In Africa
it is not uncommon to find a preacher delivering the salvation message in a
public bus to commuters on the bus. These diligent Christians are referred to
as ‘Street Preachers’ or ‘Street Evangelists’. During the two days we travelled
to Gulu, Northern Uganda for medical and children ministries, the group had to
wake up early to leave for the 3-hour bumpy ride; so we had our morning group
devotion during the bus ride. On the second day, Al Knechel and Margaret
Whigham led the devotion in their respective buses. Margaret shared from 2. Cor
9: 6-15. She encouraged us to view ourselves as God’s gift to the children and
less privileged people of Gulu. We then prayed for more of God’s gift of
generosity in Gulu. We are already seeing God's favor on the people of Gulu.
Glory be to God, Amen!
~Sunday
Speaking Opportunities I think that most of us have gotten the opportunity to speak publicly. Just today Cassandra, Barbara, Claire and I spoke at women's meeting of ladies from Gulu and the village of Arut. It was neat the way God wove a common thread through it all as we talked about spiritual and practical things. Tomorrow we will divide up and attend two different churches. Sunday preaches at one church and Joanna shares at another on family. And then we make the trek back to Kampala in the afternoon. Pray for the messages going forth to fall on good soil and for safe travels.
After two very long but very fruitful days of ministry in
Dino, we went to Arut on Thursday & Friday. We were greeted with a song and
some speeches before we began a medical ministry to the people.
Upon receiving a number, Al directed the people to Britney
to be weighed. Britney had to be creative to get the weights of crying,
squirming children. She even got “baptized” once. After being weighed, people
were directed to triage where Joanna might take their medical history, Jeremy
would take their temperature and Claire would take a blood pressure reading.
Then Margaret would then direct them to any free doctor, escorting them if need
be. After a consultation, Jane might do a wound dressing while Cassandra and
Barb worked in the pharmacy to help fill prescriptions. In addition to all
this, Sunday set up a dental teaching station under a tree on an anthill.
Children learned about dental hygiene and got free toothbrushes and toothpaste.
As this entire medical ministry happened, Kristie took pictures and helped out
in the pharmacy when they got busy.
While the medical ministry was a big focus, the children’s
ministry team was not idle. They entertained children teaching them God’s word
through stories, skits and games throughout the day. They also fed the children
lunch.
Everyone on the team has been stepping up to do whatever is
needed. Our elder statesman, Robert, has been a magnet to young men. Dan has
walked the entire town and found lots of opportunities to pray for people and
Kim has been a great motivator and role model.
It has really been a great time of prayer and service to the
people of Uganda. We will never be the same again.
~Barbara
The entire Uganda Team of 45 from eight different nations!
PS. At the end of the last medical clinic the village danced traditional dances in celebration. But as we went to leave the battery on the bus went dead, so as team,
we had to push the bus to get it started. Another of our many memorable
moments!
Sunday worship service was excellent at the ‘Streams of Life’ Church in Kampala. There was such a powerful move of God, that we were still yearning for more despite the fact that the worship session lasted 1hr 15 minutes. The joy on the faces on the Ugandans demonstrated that worship was a way to soak in the ‘streams of life’. Pastor Gerald, our host pastor in Kampala handed over the two morning services to Adonai Partners. Al Knechel gave a short word of encouragement at the 8.00 AM from 2.Cor 8:11. He encouraged the church members to finish the work they have begun. As they have supported missionaries over the years, He challenged them that it is now time to take action and go out on the field too. At the 10.30 AM service, Jeremy Nuttall gave another word of encouragement. He shared from Philipians 1: 3-10. He thanked the Ugandan people for teaching him how to worship better. He observed that the Western world tends to worship God for what He has done, but the Ugandans with virtually little or nothing worship God because He is God. At the end of the service, we lined up at the pulpit praying for the Ugandans individually as they came upfront with their prayer requests. We have come to Uganda as short-term missionaries, but we are being transformed too!
Gulu, Here We Come.
We arrived in Gulu Sunday night at 9.30pm after an exhausting 6-hour bus ride from Kampala. Fifty able-bodied adults had to fit into 3 mini-buses with our luggage and medical supplies. It was a new definition of personal space for some of us. Hungry, tired but in good spirit we were treated to a delicious hot dinner at about 12 midnight. It is now Monday morning; we are well rested and ready to face a full day of activities ahead. Keep us in your prayers.
