"Dem munos can preach, bah?"

Rainy season is here. Gray days, wet laundry, frizzy hair, muddy feet, muddy floors, muddy hands, muddy clothes, happy kids in muddy puddles, muddy everything. When we lived in NY, I always called this month "Muddy March." I guess it still is. (Although I bet you New Yorkers are wishing for mud right about now since it's been a constant blizzard since November...) 

Anyway, this afternoon was pretty gray. There were some sleepy young ones and some sick big ones. Sam, Elisabeth, Lilah, Tyler and Granddaddy were all taking a nap. Rather than wake up the house, or search for a dry spot outside to homeschool, we took the day off. I put in some headphones and listened to a great Bible study while the big kids played out in the drizzle. When the Bible study was finished, I went out back to see how Caroline and Catherine were doing with the laundry that might dry over the weekend. 

Although I hate to admit to these hardworking ladies that I was just sitting for an hour, I was telling them about this Bible study that I had just listened to. The pastor was talking about how it doesn't matter what is culturally acceptable or relavant. It doesn't matter what language we speak or what country we are from. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are enough to reach people's hearts. 

Caroline answered, "Yeah, dem munos can preach, bah?" (Translation: "Yeah, those white guys can preach, you know?")

I said, "Caroline, I just was saying it doesn't matter what country we are from. It is the Holy Spirit that is the One reaching people's hearts! Your Iteso (Julius' tribe) husband can preach very well because of the Holy Spirit too!" 

She agreed, and we carried on talking about our cassava crop and whatever else came up.

A little while later, Tyler woke up still not feeling well. He asked me to go find Julius and see if he would teach tonight's 5:00 Bible study. It was 3:40. I found Julius walking back from the chicken house carrying a hammer, a stuffed Elmo, and his 18 month old daughter. All of which were covered in mud. I asked him if he was up for the challenge. With his hearty laugh, he responded, "Well, I may only teach for some thirty minutes, but we will see what The Lord will do!"

An hour later, Tyler and the older three kiddos watched some cartoons in Daddy's bed downstairs, and his parents played upstairs with the littlest three. I was blessed to go into the study. 

The Lord is really doing a great work in Julius. At one point, he was sharing about how much the Word of God means to him. As a young boy, I'm guessing about ten years old, his father and mother both left for a few days. There was no food, and no money to buy any. There was just a little bit of water. He said by the second day he was so weak, he could no longer speak. 

The rest of those gathered threre in the hut tonight could identify, but Julius knew that I had never been in that position. I grew up in a home where when I was nine, I complained practically daily that I had to share a room with my brothers... and if I couldn't have the exact same Puma sneakers as her when I was in fifth grade, I might as well just die. Interestingly enough, I thought that we were pretty poor in that stage of my life. My single mom was busting her rear to keep the lights on in our two bedroom apartment, but we never missed a meal... Or a whole day's worth of food... Or three.

He spoke right to me as he opened his heart. As the only non-African in the room, other people even glanced at me for my reaction to his vulnerable humility.

"There was no food in my small mud hut at that time, but I had a Bible. I prayed that God alone would be my strength. That I would desire Him more than my food." 

This is why we are pouring into the handful God has raised up. We need to get out of their way... Out of the Lord's way. They can reach their own people much better than we ever could dream to. Julius finished teaching, finished feeding the flock, and I was Thanksgiving-evening-busting-at-the-seams-filled. It blows me away how much he has grown in such a short time. God has truly given him a gift.

Later, I saw Caroline and I said, "That Iteso can preach, bah?" She just about lost it she laughed so hard!

