Monday, June 24, 2013

The Bride (no, I'm not referring to myself)

I spent three nights in the nearby village of Kikube. I stayed in the home of Prossy, one of the teachers here at GSF. My mind floods when I think about what I saw during my experience there, but there is one thing that blew me away more than anything. No, it's not the cockroaches that patrolled the latrines at night or the surprise of waking up to Miley Cyrus' song "Party In The USA" playing in the next-door hut one morning (although that is certainly unforgettable as well). I was struck by the powerful presence of God's Holy Spirit working in that village. Kikube is known for many things, and I'd venture to say that the born again Christian church is not one of them. And yet the local church is alive. In fact, it is vibrant. There is a community of Christians that meets for prayer on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They meet for 2 hours from 8-10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I can only imagine that they meet for even longer on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. I had the pleasure of attending the Thursday evening service. There were about 15 of us gather in a church member's home for this candle-lit service (no, not for "effect" - it was just because this house had no power). A man spoke for some time and then we had a time of praise and worship (singing, dancing, sweating....you get the picture). Following worship, we moved immediately into a time of prayer. When I think of prayer time, I think of a nicely arranged circle where we all share some requests and then take turns praying for each other. That is not the kind of prayer time we had. This prayer time was animated and unrestrained. Everybody stood and talked with God simultaneously. No, they did nto speak in their hushed "respectful" tones - they pleaded with God, calling out to Him and pouring their hearts out to the Lord Almighty. I was touched at the way that God takes care of His bride, His body, His beloved ones, even those in this little village of Kikube. The light of Christ is dim in that village, but let me testify that it is alive. The local church is there and it will grow there because THAT is His bride. 

Just as I was heading out to church this morning, I received the news that Light Of The World church was not allowed to use its rented building (ok, its more like a room). Light Of The World is a church planted in the village of Buundo, just a 15-minute walk from Good Shepherd's Fold. Although it is not a GSF church, it was started by one of the GSF security guards and GSF has taken a great part in encouraging the planting of this church. You may remember the church opening in December - I wrote about it HERE. After being told multiple times to "leave the building," the church opted to set up their benches outside and hold the service right next to the building. It was unexpected. Why wouldn't the landlord open the room to us; what would become of the church? And it was then that I saw the bride of Christ, His body, and the real church - not the building church. Pastor Sam spoke with conviction: "A church is not a building; it is a body of believers. Turn to your neighbor and tell him, 'We are the church.'" We opened to 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5. Pastor Sam talked of the trials that we go through, whether at home, at work, or at church. Trials grow us and make us depend on God. Trials bring testimonies of God's working hand. And this trial that Light Of The World church is experiencing is no exception. No matter how or why the church is persecuted, we will prevail knowing that "we were destined for them" (vs. 3). This trial will grow the church, because that's what trials do; trials make us grow in faith. The service was powerful and convicting. And it ended with 20 minutes of prayer for provision and direction. The entire congregation stood up, made a circle, and joined hands to pray together. Pastor Sam closed, "Where will we go next, God? Whether you give us a tree or just some rocks to sit on, we are leaving it on Your almighty hands." 


Pastor Sam leading the worship time
Pastor Sam (left) with his two interpreters, Jasper and Esther
God has opened my eyes to His true bride - the church. He cares for His children; he loves them and guards them. He knows that they need and when. He knows what His bride needs to bring her closer to Him, whether it means bringing a prayer community together or stripping a building away from a congregation. I praise God for His almighty hand and His wonderful work in both Kikube and Buundo villages. 

Please pray with me for Kikube and Buundo. Pray that God's Spirit would continue to move in Kikube in a way that would expand His kingdom. Pray that Light Of The World church would grow from this trial, both in numbers and in faith. Pray that God would provide a location for His body to meet together.


The congregation

The following is a clip from Pastor Sam's sermon on Sunday. I hope it speaks to you and gives you a glimpse of what the preaching is like here. You will notice that as Pastor Sam preaches, two others interpret for him. The man is interpreting the sermon into Luo and the woman is interpreting the sermon into Luganda. I know the quality is not top-notch - I was trying to record discretely with my cell phone!


"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thess. 3:1-3

Sunday, June 2, 2013

A Week In Pictures

Samaritan's Purse came to Good Shepherd's Fold to hand out some Operation Christmas Child boxes! I don't know how many of you have participated in this ministry from stateside, but it sure was neat to be on the "receiving end" and watch the children excitedly open their gifts. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!



Katie and I took a handful of our boys from GSF to Hope Children's Home, a Ugandan-run neighboring orphanage. The boys served the children of Hope Children's Home by digging in the gardens and playing with the other kids. The GSF boys experienced the joy of serving others! 



Good Shepherd's Fold welcomed two new little children this week - Eseza and Brian. They are so sweet and have transitioned well into the toddler house. Click here to see more pictures of the loving siblings! Please pray for Eseza and Brian as they continue to transition into the toddler house here at GSF.


I got to celebrate my birthday! Daniel took me out for wonderful dinner in Kampala the weekend before my birthday. 


Katie and Dayna continued the celebration of my 23rd year in various ways. They rallied all of the GSF child to "water" me (it is what it sounds like), spoiled me with a day of pampering, and finished the day off with a surprise overnight stay at King Fisher, a local resort! (I use the word "resort" loosely, but it really was so much fun). 

The kids soaking me in water! 

The little rascals 
Dinner in town with Dayna!
A late swim with Katie =)

Of course every week includes church! Here is a picture of the outside of Light of the World church. It's packed out each Sunday; last week was standing room only! It is neat to watch God's hand at work in the body of Christ. Please pray that God's Spirit would continue to transform lives through and in Light of the World church! 


Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support!