Pomp & Circumstance

The team was moving a little slower today.  Some caught up on sleep, some celebrated Independence Day late into the night.  After a late breakfast we gathered to attend the Grand Biennial Graduation Ceremonies of Covenant Bible Institute of Theology (CBIT). 

Again the providence of God was made manifest.  Turns out, they only celebrate graduation every other year, and on the second week in October.  We did not plan our trip around this event – we didn’t even know about it until Tuesday!

Coincidence does not exist here.  I have just begun to serve on the provisional USA board of CBIT and attended some of the classes Tuesday to evaluate the caliber of professors and the curriculum.  While there, I was asked to represent the board by being the commencement speaker on Saturday.  An honor too great for me, but I was persuaded after they explained how God worked it out for a greater purpose. 

They kept referring to us as the “guests of honor.”  Truly we were humbled and felt unworthy of the title, yet over the course of explaining the history of CBIT, Pastor Vincent said, God again has provided for this institution through the generous giving of the brothers and sisters from America.

All four pastors plus elder Tom Langdon wore academic regalia.

I gave the address, encouraging these new pastors to have confidence in their education, to continue learning the Word, and to be a humble servant of God’s people, transparent, so that they can see through the pastor as they gaze upon Jesus Christ.

Tom gave the charge to the graduates stressing the need to be storytellers, telling the story of Jesus in the church, and out in the field.

Morris Ogenga, chairman of the CBIT Uganda board, gave perhaps the best advice:  “In the church, there are no tribes, no favoritism, no partiality.  We are all God’s children.  We are one.”

My favorite line from the ceremony was when the graduates move their cap tassels from the right to the left:  “We are changing history forever.”  It’s true.

The Bible College is the heartbeat of the evangelism program, for without pastors who know the Word of God, how can you plant churches? 

The Mukongoro church will provide at least one pastoral candidate by next year, and he will study at CBIT, only to graduate and be ordained/installed at a church planted 3 years from now!  This symbiotic relationship feeds the evangelism mission of the PCU. 

The pastor we are installing at Mukongoro is Pastor Julius.  He graduated today, and received the leadership award – a good sign for this new church!

It was a very long ceremony, complete with traditional African dancing, full processional, a brass marching band, choirs from the school and orphanage, poetry readings, professional portrait studio (printed and framed on the spot), and a large lunch for everyone in attendance (300-400 people!) 

It was great to see the parental support for these young men who graduated.  The program of study is very difficult, and the curriculum and caliber of professors rivaled my own seminary education!

Finally, the teams made it back to the hotel and rested, shopped, or strolled for the rest of the day.  Although it must come, today served as a reminder that our work is finished here, and that the plane ride home is looming on the African horizon. 

We are very excited to see our families, to be sure.  Yet this is mixed with a tinge of sadness over leaving this beautiful place and even more beautiful people. 

All this week we’ve been using Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Life Together.”  Very intense discussions of Community, Time Alone, Daily Routine, Ministry, Confession and Communion.  This set the tone and the spirit of each day. 

I am so proud of this team.  They have been community - they've loved well, studied hard, worked even harder and have epitomized the word flexible.  No longer average men and women, these have been changed into evangelists, apostles, preachers, teachers, healers, prophets and leaders. 

God be praised, in work and in rest.

A Challenge for You

Since today (Saturday) is a day of rest from the Lord's labor, let's see some questions! You have been great with encouraging comments, and we'd like also to be able to respond to questions you may have. It can't be any harder than the questions we've had on the trail!

Just for the Kids

We took a "Daddy" picture today, just for our kids.  Turns out the only folks with small children at home are the guys.  We love you, kids!  We miss you, and can't wait to see you.  XOXOXOXOXO

The Dads

Finishing Strong!

Today is Uganda’s independence day from England.  (we have that in common!)  The theme of freedom was woven throughout the day.  Freedom from sin!  Freedom from death!  Freedom from judgment!  Freedom IN Jesus Christ!  We are so privileged to be here at this time.

At schools, although it was Independence Day, 300 kids showed up to hear the Word of God.  As Dustin described, “it is something so amazing to see 50-70 young men and women come forward boldly, in front of their peers, filled with the Spirit and truly responding to the gift of Jesus Christ.  It was the most beautiful moment I’ve experienced here.”

Prison visits today was a mountaintop experience…literally.  On the top of Mount Elgon, Kapchoro Prison received the team graciously (73 men, 3 women, 1 baby).   

Many were unfairly imprisoned.  Many weren’t.  But the whole prison was set free today.  The WHOLE prison received Christ today…even the cooks and the guards!

