Well this is a blog that I have tried writing for many months now.
After all the questions and emails we get asking where we are up to with everything, its something I've been wanting to do - but I think I've been putting it off because I haven't known how to share it, or maybe haven't wanted to make it real by sharing it out publicly!
So as you all know we are still in Australia.
We were suppose to return to Uganda originally in July. But at the time Uganda was still in lockdown and Australia's border closed ( still are - you need permission to leave)
Robs visa was about to run out, so the suggestion from immigration was made that the only visa we were eligible to apply for without leaving the country ( which we weren't allowed to do anyways) was the spousal visa.
We had never done this before because we'd never been here for long enough that warranted the huge expense. So we made the decision (since we had no choice) to apply for the spousal visa. We did all the necessary paperwork and spent all our savings to apply (lots of paperwork from various people to confirm we "really are a couple and married for right reasons ;) "
We were told that it could take anywhere from 6 months - 2 years. It wasn't till later we also discovered that during the time of processing - Rob can't actually leave the country long term, and can only leave with permission. This came as a big shock, but just have to accept the process.
Thankfully within a few months, Rob received a bridging visa - so is now able to work here (when passes medical exam) and can receive medicare etc. And they've told us that because of our length of relationship and having three children they will most likely not put him on a temporary visa but go straight to the permanent visa - which should mean it won't take as long - but they can't give you any idea of how long.
So because of all of this - we made the decision that if we have to remain here until Rob can get permission to leave - then we can't waste this time.
So Robert started the process around September last year to sit the Australian Medical Council exam.
This is a huge undertaking to even just apply to be able to sit it. Then costs a small fortune and once accepted (they have to verify everything internationally etc) the journey of studying begins.
Since September Rob has been spending the majority of his days/nights studying for this exam. Its an incredibly difficult exam, with the majority of people not passing it the first time.
(even many of my specialists who have sat it have all said they didn't pass it the first time and it has been said that the majority of Australian trained Drs would not pass it if they had to sit it)
We had to wait for an exam date- we had been hoping for February, but were given the date of the 16th of April. At the time (December) that felt forever away.... but we had no idea that in only a few weeks I would be spending close to a month in hospital and diagnosed with inflammation on the brain and subsequent diagnoses of other things later.
Rob has spent the last 8 months, either caring for me (with all the health challenges I've had) and caring for the boys - or studying.
With most days him studying from early hours of the morning - till late afternoon, when he would have some time playing with the boys and having dinner and helping with bedtime and then he'd be straight back into studying until around 1/2am. He has worked so incredibly hard for this.
I know he feels he hasn't done enough, but then he knows and is at peace that at the end of the day, the only thing that has stopped him studying, has been caring for me and the boys and he always puts us first.
We believe God goes before him and will honour him and his hard work at the exam on Friday.
So for us, this means that for now - home is wherever we are all together.
Our hearts are still very much in Uganda. Our home is still there (we are thankful for Rob's brother and wife who are looking after our house and dogs) and our ministry continues on with the amazing team we have.
We ache to return to Uganda, and our boys miss their other home and ask often when can we return. They still know that while we have now been at Nanna and Poppy's house for a year, that they still have another home elsewhere that they look forward to returning to.
I have found it really difficult to come to terms with not being able to return yet, and very difficult to not now when we will be able to move back there - or even when we will be able to visit.
( we currently can't even leave to go back and visit yet with Australia's restrictions - our plan is that as soon as we are able we will return to check on everything and so the boys keep it all fresh in their minds)
We are working hard on our end to raise awareness about the foundations work, and pray that God will give us more opportunities to raise funds, speak and share what we are doing there. Doing that enables us to be able to feel a part of the life changing work. Its incredibly special when I get up and share about child sponsorship and then see the very children that we know and work with and teach getting sponsored. So that does bring great joy.
So for now - we are focused on the exam and getting that done, then once he receives word he has passed and is registered here (believing in faith) we will then look for work for Rob and see where we end up.
Gods timing and plans can be funny sometimes, and can make us question a lot of things. But when you stop and really look closely - you can see all things working out for good.
My own health has been a challenge, (with a very difficult diagnoses only coming through in the past few days that will mean great challenges and close monitoring for me for the rest of my life..... we are still trying to understand and get our heads around that (just focusing on getting through exam first)... All of this we will need to have stable before we could return as well. So all that is there too.
But we have seen God do so many miracles for us in the past (obviously in our boys, my health over the years, financially and with our work in Uganda.... even just this year with how I was with the brain inflammation to where I am in that regard now (that's a story for another day)
So we trust in Him... we trust in His goodness and in His faithfulness. He has never failed us before.
We trust the work we are doing in Uganda in to His hands, because at the end of the day - He cares even more for those precious people than we do.
Its also a good chance for us to learn patience and remembering that we aren't in control!
We have much to be thankful for - we are so grateful that Rob arrived in Australia only a few days before they announced they were closing the borders!
So no matter what, we will count our blessings and remember that home really is wherever we are all together.
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