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Mike preached to the congregation, 600-700 people, as about 40 kids sat on mats right at the front of the church. They
watched us, also listening to what Mike had to say. They A herd of cattle wandered by, their long horns would make a Texas steer ashamed. In Uganda there are dedicated young evangelistic laymen who go into the bush periodically. They would be prime targets for Alpha training methods, to reach whoever they come in contact with the message of Jesus; those in turn could be taught a Ugandan Alpha approach, keeping the program going in the deep bush. The priests there spend six years in seminary, while laity spend two. They are highly intelligent and articulate, fully capable of preaching the good word and would be especially good at introducing Alpha to their fellow leaders and congregation. Offering Alpha in Kampala and Entebbe would be wonderful, for the tone of the city life is terribly bad, as it is in many so-called third-world countries. It is those who live in the countryside that are most ripe for Christ. Many who go to the cities are lost
before they go. There is a orphanage in Kampala that had close to 40 children
there. It was called in slang, "Latrine Orphanage," because all of the
babies brought there were found abandoned, so-to-speak, in latrines. There is little or no homosexuality or prostitution outside of the cities. It is done in the cities to earn money to send back to the family in the countryside. Monday, July 20: Hoima, twenty four bikes, bought by the generosity of those back home at Immanuel, were being given away. Some we will deliver later when the teams travel near them. The priests were so happy to receive the bikes. Some had walked for 25 miles to get them. Each priest has 10-15 churches to preside over. The Lay Readers conduct the services when there is no priest. Like what we did in Destin before we became a parish. Their parishes are almost as big, people wise, as are our dioceses.
Tuesday, July 21: Hoima, less and less time is available for journaling. Already we are slowly loosing our ability to bounce back. The nights are not made for sleeping anymore. Too many prayers and things are on our mind. Someday I will fill in the blanks. Not today. Wednesday, July 22: Hoima to Kikumira, we are increasingly deeper into the back country. Only saw six or seven vehicles during the whole trip. Roads were very muddy. We traveled across a flood plain. Papas grass was twenty feet tall on both sides of the road. Jungles all over, with mountains in the distance, and high hills close by. Hugh rocks and boulders were everywhere. Kaballe they called them, big rocks W The sunrise over the rocky mountainside is beautiful. We discover black and white monkeys with long bushy tails several times, six or eight at a time. They swing easily through the trees. Birds with tails a foot long swoop through the air, or pick at what ever they find to eat on the ground. Weaver Bird's nests abound; I have only seen them on TV, what a wonderment they are. Baby goats no bigger than a small dog and adult goats graze where they will nearby. Occasional one of the baby goats, a black and white one, came into the church. No one gets upset. They have a right to be animals. We called it a scape goat. It paid no attention to our attempts to pet it.
Mike opened the wrong door that night and loosed the chickens. He ran to find Claudia but the chicken followed him. He saw Margaret and me outside and asked us to help him round them back up. Margaret picked up a machete and that did the trick. Thank God for flashlights and machetes. We got them all, we hope. Mike also ate roasted termites that night. We declined, too full. Mike told them about eating crawfish and oysters. They were not impressed. Thursday July 23: Kikumira. Ruhanga means God. Yesu means Jesus. Every night in Uganda we eat late, 9:30 or so, except the one night we when we cajoled them into eating at 8:00. Almost never are we in bed before 10 or 11. Then we arise no later than 6am, not easy to adjust to. That is their normal hours. They have so much work to do that they can't afford to waste time sleeping. It rained hard off and on, we never got wet. The roads did. They are concerned for our trip back. We prayed that the roads would be dry on the return, like God did for Moses and Red Sea. Mike, Claudia, and myself taught with small group discussions. When we sang "Tukata" to start off the program the little white and black goat came running in as hard as he could, sliding on the tile floor. It was as if he too wanted to sing and praise God. He was so happy. Those who attended represented about 200 churches from as far as 20 miles away. They came by walking through the forests. They were impressed with the question and answer periods. Especially that we actually wanted to know what they thought. They came up with very good questions. We
sang songs and prayed for many people. The Anglican Church is a
minority there, Catholics the majority. Crowds grow bigger as the days
goes by. Lady's dresses are very classy, reminding me of the
oriental dresses of old. Friday July 24: Kikumira: We, all of us, both teams, had trouble with sinuses. The mornings were always beautiful. First the morning silence, then a bird here and there, then a rooster, then a crow here and there. In a distant more birds and insects, roosters, voices and soon a constant din, hard to distinguish any on particular thing. Heavy rains, occasionally again. We continued to trust God in our travels. Slipping and sliding up the mountain to the church, skidding into the road, we make it. Right up to the front door of the church across the grass. The
day begins, the Rev Archdeacon Capitan Christopher an intensely proud man
opened with a teaching. It is his people. They earnestly seek
God's whole Three baby goats wander in and about the church. Again the question and answers are good. Margaret did the Introduction to Healing. Claudia did Healing and Prayer. Much prayer and ministry went on. Rev John and
I prayed for a lady who was subsequently slain in the spirit and
released from a demon possession, rather loudly.
