Christmas in Kampala

Yesterday we went to celebrate and share the story of Christmas with the house church in Biina. What a blessing this group of believers is to our family! We were welcomed with a HUGE downpour, as you can see in the picture. It was wet, wet, wet and cold. There were several in the group that were unable to make it because of the rain, but it would take more than this mini flood to keep us from celebrating the birth of Jesus.

We passed out GOD LOVES YOU coloring books, crayons and "sweeties" (candy) to the children and most adults! Then Andrew read the story of Jesus' birth from Luke. What a joy it was to watch the children as they listened to the amazing story of our Savior's birth. We discussed the true meaning of the season and how we need to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ with others.

This group is a living testament to the faith, hope and love we have in Christ. There is a lot to be thankful for this year as we look forward to 2010. We have grown in love, knowledge of the Word and in size. We have a new addition as you can see in the picture, this beautiful baby girl was born about 3 weeks ago. What a blessing to the group and her family. We are still waiting on a name!

Praise God for Jjaja Esther and this group of believers that meet each week! Pray for them as they battle with health issues, lack of jobs and daily living. Even in the midst of their daily struggles they are a light unto their community. Pray that they will continue to share the love of Jesus with their neighbors, family and friends. Pray for Charles, as he has come to be a leader of this group. May God bless him with guidance and direction as he seeks to learn and grow in his faith.

Mukama ye bazibwe! Praise the Lord!

A Testament to Faith...

and that is what we named her! Many of you may remember meeting Tina in an earlier blog. Her story is one of God's mercy, grace and goodness. Many did not believe that Tina would be able to deliver a healthy baby. Doctors told her the baby would be lame and probably die, but God had other plans!

This little miracle was born on September 27th, not sure how much she weighs or how long she is, but we know for sure she is a miracle. She was born at home in the middle of the night, much to the surprise of everyone in the house. There are still family members who don't believe that she can exist so many plan on coming by over the next few weeks to witness this child.

Tina asked us to name her new baby, it was both an honor and privilege. Naming a baby, not your own, can be stressful! But, her name came easily as we asked for God's help. You see, Tina has shown great faith since the car accident. Through the loss of her husband. Through her life changing illness. Through her disability. Tina can see God at work. Now she has an opportunity not only to share her faith with her family and others, but to share her precious baby Faith, as a testament to the awesome power, love and mercy of our Heavenly Father.

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Jesus Christ." Philemon :6

NAGURU

There is an uncountable number of slum areas in Kampala, and I may never get into all of them. This is Naguru, which is a slum that is very near one of the more affluent areas of Kampala, the contrast here is almost unbelievable. I spent all day Tuesday with my friend Douglas visiting the people of Naguru, and exploring the possibility of starting a house church there. As with all of these areas, the need is very great spiritually and physically. This first photo is of a group of women that are making local waragi (moonshine). We had a really good time getting to know these women, and after some time, I started to preach to them as they worked. None of them prayed to receive Jesus, but they all heard the gospel and were given an opportunity. I pray that they will take the words of God to heart and repent and ask Him into their lives.

This man is the landlord of this place and he is a believer, we had a very nice visit with him and encouraged him to share his faith with the community.

Typical scene of kids playing in the mud.

Mother and daughter. This maama saw Douglas and I and came to us and asked us to please come to her place. She is a drunkard and occasional prostitute and has been known to beat her daughter. We sat and listened for at least an hour as they both cried while telling us all of their issues. We shared with them, we preached to them, we prayed with them, and we loved them. At the end, they BOTH prayed to receive Jesus. Mukaama Ye Bazibwe!!!

We shared the gospel everywhere we went and preached at every opportunity, even in the middle of the street. It was a great day in Naguru. Please remember these dear people in your prayers.

Sunday in Buziga

We had the privilege of worshiping at Lifeway Baptist Church in Buziga this past Sunday. Andrew was asked to preach and encourage this congregation not far from where we live in Kansanga. Lifeway is a light in this community, its sits among mosques, an Islamic Institute and other avenues of false teachings.

This church is alive and on mission to reach those in their community. Please pray for this congregation as they prepare for a week long evangelism and outreach event culminating in the showing of the Jesus film. Our prayer is that God will go before them as they reach out as His "hands" and "feet" to share the love and good news of Jesus Christ!

