Uganda-2008

     We departed D.I.A. Wednesday May 21st. 8:15 p.m. Landed at Heathrow in London for a 9 hr. layover. The flight and layover were a good time to get to know some of the team members. (This proved to be a real blessing once we arrived in Uganda).
     The 2nd. half of the flight went well also, since both flights were mostly after dark, sleep came fairly easy though not overly comfortable. Arriving in Enteba Uganda at 7:00 a.m. in a medium heavy rain storm. This was Friday, the 22nd. we went to our hotel in Kampala for a nights rest before the 6 to 7 hr. ride to Mbala. Friday after noon was a shopping day (souvenirs). Several of the team members bought drums of all sizes. This made for interesting music sessions.
     Saturday morning, the 24th. we headed for Mbala, with a sight seeing stop at the head waters of the Nile River. Then arriving in Mbala at about 6:00 p.m. Supper and bed time.
     Sunday morning the 25th. the team (24) split in half and went to, two of last year’s church plants. Where we were responsible for the teaching of Sunday school, men’s, women’s, and children. Then the preaching. Charlie Harrington and I were part of the team that went to the village church we helped plant last year, Kadimokoli.
     It was a blessing to see friends from last year and see how the church had grown, with many more converts. They are doing well, with 243 members, 25 widows, 59 orphans. With 4 small group studies happening mid week. They have many needs, but are doing well
     They have a coop garden where widows, youth and older folks work to help the needy. They also have a small pig farm project, which was nearly ended by a swine fever. They will try to restart God willing, when finances are available.
     Sunday evening reports and sharing the day’s experiences and last minute reminders for Monday’s assignments. Off to bed (slept like a baby).
     Monday the 26th. Started with breakfast, devotions then we were in the vans heading for the schools that are 3 of us; the rest went to the new church plant village Kachumbala. At mid day 3 more were picked up for the prison ministry.
     Charlie, Susan and I were on the school team this first day, with 7 Ugandans and 1 from Kenya completing our team. We got off to a bite of a slow start (which is not uncommon in Uganda). But all in all turned out to be a great day, with 60 to 70 students professing Christ that day. And we also had an opportunity in the town of Ngora to share the gospel and hand out tracks while taking a lunch break. In Ngora we did encounter a man who was part of a very small cult, he was the leader, but very few in the town listened to him. As we began to get back into the van to go to the next school many of the people of Ngora were asking us to preach to them, but, time didn’t permit (that was heartbreaking for me). Never have I seen people so hungry for the truth.
     After finishing at the schools back in the van for the long ride back to Mbala. Tired, but, rejoicing in what God had done.
     Back at the hotel, supper, sharing and preparing the next day. Shower and bed (Praise God this year Charlie and I had an A/C.
     Tuesday the 27th. started the same as Monday. This day our part of the team, Charlie, Susan and I got to go to the Kachumbala village until mid day then to Soroti prison, a medium to high security facility. The inmates where gathered under a huge mango tree where we also found shade. After testimonies and preaching there, there were around 35 men who came forward to profess faith in Christ.
     Back in the van and another very long ride back to Mbala, arriving at 7 p.m. Supper, sharing, preparing, shower and bed.
     Wednesday - Friday found us in the village each day, where God had most certainly been preparing hearts, for many, men, women, boy’s and girl’s were coming to faith. Many Christians were being encouraged and helped.
     Some of our younger team members were finding very fertile soil in the local schools, public, private and catholic. Spontaneously groups gathered, in the hundreds to hear testimonies and a gospel message. Teachers and administrators attending and encouraging the student to pay close attention. Some of the adults were also responding to the message and being saved.
GOD IS AWESOME!!! There is no other way to describe it.
     Each evening, Monday through Friday there was a crusade and children’s ministry with several hundred in attendance.
     The week was over. Awesome experiences were the norm for the week; many lives had been affected for eternity. And the team members were none the less impacted. Some I believe have been affected so strongly their lives will never be the same.
     Saturday the 31st. a day of much needed rest or at least a change of pace. This day saw us heading south toward Torora and beyond for the little baboon watch, feeding and enjoying the antics of baboons and some team members. (Quit an experience).
     We returned to Mbala area then stopped at the Lulwanda Children’s home for a tour lunch and relaxing with the kids, 95 in number.
     The children sang a number of songs; it was a great time, though I know it was tuff on some of the kids when it was time to go. Josephat one of the boy’s, 10 years old, had attached himself to me in a short time as did many of the kids with other team members. He now is the proud owner of my cameo ball cap. But when it was time for us to leave he left so he wouldn’t have to watch us leave.
     Back at the hotel, supper, sharing preparing for the dedication of the church and building commissioning of the pastor and saying goodbyes to old friends from last years mission trip and new friends.
     Back in the vans for the long trip to Kampala and our hotel on our way home. As we were leaving the church property they were in the process of drilling their water well, which will by now, be in use.
     Monday 1st. an early breakfast to catch a 9:00 a.m. flight back to London. But the Lord wasn’t finished; as I finished breakfast one of the young men serving breakfast expressed his thanks for us coming to his country to share the gospel tracts the previous year. He read it believed and was saved. Now he’s passing that same tract to his friends, many of which are now saved also. He now has a bible of his own and more tracts to hand out. Praise God.
     This short ten days in Uganda saw 5,000 tracts handed out, 400 New Testaments and 400 whole bibles. The church plant at Kachumbala received a little over 100 of the whole bibles, while the rest went to some of the young pastors in training and converts thru the week. Many who had been Christians for years had never had a bible; God blessed us to bless them with their first bible.
     Thank you so much to all who partnered with us on this trip, you are our co labors and your reward will be rich in heaven. You may not have seen the faces, but, you will.
     Also be praying for God’s clear leading for 2009
     The financial part of these mission trips seems extreme, but, the eternal return far out weights the monetary expense.
     Again thank you for your partnership. The Uganda Christians wanted us to express their sincere gratitude and love for your sacrifice of love on their behalf.