"Light and Shadow"

In August, 2008, John P. Van Dusen and his wife moved from Fort Collins, Colorado, to West Texas, to help build The Bridge,a contemporary worship service in a new space in a traditional Protestant church.

In this post at Into the West Texas Sun, John writes, "my dear friend, Ron Morgan, asked me to post my recent essay and I gladly do it. May it bring comfort and 'peace that passes all understanding' to all who trust our God's unfailing love."

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”

Romans 12:9-21
The Message, by Eugene Peterson

On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, we’ll pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Following our time of prayer, we’ll have lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

Grace and peace,

Chris

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #7

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

Jerry led our morning devotional today. It was based on Psalm 131 and the title was “Humility”. Jerry has been such a wonderful spiritual leader for the team and we are so blessed to have him with us this year. This was are last day on the trail, at schools and at the prisons. It was also the last day of our Medical Outreach. At the crusade, Sharon Webb, Louisa Musselman and Ben Spinks shared their testimonies and Richard Coats preached to crowd of Ugandans eager to hear the Gospel. It was a great way to end our week on the trail.

On the Trail
On Thursday, Jeff and Ben had an hour before distributing nets so they went to some houses not too far from the church. At one house they spent some time talking to a Muslim woman named Zam-Zam. They told her about Jesus and God’s saving grace. Jeff asked her if there was anything that would keep her from accepting Jesus. Zam-Zam said that she would like to but her father was very harsh and could walk up and catch them talking at any moment. Jeff and Ben invited Zam-Zam to the crusade that afternoon, and she said she would come, but she didn’t. Early Friday morning Jeff was walking through a crowd of people at the church waiting in line for the clinic when someone grabbed him from behind and called him by name. He turned around and it was Zam-Zam. She was very excited and said “I am here.” Jeff asked her if she remembered what they had talked about and she said that she had thought about it a lot. In fact she couldn’t sleep, so she had lain in bed thinking about it. Jeff tried to go over salvation with her again and she stopped him and said, “No, I remember what you told me yesterday. I want to pray to accept Christ now.” And, so they did. Zam-Zam is working for the UN, in an unstable part of Uganda, in a city named Moroto. There is no Presbyterian church there because of the instability. Jeff introduced Zam-Zam to Aidah Ogenga (Pastor Morris’ wife) and Aidah got a phone number where Zam-Zam can be reached in Moroto, because she wants Zam-Zam to be a contact person for planting a church there. What a God moment. His divine plans are always such a joy to witness.

School Ministry
Robert Winkler, Sigrid and Adrienne Coats visited the schools today. As with all the other days this week, the schools were wonderful. The team visited one primary and two secondary schools, all of which were lead by true Christians. The first stop was at the Primary school where they preached the gospel to 900 students. At the end, the sixth and seventh graders were separated from the other classes, and 25 of these upper class students accepted Christ. The team’s experience at the next school was a little different. The 400 secondary students were very attentive and many were already Christian, but when the alter call music started playing one of the students became so filled with the Holy Spirit that she came out screaming and fell prostrate on the ground. Very different than what we experience at the end of our Sunday service. The final school was equally rewarding with 20 students accepting Christ. Truly amazing to preach and pray at schools.


Prison Ministry
Jerry Hilton, Ramon Billhimer and Kathryn Gates went to Mukuju Prison today. The prison was small, containing about 20 male inmates. Kathryn and Ramon gave their testimonies, both doing wonderful jobs. Then Jerry preached a very effective sermon, explaining to the inmates that salvation is God’s gift to all people. Many men were saved as they came forward and accepted Christ. The prison wardens were very hospitable, the inmates were very respectful, and the pastor that worked with our team was wonderful. Once again, we left Bibles, chickens, blankets and sleeping mats as a goodwill gesture. The prison trip was successful and God was good!

Medical Outreach
As we drove up to the church this morning a huge crowd waiting in line for the medical clinic greeted us. Obviously the word had spread overnight of the free care open to all at the new church. Despite the heat of the day and large crowds, the people were very orderly and patient, humbly waiting their turn. We had hundreds go through before lunch and it became obvious that we were going to run out of medicine before the end of the day. Cynthia went with one of the nurses into town to restock on the medicine and was shocked when checking out at the pharmacy how small the bill was compared to the US. It is amazing how far a dollar goes here. Thanks to your generous contributions we were able to make the decision to go into town and buy more medicine instead of turning away very needy people. We had our team members taking temperatures and blood pressures while the people were waiting to see the doctors. Others of the team were busy counting pills and filling prescriptions. The day was very hectic but so rewarding. Today we treated 818 people, 327 children de-wormed, gave out 3272 meds and distributed 1290 mosquito nets. What a blessing for the people of Sironko. God is so good!!

