God's Word Proclaimed - On And Off The Field

 

Evangelism is one of the primary reasons we come to Uganda. While we seize opportunities to share the good news back home, we are not met with as much hostility here...at least initially. Each week, we travel through Tororo District or into deep villages to share the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Churches and religion permeate the country, but about 98% of those we speak to do not understand salvation, nor can they articulate the gospel. Many have heard about Jesus and know that He died on the cross, but they do not know how that might save them. Whether Catholic, Muslim, Anglican, Mormon, and even some who say they are born-again struggle with the truth of “salvation by grace alone”. People, here and home, love the idea of grace, but they cannot wrap their head around the idea that Christ’s sacrifice was enough. The majority of people contend that they have to do something to earn salvation. This is where we meet with much hostility.

A fellow sister in Christ 

A home of Muslim women whom Jim preached to.

Jim and his team 💙

There are those who have grown up in a particular church, who have spent their entire lives saying repetitive prayers, tithing to a church, doing ‘good’ works, etc, and when the truth of the gospel removes their efforts, they get very angry. Rather than rejoicing and feeling relieved, they dig in with their self-righteousness and refuse to receive the glorious news. To have the gospel presented to you, and being so close to receiving truth, only to reject it is grievous.

Village centers where people gather to buy, sell, gamble, and drink.

Evangelism last week

Not all days are filled with rejection, as there are some who listen and thank us for the message. However, we never truly know the depths of someone’s heart. Perhaps, they are being courteous, or that they know there is truth in what they heard, but they may be unwilling to change at this time. Others display a humble and contrite countenance, and we pray that the Holy Spirit is convicting them and leading them to true faith and repentance. Right now, these things are not for us to know, but we certainly pray that we see them in eternity. Please pray for the hearts and minds of those we’ve met and those we’ve yet to meet, that God would open their eyes to the salvation found in Christ alone.

Rainy days in Tororo

The Aletheia Project—the 12 month course hosted by Rock Baptist through the Tororo Centre for Biblical Studies (TCBS) graduated it’s first class last Thursday! This was a huge undertaking and we praise God for those who led the course and those who attended it. May the truths of Scripture reach far and wide as the pastors, elders, and lay-leaders bring it to their churches and communities.

The graduates of Aletheia preparing for the ceremony.

The first Aletheia Project class to graduate from the Tororo Center for Biblical Training.

The TCBS will now focus on teaching shorter courses to small groups, as Reverend Julius and his team focus on doctrinal and theological application. For those who attended Biblical training, the TCBS is also hoping to eventually provide some trade-skills training for those with no jobs. Please pray for these efforts, and that the Lord may provide the staff, materials, and funding needed to support this.

     

This week has been a little tougher for me. When I send updates here or on Facebook, I get a few messages here and there with encouraging notes reminding us we are being prayed for. However, it gets lonely here, and not being able to chat with people can take a toll. I am surrounded by fellow believers, but our cultural differences make joking and our “American-isms” hard to understand. They just don’t get our humor. I am so grateful for those who have taken time to write, text, or even sent a quick video. We’ve even had a few chances to chat on the phone with some of you. We’re not homesick, but we are all missing friends. We are on the other side of the world, but we can be reached, so please do so.

We’ve only been gone 6 weeks, and I thought about those missionaries who commit years to the field. They must be terribly lonesome when they don’t hear from home. One must think they are forgotten. This week, please write a letter or send an email to a missionary who is far from home. Tell them how you are praying for them. Ask them what their day looks like. Be interested! It will make their whole week.

Eli had his third opportunity to preach - this time on Matthew 7. We are overjoyed at his obedience and love for the Word of God. Please continue to pray for him and Jim as they both teach and preach throughout our time here. 

May grace and peace abound in each of your lives. Continue living to honor your King. Love and Blessings.

💜