The first hour of service includes great songs of worship and praise, sometimes its more than just the first hour! "Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." Psalm 105:2

This is Pastor Cosmos (left) with one of our young Ugandan friends, Everest. We pray for the leadership of this church, that they will seek guidance and direction from God. Everest is currently a student at Uganda Baptist Seminary. We praise God for this opportunity for him to obtain a solid foundation in the Word.

Here Andrew is preaching with translation help from our friend Joel. God's word is mighty and strong. Andrew encouraged the church to not be complacent pew sitters, that their role in the great commission is to go out into their community and witness to their friends and family and neighbors about what Jesus has done for them. And how He is willing to do the same for everyone who calls on His name. It was a great spirit filled service and the name of the Lord was glorified. The sermon was confirmation from God's word, to this group of believers that the good news of Jesus Christ should not remain within their four walls, but should be proclaimed throughout Buziga, Kampala, Uganda . . . "and to the ends of the earth."

Biina Zone House Church

Today, August 27th 2009 a new house church was born! While visiting a Manna Ministry recepient in Biina Zone a couple months ago, Christina was asked by Jjajja Ester if we would come and start a fellowship at her house. Several different events delayed our going until today, but it was worth the wait. The Jjajja did not know that we were coming today, but she was so happy to see us, she called some of her neighbors and we had our first Bible study at her house. We will be going every Thursday at 10am to teach and learn together. I think the highlight of the day was when I gave Jjajja Ester a new Luganda Bible. She was upset because her Bible had been left in a taxi and was lost. She told us that she had been selling mango's from her tree to try and save up to buy a new Bible, but now she has a new Bible and she was overjoyed and praising God. We praise God for bringing us to this place and pray that God will bless this house church and all of the people that come to it. Please be in prayer with us for this group, that they would all draw closer to Jesus and become bright shining lights in this community.

A BAGANDA FUNERAL

You may or may not know that Christina and I visit Mulago Hospital(the national referral hospital) every Wednesday, and we have witnessed God doing amazing things in the hearts of many people there.

We go with a young pastor friend from Kawempe named Deon who serves as our translator, and is a great guy. When we arrived there this past Wednesday the 19th of August, Deon told us that his uncle had been brought there the day before and was very sick. We walked into the ward where he was with his wife and two grown sons and everyone was visibly upset, Paul was rapidly going down hill, he was unconscious and having seizures, and as normal, there was nothing being done to help him. We tried to comfort the family and we prayed with the family and Christina held and comforted his wife while she cried. A nurse came and said that they wanted to move him upstairs to a different ward, so I and the eldest son lifted Paul onto a gurney and rolled him up to another ward, and at that time we decided that we should go so the family could get him situated. Shortly thereafter, we received the call that Paul had died. Deon asked if I could please go with him to their village the next day for the burial.

Yesterday morning I picked up my good friend and co-laborer, Joseph Essiana and we went to Kawempe and got Deon and headed out to the village. I believe that his entire clan was there, he was a well respected and loved man. I was not asked to conduct the service,

but I was asked to speak to the people twice, it was a great honor. The service and burial lasted about five hours, during that time I visited with alot of the elders of the family, I visited with the men that volunteered to dig the grave, and I prayed with the widow.

The grave was very interesting, after they dug down about four feet, they lined it with bricks and mortored over the bricks, basically making a concrete vault for the casket. The most special part for me was when I learned that Paul had prayed to receive Jesus, last month! After the burial, we all walked back to the house for the installation service of the leader of the family. Paul's heir was his eldest son who is also named

Paul. I was asked to offer some words of encouragement,

so one of the things that I told him

was to not only be a good leader for the family, but most importantly be a follower of Jesus, I then gave him a Bible. I believe that this will be a day

that I won't soon forget and am very grateful to have been invited to be a part of this family and to be able to share the love of Jesus with them.

