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