Uganda March 2016
I knew this was going to be difficult! After two weeks in Uganda and experiencing all that I saw and did, how would I be able to convey to you in this newsletter the amazing work of the Holy Spirit? I guess I am going to have to trust Him to give me the words that will speak to your heart. With that said, I am going to focus on one specific story from the trip—a real story, in a real place, with real people! You would think after 14 ministry trips to Uganda, that I would have pretty much seen it all. Wrong!!!!
First, I want to thank all the people that prayed and gave from their resources to help make this trip possible. This trip had a two-fold mission and I am happy to report that both aspects of this journey were met and that many lives were impacted for the Kingdom of God. The first week of the trip was focused on leadership training. ETM raised the money to bring all the pastors from their villages to the capital city of Kampala, where they were hosted by Pastor Fred Muyimba and his church, Harvest Christian Ministries. The pastors slept in the church and had all their food prepared for them. The theme of our conference was “Wisdom and Revelation,” so that we could know God better. Each day, I had the privilege and honor to teach them from the Word of God, and to give them new insight into leadership. They then returned to their villages to do the same in their churches. We had an amazing week together as the Holy Spirit taught us, healed us, empowered us, and equipped us for the journey ahead. After the conference we headed out into the villages to visit 11 different churches in 5 days!
And now the story! We were two days into our village trip and all was going well. Visiting the different churches and seeing all the people has always been a great blessing to me. Relationships were very important to Jesus. As Pastor Fred and I have been working together, we have seen many new churches being established throughout the villages in Uganda. We have come to love and appreciate these pastors and the work they are doing for the Kingdom of God. It was Wednesday morning and we were heading to our fifth church. This church is a new church with about 15 people attending on a regular basis. The pastor and those serving with him had just built the church building. We pulled up to the church and the people came out to greet us with their song and dance. It was so good to see them! Our goal with each church was to worship with them, then I would have the opportunity to encourage them from God’s Word. We would then close in prayer together and we would be off to the next church. As we entered this small church, we had no idea what the Holy Spirit was about to do.
The people of Uganda love to worship God and they really know how to worship with song and dance. After we spent some time in worship, I was given the opportunity to share from God’s Word and to encourage them to trust God as they build their church. As I was bringing my message to a close, something happened that did not happen in any of the other 10 churches that we visited. The Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to my heart and said this, “Anoint the two doors of the church with oil, and pray that from this moment on any person that walks inside this church will sense the presence of God and will give their hearts to Jesus.” I was obedient to the Holy Spirit, we anointed the doors and prayed just as we were instructed. We finished our visit and we loaded our team of six into our vehicle. Just as we were preparing to pull away, the pastor runs up to our vehicle telling us to come back in the church—he has something to show us.
As we entered the church, there was a couple, whose home is located right next to the church, sitting on one of the benches. They proceeded to tell us that they heard us worshiping the Lord and it was very powerful. As they came out of their house and looked at the church, they could see the light and presence of God over the church and knew that God was calling them. This husband and wife were very involved in the occult and witchcraft. On the dirt floor in front of the couple, were two good sized baskets filled with all sorts of witchcraft and occult material. The cry of their hearts was to turn from this way of life and their sins, and give their hearts to Jesus! I hope you just heard what I said. This was a moment in time I will never forget. We had just anointed the doors of the church and prayed that something like this would happen. And to think we were seconds away from driving off and would have missed this miracle of God. Pastor Fred walked outside the church, and while he was burning this evil material, I had the privilege of praying with this couple to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. With God, all things are possible!
Pastor Fred and Pastor Sydney burning the witchcraft and occult material while I am inside the church praying with the couple as they invite Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.
The man and his wife say no to their old way of life—a life of witchcraft and the occult.
Bucks for Bricks Update
Having just returned from Uganda, I had the opportunity to see our campaign, “Bucks for Bricks,” becoming a reality right before my eyes. Our goal through this campaign is to raise $50,000 to build six new churches in the villages of Uganda. As we went from village to village and saw the progress being made, my heart was so encouraged. The people in the villages have so little in regards to earthly wealth and yet they have this amazing passion and strength to serve God and to do His will on this earth. The Holy Spirit has placed this big vision in their hearts and they are trusting Him each day to help them build the church.
One of the last churches we visited during my trip was the new church plant in Rwimi. They are a church of about 15 people and have been meeting in the front yard of one of its member’s homes as they have been saving up to buy a piece of land for the church. They found a wonderful one-acre plot of land right next door to where they are meeting now. The cost of the land is $1,000 and they have already raised $500 towards the purchase. As we gathered on the land and spent some time in prayer, I knew I needed to help raise the other $500 so they could have their own land and build for the future. Once I returned home from Uganda, I made one phone call and the money has now been raised and will be heading to Harvest Christian Church Rwimi. My thanks to all of you who have given and helped build these churches in Uganda.
Standing on the new land we helped purchase in Rwimi, Uganda!
Pastor Avis has done an amazing job! The old church on the left, the handmade bricks in the middle, and their new church on the right. Trusting God for the new roof!
Pastor Violet and her team have laid the foundation for their new church and are now starting to build the walls.
Pastor Sydney, Pastor Joseph, and Pastor Fred in front of Pastor Joseph’s church. They have made great progress!