I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Psalm 138:2

Dear Friends and Family,

This month Arise Christian Fellowship celebrated completing the New Testament on Sunday mornings.  The church began just over 8 years ago.  It began as an outreach to the market people. This was no easy task as many of them suffered from alcoholism and drug abuse. When the ministry first began there, Brian was actually advised by the local officials to run away because it was too dangerous.  God had other plans and within a short time there was a Bible study meeting under a tree outside of the market with 20—30 men and a study meeting in a little shop with market women.  

After hearing a teaching on Baptism, Brian was asked how they could be baptized.  We began to look for someplace nearby  that they could get to on their own and we saw a sign with a pool on it.  When we talked to the owner it turned out she was a Christian and was very happy to let us use the pool for a baptism.  We then asked if she would ever rent out her restaurant on Sunday for a church service and she was actually very excited to do so. 

The church began the day of the baptism. The next Sunday we began the book of John. While we have had some guest speakers, special occasions and the time off during covid, Brian has taught book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse just like Isaiah 28:10 says, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”  and Acts 20:27, “ For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

The week after finishing the book of Revelation, we celebrated and reflected on all the Lord has done and taught us as a church.  We had a afterglow with times of worship, times of prayer and of testimony.  One of our worship leaders shared with us the testimony of how recently both his children fell sick at the same time and his daughter who is 3 almost died, needing blood transfusions.  He shared how it was scary but he knew the church was praying for them and helping them when they needed help. He rejoiced that now the children are both well and in church. We had quite a few visitors.  2 were construction workers who have been helping with the renovation of the guest house and 1 was the husband of a lady who has been attending on her own.  All 3 of them accepted the Lord that day.  We are excited to see what the Lord has next as we continue to teach and study His Word.

Since finishing the Book of Revelation, Brian has been praying about where he should teaching from on Sundays.  He has decided to teach through the book of Mark. Many of the people in our church, who have been there since the beginning, have been serving in various ministries around the church and in the community.  We are now beginning to raise up the next generation of “servants” or ministers.  Mark shows Jesus as our servant king, so what better way to begin this next step of discipleship.  Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for.

Uganda is both north and south of the equator.  Where we live is just 35 minutes North of the equator.  This causes the seasons to be very mild and the hours of daylight and night time to be almost equal. The weather stays pretty consistent with just one rainier season and one hotter season.  Our hotter season begins in December and ends around Easter.  Because of this, we consider this time Summer.  The school year ends at the beginning of December and begins in February.  This means schools have only just begun for this year.  My kids also just started their new years.  Luke and Laylee are now in middle school.  I wanted them to have more experience with structure and how to use a computer so I have enrolled them with an on line Christian school called Liberty University Online Academy.  We have had a few technological challenges but are slowly getting the hang of it.  Having to spend less time teaching them as freed me up to spend more time focusing on schooling Liana.  She has some behavioral challenges that make learning difficult for her so she really needs the one on one attention.  I would definitely ask for prayer as we all navigate this new school year and online experience.

Another exciting event happened this month.  Our 3rd God-child was born.  A little sister was born to our other God children, Israel and Lindiwe. Her name is Keziah Jean.  She was born in the States so we cannot wait for her to come so we can meet her in person.  Congratulations to her parents, Greg and Jo Clarkson.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry here in Uganda!

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for the men and women who are being raised up to serve in the church and in the community.

• Pray for Arise Christian Fellowship as they begin the Book of Mark.  Pray for those who have recently received Christ to grow in understanding and in a personal relationship with Him.
• Pray for all the children who have recently returned to school.  Pray for Luke and Laylee as they learn to navigate online school. Pray for Liana and Jill as they attempt to overcome Liana’s learning challenges.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• 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.