Year in review and the way forward.
January 16th 2009 we land in Uganda, moved into our house in Wabigalo and put our kids in a local school. Began work with a IM national staff who ended up being a wolf in sheep's clothing, after I openly rebuked him in front of his elders and told him he could no longer be a pastor and firing him from IM staff he (allegedly) got me a 6hr appointment with some CID cops who interrogated me until the US embassy showed up. This was all for throwing a party at my house for the neighborhood, praying, singing and doing an exegetical devo.
Through that experience we realized we had some immigration issues and it was illegal for us to be doing what we were doing with tourist visas. Since we're the only employees with IM in Uganda we were on our own. We had some friends, Moses & Betty Odongo, who were willing to help us out with special passes through Arise and Shine Worship Center (ASWC). This was truly the beginning of something special. Our plans are just that, plans. God 's the only one who says what He's going to do and does it every time.
Moses was the first pastor I saw open his bible and preach. You could tell he had spend some time earlier in the week preparing for the sermon and he even talked about Jesus a lot which is a huge bonus if it's not “Magical Genie Jesus” who gives you everything you want because you command him in faith to give it to you. And so it was, no magical genie. Soon after Moses and I entered into a discipleship role were we met 2-3x a week for intentional bible study which would start at around 6PM and go up to midnight sometimes. This was and is a life on life walking the same road type of discipleship. We eat together, pray together, preach together, do mercy ministry together, outreaches and even business. It has to be one of the most humbling and frightening experiences to watch a pastor regurgitate ,what you've been teaching, to his people in the pulpit. And not just as a practice but out of conviction.
We've seen folks come and go, had some friends from Montana come by and minister to us and the pastors in our area. Loring's parents came and took us on Safari, the Defender broke down for the 3rd time thus giving a roadside adventure gift to the in laws (you haven't lived until you've broke down in the middle of nowhere while in Africa). We spent thousands on becoming legal and are now finally legit under Sojourn Ministries. My dad showed up for a few weeks to see what the heck his son and family are doing. I think he left with something he didn't have before. We were able to facilitate some seed money for a medical clinic. I was able to flex my construction muscles (I'm a little rusty). We had the return of Kostya just in time to share Christmas with the Odongos and our grown up child Meredith, who stayed with us for six weeks. We fed and fed while watching Kung Fu Panda and The Incredible's on our International Messengers projector that's near death. Kostya moved in with the Odongos and my children are still mourning the loss of their big sister Meredith, from reading books, playing with puzzles, doing crafts and being a bunk mate to Hannah, her return will be greatly anticipated.
During and in between these events we've had the great privilege of meeting with several Acts 29 church planters who've either come to teach or explore ministry in Uganda. I've followed A29 for about 3yrs now going to a few boot-camps (conference's), listening to the podcast and even requesting them to assess me for church planting. There was some serious pride-checking going on with these guys as they challenged me in many ways. They are willing to walk with me for a year as I seek more cultural understanding, pastoral experience and maturity. In addition we are in the process of teaming up with Vintage 21 church in Raleigh, NC. We intend to answer the question, “What does redemption look like in the slums of Kampala?”. To begin that process we're receiving two young men, Jeremiah and Jonathan who will be staying with us four months for the planning and implementation as well as Sara who will be here one month to help make the connect back to the good people at Vintage 21. Pray with us as we desire to be in step with the Gospel.
The result of submitting to A29 has be humbling but absolutely necessary. Moses and I have been moving together and engaged in “life on life” discipleship though the scriptures and life. Our families are together most of the time, Betty is Loring's best Ugandan friend and Moses is mine. Our kids play fabulously together and I have been preaching just about every Sunday at Arise and Shine Worship Center. About two months ago we began the conversation about bringing me on as a Pastor. We hashed out some Theological questions. We discussed what it would look like in the church life, what my duties as a pastor would be, pros and cons as well as th potential for trouble. He then approached the congregation who, when they heard, were for it. Then we sought the approval of the Pastor's Unity (Collection of local pastors who lead the church at large). The chairman, Wilson Opio and one of the original pastor in the area, Eric Bakwata were excited about the possibilities in promoting unity and changing perceptions on Pastors in the area. We wanted to have the blessing of the the congregation at A&SWC and the local church community. We decided to hold a ordination ceremony on the 10th of January for both Moses and Me. The place was absolutely packed with the local church community and some friends from the corner like Sharif (the Muslim) and Ronald (the non practicing Catholic) and one of the boda guys, whose name I've forgotten. The event was good and spoke volumes to the community and to me. I'm one of them. I'm not the “missionary” playing the puppet master role but now I'm amongst them, submitting and becoming ordained by them as a member of the body in Uganda and specifically my community. Now my goal is to promote Moses as the lead guy, to labor as a pastor, to help the church to grow in maturity and health. Then in about a years time I'll be sent out from A&SWC with the nod of A29 and support of the local church community, to plant a church within Wabigalo.
So thank you Mike, JD, Nate and Jonathan for your wisdom and thought into this fools life, family and call. Thank you for taking your calling seriously and making Jesus the hero. Gratitude and humility are the themes for this new year as we strain forward to live a life that displays the saving power of Christ, the unity of His bride and the abiding Treasure and future glory with Christ. I encourage all to fling all the crap that entangle and prohibit you to do what God has commanded and do what God has commanded. Jesus didn't say, “follow Driscoll, follow Piper, follow, Spurgeon, follow your portfolio, follow your corporate ladder, your pocket book, your excuses, your reasons why not”......Jesus said to pick up your cross and follow HIM. He's saying, come and die to everything and then you will have a life worth living, worth spending and pouring out, because it will be Christ's. Not to wait till the economy gets better or you get the better job or more vacation time, not to wait till you retire. HIM, follow Him, he'll be your rest, he'll be your refuge, he'll be your treasure, your prize, greatest desire and delight. Wherever you are and whatever you do, it's Jesus. "Every man dies but only some truly live." Sir William Wallace
If your only searching for your own comfort & ease and way to have a better life, then you'll only find your best life now. There is no future hope and glory because you're fixed on yourself and not on the cross of Christ. You see, He's not a means to your success, (through clinched teeth) HE'S THE STINKIN' TREASURE. Your not blessed if you have a house, your not blessed if you have a fridge full of food, and your not blessed if you've not a good job. We ask God to bless these things and use them for His purposes and we thank Him for what we have but the blessing is when God is LORD over everything in your life. Blessed are you when you're poor & spit on, blessed are you when your hungry and hated and blessed are you when your more concerned about offending Jesus than people. Why? Because in these times, you have a wonderful opportunity to display the excellencies of Christ, to display that Christ is more than food, He is your sustainer, that He is more that material possession because you're clothed in His righteousness, Christ is more than having a good status or reputation, because you have a place, seated with Christ in the heavenly places, seated even at the right hand of God the Father in Christ Jesus. Be blessed in displaying the excellencies of Christ, the real saving power of Christ and the might of the Holy Spirit that dwells in the believer, that is when you find yourself blessed. Yes we feed people, we cloth them, we preach the Gopsel, but ask yourself this, do you seek the the blessings or to be blessed? I think Piper was right saying when enough Christians have gotten their throats cut by Muslims we might begin to reach them. Only Christians suffer like christians, anyone can enjoy prosperity.
Please take this as an encouragment and somthing to examine you all our lives, examine in the scriptures, to think and pray on. Thank you for you prayers so far and please continue to pray as we will for you as we all attempt to surrender to Christ to die to ourselves daily and truly live for Christ.
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It is great what you are doing and you and your family are an encouragement to me. May God Bless you, your family and your mission.