After months odf preparation, a team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - men, women and children from West Texas - are at work in the east Africa nation of Uganda for Christian mission. The 2010 Uganda Mission Team from First Presbyterian Church of Midland will be sending back regular reports from Uganda, along with photos.Update #4
Another beautiful day in Mbale. We have had rains in the evenings this week but have been blessed with good weather during our days in Kanyumu. Our praise choir led us in song and Tamara Rogers led our devotional time on the second half of the chapter entitled, “Suffering”. It has been remarkable how each devotional has been perfect for the day. Today the team was on the trail, in schools, at a prison and at the water well dedication.
Memories of the day:
It was obvious that God had already been working in the Torono Prison when Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas arrived this afternoon. Immediately after walking through the gates, they saw a large group of men and women standing under a tree. It was not the bright yellow uniforms that caught their eye, but rather the prisoner’s voices that cried out, “THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE…” over and over again. One man was standing in front of the others leading them in praise. His smile and the way his eyes shown made it obvious that this man was filled with a joy that only comes from God. Not long after, Pastor Moses, the Ugandan prison ministry leader, introduced Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas to the prisoners. Cynthia, Thomas, and Hannah gave their testimonies. Walter preached, and Pastor Moses gave several passionate “sermonettes” in between. Many men and woman accepted Christ. But what was so powerful was watching the prisoners worship. At one point they sang the song “I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.” It was incredible to see how they understood they were truly forgiven because of Jesus Christ. Their hearts had been set free. Afterwards, the prisoner who had led the singing came up to talk. He said his name was Emmanuel. He explained that he had been in prison for 3 years but that he had one more day left. He had accepted Christ in prison and it was clear that God has been using him to minister to his fellow inmates for quite some time. His joy was striking and beautiful to see. Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas are very happy for Emmanuel and will be praying for him to continue to walk with Christ in his new life outside of prison.
Vicki Miller, along with Pastor David were on the trail today. They went to a home and talked to a young mother. She sat very quietly and listened as they shared the gospel. She asked several questions, but was not ready to confess her faith in Jesus. They invited her to the crusade and she and her child came. The Holy Spirit must have spoken to her because there she was at the alter call!!
Today Ramon, Steve, and Garrett went to witness the commission of a new water well. They were there as representatives of First Presbyterian Church and it’s donation for this particular well. The water commissioner for all of Uganda came to speak and bless the well in front of 90 tribe members. This is the same well Ramon has helped commission. Steve, Ramos, Dr. Patrick, and Morris all spoke. Garrett recorded the video for Uganda TV. Much appreciation was given to First Presbyterian. They stressed that clean water can make a difference in each village for generations to come if it is well taken care of by the villagers.
On the trail today, Kathy Schorr and her interpreter entered a well-kept compound-- three huts, large circles of millet, beans, and rice drying on the ground, six small pigs dozing in the shade, chickens, healthy crops of maize, pineapple and mango trees all around. The “mama” of the house, Joyce Mary, a mother of 12 (3 sets of twins, plus 3 more!) was surprisingly home alone. A wonderful chat about motherhood ensued. Kathy learned that Joyce Mary (her friends call her “mama twins”) had been aware of the new church and that she had been longing to hear about Jesus, and make significant changes in hr life. Apparently to earn extra money for her children’s schooling she had been brewing and selling banana beer on the side. Joyce Mary determined she would give up this side job and raise pigs and extra crops instead. She accepted Christ as her Savior and looks forward to joining the church with her husband and children. In celebration, Kathy asked to take her picture. Mary was jubilant! She insisted on changing her clothes, “picking” her hair, and posing in her hut by her bed with 2 shovels! She explained that she had building tools if help was needed at the church. After gifting Kathy with 12 ears of maize, she danced down the trail, beaming, with her new sisters in Christ.
Jeff, Robin and Elizabeth went to schools today. They reported that they got stuck in the mud and had to hike into the first school, then the van wouldn’t start. After some field repair, it eventually started and they pushed it out of the mud for a second time. Those small setbacks did not keep them from accomplishing what they set out to do, which was to visit three schools, with approximately 1500 students combined. Robin and Elizabeth gave testimonies that worked very well together, because together they illustrated to the students that you don’t have to be an adult to be saved. You can accept Jesus at 6, 9, or 12 years of age. Robin also made a point to the teachers that you are never too old to be saved. The schools, which were very rural, all seemed to be very well run and the students were very well behaved. As always, we played the UNCLE game. That is where all of the visitors, Jeff, Robin, Elizabeth and their Ugandan partners, Susan, Millicent, Ben and Mike were all introduced as UNCLE Jeff, UNCLE Robin, UNCLE Elizabeth, UNCLE Susan ... After a while the Ugandan team explain to the children that UNCLE stands for:
U – You, N – Need, C - Christ, L – Live, E – Eternally ... You Need Christ to Live Eternally!!!
Many children accepted Jesus as their Savior today, as did three teachers. It was a very good day at the schools.
Karen Williams and Jim Alsup led the discipleship class. Robert Rendall, Connie Morrow and Karen Lang gave their testimonies at the crusade. They were very powerful messages and very well received. The Ugandan praise team was great and the translators all got into the spirit and formed a chorus line of dancing and singing. So fun. Robert Winkler gave the sermon and it was a great way to end our day. Many people came forward during the altar call and accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow we will be on the trail, at schools, at the prisons and leading a Women’s Health seminar. We can definitely feel your prayers as many have been answered this week. Please continue to pray for wisdom, health and boldness for the team.
