We're home!

We just landed in Chicago! Getting ready to drive home. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, encouragement and support. We pray that our extended family in Uganda has been encouraged, filled up and burdens eased.  

Please pray for this street boy.

On another note...while the graduation celebration was happening, I found this little street boy outside the church gates. He was begging for something, so I invited him in, gave him water and a meal. Some of the church members invited him to come back and enjoy the swing set in the back. His name is Adam and he ran away from his mother and traveled about eight hours away to Kampala. Will you join me in prayer that he will be reunited with his mother and find believers that will teach him about Jesus?

Graduation celebration!

The graduation celebration started as the Wakiso celebration ended. Many friends and family came with hearts filled with joy and gifts for the graduate. We were especially blessed to have his mother, grandmother, four brothers, one sister and many other family members present. There was strengthened and rekindled relationships and a memory that will never be lost. His very gracious and grateful mother blessed me with a gift. She and I and Michael met on our knees in Ugandan respect for the exchange. A very precious moment. 

The three of us cut the vanilla chocolate and cinnamon cake, and served the guests. Nine other graduates from the church were also honored. 

Michael addressed the attendees on his knees in gratitude for their support and especially the Lord who has always been there for him. 

I never could have imagined that this day could be so wonderful.  How can I ever thank God enough?

How can I explain God's love?

Today is bitter sweet. I woke up at the crack of dawn hearing the roosters crow and the hotel workers sweeping, sweeping, sweeping the the parking lot. The brooms are thin and about 3 feet long...made of grass. The lawn mowing people swipe their slashers back and forth. The smell of wood and coal smoke in the air as our Spanish omelettes are prepare... Mmmm, there is nothing like the thirst quenching taste of fresh passion fruit juice and the ensuing heartburn. 

As we sit down to pray, we think of all the wonderful days we have had, yet mourn the fact that our dear friend Isaac is sick in the hospital with malaria. We also hear of the continued spread of Ebola around the world. Bill's next journey to Zimbabwe is in question by his teammates, yet seeing the power of God, he fearlessly presses on with his plans. Would I stay longer in Uganda despite all of the health and terrorism? You bet!!! Once I am here, the threats somehow disappear. The blessings of doing the Lord's work is what fills our minds.  

Even the Ugandans ...  As Bill and I respond to loved ones that we are fine, one pokes me while riding in the Chariot on the way to Wakiso to make sure I have had a fresh pineapple on this trip ... despite all of the worries in the world, they keep on moving, praising the Lord and doing his work. How would I not want to be part of what they are doing for the Lord. 

I remember Bill's daily prayer, Lord help  me to want what you want, not what I want....and their is deep meaning behind it.

When we first arrived, we were exhausted ... 2 more days to go and our cups overflow.

Wow ... what just happened?  As we drive down the dirt road, two tiny children see Bill and holler, "hey mazungu, give me some bread!" For as many times as I have been down this path, they have never asked for bread, but today, they do. Guess what we have in the chariot and have never brought before? Bread! How can I explain the love of the Lord?!!!

Blaza Blaza is filled with happiness!

Blaza Blaza is so happy he can hardly focus.  In the photo he is opening a gift including a new shirt and tie. It was so precious to see him ask Bill to teach him how to tie the knot. Bill graciously and fatherly showed him how, but I think he was so happy in the moment that he will need the lesson again...

Michael Simbwa (Blaza Blaza) graduates!

October 17, 2014 marks a day of great happiness, pride, and a new Christian graduate of Business Administration Management. After 6 years at Ndejje Christian University, the fastest growing university in Uganda, Michael met his goal. His mother, surrogate second mother (myself) and his surrogate father Isaac Sanyu woke at 4:00am to make it for the 9:00am program. At least a thousand received graduate status six and a half hours later. There could be only one other time he was this happy...when he was gifted a used IPOD... To God be the glory for all of His provisions.

Road trip to the Nile.

Wednesday was a fun day to relax while the workers in Wakiso finished with building a brick platform for the tank. So, we took a short road trip to the Nile. 

