MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 05-22-2023
I am now the parent of a college graduate.
I am about to be the parent of married children later this summer.
Kind of boggles the mind.
The graduation went great. It wasn’t that long ago that we dropped our eldest off at college, and were planning to return to Uganda. It tore my heart out to do it, but it had to be done. Children have to grow up. Boys have to become men. Our culture, when it isn’t destroying babies and children and families, has a serious problem with maturity.
We always focussed with our own children on the general concept of “We aren’t trying to help you be better children – we are preparing you to be adults.” Sure we had fun, but gaining maturity, developing into a responsible, useful adult has always been the primary goal. It makes me proud to see my young men being men, assuming responsibility, taking their places in the world.
Immediately after graduation weekend, we were off to Shreveport for a Bible Conference at Louisiana Baptist University. Thank you Dr. Maddox and the folks at Central Missionary Clearinghouse for inviting us! The sessions were a great encouragement and source of useful training.
I’m going to fanboy here a bit, but I GOT TO MEET DON AND CATHY MINGO IN PERSON! Don Mingo has written several books, including “The Cross-Cultural Worker’s Spiritual Survival Guide: 14 Survival Tips to Help You Thrive in Your Calling“. I read that book back in 2019. I had been struggling with what turned out to be extreme emotional fatigue and burnout. I was discouraged. Yet I was working hard, because that’s what you do – don’t quit and work harder. COVID hit and trapped us in America. So I had no choice. I had to stop and focus on myself and my family. That book encouraged me to get counseling. It saved my ministry. Probably my family too.
It was also good to stop in for a visit with our supporting church, Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bossier City. That church has faithfully supported us since 2008. I remember I went to their missions conference way back when we were still attending Baptist Bible Translator’s Institute in Texas. They have faithfully stuck with us all this time. Like the parable goes, they were with us through everything, through the heat of the day. I am very grateful for churches like that. You all encouraged me to keep going back when I was still a newbie, struggling to raise my support. You helped get me where God was leading us, and you helped keep me there. Thank you!
MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 05-05-2023
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;” – Henry V
Well folks. We made it. We survived the trip to America, once again.
After a whirlwind of activity getting ourselves ready to depart in Uganda, we commenced the 48 hour journey to the United States. This time, I made sure our vehicle was ready to make the trip, so no last minute failures to nearly make us miss our flight (thank you to those who sent money for vehicle repairs!). We got our house in order, said our goodbyes, and were on our way. You have to drive 4 and a half hours to Entebbe from where we live. Then we typically camp out at Cafe Java in the Victoria Mall there. I like to treat us to a good meal with some excellent coffee, while we wait out the evening hours before driving the rest of the way to the airport to catch our flight. My friend Ssemuko (the guy who fixes our vehicles) met us there to get the car. He’ll be keeping that for me while we are away. And doing any repairs before we go back.
Then you move into the totalitarian system of people herding called International Air Travel. You waive all your civil liberties under threat of unlawful imprisonment (airports have their own jails), because Lord knows, the world lives under constant threat of terrorist attack from lily white, 6’6” tall Americans of Scot-Irish descent. But, it beats the 2 month trip by ship it would have taken in the olden days, so everybody tolerates it, and pays for the privilege.
The whole trip went very smooth for a change. Thank you for praying. We made all our connecting flights. Nobody got sick. All our bags made it unharmed and unmolested. Which only leaves the exhaustion and jet lag. We are finally starting to recover from the harm we have done to our Circadian rhythms by moving ourselves 8 time zones and nearly flipping our days and nights.
God helped us find a good car to use on this furlough, by way of the tireless effort of my brother-in-law, and some good old fashioned hardline negotiation tactics from my father-in-law. It’s a 2008 Honda Pilot, with new brakes, new transmission, new timing chain. The previous owner got it serviced at the dealership, so it is in great shape. It is so nice not to have to submit to the indignity of driving a minivan. It is very spacious inside, which my enormous frame appreciates.
We are staying in a very comfortable missions house in Pensacola, FL. We have a college graduation and two weddings coming up. I am endeavoring to get us into meetings wherever possible, and report to those supporting churches who express an interest. If you’d like a visit from us, please Contact me. I am no longer separated from you by 7-10 hours, so it should be much easier to communicate. If you would like a visit from us, one thing I have been asking is could you help me find at least one other meeting at a new church in the area when we come? We are in desperate need of more monthly financial support. This is one of the best things you could do to help us. Also be sure to check out our Outstanding Projects page If you would like to support one of the projects we are raising money for out at the refugee camp.
God bless you! Thank you for praying!
Our First Project Funded
As I indicated a while back, we have, for the last six months, been needing to repair the ministry motorcycle. Our deacons use this to get around inside the camp, which saves them a bundle on transport, since they only need to come up with the money for fuel. Just in time for our departure, enough money came in to fully fund the engine overhaul the bike so badly needed. Thank you for meeting this need!
There are several more projects out at the camp we are trying to fund. You can learn more at Outstanding Projects.
MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 04-07-2023
Happy Easter everybody!
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:5-7
We are getting ready for our big Easter service on Sunday. All four churches will be gathering for one joint service. I am baptizing folks, delivering the glorious news of the Resurrection and the new life in Christ, and then we are taking food together in Christian fellowship. It’s going to be a great day. Be in prayer as I seek to deliver the Gospel to people who are visiting, don’t normally go to church anywhere.
To those of you who sent money to fix the ministry motorcycle: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
It is with the mechanic in Kampala getting a full engine rebuild. We are working to get the number plate replaced (it was lost), the logbook put in my name, and new insurance. Pray they get it all done in time so I can hand that off to our deacons before we go. They need that motorcycle to do the ministry within the camp effectively. Renting a Boda Boda is very expensive right now because of the sky high fuel prices.
Pray for our upcoming flight, that our health will be good, that we will make our connecting flights, and that all luggage reaches our destination intact and unmolested.