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Yesterday (Thursday) was full of meetings and activities. I taught the first session in the morning. For me, it was one of those times where you feel like everything you say is just right and there is a very real flow and continuity to the message. It is almost as if you have the confidence that just about whatever you say is going to be blessed and just right for the listeners. For anybody who does public speaking, your can tell when the listeners are fully engaged in the message, and it was one of those times for me. So, I was thankful for that experience.

Later that day there was a panel discussion, a Q & A time which is always interesting, fielding written questions from the crowd on a variety of topics. There was some free time later in the day before dinner and then prior to dinner, it was a time of worship and prayer. I had a number of couples come to me asking for prayer, and it was a rich time for all.

One thing that I think I need to do is make some video recordings of the curriculum I have developed for pastor’s training. A few of the men told me that they would like for me to mentor them and that it would help to have my teachings. So, I think it is spurring me to look into this when I return. I’ll see what I need to do to get the right equipment and then record the teachings and then make them available.

So it is now Friday morning and we will end at lunch today. For the next few days I will be in an town called Naluko, where I will preach on Sunday morning. I’ve never been there so I don’t know what to expect.

Please keep praying for my health and safety. It is good so far. I don’t know how good or bad the wifi will be after today but I will do my best to keep blogging.

Thanks again for the prayers!!

David

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a really good day. As far as my role, I taught a morning session just for the men, which I always enjoy. They are always eager and ready to hear and I like the interaction. Then, following that, there was a panel discussion with the men, with 4 or 5 of us on the panel fielding question. The hour went by quickly, as some of the questions necessitate more than a brief answer. But this is one of the sessions that the men look forward to. Following lunch, I taught a session for all of the couples. I’ll tell you, I seldom look forward to the post-lunch sessions. Everyone is fed and the room is warm and you hope everyone stays awake,, including me! Fortunately, I stayed awake during my teaching. I thought that the message was well-received and I felt good physically throughout the entire day.

There was free time from 5 until dinner at 7. I was pretty tired, so I went to the room to rest and prepare for my teaching session this morning in an hour. When it was time of dinner, I was still a bit tired, so I skipped dinner and instead had a protein bar and some peanuts in the room!

The previous night I met with Pastor Charles and his wife Levenia for about an hour. He is one of the leaders of the group of pastors and Calvary Chapel East African churches. They visited us in 2019 and we love to spend time with them. Then, yesterday afternoon another couple, Gabriel and Elizabeth from Kenya, came to my room and we talked for about an hour and prayed together. Really love those times with the couples. In each case, they gave me gifts . . . for Debbie! The ladies here love Debbie and sometimes I wonder if I am invited to speak here only so that Debbie would be here for the wives!

OK, I’ve got to get going. Thanks for all of the prayers. I am feeling great with no illnesses or problems. I’ll write more tomorrow.

Blessings,

David

It is now Wednesday morning at 5:45, but Tuesday evening at 7:45 where I live.

First off, the hotel where the conference is being held is really very nice. It is the Hotel Paradise on the Nile in Jinja, Uganda. All the facilities are good and, unlike previous years, the rooms have A/C! However, the weather is mild and the surroundings are beautiful.

We began yesterday with the first session at 2 PM, with a worship team from one of the local churches. I love the African style of music, it is so energetic and joyful! There was then a time where each couple introduced themselves. They came mostly from around Uganda but there were couples from Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi as well. I would say that there are probably close to 60 couples. I will take a photo of the group today when I teach. Yesterday I taught the session before the dinner break. I thought it went quite well.

It is so nice to reconnect with so many from years past, although I don’t remember all of the names nor the cities where they live (I couldn’t pronounce most of the cities anyway!). But one of the guys said that it is easier for many to remember one face than one person to remember all of the faces. Very true.

So, it was a good first day and I enjoyed the time with everyone. Still a bit jet-lagged, waking up around 4 in the morning. I’m sure i’ll be over it by the time I leave for home!

Oh, by the way, Debbie finally heard from the Uganda Immigration office regarding her visa application. Too little, too late but I had to chuckle. We accept the will of God and for whatever reason or reasons, Debbie was not meant to be here this year. But I sure do miss her, and so many ladies are disappointed that she isn’t here.

Well, thanks for the prayers. And, yes, leave a comment. It helps me know that these blogs are being read.

Blessings,

David