Tomorrow will be a fun day at the orphanage. This year will be holding a small VBS with the children and we are so excited to be able to do this. We also will get to sleep in for the first time since our journey began – YEA! The team has done so well this week and we have been blessed with good health. Keep praying – it’s working!

Your Ugandan journalists – Cynthia and Karen

In the News ... "Church reaches out to youths"

Matthew McGowan
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Like any other youth pastor, Yolanda Fish of Odessa First Presbyterian Church likes to keep her finger on the pulse of the younger generation, teens whose lives are so frequently full of distractions and threats to their faith.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #6

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

It was a cool morning during our devotional today. We had rain yesterday afternoon and it cooled the air. Malone led the devotional on chapter 12 entitled “Hope” based on Psalm 130. She summed it up beautifully when she said, “Your suffering may take someone else to the highest of highs with God.”

It was a busy day at the church today. We had people on the trail spreading the gospel and shifts of people working at the medical clinic with Dr. Patrick and his team. At the crusade, Elizabeth Darr, Susan Strange and Adrienne Coats gave their inspirational testimonies and Jerry preached a sermon that would have “blown the doors off” our church at home. It was a full gospel sermon in every sense of the word. He was definitely on fire for the Lord. Many people can forward at the altar call and Pastor Dennis was so happy to see so many people for his new congregation.

Crusade
To watch the faces of the children when Elizabeth shared her testimony was priceless. They were just transfixed on her face, hanging on every word and when she finished, they all rushed around the back of the stage to greet her as she got down. She has such a heart for the children. It is delightful to watch her interact with them – running and laughing and playing. She is a true testament to being a child of God.


Medical Clinic
The first day of the medical clinic ran quite smoothly. Dr. Patrick’s team is very easy to work with from year to year. It was different from last year. It was better than when we have had the pharmacy in the bus in past years. Behind the chancel of the sanctuary are three small rooms that we were able to use for the distribution of the medicines and mosquito nets. The improvements that Cynthia made from last year – the plastic bins for separating the medications, the pre-printed labels for the medicinal doses and the pill counters – all helped make the day flow so well. The medical outreach is such a blessing to the community and it shows good faith and will benefit the new church. We were able to see 430 patients; de-wormed and gave meds to 257 children and gave out 700 treated mosquito nets. We will have one more day for the medical outreach which will probably be busier because of the word of mouth of the villagers.

Reflection from the Medical Clinic
This was Louisa’s first time in the medical clinic. What a fulfilling day at the clinic she had. Everyone put their best foot forward to give these families the care they desperately needed. After the clinic closed, a woman arrived with a very sick baby. The doctors and staff were very kind and caring and didn’t turn the woman away but diagnosed the child with severe malaria. The treatment and medicine she received hopefully will save the dear child’s life.

School Ministry
Al Spinks, Sharon Webb, and Robyn Zachry visited schools in the village of Siroko today. At the primary schools they were greeted by 1005 purple and gold (“Go Dawgs”) uniformed children. They sang danced and laughed at the muzungu (white people). Even though these children have nothing, the joy and graciousness was overwhelming. Robyn and Sharon delivered testimonies and the “gentle giant Al” provided the sermon. In the afternoon they visited Secondary Schools. The first school was being held in an old church. The students greeted them with a song specially written for the trio “welcome visitors.” Unlike the school facilities in the United States the second Secondary School students study in a crumbling, opened aired metal roofed structure with a dirt floor. The school was filled with happiness and raised the roof with their enthusiastic attitude and grateful hearts! Several students accepted Christ and the schools were presented with Bibles.

Prison Ministry
Today, Dawn Dickeson, Harlan and Richard Coats went to Bukedea Prison. The prisoners sang songs with joy. Dawn, Harlan and Richard all found that the prisoners have so much joy and they have absolutely nothing. Dawn and Harlan gave their testimonies and Richard gave his first sermon in Uganda. The prisoners took well to the sermon and about 10 prisoners raised their hands and confessed their faith. It was a good day.

