There is a new family next door to us. Robert, Heather and Caleb Donahue are here for a year with eMi EA. The parents are architects and 5 year old Caleb is full of energy, ideas and creativity, with a passion for the Dukes of Hazard, especially the car known as the General Lee.

It is great fun seeing this family with a heart for service come here, learn about this Ugandan culture, food, and people, while they sort out how to make the house into their home. Heather was born in France to American missionaries who brought their baby to Zaire, now DR Congo, for 2 years. Her mom and sister are coming this summer for a visit and to celebrate Caleb turning 6.

Robert has been to Africa several times on eMi project trips and has seen more countries here than I will likely ever see. His interest in the people and being culturally sensitive are an inspiration to me to keep learning. Heather, who loves to cook, is finding that many of their favorite foods are here, either at local markets, at the supermarkets or perhaps even downtown. She has already had company for dinner....and here less than 30 days. (I think I was here several months before I invited anyone to come and eat with me.)

This family of 3 came with 6 tubs and 3 carry-on bags to begin a life here. What do you bring to a country to make a home? One tub was full of toys, books and schooling supplies for Caleb. That left all the rest for clothes, books, work tools, personal care items, computers, camera, batteries, favorite snack foods, holiday decorations, future gifts, presents, etc. It doesn't take long to reach weight and volume limits for the air travel.

Unpacking and finding a place to store things when the house has very limited closet and cupboard space is a huge challenge. The master bedroom (about 12x14 ft) has one small, shallow closet, with a cupboard over that requires a step stool to reach and one drawer. The only other storage in the house are the 8 running feet of cupboards in the kitchen under the counter/sink. That's it. Well, the garage has some shelves in place, but not a lot and no doors, just open shelves. So the creativity begins.

They have great patience with the changes they are experiencing, including all the different night noises. Their compound wall fronts on two busy streets. The nights are full of the barking of dogs, my 3 inside their compound and others outside. All this in addition to some election campaign trucks passing with music at full volume at any hour of the day and even as late at midnight. Thank goodness the election is almost finished. That part of the noise over-load with go away.

They are adjusting well and seem to be loving most of the experiences. Please add them to your prayers so that they settle in well and that their supporters continue with both spiritual and financial supports.