Koch Chorom and Lujolongole

 

 

Blog post 6/5/15

 

After almost 40 hours of travel, today we finally went out to a couple of villages to be among people. The team was tired of flying and riding, but excited to begin serving. This team is fantastic! Each person is ready to jump in and help, hold a baby, play with kids, pray and engage with the adults, as well as, sing and dance in worship. They have an attitude and spirit of grace, love, and service. It is beautiful to behold.

 

We started out the morning devotion with 1 John 3:18 "Dear Children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth in action." That is what we are doing . Putting the Love of Christ in action. It is easy to say you love someone. People say it all the time; but the real truth is how we show we love. Spending time with people. Holding hands as we walk a trail. Dancing together in worship. So many places we go we hear 'thank you for coming'. It is humbling. The people we get to serve are just excited and honored that we came to be with them. We always want to fix things in America. We see the poverty, need and the hurt and are ready to build something, etc to fix it. But we can't fix it. Not by ourselves. But simple fellowship, worship and being intentional in engaging with people is empowering.

 

Greg also shared from our book about "Team First". It was a great lesson about the body of Christ having many talents and skills. All of them needed to do the will of the father. We humans rank the spiritual gifts by a hierarchy of some sort of importance, but God does not. He sees the value in all as he put them in each of us to be a part of His greater story. Greg has really provided the team with a foundation each day to keep us grounded and encouraged to be ready to serve.

 

First we headed to Koch Chorom. A place I know well. We came here first in 2008 and have done many medical clinics and outreach. We entered the church and got to worship.  Man, I say it every year, but it blows me away every time. Ugandans KNOW how to worship the Lord!  This village was a displacement camp when the war was at its highest. When the government disbanded the camps some people went home and others stayed and formed a village.

Pastor Alphonse is a big man with a huge smile and laugh. He has a warm and loving spirit. He welcomed us with some of the local church leaders. I got to greet the church on behalf of the team followed by introductions. I shared a scripture that came to me on the plane over. Psalm 122: 1, 4a "I rejoiced with those who said, let us go to the house of the Lord, that is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord". Even though there is a tribe of the Lord from Uganda and we are the tribe of the Lord from America we are all still one big tribe of the Lord. One family. That is how the church welcomed us... like family.

Matt shared his testimony about how Christ changed his life. It was so great to see this young man open up about his life and how God changed it. People were encouraged. I love having Matt on the team. He encourages me, too!

 

A small group of the team went with Alphonse and Edward to see the ox plow project. Edward and Alphonse were asking and answering questions back and forth about it. I loved seeing two country men sharing and encouraging one another. This is a project we think can be implemented at the school for a source of jobs and income. It was very inspiring!

 

After some goodbyes, hugs, and prayers we came back to town for lunch. If it tells you how the team is engaged, we all fell asleep and missed lunch! When we awoke it was raining and it looked like we would not be able to go to Lujolongole for the open air crusade. This village has just establish a new Methodist church where Patrick is pastor. They meet under a wood frame structure with a tarp tied to the top. God stopped the rain and the crusade proceeded. When we arrived skies, were clear of rain and the children's choir greeted us with song while the equipment was being set up. We had another incredible, worship time. Kennedy led the kids and crowd in dancing and singing. He is a joy to be around. I told him I cannot move like he can when dancing, so he has promised to teach me tomorrow. I am fearful of pulling a muscle!

 Once again I greeted the crowd and thanked them for welcoming us. Melissa and Matt shared their testimony. It is amazing to see how God can take a story of redemption across cultural lines to

impact another person. Melissa was straight from the heart and had the local pastors hugging her and thanking her for her message. That is the family of God!

 The evening message was provide by Pastor Edward. He was on fire! Some on the team have never gotten to see him bring it like this, and God brought him to preach it! He encouraged the area that the enemy has tried to oppress them through Joseph Kony and the war, but that the light always casts out darkness and that is what God has done in Gulu. Edward told everyone that there was no need to get drunk or go see a witch doctor. Jesus tells us to cast our burdens on Him and take up His yoke. My brother was just fantastic! He had us spread among the crowd so we could pray over people to end the evening. It was special, wonderful and holy. In the middle of the bush, in a clearing in a village under the open skies Ugandans and Americans came together under the banner of Christ. Beautiful!