Healings and salvation was everywhere. Some of the people in the
village who came out of curiosity were saved. We were very late
finishing that night. As usual it had rained. Saturday July 25: Kikumira, when the end of our 30-day mission was near, we were all embarrassed to admit we were ready and anxious to go home. Mike taught on Unforgiveness. People are tired after last night, some fall asleep. After such long walks to come who could blame them? Claudia did Inner Healing. Sunday, July 26: Kikumira to Hoima, Mike preached to a full house, 260 people, and we left, not knowing what we would find at the river flood plain. It was not unusual for the road to be impassible after such rains. They told us many times they have to sleep in the truck. As usual, they pilled the truck high with people and goods, never wasting space when a vehicle is moving. Including us in the cab there were 27 people in the truck. How they held on we never Knew. They sang Christian songs the whole time, stopping only as one got off at their spot in the road, disappearing down a path to somewhere. The trip home was good in Uganda standards. It only took four hours to drive the 60 miles. It was as if God dried out the road for us. It was drier than when we came in. No problems at the flood plain. We stopped once at a village to buy beans. A crowd of
30-40 people gathered around to stare. Some remarks were made We became concerned. A few asked questions of us. Stephen stayed with us; we were glad. We thanked God for His protection and blessing. We received a hearty welcome home from the Mobley team that night. We were tired but happy to see each other safe and healthy. We swapped stories until late. Even with our tiredness eleven members of Ian's teen group came in and we all sang and got acquainted until 10:30pm. Monday, July 27: Hoima, 6:30am came early. Too many people excited about being there. Easy to wake up under the conditions. With 22 people being in the house, along with cooking and babies crying I was amazed, then I fell asleep in a chair. The tiredness creeps in. Still we go off to schools and such to speak to who ever they wanted us to. It was exciting to see their faces as we talked. They wanted to know about America. Singing at the little house was awesome that night. Several of the young missionary teens brought guitars and a flute. Godfry and others played the drums we bought to take home as souvenirs. We had a great time in the Lord. Tuesday, July 28: Hoima, We rested as best we could with trips walking into town to the Post Office and such. People spoke to us everywhere especially the children. The children, when they are allowed to touch you invariably rub your skin to se if it will rub off on their hands, your whiteness. Then their hands stray to your hair, the strangeness of its texture and color. They are fascinated by us and we them. Some boys have discovered us; the mazungas. They stand at a distance, waving and laughing from across the dusty red road. Why do they laugh? Who knows. They see very little of us in Hoima for it is not on the normal path for white people.
Thursday, July
30: Masindi, we all teach, but with three interpretations
it is unusual to say the least. In my testimony I mentioned I A young cow herder and his brothers, very small children, maybe 8-10 years old, drove a herd of about 25 cattle. They whistle, yell commands and a whack with small tree branches. The cattle are very large with enormous horns, but they obey. We were surprised at the Alinda Bed and Breakfast Hotel they arranged for us to stay in. It was very nice in Uganda standards. We were grateful but also rather sheepish in knowing the other team was not housed as fine as we. It rained that night, we were too tired to hear it. Friday, July 31: Masindi, I do not speak today. Margaret started, then Claudia, and Mike. I coasted, but after being branded dog farmer yesterday I was not too sad. If you live less than 10 miles away you are expected to walk home and return the next day. Others are allowed to sleep in the guest room in the church on banana leaves.