To complete the evening, we had a wonderful celebration at dinner tonight. We held a surprise Ugandan “Wedding shower” for Louisa’s upcoming wedding! We had special ‘gifts’ and a delicious cake to enjoy.

It is hard to believe that we have only one more day on the trail tomorrow but we also know what exciting days still lay ahead. We still have the medical outreach to complete; the visit to the orphanage where we will hold a VBS with the children; the pastor / translator dinner and communion service; and most importantly – the dedication of the new church and the installation of Pastor Dennis!

God is Good! All the time! Alleluia! Amena!

Uganda Photo Gallery, 2

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. Here are some photos taken on the mission trail in Uganda by members of the FPC 2009 Uganda Mission Team.

-----

New Anesthesia Machine for Clinic

Salvation at the Prison

Water Source Before the New Well

Prayer at the Schools

Rita Teaching at the Seminar

Sharon and Cynthia at the Crusade

Sharing the Gospel Ugandan to Ugandan

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #5

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

Another beautiful day in Africa. The mornings are very pleasant this time of year and we have been sitting under the trees for our devotional time each morning. Rita Childs taught our devotional on Chapter 11 entitled, “Perseverance” which is a fitting subject for the middle of our week. This is usually the day that the rigorous schedule we have been keeping begins to catch up with us. But we have been blessed this week with very few illnesses so far. Today we had three people going to the prisons, three people going to the schools, six people conducting the seminar, two people going to see the water wells and twelve people on the trail. At the crusades, Dawn Dickeson, Malone Sams and Lisa Zachry shared their testimony and Al Spinks preached his sermon on the parable of the sower. It is always such an inspirational sermon for the people of Uganda.

Health and Nutrition Seminar
Rita Childs, Richard, Sigrid and Adrienne Coats, Pat Hunter and Karen Winkler conducted a Health and Nutrition Seminar at Pastor Morris’ church. The seminar was amazing. Pat taught First Aid care, Rita taught Oral Rehydration, Sigrid, Richard and Adrienne taught Nutrition and Karen taught a Community Hygiene class. There were 70 churches represented and over two hundred and fifty participants. They were eager to learn, asked wonderful thought-provoking questions and represented each community and church very well. The women were so excited to receive their certificate of participation and satchel full of information and materials to take back to their churches. We challenged the women to use the knowledge they received to witness and share Christ with others.

Prison Ministry
The trip to Bubulo prison was cool and refreshing for Jeff Darr, Robert Winkler and Cynthia Howard. A rainstorm blew in and nearly cancelled the prison ministry for the day. But everyone was rejoicing over the downpour since Uganda is in such a drought. (Although their drought looks a lot greener than ours!) The group waited out the storm in the commandant’s office, joking how scary it would be to have to stay the night in the prison. But after some time the program started and Cynthia and Robert gave testimonies followed with a rousing sermon by Jeff Darr. As we do each visit to the prisons, we left much needed supplies as a gesture of good will---blankets, soap, flour and Bibles. They also left a children’s Bible because sadly, the incarcerated women who have infants must have them accompany them to the prison. The children’s Bible was really a blessing to the women.

Water Wells
Ramon, Louisa and Sharon went with Dr. Patrick today to observe and video the water wells being constructed in the village of Komuge. The “mayor” of the village personally escorted them to the sites to explain the construction and the necessity of the wells to the villagers. They have waited two years for Dr. Patrick to have the funds to be able to build. Up until this time the community as well as all livestock and critters of the wild have used the same water supply. They are hopeful that the Lord will provide the funds to help establish fish hatcheries for the village to have a source of food as well as income. The villagers were all participating building their well and were so gracious and grateful to all of us. To show their appreciation, they prepared a feast of roasted corn for all to enjoy. The group ended with a tour of Dr. Patrick’s hospital, health clinic and operating room. They were able to view the new anesthesia machine donated by First Presbyterian Church as well as members of the community. Everyone in the hospital, except one, were being treated for malaria. Dr. Patrick explained that for $10, a mosquito net can save the lives of two children!!



