“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,”
2 Pet 3:11-12a
Thank you for your love, for your concerns, for all of your encouragement in the LORD and for all of your prayers. It is such a blessing to be partnered with you for the sake of the Gospel. Know that your prayers make a difference here in my family’s life and in our ministry. Know that God is using you. As we are here in Uganda we are often blessed to catch glimpses of what God is doing back home through people like you. God’s heart is for the whole world to know Him intimately, and you also play a direct role in that. As members of one body let us continue working together to bring the transforming hope of the Gospel into hearts and minds, not growing tired of doing good, let us obediently carry out the good works which God created each of us for.
On the ministry end of things, this past month of September has been very eventful, full of high highs and low lows. On the high end, we had a great time in the School Of Discipleship this past month as one class studied through the book of Exodus and the other went through Acts. We had the awesome opportunity to replicate the Tabernacle for the pastors who were in the book of Exodus, this people group really tends to get a lot out of object lessons and props. We experienced some highs at BAM this month as well since it is harvest season here and our public milling services have been running seemingly non-stop, and a local school used us as their supplier for over 2 metric tons of food!
However, on the low end, we had serious struggles this past month, most of which have centered around our clinic. It wouldn’t be right to go into many details but the change of staff and enforcement of certain policies has not endeared us to the surrounding community and has put us in a few rough positions. Also on the low end, please be praying for my managing partner at BAM, who’s wife just underwent surgery, and who’s brother is currently in serious condition in the hospital. Pray that God brings them peace and rest. The other bad news is that there has been a serious lack of rain during this planting season, so pray for our community as we anticipate famine next year.
Today as we were in church our pastor told us a story concerning one of our congregants that really reminds me of why we are here, and how Uganda is in desperate need of discipleship. Many people this week have gathered together in Gulu for a gospel crusade featuring a renown so-and-so, “bishop of Christ.” Halfway through the conference, the “holy man of God” approached a member of our church and explained to him that a special anointing of the Holy Spirit was available for him and that he needed to meet with him the following morning at his hotel. When our church congregant showed up the next day, the bishop explained that the “anointing” (including a vial of “blessed oil” and a “holy handkerchief”) could be his for 1.5 million UGX (just over $400.00). Thankfully, knowing better than that, our church member left in a hurry without further entanglement. Without having received real, biblical discipleship, he would have been taken advantage of, just as so many others who are being deceived here every day. Please continue to pray that the church of Uganda would experience true discipleship.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
