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.
-----
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment