Monday, October 31, 2011

Coffee in Entebbe


As I sit here on the porch of our room looking at the sunrise while drinking a cup of coffee (yes, we found a way to make coffee), I am filled with mixed emotions. I keep thinking of the weeks preceding this trip and how I became more and more anxious about leaving my husband and children behind. I am thinking about how hard it was to say goodbye and yet at the same time I was excited about being in Uganda again. We had a long trip over, but the moment we stepped off of the plane and saw familiar faces that had become dear to us, I felt as if I had come home which is a hard feeling to explain.

This trip was very different from the last. For one, Phillip wasn’t by my side, and second, I pretty much knew what to expect. Or so I thought.  After our arrival at the airport we promptly went to the Backpacker’s in Entebbe for the night & then were up early to head to Ntungamo. The plan was to be there in the early afternoon for the crusade. That did not happen. Through a series of mishaps (one being that my window fell out of our vehicle), we did not arrive until about 10:00 that evening. A third day of traveling. Upon our arrival at our “motel”, we found that we did not have a few of the basics that we had on our first trip – running water, toilet, shower. All we could do was laugh about it for the next few days. Sandy and I spent the next several days getting to know the people and children in the town of Ntungamo while Danny and Mike spoke at the New Believer’s Conference. It was there that I was able to sit with the children and talk about “Creation to the Cross”. Again, my “ideas” were not quite what God had planned and we compensated for that. We had over 100 children that day and their attention span was quite short. I had the bright idea to try & make necklaces with them all. Not the brightest. The word I have for that craft is: stampede. It was a tremendous amount of fun, though, and I was reminded that I need to listen to God’s plan and not my own. We spent our evenings there at the crusade. Danny and Mike were incredible and we had an opportunity to hear a pastor from Kenya who touched each of us in a special way. Our last day in Ntungamo, Danny and I headed up to the top of a mountain to attend church services with a school while Mike and Sandy stayed in Ntungamo for services there. What a blessed day we had! The children touched our hearts and we were able to pray with them and for them after Danny spoke. Of course, our plans were not God’s plans. On the way back down the mountain, our vehicle got stuck in the mud. By the time we got out (about a mile and a half down the road – and an hour or two later), we had about twenty or thirty men, women, and children pushing us!! Meanwhile, Mike & Sandy were extremely blessed by the church services and baptisms in the river. It is always hard to say goodbye, but we did and headed for Ibanda. Oh, and by the way, thanks to Mike we found a “stinger”, pot, and cups and were able to begin having coffee in the mornings. All we could say was “Amen & thank you, Lord!!!”

Upon our arrival in Ibanda, we were again amazed when we entered our rooms. We had real toilets that flushed & hot showers! It’s funny when you realized that it takes so little to make you happy. Toilets, showers, and a cup of coffee and we felt as if we were in a five-star hotel. At the same time, though, it’s a little sobering when you stop and think that these people that we’re surrounded by in these villages go without running toilets and hot showers every day. We are a very spoiled nation.
Our time spent in Ibanda was amazing. We would wake up early and drive up into the mountains to the village of Miizi (meaning ‘roots run deep’).  Once again, we were able to interact with the pastors as we registered them. It was good to see faces that we recognized. After a day and a half of registration, Sandy and I were able to spend our afternoons with the unschooled children in town and our mornings with children from a school not too far away. Our time spent sharing God’s Creation through His Sacrifice with them was one of the best parts of the trip. Toward the end of the week, Sandy had an idea to just sit with them and have a “question and answer” session with each group. The questions they asked were sometimes funny & and sometimes very deep. Each time, though, we found we were able to bring out God’s Word in a way that made it real to them.  Again, it was difficult to say goodbye.

I am now on my second cup of coffee and it is time to finish up my packing before we head to the school for the day. The sun is now up and as I look out, I can say that there was not one time on this trip that I looked at our surroundings that I didn’t see just how miraculous God’s Creation is.

I now find that I am very anxious to get home. I have missed Phillip terribly. And my children.  Despite the mixed feelings I had just before leaving, I now have mixed feelings about leaving Uganda behind. The country and it’s people now have a permanent piece of my heart.


