And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:19-20
Dear Friends and Family,
I pray you had a wonderful time celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Our family and church enjoyed some wonderful times of fellowship and outreach. Brian has been following up the Easter services with teachings from Jesus’ appearances after the Resurrection through to Pentecost.
Our Easter celebrations began on Palm Sunday. Living in a tropical climate means there are palm trees are everywhere. On Palm Sunday everyone in Kampala is carrying palm leaves waving them and decorating their vehicles and even their boda boda – bodas with them.
At our Palm Sunday service Brian taught a message called, “Hosanna: Save Us Now” and what that meant in relation to Old Testament prophecy and the Jews at that time. He also shared on what it means to us today and how today is the day of salvation. The teen group presented a song and dance they had arranged to a Luganda song about the Triumphal entry. Some of the different tribes represented at our church shared the same song in their language and with their dances. It was a very fun Sunday.
After church we went home to receive some guests from Russia and Cuba. They were here on a medical mission trip. Two from Russia were doctors and the one from Cuba was a dentist. Paul a Nigerian/Russian missionary in Uganda was also at guest house. He came to spend time with his fellow Russians. We were a very international group and we ended the day fellowshipping with them over a BBQ.
Through out the passion week members of the youth group and the women’s group did some door to door evangelism in the slums and marketplace to invite people to Good Friday and Easter services. At our Good Friday service we showed the movie the passion of the Christ. The church was packed, mostly with youth. We fed them a snack and a drink. After the movie Brian had our youth leader share a Gospel message and invite them to our youth group. Then after praying for those who wanted to be saved we all took communion together as we reflected on what Jesus has done for us.
After the heaviness of Good Friday, Easter Sunday is always such a joyous celebration. The message of the Resurrection really is the foundation and hope of our faith. The children gave a very simple but powerful skit about Jesus saving us from all types of sin and how He lovingly brings us back to Himself even if we backslide. I was moved to tears at how well they showed those truths in such a simple way. I really pray that if anyone was there who wasn’t saved recognized their sin and God’s love and desire to save them while they watched the skit. The Sunday School also performed a song and a couple of them performed a traditional dance to a Luganda Easter song. After the children finished, their teachers came and gave one last word of encouragement and chorus to the church about Jesus love for them.
After the Easter service the church shared a full meal together. Most of the church is very poor and we knew many would not be going home to the big Easter meal we usually plan . They were so thankful and the fellowship lasted long into the afternoon.
We look forward to what God is going to do in the lives of the new believers as well as the renewed vision the church received from remembering Jesus’ death and Resurrection during this Easter season.
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!
- Pray for the youth at Arise as they are now on Uganda’s spring break from school. Pray for the activities and plans Arise has for them during their time off from school.
- Pray for the youth and others who received Christ after the Good Friday service.
- Pray for Uganda as this season is unusually rainy and hot. Pray for the farmers to navigate the extreme weather.
- Pray for health and safety in Kampala. The weather has caused many mosquitos, bringing malaria and flu. Pray for safety as there have been riots due to presidential campaigns.
- 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.
