Karibuni Tororo: September 2014

Today marks 59 days until our return home. It's hard to believe we've been here over 2 1/2 months already. Since our last blog, we've had lots of interesting things happen. One of the reasons I'm late on this blog again, was due to a week-long power outage due to a wicked storm. Yes indeed - but that's Africa. However, it had friends and family members quite concerned, due to our lack of communication. Fortunately, all is well and we're back online - at least for now.

One of the grandest opportunities we had last week, was that of meeting with a real King of Uganda, (there are 11 tribes with kings). He is called Tieng Adhola, or in English the Japadhola Tribal King. He is a kind, humble man who loves his country and his tribe. We were invited to sit down with the him, his son - Prince Joseph, and the Prime Minister. We were hosted at the palace gardens.

L to R: Prince Joseph, the Prime Minister-Tom, Eli, King Adhola, John (our translator), and Jim

We exchanged cultural information, received a wonderful lesson on the Japadhola history, and then shared the Gospel with him and the others present. While raised in religion, I do not think the King heard the message ever presented in the way in which we brought it to him. In fact, at our departure, the Prince stated, "It was just getting interesting. You must come back again." How delighted we were to hear those words. Please pray for the King, his family and friends to recognize the true call of Christ.

Prior to our departure, the ladies from our church handmade over 35 pillowcase dresses and 15 pairs of boys' shorts for some of the children here. Most of the dresses were presented to children from Wisdom Academy in Nangongera. This is the school where Jim and I teach English to 4th-6th graders.

Those receiving dresses and shorts at Wisdom Academy, with the staff behind them.

Pastor John Obbo is the pastor of the church and director of the school, that provides education to 154 students, most of whom pay nothing. Those who can pay, do so with agricultural items, such as beans, rice, posho, and porridge. Ninety percent of the students are orphans. Pray for the staff and children at Wisdom Academy, that the Lord will continue to meet their needs and extend his blessings to those faithfully serving.

Prior to teaching, we hit the road with evangelism in the village of Muwusi. This was the farthest village thus far. The pastor is named Joseph. He, his family, and the church leadership, were kind, welcoming, and grateful for our partnership in evangelism in his village.

Sadly, missionaries seldom travel to such remote areas, so teaching and discipleship are rare. But thankfully, God allowed us to be part of it this time around. We are so blessed! Continue to pray for Muwusi and all the village churches, that God's Word may take root, so hearts and minds may be changed

Families from Muwusi

We spent Friday extending our Visas for the remainder of our trip, as the maximum initial visa is three months. While we were there, we spoke to the woman who was processing our visas about what we are doing in country. She asked our pastor, who was accompanying us, if we ever traveled to Western Uganda to bring the Gospel. She told him that we needed to travel there before we returned home to the USA. Bear in mind, from where we are staying, the western part of the country is a good 15 hours away, and we have no car. But we know that if that is where we should go, God will get us there...wow, uncharted territory awaits!

Jim teaching in Muwusi

Receiving presents

The next huge upcoming event is that of our pastor's ordination. Pastor Philip Njoroge has served at Rock Baptist Church for three years now, and this event is long overdue. To many, ordination is not required, but to have more credibility as a leader in the church and the community, it is necessary. This is to be a wonderful celebration, with visitors from all over the region. What a privilege to be part of the ordination of a most humble, godly man. Please pray for preparations and attitudes of all involved in this event, to include the church he serves.

Julius and Philip in Jim's raincoats

We are excited to continue to be used for God's glory, and each day brings new adventures. Never could we have imagined all we've experienced and continue to see and do. Time is truly running, faster than ever now. Prayers are requested that we may continue to be obedient to His call, and seize every moment to share His message.

We thank each of you, who continue to go the journey with us.

Grace and Peace to you all!

It is 3AM and I am awake, due to the extremely loud music blasting from a wedding just beyond our home. I thought this would be a good time to catch up with this, as I am beyond late with my blog update. Things have been busier here than anticipated. Let me begin with some family news.

ENGAGED - through a game of Pictionary!!!

On August 8, our oldest son, Nick, proposed to his lovely Andrea Hess...and she said "YES"! We are delighted to know Andrea will soon be part of the Brockman Clan ;) She is a smart, soulful, beautiful girl, who brings out the best in Nick. Congratulations to the both of them. Wedding plans are in the mix and we are anticipating a June 2015 wedding. YAY!!!