Trail Story
Robyn Zachry has been so amazed and in awe of how God works. Before she came to Uganda and even up until yesterday, she was so worried about sharing with people. She said she felt so inadequate and completely unable to do the job. But she found out that God is so much bigger than her imperfections. Robyn said, “I was so focused on myself and didn’t grasp the fact that this isn’t about me. He doesn’t need me to be adequate. He doesn’t need me at all! But He called me to be obedient and in return, He has spoken through me and I feel so blessed that I get to come along for the ride. God is good…all the time.”

School Ministry
Ben Spinks, Kathryn Gates and Carole Campbell visited three schools today. They had such a fun time, sharing the gospel with all the children. Ben was the hit of the show – the children could not believe he was only seventeen – and SOOO tall!

Tomorrow begins the medical clinic. Please continue to pray for health, boldness and stamina for the team.

Uganda Photo Gallery, 1

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. Here are some photos taken on the mission trail in Uganda by members of the FPC 2009 Uganda Mission Team.

-----

Karen and Robert at the Crusade

Men at the Still

Malone at the School

Mother and Son Sharing a Gospel Tract

Prayer at the Crusade

Prayer on the Trail

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #4

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

Today was another fruitful day in Uganda. We started the day with our morning devotional from “A Long Obedience”. Pat led the devotional on chapter 10 entitled “Happiness”, based on Psalm 128. It was a wonderful way to begin the day. As we do each day, some of us go to the schools, some to the prisons and the rest to the trail. The trail was much easier today – the houses were closer together, the trail was an actual trail instead of cornfields, and there was a breeze to help cool us down as we walked. At the crusade, Harlan Coats, Carole Campbell and Robyn Zachry gave their testimonies and Robert preached a powerful sermon. Many Ugandans came forward to pray the sinner’s prayer and accept Christ. Dancing and singing were abundant throughout the evening and we arrived back at Mt Elgon to reflect on the day during our evening meal.



Prison Ministry
Jerry Hilton, Louisa Musselman and Susan Strange visited the Kumi prison today. Everyone was dancing and singing by the time they walked through the one pad-locked door of the prison. Susan shared her testimony in front of the 100 inmates. She said after the experience that if she went home right now she would be satisfied. It was a great day. She felt like this day had been planned out long before she ever decided to return to Uganda. Her testimony has been a year-long journey to bring her to this specific place. It tied in so beautifully with what Pastor Moses was preaching about to the prisoners. To know that even the bad things in life can be used for God’s glory in spreading the gospel is a powerful thing. When she finished her testimony Jerry said he could have preached out of a telephone booth, she was so bold.

School Ministry
Robin, Malone, Elizabeth and Jeff were to go to three schools today in the Sironko area. The first two were a primary and secondary school that were on the same property. When they were arriving at the first school they noticed that it was directly behind a mosque. Jeff thought, this is a little strange, but whatever. At the school they noticed that the Ugandan members of the team were huddled up outside the van talking in whispered voices. Mike and Pastor Godfrey called Jeff over to the huddle and reported that the school was a Muslim school, and they weren’t quite sure how we would be received. Mike said they had tried this once before at another Muslim school, and they had been escorted away. Much to their surprise the headmaster said that even though they were a Muslim school, he felt that an education meant hearing all view points, so we were permitted to give a presentation to the primary students--all one thousand, one hundred fifty of them. Due to circumstances, they did not try to convert anyone, but did sing gospel songs and gave testimony. They felt that was a blessing from God to just get to do that much. We ask for your prayers for the headmaster of the primary school that he doesn’t suffer for letting us share the gospel at his school.

Trail Stories
Everyone on the team seems to find that a lot of the people they are talking with on the trail are receptive in accepting our Lord as their Savior. When Pastor Steven and Sigrid went to their last stop of the day, they were invited to sit down and share their story. They met with a man named Albert, two women, a little boy and a baby. They listened to Pastor Steven as he translated for Sigrid. At the end, Albert, with his kind eyes said in English, “Thank you so much for coming by. Actually, we are already Christians! We just wanted to meet with you and heer what you had to say. We are so thirsty for stories about Jesus!”

Pat and her interpreter Apollo came upon three men tending a still. The vapors themselves were pretty strout. Apollo explained who they were to the men and said they were there to share the gospel. The men were amazed that a Muzungu woman and a pastor would sit down with them beside a still. They listened attentively, and then accepted Christ as their Savior. It reminds us of the stories of how Jesus would approach people where they were, good or bad, and minister to their soul.