Clay in the Hand of the Potter

Many of you know we have had some pretty special visitors here in our little hut recently. My sweet friend Gabbi came to be our "lapidi" for a little while. We had to think up a title for her since it is so common for men to have multiple wives. Many women with children also have a "lapidi," or a nanny. As soon as we began introducing her as this, rather than our friend or sister, people completely understood. We PRAISE GOD for our Acholi friends who walk us through simple things like this! In order for her not to travel back to the States alone, two of our favorite people on the planet came over to escort her home. Pastor John and Pastor Scott were an incredible encouragement to us. We know many people made some sacrifices to allow them to be with us... wives back home in a blizzard and such... but thank you. It meant a real lot to us.

After quite some time here, Gabbi asked me how my walk with The Lord has changed since being in Uganda. I wanted to tell her how my faith had increased, and my prayer life was powerful, and God's voice has become audible. The truth is, at the time Gabbi asked me that, I was begging The Lord to restore my joy. I was turning into a grump. It had been a really long time since I had even sensed the Lord's presence, let alone hear His voice. And my faith... Since living in Uganda, I have prayed the same desperate prayer a shameful amount of times. "God, are you even real?" 

I guess I didn't answer her question quite that bluntly, but I told her I was in survival mode. Temps were reaching 115 or so in the shade at that time. Even if you're not hungry, you better eat. Even if you're not thirsty, you better just keep drinking or you're going to drop to the ground. "To be perfectly honest, my walk with Jesus is a bit like that right now, " I told her. " I know I better read my Bible and pray or I will not survive this. My walk with The Lord was much stronger in the States, but I was spoon fed the cream of the crop three times a week. Now, I might get into a translated Bible study once a month." 

In America, I was able to wake before my children, make some coffee in five minutes, sit on my overstuffed comfy couch and spend some sweet quality time with Jesus before facing any given day. Now, as soon as my feet hit the ground, no matter what time it is, Samuel is awake. I cannot leave him to play as I read because we have a 314 square foot home. The other five children will wake up, creating mayhem before 6AM. A great quote I hear often from my friend Caroline is, "I will bear with the condition." Basically, "Quit whining and deal with it."

Through a good lot of days of prayer, and a series of events, The Lord spoke loud and clear to me that I was discontent, and that was why my joy was gone. I am truly content with cooking on a fire, living in a hut with a grass roof, 100 degree days, pumping water. All of that is fine with me. I was not content with my own spiritual life. I wanted to go back to the way things were in Farmington. I wanted a place where I could safely leave my children in order to sit alone for an hour or so just soaking up the Son. There was a time for that, and it was necessary to strengthen me for what I didn't know would lie ahead. 

Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

Jeremiah 18:3-4

Rather than look back and wish for that same relationship I once had with Jesus, He is challenging me to accept the fact that things are different now. I feel very much like that piece of clay on the Potter's wheel. I thought that vessel God was creating back there in Farmington was just fine. He saw a glaring flaw called pride in that vessel that needed to be removed. He saw a girl who depended on a pastor to sustain her, rather than Jesus. His ways are far above mine, and I embrace the crushing down of the clay in humility in order to be used in a way that brings glory and honor to my Maker.

And so today, (because I cannot promise that this stubborn heart won't wander) today, rather than "bearing with the condition," with all of my heart I want to embrace the will of God. Rather than lay in bed and half-sleep/pray in order to not wake up Samuel, BY GOD'S GRACE, I get up, strap him to my back, and meet with Jesus outside. Rather than pout in my own heart about the fact that I don't get to enjoy as many Bible studies as I'd like, I find toddlers who will stay with me and my little ones in order to free up some other hungry mommas. Joy is restored. I am so very thankful that the Lord has worked this out in my heart.

All that time I had no joy, I was just kicking against God's best for me. The Lord knows what we all need in order for Him to use us as His prized chosen vessel. He wants to fill us with the Holy Spirit.

If anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonorable things), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:21

Hidden in the Tall Grass

Here in Uganda, elderly people are really honored and respected. Someone would be giving a compliment by commenting on how old another person is. This also goes with weight... which can be a bit embarrassing for an American with a completely opposite perspective. Anyway, back to my point.

