us meals, from a timely surprise visit from our dear friend Laurie just as Caleb was being discharged from the hospital, to the care package she brought, put together by family, friends and our Blackhawk family, we have been reminded again and again of the importance of the body of Christ and how much we need each other as we move through life. Laurie was a huge encouragement to us- we were so blessed to have her with us, even if for just a few short days. It was just what we needed as we fought back wanting to “throw in the towel.” Some days we long for home and the comfort it brings. We cannot tell you how overwhelmed we were to hear that so many people at home and at Blackhawk were praying for us... it brought us to tears. Three years ago, as we were raising support and getting ready to leave for Uganda, we were told how important it was to have people praying for us back home. God has shown us the amazing truth of that reality. Without your prayers we are not sure where we would be right now (emotionally AND physically)!
It is true that during every season of our lives, it is God’s desire to see us gaining the resemblance of His Son in whose image we were created. During this difficult season we have gained a deeper understanding of how suffering brings us into maturity. We have come to count ourselves blessed to have had these challenges even though we would not have ever welcomed them. God has faithfully used this time to revealed sin in our lives that desperately needed to be repented of and turned from. It reminds us of the nation of Israel and how God tested them so that "He would know what was in their hearts." God already knew what was in their hearts, but they didn't. Jeremiah talks about how the heart is deceitfully wicked… who can understand it? We have learned that through difficulty and trials God clears away many of the distractions in our lives in order for us to see the true state of our hearts and give opportunity for repentance. Some areas of sin were places in our hearts where idols of self reliance needed to be removed from their “high places” in order for the LORD to have His rightful place- Amen!
We have also recognized that we have not merely been involved in a physical battle but a spiritual one as well. We have sensed the enemy at work against our family, and have had several other New Hope staff and friends say the same thing. We are depending on the blood of Christ who covers all and has authority over all. And we have clearly seen the body of Christ at work! It is for that reason we are eliciting your prayers on the “sleep front.” Many of you have been praying for “sweet sleep” (Proverbs 3:24) for us and specifically for Nate- our youngest. As we are more and more aware that this is not an area we can “train” him through (and believe me we have tried everything shy of flying Super nanny to Uganda), but rather that this is a battle God must win for us, we are more than ready to request your prayers… that the God who “grants sleep to those He loves” (Psalm 127:2), would not allow the enemy to rob Nathaniel or the rest of us of that precious gift!
Caleb’s Aunt Donna reminded us that prayer is also an act of worship for the person saying the prayer. Prayer connects us with our God and to each other! We praise God that He is using our struggles to produce a lot of prayer, praise and connecting! Glory be to God! We are excited to see Him work in a mighty way in our lives and the lives of those who are praying!
Thanks again for your love for us! We have been so encouraged by you all! We look forward seeing you face to face when we are on home assignment (tentatively end of July through the beginning of Jan.) and telling you of His wonderful grace in our lives. Thank you again for your love toward us and your continued prayers!
In His service for his name and renown,
The Mitchells
It seems that when it rains it pours... We are pushing forward and although Caleb could think of a million other places he would have rather spent four nights than the hospital, we are thankful for the medical care we have received here in Uganda. Even as we looked outside the hospital window in Kampala, we were reminded that there are so many people that do not have access to good medical care.
We know we serve a good God who not only loves us and sees all that we are going through but who walks with us and has prepared the path for us to walk in. We continue to learn to trust Him more, and as the Lord revealed to Paul in 2Cor. 12 "My [HIS] grace is sufficient for you, for my [HIS] power is made perfect in weakness.” It is only by His grace that we live and move and have our being! Alair is doing much better after a strong antibiotic and the insect bite has healed quite well. Caleb is still weak, but recovering slowly. The fevers are gone, but it will be at least a two month regimen of treatment and testing. The boys are settling back into a daily routine and Nicolas, who in the midst of it all, turned three on Jan. 17th, and is learning to ride his new bike with training wheels.
The body of Christ both here in Uganda and in the States have proved to be a blessing beyond measure. From prayers on our behalf, to watching our children and bringing us meals, from a timely surprise visit from our dear friend Laurie just as Caleb was being discharged from the hospital, to the care package she brought, put together by family, friends and our Blackhawk family, we have been reminded again and again of the importance of the body of Christ and how much we need each other as we move through life. Laurie was a huge encouragement to us- we were so blessed to have her with us, even if for just a few short days. It was just what we needed as we fought back wanting to “throw in the towel.” Some days we long for home and the comfort it brings. We cannot tell you how overwhelmed we were to hear that so many people at home and at Blackhawk were praying for us... it brought us to tears. Three years ago, as we were raising support and getting ready to leave for Uganda, we were told how important it was to have people praying for us back home. God has shown us the amazing truth of that reality. Without your prayers we are not sure where we would be right now (emotionally AND physically)!
It is true that during every season of our lives, it is God’s desire to see us gaining the resemblance of His Son in whose image we were created. During this difficult season we have gained a deeper understanding of how suffering brings us into maturity. We have come to count ourselves blessed to have had these challenges even though we would not have ever welcomed them. God has faithfully used this time to revealed sin in our lives that desperately needed to be repented of and turned from. It reminds us of the nation of Israel and how God tested them so that "He would know what was in their hearts." God already knew what was in their hearts, but they didn't. Jeremiah talks about how the heart is deceitfully wicked… who can understand it? We have learned that through difficulty and trials God clears away many of the distractions in our lives in order for us to see the true state of our hearts and give opportunity for repentance. Some areas of sin were places in our hearts where idols of self reliance needed to be removed from their “high places” in order for the LORD to have His rightful place- Amen!
We have also recognized that we have not merely been involved in a physical battle but a spiritual one as well. We have sensed the enemy at work against our family, and have had several other New Hope staff and friends say the same thing. We are depending on the blood of Christ who covers all and has authority over all. And we have clearly seen the body of Christ at work! It is for that reason we are eliciting your prayers on the “sleep front.” Many of you have been praying for “sweet sleep” (Proverbs 3:24) for us and specifically for Nate- our youngest. As we are more and more aware that this is not an area we can “train” him through (and believe me we have tried everything shy of flying Super nanny to Uganda), but rather that this is a battle God must win for us, we are more than ready to request your prayers… that the God who “grants sleep to those He loves” (Psalm 127:2), would not allow the enemy to rob Nathaniel or the rest of us of that precious gift!
Caleb’s Aunt Donna reminded us that prayer is also an act of worship for the person saying the prayer. Prayer connects us with our God and to each other! We praise God that He is using our struggles to produce a lot of prayer, praise and connecting! Glory be to God! We are excited to see Him work in a mighty way in our lives and the lives of those who are praying!
Thanks again for your love for us! We have been so encouraged by you all! We look forward seeing you face to face when we are on home assignment (tentatively end of July through the beginning of Jan.) and telling you of His wonderful grace in our lives. Thank you again for your love toward us and your continued prayers!
In His service for his name and renown,
The Mitchells
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