Tomorrow we conduct the Health and Nutrition Seminar at Pastor Morris’ church. We will also be on the trail, at schools and the prisons. Your prayers are supporting us more than you can imagine – keep up the good work! Thank you

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #3

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

What an exciting morning driving up to the new church at Sironko. It is located in a beautiful setting at the base of the mountains. First thing we were each matched up with a translator, most of whom are pastors at the local churches. It was wonderful for those who have been here before to reconnect with old friends. The time of walking the trail this year was more rugged than usual as we were making our way through plowed cornfields in higher than usual temperatures. Coming back from the trail, the team enjoyed a filling meal prepared by our longtime cook, Christopher. Soon the Ugandan music was broadcasting throughout the neighborhood to call the people to the crusade, which is held outside on a field near the church. Sigrid Coats, Rita Childs and Kathryn Gates gave testimonies and Jeff Darr gave a dynamic sermon followed by a successful alter call. Rita Childs, Louisa Musselman, Kathryn Gates and Susan Strange led the children’s chapel. They had a church full of enthusiastic and exuberant little Ugandans.


From the Trail
Robert Winkler had an interesting experience on the trail that is another example of how God provides at just the right time. Whenever you approach a dwelling area, you ask the inhabitants if you may enter, then after a short introduction, the interpreter will ask if we may present the gospel. After Robert’s interpreter, Fred, was granted permission, Robert presented the gospel about how we are saved through Jesus Christ. When he asked them if they wanted to trust Jesus Christ, there was a long pause, because the family was Muslim and wasn’t sure about changing faiths. This can be a challenging time for a team member but while Robert had been giving his message, another interpreter, Pastor Jimmy, had walked up. Pastor Jimmy is a converted Muslim. Once again God provided at just the right time. Pastor Jimmy was able to give his testimony about how the Muslim faith doesn’t compare to salvation in Jesus Christ. The family agreed to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, and Robert led them through the sinner’s prayer. What perfect timing from a perfect God.

Prison Ministry
The team that went to Tororo prison today had an incredible experience. This prison is a maximum-security prison located 6 miles from the Kenya border. The team consisted of Robyn and Lisa Zachry and Ben and Al Spinks. If you can imagine what a third world prison is like, you will understand how moving it was to see hundreds of inmates, some of whom were wearing only shreds of what used to be prison uniforms, dancing and singing and praising God. Ben shared his testimony and preached a message to the men, while Lisa and Robyn shared the gospel and prayed with the women inmates and prison staff.

Water Well Ministry
Ramon Billhimer, Carole Campbell and Malone Sams saw jubilation on the faces of many Ugandans today. The Ugandans danced around Ramon, Carole and Malone to show their joy for clean water. They took their hands and led them to their wells. At each well they visited, the village leader would greet them with great joy and praise to God. One older leader they met said he had spent a year walking to Dr. Patrick’s hospital begging for a well. That well was completed a few days ago. He gave First Presbyterian Church and the team many, many blessings for the well and they were greatly humbled by his blessings and joy. The Ugandans even gave Ramon a new name – NAIRUBA – which means “water well girl”. FPC received many blessings today for their unbelievable generosity in providing funds for these much needed water wells. May God receive all the glory and praise for providing “living water” to these humble people.

School Ministry
Ralph Green, Dawn Dickeson and Karen Winkler visited the schools today. They were blessed to enjoy the children at two primary schools and one secondary school. It is always amazing to see how well behaved the primary students are when they sit out under a tree or in a church to listen to the testimonies of the visiting Americans. Pastor Godfrey, Mike, the other Mike, Susan and Pauline help conduct the school visits and are a delight to work with each year. The secondary schools can be a challenge, at times, as it can be in America. But the team had a wonderful ending to the day as 15 students accepted Christ after Ralph’s strong sermon. The children gave Ralph a new name today – “CuKa” – which means Grandfather. It is a fitting name for a humble servant of God.

Even though it was a long and challenging day, it was a blessed and fruitful day for God’s Kingdom. Please keep the team in your prayers as they prepare for the days ahead. Please pray for strength, stamina, boldness and health as we approach the middle of the week.

