Greetings from the good 'ole USA!!!  That's new to us, at least.  Oh, and Happy 4th of July!  We typically go to the American Recreation Association in Kampala, Uganda on the Sunday closest to the 4th for a wonderful BBQ & Fireworks display.  This year, however, we get to go to a Ranch Rodeo in Colo. Springs at the Penrose Center where my youngest brother, Kenny Yoder, is competing with a team of fellow cowboys in the events of the night.  Should be a great time and something our kids will remember for a long time, too.

We are also now gearing up for the travels, meetings, fellowship, etc. of our Home Assignment time.  Why do they call in Home Assignment?  Because rather than the popular rumor that missionaries get 6-7 months of VACATION (yeah, right) we are actually very busy burning up the road trying to see everyone and give reports of what we've been doing in Uganda for the past 3 years.  It's great fun to see you all again, and we're excited for that, but believe me, it's as much WORK or more than just living our lives overseas each day typically entails.  In any case, we're back and anxious to meet up with as many of you as possible to share what God's been doing in our small corner of the world in Uganda.

Now, how do you go about making sure we don't miss you this time out?  I'm going to try to use the calendar on this website to show where we'll be & when, but until or unless I get the computer stuff figured out (I'm a bit slow in the computer dept, but eventually I get there!) you can e-mail us and we'll put in down in our daytimers!  Please contact us anytime if you'd like us to schedule time with you between now & Dec. and we'll let you know which state we'll be in and which month.  Can't wait!

Current Needs While in the US:

How can you assist us in tangible ways while we're here?  Here's a list of things we need at the current time.  Please contact us via e-mail or phone if you can help in any of these areas:

• Home School Books:  I need to get my home schooling books for the next 3 year's to take back to Uganda.  I'll need the 3rd grade materials for Zoe for this Fall, and the rest before the end of Dec. so we can pack them to take back with us.  I'll send a complete list soon, but here's a basic outline:  Veritas Press materials for grades 3-5, Saxon Math 5/4, 6/5 & 7/6, Italics Handwriting books, Shurley Grammer/English & Spelling books, etc.  That's a brief sketch, to be updated soon!  Let me know if you'd like to contribute in any way!
• Chirpractic Sessions:  Our insurance doesn't cover this, but we've found it's very helpful to keep us healthy while traversing the US, and we'd like assistance in covering the costs of the appointments.
• Ballet Outfits:  Both Zoe & Ana take ballet lessons in Uganda and we'd love to receive any good, used items, including ballet slippers, that any of you might have girls that have out-grown already.  Sizes for ages 6 on up!  Also, we'd like to get a DVD of the New York Ballet or some such thing so that the girls can continue to practice while here in the States.
• Video Camera:  We are looking for a good-quality used video camera for personal & classroom use in Uganda.  Marlene often needs to tape her Speech Class so they can see what they look like when giving presentations, and we would like to have one that has a flash memory if possible.

THANKS to all of you for all you've done, and thank you once again for considering how to aid us at this time.  We are also praying that the Lord would add to our financial support during this Home Assignment time so that we'll be able to continue in the work we're currently doing for another 3 year term.

Prayer Items:

1. Kurt is studying hard during this time to take the licesure exams to be licensed to preach in the Presbyterian Church of America.  Pray that he studies hard and passes the exams well.
2. Wisdom in setting up time appointments & visits for the next 6 months.
3. The ability to get some rest during this time in the midst of all the travels
4. Our kids to be flexible in the many transitions during this time.
5. Raising support & finding more partnerships for the work in Uganda for the next 3 years.

How to reach us:

E-mail:  marlene@kmschimke.org
Cell phones: K - 719-740-8953
                   M - 719-332-8356

We look forward to talking with and seeing you soon!
God bless,
~Kurt & Marlene