Needs Greater Than We Can Meet

 This week was filled to the brim with ministry within the Amagoro area (where RBC is located) and some deep village evangelism. As I’ve said to most people back home, the days are long, the work is hard, but the Lord is good and so is His work. We pray the work we are doing brings Him glory alone.

Evangelism in the villages

Beautiful faces who need the Living Water

Each week night, we are blessed with a Bible study led by Reverand Julius. He is taking his people chapter by chapter through the Bible. We just completed Exodus on Friday, which we celebrated with sodas for all. :) Julius is a wonderful expository teacher and preacher. He loves the Word of God, and his prayer is that his congregation continues to grow in the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Eli is continuing with teaching the upper-elementary children The Doctrines of Grace. These are heavy teachings, but the children are really soaking it in and having fun learning with Eli. He is also preaching tomorrow at a village called Mudokori. Please continue to pray for him, to preach only what the Lord would have him speak.

Homes with two wives is common and so destructive

 Mudokori is where we finished the  week with evangelism. It was very fruitful but very sad. Polygamy is very common in Uganda among the pagans, but what happens when a woman or even the whole family becomes born again? How do you minister to a family torn apart by polygamy that then comes to Christ? What does that look like lived out? My heart has been heavy as this is a common theme within Mudakori. I am praying for wisdom and discernment about how to counsel these women in repentance, confession, forgiveness, and biblical living which can bring hope to their families. 

One of our adventures brought us to a branch of Compassion International – Uganda. Here in Ochegen, there are over 450 children ages 3-20 who are cared for. Students who are living in abject poverty are selected to partake. Schooling and trade training is provided, along with a meal.

Jim and Eli addressing the children at Compassion Intl

Pinina is the Director at Compassion Int'l Branch
and is also the wife of the doctor at Charis Medical Clinic.

At Ochegen, we were able to fellowship, share the gospel, and help lead a Bible study with different age groups. We watched the students versus teachers in a game of netball, and we had fun teaching the students some of our American songs.

An area I want to cover is the Charis Medical Clinic attached to the Tororo Center for Biblical Studies. This center has been mentioned in our church (Church of the Open Door, Fayetteville, NC), as the church has helped provide supplies to them from time to time. The three workers (doctor, phlebotomist, and nurse) are all volunteers. They receive no pay, yet they dedicate their time and talents to those in need. They treat patients daily who have malaria or typhoid. Dr. Patrick has treated those with diseases, snake bites, broken bones, and even 3rd-degree burns. Many patients need the main hospital, but cannot afford anything, so the clinic takes care of them the best they can. There are no sedatives or anesthesia at the clinic (it's way too expensive), so at least once a week, we hear the screams and cries of those with terrible injuries who have come for help. It is horrifying and heartbreaking. Medication is expensive for Ugandans, and there is often not enough money to replace what they need. Please pray for this need, as it is very great. Please, also pray for those serving in this ministry, who go without to help save the lives of others.

Last night, we had a terrible storm. The rain and wind reminded me of the strong, tropical storms that Florida often gets. Because most of the roads near us are dirt, they became very dangerous with nothing but mud and muck. The roads erode, and little is done by the city, which causes many problems for transportation. Ah, Uganda…

The rain brings so much flooding. Many mud homes are washed away
and people are in great jeopardy.

Praise the Lord for the walled fence, which keeps RBC property from being flooded.

We were blessed by friends back home that sent us videos and text messages! We even had a chance to chat with a few online. It’s always great to hear from you all, so don’t be a stranger. We also sent letters home to our friends at church. We hope they arrive before we get home. Haha! 

Your prayers are so appreciated. We see God working and all the glory is His. We are grateful to be part of this ministry, but we are mere instruments. May God raise up more men and women to be the bringers of His Good News!

Romans 10:12-15

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Feet that are bringing the Good News!