February 21, 2009

SETTLING IN
I feel like a real missionary in Africa as I sit using the battery on my laptop and wearing my headlamp to see because once more the power is off. We were just finishing up dinner when everything went dark. It is 8 p.m. – we’ll see how long it lasts this time!

Bob and I are still having fun and keeping very busy. It feels like we have been here a long time while in fact it is just over a month. We appreciate you all so much; we miss everyone (especially our grandkids) but are very much convinced that this assignment is from the Lord and we are fulfilled.

We are getting settled in our apartment and getting the things we need to be comfortable. We say many thanks to everyone who has made that possible. Our church has been so wonderful in helping us with the resources we needed and we are grateful.

This week we bought a small washing machine, some pots and pans (so we could give Elizabeth Iverson back the ones she loaned us), a stand-up rotating fan, a couple of desks and lamps and a few more things for the kitchen. I now have enough dishes to have guests for dinner and we have had several over. Those of you who like Victorian décor would love our mosquito net. It comes from Thailand and it fits over our bed like a tent. Fiberglass rods fit together to form the frame and then the netting goes over that. The only style they had is frilly and lacey (not really our style – but oh well!!) It keeps us safe from the mosquitoes and yes, we do have those critters that carry malaria.

Our apartment is up on a hill and faces east to the beautiful sunrises just like our house in Gresham! Instead of a sliver of Mt. Hood, we see a sliver of Lake Victoria. Bob has already captured a few beautiful shots of the sky. We are blessed. When we decided on this apartment, one of the challenges was the last 100yds of road to get here – it was very rough, with deep gulleys from the rains. At night especially, it was challenging to hit the high ground just right with the tires on the car. Well, about a week after we moved in, they came by with a big bulldozer and leveled the road. PTL! God listens when we pray.

We did find a ’93 Toyota Corolla for just under our budgeted amount. It is old but working – including the air-conditioning for which Bob is most grateful! Then last week, David Lugonvu, one of the elders came to us and said that he and his wife had just gotten their newer vehicle from Japan and instead of selling their old one right away, they wanted us to have it till May so that I would have a car to get around in as well as Bob. What a blessing! This week I ventured into the heart of Kampala all on my own – what fun! I don’t think there is any way to fully describe the traffic and driving here. You have to experience it! Bob says that it is a constant game of chicken.

We have hired a sweet lady, Annette to help us in the house. She comes 4 days a week and cleans, does laundry and is learning to cook some western dishes. It has been great and has allowed me to delve into everything at the church. Everything here takes more time than you think it will so giving this lady a job is a blessing all around. She will earn about $60 a month and will feel blessed because I let her eat lunch and she leaves at 5 pm. Her repertoire of dishes is growing and she does make really good peanut sauce and beans. When you come to visit, she’ll be delighted to serve youJ We eat pretty simply – lots of rice, potatoes, beans, peanut sauce, tilapia, squash, carrots, etc. Meat is pretty expensive, especially chicken so we are trying to eat less of that, which is healthy for us.

BUILDING THE CHURCH IN UGANDA

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We know that God is giving the grace needed and we feel the support of the “army” of warriors behind us. The church was truly ready for change. The elders did a great job of settling the flock and keeping the church strong through the transition of leadership. But just about every area of the church needed attention so that we could be positioned to grow.

The eldership team received us so graciously and quickly let it be known that their desire and prayer was that we would commit to becoming the senior pastors and stay as long as needed. We felt very “one” with this team – they are truly our friends. Bob felt very strongly that before we would give a final answer, we needed to have a clear sense of the support from the broader group of leadership (about 60 in all). We worked with the elders on articulating our values, philosophy of ministry and then finally began to delve into strategy of program. We also decided on the name change for the church which will be announced on Feb 27th.

Last Saturday, we had that very important leadership meeting in preparation for our big vision night on Feb 27th. Everyone showed up. Since it was Valentine’s Day, we started with a game and fellowship tea. Then Bob did an awesome job of presenting the vision: “To be a healthy, growing church.” He spoke of Jehu who wanted to know if the warrior would give him his heart before he took his Bob told the leaders that they had our commitment to serve, but that we wanted to know if we had their heart before we asked for their hand to serve. In the end, the leaders all started to clap and cheer and stood to their feet. Dr. Irene started to sing “He has done great things…Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

It still makes me cry when I think of how quickly we feel so bonded to this congregation and how well they have received us in return. By the end of that day, we felt that we were on the same chariot and ready to go to battle together. It is amazing to us. We know that there will be giants in the land, but we will move forward with God’s power and enablement.

We have focused on the corporate services, youth, children, small groups and the staff. We are well on the way in re-organizing and planning for each of these areas. Other programs have been put on hold until we strengthen these. We do have a great location for the church – right on the main Entebbe/Kampala airport road. When we are healthy, we will grow!

The global financial crisis has hit here as well. In fact there is 37 – 40% unemployment in Kampala so one of the greatest challenges for young people is getting a job. We believe that as the church grows in numbers, we will become more self-sustaining and be able to finish the building and move onto to the rest of the vision.

Our vision weekend is Feb 27 and Mar 1. We will be announcing the name change, presenting the values and vision to the whole church and having a great time of celebration. We are also going to take a Vision Offering on Mar 1. This timing coincides with the end of our 40 days of fasting and prayer. We have had corporate prayer times each Wednesday and Friday with 40-60 in attendance each time. God has worked on hearts and the sharing after these meetings has been very exciting. We believe we are in God's perfect timing for a burst of His Holy Spirit activity in this church!