There is a lovely "older" woman that goes to our church. Her knobby, gnarly leather hands speak loud and clear of the kind of life she has lived. She walks for over an hour to get to church every Sunday. Her name is Esther. She doesn't speak a word of English, not even "hello." Jesus beams straight through her. Through the language and cultural barriers. We are sisters in Christ. I wish I could understand her. I bet she has so much wisdom packed in that precious heart of hers.

For years, since before we came to Uganda, Esther has had a Bible study at her home during the week. When we got here, Tyler started leading the Bible study every Thursday, with Julius interpreting for him. After a few months, Tyler asked Julius to take over the teaching. Now Tyler just goes to give Julius a high five. This not only removes the distraction of interpretation from English to Acholi, but also allows the Lord to flow through Julius with the gift of teaching that he has been blessed with.

Usually, Julius teaches the children's' study first,
 and then he does a "second service" for the adults.

The group that has been coming to this Bible study in this little village of Lakwor (pronounced "La-quoe") has dwindled down to just a handful of people coming week after week. One young man has been coming faithfully, and Jesus is changing his way of life. His father has been questioning him about what Tyler and Julius are teaching him. What could this message be that is so powerful to change a life? The young man asked if Julius and Tyler would come early the next week in order to meet with his father to explain their teachings. 

So, the next week, they arrived two hours early. Nobody owns a watch out there. Nobody goes to work. They just hang out and wait for their crops to grow. So when the vehicle arrived two hours early, the handful of people all came to the regular meeting place for the Bible study. Julius explained that they were there early for a meeting with the boy's father. The group decided to pile into the car and go for the journey, driving on a footpath, plowing through the tall grass. Tyler said he was afraid the vehicle wouldn't make it since he couldn't even tell what he was driving through.

All along the footpath, there are small mud huts hidden along the way. Since NO vehicles EVER drive out this far, the people in these huts were awfully curious as to what was going on. Especially, I'm sure, when they saw a white man driving! 

By the time they reached the father's hut, a group of 60 or 70 people had gathered. Esther, beaming in her glory, was running here and there trying to find chairs and mats for people to sit on. In Uganda, most families own a large amount of land. They plant their crops there, and many many extended family members live all throughout that land. So, this was not just a gathering of Esther's neighbors. It's all of her unbelieving family members!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4

Julius, a bit overwhelmed by the crowd, said to Tyler, "What do we do now?" Tyler responded with, "GIVE 'EM THE GOSPEL!"

So, Julius explained what it means to "walk with Jesus." To live day by day with Christ as your friend and also your authority... having true relationship with God. Tyler explained what it means to "abide in Christ." A mango branch cannot produce fruit if it is cut off from the tree. A man cannot live a godly life without being attached to Jesus. We must allow Jesus to be King of our life... our day... our hour.. our every moment. This is what it is to be born again. To live a new life in Christ. 

Someone in the crowd stood up and openly repented before all those gathered and quiet. He confessed that he had given his life to Jesus a year ago, but was not living a life that honored God. He wanted a fresh start. 

Don't we all want a fresh start? Aren't there days... or years... full of sin that you wish you could just erase? Jesus came to do just that. To wash us clean and give us a brand new start. I encourage you to read through the Scriptures at the end of this post.

After the meeting had finished, the young man's father who was questioning this teaching that was changing his son, came to Tyler. In his semi-understandable-broken- English, he said, "When will you return to tell us about Jesus?" With a big smile, Tyler said, "We will be back next Thursday."

Last week they returned. The same crowd gathered to hear the Bible study. A woman was weeping while they sang in worship to the Lord. She came to Julius, and placed her rosary beads she was wearing as a necklace on the red dirt and said, "These are doing nothing for me. I need a real relationship with Jesus." Rosaries are worn as a necklace to show that someone wants to be religious, or as a good luck charm, or to hopefully keep the devil away. Tyler explained to her that the rosaries will not make the devil fear you. They are just plastic beads. A person must be filled with the Spirit of God.

