Kabale, Mbarara, and Returning Home

I returned from Uganda two weeks ago and want to thank you all so incredibly much for being part of this time in Africa, Without all your prayers and support this could have never been possible and knowing that you were there with me became such a comfort, especially in the lonely times. The time spent was huge in furthering my passions and dream in bringing life, and not ignoring death. There is so much life and so much pain in all cultures and parts of life, Please continue to praying and look after the needs of our brothers and sisters on the African Continent of Color. Thank you !
Thank also for reading this blog. Attached is a summery of outreach that I wrote while in Uagnada that I thought was posted but was not. So here it is


“We have just returned from our outreach and have just started into our last week of debrief, packing, and sleeping on our own mattress all to yourself! We had and awesome time on outreach!
The outreach started just outside of Mbarara in a little village church. The Church was young and the staff almost younger, the pastor was the brother of one of the other DTS students (who was doing out reach at another location), but the We were staying in a village a little over and hours walk out of town with a young and enthusiastic church staff. See stayed in the pastors’ house which was pretty much a bachelor’s pad. They had many orphans staying there as well. In the time there we did women’s ministry, crusades, door to door, soccer tournaments, hospital ministries, and a talent show in the middle of the village.
One of the highlight for me was the first Sunday morning after we had arrived. We were about to leave for church when the pastor asked if one Chris and myself could go to one of the village churches. The best part was that we only had two motorcycles to get there. One bike the other pastors was riding, and the second for the two of us. I had done some dirt biking, but was allowed to drive the bike with Chris on the back. It was 30 minutes down the road and then up dirt trails to get to the tiny mud church on the side of a hill. There was not better way to see Africa then on a bike, but the best part was really arriving and only seeing the pastor of the church in the building beating his drum and worshiping with everything that he had. Eventually about 15-20 women and children came, I felt so inadequate to be preaching to such a congregation of worshipers. But the motorcycle ride was a blast.
The village where we stayed was very full of life, it had one main road that ran through town that had many little shops, selling bread and daily life items, and a few bars. It was great being in such a small village because we were really able to get to know people over the few weeks we were there and in a way slip into the daily life. As by the end we weren’t yield at and stared at everywhere our white skin went.
On the last day in Mbarara, we went down to the main center of town and set up a stage with speakers and had a talent show for all the kids that we had all grown to love. Everyone loves to dance and I quickly realized that I will never be able to dance as good as an African 5 year old. Sniff sniff…
From here we moved on to Kabale where we spent the next three weeks staying just outside the city. We stayed at one of the orphanages run by the church which was such a blessing and joy! The Church that we were working with was a rather large church from what I had observed, with a congregation pushing to meet the 200 member mark:) This church really had a lot going for it was they worked hard to make sure every member was involved.
During our time here, we stayed at an orphanage run by Pastor Mosas, the youth pastor, and his wife Stella, who was also the worship leader. They had set up the house in a very family like way and really treated each child as if they were one of the family. They also had a young women living with them, Whinny, who about a year ago they just found wandering through town naked. They took her in and are seeking help her reenter society, but her unsocial awkwardties lead to many funny moments:) Over 75 percent of these children have been orphaned by HIV/Aids but they themselves have all been found to be completely clean. They all live and work together in such a beautiful harmony it was so awesome. And they even had a 13 year old boy named Sam, I felt so at home.
We did many similar things with the children and within the community as we did in Mbarara with soccer programs, talent show, school and university ministries, person to person evangelism, working with an infants ward at the hospital, and really whatever the church needed.
We also ran a women’s ministry for some of the working women that was really cool. We tried using water colors as a way to let women express themselves, it was beautiful! I really believe that art is healing, or more the ability to express oneself in that way, but it was so cool to see some really hard women just relax with us and reveal part so there hearts with trust. Most had never painted before, but it ended the outreach on a sweet vibe.
One of the struggles that we faced was the breach in religions. There was far more emphasis in the community about what religion be someone is from rather then emphasis in the relation ship with Christ Jesus and the Grace that is offered through His blood. The Protestants didn’t think that the Catholics were saved, and the Catholics didn’t believe that a Pentecostal could go to heaven. At one point I found myself in the Archbishops office and talking to him about the divisions. But there is such a lack of unity among the believers that they seem to be continually simply tearing themselves down.
The other thing that I personally really struggled with was not feeling adequate in anyway to be able to help. Everywhere I went I was asked for money by every child and elder. Many of them truly had problems far beyond my comprehension and I just felt so helpless. I was often time so frustrated with the lack of being able to help at all, the Lord is still teaching me about what it means to have trust in Him and allow people to be in His hands.
There is so much more that I can not wait to share with each of you and can’t wait for the opportunity to share pictures and stories that I don’t really know how to express over an internet feed. I thank you all for being part of this adventure and I look forward to sharing more. And thanks to each of you who were praying our team through the bus ride from hell. Your quite possible the reason we made it. I love you all!!