Sunday, October 30, 2011

A Quick Note From Entebbe, Uganda


Ok, lets see how writing and driving works… today is our last full day here in Uganda. We are driving from the village of Ibanda in the southwestern part of the country, where our motel was located, across the equator to the city of Entebbe. The actual distance is about equal to crossing the state of Oregon, but because of the road quality, animal traffic and our shopping stops today it will take most of the day.

As we prayed this morning before our drive began I believe we each gave praise to God. Theses 2 weeks have been some of the most exciting weeks of my life. Over the next few days I will ask the team to share their own experiences on our blog. For me, the excitement began during the preparation as God put things together as only He can. Each time an obstacle looked as if we would stumble over it God made a way. When money was the problem enough seemed to appear to accomplish what we had set out to do. When plane flights looked as though they would be difficult to find with a reasonable itinerary they were purchased easily.

Gathering the needed supplies and food was not only relatively easy but turned out to be a good bonding day with Kim. The packing went quickly and though we would maybe pack a little differently next time we were not without anything we needed for the mission or even personal comfort At the airport we were confronted with an unexpected fee but God even resolved that without fuss. We traveled safely, timely and with all our luggage arriving with us in Kampala and on time….Praise The Lord!!!

I had felt led to make Christian tracts and have them translated before traveling in hope of using them for evangelism this trip and I need again Praise God for the souls saved through their use. Praise and worship at the crusade each evening of the first week and sharing the word amongst the villagers and children during the day was exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. I even had my first opportunity to read scripture during a Sunday service. That may seem a small item to remember but to me it will always be a special moment worth remembering. That first week was also Kim’s first chance at presenting the “Creation to the Cross message” that she has been working so hard on. I have to say it was very well received by the children.

The second week was spent assisting with the logistics of the pastor’s conference, registering, checking them in, handing supplies and having a few moments with each pastor to say a personal welcome. This small gesture seemed well received by the pastors, and enjoyed by Kim and I. Once those items were done for the day we traveled a few miles away to a brand new primary school where we spent the morning until early afternoon in teaching, playing and crafts. All these activities were focused around the Gospel message. Again Kim presented the “Creation to the Cross message”. Our afternoons were spent with the unschooled village children in a field a mile or so from the conference. That was where I felt the most comfortable. We did not bring an official message but spent our time in play and then we would just sit with them and share our faith through conversation or the Evangecube or Christian tracts or question and answer time. God even allowed me the awesome privilege of leading a young man in the sinner’s prayer as he accepted his Saviors gift of grace.

Each evening, which came very late in the day, we all spent together in fellowship in our room at the motel (thankfully it was mine and Kim’s room so we could get comfy under the covers while we talked. Meals were very, very simple but made better by our home brought sweets and their soda pop!!! Seriously, the fellowship and conversation each evening was a very special time. I learned much on this trip. My heart will forever live here with the wonderful people of Uganda!!!   

Much more and plenty of pictures to follow when I am home in my chair!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

We are here!

We are FINALLY here!! We had a long, but good flight over. Lots of laughter & excitement going on between the four of us. Had a terrific night, the weather is beautiful......Looking forward to heading to Ntungamo today to experience more of God's blessings!

Friday, October 14, 2011

A Few Words From Kim Thompson


As I am sitting here drinking my early morning coffee on my comfortable couch, it is difficult to come to grips with the fact that in just a few days I will once again be on a plane bound for Uganda. It is difficult to put into words just how I am feeling. One minute I am so excited that I can hardly wait until that day comes and the next I am overcome by thoughts of “What was I thinking????” when I committed to go on this trip without my husband and the security he provides.  A couple days ago, I received an answer to that question when I took the time to sit and listen to God’s voice instead of my own. He reminded me (in that special way that He does) just how much of an impact the last trip had on my life.  I was reminded of how I returned home thinking that I couldn’t imagine NOT returning to Uganda.  I still can’t. He reminded me of how much I had to learn about serving Him and about how I fail miserably each day.   Being able to open up and witness to others was very new for me. I had never felt so comfortable before and the graciousness and love we were shown by the people of Uganda was extremely humbling for me.  I learned that I still have much to learn about what it means to serve such an amazing God.