A man in desperation explained that his wife was not able to attend the meeting since she was visiting a sick relative at the time. He said, "Please come back again so this change can happen to my wife too. I want to give my life to Jesus, but I want her to join me. Please come back."

Julius and Tyler headed home. Beaming from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this little village hidden in the grass... the unknown by men, but well loved by God. Julius confessed his own weakness. He was fighting a battle with Typhoid and Brucellosis, causing weakness, pain, and a high fever that week. He said, "You know, I really did not want to go today. But it is so wonderful that when I do what God asks me to do, I return with more strength than when I left."

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Yesterday, Sunday morning, Esther and the woman that surrendered her rosary beads walked over an hour together. The other woman wanted prayer. She wanted to "officially" give her life to Christ.

Our hearts are humbled and honored and BLESSED beyond measure that these people are hungry and thirsty for the things of God... and He chooses to use us to feed them. Please pray for our Thursday meetings. 

And if you, like the man in Lakwor, want a fresh start... a new life with Christ... you can be forgiven if you humble yourself and choose to believe. The Lord offers His gift of forgiveness a zillion times throughout the Bible. You can email either one of us to discuss it further. We can even help you find a place near your home that will help to strengthen your new life in Jesus. (jennifergooden83@gmail.com or tgooden7777@gmail.com) But for now... just read through this overwhelming list of Scriptures.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 -

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...

Romans 3:23-26

To him give all the prophets witness, 

that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:43

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:23

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, 

thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...

1 John 1:8-10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; 

and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10

And now why tarriest thou? 

arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 22:16

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:24

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:47

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God...

Ephesians 2:8-9

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:3

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:12

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:38

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:15

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Acts 26:18

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:21

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 20:31

 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: 

he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:25

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:9

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

John 9:31

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:15

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 1:15

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:28

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 33:11

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:2

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 43:25

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 5:1

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:11

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Titus 1:2

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 1 Timothy 2:4

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:14

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:18

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures...

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

Romans 5:12

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered...

Romans 4:7-8

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...

Romans 1:16

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins...

Acts 13:38-39

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 8:22

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:47

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:40

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24

SOAPing Up

"Well, I packed four dictionaries. The rest of them won't fit unless I take other stuff out."

Michael and his precious wife organized 200 pounds of "stuff" including a zillion toothbrushes, cereal, Jello, Kool Aid, a library of children's books, a MEAT GRINDER!, medical supplies, contact lenses, Fingerlakes coffee, disposable communion cups, birthday candles, markers, diapers, oh my... the list goes on and on and on and on... But the one thing we REALLY wanted was dictionaries.

Sam in front of the 5 bins we were BLESSED by.

Tyler piped into the FaceTime conversation, "Nope. Four dictionaries isn't enough. Take out the M&M's. They're heavy. Load up as many dictionaries as you've got."

I have no idea how many he brought. A really big stack anyway. We are able to find Acholi Bibles for a pretty penny. English Bibles are fairly cheap. But English dictionaries are like gold here in Uganda... they cost about 35,000 Ugandan shillings, or $14.00. That is just not practical for our friends.

Tyler realized after some time of going through the Word with these beloved Ugandans, that some can barely read the words let alone comprehend what they are reading in the Bible. Imagine this: You are four years old. Your mom and dad and siblings and everyone you know speaks to you in English. Then it's time to go to school. Now, school is completely Chinese. You will learn from a Broken-Chinese speaking teacher how to speak and read in Chinese. You will never be taught how to read in English unless you teach yourself. You have no books at home to read. Your parents don't know Chinese to help you learn. And as soon as you leave school in the afternoon, all of life continues in English. How well do you think you would be able to read? This is how Uganda teaches their children in school. The children are taught English only... and the community is completely Acholi.

