So I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, but it seems like every time I have something cool to blog about, I just forget or make excuses such as wanting to get some pictures to post with the blog. So I looked at the date of my last blog and realized it's been almost 3 months. Truthfully, not much has happened since that last blog. School has been out since Dec. 3 and just began again this morning, and I was in the U.S. for much of their holiday break. (Sorry if I didn't get to see you when I was in the States.)
So I'm back in Uganda as of Friday night and I'm not sure I remember it ever being this humid. Though it hadn't been too cold in California for much of the last month I was there, it was still a rude awakening from getting off planes in Detroit and Amsterdam where it was freezing to getting off the plane here in Entebbe at night.
So many things have changed since I was last here. The high school has officially opened as of today, and thus our high school is no longer walking distance. This hit me just a few minutes ago as I thought of my meeting with Pastor Dongo tomorrow. Previously when I had meetings at the church, I would go early to talk to teachers and students. What was I going to do tomorrow. It just seems weird.
Yesterday (Sunday), it hit me that the high school students would not be boarding here at the primary school anymore. Most of my relationships that involve good conversation were with the high school students. It feels a little empty around here without them.
With the vacancies left by the high school students, new students are boarding at the school. I've already met 4 new Sudanese boys and have seen at least 10 other students that I don't know, and we're not even half full yet!
So 2011 is going to be a lot different than 2010, but it's going to be an amazing year!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
Discipleship
Before Jesus left the earth, he gave this command in Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
Notice there that Jesus never told us to go out and preach the gospel so that people will get saved. Instead, He is clear here that we are to make disciples of all those that we preach to. This is why it's so important to follow up with those that we share the gospel. One of the biggest things that God has put on my heart to do as His servant is to make DISCIPLES.
In Uganda I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach a class focused on just that...discipleship. Kabalagala Pentecostal Church has a curriculum that it teaches to new believers about being a disciple. I began teaching it in 2008 when I arrived here to help out, but received a class of my own at the beginning of 2009. I'm so excited that I have been able to really mentor these students over the last 2 years. We began when there were many...maybe around 25-30, but finished with only 8. Praise God. Our God is not a God of numbers, but a God of hearts and these 8 who finished this course have big hearts to follow our Lord. Please pray for them as they take the next step in their faith journey. May they continue to seek wisdom and knowledge in the aftermath of this course.
Notice there that Jesus never told us to go out and preach the gospel so that people will get saved. Instead, He is clear here that we are to make disciples of all those that we preach to. This is why it's so important to follow up with those that we share the gospel. One of the biggest things that God has put on my heart to do as His servant is to make DISCIPLES.
In Uganda I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach a class focused on just that...discipleship. Kabalagala Pentecostal Church has a curriculum that it teaches to new believers about being a disciple. I began teaching it in 2008 when I arrived here to help out, but received a class of my own at the beginning of 2009. I'm so excited that I have been able to really mentor these students over the last 2 years. We began when there were many...maybe around 25-30, but finished with only 8. Praise God. Our God is not a God of numbers, but a God of hearts and these 8 who finished this course have big hearts to follow our Lord. Please pray for them as they take the next step in their faith journey. May they continue to seek wisdom and knowledge in the aftermath of this course.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Yup...TIA
So I think in a lot of ways, I am very comfortable with my life in Uganda. I'm used to how life is here. I'm much more adjusted to the culture now. I know how things are and don't get to surprised by many of the things that happen here.
But then something happens just to remind me that I'm in Uganda. Last week I had my car in for service when a friend called to see if I wanted to grab lunch. Of course, I agreed knowing that I had to take a taxi or boda (motorcycle) down the road. What I forgot was that the university down on Gaba Road was having graduations. Being the cheap guy I am, I opted for a taxi versus a boda knowing that the taxi could drop me just steps from where I was meeting my friend. As the taxi began our adventure down Gaba Road, I realized my mistake. The traffic jam was ridiculous. I contemplated exiting the taxi and grabbing a boda, but I decided to be patient. We were seriously creeping down the road when the taxi decided to take a different route because of the jam. I again had another opportunity to jump out, but again decided against it. What I didn't think about at the time was that the road the taxi was going down was really only meant for one way travel at a time. So we eventually ran into taxis and cars coming in the opposite direction and were stuck. After a long delay, I finally arrived at the coffee shop where my friends had already bought my sandwich though they were finished with theirs...a 10 min. drive down the road became an hour adventure.
TIA (This is Africa) Just one of the things you have to get used to in this culture.
But then something happens just to remind me that I'm in Uganda. Last week I had my car in for service when a friend called to see if I wanted to grab lunch. Of course, I agreed knowing that I had to take a taxi or boda (motorcycle) down the road. What I forgot was that the university down on Gaba Road was having graduations. Being the cheap guy I am, I opted for a taxi versus a boda knowing that the taxi could drop me just steps from where I was meeting my friend. As the taxi began our adventure down Gaba Road, I realized my mistake. The traffic jam was ridiculous. I contemplated exiting the taxi and grabbing a boda, but I decided to be patient. We were seriously creeping down the road when the taxi decided to take a different route because of the jam. I again had another opportunity to jump out, but again decided against it. What I didn't think about at the time was that the road the taxi was going down was really only meant for one way travel at a time. So we eventually ran into taxis and cars coming in the opposite direction and were stuck. After a long delay, I finally arrived at the coffee shop where my friends had already bought my sandwich though they were finished with theirs...a 10 min. drive down the road became an hour adventure.
TIA (This is Africa) Just one of the things you have to get used to in this culture.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Too many funerals
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.)
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.)
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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