James 1:27

James 1:27

Friday, June 14, 2013

This is not goodbye...

This is till we meet again Uganda.

I cannot say goodbye when I leave Uganda because a piece of my heart resides here and I know I will be back.

Our time of ministry this time is done. We as a team are worn out and tired from giving of ourselves. We pray we were a blessing and those we have interacted with know they are loved. By us. And especially by God.

Today we begin the long trip home. We will spend the morning in Jinja walking the streets and enjoying the town. Then we head out for Kampala where we will eat a late lunch. Then the drive to Entebbe and the airport.

I want to ask you to be ready to give your team member some time when they get home to decompress and process. Then get ready to meet some amazing people and hear stories that will break your heart and also full of grace and love.

Our time here has been good. God has blessed us and I have been ministered to more than I have blessed I believe.

Till we meet again Edward, Sam, Julie, Isaiah, Joshua, Mondi, Moses, Titus, Peter, Solomom, Douglass, Bishop Daniel, Sara, Florence, Jessica, Viola, Reagan, Mercy, and many others.

I will be without wifi in a few hours and so no updates till Amersterdam. We have a 10 hour layover and will be headed in to the city to see the sights. I hope to find a couple of restaurants I have read about and relax.

As the plane takes off tonight from Entebbe I will be crying. I have each trip. I miss my friends and brothers and sisters here in Ugnada, but I am ready to be home.

Talk to you soon.
Chris

Katherine with her new sponsor child.

Dinner at Edward's Father's Home.

His Mercy School
Goat Delivery
Walking the Goat to Viola's






Patrick and Alice
Wanita's old home



Wanita's new home.


Our Last Day in Uganda


Today was a relaxed day, but still a day of ministry. I believe I was ministered to more than the people we met. I was humbled and staggered beyond anything I have experienced- more than once today.

We started out by heading to the village of Buwenda where Pastor Edward's church is located. We first stopped at the home of Wanita. Recently our church provided the funds to build her a new home. She invited us in and thanked us for her home.  We said a prayer over her and as we were leaving she gave us a gift of a tub of maize. We could not turn it down and offend her, but I had a hard time accepting it. In the world at large she has nothing. Her old home is made of mud and cow dung. She has a dirt floor with no running water or electricity and few possessions; yet, she wanted to give out of what she had to bless us. Wonderful lady who taught me a lot about giving.

Next we visited the home of Patrick and Alice. A couple of years ago I got to work on the expansion of their home. They have 15 children. They have their own and they take in orphans from the village to honor God. We sat and visited and toured their garden. They were both so excited to see us back. What an amazing couple who have a farm and use it to care for children. Again, dirt floors, no running water or electricity and few possessions; yet, they give of themselves.

Then we stopped and visited a former witch doctor who has given his life to Christ.  He is working to turn from his shrines. His sons have threatened him because they do not want him to tear down the shrines, but he is working to leave that life behind and be a new creation in Christ. We prayed for him and visited one of the shrines. He is not repairing them when they are in need of repair. He is a strong man who loves Jesus. He also gave us a gift of maize as we were leaving. Again he has nothing, but grace and love but gives freely.

Next we went on a walking tour of the village to the church. This was a blast. A line of Muzungus walking through the jungle is quite a sight! Many of us stopped at various huts and gave our corn away. It was something I have done only once before.  It really is a wonderful experience to walk through the village.

The church is still a beautiful little light in the jungle. There was not service, but the team got to step inside and pray over the church to continue to be a light in the community. I love this little church that God built through us. I have worshipped there many times and I feel at home.

We took a long ride to the Itanda Falls or otherwise known as the Bad Place. This is the class 6 rapid on the Nile.  It is such an awesome sight. We watched a group raft through the lower part of rapids. Watching made us all of wish we had time to raft. Incredible.

From there we traveled back to the school in the village of Kikubo in the Maygue district. We prayed over the teachers and students. We commissioned the new kitchen and teacher housing. I am amazed at what God has done. My friend Mike has been a tireless advocate for this school and I am honored to work with him and see his faith and hard work pay off. The children are making good grades and the school is a light in community. The children sang us a song of thanks!