Lulwanda Children's Home, Uganda"Children of Lulwanda" Video

"Lulwanda Childrens Home opened its doors on December 1, 2004, the first childrens home established by the Grace International Childrens Foundation (GICF). Lulwanda now houses and cares for 90 orphaned or abandoned children between the ages of 3 and 12. Before coming to Lulwanda Childrens Home, many of these children had no one to care for them, while others were living in desperate conditions with aging and overburdened grandparents. Now the children are thriving in a healthy, nurturing environment. Grace International Children's Foundation was created to address the urgent need to care for children abandoned or left orphans by the AIDS epidemic in Uganda and the rest of East Africa."

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #2

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

We began our day as we always do – with fellowship, song, prayer and a devotional. It is such a wonderful way to start the day. We are studying the book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” written by Eugene Peterson. It has been our devotional study as a team since we begin meeting and it has become a comfort and mainstay of our group. Our first devotional in Uganda was on Saturday and Sharon taught on chapter 7, entitled, “Security”. It was a fitting chapter to begin our journey to the new church in Sironko. Robin taught this morning on chapter 8, entitled, “Joy”, and it was a perfect description of what we experienced on our first Sunday in Uganda.

On this first Sunday, the team is divided up into six teams and we are “sent out” to preach and teach at churches that have been planted over the past years. The men are responsible for teaching Sunday school to the men and preaching a sermon to the congregation. The women are responsible for teaching Sunday school to the women and children. The churches are spread out around Mbale and it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour to reach the church site by van. For the returning team members it is a chance to see old friends at churches we helped plant in the past and for the new team members it is a chance to experience their first taste of Uganda and its beautiful people.

Al, Rita, Carole and Dawn visited Buwabwala located up in the in the beautiful mountains of Mbale district. This was the church Al preached at last year with his family. The people of Buwabwala were so appreciative that Al would come back to see them and kept saying over and over, “You did not forget us, you did not forget us!” Such humble and lovely people here in Uganda. Buwabwala is a very active church and Rita remarked how impressed she was with all the activities announced during the service. They are planting a sister church nearby, sending people to the Bible College, counseling on HIV-AIDS, and challenging their youth to continue to grow in their faith. Dawn taught children’s Sunday school to a crowded, attentive room full of children. Dawn said she was so overwhelmed by the songs echoing from the church when they arrived and the crowd of laughing children pressing in around her that it just brought tears to her eyes. It is such a joy to watch the “newbies” experience their first Ugandan service.

Robert, Karen, Louisa and Pat visited the church at Tirinyi. This was the church that we planted six years ago and it was also the church that Pat planted on her first trip to Uganda. Pastor Joseph introduced Pat and the congregation applauded and cheered for her return. Tirinyi is a vibrant, active church and they are so excited that one of their Elders has finished Seminary school and has taken over the pastoral duty at Kanyolo (the church we planted two years ago), replacing Pastor Dennis who has transferred to a church in Kenya. Louisa and Karen taught the Hand Prayer to a group of delightful enthusiastic children. It is always amazing to hear such wisdom from the children as we teach them about the Lord, they humble us each and every time. Robert did a masterful job with his sermon based on Psalm 120 and 121 and Pastor Joseph remarked on how timely it was for him personally to hear. He has recently been injured in a car accident and is healing from a broken pelvis. Please keep him in your prayers for healing.

Jeff, Robin, Elizabeth and Malone visited the church at Nalubembe, the church we planted last year. They have added a beautiful front porch to the church and the congregation is active and growing. Jeff preached a moving sermon on letting God help carry your burdens – a very fitting topic for Uganda, where every day the people must carry a heavy load, both physically and spiritually. Malone and Elizabeth taught the children’s Sunday school and had a delightful time teaching the children the story of Zacchaeus. When Elizabeth entered the church, she noticed some bright colored cards suspended along the wall at the front of the church. She soon realized that the cards were the ones our team had brought last year from Terry Miller’s class and they were decorating the sanctuary for all to enjoy. Such a simple gift that has brought such joy to the people of Nulubembe. Thank you.

Ben Spinks, Sigrid Coats, Harlan Coats and Cynthia Howard were at Nampido, which was the church we planted in 2006. They were surprised to see one of the men of the church playing a guitar that Cynthia had brought to them the year the church was planted. It needed a little tuning but looked like it had gotten lots of use! Ben Spinks gave a sermon on and taught the men’s Sunday school and Cynthia taught on the woman at the well to the women’s class while Sigrid and Harlan Coats taught the children the Hand Prayer. The church at Nampido seemed to be thriving with many different people taking leadership roles in the service.

