Just the Right Moment

The only thing more difficult than explaining the last day of our trip in a few words may be choosing one picture to go with the summary, but I'll do my best.  The last day is always hard--your heart is so full of love but saying goodbye is bittersweet, even when you know it is just 'bye for now.'  As we walked through Namatala this morning, we greeted those who were out and about, holding hands with children and taking photos along the way.  Through an alley way I caught the eye of a baby girl and tried to get the perfect artistic shot.  I only had a moment as we continued to move down the dirt path, and just when I was about to complain for missing my photographic opportunity, another young girl came bounding into view from behind a home.  She stopped and smiled, posing for my camera under dripping wet clothes hung out on a line, and then she was gone again.  So many other incredible events occurred today, but I just kept thinking of that precious girl.  God continues to reveal His sovereignty through the people of Ebenezer and Mission Mbale.  At just the right moment, He has provided for our every need, according to His plan and all for His glory.  Thank you for standing with us.  Tomorrow we begin the journey back to the US, but with every visit, we leave more of ourselves behind, here in this beautiful place.

The Seeds of Possibility

Today the men stayed at Ebenezer Baptist Church for a Pastor's Conference and the women and girls went to visit Ebenezer Christian School.  In both locations, we spent the day cultivating relationships.  Pastor Eric brought an incredible word to encourage pastors from Mbale and the surrounding mountain region.  It was such a great time of discipleship and fellowship.  At the school, the women and girls attended classes to observe and encourage the incredible teachers and their students.  The P3 class was learning about the germination of seeds into plants, and tonight some of our girls even came back to the hotel with homework!!  The men joined the women in the afternoon to lead a sports camp with soccer, volleyball, games, and lots of giggles.  All around the property playing were church members and students of Ebenezer, as well as many small children from the surrounding village.  These children are mesmerized to see a white person, much less shake hands and greet one.  Most speak no English, but that didn't stop anyone from enjoying our time together.  All this in front of a back drop of a school in operation, with one building and 2 temporary classrooms, dormitories, farmland, and another wing of the building halfway through construction.  So many seeds of possibility, we cannot wait to see what--and who--the Lord will grow up out of this fertile ground.

Never Too Late

It’s never too late. You are never too old. You are never too far gone to commit your life to Jesus. You are never too young to lift your lil light to shine praises to Him. Dance, sing, shout, clap, and declare His glory by worshipping him with your whole self—mind, soul and body. Sunday worship at Ebenezer is always our favorite. Services in the new building were amazing, and we give thanks for the day. We enjoyed music from all the choirs, parent/child dedication, and a message brought by Eric Marston. The rains came during the invitation, a symbol of the Lord’s blessings, and 21 more gave their lives to Christ. We finished with baptism of 51 people in Ebenezer’s brand new baptismal pool, including an elderly man named Victor. Praise God, it’s never too late.

Only a Whisper

Our first full day on the ground at Ebenezer Baptist Church was eventful and we are rejoicing. We worked together with adult church members and children alike, preparing meals, assisting in the clinic, studying the Bible, and playing games. So many bubbles, hand claps, and hugs. Before their lunch was served, all the children gathered together inside the church building for singing and a blessing. After the matron prayed, I watched in awe at the sight of so many children standing with hands folded, quietly voicing their prayers to the Lord. Hundreds of tiny little whispers all heard by their heavenly Father. It was a picture of perfect gratitude, thanksgiving, and trust. Just one collective whisper, but so so powerful.

Later in the day our teams went out to homes in the community to share the gospel. One of our teams experienced opposition to our message in a way that was startling and strong, but, praise God, they remained unshaken and focused, continuing to share and pray for those they encountered, even the ones who wanted to silence them. You see, that kind of power only comes from a God who hears all, knows all, and has conquered all, a loving God who faithfully answers even the whispered prayers of the smallest children. Our all-powerful Father does not come as a roaring lion to kill and destroy but as a still small voice. Lord, help us hear You and obey.

 

Milestones

Today was a day of milestones. Every trip feels like this in a way, because of how God is working and moving here, but today seems extra special. This marks our seventh time bringing over a large mission team, and this time we have 10 team members under 20 years old. Six members of our team are experiencing Uganda for the very first time, and 6 others are returning for the first time (that is a milestone in and of itself). And one of our team members celebrated her 18^th birthday today complete with Ugandan cake, a milestone for sure. But there are other things though: stepping off the bus to hug children who grow stronger every minute and seeing the smiling faces of men and women in a thriving church community. Stepping into the most beautiful unfinished building we’ve ever seen to cut the ribbon and laugh, cry, and shout our praise of thanksgiving to God for what He has done. Even in the joyful noise of our celebration, the old hymn whispered softly to my heart, Lord, here I raise my Ebenezer, here by thy great help I’ve come…

PS. Friends, thank you for all the prayers, our travels went so smoothly and all the luggage arrived safe and sound! Keep up the good work!

HERE WE GO!!!

HERE WE GO!!! A week from today at this time, the twenty-five members of the July 2019 Mission Mbale ministry team will be soaring around 35,000 feet above the northern Atlantic Ocean! As usual we have a unique blend of "Frequent Flyers" to Uganda interspersed with a few first-timers who will in the near future hopefully join the FF Brigade! Although many of us on the trip have walked the dusty streets of Mbale in the past, the excitement of going is mounting daily as there are so many things that have transpired since the January trip such as the opening of Ebenezer Christian School and the moving of the members of Ebenezer Baptist Church into their new permanent 700+ seat sanctuary.

For those of you who are Child Sponsors, there is still time to get you letter and if you choose, a small gift, to your sponsored child. We ask that you please have your gifts and letters to us by Sunday, July 14th at the latest! You can scan and send it to us in an email attachment or simply write an email and we will print it off. You may also send pictures of your family and we will carry that also. For your gifts, we ask that you place your gifts inside an 8 x11" manila envelope and try to keep it as slender as possible. Thank you for your cooperation in this as we have a lot of supplies going this trip so space is tight.

We covet your prayers as we will be hosting the 4th Annual Pastor's Conference, Women's Bible Studies, feeding the children, Sports Camp,  and this year there will be a very special treat as the teachers who are a part of the ministry team will have the opportunity to teach in the classrooms of Ebenezer Christian! We will depart Atlanta on the evening of July 16th and return in the early afternoon of July 27th and there will be very little down time during the days in between.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!!!