Update 5 from Africa

Thursday was another incredible and amazing day. God has done so much and it is absolutely overwhelming.

The medical team spent their time with patients and helped the clinic staff and doctors organize and inventory the supplies we had given to them. It was a blessing to see how much we were able to give. Several members were also able to provide a CPR training session for the clinic staff, who were very excited to learn another way of saving lives. The CPR presenters also were able to share Bible verses and tell the participants that God is the one who saves lives and we are simply used by Him.

Now that the pastor's conference in Midigo has come to a close, there were many more team members who were able to join the outreach team and go out into the community. At the morning briefing, Dr. Juventine shared that there was an area about 45 minutes from Midigo called Yumbe that was 98% Muslim, but that there were many families located there that were in darkness and despair. He warned that people in this area may be hostile to our group and the message we bring. When we had driven through this area earlier in the week, we saw men sitting along the town streets glaring at us with anger and resentment. There were 10 team members that accepted the challenge to go to this place. The initial plan was to visit 12 families from this area that Pastor Ben from Calvary Chapel Yumbe had identified as being in need, and to hear their stories so they could potentially become Promise Child families.

When we arrived in Yumbe, we were instructed to go to the Town Hall to gain permission to travel in this area. The officials interviewed the team leaders and after much questioning agreed to allow us to visit the families. Before leaving the office, they informed us that a government official would be traveling on our bus throughout the day to document our activities and provide a report. We agreed to this, but had reservations about how it would affect the day.

We stopped in 10 different locations throughout the day and each team member was able to minister to many different people. There were so many amazing stories that came out of this day. Here are just a few of the highlights: We met a woman who had 4 children that she was caring for alone since her husband had left her. She shared that her crops had not grown this season due to the drought. Her oldest daughter had an eye infection that had caused her eye lid to swell severely. When we asked the mother if she had taken her to the medical clinic, she explained that her hut had recently burned and that the medical paperwork for her daughter had been destroyed so the clinic had turned her away without assistance (this was not the Safe Harbor Hospital). She was desperate for hope. We were able to pray with her, meet her children, and give her hope for the future.

The government official assigned to monitor our activities witnessed the love we had for one another and the love of God that was poured out on this community through our team. She shared with one of the team members that she had a Muslim upbringing that was forced upon her. As the conversation went on, it was evident that it was not a coincidence that she had been assigned to spend the day with us. As the opportunity presented itself, the team continued to share with her about why we had come to Ugand - to meet the needs of the people, but more importantly to share the gospel with those who are without hope. Later in the day, while standing under a mango tree, she accepted the Lord. She also requested pray for her son who has epilepsy. Her countence completely changed from that moment. Within a few hours, God used her to bring another person to the Lord as she translated for a team member who was sharing the gospel.

Each time we stepped off the bus we were surrounded by kids from the community who were so interested and curious about what was going on. We were able to share songs with the kids, which brought many smiles. At one of the stops, the kids decided to sing us a song which was entitled "The Pillars of Uganda." We were blessed by these children who chased after the bus for several blocks as we left the area. Many team members were heart broken and brought to tears as we can only help a few of the families and the needs are so vast. Many of us have traveled the world and have seen a lot, but the poverty and hopelessness in Yumbe was something that is hard to put into words. We were able to bring smiles to the faces of these children, despite their situation. Please continue to pray for these little ones.

Part of the team was able to go out to a high school that had approximately 80 or 90 students. The students gathered outside and we were able to share testimonies and the gospel. We talked about Christ being our only hope and the way of salvation. We were also able to pray with students who wanted to receive Christ. We thought that was the end of that meeting, but later found that four of the high school girls rode their bikes 5 miles from their school to the compound where we are staying so that they could speak with us about the Lord. These girls are all believers and attend Calvary Chapel Midigo. They shared their stories with us and told of their difficulties being orphaned and struggling to stay in school. They also asked how they can encourage non-believers to come to know Christ. We spent over an hour fellowshiping and sharing with them.

The team is rejoicing over the fruitfulness of the day and is so excited to see what your prayers have done. Please continue to pray for us and those who have been touched by the gospel. We are so thankful for your partnership.

PS from Nancy:
I spoke to Brent this morning. He said he was staring up at the clearest possible view of the Milky Way, as he listened to booming thunder from the storm that was blowing in, while "I Bless the Rains Dow in Africa" played from a transister radio in the guard shack- now that isn't something most people can say they've experienced! 18 of the team members left Midigo Friday morning. They have the opportunity to go on a well-earned safari tour while making their way to Kampala. It is sometimes very difficult to process all that one sees and experiences on a trip like this, and this down time is so necessary for the team.Once they arrive in Kampala there will be another pastor's conference at Calvary Chapel Kampala, and some of the team will be traveling to an island on Lake Victoria to do a medical outreach and evangelism. Brent, Chris and Dr. Mays opted to forgo the safari to spend more time in Midigo. Dr. Mays will continue to assist Dr. Juventine in the hospital, and Brent and Chris will be running a VBS for the 70+ Promise Child kids in Midigo. Please pray for the continued health and safety of our team, for the Lord to minister to them as they rest up for the next part of the mission, and for the VBS to glorify the Lord and bless the children.