Yes, it’s true. How can I better describe the time we had in Uganda. From churches, to prisons, to orphanages, to the ghetto we were blessed to see hundreds (no kidding, around 500) women, men and children give their lives to Christ in a first time commitment. It was a trip beyond expectations in every aspect. Even our fun time, the after mission safari, was blessed beyond expectations. Who sees 5 lions (3 lionesses and 2 cubs), 2 leopards (well, I personally missed the leopards), and an abundance of every other animal on safari? Even the tour guide said he had never seen so many animals in his years of guiding. It was like they were called out from God to say, “thank you for a work well done”. And to what do I attribute the honor of having been a part of this miracle? Grace, simply God’s abundant grace.
To those who donated financially to my trip…you truly have participated in God’s work. To those who prayed for my trip, you called open the heavens in a holy war and prayed in a complete and final victory for the Kingdom. You should know that your participation resulted in a trip with amazing fruit. The pastor of the church we ministered in said in 26 years he has never seen the hand of God move like while we were there and he had never seen the amount of fruit from any other team he has had come. What is that? Grace, simply God’s abundant grace. There is no reason why, no “me” or “us”, just Him. He loves, He cares, He moves, He heals, He sets free, He blesses, He calls home His children, He is YAHWEH. Hallelujah...I am blessed to be a part.
Below I have pasted a few of my emails to the family from my time in Uganda for you to read and hopefully for you to get a taste of what I experienced on my journey.
I awoke this morning before 6am to the voices of children singing praises to the Lord. There is a school right outside my window next to the guest house. It is not the orphanage we are going to. The unmistakable chants of praises were everything I imagined Africa to be! Beautiful voices, rhythmic chanting and hand and feet beating out the song. It was all in English and at one point I recognized songs from my childhood like I have joy down in my heart.
The sun is rising and I am sitting on the balcony of the guest house overlooking the city of Kampala. Birds chirping and the sky turning golden orange over the horizon and the last twinkling lights from the city below are fading away. I wonder what grace, what favor will arrive today with the sun for the people of Uganda. The rooster is calling out the goodness of God's day!
Earlier, before the children singing I heard the chants of the prayers to Allah. The sound darker, more monotone, purposed. As if the enemy has to work overtime, he has to rise earlier to try and cast his shadow. As if he can get a head start on God! Ha! The thought is absurd. But nevertheless the contrast of the two sets of singing is reflective of the pursuit being had for the hearts of the people of Uganda.
We went to our first church service this morning. Broke into 4 teams and went to 4 different local churches. We have one bus so the driver dropped us off church by church and came back and got us after a while. The roads here off the main highway are dirt and have huge holes and ruts so we have taken to humming the Indiana Jones theme song on the way back to our guest house. The road to the guest house is thin and steep. The last section is next to a large drop off and it still scares me to think about how close we are to the edge every time. When it rains the dirt loosens up and the bus has to get going fast enough to get up the hill. We slip and slide but the driver is very skilled and we cheer and clap every time we make it to the top. Really, it is an adventure. (Pictured below is the bus. Next to that is Pastor Tony and Joanne Ramos with Pastor Michael and Evah Mugerwa).
The church I went to was under 100 people. At least 50 of those were children. I was amazed, they all sat quietly thru the entire service which lasted a long time in my opinion. There were not many men. Mostly women and children. The kids stare and smile at us. Mzungo is what they call white people. It really is amazing to see all the children here. Kids as small as Jake carrying their baby siblings around. No sign of adults or parents in most places. Just kids everywhere. I try to imagine my Jake, Ben and Josh left on the streets by themselves and I can't fathom it. Pastor Joanne once asked one of the Ugandan people about it. She said don't you worry that someone will take a child? The answer was, "who would want them?" She said, “what if they get hurt?” The response was, “well they would only do that once, wouldn't they?" So that sums up the reason that the children are all taking care of each other. So hard to imagine that being my kids life.
The highlight of our service was after worship when the pastor introduced the visitors. He said "and now our guests are going to come and sing a song from their country". Well, we were not at all prepared to do that! The lady in charge of our group (Judy) apparently sings worse then me! The look on her face was priceless!!! I thought I had heard the pastor incorrectly the first time but, no, they were serious. So Judy walks over to me and says "do you sing?" With a panicked look I said no. She asked the next gal, do you sing? No. The fourth person she said “go up there and sing a song.” Fortunately he sings so he led a rousing rendition of "hallelujah, anyhow" which I had never heard before. They were all looking at us like we should be singing too. Well, needless to say we have not stopped laughing about it since we got home.
