Leaving Forever Changed

The newly constructed Open Door Annex

My sincerest apologies for not blogging for some time. I have been caught up with ministry, visiting, and preparing for the departure of my sweet girls...as you read this, they are over one day back in the USA, and I'm sure they are having a bit of transitional culture shock. Before talking about their return, I would like to share how they used their last week in country. 

Julius and Eli saying goodbye to our girls

Last night in Uganda

Our team on the road in Entebbe

Thinking of all God has done

 

 We first visited a deacon friend, whose wife just had a baby girl. We shared a meal with them and got to hold Baby Christine. Deacon Patrick is a faithful friend and ministry partner whom we've known since 2014. We were blessed to share in their joy. Christine is Patrick's and Alice's fifth child.

Eli and Baby Christine

Patrick, Alice and family with us

Julie and Christine

We also visited our friend Sam again. The girls wanted to be sure to say goodbye to him before heading home. Sam celebrated his birthday on the day they flew back. He was sad to see them go, but he was happy they reached well. Sam is one of the most encouraging friends we've ever met. Despite his circumstances, he praises the Lord for everything he does have. I pray we all have hearts like Sam.

Casphar, Rhoda, and Maryon

Scovia and Rhoda

Syd and Casphar

The kids saying thank you and goodbye to our girls <3

Tearful farewells

Rhodie and her babies

Pastor Geoffrey, Charles, and me with a family we ministered to

The team spent three days evangelizing in the village of Mudakor. Each afternoon, we were treated with sugarcane and watermelon from the local pastor and his wife. Pastor Geoffrey Okitela is working to build a church in the village. As of now, he preaches in a very small mud room, attached to local shops on a dirt road. He visited Rock Baptist this week and exclaimed his joy at the work we've done (by God's grace), as it has brought people to his little place of worship. We praise the Lord for this encouraging word. 

 

Evangelism in Mudakor

We left our mark on the shelter

The girls witnessed the near completion of the children's annex, which is to be called, "Open Door Annex" honoring those who made it possible - and knowing that Jesus is the only door to salvation.  All that is left to be done is to pour a cement floor and wire the building for two lights. This may not happen at this time, as the budget did not reach that, but it is still a usable structure, which the children can learn, while protected from the elements. 

The inside of the structure

Sydney painting the final touches

The girls' final Sunday at Rock Baptist found Julie dancing for the Lord, with the youth group, while Rhoda, Sydney, and Eli taught the children. The entire congregation said their tearful goodbyes to the girls. These young ladies will never know the impact they've left here. I also believe, they've been changed forever.

Two days before heading to Entebbe, the team tirelessly worked preaching God's Word on the streets and in the shops of Tororo Town. From boda-boda (motorcycle) taxi drivers, to mechanics, to shop owners, and patrons many heard the truth of the Gospel, and our team ran the race with endurance until the end.

My prayer for our girls, as they are now home, is that they will not lose the fire for sharing the Good News. I also pray that those who surround them are able to feel their excitement and passion about all they've experienced. Transitioning back to American can be a little overwhelming, and bring a flood of mixed emotions.

 

Our final weeks here will be spent with Jim encouraging and leading pastors, elders, and church leaders, and for Chrissie and Eli to continue evangelizing and ministering to the children we (and our church members) help sponsor. My heart was burdened this week - not only am I a little emotional about saying goodbye to the girls - but I received some news that was heartbreaking...

As mentioned, there are several children we and fellow church friends help support for school in Uganda. Per the request of Rock Baptist Church (who monitors these children and the monies), we have been asked to sponsor just school fees. The other needs (food, bedding, clothes, uniforms, school supplies, etc...) were hoped to be paid by family members. However, after inquiring about their home life, I was shaken to find out the severity of their circumstances. Not only have my sweet children gone to school hungry each day - but they have no house to sleep at, as their families have outgrown the house. They have no mattresses, blankets, (they've been sleeping on the wooden pews or the church floor). They have little to no food. Our friend, Janet, who is a widow with no income, has shared with them all she has, leaving her nothing. She has trusted the Lord to provide, and He has. But, the reality is that these kids (and Janet) have nothing. They are neglected and if not for the church members from Rock Baptist and Church of the Open Door, they would have nothing. One of the saddest things was hearing that they had no soap for bathing or washing their clothes. Soap costs $1.25...but they don't have this. Please trust that this is NOT a plea for money. I am just blogging about the abysmal, poverty-stricken conditions these children have to endure. I am so grateful for each of you who have had a part in their lives. They do not complain about anything, but are overjoyed at the blessings from the Lord, that come through you. Please keep these names in your prayers: Janet (our ministry partner who cares for them all), Sunday, Joy, Emma, Isaac, Linda, David, Mercy, Juliana, Julius, and Joseph. There are others who are sponsored, but they have families that are caring for them - Praise God! Please pray those mentioned above will be loved by their families, as God intended them to be.

