Missionary Journal

Church of Christ ltd.

2012-01-20T00:50:00.002+03:00

In addition to creating an association of churches through Where He Leads, we organized an NGO called Church of Christ ltd.

The new web site can be found at: churchofchristltd.com

Fort Portal Church of Christ

2012-01-20T00:35:00.002+03:00

If you would like to learn more about the Fort Portal Church of Christ... we have a new website:

fortportalchurchofchrist.com

Where He Leads

2012-01-20T00:21:00.004+03:00

We began a new ministry/nonprofit call Where He Leads inc. It includes Crosswind, Camp Saaka, Sewing Hope, emergency/disaster services and much more. If you would like to learn more about what we are doing go to

www.whereheleads.com

Cash Family Mission

2012-01-19T23:57:00.006+03:00

Thank you so much for your interest in what the Lord is doing through this ministry in Western Uganda. God is so good and we are honored to be able to serve Him in this way. The ministries have continued to grow and have developed into three different organizational structures which can be viewed through the links on our web sites:

www.cashfamilymission.com

A wonderful donation

2007-09-24T10:42:00.001+03:00

We have been wanting to get a hangar here in Uganda for CROSSWIND wings of mercy. We own a Cessna 206 and have been patiently waiting for the ministry to "take off". We had engine trouble in Djibouti when we were flying the plane to Uganda.
A Christian friend and mechanic met me in Djibouti and we took the plane apart. The plane was shipped to Uganda and the engine was shipped to the states. (At least that was what we thought.)
We were told that the engine had been lost. In the process we discovered that the shipping company had cheated us. The engine core was in bad condition. Another engine core was purchased and MMS completely rebuilt the new engine.
To save us some money on shipping I decided to wait to ship the engine until Andrew and Aimee jo sent their container. We shared a 40foot seacontainer. All of the Martin's belonging were packed into the container at Charles Colwell's house.
We were able to buy a zero turn mower, finishing mower and a Honda mower for the work here. We have a tractor and maintain and manage the Fort Portal airstrip. We also shipped the church tent, 400 metal chairs, fire hoses and some gear as well as other supplies for the ministry.
(We sure could use the plane right now with all of the flooding that has been going on around the country. The only way to safely reach some of the towns in the north is by plane.)
One of my regrets when packing the container was that we did not go ahead and buy an airplane hangar. There was concern over the space in the container.

Well the Lord is faithful. I saw a hangar for sale on ebay. The owner mentioned that if it doesn't sell he would consider giving it to a nonprofit in Mexico. I wrote him and told him about the work we are doing here.
After a dozen emails and a phone call he donated the hangar to us!!!!!!
He is a Christian and said that one of his dreams was to be a missionary pilot.
Wow

This hangar is so much better than what we had been looking at! it 65 feet wide by 32 feet. Two plane can fit inside with the doors closed!
Praise the Lord!!!!
We are so excited about this generous and wonderful gift.
Here are some ways we could use help...
1. We are working to find a team of Christian volunteers who can go to Palm Springs California and take the hangar apart.
If you are in southern california or you would be interested in helping with this project please let me know.

2.We are arranging shipping at this time. If you have 40 foot truck or trailer and would like to help save the ministry some shipping expenses let me know.
We need to ship the hangar to Texas. It will be shipped to Africa in a 40ft container.

3. We are also looking for a place to store the 40ft container in Texas until our furlough next year. If you have a place in Texas and would be willing for us to keep a container there, let us know.

4. If you would like to donate towards the shipping of the hanger. Let us know.

5. We could even use some help putting the hangar together here in uganda. It could be a simple mission trip.

6. We are going to bringing a team from MMS to repair and put the plane together. We have to pay for at least one plane ticket plus food and lodging.

7. I am also interested in further flight training so I can become a safer pilot. In the US I could work on my instrument ticket for about $4000
Comerical license is about $4000
Certifided flight instructor would be about the same price depending on the flight school used and the amount of flight time needed for proficiency. It is my desire to further my flight training.

8. In the future we would like to own a small training plane and encourage other pilots who have an interest in mission aviation. Our new hangar can hold two planes!

9. The plane needs a gps upgrade

Thank the Lord with us for this wonderful gift!

Kinley's big day

2007-09-23T23:29:00.000+03:00

Kinley told me that she really wants to give her life to Jesus and be baptized. She has been talking about this to me and Cheryl for while. Kinley and I had several Bible studies. I'm so proud of her!

There has been so much rain in Uganda lately that the Mpanga River was deeper than normal. We decided to have the baptism down by the market.
There were people who began to tease us and make fun. They would not quit so I had to preach in a very loud voice.
I began with the words of Jesus "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
The hecklers quieted down a little as I was forced to shout the message.

(Kinley walks into the cold Mpanga River)

"Because of your confession that you believe Jesus is the Son of God I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Kinley is buried in baptism.

"Kinley I love you and I am so proud of you!"
"I love you too, Dad! Thank you."

"God forgave my sins in Jesus name...I've been born again in Jesus name.." (we all sang)

(Kinley is talking to her Nana and Papa on the phone.)

As we were leaving I told Kinley that I was sorry that we did the baptism near the market because so many people yelled and teased us. She said, "no, I am glad we did it there. Those people need Jesus and I am glad that they were able to see it!"
Wow!
What a great attitude.

I felt protective of her from the drunk people,the Muslims, and boda boda drivers who were teasing us but she was thinking of them. That is nothing but the spirit of God!
We were just down stream from the big mosque and the old Hindu temple. Kinley's baptism was a true testimony of faith in Jesus Christ!
In the last few days since Kinley was baptized I have been told of three people who want Bible studies and are interested in getting baptized as well.
Please pray for Kinley as she begins her walk with the Lord.
Also pray for the people who heard her say that she believes that Jesus is the son of God and watched her be immersed.
May the Spirit of God convict their hearts and they choose to follow Jesus as Kinley has done.

Drummer Boys

2007-09-23T22:38:00.000+03:00

Drums
I love drums
Since I was young I have always enjoyed the driving pulse of a well played rhythm. Whether it was chopsticks, pencils or the car steering wheel the world was my drum set.
What some teachers may have thought was a nervous twitch paid off. I went to a church of Christ university with a full ride scholarship to play drums.
I was told that I was to play drums and recruit girls to come to the University. Maybe I should be paying them! I got to play drums in a country band, travel all over the US and meet wonderful people. Not bad!
It was frustrating as I was instructed that I could not mention Jesus while I was holding my drumsticks! Many times we would lead devotionals for Christian youth. That always seemed strange... we could sing all these country songs about cheating and whatever but I couldn't mention Jesus while holding my drumsticks!
One woman that I'll call the "church lady" even told me that I play the instrument of Satan.

I was in several groups and seriously considered a career playing contemporary Christian music but the Lord has other plans for me. He sent me to Africa!!!
Now I have three boys who love to play drums.
Here we are trying to knock the paint off the walls.

Owen and Peter are Baptized.

2007-09-23T22:22:00.000+03:00

Rocky ground

2007-09-23T21:55:00.000+03:00

As I taught the story of Jesus and the women caught in adultery I knelt down and began to write on the ground.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus wrote on the ground? Did he write a scripture? Did he write from memory chapters of the the Torah? Did he write the words to his favorite song? Did he write the sins that that had been committed by the people with the stones? We really don't know what he wrote but we do know that he took his time and by the time he was finished the oldest to the youngest went away and when he looked up there was no one left to accuse the woman.
I imagine that all around the words of Jesus the ground was littered with stones. Almost like a picture frame. Stones everywhere.

Christian Fire Brigade.

2007-09-23T21:24:00.000+03:00

We are begining an evangelist push for the Fort Portal church Christ. We have the pieces of land that we are preparing. The tent is on its way with four hundred metal folding chairs.
We plan to open the church in Kagote in February 2007.
This last year I began doing research for my masters thesis. One portion of my thesis deals with "what are the expectations that people in Fort Portal have about church?". We learned so much from the focus groups and the two hundred plus interviews. From all that we learned we decided that we should reach out to the community in a way that meets a real need. We also wanted to reach out in a way that no one else doing. There is strong desire here that churches be involved in "projects". We decided to look for a project that would not directly benefit us (Many projects become actually a source of income for the church.)
Well out of all that we came up with a dream. We want to start a Christian Fire Department! In this blog I am not going to outline all that went into this decision. It is a real need there was an primary (elementary) muslim boarding school that caught on fire. Many children died in the fire.
There have been a number of fires.
We were given our first fire truck from a volunteer fire department outside of Tyler. There was media coverage when they gave the truck.
We are so excited. All of the district leaders here in Fort Portal cannot wait for the truck to get here.
We are trying to raise the funds needed to ship the fire truck here.

celebration

2007-07-10T20:41:00.000+03:00

Doug and Destiny watched our kids for two nights while Cheryl and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. We went to Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth national park. At dinner time we got all dressed up and enjoyed just being together. It was really fun. We laughed and laughed.
Thanks you Doug and Destiny for this wonderful gift!
During the day we went swimming "It felt strange not to have a single floaty to blow up." Resting by the pool felt nice.
We also went on a game drive and saw elephants and all kinds of animals. It was a great two days!

July 4th

2007-07-05T10:00:00.000+03:00

I woke up at 4AM. Ronald, Dick and I were all staying at the Baptist Guest house in Kampala. Cheryl stayed home to get ready for the party and asked me to get the meat. (The meat is in Kampala which is several hours from Fort Portal!) So count your blessings if you were able to run over to a grocery store and get just what you wanted.
I wanted to leave Kampala by 6 but I didn't have an alarm clock so I woke up early. That gave me time to get ready, write the last blog and eat some strawberry rice crispies that Ronald picked out. Have you ever accidentally inhaled strawberry rice crispies? I mean literally inhaled them?
I had a big spoonful that I was about to eat but Ronald made me laugh and in the process I sucked them into my lungs like a shop vac!
Cough..cough cough..cough
It was like a pink rice crispie fireworks show. Happy 4h of July!
I wouldn't recommend trying this stunt at home.
We drove back to Fort Portal and got there just in time for the party! There were 25-29 adults and a bunch of kids.
There were two tables of food and deserts! The men gathered around the barbque grills outside and cooked the meat! Ar Ar Arrr
Bob and Jennifer Chedester and their kids along with Pat Abbot and some intern/ teachers came from Presbeterian mission, Our friends Doug and Destiny who are starting a Calvary Chape came with their little guy Jotham. Brandy and Lou came with their new baby and a fun group from the Baptist mission, Aguida a church of Christ member who was baptised in Hondura was there. There were some young women who came to help aids orphans were there. We had a house full of people.
Cheryl started off with a Baby dedication for Lou and Brandy's baby...Elizabeth. She is beautiful baby.
It was fun to be with so many Americans!
One of the Baptist guys was joking about the rivalry in a small Texas town that he has seen between the Baptist and church of Christ. Lord forgive us!
We all love the Lord. We all love our country and we all love to Barbque. That sounds good to me! Let's eat!
Happy fourt of July! 231 years of Indepedence!
We have so much to celebrate!

ambassadors for Christ.

2007-07-04T04:52:00.000+03:00

What a wonderful evening I had last night. I was given a special invitation to join the American ambassador and the rest of the embassy staff in hosting a party to celebrate our nations Independence. I was invited because I am a volunteer for the embassy as the chief warden.
All of the Ugandan ministers of parliment were invited along with the diplomatic core living in Kampala. The ambassadors residence was decorated with flags from from all 50 states. The marines performed the color guard duty. We celebrated July 4th on the 3rd.
I met so many interesting people. The Swiss ambassador and I talked for a while. He told me the Swiss are very liberal and many don't believe in "religion." I laughed and replied not believing in God would be like me not believing in the Swiss.
He is a nice man and was very interested in what the church of Christ does in Uganda. He was real interested in what I believe and what I teach the Uganda Christians. I was able to share my faith with him.
I told the Italian ambassador that I had gone to school in Florence Italy for a semester. All of a sudden you would have thought he had known me for years. He wanted to talk about wine and car racing. ok
(I needed Cheryl's Mom for this conversation...at least the part about car racing)
There were military commanders and politicians. I had some great conversations with Ugandan leaders as well.
I was interviewed by a TV crew about the 4th of July and what it means to me.
The woman threw me off when she asked me a question about Paris Hilton of all things.
I met a list of ambassadors but the nicest one there was the US ambassador. We talked for a long time. It turns out that he is from Odessa, Texas! He went to Permian High school were Cheryl graduated from. Cheryl's family lived on Englewood and he grew up on Maple. He knew 6th and Jackson church of Christ where Cheryl and I were married.
I told him about Ben Wall coming from Odessa last January to help with Faith Quest and how they bought the Odessa country club for a church/community out reach. Ben had mentioned that their lawyer was the ambassadors brother!
All of a sudden we had so many things to talk about. It really was like being with an old friend. We had so much fun.
It really is a small world.

As I was meeting all of these diplomats I thought of one of the last conversations I had with my Grandad Cash. He put his arm around me and told me how proud he was of me and how there is nothing greater I could do with my life than serve the Lord. With the choice I made to be a missionary ... he would not be prouder if I were the president of the United states.

There is nothing better than being an ambassador for Christ. That is what we are!
I thank the Lord for the freedoms we have as Americans. From those who are given much ...much is expected.
Thank you Lord for our freedom!

a servant of Christ

Is the power on?

2007-07-01T17:31:00.000+03:00

What are you doing Silas?

I want to watch the popcorn grow!

