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.
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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!
-----
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!
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