It rains at random here. Last night there was the most amazing thunder storm. I have never heard such loud thunder in my life. And it rains buckets in a flash and then just stops. Most people couldn't sleep thru the storm so everyone was up in the middle of the night. I stuck it out in bed with earplugs and overall slept great. My first good night of sleep since we got here.
The house mom here at the house we are staying in, Esther, is the image of Aunt Jemimah. You just want to hug her! She is an incredible cook. We had classic pot roast dinner for lunch today. The first day we arrived there was homemade banana and zucchini bread. First breakfast? Yup, big ol’ wonderful cinnamon rolls. No losing weight on this trip!!!
Uganda Report: Introduction to the Orphanage
Yesterday I went to the orphanage for the first time. I would liken it to an ant hill where the ants are scurrying around the hillside. Everywhere you look on the hilly terrain there is a child scurrying here and there. They all have uniforms and honestly I am glad the girls wear skirts because they shave their heads so they mostly look to me like boys. The orphanage is 22 acres. There are over 1100 children 3-19 years of age. They have a school there so there is primary and secondary school and high school. This week the high schoolers were taking their exam to graduate.
We visited every class one by one. When we walked in the children stand and recite in unison to us. They each have a class motto like "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There is no way to describe the overwhelming feeling that is when you walk into that classroom and the children honor you with such respect and eagerness. Most classes have over 100 kids in them. Their goal is to add enough buildings to get the class size down to 50 in a class. The children just want to be noticed. They smile and wave and reach their hands out to touch you. They are like children at Christmas time but times 100. There is nothing I have seen that compares to their unadulterated joy to see us.
It was lunch time when we went. We were taken to the "kitchen". It is just a building with 4 huge pots. I could stand in them and they would probably come to my chest. That is how big. 2 were filled with what looked like cream of wheat. It is actually corn meal based "slop". The other 2 are filled with beans cooking in water. They eat this same thing for EVERY meal. Except on Saturday and Sunday they get eggs. They have 2000 chicken to have enough eggs for 2 days a week for that many children. I guess they also sell the eggs for profit during the week which is why the children only get eggs 2 days.
I got to speak to the dorm moms at the orphanage. The dorm moms do all the laundry, change the children's bed, and discipline and otherwise are the caring adult in the life of 50 or so children. I encouraged them from one mom's heart to another that being a mother, although a tireless job is the greatest job in the kingdom. It was wonderful to bless them with and make them feel honored and worthy. They are the overlooked! They give their lives for these children and no one even knows. I wrote what I said down. It will be a special memory for me.
Last night I spoke at the women's conference. I was one of the 2 main speakers (lady in the picture was my interpreter). There were over 700 women there!!! I didn't realize that there were going to be so many. I thought it was only like 200 hundred (boy am I bad at estimating!). But I asked and they set up 700 chairs. Tonight they had to add more chairs. I talked about viewing life from God's perspective instead of our own. It was an incredible experience to speak like that. It is really my first time to speak at a conference and not just teach or share with a small crowd. I felt confident. I have always desired to speak like that and was relieved that my first experience was great. Well, I will never be as good as my husband but for me it was confirmation that I am not crazy to think of speaking to large crowds like that. Of course I know I am a rookie but I can always hear in my head how I would speak with passion and purpose and I have never had the opportunity to do it. Having an interpreter was really actually nice because you had to wait for her to interpret and you sort of get into a rhythm and have a bit of time to collect your thoughts before you give the next phrase, sentence or thought. 61 ladies received Jesus for the first time last night and 54 tonight. Praise God!!! They have everyone come up and then take them to the back and get their names and phone numbers so they can follow up with them (if they have a phone). In this way they know that the count is accurate. Really, it is an honor to be a part of something so big. So divine. I can't describe how surreal it is to think that God has allowed me to be a little piece of the puzzle.
This morning I went to the ghetto and we went door to door inviting people to the conference, offering to pray for people and asking people if they know Jesus. Of course a team from the local church goes with us. It was again an incredible experience. I had many people ask me to pray for them. One lady came running out of her home, wanting prayer. She brought her child out who was obviously sick. She wanted me to pray for healing. It was just a baby. A couple women that were pregnant wanted me to pray a blessing on their womb. Many wanted prayer for their business. It was a strange feeling to be the one that people wanted to pray for them. You know, I am nothing special. But I bring the hope of Jesus and they have so little hope. The streets are dirty, the poverty is great, and there is sickness everywhere here. If you didn't have Jesus it would be a miserable life. But I really felt the power of God as I prayed for these people. I really understood a sense of knowing that it is just out of my hands. All I can do is call upon the hand of God to move and have faith that God will do just that. I guess I will never know if they were healed, if their life was changed, if it really made a difference until we see Jesus. But if I can be the person in someone’s story that says I met Jesus because this Mzungo (white person) came into my village and prayed for me then I guess that is the ultimate honor in life.