GOD'S GRACE

I was extremly priviledged to witness and be a part of two wonderful things today.
A new clothing store opened in Kampala called Mr. Price and Walker has been asking me if I would take him there and buy him a new shirt because we haven't bought him one in two years. I told him that I would, but it would be in the evening because I was going out to visit a man that I had heard about. Christina and I drove out this morning to this man's house, it took about one and a half hours to get there, mostly because of traffic. When we got to the place, we were greeted by two very old women, who were so happy to see us. After all of the greetings and introductions were done, they took us into the house to visit with the Muzee(old man). Meet William, 75 years old, HIV positive, former drunkard, etc, and not a believer in Jesus. He was overjoyed that we had come to visit, and we sat and talked for a few minutes before I asked if I could share with him from my Bible. He agreed and said that he would like that so, I used the opportunity to use my pull no punches, no holds barred evangelism with him. When God and I were finished and gave him the chance to make a decision, he made the right choice, and we now have a new, old brother in Christ that we will be with in Heaven one day. While driving with Walker to Mr. Price this evening, I was telling him about William and the decision that he had made and Walker was so amazed that he had to turn his head so that I wouldn't see the tears. God's grace is amazing.

Gods front row seat . . .

Some days you just have to hold on! The ministry at Mulago gives us another opportunity to have a front row seat to the mercy and faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Each week we visit those who are hurting, both physically and emotionally. We visit those who are dying, both physically and spiritually. Our prayer is that God will be glorified through the halls of the hospital and that His light would be carried on to the homes of those we visit.

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8

Some days our front row seat takes us to the homes of those we have visited in the hospital. I want to introduce you to Tina. She is a testimony to the mercy and faithfulness of Christ. Her testimony is a miracle and I thank God that we were able to bear witness.

We first met Tina at Mulago, she had no idea we were there, not sure if she had any idea who or where she was. She was involved in a car accident and it was thought she would not make it. Her husband had been killed in the accident and her family was scared to tell her for fear she would stop fighting to live. We prayed that God would heal her and bring her back to her family. Also, that He would provide His strength in Tina and give her the will to continue, may she know that He loves her and holds her in the palm of His hand. The woman in the picture is Tina. She has a long road to go, even longer, when you take into account where she lives. But, God is faithful and she is home among her family who love her. She suffers emotionally and physically, but God is working through her to provide the peace and comfort that only He can provide. While visiting her, we discovered that the most miraculous thing of all, is that she is pregnant. The doctors told her that the baby would or did die in the accident, however that little one is fighting for life and moving around to prove it!! There are many prayer needs for this little one and his mother. We pray for continued physical healing, so she can care for him. We also pray that God will provide a way for her to get further medical care, Tina is HIV positive and desperately wants to do everything she can to not pass it along to her child. Please lift up Tina, her unborn child and the family who care for her at this time. God has a plan and a purpose for His children and we know that He has a plan for Tina.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

KATANGA

KATANGA IS A SLUM THAT WOULD BE DESCRIBED BY MOST PEOPLE AS A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NOTHING GOOD. PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT ALL THAT YOU WILL FIND IN KATANGA IS DRUNKARDS, PROSTITUTES, WITCH DOCTORS, DRUGS, AND THIEVES. WHILE ALL THESE THINGS ARE TRUE, THERE IS SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENING IN KATANGA, GOD IS IN KATANGA AND THE LOVE OF JESUS IS MOVING THROUGH THIS PLACE. WE SPENT ALL DAY FRIDAY WALKING, VISITING, SHARING, AND LOVING ON THE RESIDENTS OF KATANGA. AS WITH MOST OF OUR AREAS, THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR EVERYTHING HERE FROM FOOD TO SCHOOL FEES, FROM RENT TO CLOTHES, BUT OF COURSE, THE HOPE THAT JESUS PROVIDES IS WHAT IS MOST NEEDED, AND WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE PEOPLE OF KATANGA ABOUT THIS HOPE AND LOVE THAT JESUS GIVES. WE VISITED IN MANY HOMES AND WERE ABLE TO HEAR THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE, FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, STORIES OF HIV, HOPELESSNESS, NEED, AND PRAISES FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THEIR LIVES. WE PRAYED WITH MANY PEOPLE AND TRIED OUR BEST TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO NOT LOSE HOPE OR FAITH IN THE ONE MOST HIGH GOD. PLEASE DON'T BE SO BUSY WITH YOUR LIVES THAT YOU FORGET THESE CHILDREN OF GOD, THANK YOU.

Mothers Day at Kisugu Church

We had a great spirit filled service on Sunday with the people of Kisugu, and the sermon was Fantastic!!!