On the trail, it was a great and glorious day.  We were relatively close to Mukongoro today, as we covered the final sector of the county.  

Most of the people we spoke with were believers already, having been to the church and clinic and crusade.  Today was a wonderful day to encourage believers.  In one case, the family prayed for the pair that came to visit them!  They laid hands on US and prayed for the gospel ministry to be successful.  How humbling!

Tom experienced a three-generation conversion: A man with his 2  wives, daughter in law, 3 daughters, and 3 granddaughters! He said they have been waiting for us to come.  Leo “just happened” to capture it and several other encounters on video…see them here !

The clinic was bursting at the seams today, as it was the last day of medical mission.  I don’t know how the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists did it, but thousands were served, and the medicine lasted to the end!

After two dry holes, a lot of prayer and hope…the well came in!  The water well is the capstone of our physical mission to Mukongoro.  Clean water will change the life of this community.  Before today, they were dependent on ditch water or hand-digging for drinking/cooking/bathing.  Terrible sickness and death abound because of the water problems.  The water was tested, and it was clean and pure.  All glory to God!  (The next miracle will be paying for it…it cost 5 times the normal amount…but “by God,” we got water!)

At the crusade, the true colors came out today!  The wind of the Holy Spirit blew strong! Speakers were knocked over, swirling winds threw up the dust, and the dancing went on.  One man came up to Jayne saying, “I want to accept Jesus NOW!”  With tears, he prayed with Jayne.  With tears, Jayne prayed with him, and another soul tumbled into the Kingdom. 

Carl got up to preach and the rains began.  Most of the Africans ran to the shops and porches, but Carl preached on.  Treb, Matt, Chad and Leo stayed out in the rain and got soaked. 

“We never leave a man in the field!” they exclaimed.  At the earliest possible moment, Carl yelled, “Thank you and good night!” like he was on the Jay Leno show.  It was the best preaching ‘dismount’ we’d ever seen.  (we thought there should have been an altar call like, “Anyone who wants to trust Jesus, stay under the porch!”)

The rain coming down, the well pumping the water up, was a great end to a week of glory to God. Dan put it well: “We planted the seeds.  God just watered them.” 

On the way home we were nearly blinded with a FULL double rainbow, as bright as you have ever seen.  The covenant of God was renewed.  True colors came out.  Hallelujah!  As one of your comments reads: “If you just show up, God will show off!”  Amen.

It was an amazing week of hard exhausting work.  Work dedicated and all for the glory of Jesus Christ.  He is Lord and Master.  He is Protector and Provider.  He is Father to the fatherless. He is Husband to the widow.  He is Savior to all imprisoned. He is Alpha and Omega. 

Our God reigns.

The Communion of Saints

The saints evangelized about 10 miles away today.  Mukongoro is saturated with the gospel.  The towns we visited today were largely believers, but the great thing about today, was their willingness to work together as a community of churches.  The “communion of saints” we profess each time we say the Apostle’s Creed was seen tangibly in Pentecostal, Church of Uganda, and the Presbyterian Church working together to share the love of Christ.  Each home we went to that had believers we prayed for and encouraged.  They were so thankful.  Each home that came to Christ today we directed to other churches nearby to fellowship.  (When was the last time you invited someone to a neighboring church instead of your own?  Today it was natural.  Why?  We’re all THE body of Christ…not bodies of Christ)

One woman the team saw today was very sick.  She had delivered a stillborn child 3 months earlier, and was septic with internal injuries.  She couldn’t come to the clinic, so when we got back to the church we sent our “ambulances” to get her.  The clinic gave her some first aid and some initial antibiotics, but she is being sent to Soroti Hospital tomorrow.  She is being saved body and soul.  Were it not for the saints, both here and in the USA, this would not be possible.  Thank you.

Many of us played doctor today at the clinic.   More than 1,000 people were at the clinic today.  Surprisingly, order and patience prevailed.  Lots of healing.  Lots of ministry.  

Here's a video of yesterday's clinic (sorry so small!) 

At prisons, the saints delivering the gospel were encouraged by today’s prisons’ condition.  Working men, they were physically fit, had good food, and adequate clothes.  The saints witnessed a heavy-duty vehicle side-swipe the prison wall.  Like the prisoners in the book of Acts, they did not run away or try to escape.    Instead, they sang spiritual songs, danced and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.  By the time the saints left, there were 70 more saints.  

Four schools.  3,218 children.  Lots of Jesus. 

