I am sitting here this morning in Lula, Georgia…now 8000 miles away from Busia, Uganda. Listening to the sounds of nature that I love so much here. The quietness of the morning blending with the early sounds of nature starting its day.

I can’t help but think if I can find such solitude and peace here on earth, how heaven must be like. Today is day 4 in heaven for my fellow missionary Dr Richard Kowalske (Dr K). As the fullness of the last 4 days with my traveling home to attend his memorial service has not allotted much reflection time, I find that  this morning my thoughts continue drifting to heaven and what it must be like for him.

For those of you who might not know Dr K and his wife Dr Brenda are the founders of Helping Hands Foreign Missions which is the organization that I serve with. They spent the month of July with me in Uganda where they lead teams of more than 40 short term missionaries. Unknown to Dr K, he contracted Malaria during his stay and this past Saturday, the Lord took him home.

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Joy and I have been working till the wee hours on this blog and I am thrilled with the progress! She stayed up with me till nearly 2:30 last night God bless her soul!

Full time overseas mission work is tough. Missionaries must leave their family, friends, church, and the life they are accustomed to behind. The reward of doing God’s work far outweighs the cost but it’s important to remain connected to the people who love and support you. This Blog will serve as a central place to share stories from the mission field so everyone can stay connected and to give Joy an outlet for her feelings, praises, and prayer requests.

More to come!

Craig Haynie