2 Timothy 4:5

I am the type of person, and maybe you can relate, that has to always finish what I start. An example of this is when Colin and I were newly married and we started painting the rooms in our little home in Sonora. When we would stop to eat lunch I would gobble mine down and then need to get back to work, because I wasn’t finished cutting in the trim or left half a wall unpainted. Colin could just sit and relax and wanted me to do the same but soon found out that was not going to happen when there was painting to be done. I remember him asking me “You can’t relax until that room is finished can you?” To which I realized, nope, I can’t. I was reminded of this about myself today when I was reading in 2 Timothy. In chapter 4 verse 5 Paul writes, “But as for you, keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of and evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (HCSB) I grabbed my pen and boxed in the “fulfill your ministry” and let those words hit me with the impact God intended. “Fulfill your ministry” or finish what you start. Curious as to what another version had this verse translated to I picked up two more Bibles. The English Standard Version (ESV) is very similar, but the New Living Translation has it written just a bit different. The NLT says “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” I love the way that verse ends. It would be easy for me to view our mission as hard, or not easy, but if I keep my head and heart wrapped around the fact that it is a gift or has been given to me by God, how hard can it really get? If I truly believe every word that is written before me in my Bible then I have to know that “all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 I am so very thankful for how God uses His word to reach me. Not only did He encourage me in my “need to finish everything” personality, but He also reminded me that my ministry here is a gift from Him. AWESOME! Just a few verses down in 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul writes “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I pray that I continue to always fight for the Lord, always finish what I start and ALWAYS have faith in my Father in Heaven. ~Ronnie~

Update from Uganda

It has been about a month since we left Texas for Uganda.  Life here is really good and we are blessed to live where we do.  We have quickly fallen in love with the people, the area, the weather, the food, our village church, the local markets, and all our new friends. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful people lifting us up in prayer. We know that this move and all the life adjustments that come with a move like this would not be as smooth and peaceful as it has been if it were not for you and others like you praying for us, supporting us financially, and praying for the folks we encounter on a daily basis. It is obvious the Holy Spirit has gone before us every step of the way and prepared the way for us as we have taken this step to follow Him. 

Two beneficiaries of a borehole. These women were anxious for us to get the well repaired so they could start using the well again and could quit fetching water from the nearby swamp.

So far, Ronnie has had the opportunity to participate in a women's seminar on purity in a village nearby. God has given us clear direction as far as where we are to begin drilling and disciple-ing. Colin has been able to locate most of the materials needed to drill, for the borehole materials, and for the well head. Colin has also been able to build a number of drill bits from locally available material. It is our hope that by using locally available material, the cost of the wells can be managed and every rural farmer can own his/her own well. Ronnie has also been able to identify a number of ministry opportunities apart from helping with the water wells. We were able to repair three boreholes that were not functioning and now those villagers have access to clean water. God has been good!

Colin, Terry, and Bosco repairing a well as a thirsty villager looks on.

Thank you again for your prayers. We are doing great and loving life. However, these people and this place have seen so many terrible atrocities committed. There is still a lot of sadness and pain, and this area is in need of much healing. So please continue to pray for us and our well-being, but please also remember the wonderful Ugandans and the spiritual battle going on here.

Steering Wheels and Church Pews

Today was a big day for the little Rosser family.  We got to go to church for the first time and it was absolutely awesome!  We went out to the church in the village where we are going to be spending much time drilling.  All the songs were sung in either Ateso, Swahili, and one in English.  A few men in front played some drums and EVERYONE was clapping.  Our friend Josh gave the message and had Charles translate to Ateso.  Josh knows Ateso very well and is still learning it after five years of being here.  He said it is one of the hardest to learn and that is in part due to the fact that English is spoken all over and you can most of the time find some one that can translate or communicate with you.  But it was great to see so many believers come together and worship the Lord.  We were then fed after the service and it was great!  Pork, rice, and cooked cabbage.  Don't be fooled, it was pretty tasty!  We are told that the "bar" area just down the street from our house has some of the best pork joints in all of the town!  Colin is thinking that may be on the lunch menu at some point this week. 

The other really cool thing we did today was let the Yankee drive!  I got to drive to the hotel where we were meeting Josh and Mandy once we got Rover started.  (Rover is what I am calling our Land Rover...He didn't want to start this morning so I kept singing in my head, "Land Rover, Land Rover, oh won't you please turn over!"  But we had to push it and pop the clutch and away we went.)  We rode to church with Josh and Mandy and when we got back I braved the city streets!  We needed fruit and I needed to practice driving.  Needless to say, if you go slow and just watch for people, bikes, motorcycles, and other cars, its just like driving back home!  But on the other side of the road...
I think the only reason that I did so good was because I have been watching Colin drive for the last week or so and he is a great driver and everyone that sees him driving from the team is really impressed that he has done so well.  So I attribute my first day of successful driving to my wonderful and handsome teacher!

 

Settling in...

We are starting to settle in here in Uganda.  We love our little home and feel like we have been here for more than a week already.  Terry stayed with us for one week and went around with us to see the wells that Rick and the crew did last year.  There were 8 wells that were completed and are still working, two with minor problems that are easy to fix.  Colin will go back this coming week with Bosco, Moses and Solomon and fix the concrete work around the base of one well and fix a foot value and re-do the concrete around the base of the well head on another well.  We are really blessed to already have a crew of guys here that know what to do and have drilled enough to be invaluable to us.  Colin was also blessed with having a work shop already set up from when Rick was here.  Everything is there that he will need.  I think that just having the shop ready to go and all the drilling material there will save Colin months of work in finding what he needs.  Thanks Rick!!! 

We are also excited about the other group of missionaries that live here.  They have been so helpful in telling us where to get things in the market, showing us where to go, and having us over for meals!  We are going to be working with this team in a certain area just to the southwest of town where Rick had already drilled two wells.  We are part of the team that will be working with this area and our goal is to try and drill as many wells as we can so that when we are done, every family has their own well.  Both of us are thrilled about working with this other group and love what they are doing here in Uganda.  I am sure to expand on our team later.

Today was the first day where we had nothing to do but whatever we wanted.  It was so nice!  We got to sleep in late, well late for us, and then spent some time reading God's word while eating breakfast, then I washed our clothes and hung them out to dry.  I do think the one thing I will miss will be a washing machine.  We will be re-wearing clothes if we can.  Once the clothes were all on the line, Colin and I went to the market.  He had a few things he needed to get and we still needed a few items for the house.  While we were driving down one of the streets, we ran into Bosco and he went with Colin to find what pump parts he was looking for.  Then on their way back to the Land Rover, where I was waiting, they stopped and got a "Rolex."  A Rolex is a chapati with eggs and tomotoe and onion wrapped up like a breakfast burrito.  A chapati is very similar to a flour tortilla  By far the best thing I have had to eat since being in Uganda.  And the best part is that they are only about $0.50 (or $1200.00 schillings).

Needless to say, so far we are just loving our new life.  We know that our instant love for Uganda and the seamless transition has everything to do with our great God and with everyone back home praying for us as we set out.  Thank you Lord for being just awesome!  And thank you again to everyone that is praying or has prayed for us.  We know that God is going to do great things here and we are so excited to just be a small part of His work. 

Blessing to you all!
Ronnie