Today was our second day of ministry in the slums of
Namumonga. To describe this place as abject poverty may not be adequate. The
physical eye clearly recognizes the community’s water source as unfit, litter
strewn everywhere and a host of unmet medical needs. It’s not hard to overlook
the lethargy in the children, “ring worms” and jaundice eyes in the children
and adults.
In spite of such desperation God is at work in this place. The
spiritual eyes provide this proof. There is nothing greater than to share the
love of Christ. Satan knows this well, as team members shared experiences of slight
physical illnesses. Somehow, our bodies were strengthened as Barbara prayed
that illness would be overcome by the knowledge that many of these people would
appear in the multitude of all nations, tongues and people standing before the
throne and the Lamb of God.
God’s strength and power provided. Joanna and I were invited
into the homes of several African women. I’m told this invitation is one of the
highest privileges bestowed by an Africa family. God was at work. God honored
us in leading three women to Christ and one woman re-affirmed her commitment.
The fifth did not accept Christ but showed up at the worship service later that
day. God shows no partiality and comes to whoever believes on Him to receive
forgiveness of sins.
Thank God for the reality of these scripture on this day.
Would we go back
again to share? YOU BET! The privilege to hearing, “God sent you here for me”
was worth the fourteen hours of flying to this place.
You do not have to go too far to find a demonstration of
hope! I found that in the face and voices of the Fathers Heart Children’s
Choir. The kids sang with expressions of joy and danced with the same level of
energy from the day before. We did not always understand the language but
nothing prohibited our abilities to join them in the dance. What would Michel,
David’s wife, have thought as we danced before the Lord?
~Cassandra
Day three was spent at Uganda Jesus Village (UJV) a home for
children from the worn torn areas in the north. It was said that the dogs in
Kampala were treated better than the children of Gulu. These children have been
brought here to receive care and restoration. The children sang for us then a
few of us spoke and then we ministered to the kids with love, hugs, a listening
ear, prayer and encouragement. I can say
that our hearts are full with love and sorrow for so many. After talking and
praying with one 10 year old girl at some length I gave her a hug and she just continued
to hang on so starved for love. I am
sure that the entire group can tell similar stories.
Tomorrow, we minister and Living Streams church and then
head up to Gulu. Pray for safety on the road and for strength as some of us do
medical outreach and others of us children’s outreach.
~Kim
Sunday recaps the first day and plans for day two which will be completed by the time you read this. Continue praying for us as we adjust to the time difference and the culture. Pray that God would work through us in a powerful way.
This is just a short and sweet message to let all friends and family know that the Uganda team has arrived. Everything went smoothly. All are very tired but happy to be on the ground. Tomorrow the team has training, a pastors conference and street/children's evangelism.
~Kim
As I sit here in my hotel room in Kampala, Uganda, having been here several days, I am excited to have a team from Victory join me next week. I have found the people of Uganda to be very gentle, laid back and soft spoken. They are hungry for the Word of God! The needs are many but people are hopeful. I have been interviewing many kids from around the country who have been impacted by the Book of Hope. It has been a huge blessing to encourage these new believers in their faith, several of whom were Muslim. I can not wait for the team to arrive to share ministry with them as we reach more children, encourage pastors and help with the physical needs of the people in the North through Adonai Partners. Please cover the team in prayer, everyday. There will be more joining us from MD, NY and Nigeria.
The long flight starts very early Tuesday July 19th and I will meet them on this side on Wed, July 20th just after noon-time. The time difference is 7hrs, so jet lag will be a factor for a few days. The vegetation is tropical as the equator runs through Uganda but the temperatures are very comfortable in the high 70s-low 80s. However, the mosquitoes have taken a liking to me.
We will post here as often as internet allows. Feel free to leave comments for team members.
In Africa
it is not uncommon to find a preacher delivering the salvation message in a
public bus to commuters on the bus. These diligent Christians are referred to
as ‘Street Preachers’ or ‘Street Evangelists’. During the two days we travelled
to Gulu, Northern Uganda for medical and children ministries, the group had to
wake up early to leave for the 3-hour bumpy ride; so we had our morning group
devotion during the bus ride. On the second day, Al Knechel and Margaret
Whigham led the devotion in their respective buses. Margaret shared from 2. Cor
9: 6-15. She encouraged us to view ourselves as God’s gift to the children and
less privileged people of Gulu. We then prayed for more of God’s gift of
generosity in Gulu. We are already seeing God's favor on the people of Gulu.
Glory be to God, Amen!