Posse

2007-06-28T21:45:00.001+03:00

I have been asked many times what my days are like. Working in Uganda brings unique opportunities to help people and share Christ ... today was no exception.
I was driving down the dirt road by the swamp near the Rwenzori View Guest house when Carol frantically waved me down from her Suzuki. She was carrying a British man named Peter who had been beaten and robbed just seconds before. He told me that he was walking back to the Guest House and there was a man walking in front of him and there was another a little ways behind him. The man in front quickly circled behind him and threatened him and told him to stay quiet. He yelled. One man jumped and kicked him in the chest with both feet and knocked him to the ground.
The men kicked and beat him as they fought him and then tore his backpack off his back. Carol was driving towards them and saw this man being beaten up. The thieves took his bag and ran into the bushes. She told Peter to jump in her car. They had only gone a few feet when Dick and I showed up from the other way.
We jumped out and got people to help. Within minutes I found myself running through the swamp with a pose of armed men with Ak47s. I was carrying a machete, fillet knife and some handcuffs that I keep in the center console of the truck.
We tried to surround the swamp and then search from all directions. Several times I was up to my knees in mud as we tracked them through the bush. We broke up into groups and I was with a policeman and two other men with their ak47s. (I thought to myself, with all of these guns I'm glad that Dick Cheney is not with us!)
We found a bag of clothes that had been there for a while. Someone else had been robbed. We pulled up some marijuana plants that we came across. We tracked these guys and even found where one of them pulled off his socks to run bare foot through the mud. We had just missed these guys according to an old man who saw two men covered in mud running through his farm. We searched for two and half hours but our man-hunt turned up empty. I took Peter to the police station to help him file a police report. It can be a scary procedure for a foreigner so I stayed to help him. The police took about an hour and a half. Then I drove him to his guest house.
Before leaving I thanked the policeman for his help and he said "what you have done is real Christianity. The way you helped this man That is what Christians do. Even though we did not catch the thieves, we tried our best and God sees that. God bless you, Jeff
That was a response that I did not expect.
On the way to the guest house Peter told me that he felt so bad that he had wasted my entire evening.
"You didn't waste my evening. I'm just glad you didn't get hurt. Peter, I'm a Christian missionary... I'm here to help people and share the love of Jesus. If you need money, clothes, food anything just let me know. I've been robbed, beaten up or attacked several times and it is scary especially when you are in a foreign country. At least you'll have a good story to tell."
"Jeff, you have done so much for me tonight. I'm ok now. Thank you for helping me."
"Have a good night, Peter"

Words from a monk

2007-06-25T22:47:00.000+03:00

In 1399 Thomas a Kempis became a simple monk. While living in the monastary he edited a work called "The Imitation of Christ", that many believe was written by Gerhard Groote.
Here is an excerpt.
Finally, I want to teach you the way of peace and true liberty. There are four things you must do. First, strive to do another's will rather than your own. Second, choose always to have less than more. Third, seek the lower place in life, dying to the need to be recognized and important. Fourth, always and in everything desire that the will of God may be completely fulfilled in you. The person who tries this will be treading the frontiers of peace and rest. (by Thomas a Kempis, Dealing with Temptation,Devotional Classics)

I have been challenged. What do you think?

disciplines

2007-06-25T22:25:00.000+03:00

I picked up a book while I was sitting in the old brown lazy boy. The book was Dallas Willard's "The Spirit of the Disciplines"
Alex waved his hands in front of my eyes and said "I don't want you to read that book!"
"Why?" I asked.
"That book will teach you how to spank me!" He blurted.
"What?" I asked
"Discipline! You are going to learn how to discipline me! I don't like books about discipline!" he said.
"Even Daddys need discipline some times. This book is about prayer and fasting and things like that." I told him

"Oh good. I thought you were trying to learn new ways to spank me!" Alex said

Balance

2007-06-25T21:46:00.000+03:00

Sometimes life can get so busy. Do you ever feel that way?
It is so easy to have more to do then your PDA will allow. This month I have been studying the spiritual discipline of meditation. The very discipline of slowing down and focusing has trouble fitting in my schedule.
In the book Celebration of Disciplines, Foster writes about "Otium Sanctum" holy leisure. This is the idea of gaining balance in your life and maintaining peace even though the world swirls by. It has to do with a slower pace that results in enjoying what is around us. resting. drinking in the beauty.. enjoying God
Henri Nowen wrote "I have to keep a careful eye on the difference between urgent things and important things. If I allow the urgent things to dominate my day, I will never do what is truly important and will always feel dissatisfied...the issue is not where you are, but how you live wherever you are. For you that means a constant choosing of what is important and a willingness to accept that the urgent things can wait or be left undone." (The Road to Daybreak)

Medical Campaign

2007-06-24T22:09:00.000+03:00

We held a two day medical campaign at the Kipepe church of Christ in Kyenjojo. A team of about twenty people from Texas were brought by Darla and Ellen to help the sick in the village.

It was great to be with Dr. Mark Hall. He used to be a missionary in Uganda but now he works in Lubbock.

Dr. Ellen Little

The Fort Portal church of Christ sent a number of volunteers to help be translators.

Darla

Kinley helped write down people's blood pressure and read the malaria tests.

This little boy is getting a malaria test.

The village church leaders, the church, the village and the district security officer all thanked the church for their caring effort of helping the sick. I too want to thank the medical team, the christian volunteers and especially Ronald who help make all the arrangements. Great work guys!

Enjoying

2007-06-21T08:52:00.000+03:00

Homeschool by lamplight
One of the challenges of living in a developing country is the breakdown or lack of infrustructure. Power is off and on several times each day. Roads are nonexistant or in need of repair. There are fuel shortages even though it cost $5.85 a gallon. I waited in a long line to fill the car and get one can for the generator. Sometimes we just have to make due with what we have.
I did hook up an inverter with two truck batteries that will give us several hours of light. When the power is off for an extended period of time we go to the old fashioned way....kerosene lamps.
We do have a propane fridge and stove so we are ok as long as there is propane. Keeping everything going can be a constant juggling act.
We have learned to appreciate the small things like running water, electricity and stretches of pavement.
Our kids cheer everytime the power comes on. I like that they appreciate these things and don't take them for granted.
Lord, thank you for the electricity so I can post this blog!

If the power goes off the kids can enjoy playing "little house on the prairie."

Kinley goes to the village with me

2007-06-20T19:55:00.000+03:00

I went to the Ihani village church in Kyenjojo and spoke for several hours. I love to teach Jesus and try to communicate His message in a cultrually relevant way. So many are steeped in animism and African traditional thought. They believe that Ruhanga (the Tooro name for the creator God) is primarily the god of abundance. He is so much more! It is so much fun to see people gain a deeper grasp of the love of God. Kinley spent the day in the village with me and helped as I taught. She answered questions that I would ask the church that no one else could answer. She helped teach them the names of the books of the Bible, the names of the judges, the layout of the tabernacle, the names of the apostles and many other things.
I asked people to share Bible verses that they know from memory. When the church had exhausted all of the verses they knew Kinley began to share God's word with them from her memory verses.
She started with the birth of Jesus that she had memorized word for word then we played a game with her and she quoted probably 30 more verses. The church encouraged her to share more and more.
The church clapped and cheered for her.
They asked her how she knows so much and she told them, "My mom and Dad teach us everyday, I learn some in School and I am trying to read my Bible every night before I go to bed. I want to read the whole Bible."
I talked with them some more and several men took Kinley's words as a real challenge to them. They committed to reading their Bibles.
I made a deal with them that if one of them would read his or her entire Bible before Kinley finishes hers, I would take that person out to lunch. If Kinley finishes before all of them they will take her out to lunch at a local restaurant. We'll see who gets to eat out.
Kinley is amazing! I am so proud of her.

The beauty of God's creation

2007-06-18T22:33:00.000+03:00

Derrick

2007-06-18T22:21:00.000+03:00

Khanyoro Derrick
There were a number of the church leaders praying around a table outside at Gardens Restaurant. I asked the Lord to bring people to us who were truly seeking Him.
I had no sooner ended the prayer "In Jesus name A-men" then a young man walked up and asked "Are you Jeff Cash? I've been looking for you."
Derrick had been apart of the WEI campaign years earlier but he never finished it. He recalled being encouraged by my Dad when he was reading his Bible.
Derrick had been in Entebbe for several years and had tried to find the church of christ but instead found the church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.
Since that day that the Lord answered our prayer Derrick has been seeking the Lord. He has an infectious zeal.
As we fast forward to today we find Derrick leading our life care group ministry. He also sets up our big curtain each Sunday. He has a good heart.
Derrick has become my language coach so we are teaching each other. Pray for Derrick
He has a strong desire to study Biblical languages. What a blessing that would be to the ministry.

All about Jesus

2007-06-18T21:59:00.000+03:00

At Faith Quest each of the youth wrote what was on their heart that they wanted to nail to cross. They laid their burdens at the feet of Jesus. some wrote past sin and pain, as others confessed. It was moving to hear them nailing these sins and pains to the cross.

Samuel Balinda laid his burdens down and was burried with Christ. It was a wonderful. Samuel calls me his father. He has become like a son to me. I am so very proud of him. We can now travel God's trail together!

Charles was also baptized the same day as Sam.

(This is a cross that the children made)

The fantastic four

2007-06-18T21:46:00.000+03:00

As I have been reflecting over the last couple of months I couldn't help but think of how much fun my kids have been. They are such wonderful kids. I thank God for each one of them. One of my favorite memories is a campfire in the lower yard with the kids. I love you guys.

Sunday is baptized

2007-06-18T21:27:00.000+03:00

Sunday Rogers was baptized in Lake Saaka. What a wonderful day this was!
HIs father was one that I used to enjoy visiting. He was a funny man. The last time I visited him he told me "Jeff, you will never be able to convert me because I love drinking too much!" He was saying it as a joke. His words were almost prophetic.
After drinking one night he fell in the river and drowned. I remembered my friends words as I searched and swam the river looking for his body.
He was so proud of what Sunday and Bright were learning from our time together. He asked me to keep sharing Christ with them.
I'm proud of Sunday. I know his father was too.

I'm back!

2007-06-18T21:21:00.000+03:00

OK Ben Wall
You called me out. I'm back.
Ever since you were here our internet has been terrible. Cheryl will spend hours just posting one picture.
I am at the American club where we have internet access so I'll see if this works.

church party

2006-12-14T18:12:00.000+03:00

Sometme back we had a party for the church at our new property

This is where we plan to build the amphitheater, Lord willing.

Tropical storm

2006-12-14T17:16:00.000+03:00

The Tooro consider rain to be a blessing. Well, God is sure blessing us today!
I wish you could see the storm outside the window. The rain is pounding on our metal roof and splashing on the ground below.
The thunder is roaring but the rain is so thick the lightnig can't be seen. The trees are bending and waving. The banana leaves are moving in rythm. Silas put on ear protectors so he wouln't be afraid of the noise.
Visibility is down to 100 meters. The water just keeps coming. The water is pouring over the edge of the gutters as though they are not even there.
Wow! I love a tropical rainstorm!
The thunderstorms have backed up against the Rwenzori Mountains and are dumping everything they have.
(Rwenzori means rain maker. That's apropriate.)
Wow.
Thank you for the blessing, Lord.

Torn Asunder

2006-12-14T10:30:00.000+03:00

This week I read the book Torn Asunder by church of Christ minister Ben Brewster. If you are a member of a church of Christ, Christian Church or Disciple's of Christ you may find this book interesting. The restoration movement dreamed of uniting Christians from all denominations and sects. They wanted to be "just Christians", practicing primitive Christianity.
One of my favorite restoration sayings is..."we are Christians only not the only Christians."
It was not their intention to start another church but to restore the church that is seen in pages of the New Testament. They practiced unity.
At least for the first generation.

Several years ago I was asked by a friend who grew up in the Christian Church why I thought the church of Christ and Christian church split.
I gave him a quick answer about instrumental worship and mission societies. Those were just symptoms of a deeper problem.
He asked me what had taken place in American history prior to 1906?

Well 40 years earlier was the civil war.

He went on to explain to me how the idea of slavery and ambolition, patriotism to the confederacy or patriotism to the union, whether a Christian can or should fight in war or not all were major factors in that drove men apart.
It was as though a giant iceburg had cracked and by 1906 had floated apart.

The mission societies and instruments were vehicles used to justify the sectarianism. With the second and third generation of Church leaders came differences of opinion and interpretation. These were used to fan the flame and melt the unity.

The idea that came from Thomas Campbell's Declaration and Address where they were dissolving their former ties for unity sake were turned around and used to divide.
"Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent" was adapted from this document. They were dissolving their presbytary into the church at large. This slogan was grabbed onto by some and used to identify a specific group.
(That was the very opposite of its original intention)

As we are raising this first generation of leaders here in Uganda it makes me wonder what will the future hold for these men and women?
How will the teachings I pass on be understood and lived out in the second and third generations?
How do I avoid passing on the sectarianism that I inherited?
These are real questions that I struggle with.
There is an entire movement that has begun here in Uganda. There are now hundreds of churches.
May they learn to love one another. May they learn from our mistakes.

"A new commandment I give you...Love one another" (Jesus)

Spiritual disciplines

2006-12-13T20:53:00.000+03:00

Why is there guilt associated with Spiritual Disciplines? We have good intentions like.. memorizing chunks of scripture, getting up at 5:00 AM to have quiet time, meditating and so on.
Maybe its becasue we know these kind of things are good for us. (But you can never do enough!) They get treated like a new diet, new years resolution or that work out regiment that we should have done.
Many times the expectations are... to be "Spiritual" we have to be someone else.
Here's what I think...
Spiritual development happens on your normal schedule in your everyday life.

As we all are on the same path here are a few things that have helped me. (Maybe you can add what's helped you.)

1. I love connecting with God I don't want to go a day without it.
2. I try to Keep learning. At 38 I went back to school. It has been wonderful! I also practice the ancient art of reading books that can help me grow in the Lord.
3. Whenever I see a car accident I pray for everyone involved. (Simple) Then I ask myself what can I do to help? Many times this means my plans might have to be put on hold for the next few hours as I jump in and help.
4. I look for ways to put in a good word for Christ.
5. I treat waitresses with respect and tip. I know this may not sound like a spiritual discipline but this has opened the door for number 4.
6.Every once in a while I will pick a verse and try to see how can I really apply this today?
7. I do not do ministry alone. I always take someone with me and use the time wisely as we drive to share.
8. I am consciously trying to listen more.
9. We see the money we make as God's. Tithing is easy when we think that way. We give to God first.
10. Everyday I try to remember my mission field starts at home.