Edward's father hosted us at his home for a feast. He prepared us a traditional meal out in front of his home. It was simply a beautiful time with a beautiful family. We were served beef, chicken, matooke, posho, yams, potatoes, rice, watermelon, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, avocados, jack fruit, and beans.  Good food from a great man and great family.

Then I bought a goat. Never thought I would ever type that. I wanted to bless the family of Viola and Reagan who our family sponsors in Kukibo. Edward's brother went and bought it for me as we ate. Then I walked it down the dirt road to her house. I was humbled. The joy and celebration the family showed was overwhelming. Mama Jessica sang and danced and hugged. I went right along with her. She called me her eldest son. Viola shook my hand and smiled a huge smile. The goat got away and started running off! All the children around began chasing after it. Finally it was caught and returned. I cannot tell you how I felt except to say I was humbled by their joy.


Our time has come to return home.  Our hearts are full. Each team member has been incredible in their passion and desire to serve and love. We told each host we are not saying goodbye, but instead, see you next time. After 7 years that is not an empty promise. They tell us they know we love them and God loves them because we keep coming back.

We treated over 1,200 people in 4 days of clinics. We saw wounds and sickness that could not be treated sometimes even death was certain in the near future.  We prayed with people, took time to engage them and share our love of Jesus with them.  They did the same to us. It was hard, challenging, amazing, beautiful and so worth it.

We do not come to report numbers. We come to love. We come to make a young girl who has AIDS and has been told she is past the point of no return and cannot receive meds feel loved showing her she is not hopeless. We come to give and give and give and leave for home with no regrets. We come to love and the people and the country love us back.

It is time to return home and see my family who I miss dearly. Tomorrow we begin to travel home.

Thank you for your prayers and for following the blog. I pray you have been blessed.
Talk to you tomorrow. I am worn out as is the entire team.
Chris

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Pictures from Today.

People were ready when we arrived.

The New Kitchen

Outside the Pharmacy

Teacher Housing

The Clinics are Finished


As I type tonight let me set the scene... I am sitting at a table drinking a semi-cold Coke Zero while the hits of the 80's plays very loudly. This is Africa.

Well the medical clinics are finished. We wrapped up our clinic in Kikubo and it was another hard, but amazing day. The team really rallied together and once again stepped up and did whatever needed to be done. Last night after dinner we got together and discussed yesterday and talked about how we might keep things flowing better today. We also prayed as there was some warfare going on. This morning the team was ready and excited to get started.

Les and Sue left to go pick up Jody at the airport in Entebbe. He left on Tuesday to visit South Sudan and arrived back in Uganda today.

Today was filled with chaos and blessings. When we arrived the crowd was waiting and it was bigger. Each team member knew what they were going to do and started setting up. We got the doctors and dentists set up and the wound care station and began seeing patients.

The local politicians brought a list yesterday of people they wanted us to see. We provided treatment to 325. Today they brought a list of another 300. Talk about being a bit overwhelmed because we knew we could not see everyone.

By the grace of God we were multiplied like loaves and fishes. We treated 930 people today in the clinic. This was dental, doctors, eyeglasses, pain management, de-worming and anti-fungal for kids, wound care, etc. This is a miracle. We can do nothing but give God the glory. I am not sure how we did it except to state what we as a team have known this whole trip on good and bad days. It is not us doing anything. It is God working through us.

I do get frustrated by the local politicians. They want us to see everyone and they still bring their friends and family to get in first. My human side overtakes me and I get frustrated, but in all honesty I do not blame them. They only want the best for their people. The nearest hospital is about 8 miles away and when the people go there they walk; if the doctor is in, they stand in line and if he gets to them, they may or may not have the medicine they need. If they do not see him they walk 8 miles home. How can I get frustrated when the local leaders simply want to maximize our team being there so as many people can be treated as possible? Shame on me. I would want the same thing.