Tyler has been praying about teaching an Inductive Bible Study in order to teach people how to dig into the Scriptures. I began teaching our children a new way for them to study the Bible by using the S.O.A.P method. Tyler sat in on one of our homeschooling SOAP sessions, and decided he would use that for his adults since it is fairly simple to do, and really helps to understand the Scriptures. (I will explain this method at the end of the post.)

Life here is really laid-back. In some aspects, it's a nice change from fast-paced America, but it makes it difficult to gather at a set time. It's a rare thing for someone to arrive on time. We have had people arrive HOURS late for a study many times. It's called "Africa time." When someone says they are leaving right now, it means they are thinking about getting in the shower in a few minutes to start getting ready to walk over. Ha! Now, this is a generalization. There are a few diligent people we have come to know and love.

Tyler decided to include incentives for arriving on time. He was going to give away prizes! He knew in order to do this SOAP study, people would need their own Bibles and probably a dictionary. So, rather than just hand them out, if someone arrived on time, they could write their name on a piece of paper. If their name was drawn at the end of study, they could choose either an English Bible, an Acholi Bible, or an English dictionary.

At 3:30 on Wednesdays, you can here boda after boda dropping off eager Bible students at our house!!! (A boda is a motorcycle taxi... meaning it is well worth the sacrifice to pay for a ride in order to arrive on time.)

Our friend Godfrey was not one on a boda a few weeks back. His boda was stolen, and he has very little money. Maybe you remember his story? By the way... THE LORD HAS PROVIDED A NEW MOTORCYCLE FOR HIM! Woah... and just wait til you hear this next part...! Godfrey has had a pretty amazing life. He knows what suffering feels like. He doesn't ask for anything. He never owned a Bible, but he really really wanted one. Two weeks ago, just before the SOAP study was about to begin, Godfrey showed up DRIPPING... and I mean dripping... with sweat. He ran about 2 miles in the blazing 130 degree heat in order to get to the study on time, praying all the way that God would give him a Bible that day. And you know what? Tyler picked a few names out of the saucepan after the study was finished. Godfrey got a Bible. He was beaming.

Godfrey. His smile is contagious.

I don't participate in the SOAP study. I play with my squiggly toddlers and tie Ugandan babies to my back so their mommas can learn. According to Tyler, the faithful bunch of 15 or so that have been coming week after week are really doing well. As with any class, some continue to struggle, and some dig deep. Will you pray along with us for those ones struggling? That they will learn to read the Bible with meaning and comprehension? That they may hear the Lord's voice by studying His Word, and draw nearer to Him because of it?

Gabbi and I juggling the squigglers.

SOAP Study:

Read whatever passage of Scripture you happen to be in that day. Notice a Scripture or a paragraph that stands out to you.

S (Scripture) - Write out that Scripture.
O (Observe) - Underline or rewrite the words that stand out or you don't understand in that Scripture.
A (Apply) - Who are all the pronouns referring to? What does this difficult word really mean? How does this apply to my life?
P (Prayer) - Pray specifically about this verse.

Yesterday, Tyler did very little teaching,
and broke up the 18 people into three groups
 for some hands-on learning.
This helped those who are struggling
to understand even more.
It was also just a lot of fun!

Fan the Flame

(Wrote this a few weeks ago... blessed to find the time tonight to post it.)

It took an hour to get the fire started this afternoon. Can you imagine having a house full of people with hungry bellies after church and it takes an hour just to turn the stove on? A bit frustrating, I must admit. I think the major problem was I kept lighting the fire, and then walking away to do other things. It's windy out today, and the flame just kept blowing out when I wasn't paying attention. After the fourth time of lighting the fire with no success, I took out all the charcoal, repositioned it, payed close attention, and fanned the flame properly until it was going strong.

For a few months, I've resembled the first four attempts. I read my Bible while I am running from here to there, or while juggling babies on my lap in a not-early-enough morning attempt to beat the crowd. I shoot up quick prayers when I think of it, and hope it catches fire in my heart to keep me going. Meanwhile, I'm hungry. My children are hungry. The big, quick flame is not creating deep, hot coals, and not satisfying the need.