The people here are so friendly. Everywhere we go the kids run behind the bus and wave and yell Mzungo. They are just walking along and if you wave their face lights up and their bright white teeth flash into a big smile. Ah, if only I could put into words the experience. I hope I gave you just a taste!!!
What a wonderful time we are having here! The women's conference continues to go strong each day with 700-800 women. Every night we ask the women to raise their hand if it is the first night they have attended and it seems like every night half the audience raises their hands. We are literally seeing 100's of people come to Christ. Last night it was around 50 women that came forward to pray for a first time commitment to Christ and again tonight it was over that amount. I don't know how many will be fertile soil that the seed is implanted and grows but it is wonderful to see the response to God's work and I really believe this is a well-run church that is doing a fantastic job of reaching the community. The pastor and his wife really are so wise and so full of God. I have the utmost respect for what I see them doing. Also, I spoke again tonight at the conference. What a joy.
We went to the orphanage again yesterday. I am happy to announce that we have a new brother! We are sponsoring a beautiful little boy by the name of Godwin. He is 6 years old and wants to be a pilot first and then a Mzungo (white man!). Ha! I got to hug on him and hold him and that is the greatest way to sponsor a child! I will also get to send him gifts and things with Pastor Joanne when he comes. Very cool. I think it will be special to show my boys his picture and pray for him. Maybe it will take the rest of the family a bit of time to warm up to him. :)
While at the orphanage they brought in 300 new mattresses and sheets and plastic covers. All 1100+ children came out and circled around to watch the delivery. If you have seen the show where they build a new house and the big truck is in front of the house and they yell "Move that truck" I would liken it to this. This huge truck drove in and the children went crazy yelling and cheering. Singing and shouting. An all out riot almost broke out when they opened the truck door as the kids all wanted to help get the mattresses out. They stacked them all on the ground in front of the buildings and it was like the wall of china. Huge. No words can describe the excitement in the air. I captured it on camera so hopefully that will do it justice. They played drums, clapped hands, and sang praises to the Lord. Wow.
We went again into the ghetto today to tell people about the women's conference and to pray and evangelize. I had the most humbling experience in my life. Two older African women...you know, the ones you see pictures of. They were old, haggard and bent over. They were wearing traditional Ugandan clothing. When we reached their home they invited (or more like dragged me) into their home. They spoke quickly Ugandan so I couldn't understand what the wanted. They directed me to sit on the couch. Then they rolled out a mat, kneeled on it in front of me and bent over. They directed me to place my hands on their heads and give them a prayer of blessing. What could I do but bless them! I liken it to someone washing your feet, it was humbling. After I prayed I couldn't help but squeeze and kiss them. They were so precious. It felt like going into ancient days and like I was a prophet or something. The respect they gave me was humbling. (PS- no, I wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit, complete with tennis shoes, in the states!)
Something a little lighter...they have special music every night that is wonderful! Women come up and sing and dance. The tradition here is that to bless the women that are signing people will come up, do a little dance and stuff money into their hands. It is a bit strange to think of that happening in America! Can you imagine every time you do a special song in church people giving you money? But it is pretty fun! Some of our girls go up dancing and participate in the tradition. Not me. :)
Ah, finally a day of rest! Today was just shopping and relaxing which was super nice as we have been working hard all week. Sunday we break up and go to different churches again to share, paint kid’s faces, hand out candy and worship with the local churches. I am going to a church that is deep in the heart of the country. Apparently it is a couple hour drive and one team member actually saw a man on the side of the road with a jaguar on his shoulders and spear in hand last time she went to this church. So although they say that is unusual I am still looking forward to the adventure. the Pastors at the church I am going to used to the associate pastors at the church we have been doing the conference at all week. It was a church plant. They have a school with about 200 students. I have no idea how small or big the church will be.