The clinics are hard, but even Jesus when he was healing people had to take time away to pray and recharge. Our team is stretched on the clinics, but everyone gives and gives and gives to be a blessing. The team has blessed me by their willingness to give of themselves and ask what else they can do.

It can also be overwhelming to realize that there are so many needs and sickness that our clinics cannot help. But once again I think of Jesus. He healed many, but not every person. Many people were in his presence and were blessed without a physical healing. Our time in Uganda is about more than healing physical ailments.

Dr. Moses asked me to start the clinic off by sharing with the crowds. He is a great man that I love. He has been with our teams since 2007 when he was our driver in Gulu and still in medical school. I pray I was a blessing.

The new kitchen and teacher housing unit are beautiful. The school is so different then when we first visited 2008. It is beautiful! The school that God built. I was talking with some of the children. I know many of them from over the years and I asked if they liked e new classrooms. They said yes and thanked me. I told them we needed to thank God as He was the one who did it. Not us. It was a fun moment to simply sit and talk about my wife and kids with them and answer questions about America.

I am rambling. I am worn out. I am off to bed. Today was amazing. God truly heard our prayers and gave us all we asked and more to make today a witness to His power.

Your team member will have some amazing stories to tell when they get home. Be prepared to meet some wonderful people. My time in Uganda always comes back to people and stories and new friends.
Thank you for your prayers. We feel them for sure.

Good night.
Chris

Comments from Chris about Clinics in Kikubo


Yesterday, started out with Mike, Katherine, and I - with Edward meeting the Residential District Commissioner named Richard. He is the President’s representative for Jinja district and reports straight to the President. I had the opportunity to pray for him; that was a blessing. I prayed for him to be the leader for his people that God calls him to be. I struggle having to make the political calls sometimes, but that is my pride. I realize that they grant us permission to set up in their area and want to be thankful for that.  It was good. He was very open to being prayed for and for our coming. Second time I have been in a meeting with such a high powered politician. Still feels strange. How did I get here?

You saw Kysia's post that yesterday was difficult. It was a challenge, but it was a blessing as well. We supported our hosts and we were able to simply love people. At times I get overwhelmed with the needs and how little is seems our medical clinic helps. The wounds and sicknesses we see that people live with breaks my heart. I am reminded of two things:

Firstly, we are not called to solve every issue in Jinja district of Uganda. We are to do our part and bring grace and love. Our presence, a hand shake or hug, and trying to speak their language validates them. It says, “We love you and God loves you.” We do nothing. God does everything. My favorite Catholic nun quote… "If you cannot feed 100 then feed just one". (Mother Theresa)

Secondly, I am reminded that even Jesus did not heal every person he met of a physical ailment. However, everyone in his presence was blessed and loved; plus, they knew Christ cared and loved them. We are here to be the hands and feet of Christ, to bless and love through Christ- to care.

I love this place. It is hard sometimes.  I think, God uses it to break my heart for the things that break his. We are off to serve! I cannot wait to get to the school today!

Pray extra today for the team. There will be more people today. The team is built of true soldiers for The Lord. I love their hearts of service and love!
Chris

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Some Pictures from Today.

Of course I made friends with the chef at our hotel in Gulu. He invited me to cook with him next year. Score one for Chris!!
 


Children at Kikubo School helping Katherine with the bags.

Tents for waiting patients at clinic.
 

Pharmacy and Prayer room at Kikubo

The road to Kikubo

This is Viola.  My 12 year old daughter sponsors her by doing extra chores to pay for her school and other needs.  We have watched Viola grow these last few years.  She is part of our heart.  Today she had a tooth pulled.  She didn't like it very much. If you are interested in sponsoring a child from this area, please go to www.helponenow.org The children listed under Uganda are from this region in Pastor Edward Magumba's care.
 

Isaiah Chris and Chris.

Dennis was a helper for us in Gulu. He saw my Invisible Children bracelet and came to thank me. He said he worked for them making the bracelets; it paid his school fees and he now has a barbershop. He is also taking advanced schooling classes. Dennis was quiet and hard working. He told me he loved me very much for supporting him by buying a bracelet. Humbled.