Mike used the term "Pink Elephant." It caused a silence, they had no idea what he meant, and the anointing oil was associated to them with "last rights" and they were suspicious. Saturday, August 1: Masindi, bigger groups. The suspicious ones have been replaced in numbers and the message is finally coming across well. Ministry still not the same level as at other places. We are not the judge, only God and time will tell. Masindi is slated to become its own dioceses soon. What we are doing will effect many people in the future. Sunday, August
2: Masindi, Big crowd, over 250. They paraded us up to the front
like dignitaries. Margaret and I wanted to sit in the back. They asked me to preach at a nearby 8,000
hector Sugar They have 85 tractors and 15,000 workers who earn a living at a much higher level than most do in Uganda. I had prepared a sermon. On the way there, bumpy road and all, they asked if I could speak on the 2nd Commandment, "Thou shall have no other Gods before me" instead, as they were studying the The Commandments. God gave me the words to adjust my message to include Idolatry, mentioning there are many forms, such as money, wives, or even religion. They had never heard it put that way and thanked me. Church was in a school facility, much like the other schools we had seen. After the service we visited the Sunday School. Margaret spoke to them. They sang us a song. Afterward they took us on a tour of the plantation and to the site for their new church to be.
They do not owe money in Uganda. Credit is non-existent. When they have money they buy what they can. A large pile of bricks lay on the ground that the plantation donated for Immanuel. It is beautiful spot overlooking the mountains. It only costs $12,500 American money to build church to hold 250 people. Of course that is to build it to Uganda standards. When we got back to the church in Masindi the last service was still going on. We were paraded in to a great welcome. The
Mobley team arrived at the Hotel and were quite surprised at the opulence we were
living in. They took the change of being in luxury in
stride. Forest
needing to get the bathroom at 4a.m, broke
Monday, August 3: Tour We had so looked forward to touring the Murchison Falls Park. It was a long bumpy drive but well worth it. We saw, eagles, water Buffalos, crocodiles, hippopotamus, antelope, monkeys, baboons, wild pigs and various other animals too numerous to mention. Though it was enjoyable, we cut it short and headed home to Hoima. The driver was in a hurry too, taking us along at speeds of 85-90Km. Mike yelled that he should slow down, we wanted to arrive alive. He did for a short while, then resumed the speed. Tuesday, August
4: Hoima, migraine headaches, sinus problems and upset
tummies seemed to run wild today. All was short lived
though. Mostly a good rest was what was needed. The last walk to
Hoima town to buy trinkets, and then pack.
We met Rev Capt Christopher who was riding into town to bring Mike a drum that he promised. He had ridden the 60 miles on his motorcycle. What a touching gesture. He had lunch with us then headed back in order to get there before dark. It was a, long grueling, full day trip for him. George Hope's dance and choral group put on a show for us and the teen missionaries. They wore traditional dress and danced. The group included drums and guitars. It was a real treat. Wednesday, August 5: Hoima, the Dean told us that they had seen many groups come and go, but that we were the most unique. We Laughed. We had touched their hearts and done much good. They would never forget us. We expressed the same to them. Each of us spoke to the gathering. Each of us choked back tears, some wept. We prayed, hugged, and left Hoima at 11am for the road back to home. Got to Kampala and went to a Bed and Breakfast to rent two rooms for showering and clothes changing. It was good to be clean after the long ride. We went shopping and bought a few things before piling into the van with George William again for the short trip to Entebbe where we left at 9:20pm. Bennon showed up with a plaque for Mike and to see us off. It was touching to say goodbye to our friends. Thursday, August 6: Forrest traded up and got most of us 1st class seats. It was nice. What a surprise in Atlanta. The Atlanta Mission team was on hand to greet us. We disrupted the whole airport and customs. Mike was the only one Customs searched. They found some dirt or something. Arrived at Pensacola 3:23pm to another welcome. Beginning to longingly think about our own beds and home. Friday, August 7: Destin. Things have been fast here. We came back and immediately launched into Alpha along with several membership involvement programs. Things will never be the same. We are forever changed; but work returns. What was the
biggest factor in our success? Prayer. We had more than a thousand people
praying for us, many spread throughout the U.S. and even some in Europe and
Canada, not to mention the Ugandan clergy and staff. No matter where or when
we went the After only one week back home, despite the grueling trip, when asked if we would go back, we all say yes, if God calls me back, I will gladly go. Why? It was the genuine love and need we saw and that we can truly make a big difference in Uganda. Each person on the team felt we received as much as we gave while ministering and teaching to thousands spread throughout eight Archdeaconries which were visited in Uganda.