 As we left it was dark! Night time in Africa is not like anything I have seen at home. No street lights. Only stars and darkness. Beautiful and a little spooky at the same time. And then the wind kicked up just as we had the bus loaded with equipment and people the rains came. God held it off till the work He had for us to do was done. Amazing.

 It was a good day. A day of fellowship and encouragement with worship. It was brothers and sisters together in each other’s presence just being available. What a wonderful time!

 Tomorrow we do the same thing but at Ariaga UMC in the morning, Achwang after lunch and then end with an open air crusade in the village of Opit. More worship, sharing, dancing and fellowship. The church encouraging each other. 

 The team is tired, but doing well. The bus rides are long and bumpy while our bodies just seem to tire in the sun (when it is out it is warm!). That does not stop anyone from jumping out of the bus to engage. Like a family reunion!

Thank you for your prayers. Keep them coming. Your family member/ friend is truly being the hands and feet of Christ!

God bless and talk to you tomorrow!

Chris

In Gulu

6/4/15

Greetings from Gulu!

After a night of fitful sleep, the team (even after 29 hours of travel we were all excited and anxious once we arrived) was up and ready to go this morning.

We had breakfast and then a short devotional and prayer with Edward, Patrick, Robert, and Grace the driver before heading to Gulu. Edward and two of the church elders are coming to Gulu with us this year to see some of the income projects the churches in the north have started. Our hope is to get some ideas and network to start some projects for the school in Jinja. We are looking at next steps for the school. How to encourage it to become self-sustaining. It is exciting to see God work through both our hosts!

Pastor Edward, Chris, Patrick, Robert and Grace (Our awesome driver)

Today was long and fairly uneventful. An 8 hour bus ride will do that even through beautiful country. We were a quiet group most of the way. Took in the scenery and shared some laughter and fun. We did stop at the drive through and get some stick meat and chapatti. Love both of these!

Today we also got to stop and visit Restoration Gateway. We met Clark Lassey, who is from our area. He and his wife (Joyce.... That's airline angel Joyce) will be moving here permanently. Restoration Gateway was started as a response to the war and has transitioned into a school and medical clinic.  They are also currently building an 180 bed hospital. What an incredible place. To see how God has blessed them to start serving in one way and then progress to another is wonderful. We got to meet some of the staff and pray for Clark and Joyce. It was really a great thing to be able to come and be a blessing to the Lassey's.  Especially since Joyce has been a huge blessing to us for the last few years at the airport!


Our ride. 

We finally arrived in Gulu and were met by our hosts, Reverand David, Pastor Peter, Pastor Solomon, and Pastor Douglas. Big smiles, laughs and hugs. It's like seeing long lost family in Gulu and Jinja!

Tomorrow we head to thee different churches to see some projects, fellowship, dance, worship and share. It is going to be a great time once again to be with our brothers and sisters.

We started today with a devotion on prayer. Our Team is reading Max Lucado's book "Outlive Your Life" and Greg shared the chapter on prayer. (Greg has been a fantastic co-leader. I am super pumped to be here with him). It is one of the last chapters but is titled Prayer First, Pray Often. We discussed how that isn’t always our American way. We know we should pray before we do anything but we seemed to pray after we have worked hard or have exhausted all our options first. However, God tells us the prayers of a righteous man are effective. We try to stay in scripture and prayer on the trips because this is not us doing anything, it is God doing His work through us. So we had a good time starting the day off with prayer. And we thank you for praying first and praying often for us. God has heard and answered.



Greg and the stick meat (roasted goat)

 

We have made it to Gulu with safe travels and no issues. And tomorrow we begin to serve. We will start the day in prayer that God might use us to be a blessing to someone. Thank you for joining in prayer, as well.

Tomorrow’s blog should have more details from the day’s activities. For now I am off to sleep. Good night and God bless,
Chris

Team Has Arrived in Enttebbe

The team is tired and about to go to bed at their hotel. Only one set of bags got questioned and checked going through customs- the first timer's.  Haha!  Everything went very smoothly. They were greeted by Pastor Edward and two of the church elders from His Mercy Church.  Tomorrow they will begin their journey to the Gulu area. 
Prayers for a restful night and safe travels tomorrow are requested.