First day of Clinics at Kikubo


Today’s clinics had its challenges, but in the end the team worked together for victory.  The team is actually in bed at the moment, and I’ve just gotten off of the phone with Chris.  He wanted friends and family to know everyone is safe, but tired.  He requested prayers for the team for rest tonight, encouragement on the work they are doing, wisdom with how to handle the difficult situations that are coming into the clinic, discernment with the local politicians and most of all, for the team to be the hands and feet of Christ.  Please, also remember Jody, who is traveling in South Sudan at the moment.  Thanks for your prayers,

Kysia

An Addition Yesterday before leaving Gulu for Jinja...

At the end of the day, I'm tired and sometimes forget details I wanted to share with you.  I didn't want to forget about Pastor Gabriel and his wife Pauline.  They served with Sue in the prayer room at Opit. As we were leaving Gulu, we had an opportunity to visit with Pastor Gabriel and Pauline. This is an amazing couple. They run a school, a shop in Gulu town, and a bakery.

We got to visit with the children in he classroom for a bit. We prayed over Pauline's store, and then we enjoyed a breakfast of fresh cinnamon rolls, mangos, noodles, chappatti bread, and avocados.

They are such loving and giving couple. It is always a blessing to spend time with them and support their ministry. It was a nice visit before leaving for Jinja.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

In Jinja


We have made it safely to Jinja. Trip was a little more lively than the trip north after our plane rides to get here.

We saw Jody safely off to South Sudan. He will visit with a missionary couple our church supports to see the work they are doing and join us on Thursday evening for the remainder of our mission. Please pray for him to have a safe journey.

Team continues to get along and having a blast serving together.

Tonight as we headed to dinner Sarah, Katherine, Mike, Jonathan and I took a boda boda (motorcycle) to the restaurant. I love traveling in Jinja this way! Sarah and Katherine had a blast!

Tomorrow we head out to the school at Kikubo to set up day 1 or 2 medical clinics. I will get to see Viola and Reagan, our sponsor children.  I cannot wait to see them!

Please be in prayer for us. The area we will be serving in has a heavy Muslim influence.  We need your covering to be the hands and feet of Christ and serve in such a way that Jesus can be seen. We do not wish to be tripped by any snares of Satan.  Everyone is tired from the travel today. We are halfway done with our trip and need to be filled with strength, power and grace to keep moving forward.

I am off to bed. It is so good to be back in Jinja with my brother Edward. This is like my second home!
Thank you for your prayers.

Chris

Monday, June 10, 2013

Pictures from Sunday and Monday

Area pastors receiving thier Acholi Bibles
 

Pastors being annointed with oil.

Kara singing at the pastor's training seminar.

Farewell in Gulu.

Getting my picture made with Grace.

Sarah with Ana Lois, Pastor Douglas's new daughter who Sarah got help name.
 

Monday: Teaching in Gulu


Today was a day of teaching for the team. We arrived at the Methodist conference center in Gulu and began the day with singing, dancing and worship. Everyday should start this way.

Our team gave 6 different talks including: priorities, studying the bible, grace, assurance of salvation, and faith in action.

Our speakers were Sarah, Jim, Les, Sue, Jody, and me.  It was another great day. After each talk we had a question and answer session; the questions were fantastic. It was a time for the church to build each other up so that we could all go out and be the hands and feet of Christ.

Jonathan and Kara sang three songs throughout the day. The last song, “Blessed Assurance, was moving. As Kara started to sing both the team and our brothers and sisters of Uganda joined in; man was it a truly heaven moment. Reminded me of the verse that says "and all nations, tribes, and tongues will join together in worship to God."

We shared a meal together made simply of rice and beans; but nothing simple about how delicious they were! Jody asked for everyone to sit next to someone from a different church.  I was able to meet Simon, a youth pastor from the church in Opit where we held the clinics.

