Atlanta Here We Come

We have just finished our final service here in Uganda. There were mixed emotions of sadness because we have made close relationships here but also excitment as home awaits us. God has been truly faithful on this trip. I believe that each team member has been changed and challenged and God has shown all of us great things this past month. We are excited to come back and live out the lessons we have learned.

We will be arriving on Saturday, August 2nd 5:40pm (Delta). See you soon!

Pray for the Battle Ahead

As we spend our last few days in Uganda, we have been coming together as a team and debriefing. We have been sharing about what we have learned about ourselves, God and His world. Each person has made committments on how they want to serve God and be more kingdom minded.

The battle will be fierce for our hearts when we land in the States. The enemy will do all he can to hinder us from living out our convictions and committments. Please pray for the following:

1. W e would not live lives of compromise - I know each team member wants to live differently and be more kingdom minded. Please pray that we can apply the lessons when we get back home.

2. Heart for the lost - One thing that God has placed in all of our hearts is how much he loves lost people. Pray that we would have the same heart for people who do not know Him and be bold to share about Christ.

3. Zeal for Christ - Pray that our zeal would show in our relationships, the way we serve the church, to our family members and to the places he has put us in. We want to all burn brightly for Christ.

Wow, I can't believe that the trip is coming to an end in a few days. We will be having one final service with the local church here on Thursday and taking off on Friday. I want to thank all of you who have been keeping up with this blog and praying for us in the midst of our battles. We can't wait to go home and share what a glorious, awesome God we serve!

Salvation is Here!

One of the things that God is teaching us on this trip is how much he loves saving souls. We have been all amazed at how people have been making decisions for Christ and the stories behind them.

Yesterday, we got to do a 45 minute presentation at a high school with about 150 students. After the skits, testimony and gospel presentation about 25 students came foward but the amazing thing is that 3 of them were Muslim! We were floored when they came up and I know that hardships will be ahead of them so please keep in prayer.

We are also spending our last few days building stronger relationships with the youth here. We are teaching them our songs and skits we are hoping that we can be a blessing to them so that they can be a blessing to others. Pray for lasting, Christ-centered relationships.

Everyone is healthy for the most part. Andy sprained his thumb playing soccer but he should be fine in a few days. Thanks for your prayers for us.

One more week to go - please pray we give it %110!

There Must Be More.....

Seems like our time here is flying by as we have less than two weeks here in Uganda. God has definitely been faithful and he has shown all of us more of Himself. We are excited to see what God will do in our last few weeks here.

Last Sunday, P. Barry and I got to preach at different churches around the city of Ntinda. Each church we have visited has been such a source of encouragement. That night, we got invited to worship with a college fellowship on Kyambogo University. We got to show our songs/skits to about 80 college students and it was exciting to worship with them.

Earlier today, we got to share the gospel at a school for the deaf. It was an eye-opening and moving experience for us as we shared the hope we have in Jesus. We made gospel braclets with them and got to pray for many of the children. Please pray for us as we will be doing a children's program everyday this week.

As we end this week we will be having a crusade starting on Wednesday and teaching many of the leaders how to run a VBS so please keep us in your prayers. We are thankful for each of you and we hope to finsh well. Thanks.

Home Sweet Home

After a long week of traveling to Kenya and Tororo, we are back in Kampala were we started our trip. It definitely feels like home coming back. We are thankful for the time we were away but having running water and showering uplifted the spirits of the team.

Life in Tororo was very simple but the hearts of the people were very pure. Many of the women in the village are widows and they have banded together to serve the local church. Some suffer from HIV and other physical ailments but seeing there heart for Jesus was overwhelming. They have been a great blessing to us - serving us, feeding us and cleaning after us. We got to do two open air crusades where we did our presentation and shared the gospel. There were about 5-10 genuine responses for each crusade. Many of the pastors there were very hungry and even as I shared some principles in leadership, I could tell they were wanting more by the questions they were asking. We ended out time there by praying for one another and I encouraged them to fix there eyes on Jesus. Thanks for your prayers.

We having a full schedule here in Kampala for the next week and a half. Every night until Saturday, there will be a crusade where we will be presenting and Pastor Barry will be preaching. Also, this Sunday - all the pastors me, Barry and James will be preaching in different churches so please keep us in your prayers.

We have been challenging the team to finish well - to give all that they have and really having an open heart in the process. I do feel like God has much more to teach every single person (including myself) and I think there will be some breakthroughs in the next two weeks. Please pray that we would not hold anything back for JESUS!

I am thankful for the prayers of JCA. We are fervently praying for you as well. Let's fix our eyes on Him!

Kenya and Back

Wow, it's been awhile since our last update but after many miles of traveling we are in Tororo, Uganda. Last Thursday through Sunday, we crossed the border to Sio Port, Kenya where God allowed us to minister to his people for a few days.

For all the nights, Harvest Church (the church we were working with) held a revival. Our team presented every night and God used Pastor Young to speak to many of the members there. It was a great time as we prayed for people and heard many stories of people coming back to their Savior.

We also got a chance have two open air Crusades in the local market. After a short presentation, we shared the Gospel and about 15 people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Praise God! The team is learning through our outreaches - the importance of prayer and the joy of salvation. Our God really is one that rescues.

On Sunday, after crossing back into Uganda, we are in Tororo. A small town but many of the local pastors and church members are eager to see what we have to share. We have a few open air Crusades lined up and I will be giving a short talk on leadership so please pray for me as well.

We really do feel your prayers. Everyone on the team is in very good health (we are eating very well - probably alot better then when were in the States). Please continue to pray for focused and renewed hearts as we are here until Thursday and head back to Kampala. The team misses JCA and I do as well. Press on!

Ministry in Ntinda

Wow, I can't believe it but it's been already one week since we have been here in Uganda. We are getting fed well by the local church and everyone is in good health. We got a treat last night when we bought cokes for everyone. Also, today was the first day we did laundry so many of the team members were relieved about that :) We will be in the city of Ntinda for a few more days before we travel to west Kenya.

Our first taste of ministy began this past Saturday when we held a VBS for about 100 children. After doing a few crafts and singing a few songs, we got to pray for many of them and I slowly see the team trying to pray and intercede for people. There will be many more VBS in the future so please pray for the children here as well that they would see the love of Christ.

On Sunday, we had 3 services - 2 for the adults and one for the youth. We got to show our songs and skits for the first time and after Pastor Young preached, we asked people if they needed prayer for healing and about 15 people came up. Pray that many more would see Christ through the services we have here.

Today, we started the Pastor's Conference for the local pastors in the Ntinda area. We had about 30 pastor's come. Pastor Young taught an Old Testament Survey class which we will be finishing tomorrow. Please pray that the pastor's here would continue to be strengthened in their various churches. Our team wants to be a blessing to them.

We really appreciate all your prayers and I know that JCA is praying for us. I'm really pray for the fruit afterwards that all on our team would have a bigger picture of the kingdom. Thanks again and I will update you soon.