When I think about Uganda, it’s the children I see. We are always saying that our children are the future of our families, our schools, our churches and our nation. That’s where my heart lies. With the children. Their openness, their joy, their curiosity and their overwhelming love are something to be nurtured and treasured.  I am blessed have been given this opportunity to be able to help them learn more about just who they are in Christ and how much their Heavenly Father loves them. 

Sandy and I have been planning and preparing for what the Lord would have us accomplish for Him on this trip. Along with the plans I have made (with Phillip’s help) to teach the children about creation to the cross (in God’s timing, of course), we have several hands-on projects to do with them to help make Him more real in their lives. I am very excited about a new project I learned about a couple of weeks ago at a conference: Salvation Dolls. It is our desire that each child we encounter will get a doll. The dolls will have salvation necklaces that tell the Gospel of Christ, along with a front and a back face. One with eyes closed (representing life before Christ) and one with the eyes open (representing life after salvation). We have many hands working feverishly in our church to get these dolls ready for the trip. Another project I have presented my youth girls with is becoming pen pals with another young person in Uganda. They have written letters about their lives as teens in America and have included questions they have for the kids in Uganda.  The chance to be able to play even a small part in the furthering of His Kingdom has become very precious to me.
I am so very thankful that God is allowing me the opportunity to serve alongside such a wonderful group of people. My prayer is that every single person we encounter in Uganda will be able to see Him shining in us!

As I wrap up my ramblings I wonder………just how much of my heart will be left in Uganda this time???
Kim

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A Few Words From Pastor Danny

     Working as a church planter here in WV I find that sometimes the thing I need most is to know I am not alone in this ministry. God has blessed me with great people who have kept me aware that I am not alone and with their support of the work that is being done as well as helping provide assistance in many different ways I keep moving forward. For most of the time since I have been in ministry I was a bi-vocational pastor, so as you might already realize there was not much time to participate in things that were being offered to the other pastors. One of my special memories is this time when I was invited to an Adrian Rogers video conference being held here in Charleston. When I was invited I was told someone had paid for my admission so I took a day off work and joined several pastors for a day of learning. I am not sure that the person who paid my way knew I was a huge fan of Adrian Rogers, but that made the gift twice as meaningful, because besides what I learned that day I left there very encouraged and feeling part of something important.
     In February 2010 I was teaching a small group of pastors in South Western Uganda as part of a weeklong conference. These were bush pastors who were probably saved at a village crusade and answered God’s call and began preaching with no training. Many did not even own a Bible. These pastors are not paid and most of their congregation tithe with seeds or fruit. At the end of the day I asked them how we could be of more help, and their answer was unanimous that they needed education. I asked them about doing another conference next year and if they would attend and they hesitated to answer. That is when I learned that they would not have the funds for transportation, lodging or meals. When I left Uganda a few days later I realized that they were church planters with no one helping to support and encourage them and the ministry.
     After I returned home my thoughts continued to be focused on how I could help. I really believe God had a plan and that is why a church planter from West Virginia ended up in that remote part of Africa with a room full of bush pastors. With what I feel was a mission from God I began to share that vision with anyone who would listen and shortly we began to put together a plan that would include transporting, housing, feeding, and teaching 170 pastors and their assistants.  In the spring of 2011 we held the first of six week long education conferences. These six weeklong conferences will be held over the course of three years. Along with meeting the needs of the pastors these conferences give them a chance to spend time with other pastors that share their burdens. We are teaching four classes that are spread out over the three years which I believe will equip the pastors for their work and give them a more solid foundation on which to build. It is also a blessing to watch the pastors as they make friends and share their story. I might add that the number for that conference topped out at 225 pastors and although we could only transport and house 170 we did feed and provide school supplies for all 225.
     Of course teaching pastors is only part of the fourteen day mission trips to Uganda and along with the conference we also do a four day crusade and another two day new believer’s conference. Every team member on these trips has an opportunity to share their gifts as a source of hope and encouragement to the people of Uganda.  I really believe that when one of our teams steps off the plane in Uganda it is at that moment when hope is brought to Uganda. Without the help of so many people here in the U.S. it would not be possible to realize the dream that is helping to grow a new generation of believers in this one time almost forgotten part of the world. May God bless you for your help as we once again prepare to leave for Uganda.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Few Words From Sandy