It was a beautiful time of fellowship and learning together. This day was special. The church in Gulu is growing and developing and it is exciting to see the pastors we have worked with for the last seven years become stronger in their faith while raising up disciples. We are blessed to call Pastors Solomon, Titus, Peter, Josephine, Gabriel, and Alphonse brothers.

As we left the team agreed it felt like we were leaving a family reunion. These brothers and sisters are family. We have gotten to know them, pray with them, laugh with them and serve with them. This is the church.

As we closed out the day our team delivered some gifts to the pastors. Each one received a solar powered audio bible in Acholi, plus a case of Bibles written in Acholi;  plus, we left the solar powered movie projector to be used to share the gospel in each of their villages.

Thank you Lord for the blessings you provided for all of us. Today was a great day.

Tomorrow we begin the long drive south to Jinja to see Pastor Edward and his family. It will be a long day and I ask for you to pray for safe travels for the team. Also for Jody who is heading to South Sudan to spend a day with a missionary family our church supports and to see the work they are doing building water wells.

Be proud of your team member. I am honored to lead them all. Each one has truly been the hands and feet of Christ.

Good night till tomorrow.
Chris

Sunday Evening in Gulu

Tonight we attended a fellowship at the Methodist conference center for an association of area pastors in Gulu. Pastor Solomon (UMC, Layibi) organized the area Christian churches to bring unity so they can begin to bring healing and restoration to the area from the war.

Talk about a powerful time. Jody delivered a message about the church and had everyone pray for someone next to them; you could see each team member with hands on the shoulders of a Ugandan and vice versa. I was able to listen to their needs and pray for them and they lifted me up as well. It was a powerful moment. The church was being the church. Coming together in unity to support and encourage each other.

We then celebrated Holy Communion together. This was a powerful moment to be a part of. Bishop Wandabula asked me to serve with him and this was incredible. In a different way! The bishop went outside the church building and invited everyone sitting outside to partake of communion. I was holding half a loaf of bread (the bishop had the cup of coke) and I was wondering how this was going to work. But as the children began to come, I almost could not keep up with breaking the bread. It was chaos! We had to have Susan and another lady keep the kids from pushing and shoving, but once we got a line in order it was one after another. Some of the kids dumped their whole hand in the coke! The bishop and I just laughed and blessed the children till there was none left. He hugged me and thanked me for serving with him.

We had a portable movie projector with a 90 inch screen set up outside and showed the Jesus film in Acholi. Showing movies in Africa is always a well attended event! Jody reported that when Jesus rises from the dead on the movie the crowd applauded! I love that!

It was a good day. This time of teaching, worshipping and learning from each other is vital. Lifting up the church and supporting them as they work to bring healing, restoration and grace to their people.

The team has been simply amazing. I see them engaging and loving on people with no boundaries. They are quick to hug, high-five, shake hands, pray, dance or whatever. It is beautiful to see!

I was wondering when it would happen and tonight was it. Katherine was hanging out with kids and a young man asked if he could get her advice on dating. She said yes and he said he liked this girl and wanted to ask her out. It turned out to be her and so he asked if she would like to get married! She politely declined and came inside. Katherine has been so loving with the children. They climb in her lap and hold her hand; she just lets them in.

Great night. So honored to be here and support the church.
Off to bed. Tomorrow is a discipleship teaching day.
May God provide the speakers the words He wants to be spoken.

Chris

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Some Pictures from Church in Gulu...

Church in Gulu.

The choir singing.


Jonathan and Kara sharing their gifts.

Church in Gulu


Good morning from Uganda! The sun is rising and there is a cool breeze. Today is a good day. The team was able to sleep in a little later than normal since. Church did not start till 10am.

We left the hotel and traveled to the Methodist Church in Gulu. The building is the conference center the Methodist conference constructed to host pastors for training, etc. Central helped fund the purchase of the land and a church in Kentucky provided the funds for construction.

Bishop Wandabula attended worship with us, as well as, the director of Global Missions for the Methodist conference named Rev Adriano.