Today was a breakthrough day for me.  I spoke to a 17-year old girl with who was already a believer and, as usual, I asked how I could pray or encourage her.  She said she was sick (malaria), so we prayed together for God’s healing touch and gave thanks for the clinic being here so she could receive treatment.  After a brief silent moment, she began to cry and cover her face.  Information came slowly, reluctantly.  My grandmother just died, and I thought, “Awww.  She must have been very close to her.”  My dad just died.  “Whoa.  That must be it – her dad.”  My mom just died.  “Oh my God.  What pain!”  My husband just died.”  Silence.  We just looked at each other for a long time.  What do you say to that.  Enter the communion of saints.  I am convinced we will never appreciate the communion of saints as long as we consider it “seeing our friends at church.”  My experience of pain is nothing.  I’m not an orphan.  I’m not a single parent.  I’m not a widow.  I’m not poor. 

We prayed and prayed and prayed.  I can only write about it, because I haven’t been able to talk about it yet.  I took her picture (see photo above) so that I could pray for her each time I saw it.  I told her, “Rely on the church.  They are your new family now.  We take care of each other.”  

Here's a brief video with my translator from last year, Joseph Otieno.    It's why I keep coming on this trip.  All about relationships. 


Why I'm here (video) 

Need is the only condition for faith.  Your faith sustains you when you need a meal, need the crop to come in, need medicine, need money to live, need a shoulder to cry on, need someone to love you.  Trouble is, we in the States don’t think we need anything.  We have everything we need.  Perhaps that’s why our faith is so small.  

Here, I see joy in the midst of poverty.  In the U.S., I see depression amidst riches.  We say we don’t need anything, but the thing we need is need itself.  We need the Lord.  We need each other.  We just don’t know it.    

Over the Hump

We’re down to 1 of us still feeling bad (a new one).  The prayers are working!  Keep it up.  You are standing in the gap for us.  We can’t do this without you

Thank you so much for all the comments on the blog!  We read them every morning and evening.  The tears come more easily the longer we’re here and share this amazing experience.  The team is really doing well; their confidence is increasing daily, and it’s my prayer that the “infection” spreads beyond these 2 weeks.  The need to share the gospel at home is becoming more clear. 

The house-to-house teams have been so efficient, we have begun to move beyond Mukongoro.   We’re getting tired, so tonight it’s just the high points.  (realize that for every story we blog, there are 50 more behind it.)

A man with stomach cancer said to his wife this morning that the Mzungu (white man) was going to come today and talk about God.  He doesn’t have long to live, but was overjoyed when Steve Costello fulfilled the prophecy.  He and his whole family came into the Kingdom today. 

When whole families receive Jesus as Lord, they are so overjoyed, they want to give a gift.  Today we got bananas, magoes, and oranges. Often the pregnant mothers name their children after us.  Ferrelyn’s and Matt’s namesakes will be born very soon!

The Pentecostal church in strong in today’s area and are doing wonderful things.  There is truly a spirit of community and mutual edification in doing ministry together on behalf of the Kingdom.  (If only the walls came down so easily back home) .  As a result, many people came to Christ today.

The new believers are invited to discipleship classes each afternoon to shore up their new faith with a better knowledge of sin, repentance, the Holy Spirit, Bible study and prayer.  It’s a crash course in theology to give them some root and encouragement.

The Medical Clinic ministry started today and saw hundreds of patients.  The word really got out today, so we’re expecting thousands in the next two days. 

The pain is sometimes too much when the clinic comes to town.  Seeing the crutches, makeshift wheelchairs, the babies dying of malaria, the mothers trying to give us their babies and take them home, the old, the sick, they dying. 

Dan was the de facto “hospital administrator” today as he set up the triage area, ingress, egress, 4 exam waiting areas, and then took blood pressures for 4 straight hours.  Several other members of the team stayed at the clinic to preach the gospel and encourage those waiting for treatment. 

500 treated mosquito nets were purchased (THANK YOU HONDO FBC!) and distributed today to help prevent malaria. 

Today’s “It’s a God Thing” story:  a rabid dog was in the community.  It bit a woman who had moments before trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  It was as if the devil was trying to steal her joy (and life).  The locals “took care of the dog” in short order and the evangelists immediately provided first aid and then took her directly to the clinic.  Had the clinic not started today, she probably would have died by tomorrow.  It was a good day to be bitten by a rabid dog!

At prisons, we encountered an “Andy Griffith” style (minimum security) arrangement, where prisoners could come and go.  Normally, we just bring staple items for their basic need (mats, blankets, soap, food).  Today we delivered more Bibles and they immediately began to read them.   