On a side note, Mr. Mbaziira is always great at spotting God's blessings. Once it was decided brick was needed, a truck was sent to go to the city to find it. Just as they were leaving our area, another truck full of brick being taken to the city drove by. They bought it and made the trip a very efficient one. 

The video shows literally the source of the Nile in Jinga Uganda. To the right of the shiny flat water is Lake Victoria which flows south and to the right, the Nile flowing north. It takes the water from the source 3 months to reach the Mediterranean.

A visit to Wakiso!

The purifier installation in Wakiso will take 2 days before training can begin...although the team is also learning on the go.  

When we arrived the first time in Wakiso, 43 CRF sponsored orphans were learning in the new and freshly painted classrooms. Sure enough, when we arrived, class was finished... I hugged every single child as they stood in line to receive my love and all of yours that you sent with me. It was so overwhelming to see and touch them, to see the progress on making the old house a place to gain knowledge and learn about God... I needed a walk out into the garden to cry to God thanking Him for this experience. 

In addition to the school on the one acre property, they have planted a very large garden of corn, peanuts and potatoes to feed the children.

After a bountiful plate of Ugandan traditional food, we played and played and played...as Bill worked on the water. It was wonderful to see him take a break and play the drums with the children and play frisbee... You should see how cute these kids are running around in oversized purple school uniforms!!!

Every day gets better.

Every Day gets better. Elishama Junior Academy in Ndejje became the first recipients of the Fountains of Hope water purification systems.  Francis Nsubuga, Owner and founder of the Christian primary school located in a heavily populated Muslim community, was overjoyed to receive the gift.  The school has about 43 children now after four years of development.  It was the pilot school for the Kampala Church of Christ to model in future locations of Church plants.  Though Muslim parents support the quality education, we learned children may be persecuted by their parents if they pray Christian prayers at home.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to keep the children safe and warm the heart of the parents to hear the message of Jesus. After school hours, a team of about six people were trained by Bill Farrar to operate the system.  When completed, we prayed, sang songs with some of the children and blessed Francis and Judith who will become the expert users of the system for this location. It was poignant to hear the twice daily Muslim call to worship as we left.

Every Day gets better.

Sunday at the Mityana Church of Christ.

Sunday was literally heavenly. We were invited to the Mityana Church of Christ legally established in July 2014.  Michael Simbwa, with a burdened heart for his home village had been educated in the Lord's Word at the Kampala Church of Christ preparing him for this great task. He began going door to door making friends and teaching his community about Jesus. After about 12 Life Care Groups were started in homes, the people wanted to start meeting for Sunday services. The church was birthed and now meets in a school building owned by one of the members. 

Today, after Michael delivered a Bible class from Acts 2:1-4, we praised the Lord in song, I led the communion comments and Bill delivered the sermon with a very transparent testimony. During the service, Michael and Bill dedicated nine babies to the Lord with their parents. The climax was seeing Ten souls won to Christ with a public confession and baptism.  Oh how we praised the Lord for His and mercy!!! 

First weekend in Uganda news!

Saturday was a great start for our work in Uganda. Many friends greeted us at the church. Their kind words reminded me of the many reasons I love being here. Being Bill's first time here, the Ugandans have broken him in to the constant joy and laughter due to the seemingly endless challenges of the day. While Bill was shopping with the guys for tanks, I was with Rebekah teaching about the Samaritan women at the well for a Pentecostal conference near her home. It is such a blessing serving our gracious Lord! Our cups overflow! 

Made it to Uganda!

Hello everyone!!! Greetings from Uganda!! We've made it smoothly and safely. God has blessed the journey already! We flew over on British Airways using Bill's frequent flying privileges...  We are staying at a different place this time which is very nice with hot water.  Today we will meet with the leaders in the morning and get started purchasing what is needed for water purification. As an extra blessing, Bill had someone donate a second purifier for KCC. We will be honoring them with the news today and see where they would like to install it. God is good. Thank you for praying!!!

Final Days in Honduras

Our time in Honduras is coming to an end. Here's our traditional group photo, taken as we left Izopo on Wednesday — a wonderful group and a beautiful country.