Thank You!

Kysia

6/2/15 Take Off Day

6/2/15

Good afternoon. I am sitting on a plane having just taken off from the US and headed to Amsterdam. The time is here. Another trip to Uganda to serve with the local church in ministry. This is my 9th trip. That seems crazy to think about. I had no idea what God was getting me into in 2007 and now I am leading the team! God truly does use the foolish things in the world.

Here we go again. To serve.  And love.  And share.  And laugh.  And cry.  And worship. And enjoy. And fellowship. And laugh some more.  My hope and prayer is God to use this team to be His hands and feet. That we will be flexible to go where the road changes from our agenda. That we will draw closest to Him in or own faith journey. And that I will be a good leader. I invite you to join me in that prayer.

Team is doing well. I am successful as a leader; so far, no one has been lost yet and everyone made the flight! Seriously the team has bonded already. Everyone already gets along and there have been many laughs and encouragement. It is going to be a fun team and I am honored to serve with them.

I want to thank you for your prayers while we are away. We feel them and they are needed as the enemy throws distractions and road blocks our way. One of the team members shared as we were waiting for the first flight that they are glad to have some struggles preparing for the trip and while we are here. This shows us we are where we should be because the enemy wants to throw us off. So keep praying.

I would ask you pray for our families back home, as well. The hardest thing for me is leaving my family. We know this is what God called me to do, but it does not make being apart any easier. Pray for our families to be safe, cared for and checked on. They need prayer as well.

Remember the distractions and road blocks I mentioned? Well let me say the trip started off with the team needing to get three extra bags checked (we each get two free). The last few years we paid $50 per extra bag over the two. This year they said it was $200 a bag. First thing- a distraction; and a distraction that had me irritated. But I prayed and God answered. We has a friend at the airline. She and her husband are actually moving to Uganda just outside of Gulu to live and serve her children. I heard she was coming to the airline counter so, I may have dragged my feet moving us along. Thankfully, she  came; seeing me, she said, “hello” and gave me a hug. She said she only works one day a month as they preparing to leave the states. Today was her day. She actually was supposed to work the gate not check in but decided to swing by first to see what was happening for the day. When she heard of the bag fee she left, talked to her boss and guess what God did? All extra bag fees waived! Think of it! Our friend who is in the process of leaving for Uganda full time works one day a month and it is the day we are leaving. She wasn’t even supposed to be at check in, but shows up and then goes and does what she can to help us out. Think God heard our prayers? Yeah we do as well. Keep praying. The team will be praing for you, as well.

Thank you for your support and for following our adventure via the blog.
God is good all the time. Every day and in every way.

I am off to watch a movie. I only have what... 7 more hours to go till Amsterdam!

God bless
Chris

Our Team

This year's Uganda Project Mission Team: (front) Chris  (back left to right) Greg, Katie, Katherine, Matt, Sarah & Melissa.

It's Greg's first year to Uganda.  We are excited for him to experience Africa!  Everyone else has been before at least once.  They are an amazing team eager to serve, passionate about Christ and filled with abundant love.

The Team is On Their Way

We were totally blessed this morning as the airline waved $800 worth of extra luggage fees.  God is amazing! The lady who helped us is only there one day a month and was there today to help us get the medical bags and sponsor children gifts through.  Wonderful!

Everyone was in good spirits as they headed up the escalator to board.  It is a terrific group of people.  They left at 11:50 a.m. and should arrive in Uganda 10:20p.m. tomorrow night (2:20 p.m. our time). 

Please keep them in your prayers for not only travel safeties, but also to make it through customs with all the medicines. 

Thanks for your prayers! I'll get a group photo posted as soon as I can.  I've had some technical difficulties today.

Kysia

Ready, Set, Here We Go!

It’s that time of year again!  The 2015 Uganda mission team will depart June 2, 2015.  With a crew of seven, this team is ready for God to work through them blessing our partner communities in Uganda. 

Your prayers at this time would be appreciated as the days of preparation have arrived.  We ask you to pray over those we are being sent to encourage, help, and lead to Christ, for our missionaries to focus on the task ahead, a covering for them while they are away, as well as, for their families, and for God's continuous direction and clarity while serving our brothers and sisters in Uganda.  We look forward to you joining us for the journey!