My brother Michael is here visiting us along with our friend Matt and his daughter Gabbi. What a precious time it has been. We have been the "givers" for a year now... cheering on new believers and feeding them the Word like crazy. We've received much from these guys these past few weeks. Just worshipping God in Spirit and in truth... without wondering what I'm singing... has been an ENORMOUS blessing.

The Encouragers!

As I sat with the Lord this morning, I asked Him to break me. I need to be broken of all that I have hardened my heart with. We just had our hut "remodeled," and I pictured the guys smashing the concrete in order to make it nice. Whatever it takes, Lord... break me. I need to have a soft heart to honor and reflect You.

Michael was playing the guitar and singing some songs... which led to worship... which led to a prayer meeting. The five of us and Jesus. The presence of the Lord was tangible.

Just by sitting in His presence, I was reminded of the cross. Communion with God happens when we come to the cross in repentance. We see things so clearly at the cross... Our marred hearts as we truly are, and the love of God as He displayed it so perfectly.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

No need for smashing. Recognizing the Love of God breaks me of all my pride and melts me into malleable putty in His hands.

Lord, I've got the Christian words and behavior down pretty well. Unfortunately, I can even fake it sometimes. I want the sincere communion with Jesus to be a continual fire burning deep. Lead me to the cross and keep me at Your feet.

Gabbi... answer to prayer.

Julius taught Michael to play the Idungu.
Michael taught Julius some hymns
 sung to an African beat.

Tyler: "Have I mentioned how glad I am that Matt is here?"
He may have said that to me 5 or 6 times.

Pumping...

Pumping...

They Pumped Water... LOTS of water.

Micah playing catch with Uncle Mike.

Worth it.

Bismark and Concy are Here!

Good news! We have new neighbors! After months and months of building and waiting, Bismark and his little family were able to move into their new hut! Bismark and his wife Concy have a little boy named Matidi and new daughter, Gift. She is really their niece, but they plan to keep her and care for her as their own. Her mom and dad are unable to take good care of her. We are blessed to welcome this new family to our village that is slowly growing into an Acts 2 remake.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Broken

"I'm so nauseous. If I pass out, just carry me to the car. Don't let these doctors touch me... Why did we not bring lollipops for these children?" I whisper this to Tyler as we take in the cries and screams and heat and smells and flies engulfing us in the building full of people with broken bones. The broken ones.

It is 100-something degrees outside, and the windows are cracked just a bit. I try not to wipe the sweat from my face with my hand because there is no such thing as hand sanitizer here, and it is bad manners not to shake everyone's hand upon arrival.

Had I not known I was in a hospital, I might think it was a torture chamber. Three little boys with broken femurs lay naked in cribs with their feet tied to hang in the air. They don't place rods in these bones to hold them together during the healing process. Nope. They hang their feet for weeks to keep the muscles from pulling the bones apart. Our friend Margaret's almost two year old boy, Isaac, fell off a bed, and they are the ones in the hospital we came to visit. She has been there with him for three weeks now, sleeping in the crib with him - the crib with the rock under one leg to keep it stable - while her other two small sons sleep on a plastic sheet/mat on the concrete floor. She sets fire and cooks her meals outside each day. She bathes and washes her laundry there at the hospital too. She is a short little lady who complains about nothing. Maybe you remember my post about her leading her children in a Bible study? She is an amazing sister in Christ who has endured much.

This picture was taken before she removed the bandages.
There is no way to capture the awfulness of this place in a picture.
Blood smeared on the walls... ugh... awful.