The teen group went shopping in the Valley of the Angels yesterday. Along the way, they stopped at Mi Esperanza, a center of hope for Honduran women, who are learning skills to release them from poverty. Later, the group had their de-brief time and shared a final dinner, and they are flying home today.

Our small group is wrapping things up, saying farewell, and delivering final gifts. We say farewell to Honduras tomorrow. We are all happy to be headed home, but will miss our friends in Honduras.

Working Hard in Izopo

The whole North Central group worked in Izopo the last two days, and had a great time doing it!

Some worked with the Hondurans to lay adobe bricks for the walls of two houses, (they had fun working in the mud!), while others climbed up high to put on the roof.

And some painted the school houses - inside and out.

There were others pouring cement floors, delivering new stoves and helping run a one-day clinic.  And we all played with kids and visited with our friends from Izopo, two busy, productive days!

NC/LaVega Teen Day

The youth group spent the day yesterday with the teens from La Vega. Even though there was an obvious language barrier, that didn't stop us from having tons of fun, playing games, swimming, and singing the entire bus ride back to Baxter! The picture above was taken while singing on the bus.
    -   Leah and Arianna

Busy Days in Izopo

We have been without Internet for a few days, which is amazingly disruptive! Although we are living in a simpler environment, we all rely on daily access to wifi to contact our families and keep up with activities at home. We have been busy, although communication has been limited.

On Friday, we had an opportunity to learn about the rural bank system in the Izopo area, one of the most effective parts of the Solidaridad effort. Doris, the director of the Solidaridad work in the area, is an expert on rural banks. Most of the Izopo people have never used a bank, so this is a great opportunity to learn to save some of their hard-earned money for larger purchases.

Saturday was the Solidaridad Community Day, when all the residents gathered for teaching about preventing dengue fever, while the children were taught Bible lessons and played games. Some of our group attended the festivities, playing with the children and talking with friends and volunteers.

At the same time, a group of men from North Central worked with men from a  Pennsylvania church to pour a cement floor for a family from the Izopo church of Christ. It was very hard work, since they did the cement the Honduran way - mixing it with shovels in a pile on the ground! The family is delighted with the new floor, and the men survived the tough day.

The youth group has also had a very busy few days. Their blog is coming soon.

Community Development Workshop in Izopo

The past two days, Phil and Jeanne led a community development workshop in Isopo, with the church leaders and interested members. Each 2-3 hour session involved exploration of issues about faith, community, health, and ways in which the community can promote their own development. The church discussed ways that their beliefs impact their actions and influence their lives. They explored ways that they can prevent health problems and find early assistance for lower cost, and are seeking new ways to help each other as a community. While 60 Izopo adults participated in the discussions, the children were taught and entertained by Kristi, Leah, Alyssa, Arianna and Nate - greatly appreciated work! We are excited to see the ongoing changes fostered by these discussions.

In the center of this photo, with gray sweatshirt, we see Juan, a 4th year student from Baxter who had been working in Izopo. With the help of LaVega church and Juan, the Izopo church is growing by leaps and bounds and has grown to over 60 members!

Wednesday evening, the team was treated to dinner and a relaxing evening at the home of Julio and Karina, from LaVega church. Their beautiful home is located high above Tegucigalpa, and features incredible views! We are grateful for their hospitality and friendship!

Learning with LaVega leaders

Sunday was a day to draw closer to the LaVega church leaders. We shared a time of worship with our Honduran brothers and sisters (thankfully, the wonderful sermon was bilingual).

In the afternoon, we had an opportunity to meet with the LaVega leaders (men and women), for a seminar on community development, while our teens did crafts with the children. Much wisdom and insight was shared by the leaders, including much laughter as we watched a skit with Phil carrying José across the 'river' on his back! By the end, we renewed our commitment to work together to help people in disadvantaged areas of Honduras find healing in all areas of their lives - physical, emotional, social and spiritual, and to continue in our goal to inspire and assist community development.  The concluding time of prayer was very special, holding hands in unity and brotherly love. All glory and praise to God!

