Delayed Update...

Hello Everyone!
Firstly I want to apologize for the delay since my last update. But your prayers, love, and support since I last sent a prayer request have really been felt on my end and I cannot thank-you enough. I am doing so much better these days and again can only praise God for His hand that has been mightily upon me.
Towards the end of March I had the opportunity to travel to another region of Uganda called Masaka to visit the home of another student in my school. His name is Valence; he's a pastor, father or eight children ranging from 1 to 19 years of age, husband, and man after God's heart. He invited myself and another student to come to his home to pray with his family and do some ministry over a weekend. So we left on a Friday afternoon and arrived there late that night. We were warmly welcomed and very well taken care of. The next day we did a bit of our assignment, then went on a hike to see Valence's land. After walking through his fields (some filled with bananas and maize), we visited some homes to pray with various people that Valence knew. Some were friends, others relatives, Muslims, Christians, all sorts of people. Finishing the day's ministry, we climbed a small hill and prayed over the community where Valence hopes to come back and begin ministry with his family. After a meal of matoke (Uganda's famous banana), g-nut or peanut sauce, and other Ugandan specialties the entire family gathered together in the sitting room. The older children who attend boarding school came home to meet us so we were honored to be with everyone! Valence, his wife, and children make many sacrifices as he studies with us in the School of Biblical Studies, one of which is financial. School fees are a great obstacle that most families face and the issue also affects this family. So together we sang some worship songs by the light of a kerosene lantern. And then we went into a time of prayer for Valence's family. It was a very powerful time and I was so blessed to have been able to be there to stand with them in prayer that evening. The next morning we all prepared ourselves for church a few kilometers away. Every one in the family was dressed very "smart" (as Africans say) or looking good. I took pictures of the family inside the home and then outside as well. Then we walked to the church which met in a boarding school classroom. I shared a teaching on the inductive bible study at the beginning of the service. Then I took all the children and youth outside for Sunday school. I taught them a drama that they acted out and we had a really good time. Before we knew it the weekend was over and it was time to head back home. I was so refreshed to get away from where I study and was honored to be welcomed by such a wonderful family as Valence's. God moved in their lives for sure, but to my surprise in my life as well.
Good Friday was the last day of the second quarter of SBS and because of God's grace we all finished! It was a victorious day to hand in the final assignment and to know that we had a week break ahead. Well that week break flew by so fast and before we knew it we were back in class again for the third quarter.
After our first week back I had the opportunity to go with the church that I attend for prison ministry. I had never gone before, but felt pressed in my heart to go. On the way there I was telling God that if He wanted to use me I was His and placed the time into His hands. The prison was nothing like what we have at home. It was just a few buildings with a fence around the outside. Almost immediately after stepping into the complex I felt that I should share what I had just learned and God had spoke in my life from the book of Jonah. So I was given the audience of the prisoners and was just led by the Spirit. God really took control and challenged many hearts. One heart was especially touched, Fred, and He received his salvation that day! It was an amazing experience and an example of how God is working His word into my life.
A month of the last quarter of SBS is gone and we're quickly moving forward to finish the O.T. by the last week of June. We have already covered many of the smaller prophets, Isaiah, and this week Jeremiah. To be honest we are all very tired physically, mentally, and even at times spiritually. But God has brought us to this place for a purpose and will bring it to completion in each of us. The work is much and overwhelming at times, but personally I am just astounded at God's grace working in me when I hand in each of the assignments. I can't explain how I'm able to continue doing the work that is required of us in this school by anything other than God. And the way that God has protected me and kept me safe and healthy...wow! There was one time a few weeks ago that I was sick for a week or so with what was probably a stomach bug, but even then I had no trouble keeping up with the work and overcame it! I've also been running well lately. Its hard to explain what God has been doing in me since I first came in September, but maybe I can illustrate it through my running. When I first arrived, on one of the first runs, we began to run up the hill that is near the base and after just a few minutes I gave up. For the first three months I tried to run, but was defeated by the pain in my legs. Over Christmas break I experienced a new strength and desire to run while in Kenya. Then I came back ready to hit the roads again. My legs were no longer hurting and I was going further than I had before. One day I felt especially strong and made it up that hill as my running partner never expected I would. One day last week I felt strong when we got to the location where we normally turn back at and decided to keep going. So we continued on and on...it was my farthest run yet, around 8 km. There is a 10km race coming up towards the end of May in Jinja that I'm hoping to take part in. I've never run a race before, but I know I can do it and am ready for the challenge. Life here has so many challenges and at times I really cry out to God because He's all I have. But I'm running the good race, growing in strength, endurance, courage, confidence, faith, perseverance...the list can go on and on. I'm trusting in God each day to be my everything and He has proved so faithful as He always comes through. Two more months of SBS to go and then I will complete this round and move onto the next. Following my graduation from the lecture phase of SBS around June 28th I plan to travel back to Kenya for a few weeks to visit and hope to help out at the base in Athi River a bit. Then towards mid to late July I'm planning to come home!!! I can't wait to come home and catch up with everyone. I should be around for a few months, but then I'm still planning to come back to East Africa in the fall to do the outreach phase of my school from the YWAM base in Arusha, Tanzania.
So that is the long and rather detailed update on my life and how the LORD has been so good to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love, support, prayers, letters, packages, notes, e-mails, and recipes on how to be encouraged by God's truth (of the latter: let those who took part understand and smile). I love you and thank God so much for your involvement in my life! Be blessed!
Walking With Him,
Becky <><