Unlike
last month, I don’t have very many breathtaking photos of the landscape
here. It’s hard to capture our ministry with
images, as whipping out my camera as we evangelize would be counter-productive
and just plain tacky. What really made
this month are the people we’ve come to know as friends.
last month, I don’t have very many breathtaking photos of the landscape
here. It’s hard to capture our ministry with
images, as whipping out my camera as we evangelize would be counter-productive
and just plain tacky. What really made
this month are the people we’ve come to know as friends.
- Agnes turned twenty years old on the same day Obama was inaugurated, which makes this her golden birthday. She’s a half-dozen years younger than I
am, but she’s taken me to school when it comes to evangelism. Boldly and sweetly, Agnes brings
it. One thing I noticed about her
is her love for the Bible. As we’d
wait for lunch to be ready, I’d see that she’s reading the Bible. She told me that when she’s at school,
she’ll wake up at 3 a.m. to pray and read the Bible before she studies in
the morning. 3 a.m. is when I would
go to bed on the weekends (or even during the week while I wait for photos
to upload. . . ). She’s zealous
for the Lord but she’s also very humble; she doesn’t have it all together,
but that hasn’t stopped her from going at spreading the gospel.
- Alexandra, or just Alex, is a
sweetheart. At twelve, she’s the
youngest of the bunch whether it’s our morning outreach or at Impact. What began as her fascination and
playing with my hair has grown into friendship. When I see her, I remember what it was
like when I first fell in love the Lord, which happened when I was twelve.
Her spirit is always willing. Alex is wise beyond her years without
being precocious; still very child-like in her faith and availability. Being around her tenderizes my heart –
the way she was crestfallen about not being able to come with us to the
mental hospital or see all of Mildmay (because of her age), that she
introduced me to her auntie, baby cousin and her cute and hilarious five
year old brother Aaron (even though my sarong got wet as we walked in the
rain to do so), how she couldn’t bear missing out yet again and how happy
and relieved she was when she was able to join us after all to Uganda
Christian University, how she fell asleep as I was clarifying the gospel
to a Jehovah’s Witness. . . - Peter, who I’ve already wrote
about in a couple of blogs, is a blast to be around. I still chuckle when I recall his
reaction to my accusation of his being the mafia during a game of
Mafia. Always ready to shuttle
people around – whether it’s after Dennis and I run into him randomly at a
supermarket or to take Alex and Aaron home that night we played Mafia (way
past little Aaron’s bedtime). This
spirit-filled brother says that he loves us and wants us to stay and prays
like he means it. - Arthur has been amazing. He was pretty much the go-to guy right
up to the last minute before school started for him again. Arthur was the one who took the younger
teens under his wing when we went door-to-door evangelizing in the flats. God’s used him to affirm and encourage
me; and I’ve been challenged and encouraged for his heart for people – his
campus, his church. He’s passionate
for the Lord but in a well-tempered way that doesn’t overwhelm. He’s in his last year of university,
studying law; I’m hopeful for Uganda if there are more people like Arthur
stepping up to seek justice.
- Moses has been wonderful at
herding us and getting us to where we need to go. Even when we pepper him with questions
like, “Moses, which flat’s are we going to today?” or “Moses, can you come
up with the pairs?” or “Moses, how much is the matatu?” he remains collected
and patient. For someone who had
lost his parents and a brother and sister, his trust in the Lord is
unwavering and his faith in Him steady. He’s been such a gracious host to us; if you ever visit Uganda, let
him know – he recently earned his degree in tourism and works with these
folks: Standalone African Travels. - Gideon led worship the first
day we met with the youth and I wish he was around more. He’s worked with Youth for Christ
International in Uganda and is familiar with CTI Music Ministries from the
last time they sent a team here (nearly seven years ago), so it was neat
for us to connect in that way – yet another way CTI has been the bridge to
some interesting paths. . . This guy
is gifted in leading worship, and I think God will use him mightily to
bring glory to Himself.
And these
are just a few examples. Everyone we’ve
partnered with and befriended are amazing men and women of God. We’ve only been here for three weeks, but for
the above people, this corner of Kampala is their home – I trust that the Lord
will continue to do amazing things through them. I’m grateful that God brought us here to help
them unleash boldness and love to their community.
We have
met so many precious people this month as we’ve evangelized as well.
met so many precious people this month as we’ve evangelized as well.
- Marisa and I met Senaye and Senat who are from Eritrea; the latter left Eritrea because of persecution against Christians, the former is going to head out to Angola to start a new job.
- Neil and I met Saul, who’s been battling a form of skin cancer (which hasn’t affected his internal organs, praise God) for five years. When we first knocked on his door, his daughter, Nelly, answered; she and I had been grouped together on the first day of outreach. And there I was a couple weeks later to minister to her dad.
Two days of follow-up is not much but we left
our blessing with those who’ve welcomed us. As such, I believe that God will bless them with His very presence: His Holy Spirit.
our blessing with those who’ve welcomed us. As such, I believe that God will bless them with His very presence: His Holy Spirit.
It’s
amazing that at the beginning of this month, I fell in love with this place and
now, with a couple days left here in Kampala. . . I still feel that way, more
or less. Sometimes I wonder if my regard
for this place would be the same if we didn’t enjoy the amenities that we have.
But
mostly, I’m so thankful that He graciously placed me here for this time. I’ve had issues this month, as I did the previous months, yet I think thus far, it’s been my favorite on the Race. Despite my distaste for clichés, I’m going to
twist one around. It’s been said “it’s not what you know, but who you know,”
however I’d like to think that it’s not what you do but who you know that makes
or breaks a month on this journey. Being in Uganda this month was proof of that for me.