Ya lama noi! (Thank you very much!)
Another beautiful day in Mbale. We have had rains in the evenings this week but have been blessed with good weather during our days in Kanyumu. Our praise choir led us in song and Tamara Rogers led our devotional time on the second half of the chapter entitled, “Suffering”. It has been remarkable how each devotional has been perfect for the day. Today the team was on the trail, in schools, at a prison and at the water well dedication.
Memories of the day:
It was obvious that God had already been working in the Torono Prison when Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas arrived this afternoon. Immediately after walking through the gates, they saw a large group of men and women standing under a tree. It was not the bright yellow uniforms that caught their eye, but rather the prisoner’s voices that cried out, “THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE…” over and over again. One man was standing in front of the others leading them in praise. His smile and the way his eyes shown made it obvious that this man was filled with a joy that only comes from God. Not long after, Pastor Moses, the Ugandan prison ministry leader, introduced Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas to the prisoners. Cynthia, Thomas, and Hannah gave their testimonies. Walter preached, and Pastor Moses gave several passionate “sermonettes” in between. Many men and woman accepted Christ. But what was so powerful was watching the prisoners worship. At one point they sang the song “I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.” It was incredible to see how they understood they were truly forgiven because of Jesus Christ. Their hearts had been set free. Afterwards, the prisoner who had led the singing came up to talk. He said his name was Emmanuel. He explained that he had been in prison for 3 years but that he had one more day left. He had accepted Christ in prison and it was clear that God has been using him to minister to his fellow inmates for quite some time. His joy was striking and beautiful to see. Walter, Cynthia, Hannah, and Thomas are very happy for Emmanuel and will be praying for him to continue to walk with Christ in his new life outside of prison.
Vicki Miller, along with Pastor David were on the trail today. They went to a home and talked to a young mother. She sat very quietly and listened as they shared the gospel. She asked several questions, but was not ready to confess her faith in Jesus. They invited her to the crusade and she and her child came. The Holy Spirit must have spoken to her because there she was at the alter call!!
Today Ramon, Steve, and Garrett went to witness the commission of a new water well. They were there as representatives of First Presbyterian Church and it’s donation for this particular well. The water commissioner for all of Uganda came to speak and bless the well in front of 90 tribe members. This is the same well Ramon has helped commission. Steve, Ramos, Dr. Patrick, and Morris all spoke. Garrett recorded the video for Uganda TV. Much appreciation was given to First Presbyterian. They stressed that clean water can make a difference in each village for generations to come if it is well taken care of by the villagers.
On the trail today, Kathy Schorr and her interpreter entered a well-kept compound-- three huts, large circles of millet, beans, and rice drying on the ground, six small pigs dozing in the shade, chickens, healthy crops of maize, pineapple and mango trees all around. The “mama” of the house, Joyce Mary, a mother of 12 (3 sets of twins, plus 3 more!) was surprisingly home alone. A wonderful chat about motherhood ensued. Kathy learned that Joyce Mary (her friends call her “mama twins”) had been aware of the new church and that she had been longing to hear about Jesus, and make significant changes in hr life. Apparently to earn extra money for her children’s schooling she had been brewing and selling banana beer on the side. Joyce Mary determined she would give up this side job and raise pigs and extra crops instead. She accepted Christ as her Savior and looks forward to joining the church with her husband and children. In celebration, Kathy asked to take her picture. Mary was jubilant! She insisted on changing her clothes, “picking” her hair, and posing in her hut by her bed with 2 shovels! She explained that she had building tools if help was needed at the church. After gifting Kathy with 12 ears of maize, she danced down the trail, beaming, with her new sisters in Christ.
Jeff, Robin and Elizabeth went to schools today. They reported that they got stuck in the mud and had to hike into the first school, then the van wouldn’t start. After some field repair, it eventually started and they pushed it out of the mud for a second time. Those small setbacks did not keep them from accomplishing what they set out to do, which was to visit three schools, with approximately 1500 students combined. Robin and Elizabeth gave testimonies that worked very well together, because together they illustrated to the students that you don’t have to be an adult to be saved. You can accept Jesus at 6, 9, or 12 years of age. Robin also made a point to the teachers that you are never too old to be saved. The schools, which were very rural, all seemed to be very well run and the students were very well behaved. As always, we played the UNCLE game. That is where all of the visitors, Jeff, Robin, Elizabeth and their Ugandan partners, Susan, Millicent, Ben and Mike were all introduced as UNCLE Jeff, UNCLE Robin, UNCLE Elizabeth, UNCLE Susan ... After a while the Ugandan team explain to the children that UNCLE stands for:
U – You, N – Need, C - Christ, L – Live, E – Eternally ... You Need Christ to Live Eternally!!!
Many children accepted Jesus as their Savior today, as did three teachers. It was a very good day at the schools.
Karen Williams and Jim Alsup led the discipleship class. Robert Rendall, Connie Morrow and Karen Lang gave their testimonies at the crusade. They were very powerful messages and very well received. The Ugandan praise team was great and the translators all got into the spirit and formed a chorus line of dancing and singing. So fun. Robert Winkler gave the sermon and it was a great way to end our day. Many people came forward during the altar call and accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow we will be on the trail, at schools, at the prisons and leading a Women’s Health seminar. We can definitely feel your prayers as many have been answered this week. Please continue to pray for wisdom, health and boldness for the team.
Ya lama noi! (Thank you very much!)
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