As we entered church a choir was singing and dancing and I love to experience this! Worship is high energy in Uganda! We sang two of my favorite songs I have heard over the years: “There is Dancing Today in the house of the Lord” and “Jesus He's a Winner Man.”

It is such a blessing it see the young children and teenagers in the choir and congregation singing and dancing in worship!

Sue prayed for Adriano before he preached. And man can he preach! Told a great story that timed to his main message and it was powerful.

Katherine prayed over the offering for the church.

Jonathan played the keyboard while Kara sang; it was awesome! The people were blessed and they let them know how much they enjoyed it! Such talent in these two!

Jody gave the benediction to dismiss the church and I gave a greeting to the church and thanked them for inviting us to join them.

I must say, I saw some Munu's dancing up a storm during the singing. I believe we should ask Sarah, Kara, Sue, and Susan to lead our church in dancing when we get back!

It was a good morning! To join together with our brothers and sisters in worship makes me think this is a glimpse of what heaven is like. All nations lifting praise to God!

After the first round of songs was done Sam Mdune told us that there is a reason they do not need gym's in Uganda. The worship services are high energy!

Today and tomorrow will be our most important work on our trip to Gulu. Whether in Gulu or Jinja the time we spend fellowshipping, worshiping and praying with our hosts is our main reason to be here. The medical clinics are needed and very important to try and meet the physical needs of people, but to help encourage and empower the local church to go and be the leaders and neighbors God created them to be is powerful. We do not come from America with all the answers. We do not come from America to solve every medical need or physical need. We come to lift up the local church. We come to share in their struggles and empower them to go back to their community to be the hands and feet of Christ. The medical clinics provide pain relief and minor surgeries. But with our presence an interaction with everyone we hope that our witness brings restoration that comes from Jesus. Not from us, not from America and not from witch doctors and charms.

I know for myself, and the team feels it I can tell; I get so much blessing being here with my friends.

Today has started out great. Tonight we go back to the conference center to join in a feast, fellowship, singing and dancing with our brothers and sisters. We will also show the Jesus film in the native language on a solar powered projector that folds out into a 90 inch screen and can been watched from both sides. We are leaving one of these in Gulu and one in Jinja as a gift for the church as they share the gospel.

More updates from tonight later. Thank you for your prayers. This trip has run smooth and the team has worked hard and done whatever they can to be a blessing. Keep lifting us up!

From the medical clinics... I forgot to report that in the prayer room Sue, Gabriel and Pauline were able to remove two ziplock bags full of charms and bracelets for good luck from witch doctors from people that wanted to start a relationship with Jesus. False hope replaced by the True Hope. They did not have a way to burn them, so did the next best thing- Threw them in the pit latrine!

Pit latrines.... After seven years visiting is beautiful place I can still only say, “Dude!” Truly an unforgettable experience! I did get a nice picture of the one in Opit for my collection!

Talk to you later friends and family. We love you all and miss you! Be very proud of your teammate. They have truly been the hands and feet of Christ. It is an honor to serve with them.

Chris

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Opit pictures



Susan inside the clinics.

Addressing the crowds.

Inside the pharmacy.

Dr. Moses accessing the needs.

I wonder what Christ's sandle tan looked like.


Second Clinic Day at Opit


Today was another fantastic day. Everything just ran smooth. We have been amazed at the great ministry the team has been able to offer through all parts of the clinic process.

We knew today was going to be busier than yesterday so we spent some time this morning praying we would be flexible. As great as things went yesterday we knew there is an enemy who wants to distract the work of the Lord. We felt prepared for whatever the clinic would bring.

Today we saw over 500 patients and had over 300 people come to faith. This puts us at 1,092 patients seen in two days and over 540 people putting their faith in Jesus. Also 3,000 prescriptions filled and 190 eye glasses distributed.  We do not come to flash up numbers and qualify our ministry as big time because we helped a large number of people. Our time in Uganda is to support our hosts in their ministry and love the people right where they are. It is an honor for us to be here.

Everyone on the team was placed in the same positions in the clinic. Again, every part was a blessing!