Last night at the women's conference it was a party atmosphere. There were probably around 1100 women. They had traditional dancers, singing, and a "Miss St Gates" beauty pageant. Yes, I did say a pageant. Honestly, it was hilarious! Apparently earlier in the year they had narrowed the contestants down to 5 so we watched them come out in changes of clothes, answer questions, and do talent competitions. It took forever. The winner got mauled at the end and overall we Mzungo ladies were just sitting there kind of in awe of the whole thing. But it definitely attracted the masses. Something to be said about that! OK, we all loved it. :)
The other day when we were going through the ghetto one of the teams met a witch doctor and led her to the Lord! She came to church the next night and it was exciting to actually see her come. There are a lot of people that practice witchcraft here. This woman has some orphans in her care. One changed life that will lead to many more!
Last but not least the safari pictures. First, the mode of transportation…yes, that is the bus! A couple of mattresses for comfort, a fearless driver, and a crazy bunch of team members. Yes, I opted to ride in the Range Rover. But I am sure I missed a bit of the adventure not riding on the top of the van.
The coveted lioness and her cubs! We were so fortunate to watch them frolic and play just a stone’s throw away from the vehicles. Prior to this we saw a lioness in the grass by herself and at the end of the trip a lioness just walked right next to our car on the side of the road. I got a video of that one. Cool!
And more animals…
And more animals…
And beautiful scenary…
Uganda Report: Almost Home
I am reflecting on the week and wanted to tell you how incredible this whole experience has been. There is no way to describe it, no way to tell you how blessed I am to have been a part of this trip, and no way to describe how much I am looking forward to coming again...whether it be here or somewhere else.
You know, we really experienced a legitimate revival here. The church had 324 NEW people return to the Sunday service that received Christ for the first time from our week here. They had given everyone that had been saved a piece of paper to write their names on and to bring back on Sunday when and if they came back. 324 people returned with their cards in hand. Incredible. The pastor here said that in his 26 years of ministry he has never experienced the hand of God like this in his church. And, truly, he has watched God do a lot. He is not only the pastor of this church but him and his wife are the founders of the Destiny Orphanage which started with an empty piece of land and 11 children and is now 1100 children, a school, and so much more. The problem the church has now is that they no longer have enough space or seating for the congregation! What a wonderful problem to have!
Today Pastor Evah (the pastor's wife) was going to come to the children's prison with our team but when Pastor Joanne called her to meet up with us she could not come. Do you want to know why? Let me tell you!!! One of the woman that was saved this week was the ring leader of a group of other ladies who all smoke pot and do drugs. After being saved she told the ladies that she smoked with what had happened and witnessed to them. She then brought them to the church and Pastor Evah literally had them all lined up outside of her office and was leading them to Christ one by one. They all had brought their drug paraphernalia and committed their lives to Christ. They are planning tomorrow to have a burning party to get rid of all the drugs that were surrendered. So this is just a glimpse at the domino effect that is the week will continue to have as we head away and the changed lives of those we leave behind begin to make a difference here. Who am I, Lord, that you allowed me to see such wonder!
In addition to the 324 that came to that church we also had probably another couple hundred respond to altar calls for first time commitment from the other places we visited. Children's prisons, adult prisons, other churches in the areas, people we met as we traveled door to door in the ghettos.
Tonight we visited the man that owns the guest home we are staying in and heard his story of how God brought him thru wars of Uganda for 30 years to Bible school in Seattle, WA and back to Uganda to start a church. He now has planted over 200 churches. They do 11 crusades every year (one a month) traveling to villages all over the country and surrounding countries to take the gospel to people who have never heard it. His story was incredible. He told us about incredible miracles God has provided for him to establish what they have now. He pastors a church, runs a bible school, and owns this guest house that we stayed in this week for missionaries. I actually hope some day I get to go on a crusade with him.
My heart is full. The memories wonderful. The hand of God indescribable. Thanks to each one of you for making this happen for me. For the people here in Uganda. Really, know that your investment into the kingdom has reaped a great harvest for the King. Thanks for being obedient to investing financially and in other ways so that I could be a part of this.
This is at the children’s prison. I didn’t go but they told me that when the children first arrive they strip them down and lock them in a cell to “break them”. A dozen or more kids all locked in together with horrible conditions, even just defecating on the floor. Lice and other sicknesses are rampant. It’s sad. The picture on the right is our group sharing with the children in the prison. One of the gals on our team was a nurse and she treated many open wounds and did what she could to help. She poured hydrogen peroxide on an open wound of one child and it foamed and foamed. Indication of serious dirty conditions.
My roomies…from left to right..”Mama” Judy, me, Erin, and Savannah.
Just some beautiful faces…moms with babies.