Pastor Jerry Hilton, Lisa and Robyn Zachry and Kathryn Gates were at the First Presbyterian Church of Mbale, which is the main church that has helped plant all the satellite churches we’ve been a part of establishing. The church was treated to a wonderful sermon from Pastor Hilton on Isaiah 40--while Lisa Zachry shared with the women the story of Ester. Robyn and Kathryn had a class of hundreds of children and used puppets that the children loved. There were choirs of all ages including our own “praise team” from First Pres with excellent harmonizing from Pastor Jerry. The Bible College is growing steadily and continues to help the program of church planting in Eastern Uganda.

Namaje Church was visited by Ralph Green, Sharon Webb, Susan Strange and Ramon Billhimer. Ralph taught the men Sunday school and gave a sermon on “Where do we go from here?” while Ramon taught the women on “Ester” and Sharon and Susan worked with the children on the Hand Prayer. Sharon was moved by the sincerity of their tithe offerings of produce from their fields, eggs from their chickens and grain from their harvest.

Tomorrow begins our time on the trail. Please pray for health of the team, strength and boldness in sharing the Gospel.

FPC Uganda Mission: Update #1

After a long journey, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - have arrived in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2009 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.
-----

We have arrived safely at our "home away from home" - Mt. Elgon Hotel in Mbale. Morris and Aidah Ogenga picked us up in Entebbe last night. All but one bag arrived on time - pretty good considering we were traveling with 58 bags each weighting at least 50 lbs. each - and the missing bag arrived promptly this morning! As is the tradition, we ate at Ling Ling's for lunch in the town of Jinga located near the headwaters of the
Nile on our way to Mbale. It is always fun eating Chinese food in Africa.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep the team in your thoughts and prayers as we begin our week. We will try and send updates each evening.

FBR Report: Torture, Capture, Uprooted Villages, Child Soldiers - Life in Northwestern Karen State

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. They bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma. Ethnic pro-democracy groups send teams to be trained, supplied and sent into the areas under attack to provide emergency assistance and human rights documentation. Together with other groups, the teams work to serve people in need.

-----------------

FBR Report: Torture, Capture, Uprooted Villages, Child Soldiers - Life in Northwestern Karen State

Karen State, Burma: This report provides information relayed out by FBR teams in the northwestern parts of Karen State, eastern Burma, especially Nyaunglebin District and southern Toungoo District. In the midst of accounts of capture and forced labor, one cruel form of this is the kidnapping of children who are then forced to join the military.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the FBR Report

The Free Burma Ranger’s (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks. For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org

Lulwanda Children's Home, Uganda"Family Ties" Video

"Lulwanda Childrens Home opened its doors on December 1, 2004, the first childrens home established by the Grace International Childrens Foundation (GICF). Lulwanda now houses and cares for 90 orphaned or abandoned children between the ages of 3 and 12. Before coming to Lulwanda Childrens Home, many of these children had no one to care for them, while others were living in desperate conditions with aging and overburdened grandparents. Now the children are thriving in a healthy, nurturing environment. Grace International Children's Foundation was created to address the urgent need to care for children abandoned or left orphans by the AIDS epidemic in Uganda and the rest of East Africa."

"Blessing Looks Like Humility"

In August, 2008, John P. Van Dusen and his wife moved from Fort Collins, Colorado, to West Texas, to help build The Bridge,a contemporary worship service in a new space in a traditional Protestant church.

In this post at Into the West Texas Sun, John writes, "today was not my best effort. Oh, I tried mind you but it wasn't meant to be. I left the input level on my effects processor at zero and spent two full songs wondering why my guitar sounded so thin. I also managed to type the wrong words to the opening song so while the band was singing "meet with me" the congregation was singing "rescue me." The rest was okay but I never fully recovered. Fortunately God isn't slowed by my little train wrecks."

In the News ... "Macedonia's new pastor 'at my best when I have a full load'"

Meagan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. Woodrow Bailey’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV

Bailey, who [was] installed as head pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church on Sunday, said he never planned to stay in his hometown when he returned nine years ago after completing his degree in mass communications from Oral Roberts University.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story