Whats Up

The sun is beating down here today! One of the locals told me that it is the end of rainy season, but that seems like a really fast rainy season but really I have no idea. But it is so hot out! The last few weeks have been full of quality teaching that have been extremely challenging and full of growth in my life. We have had two speakers from the United States come to speak and I have come having a very changed perspective.
I have really been shown how I need to really live in generosity and hold things with an open hand. When I came here I really thought that I would leave not ever wanting to buy things or ever spend money on things that I really don’t need. However, after living among the people of Uganda, I was somewhat surprised at the way that they would spend their money buying things for their own enjoyment. They would buy new cloths if they could or go to town and buy as sodas on a hot day. I was really wrestling with this because I know I have so much stuff that I don’t need and could completely live without. So far, it could still change, I personally feel like I really need to adopt more of a generous lifestyle. Not one where I shun things that I enjoy. That I don’t need. But that I need to hold it all with a completely open hand. If somebody needs something to give it joyously, if something goes missing that it will not effect my joy. And if a squeeze my hand tightly closed anyway it will slip through my fingers anyway.
I have also really been learning the difference between compassion and pity. No one needs someone to feel sorry for them, but rather someone who will carry their miseries with them with the intention of brining comfort. I have also really learned that we cannot wait to feel the emotional love for a person in pain. Waiting for this will only cause us to do nothing, when there is injustice we are called to stand in that gap. However, when the Lord allows us to feel how His heart breaks for everyone of His children is one of the most beautiful gifts, when He allows us to feel His heart and love for His people.
I am preparing to leave with a group of 14 people next Monday, the 12th, to do six weeks of outreach along the boarder of Rwanda. We will be working in two locations, Kabale and Mbarara. I am not yet sure if we will have any internet during this time so I wanted to let you all know as much as I know now and ask for your prayer covering. I love the team of people that I am going with! There are so many different talents present, including two amazing musicians; I am so excited about all the dynamics of the team.
We have not yet received for the churches that we will be working with the schedule for what we will be doing so I don’t have many details. Kendra, on of the girls on the team, and myself have both really had a desire to work with the young women in the area. We are preparing a conference type teaching for this age group in which we really want to try and show them their value. We will be incorporating an HIV/AIDS teaching, and pulling a lot from Captivating and The Bride Wore White. But really we just want them to be able to see how unique and valuable and loved they are. In a culture that from birth seems to set them as disadvantaged. I’m excited to see what is going to happen because we just know we are suppose to prepare our best and then let God do His will.

As you feel led to pray in whatever way here some things that have been one my heart are
+ That the Lord would prepare the way in the hearts of every soul that we are going to meet!
+ That the Lord would be breaking our teams hearts for the people and preparing us to be able to see and give what they need through Christ in us.
+ That we would be able to quickly learn how they learn. (that we would not force any of the ways we think things should be done, but that we could creatively share with them through their own culture)
+ only one of the people on our team speaks the language of the places we are going. We are starting to learn some of the words, but that we would be able to quickly pick up some phrases and songs. Just a quick ear for the team when it comes to language. Also that our message would not at all be lost because of language.
+ For unity within our team. That we could carry each others burdens and joys! And then we can really work in one spirit. John 17:21 (which really wont be hard because I love them all!!!!)
+ That we can show the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in His fullness and Glory

Thank you all so much for walking this with me and the team! I am so excited for what all that is going to happen and I am so thankful to be doing it with you all.
I love you so much!!