This is not an exhaustive list. Christianity should be real, practical and down to earth.
What helps you?

The wedding

2006-12-11T10:27:00.000+03:00

I performed the wedding ceremony for David and Resty last Saturday. It was challenging for me because I was sick with a high fever. They have five children and have been together longer than Cheryl and I have.
Years ago they started living together and had a child. Then David went to her family for "introductions" and followed the many different traditions leading up to the agreement of the Dowery.
Over time he paid all that her family required. (Usually they take into consideration all of the school fees the family has ever paid for the daughter. The payment can be cows, goats, beer, and or cash.)
They had gone through all of that and were considered married culturally but Resty's Catholic family wanted her to have a wedding in a church.
Well the school our church meets in was not what they wanted. I offered to rent some nice wedding tents and perform the wedding at our new property. They didn't go for that.
They chose to use the Presbyterian church building in town.
Here you can't pay for all of the wedding ceremony yourself. A committee of friends are chosen and they set a huge budget.
Then meetings are held all over the place trying to raise money from everyone.
It was said that if someone plans a wedding and doesn't ask you to help pay for it they will not attend.
David held three months of meetings with his friends from his work. They Rented cars, a marching band, a choir, church building, bubble machine, five white wedding tents, 350 chairs. There is of course the invitation and pledge cards, over a dozen wedding cakes, fresh flowers, rings, red carpets, hundred meters of white lace, candles, music, dresses, videographer, photograper, renting the gardens for photos, renting the tooro resort grounds generator, lights,pa, sparklers, crazy string,video projector, Transportation for all of the brides family to and from another tribe, housing for all the guests,Sodas and water plus food for 350!

I atended the last meeting and saw that the committee was so far in debt that they were going to dump it all on David the day before the wedding. So I helped more.
So much for a simple church wedding.
At the reception David's father proudly told everyone that he would not allow David to have his marriage ceremony until he had finished building his house! "You can't get married while living in a rented house!"

it was an interesting experience.

Dsl? 128k, 56k, 2.4k, 2k

2006-11-30T22:02:00.000+03:00

I had eight file attachment that I wanted to send to my brother Mike by email. By the time I got them sent I seriously could have flewn on a plane from Uganda to London and then boarded another plane and been half way across the Atlantic. After `12 hours I was still trying to send, resend upload the same set of files.
I tried to down load the wedding march song... I could not do it! if I try to download a whole song it times out.
As the song tried to download I checked the speed. It was downloading at 2 kilobytes per second! I got excited when it shot up to the blazing speed of 2.4
That really is 2!
If you are able to fly around the internet at supersonic speeds do it! Because in comparison we are walking down a dirt trail.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

2006-11-29T08:19:00.000+03:00

The tree is up and decorated.
The stockings are hung on the book case with care
The plastic snow flakes are hanging in the door way.
Isaac ran up wearing a Santa hat and asked, "can I be an elf?"
The song "Emmanuel" is coming from the kitchen.

I love Christmas time.

Here there are some unique challenge, however.
In Uganda this is the time when everyithing goes up in price.
A bag of charcoal that was 5,000 shillings last week is 13,000 this week and will go up to 20,000 by Christmas day.
Everything goes up in price dramatically.

Christmas is also the time of stealing.
We had to add security lights as thieves were seen at night twice checking out our place.
We had a large metal sign post made to block the spot where the thieves have been watching our home.
It was suggested that we paint a verse on it,,,"the wages of sin is death." :-)

Dick's mother's shop was robbed recently in the trading center. Their compound at home was robbed last week. Thieves again went to the shop to rob this family for the third time but were chased and caught by security.

Doug's church building was robbed last week and their speaker system was stolen.
There are so many stories around town of thieves.

So many people do whatever they can to force bribes or get a little extra cash for Christmas.
It doesn't seem to matter what their job is.

I don't pay bribes.

Christmas in Uganda is a religious holiday where many people get dressed up and go to church. They eat a meal after church at home. There may be an article of clothing given as a gift but it is usually very limited.

Santa is called "Father Christmas". One of my friends said, "Father Christmas doesn't come to Uganda!. Maybe the weather is too hot here!"

It is strange to me that the day that the world remembers the birth Christ can also be the day of great selfishness.
Ironic, isn't it?

For my family we love to celebrate the wonderful gift that God gave us in his son Jesus. There is no great gift that has ever or will ever be given.

What's your favorite part of Christmas?

Mike

2006-11-23T09:20:00.000+03:00

Do you have people in your life that you just enjoy talking with on the phone or hanging out with?
I have a friend like that..It's my brother Mike.
He has the gift of encouragement. I think he could be standing in the middle of a house fire and still try and make me laugh on the phone.
One of my favorite memories was when we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. We brought too much gear but what do you expect from two Eagle Scouts? We carried our packs when everyone else used porters. We were prepared!

Freeze dried cheese cake at 15,000 feet sure is good!
We laughed with our friend Pablo all the way to the summit. I can't imagine a funner climb than that one.

I talked with Mike on the phone for two hours. He told me about the families plans for Thanksgiving.

Sounds fun.

One thing I'm thankful for ...My brother Mike.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

2006-11-23T00:41:00.000+03:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I thank God for my wonderful wife and beautiful children.
I thank God for my friends and family.
I thank God for Glenwood, Metro and everyone who supports this ministry.
I thank God for Africa, and all of her beauty.
I thank God for stretches of pavement and electricity.
I thank God for pumpkin and apple pie
I thank God for milk fed turkeys from south Africa.
I thank God for his love, mercy, grace and friendship.
There is so much more that I am thankful for...

What are you thankful for?

It's a God thing.

2006-11-23T00:21:00.000+03:00

Ronald preached on Sunday and shared the following story.
He was ridiing his motorcyle up the hill near the Seventh Day Adventist church building when all of sudden "Boom". His engine made a terrible noise, died and would not start again. He pushed his motocycle to a mechanic who opened up the engine and gave him the bad news.
"Your engine has seized. Many of the parts are broken. It will cost over 800,000 shillings ($400+) to fix."
Ronald shared the last time he preached how his motorcycle really doesn't mean anything to him. It is just a machine. Even if it were taken away. It doesn't matter that much.
Well, now it has been.
He prayed about it and decided not to share with all of his friends. He repented for trusting money and friends to solve his problems instead of the Lord.
He went with us to Kampala but we did not know about the motorcycle. He returned to Fort Portal and prayed some more about his problem.

He recieved a phone call from a friend that he had not heard from in three years.
"How are you doing Ronald?"
I'm fine!
How is your motorcycle?
Well I had some trouble with it this last week.
"What's wrong with it?"
The engine siezed.

"What kind of motorcycle do you have, Ronald?"
It's a Honda XL125
Really?

We had a motorcycle that was in a wreck and it was destroyed. .. everything except the engine. It works.
It was a Honda XL125
You can have it if you want!

Ronald's friend sent the engine and it was worked on and installed. I rode on it today!
Ronald spent 30,000 (a little over $15)
It's a God thing!
Praise the Lord.
Ronald told us this story after reading from the book of James about "count it all Joy."

It was a great sermon!
(I was convicted about the airplane engine. Thank you Ronald, Thank you Lord!)

Ronald was not even scheduled to preach but Dick was stuck in Kampala so Ronald filled in at the last minute.
The entire church was moved by what the Lord had done! Wow!

Men in Black

2006-11-22T23:59:00.000+03:00

This last week I was in Kampala teaching two different courses on Integrity and Finance.
The first group was for village church leaders that we brought from Fort Portal. For two of the men this was there first time to go to Kampala! It was really fun. I took them all to the market and bought them suits. One of the leaders preached a funeral but felt embarrasssed about his clothes. You should have seen the nine of us get out of the LandCruiser and walk into a chinese restaraunt. For most of them this was their first time to eat Chinese.
The staff at the restaraunt jumped to attention as we approached the door. We were all wearing black suits. It was a fun experience.
The two men who had never been to a city before are both over 60.

Wed-Friday we had class from 1-6 PM for 15 leaders from the Kampala church of Christ. The course was for credit from Messiah Theological. I stayed up most of the night on Friday to grade their test and projects. I drove back to Fort Portal on Saturday.

Less of me

2006-11-08T17:35:00.000+03:00

As I have talked to some older more conservative brothers in the church of Christ, there seems to be a fear of change. One common idea that came out was how we were the fastest growing church in the late 50s and early 60s. It was as though the restoration movement, especially our branch of it, reached its peak in 1964. Anything new would jeopardize the perfection that was achieved.
If that is the case then we are now in a "post-restoration" period.
I appreciate anyone who works for the kingdom and anyone who shares the love of Jesus. But who were we trying to reach?
As one person said, “We were the fastest growing church because we were converting people from other churches!”
What is that?
For those who were alive in 1964. You were blessed. I wasn't there. This was the era of Jewel Miller film strips, Debates, real potlucks, Sunday drives, the space program and rock and roll, hippies long hair, drug and so on

Since I wasn't there I may not be the best judge but in my humble opinion...
I think the best is yet to come!

The church of Christ is not dead in the water. We have so much to offer the world. We need to reach this generation.

I understand that change can be scary but we need to remember a common theme through out the Old Testament was how the Lord dealt with each generation and how they followed HIM.
This generation did evil in the eyes of the Lord and there were consequences. Another generation repented and fell down before the Lord and the Lord raised up someone to save them. (a judge, a king, etc..)

Each generation must follow the Lord.
Let's not judge others or each other...let's love them and love each other.
Let's not exclude others ...let's do everything we can to make others feel welcome.
It would be better for those who think they are strong in the faith to be a little uncomfortable if this can bring others closer to the Lord.
Paul said that he became all things to all men so as to win a few.
Christianity at its very core is selfless.
His body must be selfless!

Our church growth statistics in the states do not look very good right now. But that can change!
We can learn from the zeal of the door knocker, the patients of the joy bus driver the endurance of the memeograph turner and the care and love that went into every homemade potluck dish.
We are not throwing out the past we are learning from it. We are growing from it and becoming wiser because of it.

I heard a missionary once say, “If you do the same things you will get the same results.”
We are having a hard time keeping our very own kids let alone others.
Some want to act as though it is still 1964.
It’s not. There is a new generation that must step up. They have to take off their ipods and listen to a new voice ...that of the Lord.

There are some changes that need to be made. And that should start with me.
Maybe we could grind up our golden calf (What ever it may be)and look beyond ourselves.
There are so many who need the love of Jesus.
So many decision seem to just add cushion to pews and expanding the borders means wider parking spaces.

How about sacrificing that comfort for those who need the Comforter.

Missionaries should do all they can to bring others to Christ. That only makes sense.

This is something that we are trying to practice all the time!
Cross-cultural, cross-economic, cross-generational evangelism needs much flexibility (ie less of me) and more Cross.
To be effective the receiver of the message becomes more important than the message sharer. Let me give you a few examples from here…
In the name of Jesus we sucked the brains out of fish so as not to offend our drunken host.
In the name of Jesus we have eaten pig brains and thanked our Congolese friend who gave them to us.
In the name of Jesus we have sat on hard wooden benches until our backsides are numb.
In the name of Jesus we have been out on a lake in a boat during a storm so we could share the love of Jesus with those on the far side.
In the name of Jesus we have sat in terrible traffic.
In the name of Jesus we have driven across flooded rivers.
In the name of Jesus and Because of where the calling has taken us, we have had ak47s pointed in our faces.
We have been in danger from rebels.
In danger on the roads
In danger from disease and sickness

I and most missionaries I know would do it all over again and again
I don’t know very many missionaries who think they are sacrificing anything!
It is an honor to carry the banner of Christ into battle!

Why would we allow ourselves to be put in these situations?

Jesus set the ultimate example of love and sacrifice. The meager efforts we make to share His love does not compare to the real thing.

For me to step across the keyboard and say I'm sorry for how we treated you is Nothing compared to what Christ did for me.

For me to walk across the church parking lot and down the street to that other church and humble myself and try to share the love of Jesus with those people is Nothing compared to what Christ did for me.

For me to help a witch, an alcoholic or the guy hooked on drugs is nothing compared to what Christ did for me.

For me to share a message of love with a prostitute trying to sell what the world “calls love” is nothing compared to what Christ did for me.

For me to try and break down the walls between those with light skin and those with dark skin is nothing compared to what Christ did for me.

For me to risk what God gave me for His Kingdom is nothing compared to what Christ DID for me.

What we did is nothing... What Christ did means everything.

The less of me… the more they can see…Jesus

Rejoice in the Lord

2006-11-08T13:33:00.000+03:00

With Faith Quest approaching the first week of January. Maybe you could help me. The theme is Rejoice in the Lord.
I want to find some good songs that fit the theme.
Do you have any suggestions?

Fads

2006-11-08T13:20:00.000+03:00

A friend shared a book with me and I looked through it. I don't want to critise the book or author in a blog so I am not going to name names. As I read through the book.... it seemed like a fad. A Christian fad.
That got me thinking. What Christian fads do you see right now?

Living in Fort Portal with limited internet leaves me out of the loop.
So what "Christian fads" am I missing?

God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. We are the ones who are fickle.
I'd love to hear you thoughts.

For those of you who do comment on this blog. I want to say thank you. You have encouraged me many times.
I love to read your comments!