Honduran Weddings

We had the privilege of attending the weddings of two Izopo couples at LaVega church today. One couple was a friend - Doris, who lives by the school. The weddings combined a civil ceremony and a church ceremony with traditional giving of coins, exchanging rings, and being wrapped in the lasso. A short reception followed, when we were able to talk with the Izopo friends that came to the ceremony. It was very special to be part of this occasion.

What a joy to visit our friends in Izopo!

Friday morning, we drove up to our favorite place: the mountain of Izopo. Just up the road from the school, we were happy to find some Izopo friends at the building sites for the adobe houses where the youth group will be working. The first part of the building work is being done by ordinary hard-working people from Izopo, men and women, led by Marlon and Emma, the school teacher and his wife. They are excited to have help from the youth group next week!

Half of our group then had an opportunity to visit two homes with Juan, the student-minister to Izopo church. The ladies were so proud to show us their homes, and were happy to show us how they live. The corn grinder and tortilla-maker seen below are an example of the well-used tools in the kitchen, signs of a hard-working woman with a well-organized household, but with different tools than we have at home.

The other half of the group arrived at the school just as the children got out, and had a wonderful time playing games with them: Duck, Duck, Goose, Steal the Bacon, and (or course) Futbol (soccer).  They saw many familiar faces, and had a great time playing with these special kids - always a highlight of the trip!

Baxter and cultural visits.

Yesterday we spent time at Baxter, talking with students and faculty and meeting new people. Next week, the students will spend a week evangelizing in three smaller communities in Honduras for their annual Evangelistic Campaign. The students and staff are busy with preparations for this week of work, and you can feel the excitement on the campus. Since they will be gone, we made an effort to spend more time on campus our first two days here. 

Of course, there was still housekeeping for the team - shopping and organizing for the next week's work. Necessary evils...  

We did get a infusion of culture by visiting the a Museum of National Identity (Honduras culture and history), and visiting the famous Jesus statue with it's incredible views of the city.  Honduras has a rich culture and a difficult story. We have a renewed understanding of the Honduran people and their struggle to bring a good future to their children. We love this city and its people, and look forward to our weeks here.

Today: our first trip to Izopo!

First part of team arrives safely in Honduras!

The first group of 11 people arrived at the airport at 5 am, and were in Tegucigalpa by 11:45 (1:45 Indiana time).  We celebrated our arrival with a lunch at the local mall :), and were soon being greeted by Oscar and the friendly faces at Baxter Institute. The rest of the day was time to rest and settle into our apartments, so we'll be ready to roll tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers!

Honduras Mission team on their way!

Check back regularly for posts and photos from the Honduras Mission Team 2014!

Milestones made at KCC.

Monday, February 3, 2014 marked another milestone in the history of KCC. The Vine Christian Academy opened for 15 children. The plans have been in motion for a long time. These are the future Christian leaders in the area of Wakiso!!

The very next day, was another milestone. Final payment to the land used for Vine Christian Academy was made. It has been a great journey of faith. Many thanks to all who prayed and saw this leap of faith become real. Isaac signs the property agreement for Vines Christian Academy

Nancy was blessed to be a witness to the agreement.

Steve and Leslie were blessed to lift up prayers of thanksgiving when the transaction was complete.

Saturday morning in Kampala.

