Blessed:
This Greek word is derived from the root word mak, which
means “large” or “lengthy” and means “fortunate” or
“happy”. The Greek word was used in Greek literature in the
Septuagint (the Greek translation of the old testament ) and in the
New testament to describe the kind of happiness that comes from
receiving divine favor. The word can be rendered happy.
In the NT it is usually passive; God is the One who is blessing or
favoring the person.
A
birthday, a day to be the queen and be special! (provided you have a
willing partner to wait on you and be part of your special day Thanks
Tom!).
We had
25 invited guest with us and 40 who just showed up. The living room
was moved to under the avocado tree in the front yard, the empty room
became the game room for kids. Wild rice soup was served cooked over
a charcoal fire with a chicken in it,(thank you for those who are
keeping us supplied in the rice, it reminds of home) and egg salad
sandwiches. 3 friends with ovens baked cakes and there was enough for
all who came and some to send home for those who were out on a rescue
mission with a unimoger getting a vehicle out of the mud. The grand
kids were not the same as at home but they all hugged me, sang for
me, & called me Honi. That made me feel like I was home .To have
a little one wrap their arms around you and linger as they hug like
they mean it, what a boost to endorphins. (things in your body that
keep you healthy).
I
wanted to share about my friends here: only 4 Americans were invited.
Why? Because where but Africa would I have meet these others who have
embraced us so well to Arua.
CHRISTIAN
AND KATIE from Seattle and Chapel Hill here for a 6 month
discipleship training course at the YWAM base. Recent grad and
returning to the states Kate to medical school and Christian is not
sure LATOYA,
Peace Corp Volunteer Teacher from New Jersey, last taught in Philly
inner city school A woman of substance
DAVID OF DAVID, EMMA and Amily, ALSO YWAM graduates from Edinburgh, Scotland and staying in Arua to work in agriculture. Aart & Geesja's son Rueban
FAMKE AND NAOMI from Netherlands Famke worked at a orphanage in Jinja and adopted Naoimi a month ago after a year of court cases. Lisa is next to me Ruebans sister, and next to Kate is Anna from Congo leaving for school in Kampala in Jan.
BRENDA
Professor at Los Cruces, New Mexico. Here helping set up a satalitte
sewing workshop for life stitches an hour N of here.(3rd row 2nd person on L)
HEIDI
AND CHRISTOPH from W Germany WORK AT THE GERMAN RADIO STATION DIGUNA( back row R corner) BROADCASTING
THE GOSPEL ACROSS THE EQUATOR
ADAM
& HELEN From Britain sign language teachers and work at the YOUTH
WITH A MISSION (YWAM) BASE
HERE IN ARUA WITH THE DEAF (below Heidi and Cristoff)
GEESJA,
CHILDREN, AND SISTER (sitting on couch and sis at end of 3 row L) FROM THE NETHERLANDS HERE WITH THE IRISH MISSION
SOCIETY FOR 5 YEARS THEY LEAVE WHEN WE DO(husband on the
rescue mission too sister just visiting )
MARIA
AND HER 2 GIRLS from E Germany(husband and son were on the rescue mission) Husband
is the manager of the DIGUNA station They had a song for us Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and had a skit with it.
Since
the party was outside a woman with a baby on her back and a little
girl at her side ( you can see her next to & behind Maria in the blue shirt) stopped and asked us for food. Tom got sandwiches
for them and thought they would leave. Nope, they sat under the tree
too and ate, so he bought them out some soup, then we cut the cake
and I passed that around. Then, when that was gone she asked for
money. What the heck? Doesn't hurt to ask , Right?
The kids you see
all gathered around the periphery some we knew most we didn't but
with all the cake they wanted to know us better.... The last picture
is the one of where it hit me! My dream of being in Africa, my dream
of being surrounded by friends and family, my dreams of continuing to
learn as I mature, to hear Happy Birthday sung by people from other
places in the world and when the last line is sung rather then Happy
birthday to you, but, MAY GOD BLESS YOU! I knew what that felt like.
I hope you can see it from the photo. I hope each of your birthdays
can be BLESSED like mine. Until I get my final notice that I have
to leave this body. My love comes from Beautiful ARUA, Marc