Praying for a Servant's Heart

This week brought us back to the beautiful children and staff at Nangongera's Wisdom Academy.  We were greeted with warm smiles and beautiful songs.  Jim taught the bible stories with the new flannel board.  Eli and Alex taught the kids to play Duck-Duck-Goose and Simon Says.  They also added a biblical application to both afterward.  I taught the kids 3 songs and after reading and discussing the scriptures.  It was great. Jim is preaching there on Sunday...YAY!  Please continue to pray for Pastor John Obbo and his team there at Nagongera, as he leads his church and school in the ways of the Lord.   
              

We experienced another part of African culture as we attended our first wedding introduction.  This is a bit like an engagement party, yet WAY more extravagant.  The formality and drama is even more than the wedding day itself.  But this is where the engagement rings are exchanged and when the families/clans formerly meet.  It is a very expensive affair, that the groom's family and clan usually pays for; a community effort and responsibility.


  

We continue to be blessed by Alex's "kids".  Last night, they came over for haircuts and we started listening to music and singing.  Before we knew it, we had a dance party...at least for a few minutes.  Sunday and his siblings, as well as Esther and Shelly were all dancing with me and Bobbi.  It was the first time I've seen Sunday REALLY smile since his mama died.  Such a joy!

Today was a wonderful day too.  We visited our neighbor, Beatrice, who has 3 children, 2 with sickle-cell anemia.  Her husband words late, but helps her a lot.  The oldest, Joan, is one with sickle-cell and also had  a stroke...thus, complicating the whole situation.  Both children need constant care, so Beatrice never leaves the home.  So today, we went to her and did her laundry, dishes and swept around the home,  Eli washed clothes by hand and is now quite appreciative of our washer and dryer back home.  Beatrice was so very grateful, you would think we renovated her home.  She even offered to give Eli a baby chick.  Of course, Eli would have loved it, but the dog on our compound would eat it and Eli wouldn't know what to do with it...LOL!  Such a sweet gesture though...she has nothing, yet offers so much.

Beatrice and her baby, John (under mosquito netting)

There is so much we wish we could do to make conditions better and help wherever we can.  But more importantly, showing the love of Christ, getting dirty with these people, loving them, and telling them the truth about Jesus are the things that matter most.

Please pray for us to have the heart of a servant - willing to GO where Jesus would go, DO as He would do, and LOVE whom He loves.

Acts 20:35
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Tragedy, Joy and Beauty

Me with Elizabeth's kids - Sunday, Joy, Issac, Linda, David,
and Mercy    

As mentioned previously in my last entry, last Wednesday, the quiet morning over Tororo was awakened with the sounds of villagers mourning.  Here in Africa, the mourners weep and wail loudly, as to notify the entire village of a death.  Sadly, it was not an unknown stranger, but a lovely woman named, Elizabeth, who died of a heart attack.  She was the mother of Eli's new friend, Sunday, and his 9 siblings - 6 of which are under 14 years old.

Alex and Mercy

Just a few months ago, Alex was a bachelor, in love with God and his ministry to children.  Almost overnight,  he became the guardian of his abandoned half-sister, Esther, along with his niece, Shelly - and now 6 orphans.  Please pray for Alex, to remain obedient to God, as he showers these little ones with the compassion of Christ.  He has no room, no resources, no money - but God is faithful and amazes us everyday.

Jim preached his first sermon on Sunday!  Through all the nerves, he did a wonderful job.  This church is the largest one we will visit.  It had a gathering of over 300 people.  The compound held the church, school (K-12), a skills development center, and a few homes.  The pastor, Moses Barasa, is a wonderful man of God.  He and his family minister to so many orphans and broken families.

His compound is surrounded with muslims, who sometimes threaten the ministry or workers.  At one crusade, a muslim leader named, Robert, stood up and proclaimed Christ as his Savior and Lord.  That week, Robert was beaten and cut so badly by the community that he nearly died.  Moses took him to the hospital and helped save his life.  Today, he is studying God's Word through discipleship training.  What a testimony of a changed life!

Us with Moses Barasa, his family and Robert (standing next to Jim)

Amidst the impoverished living conditions of many, the unspoiled beauty of this country is breathtaking.
                                  
The Creator's fingerprints are all over Uganda.  I wake to a glorious sunrise, that rises to warm the land.  Often the heat of the day is quenched by an afternoon shower or storm.  God's majesty is displayed through the lightning, thunder, and winds.  If only those that are lost here would acknowledge their Creator as Lord alone.

Many here believe in Jesus - but to some, he is no more than an accessory, rather than their entirety. For some, Christianity is mixed with idol worship, witchdoctors, curses and charms.  It is so sad.

Land is purchased!  Time for MAVUNO to grow.

I praise God for my brothers and sisters here that know the truth and proclaim Him boldly.  I also give thanks to Him for Mavuno Ministries, who just this week, purchased the plot of land needed to build a mission house, orphan safe-house, school and woman's center.  We continue to pray for God's provision and for workers to make this vision a reality.

Thank you for joining us in prayer and support.  Blessings to you!
James 1:27 ~  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

A Great Need for a Greater God

This week has encompassed a rollercoaster of experiences and emotions. We visited one of the next door neighbors, little Emma's grandmother (Jaja Emma), and presented the gospel to her.  Her heart was so soft and she chose to follow Christ's call before we left.  We knew this decision was confirmed when she came to Bible study on Tuesday and was hungry for the Word.  Praise God!

Easter at Rock Baptist in Tororo

Eli on the drums

Easter was AMAZING!!!  He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!  We celebrated at Rock Baptist and Pastor Phillip brought a wonderful Word from the Lord.  He spoke with passion and the entire service was a celebration of the Risen Lord!  Eli played the drum and we sang with joy.

We had the opportunity to travel to Kochomo village, to visit the home of Moses and Betty. Moses is a pastor without a church right now. Corruption took his church away, but he continues to proclaim the Good News and minister to his neighbors without fail.  We too, got to take part in this ministry this week.
We learned about some African culture that is so different from ours.  Moses is constructing a small mud hut in the backyard, for his mother-in-law, as African culture does not allow her to enter the their home.  In fact, the mother-in-law has little to nothing to do with her son-in-law...to the point of not even speaking more than a greeting from a distance.  What we consider insulting or rude, they consider respect.

Moses, Betty and some of the family :)

Evangelizing at Kochomo

Eli met a sweet friend named Sunday.  They hit it off great and hopefully their friendship will continue to grow while we are here.  Sadly, Sunday's mother died today.  Sunday is in denial today and may be for a while, but we all have come along side of him to help him through this very difficult time.  Eli is trying to distract him by teaching him a new game.  My heart is breaking for him.  Please pray with me for Sunday and his siblings to be comforted by God's grace.

Sunday and Eli

Jim, Alex and Eli have been very busy with evangelism within the town.  They met with individuals from all walks of life and numerous beliefs.  While some do not care about the Good News, others have shown a sincere concern for their eternal souls and are indeed interested to hear about the sacrifice of Jesus, made on their behalf.  God is so good and he is opening doors and hearts.

Children carrying water from Kochomo Village

Jim is preparing to preach at Busia village on Sunday.  While he is nervous, he knows God will speak through him.  Please pray for Jim to be confident in Christ and proclaim the message boldly.

We miss our church and our friends at home, but we are right where God wants us right now.  Thank you for continued prayers.  We are praying for you as well.  So excited to see what God will do next!

"Come unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest."