Well, month 9 is drawing to a close and once again we find ourselves in transit between countries. Team Siloam had another memorable month in Uganda and we are incredibly thankful for all the relationships and experiences we were able to enjoy. Here is the monthly recap:
Team Siloam went through a bit of a change at the end of Kenya. We lost Dan to another team, but gained the one and only Brian Cooke! He's been a wonderful addition to our team and we've really enjoyed having him with us. You can follow his blog at: http://briancooke.theworldrace.org/
At the beginning of the month, we had the opportunity to go to a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Sengal and Uganda. If you haven't experienced the overwhelming furvor that surrounds a football match in another country, you're in for a treat!
Most of our month was spent doing door-to-door evangelism in the small community of Seeta, about 45 minutes outside of Kampala. We would evangelism in the mornings and invite everyone to our house for discipleship in the afternoons. We would share Bible stories, hear tesitmonies, answer questions about Jesus, and pray for those who attended.
Discipleship under the mango tree
One of the best memories from the discipleship meetings was our friend Posiano. Posiano was in a motorcycle accident a few months ago, and as a result walks with a limp and has a difficult time moving the left side of his body. While praying for his healing one day, he told us he was able to regain motion in his left hand! What an amazing opportunity to see God work!
Posiano and Pastor Charles
For the second time on the Race, I got to name a baby! I met Justine and her son while our evangelizing one day and was able to have a really wonderful conversation with her. Justine got pregnant at 15 and the father of her son split as soon as he found out (a devestatingly common occurance in Uganda) and she was kicked out of her parents' home shortly after. She now lives with her sister, but has a strong desire to return to school. When I asked what her month-old son was named, she told me he didn't have one and asked if I would name him. I chose the name Joshua, because I want this tiny baby to be a warrior, a leader of his people, and a man of God. The following Sunday, we dedicated him at Pastor Charles' church.
Dedicating Joshua in front of the Church
The highlight of ministry this month was the opportunity to work with the girls at Doors. Katie, Sydney, and Mallory are three amazing women of God who are working in Kampala with the street boys. They've opened their home to several boys and are putting many through school in their work to help get kids off the streets. They also opened a school in a nearby slum, where we were able to go and teach the students. Strange as it may seem, it was a refreshing experience to hang out with other Americans that weren't on our squad. We were able to see how God is working and moving through our generation and see the obedience of these woman.
In the classroom at the slum school with Doors Ministry
I also had the opportunity to teach for the first time while in Uganda. The first time was at a nearby church with a pastor that our contact partnered with. The second opportunity was at Pastor Charles' church in Seeta. I had spent the previous two days working on my message, complete with scripture references and Biblical examples. Approximately five minutes before going before the church to teach, I felt the Lord speak to me about Jonah. My first thought was, "Jonah's a good book, I always really enjoy it." This was followed by the realization that God was asking me to give my message on Jonah instead of the talk I had prepared. After fighting it for a while, I finally decided to obey and gave my message on the fly, with no prior preparation or thought. And the Lord was so faithful! It was such a overwhelming feeling to realize that my own efforts and the work I had put into preparing a teaching were useless. Instead, I had to depend on the Lord for His words and His revelations. He was faithful to speak through me and it reminded me to listen to the little whispers I so often forget to acknowledge.
Teaching on Jonah
… and BUNGEE JUMPING!
We're heading to Tanzania in a few short hours and we've hit the double digits! Month 10 and only two left to go. Thanks for your continued prayers and support!
