Continuing the transition…

July 17, 2015August 3, 2015 / Gina Sawyer / Leave a comment

We have made the second move, this one to Colorado for 3 months. It turns out that each transition is a little more emotional because it means we’re a little closer to officially saying “see you later” to so many wonderful people, and I’m not emotionally ready for those moments.

As we were overloading our vehicle for Colorado, I was thinking about our move to Uganda in January and Leland reminded me “That’s something for another day. We have enough to worry about right now.” And we were reminded of what Jesus assures us on a daily basis in Matthew 6:34…“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

While it has been an emotional journey, Continue reading →

June Recap…

July 2, 2015July 17, 2015 / Leland Sawyer / Leave a comment

It has been an emotional week. Got to attend some of our Nichols Family Reunion and see family I hadn’t seen in years. Marked the two year anniversary since my Pops, Steve Piland, died and all the stories and tears that brings. Moved away from our home of seven years in Belton to take the first major transition towards Uganda. Continue reading →

People of Peace

June 16, 2015July 17, 2015 / Gina Sawyer / Leave a comment

We have been studying about “people of peace” – those people that are receptive and open to not only hear the message of the gospel but who are willing, eager, and in position to share it with others. They are connected in their communities, families and friendships. I can think of some people off the top of my head that love everyone, talk to everyone, welcome everyone, and share Jesus with everyone. Those are people of peace. Continue reading →

Thanks to Belton

June 4, 2015June 16, 2015 / Leland Sawyer / Leave a comment

It has been an interesting year. And as always, time has flown by. We are at the end of our time here in Belton with under a month left and it’s a bittersweet “see you later.” While we know God has quite an adventure in store for us in Uganda, it is also hard to say goodbye to friends and family who we’ve shared life with for 7 years.

We celebrated our 2015 graduating seniors this past weekend. We usually give them a hard time when they get emotional because we remind them they have all summer together. But this year is different for us because we won’t have the summer to send them off to their next adventure. And it’s not just the Seniors…it’s the Juniors and Sophomores and Freshmen Continue reading →

Fun Life Lessons

May 21, 2015June 4, 2015 / Gina Sawyer / Leave a comment

I can’t remember where I saw this list a few years ago, but it’s fun so I thought I’d pass it on…

1. Your shoes are the first thing people subconsciously notice about you.
2. If you sit for more than 11 hours a day, there’s a 50% chance you’ll die within the next 3 years.
3. There are at least 6 people in the world who look exactly like you. There’s a 9% chance that you’ll meet one of them in your lifetime. Continue reading →

Latest News and Questions…

May 11, 2015May 21, 2015 / Gina Sawyer / Leave a comment

We have been blown away by the amount of support, prayer, and encouragement poured on us from our friends, family, and fellow followers of Jesus. We aren’t surprised by God’s people’s love, but definitely humbled by it. Many have asked some basic questions and I wanted to take a minute to answer some here for those of you still wondering: Continue reading →

Surprised by God?

April 30, 2015May 11, 2015 / Leland Sawyer / Leave a comment

At some point I may stop being surprised by how amazing, gracious, encouraging, and present our God is, but don’t count on it being any time soon. He is far more than we could ever expect or imagine. One way that He continues to show us His provision is by the ongoing encouragement of people excited, eager, and almost giddy about partnering with us in the work that God is doing in Uganda. Let me explain…

This past weekend I was honored to be able to perform the wedding of one of our former youth ministry students, Julia Thomasson. Gina and I were blessed to get to know her now husband over the past few months as we helped them make plans for the next chapter of their lives. I can’t describe how humble, happy, and honored it made me to be asked to celebrate such an awesome thing with Julia and her family, as well as with our new friend, Michael Potts. It was so special to write a message about the love, peace, and hope that God demonstrates for us in the marriage relationship for a young woman I knew when she was in high school. Don’t get me wrong, Continue reading →

Home Is Where Your Heart Is…

April 20, 2015May 7, 2015 / Leland Sawyer / Leave a comment

We have been praying for the past 4 or 5 months that God would continue to lead us to the church family He wanted us to call “HOME” while we are ministering in Uganda. Some missionaries call it “overseeing church,” “sending church,” or “sponsoring church” because of the many aspect of the relationship. For us, the single most important aspect as we’ve been praying for this, is a church that would see as their people; members of their body on the other side of the world – an extension of their ministry here in the States. Our HOME.

BVCClogo And we have been having conversations with one such church since the middle of January. Through much prayer, conversation, planning, and even more prayer we have our HOME church. The Boulder Valley Church of Christ in Boulder, CO will be our home church as we launch into Uganda, and we are rejoicing at God’s provision and guidance. Continue reading →

Build or Break a Spirit

April 9, 2015April 20, 2015 / Gina Sawyer / Leave a comment

I read this blog post and these statements were at the bottom. They are powerful and so true – for all of us.

“Shame abandons, encouragement believes.

Condemnation paralyzes, compassion frees.
Exasperation quits, patience prevails.
Yelling silences, communication opens up.
Blame hurts, grace heals.
Faultfinding destroys, praise builds.
Rejection loses, unconditional love wins.”

Continue reading →

March 2015 Newsletter!!!

March 30, 2015April 2, 2015 / Leland Sawyer / Leave a comment

This is the latest Newsletter with details about our preparations, prayer needs, and more about the team we are joining. Meet the Robinsons! If you haven’t yet subscribed to the monthly Newsletter, you can also do that. To see the full Newsletter, simply click the picture below…