It is already February 1, 2014. It is Saturday, always a lively day at KCC. After a typical small western omelet and cappuccino at the hotel for about $2.50, we walked next door to KCC. We were greeted as usual by the KCC guards, Peter, Able, Jimmy and Terzol, the café staff, Rebecca and Fatuma, the administrations staff, Isaac, Joseph, Willy, Fred, Ladies from the Women of Grace who are gathering for the weekly devotional, and other members preparing for the Life Care Group class that Steve is teaching. Children arrive and are running around the chapel area with laughter and playing on the swing set. The mango, jackfruit and banana trees reflect the sunshine. The crows compete with the street out front that roars with huge buses, motorcycles, horns and people calling out to each other. Across the street, the workers continue to hammer nails in the new high rise that has taken over a decade to rough in. As people arrive, they have on their minds rental fees, HIV medicine, surgeries that are needed, school fees, graduations happening this week, jaws sore from rotted teeth, spouses who are away working in the villages, safety and security concerns for being a refugee, tiredness for never being in a restful place, families split up due to refugee status, persecution for honoring the Lord’s Word, marriage concerns, ministry concerns, and trauma issues. Two little ones about seven years old share hugs and sweet bright white smiles and it feels natural to play with them. Sometimes, we see Able take the two into one of the rooms to teach them a Sunday School song. The newspaper arrives and a few read it on the porch. The day moves on with a cup of coffee made by Jimmy who loves to serve. Joseph blesses me with a jar of homemade peanut and sesame butter and I anticipate making the best cookies ever. Steve sneezes 6 times as usual and we wonder will it rain today and clear the dust and exhaust from the air. The Women of Grace class starts with a devotional and then discussion on how to progress the group goals for the year. After a short break, a typical lunch is served by Rebecca and Fatuma. It is always a large plate of very filling food and the left overs are enjoyed by someone who did not have enough food this week. Next is Steve’s class to train Life Care Group Leaders. Class members fight fatigue, heat and humidity. Cell phones call members away. You might even see a little three year old with a waste basket covering his head like a helmet running around Steve while he is teaching. Now a few have come to play chess on the porch and maybe solve a few political problem spoken in the Lugandan language. Meanwhile, one of our bank accounts at home is compromised, our friends and family are fighting to stay warm in the frigid winter. We are homesick for family, friends and kitties. Today, we are not hearing any riots in the people packed blocks down the hill. We are not aware of any threats of terrorism. But we always stay alert to the possibilities. Ouch, a mosquito bite. Did it carry malaria? Woops, I see Steve and Leslie have their shoes off. How can I get a message to them during class that the floor is a tromping ground of germs that our bodies were not made for…. As I listen to Steve teach a marvelous lesson and the Muslims have the call to prayer over the city wide loud speaker, I wonder how the audience is able to understand the American expressions and big complicated words. Will they be courageous enough to ask questions? I look into the audience and see two playing with a slinky. Will they hear the lesson? Oh, one of the leaders is missing. Will he be able to listen to the recording? Will the recording be adequate to help him learn? It is only 2:30PM. The African fly on my computer is twice the size of an American one. Now I see the slinky has become a bracelet on someone else. I have been awake six hours and my brains rattle and spin. Ah, yes, the class begins to ask questions and discuss points that have impacted them! The heart of their issues are being addressed. The lessons have been highly beneficial to them as all the others have. By the end of the day, I will thank God for the people at home and here in Uganda that persevere, take each day minute by minute, one step at a time and honor God. I will be grateful for the experience of the day even though there is no way to describe the full measure of joy gained from the day’s activities. I will aim to rest quietly in the night anticipating Sunday worship in the village of Wakiso tomorrow.

Growing in and sharing the Lord in Kampala.

The Elder Workshops have begun.  Starting with Ezekiel 34:1-34, we first learned that shepherds always respond to the flock, and those outside the flock, with gentleness and prayer.  We were challenged to consider our own conflict styles and be disciplined to control our own conflict style.  We found elders should lead with submission and humility.  Ultimately, the elder seeks for the flock to become more like Christ.

In the elder workshops, we looked closely at 1 Timothy 3: 3-7 and Titus 1:5-9. We learned about the ideals of an elder and the type of person that would make a good elder.  We saw how Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about elders, but used a little different description for each.  With an aim to identify a person who is blameless, the two letters give descriptions for a person who might be considered blameless although not perfect.

Overall, all of the workshops have gone exceptionally well from the perspective of the Ugandans.  Collectively, when we contemplate what we have learned and discussed, we find it is very difficult to describe the immense value.  Additionally, we have been pleased to see not only the leaders but also members of the church participate.  As the Church moves forward to lead in the cause of Christ, they have taken the first very large step of many to move forward.

Attendees continue to be challenged to consider as they seek Biblical truths as they apply in Uganda, what are they bringing over from American traditions and what are they bringing over from African ancestry?

