He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. Matthew 28:6 

Dear Friends and Family,

He is risen! He is risen indeed!!

As we enter in to this season of celebrating Christ’s Resurrection let us remember that it is the resurrection that sets us apart from every other religion, what makes us certain that Jesus is the only way to heaven.

As we prepare here in Uganda to celebrate the passion week and resurrection I cant help but think of some of the activites that have recently taken place or just begun.

The first thing I think of is my women’s Bible study.  My home church, Calvary Chapel Saving Grace and my pastor, Trent Douglass, just celebrated their 30 year anniversary.  The reason I mention this in conjunction with my Bible study is that my Pastor is the one who inspired me to put together this study.  When our family was in the states last year Pastor Trent did a couple of teachings on David and Goliath.  I was blown away with the fact I knew this story so week yet there was so much I had never considered before and how it related to Christ and the New Testament.  

This started my thinking about all of the common Bible stories we teach our children.  Stories that even most nonbelievers have heard of before.  I felt that I was to put together a study on these common stories and what the deeper truths are and how they point us to Jesus.  When I first announced the study at church the ladies were a bit skeptical.  Most of them actually teach Sunday school.  They told me later that they were like, “we already know all of this, this should be for new believers or children.” After the very first teaching they had changed their minds.  Like me they did not realize the so called simple stories we normally teach our children actually contain some very deep spiritual truths and foreshadow or prophesy of Jesus.  I am so blessed that I get to be the teacher because I feel like I am learning so much more then the ladies as I study and prepare the teachings.  Even sometimes when I am teaching it feels like I am listening and learning something for the first time.  I made a workbook for the ladies to go through during week and I learn so much from what they get out of their personal study. I think more than ever the verse from Hebrews 4:12 applies. “ For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” No matter how many times we have read God’s Word, it is always revealing more to us, more of God and more of how we should live for Him.

Of course as a church we are preparing to celebrate Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. The youth and the kids at church will have a big role in those celebrations and I can’t wait till next month when I can share how they all turned out and how God moved during those services, because I know He will.

Luke, Laylee and Liana also participate in activities outside of church.  The girls have been in Ballet since they were 3 yrs old.  Luke used to be in Karate but after his huge growth spurt he chose to focus on basketball. He has just reached 6ft, which he is very proud of. When Laylee turned thirteen last year she was promoted to pointe.  It has been challenging but she has been very faithful to practice on her own and her teacher comments almost every week on how good her technique is.  For Liana ballet is more of a class in self discipline.  She is normally vey hyper and can barely hold still. Her dance of choice and what she normally incorporates into our church productions is hip hop/breakdancing.  Ballet helps her to have to slow down and be aware of her body and control her movements. 

Earlier in the year the girls were invited to help showcase ballet in a production put on by the New York University school of dance.  They both enjoyed being on stage in front of an audience and we were so proud of them. Luke has been training 4 hours a day 3 days a week with a local basketball team.  They play against teams from other areas around Kampala.  Every so often scouts come looking for talent for the national teams. Luke hopes that as he improves his skills and when he is old enough that he will be able to play for one of those teams.

The other event that took place, or I suppose it wasn’t an actual event but was special to us, was that our Godchildren were in town.  They were able to stay with us for over a week.  It was such a blessing to see all the children together playing and fellowshipping.  It was also a great time of fellowship for us adults as we caught up with their parents, Greg and Jo.  Greg taught a Sunday service and shared about Jesus as our super hero.  I have never heard the church laugh so much during a service or the translator seem so lost as he tried to keep up with the strong American accent.  It was a very memorable service and I can’t wait for them to come back from the states in 6 months and share with us again.  I know the kids are already missing each other so much.

Thank you for faithfully praying for our family and the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Give thanks for the proof we have of the resurrection and that Jesus is 100% the way, the truth and the life!
• Please pray for the women of Arise Christian fellowship. Pray that as they learn more of God’s word they would grow in their faith and would be a light in the areas which they live.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to be a light to the children and coaches they come into contact with through out the week.  Pray for them not to be tempted by the nonbelievers in their activities.
• Pray for Greg, Jo, Israel, Lindiwe and Keziah while they are on furlough for 6 months.
• Pray for the Kanyike family as they continue to serve the Lord in Uganda. Pray for their spiritual life as well as their physical needs.
• Pray for Brian as he  pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.