From the veranda

2006-11-08T09:53:00.000+03:00

We are in Kampala for the quarterly missionary meeting. I'm sitting on the veranda at the American Club using the Hot Spot wireless internet connection. Cheryl is talking to one of her friends and the kids are watching cartoons.
I thought I'd say "Hi!"
Thursday through Sunday is a DAI 10 year celebration. This is the group who wrote, organized and are teaching the masters program that I have enjoyed being a part of. I have't figured out how I am going to do all of this. They want me to share with the international group on Friday. This is a short little talk.
I'll have to drive back with the family becasue
I'm preaching in Fort Portal Sunday.

On Monday a group of village church leaders are traveling to kampala and I am teaching them a seminar.
Wed-Friday I am teaching "Integrity and Finance" to a group of church leaders who are studying with Messiah Theological from the Kampala church of Christ.

We sure could use our airplane this week!

I got an email that the engine is about ready to ship to Tyler! Praise the Lord.

Missionary Maintenance Service has been so good to us. They found another engine and completely rebuilt it for us! All we paid for was the parts and of course the used engine. thanks MMS.

To those of you who have helped to support CROSSWIND. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

In eight weeks is Faith Quest Uganda. I recieved word that the team from the states who was doing the teaching has fallen through. None of them are able to come.
That's dissappointing. We were really excited about the team coming.

So do you know any good youth workers, worship leaders or speakers who would be interested in a mission trip to uganda?

Jeff

speed control

2006-11-06T20:22:00.000+03:00

The police force got new radar dectectors that they have enjoyed putting to use.
They one in Fort Portal was destroyed though...
the police truck was driving too fast, lost control and wrecked ...breaking the new radar gun.

What were they think?

2006-11-06T19:44:00.000+03:00

Pepsi has a new slogan in Uganda. They have plastered it all over the place. It is on billboards, Tshirt and even the radio.
Their new slogan...

DRINK AND DRIVE!

What were they thinking?

With all of the potholes in Kampala, do you know how to spot a drunk driver?

He is the one driving straight!

I think I'll drive a little faster.

2006-11-06T19:25:00.000+03:00

"Daddy, isn't it dangerous to have a bon-fire like that one at a gas station? Why would they do that?" Kinley asked.
There are signs posted to turn off your vehicle and switch off your cell phones at gas stations forget that my muffler and engine are blazing hot...they don't want the static electricity to possibly spark and cause a problem. What are the chances of blowing yourself up at a gas station from your cell phone?
I have seen gas stations attendant ask someone to turn off their cell phones and then walk ten feet away and light up a cigarett. It's the same mentality... we are worried about your cell phone...but a large camp fire five feet tall thirty feet from the pumps is OK. Maybe they should post a sign not to build large fires. They could post it next to the sign of the cell phone with the red circle and line through it. Or they could put on a tshirt like Pepsi's new slogan...

God's amazing grace

2006-11-03T00:09:00.000+03:00

Tonight was really fun. There is a new couple in town... Brandy and Lou Johnson. Yesterday we went to their house and helped them unpack their furniture. Cheryl sent them dinner as they have not been able to hook up their stove. They came by tonight and had dinner with us as well. They are nice people. We were expecting visitors who weren't able to come so we had plenty of meat and potatoes!
We had fun talking about Tooro culture, ministry and some of the silly things our churches have done. They are sent by the Baptists Mission.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I believe that the fighting and division that has taken place between churches is terrible. I have seen members of the church of Christ be down right nasty to Baptist and I have seen Baptist be down right nasty to church of christ folks. All in the name of Christ.
I was reading the other day how Alexander Campbell was immersed by a Baptist Minister. And how the churches from different denominations came together and were unified. One of the early restoration motos was "Christian Only,,Not the only Christians" I like that.
"They will know you are my disciples if you love one another."
It seems strange to me that there is more division on Sunday morning than any other day of the week. God forgive us for dividing over...worship, communion, salvation, how we sing, what we sing, kitchens, color of carpet. drinking fountains, community centers, basketball goals, Instruments or accappella, money, power, parking lots, building projects, mission societies, what we call ourselves, praise teams, old verses new, song books, women's roles, sunday school, one cup or many, North verses South, white verses black, language, culture, economics, clapping, elder appointments, preachers, hermanutics, institutional verses non institutional, preacher training schools, orphanage support, Christian colleges, dress code, which translation of the Bible to use (King James?), overhead projectors, Baptism, praise teams, child dedication, promise keepers, when some says they are saved, Not using the name church of Christ, using the name church of Christ, steaples, putting a cross in the building, celebrating Christmas, fellowshipping believers from outside our group. (maybe you could add a few more to the list)

Lord, forgive us. We don't know what we are doing.
We are sinners...

Saved by Your Amazing Grace.

Trick or Treat?

2006-11-01T20:21:00.000+03:00

Several men watched as the old woman approached. I smiled and greeted her. She asked me for food so I gave her something.
This old woman was chased out of her village for being a witch and eating her very own children. When ever she sees my truck she comes. I feel sorry for this woman and the choices she has made. Her sin has nearly killed her. She lives on the street and struggles to survive.
At dinner time, when I got to our table full of food and my family was gathered around I noticed the date on my watch. It's Halloween!
I didn't even know it.
I thought of the old witch. I thought of the three witches who asked me for work years ago but I didn't give them any because of other reasons. I thought of my friend Tinka. He used to be an alcoholic. His father was a witch but lost his power after we prayed. I remember his back covered in flies. He died not long after that.
I thought of the three witches who were hired to curse me at Faith Quest.
I thought of the witch in Jinja that I shared my beliefs with. He asked me not to pray for him.
I thought of one Mathew's sister who was burned by her village for practicing dangerous witchcraft.
I thought of the woman who was killed last week. She was found practicing witchcraft with a recently decapitated human head.
Over the years I have met many people who practice witchcraft. None of them are like Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or the lady on Bewitched. I feel sorry for people who are in bondage to the evil one.
What these people need are not carmeled covered apples,jack-0-lanterns or bags of candy They need the followers of the God of love to share His goodness with them. This is the kind of treat that we should all share.
So let your "spiritual porchlights shine" and share His treats that last.

For those who come knocking remember that what you see may only be a mask. Don't fear.
Freely share.

Bathing in the rain

2006-10-26T22:33:00.000+03:00

Our water has been off. That's not so fun especially since we have visitors. (But we can make the most of the situation.)
I got out the rubbermaid trunks and put them all around the house under the rain downspouts from the gutters.
We waited and then it rained and filled all the trunks.
I put on my swim suit and bathed like I do all the time in the village. Kinley wanted to learn to bath from a bucket so I showed her how to get clean with just a little water.
It was funny.

Billy and Brenda have been here for nearly four weeks. I've been pretty busy most of the time.
We went to Rwebesengo and camped out next to the church building. The church sang and danced around the fire until 3AM.
We went to the churches in Kyenjojo and held a meeting. We took them on Safari to Mweya where we saw lions, elephants, hippos etc...
We went on the boat to Camp Saaka.
The old pickup has broken down several times. Once on the way back from the game park!
I sent Cheryl home with the kids and all the stuff in the Landcruiser. Billy and I stayed with the pickup stranded on the dirt road. We cut green bushes and put them in the road with large rocks. (Local road flares.)
We took the truck apart and removed the radiator. I called Ronald and he got a mechanic and before coming from Fort Portal, they went and found a guy with the same kind of truck as ours. He was willing to rent us his radiator for $10! They took his radiator out and brought it to me. It wasn't the right size. Hakuna Matata! We tied the radiator in with ropes because the bolts didn't match up.
I didn't think about renting a radiator!
With the hood tied down and the radiator tied on we drove slowly in the dark for over and hour. We made it home safely.

Only in Africa!!!

Let there be light

2006-10-11T20:50:00.000+03:00

God said, "let there be light and there was light." That is so cool!
We have had the hardest time getting lights in the house with power off all of the time.
Well we now have light!!!!!!
I bought a big inverter/battery charger in kampala. We have been working on this for several days. Today, Derrick brought the electrician back and we rewired the lights in the house so the inverter will power them. Now when the electricity goes off the inverter automatically kicks on. The lights always stay on!
We have been using, generators, kerosene lamps, candles, and all kinds of things. now we have light all the time!
Wow.

38

2006-10-10T23:46:00.000+03:00

The Buganda king doesn't say how many years old he us but how many years young. Well, I turned thirty eight years young today. Cheryl brought me breakfast in bed and I watched the movie Cave. Derrick came and I had two hours of language and culture lessons before going to the discipleship lunch. He brought me a small drum as a gift. Thanks Derrick!
At the discipleship lunch we shared our dreams for the future of the church. We had a great discussion. The men encourage me every week. I'm proud of these guys.
We have visitors with us from Oregon. Billy, Brenda and their son Jacob have been fun.
Derrick and I also worked on wiring up our new transformer/battery charger system so we can have power. We didn't get it all figured out before dark so we had to run the generator.
Chery cooked a nice dinner and we had a little birthday party. The apple pie and cherry cheese cake were wonderful!
Cheryl's Dad called and we had a nice talk. (Thanks for calling Lynn.)
It's been a good day.

Sunday

2006-10-01T20:32:00.000+03:00

We were having a nice church service at the school where we meet. The children had gone to Bible class and Dick was preaching. He said "We as Christians are followers of Jesus Christ and we are more than conquerors!"
I noticed a man standing outside the doorway and he looked angry. He was wearing his Muslim prayer cap and clothes. This is Ramadan a Holy week for people who follow that religion.
I hoped that he had not misunderstood what Dick was preaching. He paced back and forth and then walked away. He came back several times. One of the Christians talked with him and came back in and whispered to Ronald.
I could tell by the look on Ronald's face that something wasn't right. He leaned over to me and said, "Do you see the mats on the floor?"
"Ya, I saw the vinyl flooring when we arrived." I responded
"Those are Muslim prayer mats! We have been walking all over them and even have the communion table set on them." Ronald said.
"Are you serious?"..."That's not good."I said

Ronald and I both were feeling the nervous tension. We looked at our watches and tried to figure out what to do. This could get ugly. Should we stop Dick while he is preaching? Or should we just let him finish?
"Lord, what should I do?"

Calmly the thought came to me, "show him Jesus"

When the Muslim man returned Ronald and I both went out to him. He looked angry.
We smiled at him. Shook his hand.
Wished him a happy Ramadan

And apologized

and apologized again

We explained how the mats were there when we arrived (I had arrived after the singing started because my clock on the TV changed by one hour so we were a little late. I still don't know how the clock changed.)
We meant no disrespect.

We apologized a third time. He accepted.

He apologized for interrupting our church service.

"You are welcome here anytime." I told him.

Dick finished his lesson and everyone bowed their heads in prayer.
"Through Jesus name we pray...Amen"
There were a couple of other Muslim youth who had also come to get the mats. I helped them move the tables and desks.
The Muslim man said, "You don't have to help us do this."
"I am happy to help you." I responded.

I asked him how his Ramadan has been and he told me that it has been good.

As he was leaving I said, "Have a happy Ramadan." (That is like saying Merry Christmas to a Christian)
He wished me one too!

Hakuna umeme

2006-09-14T21:01:00.000+03:00

The power has been off for most of the last three days. I went and bought some truck batteries to run an inverter but we have not had power long enough to charge them.
The other day a mechanic came to service the generator it stopped working after he left. He was supposed to come back but there has been no sign of him.
I went to an internet cafe in town because they had "power." The power went off seven times in 15 minutes so I gave up and came home.
"Do all things without grumbling or complaining."
I better stop here. Because I have plenty say.

What's your story?

2006-09-13T23:42:00.000+03:00

I'd like to hear from you. If you are a Christian what or who enfluenced you to give your life to Christ? I'd love to hear your stories. If you are not a Christian would you share about someone who greatly enfluenced you?
As a missionary I love stories of inspiration and I have so much to learn from you whether we share the same faith or not.
Thanks!

September 11th

2006-09-13T23:04:00.000+03:00

Has it really been five years? As I sat and watched the footage of the terrorist attack this week ...I felt as though it had just happened.

I had flown from a grass airstrip in Kasese Uganda to Entebbe. I took a taxi into the Kampala to pick up my airline tickets. I was flying to Turkey via United Arab Emerits to look at a plane. I also checked on flights from Turkey to the US for my Granddads funeral. I had just paid for my ticket to Turkey when the woman asked me if I heard about the plane crash in America? (That is not the kind of thing you want to hear when you have a ticket in your hand.)
She turned on the TV and we watched as the second plane crashed into the other tower. I couldn't believe my eyes.
I sat there numb watching and wondering what was happening.
The radio announced, "United Arab Emerits has attacked the United States!"
What!?
I was headed early in the morning to United Arab Emerits. Everyone in the office gasped and got very nervous. I am flying to Dubai in the morning and they are at war with the US. There is no way I can go to Dubai if you guys are attacking the US.
It was a very akward moment for everyone.
I cancelled my flight.
I was still thinking about my Granddad as I walked around Kampala. I stepped into a middle eastern shop and they all starred at me. They were Muslims from Iran. It was easy to tell who was American that day...just the looks on our faces.
I got a taxi over to the American club which is run by the US embassy and was met at the gate by the American marines. They let me in because I already had a reservation. We all huddled around the TVs. The razor wire and barracades didn't feel so safe.
I talked with Cheryl on the phone and she was glad that I had heard the news and was not headed to the Middle East.

Where were you on September 11th?

American/Ugandan/Christian Culture?

2006-09-13T20:51:00.000+03:00

Yesterday I read the Declaration of Independence and it got me thinking about some questions that I have been asked by some of my close Ugandan friends. They love Americans and they love the church but we are trying to see what part of our church is American in nature.
We have looked at the traditional hermanutic, worship, structure etc

"Autonomy" This is a word that we, in the US, have used to describe our American, Independent, No one is going to tell me what to do, pull yourself up by your own boot strap mentality. It comes from our pioneer spirit. We stand on our own two feet. We ride "em hard and put 'em away wet".
Like many in the church of Christ who headed west on the Oregon trail and built their own log cabins by felling the trees on their newly claimed lands. We are tough. Self reliant. We are the like the ones who "get going" when the going gets tough.
We have our own leadership Independant of anyone else
We have our own land
We have our own buildings
No one has authority over our leadership and we don't answer to anybody.