Rainy Season!!

We had a gigantean thunder and lighting storm last night as rainy season has definitely started. When we got up there were trees everywhere and the power and water we both dead. And the Roads Are So Muddy. All the roads really turns into one giant mud pit and going anywhere takes are least twice the time, plus all the time it is going to take you to get the new red stains out of your clothing. However if you were born in Uganda, apparently you were given the gift of levitation at birth as my friends from here will arrive at their destination with shoes still looking polished and white shirt shining bright and pure. Its unbelievable.
This morning we, myself and mark a fellow dtser, managed the 20 minute walk to a local church in about 50 minutes but the trip was well worth the mud. The church has wooden blanks making up the sides that have gaps in between them to let light and a breeze in and a tin roof. But when you go into the church there are flags everywhere. And by flags I mean the scraps of clothing that they have strung throughout the building that do wave in the wind. It is beautiful and such a fun place to worship but today a feel like a little piece of heaven touched earth as a group of little girls sang a song to minister to the congregation. They ranged from ages 5 to about 15 but the song they sang had no words only rhythm. It was beautiful. They danced and made a beautiful but soft rhythm that filled the room as the danced along to their own voices. It made me to really wonder at how amazing the music in the throne room of God is going to be. I wonder how He is making our worship more like the angels as He calls us to Himself more everyday?
I love you all!