A few minutes after we arrived, the doctors came through doing their every-other-day rounds. It was assembly line style. One nurse had a cart with paperwork. Another had the gauze and iodine and utensils they've used on every other patient. Another nurse had something else. By the third nurse, I lost all concentration. I could get more graphic, but I'll leave that aside. I'll just say there were seriously awful medical practices. Truly, I knew I needed to pray... but I didn't even know how or what to pray in this situation. I've never felt so helpless. And this was only one room in one hospital... We can't save the world, I know, but some desperate days I would like to.

The same bandages had been on Isaac's legs for three weeks. Sores and infection were beginning to set in, so Margaret took the liberty to remove the bandages. The doctor was so upset with Margaret for removing those bandages, he refused to care for the boy and walked right past. I praise God He sent us when He did.

After praying for the screaming boy next to Isaac who endured the doctor's torture, and his mom who was also crying in desperation, Tyler sent our friend Julius (we always bring Ugandans with us) to demand the doctor come take care of Isaac. After searching for the doctor, Julius found someone who promised the doctor would be back in the evening to care for Isaac.

Tyler returned to the hospital that evening with gauze, peroxide, Neosporin, and bandages because his assumptions were right. The doctor never came back.

Our friend Matt
helping Margaret transport Isaac.

They discharged the boy this morning, and said he was ready to go home. Tyler took Isaac to a much better clinic and got an X-ray. Sure enough. The bone is still broken, and he needs to hang his legs for another week or so. Tyler is worked with the doctors in this clinic to make up a new contraption for this little man to recover in.

An awesome part about all of this was the morning before we left for the hospital, Tyler was leading devotions and teaching on Matthew 22.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:36-39

Margaret's three sons.

No flies. Really clean.
Tyler worked with the doctor, a welder, and
a carpenter to make the new contraption to be effective
and reasonably comfortable.

Our neighbor happened to have a need that day. This beautiful group of believers we serve alongside wanted to show her some love. Together, they came up with beans, charcoal, mandazis (fried bread), and some money for Margaret. What a blessing it is to give. I think this may be the first time I've seen them give like this... and out of their lack, which convicts me greatly. God is working in these hearts here.

It is so easy to lose sight on the simplicity of the will of God. He just wants us to love Him with every aspect of our lives, and love our neighbor like we want to be loved. If I were stranded and hungry in a hospital with my kids, I would want someone to come and sit and pray and talk with me and bring me some lunch and take care of my baby's broken leg. And you know what? We were inconvenienced. And we didn't eat our own lunch (which consisted of water and a handful of peanuts) until 3:00. It's worth it to be inconvenienced and go without when we are able to bless someone with a greater need.

Truthfully though, sometimes it's easier to do a good deed than it is to surrender a well-loved sin that is poisoning my own heart. The heart I want Jesus to be King over and dwell in. The thoughts I find myself thinking sometimes and the destructive words that tear down the ones I love most are a cancerous mass needing to be removed by the Greatest Physician. By bringing these to Jesus in repentance, I am doing a greater thing than feeding the poor or caring for the sick. I am loving my God with all of my heart, soul, and mind.

...for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

....because my weakness keeps me from wandering too far from the Source of all my strength.

Christmas in Uganda

Last December, seven of us packed up everything we valued most and stuffed it into eleven bins. A lot has happened between that day and today. Most of which hasn't made it to the blog due to life that happens between computer sessions. But looking back, this has been the most physically demanding, socially challenging, emotionally stretching, faith testing, satisfying, joy filled, blessed year of my life.

Yesterday I said to Tyler, "We sure do live an exciting life." He said, "Yeah, we won't have many regrets when we're older."

When someone is living in the center of the will of God, there will be no regrets. Whether that's being the odd one struggling in a high school classroom or walking barefoot down a dirt road in Uganda. When you know what God's desire is for you personally, there is freedom and satisfaction just in pure obedience.

We haven't doubted the call on our lives, but I will speak for myself in saying I've gotten weary in the well doing. The Lord sees and knows and cares. Sweet seasoned missionary friends of ours called us last week- practically begging us- to join them for Christmas. It just so happened that all of our Ugandan friends left to be with their families. To be brutally honest, in my own heart, I have felt like... we are a missionary family... we're supposed to be struggling and uncomfortable... we are not supposed to indulge in anything that is not ministry related... 