Today, after most of the prisoners turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, the prison team leader addressed them with this charge:  “Your lives change today.  I’ve heard rumors of homosexual activity in this prison.  As new believers this behavior stops now.  You have a responsibility to be an example to the people now.  Don’t be like the world.  Be like God’s people.  Different.  Set apart.”  

3,003 children enjoyed the school ministry team today.  9 teachers were saved!

BONUS:  Randy hooked up with his sponsored “Compassion International” child in Soroti (2 hours away). It was an extra-curricular activity to be sure - no roads up to the home site.  Instead, they had to hike through the bush for several hundred yards.   He was greeted by 20 Africans at the home.  Got to hug and high-five “Daniel” (5 years old), and give him some gifts.  Daniel then ran away to get Randy his gift…a live chicken!  It was a wonderful blessing. 

Good News and Bad News

The good news?  The 3 that were sick have turned the corner, praise God!  (and thank you for praying).  The bad news?  You’ve got 2 new ones to pray for!

Actually, there was A LOT of good news and bad news today.  (If you have clicked the “gospel we share” link to the right, you’ll know that’s all we talk about!)  Today was like a spring day in Oklahoma…ominous skies and thunderstorms.  But the good news was Carl and Ali spoke to 3,000 school children (plus people off the street) before the rains came down! 

Same story for the trail work and the crusade!  God gave us dry passage while going from house to house, then rain at break, then a break in the rain for the singing, dancing, testimonies (way to go Dan and Jayne!) and preaching (God used Treb’s gifts in a mighty way).  We are truly in awe of how many doors have opened against all odds. 

Doors are still closed, however, as the rumors continue to fly.  The enemy must be afraid and desperate of losing ground, because he has done a good job spreading lies about the church and the gospel.  Today, we were asked if we worshiped demons.   Of course, the same thing happened in Jesus’ day, and when the truth comes out, it only serves to glorify God.  

One woman heard the gospel today, and a very tall man came up to the team and said, “Thank you so much for sharing Jesus with her.  I have been trying to tell her God loves her, but she won’t hear me.”  Turns out, she just lost a child and was ashamed to come to church.   Her extreme pain was met by a well of compassion drawn only from the suffering servant, Jesus Christ.   By God’s grace, she now has hope.

The bad news at the prison never changes:  the government doesn’t take care of them.  All the government funding goes to pay the guards.  No food, no clothes, no care for the prisoner. The convicted (and accused waiting trial) only survive if they have someone on the “outside” to take care of their needs.  If their family is too far away, or they have no friends willing, they starve and deteriorate rapidly.  Only 20 of the 95 men in the prison today had shirts, and the rags they wore around their waist barely passed for shorts.  The words of Jesus take on a whole new meaning: “when I was in prison, you visited me.” 

The good news:  The prison ministry team brought 25 Bibles, 15 pounds of soap, a bolt of fabric, and staple food items…and they shared the gospel using words, too.

The bad news is so many people we visit are sick.  Basic hygiene and clean water would prevent most of the problems (we have drilled two dry holes for a water well), however, the good news is the medical clinic ministry begins tomorrow.  We’ve purchased enough medicine for 3 days of a free (government subsidized) clinic.  Health care is a premium in “the sticks.”  The Presbytery of Eastern Uganda is to be commended for its holistic gospel.  Faith and works…together.  Always.  All for the glory of God.  

The bad news?  Just one picture today.  It  should drive (!) you to prayer.  It’s representative of so many things.  The team is moving fast and working hard, giving 100% for Jesus.  The Spirit compels us to do as much as we can with the time given to us.  Bodies, health, and sleep are suffering for the gospel.  Of course, you could also pray for safe travel to and from the church site.  It’s a miracle our drivers haven’t swapped paint with anyone as fast as they drive around here!  The roads are narrow, bicycles and pedestrians crowd the shoulders, there are no seat belts, and people cut in front of you (on foot) in many near-miss situations.  The good news?  The picture is in Kilometers Per Hour. 

Bad news:  The internet is soooooooooooooo slow; our first crack at uploading a video took 4 hours and 5 tries to send about 3 minutes.  The good news:  it is a heartfelt thank-you from one of the pastors in the Presbytery.   Enjoy the brief statement from Pastor Steven Kalistas as he thanks YOU for your generosity, and explains how he shares this gift with the people of Mukongoro.   God be praised.

Uganda Interview 1

Uganda Interview 2