Uganda is our family's second home. I truly love it here. However, out of all the places in the world, it's one I would have never chosen to fulfill the Great Commission. As I told a friend this week, about being here in Uganda..."it's hard, smelly, filthy, uncomfortable, exhausting...beautiful, fulfilling, lovely, and exciting all at the same time. The spiritual and physical poverty is so extreme...and many try to take advantage of you because of your assumed wealth..." This place and the people have a hold of my heart now, and being able to share it with the team that came this year brought me so much joy. It is odd and fantastic how God places people and places in your path, in order for you to be used for His glory!
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| Me...in the middle of Uganda - well, sort of |
This week was chock full of ministry, challenges, and emotions. We completed evangelism in the far village of Muwusi. It was a very wonderful experience, with difficult days. We fought sickness and stubborn people, while watching the Holy Spirit open the eyes of others throughout the week. Eli preached to a witch-doctor, who was very receptive to the message. Jim, then led a Bible study about husbands and wives. Although this message came straight from Scripture, it went against many cultural practices here in Uganda. It was a tough message, but it prompted many wonderful questions and, seemingly, some understanding.
Sadly, many couples here in Uganda (to include many pastors), are not legally married. The main reason is money. Ugandans have an expectation for marriage, that is unattainable for so many. In such a poverty stricken nation, it is foolish to spend one's hard earned or inherited money on a one day event. Yet, like many Americans, if the loving couple does not have enough money to host the event of the century - no marriage. This consists of "The Introduction", or more commonly described as an engagement party on steroids. So much money is spent on this event, which is where the bride price is paid. *If you've read previous years of the blog, you will remember the bride price. It is the price the groom is expected to pay to compensate the family for the loss of their daughter (worker). Sadly, this practice has been abused by many, and unreal expectations are placed on these young men, (5+ cows, 5+ goats, furniture, clothes, and a plethora of other things). Rather than realizing the family is taking away from their daughter's new life, many place this burden on the man, because of greed. Not until this fulfillment is met, can a couple marry. Even those who have married without paying the dowry, are shunned by the community and their own families. If no dowry is paid during the life of the couple, when the wife dies, the clan will not bury her until it is paid! Thus, many live together, have families, but are not married - causing other problems when it comes to biblical practices versus cultural tradition. Much prayer is needed for this practice, as it complicates the role and requirements of many in ministry, especially pastors, elders, and deacons, particularly with regard to what the Bible says.
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| Jim and Julius teach on husbands and wives |
It has been an emotional week, as our dear friends have lost people close to them. There have been burials throughout our time here, but this week has been extremely difficult for our friends...and our sleep (due to the wailing and loud music). Loss is something this culture experiences frequently. Unlike Americans, Ugandans are all too familiar with death. Yet, though accustomed to the wailing and weeping, few are truly prepared for the icy hand that steals away life's breath. After all, most of us don't wake up thinking..."Hey, I could die today. I wonder how I should spend my last few hours on earth." No. In fact, I venture to say most people steer clear from such talk, and when it is brought up, most are quite uncomfortable. Few of us want to think about dying, because we truly love life. But death is inevitable, and whether we ignore it or not, it will one day knock on our door. The question is, will you be ready? It was the reality of a few burials in a row, that had my head reeling..."Where are they now? Did they know and follow Christ? Did anyone preach to them?..." As our time here grows short, I cannot help but feel as if I've not done nearly enough. There are so many...still so much to do. I do not want to miss an opportunity, here or back home, to throw the only lifeline there is, to those still on their way to hell.
Each time we go out to the field we are met with some who are passive and passionless, some who are stubborn and angry, and others who are broken and hungry for truth. When we tell others of the saving love of Christ, we begin by helping them see their lost condition in comparison to the perfection and holiness of God. If someone does not believe they are sick, why would they seek medical attention. This is why Jesus told the Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)
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| Eli preaching to a witchdoctor |
Our prayer is for each of you who have joined us through this journey, by taking time to read our blog each week, to continue to pray for each soul who has heard the message. Pray for the hearts who have received the Word, that it would take root. Our time here is short, and we do not want to waste a moment, but at the same time, we are very tired. I am taking a lesson from our young American Olympian swimmer, Katie Ledecky. She told the press that during the 800m race, she wanted to throw up on the last lap, but she just went for it, thus capturing her 4th gold medal. I wondered, how much more effective might we be, if we had the same attitude about ministry. Pray that God continues to sustain us to go the distance, without regret or holding back - that we leave everything, all we are, and all we have to offer, in the field, and in the minds and hearts of those we've come to love.
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| The haunting African sky before a storm |
"All people are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Lord endures forever." ~ 1 Peter 1:24-25
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