Well, we went to be with our American friends and their family for Christmas and stayed in their guest house for five nights. We rested. We sang in English. I sat through my first Bible study in a year. We baked gingerbread men, and read Beranstein Bears. We talked about Jesus. We played soccer and frisbee and grilled hot dogs. We enjoyed warm showers, chocolate pie, loads of coffee, and a long overdue date with just Ty and me. Not a present was exchanged or expected or even questioned. It was an absolutely refreshing time with our big-little family, sweet friends and The Lord.

The day before we were about to leave, I said, "Wanna go on a safari before we go home?" These missionary friends of ours, Keith and Lisa, have been in Uganda for 12 years. They've got a lot of wisdom regarding ministering to Ugandans. They also know a lot about where all the coolest stuff is. We had no idea we could go on a safari for almost the same amount it would cost for our family to go to the zoo in Rochester! Lisa gave us a map, I packed some water and PB&J's, and we were on our way at the crack of dawn.

We were in the car for 15 hours. We have six children under ten years old. Not one complaint. (Except when Abigail thought we would all be killed by the giant elephant.) It was the best day I can remember... ever.

There is a time for everything. We're back home now. Tyler saw our friend Godfrey in town yesterday. He is a motorcycle taxi driver, but his motorcycle was stolen a while back. He's had no work. His wife was bitten by a snake and was in the hospital on Christmas. They can't pay for the hospital bill. She is doing okay, but they haven't eaten in three days, and their two week old baby is now suffering due to the lack of milk from mom. We don't hand out money to people who beg. Tyler had to pry all of this information out of the guy. Tyler's pocket change payed for Godfrey's rent and food until he comes to our house for work on Monday. I sat behind Godfrey at church this morning... hands lifted up in praise to God while his wife stayed home with a swollen leg and a hungry baby girl. He praises the Lord because God is good no matter what the circumstances look like to us. We don't see the eternal. After church, we drove Godfrey home and I asked if we could come in to pray for his sweet wife, Beatrice. They were so nervous to have us white people in their home... a ten foot by ten foot room with two chairs and a mat on the floor. We brought them rice, beans, sugar and prayer. Beatrice knows no English, so Godfrey translated Tyler's prayer for her to understand. And can I say? This kind of thing makes all the not so glamorous stuff in life all worth it. When for a moment, we see Jesus working through His body. And we, the ones who look like the "givers" of the story, are the ones most blessed. It truly is more blessed to give than it is to receive.

'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the 

least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Matthew 25:40

So... life continues. It's not easy here in Africa, but is it anywhere? Jesus didn't promise that days wouldn't be long and tiring and people wouldn't go hungry. He promised not to leave us, and that He would be our strength. He asked us to shine the light of Jesus on this dark world, and we just keep going. Because really... where else would we go?

...In Your presence is fullness of joy... 

Psalm 16:11

Yummy

Some friends of ours are planning a trip to come and see us. (WOOHOO!!) 

They asked about the food we eat. 

I was thinking it might be a crime if I didn't share this Skillet Biscuit Recipe with the whole world. 

So... here's my chance!

I can't turn my stove... er fire...
down when it gets too hot,
so I let the pan rest on the
concrete counter top to cool off a bit.
Perfect time to put on some coffee!

Skillet Biscuits

5 cups flour

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 Tablespoon Salt

3 Tablespoons Sugar

3-ish cups of Milk

Oil for Frying

Mix the dry ingredients together, then add the milk -enough to make a sticky dough consistency.

Heat the pan and add just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.

Don't make the biscuits too thick or the heat too high. They won't cook through.

We eat them as is, or slice them open and put jam on top. I suppose for you lovely people who have the luxury of butter... that would be the most delicious option!