We are now counting down and time is running as we prepare our final push for ministry. Thank you for your continued prayers and your love for us, our ministry, and the Lord. You are our blessing, as you share your love with us, by the Grace of God!

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." ~ Philippians 2:1-2

Enjoying and Enduring

Kid's Worshipping this Sunday

This week we will complete Week 6 of our journey. Time is running, and we wish we could slow it down just a bit. Our adventure has brought joy and sorrow, triumphs and trials, smiles and tears, strength and weakness, but through it all, it has been one none of us would trade. From the people we’ve met, the pain and sickness we’ve pushed through, to the miraculous and marvelous message we bring…it has all been worth it. Our Ugandan friends often ask us when we’ve completed a long day or if we are trying something new (food, music, etc…), “Are you enjoying or enduring?” Most days we find unspeakable enjoyment. However, on occasion – like facing malaria and very difficult people, the answer is indeed, “enduring”.  

Youth at Rock Baptist

Chrissie with Janet and Immaculate

Sweet Sydney with Jemi

Our Rock Baptist Church Family

But isn’t that what we are called to do as Christians? We are encouraged that, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” (2 Tim 2:10) Believers who persevere give evidence of the genuineness of their faith. Our hope is to have left evidence enough that even after we leave, fellow believers will be encouraged to push through the difficulties that life and ministry produce, knowing the unfettered power of the Gospel prevails.

  

Pastor John Obbo and his family

Recently we met with a pastor/friend whom we’ve previously worked with, but because of some communication misunderstandings, we thought he had abandoned the ministry. Thankfully, we took time to meet and straighten out the problems and next week we will be evangelizing in his village. Our time at his home was a great encouragement and delight as we shared a meal and the afternoon with his family. We are praying for the field that we will be reaching next week, as it is very strong Muslim influence.

Rhoda evangelizing

Visiting Peace at school

We had the opportunity to visit Julius' daughter, Peace, at her boarding school. She loves school and since attending this new school, she has improved in all of her subjects. Although boarding school was not what Julius and Beatrice wanted to do, the non-boarding school began at 5am and Peace would not return home until 9pm, not to mention the student-teacher ratio was not conducive for learning. 

As you read last week, Rhoda had contracted malaria and had been treated, but like two years ago when Sydney had malaria, the first treatment helped alleviate the symptoms, but did not purge the parasites. She is now undergoing Round 2 of treatment for this nasty disease. We are so grateful that it is curable, but it is a difficult condition to be in. 

Even with malaria, she's a beauty

 Those of you who know Rhoda, she is ever smiling and laughing. Well, even through malaria, she still finds reason and strength to smile. J  She has been given the Japhadola name: Kisangala, which means ‘Happy’…it is so fitting. We pray she gains her strength and her body is rid of the nastiness of those terrible mosquitoes very soon. She misses being out in the field, and we all miss her being there with the team.  Until she is strong, I am staying with her at the house while the team moves about the district. Please pray for Rhoda and the team, as we endure this week through the trials.

Sharing the Gospel to a woman who brewed alcohol

Telling construction workers about the Lord

Sunday at Rock Baptist Church was a joy. Church was so full that benches had to be added. The church is thriving and we pray she continues to draw those in who need the truth and light. We pray that Biblical truth and real knowledge is preached and taught, that leaders will be full of integrity and discernment, that members will show the true love and fruit of the Spirit to everyone they meet, that sinners will be taught and repent, and broken people restored to the body and in their relationship with Christ.

Progress on the children's shelter

Our time here is anything but dull. We have had very few down days, and even though our internet makes it difficult to communicate, please know that we haven’t stopped being mission focused for the Gospel of Christ. 