As I sit here typing I think about the many things I should be doing in preparation of flying out on Monday morning. MONDAY MORNING!!!! I can’t understand where the time has gone. I could use another couple of weeks to prepare…or could I.  Danny reminded us yesterday to remember it isn’t about us. No matter what we plan, no matter what goals we set we should never forget Our Lord who is in charge of everything. It is by His grace and for His glory that we can do anything let alone travel to the other side of the world in His name. So now with a lighter heart and better posture I face the day. Working with God at His invitation and not trying to do the work for Him. It’s so simple to get lost and so good to be found again.

Now with that said, I am looking forward to our first attempt at a "structured" children's ministry that is going to take the kids from creation to the cross. Kim has set up some simple lessons including poster boards, crafts and Bible stories. Since we will be in 2 new villages on each mission trip what we learn here can be critiqued and adjusted for new groups. This is going to combine with games, sports (teaching these kids frisbee is a hoot!!!) and lots of loving. The first year I went I realized that these children had never seen there own reflection and were fascinated by our digital cameras (that had the LCD screen). I shared that with Kim and we traveled last time with an instant camera and took and gave the kids their own pictures to keep, that was the absolute highlight for me. This year we will repeat that in a new place and also introduce them to moving pictures. Using our laptops we are going to show them the movie "Jesus" which we were able to purchase in their native language. 

We also have the opportunity to visit a couple of local clinics to get a first hand view of health care availability. I would like you all to pray that God gives me the questions to ask, the ideas and the people to work with so that we may set up a medical component to this ministry. Of course this like everything else must be in God's will. 

I am so excited to be going back to Uganda where I can visit the heart I left there that first mission trip. So time to get busy.....


Sandy

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Few Words From Pastor Mike Coleman


In February of 2010 Danny, Sandy, Andy and I were at Akacucu, Uganda to teach, to preach and as the saying goes to listen, listen, love, love. Five days of teaching Local Pastors and Lay Persons. Five evenings of Revivals in the town square or the local cattle pasture that doubled as the community football (soccer) field. In between lots of fellowship, feeding hundreds of people, making new friends and seeing old ones again. Hundreds of people came to the teaching sessions. They came by all manner of means. Some by buses, others by bicycles, still others by the Bota-Bota motorcycles that carry everything from passengers to unbelievable amounts of goods. Many walked, in some cases for days. All had a dignity about them. One man in particular sticks in my mind. He appeared towards the middle of the week, dressed in a white suit. He was an older gentleman in a place where achieving any age past 40 is to be counted a major accomplishment and perhaps a miracle. He sat quietly and listened to the teachers and to the praise and worship leaders. On our last day there he came forward and respectfully asked to have his photograph taken with our team leader, Danny. As I was taking the photographs, I couldn't help but notice that our new friend was wearing a silver medal  commemorating "Uganda Independence -- 9th October 1962". At what price was this freedom purchased? How much had it cost this man, his family, his friends, his neighbors? What had he endured? 48 years after the fact, freedom still carried such impact on the man that he proudly wore the tattered ribbon and the medal it held. Certainly it still meant allot to him after nearly a half a century. The Apostle Paul tells us in the Letter to the Colossians that in Jesus Christ we are free! Jesus purchased our freedom with his blood and forgave our sins (1:14). We are freed from empty philosophies and our sinful nature. In our baptism we have died with Christ and have been raised in Him to be free from the bonds of legalism, man-made rules and the spiritual powers of this world (2:12, 20-23). We are free! At what price? How much the cost? What was endured? Whether we experienced the salvation of the Lord last week, last month, last year or half a century ago -- does the freedom that we enjoy because of Jesus's suffering, death and resurrection still have impact in our lives and through our lives upon the world? Do we live out our costly freedom, proudly, yet with quiet dignity? Do we proclaim it to the world?

God Bless


Mike Coleman