Our hearts poured out at the level of need we saw concerning tremendous
lack of material wealth; yet, we were truly awestruck at the spiritual
wealth each person in Uganda generally possessed. Would that we
could transport that same spiritual wealth home. |
Sunday, July
19: Hoima to Kizranfumbi 
Daily
life here is not imaginable to
people living in the states; even the travel is so different. The roads
what few of them there are, are always in poor condition, full of ruts and holes big enough
to grow catfish in. However, in spite of the traveling conditions the mode of traveling
remains... full tilt. Whether
you are in a car, truck, van, or big bus, everyone runs away from the sound of
your approach. Too much danger of careening vehicles exist. 
e
are staying at a house some distance from the town. It overlooks
the town. We hear town noises in the morning, not like our town
noises. Chickens, rooster, goats... different sounds filtered up the
hill. 
A
young man, Jeffery Ksaride Shem, not yet in high school owns the house
and grounds where we stayed. He is from a prominent family of
historic significance.
His mother and father are dead from the pervious persecution and army
problems. Jeffery's uncle lives in a small house on the
hill. He watches over the boy who wants to be an engineer, but has
no money. Only a house too big for him with no one to buy it. 
blessings. Mike teaches: "There is a difference in being
used by God occasionally, and in being filled with Holy Spirit and used
by God continually." The day is anointed, they are listening. Good
ministry follows, we are used, they are blessed. 
that
were not good... even without understanding we could tell. 
Wednesday, July
29: Hoima to Masindi. Alinda means God keeps.
This trip
was made in a large bus. We were amazed at the the cargo they
managed to pack into the crowded interior and on top. Kerosene
lamps, xylophones and other instruments, potatoes, onions and beans
in
very large bags. Goats, Chickens and us. I wanted to take
pictures but they said not to. It was a real experience, all the
while at breakneck speeds. We crabbed along muddy roads full of
people carrying heavy burdens, scrambling to get out of our way as we careened
by. We finally arrived at noon. Mike and Claudia taught. 
came
from "dirt farmers" in Arkansas. There was
laughter. The translation was that I was a "dog farmer." On top
of that this is our most difficult group. They are very weary of
Holy Spirit Gifts. This caused a division in the area
previously. Missionaries come with agendas and do not teach the
whole package. People sometimes end up feeling they are better
than others because they have certain
gifts; others act like they
have them to gain statue. We talk straight talk, they listen, but
the numbers are so small from yesterday. All those attending were representatives
from many area churches, around fifty remain. 
Everyone is fed at Deacon Stanley's home across
the street. 
Plantation, Kinyara Sugar Works, and we did not want to
disrupt the service. They would have it no other way. When
the Sugar Plantation Car came to get us we were paraded out. 
They
had been praying about naming it Immanuel and since we came it would
be so. They made me chairman of the building committee. 
the key off in his room,
thereby locking himself in the room. Needless to say the rowdy
Americans had arrived. What a hoot. I think he woke up the
whole town.
24-hour prayer vigil was sending prayers that we succeed in the
tasks given us, and in a healthy and timely way. None, not one, got truly sick. With
a mission policy of, "Where you lead me I will follow, what you feed me I
will swallow," that is truly a miracle in itself.