Disciples of All Nations

Our Tuesday began with a devotional, led by Joey, that was about the vine and the branches and the secret to our abiding being our interconnectedness with Christ.

Once again, most of the team was in Akalabai all day, walking the trails and leading the crusade. The trails are an amazing experience where just about anything is possible. The Lord’s provision and protection are so powerful. Here are some examples of what the team encountered on the trail today.

Garrett met a lot of Catholics. One in particular resulted in a very interesting conversation about the role of Mary. He also spoke with a woman whose husband died of AIDS in 2001. She tested positive shortly after but was given a clean bill of health in 2004. She credits the Lord with her healing.

Rachel talked with a man about the nature of the Trinity. It wasn’t until the conversation was well underway that he revealed he is a Muslim. Rachel continued to talk boldly to him and asked if she could pray with him and the man said he was going to think about the role of Jesus. Rachel also had a wave of school children follow her on their way home from school. It was an adorable sight with thirty elementary-aged students following her around in their pink uniforms.

Andrew spoke with a woman who had fourteen kids and was in awe at the tangible evidence of what these people live through day in and day out.

Walter and his translator approached a merry band of millet-beer enthusiasts. They welcomed him and talked with Walter and his translator for a short while.

Walter also had an encouraging conversation with a translator named Pastor Charles. Charles was a graduate from the Bible College two years ago when Walter was asked to give the sermon at the ceremony in their honor. In the following couple of years, Charles encountered some difficulties pasturing his church and remembered Walter’s words and used them to help get him through.

Debbie and Andrew also talked with this same Charles and were inspired by his story – the son of a witch doctor who was cursed by his father, served in the military against the LRA, and was homeless for a long time. Now, he is the pastor of his own church, is married, and they are expecting their first child.

Pat being, well, who she is, gave a man her glasses when he could not read the tracks on his own. Not just to borrow, I mean GAVE it to the

man!

The second afternoon crusade was a lot of fun and a huge success as well. Garrett gave the sermon and did a slightly amped up version of his trail talk, a firm gospel presentation. Audrey gave a testimony and she was described as “very comfortable”. Pat commented that after Audrey’s testimony, the Ugandans were likely wondering if women should start preaching! Karen gave an emotional testimony that talked about her love of missions and how God has used it to change her life. Andrew also shared his powerful story with the people of Uganda.

Allison, Joey, and Kylie went to 4 schools today. Allison shared her testimony and also did an incredible job ministering to the Ugandan Christians that served alongside our group, turning the van ride into an opportunity for ministry and encouragement. We went to a couple secondary schools (like high school) where the kids spoke pretty good English, but our accents were so tricky that they had to have a translator translate from our English into theirs. The best part of schools is watching the children engaged in worship. We danced and prayed alongside the students and loved every minute of it.

Rudi and Cynthia went to the biggest prison in Mbale; it houses more than 900 men and about 65 women. Rudi spoke to some of the men in an awesome little chapel. The Christian prisoners led music and were an incredible blessing. Cynthia spoke to the women and did a great job. She was heartbroken at the dozen or so children/babies who were there with their mothers. Both Cynthia and Rudi said the inmates were very receptive. They are in need of Bibles and supplies for the babies.

Laura, Carolyn, Debbie and Audrey got to spend half of the day with Doctor Patrick visiting some of the water wells. They got to see wells in various stages of completion. Carolyn was moved to tears when she saw her kids’ names on a well in Africa (one her and Willis donated). Our team members attracted lots of curiosity from the local children and they got to see many people using the well. They also saw a fish farm. Audrey said that the fish farm man called to the fish like you might do when trying to get the attention of birds at a park. Laura and Carolyn were challenged to balance jugs on their heads like the women here do every single day for miles and miles, except the Price jugs were empty… and unbalanced.

We ended the day with a lovely dinner at the Mount Elgon Hotel. We laughed and debriefed together. Walter led us in a discussion about what poverty is. What it really looks like. We talked about the differences between physical and spiritual poverty. The people here have so little but they are so much. 

Today, many people came to know the Lord for the first time. The word of God was proclaimed and the joy of the Lord experienced. Yesterday, we got to drive home in the beautiful glow of an African sunset. Today, there was a massive rainbow in the sky as we made our way back from the day of ministry. God is in this place and we are so very thankful for His invitation to come and be a part of it.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

The 2015 Uganda Mission Team