Are these American values or Christian values?
Are these American values that we have Christianized or Christian values that we have Americanized?

I work in a culture that does not value independence the way Americans do. There is no such thing as a "family unit" in this context...it is the extended family that is valued.
A couple or individual who gets rich on his own is seen as selfish if he is not openly helping his "relatives".
No two people can decide to get married on their own. There must be permission from the families.
Problems are solved by the group not just the individual.

For there to be a "brotherhood of churches" that are independent of each other makes no sense to my Ugandan friends.
They cannot understand how an eldership of a church can operate independently of other elderships. (One Ugandan described this as the "cowboy mentality."
As one said, "elderships in the states are not accountable to anyone except to those that they are leading...that doesn't make any sense. Is that the way it was in the Bible? What about the Jerusalem council? How do churches in the states justify their independence when they read about things like that?"

Another question I have received deals with the number of Churches of christ in our different towns in America that do not work together. How can you have so many churches of Christ in one place with different leaderships? In the Bible we see the church of Antioch or the Laodocia or the church of Corinth, the New Testament mentions the church in such and such a city. Paul however mentions a church that meets in someones house in that same city. Even Revelation mentions the churches by city. ...If the Lord sees you as one church why don't you work together? Why are their so many different independent churches of Christ? (Let alone other groups of believers.)

What do you think?

Sting rays

2006-09-13T08:30:00.000+03:00

It was sad to hear about the sting ray attack on the famous Croccidle Hunter, Steve Irwin. It brought back memories of when I was stung in the foot by a sting ray while swimming in the Indian Ocean. I thought at first that I had been bit by a shark. The pain was so intense. I rolled onto my back and tried to float so I wouldn't drown, I pulled a white barb out of the bottom of my foot. It was like an Indian arrow head.
The burning in my foot turned to numbness as my foot, calf and then entire leg was paralized. I couldn't move my leg at all. I was swimming in about ten feet of water. I was much closer to the coral reef than I was to the beach so I decided to swim there. If more of my body went numb I at least wanted to be resting on a rock so I wouldn't drown.
I swam on my back until I reached the reef. I drug my self onto the sharp coral and rested on a patch of sand.
I waved to a fishing boat but the men didn't see me and they couldn't hear me. I'm not sure how long I was stuck out there but finally I knew I had to swim back. (My other foot was sore from stepping on a sea urchin the day before.)
It was a long painful swim but I made it back to the beach, I crawled onto the sand and then limped and hopped back to the hotel dragging my leg.

My condolences go to Terri the wife of Steve Irwin. (She was from Eugene, Oregon before moving to Australia)
Thank you Steve for making me laugh.

Celebration!!!!

2006-09-12T21:10:00.000+03:00

Several months ago we bought a piece of land for the town church. We had all given for about two years. No money came from outside of our church. There are two other pieces of property that we were interested in buying as well. We all committed again to giving so Cheryl and I loaned the church the money. If you get a loan here in Uganda you will pay 25%. We were happy to be able to help.
It is has been a crazy ordeal. It is hard to do business when people are not honest. Ronald has been working on this for over five months. Dick has been helping him as well.
Yesterday we purchased the lower piece of property! Last week I had to drive to Kampala and get the cash. Ronald Dick and I droved there and back in one day.
We had a meeting planned for Friday but it just didn't happen.
The Balif selling the upper piece of land informed me that he was going to sell it to another party. I let him know how I felt about it.
We kept getting jerked around.
Well, after much prayer and work we bought the upper piece of land as well!

Now we own all three connecting lands on the Saaka Road!
Today we had our discipleship meeting on our own property!
We strung a tarp up because it was going to rain and David said "We just need to ask God to drive the rain away."
Go ahead David
He began to pray out loud.
It poured nearby but we were only getting drizzled on. The guys teased David and he told them that maybe they should have prayed as well.
As I led the men in prayer thanking God for the land. I asked God to remove any article of witch craft. As soon as I said that the fire Popped loudly. We asked God to burn up anything that should not be there. The fire popped again.
The guys began to laugh.
We asked the Lord to make this a Holy Place. Then I felt the warm sun on my shoulder.
The men said see...God drove the rain away just like David asked.
I was there with twelve men who are learning to share the love of Jesus.
I hadn't thought of it but it was me and my 12 guys. Wow. In the past I have asked the Lord to give me twelve disciples and there I was enjoying life with these twelve men.
We came to celebrate!
We roasted five kilos of steak meat, three chickens, thirty samosas. We also ate ten cup cakes, ten danishes, two bunches of bananas, two boxes of cookies and a crate of sodas.
It was quite a party!
Everyone gave a speech and then we prayed and sang. We were stuffed so it took us a few minutes to be able to get into our songs but then everyone was clapping and smilng and singing.
A few neighbors came to participate. After some more wonderful singing Ronald led us in prayer.
It was amazing.
We were all right before the throne of God.
Days like today make me feel so proud of what the Lord is doing in these mens lives.

Sometimes in the states some of my friends seem to feel sorry for me or can't get over "all that we have sacrificed".
Sure there are relationships that we miss as well as certain foods or stores but days like today make everything worth it.
I actually feel sorry for people who don't get to experience this kind of thing.

I was surrounded by men that I have been privilaged to share Christ with for many years and listen to them ask the Lord to give them thousand of new converts. They want to fill the new land with people praising the Lord!
It is hard for me to explain how I feel ...I can hardly see the computer through the tears in my eyes. These are good tears.
I was going to say the men are growing but that doesn't say it right. We are growing in the Lord.
I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to be His servant and to do what He asks me to do.

What a great day of celebration!

A typical day

2006-09-05T19:50:00.000+03:00

I got out of bed and started the bath. There is not enough pressure for a real shower. Maybe I got spoiled in the states with hot showers whenever I wanted. The hot water dribbles into the tub so I've got time to go and do something else. The power has been off ever day so there isn't much hot water any way.
There is someone banging at the gate. I threw on some jeans, t-shirt and sandals and rushed out to stop the knocking. It is a guy who works on diesel generators and he had come to see if I wanted him to service our big one.
I had to stand out there with him because there have been too many other mechanics steal parts from my car, tractor, truck and generator.
He thanked me for a bible I gave him over a year ago. He said his wife took it from him and she reads it all the time.
That's nice.
Jotham who works in our yard came so I could go inside and enjoy my cold bath. Cheryl had a plate of biscuits and gravy ready for me. (When she handed me the plate I thought Big Steve would love this!) Cheryl sure can cook.
On that note I decided to ride my bike. Each Tuesday we have our discipleship and leadership meeting. I rode the bike down to the gardens restaurant. One of my friends, Ali Baba discovered he has diabetes. Yesterday Ronald and I took him a glucose meter and showed him how to use it. Last night I read about diabetes so I was motivated to ride my bike.
I was supposed to meet one of the guys before the meeting. He had written a letter to apologize and ask for my forgiveness.
This is a growth moment for this young man. Wow. It is amazing to watch the Spirit of God work in the lives of people.
We had a nice talk.
We sat outside under a green tent cover and forgave and encouraged one another.
Dick arrived and shared about the national meeting. The rest of the men arrived and we had a great meeting that lasted for about three hours. It is so encouraging to see the maturity and growth of these men. I am proud of them. It was really a great meeting.
After the meeting I rode my bike over to the new land that we are still in the process of buying.
I thought it would be good to spend some good time in prayer.
As I was kneeling in the grass at the bottom of the hill talking to the Lord I saw a face in the banana plantation. I was being watched. I was praying about the land and the village around it. I asked the Lord to help us reach the children and youth as well as the adults.
I turned around so I would not be distracted and saw three other children on the other side. I asked the Lord to touch those very children. They started gigling and ran across the grass. They stopped and stared at me. I smiled and waved to them.
The three children met me in the middle of the grass.
We shared our names and they asked if I was praying. I told them that I was praying for them and the other children in Kagote. They smiled so big.
I learned that they live in the house right next to the property that we are buying. I asked about their father and they told me that he is dead. I asked about their mother...she too is dead.
Their cousin asked if the church wants to help orphans. She told me that the other children are living in that house with their grandmother.
A young women walked by and we greeted each other. She lives behind the church property. I shared with her our dream for an amphitheater and the tent that we are going to bring. I shared how we want to be a community church that involves everyone around. She was very excited with what we are planning to do. She knew me but I did not know her very well. I invited her to church. She said she will be there Sunday.

I asked the children many questions about what they would like to do at church. They gave me some nice feedback.
I sent greetings to their grandmother and shared that I would like to come and visit with their grandmother sometime.
It was amazing how fast the Lord answered my prayer!

I rode my bike home and then tried to start the generator so Cheryl could mash the potatoes. The generator died and wouldn't start. I pump it, primed it still nothing. I am so glad I had the man serivice it today. (It probably has air in the line)

Well what should I do?
I found a jerry can... so kinley and I drove to town in the old pick up to get gas.
When we got back I drug another generator out of the container and across the gravel and up to the side of the house. I made sure the other one is off, the isolater switch is off, I strung an extention cord into the kitchen to plug it in above the stove where the wires are stronger. We filled the tank with gas and after a few pulls the old generator started.
I wasn't fast enough for Cheryl and she had mashed the potatoes by hand but at least i tried.
Cheryl and I talked about all of the things from the meeting today. We had a lot to talk about.

We had a nice dinner with the children. They had their baths, devo and now they are in bed.
I just got a call from a young friend asking about premarital counseling. We are going to meet tomorrow at 10:00AM.
That is the second request like that today.

Lone Scout

2006-08-17T11:55:00.000+03:00

Alex is so proud to be a Tiger Cub. We signed him up for cub scouts while we were in Tyler. He is called a Lone Scout because he does not have a pack. I am his leader and I have to say... we are having so much fun!
We toured the local police station and interviewed one of the policemen.
The two of us went on another outing to tour the king's palace. The man giving us the tour let Alex see the king's throne which is not open to the public. Alex learned all about the tooro kingdom and how family life has changed from the old days until now. How many cub scouts get an opportunity like that?

One of his next requirements is to go on a picnic. When I asked him where he would like to go for this, he said,"Let's go to the game park! That would be fun." He wants to have the picnic where he can watch the wild elephants.
I think that should meet the requirements. Don't you.

He also wants to visit the US embassy and meet the ambassador
I'm proud of my Lone Scout.

Way to go Alex!

We're Back.

2006-08-17T10:43:00.000+03:00

All of the stress and pressure of our long trip went away as I pushed the cart through the airport door at Entebbe. We were welcomed with a big cheer and hugs. Ronald. David, Dick and Derrick had arrived at the airport at 4AM. Wow! We're back.
Doug and Destiny met us in the parking lot. They had gotten up while it was still dark to drive from kampala to Entebbe. They had a flat tire!
We went to the Baptist Guest House and spent a couple of days getting our feet under us. Jet lag is tough with little ones.
We paid bills in Kampala and did some shopping.
Ronald arranged to take our luggage and some things for Doug in a hired truck to Fort Portal. When they arrived to load the bags the driver wasn't real happy because he had gotten a ticket for overtaking. (passing in the wrong place)
They took off..
Not long into their trip they were stopped by the police who gave them a ticket for overloading. They were not overloaded at all! I hate injustice. (We're back)
Somehow we got home before our stuff did. I called Ronald and found out that the truck we had hired blew the engine!
The guys arranged for a small pickup to carry our stuff the rest of the way. (Now this truck was overloaded!)

WE ARE BACK!!!!

The power is off

Everything is covered in dust and dirt

The road in front of our house is blocked off at both ends

My shoes in our room are covered in mold

Our landline telephone is dead

Our internet phone is dead

The sink in our bathroom is leaking all over the floor

There are rat droppings in everything!....We're back.

We were told that the road licenses for vehicles has gone up. We wil have to pay $1600 a year for the road license on the Landcruiser alone. It is due next week. I have to check the dump truck (which will be more), the pickup, Cheryl's car and the motorcycle.

They have raised the price of work permits to $1000 per person per year. We will be paying more for work permits than rent!
(If we have to pay that much for dependants.)

There are a dozen other unforseen expenses.
Instant financial stress. Don't you love that kind of thing? (We're back)

The electricity was on for an hour the first day we were home and 45 minutes the second day. That's not even long enough to warm the water in the hotwater heater!

With all that said...WE ARE BACK.

The kids are having so much fun. All of the toys they forgot about!

The churches are doing well. It is fun to hear good reports.

We get to see our friends and get back to the work here.

It's nice to be home.

I'm going to go take a cold bath now that we're back.

Getting ready to go

2006-08-04T05:36:00.000+03:00

Our bags are packed. Our to-do lists are done. We haven't slept much in the last three night but we did it! We were ready when Greg Grub and Jack Hooper arrived to help take our bags. (Thanks guys!) Now we are in Dallas at a hotel. We have our six trunks, six duffle bags and six carry-ons. We leave in the morning for Boston. From DFW to Boston our bags can only be fifty pounds from there on they can be 70lbs each. We will have to get all of our luggage when we land in Boston and make our way to the hotel. We'll spend the night there before flying to London. The flight to England is 8 or 9 hours. At Heathrow we have a 16 hour lay over so we have booked two hotel rooms for the day. We will board our next eight hour flight from London to Entebbe, Uganda. The Lord has given me amazing children. What is really amazing is my wife. We have quite a journey ahead of us.
Ronald told me on the phone that the whole church wanted to come and meet us at the airport in Uganda. Then I told him that our arrival time is 5:45AM. That may change the number of friends who come to meet us but we know they love us. We can't wait to see them either!
Ronald is going to meet us with a pickup that he will hire in Kampala to take our luggage. (Thank you Ronald) The airport is about five hours drive from Fort Portal. Doug and Destiny have graciously volunteered to pick us up at that early hour. (Thanks Doug and Destiny!)
Cheryl and the kids have started their devotional. Silas is praying ...he is so cute!
Thank you Lord for my precious family!