I saw some heart breaking things today. A young boy named Cosmos who had a deformity in his head and hands; he was beautiful, smiling and playing. The doctors did not have what would be needed for him so he was prayed over, given a beanie baby and basically loved on.

There was a young girl that had fallen near a fire and was badly burned all over her back. Dr. Moses, a doctor who has worked with us many times in Uganda, did his best to clean her wounds and provide some relief. She was such a beautiful girl.

I try to speak to people in what little I know of the local language. It brings smiles to their faces and they help me say it right!

Be very proud of your family and friends. They are pouring themselves into people- being the hands and feet of Christ. It is wonderful to see it happening all over the clinic.

Dr. Moses did triage on about 150 kids.  He de-wormed some, got dental help for some, and treated others for various ailments.

It has been a powerful day. A good day.

Tomorrow we go to church in the morning. I love African church. Lots of singing, plenty of dancing, and fiery preaching. It is a joy to worship with our friends.

Tomorrow night we will have a large feast with our hosts to share and sing and lift them up. We have been connected to some wonderful men and women of faith.

Good night. God bless you and see you tomorrow for another update.

Peace
Chris

Friday, June 7, 2013

First day of Clinics at Opit


What a great day! The team was excited and anxious to get to Opit and begin interacting with people. Both first timers and veterans were ready to jump right in.

The day started off different which has become a norm when in Africa.

Mike, Sarah, Cindy, and I were to meet with four local politicians to thank them for allowing us to hold the clinics and just visit. We were ready to go; Then a
fter waiting until around 9am, it was canceled.  We headed to the village. This is Africa. It was a little distracting to have been delayed, but we are F.A.T. (Flexible Adaptable Teachable).

We arrived at the village around 10:30 and began to setup. Having been at this school last year we had a flow established. This year we brought 300 pairs of reading glasses with us, as this was something we had seen in the past that troubled many of the people. Today the team was dispursed as follows: 
 

Cheryl, Cindy, Jim, and Les worked in the pharmacy.

Sue prayed in the prayer room.

Mike was crowd control.

Jonathan and Kara worked with children's ministry.

Jody and I were ushers, floaters and door blockers.

Susan was in the medical clinic.

Katherine was in the dental clinic.

Sarah handled wound care.

The team was amazing. Everyone stepped into their role and things ran smooth.  It was incredible to have things go so smoothly after a frustrating start. Everyone worked their part. The church being what is should be... the hands and feet of Christ.

Jonathan and Kara were incredible. They were not sure what to expect or do to entertain approx. 200 kids, but they were so awesome. I saw kids running, playing and laughing. Soccer balls flying and bubbles blowing. These two were rock stars! They barley took a break all day and were running out in the sun. The kids loved them!  Kara even got a marriage proposal from someone!

Katherine went from observing in the dental clinic to giving shots and pulling teeth! She has had nothing but a smile on her face since we arrived. She wanted to be in the dental room as this is the field she wants to study in college. Talk about work experience!  Katherine has been a delight to us all!

Sarah was calm, cool, and caring in wound care. She took care of everyone she saw and treated them with nothing but love and grace.

Cheryl, Jim, Les, and Cindy had the pharmacy running like clockwork. Pharmacy is always busy all day long, but we finished filling all scripts in time to leave at 5pm. Incredible job!!

Les also ran the vision clinic if someone needed reading glasses to see. He does such a great job interacting with everyone and making them feel loved and respected. He told us a story tonight of an elderly woman who came in with a bowed head and stated she just could not see well.  Les got her fixed up with a pair of glasses and when she looked at the chart she yelled "I can see! I can see!”  How awesome is that!

Sue is our prayer warrior. She prays each member up before clinic, during clinic, and at all points in between. She,  Pauline and Pastor Gabriel (local pastors) prayed with 247 people to either begin a relationship with Christ or recommit. The gospel of Christ is our real medicine!

Mike is always a crowd favorite. To see him interact with the crowds waiting to see the doctors is inspiring. Mike treats everyone with dignity and love. He always makes them laugh!