Eli is 14!!!

The next announcement is that Eli turned 14 last Saturday (August 30). It's hard to believe my "little man" isn't so little and is growing into a wonderful young man seeking after God. Here in Uganda, the birthday honoree is washed (doused with water), to reenact the "birth"-day....hahahaha! So, Eli was soaked as his friends surrounded him with birthday choruses. It will be a birthday he won't soon forget.

The Church at Paya...in the deep village

The ministry continues to gain momentum and energy - not by any human effort, but by our faithful and mighty God who uses us when we are willing and obedient. We are incapable of doing good without Him. But because of His great mercy and grace, we are seeing transformed lives and hearts. We praise God for such abundant life. Never could we have imagined the glorious opportunities we have experienced here. There is no greater joy than to be used by God for His glory. He is slow to anger and rich in mercy, and for that I fall on my knees, in humility and awe. Who am I, that I would be used for the purpose of serving such a magnificent King?!?

Families in Paya

Spreading the Gospel does not come without its challenges. We have had motorcycle problems, threatening weather - to include riding home in the cold rain for over 90 minutes! I never knew Africa could get so cold...but God is so great and has seen us through, even in spiritual warfare.

Over the past few weeks (that I've missed on here), we continued to evangelize and fellowship with people close to home. I, Chrissie, continue visiting the young Muslim man at the market. He came to church last week and now wants to be identified as Ronald (rather than Rasheed)!!! Please pray for this man, as the cost for leaving his old beliefs, may very well be his life.

Children and Youth in Paya

The same goes for another young man, who befriended Jim last year. He remembered him as we walked through the neighborhood. He asked Jim to meet with him about being a Christian. He knows what he must do, but as a Muslim, he is struggling with what this means. His name is Chalsi. He is the third Muslim who has heard the message of Christ and responded. The decision to follow Christ and leave all you know behind cannot be easy - yet there is no greater reward!

By the grace of God we've traveled to extremely remote villages, that are rarely (if ever) visited. Many of the people have NEVER seen a Muzungu (white person), which strikes fear and curiosity into their hearts. Initially, the children fear us and will not even come near - but by the end of the day, we are holding so many little hands and even sitting some on our laps. I laugh because a few of the children will rub our arms to see if our color comes off...heehee! Teaching these little hearts about the love of Christ brings such joy to us all.

Churhes that meet under trees...

Or partially constructed buildings...

Or did I mention, trees???

Each village serves us a wonderful African feast. Our weekly diet is virtually the same everyday. We eat traditional African food, which consists of *Kwon, *Posho, sikumawiki (collard greens), potatoes, rice (which often has small rocks in it - so we must chew very carefully), beans, and small portions of either pork or chicken). Sometimes we are served all of this, other days - just a few items. However, we've never gone hungry and we are blessed and humbled as these people serve us their best.

*Kwon is a dough-like substance that is made with millet and cassava. It often has a mild taste of bread dough. It isn't very flavorful, but when dipped in the juice from the meat, it is quite tasty and very filling.

*Posho is made with ground maize. It is a bit like grits without the moisture. Basically, a brick of very dry grits. The traditional way to eat posho is with beans or the juice from the meat served. This too, is filling.

Changed hearts and lives - to the glory of God!

Praying with the kids at Nyangole

God is moving across this land, and your prayers and support have never been so important. We thank each of you who have showered us with prayer. PLEASE continue, as we are only half done with our time here, and there is so much work to be accomplished. But God is faithful and will send us to those He has prepared to hear and respond to His Word.

The little drummer boy

Continue to lift up the pastors and churches we are working with. Pray also for the children, who begin school again on Monday. A special note of gratitude to those who are sponsoring a child here. Besides Christ, education is their only hope to escape poverty and street living. It is our joy to help the "least of these", and the children you have sponsored send their love and thanks.

A village kitchen

Finally, we pray for Christians around the world, being persecuted for their faith. For those dying for the name of Jesus, we pray that God envelop them in His glory, just as he did with Stephen when he was stoned. My heart breaks for the martyrs in the faith, but I know eternity with Jesus is what they have their eyes and heart set on. May He be ever glorified and praised!