Being in Uganda, you see people go through many challenges; you begin to see life from a very different perspective. When I was a child, I thought of my parents as invincible. Parents just don't die. They will always be there. Well, at least we don't think of their lives in an urgent manner. We know that they'll live to be 70 or 80 years old, and by that time we will be grown up and can at least take care of ourselves.
When I was teaching in the U.S., I don't think I knew of one parent who passed away and only a handful of grandparents. Such is not the case in Uganda. It seems like at least a few times in a month that I hear of a close relative of our children here at God Cares has passed. It is all too common out here. I guess it's one of the reasons that people here always give their testimony of "thanking God because I am still alive."
I guess I've never thought of thanking God because I'm still alive. That doesn't click for me. My parents are still alive. I still have one grandparent alive who is now 93. My brother is still alive. I guess I just don't see death straight in the face the way the people of Uganda do.
But in the face of so many deaths of people related to our children, I do thank God for allowing me to continue to serve Him. It's only because of Him that I continue to be on this earth to show others the love of Christ. (However, I won't complain if tomorrow He decides to take me home to heaven.)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Rebuked!
Have you ever had been in a place of uncertainty? Not really sure what God has for you in the present or the future? I recently found myself in this place. I was burnt out from planning the camp. Burnt out and frustrated with the "Uganda way" of doing things. I really began thinking about my future in Uganda.
As a result, I wanted to take some time away from the city for prayer in seeking God's plan for the next year and beyond. I wanted to get an answer from God regarding how long I would be in Uganda, who I would work with in the next year and what He might want me to do. I went to the YWAM base in Jinja where a good friend works and lives. He told me I could stay with him and I looked forward to time in prayer alone and with him.
The first morning I was there, I began to walk out to the prayer garden, but instead found myself in the ropes course area. I began to pray and seek answers to my questions. However, God had a different plan. He told me that I had sin in my life that needed to be dealt with and until I did, He was not going to show me the plan for the present nor the future. It was clear. It only took about 5 minutes to get this answer. So since that time, I've spent a lot of time identifying sins that had crept into my life. I've been humbled and prayed for forgiveness and deliverance from these struggles. I was rebuked by the Lord, but it was the best gift He could have given me as He begins a process of freeing me from that bondage and making me useful again for His glory.
As a result, I wanted to take some time away from the city for prayer in seeking God's plan for the next year and beyond. I wanted to get an answer from God regarding how long I would be in Uganda, who I would work with in the next year and what He might want me to do. I went to the YWAM base in Jinja where a good friend works and lives. He told me I could stay with him and I looked forward to time in prayer alone and with him.
The first morning I was there, I began to walk out to the prayer garden, but instead found myself in the ropes course area. I began to pray and seek answers to my questions. However, God had a different plan. He told me that I had sin in my life that needed to be dealt with and until I did, He was not going to show me the plan for the present nor the future. It was clear. It only took about 5 minutes to get this answer. So since that time, I've spent a lot of time identifying sins that had crept into my life. I've been humbled and prayed for forgiveness and deliverance from these struggles. I was rebuked by the Lord, but it was the best gift He could have given me as He begins a process of freeing me from that bondage and making me useful again for His glory.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Logos Bible Software
They’re also having a special limited-time sale on their Mac and PC base packages and upgrades. Check it out!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Children's Camp 2010
So the 2010 Buyamba Children's Camp has come and gone. This year was especially crazy for me as Pastor Dongo decided to have me head the organizing committee. In a nutshell, I was not really able to enjoy much of the camp because of the work I was called to do.
However, the children were blessed. We had two teams visit this year in support of our camp. One was from Cross Timbers in Dallas, TX and the other from Bethel Christian Church in Bristol, CT. Each brought the hearts of servants as they ministered to our children here in Uganda. Members of each team served as teachers. They brought the Word of God to our children through our theme verse of Luke 2:51-52. They helped to run the games. They served food. But most of all, they loved our children, and we are better off because of it.
We also were blessed with the largest number of facilitators (what we might call youth leaders in the US) that have ever attended the camp. This allowed for smaller numbers of children per facilitator and more time to minister directly to these children. Many of our facilitators developed deep relationships with the children through the week and hopefully will continue to encourage and disciple our children to be more like Christ.
All in all, our children enjoyed a week away from their reality at home. They were blessed with the Word of God, times of fun, new friendships, and of course, good food. Thank you for all who were praying for our camp and to those who contributed financially to help make it a success. Please continue to pray for our children that the Word that was given to them sinks deep into their being and that they draw closer to Christ day by day.
However, the children were blessed. We had two teams visit this year in support of our camp. One was from Cross Timbers in Dallas, TX and the other from Bethel Christian Church in Bristol, CT. Each brought the hearts of servants as they ministered to our children here in Uganda. Members of each team served as teachers. They brought the Word of God to our children through our theme verse of Luke 2:51-52. They helped to run the games. They served food. But most of all, they loved our children, and we are better off because of it.
We also were blessed with the largest number of facilitators (what we might call youth leaders in the US) that have ever attended the camp. This allowed for smaller numbers of children per facilitator and more time to minister directly to these children. Many of our facilitators developed deep relationships with the children through the week and hopefully will continue to encourage and disciple our children to be more like Christ.
All in all, our children enjoyed a week away from their reality at home. They were blessed with the Word of God, times of fun, new friendships, and of course, good food. Thank you for all who were praying for our camp and to those who contributed financially to help make it a success. Please continue to pray for our children that the Word that was given to them sinks deep into their being and that they draw closer to Christ day by day.
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