Last minute rush

2006-07-31T23:58:00.000+03:00

We are packing all of the trunks and duffle bags getting ready for the flights back to Uganda. It is amazing the number of things that need to get done. I was walking around Home Depot drooling over all of the great stuff when I saw a manly TO DO list. Hey! That would fit in my suitcase!
So I grabbed it.
Cheryl was impressed that I actually bought it. I am not a real list person like Cheryl is so this was a major paradigm shift for me. It's not that I'm against lists...I just tend to loose them.
Lists don't fit into my hunter gatherer nature so easily.
It is hard to believe that our furlough is over.
We have some great news for the Fort Portal church...Glenwood raised $15,000 so we could buy a 52 x67 foot tent and chairs.
Glenwood is such an encouraging congregation!

Here is some more great news...My sister Kristi White had a baby girl.
weighing in at 11 pounds 4 oz!
That is the real weight and she did not have a C-section. That's my sis..Super woman.

Isaac

2006-07-21T20:07:00.000+03:00

Thank you for your prayers and concern for Isaac and the surgery on his eyes. He is recovering well. It was not fun helping him come out of his sleep afterwards.
Last night as he was going to bed he said, "Dad come see! My eyes are all red! That is so cool!"
Thank you for your encouragement.

Prayer Request

2006-07-18T23:27:00.000+03:00

On Wed. July 19 at 1:30PM Texas time, Isaac is going in for sugery on his eyes. The doctors want to work on the muscles so his eyes will track the same. Please pray for Isaac. he has the same eye problem that I have lived with most of my life. It will be great if we can save the sight in his left eye. Thank you for your prayers.
Jeff

One change I've noticed

2006-07-13T07:55:00.000+03:00

What is the deal with all of the medicine commercials listing all of the possible side effects? If you take our wonderful colored pill you may experience dizzyness, headacke, heart murmers, bleeding gums, fever, rash, loss of appetite, loss of hair, shortened life expectancy.Blah blah, blah blah, blah blah. Please tell you doctor if have already had a brain transplant or if you are taking any of our other pills as this may result in additional side effects...if you experience any of these problems (It's no longer our responsibility becasue we told you in a TV add)... please contact your doctor so he can sell you our more expensive medicine.

A get away!

2006-07-13T07:23:00.000+03:00

Right now Cheryl and I are relaxing in the Browing Room at the Claibourne House. We are at a bed and breakfast/ spa in Jefferson, Texas. The elders at Metro church of Christ gave us the money to get away and relax. Thank you Metro. When we were in Portland they honored us with a church dinner for our ten years of mission work in Uganda. They gave us a nice plaque and a check for something like this. We have friends who are watching the kids in Tyler. (Thanks to you as well)
Cheryl is falling asleep and I am watching David Letterman.
Massage, hot tub. Tv, internet
What a rough couple of days!

If you go to Metro...I want to say ....."thank you!"
We are having a great time. The water works, the electricity was on all day, what more could we ask for?

children who need help

2006-07-13T06:58:00.000+03:00

I talked with Ronald on the phone and the church in Fort Portal is praying for six children.
Two months ago they watched their father brutely murder and dismember their mother with a machette and an ax. Their father then turned on them and killed one of their brothers. The rest of the children ran screaming and making an alarm. A group came to get the father but he had hung himself behind their home.
Ronald went to see them at they uncle's home. He said, "Jeff it was so sad that I cried." The uncle is always drunk and the children are in terrible condition.
We are praying about what to do.
One of the children is suspected to have HIV and possivly AIDs. He is really sick and has trouble with bleeding out.
The children are in a terrible condition and need help. If you would like to help these kids let me know.

Furlough

2006-06-24T08:15:00.000+03:00

It turns out I have tonsillitis. That is what the doctor said. Then he talked to us about the ministry in Uganda. It was more of a mission interview than a doctors appointment. He prayed for us. Who knew that the Lord would send encouragement through a visit to the doctor.
I have been completely wiped out and I can hardly swallow. We are at a hotel in Abilene on our way to Tyler.
Two days ago Kinley was crying because she misses home. Today she cried because she misses her Nana and Papa.
It seems like we are always saying "good bye"

One day their will be no more sore throats, tears or sad good byes.

a simple prayer request

2006-06-21T16:33:00.000+03:00

We drove with the family from Odessa to Amarillo. We spent the evening with Lyle and Shelli Jarvis. It was fun talking with them as they had spent a few years in Hungary as missionaries. Our kids had a great time with their kids. Lyle was in college at Columbia Christian while I was at the high school. We had a lot in common.
We stayed in a hotel and got up Sunday morning for church. The church we visited is a nondenominational church called Amarillo South. They were started ten years ago by members from a church of Christ there in Amarillo. They have grown to over 3,000!
I can see why families are drawn to this church. They have a wonderful set of programs for the kids. Cheryl and I were able to to worship together. That is something that we have not been able to do as one of us has to usually take care of silas.
Cheryl is the one who takes him out so he won't disrupt everyone else.

At the end of the service there were quite a number of people who came for prayer. That was impressive.
We met on Monday morning with some of the staff and a couple of elders. It was fun to share with them about what the Lord is doing in Uganda. We prayed together. As soon as the meeting ended I started to feel sick.
We were headed out of town but I was feeling really bad so we went to a hotel for another night. I have a fever and am feeling terrible. We are trying to get ready to go to Tyler.
Thanks for your prayers.

Human chain

2006-06-17T02:02:00.000+03:00

Besisa Babiha Corinne is in Bunia Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a dear friend, a brother in Christ and a man of faith.
Where Besisa and his family lives is at the center of the conflict.

Between 1998 and 2002 3.3million people died in the Congo as a result of the war. Now the number of deaths has climbed to over 4,000,000.
The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed more lives than any other war since world war II

Did you hear that number?
4,000,000!
Let me put that into perspective. If they stood beside each other with their arms stretched out they could make a human chain from Portland Oregon to Los Angeles California. (If each of them averaged five feet finger tip to finger tip)
Did you think the human chain would go that far?
Well it would keep going. How far would it continue? If they started in Portland and stretched to Los Angeles how much further would they go? If they turned at Los Angeles and went East the human chain would go past Texas and stretch all the way across the US to Miami florida!
That is long human chain Portland Oregon to La and onto Miami Florida.
Did I mention that there would be enough people left over when you got to Miami to continue the human chain for another 600 miles!
That is the number of people who have died as a result of the fighting in the Congo!

Pray for the Chownings

2006-06-16T00:19:00.000+03:00

We have just received some sad news..
Cindy Chowning was in an accident in Benin West Africa.
Apparently she was at a village meeting and returned to her car where she was hit by a moped/motorcycle and thrown into her car. She was taken for treatment but her injuries were too severe and she passed away.

Cindy and her husband Richard used to be missionaries in Kenya. They worked in Abilene before moving to Benin West Africa as missionaries. Please pray for Richard.

I have sat here for thirty minutes not knowing what to write. Would you pray with me?

Dear Father,
My heart is full of sadness as I think of Richard Chowning,Heather and all of Cindy's family who are hurting today. Lord, wrap your arms around them and comfort them...like only you know how. Lord, it's so sad.
Lord give Murphy Crowson and his father safety as they travel to help Richard.Please be with them. May your spirit comfort them all and bring peace.
I thank you for Cindy and the life she lived. She was so hospitible and kind.
Lord I lift up to your Richard, Heather, and the rest of their family. Father I pray for their teamates and fellow workers in the Lord. Please comfort the Christians in Benin who are hurting. May your kingdom grow like never beofore in Benin.
Father, I pray that you be glorified through the life and death of this sister in Christ.
Lord, also please be with the one who was riding the motorcycle.
Thank you Lord for you love.
I pray all of this through your wonderful son Jesus ...Amen

Animal Rights?

2006-06-15T19:25:00.000+03:00

Kinley is watching Animal Cops on TV.
Every second counts as the animal protection units races the puppies to the hospital. The animals are given blood transfusions and placed in intensive care. Apparently these puppies have flees that could put their lives in danger. If the dogs survive they will be places in Foster Care. Teams of people have given their lives to fight for the rights and protection of animals.
Don't get me wrong I like animals It just seems strange.
I know children who sleep with bed bugs and flees everynight. We have friends from the Congo who struggle to get something to eat. There are many who drink from mud puddles and disease infected lakes.
Rights? What rights?
There have been over 4,000,000 people killed in the congo in the last few years! It makes me mad.

As I watched animal cops I noticed the wonderful medical attention these flee bitten puppies were getting.

Medical care?
One of my friends is struggle to travel from Congo to Uganda just so his wife can get a surgery. She will have to ride one day in the back of a pickup. One day in a boat to cross Lake Albert and another day in a fish truck on a horrible horrible road. Then she will arrive in Fort Portal where there is no medicine at the local hospital, the windows are broken and the doctors make rounds every couple of days. She has a bleeding ulcer. Here husband is educated and has a masters degree.

Over 200 members of the Rwebesengo church of christ had to move to a resettlement camp for refugees because they could not get food!
Derrick wrote me that he has been trying to encourage a group of orphans...who all have Hiv/aids.
Where is the justice?
Where is the help?
Life on the street as an abandoned dog in Houston might be easier than what some of my friends have been facing.

Pray for Ronald

2006-06-05T06:35:00.000+03:00

While riding his motorcycle Ronald got stung by a bee! and then...another and another. He threw down his motorcyle and ran as a swarm of bees attacked him! He ran down to a nearby hut and the old woman there told him to take off his clothes because of the bees. He was being stung all over. He tore off his clothes and the old woman smeared him with kerosene. There were several cars that got attacked and couldn't get their windows up in time. The people left their vehicles and ran. Many people were stung terribly
The swarming African bees attacked everyone. Two goats that were tied nearby were killed by the bees.
Ronald said, "I probably have two hundred stings on my back!"
He really didn't know how many stings he had because his back and neck were all swollen.

Please pray for Ronald. If you would like to send him a word of encourgement you could post a comment and/or send it to me by email and I'll make sure he gets it.
Jeff

Cease Fire!

2006-06-01T10:04:00.000+03:00

A few years ago during the rebel crisis in our part of Uganda, a group of soldiers were fired upon. They scrambled into the bushes and fought back. It was reported that a bloody fight insued and there were casualties from both sides of the ravine. To their horror they discovered that they were all on the same side!

As Christian soldiers let's remember who the enemy is!
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against...

Two scoops of encouragement

2006-05-19T23:51:00.000+03:00

Do you have friends or family that you enjoy being with so much that you don't want the time together to end? That is the way I felt the other day when my cousins got together.
I am proud of each of them and love them dearly. Everytime I think of my cousins Barb and Sally... I can't help but smile. They have been some of those special encouragers my whole life.
This evening was no exception.
Barb encouraged me in exactly the perfect way. I don't want to go into detail but it was "a God thing". She was doing what she does best... encourage. She said a nice thing ... it was exactly what I needed to hear. There is no way she could have known that.
I got two helpings of Godly encouragement one from Barb the other from Sally.
The Lord used both of them powerfully that evening.
It it fun to see the Lord working in your friends and family.
Thank you, Lord!

The Cash family

2006-05-19T23:34:00.000+03:00

FOOOUUURRRR!

2006-05-17T05:54:00.000+03:00

On Friday we arrived in Odessa, Texas. Saturday morning the alarm went off and I drug my tired body out of bed. I was asked to play golf in a local tournament.
That's a nice idea except I don't know how to play golf! The first and last time I played was before Mikhail Gorbachev was sworn in as Russia's president and Tiger Woods was 13.
We arrived at the golf club and I got my loaner clubs out. They were wrapped with a bungee cord on each end. Lynne said, "This putter right here is a genuine antique." He should know they are his.

All of the Men began to arrive in their pickups and get out their top of the line hi tech gear. I was the only one who didn't have his very own glove stuck in his back pocket.
These men weren't wearing cowboy hats today. No sir.
They were were wearing sweat wicking golf hats with names like "ping" on the front.

The manager of the club loaned me his empty golf bag. I got more compliments on my golf bag then anything else. "That sure is a good looking bag." Wow that bag can hold everything!
Ben Wall showed up and we jumped in a golf cart and away we flew.
Now I looked like a respecable golfer... sitting in the golf cart.

I can't tell you how stupid I felt as I swung and missed the ball.
The three men who were on my team were so encouraging. They cheered everytime I hit the ball.
Even if the ball headed for the parking lot they would give positive comments about my swing or how far I hit it... even if it was in the wrong direction.
There wasn't a time that I hit the ball that they didn't say something nice.
I felt so akward, embarrased and out of place. Did I mention that I lost six balls!
If it wasn't for their encouragement I probably would have left.
When one of the guys made a bad hit they would use that to encourage. The men were fun to be with.
In this tournament we were put into teams of four and each of us would hit and then we would pick the best one of the four and play from there.

I tried to copy everything they did.
My golfing skills did not help the team until the very last hole.
We were on edge of the sloping green. They had me go first to see how the ball rolled. I hit the ball a couple feet to the left and it curved around and around for about ten feet and dropped right in the cup!
You would have thought I had earned the green blazer the way the men cheered. High Fives all around.
When we got back to the club house the guys didn't mention all of my mistakes...they talked about my one good putt.

Since Friday
I have reflected on the golf tournement with the rules, special clothes, insider language and how the guys treated me.
I compared it to church in my mind.
How stupid and clumsy new comers to Christianity must feel. I wonder if I have been as encouraging and quick to overlook mistakes as my teammates were when i missed the ball three or four times or sent it to the bottom of the pond. When I was golfing I couldn't do anything wrong at least that is how they made me feel. They didn't make fun of my antique clubs...they loaned me their high dollar graphite ones and told me "you can't hurt these things."

