Uganda Report

When I reflect on the conferences and on the unfolding of hearts to the love and healing power of God, I am filled with awe at the fruit of redemption in lives that will be honest and yield all to Him.

When the scenes flash before me of the passion for wholeness and maturity that I witnessed in the Gaba Community Church, I know that God will continue to move in power there in the days and years ahead. The leaders have their eyes fixed on Jesus.

When I think of the widening of the gulf between the poor and the rich in this East-African country that suffers escalating inflation, I remember that neither money nor poverty can produce a heart that is soft toward God. Our identities and destinies don’t lie in what we claim as our rights, but only by being in the family of God through what Jesus did for us on Calvary. He sees through it all to the heart and He loves us. He delights in healing us, restoring us to who we were created to be, regardless of our circumstances.

Thank you!

Do you realize that every single prayer request I sent to you before leaving for Uganda has been answered? You were so faithful to pray! I can't thank you enough!

Enjoy this Picture Report [PDF | 3 pages | 7.2MB] and pray for these believers whenever God brings them to your mind. They are "one" with us as we all seek to love and serve Jesus Christ and one another.

Heading Home

A wonderful worship service this morning with the presence of the Holy Spirit so tangible! Great teaching on marriage by pastor Peter and Irene. Amen and amen!

Then Carol and I ate again where they had taken on Friday night after the close of the conference -- high above the city and Lake Victoria. Then we walked halfway back down the hill and were met by the guesthouse care taker, Alfred, who walked with us the rest of the way. Last night Alfred invited his spiritual mentor and angundu teacher (an African stringed instrument), to come and demonstrate it. Very interesting hour or so with him.

Freedom!

Freedom best describes the fruit of what God did in women's lives this week! Freedom from bitterness, sorrow, wothlessness, feeling invisible, shame, hopelessness. Each day, another form of bondage was removed by the Lord. Each day their joy increased.

They also shared that in addition to freedom, they felt empowered, given a royal identity in Christ, and able to go home with practical plans for living in victory through Christ.

I don't know why I should be amazed by what the power of God and his redeeming love can do, but I am! He is worthy of all our worship and devotion! Amen? Amen!

Thank you for praying the heavens open! It was glorious!

A Great Day!

More Praises!

Such openness, hope and joy! They were sponges again today. Beth and Collette came from Kenya for the sessions.

Young pastor Timothy from Mois Bridge in Kenya, whom I had connected with pastor Peter last year for mentoring, came as well. He introduced me to the elder from Gaba Church who will mentor him, and enroll him in the Gaba Bible School where the elder teaches. Timothy is spending several days in the elder's home to build their relationship and to plan going forward. Timothy is ecstatic to get this help. I'm so happy for him; it looks like a great fit!

Fellowship with the two women from Kenya over lunch and with Irene was wonderful as well, as was the visit with Timothy and the elder. God filled our day with so many blessings! We gave out about 400 copies of Journey to Joy before lunch and they were so appreciative.

Keep praying. Final sessions are tomorrow. We're staying in a bed-and-breakfast. It's a bit crowded, but very nice folks here also.

Glory!

Today was really powerful. About 2/3 of the women walked through forgiving specific people who had deeply hurt them. And I'm telling you, women in Africa know that kind of pain, multiplied to the tenth power!

Then in the second session, there was the most wonderful freedom felt by the women as they grasped how Jesus literally redeems their lives, and defeats the power of the shame that has encased their hearts and lives for so long. What freedom and joy!

Best of all today was that at least 12 women gave their hearts to christ! (It was hard to count while giving the invitation, so there might have been a few more than that).

So Good!

Praise the Lord!

God has been speaking into the women's hearts in every session so far, and I've no doubt that he will continue and provide true breakthroughs and life changes in the next three days as well. Keep praying!

I loved the energy and openness of the leaders yesterday. They soaked up every word and principle and then asked very challenging questions. I have been getting wonderful feedback from it all.

As usual there were surprises... more sessions to give than expected, but it all worked out so well! The conference has been powerful. They opened up quickly even on the first day, which is unusual for Ugandans, I'm told. Trust has grown quicky. Praise God!

Carol had, in her words, "one of the best days of my life" yesterday in Mukona with paster Davis and his family. She has lost her heart to them, and theirs to her! Is anyone who knows Carol surprised by this?

Thank you all for your prayers!