Now, a little of another view … I believe North Central certainly values our Senior Minister, Steve.  However, I wish I could convey how much I have appreciated seeing him devote himself to the church at NC, at KCC and for the love of all people, in general.  Daily, I have seen him continue to grow in the Lord as he graciously shares the Lord.  I am gaining so much from hearing his lessons every day.  My prayer is that all of NC could hear these same lessons at some point soon.   And, the team that Steve and Leslie makes is one that I would hope for all my friends in marriages. 

Here is a great Steve Kenney quote: “God’s word never changes:  Once I have read it, why do I read it again? Because I have changed.  Every time I read it, I get a different view ... like when I climb a mountain and look out as I climb higher.”

Steve Kenney trains preachers in Uganda.

Our preaching workshops have begun. We learned that the art of preaching is through reasoning and not force or arguing. Steve explained in depth the ideas of Logos, Ethos and Pathos as sermons are delivered. Preachers were encouraged to continue growing in the Word, to be true to the Word, and not become stale.

Love from Uganda.

One of the new brothers baptized last Sunday blessed us with some of his own artwork made from egg shells, tea and beans.

Discussing doctrinal issues with the Kampala leadership.

Our last set of doctrinal issues to be discussed included marriage, women preaching and in leadership roles, and demons and dreams. Marriage and women preaching pretty much took the whole day yesterday to discuss and some have said it was their favorite topics to learn. We certainly have seen the Lord at work in our discussions opening our eyes to the scriptures as we have been studying and praying. A special moment occurred when a friend, Edward, of our friend April Bumgardner from North Central, met us at the church while we were discussing marriage. It happens that he is a member of the Uganda Parliament and has two master degrees from Abilene Christian University. He is here with the rest of his family and is looking for new friends, especially in the church. He was going to meet us on Sunday for lunch, but needed to go with the President of Uganda to a meeting in Northern Uganda instead. His early arrival was actually perfect timing as we were discussing the Ugandan laws about marriage. We were questioning what marriage really meant according to Ugandan law. This was a question, because many have said couples who have had a traditional wedding according to their own customs is not a real legal marriage and only a marriage in a church is legal. Edward arrived at the perfect moment to explain the marriage laws and we all gave credit to God for this timing. It reminds me of when Ruth just happened to cross the field of Boaz. It seems that it was a coincident, but clearly God intended for her to meet Boaz. Likewise, we believe God intended for Edward to help clear up controversy concerning marriage, Ugandan laws and the state of marriages in the church.

More teaching on Christ centered, spirit inspired preaching.

What is spirit inspired Christ centered preaching, was the topic for teaching today. Several who are in a role of preaching and teaching came to learn. A current issue in preaching is one where the Holy Spirit is targeted to be glorified and not so much Jesus. A key verse Acts 4:7 demonstrated this point as the Holy Spirit filled Peter, answered the rulers with focus on Jesus. Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (NIV)

Cross-cultural words and processes.

Ugandan’s don’t usually use ice in their beverages and it seems ice cream melts before you can even enjoy it. Here is a picture of Jimmy learning what Brain Freeze means. When Steve asked him if he was having brain freeze from the ice cream, the Ugandan’s nearly fell out of their chairs laughing because they never heard the expression and thought Steve was suggesting that Jimmy had frozen brains ... We thought it was pretty funny ...maybe you had to be there.

This morning we met with the lawyer who is processing the Kampala Church of Christ Ministries registration. This registration is needed to complete the purchase of the property in Wakiso that is being used for the new Vine Christian Academy. Only one more signature is left to complete the process and the team already has permission according to the written agreement to open the school at the beginning of February. Now we are on our way to meet the 19 children who will be part of the grand opening this February.

Thursday power lunch.

The Lord is working mightily in Kampala. Every Thursday at lunch time, KCC members and members of the community come for a devotional worshipping God in unity. Today they asked Steve to teach a lesson and he spoke from Jeremiah. Taking a break like this through the busy week is a great blessing for all who attend.