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It is now Saturday evening at 6:15 PM. Following breakfast, the power was cut everywhere as a planned blackout, which often occurs on Saturday. So, we went about our business, me studying for tomorrow’s message. We went out to lunch at a local kind of fast-food restaurant with typical Ugandan food.

Then, I rode with Daniel as he drove to a village in order to check on a team of students from the School of Ministry who were conducting a weekend outreach in a village. It was an hour drive on mainly unpaved roads through beautiful countryside. As we neared the village, I remarked that we were literally in the middle of nowhere!

We came into the village and found the students having lunch. Several of them remembered me from last year and warmly greeted me. As they ate, we drove over to the church, planted last year where the pastor was conducting classes on discipleship. We then went back to the students and brought 4 of them back to us, as they will be serving as ushers tomorrow. On the drive home, they talked about their experiences. One team led a total of 17 to Christ. They visited one home where 7 gave their lives to Christ, the dad and 6 kids. The mom is a Christian and had been praying for her family, then the team showed up! The homes there are small, circular thatched huts. They are spread out over extensive areas of open vegetation. I am told that the Ugandans like when visitors come by their home and they are always invited to sit and talk over tea.

We then got back to Soroti and Daniel fired up his generator. So, I figured I had better blog while I have WiFi!

The photos are a collection of students having lunch, those who cooked and served the meal, some of the children, the church, and a view of some of the huts.

More tomorrow!

David

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I arrived into Entebbe on Thursday afternoon after a 5-hour flight from Dubai. On the shuttle to the hotel were 5 ladies from Australia, who will be working at an orphanage for a week or so. As we got talking, I found that they are Christians who attend a Calvary Chapel!

It is now Friday night here, 10:15 PM. This morning I took a taxi from my hotel in Entebbe to an airfield about 30 minutes away, operated by Mission Aviation Fellowship. I have included a photo of the plane. There were 6 total passengers aboard for the very smooth 45 minute flight to Soroti (which would have been a 6-hour drive!) I disembarked the plane and was so surprised by the cool breezes blowing! The weather is very pleasant. For the first 2 nights I am staying at the home of Dr. Daniel and Rachel Graham. He is the Director of the School of Ministry. I really enjoyed the afternoon. There is an English couple staying in the back house, working with African Inland Missions. We all enjoyed great conversation well into the afternoon. We then went for lunch and I took a jet lag-induced nap!

This evening I led a study at the Men’s Fellowship at the church, where we sat outside and had a nice time of Bible study and discussion for a couple of hours.

So, it was a pretty full first day!

I’ll keep you posted as I have time. Hopefully, every day or so.

Thanks for the prayers!

David

Looking back at our week with the pastors and wives in Uganda, there are a few people and things that stand out in my mind:

Moses, a man who was once a Muslim and became a Christian. He once had six wives. He has been chased and persecuted and threatened by Muslims and had to hide at times. Yet, here he was, at the conference with his wife and baby son. They dedicated him to the Lord during the conference.

Elvis and Ruth – This couple had been praying for years for a child. 2 years ago at the retreat, when he was 37 and she was 33, they approached Debbie and I and asked if we would pray for them so that God would grant them a child. We did. That was in 2017. We were not at the retreat in 2018 but I saw some friends from Uganda last June and I asked about Elvis and Ruth. They said, “Oh, you didn’t hear? They have a son!”. Yes, Ruth became pregnant shortly after we prayed for them. We got to see them and hold their baby this week. God is good!

We each sat in on panel discussions, Debbie with the ladies and I with the men. We also together sat on a panel with several other couples. There are some great questions that are given anonymously. It is always beneficial for everyone in attendance. It is also interesting to see the cultural differences that exist between American and African culture. Some of the questions and answers would not be relevant in American culture. So, it is always a learning experience for me.

I enjoyed my times of teaching. I thought they came across clearly to the folks in attendance. I was glad to be there.

Of course, I was invited by several of the leaders to go to their cities and conduct leadership seminars. Who knows what will develop? I will prayerfully consider each request.

On the last night of the conference there was a wonderful banquet, where most all of the pastors and wives dressed in their colorful best. Each couple entered the banquet hall to the sound of a live band and danced along a red carpet to their table. It was really fun! There was music, delicious BBQ, prizes and more.

There were pastors in attendance from Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and one or two other east African nations. We were blessed and privileged to be there.

By the way, Debbie was a big hit with the women and she spent time interacting with them, praying, laughing, and caring.

Well, that’s it for now. Thanks again for all the prayers.

David