Golf for many of these men is not a hobby but a passion
They tried to recruit me to thier golfing community with words like.."one good hit and you could be hooked for life."
How'd that feel? Wasn't that nice. You're a natural. You are doing great!

I want to be a part of church who treats everyone the way these guys treated me on the golf course.

High Fives all around. Good job! That was beautiful!

Would you like a taste?

2006-05-07T18:29:00.000+03:00

Pepperdine was wonderful! There were so many people to talk to and catch up with. There were so many great classes as many as twenty at the same time. There is no way to go to all of them that I want to!
The Pepperdine Bible lectures were like a spiritual trip to Costco! (or Sam's Club)
Sample this
Sample that
and walk out with a full cart!

If I lived in the states the Pepperdine Bible lectures would become a regular choice for my Spiritual Menu.
They are missionary approved and mother recommended.

Pepperdine Bible Lectures

2006-05-04T07:55:00.000+03:00

The thousands of us rose to our feet as we sangout our praises to God. I had to fight back the tears as I look around at all of my brothers and sisters. There were young children clinging to their grandparents, college students holding hands, There were young professionals dressed in nice clothes and teens in their shorts. We are all different but we are all one.
What makes us one is not that we see everything the same but that we all have the same father. We are family.
Flawed, sinful, broken, forgiven, loved
I was proud of my heritage today.
As I looked around I tried to imagine what the Lord has done in each of their lives. For some of them I knew.. for others it was clearly written on their faces.
They have been loved.
God took the shattered pieces of their broken lives and created His masterpiece.
It was a beautiful scene to see so many of His masterpieces all in one place.
I will never forget this spiritual family reunion.
Thanks you, Father!

The rocks would cry out!

2006-04-12T08:11:00.000+03:00

Growing up in the church of Christ there wasn't a lot emphasis placed on Palm Sunday. When I got to Uganda I learned they have their own traditions. Each child and most adults would cut a Palm branch and wave it as they walked all the way to church. All over town people would be carrying their palm branches. It was a day of Joy to celebrate Jesus. Everyone is all dressed up. It can be quite a site.
At church they would wave their branches as they sang.
The Congolese brothers and sisters love Palm Sunday and Easter. They have no reservations when it comes to celebrating the Lordship and resurrection of Jesus.
I am so thankful that they have something to celebrate!

A Snag

2006-04-12T07:30:00.000+03:00

"What's wrong with her legs Daddy?" Isaac asked.
"Whose legs?" I asked him.
"Mommys legs are dark. I don't like it!" he responded.

Those are called hose.
It was funny trying to explain what they were to him. He must have thought she was sick.
He reacted so strongly to Mommys charcoal grey legs.

In America women wear stockings or panty hose and it changes the color of their legs.
When I asked Cheryl why women wear panty hose she said, "I don't know.
It's fancier and in the winter can help keep your legs warm. I really don't know why women wear panty hose."
It's a tradition that "runs long" in our culture. I was told a story from years ago went some women used to paint their legs to look like they had on hose. One woman legs began to streak as she was caught in the rain after church!
Women also used to draw a line down the back of their legs to look like they were wearing panty hose.
You can learn much from a culture by examining what they wear and why.
So why do American woman wear them?

Jet lag is a funny thing

2006-03-27T14:21:00.000+03:00

It feels like a hippo sat on me but I'm too tired to care. That's jet lag.
Last night we crawled into bed and my alarm clock from Uganda went off. It's time to get up but we are just going down.
I'm hungry but I've already eaten.
We spent the day at the Boston Harbor. The kids loved the children's museum and the giant aquarium. Dunkin
Donuts and MacDonalds wasn't too bad either. You can tell we have been away for some time when we crave this kind of "food." There are so many Super Sized people.
Sleep...has never felt sooooo good! Oh ya. I can brush my teeth with the water from the tap and enjoy the pressure in the shower.
I don't have to worry about using up the water by flushing the toilet.
There are three tvs here. It is nice to hear something good about America for a change!
It seems like everything is for sale on the television. and the number one tool for sales is sex.
Everyone is so friendly. People are so nice to the kids.
Now I have to watch the kids closer than in Uganda. There are some real weirdos out there.
The power is on...how nice that is!
The internet works. Everything is so clean!
America! It's nice to be back!

Funny floors

2006-03-26T16:10:00.000+03:00

Isaac commented "These floors are funny!"
"It's called carpet" I told him.

This is what Isaac noticed first.

2006-03-26T15:37:00.000+03:00

We have arrived in Boston.
The customs lady said "welcome back".
I am not sure if everyone in the long line felt the same way towards us because we were the last off the plane but they rushed us past the group. Traveling in America with kids is so nice.
We rented our minivan and drove around looking for the hotel.
We missed our exit after the tunnel so we had to go a different direction.
As we cruised around looking for the hotel we had come with in a block four times. It is interesting to switch sides of the car and road to drive. Could we at least standardize our driving. When you cross the border between Uganda and Rwanda you have a quarter mile to switch sides of the road.
Anyway, we went to bed at 3:00 Am and were up by 7:00.
It is so cold!!!!!
Our summer has lasted for the last two years. They say that spring has just started in boston. It sure doesn't feel like it!

We went to the mall. I thought it was funny that the kids wanted to eat at the RainForest Cafe!
Alex got scared when the elephant sounded over the pa system. American food is soooooo good!
I had Nile shrimp. (There are no shrimp in the nile!) ribs and chicken combo.
Did I mention how great everything tastes?

I went to the restroom and as I walked into the stall the toilet flushed. It flushed again as I tried to put one of the sanitary covers on the seat. It made me laugh to use a sanicover after all of the toilets I've been using. I was nervous that the toilet would flush and suck the cover down.
Does it really take that much energy to flush the toilet? Why all this technology?
You might tell me that it is a sanitary thing. Does that make any sense?
Anyway when I needed it to flush it wouldn't. I waved my hands in front of the red light... nothing.
Again...nothing. Again...nothing.
I guess I'll have to push the little button.
That worked.
Then it flushed again by its self. Ah technology! It has invaded every part of our lives.
In America we even have high tech toilets!
The sink wasn't going to be outdone by it high tech cousin so on it came.
That would be too much work for me to lift a handle or too unsanitary to turn on and off the sink!
The paper towel dispenser must have been bought at Sams because it was an old fashioned manual type.
So let me get this straight...
I pull open the handle on the bathroom door. Walk in open the stall. shut and lock the stall.
The toilet is automatic but I had to use the back up botton. Then I turn around and grag a hold of the same latch to unlock to the stall and open the door. The sink is automatic but not the paper towel dispenser. Then I grab the handle on the door on my way back out.
Sometimes I think a hole in the ground might be cleaner.

UP up and away!

2006-03-23T08:22:00.000+03:00

We are leaving in a few minutes for the airstrip.
The Cessna 210 can't hold our bags so we have to send them in a vehicle. The Caravan that was supposed to take us is down for repair. Maf discovered a cracked propeller. I'm glad they found it now and not while we were cruising at 11,500 feet above sea level.
It is amazing that we are really leaving for the states!
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel with all of the little ones.
Blessings!

Jeff

Did you see me blink?

2006-03-20T19:19:00.000+03:00

Today was a special day. Kinley turned eight.
Cheryl and I got up and took kinley to a local restaraunt for salty eggs and toast. It is a tradition that we take each of our kids out for a special breakfast on their birthday. It was just Kinley, Mom and Dad.
Cheryl and Kinley did the hand motions to Say Say oh playmate while we waited for our British tea. My little girl is growing up.
We talked about the day that Kinley was born. She asked questions about her great grandparents.
She wanted to know more about my Grandad Small.
I can still smell the smoke from his pipe, the garden and his wood working shop. I can see him fixing the water to an irigation ditch. I can see him smile as he took the blades off his two riding lawnmowers. He let us race all around on those things.
I remeber him laughing as we prettended to baptise each other in the flooded ditch. My memories are full of warmth and love.
Kinley said, "When we go to heaven I can see your grandad!"
Yes you will.

The day was filled with presents, friends cake and icecream.
I had some men building a carport to cover the Landcruiser.
When I told Cheryl what they were doing I mentioned how we should put some white latiss up the sides with climbing vines or flowering plants.

Kinley heard me discribe this and asked, "Daddy are you building a pergula?"
"Uh uh I don't know. Whats a Pergola?" (asked the clueless father)
"Its a wooden structure that you can grow vines on." she replied
"Really?" I asked.
I went to the dictionary because I had never herd pergola or pergula.
This is what I found.

pergola (Lat. pergula) An arbor or passageway with a roof of trelliswork on which climbing plants are grown.

It seems like just yesterday that I could hold her entire body with one hand. She couldn't say a word.
I think I must have blinked...
Now Kinley is teaching me what a "pergula" is.

She is a precious wonderful gift from God...and helpful with my vocabulary!

Happy Birthday Kinley! I am so proud of you!

We love you sweetheart!

Getting ready for furlough

2006-03-14T09:05:00.000+03:00

On March 23rd our friends Doug and Destiny will drive us out to the church of Christ airstrip. Mission Aviation Fellowship will pick us up from there and fly our family to Entebbe. We'll spend the night there and then leave the next day for the states. Maf is giving us the price of flying in Cessna 210 and bringing a Caravan which is twice as big. That is a $400 savings. Thanks MAF! Our flights to the states are on BA so we will have to spend several hours in transit in London. We touch down in Boston where we will spend a couple of days resting and seeing the sights. Getting over jetlag can be tough for the kids.
We found tickets from Boston to Portland for $104 each so we are happy about that.
We are so excited to see everyone! We arrive in Portland on March 28th. We will be at Metro church of Christ April 2, 2006.
We will spend some time with my family as well as visiting some who support this ministry.
It will be fun to get do somethings with our new teammates Andrew and Aimee Jo Martin while we are in Portland. We are looking forward to seeing our friends who have come here and helped with Faith Quest.
I am making some arrangements to do some flight training in Portland as well as up north at Mission Aviation Training Academy. Then we will fly to Odessa.
We'll spend some time with Cheryl's family. We'll buy supplies to bring back. Eat some great Mexican food and stay as far away a scale as possible.
Then we will go to Tyler! I can't wait to be at Glenwood! They are such a great church!
We really feel a close bond with everyone there. It will be fun to be with our "team" and the elders and staff and everyone! I wish I was there right now.
That is going to be fun as well. This is going to be a good furlough!
These are our plans, Lord willing.
We will return to Uganda the first week of August.
If you have supported this ministry with prayers, encouragement or finincially we want to thank you. If you can keep supporting us while we are on furlough that will help us to stock up and buy the needed supplies.
1.We will need to pay for the tickets to Oregon
2.Replace our laptop computer
3.Buy a second laptop for Cheryl
4.Cheryl and I would like to go to Sonscape. It is a retreat for the spiritual renewal of ministers.
5.Flight training.
6.There are many other supplies that we need (Bible study books, printer plus cartridges, etc)
We are hoping to be able to raise funds to cover the supplies.
Develop Camp Saaka
Repair the plane
purcase a circus tent for the town church $10,000
expand our property. ($8000) plus build and amphitheater.

We hope to increase our monthly support as we plan to expand our ministries.
We look forward to sharing with you what the Lord is doing in this part of Africa.
Please join us in pray that the Lord will give the increase and the resources needed. We are based on faith not money. Money is just a tool. We are servants of Christ and His kingdom.
See you soon!
Jeff

Baptisms in Fort Portal

2006-03-06T17:19:00.000+03:00

I taugh, discipled and mentored David Kabiito....David taught and is discipling Switiza...Switiza has been teaching these young men and now they have come to put on Christ in Baptism.
Some plant. Some water but the Lord gives the increase. Praise the Lord for His goodness, mercy and love.

How many of you have come prepared to be baptised in the river today?
We talked about God's love in sending Jesus.
I told them the story of the first African who was baptized by Philip.
We talked about the baptism of Jesus. We talked of the baptism of Saul/Paul.
We talked about puting on Christ and what that means for them.
Ephesians 6 was discussed. The idea of the burial...Being United with Christ.
Each person who came today for baptism said that they have repented of their sin.
They are sorry and they want Christ to turn their lives around and lead them on His path.

While we were still sinners Christ died for us. This kind of baptism/immersion is a wonderful picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

After each baptism we prayed for our new brother in Christ.

"I believe that Jesus is the Son of God!" Each young man shared with everyone about his belief in Jesus.

Because you believe that Jesus is the son of God, I am going to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy spirit for the forgiveness of sins. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Are you ready?

"I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He is my savior. He is going to wash away my sins!"
Did everyone, even the guys on the bridge hear that he believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus is the way the truth and the life no come to the Father except by Him.

He is raised to walk a new life in Jesus.

He faced the crowd of people from different religions and said in Rutooro.
"I believe Jesus is the Son of God!"

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved." Eph. 2:4-5 NIV

One of my friends saw this picture and said, "look at that garbage!"
I honestly didn't see the garbage I had only seen the beautiful ones I love.
I think that is the way Christ sees us. He focusses on what he loves not the garbage.

After the baptisms I shared the story of the prodical son with everyone who was listening. One Muslim man listeded closely as I acted out wanting to eat the pig slop. "this young man had taken his inheritance before his father had died and sold it for money which he wasted on women, drinking and wild living. Once the money ran out so did his friends. He got so desperate that he hired himself out to a pig farmer. (Which was against his culture, customs and religion.) They loved how the father treated the son when he went home. The father in the story is God and we are the ones who ran away.

We have several friends who are Muslim. This man in the back appears to be a devout follower of Islam from the Tabliq group.

This morning I had loaded up the trailer and the baptistry but the power was off so there was no city water to fill it. We changed our plans and went down to the river. This kind of public river baptism is really great as many people stop to watch what we were doing. What a great day! We were able to share the Good news of Jesus with some who would never step inside a church building. And all of these young men have put on Christ.
Praise the Lord for what He continues to do in the lives of people.