The children’s classroom is over half completed and it has been a privilege to have had a hand in it.

Teaching Sunday School

Thank you all for your support, love, and prayers you have contributed to the efforts of Rock Baptist Church, Julius Odungo & Peter Kwemboi, and our mission in general. 





Next blog I am hoping to feature some pictures and information from the students some of our families at Church of the Open Door are sponsoring, and those who still are praying for a sponsor. You have all done so much and please know how grateful we are. By the way, it was such a treat getting to Skype with you all on Sunday! Although we couldn’t see you, it was great hearing your laughter. I am so happy you could all see us – especially the parents of the kids who are with us. Technology is such a blessing.

A full church this Sunday 

If anyone has questions about something general or specific to anything we’ve done here, please either send me a Facebook message or leave your question in the comments section of this blog. It can be to the whole group or an individual. We are happy to address any subject. God Bless each of you as you continue to adventure with us. May God be glorified in it all!

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that when the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” ~ James 1:2-4 

Mosquitoes, Malaria, and Our Magnificent God

Today my heart is heavy, as the enemy's attacks sometimes seem relentless. By God's strength, we have covered so much ground, reaching lost and blind souls with the glorious message of Christ. But with faithfulness comes struggle, suffering, and sacrifice. We are by no means under any dramatic persecution, but it's been a compilation of lots of little things that start eroding our spirit. 

Babies on motorcycles

Street children begging :(

Street view of town

A view of the Rock and the fire station

We've had power outages, along with a social media tax - that just make communication difficult...days without water that make cleanliness somewhat challenging...spiritual and physical struggles, with hard hearts that reject the Gospel, pulled muscles, and a lot of pain, to include our sweet Rhoda contracting malaria, which is never fun. We have also had jealous, corrupt people (some of whom we previously worked with), who have tried to frustrate, block, and disorganize our efforts.  But praise God for his faithfulness and favor! He has protected us from the snares of such people and has even carried us through the physical woes. What an amazing God we serve!

Rhoda and friends

General session

Our friend, Joseph, preaching

Some of the ladies at our seminar

                             

Evangelism at Kachomo

This week in Kachomo has been delightful. It is a deeper village area who are so hungry for truth. We spent three days in the field evangelizing, and two days of a seminar for men and women, teaching them how to rightfully read and discern Scripture, and how to live a life glorifying to God. The leadership was so grateful and kind. 

Color-blind Sisterhood

We also traveled to Busema which is on the Kenyan border. We stepped into Kenya, just to say we've been there...some of us more than once. Today was election day in Uganda, so we happened upon quite a few excited people, some driving around announcing their candidate (four grown men on one motorcycle!), yelling like school children. Others, celebrating their candidate's victory in the street. The election process is very different from ours for such positions...the LOCs (Local Officials) are voted upon within their villages and regions. They stand in front of the village and the citizens line up behind the candidate of their choice. Whoever has the most in line wins that position and title.

Standing in Kenya

We met some pastors today who sadly, could not even articulate the Gospel. They have large congregations and training centers, but they do not rightfully know how to lead a person to Salvation, as the Bible tells us.  We shared how we do ministry and some were befuddled, while others seemed to get it and embrace it.  We pray God will open their eyes to His truth and they will learn how to preach, teach, share and practice it.

Back at home our church and the Sunday School shelter are nearly complete. The church is painted outside and in. New irons are set on the windows to prevent break-ins. The foundation was dug, the concrete poured, bricks are being laid, and iron pole supports are set for the shelter outside the church door. Because of the generosity of Church of the Open Door and the VBS kids there, this hope has become a reality. We anticipate the completion of this shelter before our return home. 

The shelter site

Breaking ground

Sydney - Supergirl!

 

Sand truck

Digging the foundation

Eli helping dig the foundation

The foundation laid

I am so proud of my team. Julie and Rhoda both embraced Uganda and her people, and the people have embraced them as well. Jim, Eli and Sydney have strongly preached and taught in this country they love so much. This whole team has been welcomed everywhere we go, with joy. Continue to pray that we might serve mightily and strong as we are on a countdown for home. We do not want to waste time. Pray that our ministry within the town of Tororo brings a light to the darkness and hope to the weary. 

To God be the glory...His Name be praised!

"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day..." ~ Psalm 91:5