Return from Fort Portal

(I wish that I could get the pictures I took up here, but our network is not doing well.)
We drove into the area in a very crowded bus piled on top each other (something that never changed for the two weeks); to see the beautiful mountains of the Congo as a back drop to the beautiful countryside of Fort Portal and the village of Kahuna. Known for their tea fields, the two mountain villages that we were able to minister in were truly breathtaking!
We arrived about 4pm on Saturday evening to a small cement house surrounded by children everywhere, so curious about how our brave driver had made it up this little muddy dirt road. Then when some muzunguz (white people) started to pile out and there was an uproar!
The house we stayed in was very nice and well taken care of. There was no electricity and it had dirt floors but it was so well cared for. It was home to Willi and Josephine and there 3 children, but they all graciously slept in one bedroom and let us have the other two bedrooms the living and dining room for the 26 of us to sleep in. It was a tight fit but the most amazing image is still engraved in my mind as after we arrived someone said something about there being no mattresses and the next things that you know the whole village is walking up the road carrying their mattresses for us to sleep on. I felt terrible because I know that I really was taking some of their personal beds but was overwhelmed by their generosity!
That night I was informed that I would be the preacher for church the next morning and I needed to speak for at least 45 minutes. Thankfully having a translator makes everything a lot longer. The church was only a short walk from our house in a little half finished building with brick walls that went a little above waist high with a tin roof covering. I was somehow thankful for it not being finished as it was surrounded by banana trees and beautiful landscape that should not be kept out. As with most churches here the children are the first to arrive and African time helps everyone else to arrive a minimum of 45 minutes late and that is when church will start. (I am starting to really adjust to the way time works and really never rush for anything) After about 2 hours of worship and testimonies I preached and the Lord was so faithful through the sermon. We then started our open air crusade that we would have every night for the next two weeks.
For the crusade we would carry the speakers and sound equipment to a preexisting platform where we would sing songs, do skits, and someone would share about Christ’s life, death, and grace. Surprisingly to me we always had a large crowd of men and children, some thoroughly intoxicated, but all engaged and paying attention. The children were always a blessing and a joy to dance and sing and play with.
Most of the mornings we would split up into groups of 2-4 and work with a translators and go the people’s houses, shops, bars, fields, and schools and talk to them about their lives and beliefs and sharing ours. This was a struggle for me as in many cases I felt very intrusive and pushy in the manner of how things were done but through this time many lives were changed eternally and I learned many new skills in sharing faith.
After the first week we moved to another house in a nearby village. This house was larger. At both locations we would walk to the water source with jerry cans for cooking, drinking, and bathing. The first location had a very nice bore hole that we were able to spend part of a morning cleaning up. The second locations water source was directly out of the ground. The water was green with floating moss. Even with boiling drinking this water was a bit risky so dehydration was a battle for the second week.
The village that we spent the first week in was controlled by an overwhelming spirit of hopelessness that very directly led to drunkenness. Every night as we would run the open air meetings a large majority of the crowed were men and women reeking of the local booze. As you walk through the town, at least every third storefront is a bar and most of the other shops served liquor as well. The alcohol had a very distinct smell and was horrible to be around. Because of all the tea plantations, most of the people in the village worked there, they would go to work in the fields every morning and that dead straight to the bars to spend the days wages at night. It was heartbreaking as we heard story after story about how families had been destroyed because of drinking.
A grandmother asked a few of us to go and pray over her granddaughter, about 16, who was pregnant. We went into the house and ended up talking through a translator to the daughter and the mother for over an hour and they both gave their lives to Christ, praise and Glory be to God! But then the preceded to tell us how their family had at one point been rich but how the son had sold all their property and tea fields for alcohol and now they all truly lived in poverty. They showed us all the fields that they had once owned. They still had so much pride in the land but it was accompanied by so much hurt.
We met a family whose children had to drop out of school to support the fathers drinking, it was tragic to see what a hold the devil had in the community. The verse that I received after returning was Romans 5:17 which says, “If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (English Standard Version). It was so obvious to see how death ruled in so many areas of Fort Portal, yet the Lord’s promise remains that through the new believers Christ will reign and shine so much brighter and more powerfully!
I must share the laugh that all the villagers had one morning as I went down to fetch water for breakfast on Easter Sunday. It had rained all night and the banks were very muddy. After filling up the 20 liter jerry can, I was still standing on some of the wet logs balanced over the water trying to hand that can to Katie when I slipped and the jerry can and I toppled into the water as I lunged for the opposite bank so I didn’t go all the way in. I was able to hold on as a watched my shoe and can slide to the opposite bank. Everyone erupted into laugher as some of the ladies rushed to help me retrieve the lost items. It was a great way to wake up. :-)
We also had a witch doctor give his life to Jesus and then asked if we would come burn all of his tools, even a leopard skin. It was pretty crazy.
On Easter Sunday the people honored us by taking up a collection for our needs. In a building decorated with flowers and bamboo leaves they brought a live chicken (that had its legs tied, it hopped around the church throughout the 3 hour service) avocados, eggs, and drinking water.
Overall the time spent in Fort Portal was a learning experience and full of personal challenges in learning new ways of ministry. I give God all the Glory for the way He keeps us in His hand and draws people to Himself. Thank you all so much for all your prayers! It would have been a completely different trip without you all!

Thank you so much!!

Fort Portal

Hello everyone that I so dearly love!At 5am tomorrow morning, Saturday the 15th, a group from our DTS will be heading west to Fort Portal Uganda to spend two weeks ministering along side two local churches. Fort Portal is almost to the boarder of the Congo and in home of the Mountains of the Moon and Gorillas. But it is a land ready to be changed and transformed. The harvest is so ripe as reports of the area keep coming in and in what the Lord has revealed in the prayers leading up to the trip. The DTS group of 35 students is going to three different locations for a two week period and then returning to the base. Jared, a Kenyan, and myself have been made administrators of the Fort Portal team so we will be working closely with the staff in scheduling and leading the team during the outreached time. This is a huge privilege but also very intimidating, but I am excited as Jared is a man of wisdom. The plan currently is to have an open-air crusade, a seminar, and responding the needs of those in the community and the church. If you could please be lifting up the team and the churches in prayer as you are lead I would be so grateful. If you could also please be praying that we will be very quick to obey the call of His Spirit but be very sensitive to the Lords timing as well in all that we do. Please pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of the people that we will be working with. Please pray for focus and compassion for our team as well as safety. I am so excited to be able to share with you and give Glory to the Lord for the mighty works that He will do.

Part of the Team

In this photo:

Matthijs , Me, Penny, Mirjam, Cady, Catherine, Kendra, KatiRose, Katy

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.