Susan has a heart of compassion. She is always looking for ways to help ladies and their babies. Susan doesn’t believe in can't. She tries to find a way to bless them! She also had an elderly man of 88 asked for her digits so he could call her. That's right. 88 years and asked for her digits! His name is Abraham and we have seen him before. Amazing man with a sharp wit.

Our hosts have been amazing again. They eagerly assist at the side of the team member that they are working with and are always upbeat with sharing their faith.  God has truly blessed us with wonderful brothers and sisters!

Tomorrow we go back to the same village and see as many people as we can. We have let them know we are coming and even handed out tickets for the first people to see the doctor.

Tonight at a team meeting everyone shared their first impressions. It was fun to hear how team members were touched by people they met and worked with; also to hear how their expectations of the trip were either met or not. They all love being here to share their faith, provide some physical healing, and simply love people. The team was full of smiles and tears of joy. 
 

We saw 302 people in the clinic today. We also witnessed some heart breaking stories. Some made me cry. But to be able to offer a hug, a hand shake, share a laugh or dance is part of being the hands and feet of Christ. What a blessing today was!!

Keep praying for us. All has gone well and smooth.  We, as a team, just want to be what God has called us to be in this place and time.

Off to bed am I. We miss you all dearly.

Talk to you tomorrow.
Ephesians 2:10

Chris

A few photos from the first day of clinics.

The crowd as we arrived.
People waiting to see doctors.
Sarah working at wound care.

Thursday, June 6, 2013


The team is safe in Gulu and glad to be getting some rest.  The seven hour bus ride was tiring. They also worked sorting and preparing bags for clinics.  Tomorrow they will board the bus for the Village of Opit for the first day of clinics.  Village Opit is off the main road, down some red dirt roads and then some more red dirt roads that cut through corn fields.  It is in the boonies.  Hundreds of people will show up with every kind of hurt and pain.  There will be a couple of rooms for the Ugandan doctors to set-up, a prayer room and a pharmacy.  It will be a busy, busy day filled with many surprises and lots of love. We are experiencing some technical difficulties.  This is posted by Kysia after a phone call from Chris.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The team has arrived in Uganda and is resting in their hotel.  Travel went smoothly.  We are blessed.  Thanks for the prayers.  Please, keep them coming.  From the airplanes of today onto a bus tomorrow for a days ride into Gulu.  Good night and Blessings!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

And so it begins...

The team has checked in at the airport and cleared security. We will be posting a team pic soon.

Hebrews 12:1 (thank you to my wife Kysia for a great verse to start us off) was a verse we read to center ourselves and throw off any distractions that might hold us back from the next two weeks. Our desire is to go and be the hands and feet of Christ and serve with our hosts in Uganda to share the love of Jesus.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Talk to you soon.
Peace
Chris

Monday, May 27, 2013

Next trip begins June 4, 2013

Our next trip begins June 4, 2013 when a team of 13 depart Northwest Arkansas to serve in Gulu and Jinja Uganda for 12 days. We will be holding 4 medical clinics, a discipleship training day, and a day of various minstry at a school and prison. We will be showing the Jesus film at least twice and basically spending time with our brothers and sister in Christ to share the love of Jesus. Our church has been funding the construction of a school in the village of Kikubo in the Mayuge district of Jinja and we will be commissioning the new teacher housing unit and a new kitchen. We will also be visiting sponsored children and their families. I will be posting daily updates at the end of the each day and invite you to follow and pray for our team. This year's team is made up of the following:

Mike Adelman
Jody Farrell
Chris Thornton
Les and Sue Havens
Jonathan and Kara Storey
Cindy Alphin
Sarah Suel
Cheryl Tyson
Jim Westphal
Susan Flournoy
Katherine Quinn

I look forward to sharing what the Lord is doing through this team and through our hosts and brothers and sister in Uganda. This is the 7th trip our church has sent to Uganda and God has worked miracles each year.

Look forward to serving and sharing.
Chris Thornton