Today is a day to Praise the Lord!

slideshow of baptisms from the Fort Portal church

2006-03-06T15:40:00.000+03:00

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/43177302@N00/sets/72057594076161045/show/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/43177302@N00/sets/72057594076161045/show/)

This link will take you to a slide show of the set of pictures from this last Sunday. It may take some time as there are quite a number of pictures. See if you can count how many baptisms there were.
Jeff

Life without power

2006-03-06T13:13:00.000+03:00

(Cheryl reading by lamp light /the computer needs power.)
It took six months of constant asking to get the camping propane bottle and light in Fort Portal.
It is nice to have bacause reading by candle light for very long makes my eyes tired.
The power has been off every day for at least twelve hours. There is no regular schedule so you never know when the power will be on. Somedays it is off all day and comes on at 1:00AM. It can go off and on ten times in an hour.
The other night we were all asleep. I wasn't sleeping well because the fan that we use to keep the mosquitoes off of us, of course didn't work. The buzzing in my ears drives me crazy.
All of a sudden all of the lights in the house came on at one time. We had gone to bed and forgot to turn off the lights (in the dark). Cheryl didn't move. I got up and checked on the kids they didn't notice either. I turned all of the lights off. I was trying to decide if I should go ahead and work on the computer or do some ironing. I worked a little on the computer and then did some reading forget ironing! I worked for about two hours before the power went off again.

When the electicity goes off our internet connection and home based cell phone soon go off. The water goes off as well because the city water pumps are not on. Our laptop battery is shot so that doesn't work very long either.
The hot water heaters are small and electric so that means one bath takes all the warm water for our bathroom.
There is no ironing or washing clothes, TV or computer, grinding coffee or using the microwave.
We have to make sure that we don't open the deepfreeze very much.

I asked Cheryl what bothers her when the electricity goes off. She said, "The baths are cold, it gets really really dark and you can't see anything in our own home, there is no schedule so you can't plan in advance for it."

What bugs me is when I am watching a movie and it gets to that critical climax and...click no power. Or when I am printing a paper and...click.
When it comes back on the printer indicates that the cartridge is dry.
I'll just jump on jet and get one at Walmart! AHHHHHHH

Try a mission experience and go flip all of your power off for twenty four hours and do not leave. It still wouldn't quite be the same because you would have power over it. It would come on when you decide to turn it back on.

The verse "Do all things without grumbling or complaining." is a hard one some days.
Count it all joy...

Human Rights?

2006-03-03T10:17:00.000+03:00

The Christians of Kacwamba meet under trees next to their mud huts down the road from the gate to the Semuliki game reserve. Those of us leading the service were sitting in chairs facing the people and dirt road was out behind them.
A white Landcruiser from a human rights group stopped on the road and they began to take pictures of us. Apparently they had not noticed the white man sitting in the front.. I watched them for some time as they took pictures of us. I waved to the woman in the back seat as she zoomed in with her telephoto lens. A look of shock and embarrasment came across her face.
I could read her lips as she said, "There is a white man there! Oh no! Go! Go! Go!"
The driver speeds away in a clud of dust.
Why would they worry more about what one white man thinks then an entire group of Congolese? I personally didn't care that they took our picture. I found the whole situation quite funny and full of irony especially since they were from a human rights group.

I wonder how they would feel if a group of foriegners pulled up to their home or office and took a bunch of pictures and sped away? They would be calling the police or homeland security.
I've heard people say, that kind of thing is ok their African! (I hate that kind of talk!)

Communion at Kacwamba

2006-03-03T09:06:00.000+03:00

The group waited until after we walked back from baptising in the river to enjoy communion.
They asked Ronald to lead it. The older men plus Ronald and I sat in rickety wooden chairs facing the rest of the group. Between us was a small wooden table covered with a white net material.
Ronald removed the covering and under it were two (coke) bottles of Fruity Marinda, two packets of cookies, some plates and some small plastic disposable cups and a cloth.
There were only ten plastic cups. The kind they use at the medical clinic to give pills to the refugees. The cups were cracked and dirty.
Ronald wispered to me,"Do you think they found these cups?"
The entire group watched as they opened the bottles and Ronald began pouring a small amount of red soda in each cup.
He took the cups on a plate and gave them out one by one to the first ten. Then he was told to take the cloth and wipe out the cups and refill them again.
He wiped out a few but because of the look on his face they brought a small bucket of water to dip the cups into.
It was not a calm reflective kind of communion as the visiting church became impatient and began to talk and then beat on the drums as some sang.
They were all wanting lunch and the women began serving the food before Ronald was even finished. They gave the old men their food first.
Ronald sat down and commented on how the men were eating in front of the children.
We were stuck. We would now have to stay and eat.
I thought of the Agape feast of the early church as communion was part of a meal.

Ronald told them that he was sick. He has mono. He got out of eating because his throat was sore.
"How do feel about eat food cooked in the refugee camp?" He warned me to be careful.
The first thing they set before us was two big plates of eggs.
"I was told those were cooked this morning. Ten hours ago.
They brought out rice, boiled meat, kasava posho, beans soaked in palm oil,and pineapple.
I ate three bowls of rice with meat and pinapple. The other things cooked in palm oil tend to make us sick. I am probably more likely to eat in a place like this then Ronald is.
The Sun went behind the Rwenzori mountains so we had to "force them to release us".
We had come to help with the baptisms at the Sunday morning service. They had only kept us five extra hours.
It was an interesting Communion service. It did remind me of the simplicity and commonality of the "emblems".
We in the West tend to imagine the death of Jesus very clean and sterile. Our Golden polished communion sets are much fancier then what Christ would have used. Because of our cultural value of hygien we won't even share communion from the same cups.
We would probably be distracted by wondering what disease we might get from the others who drank before us. The meaning from the "blood of the covenant" could be lost.
I love worshiping cross culturally and cross economically the Lord continues to show me new things and gives a new perspective to old traditions.
To Christ I am the one who is dirty. I come with dirty hand and dirty lips to drink from his cup.
He smiles at me and says, "Welcome!"

Seven Baptisms in Kacwamba

2006-03-03T01:58:00.000+03:00

On Sunday morning I did not go to church with the family. Cheryl took the kids to the town church and Ronald and I drove to Bundibugyo district.
We met under a tree as they do not have a church building of any kind. There were members of the little "church of Christ" group as well as some from the Eternal church of God.
They asked me to preach after one of the men got up and said, "We in the church of Christ do not believe that we are the only Christians. There are many people meeting in many different places this morning to worship the Lord. We are a part of God's kingdom. Those of you from other churches welcome! We all worship the same Lord! Let's worship him together!
I preached in English while Ronald translated in Rutooro and another man translated into Swahili. There were people who understood each language so that is how we did it.
After a thorough teaching session we sang. These guys can really get into their singing.
There was even a childrens singing group from the Eternal church of God. They were really good singers. They don't have a baptistry so we walked a few miles down to a stream. They had blocked the water with banana plants to make a deeper pool.

Here Ronald and I taught about Jesus, sin, baptisms and being buried in Christ.

There were seven people Baptised.

At this point in each baptism the women would let out a shrill and everyone would clap and sing.

Most of the ones baptised today are Congolese who have fled the war and found refuge in Uganda. I pray now that their true refuge is in the Lord.

This process took from morning until five in the evening. They wanted us to spend the night but we had planned to just attend the morning service.
The morning service turned into the noon/afternoon/evening service. That's life in the village.
We stopped after Ronald lost his voice. They would have liked for us to keep going all night long.

(If you would like to see some more of these pictures double click on one of the pictures and you will be taken to my flickr account.)

Boys will be boys.

2006-03-03T01:29:00.000+03:00

We are "Good Soldiers" in our tank headed to our Congo house.

It is amazing to me and fun to watch how God made boys. A plastic stick in the hands of Kinley is magical wand.. give that same stick to my boys and it is a Bazooka, RPG or better yet the cannon on an American military tank.

A chair for kinley is used for a princess throne or a ballet bar. If my boys get ahold of it they dump it on its side and whalla ...it's the bullet proof reinforced front of a Bradley fighting vehicle.
These boys are just hard wired differently.

We'll protect you!

2006-02-24T09:37:00.000+03:00

The discipleship retreat at Camp Saaka was great! We had wonderful time with the leaders from Mbarara. I have been actively discipling and mentor a small group of men for many years. Three of them are now doing the same with others.
The leaders from Mbarara wanted me teach them how to disciple and mentor others as well. Three days is just a nibble when it comes to true discipleship.

Derrick said, "My life will never be the same again!"

Ronald shared, "I was truly before the throne of God!"

They will know you are my disciples if you love one another.

I forgot to take my camera to the retreat but I remembered the last morning that my cell phone has a camera on it. These three pictures were taken with my phone.

Discipleship Retreat

2006-02-16T10:25:00.000+03:00

My friend Doug who is a pastor for Calvary Chapel heard I was having another discipleship retreat. "You sure do a lot of discipleship things."
He and I both know that true discipleship is a key to the future of the kingdom of God in Fort Portal.

There are ten church leaders on their way from the Mbarara church of Christ. We will spend the next three days at Camp Saaka. I have been asked to teach their leaders how to disciple others. There will be 20 of us out there.

Ronald just arrived so we need to go buy food.
Pray for us.

Thanks
Jeff

Minority Report

2006-02-16T09:34:00.000+03:00

You __Muzungui__________, You must pay double because you are white!

It's ok to cheat a Muzungu.

Muzungu can mean white person, European person, rich person that I don't like,
half white/ half black, or someone who is buzy like a bee running here and there but never getting anything done, a colonial white master or a white priest. There are so many meanings and ways that this term is used. In Fort Portal it is the catch all word for foreigners.
It can be said by children smiling and laughing or by a thief who wants to rob you blind.
"Muzungu give me money" is one of the first English sentences learned by most.
Muzungu
"That's just what you call those kind of people." I have been told.
"Those kind of people?"
I fit into a category that includes British colonial masters, the great white Fathers, Russians, Jews, Bulgarian gun runners, and all UN troops.
I don't like the catch all terms. Even if it is not said with a snear it means you are different.

Have you ever had a hundred people laugh at you at the same time because your skin color is different then theirs?
Have you been cheated just because you are different?
Being a minority can be hard.

I have a whole new appreciation for those who are different in any way from the majority culture.
When I was in the states I remember hearing one man make fun of a man who was from the Great country of China.
"You are in America...speak English!" he half laugh half yelled at this old gentle grandfather.

Be kind to those who are different.
As a church don't send them over there somewhere to worship but go out of your way to make them want to be with you.
Love them into the body of Christ because that is what Christ would do.
But the lanuage is different...
in the Fort Portal church we sing in Lingala, French, Swahili, Runyankoli, Rutoro and English and that is with 30 adults.
It is rich. Church is where we go to encourage others as we worship the Lord.

One of the challenges I see in many churches is the fact that we are all the same.
We all speak the same language, have similiar economics, etc...
We all view God the same.
If we don't agree our history has shown that we divide into groups that do.

When we gather only with those who are like us we miss out on so much.
The Body of Christ is diverse. It is made of people with different world views from all kinds of tribes, tongues and nations.

When you see someone from a different race, economic background or lanuage just think he may already be a brother in Christ or he could be.

Church with people from all backgrounds...that would be heaven to me.

Where is your citizenship?

Be kind to those who "are different."

Way to go Samuel!

2006-02-08T15:46:00.000+03:00

Derrick and Samuel

Ronald called and asked if I had heard the announcement on the radio about Samuel Balinda?
What announcement? I asked.
His test scores were in the top five in the district!
They announced his name last night and this morning on the Voice of Tooro radio station.
He was the top student in his school and one of the best in Kabarole district!
Ronald brought me a copy of the national newspaper with the test results. Samuels name was there. He is listed as one of the brightest in Uganda.
We are so proud of him.
After church we had a party.

That was the same day that Besisa left for Congo and Switizas wife was baptized.

Cheryl looking good.

We took Samuel to Mbarara and met with the headmaster and Deputy Headmaster of Ntare School. We had a tough interview but Samuel was accepted.
This is considered one of the best schools in the country!
President Museveni and President Kagame of Rwanda both went to this school.
In the future students are going to be asking which dorm did Dr. Samuel Balinda live in?
To see Sam's new school go to: http://www.ntareschool.sc.ug/
Congratulations Samuel!

Daddy the power is on!

2006-02-08T11:43:00.000+03:00

Whenever I turn on the generator Silas says "Thank you Daddy!"
I just love that.
If we had power all of the time I would miss him saying that.
I'm going to get to hear Silas say that quite a bit.
Uganda was informed yesterday that the electricity will be off twelve hours a day because of low water levels in Lake Victoria.
That doesn't include the daily brown outs,power shortage or black outs from line problems and other local reasons for the power not working.
So for the few hours a day that we will be having power we can be thankful.
We will have more consistant electricity when the Lord gives us rain.
Hey! The power just came. Praise the Lord.
We have so many reasons to praise His name.

We're Rich!!!!

2006-02-08T10:38:00.000+03:00

I was studying Romans 16:7 and looking closely at Andronicus and Junias (most likely feminine) Paul writes that they were outstanding among the apostles. Hmm?
I was up late into the night studying about women as servants in God's kingdom.
A few lines early Paul greets Priscilla and Aquilla my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. It was interesting to note that Priscilla was mentioned first.
As I was trying to study.
The children got louder and louder. "WE ARE RICH!!! We're rich, rich rich. They had pulled the leaves off of one of the bushes and were pretending that the leaves were money.
I listened as they played their game.
Alex ran in with a handful of leaves. Dad we are playing a game that we are rich.

What are you going to with all of that money?

We are going to give it to the orphans and the poor!
I just love MKs!
Some of my favorite lessons are taught by children.

We're Rich!!!!

We are so rich!!!