Gossace Orphanage, Mukono Uganda

There are 365 children at this orphanage. They come from all over Uganda, some have one living parent (usually HIV positive) most have no living parent, and many have no known relative. The place is way out in the country, and they have plenty of room to run around and they have started growing some of their own food (corn, and potato's) with plans to plant more. We were able, thanks to a donation, to present the school at the orphanage with 3 English, 2 Luganda, and 2 childrens Bible's. We have been given an open invitation to return and spend the day teaching Bible stories to the kids. We came to know about this place from one of our Kampala house church members that is involved in the operation of the orphanage and he has been after us to come and see the place, what a blessing it was for us to go and meet the kids there. I told the kids that they are not forgotten, we love them, but God loves them more and I was going to tell their story so that more people would know about them and pray for them and their future. So, PRAY for these beautiful kids!!! Thanks ya'll

Update on Little Trevor

On Sunday afternoon, Christina and I drove north of Kampala to the little village where 5yr. old Trevor and his family live. I, for one was encouraged and praising God for Trevor's life, he seems to be ever so slightly improving by the grace of God. His eyes were open for first time since I have seen him and he has been able to take a little bit of porridge by mouth. His little body is still contorted and he is a long ways from well, but I think that God is going to use this healing and Trevor's life as a testimony to His power in this village. I was so moved by Trevor's grandmother, when she asked me "what kind of love would bring white people from the U.S. all the way out to my house, and where does this love come from" To have such an opportunity to praise God for His love for us with her and this family was quite an emotional experience. We are now praying for total and complete healing for this little fellow, and for all of the glory to be given to God. Please be in prayer with us.

God's Adventure - Hospital Ministry

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24


The Lord has guided us, directed us and opened doors for us to be His "hands" and "feet" in the largest referral hospital in Uganda, Mulago Hospital. This community within a community incorporates patients, caregivers, visitors, staff and medical students. Approximately 10,000 move around the campus of both Old Mulago and New Mulago.

Our hope is that you will join us in prayer as we visit the hospital every Wednesday. There are patients everywhere, pouring out of the wards, waiting to be seen and treated. There is a sense of hopelessness and despair that permeate the halls of this facility. Our prayer is that the love of Jesus Christ will shine brightly through the darkness.

Our heart breaks for Trevor . . .

Meet Trevor, he has stolen our hearts! He is five years old and fighting for his life. We have been visiting with him and his Mom at Mulago over the past several weeks to encourage and pray for the family. Trevor is suffering from many diseases, from cerebral TB to meningitis to encephalitis. The hospital is no longer doing anything to treat him and has sent him home to the village. Please pray for this little boy and his family as they totally place their faith and trust in the Great Physician. We know that God is in control and loves Trevor like no other! Our prayer is that God will provide the peace and understanding that can only come from Him.

LOSTNESS

LOOKING DOWN FROM MULAGO HOSPITAL ONTO THE SLUM OF KATANGA GIVES A GOOD PERSPECTIVE OF THE SIZE OF THE AREA WHERE WE WERE SHARING GOD'S LOVE RECENTLY. THIS IS YET ANOTHER SLUM OF KAMPALA THAT IS OPPRESSED BY ALCOHOL, DRUGS, WITCHCRAFT, AND HOPELESSNESS. HOWEVER, GOD IS USING HIS PEOPLE TO SHARE, LOVE, AND ENCOURAGE THE RESIDENTS OF KATANGA, AND SOME ARE COMING TO KNOW HIM. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE FIERY DARTS OF SATAN WILL BE EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOVE OF GOD THAT WE SHARE WITH THEM.

HUMAN SACRIFICE

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN FROM MY TRUCK AS WE WERE LEAVING OUR HOUSE CHURCH MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9TH IN MAYINJA ZONE. WE SAW THIS HUGE CROWD GATHERING, SO WE SLOWED DOWN AND ASKED THIS GUY WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND HE TOLD US "THEY HAVE SACRIFICED". ONE OF THE LOCAL WITCH DOCTORS HAD DISMEMBERED AN ADULT FEMALE DURING A SACRIFICE CEREMONY AND SCATTERED THE PARTS HERE. THIS HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM IN KAMPALA, AND IT USUALLY INVOLVES CHILDREN.THE POLICE DID RESCUE THE WITCH DOCTOR FROM THE MOB, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HE DIED IN POLICE CUSTODY. PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE, AND ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN OF THESE AREAS WHERE WE WORK. ALSO PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE USED BY EVIL PEOPLE TO CARRY OUT THESE EVIL AND HATE FILLED RITUALS. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL WOULD SHINE THROUGH THIS DARKNESS.