Vehicle update, homesick, and another picture

The day after I posted the prayer request about our vehicle Kenneth found the perfect one for our price range while he was in Kampala! We were very excited how quickly it all happened and Cody is currently on his way to Kampala to pick it up. We are very thankful for your prayers and we are grateful to all of you who were a part of helping us purchase the vehicle.

Things are mostly going good for us. We continually fight different illnesses and honestly it is getting old. However as a missionary I am really beginning to learn and grasp that life is very different (or maybe I am in between). At some point all of this won't be so shocking all the time. Having orphans, widows and monkeys come to your gate on the same day, are starting to feel normal. Knowing that I need to hold tightly to God and continue to hold onto His word, and its power. I will add that during these physical draining times is when I miss home the most. I miss being with my friends and family. I miss chicken noodle soup when I am sick. I miss a cold drink, ice, ice cream, a comfortable bed, a shower, a flushing toilet that doesn't stink, a grocery store with everything I need and then some, people who understand me, etc.... I am continually reminded of the many blessings God has given me despite being homesick. Really I can't complain and I should focus on these things.

A good friend sent me a book called "At The Edge of The Village." It is about a family that served for 16 years in the Ivory Coast. I have really enjoyed the book because I can relate to the author so much. She has 4 kids that she home schools and she tells just different stories of their adventures as missionaries. You laugh you cry. Several stories I could really relate to. One part she write about in particular.

We have squirmed in the past, and will do so again in the future, because Africa is just "that type of place." Since we work in "that type of place," we will always be meeting with unpleasant, jumpy situations. They are just some of the occupational hazards in the life of an African missionary. In our work we are called by many names: translator, pastor, and missionary; but for now just call us "Squirming in Africa."

And just because I am obsessed with our new daughter.....

A picture with her eyes open!
Squirming,
Michaela

Prayer Requests and Pictures

I don't have a "normal" post but I do want to share a couple things with you in the way of prayer.

We are all doing pretty good, but I would ask you to continue to pray for us during the adjustment of having a newborn.

I also ask that you would pray for our team members the Williams' and Misty. They have been not feeling well lately. It seems that between our families there is always someone that is sick, and this time it seems to be their family. They could also use some prayer about their son Israel as he has rectal prolapse and they now have to make some decisions regarding this. We have been praying that God would guide them and lead them to what they are suppose to do.

Also we had enough money to purchase a vehicle and were really excited! After looking at the last place we purchased a vehicle, we found that the price of vehicles have gone up a couple thousand dollars. We are now looking for an adequate vehicle in our price range, so please pray we could find one.

An exciting thing is happening here in Kotido today. They are releasing the long awaited for Bible in Nakaramajong! Hooray for that!

I leave you with a couple pictures....just because :)



Acuka Mose's dad holding Eliana at 2 days old.

Pictures

We are all doing good. Kids are doing well with adjusting, with a little need for attention right now. Eliana is such a blessing and we are all enjoying loving on her. The kids are all very excited she has arrived. Joshua and Janaya are the most excited and have been fighting about who is going to hold her, and they are all being really helpful with the chores etc.

Her name means "God Answered" and we couldn't have said it better. We have a lack of great medical care here but we felt God telling us the whole time that it would all go fine. Her Nakarimajong name is Nalelian which means rejoice, and we also find this very fitting (thanks to our team for helping find this name). Labor was fast and went really well (as well as labor can go). I was only in labor for about 5 hours. We had a local midwife and Kristi Williams who both did a wonderful job. It was really nice having Eliana in the comfort of our home. I felt at peace the whole time. When she was born the first thing we all said when we saw her was "she is so fat" most of this arises from the fact that we have been around 2 preemies who were extremely small so she looked so big!

We have felt so much love and support during this time, and it has truly been such a blessing. We are so grateful for all of you who have given so much prayer, love, and encouragement.

Feeling Blessed!
Michaela

SHE'S HERE!

On April 4, 2011 at 12:57 a.m. Eliana Grace Fulk came into the world. The labor went extremely well in the comfort of our home with a local midwife, Cody and Kristi Williams. She weighs 8 lbs. 13oz and is 21 inches long. She is very healthy and loves to eat :) My labor was only 4 hours. We are very grateful for God's provision, and ease of the whole thing. Thanks to all of you who were praying with us and for us. I will try to post more pictures soon.
Thanks to our team as well who continues to bless us. Kristi was very helpful, and did a great job assisting the midwife. They helped watch our kids in the morning so we could get a little extra sleep and Misti made me quiche! We feel very blessed!
Love,
Michaela